I wait at the fire place. Letting the rain attend to my ears. It's a lot better than the ringing within. But as I listen, I hear one of the three new hires, it sounds like they are reading something. Not aloud but enough for me to hear. I go over as it's coming from the small library in the manor.

It was Taiki as it seems they were writing a poem.

she was a princess

who desired for a sword and horse

not a prince

who could fight her battles

when she got the

crown on her head

and same power

(credit by leeaaun on poetrysoup)

I knock on the door. As Taiki looks to see and they see me. "Ah, sir. Do forgive me. I hope I wasn't too loud." They look a bit miffed at themselves and... possibly me...? But I wave my hand.

"Not at all. I admit I was listening but the poem was... very nice. Short, but sweet. I think it shows that even length doesn't matter, when it's the emotions you feel for that someone in your life." They look at me with a bit of surprise, pleasant.

"I'll admit, you didn't strike me as a man for poetry. But it's nice to know someone can appreciate a poem short or long."

"Appearances can be deceiving. In fact, would it be ok if I threw back a poem at you? It won't be about a princess but maybe you'll like it." Again, they look at me with surprise. But they smile and invite me to sit. I sit down and close my eyes.

(AN: couldn't find a good one.)

The poem I say it's about myself... or Batman rather. But not directly saying it. I talk of the trauma and weight in my heart. When I open my eyes. She looks a bit surprised at me.

"I must say I didn't expect this. Not that I mind. But I at least don't feel alone in the appreciation of poetry." I nod softly to that.

"Well, Taiki. I do hope to hear more of your poems." I could see the faintest hint of pink to her cheek before she closes her eyes and smiled.

"That or perhaps chess."

"While I am not too good, I am happy to at least play in that. Perhaps you can be a good teacher for me?"

"I think that would be fun. And don't worry, I won't charge extra." She leans over towards me. I grin slightly.

"Oh? And what did I do to deserve this, Taiki?" I lean over towards her, her height towering home. Her broad shoulder would normally feel intimidating. But in this moment I feel... safe around them.

"Let's just say you've intrigued me."

"I aim to please Tai-"

"Michiru Kaioh and Haruka Tenoh are awaiting you in your study, Master Sun. Taiki, your break has ended." I hear Alfie say behind me. So what Moon said was true. I guess I'm not losing my mind or my hearing.

"Till next time?" Taiki nods to that as I get up and head towards the study. My feet feel heavy. They know what I am. I know what they are. We said some things at each other. But we forgave each other too. Will that still stick...? Guess we will see.

I open the door and see the two there. They turn towards me. Not a look of disapproval showed on their face. Not even one of seriousness. But a sense of... happiness. They held no smiles, but they had a look like they haven't seen me for a millennium.

I wasn't sure what my face showed. Whether surprise or anger or even despondence. We stare at each other for a moment, me and Michiru, as we walk towards one another and embraced each other tightly.

"I thought I lost you forever..." I breathe out, looking down at my sister. I slowly being a hand to her cheeks. Being soft as I feared this was all in my head. That this wasn't real, that Zur-en-arrh was still in control. But this was real, never before did I feel more happy than right now.

"I'm sorry, Sunny. I... I wanted to tell you. But my duties, are much more important. I did it to protect you." She hugs

"As did I. I know I'm not a... senshi. But I'm a defender of this city too. But I'll admit... that I thought you would hate me. That you would find me... disgusting." I walk away from her to the window, the look of slight disbelief is registered on my sisters face.

"I could never hate you. I admit, I was a bit shocked that you were Batman. Let alone that you'd be so... brutal with criminals."

"They are a scourge, Michi. A infestation that must be put in prison. I will never kill. No matter how bad I want to some days. I don't want to be like... father." I look back at Michiru to which makes Haruka confused when I bring up father. She has the look of sadness on her face when she approaches me and hugs me from behind.

"That's why you became Batman... because of revenge?"

"... Not entirely. I... I don't want anyone else to suffer at the hands of their parents. Dad beat me... a lot. You already know but... I guess this'll be useful for Haruka to know too." I turn to hug Michiru again, talking against her hair.

"Dad would always look at me with disdain. That everything I ever did wasn't enough. Even if I got a perfect score he'd ask 'Why didn't you do the bonus questions?' Or if I won in a card game against someone he'd say 'Your sister doesn't waste time doing such frivolous, meaningless things!' I wanted to make him proud at first. But after that, all I wanted to be was the punching bag for him."

"Why?" Harukas words cut in. My guess is morbidly curious as to why I would say that.

"I wanted to spite him. To show him I wouldn't give up against him. I wanted him only to hurt me and only me. Anytime Michiru got in trouble and it was mom that was gonna say anything, I begged our mother to let me take the blame. That I encouraged it or that I forced her to as so that way she wouldn't be a wuss or something." I feel wetness on my chest, I look down for a moment. But Michis slight trembling against my hands confirms it. Haruka looks at me for a moment with a look of... respect? Perhaps even... inspiration.

"But then... the one night happened. The one that... made me leave happened." I hear Michi gasp and look up at me with tears welling in her eyes. The look of fear.

"You don't have-"

"I want to, Michi. She deserves to know. What she's getting into. Besides... I didn't tell you the entire story either." Now both look at me with shock.

"See on that night, I wanted to get our mother out of there. She was dying. Father wasn't doing much to combat it and I wanted to steal her away, I managed to find a doctor who may have been able to get her set on a plan to help her fight the disease. I wasn't strong enough to carry her, only drag her. But that's when... bam." I don't give any expression or movement. Haruka looks at me with intrigue and Michiru keeps holding me.

"I get hit in the head with a 2x4. I was being dragged to the garage. I could hear my mother screaming for me to be let go. I recognized my fathers voice yelling back. I was... sat up into a chair. When I became fully conscious. I was strapped into it. With my father looking at me with a... devilish smile. One that would even make the devils skin crawl. He told me that I was brave and bold enough to try something like this. That I actually believed I would save her. He said he needed my youthfulness. That he found a way to... acquire it for himself." Both now look at me with confusion... and possible dread.

"I had realized that he was insane because when he moved away from my eyesight. I saw a big mirror was behind him, it showed myself. With read dotted lines etched around my cranium." Michirus eyes begin to widen, I could hear her shudder, possibly figuring out what my father had meant.

"My father said that he needed my youth... my fires of rebellion for himself. That he was getting old. That's when..." I trail off for a moment. The memories flooding in like a tsunami, nearly overwhelming me.

"That's when what...?" I hear Haruka say, the tension in the room growing more and more. Then the tension stops as I say the next few words.

"When he grabs the buzzsaw,"

(hate to leave it on a cliff hanger but do give it a review please and thank you!)