The next few weeks were like heaven on earth for Batman. Drifter came over to his house almost every day to see him and he loved it. Robin was getting better about having her over too. After a few times when she took him out to go places, he warmed up to her much more. She always paid a great deal of attention to the boy so that he practically felt included in everything.
Batman also grew closer to Robin, which made the boy happy. He got to see Batman much more often now and practically fainted when Batman presented him with his very own Robin bike. Batman even promised to get him a new one for Christmas after he crashed it the second time he rode it. Robin promised to stop crashing things.
Batman's days and nights were filled with Drifter. He fought crime with her, went to the JLA meetings with her and was altogether so happy. However, amidst all this happiness, he failed to notice something important.
Drifter was getting restless, her paws itching to be on the road. At first, she had stayed close to the Hall of Justice so she would be there for Batman, but now she traveled further and further before turning back restlessly.
Once, on a run with Batman, she had taken him to the very outskirts of Metropolis and had showed no signs of stopping. When Batman had called her to return to the Hall of Justice, she had turned circles as a dog, gazing longingly at the deserts beyond the city. Then, she had followed Batman back to the Batmobile, the whole time turning her head to gaze back at the stretch of dry earth.
One day, Batman and Robin found her at the top of the tallest building in Metropolis, gazing out into the wilderness beyond as a leopard. "What's up Drifter?" Robin asked, running up to her. He put his arms around her strong neck. She purred and licked Batman's hand when he stroked her ears.
Then, she returned her gaze to the desert. "What is it Drifter?" Robin asked.
"I have something to tell you", Drifter said, looking up at Batman and then at Robin, "both of you."
"You sound serious", Batman said, sitting down next to her, "what's wrong?" Drifter turned into a girl and absentmindedly stroked Robin's side, who settled down beside her with his head on her shoulder.
"I love you, both of you, more then anything else, you know that don't you?" Drifter said.
"Of course", Batman said, "now what's wrong?" Drifter gave a sigh.
"I'm leaving", she said softly.
"What", Robin yelped, almost falling off the roof. Batman just looked shocked. Drifter sighed.
She touched Batman's face gently and said "I have to go. I'm getting restless. I was never meant to stay in one place for too long, you know that don't you? That's why I'm called the Drifter, because I drift. I'm a nomad."
"But", Batman said softly, "I thought you liked it here."
"Ohh sweetheart, I do, really I do. It's not that I don't want to stay, I do. I've never felt this way about anyone before. But, I have to go."
"This is my fault, isn't it", Robin said, "I've been too needy huh."
"No Robin", Drifter said, "of course it's not your fault angel, it's mine. All my life, I've never been able to stay in one place for very long."
"I was going to ask you to marry me today", Batman said softly, "I had already talked it over with Robin."
"Ohh Batman", Drifter said, "I would marry you in a heart beat. I suppose it's no use asking you to come with me." Batman shook his head.
"You're love is Gotham", Drifter said, "and Gotham needs you. I am attached to no city, only the open road. You could never be happy with me. One day, my heart is going to settle and my need to travel will dissipate, but until then, my paws are tied to the open road. I cannot ask you to wait for me though, that wouldn't be fair."
"I will wait for you", Batman said, "I will wait as long as I have to."
"Ohh, my sweet, wonderful naïve Batman, I believe you. I promise you, I will come back to Gotham in one year's time. At that time, if you still want me, I'll marry you. Perhaps a child will tie me to one place. I know wolves lose their need to roam when they have pups. I will not feel any jealousy if you have replaced me in your heart with someone else by then. Please do not feel attached to me because right now I can give you nothing." Batman stroked her hair.
"I will wait then." Drifter got up. She held Robin tightly before kissing Batman. She held his lips as long as she could the broke off. "I love you Batman", she said.
"Well here", Batman said, "take this, to remember me by." He gave her a ring glittering brightly in the sunlight.
"Ohh Batman", Drifter said, "I could never forget you, here." She pulled a silver chain off from around her neck and gave it too him. On the end of it was a shiny silver swift. "Don't forget me." Then, she jumped off the building, turning into a winged leopard in mid leap and soaring off into the distance. Batman and Robin watched her go. Robin put his arms around his mentor's waist in a tight hug. Batman held him back, a tear trickling down his cheek.
"Goodbye love", he whispered, "be back soon, please be back soon."
Alright everyone, that's it. I'm debating on weather to write a sequel or not. I feel so sad now so I probably will, if anyone would be interested in that. I started a new project recently so I won't get to it for a bit, but it should be fun. Thanks so much for reading guys.