I know I suck. I didn't update last week and I am a terrible person. But I don't really feel like writing when I get two reviews. Come on people, it's not that hard to do. There's even a nifty little button at the bottom that makes it nice and easy for you.

On a different note, is there anything you would like to see happen in the story? I am more than open for suggestions.

Ok, ranting over, enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 15

After I got home from practice, I ate dinner and showered. I snagged my pillow, blanket and book off my bed and headed out onto the roof. I spent as much time as I could out there, just in case. Once I got settled and all comfy under the blanket, I reached into my jacket pocket and pulled out a piece of stretchy black fabric. It was actually a book sock, you know, the kind you put on your school text books. I had been playing with the idea of making a mask for myself but hadn't done any more than get the fabric. Where do the superheroes get there costumes from anyways? Is there a "Heroes 'R' Us" where everyone gets all their costumes and weapons?

I got tired of fiddling with the wanna be mask, so I shifted into a black cat and leaped lightly onto the main roof. I decided to wonder around the block a bit, it was a nice night out. I thought about changing into a dog but thought it best to stay in the form I was in. Cat are always roaming around at night, but when someone sees a dog walking around they want to take it home and keep it as a pet.

I walked over to the street light that I had helped Robin at. Looking up from my significantly lower vantage point than usual, I could see what looked like a sticker of the Robin sign on the post. I placed my front paws up as high as I could and stretched my head up to try and get a better look. I was right. It was a Robin sign.

I ran in between two houses and shifted into human form. I pulled the hood of my jacket up and tugged it low over my eyes again. I walked back out and stood under the lamp post.

"How's your shoulder?" I asked in a low voice.

Robin melted out of the shadows and came to stand under the light. "Back in place at very least."

"I'm gonna assume you wanted to talk to me, seeing as you're here and not chasing a mobster."

"Very true," he turned back to the shadow he was previously occupying and said, "Hey KF, come meet Mutt."

Kid Flash zoomed out of the shadow and came to a halt next to Robin. "Nice to meet you Mutt, I'm Kid Flash," he said pointing both thumbs at himself.

"It's Shift, not Mutt, and nice to meet you."

"What's with the name confusion?"

"Robin seems to be under the impression that Mutt is a better name for me than Shift."

"It does have a nice ring to it…" Kid Flash said nodding his head.

"Ya'll got to pick out your names, so I should be able to pick out mine," I told them, crossing my arms.

"Why would you pick Shift when there are so many other options out there?" Kid Flash asked.

"Why would you pick Kid Flash when there are so many other options out there?" I countered. That shut him up.

"As I said before, we are here for a reason. Batman would like to talk to you. Could you get to Gotham tomorrow night?" Robin asked. "We will be waiting for you on top of Wayne Tower."

Crap it's a school night. Hmmm…. School or Batman, School or Batman…. Batman it is!

"Sure I can be there."

"We'll be waiting," Robin replied.

"Would you like to actually disappear to the top of a light post again or shall I beat you to the chase?"

"What does she mean by again, Rob?" Kid Flash asked, raising an eyebrow.

I just smiled and motioned for Robin to answer the question.

"My usual escape didn't quite go as planned last time. Mutt managed to Robin me…." He said the last part very quietly.

I could tell that Kid Flash was trying to hold back his laughter but he seemed to be losing the battle. "You got… Robined? That… that is….. That has no possible description in the English dictionary! Quick Robin, make up a word to describe the utter irony of that!"

"You want me to create and arm you with a tool to ridicule me with? That would be ridicrule!"

:3( )~~

"Wally!" our art teacher thumped her ruler on his desk, right next to his head, "No sleeping in class."

He shot straight up, his eyes wide. Jade and I chuckled at his hair that was in disarray. "Looks like Mouth over there had a late night," Jade said turning back around to face me.

I yawned and nodded my head.

"What's up with you? You're as tired as Wally is."

"I didn't sleep well last night."

"Why?"

Of course I hadn't prepared for this question, "I don't know. Just too much happening I guess."

"Jamie, I know you. I know how much you love sleep. And I know that it would take an awful lot to keep you from it. So I ask again, what is with you?"

"I've been staying up late. Just, you know, doin' stuff."

"Must be some pretty important stuff."

"I think it is. Other people would probably think it was stupid but whatever," I said, putting the last few brush strokes on the piece I was working on.

"What is it?"

"If I told you that I would have to kill you. And you wouldn't want that." Because I have a crazy and slightly delusional mind I immediately start thinking of the different animals and the different ways they could kill a person. The one I came up with for a whale was more than just a little biblical.

"No, really. What are you doing?"

"It's a secret. I wasn't kidding about the whole 'I'd have to kill you' thing."

She just looked at me with narrowed eyes. "I guess I'll just have to figure it out for myself."

I just made a nondescript sound in reply. I seriously doubt that she will figure out what I'm hiding. There was another thud of the art teacher's ruler slamming the table next to Wally's head again. He snapped up and had his hand in front of him like one might have if they were in a fighting stance. "Get behind me!" he shouted. When he realized everyone was looking at him he slowly continued, "I was in line first."

"Mr. West, I would suggest you get more sleep at night. Because if this happens again I will not hesitate to send you to the office." She gave him a stern look and walked away.

:3( )~~

Around 11:30 that night I crawled out on to my roof again. I still hadn't figured out the whole mask thing so I was right back to the black jacket with the hood. I changed into a black falcon and took off for Gotham.

It was a clear, still night. When I arrived at Wayne Tower I dropped down and perched on top of one of the gargoyles. I didn't see Batman or Robin, but that didn't mean anything. They could be hiding in any one of the dark shadows. I jumped down off the gargoyle and then circled it, taking in every detail I could. I changed into a gargoyle that matched the one next to me and waited.

:3( )~~

"It doesn't seem as though she has arrived," Batman said to Robin.

"She wouldn't miss this. She'll be here," Robin told him as he continued scanning the roof top.

They were standing in front of me, unaware that there was an extra sculpture behind them. "How kind of you to express such faith in me, Robin." I had recently figured out that if I shifted certain aspects of my mouth while I was shifted into a different creature, I could still talk.

They both drew a Batarang and were prepared to throw it at who ever had snuck up on them, but when they turned around they didn't see any one there.

"Whoa! I don't think you're supposed to stab the person you're trying to meet." I said turning around, still looking like a gargoyle.

"Shift?" Robin asked hesitantly.

I changed into my human form with my hood pulled low. "The one and only."

Batman studied me from beneath his cowl. "You are the one that helped Robin." It was a statement, not a question

"Yes sir."

"And the one that chomped down on Zeke's arm."

"As a dog, yes.

"Show me," Batman demanded.

"As you can see, Batman is known for his manners and hospitality," Robin said motioning to Batman.

"Are you sure there aren't cameras or anything like that up here? Because last time I shifted in public there were people freaking out about a bear getting lose."

"That was you?"

"That was me when I met Artemis. She asked for a demonstration too."

"A bear is not necessary; the dog you turned into will do just fine."

I changed into the big black dog again. Faster than my eyes could track, Batman grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and shoved a mold into my mouth. He was holding down my tongue, forcing my mouth open so I couldn't bite his hand then pulled it out and released me.

Out of surprise, my fur started turning white. Before they could see me turn all the way white I changed back into a person. "What was that for?!" I demanded, awkwardly licking my teeth in attempts to get the nasty tasting teeth mold stuff off.

"I needed a mold of your teeth to compare with the bite marks on Zeke's arm."

"I would have given you one had you just asked."

Ignoring my comment, Batman continued on to the next topic. "Have you lent aid anywhere other than with Robin?"

"I released the Marie girl here in Gotham when the Ghost Twins kidnapped her," I told him.

I didn't think that it was possible for Batman to be surprised but I seemed to have achieved that feat.

"That was you?" Robin asked. "I thought that was Tempest."

"Well, she didn't know I was there. She was a bit busy trying to fend off Ghost. So I changed into a rat and gnawed through the tape that held her, then she grabbed me and ran."

"What happened to Tempest and the Ghost Twins?"

"I don't know. I had been rat-napped at that point."

"Anyways, Batman, could you get to the point here," Robin asked eagerly.

Batman sighed and looked at his protégé. "I would like you to be trained for the team." My face lit up. (Not that they could see it, but it did)

"Like Robin and Artemis's team?"

"Well you aren't joining The Justice League." I didn't know that sarcasm was even in Batman's vocabulary.

"So, just like that I'm in? That seems a little too easy," I said skeptically.

"As I said before, you will need training. Have you ever done martial arts?"

"For seven years, I have my black belt."

"It's a start I suppose. What weapons do you know how to use?"

"Guns, archery, swords, nunchucks, knifes and throwing knifes," I said counting them off on my fingers. "But I have the most experience with hand to hand fighting, guns and archery."

All the shadows seemed to be suck toward Batman at the mention of guns. "You can forget about the guns when you are on the team. They are forbidden when you are wearing your mask."

"And on that note, you are gonna need a uniform," Robin added in.

"Yes, your hood won't do you much good on the job."

"Now, that is something I have always wondered, where does everyone get there uniforms?"

Robin smiled a slow creepy smile, "We have connections."