Daitan'na: Grit of Gotham

Chapter Eight:

Godspeed

A trip back home.

One of them will have to come along to make sure things go smoothly, Batman said, but he made it clear we have to get every bit of information we need out of the house, meaning our expedition is not only to grab the notes but to do some thorough detective work. Batman told me in person that Jason will not be accompanying me because he's more of a fighter, not quite a patient investigator and was considering Tim. But then Tim, having the most knowledge on the Thaumaturge, will be better off staying in Gotham. Nightwing isn't available, he said, because he's busy with his job so now it's down to Robin and Batman himself.

"Robin? Do you want to go or should I?" Batman asks, giving him a choice.

"Oh, I have a say in this," Robin says, pretending to look surprised. "If you want me to go, Batman, just say so."

I almost laugh at the way Batman's lips curl in annoyance but I know better.

"Robin, accompany Tomoe to China. Carry out an in-depth investigation and come back with a deduction. Do you understand?"

"Got it," He says. "When do we go?"

"Tomorrow, early morning," Batman says. "Be ready."

"Great, let me just tell Moretsuna and Gankona. You're okay with riding the dragons, right?" I ask Robin.

"Of course." He scoffs but I see a bit of excitement.

"Awesome, we got everything down," Jason says, stretching. "Now let's get some dinner."

When I finally got the dragon eggs safely down the hill, a tiny, secluded cottage came in sight. I smelt sauté shiitake mushrooms through the open front door and my stomach turned over in hunger. I expected the little old lady to stare at the eggs and probably run back in and lock her house up but she helped me carry them inside her home.

It was a snug place that warmed me right to the bones. The living room consisted of two couches and one rocking chair. There's a bookshelf by the lamp, filled with many novels and tomes. There were cupboards everywhere, some opened, some closed. Glass jars, cups, vials, and containers held bizarre looking substances while some other were sealed or wrapped. Ledges stuck out of the walls, bearing vases, traditional statuettes, and more receptacles casing tubes and funnels.

There was an atmosphere in the house that hit me right away. She'd made this her home, an embodiment of herself. She got me comfortable at the dinner table where my mouth watered at the cornucopia of steamed dumplings, fried tofu, and the sizzling shiitake mushrooms. She got out another plate and I helped myself heartily.

I thanked her in Japanese. And to my surprise, she replied,

"[You're welcome.]"

"[You also speak Japanese?]"

"[Also English and Korean,]" She said. "[Though, my Japanese could use some polishing. While you are here you might as well learn English and Chinese. Don't worry, I am a good teacher.]"

"[Y-You're letting me stay here?]" I asked, almost choking on the vegetables.

"[Unless you have somewhere to reside, yes.]"

"[I don't really…my name is Tomoe Namakettei, by the way.]"

"[Wei Zhihao, at your service.]"

"Get up. Now."

There's a sharp jab at my side but I groan and turn over. It could be a criminal for all I care, I'm dead tired and I need all the sleep I can get for the departure in the morning. Which apparently, is right now.

"Stop it, Jason!" I growl into my pillow. "I'll kill you if—"

"Uh, Tomoe, it's Robin." I hear Jason say next to me.

I bolt upright. I don't need Robin having another reason to hate me as he now sees me sleeping in the same bed with Jason. We both agreed that we could share the bed in peace if I'll try harder not to attach myself to his body parts again.

Jason is already awake and it's still so dark I can barely see their faces. The lights snap open and I hiss, my eyes stinging.

"Robin, I thought Batman said early morning," I say, covering my eyes.

"It's 4:00 AM," He grunts. "Soaring in the air mounted on dragons in broad daylight isn't something Gotham City will take lightly. Now hurry up and get dressed."

I roll my eyes, grab my bag, and slam the bathroom door behind me. I wash my face with hot water and give it a few, hard slaps. After finishing my personal hygiene routine, I dress myself with the violet top I bought not long before I left China. It has a black adjustable band that rings around from my collarbone to my nape. There's a gleaming set of ornamental buttons shaped as tiny golden florets I really like. I pull on my usual pair of black, closefitting pants and try to brush the knots out of hair. As I do so, I can hear the faint voices of Robin and Jason talking in the other room. I edge closer to the bathroom door and eavesdrop.

"Do you always do this?" It's Robin.

"Do what?"

"Fool around. Philander."

"Great, you too. Look, I'm not gonna explain my life to a kid."

"Call me a kid one more time and you are dead, Todd. Again."

"I'll tell your daddy."

"Suck-up."

"Robin, I don't know what philander means but trust me, he isn't doing any of that sort," I sniff, exiting the bathroom, still combing my hair. "Gee, where did I kick my shoes?"

"Check the corners," Jason snorts. "They're in a different one each night."

"Nope, they're under the bed." I sigh.

When I get back on my booted feet, Dokutokuna is already there, by Robin. I give him a look. He's hardly here unless that little mean boy is around.

"Yeah, don't appreciate the person that feeds you," I scoff. "It's fine."

Robin smirks a big, smug smirk.

"I'm hungry, Robin, can I eat something before we leave?" I ask, pulling on my boots and slinging my bag over my shoulder.

"No." He says and puts one foot out the window.

"Ass." I murmur.

"Amen," Jason says, upon hearing. "Try not to tear each other apart on your little trip."

"I'll try, I don't know about him," I make a face and follow Robin. "How do we get to a high surface? It's obviously a bad idea to climb the hotel wall."

"Here, I brought a spare grapnel gun," He says and throws me a device. "A balustrade is enclosing that roof over there. Make sure the clamp here secures behind the balusters."

I squint and aim for the balustrade around the roof. I pull the trigger and the cord, attached to some kind of bat shaped clamp, shoots up into the darkness. Just before I lift both feet off the windowsill I turn my head and wave at Jason.

"See ya, jerk."

"Bring back some Chinese food. Chow mein or something."

"We're not going on a vacation." Robin grunts and lets go of the window. The strong cord pulls him towards the balustrade and he jumps easily over the columns.

"He's agile," I say, almost forgetting what I'm doing.

"And waiting for you," Jason yawns, poking me in the back. "Godspeed, my friend."

And so I lift my feet and let the cord take me. When I land next to Robin, Dokutokuna reappears on his shoulder.

"[Did you tell them?]" I ask the little purple dragon, trying not to glare.

He nods.

"[Great, because we don't need a grumpy Moretsuna on our hands.]" I say and hold out my arms. My tattoos glow and Moretsuna and Gankona make their way out. The coils of their silhouette bodies seem to block out the moon.

"[Hey, guys, this is Robin. He's a friend. Don't hurt him…unless I say so.]" I snigger. Robin shoots me a look, as if he understood what I said.

I make them float just above the surface of the roof and assist us in climbing over their bodies. They use their tails to help and once I get onto Gankona I watch Robin. He seems hesitant to step on Moretsuna's tail.

"If you're worried about hurting him, it's nothing. You see the long, sharp projections from the ends of their tail? They're all bone. So trust me, they can take your weight if they can take mine." I smile, stroking Gankona's ice blue scales.

Robin steps onto Moretsuna's tail and is lifted onto his back. I can see the glint of fascination in his eyes.

"[Up!]" I announce and they rise into the sky. "[Take us to Kunlun Shan!]"

And we go.

The atmosphere wraps around us like cold breath. I let the air lace and blow through my hair. I look across and see Robin not even using the spikes protruding from Moretsuna's scales as handhold but flinging his arms out to his sides. As we get higher and higher they slow down to a relaxed pace. I gaze below at the city; possibly at the only moment it seems to look the most innocent. It's not night, when the city is consumed and dominated by the twisted underworld, not day, when the city seems to radiate freedom, sound with bustle, and bask in its own sumptuous beauty. I haven't even been here long enough to judge but Gotham City is a veiled face in the waking hours. I'll never underestimate it.

It's going to be a long journey.

I put my head down and lift my legs up onto Gankona to take a nap. The wind whistles softly into my ears as I lose myself to sweet slumber.

I didn't sleep for long. The first rays of sunshine rouse me and I sit up to admire the brightening of the day. As the sun continues to rise in the horizon, light flashes across the land we're flying above. I can hardly see through the thick veils of cloud but the splash of colors on the sleepy, achromatic city is quite magical.

[Gankona, Moretsuna, can we go a little higher? And faster?]

I fear we might be too visible, even if the clouds are hiding us. I glance at Robin to see if he's sleeping but he's up and focused. I wonder if the word 'rest' exists in his dictionary.

Gankona flies close to Moretsuna and I lean over to talk to Robin.

"Hey, you might want to sleep," I tell him.

"I'm fine with doing what I want."

"I'm just being nice."

"Don't need that either."

I narrow my eyes. I address Moretsuna in my head. [Moretsuna, spin.]

And he spins. Robin gives a small yell of alarm and his hands reach out for hold as Moretsuna loops and loops like a brilliant red helix. Robin jerks violently side to side, back and forth, his shiny black cape thrashing behind him.

[Okay, okay, you can stop now.] I laugh. Moretsuna stops shaking and spinning and Robin flops back in the middle. He rubs his head, gritting his teeth.

"What was that?!" He barks at me.

"A little lesson," I scowl. "Don't be rude to those who are nice to you."

He grumbles incoherently but stops and reaches into his bag. My eyes light up and my stomach growls at what he brings out. A fat, wrapped ham and cheese sandwich.

I glare at Dokutokuna, who cuddles up to Robin as he sees the food. Oh, god. I'm starving. I'll jump for it if I have to. My insides curl and burn at the way he slowly peels the plastic film off the edges of the sandwich. Then he breaks off a small piece and pops it in Dokutokuna's mouth.

He really is an ass.

Even if his affection is reserved for animals and magical creatures only.

Robin looks at me and another giant smirk slaps onto his face as he pulls at the bread. He opens his bag again and takes out a bag of chips. I look away because I'm not giving a kid the pleasure of tormenting me.

"Catch!" He shouts and the bag flies into the air. I reach for it even though it's too high up and with a sudden yank, I fall back and Gankona swallows up the bag in one go.

"Gankona!"

We've been flying for many hours now and it's already evening. Another sandwich Robin tossed to me that I caught is long gone. I wish I could sleep some more but I feel like if I do, Robin might think I'm lazy. Yeah, sue me for worrying about what a kid thinks of me.

When I look across at him I get an idea. He's cleaning his katana. I reach over to my bag and pull out my Sai. I grin.

"Hey, Robin!" I call.

"What do you want?" He grunts as Moretsuna comes closer.

"Let's spar."

"On these dragons?" He raises his eyebrows. "I'm not responsible for whatever happens to you."

"We fought before, Robin, don't underestimate me," I say. "Because I don't think any less of you."

"Hrrn," He sounds. "On one dragon?"

"Yup," I say. "[Moretsuna, I'm gonna hop over, stay still.]"

And so I join him on Moretsuna, throwing the strap of my bag around one of his horns on his head. I allow Gankona to retreat into my tattoo so she can take a rest first. Robin and I brandish our weapons and face each other. Moretsuna is rocking slightly but it just adds to the fight.

I point down at the waters below. "Whoever hits the ocean first loses. Anything you want when you win?"

"You have to tell me about your life before you went to China."

"If you wanted to know more about me you could just ask."

"No. It's not for that kind of purpose. I have to know whether I can trust you."

"Wow, I'm going to act like that wasn't hurtful. If I win…"

"What?"

"You'll tell me your name."

He stares.

"That's it? That's all you want? My name?"

"Would you have given it to me if I had asked?"

"No."

"Exactly. Shall we?"

"We shall." He scoffs and holds out his sword in front of him.

He makes the first move. Of course, he's angry enough to try and fight me off Moretsuna the fastest he can. I can use that against him but as Batman told me, I can be quite sloppy.

Robin's blade makes contact with mine but I jerk my hand and one of the prongs cut him at the cheek. He wipes away the blood and steadies himself, his sword at the ready. Then he charges at me again. I put my Sai together in defense but to my surprise, he does a somersault over me and lands on his feet behind me. I can feel the point of his blade prod into my back deep enough to draw some blood. Without turning I bring my elbow down on his sword to give me some distance from him and give him a roundhouse blow around the face. A growl rips out of his mouth and his fist hurls toward my nose in a cuff.

"I guess we're not fighting fair anymore, heh?" I say, dodging. I throw a punch to his stomach but he strikes back with a perfectly timed hook to my chin. We both brandish our weapons again, trying to get a better foothold, and wait for the other to move first.

"A fight's never fair. It's only about the last one standing." He spits.

We run at each other at the same time and our weapons clash once more. I curse as I accidently use my Sai like a truncheon, which Batman commented I did often. The weakest part of the blade was the foible, the middle to the point, and it comes down ineffectively on Robin instead of aiming and thrusting forward. Batman said the forte, the strongest part of the blade from the hilt to the middle, produces more impact if used to inflict bruises. Robin easily parries but my knee slams into his midriff then his head crashes aggressively against mine, and we both stumble in pain. I'm not given time to recover as he knocks me off balance again with a rough kick to my ankles. My hands grasp the hilts of my Sai harder. He allows me to get back on my feet, the smirk on his face telling me he already thinks he's won.

I back away, dropping my Sai, then after getting a safe distance between us, I sprint. I drop my body low and slide through the gap between his legs, flattening myself as much as possible. I thought I wouldn't make it at first, for he was quite small but I managed. I grab and pull at his cape with both hands and to piss him off, I throw it over his head. My fists pound into his cloaked face and I laugh at his muffled growls. He delivers a blind blow that unfortunately catches me in my abdomen. Once his cape frees him he comes at me with full, truculent force again. The power of his arms backs up every downward lash of his katana so I have to dodge his elbow then his sword. I thought that was quite strategic of him, because it's definitely throwing off my concentration. We're both nimble but his size makes it convenient for him to jump on the back of a dragon without a worry of falling. His boot sails into my face in a roundhouse kick that breaks my balance. My legs flies off and I feel wind rush around me. My Sai are at his feet. I can feel most of my body dangerously slipping off the side of Moretsuna and my fingers claw at his scales to hang on.

"Damn you," I grunt, my fingers losing hold. "Arrrggh…"

With every second passing I try to calculate my chance of success in this fight. But with Damian smirking down at me, it's impossibly slim. I'll need a lot of shoulder and leg power if I want to get back up but I'd be foolish to think he'd give me the time.

Wait.

Moretsuna has sharp, curved projections on the underside of his body, but only in certain areas. I glance down imperceptibly. Dammit, they're a bit to my left, meaning I have move in this position without Damian knowing what I'm up to.

Time to distract him.

"Well, you've won," I say. "I thought you would."

"A lot of self confidence you got there."

His sword lowers to my head and his boots hover over my fingers.

"You're just tough," I pretend to struggle again, trying to heave myself up but each time I inch a little to the left. I glance down again. "Well, the ocean looks…cold."

"It'll freeze into your core alright," He says. "And then you'll tell me everything."

"Everything?" I move some more, trying my best to be imperceptible. "Do I also have to tell you every name of my friend in Japan?"

Okay, I only got one shot at this. They're close enough now. It's all down to timing and swiftness. If I screw up, I'll be crashing into ice. All down to timing…

"I'm not interested in that." His boot crushes my fingers. Okay now that's just cruel.

"Well, I can't tell you anyway 'cause—" I let go and both of my hands lunge for the closest projection before I plummet. So that my fingers don't give away to my weight I move on from spike to spike until I reach the other side, hoping Robin is still facing where I "dropped". I use all the strength in my body and climb slowly and carefully over the curve of Moretsuna's body, trying to make no noise. My fingers sink into the rifts between each scale and once half my body is lifted, I boost my legs up and throw myself at Robin. "I didn't have any!"

I guess it was a bit stupid to hurtle like that on such a narrow surface area because the force I put into the push also pulled me along. We both fall off Moretsuna. Robin's cape and my hair flaps in my face as we plunge.

The real pain hits me when the ice-cold water envelops me and like Robin had said, freeze me to my core.