The Claw Of The Dark Knight Chapter 2

"Batgirl, what's wrong?" He asked again as he walked towards them.

"B-Batman…you're…you're a…a…,"

"What is it?" He said, a bit more impatiently.

"You are a feline." Catwoman said quietly. His green eyes widened a moment and then he looked in a nearby puddle. He gasped at what he saw! He was taller, but clearly no longer human.

"I must say…I almost prefer this appearance," Catwoman smiled.

"You would…," Batgirl hissed. "Batman, we need to find a way to cure you!"

"That won't be easy; if this gem is as cursed as you say, then you will have to go to the Claw Mountains to be cured."

"I thought you didn't believe in curses!" Batgirl growled.

"I don't. But if you both are going to be that concerned, then I will take you myself," Catwoman smiled.

"We don't need MMMMMMMMPHNNM!" Batgirl gasped as Batman covered her mouth. He then turned to Catwoman.

"We can handle this, Selina."

"Wow…now that was most unfriendly." She huffed as she flipped away. When she was gone, Batgirl turned to look at Bruce.

"What do we do now?! Why did you keep me quiet?!"

"Because she was baiting you. The more you showed anger, the more she enjoyed toying with your emotions. Now let's head back," he said. Batgirl, however, felt unnerved by his appearance.

"Don't be nervous Barbara; I have not changed," he said as his eyes changed to slits. She jumped back in fright, but he grabbed her by her arm, albeit gently. "I said relax."

"Bruce, cut me some slack! You're a giant cat! No wonder Catwoman likes you even more!"

"Remain calm. I have a solution; you all will stay here and watch the city while I head to the Claw Mountains," he replied calmly.

"No way! I'm coming with you!"

"No. It's too dangerous. I am better off alone."

"Wow…sorry if I slow you down. I guess we aren't partners after all." Batgirl said, slightly offended.

"You know I don't mean it like that. I don't want you all in any danger."

"Yeah I know. Fine, I'll leave you alone and I will watch over stuff here." She said as she headed back to the Batmobile, still frustrated. Bruce shook his head and followed after her. Once they arrived back at the mansion, Alfred was a bit surprised, but he was easy to calm once he knew it was Bruce. Tim, however, almost hit the roof.

"GET OUT OF HERE!"

"Tim, will you calm yourself; it's Bruce!" Batgirl said quickly.

"Tim, relax…," Bruce said as he involuntarily began to scratch the floor to sharpen his claws. He knew he was a sight to see and his voice was even deeper than usual.

"Bruce doesn't even sound like that! You all are some trick from Catwoman or the Joker!" Tim huffed, trying to find a way to defend himself. Bruce, exasperated by Tim's fear, ran at lightning speed and began to chase after the boy wonder.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Barbara HELP!"

"No way Tim; apparently he has to tell you something!" Barbara giggled.

"B-BUT AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! STAY BACK! BACK, KITTY, BACK!"

"Tim, I'm warning you…if you don't come here you will suffer the consequences," Bruce growled.

"W-what consequences?! I'm not afraid of anything!"

"Is that so?" Bruce replied in a deeper voice. He then crouched low to the ground and at that moment, he lunged forward and he and Tim went tumbling through the soft rubble. Bruce pinned the much smaller boy under him and began to rake his claws down his stomach, making him laugh.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA BRUHUHUHUHUHUHUHCE STOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOP!"

"So you DO believe it's me?"

"YEHEHEHEHEHEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHES! BRUHUHUHUHHUHHUHUHUHUHUHUHUCE!" Tim laughed hysterically. Finally, Bruce let him up. Apparently, being a cat-like being was also producing a softer side to him. Tim then retaliated and pounced on him. They began to wrestle, like father and son while Barbara watched.

"Well, I guess I better go. It's getting late."

"Begging your pardon Ms. Gordon, but there is a terrible rainstorm heading this way. It would be better if you stayed here the night for safety." Alfred said quietly.

"No, thanks. I can make it."

"Barbara, I don't want you to go out in this weather." Bruce said softly, slowly getting up and walking over to her.

"Wow…so Bruce does care for people?"

"I never said I had no emotions."

"Well, I don't want to intrude on father and son time so I will let myself out," she replied. She suddenly felt him pin her to the wall, his feline face only a few inches from her own.

"Barbara…now listen. There is no need to be angry; we are all a team, but there are some things I need to do alone," Bruce whispered. She squirmed, but Bruce didn't let go.

"Let go, Bruce!"

"I will once you agree to stay," he said, never losing that calm tone in his voice. She squirmed a bit but he didn't budge. "Remember, I am still stronger than you." He said in a slightly teasing tone.

"This isn't funny!" She said, her face turning red in embarrassment. "You're making fun of me because I'm weak."

"No, I'm not…and you're not weak," he said as he then made her look at him and he lifted his claw up under her chin, making her smile a little. "Now come back inside."

"Hmmm…maybe I don't want to!" She said in a slightly teasing tone as she then began to run in the rain. Bruce rolled his green eyes and smiled softly.

"When will she ever learn," he chuckled as he ran out after her and pounced on her. He grabbed her and took her back inside, a giggling mess. He then placed a clawed hand on both Tim and Barbara's shoulder.

"Listen to me. Both of you. I will find a solution to this."

"But Bruce…I want to help you. Please let me. None of this would have happened had you not been trying to protect me." Barbara pleaded. He now knew why she was so eager to go; she wanted to help him because she felt that this whole mess was her fault. He sighed deeply and gave her a fanged smile.

"Alright, you can come. Tim and Dick will watch over the town while we are gone," Bruce smiled. For some reason she felt comfortable enough to jump on him and hug him. Both his and Tim's eyes grew very wide! Finally, he cleared his throat and set her down.

"Alright, alright. Now everyone get some rest. Barbara, we leave at dawn."

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