Akamatsuverse Kryptonian Keitaro

[Prince Charon]

At present, my plan is to keep keitaro's 'League Harem'

Kara: "Wally....must you call them that?"

Wally: "Hey, its not my fault that they're throwing themselves at the Kid. I mean *I* never had that many girls after ME when I was his age and I was much more charming, confidant....ow! (rubs his head after being whacked by Donna Troy)

Donna: "....Brash, arrogant, slovenly...."

That sounds more like Roy than Wally, but it works.

I'm liking this. Yeah, losing his best friend was not at all healthy for Tim, and I can see him reacting poorly to the existence of another 'Superboy', even without the name.

Hey, is the Kandor/New Krypton thing, or something similar, going to happen, here?

 

[Ordo]

At present, my plan is to keep keitaro's 'League Harem'

Kara: "Wally....must you call them that?"

Wally: "Hey, its not my fault that they're throwing themselves at the Kid. I mean *I* never had that many girls after ME when I was his age and I was much more charming, confidant....ow! (rubs his head after being whacked by Donna Troy)

Donna: "....Brash, arrogant, slovenly...."

That sounds more like Roy than Wally, but it works.

I'm liking this. Yeah, losing his best friend was not at all healthy for Tim, and I can see him reacting poorly to the existence of another 'Superboy', even without the name.

Hey, is the Kandor/New Krypton thing, or something similar, going to happen, here?

Most likely not, we've got enough on our plates for the moment. No need to add to many more wrinkles.

 

[ragnarok1337]

So this looks like it will be a cross between the comics, the DCAU and the animated movies? It has Supergirl's clone from Justice League cartoon, who looks like she has had a Heel-Face Turn and the cartoon's version of Flash. It includes several characters from the comics, such as Kyle Rayner and Dinah. And it seems to reference the movies, such as Darkseid capturing Kara.

 

[DhampyrX2]

So this looks like it will be a cross between the comics, the DCAU and the animated movies? It has Supergirl's clone from Justice League cartoon, who looks like she has had a Heel-Face Turn and the cartoon's version of Flash. It includes several characters from the comics, such as Kyle Rayner and Dinah. And it seems to reference the movies, such as Darkseid capturing Kara.

The Superman/Batman Apocalypse movie was actually an adaptation of one of Kara's introductions in the comics so you could call that one either way, but yes, this is a blending of elements. Think of it as one the many Infinite Earths out there close to Earth-1.

 

[ragnarok1337]

Cool. For the most part I've only watched the cartoons, but I know some about the comics.

 

[DhampyrX2]

Keitaro smiled as he saw a sight on the Kent farm that made him think of home. There was Kara, idly petting her orange cat Streaky as she read a book. For a moment, he could imagine Kanako in the same position of with Kuro.

"Hey," he said with a little smile.

"Hey yourself," she said back somethat distracted. She was still trying to digest what Ma had told her.

"So this must me the infamous 'Streaky' I keep hearing about?" Keitaro said with a gesture toward the cat.

"Yep. I think you'll find him a much more refined companion as compared to that white monstosity Clark calls a dog," she responded with a snort.

"Oh come on, Krypto's not so bad," Keitaro defended with a chuckle.

"Not for you. About the only thing I like about him is the look Catwoman gets on her face when he trys to make friends with her," Kara responded with a snicker.

Keitaro tried to picture how the woman in question would respond to a dog vying for her attention and had to repress a snicker of his own as he took a seat in an armchair on the other side of the endtable from Kara's own. They sat in somewhat companiable silence for a time before Kara asked, "So when are you headed back?"

Keitaro sighed at the question as he replied, "I'm not sure. After my finals for the semester at Metropolis State, at the earliest. I mean, it's not liek it's hard for me to recover from my dorm ar the Watchtower. Although Dinah-sensei suggested maybe having Kanako and Aunt Haruka at least coming to visit. She said it wouldn't be hard for them to get approval."

"They're all concerned for you, you know," Kara said with a compassionate look.

"I know," Keitaro respodned sadly. "And I know I have to go back eventually. It's just~" he trained off, unsure how to continue.

"I get it. It would be like asking me to return to Argo City if it was still around. Part of me would love to but another part has just lived such a different life now that I'm not even sure I would belong there," Kara replied as she continued to pet her cat.

"Yeah. I mean, how will the girls even relate to me now? Well okay, Su will probably just want me to play with her newest Mecha-Tama, but what about the others? But Narusegawa and Mutsumi are worried about classes and tests and I'm worried about doing historical research for the League, and new Turle Civilization digs for Met State, or... or... or Darkseid popping up to attack me. Can I even ask them to deal with something like that?" Keitaro asked with a forlorn look. "Part of me feels so torn about risking them and part of me feels like I'm betraying them just by being here."

"Having powers isn't a reason to keep yourself from living, Kei. You remind me of that fact all the time. Do you know how special I feel spending time with you? With you I can just be Kara. Not Supergirl, or Kal-El's cousin, or anything other than just being me. Why do you think you've made some many friends so quickly? Do you know how rare it is for someone that you honestly know likes you for you? There's isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank Rao that I met you and that you're me friend. I can't imagine your friends back in Japan will see things any differently," Kara responded seriously.

Keitaro's only reply was a bit of a blush. Even with his powers he had never really thought of himself as special before. He was just a guy that things happened to.

"Besides, shouldn't it be up to them if they want to take the chance of being your friend?" Kara added with a look.

"You're right. I know you are. I just worry. That's part of the reason I wanted to try to stay away form the costumed persona thing to start off," Keitaro admitted.

"It's fine, Kei. If you weren't worried or daydreaming half the time I'd think you were an impostor," Kara admitted with a giggle.

Keitaro chuckled in reply to her quip and he told her, "Thanks Kara-chan."

"Anytime, Kei. Anytime," Kara replied with a look of honest affection.

 

[Ordo]

A possible Epilogue to the story

Darkseide plans for Kryptons future

Suffering and misery were to the two companions of all subjects living on the world of the new god called Darkseid. The tyrant stared over his domain from his throne room, the picture of self assurance, and control.

"Then the blood the hybrid left behind is viable?" he turned, regarding his subjects with a cool gaze. "As is that of the girl?"

The geneticist noded "Yes great Darkseid, we can have viable clones...." the scientist ground to halt, his lods mood having shifted. "My Lord?"

Darkseid returned his gaze to his world. "I do not want clones....I want a new race of Kryptonians, a mockery of Kal-El's hopes made to serve me." A cruel smile touched his lips "I want you to take the blood of the hybrid, and the material we have from girl and make an offspring. I want Ronin and Supergirl to see the productof their genes...to see themselves reflected in a child that serves me."

"I see my Lord."

"I doubt that." he turned red eyes staring at the servant "But you need not understand only obey." he turned back, dismissing the little man. The Lord of Apokolips mind weaved plans and possibilities, the child's very existance, the sheer violation it would represent would cut Ronin and Supergirl deeper than any knife, and the fact that it would gladly serve Darkseid would twist that blade stuck in their souls.

The Man of Steel was too empathetic. Their pain would be his, their suffering felt as his own. The childs very purpose would be accomplished during their first meeting. Anything beyond that, whether it killed them, or died at their hands would only further Darkseids plans.

No matter the outcome, Darkseid would learn and apply those lessons to the childs kin. Children that would not have accelerated growth, children that Granny Goodness would know how to break and be given the time to do just that. A brood of Kryptonians, a nearly extinct race ressurected in the fires of Apokolips to bring Darkseids order to this aimless universe.

The Tyrant smiled, and planned for the future.

No matter whose arms Keitaro ends up in, a child will be born, and the battle will continue. But that will have to be a tale for another time.

Edit:

For those of you wondering....I did say Keitaro spat out blood before he managed to surprise Darkseid...

 

[DhampyrX2]

I see Darkseid failing spectacularly in understanding Keitaro's ability to worm his way into the heart of people that want him dead to start off with. Still. that is totally in character with how he would look at things. Athough in all honesty, I'm waiting to see the various snippets you outlined:

Edit: I plan to write a few more snippets involving the Hina girls preparing for Keitaros return, each in their own way.

Kaolla: "Excellent Mecha-Tamma 1000 will be ready to welcome Keitaro home!

MT-1000: "Mission: Terminate Urashima Keitaro"

Keitaro will start searching through his father's family background in an attempt to figure out where those Kryptonian genes came from, while Kara and Karen both have a talk with one another about our Ronin. Nightwing is going to talk to Robin about his attitude, for what good it will do, and Secret is going to work on Ronin's costume with the help of one Kyle Rayner.

Hmmm....I'd better start writing.

Truth be told it stalled some of my ideas to contribute because I'm waiting to see how you're going to play various things. I suppose I could work with something like Keitaro meeting Ra's and Talia, or getting dragged intoa guys night out with Wally and Kyle, or something like that; but I really want to see hwo you work out those vairous scenes.

 

[Ordo]

I see Darkseid failing spectacularly in understanding Keitaro's ability to worm his way into the heart of people that want him dead to start off with. Still. that is totally in character with how he would look at things. Athough in all honesty, I'm waiting to see the various snippets you outlined:

Edit: I plan to write a few more snippets involving the Hina girls preparing for Keitaros return, each in their own way.

Kaolla: "Excellent Mecha-Tamma 1000 will be ready to welcome Keitaro home!

MT-1000: "Mission: Terminate Urashima Keitaro"

Keitaro will start searching through his father's family background in an attempt to figure out where those Kryptonian genes came from, while Kara and Karen both have a talk with one another about our Ronin. Nightwing is going to talk to Robin about his attitude, for what good it will do, and Secret is going to work on Ronin's costume with the help of one Kyle Rayner.

Hmmm....I'd better start writing.

Truth be told it stalled some of my ideas to contribute because I'm waiting to see how you're going to play various things. I suppose I could work with something like Keitaro meeting Ra's and Talia, or getting dragged intoa guys night out with Wally and Kyle, or something like that; but I really want to see hwo you work out those vairous scenes.

Sorry for the delay, been busy recently so it's going to take a bit more time to work these snippets out than I originally thought.

 

[Ordo]

Tsuruko was sipping from a cup out in her families garden as day slowly turned into night. She raised it to her lips, warm tea invigorating her as she sat there, contemplating the days events and the presence that had just entered her family's home.

"Sister." Motoko gripped the hilt of her blade, feeling it's comforting weight at her side.

Tsuruko took another sip and then turned, regarding her younger sibling "Motoko-chan." Her usual easy smile was gone, as Motoko's tone and stance reflected the seriousness of her current situation "It's been so long since you've visitied...to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Motoko heisitated for just a moment before sinking to her knees, and bowing her head "Sister...I wish to learn more from you...to accelerate my training under your guidance."

The elder Aoyoma took another sip of her drink "Why?"

Motoko licked dry lips. "Urashima has...gone through a change and I fear that without further training I will be unable to keep him in line should he...."

Tsuruko was on her feet blade flashing down. Motoko spun to the side, narrowly dodging her sisters attack. "You WILL not lie to me or yourself." she stood, eyes seemingly ablaze with fury. "Our family arts require mastery of one self and if you CANNOT face the truth..." she sheathed her blade "Then there is no point in teaching you." she spun on her heel and strode towards her home.

Motoko remained crouched, having expected another attack. Her jaw worked silently for several moments as her sisters figure retreated towards the house. "I am afraid!" She blurted out, surprising even herself.

Tsuruko halted in her tracks, waiting.

Motoko took a deep breath and continued "Urashima has changed, and that change has brough powerful enemies. Enemies that could kill my friends..." she bowed her head "enemies that could kill him. Urashima has his flaws but he does not deserve to die."

Tsuruko turned to face her sister, the corner of her lips quirking slightly upwards. "Not the whole truth, but a good start." The Elder Aoyoma nodded "Training begins tomorrow at dawn." So speaking she turned and disappeared inside.

This scene occurs while Keitaro is still in a cast, so it gives Motoko time to train, since he won't be returning home soon.

I originially wanted to do all these scenes in one go, but I'm having difficulty getting the flow right for some of them. The scene between Kara and Karen for example.

I'll work on the easier pieces as swiftly as I can.

 

[DhampyrX2]

Quick question, is Bruce still going on his Darkeid-fueled trip through time here? Because if he is I could see Keitaro actually joining Tim in his "Bruce isn't really dead" crusade and helping Tim on the research front. Maybe even coming across some artifacts that point toward Bruce's various time travel adventures.

 

[Ordo]

Quick question, is Bruce still going on his Darkeid-fueled trip through time here? Because if he is I could see Keitaro actually joining Tim in his "Bruce isn't really dead" crusade and helping Tim on the research front. Maybe even coming across some artifacts that point toward Bruce's various time travel adventures.

I had totally forgotten about that. You know that would be the perfect way for the two to finally bury the hatchet....

 

[Ordo]

Cassie Sandsmark, better known as the young hero Wonder Girl, entered Keitaros med room to find nearly every flat surface filled with books. The roomÆs lone occupant was studying a massive tome, his broken leg causing her to feel a twinge of guilt. Keitaro had taken a hit meant for her, and that cast was the eventual result.

Keitaro looked up from the tome as she knocked on the door frame, and smiled "Cassie! It' good to see you up and about." he reached over, grabbing some books, clearing a space for her to sit.

Wonder Girl moved to help but found it was unnecessary "I'm glad to see you in such good spirits." she sat next to him as he closed his tome, adjusting his glasses in that maddening way that made him seem so cute. "Though I wish you were up and about as well."

Keitaro shrugged "I'll be on my feet soon enough and in the mean time I can do some research."

Cassie looked around the room, quickly noting the common themes "These are all books on Krypton..." indeed there were books on language, art, history, family, crests and more strewn in a chaotically organized pile.

"Superman loaned them to me." he opened the tome in his lap. "...said he hoped they'd help me."

Cassie frowned as she settled into her seat "With?"

"Well, I know a lot about my motherÆs side of the family, but very little of my fathers." He tapped the book as he pursed his lips "I...have a few thoughts...records and places to search but I unless I know WHAT I'm looking for...."

Wonder Girl nodded "...itÆd be pointless to search.ö She drummed her fingers on the arm rest ôSay, Keitaro...I wanted to thank you again for saving me out there and.ö She took a deep breath as the Ronin folded his hands in his lap watching her curiously ôwas hoping we could...finish our da....outing.ö she winced internally.

Keitaro sighed and shook his head ôNot until IÆm a better fighter.ö Seeing her questioning look he elaborated ôDarkseid found me, easily. He nearly killed us both and the only reason weÆre alive is because I caught him with a sucker punch.ö He adjusts his glasses, as he frowned at the tome in his lap. ôI will not put anyone else in that kind of danger.ö He sighed ôUntil I can protect people on my own...ö

Warm hands took his and he looked up to find Cassie smiling at him. ôRonin...stop being so æKeitaroÆ about this...ö SheÆd over heard Super Girl using that line more than once, and finally understood why it fit so well. ôWeÆre all here, members of the justice league, because we canÆt protect everyone on our own. Even Superman needs help, so stop trying to carry the world on your shoulders.ö She leaned in kissing his now red cheeks ôLet your friends help you with the burden.ö

Keitaro smiled ruefully ôPerhaps you have a point.ö He chuckled ôWell IÆd love to go out with you...ö He blinked, cheeks turning red as he realized what heÆd just said ôOh I didnÆt mean lake a date...I just meant...ö

Cassie laughed silencing him by pressing a finger to his lips ôI know what you meant Keitaro.ö Internally her mind was already considering how to make their future æoutingÆ more romantic.

[]

Kyle looked at the image Secret had described for him. He frowned, knowing the source of the costume design the ghost girl had come up with ôSecret...ö he began trying to be delicate ôI donÆt think a tuxedo and mask would really work for Keitaro.ö

The ghost girl swung her legs from her perch on the table. ôI think heÆd look handsome in a tux. Besides I wanted something that reflected his Japanese heritage.ö

Kyle chuckled ôI donÆt think æSailor MoonÆ is a good choice for that kind of cultural homage...ö

 

[ragnarok1337]

Kyle looked at the image Secret had described for him. He frowned, knowing the source of the costume design the ghost girl had come up with ôSecret...ö he began trying to be delicate ôI donÆt think a tuxedo and mask would really work for Keitaro.ö

The ghost girl swung her lugs from her perch on the table. ôI think heÆd look handsome in a tux. Besides I wanted something that reflected his Japanese heritage.ö

Kyle chuckled ôI donÆt think æSailor MoonÆ is a good choice for that kind of cultural homage...ö[/i]

And now Shinobu dresses up in a Seifuku and fights crime IN THE NAME OF THE MOON!

 

[Ordo]

Hey there's only ONE magical girl in Love Hina and that's Kaolla Su.

 

[DhampyrX2]

Hey there's only ONE magical girl in Love Hina and that's Kaolla Su.

"I am Sailor Banana Pudding, and in the name of the Suu I will punish you, Sempai."


And yes, that is a reference to Sex Warrior Pudding starring Shinobu-chan. That's how I roll.

 

[DhampyrX2]

Just thought I'd take a stab at something far in the future here.



At the end of the day, powers or no powers, Keitaro was two things. The first was a researcher. Years spend studying for Todai had helped him to develop a healthy respect for the power of research. Give him a topic, a place to look, and time and he could most likely find what you needed. The other thing Keitaro was, was a person that would never give up hope.

Those two facets of his personality came together with a frightening degree of clarity on more than one occasion.

This time, it came together in a way that had Clark looking at him with a kind of pitying sadness that Keitaro was all too familiar with. It was the look his parents had when they told him he would never make it in to Todai. the only difference was this time, Batman's life hung in the balance.

Almost everybody in the superhero community though he was crazy for refusing to believe Batman was really dead. Then again, almost everybody he knew before had thought he was crazy for wanting to try for Todai and look at where he was attending University today.

So it was that Keitaro went to his only potential ally that would support him not because of who he was, like Kara or Kanako, but because of the information he had found.

"What do you want?" Tim Drake demanded without looking up from his computer terminal as he poured over data in an attempt to locate Bruce. He had done his best to ignore Keitaro since his emergence in the superhero community, and frankly he was not welcoming the interruption of his work.

"I, um, have some information you may want to see," Keitaro responded in a subdued tone.

That made Tim pause as he turned to regard Keitaro and noticed the research volumes in the Ronin's arms.

"I've been thinking. I mean, it doesn't make sense for Darkseid to have gone to all of that trouble to kidnap and try to turn Batman just to kill him later. I mean he could have done that here and it would have had the same emotional impact on everyone else. And we know he was cloning Batman as well. It just stands to reason that something else must have happened. Something we missed," Keitaro explained somewhat self-consciously.

"Go on," Tim prodded as a spark seemed to light behind his eyes.

"Well, we know very little about the nature of the Omega beams beyond their destructive capabilities, although they have been noted for being used for teleportation purposes in the past. That suggests that they might have other applications well, something related to spacetime manipulation. that got me thinking about some things I've run across that seemed coincidental during past research, but now..." Keitaro explained as he set down various volumes that detailed historical accounts form different cultures and time periods.

"Look at this from the earliest known artifacts from the Turtle Civilization. And this, from before the Amazons left the rest of Greece. This one was thought to be a hoax when it was discovered with other early Neanderthal cave paintings, and this one if from a famous pirate vessel. And this one is from the Royal archives on Mol-Mol" Keitro said as he pointed out each highlighted areas of each volume. "Do you see the pattern?"

Tim scanned the material with a detective's eye noting the incongruously bat-like figure recored in each. A figure that did not mesh together with the local mythology of the people or the period. "You're saying that you think Bruce is travelling through time?" Tim finally asked as he looked up into Keitaro's hopeful face and felt his own hopes rising. This information coincided with and backed up some of his own research into what might have happened after he confirmed that Bruce's "corpse" had been a clone.

"Well it's either that, or Dick does a LOT of time travel in the future, or the concept of being Batman is way older than we ever thought. Knowong what we know, I;d go with Bruce being flung through different points in time," Keitaro replied with a shrug.

"Did you show the rest of the League this?" Tim asked as he continued to scan the materials.

"No. they already think I'm grasping at straws in thinking he's alive. And Diana-neechan-" Keitaro trailed off.

Tim nodded in agreement at that sentiment. Bruce's apparent demise at the hands of Darkseid had cut the Amazon Princess deeply. Far deeper than even she had expected it would. "Better not to get her hopes up until was can verify everything," Tim agreed as he motioned Keitaro over toward his computer system. "This is what I have so far. It seemes to corroborate some of what you've found," he began as he pointed out what his own research had uncovered.

And thus did a relationship that had started with ambivalence and animosity on behalf of the Boy Wonder begin to sow the roots of camraderie and future friendship between two people too stubborn to give up on their friends and mentors.

 

[Prince Charon]

Nice.

 

[Ordo]

Excellent work!

 

[Crusader]

Hey there's only ONE magical girl in Love Hina and that's Kaolla Su.

"I am Sailor Banana Pudding, and in the name of the Suu I will punish you, Sempai."


And yes, that is a reference to Sex Warrior Pudding starring Shinobu-chan. That's how I roll.

I'd be more afraid if Shinobu and Su fused together to form a new Firestorm, actually.

 

[ragnarok1337]

Hey there's only ONE magical girl in Love Hina and that's Kaolla Su.

"I am Sailor Banana Pudding, and in the name of the Suu I will punish you, Sempai."


And yes, that is a reference to Sex Warrior Pudding starring Shinobu-chan. That's how I roll.

I'd be more afraid if Shinobu and Su fused together to form a new Firestorm, actually.

That...is disturbingly plausible.

 

[hmswhitestar]

I am ok with that...As long as they don't the fusion dance....FUSION!

 

[DhampyrX2]

Hey there's only ONE magical girl in Love Hina and that's Kaolla Su.

"I am Sailor Banana Pudding, and in the name of the Suu I will punish you, Sempai."


And yes, that is a reference to Sex Warrior Pudding starring Shinobu-chan. That's how I roll.

I'd be more afraid if Shinobu and Su fused together to form a new Firestorm, actually.

That...is disturbingly plausible.

Ah-ahhhh, no giving the other girls powers. Motoko and KAnako only will be getting into Keitaro's new business.

And Kitsune will probably submit freelance news articles about Ronin once he starts helping Japan on a regular basis. I guess that counts as being in Keitaro's business to some degree.



"Kitsune, do you have to keep writing articles about that baka? All you're going to do is make him keep going out there," Naru fumed. Keitaro's identity had been something of an open secret at the Hina Inn from day one. It didn;t take a rocket scientist to realize who the newest League member was when you knew Keitaro had been going to them for training related to his invulnerability.

Mitsune looked at her old friend like she was crazy before she replied, "Naru, do you know how much I'm making right now? Even papers like the Daily Planet and the Gotham Gazette are re-printing translations of my work. For the first time in my life I'm making enough to support myself, have a little fun, AND put some away for a rainy day."

"And when Keitaro gets hurt or worse because we're encouraging him to dress up like reject from a sentai team and fight monsters in the streets?" Naru demanded with a raised eyebrow.

Kitsune rolled her eyes and filded her arms beneath her rather ample chest before she replied, "You knew this was going to happen the second we found out Keitaro had actual powers. What is this really about, Naru. Are you upset over those two new groupies of his that have popped up, Shinigami and Curarae?"

"No! At least they help watch his idiot back. It's just-" Naru protested only to trail off in frustration.

"Just what? He's not here spending all his time with us? He doesn't trip and fall into you all the time. He's not acting perverted enough for your taste?" Kitsune prodded with a leer.

Naru blushed down to her collarbone at Kitsune's insinuation has she hotly denied, "No! I'm glad the League managed to beat some of the pervesion out of him. That doesn't meant I want to sit here and wait for the news that the fool has gone off and gotten himself hurt again. Or worse."

At that Kitsune's own expression sombered as she agreed, "I know. But what are we supposed to go, Naru? You know our little Kei as well as anyone. Do you really think he'd let people get hurt when he can help save them? Would he even be our Keitaro if he could act like that?"

"No. But that doesn't mean I have to like it. Or that I'm going to sit here and pretend to like it to stroke his ego. That's not me, Kitsune. I won't do it," Naru shot back before storming out of the room.

As she watched her friend go, Kitsune found herself, and not for the first time either, doubting that Naru and Keitaro were the match made in heaven that she once thought they were. As much as she and the others tried to keep Keitaro grounded around regular people it was becoming more and more clear that there was a seperation between the Ronin and his tenants. Only time would tell if they could all learn to balance the man with the superhero their shared object of affection had become.

 

[Ordo]

Keitaro took a deep breath as Batgirl slammed the butt of her staff down on the ground multiple times. The hybrid knew the drill by now, and shifted stances, flowing through a different part of the kata at each loud bang. The young woman stopped, long before the kata's end and Keitaro froze in place.

Batgirl approched him, and roughly adjusted his current position, slapping his blocking hand up, sliding his leg back a bit and adjusting his body so that his form was perfect. She sighed staring into his face and gently poked him in the head.

"I know...focus." the Ronin sighedá as his teacher stepped away to observe him. She raised a finger, twirling it once. Keitaro nodded as they began again from the top.

Keitaro had finally recovered from his recent pasting at the hands of Amazo, and had insisted that his lessons with Batgirl resume. So far things were going fairly well. His form was much improved, and his focus was getting better. Perhaps he wasn't doomed to a life of clumsy accidents.

Batgirl stopped and Keitaro froze in a horse stance, hands pulled in towards his waist. She moved in, correcting him as he kept his eyes focused on a point on the wall. However all that concentration went right out the window as she stepped in front of him, placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed down. The goal had been to make him sit himself just a bit lower. That action had the unfortunate consequence of putting his face right on top of her breasts.

Keitaro immediatly panicked and tried to pull away. Normally, Batgirl would've just let him go as he fell back, but that proved impossible as Keitaro's powers flared in response to his emotional state, sticking her hands to his shoulders. Thus Batgirl found herself being pulled along from the ride as Keitaro fell over backwards, landing atop him, her breasts squishing his face as he squirmed underneath her.

Thinking quickly she reached out and grabbed her staff as Keitaro mumbled panicked apologies from his spot trapped underneath her and slammed the butt on the ground. Keitaro stopped, cleared his mind and regained control.

Batgirl sat up, stradeling his waist and sighed as she looked down at her red faced student. "I...I am so..." she placed a finger on his lips and shook her head, before raising her hand to pat her chest "You're fault? But I'm the one who..." he stopped as she silenced him again. Her face scrunched up as she tried to figure out how she would explain this to him.

"She was standing to close to you." Both looked up to find Black Canary strolling into the training room, a look of amusement on her face. "She should've forseen this happening when she encouraged you to sit a bit lower in your stance."

Keitaro turned and found Batgirl nodding, much to his surprise.

Black Canary stopped in front of the pair "Now, Batgirl, I want you to know that you have done a fine job getting him this far, but the League feels that he needs a teacher that can better communicate with him if he's to progress any further. So I'll be taking over."

Keitaro blinked as his now former teachers shoulders slumped. 'Huh she must really like being a teacher.' he surmised.

Batgirl nodded, turned to her former charge and again poked him in the head. The Ronin smiled "Right...focus." The two shared a chuckle as Canary observed allowing them this moment before assuming responsibility for Keitaro's training.

*****

Later Watch Tower Cafeteria

Cassandra Cain sat at a table, her chin resting in her hand as she stared out the window. She let out a sigh and shook her head. She missed her time with the Ronin already.

"Batgirl!" She looked up to find Keitaro approching her, weaving his way through the small crowd of people spread throughout the cafeteria, with a chocolate cake in his hands. His bright smile a beacon to her eyes. "Batman has me doing research on the League of Shadows so I can't stay but..." he set the cake down in front of her "I just want to show my thanks for all you've taught me." his winning smile brightened as he bowed low to her before taking off, threading his way back through the crowd.

"Awww isn't he sweet!" Cassandra looked up to find Fire, the green haired Brazilian, staring at her with laughing eyes. Cassandra ignored her and sliced off a piece of her cake, took a bite and froze her eyes going wide.

"Heh, figures he can't cook still it was a nice..." Fire stopped talking as Cassandra moaned, "There's no way it can be that good." With Batgirl currently stuck in a state of euphoria she sliced off a piece for herself and took a bite. A good thirty seconds later she'd set her piece and fork down, grabbedá Cassandra by the shoulders and got right in her face "You marry him!" She demanded in her thick accent "I don't care if you have to smash him over the head and drag him to the alter! You marry that boy right now!"

Supergirl watched from across the room as other female leagures, seeing Fire and Batgirl's reaction closed in on Cassandra's chocolate cake.á Batgirl had recovered and was desperatly trying to defend her gift from the other women. Kara winced and mentally prepared herself to defend her friend from League women desperate to try his 'Death By Chocolate' Cake.

 

[DhampyrX2]

Nice. Poor Keitaro. We always forget he's a master confectioner in canon. He had no desire to pursue it, but desserts are still a skill he has mastered. Would have probably made things easier with Motoko and Naru both in the beginning if they knew that about him.