Bruce Wayne

Chapter 08: Japan

"What's this about you leaving?" Zatanna demanded as she burst into Bruce's room. She floundered a moment, her irritation gone, when she saw Bruce wasn't wearing a shirt and beheld the numerous scars and burns across his chest, back, and arms. "What happened to you?"

"Training," Bruce answered simply.

"You let someone do that to you?" she asked, completely horrified.

"Only some of them," Bruce admitted. "I did the others."

"Why?" she questioned in disbelief.

"Injuries are common in a fight," Bruce explained. "If you're unprepared for the pain of them, they can also be debilitating. By experiencing burns, welts, broken bones, gunshots, as well as lacerations from knives, I'm able to not be as hampered by them when I get them in an actual fight."

"That's insane," Zatanna said.

"It's been a training technique in many different ancient cultures," Bruce defended. "It's not insanity, merely very strong determination. If you want something bad enough, how far would you go to get it?"

"I understand," Zatanna said as she compared Bruce's determination to her own. "You want to learn defense techniques as much as I want to learn the magical abilities of my family. I know what it's like to reach for something you desperately want."

"I'm sorry I can't stay longer," Bruce apologized after a momentary pause. He did regret leaving, but his training required it. His eyes pleaded with her for understanding in regard to what had become a personal obsession.

"It's alright," Zatanna accepted. "I don't like it, but I'll live. At least allow me a parting gift."

Bruce had no idea what she was talking about. Zatanna didn't wait for his response. She placed both hands against his muscular chest and began whispering. Her hands glowed with violet energy, and the mist of purple spread out from them to envelop Bruce in a cocoon of ghostly light. The scars and burns marking his skin from years of violent training faded away until all of them were gone. Her work completed, Zatanna lowered her hands and dispelled the magic around them with a flick of her wrists.

"Impressive," Bruce marveled.

"My dad taught me," Zatanna told him. "After what we went through, and your advice to me about discipline, Dad has agreed to start training me in a few things I can use for defense and healing."

"That's great," Bruce said. "You'll make an excellent magician."

"In time," Zatanna countered. The realization Bruce had given her about the dangers of her own powers still lingered in Zatanna's mind, and it tempered her eagerness with caution. She wouldn't rush into training or go further than her father was willing to teach. "I hope you find what you're looking for out there in the world."

"Thanks," Bruce accepted. "I'll miss you and your family."

Zatanna suddenly stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "If you ever need any more repairs, or just need a friend, look us up."

"I will," Bruce promised, returning the hug.

                                                                                               ***

Bruce exited the car and looked at the hotel where he and Alfred would be staying until such a time as they managed to find a suitable instructor for Bruce's continued training.

The sun was shining brightly overhead, and an easy wind drifted among the trees, gently rustling the canopy. The sound reminded Bruce of flowing water, calm and soothing. Being located away from the major cities, the hotel was surrounded by lush vegetation, and only a gravel road led up to the front entrance.