Cat and Mouse

Chapter 6

The brisk nighttime air swept my hair around my masked face in a flurry, carrying the heavy smell of pollution from the cars buzzing by below. The building I'm currently perched on isn't special, just a five story apartment complex in downtown Gotham. Even though the night was ending and the people of Gotham still cluttered the street, I had barely seen any crime. There was the occassional mugger or pickpocket, but nothing special. it was just business as usual.

"So is this how you spend your nights? Not partying away like any other teenager" a voice from behind me causes me to twirl around, instantly cluthing three batarang-like contraptions between my fingers. I relax when I see the familiar messy black hair, and the masked face wearing a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

"i don't get invited to those kind of things" I say as nonchalantly as possible. It wasn't like i had any friends that could invite me.

"Really? A pretty face like yours with no friends? Wait, nevermind I can't even see your face" he says and I sigh.

"Ditto to you, Wonder Boy" I say teasingly.

"Well if you show me your face, I'll show you mine" He bargains.

This time I roll my eyes "Like you'd show me your face. Believe it or not, I have a brain." I snort.

Robin chuckles "Really? I didn't think so after that stunt last night"

"Well it worked, didn't it? I'm a professional"

"Really? Then why haven't I ever heard of you until yesterday?"

"I wanted to make a grand debut" I pose fantastically "And I spent the last few months training. I wouldn't like to be shot during my first gig"

"True, but I'd assumed to have met you beforehand. I'm guessing you're the mystery vigilante Gordan's been talking about. You know, leaving the crime scene before actually stopping for a friendly chat"

I wink "Well I wouldn't like to end up in Arkham for a little misunderstanding. Where's the Old Bat by the way? I thought you guys had this wonderful game of Follow the Leader going on" I joke.

Robin narrows his eyes "I'm patrolling solo tonight. Batman had other business to attend to" he states proudly, puffing his chest out a little.

"I'm guessing this kind of luxury doesn't come often" I guess.

Robin shrugs "He likes to watch me. I mean, I've been his sidekick for a few years now but he's never really gotten over that protective phase. It got annoying after a while" He says, moving closer as he talked.

"That's why I handle these things alone. No one in your way, no babysitting and no having to look after other people"

"Well isn't it good to have a friend?"

I look down "I don't believe in friends" I state.

Robin looks a bit taken aback "But aren't we friends?"

I look up to see he's smiling slightly, the corner of his lips tweaked up into a crooked grin. His head is slightly tilted to the side and with that adorable look on his face, I couldn't say no fast enough.

"I prefer the word acquaintances" I state.

Robin shrugs "I'd agree. Batman doesn't really let me have too many friends. Kinda hard to make excuses to ditch them when he needs help" he says.

I nod in understanding "Yeah Mr. We-- er, my boss gets pissed at me when I skip out on work, Not to mention he already hates me" I mutter the last part mostly to myself. I didn't feel comfortable giving the name of my boss to the Boy Wonder, afraid he'd find out who I am with a simpl name.

Robin seems surprised "Boss? Is it like a part-time job? You look a little young to be working, and it must be hard with school and crime-fighting" he says, gesturing to my Fox getup.

"I'm old enough to work! And it's not that hard, seeing as I don't go to school" I say, noticing his jaw drop a bit.

"You dropped out of school? I mean, a person like you without even graduating college doesn't give you a lot of career options" he says. "Can I ask, why?" he inquires.

I smile "It's not much of my choice. And sorry, I don't like to give personal information to strangers" I say slyly.

"But I thought we were friends!"

"Acquaintances" I correct him.

"Huh,I will find out why. I mean, I'm not a detective for nothing" He boasts.

"Hmm, have fun explaining to your mentor while you're stalking an innocent 16 year old" I say, batting my eyelashes under my mask but I know he didn't notice.

"Well seeing as you're the same age as me, I doubt he'd get that curious, not like I am about you anyways" He says.

"Curiosity killed the cat" I state.

"Good thing I'm not a cat. Can't say the same for you though" he says and I narrow my eyes again.

"There's a difference between a cat and a fox" I snicker.
"Fine then, Fox, answer this question" He proposes.

"What?" I ask.

"What does the fox say?" He snickers at his own joke.

He's off the roof before I can lunge for him and rip off that pretty head of his.