The Bird & the Blade

Family reuinion

Damian point of view:
I saw my father take of his mask when Hunter fell asleep on my arm. We were driving throughout Gotham doing our best to be unseen. Hunter had fallen asleep during the beginning portion and slumped against my shoulder.

She wouldn't admit it, but she was still exhausted from the fight she had earlier and was still healing. While the wounds had all but vanished, her body was still processing. I knew it took a while and a lot of energy to retain her accelerated healing rate. I didn't move as she rested against me despite my brothers smiles and taunting looks. Dick honestly could act younger than a child sometimes.

I didn't dare even think into why my body unconsciously heated from close contact with her. Didn't closely examine why when she looked at me my heart sped up and I got immensely protective. I mocked Dick for these actions for years, last thing I wanted was for any of them knowing.

My father didn't look back at me but merely said, "Warn me when she wakes up." I gritted my teeth but nodded though. I saw no reason why Hunter couldn't be trusted. She is my oldest friend in a sense. She was a training and battle partner, constant competitor, and mental opponent. I shook my head to shake the flooding memories from our youth as we were approaching the asylum.

When we reached the asylum I saw Batman pull his hood back on. I didn't comment but I knew from Hunter's tense form she wasn't asleep anymore, just calmly waiting for the right moment to sit up. When my father screeched to a halt Hunters eyes snapped open.

Her hand went to her waist instinctively as typically that's where she would have a sword. She looked at me now tense. I gently raised an eyebrow before she grimaced at the look she gave me. I looked down at her tense form before saying, "come on, time to go in." My father was waiting a few steps away as we both threw ourselves over the side of the batmobile and onto the gravel road.

The large building was looming ominously in front of us with darkened windows and black metal. It looked as if the Adam's family had made a prison. That was pretty much how to describe Gotham Asylum. Hunter followed me and despite the obvious reasons she seemed calm and controlled as me. She didn't let anything show on her face but neutrality.

     I noticed her clothes were covered in dried blood and scrunched my noses. I think when we get back to the batcave that she probably needed something other than bloodied cloak and black leggings and shirt to wear.

      I looked at her and she said coldly, "Let's get this over with." Nightwing turned to me when we stopped to wait for guards which were passing by. We were trying to sneak by without detection from the cops, my father had already hacked into their computer system to erase all video evidence of us.

Dick darted forward and slipped in the door. He nearly dragged Hunter in when she wasn't moving fast enough for his liking. His impatience was getting on my nerves and his actions earned him a glare from both Hunter and I. I briefly was tempted to stab him with my sword before my father slipped threw the next door after he hacked the security.

    I followed with Hunter as my father knocked out the guards and Nightwing unlocked the door. We followed my father in as he knew the way better than we did. I locked the door behind Hunter and I before continuing after them. The criminals started to yell and shout when they saw us coming. Some cowered in fear, others either threw things at their glass screens or reached through the bars. I recognized a few I'd put in here, the scars from my sword still evident on their skin.

Someone grabbed the cloak of Hunters sleeve and I turned to defender but she jerked away. Before I could intervene she smashed the criminals hand into the side of the bar and snapped his hand backwards. I heard the sickening snap of his wrist and probably his forearm before she punched his nose making it snap and he collapsed in agony. Nightwing and I both looked at her in surprise but she jut brushed off dust from her cloak and then look up at us.