Normal POV

"So, he likes hugs." Flash said quietly with a small smile.

The Justice League was once again talking about the assassin in their mist. R, obviously.

Batman nodded, "I'm guessing the League of Assassin's didn't give those out to often."

It was a depressing bit of information. You wouldn't think a group of assassins would show a kid affection and genuinely love them. But finding it out and seeing how much the kid loves it, puts perspective on things.

"So, the kids gone without affection for . . . who knows how long?" Black Canary said. Batman just nodded again.

~

"Team come to the training room." Batman announced throughout the large mountain. The group of young heroes walked into the room. They walked up to Batman, ready for him to tell them what he had to say.

All he said was, "Stay here." Then walked out.

"Alrighty then, Batman." Wally said as he watched the Dark Knight walk out, leaving behind 5 confused teens.

"-to do this!" A quiet voice shouted. The teens looked towards the doorway, fearing who the Caped Crusader may be bringing in.

And their dreads were correct. Batman walked back into the room, holding the arm of (and dragging in) the baby hitman.

"You all will be sparring today." Batman said monotone as ever. All the teen heroes slowly looked down at the hired gunman who was fuming with anger.

"I don't want to do this." R declared stubbornly, snatching his arm out of Batman's grasp.

Batman looked down at him, "You don't really have a choice." A ghost of a smirk on the Gothamite's face.

It did nothing for R's already present annoyance.

R looked down and started mumbling words under his breathe. Batman pulled out a small black box that had a single button and pressed it. A small jolt of electricity ran through R, making him yelp and jump a little.

"I didn't even do anything!" He shouted at the Caped Crusader. Batman actually gave the smuggest smirk ever seen.

"You were thinking about it." R crossed his arms, a childish pout on his lips.

"Is Black Canary coming to instruct us during training?" Kaldur asked, polite as ever.

Batman shook his head. "No, I'll be watching today. In case of any . . ." His voice faded out. "Difficulties."

"You're not telling me I have to fight these baby leaguers, are you?" R scowled, placing a hand on his hip.

Batman nodded, "Yes, you are. And we're also going to teach you how to fight non-lethally."

R scoffed, "I don't need to be taught anything from you bunch."

"So, you can fight without causing injury?"

"Yes. Yes, I can."

"Show us than," Batman said. "Would you mind, Kaldur?" The Atlantean shook his head and stepped forward.

Batman turned towards R. "Your goal is to get the other on the ground, that's it. Understood?"

"Yeah Yeah, Batsy." R said, waving the hero off.

Kaldur got into a fighting stance, "Are you ready, my friend?"

R quickly copied him, "Think you can handle me, fishy?" The mercenary smirked.

"Go." Batman announced, the two jumped to the ready and charged each other. R reaching Kaldur first.

The assassin went for a punch to the elder's head, Kaldur quickly ducked to avoid the hit. R retaliated, dropping down and sweeping the other off his feet.

Kaldur jumped back up, using his hands as springboards. R was behind him quickly, sending a kick to the Atlantean's back, making him fall back to the ground.

R jumped over the hero's falling body, quickly grabbing his head and wrapping his arms around Kaldur's neck.

"That's enough." Batman said, beginning to step towards the pair. R held onto Kaldur's neck, forcefully chocking him. The younger looked down at the hero in his grasp, appearing to be thinking on whether to let him go or not.

"R," Batman said forcefully, "Let him go."

The boy looked up at Batman, a smirk pulling at his lips. The other heroes looked between the two, and a still being choked Kaldur.

"Fine fine." The assassin sighed. He released Kaldur, who greedily sucked air into his lungs. "Just sparring like you asked me too."

"I also told you to fight non-lethally." The Dark Knight growled, R stood up and shrugged nonchalantly.

"He's not dead, is he?" R waved a lazy hand over to Kaldur, who still sat on the ground recomposing himself.

Batman sighed, running a hand down his face, "That's not the point."

"That so?"

"Team," Batman said, his voice strained. They got the hint and promptly left.

The Dark Knight turned towards the assassin, "I understand being here may be hard for you, bu-"

"Sorry, Batsy, but I don't really have time for a heart to heart." R said, quickly cutting off the Bat. "I don't need the whole 'it'll get better' spiel. I don't really wanna be here in the first place. But for some reason you want me here. So as long as I have to stay here, don't expect me to follow every single one of your little rules." The boy scowled, a cold glare on his face.

Batman just blinked at the other, taking in the glimpse into the boy's thoughts.

R sighed, his heavy annoyance growing. "I'm going back to the 'room' I was so kindly given."

The boy began to walk out of the training area, not being stopped by the Caped Crusader. He threw up a peace-sign just as he was about to turn the corner, yelling out a quick, "Peace out, B!" Then left the room.

~

"How are we supposed to help him in anyway if he's still gonna do that!" Wally exclaimed as he gestured over to Kaldur.

"I do not believe it is entirely his fault. It was all he has ever been taught-"

"Don't try to defend him, Kaldur." Artemis interrupted. "He knew exactly what he was doing. When Batman told him to let you go, he smiled."

"But he did end up letting him go! That has to be an improvement!" M'gann said, siding with the assassin.

Kaldur sighed. The team's opinion on the boy had changed after the incident with the Reds. But some of them were still skeptical of him. And whatever happened today wasn't helping his case.

~

Dick POV

I have a question?

What could have possibly possessed me to think Batman's name was Batguy? Like what person in their right mind would have 'guy' in their hero name? Do you take me for an idiot author?!?

"What are you up too?" A sickeningly familiar voice said from the doorway.

"Contemplating the authors ways of spicing up this cliché story." I said, yet again laying on the floor of my small cell.

Batman blinked at me, I just shrugged. 

"Are you sure you aren't thinking about what happened earlier?" Oh yeah. That.

"I was kind of avoiding thinking about that, Bats."

BUT NOW THAT-THAT TOPICS IN MY HEAD! LET'S THINK ABOUT MY NEAR KILL EXPERIENCE!

Just days prior do I have the revelation that I may not want to kill anymore. And then I go and attempt to choke out the leader of the Junior Justice League.

Let's give it up for me everyone!

"Not my finest moment." I mumbled, it was a good headlock though.

Batman ended up sitting on the floor near me, I continued to lay on my back. "What made you think choking out Aqualad was the best idea?"

I kind of half-shrugged, "It was pretty much reflex."

"Reflex?"

"Yes Batman, a reflex. An action or movement that is made automatically without thinking as a reaction to a stimulus. That's what I was taught to do when ending a fight that doesn't end in blood."

Batman hummed in acknowledgment, "Well here, when simply sparring, you just pin the opponent to the ground, or attempt to get them on the ground with you in a position of power."

I nodded, "So, no knocking them unconscious."

"No knocking them unconscious." Batman confirmed. Heroes are weird, but I guess I'll try and play by a few of their rules.

Batman seemed to be over with the conversation, simply sitting their, resting in our awkward silence.

"I'll apologize."

Batman looked down at me, shock and confusion on his face. I looked away, my face starting to burn.

"I messed up, did something I wasn't supposed too. So I'll apologize."

The hero composed himself quickly, "Aqualad will appreciate that," He said, looking pleased with what I said.

I looked back at Batman, "Why didn't you shock me while I was choking him? He could've handle it."

The hero stood up, "I wanted to see what you'd do." He said, walking out the door.

I sighed, looking away from the closed door. I've been here to long.

But maybe it's not that bad. 

Soooo I haven't updated since the February . . . 

Yeah, Sorry about that. I'm trying to get over the writers block that's been killing me all March. 

BUT I'M HERE NOW! SO LETS GET THINGS DONE!!

HAVE A STAR STELLAR DAY WEEK MONTH AND YEAR!!