SURPRISE!!! I'm not dead! Take that all you demons! You'll never take me, not when I'm still kickin'. Anyway, school is awful and all I do after school now is the homework and stress. The schedule won't work anymore. Boo ho. Instead, I'll be updating whenever possible. Mostly on school breaks and a couple weekends. The winner of the genre pick was hurt/comfort by a landslide, family coming in second. I'm actually gonna do that next chapter. This chapter will be a bit more light hearted after that last mission, then next chapter (also the last chapter) will be... what's the word... angsty again. I'm tellin' y'all now, shits 'bout ta hit the fan.

Also, SISTER LOCATION HYPE!!!!

Have fun with this small update. Its basically several humor/family oneshots stringed together.

Layla's POV

I groaned softly as I slowly gained consciousness. At first I groggily looked at my surroundings, yawning in boredom. Then I realized I didn't recognize anything. My half mast eyes shot open and my eyes darted around quickly, taking in every detail of the area. The room appeared to be a living room. I sat on the floor, propped up against a recliner. The other five team members were also spread out around the room. Robin lay sideways in the recliner above me, head and legs hanging off both sides in a seemingly uncomfortable position. There was also a couch in the room. Megan lay curled up on one end while Artemis slept sitting upright on the other. Wally was sprawled out sleeping on the top of the couch's backrest. He looked about ready to fall. Connor slept face-down on the coffee table. It didn't look even slightly comfortable, but whatever floats your boat.

I wish Robin was awake to hear me say that. He would be very proud that I know that phrase. I am also pretty sure I said it correctly.

I stood up silently as to not wake the others. There was a door just to the right of the living room, located where the carpet ended. I tried to ignore the old, rusty red drag streaks in the carpet, but it's difficult, knowing they were more than likely made when Camo Man was getting rid of Mikey's body.

I need some fresh air, I though with a sigh. I walked across the living room and to the door. Upon opening it, I saw it was still pretty dark. The morning sun had yet to rise.

I stepped out into the cool morning air, silently shutting the door behind me. Closing my eyes, I relished in the lavishing fresh air. There was a slight breeze, and I shivered in delight at the cold feel of it on my skin. It is a truly invigorating experience.

I opened my eyes when I heard a metal squeak to my right. I am standing on a slightly rotting wooden porch, and when I look to the source of the noise, I see Mikey. He is sitting on a wood porch swing that is attacked to overhanging roof by slightly rusted, metal chains. He is staring out over the pond while the breeze makes the swing sway slowly back and fourth.

I walk up to where he I sitting, "May I join you?" He nods once without looking up, and without further hesitation, I sit next to him on the still swaying swing. We sit in a comfortable silence for a moment or two.

"When did you wake up?" I ask suddenly, not really knowing why. I just want to talk to my new friend.

"I don't sleep." He whispered.

"Oh," I stated, "Do you miss it...? You know, being human?"

The boy sat for a few minutes, thinking of how he should answer, "Yes, I do sometimes, I especially miss my parents, but that all in the past now. I must make the best of here and now. It will get lonely at times, but I will be content helping lost travelers. I am glad they will be able to live to see another night now that Camo Man is gone."

I nodded solemnly, glad that Mikey has found a purpose.

We sat peacefully as the sun rose. I took the time to reflect. The Camo man is gone for good now, thankfully. Mikey can be content helping lost travelers in the forest. Deaths work is done. The team and I are unharmed and will be ready to go home once everyone is awake. I'd say this was a well accomplished first mission. I smiled and gave a content sigh.

Not bad Jaggy, not bad at all.

Nothing could ruin this feeling.

Not even the sound of Artemis and Wally bickering after he apparently fell on her in his sleep.

~~~~~~~•••••••~~~~~~~••••••••••

I sighed as I looked at the ceiling of the Mount Justice living area. I slumped on the couch, my sketch pad rested on my lap. I think really hard, trying to remember the exact details of what I had seen earlier.

Aha!

I sit up straight, a new perk in my posture, as I make the finishing touches on my drawing. My smile broadens as a hold out the finished product for myself to get a good look at.

I giggle to myself, "She'll love it." I say to no one in particular.

"Who'll love what?"

I look behind me. Artemis walks out of the kitchen, finishing off the remains of a cold slice of pizza.

"Oh, just my friend at school. I made a drawing for her." I elaborated, a wide grin still donning my face. Not that she could see, with the mask and all, but I think she got the picture.

"Really? Let me see."

I showed her my drawing. It featured a shaded corner, and plastered across the walls were the crude drawings of childen. The focus of the picture though was a large present box with a stripe going down the center of each visible side. The box had a wide opening on the top. Inside of the box was a creature that had its hands latched onto the sides of the box as it poised to push itself out. it had long, spindly, lanky, black limbs. On the end of each arm it had three long black claws for fingers. It's face was a different story. In place of its face there was a white mask. The mask had hollow, black eyes and a wide grin. It had overly pronounced red blushed cheeks and purple tear streaks running down its face. For a creature with a grin that wide it looked plenty angry.

"Woah..." Artemis whispered, "What is that thing?"

I hummed to myself, "Well, I don't know exactly. I met this girl at some park the other day and she started talking about her favorite video games to me. This is apparently her favorite character in one of them. She called it two different names. I think one of them may have been 'Puppet'...? I don't know, anyway, she showed me a picture of it off her phone and I decided to draw one for her." I explain.

"Oh, well that was cool of you. One question though, how exactly did you get on the topic of video games? You don't seem like a gamer to me. Well, not yet at least." Artemis asked, raising an eyebrow while crossing her arms.

"I didn't bring up the topic, actually. It was her. I was wearing that blue sweatshirt, basketball shorts, and some purple tinted shoes and she walked up to me and told me I look a little like another one of her favorite video game characters. Under- something. Said something about my blue eyes and pale skin completing the look. So that's when she started telling me about games she likes." I shrugged.

"... Interesting..." Her eyes narrowed slightly as she said this, "Well, I hope she likes it." Artemis comments nonchalantly before turning around and waving before leaving again.

I smiled widely again, the prospect of gaining a new friend exciting me.

"Me too."

=~•~•~•~•~•~~~•~•~•~•~•~•~~=

I groaned while laying facedown on the couch.

I had started wearing the bottom half of my costume and a domino mask instead of my normal mask around the mountain. Megan said she liked it better this way, something about me appearing a bit more inviting, so I started to do it more often to appease her. The others seem to prefer it as well.

Although that is hardly of any concern compared to my current situation. I feel terrible for no apparent reason. I was fine this morning. Sure, I woke up late and missed the recon mission the Team are currently assigned to, but that's nothing compared to now. Bateman seemed more surprised than disappointed I got up too late for the mission. He had even asked me if I was alright. I said I was.

Ugh... not anymore. I wish he were here now. Maybe he would know what poison is doing this to me. Perhaps I should call a doctor...

Nah. The team will be here soon, and I wanna know how there mission went.

A wave of nausea hit me and I whimper as I feel like on fire while at the same time I'm shivering from the cold. Ah, to hell with the mission. I just don't wanna move.

I lay there for awhile, beginning to drift off when I hear some voices that startled me back to awareness.

"Jeeeeze. That mission was a total bore. I I wanted to here people talk about the budget I would watch politics." Someone wined.

"Nobody cares, Baywatch, so shut up."

"It was important information, Walls. Some things you just gotta do. It's part of the job."

The voices got louder as they got closer. Had I not been feeling like garbage, I would have gotten up to greet them. Instead, I continue to lye in my own despair.

"I didn't think it was so ba- oh my goodness!" I heard Megan gasp.

The quick padding of feet approaching warned me of Megan's coming. I remained face down on the couch, giving her a sideways glance before closing my eyes again.

There was a sound of shuffling before I felt a pressure against my cheek, and it was freezing!

I squeal a just a little bit, I assure you, before jumping back up into a sitting position. "Are you holding dry ice or something? Stop trying to freeze me woman!" I exclaim. Wally snickers.

"Jaggy... your burning up!" She worries while trying to put her hand on my face again.

"Megan, last I checked I wasn't on fire," I roll my eyes, "Now get those weapons away from me!"

Megan frowns, but before I can feel bad about it, another hand from behind me is placed again my forehead. I go to lurch forward, but the person pins me back against the couch, their hand still in place. I squirm in discomfort, whining incoherently about the cold, before excepting my fate with a sigh.

"She's right there Jagster," Robin's voice came from my captor. Of course it's him. "You've got a nasty cold."

"I don't have cold, I am cold. Now let me go!" I whimper.

"They mean your sick." Artemis rolls her eyes.

I scoff indignantly. "I'm not sick, I never get sick. It's obviously poison. We've been compr-ah-ah-choo!" I sniffed and rubbed my nose. Well, that was smooth. I heard the sound of stifled giggles and at that moment I realized how much... bigger, everything seemed. I look down to see a black paw instead of a hand. I flush with embarrassment, makeing my face somehow feel even hotter, before shifting back to my human form.

"Okay..." I trail off looked at the almost completely amused team, "I may be, just a little, sick."

"Congratulations, you just won understatement of the year award." Robin smirked. "Seriously though, you should probably go get some rest."

"I woke up like an hour ago. I'm not tired." I poured.

"Well you need to rest. At least do something that's quiet." He ordered.

"Oh, Oh! I know! Let's watch a movie!" Kid Flash bounced up and down enthusiastically, "I heard they've put Zootopia on Netflix. Let's watch that! I'll turn it on!" He declared.

"Ooh, that sound like a wonderful idea! I'll go make popcorn!" Megan gushed excitedly before hurrying off to the kitchen.

Artemis sighed. "I guess I'll go make sure she doesn't burn it." She droned before walking steadily after the happy-go-lucky Martian.

"I'll get some cold medicine." Kaldur said simply before walking off.

"There is no way I'm taking it." I grumbled.

"Yes you are." Robin declared.

"Make me!" I stuck out my tongue at him.

Robin glared, "I could arrange that."

I growled and turned away from him.

As I sat like that for a couple minutes. I put all of my focus into cooling myself down. It seemed that if I didn't move the heat would begin to fade some. I closed my eyes and blocked out my other senses. This seemed to work, because a couple minutes later my face suddenly felt a soothing cool. I smiled and sighed happily. Maybe I can just stay like this awhile...

...
...
...

Part of the coolness suddenly left.

What the...?

"BOO!"

I opened my eyes with an audible gasp. Not seconds later I felt something metal shoved into my mouth, which was then enveloped with a foul taste. I swallowed only because of reflex. I groaned pathetically while my face twisted disgustedly.

"Now that wasn't so bad, was it?"

I glared at the smirking Robin who was holding the spoon he violated me with.

"I'm gonna report this as an abusive relationship." I grumble.

"You know you love me." He happily said before plopping next to me onto the couch. On my other side was the arm of the furniture.

"Popcorn is ready!" Megan walked out of the kitchen with a bounce in her step and a bowl of popcorn in her hands. Artemis was behind her with three more.

"About time!" Wally, who had plopped down next to Robin, exclaimed. "The movie is starting!" Sure enough, the beginning credits of the movie were playing. Artemis sat next to Wally and gave him a bowl. Megan sat next to Conor on a love seat (that is what a two person couch is called, no dirty minds, nothing((much)) implied.) and Aqualad is in an armchair.

As the popcorn was passed around I settled in to watch the movie.

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

It's pretty cool. I must say I really like it. Nick is my favorite character so far. He's so... real. Judy is a little to 'believe in yourself and your dreams will all come true' type of bunny for my taste. Other than that, she's also a cool character I suppose.

Now they are in a big building an are finding out that sheep lady is the bad guy. They run away from her and Judy gets hurt. Nick tries to escape with Judy but is pushed into an artificial grassland area with high walls.

Nick is darted with a poison that makes him go back to his savage roots when it was predator vs prey...

Nick starts approaching Judy while growling. She runs.

My heart freezes. Oh my god.. is this what would have happened? Had I lost control of the jaguar spirit, would I have turned on the team? Would I hunt them, while they attempted to flee in terror?

The screen in front of me appeared to shift, and instead of a fox stalking a rabbit, it was a jaguar and human. The human was short. He has black hair. Electric blue eyes...

I feel a nudge in my side. Robin gives me a sympathetic smile. "Hey, don't worry about it, take a moment to see what happens."

Sure enough, nick going savage was just to trick the sheep. She was arrested for her crimes and sent off to jail.

"Ya see? It always works out. You don't gotta worry about a thing."

"Heh... thanks."

~_~_~~_~_~_~~~|~~••~•~•~•~•~•~

Dusk was approaching slowly. I breath the midday Gotham air as I look up at the surrounding trees. The metal bench I'm sitting on is cold, but I don't care. It's to be expected, after all it's the middle of October, we are in the midst of Autumn. This is one of my favorite times of year. It's getting colder, trees are painted vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown, and things die.

Just another beautiful day in Gotham Park.

I'm not just here for the views though. It was on this spot I met that girl I drew my picture for. It's here I hope that I'll see her again. Sadly, I've been here for hours, and haven't seen a sign of her. I'm about ready to just give up and leave. Besides, Alfred is making Spaghetti tonight, and there's no way I'm missing out on that.

'Meh, it was a long shot anyway.'

I regret not getting any way to contact her again. Not much I can do about it now, though. I stand up and stretch as I get off the bench. I probably shouldn't have sat there so long. I grumble in annoyance at how numb my feet are right now.

I begin my long trudge back in the direction of the manor. Down the park path. Out of the gates. Down the sidewalk. Past buildings and alleys and streets. So on.

The walk was mostly silent, other than the occasional honk of a car or the closing of the shop doors as people walk in and out. It was rather peaceful. I could never have times like this, never go out in public even, when I was with the Clan. I was always doing something, training, going on an assignment, resting, healing, learning. My master said if I have time to dawdle, then I have time to improve. The little free time I managed to get I had spent with-

My brain stutters to a halt and I choke up. The only outside appearance of my distress being a slight pause in step before continuing to walk. I still feel bad about how my foolishness caused Yamato's death. I know he wouldn't want me to blame myself, but... he was just so sweet, so innocent and pure. It's impossible not to feel responsible. I-

A sudden loud ruckus caught my attention and I was kicked out of my previous thoughts. I look to my right. On the side walk on the opposite side of the street a gang of teenagers are loudly laughing and shoving each other around. Several of them are holding beer cans while even more cans are littered around them, empty.

I roll my eyes. There's the Gotham I know and avoid.

I began to just move on, when something else caught the corner of my eye. It was a flash of black, but I had seen enough to know it was human. It had disappeared into a shadowy, narrow alley. I stopped completely this time and looked to where the person had vanished.

Hmmm... do I investigate the cliche, shady figure or just keep walking and pretend nothing happened?

I assessed the pros and cons.

...

Yeah, there is no way I'm following that person.

For the second time, I turned to walk away. I would have gotten away too, if it weren't for the fact that I noticed three of the teenagers depart from the group and head down the same alley as the person. I sighed in exasperation. Oh, goddammit. That could have been a pedestrian. Now they could get mugged.

Or it's just an innocent meeting.

Probably not.

Ughhhh... why me?

I wait for a break in the traffic, then quickly cross. Avoiding detection from the rest of the group, I make my way to the alley opening. I peer in.

The three are blocking the way out. There is a hooded figure in front of them, and they are facing the wall that blocks them in. From what I can see, they are wearing a black hoodie with dark blue leggings and high tops. A black leather gloved hand tightly clutches a knife at their side. They had a slight slouch in their posture.

I slipped into the alleyway undetected, hiding behind a dumpster. I'll only intervene if necessary.

The person facing the wall groaned loudly in exasperation. "Well, isn't this just my luck?" The voice was low, but obviously feminine. The hunched figure turned around, revealing her face. She has tan olive skin and honey syrup eyes. Her brown hair is in a frizzy end bob cut and has light highlights. She appeared about 15, and looked to be about 5' 8. She was lean and looked a little underweight for someone her age and height, but still pretty healthy. Her face and lips appear heart shaped and there seems to be a heavy discoloration around her eyes.

"Just leave now and there won't be any trouble." She demanded.

One of the boys laughs. "You really think you're any threat to us? Just be a good little girl and hand over everything you've got." He seems to be the most sober of the three.

The girl raises the knife threateningly. "I don't have anything."

"Well, I suppose you could have... other uses~" he purrs. I didn't have to see his face to hear the smirk in his voice. I shudder. Thats disgusting.

The girl scoffed. "In your dreams." She sneers.

"Well then, pinch me I must be dreaming~" he flirts.

Welp, this is awkward.

The girl growls and suddenly leapt at the teen. She had the advantage, since he hadn't been expecting the attack. It was only for a moments though, as he overpowered her with his strength and pushed her back into the wall. She grunted with pain but didn't fall.

The other two made to grab her but the first teen, apparently the leader, stopped them with a sharp word.

"Go back to the others. I can handle this one." He snapped.

The others exchanged a glance before shrugging and trudging back out of the alley. I clung to the shadows as they passed so they would not see me.

"Now," The one left breathed, "Be good and I may let you live."

She scowls as he gets closer. Her hand whips out and the knife comes soaring. It lodges into his left leg and he kneels as he screams out in pain.

A smile crosses the girls face as she closes her eyes and a look of concentration passes her face. The boy growls, "Why you little b-" but is cut off as his eyes go wide and he passes out. His body hit the ground with a loud thump.

I know why too, not how, but why. A searing pain passed through my mind at that moment. I had little doubt it was what took down that man as well. My mind freaked for a moment, and suddenly everything around me, the whole world, was against me. At the same time I'm claustrophobic. Walls are surrounding me. I can't get out. Can't breath. I'm scared. I'm alone. This feeling, this panic, this... break down, I can't handle it. I whimper and press hard into the corner the brick wall and dumpster make. I try to hide, curling up into a small ball in the corner to avoid being seen. Hide from what though? My fears?

I hear shuffling. The girl is getting closer to my hiding spot. Then it stops. She's right in front of the dumpster, but just out of sight. She's only a meter or so away.

"I know your there. If your one of those guys, quit hiding like the trash your are and face me." They threaten.

I whimper pathetically again. I can't help it. This fear, it's like being with my former master again.

They make a confused noise, as if not expecting such a child-noise. They walk forward again.

I close my eyes tight. I'm shaking now. She's right in front of me.

"Shit... I messed up." She groans.

I don't respond.

"Hey, are you okay? I promise I won't hurt you. Well, anymore, that is." She states.

I look up. She is a meter away in front of me. I shakily nod my head to answer her question before pushing agains the wall to stand up.

Once we were facing each other, her about a head taller even with the slouch, she rubbed the back of her head awkwardly. "Hey, sorry about that. In my defense though, you were kinda creeping on me there. Were you just gonna watch as I was raped or something? Some help you are." She rolls her eyes.

"N-no." I mumble.

"Whatever." She sighs. She turns around to leave.

"W-wait!" I exclaim without thinking. She looks at me again expectingly, but with a little more annoyance.

"Uh... let me walk with you for a bit." I say hesitantly.

"No." was her simple answer and she turned and kept walking.

I ignored her. I ran to catch up beside her then matched strides with her.

"What's your problem kid?" She asks grumpily.

I shrug. "So, what was that back there?" I ask.

"None of your business." She turns the opposite direction of the group of teens.

"Aww, come on. I won't tell anyone." I persuade.

She sighs, "Fine, but only because I feel kinda bad for almost scrambling a kid's brain." She rolls her eyes.

"Thank you." I say with finality.

"Hush child. Do you wanna know or not? Look, I went through some bad crap as a kid and developed some weird-ass mental powers. I can sense the brainwaves of people and cause seizures and mental breakdowns. I can't really control my abilities very well though." She explains.

"Oh, that's cool." I comment.

She scowls. "Hardly."

"My name is Layla. What's yours?" I ask. We've gotten about a block away from the alley now.

"Jeeze, kid, you're nosy as hell. But if you must know, I'm Ahmrsyne." She grumbles.

"Ahmrsyne..." I say, committing it to memory, "That's a nice name." I compliment.

"Yeah, sure, Whatever." She sighs, "Look, as much as I 'love' being followed, I gotta go now, kid."

"It's Layla." I remind adamantly, "So, will I see you around?"

"Probably not." She states blatantly. We've walked two blocks now.

"How will I find you?"

"You won't."

"Is there a way I can find you again?"

Ahmersyne stops suddenly, and I do as well. She sighs deeply and turns to me. She places a hand on her hip and pinches the bridge of her nose with the other. "Kid, why are you so determined to see me again? It's getting on my nerves."

"Well, because I like you!" I say cheerily, "I can tell that under your dark clothes and grumpy personality that you can be a good person." It was definitely true. Something about her screams potential friend. Besides, judging by her demeanor, she could use a few more.

She groans for probably the hundredth time since I've met her. "Fine, fine, you know what? I won't fight against it. As much as this goes against my better judgment, I'll throw you a bone. I don't sense any ill intentions, anyway. You know that Cafe by Gotham Park? Lilah's cafe and bakery or something? I'm there every Sunday morning. You wanna find me, go there. Are you done annoying me now?"

I give her a shit-eating grin. "That's all I ask."

(All credit for new character goes to @sarcasticsalt I finally got around to adding the character. Check out her and her stories.)

Btw, 200 FOLLOWER MARK HIT TODAY. It's that special? That mess 200 people were blinded by my profiles craziness and accidentally hit follow. (Watch as I lose followers now. I'll count the amount lost for next update XD)

~Sayonara.