By a Tree On a Hill
By The Seitz (no1swinger@hotmail.com)

***

Grave stones and smaller trees reflected in the tinted window of the 
black Rolls Royce as it slowly pulled to a halt.  The driver shut off 
the engine and a moment later the back door opened as Bruce Wayne 
stepped out into the cool January air.  Reaching into his jacket to 
feel the two wrapped roses he gave Alfred a small nod and began the 
track up the hill to his Mother and Father's grave.

This was the part of his weekly ritual that he hated the most, the walk 
up that lonely hill where his parents lay.  He could remember the 
funeral, when Pallbearers carrying his mothers casket had almost 
slipped because of the rain.  Bruce almost smiled, it was ironic, it 
always seemed to be raining around here.  He couldn't remember the last 
time he had come to visit his parents on a day where there wasn't rain 
or snow or clouds or some type of God-awful weather.  In fact, he 
recalled, the only time he had ever been up here when the weather was 
even remotely decent was when Ra's had stolen the bodies.

Bitterly, Bruce recalled that day, the long trek up the hill, heading 
towards the giant Willow that stood over the grave, only to find it 
empty.  For many months after that horrible incident Bruce would rush 
up the hill every day, terrified of what he might or might not find 
when he stood next to the tree.

But he had put that behind him, and had finally returned to his weekly 
routine of visiting his parents' grave with his two roses.  Lost in his 
thoughts Bruce didn't even notice the small voice until he could see 
more than half of the Willow Tree.

Careful to keep himself hidden, Bruce made his way up the hill, quickly 
hiding himself in the shadow of the giant Willow that over looked the 
Graves of Thomas and Martha Wayne.

Cassandra Cain stood in front of the headstone, her hands hidden deep 
within the pockets of the black coat she wore.  She wore the normal 
baggy cargo pants and Bruce could see the dark purple hood of the 
Gotham Knights sweater she had on under the coat.  Her hair hung free, 
softly blowing in the wind and Bruce could hear her quietly speaking to 
the stone.

". . .Can't read yet.  Spoiler say she teach but no time.  Dick tell me 
what grave look like.  Me Cassandra, Batman friend."  She paused for a 
moment as if listening for an answer.  "Not going to be dad.  I have 
dad, David Cain, he in jail.  Batman is new teacher, is mentor.  You 
have good son."

Bruce shut his eyes tightly against that.  Part of him wanted to make 
himself known to the girl, but he stayed hidden, listening to her one 
sided conversation.

"I saw your picture in mansion, over fireplace.  Didn't have else to go 
today, Oracle busy with Canary and Robin and Spoiler in school.  I no 
go to school."  She said and tapped her head with her knuckle.  "Not 
school smart.  I still learning.  But I want to come here, meet 
Batman's mom and dad tell you he fine, strong, misses you.  Is good 
son.  You be proud."

Bruce reached into his jacket and removed the two roses as he stepped 
out from under the tree.  Cassandra whirled around at the sound of the 
grass crunching behind her and stared wide eyed at the subject of her 
conversation with the Waynes.  From the obvious surprise on her Asian 
features, Bruce could tell that he wasn't supposed to have seen that.  
Blushing, she turned her eyes away from him in hopes of hiding her 
shame and awaiting the stern lecture she was sure to get.

Bruce stepped forward and past her, walking directly to the face of the 
giant headstone where he dropped to one knee.  Bowing his head, Bruce 
removed the tissue paper from his roses and set them crossed on the 
grass, then stood up.

I'm still working on it.  He silently told his parents, remembering his 
vow. It's slow going but I'm doing good.

He turned back to Cassandra, who had backed into the shadow of the 
Willow and was still looking down in a mixture of shame and fear.

"Cassandra."  He said softly as he walked up to her.

"Sorry." She quickly blurted out, not knowing anything else to say.

Bruce studied his little Bat for a moment.  "Don't be."  He told her.

Surprised, Cassandra looked up at him.

"You didn't interrupt me,"  He said, "you came on your time because you 
felt you had too.  You haven't done anything wrong."

Cass bit her lip and looked around, trying to think of something to 
say.  "Tree is pretty."  She finally decided.

Bruce gave a quiet chuckle and put a hand on her shoulder, leading her 
back down to the car.  "Yes it is Cassandra, yes it is."


*********

Alfred stood outside the Rolls in his customary spot.  And while his 
face didn't show it, he was beginning to get concerned.  Visiting his 
parents' graves like this was something Bruce had been doing for years 
after he returned from his studies, and, in true Bruce Wayne fashion, 
he had gotten his visits down to almost a science.  These trips seldom 
took more than five minutes, but Bruce had been away for almost ten 
now, causing Alfred to wonder just what Bruce was doing up there.

Before Alfred could act on his growing concern, a shape appeared, 
climbing over the hillside.  As it approached, it separated into two 
shapes.  One tall and thick, obviously Master Bruce, but the other one 
shorter, thinker, looking remarkably like, Alfred squinted, Cassandra?  
As they approached Alfred could hear bits of what Bruce was telling the 
girl.

". . . used to have a big Willow like that one somewhere in the rear 
grounds of the Manor.  I don't know if it survived the quake, but I 
used to climb up and down it when I was a boy."

He could see Cassandra's nervousness as she formed the question in her 
mind and then spoke.  "Before. . ." She started and the trailed off.

Alfred watched Bruce as he silently figured out the rest of her 
question.  "Yeah."  He said softly, "Before that."

"We see if tree is still there?"  She asked hopefully.

Alfred smiled at his two wards.  "Perhaps after the two of you have had 
a proper lunch Miss Cassandra, then, if Mater Bruce feels so inclined, 
he can show you the grounds and you two can go looking for that tree."

She gave the older man a smile then turned her eyes to Bruce hopefully.

"I suppose that would work."  Bruce told her.

"Very good then Sir.  Shall we be off?"  Alfred asked.

Smiling softly, Bruce nodded and held the door for Cassandra, then 
climbed in himself as Alfred made his way around to the front of the 
vehicle.  As he got in and started the engine he spared a last glance 
in his rearview mirror to where Bruce sat, quietly speaking with 
Cassandra.

When he was sure Bruce wasn't looking Alfred spared a quick look 
towards the hill where he could vaguely make out the top of the great 
willow tree.  Saying a quick prayer for his departed friends Alfred 
drove forward, the cemetery reflecting on the windows behind them.


Fin