Chapter Text
It was another stake-out night. Wet, dreary, and as quiet as a city like Gotham can get.
Jason Todd sits atop a roof watching as some of Penguin’s men unload a box truck. If Bruce does let him off leash for once, it's only for observation duties, not direct combat. Observation is important, Jason knows that, but he’s also bored out of his mind just waiting around. He’s only supposed to radio in to Bruce if they move off the estimated route.
It should've been a day like any other—until it's interrupted by an earsplitting boom. It cracks through the air like thunder. Jason crouches to the ground and tries to search for the source but the world spins in a vomit inducing whirl of colors.
In one moment, Jason is breathing in the familiar Gotham smog and soot. In the next, it’s gone. The unfamiliar air feels too clean and fresh to be Gotham and it makes his throat tickle.
There's no old crumbling brick apartments or towering skyscrapers here. He’s certainly not on the roof and the Penguin’s men are nowhere in sight. Jason is surrounded on all sides by massive trees. Ancient colossal trees that feel taller than any building in Gotham with trunks that Jason can’t even wrap his arms around. Even the branches look big enough to hold a full grown person’s weight.
Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore, Jason thinks.
If Bruce were there, he might even chuckle at the joke.
“What are you doing?”
Jason hastily turns to see a boy.
The kid is roughly his own age with dark eyes black hair that sticks up in the back. He’s wearing a high collared blue shirt with blue shorts and Jason notes the weapons pouch strapped to his leg.
Jason replies honestly, “I don’t know. I don’t even know where I am actually….have you heard of Gotham?”
The boy’s nose wrinkles in confusion. That’s a no, then.
“This is my home. You aren’t supposed to be here. You’re trespassing. Why don’t you leave?”
Jason looks around the empty clearing, He gives the kid a smile, “do you live in the clovers?”
The vexed look Jason receives in turn isn’t as intimidating as the kid thinks it is.
“Dumbass, this is a training ground.”
Jason sighs, “Well, I don’t suppose you’ve seen a big guy with bat ears around, have you?”
The kid demands, “are you messing with me?”
Jason knew it was a long stretch to ask but he had to try.
“No, I’m just a little lost,” he says.
Jason wants to see if the kid can somehow look even less amused.
“It doesn’t matter. You’re on my property. I don’t care if you came to steal…just go. I’m busy.”
Jason scoffs,“It’s rude to assume I’m stealing.”
“You’re wearing a mask! I don’t know, maybe the circus needs money.”
“Hardy har,” Jason replies. Nothing in the surrounding area feels familiar. He genuinely doesn’t even know how to leave the property even if he wanted to. If there's one thing a good Robin is meant to be, it’s adaptable. “I’m really not here to cause trouble. I’m just lost.”
The boy retorts back, “you could be an enemy.”
“Do I look like one?’
The boy’s lips twitch in what passes as a secretive smile, “You do look lostーfrom the carnival.”
“Carnival and circus’ are different so now who’s the dumbass!”
His costume is bright, sure, but it doesn’t intimidate the little kids like the bat does. Besides, it’s aerodynamic!
Jason puts out his hand for a shake, “I’m sorry for trespassing, really. You can call me Robin. What’s your name?”
The kid gives him a judgemental look but he shakes his hand,“It’s Sasuke, circus freak. Uchiha Sasuke.”
Jason knows he should be above making fun of someone’s appearance, but he really really wants to. His uniform is tactical! This kid has no room to judge him.
“Well, Uchiha, aside from your property would you mind telling me where else I am? What country is this?”
Sasuke speaks slowly as if speaking to a child,“Fire country. You don’t know you’re in Konoha?”
That doesn’t narrow it down at all.
Jason replies, “Not in the slightest. I haven’t heard of Fire country either. I think I might have crossed dimensions or something.”
Sasuke snorts, “Is that something common with you?”
“Not really, no, I’m still getting used to this whole gig. I usually just help a guy in a batsuit fight criminals.”
Sasuke doesn't deign to reply to that statement but the incredulous look that he gives Jason says it all.
“Are you a shinobi?” He asks.
Jason says,“What like a ninja? No, I’m not. I’m more of a support for this one hero.”
“The bat guy?”
“That’s the one! He’ll probably figure out a way to bring me back. If anyone can do it, Batman can.”
Hell, Jason has to believe that Bruce can find a way with the Justice League to bring him back. He doesn’t even know where to start without the help of someone who can travel dimensions.
Sasuke returns Jason’s smile with a sad look that’s as gone as quickly as it comes.
“If you think so, I hope so.” He takes a long breath and studies Jason critically. “So if you don’t have anything to do right now…would you want to spar? You said you fight criminals right? I’m training and it’d be good to practice against foreign shinobi.”
“I told you I’m not a shinobi.”
Jason isn’t really sure how to refer to himself. Sidekick, maybe, that’s how most people see it. But he’s Bruce’s partner, Batman and Robin. They’re a team!
Sasuke bashfully tucks his face into his high collar, “well, can you fight?”
“Yeah. But aren't I like a stranger?”
“I don't want to limit myself if I can learn from a situation. There’s someone that I have to become stronger than.”
Jason doesn’t consider himself a naive person. Is it the best idea to associate with someone cross-dimensions? Probably not, Jason knows the protocols. Still, he can assess how much of a threat the kid might be through a friendly spar. That has to count for something, right?
Bruce will understand!
Jason replies,“Can’t say no to that. Give me all you’ve got.”
Jason takes a fighting stance and readies himself for an attack.
Sasuke does the same. “No ninjutsu, just taijutsu, weapons are fine…if you can dodge.”
Jason laughs and takes the opportunity to throw a batarang his way.
“I didn’t say start!” Sasuke snaps.
“I was seeing if you could dodge,” Jason retorts.
He braces his feet in the ground as Sasuke lunges forward to strike back.
Fighting Sasuke is like fighting a meta-human.
He’s fast and stronger than most people. Every punch that lands sends a shock through Jason’s body so he tries very hard to keep from getting hit. Sasuke is sharp and picks up easily on any tricks that Jason tries to pull him into. It’s not easy, not like fighting the regular goons of Gotham’s rogues even if most of those guys are grown men.
Fighting Sasuke is fun.
When a portal opens and a hand reaches out to grab the back of Jason’s cape, he’s almost reluctant to go.