Raven was sitting by her window meditating when she heard it.
SMACK!
Her eyes flew open to watch as a large black bird tumbled to the growth below.
"Oh no!"
She quickly got to her feet and ran across her room to wrench the door open. She began to run down the hall and nearly ran into Beast Boy.
"Hey Rae, where's the fire?"
"A bird! A bird just hit my window and fell! I have to go see if it's okay!"
Raven started to run again, but Beast Boy grabbed her arm.
"Let me go, Beast Boy! I have to see…"
"Wait, Rae! I want to go with you!"
Raven took his hand and they ran all the way outside to side of the tower. They pushed aside bushes all over the small yard until they saw it. It was big. It was motionless. It was a raven.
Raven sank to her knees beside the bird and reached out to touch it. It still didn't move. She was too late.
"Oh, if only I could have been here earlier. Maybe I could've healed it!"
Raven began to cry.
"Rae...I'm sorry." Beast Boy said as he sank down to his knees, putting his arm around her shoulder. Raven was shaking with grief.
"I don't understand! Why...why did this happen!?"
Beast Boy rubbed her back. "Sometimes birds get confused and run into things, you know?"
"I feel like a part of me has died, Beast Boy. It's a raven. Could this be a sign of some sort?"
"No, Rae. It's a coincidence. I swear nothing bad is going to happen to you. I won't let it."
Raven took the bird in her arms and cradled it. Her tears dripping down the dark feathers.
"Tell you what." Said Beast Boy. "We'll bury it. Give it a little ceremony."
Raven looked into Beast Boy's eyes. The eyes of someone who knew a pain when an animal dies. It may not be the same pain she was feeling. Hers was a frightened feeling. But nevertheless, he was upset.
"Okay. That would be nice"
Beast Boy helped Raven to her feet and told her to wait with the bird while he went for supplies.
As Raven stood there, she couldn't help succumbing to her fears. What could this mean? Why her window? What had sent this raven her way? Then she remembered what Beast Boy had said, "I swear nothing bad is going to happen to you. I won't let it."
Beast Boy returned with a shovel and a bouquet of deep red roses.
"Beast Boy, where did you get the roses?"
He dropped the shovel and rubbed the back of his head.
"They were actually for you, but...I think maybe they could serve a better purpose? I mean no...not a better purpose just…"
Raven stopped him.
"It's okay, BB. I think you're right."
Beast Boy smiled a little smile and got to work digging a small hole. Raven held the bird and the roses.
When Beast Boy finally finished, Raven laid the bird in the hole then stood up straight and took Beast Boy's hand.
"I don't know what to say." Said Raven, tears welling up in her eyes again.
"I think I do." Said Beast Boy. And he cleared his throat. "Raven, you're the most beautiful of birds. You may have a bad rep, but I don't think you're scary, just mysterious. I think I'd want to know you, Raven. I'd want to know all your mysteries. I'd want to fly with you. To make you my own and…"
"Beast Boy." Raven interrupted. "Are you talking about the bird? Or…something else?"
"I guess a little of both…" Beast Boy said, giving a small laugh.
Raven looked down at the bird in the hole and said, "I'd of wanted to know you too." Then she took a rose and tossed it into the grave. Beast Boy took one too and did the same.
As Beast Boy took up the shovel and began to cast the earth upon the bird, Raven stood watching with conflicting emotions. She was sad for the raven, but feeling something else too. A warm feeling. Raven watched Beast Boy and let that warm feeling flow.
"Okay. I think that's it." Said Beast Boy.
"Yes, I think so." Raven replied. Then, she laid the rest of the roses on the grave and stood back, once more taking Beast Boy's hand. They both sighed, turned their backs, and walked back to the tower.