A new chapter already?! I don't believe this! And I'm the one who wrote this:p
Well, I am hoping you are all enjoying this little story of mine. Then again, who could resist a baby Raven:) I'm planning on having a sequel (much MUCH later!!) about Starfire becoming a baby and growing as well! We'll see:p
Disclaimer: If I owned the Teen Titans I would have………well it doesn't matter because I don't own the Teen Titans! I do however own this particular plot:-)
ON WITH THE STORY
Starfire was the first to greet the sun that next morning. Of course, seeing as the sun amplifies her powers, it's only natural that she greets it the moment it makes its first appearance of the day.
Clad only in a white tank-top and her white panties, Starfire's skin seemed to glow as golden orange as the sun when night approaches over the waters of the ocean. With a huge yawn and a delicious feeling stretch, Starfire opened pure emerald eyes and looked around her room…only to find it wasn't her room!
Tiny trendles of sunlight trickled in through heavy dark blue drapes that blocked the outside world from coming in and landed across a golden orange face as well as a deathly pale one. The intruding light that danced upon pale colored eyelids annoyed the still sleeping owner of this dark room, causing her to shuffle around in her dozing state, trying to get closer to the warmth that she sensed near to her.
Koriand'r's eyes were drawn away from the slightly opened curtain to the tiny body burrowing further into her side. Needless to say, seeing Raven look so cute caused the Tameranean Princess to start giggling…though it may also be because of Raven's breathing along her abdomen, tickling with every breath out, that really caused the alien's mirth.
Gaining control, Starfire just laid there soaking in the quiet comfort inside Raven's room while she thought about what led to Raven sharing her room with her chosen companion.
After leaving the boys last night, Kori was planning on only stopping by Raven's room to grab a big pj top for Baby Rae to wear to sleep, then moving onto her own room with Raven to sleep. Things did not quite turn out that way however.
FLASHBACK
"Here we are Raven."
Koriand'r stopped in front of the metal sliding door with the name 'RAVEN' etched into it, and typed in the code that Raven had given to her when they first started meditating together on the keypad so the door would open. With a hiss, Raven's room was revealed and the two females stepped (or was carried) inside. It still baffled Starfire every time she entered this room how gloomy yet strangely beautiful it was.
A massive bookcase immediately to the left upon entering harbored thick tomes of words and wisdom as it stretched along the wall, only to end when the dresser began. There upon lay the meditation mirror and other such objects. Starfire made sure she steered clear of that particular enchanted mirror as she continued further towards the closet situated near Raven's bed.
Inside the closet there were a lot of cloaks and leotards in the front, but digging to the back, Star found some t-shirts she could use to dress her friend in for bed. Raven still cradled in one arm, Starfire pulled down a deep violet shirt and backed out of the closet to the bed. There, she laid Raven and the soon-to-be pj down.
Sleepy amethyst eyes suddenly weren't so sleepy as they widened in confusion and surprise. Koriand'r had begun disrobing.
"What Korwi doing?"
Finished with her knee-high boots, metal collar and bracelets, Kori crossed her arms, grasped the hem of her purple top and pulled up in one smooth motion leaving her upper half naked. It was at this point that Raven had asked her startled question. Not bothering to stop, Kori just turned to face her friend as she both answered her question and finished undressing.
"I am getting ready for our bath Raven."
Face completely red and violet eyes riveted on emerald ones, Raven furrowed her brow at the odd sentence.
"'our' baf?"
Chuckling, Starfire nodded while picking Raven back up and floating them both over to the door that connected to Raven's bathroom.
"Yes Raven, 'our' bath. We are both hot and dirty from the battle earlier and I believe we will sleep better if we are clean. And I do not believe that you would be able to wash yourself until you are a little older; otherwise I would let you bathe alone."
With a 'whoosh' the bathroom door opened and Starfire flipped on the lights. Staying in the air, Starfire reached for the knobs in the bathtub and turned them on one at a time, checking the water temperature and adjusting as needed until the tub was full with very warm water. By now, Raven had come to grips with her situation and she knew that even if she didn't feel comfortable being nude in front of anyone, Koriand'r was only trying to help and would never ridicule Raven.
And…Raven really wanted to be clean!
So when Kori had found the correct water temperature and finished filling the body sized basin with said water, Raven only wanted to wash up and go to bed feeling tired and a little achy. The sorceress from Azarath did not fail to notice how gentle the Princess of Tamaran was being with her as the golden orange skinned young woman unwrapped the cloak from around Baby Rae and sat down in the cleaning water with her now tiny body propped against the much larger one so she could be washed equally as gently.
"Close your eyes Raven, I mush wash your hair."
Raven obediently shut her eyes as long fingers scrubbed her soft hair clean of any filth that may have found its way into the strands from the fight with Mumbo.
"Now hold your breath."
Again, Raven followed directions feeling the warm water being poured over her head and down her face, erasing all trace of soapy suds from her short violet hair. Next a worn washcloth was lathered with soap and she was scrubbed from head to toes very softly by those strong orange hued hands.
After she was rinsed off satisfactorily enough for both herself and Koriand'r; Kori than began to wash her won much longer red hair.
"Korwi's hair pretty."
Finished rinsing, Koriand'r once again lathered up the washcloth.
"Thank you Raven. Your hair is beautiful as well."
A slight blush appeared on pale cheeks but that was soon forgotten as Starfire blew some of the bubble bath into the air to entertain her charge. Raven found the floating silvery orbs absolutely fascinating and her arms automatically reached up to grasp at them. She knew in her mind that they were just bubbles and not that interesting, nevertheless her body influenced some things obviously. So she played and giggled when Starfire kept blowing the soapy stuff into the air.
'I'm glad it's Koriand'r in here with me instead of anyone else.' Raven was feeling embarrassed at how little control she had over the tendencies of a young baby to respond to almost anything interesting and giggle over it. Starfire understood so she said nothing and just continued washing.
Since Raven was sitting in Starfire's lap so she wouldn't be overwhelmed by all that water, Kori could only wash her upper half.
'That is alright. I will simply take a shower after I get Raven done.'
The two females stayed in the bathtub a while longer, just enjoying the warmth and relaxing after a long and taxing battle; then Starfire picked up Raven and rose out of the water. Having laid out two towels earlier, the Tameranean grabbed the nearest one and wrapped the miniature sorceress in it. Gentle circular motions along baby soft skin dried off the clinging water from Raven and Starfire then took her into the dark room and laid Raven upon the big bed.
"I will be back momentarily, so please wait here Raven."
A nod from the Azarathean sent the Tamaranean back into the bathroom to finish cleaning up. Not really feeling too sleepy anymore, Raven decided she should see how much she can do in her present state.
With a towel still shrouding her body, Raven moved to sit up which she found she could do…for all of 30 seconds before becoming unbalanced and falling over. Scowling thunderously as only a child could when concentrating, Raven next tried to move around on her own by standing and walking…safe to say she wasn't successful.
She did, however, manage to find out she could crawl. Soon a purple haired choo choo train was chugging its way across the soft surface of the bed. Raven would never admit it, even under the threat of having to listen to Beast Boy's jokes for eternity, but she was having a lit of fun!
Fun that was interrupted by two gently golden orange hands lifting her up to eyelevel with beautifully clear emerald eyes set in an exotic alien face so different from her own.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your fun Raven, but it is late and we must both sleep if we are to feel refreshed for tomorrow."
With one hand on Raven's back making sure she stays sitting upright after being set down on the bed again, Koriand'r drew the towel away and helped Baby Rae put on her night shirt. Letting go of Raven completely for a moment, Starfire slipped on her own outfit that she had grabbed quickly after her shower while Raven was preoccupied with her new found mobility. Cradling Ravens tiny form once more, Kori moved towards the automatic door.
"Come my friend. It is time for us to go to bed."
Letting out a little cry, Raven caught her best friend's attention before they reached the door.
"Stay here!"
Confused green eyes looked into violet. "But Raven, you do not like it when anyone other than you is in your room for a long period of time.
Tiny patted at golden orange cheeks. "Is ok."
The dark mage's reward was a brilliant smile and gentle hug. "Then we shall sleep here."
And they did.
END FLASHBACK
Glancing over at the blue neon numbers of Raven's clock, Starfire saw that it was 6:45am, the time that Raven usually wakes up to go to the roof and meditate. Unsure of whether or not Raven wished to continue this ritual when she now couldn't even sit-up without assistance let alone walk or teleport safely to the roof, Starfire decided to wake the sleeping girl.
"Raven…it is time for your morning meditation. Do you wish to do so this morning?"
One sleepy amethyst eye creaked open and a small grunt issued from the awakening girl.
"…unhuh…haf to."
But despite what she said, Raven was very comfortable right where she was and her body had no intention of moving except to snuggle up to the alien princess more. Starfire noticed that her friend was dozing again and though she was tempted to let the dark mage sleep she knew Raven would want to get up or she would feel upset later for letting her new situation disrupt her routines moreso than it already has.
"You must wake up Raven. ...Very well, I will just have to…persuade you to get up."
With an evil smile and mischievous twinkle in her eye that would put Beast Boy's best to shame, Koriand'r commenced her persuasion. Raven's eyes flew open as her mouth opened to let out a scream. She found out, however, that she couldn't breath and so attempted to wriggle out of the torture. That only made it worse! She was given a small reprieve to gain back her breath lost in the first initial attack but the second wave came in quickly and screaming laughter escaped.
Long and quick golden orange fingers glided over every tickle spot they could find on Raven's tiny body. Much to Koriand'r's delight and Raven's horror, Raven's infant body was extremely ticklish. Kori ended the merriment the moment small, light object started to float out of their placements; giving the breathless but still giggling baby a kiss on the cheek and nuzzled into the tiny hands that had reached out in a futile attempt to cease the torture.
"Now that you are awake dear friend, we can get ready for the day and go meditate followed by breakfast."
Raven tried to muster up her deadly glare to deliver to her new 'enemy' but her body still felt the aftershocks of the tickle attack…and besides…Kori was smiling at her.
With a mental shrug, Raven decided that she didn't mind so much…as long as it didn't happen TOO often…and the boys NEVER find out…or try it themselves! So instead of a glare, Raven settled for a little scowl.
"Korwi…"
At Raven's slightly scolding tone, Starfire smiled and picked her up to dress her for the day.
"Forgive me Raven, but we should be getting up."
Raven cooperated and soon both girls were exiting the dark room for the brighter lit hall.
"Korwi?"
Starfire halted before the door that leads to the roof and turned her attention to Raven. "Yes?"
Raven fidgeted a bit before she brought her gaze to Koriand'r's. "Can we medid…medita…"
Raven's frustration with her hindered vocabulary was starting to agitate her and small tears began to glisten in her eyes. Kori understood.
"Do you wish to meditate elsewhere Raven?"
Sniffling a little, Raven nodded. Koriand'r thumbed away the tiny tracks of tears from the pale cheek of her friend. "Hmm…how about the living room?"
Again the purple haired girl bobbed her head up and down. Turning on her heel, Starfire went back the way they came, heading for the large room in the middle of their tower where each day the Teens gathered together to enjoy the company of the others.
"Then we shall go there."
Swish Both girls had to shield their eyes for a moment because, no matter how brightly lit a hall or room is, not light bulb can defeat the sheer power of the sun. When they opened their eyes and looked out over the living room at the windows, what they saw took their breath away.
A more perfect sunrise has yet to be seen. Soft yet distinct pastel colors painted the world in hues of pink, lavender, blue, yellow, orange, and white. The ocean surrounding the T-Tower Island looked especially magnificent. From the doorway, Starfire glided over to the expansive windows, sat cross legged and placed Raven in her lap so she was also facing the sky, all still in mid-air. Supported as she was, Raven could sit upright without wobbling and thus they started their two hour long meditation session.
"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos."
Though, truthfully, for Raven it came out more like this.
"Azawath, Metwion, Zintoes."
By time 9:00am rolled around, Raven heard a growling noise and felt a rumbling from behind her. Opening one eye and tilting her head slightly, Raven caught the blush that stained the Tameranean's cheeks. A smaller blush appeared on Raven's pale cheeks as an answering growl issued from her own empty stomach.
Giggling, Starfire extended her legs until they nearly touched the ground then floated to the kitchen area. "It seems that we must eat. What would you like?"
"Tofu!"
The green changeling popped out of nowhere from behind his female teammates, startling them.
"Beast Boy!"
"Wahh!"
Raven was surprised enough that she started crying and couldn't seem to stop herself. Furious glowing emerald eyes pinned Beast Boy with a deadly glare worthy of being one of Raven's best.
"Eh…heheheh…s-sorry about that Rae, Star…so…tofu?"
Eyes still shining lime green, Starfire shook her head and continued on towards the counters that surrounded the kitchen and cut it off from the rest of the living room area.
"No thank you. Raven and I will find something ourselves."
Koriand'r sat Raven down upon one of the countertops and soothingly rubbed circles on the dark mage's back, once again calming the little hiccupping cries emanating form her friend.
"Since you would have a difficult time chewing anything not soft, would you be content with instant oatmeal?"
Raven grimaced slightly at the though of nothing to eat but the nasty mushy stuff for a while but nodded her assent. "Yes."
At that, Starfire got to business and made two bowls of oatmeal, both with added cinnamon, sugar, and milk. Setting the food on the counter, Starfire pulled up a stool to sit on, then plopped Raven onto her lap and began to eat.
Right away there was a problem. Raven's pale little arms couldn't quite control their movements enough nor sustain the weight of the food and metal spoon for long. Beyond frustrated, Raven started glowing with the presence of her powers ready to do some damage but a much larger hand covered her own and helped Raven feed herself. Soon both girls were finished eating and Koriand'r cleared away their bowls, putting them into the sink for the unlucky one who had dish duty to do later.
By this time, Robin and the other boys had made their own food though it was disappearing very quickly. Looking up from his demolished plate, Robin called out to Starfire.
"Hey Star! We have outdoor obstacle today. What are you going to do about Raven? She's way too young to go through the course."
Emerald eyes looked down at the top of the violet crowned of hair that belonged to Raven, pondering her options.
"I believe…that until Raven is old enough to be on her own for an extended period of time I will stay with her on the sidelines."
Robin frowned slightly. "I guess that's ok for the course but what about when we go to fight villains? You can't…"
Cyborg interrupted Robin, puzzled at their leader's behavior; but pushing that aside to smile at the only two females on his team. "Ah, don't worry about it Star. If we need help we'll call for backup but other than that it would be best if you stayed with Rae and keep her safe until this spell wears off."
Beast Boy jumped up and down nodding enthusiastically. "Yeah! And besides I can take 'em!" With his breaking voice and trying to pose manly with such a scrawny body, Beast Boy got laughs and eye rolls for his trouble. "What!!"
Finished laughing, Starfire smiled brilliantly at her male comrades. "Then, Raven and I will be backup for you should you have need of us in a fight."
Throughout that entire exchange Raven had stayed silent but her gaze was focused solely on Robin and his odd behavior. Than Koriand'r had asked if Raven was agreeable to the plan for fighting Cyborg had come up with. Glancing up at her best friend; 'Perhaps more…' whispered a voice inside her head which she quickly stifled, but keeping Robin in her periphery vision, Raven nodded.
"Korwi stay wif Rae."
Again her words came out not quite up to par with her usual diction and she got annoyed enough with the boys' comments that she threateningly started glowing.
"Aww! Isn't Rae cute when she talks like that!"
"Dude! I should take her out with me chick hunting! She'd help me score some numbers!"
"Heh! It seems she really is a baby."
Luckily for the boys, Starfire noticed Raven's evil glare directed at them and her burgeoning powers beginning to manifest themselves. Frantically Star searched for a way to distract the dangerous but still undeniably cute mage in her arms. With only seconds left before Mount Raven blew and destroyed the boys, Starfire went into action.
From the very first ticklish poke into her side, Raven lost all thought of the boys and could only focus on this disturbingly fun sensation the alien princess had invoked.
'I really dislike having such a ticklish body!'
Shrieking laughter was echoing down the hallway as Starfire took Raven back to her room still drawing out giggles and wriggling from Baby Rae. Soon though, Koriand'r ceased her distraction for the boys, who were still clueless in the living room from which she had dashed out of with the excuse of an afternoon nap for Raven.
"You are in a much better mood now, right Raven?"
Little aftershocks from the onslaught of tickling were still causing some giggles to escape when the two girls reached Raven's door.
"Only wif Korwi."
The moment those words passed from her mouth into the air with out being processed by her brain, Raven stopped moving altogether and her face had a horrified visage upon it. Not to mention her cheeks were as warm as the starbolts her friend uses in battle. Raven refused to look at Starfire after that, but that didn't bother Kori at all for she had heard Raven's slip and it made her so happy.
However, Star knew form experience that on the very rare occasions when Raven allows words to show how she feels about her teammates, she extremely dislikes it when someone makes a big deal out of it. So the alien form the Vega star system kept quiet about the statement her best friend had uttered and opened the door to Raven's room.
"What is it you would like to do now Raven?"
Still refusing to look at Koriand'r lest she give away even more of what she's feeling, Raven opened her mouth to reply while peering into her dark room.
"Rae like to Rwead…"
As the two Titans walked past the dresser upon which sat the meditation mirror, said portal into Raven's mid seemed to come to life. A giant red and black hand rose from the face of the mirror and grabbed the unsuspecting Tameranean who in turn was still holding onto Raven. Needless to say, Raven got interrupted as both girls were yanked screaming into a dark world that would be the perfect setting for a gothic horror.
Seeing the rapidly approaching ground and knowing if they there was a chance that the young Azarathean still in her arms could very well get hurt, Koriand'r turned her back to the ground in case her ability to fly was impaired her so she would take the brunt of the fall and not Raven.
Koriand'r released a sigh of relief when their descent slowed, signaling she could still use at least one of her powers. Touching down softly in the middle of a boulder floating mid-air among an entire field of other similar pieces of rock, the pair of girls glanced around; one visiting for the first time, the other merely revisiting a manifestation of who and what she is in her mind.
Pitch black sky as far as the eye could see in every direction punctured only by tiny holes to let in points of blood red light. Twisted, gnarled trees bearing nothing on their branches moaned in an unseen wind threatening to tear their roots from the rocks they had a death grip on.
"Is this what the boys saw when they were last her Raven?"
Silent for a moment, almost as if ashamed at how her demon blood affects everything she is, Raven nodded.
"Yes."
Then pointing towards a particularly large land mass at the very center of this dark galaxy that is Raven's min, the young mage chanted her three magic words causing a massive shift in the scenery. Around the stationary rock upon which the two Titans stood, masses of earth, ice, and rock swirled in a kaleidoscope of black, grey, and brown until in front of them a path was laid to lead them to their destination; the gate at the center that will transport them back to the Tower.
"Let's go Korwi."
Striding forward, Koriand'r shifted Raven in her arms so she could easily see and direct where they should go.
"Yes, let us."
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I'm sorry it took so long to get this chapter up and out! But here it is and I hope you all enjoy it!!
For those of you wondering, I made Raven a baby (later to grow up slowly) to nurture her growing feelings for Starfire. She starts out needing to depend upon Starfire and that provides the basis for her growing love which will grow as she does. Trust is what this first baby part is about!
So please, READ AND REVIEW!! I love you all!
ToaR