Chapter Three:
Two days later the Titans were awakened by the sound of explosions again. They groaned no understanding the random attacks on the village. This was the second one they were present for and were worried about leaving. Raven had almost convinced herself to stay here and fight them off herself. She liked it hear and could see staying here. Here she was close to whatever was left of Beast Boy. She knew now this was his home, she heard the Logan's mentioned often when someone passed the house. The explosions were intensified but cheers were also heard as the Titans raced back to the edge of the village.
As soon as they arrived at the edge they saw why the villagers were cheering. In the sky were 15 robot birds. They flew around trying to blast another bird out of the sky. It was amazing to watch the bird do summer slats, twists and dives in the air. It was like watching a dance it was so graceful. Soon all the robots were nothing but scrap metal on the ground. The bird dived towards the ground and landed. The Titans watched in awe as the bird transformed into a human being crouching low to the ground in dark blue jeans.
"NO WAY!" Cyborg was in shock and couldn't stop himself from yelling out. The man who had been explaining things to them for the last week ran past them shouting.
"The Chief is back. Glorious day the Chief is back." The man who was once a bird stood up he was tall, lean and green. Raven nearly died on the spot seeing the green skin. A little girl came bolting past Raven, shouting in Swahili. The man turned around and bent down to scoop and picked up the little girl. Speaking softly to her and nuzzling noes with her. The spokesman of the village stood next to the chief and spoke to him swiftly in their native language. The chief's happy smiling face turned to one of shock as he looked up and saw the four Titans.
Starfire yelled out in delight and hugged Nightwing's arm. With his free arm he waved dumbfounded to Beast Boy, and Cyborg shouted out his catch phrase and waved as well. Raven stood there not sure what to do. Soon she found herself moving forward in a slow walk, her walked then went to a jog, before she knew it she was running at him. Seeing the potential danger of being killed Beast Boy set the girl on the ground and told her to go back to her mother. She did without complaint having gotten what she wanted from the green man. He had just stood back up when he was knocked back to the ground, Raven on top of him crying into his bare chest.
"How could you leave us? How could you? We thought you were dead. You never contacted us said anything about leaving. You just got that letter and left, without a word. We were so worried about you, why?" He didn't answer her then he couldn't she was too upset. She had been hitting him why she asked him and now she collapsed crying again into his chest. Picking her up he looked at the others and offered a small smile.
"I suppose I have a few questions to answer?" They nodded to him. "Alright then let's go back to the hut. Adamila (add - a – mill – a) I'm sorry to ask but will you bring us dinner?" The young woman laughed at Beast Boy.
"Do you think I wouldn't? I've been making you and my nephew dinner for over a year now. When he marries that girl she will cook for him." The woman laughed as she walked off.
"Alright to my hut then, I think you've all been staying there the last couple of days." They nodded and followed him to the hut. Once inside Beast Boy sat on the couch with Raven still clinging to him.
"Alright Beast Boy…"
"Garfield, I can't be Beast Boy here. But you want to know everything starting with the day I left right."
"Yeah man, I mean you just up and left us. No note, no warning, no nothing."
"Yes Friend, I too wish to know why you did such a thing."
"Well it all started the day that letter came for me. I knew what it was once I smelled it. It smelled like home to me. It smelled like the hot jungle, fresh tropical flowers, and the river by my hut. I went to my room to read it. The last letter I got from the people here announced that Tilno survived childhood. That was when I turned 15, I thought I was done then I wouldn't have to come back and leave you guys. However, luck was not on my side a year ago, four years after the last letter told me Tilno hasn't finished his training and his father was dying."
"What did that have to do with you though?" Nightwing was pretty confused by now. Not to mention Raven hasn't let go of Beast Boy since she tackled him.
"Well when I lived her as a child I was taught how to be the leader. I had the lessons and the skills to be the leader. I would also be able to teach the little would be leader his roles, until he is ready to take over."
"Dinner!" Everyone looked up to see Adamila at the door. She had with her a pot and six bowls. "I brought the young one in your arms a bowl too however, I'm not sure how much she'll eat she seems distraught." Beast Boy smiled and looked down to Raven.
"You can let go Raven I'm not going anywhere, I promise." Raven looked up and loosened her hold on him and sat up she still maintained small contact by leaning her head on his shoulder. Adamila served them all a bowl of the soup and smiled.
"I hope you all enjoy the dinner. Tilno caught a gazelle today so we have some meat today." Beast Boy smiled and accepted his bowl and took a bit out of it. Everyone but Adamila stilled looking at him.
"You're eating meat?" Beast Boy looked down to Raven and smiled.
"Hard not too, when you live out here; no fridge to hold tofu and you need protein to survive. Plus with some added changes to my personality I kind of had to make a few deals."
"What kind of deals?" Nightwing looked at Beast Boy a little weary of him now. He only smiled and laughed. That smile and laugh was comforting to Raven. Even though she had gotten a hold of her emotions she still hid what she was feeling inside.
"Don't worry Nightwing; yes I know your new name I kept up with you guys in the city. Basically when I moved her my more primal side became a little more active. I started to have trouble with him again and without Rae here to help me out, I was forced to find a new way to deal with him. I made compromises and changed a little bit. I had to truly accept that he was part of me and a part that was more active in my life. The way I act, the way I think, even the way I fight. The second thing I had to deal with was my diet. I had to start eating meat little by little, I could eat veggies and whatever I just had to add meat to it." Everyone looked at him as he took another bite of the soup.
"So you eat meat now?" Beast Boy smiled at Cyborg.
"Yes, besides I've come to terms with it. Animals eat meat, animals eat each other, not to mention when they are hungry some will even eat their own kind." This was a shock no doubt but they were too happy to see him again alive and well they just didn't care.
"So will you come home with us?" He looked at the other Titans then to Raven. How he wanted to go home and talk to her.
"I have to talk to Tilno. I have to make sure he is ready but if he is then yes I'll come home." It was the best news they had heard in a year. They talked well into the night about what had been going on in the last year. Raven had latched herself onto his arm again and wouldn't let go. Not even in her sleep.
"Well Titans I believe it is time for bed." Beast Boy tried to stand up but was pulled back down. Raven was not letting go of his arm. Chuckling a little bit he looked at the others.
"Well I have to go to bed anyone object to me taking her to my room?" No one objected and he picked her up and carried her to his room.