Disclaimer: If I owned the Teen titans, chances are I wouldn't be writing fan fiction about it.

A Matter of Perspective
Chapter Four - Cruel
by: Eternity Bites

Seneca said "All cruelty springs from hardheartedness and weakness." Cruelty seemed to be another one of those terms that were a matter of perspective. Most people at the H.A.E.Y.P viewed me as a cruel, heartless witch. They thought that because I didn't try to speak with them or suck up to those who were more 'popular' they thought I was a snob, thought of them as unworthy of my time, cruel. I, of course, didn't view myself as such. I had never gone out of my way to be deliberately hateful and it wasn't for lack of want that I didn't display emotion. To do so would surely kill half of Jump city. I however, thought of them as cruel. They had no qualms of destroying whole cities with clichéd doomsday devices, murdering thousands of innocents, or kidnapping people to hold them for ransom. I knew that I was above that, and I thought that my fellow team Hive members were to. It seemed however, that I was wrong.

--

Kyd Wykkyd and I 'talked' for a solid two hours, well he thought and I talked. Kyd Wykkyd was a great listener. For some strange reason his presence in my room didn't bother me as much as it normally would've. I assumed that it was because he fit in flawlessly with the doom of gloom of my decor.

We talked about a multitude of things. Mostly we talked about favourites. Favourite books, favourite movies, favourite colour and so on. If you can name it, we discussed it. We both seemed to clam up when the subject of our pasts would arise though. Now although I had to admit that I was curious as to why he was mute I wouldn't ask. I understood what it felt like to have people pry into your past, so I restrained myself.

Kyd was telling me about his first day at the academy when we were interrupted by the insistent ringing of my communicator. I let out a small frustrated sigh and grabbed the black aura encased device out of the air. I flipped it open and looked at the screen, looking for all appearances bored with life itself.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Hey pit-sniffer WHERE ARE YOU?! We have to go over the plan for the museum heist, GET DOWN HERE!" Gizmo's whiny voice shouted at me.

I closed the communicator after telling Gizmo I would be there shortly. I let out a disappointed sigh. The pint-sized genius was back to calling me names. Just when they were beginning to accept me I had to go and mess it up by being nice. Idiot, I chastised myself, you're at a school for criminals, you aren't here to be nice. I stared desolately at my communicator. Why couldn't I do anything right? I was I destined to live life as a loner? I was roused from my thoughts by Kyd Wykkyd.

"Raven?" Kyd Wykkyd asked me hesitantly, his eyes full of questions. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." I replied in a bland monotone. I turned to face Kyd and looked into his bright crimson eyes.

"Kyd, we can't be seen together anymore." I told him regretfully.

I was looking at him when I said it so I saw the shock and hurt flash across Kyd's face before he turned away.

"We can still talk, whenever you want to." I told him, trying to soften the blow.

"Why do you care so much about what these people think? You said yourself that they're just using you." Kyd Wykkyd asked his mental voice confused and outraged.

"I just-"I faltered for a moment, my guard dropping. Outside I heard a few light bulbs shattered and I fought for control. "I just wanted to be accepted for once." My eyes pleading for him to understand.

"Somebody already has accepted you." Kyd told me sadly before disappearing in a swirl of black.

A rogue tear cascaded down my face and I hurried to wipe it away, willing no more to fall. I had just managed to alienate the only friend I had at this wretched place. I managed to pull on an emotionless mask and I hurried on my way to Gizmo's room, ignoring the unusual darkness of the hallway.

--

I entered Gizmo's room and was immediately on guard. The room was shrouded in shadow and it was quiet as a tomb. I floated silently around the small apartment, my hands encased in black magic. I heard the faint flick of a switch and found myself in a blinding spot light.

I closed my eyes to try and calm myself. I was in no mood to be toyed with, especially after my recent fight with Kyd Wykkyd. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. I looked to where I knew the three of them were standing and glared.

"I have very little tolerance for games." I told them, trying to speak evenly. "Are we going over the plan or not?"

"Not scum bucket." Gizmo's loud, nasally voice told me.

I let out an impatient sigh and I glowered in Gizmo's general direction.

"Can I go then? I need to meditate." I told him testily.

"There's been a change of plans." Jinx said in a voice remarkably sounding like a purr as she stalked out of the shadows, along with Mammoth and Gizmo. "Your loyalty is being called into question."

"Do you have any proof of my 'betrayal'?" I asked, putting quotations around the word betrayal.

Jinx grinned smugly. The television in front of me flickered and came to life. On it was a video of me inviting Kyd Wykkyd into my room, over and over again.

"So?" I asked tonelessly seemingly undaunted. On the inside however I was worried. I had already lost one friend today and I'd like to try and keep the rest.

"You're divulging team secrets to the competition!" Jinx shouted, getting right in my face.

I let out a weary sigh. Today was just not my day. I was about to explain what Kyd and I had been doing but didn't get the chance because Jinx started talking again.

"Moving on." Jinx said, trying to calm herself. "There are three children currently staying at the titan's tower."

The screen's image changed to that of three children. There was a one girl and two boys. The girl was wearing a pink and white outfit, had to blonde pigtails, baby blue eyes, and she was holding the hand of someone invisible. The older of the two boys had bright orange hair, a bright yellow and red jumpsuit, and was holding a blue blanket in his hands. The last one looked similar to whom I guessed was his older sister. He had the same blonde hair and blue eyes and was sucking on his thumb.

"What about them?" I asked blandly.

"It's quite simply really." Jinx started but Gizmo cut her off.

"Yeah, even a sludge-for-brains, crud-munching idiot like you could understand it." Gizmo told me.

"As I was saying," Jinx started, pausing briefly to glare at Gizmo. "In order to regain our trust and prove yourself loyal to the team we want you to bring us those kids."

...

Okay a few things:
1. I have absolutely nothing against Jinx and the Hive. I know she seems kind of bitchy but I need it in order to achieve the stories ultimate goal.
2. Raven will ultimately end up with somebody. Thats the way I am. Go to my page to vote and if you select other a comment detailing who and why you chose that person whould be appriciated.
3. Like always, review please. They inspire me.