UPDATE 3-18-13

Could ANYONE with musical skill please contact me?

I require musical skills for a future chapter but I have none xD

I'll explain the details to anyone interested. Thank you!

The voice in Raven's head is now going to be in italics and bolded.

Just to separate Raven's actual thoughts from the voice.

Oh god.

One of my characters hears voices in her head xD Lovely.

I'm going with Beast Boy's history from the DC comics.

The back stories are REALLY similar with just a few little changes.

As always, any questions just ask me :)

-Anii


Chapter 7: "What's wrong, what's wrong with me?"

Hear Me Now by Framing Hanley

Several, panicky minutes ticked by like hours as the rage built inside Raven's chest, rumbling and roaring angrily. It demanded to be free and beat against the walls of her will, which weakened with each passing moment.

Jericho's fingers dug into the flesh of her shoulder and Raven struggled to keep her blurred vision on his expressive green eyes. Tears welled up behind her own eyes as her rage surged forth, consuming her and casting her into a blood-red sea of roiling, negative emotions.

She watched as her arms swung out at Jericho. The man didn't move a muscle to protect himself. He accepted the blows with a straight face, his eyes locked on Raven. She slashed at him, her finger nails tearing into the clothing Jericho wore.

Kill him. Kill him! The rage hissed inside her head.

I can't do this. I can't beat this thing inside me. Raven's own anger and frustration mixed with the already present rage.

Yes, that's it. Feed your hatred; feed me, the voice crooned.

"Stop it." Raven hissed back through clenched teeth.

Jericho patiently held on to Raven, even as a fat red drop of blood streamed down his cheek and a purplish bruise formed around the curve of his jaw line. Raven's guilt washed over her, knocking aside the rage.

The furry in her howled, but still guilt triumphed, momentarily suppressing the anger that had nearly drowned her only moments ago. Raven's raspy breaths echoed around the rocky cave walls as she regained control over her mind and body slowly.

Sweat lightly coated her body and Raven's muscles gave out. Her arms dropped to the floor as her head lolled forward, colliding gently with Jericho's shoulder. Jericho's hands snaked around her trembling body as he held her in a soft hug.

With each deep, ragged inhale Raven took, the scent of spearmint wafted up her nostrils.

"Jericho, how's Rae-"

Raven couldn't lift her head from Jericho's shoulder but she knew the familiar voice well. Tension filled the air as Jericho swiveled his head around to face Beast Boy.

"Is she crying? What the hell happened?" Beast Boy barked.

Raven lifted a trembling hand and begged her mouth to form the words but it disobeyed. Both her and Jericho were now mute. The sound of shoes shuffling against the rocky floor of the cave bounced around in Raven's aching skull, forcing her eyes to squeeze shut.

The warmth Jericho provided vanished and her eyes popped open. Without Jericho's body to support her, Raven's body fell forward. She couldn't even throw her hands up to protect her face.

A thin arm crossed over her chest, holding her upright. Beast Boy whispered softly to her as he propped her body against a rather smooth section of cavern wall. "I need to take Jerchio to see Robin for a moment. I'll be right back, I promise. Try and sleep, okay?"

That won't be hard, Raven thought as her eyes fluttered closed and a thick fog clogged her mind. Soft waves lapped at the edges of the hole in the cave floor where the T-Ship waited patiently. The repetitive sound lulled her closer to the brink of sleep and her muscles relaxed as warmth swept up her body. The angry voice had subsided for now but she didn't know how long it would last.

She forced the pessimistic thoughts from her mind and let herself slip further into the comforting arms of Sleep. You'd like it if I just disappeared wouldn't you?

Raven's entire body froze with panic as the voice washed over her like an icy tsunami. Raven flopped on her stomach her mind locked on the gentle waves that the T-Ship sat it. She clenched her jaw tightly, ignoring the bellowing screams in her mind.

I have to splash my face. I'll be fine. Raven encouraged herself even though she knew a little dab of water would do nothing.

She crawled on her stomach, her hands clawing at the ground to pull her closer to her salvation. She ignored the biting pain in her fingers as the sharp floor sliced through the sensitive skin. Joy cut right through the fear in her chest as she pulled herself closer to the lip of the cave entrance. She slid up into a sitting position and shoved her hands into the frigid water.

Raven cupped the refreshing water between her hands and doused herself. Unfortunately, the chilly water did nothing to ease the fiery rage scorching her body. No. No, stop. Raven pleaded, her mind already receding as the rage began to take over her body once more.

Raven watched her rippling reflection as a change in her eyes began. You're angry with those humans.

Her heart hammered in her chest as her entire eyes transformed into the color of burning embers. You want to kill them.

"No." Raven whispered meekly.

Yes. You want them all dead for the pain they've caused you.

"Stop it."

They hurt your friends. They kicked you out of your home.

"Go away."

They're ungrateful for all the things you've done for them. They deserve punishment. They deserve to die.

Raven grabbed her head between both hands and threw it back, a cry of pure agony ripping from her throat. "Shut up!"

I can feel it in you, Raven: the animalistic furry residing in you!

She clutched her head tightly, her body writhing with a fiery sensation that burned her inside and out. "Leave me alone!"

Never! We're one in the same!

Raven's thrashings brought her closer to the edge of the cave than she had thought and, before she could blink, she was tumbling deep into the water's depths.

Move! Raven ordered her limbs as she sunk deeper into the Ocean.

If you won't accept me, the voice spat, then there's no use for us to continue living.

No! Raven thought, her brain frantically calling out to her limbs, begging them to move. She was frozen; her body was completely disobeying her.

If we cannot live together, Raven, let us die together!

Raven's lungs pleaded for breath as the voice locked up Raven's extremities. The furry inside her howled with laughter. Raven's mouth opened wide in a scream, causing her to inhale a mouthful of salty water.

She gagged, trying to force the water back out but she only succeed in allowing more water into her lungs where it didn't belong. The salt water burned her throat. Light from the cave trickled down into the water, acting like a beacon Raven desperately wanted to reach.

No. I won't want to die. Raven thought wildly as fog crept into her mind.

Her eyes fluttered closed as the fog grew thicker in her skull. Of all the ways it could end...this wasn't what I expected.

A muffled crashing sound snapped Raven's eyes open and brushed aside the fog enough to register what was happening. Slender arms clenched around her waist and suddenly Raven was being tugged from the water. Hope soared in her chest as her legs began to weakly kick and the anger that had threatened to consume her, vanished without so much as a faint cry.

Raven's head burst through the surface and her lungs spewed the water out of them as fast as possible. Her body shook as she gasped for fresh air that forced away the fog clouding her mind. She clung to her savior who calmly waited for her to stop heaving out sea water before pulling her completely out of the water and onto solid ground.

As Raven collapsed onto her hands and knees, someone whispered, "Raven, why the hell didn't you swim."

Raven lifted her head to reply but her voice failed her as she met the clear concern in Beast Boy's eyes. His lips pursed into a hard line as he waited for an answer. Suddenly, his warm hands were on either side of her face and he was pushing away the wet hair clinging to her face.

Raven felt trembling fingers against her face and she coughed out, "I couldn't move."

Beast Boy's lips parted to speak but Robin interrupted, "We've got a problem."

Robin's eyes narrowed as he took in his two soaked team members. "What happen-" He waved his hand, cutting himself off. "Never mind. You two stay behind. I'll take Aqualad and Jericho with us."

Robin's eyes fell on Raven, "We have to talk later."

Raven weakly nodded and the Titan's leader spun around from where he came. Beast Boy's arms slid around Raven, pulling her against him. Raven's hand swung out and a black disk formed beneath them. "We shouldn't stay in these wet clothes."

Her head fell on his shoulder as they slowly sank through the energy portal below.

Beast Boy shrugged his shoulders gently, "My suit's waterproof."

"I don't have that luxury." Her comment was meant to be a joke but her voice was too weak and the words barely made it out of her mouth.

"Raven," Beast Boy's voice was soft and gentle. "I want you to tell me what's happening with you."

Raven clenched her jaw as tears threatened to spill down her cheeks. The fear that had filled her surged forth but she nodded slightly, "I'll try."

••••••••

Arella smoothed back her daughter's damp hair, "Raven, what happened?"

Raven's violet eyes found her mother's and a smile graced her lips, "It was nothing. I just fell in the water."

Her voice sounded hoarse and her throat burned as she spoke. The salty taste of the ocean still had not left her mouth.

Arella sighed, "Will you ever be honest with me?"

"I don't want to worry you." Raven answered honestly as she pulled away from Arella and tugged on her clean clothing.

Unfortunately, the only dry and clean bottoms she had were one of the items Starfire bought for her. She plucked at the thin fabric of the white miniskirt and sighed. It's better than nothing. She did, however, have one of Beast Boy's choices for a top. The shirt was black with white flower designs down her ribcage and sides. the top also came with a hood, much to Raven's delight.

If a fashionista could see me now, I'd probably have my eyes clawed out. Raven joked to herself.

Raven kissed her mother's cheek and muttered her thanks as she vanished back to the place where she left Beast Boy.

Her feet padded lightly against the plush grass of the small island. Beast Boy sat on the edge of a rock, his hands in his lap. Raven approached him from behind and sat beside him. "Thanks." Raven said softly, the wind brushing against her skin soothingly as the water lapped at the island's edge below. "For saving me."

Beast Boy frowned, a vacant look in his eyes as he stared on ahead. "What happened?"

Raven sighed, gathering the courage to explain the frightening occurrence. "I don't really know. I can't tell you much."

"Try." Beast Boy insisted.

She pursed her lips and took a deep breath. "Something's wrong with my powers."

Beast Boy's eyes scrunched together but he waited patiently for her to go on and patience was not something Beast Boy normally exuded.

"I have nothing else to say."

"That's it?" Beast Boy turned to face her. "So your powers made you have a tantrum in that crowded room and made you take a dive in the ocean?"

Raven's head bowed. "My emotions and powers are linked."

Beast Boy exhaled harshly and pushed his hands through his hair. Raven glanced at him, "You don't have to be so mature, you know."

"This isn't the time to be immature." His response was so unlike him, it sent a current of sorrow through Raven's heart.

"I liked the old you though." She whispered as she hugged her knees to her chest.

The muscles along Beast Boy's jaw shifted, "That's a lie."

Raven narrowed her eyes and she hissed, "Why? Is it so hard to believe that seeing someone happy all the time is a bad thing?"

"You constantly berated me for being immature."

"It was just something I did. It didn't mean I didn't like seeing you smiling." Raven felt a blush paint her cheeks as she gaped at her outburst.

Beast Boy's face tilted towards her and a grin dominated his face. "So you admit you actually like me?"

Infuriated that she had been tricked, Raven flung herself onto her feet.

Beast Boy's fingers coiled around her wrist. "Hey, hey. Calm yourself. Sit."

As she did so, Beast Boy's face became bitter, "I'm right, though. I can't be immature at a time like this. Once everything's back to normal, I'll be myself again."

"How can you be so optimistic?" Raven whispered.

"Because it's all I've got." Beast Boy closed his eyes as a particularly strong gust of wind swooped by.

Raven's head lowered the slightest. "What happened to you?"

Beast Boy blinked, confusion clear in his face. "What do you mean?"

Raven felt awkward and wished she could take her question back. From the look on Beast Boy's face, however, she knew he wouldn't let it go. "Robin was the son of acrobats, Cyborg was injured during an accident, Starfire's an alien-"

"Oh." Beast Boy's gaze lowered. "You mean what happened to make me the way I am?"

"I shouldn't have asked. I'm sorry."

"My mom and dad were really into wildlife and they traveled a lot." He began, as if he hadn't heard her. "I was raised in the jungles of Africa, India, and Brazil."

Raven's eyes widened and a light fluttering erupted in her heart. She twisted her body so she faced him and played the attentive listener.

"One day, I was bitten by this rare monkey they were studying. They tried to save me by giving me this kind of antidote and it worked. It worked a lot." Beast Boy smiled weakly. It wasn't a forced grin or bitter in the least. He was proud of his powers, Raven could tell. But she knew the wavering in his smile was from what came next in his story.

"My skin, hair, and eyes all turned green and I could shape-shift into any animal I wanted but they didn't care. They were just happy I was alive." Beast Boy's head tilted back as he took in the starry sky above. "They died in a boating accident."

Raven didn't move, she didn't even inhale. She was at a loss. Should she tell him she was sorry? Should she console him? How was she supposed to do that without making them both feel awkward? Having friends was both exhilarating and frustrating.

"I could have done something. I could have saved them." Beast Boy's eyes burned brightly and his voice was harsh.

Raven's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"I'm a superhero. I could have done something." Beast Boy hissed.

Raven's eyes narrowed, "No you couldn't have. You're a superhero now. You weren't then. You were just a kid. Have you seriously been beating yourself up over this for all these years, Beast Boy?"

The anger depleted the slightest in him. "Garfield."

Raven arched one eyebrow, "Excuse me?"

Beast Boy took in a deep breath then glanced at her sheepishly. "My name's Garfield Mark Logan."

It took several moments for Raven's brain to register this new bit of information and when it did, she found herself snorting with contained laughter.

Beast Boy blushed, much to Raven's surprise, "Cut it out. I didn't pick my name."

"Garfield? Like that fat cat who eats lasagna in those comics?"

Beast Boy's body shrunk down to the size of an overly large cat and he grinned devilishly at her. He flicked his tail and purred, "Meow."

Raven's stomach ached as she howled with laughter. She bent forward, clutching her stomach as a solitary tear trickled down her cheek. Startled, Raven said, "I'm not crying because I'm sad."

Beast Boy shifted back to his normal shape, "I know." His thumb wiped away the tear.

Raven finally regained composure and asked, "So what happened next? How'd you end up with the Doom Patrol?"

Beast Boy shrugged his shoulders. "I got put in this guy, Nicholas Galtry's, custody, and he embezzled money for a while. For some reason he called me "Craig", I don't know. Anyways, He tried to have me killed a bunch of times."

"And?" Raven nudged his shoulder.

"And my adoptive parents saved me every time." Beast Boy smiled. "Rita and Steve exposed Galtry in the courts and took custody of me."

"Rita and Steve, they're Doom Patrol members?" Raven asked.

Beast Boy bobbed his head but his eyes filled with sadness, "Kind of."

Raven didn't want to press further and upset him but Beast Boy seemed to want to speak so she asked, "How so?"

"Rita, Elasti-Girl, died." Beast Boy cleared his throat. "And- uh - Steve, Mento, isn't doing so hot."

Raven tore her gaze from him and plucked at thin blades of grass. A silence fell between them and Raven felt compelled to say, "I don't understand how you can be the way you are with a past like that."

Beast Boy laughed lightly, "I guess it's in my nature."

"It's not in mine." Raven swallowed hard around the question forming in her throat. "Are you afraid of me?"

Startled, Beast boy shifted away from her slightly, his eyes widening. "What?"

"I said-"

"I know what you said." Beast Boy waved a hand between them. "But did you really ask that? Of course not, Raven."

"I'm mortified that Jericho saw me like that. I just met him. He must think I'm crazy."

"Well, the only way for you to find out is to ask him." Beast Boy shrugged his shoulders and smiled at her.

"He's mute."

Beast Boy pointed at her, a mocking look on his face. "And you're an empath who can read people's emotions. What's the problem?"

"I just feel" Raven sighed, running her hand through her hair. "I feel silly."

"Oh I see."

Raven's eyes cut across to his grinning face. The grin was odd, however; it wasn't like his usual grin. It almost looked…forced. "See what?"

"You like Jericho. I didn't know you had a thing for the filly guys with springy curls but hey, to each his own-"

Raven's fist launched into his jaw, sending Beast Boy sprawling on his back. "You ruined it."

"Ruined what?" Beast Boy groaned as he lay on his back.

Raven rose to a standing position and flicked up her hood. "The moment we were having."

Suddenly, a blast of fire shot down from the sky. Raven yanked Beast Boy up and threw him over the cliff in just enough time as the second volley of fire rained down. Raven slid the crook of her arm over her nose and mouth to block out the smoke as she leapt out-of-the-way of the towering fire.

Please don't fail me now, she begged her powers.

Scorching flames ate away at the grassy area as Raven vaulted off of the jagged cliff. Thankfully, her powers held her upright in the air and the familiar black cloud billowed around her hands.

However, the fire had stopped. Raven lifted her head and gawked at the message etched into the land.


Yes, that is Beast Boy's real name and real back story xD

If some of you already know this, I apologize. It's just, I didn't know/remember half of this stuff ^^; So I thought I'd give us a little refresher without going all out into filler mode. Hopefully, this wasn't filler mode o_o Did you guys enjoy the little Beast Boy and Raven moment? XD -Anii