A/N: Blah Blah Blah disclaimer etc. etc.

After his meltdown with Robin, Beast Boy wasted little time in leaving the tower (There was, after all, really no point in staying any longer than necessary). Burning with anger, feeling hurt and once again abandoned, he stormed out of the common room and made a beeline straight for his bedroom. Eyes focused, fists clenched, he threw open the door and stomped into the center of the room. He paused for but a moment as he surveyed the living space, and then, with an abrupt turn, he faced his closet.

Immediately his eyes fell upon a simple green back pack hanging from the circular handle of the wooden, segmented door. Empty, hanging limp like a deflated balloon, it triggered memories from deep inside of him, bits of his past not quite forgotten. He recalled using the bag to hold what little meager possessions he had when he'd first set out on his own after his parents died. He recalled it once again coming into play when he was serving on the Doom Patrol, when Mento's constant overbearing nature and unrealistic standards became far too great to live with. And now here he was yet again. Left without a home and with no one to turn to, his only option to pack up and move on. He had always hoped he would never have to use that backpack again.

Feeling sadness overcoming him, it lasted for but a moment and was quickly stifled. There was no time for the likes of regret or remorse. He had to remember why he was doing this: Midori was in trouble and he was the only one who could save her. She had already been gone for an entire day; spending any more time on unrelated matters was out of the question.

With a severe case of tunnel vision keeping him focused on the task at hand Beast Boy quickly regained his composure. Swiftly he snatched the backpack up into his hands and pushed open the sliding closet door, causing it to bang loudly against the door frame. Hurriedly he began rummaging through the piled and hanging contents of his closet. A couple spare uniforms were snatched from hangers and tossed into the center of the room along with an extra pair of shoes. Still holding the backpack tightly in his hands he turned to his dresser and threw open the top drawer He retrieved several pairs of socks and clean boxer shorts and stuffed them deep inside the bag before returning to the fresh pile of clean uniforms and unceremoniously cramming them in to the open pocket as well. After heading into his bathroom, into the smaller pocket on the bottom front of the bag went his toothbrush and a half-used tube of toothpaste. He also retrieved a fist full of cash from the top of his dresser- money he'd been putting away for the upcoming Gamestation 720, totaling roughly 400 dollars -and shoved it deep into the front pocket as well. Lastly, he retrieved the doll, the miniature stuffed version of himself, the little him that first started him on this mission. Holding the smiling toy in his hands he studied it for a moment before placing it carefully into the backpack. It was far from necessary, but for whatever reason he simply could not leave it behind.

With his backpack filled to capacity, Beast Boy gave a brief overview of his room. He knew there was very little chance of him actually setting foot in the tower again and even though it pained him a bit to do so the rest of his belongings would simply have to wait. Stopping just in front of the door, he turned and gave one final look about his room before making his exit.

Briskly he made his way down the hallway, heading without pause to the top of the tower. Once there he gave what was meant to be only a momentary glance back. But as soon as his eyes fell upon the grey and uncelebrated door to the roof, he, for the first time since his march out of the common room, truly gave his situation thought. It was then that he realized he was truly about to cross the point of no return. If he chose to leave now then that would be the end. No more Titans Tower, no more Jump City. No more Teen Titans.

All at once the faces of his friends began appearing in his mind's eye. Thinking about how he may never see any of them again forced a pained and pitiful sigh up from the bottom of his heart. To never play another game of Virtua Racers with Cyborg or see Starfire's warm inviting smile. To never again fight alongside them in the name of peace and justice; the thought was almost unbearable. And when his thoughts then turned to Raven suddenly he found his sadness becoming even grander.

In a way Raven had always felt like some kind of special project to him. She was a secret, a puzzle, a mystery; she was something he just couldn't leave alone regardless of how much she wanted him to. He remembered originally being so put off by her. She was cold and mean, but the more he was around her, the more they worked together, the more he realized how much more there was to her hiding just beneath the surface. Of course he wasn't simply referring to her demonic heritage, rather he was referring to the real person that she constantly kept hidden from the world: a kind, compassionate and caring individual who had thoughts and feelings outside of the simple snarky comments. This was the Raven that more than anything he wanted to get to know, and recently he felt his wish were perhaps coming true. It seemed to him that the two of them were making real progress, and that perhaps they might have been on their way to forming the kind of friendship he shared with the others.

Alas it appeared to have been all for naught.

As much as it pained him, as much as he wanted to see how things between he and Raven continued to play out, he knew he simply could not walk away from this.

Standing with his toes peeking over the edge of the roof, he looked down at the crashing waves below. Raising his head he took a deep breath in and out, almost like a future suicide victim attempting to psyche himself up for the big drop, doing his best to push out and ignore all that he was leaving behind. For one last time his thoughts turned to Raven. Certainly he would have regrets- when it came to making important, life changing decisions there always were -but even now he knew that one would always carry more weight than the others.

"I guess I'll never get that smile," he said aloud.

Bowing his head he let out a small sigh before turning into an eagle, snatching up his ballooning backpack into his talons and finally leaving the tower. Deep down he hoped against everything that it would not be for the last time.

xxxxxxx

Beast Boy was already clear across the bay and approaching the shore when it occurred to him. So caught up was he in wasting no time and heading out to help Midori that he never once stopped to consider how he was going to get all the way from Jump City to Tokyo. Coming to rest at a secluded spot on the local beach he reverted to human form and quickly slung his backpack over his shoulder. Completely lost in thought he stood unmoving in the sand as he carefully weighed his options in his head.

The first and most obvious thought for how to get to Tokyo was obviously his powers. He considered turning into a bird (preferably one with a long migration pattern). Both the Albatross and Arctic Tern possessed the ability to stay up in the air for months at a time and either could easily travel the 3,000+ miles to Japan. The only problem was that neither bird could fly fast enough to Beast Boy's liking. Flying nonstop it would still take him about a week to reach his destination which was time he did not have to waste (Not to mention it would have been downright impossible for him to stay transformed for that long). Turning into a Blue or Killer Whale presented him with the same problem: it simply would not get him there fast enough. This left him with only one option: He needed a ride.

With a small and sharp exhale and a look of determination crossing his face he scooped up his backpack from the sand and slung it over his shoulder.

"Which way was it to the airport again?" he wondered quietly to himself.

xxxxxxx

"This way," rang a shrill voice rising up over the din of the crowded airport.

Snapping out of his bored stupor, head whipping back and forth, Beast Boy's eyes scanned the long white counter top in front of him, looking from one identical ticket vendor to the next.

"I can help you down here, sir," came the voice again sounding more irritated than the last time.

Looking sharply to the right, Beast Boy quickly identified the vendor calling to him. Snatching up his backpack he wasted no more time and swiftly walked the short distance to the available window.

"Hey, sorry," he said with a small smile once he arrived. "My mind was wandering."

The vendor said nothing, only stared at him. She was a woman appearing to be in her early forties. She wore a heavy amount of eye shadow and lipstick; her hair reeked of hair care product and hung on either side of her face in small brown curls, extending down to the bottom of her neck. Her lips were turned down into a near scowl and she possessed a look in her eyes that more or less said she would rather be anywhere else at the moment. So disinterested was she that despite the fact that a teenage boy with green skin and hair, pointy ears and fangs was standing before her, she hardly seemed to give it a second thought.

"How can I help you today, sir?" said the woman, ignoring Beast Boy's previous comment.

"Oh, yes" said Beast Boy now suddenly remembering his purpose. "I uh need a ticket to Tokyo, Japan, please. As soon as possible."

The woman let out a long and throaty sigh, sounding as if the weight of the world had suddenly been thrust upon her shoulders. Her eyes fell downwards to the computer monitor hidden beneath the countertop and suddenly the clickety-clacking sound of finger-tips tap dancing over computer keys could be heard. For several seconds the tapping continued until with one final click the woman returned her eyes to Beast Boy's.

"We have an available seat on the next flight. Flight 103. It leaves in 55 minutes."

Beast Boy smiled.

"Perfect," he said enthusiastically.

"That'll be 895 dollars."

Beast Boy's eyes went wide and his shoulders slumped, arms swinging in stunned silence at his sides. "Perfect," he said again with far less conviction. The only money he'd brought for his trip, the only money he had on him, wasn't nearly enough to even get him to where he was going. Nevertheless he needed to get on that plane. Swallowing and biting his lip for a moment, he leaned in slightly until his proximity to the ticket vendor became a bit more personal.

"Listen," he said pleadingly, his eyes looking to the woman for compassion. "I don't have the money, but I really need to get to Tokyo. It's an emergency. If you would just please set me up with a ticket I promise I'll pay you back."

The woman stared at him for a moment before responding with a curt and simple, "No."

Pulling back and shaking his head slightly at the woman's cold response, Beast Boy let a nervous smirk cross his face before leaning back in close.

"Miss please, it's really important. Someone I know is in danger."

"It's still 895, sir."

"I know and I swear I'm good for it, but..."

"895, sir, or please step aside."

Feeling slight frustration welling up inside him, Beast Boy paused a moment and took a deep breath.

"Look," he said finally, his voice still polite. "I don't know...I'm sure you think I'm just some kid playing dress-up, but I assure you this isn't a costume or anything. I really am Beast Boy..." Briefly Beast Boy paused waiting to see if his proclamation would trigger anything in the silent woman. When she remained placid, he added, "You know...Beast Boy...of the Teen Titans..." Again he paused looking for any sort of recognition.

"Well," said the woman. "Beast Boy of the Teen Titans, I'm Tammy of the airport. And if you want a plane ticket to Tokyo you'll need eight hundred and ninety-five dollars."

"But I'm a superhero. I can turn into animals!"

To illustrate his point, he immediately shifted his body into that of a dog, a rabbit and a squirrel before resuming human form and adding a desperate, "See?"

Still Tammy of the airport was unrelenting, continuing to simply stare back at him with the same dead, unmerciful eyes from before. It wasn't until after a moderate pause passed by that she finally spoke.

"Can you turn into a bird?" she asked suddenly.

Beast Boy stammered briefly before quickly replying, "Yes."

"Well then what do you need an airplane ticket for? Why don't you just fly there?"

Beast Boy was at a complete loss. Stunned into silence with eyes pleading, mouth hanging agape and hands reaching out desperately for assistance, he managed a feeble, "But.." up from his throat before being abruptly cut off.

"Next!"

xxxxxxx

Next?

It seemed there would be no next.

Sitting quietly on an uncomfortable metal bench located just outside the main entrance to the airport, gazing at the early evening sun, Beast Boy sat, pondering his options (of which there seemed to be very few) wondering what he should do next. His confidence in himself had dwindled down to near nothing. His quest to unravel the mystery and rescue Midori had seemingly ended before it even got started.

The sound of another plane taking off in the near distance rang in his ears as he stared blankly down at the sidewalk, thinking to himself as he absentmindedly shuffled his full backpack around in between his feet. What could he do? Asking the Titans for help was of course out of the question. He considered perhaps contacting the Titans East or the Doom Patrol for help, but unfortunately had no way of doing so (Despite the fact that it was a hard hitting and dramatic gesture, he only now in hindsight realized how much of a mistake it was to leave his Titan communicator behind).

So what now?

Sighing heavily, he looked down to the bulging green backpack between his legs. It was then that he noticed the small green hand sticking unceremoniously out of the not-entirely-zippered main pocket. Leaning down he opened the bag slightly and his eyes once again fell upon the small form of his stuffed counterpart. Taking the doll into his hands, he stared helplessly at the little him and once again thought of Midori. Although he hadn't known her for long he still knew from the first moment they'd met that she was someone special. She was sweet, kind, courteous; she shared all of his interests, and even more than that she made him feel truly special. She instilled in him a kind of confidence he wasn't sure he'd ever known before. She looked at him and saw someone far greater than that which he showed the world. To her he wasn't simply the goofball on the team, the one who'd always be the first to get his butt kicked in battle; he was Beast Boy; the hero of Jump City. Her hero.

And that was why he couldn't let her down.

Now, much like every day of his life, the odds were stacked against him. Everyone had told him to simply let it go. But he could not. Because everyone was wrong; he knew it deep down in heart. To hell with Robin and damn anyone who dared to tell him no. Shoving the stuffed toy back into the pocket, he swiftly zipped the bag shut and jumped to his feet. He gazed briefly at his watch before taking off into a sprint down the sidewalk.

xxxxxxx

The smell of rubber and asphalt dominated his acute senses as he carefully crept his way along the backside of the massive airliner. The awful droning of the massive machines all around him was making him nauseous but still he did his best to ignore it. Taking cover behind one of the large black wheels he flexed his sensitive ears and attempted to hone in on the voices of the two baggage handlers working nearby.

"I'm telling you," one shouted to the other, loading another suitcase onto the mobile conveyor belt. "It looked like a hawk or an eagle or something and it was carrying a bag or a backpack in its claws."

"Is that right?" replied the other handler incredulously from the mouth of flight 103's baggage hold as he retrieved the suitcase from the belt and hurled it without a care into the open belly of the plane.

"I did, I swear to God," asserted the first one.

"No, I believe you," replied the second. "Hawk carrying a backpack. I'll bet it was probably just going on vacation and wanted to make sure it brought a few things for the trip."

As the two bantered back and forth, Beast Boy continued carefully making his way around the tail of the plane until he finally managed to circle around to the side of white luggage cart where several dozen bags and suitcases waited to be loaded into the plane. He continued quietly observing the two handlers, watching and waiting patiently for an opening to make itself known as they unknowingly went about their work. It was unnerving. Potentially he only had one shot at this; failure was simply not an option. So for perhaps the first time in his life he was patient. Despite the noise of the airport he remained silent, carefully inching himself into position until, finally, when the two seemed adequately distracted he made his move.

Carefully he slid his backpack from his shoulders and set it down on the cart, wedging it in amongst the haphazardly stacked baggage. Unzipping the top pocket of the backpack a mere three notches or so, he then transformed into a fly and buzzed into the tiny opening. Once inside he became a mouse and quickly buried himself deep into the balled up mass that was his clothing. After that there was little else to do other than wait and hope that the two handlers were bad enough at their job to not notice there was no ID tag on his backpack but still good enough to not be too reckless when it came time to load it into the plane.

Seconds turned to minutes and the longer Beast Boy was forced to wait the more nervous he became. Finally there was movement as he felt his makeshift transport being lifted into the air by strong and sturdy hands. Seconds later there came a sudden sinking feeling, as if he were standing and the floor were suddenly ripped out from under him, and he felt a jolt as the bag landed roughly onto what must have been the conveyor belt. Shaken, but still okay, he held his mouse breath as he traveled up into the waiting arms of the second baggage handler at the top of the plane. Once again he felt himself lifted, and once again he felt the sinking feeling of gravity. And then everything was still.

More seconds passed.

Then more minutes.

And then the white noise of the airport disappeared and there came the sound of the cargo bay door slamming shut and locking into place.

Immediately Beast Boy felt a mighty swell of relief wash over him. Briskly he scampered out of the tiny opening in his bag into the dark interior of the cargo hold and resumed human form. With a broad smile gracing his face he threw himself back into the piles of luggage. Breathing a deep sigh of relief he rested his hands behind his head.

He had done it.

"Next stop: Tokyo, Japan," he declared merrily to himself.

It was only about a minute or so later as he opened his eyes and fully realized how dark, cramped and overall uncomfortable his surroundings were that he even bothered to wonder: "How far away is Tokyo again?"

It would be a long nine hours.

xxxxxxx

The plane bound for Tokyo lifted into the air with a mighty roar. It's journey had now officially begun, and as it soared through the air, eventually disappearing from sight, one individual in particular watched the magnificent machine with great interest. Lowering the binoculars from his eyes he let them hang loose on his neck from their strap as he reached into his pocket and dug out his sleek and stylish cell phone. With the press of a button the phone began dialing from memory.

"It's me," he said authoritatively into the receiver. He absentmindedly scratched the cobra tattoo on his right bicep as he quickly added, "It seems he's going to be a problem after all."