A/N: Sparrow here! so last chapter was short, now this one is long. sue me. no, actually don't do that. i can't afford it. that is how you spell afford right? whatever. anyway this chapter i could have probably put up sooner, it was already on my hard drive edited. weird. i don't remember doing that... maybe the grammer fairy paid me a visit and checked Dawn's work for me. i'd like to think so. speaking of Dawn, she's back in town and finished this story actually so she told me to tell you to get ready for more updates. *face palm* more work for me. yayyy... *sarcasm* anyway, we're starting on the sequel soon, so i'll keep trying to post every other day! read on!


.: Dawn :.

"Dawn," my mother mouthed my named as she opened the door to our comfy stone home. I waved lamely as she gathered me in a giant hug.

"Hey. Just dropping by," I said once she let go of me. Ignoring me she called for my father.

"Yes Honey?" he asked coming out. He was dressed in his monk robe, probably getting ready for sundown meditation, when he saw me standing there mouth dropped open.

"Like I said, I was just dropping by. I came to check something out for some friends and-," but Dad took me into a giant hug so I couldn't finish my sentence.

"Where have you been? Why didn't you come back? We looked everywhere for you! No mail from you at all!" Mom cried, tears threatening in her eyes.

"I lost track of time I guess. I'm sorry guys. But I met some really amazing people and I'm part of this team now-."

"Team?" Dad asked.

"Yeah, we protect Jump City from bad guys."

"You're a High Heaven Watcher!" Mom grinned, placing a hand over her heart.

Standing side-by-side you would never think my parents were married. Where dad had a shiny bald head and wore brown robes and sandals all day, Mom had short pixie cut black hair and wore colorful robes. Mom has always looked younger than Dad, even though they were only two years apart.

"And I see you're still wearing our style! And showing off your markings! Oh, Dawn!" Mom's smile was as bright as the sun. Grinning weakly I subconsciously pulled at my white skirt.

"A bit revealing, though," Dad noted, nodding at my exposed stomach. Still Dad. Shrugging my shoulders as an awkward gap of silence filled between us.

"Well, now that your back, come walk with us to the Sundown Mediation! We don't want to be late. Your father has been named the Head Monk of the Lighting and Water Tribe! We can talk more about your return afterwards." Same old Mom; so devoted to meditating. I went to explain to them I wasn't staying, that I had other plans, but Dad shushed me.

"Come on now! I'm sure you've been slacking on your meditating."

Frowning, I didn't argue; I wanted to prove to him he was wrong. I meditated every morning! Some habits you just couldn't break. Letting them guide me to the Center Square, where the main and tallest temple stood, Dad left to go up to the front of the crowd with the other monks, leaving me and Mom in the crowd. Tugging at my arm, she motioned for me to sit down beside her. I crossed my legs in the correct way and waited for everyone else to be seated on the stone pavement.

The orange and red sun glittered in my eyes, casting shadows of everyone. I glanced around to see if I saw anyone that I knew, and I did. My first boyfriend, River from the Water Tribe, was sitting not too far away from me with his family. We were still good friends before I left. Way behind me was a group of hippie earth controller girls that I knew in my Grade. I believe it was Ivy, Rose, and Lily. Those Earth Benders were always named after some type of nature.

But the person I was really looking for was in the Fire element. Her name is Camielle, but I always called her Cammy. She was one of the best Fire Benders I ever met. She was my best friend, the one I always got in trouble with. But her father was already a monk, so they didn't tell Camielle that she had to leave Sky City. It was really hard to separate, but I pulled through.

I scanned the crowd, not seeing her. When I turned to my left, I was surprised to suddenly spot her. Camielle's father was Japanese, so she had the fair skin and black hair, but her eyes were big and almond. She always used to wear her hair up in a messy bun, and I was relieved to see it still was. Her red and black traditional Japanese armor dress stood out against the regular robes. I went to stand up, but she placed a finger to her pink lips and smiled as she sunk to the ground beside me. I turned to see that they had already started the mediation process, and Camielle was late. Swallowing a laugh I closed my eyes, and started to clear my mind, filled with the happy feelings of seeing my family again and Camielle.

Sometimes I forget that I miss home.


~Sparrow~

I was electrocuted. I know what you're thinking, 'Gosh that's got to be painful'. But when you've lived with a 12 year old girl for a year before she knew how to control her powers, you become invincible. When Slade was finally done he stopped and looked evilly at me before he noticed I was un-touched.

"What!" He roared getting up in my face.

"Looks like the teacher, just became the student," I spat in his face. Slade pulled back his fist for a punch, but Robin tackled him before he had the chance.

The volts had melted away some of the metal on the chair, so I could freely bounce wherever.

I bounced in front of Slade.

Robin had his arms behind his back when I got there.

"This," I said punching his face, "is for stealing whatever you stole."

Slade's mask started to crack.

"This," I growled as I kneed him in the gut, "is for kidnapping me, without my permission."

Slade grunted as Robin fought to hold him back

"And finally," I said kicking him in the knee so he fell on the ground, "is for being an overall douche bag."

I was sweating, hot, hungry, and tired. Nothing could make this day worse.

"Slade!" Terra said suddenly running in the room. Her eyes looked scared but her face was fierce. Robin got into battle position without a word. But I tugged at his arm.

"Robin I can't, if I fight anymore I'll fail."

Robin gave a slight nod and turned back to Terra saying, "Looks like you just missed the party."

Then he took my hand and shot his grappling line upward, taking us up and out of sight with Terra screaming behind us.

"How did Slade know you were going to be there?" Cyborg asked later that night as we sat at the table.

"I don't know, but I plan to find out," Robin said determination filling his face. He didn't say much to me once we escaped, but I knew I was humiliated by Slade's comments about our relationship.

I could only imagine what Robin was thinking.

"I don't know about you," Cyborg replied yawning, "but defeating Plasmas was harder than it sounds. I'm hitting the hay. By the way Sparrow, Beastboy called me, he found Dawn."

Relief filled me as I grinned happily at Cyborg. He left with Raven silently following after him, and the last one to leave was Starfire, who looked unsure whether or not to leave.

Once it was just the two of us, Robin turned to me, his eyes fierce

"We need to talk."

And I knew I was in trouble.


.:Dawn:.

Sundown was always the longest time for me. It was like the sun slowed down just to torture me. But finally the words of the Head Monk, or Emperor Mang, rang out in the silent city,
" Peace, Love, and happiness to you all,
Let the world be one again,
But for now we shall protect Heavens Door,
And hope for the best, forever more."

It was the end saying, which meant we were free to go. People bowed around me, and then stood up shuffling to leave. Mom turned to me and placed a hand on my shoulder, "I'm going to go greet the La'angs. I'll see you at home okay, dear?" Before I could explain once again that I wasn't staying, she left, gracefully leaving a trail of sparkles in her wake. Sighing, and hunching over, I started to plan how I was going to get Emperor Mang to let me see the stone. Suddenly, a tap came on my shoulder. Turning around I saw Camielle standing there, grinning.

"Dawn!" She exclaimed, pulling me into a hug.

"Camielle! Hi! Sorry I didn't see you early- I just got here and-."

"Oh never mind that," she hushed me, "I'm just happy that you're back."

I shook my head, aggravated that everybody just assumed I was back for good.

"I'm not staying."

"Oh don't be silly." Camielle shook her finger at me. "Anyway, you look great! Your hair got longer, and I love the new clothes! Very... upbeat. And new! Beats my stupid armor dress any day! You know my family, very traditional. But you look beautiful, as always! Just way until River sees you! Or the entire class! You were always the popular, gorgeous one. But I guess since you're back you still are!"

"Camielle. I'm not staying. I'm here on official Teen Titans' business," My chest swelling with pride.

"Who are they?" She asked completely confused. My heart deflated.

"These super teens with cool powers back on Earth that stop villains," I said making it as simple as I could.

"That sounds so cool! I can't believe you are part of that! Actually, I can. Ha-ha!" Camielle said, her eyes shining. "But you know Emperor Mang would not approve."

Suddenly I was the one confused. I looked at Camielle, questions in my eyes.

"When did you start caring about what the Emperor approves and disapproves of?"

"When did you ever even listen to what he had to say?" Camielle challenged back.

"Never," I grinned.

Though the emperor was a kind and gentle man, he was never my biggest fan, nor was he mine. He ran Sky City smoothly, and peacefully, just as his father and his father did so before him. I respected him, by all means, but he was a man of meditation; and I was a girl of always-doing-the-wrong-thing-at-the-right-time.

"So if you're not staying...?" Camielle's face fell.

"I'm not," I confirmed.

"Then why are you here?" she asked.

Biting my lip, I wasn't sure if I should worry her with my suspicions. But, knowing her since I was only three, I knew she wouldn't mind. Taking a deep breath, I pulled her behind me along to the Eastern Temple. Pointing at the hand painting on the front steps of the claw and the three stones, I began to speak.

"Remember that childhood story…?"


~Sparrow~

I was halfway up from my chair when Robin told me we needed to talk. I slowly sat back down and wrung my hands, not looking him in the eye.

"We're going to have to keep you and Dawn under a watchful eye. Today was not a good one, and we need to make sure you're safe."

"I can handle myself," I said rolling my eyes.

"Really?" Robin asked annoyed, "Because I'm pretty sure you were kidnapped."

I blushed furiously and felt angry at Robin for making me feel worse.

"It could have happened to anyone!" I snapped at him. Robin ran his fingers through his hair and looked at me fiercely.

"But it happened to you. And only you."

"So you're blaming me for everything?" I said throwing my hands in the air.

"No! I'm just trying to keep you safe from Slade!" Robin said getting angry.

"I can handle myself!" I yelled back, again.

"I don't care if you can handle yourself! You're staying right here, with me, for as long as I think you need to! I have to figure out what Slade is doing so I can keep you safe!" He said frustrated.

"Why! Why is my safety so important? What about the rest of the team?" I said confused and upset. On the verge of tears I banged my fist into the table.

"The rest of them… I… Because I…," but Robin looked away from me, his voice going quiet.
I sat there; angry, hurt, and wanting Robin to comfort me. But he just stood there, and I couldn't handle it anymore.

"Robin, until you figure out what all 'this' is, I'm going to keep on doing what I do best. I don't know about you- and I am never like this- but you're like nobody else I've ever met. However you have to understand that I tolerate being locked up like some kind of criminal."

I got up to leave, seeing there was no answer coming out of him; but when I turned to walk away, he grabbed my hand.

"Sparrow, you're- you're incredible. I've never had anyone like you on my team, you pretty much complete me, as corny as that sounds. And if Slade, if Slade tries to take you away from me… I don't know what I would do."

I turned around and looked at Robin, my eyes wide. All those nights spent pouring over research, or training, or kicking butt, it meant more to him than I thought. We weren't just team mates; we were each other's best friends, each other's needs, we were practically soul mates.

We stood there, his hands in mine, his head hanging down, looking at the ground. I, even though I was shocked still, pulled myself into him, and hugged him.

Finally.


.:Dawn:.

"Once the Big War was over, we separated from Earth. However, before departing we were given the Blue Stone of Life. The Blue Stone of Life gave the dead a chance to come back for a second chance at life, but with it there came a price. Whoever had possessed the Blue Stone of Life controlled the dead. We were given it to protect it, here in Sky City. The other Stones, the Emerald Stone for In-between or Earth, and the Red Stone of Death completed the trio. If you put the Stones together in the Claw, anyone could control anything. Earth took the Claw, claiming they would keep it safe, and the two other stones were apparently destroyed. The reason for this was because of the man who started the War had control of the Claw and the Stones. When we finally defeated him and killed him, we called it truce with the Earthlings, never to bring up the Claw again. Ever since then we have protected the Blue Stone with great care," Camielle was a great storyteller. Surprisingly, she knew the story from heart so I didn't have to explain it.

"But what does this have to do with you and the Teen Titans?" She asked, sitting cross legged on the steps beside me.

"I think somebody is trying to take control of the Claw and Stones again. I also don't think that the other two Stones were destroyed. In fact I know they weren't," I claimed confidently. Camielle's eyes widen at my comment.

"How do you know?"

"I saw the Emerald Stone of the In-between. This girl Terra had it. She works for this super villain, Slade, who I'm pretty sure wants the Claw," I said recalling the Green Stone Terra had in her hand.

"Dawn, as much as I love you, that is crazy. The people of Earth said they destroyed it! Plus the Blue Stone of Life is in our protective care."

"I know. That's why I'm here. I have to be sure that I'm wrong; that the monks will protect it at all costs. That the man called Slade will never find out where it is," I began to panic. Was I being too farfetched?

"Then you're going to have to sneak it. Emperor Mang has never let anyone in there before. I seriously doubt that he will let you in there," Camielle noted, standing up. I stood up with her.

"So looks like you're going to have to sneak your way in."

"Looks like it," I agreed. Camielle patted me on my shoulder, and then slipped me a key.

"Took this from Wangler's room the other night. Never noticed a thing. Should get you where you want to go. I can't go with you, not this time Dawn. This is your mission, and you're going to get it."

Looking at Camielle wide-eyed, I nodded my head. Then, knowing that this was probably the last time I would see her for a while, I pulled her in for a hug.

"You've been a great friend." I whispered in her ear. I let go, and walked away. I almost didn't hear her say, "You too."

Security pretty much sucked around here. This was partly because nobody ever thought of someone stealing the Blue Stone of Life. I slipped in easily with the key. Slipping out would be the hard part.

But before I get ahead of myself, let me explain what happened. The Stone was kept in a metal box room. Probably the only metal room we had. The glowing of the Stone was fiercer than combining my lighting with Camielle's fire.

It was blinding.

That's how I knew it was safe. That it would be okay. That it was the real thing. I must have been there more then I realized. Before I knew it, sunlight was breaking in through the barred windows. It broke the trance I had with the Stone. It must be more effective at night. Shaking my head and rubbing my eyelids, I slipped away from the stone. Looking back just once more, I walked down the corridor. Thinking that it would be okay to be a bit less secretive, I quietly whistled as I turned the corner. I bumped into someone tall and buff; no doubt one of the Earth Bender monks. Slowly I backed away and looked up blinking, into the wild green eyes.

"Dawn Baling?" He gruffly asked.

"Um," Was all I could manage.

"Come with me," the guy didn't wait for a response, but instead grabbed my elbow and lead me down the long hallway.
*****

"Ah, Miss Dawn. I'm glad you have returned-, but upon your return you have failed to mention…that you brought a friend."

I was brought to Emperor Mang. And I had no idea what he was talking about. Before replying I bowed respectfully.

"With all honor Emperor Mang, I have no idea who you are talking about."

Emperor Mang scratched his bald head thoughtfully. "Then we have been tricked my fellow monks. Bring the wanderer in." The tough, but surprisingly friendly Earth monks escorted a guy in the room with a blindfold over his eyes.

A very green guy.


A/N: Sorry if you felt it went kinda fast between Sparrow and Robin. Dawn's a hopeless romantic (as you can tell from her other works). XD I'm Sparrow and I still thought it was fast. anyway, review! now that Dawn's back and finished this she's eager. she wants to know how the people feel! so review! review for Dawn! it really makes an author's day. thanks to our new followers, reviewers, and old ones too! i'm going to make Dawn personally thank y'all at the end of this fic. be ready ;)

- Sparrow, subbing in for Dawn.