I'm back, you guys! I'm so sorry I left for so long /.\

I've been working a lot, but I've finally found some free time & I am

determined to finish this story! So without further ado, I give you the

next chapter :3

~Azira's POV~

"Beast Boy?" I patted the soft green head of the kitten, making him wake. "Are you okay?"

He immediately shifted into human form and stared at me. His eyes were glossy, hinting at tears. That would explain the constant mewing I was hearing during my meditation. He muttered a quick apology before shifting back into the body of a cat.

After watching his small frame for a moment longer, I decided to focus back on meditation. Despite my multiple attempts, I couldn't sync into a rhythm. Luckily enough, I didn't have but ten more minutes on this confounded train. Within seconds we were enclosed in a dark tunnel.

Occasionally slender streaks of moonlight would peak through the walls. In those moments I would glance over at Beast Boy's resting figure. He wasn't trying to go back to sleep. He was merely laying there with his head resting on his forepaws. The position made him seem utterly helpless. His green eyes stared blankly at the opposite seat. His furry ears perked slightly forward, the left one twitching from time to time.

The shrill call of the train's horn seemed to force Beast Boy's head up. The streaks of light halted. Light streamed into the car and fully illuminated train.

"Attention, all passengers." An instructive voice resounded over the speakers.

I sat back to locate the speakers overhead. Beast Boy lifted his head in acknowledgment. The voice proceeded, as though she had been waiting to get our attention.

"We have reached our final destination of the night: Gotham City. Please, gather your luggage and make your way to the exit. We hope you had a pleasant ride and will join us again soon."

Beast Boy stretched out on the seats one last time before returning to his normal form and began gathering our luggage.

"I can get it this time," I offered.

"I got it."

He tossed my bag over his shoulder and grinned, "Let's get going!"

Beast Boy parted the sea of people as he walked with great determination unmatched by anyone around him. The crowd didn't seem to have any other choice but to disperse, although no one looked annoyed by the gentle shoves of the young adult. I walked quickly so the path he created wouldn't vanish.

Without warning, I rammed into Beast Boy's back, nearly stumbling to the ground. I got myself just before gravity got the better of me. Beast Boy turned around to see me standing at attention, waiting for his command. He laughed gently at the form of obedience I had taken, and shook his head.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to stop so quickly," he said. "I just thought this might be a good place to start looking."

Looking up, I saw a book shop. There was a short staircase leading up to a pair of glass double doors. The store wasn't large, but anyone could see that size wouldn't keep the librarian from having a satisfying collection of books.

"Who puts a book store so close to a train station?" Beast Boy questioned.

"Well, I guess when people are waiting for their trains…" I suggested.

"Good point. Well, we aren't going to find Raven from out here."

"Right! Let's get started."

The double doors parted, causing a few curious glances to shift our way. A woman with graying black curls sauntered over to us. Her bright red lips tightened in a grin.

"Can I help you find anything today? We have all sorts of books. Anything from horror to comics, if you can read it, we sell it!"

"I could use a new book…" I admitted.

"Ahem." Beast Boy cleared his throat, reminding me of what we came here for in the first place.

"Oh, right…" I blushed. "But now isn't really the time. You see, I, or, we, are looking for a…friend of ours."

The lady's perfectly waxed eyebrows raised curiously.

"A friend, you say?"

"Well, um…" she stared me down easily, making me feel small beneath her sight.

"She's more my friend than Azira's." Beast Boy spoke up. "She's kind of hard to forget once you've met her. She has short purplish hair, big indigo eyes, and she doesn't really smile much but when she does, man, let me tell you…"

"Sounds to me like someone is more than smitten."

Beast Boy's eyes widened and he blushed fervently.

"I said that all out loud, didn't I?"

I nodded.

"Oops…"

"Does this unforgettable girl have a name?" the woman laughed.

"Raven," Beast Boy answered.

The owner's eyebrows furrowed as she thought.

"I can't recall anyone by that name. Nor a person that resembles your description. I'm terribly sorry."

Beast Boy's eyes lowered and he frowned.

"It's alright. Thanks for your time."

The woman nodded before returning to the counter she had left unattended. Beast Boy was already halfway out the door before I knew it.

"Where to next?" I asked.

His shoulders slumped slightly.

"I don't really know. I guess our best bet is to walk around for now."

His stomach suddenly growled loud enough for some pedestrians to turn around and look at us.

"Or we could grab some dinner," he suggested.

"Why not there?" I pointed.

There was a particularly yummy looking café ahead. It didn't look really crowded, but busy enough to know that there people enjoyed the place. Its antique appearance seemed a bit out of place against the modern buildings and architecture of Gotham City. The large window had 'Sweet Bean Café' printed in large golden letters, and the shop's logo of a coffee cup with cream shaped into a heart underneath.

"I could go for just about anything right now."

"Then it's settled!" I smiled. "Who knows, maybe someone will know something about Raven?"

Beast Boy smiled before leading the way to the café.

Inside there was a small cluster of bean bag chairs in the corner, two of which were occupied by a young teenage boy with a laptop and a girl fidgeting with her phone. There were also high tables set for two and booths with enough room for four people. The place was fairly empty save for the two on the bean bag chairs and a couple of filled booths. Beast Boy and I walked to the counter where a teenage cashier waited.

"Welcome to the Sweet Bean Café!" he smiled excessively, "Can I help you?"

"Sure, I'd like the veggie croissant with cheddar soy crisps and water."

"Alright, and for you sir? Um, sir?"

The teenager tried to get Beast Boy's attention, but he seemed completely distracted by whatever he was looking at. I jumped back and forth from his distant gaze and the boy's efforts to shift it onto himself, before I decided to order for him.

"Um, I think he'll have the same."

"Alright, I'll have that ready for you momentarily. You two can have a seat anywhere you like."

"Thank you…Um, actually, could I ask you a question?"

The boy looked slightly thrown off, but smiled anyway.

"Sure, what else can I help you with?"

"Well, we were wondering about your regular customers. More specifically a woman with pale skin, possible baby bump…"

I felt awkward, if not plain rude, for describing my mother so vaguely. Despite the lack of detail, the boy seemed recognize the description.

"You must be talking about Rachel Roth. She comes in just about every day. She's here now actually."

I could have fainted on the spot.

"W-where?"

"In the back, I think. Hey, what happened to your friend?"

"What do you mea-?" I looked to the spot where Beast Boy had stood, only to find the place entirely vacant.

Ohh! What's gonna happen next, huh?

I honestly don't have a clue yet, but stay tuned to find out!

Again, I am really sorry for disappearing like that…Forgive me?

=^.^=