Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans, but I do own Ifrit!
xXx
Black Sun Dawning
The next day, the Titans awoke late for once. All of them, except for Aqualad, had a great time at the carnival. They sluggishly got out of bed and prepared for today's training. Ifrit found Raven in the kitchen drinking tea. Raven smiled on seeing him and levitated a cup to him. They sat quietly for the rest of the team dragged themselves out of their beds. They grumbled but they weren't mad they were just tried. Beast Boy, on the other hand, looked greener than usual.
"What's wrong, Beast Boy?" Robin asked.
"T-Too much cotton candy!" Beast Boy said, holding his aching stomach.
"I told him he'd get sick if he kept eating it!" Terra said.
Raven and Ifrit finished their breakfast and started to leave until they heard a gurgling sound of someone vomiting. They turned around to see Beast Boy leaning over the sink.
"Oh! Poor Beast Boy! Raven, will you assist me in taking him to the hospital wing?" Starfire said.
Raven sighed, and said, "Fine! I'll meet you on the roof in a bit, Ifrit."
"All right," Ifrit said.
He went to the roof and started meditating. Then a shadow fell over Ifrit from above. He never noticed it or the girl floating down from the sky behind him.
"Hey, Raven! I like your new cloak! It looks much better than your old blue one!" the girl said.
Ifrit stood up in a flash and turned around to face whoever spoke. Hovering a few feet from him was…
'Starfire? Wait! It can't be Starfire. This girl is different, but she resembles her almost exactly!' Ifrit thought.
The girl had black hair instead of red. Her eyes were purple instead of green, her clothes were almost like Starfire's outfit, but they were black, and she wore a silver long sleeve shirt under it. She also wore long silver pants under her mini-skirt.
"Who are you?" Ifrit demanded sternly.
The girl put her left hand over her mouth, and her eyes widen a bit. "Oh, sorry! I thought you were Raven there for a second. Your clothes almost match hers!" she said.
Ifrit noticed the way she talked sounded like everything was a joke to her.
"The same can be said about you, you look like Starfire, but not entirely," Ifrit retorted curtly.
"You know, Star! Hmm, I see... oh, how rude of me! I've forgotten to introduce myself. My name is Blackfire, Starfire's older sister," Blackfire said.
"Ah! That explains the resemblances," Ifrit said, letting his guard down.
"What about you, huh? Are you Raven's brother or something?" Blackfire asked playfully.
"No, I am not. My name is Ifrit. I've only just joined the Titans. So, I'm sorry if I didn't know who you were at first," Ifrit replied.
"They never told you about me?" Blackfire said, leaning close to Ifrit.
A weird feeling was growing in Ifrit's stomach. 'There is something about this girl! Nothing like Raven, but I can't tell if she is right or bad?' Ifrit thought, holding still and not moving a muscle.
"Boy! You sure act like Raven; all uptight and emotionless. Are you sure you're not related to her in some way?" Blackfire said.
"Not by family if that is what you're inquiring," Ifrit replied dryly.
"If you're sure, oh well! So you never heard of me, huh? Not surprising since I'm supposed to be in…"
"IFRIT! Get away from her, she's dangerous!" Raven yelled. She had just come up the stairs and saw whom Ifrit was talking to.
Ifrit teleported away instantly next to Raven.
"Who is she, Raven?" Ifrit said.
"She is Starfire's older sister! Last time she came here; she tried to blame Star for stealing a Centurian Moon-Diamond from the Centurian system!" Raven said quickly.
"I thought something felt strange about her!" Ifrit said, summoning a sword.
"Whoa, there guys! I'm not here to cause any trouble. As strange as this sounds to you, I'm here on good terms," Blackfire said.
"I don't believe you!" Raven said. She pulled out her T-com and radioed the others Blackfire is back.
In seconds, all the Titans, including a sore Aqualad and a sick Beast Boy, were up on the roof.
"Sister! It is happy to see you! I would usually give you a hug, but last time you visited, you tried to frame me for stealing that Centurian Moon-Diamond," Starfire said breathlessly.
"Yeah! Sorry about that, Star," Blackfire said, rubbing the back of her head shyly.
"I'll bet!" Robin snapped.
"Calm down, Wonder Boy. I'm here on business," Blackfire said.
"What kind of business?" Cyborg asked suspiciously.
"Whatever the Titans do kind of business," Blackfire replied offhandedly.
"You mean you're here to join the Titans!?" Robin said, completely bewildered.
"Something like that," Blackfire said, crossing her arms behind her back.
"That is excellent news, sister, but, uh? How did you get out of prison?" Starfire asked.
"Umm, they sorta let me out," Blackfire said sheepishly.
"Huh?" They all said.
Blackfire giggled nervously and pointed up at the sky. The Titans looked up to see a Centurian spaceship descending from the clouds. On a platform stood two Centurian policemen. The one Centurian with the huge robotic crablike claw jumped off the ship and landed next to Blackfire.
"Greetings, Titans! I'm sure you are all wondering why we are here with Blackfire," the Centurian said.
"You guessed right," Robin said.
"Blackfire is on parole for good behavior in prison. She is to carry out the rest of her sentence here on earth," the Centurian said.
"How long is her parole?" Starfire asked.
"One Earth year, she is restricted from leaving the planet at ay time or reason, until her parole is over," the Centurian said.
"Why here?" Starfire asked.
"Because Blackfire suggested it and she will need to perform some public services while on parole. She chose to join the Titans as her public service," the Centurian said.
"Sister!?" Starfire said, clasping her hands together.
"It was either this or mining in the muck mines of Alpha Centura!" Blackfire groaned, looking a bit ill.
"Oh, this is wonderful! You and I now can make up for the time we lost, and you can repay your debt to the Centurian system at the same time!" Starfire cheered.
"Yes, Star, I've been doing a lot of thinking in prison. I've been jumping from one planet to another looking for a good thrill. I didn't care what I did to everyone around me so long as I had a good time! Now I see no point in it anymore. All it ever got me was the hardship. So I thought if I ever got the chance I'd try making it up to you sis anyway I could!" Blackfire said, surprising very seriously. "…And for the unjust way, I treated you while we were growing up."
Starfire couldn't hold her happiness anymore. She flew at Blackfire and gave her a crushing hug. "I am so glad, dear sister! You are mending your ways. We shall all do best to help you along as best as we can!"
"After what I tried to do to you, Star. I don't think your teammates are ever going to trust me," Blackfire said sadly.
"Nonsense! Everybody deserves a second chance, ain't that right, Beast Boy?" Terra said.
"Terra's right! Everyone needs a second chance in life!" Beast Boy said.
"Hmm, I guess your right, guys, but I'm going to keep an eye on you, Blackfire! In case you're just pretending to be sorry!" Robin said sternly.
"As shall we," the Centurian said.
He walked over to Blackfire and put a metal collar around her neck. The collar was minuscule and looked like a choker on Blackfire. "This will tell us if she tries leaving the planet. If she tries removing it, the collar will paralyze her, and we will 'send' for her to return to prison to carry out the rest of her sentence there!" the Centurian said. He jumped onto the platform and signaled the pilot to take off. As they flew off the Centurian said loudly, "We will return to remove the collar, after one Earth year is over. We entrust you, Titans, to make sure she doesn't try to escape!" With that, the spaceship flew into the clouds leaving Earth's atmosphere.
"This is the happiest day ever! My sister has returned, and she is joining the Titans to mend her wrong deeds! I am so filled with joy and happiness!" Starfire beamed, smiling widely at Robin.
"I'm happy for you, Star, but remember we're to watch her until her parole is over!" Robin said.
"I know! I know! I am just so happy to have my big sister back!" Starfire said, her eyes sparkling green.
"I-I never expected you to be so forgiving, Star1 I mean I tried to blame you for stealing that crystal! I thought all of you would be treating me harshly over joining you?" Blackfire said, confused.
"You are my sister! A misbehaving sister, but you are still family," Starfire stated.
Blackfire smiled warmly to her sister. She was expecting them to hate her and not agree to have her around. 'Maybe it was a good idea to hang with Star! Her friends sure are forgiving, I wonder why?' Blackfire thought.
"Alright ya'll! We need to do some serious training today since we took yesterday off," Cyborg said.
"Cy's right. We need to get ready for battle practice now! Blackfire, since you're going to be on the team for awhile. You are going to join us in training, is that fine with you?" Robin said.
"No prob!" Blackfire said, winking at Robin.
They headed for the obstacle course. On the way, Starfire chatted with her sister. "So, Blackfire, how was the prison?"
"Miserable, but it did help me think more about what I have been doing with my life. Uh, Hey Star! Is Robin still available or have you finally gotten together with him?" Blackfire said.
At hearing that, Starfire quickly grabbed Robin's left arm possessively. "Yes! We are a couple now!" Starfire said, hastily cutting off the circulation in Robin's arm. Robin had a look of agony all over his face.
"Oh!" Blackfire said. 'Damn it!' she thought, snapping her fingers.
They entered the obstacle course, which was outside behind the tower.
"Okay, everybody! Today we're going to start out sparring one-on-one matchups. Hey, Aqualad! Do you think you're up to this today?" Robin said.
"I don't think so, Robin. I-I'm still …sore from yesterday," Aqualad replied weakly.
"Alright, that will make it even for match ups. Cyborg, you're with me, Starfire you're with Beast Boy, Terra and Raven you're together. Ifrit! You mind sparring with Blackfire?" Robin said.
"I have on objections," Ifrit said.
"I do," Raven said.
"Blackfire should be teamed up with someone else who knows how she fights. I don't think Ifrit should go up against someone like Blackfire," Raven said.
"Which is why I want Ifrit to spar with Blackfire. No offense, Ifrit, but I don't think you've had much fighting experience with super powered opponents," Robin said.
"I understand," Ifrit said calmly.
"But we—!" Ifrit placed a hand on Raven's shoulder.
"It's fine with me, Raven. Robin is right; I do need to be ready to fight any opponent. Don't worry, Raven. I'm tougher than I look!" Ifrit said.
"So is Blackfire!" Raven retorted lowly.
"Even better! You can't be a strong fighter if you don't fight stronger opponents," Ifrit countered.
Raven wanted to argue more but knew it was pointless. She sighed in frustration and walked over to Terra. The others paired up with their partners and began training. Robin and Cyborg started fighting hand-to-hand, Beast Boy changed into stray animals attacking Starfire. Raven and Terra began a tug-o-war over who can control a boulder. Ifrit and Blackfire circled each other getting ready to attack.
"This is going to be good! After being in that boring prison, I need a good workout!" Blackfire said, cracking her knuckles.
"I will warn you now! I won't go easy on you, even if you are Starfire's sister!" Ifrit said, cracking his neck in two swift motions.
"Excellent! I hate people who hold back!" Blackfire said, eyes glowing purple.
"Shall we then?" Ifrit asked politely, summoning Firestone and shaping it into a staff.
"Let's!" Blackfire said.
Both dashed at each other at the same time. Blackfire fired a volley of Starbolts at Ifrit. He spun his staff swiftly, deflecting the Starbolts, then flew near Blackfire and swung his staff at her left shoulder. She rolled in the air, dodging the staff and kicking it out of Ifrit's hands. His eyes glowed, and the staff exploded into flames, throwing Blackfire off guard. Ifrit took the opportunity to kick her to the side, flinging Blackfire to the ground.
She recovered quickly and flipped back into the air. She growled at Ifrit, charging up her eyes and shooting her eyebeams at him. Ifrit twisted at the waist, bending to the right, barely dodging the beams. Blackfire rushed at Ifrit and punched him in the face. The force of the blow knocked Ifrit flying backward. Before he hit the ground, he backflipped and landed on his feet, sliding a few more from where Blackfire floated. Another volley of Starbolts came at him, and Ifrit flew out of the way to the left. Blackfire kept shooting Starbolts after him. She was trying to keep him from getting close to her.
Blackfire figured he fought like Robin and would try to get in close to fight her. Ifrit smirked as his eyes glowed and fireballs erupted in each of his hands. He twirled in the air, dodging a few more Starbolts, and throwing them at her. She quickly flew out of their way and tried shooting her eyebeams at him, but he disappeared in red flames. He reappeared behind Blackfire and wrapped his right arm around her neck. He used his other arm to twist Blackfire's left arm and pin it to her back. Blackfire struggled to get free, but Ifrit had a firm grip on her.
"You're kind of good!" Ifrit said.
"I'm just getting warmed up!" Blackfire said. She grabbed Ifrit's right wrist with her free hand and twisted it.
This caused Ifrit to yell out in pain, and loosen his grip on her. She yanked her pinned arm free and grabbed Ifrit's shirt, and then she flung him over her shoulders, aiming at the ground. He teleported again behind her and used his momentum to slam into Blackfire. He connected and sent her to the ground with him and rolled off her quickly. Just as he got on his feet, Blackfire spun her legs and kicked Ifrit's out from under him. He fell to the ground hard and grunted loudly. He looked up just in time to see Blackfire bring a fist down on his face.
Ifrit caught the fist with one hand and twisted her arm, making her flip away from him. He rolled back to his feet in a quick spin just to see a huge Starbolt rushing at him. Ifrit didn't have time to dodge or shield himself. It struck him in the chest, throwing him at Raven and Terra. Ifrit crashed into the boulder they were trying to move, turning the stone into pebbles as he kept going. He rolled roughly on the ground before he stopped. Blackfire flew after him, zipping in between Raven and Terra making them spin like tops.
She charged up another huge Starbolt and shot it at Ifrit. He recovered from his landing and saw the huge Starbolt coming at him. He roared with fury and blasted a wave of red energy at the Starbolt. The wave caused the Starbolt to explode, blinding Blackfire. She shielded her eyes and blinked violently, trying to regain her vision. When the blinding light vanished, Ifrit came flying at her through the explosion and roundhouse kicked her in the stomach. Blackfire saw stars flashing over her eyes, as she warped her arms around her stomach and fell to her knees.
Ifrit thought he had her, but Blackfire surprised him. She leaned her back forward giving the impression she was kneeling over in pain. Then suddenly, she pushed herself off the ground and uppercut Ifrit in the gut. His eyes bulged out, and air escaped his lungs. Ifrit grunted in pain and grabbed her arm then threw her with what strength he had at the moment to his right, trying to buy some time to regain his breath. Blackfire crashed into Beast Boy as he turned back into his human form. They both rolled in the air and rammed into Robin and Cyborg. Starfire gasped and flew to her mangled teammates.
"Dear sister, are you all right!?" Starfire asked worriedly.
Blackfire untangled herself from the boys and got up. She growled at Ifrit and flew past her startled sister, shooting another volley of Starbolts at Ifrit. He countered them by shooting a few fireballs at the oncoming Starbolts. She kept flying and flew through the small explosions at Ifrit, pulling back a fist. Ifrit jumped into the air and kept on going. Blackfire flew up after him, faster than he expected. Ifrit blocked her punch with his right gauntlet and kicked at her stomach. Blackfire brought up her right knee to stop the kick. Both froze in that position glaring glowing eyes at the other. Blackfire then smiled at Ifrit and pushed herself away. Ifrit smirked back at her from under his hood.
'Man, she's tough! I've never had such an intense fight like this one. I'm-I'm enjoying this!' Ifrit thought.
'Who is this guy? I've used most of my best moves, and he's still moving! I got to admit he's good. I think I might be falling for him!' Blackfire thought, breathing heavily.
The others didn't resume their training. They were watching Blackfire and Ifrit standoff.
"Don't you think we should stop them?" Terra said.
"Do you want to try and stop them?" Cyborg asked.
Terra gulped, "No!"
'I'm not going to lose! He's good, but I bet if I blast him with all my strength. He'll go down!' Blackfire thought. She began charging all her energy into her hands.
Ifrit caught on to what she was planning and summoned his energy as well. Blackfire roared with all her fury and fired a beam of purple energy at Ifrit. He countered hers with a beam of red energy at her attack. The beams collided and canceled out, throwing a backlash at both teens. The Titans tried to stay where they were at; the backlash almost knocked them off their feet. Blackfire decided remain in the air, at the same time, Ifrit also was having trouble staying afloat in the air. When the wind calmed down, Blackfire saw Ifrit still floating.
Shocked, he managed to block her attack. She charged at him in blind fury. Ifrit saw her coming and charged at her fast. As both neared each other, they threw a punch and struck each other in the face. Ifrit and Blackfire blacked out from the force of the other's blow and fell to the ground. Raven acted quickly. She used her powers to catch them and lay them gently on the ground. The Titans rushed over to them fast to see if they were injured badly. Raven ran over to Ifrit's side and raised his head gently with her left hand. She placed her right hand over Ifrit's chest to sense for any internal injuries. Starfire and Robin checked on Blackfire. They both only had a few bruises, but nothing was broken. Ifrit moaned loudly as he regained consciousness. He tried to sit up slowly.
"Don't try to move, Ifrit, you may have a concussion!" Raven said, resting a hand on his chest.
Ifrit rubbed his sore cheek, and replied, "Ouch! After being hit like that, I'd be surprised if I didn't have a concussion!"
Blackfire groaned and woke up. "That hurt!" she whined loudly.
Raven helped Ifrit to his feet, and Starfire and Robin helped Blackfire. Ifrit shook his head trying to stop the dizziness. Blackfire leaned on Starfire until her legs stopped shaking.
"This was meant to be a simple training exercise, Blackfire, not a roadhouse fight!" Robin yelled at her.
"Gah! S-She isn't to blame, Robin, I got carried away when we fought. If anyone is to blame it is me," Ifrit said, still holding his aching head.
"I don't care whose fault it is! You two almost got out of hand! You two could have really hurt each other!" Robin stated heatedly with a disapproving frown.
"Sorry," Ifrit said, lowering his head.
"Yo, Rob! Don't be so hard on them. They were only sparring! After all, you're the one who paired them up! You're the one who said Ifrit needed to practice fighting someone like, Blackfire. It's no big surprise they went head to head as they did!" Cyborg said, trying to defend Ifrit.
"Yes, Robin! Please, do not be too upset with, Blackfire. She gets a bit out of hand when it comes to fighting. I am sure we can help her with that!" Starfire pleaded.
"Alright, Star, but she better learn to control herself, and that goes for you too, Ifrit!" Robin said harshly but then smiled at them.
Starfire hugged Robin, turning him blue, "Oh! Thank you, Robin!"
Blackfire brushed a few lose locks of hair off of her face. "Wow! I haven't fought like that since that time I wrestled a Koralian Tusk Dragon!" she said.
Ifrit half-smiled at her and removed his hood to wipe the sweat off his brow. At finally seeing Ifrit's face Blackfire felt an overwhelming flutter growing in her stomach. She had hearts dancing in her eyes. She smiled widely and clapped her hands together by her face. Quick as the Flash, she dashed up to Ifrit, looking at him lovingly.
"My, you are handsome!" she said dreamily.
A panic look fell on Ifrit's expression, and he took a step back from her. "Uh! T-Thank you," Ifrit stuttered.
"Umm…L-Let's get back to training!" Robin said.
Robin repaired all of them. This time he paired Ifrit with himself, then paired Beast Boy with Terra, Cyborg with Raven, and Blackfire with Starfire. They trained for four strenuous hours, fighting one-on-one, then running the obstacle course. When they finished their training, they returned to the common room completely worn out. Beast Boy and Cyborg started playing video games. Robin and Starfire planned to go on another date. Terra went to her room to take a nap. Aqualad sat on the couch with Beast Boy and Cyborg, holding a bag of ice on his sore…area! Ifrit and Raven headed off to the roof. Seeing Ifrit depart, Blackfire flew over to him with that adoring look on her face.
"Hey, Ifrit! How about you and I go out and have some fun tonight?" Blackfire offered.
"S-Sorry, but Raven and I need to mediate," Ifrit said nervously.
"Mediate? Well, that fine I guess, but that's so boring! Come on, Ifrit! I know how to have a good time!" Blackfire said, inching closer to a backed up Ifrit.
"The same kind of a good time that got you arrested?" Raven said sarcastically.
Blackfire glared at the Raven. "I believe I was talking to, Ifrit, not you! Why don't you go off and brood in a dark corner about something like disappearing!" Blackfire sneered.
Anger flashed through Ifrit's eyes. He took one a step toward Blackfire and leaned eye level with her, glaring red-hot eyes at her. "If you don't mind… Blackfire! Raven and I need to meditate, or else we may start blowing things up…Particularly, people who stall us!" Ifrit said politely, but Blackfire caught the tone in his voice.
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, pouting. "Whatever then! Go on! Have fun with your simple meditation time!"
In a swirl of fire and darkness, both half-demons teleported to the roof. Starfire walked over to her fuming sister.
"Dear sister, please, do not cause any more trouble. You are here to cleanse and mend your broken ways!" Starfire said with grave concern.
"I know, Star, but I'm just so bored! Hey, sis, do you know if Ifrit is single or is he with that dark witch friend of yours?" Blackfire said.
"I am not sure, but since Ifrit has joined us! Raven has been expressing more openly with her emotions!" Starfire replied happily.
"So, they're not together, then?" Blackfire asked.
"As I have just informed you, dear sister, I am not sure," Starfire said.
'Hmm! So there is still a chance I can have, Ifrit!' Blackfire thought. She smiled mischievously as she formulated a plan in her tricky little mind. "Thanks, Star! You've been a great help!"
Confused, Starfire said, "Uh, you- are-welcome?"
Blackfire flew out of the common room and went to the roof, finding Ifrit and Raven chanting together. They heard a whoosh of air, and they stopped chanting, and then opened their eyes to find Blackfire floating cross-legged next to Ifrit.
"Is there something you want?" Ifrit asked coldly.
"Y-Yeah! I wanted to apologize to the both of you for how I acted earlier. Much like my sister, I sometimes don't say the right things," Blackfire said.
Raven looked at Ifrit, wondering what to make of this. He just shrugged his shoulders.
"Apology accepted," Ifrit said quietly, then Raven and he resumed their mediation.
"Is it all right if I join you guys?" Blackfire asked.
They both nodded their heads without stopping their chant. Blackfire brought up her arms up and started chanting with them. For quite some time, they meditated quietly, but after awhile Ifrit begun to moan slightly.
"Are you all right?" Raven asked, stopping her session upon hearing his groan.
"I must have over done it in training today. My neck is starting to bother me," Ifrit said, rubbing his stiff neck.
Raven levitated in front of Ifrit and placed her hands near his neck. Her hands glowed blue and white as she summoned her healing powers. Suddenly, Blackfire popped up behind Ifrit and pulled him away from Raven.
"Here! Let me massage your neck for you. It's probably my fault it's hurting!" Blackfire said.
"U-Uh!? T-That won't be necessary! Raven can—!"
"Oh, but I insist!" Blackfire said, cutting him off.
She began massaging around his neck, and Ifrit let out an "Ooh!" She rubbed on pressures points on his neck now, feeling the stiff muscles start to relax. Raven was surrounded by her dark aura, half the windows in the tower shattered.
"You don't need to do that! I can easily fix him myself!" Raven growled.
"That's no fun! Besides, you haven't lived until you've had one of my perfect massages!" Blackfire said, working on Ifrit's collarbone. "Let's take this dark cloak off! I can do a better job with it off," Blackfire whispered in his ear.
"N-No! That won't be needed! M-My neck feels much better t-thank you, Blackfire!" Ifrit said, hastily trying to get out of her grip.
"It'll be good for you! Here let me take it off for you!" Blackfire said, playfully reaching for the clip.
Ifrit's hand shot up and grabbed her hand. "I said, no!"
"Don't be such a baby!" Blackfire said, rolling her eyes at him.
"He said no, Blackfire!" Raven shouted, causing the rest of the windows to shatter.
"Nonsense! He'll love it, see?" Blackfire said, sliding her free hand inside Ifrit's shirt. She reached for a spot near his spine and barely touched it before she felt something odd there. Neither girl could have expected what happened next.
"AHHHHHH!" Ifrit screamed in pure agony.
His aura surrounded him and a wave of heat knocked Raven and Blackfire away from him. Ifrit fell to the floor, screaming wildly in pain, clutching his ribs.
"Ifrit! Ifrit, what's wrong?" Raven cried, working on getting back up.
He didn't respond he started twitching violently all over.
"What the hell did you do to him?!" Raven growled at Blackfire.
"N-Nothing! I just barely touched his back, and he started screaming!" Blackfire cried, looking very confused.
Raven kneeled next to Ifrit and grabbed his shoulders. She was trying to hold him down, so she could find out what was wrong. Blackfire tried to help, but Ifrit looked up at her with glaring crimson eyes.
In a venomous voice, he shouted, "DON'T TOUCH ME!"
The voice scared Raven, and she let go of him. She walked next to Blackfire, and they both watched Ifrit struggle with whatever agony he was in. Ifrit clinched his fists and grinded his teeth, trying to fight the pain. After several seconds, Ifrit stopped twitching and crawled onto his knees breathing hard.
"I'm so sorry, Ifrit! I didn't mean to hurt you!" Blackfire said.
"I-It's not y-your f-fault, Black-fire. You didn't k-know," Ifrit gasped painfully.
"What happened?" Raven asked, worriedly.
Ifrit got to his feet, shaking unsteadily. "It's nothing! Just a …painful reminder of what was done to me," Ifrit grunted.
"What was done to you?" Blackfire asked.
Ifrit turned away from them and walked to the door. "I'm going to go rest in my room. Please, don't disturb me," he said, vanishing down the stairs.
Blackfire stared at the doorframe in the long silence. "I didn't mean to hurt him," she whispered.
"You should have stopped when he told you to!" Raven snapped.
"How could I have known that would cause him to suffer? It was only a simple touch," Blackfire said, staring at her hand. She glanced at Raven, and asked, "What happened to him?"
Raven lowered her head then looked at the opened door. "He was treated very badly growing up. That is all I am going to say," Raven said, walking to the door and down the stairs.
Blackfire stood on the roof staring off into space, 'I didn't mean to hurt you, Ifrit! I'm always messing up something! Why can't anything ever go right for me!' Blackfire thought depressively. A single tear ran down her face before she went back down to the standard room.
In Ifrit's room, he was curled up on the bed, clutching his ribs. He was still fighting the pain. He just couldn't let Raven see him in such agony anymore. He couldn't hold back his tears, either. He wept silently for a long time, soon crying himself to a restless sleep.
In his fitful slumber, Ifrit whispered, "…Mother."