Chapter 10

Training

It was a beautiful morning in Jump City as the sunrise slowly made its way over the surface of the ocean. Starfire recently had been able to stay awake through most of the night and carry on throughout the day as if nothing had happened. There were some robberies here and there but nothing too drastic had attacked the city, yet.

Currently, she was sitting on the roof with her knees brought up to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. It was a bittersweet feeling. To know that the day could still shine while the happiness that once radiated off of her no longer existed.

No, do not pity yourself. You do not deserve such a thing.

For the first time in a while, the voice that gave out rational advice and always kept her up, had apparently kept quiet. In fact, it was the continuous rebuttal of the said voice that somehow helped Starfire keep moving. Little did she know that that voice would be the last she would hear of it in a long time.

For another hour or two, her morning continued with her thoughts of life and everything that had happened to her for the past couple of months. The amount of crimson liquid that continued to flow out of her flesh was terrifying and heartbreaking. To know that someone was that upset and was willing to go as far as hurting themselves just to "let out their feelings" was…nerve-wracking. They would blame themselves and take the burden. Discard their emotions or avoid showing the people that cared for them how they felt. They would cry themselves to sleep, have a dreamless sleep or even suffer from insomnia. Then again, the case is always different. People have their reasons for being who they are and no one should judge them because of it. They should just help them from falling into the hole. Unfortunately, there are some that have gone down too much and wanted to rid of the pain forever.

Suicide.

Starfire had never considered that option. Had it popped up in her head? Yes, it had but as soon as it crawled into her mind, she had pushed it away. A part of her wanted to live and see what would become of her while another wished to hide in a closet for the rest of her life. No one would have to deal with her and her problems. Her friends would all be free to do what they wished without having the alien as a burden.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Robin's voice filled the air as he sat down beside her, not noticing how she had jumped after hearing him. Apparently, she was too consumed in her thoughts to hear her leader coming onto the roof.

"I am, sorry?" Looking at him, Starfire could see the light bounce off of his chiseled face structure and that left her in awe. His ebony hair gently waved in the breeze and his posture was proud and confident. At that moment, Starfire's breath got caught in her throat and when Robin had turned to look back at her, she knew that she had taken too long to answer. Damn him and his handsomeness.

Clearing her throat and looking back to the sky, she had answered in a small voice, "Yes, yes it is."

I only wish that I had seen this in recent times. I have not come and witnessed nature's beauty recently.

He was puzzled. This wasn't Starfire. The Starfire he knew would always ramble on about how amazing the sunrise/sunset was and would have a dreamy look in her eyes. But there was no dreamy look today. No, she looked…well, he didn't know how she looked but it definitely was something that he had never come across with her before. Whatever it was, he wasn't used to it and it didn't suit her.

"Hey, Star?" Hearing her nickname being called, Starfire turned to the only person who was with her and turned towards him. Her silence told him to continue.

"Well, for the past couple of weeks I've noticed that your powers seem to have…" Robin stopped for a moment, afraid that he could say the wrong thing, he took a quick minute to think of a word that best described what he meant to say, "…not been as they used to be. At first, I thought that you could bounce back and be our 'badass alien powerhouse' but then I-"

"Forgive me to interrupt you friend Robin but I do not believe I understand what a 'badass' is. Is the 'ass' not an animal that is wrongly named and has features like a small horse?" Smilingly at how cute she sounded, Robin explained.

"No Star, an 'ass' is just another name for a donkey. I have to agree with you when it comes to it being wrongly named." Before he could continue, he remembered why he wanted to talk to her. "Actually, back to the topic at hand, I wanted to tell you that we're going to start training every morning at seven. Agreed?"

"…Do you truly believe that my powers have gotten that terrible?" Sorrow was in her eyes and tears started to form. Robin, the person whose opinion she cared for the most, thought that she was becoming weak, weak enough for her to train with him on a daily basis. If there was one thing that Starfire knew, it was that Tamaranians were anything but weak. Well, if he thought that she needed training, then she would gladly accept it and impress him.

"No! I don't think it's terrible! I just saw that-"

Starfire raised her hand and got up as she did. "Do not say more Robin, I understand. I have also noticed that I am not at my best as of late. Therefore, I will gladly join every morning for training. Would you like to begin today or tomorrow?" Robin also stood and was astonished that she had abandoned her earlier question. If anything, she had always wanted an answer to her questions.

"Uh, let's start tomorrow. Just enjoy the rest of the day." Just as he was about to suggest doing something with her, Robin remembered that he had some paperwork that he had put aside for the villains that decided to disturb him. He groaned. "Hey, I'll see you later okay? I got some paperwork that I haven't finished yet."

"Oh, I see. Well, perhaps we will meet again in the common room? Please do not lock yourself in your room for so long."

Robin chuckled. "Alright, have fun Star." With one final wave, Robin walked to the door and left.

Starfire watched him as he left her and sighed shortly after. No plans today. Maybe she could check if Raven wanted to do anything… nah. There was a big chance that she would decline her offer and send her off to see Cyborg or Beastboy. Well, they weren't so bad to hang out with…

Just as she was about to turn and make her leave, Starfire took one last longing glance at the sun and smiled. "Perhaps a few more minutes would not harm me."

I started school today so I have no idea when I'll be updating. I'll try my best but there are no promises. I'm sorry to leave you with this since I am disappointed by it but it's better than nothing, no? Please review and all that other good stuff! I don't own anything but Warner Bros. and DC Comics do!

light is in the dark

"It's simple. If you train, you become stronger. If you don't, then you become weaker."

-Unknown (or is she?)