Chapter 4
Authors' Note: This one will be mostly on Raven, as last chapter was not really relevant.
BTW: I just NOW at 11:39 pm got Jessa's review-THANK YOU!!!! You have pointed out several things that I didn't even notice! I will get onto it immediately, but I wanted to put this up here now, to recognize your help. I feel honored, I suppose, to get such a long review. Thanks for the tips, I'll be sure to utilize them. No, I haven't had this beta read, and to tell the truth, it's not really a planned fan fiction, more like one that just hits you at 1:30 in the morning, that you have to write. I'll fix the mistakes just as soon as possible, and have it up by Monday or Tuesday at the latest. Again, thank you for the great (constructive) criticism-I didn't even notice the 'defiantly' as opposed to 'definitely'. Thank you for bringing it to attention.
*~*~*~*~*~*
After a time, and at Starfire's insistent knocking, Raven pulled herself reluctantly from her meditation. Vaguely annoyed, she left the room that was her sanctuary and her dungeon, careful to lock the door tightly before leaving. No, she wanted no intruders. They were unwelcome, and she made it well known that they were unwanted.
It was with great reluctance that she left the Titan's Tower, and she halfway hoped that some disaster would occur that required all the titans. However, this did not happen, and she was left to face the torture alone, without even the help from the 'fearless' fighters. 'Cowards.' Raven thought with a slight scowl which quickly disappeared.
She took to the air with the redhead, listening to the cheerful chattering with half an ear, nodding occasionally. Though she did tolerate Starfire, and at some level, even considered the overactive teen a friend, she felt no inclination to include herself in the meaningless chatter Starfire indulged in.
For the moment, she focused on the warm summer air, which, although far to warm to be nice, was cooling as summer fell to the cool fall. It was not nice outside, but it was tolerable. Not like the blistering heat of midsummer, thankfully. That heat was oppressive and humid, causing people to sweat, smell, and generally be more unpleasant than normal. They were unpleasant enough without the smell and sweat and clingy clothes. To throw in moodiness along with-it made her want to-
Her thoughts were cut off, as a nearby window of a skyscraper shattered. Starfire let out a cry of surprise, and Raven took the opportunity to calm herself, tuning out the startled, fearful screams. However, at the back of her mind, a little voice rejoiced in their fear.
All too soon, the duo landed near the mall, and Starfire made as to grab her hand. The hand was quickly moved out of range, and she followed dutifully behind the hyper girl. Starfire rushed through the stores, exclaiming in surprise or delight over the simplest of items, buying many things.
All through this, Raven followed, bored out of her mind, and quite often disgusted by her fellow Titan. She put up with much of what Star wanted to do, but there came a time when every self-respecting youkai had to put their foot down.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Please come, Raven! You need new clothing badly, and I would like to help you." Starfire pleaded with her friend to try and get the girl to go into a store.
However, Raven stubbornly planted her feet at shoulders width apart, crossed her arms, and sent a menacing glare at Starfire, making all people within ten feet of her nervous. All people, save its target, Starfire. "No."
Starfire would not be deterred from her goal. "It is not an unpleasant store! It is nice, please come and look inside."
This was one store Raven would not set foot in. "No." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving a frustrated Starfire to try on Limited Too clothes alone.
*~*~*~*~*~*
In the meantime, Raven made her way to a bench, and sat down, as far from a man who was talking on a cell phone as physically possible. She sat there for some time, trying to ignore the urge to crush the cell phone and throw the guy over the railing. For a time, she contemplated it, but soon discarded the idea.
Idly, she began finding small items on the ground and using telekinesis to lightly toss them at the annoying man's head. It was slightly amusing to see him turn around in confusion to try and figure out who'd done it. Yes, she knew it was juvenile, but she was bored. A bored, annoyed Raven was not a nice, mature Raven.
Soon enough, Starfire came out of the store, carrying several bags. They went around the store twice more, before Raven insisted upon stopping at a bookstore. She spent quite a time browsing through the thick tomes, enjoying the heavy silence.
When appropriate books had been found, she took several to the register, and bought them. Any possible questions at her reading material were dispersed by a steady glare, and she was on her way back to the tower. She was accompanied by a still hyper, but no longer shopping-crazed Starfire.
As soon as they touched down on the roof, Starfire was off to show her new purchases to anyone and everyone who would look. Snorting slightly, not enough to even be noticed, Raven headed to her room to get in some quality meditation.
Sitting in her room, Raven absently noted that she needed to go hunting again. There was no need to have a repeat of last week. She got enough attention as is, no need to attract more with her own stupidity. After all, she did not want anyone to suspect anything.
To have that happen would be disastrous. The others would surely not accept it. They would kick her out, and she would be alone again. Not that she wasn't alone now, but at least now she would have some level of help should anything happen. 'Father.' the thought and an image of said youkai flashed through her mind before it could be stopped, and she fell from her position with a thump.
No meditation could be accomplished like this. She needed to exercise. She had far too much energy, and needed to get rid of it. Standing, she left her room once more, making sure none of the others saw her as she left.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Less than ten minutes later, a figure clothed in dark pants that hugged the obviously female figure nicely, topped with a black shirt. She wore no cloak, which was rather unusual for her. She stretched her legs out, warming up to avoid cramps. Raven took off at a nice, steady pace, heading through the park to run around the city.
It was a little warm, but a cooling breeze relieved the heat, and so many people were outside enjoying the weather. Raven, however, ignored them for the most part. She focused on the rhythmic movements, keeping her breathing strong and even. Although she was not the most physically strong one on the team, she understood the need for fitness and endurance in a fighting force.
So, knowing that, Raven jogged at least thrice a week, generally staying out for several hours. It was calming, and useful in relieving stress. After a good run, she could come back to the tower and face the idiotic actions of the others without breaking anything.
She'd even created a new mantra; 'I will not kill my teammates..I will not kill my teammates.' Unfortunately, this left room for maiming and severely injuring. Jogging tended to deplete the need for new, anti-violence chants.
Now fully into her jogging, she rounded a corner, and crossed a street, avoiding the oncoming traffic without even thinking about doing so. It'd almost become a game, of sorts, to see how quickly she could get out of the way. The drivers certainly didn't seem to care much whether she did or did not get out of the way; it seemed that pedestrians served as mobile speed-bumps.
Slightly humored by this, Raven hurried a little, noting that the sun was setting. If she hurried, she could get to that nice Italian restaurant before the evening rush. That would be a nice change. Then, she would head 'home', wait until the others were asleep, and go hunting. On that slightly less happy note, she turned onto a street, heading to a nice, tidy looking eating place.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Some time later, the door labeled 'Raven' slid open, and a violet eye peered out, making sure that no one was up and about. The hall was deserted and silent, lights all off. Slightly relieved, the door slid the rest of the way open, and Raven exited the room, moving quickly down the hall and disappearing down the stairs.
She grabbed a couple of black sports bottles, tossed them in a bag over her shoulder, and quickly left, leaving the door unlocked for later. Taking to the air, the girl crossed the waters quickly, heading for a forest off to the East of the city.
The forest was silent, save for the nocturnal creatures' symphony that seemed to be played only for Raven. Intellectually, she knew this not to be true, but it did seem so. She landed in a small clearing, melting into the shadows with a liquid grace. All was silent afterwards; even the night birds stopped their songs.
The girl spotted a rabbit, and waited for it to near her. When the doomed creature was near, a pale hand flashed out, catching it by its foot, and lifting the thrashing animal by that appendage. With a quick flick of her wrist, Raven had grasped its head and broken its neck, killing it cleanly.
Overwhelmed for a moment by bloodlust, she allowed her abnormally sharp fangs to sink into the flesh of the dead animal. Ignoring the fur, she quickly drained the animal of its blood, casting the corpse aside when finished. She moved from her crouch, frowning a bit, and moved to a new location, where she caught another and drained its blood into one of the containers. Screwing the lid on tightly, she put it in the bag, and proceeded to a new area.
The bloody process was repeated until all five containers were filled. By then, it was nearing three in the morning, and she took to the air, returning to the tower. As she entered the tower, she noted that the curtain of a window was swishing a little. Cautiously, she went over, and pulled back the drapes, to make sure nothing was inside.
It appeared that she'd worried over nothing. The window was open a little, and a soft breeze came in through it. Now feeling slightly foolish, she went into the kitchen, shoving aside some blue food, and arranging the bottles so that they were not noticeable. She then proceeded to bed, full of food and content.
*~*~*~*~*~*
As Raven had left, she had been in a hurry. As such, she was not as alert as normal, being eager to get what she wanted and return quickly. Thus, she had failed to notice the dim light from the training room, down the hall. She had failed to notice said light turning off, and the door opening.
She did not notice the form that followed her, curious as to where she was going. The soft humming of the Teen Titans' submarine starting up was lost to her, as was the slight rippling it left in the water as it trailed her.
Perhaps more importantly, in her rush, Raven failed to notice the submarine's occupant exiting it, and following her into the woods, moving through the trees quietly. She passed off the rustling of the leaves as wind, not bothering to check for a person. She did not see the shocked, horrified expression on this person's face as she drank the blood. She did not hear the gasp that followed this action, nor did she notice the soft thuds and quick motions of the person running away, back to the submarine, and away from her.
She was not aware of the glowing white eyes following her moves as she moved about the Tower nor of the myriad of emotions warring within this person. That was her only mistake of the night. It could be either the worst or best mistake possible. Which, however, is up for debate.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Neither of the two noticed the chuckle filled with cold humor that haunted the forest after they left, and neither noticed the third, final form that left the scene.
*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Eh, it could have been better, but it could have been worse, I guess. I don't really know if I'm pleased with it, and I don't really know what I'm going to do next.I guess it was more of a 'plot builder' than anything. I'm thinking about having the 'figure' be Slade, but having it be.I dunnow, her Father or something would be okay, too. No, I have not planned out any of these, which could be called stupid. If anyone would like to beta for me, just send me a review, and your email address. Thanks for reading!! And thanks for the great reviews, too!
Authors' Note: This one will be mostly on Raven, as last chapter was not really relevant.
BTW: I just NOW at 11:39 pm got Jessa's review-THANK YOU!!!! You have pointed out several things that I didn't even notice! I will get onto it immediately, but I wanted to put this up here now, to recognize your help. I feel honored, I suppose, to get such a long review. Thanks for the tips, I'll be sure to utilize them. No, I haven't had this beta read, and to tell the truth, it's not really a planned fan fiction, more like one that just hits you at 1:30 in the morning, that you have to write. I'll fix the mistakes just as soon as possible, and have it up by Monday or Tuesday at the latest. Again, thank you for the great (constructive) criticism-I didn't even notice the 'defiantly' as opposed to 'definitely'. Thank you for bringing it to attention.
*~*~*~*~*~*
After a time, and at Starfire's insistent knocking, Raven pulled herself reluctantly from her meditation. Vaguely annoyed, she left the room that was her sanctuary and her dungeon, careful to lock the door tightly before leaving. No, she wanted no intruders. They were unwelcome, and she made it well known that they were unwanted.
It was with great reluctance that she left the Titan's Tower, and she halfway hoped that some disaster would occur that required all the titans. However, this did not happen, and she was left to face the torture alone, without even the help from the 'fearless' fighters. 'Cowards.' Raven thought with a slight scowl which quickly disappeared.
She took to the air with the redhead, listening to the cheerful chattering with half an ear, nodding occasionally. Though she did tolerate Starfire, and at some level, even considered the overactive teen a friend, she felt no inclination to include herself in the meaningless chatter Starfire indulged in.
For the moment, she focused on the warm summer air, which, although far to warm to be nice, was cooling as summer fell to the cool fall. It was not nice outside, but it was tolerable. Not like the blistering heat of midsummer, thankfully. That heat was oppressive and humid, causing people to sweat, smell, and generally be more unpleasant than normal. They were unpleasant enough without the smell and sweat and clingy clothes. To throw in moodiness along with-it made her want to-
Her thoughts were cut off, as a nearby window of a skyscraper shattered. Starfire let out a cry of surprise, and Raven took the opportunity to calm herself, tuning out the startled, fearful screams. However, at the back of her mind, a little voice rejoiced in their fear.
All too soon, the duo landed near the mall, and Starfire made as to grab her hand. The hand was quickly moved out of range, and she followed dutifully behind the hyper girl. Starfire rushed through the stores, exclaiming in surprise or delight over the simplest of items, buying many things.
All through this, Raven followed, bored out of her mind, and quite often disgusted by her fellow Titan. She put up with much of what Star wanted to do, but there came a time when every self-respecting youkai had to put their foot down.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Please come, Raven! You need new clothing badly, and I would like to help you." Starfire pleaded with her friend to try and get the girl to go into a store.
However, Raven stubbornly planted her feet at shoulders width apart, crossed her arms, and sent a menacing glare at Starfire, making all people within ten feet of her nervous. All people, save its target, Starfire. "No."
Starfire would not be deterred from her goal. "It is not an unpleasant store! It is nice, please come and look inside."
This was one store Raven would not set foot in. "No." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving a frustrated Starfire to try on Limited Too clothes alone.
*~*~*~*~*~*
In the meantime, Raven made her way to a bench, and sat down, as far from a man who was talking on a cell phone as physically possible. She sat there for some time, trying to ignore the urge to crush the cell phone and throw the guy over the railing. For a time, she contemplated it, but soon discarded the idea.
Idly, she began finding small items on the ground and using telekinesis to lightly toss them at the annoying man's head. It was slightly amusing to see him turn around in confusion to try and figure out who'd done it. Yes, she knew it was juvenile, but she was bored. A bored, annoyed Raven was not a nice, mature Raven.
Soon enough, Starfire came out of the store, carrying several bags. They went around the store twice more, before Raven insisted upon stopping at a bookstore. She spent quite a time browsing through the thick tomes, enjoying the heavy silence.
When appropriate books had been found, she took several to the register, and bought them. Any possible questions at her reading material were dispersed by a steady glare, and she was on her way back to the tower. She was accompanied by a still hyper, but no longer shopping-crazed Starfire.
As soon as they touched down on the roof, Starfire was off to show her new purchases to anyone and everyone who would look. Snorting slightly, not enough to even be noticed, Raven headed to her room to get in some quality meditation.
Sitting in her room, Raven absently noted that she needed to go hunting again. There was no need to have a repeat of last week. She got enough attention as is, no need to attract more with her own stupidity. After all, she did not want anyone to suspect anything.
To have that happen would be disastrous. The others would surely not accept it. They would kick her out, and she would be alone again. Not that she wasn't alone now, but at least now she would have some level of help should anything happen. 'Father.' the thought and an image of said youkai flashed through her mind before it could be stopped, and she fell from her position with a thump.
No meditation could be accomplished like this. She needed to exercise. She had far too much energy, and needed to get rid of it. Standing, she left her room once more, making sure none of the others saw her as she left.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Less than ten minutes later, a figure clothed in dark pants that hugged the obviously female figure nicely, topped with a black shirt. She wore no cloak, which was rather unusual for her. She stretched her legs out, warming up to avoid cramps. Raven took off at a nice, steady pace, heading through the park to run around the city.
It was a little warm, but a cooling breeze relieved the heat, and so many people were outside enjoying the weather. Raven, however, ignored them for the most part. She focused on the rhythmic movements, keeping her breathing strong and even. Although she was not the most physically strong one on the team, she understood the need for fitness and endurance in a fighting force.
So, knowing that, Raven jogged at least thrice a week, generally staying out for several hours. It was calming, and useful in relieving stress. After a good run, she could come back to the tower and face the idiotic actions of the others without breaking anything.
She'd even created a new mantra; 'I will not kill my teammates..I will not kill my teammates.' Unfortunately, this left room for maiming and severely injuring. Jogging tended to deplete the need for new, anti-violence chants.
Now fully into her jogging, she rounded a corner, and crossed a street, avoiding the oncoming traffic without even thinking about doing so. It'd almost become a game, of sorts, to see how quickly she could get out of the way. The drivers certainly didn't seem to care much whether she did or did not get out of the way; it seemed that pedestrians served as mobile speed-bumps.
Slightly humored by this, Raven hurried a little, noting that the sun was setting. If she hurried, she could get to that nice Italian restaurant before the evening rush. That would be a nice change. Then, she would head 'home', wait until the others were asleep, and go hunting. On that slightly less happy note, she turned onto a street, heading to a nice, tidy looking eating place.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Some time later, the door labeled 'Raven' slid open, and a violet eye peered out, making sure that no one was up and about. The hall was deserted and silent, lights all off. Slightly relieved, the door slid the rest of the way open, and Raven exited the room, moving quickly down the hall and disappearing down the stairs.
She grabbed a couple of black sports bottles, tossed them in a bag over her shoulder, and quickly left, leaving the door unlocked for later. Taking to the air, the girl crossed the waters quickly, heading for a forest off to the East of the city.
The forest was silent, save for the nocturnal creatures' symphony that seemed to be played only for Raven. Intellectually, she knew this not to be true, but it did seem so. She landed in a small clearing, melting into the shadows with a liquid grace. All was silent afterwards; even the night birds stopped their songs.
The girl spotted a rabbit, and waited for it to near her. When the doomed creature was near, a pale hand flashed out, catching it by its foot, and lifting the thrashing animal by that appendage. With a quick flick of her wrist, Raven had grasped its head and broken its neck, killing it cleanly.
Overwhelmed for a moment by bloodlust, she allowed her abnormally sharp fangs to sink into the flesh of the dead animal. Ignoring the fur, she quickly drained the animal of its blood, casting the corpse aside when finished. She moved from her crouch, frowning a bit, and moved to a new location, where she caught another and drained its blood into one of the containers. Screwing the lid on tightly, she put it in the bag, and proceeded to a new area.
The bloody process was repeated until all five containers were filled. By then, it was nearing three in the morning, and she took to the air, returning to the tower. As she entered the tower, she noted that the curtain of a window was swishing a little. Cautiously, she went over, and pulled back the drapes, to make sure nothing was inside.
It appeared that she'd worried over nothing. The window was open a little, and a soft breeze came in through it. Now feeling slightly foolish, she went into the kitchen, shoving aside some blue food, and arranging the bottles so that they were not noticeable. She then proceeded to bed, full of food and content.
*~*~*~*~*~*
As Raven had left, she had been in a hurry. As such, she was not as alert as normal, being eager to get what she wanted and return quickly. Thus, she had failed to notice the dim light from the training room, down the hall. She had failed to notice said light turning off, and the door opening.
She did not notice the form that followed her, curious as to where she was going. The soft humming of the Teen Titans' submarine starting up was lost to her, as was the slight rippling it left in the water as it trailed her.
Perhaps more importantly, in her rush, Raven failed to notice the submarine's occupant exiting it, and following her into the woods, moving through the trees quietly. She passed off the rustling of the leaves as wind, not bothering to check for a person. She did not see the shocked, horrified expression on this person's face as she drank the blood. She did not hear the gasp that followed this action, nor did she notice the soft thuds and quick motions of the person running away, back to the submarine, and away from her.
She was not aware of the glowing white eyes following her moves as she moved about the Tower nor of the myriad of emotions warring within this person. That was her only mistake of the night. It could be either the worst or best mistake possible. Which, however, is up for debate.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Neither of the two noticed the chuckle filled with cold humor that haunted the forest after they left, and neither noticed the third, final form that left the scene.
*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Eh, it could have been better, but it could have been worse, I guess. I don't really know if I'm pleased with it, and I don't really know what I'm going to do next.I guess it was more of a 'plot builder' than anything. I'm thinking about having the 'figure' be Slade, but having it be.I dunnow, her Father or something would be okay, too. No, I have not planned out any of these, which could be called stupid. If anyone would like to beta for me, just send me a review, and your email address. Thanks for reading!! And thanks for the great reviews, too!