Witch Hunt

Disclaimer: Oh, shut up. Like you really think I own anything. But still, I really don't own TT, and the summary is a line from a song by Jack off Jill, as are most of the chapter titles.

Pairing (s): Raven x Terra

Rating: R

Summary: Wash off those scabs, dear, or fingernail pick them clean. Pray to all your long lost demons, and justify your means. (Raven x Terra, AU)

Author Notes: After finding TONS of Beast boy x Terra stories, and just as many Beast Boy x Raven ones, but so few Raven x Terra ones, I decided, what the heck? So, here it is. And it's not a one-shot! Gasp!

Also, don't flame this simply because you don't like the pairing. I'll write whatever I want, with what ever pairings I want. Constructive criticism is welcome, though.

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Chapter One: Devil Has A New Shape

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"And remember, Tara--"

"I know, Father," the teen called, careful to keep her voice as respectful as possible. Her father emerged from the other room to find her already half-way through the door, eyes narrowed and she quickly added, "I'll stay out of the forest."

"Precisely," said Slade, a frown upon his face. "I'll be damned if I have about twenty people coming to my house every day, attempting to 'console' me after the death of my daughter--"

She nodded, though she was looking outside, eager to run out and play with the other children. Fifteen years old, and she rarely ever left the house… only recently had she found friends that she actually enjoyed meeting up with. Her eyes glazed at the thought of running about with them, laughing and frolicking in a way that she had seen other children do, and envied them. Now, she had nothing to envy, for she was just like them.

She felt a tight grip on her hair as someone yanked her back, whirling her around. She cried out and gasped, finding her father standing over her, with a slightly peeved look.

"Are you listening to me?" He asked, voice threatening and she hurriedly nodded.

"Yes, Father," she said quickly. "I was. I promise to stay out of the forest."

"Don't go anywhere near the forest," he hissed. "The witch can get you even if you're standing in front of it."

Tara squeaked in fear at the thought, and nodded again. "Yes, Father! I'll stay as far away from the forest. I promise."

"Good." He released her and she rubbed the sore spot on her head as he turned away. "You can go now. Be home before night fall, understood?" When he got no response, he turned to find his daughter gone, and the door already closed.

XXX

"Hey, Tara!"

She grinned and ran over to her friends, waving enthusiastically. "Hi, guys! Sorry I'm late!" She stopped in front of them, panting lightly, and her grin widened. "So, what's up? What are we doing?"

Robin, the son of one of the most respected men in the village, Bruce, smiled. He was a good-looking boy, with black hair and soft, brown eyes; well-muscled for someone his age and strong. He was also the second oldest of their group. Full of curiosity and a thirst for adventure, he was a natural leader and where ever he led, they followed. However, he was also very arrogant and full of pride, which often led to fights between him, his father, and usually, other children.

Then, there was Estab, who they called 'BB'. For what reason, none of them remembered. He was an easily excited boy, and a joker, always trying to lighten the mood. Tara had grown extremely fond of him in her little time of knowing him, and was happy to say that they were the best of friends. Estab was the kind of boy you called 'cute', with dark, shaggy hair and bright, green eyes, always smiling a wide, toothy smile that made you want to smile as well.

And finally, Victor, the oldest of the group. He was a glutton for challenges, and, like Robin, always strove to win. He was very intelligent compared to most of the boys who lived in the village and was known for his warmth and love of fun. Brown-skinned, dark-eyed and athletic, he was almost as admired by the girls of the village as Robin was.

And there was Tara, the only girl in the group, an outcast because she acted like a tomboy and envied because she got to hang out with three of the "coolest" guys around. Her mother had always scolded her when she'd been alive, trying to get her to take regular baths and stop rolling around in the mud with boys, but she'd paid the suggestions no mind. If anything, she was even worse than she had been then, and proud.

…how she missed her mother…

"Hi, Tara!" Estab exclaimed before Robin could speak, clinging to the blonde with a faint blush on his tanned cheeks. "We have something awesome planned for today! You're gonna love it too, I promise, okay?"

"Yeah," Victor chimed, a wide grin upon his face. "Go on, Robin, tell'er."

Robin grinned as well and pointed a finger in a certain direction. Tara frowned and followed the direction of his finger, her mouth dropping open when she saw just where he was pointing and what he was pointing at.

The forest.

"…oh." She paused and slowly pried herself away from Estab, smiling weakly. "The… forest?"

"Yup," Robin said, sounding pleased. Obviously, the idea had been his. "What better place to look for adventure?"

"But… guys…" She paused, glancing around nervously. Her eyes sunk to the ground. "I… can't go into the forest. I'm not allowed to--"

"Neither are we," Victor said with a shrug. "But not being allowed had never stopped us before. C'mon, Tara, it'll be fun!"

"Yeah!" Estab cried, pumping his fist into the air. "I ain't scared of no witch!"

"Ha! Let's see if you're still sayin' that once she's turned you into a frog!"

"Shut up, Vic!"

"Don't worry, Tara," Robin assured the younger girl, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Nothing will happen to you. We'll make sure."

She looked a bit hesitant, blue eyes dropping to the ground in thought. Her father's words rung in her ears, warnings from the present and the past… reminders of how her mother had disappeared in that very same forest, and how her body had never been found. But when she looked at her friends, the only friends she had ever had, and their pleading expressions, she could not say no…

"…okay."

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"I LIKE RAAAAINBOWS! LEAFY TRAAAILS! AND PUPPY DOOOGS! WITH BUMBLE BEEES!"

Tara winced as Estab sang, his voice ridiculously off-tune, and as Victor smacked the smaller boy upside his head, causing him to stumble back. The younger of the two quickly shoved back, though it had little effect, and Victor smirked.

"Keep it down, you two," Robin warned as they walked further into the forest. "We don't want to draw too much attention from anyone or anything that might be out here."

"Yes, sir!" They said in unison and immediately quieted down.

Tara sighed softly, admiring her surroundings. Never had she ever seen anything so beautiful… the forest was a beautiful mixture of lush green and deep brown, with soft light shining in through the large trees, and prism-like rainbows splashing across the forest floor. She admired all of the wild-life, beautiful flowers that she had never seen before and butterflies of all different colors. Her breath caught in her throat. Why would anyone fear such a wonderful place?

"Hey," Victor murmured, pointing towards a tree. "What was that? Something moved."

"I didn't see anything," Estab mumbled, and followed as Robin cautiously moved forward.

The reached the tree and examined it, but found nothing, though Tara's fears still began to rise. She heard a soft shuffling of leaves and whirled around, but saw nothing, only forest. She trembled and turned back around to face her friends.

"Guys," she called softly and they looked at her. "I don't want to stay here… I'm seriously scared. Can we go?"

"Well, if you're scared--" Estab started, worried, but Robin cut him off.

"It's okay, Tara. You're safe. We won't let anything happen, right, guys?" He looked at Estab who nodded hesitantly and then at Victor, only to find that the older boy was staring off at something eyes wide. "Vic? What is it--"

His mouth fell open, eyes widening and Estab quickly followed suit. Tara frowned and moved to get a better look before her eyes widened as well, a look of horror passing over her already fearful features.

There, standing by a tree not far from them, was the same person she had seen in paintings illustrating the end of the world; the face she had heard about in stories that had given her nightmares. A girl, who looked to be about a few years older than them, with short, dark hair and large, amethyst eyes that held a distant, forlorn look. She was pale-skinned, wearing a midnight blue cloak, and had a blank, almost bored expression upon her pretty features. But no matter how innocent she looked, they all knew just who she was. The fact that she was floating made it even more obvious.

The witch.

"IT'S HER!" Estab wailed and whirled around, breaking into a run. Victor quickly followed.

Robin stood his ground, staring at the mysterious girl before him. Tara, however, simply could not move, to frightened to. The witch shifted around a bit, staring at them with a haunting gaze. Suddenly, her eyes began to glow, her lips moving, forming some kind of incantation.

"Azarath, metri…"

Robin's eyes widened. "RUN!"

He turned on his heel and bolted off, Tara snapping out of her daze and hurrying after him, stumbling slightly. They rushed through the forest, the once beautiful scenery suddenly filling her with fear. She lost sight of Robin, eyes wide, and began to scream out his name, attempting to push her way through the green bushes and vines.

"Robin!" She cried. "Estab! Victor! Guys, where are you?!"

She received no response and looked over her shoulder to see if anyone was following her. She saw no one, but did not stop running, and tripped over something on the ground. Her foot twisted around with a sickening crsch and she screamed, falling to the ground and wincing in pain. She looked down at her foot, gritting her teeth, and saw that it was twisted in an awkward position. Fear gripped her and she struggled to stand, but failed.

"Help me!!" She screamed. "Someone, please! I can't walk!!"

Her cries went unanswered other than by the soft shuffling of leaves. She craned her neck to look behind her, her eyes widening even more as she saw the witch coming towards her, expression blank. She screamed again and fought to stand, but fell again, her head hitting the soft ground. She sobbed, the dirt clinging to her blonde hair and she could feel the witch looming over her.

She looked up hesitantly, blue eyes meeting amethyst ones, and the tears began to fall. She looked away as the witch's eyes began to glow and she began to chant, the pain in her ankle and head over-powering any thought she could have had.

"Azarath, Metrion, Xin--"

She blacked out.

XXX

Short, I know. The next chapter will be much better, I promise. Blargh.