Chapter 5 — The Black Rose

After a good night's sleep, during which Rurouni slept on the couch, Beast Boy made his signature breakfast, tofu eggs and bacon.

"Wakey wakey, tofu eggs and bacey!"

Cyborg groaned. "Not again!" He rummaged through the fridge, procuring real eggs and bacon, and moved to the stove to start cooking. "Forget it, BB."

Robin concurred. "He's right, Gar. We've had tofu for breakfast all week."

"I really do not wish to eat the tofu for breaking the fast," chimed in Starfire.

"Fine then," said Beast Boy. "That means more for me!"

"Tofu? Ugh," muttered Raven and Rurouni in unison. Again, together: "Uh, did you just say that? That's what I said." Raven blushed and giggled softly. Then Beast Boy's "eggs" exploded in a flash of dark energy. "Oops."

"Um, what just happened?" asked Rurouni.

"Boo-ya! Guys, here's some real breakfast," hooted Cyborg.

"Her powers, uh, 'wire the hay' if she gets excited," explained Starfire.

"I think she means they go haywire," corrected Robin.

I probably would have made his eggs explode even if I wasn't excited, Raven smirked mentally to Rurouni. I still don't understand why anyone would eat that stuff.

One of life's many mysteries, eh?

Tell me about it. What do you want for breakfast?

Got any tea?

Yeah. I drink it anyhow. Raven blushed, and moved to the cupboard where she grabbed a teapot and two mugs, filled the pot with water, and placed it on the stove. She then got a couple of tea bags out of the pantry.

Cyborg whispered to Rurouni between bites, "I think she likes you."

The response: "That's a good thing, right?"

Raven viewed this exchange, cocking an eyebrow.

"Yeah. She doesn't cozy up to anyone. Well there was this one time, but I really shouldn't be talking about that."

"Hmm."

"What are you talking about?" Raven asked, a tinge of irritation in her voice.

Cyborg grinned broadly. "Oh, nothing," he responded innocently.

"Whatever," she responded exasperatedly, walking over to Rurouni with the mugs of tea.

Rurouni stirred his idly. So tell me about yourself.

Well, for starters, um… A long pause. I'm a half-demon. I really don't like to talk about that. My father is a demon, and I don't want to invoke His name.

Okay, I won't ask. Rurouni took a sip of his tea.

I feel great discomfort "talking" about myself. Raven drank hers. Maybe some other time.

Alright then. If you feel comfortable, we can continue this little dialogue. Rurouni finished off his tea, and was leaving the room, when Robin said, "Going so soon?"

"Just to do a couple of things," responded Rurouni. "I'll be back."

Robin handed him a round yellow and black object emblazoned with a white T. "Take a communicator. You're an honorary Titan. Besides, we might need you."

"Thanks. I'll only be gone a minute."

Rurouni entered Garth's Boutique, a small flower shop near the tower. He searched and spied a single ebony rose. "This should be perfect," he told himself. He grabbed it and took it to the cash register. "Ooh," remarked the female clerk, in a distinct Brooklyn accent. "Got a sweetie?"

Rurouni's face flushed red. "I'm hoping so. Do you know about Raven?"

"The Titan goil? Ya, she's really mysterious. That'll be sixteen ninety-five."

"Could you put that on the Titans' tab?" He pulled out the communicator,

"I'm sorry; the Titans don't have an account here. But since you're with them, I'll give ya the rose for free. Good luck, you're gonna need it."

"Thank you."

Back at the tower, Rurouni stood before Raven's door, the flower behind his back. He hesitated, and finally decided to knock softly. "Go ahead, the door's open," was the reply. He pushed the door aside, and waited. Raven was sitting on the bed, engrossed in a book and smiling. "Who is it? Oh, it's you, Yohimura." She waved toward herself. "Come on in."

"I've got something for you," said Rurouni, hesitantly. He presented the rose, now in a small vase.

Raven stammered, "Uh…um…I don't know what to say…Gee," She blushed. "Thank you. It's beautiful."

"You're welcome. Feeling a little more comfortable?"

"Sure, why?"

"Tell me more about yourself."

"And I'd like to know about you," responded the mystic. "Okay. I was born in a place called Azarath to a woman named Arella."

"My parents were killed when I was ten. I don't know who did it, but I've been trying to find out, and that's how I came to Jump City, trying to find the guilty party.

"Soon after they were taken from me, I felt lost, confused and angry." Rurouni vacillated for a moment. "I usually find it difficult to talk about my past, but when I'm with you, I find I can talk about it." He blushed lightly.

"It's nice to find someone you can trust," commented Raven.

"So tell me more…"