Chapter 7: Sibling Growth Part 1 A lost relationship between a brother and sister

The night came about pretty quickly although the hours seemed too slow, even if the times in Tamaran were fasting than the hours and days recorded on Earth. The sun slowly was gone and the blooming of the night began. Stars were painted throughout the skies of space and water colors of dark indigio mixed with another shade of green swirled around in the depths of space, symbolizing belts of planets somewhere in the distance.

Two moons came each direction; one from the east and one from the west. Both were small compared to the planet itself but it wasn't as white and glowing like as the Earth's moon. It didn't even look like cheese. It was full of gas and air bubbles, some exploded to create spots of purple and pink mixed together. The sun was on the other side of the planet, so its light gave some of its rays to the moons to give Tamaran something to look up to during the hours of rest.

All Tamaraneans left the skies empty and space free to the birds that roamed through the skies during these skies. Their strange calls echoed and hung in the air strongly, vibrating the ground before them. Their wings were stretched out and their bodies were guided by the strong, sweet scent currents of the wind, blowing underneath their wings and between their feathers that help them fly.

Tamaraneans went to sleep since their rituals for the day were over once the sun was gone and its rays were visible in their eyes. They wait until the next day so they can regenerate and sing again in harmony and unity to the glory of their gods and of the sunlight that gave them strength and the joy of flight.

The breeze came softly to the balcony of Starfire's room, its curtains by the orners flowed up and down gracefully like moving arms in meditation. But she didn't stand by the balcony to enjoy its breeze or the scent of the flowers that grew in the gardens. She sat on her bed, her body moving back and forth. Her arms were wrapped around her legs, her legs close to her chest.

She looked at the floor in front of her bed as she continued to rock. Strands of her bright ruby hair fell to her emerald eyes. But she didn't brush them away and continued to rock. Something haunted her mind, torturing her for the past hours, and she couldn't sleep because of those eyes and also of certain other things she didn't want to recall.

He almost kissed her.

If she hadn't moved away, he probably would have and would have won her over, just as her parents had wanted. But that wasn't what she wanted. From the beginning, this marriage was a bad idea, but what could she do? He was the King and she was his youngest daughter. And it is good for the people.

Tears crisped into her eyes as unhappy memories of her past came into her mind. Everything she had ever done were for the good of others, but not for her. She had learned to be unselfish, but were they pushing their limits on what Starfire should do?

The day she was gone from her home because...her home was threatened to be destroyed and she haven't been home for-she couldn't count anymore. It was too long. And finally, after many years of torture, lack of food; water; and rest, she came home expecting a warm welcome from her parents and a grand feast in honor of her return and also some gratitude that she was able to get away.

But no. To her then, there were no happy endings. She had to be sent away from Tamaran, the only thing that had kept her alive mentally. She had to go away and she didn't know why. But again, it was good for her family and according to them, good for her and her life, if she valued it.

If she didn't value it, wouldn't she have gone mad already? Wouldn't she have tried to commit suicide or something? No. She kept her faith that she would be with her family again. It was her most precious dream: to be with her family. But all almost changed completely when she came to Earth.

She had found a home that was long lost from her. Friends that loved her and even a boy who loved her more than anyone could ever love her. Friends who were there during her troubles, her sorrows, her happiness, during every tiny emotion and event that was going on for Starfire.

Cyborg was the big brother, the older sibling that she never had. He was there for her to keep her strong, to help her when she was done. And probably he is the only one who can withstand her mighty hugs.

Beast Boy was also a brother to her, but younger but just like her. Someone to cheer everyone up with their positive, optimistic attitudes. His jokes were meaningless sometimes and were obviously not familiar to her, but it never stopped her from smiling. He's a little immature, but no one's perfect and she had always admired his character.

Raven was the only one she could ever consider as a sister, especially now since Starfire has lost her own flesh and blood because of madness, jealously, and lust for power. Raven is deep and shows less emotion and motivation, but she was someone Starfire would look up to for advice and guidance. They had even spent time together in the mall and they've meditated in the common room while the boys played with the gamestation. They were very different people. But like they say, "opposites attract."

And Robin. The first boy she had ever met. And the first boy she had ever kissed and the only boy who she would want to kiss and hold so close in her arms. His warmth was a part of her and as she thought of him, she could feel him inside of her heart and it was soothing. But at the same time, it was heartbreaking. Because her government, the monarchy is trying to tear the new love they've discovered by this marriage, marriage with-a fool.

"It's not fair..." Starfire whispered as she hid her face in between her legs.

"Life's never fair." A voice boomed around the walls, but it wasn't strong or as powerful or even deep.

Starfire's head shot up and she turned her head around to find a small, skinny figure standing by the door, holding to the knob carefully as if he was trying to prevent any noise making while entering.

"Little Koriel..." Starfire whispered softly.

Strands of his fiery, bright red hair fell to his aqua eyes as Ryand'r, or Redfire now as he is known, looked at Starfire.

"Techinically, I'm not little anymore. By Earth and even in Tamaranean standards, I am a teenager." Redfire chuckled as he moved away from the door and in the process, closed it behind him. He walked up to Starfire's bed, but he didn't jump onto it, like he didn't want to be rude during Starfire's time of mourning or sorrow.

Starfire made a small grin appear on her light pink lips. "No, you are not no longer." She patted her hand by her side. "Come. Sit with me." She smiled. Redfire smiled back and jumped onto the bed like a little child. Both of them giggled as the bed slowly moved up and down. Some pillows tumbled down to the ground.

Starfire was heavier than Redfire, so he was leaning in close to her side.

She smiled at her little brother and wrapped one arm around him, pulling him close to her side; a mush of red and green combined like twins.

"What brings you to my room this late?" She asked him, her tears gone. Redfire shook his head and let out a soft, quiet yawn. "I couldn't sleep." "Me either. Would you like to keep me company until we fall asleep?" Starfire asked him and in reply, he nodded.

Redfire looked up at Starfire as she rubbed her hand against his bare, yet strong arm. "Why are you crying?" He asked gently.

Starfire looked at him, surprised and quickly tried to hide the evidence. "Oh, it's nothing, Ryand'r. I'm fine." "No, you're not. And please, call me Redfire. Ryand'r is mom's department."

"Oh Redfire...it is nothing that shouldn't worry you. It is just things that I am thinking about."
"Like what?"
"Things about my life that I just simply wish to forget."
"Like what happened to you?"

Starfire nodded.

Redfire sighed and leaned back, slipping away from her grasp. He looked up at the ceiling. "Well, that's stupid."

"What is stupid, Redfire?" Starfire asked, her eyes confused on his choice of words. Redfire turned around and looked at her. "I mean...although those experiences were bad, or probably much worse because I've only heard only a little based on some-sneaking around while you were talking with Galfore through the transmissions. But if those things didn't happen, you wouldn't have become the person who you are today."

Starfire tilted her head to the side. "I still do not understand the concept you are trying to tell me." Redfire sighed heavily and rolled his eyes, but in a playful, brotherly way. He got off of the bed and faced her, his piercing sea eyes staring at her strongly and his hands up in gestures.

"If you had never left Tamaran, you would have not gone to Earth. And if you didn't go to Earth in the first place, you wouldn't have become known part as one of the greatest superheroes of all time!" Redfire shouted with a shrilling cheer.

"You've heard of the Teen Titans?" Starfire asked him. Redfire crossed his arms and smiled at her, again playfully. "Hello!" He shouted, in strong imitation to Beast Boy's voice. "I read the archives of Earth remember? There's like 180,000 websites that mention the Teen Titans. I've read all about you guys. You are incredible!"

Redfire started jumping around, waving his hands up and down and all around. Starfire giggled, her lungsburning as Redfire started flying around the room, close to the ceiling, jabbering about each of the Titans.

"Robin's like the person to be. Cyborg kicks major butt with his sonic cannon, Raven can rot your brains out with her mind control, and Beast Boy can change into any animal he wants! How cool is that!"

Starfire couldn't help but laugh as Redfire copied each moves made by each of her friends. 'Perhaps he is doing the 'hanging out' too much with Beast Boy. I have never realized that Redfire could do these things. He really sounds like Cyborg when shouting 'Booyah' and such...:sigh:. What a sweet boy..."

"And you!" Redfire shouted, pointing a finger towards Starfire, shaking her with shock and a little with fear. "M-Me?" Redfire nodded.

"Don't you know how lucky you are?"
"How am I lucky?"
"You have these amazing powers and although these things have happened to you...you could have gone into a totally different direction with them like Blackfire. But you didn't. You stayed as the sweet, loving sister that I remembered. And I admire that."

"Aw Ryand'r..." Starfire said softly as crystalline tears slid down her cheeks. She reached out her hands and pulled Redfire to him. She hugged him as best as she could, crushing his lungs and everything. He was short of breathe, but he survived. He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her and they held to that hug for a couple of minutes.

"You do not know how long I've been wanting to do that. To be able to share this moment with you, Ryand'r...I've been wanting to spend time with you all for so long..."

"But look what you've gained!" Redfire shouted as they embraced. "I mean, you're part of the Teen Titans!" "But you are my brother. I don't wish to lose you again." "But you don't want to lose them either."

Starfire bent her head down sadly, thinking about the upcoming wedding and Karras' persistence to marry her. She looked at her little brother, but she didn't view him as her little brother, but someone wise. "What am I going to do?"

"Father can't be that heartless. He'll listen to you. We just gotta get Karras out of the picture. He's always in Father's face and everything. He's so annoying."

Starfire sighed again and her eyes drifted to the floor. Karras knew about the relationship between she and Robin. And since, according to Redfire, Karras talks to her father a lot, if she doesn't cooperate, he would let out their secret and not only she, but Robin and the others would get in big trouble. He was right. He did have much power over her and probably her will.

Redfire placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and their soft, light eyes met, shining from the light of the stars. He smiled at her warmly as any kindhearted brother would; just as she pictured he would be in her memories and dreams.

"Let's forget about this for the moment. Tomorrow, hang out with me. And be with your friends. I mean, we hardly see you anymore and they really miss you." Starfire smiled at first, but then the smile turned into a frown. "But...what about Kar-" "Don't worry about him. We'll sneak out. Just for the afternoon to be together and for you and-" His eyes arched in a seductive, childish way. "You and Robin can spend some time together."

Starfire still was in deep doubt. "I do not like lying to people, especially my parents." "There are certain risks that we have to take, Kori. If we didn't take those risks, your planet or even this one wouldn't be like how it is today. There are certain things worth risking for. And in your case, love."

Starfire lookde at her brother as tears came again. Who ever thought that someone so young and handsome as he could be so wise in these things? And she was older than him and has seen many things, more probably he ever had in a lifetime. She wondered at that moment why he loved Earth so much. Did he want what she had there? With the Titans?

"Thank you." She replied instead and wrapped her arms around Redfire again into a hug. Both smiled and closed their eyes as they each enjoyed each other's warmth and sibling love for one another.

But as they embraced, a shadow was lurking by near their door, with piercing and glowing eyes watchful like a hawk or a cat in the city streets during the night. Hair fell in front of those haunting eyes as the figure slowly closed the door in front of him and left the two siblings alone to enjoy their moment while many thoughts came to adjust in his plot for domination.

Just a little preview……


As the Titans continued on walking through the courtyards that were in front of the Tamaranean palace, the wind started building up strangely and the birds shivered up their feathers and flew away in a loud cry. Starfire looked up confusingly as thousands of birds flew over their heads.

"What's wrong with them?" Beast Boy asked as he approached her from behind. Starfire shield her eyes with her hand from the blazing sun as she tries to see. "I am not sure." "Look!" Someone exclaimed.

The dark clouds beside the sun separated, curling about as if something was going through. Soon, something shiny and as dark as coal floated over the fog of the clouds and reflected the light from the sun, blinding their eyes. The winds were stronger now and more dangerous as whatever was displaying in the skies came closer.

Their hairs and their capes flapped crazily on their backs as the Teen Titans finally noticed that the unfamiliar object was actually a ship. Not just one, but three more as they came from its sides. "What's that?" Cyborg asked. "Let's check it out." Robin shouted. Together, they ran quickly to the edge of the cliff, with Ryand'r following from afar. Starfire and the others stopped at the edge, with some pebbles falling down in echo down the cliff.

Green linings were all over the ships, with strange markings they have never seen before. The black, big ships came in a straight line. The wind howled in response to its presence.

A gasp escaped from Starfire's lips as she finally recognized the symbol that was painted over the cockpit of the ships. Screams pierced her eyes and the wailing of prisoners couldn't leave away from her mind. For some reason, her stomach felt empty and there was a strong sting all over her body, burning her with pain.

A high pinched scream came loud from her ears before she realized that she was actually screaming at that very moment.

Robin turned to her with his eyes concerned. "Star? What's wrong?"

Starfire stepped back away from the group, her eyes widened as far as they could go. Her face turned dead pale as she clasped her hands together. "I-It's them..." She whispered softly, her voice shaking.

"Who's 'them?'" Robin asked again as he approached her, grabbing her hand. Starfire shook her head as angry tears slid down her cheeks.

"Fight, you worthless girl! Fight!"
"You will never see your family again!"
"Silence, slave!"

Their voices wouldn't stop screaming in her. She shut her eyes tight and opened her mouth wide in a screeching, fearful voice, "It's them!"

"Here they come!" Cyborg pointed his finger as his right arm transformed into his sonic cannon. Starfire gasped as she looked up, her hair blowing with the wind.

The ships dove down, aiming for their target. The sun reflected its mirrors as they sped toward the Teen Titans. Robin took out his bird-a-rangs, Beast Boy transformed into a T-rex as Raven glowed with her black magic. Starfire was about to power up her starbolts when the ships whooshed over their heads in less than a second. All turned their heads when a sudden thought crossed Starfire's mind and made her eyes white.

"RYAND'R!"

Her little brother looked up in response to her call only to find four strange ships coming toward him, with their guns out and ready to fire. His aqua eyes froze in fright and he dropped a piece of fruit down to the ground.