Chapter 7: Sibling Growth Part2

The wind howled lowly across the sky, circling piles of leaves and flower petals and lifting them off into the air. Birds chirped in their strange, foreign song. Their wings outstretched on both sides, flapping up and down like damp towels.

The sky was a bright lavender color that morning, cotton balls of white clouds scattered across the sky, clumped together like snow. The sun came across some of the clouds, seemingly transparent. It glowed violently in orange, awfully bright for a morning sun. But then again, Tamaran was different from Earth.

The wind blew softly to an opened balcony. The doors swung back and forth as the clear curtains floated up and down swiftly and gracefully. The strong scent of the morning flowers and breeze filled the room with its sweet fragment.

Sunlight came into the room, dust forming in midair and its heat waves visible on the floor.

But sleeping soundly on the bed with covers curled tightly around them, were two young people, cuddled together in each others' arms. A mush of red hair laid on top of the feathery pillows, calming faces deep in slumber with eyes closed. Starfire held Ryand'r, or Redfire, close in her arms; her hand around his shoulder and another around the waist. Like a little baby, Redfire curled his body into a ball and had his arms around Starfire's neck, snoring quietly.

Snickers were echoing in the background, very low like ghosts so no one could hear them. Shadows stood over the two younger siblings, laughing away. Starfire's eyes flickered, but they didn't open until a few seconds later. Her emerald eyes blinked a couple of times and she yawned.

She looked over the little brother who was in her arms and smiled happily when she heard laughing. She turned her head and noticed four figures standing in front of the bed, with their arms crossed their chests and their lips curled in a disoriented way, as if they were forcing themselves not to laugh.

Starfire sat up, her brother sliding off of her grip and he fell back onto the bed. There were the other Teen Titans, smiling away with their giggling; even Raven who she noticed had her hood over her head so she couldn't see the love-laughter look in her face. Cyborg and Beast Boy's back hunched forward, their stomachs grumbling for to burst into laughter, but they restrained themselves from doing so. Robin was closest to her, with a very interesting smile on his face.

"Good mornin'" He greeted.

Starfire giggled nervously and scratched the back of her neck. "Good morning, friends. And how did you sleep this evening?"

"Good, but it isn't better than waking up and seeing this." Beast Boy chuckled.
"Yeah, if me and my sister did that when we were younger, we would have screamed and punch each other out." Cyborg replied with a wink.

Starfire turned around and nudged Redfire's shoulder. "RyandI mean Redfire, wake up. It is the hour of awakening. Please wake up." Redfire blinked his aqua eyes a couple of times. He sat up and stretched his skinny little arms, his hair all over his face. When he looked up, they blinked again in disbelief.

"Oh man..." He snapped and the others, including Starfire laughed.

"So Star, ready for a burden-free day?" Robin asked as he took her hand and pulled her off of the bed, letting some of the covers drop to the ground. Starfire nodded with a smile on her face. "Oh yes. Let's go have fun!"

"Wait!" Redfire shouted as he jumped out of the bed. An idea snapped into his mind as he came to the others, fixing his hair really quick. His spiky bands fell to his ocean eyes. "I need to get something. Be right back!" He shouted and zoomed out of the room before the others could say anything.

Beast Boy arched an eyebrow. "I wonder where he's going."

Redfire glided through the empty, dark hallways of the palace alone, creating his own breeze that brushed his bands to the sides of his face, or in front of his eyes itching him away. He turned the corner toward the even longer and darker parts of the palace, a place that is no longer used because the person who used to be here no longer is considered as a honorable Tamaranean.

Redfire landed in front of two large white doors, with pots of tall stretched plants on each side. The cravings that surrounded the border of the door was handmade, with little pictures told in stories; or at least an open book diary of one's life.

It showed a black haired girl fighting very well against enemies, saving a redheaded girl with big green eyes, her fists glowing in purple and the other glowing in green. Another clip showed the girl watching everyone fly over her head. The girl seemed to be waving her arms like a bird, jumping up and down to fly with the others. But she couldn't lift herself off the ground, even with the fiery rays of the sun pouring down on her.

Another picture revealed the same girl angry, her brain growing at a rapid pace. Her face was scarred and creepy with her big eyes and an evil laugh escaped her lips. Her fists glowed in purple as she destroyed monsters and made their ship explode. Another one showed the Teen Titans themselves, with her in the center of the group while the redhead was in the background, tied up in green goo to be taken away from her loved ones.

Redfire narrowed his eyes with anger at these pictures, but he kept his anger inside. He couldn't imagine what would happen if any Tamaranean would ever let their hate grow out of control. Redfire glanced behind him and them from left to right, making sure that no one was near.

When he was satisfied, Redfire opened the doors to Komand'r's room. But as he closed the doors behind him, a figure was obsevring him from the corner of the hall, with watchful cat eyes.

Redfire looked around Komand'r's old room. Or as she is called now, the criminal Blackfire. No lights cast off from the balcony of her room. The doors were bared closed, the curtains covered with moths and dust and fungi. It had been a long time since anyone had been in this room. No one dared to go into a room of a traitor.

The paint on the walls were old and crumpling like dried, burnt paper. The candles that had surrounded the room with her scented candles were now burnt out and just lying there like nothing. Her bed was neatly made, but covered with dust and little cobwebs. Also cobwebs invaded the top corners of the ceiling, making their nests and catching their prey.

Redfire approached Blackfire's dresser, which were decorated in all shades of purple and of course black. She had always had good taste for different cultures, but he didn't imagine that she would go to that extreme to get a feel of their luxurious goods. He had heard stories when he was young when Blackfire had started stealing, causing riots, destroying city halls from different planets and nebulas.

He also heard what had happened on her visit to Earth and Starfire. She didn't miss her at all. Blackfire was a fugitive and since she and Starfire looked so much alike like identical twins, Blackfire framed Starfire to make the police believe that Starfire was the thief. But luckily, Starfire and the Titans stopped her and she was sent to prison where she rightfully belongs.

Redfire sighed heavily as a deep sorrow crowded his heart. His family used to be so close and happy together, laughing and playing with no care in the world. What happened? He felt that his family's drifting apart more and more. And with this wedding between Karras and Starfire, it would make things worse.

Redfire opened the drawer and lightly searched through Blackfire's jewelry, clothes, and other possessions. Redfire's face lightened when he finally found what he was looking for and look it out. It was a small bag. He shook it a little and the scrambling of balls was still inside the bag.

He nodded with acceptance and placed the bag inside his pocket. Quietly, he sneaked out of her room, with everything in its place and with the door closed shut and tight. Thinking about the others, Redfire glided to Starfire's room. The Teen Titans were talking by the time he had returned.

Redfire flipped his hair back and smiled at them. "Hey guys."
"What took ya?" Beast Boy asked as he came by his side and placed a friendly arm around Redfire.
"I needed to get something. Here, take one." Redfire took out the bag and waved it in front of Cyborg and Robin.

They looked at him confusingly. "What are those for?" Robin asked as he took the bag from Redfire's hand. Redfire smiled at them, rather pleased with himself for some reason. "These were once Blackfire's when she was young. She would try to eat these because she couldn't"

But before he could finish his sentence, Starfire shut his mouth with her hand. "Ryand'r! You know you aren't supposed to look into other's things. That's wrong." Redfire looked at Starfire sternly and jerked her hand back. "So? It's not like she's ever gonna use them again." "But it's still wrong." Starfire's face fell as she looked at the bag from the corner of her eye.

But Redfire seemed reassuring as he stood beside Cyborg and Robin. "Trust me. This stuff's very helpful. And if you want to fit in here, then you're going to have to be like a Tamaranean."

Robin and Cyborg looked at each other, still confused. But they trusted him so they each grabbed one from the bag. They looked like gumballs, small and chewy to eat. Cyborg and Robin both tossed them into their mouths. They chewed loudly, taking a hint of peppermint and something else in the gumball.

"Not bad." Robin answered.
"Yeah, not bad at all." Cyborg said with a smile.

Beast Boy looked at Redfire and put a palm in front of his face. "Can I have one?" Redfire chuckled as he placed the bag back inside his pocket. "Sorry Beast Boy. But you don't need these." Beast Boy whimpered, "But I do!" "No you don't!"

Beast Boy narrowed his eyes at Redfire and crossed his arms. But then he gave up and had a white smile on his face, his forest eyes glittering. "Fine!"

Beast Boy dashed pass the others to the balcony, with the others watching him. He leaned against the banister and smiled. Before the others said anything, he flipped over and instead of falling to meet his doom, Beast Boy had transformed into a large and beautiful green phoenix. His feathers shined like jade and his round eyes were innocent and big.

The phoenix flapped his wings up and down to keep him steady from the wind currents. "Did a lift?" His human voice said aloud.

The others smiled as they walked to the balcony. Cyborg looked at Beast Boy's large eyes. "You've actually came up with sumthin' good." He said as he climbed on his back. "Yeah Beast Boy, who would have thought you'd have a brain?" Raven chuckled as she raised her body off the ground and glided to Beast Boy's back, who of course had an annoyed look on his face.

Redfire jumped onto Beast Boy, his legs on each side of his neck. Redfire patted him on the head and whooped. "Let's go!" He shouted with glee.

Robin and Starfire locked hands and Starfire lifted Robin off the ground and they sat behind everyone, their legs crossed indian style, close by each other's side. When everyone had settled in, Beast Boy's long neck stretched and he turned his feathery head toward the group.

"Hold on."
Raven looked down, her hand searching through the sooth layers of Beast Boy's feathers. "To what?"

But before she had finished, Beast Boy zoomed out of the balcony in a flash almost as fast as the speed of light. Cyborg flipped back, screaming in shock of the sudden outburst. He grabbed some of Beast Boy's feathers to stay. Raven did the same, her eyes wide and surprised. Redfire laughed as he held onto Beast Boy's neck, swinging his arms all around.

Starfire held herself free, her arms spread out her sides. Robin looked over his shoulder, his masked eyes watched her as she swing her arms about and giggling loudly like a little girl enjoying her first ride at the amusement park. Her hair blew behind her like tangled yawn threads. Her face was lightened up by the solar sphere's glow. She smiled happily, cheerful, a part of her he hadn't seen since they've came here.

Robin's body relaxed as the wind rushed pass his face, blowing his hair crazily, ruining his geled style. Some strands of his jet black hair came to his hidden eyes. And for some reason, the rays of the sun surged through him like oxygen. He didn't brush it aside and instead embraced it as he raised his arms up, enjoying the thrill of wind coming at him and the sun burning him up. He shouted out in a battle cry that rolled in his tongue and vibrated inside his throat.

Cyborg and Redfire joined it also, shouting with anticipation and excitement. Raven just looked around, enjoying the clear view of the sky as Beast Boy rose higher and higher above the cloubs. Coldness ran through them as they passed over the clouds and came over the clear meadows of the sky. The sun blazed beside them to the east, circling its heat and light at them.

Redfire pointed his finger ahead to see some of the early birds flying by with their dull, disoriented faces and their dirty, overused wings which flapped up and down to pick up the pase with the currents. One turned his face to the side and his eyes widened when he saw the Teen Titans flying on top of a huge bird. He shook his head and moved his body to the side, slowly gliding back down.

Some of the other birds followed and there rose some Tamaraneans who decided to catch some of the early solar rays. Their arms were spread, their legs together, and their head blowing in front of their faces. Their eyes were closed in meditation as they whispered the morning prayer to the gods to grant them a glorious day.

Some younger Tamaraneans zoomed from the lower clouds, giggling for adventure as they flipped their bodies all around; frontflips and backflips, their head flying all around.

Raven pointed her finger, amazed, as she watched some other Tamaraneans flying to the west, alined together as a group, their arms stroking like they were swimmers in a race, half hidden by the thickness of the clouds.

Redfire laughed as he waved to some people he apparently knew. They waved back and dove down like fishes back to the beds of clouds.

Cyborg watched in awe of the colors of the sky, how it suddenly changed from light lavender to warm colors like yellow and orange, with a hint of green at the lower borders. No clouds were in sight and the sun was positively glowing brightly this morning, warming them up with delight.

Beast Boy carefully made a turn to the North, following a flock of birds flying in a 'V' shape like the ducks on Earth when they fly South for the winter.

The Teen Titans sat around, taking among themselves and pointing their fingers to anything interesting they might see arise from the clouds. They laughed and joked around with each other, smiles crossed their faces.

Starfire looked over her shoulder calmly, watching the sun beat at her face, filling her with its warmth and power, making her anxious to jump off this bird and fly like one herself. But she didin't want to leave Robin's side so she stayed put although her back muscles tightened with this urge.

Robin turned his head and noticed that Starfire was a little tense. He reached out his gloved hand and touched her hand lightly before holding it in his. She turned to meet his gaze and his smile. But there was something in that smile; something daring.

"What to make some fun?"
"What do you mean?"

Robin carefully sat up, making Starfire stand beside him. The others turned their heads as Robin guided Starfire to the side of Beast Boy's long bird-like body. "Uh...what are you guys doing?" Cyborg asked. Raven, Redfire, and even Starfire thought of the same thing.

Robin stood on the edge, the wind flapping his cape against his back. He looked down over the seemingly small land of Northern Tamaran, green specks of grass and white clouds. This feeling thrilling through him as he released Starfire's hand, hoping to build her adventurous side further.

"Robin?" He heard her call, but he didn't listen as he came closer and closer to the side. Starfire's body shook with fear as Robin stood awfully close to the ledge, away from Beast Boy's wing or tail. "Robin?"

Robin turned his head and stared at Starfire with a smile. "Catch me if you can." He said and jumped off.

Everyone gasped and cried out for their friend. "Robin!" Starfire panicked and dove after him.

Starfire squinted her eyes as she tried to force herself to fly faster and faster, but the wind kept lifting her up, slowing her down. She could see Robin's black form falling and falling and her heart kept torning apart of the possiblities of what might happen if Robin would to hit the ground. Her eyes glowed with determination as she sped faster toward him.

Robin didn't seem threatened for his life or afraid of dying. He loved the rush of the wind passing him by, his cape stretched along with his arms. He felt like a real bird, diving down to the sky. Starfire might get mad at him for doing this, but he had nothing to fear.

The sun blasted his face, something bubbling inside of him and his stomach. For some reason, he felt stronger and invincible. He can hear Starfire crying out his name, dead nervous and afraid. Robin spread his arms out when suddenly his body turned and he lifted himself up toward Starfire.

Starfire stopped, her eyes back to normal and wide in shock as she noticedor dreamtRobin flying toward her. Flying! He wasn't flying. He was soaring up through the clouds like a real bird, a robin. Starfire froze still as Robin floated to her side, with a smile on his face, calm and gentle as if he was never in any danger.

Robin raised his hands and touched her cheeks, shocking her and making her body shiver. She looked at his face, her emerald eyes charming and glittering with specks from the sun. Finally and relieved, Starfire smiled.

Sound of a howling wind and wings made them look up as Beast Boy's animal form came by their side, with the others on board. Cyborg, Raven, and Redfire stared at Robin with joy that he is safe, but at the same time shocked that he was flying. "Robin..." Cyborg gasped out.

Redfire clapped his hand frantically and smiled broadly. "Yes! It worked!"
"What worked?" Robin asked confusingly.
"Hello!" Redfire shouted, imitating Beast Boy again. "The gumballs."
"You mean the gumballs make you fly?"
"Yup."

"Sweet!" Cyborg shouted as he flipped over and jumped off of Beast Boy. In a few seconds, Cyborg was levitating higher and higher above them, stroking his arms and legs like he was swimming. He laughed loudly. "Sweet!" He shouted again. "I'm flying. No more ridin' on Beast Boy's smelly back."

Raven swung her legs around, her cape falling behind her. "You got a point there." She said and raised her body off of Beast Boy. Redfire giggled as he stood up and walked on Beast Boy's head. He winced a little, his green eyes looked up at Redfire as he jumped on his beak and dove down to the sky.

Satisfied that he didn't have to carry anyone anymore, Beast Boy's eyes dilated and soon his body changed into the form of an eagle, his light feathered green face looked around for Redfire when suddenly he came from behind and grabbed his feet.

Redfire giggled as he swung Beast Boy over his arms, teasing him. Beast Boy looked at Redfire and pinched him by the arm. "Ow!" He shouted and threw Beast Boy aside to tend his sore arm.

Beast Boy's face narrowed with laughter. "Try to catch me this time." He said and flew away. Redfire smiled as he concentrated and stormed out to capture Beast Boy.

Cyborg flew higher and higher since he couldn't exactly feel the cold altitude of the sky. He swung his arms about and laughed as he performed a couple of flips and twirled his body all around.

Raven gracefully flew throughout the sky, in and out of the clouds, loving its cold softness on her skin. Her hair blew all around her already pale face and indigo eyes. Her cape flapped against her back as she finally relaxed as she had never done before, not even during meditation.

But it was quickly interrupted when Beast Boy and Redfire flew up, making her go off course. This made her mad as she turned her head toward the two boys, who had slowed down after bumping into Raven. Her face fumed red, her body glowing in black. Beast Boy widened his eyes. "Fly away!" He shouted and Redfire followed as Raven zoomed to catch them so she can tore their necks off.

Robin and Starfire chuckled as Beast Boy struggled to flap his wings faster and faster for Raven not to catch him. Cyborg joined in the fun, but when he accidentally bumped into Raven because he didn't know how to stop, he also became prey. He shrieked a high pinched scream and flew away with the others.

Robin and Starfire laughed when suddenly, Cyborg and Redfire grabbed their arms and dragged them along for the ride. But still they laughed as they all flew together to get away from Raven, who immediately started cracking up in laughter from all of the horrific faces that were on their faces.

After hours of playing cat-and-mouse and Marco Polo in space, they've finally decided to go back to land. The sun was by their side, but mostly toward the west, a sign of the late afternoon. The sky still illuminated in orange and yellow, but this time with a darker shade of red.

Robin and Starfire flew behind the others, savoring the moment to be alone. They grasped hands, blood rushing through the fingers as they held each other tightly. Starfire looked at Robin with a soft, yet disappointing face. "Oh Robin. I don't want this day to end. It seemed too soon to pass." "I know..."

An idea came into his mind and a smile crossed his face. He pulled Starfire back, his eyes watching the others continue to fly away without noticing their delay. Starfire stared at him confusingly when he whispered something in her ear and she giggled. Their hands locked tightly as they glided back into the sky, their friends unknown of their game.

Robin and Starfire came from the clouds, where the sky was clear and outer space was so close to reach. Already they could see the stars glittering in white, or more closely in red and blue. The dark blue sky of space stretched across the sky, above the orange sky of Tamaran.

Robin and Starfire smiled as they watched the peaceful sight. It looked like a painting or a postcard. Perfect.

Robin wrapped an arm around Starfire's waist and pulled her to his side. She enjoyed his touch and embraced it by placing her hands on his chest and cuddling her head against his muscular body. Their warmth ran through each other, filling them with pleasure and their love for one another.

Robin rocked Starfire against him like a small child, caressing her hair and holding her tight around her waist. The cold breeze came around them, making them shiver. Starfire trembled from the cold. Robin noticed this and placed his cape around her, letting her cuddle close with him in their own little circle.

Starfire smiled as she reached out her hand to touch his face and brush some of his loosely hair back to its original spikes. They giggled when his spikes automatically took out. They took a deep breath as their hearts began to race at the sight of each other so close against each other.

Robin caressed her cheek and brushed his hair through her hair with a sly smile. Starfire closed her eyes, enjoying his hand touching her tenderly. Floating in the air, their bodies moved around in circles as if they were dancing. This brought memories of their first dance. They had won the title for prom king and queenthat is another storyand they had to share a dance.

Both were very nervous, but at the same time happy that they had a chance to dance with each other. Robin grabbed her hand and then placed the other around her waist. She was about an inch taller than him because of her boots, but Robin was still entranced by her as they danced around the top deck of the boat in which the dance was taking place.

Everyone was watching them, but they didn't care. Before that time, expressing their feelings was repressed because they weren't sure if it was right or if the other felt the same way. But now, especially after all they've gone through, they can and they will continue to treasure these moments for as long as they could.

Robin still had his cape around Starfire and he used it to bring Starfire against his body, her body feeling tensed and her breathing a little harsh, but it wasn't because she was uncomfortable. She was excited.

To save time, Robin cupped her cheek and pressed his lips against hers for a deep kiss. Starfire smiled inside as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Robin tied the cape tighter around Starfire. His hands guided around her waist and then up her back. Their mouths opened and once again, they were one. Their tongues tickled each other and their lips were moistured by one another's salvia. Their scent was strong in the air and they held in to their last breath.

Starfire loved him. She had said it loud and proud. But the thought of the wedding and Karras came crawling into her mind and made her stomach turn with nausea. She felt sick thinking about him and depressed of the fact that if this wedding was to really happen, she could never truly be with Robin again.

The thought of it made tears form in her eyes and one teardrop slid down her cheek. This unfairness in her heart made her hold onto the kiss longer. She cupped Robin's face in her hands, caressing his cheeks with her fingers and digging into his thick black locks. She wanted to recognize him as best as she could, hold him for as long as she could, because this moment might never come again.

Robin opened his eyes and saw the tears that came into her eyes. He pulled back and tenderly touched her face. "Star?"

Starfire looked up and blinked away the hot tears. "What's wrong?" Robin asked softly. "I don't want to let you go." She whispered. Robin stared at her softly. "You don't have to." He said and held her in his arms in a hug. Starfire wrapped her arms around him, her hands massaging his back. Robin could feel the tears sliding down his back.

"What if we can never convince my father to end this? Karras' so...manipulative. He..." Starfire sobbed at the thought of Karras touching her and trying to act like someone he isn't. Robin hushed her and patted her head, reassuring her. "We will, Star. I promise you that we will."

"Will we?"
"Of course."
"What if he doesn't?"
"We'll think of something."
"Anything?"
"We will find a way stuff." Robin touched her chin and lifted her head so she could look at him. "Love will find a way." He smiled and she smiled back.

They embraced, but their hands were locked each other. Slowly, they glided down through the clouds to catch up with the others, hoping that they didn't waste too much time.

They saw the others by the courtyard and flew faster toward them. But as they landed to the ground and tried to approach them and say something, something in their faces stopped them and made them look ahead.

A figure stood fiercely in front of them, with long hair flowing in front of his amber eyes. His muscular, tanned body reflected the light of the sun. He blinked his magneficent eyes with his thick eyelashes. His dark brown hair as dark as coffee kept coming in front of his face and he brushed it behind his ear as he stared at the Teen Titans.

Starfire stood behind Robin and when she saw Karras standing there, her heart started pounding with fear. Karras looked around them as if searching, and then he found Starfire and held his gaze at her, making her back tight and heat rise to her neck.

He crossed his arms against his chest, his eyes never leaving from hers. But when he spoke, he spoke to everyone. "So...playing hooky I see?"

I'm not done just yet. There's more action to come and if I don't go to sleep yet, I can edit this part and add the action or if its too long (because let's fact it, I write too much lol, make it into another part of the chapter) anyway, I hope you like it. And thanks for all compliments