Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans.
Gar awoke to a loud crash. Underneath him, Raven gave a sudden jerk as she woke up. Lifting his head off her back, he judged the time to be about 4 hours after he and his pack feel asleep. Squinting, he could make out Stone struggling to get himself on his paws, and Robin was standing in front of Star, looking around. Then, at the entrance to the underground cave, Gar made out a shape of another wolf.
Instinctively, a growl arose from the base of Gar's throat. Robin followed in suit. The other wolf lay stock still when the sounds reached it's ears. Gar could smell the stench of fear that came from it's coat.
Raven could smell it too. Gracefully, she stood and touched her nose to Gar's cheek. She was asking permission to talk to the wolf. When she took a step toward it, she felt Gar's shoulder push her against the wall. He did not want her to interact.
Firmly, she leaned back to him and calmly walked to the other wolf. In body language, she told it to stand.
When it stood, a small shaft of moonlight showed what they were dealing with.
It was a she-wolf. Her fur was matted and dirty. Her sides heaved with every breath she took, and it was easy to tell that each and every breath was a painful effort. Her eyes showed every emotion that she felt inside and right now, Raven could see fear and uncertainty.
Gently, Raven placed her voice in her mind. All she said was hi but the she-wolf gave such a leap of fright that Stone, who was standing beside her, flinched in surprise. Still calm, Raven spoke hi to her again.
You can hear my thoughts?
The voice that came back to Raven's mind was curious and suspicious. But at the same time, it was sweet and kind. Looking deep into her eyes and mind, Raven could tell that this was once a free and loving soul, but something went wrong. Raven intended to figure out exactly what.
Yes, I can speak into minds and hear others thoughts. Speak fast and tell us your name and why you're here. This is a very rude awakening. And my leader is not happy right now.
Upon hearing that the alpha was not happy, the she-wolf looked around at all the others faces. Star was looking like herself, happy and curious, Robin was stone-faced, Stone looked at the wolf oddly and Gar looked plain unhappy. It was easy to tell who was leader.
Hurriedly, the she-wolf spoke back to Raven.
My name is Luna and I come from the mountain pack to the north. A terrible madness as taken over my leader's mind and he is killing without reason. No pups were born this year and my pack is thinning. Recently, I was attacked by Scar, the alpha and was forced to run. Please tell your leader I am no threat.
Though it did not show in any other way, Raven's eyes shone with amusement. She thought they were going to attack her. But when Raven looked back to Gar, he looked about ready to do so. Feeling pity for the poor lone wolf, she repeated her last part to Gar first. He snorted, still glaring at Luna. She shrank back she that her back was hunched and held her head low. Raven was getting feed up.
Don't look at her like that! She said she is no threat and is treating you with respect!
Unfazed by Raven's shout in his mind, Gar turned to look at the dark she-wolf. His eyes showed no emotion. Raven couldn't help but shudder a little.
Raven, I am your leader, don't talk to me like that.
You may be leader of the pack, but you are far from the leader of my life!
Raven... His eyes narrowed and his voice held warning. Raven ignored it.
She's been abused by her leader and was forced from her birth place in fear. The least you can do is not place fear in front of her all over again! You're a Teen Titan, act like one!
Raven! His voice was sharp and loud. Gar was on his feet now and stood glaring down at Raven.
Raven's eyes widened and she also stood but took a step back. Robin, Star, and Stone all stood as well and all three made movements to step betweenthe two fighting members, but Gar glared at them until each sat down again. They were all forcing their shouts into Raven's head to repeat to Gar.
Gar! Don't abuse your position as leader!
Please! Friends should not fight!
Yo man, what's going on? If you two are going to fight, let it be somewhere else! We got a guest!
Even after Raven repeated each sentence to Gar, he still stood glaring down at her. Nothing was going to stop what he was going to say to Raven.
Raven! If you hadn't noticed we're not Titans any more! We're never going back to being humans because there is no cure! We're stuck here fighting in the wilderness for survival and that includes positions of dominance! If you want to be leader, fight me now and bring me down.
The fur on Gar's back rose as he got into fighting stance. He drew back his lips into a snarl and waited for Raven to do the same. But she never did. She was not going to fight Gar. Right now she was all bark and no bite. Turning, she walked back into her dark corner and lay down with her back to Gar.
Gar knew this was Raven's way of surrendering. So did the others. Robin and Stone exchanged unsure glances and Star was suddenly sad and withdrawn. There would be no other talk tonight with Raven in a bad mood.
In body language, Gar told Luna that she could stay until he decided what to do with her. She bowed her head in respect. Raven was right. She knew her manners. As Gar walked over to the opposite side of the cave from Raven, he ordered everyone back to sleep. Star and Robin went back to their cuddle space and Luna followed Stone back to where he had been sleeping. Everyone was upset that Raven and Gar had had such a vicious battle that Gar was refusing to sleep next to her. This was not good.
It took awhile but finally everyone went back to sleep but Gar. He was just lying down grumbling to himself, trying to make himself feel better. He sighed. It was futile. Slowly he glazed back to Raven's sleeping figure in the back. Her sides showed that her breathing was uneven as if she was having a nightmare.
Confused, Gar made his way over to her. Standing above her, so that he looked down on her, Gar watched her sleep. She was crying. Her sides were shaking from each quick intake of breath. Gar eyes softened the way only Raven could make him do. Laying down next to her, he pressed his body to hers. This awoke the she-wolf and when she saw Gar, she quickly looked away. Still on her side, she was in a defenceless position. Gently, Gar rested his head on the crook of her neck and fell asleep, content and at peace. Feeling forgiven, Raven didn't bother to move away. She too, fell asleep.
Little did they all know, they were being watched...