Disclaimer:I don't own the Teen Titans

Chapter 4: Roses Are Red, Ravens Are Blue

"Today is the day!" The shout of joy was hard to miss. Indeed, today was the day. She just could not wait. Her drawers were flooding cards and pieces of small candies and chocolate. Today was the day.

Well well, Raven. Your most favorite day of the year. Valentine's Day.

Her sarcasm knew her all too well. She groaned with apprehension and would've never gotten up if the golden orb known as the sun hadn't been blinding her sensitive eyes. She pulled herself up, but stumbled awkwardly; last night was a particularly difficult and overwhelming night. Glancing at her bedsheets, she knew doing the laundry was a must.

I need to shower.

She dizzily managed to get herself into the bathroom and swung her cape around and hung it on the door. Gently her slender fingers peeled her leotard off, wincing as the dry blood connecting the cloth to her skin ripped her newly made scabs off with it. The open wounds bled freely again, but she did not notice. It was a daily thing, and you do not have to worry of things you cannot feel. The warm water will wash it off. It's no big deal.

There, she was finished. Her laundry was cleaned, she wrapped fresh bandages on her forearms, threw away all tissues and shattered objects into the dumpster out back.

Now just plaster on an uncaring face and voila! You're as good as new.

But she wasn't. She never would be again. She knew she wouldn't be leaving this universe the same way she was born into it. Her innocence was scarred too deep, and her soul too lost.

"Friend Raven! Here you are on this most delightful earth holiday of sweet candies and the brown and mushy chocolates! I have made it just for you!" Her facial expression was one of inward shock. For starters, the card was pink. Pink. Well, it was Starfire.

I suppose I can forgive her this once.

Other than that, it was quite a nice surprise. She didn't expect anything at all. It had a drawing of the two girls doing the "hanging out" and having fun. Inside the card Starfire penned in a cute little quote.

"Will you bee my valentine?" And oh-my-god there was a quaint little bee smiling a little too widely at her. Cocking an eyebrow she stuffed it in her book as a bookmark.

"Uh. Thanks Starfire. I…I don't have anything for you. Sorry." Giving a bonecrushing squeeze the naïve Tamaranian ran around like a puppy who had to go.

"Oh! It is fine friend Raven! I am joyful to know that you are my good friend! Oh Robin!" It been a middle C to a squeal of F#. You had to pity Raven. She felt deaf for a few moments afterwards. The redhead jumped from teammate to teammate, handing out her handmade cards and pieces of candy, then moved tables, chairs, lights, and set out cups, plates, forks, spoons, and her Tamaranian "delicacies".

"What, exactly, is going on?" Raven growled at Beast Boy. He gave her a big grin and whooped.

"We're throwing a party, Rae! It's gonna be so cool! Terra's coming and everything!" She flinched at the name.

Terra. Little blonde bitch.

The traitor. She was treated even better than Raven was. It was unjust. It made her want to scream, and a tingling sensation jolted her arms. She had been cured of her entrapment in stone, and although she smiled and welcomed her back, Raven had never truly forgiven her. Terra had been smart enough to decline the offer and claimed Titans East as her new home.

"Guests are arriving in ten. Get ready." Boy Wonder barked out his orders, arms linked with Starfire. Raven rolled her eyes and glided gracefully back to the seclusion of her dark room. Unfortunately, Starfire followed her.

"Friend Raven!" The door opened a crack and she peered at the enthusiast. Showing her beautiful dimples, her face seemed to shine light at Raven.

"Would you allow me to help you with the process of "getting ready"? I wish to do the over of the make with you, friend Raven!" Raven grunted in annoyance.

"Whoopee. Just my luck." Watching as her friend's face fell, she relented. Just this once.

"Fine Star, you can make me over." She cringed at the word but what the heck.

Just as long as whatever she puts me in isn't sleeveless. I can't show…this to people. To anyone, in that matter.

And so the process began. She didn't want Starfire in her room, so she gathered all the nice clothes she had and they had their fun, well, Starfire had her fun in her own room.

"A dab of the liner of the eye, the mascara for the lashes of the eyes, the dark stick of lip, and perhaps a do of hair that is different from the one you are wearing now, friend Raven?" The empathetic teen glared at the mirror and willed it to shatter.

"I feel like a clown, Starfire." Starfire was already ready and was looking through all the clothes Raven had.

"But friend Raven! You look beautiful! Ah! I do think this is the costume you should wear, friend!" As if the makeup wasn't enough. She almost gagged when the Tamaranian held it up. It may have not been of Raven's taste, but it was a stunning piece of fashion. A floor-length strapless dress the color of blood, with a slit from the ankle to right below your hip bone on both sides. Although it didn't look as though someone had dipped it in glue, then in sequins, it shone when the light hit it in a specific way. It came with white gloves and three inch high heels the color of the clouds. It was definitely a

"No." Starfire frowned, but it quickly became a smile again.

"Well then, friend Raven, I shall choose another—" Raven stood up and cut her off.

"Starfire, I am fully capable of choosing my own clothes. I'll pick one." She gathered all of her clothes and gave a nod of goodbye to the hyperactive alien and left for her room.

What should I wear? If I wear my normal superhero outfit, Starfire and Robin will kill me. It wouldn't hurt to dress nicely for once, I suppose.

And so she plucked an outfit for herself and tried it on. Not bad. It will do. She glanced at her clock. 3: 57. Almost time to go down.

Maybe later. I need to meditate.

She spent a several hours there, fighting demons and casting spells. When she finished, she noticed the time and rushed downstairs. They were going to kill her for being late. Let us remember one thing about our Mistress of Darkness. Raven was full empathy. She observed and saw and felt the deeper meaning of many things.

But there was one thing she did not notice. There was an ant on the floor, scurrying about, but as it smelled something, it turned towards it. It was a curious thing, a droplet of liquid, it supposed. But the color was strange indeed. The deepest of all reds. Sniffing about the air, it noticed more things. There was a trail of these droplets, following that big being that just ran towards the room of many big beings. The scent was strong, but the droplets were small. The queen would want to see this.

Thanks again, all my reviewers!

Queenie-97 – I am glad you enjoyed it so far. Thank you!

Haunting Whisper – I am honored that you crave for more. Thank you for your compliments!

Mysti-eyed – Yes, the water bill rose because of the constant flushing and the consistent use of the sink. You are the most consistent reviewer. You have given me the most reviews! Thank you for enjoying my stories.

I do hope you all enjoy this chapter. The next one will be up soon. The next one will start to speed up the story, if that's what you were all waiting for.

Lost1n7heDark