Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, unfortunately

Chapter 11: Already One Year

It had been one year. Most scars, physical emotional or mental, had been healed the past 365 days. Beast Boy and Terra were still going steady, and likely to be engaged in a several months. Robin and Starfire had decided the relationship was not going well, and had broken up months and months ago. Starfire was now going out with Speedy. Robin, now Nightwing, ound a liking in a non-superhero citizen by the name of Anna. Cyborg and Bumblebee were now engaged and going to be happily married the next year. The Teen Titans dissipated 4 months ago, and went their separate ways, some leading superhero lives, others rejoining those of 'normal' lives, doing their best in the real world. Maybe fighting crime and being a hero was just a fantasy you lived with for so long before you grew up. Who knows? I forgot to mention to you, my reader, what ever happened to our dear couple, Raven and Aqualad. Well that is where the rest of this begins, dear friends. Before you come to conclusions, let me tell you now, Raven was not a bad girl. She was often a sad girl, she was often a lonely girl. When she met Aqualad, perhaps she found solace in his company. Perhaps she found love. But this was not an emotion she was allowed to have. Maybe that is why she resorted to self-mutilation. I'll leave that choice to you, reader.

"Raven..." He was pleading at her door, begging his girlfriend to come out.

"No." Her voice was firm, but there was the slightest quiver in her throat. He stayed at it for a several hours before he left. His voice was gone by then, and he whispered a raw goodbye, and openly wept as he left. She heard it, and inside she felt as though she would die. Perhaps she would. For the first time in a long time, there was a dagger at her wrist. The pale white scars lining her wrist was barely visible, he'd seen to that, but now...now...

"I'm so sorry...please...please forgive me..." Her vision blurred, but she dared not let any tears fall, lest the items in her room crash and fall. Crimson hues swirled before her eyes and a familiar faint dizziness entered her head. The pounding in her temple caused her to sway and with every pump her heart made, blood squirted from her freshly opened vein. But still she would not cry. Her powers were too strong, too powerful, she would not even dare to tempt her rage to take over. It would destroy them all. Any of her emotions would. Her heart broke over and over when she remembered what happened.

"Hey...um...Raven..." He had a nervous smile on her face, and she smirked.

"Something wrong?" He jumped 2.75 inches off the ground when she spoke and he shook his head. A little too viciously.

"NO! Er...I mean...no." She frowned. He usually didn't act this way, but she shrugged it off. It was a beautiful day (although she wouldn't admit it), and she was hoping for a good and fun time with her boyfriend. They always did; they've been going out for a year or so.

"Milady." He bowed down and opened the glass door of the finest restaurant in town. She mocked a curtsy and hand on arm they entered. They both had been specially dressed for this occasion; she in a dazzling blue black dress, and he in a charming tuxedo. She ordered a croiq-monsieur with grilled fromage, and he asked for a simple steak-frites. The drinks: red wine from Barony, 1869. A fine choice indeed.

"So, what's the occasion?" She was surprised at the formality. It was usually a night club or one of her gothic cafe's, maybe a night on the roof or a trip to a theme park, but this was different. This was too...formal. He licked his dry lips, and he held her hand tightly.

"Raven..." She glanced at him worriedly. Something...something wasn't right.

"Yes?" It was said too quickly, and her voice was anxious. He took in a deep breath and got down to one knee.

'Oh no. Oh no...this...this can't be happening. Oh my god, please get up...no...' Her forehead was suddenly beaded with sweat as the seconds passed by quickly.

"Raven..." He paused dramatically, and reached for something in his front pocket. It was a small box, the color of blood and made of velvet.

"Will you...marry me?" He flicked the box open, and inside was a ring. The band was made of white gold and the jewel encrusted upon it was black, the shape of a rose, the vines were blood red, wrapping around the ring once, the leaves the color of gold. She began to tremble violently, and he was waiting.

"No...no..." She whispered hysterically and ran out of the place, people staring curiously at him. Inside something broke and he ran after her, calling her name.

He grabbed her arm. They were out on the streets and she was letting out dry sobs, but no tears came.

"Raven..." She jerked away, but he held tightly.

"Let me go." He became angry; men who are hurt and confused, often turn to anger, and lash out upon things, even things he loves.

"Why, Raven? Why not? Don't you...don't you love me?" His voice cracked and she cringed. She lept into his arms and hugged him tightly.

"I do. I do love you. So much. But...I can't...I can't..." With a look of sorrow she teleported, and he grabbed at the black energy before him, but it passed through his hands like smoke. With a cry of anger he left a dent in the mailbox closeby, and he ran top speed, to the apartment she lived in. He knew it well. He was there every night, his own apartment complex gathering dust. But nothing could be done. He had been dejected, and with a heavy heart, he left, wondering if he could ever find the courage to see her face again.

"I'm so...sorry..." She murmured to nobody as she fell into a deep sleep, blood spilt upon her bed, an old friend yet enemy gleaming crimson silver in her right hand, dreaming of demons and wishing that someday she would be able to freely feel. To freely love the one she loved. I tell you again, now. Raven was often a sad girl, and often a lonely one. She was never really a bad girl, despite the pain she caused. If you find her to be a bad girl, because of all the things she'd done, loving someone and not being able to be with them, and causing so much sorrow, I will not say anything. But if you cannot feel a sense of pity for the girl, I will be surprised.

Hey all! I'm sorry I haven't updated! I'm in Korea right now, and currently at my uncle's house! My cousins and my sister are going crazy, runnin all over the place, and I think my aunt is cooking right now. The story is NOT complete, just letting you know. I hope you enjoyed, and I'm sorry it skipped over basically everything. I just thought it'd be sort of boring, listing everything out detailed in the year. So...this is the summary of the year and what the current thing happening was. Sort of sad, loving someone, but not being allowed to marry them. Or even to be with them. Enjoy! I'll update as soon as possible!

Ravenfairie - Well I will update when I come back, if it's still going on, but that'd be 6 weeks from now. Yup. 6 weeks of Asia.

cutter-with-a-cause - Yah. I don't go swimming either. Except that one time at some party. But I was wearing a shirt over.

Rae - Hey! Let's be reasonable! I said you guys would find out, so chill! Sorry it's a little confusing, but if it's too complex, don't read it. Stick to the first grader picture books. I already made up my mind, anyways. If you had some advice, I'd be grateful, but geez, if people don't like it, just don't read it. But thanks for the review anyways.

alena-chan - Yah, they're cute. I hope Robin finds out soon, too. I think he sort of gave up for now, but we'll see what happens later on! Just keep reading!

zadeon - Sorry. I was just in a rush.

Angel Caida - I read your review and I was like, GAH! MUST UPDATE! So I did. Here you go! Haha. Thanks for your review!

Okay. My 5 year old cousin just harassed me. She hit me a couple of times and squeezed my neck and pinched my arm. If she wasn't giggling in a cute way the whole time I'd have smacked her over the head with the keyboard. But since they're letting me use the computer, I'll spare her. For now. Now she's harassing my poor sister. MUAHAHA. God it's so strange. Nobody speaks english and they all stare at me weird cause there are no "goth"s in Korea. --;; O well. They'll just have to put up with me. See you all soon! Enjoy the update!

Lost1n7heDark