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Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Teen Titans so don't even try suing me for the minuscule property I have.
Ch 28: Breakfast of Champions
Robin could feel his heart beating as he stared wide-eyed at SoulBurn. It seemed like an eternity as he was held there less than an inch from death though it was only a few seconds. SoulBurn was panting heavily still from his nightmare and was noticeable confused by where he was. Eventually, the blade retracted and SoulBurn gently lowered Robin back to his feet. The glow in his eyes faded away.
"I'm so sorry Robin. I was having a nightmare and when you touched me I thought it was a demon. I guess I just went with my natural reaction." Robin gently rubbed his throat where there was a small burn.
"Don't worry about it. I'm not hurt and I should have known better than trying to wake you up like that after everything you've been through. Just do me a favor and don't fall asleep randomly in the training room and make sure your door is always locked when you sleep. I don't want someone coming into your room to wake you up and ending up almost like I was."
"I think that can be arranged. Once again I'm sorry about that." Robin gave him a reassuring smile.
"Like I said, don't worry about it. However, you could tell me why you were sleeping on the floor here." Robin watched a strange look pass across SoulBurn's face but it was quickly gone.
"Its nothing major but I would like to keep that information to myself if you don't mind. At least till I settle something."
"I guess I can hold out then. Just try and take care of whatever you need to as soon as possible." SoulBurn nodded in agreement. "Anyways, how about I give you some training clothes and we spar. No powers of course cause I don't think I would stand much of a chance. I've always wanted to fight you, see how good you truly are." SoulBurn smiled.
"I think that is an interesting idea. I too am curious to see how good the famous boy wonder is."
"Just to warn you beforehand, I've trained with the best and I won't go easy on you." SoulBurn returned the arrogant smile Robin had on his face.
"We shall see."
In Blackfire's room, Starfire was wide awake still with her sister sprawled out on her. She had woken up only a short while ago but did not move. Her sister looked so peaceful and she did not want to wake her. One thing Starfire had realized was that there were indeed bruise marks on her sister's throat that looked as if someone had choked her. It was very confusing for her. Someone had to be very strong to bruise a Tamaranian like this and there weren't many people she knew of that could. Also, Blackfire had said nothing had happened last night. Starfire was pulled from her thoughts as Blackfire began to stir. The older girl's eyes opened slowly and blinked a few times as she noticed where she was and seeing her younger sister looking warmly down at her. Blackfire jumped up quickly.
"Hey sis. You kind of freaked me out there. I mean its not a bad thing to wake up seeing your shining face but its just that I'm not used to it."
"It is no problem sister. I am just happy to see you awake and aware."
"Yeah, um, thanks for last night. I really needed you a lot and I just want to say I really appreciate it."
"That is what sister's are for, are they not?." Blackfire couldn't help but smile at her younger sister.
"Yeah I guess it is. Well what I really need right now is a shower so I'm going to go take one if you don't mind." Blackfire began undressing right in front of Starfire, and Starfire's face immediately reddened as turned away as her sister pulled off her top.
"Oh grow up Kori. We have practically the same body and we're sisters. Its nothing big." Starfire began stuttering out a response as Blackfire chuckled at her sister's antics.
"If your uncomfortable you can just leave Kori. I won't be offended."
"Tha…Thank you sister. I…I will talk to you later." And with that Starfire flew out the room toward her own. Blackfire chuckled to herself.
"That girl isn't going to know what to do when she finally starts dating."
About a half an hour later, Starfire was showered and changed into her uniform. She was floating down the hall when she heard some noise coming from the training room. Curious as always, she flew over and peaked just as a body slammed into the wall right next to her. She let out an Eep! making her presence known to the young man standing in the room and the one currently laying on his back slightly dazed. Robin looked up from his position on the ground and noticed very quickly that he was looking directly up Starfire's skirt. A blush crossed his face and he moved his gaze to her bright, smiling face.
"Are you okay friend Robin?"
"Yeah sure Star. SoulBurn and I were just sparring, and he kind of got the best of me." Robin quickly stood up. "Nothing to worry about." Starfire smiled.
"Very good. Good morning to you SoulBurn." Starfire gave a big wave to SoulBurn who gave a small wave back. "I will go make you that special meal from my homeplanet I promised you for that favor you did. I do hope you are hungry," and with that Starfire floated away. Robin turned toward SoulBurn with a smile on his face.
"You may have won this round buddy but at least I'm not going to have to eat anything she makes."
"Shut up Robin or I'll tell Raven about how much you enjoyed your view up Starfire's skirt." Robin's smile immediately fell.
"Please don't. It was just an accident and I didn't even see anything." SoulBurn chuckled.
"Don't worry Robin. Just be happy that particular alien sister wears underwear." It took Robin a few seconds to realize what SoulBurn just said.
"What!" Robin calmed down for a second. "On second thought, I don't even want to know." SoulBurn chuckled again.
"So are we done here or have I not defeated you enough times."
"Yeah yeah yeah. You win this time. I don't know how the hell you got so damn fast or where you learned all those moves and techniques but you're one hell of a fighter."
"I wish I knew where I learned them too but I do pride myself on being better than the rest of you." Robin laughed but couldn't help realizing that the last words really didn't sound like something SoulBurn would say.
In the kitchen, Starfire was happily cooking some Glorbl'tash for SoulBurn when her sister floated in.
"Hey sis, something smells good. Cooking something from back home?"
"Yes Blackfire. It is for SoulBurn to thank him for taking care of you yesterday." A strange look crossed Blackfire's face but ended up forming into a smile.
"Are you sure you can't cook a little for me?" Starfire smiled further.
"Of course sister. I would be most pleased." Starfire turned back to her cooking as Blackfire sat down at the table.
"So sis, I was meaning to ask you about SoulBurn. I mean I've never heard of the guy before and suddenly he pops up out of nowhere, you start treating him like family, and you trust him to watch out for me, not to mention the fact that he apparently knows our planet's language. Mind filling me in?" Blackfire watched as her sister seemed to tense up every so slightly, stopping her cooking. She began speaking but did not turn around.
"There is not much I am allowed to say about him sister and in fact there is not much any of us truly know about him. What I can tell you is that he is a wonderful person. He helped the Titan's out very much about six Earth months ago. He helped make me feel better when I was sad over losing Robin. He is the one that brought back Terra to us, and he also saved me and Raven from the clutches of the very bad man Slade. I guess in a wa you could say he's responsible for saving all of us, including you and every other person in the Universe. He is a very heroic, kind and gentle person that I trust very much. I knew he would keep a good eye on you and would not hurt or take advantage of you."
"Wow Kori, you make it sound like this guy is some type of angel with all the things he's done. Are you sure you can't get into any specifics on how he apparently saved the Universe and me. And where has he been for the past 6 months?" Blackfire had a smirk on her face as she really didn't believe much of what her sister said but did notice that Starfire tensed up again.
"No I cannot sister. I will tell you that he gave everything he could to save us all and paid dearly for it." Starfire turned around slowly and Blackfire was surprised to find a haunted look in her eyes.
"He was taken away to a very, very bad place and I was worried I would never get to see him again." A small smile slowly formed on Starfire's face and her eyes softened. "However, he has now returned to us and I now have my friend back and have the chance to thank him for what he did. I know you may be mad at him for ruining your fun last night but he only did it because I asked him to and he is so nice. If you must be mad at someone be mad at me." Blackfire looked into her sister's pleading eyes.
"Don't worry Kori. I'm not mad at you or him. The guy told me he cares about you like a sister so I can't be mad at someone like that. I just had a lot of questioned about him and was hoping for some answers but apparently you can't give them to me."
"I am most sorry sister. Robin may be able to give you answers but we are under his orders to not say anything about friend SoulBurn."
"It's okay Kori. Now how about getting on that food." Starfire smiled and giggled as she resumed her cooking completely forgetting about how she wanted to ask her sister about the bruises. Blackfire on the other hand had a million thoughts going threw her head. Her sister had not given her any answers that told her how SoulBurn had known her darkest secret. She spoke of him so highly that it confused her by how he had acted when they were in the training room last night. He had not been kind or gentle at that moment. She knew she brought some of it on herself by what she had said about Star in her anger but the feeling she got from him at that moment had been completely different from all others she had gotten from him.
Of course an even larger question was where had he been the past 6 months that would have disfigured his body so horribly. A few dark images went threw Blackfire's head causing her to shiver. She could think of one place...one terrible, cold, dark place.
She was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of other voices coming into the kitchen. She watched as Robin and SoulBurn walked into the room still in work-out clothes talking about fighting techniques. Blackfire had to admit that both Robin and SoulBurn were very attractive, and she always felt a little bit jealous when any of the girls in the tower spent time with the guys so easily why she still seemed to be on the outside looking in.
They were followed in by Beast Boy, Terra, and Cyborg. Beast Boy and Cyborg were once again pointlessly arguing about food. The last group of people to come in were the members of Titan's East who were all carrying their luggage, ready to head back to Steel City. Raven was the only one missing. The kitchen that had previously been quiet was now a madhouse. Blackfire let out a sigh but smiled suddenly when Starfire placed a plate of food in front of her with a big smile.
"Thanks sis."
"You are most welcome. SoulBurn please come try the food I have prepared for you. You will love Glorbl'tash." SoulBurn put on a big smile for Starfire as he came over but couldn't get the fact out of his head that Glorbl'tash roughly translated into squishy ground insect. He could also see Blackfire eyeing him suspiciously as he sat down and it made him slightly uncomfortable. He had to eventually apologize to her for losing control, but he would do that later. He was sure they had a lot to talk about but that could wait until after all the members of Titan's East had left. If she and him would both be living in the same vicinity she had a right to know what had happened all those months ago. He looked at the strange concoction in front of him and then at Starfire's innocent, smiling face. Thoughts drifted through his head.
'I've barely been back and I've already hurt Blackfire and nearly impaled Robin and if I make Starfire frown it would be the worst thing I've done yet.' He gave Starfire a huge smile and dug into the food as the rest of the room watched on in horror.
