Hey everyone! I'm so, so, so sorry this chapter is so late! My mom forgot to pay the cable bill, my Internet comes from the cable company, and so I haven't had internet for almost two weeks. And let me tell you, it stunk! I never knew how much I depended on it…I couldn't do homework, update, nadda…so I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter.
Btw, DeathIsOnlyTheBeginin…. READ HER STUFF! IT'S MIND BLOWING!
Review time!
Zaire: Thanks! I know that this chapter wasn't all that soon, in fact, it wasn't soon at all and I apologize profusely.
raggedywings:Well, I can tell you one thing, she's not really going to tell him…
Chica De Los Ojos Café:: Where was Robin? Well, you'll find out this chapter.
The Wings of a Raven:: Thanks! Yeah, poor Raven…
Lain the Fluff Master: That would be scary as hell if this was anything like the Prophecy episode coming up. I cannot wait for that episode. It's gonna be so awesome! And I did read your story, excellent as always. I love your one-shots, I couldn't write one to save me life :pouts: Mariah Carey has a new CD out, I'm sure you know. I'm definitely going to buy it. She has one song she made with JD that I like already so I'm going to ahead and buy it. I feel kinda bad though cuz I heard she had a breakdown because her movie Glitter and her CD Charmbracelet didn't do too good. However, no matter how much I worship Mariah Carey, even I have to admit that Glitter was absolute crap! And no offense to her or anyone else who's an MC worshiper but I'm afraid I have to say that she couldn't act to save her life.
Gentlewriter: It's nice to see a new reviewer! Thanks for the compliments, and I'm so sorry for t he late update. I'm usually good with my updates but my family had some financial problems and well…you don't wanna hear my life's story. The next update will be up soon though, you can count on that.
CeruleanAngel: Long time no see, I was thinking that maybe you had lost interest. Thanks, and sorry about the long wait (see above a/n). Damn! Those careless spelling and grammar errors always seem to sneak up on me. I do try though to get them all. Oh, well….it's another chapter and hopefully it won't be too over run with errors.
Dove of Night:: Thanks, nice to see new people.
DeathIsOnlyTheBeginin: Thank you…Gee I'm blushing! I think I liked your review most for this chapter. My motto is, "Flattery will get you everywhere!" Anywho, I'm currently reading your "Blinding Light, Save me from thy lovely darkness" fic as I write this. Let me tell you…OH MY JESUS! I am completely blown away by how completely AWESOME it was! Your writing makes mine look I'm an amateur…but I'm not mad, because with writing as wonderful as yours, how could I be? I'm just glad I had the chance to read it. The only thing I'm wondering is, where the hell was I when you were writing this excellent piece of literature? That and how does your mind come up with such wonderful stuff? Lol, definitely, favorites material…Anywho, I really hope you enjoy this chapter and tell me if you find anything wrong with it. Believe me, it helps when great authors such as you review my stuff and tells me it's actually good. Makes me blush, lol. Anyway, you are a truly wonderful authoress and I am shamelessly plugging you. People, READ GO HER STUFF! Why are people still here reading my crap?
rubianca: Lol, your review made me smile. Thanks for the smile and the review. I know, I hate cliffies too, but only when other people write them. It's just pure evil, but hey, it insures that you'll just keep coming back. That works for me cuz I just love your reviews!
Evilsangle: Hey it's Brittney! Lol. You don't have to write it again, I sending you an email as I write this. (I'm a multi-tasker) Just review please!
PhallenFoenix: Ah, a fellow Evanescence fan. Isn't Amy Lee awesome? Anywho, I loved your fic! It was awesome! So far, I'm up to chapter six but I decided to take a break from reading everyone else's story and finish my own and finally get this posted. I'll continue reading it right I get this up.
AriesFalcon::trumpets sound: YAY! My 100th review! You don't know how happy this makes me. You get a cyber puppy! Yeah::does the funky chicken:
miraculasacies: I know! I know! cringes GET OFF MY BACK! J/k….lol. I'm just playing around with you. As I explained early, I had some financial problems but I'm just glad I have my Internet back up! Thanks for taking the time to review! Yeah, I actually learned something in my English class, Mr. Groeger's not too bad. Ugh what am I saying?
SporkWoman: Thank you! beams It makes me happy to see reviews such as yours….but I'm not gonna ramble anymore, you guys have waited long enough…ONTO THE FIC!
Hell's Fury: The Beginning
Chapter 8: Emotional Manifestations
By Amber Myst
When you love someone so deeply
They become your life
It's easy to succumb to overwhelming fears inside
Blindly I imagined I could
Keep you under glass
Now I understand to hold you
I must open up my hands and watch you rise
-Mariah Carey
Starfire followed the green changeling desolately as she felt a veil of unhappiness descend upon her swiftly. This feeling definitely was not new, but it felt as if she had frowned more times that week than in her whole life. Her usually bright green orbs were dimmed with unhappiness and moisture brimmed at the edges of them.
As she floated to go do Cyborg's bidding, her thoughts flowed to Raven. What was wrong with her friend? She knew something was not right. She wasn't sure what it was but just felt as if a shroud of darkness had enveloped the tower and that it was all Raven's fault. She knew it was wrong to blame it on Raven but deep down inside she knew it to be true…well, it was Slade's fault mostly, but Raven had contributed largely to her confused feelings. Especially when it came to her feelings involving the Boy Wonder.
She hugged herself and shivered as her thoughts drifted to Robin.
Robin…Did he not like her anymore? Did she do something? When they talked he seemed to not hear what she was saying and he no longer looked at her like he used to. Since Raven had awoken and disappeared he locked himself in the training room and refused to leave. He seemed more occupied with Raven than with her…
Starfire didn't even feel tears leaving salty trails down her cheeks until face was pressed tightly into the crook of Beast Boy's neck.
"Raven'll be alright Star, you'll see. Please don't cry." Beast Boy said desperately as he tried to comfort the distraught alien. 'Raven's condition must be upsetting Starfire more than I thought.' The green changeling felt his heart clinch tightly in his chest when Starfire let out a sob. He couldn't stand it, Starfire crying was probably the worst thing he could think of and the last thing he wanted to happen. He patted her back awkwardly trying to stop the hysteria before he broke down. The last thing Beast Boy wanted was Starfire out of his arms but he was firm with his resolution to make Star feel better. He had to admit that he loved Starfire, really loved her…and it physically hurt to think that his Starfire was in any pain.
"That has to be bad on your back Star, bending over like that." Beast Boy joked slightly. Starfire's crying didn't stop and he was becoming more worried. 'She still can't be crying over Raven! Something else must be the problem.' "Starfire, what's wrong?"
"Does Robin not like me anymore?" Starfire managed to say almost incoherently as she straightened slightly, still sniffling as she wiped the tears from her face.
Beast Boy's heart shattered and his face fell…she was crying over Robin? His lips twisted wryly. How could he, scrawny, goofy Beast Boy ever even dream of having a chance with beautiful, innocent Star? He couldn't and he hung his head as he tried to make the beautiful alien feel better despite his broken heart. "Of course Robin likes you Star. He's just been worried about Raven like the rest of us." He said with false cheer in his quivering voice. If Starfire noticed, she didn't comment and continued to ply Beast Boy with her emotional turmoil.
"But Friend Robin has been with Raven ever since she has been hurt and has been brooding over her…I do think that maybe he is not well." Starfire sniffled to herself as she lowered her head and continued. "Robin has yelled at me and expressed anger with me…it was unpleasant."
"When?" Beast Boy asked, alarmed. Robin had no right to be yelling at Starfire.
"When Friend Raven was first injured. I went in there the first day and I asked him if he wanted a break and he told me no. I insisted and he just got angrier. I offered to change Raven but he refused again. I did not think that him spending so much time with Raven was…healthy. Nevertheless, he refused and I am afraid that I might have lost my temper and I said some things about Raven that I shouldn't have said. He gotten even madder at me…" Starfire lifted her tear streaked face up to Beast Boy's before continuing in a whisper as if saying it any louder would make the situation even more real. "I never knew Robin to be so furious. Even when he thought that I had let Slade escape was nothing compared to this. He threw me from the room. Do you know why Robin is so…occupied?"
Beast Boy sighed, a bit confused as he tried to mitigate her sorrow and confusion "Maybe Robin just feels guiltily, or maybe he just likes spending time with Raven."
Starfire's eyes began to glow green with anger and jealously. "But WHY!" She demanded to know…she needed to know. "Why would he want to spend time with Raven when he could be spending time with-" Starfire broke off suddenly and bit her lip to hold herself from saying more. She had mentioned this earlier to Robin and he went ballistic on her. She didn't want Beast Boy to do the same. She looked at him through her eyelashes adjectivally as she fidgeted slightly in face of the precarious predicament.
"Yeah, why spend time with Raven when he could be spending time with you?" Beast Boy almost felt sick to his stomach. Raven was going through a crisis and all Starfire could think about was how Raven might be stealing away 'her' boy? He snorted in disgust, his voice acrimonious. "You sure do have your priorities in order."
Starfire's stomach dropped at Beast Boy's expression. Did she just drive him away too? "Beast Boy I-I am sorry about the way I have been acting…I have been selfish and self-absorbed and do hope you can forgive me. I have convinced myself that they my thoughts are wrong but I just feel so horrible." Her shoulders trembled and her eyes filled with tears again as the lies flowed easily from her lips conciliatory, hoping to rectify the situation. She didn't feel the least bit contrite. What was becoming of her?
Beast Boy enveloped her in another hug before the torrent of tears could be released again. He sighed as he prepared to bare his soul. "I felt the same way…well jealous, for along time."
"Why?" The ever-curious Starfire asked, through her tears.
"I was jealous of Robin because he had the attention of the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my life…he had you and it hurt, probably as much as you are hurting right now."
Starfire was silent for the longest time as she considered what Beast Boy said. 'He loves me,' Starfire shook her head as she battled with her conflicting emotions. 'But I don't love him…do I?'
Beast Boy took her silence and then shake of her head as rejection and he felt his heart break into a thousand pieces. He had taken a risk and lost. He could feel tears welling up in his eyes but he willed them not to fall. Actually, his rejection should have been expected. Starfire had just been dealt a crushing blow by Robin, he couldn't have possibly expected the Tamarian to jump into his arms. "I-I'm sorry Starfire…I don't know what I was thinking."
"Why are you sorry friend Beast Boy? You are braver than I could ever be. You told me how you felt. I-I could have never done that. Maybe, we can remain friends and I shall consider you're proposal. Please?" Starfire stumbled for the right words as she bit her lip, a habit she had developed as result of Raven's recent behavior. She honestly didn't know how she felt about the charming green changeling. Sure, he was cute and he made her laugh when she was down. However, that didn't define her feelings. "I need time…"
Beast Boy smiled brightly for Star's sake. She hadn't said yes, but she didn't say no either. She needed time and he was more than willing to wait until eternity for this lovely angel. He still had a chance. His heart almost burst in happiness. "Anything. If time is what you need, then time is what you are going to get."
Starfire smiled tearfully as she whispered, "Thank you for being my friend Beast Boy."
"No problem Starfire," he replied warmly although he wished they could be more than friends.
They stood in complete silence, still absorbing the enormity of conversation that just rang throughout the corridor, the walls the only witness to their intrepid confessions.
"Friend Raven is well versed in empathy, are you sure she has not conjured a dark spell or twisted friend Robin's feelings to tempt and lure him into a trap and convince him that he liked her?" Starfire inquired of Beast Boy, suspiciously.
He rolled his eyes and snorted in disbelief at Starfire's stubbornness as he continued forth to get the water and things Cyborg had asked them to get. "Let it go Starfire."
"She could have!" Starfire called as she followed the green changeling, their words and footsteps echoing through the halls.
The training room was a complete wreck, the only occupant of it breathing heavily as sweat poured down his face. Various parts of smoking metal and wood laid everywhere the eye could see. An intense training session was just completed and it seemed although the person was weary he wasn't about to give up just yet.
Now, Robin was swinging his Bo staff around in swift revolutions, the wood blurring as it destroyed every missile that encountered the revolving staff. Suddenly a vicious pain spiked through his head as he cried out slightly, dropping his staff in favor on grabbing his head. Momentarily distracted, he dropped his guard, a missile breaking though his defenses and striking him in the chest. He was knocked off of his feet, his breath forced from his body with a loud whoosh as his body hit the ground hard. He quickly muttered the word that deactivated the program in case of emergency and just laid there. His breath entered and exited his body in quick, wheezing gasps as he looked at the ceiling, sweat and hair obscuring his already hazy vision. Spots appeared before his eyes as his oxygen deprived and dehydrated body tried to cope with the stress he was plying it with.
He was in excruciating pain: his body ached, his muscles ached, even his hair ached and for some odd reason his head hurt and had been hurting since four days ago. However, he took it all in stride without the smallest complaint. He deserved every pain he was enduring and even then, it wasn't enough. It would never be enough.
He deserved to be punished. He had failed Raven…again. Even after promising her he would protect her he still failed, and he would never forgive himself. What kind of leader was he if he couldn't protect his teammates?
He was weak, that was the plain and simple truth. He could remember when his parents died, the day his entire world ripped violently from him…he couldn't help them and he had cried himself to sleep every night for six months after that incident. Bruce kept insisting that he couldn't have done anything to save his parents from their abrupt, gruesome death, that he was only a child, but deep down he felt as if he could done something. Maybe if he had, then maybe his parents would still be here today, or maybe he would have been dead, he would never know but he used to think that in the end it wouldn't have matter. That he would have been better off dead. However, Bruce took him in, protecting him from the world and later Batman did the same, taking him under his wing as his protege. He taught him how to defend himself, how to protect others and how to scrutinize and effectively diffuse any situation. He knew every pressure point on the human body and how to take out a man with one blow. But now, as he looked back, he realized it was pointless. He couldn't protect his parents then and even with all the training and trials and tribulations he had to endure he couldn't protect the girl he loved now.
The girl he…loved.
He couldn't deny it anymore. A 'crush' couldn't begin to describe the tremendous feelings that stirred within him when he saw Raven, touched her or even thought of her. He loved Raven, more than he ever thought possible. He didn't know when it happened or how but he honestly didn't care, not anymore. He knew Raven felt something for him, if the event that occurred in the kitchen was any indication. He had been extremely irritated when the other titans had interrupted Raven and him, and would have given just about anything for just a few more minutes.
He sighed, as he cleared his vision of his sweat soaked hair. He was going to tell Raven how he felt. He had planned on doing before Slade showed up but the fight with Slade, Raven's coma and then her disappearance halted all and any plans he may have then. But he couldn't tell Raven how he felt now. He wasn't worthy of her, not after failing her twice.
He chest tightened painfully as he heart beat erratically at his decision and screamed at him but he was determined with his resolution…he simply didn't deserve Raven, not if he couldn't protect her. He realized vaguely that Raven would protest against that and say that she wasn't some little girl that needed protection and he agreed. Raven was extremely powerful and she could most likely kick his ass but that didn't change anything. The obvious and ugly fact still remained…and that fact was that he was weak and was not worthy of Raven's love.
That didn't mean however, that he would stop training, in fact it meant he would train harder. This was the first time in three days that he ever saw this room and he was trying overly hard to make up for that. He didn't regret his absence though, after all he did spend the absent time with Raven as she slumbered. He reminisced and his lips curled slightly as he thought of awakening submersed in the sweet scent of Raven drifting from the warm blanket wrapped around him. Didn't they say something about Raven's feelings? However, as he reminisced, his thoughts turned to more unpleasant thing he wished he could somehow forget.
Just remembering her strained, pale face as she lay on the bed made his blood boil and his heart ache. Just remembering Slade's hands on his Raven made his face twist with rage Slade had constantly been an antithesis in his life, always tormenting him and haunting his every thought. He could remember when he was driven to obsession and even created an alter ego, Red X, all in an attempt to defeat and capture the ever elusive villain. But now, Slade had taken it too far. He had despised Slade then but now he loathed him with a hatred that almost scared him. The aversion he felt for him rang thorough out every quaking fiber of his being. The rage seemed to be consuming him, the longer he thought about it. Slade would not get away with what he did to Raven…he would hunt him down if he had to and…and…
'And do what?' A voice hissed mockingly. 'You are weak!'
Robin shook his head to clear it. Thinking of Slade right now was not helping…he had to train, he had to. He couldn't even dream of defeating Slade in his weakened state. He rose wearily to his feet to begin anew when a loud knocking at the door interrupted him. He ignored it as he threw a series of swift kicks and vicious punches at his imaginary opponent, hoping the knocking would go away but it persisted and with a growl, Robin answered it.
"WHAT?"
Opening the door revealed a distraught Cyborg on the other side, his hand still poised to knock again. He lowered his hand and shifted uncomfortably, as if he had something to say but didn't really want to say it.
"What?" Robin repeated, this time more calmly. He took in the distressed look dominating Cyborg's face and worry kicked in full force. "Did something happen?"
Cyborg nodded before shifting again. He opened his mouth to say something but then closed it again, unsure how to start. He shook his head as if contemplating something and opened his mouth again only to shut it once more, as if a strange entity wasn't allowing him to speak. Finally, he said faintly, "Raven appeared."
Robin sighed in relief, happiness flooding his body. "She was ok wasn't she?"
Cyborg shook his head and was silent for a second unsure on how to continue. "She…wasn't well. She seemed to be distracted, I didn't know what the hell was going on. Her emotions kept fluctuating and she was seemed afraid at one point…I don't even know why. And then when her cup exploded in her hand she just seemed angry, her eyes turned red and I'll be damned if I knew what was going on." Cyborg scratched his head, consternation evident in his voice and his face.
"Where is she now? I have to talk to her." Robin was heading past Cyborg before he was stopped. He looked down mystified at the arm barring his pass as it he couldn't comprehend what was going on. Then he looked up into Cyborg's face a bit angrily. "Why the hell are you stopping me Cyborg?" He demanded to know, more rage creeping into his voice. Raven needed him and he would be damned if he would let anyone stand in his way…even Cyborg
Cyborg sensed this and continued hastily. "Dude…I think there's something else you need to know…"
Robin listened to what his mechanical teammate had to say and paled.
Sorry it's so short, it's only because it's a cliffhanger, laughs maniacally. The next chapter will be longer, I promise! I already have 4/5 of it done so don't plan on waiting too long for the next update. Please review, it lets me know people are still interested!
Spread your wings and fly…Butterfly.