Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans.

Bleak.

This one word described the essence of the moment.

Bleak was Robin and Raven's mood after they uncovered the bone-littered tavern.

Bleak was the sky's appearance as gray puffballs lazily obstructed it.

Bleak conveyed the entire situation.

Raven helped Robin brush the grime from his fur in the feeble light after he had tumbled into the rancid burrow. Standing ten feet from the nightmare, they dared not glance at it.

"Let's not go there again," suggested Robin, quivering from his visions of charred skeletons.

Raven sealed her lips together, placing a paw on Robin's arm. "I thought the worst, Robin." Her round, violet eyes circled Robin's ruffled face. "I was scared of what might have happened to you." Raven blinked as if she could not comprehend her statement.

"Raven," Robin whispered, taking her paw in his. "Don't worry. I'll be fine." He displayed his whimsical smile. "We'll be fine." Squeezing Raven's hand, he sat her down.

Raven placed her forehead on Robin's muscular shoulder as he put a comforting arm around her abdomen. Considering their situation, Raven mused, This can't possibly get any worse. Facing Robin, she wondered, "Robin, what do you think will happen to us?"

"I don't know, but let's hope for the best," he said.

Sniffing her companion's neck, Raven wrinkled her nose and fell back. "Robin, when was the last time you showered?" she gagged.

Robin raised his arms, familiarizing himself with the aroma of his armpits. "Who knows…a couple days maybe?" he guessed, crinkling his nose.

"Well, you better go wash up right now because you smell really bad." Raven grimaced and grinned tauntingly.

"Oh, yeah?" Robin countered, smirking. "What about you? I haven't seen you bathe much either!"

Raven pulled her face close to Robin and breathed, "Go!"

"Why should I?" defied Robin.

"Because I said so," Raven paused, shrinking from his odor, "and you smell like bird droppings."

Although Raven slapped a playful insult in his face, Robin's mouth burst with merriment. "No, really…"

"Just go already," demanded a frustrated Raven. "I have no time for games."

Pouting, Robin grasped his Dark Angel's shoulders. "Raven, are you mad at me?"

Raven peered at his mask and answered, "No, but I will be if you don't go now."

"All right, but not until you promise me one thing…"

"What?"

"That there will be a kiss waiting for me when I get back."

Raven slapped Robin's shoulder. "Fine, Boy Blunder…"

Cheering, Robin trotted off to a spring, stranding Raven under a tree.

Despite it being a summer afternoon, the sky turned as dark as the moment following a sunset. Raven smelled a drizzle arriving while the patterns developing in the atmosphere mesmerized her. As a result, she failed to hear a sound behind her.

A voice murmured in victory, causing Raven to turn around. She gasped as the predator stunned her with its piercing eyes. It strapped Raven around its tail encouragingly. Its dark skin shimmered even in the absence of light as it gazed ravenously at Raven's necklace. Rejoicing the capture of its victim, the predator carried a silent Raven from the tree.

Dripping wet, Robin returned to the tree. I can't wait for my kiss, he anticipated, rubbing his palms together. "Raven," he whispered, creeping toward the area under the tree. "Are you hiding from me?" he marveled.

Scanning the premises, he eyed an animal looming behind a bush with a cloaked mouse hanging from its tail.

"Raven?" his small voice asked before it boomed into large proportions. "RAVEN! Get away from her, you beast!" he shot at her captor.

The animal glared at Robin, anger evident in its pupils. Seizing a pebble, Robin chucked it at the beast before he threw a frenzy.

"Leave while you still have your life," it sneered.

"No!" growled Robin, advancing toward his foe and thrusting his fists into the villain's flesh.

The animal wailed and smashed its head into Robin's chest.

"Raven!" Robin cried, but his angel persisted her stillness. Robin raised his head to throttle his adversary again, but the beast bit his palm. Desperate to neglect the excruciating agony, Robin poked a stick into the creature's belly.

Thrashing, it nearly dropped Raven. "I don't have time for this," it scoffed, but Robin threw another stone at it, goading the beast to a fight. It swiped its head at the masked mouse again, but Robin leapt from it, sending a splay of blood behind him.

Robin panted, squeezing his wound. The fluid loss promoted a fuzzy vision, but he detained his diligence. Wobbling, Robin watched as his enemy kicked his groin to which he fell back. "Raven…" he wept, hearing a subtle rustle as the animal escaped. He could not help but find the beast to be oddly familiar…

--------------------Later--------------------

With a groggy brain, Raven slept, unaware of her surroundings.

She gazed at a cavernous room adorned with spears. An odd number of torches provided light for the room. Raven admired a shelf of books in one corner despite an irritable voice in her mind. How did I get here? She prepared to act frantic until Ruth entered the room through the sturdy, wooden entryway. The only difference with Ruth was that she had somehow turned back into a human. Nonetheless, Raven beckoned, "Ruth! Help!"

The girl did not seem to detect her plea.

Raven tried again, but futility met her in the end.

"Sir, I have come," Ruth spoke to the darkness shrouding another corner of the room. She continued to ignore Raven as if she were a ghost.

A smooth voice responded, "Good." It had certain iciness to it, as well as a hint of an exotic accent. It made Raven's heart shudder. "Did you perform the errands for me?" questioned the voice.

"Yes, sir," acknowledged Ruth, curtsying. "Everything is going very well."

"Good." The voice sounded satisfied. "And the girl?"

"She's clueless." A hint of mischief shone in Ruth's eyes. Unfamiliar with this side of Ruth, the conversation intrigued Raven.

The voice purred, "Perfect."

Wait, I remember that voice…

"Run along, Ruth. You have done enough, but I will call you when I need you."

"Certainly." Curtsying, Ruth tiptoed from the room. The slam of the heavy door shook the torches hanging on the wall.

Since Ruth did not notice her, Raven did not expect the person in the shadows to recognize her either. Her eyes roamed around the room, and she jumped when she saw two eyes examining her. Those eyes…where have I seen them before? Without a chance to think, Raven awoke.

A burning light bombarded her eyes until she grew accustomed to it. Raven felt herself bound to a dirt wall by bones. Groaning, she struggled against it.

"Hello, Raven," a masculine voice rang. "Nice of you to wake up."

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Raven, I'm surprised at you. Don't you remember me?" The source of the voice shriveled out of the shadows.

"No…" Raven muttered. "It can't be…"

A/N: Dun dun dun!

Hafewolfdemon, please keep reviewing! The fact that you love my story is priceless, thank you! Dark Shadows, I'm glad you're not disappointed! I'm glad to hear that my story is "really cool and original"! X Acheron X, thanks for being a loyal reviewer! I hope you like the next chapter, too! Pyro, don't worry because you're not the only one that thought the kissing scene was weird hehe. Again, I wanted to try something new.