(A/N) You're lucky you have me for an author. I paid a kid three bucks to get off the computer so I could post this.>>>
Beastboy raised an eyebrow in interest. "What was that?"
Raven pulled her hood over her face. "Nothing. I need to get some sleep. Good night."
She looked at the picture once more before handing it back to Beastboy.
He watched the receding figure, for a second he was lost in thought. "Pleasant dreams." He looked at the old photograph and refolded it before putting it back in it's frame.
Raven sat heavily on her bed. "It can't be. It's not possible."Another part of her mind argued against her.
"He said she was his aunt. He seemed pretty sure of it."
"But that's Arella. She can't be his aunt. She never had a sister."
"Just because it was never mentioned to you, doesn't mean there wasn't one."
"How can this have happened?"
"Why not ask Arella. If anyone has those answers, it would be her."
Raven's eyes started to glow as candles and everything she needed for the spell started to move toward one point in the room.
The ceremony was soon ready. Raven started to chant.
Raven was moving toward Azarath. With nothing trying to block her way she was soon standing in the middle of the towering city.
She started to walk.
She passed each building hoping to get a glance of Arella.
"MOTHER! I need to talk to you!"
A flurry of movement drew her attention to what was behind her.
The empty street stretched out behind her. She turned around slowly. Standing in the middle of the street was the white-clad figure of Arella.
"It is good to see you Raven. I was worried you would not realize that while his coming was inevitable, his victory was not. What do you need?"
Raven stared at her mother for a moment. "I, always thought I was alone, but earlier today, something happened. Mother, do you have a sister?"
Arella looked at her for a second. "I do. I have not seen her since before you were born."
Raven paled. Before she'd heard those words she couldn't believe it to be possible. "Then, it might be true. Why have I never met her? She's a part of our family, and I never even knew she existed."
"When we were young, my sister and I took a journey to Earth. It was a trip of pleasure, a holiday. But while we were there, Aleara met a man and fell in love. When we were supposed to come back, she decided to stay. I was happy for her, but at the same time sad. I knew that I would never see my sister again."
Raven was shocked to hear this. "Why not?" Arella looked sad. "Before we left, Aleara took sacred vows. By remaining on Earth, she broke them. The elders forbid us from talking of her. And we never did. You should tell him."
Raven was listening to Arella and pulled back as she said that. "What?"
"Take his hand and recite, Azee Zaran Victeen. If he is family, then a mark will appear on both of your wrists. From there, you're on your own. But if he is your cousin, please bring him here. I would like to meet him."
Raven nodded her head. "How did you know?"
"I might not have seen her, but I knew she had a son. And there would be no other way for you to know about my sister unless you had been talking to him. It's possible he is not, but I doubt it. The spell will tell for sure. It's time for you to go."
The next thing she knew, Raven was back in her room. The bright sunlight shone into her eyes. Almost automatically she caused the curtains to pull over the window.
She looked over at her clock to see that it was almost noon.
Black shadows covered her as she vanished from her room and reappeared in the main room of Titan Tower. All eyes turned to her in shock. They knew that she never did that unless there was an emergency. To see her doing it now obviously had them worried.
She directed her attention straight to Beastboy. "I need to talk to you. Come to my room." Shadows spread over her and she vanished again.
All eyes in the room turned on Beastboy.
"Did that really just happen?" Beastboy asked in confusion.
Everyone knew that Raven never told people to come to her room. For her to do so was inconceivable.
Cyborg abruptly grabbed him. "You little devil you. How long has this been going on?"
Beastboy in turn wriggled out of the steely grip. "Shut up! She's my friend, that's it."
Robin looked at him doubtfully. "Beastboy, she just asked you to come to her room. She's never done that with anyone."
"Cut it out, I told you, we're just friends." Beastboy got off the couch. "But if she's inviting me, into her room. It has to be important."
He abruptly jumped over the couch and headed toward the elevator.
Cyborg stared after him. "He's lying."
Robin looked over at him. "Yep."
Starfire looked doubtful. "I do not think so. Friend Raven seemed apprehensive, and friend Beastboy looked worried."
The three went on with their activities, even though all thoughts were on Beastboy and Raven.
FAMILY
He knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in."
Beastboy slid the door open and saw Raven sitting on the floor. "Please sit down." She gestured to the floor in front of her.
Beastboy did as he was told. "Uh, sure. Listen Raven"
"Remove your glove and take my hand."
"Raven, I don't know about you, but I don't"
"Do you trust me?"
Beastboy was startled by this question. "Of course I do. You're my friend."
"Then trust me now, and do as I say."
He stared at her for a second before removing his glove and taking her hand. "I'll always trust you."
Raven closed her eyes. "Azee Zaran Victeen"
Black energy surrounded their hands. It started to increase in size. As it spread, it turned a dazzling white. The light engulfed the room. Beastboy shut his eyes against it.
The light disappeared as quick as it had come. It was a couple of minutes before he was able to see normally again. The darkness of the room did little to help.
"What the heck was that?" His gaze finally focused on Raven.
"Check your wrist."
He looked at her curiously before rolling his sleeve up and staring at the small black glyph that made a startling contrast to his green skin.
He moved his head up and saw Raven revealing the same mark on her own wrist.
"What did you do?" The look of worry on his face was easily recognizable.
Raven got up and turned to her window. The curtains parted and she looked out over the bay. "The picture you had was very disturbing for me. I had to find out the truth."
"Uh, Raven, you're scaring me."
"The other woman in the picture is named Arella."
Beastboy stared at her back. "It is? How do you know that?"
Raven turned to face him. He couldn't make out the emotions that were obvious in her face.
"She's my mother."
(A/N) For my own reference, how many BBRAE fans now officially hate me?