Review response:

No reviews

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans or any DC character. I don't own Mega Man or his friends, but apparently Cadmus does. However, I do own Ghost Blade, Spirit Fire and Soul Drive.

Note: I'm apologize for taking so long to update, but my computer hasn't been working well lately, it's been one thing wrong after another. Well, I've had a lot of time to think the story over and I hope you like the chapter.

Ch 13. Sleepless

The two combatians stared eye to mechanical eye. Neither cared how it had come to this, but it had and now it was time to play it through. Cyborg checked the basketball to Valere.

They had been at it for two or three hours and were dead even, mostly due to Cyborg being slower then Valere. Valere was getting physically tired and knw that this would be the last basket. He checked it back to Cyborg.

Cyborg put all he had left into one last play. He faked to he left and went right, running passed the confused Valere. By the time Valere had turned to Cyborg, the half-man, half-robot was airborn and in the middle of dunking the ball. Valere was posative he had heard a 'Booyah!' as the ball went throught the hoop.

Valere leaned over and placed his hands on his knees. "I dodn't have anything left in me."

Cyborg walked up next to Valere. "That's okay. It's been a long since I played any sports with anyone, except on the Gamestation."

Valere stands stait up and turns to Cyborg. "Well, good game." Valere holds his hand out to Cyborg, who looks at it dumfoundedly. "What's wrong?"

"I've haven't met someone who takes defeat in high spirits for a long time." Cyborg accepts Valere's congradutory hand shake.

"Well, one learns more from defeat then victory." Valere said as they released their grasp.

Cyborg nodded to Valere's statement and lokked at the screen on his arm. "It's a quatar from midnight and I have to go recharge, so see you tomorrow." With that said, Cyborg left the gymnasium.

Valere put the basketball back to wher he had found it and headed back to the room he and Mary were sharing that night.

(--- --- ---)

Raven was heading back to her room when Valere stormed out of his room. Mary came out into the hall and was about to ask or possibly yell something, but when she saw Raven, the fire in her died and she retuned to the room.

Raven had seen the two of them happy less then ten minutes ago. What could insight such hostillity in such a short time?

"What's wrong?" Raven asked. She knew not why she asked. Perhaps showing concern for him was her way of thanking him for saving her from the joker.

Valere looked toward her a little, but continued towards the main room. "It is not your concern!" He vertually hissed and, for a moment, his eyes and aura darkened. After a moment he took a deep breath and calmed himself. "I'm sorry. She just stresses me out sometimes."

Raven had heard the apology, but her mind had been focused on his aura. Everyone had a life force in them, but few could radiate an aura. Valere's aura was strange though, it was strong, but further out of place was that it was blue. What could make it be such a color?

Raven snapped out of her thoughts. "How so?" She began following him back to the main room.

"She keeps harasing me to do something I can't do yet." They entered into the main room.

"You don't have to sleep out here. There are more spare rooms." Why did she care?

Valere chuckled lightly as he sat on the couch. "I don't sleep. I usually cuddle woth Mary while she sleeps."

"Do you ever sleep?" Raven questioned.

"Only when I fall asleep duing my meditation." Valere watched as Raven's eyes brightened a little and th faintest of smiles appeared on her lips.

"You meditate too?" She leaned forwards a little. "How do you rejuvinate yourself by practicing it?"

Valere smiled. "Over the years, I've mastered connecting my life force to the planet's and in doing so, I don't need sleep or to eat, but that doesn't mean I don't get tired or hungery."

"How long have you been doing this?" Raven sat down next to Valere.

He looked towards the ciling, obvisly recalling his past. "Since my little sister was born, I believe." He smiled. "That one had a hot temper and a fiery spirit. No doubt she's a hero now."

Without having to read his mind, she knew that he loved his sister. "You think you could teach me how to connect to the planet? I already meditate, but having that kind of skill would greatly help me control my powers." Thinking of her powers for the first time made her realize that they hadn't acted up all day.

"Sure, but I want something in return," Valere looked at Raven evilly, "I'd like a book to read." He chuckled and his smile became friendly.

Raven put on a grim expression. "You have a little Beastboy in you." She had spoken in monotone.

Valere cocked an eyebrow. "No one can act seriuos all the time, for that it's self is childish."

A small smile can to Raven's lips. "You may be right, but that still sounds stupid." Stupid? What was wrong with her?

"Maybe so, but it still got you to smile." Was he flirting with her?

"I'm going to go get you a book now." With that said, she left to hold up her end of the deal.

(--- --- ---)

Everyone in the tower was delited to wake up and find breakfast already prepared, thanks to Valere's unweakened hands. He had even made a tofu meal knowing someone was a vegatarian, after opening a set of cubors and finding them filled with the stuff.

Everyone sat down where they could and consumed the breakfast.

"We're going to head to Titans East," Mammoth said, saying the fisrt words of the day that weren't "thank you"s, "Hopefully we can fool whoever's after Raven."

"And," Nightwing began, "How will that work with Raven here?"

"I guess neither Raven nor Cyborg told you?" There ws a momentary pause. "Mirrior can copy the appearanc and powers of any indavidual and maintain it as long as she chooses."

"Okay." Nightwing nodded slightly. "Who's going exactly?"

"Mirror, as Raven, Gizmo and myself." Valere was shaking his head before Mmammoth finished.

"Slade met me and he knows I won't lt Raven out of my now that she trusts me." Everyone's eyes were on him. "But, if Mary was to go, he might think that I'm trying to protect them both by turning his attension to me."

Mary looked at the love strangly. "You think that will work or..." Valere cut her off before she could finish.

"He'd know for sure if you didn't go." Valere turned to Mammoth. "But, to be on the safe side, one of you should stay here for further confusion."

Gizmo cosses his arms. "I'll stay."

Nightwing looked at everyone around the room. "Anyone have any objections?" There were none.

Later that day, with their goodbyes said, Mammoth, Mirror and Red X left for Titans East.

Please Review