Disclaimer: Ummm…I still do not own teen titans

AN: Wooo—all you reviewers have made my day!

---

A young man was walking through the cemetery. Time and time again he was told that he shouldn't use the cemetery as a short cut home, that it didn't do to disturb the dead. He wasn't one to pay to much attention to such superstitions—it wasn't like they were complaining or anything. He smiled at the thought, amused by his own wit when suddenly he heard a soft clunking sound coming beside him.

Pausing momentarily, he dismissed the sound to an overactive imagination, until very suddenly a white glow appeared on top of a near by grave. Taking several steps back, he watch in horrid fascination as a woman rose from the ground. Her skin was ghostly pale, tinted grey in the light. Hair that appeared to be black at one angle and purple at another swished around her, forming soft waves down to the small of her back. A black dress clung to her body, looking both tattered and thread bare, as though it was on the verge of finishing its decay right then and there. She was so thin…almost sickly in appearance as she stood there, looking at the grave below her.

It was her eyes that gave the life in her away. They were shiny from spilt tears, the light reflecting in them causing him to catch his breathe. Despite her pale, thin appearance…she was beautiful. Nothing could hide that. The grave stone she had been looking at turned white and exploded as anger glittered in her eyes. She sunk to the ground, her eyes wide as she stared at the rubble.

The man could say he had never been more afraid and fascinated in his entire life.

She suddenly realized his presence, and floated to her feet. "Do…you see me?" She asked, her voice cracking slightly, as though it had been a long time since she had spoken.

Dumbly he nodded his head, taking a few steps back as she closed the distance between them. Hesitantly she touched him, brushing his shoulders as her eyes glinted with some kind of inner happiness.

"I can touch you." She almost sounded…surprised.

"A…are you dead?" He stumbled over the words. Her hands shot back from his shoulders as though he was poison, and her eyes darkened quickly.

"Give me your coat." She said very softly. He quickly ripped off the trench coat he had been wearing and handed it to her. He had a feeling that not doing as he was told wouldn't be the smartest of things. Slipping it on, she turned and walked away, not once looking back.

"Alright—never cutting through the cemetery again." He told himself firmly.

---

"People can see me." Raven murmured to herself. "People can hear me…I can touch them…" Everything…every brush of the wind, of the ground underneath her…she was really back. She was really here. The only problem was that the one person she wanted to see…to touch…was no longer hers.

She couldn't go back. It had taken him five years to get over her…to go back would just bring in chaos. No matter how much she wanted to, how much it hurt…it was better this way. He had found someone…he had…

He'd give her up for you. You know he would.

But…she was dead.

No you aren't.

It wouldn't be fair.

It wouldn't be fair not to.

Nothing made sense anymore…she couldn't simply go back. Nothing was that simple. Everything had consequences and she had to face them. She was back, and everyone was gone. That was real for right now. Hungry, tired, cold, alone. That was real. She had nothing…no money…only some man's coat and a dress that had seen better days.

A bitter smile spread across her face. One thing had improved with her mishap. The books had been correct in saying same beads that had sent her here could improve her control. Reaching up, a stone lifted to her hand, surrounded in a white glow. The same color that appeared every time she had full control of her powers.

More control…meant she could feel more. It didn't matter though. What was there to feel? Happiness that she returned and no one was waiting for her?

Her feet took her down the streets, where she received odd looks from passersby. The coat she was wearing was buttoned all the way up, the dress discarded in some trash can. Considering it stank of mildew and was in poor condition already…this was sadly an improvement. And if that was an improvement, she knew she had to look a mess.

This is what happens when you've been dead for so long.

Passing by a bakery, she peered in despite herself. For five years she didn't have to eat, and now…she was starving. It was an odd sensation to have after so long…it made her feel so normal, so human. Feeling a little faint, her forehead touched the window as her strength started to give away. So hungry…shaking her head she continued on. No money. No food.

What should she do? Did she simply disappear? Get a job and try to continue life? Without ever being able to see her friends again?

She stopped at the thought. Raven couldn't see them again. It had just dawned to her. For five years she knew exactly what Beast Boy and Cyborg were up to. She knew how the team was doing, even if she couldn't help or say anything. And now, when she could participate, she couldn't go to them. She didn't know what was worst.

You can go back. The voice inside of her was very persistent. She wanted to go back…she wanted to so much…but…

Looking off to the side, Raven noticed she was standing in front of some sort of costume shop. An old mirror hung in the window besides several masks, causing her to catch the first glimpses of her new, five years older form. Fingers brushed each side of her face, following the curve of her cheek bone. She was still Raven. Older, gaunter, but still her. Studying the masks around it, she halfway wondered if she should somehow hide her face.

Why? You want to be found. Her mind was in conflict. She didn't know what she should do, what was the right path. Everything had gone wrong. And what if it happened again? She had picked up the beads earlier and set them in the pocket of the coat, not wanting to risk trying to destroy them. The only counter spell was at the tower.

All the more reason to go.

"We got the goods—let's have a little fun." Raven narrowed her eyes as she picked up a particularly harsh whisper from behind her. Turning around, she saw two men hurrying down the side walk, carrying a suspicious bag between them. One caught her eye and pulled the other's arm, causing the two to slow down.

Great. She thought to herself. "Interesting clothes." One smirked at her. Raven simply glared. "No place to go?" He snickered. With her oversized coat and skinny appearance…it really did look that way. And…in a sickening realization…he was right. Raven still remained silent, hoping they'd get bored of her and move on. It wouldn't do to make a scene. She was still in Jump City and the Titans were patrolling. You know you want them to come…

"Why don't you come with us babe?" The other leaned against the window beside her, one arm casually resting inches from her shoulders. The first moved to the other side in similar fashion. Apparently they were trying the entire intimidating approach. She had just been dead for five years. They were the least of her fears. The taller man casually slipped his hand about her shoulders. Raven felt herself tense. Despite the fact she was glad people could see and hear her right now, she wasn't going to stand for this.

"Let's have some fun…"

"Do not touch me." She said, and she slammed one elbow hard into the man's stomach. He keeled a bit in pain, while the other gripped her by her hair.

"Feisty eh?" He said harshly. Raven could easily send these two men flying, but they were just normal jerks. So she instead brought her knee up straight into his groin, sending him falling to the ground.

"Must I repeat myself? Do. Not. Touch. Me." She started to walk away, not liking how the people around were beginning to gather, noticing the odd scene carry out. This was the last thing she wanted.

"Now you're just getting on my nerves." The first said, slamming his fist into the glass. The glass shattered from the impact, sending a rain of glass about them. The other got to his feet, one fist pounding into his glove.

"You're so going down." As he said this, a foot cop rounded the corner, shouting something on his walkie-talkie. "Damn it—cops!"

"Let's just trash the area—too late for a quiet escape." The other frowned.

"Stop! Thief!" Of course. These had to be robbers to boot. With a wide grin across his face, the young man yanked the mirror out of the shop and threw it at the cop. Raven held out one hand, managing to slow it in its course, but it still hit him heavily knocking the cop clean out.

Meanwhile, the other one casually kicked at the street light as he made his way toward her, an evil glint in his eye. Apparently she hadn't been forgotten about. The light toppled over, falling to the ground. With one hand he picked her up by the folds of her jacket, sending her flying across the street. Managing to fight control, she spun in the air, levitating down into the ground.

And not even ordinary robbers.

Let the police handle it. She ordered herself. But…it was in her nature not to let them go. What if they come? The Titans. The one that threw her across the street was now busy vandalizing the area, slamming his fists into the walls, throwing cars at the fleeing civilians. And the other had gotten to his feet, and was walking over to her. Fine. If they wanted to fight, she would fight. She levitated into the air, white energy encasing her fists.

"Stupid witch!" The other was yelling up at her, tossing a near by car in her direction.

Slipping it on, she barely managed to use her magic to catch the oncoming car. Turning it back at the two, she hit them solidly and they flew through the air, landing in a confused pile on the ground. A little stronger then normal people, but they didn't seem to be all that tough. "Leave Jump City." She said coldly to the two below her.

"What are you? Some kind of freakin' Titan!"

"No…I'm worse." A white hand came out of the ground they were standing on, grasping the two brothers with its claws. The older simply slammed his fist into the palm of the large hand, causing it to vanish and for the brothers to land lightly on the ground.

"Best you can do, sweety?" The other asked, a nasty grin on his face. Raven rolled out of the way as the younger one grabbed the street light he had knocked over earlier and threw it towards her. Focusing, she picked it right back up and used her powers to bend the metal around him.

His muscles bulged in his attempts to escape. "Bro, I need some help here!" He called. The other brother had ducked inside the nearby diner during their encounter, and was holding up a tearstained little girl.

"Let him go." He told her, shaking the girl by the collar of her shirt. The girl clutched the edges of her dress, looking frozen in fear.

Threatening little girls—now that makes him tough. She thought to herself angrily. The guy had no weapon…she could very easily…Concentrating, she acted like she was releasing the brother, while her mind reached out for the rock behind the other. Slowly it floated in the air…

"Look out!" The younger one exclaimed, but it was too late. Raven let the rock slam into the side of the others head, knocking him cleanly unconscious. And, feeling particularly out of sorts, she did the same to the other one. Jump City villains really had gotten softer over the years. Levitating the black bag the man was carrying to her own hands, she made her way to the girl, who was sobbing on the street by the unconscious man, looking too scared to move.

Then she heard a very familiar sound.

"Titans, Go!"

She froze.

It was Cyborg's voice.

She had to fly high in the air as a blue beam of light hit the area in front of her, cutting her off from the girl. Spinning around, she cursed herself at how bad this looked. She was some person in a trench coat, with a black bag in one hand, a wrecked neighborhood around her, and was walking to a very upset little girl.

This couldn't get any worse.

She tried to wave her hands, tried to say anything to tell them they had made a mistake…but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't say anything.

Just knowing they could see her…knowing they were watching her…it was a much welcomed feeling. Even if they were currently attacking her. She put up a white shield to block a coming attack by Terra, but missed seeing the green little animal dart by her, turning last minute into a lion slashing giant claws at her.

Falling to her knees, one hand clutched the open gash on her arm. Her hair formed a fan about her face, her eyes narrow slits from in between the dark strands. The three circled her menacingly, as though just waiting for her to try and escape. Terra's fist were glowing yellow, an army of stones floating all around her. Cyborgs sonic cannon was aimed in her direction, one of his eyes narrowing darkly. And...and there he was. Standing right there. His arms outstretched defensively as he mentally went through what animal would be best for whatever she did next.

"You're outnumbered—might as well come easy." The metal man smirked. All she had to do was to brush aside her hair, to stare at them all as they grow in shock over who she was. But…Terra and Beast Boy…everyone had worked so hard to get over her. Was it fair?

"I…" She started to say, when suddenly the very girl she had saved earlier came running at her, catching the three Titans off guard.

"No!" Cyborg shouted, but the girl paid no heed, and stood in front of Raven, stretching out her arms protectively.

"D-don't hurt her!" She stuttered, her voice high and scared. The Titans did a collective blink. Raven felt herself waver. An unfamiliar feeling clutched her. It was similar to fear…but also drenched in embarrassment. What should she do? She was…scared for them to find her. It was odd to be so terrified of letting her friends see her like this, after five years they thought she had been dead. She didn't know what she should do. She didn't want to hurt them more by coming back.

The sickening feeling in her stomach grew, and finally she slowly crawled to her feet, stretching out one hand towards the costume shop she had been standing earlier. A white mask floated into her hand and she slipped it on, hardly caring of the odd looks she was getting from the other Titans.

She wasn't Raven at the moment. She was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. They wouldn't have attacked her if they even suspected whom she was. Get this over with. Then go. Leave them. "The villains you are looking for are right there." She said darkly, her voice muffled by the mask she was wearing. Good. They wouldn't recognize her voice either.

"Annie!" An older woman cried, running across the street. The little girl before her ran to the woman, jumping into her arms. She looked over at Raven, a look of gratitude on her face.

"Thank you so much for stopping them!" Then she frowned at the other three, who were in the process of looking very sheepish. "Shame on you!" She then turned and walked away, carrying the little girl, who waved bye to Raven, who returned the gesture.

Now go. She told herself. Turn around and walk away. Don't interfere with their lives.

You are just scared. Of course she was. She wasn't going to deny that. She had been gone for five years. Returning now...letting them see her…she couldn't handle it at the moment. Being there once again was enough for now. One arm still gripping the torn trench coat, she turned on the road, and started down it.

"Hey! Wait!" Beast Boys voice filled the air. Her heart stopped at those words. It had nothing to do with her…but…In her hesitation, the three Titans were suddenly around her.

"So…you're a good guy." Cyborg said slowly. "Man, I am so sorry!"

"Yah—you save the day and we come to kick your butt…not the best way to say thanks." Terra admitted.

"Whatever." Just keep walking. Then there was Beast Boy. The person whom she was in love with. The person who was now looking at her in complete concern.

"Dude—I hit you didn't I?" He asked softly.

"It's nothing." Why wouldn't her head stop spinning? Beast Boy had Terra.

"Why don't we check out that cut over at the Tower? We'll take you out to dinner, and, and if you want, you can have some free shots at that grass stain here since he's the one that cut you." Cyborg suggested. The Tower. If she went…

She couldn't go back with them. It would kill her to leave. She couldn't. "Go with the people that attacked me?" Her words came out harsh, as she struggled not to give in to her own wants. This is what's for the best. It would only lead to chaos. Levitating in the air, she started to fly away, to never see them again. It hurt talking with them. It hurt having Beast Boy so close and not being able to tell him who she was.

"He—"

"If she doesn't want to come, we can't make her."

A similar rush of dizziness hit her, the same as before. Considering she was probably not in good health, using her powers so much in one encounter had really drained her. Just get out of their sight. You can pass out and die then. Just make it out of their sight. She urged herself. But…her body was protesting. And her healing natural healing prowess was kicking in…draining her further.

Arm burning, head throbbing, she saw black as she tumbled down to the ground.

---

Why did this scene feel so familiar? Had she seen it before? Her lying on the medical bay…only this time she was alive and still breathing. Only this time no one knew it was her. She opened her eyes slowly, letting them get use to the light. Looking down, she realized she was wearing odd night dress, that didn't belong to her. Frantically, she brought her hands to her face. The mask was secure.

"Our old teammate would freak if we ever thought about removing his mask—figured we'd give you the same respect." Commented the oldest Titan lightly as he saw her actions.

How could she simply have passed out? She mentally cursed herself. Now she was at the tower. The walls…so familiar. The sounds…so familiar. Beast Boy probably wasn't too far away. Neither was Terra…

"Miss?"

This was the worse situation. It was one to leave them without ever seeing again. Another to be in the tower with them. The urge to tell them who she was just kept growing. But…it had been five years…she was…

"YO GIRL!" The loud voice caused her to jump. He had been talking to her. Being ignored for 5 years…it was still hard to accept.

"I have to go." She said, starting to stand to her feet. Go before it got to hard. He gently pushed her down with his hand.

"Nuh uh—I don't know who you are, but I think you have to get some rest and nutrients in you." He pushed some tray of food over to her, winking a bit. "Girl, you're skin and bones—when's the last time you've eaten?"

Over five years ago. "It's been awhile." She said darkly. Her body was weak and she needed the food. Accepting it, she started to eat, hardly caring what it tasted like. Cyborg left her to it, going out into the hallway.

---

"Alright, sooo…what should we do?" Beast Boy asked, crossing his arms. The three were gathered in the living room while their mysterious guest still sat in the infirmary.

"I kinda feel bad for her." Terra nuzzled up next to him. "She doesn't appear to have any place to go—I mean, come on! It looked like she hadn't had a decent meal in months, and only some coat to wear…" Considering before the Titan's Terra lived day by day wondering where she was going to sleep, what she was going to eat…she knew what it felt to be in that situation. Beast Boy squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Well, we can't make her stay here." Cyborg frowned. "And, hate to say it, but we don't really know anything about her." Eyes furrowing, he tried to shake off an odd sense of déjà vu coming from the stranger. Something about her was so familiar, and it set him on edge.

"Dudes, how about I just go sweet talk her into staying here for awhile, and then we get to know her that way." Beast Boy grinned.

"Considering you attac—"

"We all did!" He defended. "That was way embarrassing."

"Even if we didn't, do remember I am your girlfriend." Terra punched his arm affectionately. "How about sweet talking me?"

"Jealous?" He cocked his head at her.

"Do I have a reason to be?" She drawled out, tapping her fingers on his arm.

"Never." He said with a small grin.

"WELL THEN." Cyborg said rather loudly over the younger two, interrupting their playful banter. "As much as it sickens—as I love seeing you two lovebirds go at it, I think I'm going to go check on our patient. Why don't you guys get a room or something? I mean seriously." He shook his head at the two. They were always so upbeat, so affectionate to each other---it was almost irritating to stand, even for him.

---

Raven tossed on the infirmary bed, the hard surface keeping her up. Cyborg had checked on her briefly before heading off to power down, telling her she could sleep here. She pried off the mask from her face and held it in the air, watching the light reflect eerily from the white surface.

Why didn't she just leave? Because she didn't want to. That answer came easy enough. Why didn't she just show them who she was? Because she had been dead for 5 years. She was afraid how they would react…more embarrassed really…and she couldn't' figure out why. Was it because they had already gotten on with their lives? Robin and Starfire weren't even technically part of the team anymore…Terra was back…Cyborg was now leading his own life…and Beast Boy had even given up on her.

Finally, she got to her feet, deciding she needed to move about to clear her mind. After finding the trench coat and relieving it of the beads the changeling had discarded by her grave, she left, the door hissing open as she padded down the hallway. Her feet took her past Beast Boys door, where she stood longingly for a moment, forcing herself to continue on. Her bedroom.

Opening the door carefully, she stepped in, finding comfort in her sanctuary. Still so clean. Cyborg had done a good job. Looking over at the desk, she touched her mirror, which had long been empty since her apparent 'death.' Picking it up, she slipped it carefully into her pocket. If she was going to reveal she was alive, she hardly wanted it to be by someone stupidly going into her mind.

And there, sitting so carefully and neatly at the edge of her bookshelf, was the book. That damn book she had tried to open for so long. Picking it up, it seemed to almost mock her fingertips, as though laughing at all the pain she had gone through. Gritting her teeth, she flipped through the pages until she reached the spell she was working on so long ago. And then the counter spell. She wasn't about to ever let this happen again.

Chalk flew to her outstretched hand, while candles lit up brilliantly in her room, forming a circle around her person. The symbol was quickly etched into the floor boards, and she held out the book in one hand, scanning the words over and over to make sure she got them right. The other hand clutched the beads, their smooth round surface digging deeply in her hands as she refused to lesson her grip. So involved in her task, she hardly noticed the sound of the door creaking open.

"Hey, miss? This room is off limits." Cyborg's voice drifted from behind her, the door closing shut. Raven felt a brief flash of anger come over her. This was her room. Of course he didn't know it was her. The anger vanished into panic. Her mask. She had left it in the infirmary. He was walking towards her, about to step into the circled symbol she had created. "I have no idea what you are doing, but I'm going to have to ta—"

Raven wasn't about to let him mess up the spell. Not again.

---

Cyborg felt his systems surge with energy as they powered up. Waiting for a moment for all his systems to boot, he sat up and looked down at his scanner on his arm. 12:37 a.m. Definitely not time to wake up. Meaning their guest had left the infirmary. He had tapped himself into the Tower security, figuring she might run. After all, she didn't seem too inclined to stay.

He supposed if she really wanted to leave, he wouldn't stop her. But, letting a poor girl out into the city just wasn't his thing. At least he could talk with her first.

Walking down the hallway, he kept his eyes on his scanners, trying to locate where the girl was. She wasn't in the kitchen, or the bathroom…no one had left the building…not in Beast Boys room…a red dot appeared on his screen.

He was standing outside Raven's door.

Why did she have to go in here? He moaned to himself. At least he found her and not Beast Boy. He'd have a cow---or become one.

Gingerly, he swung the door open. The girl was sitting cross-legged on the floor, a book in one hand and candles all around her. "Hey miss? This room is off limits?" He said after a moment, allowing the door to swing back shut. She jumped at his voice, but still didn't turn around. "I have no idea what you are doing, but I'm going to have to ta—"

"I don't care if you watch, but if you take another step, I will hurt you." Her voice came out very cold and deliberate.

He blinked. Did she really just say that? Didn't she realize she was in the middle of Titan headquarters with two other super heroes just down the hall? Messing with him just wasn't the smartest things. "Hold on girl—" He started to say, his voice soaked with irritation and anger.

"Trust me." Her voice was soft. And familiar. He heard it before…and who it reminded him of caused him to freeze. There was no way that he was right. It was illogical. It was outrageous. It was--

"Azarath, Metreon, Zinthos." She began to murmur. Those words. She wasn't really saying those words, was she? He didn't even hear what else she said. Those three words held him in a horrible trance. Maybe another girl from Azarath? Maybe it was a friend of hers? Because that was the only explanation. The only….

The girl stopped chanting, tossing something from her hand onto the floor. It looked to be a pile of melted wax. And then, very slowly, she stood up and turned around.

"Hello Cyborg."

---

Well, it isn't Beast Boy yet, but there is one person that knows she's alive now…I have my plans with the Beast Boy reunion mahaha lol…

And to explain her reaction a little bit, I got a tiny, condensed story for yall…I once moved away from a school for a year and then moved back…and after not seeing everyone for so long I was completely freaked out. I'd walk down the hallways with my heart in my throat, wondering if people would recognize me, or if they did, if they still wanted to be friends, even if I knew the fear was entirely pointless. So, I'm figuring Raven probably feels similar…only like a hundredfold since its been 5 years, and everyone thinks she is dead….

Alright, enough rambling.

Sorry it took longer then usual to update—schools consuming way too much of my time already…and its only the first week! Dang it!

I really appreciate everyone's support! Please do continue to review! I do update faster that way…..