Remembersees

Part One

A/N: This is the last build up chapter for this story… the next one is the meat and potatoes (but in no ways near the end of the story)

…

The sand trembled and collapsed under her feet. The warm breeze rushed past her, whipping her cloak behind her like a proud banner of war. Her heart was throbbing, her lungs burned and the sting in her throat refused to die. The sun was setting over the ocean, the oranges and purples crashed along her profile and she forced her legs to go as fast as she could go.

Raven didn't dare look back, didn't dare risk a stumble or anything else to slow her down. He was close, very close.

Their foot prints were jagged, the speed was too much for the ground to bear to remember. Raven leaped from the short sanded beach to the soft hill side, her fingers catching cool, moist grass before she pulled herself up and kept running.

She could hear him breathing. It wasn't labored, but it was hard. She could tell from the deep steady in and the rushed, controlled out that the pursuit was pleasurable for him. Raven ducked under tree branches and slide past low shrubs, bring the pursuit to the park.

They were running. He was chasing her. She was sweaty and out of breath… and she loved it.

Raven laughed lightly and danced around the bars of the swing, keeping the equipment between her and her pursuer. She ducked and leapt nimbly out of his grasp until he leapt at her fully, catching her about the waist. The two rolled, they wrestled playfully until he finally found his strength and pinned her gently to the earth.

"Caught you." Robin whispered.

"Caught me." Raven agreed.

"Raven… I want to tell you something."

"I'd say you put us in a perfect position for that." Raven replied, poking Robin in the ribs. She knew he was ticklish, something she had found out by accident, but loved to exploit.

"I'm serious. I want to tell you something… but I want you to guess what it is first." Robin stated, brushing her hand away. He slipped his fingers between her smaller digits, locking their hands over their heads.

"Is it something I'll never guess?"

"You may… I'd prefer it if you knew it and didn't really have to guess…"

"Hmm, how many chances before you tell me?"

"Four."

"Alright… Your secret is… sometimes in the middle of the night, for no particular reason, you slide across your bedroom floor in a button down and a pair of tightie whities." Raven smiled up at Robin, barely able to contain her laughter.

Robin laughed. "Haha, no. Next guess."

"You're secretly allergic to eggplant."

Robin's eyebrow rose in surprise. "Actually, yes."

"You are? I didn't know that."

"Yeah, I'm allergic to almost the entire eggplant family. But we're getting off track. That isn't what I wanted you to know."

"I'm glad. That would have been anticlimactic. So how many guesses do I have left?"

"Two." Robin replied. Robin nuzzled her collar gently. "And make them legitimate guesses."

"Alright… you wanted to tell me that this morning when you said you hadn't peaked on me when I was changing you actually---"

"Raven!" Robin gasped, pulling his face away from her shoulder. He was trying to maintain his shocked expression as a stiff laughter worked its way through his chest.

The morning that Raven spoke of had started out wonderfully. That morning he had woken up with her in his arms. As they lay together, comfortably close together, on the floor with the sun in their eyes, Robin knew it was going to be a day that they would never forget. When he let her slip from his hug so she could shower, Robin watched her. He watched the way she moved, how the sun highlighted the unadulterated beauty in her face. Robin watched her stretch her arms before pulling off her cloak. When she reached to pull off her leotard she remembered her audience and motioned for him to turn away. He smiled and did, bringing up a hand to block any curious gaze. Lying on the floor, his body still warm from hers, Robin decided he was going to tell Raven all his absolutes.

Robin held her hand as they walked together to breakfast. Sakura and Celine were busy at the stove; it seemed they had taken over all the domestic duties for the last few days. The chairs to Titans ratio leaned out of Raven and Robin's favor, leaving them to sit on the couch beside Speedy while they waited for breakfast. Raven decided it was a typical day, because Speedy was sitting and watching Sakura. The two hadn't been speaking as of late, or rather Speedy wasn't speaking to Sakura. No one exactly knew why, it had just become the way he acted around the half-Japanese girl. Though the team had decided that he wasn't mad at her, it was obvious he wasn't speaking to her for a reason.

Starfire yipped with joy when a tall stack of pancakes was delivered in front of her. A similar smile was delivered by Blackfire when her own stack. The Tameranian pair dove in. Sakura blanched when she saw Starfire douse her stack in mustard. She shook her head and slid Aqualad's scrambled eggs and toast in front of him. Beast Boy and Cyborg salivated as they watched the plates slide across the counter, waiting for theirs to arrive. Two plates slid in front of them, one covered in ham and eggs, the other tofu bacon and waffles. The two smiled ridiculously widely then realized a horrible mistake had been made. The tofu was on Cyborg's plate, Beast Boy's was slathered in meat. The water works streamed pitifully. Sakura slinked over, crouched down to just below the level of the counter. The pouting boys didn't see her hands reach up quickly and switch the plates. When things were the way they were supposed to be, smiles returned and they dove in.

From her crouched position, Sakura laughed. Crisis was averted. Her smile sank when she turned her head to the couch where Speedy was sitting. She could tell he was just looking at her, but had averted his eyes on purpose. She frowned deeply. She had been excited to see Speedy again when he returned from his training yesterday. It was almost embarrassing how much she had missed him. Speedy might have been the best friend she ever had: he was funny, he was smart, handsome, kind, generous, handsome, and generally a good person…

And he was mad at her.

Sakura couldn't remember saying anything or doing anything that would cause Speedy to take offense. She could barely remember the last time he had said more than six words to her… It was the day of the slumber party…

Sakura stood up, barely avoiding slamming her head into the counter. Her quick movement tussled Celine, knocking her to the ground, spilling her tray of bagels. Sakura didn't register the genius' shriek. The Titans at the counter peered over it to observe Celine before turning an eye to Sakura. She didn't notice their looks. Her mind was going a mile a minute. The party… the boys were trying to spy on us… did he hear what I said? Was he trying to keep his distance because he--- Sakura's eyes wavered; she shifted her gaze telling herself that there was no way she was going to cry. I'm not going to let it end like this… at the very least we'll be friends. He can't deny me that. Sakura turned quickly, a bagel crushed in her grip. If he tries… he's a jerk!

Sakura stomped forward to the couch where Speedy was sitting. Speedy was caught completely off guard when a flying bagel crashed into the back of his head. Speedy reeled with the shot before turning around and seeing Sakura staring down at him. He could see fire in her eyes, the fire that he had missed when he was gone… the fire he wanted to stroke but was too afraid to. He didn't think they were capable of hurting each other by trying to become more than friends, but he was terribly afraid that inadvertently someone's heart would be broken beyond mend if things didn't work out. When he stared at Sakura, he could see the connection between them: passion like that didn't tend to stand the test of time.

Speedy stood up, stepping as close to Sakura as he dared. Her brown eyes searched his face, looking for something, something he may have been able to give her: in his eyes there was a challenge, there was confusion, desire of some sort and maybe a little hesitance.

The gauntlet was thrown down: he just had to pick his battle.

"You want to fight?" Speedy asked.

"Are we fighting?" Sakura asked.

"No."

"Then yes."¹ Sakura's fist clenched at her side. She prepared to storm out of the room when Speedy grabbed her hand. Sakura looked at Speedy, wishing she could see his eyes. She felt vulnerable under his gaze: it was something she loved and hated… something she wanted more often. Speedy watched her closely, watched her face. He knew that she felt for him at least a fraction of what he did for her… It is worth the risk isn't it? Speedy used his other hand to gently catch her chin. He leaned in slightly and nearly collapsed when she pulled away.

The other Titans watched in horror, this was not what they were expecting. If there were ever two people in the history of the universe who made sense together, it was Speedy and Sakura. It was the way they looked at each other. It was the way Speedy's grin was exceptionally wide when it was for Sakura. It was how there was never harshness in Sakura's voice if Speedy was in the room… The cocky pair, in the earliest moments of their friendship, had been nearly inseparable and when they were apart everyone noticed the lag. Before the rift, they would go out of the way to be in each other's presence: standing close together, training together, fighting over something ridiculous just to hear the other's voice. Why everything was taking so long for the pair was something that escaped the entire tower… almost.

Only Raven, Robin and Speedy were close enough to hear what Sakura whispered. "I won't forgive you if you don't mean it."

"This may be a mistake." Speedy whispered back. Sakura nodded. She might have said something else; he wasn't going to let her. Speedy didn't hesitate; he closed the gap between his lips and hers.² At the counter Beast Boy slid his plate away from in front of him. "And there goes my appetite."

Raven recoiled her barrier. Robin gave her a quick thank you for including him in the shield. When it came to Sakura and Speedy, there was no telling how they were going to act. Raven shook her head. So much for a typical day… Robin, by all the rules that governed younger brothers, turned his head away as quickly as possible. That annoying little part of him that was a brother first rather than a friend wanted to stop the two, because no brother should see his sister making out… ever. But he didn't listen to it. Instead he let his mind focus on something infinitely more pleasing. Raven sat beside him, smiling at Sakura and Speedy as one lead the other from the common room. Robin took in her profile, it amazed him how everyday he could see her in a new light, in a different moment, and always think the same thing: tag… you're it.

Raven didn't enjoy the moon nearly as much as she did the sun. That was usually why Robin waited until the beginnings of sunset to dare her to games of tag. It sometimes had something to do with the way she looked against the fading sun. How the shadows hooked across the smooth slope of her mouth, how the colors made her eyes explode in waves of purple. Lying in the grass with her in the shadow of the setting sun was the perfect setting for all his truths to be known.

Raven rolled Robin to his back, placing her on of top his body. Her long hair fell over her shoulders. The tips spread against his arm. The trees didn't rustle. The insects were quiet. The wind was nearly nonexistent. It was like the world had stopped for Raven's last guess.

"I suppose there's only one thing left that it could be. And how lucky I am: that I have just one guess left."

She knows…

"What you wanted to tell me was that you're totally, infinitely, desperately in--"

Raven saw Robin's eyes widen, a horrified look on his face. Before she could evaluate the consequences of her mistaken thoughts, Robin pushed her off his body. She rolled sharply to the side, turning just in time to see Robin rolling in the opposite direction. Between them, a heel slammed into the earth with a sickening thud. Raven's eyes widened, she traced the long black boot up a long leg, across a powerful chest and arms stopping at a mask that demanded her fear and attention.

"Slade." Robin rebounded quickly, moving swiftly making sure that Slade's eye fixed on him, hoping Raven would take the opportunity to hide without his suggestion. Slade remained perfectly still between the separated couple. After a moment, Raven pulled herself to her feet, stepping backwards cautiously, her fingers expelled her demonic birthright, prepared to attack or defend.

Slade regarded the pair with his unveiled eye. The tilt of his head told them he was smiling. It told them they were in trouble.

"I hope I wasn't interrupting anything important… Raven… Robin…" Slade stroked his chin coolly. "I suppose the old saying is correct… birds of a feather do flock together."

Raven crept back evenly; she knew that Slade was watching her even if that eye was focused on the Boy Wonder. She knew that Robin wanted her to run, to leave him to fight Slade alone. Raven knew better. As long as Slade was around, there was no place that was safe and no place she braved to hide. If Robin was going to take on Slade, she was going to be right there with him.

"Slade, whatever you're planning, you're going to fail. I won't let you hurt Raven."

"That's touching Robin. But then you always were the protective type… I consider it your greatest weakness."

"I don't care what you consider it! I'm not going to let you go any further with your plans!"

Slade stepped closer to Raven by exactly one step. He turned his head back and looked at Robin. "If I had wanted to, I could have attacked her in that one move… and you didn't try to stop me… Perhaps I was wrong. Maybe carelessness is your biggest weakness."

Raven thrust her claw forward, catching Slade and pushing him back into a tree. "Stop it! You don't know anything about him Slade! You never did!"

Slade freed himself from her power nonchalantly. He dusted his shoulder off, stepping closer to her again. Robin ran in front of her, keeping himself between Slade and his goal.

"I suppose if I were a more feeling person, your little display of dedication would be touching… But I'm ruthless." Slade chuckled briefly. "But you already knew that, didn't you?"

Robin drew his bo-staff and attacked Slade head on. Slade volleyed and parried, matching Robin blow for blow easily. His single eye wasn't focused, Raven could see from her position that he was watching them both with one eye. Robin drilled at Slade, always keeping his body between Raven and Slade's intent. Several shots knocked dead on, but like the other times they'd fought since his return, Slade's body didn't react. After a combination of strikes was executed, Slade stood up perfectly still. His head cocked to the side, taking in Robin's frustrated glare.

"Did you really think that was all it was going to take? My dear boy, I'm not sure there's enough time left in the world to teach you the skills that would finally make you a threat to me." Slade sprung forward.

The tragedy of the situation became apparent as Raven's focus was forced to shift from Robin's fight with Slade to the imposing flare warriors inching closer and closer into the fray. They were meters away, but Raven knew they were able to close that distance in the blink of an eye. In the fading daylight, Raven expanded an energy blast into the air, hoping someone was spying on their date and were close enough to be of help.

Robin gritted his teeth as Slade went on the offensive. While his younger body was infinitely more agile, the sheer power of Slade's presence could topple him. Here he was, fighting Slade to protect Raven, to protect the girl who meant so much to him… and he was losing…

A series of well executed punches to the stomach and chest flung Robin into the wooded area.

"Robin!" Raven made a run to the wounded boy, but was interrupted by Slade's imposing figure. Her eyes widened in shock as his power escaped and slammed into her smaller form.

"I did come here for a reason." Slade said as he stalked to the fallen Raven. She struggled to her feet, preparing her mind, forcing it to concentrate as his shadow loomed over her. "I have something to tell you."

"I'm not interested in your message!" Raven pulled the swing set from the ground, the black clad equipment slammed into to Slade, giving Raven enough space to flee into the woods. She found Robin shaking himself awake. She crouched beside him, glad that the sun was finally finishing its descent, taking with it the light that Slade would use to find them.

Slade stepped to the edge of the wooded area, regarding the scenery for just a moment before drawing out his control of fire. His army appeared in line behind him, marching with the fire of war. A single thrust of his hand ignited the wood into flames, the red and orange clashed against the final death markers of day. Oranges struck against oranges: green and browns were conquered as the fire took over inch by inch.

"Did you know that today is my birthday? I couldn't think of a better present…"

Raven tried not to listen as the flames licked near her body. She held Robin close, erecting a shield to keep out the smoke. The flame fighters steadily poured into the woods, ruining any hope they had of staying still. Robin pulled himself to his knees. The shaded-black shield darkened his vision, but didn't make it any less clear that Slade's army was coming in to take them out.

"Raven, run."

"No. This is my fight too." Raven replied. Her eyes shifted from his body to the path of destruction leading directly to them.

Slade watched his army continue to burn the forest down. It was rather uninteresting to see someone else's fire burn through the thicket, but he did have to appreciate the desperation of the circumstances… and he had to exploit it. That would bring beauty to this fight.

Raven grimaced as a pair of flame demons hammered at her shield. The smoke was thick and powerful, if she dropped her barrier they would choke. If she kept it up… she wasn't really sure how long that would be an option.

Robin readied exploding disks. The three slipped between his fingers coolly with all the ease of years and years of practice. He knew what Raven was going to do; they couldn't stay on the defensive forever. The pair stood side by side, bodies turned to launch their attack. As their limbs extended to their entire length, a sharp whorl, the sound of the wind being split, rushed towards them. The energy barrage slipped perfectly over Slade's shoulder, the man didn't flinch a bit, his eye watched it with disinterest. The arrow struck a flaming tree. On impact an ice formation spread from flame to flame, covering the fire from the trees to some of the flame demons within the web of the ice's path. Half the forest charred blue and became perfectly still.

Slade did jump when another furious weapon met his path. He back flipped effortlessly as the hiraikotsu drove through the air like a war hammer. Its path continued, slicing through the frozen trees and flame demons. Raven and Robin watched the beast of a weapon cut through the enemies in the way. The slight distraction allowed Raven to drop her guard. The pair took the offensive, Robin exploding forward with a barrage of disks. Raven's power crumbled bodies left and right as the pair ran for the outskirt of the woods.

Just before the break, the flame demons collapsed together, a dense mass blocking their path. Robin slammed together two bird-a-rangs bringing his sword to glimmer with the light of his enemies' fire. Raven stood beside him, her hand extended to exercise her fury. The two stood shocked together when a rumble of earth upheaved, smashing a path clear for them. From their right Terra ran towards them.

"Terra! What are you doing here?"

The blonde haired girl stopped inches away from them panting from the smoke. "There was an attack on the tower. We saw your distress signal…"

"Terra! You've got to get out of here!" Raven yelled.

"What? Why? I can help."

"Slade's here!"

Terra's eyes widened. In that moment she turned her head to the path she created and at the very end stood Slade. Slade turned his head to the side, taking in the sight of her.

"And here I thought it couldn't get any better." Slade stepped forward. "Hello Terra. It's good to see you again."

Terra's body locked rigidly, trying to step backwards but found she could only move one leg. Her terror was etched into her face; it scared Raven. Her stun left her perfectly vulnerable to Slade's flame shots. Raven tackled the girl, knocking them both to the ground. The fire balls swarmed over their heads bringing more flames and smoke. Raven stood quickly, grabbing Terra's hand and running in an arcing path to escape the wood. Robin ran out in a straight path to Slade.

Raven and Terra stumbled out of the woods in time to see Robin swing at Slade. Sakura and Speedy took down the flame soldiers as quickly as they could; the arrows and boomerang flew through the air, striking down everything in their paths. Raven pulled Terra from her knees.

"Terra! Run!"

Terra didn't register Raven's voice. When Raven forced her to stand she complied mechanically. Raven's voice wasn't getting through… all there was to see and hear was Slade.

When the army dwindled to just a dozen, Sakura left Speedy to finish them off. Watching her brother's movements for a moment presented her with an opening. She leapt into the air, her arm dropped back and with a flip of her wrist, Sakura hurled her weapon. The boomerang stormed forward, aimed to catch Slade in the back, but at the last moment Slade tumbled backwards clearing himself from its fury. Robin slid under its path effortlessly, allowing the weapon to take its return path uninterrupted. He dove back at Slade, reaching him just after he shot a fire ball. The flaming sphere headed straight for Sakura, but it was knocked away by her returned weapon. Sakura recovered from the heat and dove forward again, swinging her boomerang like a club. Slade danced between the twin assault of the siblings. They were good.

Slade was better.

Slade slipped under a swing and delivered a powerful backhand, knocking Sakura back, the blow taking the hiraikotsu from her hands. Robin stepped in and delivered a fierce kick to Slade's side. He followed it with a downward cut. Slade grabbed the handle of Robin's sword, stopping the attack. He used his hold and pivoted the Boy Wonder, throwing him into the advancing Sakura. The two rolled into the ground, their weapons out of range.

Slade turned his attention to the two girls to his right, the predatory glare fixed and menacing. The barrage of arrows didn't interrupt his path. Speedy unleashed a frenzy but each one rebounded from Slade's power. A demon stepped into Speedy's path and took him head on.

Raven watched Slade step closer to Terra. "Terra! Run!" Again the girl didn't move. "Run!" She didn't even blink. "RUN!" Raven wrapped her dark energy around Terra and pushed the frozen girl a few feet behind her. Terra staggered to her feet, clutching the tree behind her.

Slade marched forward and Raven marched backwards. Slade observed her for a moment, before throwing a fireball into her path. The sphere struck Raven in the chest, knocking her into the smoldering woods. Robin and Sakura gave each other the briefest of looks before running forward in an assault. Robin came in on Slade's left, Sakura from his right. The siblings attacked in nearly perfect syncopation, Robin's moves were more fluid and faster, Sakura's sharper and stronger. Their moves executed swiftly, uppercuts, back kicks, spinning elbows and brutal chops beat into Slade and were knocked away. Slade engaged the pair, matching the attacks from both fighters.

Arrows danced in, adding to the danger of the situation. Terra watched. She should have moved, but she didn't. She waited for what she knew was coming. Robin shifted his weight back and delivered a spin kick. His masked eyes widened when Slade parried, knocking the Boy Wonder off balance before punching him in the face. Sakura sprung from beneath him, a razor's edge interrupted by an elbow slamming down onto her collar bone. The blow stunned her, dropping her body to one knee. It left her open for the sharp kick to her face. Robin slid to the ground and a few seconds later, Sakura slid in beside him. Behind them Speedy was overpowered, the short haired archer fell to the ground. They were left to watch as Slade finally reached Terra.

The blonde girl looked up. Slade's imposing shadow covered half of Terra's face. She could have run away, she could have ducked or attacked but she didn't. Terra watched with eyes stretched wide. Slade reached down with one hand, grabbing the fabric of her shirt, pulling the fragile blonde from the floor³. Her hands dangled limply, her eyes meeting his. His eye took in the sight of her… he didn't say a single word.

Robin was the first to pull himself to his feet. "Get away from her!" Above the forest, the voice resounded as a deep black energy, the body of a raven; spread its wings against the night. Speedy and Sakura staggered to their feet and stared behind Robin. Raven's energy flickered in a rage barely contained. Even from their distance, even in the darkness of the night sky, Robin could see them. Four terrifying eyes… a body of red markers. Raven… don't…

Raven's speed would have been the death of any other man. But Slade wasn't any other man. The rest of his body barely moved when he threw Terra away like a rag doll, the small blond slammed into Sakura, laying them both out. In the moment that Slade turned around, Raven flew in closer, one claw extended before her. From the wings of the massive bird, black jagged spheres of energy erupted, slamming into the earth. They fell like meteorites, scourging the earth, taking out one fire to light the earth with another. Flare demons split and crumbled, the ground welted with the force. Slade stood perfectly still. Raven tucked the power back within her. She turned her body and dove head first, that fierce claw extended to inflict the full extent of her power.

Her assault ended when Slade presented a claw of his own. Raven's eyes regained their vulnerability as Slade's grip tightened around her neck. Her legs kicked pathetically. Raven's fingers raked against the muscle that held her still.

"You're almost making this too easy. If I were to disappear right now… your friends would never see you again… they'd never see anything again." Slade's single eye bore into her as if he were looking at something priceless and worthless at the same time. He said nothing as he threw her away. Raven slammed into a tree, the force of the blow stealing her consciousness. Slade turned and looked at Robin.

"You should have stayed at my side Robin. You don't seem to be very good at playing the good guy. I'm not going to take her today… just a warning… I suggest you sleep with one eye open from now on."

Robin ran forward, his fist drawn to strike Slade down. Slade turned his shoulder to avoid the punch. Robin fell forward, his balance lost in his rage. Slade stepped aside giving the scene one last look before he and his army faded into the night.

Robin's fingers clenched as his jaw stretched against his sneer. The ground had become cold as the night had expanded, his fingers felt numb. His heart was pounding, his eyes burned and for the life of him he wanted to scream.

Speedy pulled Sakura to her feet. The two watched Terra pull herself up, dusting her fingers across her bunched up shirt. The fabric held the impression of Slade's grasp. Terra left her hand pressed against that place firmly. Her heart beat was calm. Without a word, Terra rose a chunk of the earth beneath her feet and guided herself back to the tower.

Raven's eyes opened, allowing her to see Terra take off without a trace of emotion in her face. Raven's purple eyes wavered. A sharp pain crashed in her head. She felt it again, that terrible pain from Brother Blood's attack last night. She thought she had cleared it all away, but with Slade so close, that strange feeling splintered her psyche. She needed to meditate… they all needed to prepare.

The next few days at the tower passed, holding in the air a constant state of unease. The group was fractured. Raven threw herself into cleansing her mind. Robin spent nearly every moment he could in the training room, forcing his body to get stronger, to be better… to not be weak before Slade.

The sweat poured down his face as he began another series of stances and moves. His breathing was hard, his muscles ached and his heart could not be satisfied. He hadn't seen Raven in two days. No one had. The same went for Terra, but that concerned him less than what was happening with Raven. The red marks of Scath had returned to her body when Slade attacked. She had said that she wouldn't be Trigon's gate… the marks said otherwise. In the moment where Slade presented the quest, the unblockable destiny that they all stood against, Raven had crumbled: she couldn't land a single blow with the power of her fate blinding her. Robin didn't want to believe that Raven had been too confident in her powers when she made her claims… No one was looking forward to the end of the world…

Robin's foot shot out in a nearly perfect spin kick. The vengeance behind the strike tore the punching bag from its chain, spilling sand onto the ground. His mask protected him from the upkick of dust but the tiny particles crashed against his sweat and made the liquid even more uncomfortable. His body told him to quit. His will told him to press forward. His soul told him to see Raven.

As afraid as Robin allowed himself to admit he was about the situation, he knew it was no competition to the ache and burn Raven had to be feeling. When he had watched her, spreading every ounce of her power through the sky, he knew she was attacking with everything she had. It hadn't been enough.

Robin went to his bedroom, showered and sat on his bed, shaking the last of the water from his head. The last time he had thought to talk to Raven she had stopped him before he had even knocked on the door. It was her voice, not through his mind, but through his ears that told him to go away. He had tried to force her to let him in, but Raven wouldn't budge and would say nothing more to him than those two words. He couldn't get back into her mind, he couldn't make her feel his worry… he couldn't feel hers…

They were falling apart.

End of Part One

¹ For Speedy and Sakura, being near each other in competition is "normal" it's how they enjoy each others company. Sakura wants to fight so she could feel some sort of normalcy.

²I know that this seems a little rushed as far as relationship development goes, but I needed to get it out there before the next chapter. While this relationship is fun and I have fun with it, it really isn't a central pairing (I don't want to take anymore of the story away from R&R with this pairing)

³Think Aftershock part two