Ok, I finally got through this stupid chapter. I swear I rewrote this thing fifteen times before I finally got something I liked. I still think I could have done a better job but it was starting to piss me off. I hope I did ok. I sent it to a friend of mine like a week ago, but I didn't get an answer. I'd kinda wanted him to read over it and give me his opinion before posted it, but oh well. The next one will be coming soon, I promise.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans
Ch. 11: Reunited
Raphael stood in the background, leaned lazily against the wall, with his arms wrapped across his chest. He watched as the Titans eagerly crowded around their returning leader. They all spoke at once, telling of the recent events and battles with the criminal underworld while he was away. The site inspired strange happiness within him, one he hadn't felt since the early days.
Batman turned and looked back at where Raphael stood. He moved slowly closer to Raphael, and stared the boy straight in the eyes. Raphael smiled defiantly back at the caped crusader.
"Glad to see you're still alive." He stopped at least three feet
"Humph, feeling mutual, Bruce."
"You've gotten taller." Batman observed.
"That's what happens to people when you haven't seen them in five years," Raphael jumped up from his position against the wall and walked up to batman. He was nearly eye level with his former mentor now. "So how are those wounds of yours holding up old man?" He turned and took a step past Batman.
"I'll manage." Raphael stopped. His back was turned to his former mentor.
"Humph, is that so…" Raphael uncrossed his arms and let them dangle at his sides. For one silent moment, they stood back to back.
Raphael jumped into the air swinging his left heel straight for Batman's head, but he dodged the attack and jumped back into a defensive position. Raph looked back at Batman over his shoulder, a hateful gleam in his eyes.
Raven and Robin were the first to react as the shock cleared from their minds. Robin jumped in-between the two combatants trying desperately to hold back his infuriated mentor, while Raven held Raphael back.
"What the hell is the matter with you, are you crazy?" She questioned, but his eyes never left his enemy. He tried getting passed her, but she stood firmly in his way.
"Get out of my way. This is none of your concern." He tried again to get passed her but she shoved him back. All the while his eyes stayed fixed on Batman.
"This is no time for you to play games, Raph." He broke his gaze and looked back down at Raven.
"Who says I'm playing." They stared for a moment at one another, but Raphael's attention quickly snapped back to the advancing Batman. Raph shoved Raven out of the way, just in time as Batman swung at Raph. She fell safely, but painfully, to the ground. Raven looked back to were Robin sat dumbfounded on the rooftop. Apparently Batman had done the same.
They watched the two combatants as they danced across the rooftop. By this time the rest of the titans had regained control of their limbs. Starfire and Beast boy rushed over to help Robin back up, while Cyborg came to help Raven. The Titans watched as the two heroes battled it out.
"Dude, what the hell is goen on?" BB asked, but there came no answer. No one knew what had happened, not even Robin. So the Titan's watched helplessly as Batman and Rapahel threw volley after volley of punches and kicks.
Raphael kicked high at Batman's head, but he ducked, and countered with a powerful shot to the gut. Raphael grabbed Batman's arm and whipped him around in mid air back toward the wall. Batman flew toward the wall, landing feet first against it. He pushed off, rolled onto the ground, and flung a bat-a-rang toward Raph's head all in one fluent motion. Raph easily snatched the weapon clean from the air, whipped around, and sent it whirling back at the caped crusader, who moved his head just in time to avoid the projectile. It struck the wall and stuck deep. Raphael stood up straight and smiled defiantly.
"You're still injured aren't you old man?" Batman glared angrily at Raphael, still poised and ready for an attack. Raphael knew the old man would never admit it, but he was in no shape for battle. "I'll let you get healed up real good," Raph turned on his heals, jammed his hands in his pockets and walked toward the tower stairs. "Cause I can't very well brag about killen ya, if you're already half dead"
"You still talk too much." The door made a hollow clanking sound as he closed it behind him.
Robin stood on the rocky shore, watching the sun as it sliped sleepily behind the mountains. It created the most beautiful orange hue across the mountains. Raph was probably off, somewhere in the city, watching the same as he. He hadn't come back yet, and Robin didn't really expect him back at all. It was in his nature to drift. Go where he's needed, for as long as he's needed, and then disappear until he's needed again.
"It must be lonely." He thought aloud.
"What must be lonely?" Robin turned to the voice and smiled.
"Oh, sorry Star. I didn't realize you were there."
"What loneliness do you speak of, dear Robin." She drifted over next to him, her inquisitive eyes begging for an answer. It never ceased to amaze him how curious she always was about everything. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close
"Oh nothing Star. I was just thinking how lonely Raph must be, living the way he does." His attention turned back to the horizon, but she still stared intently up at him.
"Why would he be lonely?" She asked cuddling into his embrace, and turning to stare, as he did, into the setting sun. "We are here to keep him company."
"I'm not sure Raphael will even come back, Star. He never stays too long in one place." This upset Starfire. She didn't want her new friend to leave. He'd only just gotten to be part of the team.
Robin, sensing her unhappiness, lifted her chin up to meet her gaze, and smiled gently. "Don't worry Star. It's not like he'll be gone forever. Raphael always turns up eventually." This eased her mind, slightly and she smiled again. "And when he does, it'll be like he was never gone." Turning back to the tower, Robin had a sudden stroke of genius.
"Let's go out tonight. Have some fun. What do ya say?" Her eyes sparkled with delight, and she nodded enthusiastically. Just what the doctor ordered. It had been a long time since he and Star had a real date, and this would help keep her mind off of Raph, as well as his.
The two walked slowly back to the tower, excited for the night to come, when the alarms sounded. There night had been ruined even before it started. Robin looked at the tiny screen, and grimaced.
"Slade..."
Ya know I really appreciate how understanding you guys were about this whole thing. I really expected you guys to form a lynch mob and come looken for me. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I know it took me a long time, but it's finally here. (Thank you Lord) I hope it was alright, and the next chapter should come easier for me. Thanks for sticken with me, I'm not quitting till I'm done. You can count on that. Now I'm gunna get back to work. C'ya
