Disclaimer: I don't own the teen titans or the words to the song Pure
Shores by All Saints. Incidentally I would like to thank my loyal and
absolutely wonderful reviewers by giving them a nice chapter where Raven
has fun, this will shortly be followed by a chapter where Robin does NOT
have fun. Hmm. Ah well you can't have everything. And I should also mention
that in this chapter two characters from Beyblade will make a guest
appearance because I don't know of any other atlantians from teen titans.
Sorry.
Hand in Hand
Chapter Twenty: Pure Shores
21st November
"How about the beach?" asked Aqualad looking at the relatively clear night sky. The millions of stars were visible which was unusual but it was still nice.
"But it's November. The end of November and it's night time won't it be cold?" asked Raven peering out of the window as well and rubbing her hands together as if talking about it had dropped the temperature.
"No, the wind has gone and so it won't be that cold. And you know that November isn't a winter month. Winter starts in December." He shook his finger at her in a mocking manner. "Didn't you know that?"
She batted his hand away, "Oh shush." She gave him a quick half- hearted glare that made him chuckle. "Well, I suppose there isn't really that much to do around here at night if you don't want to go clubbing. The beach will do."
"Well if your going to be like that. Maybe I don't want to take you to my beach." He crossed his arms and made a show of looking upset.
Raven stared, "Who said the beach was yours? I didn't see your name on it anywhere."
Aqualad turned to look at her, he tilted his head and looked thoughtful, "I could have sworn I wrote it in the sand." He grinned and then shook his head, "Whoever said we were going to THAT beach. I've got a different one in mind."
## I've crossed the deserts for miles,
Swam the water for miles,
Searching places to find,
A piece of something I could call mine,
(I'm coming)##
"Don't be silly. There isn't another beach for miles." Raven retorted draining the last of her tea. No sooner had she put the cup down the girl behind the counter was there with a washcloth and tray.
The girl, Raven didn't know her name, she was sure the girl must have told her at one point over the last few years, but memory escaped her at the moment, grabbed the empty cup and chucked it on the tray. She flung the washcloth against the table and began to scrub it as if her life depended on it. "Did you enjoy your tea Raven?" she asked as she squirted all sorts of cleaning solution on the table top, "Do you want another? I can get you one really quickly." The girl stood up and tossed the cloth onto the tray, "In fact I can get you one like that." She clicked her fingers.
There was silence for a few moments.
"And I half expected tea to appear then." Said Raven dryly looking up at the girl.
She grinned back impishly, "Oh no, no. I don't do witchcraft and the like. Just good hard manual labour. I would if I could though."
Raven and Aqualad stared.
"Oh right. I'll make myself scarce." The girl said flapping her apron with her hands. She whirled grabbed the tray and made a sharp exit.
"I'm beginning to wonder if normality isn't all it's cracked up to be." Muttered Raven shaking her head, "What were you saying?"
"Hmm? What? Oh. Yeah I wasn't going to take you to that beach. I was going to take you to another." Aqualad surfaced from his daze with a smile and a raising of the eyebrows.
"Oh? And where would this other beach be hmm?" asked Raven turning back to look out of the window.
"Well, I'll show you."
## A piece of something to call mine,
(I'm coming)
(I'm coming)
A piece of something to call mine##
Raven stared at him long and hard, "You'll show me huh? Okay then. Show me YOUR beach. If there even such a thing."
Aqualad looked slightly affronted, "Okay, well maybe it doesn't belong to me in particular but it belongs to all atlantians." He scowled playfully at her, "But it does exist." He stood up from his seat and stared down at her. He walked around to her side of the table and extended his hand, "Are you coming?" he held out his hand.
Raven reached out and took. He pulled her up into a standing position. When he didn't release her hand she looked up at him quizzically, "Don't take this the wrong way but...I don't like to be touched."
Aqualad hastily withdrew his hand and smiled sheepishly, "My mistake. Come on then let's go."
"Okay." Agreed Raven and followed him to the door, "Put it on my tab!" she told the girl as she opened the door and let it swing shut behind her.
The night air wasn't particularly cold. She looked at him sourly. He had been right it wasn't at all chilly. She wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or not.
"So where is this beach?" asked Raven as the two of them made a beeline to the old beach, "Is it far? Do I have to get wet to get there?" she looked down at her clothes and wondered what would happen if they got covered in salt water. She really didn't want them to be ruined.
"It's only for a second." Muttered Aqualad as he walked back onto the sands of the beach he had stood on hours before, "Only a second. It's warm there anyway so any clothes will soon dry."
"Oh I'm sure." Returned Raven staring down into the salty depths of the water that was lapping around her ankles as she moved forward. The moonlight was leaving trails of silver and gold across the surface of the ocean as the waves rose and fell in succession.
##Went along many moors,
Walked through so many doors,
The place where I wanna be,
Is the place I can call mine,
(I'm coming)##
"It will only be for a second I promise." Murmured Aqualad.
Raven frowned down at the water, "Okay so what do we do to get to this beach of yours?"
"Oh, not much." Replied Aqualad almost as if he was trying to avoid the question.
"What do you mean not much?" Raven questions turning around.
But before she could properly turn around someone seized her around the waist, picked her up and threw her out into the ocean.
Raven let out a tiny scream as she flew and forgetting to use her powers she hit the water and sank like a stone. As she disappeared beneath the dark depths a pale hand came out of nowhere and grasped hers. The hand pulled her down sharply. She felt the water rushing past her face and her body, soaking through the fabric of her clothes like they were paper.
There was a popping sound and suddenly she wasn't cold anymore. She was warm and there was no water. She looked around herself trying to see what was going on.
##Is the place I can call mine,
(I'm coming)
(I'm coming)
Coming closer to you##
Raven turned her head. Aqualad grinned at her as he placed his hands behind his back and floated downwards. Floated? Now she really knew she was going crazy. People don't float...okay so some did but...she scowled and then looked at herself, she too was floating downwards as if suspended in water even though there was nothing around her.
"Nearly there!" Aqualad yelled, well by watching his face it looked as if he was yelling but she couldn't hear a thing.
"What is this place?" she yelled back but even to her, her voice sounded muted and terribly quiet.
"What?" he yelled back.
"Never mind!" she yelled waving her hand as if to try and tell him what she meant by using sign-language.
He put his hand to his ear and grinned.
Raven folded her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at him. She didn't know if this was some sort of game he was playing but she was getting uneasy when she was continuously floating downwards without knowing if she was going to stop any time soon
But she had only just thought about the prospect of floating down forever when the ground suddenly rushed up to meet her. She hit the sand hard and her knees bent under the impact. She straightened slightly and looked around. Aqualad landed next to her.
"Welcome to the atlantian beach!" he said proudly spreading his arms.
Raven raised her eyebrows and looked around. They were in a small cavern. The walls and roof of it were covered in fragments of precious stones and glittering veins of blue and gold ran in the warm sand under her feet but still, there was no water. "Uh, this is the beach?" she asked in confusion.
Aqualad rubbed the back of his neck, "Okay no it's not but just beyond that opening right there is the beach." He said dropping his arm slightly and pointing towards the small doorway she had not noticed before.
"Riiiiiiight..."
##I'm moving,
I'm coming,
Can you hear what I hear?
It's calling you my dear,
(Take me to my beach)
I can hear it, calling you,
I'm coming not drowning,
Swimming closer to you##
"I'm mean serious." He said with mock indignation, "Come on this way, hopefully no one else will be there."
Raven followed him almost hesitantly trying to ignore how warm the sand was. She could feel the gentle warmth up from under the soles of her boots. It was a nice feeling it almost felt safe, "Who else would be there?"
Aqualad shrugged, "Some other atlantians maybe. Most of my race don't come here often they're too busy but sometimes the occasional person will come to relax or to have competitions."
"Oh." Said Raven she really didn't want to meet any new people at the moment especially atlantians.
The two of them reached the opening and Aqualad paused, "Yeah the competitions are really rare though. If anyone we'll meet people relaxing and it's a big beach so we could just move to another spot." He winked at Raven and then disappeared through the opening.
Raven scowled at him but followed him nonetheless.
When she emerged out into the light she was...awestruck to say the least. The sand was a mixture of silver and gold. And the huge cliffs that flanked the beach were pale grey washed with silver. Long trailing vines were hanging from every crevasse and blooming purple and yellow flowers were wrapped around every outcrop. The icy sky blue waters lapped at the sand gently. Raven looked up at the cliffs and let her gaze sweep right the way across. Aqualad had been right. The beach was huge. The stone ceiling was mixed with precious gems that glittered and shone. They were as much of a light source as the huge fired torches that stood near the rock face on the entrance side. Raven felt the breath catch in her throat as she turned to see a huge waterfall, the clear sparkling waters shifted as they ran down the side of the rocks and splashed into the darkness of the water creating silver and cream foam and golden bubbles. She could see smaller waterfalls around the beach.
She was so dazzled by it all that it took all of her will power to not just stand there gaping like a fish.
##Never been here before,
I'm intrigued, I'm unsure,
I'm searching for more,
I've got something that's all mine,
I've got something that's all mine##
"It looks like there's no one else here..." began Aqualad standing up on his toes and checking out the beach with quick and dark eyes. "Okay I take that back there is someone else here."
"Who?" asked Raven finally when she recovered her ability to speak coherently.
"A friend of mine...I don't think that's he's seen us so...oh too late. He's coming over." Aqualad muttered a curse under his breath, "Timing. Very bad timing."
Raven looked towards the direction where Aqualad was staring and narrowed her eyes. Sure enough a teenage boy with black hair was walking towards them smiling. She narrowed her eyes further; did that guy have a tail? She shook her head as she realised that the boy just had really long hair that had been tied back in a bind. Spiky black bangs fell in front of his face almost hiding his golden cat-like eyes.
Raven wondered whether or not other atlantians had eyes like that.
"Aqualad! Hey! What brings you here?" asked the boy as he got closer. Raven could see now that he was closer that he was wearing some sort of Chinese fighting out fit.
"Hey Rei. I came to show Raven this place." Said Aqualad smoothly beckoning towards Raven.
"Oh, right." The boy flashed a smile and Raven could make out slightly pointed teeth. She wondered if she should be worried that the boy had fangs, "Hey Raven." He said softly, "I'm Rei." He held out his gloved hand.
Raven looked at the appendage and then looked back at his face. She didn't say anything. She didn't really want to talk to someone she'd only just met especially someone who's appearance unnerved her so.
##Take me somewhere I can breathe,
I've got so much to see,
This is where I want to be,
In a place I can call mine,
In a place I can call mine##
Rei stared at her for a moment and then smiled, "The silent type I see. Just like Kai. You should meet him." Rei turned around as if looking for someone.
"Kai's here?" asked Aqualad raising his eyebrows and smirking.
Rei looked back at him and grinned, "Yep, Kai!" he leaned forward and cupped his hands to his mouth, "Kai! Hey Kai get over here!"
Raven watched this silently.
"What are you two doing here then?" asked Aqualad leaning back on the wall.
Rei grinned and his fangs flashed again, "You want me to answer that in all honesty?"
Raven looked at Aqualad as he suddenly laughed and waved his hands in front of him, "Nope, never mind. I don't think I want to know!"
Raven scowled.
Rei grinned, "I knew you were gonna say that." He laughed and then smiled at Raven, "You'll like Kai, he never says much either. And when he does its often condescending and sometimes rude." Rei shrugged. "KAI!"
Another teen came around the corner and scowled darkly. Raven noticed his eyes first of all and the dark look in them made her shiver. They were blood red. Raven stared at this new teen and came to the conclusion that she didn't like him at all. He was wearing black trousers and a black sleeveless shirt. His hands were covered with long black fingerless gloves that sported cruel curled blades at the elbow. A long white scarf trailed behind him from his neck. Raven scowled. The boy's hair was two toned blue, the front spikes were slate blue and the longer hair at the back was dark blue. What confused her the most though were the four pale blue triangular tattoos that he had on his face. They made him look vicious.
"What?" the teen snapped, "I thought you were going to come straight back."
Rei grinned, "Aww Kai I was just saying hello and anyway I want you to meet Aqualad's new friend Raven."
"But why?" questioned both Raven and Kai at the same time in the same exasperated tone.
## I'm moving,
I'm coming,
Can you hear what I hear?
It's calling you my dear,
(Take me to my beach)
I can hear it, calling you,
I'm coming not drowning,
Swimming closer to you##
Rei and Aqualad looked at each other and chuckled.
Raven sighed and crossed her arms again, "I take it you are both atlantians then?" she asked trying to make conversation and not appear rude for Aqualad's sake.
Rei grinned and pointed to his chest, "Born and bred, isn't that right Kai?"
Kai was silent.
"Kai." Rei said again turning slightly to fix the blue haired teen with a quizzical look.
Raven and Aqualad just stared. Aqualad groaned slightly as if this was something he was used to seeing. "Not again." He muttered under his breath.
Rei looked at Kai closely, "Kai?"
He received no response.
Rei's eyes narrowed slightly and the cat like pupil slit in aggravation, "KAI!"
The blue haired teen cracked open one of his now closed eyes and gave the dark haired atlantian an annoyed look, "What?"
Rei faltered, "Is this about earlier? I knew it! You're mad aren't you? I'm so stupid, are you mad?"
Raven and Aqualad's interest piqued and they leaned forward slightly.
"What happened earlier?" asked Aqualad looking from one of his friends to the other.
The two atlantians were silent and Rei blushed dark red and turned away slightly, "Nothing." They both muttered at the same time.
There was silence on the beach for a moment and the only the sound of the waterfalls were heard.
"Are you mad?" asked Rei finally after fidgeting for a while.
Kai turned his back on them and snorted, "Maybe."
"Urgh...I said I was sorry!" Rei whined creeping towards the older boy.
Kai looked over his shoulder at Rei, "It doesn't change the fact that you did it though does it?" he asked and looked back over at the water his gaze avoiding Rei's.
"I'll make it up to you then! Is there any way I can make it up to you?" he asked whilst flashing a grin at Raven and Aqualad who were standing watching the interaction between the two boys with growing interest and confusion.
"No."
##Moving, coming, can you hear what I hear?
(Hear it out of reach)
I hear it calling you, swimming closer to you##
Rei wrung his hands together and blanched slightly as Kai began to walk off head held high, "Are you sure there is nothing I can do?" he asked his voice almost desperate.
Kai paused and turned slightly, there was amusement in his eyes, "That all depends on what you're willing to do."
Rei's eyes widened slightly and his face suddenly broke into wide grin that threatened to split his face in half, he waved at Aqualad and Raven and then bounced after the retreating Kai, "I can do almost anything! I'm very flexible after all..." his voice trailed off as the two of them got further and further away.
Aqualad laughed, "I'll see you later then!" he called.
The two boys turned, Rei waved and Kai smirked.
Raven narrowed her eyes as the boys grew smaller and smaller as they approached the horizon, "Um...are those two...." Her voice trailed off.
Aqualad grinned, "Yes. They are."
Raven's eyes widened in surprise, "And atlantians don't mind that?" she asked watching as the two others finally disappeared from view.
Aqualad shrugged, "We've never really thought about it. Most of the atlantians spend too much time working to ever fall in love and those that do are often considered lucky and special. Gender was never really an issue to us."
Raven nodded, "I think atlantians are more humane that humanity." She shrugged and looked again at the beach.
##Many faces I have seen,
Many places I have been,
Walked the deserts, swam the shores,
(Coming closer to you)
Many faces I have known,
Many ways that I have grown,
Moving closer on my own,
(Coming closer to you)##
"It's beautiful isn't it?" he asked her suddenly.
Raven stared at the landscape before her as the shock finally wore off, "Yeah. It's magnificent...I...I wish I could come here more." She ended and sat down on the warm sand. She ignored the particles that found their way into her cloak. They would wash out later.
Aqualad sat down next to her and put his elbows on his knees, "Well if you ever want to come here...all you have to do is ask."
Raven blinked in surprise. Aqualad grinned at her owlish expression, "Are you serious?" she asked.
"Yes." He replied staring at her eyes.
##I move it, I feel it,
I'm coming not drowning,
I move it, I feel it,
I'm coming not drowning##
Raven blushed slightly, "Thank you."
They fell silent for while as they both watched the water rising and falling with the tide. It was peaceful as if they were both living in a child's dream.
Eventually though it was Raven who broke the comfortable silence and looked over at Aqualad, "Hey." She said quietly lowering her eyes to the sand as the words left her lips.
"Yes?"
"You...you can hold my hand if you want." She asked and the looked away embarrassed. She kicked herself inwardly. What was she thinking? She didn't know. She sighed inwardly. This no timidity thing was going to get her into a lot of bother. She had thought she'd over stepped the line until she felt cool fingers curl around her own.
She jumped slightly at the contact and looked up at him.
Aqualad smiled softly, "Okay."
Raven conveniently decided to forget that she had said she didn't like to be touched. Raven gave him the best smile she could manage. There was no happiness in it but copious amounts of relief and certainty were present.
## I'm moving,
I'm coming,
Can you hear what I hear?
It's calling you my dear,
(Take me to my beach)
I can hear it, calling you,
I'm coming not drowning,
Swimming closer to you,
(Take me to my beach)##
Hand in Hand
Chapter Twenty: Pure Shores
21st November
"How about the beach?" asked Aqualad looking at the relatively clear night sky. The millions of stars were visible which was unusual but it was still nice.
"But it's November. The end of November and it's night time won't it be cold?" asked Raven peering out of the window as well and rubbing her hands together as if talking about it had dropped the temperature.
"No, the wind has gone and so it won't be that cold. And you know that November isn't a winter month. Winter starts in December." He shook his finger at her in a mocking manner. "Didn't you know that?"
She batted his hand away, "Oh shush." She gave him a quick half- hearted glare that made him chuckle. "Well, I suppose there isn't really that much to do around here at night if you don't want to go clubbing. The beach will do."
"Well if your going to be like that. Maybe I don't want to take you to my beach." He crossed his arms and made a show of looking upset.
Raven stared, "Who said the beach was yours? I didn't see your name on it anywhere."
Aqualad turned to look at her, he tilted his head and looked thoughtful, "I could have sworn I wrote it in the sand." He grinned and then shook his head, "Whoever said we were going to THAT beach. I've got a different one in mind."
## I've crossed the deserts for miles,
Swam the water for miles,
Searching places to find,
A piece of something I could call mine,
(I'm coming)##
"Don't be silly. There isn't another beach for miles." Raven retorted draining the last of her tea. No sooner had she put the cup down the girl behind the counter was there with a washcloth and tray.
The girl, Raven didn't know her name, she was sure the girl must have told her at one point over the last few years, but memory escaped her at the moment, grabbed the empty cup and chucked it on the tray. She flung the washcloth against the table and began to scrub it as if her life depended on it. "Did you enjoy your tea Raven?" she asked as she squirted all sorts of cleaning solution on the table top, "Do you want another? I can get you one really quickly." The girl stood up and tossed the cloth onto the tray, "In fact I can get you one like that." She clicked her fingers.
There was silence for a few moments.
"And I half expected tea to appear then." Said Raven dryly looking up at the girl.
She grinned back impishly, "Oh no, no. I don't do witchcraft and the like. Just good hard manual labour. I would if I could though."
Raven and Aqualad stared.
"Oh right. I'll make myself scarce." The girl said flapping her apron with her hands. She whirled grabbed the tray and made a sharp exit.
"I'm beginning to wonder if normality isn't all it's cracked up to be." Muttered Raven shaking her head, "What were you saying?"
"Hmm? What? Oh. Yeah I wasn't going to take you to that beach. I was going to take you to another." Aqualad surfaced from his daze with a smile and a raising of the eyebrows.
"Oh? And where would this other beach be hmm?" asked Raven turning back to look out of the window.
"Well, I'll show you."
## A piece of something to call mine,
(I'm coming)
(I'm coming)
A piece of something to call mine##
Raven stared at him long and hard, "You'll show me huh? Okay then. Show me YOUR beach. If there even such a thing."
Aqualad looked slightly affronted, "Okay, well maybe it doesn't belong to me in particular but it belongs to all atlantians." He scowled playfully at her, "But it does exist." He stood up from his seat and stared down at her. He walked around to her side of the table and extended his hand, "Are you coming?" he held out his hand.
Raven reached out and took. He pulled her up into a standing position. When he didn't release her hand she looked up at him quizzically, "Don't take this the wrong way but...I don't like to be touched."
Aqualad hastily withdrew his hand and smiled sheepishly, "My mistake. Come on then let's go."
"Okay." Agreed Raven and followed him to the door, "Put it on my tab!" she told the girl as she opened the door and let it swing shut behind her.
The night air wasn't particularly cold. She looked at him sourly. He had been right it wasn't at all chilly. She wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or not.
"So where is this beach?" asked Raven as the two of them made a beeline to the old beach, "Is it far? Do I have to get wet to get there?" she looked down at her clothes and wondered what would happen if they got covered in salt water. She really didn't want them to be ruined.
"It's only for a second." Muttered Aqualad as he walked back onto the sands of the beach he had stood on hours before, "Only a second. It's warm there anyway so any clothes will soon dry."
"Oh I'm sure." Returned Raven staring down into the salty depths of the water that was lapping around her ankles as she moved forward. The moonlight was leaving trails of silver and gold across the surface of the ocean as the waves rose and fell in succession.
##Went along many moors,
Walked through so many doors,
The place where I wanna be,
Is the place I can call mine,
(I'm coming)##
"It will only be for a second I promise." Murmured Aqualad.
Raven frowned down at the water, "Okay so what do we do to get to this beach of yours?"
"Oh, not much." Replied Aqualad almost as if he was trying to avoid the question.
"What do you mean not much?" Raven questions turning around.
But before she could properly turn around someone seized her around the waist, picked her up and threw her out into the ocean.
Raven let out a tiny scream as she flew and forgetting to use her powers she hit the water and sank like a stone. As she disappeared beneath the dark depths a pale hand came out of nowhere and grasped hers. The hand pulled her down sharply. She felt the water rushing past her face and her body, soaking through the fabric of her clothes like they were paper.
There was a popping sound and suddenly she wasn't cold anymore. She was warm and there was no water. She looked around herself trying to see what was going on.
##Is the place I can call mine,
(I'm coming)
(I'm coming)
Coming closer to you##
Raven turned her head. Aqualad grinned at her as he placed his hands behind his back and floated downwards. Floated? Now she really knew she was going crazy. People don't float...okay so some did but...she scowled and then looked at herself, she too was floating downwards as if suspended in water even though there was nothing around her.
"Nearly there!" Aqualad yelled, well by watching his face it looked as if he was yelling but she couldn't hear a thing.
"What is this place?" she yelled back but even to her, her voice sounded muted and terribly quiet.
"What?" he yelled back.
"Never mind!" she yelled waving her hand as if to try and tell him what she meant by using sign-language.
He put his hand to his ear and grinned.
Raven folded her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes at him. She didn't know if this was some sort of game he was playing but she was getting uneasy when she was continuously floating downwards without knowing if she was going to stop any time soon
But she had only just thought about the prospect of floating down forever when the ground suddenly rushed up to meet her. She hit the sand hard and her knees bent under the impact. She straightened slightly and looked around. Aqualad landed next to her.
"Welcome to the atlantian beach!" he said proudly spreading his arms.
Raven raised her eyebrows and looked around. They were in a small cavern. The walls and roof of it were covered in fragments of precious stones and glittering veins of blue and gold ran in the warm sand under her feet but still, there was no water. "Uh, this is the beach?" she asked in confusion.
Aqualad rubbed the back of his neck, "Okay no it's not but just beyond that opening right there is the beach." He said dropping his arm slightly and pointing towards the small doorway she had not noticed before.
"Riiiiiiight..."
##I'm moving,
I'm coming,
Can you hear what I hear?
It's calling you my dear,
(Take me to my beach)
I can hear it, calling you,
I'm coming not drowning,
Swimming closer to you##
"I'm mean serious." He said with mock indignation, "Come on this way, hopefully no one else will be there."
Raven followed him almost hesitantly trying to ignore how warm the sand was. She could feel the gentle warmth up from under the soles of her boots. It was a nice feeling it almost felt safe, "Who else would be there?"
Aqualad shrugged, "Some other atlantians maybe. Most of my race don't come here often they're too busy but sometimes the occasional person will come to relax or to have competitions."
"Oh." Said Raven she really didn't want to meet any new people at the moment especially atlantians.
The two of them reached the opening and Aqualad paused, "Yeah the competitions are really rare though. If anyone we'll meet people relaxing and it's a big beach so we could just move to another spot." He winked at Raven and then disappeared through the opening.
Raven scowled at him but followed him nonetheless.
When she emerged out into the light she was...awestruck to say the least. The sand was a mixture of silver and gold. And the huge cliffs that flanked the beach were pale grey washed with silver. Long trailing vines were hanging from every crevasse and blooming purple and yellow flowers were wrapped around every outcrop. The icy sky blue waters lapped at the sand gently. Raven looked up at the cliffs and let her gaze sweep right the way across. Aqualad had been right. The beach was huge. The stone ceiling was mixed with precious gems that glittered and shone. They were as much of a light source as the huge fired torches that stood near the rock face on the entrance side. Raven felt the breath catch in her throat as she turned to see a huge waterfall, the clear sparkling waters shifted as they ran down the side of the rocks and splashed into the darkness of the water creating silver and cream foam and golden bubbles. She could see smaller waterfalls around the beach.
She was so dazzled by it all that it took all of her will power to not just stand there gaping like a fish.
##Never been here before,
I'm intrigued, I'm unsure,
I'm searching for more,
I've got something that's all mine,
I've got something that's all mine##
"It looks like there's no one else here..." began Aqualad standing up on his toes and checking out the beach with quick and dark eyes. "Okay I take that back there is someone else here."
"Who?" asked Raven finally when she recovered her ability to speak coherently.
"A friend of mine...I don't think that's he's seen us so...oh too late. He's coming over." Aqualad muttered a curse under his breath, "Timing. Very bad timing."
Raven looked towards the direction where Aqualad was staring and narrowed her eyes. Sure enough a teenage boy with black hair was walking towards them smiling. She narrowed her eyes further; did that guy have a tail? She shook her head as she realised that the boy just had really long hair that had been tied back in a bind. Spiky black bangs fell in front of his face almost hiding his golden cat-like eyes.
Raven wondered whether or not other atlantians had eyes like that.
"Aqualad! Hey! What brings you here?" asked the boy as he got closer. Raven could see now that he was closer that he was wearing some sort of Chinese fighting out fit.
"Hey Rei. I came to show Raven this place." Said Aqualad smoothly beckoning towards Raven.
"Oh, right." The boy flashed a smile and Raven could make out slightly pointed teeth. She wondered if she should be worried that the boy had fangs, "Hey Raven." He said softly, "I'm Rei." He held out his gloved hand.
Raven looked at the appendage and then looked back at his face. She didn't say anything. She didn't really want to talk to someone she'd only just met especially someone who's appearance unnerved her so.
##Take me somewhere I can breathe,
I've got so much to see,
This is where I want to be,
In a place I can call mine,
In a place I can call mine##
Rei stared at her for a moment and then smiled, "The silent type I see. Just like Kai. You should meet him." Rei turned around as if looking for someone.
"Kai's here?" asked Aqualad raising his eyebrows and smirking.
Rei looked back at him and grinned, "Yep, Kai!" he leaned forward and cupped his hands to his mouth, "Kai! Hey Kai get over here!"
Raven watched this silently.
"What are you two doing here then?" asked Aqualad leaning back on the wall.
Rei grinned and his fangs flashed again, "You want me to answer that in all honesty?"
Raven looked at Aqualad as he suddenly laughed and waved his hands in front of him, "Nope, never mind. I don't think I want to know!"
Raven scowled.
Rei grinned, "I knew you were gonna say that." He laughed and then smiled at Raven, "You'll like Kai, he never says much either. And when he does its often condescending and sometimes rude." Rei shrugged. "KAI!"
Another teen came around the corner and scowled darkly. Raven noticed his eyes first of all and the dark look in them made her shiver. They were blood red. Raven stared at this new teen and came to the conclusion that she didn't like him at all. He was wearing black trousers and a black sleeveless shirt. His hands were covered with long black fingerless gloves that sported cruel curled blades at the elbow. A long white scarf trailed behind him from his neck. Raven scowled. The boy's hair was two toned blue, the front spikes were slate blue and the longer hair at the back was dark blue. What confused her the most though were the four pale blue triangular tattoos that he had on his face. They made him look vicious.
"What?" the teen snapped, "I thought you were going to come straight back."
Rei grinned, "Aww Kai I was just saying hello and anyway I want you to meet Aqualad's new friend Raven."
"But why?" questioned both Raven and Kai at the same time in the same exasperated tone.
## I'm moving,
I'm coming,
Can you hear what I hear?
It's calling you my dear,
(Take me to my beach)
I can hear it, calling you,
I'm coming not drowning,
Swimming closer to you##
Rei and Aqualad looked at each other and chuckled.
Raven sighed and crossed her arms again, "I take it you are both atlantians then?" she asked trying to make conversation and not appear rude for Aqualad's sake.
Rei grinned and pointed to his chest, "Born and bred, isn't that right Kai?"
Kai was silent.
"Kai." Rei said again turning slightly to fix the blue haired teen with a quizzical look.
Raven and Aqualad just stared. Aqualad groaned slightly as if this was something he was used to seeing. "Not again." He muttered under his breath.
Rei looked at Kai closely, "Kai?"
He received no response.
Rei's eyes narrowed slightly and the cat like pupil slit in aggravation, "KAI!"
The blue haired teen cracked open one of his now closed eyes and gave the dark haired atlantian an annoyed look, "What?"
Rei faltered, "Is this about earlier? I knew it! You're mad aren't you? I'm so stupid, are you mad?"
Raven and Aqualad's interest piqued and they leaned forward slightly.
"What happened earlier?" asked Aqualad looking from one of his friends to the other.
The two atlantians were silent and Rei blushed dark red and turned away slightly, "Nothing." They both muttered at the same time.
There was silence on the beach for a moment and the only the sound of the waterfalls were heard.
"Are you mad?" asked Rei finally after fidgeting for a while.
Kai turned his back on them and snorted, "Maybe."
"Urgh...I said I was sorry!" Rei whined creeping towards the older boy.
Kai looked over his shoulder at Rei, "It doesn't change the fact that you did it though does it?" he asked and looked back over at the water his gaze avoiding Rei's.
"I'll make it up to you then! Is there any way I can make it up to you?" he asked whilst flashing a grin at Raven and Aqualad who were standing watching the interaction between the two boys with growing interest and confusion.
"No."
##Moving, coming, can you hear what I hear?
(Hear it out of reach)
I hear it calling you, swimming closer to you##
Rei wrung his hands together and blanched slightly as Kai began to walk off head held high, "Are you sure there is nothing I can do?" he asked his voice almost desperate.
Kai paused and turned slightly, there was amusement in his eyes, "That all depends on what you're willing to do."
Rei's eyes widened slightly and his face suddenly broke into wide grin that threatened to split his face in half, he waved at Aqualad and Raven and then bounced after the retreating Kai, "I can do almost anything! I'm very flexible after all..." his voice trailed off as the two of them got further and further away.
Aqualad laughed, "I'll see you later then!" he called.
The two boys turned, Rei waved and Kai smirked.
Raven narrowed her eyes as the boys grew smaller and smaller as they approached the horizon, "Um...are those two...." Her voice trailed off.
Aqualad grinned, "Yes. They are."
Raven's eyes widened in surprise, "And atlantians don't mind that?" she asked watching as the two others finally disappeared from view.
Aqualad shrugged, "We've never really thought about it. Most of the atlantians spend too much time working to ever fall in love and those that do are often considered lucky and special. Gender was never really an issue to us."
Raven nodded, "I think atlantians are more humane that humanity." She shrugged and looked again at the beach.
##Many faces I have seen,
Many places I have been,
Walked the deserts, swam the shores,
(Coming closer to you)
Many faces I have known,
Many ways that I have grown,
Moving closer on my own,
(Coming closer to you)##
"It's beautiful isn't it?" he asked her suddenly.
Raven stared at the landscape before her as the shock finally wore off, "Yeah. It's magnificent...I...I wish I could come here more." She ended and sat down on the warm sand. She ignored the particles that found their way into her cloak. They would wash out later.
Aqualad sat down next to her and put his elbows on his knees, "Well if you ever want to come here...all you have to do is ask."
Raven blinked in surprise. Aqualad grinned at her owlish expression, "Are you serious?" she asked.
"Yes." He replied staring at her eyes.
##I move it, I feel it,
I'm coming not drowning,
I move it, I feel it,
I'm coming not drowning##
Raven blushed slightly, "Thank you."
They fell silent for while as they both watched the water rising and falling with the tide. It was peaceful as if they were both living in a child's dream.
Eventually though it was Raven who broke the comfortable silence and looked over at Aqualad, "Hey." She said quietly lowering her eyes to the sand as the words left her lips.
"Yes?"
"You...you can hold my hand if you want." She asked and the looked away embarrassed. She kicked herself inwardly. What was she thinking? She didn't know. She sighed inwardly. This no timidity thing was going to get her into a lot of bother. She had thought she'd over stepped the line until she felt cool fingers curl around her own.
She jumped slightly at the contact and looked up at him.
Aqualad smiled softly, "Okay."
Raven conveniently decided to forget that she had said she didn't like to be touched. Raven gave him the best smile she could manage. There was no happiness in it but copious amounts of relief and certainty were present.
## I'm moving,
I'm coming,
Can you hear what I hear?
It's calling you my dear,
(Take me to my beach)
I can hear it, calling you,
I'm coming not drowning,
Swimming closer to you,
(Take me to my beach)##