Disclaimer: I don't own'em – blah you know the drill.

A/N: Thanks you guys for your answers, I really do love you all for it ... so heres the 8th chapter, enjoy.

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The Origin of Pain

As lunch rolled around, Raven found herself walking around campus, trying her best to stay in the crowded areas so to be safe from surprise attacks however keeping from the café least she run into X again. X … Angel … Xavier … what went on in his head that made him think he was apart of her life? What made him think that he knew her well enough to actually joke with her and actually … accomplish … what most – other than Malchior or Rorek – failed to do. Make her … smile.

Shut up Raven! She screamed in her head, shaking it and running a hand through her hair, she growled and a stomp was put into her step, completely frustrated with her thoughts. Raven looked up to the sky with a glare cursing whatever god placed this curse upon her, It was a damn fluke! That's it! Stop it already; just knock it off … Trying so hard to forget about earlier in the morning when she saw him sleeping.

Then smiling, because she thought … he was cute?

That was SO not like her!

She was supposed to be pushing him away, to be getting him away from her otherwise something bad would happen. Already they were targeting him because he was seen with her. Raven practically saved his life and plus … Rorek was right. Angel was getting in the way … not that she hadn't already knew that. But … now … it was like, he was seriously getting in her skin. Deep, in her skin. Hell, during the whole day after the morning she couldn't get him out of her head!

It was frustrating!

It was infuriating!

Raven closed her eyes and bowed her head low, looking down she glared at the ground and growled, This is ridiculous … get out of my damn head!

"Raven! Watch out!" looking up out of reflex she saw a volleyball coming down on her, on instinct the first thing that came to mind was to block or hit it away. The later appealed and she set, bumped, then spiked the ball hard back into the court yard where Terra Strong, Kori "Star" Ander, Ronalyn Brown, and Chelsea Cheshire all stood. Ronalyn, or as most guys in gossip called her "Queen 'B'" because … well … she really knew how to put someone down, being very athletic African American with a fine physic that really had guys drooling.

Raven knew her through Robin, but hardly if ever had contact with her.

Chelsea Cheshire … an Asian beauty that was a transfer student from somewhere in the eastern side of the world, her culture and manners showed perfectly and her heritage was evident in her dark mysterious blue slanted eyes. Her long black hair reaching passed her waist was pulled into a weak low ponytail. Cheshire … Raven knew her through Malchior – surprisingly – he was her tutor in English class and a long time ago actually brought her home to study.

Beyond that, Raven knew nothing about her. Only that she was shy, quiet, and smart. The volleyball was caught by Ronalyn, smirking and holding up a thumbs up she winked, "Hey! Nice spike Raven, wanna' join?"

"Bee," Terra hissed from the side.

Bee raised a brow and shrugged, "What?"

Terra rolled her eyes and snorted, "This is Raven you're talking to, like she's actually gonna' –"

Raven, didn't know whether it was to spite Terra, or it was because of her incoherent thoughts during the day but she interrupted with a shrug and a, "Sure."

Bee blinked, Terra's mouth dropped in shock, Star clapped and giggled in joy, and Cheshire bowed gratefully as Raven walked into the field. Throwing her bag in the pile where the other girls' bags were. She took her place in between Star and Terra, across from Cheshire and got ready to play when Bee threw the ball up. Spiking down hard to Terra, Terra smirked and bumped the ball to Cheshire who set it towards Star.

Star hit the ball back to Bee and the ball bounced to Raven, stepping back three steps Raven reached up a hand and spiked the ball to Cheshire. For awhile that's how it went, just tossing the ball among girls with jokes going around and laughter filling the circle. Terra even tried to get Raven to joke along with them, but to the blonde Raven looked sort of … out of it.

Like her mind was elsewhere and her body was acting on it's own accord. Although it didn't look that way when Cheshire spiked the ball hard and it flew like it was going to fly high over Raven's head. Determined to keep it in the air, Raven turned and ran faster to get in front of it. Sliding on her knees she bumped the ball high over her head back to the circle where the girls were clapping and cheering for her save.

"Sweet save Rae!" Star cheered as she caught the ball in her hands, even though she could have continued the bouncing. She waited for Raven to get up and walk back to the group dusting her legs off then wrapped her arms around her neck, "How come you never told us you play volleyball? We could have so totally been teammates!"

"I hate sports," was Raven's dry response, grapping Star's wrist and moving it away from her neck to stand away from the excited teen, "I'm just here because I got nothing better to do."

Bee snickered, "Oh yeah? Well you should sign up for the team, we could really use a girl like you."

"No thank you … are we going to continue or are we just gonna' sit around talking?" Raven pointed out and the girls shrugged, Star starting off the game and the ball commenced its bouncing.

Meanwhile, just so happening to walk on by, X caught Raven's little save and blinked. She was in skirt and modesty was far from her mind that much he could tell for when she got up all she did was straight herself up and continue to play. But that wasn't what caught his attention; it was the fact that was actually playing that tripped him out. He always thought she was loner, never hanging with anyone else other then Rorek or Malchior.

Now seeing her here, in the middle of the school's courtyard and tossing around a volleyball. Well … it seemed … out of character. Not that he was complaining, hell what guy didn't think seeing a girl in a skirt – or anything skimpy – runnin' around playing hard under the sun wasn't hot? Closing his eyes and shaking the image from his head he continued on his path to his destination trying hard to ignore the burning temptation to walk up to Raven and surprise her.

It was always fun to see a girl like her shocked or embarrassed.

Reason?

Because she was always so cold and heartless, closed off and silent, it just bugged the hell out of X and something in him just wanted to get rid of that ice-queen persona of hers. Feeling that it was all an act, X was one of those guys that hated to see actors. He liked it when people were for real. Raven was for real … sort of … but there was just something missing in that spicy attitude of hers.

Something he thought was possible – if having enough patients – anyone can bring out the best in her.

Cheesy, corny, quit certain he was thinking those things, X ran a hand through his hair trying his best to fix up it's messiness. He sighed and snorted, Yeah right Angel, get real, that's Raven … Raven … what the hell is her last name? Whatever, she's Raven and anyone named after a bird that usually means death or bad omen is dangerous. What the hell have you gotten yourself into man … that was his thought and with one final glance back at the group he saw she was looking at him. But in a matter of seconds she shot her head back around as if afraid to have been caught staring he raised a brow, however smirked in amusement.

She was staring at him?

Freaky … he snickered in thought, thinking that it was also cute of her to be …

Shy?

Maybe …

((--After School--))

His car was there, Malchior's black Infinity F35, the car with class and power, Raven had time and time again begged to drive it. However all she got was straight out decline or a tease. Like he'd dangle the keys high over her head, saying that if she wanted to drive it she'd have to grow a foot or more to match his height. For those times she punched him in the ribs to teach him never to tease. Remembering those times earned her a relaxed air and the thought that after today would be the weekend, the weekend she needed.

Without hesitation she climbed into the passenger side and the two left the school in no time heading home, Raven being the first to ask, "So what's the assignment?"

"Lone," Malchior answered distastefully, glancing at her momentarily before paying attention to the road once more, "I'm just gonna' drop you … Scathe what's to talk to you by himself …"

Uncomfortable silence resounded through the Infinity and Raven sighed. Leaning her elbow on the door of the car she propped her chin in her hand and looked out the window. Thinking about all the possibilities that awaited her when she conference with their father. The last time she spoke to him by herself, he spoke in riddles. Saying things that didn't make sense until it happened.

All she really hoped for was for him to give her an assignment and that was it.

Cause to be honest … she wasn't afraid just angered at her father.

Unsure really how to approach him, Raven just hoped that this wouldn't be some drawn out meeting. Cause by the rout she noticed Malchior was taking she had a feeling he was going to drop her off at their father's office. Downtown, in the middle of the city, the drive took them 30 minutes or more, Raven didn't keep track. She was just dead set on getting through the meeting with as little pain as possible.

Malchior huffed, just hating the idea that Raven was going on her own … again … "Raven, we can stop, I can say you can't make it and take your place. You don't have to do this."

Raven blinked, then shot her head around to shoot Malchior a look of utter shock, "Malchior, did you hit your head or something? Why would you want me to bail?"

"Because the last time you saw dad you couldn't handle it!" frustration, that's what Raven read as his voice rose to make his point.

Raven glared, "That was because I never expected him to tell me I was a fucking bastard child of a mother who I never knew that died and left me to control a business I never knew I was an heir to! How can you sit there and tell me that I couldn't handle it?"

Malchior trying to pay attention to the road at the same time his half-sister, he sighed and shook his head, "That's not how I –"

"You what?" she challenged, "That's not what you meant? Well then what do you mean Malchior? Cause if I remember correctly you were as livid about the whole thing as I was, but stormed out on me when I "couldn't handle it"! In my face you practically threaten to throw me out just because I wasn't your full sister! Well excuse me for living."

The air was thick and unbearable with tension and rage – the rage being more on Raven's part. Completely angered at the fact that Malchior was telling her she was weak – maybe not straight out, but in so many words she could feel his doubt and uncertainty. And that enough was send her over the edge and bring up the incident not too long ago when she had to meet Trigon by herself.

Only to be told the truth and putting the weight of money, business, and deals on her lap, forcing her to take up a company space in the Scathe Empire, Raven had straight out declined. Saying that she could take care of her mother's business on her own, Trigon had later threatened that if she didn't merge with him then he'd see to it that everything she was given was going to go down the drain. it was a tricky situation … one that lead to the warning Trigon gave to Malchior.

The cryptic warning that if Malchior didn't pay off the loft Raven and himself lived in they were going to be going back to Azarath. It wasn't that she hated her home island; no she loved it with all her heart. It was the fact that if they were to go back with Trigon than Raven would loose all ownership of what her unknown mother worked for. Reason? If Raven was living with her father than it proves inexplicably that she's incapable of managing a company.

Raven may have not known her mother.

But to told she couldn't do something?

That was a big no-no.

Malchior knew it, but sometimes his memory slipped and moments like now in the car were the outcome. Unknowingly holding his breath, Malchior sighed and bit on his lower lip, "Look … I'm … I –" saying "sorry" was like a curse for Malchior and the rest of the Scathe family. Apologizing was like unbridled burden to them. However … when the occasion called for it – like now – they had to step up to the plate, "… I'm sorry all right? I'm just … what dad's doing to us … are you sure you can deal?"

"Yes," she snorted and rolled her eyes, crossing her arms in front of her chest she sat back in the comfy leather seats and sighed, "and stop calling him "dad" a "dad" is someone that's always there for you, Trigon never was. Just there to teach us to be his slaves … he's not even a "father" only a sire."

Raven was a difficult person to talk to – hell basically be with, but Malchior had to take a breather and roll with the punches. Scowling he shrugged and commented, "Well aren't you the smart one."

"Yes I am, now shut-up and just get me to the office …" after that silence was reassured, the comfort was gone and only business was the feeling in the air. Even if things needing to be said, the siblings stayed quiet until they reached the building were Malchior pulled up to the front and a doorman came out. Opening the passenger side door for Raven he greeted her as his job required.

"Good afternoon milady," the older man smiled holding out a hand to her, Raven took it out of reflex and let him help her out onto the sidewalk, "Miss Scathe it's been awhile since I last saw you, how have things been?"

Raven sighed and answered politely, "Fine Jeeves, nice seeing you again."

"Ah, Master Malchior, everything been okay with you as well?" Jeeves the doorman asked curiously and Malchior leaned back on his chair answering absent-mindedly.

"Everything's cool here Jeeves, hey take care of my sister will ya."

"Oh don't worry, she is in good hands."

Yeah right, both Raven and Malchior thought with a snort as Jeeves shut the door with a final good-bye and rushed to the entrance of the building putting a hand on the golden handles and pulling it open just for Raven. She thanked him and walked into the lobby, knowing she was totally out of place, Raven ignored the strange looks and walked up to the front desk, Oh a new front desk manager … wonder what happened to the other girl? Raven thought with a bored expression.

Forcing back a yawn, Raven reached the desk and cleared her throat, "Good-evening, I have an appointment with Trigon Scathe."

The older woman blinked and slowly looked up, an appalled expression crossing her dark brown eyes quickly changed to that of a snobbish sneer. Scanning Raven as if she were some kind of small bug on the floor the woman replied, "Oh, I'm sorry, but Mr. Scathe will not be seeing any … visitors … he's in a boardroom meeting."

Raven sighed, noting that this woman was going to give her a hard time, she kept it together and answered with a crude, "He's expecting me."

"Is that so?" the woman asked with a disbelieving scoff, "Then what be your name?"

"Arnell Sca – Roth … Arnell Roth …" Raven answered monotonously and quietly as possible for only the front desk to hear. Taking the name the woman looked it up and blinked in surprise.

"Oh my, yo-you're his … daughter?" she asked in disbelief, Raven never bothered to answer only looked at her nails as if they were most interesting things in the world. The woman cleared her throat and straightened up, "well then … um through the elevator to your right and straight up to the top floor … they are expecting you Miss Sca – uh … Roth."

"Thank you," Raven said hauntingly and headed to the elevators to the right where she pressed a button and waited for the door to open. As if on cue she was allowed into one by herself and up she went pressing the top floor she turned to the back and looked out the glass windows. Watching as the city began to go down as she went higher and higher until she reached the final floor.

With a ding Raven turned back around and exit the elevator into a large room where the ground was nothing but hard black and white marble. The far right wall nothing but glass allowing natural light to flood the room and to give the secretary enough illumination to do her job. Off to Raven's right behind the secretary's desk was two large, intricately and intimidating black double doors. The same look as the floor, they looked heavy and Raven knew from experience just how heavy they were where.

Up the secretary's head went to scan Raven and she smiled, "Oh Miss Roth, pleasure to finally have you join us, just go right on in."

Again, Raven bowed her head, being polite to the young lady – yet older than herself, she replied with a silent, "Thank you." Walking up to the doors, Raven took a deep breath and took off her school pack, before throwing it to the side. From the pocket she took out a pair of frameless silver-armed glasses, slime and fitting her face perfectly. She put it on and gave the bag to the secretary who smiled warmly at her.

"If it's worth anything Miss Roth, I think you look fabulous."

Fabulous? Raven held back snorting sarcastically, still well aware that she was dressed in her skirt, boots, net blouse, and tang-top. She shrugged and grabbed the silver cold-hearted handles and gently at first pushed them open. However when they finally budged she pushed harder and with a creaking groan she was exposed to a room full of older men about maybe three times her age!

At the head of the black marbled table was her father, neat, powerful, and threatening he smirked at her with his blood-red eyes. Raising his hand up to gesture to Raven's appearance he introduced her fill title in a voice that sent shivers down the most corrigible of men. Note: MEN, Raven was not only use to it, but she expected his cheeky tone, "Gentlemen, I'd like for you to meet Miss Arnell Roth, my daughter, and currently the head of Fear Itself Enterprises."

Raven stood at the opposite end, unfazed at the major differences in sex and age in the room and bowed her head, "Good-evening gentlemen it's a pleasure to be here. Shall we get down to business … Mr. Scathe?"

"Always straight to the point aren't you?" Trigon grinned and Raven reframed from glaring, but gritted her teeth and took it.

"Yes sir, better to finish, than to waste time."

"…Good, now gentlemen as I've told you Miss Roth is the owner of an enterprise that focuses on health, education, fashion, jewelry, and surprisingly … military. Isn't that correct Miss Roth?"

Raven nodded, "Yes, that is correct."

"How old are you Miss Roth?" spoke up one of the businessman to the right side, taking off his glasses and scanning Raven was critical eyes almost glaring at her.

Raven blinked slowly and answered calmly, "I am old enough to see to the best of my company through the helping advisement of my former mother's board. Since this meeting had just suddenly sprung up, I couldn't form a correct entourage."

"And how do you feel to be competing with your father? Is it not awkward in your household?" another asked and Raven replied knowingly.

"I don't live with my father, I live with older brother."

Whispers and uncertainties started to spread and Trigon made no move to stop it, so Raven did, "However, I do not think that my privet life has anything to do with this meeting." silence … glares … uneasiness, Raven continued, "What exactly do you want from me?"

"Well to be quite honest Miss Roth," said a man to the left of Raven, leaning away to make sure that he could look up at her standing form properly, "we do not think that a … child such as you can accomplish what is needed to run a business. To be frank, we think that maybe it be best if you hand over all ownership to your father."

Raven scowled, "Oh … is that so," casting a challenging glare at Trigon she stood up to her full height, looking back down at the outspoken older male Raven made sure to pierce through his heart and grab a hold of his soul chocking it off with her vise like grip. Letting him know that she was no "child" to mess with, "and when you say "WE" do you speak for yourself or for the whole boardroom? Because I will tell you now, Fear Itself will not succumb to the Scathe Empire."

Gamble, a huge gamble, but Raven was not backing down, leaning on the table and locking her violet orbs with her father's blood-red hellfire hues. Raven snarled, "If you want Fear Itself, Scathe, then you're going to have to pry it off my: Cold. DEAD. Fingers. If that is all you called me here for, than I'll take my leave. Have a nice day."

With that she spun around and grabbed the handles throwing the heavy doors open with as much force as she could muster, Raven marched out grabbing her bag when the secretary held it out for her. She took off her glasses and shoved them into the side pocket and waltzed to the elevator doors. Going in and never turning around to see the shocked faces of the company men in the room, Raven focused her eyes blindly on the setting sun far off in the west.

Down she went and the sunset vanished behind the buildings, closing her eyes and reaching into her pack she pulled out a cell phone and called for Malchior, listening to her phone ring once … twice … thrice … Raven gave up and called Rorek. Wonder what Malchior could be doing that was cause for him not to answer her call. For whatever reason, Raven listened to the ring for Rorek who picked up after only two rings.

"Rorek, here, wasup?" sounding busy, Raven sighed.

"Hey Rorek, it's me, think you can pick me up?"

"Raven? What happened to Malchior shouldn't he be picking you up at 6 … what the – Rae, it's only 3:19, what the hell?"

Raven ran a hand through her violet hair and exited the elevator when it stopped on the bottom floor. Into the lobby she noticed the streetlights outside turning on and she frowned, "Long story R, can you just come get me."

"… Yeah … sure … where are you?"

"Trigon's Office, and hurry, this place is making me sick."

"Right, I'll be there, just hold on."

"Thanks Rorek, really I'm eternally grateful."

He chuckled, "Aw stop suckin' up, see ya when I see ya."

Raven couldn't hold back a laugh of her own and smiled warmly, "Yeah, bye."

Click.

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Hmm ... let's review, Raven's acutally Malchior's half-sister and the reason she was crying on the floor that day when Jinx came around was because of what her father told her, thus resulting a little tension between her and her brother. Malchior calls Trigon "Dad" and Raven hates that, and hates Trigon for trying to steal her company - Money is power folks - and at the end of the meeting she calls Rorek to pick her up. Yeah, that pretty much sums this chapter up ... wonder what the deal is ... why wasn't Malchior picking up? Was he busy? With what I wonder ... and is Raven finally showing a little interesting in little 'ol "Angel"?

Oh-well, looks like you'll have to figure it out later.

Thanks again for reading and review, keep it up and I'll keeo feeding you Chapters

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