Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans or Beauty and the Beast!

Authors Note: Thank you everyone so much for reviewing! 3

Here's a new chapter sorry for the wait, but I guess in perspective with the wait between 11 and 12, this isn't bad at all. Ahahaha sorry about that again……..anyway ENJOY and please review! You'll make me so happy if you do!

Chapter 13

Robin and Victor sat the very back of the tavern both completely exhausted and put out. They had set out on foot into the forest in search of Raven, earlier that day, wandering for hours in the deeply dark woods. The map was near to useless once they were in that forest, every road looked like another, and it was impossible to read the signs in the gloom, not to mention usually most of the letters were scratched off or badly painted to begin with. Following Robin's lead again when coming to forks in the road, they made their way out of the forest just before night began to fall, except this time they ended up in the village they had been trying to find before. Robin had collapsed on the outskirts of the village, not of weariness, but of frustration. He pounded the ground with his fists,

"What are we going to do Victor? We need to find her, we need to get her out of there!" he cried out angrily, he knuckles were starting to bleed at this point. Victor reached towards him,

"Rob……." He said quietly. Robin smashed his fist into the ground one last time,

"We should have protected her……."

Victor frowned sadly and nodded his head. He placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, "Come on man, this isn't doing any good, let's go. We'll try again tomorrow when it's lighter out."

Robin nodded silently and stood up slowly, and the two of them walked into the village.

Now, in the secluded tavern booth Robin sat staring at the neatly wrapped brown package in his hands. It was a book that Raven had been wanting for awhile, but Mumbo didn't have it in his shop. It had been Robin and Victor's plan to get it for Raven's upcoming birthday, it was the initial cause of all this. The search of this book was what had brought them to that Beast 's castle, which had resulted in Raven being trapped there. Robin clenched the book. Famous Cursed Objects: Myths and Legends the book was called, a dark theme but then again, that was Raven. It was suiting though, Robin thought to himself, this book about cursed objects had cursed them in a sense. The mad search for it had cost them everything. It was all so trivial…. Robin clenched his fists, anger welling up inside him, while Victor watched his brother apprehensively.

"We'll find her Robin, and we'll give her that book. It's a promise." Victor said as their food arrived. Robin nodded and put it aside to make room for his food,

"A promise." He agreed quietly.

Back at the castle Raven sat at her dresser in a splendid deep blue dress as Kori brushed her short purple hair. Kori was dressed up for the occasion too, in a flowing gown in an unusual shade of purple. Kori was humming as she brushed Raven's hair to the point of a silky sheen.

"Really, I can brush my own hair!" Raven protested for had to be the twentieth time. Kori just smiled,

"Nonsense, friend Raven. It gives me much pleasure to do it for you." She said beaming as if to prove her own point. Raven grumbled.

"Besides," the much paler girl added, "Shouldn't you be in the kitchen or something? Aren't you the cook?"

Kori frowned, "Well…they told me to 'get lost'" she smiled sheepishly and started giggling. Raven rolled her eyes, but cracked a small smile. Just then Raven was hit with a sudden realization and she made a small gasp.

"Friend Raven what is it? What is wrong?" Kori asked in concern. Raven shook her head.

"Nothing's wrong. It's just…….I just realized that today is my birthday."

Kori let out a small shriek and dashed out of the room. Utterly confused Raven stood up and followed her. The large skirt of the dress made it slow going, and even carrying half the train in her arm she could barely get past a slow run. Kori however seemed to be flying down the hall. Raven gave up and pursued Kori at a more leisurely pace. When she reached the top of the stairs she saw the end of Kori's purple dress whip around the corner of the door to the kitchen. Not thinking she could manage to transport herself in her dress she simply strolled down the stairs and into the kitchen on her own two feet. When she reached the door she heard Kori joyously shouting to the whole kitchen. Because of the time it had took her to maneuver in her dress Raven only caught the last bit of what Kori was saying.

"So friends we must make 'the haste' to make Raven's day of birth surprise ready for dinner. Also be extremely quiet as to not arouse friend Raven's suspicion."

"Uh….Kor…." Aqua-lad said tapping her shoulder. Raven was standing in the doorway and Kori was the only one turned away from her, as she was addressing the kitchen staff. Who as it turned out was a considerable amount of people; well at least much more than Raven had previously thought even lived in the castle. Her mind drifted back the 'hidden' ones though, she was starting think she would never find the end of the mysteries this castle held, that is what intrigued her though.

All the people that she had met were there, along with a whole other group of people she hadn't. A small crowd even and they were all staring at her, with tired eyes but also with bright smiles. Kori then turned around and stared too. Her eyes opened wide, completely shocked to see Raven. She began to giggle excessively, caught in the act.

"Kori, what are you up to?" Raven asked with a raised eyebrow. Kori fumbled for an explanation.

"Ah, well….today is my homeland's holiday, Gorb Gorb, the festival of berating drapery." With that she shot a bright green light out of her eyes directly at the curtain behind Raven. It burnt to a crisp in an instant.

"STUPID CURTAINS!" Kori yelled with a ferocity that Raven hadn't thought possible from the kind hearted though strange girl. Raven stood there shocked, caught completely unawares. Kori stood there grinning sheepishly and laughing. She glided over to Raven and took her by the arm,

"Come friend Raven, I will tell you of my powers, and we shall have more of the 'girl talk,'" Kori said beaming, leading Raven away from the kitchen. Raven followed, Kori's scheme all but forgotten. Her goal accomplished Kori turned her head and shot a 'get to work' look at the group in the kitchen, strange for her normal friendly disposition, and maybe because of that even more powerful.

After Kori dragged Raven away from the kitchen Aqua-lad breathed a sigh. He looked around the once-again busy kitchen. After Kori revealed her revelation that it was Raven's birthday, they had all agreed to turn the dinner banquet they had been planning into a birthday surprise. It was just then however that Raven had walked in, poor planning on Kori's part he was sure, but at least she took care of the problem.

'Now' he said to himself, turning to begin issuing orders. However he found everyone at work already. Some had even started blowing up balloons, while others were shredding brightly colored paper for streamers. Bee was directing the construction of a large birthday cake; Mas y Menos, speeding around, filling out her orders. He smiled as he watched all his other friends work on the food for the party. So many had come out of hiding in the past day, a lot since this morning actually. It was Raven's presence he was sure, he marveled at her power, was it so strong that on its own it was reversing the curse? Although perhaps it was the laughter they heard that had woken them up, given them the power to live on, to hope. Either way he thought to himself smiling, it was Raven's doing. Whether she meant to or not.

Aqua-lad's inner musings were suddenly broken by a horrible smell writhing up his nostrils. He turned sharply to find Speedy leaning up against a counter next to a young man, similar in height with windblown red hair and a yellow waistcoat. The redhead spied him and waved,

"Hey fish-boy I just got back with the foods-stuff and the party gear, plus I brought a special snack." He said waving around a reeking plastic bag.

"Wally" was all Aqua-lad said, his eye twitching. Wally had been the only castle member away when Terra had wrought her destruction and there fore wasn't cursed. His ability to leave the castle and his super speed matched only by Mas y Menos made him an essential of the castle. Choosing to stay with his family and friends, Wally was the messenger and delivery boy for everything the occupants of the castle needed from the outside world. Wally, was if possible more annoying that Speedy. Although……..

Aqua-lad watched in horror as Speedy took a taco from the bag Wally held out and proceeded to eat it.

"Fish tacos! What were you thinking! Those were probably friends of mine!" Aqua-lad shouted in anger. Speedy shrugged, not caring while Wally just stared at him, seemingly not understanding. Then Mas y Menos jumped into the fray.

"OOOOOH Tacos de pescado, delicioso!" they chorused and lunged at the bag. This was when Bee intervened.

"Come on guys! This party isn't going to make it's self! And that's a counter, not a chair!" Bee said bossily, the last part directed to Speedy lunging on the counter top.

"Thanks mom…" he grumbled with sarcasm, getting off the counter. Aqua -lad still stood there in shock.

"Can't work……tacos….." he said as if he was in pain. Bee rolled her eyes and then dragged him by the ear to help with the cake.

Raven sat with Kori in a cozy study in another part of the castle, both sitting at the edge of their plush armchairs as to not crinkle the fine fabric of their dresses. Dinner had been pushed back an hour but neither of them thought it worth changing out of their party dresses. Sipping herbal tea Kori told Raven all about her own powers, which seemed to be the complete opposite of Raven's powers. Also connected to her emotions, Kori had to summon powerful surges of her emotions to make her powers work. At the very least Raven thought it explained her constant happy demeanor. Surprisingly enough the two very different girls were having a nice chat when a knock came to the door. They both turned to see a boy with windblown red-hair.

"Dinner is served." He said his blue eyes sparkling. Kori smiled at him and stood up nodding. Raven made to get up too, wondering who this boy was,but before she could even move she found him standing directly in front of her, holding out his hand.

"Friend Wally has super speed" Kori whispered to her.

"I can see that…." Raven told her.

"I don't believe we've met, I'm Wally." He said as Raven took his hand and he helped her up from the seat. He smiled.

"Raven." She said straight faced. Wally's grin faltered at her solemn expression.

"Raven does not smile all that often, please excuse her." Kori whispered to Wally.

"I can she that." He said laughing. "Thanks Kor. Seriously though, come on girls, its time for dinner."

And with that the three of them headed for dining room.

Wally led them to a pair of large doors, which he pushed open, giving way to a large room with high ceilings and an expanse of gilded windows. In the center of the room was a large banquet table, there were balloons on every chair, and an expanse of food was laid out, covering almost every surface of the table. At the center of the table was a large cake with 'Happy Birthday Raven!' written in blue icing on it. Raven's jaw dropped. A well-groomed and clean, though still very green Beast walked towards her.

"Happy Birthday Raven." He said giving his sharp toothed smile. Raven just blinked, apparently still in shock. She turned,

"Kori……." She said, her voice growing menacing, "are you behind this?" she growled. Kori giggled, scratching her head.

"Yes, this plan was initially my idea." She giggled again, "but friend Raven, please take part and enjoy your party!" Kori said earnestly. Raven looked around her, at all the work everyone had put into this party, she was touched. She cracked a small smile.

"Thank you everyone, so much! This really is amazing" she murmured.

Kori beamed and the Beast's smile deepened. The host of people in the hall cheered. The party commenced from there and she got introduced to a great number of people. Some shoved last minute put together presents into her hands, including a red stone pendant from the Beast, a promise of archery lessons from Speedy, a pet fish with a blue fanned tail from Aqua-lad, raven poems from Bee and a rather bizarre thing from Kori. A traditional "Throknar," (the crown of meat) from her homeland, and she was severely disappointed when Raven declined wearing it. The orange girl perked right back up again though once the banquet was started and was beaming again over the eight layer cake with three kinds frosting.

All in all Raven had too say it was the best birthday she ever had, surrounded by all these cheerful people. For the first time in her life she was accepted and cared about. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted like a pierce of dagger through her heart.

Her brothers, she had almost forgotten them again. Her dear brothers who cared for her like no one else. They had been pushed to the back of her mind in her excitement. Which was simply horrible of her. She was sure right now they were looking for her, or at least missing her…….and she was at a party, enjoying herself……

"They would want you to be happy, to enjoy yourself." Bee whispered to her, seeing her looking and guessing what was causing her grief.

"So cheer up! I'm sure you'll see them again soon and make it up to them if you must." Bee said smiling, with a hint of her bossy tone. Raven nodding, smiling ever so slightly. She hoped that she would see her brothers again soon. She, who had inspired so much hope in all those cheery partygoers in the hall, finally dared to hope everything would be all right in the end.