Hello again, Sora here! I'm back a little earlier than anticipated, actually. Chapter seven of Returning just flowed to me I suppose. I could barely put my pencil down. For those of you following my other story, don't worry, I'm not pushing back the update time for that. I have just been a little industrious this week on this particular story.

I'd like to stop again and thank everyone who reviewed. When I get around to it, I suppose I should really stop and thank my frequent reviewers. Your compliments and suggestions have really brought this story along. Perhaps by chapter eight I can thank a few of your personally.

I suppose it has been awhile since I've said this, so I'll run by it again. This is a Rob/Rae fanfic and I will not be changing that. I accept all compliments, criticisms and flames so long as they do not regard my choice in pairings.

I do not own the Teen Titans but, as usual, I will live. Now, before this note gets to be a page by itself, here is chapter seven of Returning! On with the story!


Aqualad, or Garth of Atlantis, as he was formally called on Tamaran, was nearly shaking with excitement as he saw the doors to the hall open. He watched as the bridesmaids, each dressed in a stunning pink dress, filed into the room. His exuberance was then marred by mild confusion. The eight bridesmaids Starfire had decided on had expanded to ten. Leading the way were the two new women.

In the very front was a diminutive, exotic looking woman with bright, but narrow, purple eyes and matching hair that probably reached the middle of her back. She looked quite uncomfortable in her dress. Though she was smiling slightly, her gaze was solemn and observant as she proceeded, quite different from the sweet-faced blonde who walked directly behind her.

The blonde, while lacking the exotic qualities of the former woman, was indeed gorgeous. She had cheerful and curious blue eyes and did not exude the same weariness or solemnity. Garth suspected her hair, too, was on the long side, but it was tied in an elegant up-do so it was difficult to tell.

The hairs on Garth's neck prickled and he knew he was being watched by someone. He traced the sensation back to the lead bridesmaid. Her piercing gaze had landed on him and she smiled just a little wider. Her smile was neither coy nor flirtatious, as he had come to tolerate from other women in the castle. Rather, it was a smile that took humor in withheld information. In short, she knew something he didn't and she was amused but it. Garth felt a stab of familiarity strike him then. Her countenance reverberated in his memory banks, but he could not call her up. The situation was beginning to freak him out.

He continued to watch her as she drew nearer. Once she was in earshot, she said something in the faintest of whispers. "Nice to see you again." Garth felt the pang again and tried to set it aside. Once Starfire entered the room, the task became simple. It went out right along with everything else in his mind. His bride, dressed in a flowing white gown, was the single most stunning woman he had ever seen.

Once the ceremony was well underway, Raven allowed her mind to wander. From her stationary stance at the front of the room, she had a pretty good view of everything. She gazed around the room and took in the hundreds of people who were in attendance from all over the universe. Floating above and between the attendees were multiple Tamaranian video recorders. There was no doubt that they were broadcasting the wedding across the universe to everyone who was not in physical attendance.

It was as she was studying the small video cameras that Raven discovered something interesting. She raised an eyebrow and trained her look to a camera floating just behind Terra's head. Something about it was just not right, and Raven knew right away that it didn't belong. After a moment Raven realized just what had drawn her to the unfamiliar piece of machinery. It was the initials "BYM" or rather the metal used to make them; the thick, solid blue metal.

Riotous cheering and clapping alerted Raven to the fact that the official ceremony was quickly drawing to a close. She logged the information about the camera away for another time and allowed her small smile to fall back in place. As the happy couple slowly made their way outside for a trip through the various, closer, colonies on Tamaran to meet with their people, guests and bridesmaids alike were ushered into another large chamber that had been richly decorated. It was obvious that the wedding reception was to take place there.

An hour later, Raven had settled quietly into her surroundings. She nursed a glass of punch, and did not move very far from her place at the edge of the celebratory crowds. The dark sorceress seemed quite content right where she was.

A young man, who Raven had learned was an Azarathian Noble known as Lord Roan, had approached her and the two struck up a mild conversation. As she spoke to the young man, Raven watched her friend who was across the room. It appeared as though Terra had landed herself in some sort of trouble. She had been approached by thirty or so small beings, no more than three feet tall, with dark leathery skin and a rather hunched stature. They appeared to be speaking excitedly with her, and as they did, Terra became more and more upset. It was when they began bowing that Terra quickly sought Raven out and began approaching her rapidly.

Raven politely excused herself from her conversation and waited for Terra to arrive. She didn't have to wait long. As soon as they were close enough to hear each other, the blonde geomancer exploded. "You called me WHAT?" she shrieked. Raven had no doubts as to what she was referring to.

"Well," the dark woman answered calmly, "you needed a title, so I got you a title."

"Princess of the MOLE people? What in the hell were you thinking?" Terra raged on. "Look at what you have done! Now I have freaky looking little midgets following me everywhere!" As though on cue, the small people rushed forward and encircled Terra.

"Leader!" they cried joyously. Their "princess" took a step away from them.

"No, really, I'm not. I'm just a human girl!"

"But you are our princess," one of the men squeaked, "we must take you home! Your people have searched for you for so long! We simply must take you back to your home planet!" They moved closer to Terra. She cast a scathing look at Raven.

"I will kill you for this," she promised, before taking off in a dead run (which is rather hard to do in heels). The small mole people made to pursue her.

Raven stifled a small laugh. She had definitely liked how her revenge had turned out. She returned to observing the celebrations around her, enjoying the relative solitude. Unfortunately, it didn't last. She was suddenly hit from behind. Punch sloshed everywhere and Raven rounded on her assailant. It was Garth looking a little harried and quite embarrassed.

"My apologies, Miss. I'm afraid I wasn't paying attention to where I was going," he said quickly. Raven snorted.

"You should be sorry for more than that. You obviously aren't paying attention to who you are talking to."

"Damn," Garth swore, "Okay, just give me your name and the planet I have to apologize to and we can move on without interplanetary war, okay?"

"Wrong again, Laddie," Raven fell back onto a hated nickname he had gained several years ago. "I must say," she said teasingly, "that I'm a little hurt here. We're friends for so many years and you can't even remember me. I really should send you to another dimension." Garth suddenly looked torn between shock and laughter.

"Raven! It's been years!" he cried cheerfully.

"That's a little better," she remarked.

"I knew you looked familiar," he said.

"Congratulations."

"Thanks."

"How does it feel to be a married man?" Raven asked.

"Exhausting right now. What are you doing here?"

"Checking up on Star," Raven answered evasively. Garth frowned.

"You're not telling me the complete truth. I've been here as long as Starfire and this is the only time either of us have seen you." Garth leaned in and inspected her closely.

"You doing okay? You look like hell."

"Gee, first time I see you in four years and all you can do is criticize my appearance? Some friend," Raven said wryly.

"I'm serious. I didn't realize how thin you were, and you're so pale.'

"I've always been thin and pale," she countered.

"Yeah, but you look unhealthily so now, and you have such dark circles under your eyes. Is everything okay?"

"Things aren't so great on Earth right now, but this isn't the time nor the place to talk about it. Let us celebrate for now. I'll try to explain some more later. Besides, I think Starfire is trying to find you."

Indeed the princess was seeking Garth. She was eager to commence their first dances as husband and wife. She said a quick hello to Raven before the two made for the center of the dance floor.

The celebrations lasted several more hours. Throughout it all, Raven made no motion to leave her small space. She was very content observing Garth and Starfire dance and watching Terra make her sprints around the room, her followers were very insistent. Finally Terra vanished through a small, black hole. Raven was not far behind. As the party was dissipating, she allowed Galfor to lead her back to the sleeping chambers via a shortcut.

That night, Raven was having a hard time sleeping. She slipped out to the large balcony that most of the rooms on that side of the palace shared. She stared up at the stars as her thoughts wandered far and wide. Then a hand came down on her shoulder.

"So, are you going to tell me what's going on?"


Well, that's chapter seven for you. This chapter was meant to move along a bit more quickly in order to introduce the next phase of the story. I hope all of you have enjoyed it. In the next chapter, I finally introduce why Raven really came back. Thanks you all for sticking with me! Until next time! Sora out.