Ch 35

"We're back in Africa?" asked Raven as she recognized the hut they appeared in.

"I figured we'd be safe here for now. I know the land, and King Twabwa's tribe doesn't travel to the outside world."

"But—

"I need to talk to King Twabwa. He may all ready know what's happened, but I need to know from him if we can stay or—

"No need Garfield, it is all right," said King Twabwa. "I will take your mate's secret to the grave."

"Why?" asked Raven.

"Your feelings are in the right place Raven. I can see how you punish yourself, and it would be cruel of me to judge. I accept you as you are, as does Garfield. He chose wisely in you," the King said before he left the hut.

Raven smiled. "I really like him."

"Yeah," he smiled, "he's pretty understanding. So, you hungry?"

"Yes, but we don't—

"Don't worry, I'll gather what I can from the outside. You stay here and relax," he said before he left the hut.

Looking around the hut, she decided to do something she hadn't done in a while. Meditate. While it wasn't necessary anymore, it still gave her great comfort and peace within herself. She closed her eyes, concentrated, and started to speak her mantra. When she felt her body levitate off the floor, she smiled.

It was going well for a while until she felt a presence in the back of her mind. It felt cold and evil. She knew what it was. 'No! Go back to hell where you came from.'

'I'm you Raven, and that's something you're going to have to embrace. We were so close to ruling Trigon's realm and who knows, maybe the world, but you couldn't let HIM go!'

'I'll never let him go, never again. It was a mistake. I know that now.'

'He won't always be there you know. You'll slip at some point. It's only a matter of time.'

'As long as Gar's in my mind and in my heart, that won't happen. I don't need you anymore!'

Coming out of her meditation, Gar came back with some fruits and vegetables and a smile on his face.

"What's with the smile Gar?" she asked out of curiosity.

"I ran into someone in the village I believe can make you a new chakra. She knows some magic and may be able to restore you to your half-human self if that's what you want."

The couple were in the King's tent while he went to get the woman who would hopefully be able to help Raven. She was nervous, wondering if it really was possible to become the way she was before.

'You're foolish, you can't be who you were before all this happened and you know it. Just because you'll look like a human on the outside, it doesn't mean you're not a demon anymore. You will always be a demon. You can't run away from it.'

'No! Leave me alone!' she thought as she felt Gar's warm hand on her shoulder.

"Such chaos in your mind Raven," said a woman's voice.

Raven came out of her thoughts to see an old woman with long white hair, tan skin, and eyes that held kindness and power. "How did you know?"

"I've seen you in my mind since you arrived my dear, and I believe I can help restore your humanity before it's gone forever."

"You're telling me the truth."

"Of course dear I've never lied in my life no matter if it helps or hurts. You may call me Willow."

"It's nice to meet you Willow."

Willow looked towards the shapeshifter. "It's been a while Garfield. You survived."

"It's nice to see you again Willow."

"Surviving is what you do and continue to do Garfield, and it has made you strong. It has made you a man."

"Uh thanks I guess but we're here for Raven. It's her well being I care about."

Willow smiled. "Very well Garfield," she said. "I need time to prepare." Garfield and Raven watched as Willow set up her own tent, which was more spacious then the King's. In the middle of the tent was a wooden place to lie. Willow looked at Raven. "You need to change into loose clothing. Your cloak and leotard reflect your past. By the end of this you will find clothes that will best reflect your future."

"I think I have something that might work for now," said Raven as she left for Gar's hut to change.

Gar continued to watch Willow set up and then Raven's scent caught his nose. Turning around, he was wowed as he saw Raven in a pure white flowing dress and suddenly wedding bells went off in his head, and he smiled. 'Yeah, I'm going to marry her someday,' he thought.

"Um Gar, are you ok?" asked Raven. "I've been trying to get your attention."

"Oh I believe you do have your mate's attention," smiled Willow as Raven blushed.

"I was just thinking about the future," said Gar as he smiled.

"That's good to know Gar," she smiled as she took his hand. "It's true we don't know what the future holds, but I know we'll get through it together like we always have."

Raven lied on the wooden slab and waited for Willow to begin. She was still a bit nervous never having experienced this before, but Gar's warm hand was always there to reassure her that she would be fine.

"Are you ready Raven?" asked Willow.

"As I'll ever be," said Raven.

"Now," said Willow. "I would normally put a new chakra to your forehead, but I was able to travel to the wreckage you caused in Jump City and put back together your old one. It is your choice Raven. Do you want your old or new chakra?"

"I want my chakra back," said Raven. "Even though I will change from this experience, I want one thing to remain the same. It's been with me after I was born. It means something to me."

"Understood dear," said Willow as she took the chakra into her hands and into Raven's field of vision. "Now relax Raven."

Raven closed her eyes, breathed in and then out before she felt the chakra on her forehead as Willow chanted her spell, and Raven felt the chakra connect to her skin. She was feeling a little pain as Gar's hand gripped hers, and she squeezed as every moment of her life came flowing through her.

"Whoa!" said Gar as Raven's body began to glow, covering her in light where he couldn't see her or his hand.

The light disappeared, and Raven's body was gray, her hair blue, and when she opened her eyes, they were two purple ones. Her chakra was back were it belonged, and Raven smiled, feeling like herself again. Something that had changed were here clothes. Her white dress was replaced by a white leotard and cloak as well as white boots. Sitting up on the wooden slab, she wondered how this was possible.

"Before you surrendered your humanity, you became whole. Your emotions had agreed and where going to tell you how they believe you still deserve this form, and this was their way of telling you," said Willow.

"I—I can't believe it," she said in astonishment. She felt herself becoming overwhelmed and suddenly she was in the arms of Garfield. She couldn't hold in her emotions anymore, and she didn't have to as she cried. Gar held her tight, occasionally kissing her head or forehead. He was happy for her and knew she deserved this with everything she had gone through in her life. She broke the hug and looked at Willow. "Thank you."

"You're welcome dear but if it wasn't for Garfield, you may have not gotten here."

She looked up at Gar and felt herself getting emotional. "I love you Garfield. Your the best thing that's ever happened to me in my life. Thank you just isn't enough."

"Thanks isn't necessary Raven. I love you, and I'd do anything for you," he said as he closed the gap between their lips into a kiss.

"You did it Willow," said the King.

Willow smiled. "No, those two kids did it, I was merely able to help them along the way," she said as she watched the couple leave for their hut.