Two chapters in two days? Crazy I know. But hey when I get the urge then I just go with it. Right now this story has been on my mind a lot. I'm finally getting into the meat of the story. Again it's a bit of a short chapter, but a little longer than the last one. :) I have one more part to finish and it will be up and running with the plot. Hope you enjoy :)
Beast Boy opened the door to the lobby and strode in, Elsa racing in behind him with a couple quick pounces of enthusiasm. The scent of breakfast wavered in the air, and the green teen looked to his right seeing the dirty pans lined freshly in the sink; but there was no food left out. Beast Boy let out a small sigh of disappointment but didn't say a word as he walked up to the counter and reached up to open the cabinet, grabbing his box of cheerios.
Closing the cabinet he heard the voices of his two female teammates talking over in the living room. Raven and Starfire stood near the center coffee table, the Tameranian had her right arm wrapped up in a bandage and he gave it a curious look when he remembered the fire striking her when they were searching for the pets yesterday.
"Oh please Raven, I will not ask anything of you the rest of the week!" Starfire cried out; Raven stood nearby, a weary look on her face, hood down and holding a cup of what seemed to be tea or maybe coffee; Beast Boy couldn't really tell since he could smell both. Beast Boy opened the box of cheerios and popped a few in his mouth and then grabbed a handful and laid it on the floor for Elsa. The puppy wagged her tail and munched on the cereal with enthusiasm.
"I… I'm not sure Starfire; I mean is it going to be an all-day thing I sortof had plans to…." But Raven paused seeing the sad, distraught look on her friends face. She sighed and nodded changing her wording she continued, "But… I would rather spend the day with you..."
Starfire's eyes lit up from Raven's sudden change in demeanor and she grabbed the sorceress around the waist and smiled with glee. Beast Boy watched it amusement as Raven fought for breath, trying to call out her name to let go.
"You look better this morning."
Beast Boy's ears flicked to the side and he looked to his left to see Robin walking back toward the kitchen, newspaper clippings in his right hand and a couple markers in the other. Beast Boy chewed the remaining bits of cheerios, swallowing and glanced at the newspaper with mild interest noting the red splotches and black circles outlining certain headlines from this week.
The boy wonder continued after the silent reply and noted, "Looks like Raven took the time to heal you too; that was nice of her."
Beast Boy smirked, feeling Elsa sitting nearby his feet, continuing to eat the cheerios. The little pup looked up with curious blue eyes.
"Had a change of heart by chance?"
Robin sighed as if knowing it was coming; "Not now Beast Boy…"
"You don't know where she came from, why I took her. You just assumed I did it for petty reasons."
Robin paused with mild interest and shrugged his shoulders, "Ok, go on."
Beast Boy held in a wave of surprise, allowing him to speak his side; "Really? I mean… I… uh, well she was being abused and I… you know I couldn't just leave her."
There was a moment of consideration as Robin switched the markers to his other hand holding the newspaper clippings as well then he spoke, "Beast Boy, why is this dog so important to you?"
The question caught him off guard and Beast Boy shrugged his shoulders uneasily, "I don't know, I just saw her and wanted to help…"
The leader nodded, "Well it was for good reasons I suppose." He paused, "But she still can't stay, she's not ours to keep. It would be different if the owners weren't so protective. But because they are, we can't risk it, I'm sorry Beast Boy but the answer is still no."
With that he turned away and headed through the lobby door muttering something about the downtown construction site; but before he opened the door he turned around and called out to Raven who just freed herself from one of Starfire's gripping hugs. "Raven, I think it's best to leave as soon as possible; I will need your assistance when you return for a short time."
Beast Boy narrowed his eyes as Robin left, the door closing behind him. "Who the hell made you leader again?" He growled lowly, not bothering to look toward the teammate his leader addressed.
Well there goes my idea of a nap…
There was movement nearby and he glanced over seeing Raven nearby, she must have noticed his stiff shoulders and angered eyes.
"Relax, he means well." She murmured, giving him a side glance.
"Right, and I'm a flying dragon." Beast Boy replied with sarcasm. Grabbing a couple more handfuls of cheerios and eating it, he walked back to the cabinets and put the box away with irritation.
Beast Boy turned back to where Raven was standing near the door and he heard Starfire call out with excitement, "Don't forget to meet me in a couple hours at the mall Raven!"
Beast Boy smiled, feeling a little better knowing Raven is going to have to suffer all day after this. He looked toward his dark teammate who held in her expressions, but he could feel slight disappointment radiate from her, you and me both.
"Trust me, I won't forget." Raven replied as Beast Boy strode toward her, Elsa in tow.
There was a smile in return from the Tameranian and as Raven turned and walked outside, Beast Boy caught a glance of some green glob trailing on the window nearby Starfire. He stared at it for a moment before recognizing the distinct white orbs from the bathroom incident earlier. Giving an uncertain look he quickly jumped outside along with Elsa and shut the door with a slam. Raven jumped and turned toward him with an irritated, startled look but didn't say anything as she levitated from the ground.
"Ok, let's go." She stated. Beast Boy looked up as Elsa gave her a sideways, meaningful look. Without another word she took off across the water toward the city. Beast Boy looked at Elsa than transformed himself and followed along until reaching the other side as well. Transforming back he saw Raven standing on the sidewalk staring at him.
"So where was it you found her?"
Beast Boy's eyes flicked in surprise and he held in a nasty comment he felt like blurting out right there in public; it was as if last night didn't even exist. Instead he stared at her in return, "What do you mean?"
"Come on don't play games, I seriously have to get back to the tower today, I have stuff to do." Raven replied with exasperation and started walking forward down the sidewalk, Beast Boy towing in behind getting deeper into the town and farther from the tower. Lines of shops passed the titans, and life could be seen up ahead as people were up and going in their morning routines.
"I'm not playing games, you're the one taking sides and switching it around like it's nothing." Beast Boy replied, slightly irritated himself.
Raven glanced at him and sighed, "Look there really isn't anything I can do for you, I just want to get this day over with, I really don't want to fight right now."
Beast Boy fell silent and looked down at Elsa who was in his arms, she hasn't spoken up since they were last in the tower.
"I don't know this doesn't feel right Raven, like why would someone want a dog back this bad? I mean doesn't that give you a bad feeling, like there's something more to it?"
Raven glanced at him but didn't respond and he continued, "It's just not fair."
By then they had reached the city line and were heading into a park where they passed by a yoga session and various joggers and dog walkers. Elsa wiggled in his arms but didn't let off a sound as she watched the other dogs play in the park nearby.
Raven turned toward him an agitated look on her face, "Look, she' just a dog Beast Boy, you can go get another one at the shelter; you act like this is going to be the end of the world. She is just a pet, she will be fine."
Beast Boy stopped in his tracks and she paused as well with a heavy sigh, there were a couple by passers who slowed down, and kids who tugged at their parents sleeve to see the two titans outside together at the park. A few grabbed their cameras while others just passed them by as if it was a normal day.
Anger filled his core from her harsh words and Elsa wiggled in his arms as he balled his fists around her from habit, "It might be the end of her world, and you don't know that!"
"Would you quit being so... dramatic…" Raven droned, her emotion concealed behind her violet orbs.
"Dramatic… Dramatic? You want dramatic Raven, HUH?" He yelled, putting Elsa on the ground and throwing up his arms for emphasis while lowering his eyes in defense. Raven veered back and the two titans began to notice they had a crowd of people stopping by to listen in on their conversation.
"Come on, we're creating a scene…" Raven retorted and began to walk away with Beast Boy following more slowly, anger still radiating through his body.
He snickered a few steps behind her, obviously a little ticked off, "What, don't like a little limelight Rave?"
She stole a glance at him, then paused in her footsteps and glared over at the people who were beginning to form a half circle talking quietly amongst themselves, a couple kids with blond hair snapped some pictures on their smart phones. Letting out a loud sigh she turned to them, "WHAT, do you have nothing better to do then stare at us all day?"
Everyone suddenly came to life and took different directions, away from the angered Titan. He watched the crowd slowly dissipate and she turned toward him, "And don't call me Rave that's not my name and you know it."
Beast Boy gave a smirk, ignoring her second comment, "Holding up your title as scariest titan huh?"
Raven stared at him, narrowing her eyes, "Look... I don't want to be here with you right now, and I'm sure you feel the same way with me."
"You got that right." Beast Boy growled back.
"So why don't I just make things easier..?"
Beast Boy watched her bend down and grab Elsa from the ground who glanced at her with curious eyes, but didn't really budge or struggle. She lifted to the air, holding Elsa with a soft grip. The pup let her paws dangle as she glanced toward Beast Boy.
"I'll go back and find that paper and return her myself; you are just overreacting and since you won't do it, I will."
Beast Boy glared up harshly from the ground and called out as she flew higher in the sky, "They don't exactly have a voice in this world, so someone has to be!"
Taking a couple steps he raced through the short, stubbed grass underneath his sneakers and took a leap toward his teammate, reaching out to grab the dog from her arms. Knowing she was too high he transformed into a falcon and continued to dive toward her; but his transformation proved to be slower than her magic and by the time he reached the duo… they were out of sight.
Flying in the air he looked around for any sign of his dark teammate and frustration creeped inside his veins. He pushed his wing span down, keeping him up in the air for a moment more. Looking around he saw a few people staring nearby and he looked away, diving far from where they were, so not to attract too much attention to himself.
Transforming into a dog he roughly fell to his paws and raced down the path toward where he had traveled the day before where he originally found Elsa. Skidding in the dirt he felt his claws dig into a large patch of grass, ripping up blades and sending clods of dirt flying behind him. He took a turn down the sidewalk and felt his claws rack against the course grained gravel. It took him a few minutes but he finally could see the house in his line of sight. He smirked, realizing that Raven most likely hasn't found her way here yet. As he came upon the house something seemed…off.
Slowing down he paused and looked at the vacant driveway and darkened windows. Then he noticed there was a sign placed out front that read: For Sale.
He stared at the big red letters plastered on the white picket background, curiosity and uncertainty swarming in his belly. He padded to the side of the house and stood on his hind legs, looking above the tall wooden fence. Everything was just like it was, only empty. He looked over toward the glass sliding doors and jumped over the fence, landing on the other side with a "huff."
Padding slowly to the outside door he took a look inside. Squinting his eyes he stared at the empty, stained orange couch and barren living room. Nothing was in sight, the walls were bare and the kitchen was vacant with no sign of life. Backing up he looked around the yard one last time, this was the place. Yet, no one lived here; was that sign here last time? Beast Boy couldn't remember. Walking back to the fence he leaped over it and transformed halfway in the jump, landing on his two feet his shoes scuffing up some dirt. He looked back and forth, and decided to wait a few minutes to see if his teammate would show up then sat down and wrapped his arms around his legs as a more comfortable position.
He sat there for twenty minutes, sitting on the grass and picking at the blades with boredom evident in his face. He sighed and looked up and around at his surroundings, not seeing Raven in sight.
"That's really weird… Maybe she did get here before me and decided to go back to the tower or something…" Beast Boy pondered, watching a robin fly from one branch to another nearby.
Taking one last look he snagged his communicator from his belt and flicked it to the name Raven. He contemplated calling her but finally decided at the end to push the call button… only to receive a few beeps and no answer.
"Way to be mature Raven." Beast Boy sighed and closed his communicator with frustration.
Standing up he took one last look around the clearing before heading down the path back toward the tower. Instead of the last route he took before, he decided to head down the street beside it where more people bustled in the streets and cars raced past in the intersection. He took a corner and was about to cross a busy intersection when he heard his name get called out. Turning around he saw rows of kids of ages around 4-6 years old, clinging on a fence at the other side where a daycare was located. They all stared at him with wide eyes; a few shouted his name and begged for him to come over.
Beast Boy couldn't resist and felt a smile suddenly creep up on him; kids were one of his weak spots. When the children saw him approaching them they all shouted with glee, except for one little boy who ran away to hide in a nearby tunnel.
"Beeest Boy!" They cried out; and he noticed that most of the kids wore bright yellow shirts and jeans and he wondered if it was a special day or something for them, or if the color was just a coincidence.
"Do a trick Beest boy!" A little girl with pigtails shouted and a few kids nearby agreed and shouted the same thing in unison.
Beast boy laughed and glanced toward the girl who addressed him first, "Ok what's your favorite animal?"
"A kitty!" She squealed with delight and all the kids watched with awe as Beast Boy shifted as a cat and leaped up on the fence, leaning down with his paws hanging over the side. They all shouted with delight and another cried out for a squirrel and he shifted again on the fence line and leaped on a nearby tree, scurrying up a branch. There were more shouts but at the side of his vision he saw the door open and an adult exit the daycare; she spotted him and stared for a moment, confusion across her face before realizing who it was. She smiled and waved as Beast Boy transformed back to his normal self, sitting on the branch, dangling his feet off the edge with a smile.
"Sorry, couldn't resist them" He shouted from above, the kids all sitting and standing under the tree nearby, except for the one little boy who scampered out from the tunnel and hid behind the daycare lady's legs, his black hair almost covering his light blue eyes.
The owner waved her hand, "Not a problem, a titan like yourself is always welcome here! You make the kids so happy when they see you around."
Beast Boy smiled and the lady continued her brown hair blowing in the wind, "Alright kids, time to head in, tell the teen titan bye for today."
All the kids groaned and whined, turning to the lady with pleading eyes to stay outside. Beast Boy laughed and chipped in, "if you listen then I might come back tomorrow to see you guys and do even more tricks."
"Yes, yes, play with us tomorrow!" They cried out with excitement and after a few moments they scattered, picking up their toys before racing back to the entrance a few chasing each other inside.
The owner glanced at him with grateful eyes as some of the kids scampered inside. She watched the children file inside and coaxed the little boy with dark hair in. He turned and gave a look at Beast Boy before racing inside. There were a few kids left, watching Beast Boy outside with curious eyes and the daycare lady shouted at them from the distance.
Beast Boy smiled and laughed; looking over toward the intersection then off toward the west where he could see the tower standing in the distance. Transforming into an eagle he took to the skies and soared toward the tower. As he lifted and pulled his wings to the air he heard the squeals of the children and looked down to see that the last few that were outside had their attention distracted and had raced over to the other end where a stray, gray coated dog was racing past the corner.
The kids screamed with glee as they raced the dog down the fence line until it vanished around the other corner of the daycare. He shook his head with a smile and started his ascent to Titans Tower.
But seeing as how Beast Boy was, he decided to stop by the local comic book store on the way back. Knowing it was going to be a long day, he needed something to distract him before confronting the dark sorceress. He spent a couple hours inside, poking around the new material and some of the older issues as well. Finally he settled on a comic staring heroes brought to life in another universe. Grabbing a couple Avengers copies he made his way back to the tower, satisfied that he did something productive today.
As he reached the tower he entered through the front and noticed the empty couch and was about to strode over to it when a shadow passed him by and a question was suddenly asked, startling him from his current mindset of the two comics in his hands.
"Where's Raven, I thought she was with you?"
Beast Boy looked up to see Robin pausing, as if about to leave the tower himself. He glanced at the leader and felt confusion wave over his senses, "I thought she came back to the tower…we got separated."
Robin gazed at him and opened his communicator, "I can't get a signal on her, what happened, why didn't you contact us?" He looked up curious, as if expecting someone had attacked them.
"Contact you? No nothing happened, we just had a disagreement. We're fine, I don't know where she went though…I haven't seen her since…" He trailed off.
Robin looked at him for a moment then let off a sigh, as if determining the situation was fine; "ok I'm sure she just needs some space; well I guess I'll have to finish the project on my own."
Without any other explanation Robin continued on and walked outside, leaving Beast Boy confused in the common room. He opened his communicator and clicked the signal button. Sure enough everyone's signal showed up except Raven's. Weird.
He watched the blue dot of Cyborg flicker around the halls of the tower and Starfire's dot that flew in downtown Jump City. Closing the communicator he bit his lip in uncertainty but shrugged it off. Perhaps she decided to take a detour somewhere… or the library…or attacked…
No. I'm sure if something was wrong she would have sent some kind of signal for help. Yet again…she is stubborn… A picture of Elsa flickered in his mind. Wonder where she is now… He pondered this for a moment as he sat on the couch and inclined his knees against his chest for comfort. Can't do much until Raven gets back though… where else would she take Elsa? He could never read the dark girls mind, not to mention her emotions; there was no telling what she would do. Letting go his worrisome thoughts he opened up his first comic and dove in, reading the first pages with deep interest.
The day went by rather slow, no alarms or emergency calls from the city. No calls from their sister tower, it was quiet and by the time Beast Boy finished reading his second comic, he was dying from the sense of stagnant silence that filled the empty lobby. Not even the tv satisfied his hunger anymore, so he sat on the couch and stared at the ceiling, watching the shadows play around, as the sun began to sink in the sky. He let his eyes veer to the left where a clock hung on the wall and it read 7:10pm.
Then there was a sudden bang and Beast Boy jumped from his place on the couch, sitting up and staring at the figure that stepped inside.
The figure strode in with a defeated figure and he immediately recognized the deep red hair. She caught eyes with Beast Boy and something flickered in her eyes, "Friend, have you seen Raven today?"
Beast Boy shook his head, "Not since this morning," and Starfire sighed, "She had forgotten me."
Surprise bubbled inside Beast Boy and he gave her a funny look, Raven usually never did that. What was up with that? Curiosity boiled in his chest and he sat up completely on the couch a bag of Doritos sliding off on the floor from his snacking during a movie.
"Maybe she got caught up in something… or at the library?" Beast Boy offered, knowing that it most likely not the case, but he wanted that sad look to leave her features. She looked like she was about to cry right then and there.
"Were you at the mall this whole time?" He asked, just now realizing how late it was.
Starfire didn't reply for a moment then shook her head yes, "Yes… I waited for seven hours yet she didn't show up. I have patience but… I'm worried and sad; she doesn't do this very often." She paused, "You think she is fine?"
Beast boy stared at his teammate, "You kidding? We're talking about Raven, of course she is." He paused then continued, "I'm sure she just got busy."
Starfire gazed at him and rubbed the side of her arm where the bandage lay. She glanced at the tv where a comedy unknown to him was playing and he offered her to sit down nearby and she smiled slightly before sitting on the couch near him.
"You are right. She must have left for a good reason."
Beast Boy stared at her and felt uncertainty grip him but didn't let it show; for some reason he just couldn't stand to see anyone upset. Letting out a breath he glanced past the tv where the window was located. The sun was getting close to the horizon, bright orange and yellow lights blared inside the tower with intensity. A few minutes dragged by before Starfire spoke up beside him.
"It must be hard," Starfire murmured.
Beast Boy looked at her, bringing him out of his muddled thoughts, "What do you mean?"
"Having to give up something you care about," she paused, and he realized she had changed the subject toward Elsa and he felt a pang of guilt stab him in the chest; "if someone took away Silkie I would be…sad."
Beast Boy smiled, "I'm alright Starfire, I'm sure she'll find another home."
Starfire gazed at him with surprise from his answer, "What do you mean?"
"Oh the people who owned her I guess moved away, so at least I don't have to worry about them hurting her." He gave a small laugh, "So that's a plus I guess."
Starfire stared at him, "they hurt her?"
Beast Boy offered a small smile and nodded, "Yeah, she's fine now though, Raven fixed her up…." He lost his train of thought remembering how gentle she was with the pup when she healed her scars and bruises. Yet, she was fine just giving her back to an abusive home.
"That was…nice." Starfire replied, "I didn't know she liked animals."
Beast Boy laughed, "Me either…" he paused, "I think there was more to it than just that."
Starfire gazed at him and they fell into silence, watching the movie quietly and after about twenty or so more minutes Starfire let out a sigh and he saw her glance outside, "I wonder where Raven is."
Beast Boy looked at her and shrugged, "Enjoying the nightlife?" Starfire giggled, "that would be funny…I am tired though and must be going to bed, goodnight Beast Boy." She stood up then turned to him, "I hope she is ok, but you are right she is… tough, yes?"
Beast Boy let out a snort of amusement and shrugged his shoulders, "Sure." Starfire nodded then turned away and he watched her leave the lobby. The green teen let out another sigh and flipped over on the couch and watched more TV for a few minutes; finally he picked up his communicator again and stared at it. By curiosity he flipped it open and clicked on the name "Raven". He held his breath and waited, but to his surprise, not even a ring came; only the faint fuzz, meaning her communicator was inaccessible. Closing his communicator he stood up and turning off the TV he turned around and walked out the door into the hallway, up the elevator and toward the guest room. Passing by Raven's quarters he stopped then turned into a fly and flew into her door opening.
Just as he suspected, Raven was not in the tower. He transformed back into his original form and glanced around, the bed made and everything where it was earlier that day. He felt uncertainty prick at his mind and he let his imagination wander through various scenarios and thoughts. Looking around he also saw the pillows and the blankets on the floor where he slept the previous night. Walking up to them he pushed them aside and walked up to the window. The panel was still open too. Blinking he leaned outside and gazed at the sun that was beginning to set outside. He felt the wind slap him in the face.
"Raven…where are you?"
Ahh, what is going on you say? I thought this was just some story about a dog and two titans? Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter, it wasn't like, amazing but it was needed to get into the next chapter where everything is going to take off I hope!
peace love n puppies :D
Mai