Hey there Chums! Sorry about my brief hiatus...just caught up in junk and junk- y'know? Anyhow, i've returned with an extra large chapterooni...bordering 10,000 words! I utterly have Carpal Tunnel Syndrom now. Any how this is when things get hot, and only expect things to get even hotter! Also, in the later chapters you'll really begin to see why exactly this story is call Simplicity. Sad to say but i'm gonna have to forgo the reviews this time seeing as its 3:37 am right now. :( However i will have to give a special thanks to Corvus Corvidae for the email ya sen meh, tellin me to get my lazy but in gear. THANKYA! Just what i needed. Anyhow, here's chapter 6, ENJOY! (Proceeds to pass out :s)

"Let us see… 'Add one of the teaspoons of the extract of vanilla, and a half of butter stick. Mix until mild lumps appear for body and texture'. Excellent! This shall be a glorious meal!"

It was early in the morning and normally, the Titan's day would have yet to have been started. But this morning, Starfire felt exceptionally energized, which was odd for her the day after a thunderstorm. Typically she would drag about the tower, suffering from a fearfully sleepless night. But she had someone to thank for that not being the case today.

"'Pour onto skillet and let cook until bubbles form at the top and flip over. Repeat for as many servings as desired'. So it shall be done marvelous book of recipes."

So she went about her business cheerfully, cooking breakfast for her very good friend who had yet to awaken. But, just as she poured her first pancake onto the skillet, the doors slid open. She snapped her head to see if it was who she was waiting for, horrified that he'd made an appearance before she had finished.

"Hey Star."

She breathed a sigh of relief, it was only Robin.

"Hello Friend Robin. How are you this fine morning?" She asked as she returned to tending to her pancakes.

"Same as always. You…uh…cooking breakfast for…everyone?" He asked, trying to hide his dread.

"Oh no Robin, I am not."

Robin inwardly sighed in relief; he was running out of ways to dodge her cooking.

"So, you got up this early to cook your own breakfast?"

"No, that is not the case; I am up cooking for someone else, not myself."

Robin's heart skipped a beat.

"W-Who are you cooking for then?"

She turned her head just enough to cast her eyes on him over her shoulder. Robin's heart skipped another beat as her pools of jade locked onto him. And as she began to answer him her eyes lulled as she reminisced of a memory that was now very dear to her.

"For a friend to whom I am very grateful to know," she said in a distant dreamy way.

And they stood there for a beat, looking at each other, until Starfire broke their gaze, as she brought her attention back to her pancakes, flipping one off the skillet and onto a plate, pouring another to be cooked.

"Starfire…I…you didn't….thank you. Thanks a lot." He said slowly and from his heart, as he approached her from behind.

"For what frie-," she began to ask, but stopped out of shock as she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her stomach, and a spiky head of hair tickle the back of her neck. And they were frozen in time. Starfire with a shocked expression on her face, arms held in the air, spatula in hand; and Robin, clasping onto her waist with a face of contentment. And as the intimacy of the moment became apparent to her, the shocked expression on her face turned into one of pleasure and gratification. She let her arms fall to her side, and unconsciously held onto his wrists which were bound together atop her belly button. And as she found comfort and security being held there, in his arms, her head drifted down and down, until her eyes fell upon the skillet that held a cooking pancake, one that was not for Robin. None that were for Robin. And her face of solace turned into a face of regret. Not wanting to end the moment, but knowing it must be done, she unlatched his hands and spread his arms wide, ending the embrace. Still holding onto his hands, she turned around to face him, finding a look of confusion and disappointment etched onto his face. She took in a deep breath.

"Robin, I fear there is a misunderstanding between us."

Oh god…I knew I shouldn't have hugged her…she doesn't like me like I do her. I'm so stupid! SO STUPID!

"I'm sorry Star, I really don't know what I was thinking, I-I shouldn't have hugged you like that, I-," He hastily apologized, only to be cut of by the calm, sugary sweet voice of Starfire.

"There is no cause for apology friend. Although I truly value your company and am indeed grateful to be your friend, these pancakes are not for you." She stated with regret clearly in her voice.

"O-oh," he began, clearly embarrassed by his actions, "Then who'd you make them for?"

"They…they are for friend Beast Boy."

"Beast Boy?" Robin exclaimed, clearly shocked.

"Yes." She answered with a slightly confused air.

"Why would you make pancakes for Beast Boy!" He asked, genuinely curious, past embarrassment forgotten for the moment.

Starfire's eyes drifted towards the floor

"He…he helped when I feared no one could. He gave me the gift of serenity. So I was driven by gratitude to do something for him. Though it is not much, it was the only thing I could think of. But I believe in my heart that Beast Boy will be grateful for anything I give him, and content even if it is nothing." She said in a low voice.

"How did he…how was he able to give you a gift like that. How can you give serenity?" he asked.

"He shared a part of his soul with me." She answered, looking directly into his eyes.

"I-I think, I would like to give you that gift as well."

"Then you need only do as he did. Share with me, and I will share with you. Confidence…that is serenity." She said with a smile, and through hers a smile graced his lips as well.

And they stood there, smiling at each other as they opened another part of their hearts to one another, until…

"Uh…I think your pancake is burning." Robin pointed out.

Her eyes widened with realization as she twirled around to indeed find smoke rising from off of the bottom of the pancake. "Krat!" She yelled as she hurriedly ran over to the skillet and began to scrape the charred object from off of it.

Robin couldn't help but snicker at her antics. Deciding to let her alone to her work, he walked over to the breakfast table where his newspaper lay and began reading it. So she's making them for Beast Boy. Wonder if I should envy or pity him. It is Star's cooking after all. He flipped the page.

A comfortable silence fell over the two as each became engrossed in what they were doing. Starfire, after fully disposing of the charred object, poured more batter to be cooked. One after another she cooked them until her full stack of delicious pancakes was finally done. Finished at last, she thought to herself excitedly. She moved to put the skillet into the dishwasher until her eyes fell upon her bowl of mix, there was a little bit left. Seeing that the stack was plenty hearty as it was, she made to dispose of it into the trash, that is until she heard the rustling of newspaper. She decided to put the batter to better use.

Just as she set the pan back onto the stove, the automated doors once again skimmed open.

"Mornin' peeps!" Cyborg boisterously announced, effectively making his presence known.

"Hey Cy," Robin greeted, never looking away from his paper.

"Salutations friend Cyborg," Starfire said, seemingly concentrated on a new project.

Taking in notice that Starfire was at the stove, Cyborg's bright morning face quickly fell to that of a dead man's.

"You wouldn't happen to be cooking breakfast for the team, now would you Star?" He managed to inquire without sounding too abysmal.

"Sorry Cy, V.I.P only." Robin answered, saving Star the trouble of explaining.

Caught between an odd mixture of relief and irritation, Cyborg decided to find out more information before voicing his opinion.

"'V.I.P only!' Who's more important than ol' Cyborg?"

"I can think of a few people." A voice said.

Instantly recognizing the deadpan delivery, a surprised Cyborg jumped forward and span around to see none other than the team's resident goth.

"R-Raven! Didn't hear you come in!"

"Yeah, I gathered that." She said as she brushed past him to the cabinet that held her tea of choice.

As she filled her tea pot with water, she could still feel his eyes watching her movements intensely, almost as if to watch for a surprise attack of some sort. Deciding she wasn't in the mood for it, she figured she should quell his fears, at least for the moment.

"In case you're still concerned over the 'incident' the other day," she began not turning to face him, "I've decided to chalk it up to a moment in which you had a lapse of brain activity and let you live." She turned off the facet, seeing that her teapot was full, "at least for now." Satisfied after hearing a sigh of relief escape his mouth, she made her way to the stove to boil the water. She was mildly surprised to see Starfire manning it. She was then mildly uneased to see that she was cooking. She thought of asking her why she had decided to cook, but decided against it, she wasn't much of a breakfast person anyway, tea would suffice.

"Morning."

"Oh! Good morning friend Raven, I had not realized you had joined us this morning."

"Yeah, you seemed a little…preoccupied."

"Oh yes friend, I am- ,"

Just then, the doors opened for the last time, revealing the final member of the team. And Raven's heart stopped.

"Morning dudes and dudettes." Beast Boy voiced with a yawn.

"Yo," Both Cyborg and Robin said at the same time. Robin, however, folded his paper up in laid it on the table. Now that the guest of honor had arrived he wanted to see how things played out.

"Friend Beast Boy! You have arrived at last!" an excited Starfire exclaimed as she quickly flew with all her exuberance towards him. And Raven just stood there as Starfire blew past her; she just stood there unmoving and unspeaking as memories of last night flooded her head. And as everything came back to her, she watched.

"Um…yeah…I guess I have…" Beast Boy said uncertainly, he wasn't use to having his presence being made into such an event.

"Come, come, sit! I have something I wish to give you!" She said, barely able to contain her excitement as she grabbed hold of his hand and pulled him to his seat. They stopped when she reached the table and, with a huge smile on her face, gestured for him to sit. Slowly and confusedly he did as told and sat down where a confused Cyborg and an amused Robin sat looking at him.

"Glorious, one moment please!"

"S-Sure…" Beast Boy replied. As soon as she left Cyborg got in his face. Close in his face. "What!" Beast Boy finally asked agitated.

"You're the V.I.P.!" He asked accusingly.

"I'm the wha-," he begun to retort, that is until a stack of hot, fresh, golden flap jacks dribbling with syrup were placed in front of him along with a tall glass of orange juice. The aroma was saliva inducing and took over his senses. He then looked up to see Starfire's ever smiling face beaming down on him.

"I made this for you."

It was then it hit him. Starfire cooked food for him to eat. Starfire cooked it. He tried his best to maintain his smile and hide his dread.

"You did? Thanks Star, it looks great." He said with all the enthusiasm he could muster. But looks are more than less deceiving.

Starfire then stood expectantly over him, awaiting the first bite. Noticing this, Beast Boy covertly gulped and picked up his fork. With a tinge of trepidation he sliced through the layers. Seems to be cooked through, fluffy even. And with one more glance at Starfire face, he bucked up and quickly placed a portion in his mouth.

It was a delayed reaction. He had readied his mind for a gooey, foul, disgusting taste to riddle his senses, but it wasn't the case. It took his mind a second to wrap around the idea that it wasn't disgusting, but when it did, what he found was pure euphoria. His eyes watered as the heavenly flavor surged his taste buds and unlocked a new level of delicious. The fluffy, buttery morsel melted in his mouth as the sweet syrup coated every corner of his tongue. Slowly, he savored it as he found happiness in ever bite, and, almost sadly, he concluded the melody as he swallowed the little piece of paradise that graced his plate. And he froze, eyes wide.

Starfire leaned in close to gauge his reaction. The whole kitchen was quiet as they awaited his verdict. Even Raven, who was caught in her thoughts, awaited the outcome.

Finally he spoke.

"Starfire…" He started, speaking slowly and carefully, "this could quite possibly be the best tasting batch of pancakes I have ever consumed in my entire life."

The others we're floored.

"Truly?" Starfire excitedly asked.

"Most truly, they're wonderful, thank you." Beast Boy said looking her straight in the face.

"No friend…there is no need for thanks…"

"Bu-," He started, but was quickly quieted by Starfire two hands, which were gingerly placed on both sides of his face.

The others looked on curiously, especially Cyborg who was completely confused.

"These pancakes were my thanks to you, my very dear friend…this is my thanks." She stated as she began to lean closer, closer to Beast Boy's face. TSUUUUUUUUUUUUU….went Raven's teapot. Robin stopped breathing and his heart beat faster with every inch their faces got closer, Cyborg's mouth just dropped further and further, and Raven just watched on, understanding completely what she was so thankful for.

And Beast Boy sat still as Starfire leaned in closer until her lips finally gently, sweetly, pressed against his forehead with all the gratitude she could relay. And he understood. This was her gratefulness, for what he did for her.

But suddenly, a memory flashed in front of his eyes.

"Is it good?"

"Yeah mom it tastes great!"

"Heh…I'm glad. I made it for you, Garfield."

And she leaned over and kissed his forehead.

Starfire slowly pulled away and stood up straight again, a placid, satisfied smile on her face. However her features turned into one of concern as she looked upon Beast Boy's face. He appeared frozen in place eyes lulled with accepted sadness, as a single tear rolled down his face.

"Friend, what is the matter?" Starfire asked.

Recovered from the action, Robin and Cyborg saw his appearance as well. As did Raven. Realizing his mistake, he quickly rubbed his eye as he thought of a lie to cover for his display.

"Nothing, a strand of you hair must have fallen in my eye." He said light heartedly.

"Oh. Well then please, finish your meal before it gets cold, I do not believe it will taste as good that way." She suggested.

"Don't have to tell me twice." He said as he greedily began digging in.

Believing his story, Robin and Cyborg redirected their attention to the fact that his breakfast looked so good, and theirs didn't exist.

"Man! Now what am I supposed to do for breakfast?" Cyborg exclaimed.

"Don't you have a baby cow or a helpless pig to mercilessly massacre or something?" Beast Boy sarcastically suggest between mouthfuls.

"Ha Ha," Cyborg dryly replied as he got up and made his way over to the fridge to search for some nourishment.

Even Robin felt a pang of jealousy as he peered upon Beast Boy's plate. The fact that it was good, and especially the fact that Starfire had made it for him made him just a tad bit envious.

Meh…whatever. I'll just go out and get something to eat later. Besides…maybe she'll make me breakfast some day… he thought as he dismissed the notion and reached for his news paper to check the today section. But just as he opened it did he hear the sound of a plate being put down right in front of him. Quickly he closed the paper to see a pancake in the shape of an 'R' set right in front of him with a fork and a knife, along with a cup of coffee being placed right in front of his eyes, with a orange hand connected to it. He followed the hand until he reached the eyes of Starfire smiling down on him.

"This is…for me?" Robin asked, still not believing it.

"Yes, I have made this for you using the remaining batter from Beast Boy's pancakes," she began to explain, she leaned over to whisper into his ear, " because the hug was most enjoyable."

He turned a light shade of red at the confession but managed to say, "Thank you."

"You are most welcome." She said as she went off to tend to the dished she dirtied in her making of the pancakes.

He picked up the fork, still looking down at the 'R' shaped pancake, but briefly brought his eyes to look upon Beast boy. Beast Boy met his gaze with a knowing smirk, implying so many things, mouth still full of pancake. Robin's expression turned a little sour after meeting his gaze, but went back to a pleasant one as he used his fork to cut out a piece of his pancake. He placed the section into his mouth and his eyes lit up with delight. Hey! This is good! It was gone in a matter of seconds.

(O.o) (n.n) (X.x)

Beast Boy put down his fork on his now empty plate, patting his stomach with satisfaction. Man that was tasty. He then got up to place his plate in the dish washer. Covering his nose as he passed by Cyborg who was cooking a stomach-churning amount of bacon, he put the dish in its destination. He then made his way over to the couch, where he wasn't aware Raven had been sitting, sipping her tea. He leapt over the back on the other side from where she sat, somehow landing softly so as not to disturb her too much.

She didn't even blink. That's odd, thought I woulda gotten some kind of reaction from her.

"Raven?"

She didn't answer, no, she didn't say a word. She just slowly turned her neck, as if it were the only mobile part of her body, and looked at him, looked at him deeply. He met her gaze. Those eyes, they look…tired. But somehow, they still look intense, it's like she's looking through me, into my being. It's like she's trying to solve something. Why are her eyes so intensely tired? She's troubled.

"So, how'd you like my performance?"

This got a reaction out of her. Her eye's slightly bulged as she directed her attention elsewhere, not moving her head but just casting her gaze.

"Your…performance?" She pretended not to know.

"Yeah, I know you heard me singing. Star liked it, she made me pancakes. Guess you didn't like it then huh? No pancakes."

"How did…What language was it?" Raven asked ignoring his stab at a joke.

"It was Zulu."

"Zulu?" Raven asked, genuinely confused.

"You don't know where Zulu originates?" She shook her head. "That's odd, I figured with all those books you read there isn't much that you don't know."

"I wasn't born here remember? I don't come from earth, and I've only been here for a little while, I'm not that familiar with other cultures."

"Heh, guess it slipped my mind. You don't talk like Star; you talk like you've always been here. Anyway, Zulu is an African tongue."

"African? How do you know Zulu if it's African?"

"Picked it up from my hometown."

"Hometown? You're from Africa?"

"No, not quite, but might as well have been."

"What? What does that mean?"

"Here I am, answering all your questions, and you still didn't answer mine."

"…What?"

"Did you like my singing?" He asked with a grin.

"It-It was…nice, I suppose…" She managed to say.

"Oh my, a compliment from Raven! Some one call the ambulance, I think I'm gonna faint!"

"Whatever." She said, turning her head away from him.

"I'm glad though, that you like my singing. It makes me happy." Beast Boy said in a sincere voice.

She turned her head back toward him, to see a gentle yet genuine smile on his face.

"H-How did…you know I was there? That I was listening?"

"Easy," he said as he leaned in close to whisper in her ear, "Magic."

"Don't mess with me," Raven grimly said. Peturbed, she covered herself in her energy and flew through the ceiling, straight to the roof, leaving behind a confused Beast Boy. Oh man, I didn't know she was that upset. Great, just when I thought things were getting better. Half-heartedly he picked up the remote and turned to a random channel, not really paying attention. He was deep in thought contemplating how he was going to fix what just seems to get more broken as the days go by.

(o.o) (n.n) (X.x)

Does he think this is some game! How dare he mess with me like that! Doesn't he know the strife he's been causing me lately? The headaches and all the uncertainty? I don't even know how to act around him anymore. And it seems when I figure one thing out…or at least I think I've figured one thing out, he does something that surfaces a host of other questions. How many lies and half-truths has he coated himself with over the years? How much does he have bottled up inside him? Why can't I just ask him these questions instead of asking myself? So many questions…questions of are no use. I just tried to ask him a question, but his response did nothing but raise more questions. What is it with him? Why is he such a mystery?

Raven's mind pondered for the answers to her questions as she dangled on the edge of the roof of Titan's Tower. Her hair and cloak blew in the wind as the smell of salt water filled her lungs. Normally she would find this atmosphere to be relaxing, but now all it did was mask the turmoil that stormed inside her.

What am I to do? Talking to him is out of the question, it only seems to cause more problems. Besides, it would just take too long, I can't live with this anxiety much longer. No, I only have one choice: I have to scan his memories. But…the last time I tried to enter his mind…

"Don't EVER do that again!"

He somehow pushed me out of his head. I still don't know how he did that. Plus, he was really angry about me going into his mind…I've never seen him that angry before…with anyone. But really, how much do I know anyway. I'll just have to do it when he's asleep. It's my only choice.

She raised her head to look out onto the sparkling ocean surface, filled with determination, all the while trying her best to ignore the small voice pleading in the back of her head.

(o.o) (n.n) (X.x)

For most, the day passed by relatively quickly, life flowed without bother. But for one, minutes took lifetimes and hours an eternity. There she sat, tortured and disturbed. She'd tried everything to calm her nerves, but the normal routes just weren't enough. She just couldn't shake the feeling of inevitable perdition. Why? She was nervous. Why? She was scared. Why? But most of all, she was uncertain. Why?

She looked at the clock resting on her nightstand, she had lost track of how many times she'd done that. 10:49. I wonder if he's asleep yet. She took in a deep breath, momentarily calming her nerves for the task at hand. Finding her center, she expanded her mind outside of her body. A shiver flew up her back, she still wasn't used to the sensation that it always caused. An unnerving feeling brought upon from a moment when you feel most vulnerable and yet utterly aware. You leave the vessel that is your being, losing all control and all sense of self, yet gaining a deeper sense of what is. An overwhelming feeling as what is envelopes you, threatening to consume you, but fighting that feeling is not the key. No, on the contrary, she had learned a while ago you must let it engulf you; let it devour you, therefore letting it become you. That is the only way to harvest what is, the only way to decipher it. It is the only way in which for you to become your soul- self.

Coasting on the edge of reality she navigated her way through the jungle of emotions that surrounded her. Every type of color, some that escapes description, clouded her view. It was long before she realized that the colors weren't meant to be seen but felt. She glided her way down the hall feeling what wasn't meant to be seen. Hot, yet soothing. Robin. She continued her journey to Beast Boy's room, soaking up the emotions of the ones in her path. She turned left, then right, then another left, closing in quickly on her target. She could feel the reverberations of his psyche with every enclosing foot. Closer and closer she got until she rounded the final corner, but suddenly she was bombarded with an assortment of emotions. Blazing fire. Anger. Stabbing hurt. Longing. Damp recognition. Helplessness. And finally… GAH!

Her concentration broken, she went rapidly hurtling towards her body, unable to stop herself. Like a white water rapid she flew, landing what could be perceived as "hard" back into her mind. As if someone had threw her she went barreling off her bed and onto the floor, coated in a cold sweat. She took a few minutes to gather her senses and collect herself, having been involuntarily flung back into her mind with such force. That…that last emotion…it was so powerful…so bright. Such shining righteous fury…incredibly intense. Whatever I felt from him must have been pure. A pure emotion…so powerful…it's almost scary.

Regaining her composure, she picked herself from up off the floor, standing straight and looking at her reflection, still deep in thought. With a medley of emotions that varied it has to mean he's asleep. In fact it must mean he's dreaming, that's the only state I can see someone feeling so many different things so fast. This might be a good thing. With him caught up in his dream, it will be less likely for him to detect my presence in his mind.

She looked over at the clock. 11:15. The time is now. Taking one last glance at her mirror, she pulled her hood up over her head, and made her way out the door. She was determined to end things tonight.

(n.n) (o.o) (X.x)

The label on the door read 'Beast Boy'. Faint snoring could be heard from inside. It was pitch black in the halls and not a soul was around. The setting was right, the timing was right. Even still, a petrified Raven stood idly in front of the door. What is this hesitation? Is…is my hand shaking? My breath… it's short. Didn't I make up my mind?

Yes.

Didn't I say there was no other choice?

Yes.

Aren't I right?

Maybe.

Could I be wrong?

Possibly.

Could I possibly be wrong?

Probably.

Should I be doing this?

No.

What should I do if not this?

…

No! Now is not the time for hesitation! Not now!

Zeal steeled, she enshrouded her being with sable and melted through his door. There was no turning back.

(n.n) (o.o) (X.x)

She was greeted with darkness. Typically this would be a blessing; she was a maiden of the dark. But this darkness, unlike the familiar darkness in her room, belied some unknown danger. She felt almost infantile, afraid of the monster that lurked in the shadows under her bed. She discarded the thought with a shake of the head, refocusing on the purpose for her entry. Upon scanning the room, she located her target. There he was, sound asleep in his bed, covers stretching all the way up to his neck. Cautiously she approached him, careful not to make a whisper of a sound. Slowly, slowly she inched towards him, his form growing with each step, her heart beating faster, causing her to take shallow bated breaths.

Finally, she reached his bedside, and her heart sank. A sliver of moonlight escaped the confines of his blinds, glistening down upon a face that showed nothing but complete and utter despair. Her heart in her throat, she looked upon him, never before seeing him in such turmoil. The one who's always laughing, always smiling. The one always trying to make others happy. She had thought that was just the way he was, a ball of infectious elation. But now, now she saw what he wanted no one to see: A person who can't even find sanctuary in his dreams. And she continued to look at the contradiction that lay before her. Moonlight kissing his olive skin, giving it a soft, warm texture, only to be compromised by the grimace etched onto his face. It was painful.

That settles it. Now more than ever, she needed to know what went on in that labyrinth of a mind of his. She wanted to know every corner of it, it became her new obsession. So, to satisfy her craving she floated in mid-air, crossing her legs to take the lotus position, and, in the lowest voice possible, utter her practiced mantra: "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos."

She closed her eyes, and then opened them, only to find herself in the last place she thought she would ever be: a playground.

(O.o) (n.n) (X.x)

All around her were kids. Some little, some bigger, but not by much. Some were on swing sets that appeared to be slightly rusted and riddled with spots of chipped paint that revealed many other layers of paint hidden beneath the surface coat. Others were playing with what appeared to be a ball that obviously hadn't been refilled with air in a while, covered with duct tape to seal up all the punctures. Still others had resorted to drawing pictures and hopscotch lines in the dirt and dust, having to reconstruct the lines with every strong gust of wind that passed by. But despite all the differences in height and activity and age, one thing was common between all of them: They were all dressed in rags. Some went without shoes, others even without pants, simply donning an oversized shirt with enough stains to go around. But, the weirdest part of all was that no one seemed to notice a gray skinned, purple haired, purple eyed teenage super hero had just suddenly appeared in the middle of them.

This must be, one of Beast Boy's memories. But this looks like a… SMACK!

Her train of thought was brought to a halt as a resounding slap was heard above even the ruckus and mayhem of little children at play. Turning her head in the direction of the source of the sound, Raven's eyes landed upon a huddled mass of kids, apparently others who inquired of the source of the noise. Straining to see over the group, Raven could decipher a total of five kids in the middle. One of which was standing dominant over a small girl, hands on his hips and a mocking grin on his face. The little girl, who Raven quickly determined to be the recipient of the resounding hit, was huddled on the floor, knees tucked in a fetal position, her hands covering her face, muffling what she decided was loud sobbing. On the far left side of the two was a pair of twins who seemed to be in cahoots with the apparent bully. They were wriggling and grunting, evidently having trouble holding someone back. She squinted her eyes to see who was the one being detained, but before she could clearly determine who he was, a small child of seven of eight years of age ran right through Raven's mid section and straight in her line of sight.

She almost screamed, unprepared to have someone run through her like a tunnel, but quickly remembered where she was. She was in Beast Boy's mind, she didn't exist, technically. She pretty much was a ghost. Recollecting herself, she brought back her attention to the spectacle in front of her. Confidently she walked to the circular pack of kids, easily seeing over them.

"Next time, when I say give me your food, you don't go get the nun, you GIVE ME YOUR FOOD!" the bully said, this time kicking her in the side. Raven grimaced at the force of the kick; He's much bigger than her, that could have easily broken her ribs. She whimpered in reply.

She was a small girl, couldn't be any older than 8, and had what seemed to have luxurious, clean, golden pig tails that defied her less than sterile surrounding. She wore a dusted white shirt and a torn and patched up brown skirt that ended just after her knees. On her feet where old, scratched up school girl shoes that appeared to be on their last leg. And in all this, she was quivering with fear crying openly and loudly. It only seemed to feed the monster of a boy that towered over her, soaking in her pleas with satisfaction.

"Did you hear me? Yes? NO?" His only reply was yet another whimper, she was simply to scared to formulate words.

"No? You didn't hear me? Well let's see if I can BEAT it into you then!"

And he started pelting her in her side again, with kick after kick after kick to her ribs. With each blow she let out a heart melting scream, crying for someone to help hear, with none of the other kids heeding her plea, but simply watching.

"STOP!" yelled a voice in desperation.

Raven snapped her head to the left, seeing for the first time the boy that was being detained by the twins. One of the twins was holding his finger, contorting his face in pain. Apparently the one being held was also being silenced, a hand over his mouth. But, seeing the girl in trouble, he did the only thing he could think of. He bit him.

"STOP! PLEASE STOP IT!"

It was then Raven took in his appearance. He had messy, moppy hair, a dirty, stretched gray shirt than went as low as his knees, and black shorts that were barley visible under his shirt and beat up sandals on his feet. But the most outstanding feature about this boy was that his hair, his eyes, and his skin…were all green.

Beast Boy?

The little girl took her hand away from her tear stained eyes only for a moment to see who was standing up for her.

"G…G…Garfield?" she asked in a weak voice.

Garfield?

"Stop hitting Kayla! You're hurting her!"

"So what, freak! What is a little vomit bag like you going to do to stop me?" He said kicking her once more; she covered her face yet again with her hands, wishing it would all end.

"I SAID STOP IT!"

"Stop what? This!" Tired of simply injuring her side, he moved on to a much more potent area, her head. Swiftly and with out hesitation he brought his heel down squarely in her face. She screamed even louder.

Raven once again scrunched her face, almost as if she had gotten hit herself. How can a child act this way?

"NO! KAYLA!" Garfield yelled, charging at the bully to stop the beating of his friend. Just as he was in arms reach, two pairs of arms reached out and pulled him back. The twins had him by the collar.

"LET ME GO! LET ME GO!"

"Did you just try to ATTACK ME! Did you really JUST TRY TO ATTACK ME?!" The bully said, anger glowing in his eyes.

"NO ONE TRIES TO PUT THEIR HANDS ON ME! NO ONE! AND ILL TEACH YOU TO NEVER TRY AGAIN! STARTING WITH YOUR FRIEND!"

He brought his heel down again, harder this time. Kayla's body arched with the force of the blow, bruises started forming on her knuckles. Again and again and again, each hit harder than the last time he stomped on her face. Soon bruises turned to blood and her cries grew fainter and fainter as she slowly began slipping from the world of the conscious.

"NO! STOP IT! YOU'RE HURTING HER! YOU'RE KILLING HER! STOP IT RIGHT NOW!"

"OR WHAT?" the bully yelled back in between stomps, the heel of his shoe now covered in blood.

"Stop it…" he began in an eerily calm voice, an eerily deep one, " OR I'LL KILL YOU!" He screamed with all the malice he could conjure as he ripped free from the twins grasp with new found strength.

Raven was speechless, she just watched on as Beast Boy closed in on him with incredible speed.

Halfway to the bully she saw his fangs get longer…his fingernails grow in to claws, and a primal look fixed in his eyes. He wasn't running on thought anymore, he was running on pure hate. He is really going to kill him. It was then it hit her. This must have been what I felt earlier, this moment! His mind is completely engulfed with one emotion. He's moving on pure instinct now.

The bully reared back, not expecting him to be able to retaliate, losing his balance; he was defenseless. Kayla rolled over, her back facing Raven, and appeared to be blacking out. And Garfield just got closer and closer, but as he got closer, it appeared he was turning into something else, something with four legs, with fangs. Just in front of the bully he stopped, showing everyone what he had become; a snarling wolf. The bully lay frozen in fear, not understanding what was happening but knowing it wasn't good for him. A beat past by where no one said anything and no sound dared intrude on the moment. But then, Kayla moaned a sorry, hurtful moan, and Garfield lunged. Raven closed her eyes, not wanting to see the outcome, but when no sound, no scream, no chaos hit her ears; she opened her eyes, and found a wolf hovering in mid-air, just above the bully whose arm was stretched out in a desperate attempt at protecting himself. Everyone was frozen in place. Huh?

She looked to her left, only to see little kids still as statues, some sustained in the air from jumping, others whose mouths were still open from yelling, still others who were captured in mid run, just like a photograph. She looked up; a bird was levitating in one place, no wings flapping. Everything was stopped. Why?

"Raven?" said the voice of a small boy.

Her heart stopped in its tracks. She quickly snapped her head back down to the ground, expecting to see a green wolf suspended in mid-air about to devour that young boy, only to spot a young Beast Boy, staring straight. At. Her. She blinked, and instead of observing a young Beast Boy standing there looking at her, there was the present day Beast Boy, spandex and all, staring intently at her. The surroundings remained the same, the bully on his back, a terrified look on his face, and little Kayla on the ground, half unconscious along with all the kids who played as spectator in their spots. Confused and terrified at what was going on, she clasped her eyes together and shook her head, thinking that would somehow make things better. When she opened her eyes what she thought would be there had changed yet again. Now there was nothing; just her and Beast Boy, in Beast Boy's mind, surrounded by black. She was wordless, breathless, and thoughtless; all she could do was stare. They said nothing. What could or could not be perceived as minutes passed by and they said nothing. Raven with a horrified look on her face, and Beast Boy with a confused look on his face. And then he spoke.

"What are you doing here?"

She had been found out.

(n.n) (o.o) (X.x)

"You are Raven right?"

"…"

"Well, you could be Raven; you sure ignore me like she does."

"…"

"But still, what were you doing in that dream; you've never been in it before?"

"…"

"Raven?"

"…"

"Are you ok?"

"…"

"Why are you acting so weird?"

"…"

"Why do you look so terrified? Like you've been caught or someth- ," then it hit him.

"You ARE Raven aren't you?" He asked in a menacing voice. "You're the REAL Raven…AREN'T you?"

"…"

"You're in my HEAD AREN'T YOU!"

"I…I…"

"GET OUT OF MY MIND! NOW!" he shouted, his anger at its acme.

Like a whirlpool she was sucked through what could be perceived as the floor, down a winding vortex. Around and around she span, and like a flash she wound up in her own body. Shocked, she wasn't able to maintain her floating lotus position and landed harshly on her butt. Still dizzy from her forced expulsion, she took a few seconds to get herself together. The moment her senses were back in order she looked up quickly and fearfully only to see a fully awake, erect Beast Boy gazing at her intensely with a dangerous look in his eye. She never realized before how threatening he could be, how…angry he could become. He turned his head slightly to look at her with both eyes. But with the moonlight still shimmering through his window, it cast a shadow on half of his face, making his already scary features that much more intimidating.

"What do you think you were doing?" He said in a deep, raspy voice that didn't sound like it belonged to him.

"I…was…"

"Didn't I ask you, clearly, to never…EVER…invade my privacy by going into my mind again?"

"You…you…,"

"Yes or NO?"

"Yes…you did." She wasn't used to this, being intimidated by anyone, especially not Beast Boy.

"So, why did you do what I clearly asked you not to do?

"I…"

"Is it because you don't respect me?"

"No…it's…"

"Is it because you don't think my privacy, my opinion is valid?"

"Beast Boy…it's not…"

"Or is it because I'm not WORTH THE TIME TO TALK TO!"

"…"

"You think I didn't notice? I knew how flustered you were after I talked to you that night Raven. I knew how bothered you we're the next day when you wanted to ask me some questions. I knew you were listening when I was singing to Starfire on that stormy night. I know how uncertain my big change has made you about me. But it still gives you no right to READ MY MIND!"

"You left me no choice!" Raven yelled back, finally able to come up with a retort.

Beast Boy got quiet after her saying that. Instead of words, he, slowly, drew the covers from off of him, revealing the fact that he was shirtless, and stood up on his two feet. Slowly he walked over towards where Raven sat on the floor, his upper body becoming more and more enshrouded with darkness with every step he took away from the moonlight. Raven found herself unconsciously backing away from him, shuffling along the floor until her back made contact with the wall. But still he came, closer and closer, deeper into the darkness until he became full surrounded by it, the only indication of his position being his glowing nocturnal eyes. Suddenly Raven's heart rate rose, perspiration forming on her forehead. Now the darkness scared her, she was in the dark with a monster lurking about, a monster she created and yet a monster she doesn't know.

Closer his glowing eyes came to her until he was right on top of her, looking down. Then, unexpectantly, the pair of glowing eyes began to lower, coming down to her eye level, very close to her face. And for a tick nothing happened. Until suddenly, a pair of arms slammed on either side of Raven, locking her in place, startling her to no end. Reflexively she shut her eyes together, only to open them to a pair of squinted glowing eyes no more than centimeters from her own.

"HOW DID I GIVE YOU NO CHOICE!" Beast Boy yelled right into her face.

That was it, she was at her limit. She matched his pair of glowing eyes with her own, and they seemed to clash in their proximity.

"That's enough!"

She then used her power to plow Beast Boy into the wall on the other side of the room, smacking the blinds off, allowing lunar beams to shine through the window, showing Beast Boy plastered to the wall with obsidian, and knocking a few knick-knacks off of the shelves.

Recovered from the initial impact, Beast Boy looked upon her with defiance and detest still in his eyes.

Raven, now unimpressed by his glare, got up and brushed herself off, now feeling in control of the situation.

"You left me with no choice by your cryptic answers, your lack of information, your dodging of questions, why talk if your not going to say anything?" she rationalized once again speaking in her deadpan.

Beast Boy laughed, not a good humor laugh, but a maniacal one.

"What's so funny?" She asked, clearly missing something.

"Raven, you are the biggest hypocrite I have ever crossed paths with."

"What?" she said dangerously with an edge to her voice.

"You say I answer questions cryptically. You say I dodge questions, I don't give out enough information?" He chuckled at the thought. "Raven, add in a blue cloak and a leotard and you just described yourself."

"…" she couldn't argue.

"The difference is I put in the effort to try to get to know you. I try. But apparently you can't do the same for me. I, Beast Boy, present you with something that's not a joke, that's not ridiculous, and instead of seeing me in a different light, you see me as a stranger. How many times have we saved each other in battle? All that's null and void with one intellectual moment from me? Is our friendship really that cheap!"

"…"

"You can't even answer me. Perhaps all this time was a waste then! All these years! All the scoldings and being slammed into walls and humiliation and being brought down by some sarcastic stab to my ego again and again and again…I struggled through all that for NOTHING! Is that what you're telling me!"

"No…it's just easier my way." She stated simply, unable to come up with anything else.

"You think so?" He said…with a crooked, almost demented smile, concealing some other emotion.

"Yes, I do. Now stay still." She ordered as she approached him from across the room.

Soaking in what she had just said Beast Boy lowered his head in what seemed like defeat. And as Raven got halfway there, he raised his head looking her in the eyes.

"Even if you read my memories, you'll still be left with more questions than answers."

"We'll see."

"DON'T YOU LISTEN?"

"…" she ignored him, coming ever closer.

"Right…stupid question, you never do." He said self-depreciatingly. "I guess I'll just have to make you understand."

And as he said those words, he began to phase through Raven's entrapment, sliding through like it was water, all the way until he land on his own two feet. Raven couldn't believe her eyes.

"H-H-How did you…How did you do that!"

"If I were you," he began in the same deep menacing voice, "I'd be more concerned about being in the same room as an angry panther." As soon as the word panther escaped his lips, he became that very panther he spoke of, ready to pounce at the drop of a pin.

Having no time to speak, Raven charged her fists with her ebony energy, prepared to defend herself.

Just as it seemed the flood gates of Armageddon were about to bust loose, the door to Beast Boy's room slid up with a loud hiss, revealing a alert Robin.

"What's wrong," he started as he flicked on the lights using the light switch near the door, "I heard all this ruckus and-,"

Clearly confused at the scene he was beholding, Robin just stood there waiting for an explanation.

Taking the initiative, Beast Boy reverted back to human form and curtly walked past Raven, not even sparing a glance. His face was hard and looked to be strained from contained anger. He looked robin right in the fast and said clearly:

"If you still want five members on this team, I suggest you keep her away from me for a while."

He couldn't believe what he had just heard: Beast Boy, pretty much just issuing a death threat to another member of the team, Raven at that. Robin looked over to see what Raven's reaction would be. What he saw was her, staring down at the floor, her cloak enveloping her whole body with sag to her shoulders. An awkward silence followed Beast Boy's announcement, no one simply knew what to say, or had anything to say. Robin tried anyway.

"What exac-," BWOOOPBWOOOPBWOOOPBWOOOP!

Robin's attempt at understanding the situation was cut off by the Titan's alarm. Robin, Raven, and Beast Boy simply looked at each other, all understanding what must be done.

BWOOOPBWOOOPBWOOOPBWOOOP!

However, refusing to share the same space with Raven, he walked over to his window, opened it up, and leaped out, transforming into a bald eagle mid way his decent and soared high into the sky making his way to the offender ahead of the team.

BWOOOPBWOOOPBWOOOPBWOOOP!

Just as Beast Boy left, Cyborg came barreling into the room.

"Robin…we got trouble, BIG trouble."

BWOOOPBWOOOPBWOOOPBWOOOP!

Robin briefly glanced over at Raven, who seemed to ignore the world around her, deeply caught up in her thoughts.

"Yeah…I know."

BWOOOPBWOOOPBWOOOPBWOOOP!

YUM:)