Disclaimer: I have no ownership of Teen Titans
Chapter 10
A year had passed since Beast Boy had returned to Upper Lamumba and he'd never felt better. In that one year his physique had begun to change into that of a man, though he had a ways to go. Day by day he was growing and he was learning from the tribe, as they were learning from him. He fit into the village as well as any that had been born into the tribe. He helped the elders, hung out with adolescences of his own age, and took care of the younger children. King Tawaba was very proud of the progress he'd made in that one year and told him on a daily basis. But, on this day, Beast Boy would make everyone in the tribe proud as he finally revealed the finished product of his fourth trial.
"Okay, is everyone here?" he asked, excited. He'd brought the entire tribe nearly three miles away from the village to the river in the jungle. It was the same one that had given him water when he was taking on his second trial.
"Yes, I think we're all here, Garfield," said King Tawaba, standing in the very front. "Now tell us why we're here."
"You're all here cuz I've finally finished the fourth trial," said Beast Boy, proudly. "I know it took a long time, but I think you'll all like it."
"I know I'll like it," said Aiyana, smiling.
"Well, let's see it!" said King Tawaba.
"Okay, here it is," he said and lifted a large leaf that had been covering the very end of the three mile long trench he'd carefully made over the months. He lifted a large plank of wood that separated the trench from the river, and the cool, clean water began to flow down the trench on its way to the village. "It's a water irrigation system! Now we don't have to go to the well anymore and hope it doesn't dry up. We'll have fresh water all the time!"
Everyone was quite excited and pleased. In an instant they all began to follow the rushing water along the trench all the way back to the village. Three miles later they found that the trench split up and each part lead to a small well that had been placed in between every five huts. They praised Beast Boy and thanked him over and over.
"Garfield, you've done a fine job!" said King Tawaba, patting his little green ward on the back. "I don't think anyone's ever done something this wonderful for the village. To think that you did it all on your own. No wonder it took you so long!"
"So, does that mean I passed the trial?" asked a very hopeful Beast Boy.
"Of course it does!" the king laughed. "This was far more than even I could have hoped for."
"Cool, so what's the next trial?" asked Beast Boy, almost dreading the answer.
"Don't worry," said King Tawaba, seeing how nervous Beast Boy was. "This one you'll complete in a night and it's very easy."
"Oh good," said Beast Boy, letting out a relieved breath. "What is it?"
"You must take part in a Destiny Ceremony," said King Tawaba. "I will put you into a dreamlike state and through you I can find out your destiny."
"You find out my destiny through me?" said Beast Boy. "How's that possible if I don't know my destiny?"
King Tawaba laughed in his throat and said, "You might not know your destiny, but there are beings and spirits around us who do. And they will speak through you to tell me what your destiny shall be as well as what lies in your heart."
"Uh, you're not gonna ask anything really personal, are you?" asked Beast Boy, nervously.
"Don't you trust me?" said King Tawaba.
"Well, yeah, but this is kinda… weird, you know?" said Beast Boy.
"Don't worry, my young friend," said King Tawaba. "That's how all boys going through the trials feel. Now go relax for a while. After completing this large project you deserve to take a rest. I'll hold the ceremony in two days at sunset."
"Okay, sounds good, I guess," said Beast Boy.
And with that King Tawaba went to take another look at the lovely water system Beast Boy had given them. Everyone was still excited and immediately began to use the fresh water. Beast Boy was no different; he went to the nearest well near him and washed himself of the dirt that had clung to him that day. He was glad he'd completed it at last and could finally rest and be alone with his thoughts. Unfortunately, that time wouldn't be now.
"I can't believe this was what you've been working on the entire time," said Aiyana, running over to him as he dried his face, and wrapping her arms around him. "It's amazing."
"Thanks," he said with a smile and gently pulled her off of him.
"I can't believe no one ever thought of doing this before," she said. "Or maybe they did but they weren't strong enough to actually do it. You're really something, Garfield."
"So I've been told," he laughed and ran some cool water through his grown out green hair. "But, to be honest, Raven gave me the idea."
"Raven?" said Aiyana. "How could she have given you the idea?"
"She gave me the suggestion in a letter," said Beast Boy.
"Oh, you still write letters to your friends?" asked Aiyana.
"Well, kinda," said Beast Boy. "I usually just write to Raven every week."
"Every week?!" said Aiyana. "How long has this been going on?"
"Since I got here, I guess," said Beast Boy. "Anyway, she gave me the idea and sent the perfect blueprints to build it. Sometimes I don't know what I'd do without her."
"It's just a stupid water system," said Aiyana, crossing her arms and looking away from him.
"What? A minute ago you said it was amazing," said Beast Boy, confused.
"Yeah, well, now that I think about it, it's not all that special," said Aiyana, shrugging.
"Uh, okay," he said, unsure of what her problem was. "Well, I'm gonna rest for a while. See you later."
He quickly left the well and headed for his hut before she could turn around and chase after him. Once he was safe he wondered what had caused her to change her mood so suddenly. One moment she was praising him and the next she didn't really care about what he'd done. And what was with her getting all upset about him keeping in touch with Raven? Oh well, he'd rather not try and dwell on figuring Aiyana out. He grabbed his notebook and pen and began to write a letter to Raven.
He couldn't deny that he looked forward to her letter every week. They each sent the other one letter per week, telling them how they were and what had happened in the past seven days. They hadn't missed a week yet. As much as he loved living in Upper Lamumba, he did miss his friend in Jump City and receiving a letter from Raven every week medicated his homesickness.
But there was another reason he liked getting letters from Raven. In the past few months she'd begun to write the way normal people would talk. She expressed herself in a very honest way that Beast Boy had never seen from her before. She told him about things that had annoyed her during the week and things that actual brought a little bit of joy to her. In her writing he could feel her vulnerability at times, her humor, her anger, and her hope. He was certain she'd never been this open with anyone before. And as the weeks went on he began to enjoy his pen pal relationship with her more than any relationship he had.
Dear Raven,
Well, the irrigation system is finally done! I revealed it to everyone today and it got a great response. Everyone thinks it's great and I've never seen King Tawaba so proud of me before. I've gotta tell you, it feels really good to make him proud. And the next trial is gonna be quick and easy, even if I don't understand it. He's gonna do some ceremony with me to find out my destiny. I don't know what this has to do with becoming a man, but at least I don't have to fight a lion or build another water system. I sure hope these trials don't last too much longer. I've already been here a year! Can you believe it? I think coming here was the best thing I've ever done for myself. Thanks again for making it happen. I'll talk to you soon!
-BB
He folded the letter and dropped the special stone onto it, allowing it to disappear in a puff of smoke. He smiled, happy to know that soon he'd be getting a letter back from her, and laid down on his matt on the ground, also known as his bed, for a while.
Once he was comfortable he reached under the matt and found an envelope. It was dirty from resting on the dirt, but he didn't care much for the envelope itself. He opened it and took out a photograph he'd received. It was the one Raven had sent him after the infamous earring incident when she still wasn't sure if she was going to keep them or not. He really did think it was her best picture to date.
The angle she'd taken it in nearly made it a profile shot, since she'd taken the picture herself. She held the camera out with her right arm and taken a picture of her right ear with a blue jeweled earring stud pierced into the lobe. Her violet hair had been tucked behind her ear, allowing her ear to be seen clearly, but also allowing her whole face to be seen. She'd looked into the camera and her amethyst eyes seemed electrified.
He looked at the photograph in his hand and smiled. It felt good to see a familiar face before he went to sleep.
Raven sat in her room deep in meditation. She chanted her mantra and kept her emotions in a good equal balance. But the sound of a small spark and the smell of smoke immediately snapped her out of her trance. She looked on her floor and saw the letter as well as the remnants of the smoke. She quickly stepped down from her place in the air and grabbed the letter to read it.
She would never tell anyone, but she enjoyed getting her weekly letter from Beast Boy. At first she knew it was to make him happy, since he had no other way of contacting them and he did have close bonds with them all. But slowly she began to find that writing letters allowed her to express herself in ways she couldn't in reality. And when Beast Boy asked for her to trust and really talk to him, she'd taken the chance and done just that. Now writing to him felt almost like therapy. And, there was a small piece of her that enjoyed the attention she got from Beast Boy. She knew it was probably wrong, but no boy had ever spent so much attention on her for so long.
And he didn't write to the others, usually. Once in a while he'd send something to Cyborg and Starfire to keep them from getting too upset that he'd been gone for so long, but every single week he sent Raven a letter. Of course, Raven made sure not to let the others know this. Sure, they knew he sent her letters, but for all they knew it was only a letter a month or every other month. Because he sent only her a letter every week she secretly felt flattered, and that always put her in a good mood.
She read his letter and immediately began to write one to him in return.
Dear Beast Boy,
Wow, you actually finished the irrigation system. I'm glad the next trial won't be so hard on you. You're going to find out your destiny? I'm sure that's going to be interesting. I sure hope yours will be a whole lot better than mine was. And I'm glad you're happy. You're definitely someone who deserves to be happy. I bought new earrings yesterday. I know if the others find out they'll make fun of me for actually buying something and, of all things, earrings. But they're very nice and modest, so I like them. I think I'm actually glad I kept the earrings and didn't let the holes close up. If I'd gotten infections, like poor Starfire did, I would've gotten rid of them immediately. Anyway, good luck with your next trial. I hope you get a really good destiny.
-Raven
Satisfied with her letter, she folded it up and laid it on the ground. She picked up the porting-stone and dropped it on the letter, allowing it to be whisked away to Beast Boy. She sighed and decided to go back to meditating. She would have to wait another week to get his letter in response. Until then she'd have to continue blending into the background and living in the shadows of others who were far more worthy of the light. But when the next letter came she knew she'd feel like she was glowing.