Heyo! Yes, in case you were wondering, this is the final chapter. [Readers cry in the distance] I know, I know, but there will be a sequel! Yay!

This final chapter is set 5 MONTHS AFTER THE EVENTS OF THE 9TH CHAPTER!

So, without further ado,

Go read!

No! Wait! Disclaimer! Me no own Teen Titans!

#************#

How will I tell them I can't stay?

I lie awake in bed, staring up at the white ceiling. It's been almost a year since I first became a Teen Titan, and already I want to leave. No, I need to leave. It's the only way I can do this. It's the only way I can get closure for what happened.

A few months ago, after helping that old woman, I went home and thought. I locked myself in my room and just thought. About everything. And then I realized something. The explosion, and my parent's death- I never found the ending. I just ran from it. Running never closed the book. I never ended it. Everything after was just a long continuation of that event. I needed closure- I needed a way to put that behind me and just be done with it.

This is the only way.

It has to be.

#************#

The smell of winter drifts through the air as I look out at Jump City. My backpack is heavy with the supplies I need for the next few days. I can't help but feel guilty for leaving without an explanation, but it's better this way. I need to help people on my own- at least for a while. I feel like this is how I can clear myself from all of this.

"Friend Rush, we have found you!"

I turn around and see Starfire rushing towards me. Before I can react, she embraces me in a bone-crushing hug. I don't hug back.

"What are you doing? We were looking everywhere for ya, Rush!" Cyborg approaches me with a worried face. I glance behind him. Great. Everyone's here.

Beast Boy shivers in the cold. It's snowed a few inches in the last week, but it will get warmer, that's why I decided to leave today. It will be a long trip to Newburry on foot.

"Hellooo?" Beast Boy waves a hand in front of my face. I swat it away.

"Aren't you going to tell us about that?" Raven points to my backpack. I shuffle my feet and avoid eye contact with everyone.

Why did they have to look for me? I need to get out of here, now.

I can feel everyone's eyes on me.

"There's nothing to tell." I say to her.

"What?"

"I'm leaving."

Robin looks hurt. "For how long?" He asks carefully, even though I think he already knows the answer.

I sigh and take out my communicator. Robin swiftly catches it when I toss it to him.

"For as long as it takes."

"As long as it takes to what?"

"To fix this. All of this." I feel like crying, but I don't. I haven't cried in a long time.

"Will we ever see you again?" Raven asks.

I slowly lift my hand and take off my mask. It beeps and unlatches to my face. I can feel everyone's stare on my crystal blue eyes. I can't see, but I don't have to.

"Becoming a Teen Titan was the worst and best thing that's ever happened to me. I thought you all broke me, but you just helped me to see how broken I already was. I should feel angry, but all I can say," I lift the mask back on my face and gather blue energy in my hands. "Is thank you."

I smile at my friends. "It's the least I can do to see you again. Some day."

Releasing my energy, I burst across the top of the building and fall down to the streets below, catching myself with a force field. I run into the distance, not looking back.

I feel an end to this chapter in my life, but I know there's something else beginning, I just have to find it.

#************#

I want to thank all my loyal readers for giving such great feedback and support! While I was writing, a song popped into my head that reminded me of this chapter. It's called, "God Made Man", by Young the Giant. I think it really fits the atmosphere.

Again, thank you all! And there will be a sequel!

-Smashkitty, signing off [for now!]