Okay okay, I know it's been forever since I updated and I am really sorry about that! I truly am!
And I also an aware that the story has had many different titles- but this one is staying.
Your reviews help me write this you guys, so thank you to all of you who review and favorite+follow this story! Thank you so much!
I really like this chapter and I do add a few more characters (Selina Kyle a.k.a Catwoman, Donna Troy a.k.a Wondergirl)
Please R&R!
And enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or anyone/ anything from DC Comics
Chapter 7: Have We Met?
Rachel took note of her surroundings, taking every detail in as if this hallway was booby-trapped and kept a close eye on the boy escorting her to her room. Sure, he looked normal like any other kid his age, but something was off. Rachel figured he was the new Robin by the tiniest sliver of a scar on his arm. Rachel was just good like that to put two and two together.
No, Richard who is now Nightwing, didn't tell them anything about Bruce or the people staying there. All Richard said that someone from Gotham said the city and the Wayne family was in danger. Richard didn't tell Bruce this for a couple of good reasons, one- he didn't want to stress Bruce out since the Gotham annual ball was practically tomorrow and Bruce Wayne was required to stay at the party at all times, so Nightwing and the Titans were Gotham's backup if this 'mysterious' person who contact Nightwing shows up, and two- if this mysterious person didn't show up, he could enjoy time off, just what his team has been begging him to do ever since Starfire went missing. Those days were hard on him.
Kira wanted to fix her mistake and find Starfire, but deep inside she really didn't want to. She wanted the Titans and Starfire off the team. Jealously was Kira's motive, not anger nor pity- pure jealously. The Titans told Kira to pack her stuff up and leave, but Kira beg them that she wanted to do one good thing in her life, and that was to find Starfire. Once they find Starfire, Kira vowed to leave the team and never to show her face again.
Sure, Kira abused her powers once in a while on the Titans in the beginning, but thankfully Raven was able to block Kira's energy and stopped her from controlling the Titans. Years went on and that jealousy Kira had with Starfire at first started to turn into annoyance. This team really did care about her and Kira had to face the facts that she can never replace Starfire like she so thought she could.
"And this is your room." Tim opened the door for Rachel, flipping the switch on for her and smiles before leaving to his own room.
"Thanks." Rachel replied, turning around towards the boy and spoke "By any chance, whose room is that?" Rachel inquired skeptically, feeling a strange vibe surge from that area. Something in that room was calling her name, but Rachel dared not intrude, at least not on the first day.
Tim looked over with his smile still intact, turning his gaze to see which room she was asking about.
"That room? Oh, that's Kori's room, but she hates it when people go into her room, so I'd advise you spread the word that her room is off limits." Tim scoffed with a chuckle, facing away and ascending towards his room.
'Maybe I could just….' Rachel thought, moving closer towards Kori's room without even realizing it.
Spooking Rachel out of her curious trace, Kori narrowed her gaze and gripped her door knob furiously. "My room, sweetheart."
"My mistake." Rachel stepped back, eyeing the girl before leaving to enter her room for the time being. Rachel instantly didn't like this Kori girl. Spoiled brat was the only name Rachel could describe her as she made her way in the room and to her suitcase. Opening her bag, Rachel reached inside to find an old photo of her and Starfire meditating together. Rachel felt a small grin lift up on her lips before suddenly crushing down when she heard a familiar voice.
"You still have that?" Richard leaned up against the doorframe, raising an eyebrow with a soft snicker. Rachel rolled her eyes at him, placing the picture back in her suitcase and slamming the lid close. "What is that supposed to mean? I can't keep a photo? Is it breaking any laws?" Rachel sarcastically commented, upper lip twitching with anger she was desperately trying to holding back.
"Stop, Rachel. We don't need this. Not now, not-"
"Anymore?" Rachel finishes, crossing her arms with her hands tightened into fists. Rachel and Richard haven't been on the same page for about a year now, almost getting into a fist fight because of their different opinions. Rachel kept things about Starfire or items that remind her of Starfire with her to keep the memory of Starfire alive in her world, while Richard on the other hand refuses to even look or be near items that remind him of her. He figured that if he distances himself from the thing that causes him to feel that pang in his chest, that he'd be fine again. He figured that he'd function normally again, that he'd be slightly happy again, that he'd somewhat be okay.
Richard placed his hands over his face, rubbing his eyes as he huffed in aggravation. "No, Rachel, I mean for right now."
"So you're just going to put her on hold like that?" Rachel's mouth gaped open in disbelief, shaking her head with impatience. Normally, Garfield or Victor would step in to break up this conversation before they ended up punching one another, but nobody was around, giving them both mental ideas about throwing each other out a window.
"I have been for a year! It's not that hard!" Richard pushed his weight off the doorframe, his figure stand up tall and straight, blocking the doorway. Rachel let out a sharp laugh, her eyes giving Richard a daggered glare.
"Don't lie to yourself. I know how you feel. You can't fake your 'Oh, her' comments without feeling guilty for saying them." Rachel uncrossed her arms, moving forward as if she was going to strike him.
"Now isn't the time to discuss this, okay?" Richard placed his hands in the air as if he was surrendering, looking at Rachel with an apologetic expression as Rachel paused her fist in thin air as they felt Victor's presence standing next to the doorframe.
"They said breakfast was ready." Victor spoke with a hint of anger in his words, causing both Rachel and Richard to flinch.
"Right." Rachel moved out the door, bumping her shoulder against Richards arm, making sure he knew she was still upset with him. Richard closed his eyes for a brief moment, his head tilted towards the ground. Victor placed a firm grip on his shoulder, slightly moving him to show he was still here.
"You wanna talk about it, man." Victor removed his hands when he got no response. Finding himself get the urge to speak up and say something to Richard, Victor cleared his throat and began. "I know this stupid battle is between you and Rachel- and believe me, Gar and I don't want any part of it, but I hate to say it but Rachel's right. You're just hurting yourself even more by ignoring the fact that we can't find her anywhere. We've searched for years, man, years and no sign of her. I get it, Rachel gets it, Gar gets it, we all get it. She was our friend, maybe even more to you, but you can't let that get you down. We're still searching; Dick- and we ain't stoppin' till we find her." Victor playfully punched Richards shoulder, making Richards lips form into an easy smile.
"It took you this long to say something?" Richard chuckled, following Victor out and to the kitchen.
Everyone gathered around the dining room table, everyone sitting comfortable where they sat. The food was all set and Garfield and Victor couldn't keep their mouth shut.
"Yum!" Victor's mouth hung open for the whole world to see while his tongue drips with droll. Alfred gave a simple nodded to Bruce and Bruce returned the same nod. "You all may eat. Enjoy."
Victor and Garfield were the only two who jump out and attacked the trays. Kori wanted to laugh at their actions, finding the scene in front of her completely hilarious, but restrained herself and rolled her eyes. Rachel being in her bad mode already noticed Kori's reaction and glares fiercely.
Tim, looking around the table found that it was an excellent idea to bring up his interest. "You guys have known each other for a long time, right?" Tim's mouth was full of waffles, so when he asked his question, they all laughed and nodded in agreement.
Richard went for his water at the same time Kori reached for her water, both of their hands hitting each other at their attempt to grab their glass. Kori wanted to ask Alfred why the glasses were so close to each other, she just looked over at Alfred and pretended to mentally rip her hair out.
Mission one was to stay hidden from her old team, mission two was to stay away from them as much as possible, and mission three was TO STOP STARING AT HIS EYES!
"I'm sorry." Richard's hand retreated back, a nice smile on his face as he caught her looking away from him in embarrassment. There was something about this girl-
No. Richard's smile drops as well did his eyes, focusing on his plate of food he barely touched.
No, he wasn't checking her out nor was he finding himself somehow wanting to get closer to her. Negative. He was here with his team to make sure this ball went smoothly and to take a day off. He wasn't going to throw himself at a girl just for kicks, no.
"So, ahehe- uh." Tim looked over a Kori, thinking about the consequences he'd have to deal with if he said what he wanted to say at the moment. Courage surged through Tim's body and he then looked at Garfield and asked "What was she like?"
Garfield knew exactly what Tim was talking about and so did the others. Everyone stopped eating and stared Tim down. "Peppy, naïve, annoy- ." Kira spoke up, pushing her plate away from her to signify that she was full. Sarcastically, Kori quickly added "Wasn't she just a pocket full of sunshine?"
"Sunshine?" Rachel repeated with a scowl on her features.
"Do you have a problem?" Kori returned the same expression, pushing her own plate away from her.
"Yeah, I do. It's your damn attitude." Calmly, Raven spoke with a sly smirk on her lips.
Ouch, now that was pushing it. Kori was tired of people telling she had an attitude. She clearly knew she did, but didn't want to admit to it.
Kori stood up incredibly fast, knocking her chair over and pasting her hands on the table with a loud thud that alarmed the whole table.
"I don't have a damn attitude, Rachel!" Kori pushed forward, standing up straight while the force of her sudden action flipped her chair over.
"You sure are proving you don't." Rachel smiled with satisfaction, sipping her tea Alfred placed in front of her a few seconds ago.
Clenching her jaws together, Kori glowered at Rachel before huffing and saying "I have to be places." Turning on her heels, Kori stormed off towards the door.
"Kori wait!" Tim exclaimed with urgency, hoping that maybe she'd turn around and come back to the table. Sadly, that wasn't going to happen when Kori slammed the door shut.
"I'm sorry about that. Kori has been dealing with a lot lately." Bruce apologized as soon as the door shut close, a disappointed frown among his own lips.
Kori fumed with fury, both hands bottled up ready to strike anything or anyone who happens to get in her way. She managed to get herself calmer when she was topped by a familiar face. "Kori dear, hello." Selina Kyle approached her, both hands on her hips with an amused grin, taking note that the ex-model was on a rampage. "Am I interrupting something or are you done?" She raised a brow with curiosity, a brashness hint in her tone. Kori looked up to the sky, begging in her mind 'Why me?' before dropping her gaze to the woman in front of her, a nasty grimace being the only thing she could give. "I'm done, but thanks for the concern."
"Oh darling, I wasn't, but I know it's typical Kori to think about herself, isn't it?" Selina shifted her weight, removing one hand from her hip to admire her perfectly filed nails. Kori's eye twitched when she bit back her tongue, trying to think of the happiest of thoughts to chill her out once again. Pushing past Selina, Kori kept walking in hopes to be alone.
"It was great running into you. I guess I'll see you tomorrow at the ball, sweetie." Selina snickered under her breath, watching the figure that was once in front of her walk right past her.
Kori and Selina Kyle never had a great relationship from the start. When Selina heard of a new hero in Gotham working with the Batman, she just had to play with the new meat. Pulling at all Kori's strings, they ended up in a brutal fight on top of a building, both pulling off each other's masks. Selina already knew it was Kori underneath there, but Kori didn't know that it was Selina underneath the Catwoman mask. Kori couldn't believe Bruce was seeing Selina when she was a thief of the city he protected, so she gave him a big lecture about how it wasn't right- but that didn't stop Bruce from seeing her from time to time.
"Stupid cat." Kori mumbled, glaring at the ground below her without paying attention where she was going. Why did it even matter where she was headed anyway? All she wanted was to get away from people and be by herself to think things over and relax without anyone disrupting her thoughts.
"Kori?" Stopping dead in her tracks, she shut her eyes tightly and turned around with a sarcastic reply "That's my name, don't wear it out, Kid." Opening her eyes to see who the owner of the voice was; she felt like she was going to throw up. "Oh x'hal. Donna I didn't mean that."
"Sure you didn't." Rolling her eyes, she walked up to Kori and placed both hands on her shoulders to stabilize her best friend from collapsing. "Donna, I swear I-"
"Stop trying to cover yourself up, Koriand'r. It's not going to work with me." Lighting up the mood, Donna smiled softly, shaking Kori back and forth for a couple of seconds before letting out a short chuckle. "Seriously, quit it with this sassy diva act. Where's my warrior princess you're hiding behind that ring-" Donna reached for the ring, attempting to take it off playfully when Kori retracted back, swatting Donna's hand away.
"Quit it, Donna! We're in public." Kori hissed, hiding her hands behind her back so Donna couldn't dive in and snatch the ring off of her.
"You hide yourself behind that ring, you know. The only reason you act the way you do is because you're trying to escape the pain you can't hide from. You have to talk to your old team and clear the air. I don't know how many times I'm going to tell you. You know Tim and I will be by your side." Donna Troy, the only other person who knows she's Starfire. Donna Troy is Wondergirl, Amazonian warrior and younger sister of Wonder Woman. She had a kind heart and took care of Kori when she felt down in the dumps. Kori knew Donna was right, but the only reason she was holding back from knowing the truth behind leaving the Titans was that they really didn't want her.
The possibility scared her.
"You're not a bitter person, Kori." Donna reached forward, pulling her arm out of hiding and out into the open where Donna tapped the ring twice, not removing it from her finger, but staring down at it with displeasure. "This makes you a bitter person. You're hiding yourself behind a wall-"
"Donna, please. Not this moment, okay? I know where this is heading and I agree with you one hundred percent but I can't right now. I'm not ready."
Shaking her head with disproval, Donna stepped back and frowned. "You are only as ready as you want to be." Glancing at the ring, Kori felt her throat and the water in her eyes being to sting significantly. She wanted to take it off and be herself again. She wanted to be Starfire again, even though the ring makes her feel like Starfire is no longer a part of her. All she wants is to know why they replaced her and then maybe she'd move on, enjoying life without the emptiness and sorrow from the loss of her family and embrace a new life as the real her with Tim and Bruce, loving them wholly without the burden of gloom hanging over her head.
"I know."
After the chat with Donna, Kori gave her a peck on the cheek and ran back to the Manor, her hair whipping in the air. She was going to find out and she was going to be sneaky about it. She was going to throw away the anger and sadness she felt towards the Titans and pretend none of those feelings existed. If she was going to find out why they replaced her, she was going to do it sneakily.
She was going undercover for the last time as Kori Ander's- and when she finds the answer to her question, she'd take the ring off for good and be Starfire, Princess of Tamaran and back on the map.
Opening the doors, she stepped in and scavenged the area for Tim, shouting for him when he wasn't in sight.
"Tim! Tim!" Exclaiming, she climbed up the stairs, passing by Bruce in the hall and ramming into Richard by accident, losing her balance and falling right on top of him as they both tumbled down, laying sprawled out on the ground.
"Richard I-" Cheeks flushing a bright red, she rolled off of him hastily and stepped back a few feet.
"Don't worry about it, Kori." He sat up from the floor with a forgiving grin, gradually getting off of the ground. "And you just missed him. He actually left a minute ago to visit a friend." He offered a somewhat comforting shrug, looking down the hall and back to her.
"Do you need help with something?" He radiated a confident smile that warmed Kori's heart, missing the feel of being able to open up to him and hug him whenever she wanted. The rush of feelings swirled around the girl, forcing her to get a little closer to him, a beaming smile approaching her lips.
"To be honest, I would really like it if I got to apologize to Rachel and maybe even hang out with you guys if you wouldn't mind." She felt nervous asking him if it would be okay to hang out with her old team right after she was rude to them from the beginning of their arrival.
"Of course." He replied, his eyes sparling with elation. He wasn't expecting her to suddenly be nice to them when she was harsh from the beginning of their trip. It was sweet of her, but Richard knew he wasn't here to be interested in a girl. He had a city to protect.
"Come on, I think they're getting ready to roam the city."
Please R&R!