Terra never thought a bright blue sky could look so beautiful.

It was relief, it was vastness, it was freedom. She spread her arms out and spun, gleefully relishing in the feeling of being outside once more. She hadn't thought she could miss it so much. The time spent in the safe house Raven had put her in seemed only like a bad dream now. A place where her mind had hallucinated a strange sense of freedom while trapped underground within four walls far too close that she never wanted to return to.

She had taken the medicine, the food, the soap, Raven's gifts and left.

Now, as she spun around under the open sky, she believed that she had never felt happier.

"Enjoying yourself?" Raven asked.

Terra stopped spinning and put her arms down, although the smile that stretched wide across her face remained.

"Of course I'm enjoying myself! You don't know how much I've missed this!"

"You'd be surprised," Raven replied, sighing softly.

Being an empath burdened her so often. Though Raven wouldn't change it, for it secured her place team. Along with being a crucial part of her identity. Raven once had a nightmare, about losing her powers forever and being forced into a normal life, unable to remember her friends and all her memories gone. She shuddered, despite the warm breeze.

"Hey, look!" Terra said suddenly. "We can see Titans Tower from here!" She pointed across the rocky outcroppings of the earth and the wide expanse of sea to the giant T that stood in the middle of the bay.

"I know," Raven told her. "That's one of the reasons I chose this place."

"Well, it's a great place." Terra jumped up onto one of the large boulders that stood tall off the ground. One of the many in the canyon-like maze of stone and gravel around them. "I mean, look at all this!" She spread her arms wide once more.

For miles, all Terra could see was dry earth and vegetation, open sky, stone, and never-ending ocean. Nothing else around for miles, and she loved that more than anything. Once more, she felt freedom and relief in the vastness around her. Hundreds of miles and a hundred more, shrinking her into a speck of sand within the cosmos of nature. She could go anywhere, hide anywhere, belong anywhere.

Her blonde hair was ruffled on the sea breezes. Her blue eyes were full of happiness and wonder. As Raven looked at her, she thought that Terra looked beautiful.

"This is so wonderful," Terra whispered, to no one but herself. Whether or not Raven had heard, she didn't care.

Raven let her stay like that for a long time, with Terra admiring the view and Raven watching her closely. She still thought she was beautiful, after the time had passed. So it hadn't been a trick of her imagination. Neither of them were counting the minutes, but after enough time had passed, Raven felt the need to remind Terra why they had come here (instead of standing below admiring her needlessly). Using her powers, she flew up to Terra on the rock, and said, "Shall we start?"

"What?" Terra asked.

She had gazed off into the distance for so long, the sound of human words sounded strange to her. What Raven had said didn't register to her, and she only looked at her blankly, waiting for her to repeat herself.

"Your lesson? The training that I'm supposed to help you with? Shall we start?" Raven asked again.

"Oh. Yeah. Sure."

Together, Raven and Terra jumped from the boulder and down onto the solid earth once more. Terra thought that she seemed oddly patient today, as Raven waited for Terra to come to her senses once more. Terra was still drunk on the sight before her, but slowly she came back to her purpose.

Out of everything Raven could've started with; moving a rock, crushing a rock, making a rock float above you, anything that basically related to her powers; she decided on this:

"What type of rock is this?" Raven asked Terra, holding up a large stone in her palm.

Terra's brow furrowed. "What does this have to do with anything?" she asked. "Like, why does it matter?" She put her hands on her hips.

"Just answer the question. What type of rock is this?" Raven asked again.

"Ummm…" Terra shook her head and shrugged her shoulders, before guessing, "Limestone?"

"Sandstone," Raven corrected.

Terra huffed out an agitated sigh and turned away from her. Fixing her gaze on the striations all around her, she pointed a gloved hand and started naming out, "Limestone, sandstone, mica, formica, shale. Need I go on?"

"You got two wrong…"

"I don't care!" she shouted, turning on her heel and glaring at Raven. She looked straight into her violet eyes, unafraid. Raven saw that Terra was challenging her, but she didn't give into it. She would not challenge her, or fight with her. She had promised to teach her, and that was what she would do. Raven remained patient, waiting for her to calm down once more. Slowly, the anger in Terra's eyes vanished, and she breathed out a sigh as her anger dissipated.

"Okay."

Again, that strange patience that she had.

Terra shrunk back, slightly off put. When her eyes no longer held confusion, Raven thought of the next thing for Terra to do. She had tried to get Terra to meditate, but that pretty much had the same effect as naming rock types had. Terra had shouted, 'No way!' at her and then stormed around the room. 'There is no way I'm sitting cross-legged, chanting Azatoth Mezaltoth Zinfandel, hoping that somehow I will reach enlightenment and find the secret of stone.'

She also remembered that that had been the closest she had even seen to Raven snapping.

'It's Azarath Metrion Zinthos,' Raven had corrected her, 'and…'

The memories faded.

"Move that rock," Raven blurted out.

Terra didn't wait, didn't even know what rock she was talking about, but turned to the nearest one and lashed out. Her bright yellow powers consumed her, illuminated her eyes and strengthening her muscles, and the closest boulder to her was sent flying into the air before becoming crushed by Terra's abilities. The gravel and powder of the once great boulder flew away on the sea breezes, scattering the dust into nothing.

"There!" Terra said.

"Impressive. But I was talking about that rock." Terra spun and saw Raven pointing at the large boulder right behind her. "Oh," Terra said, and made once again to use her powers. "But don't crush it," Raven told her, just as her eyes started glowing bright yellow once more.

The boulder behind her lifted from the ground, and into the air, where it wobbled. Terra pushed the rock away from them both, sending it back several feet, before letting it crash down onto the ground once more. Giant cracks formed in the boulder, and for a second they both thought that it would split. But it held together, amazingly, to which Terra gave Raven a smirk.

"Well?" she asked.

"Could be better."

Yeah, it could be, Terra thought. If she spent the entire day showing off to Raven, smirking and making sassy remarks, she wouldn't really get anywhere. She wanted to be able to control her powers, as well as Raven could control hers, and Raven's offer had been far too good to pass up. It was a choice between spending her whole life without real control (a thought that frightened her more than it annoyed her), training under Raven, or…

Nervous chills went through Terra's body as she thought of a single eye watching her from a distance. She shot her eyes around the canyon and the cliff and far off shoreline, searching for a vague, threatening shadow that watched her. Seeing nothing, she tried to calm herself. Raven was an empath, she figured, so if she couldn't sense anyone else around, then he isn't here.

"Try it again," Raven said to her.

Terra nodded, and focused her attention on another boulder. Yellow magic sprung out of her, and the boulder was lifted into the air. Slowly, she made it cross over the ground, straining to not break it. Once it was a considerable distance away, she set it back down onto the ground, not even making a thud. A smile crossed Terra's face as the boulder was set down in one piece, and she was able to celebrate just before streaks of blinding gold shot out from every angle and a deep rumbling sound consumed the air around them. Putting her hands to her ears, Terra watched as the boulder exploded into a million tiny pieces, gravel and dirt shooting everywhere.

Raven used her black magic to shield herself from the debris. Terra merely turned her back.

When all was said and done, and not a single remnant left of the boulder to be seen (save for some pebbles) Raven let her shield down and Terra uncovered her ears.

"Way to go."

Terra had to bite back her remark, but her emotions got the better of her, and all around Terra rocks started crumbling, debris flying around in the air as her eyes turned bright yellow once more.

"Terra!" Raven shouted. "Stop!"

"I…"

Fear suddenly consumed her.

"I can't!"

A storm of stone started swirling around them, and Raven's dark powers came to life once more, trying to shield her from the force of the rocks coming at her. With each passing moment, Terra looked more and more afraid as the storm raged around her.

"Raven," she whispered, "do something."

An orb of black covered Raven as she went up into the air. She crossed her legs inside the dome, floating up off the ground, and chanting softly. Eyes glowing white, a shadowy form of a raven launched itself from her, flying outward and undisturbed in the air, heading straight for Terra. Her glowing eyes widened in horror just before the shadowy being wrapped its dark wings around her, the essence of it seeping into her soul.

Inside, Terra felt a strange, cold calmness come over her, and a gray tint filled her vision as things began to settle. Things were starting to become blurry, and her body felt far too light. The shadowy being inside of her twisted, settling itself into the shape of her soul, circling like a cat on a tiny rug. It nestled itself there, and Terra didn't feel real anymore. She felt like she was floating in-between dimensions, beside the earth and the other worlds that humans always theorized and fantasized about.

When she did finally regain herself, it was nearing sunset.

Long shadows stretched across the coppery land as the sun drew nearer to the horizon. Fiery hues painted the sky; the once blue sky that Terra had admired what felt like only seconds ago.

"What…?"

She didn't remember what had happened.

Raven had expected as much. "You lost control," she told her. "I had to stop you."

"Stop me…?" Terra turned to the horizon and to Raven, then and back again. "How?"

"It's better that you not know," Raven said gently. Carefully, she took a step towards Terra, approaching her like one would approach a wounded wild animal. Terra didn't step back, for the only thing in her mind was regret.

So she had lost control again. Tears started to flow down her cheeks, tears that she wasn't even aware of until she saw a drop fall from her face and land upon the ground beneath her. A dark circle splashed down onto the rock, followed by another and another.

Raven put her hand on her shoulder.

"It's gonna be fine," she told her, trying to calm her. Raven knew that her words sounded hollow. They were the same generic words people always used, not really meaning anything anymore. But she didn't know what else to say. Terra needed to believe that things were going to get better, and that was all Raven could tell her. "If you have the will to practice, this won't happen again."

"Right," Terra said dully.

She didn't really believe her. Raven could sense it, the doubt and disbelief seeping from her being and touching Raven's empathic nerves. The texture of Terra's emotions wound themselves around her, gritty like wet sand, snaking along her ribcage and down her back.

Without warning, Terra threw herself into Raven's arms.

Raven stood as still as a statue for a moment, awkwardly trying to figure out how to handle this, not sure how to react to Terra hugging her like that. After her initial shock had passed, Raven wrapped her hands around Terra's back, giving a couple of pats to say, There there. She looked out at the horizon, waiting for Terra to break away from her.

Terra didn't intend to let go anytime soon.

Raven clenched her jaw, waiting as patiently as she could, before she didn't have any other choice but to relax into the hug. She patted Terra on her back once more, then just stood there with her arms wrapped around her, letting her seek comfort in physical contact.

The edges of the sun dipped below the sea. A streak of gold painted the blood red ocean, and the first stars were starting to appear in the deep depths of twilight above the two girls' heads. Even the sea breeze had changed, the westward wind changing eastward.

Finally, Terra let go.

Raven breathed a sigh of relief, despite everything. She understood what Terra was feeling, but she still felt awkward hugging really anyone.

Perhaps that will be something to meditate on, Raven thought.

"Sorry," Terra said, staring down at her feet.

"Don't be. Things like that can…happen…"

Raven shifted nervously on her feet, sensing that Terra was about to lean in for another hug. This time, Raven thought, I'll try to be more supportive. She never got that chance, for Terra didn't move in for another hug, no matter how badly she wanted to. Terra turned and looked back out at the horizon, darkening evermore. Already the gold and orange had passed, replaced by pinks and purples and deep blues, stars twinkling high in the already black sky. The sea was dark teal, and Titans Tower glowed like a rainbow beacon against the splendor of the scene around them.

"You won't tell anyone you're training me, right?" Terra asked suddenly.

"If I was going to, I would have done so by now."

"Is that a no?" Terra asked her, looking from the Tower and back at Raven.

"I haven't told them, and I won't tell them," Raven told her calmly. That seemed to put her at ease. "I could sense that you didn't want me to tell." Before Terra could respond to that, Raven added, "You don't need to be an empath to know that. It's as plain as day."

Raven stepped up beside Terra, putting a sympathetic hand on her shoulder. Together, they looked back out at Titans Tower.

They must be wondering where I've been all day, Raven thought. She'd had her communicator with her all day, turned on and up on the highest alert volume that she could. If they had contacted her, telling her to come and fight with them for there was another villain on the loose, she would have effortlessly known. But it had never rang, so that had left her whole day clear. Raven doubted the other days would be like that.

"Don't you need to be heading back?" Terra whispered. Her voice sounded so small.

"No. I don't have to yet." Plus, since I might not have this kind of time again, I need to stay here with you for as long as possible, she added silently.

By the time Terra's tears had stopped, it was fully dark, with the pale moon having brightened and the stars no longer dimmed by the sun. Raven still stayed with Terra for a while longer, the two of them walking alongside the cliff, where the shoreline was rough and rocky. Neither of them said anything for the longest time, for there was nothing that they wanted to talk about.

Finally, Raven had to go back to the Tower.

She was feeling all too tired, and she knew that her friends were probably worried, wondering why she hadn't returned yet. About five more minutes, and Robin would be calling her on the communicator, Raven realized.

"I have to go now," Raven told her, standing completely still.

Terra took a few more steps in front of her, as if she hadn't heard her, but eventually she turned around.

"Okay, I understand."

Raven lifted her feet off of the ground, levitating in the air and facing the Tower, before a thought occurred to her.

"Where will you sleep?" Raven asked Terra.

Terra shrugged. "Wherever I want to. I got all I need right here." Terra held up her backpack, which she had been dragging along with her all day. Usually leaving it somewhere perched on the rocks while they trained and then moving it along with her. "I got my sleeping bag, a fresh change of panties, food, medicine, toothpaste and mouthwash and all that jazz. Really, I'm fine."

She plopped the bag back down at her feet.

Raven looked her over for a minute before landing back down on the ground once more.

"Are you sure that's safe?" she asked her.

"Of course. I've done it plenty of times…and I will do it plenty more times. I'm fine. Besides, I love sleeping out under the stars." Terra remembered trying to sleep in the safe house once more, and a small grimace flashed across her face before she pushed the thought away.

"Besides…it's not like…"

Terra froze, pausing in the middle of her sentence. She wanted to say, 'It's not like Slade will show up,' but she couldn't say that. Not to Raven.

"It's…it's not like I'm in any danger. I have my powers." Terra held up a hand before Raven could say anything, most likely about how she couldn't control her powers. "I've got my powers, I'm safe here, I'm sure nothing bad will happen."

With a sigh, Raven accepted what she said. She turned towards the Tower once more before Terra caught her hand, and pulled her back down to her. Raven sunk down onto the ground, as Terra held her hand and pulled her towards her.

"Thanks, Raven," she said, and kissed her on the cheek.

Raven made a face that asked, What the hell was that for?

"I'll be sleeping over there by those rocks with the overhang. That's usually where I have the best luck. I'll wait there, for tomorrow."

"Okay…"

As she released her hand and walked away, Raven watched Terra head towards the little shelter the rocks offered, and start to make a small camp there. She stayed for only a little while, watching her unfold her sleeping bag and take out something to drink. She took out her toothbrush and a small bottle of mouthwash, and kicked her shoes off and bundled her socks inside of them. By the time Terra started stripping off her clothes, Raven decided to leave.

Though she couldn't help but glance backwards just one last time…


More to come. Keep on the alert. Likes and reviews welcome.