Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Teen Titans or any characters in the DC Universe.
The arrow flew through the air like a missile, hungry for its target. Its fiberglass body shimmered in the daylight as it quickly spun, the gyroscopic effect keeping it soaring straight to its destination. Its steel tip plunged into the round target, missing the bull's-eye in the center by only a few inches.
"Not bad for a beginner." Speedy encouraged his pupil. "Now, try again, but this time try to relax a little bit more before you release the arrow."
Beast Boy drew another arrow from his quiver and placed it on the string, pulling it back with strength and grace. With Zen like focus he released the arrow, which this time missed the dead center of the target by mere millimeters.
"Excellent!" Speedy cheered. "Keep it up and the Green Arrow might take you on as his new apprentice!" He joked.
Garfield walked up to the target and began to retrieve his arrows, which were starting to show some wear and tear as he had been practicing with them for countless hours. He loaded them into his quiver as he pulled them out of the heavily used and worn target.
"You should get some new arrows. There's a pretty good archery store downtown. Get the titanium tipped arrows, and some new targets while you're there."
"Thanks Speedy, thanks for showing me the ropes!"
"No problem, you're the first Titan to show any interest in archery. So, same time next week?"
"You got it dude!"
Raven and Starfire had been watching from the Tower roof, actually spying on the green changeling. Raven was becoming concerned. Garfield had completely stopped using his animal transformations in missions and had been fighting only in his human form. He now had superhuman strength, and while was still not as strong as either Cyborg or Starfire he was closing the gap. But now he had this new infatuation with archery and she was becoming even more concerned with Garfield's steady transformation into someone new and different. The bow and arrow reminded her of only one person: The Wild Man.
"Beast Boy has become as stranger to me, Raven. I feel that I no longer know him. He has changed, and not all of it has been for the best. He is no longer the sweet friend that he used to be. Is there nothing we can do?"
"The archery worries me Starfire. He's not training to use arrows the way Speedy does. He's learning to shoot to kill."
The two female Titans watched Beast Boy store his archery gear in the shed he had set up by the shooting range he had improvised next to the obstacle course. Robin had given him the OK to set up the range as he was pleased that Beast Boy was taking an interest in weapons. He had begun to train the green youth in bo staff and esgrima fighting techniques which Beast Boy was quickly beginning to master. After storing his gear he emerged pushing a new motorcycle, which he fired up and after donning a helmet he took off, heading into the access tunnel that connected the island with the mainland.
"He never morphs into animals anymore." Raven informed Starfire. "If he's going into town why doesn't he fly as a bird, like he used to?"
"Raven, what has happened between you and Beast Boy? You used to always do the hanging out together, but lately it is no longer common. Did you have a fight with him?"
Raven shook her head. "It's time I explain to everyone what's happening." She pulled out her communicator.
"Raven calling Robin and Cyborg."
"Robin here!"
"Robin, I want to have a quick meeting now that Garfield is away."
"Cyborg here. What is it?"
"Let's meet in the common room now. I'll explain everything there. Raven out."
Starfire could see the worry on Raven's face, and she felt a sense of dread in 5 of her 8 stomachs.
"It is bad news, isn't it friend?"
"I'm afraid so Starfire."
Beast Boy popped a wheelie on his crotch rocket as he emerged from the access tunnel. Traffic was light on Bayside Blvd as he made his way towards downtown. He was enjoying the raw power the 900cc motorbike produced and he weaved his way through the traffic. As he approached the next intersection he prepared to make a turn onto Murakami Ave. The light was green as he approached the intersection and he leaned heavily into the turn without slowing down, opening the throttle even more as he came out of the turn, only to have to stop at a crosswalk further down the block.
There was a crosswalk guard with the ubiquitous "Stop" sign in hand detaining traffic while a steady stream of students crossed the street. It was Wednesday, early dismissal day at the city's public schools and the torrent of adolescents were laughing and socializing as they took their sweet time crossing the street while Beast Boy impatiently drummed the handlebar on his two wheeled vehicle.
Growing impatient with the wait Beast Boy looked around and realized where he was: Murakami High School. It had been over a year since Terra had told him that she was no longer the girl he used to know. He hadn't seen the blond geomancer since that fateful day and hadn't thought much about her either. As he continued to wait for the crosswalk guard to give him the go ahead he noticed that two girls had broken away from the crosswalk herd and were approaching him. As they got closer he recognized them, they were Terra's "goons", the two girls who tried to bully him when he wanted to get back together with the blond girl. He wondered what they wanted and quickly decided that he didn't have much time for them. As they got closer they began to run and were soon beside him, trying to catch their collective breathes.
"So did you guys ever find her?" the taller girl asked.
Beast Boy removed his helmet while giving the two young women a confused look.
"Who were we supposed to find?"
The shorter girl gave him a very cross look. "What do you mean who? Tara!"
Beast Boy dismounted from his motorcycle and pushed it to the curb, where he parked it.
"What happened? Did she disappear?"
"You mean you don't know?" The tall girl screeched at her.
"No I don't" He answered angrily. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"We did." The shorter girl answered. "Tara vanished three months ago. First the police came to investigate and a few days later Robin and the spooky girl did the same."
"No one told me!" He snarled. He walked back to his motorcycle and climbed on to it. "I'll be in touch with you." He said as he put on his helmet and aimed his bike back at the Tower, his errand to the archery store already forgotten. He revved the engine and peeled away, leaving a long black skid mark behind.
The four Titans had gathered in the common room where Raven had explained to them about the Wild Man and Beast Boy's sudden transformation.
"So you're saying that BB's turning into a whole new person?" Cyborg asked, his voice was coated with dread.
Raven nodded her head. "I don't think it's even right to call him Beast Boy anymore. He's completely forsaken that part of his life altogether."
"You mean he hads lost his powers?" Starfire asked.
"No. He still has them, but chooses not to use them. The Wild Man's takeover is almost complete I'm afraid."
"So what exactly is the Wild Man?" Robin asked. "Is he some kind of psychotic version of Beast Boy?"
"No." Raven replied. "The Wild Man isn't a savage. That's what the Beast is. The Wild Man is the unfettered, unadulterated, primal man that lives inside every male. Robin, you and Cyborg have a Wild Man inside of each of you as well."
"I don't understand." Robin replied. "Is the Wild Man some kind of monster we carry inside our minds?"
"He's not a monster. He's the pure essence of what being masculine is. He doesn't bow to conventions. He's not out to impress anyone and is not interested in meeting anyone's expectations. He's male instinct pure and simple."
"Then how come our Wild Man doesn't come out?" Cyborg asked.
"As you grow out of your infancy the Wild Man is tamed, domesticated. You're taught to meet whatever social conventions your society imposes on males, and the Wild Man is shoved into the back of your psyche. Some societies provide outlets for the Wild Man in the form of sports, which is a poor substitute as it does not provide meaning or purpose. The Wild Man is all about meaning and purpose. He protects his clan, imparts wisdom to the young, displays strength, love, compassion and understanding where and when they are needed. He is secure about who he is and how he feels. It isn't possible to threaten his self identity, because unlike most men, the Wild Man knows who he is. In Garfield's case the Wild Man had tapped into his morphing power to transform him into the perfect male physical specimen."
The common room became very quiet as Robin, Starfire and Cyborg processed what Raven had just told them. Then they heard the sound of feet running rapidly up the stairs until they reached the sliding doors, which were ripped off their tracks and tossed aside, revealing and very angry and agitated Beast Boy.
"Why the hell didn't you tell me?!" He thundered. "Why did you hide it from me?" He pointed at Robin as he menacingly approached him.
"Calm down Beast Boy." Robin tried to soothe him. "We don't know what you're talking about."
Beast Boy swatted Robin with his right arm, sending him flying into a wall, knocking him out. Starfire flew to her boyfriend's side as Beast Boy walked up to him.
"Beast Boy, I will not allow you to harm my beloved!" She roared at him as she conjured star bolts in each hand.
"Yo grass stain! What the hell's gotten into you?"
"Don't ever call me that again, tin man, or I'll send you to the recycling bin."
"You and what army punk?" Cyborg replied as he enabled his sonic canon, ready to fire.
"STOP!!" Raven screeched as she raised a dark energy barrier between Garfield and the other two Titans. Robin had recovered consciousness and was beginning to stand up, his face clearly expressing the alarm that he was feeling at the sight of his team about to engage in an all out intramural brawl.
Beast Boy turned to Raven, his face was emanating pure scorn and anger at her.
"I thought you were my friend Raven, my best friend!"
She held up her hands non-threateningly, in a vain attempt to soothe and calm down her beloved.
"I am your friend Garfield. What's wrong? Why are you so angry with us?"
"You didn't tell me!"
"Tell you what?" She asked, the despair growing in her voice.
"What do you think? You never told me that Terra disappeared!"
The room fell silent, until Cyborg broke the silence.
"We didn't tell you because we knew you'd go all crazy on us, just like you are now."
"So that's it huh? Beast Boy's an unstable little kid who can't handle the truth?"
He turned to Raven, and his angry glare intensified.
"Of all people I thought you understood me, but now I know I was wrong!"
He turned and faced the rest of the team.
"We're finished. I'm quitting the team." He turned to leave the room as the Robin, Starfire and Cyborg stood in stunned silence. Raven ran up to him, blocking his exit path.
"No Garfield, don't leave. Please don't go!"
He glared at her, and she felt a chill run through her body.
"Of all people I thought I could trust you Raven. But you kept the secret from me as well."
"Please Garfield, come with me to my room and let's talk this over."
Garfield's expression switched from anger to sadness.
"There's nothing to talk about Raven. Now will you please get out of my way? I need to go pack my things."
"No! I won't! You're not leaving Garfield." She said as tears dripped down her face. "I know we made a mistake, but we thought it was the right choice at the time!"
"You won't let me? What are you going to do? Bully me with your dark energy? Maybe humiliate me with a wedgie while they all laugh?"
Raven then did something that surprised everyone. She dropped to her knees.
"Please Garfield, I'm begging you! Please don't leave!"
The changeling's expression changed and he suddenly looked calm and composed.
"OK, let's go to your room and you can explain to me why you didn't tell me about Terra."
The sorceress stood up and wrapped her arms around him.
"Thank you." She whispered in his ear.
As they left the room Cyborg picked up what was left of the doors.
Robin sighed. "That was a close one."
"Do not sing of victory Robin, for Beast Boy might still leave, and I am beginning to believe that may be the right thing for the team."
Beast Boy followed Raven into her room. It hadn't changed since the day he visited Nevermore. It was still dark, creepy and full of the strangest, scariest and oddest collection of knick-knacks he had ever seen. He thought it looked like a scene out of the Addams Family. He didn't have the heart to tell her that this was one of the reasons he didn't have romantic feelings for her. That and the fact that she had always scared him. He pulled up a chair and watched her sit down on her bed. It was a shame, he thought to himself, as he thought that she was rather pretty and he knew that she really did love him, in her own dark, creepy way.
He spoke first: "OK, spill the beans."
He noticed that she tensed up.
"Whatever you tell me, I promise not to get angry, so just relax, OK Raven?"
She gave him a weak smile.
"Thanks, you have no idea how much that means to me."
He nodded, indicating her to continue.
"We received a call from the Police. Apparently Terra was having trouble with some classmates and used her powers. After that she was ostracized by everyone except those two girls she hangs out with. Two weeks later she vanished. Robin was able to trace her back to that canyon where we first found her, and after that the trail went cold. We couldn't find her and gave up after a week."
"If you had let me help I might have been able to find her." He growled.
"Believe it or not, I made a case for that but was voted down by the others."
"But why didn't you tell me at least?"
"Robin forbade it. He threatened to kick off the team anyone who told you."
"I've had my fill of the Boy Blunder." He said through clenched teeth.
Raven placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Please don't. Garfield, the city needs us. If the team breaks up who will stand up to Slade?"
"I suppose you're right. But what about Terra?"
"Why are you obsessing with her? I thought you were trying to forget about her."
"I was trying to and I had stopped thinking about her. But now, I don't know. I can't get her out of my mind. What if she's with Slade again?"
Raven shook her head. "Robin's positive she's not."
Beast Boy nodded. "So she's hiding somewhere out in the wilderness?"
"That's what we think."
The room fell silent as Beast Boy pondered everything he has just learned. He then cupped Raven's face with his palm.
"I'm sorry Rae, I'm sorry for letting myself get angry with you."
She took his hand from her face, removed his glove and kissed his palm.
"You had every right to feel that way."
Raven the kissed his palm several more times until he gently withdrew his hand.
"Garfield?"
"Yes Raven?"
"What about this 'mate' business?"
He chuckled softly. "Well, you're the only date I've had since I met the Wild Man. So it's safe to say that so far there are no candidates."
Raven gently stroked his forearm.
"I know we're only 'friends', but I want us to be closer Garfield. I know you don't want to be my mate, but I want our friendship to be more intimate."
"What do you mean Raven? I mean we already share a telepathic link and you've been in my mind. It's kinda hard to become more intimate than that and still be quote 'just friends'."
"I want to be more than your friend. I want to be your lover."
Raven had gone out on a limb, knowing that he would probably reject her. Still, she reasoned the risk was worth it.
"Raven, what if I do find my mate in the meantime? It wouldn't be fair to you."
"Maybe once we're lovers we'll realize that we're meant to be mates."
Beast Boy was sorely tempted to accept her no strings attached offer. He knew he did love her, and maybe more than just as a friend. Raven was attractive and he had no doubt he would enjoy sharing his bed with her. He also knew that if he rejected her again that she would be crushed.
"Let's think about it." He replied, clearly buying time. "But first I have to go find Terra."
This wasn't the answer Raven had been hoping for, but at least it wasn't a 'no'. She decided to bargain with him.
"OK, but can I stay with you tonight? No intimacy, just, you know, sleep."
He grinned. "A slumber party? OK, but just tonight. And let's do it here in your room, since your bed's nice and big."
Raven felt her heart do a somersault.
Beast Boy discretely showed up at Raven's room at 11:00PM, already in his pajamas. She was wearing a very chaste flannel nightgown, much to his relief. She welcomed him in with a very tender kiss on his lips and led him to her bed. As they got in under the covers she snuggled up with him.
"Thanks for coming. This means so much to me."
"No problem. Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Do you know why I've been resisting taking our friendship to the next level?"
Raven knew. How could she not?
"Because I'm a creepy, foul tempered demoness?"
"You used to be." He diplomatically corrected her. "But yes, that's why."
"I still am, and you know it."
"Ok, you're still half demon. But you're a lot less creepy than you used to be."
She gave him an appreciative hug. He didn't lie and say she wasn't creepy any more. She knew she was still creepy and was grateful that he could appreciate and accept that she was indeed different from other girls. The gray face she saw in the mirror every morning was a painful reminder of that.
"Good night Garfield. Sleep well. I love you."
"I will. And I love you too. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. The court moved Mumbo's hearing to tomorrow afternoon, and the DA wants us to be there."
"Whatever…" She replied as she happily nuzzled her face in his chest.
Next chapter: Another visit with the Wild Man!