Disclaimer: Nope didn't get the rights to own either Warriors or Teen Titans for Christmas...Maybe for my birthday…
Rise of the Titan Warriors
Chapter 2: Going somewhere?
"Come on, Robin! We've been walking for hours," Beast boy groaned.
He was getting restless, and it was starting to irritate a certain empath. "If you don't shut your trap, you won't be able to walk anymore," Raven hissed. That shut him up pretty quickly.
Robin sighed audibly and mewed in a stern voice, "We don't know if we're in enemy territory. We can't let our guards down."
Starfire, who was beside Robin, rested her tail on their weary leader's shoulder and said softly, "We have to rest sometime, friend Robin… We do not have to lay our protectors on the ground." Robin looked at her, bewildered, until he finally realized what she meant. He huffed, "Fine. We'll find shelter… but stick together."
Everyone spread out but kept within hearing distance of one another. The sun was starting to set as the Titan cats gathered together to share what they found. Raven was the first to speak, "There's a river nearby with a cluster of rocks on the shore. We should stay away from there; I smelled cats."
Robin nodded his head and turned towards the others, "What about the rest of you? I couldn't find anything useful." Cyborg spoke up, "I found a burrow underneath some brambles… I couldn't smell anything, or anyone."
Robin stood up, "Does anyone else have something to say?" He looked around as the group shook their heads. "Well then, Cyborg, lead the way." Cyborg perked up happily and led the group towards a patch of forestry. He used his paws to push aside the brush and jumped down into the hole. It was a bit cramped, but it could fit them, and the brambles would keep them hidden.
Robin nodded in approval, "Good work, Cyborg. We'll stay there."
Beast Boy glared slightly at the smirking blue tom, but then looked at Robin, "What now?" Robin looked thoughtful for a moment before saying, "Rest up. It's almost dark; tomorrow we'll explore the area." No one objected. Something felt off, however, and it made their fur bristle with tension. Something was missing.
Starfire's ears perked and she said worriedly, "Has anyone seen friend Raven?" They looked around to see that the black cat was missing!
"She was here when we told each other what we found!" Cyborg exclaimed, worried for his 'sister.' Beast Boy's tail flicked to and fro as he stuttered, "W-we have to find her! What if she's hurt?"
"I'm sure she's fine, Beast Boy. She probably stalked off for some peace and quiet," Robin mewed steadily, although his eyes flashed with worry.
"Wrong again," came a monotone voice from the entrance to the den.
The bristling died down in their fur as they saw the lithe she-cat jump through the hole and set something down inside the den. Robin pushed past his teammates and stood face to face with Raven. "Where did you go? I gave orders for everyone to stick together," he growled. Raven looked at him with expressionless violet eyes and mewed coolly, "I thought maybe we'd be hungry." She pointed towards the brown heap of fur she brought in and everyone stared, wide-eyed.
"I-is that a rabbit?" Cyborg said quickly. Raven rolled her eyes, "Think about it, we're cats. It's bound to happen sooner or later." The titans' jaws hung agape as Raven picked up her prey and settled down in a comfortable position. When no one moved, irritation laced her mew as she said, "Look. All I had was some tea this morning. I'm going to eat. We're going to need our strength tomorrow and I was lucky enough to manage to get this. Are you going to join me or not?"
Starfire was the first to snap out of it and walked forward, almost carefully, before settling beside Raven. "Friend Raven is correct. We'll need all of our strength tomorrow since we have no powers and warriors eat like this in the books all the time," the ginger-furred she-cat murmured, still looking a bit uncomfortable. Raven smirked, "Never thought the males would be the most skittish to eat meat."
Cyborg shook his head and sputtered, "Hey! I eat meat all the time! Just watch me." He waltzed over and settled across from the she-cats, but he still didn't take a bite.
Robin was just plain dumbfounded. He didn't like the idea of eating raw meat, but then again they were cats… and Starfire had said the warriors in her book ate like this all the time. Robin's tail visibly dragged behind him as he lay beside Starfire. "You're right, but I'm not going to like it," he said exasperated.
Beast Boy still stood there, shocked, and he almost shouted, "What is wrong with you!? It's bad enough you eat meat back home, but now we're killing animals and eating them raw!?"
Raven didn't snap back, but instead understood what the tabby was worried about. "Beast Boy, unless you want to starve, you have to eat this. None of us think this is ideal, but cat digestion systems are accustomed to eating meat. You out of anyone should know this," she said, dryly but a bit softer than before.
His eyes shown with defiance, but her words sunk in and he slunk over to the group. He slowly sat in between Raven and Cyborg before sliding to the ground. He shuddered and he muttered to himself, "Only until we get back…"
Cyborg, for once, smiled and said reassuringly, "Yeah. Only until we get back." Cyborg might try to get his best friend, and vegan, to eat meat, but he knew just how much this bothered the changeling. Robin sighed, "Let's just get this over with."
The night was upon the titans and they started settling down for the night. They finished up their 'meal,' and now started curling up beside each other. Raven curled up in the far corner, her nose buried in her slim tail. She flicked her ears when she heard the light snoring of her teammates. Usually it would irritate her, but tonight she felt slightly soothed by the sounds. She would never admit it, not even to herself, but she was frightened by everything that was happening. It made her uneasy without her empathetic powers, and of course, being trapped in another body!
She shivered as the wind swept into the burrow. It was blowing towards them and managed to creep through the brambles to reach the titans. She lifted her head and looked around. Robin and Starfire were curled up together, smiles on their muzzles. Raven smirked at this and looked at the other two. Cyborg's fur was short, like her own, and would serve as to no use in the freezing temperature. She stopped short when she looked at Beast Boy.
His long brown fur swayed slightly in the wind, and he didn't even shiver when it blew across him. No way! No way am I going to go over there an- her thoughts were cut off as a certain changeling started to stir.
She tried to shift back into sleeping position, but it was too late. "Rae? Are you awake?" Beast Boy asked quietly, blinking open his emerald green eyes.
Raven sighed and responded curtly, "Yes. And my n-name is Raven." Her words stuttered as she shivered, and she silently cursed herself for it.
"You're cold," he said, padding over to her.
"I'm fine," she snapped as he lay down beside her. Neither of them said anything as he pressed to her side. She tensed up at his action, but slowly relaxed into his fur.
She closed her eyes and rested her chin on her paws, "I hate you." Beast Boy purred and copied her action, "Good night, Rae."
He was delighted when she didn't correct him.
Dawn was slowly creeping over the land as Robin blinked open his eyes. He was curled up beside Starfire, who was wearing a slight smile on her muzzle. He yawned and got up, careful not to wake his girlfriend. They had been dating for a while now, no surprise there, and he was glad they were both here even if it was in such a situation.
He looked around at his sleeping teammates and smirked when he saw Raven and Beast Boy's position. The brown tabby was curled around her, tail resting over the she-cat. Raven was curled slightly into his sleeping form and her ear gave an occasional twitch when the changeling's breath tickled it. Robin knew he'd have to tell Cyborg and they'd most likely tease Beast Boy about it later.
He climbed out of the den and walked around. He wasn't going anywhere or anywhere far for that matter; he just felt the need for a walk. His blue eyes flashed when he heard a crumple in the leaves. He felt a presence around him and he stiffened, lifting his muzzle to scent the air. His fur prickled and he headed back to the den. The burning gaze started to fade as he got closer to home.
Home? We've been here one night and I'm already considering this place home! He thought with a sigh.
He slipped inside to see Raven sitting in the corner, eyes closed but obviously awake. "Have a good night's rest?" he asked with a smirk as he flicked his tail to the still-snoring Beast Boy.
She opened her eyes and glared at him before saying, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Robin rolled his eyes and walked over to her. "We should wake them up," he paused before whispering, "When I was out, I felt a presence. We should leave before someone decides to find out who we are." Raven nodded, seriousness invading her eyes, and stood up.
She prodded Beast Boy, the closest cat to her, and said, "Get up. We have to go." Beast Boy brought his paws close to his chest and tried to bury himself into the ground, as if they were covers. Raven's fur felt hot when he heard him whisper "Raven…" with a purr.
She looked quickly at Robin and was relieved to find him trying to wake Starfire. Raven jabbed Beast Boy's side with her paw before turning away to wake Cyborg. She smirked slightly when Beast Boy gasped behind her. "W-what? Where are we!?" Realization must've reached the tom because he gave a groan, "Come on! It's so early…"
Robin walked past Beast Boy after waking up Starfire, who was blinking open her green eyes, and said, "No time for sleeping in, Beast Boy. We have to go." Beast Boy saw the seriousness in his leader's eyes and closed his muzzle. He stood up and stretched just as Cyborg was stirring.
After a few moments, everyone was climbing out into the sunlight. Cyborg blinked his eyes sleepily and yawned, "So where are we going to go?"
Robin glanced over at Raven the replied, "We'll go to the river. It's our best bet to find someone who will tell us more about this place." Raven nodded and took the lead. They reached the river after a few minutes; the scent of cat washed over their senses.
"They must have borders… This scent is everywhere but it's stronger here," said a slightly serious Beast Boy. Even though they all had enhanced senses, Beast Boy's was still by far the strongest.
They walked along the big boulder and explored the area. Raven was padding along the forest line and sniffing the various plants that surrounded the area. Suddenly, a flash of fur crossed her vision. She let out a hiss as she was knocked to the ground.
"Going somewhere, rouge?"