Little One, Little Danger
(The Revision)
Chapter 20:
Vacant Events
Midnight…
Raven was down at the beach, standing within the sea's tide while wearing a pair of black shorts and white tank top, The chill of the night air blew over her which caused her to grasp herself. She stared out into the distance trying to figure out what she should do about…
"You're gonna catch a cold out here dressed like that."
Raven didn't flinch at the sound of Bumblebee's voice that was followed by footsteps crunching within the sand, "I think I'll take my chances."
The girl grinned as she came to a stop right beside her, "Of course you will." Bee shoved her hands into the pockets of the yellow pullover she wore, "Why're you out here so late if you don't mind me asking?"
"Meditating."
"Really? Aren't you usually in a specific position to meditate?"
"There are different forms of meditation."
"Like being in deep thought instead of freeing your mind?"
Raven sighed, "Something like that."
"Well, Raiden and Star turned in for the night."
"Right."
Silence soon fell between the two and Bee noticed that Raven didn't make a move from staring out in the distance. Something had to be weighing on her mind, at least that's what she thought. "Raven?"
"Yeah?"
"You and Starfire…you guys are close right?"
"Yes…I suppose we are."
Bee nodded, "Yeah, you'd have to be to sacrifice so much for her."
Raven's ears perked up, "Sacrifice? What are you-?"
"I've heard some things from Aqualad."
Garth? There was no way he would talk about her situation so freely with Bee. Would he? Raven mentally shook the thought away, "Look, I'm not sure what you think is going on but no one is sacrificing anything."
"Not even if that 'anything' is someone you have feelings for?"
Raven's heart ached, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Raven come on, I'm not stupid okay, but if you want to sulk in your own misery while they ride off into the sunset be my guest. But don't think that other people deserve to be happy and not you."
"Frankly, what I do and what's going on with me is none of your business. Besides…Richard isn't—"
Bee raised a brow, "Richard? Is that Robin's real name? When did you start using that?"
Raven sighed, "ROBIN…chose Starfire so no sacrifice was made…it's no business of mine what they do."
"Right." Bee wasn't convinced by her statement but she would put the topic to rest for now. She turned around and looked over at the tower, "Well I guess I'll turn in too." She took a few steps but then stopped, "Not sure how things are going to turn out for you but remember what I advised when it comes to Aqualad."
"Don't worry…that's not who I am." Bee nodded before she continued on her way.
{ }
[Wayne Cottage]
Robin watched the sunrise from the roof of the cottage as he dwelled on the events of the previous night; his heart ached. "Hey."
He quickly turned to see Cyborg, "Uh…hey."
"You alright man?" His friend took a seat beside him.
"Honestly?" Robin turned back, "No."
Cyborg sighed, "I don't want to be that guy that tells you I told you so—"
"Then don't." The two of them fell silent and focused on the rising sun on the horizon. Robin wanted to clear his head of the many thoughts that were clouding it but…a sudden flash of lightning disrupted him.
Rain poured down upon a man who stood alone on a beach, head hanging low. The dark sky matched the way he was feeling as he was unphased by his drenched state. His mind too focused on other matters…matters that he never imagined he'd have to deal with. The man slowly raised his gaze just as lighting flashed brightly revealing two figures in the distance out in the middle of the sea.
"Come…come to me." one figure called.
"Leave…leave me." called the other.
The man didn't flinch, not realizing that the sun was shining on the other side of the beach.
"Come to me…"
"Leave me…"
The voices echoed through the rain as the man's gaze stayed focus ahead. He took a step forward and within an instant was standing within the middle of the sea himself. To his left, a star hovered above the waters giving off a sense of awe. To his right, a simple black raven floated holding on to its last breath.
The star begun to glow, "Have you come to me?"
"You have left me." The raven's voice was barely a whisper.
A hand emerged out of the star to grab ahold of the man's hand as the black raven finally drew its last breath and was succumbed by the sea. The rain started to pick up as a storm begun to form. The star lifted the man out of the sea and above the dark clouds until the raven could no longer be seen. But he couldn't help but look down below at where it once was.
"Do not cry for the black raven, for it made the sky cry constantly and brought pain and strife." The man remained silent. "I, the star will make your dreams come true, bringing you unending happiness."
Happiness? A star that could guarantee him such a thing…sounded like a dream. But the black raven…something about that poor black raven…he couldn't just shake from his thoughts…
"Robin?"
He shook his head of the vision, "What am I going to do?"
"I wish I could tell you man." Cyborg sighed.
Robin removed his mask and begun to massage his eyes that started to feel heavy, "Aqualad he…cares a lot about her…has deep feelings for her…has been there for her…"
"Robin."
"It's hopeless."
Cyborg shook his head, "Nothing's ever hopeless."
"I don't even know why I feel like this." His friend could hear the slight tremble within his voice. "It was her decision for us to put a halt on things so why—"
"Look, don't you think you're overreacting just a little bit? We only know how Aqualad feels, not necessarily Raven."
"I don't expect you to understand." Robin placed his mask back on.
Cyborg raised a brow, "Oh? Why not?"
"Forget it."
"Is it because I'm not involved in some weird and twisted love-triangle or square?" He looked at his team leader who just sat there in silence. "You know…I can relate more than you think." Cyborg lowered his gaze and smiled sadly to himself, "Not that long ago I had decided to tell Bee how I felt about her."
One of Robin's ears perked up, "Yeah?"
"Yeah." All those feelings from that moment begun to resurface, "But before I could she shared a personal secret with me that kind of…made me keep my feelings to myself."
Robin shifted his gaze to him, "She only thought of you as her friend?"
"Yeah, heh." Cyborg nodded, "That and she was already in love with someone else."
"Bee's involved with someone?"
"Speedy." It was like he had no control over the name that just slipped out.
"Ah Spee…" Robin's eyes slightly widened, "…wait, Speedy?"
"Crap!" Cyborg quickly turned to him, "Keep that to yourself, I promised I wouldn't tell! As a matter of fact, forget that you even heard me say it."
Robin grinned, "Hey, don't worry, their secret's safe with me."
"Thanks man." Cyborg let out a sigh of relief.
"I guess finding that out wasn't exactly easy for you huh."
Cyborg shrugged, "Not really, but I didn't let it get to me. At least I know where we stand and knowing that she's happy just makes me feel good. Even though it's not me behind the reason."
"So are you saying to just step aside and let Aqualad be the one to make Raven happy?"
Cyborg sighed, "What I'm saying is maybe you need to talk it out with Raven. See where you two actually stand before just throwing in the towel."
"And if she's already developed feelings for him?"
"You won't know unless you talk to her."
Robin sighed, "Like it's that easy."
"It just might be." Cyborg glanced his way, "Though if I recall, you had been giving her a hard time lately. Why the sudden change?"
"There was no sudden change Cyborg…it was just a way to mask what I've been feeling."
"Thought so. Welp, if you meant what you said last night and those words were truly how you felt…I say don't give up on Raven just yet. Fight for her."
"And Starfire?"
"Can't help you with that." Cyborg got to his feet, "But you need to figure it out if you're gonna get out of this mess."
The sudden sound of a pair of feet landing on the roof grasped their attention, "Hey guys." It was Speedy who had a worried look on his face, "Everything alright up here?"
Robin faced the other way while Cyborg gave the young archer a smile and wave, "Yeah man, everything's cool."
"Alright." Speedy nodded and gave a small smile of his own, "Just wanted to checkup on things since, you know."
"Thanks man." Cyborg gave him a thumbs up before the archer retreated back into the cottage. "That was cool of him."
"Cyborg?" Robin's call got him to turn his attention back to his team leader, "I need to go…get out of here."
"I guess it would be best to cut this little vacation short to avoid any more friction. I'll tell Beastboy to start packing things up come noon."
"No." Robin shook his head, "You guys stay. I'm leaving right now…alone."
Cyborg raised a brow, "You think that's for the best?"
"Who knows but I can't stay here…not with him…"
"So you're gonna just head back to the tower?"
"No." Cyborg became more confused, "I need to clear my head and just get away. Can't do that back at the tower."
"Then where?"
"Japan."
"Japan?! Robin—!"
"I've already made up my mind."
Cyborg knew that, but it didn't hurt to try and reason with him. "You know there's a tale of a man with heart who was put at odds between a star and a bird. A star is always out of reach and impossible to catch while birds are common and looked over. Stars are enveloped with otherworldly beauty and some birds are just plain in appearance. Stars have nothing to suffer for whereas birds struggle more than ever."
"And the point of this tale?"
Cyborg smiled softly, "The point is this: Anyone can take the time and wish upon a star. But it takes someone with heart, strength and love to mend the shattered pieces of just one common bird." Robin couldn't help the slight aching in his heart as he smiled softly to himself at his friend's words, remembering the vision he had prior to their conversation.
{ }
[Titans' Tower]
The three girls sat within the living room watching TV, though Raven was skimming over a novel as well. After several moments, Starfire tried to contact Robin on his cell phone through her communicator but with no answer. The girl could only sigh from another failed attempt and Bumblebee suggested that she shouldn't call so frequently. Suddenly Raven's cell begun to vibrate on the kitchen counter getting their attention as they wondered who the call could be from. Raven sighed as she used her dark telekinesis to retrieve the device and bring it to her.
"Hello?" She answered.
"Hey Raven."
"Aqualad?"
Bee smirked, "What a surprise." She stood and walked to the kitchen.
"How are you?"
"Fine. How's the billionaire's cottage?"
"Fine. Or they were fine until last night."
She raised a brow, "Last night?"
"Yeah…it wasn't good."
"Want to talk about it?"
"That's the thing Raven I—"
"Ahhhh!" a loud scream came from Raiden's room.
Raven's eyes widened in fear, "Raiden?" She let her phone drop to the floor before teleporting to the girl's room.
"What is wrong?!" Starfire flew to the room and stood in the doorway after the door slid open.
Bumblebee arrived shortly after her, "Did that scream come from Raiden?" The two entered the girl's room and spotted Raven already standing in the middle of it within the dark. She looked down at the broken glass that was scattered upon the floor and upon the comforter of the girl's bed.
"Raiden?" Raven's voice was barely a whisper. The young girl was seated up, back resting against the wall while her head hung low. She was drenched in sweat, her hair slightly masking her face where a small cut laid upon her left cheek and hand.
"M-Mom…" Raiden's voice trembled.
Raven brushed the girl's hair back behind her ears as she situated herself in the bed to sit behind her. "Raiden, what happened?"
"I…I don't…" Almost suddenly, Raiden's head fell back to rest upon Raven's chest as she passed out unconscious.
"Raiden?" Raven lightly shook her, "Raiden wake up." There was no response; her heart sank.
Starfire looked around the room in shock and awe to see the young girl in such a state. It reminded her of the first night she spent in the tower with Raven. She was frightened and confused but Robin was able to reassure her of their teammate's condition. Those feelings from that time was resurfacing. Bumblebee approached the bedside and placed a comforting hand on Raven's shoulder. "Maybe we should take Raiden to the ER."
Raven nodded, "Get the car ready."
Bumblebee hurried out the room with Starfire right behind her who was headed to the kitchen to retrieve a broom to clean up the glass. It didn't take her long to return but she hesitated in entering because of hearing Raven's voice. "Things will be okay…*sigh*…Richard…where are you? I…I can't do this, not by myself." Starfire felt her heart ache as she leaned her back against the wall. Robin.
Bumblebee rushed pass her and back into the room to inform Raven that the car was ready. The dark-natured titan stood with Raiden in her arms before heading out with Bumblebee in tow. As they made their way down the hall, they noticed that Starfire hadn't moved. Both of them looked back at her, "Star? Aren't you coming?"
"No I uh…" Starfire shook her head, "…I think it would be best to stay and clean up the glass. That way no one else gets hurt." Raven and Bumblebee exchanged looks and nodded in agreement before continuing on. Starfire remained where she was until she heard the front door to the tower close indicating that the other girls had left. She then slowly entered back into the guest room that Raiden had been using and flashbacks of Raven's room in the past came to mind. What happened?
Suddenly the sound of something vibrating echoed down the hall that startled her. Starfire popped her head out the room door and realized that Raven must've left her phone by accident. She flew down the hall to retrieve the device that seemed to be on the floor behind the couch. She picked it up and answered, "Hello?"
"Raven? What happened?"
"Oh, friend Aqualad?"
"Starfire?"
"Yes, Raven left her phone my mistake."
"Left it? Where did she go?"
"Something awful happened and she had to rush out."
"What happened? We were talking, then there was a big thud and then the dial tone."
Starfire took a seat on the couch and shook her head, "I am not sure. Things happened so quickly and now Raven and Bumblebee are rushing Raiden to the hospital."
"Raiden? But Raven just said things were fine. Things sure do happen when we least expect it. I hope the kid is okay."
"Yes, me too." Starfire ran her hand through her hair, "So how is the trip of masculinity?" Silence filled the other end of the call which made her think that it was accidentally disconnected. "Friend Aqualad?"
"The trip is…w-was going well."
Starfire raised a brow, "Was?"
"Yeah uh…Robin and I kind of got into a fight."
"A fight?" Her eyes widened, "W-Why?"
"Star, it's complicated."
"B-But you two are friends are you not? What could possibly make two individuals just up and—"
"Raven."
Starfire became confused, "Raven? Why would Raven be the cause for a disagreement between you and Robin?"
"Because I have feelings for her."
"But that is great news is it not? I am sure Robin would not disagree regarding that."
"Maybe not…if he didn't feel the same."
Starfire's heart skipped a beat, "The s-same?"
"Star…*sigh*…I thought he…or at least I tried to convince myself that he didn't but—"
"But? I-I don't understand."
"Robin has feelings for Raven, Star."
No. That couldn't be true. Starfire could feel her heart beginning to pound within her chest. She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. "I uh…he…Robin he…"
"I'm so sorry Starfire, I wish that—"
"Hey we're getting ready to head out!" a voice within the background shouted out.
Starfire shook her head of her thoughts, "Was that friend Cyborg?"
"Yeah and I have to go. Talk to you later."
"Yes…we will talk later." Their call ended and Starfire let her hand that held the device drop into her lap. What Aqualad had said…it couldn't be true could it? It had to be some kind of playful trick that friend Beastboy would pull right? But if so, it would be a pretty unpleasant one. Starfire clutched the phone in her hand as she felt a mix of emotions that she wasn't fond of. Something wasn't right and she dreaded the fact of having to wait to get to the bottom of things.
{ }
[Tokyo, Japan]
Robin checked into Bruce's usual resort hotel room that was used for business purposes. He bypassed the front desk since the room was private and only needed the security code to unlock the double doors. Sure, it would probably notify Bruce but he knew the man wouldn't check in on him immediately. He'd risk another "talk" whenever he got back, but for now he just needed to unwind. Once afternoon approached he headed out to the streets unmasked, hair pulled back into a ponytail, dressed in a pair of blue jeans and red t-shirt. Where was he headed to first?
Block after block he walked along and through the crowds of people. Passing by shops he became distracted by his reflection within their windows until he accidently bumped into a woman and caused her file of papers to scatter and fall to the ground. "Excuse me! I'm so sorry!" Robin crouched down to gather the papers.
The woman was silent at first as she stared at him a bit stunned by the whole ordeal. She finally realized that she had just been standing there and the young man was just about done retrieving each paper. She snapped out of her trance, "Oh! N-No, excuse me!" She reached down to join him only to grab the final piece of paper, "I should've watched where I was going."
Robin stood with a smile, "No, I'm pretty sure it's completely my fault. I was a bit distracted." He handed the majority of the papers to her and she took them while turning away from him.
"T-Thank you."
"I'm pretty sure they're all there. Hope I didn't cause you too much trouble."
"Oh no, not at all. Although, it did take me all night to alphabetize, categorize and organize by date." He could've sworn a rain cloud materialized above her head.
Robin's smile faded as he felt a rush of guilt come over him, "I am so so sorry." His eyes fell on a café in the distance, "Hey, how about I make it up to you by treating you to a cup of coffee? There's a café right up the street. That's if you like coffee or tea or something."
The woman's cloud vanished as she turned to him a bit sheepish, "Oh uh…I did have to get over to the office."
"Right! You probably have a busy schedule and work if you were carrying all those files hehe." Robin begun to chuckle nervously, "I wouldn't want to interfere—"
"Not at all! It's okay, I can take time to enjoy a free cup of java. It would definitely help." She blushed with a smile.
"You sure?"
She nodded, "Yeah." She then turned and pointed, "Were you referring to the café there?"
Robin shoved his hands into his pockets with a nod, "Yeah."
"What a coincidence, it happens to be one of my favorite spots." She smiled as she grabbed his hand and led him through the crowd in the café's direction. Robin was taken back a little by her sudden persistence but found it kind of humorous.
{ }
[Jump City General – 9:00pm]
Raven sat at Raiden's beside while Bumblebee visited the vending machines down in one of the waiting areas. Raiden laid there in the hospital bed, an IV in her arm as Raven watched over her trying not to drift off to sleep. She never thought she'd worry over someone so much other than her teammates and she hate to admit that it stirred a certain fear within her. Her eyes begun to feel heavier and heavier and before she knew it, Raven had fallen asleep.
A black raven laid lifeless at the bottom of the ocean as lightning flashed. The waters on the surface were chaotic and rough, unaffecting the sea life within.
"Poor little black raven." A voiced echoed. The bird's eyes were just as lifeless as its condition while the fish of the sea swam by unphased. However, the sea itself awakened not too happy that the raven had been ignored. "Does no one care for this creature who is out of its element?" The sea roared but was ignored even by the fish that inhabited it. The sea became furious, "Shame on you all for being selfish and uncaring! For I will acknowledge this creature of the land above!" An aura begun to form around the black raven, helping it to rise from the ocean floor. Its body ascended little by little until it was pushed to the surface where the waves were calm and the sun shone. The sea then used a small wave to guide the raven to the shore in the distance.
"Poor little black raven."
The body of the raven finally made it to shore, though still lifeless but the note upon it had drifted away with the tide. The sea could see the star within the sky on the other side of the beach where the storm was still underway. Suddenly several waves were pushed towards the shore and once they hit the sand, the sea took the form of a male figure. It walked over to the black raven and crouched down beside it. "Awake little black raven." The sea stroked one of its wings releasing another aura. After several moments, the raven's chest started to move as its eyes became filled with life. The sea smiled as the raven flapped one wing after the other, lifting itself within the air.
"Please…leave me." were the raven's words.
The sea became confused, "Leave you?"
The raven descended and once it landed back on the warm sands it transformed into a weeping woman whose back was turned towards the sea who was instantly in awe of her. "Go to the star."
"The star?"
"He and the star…"
"I saved your life, why would I leave you alone?"
"You made a mistake, wasting your time on me when it's the star that you want."
"Why would you say such a thing?"
"Because I am no benefit to anyone for I am just a simple black raven. I can't make one's dreams come true. I can't grant you wishes."
The sea stood and approached the raven, "That might be true but wishes are merely fantasies where anyone could fulfill any dream if they chose to. A raven might be common but is still real and deserves recognition."
"But he chose the star…"
"Are you sure about that, or could the star have possibly taken him away?"
"Raven?" The voice of someone stirred her from her sleep and she opened her eyes to see that the room had been filled with her friends.
"What's uh…when did you guys get here?"
Cyborg took a few steps towards her, "Not too long ago. We came as soon as we heard the news from Star."
"How's Raiden?" Aqualad approached and placed a hand on Raven's shoulder.
"Fine I think." She ran her hand through her hair, "But the doctor should be back soon with an update."
Beastboy took a moment to think, "Don't tell me it's Dr. Mishima again."
His words went in one of Raven's ears and out the other as she noticed that someone was missing, "Where's Robin?" Aqualad slowly removed his hand from her shoulder and turned the other way.
"Something came up so uh…he couldn't be here." Cyborg informed. Of course. Raven refrained from letting her emotions get the best of her though there was a slight crack that appeared on one of the windows that no one noticed. Then there was a sudden knock that came on the other side of the door and Raven let the doctor know that it was okay for them to come in.
The doctor entered in with a smile, "I see we've gained more visitors." Catching sight of her Beastboy's eyes morphed into hearts. She was five foot three with light brown skin, dark brown hair with honey-blonde highlights throughout and a pair of slender black framed glasses upon her face.
"Be still my racing heart." Beastboy sighed lovingly to himself.
The woman smiled again, "For those who just got here, I'm Dr. Hinta, Sierra Hinta and it's nice to see that little Raiden has so many people that care for her." She approached the girl's bedside, "Let's see how she's doing okay." She checked Raiden's vitals while the others watched and she looked over a few test results that were attached to the clipboard she had brought in.
"What's the verdict doc?" Cyborg asked.
"Well…" Dr. Hinta laid her stethoscope over her neck and folded her arms beneath her chest, "…her vitals are good and the tests that we ran all came back negative for anything that might've been harmful. Raiden is a healthy twelve year old."
Raven stood, "Are you sure?"
"Yes ma'am, your daughter is just fine." Dr. Hinta gave her a reassuring smile.
Starfire took a step towards her, a hand on her chest, "But the reason by her fainting?"
"Well things such as falling unconscious or fainting doesn't always necessarily mean that there's something dire going on. It could've simply been a result of being overly anxious or stressed." Dr. Hinta turned to Raven, "For those of Raiden's age, such a strain might come from difficulties within the home. Has there been any major or shocking changes that have occurred recently?"
Cyborg let out a nervous cough, "Well uh…n-not that any of us are aware of." Raven shifted her gaze down at Raiden.
Dr. Hinta raised a brow, "I see." She then looked down at her clipboard, "Is her father here? A Mr. Grayson?" Everyone fell silent trying not to choke on the sudden question.
Raven sighed, "Raiden doesn't have a—"
"No. He's out on business in Japan." Cyborg answered.
"Japan?!" Beastboy and Starfire couldn't hold in their outburst.
Dr. Hinta looked up from her clipboard, "Oh, well that's unfortunate." She then lowered the clipboard and cupped her hands behind her back, "I'm sure he would like to know the good news about Raiden." She turned to Cyborg, "Please be sure to relate the message Mister?"
"Stone, Victor Stone." He outstretched his hand and she shook it.
"Nice to meet you and thank you." Dr. Hinta gave him a smile.
"If Raiden's fine, I can assume she can go home soon." Raven asked.
"You would be right, but not right away. We'd like to keep her overnight and discharge her in the morning Mrs. Grayson."
"Roth." It was like the word was a reflex.
"I'm sorry?" Dr. Hinta was confused.
"It's Ms. Roth, not Grayson."
"Oh, I'm sorry I just assumed because Raiden's last name was Grayson that—"
Cyborg cut in, "Uh, what time would she be discharged in the morning doctor?"
Dr. Hinta kind of picked up on the hint of changing the subject as she turned to him, "Yes um…I'd say in the early hours between seven and nine most likely." Cyborg gave her a nod of thanks that she returned.
"Sweet, so that means we can go home." Speedy yawned but felt Bumblebee punch his arm, "Ow Honeybee!"
"Don't be a jerk." She scolded him.
"Nah he's right." Cyborg stretched, "I need to head back to the tower and turn in myself. There's some work I've gotten behind on that I need to play catch-up."
Beastboy yawned, "Yeah dude, I'm beat too. Especially after this weekend's fight, I need to relax my nerves."
"Fight?" Bumblebee and Raven raised a brow while the guys broke out into a nervous sweat glaring at the green boy.
"Video game tournament we had on 'Alley Fighter V'." Speedy chuckled nervously while rubbing the back of his neck.
Dr. Hinta had no idea what they were talking about but she nodded and headed towards the door, "Well I'll leave you all to it and bid you goodnight." She raised a hand to wave, "See you in the morning Ms. Roth."
"Thank you doctor."
The others followed Dr. Hinta out, though Aqualad stayed behind and the room door closed shut. Out within the hall Beastboy walked alongside the doctor, a huge grin on his face. "So, doctor Hinta or can I call you Sierra?"
She smiled, "Dr. Hinta would be fine."
"Fair enough, but would that change if you were to, I don't know, let me take you out for a soda or something?" Beastboy's grin grew.
"Sorry, but I don't date guys who are still going through puberty."
The boy's face dropped all the way to the floor while Speedy and Cyborg burst out into laughter. "Awe dude, that wasn't cool."
"However…" Dr. Hinta stopped in her tracks and turned around, "…if Mr. Stone has an open schedule, I'd like to grab a cup of coffee sometime."
Cyborg nearly choked on the suggestion, "Wh-What?"
The woman smiled, "What do you say? Tomorrow morning, before my shift?"
"Uh…s-sure, we can grab some joe." Speedy and Beastboy exchanged a look.
"Great." Dr. Hinta retrieved one of her business cards from the inner pocket of her medical coat and handed it to him. "My card and don't hesitate to use it." She then turned to continue on her way, leaving the guys and Bumblebee behind.
"Pulling a doctor?" Bumblebee grinned before playfully punching Cyborg in one of his arms, "Go 'head Sparky."
Beastboy was in shock, "Dude, what just happened?"
"Looks like the beast got dissed." Speedy threw an arm around Bumblebee's shoulders with a laugh.
"Whatever." He mumbled under his breath.
~o~
[Raiden's ER room]
Aqualad stood beside Raven who was resting her hands on Raiden's bedside shaking her head. What was she thinking? What was she feeling? Could he help in any way? "Are you okay?"
"No."
"Raven you—"
"It's probably best if you just leave okay…just…*sigh*…leave me."
Aqualad grabbed her hand and tried to coax her to face him, "Raven talk to me."
"There's nothing to talk about."
"You and I both know that's not true."
Raven scoffed, "You speak as if you know me."
"Well after all this time I'd like to think I do more than you give me credit for." He was slightly taken aback.
"Of course you do."
Aqualad released her hand and ran his through his hair, "Okay, what's going on and why are you suddenly cold with me."
"Suddenly?" She turned to him, "You think this is sudden? This is who I am, who I've always been!"
"You're wrong!" Their sudden outburst caused Raiden to stir in her sleep, which caught their attention and the two of them let out a sigh to calm themselves. "Raven, if you don't want to open up to me, so be it but don't ever try to use the excuse of being 'cold' as a trait you have to shut yourself off from others. I know how caring you can be and that's the furthest from being cold anyone could be." He stared the girl down until she dropped her gaze from him, as silent as ever so he figured he would just make his leave.
"Garth." His name on her lips caused his ears to perk up and he turned to look back at her, "I don't…" Raven brought her hands up to hold herself, "…I don't know what to do."
"If it's about Raiden, the doctor already—"
"What is he doing in Japan?"
Aqualad's heart immediately begun to ache as he grew agitated, "This is about Robin heh…of course it is."
"Earlier on the phone, you mentioned something awful happened. What was it?"
"Nothing. It's not like it matters now."
"Now who's the one shutting themselves off."
Aqualad sighed, "Robin and I got into a fight."
"You what?" Raven was confused.
Aqualad took a seat on the room's loveseat, "It all happened so fast…he was talking with Cyborg and said some things and…my feelings just…"
"Hold on, just slow down. What happened?"
"For so long I've wanted to tell you how I felt…even on the phone earlier I…"
Raven watched him, "Just tell me."
"He's not good enough for you Raven."
"What?"
"Robin he…he's not what he seems and I…I wish I would've seen it sooner."
"Aqualad you're not making any sense." Raven folded her arms beneath her chest, "I know Robin has his moments but to go as far as to say that he's 'not what he seems'? What's gotten into you?"
Aqualad snickered, "Wow, you're defending him? Don't be so naïve Raven."
"Naïve?" She said coldly.
"You're too smart to be blinded by him—"
"Blinded? I don't know where this is coming from but don't speak as if you have all the facts."
"God you sound just like him." He shook his head.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
He stood up and shoved his hands into his jeans' pockets, "Never mind, just know that you can do better and he doesn't deserve you."
"No." Raven let her arms drop to her sides, "You're mistaken on that…no one deserves someone like me." Her gaze fell slightly, "They deserve much better."
Aqualad could feel the aching in his heart, "Raven…do NOT sell yourself short because you are so much more than—"
"It doesn't matter." She sighed.
"But it does matter!" Aqualad got to his feet and approached her, "Because YOU matter to me."
Raven was slightly taken aback, "You—"
"Raven…" He cupped her face within his hands and gazed into her eyes which made her nervous sending a chill down her spine. "Robin and I fought because of YOU."
She swallowed the lump that formed within her throat, "Why?"
"Because I…Raven I…" Aqualad slowly begun to pull her face closer to his.
Raven's heart raced as she grew more nervous, "Don't…Garth don't—"
"I love you, Raven."
{ }
[Tokyo, Japan]
Robin and his new acquaintance sat in a café engaged in a conversation about a popular show currently airing on TV. "You are so right." He laughed as he sipped on his second cup of coffee, "That third episode made no sense at all."
"I'm surprised that you even watch haha."
"Well let's just say that I have a roommate that's REALLY into it and likes to hog the TV." He chuckled, "Bur I have to admit, that Sakura chick is pretty cute."
"Oh?" The woman grinned, "Someone has a thing for strawberry blondes?"
Robin couldn't help but laugh, "I wouldn't say that."
"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me." She gave him a playful wink before looking him over, elbows propped on the table.
His gaze soon fell on hers, "What?"
"Nothing it's just…so weird."
"What is?"
She shook her head, "Oh nothing important hehe. So, you said you were visiting from out of town?"
"Yep, a place called Jump City."
"Jump City? Sounds like an exciting place."
Robin chuckled, "Yeah, it can be at times."
"So why head here to Tokyo? On vacation?"
"Something like that." He then thought about the events back at Bruce's cottage, "Just needed to get away for a while you know."
The woman nodded, "I can relate to that."
"Yeah?"
"Sure." She hunched her shoulders, "I'm constantly on the move, living here and there."
"Why's that if you don't mind me asking?" He took a sip of his coffee.
The woman smiled softly and looked out the window next to their table, "Well, it seems like wherever I got…trouble tends to follow."
Robin raised a brow, "Trouble?"
"But I think here in Japan I've found where I belong and where I can be safe." She turned back to him with a smile.
"Well, that's good to hear."
She leaned towards him, "Richard, are you by any chance married?"
He nearly choked on his drink, "W-What would make you ask something l-like that?"
"I couldn't help but notice the ring on your finger." She pointed towards it.
"Oh! Hehe, I uh, I see." Robin chuckled nervously and cleared his throat, "I um…it's kind of complicated."
"Aren't all relationships." She grinned.
"You have no idea."
She sighed, "Well that's too bad."
"What is?"
"I would have liked to do this again." She pouted playfully.
Robin chuckled, "Ah."
"Unless…you were free tonight."
"Tonight? I don't know. I have a lot going on right now and I still need to sort some things out while I'm here."
Her face dropped in disappointment, "Oh, right. I'm sorry."
"Don't be, it's okay."
"I promise that I wasn't asking you out on a date or anything. I'd rather not feel the wrath of an angry girlfriend or wife hehe. Just trying to hang out with a potential new friend."
Robin smiled softly at her, "Sorry I didn't assume you were I just…mind is clouded. But hey, how about I'll let you know instead of outright shutting the thought down."
"Sounds good to me." She smiled satisfied, "I've already made sure you had my number by using your phone to call mine."
"When did you—?"
"You're short bathroom break after that large cup of coffee." She chuckled.
"You're quite the sneak." He grinned.
"Perhaps." She then looked at the time on her phone and sighed, "Well, I should go before they send out a search party for me at the office."
"You sure this was okay?"
She gave him a huge smile, "Oh yeah, sure. They know I need a little break every once in a while."
"Alright. Want me to walk you?"
"Thanks for the offer but I'll be fine. Maybe I'll see you tonight…hopefully." She stood and gathered her files.
"We shall see." Robin smiled and raised his cup to her, "It's been a pleasure Ms. Rile."
"Kida will do just fine."
He nodded, "Got it. Take care, Kida."
"It's been a pleasure Richard." The woman finally walked away and headed out the exit of the café. Robin watched her walk pass the window and gave her a final wave before she was out of sight. Kida walked down the street her heart nearly about to burst within her chest from excitement. Finally…after all this time…their paths had finally crossed.