Little One, Little Danger
(The Revision)

Chapter 21:
Kida Rile

Darkness…is what surrounds me as I lie here in this room, my mind clouded with thoughts of my past. Does it even exist? When I try to remember, everything seems like it's a blur…obscured by the many painful emotions I carry. Him. The face of a man dimly emerges through the thickness of the clouds briefly before I feel myself fade into black.

{ }

10 years ago…

"Stop that girl!"

The accused looked back at the store owner who cried out only causing her to pick up the pace of her run as she slipped the bracelet she had just stolen into the pocket of her jeans. Pedestrians along the sidewalk got out of her way and she moved quickly as she still heard the middle-aged man's shouts of "thief!" He tried to pursue her but only made it a few feet from the front door before having to catch his breath. The girl grinned while making a turn down a dark alley a few blocks down. Once she was sure that no one was following her, she rested her back against the cold cemented wall to catch her own breath. "Tough break old man."

"I would say so." An unfamiliar voice startled her and she turned to find a young man, dressed in a black suit, standing with his arms folded across his chest.

She took a step back on the defensive, "W-Who are you?"

He raised a brow a bit taken back, "You don't know? Heh, you must not be from around here."

"No. So, what."

"And lacking in manners at that." He begun to approach her.

"H-Hey! Don't you take another step!"

He stopped a bit curious, "I assure you, I'm not a threat."

"I don't know who you are so why don't you—"

"Stop right there!" The two turned at the sound of a third voice only to find the store owner who was accompanied by a police officer. The older man pointed in the girl's direction, "That's her officer! That's the little minx that stole from my store!"

The officer headed in their direction, "Young lady, you're going to have to come with me to the station." Neither of the men seemed to notice the young man that stood some few away from her.

"Hello officer." The young man spoke while placing a hand in one pocket of his stacks, "Is there a problem here?"

"Sorry, this doesn't conce—" The officer suddenly noticed the young man and his eyes widened, "Oh, M-Mr. Wayne."

The store owner rushed to their sides still a bit of a frenzy, "Mr. Wayne it's a pleasure! However, this girl here had taken something very valuable from my store!"

"Valuable?" She took a step forward, "It's a cheap trinket!"

"You shut it!" The store owner spat at her.

The young man raised a hand, "Look here Mr.?"

"Tinsel, Jakob Tinsel."

"Mr. Tinsel, there's no need to yell at the girl." The young man nodded.

"But I—!"

The officer cleared his throat, "Mr. Wayne is right Sir."

The store owner exchanged looks with the other two men and then his gaze fell on the thief. He sighed reluctantly, "Fine. You're right, but my item of value—"

"Oh you mean this?" Mr. Wayne pulled something from under his sleeve; a simple plastic bracelet priced at ten dollars.

The officer raised a brow, "It really is a cheap trinket."

"Well I…" The store owner blushed a bit embarrassed, "…s-she still stole it."

Mr. Wayne grinned, "Tisk tisk tisk." He tossed the bracelet to the middle-aged man who caught it, "So much hostility over something so small."

"While that is true Mr. Wayne…" The officer shook his head at the store owner's behavior, "…he is correct in that she did still take it. I'm going to have to bring her in downtown to Gotham police station."

The young man nodded, "Yes well, do your duty officer." He glanced the girl's way, "Do you mind if I accompany you?" His statement stumbled the girl a bit as the officer nodded his head and directed her out the alleyway towards the direction his patrol car was parked.

{ }

[Gotham PD]

"Katie Williams."

"It's Kida Rile." the girl folded her arms beneath her chest.

The female officer who took her fingerprints skimmed through the girl's file, "Well it says right here that your name is Katie Williams."

"Only because my foster parents changed it."

"Look Katie—"

"Officer Jenkins please." Mr. Wayne smiled, "Address her as Kida."

The woman sighed, "Alright fine. Kida, can you tell me where your foster parents are now?"

Kida shrugged, "Somewhere up north."

"So I can assume that you're a runaway."

"Call it whatever you want."

"Mmhmm." Officer Jenkins tapped on the girl's file with a pen before turning to her computer. "Your reason for leaving?"

"My business."

The woman snickered as she begun to type something, "Well I've heard all I needed to hear. If you don't want to talk then—"

"Officer Jenkins." Another woman, who looked more like an assistant than a cop, burst into the office.

"Not now Lena, I'm busy." Officer Jenkins kept tying away as Mr. Wayne dwelled on Kida's last name that he swore sounded familiar.

Lena stood her ground, "I understand that but the chief wants you to do some analysis on this 'batman' vigilante."

"Ugh, again? How many times must I explain that this guy isn't real." Jenkins stopped what she was doing and rubbed her temples to soothe her stress. "Fine." She looked at Kida, "Welp, I guess we'll be wrapping this up."

"Great." Kida grumbled with a hint of sarcasm.

Jenkins wrote down something on a blank piece of paper and handed it to Mr. Wayne, "What's this?"

"It's the address and number to her current foster parents. If you can't reach them, below is the information for the agency that she was transferred from. Whoever can be reached first is who she'll be sent back to."

"What?!" Kida quickly sat up in her chair.

"Thank you." Mr. Wayne skimmed over the paper. Once the officer followed her colleague out the office, the young man turned his attention to Kida who avoided eye contact.

"Send me back, I don't care." She tried to mask the uneasiness in her voice. "I'll just run away aga—"

"Are you hungry?"

Kida's eyes widened a little confused, "W-What?"

Mr. Wayne crumbled the paper within his hand and tossed it in the waste basket next to Officer Jenkins' desk, "Are you hungry?" Still confused as to what he was trying to do, Kida nodded.

{ }

[Wayne Manor]

Mr. Wayne pulled his car down the long driveway, "Here we are."

Kida was in awe at the massive residence and it took her several moments for her to let out her next word, "Y-You live here?"

"Yes ma'am." He smiled as he exited the car and walked around to the passenger side of the vehicle to open her door, "Just me and Alfred."

"Alfred?" Kida stepped out and they made their way to the front doors.

After unlocking them, Mr. Wayne let her step inside before him, "Alfred! We have a guest!" He closed the door behind him.

"Coming Master Bruce!" The voice of an older man echoed through the halls.

Kida turned to Mr. Wayne, "Bruce? Is that your first name?"

"Oh yes." He grinned, "Sorry, I should've introduced myself properly." He gave her a playful bow, "Bruce Wayne, nice to meet you."

Before she could give him a response as she held back the urge to smile, an older man descended down the luxuriant staircase, "Sorry for my tardiness young master I was—"

"Alfred it's fine." Bruce held up a hand with a smile. "There's someone here I would like you to meet." He turned to the girl, "Kida Rile, Alfred Pennyworth."

Alfred bowed her way, "It's a pleasure. Rile? Why does that name sound so famil—"

"That's it!" Bruce snapped his fingers, "There was an incident in Japan some years ago with an underwater facility that ruptured. They were calling it some kind of freak accident, but I believe the only person they could identify was a man whose last name was Rile."

Kida lowered her gaze and fidgeted with her fingers, "He was my father."

Alfred's heart was pained, "Oh I am so sorry for your loss young lady. It would be a pleasure to set another spot for dinner if you'll be joining us."

"I uh—"

"That would be great." Bruce gave him a smile, "Thank you Alfred." The older man smiled and headed off into the halls of the manor while Bruce and Kida watched him.

"Why?"

Bruce turned to her, "Excuse me?"

Kida shook her head, "Why are you helping me?"

"Well, let's just say that I'm no stranger to unforeseen circumstances that changes one's life forever. Besides…" He placed his hands into the pockets of his slacks and smiled, "…I tend to have a way with helping those in need."

{ }

Present day…

The darkness faded away as I rose from my slumber with the ceiling above as my only view. Bruce Wayne…Batman. Soon he had gotten himself an apprentice…a sidekick…Robin. "Richard!" I quickly sat up nearly forgetting about the plans I had made to meet him. The time on the clock read that it was six in the evening and suddenly the ringing chime on my phone went off. "Hello?"

"Kida?"

"Yes, Richard?"

"Yeah heh, I uh called earlier but you must've been busy."

She smiled, "No, just simply dozed off."

"I'm sorry, did I wake you?"

"Not at all."

"Was the offer for this evening still on the table?"

"This evening?"

"If things have changed I completely understand."

"Oh no, no change here." She smiled wider, "Let's do it."

"Great. So, seven was it?"

"See you at seven." The sound of the dial tone echoed in my ears as my plans was confirmed. It was him, it had to be. Richard Grayson…my Nightwing.

{ }

[Titans' Tower]

Cyborg entered into their living room that morning, image inducer of Victor Stone activated. He was feeling pretty good about his coffee date. The sound of the front door opening grasped his attention and soon stepped in Raiden with Raven right behind her. His face lit up, "Hey you two!"

Raven winced a little, "Cyborg, not so loud this early in the morning. I have a headache."

"Oh, my bad." He chuckled nervously.

Raiden yawned, "Hey Uncle Cy."

"What's up kid." He approached the girl and have her a hug, "How'd everything go?" Apparently it went well and there wasn't any issues with the discharge.

Raven turned to Raiden, "You should go and get some more rest." The girl nodded in agreement before levitating in the air and flying off down the hall to her room.

"Glad she's okay." Cyborg's gaze followed Raven as she walked pass him.

She stopped, looking him over, "Where is Victor Stone headed so early in the morning?"

"Oh hehe, I happen to have a coffee date with a doctor." He grinned.

Raven raised a brow, "Really? Who?"

"Actually Raiden's doctor haha, Dr. Hinta."

"Ah…lucky you." She plopped down on the couch uninterested.

Cyborg could feel a strange vibe radiating off of her…stranger than usual, "Hey, you okay?"

"Just PEACHY." A black aura emerged from her.

"Yeah, sure. Come out with it."

"What good would it do…besides, it doesn't matter."

Cyborg looked at the time on his phone, "It matters to me Raven and it so happens that I have some time to hear about—"

"Why didn't you tell me about Aqualad?" The question just poured out of her.

Cyborg was confused, "Huh? Tell you what about Aqualad?"

"Last night…did any of you notice that he was the only one that stayed behind with me after you all left?"

"Not really, was more focused on the doctor." He chuckled until he noticed that the expression on her face was serious. "Why, what's up with Aqualad?"

Raven sighed, "I…he…something happened…"

Cyborg raised a brow, "Hold on…you two didn't…you know?"

"Ugh, Victor." Her cheeks faintly turned pink from a blush and the dark aura surrounding her intensified.

"Sorry sorry! Don't know why my mind took me there hehe." Sweat ran down the back of his neck.

"Just don't…" Raven sighed and calmed her thoughts, "…he…Garth told me that he loved me."

Cyborg swallowed hard, a bit shocked, "Wow. I never thought he'd confess so soon after what happened at the cottage."

"How could I not see this coming?"

"Oh come on Raven." Cyborg shook his head, "As smart as you are, there's no way you didn't know how deep his feelings ran."

"That's. Not. The. Point." The aura grew.

He sighed, "Then what is Raven?"

"I…" Her shoulders relaxed and the aura dissipated, "…I don't know." She let her head fall into her hands, "What am I supposed to do?"

Cyborg finally sat beside her, "Only you can answer that Rae."

"And Robin."

"He's another case that I've had to deal with." He sighed. "The two of you really need to talk things out."

"There's nothing to talk about."

"You do know why he's in Japan right?"

Raven sighed and stood, "Does it matter? It's not like I care—"

"Oh yeah you do." He watched as she stood there with her arms folded beneath her chest, facing away from him, not making a move. "If Aqualad told you how he felt, I'm sure he also mentioned the falling out he had with Robin at the cottage."

"He mentioned it had something to do with me."

Cyborg leaned forward, "Don't tell me that you didn't piece two and two together."

"What's there to piece together."

Okay, now he was getting irritated, "Raven, you are NOT that naïve!"

"Naïve?" She turned to glare at him.

"Look." Cyborg sighed, "I know you find it easy at times to let things go so you don't get hurt."

"Is that what you think I'm doing?"

"Heh, yes Raven. I do because you only are seeing what you want to see."

"And why would I do that?"

Cyborg stood, "Because as much as I hate to say it, it's what you do Raven. Like I said, it's easier." He headed towards the front door though before he exited, "Both of them…Aqualad and Robin…are in love with you." He was gone, the door closing behind him. Raven's heart ached as she sat back down on the couch and felt her head fall into her hands again. Starfire stood within the hall, her back against the wall as the confusion of Cyborg's words coursed through her.

{ }

[Azul Café]

Cyborg walked into the establishment and immediately spotted Sierra sitting at a table near a window at the back of the café. He called out to her with a wave before making his way over as she motioned for him to do so. He took the seat across from her, "Good morning." she smiled.

"Morning." He smiled as their waiter approached to take their orders. Sierra decided on a decaf coffee accompanied by a blueberry muffin and scrambled eggs. When the waiter got to Cyborg, he asked if he would be ordering his usual and Sierra learned that the young man occasionally comes to the café. He had a caramel latte with double the caramel and extra whipped cream, two chocolate muffins, three eggs sunny-side up and five slices of bacon.

Sierra was impressed, "Nice order Mr. Stone."

"Very much so." Their waiter smiled, "Senor Cyborg is a very loyal customer."

"I bet he is." She winked at him getting Cyborg to blush as their waiter turned to leave and head towards the kitchen. "On second thought John, I'd like to change my order to what Mr. Stone is having."

Their waiter grinned impressed, "Nice." He glanced Cyborg's way, "I like her." He soon went on to the kitchen leaving the two.

Cyborg chuckled, "Yeah." He locked gazes with Sierra, "I like her too."

{ }

[Tokyo, Japan]

Richard zipped his motorcycle through the night streets of Tokyo as I rode on the back, arms wrapped around him tightly. "So where are we headed?" I suggested food at a karaoke bar and he admitted to not going to one in a while.

"Why? Are there none in Jump City?"

He chuckled, "Sure, but the last time I had gone was with my wife on—"

"Wife?"

Richard shook his head, "No uh…I meant to say that I do so with a few friends to celebrate something."

"That's nice." I raised a brow but let his statement about a "wife" pass. "We can go to one of my favorites." He asked me to direct him there and I did so gladly. Soon we pulled into a small parking lot for the Shinobi Funhouse and I could not help feeling all giddy inside as my face lit up. I carefully got off the bike and took a few steps in the bar's direction, "This is it. Oh, I've always wanted to bring you here."

He walked up beside me, "You've always wanted to bring me here?"

Crap. I put on the best smile I could, "I guess 'always' is an exaggeration, but it's the place I've thought about since the café." Richard smiled with a nod as we entered the place and got a greeting from both the host and hostess. "Kiki, C.B. it's nice to see you again." I gave the older couple a hug.

"It's nice to see you too Kida. It's been awhile." Kiki, the host, grinned.

His wife C.B. smiled widely, "Oh and she brought a friend sweetie."

"Hi, it's nice to meet you. I'm Richard." He introduced himself.

C.B. approached him, "It does my heart well to know sweet Kida is being accompanied by a fine young man like yourself." The older woman glanced over at me, "She usually comes in alone."

"Does she?" Richard turned to me with a smile and I could feel my cheeks feel with warmth from slight embarrassment.

"I can be a loner at times." I shrugged.

"So, shall we set you two up in your regular room?" Kiki asked.

I handed my jacket over to him with a smile, "Yes, that would be great." C.B. offered to take Richard's jacket as well and he handed it over. I then led him through the halls and to the room that I've used ever since my first visit.

{ }

[Azul Café]

Cyborg continued on in his conversation with Sierra, their plates completely spotless from the food that they had eaten. "You haven't played 'Dying Zombie 3'?" Sierra chuckled.

"No, I have, I'm just waiting for part four to come out." He stuck his tongue out at her.

"Yeah, me too. I'm not sure why it's going to take until next year but I guess I can wait to find out what happens to Lionel."

"Girl please, it's all about the new upgraded weapons." Cyborg grinned getting another chuckle out of her. He became mesmerized by her smile and wondered when the last time he was able to talk about video games with a girl. Has he ever had such a conversation with someone of the opposite sex?

Sierra picked up on his silent stare, "Victor? What is it?"

"Nothing, I was just wondering…do you actually exist?"

She burst into laughter, "What?"

"I'm serious haha. Why has it taken this long for us to meet?"

Sierra shrugged, "Well I do tend to be tied up in my work at the hospital. Patients and all."

"Of course. It must be hard to not be able to get out much. Though I'm sure your work is very fulfilling."

She grinned as she stirred the coffee in her mug with a spoon, "At times it can be, but what you guys do is also fulfilling."

"Yeah, but you're amazing."

"Oh stop it." Sierra playfully batted her eyelashes.

Cyborg did the same while waving his hand, "Girl you stop."

Sierra burst into laughter again, "And you are hilarious."

"Why thank you, I try haha."

She took a sip of her coffee, "So, how's Raiden?"

"Looks like she's doing well. Raven has her resting some more."

"That must be a relief for Ms. Roth."

"Yeah." Cyborg took a sip from his mug and briefly glanced out the window, "But her mind is clouded with other things."

"Raiden's father?"

"Well Robin he's—"

Sierra raised a brow, "Robin? As in your team leader Robin? He's Richard Grayson?"

"Oh crap!" Why oh why did he let such a secret slip?! "Please, let's keep that between you and I."

"Oh of course! I'll keep it to myself." Sierra assured him. "So, uh…I'm sure there's a whole story behind it all but why wasn't he at the hospital and in Japan?"

Cyborg nodded as he sighed. The next half hour he filled her in on what happened during their trip to the cottage of a friend. He didn't mention that it was Bruce's or that they had any affiliation with the rich Gotham bachelor. "And the next morning, Robin decided he just needed to get away and Japan was the place."

"Wow. I never heard drama like that since I was in high school and my friend's boyfriend was dating our Spanish teacher."

"Now that's just wrong." Cyborg shook his head.

"So do you uh…think that Robin loves Raven?" Sierra circled the tip of her finger around the ring of her mug.

Cyborg sighed, "Well from what I saw and heard…I would say he does."

Sierra smiled, "That's really sweet." Suddenly the alarm on her watch went off startling the both of them.

"Is that a work thing?" He chuckled nervously knowing that their time was about up.

"Yeah, unfortunately. It's to remind me that I have thirty minutes to get to the hospital." She could feel herself growing a little sad as she finished her coffee and begun to pack up her things.

Cyborg watched her, "So is there any chance that we can do this again?"

Sierra smiled at him, "Most definitely."

"Seriously?"

She chuckled as she stood, "Of course! I really had a great time and you're easy to talk to. So open too, which is rare in people nowadays."

"What can I say, I'm an open book." He grinned, "Thanks."

"No, thank you Mr. Stone…for everything." Sierra smiled before leaning over to place a small kiss on his cheek.

"Watch it Ms. Hinta, doing things like that might make me get the wrong idea."

Sierra laughed again, "See you later."

"See you later." He waved as he watched her leave the cafe, a big smile on his face. Things went so much better than he thought they'd go.

Sierra got into her car and adjusted her medical ID upon her lab coat as she thought about how funny and nice a guy Cyborg was. "Sierra?" A voice came through the earpiece within her ear.

"Here."

"How'd things go?"

"Very well thank you."

"Well that's good…and?"

"Subject's an open book, as he himself had quoted so getting a little information was a piece of cake."

"Excellent."

"Though your prediction was correct, there might be something that you won't be too thrilled about concerning Mr. Grayson."

"Really?"

{ }

[Tokyo, Japan – Shinobi Funhouse]

"Into the niiiiiiiiight!" I sung the last verse to a favorite song of mine. Richard cheered me on and I was happy to bow in delight. "How'd I do judge?"

"Beautiful voice darling, five stars." He joked in a fake British accent which was humorous and I thanked him before returning to my seat to have another shot of sake.

"This is fun." Richard grinned.

"Well I'm glad you think so."

"I'm sure it's better when you're not singing alone too."

"Yeah."

"So why come alone?" Did he just bait me? I couldn't help but grow silent as I thought it over. Why did I always come here alone? "Kida?" I must've been silent for a while because he called out to me, but it was faint on my ears. Alone…

{ }

5 years ago…

"Welcome to Shinobi Funhouse!"

"Hi!" Kida smiled a bit taken back by the hosts' friendly nature.

"My name is Kiki!"

"And I'm C.B., it stands for cherry blossom."

"I'm Kida."

"Well Kida-chan, are you here alone?" C.B. asked.

"Oh just for the moment, but a friend of mine will be joining me later." Kida replied.

Kiki grinned, "Is this a SPECIAL friend?"

The young woman blushed, "Bruce? O-Oh no we're really just good friends."

"Aw Kai, his name is Bruce." C.B. turned to her husband.

"Just like our nephew." He smiled before addressing Kida, "Well this must be fate so how about we set you and Bruce in our nice private room in the back."

"We just had it renovated." C.B. clapped.

Kida thought on her feet, "Oh, that sounds like it might cost more than my budget, I—"

"Oh don't worry about it sweetie, we'll give you a gracious discount." C.B. took her by the hand and led her down the halls.

"O-Okay. That's awfully nice of you two."

"Think nothing of it and to celebrate this occasion of fate, complimentary food and drinks are in order."

"Oh no that would be too much!" They finally made it to the private room and Kida was in awe of the nicely decorated room and karaoke setup "It's…gorgeous."

"I'm sure your Bruce will love it."

"Oh he's not my—"

"If you need anything, please let either one of us know okay. Enjoy your evening."

Kida simply smiled in defeat, "Thank you, C.B."

~o~

1 hour later…

Kida sat on the loveseat and looked at her cell phone. He should've been there by now. A sudden phone call snapped her out of as she saw that it was Bruce's contact picture. She answered, "Hey, you're late, where are you?"

"Kida, I'm so sorry."

She sighed, "It's okay just…please make it here."

"Kida…something happened in Gotham and I have to fly back immediately. I won't be able to make it."

Kida's heart sank, "But…we planned this remember because you've been running around Gotham nonstop for the last month and a half. I've been stuck in the manor with Alfred playing dominos and goldfish!"

"I know Kida…*sigh*…I know. I'm sorry and I'll make it up to you I promise. The jet will be back in the morning to pick you up from the hotel."

"Whatever Bruce." She could feel her chest tightening in disappointment.

"Kida…I promise."

Kida ended the call without giving him another response or she might've broken down in tears. She wasn't sure why it hurt because he's done this several times before…why did she think this time would be different. What kind of friend was he? There was a sudden knock on the door, "Kida-chan?" C.B.'s voice came through.

"You can come in."

The coupled entered, "Hey there, we wanted to check up on you since we've been waiting for your Bruce to arrive but—"

"He's not coming." Hearing the words come out of her own mouth pained her heart more.

"Oh no, did something happen to him." C.B. pouted.

"Nothing horrible that is." Kida mumbled.

Kiki patted her on the top of her head, "Oh you poor thing."

"It's okay. He's a busy man and just had some unexpected business he had to tend to." God her excuse was making it harder for her to hold back her tears.

"Well you just enjoy yourself and sing your little heart out, no charge."

Kiki almost choked on his wife's generosity, "What?"

His wife pulled him aside, "This girl just got stood up Kai, it's the least we can do."

He pondered over it and he could feel himself feeling sorry for the young girl. Kiki turned to her with a smile, "Of course. Tonight is on us."

"Oh no, I couldn't—"

"It's no problem at all!" The couple said happily in perfect sync.

{ }

Present day…

"Kida?"

Richard's voice pulled me out of my thoughts, "Uh, yes? Sorry I kind of drifted off into a daydream."

"Was it something I said?" He had a look of concern on his face.

I shook my head, "Not at all, I was just thinking about something from my past."

"I hope it was a happy memory." He smiled.

"Why wouldn't it be." I returned with a grin.

Richard shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe because you had this blank look on your face like you'd seen a ghost."

"Well, good or bad, it's in the past." I grabbed the sake bottle.

"That's one way to look at it." He seemed like he wasn't going to push the topic further. "This room looks like it's a VIP room, I hope it's not expensive."

"Not at all." I took another shot of sake, "It's complimentary."

Richard raised a brow, "Really? How'd you swing that? Rewards program?"

I couldn't help but grin; he was too cute, "No. I've been coming here for about five years and Kiki and C.B. are kind of like family."

"No kidding." He smiled, "Lucky you."

"Lucky us." I winked at him as I raised my sake cup to clink against his.

{ }

[Titans' Tower]

Raven paced back and forth on the roof as she pondered over her conversation she had earlier that morning with Cyborg. Robin loved her? Nothing made sense anymore and she could feel the control over her emotions starting to slip. But did she really not see how Garth might've felt? Or how Robin too—

The sound of the door back into the tower opening disrupted her thoughts and she turned to see Starfire step onto the roof, "Friend Raven?"

"Star? Everything alright?"

The Tamaranian princess approached her, "Yes I…I was just worried about you."

"I'm fine Starfire. Raiden is okay so, I'm okay."

"Yes and I am happy for her improved condition." She smiled weakly, "But I feel like there might be more going on in your cranium."

"Nothing I'd want to discuss but thank you for your concern."

Starfire looked at her with a pleading gaze, "You sure I cannot help?"

"Starfire…" She glanced at her friend and gave in to her puppy dog eyes, "…*sigh*…well…there are quite a few thoughts that's keeping my mind preoccupied."

"What kind of thoughts?"

"None that would make any sense."

Starfire nodded and then dropped her gaze, "Uh, friend Raven, there is another reason I have come to join you here on the top roof." She took a deep breath and exhaled, "I might've engaged in the dropping of eves on a conversation you had with Cyborg this morning."

"What?" Raven masked her shock, "You heard us?"

"Yes, I am sorry but it is what your mind might be dwelling on?"

Raven sighed, "Yeah, I guess."

"Do you…b-believe the things that Cyborg mentioned?"

"What did he mention?" Raven knew what she was referring to because there was only one thing Cyborg could've said that Starfire would care about.

Starfire's heart ached, "That of Robin's feelings…toward you."

Raven grew silent. What was she supposed to say? She herself didn't know what to make out of that piece of information and she would really like to spare Starfire's feelings if such a fact were true. She made her decision concerning Robin and it had been harder and harder to abide by that decision. "To be honest Starfire…I don't know."

"I do not believe it."

"You…don't?" Raven raised a brow.

Starfire rested a hand upon her heart, "I…in my heart I feel a bit torn because I love Robin and I'm certain he shares this same feeling." Raven watched the confusion on her friend's face grow. "We have connected and grown closer to one another recently and I can feel that I am not alone in this. But I am torn because he has gone off to Japan and has not taken any of my calls on the cellular phone."

"He's probably just in his own head Star—"

"He…" She could hear the alien princess' voice crack, "…he has to feel the same way but…why are Cyborg and Aqualad saying something different?"

Raven raised a brow, "Aqualad? He spoke to you about Robin?"

"Yes, almost saying the exact words of Cyborg." Starfire's voice softened, "That Robin…loves you."

"Starfire…" Raven's heart became pained.

Starfire then begun to chuckle lightly, "It is not true." She turned to Raven, "I have been with him Raven and you are NOT the one he loves…it is me."

Raven didn't know why, but her statement really agitated her, "I never said it wasn't you Starfire."

"I just want to protect you from the words of doubt our friends are trying to poison our heads with."

"Doubts? Poison?" Raven lowered her head and snickered as she remembered Cyborg's words to her about seeing what she wanted to see. Perhaps Starfire was doing the same. "Starfire, have you ever considered that the feeling of being 'torn' within yourself is because you're unwilling to see the truth that's being told."

Starfire locked gazes with the dark princess, "What ever do you mean?"

"I'm pretty sure you know what I mean. You're a lot knowledgeable in earthling ways than you were when you first came here so you can drop the innocent alien girl act."

"A pretense? Do you think that is what I am doing? Because if so, then are you implying that Robin is in love with you?" Starfire took a step back.

"Tell me this Starfire, if you think he loves you—"

"I KNOW he loves me!"

"Then WHY is he in Japan and NOT here?!" The sternness in her voice was more present than ever.

"Because!" Starfire begun to felt something within herself that she hadn't felt since Kitten. "Because…"

Raven sighed, "Because he wanted to get away from it all…from the truth of what he feels…what Aqualad feels…even what you feel."

"Stop it."

She shifted her gaze to the right, "Think about what it means to love someone, it's to be with that someone not sulking elsewhere but being right beside them and right now…he's not beside either one of us is he."

"I said stop it!" Something snapped within the alien princess and she released a starbolt at Raven who was caught off guard. The dark-natured girl was hit directly and thrown across the roof. The sudden attack took Starfire by surprise and she couldn't believe what she had just done. She rushed over to her friend, "Raven?! I-I'm so sorry I didn't mean—"

A counterattack from Raven, a kick to the stomach, sent Starfire flying to the opposite side of the roof. Raven slowly got to her feet, "Now we're even." Her words have never been so cold.

Starfire stood, eyes glowing green, "I thought you were my FRIEND."

"I am Star, but I can't coddle your feelings regarding Robin anymore." Raven's eyes illuminated in a white tint.

"You can NOT have him."

"You deserve better than getting your heart broken Starfire."

The alien princess begun to levitate, "Believe me, it will not." She soon flew Raven's way, both hands glowing a green aura.

Raven readied herself, "How did things end up like this?" She lifted herself in the air and rushed in her friend's direction.

{ }

[Tokyo, Japan]

Richard pulled his motorcycle up to the front of my apartment complex. I couldn't help the smile on my face as I hopped off of the cycle and he walked me to the double doors. "I had a lot of fun tonight."

He smiled at me, "Me too. Though I'm sorry we spent all of our evening at the bar."

"Oh I don't mind, it's one of my favorite places in the world." I playfully punched him in his arm.

"Well that makes me feel better."

"You should." We shared a comfortable laugh before we fell silent only to catch a glimpse of the stars above us.

"You know Kida…you are truly extraordinary."

Those words…my heart nearly skipped a beat. They were the same words from… "No I…heh. I can't be."

I could sense he raised a brow in confusion, "Why would you say that?"

"There's so much you don't know about me Richard and one being that I don't have many friends."

"Well, you just made a pretty okay one." He looked down at me with the softest smile before bending over to place a small kiss on my temple. The warmth of it spread through me as I felt the blush upon my cheeks.

"Thank you, Richard."

"No need for thanks. Goodnight Kida." He gave me one last smile before we walked away and got on his bike.

"Goodnight Richard." He soon started the engine and drove off. I watched the bike's taillights until they faded out into the night. My lips slowly formed themselves into a smirking grin. I hope to see you soon Richard "Nightwing" Grayson. I turned to sway my hips as I headed into the building. Very soon.