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Chapter Two: Declaration of War

Three years ago, Raven had referred to this as 'the impossible.'

And somehow it had happened.

Now what was she going to do? With Trigon defeated, life opened up, spread out ahead of the half-demon in a series of roads and paths she could take. Yet, she couldn't imagine ever straying down any but one of them. Long before she knew happiness she had stumbled across the place where she would find it: with the Titans. But there was something else, too.

Had she not focused so tightly on Trigon during the last few months' meditation, she would have seen it coming: the way she trusted and relied on him, the way she saw so much in common between them, the way her eyes always found him immediately when she entered a room. But everyone is wiser in hindsight, and Raven only saw how set her heart had become on Robin when she finally freed herself from Trigon's ominous influence. She hugged him out of gratitude, and he held her back. When Beast Boy interrupted the life-altering moment, she had to act like nothing had happened, act like her leader hadn't just unknowingly crashed through her emotional barriers, and it hurt.

It hurt because three years ago, when she had still regarded that day as 'the impossible,' she had, metaphorically, given Robin to Starfire. Raven was so far gone, but where would she get off coming into the battle this late, especially when Robin so obviously reciprocated Starfire's attentions?

All Raven had to do was turn her head ninety degrees and she would see Starfire sweetly flirting with a smiling Robin on the couch. She could hear the conversation. She could sense the emotions: attraction and friendship on the cusp of becoming young love. She didn't want to see it, too.

Like a kick in the head, it dawned on Raven that if she didn't put in her hand now, she would lose her chance forever. Starfire had been working on gaining Robin's affection for years, but since she had had no competition, she had taken her time and let it grow naturally enough while she acclimated to Earth and Robin went through his unhealthy obsessions. He taught her- as did the rest of the team- and she supported him- as did the rest of the team. They didn't overstep the line of friendship yet, but Raven saw her last chance about to slip away.

For the first time in her life, she wouldn't let it.

But Azar raised Raven as a polite and fair competitor, so Raven's first step was clear.

"Hey Starfire," the empath called to the girl on the other end of the couch. Her voice, though quiet, never failed to capture the attention of the room, especially since she was the star of the day.

"Yes, Raven?" the red-headed alien answered immediately and amicably.

Raven prayed to Azar for her survival before gritting her teeth and asking, "Want to go to the mall?"

All three boys, Cyborg and Beast Boy in the kitchen and Robin beside Starfire on the couch, stared at Raven, wondering very seriously if she had lost her mind.

Starfire, however, wholeheartedly agreed to the proposal, and, in usual form, stood and pulled Raven out of the building before the half-demon could change her mind. To Starfire's credit, it was a good idea, because if Raven had time to change and actually think about what she was about to face, she would certainly rescind her invitation.

The boys remained where they stood, still shocked and worried for Raven's sanity. Beast Boy voiced his concern, "Um, Robin, dude, are you sure you got the right Raven out of that big scary whole in the ground?"

Robin turned to glare at his young teammate, scolding, "Of course I got 'the right Raven.' I'd know Raven anywhere."

Robin watched the figures of the two girls fly over the water towards the city and wondered in what ways had that day changed his friend. He hoped not so much that they wouldn't recognize her.

Starfire gasped so dramatically it made Raven want to look around for villains.

"Raven, this shirt is absolutely perfect for you!" the alien cried, picking up a belted blue peasant shirt off the rack.

Raven took one look at it as Starfire thrust it into her hands before returning it to the rack.

"Thanks, Star, but I actually asked you here so I could talk to you," Raven told her companion.

Starfire smiled. "I would love to do the talking with you, Raven, but while we talk, we should as well shop, since we are here. Do you remember how you once referred to defeating your father as 'the impossible?' Well, now that you have triumphed, you should enjoy your life more, and I'm going to help you by clothing you better."

"You got something against my outfit?" Raven asked with slight offense.

Starfire's eyes opened wide and she said, "No! Of course not! Your outfit is wonderful! I just love this... Dark, drab cloak that you always wear..." Starfire took on a pleading look and begged, "Oh please let me help clothe you differently, you have so much of the potential to look 'smoking hot' as Beast Boy says, and you just waste it!"

Raven sighed. "Star, can I talk to you before you try and make me pretty? You might not want to afterwards."

Starfire tilted her head in question, saying, "I believe you have 'caught my attention' Continue."

Raven gulped. Was she imagining it, or was Star staring down at her a bit harder than usual? Deep breaths.

"You know," Raven started awkwardly, "It's funny that you should bring up the time I called this 'the impossible.' You wouldn't happen to remember what we were talking about when I said that?"

Immediately Starfire answered, "I was explaining to you that I intended to pursue romantic involvement with Robin, and why."

Raven nearly grimaced, but held it back. "Yeah, that's right. Starfire, you know you're my best friend, right?"

"And you are mine," the alien beauty assured the nervous half-demon. Starfire sensed how unsure Raven was, and took her hand for encouragement.

"And I'd never do anything to hurt you intentionally?" Raven continued.

"Of course you wouldn't. Now, my friend, tell me what is troubling you, and how it relates to the conversation we had years ago," Starfire prompted kindly.

With a deep breath, Raven said, "If it's not too late, I am interested in that competition now."

Starfire's eyes looked blankly back at her shorter friend for a moment before what Raven feared most happened: Starfire slowly pulled her hand from Raven's.

After a very tense, silent moment Starfire checked, "You refer, I would imagine, to the competition I offered to you for Robin's partnership?"

Raven nodded silently, only keeping outwardly calm by chanting her mantra in her head.

Starfire thought for a moment, in which Raven assured herself that she had just destroyed their friendship, before a wide smile spread across her golden face. In a split second the Tameranian began clapping in joy. Raven's jaw nearly dropped, but of course she retained her dignity and kept her mouth closed.

"Oh this is wonderful!" Starfire exclaimed, running to wrap her powerful arms around her friend. "Raven, you are in love! Isn't it a most magical feeling? Congratulations!"

Though air was scarce in Starfire's bear hug, Raven managed to gasp, "You're not mad?"

Golden arms pushed gray shoulders back. "Of course I am not mad. A rival for Robin's heart will make my victory or loss much more honorable. And besides, from what I've seen on the operas of soap that do not involve washing, the triangles of love can become very interesting. I look forward to it," Starfire said, shoving her hand out to shake Raven's. The girl took the hand, and they shook.

"To a wonderful contest for the object of both our love," Starfire declared.

"Uh huh," Raven agreed, shell-shocked into silence.

"Now! Shall we continue the shopping of clothing?" Starfire asked.

"Actually, Star, I'd rather just go home-"

"Nonsense! If you wish to compete with me for Robin, we will both need attractive new clothing with which to tempt him," Starfire declared shamelessly. A nearby woman stared at the alien like she thought she needed mental help. Raven's expression wasn't much different.

"Ah, Star, why would you want to help me?"

"We will begin our competition tomorrow, and I-oh that dress is pretty- I want a level playing field to start off. I have claimed Robin's attention for a very long time, and that cannot be changed, but we will both at least look our best when we begin."

Raven eventually shrugged. She took the three dresses and two tops Starfire had already found and headed towards the fitting room. Might as well, right?

A/N: See? Told you it wasn't Star-bashing.

So, I had originally thought to make a full, long story out of this. I was so convinced that I'd 'get around to it' that these two chapters have been waiting on my computer, fully written, for going on 2 years now. But looking back, I realized that there is no way to end this story. I can't have one of them just win because that would be illogical. Do you really think Robin would just choose one after they'd been doing all sorts of competitions, and each trying to seduce him, and all the other stuff they'd be doing? He doesn't seem like that type of guy. Any other scenario I thought of would probably just destroy the team. Besides, I don't really think that love triangles make good plot devices. I thought this was funny. But, I couldn't make a story based solely around a love triangle. Those never work. So this will not be continued any further.

So, I'm just giving y'all something fun I dusted off. Please leave a review with your thoughts!

Cheers!

Disclaimer: All trademarks and copyrights are being borrowed for entertainment, not profit. None of the characters or locations from this story belong to me. In case ya didn't know.