AN: Hey all, here to say update time! ^0^ hahaha buut, you all know that already. So, I'll quit my talking, and let you get to reading. :) Please don't forget to review!
As they enter the pit, Wolf examines all the decorations and upbeat music. Many couples are out on the floor, dancing to the club-like music. There are balloons, ribbons, and fancy tables scattered throughout the Pit. Wolf scans the room, looking for any familiar faces. "Hey! I see Scarlett, Duke and Ripcord. C'mon Snake!" She grabs his arm and easily pulls him towards their teammates. "Hey guys!" She calls out. Duke turns and his mouth drops open. He nudges Ripcord, who turns with Scarlett, an arm draped around her waist. His mouth drops open as well once he catches sight of Wolf. Scarlett nudges them as Wolf approaches with Snake Eyes. "Hey Scarlett." Wolf smiles, then looks at Duke and Ripcord. A puzzled expression crosses her face. "What's with them?" Snake silently sidles closer to Wolf, and both Duke and Ripcord snap their mouths shut. Scarlett frowns at her date. "They left their manners in their rooms apparently." She says dryly. "But Wolf! You look stunning!" She gushes. Wolf laughs. "Thanks Scarlett. You look great too." Wolf turns to Duke and Ripcord. "You guys look nice too." She smiles at them. Their black and white tuxes look good next to Scarletts' deep red, strapless dress.
A lively song comes on, and Scarlett squeals. "Come on Rip, lets' dance! I love this song!" Duke laughs at the pair and sits at a nearby table with a glass of punch in his hand. He watches Scarlett tug a disgruntled Ripcord to the dance floor.
Wolf sits in an empty chair across from Duke, then looks up at Snake Eyes. "Please?" She asks. He gives a slight nod and moves away. He returns quickly with a glass of punch, and hands it to her. Duke looks at Wolf puzzled. "How…" He begins. Wolf chuckles. "It's a ninja thing." She winks at Snake, and his body shifts slightly, so she knows he's laughing with her. Duke just smiles at her and shakes his head. Soon, the song ends and Scarlett skips back, dragging a tired-looking Ripcord. "Man, that song was fast!" Ripcord says, breathlessly. Scarlett giggles. "It was fun!" Duke laughs at Ripcords tired expression. "She wear you out dude?" He chuckles when Ripcord lightly punches his shoulder. "At least I have a date, bro." Duke looks at him indignantly. "I do too have a date. She just isn't here yet." Ripcord looks surprised. "Anna?" Duke nods, and Ripcord smiles. "Good luck then." Snake Eyes turns his head in Dukes direction. "You will need it my friend." Duke nods and smiles at Wolf. "You aren't going to dance?" He asks. She shrugs. "Maybe in a little while. I haven't finished my punch yet." Ripcord nods. "Ya know, Wolf, a drink sounds like a very good idea." He laughs as Scarlett makes a face. "I want to keep dancing Rip…" She says. Duke stands and offers a hand to her. "I'll dance with you while Rip recuperates." Her face lights up as she tugs him to the dance floor.
Wolf just chuckles as Snake Eyes sits next to her, an arm casually draped around her shoulder, while they watch people dance. She finishes her punch and carefully sets the empty glass on the table. Snake stands, and offers his hand to her as a new song begins to play. "Care to dance, Lady Wolf?" she grins and takes his proffered hand. "My pleasure, Sir Snake." She giggles as he sweeps her out to the floor. They find that the crowd on the dance floor is thinning because of the constant energetic music. Snake Eyes spins Wolf and pulls her close. "Remember this song?..." He whispers in her ear. She gasps and nods as a buried memory floods her mind.
"Snake! Wait up!" A young Wolf pants, running in the dim light of twilight. "Shh!..." He waves her over to his side and hold up a small radio. "You got it?" She squeaks. "Wolfie...hush!" He whispers. She pouts. "Don't call me Wolfie!" She sticks her tongue out at him. "Then don't be so loud." He shrugs and smiles at her. "C'mon Wolf!" Snake grabs her hand and pulls her along behind him. They stop at an old, abandoned building. "Perfect." Snake whispers. He quickly pulls Wolf inside. Wolf smiles. "Can we? Can we now?" She looks up hopefully at his face. He laughs and turns on the radio. "Yay!" Wolf squeals in delight. She starts hopping around to the music. Snake laughs again and grabs her hand, spinning her in a circle. "Again!" She giggles. He complies, and spins her again, a slight smile on his face. "Wanna learn a new dance Wolf? I watched some of the adults, and it looked fun." She nods happily, some curls falling in her eyes. Snake chuckles and gently brushes the curls away. "Can you see now?" He says playfully. "Yes.." Wolf frowns and he places a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'm teasing sweetheart. Want to dance now?" She nods and he carefully takes her hands in his. They begin to dance in the dusty room, laughing all the while. Suddenly, the master walks in. "Wolf! Snake! What have I told you about that music? And dancing!" He frowns at the two downcast children. "Of all the…" He mutters. He has to cough to hide a laugh as he see Wolf and Snake exchange a small, yet unrepentant smile; Wolfs' little hand still entwined in Snakes' larger one. "You two are forbidden to dance to this kind of music!" He thunders. "And I mean it this time." He looks sternly at his two pupils. "Yes master." They chorus and swiftly leave the room. As soon as they make it outside, Wolf begins to giggle. "That was fun Snake." He laughs and ruffles her hair with his free hand. "It sure was. Maybe we can dance again later." She nods enthusiastically, then yawns. "I'm sleepy…carry me?" She reaches her arms up, and Snake picks her up with a sigh. "I can't carry you forever, you know, Wolf." She nods into his chest, her little arms wrapped around his neck. "I love you Snake." She whispers and places a light kiss on his neck. He smiles and continues walking. Entering their dorm, Snake unwraps her arms from his neck, and gently lays her on her sleeping mat. She's already fast asleep. "I love you too Christine." He whispers and kisses her cheek, then lays beside her on his own sleeping mat, one arm protectively placed around her waist.
"I remember…" Wolf says. "I was six and you were ten. I had only been there a year. Master sure was mad that day." She laughs as Snake Eyes twirls her. He nods and leans close. "Let's show these people how to dance." Her eyes sparkle and she nods, with a small smile on her face. Snake spins her and they begin to dance to the music. Really dancing. The area around them clears as they continue to dance. At the end of the song, applause is heard all throughout the Pit. Wolf blushes as Snake Eyes bows to her, so she curtsies in return. He still has hold of one hand as the Joes once again fill the dance floor. He leads her back to the table, where Duke, Ripcord, and Scarlett wait. A slow song comes on and Ripcord grins. "Come on Scarlett. Let's dance." She smiles and allows herself to be led to the dance floor.
Snake looks at Wolf. "Maybe the next one Snake." She sits in a chair as he nods. She looks out at Ripcord and Scarlett on the dance floor. Suddenly, a tall woman with long, black hair, in a tight black dress crosses her vision. Wolf frowns and rubs her eyes, then watches the woman walk up to Duke and kiss him. Duke smiles and spins the woman around, but her eyes don't leave his face. "Anna, this is Snake Eyes and Wolf. Wolf just joined out team not long ago." Anna smiles and turns her head to face Wolf. Her eyes widen in surprise as she sees the red-head. "You?" Anna exclaims. "What are you doing here, Fang?"