Keefe
Chapter 12
matches9524

Disclaimer: Own nothing.

Thanks to: (In order of the dates I recieved them) I also got a lot of reviews on this one, so there will be a lot of simple notes to you, unless it was something that needed more. :D
Sneal: Raven hadn't thought about it, she's just used to being herself.
Lessa-13-2004: Thanks, I will try.
JuniorBins: Thanks, I will try to as soon as I am able.
ms-piggy: I'm flattered. Thank you so much.
kittykat: I will. I'm glad you gave me an idea too! I'm flattered that I got so many reviews from you! And I will update RE soon too!
MysticSista: I have no clue why that happened to you.
MysticSistaKitsune: LMAO, I will try really hard to update soon. Please keep the sock monkey away, it scares me!!!
RavenGhost: Thanks! I have a question though, what exactly is my writing style?
the-lost-raven: You emailed it to your friends? Wow, thanks!!!! I can't believe someone actually liked my story that much!
Yumi Yakahumi: Thank you so much. I will.
teentitanstruefriend: Thanks, I apprieciate it!
With Wind: Officially, I am pleased. :)
BlackCresent (roguewannabe29): Hmmm, I will try to update, but I have to actually write the chapter. :D
Pookey: Thanks
cindycindy549: Yes it is sad, but it's necessary to the plot. Thanks!
DarkBird1345: Thanks, I will.
Phantom44: Thanks, I try really hard on the grammar since almost no one else seems to. Thanks for the drugs! ;D
Voltor: Wow, thanks!
european chick: Thanks! I will!

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Early the next morning, Keefe got out of bed for a glass of water.

The silver pitcher was on ice, as were empty tumblers, on the end of Raven's vanity.

He poured a glass, and drank the cool liquid. As it flooded into his dry throat, he observed the vanity.

Raven had placed a vase of blue flowers in the middle and flanked it with a jewelery box on one side and the makeup chest on the other. His eyes traveled up the mirror that was attached to the table, and onto the snapshot she had placed there earlier.

Keefe slowly placed his cup on the desk and removed the picture, staring.

He stared for a long time, then coming to his senses, looked to Raven.

And she looked back. Being a light sleeper, she had been awoken when he had left the bed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know what had happened when I put that up there, and when I got back I didn't think to take it down," she whispered into the still air.

"It's not that. It's just... I've been looking for this since I was fourteen. Where did you find it?" he asked, waving at her.

"It fell out of the seat cushion in the History Room."

"Oh." His face fell. He turned his back to Raven, and got something out of their minibar. Then the mighty ruler slumped against the wall and slid down, a bottle of whiskey in his hand.

He began to unscrew the lid, but as he lifted it to his frowning mouth, it shattered in his hand. The glass sliced his fingers, and the emancipated whiskey flew everywhere.

"God damn it Raven!" He shouted, slamming his head back against the wall. Raven winced as it made contact. She was relived to see no blood.

"I don't care what the problem is Keefe! I will not let you drink it away!" She yelled in her defense, her face reddening.

"You bring up something I've been trying to forget for eight years! Did you ever think there was a reason as towhy I had their names outlawed in my country?!?" His head was against the wall still, now he closed his eyes. Raven saw the glimmer of a tear roll down his cheek. Quietly he said "Never mind, you wouldn't understand."

"Tell me Keefe. If I'm so ignorant, then please, enlighten me," She said coldly. Getting out of her warm bed, she crossed the open floor to Keefe's dresser and pulled out a grey plaid flannel shirt.The kindlumberjacks wore back home. "I'm going on a walk. I don't know when I'll be back. Don't bother following me." Putting on the shirt, which fell past her knees, she walked past Keefe and out into the hallway.

"Hey guys? Is there like a-a-a-, a greenhouse, or a conservatory here?" She asked the night shift guards, Brent and Thomas.

"Yes ma'am. 6th floor, northwest corner."

"Thanks," she said, not really going. More like lingering.

"Is everything alright milady? Because we heard-" Brent started, but Thomas elbowed him in the ribs.

"You heard all that, huh." It wasn't a question. "I'll see you guys later." They nodded as she walked away.

As she reached the staircase near the main doors that led to the rest of the planet, she heard whispers and snickers. She looked over in one of the several shadowy corners, and saw a small group of giggling young women.

They were draped in colorful gauze, and they had absolutly no modesty whatsoever. Raven saw things that she prefered to see only in the mirror when she was alone3. Perhaps they were Chesmerian prostitutes? Did Keefe even allow that? Probably not. He didn't seem the type.

She caught snatches of their conversation as she mounted the spiral stairs.

"-her legs? They're so big..."

"-is purple... who actually has purple hair these days?"

"-can't believe he wants to marry her. Who cares if he's been planning on it for two years?"

Did she say two years? No, she couldn't have. Raven blew it off as a miscommunication. Not that they were communicating in the first place. Tuning them out, she trekked to the sixth floor.

With exausted legs, she lumbered to the northwest wing of the floor.

Two large oak doors stood before here, much like the ones guarding the History Room. Except, here, there was no guard.

Raven's attempt at pulling open the doors to the gardens proved fruitless. (AN: No pun intended.) She used her magicks, and out came the doors, welcoming her inside.

Stepping in, she looked around. There were all types of plants, and most were exotic, causing the conservatory to look more like a jungle than anything else. Birds and animals were everywhere.

As Raven was examining a rose, which happened to be two feet wide, something soft rubbed against her exposed leg.

Turning around and springing back, she looked down to see a baby jaguar. She leant down and rubbed his furry head.

Casting her gaze down the aisle, she saw a large rustle in the plants.

She headed towards it, intent on checking it out, andthe movement of the plants next to her signified that it had moved there.

She stuck her hands into the foliage, and as she hit something warm she heard, "Well Raven. It's been a while."

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