CHAPTER 6

"That's it for today!" Their teacher called, "Pack away your things carefully. And don't forget to label them!"

Raven sighed as she put her chemicals away. This was the only lesson she had without any of the lads or Hotaru. And she was so sick and tired of the lads in her class trying to make passes at her.

'When are they going to get it?' She thought to herself, as she picked up her bag, 'I work alone in this class.'

Ignoring the looks directed at her, Raven left the room. Unfortunately she walked straight into Relena Peacecraft.

"Just the person I was looking for." Relena smiled, looping her arm through Raven's, "I need to speak with you immediately."

Before Raven could protest, Relena dragged her off down the corridor.

Hotaru glanced round nervously. There were quite a few lads eyeing her, whilst she waited for her cousin.

"Dammit. She said she'd be here." She muttered, "Where is she?"

"Hey! Taru!"

Turning she saw Trowa and Wufei walking over.

"Didn't know you had a lesson over here." Trowa said, "Thought you had a free period now."

"I do." Hotaru replied, "Raven was meant to meet me here. I was hoping to buy a car today."

"Rave's lesson should have ended by now." Wufei shrugged, "I'll check the classroom."

Wufei headed into the classroom, as Hotaru and Trowa lent against the wall outside.

A few minutes later he walked out.

"The class left about ten minutes ago." Wufei told them, "Raven was one of the first to leave."

"Just great!" Hotaru sighed, "The day we arrange to get my car she vanishes!"

"Trowa! Wufei! Hotaru!" Duo cried running up, with Quatre, "You seen Heero? We have a major problem on our hands."

"What do you mean?" Trowa asked, "Raven's missing too."

"Raven isn't missing." Quatre answered, "We know where she is. And need Heero to get her out."

"Whoa slow down a minute." Hotaru said, "Now tell us what's going on."

"Peacecraft collared Raven as she left her lesson. Dragged her off." Duo explained, "She's got Raven locked inside the Beauty Therapist room. I heard from some of the lasses outside that they planned on doing a full make over on her. Whether or not she liked it."

"Not good." Hotaru stated, "What was Heero's last lesson?"

"Didn't have one. I was in the library." Heero answered as he walked up, after hearing Hotaru's question, "Something wrong?"

Instead of answering, Trowa, Duo, Wufei and Quatre began pulling him off in the direction of the Beauty Therapist room. With Hotaru leading the way.

Raven glanced round at the lasses in the room. She knew they'd locked the door. And that she couldn't fight them off, not properly.

"Sohmara, why don't you sit down?" Relena suggested a smile on her face.

Raven looked over at her.

"No thanks. I prefer to stand." She replied, remaining beside the window.

Yet her refusal wasn't accepted. Four of the other lasses in the room grabbed her and forcefully sat her down in the chair. They then tied her to it.

"What should we do first?" One of them asked, "I think she needs colour on her checks."

"Yeah and some glitter on her eyelids with a hint of colour under it." Another added, "Then perhaps her hair could be lightened."

"We could style it different too. Add some ribbons." Relena smiled, "The only thing after that would be her dress sense."

Raven tensed. She hadn't expected this off Relena. But she was still suck. However she had a small advantage. The lasses hadn't searched her. She always carried a small penknife with her. Carefully she slipped it out and began to cut her ties.

They arrived at the Beauty Therapist room. Heero had been told what was going on, on the way. And he was furious. Now they saw a large group of people were gathered outside the room.

"You heard? Peacecraft is planning a make over on that Sohmara lass." One lad said, "Didn't think she liked that sort of thing."

Heero pushed himself through the crowd. Hotaru, Wufei and Trowa at his heels. They reached the door and found it locked. Hotaru glanced round then, manoeuvred herself towards the lock. Silently she placed her hand over the lock.

"Kolcun." She whispered.

The lock unlocked.

"All yours Heero." She said to him, moving out the way.

Heero opened the door and walked in. His arrival surprised everyone in the room. So much so they moved away from where Raven was tied to the chair. Raven saw her chance and dived out the chair and rolled away from the lasses. Her ties cut.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Heero yelled, as Raven grabbed a cleansing cloth and began wiping all the make up off her face.

"We were giving Sohmara a make over." One of the lasses retorted, "Don't you think she should at least look a bit like a lass? Walking around disgracing females by the way she dresses and looks."

"You're the disgrace!" Hotaru cried, "You tie Raven down to give her a make over. Why not ask the people who know her if she needs one. They'd tell you she's fine the way she is. Beauty through make up is only skin deep."

"Raven you okay?" Heero asked, turning to where Raven was still wiping the make up off.

"Will be once I get this stuff off." She answered, grabbing another cloth, "Gesh how much did they have to use."

It surprised a few people when Heero took the cloth off her, and began wiping the make up off her using the cloth.

"There you go." He smiled, "Back to the old you."

Raven smiled back at him.

"Let's go Rave." Duo said, "It'll be lunch in a few minutes."

"Always thinking of your stomach aren't you!" Hotaru teased, walking out the room with him, Quatre and Trowa.

Wufei followed with Heero and Raven, ignoring everyone else.

Heero glanced down at Raven's sleeping form. It was Saturday. Raven and Heero had headed out the back of Twilight manor to get some peace and quiet. They'd found a small clump of trees and sat leant against them. At first they'd talked for a while, but then he'd realised she was tired. So now she was laid asleep with her head resting in his lap.

'What is it about you that makes me feel the way I do?' Heero thought as he moved some of Raven's hair off her face, 'Why can't I stand it when other lads stare at you?'

A small breeze ruffled his hair.

"Raven… why is it that I can't stand to be without you?" He asked softly.

"Heero?"

Heero looked up to see Evan had found them. Evan smiled as he saw Raven asleep.

"How long has she been resting?" He asked, sitting down.

"Twenty minutes or so." Heero answered, "Why?"

"She hasn't been able to rest much lately." Evan explained, "Although only Reba sleeps in her room now that the other dogs are in the side house. Raven still hasn't slept a full night through. I know this because of Reba. He gets agitated when something is wrong with her. I don't know why."

"None of us have even noticed." Heero sighed, gently brushing Raven's hair, "She's good at hiding things from everyone."

"That's Raven for you. It seems she can fool everyone, but Reba." Evan said, rubbing his arms as the wind picked up, "Heero, I won't conceal it from you. But I'm worried for her. Because she was sent elsewhere to grow up. Raven has had to learn everything she can about her family, her parents and her inheritance. I think she may have over done things. Either that or she's discovered something I don't know about."

As it began to rain, Evan stood up. Heero followed suit, lifting Raven into his arms.

"By the way…" Evan said as they headed back to the manor, "In answer to your earlier question. The reason you can't stand to be without her, is because you're in love with her."

Heero stopped walking and stared at him.

"Heero, I suspect I'm not the only one to have realised that you care deeply for Raven." Evan continued, stopping himself and facing him, "I ask only one thing of you. Tell her. Show her how much she means to you. But never hurt her. It will no doubt help her and you. Plus I believe she cares for you too."

"How can you say that for sure?" Heero argued, "Unless she's told you. Which I doubt. Raven isn't the kind of person to…"

"Spill the beans about the one she loves?" Evan finished for him, "I agree. She isn't. But I know she cares for you. Raven shows it by the way she reacts around you. No one else will she feel comfortable enough around to fall asleep near. And she would never dream of doing such a thing with her head in their lap. Unless of course she cared for them."

Heero stood in silence. The rain started falling faster.

"I think we best get inside." Evan said, and carried on walking.

Heero followed him, deep in thought.

Raven waited patiently as Hotaru wandered round the many different cars in the showroom.

"Can I help you Miss?" One of the salesmen asked.

"Yes, I'm after buying a Bentley convertible." Hotaru answered, "Are these the only ones you have?"

The salesmen looked at Hotaru slightly put off.

'I bet he's thinking she can't afford one and that she's here to waste his time.' Raven thought, walking over to the manager's office, 'Best give her a hand.'

Raven knocked on the door, as the salesman tried to coax Hotaru into looking at a more affordable car.

"Come in!" A voice called.

Raven opened the door and walked in.

"How you doing David?" Raven asked, gently closing the door, "Still trying to get people into jeeps?"

"Raven!" David cried in surprise, getting up and walking round his desk to her, "It's great to see you again. Finally decided to let me sell you a different car?"

Raven laughed.

"Not me. I prefer my jeep as you well know. Especially since it seats six people easy." She replied, "However, my cousin is having trouble outside with one of your Salesmen. He seems to think she can't afford the car she wants."

David laughed.

"Well I doubt she looks the type to have a lot of money." He smiled, opening the door, "Will you lead me to her. Perhaps I can help out."

Raven nodded and led him over to where Hotaru was starting to get really annoyed with the salesman.

"Look. I came here to buy a car. A Bentley convertible to be exact." She stated, her arms folded, "Why the hell are you refusing to answer my questions about them!"

"Can I help here?" David asked.

"Sir, this young woman…" The salesman began, but stopped as he spotted Raven stood beside him.

"I'll deal with this customer Paul." David said and shooed him away.

"You alright, Taru?" Raven asked.

"Fine. But did you have to go off and leave me?" She answered.

"I went to get David." Raven smiled, "He's the Manager here."

Hotaru looked surprised at David.

"I'm sorry about Paul. I believe it was the way you don't flaunt your wealth that made him think you couldn't afford the car you want." David said, "You expressed the wish of buying a Bentley convertible. Did you want a specific size?"

"Large enough to seat four people at least." Hotaru answered.

David led the way over to where some convertibles were parked.

"The largest we have is the four seater." David explained, "Did you have a certain colour in mind?"

"Black paintwork." Hotaru replied, "Black and red interior."

David nodded.

"The specific colours you want will have to be ordered." He told her, as she inspected a four seater convertible, "But if you wish to place an order, I can have the car ready by Thursday for you to pick up."

Hotaru smiled.

"Thank you, that would be great." She said.

David led her into his office to complete the paperwork. Once done he saw them to the door of the showroom and waved them off. He then headed back to his office, bumping into Paul on his way.

"A word of advice, Paul." He told him, "Don't judge a person on their appearance. You may get them wrong."

"Why do you say that sir?" Paul asked.

"That young lass that just left." David explained, "She has just bought a four seater Bentley convertible. She had the money to do so. I would encourage you to be more respectful to customers in the future. Especially when they are the cousin of a very wealthy customer and friend."

Paul just looked stunned. David left him and went into his office, shutting the door behind him.

Hotaru smiled secretly as she sat working in the library. It was Friday and she had an assignment to finish. Yet her mind kept wandering to her new car that was sat in the college car park. Shaking her head clear, she began working again.

"What you up to Taru?" Trowa asked as he sat down at her table.

"That English assignment." Hotaru answered, "You seen Raven? I could do with checking her notes again."

Trowa smiled.

"I think she got collared by Heero for something." He said, passing over a notebook, "Use my notes if you want."

"Thanks." Hotaru replied, taking the book, "Have you noticed the way those two act around each other? It seems they care for each other. More then they try to let on."

"So you've noticed as well." Trowa laughed, "Wufei and I have seen the signs. I believe Evan has even said something to Heero about it. But I'm not sure what Heero will do about it. He's not someone who is used to emotions."

"Like you're not really used to talking much, Mr. Circus performer." Hotaru teased, "And Wufei isn't used to working alongside onnas as their weak."

Trowa stared at her.

"I know you guys are the Gundam Pilots." Hotaru explained quietly, "I found out late last night, whilst on Rave's laptop. She didn't have any files on it. Just was hacking into some networks and stumbled across the facts. Somehow I think Raven wanted me to find out. Considering you weren't going to tell me. And she wouldn't since it's not her secret to tell."

Trowa nodded.

"You aren't angry?" He checked, "Considering it was us Raven was helping that time when she lost contact with the others. And Evan called you worried."

"Nah doesn't bother me." Hotaru smiled, "The looks on your faces told me you knew nothing about it. Therefore I have nothing to blame on you. However, when I meet the ones who didn't help her. They will get an earful from me."

Trowa covered his mouth to cover the sound of his laughter.

"Come on, let's get out of here." Hotaru smirked, packing her books away into her bag, "I'll give you the honour of being my first passenger in my car."

Trowa stood up with her and they left the library.

"Wow. Ain't it a great car?" Dorothy muttered.

"Yeah, it's great." Hildi murmered, "Shame Relena doesn't get one like it."

Dorothy and Hildi giggled quietly as Relena walked up.

"Hey you seen that car!" A lad nearby called, "Wonder who it belongs too!"

Duo, Quatre, Wufei, Heero and Raven walked out the college and headed for Raven's jeep. Next to it was a convertible.

"Cool!" Duo cried, about to run his hand along it.

"Wouldn't do that if I were you." Raven warned, "Or you may find yourself lacking in a certain area."

Duo immediately jumped back from the car and got in the jeep. Wufei and Quatre got in the back with him, as Heero got in the front, with Raven driving.

"Aren't we waiting for Trowa and Hotaru?" Quatre asked.

"Hotaru's driving her own car, and Trowa's getting a lift off her." Raven answered, "Here she comes."

Hotaru caught everyone's attention as she headed straight for the convertible. She climbed into the driver's seat, with Trowa getting into the passenger seat.

"Ready to go Cuz?" She asked revving her engine.

Raven nodded and pulled out her parking spot. She skidded round and drove off. Hotaru followed her lead, pulling a brilliant 90 degrees skid, before driving off.

Heads stared after her in amazement.

Both cars pulled up next to each other in the garage.

"Nice car Taru." Duo commented, "Was gonna ask if you could handle it. But after seeing you in the parking lot, I think I know the answer already."

Hotaru just smiled at him and followed Raven and the others into the house.

"Raven, you're wanted in the study." Evan told her, as she hung up her car keys, "Master Leon and Master Diego need to go over some forms with you, as well as some contracts."

Raven sighed and headed for the study. Hotaru noticed Heero watched her as she left.

"For Christ's sake." She cried, gaining everyone's attention.

She walked over to Heero and shoved him against the wall. Then she held a gun to his head. It wasn't his gun. But a black one with a red taint.

"Heero, let me say this now, whilst I know I have your full attention." Hotaru said, as Evan kept the others back, "You really like Raven. Hell I know she likes you. So for bloody Hell's sake do something about it before you drive me crazy. All this watching her and being close to her. Geesh!"

Hotaru then backed off from him, but didn't lower the gun. Duo was staring at her, then Heero. A look of shock on his face.

"Now are you going to do something about it or what?" She demanded, clicking the safety off.

"She means business." Wufei muttered, surprised

"You can always depend on Hotaru to get things sorted." Evan stated, "Especially if it's starting to drive her crazy."

"I'm waiting…" Hotaru said, her foot tapping on the floor.

"…I have something planned out." Heero told her finally, "Just…I…"

"…Need to ask her?" Hotaru finished, "When do you have this planned out for?"

"Tonight." Heero answered, glancing away.

"Fine." Hotaru said, clicking the safety back on the gun and sliding it away somewhere on her person.

"That's your gun!" Duo gasped.

Hotaru rolled her eyes at him. Raven walked in then with Diego and Leon.

"Evan the last things that need sorting I'll leave for you." Raven told him, "You know the suppliers and that."

Evan nodded.

"Raven you busy tonight?" Hotaru asked, casually, "Only Heero plans on going out, and all of us have assignments to complete. Plus Wufei has some training for that martial arts competition tomorrow."

The lads looked at her shocked.

"No I'm not busy." Raven answered, getting a glass of water, "You can read through my assignment if you want. It's on my desk in my room."

Hotaru smiled, and glanced at Heero.

"So what time you want to get going?" Raven asked Heero, "And what do you want me wearing?"

Duo coughed into his hand, earning him a smack across his head from Wufei.

"Bout seven." Heero answered, "Just normal going out gear really."

Raven nodded, and smiled at him.

"That gives me time for a quick workout then." She smirked, and headed for the gym.

"Wasn't so hard was it now." Hotaru teased, "But next time, you tell her about it." Hotaru then headed upstairs to fetch Raven's English assignment. Leaving the lads to digest what had happened. Heero was the first to leave the room, not wanting to hear Duo's comments.