CHAPTER 7
About half six that night, Hotaru wandered into Raven's room after having a word with Evan.
"You in here Rave?" She called, shutting the door.
"In the Bathroom!" Raven answered, "Why?"
"Was wondering what you're wearing." Hotaru asked, and stared puzzled at Reba as he walked into Raven's walk-in-wardrobe.
"Not sure yet." Raven said, walking out the bathroom, a towel wrapped round her body, whilst she dried her hair with another.
"I don't think you need to pick now." Hotaru replied, with a little laugh.
"What do you mean?" Raven asked, not looking up from drying her hair.
"Reba's picked for you." Hotaru answered.
At that Raven stood up straight and looked over at her bed. There laid on it, was a halter neck black top, a short black skirt which had slits where it flowed out with dark purple in the slits, and black strap high heels. Raven then looked at Reba and raised an eyebrow at him.
"You want me wearing them?" She checked.
Reba barked and laid down. Raven picked up the clothes and walked into the walk-in-wardrobe to get changed, leaving Hotaru giggling on her bed.
When she walked back out, she was wearing the clothes, and her hair was up in a high ponytail, falling down loosely over her shoulders from it.
"What do you think?" She asked, giving Hotaru a swirl.
"Great, Reba does have an eye for picking out the right gear." She smiled, "I think you should wear them silver dangling star earrings you have. And that silver glitzy tiara. It'll go nice with the way you have your hair."
Raven sighed and got the items out her wardrobe. Hotaru put the tiara on her, as Raven put the earrings in.
"Don't need any other jewellery." Hotaru stated, "And I don't think you'll need a jacket.
A knock at the door startled them.
"Raven, I thought I'd warn you. We're in for light showers tonight." Evan's voice said through the door.
"Cheers Evan!" Raven replied, "Can you find out how we're travelling tonight?"
"Sure." Evan answered, and his footsteps were heard walking away.
"Guess you do need a jacket." Hotaru sighed, "A light one. One that won't look odd with the gear you're wearing now."
Reba leapt up and ran into the wardrobe. He came out moments later. A coat hanger with a waist length light black jacket on in his mouth.
"That's what I had in mind!" Hotaru giggled, as Raven took it off him.
"What time is it now anyway?" Raven asked as she slipped the heels on.
Hotaru checked her watch, "Ten to seven. I best let you finish up. Plus I got a task to do."
Raven eyed her suspiciously.
"Operation, keep the others out your way until you've left." Hotaru smirked and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Heero sat waiting for Raven in the living room. He was wearing smart jeans and a black shirt with a silver tribal design on. He eyed the door as Evan walked in.
"I've ordered the taxi for you." He said, "It'll be here in a few minutes. And Raven is almost ready."
"I hope the others stay away." Heero sighed, "Especially Due. I don't fancy leaving here later then planned."
"Don't worry. Hotaru has it covered." Raven smiled walking into the room, "Operation Keep the lads unaware of the time. I believe is what she's doing."
Evan and Heero stared at her.
"You look stunning!" Evan muttered.
Raven laughed, "Reba picked it out for me. I had no choice but to wear it."
Heero smirked, his eyes twinkling.
"You look beautiful." He told her, "Reba really is a smart dog."
Raven turned away slightly embarrassed. A beep was heard.
"That'll be the taxi." Evan stated, "You both best be off, before the others realise what's going on."
Heero nodded and offered Raven his arm. This she took and they left the house. Evan watched them leave in the taxi.
"She really knows how to pull off starlight." He smiled to himself, "The whole black, silver and slight purple works well for her. Especially that silver lipstick. Wonder where she found that."
His thoughts wandering, Evan headed for the study. Ready to take his part in the operation that was going on there.
Raven glanced over at Heero as he ordered drinks. They'd been out for two hours now, and had gone for a meal and were now hitting the clubs.
"Heero, was this really you wanting to go out, or was it a way for you to get me to go out with you alone?" She asked, as he passed over her drink.
"I did have it planned. And was going to ask you." Heero admitted, "Just didn't get round to it. Hotaru helped me out. I think she'd noticed how much I like you. Pulled a gun on me and told me to do something about it. Said it was driving her crazy."
Raven giggled.
"Certainly sounds like Taru." She smiled, "I don't mind that she did the asking. I still ended up spending a night with you."
Heero smiled back at her.
"Raven?" A voice questioned.
Both of them turned to see a young man stood before them.
"Please forgive me for interrupting your night." The man said, "But I couldn't believe it when I saw you. You haven't been in for a while. I thought you'd forgotten us."
"Heero meet Keith Stanley, the club owner." Raven introduced him, "Keith this is Heero Yuy."
"Pleasure." Keith smiled shaking hands, "Since you're here for the night, allow me to put the VIP balcony to your use."
Raven laughed.
"Thanks Keith. That would be great." She replied standing up.
Heero stood beside her. Raven took his hand and led him through the crowd of people, as Keith led them to the stairs. They went up them onto a small landing where it broke off in two sections. Keith led them into the left section. In that area was a coffee table with plush sofas round it. As well as a balcony that over looked the dance floor.
"Raven, I'll get Eric to serve you for the night." Keith told her, "And I'll send up a bottle of Champagne."
Raven went to argue, but Keith had already left.
"That was very kind of him." Heero said, sitting down, and managing to pull Raven down onto the sofa as well, since they were still holding hands.
"Yeah, well I've been helping him out lately." Raven confessed, "He wants to remodel this club. But the bank won't give a loan. So I offered to help."
"So you're financially backing him." Heero smirked, "No wonder he treats you in such high regard."
Raven rolled her eyes at him, and removed her hand from his. She then removed her jacket, causing Heero to stare at her more.
"What?" She asked, placing her jacket on the sofa near her.
"You got another tattoo." He answered finally, eyeing the triad symbol on her right shoulder, "When did you get it?"
"About two weeks ago." Raven smiled, "I got it as it symbolises, Hotaru, Serena and me."
Heero gently ran his finger over the design.
Raven shook her head at him. And he smiled.
"Your champagne." Eric said, as he walked over, placing down a tray with a bucket of ice, with the bottle stood in it and two glasses on it. He then opened the bottle and poured them out a glass each. These he handed to them.
"If you need anything else, just use the buzzer behind you." Eric told them, before leaving.
Raven glanced over Heero's shoulder and spotted the buzzer.
"Cheers!" She said, holding her glass up.
Heero tapped his glass against hers, and they drank.
"Hotaru I want a break!" Duo whined, "Why do we have to sort through all these books anyway!"
"Raven needs them sorting so she can get on with her work as the head of the family." Hotaru replied, putting two books back on the shelf in the study, "Besides we can't let Raven burn herself out working too hard, can we?"
Duo sighed and picked up some more books.
"Hotaru, you've used that excuse seven times now." Wufei complained, "It surely must be time for a break. What time is it anyway?"
Quatre checked his watch.
"Half eleven!" He gasped.
"Maybe we have been working too long." Hotaru smirked, "I advise you go to bed Wufei. Reba will wake you tomorrow if you ask him. But don't forget to tell him what time."
Wufei nodded and left the room. The others all headed for the living room.
There they slouched out on the sofas. Quatre had followed Wufei upstairs, intending to go to bed as well.
"Say Hotaru what time do you reckon they'll get back?" Evan asked, pouring out some drinks at the kitchen counter.
Hotaru walked over to him.
"Is that a hint of a bet?" She smirked.
Evan laughed, and placed a ten pound note on the top.
"One o'clock is my time." He stated.
Hotaru placed a tenner on top of his.
"Two!" She said, "You have to remember this is Raven were talking about."
A third ten pound note was placed on the top.
"Three o'clock." Trowa added.
Evan and Hotaru glanced at him.
"Okay. Let's sort it with Reba to safe guard the money till the results are in." Evan smiled, as Reba walked into the room.
The money was rolled and placed in a handy pouch on Reba's collar.
"Don't let anyone take that unless they won the bet." Evan ordered.
Reba nodded and laid down. The others sat around waiting.
Raven glanced down at the dance floor. It was one o'clock in the morning and they were still out.
"Heero do you fancy dancing?" She asked, putting her empty glass down.
Heero looked up at her.
"Sure." He answered, standing up.
Raven took his hand and led him down onto the dance floor.
They'd only been dancing a sort while before Raven jerkily moved to her right, causing a lad passing her to get hit in his side. Heero smirked and pulled Raven close to him.
"Was that necessary?" He asked, dancing close with her.
"Yes." Raven answered, "I don't appreciate complete morons walking past me, and stroking my arse."
Heero stiffened.
"Er… Heero… You're squashing me." Raven whispered.
Heero loosened his grip.
"Gomen. I just don't like others starting things with you. Especially if you don't like it." He admitted, "I er…"
Raven didn't let him finish. She kissed him on the lips. Heero's hands slid onto her back pulling her closer still, as he deepened the kiss. When they broke apart, both were smiling.
"I take it what everyone at college thought is now true." Raven giggled, her arms round Heero's neck.
"If you'll be my girlfriend, it will be." Heero muttered in her ear.
Raven smiled evilly, and lent in close to Heero's face. Temptingly close to his lips.
"Mission Accepted." She whispered.
Heero placed one of his hands on the back of her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. They remained on the dance floor for a while afterwards. Not realising Keith had seen them and was extremely happy for Raven. So happy he'd sent another bottle of champagne up to their area for them.
Evan glanced up at the clock. It was quarter past one in the morning.
"Okay guess I lost." He muttered getting up, "I think we should get some sleep though."
Hotaru nodded and kicked Duo's shin, waking him up.
"Bed. Upstairs." She said him, "You'd be better off there."
Duo got up and sleepily left the room. Trowa got up as well.
"Reba, when we're all awake tomorrow, head to the person that won the bet." Evan told Reba, "If they get in at two. It's Hotaru. If it's Three. It's Trowa. Any later, stay with Raven."
Reba barked softly and laid his head back down. Evan, Hotaru and Trowa then headed upstairs to their rooms.
Several bodies sat bolt up right and eyes snapped open as a piecing howl echoed through the house. Curses flew from mouths as the bodies untangled themselves from the sheets and dashed to their doors. Banging them open six sleepy faces looked down at Reba as he finished his howl.
"Reba what the hell are you doing!" Hotaru muttered.
"I believe he was trying to wake up someone who asked for an alarm call." Raven smiled, fully awake, "Besides, you must have forgot to tell Wufei not to lock his door. Otherwise it would only be Wufei awake."
Hotaru just shrugged. Reba glanced at Raven then walked over to Trowa and sat looking up at him.
"No fair he got it right." Hotaru sighed, "Guess you came in at three this morning then Raven."
Raven rolled her eyes as Trowa took the money from Reba's pouch.
"I can't believe you made a bet on what time we'd get in." She laughed, "Anyway I think we best start getting ready. It may only be seven, but they'll be a lot of traffic on the road."
Wufei nodded and headed into the bathroom.
"Hang on, Duo's not up." Evan pointed out.
Raven just smiled and walked over to his door. She opened it and allowed Reba to walk in. Then she shut it.
"You have three seconds to get in your rooms." She stated, walking into her own.
Immediately, Hotaru and Evan disappeared into their rooms. Heero, Quatre and Trowa followed suit.
The doors had only just been shut, when Reba howled again. It was followed by a scream and then a thud. Heero, Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei ran to Duo's door and opened it. There they saw Duo crawling away from his bed on the floor. His bed sheets were tangled round his legs.
"Guess Reba scared him." Hotaru giggled from behind them.
"Get him up Reba!" Raven's voice called, "We haven't the time to dilly dally about."
Reba walked round to Duo. He then took hold of his braid and dragged him out the room and into the bathroom. A splash and another scream followed. Reba walked out the bathroom with Evan.
"Thought he may need a hand getting him in the bath." Evan answered to the curious looks he was getting.
"Whatever Evan." Hotaru smiled, and headed back to her room.
"Aren't you guys ready yet?" Raven asked, closing her bedroom door.
All five guys turned to face her and saw she was fully dressed.
"Raven, I swear you only need an hour sleep." Evan muttered, wandering back to his room, "The way you can wake up and not be tired after only a few hours sleep proves it. You gotta have some weird sleeping pattern or something."
The others shook their heads and went back into their own rooms, as Raven headed downstairs. All of them missed the sight of a soaking wet Duo coming out the bathroom and heading into his own room.
At five to eight everyone was ready to leave. They were just heading for the door, when the phone rang. Evan answered it as, Raven grabbed her car keys.
"Raven!" Evan called, "It's for you."
Raven took the phone and talked a few moments with the caller. She fell silent after a short time. Surprising the others she put the caller on hold.
"Hotaru take the jeep and the guys to the competition." She ordered, handing over her keys, "This is gonna take a while. Make sure to film Wufei for me."
Hotaru nodded and led the guys into the garage, as Raven went into the study to take the call there.
"Hotaru, why did Raven not come?" Quatre asked as they drove out the garage.
"Rave's been expecting a long distance call for the past few days." Hotaru answered, "I think that may be it. But I have no idea what it's about."
The lads fell silent, wondering what Raven was up to. Hotaru switched the radio on, so there wasn't total silence as she drove.
It was well past ten o'clock at night when they got back. Evan met them in the living room. Reba was laid by his feet.
"What's up with you then?" Hotaru asked, putting the car keys away.
"Wufei, Raven guessed you would do well and has left the gift in the box there for you." Evan stated, pointing at a large box on the coffee table, "She asked that I tell you when you came in."
"And Raven is doing what right now?" Hotaru asked, poking Evan in his arm.
"In the study trying to finish up some work." Evan answered, batting her hand away, "She's been working on it since you left. Think its some building plans or something. But I do know she needs to get them complete tonight."
"Wow!" Wufei gasped, he'd opened the box whilst Evan had been talking.
Inside was a set of Chinese robes. A dragon was twisted on the back and on the left breast on the front. Chinese symbols were written over the top of the one on the breast.
"So what do they mean?" Duo asked, curious.
"Solitary Dragon." Wufei answered, replacing the robes back in the box.
"Bet you Rave already had them ordered when we left today." Hotaru muttered, "Anyway I'm gonna check on her."
She left the room. The others all followed her.