Chapter 8
They'd just walked into the Study when Nancy followed them in. She smiled and walked past them to the sofa near the coffee table.
"You called Raven?" She asked.
"Yes I'll need a black coffee please." She answered, absently flicking through a stack of papers, "And some light snacks if you don't mind."
"I'll bring them straight over." Nancy said and left the study.
Hotaru walked round to Raven.
"What you up to Cuz?" She asked, eyeing all the stacks of paper on the table along with her laptop.
Raven glanced up at her.
"Sorry Taru I'm just trying to work out a few things." She answered, typing on the laptop, "Could you just flick through those two piles and see if you can find the land details?"
Hotaru shrugged and sat down on the other sofa and began going through the papers.
"Raven do you need anymore help?" Quatre asked.
Raven spun round and faced him.
"Thank god your back." She smiled, "I need the details on that architect you mentioned to me before. I've got a few things to sort out with him tonight, so I don't miss my chance of getting this stuff sorted."
Quatre nodded and left the room to get the details.
"What exactly are you working on?" Duo asked.
"Building permission, materials gathering, architect hiring, and not to mention cost evaluating." Raven answered, "Lend a hand if you think you can. May save me some time."
Heero sat next to her and took up some papers. Wufei sat next to Hotaru and began helping her. Duo and Trowa sat on the floor and started going through materials lists. Quatre returned and started helping too. Evan left them to it.
An hour later, Raven finished off the last of her coffee, and stretched.
"Rave go for a swim." Hotaru sighed, "We can sort out the next few things. You need to relax."
"But Leon said he was gonna ring back with an answer." Raven argued, "I need…"
"Raven we can answer a phone." Trowa said, "We know what needs sorting. Go relax. You'll just make yourself worn out."
"But…" Raven began, but stopped as Heero grabbed her chin.
He turned her face towards his.
"Leave this to us. We can sort it out." He told her, "Go relax yourself. Take a long swim, like Hotaru said. It'll do you good."
Raven nodded, got up and left.
"I think it's safe to declare you're a couple." Hotaru smirked, "Raven listens to you more then me when you tell her to relax. A clear sign you're together."
"Are you?" Quatre questioned.
Heero nodded, and carried on typing on the laptop.
"Take care of her Heero." Quatre said, "Don't let her over work herself. And never hurt her. I mean it. Don't you ever hurt her."
Heero glanced up at Quatre and saw how serious he was.
"Don't worry. I'll look after her." He replied.
Duo kept his mouth shut for once and got on with what he was doing. The phone rang and Hotaru answered it.
Raven headed into the study after having her swim. It was two o'clock in the morning. She found Heero typing on her laptop. Duo was lent against the sofa helping Heero with some figures. Wufei and Hotaru were both on the other sofa. Hotaru was on the phone, whilst Wufei was looking through some sheets of paper. Trowa and Quatre were working together on something else. Raven looked at them again and saw how close they were sitting. As well as the fact that Quatre was actually leaning against him slightly.
'Seems I will be having words with him shortly.' She thought, sitting down beside Heero.
"How was your swim?" Heero asked, smiling at her.
"Extremely relaxing." Raven teased, "Wasn't sure whether to leave you all working here and go to bed. But I got a call from Diego on my mobile, so I came here."
Hotaru waved her hand at Raven, to gain her attention.
"Yes…so we are able to do that much whilst we wait for confirmation? That's good. But what about… ah… you knew what I was going to say… yes… will you let us know as soon as possible? Yes that's great… thanks… bye."
Hotaru then hung up the phone.
"That was Leon." She told Raven, "We can purchase all the materials and mark out the layout of the buildings we want. But until we get the architect and building permission, there's little else we can do."
"That's okay. We have the architect." Raven smiled, "Diego rang me earlier, and confirmed it. We'll be having a meeting with him once he gets back from his holiday. By then we should have the building permission."
"So that means what?" Duo asked.
"Work complete for the night." Hotaru sighed, "You do realise though we haven't worked out the cost for all this. The bank may not help you out."
"Correction." Quatre said, "We have the cost here. Just finished working it all out."
"And?" Wufei prompted.
"The total cost will be about sixteen thousand and fifty pounds." Trowa stated, "But that is just an estimate."
Raven took her laptop off Heero and ran her hands over it, typing quickly.
"Whoa!" Duo gasped, "She's fast!"
"I think you may have estimated that a little wrong." Raven said, as her screen showed up figures, "It would be more nineteen thousand pounds. Then again it may go up, depending on what the architect comes up with."
"But what is this all for?" Quatre asked, "You haven't told us."
Raven looked straight at Quatre. He shrunk back as her piecing gaze never left his face.
"I know I haven't told you." She answered, "But you will have to wait and find out. I am after all only making use of the grounds behind the house."
Raven then turned her laptop off, and turned her gaze away from Quatre.
"I think we should go to bed." Hotaru said, as Duo yawned.
Everyone agreed. As they tidied up, Raven moved closer to Quatre.
"I'd like a word with you later on, after we've all rested for a while." She told him quietly, "I'll expect you in the Private Library from ten onwards."
Quatre glanced at Raven confused. But she had already left the study with Heero. The others all followed soon after.
Raven glanced at her watch and saw it had gone eleven. She smiled to herself and carried on memorizing the spells in the book she was reading. Since she had first begun learning spells, she'd found her magic level had risen. She could now read the books in the next cabinet. To her surprise she had found a book filled with pranks in it. As well as a few books that would help her with a few things she had to do later. All these she had put aside and focused on learning all she could before Quatre arrived. Reba was stationed outside the library to warn her of his arrival. Now she was left to divulge spell after spell.
A whine caught her ear. Quickly she put the book away and locked the cabinet. She then sat back down and made it look like she was typing on her laptop. A knock at the door, made her look up.
"Come in." She called.
In walked Quatre.
"Have a seat Quatre, I will be with you in a second." She smiled.
Quatre sat down opposite her. Through her sharp senses, Raven could tell he was nervous as to why she'd called him here. Deciding to put him out of his misery, she looked up at him.
"To begin with Quatre I want you to be honest with me." Raven told him, "And I'll know if you try to keep anything hidden. Now tell me what's going on between you and Trowa? Are you both an item? Or just close friends?"
Quatre suddenly turned bright red. This was obviously not what he had expected.
"Er…" He stuttered.
"Que-chan." Raven said gently, "It doesn't bother me if you are gay. Or that you and Trowa are dating. That's if you are. I have no problem against it. I'd just like to confirm what I suspect."
"You… suspected it?" Quatre gasped.
Raven nodded. Quatre sighed.
"Then yes. Trowa and I are dating." He confessed, "The other lads know about it. But swore not to tell. Said it was up to us to tell. I wasn't sure about your reaction."
"Que-chan, my reaction is only that of joy." Raven grinned, "You're happy. That's all that matters. But I swear if he hurts you he will have me to deal with. And I will tell him that. Besides Diego and Leon are a couple. So I'm used to it."
Quatre looked up at her shocked.
"Now let's go get a drink shall we." Raven suggested, standing up, her laptop under her arm.
She and Quatre then left the room.
Trowa and Wufei were training in the gym together when Raven walked in. Heero and Duo were just getting ready to train as well. Raven closed the door behind her and walked straight over to where Wufei and Trowa were training. Keeping one arm against her body, concealing what she was carrying.
"Er… Rave... Their training." Duo said, watching her with Heero.
Raven ignored him. She reached Trowa and Wufei. Wufei caught sight of her and moved aside. He was just in time, as Raven brought up an extremely large sword. She pinned Trowa by his throat with it. Both her hands were on the hilt. Trowa's back hit the wall.
"You'll forgive me for disturbing your training, but I needed to have a few serious words with Trowa." Raven stated, "You can carry on in a few minutes."
Wufei backed away.
"Raven what are you up to?" Heero asked, walking over to where Wufei was stood, Duo beside him.
"Nothing that concerns you at the moment Heero." Raven answered, "And I advise you stay back. This sword may appear heavy. But is in fact light and extremely sharp. I also know how to use it."
"So what is it you wish to talk to me about?" Trowa asked, a little nervous at being pinned between a wall and Raven's sword.
Before Raven could say anything, Quatre walked into the gym with Evan, Hotaru and Reba.
"Ooooookay what's going on here?" Hotaru said, a little puzzled.
Quatre had paled. Evan just caught sight of the look in Raven's eyes and grinned. Reba ran over to his mistress and sat facing everyone else.
"Raven… why… why are you doing this?" Quatre stuttered.
"Quatre relax." Evan smiled, "If Raven was going to kill him, he'd be dead by now. Trust me, I know what's she's like with that sword."
If anything, Quatre paled more.
"Trowa, since we now have a crowd that can be distracting, I will say what I have to say. And you will listen and take heed." Raven stated her voice cold and hard, "If you ever dare to hurt, harm or in any way betray Quatre. I will personally hunt you down and kill you. But I will do it with a surgeon's accuracy that will cause you as much pain as possible. Is that clear?"
Shocked and surprised looks passed between everyone else.
"Understood fully Raven." Trowa said.
"Well now that's settled, you can return to your training." Raven replied, moving the sword and walking off towards the gym door, Reba at her heels.
"Hang on Rave, what the hell was all that about?" Hotaru demanded.
Raven faced her, and then looked at Quatre.
"I just gave Trowa the 'look after my friend that you're dating talk', that's all." Raven shrugged, and walked out the gym.
Hotaru glanced at Quatre then Trowa.
"Hell, you best be careful there Trowa. If you ever harm Que-chan, Rave will keep her word." Hotaru sighed, "Hang on, you and Quatre are dating! No fair! Rave always finds out everything before me!"
With that Hotaru left the gym, followed by a laughing Evan.
"That was all to warn you to look after Quatre." Duo muttered, to Trowa, "Yikes!"
Heero just smiled, knowing Raven was only making a point, that Quatre was like family to her, and she would protect him. The lads then got on with their training. Quatre sat watching them.
Raven eyed the gym door. It was Thursday. She was at college with Hotaru and the lads. Now it was their gym lesson before lunch. She didn't actually want to do it.
"Rave just ignore what the others say." Hotaru whispered to her, "So what if we're more talented then we've ever let on. It doesn't matter."
Raven nodded. Then she and Hotaru walked out of the changing rooms together.
They walked over to where the lads were stood waiting for the teacher.
"Guess what's on today's schedule." Duo told then, "He's getting us to do mat exercises."
Raven sighed with relief. She loved doing gym, but hated to show her talent off. Never did she like to be a show off.
"Okay let's begin!" Tobias called, "When I call your name I want to see you cross the mats. You can do cartwheels, summersaults or anything you like. Now, Catolonia!"
Dorothy moved forward. She did a series of cartwheels across the mats. Hildi was called next and did a couple of cartwheels. Duo did the same during his turn. Trowa did summersaults. Quatre did cartwheels.
"Good aren't they." Hotaru whispered, to Raven, "Makes you wonder where they learnt it all."
"Sohmara!"
Hotaru moved forward. She did a series of summersaults with an added twist at the end. Wufei ended up next and did some summersaults. Heero followed doing the same. Raven sighed. She knew Hotaru wanted her to show skill, but she didn't want to show off.
"Sohmara!"
Raven moved forward. She took a deep breath then did three summersaults with a 360 degrees twist at the end. Landing perfectly.
When she looked up, she saw Relena was surprised but still glaring at her.
'No pleasing her at any rate.' Raven thought moving away from the mat.
"Wait a moment Sohmara." Tobias said, walking over to her.
Raven stopped and faced him. Hotaru glanced over, wondering what the teacher may have to say to her. In the end Raven didn't walk over to where Hotaru was stood with the lads. She walked over to the other end of the gym and sat down to read a leaflet that the teacher had given her.
"Okay something seems weird." Duo commented.
None of them got chance to dwell on it. Once everyone had had one go on the mats, Tobias had then sent them to practice on the other mats set up around the gym. He then headed over to Raven, and began talking with her.
Hotaru sat down with the others in their usual spot outside. Duo and Quatre were spreading out the lunch. Heero was sat leant against the tree. Trowa was sat next to Quatre and Wufei was sat next to Hotaru. Only Raven was missing.
"Can anyone even guess at what the teacher wanted to talk with Rave about?" She asked, reaching for a bottle of water.
Wufei opened one and passed it over.
"No idea." Duo answered, "But here comes Peacecraft."
Heero sighed and looked away. The others all began eating their lunch.
"Sohmara, where is your cousin?" Relena asked, as soon as she reached them, "I really need to speak with her."
"Your guess is as good as mine, Peacecraft." Hotaru muttered, "I don't know everything she does."
"Well you should." Relena retorted, "Especially when I need to talk with her."
"Now what's going on?" Raven asked, walking up.
Everyone glanced up at her. Heero noticed she looked tired. But what he noticed the most was the fact that her eyes were closed slightly. A sure sign she had a headache.
"Ah Sohmara, I wanted to talk with you." Relena said, "Please come with me now."
"Peacecraft I have only just got out of my gym lesson." Raven replied, looking at her, "Its lunchtime, and I'm starving. So I would rather eat my lunch then talk with you at the moment. It will have to wait."
Raven then sat down beside Heero. He slid his arm round her waist and handed her over a bottle of water. Hotaru caught sight of his look of concern for her.
"Sohmara I don't care if you have just got out your gym lesson." Relena argued, "You shouldn't have private lessons with the teacher. Ones that cause rumours to spread round that you and he are having an affair. Besides I have something of importance to talk with you about. And it cannot wait."
Wufei, Trowa, Hotaru, Duo and Heero had all tensed at the accusation that had been made. Quatre looked shocked. Raven had just smiled.
"You certainly don't know much." She said, "I am not having private lessons with Tobias. Nor am I having an affair with him. Why would I when I have a boyfriend that I care deeply about. Your informants got it wrong."
The others glanced at Raven, surprised by her coolness.
"Oh and exactly what where you doing with Tobias then?" Relena demanded, "I doubt your boyfriend would like it."
"Tobias was trying to convince me to join the college gymnastics team. He's been testing out my gymnastics as soon as the lesson had ended." Raven explained, "As for my boyfriend not liking it. Why don't you ask him, since he's sat right here."
Relena's eyes darted round the five lads.
"Are you saying you're dating one of the five lads you get to hang out with." Relena laughed, "I highly doubt it."
"Then get your brain in gear. I don't take kindly to those who accuse my girlfriend of things she would not do." Heero stated, standing up and offering his hand to Raven, "Care to go elsewhere?"
Raven smiled and took his hand. Both of them then walked off together. Leaving Relena looking shocked. Hotaru and the others carried on with their lunches.