Ok, this is my first fanfiction, so please be kind, and rate/review!
Disclamer: As much as I love Sailor Moon, I don't own it!
Prologue
Cigarette smoke pooled around an old wooden table where five men lounged casually, maintaining slight conversation, drinking and betting away their money. Kenneth Tsukino cursed under his breath and begrudgingly pushed forward his last poker chips. The rest of the men at the table chuckled drunkenly at the growing pile of money, jewelry and other riches in front of them, all confident of their hands. Each man placed forward the money needed, until the circle came to its last man. He was very handsome, mused Kenneth, with incredibly dark shiny hair and a tall, muscular frame. A couple more shots of tequila and I'd be ready to kiss him! The drunk was overcome with childish giggles.
"C'mon, are you in or out?" The gentleman across from him asked impatiently, tapping his foot against the concrete floor. The dark-haired man's deep blue eyes twinkled mischievously and he leaned forward, the smoky light framing his face as he flashed a slight grin. A sizeable pile of chips was pushed into the centre of the table.
"I raise you one-hundred thousand dollars."
Kenneth's mouth fell open. The rest of the men stared at each other in shock and turned to the big better.
"What's the matter men? It's already too late to back out." He leaned back in his chair as the other players angrily counted out their chips and placed them in the pile. Only Kenneth hesitated. He turned towards the dark-haired man.
"I'm all out of chips. And there's no way I own anything of that kind of value."
"Then you're out." The handsome man turned away from him and back to his cards.
"W-wait! I might have one thing." Kenneth blurted out desperately. The man turned back towards him, intrigued.
"My daughter."
The dark-haired man raised an eyebrow, but didn't speak.
"She's a beautiful young thing, just seventeen. Her mother passed a few years ago, and I'm sick of having her around anyway…" The drunk drawled on.
"Plus, she's still a virgin. Could be some fun, y'know what I'm sayin'?" Kenneth leaned in and winked at the man, before bursting into laughter.
The dark-haired man's eyes glinted ever so slightly.
"Fine, I'll allow it."
"Is everyone done betting?" Another man spoke up. The group nodded wearily.
"Then please show your hands."
One by one, each man showed his cards. The first three had mediocre hands, but none were really enough to win. Kenneth Tsukino smacked down his straight flush, grinning, and surveyed the pile of riches that would soon be his. His view was distorted by the royal flush that was lazily placed on the table. His face dropped and anger boiled up inside him as he bashed his palms against the wood. The rest of the disgruntled men quickly stood and left the table, leaving Kenneth, the mysterious winner, and his pile of riches, still sitting by the table. Kenneth's anger had subsided and now his face was white, sitting nervously in front of this stranger.
"So," This man collected his riches and stood up. "About your daughter…"
Kenneth sighed in relief. At least this man would take his daughter instead of his life savings.
"Yes, I'll sign a contract or deliver her to you or whatever."
The man again raised an eyebrow, surprised at his willingness to sell away his child.
"What is her name?"
Kenneth looked up from his drink. "Hm?"
"What is your daughter's name?"
"Oh, her name is Serena." He reached up and shook the stranger's hand.
"It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Mr…?
The beautiful young man looked down at this bumbling drunk.
"Darien. Shields."
And with that he left the room, leaving Kenneth Tsukino teetering on his feet, feeling proud that despite what he had told his fellow gamblers, he had still had some chips yet unused.
