Guess What? I Don't Own Sailor Moon. I know. . . surprised, aren't ya'? Or not. . . anyway, the pretty soldiers and all their pretty boyz belong to Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha and Toei Animation. . . not to the Cosmic One. Sad but true. . . Nor do I own the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Darn.
AN: Ok, so I haven't gotten a lot of reviews for the prologue (but here's a huge 'THANKS-SO-MUCH!' to those who did review!) so I decided to give you a taste of chapter 1 to see if this grabs your attention! If the title implies as much, this is NOT a vampire fic. . . though those are awesome indeed. No, this is just. . . well, read to find out, huh? And if you like what you read (or if you don't) drop a review and let me know! Hope you enjoy!
AN 10-24-09: MINOR edit! Removed a few things and changed a couple things. No biggie!
X-O-X-O
"Dammit, Lita…where is that book? This guy's gonna' bite my head off and chew on it if I don't hand it over soon," the diminutive blond whispered harshly, as she dug through box after box of newly arrived shipments under the back counter. The day had been chaotic, leaving the girl and her companion wondering what they'd done in so many previous incarnations to deserve such mistreatment.
"I already told you, Sere…I DON'T KNOW!" she shot back, giving her long auburn ponytail a frustrated tug as she too dropped to her knees beside her friend, heaving a massive cardboard box off the shelf and managing to fling a pile of books into the floor, and right on top of Serena to boot.
"Ow! Watch what you're doing, Amazon! That hurt!" she yelped, chucking a heavy volume over her shoulder with zeal.
"Wait a minute! That was it!" Lita pointed out, her voice raising a few more octaves before she dove across the blonde sitting next to her. A moment later, they both lay sprawled across the floor amidst the scattered volumes, the prized hardback in Lita's clenched hand.
"Great. Now get off me and give me the damn thing," Serena said flatly, rolling her eyes as she received the proffered book.
"Here. Now fly, pixie, fly! He's waiting!" she merrily chanted, watching the blond nymph leap to her feet and disappear back out to the front counter to face her customer. Lita shook her head as she gazed at the mess they'd managed to make.
"What a lovely, LOVELY day," she muttered, reaching out to begin the clean up.
"Here you go. Sorry that took so long. We're kind of a mess right now," Serena explained, handing the young, sandy blond man standing patiently in front of the register his book on medical science. She was soon relieved to see a warm smile breaking out across his face, his soft green eyes regarding her kindly.
"It's quite alright, really. I understand that you all must be pretty busy this time of year. Sorry to bother you so much over this, but I really need it for college," he told her.
"Oh, no. It's no problem, really. I wish all customers were as easy going as you. Are you in med school?" Serena asked, absently straightening various pens and scattered implements lying on her counter.
"Yeah. Highland Western. It's tough, but I like it well enough. How about you? Are you in school?" he wondered.
If he was hitting on her, it was hard to tell. This man was very polite and considerate, something that Serena felt very at ease with. He reminded her of an older brother of sorts. She nodded her head passionately, her twin golden pigtails swaying with her movement.
"I'm going to Northern Community to be a writer. It's what I do," she replied happily, with a shrug of her small shoulders.
"I can imagine. You must like your job," he noted, still smiling. Such kind eyes. Something was familiar about this man, though she didn't quite know what.
"It has its moments, just like anything else. But it's ok," she told him, as she rang up his book. He continued to watch her, amazing by the uncanny way she managed to remind him of his little sister back home. It was pleasant indeed to encounter such a familiarity in this new place.
After taking his money and handing the man his change, he decided to make good with forgotten introductions. If anything, he could be lucky enough to find an acquaintance in the friendly girl behind the counter before him.
"Thanks for your help. I really do appreciate your trouble. My name's Andrew, by the way," he told her, holding out his hand. She took it after a moment, her smile like the sun.
"I'm Serena. Nice to meet you. And don't worry, it was no problem. I hope you'll stop by again. We'd love to have you," she told him, as the other half of "we" made her appearance. The moment Lita's deep emerald eyes landed on Andrew, her lips curved into a smile, thoughts dancing like lightning through her head.
"Well… hello, there. Serena, is this a friend of yours?" she inquired boldly, taking in the sight of the rather handsome, tall and well built man, who did naught but smile back at her.
"I, uh…I suppose so, though I just met him myself. This is Andrew. And this… "
"Lita. Lita Church at your service," she introduced, shaking the hell out of his hand as his smile broadened.
"My pleasure indeed. I'll most definitely be back. This is a very lovely place… very nice," he commented, eyes sweeping over Lita discreetly as she glanced at the smirking Serena.
"We try," Lita beamed, making Serena want to gag at her blatant flirting.
"Well, I hate to, but I'd better run. I've got a paper to work on. It was great to meet you both. Hope your day goes by quickly," he said, giving them a wink.
"You too. And thanks again," Serena told him jauntily. The two young women stood side by side, watching as his tall form exited the building, until he vanished from view down the street.
"Wow," Lita drawled, licking her lips like a hungry predator.
"Oh, here we go. Come on, out with it. Get it out of your system now while he's still fresh in your mind," the shorter Serena quipped, fanning her companion's face as she continued to stare after the now absent Andrew.
"You know, he really reminds me of my…"
"Your old boyfriend? Jeez, Lita! What did that guy actually look like, anyway? Andrew reminds you of him. That blue haired hippie dude reminded you of him. The DJ at Sharky's reminds you of him. Ah, never mind. I have no point here," she rambled, leaning her head on Lita's towering shoulder as she chuckled.
"I know. But it's so fun to hear you go on," she muttered, patting her lovingly on the head. The two were like sisters, having been partners in crime since they were children. Lita had been a newcomer, transferring schools when they were in the sixth grade.
She'd been a thorn in the sides of many, raising hell wherever she happened to go. Then her parents had died, and things came to their true light.
Lita was the most tender hearted person Serena had ever known, and it was obvious that the loss of her parents to a plane crash had been devastating to the formerly stone faced girl. So Serena did what she did best. She listened. She comforted and soothed, and after that, the two had been inseparable.
Lita had assumed the role of her big sister, always watching over her in any situation. She was almost ruthless in her protectiveness at times, but Serena had long ago grown accustomed to it. It was in Lita's nature to watch over her loved ones. It simply couldn't be denied. Just as Serena's tenderness was inherent within her.
Though their grade school days were long behind them, things remained unchanged. Lita was still a spit fire. And Serena was still a seraph that no one seemed to fully understand.
Their short reverie was interrupted by a loud buzzer going off, and Lita's face suddenly blanched.
"Oh, shit! I forgot the muffins. They should be nice and blackened by now," she groaned, giving Serena's pigtail a yank before tearing off to the back to inspect the damage. One simply couldn't sell burnt baked goods, now could they?
"You worry too much. I'm the one that burns things, remember?" she muttered, before starting to the back herself to bring the rest of the new shipment out to the shelves. Her roommate was a strange one, that she was sure of.
Only then, as the girl hauled box after box of books to the rows of empty shelves out front, did she notice the pronounced ache in her back, and the fatigue eating away at her bones. They'd been working what seemed to be nonstop since the store's owner had gone on vacation several days ago.
Though they needed the money, the work load had become rather loathsome indeed. But a few more days until a break, one that she was looking very forward to. Serena envisioned herself enjoying some much needed sleep, but even that thought didn't do much to satisfy her.
Lately, for whatever reason, the flaxen beauty had felt most despondent, and quite uncharacteristically so. Never before had she felt alone, so utterly and miserably incomplete as she did then.
Lita was convinced that it was due to the fact that she was very single, and in actuality, the jovial one wasn't so far off the mark in her logic. Serena, no matter how carefree, no matter how pleasant, was indeed a lonely soul.
Though usually surrounded by an endless supply of acquaintances, Serena often found herself staring out a random window, feeling the chill of solitude sweeping across her. It seemed as if something was painfully vacant within, something she was desperate to discover.
But she would always scold herself for such musings. There were other things to fret over besides random feelings of loneliness brought on by her own boredom. Things such as rent, tuition, and the like. Things that made her sigh mightily. Perhaps Lita, her dear friend and partner in crime, was right. Hells, it wouldn't be the first time would it?
Several volumes of New Age text, a few guides on Astronomy, and more poetry compilations than she could count later, Serena announced her intentions for the evening to her friend, who had managed to wrap the last of her sugary confections up for sale the next day.
"You know what? I'm gonna' go grocery shopping so I don't have to think about it anymore, you're going to cook whatever I buy, then I'm going to take a bath and fall asleep on the couch watching the goriest movie I can manage to rent. Any requests? Offer ends in about thirty seconds," she announced, brushing her plaid mini skirt off before grabbing her bag off the counter top.
"Anything that'll rot my teeth, root beer, and an adequate amount of supplies to make enough curry to last at least a week between the two of us… plus the girls," she added, referring to their comrades down the hallway.
"I'm walking, you know," Serena reminded her flatly, causing Lita's brow to rise.
"If I were you, I'd get out of here before the notion to remove one of those lovely pigtails of yours comes upon me, my dear," she warned with humor, crossing her arms over her chest.
"And snag the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, will ya? I know that one will keep you up all night," she quipped, ducking the pocket dictionary that was soon chucked in her direction.
"Smart ass. Good thing I love ya', Litee," she mused, before disappearing out the door, leaving her friend to close up shop alone.
X-O-X-O
Loathsome. Hideous. The grocery store. Serena shook mentally as well as physically as she stepped through the automatic door, grabbing a basket on her way through as she sat about accomplishing her task as quickly as possible.
She'd worked at one such business long enough to absolutely hate having to even walk into one. It always seemed to take forever, and waiting in lines was a pain to say the least. Not to mention the fact that every male between the ages of fifteen and sixty managed to attempt to take her home as a main course before she could take leave of the hell known as Macky's Corner Market.
Crystal blue eyes scanned each isle, hands darting out to grab this and that while she avoided actual eye contact with anyone too close for comfort. Yet another of her paranoid delusions. Why men on the whole bothered her so she couldn't explain, but indeed they did stir up fierce emotions within her. Perhaps it was her inexperience with the opposite sex that made her so wary.
Sure, she'd dated. Once or twice, only to run like the scared rabbit she was. Many a frustrated male she'd turned away, without regret of the act at all. They all wanted one thing. She'd noticed that, not only from her own rare experiences but also from those of those around her. One in particular stood out in her mind, the thought alone causing her to bristle. Another friend of hers, by the name of Mina Galenorn, had experienced her fair share of bad relationships. Enough to last several life times, as Serena liked to say.
The poor girl, try as she might, could never seem to find a decent guy. Serena had bared witness to many a scene of Mina storming in, face flushed crimson and bright blue eyes brimming with tears after dodging the newest advance by her latest venture.
She'd spent so much time consoling her, telling her that she was better than all of them. And she knew that she was. But it was so important to her, to feel loved and needed by another. Sure, who didn't want that? At least Mina had backbone enough to admit her weaknesses.
Record timing had the nymph exiting the dreaded shop within ten minutes or so, her arms loaded with food as she prepared for the trek eight blocks up to her apartment complex. Having no use of her arms at the time, she turned, using her backside to open the gods be damned exit door that never opened on its own.
And wicked destiny, noting how her eyes were not on where she was heading, watched with humor as the tiny girl barreled backwards into a very hard, very sturdy something, sending bags and body flying in opposite directions.
A small startled shriek escaped her throat, as Serena prepared to become very intimate with the menacing concrete sidewalk below. And yet, the pain of impact never came. She was perhaps more disturbed to find a steel-like arm about her waist, saving her from her ultimate fate.
Almost afraid but unable to stop herself, her wide eyes fell upon a pair of black boots, and they only traveled upwards from there. They next took in a long leather trench coat, noting how the top few buttons remained open, revealing what seemed to be a muscled chest and a silver dagger charm hanging from a black cord choker about her savior's neck.
But as her eyes beheld his face, her breath absolutely caught, the girl frozen like a bird in a snake's view while her innocent eyes became impossibly wider. A god is what she saw, and she was convinced that she had hit her head so hard upon the sidewalk below that she was walking through the land of dreams.
Funny though. Her imagination had yet to be so wonderfully vivid as this most beautiful of fantasies. She blinked once. Twice. And on the third blink, she realized that she was indeed witnessing such a being. The reality of it only served to rattle her that much more.
Her eyes lingered on the sensuously curved lips, which had curled into a slight smile. She noted the high cheek bones and sharp nose, but it was his eyes that paralyzed her.
Beneath a few rogue strands of ebony hair, black as a raven's wing, two cerulean orbs gazed back at her, a calm fury lying dormant within them. Worlds upon worlds seemed to be contained in those eyes, which intently looked her through, his arm still tight about her as they regarded one another silently.
Time had stopped, only to be brought about again by the most heart stopping sound to ever grace her senses.
"You should be more careful, little one," he chided with humor, his voice deep. Like liquid silk it slid across her heart, warming her insides and sinking into her bones. God, who was this man? This awesome enigma who had her gaping like a dumfounded animal? Embarrassment rushed in quickly, her cheeks tinting a lovely shade of rose and her face growing hot at his amusement on her account.
'Nice, Serena. Make an ass of yourself…and in public in the presence of Adonis. Stellar,' her inner voice mocked. Her own thoughts made her blush even more deeply, which obviously did not go unnoticed by the strange man, who was still supporting her somewhat limp frame with a single arm.
"I…um…I…" she stuttered helplessly, almost able to hear the cracks of neurons as they sparked in her brain.
'Articulate, dammit!' her mind shouted, finally snapping her out of her somewhat lustful trance and granting her the power of voice once more.
"I'm really very sorry about that. I should watch where I'm going," she agreed, her formerly lowered eyes rising again, only to find a pair of twin oceans locked onto her, taking her in with calculation.
His gaze sent shivers trailing down her spine, unlike anything she'd ever experienced before in her young life. He seemed primed to devour her, his eyes alone managing the task quite nicely while the man himself spoke not a word.
X-O-X-O
Just another day. The dark figure traveled down the fairly empty street, on the way to meet with the next money maker on the list. This time it happened to be the head of Coil Enterprises, a snide bastard with far too much wealth for his own good. But he'd requested a contract, and that was most definitely the ebony haired man's forte in this life.
Perhaps, as the irony of living went, this client would soon be the intended victim of another hit. It wasn't at all strange in his profession, to be hired by and to kill the same man in the frame of a week. And it was business. Just business as usual. He doubted anyone would miss them at any rate. The autumn breeze picked up slightly as he started to round a corner, but he paid it no mind. He seemed to ignore the majority of the world as he made his way through it. But the next moment's happenings were not to be overlooked.
As his tall frame rounded the corner, he was met by a tiny body, as it collided directly with his own, sending grocery bags flying here and there. A yelp reached his ears, and for some reason, though he didn't quite know why, his arm shot out, catching the girl before she too was spread all across the sidewalk below.
It was as his eyes watched her, his grip still firm, that her golden blond head rose, and for the first time in his entire life, the man felt a twinge of emotion so sharp within him that he was momentarily afraid.
Those eyes. God, he'd never seen such wide, innocent orbs, of the most perfect crystal blue. She stared open mouthed at him, in obvious awe herself as silence enveloped them.
A beautiful little creature she was, her small form seemingly dwarfed by his own towering frame. That impossibly long, golden hair was up in twin pigtails, adding a touch of innocence to her appearance. He was amused by the sight of her, the little nymph still staring at him, small lips parted as she gawked.
He could almost see the thoughts vainly attempting to race through her mind to no avail. Poor girl. Was he that intimidating? Deciding that this silence was a bit too ridiculous, the stranger spoke, only worsening the situation it seemed.
"You should be more careful, little one," he told her. He immediately thought his words odd. Too close to a sentiment, in fact, for his liking. Mentally scolding himself, he then took notice as she attempted to reply. But it seemed to take a bit.
Her voice, it seemed, refused to cooperate. He listened as she mumbled a few incoherent somethings, her face flushing brightly under his intent gaze. How amusing, he thought, seeing the rose tint spread across her lovely face.
This girl, he mused, was affecting him oddly. And why indeed was he still holding her small body up as they engaged in their odd staring contest? While he studied her, she seemed to regain her senses, her apology swift as she cautiously loosed herself from his grip. Though he didn't realize it, his eyes were tearing her apart, while his mind was racing with unusual thoughts. This girl…something about her…
"Thank you…for keeping me from smashing my face. That would be all I needed today. It's been one of those weeks, you know?" she asked, surprising herself by talking so informally with a stranger. His head tilted to the side, a small chuckle escaping him.
"Yes. I suppose I can relate to that," he said, as she quickly retrieved her goods from their scattered position about her feet.
"I truly am sorry. I hope I didn't burden you too much," she said softly, blue eyes again seeming to search the depths of his soul as she craned her head to look up at him.
Before he could think, before his sensible mind could stop him, one hand reached out, his fingers running along the softness of her cheek, thumb trailing across her bottom lip as she stood breathless watching him. Realizing fault, he immediately withdrew his hand, turning to continue with his mission before things became any more ridiculous.
"You shouldn't talk to strangers," he told her, beginning his spineless retreat.
"Well…I'm Serena!" she called after him. He stopped in mid step, again turning to her as she anxiously awaited any response at all from him.
"Serena Draven," she said, somewhat softly. Why was she telling this man her name? She didn't know him after all, though that didn't stop her from wanting to in the least. A half smile graced his lips as the man looked her over.
"Serena." He tried the name out, finding that it flowed rather pleasantly from his lips as he spoke it. Though at any other time he would've merely continued his journey, for whatever reason, this girl was causing him to act very uncharacteristically. Perhaps, he mused, it was the moon. So, he granted her the thing she obviously wished, as she chewed her bottom lip anxiously.
"Darien. My name is Darien, little one," he told her, taking in the sight of her long legs, and the very defined curves being held captive beneath the poor excuse of a skirt and babydoll shirt she wore.
God, he had to get away from her. Business was at hand, and he was quite sick of the feelings she was managing to stir to life within him. It was natural to fear what one had no understanding of, after all.
Such was the case, and he was nearly terrified of the golden seraph, standing on the corner still looking him through with those gods be damned cornflower eyes, a sight which would haunt him for many a night thereafter, though he had yet to know it.
"So now, we're no longer strangers, Darien," she noted softly, shortly delivering the death blow as she flashed him a perfect, innocent smile. He only nodded, still feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sight of her.
"I suppose. Do be careful, Serena. Shadows lurk in the least obvious of places," he advised, before whirling about in a torrent of black leather.
Serena watched him walk away, a burning heat pooling in the pit of her stomach. Her cheek tingled from his simple touch, as if he had in fact slapped her rather than shown her softness.
She stood until she could no longer see his retreating figure, and somehow she was able to make herself begin the walk home, her mind full of only one thing the entire while.
The video store totally forgotten, she walked quickly down the street, in desperate need of talking her encounter over with her dearest friends. Surely they could make sense over what she could not.
Serena shivered again, recalling the intensity of his blue eyes…Darien's raging, storm cloud eyes. Darien. His name was even unique. How fitting, she thought, for such a man. But, wherever he was heading, he indeed seemed to be determined to reach his destination. Perhaps to see a lady friend.
Serena frowned at the thought. But why would she care? The girl wanted to smack herself, though her arm loads prevented such self abuse at the time. One chance meeting with him and she was already feeling jealousy? She didn't even know him…and what were the chances she'd even see him again?
The city was huge and he seemed to be a busy man. She was saddened to think that the memory of him would have to suffice, though it seemed sure that she would drive herself mad having that alone to satiate her.
X-O-X-O
"No movie? What are you good for?" Lita griped, only to have yet another object chucked at her by the aggravated blond.
"Will you shut up and listen? I'm trying to tell you about this guy…" she began, only to hear the doorbell ring. Lita merrily ignored her again, dashing to the door and flinging it open.
Waiting with broad smiles were two newcomers, both young women, both hungry and ready for girls night in. There stood Mina, buttery blond hair tied back in a red ribbon, her hands full of pillows and blankets for the impromptu sleepover that was to take place.
"Are you two having another lover's spat?" she inquired with a giggle, entering the not so extravagant apartment, trailed closely by a somewhat shorter, intelligent looking girl. Her cropped blue hair stuck out here and there and a pair of reading glasses were perched upon the top of her head amongst her sapphire tresses.
"Don't get her started, Mina," the smiling girl chided, adjusting her arm load of books as she too entered the room.
"Amy! Tell me that you didn't bring the university library along with you!" Serena moaned loudly, smacking her forehead soundly as the others rolled their eyes.
"Not the entire library. Just the genetics section," Mina muttered, tossing her load down on the couch before following her nose to the delicious smells of Lita's one of a kind cooking. "Ooo, curry! You're the best," she declared happily, darting past the Amazon to sneak a bite of the delicacy awaiting in the pot on the stove in the kitchen.
"Keep out of my curry, wench!" Lita bellowed, chasing after Mina's trailing blond hair.
"Oh, my. Here, Ames. You're gonna' give yourself a hunchback with all these things," Serena mumbled, helping to rid Amy of her load of text books. She tossed them in a pile on the floor before asking the question dancing in her mind.
"Only the four? Don't tell me that her majesty is busy tonight, perhaps with a certain rock star in training we all know and love?" she wondered, beginning to shut the open door without turning to look what she was doing.
"Oh, wait…no! Serena, she's…" Amy tried.
Serena failed to notice the rapid thump of footsteps coming down the hallway, but it was quite impossible to overlook the loud double thump that sounded just after she slammed the door shut. The thump of a body colliding headlong into the apartment door.
"Dammit, Serena!" came the infuriated shout. Serena clapped a hand over her mouth, biting back the laughter that would not be denied. Her bell like giggles soon erupted, and even Amy couldn't hold her own voice back. This was just too priceless.
Serena swung the door open, to reveal the sight of the ebony haired girl, sprawled on her back on the doorstep, DVD cases scattered on all sides. One hand was clapped over her nose, but Serena knew she wasn't really hurt. Raye was a drama queen, that much her friend was well aware of.
"Oh, spare me, Raye. Are you ok, honey?" she asked mockingly, holding a hand out to help her up.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you? Shit, Serena. If you didn't want me to come, all you had to do was say so!" she shouted, her mock anger only causing the two to laugh harder.
Mina and Lita then emerged from the kitchen, five bowls of curry balanced precariously between the two of them.
"Now what? Did the Serena monster strike again? Poor Raye," Mina cooed, before joining in the laughter herself.
"You guys are such dorks. Are you gonna' help me up or not?" Raye demanded, a smile forming on her own face as she grabbed Serena's hand. With a grunt of effort, she managed to get Raye to her feet.
"Man, Raye. No curry for you," she teased, tearing back into the apartment as her violet eyed friend lunged for her like a mad woman.
Amy shook her head, still giggling softly. This was most assuredly going to be an eventful evening.
Chapter 1 says goodbye! So, I beseech you. . . tell me what you think! Slap some reviews on me! Gripes, suggestions, praise. . . I love them all! (Well, mostly praise, but that's beside the point, now isn't it?) Expect chapter 2 in around a week or so. . . that is, if you want it! Ja Ne!
*Cosmic Moon Baby*