LOVEFOOL

I hope you guys are having fun with this story as much as I have writing it. This chapter in particular seemed very short in the begining but as I began to write the thing just became too good to just cut it in between. This chapter is so far the longest I have ever writen. There are two more to go. Next release will be soon, stay tuned!!

Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, Lovefool is a song by the Cardigans.

CHAPTER THREE: JUST SAY THAT YOU NEED ME

Mal was in a rage. He was completely pissed off and the maids of the castle were trying to escape from him. Many vases had already paid the price and the maids were dreading they could be hit as well. His face, usually so composed and calmed was the image of Lord´s anger, the kind of power no one wanted to face because it could crush you. The commotion and noise were so much that three of the other Lords had noticed and were in their way to the room that Mal was trying to destroy.

All had begun because he had had a fight with Mina, all because that freaking woman asked him for more, and not precisely sex; all because she now wanted him and he wasn't even near to accept that he wanted to give himself to someone. He had never done that and he wasn't about to begin, no less with her, since he actually couldn't stand so many things from that blonde woman.

--I want to be more to you, Mal—she said early that morning after a long night of sex and pleasure that had Mal so delighted he failed to see that she was different than other days—At least, show me that you care… Mal…

She hadn't stayed in bed that morning, just seeing him off like the days before. No, she had had to cling to his shirt like some desperate woman, and also she had to sound so helpless and sweet. In the moment, he felt out of place, thrown in some kind of sick chick flick where, of course, a woman fell in love with the vampire and wins his heart. He became angry at the moment and now he knew he had just messed up every thing.

But more than anything, he was angered with himself. He had eluded the truth all of this weeks and tried to convince himself that he could leave her anytime because he was just infatuated and that kind of thing always ended. He remembered that she had asked him, by the way with such a low voice, if her blood was the only thing he wanted and he had exploded and not only said that yes, that it was the only thing he liked from her because he couldn't actually stand her, but also that he could just leave her and find other source of blood in another person, that she wasn't important for him at all and so on…Oh God, he had even laughed in her face, more out of confusion…More because he was completely scared of what he could have said if he had allowed the truth to come out.

And she slapped him. She had said nothing, not a single word after that; she just frowned and seemed to fight back a demon she carried inside and released just once in a while. He remembered how tears had swelled and held back in her sky blue eyes, now more like a hurricane like sky…completely clouded by something now Mal knew was pain, pure and raw… He just turned around and left the place as if some priest had put some exorcise in him. And he swore that he would never come back because the time for the attraction he felt for Mina had come to an end.

And just now, one day later, as he had tried to prove himself that it was the truth, that she wasn't special at all and intended to suck the life out of one of his maids, who usually liked to serve their master in that way, he found that just the thought of another woman blood that wasn't Mina made him feel disgusted, no matter just how beautiful she was or the fact that before Mina, she had been his favorite source of blood. The tall and red headed maid had showed him such hatred in her eyes when he rejected her that he felt like some kind of scum. The smell from others blood didn't have the effect Mina´s had and the thought of sharing the blood ritual with other woman was just as much as cheating on her cowardly. To top of, he became aware that now he was not only addicted to her, but completely sure that she was in fact the special one, his only one…

--Damned woman!!—he cursed feeling more despair than ever before. If only he had never seen her, if only he could erase the need for her. Oh God!! The proofs were all there, in front of his eyes and he knew he couldn't deny them anymore; he couldn't just play blind and act as if he didn't know. Or worse, as if he didn't care…

Jed, Neph and Zack came into the room and saw something they had never dreamed to ever see. Mall had lost control over himself. Mentally, they called the King, as they realized the issue was truly important.

--Fuck!! Are you trying to destroy the whole place?—yelled Neph forgetting to use any careful tone in his voice.

--What the hell is happening here?—asked Jed suddenly feeling really curious and yet, scared of what Mal could do to them is they messed even more is mood.

Zack remained externally calmed. In his silence, he was catching some of Mal´s disturbed and desperate pleas. He wanted to be saved from the blonde mermaid that was bonding him more and more in an ocean of feelings that he didn't want to even think about. Mostly because he knew he was in the brink of getting drowned in his own need of her.

--You found her…--was all he said and to that Neph and Jed turned with a complete look of disbelief, more or less the same King Endymion was showing as he entered the room.

Mal collapsed in his bed, feeling totally miserable. He was humiliated to say the least, more because of the certainty he had that now they knew and they wouldn't rest until things were sorted out. The King would never speak to him again if he kept behaving like a stubborn pig because their race was at stake. Finding Mina meant a lot for the people in their coven. At least, he thought, the Queen hadn't come along, that would have been just too much. At least, and thankfully, this would be a matter of a Council and more over, of men. Oh my God, that sounded so freaking bad!!

King Endymion closed the door behind him, glaring at the few maids that still were around, defying them to put their ears in the wood knowing that he would kill them if they did so. He too had sensed Mal´s fear and knew that for the first time in many centuries, he would have to act with a strange mixture of his power and friendship. He would have to order him like his superior and speak to him like a friend concerned by his own welfare.

--How much time has it been since you found her?—Endymion asked without much preamble an trying his best to sound calmed though the view of one of his dearest friends with his head helplessly throbbing and messing his hair in despair really made him wonder if something really bad was happening with him, or worse, with her… Mal stared to the floor and for a moment kept silent, trying to pull himself together.

--One moon and one week—he answered with guilt imprinted all over his voice and the four men gasped unable to believe such thing.

--Who is her, what´s her name?—

--Why the hell didn't you tell us?—

--What´s your problem with her? For Goodness sake, she is…

King Endymion motioned silently with his right hand and the three men yelling stopped in their tracks, seemingly scared of him. Mal just wondered how pissed off he was to shut up his own friends like that. But before anyone else said a thing, before the anger of the King was released because of his stupid behavior, Mal answered with all the calm and honesty he could find in his heart and mind.

--She is an idol, her name is…Mina—he began, and much to his horror, he saw the faces of his friends beginning to contort with a funny laugh, included the King´s. There was no need for him to say anything else. Idol plus Mina meant that they already knew the whole affair. Who in the mansion didn't know who she was if the Queen was most probably her biggest fan and if the other Three High Ladies of the court were too? Even Small Lady, who usually made fun of her own mother childish behavior, loved Mina and sometimes, when she thought no one was looking, she sang C´est la Vie... Never would King Endymion forget how his two women had pestered him in the recent years to acquire her music and merchandise—Don't even dare to laugh…

He hadn't said it and the Three Lords were almost lying on the floor laughing just like a bunch of hyenas, just the way he knew Mina did usually… completely enjoying such utter humiliation. He wanted to kick someone asses for sure, but if even as the King was trying hard to suppress the smiles, Mal understood that his was a lost cause. Well, at least now the mood had completely changed and the prospect of not being murdered by them, seemed fair enough, even if that meant that they will never leave him hear the end of it. For sure they would make fun of him forever…

--Are you sure is her?—continued King Endymion. Mal nodded and then officially, admitted complete defeat. He sighed and prepared himself to endure an eternity of their teasing.

--Just one drop of her blood makes me go insane…--he said gazing at the wall while he began to remember in his mind the old signs that helped those of their race to find their other half, that special person just for them. His face took a serious and solemn expression that he hadn't actually used in ages because there hadn't been any instances where he had to be completely into his role of a High Lord—I can´t stand to even think of tasting other woman blood… And…

--You want her—finished King Endymion trying to save him the further humiliation that would be to say that the image of that special woman naked in bed just simply made him forget his own name. The King said that with his most business like expression. Mal understood, inside Endymion too was roaring in laughter as he blushed with the thought of sharing the intimateness of his relationship with Mina. But as a friend, he wanted to save him all that shame.

--Oh my God!!—yelled Neph with tears in his eyes caused by so much laughing—This is going to be so funny!!

--My best wishes my friend…Really, the best of lucks for you…—said Jed patting his shoulder. The grin in that bastard mouth so huge Mal actually wanted to punch him…

--Just imagine it when the Queen hears the news!!—To this comment, even Darien sighed in defeat. Maybe, from the whole group, he was the one who could understand Mal better… The group roared with healthy smiles again and even Mal had to accept that, though embarrassing to no end, it would be a nice view when all those crazy women were to meet each other. Well, that if Mina forgave him some day.

--Well, gentleman—dictated the King with a matter of fact tone that terminated the Council—I guess this issue is pretty much sorted out so let´s go back to our own business…

Neph, Jed and Zack got out of the room after saying happy goodbyes. The King stayed behind and all of them knew why. Only those who suffer the same tragedy really understand each other and are in conditions to offer advice and help. Mal fixed his eyes in his best friend midnight´s blue ones, wondering if he too had felt so much confusion and fear. Endymion understood and sat down in the bed, beside his oldest friend.

--Have no fear of asking your questions, my friend—he said.

--When the Queen and you met, did you like her so much you didn't care about her strangeness or you too tried to neglect the truth to yourself like I did? –

--The second option, I´m afraid, and like you, I had to surrender and learn that the people who really love you might not be perfect, that despite all their faults and defects, they love you for who you are, and that their love is so strong that nothing else compares to that—he said with real conviction—I might not like that Serenity acts sometimes like a spoiled kid, but I learned that my pride was nothing compared with every thing we had together—Mal nodded.

--Is scary to feel of a person so different that simply contradicts many of the things you have always valued—the troubled man added, being more honest with himself for the first time in weeks.

--And yet, is wonderful to let yourself be changed by love, Mal… Accept it and face it. Mina is not a bad person at all. She is just, well…

--So annoying sometimes, so shiny…

--Then, find the balance. She accepts your darkness as it is, I assume…Let her be the light you need, just feel, don't think…

--Is that what you do when the Queen…

Endymion smiled and stood up to leave. Yes, that was what he did when Serenity behaved so carefree, because she had showed him other world; she had shed light in his darkness and made him smile like no other person. Because she had awoken love that no one made him feel before. Because of so many wonderful things their love had created, like harmony in the coven, stability, friendship, their little Small Lady…All the love they shared was worth the effort of dealing with her crazy behavior... And so would be for Mal.

Mal landed in Mina´s balcony that evening feeling flustered and embarrassed. But at least, he had been true to himself and his personal demons had been calmed by the moment with advises the King gave him. He knew his friend was right. What did it mattered if he was a proud, sensate and calmed vampire that almost never smiled, that always kept himself cool and nice? That wasn't going to change if he accepted that he liked a woman so opposite to his own image.

The window opposed no resistance and Mal entered to the place noticing immediately that Mina wasn't there. Artemis was nowhere to be found and the whole apartment seemed empty. It was already past midnight and she was never this late. He found traces of her hurried activities that day and wondered what had just happened. The bedroom was a complete mess of clothes and attires that she probably discarded and had no time at all to put back in place. He sighed and began to put some order to that disaster. No more than five minutes later, he was finished and found himself with nothing more to do than wait and since it seemed that it would probably take some time, he lied in her bed, feeling a sudden tranquility as the faint aroma of her body that still remained in the covers touched his nostrils and lulled him into a better rest than the one he had had in the castle.

By six, when it became obvious that she wasn't about to come back, Mal left. He was furious again and yet he knew that she had more reasons to be than he had. After all, he had been the stupid who denied his own feelings and made fun of hers… She had the right to disappear like that and not bother to leave a clue of her activities.

Would he just need time to sort out his fears, to accept that they were meant to be together? Mina thought as she danced and sang in the stage. She wanted to cry again, but she couldn't because there were thousands of people who needed her shiny and happy looking. Her worse nightmare had come true and she would have to endure it and eventually learn something out of the whole mess she was in. At least, if things with Mal ended, she would still have her career. She still had her dreams and her self confidence. No man, no matter how good looking or good at sex, could make her forget that she had dreams and goals, that she lived for many more reasons than just herself.

And that day, her C´est la Vie was livelier than ever, her smile more dazzling and her heart more at peace, because at least she was honest with herself. Even if she was broken inside because he couldn't do the same…

--Mina is sad, Mama—said Small Lady while staring intently to the huge TV set in the favorite room of the Queen, following of course, the bedroom she shared with her husband.

The Queen nodded looking suspiciously concerned. The little girl with rosy hair wasn't her daughter for nothing. Some people had said that with that hair color and that mother, her brain would most probably be filled with rosy sugar cotton instead of intelligence. That´s why Small Lady worked so hard to show people she too was wise and proud daughter of her father, one of the most intelligent men ever to live.

Seating in the couch together with the Queen and Small Lady was Princess Raye, the Kings little sister. In another couch nearby, Lady Amy read a book looking completely mesmerized by whatever she had found there and finally, Lady Lita knitted a brown scarf. It was useless for Neph as their race didn't suffer from cold temperatures, but she still made them because she liked doing handmade things for her husband that showed him how much she cared for him.

--That´s my daughter!!—said Serenity—That idiot should have messed up the whole thing…

It was already night again and Mal passed to find himself facing the Queen once again. If one of those bastards had told her anything he would kill them for sure. He actually prayed. Whatever but not the Queen making fun of him…

--Mal dear… Are you going out tonight?—

--Yes… I am, My Lady…

--Mmmmmmm……

--Mom, your noise doesn't let me hear the music…--said Small Lady—Mina is going to sing The setting Sun…

--Ok, ok…

Mal heard Mina´s angelic like voice singing about a promise made in the light of the setting sun, and every time he heard that she wanted to see the lover in the song again, that she asked her lover to convey her feelings he felt as if the words were directed to him. The Queen and the Princess stared intently to the TV image of a perfectly shining Mina that sang her songs just as powerfully as always. The other Ladies remained silent but they too were paying attention to the song.

--She is definitely sad—said Lady Lita.

--Maybe the tour is not going well—nodded Small Lady.

--Maybe she is just worried about another incident like the one from before—stated Lady Amy.

--No,--said Princess Raye—I think she fought with some one.

--Nah—giggled the Queen—She is just a bit heart broken…But it will pass…

After wondering just how the King could deal with such women and not become crazy, he found the answer he had been looking for. Now he knew Mina wasn't running away from him.

--Ummm… eh…And where is…

--The whole continent—said the Princess in an attempt to provide the maximum information so that Mal just followed his path and left them alone with Mina´s music.—Two weeks, ten cities.

That was it. Mal was fried. But after rapidly collecting himself, he left the room and thank God that Small Lady had been so helpful and because the Queen had refrained herself of saying what she suspected more clearly. Still, he knew the heart break part had been directed to him and that she expected him to do something about it as soon as Mina arrived home.

As soon as Mal left, the Queen patted her daughter in the head feeling so much pride and promised that they would go to Mina´s next concert in the city. Small Lady just smiled and kept staring to the concert. That would mean pestering her father like never before.

And for some reason unknown to Mal, he kept going to the pent house every night, and clutched in her bed for a while, knowing full well that she still wouldn't return. He lost track of time some days and couldn't actually tell what date it was or which day of the week, because in his mind the only thing he could remember was the day she would come back.

After the first week, Mina felt better emotionally speaking. She had concluded that she was definitely in love with Mal, but that she would just let him go if that´s what he wanted. She decided that if blood was what he needed, she would give it to him, but only that. Mina began to think with a clear head after that. She loved, enough to let him free, to give him what he needed from her and let him live without the burden of her feelings. It hurt to think like that, but at least, she knew her own dignity was save, that she wouldn't beg for the impossible or bother him with things that he didn't care for.

She loved him so much, and if Mal wasn't prepared to receive her feelings and try to return them, then she would pour all that love into her music. Because it would be the only thing that could keep her alive.

When Mal noticed that Mina´s return had been delayed, he became almost ghostly in the castle. The King and Queen were the only ones with courage enough to talk to him. The maids were simply terrified of the Lord mood and some were beginning to show some resentment to his behavior, specially the red headed girl that used to be Mal´s favourite blood donator and recently had seen herself rejected. But this went unnoticed by every one…

When Mina arrived to the city, she went straight to her apartment and decided to take it easy for a couple of days. Photography's sessions had already been programmed for the next week, but in between that and today, she could get some well deserved rest. Even her agent had said that she worked thrice her usual amount and the she shouldn't push herself too much. They wanted happy and over energized Mina, not sick version. What she found after opening the door and leaving Artemi´s transportation cage in the floor were the cleanliness and organization in the place. She hadn't left it like this, she remembered. But thinking of the possibility that Mal could have been there and done it was far too positive…It was early in the morning when she arrived. If he was to come, it would be in the night…she thought.

--No matter what happens, I keep positive, eh Artemis?—she muttered to her cat.

Artemis got out of his cage and went to tour the house. He too had been out for weeks and he needed to get back and rest in his own house. So, Mina found herself with a whole day ahead to think how to confront Mal, if he came… She changed and went out. Maybe some walking would help her to gather the courage to put her heart at ease into pain.

Mal felt his heart jump and his hollowness disappear as soon as he noticed the light in the pent house. He almost crashed the crystal in the window with the strength of his haste to go and find her. Suddenly, the need for blood hit him like a bullet train. How strange he thought, in two weeks of absence he hadn't felt so much thirst. But then again, that could be an extra effect of that special blood, it could fulfill in ways other´s just couldn't. Before meeting her, he needed blood every five days as maximum, and now, a single drop was enough to keep him going for several weeks…

He hurried into the kitchen because all the habitual noise she made was coming from there. He stopped in his track under the threshold and asked himself once again if she would ever fail to surprise him. Mina was trying to cook something while dressed in a ridiculous baggy pajama dotted with cute looking bunnies all over. Her blonde hair was completely down and reached down her thighs… She was humming some melody with a cheerful voice and seemed oblivious to his presence.

--Mina—

She was trying to give the final cut to the ingredients for a sandwich when he spoke. Her humming stopped and also the care with which she was handling the knife, so it just landed painfully in one of her fingers. She spun around cursing and grabbing her hurt limb and faced him, her face still contorted with surprise for both the small accident and Mal´s presence.

--Hi Mal…--she said looking straight to his eyes and with a suddenly too wide smile in her lips that made her whole face shiny again—How are you?—

Mal had an indefinable expression in his face. Suddenly, the two weeks they were separated from each other appeared in his light blue eyes giving him a softer look. His whole spirit seemed to rest as he approached Mina and took her hand in his and lift the hurt finger to his fingers. Mina stared and felt more pain than ever as he licked away the little blood her wound produced. She was convinced that he just need her blood and that the look of relief in his face was there because he had missed her blood, but not her, just as she had thought. She opened her mouth to say something when she saw him rubbing his left cheek with the back of her hand, with his eyes peacefully closed and his breath becoming more relaxed. He then reached for her waist and imprisoned her smaller body against his and then Mina felt pain beyond anything else as she heard his heart softly thumping in his chest.

--Don't do this to me…--she whispered with her eyes closed, her face contorted with suffering—Mal, I…

Mal understood he had made one mistake and she probably wouldnt believe what he needed to tell her, what he wanted to convey… He cupped her face with a gentleness that scared him to the bone and slowly, softly, he lowered his lips to hers… It was enough oof running away, enough lying to himself… She could be whatever she wanted and so could he, but that wasn't going to change the fact that they belonged together, that being like that was right and good for them.

--I missed you…I really did Mina…--he said in between all those soft kisses. His voice charged with tenderness and care—I…

--You missed my blood, not me…--she answered trying to convince herself that she should just pull away and offer her neck. She wanted the final proof and so, she did just that…much to Mal´s horror.

He felt such a relief when he took that drop of blood from her hand that he forgot how much Mina should be suffering. He asked himself just how strong she should be to do what she was doing, without crying a single tear, without shivering and hesitation. He took her face in his hands again and kissed her, this time passionately and strongly, trying to begin and show her just how wrong she was, how much he needed her. Mina moaned softly and that was it.

They somehow arrived to the bedroom without separating from each other. At this point, Mina had completely surrendered and so had Mal. Their kisses were still so soft and tender, yet passionate and hot. He laid her in the mattress so carefully that Mina felt like some sort of special gem, treated with tenderness. It was so different from the way he always treated her. Before, they usually felt all desperate and aroused and Mal had always been decided and demanding, but today he was so soft, his kisses so light and charged with emotion…

Mal stared back to the beautiful woman below him. She was still wearing that childish bunny pajama, but the look of love and desire in her eyes were already making her look like a goddess. He smiled a gentle smile and began to slowly unbutton her garments while his mouth deposited kisses in her neck and shoulders.

--I´m sorry…--he said feeling more embarrassed than ever. He almost never asked for forgiveness and much less said sorry.—I was wrong, Mina…

Mina moaned as he took her nipple in his mouth and began sucking it like a baby, and yet his tongue worked wonders just a lover could. He was serious about all that and she could begin to see it.

--Do you really want me?—her answer came when Mal pulled her pants and underwear out and his lips floated in her stomach and belly, going more and more to…

Mal felt something stronger than even the lust for blood. As his tongue caressed her most intimate places and his fingers entered her, he felt possessiveness and belonging. He was hers and she was his. He wouldn't feel so much with anyone but with her, he wouldn't give pleasure and feel hers as his if their bond weren't as strong as it was. When her body went still as an orgasm possessed her body, Mal wondered how he had been living before her. For him, the now when she was his mattered more than many centuries of fame and fortune. The feeling of being complete as she took his clothes away and pulled him over her so overwhelming that he felt more alive than ever before. Oh God, she was now touching him, her fingers travelling all around his body and to places she knew he felt so much...

--I want you Mina… I need you so much…

When he found himself unable to wait anymore, he grabbed her back and bottom firmly and positioned her in a sitting position. Mina gasped his name and separated from him to stare directly into his eyes as her body slowly descended to his, burying him in her. Mal was able to hold her gaze for a second but he closed his eyes and groaned loudly as the pleasure of finally being one with her surpassed his own ability to think. He was breathing so ragged and seemed to enjoy it so much because it was her that Mina felt her heart twisting knowing that he had finally surrendered and that it was all true. And as she began to kiss him again and move her hips up and down, she realized that this was not just sex, but the physical expression of feelings far stronger than lust, she knew they were finally making love together.

And when she woke up the next morning in a pitch black room, after a long night of love and pleasure, and turned the side table lamp on, she found Mal peacefully sleeping beside her for the first time.