Of Vengeance and Beauty
Chapter Six
By: Sailor Raspberry


Author's Notes: This was really easy for me to right, it just kinda spilled out onto the keyboard and seeped into Microsoft Word! Expect Chapter Seven within the next few days. This story is a rockin' and a rollin'!

Disclaimer: Standard stuff; don't own Sailor Moon or its characters (Serena, Darien, Lita, Raye, ect. ect.) But, I do own the plot + storyline.


Sapphire tapped his temple in annoyance, his eyes skimming his office. This was taking too long; his plan had to be put into process! Diamond was too slow on his feet; he wouldn't be able to catch an old deer without straining himself first.

He smirked, flopping down in his chair. Diamond was a fool. Did he really believe there was a "world dominating power" or whatever he told him it was? Stupid, stupid man; it was just a lie. What he really wanted was the power to rule this pack correctly, and not cower inside an old house while other wolves overtook the British Isle, like the so called alpha male did.

Sapphire chuckled, leaning back so his head rested in the chair. He hadn't expected for this Serena character to appear and rearrange his plans. But, now that he thought back on it, it was pure fortune that she came. Diamond is more vulnerable now then he ever has been.

Although, Sapphire couldn't help but pity how idiotic his brother was being. The woman had found a mate. There was no way he was going to be able to capture her, even with that crystal.

Wouldn't a good brother tell him this?

Yes, of course. But, Sapphire knew he didn't have time to but a damper on his brother's dreams of 'wooing' that petite woman. After all, she was one of the main keys to killing him off so he could rightfully claim the role as alpha male. Right now, he had to manipulate Diamond into believing he actually had a chance; that if he tampered with her just enough, she would be his.

A deep chuckle echoed from his throat as he rubbed over the stubble that was on his chin. Sometimes, this all seemed too simple. But Sapphire knew better then to get his hopes high, like his brother was, because anything could happen.

And it certainly didn't take a fool to know that.

Sapphire looked out his window, watching as the sun made it's depute on the world.

"I best get going," he said, standing from the chair and stretching his muscles. "Breakfast will be prepared soon."

Serena hastily piled the broken pieces of glass into a cloth, throwing them into the trash bin before glancing around her classroom. She had skipped breakfast; she wasn't in the mood to play around with Darien at the moment.

She smoothed her hands over the pile of crinkled papers, silently cursing Darien for ruining her students work.

Rotating her stiff shoulders, she moved towards the row of windows, leaning against one of the sills to look out over the forest.

Something shifted behind her, and she whirled around. "Hello?"

After receiving no response, she shook her head, trying to calm her raving imagination. Looking back to the window, she sighed, staring at her reflection. "You're going insane."

Someone's breath swept across her neck, a figure appearing behind her before flouncing towards the door.

Serena blinked, looking harder into the glass. "What was-." Realization dawned on her, and she jumped around.

She glared at the empty classroom, walking slowly towards the exit. Gripping the door handle, she swung the door open.

Squeaking, she tumbled to the floor, breathing heavily as Jadeite and Nephlyte stood over her, confused looks adorning their faces.

"Are you alright, Ms. Lockeheart?" Nephlyte asked, bending down to help her from the floor.

Serena accepted his hand, smoothing down her skirts. "Of course, you just caught me off guard, is all."

They nodded, stepping around her and into the room. She took a deep breath, walking back to her desk, the door left open.

As the final class ended, she ushered her students and watch-wolves from the classroom, closing the door quickly.

She headed back towards the windows, her fingers touching the glass gingerly. Her neck began to prickle slightly, and she turned to slowly look around the room.

Her eyes fell on a grey-coated wolf, who sat soundlessly outside the storage closet. Her shoulder twitched up in pain, the animal's amethyst eyes glowing as the sun sat low in the sky.

He began to walk towards her, his legs taking demanding strides. Serena bit her lip, attempted to step around the animal, but froze when it growled deeply, teeth barred. She closed her eyes, feeling the animal stop before her.

"Serena?"

She jumped slightly, turning to the door to see Darien looking at her, jaw clenched. She looked back to the floor. There was no sign of another's presence.

Trying to calm her heavy breathing, she peered at Darien from the corner of her eye, smiling faintly.

"Are you feeling ill?" He was suddenly before her, standing in the exact same spot the animal had just been. Can he not sense the wolf?

She pulled away from his outstretched hand, "I feel fine, thanks."

He pursed his lips, his hands rising to grip her shoulders. "Are you sure?"

Serena sighed, patting his cheek none too gently. "I promise. I'm fine."

Darien smiled, kissing her forehead affectionately. "Then come on." He grabbed her wrist, tugging her from the room.

She was being pulled through the forest, beams of pink sunlight peeking through the canopies. Her bare feet crushed fallen leaves and twigs, but she barely noticed as she observed the birds that flew low on the ground and the squirrels that hopped from branch to branch.

Darien glanced back at her, slowly bringing them to a stop.

"Why are we here?" Serena looked around again, gasping when his hands covered her eyes.

His voice was at her ear, his warm breath tingling her neck, "Don't worry, just trust me." He gently pushed her forward, leading her to the edge of the forest.

Serena couldn't hide her smile when they came to a sudden stop, his voice back at her ear. "Ready?"

She nodded, shivering lightly as he kissed her temple and moved his hands to her waist.

Blinking a couple of times, she looked around the darkness, her eyes falling on a small lake that split the forest in half. She rested her head in the crook of Darien's neck, looking up into his face. "Why did you bring me here?"

He smiled, pulling away from her. "Follow me."

Serena eyebrows rose as she watched Darien shed his clothes, wadding out to the middle of the lake. It only came up to his belly button. "You can't be serious!" She called out to him, slipping from her dress and poking her toe in the water. "I'm not going in there! The water is freezing!"

Darien chuckled, walking back to the bank, "Please?" He opened his arms, pouting at her.

Serena rolled her eyes, slowly taking a step into the water. "If I get hyperthermia and die, I'm going to haunt you for the rest of your werewolf life!" She approached him, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I won't let you die," he purred, enveloping her in a hug. "You're too special."

She laughed, adjusting her body in his grasp, "Aren't you a charmer?"

He shrugged, pulling her backward into the water. "I try."

Sapphire walked casually into his brother's office, glancing around the room quickly before allowing his gaze to fall on Diamond. "You called?"

Diamond sat at his desk, tapping his lips with his index finger in concentration. "I've been thinking, brother." He looked up from the crystal, eyebrows furrowed. "You told me to contact her when she's alone."

Sapphire nodded slowly, striding to spare chair across from the desk. "I did."

Diamond pursed his lips, his amethyst eyes searching the navy ones before him. "She seems to be around her mate more often." He sat forward, bobbing his head in the direction of the crystal, where the male dropped her female in the water. "I can barely see her by herself for five minutes."

Sapphire propped his ankle up on his knee, folding his hands into his lap. "I see the dilemma." He licked his lips, pretending to ponder for an answer. Quickly glimpsing over the image, he looked over at his brother. "I'll tell you what to do."

Serena came up sputtering, her vision blurred as Darien picked her up again. "Stop!" She wrapped her arms around his neck, laughing wildly as he spun her around.

Darien dropped her body into the water, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her tenderly on the forehead. "I have a question."

Serena lifted her head from his chest and looked at him, resting her chin against his shoulder. "And what would that be?"

He ran his fingers through her hair, biting the inside of his cheek thoughtfully. "Where did you find that rope?"

She giggled, lifted her legs to kneel around his waist, "My secret, honey buns." She smiled playfully, tightening her arms around his neck and planting a kiss on his lips.

Darien grunted, tipping her back so her head skimmed to water. "You're a minx."

Serena shrugged, swishing her head so her hair pooled out around them. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all."

She giggled softly as he spun her in a circle, her arms above her head and hair trailing after them in clouds of golden strings.

"I love you."

Serena glanced up from the water, smiling when she met an intense gaze. She released her legs from his waist, holding her arms out so he could pull her against him. "I love you, too."

Darien smiled down at her, capturing her lips in another kiss.

Sapphire watched his brother pace around the room, biting his tongue harshly to keep from smiling.

"You want me to make her think she's going insane?" Diamond turned to face him, eyes showing his disbelief.

Sapphire shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "It's obvious, brother. If you get this Serena character to mentally believe she's crazy, you'll be able to take her without hesitation."

Diamond pursed his lips tightly, continuing his pacing. "Sapphire, it seems extreme, doesn't it?"

Sapphire sighed, tapping his foot on the ground. "Can you come up with something that won't get your throat ripped out by lover boy?" He motioned towards the crystal, cocking his head to the side.

He scowled, turning back towards the desk. "No."

Sapphire smirked at his brother's back, standing from his chair. "Then stop pouting like a baby, and go get what you really want."

Diamond sighed, leaned against his desk. "You should leave now, Sapphire. I have things to plan."

Serena led Darien onto the bank of the lake, nestling against his chest as they gazed up at the sky and named constellations. They shared many tiny kisses and some longer ones, while talking of their pasts and what they had planned for the future.

"Six children?" Serena leaned away from him to look into his face, eyebrows arched. "You're insane!"

Darien chuckled, nuzzling her neck. "No, I just dream big."

Serena sighed, settling herself back against his chest. "Maybe three, if you're good." She kissed his chin, smiling. "If you get lucky, four."

He rolled his eyes dramatically, "I don't get luck, love. I make it."

She laughed, leaning her head back to look into his face. "I doubt that, Repens."

Darien snarled teasingly, flipping her onto her back so he could rise above her. "Do you, little rabbit?"

Serena nodded, smirking, "I have no proof."

"Well, allow me to show you." Darien growled deeply, dipping his head so he could suck at her collar bone.

She giggled, draping her arms around his neck. "Oh Darien!"

He grunted loudly, falling forward against her.

"Darien?" She shook him, his body crushing her petite frame. "Are you alright?"

A warm liquid brushed across her fingers. She gulped, lifted her head slightly to peer over his shoulder, her insides clenching painfully. Puddles of blood soaked the crevices of his back, turning his tanned skin to a sickly crimson color. Within his left shoulder was a blade, burrowed up to the handle. Serena cried out, ripping the silver from his body.

"Serena?"

She gritted her teeth tightly, her body enclosing itself within numbness.

"Serena!"

She gasped, looking up at Darien, who stared down at her with a concerned expression. Swallowing back the thump in her throat, she crawled out from under him, her eyes sweeping over his unharmed back. Trying to calm her uneven breathing, she pulled him from the ground and over to their scattered clothes. "We should get back to Cryptid. Raye's probably going to have our heads for skipping dinner. Don't want her to extract a limb for coming in late." She laughed nervously, sliding into her dress.

Darien eyed her carefully, buttoning his jacket and wrapping an arm around her trembling shoulders. "Are you okay?"

Serena smiled, patting his stomach, "I just like being able to walk, is all."

He nodded, pulling her closer and leading her back into the forest. Serena quickly glanced over her shoulder and at the lake; droplets of blood slowly drizzled from the bank into the water.

Serena silently slipped into Darien's room, grabbing her comb and viciously tugging at her tangled hair.

Darien slowly approached her, plucking the tool from her hands. "You gave me quite the scare, love," he whispered, patiently running his fingers through her hair to locate knots.

"How so?" Serena licked her suddenly dry lips, griping balls of skirt into her hands.

"You just seemed to...faze out." Darien pulled a piece of hair away from her face, tucking it securely behind her ear. His face tightened, the comb dropping to the floor.

"Is something wrong?" She turned in her chair as he clutched his chest, his face paling noticeably. "Darien?"

She grabbed under his arms as he collapsed to his knees, his breathing becoming hallow before he fell limp.

Serena winced, a painful tug at her skull drawing a small yelp.

"There, you did it again!" Darien accused, dropping the comb to the vanity and placing his hands on his hips.

She shook her head, looking warily into the mirror. "You know, you'd make a great house wife."

Frowning, Darien grabbed the back of the chair and turned it. "What's wrong?"

Serena suddenly found the wooden floors very interesting, her damp hair falling in front of her eyes. "It's just," she gulped, raising her head slightly so she could see his face. "Have you ever felt like someone was controlling your mind?"

Darien's eyebrows shot to his hairline, arms falling back to his sides. "Your mind?"

She pursed her lips, standing from the chair. "Never mind, I just have an over-active imagination." Changing swiftly into her nightgown, she climbed into bed, burying her head under a pillow.

"Serena..." The bed shifted, causing her to roll slightly towards the edge. "Tell me what's wrong."

She huffed, turning to give him a nice view of her back, "Nothing is wrong, Repens. Now, go to sleep."

"Not until to talk to me about this 'controlling your mind' thing."

Serena gave an exasperated sigh, flipping onto her back and focusing on the ceiling. "My imagination gets the best of me, okay?"

Darien rolled his eyes, laying on his side and propping his head into his palm. "Somehow, I find that untrue."

"Whatever."

He nudged her shoulder, his eyes seeking connection with hers, "Tell me about it."

Serena rolled onto her stomach, shoving her face into the pillow. "I'm sleeping now."

Darien groaned in frustration, climbing over her and onto his side of the bed.

Diamond smirked at the picture. So far, Sapphire was right. Soon, this little fireball of beauty would be his.

Leaning back, his watched as Serena slowly drifted off to sleep. Yawning, he stood from his chair, cracking his knuckles before heading out the door to get some sleep himself.

Darien awoke to a petite figure climbing atop his back, tiny fingers kneading into his shoulder muscles. A small kiss was placed at the base of his neck, "I'm sorry."

He peaked open an eye, looking back at Serena with a small smile. "For what, love?"

She shrugged, bending over and digging an elbow into his back. He winced. "You know, yesterday night." She shrugged again, running her palms up his spine. "Can I make it up to you?"

Darien scrunched up his face, attempted to ponder at her offer. "How so?"

Serena smirked, kissing his shoulder. "It'd have to be a surprise."

One eyebrow arched and he turned on his back, grabbing her waist to hold her in place. "I'm not sure I like surprises."

She purred, bending over to kiss him. "I think you'll like this one."

Students turned in their seats as the classroom door banged open, the teacher jogging up the aisles, lips plumper then usual and red marks dotting her neck. "Sorry I'm late," she plopped into her chair, running trembling fingers through her hair. "Pick up where we left off yesterday." Jadeite snickered in the corner, earning himself a harsh glare.

Serena's elbows sat on her desk as she doodled mindlessly on the paper before her. Her hand moved swiftly, sketching stick figures and hearts, crescent moons and stars. Sighing, she drew a large D, scribbling out the rest of the name out without fully recognizing what she was doing.

Dropping her pencil to the desk, she examined her paper. But something wasn't right. Her fingers traced across the pictures, stopping at the D. "Diamond?"

She pulled the picture closer to her face, noting how the handwriting didn't resemble hers at all. Slowly, she crossed out the name, moving above it to write the correct one.

She smiled as she finished, looking down at her work. Her face fell, eyes taking in the name again. "I don't even know a Diamond." Crumpling the sheet, she tossed it at the trash bin, pulling out a new piece.

"What do you mean you don't know a Diamond?"

Serena looked up from her desk, skin draining and neck stinging as a man sat against the window sill, face formed into a frown. "How did you get in here?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "No 'Hello, Diamond' or 'how nice of you to stop in, Diamond'?" He walked passed Jadeite and Nephlyte, who were playing some absurd hand game. And now that she looked at it, it was being done in slow motion. She heard him move forward, his footsteps heavy.

Serena jumped from her chair, its frame crashing to the floor. "Don't come any closer."

Diamond sneered, stopping mid-step. "Someone needs to loosen up." He licked across his teeth, rotating his shoulders. "I'd be honored to help."

Serena felt her stomach lurch at his offer, but kept her eyes at his, hands curling into fists. "You're a werewolf."

He shrugged, crossing his arms. "And last time I checked, in a week and a half, you'll be one too."

She glared, leaning against her desk for support; the pain in her neck was spreading to her arm. "You're also stalking me." She cracked her jaw, rolling her head to relieve some pain. "And last time I checked, I wasn't stalking you." Her voice mimicked his previous comment, lips forming into a scowl.

"I wouldn't call it stalking, per say." He tapped his chin, eyes lolling up to look at the ceiling. "More like tracking your love."

Serena coughed, swallowing back a bark of laughter. "I'm not your love, creep." Adopting a serious expression, she met his gaze again. "Stop bothering me. Stop making me see things. And stop thinking you're going to sweep me off my feet. I already have someone to do that." She crossed her arms, nodding her head to emphasize her point.

A look of rage crossed over his face before it was replaced with pure, unadulterated possessiveness. He stomped over to her, standing an inch from her, but not touching. "I will have you." He smirked, glancing at small daisy chains that laced around her neck. "And if you keep mating with that man, I'll take matters into my own hands."

Serena glowered up at him, her fingers twitching. "Don't. Touch. Darien."

Diamond snarled, his upper lip pulling upwards slightly. "Oh, so that's his name." He rolled his eyes, taking a step back. "Then I'll take my vengeance." He poked himself in the chest, "And I'll kill that bastard."

Her neck throbbed painfully, hand swinging out and snapping across his cheek. "You lay one of your grimy hands on him and I'll-"

Serena gasped, toppling from her chair and onto the floor. Her palm stung, neck bristling painfully. Nephlyte and Jadeite were at her side, helping her off the floor and asking questions that didn't quite reach her ears.

Batting away the two men, she slid back into her chair and inhaled deeply. "I'm fine," she muttered, picking up her charcoal and pulling her paper towards her.

She withheld a small gasp, looking at her doodles. At the edge of the paper read the name Darien, not Diamond. Blinking a few times, she glanced around the room, meeting the gazes of curious looking children. Giving them a small grin, she looked down at the paper again, tracing the carefully written letters.

Diamond sat stunned in his chair, fingers caressing his stinging cheek gingerly. The woman slapped him. That is not acceptable. "Who does she think she is?" He watched as she followed the students from the room, hurriedly walking through the hallways and into an office.

A low growl rumbled in his chest as he spotted a dark haired man catching the woman as she flew into his arms. "Something needs to be done." He gritted his teeth as they exchanged a kiss. "And quickly."

Sapphire looked away from the slightly ajar door, forcing away a smile. Things really were going the way he wanted. It was only a matter of time before Diamond snapped, and reluctantly getting himself killed.

Sapphire chuckled as he strode down the dark hallway, hands deep in his pocket and ideas brewing in his head for when he become the new alpha male.


Tell me what you all thought. Critique me, give me some constructive criticism! I can take it, promise!

xo,
Sailor Raspberry