Chapter 6: Lies and Betrayal?! Women are Difficult!
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Warmth. Security. Usagi's mental voice sighed as she slowly slipped between realms of consciousness. As feeling crept back into her stiff sleepy limbs, the princess smiled contentedly. Strong muscular arms had a secure but tender hold around her petite frame. They seemed to cradle her close as softly slow and gentle breaths caressed her face, shifting her fallen bangs to and fro, tickling her light crème forehead.
'I'm home.' Her inner voice whispered, hope and happiness welling up within her bosom, bubbling and churning like the fountains of a geyser. 'I have to be home; there's no other explanation for it. How else could I feel so comfortable?' Her thoughts whisked around her mind in a misted state. 'And these arms.they're Mamo-chan's.Oh Goddess, I'm finally home!'
Clumsily gaining control of her body, Usagi slowly turned her face upwards, towards the source of the reassuring breath. The soldier of the moon sat quietly for a few moments, just listening to the soft and leisurely inhales and exhales of her sleeping love. The pace was tranquil and pleasant, content and secure. 'He's obviously sleeping well.like a little boy, all tired out from a rough game of tag.' She giggled soundlessly. 'I think I'll just watch him sleep for a while.so long as I don't wake him.'
Blue eyes fluttering open, their feathered lashes splitting like jet black gates, Usagi allowed her eyes to focus in the dim light.and upon the man who lay next to her, clutching her close like a small child. Sharp but breath-taking features.A pale, strong complexion and long, sooty colored eyelashes hidden by flowing hair of liquid silver.This was definitely *not* Mamoru.
With a mad and terrified shriek, the shocked woman bolted from the bed. Upon looking down, another horrified scream and the frantic grabbing for a pillow told one that a certain princess was anything but decent. Waking instantly with a shout, a very startled and panicked Prince Diamond flew upright. His widened electric blue eyes scanned the room quickly before coming to rest on a lividly flustered Moon Goddess, who, much to his dismay, happened to be covered ever so inconveniently by a pale gold pillow.
"Wha?! What's the matter?" He yelled, his heart still racing from the sudden wake-up call. "Are you alright, Usagi?"
"Am I alright?" She hissed incredulously, her shaking voice growing increasing in volume until it finally leveled off at a hysteric, ear- splitting screech. "AM I ALRIGHT? OF COURSE I'M NOT ALL RIGHT, YOU DIM- WITTED POOR EXCUSE FOR A NOBLE!! What the f*** is wrong with you?! What in the seven hells are YOU doing, NAKED in MY bed?!" She finished with flames in her eyes, her knuckles in a white clutch, sucking in large gasps of clean, early morning air as she waited for his answer, and another chance to begin her merciless onslaught of seething anger.
The Silver Prince winced as her sharp words, and shrill voice, hit him full force. "Who's bed is this again?" he grumbled to himself as he looked around just to make sure that they were still in his chambers. His mind and memory banks both gave him weak confirmation. Yup, this was his room, his bed all right. "Oy vey, it's way too early for a fight." He groaned a groan barely audible as he placed his hands on his face to shield his eyes from the light that was currently blinding him. Gently massaging some feeling back into the nerve-endings within his face, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and he let loose with a wonderfully sincere sigh.
"So this is how you greet the man who just gave you what could most possibly be the most passionate night of your life?" He queried simply as he collapsed back into the feathery comfort and silence of the bed. Propping himself up on a crooked elbow, he turned on his side and gave his beautiful goddess a look that quite plainly said 'Well? What's your answer?' Feeling more awake now, he added one of his many trademark phrases and a wolfish grin. "How.disappointing."
"What?" Usagi froze, her brow furrowed in an angry, yet insecure frown. "That is absolutely the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!" She spat at him. "I would *never* sleep with you, let alone enjoy such a-a traumatic experience!"
Diamond forced his lips to produce a thin, yet clearly visible smile. He wasn't going to let his anger get the best of him-not this time. The Silver prince had a plan, one on which he had the fullest intentions of following through on.
"Oh dear me!" He murmured with a mocking sense of concern and self- contemplation. "And here *I* thought all along that when a woman screamed 'More, more! Don't stop!' she was actually enjoying herself!" He clucked his tongue disapprovingly as he shook his head, his silver mane catching the beams of light that shone in thru the glass doors of the balcony. With a smug and triumphant glance, he finished, "Where simply have I been?"
Diamond watched giddily as the color drained from his captive's already pastel face, her currently shaking hands growing more and more unsteady with each and every intake of oxygen. There was no way that she could have betrayed Mamo-chan.was there? Usagi fought hard to remember last night, but no matter how she tried-she couldn't-she just couldn't remember one thing after passing out. The princess lurched forward as if she was about to be sick, grabbing the edge of the bed as an anchor. The strong and painfully harsh feeling of flaming rocks hit the bottom of her stomach as she fell into a kneeling position, finally coming to rest with her back against the bed. A flood of panic went through Diamond as he watched her fall, but he held himself back. 'You have to let these things happen!' His reasoning barked when he reached out to catch his falling star. 'You cannot let her know you are lying! Then all of this with be for naught!'
The Silver Prince knew his inner voice was right. One slip up and-and, well it was best to just not go there. It took almost all of Diamond's willpower to stay back and watch as Usagi eyes began to well up with tears, and even more willpower to do what he was about to do. 'Please, Usagi,' He pleaded with her mentally, aching to reach out and comfort her. 'Just believe me, forget Mamoru, and let this be over with. I don't want to ever have to lie to you again-it hurts us too much.'
'Get a grip, silly girl!' The goddess' thoughts shattered her silent and dark world of self-loathing and fear. 'You didn't do anything but pass out! Diamond is too weak to take you against your will, and your heart lies too true to Mamo-chan for you to do it yourself! Now turn around, and tell him a thing or two!' Strangely, her heart faltered when the Soldier of the Moon reached the Prince of the Earth's name. Was her heart *always* true to him?
"No." Usagi quavered, her confidence gradually seeping back into her veins, like warm water trickling thru long canals of ice. She shook her head feverishly. "I would never do that-give myself to you. And until the day I return to him, my thoughts will never be without Mamo-chan!"
The Princess of the Moon went pink as she heard Diamond begin to chuckle, then break into an uproarious, deep ringing laughter.
"Oh my dear Usagi!" He chortled with an elementally whimsical air as he wiped away the tears from his eyes. "You see, the funny thing is," He sniggered again, as if this was all some great joke, very obviously at the Moon Soldier's expense. He gave her an apologetic grin as he continued. "Oh, I'm sorry, but you see, the funny thing is that you really *did* give yourself to me! Quite willingly, if I may be so bold as to add."
Diamond stretched his arms towards the heavens as he leaned back into the snow-white tranquility of the sheets. His soot colored lashes, as an almost dreamy look bloomed across his face, shadowed his eyes. The princes' silver hair hung down and framed his face like a halo, almost giving his sinister air a more angelic appearance as he seemed to return to a distant, yet very pleasant memory.
"Hmmm." He muttered quietly, his deep ice burg blue gaze fixed on the atmosphere above him. "I'll never forget last night, Usagi.never. If I remember correctly, your thoughts were evidently not with your precious 'Mamo-chan'." Diamond flashed an animalistic grin. "In fact, they were anything *but* with another man."
Usagi could not believe what Diamond was saying. She didn't want to believe what she was hearing. It was all too surreal for it to seem right, and she was growing tired of fighting quickly. 'Why don't you just give up, dearie?' A soft voice in the back of her subconscious whispered. 'Is all this fighting really worth it? Do you want to keep pushing and pushing?' Her instincts kicking in, Usagi felt a nauseating wave of fear and anger wash over her once again. 'What exactly are you afraid of?'
Her defenses disintegrating at an alarming pace, the princess decided to give it one last shot, to fight Diamond once more. "If I've said it once, Diamond, I'll say it again." Her tone cracked mid-sentence, displaying her emotions for the Prince to clearly see. "You are a liar. You must have used your-your third eye, or something!" The girl sputtered quickly.
'She's losing, and she knows it.' Thoughts hissed. 'Finish her!' "Oh, I'm sorry that's incorrect. Do not pass go, do not collect two-hundred dollars." The Noble of the Dark Moon teased mercilessly. "It was a sporting try though, my dear. It would have probably worked too, except for one tiny little thing." He held his long and graceful index finger barely two centimeters apart, illustrating 'tiny'. "I don't have my third eye anymore. It's gone." He grinned a Cheshire cat grin as he lifted himself to a sitting position.
'So that's it. It's over. You lost.' Reasoning muttered to Usagi as she went numb. The Lady of the Moon couldn't move, she couldn't speak, she couldn't think, she could barely breathe, nothing. What else could she say to Diamond? She had betrayed the love of her life, her everything. Usagi's heart had abandon Mamo-chan.
"Well, well!" Diamond chirped as he rose from the bed, wrapping the sheet around his rippled and light abdomen. "I guess that is the end of that!" With a light-hearted whistle that was by no means sincere, the Silver Prince strode to his bathroom, pulling a deep blood red robe from a nearby easy chair with him, up and onto his shoulder. Stopping in front of his sink, he slowly reached out a hand, and turned on the cold-water faucet.
"Just one more step, and I'll be done.it'll be over, and I can start all over with her. I'll prove my love to you, my Golden Goddess. I'll make you the happiest woman in the universe-just give me the chance." He whispered to his reflection in the mirror, as if convincing it would justify the means of his cruel plan. Cupping his hands, Diamond splashed the cool and refreshing liquid onto his face, scrubbing and scrubbing at the dirt he felt plaguing his face, although he knew perfectly well his image was clean. He just felt filthy, his conscience.
Groping blindly at first for the faucet, then for a towel, the noble patted his face dry, the burgundy red of its fibers absorbing the water. He sighed as he slipped on his robe, one arm, and then the other before tying the embroidered sash tightly at his waist. Giving himself one final glance in the mirror, he nodded his reluctant approval, and headed back to a broken queen.
"Usagi dear!" He called in a staged cheery tone, producing a pale pink silken robe, silver and lavender embroidered flowers and rabbits all along it edges. "Here. This is for you. You seem rather." He dared a quick downward glance at her bare physique as he tried to hide a smirk, draping the fragrant cloth around her slender frame. "Chilly."
Allowing her pull her arms thru, Diamond drew together the edges of the bathrobe and folding one under the other; he tied the sash with trembling but gentle hands. With a final tug, he released both girl and garment, and took a large step back to admire the two.
"Gorgeous-simply gorgeous." Was all he could mutter, his electric azure eyes wide with love, adoration and desire. Usagi's sunlight gold hair hung in light gentle waves, cascading all down her back and around her shoulders with a wild finesse. It surrounded her like an angel's aura, as if it were reflecting the purity and goodness within her heart. The pastel rose of the silk brought out the bit of the flush in her cheeks, and the cherry of her perfectly shaped lips. The color contrasted the cerulean blue in her eyes; bringing them out, making them sparkle. To him, she was beautiful; she was everything.
Usagi however, didn't feel lovely at all. She felt wretched and vile. Disgusted with herself, she could only stand there, frigid and cold, to prevent from collapsing into a fit of uncontrollable, heart-broken sobs. 'What have I done?' She repeated to herself, over and over, a sharp note of anguish and desperation in every word. 'I promised Mamoru eternity.what have I done to him? What have I done to *us*?'
'Here goes nothing.' Diamond grimaced silently as he stepped protectively around and behind his princess, enveloping her within his embrace, drawing her close to his body. Expecting an elbow in the stomach, or worse, another castrating kick, he was slightly shocked and uniquely overjoyed when the soldier of the moon let his strong arms guide her to his body. The Prince was even more amazed when she didn't try to stop him from tenderly pushing her hair to the side, revealing her soft and sweetly fragrant crème colored neck. Deciding to nudge his boundaries a little further, Diamond took a cool finger, and soothingly began to drag it along her jawbone, down her slightly tilted neckline, and then slowly back along the same trail again. He watched intently, waiting for her to turn and sock him, but she remained motionless. Confidence that his plan had finally succeeded began to set in, and, as most everyone knows, once confidence sets in, instant karma is there to kick it right back down.
"Oh Gods, Usagi." He murmured as he began to rain kisses on her open neck joyfully, speaking as he could between each one. "I've needed you so much, and now that you're here, with me, as mine, the joy in my heart knows no boundaries." Remembering to play along with his original plan, he couldn't help but adding, "That Mamoru never appreciated you, did he? That jerk probably wouldn't want anything to do with you if he knew you had slept with someone else-he doesn't love you the way I do-"
Just because Usagi wasn't moving at all, doesn't mean that she wasn't listening to every word that Diamond said. In fact, she had heard everything, and in her current state, it shattered what little control she had left. Slipping from his grip, the princess dropped to her knees, her face buried in her hands. Loud, gasping sobs escaped her chest as she tried to stop crying, all her pain and despair catching up with her. The more she tried to stop weeping, the harder and louder her wails became, the warm, wet tears flowing like miniature floods. Faltering, Diamond mentally kicked himself repeatedly and flew down on bended knee. 'Idiot!!' He cursed soundlessly. 'I am such a stupid prick! Idiot, idiot, IDIOT!'
"Please don't cry, I'm so sor-" His apology cut short as he reached out to hold her, Usagi irately swatted his hands away, turning her uncovered face towards the floor and out of sight. 'I have-have to get out of here.I can't stay anymore!' She screamed within the safe walls of her psyche. Rising to her feet shakily, the soldier of the moon spun on her heel and ran towards the door, shoving it open and cutting a sharp corner to her room. The Silver Prince watched her escape from him once again, a helplessly lost look engraved upon his solemn, distressed face.
"This is fantastic, just absolutely perfect. What am I supposed to do now?" He snapped to an empty room, where perhaps the only objects that could hear him, let alone pay any mind, were the bed and the multiple sets of furniture. Placing his fingers on his temples, he began to rub with a sense of pressure, trying to prevent a large headache from already building up.
"Cherry!" He barked suddenly, the raw emotion seeping into his command. "Come here this instant!" He waited until the small pink shimmering cloud of dust materialized into the petite girl know as Cherry-Blossom, the tiny little bells on her shoes singing their little wind-chime like song. "Usagi." He muttered, pointing to the door. "Find her, make sure she receives whatever she wishes, only exception being the ones which we discussed earlier. Do not let her leave your sight, understood?"
"Yes, M'Lord. As you wish-" Came the small, meek reply, the sound itself like the sigh of a spring breeze.
"Oh, and have someone from the kitchen send up four of their strongest drinks, as soon as possible."
"Of course, right away, Your Highness."
With another weary wave of his hand, he mumbled another command. "You are dismissed, Cherry." Diamond was about to let her leave at that, until the flashing image of a scolding Usagi raced through his mind, and for her sake, he simply added. "And Cherry? Thank you, your loyalty and good service will not be over-looked."
The little petal child turned, a confused yet contented look worn like a banner. She wasn't quite sure what to do.Prince Diamond had never really thanked his staff before.
"Uh, I thank you, Lord Diamond." She smiled gratefully; her cheeks blushed into an adorable grin. "I am only doing though sir, what you ask of me."
"Very well, Cherry." He flashed a rare, fatigued smile in return. "Now you are officially dismissed.off you go." The Silver Prince waited until he could no longer feel the presence of his servant, before he collapsed onto his bed with soft *whumph* and a groan.
"I hope those drinks get here soon." He buried his head into his comforter, taking a deep breath; he caught Usagi's scent, not only embedded within his bedclothes, but his mind as well. Could he ever escape his infatuation with her? With a profound mental sigh he added 'I'm going to need them.women are so.difficult.'
End Chapter Six
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Authors Notes, Rants and Raves (OF DOOM!!):
AHHHHHHH!! ::runs around in a circle, screaming her head off:: Summer is almost over! I have to go back to school! My vacation has been so busy, I don't even feel remotely relaxed at all! AHHHHHHH! ::calms down:: Whoo.okay then, now that *THAT* is out of my system.how are all you lovely reviewers? ^-^
Oy vey, to be completely honest, I didn't like this chapter very much. I don't think I did as well on it as I did the others, but I suppose that having to write it while moving from computer to computer over a series of days (I haven't been home.so I sneak computer time in elsewhere) is a somewhat decent excuse.eh heh.right? ^-^;; But look on the bright side, it's five in the morning, and I haven't gone to bed because I promised myself I would put something out there for you guys to read! ::sniffles:: Such dedication!
::From off in the distance:: Xelloss: You mean 'Such procrastination!'
::Leci pulls something out of her pocket, sets it on fire, then throws it in Xelloss' direction, whistling happily. Five seconds later, a loud explosion is seen and heard, and a very charred Xelloss teleports in next to Leci, coughing and smoking (not puff cigarette smoking, but on fire smoking)::
Xelloss: ::glares:: You suck, did you know that? -_-
Leci: ::smiles sweetly:: And you shouldn't piss me off. I'm running out of pixie stix, it's five o'clock in the frickin' morning, and I haven't had any sleep or my coffee yet. ::licks fingers and puts out a little flame on Xelloss' hair:: Btw, smoking is a bad habit, you should quit. ^-^
Xelloss: ..
Leci: Anyhoo, if there are no more interruptions, I'll continue. I just posted this to give you guys something until I can get the next chapter out (which should be soon..hopefully.) and to help me get out of my severe writer's block block-party. In the next chapter, things really start to get rolling! I introduce the villain-ness, and although she is just kinda shrouded in shadow the first time you meet her, she is really spiffy! Creepy granted, but spiffy. You also find that someone is not as loyal as they should be, and - well, I'll just leave it at that.
Unfortunately, I won't be doing any special recognition stuff from the reviews on this chapter, but next chapter, I'll do all the reviews from chapter 5 and 6. Just know I love ya guys and that you're the best people out there. ^-^
Coming to our final order of business, want to read a really, really, really, *really* great story? Like Slayers? Like Xelloss (My personal fav), Zelgadiss (A close second), Lina Inverse, Gourry "is it a pickle?" Gabriev and the rest of the cast, plus many other special guest appearances? Like action, adventure, romance (well, of course you like romance, or why in the hell would you be reading this?), mystery, drama, yadda, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blah? Want me to stop asking such stupid questions?
::hears a big resounding "YES!"::
Alrighty! Then go read "Seyruun High Jinx", by a team known as Rat and Frog, some of *the* most talented people I've ever had the pleasure of reading works from. They are under my favorite stories, and the author name they go by is under my favorite authors, so you have no excuse for not reading it.unless something terrible happens.then you have a good excuse..But anyways, before I start sounding like some cheesy rip off of the "Oprah Winfrey Book Club", this is a really nice work of art. I love reading it, and I have a hard time waiting for the next chapter to come out. Go read. You'll enjoy. Even if you've never seen Slayers, they still make it easy to understand. ::clears throat:: Ahem, and next, we'll have our special guest, life psychologist, Dr. Phil! J/k. lol. I would never do that to you guys, that's just too horrible to endure.
Okay, finally, the last thing. For real. Then I can go to sleep-wonderful, blessed sleep! ^-^ I am holding the next chapter hostage, again, for reviews.again. So tell me something I don't know, you say. Alright then, I will. I'm not going to tell you how many reviews I want. Instead, I'll just wait and when I see enough reviews in my lil' review box, I'll post. Good? Good.
Oh, yeah. Btw, I'm going to be announcing a contest in my next chapters rants and raves.Guess a thing or two, get it correct, and I'll do one of three things, or maybe, if I'm feeling really nice (or nice and drunk, whichever comes first), I'll mix two of them together, my choice on the second one though. It all depends on how busy my schedule gets. Anyhoo, guess whatever it is I want you to guess correctly, and I will either:
Write you a short fanfic with your own characters, and I'll help come up with a story line with you and your approval, of course.
Put you as a fairly important side character in anyone of my stories (There are two more coming! Yay!)
Um.eh heh.I forgot.But no worries! I'll remember eventually. Maybe it was something like "Be a beta reader, get to see all the chapters before anyone else does", I dunno, I can't remember. Have any suggestions for the contest? Tell me!! I would love to hear from you! Just leave it in the review box, or e-mail me, and I'll respond ASAP!
Whew, okay. That's it, the end. I am officially near dead. Not quite dead, but pretty damn close. (Oooh! Hey, look the sun's coming up! It's six o'clock now!) Again, thank you everyone, I appreciate everything you do for me, even though it may not seem like it. ^-^ I wuv you all.G'night! Ooops, almost forgot, I have to end with my trademark evil laugh.hahahahaha-ha- zzzhazzzzhazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
*~*Lady Eternal Cosmos Illusion*~*
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not Oprah, not Dr. Phil (thank God), not Slayers, not Seyruun High Jinx, Sailor Moon, nothing. So no sue. I do own Cherry-chan, my crazed rants and sleep and my made up characters.they're mine..miiiiiiine, my preciousssssssssssss..I don't own Gollum either.J.R.R. Tolkien does. Shutting up now. Nighty Night!
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Warmth. Security. Usagi's mental voice sighed as she slowly slipped between realms of consciousness. As feeling crept back into her stiff sleepy limbs, the princess smiled contentedly. Strong muscular arms had a secure but tender hold around her petite frame. They seemed to cradle her close as softly slow and gentle breaths caressed her face, shifting her fallen bangs to and fro, tickling her light crème forehead.
'I'm home.' Her inner voice whispered, hope and happiness welling up within her bosom, bubbling and churning like the fountains of a geyser. 'I have to be home; there's no other explanation for it. How else could I feel so comfortable?' Her thoughts whisked around her mind in a misted state. 'And these arms.they're Mamo-chan's.Oh Goddess, I'm finally home!'
Clumsily gaining control of her body, Usagi slowly turned her face upwards, towards the source of the reassuring breath. The soldier of the moon sat quietly for a few moments, just listening to the soft and leisurely inhales and exhales of her sleeping love. The pace was tranquil and pleasant, content and secure. 'He's obviously sleeping well.like a little boy, all tired out from a rough game of tag.' She giggled soundlessly. 'I think I'll just watch him sleep for a while.so long as I don't wake him.'
Blue eyes fluttering open, their feathered lashes splitting like jet black gates, Usagi allowed her eyes to focus in the dim light.and upon the man who lay next to her, clutching her close like a small child. Sharp but breath-taking features.A pale, strong complexion and long, sooty colored eyelashes hidden by flowing hair of liquid silver.This was definitely *not* Mamoru.
With a mad and terrified shriek, the shocked woman bolted from the bed. Upon looking down, another horrified scream and the frantic grabbing for a pillow told one that a certain princess was anything but decent. Waking instantly with a shout, a very startled and panicked Prince Diamond flew upright. His widened electric blue eyes scanned the room quickly before coming to rest on a lividly flustered Moon Goddess, who, much to his dismay, happened to be covered ever so inconveniently by a pale gold pillow.
"Wha?! What's the matter?" He yelled, his heart still racing from the sudden wake-up call. "Are you alright, Usagi?"
"Am I alright?" She hissed incredulously, her shaking voice growing increasing in volume until it finally leveled off at a hysteric, ear- splitting screech. "AM I ALRIGHT? OF COURSE I'M NOT ALL RIGHT, YOU DIM- WITTED POOR EXCUSE FOR A NOBLE!! What the f*** is wrong with you?! What in the seven hells are YOU doing, NAKED in MY bed?!" She finished with flames in her eyes, her knuckles in a white clutch, sucking in large gasps of clean, early morning air as she waited for his answer, and another chance to begin her merciless onslaught of seething anger.
The Silver Prince winced as her sharp words, and shrill voice, hit him full force. "Who's bed is this again?" he grumbled to himself as he looked around just to make sure that they were still in his chambers. His mind and memory banks both gave him weak confirmation. Yup, this was his room, his bed all right. "Oy vey, it's way too early for a fight." He groaned a groan barely audible as he placed his hands on his face to shield his eyes from the light that was currently blinding him. Gently massaging some feeling back into the nerve-endings within his face, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and he let loose with a wonderfully sincere sigh.
"So this is how you greet the man who just gave you what could most possibly be the most passionate night of your life?" He queried simply as he collapsed back into the feathery comfort and silence of the bed. Propping himself up on a crooked elbow, he turned on his side and gave his beautiful goddess a look that quite plainly said 'Well? What's your answer?' Feeling more awake now, he added one of his many trademark phrases and a wolfish grin. "How.disappointing."
"What?" Usagi froze, her brow furrowed in an angry, yet insecure frown. "That is absolutely the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!" She spat at him. "I would *never* sleep with you, let alone enjoy such a-a traumatic experience!"
Diamond forced his lips to produce a thin, yet clearly visible smile. He wasn't going to let his anger get the best of him-not this time. The Silver prince had a plan, one on which he had the fullest intentions of following through on.
"Oh dear me!" He murmured with a mocking sense of concern and self- contemplation. "And here *I* thought all along that when a woman screamed 'More, more! Don't stop!' she was actually enjoying herself!" He clucked his tongue disapprovingly as he shook his head, his silver mane catching the beams of light that shone in thru the glass doors of the balcony. With a smug and triumphant glance, he finished, "Where simply have I been?"
Diamond watched giddily as the color drained from his captive's already pastel face, her currently shaking hands growing more and more unsteady with each and every intake of oxygen. There was no way that she could have betrayed Mamo-chan.was there? Usagi fought hard to remember last night, but no matter how she tried-she couldn't-she just couldn't remember one thing after passing out. The princess lurched forward as if she was about to be sick, grabbing the edge of the bed as an anchor. The strong and painfully harsh feeling of flaming rocks hit the bottom of her stomach as she fell into a kneeling position, finally coming to rest with her back against the bed. A flood of panic went through Diamond as he watched her fall, but he held himself back. 'You have to let these things happen!' His reasoning barked when he reached out to catch his falling star. 'You cannot let her know you are lying! Then all of this with be for naught!'
The Silver Prince knew his inner voice was right. One slip up and-and, well it was best to just not go there. It took almost all of Diamond's willpower to stay back and watch as Usagi eyes began to well up with tears, and even more willpower to do what he was about to do. 'Please, Usagi,' He pleaded with her mentally, aching to reach out and comfort her. 'Just believe me, forget Mamoru, and let this be over with. I don't want to ever have to lie to you again-it hurts us too much.'
'Get a grip, silly girl!' The goddess' thoughts shattered her silent and dark world of self-loathing and fear. 'You didn't do anything but pass out! Diamond is too weak to take you against your will, and your heart lies too true to Mamo-chan for you to do it yourself! Now turn around, and tell him a thing or two!' Strangely, her heart faltered when the Soldier of the Moon reached the Prince of the Earth's name. Was her heart *always* true to him?
"No." Usagi quavered, her confidence gradually seeping back into her veins, like warm water trickling thru long canals of ice. She shook her head feverishly. "I would never do that-give myself to you. And until the day I return to him, my thoughts will never be without Mamo-chan!"
The Princess of the Moon went pink as she heard Diamond begin to chuckle, then break into an uproarious, deep ringing laughter.
"Oh my dear Usagi!" He chortled with an elementally whimsical air as he wiped away the tears from his eyes. "You see, the funny thing is," He sniggered again, as if this was all some great joke, very obviously at the Moon Soldier's expense. He gave her an apologetic grin as he continued. "Oh, I'm sorry, but you see, the funny thing is that you really *did* give yourself to me! Quite willingly, if I may be so bold as to add."
Diamond stretched his arms towards the heavens as he leaned back into the snow-white tranquility of the sheets. His soot colored lashes, as an almost dreamy look bloomed across his face, shadowed his eyes. The princes' silver hair hung down and framed his face like a halo, almost giving his sinister air a more angelic appearance as he seemed to return to a distant, yet very pleasant memory.
"Hmmm." He muttered quietly, his deep ice burg blue gaze fixed on the atmosphere above him. "I'll never forget last night, Usagi.never. If I remember correctly, your thoughts were evidently not with your precious 'Mamo-chan'." Diamond flashed an animalistic grin. "In fact, they were anything *but* with another man."
Usagi could not believe what Diamond was saying. She didn't want to believe what she was hearing. It was all too surreal for it to seem right, and she was growing tired of fighting quickly. 'Why don't you just give up, dearie?' A soft voice in the back of her subconscious whispered. 'Is all this fighting really worth it? Do you want to keep pushing and pushing?' Her instincts kicking in, Usagi felt a nauseating wave of fear and anger wash over her once again. 'What exactly are you afraid of?'
Her defenses disintegrating at an alarming pace, the princess decided to give it one last shot, to fight Diamond once more. "If I've said it once, Diamond, I'll say it again." Her tone cracked mid-sentence, displaying her emotions for the Prince to clearly see. "You are a liar. You must have used your-your third eye, or something!" The girl sputtered quickly.
'She's losing, and she knows it.' Thoughts hissed. 'Finish her!' "Oh, I'm sorry that's incorrect. Do not pass go, do not collect two-hundred dollars." The Noble of the Dark Moon teased mercilessly. "It was a sporting try though, my dear. It would have probably worked too, except for one tiny little thing." He held his long and graceful index finger barely two centimeters apart, illustrating 'tiny'. "I don't have my third eye anymore. It's gone." He grinned a Cheshire cat grin as he lifted himself to a sitting position.
'So that's it. It's over. You lost.' Reasoning muttered to Usagi as she went numb. The Lady of the Moon couldn't move, she couldn't speak, she couldn't think, she could barely breathe, nothing. What else could she say to Diamond? She had betrayed the love of her life, her everything. Usagi's heart had abandon Mamo-chan.
"Well, well!" Diamond chirped as he rose from the bed, wrapping the sheet around his rippled and light abdomen. "I guess that is the end of that!" With a light-hearted whistle that was by no means sincere, the Silver Prince strode to his bathroom, pulling a deep blood red robe from a nearby easy chair with him, up and onto his shoulder. Stopping in front of his sink, he slowly reached out a hand, and turned on the cold-water faucet.
"Just one more step, and I'll be done.it'll be over, and I can start all over with her. I'll prove my love to you, my Golden Goddess. I'll make you the happiest woman in the universe-just give me the chance." He whispered to his reflection in the mirror, as if convincing it would justify the means of his cruel plan. Cupping his hands, Diamond splashed the cool and refreshing liquid onto his face, scrubbing and scrubbing at the dirt he felt plaguing his face, although he knew perfectly well his image was clean. He just felt filthy, his conscience.
Groping blindly at first for the faucet, then for a towel, the noble patted his face dry, the burgundy red of its fibers absorbing the water. He sighed as he slipped on his robe, one arm, and then the other before tying the embroidered sash tightly at his waist. Giving himself one final glance in the mirror, he nodded his reluctant approval, and headed back to a broken queen.
"Usagi dear!" He called in a staged cheery tone, producing a pale pink silken robe, silver and lavender embroidered flowers and rabbits all along it edges. "Here. This is for you. You seem rather." He dared a quick downward glance at her bare physique as he tried to hide a smirk, draping the fragrant cloth around her slender frame. "Chilly."
Allowing her pull her arms thru, Diamond drew together the edges of the bathrobe and folding one under the other; he tied the sash with trembling but gentle hands. With a final tug, he released both girl and garment, and took a large step back to admire the two.
"Gorgeous-simply gorgeous." Was all he could mutter, his electric azure eyes wide with love, adoration and desire. Usagi's sunlight gold hair hung in light gentle waves, cascading all down her back and around her shoulders with a wild finesse. It surrounded her like an angel's aura, as if it were reflecting the purity and goodness within her heart. The pastel rose of the silk brought out the bit of the flush in her cheeks, and the cherry of her perfectly shaped lips. The color contrasted the cerulean blue in her eyes; bringing them out, making them sparkle. To him, she was beautiful; she was everything.
Usagi however, didn't feel lovely at all. She felt wretched and vile. Disgusted with herself, she could only stand there, frigid and cold, to prevent from collapsing into a fit of uncontrollable, heart-broken sobs. 'What have I done?' She repeated to herself, over and over, a sharp note of anguish and desperation in every word. 'I promised Mamoru eternity.what have I done to him? What have I done to *us*?'
'Here goes nothing.' Diamond grimaced silently as he stepped protectively around and behind his princess, enveloping her within his embrace, drawing her close to his body. Expecting an elbow in the stomach, or worse, another castrating kick, he was slightly shocked and uniquely overjoyed when the soldier of the moon let his strong arms guide her to his body. The Prince was even more amazed when she didn't try to stop him from tenderly pushing her hair to the side, revealing her soft and sweetly fragrant crème colored neck. Deciding to nudge his boundaries a little further, Diamond took a cool finger, and soothingly began to drag it along her jawbone, down her slightly tilted neckline, and then slowly back along the same trail again. He watched intently, waiting for her to turn and sock him, but she remained motionless. Confidence that his plan had finally succeeded began to set in, and, as most everyone knows, once confidence sets in, instant karma is there to kick it right back down.
"Oh Gods, Usagi." He murmured as he began to rain kisses on her open neck joyfully, speaking as he could between each one. "I've needed you so much, and now that you're here, with me, as mine, the joy in my heart knows no boundaries." Remembering to play along with his original plan, he couldn't help but adding, "That Mamoru never appreciated you, did he? That jerk probably wouldn't want anything to do with you if he knew you had slept with someone else-he doesn't love you the way I do-"
Just because Usagi wasn't moving at all, doesn't mean that she wasn't listening to every word that Diamond said. In fact, she had heard everything, and in her current state, it shattered what little control she had left. Slipping from his grip, the princess dropped to her knees, her face buried in her hands. Loud, gasping sobs escaped her chest as she tried to stop crying, all her pain and despair catching up with her. The more she tried to stop weeping, the harder and louder her wails became, the warm, wet tears flowing like miniature floods. Faltering, Diamond mentally kicked himself repeatedly and flew down on bended knee. 'Idiot!!' He cursed soundlessly. 'I am such a stupid prick! Idiot, idiot, IDIOT!'
"Please don't cry, I'm so sor-" His apology cut short as he reached out to hold her, Usagi irately swatted his hands away, turning her uncovered face towards the floor and out of sight. 'I have-have to get out of here.I can't stay anymore!' She screamed within the safe walls of her psyche. Rising to her feet shakily, the soldier of the moon spun on her heel and ran towards the door, shoving it open and cutting a sharp corner to her room. The Silver Prince watched her escape from him once again, a helplessly lost look engraved upon his solemn, distressed face.
"This is fantastic, just absolutely perfect. What am I supposed to do now?" He snapped to an empty room, where perhaps the only objects that could hear him, let alone pay any mind, were the bed and the multiple sets of furniture. Placing his fingers on his temples, he began to rub with a sense of pressure, trying to prevent a large headache from already building up.
"Cherry!" He barked suddenly, the raw emotion seeping into his command. "Come here this instant!" He waited until the small pink shimmering cloud of dust materialized into the petite girl know as Cherry-Blossom, the tiny little bells on her shoes singing their little wind-chime like song. "Usagi." He muttered, pointing to the door. "Find her, make sure she receives whatever she wishes, only exception being the ones which we discussed earlier. Do not let her leave your sight, understood?"
"Yes, M'Lord. As you wish-" Came the small, meek reply, the sound itself like the sigh of a spring breeze.
"Oh, and have someone from the kitchen send up four of their strongest drinks, as soon as possible."
"Of course, right away, Your Highness."
With another weary wave of his hand, he mumbled another command. "You are dismissed, Cherry." Diamond was about to let her leave at that, until the flashing image of a scolding Usagi raced through his mind, and for her sake, he simply added. "And Cherry? Thank you, your loyalty and good service will not be over-looked."
The little petal child turned, a confused yet contented look worn like a banner. She wasn't quite sure what to do.Prince Diamond had never really thanked his staff before.
"Uh, I thank you, Lord Diamond." She smiled gratefully; her cheeks blushed into an adorable grin. "I am only doing though sir, what you ask of me."
"Very well, Cherry." He flashed a rare, fatigued smile in return. "Now you are officially dismissed.off you go." The Silver Prince waited until he could no longer feel the presence of his servant, before he collapsed onto his bed with soft *whumph* and a groan.
"I hope those drinks get here soon." He buried his head into his comforter, taking a deep breath; he caught Usagi's scent, not only embedded within his bedclothes, but his mind as well. Could he ever escape his infatuation with her? With a profound mental sigh he added 'I'm going to need them.women are so.difficult.'
End Chapter Six
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Authors Notes, Rants and Raves (OF DOOM!!):
AHHHHHHH!! ::runs around in a circle, screaming her head off:: Summer is almost over! I have to go back to school! My vacation has been so busy, I don't even feel remotely relaxed at all! AHHHHHHH! ::calms down:: Whoo.okay then, now that *THAT* is out of my system.how are all you lovely reviewers? ^-^
Oy vey, to be completely honest, I didn't like this chapter very much. I don't think I did as well on it as I did the others, but I suppose that having to write it while moving from computer to computer over a series of days (I haven't been home.so I sneak computer time in elsewhere) is a somewhat decent excuse.eh heh.right? ^-^;; But look on the bright side, it's five in the morning, and I haven't gone to bed because I promised myself I would put something out there for you guys to read! ::sniffles:: Such dedication!
::From off in the distance:: Xelloss: You mean 'Such procrastination!'
::Leci pulls something out of her pocket, sets it on fire, then throws it in Xelloss' direction, whistling happily. Five seconds later, a loud explosion is seen and heard, and a very charred Xelloss teleports in next to Leci, coughing and smoking (not puff cigarette smoking, but on fire smoking)::
Xelloss: ::glares:: You suck, did you know that? -_-
Leci: ::smiles sweetly:: And you shouldn't piss me off. I'm running out of pixie stix, it's five o'clock in the frickin' morning, and I haven't had any sleep or my coffee yet. ::licks fingers and puts out a little flame on Xelloss' hair:: Btw, smoking is a bad habit, you should quit. ^-^
Xelloss: ..
Leci: Anyhoo, if there are no more interruptions, I'll continue. I just posted this to give you guys something until I can get the next chapter out (which should be soon..hopefully.) and to help me get out of my severe writer's block block-party. In the next chapter, things really start to get rolling! I introduce the villain-ness, and although she is just kinda shrouded in shadow the first time you meet her, she is really spiffy! Creepy granted, but spiffy. You also find that someone is not as loyal as they should be, and - well, I'll just leave it at that.
Unfortunately, I won't be doing any special recognition stuff from the reviews on this chapter, but next chapter, I'll do all the reviews from chapter 5 and 6. Just know I love ya guys and that you're the best people out there. ^-^
Coming to our final order of business, want to read a really, really, really, *really* great story? Like Slayers? Like Xelloss (My personal fav), Zelgadiss (A close second), Lina Inverse, Gourry "is it a pickle?" Gabriev and the rest of the cast, plus many other special guest appearances? Like action, adventure, romance (well, of course you like romance, or why in the hell would you be reading this?), mystery, drama, yadda, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blah? Want me to stop asking such stupid questions?
::hears a big resounding "YES!"::
Alrighty! Then go read "Seyruun High Jinx", by a team known as Rat and Frog, some of *the* most talented people I've ever had the pleasure of reading works from. They are under my favorite stories, and the author name they go by is under my favorite authors, so you have no excuse for not reading it.unless something terrible happens.then you have a good excuse..But anyways, before I start sounding like some cheesy rip off of the "Oprah Winfrey Book Club", this is a really nice work of art. I love reading it, and I have a hard time waiting for the next chapter to come out. Go read. You'll enjoy. Even if you've never seen Slayers, they still make it easy to understand. ::clears throat:: Ahem, and next, we'll have our special guest, life psychologist, Dr. Phil! J/k. lol. I would never do that to you guys, that's just too horrible to endure.
Okay, finally, the last thing. For real. Then I can go to sleep-wonderful, blessed sleep! ^-^ I am holding the next chapter hostage, again, for reviews.again. So tell me something I don't know, you say. Alright then, I will. I'm not going to tell you how many reviews I want. Instead, I'll just wait and when I see enough reviews in my lil' review box, I'll post. Good? Good.
Oh, yeah. Btw, I'm going to be announcing a contest in my next chapters rants and raves.Guess a thing or two, get it correct, and I'll do one of three things, or maybe, if I'm feeling really nice (or nice and drunk, whichever comes first), I'll mix two of them together, my choice on the second one though. It all depends on how busy my schedule gets. Anyhoo, guess whatever it is I want you to guess correctly, and I will either:
Write you a short fanfic with your own characters, and I'll help come up with a story line with you and your approval, of course.
Put you as a fairly important side character in anyone of my stories (There are two more coming! Yay!)
Um.eh heh.I forgot.But no worries! I'll remember eventually. Maybe it was something like "Be a beta reader, get to see all the chapters before anyone else does", I dunno, I can't remember. Have any suggestions for the contest? Tell me!! I would love to hear from you! Just leave it in the review box, or e-mail me, and I'll respond ASAP!
Whew, okay. That's it, the end. I am officially near dead. Not quite dead, but pretty damn close. (Oooh! Hey, look the sun's coming up! It's six o'clock now!) Again, thank you everyone, I appreciate everything you do for me, even though it may not seem like it. ^-^ I wuv you all.G'night! Ooops, almost forgot, I have to end with my trademark evil laugh.hahahahaha-ha- zzzhazzzzhazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
*~*Lady Eternal Cosmos Illusion*~*
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not Oprah, not Dr. Phil (thank God), not Slayers, not Seyruun High Jinx, Sailor Moon, nothing. So no sue. I do own Cherry-chan, my crazed rants and sleep and my made up characters.they're mine..miiiiiiine, my preciousssssssssssss..I don't own Gollum either.J.R.R. Tolkien does. Shutting up now. Nighty Night!