"Weird." Serena mumbled as she looked at the crumbling building before her.
"How did I get here? I remember talking to Darien and then," she paused
and touched her cheek in the spot he had touched her, "I closed my eyes
only to open them and find myself here." A small shiver passed through her
tiny figure and was soon followed by a bone cold chill setting in. She
wrapped her arms around her body to try and provide some warmth.
Serena glanced at her watch and released a gasp of surprise. She had been gone for two hours and would be extremely late for work if she didn't hurry. The sun was coming up over the city's skyline and Serena suddenly started running as fast as she could to get to her apartment.
Five minutes later Serena found herself staring up at the tall apartment complex. She carefully looked around to see if anyone was watching or near the scene. Fortunately for her, no one was nearby. With a small bend of the knees Serena jumped up to the fourth floor balcony. Her hands grasped the rails of the balcony and then powerfully pushed her up. Serena continued to climb or jump from floor to floor with ease until she had reached the eleventh floor.
Serena stepped over the rail and quickly glanced once more to check her back. Still no one was there but she had the weirdest feeling someone had been watching her. "Oh well." She shrugged her shoulders and opened the sliding glass door.
"Hey Rena! How was the hunt?" Molly asked as she walked from the tiny kitchen with a piece of toast in hand.
Serena paused as she pulled her blond hair out from its confining ponytail. She kicked her black boots off and started walking to the shower. "The hunt went okay I guess?"
"Anything strange happen cause you look a little tired or worn?"
"No I just had to deal with some nasty demons. I'm gonna take a quick shower Molly okay? I want to look my best for my first day of work." Molly nodded her head in agreement as she sat down at the table with a glass of juice. She opened the paper as Serena disappeared into the tile bathroom.
Once in the bathroom by herself Serena winced at the fact that she had to lie to her best friend. She turned on the water in the shower and soon the warmth of steam filled the room. She stripped out of her black clothes and stepped into the shower.
The water enveloped her body in its warm droplets and soon the chill that had set in disappeared and Serena was refreshed. She stepped out of the shower with the towel securely around her chest and another towel wrapped turban style around her head and hair. With gentle feet Serena walked to the door and opened it.
"Damn!"
"Molly?"
"Uh I just accidentally screwed up another spell."
"Molly! I thought you were gonna wait before you tried any more spells?"
"I was but I ripped the paper and it was hard to read so I tried thinking of the undo spell and I ended up erasing all of the words."
"Molly," Serena started walking to her bedroom door, "Just buy or borrow somebody else's paper. It is way easier!"
Molly shrugged her shoulders and her lively green eyes sparkled with determination. Freckles appeared on her cheeks as she smiled widely, "At least it worked some what. I did undo the print."
"Molly!" Serena clasped a head to her head in mock annoyance.
"Well I am a witch and I need to practice this stuff."
"Alright, you got me there." Serena smiled and pulled the towel a little tighter around herself for the draft from the open door was growing more apparent.
"Yup now go get ready! You're gonna be late at this rate you are going at!"
"Yikes you're right. By any chance do you know a spell to stop time?" Molly opened her mouth to reply yes when Serena raised her hand and effectively cut her off. "On second thought don't. I'll hurry up."
Serena raced into her room and into her closet to pick out an appropriate outfit for work. She selected a navy blue skirt with a simple white blouse. To finish off the look she placed delicate gold studs in he ears and an elegant gold link bracelet around her wrist. She hurriedly grabbed navy blue pumps from her closet, hastily put them on her feet and studied her appearance in the mirror.
"I completely forgot to do my hair!" Serena shrieked as she grabbed the nearest brush and a few hair ties and clips to pull it up. She worked quickly and soon her soft long blonde hair was pulled into an elegant bun at the nape of her neck. "Much better!" Serena sighed as she grabbed her matching blue purse and raced out the door.
"I'll talk to you later Mol! Bye!" Serena grabbed her wallet, keys, and cell phone and opened the door.
"Good luck Rena and don't forget to bring me my new," Molly emphasized the word new, "paper. Bye!" Without another word Serena raced out the door and to the elevator.
"Miss Tsukino the boss will see you now." The secretary with long light green hair and angry green eyes spoke shrilly. Her voice though had an undercurrent of danger in it and Serena noted with curiosity that there was nothing wrong with her appearance.
'I wonder what her problem is?' Serena thought as she stood from the chair and walked towards the large door with a platinum nameplate. She opened the door and stepped in without fear or hesitation.
The room was huge and was filled with books and exotic relics. In the far end of the room there was a large oak desk with a large leather chair turned away from her. The chair was facing the wide windows that were covered with sheer silver drapes.
Serena saw an open chair at the uncluttered desk and walked smoothly to it. She sat down gracefully and waited expectantly for her employer to speak.
"Hello." The icy cold voice hissed as the chair swiveled around to face her.
"Hi. I'm Serena Tsukino, you're new employee." Serena offered her hand was shocked as the man, cloaked in darkness, did not offer his.
"You did not knock." He hissed as his gray eyes gazed at her.
"I was told to come in by your secretary." Serena replied defiantly as her light blue eyes sparked with challenge.
"I see then I shall have to take it up with her then. I am Demando Marquis and I own Diamond Operatives and Associates. You may call me Mr. Marquis until a later date when we know each other better." Suddenly Serena felt his scrutinizing gaze bore into her and she shrunk back into her leather seat to move away from his gaze.
"There is no need to be alarmed Serena. Now I do believe it is customary to shake hands upon meeting a new business acquaintance." His voice like the cold water in the ocean's depths sent shivers down her spine. Callously he raised his right hand to shake hers. Serena raised her hand but not with her own power, she felt as if a driving force was lifting it for her. Her hand touched his and sharp pains filled her body. The pain was like a thousand pinpricks filling her body and exploding on contact. She shuddered lightly and tried to mask her pain.
"Are you alright Serena?" Diamond asked slowly with an evil glint in his eye. Serena, unable to find her breath, just nodded mutely in response. "Oh forgive me for being rude. I forgot that it is customary for a gentleman to," he paused and raised Serena's hand to his lips, "kiss her as a sign of approval." With nothing more said he lowered his lips to her hand.
Suddenly the pain exploded in her body a thousand times more so than before and Serena pulled her hand back in shock. Finding her voice she coldly replied, "A handshake will do sir."
"Call me Diamond."
"I don't believe that as your employee it would be proper for me to call you as such." Serena's body was still stinging with the sensations and she stuttered in her speech.
"Ah but you my dear Serena agree." He smiled as he raised from his chair to stand to his towering six foot two frame. In the light his black diamond chip of an earring shined with an evil aura. "I am your employer and I can command you to do as I say." His shoulder length white hair fell freely and he looked rather menacing as he looked down upon her shorter five foot six inch frame that was still sitting.
"As you wish Diamond." She stated coldly refusing to meet his gaze.
"Very well Serena. Enjoy your work here and please hurry to it." Serena turned away from him and got to her feet.
Serena was lucky as she started walking towards the doors to freedom. For in her heart she wanted to run for her life. She reached the door and turned around for one last glance at her employer. Diamond had turned from her and was facing the window looking out upon the streets below.
Serena opened the door when suddenly Diamond's voice commanded her to stay. "We are done here Serena. Oh and Serena, send Emerald in on your way out if you don't mind. I must have a word with her, several in fact." He smiled at her but she couldn't see for she was out the door.
"Emerald," Serena spoke softly to the woman wearing a tight dress and typing with long fingernails on the computer. Suddenly the computer screen turned to black as Emerald looked up at her with danger flashing in her eyes.
"Yes?" her voice spoke daggers and Serena just breathed in deeply.
"Diamond wants to see you." She said simply and smiled sweetly as the woman's face turned to one of scowling and anger.
"He said you can call him Diamond already?" she hissed as she rose to her feet.
"As a matter of fact he did." Serena replied raising to the challenge.
"We'll see about that." Emerald huffed as she brushed past her and entered the room with out knocking.
Shaking her head in wonderment, Serena looked at the computer screen once more. The screen had returned to a normal state and a document was opened on the screen.
'I really shouldn't do this,' Serena thought as she edged her ways towards the secretary's desk.
"How could you let her enter with out knocking?" a voice roared from with in the room and caused Serena to jump away from the desk.
"Diamond, baby, I forgot. It won't happen again I promise sweetheart!" Emerald pleaded.
"What if I had been," he paused and Serena struggled to hear his voice, "busy?"
Serena heard Emerald gulp and she backed towards the elevator which would take her to her office on the floor below. 'I don't see what's wrong if the owner of a company is busy,' Serena mused.
Serena turned around and crashed into a man. "I'm so sorry!" Serena mumbled. She looked up to see who the mysterious stranger was and she gasped in shock. "Darien?"
The handsome stranger glared at her and Serena took a few cautionary steps back. "No. What are you doing up here?" he demanded of her.
"I was asked to come up and meet the boss."
"I see. See to it that you never find yourself up here again. Do I make myself clear?" he threatened and Serena felt worry starting to grow in the back of her head.
"Absolutely. In fact I was just on my way out."
"Good. Now leave." He ordered and pointed to the elevator door. Serena nodded her head and did as she was told. She watched as the tall man walked into the office with his head high.
"Sapphire we have important matters to discuss." Diamond declared as the door began to shut.
"That we do." Sapphire replied. Serena heard the ding of the elevator and Emerald's shrill laughter fill the room before the door closed. She stepped into the empty elevator and let her head drop and rest against the wall. The doors closed and Serena couldn't help but feel the strange foreboding feeling once again.
"I must be tired." She murmured as the elevator began its descent downward. "Else would I be so worried?"
"You should be worried." A male voice replied as a tall figure materialized before her.
Well, hi! What did you think? Please review with your comments. I know in the previous chapters I forgot to put a disclaimer so here it is. Guess what-I don't own Sailor Moon but this story is mine. Well anywho, enjoy the rest of my story, if I ever put more out that is, and please review!
Frozen Fire
Serena glanced at her watch and released a gasp of surprise. She had been gone for two hours and would be extremely late for work if she didn't hurry. The sun was coming up over the city's skyline and Serena suddenly started running as fast as she could to get to her apartment.
Five minutes later Serena found herself staring up at the tall apartment complex. She carefully looked around to see if anyone was watching or near the scene. Fortunately for her, no one was nearby. With a small bend of the knees Serena jumped up to the fourth floor balcony. Her hands grasped the rails of the balcony and then powerfully pushed her up. Serena continued to climb or jump from floor to floor with ease until she had reached the eleventh floor.
Serena stepped over the rail and quickly glanced once more to check her back. Still no one was there but she had the weirdest feeling someone had been watching her. "Oh well." She shrugged her shoulders and opened the sliding glass door.
"Hey Rena! How was the hunt?" Molly asked as she walked from the tiny kitchen with a piece of toast in hand.
Serena paused as she pulled her blond hair out from its confining ponytail. She kicked her black boots off and started walking to the shower. "The hunt went okay I guess?"
"Anything strange happen cause you look a little tired or worn?"
"No I just had to deal with some nasty demons. I'm gonna take a quick shower Molly okay? I want to look my best for my first day of work." Molly nodded her head in agreement as she sat down at the table with a glass of juice. She opened the paper as Serena disappeared into the tile bathroom.
Once in the bathroom by herself Serena winced at the fact that she had to lie to her best friend. She turned on the water in the shower and soon the warmth of steam filled the room. She stripped out of her black clothes and stepped into the shower.
The water enveloped her body in its warm droplets and soon the chill that had set in disappeared and Serena was refreshed. She stepped out of the shower with the towel securely around her chest and another towel wrapped turban style around her head and hair. With gentle feet Serena walked to the door and opened it.
"Damn!"
"Molly?"
"Uh I just accidentally screwed up another spell."
"Molly! I thought you were gonna wait before you tried any more spells?"
"I was but I ripped the paper and it was hard to read so I tried thinking of the undo spell and I ended up erasing all of the words."
"Molly," Serena started walking to her bedroom door, "Just buy or borrow somebody else's paper. It is way easier!"
Molly shrugged her shoulders and her lively green eyes sparkled with determination. Freckles appeared on her cheeks as she smiled widely, "At least it worked some what. I did undo the print."
"Molly!" Serena clasped a head to her head in mock annoyance.
"Well I am a witch and I need to practice this stuff."
"Alright, you got me there." Serena smiled and pulled the towel a little tighter around herself for the draft from the open door was growing more apparent.
"Yup now go get ready! You're gonna be late at this rate you are going at!"
"Yikes you're right. By any chance do you know a spell to stop time?" Molly opened her mouth to reply yes when Serena raised her hand and effectively cut her off. "On second thought don't. I'll hurry up."
Serena raced into her room and into her closet to pick out an appropriate outfit for work. She selected a navy blue skirt with a simple white blouse. To finish off the look she placed delicate gold studs in he ears and an elegant gold link bracelet around her wrist. She hurriedly grabbed navy blue pumps from her closet, hastily put them on her feet and studied her appearance in the mirror.
"I completely forgot to do my hair!" Serena shrieked as she grabbed the nearest brush and a few hair ties and clips to pull it up. She worked quickly and soon her soft long blonde hair was pulled into an elegant bun at the nape of her neck. "Much better!" Serena sighed as she grabbed her matching blue purse and raced out the door.
"I'll talk to you later Mol! Bye!" Serena grabbed her wallet, keys, and cell phone and opened the door.
"Good luck Rena and don't forget to bring me my new," Molly emphasized the word new, "paper. Bye!" Without another word Serena raced out the door and to the elevator.
"Miss Tsukino the boss will see you now." The secretary with long light green hair and angry green eyes spoke shrilly. Her voice though had an undercurrent of danger in it and Serena noted with curiosity that there was nothing wrong with her appearance.
'I wonder what her problem is?' Serena thought as she stood from the chair and walked towards the large door with a platinum nameplate. She opened the door and stepped in without fear or hesitation.
The room was huge and was filled with books and exotic relics. In the far end of the room there was a large oak desk with a large leather chair turned away from her. The chair was facing the wide windows that were covered with sheer silver drapes.
Serena saw an open chair at the uncluttered desk and walked smoothly to it. She sat down gracefully and waited expectantly for her employer to speak.
"Hello." The icy cold voice hissed as the chair swiveled around to face her.
"Hi. I'm Serena Tsukino, you're new employee." Serena offered her hand was shocked as the man, cloaked in darkness, did not offer his.
"You did not knock." He hissed as his gray eyes gazed at her.
"I was told to come in by your secretary." Serena replied defiantly as her light blue eyes sparked with challenge.
"I see then I shall have to take it up with her then. I am Demando Marquis and I own Diamond Operatives and Associates. You may call me Mr. Marquis until a later date when we know each other better." Suddenly Serena felt his scrutinizing gaze bore into her and she shrunk back into her leather seat to move away from his gaze.
"There is no need to be alarmed Serena. Now I do believe it is customary to shake hands upon meeting a new business acquaintance." His voice like the cold water in the ocean's depths sent shivers down her spine. Callously he raised his right hand to shake hers. Serena raised her hand but not with her own power, she felt as if a driving force was lifting it for her. Her hand touched his and sharp pains filled her body. The pain was like a thousand pinpricks filling her body and exploding on contact. She shuddered lightly and tried to mask her pain.
"Are you alright Serena?" Diamond asked slowly with an evil glint in his eye. Serena, unable to find her breath, just nodded mutely in response. "Oh forgive me for being rude. I forgot that it is customary for a gentleman to," he paused and raised Serena's hand to his lips, "kiss her as a sign of approval." With nothing more said he lowered his lips to her hand.
Suddenly the pain exploded in her body a thousand times more so than before and Serena pulled her hand back in shock. Finding her voice she coldly replied, "A handshake will do sir."
"Call me Diamond."
"I don't believe that as your employee it would be proper for me to call you as such." Serena's body was still stinging with the sensations and she stuttered in her speech.
"Ah but you my dear Serena agree." He smiled as he raised from his chair to stand to his towering six foot two frame. In the light his black diamond chip of an earring shined with an evil aura. "I am your employer and I can command you to do as I say." His shoulder length white hair fell freely and he looked rather menacing as he looked down upon her shorter five foot six inch frame that was still sitting.
"As you wish Diamond." She stated coldly refusing to meet his gaze.
"Very well Serena. Enjoy your work here and please hurry to it." Serena turned away from him and got to her feet.
Serena was lucky as she started walking towards the doors to freedom. For in her heart she wanted to run for her life. She reached the door and turned around for one last glance at her employer. Diamond had turned from her and was facing the window looking out upon the streets below.
Serena opened the door when suddenly Diamond's voice commanded her to stay. "We are done here Serena. Oh and Serena, send Emerald in on your way out if you don't mind. I must have a word with her, several in fact." He smiled at her but she couldn't see for she was out the door.
"Emerald," Serena spoke softly to the woman wearing a tight dress and typing with long fingernails on the computer. Suddenly the computer screen turned to black as Emerald looked up at her with danger flashing in her eyes.
"Yes?" her voice spoke daggers and Serena just breathed in deeply.
"Diamond wants to see you." She said simply and smiled sweetly as the woman's face turned to one of scowling and anger.
"He said you can call him Diamond already?" she hissed as she rose to her feet.
"As a matter of fact he did." Serena replied raising to the challenge.
"We'll see about that." Emerald huffed as she brushed past her and entered the room with out knocking.
Shaking her head in wonderment, Serena looked at the computer screen once more. The screen had returned to a normal state and a document was opened on the screen.
'I really shouldn't do this,' Serena thought as she edged her ways towards the secretary's desk.
"How could you let her enter with out knocking?" a voice roared from with in the room and caused Serena to jump away from the desk.
"Diamond, baby, I forgot. It won't happen again I promise sweetheart!" Emerald pleaded.
"What if I had been," he paused and Serena struggled to hear his voice, "busy?"
Serena heard Emerald gulp and she backed towards the elevator which would take her to her office on the floor below. 'I don't see what's wrong if the owner of a company is busy,' Serena mused.
Serena turned around and crashed into a man. "I'm so sorry!" Serena mumbled. She looked up to see who the mysterious stranger was and she gasped in shock. "Darien?"
The handsome stranger glared at her and Serena took a few cautionary steps back. "No. What are you doing up here?" he demanded of her.
"I was asked to come up and meet the boss."
"I see. See to it that you never find yourself up here again. Do I make myself clear?" he threatened and Serena felt worry starting to grow in the back of her head.
"Absolutely. In fact I was just on my way out."
"Good. Now leave." He ordered and pointed to the elevator door. Serena nodded her head and did as she was told. She watched as the tall man walked into the office with his head high.
"Sapphire we have important matters to discuss." Diamond declared as the door began to shut.
"That we do." Sapphire replied. Serena heard the ding of the elevator and Emerald's shrill laughter fill the room before the door closed. She stepped into the empty elevator and let her head drop and rest against the wall. The doors closed and Serena couldn't help but feel the strange foreboding feeling once again.
"I must be tired." She murmured as the elevator began its descent downward. "Else would I be so worried?"
"You should be worried." A male voice replied as a tall figure materialized before her.
Well, hi! What did you think? Please review with your comments. I know in the previous chapters I forgot to put a disclaimer so here it is. Guess what-I don't own Sailor Moon but this story is mine. Well anywho, enjoy the rest of my story, if I ever put more out that is, and please review!
Frozen Fire