And I'm back. Thank you, thank u, thank you, thank you to all my faithful fans. I luv u!!! *making kissy sounds* Particularly to those who read and review almost every chapter. Because of all my story's fans I keep writing. I'm sorry for the long wait but some tragic events occurred in my life and I had to take a time out. So for all your reviews, here is Chapter 7!
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. Period. Do not sue me.
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Serena's eyes opened. She was disoriented for a moment, not knowing where she was, and then the memories from the night before came flooding back. She shuddered. The sound of breathing came from over her head and she looked up. There above her, looking as cute and as helpless as anything, was Master Chiba. She'd spent the night at Crystal Manor like this? She blushed at the thought and tried to get up but he held her down. She almost panicked. 'Stay calm, Serena…he wouldn't hurt you…he saved you, remember?!' She took a deep breath and tried again, moving slowly this time. When he resisted she gently stroked his arm with her forefingers. It was a trick that had worked with Sammy whenever he fell asleep clinging to something. To her delight, success!! With a small smile and inarticulate mumbling, Chiba relaxed, opened his arms, and she wiggled free. She was going to the bathroom, but then she passed another small sofa with an accompanying table. A grin from ear to ear appeared on her face when she saw what was on the table and love seat. She squealed and went over to read the note that stood propped up on the table.
"Just like when we were children!" she said, clapping her hands lightly. The note read:
'My dearest Serena,
I found you here last night under the watchful arm of my Darien, but your mother gave me strict orders not to bother the two of you. As you probably can guess, that didn't go over too well with me, particularly because of how you were 'dressed'.
Serena chuckled.
'Yet, orders are orders, so I couldn't touch you under the severe penalty of death. In any case, my darling, I hope you had a good night's sleep. Your uniform is on the couch next to this table, along with all the hair ornaments your mother said that you would die without.
Serena wanted to hug her mother very badly right about then and tell her how much she loved her.
'Your contact case is in the bathroom. Why do you insist on hiding your eyes, dear? Use the natural beauty you have today for…"
Serena could finish that sentence even if the rest of it hadn't been written. "…You'll be too old to use it tomorrow." One of her aunt's favorite personal sayings. Momoisms, Serena called them. Her godmother had filled her head with them from the time that she could speak. She finished reading the note.
'Bathe and get dressed quickly; the maid will be up at 7:30 with your breakfast and at 7:45 Gitsomae will be waiting for you outside to drop you off at school.
Love,
Mama Momo
Serena beamed and hugged the note to her chest. She loved her mother and her aunt! She ran to the bathroom to freshen up. Ten minutes later she was out of the bath, just in time to see the maid taking leave. She inhaled deeply and ran to the table. Eggs, bacon, pancakes, and buttermilk biscuits filled her nostrils and she quickly gobbled everything down. After getting dressed she ran down the stairs and went outside where the driver was waiting for her. Her trip to school was relatively short, and she was glad for that. She needed to be away from Chiba. He made her feel things that…well, her just made her feel. Period. At school, the halls seemed to be filled with whispers around her. She was nervous and made her way as fast she could to family-rec. Diamond was waiting at the door. For a moment she felt her stomach drop. Under his left eye was an ugly large black bruise. His nose was bandaged and he was breathing heavily with difficulty. He raised his hand in an obliging salutation. She stepped back slightly, thinking that he was going to hit her. People were gathering to see what would happen.
"Don't worry. I won't touch you; I have no wish to sacrifice myself at the hands of Chiba-Stone for you. I just want to speak with you. Alone, if possible."
Her face turned a shade of white.
"Not completely alone. Just someplace quiet where no one will overhear us."
As the color slowly returned to her face, she nodded.
"Just not now, Diamond. I don't want to talk to you now."
He jerked his head in a signal of agreement.
"That's fine. As long as we get to talk."
He walked into the room. She hadn't realized it, but her legs were shaking. She walked into the room ignoring the many stares of her classmates. She knew that none of them had any clue what had happened the night before, but they knew that she was the reason that Diamonds face was temporarily blemished. Lita, Rei and Mina were awaiting her eagerly at their seats. Rei patted the mat next to her.
"Sit down girl. Who'd you meet last night? He's the jealous type, isn't he?"
"Did you see what he did to Diamond's face? The boy can't even breathe properly!"
Ami by this time had joined the group.
"What happened last night, anyhow? I was looking for you only to see you go up the stairs with Diamond and not come back."
"Or did you do that to his face, Serena?"
All eyes were on Serena. She put up her hands to stop the bombarded questions before giving a reply.
"I'd rather not talk about it. I'll just say that I hope I don't see that black-haired deity from last night ever again."
They all stared at her.
"Deity, you say? And you don't want to see him again? Is there something wrong with you?"
"It's not because I don't like him!! Well, he kinda did me a favor… a really big favor, and now I feel indebted to him. You know I don't like the feeling of owing anyone anything."
The stares again.
"ALRIGHT ALREADY!!" Her voice became scarcely perceptible. She twiddled her thumbs. "Plus I feel attracted to him. Very attracted, and I'm not ready to go through any emotional drama after all the things that have happened with Diamond. I want to stay away from him to avoid any problems."
Ami saw things the same way. "Makes sense to me. Just don't go overboard trying to avoid him Serena, like walking 2 miles from your original destination 'cause he was walking on your side of the street."
They all laughed. Ms. Hina clapped her hands.
"May I have your attention, please?" The class turned to her. "We have anew student entering our little family today, so I'd like you to give him a warm welcome."
'New student?' Serena thought to herself. 'That's odd. We rarely get late admissions, especially near the end of the first term!'
"Darien, enter! Just take off your shoes and put them there."
Mrs.Hina pointed to the mat near the threshold. He came into the room. All eyes, especially the girls' were on every dark-haired, well-built 6'7 inch of him. Diamond shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Mina, Lita, Rei, and even Ami were drooling. Serena's heart fluttered in her chest as Darien looked straight at her.
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Ah! And so another chapter ends. I apologize once more for the long wait but you know the deal. I promise I will have the next chapter out sooner than that. Unfortunately, for those of you who have read my prologue for "Halloween", that story will not be going any further until late October, early November. In any case, keep your eyes open for my next story, "No One's Slave". The first chapter should be out in about 1-2 weeks. Stay good 'til then!
*Moonlight Siren*
