Ok, as you all requested, the chapter is finally up!!! This chapter I had to hurry and write for Sakura because it sounded like she'd have my head if the next chapter wasn't out before the week was over!! I'm also sorry that some of you felt the chapters were too short, I'll try and see what I can do about that. For all you chess lovers, I had to include a chess game because it symbolizes so much(to me, anyway ~^_^~). As in chess game, it requires, skill and strategy to succeed at love. And as for the pillow fight, it's how me and my present beau fell for one another. *sigh* Just so you all know, my birthday was September 12th , and wouldn't you know that I just had to get a bad case of tonsillitis 2 days before my 16th birthday?! Luck just doesn't seem to run my way sometimes, I tell ya. In any case, I expect to see plenty (hint, hint) of Happy Birthday's in the next set of reviews for this story! In any case, enjoy.

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It had been five minutes since he'd made his last move. Serena wiggled her toes and checked her nail polish. She thought she'd changed the color sometime last week…She sighed and played with the tips of her pigtails. When she grew bored with that, she rolled over onto her stomach and plucked at her plush blue carpet. She sighed again and blew her bangs out of her face.

"Move this millennium, please."

"Hold on, hold on, I'm thinking! Sheesh."

"You've been thinking for damn near 10 minutes now, Master Chiba. You should have some sort of strategy in mind now. Not that it's going to save you or anything, though."

He looked up and wrinkled his nose at her.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me that! I don't like it. And besides," he said as he lowered his voice and whimpered to mock hurt, "it makes me feel so old…my name is Darien. Come on, say it with me…"

She could see his eyes scanning the chessboard as he spoke and knew he was stalling but played along.

"Dar-i-en. All right, Dar-i-en. Move already!"

He pouted and held his hand over the chessboard. He'd never played someone with such skill as she possessed. He'd never been defeated before either, and if he didn't think of something quick, it'd be his first loss. He decided to take a chance and move his knight. Serena popped up, knelt in front of the board and gave him a little half smile.

"Just as I expected."

She moved a pawn.

"Check."

Darien cursed. Why hadn't he seen that? He decided to go on the defensive and moved a rook.

"Check," she called out again. "Geez, Darien, are you tired or something? A beginner would have known better."

"Thanks for the support," he grumbled. This was really too close for comfort. He only had one smart move, but even then it was too late…He sighed and moved his king. She moved.

"Check."

He moved again.

"Checkmate." She knocked his king from the board with her queen. She was smiling. "That was the most challenging game I've had in a while. You play very well! Who taught you?"

Darien hardly heard a word of what she was saying. He stared at the chessboard in shock. In the time span of an hour and 23 minutes, he'd played the most difficult game of chess he'd ever had and lost. He couldn't believe it. He looked up at her, unsure of what to think or say.

"Chiba? Chiba? Are you all right? You haven't answered me or responded to anything I've said."

He scowled.

"Sorry-Darien. Well, say something!"

Silence. And then:

"Are you ticklish?"

"Yes. Very, I might add. Why?"

"You are going to pay quite dearly for what you've done."

He pounced on her and she exploded into a fit of laughter.

"A-a-and what is i-it…exact-tly…that I did?"

She was gasping for air.

"Do you know I've never lost a chess game until now?"

"R-really? There's a…f-first time…for everything…"She managed between gasps. "B-besides…it was…it was only a ch-chess game!"

"Well, let me just say that was one first time I would rather not have experienced."

"D-does it help if…I say…I'm s-sorry?"

He stopped tickling but held her wrists.

"Do you mean that?"

She broke free from his grip and managed to get up and tried to stagger to her bed, still laughing.

"To be honest, no, it felt good to beat a guy who's never been beaten before. I am glad you stopped tickling me."

"That's what you think!"

He got up and chased after her. She shrieked and ran to her bed full speed to grab a pillow. When he got close enough, she bopped him on his head with it. He stopped in his tracks momentarily, stunned, but a grin broke out onto his face.

"So that's how it is huh?" He yanked the remaining pillow from the bed. "Two can play at that game!" They ran around the room, slapping and punching each other with the pillows until Serena's exploded into a cloud of feathers. She couldn't really see were she was going and her silk pyjamas got caught between her foot and the waxed wooden chessboard. She slid and fell flat on her back into a rumpled, giggling heap. Darien, hot on her heels, tripped over her and almost fell dead on top of her. He too, was laughing. As he thought about it, he realized he hadn't laughed this much in a good while. He took in her giddy countenance as the feathers fell about her. Her hair had become undone in the confusion and he noticed for the first time the length and softness of its golden radiance. She looked so pure-so innocent, and the feathers made her look as though she was an angel. As though she was falling from the sky. Angel, angel, angel—the word echoed endlessly in his head as he admired her beauty. Then all at once he had the sudden need to protect her from all harm, to make her feel safe, loved and needed at all times, to show her all the beauty and good the world possessed. Was it possible to fall in love so rapidly? He looked into her face once more and brushed away a few stray strands of hair.

Serena's titters subsided and she opened her eyes to see the most intriguing and mellow expression on Darien's face. She smiled and watched his eyes lock on her lips. He took a deep and shaky breath. His voice was strained when he spoke.

"Serena…"

He couldn't stay here with her. There were too many risks. For a situation like this to present itself was all he'd ever wanted, but had she wanted it too? Had she longed for him, dreamed of him, watched him, yearning for weeks the way he had? He couldn't read it clearly in her eyes. There was desire there, to be sure, but it was better to leave now before they did something she might regret…or he could stay and find out exactly what she wanted. She'd been watching him since he'd murmured those three syllables, waiting for him to complete his thought. She reached for his hand and squeezed it gently.

"Darien? What is it?"

He couldn't take this anymore. For someone to be so provocative and yet so naïve at the same time…he leaned down and kissed her.

Serena had only dreamed of kissing Darien. The kiss he was giving her now was nothing like what she'd thought it would be; soft and gentle. He was demanding something from her, something she knew not what or how to give but was willing to give it all to him. His tongue explored her mouth, leaving no crevice overlooked, and then entwined his tongue with hers. She held on to his pyjama-top with an iron grip. Diamond had never kindled a fire so hot in her before—and the moment she thought of him, all at once images of him and what he'd done to her the night of Darien's ball came flooding back and she found herself pulling away. She could see the concern in Darien's eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"I-I really couldn't tell you. I just…" she blushed and looked away as she fumbled for words.

He pulled her into his arms and gently turned her face to him.

"Listen to me." He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "If you are worried that I would do anything like what Diamond tried to do—look at me." He turned her head again to face him. "Remember that I am not Diamond. I would never do anything like that to you. Ever. If you're sure you don't want this, I'll leave."

She looked at him with tears in her eyes. He was right. He wasn't Diamond. But still… She shook her head.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't do this yet. I…" He hugged her.

"It's alright. I understand." He stood and walked to the door. She wanted him so badly, but the thoughts of Diamond had turned her off any ideas of sex. Then she realized something: Darien could make it right again. He could wipe away those horrible images and replace them with glorious ones. Why not? She cared for him in a way that she had not for Diamond. She couldn't let him leave.

Before he put his hand on the handle, he heard her rise and run towards him.

"Darien! Oh, Darien, wait!"

He turned around just in time to catch her as she flew into his arms. They held each other for a few minutes, Darien stroking her hair the way he had the night of the gala. She looked up at him and caressed his face with her hand, delighting in the way that he leaned into her touch. She tiptoed up and kissed him gently.

"Heal me," she whispered.

That was all he needed to hear. He swept her up and carried her to the bed. Before depositing her on the soft sheets, he reached into his pyjama pockets and placed two small packages beneath her pillow. He climbed in, drew her close and kissed her, picking up where they had left off. He was trying his hardest to stay at a slow pace but his body was screaming otherwise. Placing light kisses on her neck and collarbone, he succeeded in drawing a sharp intake of air from her. He nipped her earlobe and then sucked at her neck. He was already at a height of tension he would have normally reached at near orgasm with another girl. If she could do this to him now…he groaned. Here she was teasing him, her hands already having found their way into his pants. She was stroking him at such a slow pace it was driving him crazy. He kissed her hard and dipped his hands into her hair.

"Do you have any idea…what you're doing to me?"

She shook her head shyly.

"Let me show you."

He made short work of removing her shell pink pyjama-top and pushed aside the creamy lace of her bra.

He caressed the nipple of her left breast with a calloused thumb felt it harden beneath his touch. He could hear her labored breathing, see her flushed skin, and feel her rise in temperature when he lowered himself to suck on the other. When he lifted himself from her, he could see that her eyes were glazed. He stroked her stomach.

"Do you see what you do to me now, my angel?"

Serena was in too much of a daze to reply. Darien, knowing this, smiled. The pleasures he would bring her tonight…

"I guess I will just have to give you another example…"

He kissed a trail down to her navel, leaving her trembling in his wake.

Edging down her pyjama bottoms with his thumbs, he could smell her arousal and he could feel his mouth begin to water. Flinging the piece of clothing to the side, he spread her legs slightly. He saw a few golden curls peeking from the side of her cotton whites. He rubbed his nose against the soaked crotch of her panties, drowning in her aroma. He looped his thumbs under her bent legs, hooked his thumbs under the sides of her panties and pulled them off.

"Gods, you smell so good."

He kissed her pink bud and was rewarded with a deep moan from his Serena. He suckled on her for a few moments and then ran his tongue through her folds. He suckled, he licked, and he blew. Serena responded to each touch as though she'd been touched with a white-hot piece of metal. She moaned, she writhed; she called his name. She'd never felt anything like this before. The pleasure he was giving her was overwhelming, and she didn't want him to stop. She was so close to something, but it seemed when she got there it escaped her. She slid her hands into his ebony mane.

"Oh, Darien…"

He heard her plea and took action accordingly. He latched on to her pleasure button and stayed there. He could feel the pink bud convulse sharply when she went over the edge.

"DARIEN!!!!!!!!!"

He came up and kissed her deeply. Serena found the taste of herself on his lips highly stimulating. As if brought back to reality, she felt his hard arousal against her thigh. He reached under her pillow and pulled out one of the packets. She helped him out of the silk pants and stroked him gently.

"Darien…"she whispered into his ear. "Darien…"

He kissed her again and slid two fingers into her wet sheath, stroking gently. He felt her barrier, but it felt thin, so penetration wouldn't be difficult. She would still feel pain, but only for a moment. He pulled his fingers away and heard her whimper with want beneath him.

"Patience, kitten. What is it that you want?"

"I need you, Darien. I need…"

"What? What is it that you need, angel?"

Sliding the condom onto his erection, he positioned himself above her so that his tip grazed her entrance. She shivered and closed her eyes. He lowered his head and whispered to her.

"Is that what you need?"

She put her arms around his waist and nodded.

He entered gently but as quickly as he could to lessen the pain and hugged her. She squeezed him and a lone tear trailed down her face. He kissed it away and continued to move inside of her. Gentle pushes became hard and forceful thrusts as Darien found his pace after Serena's pain had subsided. Their sweat slicked bodies moved in unison, trying to reach what was far beyond their grasp. For Darien, the sensation was incredible. He'd never experienced anything so intense. What they were doing was so beautiful and felt so right it made his heart swell. He loved this girl. He had no intention of letting her go and he hoped she meant to do the same. He could feel himself coming to the brink now, and by her light contractions he knew she was near, too. He knew that if he didn't end it now, he would explode with the built up tension. He pulled out until only his tip was inside of her and came down on her fast and hard. She arched her back as far as she could and screamed his name. As she clamped down on him, he couldn't hold it anymore and spilled forcefully into the condom. He would realize later that he had been literally gasping for air. He kissed her lightly but didn't let go of her as he pulled the sheets over them.

Darien was exhausted but felt more alive than he had in years. This girl, this angel, who he had pined after for weeks, was now his. His and his alone, and he intended to make sure it stayed that way. His eyelids closed slowly and soon he was asleep.

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Mwhahahahaha! Chapter 9 is fin. And now, R&R. There is another story out now, so read that too. Ta-ta for now!

~Moonlight Siren~