Disclaimer
I do not own Sailor Moon (unfortunately), so don't sue me. I don't have any money anyway. If I did I would spend it all on manga and
anime ^_^;
Thanks to all my reviewers! ^^
Friends First
-Chapter 8-
Serena stamped her foot on the ground several times while she screamed at the top of her lungs. It helped but didn't make the feeling of frustration go away fully. Why did she have to make that promise to her dear grandmother (God rest her soul)? Why? Now she had no choice but to keep it. She had morals and values and she always kept her promises. She was smarter than everyone thought after all. She didn't just shove away her beliefs in the heat of the moment. But how did that leave her now? It left her feeling completely unsatisfied and sexually frustrated, that's how.
She stamped her foot one last time with a scream added for good measure, and then glanced at the water. It looked so serene, so tranquil, so...unlike how she was feeling at the moment. Her frustration was soon being aimed towards the lake. Serena soon felt that the lake needed to be more like her. She didn't understand how something could look so at ease when right now she was as bothered as she thought she could get. So, with a running start and a deep breath, Serena leapt in, ruining the lake's tranquility. Ripples moved away from where her body had invaded the water.
Darien reached the clearing in the forest to find it empty. His eyes went wide with worry and he combed his hair through with his fingers several times. He walked around in circles, searching frantically and calling out her name. It was really no use. There wasn't really anywhere to hide in the clearing. It was pretty, well...clear.
He searched around one more time just to be sure, and then heard a disturbance in the lake's water. Maybe she went for a swim. Just as he turned towards the lake, Serena rose, and Darien's breath hitched. Her golden hair was flowing all around her as she slowly walked up the shore. The water glistened on her skin in the sunlight. She looked gorgeous...Like a goddess. After Darien remembered to breathe, he let out a relieved sigh and ran up to her, pulling her into his arms in a tight hug.
"Oof. Darien—"
"Serena! Are you okay? I was so worried. What happened? Who screamed?"
"Darien," Serena wheezed, "I can't breathe."
"Ooh..." He let her go. "Sorry, it's just...I was really worried. I heard someone scream. Was that you?"
"Uhh..." Serena blushed. "Yes...but it was nothing, really."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Serena said, avoiding looking him in the eyes. "We should go now, before it gets dark."
Darien gave her a once over looking for any telltale marks, cuts, or bruises that would let him know someone had tried to hurt her. But there were none. So, he decided to let it go...for now.
"All right. Let's go. I'm sure we're missed by now. Pretty soon the National Army of Erent will be out looking for us."
Serena laughed. "Yeah right."
"I'm serious."
"Oh." Was all Serena could say, as she got into the car.
Jed followed Rei into a gorgeous looking guest room. The walls were painted white with an elegant burgundy trimming where the walls and ceiling met. The floor had plush taupe carpeting that comforted a person's feet and complemented the walls' burgundy trimming well.
Against one wall were several large windows, the window in the middle turning out to be a door (that just looked like a window) that led to the balcony. The balcony held a magnificent view of the gardens.
There was a queen size bed with wine-red silk bedclothes, which matched perfectly with the room's trimmings, against the wall facing the windows. An antique wardrobe sat on the wall that also had the door leading to the bathroom. A desk sat in a way so that if the drapes were open and the person working there happened to look up, they would be able to take in the full grandeur of the view.
"Nice." Jed commented, coming up behind Rei. And I wasn't just talking about the room. He added silently, while admiring Rei's backside.
"I know. It's one of the nicest guest rooms we have. I don't know why it's being wasted on you." Rei retorted with scorn.
"Right." Jed replied with semi-amusement. "I guess I should get settled then."
Rei scowled. "Yeah. Sure. Whatever."
After Rei left, Jed plopped down onto the bed and let out a deep sigh. He had already set his eyes on Rei being 'the one', now all he had to do was convince her of the same. Looks like I've got my work cut out for me.
The silence was becoming too unbearable for Serena. The sexual tension was so thick it was suffocating her. She had to do something about it!
She glanced over at Darien, thinking about starting up a conversation...some small talk maybe. But then, after a glance at him concentrating so much on driving, she thought against it. Instead, she opted for turning on the radio, filling the car with music in hope that the tension and silence would fall away.
Her hope was for naught. The silence and tension between them was still there, even though the silence in the car was momentarily interrupted by song every now and then. Darien had never been this silent with her since the time she arrived. It was unnerving her.
In order to try and forget that he was isolating her from him, she gazed out the window watching the scenery go by. Every now and then, when a song caught her interest, she would sing along. That seemed to help her pass the time. It also seemed to keep her from noticing Darien and Darien's changes in behavior.
Darien couldn't believe he let it get so late, almost sunset by the looks of it. He cursed. If anyone had noticed he was missing, his mother would be alerted. He knew the drill. If one member of Erent's royalty went missing for longer than twelve hours, a search would be conducted. Members of the National Army of Erent would be on the search, and all members would be on the lookout.
Hopefully, he'd get back before anyone noticed. Or, at least, before twelve hours had passed since he was noticed gone. If he didn't and a search party was sent out, the media would have a frenzy on his benefit—and Serena's. The tabloids could be cruel. He couldn't do that to her, couldn't put that stress on her. He felt the overwhelming need to protect her. He knew, somewhere in the back of his head, that she had probably been a few tabloids, seeing as how she was an heiress to a major company. But he didn't care, and that feeling of being her protector didn't go away.
He was so caught up in his thoughts of protecting Serena and on concentrating on the road, that he had tuned out everything else and had nearly forgotten Serena was sitting next to him. He didn't even try to get her into a conversation as they began their journey back to the palace. And now that he thought about, he hadn't heard a word out of her. Maybe she's sleeping. However, that thought was soon dashed by the sound of a melodic voice coming from his right.
He glanced towards Serena and sure enough, the sweet sound was coming from her. Listening to the words silently. Serena turned to him, which obviously meant she had heard. Her eyes were wide with surprise. He thought it time to start some conversation.
"You have a beautiful voice. Do you know that?"
Serena blushed. "Erm…thanks."
They began a conversation about anything and everything that came to mind. They laughed and joked, and the car was no longer the wordless abyss of before.
Serena was disappointed when the car ride back to the palace had to end. After Darien had started that conversation, the awkward beginning seemed to be shoved out of her mind. They were having a good time together...again.
But alas, all good things must come to an end. So, when the car stopped, and Darien got out of his seat, she decided she should do the same. She went to open the door, but Darien got there first, holding his hand out.
"Why, thank you." She said, as she took his hand in her own with a smile.
As she walked towards the palace entrance, hand in hand with Darien, something, or more specifically, someone caught her eye. She squinted to get a better look and make sure she wasn't just seeing things. Sure enough, there, by one of the many gorgeous fountains in the beautiful expanse of the palace gardens, sat a blonde haired, blue-eyed man who happened to be none other than her wisecracking cousin. He seemed to be speaking with someone. To whom, she did not know, for a tree was blocking her view of his companion.
What's he doing here? She wondered as she let go of Darien's hand and walked towards the fountain.
As she neared, the person whom her cousin was speaking to became clear. A raven haired, violet-eyed Rei sat opposite Serena's beloved cousin, looking quite angry and on the verge of strangling Jed. Jed just sat back looking satisfied with riling her up.
"Bastard!" Rei shouted.
"Last time I checked, my parents were married when I was conceived."
Rei abruptly stood, her hands clenching and unclenching. Serena thought it best to interfere now, before any murders were committed.
"Ahem..." Serena coughed.
Rei stopped in mid lunge, setting her hands down, looking guilty.
"Hey Rei. Hey Jed. Having a good time?"
Rei glanced angrily at Jed, who answered with amusement, "The best!"
Serena smiled. "Well, sorry to interrupt the fun, but can I just take Jed for a while."
"Be my guest! Please! Go on!" Rei exclaimed.
Serena laughed at Rei's enthusiasm to get rid of Jed. She hauled Jed up and pushed him along a garden path, leaving behind a confused Darien and a relieved Rei.
"So, Jed. Why are you here?" Serena asked, not one to beat around the bush.
"Well, I told you Kyle would be coming as soon as he could. He had planned on coming today, but he couldn't make it. So, he asked me to go in his place."
"Yeah...but no advance notice? And that wasn't really necessary."
"Well, Anna May called, but someone informed her that you could not be found and were probably out. With the Prince, I presume?" He raised his eyebrows in a questioning gesture. "And as I told you on the phone, Kyle is not going to let this rest. He doesn't want to let you out of his sight now that Derek's out and about in this country."
"I see. But, there are guards always around and following us. There isn't really anything to worry--"
"Right," Jed cut off her sentence, "like today, when you went off on your little secret outing."
Serena looked down, and blushed.
"See. Anything could have happened to you."
"Fine!" Serena sighed. "At least it's you and not Kyle. I love my brother, I really do, but he's just too overprotective."
Jed laughed. "Don't we all know it. But he's still coming, you know. Just at a later time."
Serena sighed again. "I guess it can't be helped." Then, she smirked and turned the conversation around. "So, I see you're having a good time with Rei."
Jed grinned. "You bet. I think I'm falling in love."
Serena laughed.
Darien turned to his sister. "Who the hell is that?!"
Rei raised an eyebrow, and answered, "Darien, dear brother, is that jealousy I see? You know, you're not supposed to be jealous of another guy who seems to be taking the lady, whom you supposedly don't like, off your hands."
"But I...I..." Darien stammered. "I am not jealous!"
"Sure your not. Anyway, no need. That's just her cousin."
"Oh...I knew that!"
Rei snickered. "Sure you did."
Serena and Jed, still catching up on what's been going on in each other's lives lately, met up with Darien and Rei at the front entrance to the palace. There, they went their separate ways until dinner.
Before Darien could get to where he was going, he was stopped by Ruth.
"Your Highness, the Queen would like to have a word with you."
Darien sighed. He supposed it was time to face the wrath of his mother.
Walking slowly to give himself more time, he reached the Queen's office chambers ten minutes later.
"You wanted to speak with me, mother?"
"Yes. Do come in."
She eyed him angrily as he sat in one of the plush chairs facing her.
"Where have you been?!"
"Out."
"Out? Out! Do you have any idea how worried I was? And with Miss Moon too! Do you realize something could have happened? You could have been kidnapped for ransom or gotten into some other mess. Do you know how much trouble that would've caused us?"
"Yes, I was out. Yes, I assumed you might've been worried. Something might have happened, but I'm a grown man, I think I can take care of myself. I'm next in line for the throne, after Nathan of course, which means I'll have to deal with problems anyway!"
The Queen sighed, looking away wearily.
"Darien, I'm your mother, it's my job to worry. Well, at least you seem to be getting along with Miss Moon. Don't forget about the ball."
"I am and I won't. May I leave now?"
"Yes, yes." The Queen answered, waving her hand towards the door.
Serena plopped down onto her bed, pulling out her laptop and setting it up in front of her. I wonder if Lita's still awake, and if she's still online. She looked down at her watch counting out the time difference. It was pretty late back home, according to her calculations, but she figured she'd go online anyway. Just in case Lita was still online.
Sure enough, as soon as Serena's buddy list came into view, Lita's screen name was spotted.
Moon Princess: Hey Lita!
Lady Thunder: Oh, hey Serena.
Moon Princess: You won't believe the day I've had!
Lady Thunder: Tell me about it. You won't believe the day I've had.
Moon Princess: Ooh...you go first! Did you meet a guy? :P
And they told each other about their days.
Lady Thunder: And he looked just like my old boyfriend, but better. You know? I think I really like him.
Moon Princess: Good for you. You deserve to be happy. :)
Lady Thunder: Thanks. You do too. And by the looks of it, it seems like you are. You're starting to like the prince huh? Tell me the truth!
Serena blushed, but she couldn't lie. Lita was her best friend.
Moon Princess: Yes.
Lady Thunder: I knew it! Heh...well, good luck. *yawn* I need to get to sleep now. Night.
Moon Princess: Night. I hope you have sweet dreams about your prince charming.
Lady Thunder has signed off.
The ball was now two days away. When Jed learned of it, he had, of course, asked Rei to be his date. But she had just scoffed and turned away, saying no, even though she secretly did want to go with him.
"He's such a jerk." Rei had grumbled with a slight smile, while she was chatting with Serena in Serena's room.
Serena smiled, she could tell Jed was beginning to grow on Rei.
"So what should I wear to this ball?" Serena asked, bringing Rei out of her mumblings.
"Huh? Oh..." Rei moved towards the closet, shifting through the many clothes as she reached it. "Hmm...Ugh. There's nothing in here."
"I know. There's nothing good enough. A shame."
Rei was surprised, she had no idea Serena knew of her fashion, er—sense—or lack thereof.
"Well, we could always go shopping."
"Okay."
"And we could meet up with the girls!"
"Sure, why not?"
"Serena, you'll look so great when we're through! Darien won't be able to take his eyes off of you."
Serena blushed.
A/N: So, what do you think? Took a while for this chapter to come out, but I hope it was worth your wait. Please review. And if it wasn't worth the wait, then please review with some constructive criticism to let me know how I can make the chapters better. Thanks! ^^