CHAPTER 9 - Pleased to Make Your Acquaintance
Tuxedo Mask refused to take his eyes off Sailor Moon even for just a second in case she might wake up. After his assessment, he discovered that her skin had paled, her body temperature had dropped, breathing was shallow, and her pulse was weak. She was still alive, however, and Tuxedo Mask held onto that one shred of hope fervently praying that she would survive. Serena please wake up. Come on Serena. He delicately brushed his finger over her cheek continuing to hope that she would regain her consciousness.
He inwardly scolded himself as his eyes once again caught sight of her injuries. He could have prevented them. He could've saved her from the pain and suffering. The dreams were telling him to stay away from Serena, but how could he do that and let her get hurt like this? He hung his head wanting to release himself from the torment of his situation. He sighed and kept his eyes on Sailor Moon.
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"Sir..." The evil minion meekly requested its master's attention.
"What is it?!" The irritated voice of the Master nearly made the evil minion jump out of its skin. The Master's eyes narrowed as it glowered down at his slave. He tapped his foot waiting impatiently for a continuation of the conversation.
The minion gathered its courage and began to speak once more. "Sir, I feel it is of utmost importance to bring to your attention that we have trespassers..." He let his sentence fade off as he waited for the Master's tempter to flare and explode in rage.
The minion had closed its eyes and its feet were prepared to run and take cover the instant the Master would have his outburst, but after a few moments of squeezing his eyes shut, he realized that the Master hadn't even said a single word. He slowly opened his eyes, his feet still prepared to run.
Instead of the enraged expression he expected to be on the master's face, there was a pensive one. Baffled, he waited for the Master to speak.
"Yes, that is a problem." The Master stated in a thoughtful manner. His sleek white hair was a contrast to his darkened eyes that narrowed in thought.
"Kill them all." The minion nodded as soon as the Master gave his orders, but as he turned to leave, the Master shouted, "Wait!" He slowly turned around and redirected his attention towards his commander.
"Bring Sailor Moon to me. Alive." The Master spoke those words so menacingly and with such a threat that the evil minion dared not disobey.
"Yes Master." He replied obediently.
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Very slowly, her eyes fluttered open and all at once, multiple stimuli assaulted her senses. She could smell mud mingled with the odor of blood. There was an intense stinging pain all throughout her abdomen that threatened to exponentially increase if she made even a slight movement. Just taking a deep breath seemed to intensify the pain. When she realized her movements were constricted, she felt tied up and looked down to discover that she was actually bundled up. A large piece of black fabric had been wrapped around her and although she felt pain, she realized she did not feel cold.
There was also something else she felt. Could it be? An arm in which her head rested? Also, there was another arm that was draped delicately across her midsection.
She slowly looked up into the face of the one she so desperately longed to see.
"Tuxedo Mask!" She managed to say in a hoarse whisper.
Her heart burst out with cheer at the sight of his handsome face that was looking back at hers. A joyful feeling erupted in her heart and seemed to spread out through her entire body, saturating her all the way from her scalp to the tips of her fingers and the tips of her toes. Her eyes began to brim with joyous tears as her pain and suffering were forgotten like memories discarded to the wind and carried off to an unknown place far away.
"Tuxedo Mask, I--" He instantly shushed her putting a finger up to his lips.
"Save your energy." He whispered quietly to get her to calm down.
She realized that he was missing his cape and discovered a second later that was the black fabric she was wrapped in.
She peered up into his midnight blue eyes as she tried to tell him with her own eyes how happy and grateful she was that he was here with her. She reveled in his warmth that seemed to chase away all feelings of insecurity and fright. The sensation of him close to her overpowered all other sensations and she inwardly rebuked herself for having any doubts that he would come. I told you so! She thought to herself as she mentally stomped on any disbelief that Tuxedo Mask would rescue her. She confirmed that all the trouble and pain she experienced was most definitely worth it if this was the end result.
She attempted to read his expression and the look in his eyes. Was it...relief? She could also see worry and his eyes also held some sort of tenderness as he cast his gaze down upon her.
She attempted to speak once again, but her voice only came out in a whisper. "I'm so glad you came." As soon as those words escaped her mouth, tears freed themselves from the outer corners of her eyes and slid down her cheeks.
He attempted once again to quiet her, but she continued. "I was so scared...so scared when you weren't here...but..." She swallowed before continuing and ignoring his shushing. "But you came...you never let me down...you never did and you never will." Through the tears, she smiled up at him, her heart beaming with gratitude and love. Her smile wavered somewhat, however, when she saw the look upon his face.
His expression seemed to be strained. The look in his eyes, she couldn't quite read because it was a mix of so many things. Guilt? Despair? Grief? Despite this, she went on to say, "I knew you still cared for me...I knew it and I know it." She wanted to reach up and touch his face, but her hands were constricted to her body while she was bundled in his cape.
"No..." He whispered, his voice gruff and ragged. Her eyes widened at his response. "I...I don't...don't care for you."
She shook her head as if to wake herself from her dream, but he continued and all she could do was helplessly listen as her heart broke so soon after it had just mended.
His eyes seemed to pierce right through her as he said, "I saved you because the world needs you. The world depends on you." He seemed to be looking right through her instead of looking at her. "That is why I saved you...not because...not because I care for you."
She looked up into his face once more, this time tears of defeat and dejection pouring out of her eyes. She tried to read his expression once again, but he had closed himself off to her as he looked off into the trees.
That is the reason he comes to save me? She cursed herself for being so naive. I couldn't have been more wrong! She shut her eyes tightly as if to squeeze out every tear.
She began to wiggle attempting desperately to become free of his cape. "Get me out of this!" She yelled angrily. She ignored the stabs of pain she felt due to her quick movements and tried to get up to stand.
"What are you doing?" Tuxedo Mask asked in a panic. "You can't stand! You're hurt!" She ignored him and continued to pull the cape off of her. Hastily, she pushed herself off the ground and screamed out in agony as pain rippled through her body. She managed to grab hold of a branch to steady herself on her feet, her face distorted as a result of the pain. She grabbed hold of her midsection realizing there was a piece of black fabric wrapped around her waist. Looking down, she realized Tuxedo Mask had ripped part of his cape and had wrapped it around her wounds.
"Sailor Moon, you need to rest." Tuxedo Mask said in a demanding tone.
Anger wildly pulsated through her. "What do you care?!" She yelled almost a little too loudly. "Oh, that's right. You don't." She added vehemently. She could tell he was taken back by her fiery response. "I need to...find my friends." She said forcing her legs to move forward as she gripped the branch up ahead. She gritted her teeth as the searing pain spread through her and all the while she fought back tears. I never should have left them. At least they care.
She felt a pair of arms lift her up and carry her. "What are you doing?" She demanded to know as she looked angrily into the face of Tuxedo Mask.
"I'll help you find your friends." He said softly as he carried her through the forest.
Anger surged through her veins. "I don't need your help!" She snapped. "Put me down!" He didn't seem to listen as he continued trudging on with her still in his arms. "I said put me down!" She demanded, her voice louder. Is he doing this to torture me? What a cruel man he is! Completely opposite from who I thought he was!
"I said put me--" Sailor Moon was abruptly cut off as a sudden ball of pink energy engulfed them. "What's happening?" She asked in a panic. Tuxedo Mask looked around in a frenzy as they were lifted up in the ball of pink energy.
"I think we're being taken somewhere." He said as he tightened his grip on Sailor Moon. "Don't worry, I'll protect you." He said in a tone that almost seemed as if he meant what he said.
She would have responded bitterly, but she was distracted by the pink ball of energy that was transporting them up and over the trees. She had a bad feeling about this.
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The dark moon's minion clambered his way over to his master pleased to relay the news to him. "Master." He awaited for the Master to give him permission to speak before he continued.
"Yes, Youma 86. What is it?" His black crystal earrings gleamed as he turned around to face him.
"I am pleased to let you know that Sailor Moon is on her way right now." He bowed as he shared this information. The Master nodded his head being very satisfied with the news.
"One more thing, Master." Youma 86 said hoping that this last bit of news wouldn't upset him.
"Yes?"
"She has company."
The Master's eyes widened in a glare that was almost too menacing. "I thought I told you to kill the rest of them!" He bellowed out across the room.
Youma 86 fell to his knees. "Master, we are carrying out your orders as we speak, but the one she is with is not a Sailor Scout!" With fright, he awaited his Master's response.
He watched as the Master smoothed his white hair and nodded. "No problem then. I'll take care of it." His lips curled up in a snare. "You'll soon be mine Sailor Moon." He said as he impatiently awaited her arrival.
As if on cue, a large pink ball of energy materialized in the dark room. "Ah, just on time." The Master said with a sinister smile.
The sight that was left when the pink ball of energy disappeared enraged him. Sailor Moon in the arms of Tuxedo Mask!
"Where are we?" Sailor Moon demanded to know as she looked around. She finally spotted him and he felt his nerves ignite when they made eye contact.
"My princess Serenity." He bowed a little. "You finally found me." He smiled at her youthful beauty that captured him, but frowned when the man who was holding her did not release her from his arms.
"Who are you?" The tuxedo clad man demanded to know.
"That is none of your business!" He roared in response. His eyes lightened considerably when he caught sight of Sailor Moon again. "But for the sake of the princess, I will introduce myself."
He bowed slightly before saying,"Your beautiful highness, I am Prince Diamond. Your future husband. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
A/N: Whew! Sorry guys, I sort of kept putting off writing this next chapter, but I'm glad I finally got it done! I've been reading other fanfic trying to better myself with writing and such. You know what they say, if you want to be a better writer, read challenging stories. As you see, we are reaching the climax so there will be some more action in the next chapter. I know, I know...Tuxedo Mask/Kamen is being so cruel and even I can't stand how he hurts Sailor Moon! Thanks for taking the time to review, I greatly appreciate it and you know how it encourages me to continue to write.
Replies to some of the reviews from chapter 8:
TrueWinolo: It's readers like you who push me to keep writing and working on this story! Thanks so much:D
Shay: I completely understand what you mean! It's bittersweet. Sweet to know the ending, but bitter because that's what it is, the ending. I'm glad you liked Darien's POV. Thanks for being a faithful reader!
Emerald 124: Thanks! Yes, I am aware that Darien has healing powers, but only in the manga. Something else will happen in the story that might not require Darien's healing power, but I don't want to give away too much!
moonburnscars: Heheh...yeah even I can't believe I wrote 8 chapters in 6 days. I was on a roll for a little while. I love it when Rei isn't the bad one either. I think her and Serena fight so much because they're so close! She's also one of the bravest and toughest of the Sailor Scouts in my opinion.
ToriKay: I take it as compliment that you are so emotionally involved in my story. :D I suppose I'm making it real enough for the readers. I'm sorry that I didn't "fix it" in this chapter, but I promise you, the ending will not be disappointing. That's all I want to say without giving away too much.
To guitarbabe2005, starangel07, Li'l Albatross, SerenityDeath, LilMissManda, serenity11287, skye668, uf gator, sailormoonforever, River Angel, Champion of Justice, and Lady Sylver ---------THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for taking the time to review. I madly appreciate your encouragements.
