Of Vengeance and Beauty
Chapter Four
By: Sailor Raspberry

Author's Notes: Thanks for the reviews again. They mean so much to me! I'd like to say something to raye85: you have no idea how hard your review for chapter 3 made me laugh. I guess I never really thought of Diamond as a physco. But yes, he kinda is, isn't he?

Disclaimer: Standard stuff; don't own Sailor Moon or its characters (Serena, Darien, Lita, Raye, ect. ect.) But, I do own the plot + storyline.

Serena's eyes fluttered open, the smell of rosewood and spices gracing her senses. A slow smile spread across her face, remembrance of yesterday washing over her. Darien, her Darien, had come to her rescue, as cliché as that sounds. He even was able to almost make her forget the memories of the whole charade all together.

Almost.

She slipped from bed, slithering into her nightgown before exiting the room, glancing back at the snoozing Darien once with a small blush.

Raye glanced up from her plate of food, watching as Serena waltzed into the room, her skirts twirling around her feet as she swept past the Sunday buffet.

"Good morning sunshine," Lita muttered, poking at her eggs with her fork.

Serena waved off her comment, biting down onto the ham she picked out. "Don't be grouchy, Lita." Swallowing, she gulped at her wine, releasing a satisfied 'ah.' "It's a beautiful day!"

Lita quirked an eyebrow, brushing aside her bangs and resting her cheek in her palm. "Who are you, and what have you done with Serena?"

She giggled, taking another chomp from the meat. "Don't be silly, I'm right here!"

Raye looked over at Lita, a rare twitch of amusement pulling at her lips. "Uh, Serena, have you and Darien uhm...Last night, did you..."

Jadeite elbowed Nephlyte in the ribs, smirking. "The old alpha finally got some."

Serena choked, sputtering as she struggled to swallow her food. Receiving a firm, and slightly painful, pat on the back from Lita, she gasped, coughing as she digested her meal, before turning to face Jadeite. "Did you really just say that?"

He shrugged, leaning away from the table and eyeing her. "Every female acts excited after they mate with their male."

"Who said we-."

Nephlyte bent forward over the table, sniffing at the blonde before nodding, "You reek of him, too."

Serena had the dignity to blush, pushing back from the table and standing, glancing over each face. "I don't think this is any of your business." She strode away from the table, faltering in her steps slightly before whisking back around and stomping childishly back to the group. "And if I said it once then I'll have to say it again; I'm not an animal, and I did not mate with Darien."

She nodded her head emphatically to accentuate her point, twirling around again to make her exit.

"Oomph!"

Serena stumbled backwards slightly, her hands covering her nose. "Watch where you're going you big whale!" She looked angrily up at the wall that had just ran into her, mouth ready to fire insults, "Darien!" Her face turned an obvious crimson, hands dropping to her sides. "Didn't see you standing there," she laughed nervously, stepping around him to try and make a run for it. "I'll be going- Hey!"

Darien pulled her back towards the table, positioning her beside Raye, before he took his seat across from them. "Good morning to you too, love."

"Awww!" Lita squealed, her hands cupping her face. "I'm such a sap for this love thing!"

Serena felt her palms begin to sweat, her elbow ramming into Lita's ribcage.

"Ow! What was that for?"

She smiled, wiping her hands against her skirts. "I already ate, Darien, if you're worried that-"

Serena stiffened, the feeling of someone's foot running along the length of her leg, causing her body break out into a sweat. "I hadn't," she forced out, grasping onto her seat so she wouldn't topple over the edge. "And I think I should go," she took a whack at the offending leg.

"Ow! Sheesh Serena, I was joking around with the love thing!" Lita wailed, her face tight with pain.

Murmuring a sorry, she readjusted herself, glad that the foot didn't precede its adventure.

"And then comes the "embarrassed to be around your mate" phase!" Jadeite stated, wagging his finger in the air.

"Personally, that's my favorite stage," Nephlyte added, crossing his arms.

Serena glowered at them, frowning hard as Darien gained a proud smirk.

Sapphire burst through the doorway, trudging over to his brother's desk. "Where were you yesterday?"

Diamond raised an eyebrow, lifting his distanced eyes up to look at him. "I had things to take care of."

Sapphire laughed a deep, hazardous laugh, striding over to the desk in three steps. "Do you really think I'm that easy to fool?" He leaned against the desk, palms pressed down over the packets of parchment. "I know you went to visit your little," he paused, pondering for the right word, "obsession."

Diamond smirked, propping his legs up onto the desk and glancing at the overcast crystal. "My dear brother, is that what you've come to think of her?"

Sapphire's lips pressed into a tight line, his cerulean eyes hardening. "You don't even know her name." He took a step back, arms crossing reflectively over his chest. "Pathetic."

Brushing his bangs away from his face, Diamond rubbed his palms across his pant legs. "Names are not needed when it comes to domination."

"You're letting your pack down, Diamond. They believe you're going to conquest this land." Sapphire leaned back towards the desk, tapping the crystal roughly. "And you're letting an infatuation with someone you can't have get in your way."

Diamond focused on the picture, a smirk crawling onto his lips, "Beautiful, isn't she?"

Sapphire groaned, whirling around to make his way to the door, "You are useless, brother." He took a step out, gripping the door handle, his eyes taking a cagey look back, "By the way, I've heard her name is Serena."

With that said, Sapphire shut the door, a small sneer appearing on his own face. So far, everything was falling into place.

Diamond's lips pursed, his fingertips strumming against the desk, "Serena." The name felt foreign on his tongue, but he paid no mind to it; he had to discover a way to descend to that academy without anyone knowing.

He sat back, rubbing his chin. His eyes skimmed across the crystal, then the stand it sat on, followed by the sticker that clung to the stand.

Diamond continued his search through the office, before he took a second glance at the sticker.

Leaning forward, he squinted at the small calligraphy, reading it to himself aloud, "Made by Madam Kookay."

Diamond frowned at it, resting his chin in his palm and tapping his temple, "I believe..." He licked his lips, finding the name to be very strange, "a visit is due to the Kookay residence."

Serena sat at her desk, watching as her students set to work with their charcoal pencils. Every other minute, she would glance to her right to see Lita by the window, leaning casually up against its glass. Then she would glance to her left, and there sat Raye, knitting quietly by the storage room closet. And straight ahead of her stood Jadeite and Nephlyte, guarding the entrance, as well as dueling it out in what seemed to be a very intense game of rock, papers, scissors.

"Hey! You cheated!" Jadeite shouted, slapping away Nephlyte's hand.

"Uh-uh!" Nephlyte shook his head, "You have no proof."

Jadeite growled loudly, "It's obvious! You were about to throw scissors, but you went like this," he paused, taking a moment to imitate what Nephlyte had done," and made paper!"

"Maybe you need to get your eyes checked," Nephlyte said, moving back and leaning against the wall. "I won and you lost, so that's that."

"Cheater, cheater, pumpkin eat-"

Serena cleared her throat from her seat, glaring at the bickering duo. "Don't you have classes to be covering?"

The two of them shook their heads.

"Mr. Repens told us to not let you leave our sight." Jadeite explained, also leaning up against the wall.

"Well, tell Mr. Repens that I am capable of teaching my class by myself." Serena laced her fingers and placed her hands on her desk, allowing loose strands of hair to fall into her eyes.

Nephlyte chuckled, "I apologize, Ms. Lockeheart, but we were given specific orders from him to-."

Serena sighed noisily, her head flopping back into her chair. "Fine, stay there. But stop making so much noise."

The two obliged, sending each other glares and staring at their feet.

By the final class of the day, Serena's hair was falling from her buns, Raye had completed her quilt, Lita had successfully beaten Nephlyte in an arm wrestle – as well as receiving a promise that she'd regret that later tonight – and Jadeite had convinced six of her students to ask her what color her undergarments were.

Piling the completed assignments into her desk, Serena stood, eyes skimming over the four others who stood by the exit. "If you'll excuse me," she nodded her head, taking long strides past them and turning in the direction of the headmaster's office. "I have things to discuss with Mr. Repens."

Diamond licked across his teeth, cautiously peering through an unfamiliar doorway. The inside was dark, small orbs hanging from the ceiling. The five or so tables were covered with half-melted candles, the white wax oozing off the stick. Clearing is throat, he stepped in, "Is there anyone here?"

He listened, becoming aggravated with the daunting design. "I'd like to know if there is one Madam Kook-."

"Dahling, dahling, Madam Kookay is right here." An elderly woman in her mid-sixties emerged from behind a navy curtain, her plump figure illuminated by the candlelight.

Diamond suddenly felt very uncomfortable as the woman stopped before him, her orchid-colored eyes examining his face.

"You must be Master Maddox." She pursed her wrinkled lips, swinging her arm back towards the curtain. "I welcome you to my abode."

Diamond gave a forced smile, stepping around her and through the curtain. In the middle of the small room stood a circular table with a crystal ball, identical to his, perched in the middle. More candles burned, giving the room a faint and eerie glow.

Madam Kookay positioned herself in her charlatan throne, motioning for him to sit in the clothed chair opposite of her. "Tell me, Master Maddox, why have you come for my help?"

Diamond's eyes fixated on the woman's squinted ones, the grey hairs sticking out from the cloth that adorned the top of her head, and the reddish tint of her lips. "I am aware that you have given a crystal ball to me."

She smiled slightly, leaning forward to allow her hands to levitate over the dark ball. "I have."

Diamond waited for more, sitting forward. "And?"

"Do not expect so much from Madam Kookay. You must ask a question, child, if you wish to receive an answer in return."

He sighed, "I would like to know if there is a way to use the crystal to be in one's presence without anyone scenting you."

Madam Kookay looked bewildered for a moment, before she readjusted her face to become emotionless. "I see; werewolves like you use scent to track people down." Her palm descended to the top of the gem, clearing its fogged core. "In which way would you like to appear in this young woman's presence?"

"I never said I was a-."

"Do not argue with Madam Kookay, child!"

"And how did you know that she was-.'

"Child! Madam Kookay knows all!"

Diamond scowled, shifting nervously in his chair. "I would like to appear to her in all ways. I want to penetrate into her dreams, I want to see her, and for to see me, without anyone knowing of my existence."

The woman nodded, focusing on the slender woman with silvery blonde hair marching down a hallway. "It this the woman, child?"

Diamond nodded slowly, licking his lips in desire. "Yes."

"The answer is simple!" She threw her hands into the air, a small fire erupting to her right. "The crystal that you have attained, it will give you every necessary power you long for!" She laughed loudly, throwing her head back, "All you have to do is tap the ball three times when you wish to visit her!" But then, she stopped suddenly. "There is one condition, though, Master Maddox."

Diamond inhaled deeply, his unexpected excitement withering away slightly. "And what would that be?"

Madam Kookay leaned over the table, her eyes searching his. "You cannot touch her."

He frowned, bending away from the woman. "Then how am I to-."

"It is simple, child." She picked up her thin skirts and wadded through the room, holding open the curtain. "Unless, of course, you wish for her werewolf mate to tear your throat out." She gave him a smirk before she strolled away, the curtain flapping closed, the candles extinguishing.

Diamond moved to the curtain, holding it open, and finding that the woman had disappeared. He took a deep, exasperated breath, sauntering towards the exit, not giving one glance back.

Madam Kookay appeared from behind another curtain, pudgy arms crosses.

Sapphire appeared behind her, a satisfied grin on his lips. "You've done a fabulous job, Madam."

She puckered her lips, palm extended, and turned to face the young man. "Yes, well, Madam Kookay doesn't work for free, child."

Sapphire rolled his eyes, digging deep into his pocket, and dropping a silver coin into her extended hand.

Madam Kookay examined it in the dark, placing it between her teeth and biting down. Pocketing the coin, she curtsied as low as her little legs would allow, "Glad to be of services, Master Maddox."

Sapphire grunted a response, walking hurriedly past her and out the exit.

Serena pushed open the door, finding a stressed looking Darien. But she ignored his frowning face, and stopped before him, tapping her foot. "What do you think you're doing?"

He kept his head down, his fingers tapping along the desk in an annoyingly amusing rhythm. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're asking, love."

"Oh, don't you 'I'm afraid I don't know what you're asking, love' me, mister!" She slammed her palms on the desk, glowering hard at him. "You know, I do not appreciate you having people look out for me. I am not a child."

Darien chuckled, patting one of her hands. "It's merely for your protection, my little rabbit. Now, stop acting juvenile, and come here."

Serena raised an eyebrow, taking a step away. "Oh no, don't think you're going to take me and get away with this little act, Repens!"

She heard a faint sigh, before he stood, hands deep in his pockets. "I apologize that you find my worrying about your safety ludicrous, but I'm afraid I have no choice."

Serena laughed, placing balled fists on her hips. "No, you don't have a choice!" She strode over to him, poking him as hard as she could in the chest.

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

It annoyed her that his voice remained so calm. "It means...well...I don't know!" She poked him again, turning away. "But I do know that you don't have a choice anyway!"

He sighed again, and she felt the pressure of his arms crossing over her shoulders and down the front of her chest. "I'm sorry," he mumbled into her hair, pulling her tighter against him.

"I'm still angry at you," she hissed, but she positioned herself against him despite her words.

"I know," he whispered, and Serena felt a bulge in her lower back.

"Contain yourself, honey buns, you still aren't getting into my skirts." She couldn't help but smile as he chuckled against her neck.

Darien pulled her backwards, leading her into his lap as he sat down. "But I said I was sorry."

Serena turned her head away, crossing her arms. "Not. Good. Enough."

"What would make it good enough then, love?" He nuzzled and sniffed her neck, wrapping his arms around her waist.

She pushed away his head, turning back to face him. "I don't want to be watched like a hawk."

"Can't be done."

"Then I'll be sleeping in my own room tonight." She went to move from his lap, but he pulled her back.

"How about just two watch-wolves then?"

"One." He growled.

"Fine," She sighed, crossing her arms again.

"Anything else?" He asked, moving back to her neck again.

Her hand met his forehead, shoving him away. "Actually, yes."

Darien groaned slightly, the back of his head hitting the headrest. "Care to explain?"

"I don't want you to pushing me around, like you did at breakfast; what were you thinking when you put me into my seat anyway? Oh, speaking of breakfast, I don't want you playing footsies under the table; it makes me nervous. And don't get all hot and heavy every time I walk through the door; it's unruly," she began ticking off requests on her fingers, "don't sneak up on me and run into me-."

"That's not fair, you ran into me!" Darien sat forward, causing Serena to tumble from his lap." He glanced down, eyebrows raised. "If you insist," he shrugged, kicking the chair away and following her to the floor.

"Hey, I don't think we were done!" Serena scowled at him, but set herself to slipping off his jacket anyway.

"Okay," Darien took a nip at her neck before moving to look at her eyes, "I want you to stop being as stubborn as a human," he placed a kiss on her lips, "and you need to stop accusing me of getting all hot and heavy, as you so kindly explained. Besides," he kissed the corner of her mouth, "it isn't my fault you turn a poor werewolf on."

Serena pulled off his shirt, her hands roaming the crevices of his stomach. "Yes, well I don't blame you." She licked his collar bone, finding the deep rumble that was forming in his throat exciting. "I'm a strong," she kissed his shoulder blade. "Independent," she licked up his throat to his jaw, placing a small kiss there. "Woman," she brushed her lips against his.

She felt her dress loosen slightly, and she smiled, falling back on his hand. "Tsk ,tsk." She shook her head. "I thought I said no getting hot and heavy."

Darien raised an eyebrow, his face showing strain. "I'm going to have object to that, love."

Serena arched up towards his ear, not attempted to hide her grin. "Overruled."

Nothing too exciting in this chapter. But I felt that I had to get the part with Sapphire out. It basically is the whole plot (give or take a few sentences). Anyways, hope you enjoyed reading anyway!

xo,
Sailor Raspberry