Of Vengeance and Beauty
Chapter Eight
By: Sailor Raspberry
Author's Notes: I was able to squeeze this chapter out. I wanted to have it out yesterday (Wednesday), but I had basketball, and school started the next day, so I wasn't able to. I hope you like it.
lovelyl: Your last stalker?! Oh dear, were you serious when you said that? I certaintly hope not!
ally0212: I want to apologize to you. I didn't think the last chapter was that confusing. But, since it was to you, I tried extra extra hard to try and right this clearly for you. Hopefully, you will find this one easier to read... If not, please say so and I'll think of another way to do so.
Disclaimer: Standard stuff; don't own Sailor Moon or its characters (Serena, Darien, Lita, Raye, ect. ect.) But, I do own the plot + storyline.
The sun's strong light momentarily blinded her as she looked up in surprise, the bed continually jumping beneath her previously slumbering body. She met a raven-haired woman bouncing unceremoniously at her feet. "Wha-? Raye? What are you doing?" Serena didn't bother to hide her stunned look as she sat up, her thick hair tumbling over her shoulders.
Raye smiled from the corner of the mattress, straitening her back to tower over Serena. "I haven't seen you in a bit. So, I thought I'd stop by." Tucking a loose tendril behind her ear, she climbed from the bed and pulled a chair alongside it. "Lita will be up here in a moment with breakfast, so you sit back and relax."
Serena drew her brow down in curiosity, before fluffing her pillows and settling against the headboard. Her eyes wandered aimlessly throughout the room, finally resting to her left. "Where's Darien?"
Raye batted her hand in the air, rolling her violet eyes dramatically. "He went out with Jadeite and Nephlyte to examine the woods." Pursing her lips slightly, she leant forward, lacing her hands on her lap, "He seemed to be very... Excited about something."
Serena licked her suddenly parched lips and stared down at the quilt that covered her body. "Well..."
The door burst open, and Lita waltzed in, a silver tray filled with colorful fruits and something that looked oddly similar to chocolate truffles in hand. "Brunch is served!"
"Brunch?" Serena looked up at Lita with a puzzled expression, moving to climb from the bed. "I've got classes; I'd hate for-."
Raye placed a reassuring hand atop hers, cocking her head slightly to the side, showing just how pretty she really was. "All the classes have been called off for the day. Apparently, Darien and you are going hunting tonight?"
Lita fell against the base of the mattress, sighing happily as she watched the sun's light flicker across the ceiling. "I remember the first time Nephlyte took me hunting." Her eyes glazed over as the memory washed over her.
Serena smiled slightly, reaching over and plucking a green grape from the tray. "It seemed to me that he didn't want me there, though," shrugging as she pulled last night's conversation from the back of her mind, she popped the fruit into her mouth. "Anyway, why are you all here so suddenly?"
Raye sat back, crossing her legs casually. "Darien's really been watching you closely these past days, and we figured you needed some girl time."
Serena snorted, biting into a truffle, "Tell me about it. Who knew wolves were so territorial?"
Lita exchanged a look with Raye, before sitting up. "Serena, there's something you should know about when..."
Holding up a hand, Serena shook her head. "Do not give me any of that "bonded for eternity" or "pre-determined mate" stuff. I'm aware of that, and am totally fine with it."
"That's great and all but..." Raye twirled a lock of hair around her index finger, peering at the ceiling as though it amazed her. "We know that you're part werewolf and all, but when your male takes you hunting, it's kind of like an official bonding."
After glancing at Serena's bemused look, Lita smiled widely. "It basically means you and him are going to get married – without all the fancy ceremonial stuff – and are going to live forever happy and have a bundle of pups and-" Lita cut herself short prior to hearing Serena chuckle amusedly.
"Of course I knew we were going to get married eventually!" She giggled, blushing slightly at the thought, "and we've already discussed the matter of children..." Her hands covered her cheeks as she flamed scarlet. "Now look! I'm blushing!"
Raye smiled at her childish antics, shaking her head slowly. "It's very, very, important that everything goes according to plan. As in, if the male's plans don't go accordingly, someone's going to be beheaded. And it has to be perfection because he's alpha male."
Lita nodded to accentuate the point, "If you mess it up somehow, well, don't expect to be leaving the bedroom anytime soon."
Serena felt her cheeks grow hot at her comment; why was it that she was suddenly bashful at the remarks made about her and Darien's love life? Forcing away the color that stained her cheeks, she crinkled her nose in thought. "He said he didn't want me to attend though. He said he just hadn't been out hunting in a few days."
Raye exchanged obvious looks of amusement with Lita. "Jadeite said the same thing to me."
"And Nephlyte to me," Lita added, popping a truffle into her mouth with a smirk. "They know how we females enjoy seeing them show off when their in action." She wiggled her slim eyebrows slightly, "But honestly, they're just too cowardly to ask us to marry them."
"That's a little harsh, isn't Lita?" Raye asked, eyeing a slice of apple before biting into it politely, "More like their afraid of our prevailing power that will one day overtake their role as the dominating mate in the relationship so they take to easy way out and trick us into going."
The three girls glanced at one another, faces showing the fact that this could be why the male did so, before bursting into a round of giggles.
Serena wiped a tear the budded at the corner of her eye, before adopting a questioning gaze, "How come none of you have children?" She asked, turned accusing eyes at the still chuckling women, eyebrows raised with expectation.
Lita held her hands up in defense. "I've already had a son. Little bugger's afraid to be seen around his mommy." She made kissing noises, cupping her chin, "God forbid he was caught getting a kiss in front of his pals."
Serena nodded at that, and then turned to face a suddenly shy Raye. "What about you, huh? I haven't seen any sign of children in you're life, missy."
Raye looked up through her thick lashes, her fingers tying in knots before her stomach. "Promise me you won't tell Jade?"
Both the women across from her gaped slightly. "No..." Lita whispered, a hand fluttering to her chest. "He didn't pick up a scent?"
Raye shook her head, a smile blooming on her red-tinted lips. "I got up earlier then him because I wanted it to be a surprise."
Serena squealed, launching from beneath the covers to capture Raye in a tight hug. "Congratulations! I'm sure Jadeite will feel positively-"
"Positively... What?"
Gasping, Serena released Raye, stumbling backwards onto the bed. In the doorway stood Jadeite, Nephlyte, and Darien, their faces smudged with dirt and bodies all trying to squeeze through the small doorway at once.
"What?" Serena asked dumbly, propping herself on her elbows and flashing a smile.
"You said that I would-"
"Look at you, Neph! You're positively wretched!" Lita jumped up from the bed, pointing a finger at her mate. "Off to the bath with you!"
Raye immediately popped up from her chair, scurrying after Lita as she exited the room, shooting a look of excitement back to Serena.
The guests left the room, but not before Jadeite's face perked noticeably as Raye strode past him. Serena watched in awe as he pulled her aside and murmured something to her. She blushed, nodding her head before she was pulled into a hug and was kissed-
The bed shifted as Darien sat beside her, placing a large hand over hers, "One day, love, that's going to be us," he whispered, nuzzling the top of her head with his nose.
Serena sighed in agreement, before her nose crinkled and she pushed him away, "You're filthy, and I'd hate to have to take another bath."
Darien chuckled, leaning her back against the bed. "I wouldn't mind." He smiled lopsidedly, reaching over and plucking a blueberry from the tray, holding it out before her lips so she could take it.
Serena grinned bashfully, taking to fruit between her teeth and lacing her fingers with his. Darien smiled warmly, "You know, I can't wait for tonight. You were right to come." He began to nibble her neck, drawing a gasp of surprise as his teeth skimmed her scar, which was still oddly sensitive.
"Oh come on, we just left!"
Serena and Darien looked up in surprise at the intruder, making their movements haste to climb off one another.
Lita stomped over to the bed, picking up her tray of half eaten fruits with half-hearted disgust. "This is a part of my finest silverware, you sex-bunnies." Winking discreetly at Serena, she turned and stalked from the room, shouting over her shoulder, "Keep it down this time, okay?"
Serena felt her face flare in embarrassment as she crawled out from underneath Darien, her eyes lowered to the mattress.
"Is that bath still open for discussion?"
Her eyes flickered up towards him with disbelief, "Are you insane?"
He shrugged, lifting himself from the bed and striding towards the door. "Suit yourself."
Serena frowned as she watched him leave, her lips slowly forming into a pout. "You're just going to leave me here?" she called after him, crossing her arms over her chest.
When she received no response, she swooped to the floor to pick up a forgotten robe, mumbling beneath her breath, and making her way out.
After taking a step into the hallway, Darien wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest, "You don't think I'd actually leave you alone, do you?" He whispered into her ear, his fingers slowly caressing her stomach.
"No," she lied, biting her tongue to hold back a gasp as his hand slid underneath her nightgown.
"Good," he purred, leading her back towards the bathing room, continuing to mummer reassurances into her ear as he fiddled with her undergarments, teasing her constantly until they reached the entrance to the bathing room.
When they finally came about their destination, Serena twirled swiftly in his arms and clamped her mouth against his, causing them both to stumble through the doorway.
She peered curiously into the vanity mirror, tracing two fingers along her neck. Flinching slightly at the twinge of pain from the contact, she moved closer, examining the purple mark as best she could.
Her blue eyes flashed quickly up to glance at the slumbering Darien, a small smile appearing across her lips. That man really knew how to work.
Blushing at her naughty thoughts, she turned back to gaze at her appearance, clenching her jaw when she was met with a now dark purple scratch traveling up to her ear.
Had she scratched herself in the bathing room? Or maybe Darien had gotten carried away while they were...? She allowed her thoughts to trail off before she turned burgundy from embarrassment. But still, it didn't seem at all logical, considering how it could change to a different shade of color so quickly.
The mark ended at the bite mark on her neck, from when Darien had first bitten her. The scar had faded to a neutral color, blending finely with her pale skin.
She tightened her lips slightly, straightening to her full height and turning from the mirror. Tightening the strings to her silk robe, she pulled her damp hair across her neck in an attempt to make the odd mark less noticeable. If she didn't know where it came from, why would Darien?
The sun was still high in the sky when she climbed into bed beside her lover, the sunbeams sharpening his features as she examined him closely. Gently, she traced a slender index finger across his cheek, noting in the back of her mind how he looked like child when he slept.
Sighing contently, she rested her head against his bare skin, allowing her eyes to flutter closed when the steady beat of his heart coaxed her to slumber. She felt his arm curl around her shoulders unconsciously, drawing a full smile from her. This was something she could defiantly get used to.
Sapphire cracked his jaw in thought, stoking his stubble-less chin absentmindedly. He drew the words his poor excuse of an alpha male had spoken to him.
Every wolf feels a need to hunt before a full moon.
Simple enough, really. He had actually gone out last night and caught himself a wonderful doe.
He smirked, licking his teeth as the taste of the flesh sinking between his teeth washed into his mouth.
That was beside the point, though. Diamond had said he would strike when the forest was dark enough.
That's where he was confused. And he hated it. If he wanted to succeed with his plan, then he had to be able to know what his brother was doing.
When the forest is dark enough and the moon is hidden, I strike.
"When the moon is hidden," he repeated slowly, fixating his eyes on the window that shimmered along with the late afternoon sun.
He pondered at that thought for some time, his eyes never leaving the window. And then it hit him.
It was so plainly obvious at what Diamond's intentions were.
"You mustn't ever be caught in the darkness without the slightest bit of moonlight, dear son." His mother pointed a long finger at him, face serious and drawn tightly. "It is a sign of death if you are being hunted."
Sapphire could still see his young face staring up at his mother with a bewildered expression. How naive he had been at the time.
But, that was some hundred years ago.
Now, he knew what was going to happen tonight. Diamond must know that every wolf is seemingly useless in a fight without moonlight. Certainly, Diamond planned on killing the male at his weakest point and capturing the girl.
Although, Diamond had said he wasn't going to kill the man.
Nevertheless, he could have lied...
Sapphire grunted in frustration, raking his fingers though his hair. Diamond wasn't smarter then him, that much he could tell.
He had to do something, and quickly.
She awoke to a deep kiss, strong hands cupping her face securely.
She fluttered her eyelashes purposely, tickling the male's cheeks as he pulled away. The room was dark, the moon's light slicing through the thick clouds as best it could.
"Are you ready?" Darien whispered in her ear, stroking down her neck with his thumb.
Serena nodded against his shoulder, allowing him to drag her to her feet. "What should I wear?" she asked through a yawn, stretching her tight muscles and walking stiffly to the bureau.
"Whatever suits you best," he responded dully, appearing behind her and lacing his hands across her stomach.
Serena stole a glance into the mirror, squinted at her neck and finding no sign of a purple mark. Blinking in uncertainty, she smiled at Darien's questioning gaze, beginning to dig through her clothes.
"How about this?" She lifted her shortest nightgown, giggling lightly when he growled his approval. "I was just joking," she mumbled when he bit her ear roughly, his hands pulling at the strings of her nightwear.
Shooing his hands away, she slid off her robe, blushing furiously as she watched him watching her. Quickly, she pulled one of his white shirts over her head, slipping on a pair of her old horse-back riding pants that she never wore.
Dusting off the pants, she grinned cheekily, striding past him, "Coming, darling?"
Together, they strode out the back exit and into the dark courtyard. It was bluntly obvious that Darien was excited. Especially how she was nearly attacked by him while they were in the hallway. And how he seemed restless and nearly bounced when he walked and kept wrapping an arm around her waist.
Serena scoffed, lifting the shirt tail to examine it in the scarce moonlight. "Goodness, Darien, you ripped off like five buttons!" She pointed at the gapping hole at the middle of the shirt, which revealed her bellybutton.
He smiled sheepishly, grabbing one of her hands and leading her to the edge of the forest. "Stop being so raunchy and I might be able to control myself." He smirked at her, wiggling his eyebrows flirtatiously.
Serena rolled her eyes, before turning to face the dark depths of the forest. She heard the faint call of a hooting owl and the perky chirps of crickets. "What exactly am I supposed to do while you're out to kill?"
Darien kissed her forehead, lowering his head so he was eye level with her. "I want you to stay hidden like the good little female you are and," he paused and pecked her lips when he noticed her look of disgust, "make sure you're there when I come for you."
Serena glared at him, stomping her foot childishly, "That is absolutely not-" her complaint was cut short with a squeal as he grabbed her thighs and hoisted her up onto his back. "What are you doing? I'm not a child!" she yelled, squeaking again when he began to descend into the forest.
He chuckled, nipping one of her hands as it wrapped around his neck. "Just enjoy the ride, love, and if you're good, I'll give you a treat when we get back to our room."
Serena pinched the skin around his collar bone, giving a "humph" before resting her chin against the top of his head. "It had better be chocolate." She mumbled, smacking his chest as he laughed again.
Diamond watched with little amusement as the couple kneeled behind a berry bush and began to whisper, the fiery blonde poking the male in the chest before he grabbed her arm and drew her close for a kiss.
Turning away, he looked out the window, an incensed smirk crossing over his lips briefly before he glanced towards the crystal and glowered as the two started to become quite involved with what followed the kiss.
Disgusted, he tossed his handkerchief atop the ball and reached for the bottom drawer of the desk.
"Soon, pretty little Serena, I will have you." He broke out into a victorious smile, holding the silver blade to examine it with the little light he had in the dark room, oblivious to the slight opening of the office door and a pair of cerulean eyes peaking through.
Sapphire watched his brother smiling goofily at the knife, frowning hard. It seemed as though he wanted to kill the woman's mate. But, he wasn't entirely sure, seeing as Diamond had lost his sanity many days ago.
Slowly, he backed away from the door, thinking of a way to prevent the death of the male. For that was the only way his brother would die for sure.
Darien rose off of Serena, smirking mischievously down at her. "There's something else I want you to do for me."
Serena nodded, not trusting her voice as her breathing came out in short, raspy breaths.
"When it seems as though the moon is going to be covered, call for me."
She tilted her head to the side, questioning his request.
"Promise?"
She nodded again, sitting up beside him and kissing his temple. "Try not to show off to much, okay honey buns?"
Darien winked, and she watched as he began to shift into his canine form, his cobalt eyes glowing brightly within the darkness.
And then, he was off.
Serena licked her lips, trying to unscramble her thoughts as she examined the sky.
Thin wisps to grey clouds drifted lazily across the moon, drowning out the few stars that stayed in her view as they passed.
Lowering her gaze back to the trail that Darien took, she squinted into the darkness, listening for any signs of trouble.
Is everything alright, love?"
Serena smiled, falling back onto her bottom and drawing her knees up to her chest. Of course.
Just then, a howl erupted into the air; a howl of new found glory.
Serena sighed, glancing back up toward the sky.
A yowl of wind whipped by, sending strands of hair whipping out before her. She was engulfed with sudden darkness, all chirps of crickets ceasing and the lone hoot of the owl silenced.
She attempted to blink away the darkness, but found it useless.
"Darien?" She called out into the eerie silence; the only response received was the echo of her own voice.
Panic began to settle in her stomach, goose bumps pinpricking at her arms. She shot up from the ground, feeling around the darkness for something to grip onto. "Darien!" She bit her lip as her teeth began to clatter noisily from the cold that inhabited the area.
A twig snapped behind her, and she broke out into a sprint.
The moon remained hidden behind the non-moving clouds, causing her to bump roughly into the trunks of trees and her hair to be tugged painfully at hanging branches.
Her neck prickled with pain, distracting her just enough to send her shivering form crashing to the ground as the arch of her foot caught a tree root protruding from the ground.
Serena sobbed loudly, an excruciating throb erupting in her ankle, her fingers cutting into the thorn-tipped vines that scattered across the floor.
Thudding footsteps appeared behind her, and she struggled to push herself from the ground. Tears stung at her eyes, her ankle refusing to cooperate with her as she gripped a thick tree for support.
"Serena?"
She glanced up in surprise, her nails digging into the bark as she searched the surrounding darkness.
"Where are you?"
Darien's voice was only a few meters away, she could tell. "Darien!" She felt herself slipping to her knees.
A shadow shifted to her right; the opposite direction of Darien's voice.
"Hurry Darien!"
She yelped, the back of her skull bursting into a headache as fingers wrapped around the roots of her hair. "Darien!"
Serena inhaled sharply, a sharp point digging into the front of her throat.
"Shut up."
Her eyes grew wide as the voice filled her mind, her neck pricking at the recognition of who had her.
"You're going to do as I say, and I won't-."
"Darien! Where are you!" Her voice was higher than usual, her plea shrill and frantic.
The world tilted as she was shoved to the ground, a shimmer of blade catching her eye. She groaned as her already injured ankle twisted to an uncomfortable position.
"I told you to shut up."
Serena scurried away as quickly as she could without her ankle searing. Her nails dug into the dirt, stinging the fresh cuts that were there from the thorns
Tears sprang from her eyes as his hand gripped her leg, pulling her back the way she came.
She was tugged from the ground again, her back pressed against the amethyst eyed man, the blade pressing deeply into the pulse of her neck, scorching the sensitive flesh.
Serena noticed the area becoming brighter as the clouds began to shift again, as she noticed an ebony-haired man emerge from the depths of the trees, leaves and twigs poking from his thick locks.
His eyes grew wide when he saw her, before they flickered to anger. A sob escaped her lips, her vision blurring as the pain spread throughout her body. "Darien," she whimpered, her knees wobbling dangerously.
Diamond smirked, tightening his grip at the hilt of the blade. "Look who I've got," he taunting, dragging Serena out to the center of the clearing.
Darien clenched his fists until the knuckles were white, his eyes flashing back and forth between the blonde and the hand that held the razor. Cautiously, he stepped forward, freezing as Serena cried out, the blade piercing her skin slightly.
From his spot near the trees, he could see a thin trail of red blood traveling down her neck, seeping into the white shirt. Never before had he felt so helpless.
Diamond sneered, bending his neck slightly to lick a droplet of blood from the girl's neck. Serena cringed.
"What's the big bad wolf going to do now, hm?" Diamond laughed boisterously, forcing the girl to stand on her own feet without any help.
Serena forced herself to stay conscious as she powerlessly pleaded to Darien with her eyes, trying desperately to send him a message, any sort of message that would let him know of her pain. Her body began to feel numb from the stinging the silver caused, her legs struggling to stand by themselves.
Her eyes rolled up to look at the Waxing Gibbous. Three more days until the full moon? She wasn't sure exactly, but she did know that Darien and her wanted to spend their first full moon together as lovers.
She blinked, warding off the emerging tears, as well as revealing a black-coated wolf standing not far from them, teeth barred.
She blinked again; causing streaks of tears to wash away some of the dirt that clung to her cheeks, as well as revealing the wolf darted toward them.
She blinked a final time, blackness slowly closing in on her.
And then, she was met with nothing but darkness.
Thank you for being patient with me. School just started, and it's going to be really hectic, I can tell. Of course, I'm going to try and work on the next chapter during the next week so I can have it out by Saturday, September 04, 2008. For more updates on this and other things, please check my fanfiction page thing for the link to my livejournal page.
Review please?
xo,
Sailor Raspberry