Of Vengeance and Beauty
Chapter Nine
By: Sailor Raspberry
Author's Notes: Nothing HUGE happens in this chapter, it's basically a filler, I guess. Although, I hope everyone enjoys it none the less. And if you don't please stay tuned until NEXT chapter because I promise that one will be more... Interesting.
Disclaimer: Standard stuff; don't own Sailor Moon or its characters (Serena, Darien, Lita, Raye, ect. ect.) But, I do own the plot + storyline.
An unexpected twinge within her leg jerked her from her deep slumber. Inhaling sharply, she gripped the back of her head, attempting to ease the sudden pounding that split across her skull.
As she glanced around the unfamiliar room, she found her neck to be severely stiff, each movement sending a jolt of pain down the column of her body.
Serena allowed her eyes to rest at the base of the single bed, where her leg was placed in a splint, the skin swollen and bruised. Brushing aside the bangs that matted to her forehead with careful fingers, she slowly lifted her legs to swing over the side of the mattress.
Where was she?
Biting her tongue to relieve some pain throughout her body, she forced herself to stand, griping the bedpost to steady her sore body. Again, her eyes roamed the room, halting on a cracked mirror.
Serena pursed her lips, hobbling towards the wall that held the object in place. Cautiously, she peered into the glass, feeling a knot tighten within her gut.
A purple gash sat below her jaw, making her skin appear paler and washed out.
Where was Darien?
Serena shivered as a sudden breeze shifted through the open window, sharp goose bumps pricking along her arms.
Closing her eyes, she concentrated as best she could to call to him, ask him why he had left her alone.
The base of her skull pounded in response, drawing a moan of distress from deep within her throat.
Chest tightening, she gripped the wooden edge of the mirror as unpleasant sensations stabbed at her neck. Her chin quivered involuntarily as she peeled her eyes open.
A man she has never seen before stood in the doorway, mouth slightly ajar. His navy colored eyes blinked a few times, before his fists came up to rub them roughly.
Serena clenched her teeth, turning slowly to face him. "Who are you?"
Darien pulled at the roots of his hair for the thousandth time that morning, continuously pacing throughout his office and deliberately ignoring the worried glances the four others in the room were giving him.
"Darien..." Raye knotted her fingers before her stomach, staring intently at the carpet. "I'm sure everything will-"
She snapped her jaw closed as the alpha collapsed into the desk's chair, head buried in his hands. "I can't pick up anything," he mumbled through his fingers, his shoulders sagging downwards. "Her scent..." He allowed his sentence to trail off, an angry growl rumbling within his throat. "That goddamned man! Damn it!"
The four standing in the corner flinched slightly as his fist came down hard on the desk. "I can't talk to her! Every single time I try, it's like my head is filling with goddamn static!" He shoved away from the desk, raking fingers through his hair again. "What the hell am I supposed to do?"
The four adverted their eyes away, frowns spreading across their faces.
Darien pursed his lips as he focused his eyes on the floor, his breathing shallow and empty. "What am I supposed to do?"
The man stepped fully through the doorway, his eyes still impossibly wide. His mouth opened and closed a few times, before he gave up completely on speaking and made his way towards her.
Serena gulped, flinching away from the corner, as well as away from the unknown man. "What do you want?" She whispered, her hand rising involuntarily to rub gingerly across her neck. "Where am I?"
The man cocked his head slightly to the side, his torso leaning forward so he could examine her face.
Then, his jaw went slack, his arms falling loosely to his sides and eyes flickering to her neck numerous times, "That son of a bitch."
Serena took a step away, her back hitting the mirror softly. "Excuse me?"
He looked back at her, blinking again. "I'm sorry, I apologize for my behavior." He straightened to his full height, eyes staring down tentatively at her. "I'm Sapphire."
Accepting his offered hand, Serena moistened her dry throat. "Do you happen to know where I am?"
Sapphire's eyes darkened, his jaw tightening.
Serena almost gagged on the sudden fragrance that clogged her nose.
He was a werewolf.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled, sidestepping the man and walking as quickly as she could to the doorway. "I'll just let myself out."
Sapphire's frown deepened as he watched her reflection scurry from the room.
Serena limped slowly down the stairs, blinking away the painful tears that emerged slowly.
The rickety stairs moaned under the pressure of her feet, the slightly dusted chandelier twinkling slightly.
Two wooden doors loomed into view as she lurched around a corner, the headache hammering into the base of her neck unmercifully. She groaned in frustration, a hand rising to her temple as she leaned into her fingers.
Serena now stood before the two large doors, the sun filtering through the yellow tinted glass. Her palm rested against the cool wood, causing the door to open with a loud, stretched creeeaaaak.
Trees surrounded the yard, fallen leaves crumbling easily as the occasional squirrel scurried by.
The front porch was aged, the wood looking slightly splintered and weather worn. Gripping tightly onto the doorknob, she began to journey her way through the archway, before her free wrist was grabbed.
"Where do you think you're going?"
She tensed, attempting to rip her arm away. Her neck bristled, the stiffness settling underneath her skin uncomfortably. "Let go," she bit out, whipping around to face the captor.
His thin lips curled into a smirk, his fingers tightening around her arm. "Now why would I do that?" The door slammed behind her as she was dragged back into the house, her head rolling on her shoulders in infuriation, despite the stretched stiffness of her muscles.
She continued to pull helplessly at her arm as Diamond began to lead her away from the door and down a dark hallway. Her breathing became labored with each passing moment, her wrist numb from his tight hold and leg adapting an excruciating pain.
Slowly, she glanced behind her; the man known as Sapphire stood before the door, his arms crossed firmly over his chest.
Serena pursed her lips, her stomach churning with resentment as he stood and watched her being dragged away, his face taut and expressionless.
He made no move to come after her as the swinging door she was pulled through swung closed.
The room was blindingly white, the large, crystalline windows touching the ceiling revealing more of the forest that surrounded the area.
Her hand fell limply at her side, amethyst eyes now staring at her. "I expect you to stay here."
Serena turned to face him, frustration bubbling within her stomach. "I want to leave."
She growled, his laughter echoing throughout the room. "My darling Serena, you can't leave! All my hard work will go to waste!" He smiled, his hand lifting to caress her cheek.
It was Serena's turn to bark out laughter, her head snapping to the side. "Hard work?" She spat, her eyes rolling up to the ceiling. "You're an obnoxious, hard-headed, obsessive compulsive, scum!" Her voice rose with each word as he retreated back to the door, his galling chuckles causing her skin to crawl.
He paused halfway through the doorway, his shoulders turning slightly to glance back at her. "A doctor will be here in a moment to fix up some of your cuts." He sneered, his bangs falling over his eyes. "Wouldn't want your pretty skin to gain anymore scars, now would we?"
Serena glowered at him, spinning around to stare out the window.
Only when she heard the soft click of a hatch being locked did she allow herself to succumb to the overwhelming sorrow within herself.
She began to cry.
Sapphire felt Diamond's presence, a scowl forming on his lips.
"You seem tense, Sapphire," Diamond said, appearing before him, a cruel smirk on his lips.
He shrugged, clucking his tongue on the roof of his mouth. "I'm convinced that you've finally lost your saneness, brother," he seethed, focusing his eyes on the far corner of his office.
Diamond chuckled deeply, relaxing his frame against the edge of the desk. "You say this because I've gotten what I've wanted?" He questioned, his palms descended to the warm wood.
Sapphire refocused his vision on the alpha. "Your plan certainly isn't fool proof. Surely her true mate will come after her," he drawled, a disinterested gaze playing on his features.
"I see," Diamond murmured, lips curving upwards. "Then, I must be wiser then you, Sapphire, for I've used that wonderful gem you've given me to my advantage."
His navy eyes flickered to the pair of amethyst ones. "Of course," he sneered before whirling around, teeth biting down on his cheeks. "Excuse me, brother."
Diamond watched with satisfaction as Sapphire stomped his way out of the room.
After all, having the contentment of outsmarting a sibling is the utmost pleasure.
Serena found herself sitting before the large windows, her forehead resting against the soothing glass. She watched as a bird skipped lazily across the tree covered ground, its beak poking through the dirt in search of a late breakfast.
Her eyes felt sore and heavy, a hand constantly rising to wipe at her running nose.
She scanned the forest again, her breath suddenly hitching in her throat. There, a few yards within the trees depths, a black coated wolf stood, nuzzle buried in the ground, expression looking lost and hopeless.
Serena's eyes grew wide, a lump clogging her air passage. The wolf raised its head, cobalt eyes searching the surrounding area.
Her palm pounding excitedly against the glass, but the wolf didn't respond.
In fact, it seemed as if it didn't even hear or see her.
Serena's chin quivered dejectedly, her palm forming into a fist, the outside padding of her hand aching from the contact with the glass. "Darien!" She screamed, her other fist joining the first. "I'm right here!"
The wolf turned to face her direction, the black fur slick and shiny beneath the sun. Those blue eyes seemed to pass right through her, as if she were merely a broken fixture hidden below the crumpled leaves.
Her arms wound around her shaking body, each bone-raking sob sending a jolt of pain to her swollen ankle, her cries echoing back at her; taunting her.
The sound of clanking locks ceased her weeps, balled fingers wiping fiercely at damp cheeks.
The door was pushed open, and Serena shoved stray tendrils of hair from her face, forcing herself to stand upright from her slumped position on the ground. Quickly, she glanced back towards the window; the wolf was gone.
Blue eyes looked at her worriedly, the woman's knuckles white from clutching her medical bag. She coughed slightly, pushing a lock of blue hair behind her ear. "Hello there."
Serena didn't trust herself to speak, so she stared at the petite girl before her with mute interest, disregarding her harmonic voice completely.
The woman cocked her head to the side, an amused smile crossing her lips before it was replaced with a serious expression. "I'm Amy Hawthorne, and I'm here to patch up some wounds?"
Serena shrugged, adverting her gaze to the distinguished candle on the wall.
"I hear from the pack that you're Serena Lockeheart." Amy strode towards her slowly, a small, teasing smile on her lips. "You've got quite a reputation around here."
Serena glared, crossing her arms securely over her chest. "I chose not to be here, Ms. Hawthorne."
Amy nodded, placing her bag on the white tile. "Please excuse my brusqueness, Ms. Lockeheart, but its Mrs. Hawthorne." She smiled, "But please, call me Amy."
Serena licked her lips, clicking her teeth together. "Alright, Amy, now, excuse my asperity, but it's Mrs. Repens."
Amy's eyebrows rose, her gentle smile falling. "You mean, you've already-."
A hand cut of her comment, a stern expression silencing any other responses. "Please, I would appreciate it if you would do what you came to do."
The woman nodded empathetically, digging through her bag and pulling out a glass bottle and a cloth. She tipped the bottle forward, a clear liquid pouring slowly onto the fabric. "Now, this is going to hurt," she warned, gripping one of Serena's wrists and looking into her eyes.
Serena nodded, uncurling her fingers fully, a hiss escaping her throat as the cloth wiped across the bloodstained palm.
The alcohol sizzled on her skin, that sudden bolt of shock barely bubbling down to a simmer before her other hand ignited.
She pulled away; shaking her hands in the air to relieve some pain, nose scrunched and eyes squinted.
Amy giggled lightly, disposing the cloth into a paper bag. "Just relax; it'll pass in a moment." She continued to dig through her bag, pulling out another bottle that held a thick purple liquid.
Serena watched as Amy poured the liquid into her palm, its core thickening and hardening.
"What's that?" Serena's lips curved downward in disgust as the doctor dapped some of the liquid on her fingers.
Amy rubbed her fingers together, stepping closer to her. "It's going to help with your neck," she motioned towards the mauve colored gash, her eyebrows drawn together in concentration.
The substance oozed across her skin, its refines cold and unwelcoming. Serena squirmed, squeezing her eyes closed.
And just as quickly as she began to feel uncomfortable, the medication was gone with a swipe of a fresh cloth.
Amy was back in her bag, her blue hair falling in front of her eyes, "All we need is to patch up your leg again, and we should be done."
Serena glanced down at herself, noticing for the first time just how dirty she was. The shirt she was wearing was speckled with mud and torn in a few places, her arms darkened from dirt and pants ripped around the knees.
Amy also seemed to notice her state of cleanliness, for she was now standing full height, her fingers tapping thoughtfully against her chin. "Maybe you should bathe first."
Sapphire paced back and forth, jaw clenched and arms crossed.
Was his plan failing?
He growled at the thought, fingernails digging into his sweater. He had planned everything so carefully! How could he have stumbled upon such an insignificant... Ambiguity?
Sapphire slumped against the closed bathroom door, raking a hand through his hair. His brother had said he was using the crystal to his advantage. But what did it mean?
His head fell back in exasperation.
Maybe he had figured out how to do some sort of... Mental block?
Towards the female's mate?
There was an impatient knock on the door, shaking Sapphire from his thoughts. Slowly, he levered himself forward, a hand reaching back to unlock the knob.
Serena stood before him, shoulders back and chin high.
Why Diamond would want to have this woman was way beyond him.
"Yes?"
She rolled her eyes, stepping into the bathing room. "I'd like to take a bath."
He drew his eyebrow down, "I see that." He motioned towards her clothes before stepping out. He nodded towards Amy, pursing his lips and stalking away. He had many more important things to do than be bossed round by a female.
Serena shifted the gown to her other arm, turning her back to retreating male. As she approached the bath, she picked up a bathing essence. "Strawberries," she read with a disinterested shrug, tossing it onto the vanity chair along with her dress.
Amy appeared next to her, fingers setting to work on the nozzles of the tub. "You can go get undressed, and I'll draw the bath."
She nodded, making her way slowly towards the separate room. Closing the sliding door, she scanned the dark area. There was a mirror hanging on the wall, accompanied with a cushioned bench. In the far corner was an oddly large vent, its cover bent and rusted.
Deliberately, she unbuttoned her shirt, the sudden feeling of desertion washing over her. Discarding the cloth, she strolled over to the mirror, peering cautiously into it. The scars had disappeared completely, compliments of Amy's mysterious ointment. Although, the scar – love bite – was still there, as affectionate and noticeable as it had been from the first time Darien had nipped her.
A sad smile crossed her lips, eyes lowering to the floor. There must be some way to free herself from this place.
There was a soft knock on the door, interrupting her thinking. Quickly, she shed the rest of her clothes. Grabbing the towel Amy had provided, she wrapped it around her body.
The warm water was quite soothing, the fragrance Amy had poured in making her skin feel fresh and smooth. Leaning back, she let out a content sigh.
Amy pulled a book from her bag, the pages wrinkled and torn. "Who is he?" She asked, peering over the leather covers to gaze wonderingly at Serena.
Serena sank lower into the water, her eyelids drooping purposely. "Darien Repens," she whispered, two fingers rising to brush across her neck.
A thin eyebrow arched upwards. "As in, Darien Repens of Cryptid Academy?"
She nodded, twittering her thumbs as a distraction.
"Oh, I've always wanted to teach there," Amy murmured, her cheek resting in her palm. "It's one of the best schools in the Isle."
Serena gazed back at the blue haired woman. "Then why don't you?"
She shrugged, snapping the cover of her book closed. "Zoisite, my mate, said it would be best if we would stay here with the pack." She gave a small smile. "I never really appreciated the whole pack thing. Just because we're werewolves doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to expand my horizon, you know?"
Serena rose from the bath, grabbing a towel and quickly drying herself off. Amy also stood, picking up her bag. "I'll let you dress. Zoisite is a marvelous cook, if you want him to make you lunch."
"Please, that would be wonderful." She turned away from the blue eyed woman, picking up the gown. "I'll be out in a moment."
When the door closed with an almost-silent click, Serena tossed the dress aside, striding quickly towards the changing room.
The vent's cover was closed securely, regardless of its poor condition. Nimbly, she gripped the rusted edges.
Seconds later, the metal cover clanked to the floor. Serena stared carefully into the large space, a thoughtful expression crossing her features.
Replacing the cover, she hurriedly changed into the dress, before exiting the bathing room and going to meet Amy for lunch.
Did you hate it? Love it? So-so? Tell me what ya'll thought! I can take it, I PROMISE! :)
xo,
Sailor Raspberry