Of Vengeance and Beauty
Chapter Eleven
By: Sailor Raspberry
Author's Notes: Oh dear, had two weeks really gone by that fast? Time flies when your having fun, huh!? I really want to apologize for taking so long to get this chapter out. I've just been bombarded with projects, math homework, basketball camps/tryouts/practices, you know. Hopefully? Well, I have it out now, and that's good, right??
Disclaimer: Standard stuff; don't own Sailor Moon or its characters (Serena, Darien, Lita, Raye, ect. ect.) But, I do own the plot + storyline.
Diamond's face churned in disgust, nostrils flaring as the overwhelming scent of bile sluiced into his nose. His eyes rested upon the blonde, whose hands were wrapped tightly around the metal bucket, almost as if it were her sanctuary.
Serena half-feigned sickness, gagging at the stale taste that remained in her mouth. She raised a hand to wipe across her lips, stomach lurching at the sudden emptiness. She heard someone approach her, and she refocused her eyes on the bucket.
"Serena, how are you feeling?" Amy's soft voice was tranquil and peaceful; one fragile hand reaching up to brush away some blonde bangs that fell in front of her eyes.
She forced a weak smile, tightening her hold on the bucket, "I feel terrible," she whispered, batting her eyelashes. "I'd really just like to rest in bed."
Diamond took this moment to step forward. "I'll have a room prepared for you, my darling." He placed a smile on his lips, nose scrunching upwards at the newfound stench that wafted through his nostrils.
Serena barred her teeth to keep from spitting an insult at him, and nodded, wobbling to her feet.
He stared down at her, knotting his arms behind his back. "Have you eaten anything that may have caused such...?" He trailed off slowly, motioning towards the bucket in the center of the room.
"I haven't eaten anything all day, I'm afraid." She licked her teeth, swallowing back a cringe of repugnance at the taste that bit at her tongue. "It might be best if you leave, I'd really hate to have you catch cold." At this, she began coughing, bending over to balance a hand on one knee.
Diamond covered his mouth, backing quickly out of the room. "I'll see that that room be ready within the next five minutes," he garbled out through the creases of his fingers, before stumbling from the room.
Amy smiled with reassurance in his direction until the door closed, and then she spun around on Serena.
"I'm really sorry," she threw his arms around Serena, squeezing tightly. "It was such short notice, and I couldn't think of anything that could have possibly-."
Serena held up a hand, silencing Amy with a stern shake of the head. "Thank you; that was something I would have never expected you to do," she smiled meekly, shrugging her shoulders. "I guess you really aren't a coward after all, huh?"
Amy smiled warmly, patting Serena lightly on the shoulder. "Let's gather Mina, and we can get Zoisite to make you some soup."
The sun was just beginning to set, the room reflecting into a pinkish hue. There was an uncomfortable silence settling between the three adults, the air stiff and troublesome.
"So let me get this straight," Zoisite said slowly, clasping his hands in front of his lips. "Diamond kidnapped you by holding you captive." He frowned as Serena nodded. "And your mate has no idea how to find you, right?"
Serena shook her head, tapping her foot nervously on the ground. "I heard Diamond say he's using this orb thing to block mine and Darien's connection. And he said that Darien's going to-."
"Wait, he told you all this?" Amy had a confused look on her face, eyebrows drawn together.
Serena smiled sheepishly, "Well... No, not really. I kind of overheard him talking to Sapphire when I was in the vent and-."
"You were in the vents?" Zoisite eyebrows shot up in humor, lips twitching. "How comedic," he chuckled, rubbing his chin and leaning back to examine the blonde. "Actually, now that I think about it, I can imagine you crawling around like that."
Serena flushed, pursing her lips. "Can we please stay on topic here?" She crossed her arms, glaring at him.
He put up his hands in mock defense, "Please, do continue."
"Thank you," she readjusted herself on the bed, drawing her legs in to sit crossed-legged. "I think that ball is what's keeping me from linking to Darien, and vice-versa. And when Sapphire dropped it," she paused to glower at Zoisite when he opened his mouth to comment, "I heard Darien. I think he might be close by, if not at the edge of the forest."
Amy nodded, leaning backwards into her chair. "It's very interesting; I've never actually heard of such power before, not even on a full moon."
Serena sucked her cheeks in, biting onto her bottom lip. She had forgotten about that, and tonight was that night.
Zoisite licked his lips thoughtfully. "You know, Serena, a full moon is a night where a werewolf is at its strongest." He turned to face her fully. "Maybe, if you are able to destroy the crystal ball all together, you can unblock the wall inside yours and Darien's bond."
Serena pursed her lips, cocking her head to the side. "Do you think that'd really work?"
Zoisite shrugged, crossing an ankle casually over his thigh, "It's worth a shot."
Amy smiled, patting Serena's arm, "We're werewolves; we take chances. It's what we do."
She nodded slightly, turning her head away from the two to stare out the window, where the sun continued to barely kiss the top of the trees. "I'm worried about him," she whispered, curling her arms around her knees and resting her chin atop them. "I saw him a little while after I came here." She drew in a shaky breath, silently cursing herself for the sudden tightening of her chest. "He looked lost, like he didn't even know I was right there in front of him."
She pushed her chin against the skin of her thighs as it began to quiver. When did she become such a crybaby?
The bed depressed as Amy say down, a slender arm wrapping around Serena's shoulders. "I haven't even known you for three days," she began, nudging her slightly so she'd look at her. "And I already know that you are one brave, independent woman."
Serena gave a watery laugh, swiping across her eyes with the back of her hand. "Thanks Amy," she murmured, smiling as Amy stood from the bed and wrapped her in a hug.
She watched as Amy walked towards the door, Zoisite following behind with a sleeping Mina in his arms. She stepped through the archway, looking back over her shoulder. "You'll be with him again, I know it."
And then the door closed with a soft click.
The plump moon was still low in the sky by the time Darien had finally figured out which direction he wanted to go.
It wasn't a hard decision; it was based on the wolf instinct that overtook his sense whenever he thought about who was waiting for him, of that dangerously beautiful woman who was taken from him.
Even thinking of that made him snarl in furry, which was exactly why he was running full speed through the forest, twigs and leaves crunching beneath his powerful legs. He wasn't sure how or when he had been overcome with such an accurate way of direction, it just happened when the sun finally crossed beneath the horizon and the moon peaked across the treetops.
He almost tumbled to a halt at the sudden conclusion that came about him. Of course! How could he be so foolish?
Every werewolf knows that on the night of the full moon a male's bond with his mate is so powerful, so potent, that nothing could possibly put a stop to their union.
Then, the scent of strawberries wafted through his mind, and he almost howled in triumph. He was getting close. He knew it, and surely, Serena would know it too.
Darien weaved throughout the huddle of trees, chest swelling as the cool air numbed his lungs, and Serena's scent fogged his mind.
He was going to find Serena and never let her out of his sight again.
And then he was going to find Diamond and kill him for even thinking that he could possibly get away with stealing his Serena.
Sapphire knew what he had to do. He had an idea at what Serena was planning; after all, he had set up the entire thing.
He was just such a nice person.
He had to think of a way to get Diamond out of his office and away from the stairs if anything was going to succeed. But, that brother off his was such a stubborn person that it became frustrating.
Why he didn't just kill Diamond himself was a mystery. It would have been less struggle; so much easier on his part.
Maybe it was because he was his brother. It wouldn't seem right to do something so vile to a sibling.
He sighed heavily, refocusing his gaze out the window. The moon was high in the sky now, its milky glow casting shadows across the empty room. Now was the time to put everything into action. That much he knew he could do himself.
The only problem he faced was how he was going to do it.
Serena stood quietly from the bed, breathing deeply to calm the sudden fluttering of her nerves.
She pulled open the door slowly, peering into the darkness of the hallway.
It was risky, and no matter how hard she tried to extinguish that thought from her mind, it was bombarded with a new array of worries.
What if he catches me?
What if someone tells him about what I'm doing?
What if I can't destroy the crystal ball?
What if... What if... What if...
She was moving swiftly through the corridors now, the aged floorboards creaking quietly beneath her feet.
There was murmuring around the corner, voices hushed and forced. Serena stumbled backwards against a wall, forcing her eyes shut, hoping that somehow this would cause her to become invisible.
"What do you mean she got away?" Diamond walked quickly down a hallway, a snarl forming on his lips.
Sapphire strolled behind him, hands buried in his pockets. "I'm not sure. She was in her room one moment, and gone the next."
He smirked as Diamond turned towards a staircase and began trotting down. "That woman will be the death of me!" He hissed, flying around a corner and down another hallway.
Sapphire heard something shift back in the shadows, drawing a fuller grin from him. "Ah, Lady Serena," he whispered, turning his back in her direction. "I hope you will take advantage of this predicament."
Serena blinked, processing his words. "You're helping me again?" She heard him shift his position, and she chose this moment to emerge from the darkness.
"I'm not helping you," he said rather bluntly, beginning his descent down the stairwell. "It's for our pack, really. I fear that Diamond has outdone his role as alpha. Something needed to be done."
She watched him turn a corner, his loud footsteps echoing back to her.
There, peeking out through the trees, was the roof of a house. Darien paused in his sprint, allowing his limbs to transform back to their human length.
He had to be careful. Who knew what kind of pack Diamond had brought up. For all he knew, they could be vicious, blood-sucking, son of a-
"Excuse me mister, but are you looking for Serena?"
Darien was able to resist the urge to jump as the small voice cut his thoughts off. His cobalt eyes skittered wildly across the area, before they rested a few feet to his right, where a small, blonde girl stood next to a tree, her own blue eyes shining brightly underneath the light of the moon.
He hesitated a moment, examining the child carefully. "Yes..." He said slowly, crossing his arms behind his back.
The girl flashed a toothy smile, jerking a thumb back behind her. "Then you need to follow me. My mommy said she can help you out."
His eyebrow furrowed as the girl approached him, tugging on his hand. "Are you coming? Mommy says you don't have much time."
Darien considering pulling his hand back, but the girl seemed completely harmless, and besides, the chances of her actually trying to attack him were most likely slim to none. With an exaggerated sigh, he allowed the girl to tug him through the trees, until they arrived at what he assumed was the back of the house.
The blonde paused, staring out into the darkness. And then, she cupped her hands around her mouth, creating some version of a bird call. "Coo-coo! Coo-coo!"
Darien's brow creased, and then, something, or someone, shifted. His first reaction was to grab the unknown girl by the wrist and drag her behind him, but he felt himself relax slightly when a petite woman emerged from the house, repeating the call.
The blonde turned towards him with a small smile. "My name is Mina."
And then, she began to dart towards the house, and Darien could do nothing but stroll quickly after her.
Serena wavered only slightly in her mission, and that was when she was overcome with an abrupt feeling of security.
She stumbled on the stairs, scraping her hands against the rough surface of the wood. "No," she whispered, not believing the sudden presence that overtook her.
She shook her head, lifting her palms to blow across the scraped skin. She had to focus on the most important thing right now; and that was to destroy that horrid ball that separated her from Darien.
With that thought simmering within her mind, she pushed herself up off the floor and made her way up the rest of the stairs.
Diamond burst from out the front door, amethyst eyes searching the surrounding yard. Serena would not get away. He would not allow that to happen.
He traced a finger across the tattered wood that was the porch as he made his way out into the yard.
His squinted, nostrils flaring at the stench that stung his senses; it was an unfamiliar scent, but yet, it seemed as if he had smelt it from somewhere before.
Diamond frowned hard, causing his forehead to wrinkle. Had Serena really gotten away, or was he being deceived?
His tongue licked across his suddenly parched lips as he took a step back towards the house.
He was guessing it was the latter.
Sapphire gripped the bronze door handle so firmly his knuckles turned to a ghastly shade of white.
He began to close the door slowly, ignoring the shrill creaking of the aged hinges, as well as disregarding how Diamond spun around to face him.
He kept a neutral gaze, closing the door on his brother, softly lowering the hatch, and then turning back into the house.
That man was no longer going to heed any notice from him.
He was now a simple fixture of the past.
He walked into to the shadows, deliberately ignoring Diamond's fist banging frustratingly against the wood.
Darien was pushed into the old house, the sound of a door slamming shut sending oddly-timed goose bumps up his arms.
"Please, Mr. Repens," a rushed voice hissed, "you need to hurry. We don't know how long the locks will keep him out."
A petite woman appeared before him, blue hair resting neatly around her shoulders. "You need to go down this hallway," she pointing towards the archway behind her. "Follow all the staircases to the top floor. You'll know which room it is!" She shoved him by the arms, urging him out and into the hallway.
He readily exited the room, faltering only briefly in his rush towards the stairway.
Serena placed her palm against the cool wood of the only door on the last floor of the house. The door creaked open almost welcomingly, and she peered into the empty office.
It was left in the same condition as she last saw it; papers scattered the floor and books lined the walls.
And there, sitting in the middle of the desk, was the orb, its confines a swirling cloud of chaos.
It took her a moment to recognize that she had stopped breathing, and then another to remind herself to start again. The ball seemed spellbinding, an eerie glow cascading from the curves of its glass, the smoothness reflecting the bloated moon. Warily, she approached the ball, allowing her fingers to hover above its glass.
Serena rested her fingers atop it, grip tightening with each passing moment, the sheer energy the orb propelled into her feeling rejuvenating.
At first, she expected its weight to cause her to fall to her knees. But no, the ball seemed unusually light. Its murky core had cleared at her touch, the darkness turning into a bright, golden shade.
She lifted it so she could examine it at eye level, her own reflection staring back at her.
Serena gulped, but couldn't remove her gaze. It was like she was gazing into a place that promised a life of perfection.
She was struck by a cold sweat, and she was faintly aware of the painful stab that started in her neck.
She finally understood just how powerful this object really was.
It was mesmerizing, hypnotizing.
It was dangerous.
Someone's large hands rested on her shoulders, jerking her backwards.
With a strangled gasp, the ball slipped from her grasp, colliding to the floor with a loud smash.
The room was wrapped in a sudden blackness, a burning wind whipping around, singeing everything it touched.
She was lost in a world of nothingness; a nightmare. Her body floated weightlessly, cerulean eyes gazing down on the universe with a look of longing. It was unbearable, that sudden clenching of her heart and stomach that signified that she was alone; she would be without anyone for eternity.
A scream was ripped from her throat, a scream immediately muffled as a hand clapped over her mouth, silencing her, reminding her that she was, in fact, not alone.
Tears clouded over her eyes, blurring her vision. She felt a distant pain, the sting of it all intensifying as she was slowly brought back into reality.
She was not alone.
She knew that much, because now, someone was whispering promises into her ear, warm hands grasping hers in a silent reminder that he was going to make everything okay.
But who that was, she did not know, for all she could smell, or see, or taste was some kind of foreign smoke.
Her leg ached, a warm, sticky liquid seeping from her skin, but she focused on following the person who was leading her away.
Even as the tears cleared from her eyes, she still could not see. Everywhere she looked, she was engulfed in the same charcoal-colored smoke.
She was worried, her teeth biting down roughly on her bottom lip.
But then, there was a gentle squeeze at her hand, and her head snapped up.
Blue clashed with blue, and then she knew that everything, somehow, was going to be okay.
Reviews appreciated.
xo,
Sailor Raspberry