Moon Song
Black Diamond:
I don't won Sailormoon. But it would be cool if I did:
Summery: The Earth and Moon kingdoms have been at war with one another for a long time. But htings are about to change, for the moon princess nad the earth prince agree to get married in order to end the war. But will a cold hearted princess learn to love a man who is in love with another woman. And will that man learn to love a woman who never shows any signs of emotions: Read Revie and Find out.
I'm writting this in honor of Hawksong. Read it it's an awsome book. I read it five times. Also Midnight predatore. and Shattered Mirrow and Snakesharm:
I know this stories been lacking some sense lately but I just learned to edit my work and my computer just got an upgrade so I'll be able to write well enough to deserve your attention. Thanks to all my fans who kept on reading this crappy none sense story I Heart U. And this is for you.
I checked the vocab...and 1 year of honors english and half a year of Ap english has improved my writing skills...promise...read and Review and by the end of the year-with the help of Ap english...which i hope to pass with good As and Bs- you will get a dynamic story....
PLEASE READ N' REVIEW
Chapter 5: Marriage problems
Serena had retreated to her room and taken to her bed in an attempt to get some well needed sleep and failing miserably, the air on earth was so warm , even for the night time it was too warm for her comfort, it was nothing like the cold air that she was so used to being from the moon. Her warm woolen nightgown did not help the situation at all, if anything it just made things worst for her. She rose from her bed and took of her night gown leaving nothing on her but a silken cloth which wrapped around her breasts and another piece which covered her lower body from sight.
She went out to her balcony overlooking the palace rose garden and leaned against the railings of the balcony, to look up towards the distant moon with a sad expression adorning her face.
The moon glowed with a brilliant sheen in the night sky. Serena had never seen her home this beautiful before. On earth the moon looked like a great orb of light hanging over a beautiful lush green land decorated by life. She loved her home, and she loved this world that made her home look even more serene.
"I love you." Serena said in a sweet gentle voice overflowing with emotions.
"I love you too." Serena slightly jumped hearing the voice. She looked all around but could not find the source of the sudden voice.
"Up here." The voice sounded again, jarring her even further. Serena looked up and saw Darien looking down at her with a wide open smile on his face.
She felt annoyed at her failure to sensed his presence and at the knowledge that she had allowed him to witness her in a most shocked state of being. She looked away swiftly in order to adjust her face and subdue the shock on her face. She looked up again hoping that the shock was beneath the surface, the smile on his face grew wider as her eyes met his face. She was perplexed for a moment wondering what was so amusing about her cold stone face, when she realized that her annoyance was clearly portrayed on her face and blasting full heartedly at him. Serena sighed and straighten standing away from the railings. She turned around and headed for the balcony door, agitation riding hard on her nerves.
"If you'll excuse me! I'm going back to bed." The words were barely a whisper as she uttered them gently to the night. She felt his movement before she saw him. She spun around just in time to see his frame land to the ground in front of her. She looked at his face and saw the mischievous grin that filled his face.
"You don't love me? Then who were you referring to my beloved bride to be." Serena back away from Darien and slightly turned her head to look at the moon, before returning that systematic gaze back to him only to have him chuckle at her expense.
" You dare to claim that you love the moon over your husband. You are truly a strange one are you not Serena. So what brings you out here are you feeling homesick already." Serena turned around and faced Darien with what seemed like anger in her eyes.
" That is none of your business Darien now if you'll excuse me I'd like to sleep." Serena attempted to walk around him, but Darien caught a hold of her waist and brought her back towards him and hugged her tightly.
"What's wrong. Is the earth too different from your home on the moon. Why aren't yo off safely snuggled in your bed and sleeping soundly? And for god's sake why are you undressed?" His voice was barely a soft whisper against her neck. Serena could smell roses from his skin, and sweets as well. His heart was beating faster and so was hers. Her insides were in turmoil, everything was falling apart almost as if there was a violent storm taking place inside of her. But on the outside she was trying so hard to retain her composer, she did not shiver, or loose her standing. She felt a blush come to her face and attempted to retain control over herself. She kept her head down and waited for her blood flow to slow and her pounding heart to get back to its regular rhythms. When Serena regain self control she pushed him away and cleared her throat.
"It's too hot I can't sleep. I only brought warm cloths with me on this trip..." She felt the blood rise again at her face at the prospect of mentioning her next folly.
" I didn't expect the earth to be so warm. I took off my night gown and came here to get some fresh cool air. Now that I have had some I'd like to get back in and sleep." Her face was not red as a tomatoe, but she was certain that something was amiss on her face because she could see that annoying grin adorning his face.
Darien looked at her and smiled, trying very hard not to laugh. He walked past her and into her room, he came back out with two small blankets and offered one to her.
" Stay with me tonight. It's not going to get cooler. In the morning Molly will take you shopping for nightgowns. And trust me you'll need all the rest you can get before that. She tends to run out of control so, you'll have a long day ahead of you." Serena stared at Darien with a stern look. She wasn't going to sleep with him, they weren't even married yet. But he was not like her, he was an earthling and they tended to show a great deal of passion. Back on the moon, she heard tales about the passions that went on between lovers who were not weeded, and how out of control they can be when they were overtaken by their was not going to make love to him out of the simple need to fulfill some unknown pleasure of his.
" When you say 'stay with me tonight' what exactly do you mean by that. I hope you understand that I am not a woman who would allow her passions to run amock. I do not intend to make love to you. As your wife, I assume that I am obliged to give you an heir... namely this child of yours but I do not think that..." Serena was angry and no matter what she did, she couldn't hide her anger. She was rambling, not because of what he said, but because her emotions over the whole subject were still unclear to her. Her people did per-take in lovemaking. But it was reserved for ones soul mate, those who do not find their soul mates do not require children because their kind rarely dies, those who want children seek out their soul mates. She would be unable to bear the child of a man who was not her soul mate because their beings would not collaborate. But something in her was yearning for something, something she was afraid to explore any further.
She heaved a heavy sigh to compose herself and then glared at Darien, he erupted in laughter, hunching over only to end up needing to catch the railing for support.
"If you may, what is so funny?" Serena asked looking at him furiously.
"I do apologize Serena... I did not mean make-love with me, I meant stay with me. it's too hot to sleep inside, so sleep on the balcony with me. The sofa over there opens up to a bed, it's small, but we'll manage. " Serena blushed and turned around looking at the door to her room. It was customary for humans to share a bed chamber with a lover or a companion, but that does not mean she should indulge in their activities and share a bed with him, even of they are not going to make love... it was still... inappropriate.
"I must refuse. It would be inappropriate for us to do such a thing even if we do not have the intention of making love. I cannot accept" Serena said.
Darien swore and watched as Serena's face fell down to her nearly bare body, his eyes became engulfed with mischief. He winked at her a smile engulfing his face just before he jumped, landing in his balcony, which was right above hers. He heard Serena mumble something incoherent and smiled.
He came back down with a t-shirt that Serena was certain belonged to him. It looked way too big for her, but she had no other choice. Darien handed it to her and she placed it on. The shirt was way to big for her, it landed on her knees, she looked almost like she was swimming in the cloths. Darien broke out into another hysterical fit that only ceased when Serena punched him in the stomach knocking the air out of his lungs. Darien coughed and winced. When he finally got himself together, he looked at Serena's small form on the bed slightly covered up.
"Where did you learn to do that?" Darien asked walking towards her. Serena didn't open her eyes. Darien climbed up and faced the other way, so that their backs were to each other.
"I told you that I was capable of handling myself. I learned to do that to men thanks to Atticus." Serena said.
"Who's Atticus?" Darien asked his voice low. Serena didn't respond. Darien sighed and turned around so that he was facing her back, he wrapped his arms around her and brought her closer to his frame. He bent his head against her hair to inhale the sweet scent of her body.
" Do not do that please!" Serena whispered softly. There was something etched deep in her voice. Something Darien was too familiar with, having been with far too many women in his life. He slowly released her and turned back to his original position where their backs were to each other and closed his eyes.
"I'm..." Serena murmured softly trying to get her apology across. She did not mean to sound so disgruntled or...whatever she had sounded like. The way he had abruptly released her, she had the odd notion that she might have insulted him somehow. Darien shrugged and sighed.
"NO. It is my fault. I should not have done that, I should understand that the difference between our races is something that I must always pay attention to if I wish to make this work between the two of us." His statement only made her feel as if she had done something. He sounded disappointed.
" I know I should understand that you were only trying to help me with this dilemma, but you have to understand that I'm not human, I'm not use to your human ways. Molly explained to me that it's common for your people to touch, but at my home it is only common for soul mates. If you want this to work you have to understand this. I'm not terrian, all my life you've been the nightmare, the enemy, the murders and now not only am I living with you, but I also know that you and yours I am the enemy, the nightmare and the murdere." Serena mumbled, she was afraid that all of the confusion and the stress was going to shamble her control over her emotions. She could already feel her throat straining and her eyes stinging. She could not recall a time when she had openly cried at least when she was at her homeland. This world was turning her controls into frail paper and Darien was ripping through them as easily as a sword might.
She felt Darien sigh and turn around to face her back once more. He placed a hand on her hair and ran hs hand over her silky smooth hair. Serena was somewhat comforted, but scared at the comfort. She was not suppose to be feeling these things for anyone but her soul mate. By the laws of their people, she already betrothed to her soul mate. Being with another man, would be like cheating on her husband. Being with this man was a crime against her heart and her true soul mate... at least that's what her logic kept instilling to her.
"Don't worry about it Serena. I don't know what a wedding on your homeworld means, but here on Earth a wedding means a bond between the man and the woman. We will work through it for the sake of our people. I know we can. Now sleep you have a long day tomorrow." Serena nodded and closed her eyes falling into a long slumber.
Darien watched her, his future queen-to-be sleeping like a baby. It was hard to believe that she could be the same cold hearted woman he saw just days ago in Neptune. When she sleeps, she was the epitome of an angel. Beautiful, gentle, serene, innocent and yet extremely fragile. She turned slightly, but in doing so, brought herself closer to him, seeking the warmth of his body. A soft sigh escaped her mouth as her arms circled his frame,
The moment her hands embraced his warmth, Darien knew. He knew that this was the Serena hidding behind the cold self control she was born with. This is the Serena that was dorment within the is the Serena she was trying to shield from the world. Darien wanted this side of her out, but he was not willing to face the consequences that would follow if things did not go well. The Serena he wanted is not use to being hurt, and he was known for hurting the women he loved. For some unknown reason, the prospect of hurting Serena sent a shill down his spine. This woman who was the enemy, this woman who had killed his father, brothers and cousins, and his beloved... was turning his insides into a chaotic hailstorm. With those thoughts in his mind, Darien fell asleep.
Next Day:
Darien woke to find Serena facing him. She had her arms around his frame hugging him tightly towarads herself, and her head buried in his chest, her leg over his tight. Darien was trapped in Serena's hold, he had to get to his office, he had an early morning meeting with his counsil concerning the wedding. But he couldn't bare to wake her up and ruin that peaceful face of hers. Darien smiled and leaned over Serena to plant a kiss on Serena's forehead. Serena woke smiled and turned her face upward planting a gentle and playful kiss on his lips.
"Andy let me sleep." Serena said snuggling up closer to the form. Darien wasn't sure if he should laught or be worried that there was another man out there who kisses Serena and sleeps in the same bed with her. He chuckled softly.
"Who is this Andy person and how could you speak of a lover in the presence of your husband." He asked looking at Serena.
Serena sprang up from the bed so fast, he did not think twice when he jumped away from her when she attempted to shove at him. He landed on the balcony railings, his stance ready for attack. His move was instinctual, it was proof that he was aware of her as an enemy at some deeper level.
"What in the name of Diana do you think you are doing kissing me when I'm sleeping. That is beyond the boundaries of this contract, not to mention how inappropriate it is." Serena said holding the blacket to her frame to shield her body from him.
"Come now Serena. I did not mean anything by it. I was simply trying to wake you in the most husbandly manner I could think of, I did not think you would be so frightened." He watched as anger seeped into her exotic blue eyes and as her face took on a pink hue. He extended a hand towards her and smiled when she glared at him.
"Get up yourself." Serena her anger took on a somewhat annoyed twist, and he saw something else beneath it. Fear... Fear of him. Like him, she had awoken to the instinct that told her to fight off the enemy, that's why she had attempted to strike him. He was still the enemy to her, just like she was the enemy in to his senses. They were attempting to trust each other, but only on the surface. Deep down all their defenses were still secured in place.
"Forgive my ignorance Serena... I am still adjusting to our newly found situation here. " He looked at her and saw the annoyance in her eyes subside. Serena sighed and looked at Darien hanging on the railings. She walked over and pulled him up. Darien smiled at her but she just rolled her eyes turning her back at him and heading into her room.
"So do I have a schedule to follow or the likes of such?" Serena asked walking into the bathroom without seeming to be concerned about his presence in her room.
"Well for today all you have to do is accompany my sister Molly shopping and that will take you all day. I'll be discussing the wedding ceremony with the council. We'll be doing it both ways. Tomorrow you'll be informed about the way a ceremony is done on Earth, and you'll have to inform me of the Lunarain ceremonial wedding ways, I'd like to be prepared for your customes. If everything goes as planned the wedding will be in three days, you can go see if the alter is to your liking." Darien said as Serena walked out of the bathroom in a sun dress. She tried to zip up the shirt but she couldn't get the zip. Darien got off her bed and came to zip up her shirt. The shirt wouldn't zip up easily when it came to the stomach area. Serena looked down and saw that her stomach was sticking out. She sighed and headed back to the bathroom.
"What's wrong Serena." Darien asked walking in after her, she was staring at herself on the huge bathroom mirror.
"I can't wear this dress out. It's too tight. Why does my stomach seem to grow overnight." Serena asked. Darien chuckled watching Serena perplexed face. He left her in the bathroom and went to look for a shirt that would fit her.
He went in search of Molly, he was sure that his sister woud have something that would fit Serena considering the fact that she too was pregnant. He came across Molly in the mess hall where she was talking with her audience which was derived of some of his personal guards and other young knights of the Kingdom.
He noticed that the conversation has ceased upon his entry into the hall, and that all heads were turned to gaze upon him. Further examination of the room lead him to understand why his presence had been a conversation stopper, Molly's audience included the Lunarians who accompanied Serena here and he assumed that they weren't too pleased to see him, but then again with their stone cold faces it was almost impossible to tell.
"Molly good to see you. I hope you rested well." Darien said looking at Molly who just smiled and nodded getting up to stand make her way towards him.
" So what do I owe the pleasure of your company dear brother." Molly asked with a smile on her face. Darien shrugged and looked at his sister. Her small round face was so cute, her curls bouncing around her everytime she walked. His sister was a true beauty. He was certain that her husband was the luckiest man in the world.
" Well I was wondering if you'd be willing to help Serena out, she's having some difficulties getting dressed. And if it is not asking too much of you, would you be willing to take her shopping for some new garments. Hers aren't fitting her current figure too well." Molly's smile grew. Darien knew that there was more to it than just smilling, but knowing his sister, she'd probably give him a headache before revealing anything to him.
" Well I don't mind brother, not at all. But if you don't mind telling me, where were you last night. I went looking for you because I needed you to sighn some legal documentations and you weren't in your room, and this morning Malachite claimed that he was unable to locate you anywhere." Darien saw the grins spreading on everyone's faces and he finally realized what they had been talking about before he came in the room.
He wasn't sure what to tell Molly, he knew that the crowd was probably asumming the worst possible scenario and even the truth woudn't be seen for what it truly is but rather for something more. Darien opened his mouth and closed it again. Just as he was about to come up with a response, the mess hall doors burst open and Serena entered through the doors in the same dress she had one before. Her stomach was still hanging out, but the dress was zipped up to the top. Everyone turned to stare at Serena as she entered. She froze at the door and looked around her. Her gaze landed on the blue haired girl named Amy. After a moment of silence Serena sighed and looked at Molly.
"It's not what you think Molly. It's just that on the moon when the sun sets, it gets so cold that you blood would freeze if you stepped out, but here on earth it's so warm at night. I couldn't sleep and Darien offered to accompany me for the night. Nothing happened, Darien and I are both adults capable of holding back our desires. And despite the changing situations now, we are still enemies, it would be hard to overcome that knowledge and climb into his bed." Serena said moving to stand next to Darien at an equal level to him, her presence just as strong and forthcoming as his.
" Yes well you most excuse us for wondering. We can all understand that you are well capable of holding everything in, but Darien is human, and as humans are, we can't help but feel the need to express our feelings, it's the natural thing to do after all is it not." The red haired blond that Darien had introduced as Berly asked looking at Serena with hatred in her eyes, Serena didn't flinch a bit, she stared at the woman and let her comment go. She knew full well that many of the humans did not like her presence, and most of the women hated her union with the human man. She could not blame them, she did not feel anything for him either, she was just doing this for the sake of a peace. She would produce his heir, and then be bound to him for ever, but their marriage does not require her to be passionate with him.
" Yes well I'm still learning about your ways so excuse me if I seem so cold, but it's not as it seems. Nothing we lunarians do is without reason. Power comes from one's heart not his physical body. And I do not intend to be passionate with him. It is not in my nature, nor is it required of our treaty. " Serena said looking Berly in the eye. Berly looked away from her. Darien didn't evert his eyes until moments later, and only after staring at her for what seemed like hours.
" Well if this little pleasantry is over with, Serena get some breakfast and come with me. We'll pack a picnic if you want or we can buy some food from outside barkets since we're not going to get here until late in the afternoon, maibe durring supper time if that's alright with you." Molly said getting a hold of Serena's arm and dragging her towards the dinning table. Serena nodded and Molly smiled. Mina, Amy, Raye and Lita all got up to follow them, but Serena stoped them.
" I need you to take some instructions for me about the ceremony and what is expected of me. Then take the rest of the day to practicing, I assume you most be exhausted, but it is a bodily exhaustion nothing more. " Serena said walking out with Molly. The girls looked at Mina and she shook her head, she sighed facing Serena and Molly's retreating backs.
"What's the matter?" Darien asked looking at the girls. She turned her face to look up at him, a frown of disapproval displayed upon her face.
"She's not doing to well. It is most likely the pregnancy that taking effect on her." Mina said briefly without looking at him. Darein nodded and walked out. There was the counsil to consider and the arrangements to go through. His generals followed suit not bothering to make sense of the commotion that took place in the mess hall moments before.
With MOLLY
Molly dragged Serena to her room where she went in search of a dress that would fit Serena. Serena was a bit shorter than she was, but they had pretty much the same built. Molly pulled out a pink spagetti strapped dress and handed it to Serena. Serena frowned a bit, but took the dress never-the-less.
" I hope Endy warned you about my shopping habits. We have lots of ground to cover before we return, so you should have a large lunch and... well you're dressed appropriate for this. We should get going now I guess. Come one. " Molly took her hand and dragged her out to the mess hall and into the kitchen where she collected a picnic basket from one the maids and immediately proceeded to the gates.
Serena had never been shopping before. All her cloths were brought to her room by the palace tailor. She was quite excited to be seeing all the beautiful sights of this planet. She had always admired this blue planet mainly for the wonders of it's nature.
On the moon, there was rarely any signs of plants present. When she was home, she loved the sight of the blue planet when the sun first shines on it. When she was younger, she had wondered how such a beautiful planet could harbor their enemies, but all of her love for earth faded with the death of her twin, almost all of her love faded with his death.
"Hey Serena, what do you think of this. I love this dress, but I'm not sure about the size, do you think it's too small." Molly was standing in front of a butique, there was a middle ages woman standing there smilling a kind and welcoming smile.
"Um...Uh...I don't know?" She said looking at the dress. She wasn't really an expert in dressing, she had always left those things to either Raye or the palace servants who spared the time to prepare her for any special occasion. She had often seen Earth females who wear make up since her arrival, it was quite a spectacle seeing all of them with red, to pink lips, and colored cheeks and black goo on their eyes to make their eye lashes longer. It was truelly something exotic to her. She found it both intralling and sad. Hiding ones skin under such toxic human materials was sad.
"Well you know what, you can always try it one in the backroom before you buy it." The woman offered. Molly's eyes twinkeled as she walked in the backroom to change. When she returned again she was beaming. The dress was a perfect fit, it didn't show off her stomach too much, but it also went over some of her curves, outlining her perfect body.
"I'll take it, oh and a couple more things if that's okay with you." Serena watched as Molly's 'couple of things' turned into almost all of the materials in the shop. The lady who managed the shop had neatly placed their cloths in silk wrappings and gave it to them, and she had offered them some carry boys to carry their things and a wagon to put them on. Molly dragged her almost all over the kingdom, they went to every shop that had it's doors open, they stoped for lunch while the excited Molly devoured her meal, Serena ate soflty and slolwly, trying to delay their return to shopping. But that didn't help much, they were aready in on their feet walking. By the end of the day Serena could barely stand on her own feet. They were headed back to the palace the carriage full of boxes and the boys with them holding a few of their own.
"That was a lot of shopping. We purchased many things. This years market had many beautiful lace garments. I can't wait for you to try them all on." Serena felt bad, Molly had paid for all of her things and Serena couldn't do anything about it.
"I'm really sorry for all of the trouble Molly. I'll pay you back as soon as we get to the palace." Serena promised. Molly stoped dead on her tracks and looked at Serena. She could see the hurt in Molly's eyes.
"Serena. You hurt me, how could you ever think to repay me. I did this for you, I did this to get us closer together, not so that you'd owe me. You're family Serena, no matter how awful that may seem to you, we're family and blood looks after blood. So don't worry about it please. I was more than happy to pay for you things, and I wouldn't mind doing it forever." Molly said looking at Serena who nodded and smiled.
"Besides, my brother gave me spending money for you. He made it look like he was just giving me money to shop with, but I know he meant it to be for you. He's so strange sometimes. I've lived with him all my life and he still suprises me." Serena nodded and they resumed their walk once more. When they arrived at the gates, the guards opened the gates for them and they entered.
Darien was waiting for them at the palace entrance, his arms folded over his chest, his mouth in a scowl, his eyes cold. Molly fell behind a little in her pace, Serena could feel her body tense up, at the sight of his eyes. There was something in there that made her uneasy. Something about those cold, midnight blue eyes made her look away from him. Which was surprising to her since she was so used to people basking their emotions behind thick brick walls. But for some reason, that did not fit well with this human man. He was a walking emotional pool, and that was what amused her most about him.
"You were suppose to be here hours ago. What took so long, I thought we agreed, shopping sprees as long as you follow my regulations. How can you afford to be so careless at this time. My god Molly." Molly sighed and looked at Serena then back again at her brother.
"I'm sorry Darien, but can we do this later. I'm sure Serena would appreciate a good bath right about now right Serena." Serena looked at Molly, her eyes heavy, but her stance perfect and graceful.
"No. I'm alright." She was alright, save for her sore feet and her exhausted body. Darien sighed and extended his hand to her, she looked confused for a moment, but then took his hand and he led her into the palace. Once out of sight Darien stoped walking. Serena sighed, afraid of what was to come.
"I'm sorry about that, I didn't know we had a curfew, I'll try not to disobey any of your laws." The words didn't sound right to her, she knew that her voice held a little bitterness in it, and she knew that it was there mainly because she was too exhausted to think straight. Darien bent down and scooped Serena up making her gasp in suprise, he smiled and resumed his walk.
"What do you think you are doing? Put me down." Serena's voice was commanding, but Darien ignored her, she was struggling to get free but to no availe. Serena gave up, she wanted to get down, despite the fact that his warm chest felt like a sanctuary at the moment, and his constant heart beet seemed like a lullaby to her ears. Darien seemed satisfied by this, he carried Serema off to her room and placed her down on the sofa. Serena was somewhere between dreamland and reality. Darien went to the bathroom and came back out, he picked up Serena as if she was a child, once in the bathroom he placed her down on a stool.
"Serena, come on get. The bath's warm, it'll make you sleep easier." Serena groaned and sighed forcing herself up. She knocked over some bottles, she stoped to pick them up, Darien beat her to it.
"If you want I could get someone to help you clean up. I'm sure I can find someone to do it, Molly wouldn't mind. I'm sure she'll be trilled." Serena shook her head and turned around to look at Darien.
"I'm fine. The last thing I want is to have the entire palace see me so pathetic. It's not everyday I'm this weak you know, enjoy it while it lasts. Now if you'll excuse me." Serena wasn't sure why she was being so cruel to him, she was loosing control over her emotions too fast, and she was certain that it had something to do with him.
"Well if you 're sure I'll just be on my way, I'll be just outside if you need anything from me okay." Darien said walking out, Serena nodded. Once the door was closed, she removed her clothes and jumped into the hot pool of water, the water smelled like roses, and it felt like smooth silk against her skin, Serena felt a lot better, she took the sponge and started to clean up her body. She took her time cleaning up, she didn't want to come out, but a nock on the bathroom door reminded her of her situation and she immidiatly stood up, she dried off and wrapped the towel around her body and then took another towel to wrapp around her dripping lockes. She walked out and nearly bumped into Darien who was standing infront of the door. Serena took a step back and looked at his face, Darien was looking at her intently, she averted her eyes feeling that strange sensation she seems to get whenever his eyes took on that intensity.
"Did I startle you, sorry I was just worried that you might have fallen asleep in there. Didn't want you walking out of there all prunny and with a cold now do we." Serena looked at him, he was trying not to laugh. Serena looked sturdy, waiting for him to burst out laughing, but Darien straightened up and cleared his throat.
"Molly brought your cloths over, I sent her away for tonight, but expected her to return very early tomorrow, she arranged them for you, you should go change and eat while I clean up, I had some food brought for you." Serena nodded and walked past Darien into the bedroom. Darien sighed and scartched his head watching Serena's retreating form. He walked in the bathroom, and sank into the warm water, suprisingly the water wasn't cold at all, infact it was as warm as he'd left it, with the scent of roses and...he inhaled dipper.
Her sweet scent.
Serena was in the bedroom, there was a dresser on in the room, she knew it was meant for her things because it wasn't there when she left this morning. He most have really thought about her. Serena sighed and opened the dresser, the cloths Molly had gotten her, were hanging from clothes hangers perfectly straight. She wasn't sure about what to wear to bed, she was suppose to get something warmer, and she also needed undergarments. She'd forgotten to ask Molly for some. Serena was about to pull out one of her new dresses to wear to bed, when a note at the corner of the dresser door caught her sight. She pulled it out and saw Molly's name spelled out in Lunarian. She opened the letter and read it. Molly had gotten her undergarments, she had decided to place them in Darien's dresser, the second set, since he was only using the first for his books.
Serena sighed and walked up to his dresser, she didn't open the first dresser, the second one was where her clothes were. She got her nigh garments, Molly had gotten her a pair of silk sleeping clothes. She wasn't sure if those were going to do much about helping her sleep. She changed into the clothes anyways. They felt comfortable, she walked into the livingroom, and found her food on the small table, she ate sitting on the floor, she wasn't very hungry, so it didn't take her long to finish.
As soon as the last drop when into her mouth, she heard the shower doors open and Darien steped out with only his towel around his waist, his hair dripping and his chest wet. Serena was completly caught off guard, she couldn't help but look him over.
She'd never realized how tanned his skin was, it was a perfect honey color, his hair sticking to his forhead looked so much more... beautiful.
His body was so musculine, not buff, just musculine. He was like a creation of art, given life.
"What?" Darien's question caught Serena off guard. She looked away quickly back at her empty plate. She averted her eyes to the sofa, where she had disgarded the towel she used for her hair. She picked it up and threw it at him.
"Dry your hair, you're getting the carpet wet." Serena said getting up from the floor and sitting down on the sofa. Darien chuckled and ruffled his hair with the towel, it smelled like her, the bathtub had her scent also, it was unnerving for him. Her scent seeped deep within his soul and something in him tingled.
"I'm guessing that you saw the note too huh. That woman. She's something else. She took my books and stuffed them on a pile next to the bed. And I had those things neatly arranged too. huh. Guess it can't be helped." Darien said with the towel still over his head.
"I'm sorry. If you want I can move my stuff, so you can have your books back in place. I have enough space in the dresser." Serena said looking at Darien as he disapeared in the bedroom. He came back out with shorts on, his hair still dripping, his chest still bare.
"Did you hear me. I can move my things." Serena said. Darien sighed and walked up to the sofa, he picked up Serena's feet and dumped them on his lap, she sat up immidiatly her face stone cold. He looked at her with the intensity of his eyes. He knew that she was supressing her feelings throught that cold cover of hers.
"What do you think you're doing?" Serena asked him. Darien stared back at her with his eyes challenging.
"I didn't mean you had to take your cloths away Serena. This is a partnership, start acting like that has a meaning to you. You really need to learn a thing or two about trusting others. When I say that this is a partnership, what I mean is what is mine is yours, and what is yours is mine. If you want it to be that is. We share everything so don't worry about it. All this means is that you'll have to be careful about where you step, I tend to leave my books everywhere at times." Serena nodded her face still stone cold. She had promised that she'd start softening up, but it was hard to do considering how long she'd been used to supressing all her feelings. Darien sighed about the millionth time that day and started massaging Serena's feet. She opened her mouth, but he immediately placed a finger over her lips to hush her. His body was bend over hers, she could feel his weight slightly upon her and her breath caught in her throat. Their bodies were so close together.
"No objections to this, I'm going to give you a foot message to get you relaxed, trust me it works I know. Now just sit back down." Darien hadn't realized how close he was to Serena, or the fact that their bodies were touching. He moved away from her realizing that she wasn't getting calmer and neither was he. Once he was off her, Darien started massaging Serena's feet. She was stiff for sometime, but relaxed loosing herself into the comfort.
Serena fell asleep without knowing it. Darien smiled, slowly getting up so that he didn't disturb her rest, he picked her up and placed her on the bed covering her with the thick comfortable wool covers and getting in next to her. He wasn't sure that this relationship was going to get anywhere. Serena was his enemy, and she was completly different from his people, he had never come across someone like her before. She was...complicated...hard to understand...unreadable...impossible. Yes she was impossible. One minute she'll be on guard and the next minute she's falling into a deep kind of person falls asleep with their enemy at their feet. Darien chuckeled and shook his head appalaled at her. Even if they don't last, he was going to enjoy the time they spend together very much.
Next day:
Darien woke up first, it was early in the morning. Molly wouldn't come nocking through the doors demanding Serena's release at least for another two hours. As Darien raised from the bed, Serena's eyes slowly fluttered open like those of a young child trying to force wakefullness upon themselves.
"I didn't mean to wake you up, go back to sleep." Darien said, Serena raised herself on her elbow and shook her head. She was about to get up from the bed when Darien leaned over her forcing her back down.
"Trust me, you'll need all the sleep you can get. It is going to be a long day today as well. Now rest okay. Or do you want me to kiss you for a good nights rest? Would that help?" Darien asked hoping to get her back in the covers red. Serena smiled and leaned up catching his lips in a light kiss with swift motion. She laid back down, and covered up, her breathing became rythmatic in no time.
Darean was dazzled, his breath had caught in his throat when she'd kissed him. He walked out of the room not sure what had just taken place. He was in his office even before he knew it and his meeting started half an hour before he came to. Which was largely thanks to the loud bang on the table.
"You can't be seriouse. There's no way in hell that would happen, I don't care what you say it's only natural for it to be that way. I don't see why it's such a big deal for you, it's up to the two of them to decide, they'll have the right to make a choice, but I think that's the best way to go about this and I'm sure everyone here will agree. Don't you agree Darien." Molly said turning to stare at Darien who was at a loss, he had no idea what they had been argueing about and he couldn't risk letting Molly know that he was distracted because then that would only cause him misfurtune.
"Ah year sure. Molly's right." and Molly smiled, clapping her hands togehter.
"What the hell's gotten into you Darien. Why would you agree to this. You do understand what this means?" Darien looked at his right hand man Malachite and the mortified look on his face. What did agreeing to whatever he didn't hear mean?
" Oh Shut up Malice... I know how much Darien loves children, and I'm sure Serena would agree to it, plus he can't really mean to just have her diliver this child and then vanish. Any honorable man wouldn't even think of doing such a terrible thing. And imagine the scandal that would evoke." Molly said with a glint in her eyes. She knew that her brother was the center of scandals in the kingdom. He was a player and when he lost his temper he had the tendency to take it out on the other royal by seducing their wives or children.
"Incase you haven't noticed Darien isn't really new to the whole damned scandal business, he can handle another one. And I am sure many people would prefer to have her gone from here. Her presence makes the servants anxious. All of your presence here does." Kunzite turned around to stare at the group of Lunarian women seated on the otherside of the table.
"Serena's opinion is required in this matter. You humans cannot decide on your own... The very idea of her conceiving the child of a man who is not her soul parter would be disastrous. This child is not hers, she is just acting as its gateway to this world... but if you suggest that she makes love to this man till she conceives his child for the sake of peace then... you are asking for her death certainly." Mina's words cut through all of them far more painfully than any show of emotion might. Its obvious that they did not understand the bond that intertwines soul mates. Serena was willing to go this far for the sake of peace, but she would not betray her true love for another man, even if she never finds him. Just knowing he is out there is enough to keep her heart forever reserved for him and him alone.
" Yes. Both their opinions are required for this situation. And further discussion between the two councils would need to take place. Darien after the marriage I would like for you to discuss the issue with Serena. And I would request that the rest of you keep it silent, that young girl does not need any more burdens on her before she seals this pact." There was collective silence as Molly spoke. She met her brothers eyes and he sighed nodding reluctantly at her request.
" Good. Now you young girl come with me. You are going to act as Serena's maids and one of you her maid of honor." Molly got up, swooping Raye, the closest one to her with her. The others got up and hesitated for a while before following suite. She stepped through the double doors then turned back into the room and looked at the room with Beryl and the men still seated.
"Darien you should get your men in order too and choose your right hand man for the wedding. Beryl you will have to organize them for me seeing as how I can't be in two places at once." With that Molly went out the meeting room and into her quarters where she began her process of turning four lunarian warriors into maids.
" No Raye you don't stomp around like you are marching off to war... Move gracefully and elegantly." Molly was exhausted beyond human possibility. She'd spent two hours trying to train these women just how to walk without falling in their hight heel shoes.
" Follow Amy's example and walk like that. Elegant, graceful like you are walking on water." Lita attempted to get up again, only to topple over and fall back on her hindquarters.
"Yes well Amy's adaptability is outstanding... and she was born with grace and elegance." Lita mumbled softly rubbing her sore bottom. Amy looked at her friends with a blank stare, the others were covered in sweat and breathing quite harshly, but she was not. She was calm and collected as ever.
" Fine... I did not want it to have to come to this, but you leave me no choice. You guys are not allowed to remove those shoes until you learn to walk in them... Amy you are relinquished from the task you may do as you wish, the rest of you I will be watching." The collective groaning that emanated from the room brought-about a smile from her face. She looked at them and smiled broadly seeing the aggravated expression on their faces.
Molly was not disappointed they did not know how to walk in the shoes or the long dresses. She was pleased just knowing that for the past hour, they have shown more emotions that she'd ever seen on their face since they arrived. She was pleased and hoped to receive more expression from them during their stay.
She stifled a giggle watching Mina walking out by holding onto the walls, while Lita spread her hands out wide trying to balance herself. Raye kept her knees together and slowly moved one foot ahead of the other as if her knees were stiff.
She couldn't wait to see how they progressed. Now she had to find the bride to be... A smile enveloped Molly's face as she skimmed out of her little quarter and went in search of Serena.
She found her perched on a window sill basking in the sunlight, her eyes closed, her head tilted and her breathing leveled. Her hands were resting gently over her swollen womb
Molly's heart nearly stopped at the sight of her sitting. The fall to the ground would be a fatal one. She did not want to attempt waking her up only to startle her into cascading down, falling to her doom. She looked around and could find no one, contemplating all of the possible ways to wake her up without startling her, Molly saw her lift an eye slowly.
Serena slowly turned her head to face Serena, her eyes were a beautiful blue and the sunlight casting a glowing light on her hair made her look like an angel.
" Molly, can I help you with something." Molly looked at her speechless for a few moments before she nodded and looked at Serena again.
" The ceremony will be in two days, you need to get ready." She turned her head slowly towards the sun, enhancing her ethereal glow and then swiftly slid off the window sill.
" Yes, in two days time." Her voice was solemn, her face blank, but Molly could pick up the underlying sorrow. She could understand the emotions Serena was trying so hard to cover up; she was grieving, she was accepting her fate knowing that there was no other choice.
Molly herself had felt that very same emotion the day she'd married her husband, their match had been arranged, he was a total stranger to her, older and when their marriage had been announced she was in the midst of a relationship with another man, she had been quite depressed about the whole arrangement, and at one point she had contemplated killing herself, but decided against it for the sake of her family.
Several months later, she'd turned from a depressed young wife, into a young woman passionately in love. Her husband had proven himself the true owner of her heart and soul. She'd been quite happy with him, she had even come to love him far deeper than any man she had ever been with.
She hugged Serena to her being and held onto to her closely knowing full-well that even though she was not crying outside, she was probably shattering inside.
A small hic escaped Serena's hips and she quickly stifled it with her trembling hands. Molly gently ran her hand over Serena's silken smooth hair in an effort to comfort her.
Molly just held her there, without saying a word. For what could she say? All she had were false promises of things getting better in the future. But how could she be certain that Serena and Darien's relationship would end up like hers. There were plenty of other women under the same situation who were as miserable as the first day of the arrangement.
Sererna composed herself gently pulling herself out of Molly's grasp. Molly released her and they began their assent into the Ballroom on the main floor.
The hall was barely buzzing with people now. Decorations had began for the hall, but since there was some time before the actual wedding, the maids were off getting the materials and the food preparations done with first. The hall would be empty for another hour and a half. Hopefully Serena was more adapt than her friends.
She wasn't. The long flowing dress was so beautiful on Serena, the dress was a pure white sleeveless gown that hugged her upper body and then hung over the fence that surrounded her hips. Getting the god forsaken dress on her had been a nightmare. And getting her to walk with the fence on was no better. She kept stumbling and falling over with the fence, placing any hight heels on her would just be a recipe for her early death.
Molly had not placed a corset on her seeing as how she already had such a tiny waist and the fact that she was pregnant. But the fence was a most, it gave the dress class and form, Serena's bottom was too small to be clearly outlined by the dress, the fence covered that up nicely.
" Serena try walking as if you're not wearing the fence on you." Molly adviced for the millionth time again.
She heard Serena mumble something exceedingly horrid under her breath before rising up again and attempting to take a step. Only to fail miserably.
" No Serena. Take a small step, one small step at a time. A fraction of your normal step...yes...yes...that's it. You got it." Molly sprang up and watched as Serena made it to the stairwell and back without falling over.
" Good now practice that some more and then we'll move on to the shoes next." Serena had seen the room and Molly had told her how things would be organized, where Darien would be standing and what should she expect to see. She had also told her some of the rites to speak during the Ceremony, she had found the entire ceremony quite simple and satisfactory to her devices.
" Now remember you need your bridal maids and your maid of honor, and then Darien will have his best man. He will choose one of his closest friends so you know that you will be safe." There was a gleam in Molly's eyes as she spoke and directed the decorations. There was excitement within her that rose and rose to the point of bursting. Serena could not help the effect her excitement had on her. She was also beginning to feel happy, not because she was happy about the contract marriage, but because of Molly's happiness.
She had explained the entire tirade connected to a wedding. How the groom-thats the male counterpart will choose an individual whose most important to them someone they turn to for anything, to stand as their best man and the woman would choose one of her dearest friend for the same role but as the maid of honor. Serena did not know which of the senshi's she would be choosing. They were all special to her, all sisters to her in the deepest essence of the word. She had asked Molly for advice on who to choose.
" Give them a test of your choosing and decide on the winner." That answer did not solve her problem. She had no idea how she was going to test them out to see who will be chosen. It would have been easier to just pick one, but Serena could not disrespect the sanctity of their ceremony in any way. She had to do everything according to Molly's teachings.
"So tell me again what is the purpose of this whole match?" Raye asked from her position on Serena's lap, who was gently messaging her hands over Raye's hair gently. Her hands were playing with strands of my own hair.
" Apparently it is traditional for the bride to choose a close friend as her maid of honor. Molly claims that I must choose from one of you through a test of sorts. But I don not know how to test you." There was a collective silence as we all contemplated a way to get this over with.
"We can fight. A match whoever wins gets to be the chosen maid of honor. We have been practicing amongst ourselves but we have never really fought each other seriously this will be a good chance to test out some of our new skills." Amy's idea was reasonable likable. It was the perfect way to find a winner.
The senshi's were strong, each with their own power and their own element. There strengths varied from person to person. It was hard to tell who was the stronger amongst them, Mina was her second in command, because she was her cousin and if Serena were to fade in battle, Mina was the only other person in the entire Universe with the power to save their race with the Silver Crystal. And of there was the fact that amongst all of them, Mina is the strongest and best possible candidate as a leader. Then there was Raye, who was the second best, she could not control the Silver Crystal, but she did have the will to lead, and after her was Lita who also had leadership capabilities but no power to control the Silver Crystal. Amy who was probably stronger than even Mina-when she fully utilizes her power and her mind- limits herself to information gathering alone. She has no intention of leading and had made that clear in countless times. She was very strong and wise, but also very gentle, too gentle to actually be the leader of soldiers.
So a fight amongst them would be a sight to see and with any luck they will finish their fights soon enough for her to get back to her chambers for a well deserved bath and rest.
" The rules are simple, like those of the Tripudio Lux Lucis. No powers involved, just weapons and of course your own tactics, anything goes but powers. And feel free to do whatever it takes to win." Serena moved to make room for the girls as they faced their opponents. She moved off to the side of the practice room where benches were adorning one side of the wall. She sat down next to Molly whose big brown eyes were opened wide with anticipation. Serena had told Molly of her plans to get the girls to fight as a test, at first Molly had found the very idea somewhat amusing at first; she had gotten the notion that women, especially women of royalty were not meant for the battle ground. She had wanted to witness the fight to see what it would be like, Serena could not refuse her the chance, so she had accepted.
"So which two are going first. Amy and Mina or Raye and Lita?" Molly asked once Serena seated herself besides the young woman. Serena looked at her excited face briefly before she turned away from her and smiled towards the girls.
" They fight at once, and if they so choose they may join forces against one or two of the other. Anything goes the point is to win at any coasts. That is the art of battle, you sometimes join others to face off a common enemy and sometimes you stand alone." Serena waited until they were all prepared, she recited a few of the rites that often went with the Tripudio Lux Lucis, advising them to move like light, conquer like water, stand like a tree and rage like fire.
" Aggredior." The battle started as soon as the words escaped her lips. Mina launched towards Amy only to get side kicked towards Lita who was avoiding a punch Raye had launched at her. The fight started off slow, Serena was certain it was for Molly's sake. They wanted her to see their fight before it got really serious, Before they began to move too fast for her unaccustomed eyes to see their battle.
" Wow, you were not joking when you claimed they could fight. They are as good as some of the Knights in the Royal Guard." They were better. Far better than any mortal warrior can ever hope to be. But she would not say such a thing out-loud because she had no hope of intention of being rude or seeming too prideful of her Senshis.
The battle took a more serious turn as the women began to quicken their paces. Molly's head whipped from side to side trying to catch the fight. She did not see some of the fights that took place, she just saw bodies flying one second then attacking the next. Mina landed a kick in Amy's side sending her up in the air a second before she came back with her own kick right in Mina's stomach area. Lita had sent Raye to the ground for the second time and was about to land in a kick when Raye captured her leg and flipped her over. Molly did not see any of that. All she saw was the blue blur of Amy's hair as she flew off, then Lita up one minute and down the next.
The match lasted for hours. Serena was not sure how long. Molly had to leave a few times to restrict entrance to a group of knights who wanted to use the area for practice.
" I am sorry for occupying your practice area... its just that..." She shook her head smiling gently at Serena.
"Its okay you don't have to explain yourself to me. We would not want to have you seeing our fighters at their best either. I know that there is still some uncertainty within all of us. I am just honored that you would trust me enough to let me see you guys practicing... Besides this is more fun than seeing half naked men sweating and panting. we get enough of that in the bedroom" I smiled at her understanding calm. Ignoring the image that suddenly wanted to burst into my head with too much...unclothed body and midnight blue eyes- for my comfort.
The match lasted longer than I wanted it to. I could tell that they had leveled up immensely. Mina was desperately fending off Amy; a few month before, Mina was way stronger than Amy was. The same went for Lita who was now matched up to Raye.
Molly rose up and went to the huge double doors again when a large pounding noise brought through the sound of flesh pounding flesh and bodies clashing against each other and the walls.
She stayed out longer than before. I felt a tingling sensation in my body seconds before she came back in with a gentle and amused smile adorning her face. A sense of nostalgia went through me the same time a shiver ran down my spine. Whoever was at the door was making my body uncomfortable in the most unfamiliar of ways. My heart was pounding louder and faster than ever. I had to know.
"Who was that?" He covered a laughed with a false cough.
" No one, just men and their uncontrollable superiority complex at play. So who's winning?" Raye and Lita clashed and came to a stalemate with Raye slightly better off than Lita. They scooted over to the side of the room making room for Amy and Mina. The two of them looked battered. I knew they would need some well deserved rest and my services as soon as we finished with these battles.
Mina and Amy lasted a while longer, but they also had to come to an end. But unlike Raye and Lita and luckily for me with one still standing.
"You have all improved greatly Senshis. Amy and Lita more so. I am proud of all of you. And I am honored to claim our beloved Amy as the winner of this contest... Now you should go and bathe, eat and I will help you with those injuries of yours." Mina was hunched over the ground as Amy stood up holding onto her side. She had a few cracked ribs but she had managed to best Mina at the final moment by sending Mina a surprise attack to the base of her neck.
The senshis helped each other up and made their way towards the door. Molly and Serena followed suite. Serena opened the door to the gate, certain that the girls would need all of their strength to stay up.
She froze. It seemed as if the entire palace soldiers were parked in the entrance of the Practice Hall. Men with only pants on and sturdy faces ready to combat each other. Men who now looked at her with a somewhat frustrated and annoyed eyes.
And at the front of the gathering of these brute men was her most despised rival and unfortunately husband to be.
He looked at her with an amusement that sent tidal waves of annoyance through her veins. That look he gave her was a look she knew very well he would give to a woman who had his fancy and who he thought of as naive. It was a look that showed how superior he felt and how the very thought of her in a battle room seemed somewhat...laughable and dare she think it... cute...to him.
Her face masked and her insides boiling, she raised cold angry eyes at him hating the fact that she has to look up to meet his eyes.
"Is there something I can help you with. Or is the prospect of holding me captive suddenly risen into your mind." She indicated to the hordes of men behind him. She expected him to leash out with her suggestion that he was about to break the pact. And for a second she thought she saw a hint of anger in his eyes...but then it disappeared as a grin adorned his face. Serena wanted to step back, but she couldn't allow him the satisfaction of knowing that the grin made her giddy.
"Not at all my love. I was just hoping to get a glimpse of women fighting I dare-say I hope none of you scrapped yourselves." The hall fell silent as his men, ceased their muttering and faced them surprised. He looked at her that grin still in his face and that knowing still in his eyes. Serena growled. It was low and sudden and very shocking to her. She stole a glance at him and saw his grin turn into a smile.
He had heard her growling. She hoped that the Senshi's were not aware of how out of control she was with her emotions. Avoiding Darien's eyes she walked by him. Her arm brushed against his bare ones and a spark of fire spread through their contact point. Years of training as a senshi prevented her from taking a hold of the hand and nursing it.
Darien felt the tiny spark that had transfered between the two of them. He was going to stop her when he caught sight of her guardians. His breath caught when he saw the extend of the damage each of them had. Whatever form of fighting they were doing in there he was certain it was not feminine in anyways. The girl with purple eyes and long black hair was holding up the short brunet haired green eyed girl whose leg was broken in a couple of places. The purple eyed one had a twisted arm and probably ankle as well. Then there was the blond blue eyed girl he knew as her cousin. She was nursing a bruised neck while trying to stay off her torn leg. Blood was soaking the training pants she had on. The blue haired girl was the worst off. He could tell from the way she was holding onto the side of her stomach that her ribs were either cracked or broken. She did not have as many bruises and blemishes as the others, but those ribs would hurt for weeks.
He was certain that the pain they were feeling was unbearable, but all of their faces were stoic. Empty with no signs of emotions at all. A thought struck him moments before they disappeared at the end of the hall.
What injured body part was Serena baring... Fear gripped him like death.
" What were they doing in there?" Malachite brought him back from the depths of his fear. He turned around to face his second in command.
" I have no idea... But whatever it was... it was not a silly feminine game." A giggle had him turning his head towards his sister whose little form was still besides the huge doors. He looked at her and she smiled.
" Trust me Darien. If you saw those girls fight you would think twice before you even get on any of their bad sides... I dare say that I would love to see them teach you men a lesson or two." Molly walked up to him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheeks whispering her relief that he would not have to face them in battle now that the contract was sealed. Darien held her close for a second before releasing her to go after his soon to be warrior wife from the moon.
He had the strangest sensation that his life was about to take a drastic turn...whether of the better or worst was up to Serena herself.