Levana Ceri (Moon Love)

*Author Note: PHEW!! It's been a while hasn't it people? Sorry for leaving you hanging for soo long but with school, work and my friends impending doom (his girlfriend suspects he's cheating, which he is btw) it's been really hectic. Thanks for all the support and reviews. Who knew I actually developed a fan base? I feel so special. lol. Hope you like this chapter. ^_^

Chapter 11

Serena ignored the tickling sensation against her ear. She did not want to wake up. She was comfortable...and blissful. She felt very safe and secure...and happy. She hadn't felt this way in a long time, and she didn't want to wake up and risk this feeling of contentedness disappearing. A little grin appeared at the edge of her mouth.

"Look at her. Doesn't she look disgustingly pleased with herself?" Nephrite said to Jadeite.

"Yes she does. But if I had just had a night of amazing orgasms and sex I'd be pleased with myself too."

Nephrite nodded gravely. "Yes...too true. Especially if I had been with a sexy beast like Master."

"D'you think he still remembers everything we taught him?"

"Judging from the smile on her face I'd say yes. Still...she seems to be awake and it’s still pretty early. I guess he didn't keep her up all night."

"The poor little thing...I know what it's like to be left wanting."

"Remember when Master had to practice and would sneak into our rooms while we were-"

"What!?" Serena bolted upright in shock.

Nephrite rolled his eyes. "About time you got up. I was wondering if you were actually going to lie there and listen while we went on about our late nights."

"Jeez Serena...you've got a bit of a voyeur in you don' cha? Next time I'm busy with Master I'll be sure to invite you. Who knows...maybe we can have a threesome." Jadeite said suggestively.

"Or better yet a foursome."

Serena didn't know whether to believe them or not but was saved from having to answer when Zoisite walked in and hit them both with an energy bolt. Together they both flew out the still broken window they had before and landed with a screech. "Damn it Zoi!! You throw me out of a window again and I'm going to cut your fucking head off!!" yelled Jadeite from below. Serena laughed and smiled at Zoisite. "Thank you. They can be a handful."

"What a nice way to say they are pains in the asses." Serena raised her eyebrow at the profanity and Zoisite grinned.
"Sometimes there's no better way to describe them."

"Where's Darien?" Serena tried to ask casually.

Zoisite smiled indulgently. "He had to go attend to some errands. He'll be gone until the end of the day...maybe even tomorrow."

"He's gone?" Serena frowned to herself and raised a hand to her throat. He hadn't even said goodbye. "He didn't say anything else?" Serena asked hopefully.

Zoisite's smile grew even more before he handed her a cell phone. "His number is on speed dial 1. He wanted you to give him a call when you were up." Zoisite patted the top of her head then closed the door behind him as he left. Serena bit her lip and stared down at the phone in her hand. Before she could talk herself out of it she dialed 1, raised the phone to her ear and held her breath. She waited anxiously but four rings later the voicemail clicked on. Serena expelled her breath in disappointment.

"This is Darien Shields. Sorry I couldn't make it to the phone...meatball head." Serena's ears perked up at his nickname for her and she brought the phone back more firmly against her ear. "Hope you slept well sweetheart. I'm probably daydreaming, thinking of you and getting no work done. That must be why I missed your call. Nothing else would keep me away. Have a good meal and I'll see you when I get home. I left you a present on my pillow. You can thank me when I come back." And with that the voicemail beeped and waited for her message. Serena hung up the phone and looked at his pillow. Nothing was on it.

She lifted the pillow and found a red rose lying beside it. She brought the rose to her lips and couldn't resist planting a light kiss on it. A small note card was lying beside it and she flipped up the note and read the message.

"Had to leave on some urgent business. Didn't want to wake you...and I definitely know I need therapy now, I actually thought it was cute that you were drooling."

Serena's eyes widened in shock and embarrassment as she quickly checked her lips. Feeling nothing she continued reading the note.

"I'm just kidding but I know you checked anyway."

Serena laughed.

"I'm leaving the gruesome twosome and Zoisite with you. Kunzite wouldn't stay. I should be back tomorrow. Dream of me."

Serena grinned to herself. She could imagine Kunzite raising an eyebrow when Darien had told him to stay and simply ignoring him while getting ready to leave with him. Of all the shitenou, Kunzite was the most cunning and loyal. With Kunzite by his side, whatever this urgent business was, she knew he would come back safely.

*************

"What the hell is the meaning of this?" Darien demanded his council.

"It means sire, that the time has come for you to take your rightful place as our king and marry the woman to whom your father betrothed you." Said head council man Marcus Duval and former right hand man of the former king, Darien's father.

"I was a child. My father is dead and the young-" Darien had to push the word past his lips "lady...is unacceptable."

"She is the last of her bloodline. The oldest and most noble line besides your own. Her family’s women were well known for being very fertile. The two of you together would bring forth many children-"

"Enough." Darien pushed back his chair and planted his fists on top of the conference table. "I understand you were all the personal advisors of my father...out of respect for his last wishes I've kept you all on-"

"Well, he was only looking out for your well being as we all are. At the time you were just a child and needed guidance."

Darien's eyes flashed. "Do not interrupt me again Duval."

Marcus stiffened visibly at Darien's intentional informal address.

Darien's eyes narrowed in contempt. "That's exactly what I mean. I am no longer a child. I have proven myself countless of times in battle at the defense of this planet and her people. I have had to declare war on many other systems, order executions of people I'm not quite so sure were guilty...all in blindly following the advice of corrupt politicians my father was foolish enough to trust."

There was an audible gasp from the council and outraged protests as a few stood and pounded their fists into the table to make their points. The council had its own set of guards and at an imperceptible nod from Marcus the guards reached for their side arms. Kunzite threw back his cloak, reached out with his hand, closed his fist and yanked his arm back to his side. The swords and guns of the guards flew from their reach and all clattered into the wall farthest behind Kunzite. Using the table as leverage he leaped into the air and pinned Councilman Marcus to the table with his dagger pressed firmly against his throat. Marcus's sweat dribbled down his cheek and he held himself immeasurably still, for fear of imbedding his own throat into Kunzite's dagger.

Kunzite pressed it just a little more firmly against his throat and barked to the guards. "Do not forget your place gentlemen. You may be the council’s personal guard but your first loyalty shall always belong first to your prince. If any of you ever raise so much as an eyebrow to the prince again, you will answer to me."

"You cannot kill the guards for questioning the leadership of the prince. It is their right in the eyes of the law."

"You overstep yourself. Need I remind you before you manipulated the former king and filled his head with nonsense, he appointed me head of the guard. That means I can kill ANY in the guard for so much as looking at me cross-eyed." Kunzite raised his head and slowly met the eyes of all the guards to make it clear he meant what he said. They all lowered their heads minus Rufus, the leader of the councilman's squad. He merely grinned and Kunzite made a mental note to deal with him later before he turned back to Marcus. "He also gave me a very specific duty. My honor and carrying out my duty have NEVER been questioned. Should the prince not follow the path laid before him and fulfill his destiny to be a mighty ruler...I shall kill him myself."

"Kunzite." Darien said quietly enough that it seemed a whisper. Kunzite ground his teeth in frustration and slowly lifted himself away from Marcus. He sheathed his dagger and sneered at the entire assembly before he returned to his rightful place...by Darien's side.

Darien sighed and addressed the council once more. "My day's of blindly following the council are over. I will of course listen to any recommendations you have, but it will be at my convenience and not yours. As for this ridiculous arranged marriage, I will have no part of it." With that Darien turned and was halted at the door by Marcus's voice. "If you chose not to marry Adamina, I'm afraid her father will take it as a grave insult."

"Then you tell the General next time he wants to marry of his daughter to speak to the potential groom first."

When Darien and Kunzite left the room the conference room erupted into chaos. Marcus held up his hands placatingly and waited for everyone to quiet down. When he had everyone's attention he lowered his hands and sighed. "I was afraid this would happen. That power given to one so young would corrupt him." Many nods of assent followed his statement. "We must tread carefully here gentlemen. I will not be dictated to by a tyrant, as I'm sure none of you want to either." This time they vocally agreed with a few 'hear hear's in agreement. "I had hoped that he would not follow in the footsteps of his father but alas....if we must deal with him the way we dealt with his parents then so be it." Many of the members cheered but a few didn't. The same few that hadn't wanted anything to do with what happened to Darien's parents but nonetheless said nothing to prevent it. Marcus eyed the five members and gave a brief signal to Rufus. He in turn grinned maliciously....looking forward to the nights activities. Marcus nodded to him in approval. This time there could be no mistakes. Darien had been allowed to escape and though he had tried, Marcus was never again allowed the opportunity to dispose of him. Now he was popular with Earth's people and considered a hero. He couldn't be dealt with immediately lest he become some sort of martyr. No, first Marcus had to destroy the image of the prince in the eyes of his people, before he could removed. Unfortunately to his knowledge Darien had yet to do anything too grave, just things any young man would normally do and therefore nothing that would condemn him or turn his people against him. And Kunzite would also be a problem. Marcus dismissed everyone and walked to his room to make plans with Rufus two steps behind him.