Levana Ceri (Moon Love)

Chapter 24

The next morning it was everything plus tense at the breakfast table. The Shitenou sat on one side of the long dinner table, that could sit well over 20 people, and the Inner Senshi sat on the opposite side facing them. Serena and Amy helped to serve everyone since the servants were still on vacation per Serena's orders. Serena was just refilling Nephrites glass of orange juice when the doors leading to the hallway burst open and Darien strode through. Serena's eyes at him up hungrily from toes up. When she reached his face she frowned when he refused to meet her gaze. Darien took his seat beside Kunzite and when Serena moved to serve him Darien looked towards Amy. "Amy right?"

Amy nodded hesitantly.

"Would you mind pouring me some of that apple juice you have in your hand?" Amy glanced at Serena before moving to pour for Darien. Serena moved away. When everything was set both Serena and Amy took their seats across from Darien and Zoisite. Zoisite smiled gently at Amy and she ducked her head with a grin. Serena felt a stab go through her when she witnessed that private exchange. Things seemed to be moving smoothly for Amy and Zoisite, but when she looked at Darien he still had yet to look at her.

Conversation was everything one would expect. Nephrite and Lita taunted eachother relentlessly with Jadeite throwing the occasional pea in Lita's direction. Having grown up with so many brothers she would immediately retaliate and while Jadeite's aim was poor, Lita hit him square in the middle of the forehead everytime much to Nephrite's delight. Amy and Zoisite exchanged polite conversation as they got to know eachother while they both could barely tear the eyes from the other. Mina and Kunzite never said a word but watching them Serena could have sworn they were communicating with eachother somehow. The way their eyes would meet, Mina's in challenge or defiance and Kunzite's with indulgence and goading. His never fading grin apparently infuriated Mina to the point where she kicked him none too discreetly beneath the table. Kunzite would just laugh at her antics. Suddenly a pea would be shot in his direction and everytime Mina would catch it before it hit him and zip it back at Jadeite with a flick of her wrist. Kunzite's smile would widen when she seemed not to be able to help herself and she would seethe in silence.

Darien remained stubbornly silent despite Serena's many attempts to converse with him. Finally fed up Serena threw her napkin on the table with a growl. Darien didn't even flinch. Taking a deep breath Serena built up her courage. "I think its only right to inform you that I'll be leaving tonight."

At her words Darien finally glanced up at her. He still hadn't said anything. With growing annoyance Serena asked "Aren't you going to say anything?"

Darien shrugged non-challantly then resumed eating. Infuriated Serena kicked him viciously under the table. Darien jumped up in his chair with a curse. "What is your problem?!"

"Soo...it speaks." Serena clapped her hands mockingly. Darien glared at her. "Excuse me for trying to eat my breakfast in peace."

"You call this peace? You're not even talking to me!"

"Well I'm talking now aren't I?"

"You're yelling at me, not talking."

"Then don't kick my damn leg and I won't yell at you!" Darien yelled.

"I won't kick your leg after I'm gone!" Serena yelled back.

"You think I care if you're leaving? I don't! The sooner you and your posse is gone the happier I'll be."

"We'll be out of your hair by seven!"

Darien paused significantly before he asked the question that burned in the back of his throat. "Where are you going?"

"What do you care?" Serena asked childishly.

"I care because Galaxia's scouts are hunting for you and wherever you go you are a danger to my people. So I'd like to know where you are going."

"You're asking as the Prince of Earth?" Serena said, hurt because she was beginning to think he didn't care anymore.

"It doesn't matter how I'm asking. Just answer the damn question."

"Don't worry. We won't be on Earth. We're returning to my kingdom."

"Then safe journey." Darien chair scraped back loudly as he stood and headed towards the door. Serena leaped up and grabbed his arm, turning him towards her. "Is that all you have to say to me?" She hated herself for asking but she couldn't stop herself. Anymore then she could stop herself from leaning into Darien when he very slowly reached up and cupped the side of her cheek. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his skin against hers when she heard him whisper. "Damn you, Serena. I can't..." He lowered his hand to his side and turned his back on her.

"Darien?" Serena asked with a quiver in her voice. Darien never even looked at her. "You...you used me." He whispered. All talk at the table immediately stopped and Serena's eyes widened. "What?"

"You needed to awaken your powers. To save the world...you needed to sleep with someone...anyone..."

"That's not true!" Darien finally turned back to her and glared down at her. Serena blushed in embarassment. "Ok, yes its true but the way you're saying it-"

"The truth doesn't lie but it can make you look like a whore."

"Darien!" Serena said in shock. "We've never-"

"Not for lack of trying." Darien interrupted her again. "Not just from you either. I was more than willing. But I wonder if I would've been if I had known that you weren't trying to be with me because you wanted me."

"Darien-" Serena stopped and glanced back at the table. All but Nephrite looked around and avoided her eyes. Though Nephrite quickly looked down when Jadeite elbowed him in the gut.

"This is a private conversation." She told them through clenched teeth.

"Private or not we're not letting you out of our sight again." Lita said with a firm nod and her arms crossed in front of her. Serena threw out a hand and in a blink the all Inner Senshi dissapeared. She then looked at the Shitenou. "I'm not exactly sure where I've just flashed them to, but I'm sure they'll survive and find their way back here soon. I didn't do the same to you because I know you want to be near in case we're attacked again. And I know we might need you. But if you don't leave us alone right now I wont care anymore." Before Jadeite or Nephrite could comment Kunzite negligently waved his hand and they dissapeared. He slowly bowed to Serena and Darien before he grinned at Serena. "Don't think you're the only one with that power princess." Then he dissappeared as well.

Serena grinned a little before she turned to Darien. His face was still unreadable. "Darien...its not what you're thinking."

"So it didn't cross your mind that sleeping with me would solve all your problems?"

"Of course it crossed my mind. But I didn't want it to be like that between us. I know you feel used...but so do I."

"What? When have I-?"

"It was nothing you did. But think about it. I always dreamed of finding my mate, marrying and then giving myself to my husband. Then Galaxia...she changed everything. She murdered my father. She's conquered the nearby systems and defeated all our allies. Now her eyes are set on my kingdom. And the only way to save everyone is to awaken my powers through sex. Before I met you...I was sure that it would be a stranger. Any random man from Earth would've been perfect. All I had to do was allow him to touch me...to let his hands run over my body...to allow this unknown mans lips to kiss mine-"

"Stop it." Darien said under his breath jealousy flaring up at the mystery man.

"I was expected to give myself without love, without friendship, without any sort of trust or care. And even if I had done that...there was no guarantee that I would be able to master my powers before Galaxia's final attack. With the crystal I have the power to defeat her...but no knowledge on how to wield it. Galaxia has been mastering her skills for years. But no one wanted to acknowledge that last part. Everyone is looking to me for their salvation and I'm not sure I can deliver. I'm scared that I'll fail...that my friends and family will die because of me. Mars was brutally taken down...I'm so sorry that it happened but I can't help the tiny part of me that is relieved it wasn't my family. That it wasn't my planet that was destroyed. I...I hate myself for that. I loved Mars...its people, culture...her king was a good man and he loved me like another daughter. My best friend lost everything because I was a coward. If I had done what she wanted...if I had just had sex with someone, anyone...maybe I could've stopped what happened. I'm terrified that all the people I've sworn to protect will die because of my stupidity like Mars. If I fail...Darien, I don't want to die."

Darien closed his eyes against her words. Not wanting to hear the pain or the truth in them. He felt Serena's hands turn his face towards hers. "And then I met you. I've been so drawn to you, since the beginning. I want you so much that sometimes it hurts to look at you. I thought about it. How easy it would be to just let myself go and sleep with you. It would fix everything so easily. And you and the Shitenou could help me master my powers just like you did with my flashing ability."

"So you were planning on-"

"Darien," Serena interrupted him. "I thought about it...but I've been fighting it. I was so scared of what could happen. I was scared that it wouldn't be what I always thought it would be. Or worse, that you'd find me lacking, that I wouldn't be able to please you. Despite our attraction for each other, I don't know anything about you."

"You should've known to trust me. Why didn't you tell me Serena?"

"What was I supposed to say? Hey, I need to fuck to save the world so take me?"

Darien was slightly taken aback by Serena's crude words. "This doesn't change anything. You've said so yourself, anyone would do."

"I don't want it to be anyone...I want it to be you."

Darien smiled cruelly. "But if I don't fit the bill then you'll find someone else right?"

"What are you talking about?"

"If I'm not your mate then on to the next fucker right?"

"I think you are my mate Darien. There wouldn't be anyone else."

"You think I'm your mate. You don't know. I repeat my question. If it turns out I'm not your mate...then you go find someone else right?"

"Even if you're not my mate you're still a man of Earth. It would still work." Serena informed him quietly.

"Ah. So its a win win for you right? And I'm expected to just fall in so to speak?"

"Don't act like you're not interested. You want me as badly as I want you." Serena said, her temper flaring up.

"I want you much more than that. But there's one little problem Serena."

"And what is that?"

"I'm not that fucking easy. You got till seven to change my mind." With a smile Darien walked away and Serena stamped her foot in frustration. "I hate you!" She called after him. Before he left he stuck his head around the door and grinned at her. "Good thing you don't have to particularly like me to have sex with me." He quickly ducked out when Serena's shoe flew through the air and hit the door.

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