Levana Ceri (Moon Love)

*Author's Note
Sorry I've been neglecting this story. Got caught up doing other things. :( So I'm trying to remedy the situation.

Chapter 5

Serena felt the door slam into her before she was sent flying through the air. Hitting the floor hard, Serena tried desperately to catch her breath. Leaning up on her forearms she watched anxiously as the tall man stomped his foot repeatedly on the ground (trying to get the feeling back she presumed). Serena could not believe the spurt of delight that zipped through her at his obvious pain. However the scowl he threw her way quickly took away any ideas she had of cracking a smile. Serena gingerly rose to her feet and kept her eyes on the man, ready to bolt any minute.

"I don't know who you are, but I'll give you fair warning. Zoisite and the others are due back any moment-"

"Ah I see, so you're with Zoisite. I wouldn've thought that one of the bobsy twins had brought you here to pass the time." The man sneered.

Serena stared at him in confusion. "Bobsy twins?"

"Jadeite and Nephrite. I'm surprised they weren't the ones to bring a pretty little thing like you here. I guess Zoisite has acquired some of their nasty habits."

Serena was thrown for a second by the 'pretty little thing' comment. And quickly tamped down any pleasure she had gotten from the comment.

"At least I know that Zoisite is going to pay your fees. He's responsible unlike the other two. I've had to clean up too many of their messes. Which is why I made it clear I did not want them bringing any more of your kind here. Maybe I should have made sure Zoisite and Kunzite knew they weren't allowed to bring any girls like you here either."

"Girls like me?" Serena sputtered.

The man grinned roguishly and sauntered over to her side. "You're cute enough...I may even be tempted to steal you from Zoisite. Unfortunately I've never liked whores...however pretty they may be." He said and raised his hand to stroke her cheek.

Infuriated Serena rose her hand to strike the insuferable man. How dare he think her a whore?!. Anticipating her move he quickly clamped his hand on her arm before she could slap him. He pulled her close until his face was inches from hers. "I don't like it when girls try to hit me. I especially don't like your act of offended dignity. Knock it off. I'm not buying it."

As furious as Serena was with him, she couldn't deny the spurt of excitement that leaped within her when she saw the flash of irritation in his eyes. It made no sense but there it was. With him this close she realized how handsome he was. His hair was as black as the moon stones that littered her private pool at the palace. It had a wild quality...as if he constantly ran his fingers through his hair. Her fingers twitched. She felt an irresistable urge to do just that. She wanted to know if his hair truly was as silky as it looked. Trying to keep from making a fool of herself, Serena eyes slowly perused the rest of his face. His jawline was perfectly squared and strong. His nose was not long or with the jutted tip that was considered handsome in her world. Eyeing how his nose drew more attention to his defined lips she considered that the women in her world were idiots. How could the nose be considered the most attractive features when this man's lips and chin were devastating...begging to be kissed.

Her last thought snapped her back to reality and realizing how quiet the man had become she quickly looked into his eyes and was annoyed by the smirk she saw in them. "Did you like what you saw? If you stared at my lips any longer I might have been under the impression that you wanted me to kiss you." He said in a low voice.

Irritated anew Serena snapped back at him. "Delusion seems to be a strong personality trait for you. I was wondering if you had ever heard of chapstick. That is until you spoke...now I wonder if you've ever heard of a breathmint."

The man smiled his first real smile at her and it was dazzling. "Ooo, the kitten has claws. Tell ya what? I'll go to the store and buy both chapstick and breathmints if you let me buy you a traning bra. Then again with your stick figure they might not be necessary. But it'll help identify you as a woman instead of a man...you just might have to stuff them. I can always buy you some toilet paper for the job."

Serena was mortified to feel tears sting her eyes. She had inherited her mothers slim figure but not her breasts. It was a very touchy subject for her. The last thing she wanted to do was cry in front of this man and let him know he had hurt her.

"Master!" Zoisite and the rest of the Shitenou skidded to a halt in the doorway and quickly knelt. With his head bowed Zoisite said "We weren't expecting you for a few more hours. I'm sorry we were not here to greet you properly."

"Don't worry, your little guest here gave me a very proper greeting. She nearly broke my damn foot when she slammed the door in my face." Darien said in a deceptively bored tone. Zoisite and the others quickly raised their heads and Nephrite was the first to notice Serena fighting back the tears that were spilling from her eyes.

"What did you do to her?" Nephrite demanded accusingly at Darien. The others quickly rose to their feet and Zoisite immediately moved to Serena's side. Darien released her, slightly shocked by the angry faces the Shitenou were giving him. Zoisite hugged Serena and turned her face into his chest to comfort her. Nephrite and Jadeite quickly placed themselves between Darien and Serena. The only one who stayed by his side was Kunzite. And though Darien wasn't surprised that it was Kunzite who stayed by his side he was surprised by the dissapointed look Kunzite was giving him.

"What? I didn't hurt her." Darien said defensively.

"I beg to differ, Master." Zoisite rebuffed softly as he stroked Serena's hair. Darien clenched his teeth...not knowing if he was angry at the Shitenou taking the girls side over his...or by the fact that Zoisite was holding her so close to himself. Since his last thought was utterly ridiculous he ignored it. "I did not hit her though I've been sorely tempted. The little brat needs a good spanking for the hell she's put me through."

Jadeite unable to resist the temptation said "I bet you'd like to spank her. I know I'd like to but Zoisite very clearly said hands off."

"Ain't that the truth." Nephrite concurred. "I wouldn't be so pissed if I thought at least one of us was doing her...but Zoisite has made it very clear that she's our guest, not our plaything." Nephrite rolled his eyes.

"What I wouldn't give to be able to 'play' with her." Jadeite said wiggling his eyebrows.

"As long as you don't forget to give me a turn." Nephrite added.

"That's enough." Kunzite said sternly, wiping the smiles off of both their faces. "Master, before you get the wrong idea. The girl is a friend of Zoisite's. He brought her here, without my consent might I add, as nothing else."

"I find that hard to believe." Darien said with his arms crossed, staring crossly while Zoisite continued to stroke Serena's hair.

"It's true, Master. I've been watching the girl closely. She's been with us for quite some time and has not made any advances with Zoisite, myself or the gruesome twosome. I believe she truly is just a friend and nothing more."

Darien inexplicably felt immensely better knowing she hadn't been sleeping with the Shitenou. And if Kunzite said she wasn't a whore then he believed him. Kunzite never confirmed anything without being very sure. Darien caught Zoisite's eye and quirked his head to the side, a clear indication that he wanted him to step aside. Zoisite hesitated for a split second before he released Serena and stepped back.

Serena wiped the tears from her eyes quickly, mortified that she had made such a fool of herself. She felt a hand turn her around and she was faced with Darien again. He inclined his head and spoke very politely, "I apologize if I offended you. Please understand that I did not know who you were and why you are here. I don't like surprises."

"That's the understatement of the year." Jadeite whispered to Nephrite who tried to contain his snicker. Darien heard and quickly shot him a glare. Kunzite slapped Jadeite on the back of the head. "Ow!" Jadeite rubbed his head and quickly stepped to the other side of Nephrite.

"As I was saying. I don't like to, but I do admit when I am wrong. I jumped to conclusions. Forgive me."

Serena stared at Darien in awe. Was this the same guy who was so cruel to her earlier? She must have stayed quiet too long because Darien's scowl returned. "Fine, don't forgive. I was trying to be the bigger person and let by gone's be by gone's...but I can't do that when dealing with a spoiled brat."

Serena's temper flared back. "I'd rather be a spoiled brat then a big bully. I'm amazed that a jerk like you is able to win the loyalty of four brave and honorable men like the Shitenou."

"D'you hear that? She said we were honorable." Nephrite said to Jadeite, both puffing up visibly.

Serena glanced at them before returning her attention to Darien. "Two honorable men like Kunzite and Zoisite."

"Aww," Both Nephrite and Jadeite whined.

"It's little wonder that you woulnd't have the first clue how to treat a lady-"

"When I see one then I'll treat her like a lady." Darien interrupted.

"I highly doubt that'll happen since to treat a woman like a lady you'd first have to be a gentlemen."

"Exactly. I'm not a gentlemen kitten...and don't you forget that." Darien, giving in to impulse, hauled Serena close and kissed her as he'd been wanting to do. Serena kissed him back for all of three seconds before she bit savagely into his lip. "SHIT!" Darien quickly pushed her away and tenderly cradled his bleeding lip while glaring at Serena.

Serena smirked at him. "And don't you forget...this kitten has claws." And with that, Serena turned on her heel and marched up to her room.