Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Seduction ❯ Mechanisms ( Chapter 15 )

Darien had to stomp on the urge to devour the lips that smiled at him when he walked into the arcade. Andy watched bemusedly as he reined himself in and shot her a smirk.

“Hey meatball head.”

“Jerk.”

He walked over to where she and Andy were talking with Mina. “What's up?”

Serena shrugged. “Rei apologized.”

Darien frowned and took Andy by the shoulders, examining his back carefully. “Hey man! What the Hell?”

“Just checking for wings. I figured you were more likely to turn into a demon and fly out of here than for Rei to apologize.”

Andy swatted his hands away, a smile pasted on his lips. “You never did tell what the fight was about.”

Mina shook her head. “Rei was mad and said some things she shouldn't have. It took her too long to apologize, but she did and we can put it all behind us.”

Darien felt his fists clench. He could not and would not forgive so easily. No one insulted his Serenity. Serena sensed his rage and reached over, taking his hand and he relaxed under her touch. She stepped a little closer, her fingers slipping between his as he visibly calmed. The change did not go unnoticed by Mina and Andy, but neither chose to comment on it. Mina smiled, trying to pretend nothing happened.

“So what are you two up to?”

Darien gave her hand a light squeeze. “I was hoping Serena would join me for dinner tonight.”

She winced. “Darien…I…”

His fingers touched her lips, silencing her. “I'll have you home by nine. I promise.”

Her smile held a touch of relief that puzzled them though Darien seemed to understand its source. “Thank you.”

He grinned suddenly and Mina couldn't help but notice how happy he was. There was something about the two of them together. They fit in a way that few couples she had ever seen did. She concentrated on her powers, she was after all the Sailor Scout of love. There it was, a single red thread that tied their pinkie fingers together. She missed the last part of the conversation and they turned to leave. She giggled softly as she watched Darien hold the door open for Serena. Andy frowned at her.

“You all right?”

She nodded. “More than…those two are in love.”

“You know…I think you might be right.”

 

 

Beryl paced in front of her throne. Not a very Queen-like behavior, but then she was far from the average Queen. So it seemed the little Moon wench had returned with both powers and memory in tact. Months of labor gathering the rainbow crystals washed away in the blink of an eye by the brat. She let out a soft hiss. It was grating to say the least. Still, the girl had weaknesses in the past, and she might still possess those same weaknesses.

“What is the identity of the Moon Princess?”

Malachite winced, he'd been dreading this particular question. “Sailor Moon.”

Beryl stopped mid-stride. “Sailor…Moon.”

She resumed her pace her mind racing ahead, strategizing, planning, seeking a fault in the armor of her nemesis.

“Who is the Prince?”

“Prince?”

She could have snarled at his ignorance. “Yes, Endymion. She is never far from him, who is he?”

“She faced me alone.”

The frown that carved into Beryl's face was enough to frighten Malachite, though he tried not show it. So there was no Prince, and no Queen. Two of her weaknesses eliminated in one fell swoop, most commendable. Still, Sailor Moon had had weaknesses, and the Moon Princess would possess the same.

“You will go to Earth. We need energy.” Malachite resigned himself to a suicide mission, but facing the Moon Princess was far preferable to facing Beryl in a rage. “You will stay in the shadows. No one is to see you. Steal from those who will not be missed, the weak, old and infirm. I don't care how long you take, so long as the Scouts do not grow suspicious.”

He bowed. “As you command.”

“Remember, Malachite, if you fail me, I am not the one you will face. The Moon Princess will be your enemy, and while Sailor Moon is forgiving and kind, I assure you the Moon Princess is absolutely ruthless when it comes to protecting those around her. This city is hers and we are the invaders. She will seek to route us by any means necessary.”

“Any means?”

“She would destroy us all if it meant the safety of her people. I have seen this kind of zealousness from her before and I think it is safe to assume that we will see it again.”