Levana Ceri (Moon Love)

Chapter 4

 Chapter 4

 Serena sat outside the mansion by the lake and let her feet soak in the water. She had stayed here for almost two weeks and was more relaxed than she had ever been since she left her home. She could feel Amy and the girls searching for her. She could even feel Raye's temper shooting through the roof but she had no intention of being found. They all thought that she couldn't use the crystal at all but they underestimated her. She knew enough of the crystal to be able to hide her presence from those she didn't want to find her.

 There were times when Serena missed her friends desperately. Amy and her intelligence. Raye and her damn temper. Lita and Mina with their antics. But she just couldn't bring herself to do what she knew must be done. Maybe with a little time she could do it…but not now.

 Serena lay back against the grass and stared at the setting sun. It was beautiful out here. So peaceful. She had found many day dresses in one of the chests in the attic. She had no idea who they belonged to and though they fit her a little loosely they were very comfortable. She especially liked how they swirled about her legs.

 Kunzite had thrown a fit when he saw her wearing them. Then again Serena couldn't think of a time since meeting him that he hadn't thrown a fit. He was a very imposing figure with his great height, but handsome nonetheless with his waist length black hair and cobalt eyes. However the continual scowl he wore whenever she was near was not at all attractive to her way of thinking. Jadeite and Nephrite though were so carefree she couldn't help but like them. They constantly teased and flirted with her. And when she paid too much attention to one they usually burst into a vicious fight. At first Serena had been terrified by that. Until after beating the holy hell out of each other they had plopped on the floor and laughed uproariously. Then proceeded to flirt with her again, always trying to one up the other. Serena couldn't help but smile at the memory. They had all become fast friends.

 And then there was Zoisite. He was like a brother to her. In the weeks she had stayed here Zoisite had taught her many things about this planet. The wars and weather disasters. The obsession with anything to do with celebrities and money. The planets history of plague and death.

 But also the beautiful books written by great authors who had an affinity for describing human nature. Poems by Robert Frost and others. Shakespeare had truly stolen her heart with his story of Romeo and Juliet. Then came the amazing movies. Titanic, Armageddon, Pride and Prejudice…so many it often amazed her how they were able to sit up for hours and have movie nights. She often ran for cover when Jadeite and Nephrite picked the movie. That had been her first experience in glimpsing a porn movie. Zoisite had quickly stopped the movie and she had been completely embarrassed before she flew from the room. Zoi had promised to check the picks of those two from then on.

 Even Kunzite would drop in on them when they watched Black Hawk Down and Blood Sport. He even recommended two movies by Director James Cameron called The Terminator and The Terminator 2. He had mentioned there was a third but when Jadeite offered to bring his copy Kunzite had nearly taken off his head. Apparently Kunzite despised that movie so much that he had destroyed their Blu-ray player and the TV when he had last seen it. So she never did watch the third. She loved living in the house with all the Shitenou. They bickered like old maids…very reminiscent to her stay with the Senshi. Before the tears began to fall Serena closed her eyes and forced herself to relax.

 Serena must have fallen asleep because what awoke her was the long shadow that loomed up before her, blocking her view of the sky. At first thinking it was Zoisite she smiled in welcome…then she remembered that they all had gone out hoping to inquire about the whereabouts of their Master who was long overdue. They hadn't wanted to leave her alone but seeing the worry plain on their faces she insisted that she would be fine. So who was this?

 Serena raised a trembling hand to her eyes trying to make out the features of the shadow. She was just about to ask who it was when the shadow snapped at her. "Who the hell are you?"

 Serena froze in shock. In all her years no one had spoken to her in such a harsh tone, not even Raye. The shadow kneeled next to her and demanded again "Are you deaf or something? Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?"

 She didn't know if it was his menacing voice or the way he was staring at her that sent shivers down her spine. But she did know that she was terrified. And the terror brought her own temper rearing its ugly head. Her mother had always taught her that a royal princess never showed fear. Anger was acceptable long before fear was.

 Feeling vulnerable Serena tried to sit up but the man quickly placed his hand on her shoulder and shoved her back to the ground. The immediate electrical shock that zinged through her from where his hand had touched made Serena catch her breath.

 The man quickly snatched his own hand away and held it in the palm of his other hand before he looked at her accusingly. "You shocked me!"

 Serena's eyes widened before they narrowed furiously. "You're the one that touched me. So if I shocked you it's your own damn fault!" Serena's hands quickly covered her mouth, shocked that such a vulgarity had spewed from her mouth. She hadn't cursed in all her time since she'd been here. And now three seconds in this man’s company… "Who are you?"

 "I'm the one asking the questions here. I find it empty here of all the servants-"

 "I gave them the day off." Serena answered his unspoken question innocently.

 "And who the hell gave you the right?" The man asked angrily.

 "I don't know who you are and I'm not going to give out any more information to a would-be criminal!"

 "Well if I'm a criminal then you just told me that a pretty little thing like you is home all alone…no one will be around to hear you scream, not even the servants right?" He said as he leaned into her threateningly.

Serena shrieked deep in her throat before balling her fist and slamming it into his mouth. She felt his upper teeth slice into her knuckles before he toppled backward. She cradled her hand with the other before she leaped to her feet and raced to the house. If she could make it through the front door she could lock the man out. She could hear his footfalls right behind her as he chased her. She didn't dare glance back.

 Serena flew through the front door and nearly slammed it home but the man wedged his foot between the doorjamb. “Shit that hurts!” He yelled.

 "Move your foot and it won't hurt as much!" Serena yelled still pressing her full weight against the door.

 "Open the door! It will stop hurting if you stop crushing it!" He yelled again.

 "Get your foot away from the door!"

 "I can't and you bloody well know it! Ease up on the door then I can move my foot!"

 Serena was about to lean her weight away from the door and give the man enough room to move his foot when he slammed both palms against the door, sending it flying open and Serena sprawling across the floor.