Title: Twilight
Author: Tapestry
Rating: R
Standard Disclaimer Apply
'italics' denotes mind speaking
bold italics denotes flashback
15/11/05

"Woman was created from the ribs of man
Not from his head to top him
Nor from his feet to be walked upon
She was made from his side to be his equal
From beneath his arms to be protected
From very near his heart to be loved."
--Anonymous--

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- Chapter 7: Eyes in the Dark -

Dawn came and Serena awoke to find herself alone again in bed. She frowned as she sat up, the blankets pooling about her naked waist. Stretching herself languidly as how a cat would, she tried to remember the night's events.

Darien had come in the wee hours of the night and both of them had chased each other playfully in the forest before mating lust had overtaken them both.

However, there was no sign of him now, and she had no memory of how she had gotten back into her bed. But it was obvious, it was all Darien's doing and that he was most probably at the moment, back in the city.

Her mind reached out to touch him and found him slumbering peacefully in his bed at his penthouse. She laughed softly. He was exhausted, travelling from the city to the mansion and back again. Yet he had done so, just to see her.

A girl's heart really could just melt at such caring. Almost.

----

Darien blinked back his sensitive eyes as the sun peeked through his curtains to shine across his face. He groaned and eyed his clock grumpily. The red digits glared at him accusingly and told him it was time to work. Turning over onto his belly, he stretched, curling and uncurling his fingers into the bedcovers.

He wished he could have remained at the mansion, but he needed to be in the city for his search of Dimando and to take care of his company. Even a smoothly run company needed some supervision.

Running a hand through his sleep tousled hair, he got off his bed sleepily and walked nude to his bathroom to take a shower.

'Humans have no sense of working hours.'

'Awake already, lazy?'

'Mmm...good morning, love.' purred Darien as the warm water hit his bare skin.

'Humans have perfect working sense. They know not to waste time.' sniggered Serena cheekily.

Darien snorted. Most humans wouldn't know sense even if it had jumped up and bit them in the caboose.

'No they don't. They have no idea of how to sleep properly. Their crazy 8 - 5 working hours proves it.'

'You're just lazy.'

'I'm a Panthera. It's feline to just laze and sleep.'

'Huh. Excuses, excuses.'

Their bantering continued on until Darien had to cut off their link and get on with his work schedule.

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Dimando sat in front of his computer and stared at the screen before him. It was just amazing that he hadn't recognized the bastard. He had seen the face before on all the prime magazines, how was it he hadn't recognized him?

Darien Praedari.

The owner of that multi-billion dollar corporation that Dimando had been trying to negotiate a deal with. He had assumed the man was mortal and had thought it would be easy to usurp the company in perhaps, another 30 years or so. He could wait that long.

But if Darien Praedari truly was one of them...

Well... wasn't that a worm in the barrel.

And he had Serena.

His nails were like claws as he gripped the armrest of his chair, gouging marks into it. She was his! He had met her before Praedari. The man had no right to Serena. No right at all.

A thought struck him and immediately, his fingers were flying over the keyboard. If Serena was with Praedari and she wasn't in the city, he obviously had to keep her somewhere nearby.

A cruel smile curled his lips as the information he was looking for appeared on his screen. Darien Praedari owned a large portion of property outside of the city.

And surely... Serena would be there.

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Darien frowned at the plethora of reports and business assessments that required his attention. This was ridiculous.

Leave the company for awhile and this is what happens.

Chaos.

He ran a hand through his hair in undisguised frustration. Everything had been so much easier a few hundred years ago. But as times changed and businesses grew...

There was only so much work one could delegate.

He really wanted to be back in the mansion with Serena. He could imagine her sitting curled up in his study reading one of the heavy books from her father's library. Or having an afternoon nap, naked in her bed. His feline side gave a yowl of approval at the thought.

The thought of himself naked beside her was even better.

Bad Darien.

----

Serena had lunch alone in the mansion as everybody else was out somewhere or other. It felt quite odd to be eating at a large table all by her lonesome.

After lunch, Serena spent the rest of the day wandering the large mansion, flitting in and out of rooms, spending an hour or so in the library before returning to the rooms that had belonged to her father.

Even then, she did not remain long.

Finally settling herself down on a stone bench in the garden, Serena allowed the evening breeze to brush over skin as she basked in the dying, yet warm rays of sunlight under a weeping willow that was planted on the estate.

She sat there a few minutes before a whisper of fallen leaves had her snapping her eyes open. Inhaling, she smelled nothing. Cocking her head to one side, listening for the elusive sound, Serena identified which way the wind was blowing.

The people or person sneaking towards her spot had to be downwind.

"Show yourself!" called Serena authoratively as she got up slowly, poised for an attack.

----

Dimando looked at the high wall before him. It was very high, but it would not be a problem for him. He had to admit, Praedari owned a huge plot of property.

Well, if Dimando had his way in the end, Darien Praedari would only have a square box buried 6 feet underground.

----

A dozen or so felines immediately came into view.

They were unfamiliar.

Serena clenched her fist, ready in case the large Panthera were hostile.

As they reached 2 feet of her, the Panthera morphed back into their biped forms.

Serena counted 3 females and 9 males. They watched her with unveiled curiosity, turning their heads this way and that to assess her.

The males moved closer and Serena jumped back in alarm. The nine men stopped immediately, bowing their heads to her and backing slightly.

The women proceeded to do the same. A short bow.

Serena was confused at their strange behaviour.

"What are you doing?"

One of the men was the first to answer.

"We are paying our respects, we heard Darien had found his true mate and came to see." he said. "We are part of his pride. Forgive us if we have startled you."

"Next time, use the door." replied Serena. "How did you know?"

"I was here, the night they found you." said one of the women.

"I don't remember seeing you."

"Oh, that's because I left soon after." grinned the woman.

"Why?"

"Well, I came to seduce Darien, but since you're his true mate-" started the woman before a hand was immediately clamped over her mouth by another of the women.

Serena's eyes were wide.

"Ignore Ramona." grinned one of the men nervously.

"Well, we've paid our respects, I suppose we will go now." said one of the men, tugging at his collar.

Ramona freed herself and smiled calling out gaily as the group proceeded to herd her back into the forest.

"You're lucky! I hope my true mate will be as good as Darien!"

"Ramona!" hissed one of the group as they disappeared.

A chuckle sounded behind her and Serena turned to find Nephlyte watching her, an amused expression on his face.

"You're back." said Serena, her attention still reeling over the small group that had already disappeared back into the copse of trees.

"I see the pride members got wind of you."

Seeing her still wide eyes, Nephlyte coughed a small laugh down. Discreetly hiding the tug at the corner of his lips.

"If you're worried about fidelity, I can assure you, you have nothing to worry about once a male finds his true mate."

Serena shot him an evil glare. "Who says I'm worried?"

'Darien, you toad!' hissed her mind.

His surprise washed over her as he suddenly engulfed her thoughts in warm comfort.

'What has you all a-rage, my love?'

'You cheating, two-timing, philandering bastard. I just met one of the women in your harem, that's what!'

'Harem?'

'Sultry eyed Ramona. Remember her

'Those days have passed, beloved. I want only you now.'

'Don't talk to me, swine.'

'You're jealous.'

'Damn straight.'

'You're starting to like me already.' came his smirking tone.

Serena stopped at that. Her brain whirling at his comment. Was she starting to like him? Nah...

'I don't like you one bit.'

But Serena could only smile as she heard him laughing and felt mental arms embrace her. Well... perhaps just a teeny bit.

'I love you, Serena.'

Though she had heard the declaration countless times, this was most likely the first time that she had heard such sweet poignant emotion in Darien's voice. And it was because of this that her heart gave a little flutter, blood rushing to her cheeks.

'Hurry home, Darien.'

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Darien could have sworn he was floating, even if he did not have that sort of ability as a member of an immortal powerful race. He would still have argued the point with anyone who said otherwise.

He was floating.

Serena had brought joy to his life and softened all the hard and jagged edges of his existence. It was still astounding to him how her words affected him. Three simple words.

Though they were not the words he longed to hear from her lips. These three words were a close second.

The soft telepathic whisper of her voice as she touched his mind and caressed his cheek.

'Hurry home, Darien'

A smile turned the corners of his lips. She was beginning to see his home as her home. They could go from here. Progress on with their relationship and shared lives. He wanted to show her the world and give her all there was of himself to give.

But first, there was that troublesome situation with Dimando Kreuz. And he also needed to tell her...

"Raphael." whispered Darien, as he bowed his head, clasping both hands together to rest on his forehead.

Her beloved father.

A part of him wanted to leave the past be, keep it buried and never think of it again. But he would be lying to Serena, and she deserved the truth.

She might not understand, his heart whispered.

But would it be fair to her? Better for him to tell her than for her to find out herself one day. But if he could keep it from her?

Darien shook his head in contempt. He would not insult his friend that way and bury his existence as if he were some dirty secret. He would not deny the memory.

He had to tell her about Raphael.

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Dimando watched her afar from one of the trees just outside of the mansion's compound. She was laughing and talking to a man with chocolate coloured hair. He cocked his head to the side, his claws digging furrows into the branch as he watched the expressions that flitted across her face.

She was beautiful. Just as she had been when he had first met her several years ago.

The silver gold locks that tumbled from her head swayed in the evening breeze, the slowly setting sun turning her hair into burnished gold.

He would not reveal himself to her yet. Not with that other male in the vicinity. He would see her on his own terms now that he knew where she was.

He would have smiled were he not in his panther form. His tail twitched from left to right as her scent wafted on the breeze to his sensitive nose. She was a perfect female to stand by his side as he built his empire amidst the cattle of humans.

Rising from his perch, he leaped down onto the ground, startling the small rodent that had been scrabbling at the tree's roots. His beautiful Serena...

I've caught up with you, my love.

Throwing one last glance at the grey sandstone walls of the mansion, the large black panther broke into a run towards the city, away from the large mansion.

I'll be seeing you, Serena.

----

Serena's head snapped up, her eyes searching for danger. The wind brought her nothing and yet, she was uneasy. A chill had crept down her spine like a sense of foreboding.

She was not one to ignore her more feral instincts.

Something was definitely wrong. Her eyes darted back and forth searching for any sort of oddity.

A hand touched her arm, bringing her out of her trance.

Serena hissed a warning at the interloper, her eyes narrowing to slits, as she bared her teeth.

Nephlyte jumped back a foot in surprise at the hostile female. Hadn't she just been smiling and laughing with him? What had happened?

Serena blinked when she realized she was snarling at Nephlyte, who bore a confused expression on his face.

"Have I offended you, Serena?"

"I'm sorry Nephlyte. But something was amiss..."

Nephlyte frowned, his head immediately lifting to scent the wind and listen for anything odd.

"There is nothing, but I cannot shake this feeling." murmured Serena as she wrapped both her arms around herself, suddenly feeling cold.

"Perhaps we should go inside."

"I agree." nodded Serena as she turned to look over her shoulder as Nephlyte grasped her elbow, leading her into the mansion.

'Darien?'

'What is it, Serena?'

'Will you be back tonight?'

'Is this concern for my presence I hear, my love?'

'Oh shut up! Forget I even asked.'

Serena stomped into the house fuming. What had she been thinking? Asking Darien? Hah! She would have done better asking the rats that inhabited the surrounding forests.

'What is wrong, Serena?' came Darien's serious voice.

'Forget it, Praedari.'

'Beloved...'

'It's just... something's wrong, Darien. I don't know what.'

Darien sat up in his chair a little straighter, a frown creasing his brows. Serena was worried, that was for sure. And she wasn't one to jump at non-existent shadows.

'I'll be home soon.'

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It was near dawn when Darien finally managed to slip away from his duties in the office. Obsidian night was slowly beginning to turn a dusky blue-grey with the first streams of sunlight racing to light the sky.

A light mental touch told him Serena was asleep. A curve touched his lips as he imagined the tongue-lashing he would be receiving for failing to arrive home sooner.

Leaves drifted around him as the morning breeze stirred the trees. There was nothing more exhilarating than morning hunt as the sun rose to light the sky a pinkish pastel orange. Except maybe his mate.

Shifting to his panther form, Darien revelled in the cat's body as its different senses told him the layout of the land. He stretched, a rumble purring reverberating in his chest.

The cat twitched its nose, scenting the air. Members of his pride had visited the day before. Probably to take a look at his mate.

Darien was about to move on when the next breeze brought to him a scent that made him freeze, his hackles rising.

The spore of an unidentified male.

The cat hissed in territorial outrage.

Moving to track the intruder, Darien marked that the scent was already a day old and it led to the back of his property. Padding on huge paws to an old tree beyond his walls, Darien circled it, examining the scent.

The male had gone up the tree and spent at least an hour there as the smell was stronger. Claw marks on the tree and a half scuffled out paw print that lay in the dirt told Darien that the male was full grown and not a juvenile.

Darien snarled as he turned away in disgust. There was nothing to be done now but look for prey to take his anger out on. His predator yowled at the thought of blood and fresh meat.

----

Serena curled into the warm velvet pillow, its warmth and soft rumbling purr relaxing her body. Her eyebrows knitted at the thought. Purr? Velvet? She did not own any such 'pillow'.

Snapping her eyes open, her eyes saw the large back of a black panther resting at her side. Its heavy weight had made a deep indentation in the bed that had caused her to roll towards the large feline.

"Darien?"

The feline opened an eye, regarding her silently.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you in that form?" asked Serena as she ran a hand through the velvet fur of the cat. The panther closed its eyes, turning its head into her touch, butting against her hand.

"Huh... I must say, you're much more agreeable in this form."

The panther's eyes snapped open to stare unblinkingly at her face. Serena merely gave the cat a smirk and one last pat before rising from her reclined position.

However, before she could rise completely, the large feline had moved to position itself over her, a large paw by her head. Serena blinked in surprise.

As she watched the large cat looming over her shift shapes, it was once again Darien hovering over her, his body that was trapping her to the bed.

"So I'm more agreeable as the cat am I?"

"What's up your backside today?" sighed Serena as she rolled her eyes.

Darien was merely silent as he leaned down to nuzzle her nose. While his hunt had gone successfully with him taking down an old doe, the predator within still snarled and hissed in outrage at the violation of its territory. He felt charged and on the edge, ready for battle.

Serena seemed to sense his chaotic thoughts as she twined her arms around his neck, her tongue coming out to flick at his lips. Where was her lover?

"Are you sure you're the real Darien? Because the one I know would have been spouting his flowery compliments and trying to get into my pants by now."

"There was an intruder on my territory."

"Who?"

"A male."

"Well that really helps."

Darien hissed.

"You really need to work on your bad habit for being possessive, Praedari." sighed Serena as she patted the side of his face.

Darien buried his face into her neck, inhaling her scent as he ran his tongue on the slight mark near her collarbone.

Serena shuddered.

"That tickles, Darien."

"I know." he replied, as he lifted his head to grin evilly at her.

"Wha-"

That was when he attacked.

Serena tried to stop him but he wasn't letting up. Her legs kicking helplessly as Darien continued to assault her body. Tears ran down her eyes, her breathing becoming ragged and gasping.

"D-arien! St-stop iit..."

"Now why would I do that?"

"D-Dariiiiieeeen! I can't BREATHE!" screamed Serena through as another wave of tickling ensued.

-----

Raye's ears twitched as she heard the sounds of laughing. She frowned, tilting her head to try and discern where it was coming from but her attention went back to her tiny daughter as the two year old rooted around frantically at her.

"Yes, yes... you greedy little thing." laughed Raye as she lifted the bottle to her daughter's small pink mouth.

Her mate came to stand beside her, watching his family with smiling eyes. Raye lifted her head to look at him as he ran a finger slowly down his daughter's smooth downy cheek.

"She's growing stronger everyday." murmured Jadeite with a smile.

"Yes. And growing greedy and impatient just like her father."

Jadeite grinned. "She's a growing cub, love."

"I heard laughing just now, Jadeite. Was it Serena?"

"Mm-hmm. Darien returned in the wee hours of dawn this morning. But something's bugging him. He came straight through the patio when I went down to open them."

"So?"

"He was in his panther form."

"Oh... I see. Well, whatever it is, it looks like it's alright now. If he's teasing Serena that is."

"Ah, the wonders of a mate." laughed Jadeite as he bent to kiss her forehead. "Come on, Lita's cooking this morning.

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To be continued...

I actually was going to continue the story on, leading to Darien's first meeting with Dimando. However after reading again and again, I've decided to stop this chapter here, because in my opinion, trying to fit that time jump into this chapter seems a bit too tedious and unbelievable. Hence I've renamed this chapter and this chapter's original title will be pushed to chapter 8. Really sorry this took FOREVER to update. But look! This story's STILL alive!

21/07/06

Edited: 21/07/06