CHAPTER 7

"Listen… I need you to stay far away from the princess…. She is due to marry me, YOU HEAR ME! He took a pause and shortly continued, "And if I see you around her… In any form… I'll kill her."

The echo of his words sent chills down Helios spin. Frustrated, he clenched his hands into fists. The words couldn't stop repeating in his mind.

"And if I see you around her… In any form… I'll kill her."

Helios closed his eyes in as he laid in his own bed, still recovering from shock. In addition to his mental wounds, his emotional scarring was another battle of itself.

(Flashback)

Chibiusa and Helios were surrounded by a bright light and in response closed their eyes. Once opened, they were back in Crystal Tokyo- specifically Chibiusa's bedroom.

Without saying a word, he turned toward her window to proceed to Elyison. Soft sobs from the Princess could be heard. It devastated him- he desperately wanted to caress and comfort her, but had to exhibit some form of restraint. Before he took a step she spoke faintly, "Helios…I'm asking for your forgiveness… Please-" She proceeded to reach out and stepped toward him. Successfully, she wrapped her arms around him from behind.

They stood in silence for a moment. Helios couldn't find any words to say. Without turning to face her he stated flatly,

"Chibiusa- let me go."

The future queen held tighter around his chest. She shook her head in the motion of no against his back. The moment was painful and agonizing as he held back the little control he had left to just hold her and wipe away her tears.

"Lady Usagi." He said sternly,

"I won't say it again."

Another few moments of silence passed between the two. Defeated, she released him leaving her hands on sides.

Chibiusa held her head down and was mumbling words to herself, which at first intangible then became audible to Helios.

"I thought-" she looked up toward Helios, "I thought we- you… Loved me." The tears began to well within her lower eyelids once again. She continued,

"I thought we had dreams to be-"

Helios interrupted and turned to face her. His expression was filled with anger. Yet, embodied profound pain deep within his eyes. "Those dreams are dead to me!"

He held eye contact with her to illustrate the seriousness of his words. He had to make sure she would believe him without hesitation. She held the eye contact as well searching for the love and tenderness that she experienced just moments before. Coming to the realization that he was indeed serious- she weakly sighed in defeat and turned her back to him, while wiping her tears.

His heart shattered seeing her turn away from him. A range of emotions were flowing through him. Regret, sorrow, loss… Guilt, love… Anger.

Before he turned to leave he said one last thing in a much softer tone.

"Lady Us-Chibiusa…

Don't marry him."

In shock, she turned to face him. But before she could respond, he was gone.


Diana stayed by Chibiusa's side the entire day.

The pillows that surrounded them were damp and scented of light sea salt. Diana didn't say much. She laid beside Chibiusa, trying to be of best support. Throughout the day, the Princess found herself in and out of sleep. Thankfully for Chibiusa, Diana had told her parents that she was feeling under the weather so that kept them from asking questions. Chibiusa awoke once again to find Diana reading a book beside her. As she realized that she had awakened, she put the book down and began to speak.

"Chi-Chi… How are you feeling?"

The question stung and brought on the flashback of the previous day. She was weary. Tired of crying, tired of the agony. Her eyes couldn't meet Diana, so kept them closed as they laid on the bed together.

"Chi-Chi… I'm sorry." Diana began to feel a wave of sadness in response to Chibiusa's distress. She felt like she couldn't be of aid to her. Useless. She looked away with tears stinging her eyes.

Almost immediately Chibiusa perceived what was happening and rested her head on Diana's shoulder and stretched her arm over her as they laid together. Diana was Chibiusa's closest ally and trusted friend. They had been through so much together throughout their lives. Chibiusa began to speak in a soft tone while wiping Diana's tears.

"Diana, thank you. For everything."

Chibiusa slowly began to explain what had happened after she disappeared in the fountain, along with the events that followed in her bedroom. Diana focused attentively to every word. When she was done explaining, it left Diana quite curious.

"Don't marry him?"

Chibiusa nodded. "That's what he said."

Confused Diana asked, "What does that even mean? How would he even know about the marriage arrangement?"

The girls laid in thought for a few moments. Diana broke the silence asking a question.

"Do you think Daski knows more then we think?" The girls looked at one another for a moment.

"Chibiusa. We need to do investigative work on Daski. What if Helios was trying to warn you of a potential threat?"

The pink haired princess looked at Diana while deep in thought.

Threat? Was Helios trying to warn me?

Internalizing the agony she experienced the previous day, Chibiusa decided that it would be worth it to look into Daski and his motives. As the future queen she had to protect the people of Crystal Toyko as well as her family despite how she may be feeling.

Looking into Diana's eyes she said, "Okay. I'll go out with him tomorrow."

And with a slight smirk - yet an overall serious expression she replied,

"It's a date."


A/N

Thank you so much! What did you think of this chapter? Any thoughts on who Daski is?

In addition, In case anyone was wondering why Diana, Helios or even her parents call Chibiusa, BY "Chibiusa"... I decided that although they did call her small lady in the anime/manga… she clearly isn't a small child anymore. So I think it would be fitting, (at least in this format) that she be called Chibiusa, and formally her name is Usgai Serenity.

Let me know what you think, I am very curious. This story is going to get emotional and far more dramatic… Climax of the piece is coming soon. Hang on tight! If you enjoyed this chapter, or the entire story thus far, please REVIEW, LIKE AND FAV for updates! Helps me move faster for you guys!

Next chapter up by next week!

ps. Apologies if you find for any typos or errors. Trying my best for clean edits.

- KR.