"Do you really have to follow me?" Chibiusa rolled her eyes. "I thought we went over this, and you agreed to treat me more like an adult."
"We did," CereCere responded, speaking for the group. "But in case you haven't noticed, every time you leave the Palace without us you get surrounded by your adoring fans." She waved her arms to show Chibiusa the crowd gathering around them.
Chibiusa nodded reluctantly. I guess she does have a point… but I wanted to go alone.
"So… where did you say his place was again?" JunJun asked. "We've been wondering around for a while."
"Oh, well… I only went there one time… I thought I'd recognize it if we walked past it. I think it's down here, anyway," Chibiusa pointed to the pathway leading to the left. I kind of came across it by accident last time. And I was upset when I left, when he asked me to leave. So I didn't really watch where I was going. What if I can't find it?
"Are you sure this is a good idea? He did run out of the Palace yesterday," VesVes observed.
"Why are you so against Helios? Even after everything that's happened, you're still not happy about this, are you?" Chibiusa exclaimed, frustrated. She fought the hot tears that she could feel streaming down her cheeks. "And besides, I… don't know what else to do." He wasn't at school again today, and I'm worried about him. Why can't she just be supportive?
"That's not it at all, Chibiusa," VesVes could see Chibiusa perk up a little just by her using the nickname. She stretched her arms out and pulled Chibiusa into a hug. "We still don't know exactly what's going on, with him losing his memory and everything. I just want to make sure that you don't get hurt. We're your guardians. If something were to happen to you, we could never forgive ourselves. And a lot of people are relying on us to protect you," she scanned Chibiusa's face. Seeing the determination in her eyes, VesVes had a change of heart. "He means that much to you? Then I'm here with you. Come on, let's get moving! We want to find his place before dark, don't we?"
Chibiusa smiled at her companions. "Thank you." For finally understanding me, and finally being the friends I need.
….
It's starting to come back to me. Only… glimpses. But stronger, clearer memories than before. It still doesn't make sense to me, though. Helios got off his bed and walked over to his shelf, once again picking up the picture so important to his memories, holding it tightly as if it were the only keeping him from fading away. The figure in the centre is King Endymion, I can see that now. And it's not a photo at all, but an artistic rendering of something from the distant past… so why does it feel so familiar to me? Does it even matter? Am I holding on to something that's completely insignificant, and is just holding me back from remembering what I need to?
Frustrated, he threw down the picture frame, not even flinching at the sound of broken glass as it hit the floor. "I need some air," he said to the empty room as he turned around and slammed the door shut.
….
Chibiusa was about to give up her search when she saw the door of a small apartment building open slowly. Her eyes widened as she watched the distraught Helios step outside of the door. She ran towards him, waving and calling his name. "Helios!"
Helios felt delicate, warm arms wrap around him. He looked down and saw that familiar bright face smiling up at him. "I thought I'd never see you again," he spoke softly, not wanting to ruin the moment.
….
"I think we'd better give them some privacy," VesVes said to the others as she started to turn around and walk away.
"You mean you're okay with this? What happened to protecting her and watching over her, even if it went against her own wishes?" PallaPalla asked.
"Looking at her standing there, I can see I was wrong. She can take care of herself. We just need to support her," VesVes smiled to herself, proud of what their Princess had become.
….
Chibiusa laughed lightly. "Why would you ever think that?" She stood up on her tiptoes and stared into his eyes with determination.
"Oh, I don't know… I insulted your father, the King… ran out of the Palace… It's really a wonder they let you come see me at all," Helios smiled. "Or that you wanted to come, for that matter."
"Of course I'd come back to see you. Didn't we always promise each other, that when I became a true lady, the Maiden that called for you, we'd see each other again?" Immediately realizing what she had said, Chibiusa brought her hand to her mouth, gasping. I had tried so hard not to force any memories on him… and now I just said that so quickly, like it meant nothing. I guess I miss being able to talk to Helios truthfully more than I realized.
"My Maiden…" Helios sounded out the words as if it were his first time hearing them. "… is you?" He closed his eyes, recalling the vision once more. Of course… she's been here all along. Helios was suddenly struck by the feeling that he had come to this same realization before, long ago.
"Well… I mean…" Chibiusa stuttered, searching for a way to tell Helios about their connection without giving him too much information to handle.
In response, Helios gently lifted Chibiusa chin with his delicate fingers, pulling her in to him. "I feel like… if I just…," he leaned in closer, "…I might get my memory back," he whispered quietly, looking deeply into her wide, sparkling eyes. Slowly, he brought his lips closer and closer, and they tingled as he felt the softness of her lips touch his own.
Chibiusa closed her eyes and stayed there, running her hands through his hair and kissing him, for what felt like an eternity. I don't want this moment to end… Still caught up in his kiss and his embrace, she opened her eyes again. For just an instant, she saw the glimmer in his eyes that she felt had been missing since she had first bumped into him that day at school. Just now… he looked like himself again. But it's gone already…
She feels so warm, I don't want to let go. My memory didn't come back. At least not all of it. But I feel at ease, more so than I have since I woke up lost in the forest. Unwillingly, Helios pulled himself away from Chibiusa. As much as I want to, we can't stay like this forever.
She scanned his face, trying to determine whether the kiss had helped him to remember anything at all. "Do you… feel any different?"
"For an instant, I think I became my true self again. But it's lost to me, now. What I do know is that I am here to help you, the Princess, and your parents, the King and Queen. There is a danger coming… if only I could remember…" Helios stomped on the ground and clenched his fists, angry with himself for forgetting again.
Chibiusa reached up to Helios' cheek, touching it gently with her hand. "It's okay. We'll take things slow. It's not your fault," she spoke kindly, trying to calm him. Just like I thought, Helios has been a victim of whatever this new danger is. He's under a spell that is blocking his memory. "Now, though, I think it's time I tell you the truth about who you really are."
