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Bea here: okay my beta/muse has NOT edited this chapter, but she has given me permission to post it anyway. I will eventually be re-posting a beta-ed version, but not sure when. On with the chapter!
Chapter 10: Promises
Coming to a stop, Chibimoon sat on her heels beside the armored priest. Carefully the pinked haired senshi turned Helios onto his back and, turning so her front faced his head, inspected him. He was breathing shallowly, his face was pale and a little pinched, but he was rapidly regaining his usual color.
She then noticed the tears on his cheeks and brushed them away tenderly with one gloved hand. As she did this Helios groaned faintly and stirred, making Chibimoon's heart jump. His black lashes fluttered briefly before sliding up, revealing his warm golden orbs.
Those eyes immediately sought her own and lit with joy that spread to the rest of his face. Sighing in profound relief, Helios slowly levered himself into a sitting position with a little help from his maiden.
"Helios." Chibimoon whispered as his hand came up to cup her cheek. She covered it with one of her own and gazed at the man she loved.
"My Maiden." His warm tenor voice washed over her soothingly.
"Are you alright?" she asked as the rest of the senshi slowly approached along with Serenity and Endymion, who were powering back down.
"I'll be fine, my maiden. Are you alright?" He responded then, seeing her nod, continued in an ashamed near whisper, "I'm so sorry I wasn't strong enough."
"It wasn't your fault Helios." Chibimoon replied and then abruptly lost control of her fragile emotional stability. She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. "But Helios, I was so scared, upset and confused! I knew that Nehelenia was the one trying to kill me but it was your arms and your voice and… and…" She cried hysterically into his shoulder, unable to continue. Helios gently wrapped his arms around her trembling frame and maneuvered her into his lap.
"Shh, it's okay Chibiusa-chan. It is over now, Nehelenia gone, you're safe and so is everyone else." He murmured, purposely using her civilian name to help calm her as he carefully levered himself to his feet, shifting her so he held her bridal style. He then faced the approaching group and closed the remaining distance. Moon and Kamen looked concerned for their weeping future daughter but mimed that it would be better for her if she stayed with Helios. He nodded and all twelve people left the now rapidly disintegrating tent. Once outside, Kamen mindsent to Helios.
:Helios? Can you stay with her and calm her down? I think she needs to be with you right about now.: Worry showed itself clearly in his prince's midnight eyes
:Yes I can and I will. It was what I was planning to do, actually.: Helios replied in kind.
:Keep it PG.: Moon added seriously but with a wink as the senshi and Kamen de-henshined and dispersed to their homes (well okay, Usagi went with Mamoru to his apartment).
Helios blushed at Moon's comment but headed to the nearby park. As he walked he used his magic to don a pair of navy blue pants, a white polo shirt and black shoes, banishing his neck and ear jewelry and forehead drop while he was at it. Chibimoon noticed the change in the fabric she had buried her face in and looked up tearfully. He noticed her gaze and smiled gently at her.
"Hey beautiful. You should de-henshin before someone sees." He said softly. She nodded and reverted back to Chibiusa in a brief show of light. As she managed to stop crying, Helios found a secluded grove near the lake to sit down in. Settling down into a cross-legged position, Helios felt Chibiusa automatically curl up in his lap, with her face resting on his warm chest and her arms hugging his shoulders.
After a quick glance at the entrance proved that they were alone, Helios slowly tipped Chibiusa's head up and gently kissed her soft, rosy lips. She gently kissed back and they stayed that way for a minute, before pulling back and cuddling each other gently, reassuring themselves that they were okay and that the battle was finally over.
Sometime later, Helios' two handmaidens, the maenads, appeared and bowed to him and Chibiusa.
"Please excuse us High Priest Helios, Princess." They said in unison. "But the High Priest is needed in Elysion to help restore peace and order fully." They finished and waited serenely. It's ironic that both of my handmaiden's names mean 'dawn'. I wonder if that was done on purpose. Helios thought whimsically before replying.
"Very well, Aurora, Eos. I will be there shortly. You two may go." Helios responded evenly and nodded for them to go. They obeyed swiftly, leaving Helios and Chibiusa alone once more. Both of them slowly rose to their feet and stared silently into one another's eyes.
"I love you Chibiusa-chan." Helios whispered softly, wishing with every fiber of his being that he could just forget his duties and stay with his lovely maiden.
"I love you too Helios." She replied in a whisper, her voice conveying her wish for this moment to last forever.
"I must go now. But I will keep in touch. Maybe visit you in your beautiful dreams." Helios told her fervently and warmly, meaning every word, his amber eyes gazing down into her ruby ones.
"Promise?" Chibiusa asked struggling not to cry.
"I promise." He replied firmly then grinned. "But you must promise me in return that you won't pine or cry when I leave or while I'm gone." His arms tightened slightly around her slender frame.
"I promise, Helios." Chibiusa said and giggled slightly. They embraced each other once more and walked slowly out into the sunshine, hand-in-hand. The two stopped by the lake and faced each other, holding hands.
"Good-bye for now, Chibiusa-chan. I love you, my beautiful maiden." Helios said softly as he made sure no one was around to see him teleport to Elysion.
"I love you, Helios. See you soon." Chibiusa responded smiling for his sake. He nodded, smiled brilliantly in return, though his eyes were sparkling with what suspiciously looked to be tears.
He teleported away, leaving with Chibiusa holding something heavy and hard. She looked down to see a delicate crystal rose, just beginning to unfurl, clasped in her small, white hands. She looked off into the distance across the lake, still smiling as she tried mightily to keep her promise not to cry.
Owari
Bea here: and so it is finished! Yayness. Again I didn't change much, more just pruned and polished it a bit ^^. Comments/reviews would be great if u could spare the time *hint hint* lol. No pressure of course
Well in other works, I'm coming along on blood embarrassment and unhappiness part 2. Almost to the point where I can post it and declare the rest part 3 and etc. ^^
KKJ Snippets (I will probably change the title) is also on its way. It's a bit of a challenge, my own plot, and writing in 1st person POV from a male's view point. Hopefully I can pull it off lol
Hope u enjoyed (the revised) Taking Charge 2.0!
Ja ne!
Honest Beauty