Revised Version
Act 10 (part 2) "Nightmare revisited? Helios' grim decision!"
Usagi perfunctorily picked up a rice cracker and placed it inside her mouth. After coming back into her room Usagi had tried to leave once more, but Luna had woken up and there was no way the cat was going to let her go out into the cold. Usagi sighed, her blue eyes staring uninterestedly at the TV sitcom she had switched on.
Swallowing the last bit of cracker, Usagi stretched and yawned. Luna was watching the sitcom with her and unlike Usagi, the black cat actually seemed interested in the TV program. Sulking, Usagi thought to herself, I wish I could talk to Mamo-chan, but it's too expensive to make an international call here… Just then an idea popped into Usagi's head as she stood up and walked towards the door.
"Where are you going Usagi?" Luna asked as she watched the blonde get up.
Usagi responded happily, "I'm going to call Minako-chan. Knowing her she probably hasn't gone to bed yet."
"And what if she has?"
"Oh Luna, don't be a pessimist!" Usagi retorted at her mentor/pet, her hands already on the door.
When Usagi slid open the door, to her utter surprise a pair of bright violet eyes were staring back at her.
"Wahhh!"
Usagi stumbled backwards, her scream sent Luna racing across the room, fur on end and claw at the ready. "What is it Usagi!?" cried the feline guardian, but to her surprise, the person at the door was none other than Hotaru
"Hotaru-chan? What-what are you doing here?" Usagi asked in amazement as Hotaru giggled at the older girl's comedic reaction.
"On vacation of course," said Haruka as she and Michiru walked into view.
"Haruka-san, Michiru-san, you guys too?!" gasped the blond heroine
Hotaru smiled, now feeling slightly guilty for scaring the older girl. "I'm sorry Usagi-san if I scared you. I was trying to surprise Chibi Usa-chan really, but I guess I must have gotten the wrong room number."
Usagi waved her hands, but the sweat drop on her forehead clear showed that she was still somewhat overwhelmed. "Eh…It's all right Hotaru-chan, but how did you guys know we were here?"
Michiru smiled faintly. "Hotaru-chan told us your family was going on a vacation to Hokkaido. Haruka thought that we could use a break too, so here we are." The violinist explained briskly. The cause for her brevity was because Michiru hated lying, especially to the princess and future queen. But she told herself that this was necessary if they were to keep an eye on Chibi Usa.
Usagi hadn't detect the hint of nervousness from Michiru's voice and proceeded to welcome her fellow senshi. "Great, so how long are you guys going to be staying? We're going to be here for the weekend. There are some great skiing spots around here, not to mention the fabulous hot springs! It's too bad we only have two days' time!"
Haruka looked around, her eyes alert like a hawk. "Actually, I was wondering where Chibi Usa-chan is. Hotaru-chan can't wait to see her, right kiddo?" The sandy-haired blonde remarked towards Hotaru.
Hotaru nodded and looked hopefully at Usagi.
Usagi's eyes batted a few times as a weak smile crept onto her face. "Well um…you see…I don't actually know where she is right now…"
"What? How come?" Haruka asked incredulously.
Usagi demurred for a second, trying to work around her failed surveillance attempt and create a believable story instead to fill the gap. "I think she went out to look at the snow…" Usagi tried unconvincingly.
"How long has she been outside?" Michiru quickly followed
"I'm not sure…" Usagi paused, suddenly realizing that a good deal of time had passed since she last saw Chibi Usa. An ominous feeling began to churn in her stomach. Looking at her watch, Usagi gasped when she finally realized how late it was. "Oh my God, it's been almost three hours since she left!"
"She's been gone for that long in this cold? Are you absolutely sure she's not back already?" cried Haruka.
Just then a tiny voice spoke up from behind them, "What's going on? What's everyone doing here?" Diana's sleepy voice asked.
Luna hurried to her future daughter and asked urgently, "Diana, have you seen Chibi Usa-chan?"
Diana shook her head and yawned in the process. "No, when I woke up the room was empty. I thought Small Lady might be here with Usagi-sama so I came here to find her."
Haruka's eyes narrowed. She turned to Usagi and said, "We have to go look for Chibi Usa-chan. Is no one else with her?"
"No, I don't think so…I can't believe this; she would never be out so long by herself!" Usagi swallowed hard as worry filled her darkening blue eyes.
Michiru walked to Usagi's side and tried to comfort her "It's all right Usagi, we'll go look for her. Chibi Usa-chan is a resourceful girl, she'll be fine."
Usagi looked at Michiru and nodded. "I'll go tell Mom. We gatta hurry up and do something."
Haruka nodded "Michiru and I will ask the front desk for some help, and Usagi, call the police, just in case. We'll wait for you by the road outside the inn."
Usagi nodded and the two parties went their separate ways.
Mean while, the two lost and half-frozen teenagers had opened the front gate to the house they had seen from afar. However, both of them soon realized that the house was empty and abandoned.
"Helios…I-I'm so cold…I can't stand any longer…" Chibi Usa's voice quivered as the water soaked up by her clothing turned to ice in the below zero temperature. Shivering terribly, the young woman's legs started to give out.
Helios continued to struggle towards the door as he warned urgently "You have to keep moving, Chibi Usa-chan! Or else…!" Helios didn't finish his sentence, knowing full well the consequences of hypothermia.
Pushing open the door, the scent of aged and slightly decaying wood met the couple. By the pale light of the moon, Helios could make out the faint shadows of a fireplace and an adjacent room at the far end of the dim chamber.
Helios looked at Chibi Usa in her dreadful state. He tightened his grip around her waist and spoke loudly in her ear, "Almost there, stay with me!"
With a few more agonizing steps, the two made it to where the fireplace was located. The pit of the old hearth was blackened, evidently from years of use before the building was abandoned and forgotten. The ground was dusty but dry, however neither Helios nor Chibi Usa cared as he gently lowered her to the floor. Seeing Chibi Usa seated, Helios stiffened once again when he noticed Chibi Usa's eye lids beginning to shut together.
"You have to stay focused, Chibi Usa-chan!" he yelled, shaking the girl to loosen her from her stupor.
Chibi Usa nodded weakly, but her lips were beginning to turn blue as the cold unrelentingly advanced its claim on her. Seeing this, Helios, trying hard to suppress the panic that was threatening to break loose in his mind, decided he had to do something, and had to do it fast.
He knelt down beside the shivering girl and held her face with his hand so that her heavy eyes were on him. "Chibi Usa-chan, Chibi Usa-chan," Helios' voice rose when he saw her eyes began to wonder off again. "You'll be warm soon, I promise. Do you hear me?"
Chibi Usa once again nodded listlessly. Though he did not want to leave her side, Helios stepped away and ran outside. The house they had come upon was surrounded by a rectangular shaped wall with trees all around. Helios' eyes searched the perimeters feverishly, searching the ground and the trees, picking up branches and dropping them again in frustration. Despite the number of trees around the house none of the branches could start a good fire, for the ones that had fallen to the ground were either too damped with snow or else too big to carry. Feeling hopeless and scared, Helios' eyes unexpectedly fell upon a pile of firewood.
The firewood was stacked almost as high as the wall, which was nearly six feet tall. The top layer of the fuel stash was covered with snow and the bottom layer was green with moss, succumbing to the decomposing forces of nature. However, there were quite a few pieces right in the middle of the stack that seemed as if they are still useable. Pushing the top of the pile off with all the strength he could muster, Helios grabbed as many as he could and rushed back in.
When he stepped in and dumped the wood in the fireplace, Chibi Usa eyes were closed shut. Another panic attack seized him as he suddenly realized there were no matches or lighters around, and even if he could make a fire with a make-shift flint by then it would be too late for Chibi Usa.
A moan escaped Helios' throat as he looked on hopelessly, when suddenly, he thought of something. With a last look towards his companion, Helios stepped back and took a deep breath. Knowing what he was about to do could be dangerous, Helios closed his eyes without hesitation as a warm golden glow began to spread from his body.
Sensing the warmth, Chibi Usa laboriously opened her eyes to see a star like object appeared before Helios' chest.
"Helios…?" She whispered as the star glowing in the air dimmed slowly, enough that one could make out the linings of a diamond-shaped crystal.
Chibi Usa watched anxiously as a snapping stream of fire began to sprout from the Golden Crystal. The fire sprout spun around the boy as if waiting for his commands before it suddenly jumped into the air and brought the fireplace to life. With his intended task completed, Helios inhaled then exhaled slowly as he allowed the crystal to merge back into his body. Chibi Usa continued to watch as Helios' opened his eyes and flashed a weary but relieved smile towards her when he met the princess' gaze.
"Helios, you shouldn't be using the crystal…" Chibi Usa argued despite the relief her body felt thanks to the heat of the flames.
Helios shook his head. "I'll be fine, but…" the boy felt his cheeks beginning to burn as he spoke, "You should get out of those wet clothes. Even with a fire you won't be …comfortable wearing those." At this, Helios turned around and faced away from Chibi Usa.
Chibi Usa blinked before she caught the hint. Slightly dumb founded and extremely embarrassed, Chibi Usa's face began to glow as she looked down at her soggy cloths. Sensing Chibi Usa's discomfort, Helios quickly said, "I'll wait outside," and marched out into snow as fast as he could without actually bolting.
Left alone in the room, the young princess hesitated for a moment. She was alone in the woods with the boy she was in love with and he had just asked her to take off her cloths. It almost sounded like the recipe for a bad soap opera, the princess grimaced blushingly. If someone had told her that this would happen she would have dismissed it as being impossible! But now that she's stuck in this awkward situation, Chibi Usa couldn't deny feeling uneasy as she began to peal off her soaked sweater. Now that her skin was regaining its sensitivity, the wet and sticky fabric was making her skin distinctly uncomfortable. Suddenly, Chibi Usa felt a strange sensation in her nose and before she knew it, a loud sneeze echoed into the room.
Great, now I just might catch a cold…guess I don't have a choice but to take it all off, she thought to herself, sniffing and rubbing her nose. Sighing resignedly, Chibi Usa began getting herself out of her dank garments.
Outside, Helios took several deep breaths but it did nothing to relieve the rapid pounding in his chest. Not knowing what to say, or even think, the abashed priest stood looking down at the ground when he noticed Chibi Usa's slender shadow, cast by the fire burning in the hearth. As he watched, Chibi Usa's silhouette betrayed her every move as she took off the layers of sodden clothing. With each article of clothing removed Chibi Usa's feminine and tenuous figure became more obvious. As Helios watched, his face grew redder and redder and his breath quicker as well until every vessel in his cheeks was threatening to explode.
A cautioning voice inside him told him to turn away, but the boy's curious eyes were glued to the shadow on the ground and ignored the warning all together. Then, when Chibi Usa's hands reached behind her back, Helios quickly turned away, panting and scarlet in the face.
Helios closed his eyes hard and rubbed the heel of his hands through them. In the thousands of years he has been alive, he had never felt so embarrassed! Helios heaved a sigh and shook his head as he reproached himself vehemently. How utterly inappropriate, not to mention lowly an act he had just committed! Sure, he and Chibi Usa were friends, but peeping on her-however the circumstances-was simply unacceptable! Just as he was thinking this, a voice from inside the room abruptly jerked Helios out of him thoughts.
"Helios"
Helios almost slipped and fell onto the snow at the sound of Chibi Usa's voice. "Y-yes?" he stuttered.
There was a moment of silence before Chibi Usa answered back, her voice betraying her own timid attitude "You can come back in now…"
"!…Are you sure?" Startled, Helios replied in an uncertain voice, his eyes still looking away from the door.
"mhmm…"
Helios blinked at the snow, then took a deep breath and paused just before he stepped through the door. "I'm coming in," he announced before looking into the abandoned house. Once inside, he found Chibi Usa, her face towards the fire. Taking a quick, shy glance at the girl, he saw that her slender legs were tucked under her and she was wearing the jacket he had wrapped around her. The jacket Chibi Usa now wore was large enough to adequately cover her torso's anatomy, but was a little too short so that Chibi Usa had to stretch the garment out and tucked the edges beneath her legs to keep it from rolling back up. The drenched cloths (the less intimate articles at least,) were displayed near the fire, drying from the earthy hearth as her pastel pink hair, freed from their coned odangos, cascade over her shoulders.
Seeing her companion, Chibi Usa smiled gratefully. "Thank you, for saving my life."
Helios returned the smile faintly, still not daring to meet Chibi Usa's eyes.
Chibi Usa paused, drawing the jacket a bit tighter around her, her eyes fluttering to the fire then back at Helios "Um…you should sit by the fire for a while. Your sleeves are all wet..."
"Huh?…Oh…" Helios looked down at his arms and for the first time noticed that indeed his shirt sleeves were darkened from being drenched in ice water. Since he noticed the water stain, a cold numbing feeling began developing in his forearms as his body beckoned him to get rid of the sting digging into his arms.
Helios swallowed hard as he sheepishly sat down near the pink-haired girl. Stretching his arms over his curled legs, Helios decided to stare at the fire instead of the girl beside him. Helios' effort to remain silent had not gone unnoticed by Chibi Usa. She too stared into the fire, her ruby eyes blank, not knowing what to think or say.
Stillness and reticence once again ruled the realm, with only the cracking of dry wood to fill the void. The long thin shadows of the two occupants were stretched far into the wall; their silhouettes turned away from each other as they danced in synch with the movement of the earthy fire.
Her eyes reflecting the fire, Chibi Usa eased her back into a more relaxed position than her usual lady-like posture. Seeing the golden flames, Chibi Usa's mind brought up the memory of the day when she had ran into a circle of fire in order to save Pegasus. How little she was back then, yet she had under taken a task that few would even consider, let alone charge into without second thought. When asked why she had tackled the fire, her answer was the simple fact that Pegasus and her were friends.
But is their relationship something entirely different now? Chibi Usa asked herself. On the surface nothing had changed but there was a torrent of uncertainty hidden beneath the calm. Ever since she had admitted to her feelings for Helios, Chibi Usa had done nothing but fumble around with her feeling, never even throw a few clues around like the other girls her age would. But then again, how many girls have fall in love with a priest from the dream world? There were no books written for her particular predicament, no helpful magazine columnist to consult, and not even Hotaru, Chibi Usa's best friend and confidant, fully understood her plight. All Chibi Usa could do was sit and brood about her feelings; feelings she feared, that might not be returned.
A pair of red eyes sought the only other presence in the room. Through the thick silence, the princess saw Helios' hands were now cupped above both knees as he rested his chin on the back of his entwined hands. He was still looking at the fire; his pupils were so similar to the fire itself that, for a moment, she thought that they were flickering along with the flame had he not blinked. The scene before her was exactly like that of the forest, when the two of them had stared upon the star lit heavens not so long ago. The same feeling she felt in those dark woods once again overtook her as Chibi Usa suddenly felt a urge to speak, to break the silence once again and touch, even if it was only with her words, the one person in her world right at that moment.
"Helios," Chibi Usa began, "What was it that Shingo said to you this afternoon? He told me that you seemed upset about something."
Helios lifted his head up away from his cupped hands, and replied in a soft voice "It was nothing…Really, it wasn't anything important." He blinked, and added the last part after he noticed the unconvinced silence emanating from his companion.
"Oh…okay then, if you say so…" Chibi Usa didn't want to press the issue since it was quit obvious that Shingo must have said something much worse than he had implied to Helios. That Shingo! He really needs to learn to be more sensitive! Feeling unusually crossed at Shingo's insensitivity, Chibi Usa puffed her cheeks out and knitted her brows together like a pouting child.
A soft chuckle ringed in Chibi Usa's ears. She turned to see Helios smiling at her, his eye twinkling from the light of the fire.
Chibi Usa blushed, "What's so funny?"
Helios' laughter died down as he sighed and shook his head, smiling towards the fire as he did so. "I was just thinking how long it has been since you last acted like a little girl, that's all."
Chibi Usa couldn't help but smile as well. It was true. She had always been trying to act mature in front of Helios, although at times it had been difficult for a number of reasons, particularly when Usagi was involved.
Deciding it was time to put on a little air, least Helios continued to think as such about her, she crossed her arms and interjected seemingly indignantly, "Well I'm not little any more! You shouldn't say that to a lady." Helios blinked dumbfounded, a little at a loss of what to say next. Seeing the desired effect her word had on Helios' expression, Chibi Usa uncrossed her arms and said with a wishful air, "But you know, I really miss the days when I was still a little girl and the two of us would share secrets," Chibi Usa smiled at the sweet memories that those words brought to mind.
Turning to Helios, she continued, "Do you remember the time I told you about Momo-chan slipping and falling into a puddle on our way to school? You got a good laugh when I tried to do a reenactment and fell off the bed instead."
Helios chuckled, recalling the event. "Yes, I remember that. I believe you had to tell Usagi-san when she came in to check on you that you were practicing for a role in the school play."
"Yeah, except she didn't believe me. I guess I should've said I was practicing jumping the vault horse instead." Chibi Usa scowled.
"But at that time you couldn't jump the vaulting horse remember?" Helios said teasingly
Chibi Usa laughed weakly, "Oh right, that wouldn't worked after all. But I was really surprised when I found out Kyusuke couldn't jump, I remember he was shaking in his shoes when I told him we had to do the vault horse for the sports meet!"
The two of them went on to recount a number of other incidents. Slowly the two of them had been unconsciously moving towards each other as either of them wish to talk half ways across the room while recounting his or her tale. As the cold night drew on, the two teenagers sat side by side, the fire burning cheerfully as the reminiscing drew on.
Outside the hot spring inn, Usagi, Haruka, Michiru, Hotaru and several inn employees who had volunteered for the search party stood waiting. Haruka looked intensely at Michiru who had her Deep Aqua Mirror floating in her hands, away from the view of bystanders.
"So, do you see anything?" Haruka asked urgently.
Michiru shook her head. "Nothing. I see only a haze but it's not snowing anywhere near here. I think there might be some supernatural forces at work."
Just then, Usagi's parents came running outside. "I called the police, but there's a snow storm where the station is, so they won't be able to get here until the storm lightens up!" Kenji explained, his breath quickly turning to steam in the cold air.
"Neither of us could find Hikaru-kun. Shingo said he saw him go outside, and that Chibi Usa-chan went out to find him," added Ikuko
Haruka swore under her breath. Michiru grabbed her partner's arm and tried to reassure her. Haruka covered her hand over Michiru's before the violinist broke away and asked one of the volunteers standing near her, "Do you have walkie-talkies and flashlights around? We have no choice but to begin a search on our own."
One employee nodded. "We keep some just in case something like this happens. But since we haven't used them in so long I'll need some help setting up the equipments you need." Michiru nodded towards him and turned to the other inn workers. "Please help him get the equipments ready. In the meantime we'll come up with a search plan." As a few of workers scatter off, she turned back to those remaining and said urgently, "Let's split into groups. Every group will need to grab a walkie-talkie, a flashlight, and some food and water. If any of the lost children are found notify the entire search party."
Everyone gave a nod and soon the equipments arrived. As everybody began to fan out into the woods, Usagi and Haruka alone remained. Usagi's blue eyes were glistening with tears. Her hands clasped together, guilt stung at her like the cold air on exposed skin. I should've gone after her! Then maybe they wouldn't be lost right now!
"Usagi," Haruka's stern but soft voice took Usagi out of her thoughts. "I'll go with you. Hotaru wants to go too, so she'll be with Michiru." Usagi looked up and saw the determination in the older woman's face. We'll find her, trust me, was what her expression conveyed.
Usagi inhaled deeply, letting the cool air clean away some of her anxiety. She nodded and took the flashlight Haruka held out to her. As the sound of searchers crying the names of the missing echoed into the woods, Usagi and Haruka's voice joined the chorus. A shuffling sound also joined in as the voices thinned out through the thick woods. A blood red eye surfaced from beneath the snow, slowing rotating on its stem as it observed the two blondes. It saw the two not as humans wearing winter gear, but rather as two blobs of red and orange heat, moving against a purple gray background indicating the absence of energy. One of the people under observation was glowing redder than any other creature the eye or its "siblings" had ever seen. Instinctively, the eye began to track the illuminated heat source, sending chemical signals back to notify its mistress that it just might have just hooked the catch of the day.
Light snow was falling once again as the fire in the hearth burned low. Helios and Chibi Usa were sitting side by side now; the girl's head and back was leaning against the nearby wall for she was fast asleep. With a soft rustle of his clothes and a small clunck sound, Helios threw a piece of firewood into the fireplace. Shifting his eyes from the fire to the half-closed door (it had refused to close completely when he had tried earlier) Helios watched the partially revealed sky. The night was still dark and the celestial objects have all shifted positions in the black velvet sky. Orion, Taurus, and Cetus have disappeared, replaced by Pegasus the Winged Horse.
Helios smiled in the irony of the moment. There was the stellar representation of himself, flying across the heavens while humanity slept and dreamed. Taking a deep breath, Helios rested his back against the wall as the fire continued to warm the room. The evening felt so comfortable and innocent, with its lovely quietness and sparkling heavens. Thinking to himself, Helios found it little wonder that Night felt so gentle; as Pegasus he was a creature that took shape when night falls, both as a constellation and as a creature of the dream realm. But lately the darkness had began to trouble and agitate him, to a degree that he felt like it was ready to consume him should he let his guard down.
Hearing the soft rhythmic breathing beside him, the boy priest turned to look down upon the face of an angel in sleep and felt the tension drain away from his previous thoughts. Chibi Usa, after her rather extensive reminisce, had dozed off. Helios could tell she had tried valiantly not to fall asleep, but the events of the day had been too much for her to go on without rest. Her legs were now resting flat on the floor, but tucked close to her body to preserve body heat. Her hands were resting on her lap and her face was tilted towards Helios as she slept. He could not reach her dreams now, Helios thought to himself, not in this form. But to be right beside her, to feel her warm breath against his body, was better than being with her in any dream.
It was hard to believe that only four years ago the young woman resting beside him was a little girl, trying to carry the weight of the world on her tiny shoulders. Now, four years later, the weight had only grown heavier, but her beauty had grown as well. As Elysian healed itself gradually over time, Helios found it hard to pray without her image interjecting into his mind. Her laughter, her smile, her eyes, the way she tried to act mature and understand his every word, the concerned but sincerely protective attitude she always held when faced with the revelation of his whereabouts came cascading back whenever he closed his eyes. Even in his many thousands of years, Helios had never seen one like her, or experienced the emotions she had brought upon him after their fateful meeting.
Helios smiled to himself as he thought this. He possessed so many different feelings about this maid, from platonic concern to courtly respect. But what of this other feeling he held for her; the one that's been kindling and growing for so long now? Helios would not say it aloud, for he was not even 100 sure if it was what he suspected; however it was undeniable that his feelings for her were now beyond that of mere friendship.
Thinking this, Helios tore his eyes away from the princess. But what if his suspicion was true; what then? Helios had seen other couples overcome their difficulties and retained happiness together. His prince and Princess Serenity were a perfect example, for Chibi Usa was the fruition of their union. But when it came to his own circumstances, everything suddenly seemed stacked against him. He was a priest, a guardian, not royalty like Endymion. More however he had an important duty to perform, a duty he had already delayed in attending to due to the present state of affairs. It seemed Destiny was playing a cruel game with him, letting him get close to his Maiden but constantly reminding him of his position with her.
A soft muffled sound roused Helios from his reveries as Chibi Usa snuggled closer to him. Helios reached down and gently covered one of her hands with his. With sad, longing eyes Helios watched as she breathed peacefully; her rosette lips slightly agape. She was here now, but where would she be ten years from now? A queen no doubt, but what if her powers had truly left her and she was but an ordinary girl with a chance to live an ordinary life? Where would that leave him?
Helios didn't know the answer to any of these questions. As he watched her sleeping beside him all he cared for was that this moment might last as long as possible-forever even-however impossible the reality of it was. Tightening his grasp on her hand, Helios' face leaned towards Chibi Usa until he eclipsed the light of the fire from her face. Their faces were so close Helios could feel her warm breath brushing past his cheeks and down his chin. Pushing everything he had been thinking behind him, Helios' amber eyes saw only his Maiden, slumbering peacefully like Sleeping Beauty, waiting for her prince's kiss.
Helios' lips almost touched Chibi Usa's when the fire suddenly snapped loudly, as if cautioning the priest against what he was about to do. Helios jerked away at the startling noise. Taking a sharp breath, he quickly looked back and was heartened to see that the sound did not awaken the sleeping princess. A pink blush crept over the boy's face as he realized what he had just attempted. Shaking his head and feeling utterly foolish, Helios tried to move away but stopped when he realized something was holding onto his hand. Looking down at Chibi Usa's lap, Helios saw that she had moved her free hand over his. Not wanting to wake the girl, Helios settled back down and sighed soundlessly.
The white-haired boy gazed at Chibi Usa for a while longer, deciding it was best to simply enjoying her presence next to him as he eased himself into a comfortable position. Before long, he felt the same sleepy sensation creeping into his veins. Taking one last glance at the girl, Helios whispered, "Good night, my Maiden," before he too closed his eyes to slumber.
When Helios next opened his eyes, he saw a blackened space with nebulous red clouds of drifting in the air. An unsettling feeling sudden washed over Helios as he examined his surrounding. He was standing on a narrow path no wider then the full length of his outstretched arms. Peering down the vertical edge of the path, Helios saw nothing except if possible, an even darker shade of darkness, just waiting to consume an unfortunate priest who might stray and fall off the path. Pointed onyx columns descended from the unseen ceiling at unequal length, making the place seem even more dreadful.
Uncertain of where he was, Helios was contemplating his next step when a surprising voice entered his ears.
"Helios…" came the distant but gentle voice of the pink-haired maiden.
"Chibi Usa-chan?" Helios asked, wondering why she would be in this strange place.
"Helios…" her voice cried once more, except this time it was louder and closer. Looking ahead, Helios saw a flash of pink abruptly rupture the dark horizon. Like a shy doe stepping forward from its forest, Chibi Usa's face appeared in the gloom. She wore a simple cream colored dress with ribbons tied together in a bow at each shoulder. Her rose pink hair rippled in the air as she cocked her head and smiled sweetly at the boy. "Follow me…come on…" so saying, she turned and disappeared into the gloom.
"Wait!"
But Chibi Usa had already disappeared, only her girlish giggles echoed in the vast space around them. Confused and mystified, Helios followed her down the path. There was no one to guide him, but her laughter was always in the air and always moving away, wordlessly beckoning him to follow suit. After running for an unknown length of time, Helios stopped. His breath was heavy and fast as beads of sweat hanged upon his brows. It was only after a few moments that Helios realized the laughing sound had disappeared. The boy looked around, fearing that he had lost Chibi Usa in this strange abode.
"Chibi Usa-chan? Chibi Usa-chan?" Helios cried into the darkness, but there was no reply.
Unexpectedly, Helios felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around his torso. "Helios…" Chibi Usa murmured coyly, her face buried in his back. Startled, Helios turned his head but could only see the top of Chibi Usa's head.
"Chibi Usa-chan…?" Helios was about to question her when Chibi Usa's hug tightened.
"Oh Helios," The young woman's voice was muffled by her shuddering breath, tangling the boy's senses as her hot breath tickled his skin. "I love you, I love you so much, do you know that?"
Helios froze. Did he just hear Chibi Usa say that she…
"Chibi Usa, what did you just say?" Helios asked in awe, his eyes struggling to meet the girl's eyes.
Suddenly the grip around his body tightened like a vice, so sudden was this that Helios didn't even notice that Chibi Usa's hands have become pale and slender, with blood red fingernails on each hand digging into his body.
"…That's what you want to hear from your beautiful little moon princess, isn't it my dear?" a voice very different from Chibi Usa's replied. Helios gasped, for he recognized that voice all too well. Cocking his head back, he saw that Chibi Usa's head of pink hair had been replaced with curling ink-black hair set in two round buns. The hands that had been clutching him so tightly before suddenly retracted and shoved Helios over the narrow path.
"Ahh!" Helios screamed as he fell over the edge and plunged face down towards the abyss. His scream was abruptly cut short and turned into a grunt when pale, rope-like webs shot out of the darkness, stopping his descent so abruptly that the jolt almost dislocated several joints before tightening around him. A coil wound itself around his neck, allowing him just enough air to breathe.
Dazed and confused, Helios breathed in with a pained moan extending from all ends of his abused body. His head swimming from the sudden stop, Helios opened his eyes and saw that he was facing downward still, but his body had been captured in its falling pose by coils of steel threads. A red jagged cage materialized and encased him, as if a beast swallowing its prey whole in its bloody jaw.
"I do hope I'm making you feel at home, Helios…" Chibi Usa's distorted voice asked. Helios tried to look up, but he suddenly felt tired, drained beyond belief and could not even lift his head. A path surfaced beneath him as a shadow approach him.
"Nehellenia…" Helios whispered to himself; the look in his eyes were mixed with fear and loathing.
The Dark Moon Queen walked out of the shadows, her slit eyes gleaming like two pale-blue cat's eye gem from behind thick, neat lashes. Nehellenia's lips-the same scarlet color as her fingernails-were twisted in a ferocious and triumphant grin.
"It does not have to be this way… if only you had accepted my offer then, the two of us could be ruling the universe by now, hand in hand. Me, as the supreme ruler, and you, my handsome servant." The cold beauty sighed and woefully shut her eyes regrettably.
"However…" Nehellenia's eyes snapped open with the rage of an angered cobra, poised to strike, "You not only refused me, but humiliated me as well by helping that little pink wrench defeat me!" Stalking closer now, Nehellenia lifted her hands and the red cage moved up. "Once I have the Golden Crystal I shall destroy Elysian, the surface world, and that moon child! Hmp! To think that I lost to a brat, when I am far more beautiful and powerful!"
The queen's tone suddenly took a one-hundred-eighty-degrees turn when she grinned like a child eagerly waiting to open her present; her face a mien of madness. "But she's powerless now, a useless little baggage. Capturing her would be like breaking the neck of a baby! When I have her she will feel the full force of my fury. I will first make her watch as I kill her friends and family and enjoy the look on her wretched little face. Then I will slowly break every bone in her body, and her screams will be a balm for my soul before I crush her!" Nehellenia licked her lips in anticipation before turning her attention back to Helios.
Positioning herself so that she was just below the trapped youth, the sickening grin widened across the Dead Moon Queen. "But I still need that crystal of yours, and since I know you will not give it to me willingly no matter how nicely I ask…" The nail on Nehellenia's hand suddenly elongated and together they formed a red tipped dagger. "I'll just have to say fare well then, my dear!" and with that, Nehellenia trusted her hand straight into Helios' chest.
"AAHHH!"
Helios violently jerked up, his eyes wide and his face wet from perspiration; one hand clutching the front of his shirt, expecting to find a knife in his chest. The look in his eyes was that of a wounded prey, now cornered and trembling before a doomed fate. His breaths were unsteady, some short, some long; marks appeared on the floor where his nails had dug into the slowly decaying wood.
Chibi Usa, abruptly awakened by Helios' horrified scream, gasped as her red eyes snapped open. When she saw the haggard figure of Helios panting near her, she reached out to him, wanting to find out what was wrong. But as her fingertip touched Helios' should, the boy recoiled away from her as if from a viper's fangs.
"No! Don't touch me!" he shouted, his breath quickly coming more and more shallow. Chibi Usa perched wide-eyed, her hand still in its outreaching position; a lost and wounded look darkened her eyes.
"Helios-" Chibi Usa retracted her arm and began moving closer towards him. But when she remembered his reaction, she restrained herself, reaching out with her voice instead. "Helios, what's wrong, what happened? Did you have a bad dream? Come on, look at me; tell me what happened!"
For a long minute Helios did not reply, and Chibi Usa was about to ask again when his shaken voice whispered, "No…I-I just-" Helios' voice disappeared before he abruptly stood up, face concealed in the shadows that surrounded the hearth.
"I'm sorry-I need to go outside-" Without any further explanation, and before Chibi Usa could say a word or reach out to stop him, the boy's pale silhouette disappeared into the murky night beyond the broken door.
Alone now, the princess stared disbelievingly at the gaping dark night. How-why is this happening? Was it something I had done, or was it something else? Why won't he talk to me?! A million mingled and unanswerable questions tumbled through her mind as she watched helplessly at the opened door. A sudden cold gust forced its way into the once sheltered and peaceful room, pushing against the fire, breaking its noble back before extinguishing the waning blaze with a snuff.
Running through the wintry scene, Helios didn't stop until he entered the tree lines and the far end of the lake Chibi Usa had fallen through became visible in the approaching dawn. A sudden upsurge of anger rose in him, as a mixture of the tumultuous emotions he felt churning inside reached a boiling point. Helios clutched his fist and slammed it into the nearest tree with all his might to relieve the explosive chaos in his mind.
Taking an unsteady breath, Helios let the stinging shock of the blow to subside before unclenching his hand and leaned his shoulder against the tree that he had struck. The freezing morning air was turning his sweat into droplets of ice, but Helios didn't care. The images he saw kept replaying in his head, and the foul look in the Dark Moon Queen's eyes was colder than the winter's morning air. Helios felt a lump in his throat as he gulped in air, griping his chest with his other hand. There was no bloody hole stabbed through his heart, or any sign that the queen had touched him. But she had reached him, threatening and terrorizing him with her loathsome plans, had imprisoned him in his dream, and had made him believe-if only for a few seconds-that he was going to die a horrible death in her dark chamber.
Turning his back to the tree, Helios opened his eyes when he realized a dangerous new possibility. Sailor Moon had rehabilitated Nehellenia, but could it be possible that the vain monarch had returned to her past course and was now thirsty for revenge, that she was purposely driving fear and dread into the mind and soul of her enemy?
The more Helios thought about this, the deeper and deeper his fears grew. Nehellenia hated Chibi Usa not only because the future princess had used the Golden Crystal to defeat her, but also because Helios had shown concern towards her and rejected the advances of the Dead Moon ruler. Nehellenia had already demonstrated she knew just how much he cared about the young woman, and Helios was sure if she had returned the powerless Chibi Usa would easily fall into the grasp of the evil queen. His body trembling from the cold and the new found fear that his dream has brought, Helios cupped his face in his hands, a nauseous feeling churning in his stomach. All the things Nehellenia said she would do to Chibi Usa, all the threats she made seemed inevitable if she had truly returned to power. He would not let Nehellenia touch her, not his maiden, never! But what would he do? What can he do?
The only answer that Helios could perceive was simple, and yet as he thought of it, it hurt his heart worse than being stabbed with a hundred daggers. Since Nehellenia's anger towards Chibi Usa was born mostly out of jealousy, then by distancing himself from her and pretending he had no feelings for her it might redirect Nehellenia's wrath. Meanwhile, Helios could still keep an eye on Chibi Usa and watch for signs of Nehellenia's recidivism. The plan sounded simple, but it was would be hard for both himself and the young maid. In his moment of crises she was there beside him, but he must now abandon her in order to protect her. Harsh words might have to be spoken to make the act look credible, and as hypocritical as it might sound, Helios decided, this was the only way if he was to protect her.
A white dot drifted past Helios' eyes, pulling his attention away from the awful plan he was about to perform. The snow had begun to fall again and though the sun was raising, thick clouds covered the sky, blocking out the golden rays of daylight. In the gray morning light, the tiny snowflakes looked like the tears of a snow goddess as they disappeared into her white kimono that stretched across the ground. A speck of snow landed on Helios' hand, producing a soft, sad sting as it melted. Helios brought his hand to his lips and kissed the liquid drop of tear, knowing that soon his actions might bring real tears to the one he loved.
A/N I hope you guys like the fluff and the angst; this is my first time writing something like this so please remember to review; I'd like to see what you think. Now, click to go to the next installment!