A/N: I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Sorry for the delay in updating, but now that the holidays are over, I can get back to it on a more regular basis. Thanks for sticking with me, and as always, enjoy! Reviews are welcomed and appreciated!

When the cherry blossoms fall

Time was moving rapidly. The seasons melted into one another, and soon, the brisk chill of fall started to become winter. Even Helios' secret haven could not escape the cold. He sat by the now frozen stream, stoic and silent. In his lap laid Jadeite, who was sleeping peacefully. The winter breeze blew a snowflake onto Jadeite's cheek and he shivered, moving in closer to Helios. Helios gently wiped the snow from the boy's face, still not saying a word. After some time passed, Jadeite stirred. He slowly opened his eyes and yawned, staying nestled in the warmth of his friend's embrace.

"Helios?" he said quietly, trying not to startle him. Helios looked down at Jadeite, his horn glistening in the single ray of sunlight that had broken through the clouds.

"You're awake" he said gently, smiling. Jadeite sat up and stretched his arms, another small yawn escaping him.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep" he said shyly. "I haven't been sleeping well lately."

"Is something bothering you?" Helios asked. Jadeite tilted his head to the side, his eyes filled with uncertainty.

"I'm not sure" he murmured, staring blankly at the shimmering icy stream. He suddenly looked up into Helios' eyes as he spoke again. "Helios, can you help me figure something out?" Helios looked at him and smiled, nodding slightly.

"I know what you're going to ask me" he said. "You've been having a nightmare, haven't you?" Jadeite nodded.

"Yes. It keeps coming back, so I think it means something. I just don't know what…" he said, his voice trailing off. Helios looked at him, and the warmth in his eyes assured Jadeite that everything would be alright.

"I can sense that you were born with the ability to see the future, so what you are dreaming may very well come to pass." Jadeite's eyes widened when Helios told him this, and his breathing quickened.

"No!" Jadeite cried, tears rolling down his cheeks. "If that happens, my mama will—"Helios wiped the tears away and held Jadeite close, stroking his hair until he calmed down. A quivering breath escaped Jadeite's lips as he looked up at Helios. "What am I going to do?" Helios placed Jadeite on the ground and rose to his feet, gently placing his hands on the young boy's shoulders.

"Try not to let it upset you. I know it's hard, but I believe in you." They could hear Phoebe calling for Jadeite, and as he turned to leave, Helios stopped him. Jadeite turned around and looked up into Helios' glistening blue eyes.

"Remember, young one; the mind will often play tricks on you, but your heart will always know the truth. If you are ever in doubt about anything, listen to what your heart tells you." Jadeite nodded in response.

"I will, I promise" he said with a nod. "He turned to leave, but as he reached the edge of the forest, he turned and darted back to Helios, wrapping his small arms around him.

"Thank you, Helios" he said, the sound of his voice muffled by Helios' white cloak. Helios returned the embrace and closed his eyes contentedly.

"You're most welcome, Jadeite. I look forward to seeing you again soon." Jadeite turned and walked out of the forest, and he could hear Phoebe calling him again, her voice carried by the blowing winter winds. Jadeite hurried back to the house, where he saw Phoebe standing in the doorway, a worried expression on her face.

"Where were you? I was so worried!" she cried, scooping Jadeite into her arms. He paused for a moment, then spoke.

"I was just playing outside" he said as convincingly as he could. In the months he had known Helios, he had kept his whereabouts a secret, just as he promised Helios he would. His mind briefly flashed back to that moment.

"Jadeite, you must promise that you will never tell anyone where I am."

"Why?" Jadeite asked, looking at Helios curiously.

"There are some very bad people looking for me" he explained. "If they find me, Elysion will cease to exist."

"Who are they? Why do they want to find you?" Jadeite asked. The golden horn on his head glistened as Helios explained.

"I possess a very important, precious crystal. It is called the Golden Crystal. It's power exceeds all others, and if it falls into the wrong hands, the world as we know it will perish." Jadeite's eyes widened as Helios explained this to him, then they glistened with an intensity Helios had never seen before.

"I'll never tell" Jadeite said. "I promise."

"Jadeite?" Phoebe asked, bringing him back to reality. "Are you alright?"

"Y-Yeah" Jadeite said with a smile. "I'm sorry I worried you, mama. I won't do it again" he said softly. Phoebe smiled down at him and pulled him close.

"Good. Now, let's get inside before we freeze" she said, ushering Jadeite into the house and following behind him. The wind picked up instantly afterward, and Phoebe and Jadeite watched the snowflakes dance in the wind while snuggling next to a roaring fire.

"I can't wait until spring comes back" Phoebe sighed. Jadeite looked up at her, smiling.

"Why's that?" he asked.

"Because, in the spring, the cherry blossoms bloom" she explained. "When I was pregnant with you, I used to sneak out of the house just to go look at them." Jadeite looked up at Phoebe, listening intently as she spoke.

"They are pretty" he murmured. "Do you think when they come back, we can go look at them together?" he asked. Phoebe smiled, and it was the first time in a long time that Jadeite could tell it was genuine.

"I would love that" she said softly, pulling him closer and kissing the top of his head. "Thank you."

"For what, mama?"

"For making me feel better. You've always been the only one who could" Phoebe said as tears began to well up in her eyes. One escaped and slid down her cheek, and Jadeite reached up to wipe it away.

"What's the matter, mama?" he asked. Phoebe was now sobbing uncontrollably, and there was nothing Jadeite could do but hold onto her. He wrapped his arms around her and nestled his head into her chest and she held him tighter. Once she calmed down, she was finally able to speak again.

"I'm sorry" she whispered. "I've been holding that in for so long, trying to be strong for you…"

"It's okay, mama" Jadeite assured her, smiling. "You can't be strong all the time." Phoebe smiled through her tears and sniffled, resting her chin on the top of Jadeite's head.

"I know" she said softly. The two of them sat silent, watching the flames flicker in the stone fireplace. Phoebe began to think of the last conversation she had with Frederick before he disappeared.

"What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing" Frederick replied, his voice quiet but gruff.

"There's something wrong" she insisted. "You're never this distant." Frederick sighed and sat up in his chair, his eyes fixed on the sleeping baby cradled in Phoebe's arms.

"Fine. You want to know what's wrong?" Frederick asked coldly. "I'l tell you. All my life, I've dreamt of being deemed worthy enough to serve royalty" Frederick paused for a moment and took a step toward Phoebe and Jadeite before continuing. "And HE just gets it handed to him" Frederick hissed. Phoebe glared at him, holding the baby closer to her and taking a step back.

"Don't you dare blame him for this" she fired back. "It's not like he chose this!"

"You're right" Frederick agreed, his voice still stained with anger. "It's Helios. He's the one to blame. I'll get him someday…"

Phoebe shuddered as the memory exited her mind.

"Are you okay, mama?" Jadeite asked, worry filling his eyes. Phoebe looked down at him and smiled, though she felt like her heart was going to rip in half.

"Yes, I'm alright now" she said. Jadeite could sense something was still wrong, but decided not to let it bother him, just as Helios advised. The two of them were enveloped in silence once more, and after some time had passed, a yawn escaped Jadeite's mouth.

"I think someone's ready for bed" Phoebe giggled. The two of them got up and walked into Jadeite's bedroom so Phoebe could tuck him in for the night. Once he was situated, she leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead.

"Goodnight, sweetheart" she said softly.

"Goodnight, mama." Jadeite nestled his head further into his pillow and closed his eyes, soon drifting off into a peaceful sleep. Outside the window, Helios was peering in, watching him as he slept.

"Sweet dreams, young one" he whispered as he faded into the darkness.