Elysion is a place of unspeakable beauty. Everywhere you see trees, flowers, an overabundance of roses representing the power of the Prince of the Earth, his symbol. Many horses and creatures roam freely through its lush gardens, for that is all the realm of the Dream Prince is, a vast garden - some have called it Eden. This name meant nothing however to the girl currently taking a page out of her mother's book, peering from around one of the larger trees for any of the shrine maidens. Everything about her, from the tips of her rabbit-ear shaped hairstyle to the gown she was desperately trying to keep from fluttering in the soft breeze of the place was a soft cotton-candy pink. Everything except her eyes, which were a piercing ruby red and full of wariness and determination. Princess Small Lady Serenity had come here for a reason, and she wasn't leaving until her mission had been completed!

As those eyes swept the area again, surprised at the lack of traffic in this area, she sighed and once again batted at the voluminous fabric of her princess gown. It would have gone a whole lot faster, Chibiusa thought, had she been able to henshin up first. Then she was less likely to trip over this accursed thing and make a fool out of herself before being caught and hauled back to the Crystal Palace without seeing Helios. That was her mission - find the Dream Priest. He'd promised to find her when she was older, and now she was thirteen, but he hadn't come. How old did he expect her to be? There was no way he couldn't know her age, for Helios spoke from time to time to her father about the state of things here. It was ever-unchanging with the utopia of Crystal Tokyo possessing the planet, but it never hurt to be cautious. The black roses could never again be allowed to overwhelm Elysion.

So, defying her parents and taking matters into her own hands by eluding her senshi guard, Small Lady Serenity had taken a page from her mother's own book and snuck off to visit the young man she regarded as her prince. It hadn't actually been forbidden for her to come here, but she wasn't supposed to leave the palace alone. Ever. Normally this restriction did not bother her, for memories of the last time she had done such a thing would haunt the princess' nightmares as long as she lived. That crystal tomb surrounding her mother, the terrifying run through time to find Sailor Moon before time ran out or Rubeus caught her, all of it the culmination of one mistake. But Elysion was safe, wasn't it? Safe enough.

Mustering herself with a deep breath, gathering the cotton of her gown in slim hands, the Princess of Crystal Tokyo ran like the devil was behind her towards the white pillars of the Temple. Grass flew up behind her, and Chibiusa already knew that her shoes were utterly ruined, stained all over with the green of the fields. All immaterial, if she could just see him. All the training that Sailor Chibimoon had been rigorously put through for the last three years was paying off now, and she was barely a blur of pink flying through the spring afternoon, finally skidding across the marble and catching herself on a pillar before panting with her body braced against the pillar for a moment before straightening. She wasn't going to catch her breath, however, because looking at her now was the most piercing pair of molten gold eyes, matching exactly the delicate horn rising from the center of the young man's forehead.

"Helios..." It was a whisper, breathy and shocked as her own eyes went wide. Why hadn't she seen him here? Had he been here a moment ago? Oh god she had to say something, he was staring at her! Everything was happening all wrong, disrupting her careful plan, and making her fumble. Though she'd been sneaking into the main compound, she'd planned to go straight to the center, where the Priest usually prayed. Then she would have been regal, mature, looking every inch the princess she'd been working so hard to become! Running in her made her look wild and childish, not at all changed! But it was too late now. Taking a deep breath and straightening her gown, Chibiusa stepped away from the marble and sank into a small curtsy, putting on her best smile. "I'm so glad I found you!" The smile dimmed just a bit as there was no smile back, just a sober and searching look. When he opened his mouth to speak, she thought to herself: 'This is it. He'll tell me now that he missed me terribly and that he was wrong to stay away so long! I just know it!'. What she got instead was a quick bow and a bewildered look.

"Maiden! What is wrong, did something happen to the King and Queen? I did not feel anything, and Elysion remains untouched." There was worry in his voice and concern, always, for his duty. Wasn't he happy to see her? Chibiusa wasn't a fool however, and was quick to reassure, shaking her head from side to side rapidly.

"No! Oh no no! I just...I missed you. I wanted to see you." Her voice grew soft again and eyes refused to leave the priest that she'd longed so badly to see, taking a step closer before stopping and knitting her hands together nervously. "It's been three years now, I'm growing up!" Biting her lip, she looked down and away again before hearing a soft chuckle and hearing steps approach. He surprised her again, causing her to gasp softly while taking her hand and lightly pressing his lips against it. "I am sorry to have not greeted you properly then, Maiden. Forgive me?" Red met gold again and they both smiled as he stood. He would have dropped her hand but her fingers wrapped around his, prolonging the contact. For his part, Helios was content to let her and led her deeper into the temple.

There was uncharacteristic silence from Chibiusa, waiting for him to respond to the many things she'd said previously. He did not disappoint, smiling down at her handsomely before speaking. "I missed you as well, Maiden, but I was waiting for the proper moment. When you grew into a princess with a court of your own. I would leave Elysion and find you then, my Maiden. I have, however, misjudged your spirit again." A laugh was in his voice and it buoyed her spirits considerably, smile re-emerging across her features like the sun after a storm. There was even a dazzle in her eyes as they talked together while seated on the cool marble floor, pink head against a white one, neither wanting to be far from the other. Three years was a long time to catch up when every day was full of things to do, though Helios had little to say.

Unfortunately, it had not taken long for the princess to be missed. It had taken even less time to locate her, and in almost a split second there was a pair of senshi standing on the front steps of the temple. One was indulgent and smiling, Sailor Saturn, knowing all along of her friend's plan. After all, Chibiusa was Chibiusa, and predictable because of it. Sailor Mercury was, however, less amused. Venus had volunteered to go, but Endymion knew his wife's senshi and knew that the blond would only encourage the blossoming romance between his only daughter and the Dream Priest. While this was not exactly a bad thing, the princess could not be rewarded for sneaking away. Mercury was not cruel however, simply matter-of-fact as she spoke to the girl looking at her with tear-filled eyes. "Princess, we must return you to the palace. The King is insistent that you be retrieved at once, I'm sorry." And she was, but the rules could not be disregarded, not when one was the princess and heir.

To his credit, Helios stood and nodded solemnly. "If I might have a moment alone with the princess? I promise I will deliver her to your care when I finish speaking with her, there is simply something I would share with her before she goes." Chibiusa held her breath as the blue-haired senshi thought this over and nodded with a small smile, withdrawing. "Of course." Hotaru lingered for a moment, looking back and forth between the two before grinning widely and pinning her best friend with a look that said clearly: 'You will tell me this later!'. As soon as they were out of eye shot, the white-haired young man pulled Chibiusa into a tight hug. Surprised, pleased, her heart melting within her, the princess' arms went around him as well and tears threatened to spill over.

"I don't want to go! I want to stay!" It was a whisper, barely audible, and futile. They both knew that she must go because her father had ordered it so, and that coming back would be almost impossible now. Chibiusa was so much better guarded than her mother had been in the Silver Millennium, for the senshi were not about to make the same mistakes twice. Helios simply increased the pressure of his arms around her and closed his eyes as if he did not want to let her go again.

"Maiden, listen to me." Pulling back only slightly, his arms stayed and their faces were close. "Call for me in your dreams, and I will meet you there. You still have the purest dream, my Maiden, and I can find it even when I do not look." Then innocently, for she was only a girl of thirteen, his head leaned and his lips lightly touched hers in a kiss almost mirroring the one he had given her three years before. The difference this time only being that they held each other close, and Helios again crushed her against him for a long hug when he stopped only seconds later. Releasing her slowly, for he knew that time was against him now, Helios helped the princess to her feet and again kissed her hand. "Remember. Call for me." It never showed anywhere but his eyes, the fear that she might not do this, that she might disappear for three more years.

Chibiusa could only nod mutely, longingly looking back at the boy she so dearly loved as her mother's senshi led her out of the gates of Elysion. Only few more years, three at the most! And now she could call him into her dreams! He had missed her, and the knowledge soared through the princess' heart and made her feel as if she could fly without wings. It was painful to be separated, but her fears had been allayed. He still cared! He was still her prince! Prince Helios of Crystal Tokyo....it had a lovely ring to it. Traveling in silence back to the Crystal Palace, she resolved again to become stronger, more proper, a true princess. That night was the first night the spring glade had opened in her mind, and true to his word, the Priest came when she called.

In a time and place far away, Blanche Williams put her face in her hands, and wept at the memory.

(( Inspiration Image ))