The moonlight filtering through the window of Usagi’s room bathed everything in a yellowish-white light. It washed over her slumbering form as it rose higher in the dark, night sky moving over her face and making her squeeze her eyes shut to keep in the darkness. As it moved over her pink hair the light colored it a shiny blonde, reminiscent of her mother’s long and flowing tresses.
She had removed her hair from its cone shaped buns and it lay out around her grown up body, tangling around itself as she tossed and turned trying to find a comfortable dream to sleep. She flipped herself one more time before settling onto her back with her left hand lightly resting on her chest. Her head fell to the right and the muscles in her face relaxed as she settled into the beautiful world of Elysian.
•~•~•~•
Her red eyes smiled as she coasted through the air and landed gracefully on the ground of the gorgeous dream world once of the Golden Kingdom. The air was light and smelled of gingerbread and cinnamon, making Usagi feel happy and comfortable. The way she felt every time that she visited Helios’ home.
Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders and brushed up against her lower back through the fabric of her nightshirt. It felt strange to have her hair be down from its coned buns, but it was also freeing in a way, allowing her to be more relaxed. As her bare feet touched the cool, green grass a chill ran up her spine and she shuddered a bit, but smiled nonetheless.
She allowed her eyes to roam over the land that surrounded her and take in the familiar sights of trees and leaves and crystals. Trees of all shapes and sizes surrounded her and reached high into the sky. Their leaves were red, orange, brown and green, growing lushly from the limbs they covered. Randomly and all around, bunches of crystals spouted up out of the ground. They were all different sizes and all different shapes, shimmering and gleaming in beautiful colors from a light source that could not be found. Behind her an enormous waterfall fell from a high cliff. The water was clear and blue at the same time and the roar was dull and soothing when it hit the pool below.
As she stared at the beautiful sight, her eyes fell upon the golden eyes of a Pegasus that was flying over the top of the cliff. His white wings spread wide, he swooped down and caught the wind that was created from the crash of water on water and glided to the edge of the pool. His hooves thudded softly on the grassy knoll and he slowly walked toward the dreaming woman, the muscles of his body flexing under the soft white fur that covered his skin.
“You’ve come to visit me.”
His voice was soft, almost like a sound in her head. She smiled as the familiarity came back to her and she felt the warmth of the voice echo through her body. His eyes smiled back and as he stared at her the red jewel on his forehead glowed brighter than anything she had ever seen. She did not shield her eyes nor wince from the light. She simply stared on at the brilliant transformation taking place before her and sighed a contented sigh when her gaze fell upon Helios, the beautiful guardian of Elysian.
His clothes were white with accents of teal at the shoulders and on the collar, midnight blue accents wrapped around his wrists at the cuff of his sleeves and a midnight blue sash wrapped around his waist serving as a belt, its ends falling around his legs. At his chest were sewn golden, round buttons that formed a down arrow. Each button had a light green tassel hanging down from it. White boots hid under his white pants covering his feet and legs. His hair was light and neat, white and wavy over his head. His eyes were still the golden color that they were as Pegasus, but now, instead of being a solid circle, they were softer, more human. The eyes that Usagi had come to love.
He walked up to her and took her hands in his. He smiled a wide smile and tightened his grip around her fingers.
“I’m glad you’ve come to see me.”
“I’m happy to see you.”
It was the first time she had spoken since arriving. Her voice came out soft and relaxed, like a solid whisper as it floated to his ears.
“I have a present for you.”
Her eyes lit up as he pulled her arm in the direction of an area to their right enclosed by trees and groups of crystals. They walked several feet and as they were about to reach the clearing, Helios paused and released his grip on her hands. He moved around behind her and covered her eyes with his fingers.
She giggled a bit and said, “Helios, you don’t trust me?”
“My lady,” he replied, “I trust you with my life. But when it comes to peaking, snooping, surprises, and gifts, you are your mother’s child.”
His response amused her further and she continued to giggle as she was led forward into the clearing where her surprise lay. As she moved through the trees she felt warmth on her skin and could see a bright light shining through Helios’ fingers. Usagi could feel a sense of happiness engulfing her heart, almost like she knew what she was about to see.
As Helios led her farther into the clearing she felt the warmth on her skin grow in intensity, the feeling in her heart made it beat heavily in her chest as anticipation grew and her curiosity took hold. She knew he was smiling behind her, knew he could feel her becoming antsy in his grasp. After they came to a halt he allowed his fingers to linger over her eyes for a moment longer and then slowly lifted them from her face revealing the surprise that awaited her in the clearing.
Usagi’s eyes fluttered open and the sight took her breath away. Before her stood the tallest evergreen tree that she had ever seen. It looked to be about twenty feet tall with a brilliant star sitting on its peak. Its limbs were decorated with flowers and colorful ornaments, bows and candles, and sparkling, white lights that peeked out from under the needles, through the fabric of the bows and the pedals of the flowers. Surrounding the tree and the clearing were lit candles of all shapes, sizes and colors. The firelight made the groupings of crystals that were surrounding them sparkle and shine painting the area in brilliant, dazzling colors.
“It’s beautiful.”
“I thought that it would please you to spend Christmas Eve with me.”
Usagi turned to Helios and smiled a deep smile as a joyful tear ran down her cheek, “This is the most beautiful Christmas tree that I’ve ever seen.”
Helios smiled, gripped Usagi’s hand and spun her around. As she spun she felt her night clothes melt away and when she halted she discovered that they had been replaced by her formal, pink dress; the layers of fabric that created the sleeves falling down past her shoulders and allowing them to feel the warmth of the candles. Her hair was wrapped up in their familiar, cone shaped buns, the extra hair forming pigtails that fell down to her elbows.
Her eyes met Helios’ and her hand found his outstretched one. He led her away from the tree, toward and area of the clearing that was empty of candles. He wrapped his arm around her waist and while she held the train of her dress high above the ground he led her in a waltz to magical music that seemed the play on the wind. Her heart fluttered as her feet moved, her eyes watching his to lead her in the steps. They moved as one, gracefully dancing over the green grass below. They were silent for several minutes, waltzing with the wind and then Helios broke their stare with a blink and captured her eyes again.
“I was hoping you would come tonight.”
Usagi smiled a warm smile, knowing he had more to say, asking him to continue with her eyes.
He stopped their dancing and knelt before her. In his hands he held a black, velvet covered box and in his eyes was a question.
“Will you be with me forever?”
He slowly lifted the box cover and revealed a sparkling pink sapphire, staring up at her from the white pillow that held it. The color of the sapphire was a dazzling contrast against the white gold that made up the ring and the large oval diamonds set in yellow gold on either side. Encrusted with tiny diamonds to accent the white gold band, the ring shimmered and shone as the firelight danced over it. Helios removed the ring from the box and slowly slid it onto her finger, the gold was cold against her skin and her breath caught yet again.
Her world stretched as he stood and touched his lips to hers, the lights on the tree in the background becoming white lines as she closed her eyes and relished the kiss.
•~•~•~•
Her eyes fluttered open and she realized that she was back in her bedroom, warm in her bed. Frantically she lifted the covers from her body and realized that she was still clothed in her formal dress. Pausing she looked at her finger and found the ring still resting against her skin. The darkness in her room dissipated as the crystal lights illuminated and lit the room with their bright glow. As her eyes adjusted to the light she found Helios standing before her, the question still in his eyes.
She stood from her bed and reached up to touch his cheek and said, “I will be with you for longer than forever.”
A squeal interrupted their passionate gaze and their attention was drawn to the door where the king and queen stood accompanied by their planetary guardians. Sailor Mars glared at Sailor Venus while the others merely blushed in embarrassment. Queen Serenity had an amused grin on her face as her eyes darted back and forth between Mars and Venus.
“What?” The orange suited guardian asked as she plastered on the best clueless face she could muster. “This is totally the best Christmas ever!”
Usagi couldn’t help but smile as the others giggled and laughed. Gripping Helios’ hand, she dragged him with her to excitedly show off the most beautiful Christmas present she had ever received.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“The Question of a Dream” © 2007 Bella Luna (beautifulmoon29@aol.com)
Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon, its associated characters and canon, as well as all that is afflilated with the creation, distribution, and promotion of Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon belong to Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha. And it is extremely kind of them to allow all of us to use their characters in our own fun ways.
The text of this work was created by Bella Luna (beautifulmoon29@aol.com) and is her exclusive property. Not to be used without her personal permission.
