You can change your looks

[angstennou]

Who: Nephrite and Ami (geniustheveil)
What: Nephrite became a bitty and Ami is watching him until she figures out a solution
When: ???
Where: Juuban shopping district

[That Motoki-niisan had told him to help with shopping, but Nephrite didn't think he was so weak and slow. He was lucky Nephrite was there to help him! The boy had picked up most of the boxes and was running around the shops, turning back only to taunt the grown-up.]

Come on! You're so slow!

[He stopped by a stand at the flea market to stare at a big bull horns wall decor.]

Wow! That's so cool! Can we buy it too?

Comments

[geniustheveil]

[The person who found Nephrite was neither Jadeite nor Endymion, but Mizuno Ami - Sailor Mercury. She looked rather confused, but that was probably preferable to someone angry.]

Nephrite-kun? [She isn't really sure she should use the friendly honorific, but... well he's a child right now, and they've known each other a long time now, haven't they?]

We were looking for you. [Somewhere in that statement is an implied 'we were worried'.] Are you feeling alright?

[angstennou]

[His friends wouldn't be angry either, except if it was Kunzite. Then Nephrite would have to endure a longer and harsher training session after the scolding. It was good that it was Ami who had found him. She was always nice to him.

He didn't mind the honorific, it actually made him feel a bit less lonely as it made him feel they were closer. He lifted his head from his knees to reply, quietly and stubbornly,]

I am fine. [No, his eyes aren't red and filled with tears, nope.]

[geniustheveil]

[Yeah, with the red and tear-filled eyes, it doesn't look like he's fine. And instead of dragging him back to everyone else, Ami immediately, quite simply, sits down beside him, ready to listen.

She pulls out a handkerchief, too, which she holds out to him.]

Here. It's alright. Do you want to talk about what happened?

[angstennou]

[The boy was surprised that she didn't just drag him back. Ami was a different grown-up. The adults usually believed when he said he was fine.

He didn't pick the handkerchief, as he had already wiped his tears with his sleeves.]

I don't want to stay with Motoki anymore. I want to go home and be with my friends.

[geniustheveil]

[Oh, dear, that's not so easily granted. Because Ami knows it's not even safe for him there. Chiba Mamoru, too, was very emphatic that Nephrite should not go back to the Dark Kingdom, that if he could escape, it was for the best.]

I understand. You miss your friends. But right now, it would be difficult to be there...

[angstennou]

[The boy looked up to her with pleading puppy eyes.]

When I will be allowed to go home? What do I need to do?

[geniustheveil]

You know... Nephrite-kun, it's not that you can't go there because of anything you did wrong. You were fine. It's because it might not be safe there for you.

[angstennou]

[Ami, now you got him worried. ]

Not safe? But why? What's happening at home? And my friends? Are they okay?

[Nephrite quickly got on his feet, and the teary eyes were replaced by a determined expression. He was even more eager to go back. If there was something wrong, he needed to fight with his friends! They were the future knights of their kingdom!]

[geniustheveil]

[She doesn't want to say it, because she knows how hurtful it would be, but right now... there isn't anything Nephrite could do. If he were to go back, Beryl would only be able to use him again, or far, far worse.

She can't even confidently tell him it will be fine soon, though, because she isn't so sure that it will be.]

Your friends will fight their best. [Well, Kunzite and Zoisite will fight to be free of Beryl, at least - even if their views split drastically after that. Jadeite... Jadeite will probably stand by Beryl even now...]

[angstennou]

[Nephrite pouted again.]
Why can't I fight with them? What's going on?

[Why is he being left out? Is Kunzite still angry because he slept through the last history class?]

[geniustheveil]

[Well, probably. But Kunzite being mad that Nephrite is all brawn and no brains isn't the problem here.]

Right now, they have something to do for themselves. [She is. Bad at this.] So that's why they're happy knowing you're here and safe, so they can focus on those things.

[angstennou]

[Sorry Ami, still pouting.]

But... Even Jade? Jade is weaker than me! If I need to be safe, he needs too!

[geniustheveil]

[She has to ask it, even though it's such an unfair question for someone of Nephrite's current age.]

Nephrite-kun, why is it you want to go to them so badly?

[Not that he shouldn't, exactly, but after everything she knows happened...]

[angstennou]

[Ami, what are you talking about? Isn't it obvious?]

Because I want to help my friends! We always fight together!

[geniustheveil]

[It's the exact answer Ami would give, which makes it even harder to look Nephrite in the eye and tell him things can't be that way right now.]

As soon as it's possible, I'm sure you'll be together again.