Nephrite and Cira entered the palace and saw the four Senshi standing in the foyer.
"Auntie Cira," a blonde haired boy ran up and clung to her leg, "where is Nima?"
"Auntie Cira," the other three children dashed up to her excitedly. Venus cleared his throat and the children stood still. The little blonde boy clung to Cira's leg refusing to look at his father.
"Masaru," Venus called his son with a fear inspiring tone. The blonde boy released Cira and walked slowly back to his father's side. He avoided his father's cold stare and shifted his weight uncomfortably Nima dashed into the room and smiled at the four children standing with the Senshi.
"Mama," she smiled widely at her mother, "can we go play in the garden?" Cira nodded dismissing the children. Nima ran outside with three children then turned around and looked at Masaru. "Venus-sama," Nima asked quietly, "can Masaru come and play outside with us?" Venus nodded and Nima grabbed Masaru's hand. "Come on, Masaru," she smiled and pulled him outside. Cira chuckled softly and shook her head.
"What brings you all over today?" She smiled at the Senshi.
"We just needed a day off from the kids," Venus laughed, "is Celino around?"
"He's probably somewhere stalking Silvio and Naiya," she giggled lightly.
"I'll be in the library if anyone needs me," Mercury said as he headed for the library.
"It's nice to see some things never change," Cira smiled then turned to Jupiter, "want to help me in the kitchen?" Jupiter nodded and headed to the kitchen with Cira.
"Let's go find Celino," Mars smiled at Venus.
"Alright," Nima smiled placing her hands on her hips, "we're going to play hide and seek." Masaru groaned loudly knowing he was going to be "it." He was always "it." Sometimes it seemed like Nima was picking on him. "Masaru," Nima smiled. Masaru sighed loudly and was prepared to throw a tantrum. "You're not 'it' today," she smiled, "Ryo is." Ryo jumped up and down cheering as his jet black hair bounced.
"In the name of Mars," Ryo laughed, "I won't be 'it' long." The other four ran off and waited for him to count. Masaru grabbed Nima's hand and led her behind the garden walls.
"He won't find us here," he laughed lightly, "as long as you're quiet." Nima nodded feeling her heart race wildly. She took slow, deep breaths trying to calm her heart. Masaru covered her mouth as Ryo ran pass them. Nima closed her eyes and blushed feeling her cheeks grow hot.
"I can't find them anywhere," Ryo groaned as he ran pass their hiding space again with Megumi and Akiko. Megumi turned and smiled at Akiko.
"I bet they're somewhere being all lovey dovey," she teased loudly waiting for Nima to pop out. Masaru restrained a hot headed Nima. She thrashed against him losing her temper.
"They're trying to make us come out," he whispered in her ear. His warm breath tickled her neck causing her heart to race and her mind to calm down. She enjoyed hiding with Masaru. She would never admit it to anyone, but she had a small crush on him. Small, like the size of an ant small. She nodded trying to force herself to believe that.
"We give up," Ryo shouted as he threw himself to the ground, "I give up." Masaru and Nima dashed out from behind the garden wall. Nima stuck her tongue out at Megumi.
"I told you they were hiding together," Megumi smiled feeling proud of herself, "Nima and Masaru sitting in a treeā¦" Nima growled and jumped on Megumi knocking her to the ground. The two girls tussled around in the garden rolling back and forth. Akiko shook her head.
"Girls shouldn't act like that in the presence of others," she said sternly until the girls knocked her over. Masaru and Ryo watched as the three girls rolled around in the dirt fighting each other.
"Hey, hey, hey," Zoicite called as he ran in the direction of the children.
"Zoicite's coming," Ryo cried out and ran off with Masaru. The three girls jumped to their feet and darted off in different directions. Zoicite shook his head.
"That is no way for young ladies to act," he shouted, "next time I see that I'm telling your parents." Zoicite disappeared from the garden and the children came out laughing wildly.
"Next time I see that I'm telling your parents," Akiko laughed as she mocked Zoicite.
"My name is Zoicite and I don't know how to have fun," Megumi laughed.
"Zoicite knows how to have fun," Nima smiled at them, "he's just very concerned about me getting hurt."
"You're not hurt, are you?" Masaru asked as he checked Nima for any bruises or scratches. Megumi nudged Akiko and the two girls began laughing wildly.
"I'm fine," she replied.
"Masaru and Nima sitting in a tree," Megumi began teasing again.
"She's the princess," Masaru said almost in a scolding tone like his father, "it's our job to protect her. I'm simply doing my job." Megumi lowered her head and Nima blinked back tears. She turned away from the four children.
"I don't need anyone protecting me," she said a bit coldly, "I'm capable of protecting myself."
"But you don't have any powers," Akiko pointed out then covered her mouth. Nima whirled around and glared at Akiko with tears in her eyes.
"I'm not your friend anymore," she growled and took off toward the palace. She dashed past Nephrite and up the stairwell to her room then flung herself on the bed.
"I didn't mean it," Akiko said hearing her voice break, "I really didn't." Megumi rubbed her back gently.
"We know," she whispered, "we know."
