Chapter 24
Naru's Tears: Nephrite Dies For Love
On the playground, Sora and Usagi stood with a depressed Naru who was sitting on the slide behind them.
"We hate to see you so sad like this. Naru, I think it's best if you forget about him," Usagi said to her friend.
"I can't," replied Naru.
"Why not, Naru?" asked Sora.
"Even if he is a bad person, I still love him," she answered.
"I can't believe this," sighed Sora.
"I hear you, Sora," replied Usagi.
"You guys, you have someone you like, right?" asked Naru.
"Yeah. I still do, Naru. Twily, Ruby, Kairi, Weiss, Blake, and Yang. They're all part of my heart, no matter how far away they may be," replied Sora.
"And even if Sora's strange at times, that doesn't mean that he still cares about me, Ami, Rei, and the rest of his friends," added Usagi.
"So then, you should understand exactly how I'm feeling now," said Naru.
"Of course we do," whispered Sora.
Meanwhile, Nephrite sat alone in his manor, looking at the dark crystal in his hand, with a bewildered expression on his face.
"I don't understand, why did the dark crystal suddenly react to Naru Osaka's energy? Is it the energy of her love for me?" he asked himself.
The memory of Naru protecting him was still fresh in his mind, as he looked at the crystal in thought, but he scoffed at himself, with a look of disappointment.
"Now that I think about it, Sailor Moon knew that girl quite well, along with that boy, Sora, and his friends. Which means that Naru Osaka knows who Sailor Moon really is. Watch out Sailor Moon" he said with a dark chuckle.
He didn't notice Sephiroth and Zoisite were watching him from the shadows, now knowing that the Dark Crystal could help them find the Silver Crystal. Nephrite left and soon went to Naru's house to ask her some questions, as Sephiroth destroyed his manor, and left it in smouldering ruins, with Zoisite laughing sadistically, at what he called true art. Once Nephrite arrived, he saw the crystal reacting to Naru's presence, and began to see if she had the Silver Crystal within her, but found nothing within her.
"It's not there, I'm not getting a reading, she doesn't carry the crystal," he said, and left just as Naru woke up.
"Mr. Sanjouin?" she asked.
"No, the man you know as Masato Sanjouin does not exist. My real name is Nephrite. I can't lie to you any longer," replied Nephrite.
Naru tried to approach him, but Nephrite stopped her.
"All right," she said.
"You are a wonderful girl, and thanks to you, for the very first time, I've learned what love actually is. This emotion doesn't exist in the evil Organization that I work for. In my world, we betray our allies, we kill each other for personal gain. I thought that's just how life was. I never expected it to be more than that, but your love has opened my eyes. It's truly changed me, I'm now thinking of joining Sailor Moon, Sora, and their friends to fight the evil organization. That's why I need you to tell me all you know about Sailor Moon, and how to find her," explained Nephrite.
"I really don't know anything, I'm sorry," replied Naru.
"Don't you believe me?" asked Nephrite.
"It's not that, I do believe you! I really do! But I just don't know anything about her, honest," cried Naru.
"I see. That's unfortunate," Nephrite said as he vanished.
Naru tried to tell him to wait, but it was too late, he had already left.
"I want to help you, Nephrite," she said, causing him to return, so that he could observe her next move.
As Nephrite waited, he didn't know that Sephiroth and Zoisite were watching him, from another building.
"My, my. So what do we have here? It seems he's fallen in love with a human girl," snickered Zoisite.
"Master Zoisite, Master Sephiroth." called a voice from behind.
"
Were you listening? You heard what Nephrite said?" he asked, glancing at Grape, Housenka, and Suzuran, the plant sisters.
"Let's take him out now," said Grape.
"Stay your hands. We must wait for the opportune moment to strike Nephrite when he's most vulnerable. All we need is the perfect bait to lure him to us," interjected Sephiroth.
"Sephiroth's right, Nephrite is a powerful warrior, and Sephiroth's plan is actually perfect. We'll begin by taking that girl hostage and using her to lure him out," smirked Zoisite as he watched from above.
"As you wish," replied Grape, who bowed respectfully to them.
Inside her room, Naru was conflicted about helping Nephrite, with knowing who Sailor Moon really was, unaware that Nephrite was listening to her from outside.
"Usagi, you have a phone call," called her mother.
"Okay, who could be calling at this hour, it's the middle of the night," moaned Usagi, as she clambered down the stairs in her pajamas.
Sora stood aside, as he watched her pick up the phone.
"Hello, Usagi speaking," she yawned.
She didn't hear anyone at first, and began to grow suspicious, until Naru's voice came through the speaker.
"Usagi, is that you? Sorry to bother you this late," she said.
"Sounds like Naru," murmured Sora.
"Naru, what's wrong?" Usagi asked.
"I don't know what to do. I'm so confused. You're the only one I can talk to about this," replied Naru.
"So, tell me what happened," said Usagi.
"It's about Mr. Sanjouin, he just came by right about now, and asked where he could find Sailor Moon," explained Naru.
Sora's eyes suddenly filled with anger, as he now knew that Nephrite was plotting again, while Usagi gasped in shock.
"He was in such a hurry, it seemed like he was in trouble. I feel so powerless, there's nothing I can do to help him," Naru said sadly.
"Do you have any idea where he is now?" asked Usagi.
But poor Naru sniffled a bit, making Sora and Usagi concerned.
"Are you okay, Naru?" he asked, in Usagi's stead.
"I'm fine, I shouldn't have gotten you guys out of bed. Just forget it," replied Naru, just as Nephrite appeared from behind the window.
"But, Naru," Sora and Usagi said together.
"I'm all right now, just talking with you has calmed me down. Thanks for listening, Usagi," said Naru.
"You sure you're okay?" asked Usagi, as Nephrite heard that name.
"Nephrite is keeping close tabs on Naru! He must be up to something!" said Luna, as she, Usagi, and Sora followed her.
"You're right, Luna! We need to hurry!" replied Sora.
"Come on Usagi, pick up the pace!" Luna said to Usagi.
"No, Luna, you hurry on ahead, we'll catch up with you soon!" Sora said to her.
"Okay, but be careful!" replied Luna.
"Same to you, Luna!" Usagi called back.
Suddenly, reality around them began to distort, making Sora and Usagi stop in their tracks.
"What's going on!?" gasped Usagi.
Sora glanced ahead of him, his eyes filled with grim determination.
"Usagi, transform into Sailor Moon! We got Heartless to fight!" he said.
"You got it, Sora! Let's do it!" replied Usagi.
Her determination was strong as she transformed into Sailor Moon in a brilliant flash of light, while Sora readied his Keyblade for battle. Suddenly the distortion faded.
"Looks like my little trick worked," chuckled Nephrite.
"What?" Sora and Sailor Moon asked.
There appearing from the dark corridor, was Nephrite.
"Nephrite! So you were behind this all along!" snapped Sora.
"Yes, and it looks like Sailor Moon and Usagi Tsukino are indeed one and the same. Seeing is believing," replied Nephrite, making Usagi flinch.
"I don't care if you've found out who Sailor Moon really is. But now I can finally put an end to you with my own hands! Because I won't let you inform your superiors about your discovery! Not while I have a say in the matter!" Sora said furiously.
"Oh really, and just what do you plan to do with me, Sora?" asked Nephrite.
"By making you become your demise, Nephrite!" replied Sora, pointing his Keyblade at him.
"Very well, then, let's have at it," Nephrite said, as he and Sora charged at each other, with their blades held at the ready.
Sailor Moon watched in awe, as Sora and Nephrite began trading blows with each other, in a deadly contest, where only one would come out alive. They entered a blade lock, making Sora force Nephrite back, as he tried to blast Sailor Moon with his dark power, but Sora deflected it with his Keyblade, sending the projectiles away from them.
"Sora, be careful!" called Sailor Moon.
"You won't be leaving this battle alive!" declared Nephrite.
He was about to deliver a more powerful killing blow, when a rose landed between the combatants.
"These two warriors of light will never suffer defeat at the hands of evil, Not while I'm around," Tuxedo Mask said to Nephrite.
"Thanks for the save, Tuxedo Mask!" called Sora.
"Yeah, what Sora said," added Sailor Moon.
Nephrite was about to strike them all down, when he heard Naru's cry of help within his mind.
"What's wrong, Nephrite!?" asked Tuxedo Mask.
"I have other matters to attend to. I can attack you anytime I want, now that I know your true identity Sailor Moon, so watch your back," replied Nephrite.
"Get back here!" shouted Sora.
But Nephrite had already vanished, making Sora ultimately lose control of his anger, and swing his Keyblade in a blind rage.
"Nephrite! I won't let you hurt her! You hear me!?" screamed Sora, as he lashed out in anger.
"Hold on Sora! I know that you're angry, but you're also scaring Sailor Moon to death!" Tuxedo Mask said to him.
"I hate this. Nephrite used Naru to find out who Sailor Moon was, and now Luna's gonna be disappointed in her," Sora said, with an icy venom in his voice.
"Don't worry, Sora. She's a smart girl, and you can help her out as best you can. May your heart be your guiding key," replied Tuxedo Mask.
Sora glanced at Sailor Moon, who was still upset that she had been unmasked, but turned sadly away from her.
"I'm sorry," he said somberly, but Usagi hugged him.
"It's not your fault, Sora. But just promise me you won't lose control of your anger again," replied Usagi.
"I promise," whispered Sora, as he hugged her back.
Meanwhile, Zoisite, the Plant Sisters, and Sephiroth, had managed to take Naru captive, as Luna watched in horror.
"I'm too late! I have to warn everyone about this immediately!" she said, and raced off into the distance.
Quickly Nephrite arrived in Naru's room and noticed a note on her bed.
"They want the dark crystal for Naru Osaka. It's got to be the work of Zoisite. What a fool, why in Kingdom Hearts do I care what happens to that girl," he said.
But the memory of Naru's kindness and protective nature caused him to begin his search for her.
"Nephrite better get here, quick," said Housenka.
"Do you honestly think he's going to come rescue this human?" asked Suzuran.
"Well if he doesn't, I guess we'll be forced to eliminate her," answered Grape.
"The poor thing, she looks so frightened," chuckled Housenka.
They soon heard the sound of a door opening, and both the Plant Sisters and Naru saw that Nephrite had appeared.
"Nephrite, you came!?" gasped Naru.
The plant sisters attacked him furiously, but Nephrite quickly dodged out of the way, and retaliated with a furious flurry of punches and kicks directed at two of the Plant Sisters. The last one tried to strike him down, but Nephrite readied his sword and held it dangerously near her throat.
"I've got a message for you to deliver to Zoisite. I'm not giving up the Dark Crystal," he said to them.
He then turned towards Naru, and carried her out of the building, hoping that they wouldn't follow him, or try to attack him from behind his back.
"Thank you Nephrite, for coming to save me," she said.
"Don't thank me. If you didn't know me, this wouldn't have happened. I don't even know why I saved you. Besides, I haven't been honest. I lied to you this whole time. And knowing myself, I may continue to lie to you," replied Nephrite.
"That's okay with me," smiled Naru.
Nephrite looked into her eyes, feeling confused.
"As long as you always remain by my side, I can live with the lying," she said.
But she suddenly noticed that Nephrite had received a scratch from one of the Plant Sister's attacks.
"It's all right," he said.
"It's not alright! This happened to you because of me! We have to hide from those women before they find us again. Come on, follow me!" protested Naru.
She carefully guided him to a nearby tree.
"You need to take off your jacket," said Naru.
"All right," he replied.
As Nephrite did, Naru decided to forge a makeshift bandage out of her pajamas, and wrapped it around Nephrite's injury.
"On Third Avenue, there's this little place that serves the best chocolate parfait," she explained.
"Chocolat parfait?" he asked curiously.
"Yeah, you like it?" she said excitedly.
"Sure, why wouldn't I?" replied Nephrite.
"That's a lie," grinned Naru.
Nephrite seemed surprised.
"A sweet lie to make it seem like we have something in common," she said.
When she finished bandaging Nephrite's arm, they sat peacefully together under the tree.
"Anyway, I was wondering if you'd like to go there with me sometime. I know it's kind of a silly idea, but I've dreamed of going there with you, to share a chocolate parfait together," she said.
"Sounds good, let's do it," replied Nephrite.
"You mean it?" asked Naru.
"You think I'm lying to you?" question Nephrite.
But Naru shook her head no.
"I can't wait. Oh, but will your evil organization give you a day off, like someday?" she asked.
Nephrite smiled sheepishly and laughed quietly.
"Wow, I've never seen you laugh like that," said Naru.
The two of them laughed quietly with each other, as Naru brushed at her face with her hand.
"How stange, what that brought that on. I can't seem to stop laughing," she said, unable to hold back her laughter.
Suddenly, one of the plant sisters attacked Nephrite and Naru, but the warlord quickly shielded Naru from her attack, and was impaled by her roots, making Naru gasp in shock.
"What have you done to him!?" she asked in dismay.
"You let your guard down. Those thorns will drain your energy, until you turn into a Heartless. A fitting end for a traitor," said Grape.
Then suddenly, Sephiroth appeared, and plunged his sword through Nephrite's chest, making him scream in agony.
"Is this the pain you've wanted to feel, Nephrite?" he asked.
Nephrite struggled against the blade, as he was lifted into the air.
"Let me remind you. This time you won't forget," said Sephiroth, as his wing unfurled from behind him.
"Sephiroth, why would you attack me?" gasped Nephrite.
"To see you suffer, as Naru's heart fills with despair," replied the One-Winged Angel, sending Nephrite crashing against the tree.
"If you don't want us to kill the girl too, then hand over the dark crystal," added Suzuran.
"You can have it," said Nephrite, who struggled to fight back.
He glanced back at Naru.
"Get out of here, now!" he cried.
"No!" protested Naru.
"Run away!" snapped Nephrite.
"I won't!" replied Naru.
She ran towards him, refusing to leave his side, and took hold of the thorns in his shoulder, ignoring the pain that afflicted her.
"Fool, do you really think a pathetic human like you could pull those thorns?" asked Grape.
"Give it up! You have to get out of her! Just leave me, you've done enough!" said Nephrite, as Naru pulled with all her strength.
Suddenly, one of the thorns began to move, thanks to Naru's determination, and strength of heart.
"Impossible!" gasped Grape.
"Nephrite, don't die! Hold on! Please!" cried Naru.
"I'm going to finish both of you! Now die!" shouted Housenka.
Using whatever strength he had left, Nephrite pushed Naru out of the way, and shielded himself from the attack, causing a massive explosion, which sent the Dark Crystal flying towards them.
"Are you alright, Naru?" asked the wounded Nephrite.
"Well done you four. The plan worked, the dark crystal is ours now. I'm sure he wants to die with the girl he loves, but we can't wait. Give him a good beating to finish him off," Zoisite said proudly, as he collected the crystal and retreated into the darkness.
"It's over," said Sephiroth as he walked off into the dark corridor as well.
"Sephiroth, Zoisite, how could you?" gasped Nephrite.
"This should be fun," said Housenka.
Nephrite tried to tell Naru to run, as Grape prepared to deliver the finishing blow.
"That's enough, you freaks! Now WE'RE MAD!" roared Sora.
The plant sisters turned to see Sora, Sailor Moon, and their friends at their side, all of them filled with unrelenting anger towards them.
"How dare you mess with two people who are in love! That's beyond forgivable!" shouted Sailor Moon.
"It's them!" hissed Grape.
"And now, on behalf of the moon, I'm punishing you!" Sailor Moon said.
"Douse yourself in water, and accept repentance!" added Sailor Mercury.
"On behalf of Mars, I'm chastising you!" finished Sailor Mars.
The plant sisters attacked them with everything they had, but they quickly dodged out of the way, and retaliated with everything they had.
"Bubble Spray!" shouted Ami, stopping the explosive orbs.
."This is the end!" cried Sora.
"You said it Sora!" agreed Sailors Moon and Mars.
Together they combined Fire Soul and Moon Tiara Action which seriously wounded them, as Sora charged in and delivered a powerful flurry of slashes with his Keyblade instantly destroying them.
"Anyone else from the Dark Kingdom who'd like to be next!?" Sora shouted furiously.
"Wait Sora! You shouldn't antagonize them!" cried Ami.
"Oh, sorry about that," he said sheepishly.
"Yeah, you're starting to act a bit too much like myself, whenever I lose my temper," said Rei.
"I wouldn't worry about that," piped in Riku as he pointed towards Nephrite and Naru.
"Nephrite, we're safe now," she said.
"Sailor Moon," Nephrite said.
"Yes?" replied Usagi.
"It looks like your true identity will remain a secret after all," he said.
"Really? That's good," smiled Sora, but he noticed that Nephrite was badly wounded and ran to his side.
"No, don't die," pleaded Sailor Moon.
"I'm sorry… Don't think we'll be having… chocolate parfait together," breathed Nephrite.
"Please stay," cried Naru.
"Looks like I continued to lie to you, until the very end, forgive me," Nephrite said, gently touching Naru's cheek.
"Nephrite, what were you trying to do?" asked Sora.
"I wanted to know what love felt like. Thanks to Naru, I finally understood. She even made me feel like I had a heart. Which feels strange for a being of darkness. You make me feel… the same, Sora. Just promise me you'll keep Naru, and everyone else safe from the Dark Kingdom," breathed Nephrite.
"I will, Nephrite. I promise," replied Sora.
"Thank you, for being part of my life," Nephrite said.
Then his eyes clouded, his breathing stopped, and his heart soon traveled to Kingdom Hearts, to rest in peace. Naru begged for him to stay, as his body faded away into the light, until all that remained was the bandage Naru had made from her own pajamas. Everyone else watched sorrowfully as Nephrite passed on, to join with the other hearts in the afterlife, that would someday become one with Kingdom Hearts.
"Naru, I, I'm so sorry. We tried to help him, we really did. But… but he was far beyond helping. I'm sorry," Sora said somberly.
But Naru hugged him tightly.
"No, don't be sorry. You did help him, in the end! Thank you. Thank you Sora," she sobbed.
Then Sora gently held Naru in his arms, as the others mourned for Nephrite who was no more, but secretly, Sora began to swear an oath of vengeance to avenge his death, by finding and killing his attackers, as his eyes filled with anger and hatred for the Dark Kingdom.
I may not know who the rest of those guys are from the Dark Kingdom, but they're gonna pay for taking Naru's happiness away from her, he thought.
