"I saw Jadeite in town today," Rei said lightly when the former senshi met later that day.
"I know," squealed Usagi and beamed at her. "Mamoru called me just to tell me how Jadeite has been talking to you, and how he was even smiling and joking. He couldn't believe it!"
Rei rolled her eyes and ignored the grins of the other girls. "There's no need to make such a big deal out of it. I just said hi when I saw him. It was only a few words we exchanged. What's so special about it?"
"But Jadeite never smiles these days! And he doesn't talk either. He's all "yes, princess" or "no, princess", and "I'm sorry, princess". The other Shitennou are so worried about him."
"Why, what's wrong with him?" asked Makoto.
"Well... now that he isn't under Queen Beryl's curse any more, he has all these memories that haunt him... and he feels guilty for the things he did. It's really sad. I sometimes tell him that he shouldn't be so down about it, that he didn't have a choice. But it's no good. He's just like "yes, princess" and then Kunzite says something like "a guardian always has a choice" and Jadeite is even unhappier."
"Creepy," said Makoto.
"Not sane," said Minako.
"Of course he would be traumatized," said Ami, in a voice that was softer than ever, "He's always been the most compassionate one. Remember how we saw him react on Nephrite's death, even under the curse... and Dark Energy made him do terrible things... "
Ami speaking of Dark Energy silenced them all. Ami felt very uncomfortable with everyone suddenly looking at her.
"Uhm, I mean..." she stuttered, "it just makes sense he's a bit... troubled..."
"Not sane. Not safe. You should stay away from him, Rei," said Minako.
"Excuse me..." started Rei who didn't like to be told what to do or not. But Usagi was faster.
"No, Minako-chan," she said. "No. Rei did the right thing. Matters between the Sailor Senshi and the Shitennou need to improve. You shouldn't act around them like they were still enemies. We're on the same side now.
If Jadeite has been normal for the first five minutes of his new life around Rei, and I punish him for it by telling him it was wrong and shouldn't happen again... I don't even want to think what it would do to him... or the other boys... they try to get a grip, they really do. Everyone, let's support them some more."
And Rei, who had never thought that a plan from Usagi would meet her full approval, found herself nodding.
Rei didn't exactly look out for a ridiculous blond head when she went to town. But only once or twice she caught a glimpse of him following Mamoru, always too far away to talk to them.