=========================
=========================
=================================
=================================
Chapter Four - Strange Feelings
Darkury had been having very strange feelings, ever since the last time she had fought Sailor Moon. She kept getting flashes of things she was sure should be memories, but she wasn't certain. Kunzite had been telling her to ignore the feelings, that they were just some trick of the senshi. But the feelings just kept coming.
Nephrite had reached the point where he actually looked forward to her coming to his dark corner. It didn't seem so dark when she was there.
She arrived with a bag of food as usual.
He rose to his feet and hurried over to help her.
She rubbed her temples after he had taken the bag from her.
"Mercury?" he looked worried, "What is it?"
"My head feels wooly..." she sighed and shook her head.
"Tell me?"
"It's just..." she shrugged, "I get these weird... things..."
"Like?"
"Like... oh I don't know..." she sighed, "Memories? I think? But I don't know..."
"Memories of what?" he asked
"I don't know," she repeated, "It's just... it's familiar... but nothing specific."
He hesitated and then offered her one of the foods she brought him as 'treats'
Darkury couldn't quite hide the smile in her eyes. He was trying to make her feel better... that made her feel good... even if he couldn't say it in words.
"Arigato..." she took the snack and ate it.
Nephrite shyly set a light hand on her shoulder. He wanted to comfort her but he wasn't sure how to.
Darkury couldn't help a slight smile; it was sweet.
"Kunzite said to ignore it," she started, "Demo..."
"You don't want to?" he asked
"Not that," she shook her head, "It's just... really hard to."
"He's not always right you know."
She had to smile at that, "I know."
Nephrite gave her a smile, which only made hers grow. It was so rare that she could get Nephrite to smile, and it made her feel oddly happy. Whenever she could get him to smile, it felt like she had won a prize. He looked so nice when he smiled...
Then... that feeling came again. She rubbed her temple again. It was so uncomfortable.
Nephrite's smile faded and he looked almost... worried.
She tried to catch the wayward memory, but it darted out of reach once more.
He kept his hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her. And oddly, it was working.
Nephrite hesitantly set his other hand on her other shoulder, rubbing her shoulders gently.
She blinked and then gave a shy half smile.
Nephrite turned bright red, but didn't stop. He hoped this was the right thing to do.
"... arigato..." she gazed up at him through her eye lashes.
For once, he didn't look away.
"Mercury..." he started slowly, "If... if you ever... need anything..."
"...hai?..." she whispered.
"Then... just ask."
She beamed, "Arigato."
She looked down again, "Ano..." he hesitated, "Iie... never mind."
He nodded slowly, "But you know where to find me."
"Hai..." she smiled a bit.
"You always do," he gave a faint smile, "And... that's good."
"Hai?" she asked softly.
He nodded, "And... I wouldn't mind..."
She went pink again, "Arigato..."
He didn't quite know what else to say, so he continued to rub her shoulders.
She sighed softly, "I... should go..."
"Oh, alright," Nephrite nodded, "Be careful..."
"I will..." she said, "And... I will... see you soon."
"Hai," he nodded
She half-smiled again and then hurried off.
Nephrite watched her go, and he couldn't help but smile at the fact that she was still blushing. He liked her... even if she was a senshi.
She was making sure he was alright... and that was surprisingly nice.
She had completely ceased taunting him, it even seemed like she might... like him too.
He settled down on the blankets. Mercury had brought him more almost every day, and now he had a little nest. It was even more comfortable than his old bed had been.
He lay down in his nest, his thoughts wandering back to Mercury. He used to hate her, and now... when she wasn't there, he missed her. He didn't even mind her pity so much anymore. It didn't really seem like pity.
It was almost like she liked him, but he didn't know how that was possible... she used to be his enemy and he didn't think that the spell Kunzite had her under would make her like him. It just didn't make sense, but he did know he liked it. He didn't want her ever to leave.
It was awhile before she came back. When he heard her enter he looked up and gave her a smile.
Darkury was a little ruffled-looking, but she managed a half-smile in return. "The senshi are annoying," she grumbled.
He nodded and took her hand, pulling her down to sit next to him, "What happened?"
With a soft sigh, she told him about her latest battle. "... and those memory things are getting worse," she finished with a huff. She gave a soft sigh and stared up at the rocky ceiling, trying to gather her thoughts.
Nephrite set a comforting hand on her shoulder, "I wish I could help."
She looked over at him and smiled slightly, then stepped forward and put her head on his shoulder.
Nephrite hesitantly put his arm around her, and then moved in closer and gave her a proper hug.
Darkury smiled and put her arms around his waist.
This was... nice. Very nice in fact. Nephrite took in the scent of her hair. She had quite a familiar scent now... a little like clean cotton... like the blankets and pillows she had got for him. He liked it. Liked her.
He hesitantly stroked her hair. When Darkury smiled and leaned into his touch, he kept it up. He had never realized how soft her hair was...
=========================
=========================