The Midnight Train Crossing

Nephrite looked fixedly at the ground, avoiding all contact with anyone, especially that baka-Motoki. He preferred cleaning the private rooms to working out front. At least that way no one was there to witness his humiliation.

He sighed softly as he descended the stairs to one of the rooms. Even his anger wasn't strong enough to endure this... At least if he kept his head down, no one noticed him.

Motoki-baka had told him to collect all the dishes and put them in the washer. He had broken too many, so he carried the tray gingerly.

It still hurt - the Third of the Dark Kingdom Shitennou doing servant's work, trapped in this strange prison.

He balanced all of the dishes carefully and for once they didn't shift when he lifted the tray.

Nephrite took careful steps out into the hallway when he heard voices. Customers. Silly humans. He ducked his head and took a deep breath before making his way out into the main hall. If he was quiet, he would be able to pass to the staff room without attracting attention.

But... he recognized the voice...

Nephrite hazarded a glance up and his eyes widened - it was him!

And worse yet, Endymion recognized him.

Nephrite had to look away, fixing his gaze firmly on the tray. He couldn't bear the look in Endymion's eyes. He listened as Motoki-baka introduced him as a live-in employee... and he used that horrid nickname.

"Nephikichi-kun?" Endymion repeated.

"His name is hard to say, so I gave him a nick name," Motoki-baka said, "Perfect, isn't it?"

Endymion tried to hold it back, but a slight snicker escaped.

Nephrite's eyes widened at the sound. He hated the name, but he didn't know it was a mocking name.

He glared at Motoki-baka, "You gave me a mocking name?"

"No, no way... I just made it easier to say."

He continued to glare, until Motoki-baka backed down, making some excuse to leave the room.

He lowered his eyes to the ground again. All he could do was glare... it worked on Motoki-baka, but that was all...

"So you are alright," Endymion said

"Death would have been preferable..." he responded, unable to look at the prince.

"Don't be stupid," Endymion said, "This is a good thing."

Nephrite stared at the tray in his hands. This was better than death? He took a deep breath and raised his head, "Master... please... take me back to the Dark Kingdom with you." The former shittenou was this close to begging.

He shook his head, "You're a normal human now."

"Am I just to abandon my pride and honor as a shitennou then?"

"It's for the best," Endymion replied simply.

Nephrite was stunned into silence at that and he just stood there gaping at Endymion.

His master gave him a slight smile, "If you need any help, ask Motoki. He's a good guy."

Nephrite was dumbfounded.

"Take care of yourself."

And with that, Endymion left.

Nephrite stood there in shock as he watched Endymion leave... abandon him.

Abandon him to this fate... In this strange world, trapped in this weak body...

He growled and threw the tray down with a satisfying crash, then he turned and ran back to the storage room that Motoki-baka had said was his.

PGSM Story Page ~~ Sailor Moon Fanfic Page

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