Naru's Tears: Nephrite Dies for Love

“Naru’s Tears: Nephrite Dies for Love” is the 24th episode of the 1st season of the Sailor Moon anime and the 24th episode overall. It aired in Japan on August 29, 1992. The DiC English dub title for this episode is "A Friend in Wolf's Clothing" and it aired in North America on October 6, 1995.
==Summary==
Zoisite decides to use Nephrite's recently discovered romantic feelings for Naru to manipulate him into handing over the Black Crystal to him.
==Plot==
At the park, Naru sits on the slide besides Usagi who tells her that it would be best to forget about Sanjouin. She responds that even if he's a bad person she's still going to love him. Naru says if Usagi admires anyone, she should understand how it feels
Nephrite wonders why the Dark Crystal reacted so strongly towards Naru, calling her love nonsense. Thinking back he mentions Sailor Moon knew her almost personally, and Naru must know her true identity based on this. Zoisite stalks him from around a corner, planning to steal the crystal to aid his search.
Naru sleeps peacefully as Nephrite manifests on her balcony, the crystal flashing again. He teleports inside of her room and uses his powers to look inside of her body, figuring the Silver Crystal really isn't with her after all. Just then, she wakes up to see his silhouette past her curtains, calling his name.
He admits that Sanjouin has been a façade. Lying that for the first time, he's felt and learned what love is thanks to her. In his world, people betray and kill each other for personal gain, and no such thing exists. This has made him want to switch sides and help Sailor Moon, so he needs information on her.
She starts to tear up, not being able to help knowing nothing about Sailor Moon. He acknowledges this and fades away as she runs to her curtains, opening them to empty surroundings. Nephrite is in the reflection of her window, planning to play the waiting game. If she really does know something, she would contact Sailor Moon.
From above a rooftop, Zoisite peers down at OSA-P as three Youma stand behind him. He was listening on the conversation, and mistakes what Nephrite said about returning her love as true. He plans to take Naru hostage, forcing a response in a rescue.
Usagi receives a call at midnight, wondering who would be awake at this time. Naru answers and apologises for bothering her so late, but she's helpless on what to do. She says Sanjouin dropped by, asking where he could find Sailor Moon. Nephrite stands outside, hearing the whole conversation and Usagi's name.
Racing through the streets, Luna knows that Nephrite is keeping close tabs on Naru. She goes on ahead, leaving Usagi to catch up. Just as she's out of sight, Usagi starts to experience the world warping around her, transforming into Sailor Moon and preparing to defend herself.
Nephrite calls out that his trick worked, getting Usagi to transform so carelessly. Realising the mistake, she begs him not to reveal her identity, keeping it between them. He assures not to worry, because she's won't leave this encounter alive. He attacks her with dark energy, which near misses. A red rose descends upon the scene, and Tuxedo Mask shields Sailor Moon, bracing for a second attack on both of them. 
Hearing Naru's voice calling out his name in desperation, Nephrite decides to pause the interrogation and leaves.
Luna sees Naru being transported across the sky by a Youma, noting that she's too late, and plans to gather help from the Sailor Guardians. Nephrite heads to Naru’s room, finding a ransom letter left by Zoisite demanding the Dark Crystal for Naru's guaranteed safety. He wonders what gave the idea he had cared about her wellbeing in the first place.
The three Youma bring Naru to an abandoned building, keeping her chained up. They wonder if Nephrite would even bother to help, as they can just finish her off. Walking down the stairs into the main room, Nephrite takes a glance at the scene before having plant based attacks used against him immediately. He evades them, defeating two Youma before holding a sword to the neck of the last, he won't hand over the Dark Crystal.
-
Carrying Naru in his arms all the way to the entrance to Juban Park, they rest. She thanks him for saving her, though he has no idea why he would. He admits to lying to her the whole time, knowing he would still continue the habit. Naru doesn't care, willing to live with the fact she wouldn't know the truth. Noticing a gash across his arm, they sit against a tree as she tears a piece of clothing to tie around it. She mentions there's a restaurant that serves Chocolate Parfaits, and dreams of going there together. Nephrite decides he would like that, and he's open to a date. She asks if his "Evil Organisation" would give him a day off on Sunday in order to carry out the plan, causing them to both laugh.
Seemingly out of nowhere, one of the Youma from earlier impales Nephrite through the chest with thorns meant to drain his energy until death. She declares the Dark Crystal be handed over, if the girl should be spared the same fate. He complies, wanting to give it up but not before begging Naru to run. Doing the opposite, she grabs the thorns sticking out, pulling on them and getting electrocuted in the process. Before one is completely out, the Youma uses one last attack to make sure he can't recover.
Nephrite takes the attack, using himself as a human shield to ensure Naru's safe before collapsing on her. The Sailor Guardians arrive, swearing vengeance and taking action before any of the enemies attacks can be used against them. Sailor Mercury uses Bubble Spray, preventing a bunch of rosebuds from flying towards them mid air. Sailor Moon uses Moon Tiara Action, and Sailor Mars charges up Fire Soul, causing the tiara to go up in flames before burning the three to ashes.
Turning their attention to Nephrite who's breathing is now shallow, Naru assures him that he's safe now. He looks at Sailor Moon, joking that her real identity will remain a secret after all, before she tells him not to die. He apologises, now he won't be able to keep the promise of eating Chocolate Parfait together, calling himself a liar to the end. Touching Naru's face, he asks for forgiveness and thanks her for being part of his life, before taking his last breath and fading away.
The Sailor Guardians hold back tears, watching Naru lose all emotional strength. She grasps the piece of material that was around his arm before falling into the grass. She wraps her arms around herself, trying to regain composure before screaming into the night.
== International Dub Titles ==
* Brazilian Portuguese: As Lágrimas de Naru: Nepryte Morre Por Amor ("Naru's Tears : Nepryte Dies for Love")
* European Portuguese: O Nephlite Morre Pela Sara ("Nephlite Dies for Sara")
* French:
** TV: Amour perdu ("Lost Love")
** DVD: Les sanglots de Naru ! Néphrite meurt par amour. ("Naru's Sobs! Nephritis Dies for love. 
* German: Der Verrat ("The Betrayal")
==Changes==
===Changes From the Manga===
*In the manga, Nephrite meets his end at the newly awakened Sailor Jupiter.
**Additionally, Zoisite is greatly distraught when Nephrite dies.
* Nephrite falling for Naru and reforming his ways before his murder are plot lines that exist in the anime only, and not in the original manga.
=== Dub Changes ===
*In the DiC English dub, the scene in Naru's bedroom when Nephrite is searching for the Silver Crystal in Naru's body is edited to remove Naru's nudity. This scene is retained in the Viz dub.
*DiC edited out references of Naru want to have chocolate parfait with Nephrite.
==First Appearances==
==Gallery==
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== Trivia ==
* This was the last appearance of Nephrite (not counting Moon Kingdom-era flashbacks in later anime episodes).
de:Der Verrat
Category:Anime episodes
Category:Sailor Moon episodes