Author's Note: Sailor Moon and fellow characters are NOT mine. They are the creation of another brilliant mind, whom I just happen to be stealing ideas from.

Shall We Dance?

"Well guys, would you like to go over and meet the beautiful ladies?" Endymion asked his friends.

"Sure," said Kunzite.

Oh goodie, a bunch of school girls. Just exactly how I wanted to spend my evening! Nephrite thought to himself.

Zoicite gave him a nudge in the side. "Come on man, cheer up. You have a bunch of gorgeous girls who think we walk on air. What more could you want?"

Some brains...some maturity… he thought to himself. Forcing a smile, he walked with the rest of the group over to where the rest of the girls were still standing.

"Good evening ladies," Endymion said as he bowed to them. If it were possible, Usagi's face got even more red. "How lovely you all look."

Nephrite could barely hold back his snort. How can he take these girls seriously? They're just kids! Looking over he saw Jadeite on the dance floor with Rei and just shook his head. And look at that idiot over there. Totally infatuated!

"Nephrite?" Everyone was looking at him. Shaking himself, he put on a smile and bowed to the ladies. "Nephrite, may I introduce Makoto, Princess of Jupiter." Smiling, Endymion nudged his friend toward Makoto.

"Er, would you care to dance, Princess?"

"I would love to!" Makoto blushed.

Oh great, and here's another one. God, this is so humiliating. She's barely out of diapers! Taking a deep breath, he led Makoto out on the floor.

Wow, he's sooo dreamy, Makoto thought, placing her head on his shoulder. It took her a minute to realize that he was as stiff as a board.

"Psst, Nephrite," she whispered up to him. "Cheer up. I won't propose to you on the dance floor."

Nephrite looked taken aback. Makoto just had to giggle at his expression. "No, I mean it. I won't marry you just because you know how to dance. I do have slightly higher standards han that."

Nephrite didn't know what to say. This girl, this child, was laughing at him. If anything, he became even stiffer.

Makoto finally pulled to a stop. "Okay, I can see that this is going to be a long evening. Look, if you don't want to dance with me, fine. You didn't have to ask. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to find something to eat." Makoto turned and left him stunned and alone in the middle of the dance floor.

Endymion, dancing with Usagi, made his way closer to Nephrite. "Smooth going buddy. No wonder all the ladies swoon over you."

Nephrite just grunted in response, leaving the dance floor and heading toward the gardens. I've had enough of this, he thought to himself.

'The nerve of that guy! Makoto thought to herself as she ate a piece of lemon cake. The absolute nerve! As if dancing with me was the most undesirable task in the world! I know that I'm no ballroom dancing champion, but it's not like I stepped on his foot or anything! Argh! She sat there fuming for a few minutes before Ami walked up.

"Uh, Makoto? Everything okay?"

"Yeah Ami, everything's okay," Makoto said with a smile. "Prince Endymion just has jerks as friends." She told Ami what happened.

"Well, they are a bit older than we are. Maybe he just felt uncomfortable trying to relate?"

"Or maybe he's just a jackass." Makoto replied. "It doesn't matter Ami. I came here by myself, so it's not like I really got ditched. Besides, I was about to head back into the kitchens to talk to the chef. I hear that he has some great recipes!"

Shaking her head, and knowing that if Makoto was talking about cooking then she was okay, she left her friend at the buffet table.

"So, you want to talk about what's bothering you, or are you having fun wandering the gardens alone?" Jadeite asked his friend.

"I have no times for playtime with little girls." Nephrite replied curtly.

"Nephrite, no one asked you to babysit. Believe it or not, these girls can carry their own—they're royal guards for god's sake! They might even be better soldiers than we are."

"Ha! That I doubt," Nephrite sneered.

"Look, you know what our assignment is. It might be a little bit easier if you got along with the person you're supposed to be helping to protect."

"She is a mere child—she can't be that hard to protect. She probably spends her time in a castle tower playing dress up and it wouldn't surprise me if she still plays with dolls."

"Well, okay then….I can see there's no talking to you. Just make sure you're not so scathing of her in front of her parents—I'd hate to have to bail you out of a jail."

"Yeah yeah yeah, go back and dance with your little doll."

"Whatever man…." Shaking his head, Jadeite left.

This is going to be the longest assignment I've had to endure… Sighing, Nephrite rolled his shoulders back and took a deep breath. Operation Babysitter has now begun…

Thanks for the feedback! Nice to know that someone likes my story so far :)