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.

The Grand Tour

My trainer is a sadistic bastard, Makoto thought to herself as she almost limped back to the castle. Apparently Queen Serenity wasn't kidding when she said that they were going to step up her training. Few more sessions like that and I'll be a pushover. I didn't know I had certain muscles until they started hurting!

"Ah, here she is!" Her father and Nephrite walked up to her as he entered the hallway to her bedroom. Suppressing a groan, she smiled at her father. 'Just smile and nod…smile and nod,' she coached herself. She didn't feel like entertaining at this exact moment—all she wanted was a long shower and to fall into bed.

"Makoto, I would like you to take Nephrite here on a tour of the castle."

"Um, now? It's midnight!"

"Yes dear." His father smiled, but she knew that look in his eyes. It means he wasn't going to budge.

"Oh alright, give me 10 minutes. Okay? Because if I don't take a shower you're going to fall over just from the smell." She left them in the hallway.

Probably just getting through with her tennis lessons, Nephrite thought to himself. Something relaxing to pass the night? Who knows what spoiled little rich girls do in their free time? Shaking himself, he tried to get his head straight. The King would begin to wonder if everytime Makoto came into a room and he glared at her.

"Your Highness, why don't you leave me here. I will wander around a little until she's ready."

"If you're sure Nephrite..." Nephrite shook his head in affirmation. "Alright, then I will see you tomorrow. Makoto will show you where you will sleep in the meantime. Have a good night."

"Good night, your Majesty."

Makoto had just finished running a brush through her hair when there was a knock on her door. Well, time to face the music. Slipping her feet into a pair of shoes, she opened it.

"Um, hi."

"Hi." Nephrite was taking in her room. There was no doubt that it was feminine—soft pinks and greens everywhere. But it wasn't a GIRLY room, which surprised him.

"What, are you looking for the posters of cheesey boy bands?"

More like Linking Logs and building blocks, Nephrite thought to himself.

"You were going to give me a tour?"

"Only you would insist on a tour of the castle at midnight. You know, if you could wait until a normal hour then the steward would be able to do this. I haven't a clue how to give a tour."

He followed her down the hall as she started introducing door after door, letting him peek inside to see each room's contents.

"So what were you doing at midnight that has you so tired out?" Nephrite asked.

"Nothing." Like she would trust him! This guy had some nerve!

"Well it had to be something. Most girls don't come home looking like that after a stroll in the garden!"

"And you would know this because you've met a lot of girls who've come straight from the garden, have you?"

He couldn't believe it. This girl was baiting him! "I prefer not to meet any girls in a garden, thank you."

I'll just bet you don't… Makoto thought to herself.

She reached the end of the hallway and turned to a door on the left. "And this is your place while you're here." Nephrite glanced up the hall and saw that he was about 10 doors down from Makoto. Good, he thought. If anything should happen I'm close by.

"And where are the King and Queen?"

"Oh, 8th floor. Stairs are over here." She walked him down a little further to the stairs. And have fun running up and down them buddy, she thought to herself. That's 5 floors, and I don't care how in shape you are, you're gonna be out of breath! Let's see if you look like you've just strolled through the garden!

Nodding, Nephrite took it all in. "Okay, what else?"

"Right this way…."

After about an hour she finally led him out of the castle and onto the grounds.

"Okay, I'm exhausted, so I'm going to do the shortened version of this tour. You can see almost everything from the steps here anyway."

Pointing to her right, she showed him the stables, the gardens, and finally the training area to the left. "The rest I'm sure you can discover on your own. Now, if you will excuse me, I've had a rather long day and would like to go to sleep." Turning, she started to leave. She paused. "You do remember the way back to your room, yes?"

"Yes, Princess. Good night."

"Good night, Nephrite."

Makoto climbed into bed, completely exhausted. I don't know how I'm going to be able to see him everyday and not kill him. Sighing, she turned over on her side. Still, he was kind of cute…………..

Nephrite stayed on the top of the steps, looking over the grounds. He knew he had his work cut out for him. No one knows who or what this new threat was. And the girl is very young, which means she is unpredictable. He really was going to have to spend his time keeping an eye on her to make sure she didn't go get herself killed. He never dreamed that he would end up being a bodyguard for a Princess when he joined the guard on Earth. If he had, he certainly never would have signed up. All those years of training just to become a shadow to kid a girl in pigtails.

Turning, he faced toward the training field. Well, if nothing else, he would start with that tomorrow. He'd have to make sure he stayed on top of his game. Walking back up the steps to the castle he ran a hand through his hair. Yes, Operation Babysitter Phase I had just begun…….

sailorjupiterlove - Thanks for the interest! I'm glad you like the story so far.

Athena Kyle - So I'm slowly getting there...couple more chapters, you'll see where I'm heading with this! Mine could be soap opera material too!