Author's Note: I am sooooooooo sorry that it's taken me this long to update. I have been planning my wedding (it's in 2 weeks) and it just has sucked up literally every free moment of my time. Therefore, if the rest of the chapters are a little shaky, my apologies.

And, as always, the disclaimer: 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.

A Little Exercise

Makoto did something the next day that she almost never did—she slept in. Slowly her eyelids opened and peeked at the clock. 7am. Groaning, she sat up. My trainer is going to kill me! Trying to shake off her grogginess, she dragged on her sweats. I'm over an hour late—he's going to be super pissed. Maybe it would be better to just skip the whole morning session…

No sooner had she thought this than there was a banging on her door. "Mako, you'd better be dressed because I'm coming in!" Her trainer flung open the door, letting it slam against the wall. Yeah, he looked super pissed.

"Would you like to tell me why the hell you are over an hour late!"

"Um, well, you see, there's this general here and I had to give him a tour at midnight, and…"

"You are supposed to be training! You are a senshi! Do you think a true senshi could sleep in, forgetting about her responsibilities!"

"No, Master Motoki," Makoto mumbled, staring at a spot in the carpet. This was going to be a long day.

By the time her trainer got done with her there wasn't a body part that didn't hurt. Not to mention the bruises she had all over her body. He really is a sadistic bastard, Makoto thought to herself. She wasn't going to be able to walk without wincing for a week!

Grabbing a towel and heading back toward the castle, she ran into Nephrite. Oh yeah, that figures. I'm a sweaty mess, battered and bruised, and here comes Mr. High and Mighty. Just what I needed…

"Good morning, Princess."

"Good morning Nephrite."

"You look….like you've had an interesting morning."

You think! Makoto barely controlled the rolling of her eyes. "Yeah, was just working out a little on the training field. Best way to start the morning." Other than sleeping in, that is…

"I'm about to find out. I'm headed that way now."

"Well, have fun. I need to hit the showers. See you later Nephrite."

"Wait princess."

Oh god, now what? "Yes?"

"Care to join me for a round?"

"A round of what?"

"You need to train, right? I was just wondering if you'd like to train with someone who is a little more unpredictable than your trainer. You know, shake things up a little."

"You think my trainer's predictable!"

"Come on princess. I'm supposed to be here to protect you. But I can't protect you if you won't give yourself the chance to protect yourself."

This guy is serious. He actually thinks that I'm a cream puff! "Alright, you're on." Makoto walked back to the training arena with him. "But just remember to go easy on me—I'm still learning." Makoto bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Seriously, this guy needs a reality check.

"Alright, I'm gonna stand over there, then let you have the first shot. We'll just take it from there."

"Got it." Makoto cleared her mind completely of everything except Nephrite, knowing that she could beat him if she just paid enough attention.

The first shot came out of nowhere, knocking Nephrite back. "Shit!" Recovering, he sent off a shot of his own, dodging the next that she threw his way.

Back and forth the two went for almost 15 minutes before Nephrite called a halt to the exercise. "That's enough cardio for me. Time to hit the showers."

Of course it is. He can't admit that he's met his match from a mere girl. What the hell is it about guys and their egos? Makoto just shrugged. "Whatever you say." Makoto once again picked up her towel and started walking back to the castle, not caring if Nephrite was following behind her.

"You know, Makoto," Nephrite started speaking, watching her jump, "you aren't too bad."

"Too bad? Buddy, I was damn good. But it would hurt your pride too much to admit that I actually know what I'm doing. What the hell did you think you were going to do while you were here anyway? Protect lil' ol' me and my family? We're not defenseless Nephrite. I was born to be a senshi—it's my destiny. You may think that isn't worth anything, but it is to me."

"I didn't say a word!"

"Oh, get bent. You have treated me like a child since we first met. So let me make this easy for you. You don't like me and I don't like you. You think that I'm a weakling because I'm a girl and I think that you're a chauvinist pig. The less we see of each other until this is all settled, the better."

Makoto started to walk away when Nephrite grabbed her arm. "Princess, I'm not the jerk that you seem to think that I am."

"Somehow, I doubt that. But you know what, it just doesn't matter. Now will you let me go?"

"Not until you agree that you have misjudged me. You don't know everything about me either."

"I know that you're a sad little boy with a superiority complex. If it weren't for my parents I'd have you thrown out of here. However, seeing as we're stuck with each other, why don't you just go hide somewhere and I'll try to live a normal life. I can even suggest a few places for you to try……."

"Now who's being all high and mighty?"

"Think what you like. Now let me go."

"Careful princess. I may not be a prince, but I don't take orders." His eyes narrowed.

"Oh really? Then care to explain how you ended up on my planet without being invited? Wasn't that your lovely friend Endymion's idea? I know that you didn't come here out of the goodness of your heart."

"You know why I am here."

"Yes, and I think now is a great time for you to go save the kingdom. Go anywhere but here."

"Why princess, if I didn't know better, I would say that you didn't like having me around."

"What tipped you off, Sherlock?"

It absolutely amazed Nephrite that this girl was insulting him, when any of these things from a lesser man would have meant a fight. And Nephrite never lost.

"You're just pissed because I didn't go giddy with butterflies on the dance floor!"

"You arrogant… It was a dance! And you tensed up like a virgin sacrifice! You can't seem to get it through your thick skull that I am not a kindergartener. I know what I am doing here. And I don't need a man to protect my back!"

"A virgin sacrifice!" Nephrite pulled her into his chest. "Princess, I am many things, but virginal is not one of them." He dipped his head down and kissed Makoto. Hard. The last thought that Makoto had was that he was right….

Thanks to everyone who has been reading. Especially Athena Kyle, who constantly is pushing me to finish. :)