Dunican looked at his tea and the smiled to Minako who sat across him. His eyes then went down and focused on the locket that hung around her neck. Looking back at her he smiled again. "Minako? Remember the day we first meet on Venus?" he asked as he leaned onto the table and looked at her in the eyes and gave her that smile that he would only give her when they were together.

Minako looked up from stirring her tea and smiled back. " Of course, how could I forget?" she said, thinking back to that day.....

~*Flashback*~

Princess Venus sat patiently on her golden throne, leaning over to the Royal Advisor. " So, my new guard is arriving today?" she asked, smoothing out the skirt of her yellow dress. " Yes, my lady, but he's more then a guard. He's a knight," Soren corrected, grinning. Minako shrugged, smiling back and leaning back on the plush chair.
Stepping onto the soil of Venus, The Protection Knight looked around for the first time at his new home. Walking past the gates of the palace he was stopped by the guards. "And you are here for?" asked one of the guards. "I am the Protection Knight here to see the Princess of Venus," he said. The guards looked at each other and let him pass. Walking to the steps of the palace the Knight made his way into the throne room and a page announced his presence. The Knight walked in front of the throne and knelt down onto one knee. He looked up to the Princess of Venus and did not speak.

Minako looked down at the Knight who kneeled before her, quirking a brow. " Does he speak?" she whispered to Soren. Soren nodded, " Only when you give him the order too..." he replied. The Princess turned back to Protection Knight and examined him. " So you are the one they sent?" she asked.

The Knight nodded. His eyes never leaving the Princess. "I am the Protection Knight. My name is Dunican and I obey your commands and no one else's," he said and stayed in a kneeling position and his eyes stayed focused on the Princess of Venus.
Minako stood up from her throne, walking down the small flight of stairs. As she passed Dunican, she grabbed him by the arm without breaking stride, dragging him out of the throne room. " Well, if your going to be protecting me for the rest of my life, we might as well get to know each other. And please, call me Minako," she said cheerfully, bringing Dunican out to one of the royal gardens. Dunican let himself be dragged out into the garden by Minako.

"Yes Your Highness," he said and then said. "As you wish Minako," he said and looked around him. Looking for any spots that an assassin my try to hide in. Then he looked back to the princess.

Minako looked at him queerly, sighing. " You don't have to be so business like..." she said, sitting down on one of the marble benches in the garden. " So what's your story?" she asked, watching Dunican intently.

Dunican looked at Minako for a few seconds before speaking. "My mother died when I was born and I don't know how my father is. When I was 7 they selected me to begin training as a Protection Knight. After 10 years of training I was chosen to be your personal Knight," he said, not a smile appearing on his face.
" Ok, well, if your going to be my Knight, you have to smile," Minako said matter-of-factly, " and they have to be real smiles, not fake ones." She plucked one of the near by roses and stuck it on her ear, after making sure all the thorns were off. " And you need to lighten up and relax," she added.

Dunican looked at Minako right in the eyes. He could see she really wanted him to smile. slowly a smile formed on his face. This feeling of smile was different, it felt good to smile. He then looked down. "How would I relax?" he asked.

"Well.... just loosen up, forget about all of your duties for a couple seconds and just enjoy the moment," she said, shrugging. * How can he not know how to relax? Geez, I want to see how he was raised,* Minako thought, grinning.

"Well I never had a chance to relax. I would get up early every morning, train until late at then go to bed and repeat," he explained.

Minako groaned, rubbing her temples with her right hand. " I don't care if you've ever been able to relax or not, I just want you to now. Come on, it's not that hard. Haven't you ever imagined what it would be like just to clear your mind?" she said, looking up over her hand. Dunican nodded. "I have," he said and thought for a moment. "I guess I can give it a try," he said and closed his eyes. He took deep and even breaths.
Minako smiled, leaning back on her hands and looking up at the night sky. " See? It's not so hard, and with practice, you can do it all the time," she remarked a little sarcastically, giggling.

Dunican opened his eyes and smiled to Minako. "I guess I have alot to learn about living, no?" he asked. Suddenly Dunican's stomach growled. He then placed a hand to his stomach.

Minako heard Dunican's stomach growl, and laughed. " Hungry? Let's go to the kitchen then," she said smiling, walking out of the garden and down a golden hallway. Pushing two large wooden doors open at the end of the hall, the Princess revealed a bustling kitchen full of chefs and servants.

Dunican blinked several times. He never seen so many people cooking and getting things ready. Dunican looked at the food around him. He looked at Minako, trying to figure out what to do first.

" Oh your hopeless! Heaven forbid you ever get locked in here and starve to death...." Minako said, rolling her eyes. She walked over to the large table full of fruits, grabbing a peach. Biting into it, she pointed around at the other tables of food. " Help yourself," she said in between bites.
Dunican went over to a table and picked up some chicken and took a bit. Walking over to another table he took a roll. At the same table he took some fruit. A few moments later he was done. "Thank you Minako," he said with a small smile.

Minako watched as the food quickly disappeared into Dunican's mouth. Smiling, she led Dunican out of the kitchen. " Ok, now to show you your room. Your in the East wing," she said, dragging Dunican up a long spiraling flight of stairs. They stopped infront of a large golden door. " Go ahead, look in."

Dunican took the handle of the door and turned it. Pushing the door open he walked into his new room. The room was bid, plush and comfortable. A closet was off to the right with drawers under it and a length mirror, a desk and chair sat in front of the window that over looked the garden. a few feet awhile was the door to the balcony. On the left side of the wall was his bed. A king sized bed was there. Smiling he looked at Minako. "It's nice," he said and looked out into the hallway. "Where is your room?" he asked.
" It's all the way in the South Wing," Minako said, pointing out a large window and across a great court yard. " See that really big balcony with the fancy windows? That's my room," she added.
Dunican looked at the window and noted the points of one can enter. "Thank you Minako," he said and bowed a bit. "I am sorry if my questioning is going a bit personal but I need to know where to locate you if there is an attack or any danger to you," he said.

Minako laughed. " Sure, whatever you say," she said, smiling. She started towards the steps, looking back. " Oh, you can stay here. I'm off to bed, busy day tomorrow." She flew down the steps and out into the cool night air, across the court yard. Dunican stood in his room. He didn't know what to do. The Protector of the Princess was not used to going to bed this early. Turning to his door he went out into the hall and down the stairs. Going out onto the grounds of the palace, he started to walk the paths.

Minako brushed out her hair, sitting infront of a large vanity window in her room. She was dressed in her silk night gown, which had been imported all the way from Earth. Glancing out the large balcony window, she could see Dunican strolling the paths. " I hope he finds stuff to do with his free time..." she said to herself, walking out onto the balcony and watching him.
Dunican continued to stroll through the garden. He then felt the need to do some excises. Stopping at a long path way Dunican did a quick leap and started to do back flips and front flips. When he got to the end he flipped into the air and landed into a attack stance. Standing straight he did a small bow and looked around to see if anyone was watching.

Minako laughed, clapping loudly from up on her balcony. " Is that all you do in your spare time?" she asked, smirking. She leaned against the rail, squinting to see Dunican in the darkness. Lurking through the shadows of her room, a dark figure watched the young princess, licking his lips as he drew a long dagger from his side.
Dunican looked up at Minako who was standing on her balcony. Walking over he stopped in the light and looked up at her. "Did I wake you?" he asked. Suddenly something didn't seem right to Dunican.

" Oh no, I'm usually up around this ti...." Minako started, cut off by her own cry of pain. The assassin dug the dagger ripped the dagger from her shoulder, grinning. " After I finish you off, it's time for the other princesses to die, for my Queen," he hissed, raising the blade once again.
Dunican's eyes widened a bit as he jumped straight into the air and landing on the railing, then in a quick movement he tackled the assassin before he could do another blow. Pushing the assassin off as they hit the ground, Dunican rolled to the ground and in front of the princess. He turned his head and noticed where she was injured. A dark look came to his face as he said, "Blades Deploy." Suddenly two long angled blades appeared on a device on Dunican's right wrist. "You will die for that," he hissed to the assassin.

The assassin blinked dumbly, cowering a little at the sight of the Protection Knight. He was really a thick muscle headed bimbo, given a chance to prove himself to the queen by doing something right. He figured a young inexperienced girl would be easy, but a trained knight? Stumbling up on his feet, he charged Dunican pointlessly, raising his dagger.

Minako sunk to her knees, sitting back. She was white as a sheet, except for the blood that stained her shoulder. She gripped it painfully, shaking from shock.

Dunican went into an attack stance and right when the assassin was a in front of him, he spinned kicked him in the head, causing the man to stumble back. Landing to his feet Dunican then charged the assassin. As he neared him he then rolled to the ground. When he was right in front of him, Dunican jumped up doing a upper cut with his Wrist Blades to the assassins chest. Landing to his feet Dunican looked at the assassin and noticed the two long cuts that dripped with blood then he looked to his weapon that also dripped of the blood.
The assassin didn't know what happened to him, and before he knew it, there were two large slashes in his chest. He feel flat on his face, taking one last, gurgling breath.

Minako stared in horror at the dead man on her bed room floor, holding back her tears. That was the most intense and disgusting thing she'd ever seen. And how could Dunican, the guy who doesn't even know how to relax, done all that. Minako grew dizzy, holding her head with right hand, exposing her deep shoulder wound.

Dunican looked at the assassin and then said, "Blades retract." The blades on his wrist returned to there hiding spot. Turning around he found Minako on the floor, dizzy and bleeding. Walking over to her he took off his cloak and ripped a strip of cloth off. Using this he dressed her shoulder. Then taking his cloak he wrapped her in it and then picked her up gently and then walked out of the her bedroom. "What happened?" asked a guard who had just arrived. "A assassin has injured the princess," said Dunican. "He is in there, dead," he said and started walking towards the med room. He looked down at Minako. "If I would have been up there sooner," he whispered softly.
~* 15 minutes later *~
Dr. Pjerin walked out of the examination room, smiling at Dunican. " She's going to be fine, just a little shock and flesh wound. The cut is pretty deep, but amazingly it missed all of the tendons and ligaments. You can see her now," he said very business like, leading the knight into the room and closing the door quickly.

Minako sat on the surprisingly home-like examination table, dress in a white night gown. A large white gauss was wrapped around her shoulder with an ace bandage, strapping around her other side. She looked up from her feet at Dunican, smiling meekly. " Hey..." she said, almost a whisper.

Dunican looked at Minako. Seeing the gauss and then to her eyes. "Are you ok Minako?" he asked softly as he clenched his right fist tightly.
Minako touched her shoulder lightly, wincing a little. " It hurts, but I'll be ok..." she said, looking back at Dunican. " Thanks alot though, for saving me back there, even though it's your duty and all...." she added, in a sort of sing-song voice, mimicking her advisor.

"I am sorry that you had to see what you did when I fought against that assassin. I was trained to hit your enemy so they won't get up," he explained and looked down.
" Well, I must admit that was pretty disturbing, but it might have actually been a good thing..." Minako said, getting a serious look on her face, " I'm supposed to train as Sailor Venus, Senshi of Love and Beauty. If I can't handle that, what am I going to do when I get into those situations? So basically, this is the start of my whole other life..." she rambled on, mostly to herself. She didn't want to let go of her royal, relatively safe life to charge into battle. At least not yet.

Dunican looked up to Minako. "If you want Minako, I can help you start your training," he said softly. Waiting to here what she would say.

Minako looked up from the ground at Dunican, her face pretty neutral. " Well, I'm not sure if I want to, but I know I have to....." she said, scratching her shoulder lightly. " I guess so, after I heal..." she added after a second of thought.

Dunican smiled lightly. "If you are ready I can escort you back to your room where you can rest," he suggested softly.

Minako stood up from the table, a spooked look on her face. " I'm not sleeping in that room for a while, but you can escort me to one of the guest rooms," she said, smiling and strolling out of the med. room.

Walking beside Minako. As they walked he looked down to the ground. Arriving to the guest room, Dunican went in first and check room and then walked back out. "All clear," he said and let her pass.

Minako walked carefully into the room, double checking everything. She locked all of the windows, and opened all of the dressers and cabinets. She even checked under the bed. Satisfied, she sat down on her bed and looked at Dunican. " Thanks again, for saving my life," she said smiling.

Dunican returned the smile. "It is my job," he said and then looked around the room. "Minako? Would you like me to stand guard outside?" he asked.

" Sure, whatever you want, I think I'll be fine," Minako said, yawning. She curled up into her covers, closing her eyes and almost instantly falling asleep.

Dunican watched as she fell asleep. He turned off the light and went out the door and closed it. Standing to the left of the door he stood ground all night and until morning.

******* MORNING

Minako blinked several times, stretching her arms over her head. She'd had a restful sleep, despite the events of last night. She quickly hopped out of bed and washed up. Changing into a casual light blue gown, Minako strolled out of the room. To her surprise, Dunican was standing besides the door. " Dunican! Did you stand out there all night?!" she exclaimed.

Dunican turned to Minako and gave her a small smile. "Good morning Minako. Yes I have been standing here al night," he said. Trying to hide the fact that he was ready to fall asleep on the spot.

Minako noticed the dark circles under his eyes, sighing. " Baka, why didn't you go to bed? Oh well, your going to bed right now," she said, almost scolding. She took him by the arm and dragged him off to his room.

Dunican let himself be dragged back to his room. "But...but..." he tried to get the sentence out.

Minako stopped and let go of Dunican's arm, quirking a brow. " But what?" she asked, crossing her arms.

Dunican looked at Minako for a few seconds. "Oh nothing," he said softly. "It's not important," he said.

Minako grabbed Dunican's arm again and dragged him quicker, till they reached his room. She opened the door and pointed into his room, almost like a mother punishing a child. " Now go to sleep, at least 7 hours. Then you can come back out," she said.

Dunican walked into his room and didn't even bother to undress. He just climbed into bed and his head fell on the pillow and he was fast asleep.

Minako smiled, quietly closing the door. " Poor baby, stayed up a little late last night," she said sarcastically, strolling off to the kitchen for some breakfast.

---Seven hours later---

Dunican opened his eyes and got out of bed. He did a few stretching exercises to get the muscles back to normal. He then went out the door and to the throne room to find the princess.

Minako rested her head on her hands, rubbing her temples. She'd been through alot of royal business that morning, discussing a new treaty with some nomadic people in the southern hemisphere of Venus. Despite her pounding head ache, she smiled at the sight of Dunican. " Enjoy your nap?" she called out,

leaning back Dunican gave Minako a small bow and smiled to her. "Yes, I enjoyed my nap very much," he said and looked at Minako.

" And your never going to stay up all night like that again, unless I say otherwise," Minako said, grinning and chuckling a little. She leaned back in her golden throne, sighing constantly.

~* Present *~
Minako quickly finished her chicken sandwich, smiling at Dunican. " You were such an up-tight business knight back then," she teased, taking a sip of her water.

Dunican blushed a bit. "Well, I was trained to be like that you know," he said with a smile. "But you have to admit," he said and took a sip of his tea. "We did have alot of adventures after that," he said.

Minako rolled her eyes, laughing. " How could I forget? I used to drag you where ever I went, and we always got in trouble," she said in between giggles.

Dunican winked to her. "But we did have fun and you didn't have to sit in the throne room and do royal duties all the time," he pointed.

Minako placed her elbows on the table, leaning her head on her hands. " Well, you have me there. I'd have to say I'm thankful then, cause all of that political business bored me to death," she said, grinning.

Dunican also leaned over. His face just inches from hers. "And I am thankful that I got to spend time with you then and now," he said softly.

Minako blushed, looking down at the table. She looked back up, smiling. " Really?" she asked in a kiddy voice.

"Of course," he said smiled to her. "I mean you are the first person to be so nice to be back then and now. Well Master Kane is also very nice but you were the first woman I have ever fallen in love with and who has excepted me into her heart," he said softly and smiled.

Minako blushed even more, giggling a little. " Shut up, I can't take all of this," she said teasingly, kissing him in between chuckles. " Besides, all you do is flatter me anymore."

Dunican chuckled as he hugged Minako and returned her kisses. "It is my job to flatter my girlfriend," he said and smiled to her.

Minako grinned, laughing a little. " Well I forbid you to flatter me. That's an order now..." she said in a mock stern voice, shaking her finger at him like a scolding teacher.

Dunican looked at Minako. "Yes your Highness," he said with a chuckle and kissed her. "Now what will I do in my spare time when I need to think of something nice to say to you? Show it with a kiss?" he asked.

" Sounds like a plan to me," Minako said grinning, pulling out some money and leaving it on the table. She walked out of the restaurant, dragging Dunican with her by the arm.

"So where are we going now?" he asked as he thought back to what they talked about during lunch.
Minako shrugged. " I don't know, where ever you want to go," she said, letting go of Dunican's arm and facing him.

"How about we go and make some new memories?" he asked with a smile. He took Minako by the hand and they two walked into the park as the stars in the sky started to make there appreance.