Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or Kenshin.  I know Kenshin has nothing to do with it, it's just my latest obsession.  Now ignore the mad author and read.

A Trip for Two:

As days flew by, the talents of Jeff and Aurora amazed the instructors.  Faster-than-normal reflexes combined with a kind of sixth sense gave the two an unreal feeling that they know the motions of the rival before actions were executed.  Which gave them quick advantages, if not the usual immediate win.  In six years both friends grew close and toppled many excelling students from their class thrones.  Ready to graduate ahead of their time, but not sooner than expected, they had gained themselves a title...

            "Top of the class and you're not allowed to graduate.  I'm sorry that they wouldn't allow you," pitied Jeff.

            "It does not really matter, I have proven myself and that's all I really came here to do.  The merits don't matter to me, or even, the recognition.  It those ashamed parents that refuse to believe a little princess kick their son's lil' asses," answered Aurora with no hint of distress.  Jeff nodded, understanding that her choice of words was only a way to show her false seriousness, for she hated people who didn't have a bigger vocabulary to insult people with.  "Anyway," she resumed, "Congratulations to you.  I'm glad that you still get to become a true Knight.  I'm pleased that their complaining didn't affect you," smiled Aurora.

            "Promise you'll be there when I do graduate?" he asked her.

            "I wouldn't miss it for the galaxy," she guaranteed.

            "And finally our youngest & top Knight is Jeff Natakuri.  Congratulations, though we would be honored to have you in our armada.  Queen Serenity has a different task for you in mind.  Will you please report to the castle as soon as you're ready," announced Captain John.

            "I am grateful to become a Knight, and I will be proud to do my duty," answered Jeff.

            "You are now an Imperial Knight.  Be proud of this honor," the captain recited as he handed Jeff a finely crafted sword that held untold powers within.  He bowed and then stepped down from the stage followed by loud cheers from the crowd that greeted the very few people who were awarded to right to become a true Knight.

            "Hey!" called Aurora as she ran up to him.  Aurora threw her arms around his neck and gave him a small peck on his cheek.  She leaned back and beamed at him, who was blushing slightly, with pride.  Leaving his newly earned sword at his side, he wrapped his arms around her waist as he had always longed to do.

            "Do you know what your mom wants me to do?" inquired Jeff, his eyes filled with worry, and a sliver of hope.

            "No clue.  Probably she wants you to be my sister's guardian.  But that's most likely not.  She already has four of them.  I'll come with you if you like," Aurora said casually as she pulled out of his loving hold.  Jeff reluctantly released her and started to head toward the palace.

            "No, I'll see myself," Jeff said a little sternly.

            "Okay, but I'm coming with you to the castle.  I'll wait in my room.  I have to tell you something," Aurora followed.

            When they reach the palace, a servant greeted them, "Her majesty awaits you, please come with me.  Oh, Your Highness, your mother wants you to come also.  It's concerning your trip."  Jeff gave her an inquiring look; Aurora nodded, almost reluctantly, in silence.  They remained unaware as the servant lead them down the familiar halls, lost in their thoughts.

            "Thank you, you may leave," Queen Serenity excused the servant.  "Don't worry Aurora. I am still going to let you go.  I wanted to make sure you'd be safe."  Then she addressed both of them: "I want the both of you to travel together.  I know the both of you will be safe together," she smiled approvingly.

            "I am honored to become her Knight.  I will serve my duty to the greatest extent of my power," bowed Jeff.

            "Thank you Mother.  Now I will have a friend to accompany me through my travels." Aurora gave her mother an affectionate hug.  Though Aurora wasn't so sure that she was so grateful.  "Don't worry, we'll be safe."

            "I know but evil lurks everywhere, even during this peaceful time.  I know that some people might not like to see you, so you must be very polite.  Now be sure to pack up everything you would need, the both of you.  I'll give you the Transport Key tomorrow when you leave."

            Jeff gave a deep bow, and turned around to leave.   Aurora whispered, "Thank you," to her mother and followed Jeff.

            "Jeff can I talk to you in my room?" asked Aurora.  Jeff turned around and faced her.  "Sure I guess," he answered depressingly.

            "Thanks, I'm going to get some cookies, please excuse me for a second.  I won't take too long.  So please wait," and she ran off towards the grand kitchen.

Jeff smiled, knowing that she had a constant sweet tooth to feed.  So he walked to her room, like so many times before, when he visited to play and practice for he had no room of his own at the Barracks where he lived.

Waiting, he looked around the familiar room. The few dresses were pushed to the wall of her small walk-in closet, as if they were compressed to make way for the jeans and sorts, which took up much of her closet space as well as her various T's.  Some of the clothes hung here and there, or folded and put away in the drawers and shelves that came down the center of each of the walls.  The drawn curtains in the nearby window let in the bright beams of sunlight that danced like fairies of light twirling about upon her pale blue, down-feathered blankets on the bed that was filled with matching pillows with moons and stars.  In the corner opposite of the closet and bed, was a mahogany table with next to similar bookshelves that were filled of stories from all over the system, and sometimes from other solar systems.   They held adventures of brave voyagers and daring life-and-death fights, mysteries of murders and the unknown, and fantasies of prophesied wizards and sorcerers, and mythical creatures that are believed to have died out yet their legacies left in the hands of humans.  All of which, are ready for avid readers to discover the joys, sorrows, horrors, awe, and the other treasures of life that can be surely found in stories.  The edges of the woodcrafts were skillfully engraved with angels and mermaids.  A dragon peered out randomly, blowing puffs of fire of danger and fear that became the bright stars of hope.  Jeff chose the matching chair of a dragon in magnificent flight, to wait on.  The rug and walls were a faint blue that reminded Jeff of the sky that sheltered them during the day.  He closed his eyes and breathed in the sweet scent of the flowers and roses that were strewn around the room, every detail, he believed, was completely Aurora.  Her room was always a place for him to forget troubles and disappointments.

"Sorry I made you wait so long," Aurora called out.  Jeff opened his eyes to see Aurora gliding in, as smoothly as water flowing over pebbles.  She handed him the plate overflowing with chocolate chip cookies, "Do you want some?  There's plenty."

"No thanks," Jeff simply said as he placed the plate on the table as Aurora sat down on her favorite chair of a mermaid sitting on a rock in the sunlight with angelic wings at rest.

"I was meaning to tell you about my trip, but for some reason I was scared to tell you.  I know that you really wanted to be in the army, so I didn't want the thought of being a mere bodyguard come into your mind.  But the truth is I didn't know that you were going to be my Knight.  And I'm terribly sorry," Aurora looked down with hurt.  "Is there anything I can do for you?" Aurora asked quietly, embarrassed that her mother might have doubted her skills as a fighter.

Jeff looked at her with amazement, "How did you know that I wanted to join the Armada?  I never told a soul."

"Why does everyone assume that I'm ignorant?  I can hear the sky too.  I can comprehend the words the wind brings down.  I can learn their wisdom.  They told me that they heard you whisper a prayer to them, they told me to help you succeed your dreams or at least stay out of your way," she meekly answered.  Her heart was overwhelmed with sorrow, confusion and frustration.  Tears began to form in her eyes.

Shocked for a moment, then coming to his senses, Jeff kneeled down next to her; he tilted her chin up, "I just didn't know that some one else had the same abilities.  They're special, no else has them.  It's not that the others haven't told you.  They just haven't heard of it."

Aurora wiped the tears away, and smiled weakly, relieved to finally understand why now.

"It's not your fault," Jeff continued, "I'm sure your mother wanted to hire a Knight to protect you, and since she knows that we were friends.  She asked for me."  The mysterious veil that once clouded his eyes lifted, his eyes sparkled with renewed hope.

"Yeah, I guess so.  But do you forgive me for getting you into this predicament?"

"Of course, anything for you, Princess."

"I think you should go pack up now.  Then I'll meet you in the garden."

Author's Note: Um… If it's boring, I'm sorry.  It's just getting into the setting and thing.  Hm… maybe I should read the thing over for the millionth time again…  Please review and a few tips might help make the thing a little better!