Part 1: Here, kitty, kitty
The victim of the cat calls looked up to glare at the one teasing
him before coming into the house.
"You know I don't like that," he complained some while being
seated for dinner.
"Be polite to our guest Haruka," Michiru scolded lightly while
setting the meal down before them. It wasn't anything fancy, but a
well made home cooked meal.
"I apologize Artemis, but you're so cute with your ribbon," Haruka
chuckled at his latest adornment.
Minako had taken him to be 'pampered' at a pet care facility.
Certainly they had been gentler with the bathing than Minako can be
when she gets in a rush, but he was thoroughly embarrassed by the
ribbon that was securely tied about his neck. It had successful
resisted all of his efforts at removing it, and thus far no one would
assist him to getting it off.
"Will you please take this ribbon off?" He implored again with a
touch of steel behind his mild tone. He didn't want to come off as
desperate after all.
"I think the ribbon makes you look distinguished," Michiru
commented as she handed the bowl of rice to Haruka.
"I look like a kitten!" He retorted sharply.
"Kawaii neko-chan," Haruka purred sweetly. He paused in his
lapping up of the rich cream that was served to him to glare at
Haruka.
Michiru chuckled lightly as she picked the knot loose with her
well kept nails. He anxiously batted at the ribbon to free himself of
it. He then continued his assault of the offending piece until it was
finally knocked to the floor.
"My, my, Artemis," Haruka laughed.
"How would you feel with a ribbon about your neck?" he retorted in
mock anger.
Haruka sat back some to consider it. She gazed over to Michiru
with a gleam in her eye. "Michiru, would I look good in *just* a
ribbon?"
Artemis felt the tips of his ears turn pink at what Haruka was
suggesting.
Michiru only chuckled in response.
"You don't visit us very often, Artemis, what brings you here this
fine evening?" Michiru asked, finally bring some direction to this
conversation.
He swallowed the morsel he was chewing before answering. "I came
here to ask a favor."
"What type of favor?" Haruka's eyes had lost their playful shine
as the discussion turned to business.
"I was wondering if I may stay with you two during the week when
Minako is visiting England. It's a business trip of her fathers and
the hotel where they will be staying has a strict no pets policy," he
explained.
"We would certainly enjoy your company Artemis," Michiru answered
after glancing at Haruka. "But if we may ask, why not stay with one
of the others?"
"Usagi's family, while kind, already has Luna in their care. I
have been spending a fair amount of time with Mako-chan as of late
and do not wish to intrude upon her any more than I must. The same
goes for Rei. Ami's mom is firm in her rule of no pets."
"We'd love to have you over Artemis," Haruka smiled broadly and
caressed behind his ears some. He leaned into her hand in
appreciation.
"Thank you both," he took another bite of his meal. He was
gladdened to have somewhere warm to stay while Minako gone. He had
become somewhat pampered in his lifestyle when it came to a warm
house to sleep in and dinner at regular intervals.
It was at times like these that he allowed himself to just be a
cat.
Part 2
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