The Kitty and the Idol Chat (Mina/Arty) 1/4

[Artemis]

Artemis did not mean to make it sound too inquiring. Her hard look made him feel a little uncomfortable. “Minako I did not mean to imply you weren’t loved. The song was about love and it just struck me like that. I am sorry if I had caused you discomfort. It was another heartfelt song. I like it a lot Minako.” He gave her a reassuring smile and hope that would ease her mind.

[Aino Minako]

"I know you meant well," Minako replied setting down the microphone. "I'm just edgy, and probably will be until I speak with Usagi. How about we call it a day and head back to the palace.. if we can avoid the crowd of fans outside." Minako crossed the room and picked up her bags, motioning for the kitty to hitch a ride on her shoulders. "Maybe I can get one of those secret service guys to carry my things huh? Think they'd go for that?" She laughed at the image of security walking behind her toting her bags, and the laughter felt good. "I'm starving anyway. It's about time we got something to eat."

[Artemis]

Artemis was relieved to say the least that he had not offended her. He smiled at her suggestions he jumped on her shoulder and purred. The idea of secret service guy caring Minako’s stuff caused him to laugh too. “I agree with your suggestion Minako. Although the crowd will be harder to deter, maybe we can have one of the secret service men dress like you.” It was a horrible attempt at a joke but he tried it.

“Food sounds good to me Minako we just have to figure out how to get away from the mob that is your fans.” He settled on her right shoulder ready to help her in anyway he can.

[Aino Minako]

Minako giggled, picturing the man just outside the studio dressed in a long blonde wig and a short skirt. "Something tells me the crowd isn't going to fall for that one," she responded, laughter in her voice. Leave it to Artemis to clear the air with a silly joke. "We'll just have to push through the crowd until we reach the car. Perhaps they can at least clear the path.

Minako pushed open the door to the studio and informed the agents she was ready to leave. The two men at her door immediately began speaking into their microphones, odd code words that made little sense to her. She picked out her code name somewhere in the jumble of words, and then the agent was taking her bag while another had stepped up behind her.

"The crowd has grown, Miss Aino," he informed her, "So we will be executing plan C. Please walk straight to the car. Don't stop. You will follow directly behind Agent Misoto ahead, while I remain behind you."

Minako grumbled, "I can at least wave at them can't?" Sure, she'd gone through this before, and the fans were not crazed political enemies; just people who loved her music.

The agent frowned, but declined to answer. "Let's move!"

Minako did her best to follow behind Misoto. Other Agents had cleared a path around, pushing the crowd back to form a path to the limo that waited for her. There were five agents in total and a sixth in the car already. Minako lifted a hand to wave at the crowd as she kept a quick pace behind Misoto. Her eyes scanned one side than the other, smiling and making eye contact. Just because she'd taken a place in Usagi' government didn't change who she was!

And then her eyes made contact with a man who was not smiling at her. He was not waving. His expression was dark and she felt a shot of fear run down her spine. She looked away, then felt compelled to look back, but the face and the man behind it was gone. She shivered, and felt relieved that she had reached the car, her mood dramatically shifted.

Once inside, she set Artemis on the seat next to her. She had to have been imagining the person; her mind going wild at the new safety regulations. She pushed him away and relaxed back in the seat. "You know, it always feels good to finish a session in the studio. There is something about singing that always calms me. I hope I can get my new album recorded in a month or two, then I can focus on the movie and the things Usagi needs me to do while the album is in production."

Her stomach grumbled again, "Ugh, I'm starving." she muttered again as the Limo pulled away from the curb.

[Artemis]

He knew Minako didn’t like to seem like the cold and unfeeling idol as she grumbled about not being able to wave to fans. When they approached the limo Artemis had noticed the man too. He wondered if they should be on alert. The mysterious man's gaze made Artemis feel tense. Once he was gone relieve was restored but the questions remained in Artemis’s mind. As they both got in the car and Minako gently placed Artemis in the seat next to her. He smiled at her comment about the studio and album. His thoughts were interrupted by the growling stomach of his dear friend. As the limo pulled out of the curb he let out a chuckle at the all familiar sound. He teased, “You and Usagi-chan share that same need for food.”
He felt compelled to ask the question that seemed to linger in the air. “Do you think we should call attention to that strange looking fellow we saw today?” The limo was comfortable but this question needed to be answered before they were to face Usgai-chan and the others.