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

[Aino Minako]

Minako closed her eyes as she belted out the last chorus of her newest song. She'd been singing for close to an hour now, a selection of both older hits, and newer yet-to-be-released hits. She'd asked Artemis to accompany her to the studio in downtown Tokyo to talk, away from the palace staff, who couldn't seem to keep their eyes and ears away from any conversation that could translate into palace gossip.

After spending two hour getting her security detailed prepared, her limo finally transported the pair from the palace to the studio. With secret service men posted outside, along with a growing crowd of admirers hoping to catch a glimpse or an autograph of their favorite idol, Minako had retreated deep into the studio to one of the soundproof booths.

And she'd sang and sang and sang, the emotion in her voice her way of venting out the frustrations she had at her friends, her queen... herself. Since she'd returned to the palace, the events around her had spun out of control and she'd felt powerless. A senshi was never supposed to feel powerless.

Finally, she set down the mike and picked up a bottle of water. She downed the entire bottle, wiped her forehead, then crossed the room to settle down on the floor next to Artemis. "So, what did you think?" she asked the white cat, whom she'd missed far more than she'd realized. Now, more than ever, was she glad he'd returned. She needed his advice and his friendship. "That last one will be the next hit released as a single."

[Artemis]

Artemis was pleased that Minako offered to go her private studio. He knew something heavy was on her mind in order to get so far away from the palace. He looked around admiring the place and had a small smile. He was glad to see Minako was taking necessary precautions for her safety. There were plenty of looks from the people outside about the white cat that had returned. He ignored their whispers but felt irritated at the fact they did not recognize him. He was just a cat it wasn’t like he was a rabid fan.
When Minako retreated to the secluded studio concern plagued his mind. This meant Minako did not want to be social with her fans and only confirmed Artemis’s suspicion that Minako needed advice.
After they entered the studio Artemis mused a bit on the design of this studio. It was the first time he noticed how the studio fit Minako's personality. When Minako sang her new song it moved him, and he could tell it had something to do with the current situation at the palace. The song was full of melodic surprises and the words touched the heart. He could tell by the look in her eyes she needed more than just praise for her music. After she was finished drinking her water, he took a few minuets to gather his thoughts as he broach the subject.
“The song is about someone looking for answers in a difficult situation correct? It will be another hit but the message will be translated differently among your fans. They won’t receive the essence of the song. Give me a word on what you think is the important theme in your single?”
Artemis took advantage of the current situation of Minako’s music to get an idea of what was going through her mind.

[Aino Minako]

Minako leaned back against the wall of the studio resting her voice for a moment while Artemis talked. She was sweating from the effort, performing even in the studio was more for her than just sitting on a stool belting tunes. She would find herself moving with the music under the hot lights of the room, her mind and body absorbed in her song.

"I suppose you could say that," Minako replied as the lyrics repeated over in her head once more. She laughed, "The message is honesty. Being true to yourself and others, no matter how hard that might be." She dropped her towel over her shoulder, occasionally leaning over to wipe her forehead again. "I think I've lost that part of me lately and the song is about regaining that part of yourself that makes you true and honest."

[Artemis]

Artemis nodded at Minako’s explanation about the message. He has interpreted differently from her but the point was being truthful. He knew behind the smile, which most would interpret, Minako being happy-go-lucky was a woman who was worried about the situation. He had made the gross oversight of Minako not needing him anymore and now can see he was wrong. Truth can be a hurtful subject but it does need to be heard. He just hopped this wouldn’t anger Minako.

“Minako, you have been needed both as an idol and Senshi. Sometimes it is better to not forget who you are before you can be true to yourself. I think Usagi-chan has lost a little of her identity because she has had to make compromises that she wasn’t prepared for. You have done the same and I think the song is a good reminder to you as well to your audience. However it is difficult to be truthful because so many things get in the way. One example is me just taking off without talking to you directly and sorting out my feelings, I hurt you and I was afraid to confront you. I needed help to see things clearly. My point is you are all a team and you need each other to keep things in perspective. Usagi-chan isn’t an exception since she is supposed to be the ruler she still needs you all. It is important you find the common ground all of you once had.”

Artemis was worried that sounded like he was taking up for Usagi-chan. He just wanted to offer a different perspective to his friend. He agreed Usagi-chan could have handled the situation better but he understood how she would have let this happen. He patiently waited for Minako’s response to his thoughts.

[Aino Minako]

Minako took a long drink from the water bottle as she listened to Artemis talk. There was truth to the cat's words - she and Usagi, and the others as well, were still human. They all made mistakes, they all made sacrifices, they'd all made some poor decisions. Could she blame Usagi for her bad choices, any more than she blamed herself and the others? Any more than Artemis and even Mamoru? No, she couldn't.

She sunk her head between her knees and let out a soft groan. "Whoever thought things would get so difficult. We're not even fighting evil anymore, just our own shadows." She looked up and turned to Artemis. "You made a mistake and I forgave you. I let it go, both because deep down I need you and deep down you need me. Why throw away years of friendship over a misunderstanding right? Things should be no different with Usagi, and I get the sense we've both grossly misunderstood each other this past week."

She hesitated, then spoke again, "And Rei too..."

[Artemis]

Artemis walked over to Minako and put a comforting paw on her leg. He knew that she would see things in an objective point of view. He nodded as she mentioned that mistakes were made and you don’t throw friendship over a misunderstanding. He agreed with everything Minako said. The last part surprised him but he kept the gentle advisor cap on.

“I see you do get the point. What is this about Rei? Did you two have another disagreement? The two of you are strong personalities. I do agree you need to fix things with Usagi-chan and Rei-chan. I also think you need to play the song to the girls and see how it affects them. It saddens me to see you girls fighting and unhappy. I know you have your disagreements but it seems communication is not what it was before Crystal Tokyo. There have been massive changes in roles, responsibility, and threats. Minako I think you all need to grow with the changes. Each of you plays a part and some have more than others. That doesn’t make it any less important. It needs to be said, you all need to be reminded of friendship and all the things that draw you together. It wasn’t just because of the threat of chaos, or the fact that you knew each other thousands of years ago. It is that simple and complicated word, love.”

He hoped that didn’t sound too confusing. He was happy to know Minako was searching for answers. He could see the mature young woman that was now considering events as they are. He had always been proud of Minako and that was another moment where her leadership shined. The word love also struck him too as he thought about his behavior towards Luna. He wondered if he should not be so flirtatious and more attentive.

[Aino Minako]

Minako sighed. Since when had her friendships been peppered more with anger than with love? "Yeah, we fought. Rei was, apparently, unhappy with some of my life choices. But Artemis, I don't feel the need to sorry for the way things happened. Why does she feel like she'd better because she chose to stay and I chose to leave?" Minako could feel her anger at the situation rising again and stopped. First, she needed to focus on Usagi,and then she could think able Rei.

"I'll talk to her. I'll set something up, and we can figure out what went wrong. I don't think I could just walk away from Usagi even if I wanted to; we're just too bound by destiny or the past or simply our birthrights for that." Minako could feel her own emotions whirling. Certainly, she'd said some horrible things to Usagi in the heat of the moment and for that she was truly sorry. At the very least, she had the courage to stand up and say that to the person who was more than just her queen but also her dearest friend.

[Artemis]

Minako’s words had no malice, but was wanting to know how to organize in this situation. He was glad when he heard that she would straighten things out with the queen. The incident with Rei-chan was not so much as a surprise as it was normal to him. He had to remind Minako of something.
“Minako while it is true poor decisions were made. It is important to not let anger boil over for too long because scolding marks tend to stay. You and Rei-chan are alike in the sense of you wanting to take care of the important stuff by yourselves. However, it is your sense of obligation that keeps you both serving the queen. I am sure Rei-chan is no exception when it comes to poor life decisions. Just remember balance is key to tempering a raging fire.”

[Aino Minako]

Minako's head shot up and suddenly she felt wounded, "Wait... you agree? You think that my decision to tour the world and have a career was a poor one? I..." she paused unable to go on. Certainly, Artemis was entitled to his opinion, but she felt stabbed in the back none-the-less. "Well I don't!" She stood up and paced across the room, water flying out of the lip of the bottle she'd been holding. "I am happy with what I've done and I'd never want to change it. And If you don't agree then fine, but then."

She shook her head, "Rei might be Rei, but Rei doesn't have a right to tell me how to live my life. No one has that right but myself, because Usagi granted me that freedom years ago. And no one is going to take that away except Usagi." She drew in a deep breath, realizing the profoundness of her statement. Usagi was the only person who could truly decide the direction of Minako's life... but Minako knew even Usagi was bound by destiny no matter how they both had tried to fight it.

She muttered to herself, "I just need to talk to Usagi.."

[Artemis]

Artemis was worried about Minako’s reaction. He wanted to claw himself for sounding like he thought Minako’s choices were bad. He let out a small sigh and regained his composure.
“Minako I don’t think your choices to be an idol are the ones that are being questioned. I did not mean to imply that what you did was wrong. What I am saying is that with the lack of communication between you girls, it has lead to division to you all as a team. It isn’t one person who has should take full responsibility. Usagi-chan wants to keep you all safe but she has also divided herself without realizing it. I am sorry to have angered you. You are right the decisions you make on how to use your talents is up to you Minako. I was just suggesting communication needs to be reestablished. Please calm down I am not blaming you for anything.”

Artemis hoped his explanation would sooth her fury and the last whisper broke his heart. It was such a low and desperate whisper. He wondered if he was saying the right thing to make his point clearer. He decided to add one last thing.

“You are right to talk to Usagi-chan but you need to also communicate with the rest of the team. It is better to talk before too much time passes and salt settles in the wounds.”

[Aino Minako]

Minako turned to look at Artemis, her cheeks blushing pink at her outburst. Artemis had meant well, and she'd misread his words. Just like she'd done for everyone else. When had she lost her ability to communicate? Obviously Artemis too felt she had fallen in that respect. Or was she so used to communicating as an idol, that she'd forgotten how to communicate as a friend and a senshi. "You're right, Artemis," she responded.

She returned to his side and picked him, petting him softly as she spoke, "Communication is the most important thing and I've done a poor job of keeping it up." She ignored his comment about speaking to the rest of the team. Of course, he was right, and she knew that, but she reasoned that first they all needed to patch things up with Usagi and then they could work on team-building again.

"I'll set something up with her for tomorrow... or whenever she'd free." Minako confirmed.

[Artemis]

Artemis let out a sigh of relief as she picked him up and started petting him. He knew she would not go to the rest of the Senshi until bridges were mended with Usagi-chan. He nodded at Minako’s affirmation of her plan to talk to Usagi and he purred as she showed him affection. He licked her face.

“Minako beginning again is necessary for all of us. Communication is a skill that needs to be practiced constantly. I am proud of you no matter what Minako. Sometimes the two roles you play clash but there is harmony of your giving nature helping you to find solutions.”


He snuggled against Minako hoping there would be comfort.

[Aino Minako]

Minako gave Artemis a long hug, then set him back down. "How about I sing you another song?" she suggested as she crossed the room and picked up her microphone. This time, the song she chose was upbeat and happy, about a reunion between two lovers that reignited a passion once lost.

[Artemis]

He nodded at her suggestion hardly ever saying no to Minako’s singing. The song that Minako was singing struck his heart cord. He wondered if she was thinking about a certain white haired man as she was singing it. He didn’t say anything though as the song continued and he gave Minako an appreciative smile. When the song was over the smile did not fade. “Are you feeling loved Minako?”

[Aino Minako]

Minako lowered the microphone and looked hard at Artemis. She opened her mouth to answer, then closed it. Or course she felt loved. She had her friends and her fans, and maybe even Khalid. And Artemis too. Why wouldn't she feel loved. She hesitated for a moment more then nodded her head. "Of course, Artemis. Why wouldn't I?"