Title: A new friend - Artemis's story part II
Author: Ree
Theme: Cats (masks)
Genre: General
Version: Manga/Anime
Rating: G

The cats and all their friends are all from the imaginations of Takeuchi Naoko. I'm not that creative.

A new friend
Artemis's story part II

At first he avoided the diplomatic corps compound. He wanted nothing to do with this ability to transform. But, he needed to thank the ambassador who had helped him. Diplomat Evrul had whisked him away before he could. And that is why he was standing at the same information desk.

"Excuse me?" He walked back and forth in front of the counter, trying not to twitch his tail. A head leaned over the edge and looked down at him.

"Can I help you, little one?"

Artemis looked up at the receptionist. "Yes, I need to find Ambassador Joshu. Can you tell me where to find him?" He was glad he had heard the name last time. He hoped it was right.

The receptionist looked at him for a long moment before answering. "The ambassador is very busy. Do you have an appointment?"

Artemis knew a blanket rejection when he heard one. He was about to slump off, when he heard the softly accented voice coming into the room. Right behind it was the tall blond haired man he needed to thank. He turned with out answering the receptionist, and scampered up to the man.

Joshu was looking at the man he was talking to, but managed to stop before he stepped on Artemis. Looking down at the Maun at his feet, Joshu felt a stir of recognition. Crouching down, he looked into the clear, blue eyes of the white kitten who was looking uncertainly up at him. "We have met before, haven't we? Forgive me, I don't remember your name."

As Artemis looked into his eyes, he realized they were a clear blue as well, and he felt himself calming under their reassuring gaze. "Yes, we have. We weren't introduced before. My name is Artemis."

He heard the receptionist coming his way. He needed to hurry up and thank this man. "I ... I..."

Joshu held up a finger. "One moment, Artemis. It seems the receptionist needs to speak with me, too." He looked up at the man he had been talking with. "Arni, why don't you go ahead. I meet you there."

Arni smiled, and shook his head. "Just don't let them rope you into some more work. You need a break, too." He then continued out the door.

When the receptionist made it to them, she glared at Artemis. "I'm sorry, sir. This kitten doesn't have an appointment, and I know you are busy today. I was just telling him to leave."

Artemis slumped down, and started to slink his way towards the door. He felt both pairs of eyes watching him go. Then, he heard the ambassador's quiet voice. "Thank you for guarding my time, but I would like to speak to him." The receptionist gave a small gasp, and Artemis looked back over his shoulder. He was surprised to see that the gentle, friendly face of the ambassador was now a cold, polite mask, and his tone reflected its coldness. "I have asked you before not to screen my callers. If someone asks for me by name, I expect to at least meet them."

When Joshu looked back at Artemis, the mask changed back into the friendly face, and his tone gentled. "Artemis, will you walk with me?"

Artemis glanced between the both of them, and then agreed. "Yes, I can walk."

As the words came out of his mouth, a spark of recognition shone in Joshu's eyes, but he didn't say anything until they were out the door.

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Artemis looked at the picture on the corner of his desk. It was taken the year before Joshu had left for home on a planet called Venus. They had both gone fishing, and the picture was of them both right after they had fallen into the water. They had had seven years together. Somehow, a kitten and an elderly man had become the best of friends.