"what's that cat doing?" wash asked, she tried to see Mina starting to catch Artimes around the area near the stage.
"Oh…no…" Serena sighed, placing a hand up to her forehead. She said, "What we are going to do?"
"We can't have a cat in there…" Wahsu said, she was about to enter in the gym when saw Artimes leaping over a man on a couch who was just finishing up his donation "Stop that cat!"
"MERWOW!" Artimes howled. He was being cornered by mina and other aide.
"Wait…I'll help!" Seiya said. He knew Artemis had a wild streak in his furry, little mind. Seiya ran to the back door with Jamie following him. The three were trying to corner Artemis as he ran around the gym floor.
"Good grief…" Washu said as she started to close the door.
"He is a bad cat at times!" Serena sighed.
It took Jamie, mina and Seiya just a few minutes to corner Artemis. He knew he was licked when a large woman with a much larger shopping back showed up at the other entrance way to the gym from the main lobby. There was no way of getting around her without either jumping up and crawling around her. Artemis was not going to take a chance. He stopped long enough for the lady to bend over slightly and pick him up. She smiled as she held artemis by the middle like a football. She said, "I like little kitties like you!"
"Meow?" Artemis said in a weary tone of voice. He did not know on what to make of her. She seemed nice.
Mina had to be careful in her words. She knew both herself and Seyia were taking a huge risk if they told anyone outside of their scout circle if they were sailor senshi. Yet, having artemis pulling his little trick of just being a cat was equally risky as well.
"You have to be careful…marshmallow!" the lady said, which proved to be embarrassment to Artemis.
His eyes got big as he thought, "Who is she calling Marshmallow!"
"His name is Artemis…and he's my cat!" Mina sighed as she could tell by the look his face the mistaking name calling was not in his favor. She stood with a small smile on her face. "I'm sorry that he was being a royal pain!"
Washu was now standing next to Mina after she had reentered the gym and walked over to where Mina, the lady and artemis were. She had asked Seiya and Jamie to stay for a while. They seemed unware to what Washu had in mind.
"Washu…I'm going to the library next door and ask Serena if she could take Artemis back home before he starts any more trouble," Mina said as she noticed Washu walking up towards where Mina and the other lady was standing.
"And while you are talking to Serena…artemis could stay with Jamie for a little while before Serena takes off!"
"Yes…I understand…" Mina said. She was about to turn to head out by the side door when she was stopped by washu. Wahsu told her to stay afterwards to help clean up. It was the least amount of things to do for her after what had happened with Artemis.
Then, Washu turned to see what Seiya was doing. He making sure Artemis was not going to take off again. He knew Rio had a basket bag she was using. He wrote down a note for her to read, asking to borrow the basket. Washu knew he was a strong and healthy young man, but was he willing to give up just a little something in favor. She was not sure yet, until she had to ask him in the right way.
"oh…what's it all about?" seiya asked. He wondered what was on Washu's mind.
"You look pretty healthy. . ." she smiled shy. She had to pick out the right words in order to make this stick.
Taking as a complement, Seiya smiled as he said, "Yea…I love to work out and meatball head love to see strut my stuff!"
Mina caught the idea of seiya putting it on a little thick to impress washu. She knew Washu had other plans. The blood drive was doing good, but it could do better if there was more people. Wahsu wanted to be sure there was enough people. "and I want to go out for football!" Seiya sighed.
"Oh…that's nice!" Wahsu smiled back. She knew seiya was her next fish that was going to be caught up in the net. On picking her words very carefully, Wahsu smiled, "Have you ever thought of giving up something you have lots of?"
"What?" Seiya asked. He had a feeling she was up to cornering up him nice and tight. He had to back out, but she seemed very nice to him. After all, she had helped Rio and the others in the past with school work. "Is there something you want…Miss Washu?"
"Well…kind of," she said. She glanced over at an empty cot. There was a lull after Artemis and Mina left. There was no way of getting around her idea.
"It's time…I love to give of my time to a good cause…"
"Well," she said, pursing her lips. She started to walk towers the cot, "Cope with me…you feel strong!"
"Yea…" he smiled. He did not know he was being tricked into giving blood. He wondered why Washu was being very nice, almost flattering to him.
"I have this nice little paper for you to put your autograph on," she said. She took seiya by the hand to lead him to a small table.
At the same time, Mina reentered the gym. She noticed Washu and Seiya sitting at opposite sides of a small table. She believed Washu was going to snag Seiya in giving blood. She had a feeling he was doing the right thing. She also hoped he was going to be foolish enough to fight if a monster should show up. She remembered the time she fought against a monster with the others. It was a startling revelation to find out who were the sailors of the outer cosmos. It nearly ended up her life, but she had every ounce of her planet power inside bursting out in the final triumph ending.
She realized Seiya could be next. As if he was going to be set up for a fall, Mina asked wahsu," ARE you sure you are going to be there for a while?""
"Yea…what makes you say that?" Washu said. She felt like mina was just testing her for a reason.
"I might out for a snack or a phone call!" Mina lied as she shrugged her shoulders.
"O.K." she nodded. She knew Mina was a hard worker.
"do you want anything?" Mina said as she gave Seiya a glance.
"No…I'll be fine!" Washu said. Tehn, she turned her attentions onto Seiya. He noticed as Washu as she pulled out a folder from a stack of folders. There was a stack in which she kept a stack of papers with people's name who gave blood. It was the normal stuff.
"Are you going to busy after you get done here?" Seiya asked. He wanted to be sure Mina was not going to goof off if there was a monster spotting in the area.
"I am just going to home and rest my feet!" Mina said. Then, she turned to head towards the doors leading to the front entrance. Her stomach had a bad ache in it. At first she thought she was just on edge from trying to catch Artemis. He would give her a headache. This was strange, nearly evil. Her nerves were just sharping up just a little before leaving. Giving a quick glance over the gym made her feeling a little better.
"and what else?" he asked, he knew she was going to see Yaten if he wanted to be bothered.
"There is a meeting for Ami's study group!" she said. The girls had a code set up for possible movements of the dark forces. It sounded so normal for the girls to get together with each other and have a talk about school. Seiya get Mina a look of concern. "it's at seven…are you willing to show up…"
"As Rio would say…'I'll be there with bells on!" Seiya said.
"Good…" Mina said as she turned. When she saw Serena, she told Serena in the library about Seiya and the other two showing up at the meeting.
Seiya went the normal stuff with Washu. Washu asked if he was old enough to give blood. At first, Seiya was a little surprised, but was happy enough to helped.
"You are in good health?" Washu asked.
"Yea…I feel great!" he smiled.
"do you know about your blood type?"
Seiya knew a little bit to get his passport, but he left the medical thinking up to Taiki. He rather go out and have fun. "I think it's O…but I'm not really sure!"
"We can figure it out when we screen it!" Washu shrugged.
"and what else?" he had some idea what was going on.
"Oh, are you scared of needles. I just would like to know!" a sly smile was creeping up on her lips. Washu like to toy with people for a couple of minutes.
"Not really…" Seoya shrugged. He knew when he gave blood, there had to be a needle involved with the process.
"good…first off…" Washu had a piece of paper with typed written form in her hand. She handed it to Seoya, "we need your signature to say that you release some information about yourself….you know that boring back check…"
"I hate paper work, but it's for a good cause!" Seiya gave a mock pout. He knew there was more to giving blood than even washu knew.
She looked at her watch, she said, "It will be over for at least hour, but I would advise you not to overdo it for a day or two. You will be weak!"
"I understand. i have some idea just on what do afterwards," Seiya said,
"and there is another paper for your name and address!"
"What else?"
"Nothing else…outside of that…. you want to rest for a few hours. Giving blood is a lot of strain on your body. So, don't play any heavy sport."
"I wouldn't be doing anything. Outside of calling up Serena!" Seiya smiled.
"Oh…you better not let Darien hear you!" Washu exchanged her own sly grin.
"Eh! He's not that big!" Seiya said.
Washu glanced at the room for just a minute. She hoped Darien was not there. A couple of times the two were nearly got into a fight over Serena. Washu remembered an augment over her beginning at her house. Fortney, Tenchi was there to calm both of them down. she got up from the table to look for an empty cot. she found one in a minute or two. she said, "There is a cot near the middle...would you like to go over there for just a minute!"
"Sure..." Seiya shrugged. he stood up to walk over to the cot where Washu had pointed out.
"And just sit there..I'll be with you!"
"O.K." he said, sitting down on the edge of the cot. he knew he was going to be giving blood and it was painful. he had talked it over one time with Mina. she was scared to death by doing it, but she realized did not take a superhero to be a real hero.
"I have to get the stuff," Washu said.
Jamie on the other hand was still waiting as he sat on a bleacher. He watched as a couple of nurses helped out with a couple donners. He wanted to be sure he was doing the right thing. Maybe, it would make him stronger, yet in the same time he hoped to get a possible link to where Nick or even Alex was. Vachon was a lone wolf with Tracy at his heels, but Seiya thought of him as well. It was like the younger out of the three vampires had been more like an older brother than just a good friend to Seiya and his two brothers. he was going to be in for some pain. he knew giving blood was not all that pleasant an idea. he told himself, "It's just a little or a eh...big pinch."
there were a few persons who winced at needles as a couple of nurses were doing their rounds.
"I'm a big boy...there is nothing to this little needle!" he thought. before too long, Washu came back with a tray table on wheels. she said, "Come on and roll up your sleeve!"
Seyia breathed, physicking himself up for the needle when he began to roll up his t-shirt sleeve.
washu had to ask, "What are you doing here?" she was getting the packets for the withdraw ready. her hands were busy with the getting on the gloves. she noticed a small scar on Seiya's arm.
he said, "I came with my brothers...you remember getting a letter about around Christmas time?"
"Yea...we just having a great party. there was lots of stuff under the tree. Sasmai had all the food made up!" Washu reflected on that Christmas party at the Mashki house. "we were stunned at first!"
"Sasami cooks...she is a little girl...she is about the same age is Reenie...!" Seiya said. he was told to lay down as Washu started to prep the needle, then the tubing for the bag.
"Yea...she is smart for her age and she has a sister, Ayeka who helps ouit when she's not chasing down Tenchi!" Washu chuckled.
"Well...that sounds like Reenie and Skuld! Hotura hangs out too. chibi-chibi usually falls behind, but someone like the other help out...,"
"What about Abby,.." Washu asked. Hotura had made a new fiend called Abby at school. she was daughter of a local doctor. The girls seemed to become fast friends since the first day they met at a local bus stop.
"Sasami was happy to meet up with others as well…she needs to have someone her own age to hang out with.
"What about you…I see you like hanging out with not only Serena and her bunch, but with the group from London. They seemed to be nice people!" Wahsu smiled. She had a cotton swab in one hand. She began to prep Seiya's arm. "I'm going to ask to turn your head. It's going to be a very sharp pinch!"
Outside, Serena and Mina were talking about taking Artemis home. He had been a very bad kitty. All seemed pretty normal and quiet. Then, the air was broken for just a minute of a loud scream. It was the first time that Seiya had an unexpected pinch like he had never felt before. Serena said, "did Yaten tell you about freaking out at the hospital when he was when sick?"
"No…he was too sick to even put up even a struggle!" Mina sighed.
"he must be easily to be tamed than seiya is!" Serena said.
"Or he just like to show off!" a voice interrupted.
Serna and mina turned to see Haruka walking over to the girls. She had a carrier in her hands. She asked Serena, "Had Artemies being sneaking out again?"
"Yes…Luna and Diana are the only ones who stay at home!" Serena sighed.
Artemies was in mina's arms. He knew there was going to be a fight between himself and mina. Mina said, "Come on…time to be in the carrier."
"Meow?" ATrimes meowed weakly. He was going to on the spot with his little act, but he wanted to complaint with mina and Haruka.
"What was that noise?" Hakura asked as she opened the carrier door.
Serena was in a sort of giddy mood. She knew that Seiya was brave, but she discovered a weak spot in his armor. She said, "Seiya is giving blood."
Harkua was surprised to hear Seiya giving blood. She asked, "Why he is doing that?"
"I think Washu talked him into it!" Mina interrupted.
"Oh?" Harkua asked. She opened the door to the carrier after she bent down to place the carrier on ground.
"he didn't realize how painful it was?" Serena sighed.
"Maybe…but, he will get over it!" Haruka shrugged.
"he's strong, but I just hope he doesn't wear himself out," Serna said.
"Come on…ARtemies. Time to go home!" Mina cooed. She knew Artimes was going to start protesting as soon as he saw the carrier. The carrier was facing upwards with the door fully opened.
"Meow?" the little white cat said.
"Yes…" Mina said, trying to sound a little comforting to her cat.
"You want me to help!" Serena asked. Her question was a statement in which there could be trouble.
"Meow?" ATreimies asked as he felt Mina's hands moving around to get his middle. at first, it tickled him. he did know Mina had very delicate hands, but this was moving a little far into a tickle fest.
"It's all right... you will be home in a few minutes. then, I might check out the front door or back door lock!" Mina sighed.
Both Haruka and Mina knew all three moon kitties were smart. Were they watching the girls as they went about their daily lives. besides, Artemis had been caught clawing a hole in a screen window in the basement. it was small, but big enough for a cat to squeeze through. the carrier door was opened; Artemis could sense a little fear inside of him. he never did like being inside with no way of getting back out. he and Luna felt the same way about being at a disadvantage. Serena knew what do as well. She stood off to the side of Mina. She watched as Mina placed ARtimes's back side in first. He did npt like it. He let out a series of meows which all three girls gently talked to him. He tried to back out, but he realized there was no ground to place his paws on.
"Don't be such a baby!" Mina sighed. She gave a gentle shove at Artermis's rump. He felt himself being pushed in, which he was not in control. He meowed even more. Mina said, "it's not going to do you any good with your crying. The trip is not that long!"
In a few minutes of trying to get Artemis into the carrier, Mina knew he was getting hot and tried. He was going to give in a few minute later. He knew if he started something other than what he wanted to do, he was going to get in the end. Besides the fact he was surrounded by non-scouts, cars had a bigger impact than just monsters.
Serena asked, "is he going in?"
"With my luck…he will probity spill out…" Mina said as she before asking Serena to grab Arttimes by the ankles. She reached over to Artemis's back paws. She had to careful. ARtimes could claw Serena with one good kick. She made a loop with her fingers around his ankles. At first, he felt her cold fingers. He did not like it. He tried to move his paws out fo the way. At the same time, he felt his body being dragged by his weigh right into the carrier. It was sort of quick plop itnot he carrier with Hakura moving the down to the ground with a quick sweep of her hands. She made sure htat he was not hurt when she quickly locked the door.
"MEOW!" he howled he had heard the door click shut.
"Is he hurt?" Serena asked making a quick peek into the carrier at a distance.
"More his own pride than his body!" Mina sighed, he was more the diva than she was at the time. "He will get over it, soon!"
"I have a feeling about Seiya's as well!" Hakura said. She had a feeling Seiya was not going to be up to having a good time with anyone after he placed into a issuant he knew he was going to be a hero to some, but others he was still a cocky teen-idol.
"What's going?" Rio's voice was heard in the distance.
"Rio...did Reenie pay attention to you?" Serena asked. she knew Reenie was just like her when she was her age. Serena instantly turned to see Rio and Reenie leaving the building from the back entrance.
"Yea...there is a summer reading program and she's wants to sign up...she's needs your John Handcock!" Rio said.
"My what?" Serena was puzzled.
"Your signature!" Haruka informed Serena.
"oh?" Severna said with a blank look on her face.
"Can you please sign?" Reenie asked as she opened the door. she spotted Serena before darting over to the group.
"and what is it for me?" Serena sighed. She knew Reenie would have a catch in grabbing up what little modernity that Serena had for herself.
"I think there is really nothing to worry about outside of Reenie reading!" Rio said.
"Hey, little lady…are you going to be up to this?" Haruka asked.
"I will!" Reenie said with a huge grin.
"And I think you can get your friends into the summer reading as well..." Haruka said with a sly grin. she knew with everything out of fighting Galaixa's armies, there was enough time to be really taking it easy for the sailor senshi.
"I think I know...houtra would!" Serena said.
"Houtra would do what?" Ayeka asked as she exited the library. she and the rest were just leaving the library.
"There is a reading club for the kids during the summer!" Rio said.
"I know it will be hard..." Reenie said.
Rio winked at Serena, "Temptations...they are many, the road to victory is hard!"
"But, the rewards at the end are great!" Reenie said. she was trying to get herself physic for the long road ahead. there were going to more than just the run-in-the mill blocks. she hoped that she was not over her head.
"and what else?" Serena asked.
"Nothing really. she has to have a book report a weekly basis and there is a big turnout I heard!" Rio said.
"Do you think Sasami will be interested in this as well?" Ayeka said.
"There is some fun involved. It's good to be out of the house with your friends!" Rio shrugged with a smile.
"I want also to Skuld and Abby to know…" Reenie said.
"You go on with Serena…I'll going to visit Charlie…. I have not seen her all day and there is something she wanted to ask me!" Rio said.
"O.K." Ayeka said before departing for her house.
"You want me to come with you to Charlie's?" Serena asked.
At first, Rio did want to be bothered with Serena and Reenie, but she had another feeling she might be needing their help in the long run. Sje said, "If you don't mind staying around for about five minutes…it has been something about our favorite soap, called EastEnders."
"do you mind if me and Reenie go with Rio to Charlies?" Serena asked. She glanced at Hakura.
"No...Atrimes is his carrier...he seems to be calming down a little..." Hakura said.
"We won't be long...i'm hoping to see what i can do for my aunts little party!" Rio sighed, she knew her aunts were going to be throwing another coming out party for Rio. she was a princess who was getting married and had to follow tradition of being presented to the rest of the world as a new bride.
"Another one?" Serena said.
Rio knew the other one was just a few friends. This was going to be Salem's rich and famous. Rio was not all that impressed with people who she did not know. She said, "This is more like a dumb coming out party. The first one was just for you lot! I have really no intensions on staying too long. In fact, Jakten wants me to show at his house near Sweet Haven."
"What about your uncles…. don't they have a say!" Serena asked. Reenie, Serena and Rio started towards a large blue house which sat at the corner of Pershing and Lincoln.
"Yes…in fact, Uncle Zigfield when he was tried to order both of my aunts not to have the parties. My whole family with Dusty's family will have a large party near my birthday. It's a private betrothal!"
"Then, when you are eighteen you will be married!" Serena asked with a sly grin.
"yes…We will be the best couple for now…I just wish we did have to go off and reclaim our home world!" Rio sighed. Her distance past was starting to creep up on her fast. She had to keep her mind on the present. She had heard the stories from poal about seeing trolls near the border between earth and Arcaida. There was talk about spotting the Troll Alveen.
"What about your mom and dad?" Reenie asked.
There were stories about Rio's past. They were still missing for years. Even the senshi were hoping for a miracle.
"I'm hoping they will be found. I have been so tired about the whole idea of them be lost. I love both of my Uncles and all of my aunts. They have been super to me!" Rio sighed. She felt like she could not go any further with the subject.
"but, it's not like having your mom or dad?" Serena asked. They were walking up the street. They past an old empty auto supply shop.
"In way I have been kind of lucky in way. I was raised as best as my family knew how, but I stopped myself from time to time thinking about my mother's way of yelling at me if I was pulling something stupid or how my da would worry about me at school and my grades." Rio smiled.
Serena was so far away from her home back in Tokyo, she wondered about her family. She had written and talked over the phone to her mom, but she wanted to see her mother.