A New Friend
Chapter Three
Ami opened her eyes the next morning to see little Kyoko lying on the bed, by her head, watching her intently. As Ami smiled at her new friend, the pup let out a happy little yip and licked her new "mother's" cheek. A soft chuckle came from the doorway and both inhabitants of the bed looked over.
"I just had Kyoko out for her morning business and run around. I've arranged it so you can spend as much time as you need in getting to know the little one. And I think it would be a good idea for you to visit with your friends as well. You've been far too busy lately. I need to head off to the hospital now, so have a good day dear." Mrs. Mizuno stated and headed to the front door.
"Well Kyoko, are you ready to spend the day having fun. I have some friends I want you to meet and I'm sure we will see Luna again. You would like that wouldn't you?" Ami laughed as Kyoko let out a happy bark, turning in a tight circle before losing her balance and flopping on to her side.
"Silly girl. You wait here while I get washed." Ami chuckled and headed for the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later Ami was back in the bedroom and quickly slipping in to a pair of light blue slacks, a white top and light blue socks.
After the bed was made, the two headed to the kitchen for breakfast. Putting the last clean dish in the cupboard, Ami picked up the phone and called her Rei.
"Hello, Rei Hino speaking." the voice replied.
"Hi Rei, it's Ami. Would you mind if I came over for a while? I have someone I would like you to meet." Ami replied.
"Of course Ami. Lita just called and said she was coming over. She said you had a new friend. New boyfriend Ames?" Rei replied, teasing her shy friend a little.
"No, it's not a new boyfriend Rei. You'll just have to wait and see. We'll be there in about 20 minutes." Ami replied, chuckling at Rei's friendly tease.
"Ok, see you in a bit Ami." Rei replied before hanging up the phone.
"Come on Kyoko, we're going over to my friend Rei's place." Ami replied gently as she knelt down and put on the pup's harness and leash.
Once they entered the park, Ami noticed that Kyoko started to sniff everything around her as they headed towards Rei's home. The little pup began to pull on the leash and bark happily as she saw Lita and Luna coming their way.
"Hey there you two. How are you doing." Lita called out as she approached with the guardian cat.
"We're doing just fine thank you Lita. Kyoko sure seems glad to see you two again." Ami commented, watching the small pup prance around Lita and greet Luna in a gentle, friendly way. Luna rubbed her face against Kyoko's in return.
"I made some dog biscuits for Kyoko last night. I hope she'll likes them." Lita replied and giggled as Kyoko seemed to understand what she had just said and started to beg. "Sorry Kyoko, but you're going to have to wait until we get to the shrine to have one of these."
The pup whined for a moment before giving up and walking beside her feline friend. As the small group reached the steps of the shrine, Ami started to bend over to pick up her little four legged friend . Kyoko ran forward and jumped up six of the of the stairs before she sat down panting.
"That was a good try Kyoko. It's a long way to climb, but you'll get used to doing it soon." Luna praised as Ami picked up the pup.
As they reached the top, Rei put her broom against the side of the tree and walked forward to greet them. As Ami put down the little pup, the young priestess was surprised that Luna didn't hiss or run away in fear. Instead the feline was walking beside a puppy that was a little bigger than herself.
"I thought dogs and cats hated each other Luna. What's going on here?" Rei asked as she stopped in front of her friends.
"That's usually true, but this is different. Are the others here? I don't want to keep repeating the story." Luna asked.
"Just Darien and Artemis. Mina and Serena should be here soon. What's her name Ami?" Rei asked as they walked towards the shrine's courtyard.
"This little one's name is Kyoko. I think she wants you to hold her for a moment." Ami replied, giggling as Kyoko yipped at Rei to be picked up.
Rei gently picked up the young pup and stroked her fur as the little husky sniffed at her and memorized Rei's scent. Putting Kyoko down, Rei opened the courtyard door and allowed the two animals go in first before she, Lita and Ami stepped through.
"Artemis, don't even think it!" Luna warned when she saw the white cat immediately stand up to save Luna from the puppy that was walking beside her.
"But Luna!..." Artemis started, but Luna quickly cut him off.
"This little thing is obviously not doing me any harm, and we need to talk privately for a moment. "Kyoko, could you wait here with the others please. I need to talk to Artemis for a few minutes." The little puppy woofed gently in acknowledgement.
"Artemis, do you remember Ami having a guardian animal...a dog, during the silver millenium?" Luna asked quietly, once they were a fair distance away. She watched as Artemis thought deeply for several moments before the memory suddenly returned to him.
"Yes. I believe her name was Mizu. You mean to tell me that you found her? Where is she now. I know that isn't her over there." Artemis answered.
"Ami, Lita and I found her yesterday at the local shelter. To make a long story short Artemis, she was very ill and died. The owner she had, neglected and abused her. Mizu was heavy with pups and lost half of them. That puppy over there is one of the six surviving left, and will also be a guardian like her mother, once she is old enough. I have agreed to help Ami teach and raise her. She is still young enough to learn to like cats." Luna informed.
"Does she speak yet?" Artemis asked.
"No, not yet. It would be nice if you were her friend as well Artemis. She appears to be a lot like her mother." Luna supplied.
"Alright Luna. I'm sorry that I didn't get to see Mizu before she died. By the way, what's the pup's name?" Artemis asked as they walked back over to the group.
"It's Kyoko. I have a feeling that she will make a fine guardian for Ami. Just like her mother was." Luna answered. As the cats returned, Kyoko jumped down from Darien's lap and sat down, waiting for Luna and the other cat to stop in front of her.
"Kyoko, I would like you to meet Artemis, a fellow guardian. Artemis this is Kyoko; Ami's new puppy and guardian." Luna introduced.
"It's nice to meet you Kyoko. I would like to help Luna teach you how to be a good guardian for Ami. And, if you will allow, to be your friend as well." Artemis stated. Kyoko woofed softly in acknowledgement and gently pushed her face against Artemis's. The white cat returned the gesture and purred momentarily.
It wasn't long before the three guardian animals were chasing each other around the courtyard, and making the humans nearby laugh at their antics. Meanwhile outside, Mina and Serena were coming up the steps, talking about everyday things. As they came to the last step, they could hear the others laughing...and a dog barking in the shrine's courtyard?!
"What's going on in here? And since when did you get a dog...LUNA!" Serena started before she saw a small dog, no, puppy chasing Luna. She lurched forward and grabbed Kyoko as she and Luna ran past. Artemis had been snatched to the safety of Mina's arms.
"Oh no you don't, you are not hurting my cat. Out you go!" Serena declared and marched towards the door to throw Kyoko out. She would have succeeded if Darien hadn't jumped up and snatched the poor puppy out of her hand.
"What's the matter with you Serena! I thought you knew better than to be cruel to animals." Darien replied sternly as he took the pup over to Ami for comfort and reassurance."
"That...thing was attacking Luna and Artemis!" Serena declared, assured that she was in the right and Darien wasn't. She and Mina watched in surprise as the two guardian cats walked over to Kyoko and helped Ami sooth her.
"Does it look like Artemis and I hurt! Honestly Serena, I'm ashamed of you. If Kyoko was actually attacking us, don't you think we would have jumped in to a tree?!" Artemis growled at the two offenders.
"Look you two, that puppy is here to stay and belongs to Ami. If you'll sit down, I'll explain everything to you since it seems like Ami is busy at the moment." Lita replied, a little miffed at her two blond friends. Before she started her story, she handed a dog biscuit to Ami to let Kyoko try.
As Lita explained what had happened the other day, with herself, Ami and Luna, Kyoko began to nibble on the biscuit Ami was holding for her. By the look on Serena's face, at the beginning of the tale, she had remembered Mizu, and was sorry that she had not met up with Ami; instead of the bad people who had hurt her. At the end of the tale, everyone was quiet for a moment.
"Lita, can Kyoko talk yet?" Serena asked quietly.
"No she can't, but she can certainly understand you. If you want to apologize to her, I suggest you give her a dog biscuit. And before you even try one Serena, they are too hard for human teeth." Lita suggested.
"Umm, Kyoko, I'm sorry I was rough with you earlier. I should have waited to know more about you. Do you forgive me?" Serena asked tentatively, holding out the biscuit.
Kyoko slowly came forward and studied Serena for a moment. Sensing that this girl in front of her actually wasn't a bad human, gave a somewhat happy woof and gently took the biscuit.
AN: Okay, people, that's all I have for this chapter. If you have any suggestions for the next one, I'd love to hear them. I'm not exactly sure where to go from here.