Chapter 6

"Hey, before we get back to your place, mind if I swing by my house to pick up some things for tomorrow?" She also needed to drop in to check in with Artemis. He was most likely concerned about her not being home the previous night either. Minako also needed to at least give him a bit of an update on everything happening. Regardless of whether or not she let the others know about this thing with Katsuro, she needed to let Artemis know so that he didn't worry.

"That's no problem at all. You're sure your folks won't mind you being out another night?"

"I'll tell them Rei is having a sleepover or something."

"Alright then, but should I meet them soon?" He wondered whether or not they were at 'that stage' of their relationship.

"Eventually we'll get to that, but for now, lets just enjoy our time together and learn more about each other." She kissed his cheek gently. "I'll be right back." She winked before running up to her house, then going in. She went upstairs to her room where a white cat lay on her bed.

Artemis raised his head, his ears twitching as the blonde entered her room. "Minako. I was beginning to wonder where you were. Is everything ok?" He asked, worried that she hadn't been home or even left any sort of message for him.

"Artemis! Yeah, everything is alright. Its great actually! Well, not EVERYTHING, but there's a lot to catch you up on."

"What do you mean, not EVERYTHING?"

"Don't get mad, but I met a guy at school. He's really nice. We've kind of started dating, and I was there last night. Then also-"

"You stayed at a guy's house that you just met?! What if something happened to you? Did he try anything? You need to be careful of things like that!"

"I don't have a lot of time to really explain. I will tomorrow, I promise. What I was going to say is, we have a new enemy. There's been some attacks. He was attacked. I stayed over to take care of him since he wasn't doing well after the attack."

It did sound like something she would do out of concern for someone who needed help. It still didn't sit right with him that she was alone at a guy's house. "A new enemy and you haven't thought to let me know yet? What about the others?"

"Rei told us tonight she had a vision a few days ago about this. And that there were four knights or something on top of this new evil. Well, Katsuro…the guy I'm seeing…turns out to be one of these knights."

"He has powers too? And you've been keeping all of this from me till now?" Artemis was completely baffled. It wasn't like her to hide things like this from him. Just what had been going on the past few days? "Minako, we need to sit down and figure all of this out and plan. What if this guy turns out to be someone bad and hurts you? You don't need to drop your guard. It could be some plot from the other side. Please tell me he doesn't know you're Sailor Venus." He begged her. Love, or even just their hearts and kind natures had always been a weakness in the past.

"He does, and yes he knows. He isn't like that at all. Before he even had powers, he was attacked and when Rei showed up to help him, she got injured bad. He gave everything he had to protect her and even fought off a creature and henchmen completely without powers till we showed up. From what he learned, and I learned tonight actually, his powers awakened that night from the creature attacking him."

"So, he hasn't had his abilities all his life?"

"No, and we're actually going to talk more tonight…I'm going to stay over there and tomorrow we're doing a double date with Mamoru and Usagi."

"You're staying with him again? You shouldn't be doing that. You need to think more with your head and not your heart. If there is a new enemy, you don't need to be at some boy's house. You need to be ready for anything to happen."

"It'll be ok Artemis. I'll be back here tomorrow night and we can talk more. I promise. I won't do anything. I want to get to know him more. I even flirted with him as Sailor Venus before he knew it was me, and he kept brushing off those advances and telling me he was taken. He blew off Sailor Venus for Minako Aino."

Artemis would be lying if he said it didn't amaze him that someone would ignore a chance with a Sailor Guardian for a normal schoolgirl. It did set him at ease just a bit to hear that though. It at least told him this guy wasn't targeting the Sailor Guardians or focused on only them. Heaving a sigh of relief, Artemis gave in. "Well, as long as he isn't targeting you or the other guardians, I trust your judgement Minako. Though I will let you know I'm not too keen on the whole staying at some boy's place alone." He did have a stern scolding tone, sitting back down and staring at her.

"Thank you for understanding. Like I said, I promise I'll catch you up on everything tomorrow night when I get back. Maybe I'll bring him back for you two to meet? That way you can do you're whole protective 'What are your intentions with my girl' spiel." She winked, getting her things together she would need for the night and tomorrow.

"Actually, that would be great. I want to meet this guy if he has powers and if he is like the rest of you. I want to know more about him if you are in fact going to be serious about him." He stretched. "Just be safe, ok? Keep everyone else in the loop in case something does happen."

"Don't worry, I will. Are my parents home?"

"I think they went out together tonight."

"Gotcha, I'll leave them a note telling them I'm at Rei's tonight."

"You really shouldn't be lying to them."

"I know, I'll introduce them later. I mean, Usagi stays over with Mamoru and her parents are chill about it." She began writing a note. "I'll see you tomorrow! Luna may know more about the new enemy since they were all at Rei's talking tonight. Please, don't tell anyone about tonight though, or his powers. I'll tell you about that too."

"I hate lying for you…but fine."

"Thank you so much! I'll see you later, goodnight!" With that, she darted downstairs and placed the note on the front door as she walked outside, then locked it.

"Everything ok? You were in there for a while." Katsuro asked, seeing the note on the door. "Parents weren't home?"

"Yeah! Everything is fine. Just had to get the right clothes and stuff for tomorrow and things for tonight together. They weren't home, so I'm leaving them a note. Shall we?" She held her hand out, taking hold of his. Her bag in the other arm, slung around her shoulder.

"Yeah, let's go. I can whip something together for dinner, and we can watch a movie or two tonight." He smiled, walking close to her.

"Oh? A man who can cook? Watch out, if you start doing things like that for me, you'll never be able to get rid of me." She winked, then rested her head against him.

"Well, I'll just have to keep that in mind then." He gently tilted his head to the top of hers, nuzzling against it, his eyes closed just feeling so comfortable and content. When they got up to his place, he slowly let go of her hand to get his keys from his pocket. Unlocking the door, he held it open for her to head in first.

"Why thank you, such a gentleman." She winked, walking in to set her bag on the couch after taking her shoes off.

He took his shoes off at the door as well then locked the door behind them. "Well, make yourself at home. I'll get dinner ready. I'm making a beef teriyaki tonight." He placed his things down as well and went straight to the kitchen to prepare the vegetables and meat.

"Alright! I'm going to get changed then." She grabbed her bag and headed to his room.

He began cutting up vegetables and seasoning the meat, slicing it up as well. 'I really hope she likes this. I've never cooked for a girl before.' He was actually fairly nervous having her over like this. Sure, she had been in his place already, but this time he wasn't recovering from an attack or in some comatose state. It would be them, both awake and together. Spending a night with each other.

"Hm, let's see. What should I wear?" She asked herself, laying out multiple sets of pjs before her. She debated to herself whether she should go with something on the more innocent side, or for something on the more…sexier side. Not too much though, but just enough to get a reaction.

She had set her usual long-sleeved orange pjs out with the long-legged bottoms. She also set out something else, slightly more revealing. Again, not too much, but just enough. A devious grin slowly crept up onto her lips as she gave it more and more thought. She knew just what to do. After all, it was more of a 'Minako' type move.

Poor Katsuro didn't know what was in store for him as he worked away at making dinner. He had finished prepping the food and began to cook it, along with making rice to go with it all. He heard some footsteps coming downstairs.

"It feels so good to finally get out of that school uniform. Wow, dinner really smells good. I can't wait to try it." Her voice had a flirtatious tone to it, he really didn't know what was about to smack him dead like an eighteen wheeler plowing into a poor defenseless deer in the headlights.

"I hope everything is as good as it smells. I want everything to be perfect for yo-" His eyes widened at the sight of her, his heart raced, pounding against his chest. Nervousness began to set in. "Uh…um…that…uh…really looks…good on you…" He tripped, stuttered over his words, trying to gather the right things to say. "You look, uh, I mean. That is to say, you're very beautiful."

"Hm? What do you mean? These are just my pajamas." She looked with innocence in her eyes, twirling around to show off. "You really think I'm beautiful wearing this?" She asked, her index finger resting on her lower lip. She was wearing a light-yellow tank top that came down just below her chest, showing only her stomach. She had on matching sleeping bottoms that came halfway down her thighs with a string tied in the front. "This isn't, too much is it?" She teased.

"Huh?! Oh, no, not at all! It certainly looks, comfortable." He gave a nervous laugh. "Yep, just some…comfy pjs!" He looked away, turning red. "Oh! The food!" He had almost forgotten he was cooking, he rushed back to finishing the food up as she giggled quietly to herself behind him.

She sat down on the couch and leaned back a bit. 'A PERFECT reaction. He's so cute when he gets all flustered.' She thought to herself, playing with the tied string on her shorts a little.

He tried to bring his mind back to being focused on cooking. 'Is she trying to give me a heart attack?!' He thought to himself, preparing the plates. He placed the cooked steak over the rice, drizzling more teriyaki sauce over both. The steamed vegetables were placed on the side. He walked the plates over to the couch, setting them on the coffee table. "Uh, here you go…I hope you like it." He tried so hard to look away and not stare at her. He went back for glasses of milk to set down.

"Oh, it looks amazing! And smells delicious. I'm sure I'll love it. She leaned over slightly almost giving him a glimpse down her top. She began to take a bite, her eyes widened as she placed her hands on her cheeks. "Oh it's so great! You're an awesome cook!" Her eyes closed with happiness.

He quickly looked away, sitting down beside her. "I'm glad you enjoy it." He laughed nervously before taking a few bites of himself. She scooted closer to him and continued to eat.

The two continued to eat, she could catch him making quick glimpses to her back and forth. This was definitely the reaction she was going for.

Ok, he was no idiot. He could definitely tell this was her way of messing with him. After everything he had learned over the past few days of her, she was one to try and prank her friends, or tease people. She could not win this one. He had to do something to pull a head here. But how? It was time for the perfect plan to be set in motion.

"That was so good! My tummy is definitely happy and content after that! Thank you so much." She leaned back smiling as he grabbed up the dishes to take to the kitchen.

"Anything for my gorgeous girlfriend." He smiled, it felt great to say that word, 'girlfriend'. However, now was not the time to think about that. It was the time for action. He grabbed some movies up with a mischievous smile, then shook it off before he got back to her. "So I got us some movies we could watch and hangout some."

"Oh, how romantic. Curled up on the couch together watching some movies." She winked, bringing her leg up to the couch with one hanging off still. Her hands rested on her knee and her chin on her hands. She was striking her most flirty and revealing pose possible, without really revealing much. This was just so fun teasing him like this.

'Oh you're about to get it. I will not be defeated here!' He thought to himself as he popped in a DVD to start it. "I hope you like my choice in movies!" He plopped down next to her to start it. It was a slasher and horror film.

The first murder in the movie came up. The movie so far had seemed like a harmless rom com. Minako was completely into it, smiling and giggling. A girl was opening up her closet to get ready for a date when a figure rushed out in a monster mask, slashing her in the gut with a cleaver. She screamed loudly as blood rushed from the wound. Minako jumped and screamed herself, shocked from the sudden change in pace and theme of the movie. She clung onto Katsuro.

The girl tried to get away and run, but the killer took piano wire and began strangling her. Minako clung tightly to Katsuro's arm, leaning into him. "What is this?! I thought we were watching a rom com!"

"Oh, you don't like horror? I love horror movies. There's just something about them getting the heart pumping that's so exciting."

She looked up to him. This was him trying to get her. She knew it. She hated horror movies, but she would not let him get the best of her. She quickly sat back up to watch the movie. "Oh yeah, horror is great! I wasn't scared, just got shocked by the sudden change in movie theme. I wasn't expecting it. But now that I am, it's no biggie at all." She laughed.

"As long as you're sure." He said, continuing to watch. He picked the most gory of movies he had. The next murder, one of the boyfriends had gotten a mask that looked like the murder's and was teasing his girlfriend. She wanted to get their picture taken in a photobooth on their date and the boyfriend said he would be right there after he used the restroom. She got into the photobooth for the picture to wait.

He came into the booth and sat next to her. "You're really going to wear that mask? Come on, be serious! I want some good pictures of us baby." She put the money into the machine. "Fine, ONE picture, then you take that off ok?" The figure nodded as she lifted the bottom of it to kiss him. The photobooth flashed, taking the picture. When it flashed again, her eyes went wide, she had been stabbed in the chest wit his hand over her mouth to keep her from screaming.

It was the killer, not her boyfriend. Minako gripped a pillow into her chest while watching. The girl in the movie was stabbed again with the flash going off for the next picture. Her face smashed towards the lens as it took another, then her throat slit. Minako dropped the pillow and jumped to Katsuro without even thinking, sitting on his lap facing him with her legs on each side. She buried her face in his chest. "Please turn it off. I don't like scary stuff like this." Which was weird. She fights monsters daily, but movies scare her.

Her hands gripped his shirt as she placed her face into his chest to keep from seeing the movie. "Ok, ok. I'll stop it." He laughed, pausing the movie. Her eyes were closed still, her face against him. "Hey, its off, you can look now." He laughed.

She slowly turned around to see it paused on the girl's face being murdered. "Why did you pause it there!?" She turned back, her face buried again. "You're so mean!" She looked up to him, realizing how close they were to each other. She hadn't even thought of that till now. Her cheeks turned red.

"I'm sorry. I had to get you back." He laughed, till she looked up at him. 'So close…' He thought, their lips were just centimeters away. He gazed into her eyes for a second, seeing the color in her cheeks. He could feel her chest against him now, her heart was racing, or was that his? No, it was both of them. Her hands were still on his chest too. He could feel her breaths. Then, it was just like someone took over his body. He completely lost all ability to think, just act.

Minako saw him moving closer to her, this was it. Her heart felt like it was in her throat almost. She could feel their lips touching, her hands grasped tighter into his shirt, her eyes closed as she pressed herself against him.

He passionately kissed into her lips, they were so soft and warm. Katsuro felt her pressing her body against his, her hands against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her back, holding her tightly as they kissed. He could feel her hands letting go then slowly moving around his neck, never breaking from their kiss. His hands slowly moved to her hips, then to her soft, smooth legs.

She slowly moved from the kiss, gazing into his eyes. It was the first time she had ever been like this with someone. Was this what Usagi felt when her and Mamoru were together? Experiencing this just felt so…amazing. It felt so right. She felt him move slowly, kissing into her neck. A gasp left her lips, her hand slowly moved up through his crimson hair. The two slowly moved down, she was now laying on her back with him kissing her neck. She let a light gasp leave her lips again, stroking through his hair.

He was now on top of her, her legs on each side of him still. He slowly moved up her neck and back to her beautiful lips. He wasn't sure what had gotten into him, but he was suddenly just intoxicated with her. Her hands wrapped back around his neck while they kissed. He then stopped to look deep into her sapphire eyes. "Hey…I think we should cool it, just a bit." He almost sounded out of breath.

"Yeah, you're probably right…" Her cheeks were a light red, her eyes dazed, looking back into his. He kissed her cheek gently before sitting back up and helping her sit up. "That uh, escalated fast." She joked, looking away, fixing her hair.

"I'm sorry, I really don't know what came over me."

"No, you're fine. I feel the same way. That was actually my first kiss…" 'And wow, what a kiss that was!'

"Same for me actually. A lot of this is kind of a first for me." He chuckled lightly. His heart was pounding against his chest. He was falling so hard for her, more than anything he didn't want to mess this up.

She leaned back against him, her hand taking hold of his. "Thank you…" She quietly whispered, her eyes closing.

"For what?"

"For being as kind as you are. For tonight, and just for being you. I really can't wait to see what the future holds for us."

"Me either, I want to know everything about you. I want to always be there by your side. I want to grow together with you." He kissed the top of her head. "We should get some rest for our big day tomorrow." He stood up then picked her up into his arms.

"Oh, what're you-?" Her arms wrapped around his neck as he picked her up before she could ask. He carried her up the stairs then laid her down on the bed. He then kissed her forehead. She blushed being carried up like that and set down.

"I'm going to grab a shower; I'll be right back." With that, he grabbed his own set of sleeping clothes and stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Minako laid there, looking at the door, they had finally kissed tonight. Everything about today was just amazing. Her hand went over her chest to feel her heart racing. Was this what it was like to fall for someone? To feel, love? Taking in a deep breath and letting it out, she moved under the covers. Tomorrow would be a fun and most likely interesting day. She would at least tell Usagi about Katsuro. She knew more than anything, Usagi would be the most supportive of everyone about the two.

He figured he would do the same to her what she did. Just to mess with her a bit. He walked out of the bathroom after his shower with nothing but pajama bottoms on and a towel over his shoulders. He finished drying then hung it up.

She stared at him standing there with no shirt on and all she could think of was how much she craved to kiss him again. When he got to the bed and sat down, she moved up behind him, wrapping her arms around and resting her head onto his shoulder. His head turned to kiss her forehead gently, placing his hand on hers. She slowly moved to meet his lips with hers, feeling his hand giving hers a squeeze.

"Come on, lets get some rest for tomorrow, alright?" He smiled at her; she gave him a silent nod, laying back down for him to lay next to her.

She rolled to her side, her arm moving around him as his arm moved under her head. They kissed again with her leg slowly moving to rest on him. "Goodnight then." She smiled, kissing him once more before laying her head on him.

"Goodnight beautiful." He held her close, feeling her warmth against him.