Chapter 11
The two continued down the sidewalk together, Katsuro with his hands behind his head, gazing into the sky. Minako continued by his side with her hands behind her back, fingers interlocked, her eyes glanced over to him. After all that's happened, and leaving Artemis in the dark, she figured it was about time to introduce him to her furry little partner and mentor.
"So, let's stop by my place for a bit. There's someone I want you to meet." She casually brought it up, trying to think of the best way to talk about it. Then again, Katsuro had a phoenix god living in his jewel that he spoke to within his mind and such. So a talking cat wouldn't be THAT out of the ordinary for him would it?
"I heard you mention an Artemis back there. Is that like some other teammate of yours or something I haven't heard about? Or someone that works with your team in the background? Like how Oracle helps Batman, or how Zordon works in the background for the Power Rangers?" He questioned, throwing out some examples.
"In a sense I suppose." She gave a nervous chuckle before taking a deep breath. "He is sort of like a mentor and my partner. His appearance may throw you off a bit though. Usagi also has someone similar, Luna. Artemis and Luna are kind of behind the scenes for us, they helped us get started and gave us our powers and guided us how to use them. Artemis is very dear to me and close, so it's important that you both do meet. He'll probably end up interrogating you." She sighed.
"I see. Well, if he plays that important of a role in your life and your life as a Sailor Guardian, then I am more than happy to meet him and do my best to give an awesome first impression." He gave a thumbs up with a smirk in her direction. "I'll answer absolutely any questions he hits me with honesty and to the best of my ability!"
"We'll see. Artemis can be…skeptical of new people." Her hands moved to her side as she straightened out her sundress. "Here we are. Come on." She motioned him to follow her into her house.
This was the first time he had ever been in a female's house. Honestly, he did feel rather nervous as she opened the door and they walked in. They took their shoes off at the door.
"My parents are out doing their own thing today. I guess they had their own idea to do a date night. Hopefully you'll get to meet them soon." She gently took his hand to guide him upstairs towards her room.
Just who was this Artemis? Was he just chilling in her room by himself here? That seems rather weird. Then again, Katsuro REALLY didn't know what to expect as far as appearances.
"Alright, now you may be thrown off a bit by how he looks, so just prepare yourself." She smirked teasingly. She COULD tell him what Artemis looked like and everything, but this seemed a bit more fun to just spring it on him unexpectedly. As they got to her room she knocked gently on the door. "Artemis. I'm back, and I have a guest I'd like you to meet." She spoke through the door as she slowly opened.
Katsuro looked around the room but saw no one, no one at all. This was strange. Maybe this Artemis wasn't there? All he saw was a white cat jumping down from the bed and walking towards them. "Aw, hey little guy. Aren't you just a cute little guy…?" He reached down to pet the cat until…
"Ahem. Please don't pet me. I'm not just some cute cuddly household pet." He spoke almost embarrassed, but at the same time a little annoyed.
"HOLY SHIT! THE CAT SPOKE TO ME!" He instantly pulled back shocked with disbelief, almost stunned even.
"Um, yeah…this is Artemis. My partner and mentor, and friend." Minako laughed nervously.
"Minako?! You didn't even warn or tell him what I looked like? Figures you'd put us both on the spot like this for your own laughs." He sighed.
"S-So, this is Artemis? Artemis…is a talking cat? Huh. Alrighty then, guess that makes about as much sense as anything that's happened lately." He rubbed the back of his head. "I am sorry, Artemis, sir. I meant you no disrespect at all! Please forgive me!" He bowed as he apologized. So much for a first impression, right?
"Its just Artemis, no sir added to it. It's quite alright, honestly if anyone here is to blame is Minako here for her usual scheming and sneaky personality." His eyes stared to her with squinted eyes. Minako flashed her usual peace sign white laughing nervously. "So, you must be Katsuro then, right?"
"Yes, I am. I'm Katsuro Takahashi, nice to meet you." He bowed politely. "I am…"
"Artemis, this is my boyfriend." Minako cut him off as she locked arms with him, pulling him close.
"So this is the guy you were telling me about? Don't you think that's moving a bit too soon? I was told you also have powers?" Artemis began questioning. There had been so many times they've trusted people and turned out to regret it in the end. "Minako told me that before you had powers, you risked your life to help one of our own?" He wanted to find out more about this guy. Artemis worried that Minako was too love struck to think logically about all that could go wrong.
"Y-Yes, that's correct. I do have powers. I haven't had them long though, I'm still new to all of this." He almost sounded nervous now that he was being questioned like this. He realized Artemis's approval may make or break this relationship. Not only did he have to prove himself as a good and trustworthy boyfriend with good intentions, but he also needed to prove himself as a warrior and hero that could help to keep her safe and confidently prove his abilities and spirit were worthy. Man, dating as a superhero was way more complicated than just a normal teenage couple.
"I did, yes. Sailor Mars showed up to try and save me before I had ever gotten powers. She got into a dangerous situation and became injured. I couldn't just leave her and run away. So, I stayed to help and even fight back. I knew there was a good chance of being killed, but I wasn't about to let someone be severely injured or worse on my account.
"So, then you received your powers after that situation then?" Artemis continued to question.
"Sort of. I continued to meet up with Minako and the others for a study thing. I went home, and then I had a whole nightmare or vision. Suzaku came to me in my comatose state to awaken my abilities and put me through a small test. After that I-"
"Wait, did you say…Suzaku? As in, the Vermillion Bird of the South?! THE god, Suzaku?!" Artemis almost tripped over his words in disbelief.
"Er, um, yeah. He said I was reincarnated from my past self to fight back against a threat that was breaking loose from a seal. Which, I recently gained memories back and now know that this threat used to be one of us. He became corrupted by his craving for power. It's…really a long, complicated story honestly. I'm still trying to figure it out and learn more myself. I don't have all my memories back, just bits and pieces." He attempted to explain.
"I see, it sounds like what the girls went through when they first reawakened. So then you've only had your abilities for mere days right?"
"That's right. I've had maybe two fights or encounters. One was today."
"You should have seen it Artemis! Usagi and I were in bit trouble, we got absorbed by this crazy claw machine monster. Katsuro found a way to be absorbed as well then saved us from the inside. I would have never thought of letting myself be taken in to save someone. I would have just thought to keep attacking from the outside."
"It sounds like you can really think quick on your feet in a bind. Alright, I've decided. I want to see these abilities for myself." Artemis stated, closing his eyes then looking to Minako. "Minako, I want you two to do a small sparring match. Just enough to see what he's capable of."
"Wait, you want me to fight Minako?! I can't do that! I don't want to fight with my girlfriend. What if I end up hurting her?!" Katsuro protested the suggestion.
"You hurting me? You do know I have a few years of experience over you right?" Now, Minako was going to turn this down since they had more to their date later with Usagi and Mamoru, but with that comment, how could she turn it down? After all, there was her reputation as a Sailor Senshi to uphold.
"Wait are you serious? Shouldn't something like this be planned for? Not just spur of the moment?! I don't know if I feel comfortable doing this." Katsuro continued to argue.
"I think it would be good. We can gauge where you are as far as combat abilities go. After all, Minako is the leader of the inner Senshi. She is quite a capable fighter. I want to see what you're capable of in battle. It'll be good for Minako as well. I'm sure she's gotten a bit rusty with her fighting skills and abilities with this time of peace we've had."
"Unless…you're afraid of being beaten by a girl." Minako winked at him, flexing one arm then placing a hand on her bicep.
"I can't believe I'm agreeing to this. Fine. Let's do this." Katsuro sighed reluctantly. Artemis began to walk out of the room.
"Alright, follow me, let's find ourselves somewhere private to have this little scrimmage match." The two began to follow Artemis outside and down the sidewalk. There was a nature trail not too far away where they could go off path just enough into the woods. There was a good clearing shaped in a circle in the middle of the trees where Artemis stopped. "Alright, here is where we will do this. The first person to tap out or verbally surrender loses. If you touch any trees outlining this clearing, it will be considered a ring out and you lose." Artemis explained.
"If you are down for more than 10 seconds, you lose. Understand the rules?" He asked as the two nodded.
This was insane, how were they supposed to fight like this then get ready in time for their dinner date with Usagi and Mamoru?! Katsuro held his jewel tightly. Fighting monsters with his powers and fighting her, were two ENTIRELY different things. He tried to shake the thought from his mind.
Minako stood with a determined look in her eyes. Sure, this was just a little test match and nothing serious, but at the same time she could see what Katsuro could do and at the same time show Artemis that she hadn't just slacked off.
"Alright you two, go ahead and transform!"
"Venus Crystal Power!" Minako called out with golden hearts surrounding her and her body beginning to glow as she transformed.
Katsuro held the jewel in front of him then slid it into place, spinning it from the belt. "Henshin!" He called out as a sphere of fire energy surrounded him, pieces of red armor forming, flying into the sphere onto his body. He then slashed out with his sword, dispersing the flame energy around him into sparks and embers. Once transformed, both took battle ready stances.
"Venus! Love and Beauty Shock!" Venus called out, starting the fight as she kissed her palm then threw multiple gold energy hearts at Katsuro.
'She isn't wasting any time!' He thought to himself, diving off to the right to dodge. "Phoenix Wave!" He slashed his sword to the ground, sending a fiery phoenix shaped energy rushing at her directly. He knew most of Venus's attacks from just watching them on tv, and even that game. They were mostly long-distance techniques, so if he could just get closer and close the gap between them for more direct hand to hand combat he may possibly grab the advantage.
"Eep!" She let out a squeak seeing the large attack rushing at her. "Venus! Rolling Heart Vibration!" She called out, sending a large spinning gold heart to the attack. The attacks collided, causing a small explosion with debris being kicked up everywhere.
Katsuro had followed directly behind his attack, using it and the two attacks colliding as cover for him to get closer. He reached out from the cloud of smoke, grabbing her arm then twisting so that he was behind her, grappling her from behind. "Gotcha!" He exclaimed but saw her smirk. "Huh?"
"Venus Love Me Chain!" She called out, her body being surrounded by a large cylinder of light, her energy chain attack began to swirl around her body, breaking her free from his grasp and knocking him away. "I found a way to use my attack as a defensive technique as well now! And that's not all!" She began to focus, trying to change her attack even further. She was able to form two chains spiraling around her body that she could control with both hands.
Venus directed the chains towards Katsuro as he began to try to get away. His right arm became wrapped up by one of her chains. He began pulling, trying to break it with his other hand or pull loose. Her second chain wrapped around his left arm, binding him in place. She pulled the two together, causing his arms to be bound down to his sides. The chains then formed one large chain wrapped all around his body.
"Damnit! I can't break free!" Katsuro began to struggle; he had dropped his sword and wasn't able to reach it. He began trying to blaze up his aura to burn or break the chain but couldn't.
She yanked the chain to pull him towards her then winked, forming a heart that transformed into the Holy Moon Sword. She held the chain as he stopped close to her, holding the point of the sword to his chest. "Told you that you shouldn't underestimate me." She winked.
Katsuro closed his eyes. "Power down!" In a flash of light, he was back to his normal self. He slowly reached his fingers to his belt. "Henshin!" He called out using everything he had to spin the jewel in the front again. As it spun, a sphere of flame energy formed around him yet again, breaking him free from the chain. His armor pieces began to fly towards him, knocking Venus out of the way, going into the sphere, and forming on his body. He yet again slashed out of the energy to clear his transformation then lunged backwards to get distance from her. "You're right. But you shouldn't assume I'm that easy to take down either!" He smirked, jumping back a few more leaps.
"Interesting…he used his own transformation as a defensive AND offensive technique to get himself out of a tough situation. I must admit, not many would think of something like that. The energy used to transform creates a field around your body to keep you safe during, so that same energy could be used to break free from a hold if you can pull it off. He is resourceful I'll give him that." Artemis continued to monitor while studying.
"Not bad. Definitely caught me off guard with that one." Minako winked. "You may not be too much of a seasoned fighter, but you've definitely got some nifty little tricks up your sleeves."
"Eh, I treat it like a game I suppose. Some quick problem solving, fuck around and hope for the best results." He joked. "Shall we continue milady?" He winked back at her.
"Alright, let's see what else you've got." She was even more determined. Sparring and fighting, martial arts, this was Makoto's territory usually. Though she had to admit, she did find this kind of fun.
"You got it. But be careful what you wish for!" He gripped his sword tightly. "Phoenix Wave!" He slashed his blade, yet again sending his attack racing at her.
"This again?" She began to get ready to counter, then saw him running to the side. "Huh?" She looked back to the attack coming at her. "Venus Wink Chain Sword!" She sent her chain attack with the sword attached to the phoenix shaped attack to disperse it, however, as she did…
"Flame Saber!" He called out, slashing his sword, sending a large flame energy sickle rushing at her.
"What!? No way!" She exclaimed. Venus became distracted, causing her attack to not even hit its target, being knocked back towards her with the oncoming Phoenix Wave. The other attack continued towards her as well. She ducked, her arms covering her head to brace for the impact.
"I gotcha!" He called, rushing towards her. "Flame Cannon!" He yelled, blasting a fire energy from his hands but aiming behind him to propel him towards her faster, using it as a speed boost. He then snatched her up into his arms, making it away just in time for the attacks to collide in the middle and explode.
Sailor Venus's eyes were tightly shut, her arms still over her head till she finally realized there was no Venus shattering kaboom. "K-Katsuro?" She looked up to him then wrapped her arms around his neck in relief. "I thought there was going to be an order of Sailor Venus Well Done there for a second!"
"I wouldn't let you get hurt. But damn, you are really something…" He complimented her.
"You win this round. I give up. But I expect a good massage from you later after dinner, alright?" She tapped his nose lovingly with her finger then winked.
"Oh, so the winner has to give a prize to the loser?" He asked.
"Yep, that's how relationships work. The lady is always right."
"If you two are done now…" Artemis stated, walking up. "Well, that was interesting to watch. Though you haven't had powers for very long, you make up for your lack in combat experience with cunning wit and creative strategies." He looked between the two then finally sighed. "I suppose its alright that you two date. We can talk more about this new enemy some other time. You better keep her safe though." Artemis's tone turned serious; his gaze switched solely to Katsuro.
"I'll keep Minako safe. You have my word on that." He smiled, his gaze turning to her in his arms still. He kissed her lips gently then set her back on her feet.
"Well, I suppose we better turn back to normal and hurry up to get ready." A nervous chuckle left her lips. In a flash of light, the two changed back to normal. "Let me get some things from my place, then we can get ready at yours. And if you're lucky…there may be a nice hot…steamy…shower together." She teasingly dragged her index finger down his chest, whispering in his ear then walking past him.
"You see, I know you're just saying that to tease me, but still…hearing that…whew." He gave a happy sigh then followed her towards her house.