A Few Days on the Farm Lita: Hey! a letter from my cousin . . . Hello Lita, Sorry that I haven't been able to write to you lately, we've been busy here on the farm. We have been hard at work bringing the crops in for the market. Anyway, I thought you'd like to bring your friends to come out and visit. My parents are going away for a week so, I'm on my own. Hope to hear from you soon. I really could use the help! Your Cousin, Yamako ( Later at the Temple ) Lita: Hey guys, my cousin's invited us to his family's farm. Serena: A farm as in cute ducks and baby chickens? Lita: You could say that. . . His parents are going away and he says he can use the help! Luna: We could use the break. Lita: It's all set then, I'll call him tonight! ( Next day late afternoon ) Serena: It's about time! I thought we'd never get out of the van. Luna (stretching as she climbs out of her carrier): You're telling me . . . Yamako: Hey, Lita! Over here in the barn! Who are they? Lita: Oh sorry, they're my friends: Ami, Mina, Serena, Rei, Mina's cat Artemis, and Serena's cat Luna. Yamako: Great, just what I need! Well, I hope they don't harass the chickens and ducks. Mina: Don't worry, they are well behaved. Aren't you, Artemis? Artemis: Meow. Yamako: I'm almost done here Lita, If you'd like to show your friend's around here is the key to the guest house it's in need of dusting, it was closed a week ago for the season but you five can use it . . . Lita: Sure why not, C'mon I've got a lot to show you guys . . . ( A few hours later in the living room ) Yamako: Lita, can you give me a hand with dinner? Bring the cats. Theirs is ready! Lita: OK! C'mon, Luna and Artemis, your food's ready. . . Artemis & Luna (running to catch up to Lita): Meow! ( Fifteen minutes later ) Lita: Dinner's ready! Serena: Wow! all this yummy food . . . Rei: Serena is that all you ever think of is food? Serena: Well. . . There's Tuxedo Mask. . . Uh, Andrew. . . The video arcade, let's see, what else? ( At the table after dinner ) Serena: Lita you never told me your cousin lived on a farm Lita: Well, I didn't know myself until I got a letter a few months ago, from him saying that he was moving. Yamako: Lita could you take your friends to the fire pit? Here are the marshmallows and sticks, I'll join you in a minute. . . Serena: Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy! Lita: Sure you don't need any help? Yamako: I'm OK, go ahead . . . ( At around 9:30 p.m. ) Yamako: Let's call it a night. We've got a busy day tomorrow . . . (As the five girls and two cats start to head back to the guest house and Yamako to his, Artemis pauses and looks toward the barn then turns back and heads to the house ) ( Next morning around 8:30 a.m., The nice smell of bacon and eggs fills the house and slowly wakes up two cats and four slumbering girls ) Rei: Where's your cousin? Lita: He has been out working in the stable since 6:00 a.m., Now eat before it gets cold! Artemis, Luna, here's your food . . . Serena: Did I hear the word work? I hate doing more work than absolute necessary! ( Upon seeing what they get and comparing it with the bacon & eggs, they reluctantly move to their dishes and start eating their cat food, After breakfast back in the living room ) Yamako: Good Morning everyone! Are you up to some horse back riding? Ami: I've never ridden a horse before in my life . . . Rei: Sure! It'll be fun! Mina: Sounds cosmic! Let's go! Serena: Well . . . Yamako: Ami, if you need help with it, don't be afraid to ask . . . Mina: Artemis and Luna you two stay here and keep out of trouble. We'll be back before lunch Serena: Yamako, what are you going to do with that fishing rod? Yamako: Get tonight's dinner! ( After the riding & fishing ) Yamako: Luna & Artemis, Come and get it! ( Luna and Artemis both stretch and head for the kitchen from the back porch ) Yamako: You two must be thirsty from being in the sun all morning, Here's some milk for you. ( As Luna and Artemis happily start drinking the milk ) Lita (quietly): What kind of milk is it, Yamako?

Yamako (not as quiet): Goat's milk, they seem to like it. . . ( A huge sweat drop appears above each girl in shock. Artemis & Luna give each other a strange look, but continue drinking. ) Yamako: I should advise everyone that there will be a class coming tomorrow for the morning we'll all have jobs to do Serena you'll be responsible for keeping the cats inside so kids don't start to chase them, Rei, Ami, Mina and Lita you'll be in charge of the groups taking them and showing them the area's around the farm that Lita showed you, then bringing them to the barn and I'll take over from there . . . ( After finishing their milk they fall asleep on the spot so Ami and Mina both move them to their bed in front of the fire place ) Rei: Well, we won't hear from them for a while. Yamako: If you will excuse me, I have to go work on dinner . . . ( Much later ) Mina (in a gentle voice): Wake up sleepy, dinner's been waiting in your dish for an hour. Luna (still half asleep): What time is it? Mina: It's 6:30 p.m.! ( In the kitchen Yamako had put some left over fish in a bowl ) Luna (sauntering into the kitchen behind Mina): What's that smell--? Oh, boy! Real food! (She rushes over to the dish to eat.) Mina: When you're done, everyone is outside around the fire. Luna: Artemis too? Mina: He is in the barn. He said that he needed the exercise, but knowing Artemis, he's probably sleeping! (As she strokes Luna's fur.) Ami comes to the door of the kitchen: Are you coming, Mina? Serena is almost done the bag of marsh mallows! Mina (on her way out the door): Coming, Ami! ( In the barn, Artemis looking around in the near darkness. ) Artemis: Hey Mice! Come out, come out wherever you are! Your worst nightmare has arrived! (Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he catches sight of a mouse running across the floor.) Ah, dessert! ( Back outside ) Rei: Yamako, I never knew a farm was so peaceful at night just like at my temple. Yamako: It is, Every so often I sit out here and look up at the stars . . . ( Next morning in the guest house living room, Artemis returning to his side of their bed, which is Serena's own quilt from home ) Artemis: Morning, Luna. (He lays down beside her and falls asleep.) Luna (a few minutes later getting up and stretches): Morning, Artemis. Where were you? (He gives no reply, because he's asleep.) Lazy! Serena (dreaming on the couch): Oh, Tuxedo Mask, you're such a hunkmeister! Luna: Serena. SERENA! She's just as bad as Artemis! And she's supposed to keep us out of trouble? ( Later in the barn, after feeding the animals, after the girls showed the kids around ) Yamako (now talking to the class): Please sit down, now you've all been shown around? Class: Yeah . . . Yamako: Okay, do any of you have any questions about what you've seen here? ( Early afternoon in guest house living room ) Luna (talking right into his ear): WAKE UP! Artemis (finally waking up and yawns): Did anyone get the number of that fog horn? I knew it! I should have layed off on the dessert last night (as he tends to a cut on his paw). Luna puzzled: What desert, And what happened to your foot? Artemis (now licking his lips): I was chasing dessert. It put up a good fight, though . . . Luna: And . . . ? Artemis: And, I was hungry, OK? Luna: Well sorry! Any way your breakfast, which is now lunch, is waiting. (She jumps up on a window ledge to watch the kids getting onto their bus). ( Later after the class leaves, Under the shade of a tree the five girls are resting, while the two cats are back on the porch are also resting . . . again! But in the warmth of the sun. ) Serena: I'm glad that's over . . . Rei: What do you mean by that Serena? You didn't have to deal with any of those kids! Serena: Yeah, But I had to put up with something worse then the kids . . . Lita: And what would that be, Serena? Serena: Simple . . . Luna and Artemis! Lita & Rei (both slapping their foreheads): Why do we even bother? Yamako (coming out of the barn): Well, the barn is back in order, but we've got more work tomorrow . . . Serena: Not again . . . I hate doing work! Ami: What's happening tomorrow, Yamako? Yamako: We have to bring stuff to the market to sell . . . There is a produce truck coming tomorrow we'll be helping load and unload, as well sell the stuff at the market . . . ( Next morning after loading the truck ) Yamako: Everybody get into the station wagon. We'll be following the truck to the market . . . Ami: Okay, But who's going to drive? Yamako: I'll be driving! Lita: But you don't have a driver's permit . . . Yamako: True! Nevertheless, my parents have registered this car as farm equipment, and I am old enough to drive it. Serena (running to the car): I want the front seat! Mina: Is it okay if Artemis and Luna come with us? Yamako: I guess it's OK, After all they have been good for the last few days but let me get them their food & milk before we go, We'll be coming back after seven. ( After the cats ate their food they turned their attention to the milk ) Luna (alone with Artemis after taking a few drinks): This milk smells familiar . . . Oh no! Not goa . . . ( One second later, two small thuds come from the kitchen. Everyone quickly goes to the kitchen to see what happened ) Rei: They must have been hungry! There's no food left in their dishes . . . Ami (sarcastically): Fortunately they didn't eat their dishes too! Yamako: Now that they're asleep, Serena, please go get the quilt from the living room and put it in the back of the car so they'll be safe while they sleep on the way to the market. ( On the way to the market, The three girls looked in the back, at the two sleeping felines on the quilt beside Mina ) Lita: Don't Luna and Artemis look cute together? ( At the market ) Yamako: OK, Set the quilt down there in the corner, So that they have a chance to wake up . . . Lita: Yamako, Do you mind if I do some shopping? Yamako: No problem, take your friend's and show them around also, The cat's will be fine here, besides, they're still sleeping. Could you pick up some fish & chips for me? There is a spot about six booths down that sells it. Here's the money--get it without the batter . . . Lita: OK! I'll be back in a minute . . . (Sarcastically) Don't worry, I can find the booth easily. I just have to listen for Serena and Rei's arguing! ( Four hours later the girl's still on their tour, Luna had moved onto Yamako's lap. While he scratches behind her ear, she starts purring like mad. From enjoyment of the ear scratching she lets out a weird meow, something between a meow and a purr. Seeing Artemis still asleep, Luna decides to make herself into a ball of fur on Yamako's lap while still purring away.) ( At around 4:30, The girls finally getting back see that the two cats are up and eating the fish that Yamako got Lita to get for him while Yamako munches on the fries. After a successful day at the market, on the way home Artemis sits on Rei's lap, while Luna, laying on the quilt, watches the scenery zoom by. Back at the farm, since they got back late, everyone decides to go to bed early . . . except the two felines on the back porch.) Artemis: Well, I'll see you later, Luna . . . Luna: What are you doing now? Artemis: Mouse Patrol! Why? Luna (shocked): Nothing . . . ( All is quiet outside and in both houses. ) Artemis (prowling through the barn, hears a faint noise over head in the rafters while looking up): Who's there? (As he says that, a small object hits him on the head.) Luna: I can't believe you go for stuff like this, Artemis! Artemis: Luna, what are you doing?! (He rubs his head.) I'm only scaring them . . . Luna: And how do you explain the so-called dessert? And you say you're just scaring them? Artemis: That was different, like I said I was hungry. Now if you'll excuse me I have some mice to bug . . . Luna: Well, do you mind if I join you? Artemis: Why not! The mice are hiding beside that hay stack in the corner near the door . . . ( After an evening of chasing the mice around the barn, Luna and Artemis return to the house, running into Yamako on his way into the guest house. ) Yamako (holding the door open for the two animals): Good morning, you two! ( Later while Artemis and Luna are sleeping on the quilt from their night out ) Rei: Gee! And I thought you were a heavy sleeper, Serena. Serena (smiling): You know Rei, we could have a problem here! (She giggles.) ( Ami, Lita and Mina are shocked to hear Serena and Rei agreeing with each other ) Lita: Well I guess they won't be eating breakfast. Yamako: We'll be going on an overnight camping trip this afternoon. I've got the tents, pots, food, eating utensils and a small axe packed. Ami : Where is this camping ground, anyway? Yamako: It's along a dirt road about a mile up the main road. Serena: How are we going to get there, and how will we bring them with us? Yamako: Easily! There are eight horses outside waiting to go, two of which are carrying the gear. And I've strapped a carrier onto one of the horses for the cats to ride in. ( Outside near the stables ) Yamako: OK, is everyone ready to go? Serena: How come those two horses are bigger than the ones we're on? Yamako: Cause they're Clydesdales, Serena. They can carry a heavier load than the other ones. Serena: Oh! What are their names? Rei (angrily): SER-- Yamako: The one carrying the cats is called Jessie, and the other is called Joey. Let's go, shall we? There is a camp site waiting for us! ( While on horseback ) Yamako: We're almost there, once we arrive we should get the cats some water they'll probably be thirsty from being in a hot carrier, there is a small lake near the site the horses will also need water and a rest. Rei: Gee, Serena, I'm amazed--you haven't clutzed out since we got on the horses! Serena: When we get there, when do we eat? ( At the camp site, Luna and Artemis finally get out of the carrier and stretch ) Luna (going over to a tree and tries to sharpen her claw's forgetting that she doesn't have any): I hope this trip is worth it! (She says quietly to herself). Yamako: If you girls want to go for a swim before dinner, the lake is about a two minute walk from here just follow that path. ( After the girls and Yamako leave, the cat's climb into Yamako's tent and quietly fall asleep. Yamako, returning from fishing, notices Artemis and Luna aren't on Serena's quilt. He starts looking around, worried that they may have wandered off, and finds them in his tent sound asleep on his pillow, Later as the girls also return from their swim ) Yamako whispering: Shhh! The two cats are sleeping in my tent . . . Mina quietly: Being in the country is great! There's no pollution, and the land looks so vast it's beautiful! Rei: I know what you mean . . . ( Later around the camp fire the girls are talking about the past few days, while Lita and Yamako are cooking, with Luna and Artemis waiting patiently for their fish dinner. While everyone was enjoying their dinner, listening to the crickets chirping ) Serena: Here Artemis and Luna, you can have mine I'm not hungry any more . . . ( As she goes to break the fish into two pieces, before she does Luna quickly jumps onto Serena's lap grabs it in her mouth, jumps down and runs to a hiding spot in the camp site ) Artemis (acting like a little kid): Luna! You're supposed to share it, give me some . . . ( As the two felines start to fight over it, to Artemis's misfortune it breaks in two sending Artemis into a backward roll with the food still in his mouth, after dinner since soon there will be no room in the large tent after a quick cat bath the two cats go to seek refuge in back in Yamako's tent, Next morning, Yamako got up before everyone else, and is brushing one of the Clydesdales ) Yamako seeing that the two cats are still sleeping beside his sleeping bag, they're curled up around each other, I guess it must have been rather cool last nite? I'll let them sleep some more . . . At 9:35 when Yamako was feeding the last horse, something had rubbed against his leg sends a cold shock up his leg and back, looking down to see what did it, sees Luna: You scared me! What are you doing up this early? I thought cats always slept in (while scratching behind her ears, Still rubbing on his leg with her body ) Luna thinking to herself: Artemis Yes! Me no . . . Yamako: Lita tells me that you're pretty friendly? Luna, hearing that, jumps onto his shoulder and starts to purr loudly in his ear, as he scratches under her chin . . . Yamako: Are you hungry? Luna: Meowing (happily) Yamako (going over to a backpack, to find a can of cat food for her): Let's see what we can scrounge up for you, OK? ( Luna jumping down from Yamako's shoulder, follows him eagerly to the back pac, As Luna quietly munched on her food, Artemis was the next to wake up to the smell of the food, then the rest of the group shortly after ) Mina: How is breakfast doing, Lita? Lita: It's almost ready, guy! Serena: Great, I'm hungry! Rei: As always . . . ( With the girls eating their breakfast, Luna and Artemis are sitting across from them with their ears twitching toward any sound around the camp ) Yamako: I really enjoyed your company, I hope you girls had fun, you're always welcome to visit any time . . . ( On the last day ) Mina: Every thing is packed into the car . . . Ami: Where is your stuff, Lita? Lita: I'll be staying a few more days until his parents return he'll still need some help here. Rei: Well, I hope nothing bad happens, while your still here. Lita: Me too . . . , but I'll be back soon! ( As the girls say their Good byes to Lita Artemis and Luna are talking between themselves in the car ) Artemis: I never thought I'd actually start to miss this place! Luna: What do you mean? Artemis: Well when we arrived I didn't think I'd like it here at first, but now I kind of like it, it is nice and quite here I could get use to it . . . Luna: I have to admit myself, I kind of liked it, too. Artemis: really? Luna: The sky is so bright with all the stars above at night, and in the day looking across the landscape that there is so much open space, it is so incredible and all this fresh air is great! ( As the car pulls away Lita is waving to her friends then heads into the guest house to wait for Yamako to get back.) 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