Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from The Cat Returns. They all belong to Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. All praised them. I do own my character, Hana. Without a further more, let's begin!

Lonely Heart

Ch.1: The Beginning

"If you find yourself trouble by something mysterious or a problem that is hard to solve, there is a place you can go where you can always find help. You just need to look for it"

~Baron Humbert von Gikkingen

It was another day at the Cat Bureau. Baron, the owner, is writing a summary of a client that recently came. Baron was cat figurine. He had orange fur with a little ivory cream fur that was nder his chin. His emerald green eyes were locked on the paper as he finished the last sentence of the last client.

He was wearing a crimson red vest that went with his beige pants, white long sleeve shirt and his navy blue tie. His orange tail was swishing back and forth. "Hmmm...most of these clients are fairly simple." He whispered to himself.

"What's simple?" A voice interupted his thoughts.

Baron looked up and smiled. It was Haru, standing next to him by his desk. "I didn't hear you come in, Haru." He said. Haru smiled. "I did knock." She said. Baron chuckled. Haru had short brown hair that matched with her chocolatte eyes. She was wearing a light green short sleeve blouse that went well with her beige skirt. After hours of searching through his books, he found a way so that his clients could shrink to his size and they grow back to normal after leaving the courtyard.

He sighed as he leaned back into his chair. "These past few clients are just light problems." He admitted as he started to stretch. He then felt Haru massaging his shoulders. "You are working too hard." She said. Haru felt him relax ad purred deeply as she worked to his lower back.

"Still, these clients are too easy to read." He stated. Haru smiled. "That's probably a message to you that you need to take a vacation." Haru said. Baron chuckled. Ever since the incident in the Cat Kingdom a year ago, Haru as been helping the Bureau with the clients. Baron didn't mind, he needed all the help he needed. Haru didn't mind helping Baron, it usually keeps her mind off of things.

Haru then felt Baron's hand resting on hers. He was staring at her with concern. "Is something wrong, Haru?" He asked. She knew that she couldn't hide anything from Baron, since he can see her aura on how she is feeling right now. He stood up, one of his hand on her shoulders. "...Haru? Is Machida bothering you again?" He asked. Haru shook her head no. "No, it's not that..."

Machida asked her out a few times, but she turned him down. He couldn't leave her alone since then. Baron sighed as he puts his hand under her chin, making her look at him. "Haru...you can tell me anything." He said. She sighed. "It's...mom. She...died from lung cancer yesterday. That's why...I wasn't there that day..." She admitted.

Baron stared at her suprised. He sighed sadly as he gathered her into a warm embrace. She buried her face into his chest; clinging on to him as Baron rocked her slightly while stroking her short brown hair. "...I'm sorry, Haru." He whispered as he tighten the hug slightly.

Haru felt a single tear run down her cheek. "It's okay, Baron...you didn't know." She whispered. He didn't say anything after that, he kept stroking her hair; holding her close to him.

Muta and Toto walked in. Toto was a crow gargoyle; a stone statue with a soul like Baron. Muta was...a big feline. He had creamish white fur with a dark shade of brown on his left ear. They stared at Baron suprised as he held Haru close to him. Baron then noticed them. "Anything, Muta?" He asked as Haru pulled away.

Muta was then knocked back into his senses. "Nothing. No one came to me." Muta said. "That's probably because you're stuffing your face into angel food cakes all of the time." Toto commented. Muta glared at him. "At least I don't eat worms!" Muta tormented. Baron sighed. "Well, Toto?" Baron asked. Toto ruffled his feathers.

"Nope. Nothing yet. I didn't see anyone that was in trouble." Toto said. Baron sighed. Haru's case was the only incident that was a challenge to solve and yet...everyone comes to him with small problems, like finding a lost item or someone to listen to.

Haru smiled. "Don't worry, Baron. Someone will come. If they don't, then will come to them." Haru said. Baron then had an idea. "Haru, you're a genius!" He exclaimed as he got out a crystal.

"What is it, Baron?" Toto asked. He then got a spell book out. "If they can't come to us, then we'll come to them. Any of you up to the idea?" He asked. They hesitated, but went with Baron's idea.

"It's been forever since I used this spell. It might have some side affects, but I think we'll pull through." Baron said as he grabbed an amulet. He then whispered a spell. The whole place lit up.

After the light faded away, the Bureau was gone. The book then slammed shut after the wind was knocked away. There was a tiny note on the page. Just then, Lune came in. "Baron? Are you here?" Lune called.

No answer.

Yuki then walked in with him. "Baron's usually here. Did something happen, Lune?" Yuki asked. Lune was unsure, because Baron hardly leaves the Bureau unless it's an emergency. He then noticed a small note on the desk on top of a spell book.

Lune,

Can you keep an eye on the Bureau while we are gone? We are out to search a client and we should return home soon.

With regards,

Baron Humbert von Gikkingen

Ch. 2 UP soon