A/N: Checking, checking, one…two…three…okay, we're good! This is going to be a major story of The Cat Returns (Neko no Onegaeshi) mixed with Whispers of the Heart (Mimi o Sumaseba)! I hope you enjoy the story I'm going to write!

Chapter 1: The Cat Finds a Friend

The cheerful ding of the Chikkuya front door caused Shizuku Amasawa to look up from her work immediately. When she looked over, she saw a young girl no older than eighteen standing in the doorway looking out of place. The girl had dark hair and big hazel eyes that seemed to glow with wonder whenever she saw something different. Now this girl wasn't Japanese, Shizuku could tell by the way her face, but she seemed to know what she was doing: She bowed for Shizuku respectfully.

"Uh…konnichiwa," she stammered as she bowed. "W-watashi no namae wa Charisse desu."

Shizuku smiled at the girl's halting Japanese. "We can speak English," she said warmly. "I'm Shizuku Amasawa, the co-owner of this shop."

"Um, hi…" whispered Charisse shyly, looking to her feet. "I'm sorry if I sounded stupid earlier. I don't know how to speak Japanese that well. I only memorized the term from my travel book."

"I see," replied Shizuku, smiling even more. "Well, if you don't mind my asking, what are you doing here in this store? How did you find this place?"

Charisse flushed a bit. "Well, my mom told me that an antique shop was around here so I wanted to see if it was true. You see, I moved here from America because my mom's job transferred us here and…" She broke off and looked around. "This place is really pretty, Mrs. Amasawa."

"Thank you," said Shizuku, standing to walk in front of the girl. "My husband and I spend at least one day in our week dusting and cleaning the place. This shop belonged to his grandfather and ever since ojii-san died, my husband and I took over." The older woman's eyes filled with sadness as she remembered the kind old man who helped her become a writer.

"I'm sorry," sighed Charisse, looking truly apologetic. "I didn't mean to bring him up if I did…"

Shizuku suddenly brightened like a candle. "Oh no, it's okay, Charisse-chan," she said kindly. "You wouldn't have known. Now, what catches your eye?"

Charisse looked around and her eyes lit up when she saw something perched on the small table. She walked up to it slowly and bent down to look at it. Shizuku turned and saw the girl staring at the Cat Baron doll that captivated her eighteen years ago. Of course, Shizuku was thinking, the Baron captivates everyone…

"He's so handsome…" whispered Charisse, touching the cat's head gently. "What's his name, Mrs. Amasawa?"

"His name is Baron Humbert von Gikkingen," answered the woman, touching Charisse on the shoulder gently. "He's very dapper, isn't he?"

"Yes he is," replied Charisse. "I don't wanna buy him but he is so…hypnotic. I guess it's those eyes…"

"He captivated me too, Charisse," remarked Shizuku kindly. "When I was fourteen, I found this store and he inspired me to do a story about him."

Charisse nodded, mulling over this information. "Why does he look so sad?" she asked.

"He got separated," said Shizuku, "by the one he loves. You see, when ojii-san got this statue, there was a female companion for him named Louise but they got separated."

"Oh…" gasped Charisse, touching the doll again gently.

Shizuku noticed the girl's expression as she stared at the doll and something in her clicked. It's destiny…she thought, smiling slightly. Even Baron can feel it…this girl is the chosen…

"Would you like to have him?" Shizuku asked gently.

Charisse gasped and her eyes widened. "But I can't take something so important from you. He's yours…"

"But he wants to go with you," replied Shizuku. "I can see it in his eyes. He wants you as his new companion. Ojii-san would have wanted him to be in good hands. And seeing that I'm mostly out of the shop with my husband in Italy and England, I need someone I trust to take care of him. Take him for me, and take good care of him." The elder woman picked up the statue and resolutely gave it to Charisse.

"I'll…take good care of him, Mrs. Amasawa," the girl whispered, tears flowing in her eyes. "I promise…"

"I know you will," whispered Shizuku, placing a hand on the Baron. "Sayonara, Baron Humbert von Jikkingen." Tears dripped from the woman's eyes and she finally let the Baron go.

After saying a heartfelt thank you, Charisse left the store with Baron and Shizuku thought she saw a tear drop from the statue's eyes.

This is a new beginning…the woman thought with a small smile. The Baron is going to touch someone else the same way he touched my heart all those years ago…

Later that night, Charisse put the Baron on her bedside table and stared into his eyes as if trying to define him. He seemed pretty debonair and proper but something caught her eye: In the store, the hat was in his right hand and the cane was in the left hand that bent behind his back but now, his hat was in his left hand and the cane was in his right hand. The girl arched an eyebrow and shrugged a bit. I must be tired, she thought decidedly. I'm probably seeing things.

"Goodnight, Baron," she whispered, turning on her side to go to sleep.

"Goodnight, my dear," she heard in her head and her eyes snapped open.

She turned back to face Baron but he was motionless so she turned around and went back to sleep. For once in a long time, a small smile spread on Charisse's peaceful face and she dozed off, dreaming of floating down a river of chocolate ice cream with a big bowl.

That night, a magical wind swept the air and the statue that stood on the girl's bedside table glowed dimly. Suddenly, he came to life and looked around the girl's room before gazing at the sleeping girl in the bed. He silently hopped down onto the mattress and inspected her curiously. She had dark hair and hazel eyes but something about her seemed off. Maybe it was because she didn't look Japanese but something in her soul gave him the feeling that he would have a new client.

"You are my friend," he whispered, stroking the girl's hair slightly. "You know that, right?"

He smiled at her, laid down next to her, and began to fall asleep. Despite feeling sad about leaving Shizuku, Baron felt like he was starting a new chapter in his life just like he wanted to. He missed Nishi, the old man who took him in, Shizuku, his young friend, Seiji, her loved one, Muta, his chubby feline friend, Toto, his feathered friend, and Haru, a young woman he helped a few years back. As much as he missed them, though, he felt fulfilled about starting a new page in his life, like Louise would have wanted him to.

Goodnight, Charisse, was his last thought before drifting off in a nice slumber.