Haru may have done many great deeds in her lifetime without ever asking for a reward, but fate had decided that this brave and selfless girl should receive something for her courageous deeds.
So the stars gave her what her heart desired the most. Her one true love, the Baron. She was given a creation body much like her beloved and could easily shift between cat and human, but found herself liking the half cat form much better.
The dashing feline gentleman who had played a part in her life was very much shocked when he first found her in her new body at his doorstep, smiling beautifully like the day they had dropped her off on top of her school.
Her long dark brown head fur flowed to her back and her brown eyes were like caramel, soft and gentle as they lit up at the sight of him. She wore a soft yellow-orange gown that seemed to glow like fireflies, satin lace gloves covering her dainty fur covered hands and a pair of flats matching the color of her dress.
She was breath-taking.
Baron was ecstatic upon seeing her again and he let her inside for a nice warm cup of tea; a good batch of his special blend.
Toto and Muta were happy to see her as well, though they still picked fights a lot. And on that day, both the maiden and the gentleman confessed of their love for the other and sealed it with a kiss.
After several months of courting, Baron proposed to Haru. Of course she said yes and two months later, they were wed.
King Lune and Queen Yuki were present, along with several other cats and even the brunette's mother was there. Though Toto and Muta had to be on separate sides of the cathedral to avoid disrupting the ceremony.
Everyone cheered when the couple finally kissed and the celebrations commenced. Neither Baron nor Baroness knew whether or not creations could bear children but that was soon found out when it was discovered that Haru was pregnant.
oooOooo
Baron paced the hallway back and forth nervously, worrying his bottom lip with his teeth, mindful of their sharpness as he waited for news about his wife and unborn child. He had taken Haru to the Cat Kingdom for their daughter to be delivered and King Lune and Queen Yuki were more than happy to let them have the finest doctors in order to help the daughter of their two fondest friends into the world.
The tawny cat lord knew that delivery was difficult, but even so, the suspense was killing him! Especially not knowing whether or not both mother and child were alright.
Sitting by him were Muta, Toto, King Lune, Queen Yuki and Naoko, who were also waiting for the news of the child. All of them were nervous, however it was safe to say that Baron was the most nervous of all.
"Calm down, Baron, I'm sure Chicky and the little Chicky will be just fine. Haru's been through a lot, she won't back down that easy," the large white cat said gruffly.
"For once, Lardball is right. Baron, you need to calm down. Everything will be alright," the crow said reassuringly.
"What's that supposed to mean?! You overgrown chicken!" Muta yelled.
"Can't you tell the difference between a crow and a chicken, fatso?!" The cat lord sighed in annoyance, pressing a hand to his forehead.
"Toto, Muta, if you would kindly refrain from fighting please. My wife is giving birth at the moment and I am stressed enough not knowing if they are both fine," he grumbled. Both cat and crow paused, looking guilty.
"Sorry Baron."
The green eyed cat lord just waved it off for now, continuing to pace along the hallway. After what seemed like an eternity, one of the doctors finally pushed aside the curtain and smiled at Baron.
"Congratulations, Baron. You're the father of a beautiful daughter. You may go see your wife and your child," he announced.
Baron spared no time hurrying into the room and the sight just made his chest grow larger with love and warmth. Haru was leaned against the pillows, cradling a soft bundle of blankets and on her face was the proudest smile he had ever seen on her. Brown eyes locked with emerald and she smiled.
"Come meet your daughter, dear...she's beautiful…"
He found it hard to breathe as he walked over to his wife's side as she handed the bundle over for him to hold. He looked upon his daughter's face and found tears prickling at his eyes in happiness.
She was a little half-cat bundle of joy; with dark brown head fur that matched her mother's Her fur was a lighter tan than her mother's, more creamy like her father's underside and she had her father's face, her little fur covered hands curled and close to her. The baby made a cute little yawn and opened her eyes to reveal deep chocolate brown eyes that seemed to sparkle and she smiled brightly at her parents.
At this point, the happy father made no resistance to the overjoyed tears that streamed down his face as he touched his daughter, who immediately cooed and giggled at her father's touch. Haru smiled, her own happy tears sliding down her cheeks as she watched her husband cradle their little precious miracle.
"What should we name her..?."he asked, still in awe of the little half-cat child.
"Cheryl...let's name her Cheryl…" Haru whispered. Her husband chuckled.
"Beloved or darling gem...it indeed suits her…" he replied, smiling softly.
"Shall we introduce her to the others?"
"We shall."
Baron called the others in and they all gushed at the sight of the little girl, offering congratulations and they each took turns to hold her, though Toto had a bit of trouble because of his wings.
There was a celebration in the Bureau that night, friends and family offering gifts for the new addition to the group. But the most significant present to the little one was a silver butterfly necklace with sapphires embedded into the wings around her small neck.
A lone shadow watched the festivities from a distance, a small amulet in his hand that glowed with light as he moved it over to the small baby in the arms of her parents.
He smirked darkly, the child had something he needed and he would do everything in his power to have it, if he was to achieve his goal. So he waited till the celebration ended and all was silent in the hidden refuge before he made his move.
He lifted a hand to the door and it opened without a sound, silently moving through the small house to the cradle where the slumbering baby lay. He touched her forehead, feeling a surge of energy and smirked widely. This was the one he needed.
However, the touch had awoken the child, who sensed the ill intent of his and let out a cry, alerting her parents of the intruder.
The cloaked figure quickly scooped up the baby and ran out as he heard her parents awake and he scaled the walls to the rooftops.
Baron and Haru's eyes widened in horror as they saw the intruder run with their daughter in hand.
"Toto! Wake up! Someone's kidnapping Cheryl!" Baron ordered to his friend who woke and swept down to the ground, both parents of the girl jumping onto the crow's back as they took off after the kidnapper.
He was very quick and went even quicker when he heard that he was being pursued. He had spent years traveling just to find this girl, she possessed something that only could be found once in lifetimes. He wasn't going to give her up.
Cheryl cried as she laid there in his arms, begging for the warmth of her parents to envelope her, urging the crow to go even faster.
They chased him till they reached the end of the rooftops but he simply smirked, summoning a portal and with a bow he jumped off and into the swirling gate of magic, disappearing for good.
Along with their daughter.
Toto landed and sighed heavily, shaking his head. Haru sobbed into her hands at the loss of her child; Baron's emerald green eyes saddened as he embraced his wife to comfort her. Then those eyes were burning with fury.
'How dare they...? How dare they steal our child!' he thought, squeezing his wife gently. Haru recomposed herself and shook her head but her eyes shined in determination.
"Baron, we will find our daughter, right?" she asked, looking into her husband's eyes. He smiled and kissed her gently, touching her cheek.
"Yes, we will Haru. No matter how long it takes." He swore.