Because I watched The Cat Returns recently and Studio Ghibli kills me every single time. Baron and Haru are the cutest animal x human couple (and the only) I have ever loved. Posted this also because I want to sign up as a beta and I have four works so far. Enjoy!
Haru sped up her steps as she performed acrobatics she'd never thought she could perform in her wildest dreams. The large white cat had yet again disappeared around the corner, and she struggled to keep up with him. How could a creature so fat be that quick in movement?
Nonetheless, Haru understood that the walk was worthwhile on what she was about to behold a moment later. She had arrived at the arch again, the arch that separated magical creatures and humans. The cat rose up on its hind legs and began walking through the arch. Breathlessly she followed, until she stopped in front of a small house.
The house was quaint, lined with pale green, and a vintage lamp post stood tall and erect. A rattan chair was set up conveniently for Muta as he parked his fat bottom and opened the newspaper he'd just retrieved from a red rusted mailbox. Rose bushes adorned the house on both sides, and through the windows Haru could glimpse a gleam of two emerald eyes watching her intently. There he was, standing as he always was, next to the silk curtains. Haru waited expectedly, occasionally looking over her shoulder for the sunset.
As the last sliver of sun that had previously illuminated the house with dazzling lights disappeared behind the valleys, the stone bird perched on top of the fountain materialized into life. He swooped down joyfully when he saw Haru. "Hello, Toto," she muttered as she glanced back to the house. He was gone from the window.
She'd always wondered how he slipped from the window to the door without her catching him. Yet, this was the Baron they were talking about, stealthy, cunning, charming, charismatic… everything she'd ever wanted in a man. And he was a cat-man. But there was no harm in that.
The door clicked open and a elegantly-dressed figurine stepped out, shoes clacking sophisticatedly on the stone pavement. A small smile curled onto Haru's lips when he approached her, eyes fixed on hers. Although he never showed it, she knew he was happy to see her.
"Welcome to the Cat's Bureau. Hello, Haru." At his words Haru burst into tears and fell to her knees. She held out her hand, and the Baron clambered on gracefully. She lifted him to her face and hugged him to her shoulder, remorse and yearning all forgotten. Baron Humbert von Gikkingen placed a gloved hand on the sleeve of her school uniform and closed his eyes. It felt good to be needed, he thought. It felt good to be loved.
"I thought I'd never get to see you again!" Haru sobbed, tears splashing onto the ground like big raindrops. "I couldn't see Muta anymore one day and I didn't think much of it but when he didn't return I panicked because I nearly didn't remember my way here. Then I finally saw him and followed him here and when I saw you I just…" She bawled louder.
"Don't worry, my—"He had meant to say 'dear', but wondered if that was too suggestive. 'Child' would not work either. So he settled on her name. "Don't worry, Haru." Hearing it pass through his lips provided him some closure. "Your Baron is here."
I don't know man.
-Mint-chan.