Chapter 1
Disclaimer: The characters that make up the wonderful 2002 movie, The Cat Returns, do not belong to me; nor does anything that you would be able to recognize. Instead, just about everything, aside from the drabbles, belong to the writers and animators over at Studio Ghibli.
Summary: There were simply too many reasons why the Baron loved Haru; he simply cannot just chose one.
Warning: Major Haru x Baron shipping. Lots of fluff (mostly) and romance.
A/N: Yay! Another writing challenge! Hopefully this one will be nearly as good as the last..
Enjoy!
1. Rumor
Whispers of their relationship blossoming into more than just a simple friendship quickly spread throughout the large land that was known as the Cat Kingdom. But it was all silenced into truth as the two creatures appeared at the doors of the castle hand in hand, smiling.
2. Beneath
Under all of that aged, purple fur was once a feline king who had been joyous with his life.
3. Argue
Neither Baron nor Haru wanted to imagine a time when the two creatures, Toto and Muta, would finally end their endless bickering with a truce.
4. Arrest
As the newly crowned cat king, Lune, lead away the quiet form of her favorite ginger-colored feline with tightened handcuffs, Haru made a silent vow: she would find a way to prove that Baron was not guilty. She had to.
5. Color
At the color of green, all shades - but most importantly mint green, her heart swelled; but not for the calmness of the strong color.
6. Compulsion
Ever since landing eyes on her, the Baron felt a strong desire - no, need - to protect Haru.
7. Hate
Now, Muta was never one to turn down a plate of food, be it catnip jelly or strawberry shortcake topped with smooth whipped cream. However, there was one piece of food that the white tom cat disliked above the others - almost as much as birds - and it was tea.
8. Hands
Despite the factor of being two different species, when Baron and Haru held hands, they fit together like a glove.
9. Winter
The many months of white snow and freezing temperatures also brought along the promise of neatly trimmed pine trees and warm mugs of carefully blended tea.
10. Trapped
Furry cheeks quickly being drenched in salty tears, Haru stared down at her new, tan paws. She took a long, shaky breath, hoping beyond hope that the Baron would come to the rescue before it was too late.
11. Fear
As caramel-dyed eyes widened to the size of a small saucer, the Baron found another thing that he did not favor all that much: a frightened Haru. Right then, he silently vowed to protect her from such a traumatizing emotion.
12. Flowers
Eyes widening in surprise at the large bouquet of colorful flowers, Haru slowly slid her legs over the side of the bed; bare feet not even registering the cold temperature of the wooden floor. Reaching out hesitantly, as if the grand assortment of plants would break apart once touched, Haru brought the flowers to rest just underneath her nose and took a deep breath.
A smile replacing the surprised facade, Haru gazed happily at the many flowers that were wrapped neatly inside a few rounds of white parchment paper. Flowers of all different colors met her eyes; starting with shocking, red roses and ending in elegant, white lilies. However, it neither the beautiful aroma of the bouquet that caught her final attention, nor was it the pattern of delicate flowers. Instead, it was the single, tall form of a bright, orange rose that was place directly in the middle.
Haru smiled and took the attention-catching rose out of its position, twirling it in her pale fingers thoughtfully. The color of the rose filled her with a familiar face, one with feline features and hypnotizing emerald eyes.
'Baron, thank you.' And with one, last glance at the motionless bouquet of flowers, the brunette left the cluttered room; clad with a certain, bright flower tucked safely behind an ear.
13. Knife
Like a knife, sharp and precise, the brunette had become the sole focus of his adventurous life.
14. Depart
With not so much as a second glance, Haru had left behind her old, dull life for one that was much more promising.
15. New
Smiling to himself, it was then, in the midst of his nightly studies, that the Baron realized something: love was an old friend of the heart, not a new face. Hard to forget, but easily gained.
16. Snow
During the winter season, Muta preferred to not venture too far off from the safe embrace of the Bureau. It was not for the reason of laziness, though rather for the fear of being mistaken for just a bound of cold snow.
17. Breeze
Closing her eyes in bliss, the smells of different shops and food carts filled her nose; nearly overwhelming her senses with all of the new attractions. Just for the wonderful smells alone, the Crossroads was one of Haru's favorite places to pass time.
18. Jewel
The Bureau was like a diamond in the ruff; a treasure worth to be hidden in secrecy for its unbelievable beauty and mysterious nature.
19. Dew
Just like the dew that happily littered the grass in the early morning, each moment in the Bureau offered surprises worth spreading.
20. Morbid
Friends of the large, white tom cat, Muta, often wondered if his unhealthy admiration for food would be the near-death of him.