Chapter Two – Catching Up

~This story is going through a revamp. Please check the first chapter for more information~

Hey there again!

This is the next chapter of my beloved story. I'm enjoying this far more than I thought I would. Just shows how much of a great film this is. (currently watching it whilst she types) I've got literally a week off school (including the weekend, obviously) so there'll be more chapters coming your way.

Enjoy! ^_^

ooOoo

Inside a little green house, a handsome ginger cat paced. It had been a week since he had gotten a single client come knocking on his door. Usually, he would not mind. The quiet was nice and welcome, and who didn't enjoy the comfort of their own home? But lately, he'd been itching – literally, it was becoming an issue for his fur – for an adventure. It ran in his blood, and without it he did not feel right. He wasn't sure what he was expecting. He had Muta to keep him company, and Toto – despite Toto's constant travels. Nowadays he hardly saw him at all. But something was missing, and he simply could not place his paw on what it was. Letting out a sigh, he sat down on his sofa, his chin resting on his paw in thought.

I need a hobby, he told himself. A little something to keep myself busy and my mind sharp whilst I don't have any clients.

In his mind he started to go through a list of possibilities;

Sewing. With these paws? Not a chance.

Cooking. Not really my thing.

Fencing. Maybe, I could do with polishing up my skills.

He continued to go down the list, his hopes spiralling downwards with it. There just wasn't anything that fitted him, something that he was truly interested in. And whilst living in a Bureau this small, it's not like his options were endless either. He stood up and wandered over to his window. It was his favourite thinking spot.

However, what he saw was far from his usual view. Where before there was Muta snoring on his chair and the fountain standing alone in the centre, his window was blocked by Muta's obese body. Wrinkling his nose, he noted to move Muta's chair further to the right of his house next time. Something struck him as he was staring at his large friend's back: the way he was holding himself, the way he was standing. He saw this very rarely, and he knew that it meant Muta was smiling. Frowning, he was about to lean forward and tap the window to get his attention when he caught a glimpse of something that made his heart skip a beat.

A giant girl and a stranger cat also now occupied his Bureau. Baron blinked his eyes a few times, trying to see if his never-ending boredom had finally made him become delusional. But no, they were there. She was there. No client ever returned to the Bureau. Baron always solved their problems the first time round, and that was that. However, this was not an unpleasant surprise. Not in the slightest.

He straightened out his jacket and stood up a bit taller, suddenly wanting to put on his best appearance. He took in a short breath and headed to his door. He opened it and strode outside, taking a stand next to Muta. Laughter met his ears and he resisted the urge to smile.

Haru clamped a hand over her mouth as soon as she saw Baron come out of the house. Suddenly feeling nervous, and very self-conscious, she carefully walked forwards so that she could kneel before them. As soon as she did, Kaoru leapt onto her lap and made himself at home, studying Muta and Baron.

"Baron," she said softly, the smile creeping back onto her face.

Ever the gentlecat, Baron took off his hat and bowed deeply. "Miss Haru, a pleasure to see you again."

Haru's smile instantly broadened, resisting the rising urge to pick him up and hug him.

"Haru… You know them?" Kaoru purred from her lap, his eyes gleaming up at her. Haru looked down at him, as if remembering that he was there all of a sudden.

"Oh, yes! Of course I know them. This is Muta, and this… is Baron. Why do you think I was so cool with finding out that you could talk when I found you?" Haru smiled down at him as she ran a hand down his back.

Baron watched the exchange. So, she's met another talking cat? I wonder how long they have known each other.

"I guess that's reason enough," Kaoru laughed. Muta coughed and looked expectantly at Haru with a raised eyebrow. Haru tilted her head, not sure what he meant for a moment. Then it clicked, and she hurriedly introduced Kaoru.

"Muta, Baron, this is Kaoru. I found him as a stray two years ago. He is, I am not ashamed to say, my best friend." Haru felt good telling someone about Kaoru. Even if it was just another cat. She had kept it a secret for so long. She soon found herself laughing at the thought of what her human friends would have thought if she had told them.

The others looked slightly startled at her sudden outburst of laughter. She waved her hand dismissively. "Sorry, I just realised how funny it sounds to say that my best friend is a cat."

Baron smiled at her, nodding understandingly. "Yes, I suppose it would seem to you. Just as it would for Kaoru, yes?" He looked to the tabby cat, his sharp eyes taking in his features. The tabby looked back at him, unsure if he felt offended by Haru's comment or if he agreed in the hilarity. But since Baron did, he decided to play along.

"Yes, I guess I've just grown used to it," he said. Haru glanced at him.

"I can understand that," she said with another smile.

Muta coughed again, clapping his paws together. "Well, Baron! We can't stand out here all day. How about we go inside and have some of your delicious cake?" Before he had even finished his sentence, Muta's body and mind were already headed for the cake he was talking about. With a flourish, Baron donned his hat once again and welcomed Haru and Kaoru inside. Kaoru hopped off her lap and went inside. Haru, however, hesitated. Baron looked up at her, frowning in concern. Did she not want to come inside?

Then, he realised, that she couldn't. Chuckling to himself for missing such a simple thing, he opened his jacket and brought out a vial. Looking up at her again, he motioned for her to come closer with his paw. Haru blinked and moved in, trying not to stare. She noticed the vial in his paw and raised an eyebrow.

"What's that?" she asked. He uncorked the vial and put a paw under her chin. Haru's cheeks blushed as her eye's widened.

"This, my dear Haru, will make you smaller. You do want to come in for cake, yes?" He smiled at her charmingly. She nodded and opened her mouth when he indicated. He turned the vial upside down and dropped the small contents onto her tongue. Within seconds Haru had shrunk to the same height. Suddenly being at eye-level with the Baron brought back a rush of emotions she hadn't felt in years.

Baron inclined his head to the door, "Ladies first."

There was a lot of cake eating and talking as they caught up on each other's lives. Haru talked about how she had moved to a new house, how she was doing at school. Baron informed her that he'd had many letters from the new King, Lune, and his wife, Yuki. They had a litter of three beautiful kittens recently.

"Kittens! Oh! They must be so adorable," Haru gushed over her tea. Baron nodded slowly, smiling. His previous frustration at his current position and lack of customers seemed to have vanished at the sight of Haru. As much as he was pleased with this turnabout, he couldn't help but wonder why. His gaze drifted over to Kaoru, the young tabby that had accompanied her and who now sat next to her on the sofa, staring at her with a big smile. It must be weird for him to be seeing her at the same height.

He's been with her for two years now, hm? I assume they are rather close, then. He thought to himself. A smirk tugged at his lips as he mused over the thought of him being in the place of the tabby cat. Would he have been as close to Haru as Kaoru was? Mentally shrugging the thought away, he turned his attention back to Haru. The last he had seen her was on the roof of her school after they had escaped the grasp of the crazy Cat King. Her hair had grown a lot longer in the space of two years, now stopping just above her waist. It seems she didn't bother to have it cut.

Suddenly the distinct memory of her confessing to having a crush on him came to mind. At the time, he had been utterly flattered and had responded truly by saying that he admired her. Interrupting his train of thought, Kaoru suddenly excused himself outside for a moment for some air. Baron noticed how Haru's eyes followed him until he was out of sight.

She turned around to Baron staring at her and her cheeks dusted a light pink once more. She smiled, and the conversation flowed again.

A loud, distressed yowl pierced their ears from outside and Haru instantly snapped her head round. "Kaoru!" she shouted, getting up and bounding for the door.

"Kaoru!" she called again, gasping. Kaoru was pressed to the floor by a cane at his neck. He looked over to Haru desperately, panic in his eyes. The cat standing over him was tall and jet black. His eyes were a mesmerizing deep green. They captured her stare and narrowed through the mask he was wearing, clenching his gloved paws beneath his cape.

"Haru! Please, help!" Kaoru stuttered, his eyes pleading. Haru stepped forwards, eager to rescue her best friend. However, the black cat's green orbs caught her again and stopped her in her tracks with a slow shake of his head. She hesitated. Baron appeared at her side, his white cane in hand. He frowned at the scene before him.

"Who are you?" he demanded, but he got no reply. He wasn't surprised, cats in capes weren't the type to talk. He simply smirked and waved his paw in circles. A circle of swirling blue mass appeared before him, and as soon as it was conjured, he was stepping through it, dragging his struggling captive with him.

Haru's eyes widened as the portal started to slowly close and she made a mad dash towards it.

"Haru, wait!" Baron called out, a paw out to stop her. "That's the way to the Cat Kingdom – are you sure you want to go through there again?"

Haru paused only for a moment, her eyes glued on the shrinking portal. A green landscape lay beyond it, and she nodded with determination. "I have to get Kaoru back."

Baron only nodded, letting her go and motioning for Muta to follow as he stepped through the portal right after Haru. Muta went in after him, squeezing through just as the portal closed with a small pop.

ooOoo

Well guys, I hope you liked it!

Next chapter will be up asap. ? Please leave a review to let me know what you think.

Thanks.

Ciao!