Haru's mother has arrived in the Cat Kingdom, and before The Baron had a chance to explain things fully, saw her daughter completely transformed into a cat!


The cat carriage drew near the gate to the palace compound.

"Is your mother alright, Haru?" Asked Yuki.

"She doesn't look so good, babe," said the King. Indeed, Naoko's face was white! The Baron had noticed this and tried to reassure her.

"Mrs. Yoshioka, please let me explain. Your daughter is fine. She..."

"Fine? Fine?! You turned her into a cat! How could you do this?!" She yelled.

The carriage was still crossing the moat, but all heard that last sentence. Even Muta and Toto, who were hanging in the back.

"Uh, oh," said Toto.

"An auspicious beginning!" Laughed Muta.

"Clam it, you idiot!" Spat Toto.

"Eh, shut yer beak, birdbrain!"

While those two bickered, the welcoming party exchanged awkward glances.

"Oh dear," said the Prince, "your mother is not happy."

"I'll try to calm her down," said Haru, as the carriage finally arrived. She walked up and put a paw on the armrest. "Mom?"

"Haru, oh Haru, is that really you?"

"It's me, Mom."

"Oh," she cried, "what did they do to you?"

"It was my choice. I'm very happy."

"I...I don't understand."

"Please come, and we'll explain everything."

Haru and the Baron helped Mrs. Yoshioka off the carriage - her knees were a little wobbly - and brought her over to the welcoming party.

"Mom, let me introduce the King of the Cat Kingdom."

She bowed before him. "Your Highness." He nodded. "Ciao, babe."

"And this is his son, Prince Lune."

She bowed again. "Prince."

"It is an honor to meet you, Mrs. Yoshioka," he bowed. "Haru is a very special person in the Kingdom. Please allow me to introduce you to my fiancée, Princess Yuki."

Yuki bowed, "I am so very happy to meet you, Mrs. Yoshioka! Prince Lune and I are deeply indebted to your daughter."

Naoko was overwhelmed! She bowed to Yuki. "Thank you, Princess!" She didn't know what to make of these accolades.

The Baron stepped forward. "Let us go inside and talk."

Yuki, the Baron, Haru and her mother retired to a conference room on the first floor. "I brought some tea with me from the Cat Bureau; may I pour you a cup?" He asked Naoko.

"Yes, please."

"Milk with your tea, or lemon?"

"Milk please."

"Good choice. Princess?"

"I'll have a cup, thank you. Milk also."

"Haru?"

"No, thank you, Baron." Haru was still learning how to use her paws, and didn't want to spill the tea or drop the cup; she decided to watch Yuki to see how it is done.

The Baron served the tea to the ladies, then poured himself a cup and sat down. "That's my own personal blend of tea. It's a little different each time so I can't guarantee the taste."

Haru's mother took a sip. "Oh, Baron! That's the best tea I've ever tasted!"

"Then you're lucky."

"Now first, let me begin with something I imagine is of the utmost importance, Mrs. Yoshioka: Haru can change back to human."

"Oh!" She clasped her hands, "Thank goodness!"

"But Mom, I want to stay. I will turn back to my human self so that I can arrange a transition."

"Stay? But why, Haru? You have a home in our world! You have friends; what about Hiromi? Wouldn't you miss her? And your school? What about me? I don't want you to..."

Naoko stopped mid-sentence. "Wait a minute. Transition? You mean, go back to being a cat?"

There was an awkward silence. Haru blinked her golden cat eyes and said "Yes."

"You can't be serious!"

"But I am! The moment I arrived here, I felt this unbelievable sense that I belonged!" Haru closed her eyes and spread her arms. "I lay down on the grass, and said, 'I've never felt so at home in my life!'"

Naoko shut her eyes and frowned. "Oh, Haru, you're 17 years old; you're too young to be making such life-changing decisions!"

"But…"

"But nothing!" Her mother sighed. "I understand how you've been feeling; I was 17 myself once; struggling with school, getting up on time, fitting in; it's no wonder you're having this sense of disconnectedness. It's natural! But trust me; it's a phase every teenager goes through. You can't just run away to a far-away land hoping to escape things, even if it's a magical place like this."

Haru looked down in deep reflection. "I don't know, Mom. It's different here. There's something about this place that's calling me. It's like that little kitten I spoke to when I was a child. By the way," she chuckled, "do you remember what that kitten looked like?"

"It was a little white stray - poor thing! Dirt on her beautiful fur."

"I talked to her; gave her my box of fish crackers."

"You did; it was very kind of you! May have been the only meal she'd had for a while."

"It was, Mrs. Yoshioka! That box of crackers kept me from starving!" smiled Yuki.

"Wha...the kitten, that was you, Princess?"

"Yes! Haru's kindness saved me! I owe her my life. And she also saved the life of my fiancé, Prince Lune."

"What?!" Naoko turned back to Haru. "When was this?"

"Remember when I asked you if cats could talk? Well, yesterday Hiromi and I were walking home from school when we saw a cat walking across that busy downtown street. The light changed and a truck came speeding down. It almost ran over him! I rushed to scoop him up with my stick. Unfortunately when we got across the street, I crashed the stick into a parking meter."

"So that's how it got broken! Haru! You could have been injured or killed yourself!"

"I couldn't let him get hit! Anyway, he spoke to me and thanked me for saving him. Unfortunately he had to leave for a military campaign, and the King took it upon himself to manage all of the kingdom's gratitude. That was the cattails that suddenly appeared in our garden, and the mice that showed up in my school locker.

Naoko laughed! "So that's why all the cats appeared in school!"

"Right. And then later, Natoru came to talk to me, and somehow he got the notion that I'd consented to marry the Prince!"

"Wha...but I thought Yuki was his fiancée!"

"She is! Or, was to be. But, the King didn't know that. I got worried! I didn't want to marry! That's when I heard a voice, telling me to seek out the Cat Bureau."

Naoko turned to the Baron. "Your bureau?"

"Exactly, Mrs. Yoshioka. I agreed to help Haru with this dilemma. Unfortunately before we could plan a proper response, Natoru showed up at my office and spirited Haru away. I took chase with two of my associates, Toto and Muta."

"That's when I arrived in the Cat Kingdom," said Haru. "They assumed I'd consented to marry the Prince - and I had started to turn into a cat!"

"But, isn't that what you wanted?" Her mother asked.

"Not against my will, no. The King is a good cat, but he's a little unused to - well, let's just say that since his wife died he hasn't had someone to help him with listening."

"I was upset! First, being forced into an arranged marriage, then, without asking, turning me into a cat, I didn't take things well! The Baron came and rescued me, and tried bringing me back to our world, but the King blew up the bottom of the escape tower and we were stuck here."

"Then, the Prince showed up!"

"I sent for him, to put an end to this madness," said the Princess, "and he did."

"He stopped his father from the arranged marriage, and proposed to Yuki at the same time!" Haru smiled.

"Unfortunately, the King wasn't finished," said the Baron. "Seeing his son engaged, he decided he'd marry your daughter."

"What?!"

"Don't worry, Mom," said Haru, "I told him off."

"Oh. Well, I hope you weren't too disrespectful."

"Although…"

"Although?"

"Well, I did say that courtship should come first."

Naoko did a facepalm. "Haru."

She shook her head and looked at her daughter. "As I said, you are too young. Besides, you cannot be deciding these kinds of things until you are at least 20 years old; until then, you are a minor, and I will have a say in such matters."

Distressed, Haru turned to the Baron. "Now what do I do? You told me that whatever decision I make, as long as it is mine and mine alone, that is what's important!"

"That is true, Haru," said the Baron, "but your mother is also right. She is your guardian, and is only looking out for your best interests. Mrs. Yoshioka, I believe that Haru's reaction upon first arriving here suggests something special. She seems to have a foot or paw in both worlds, however that may be so."

He had a thought. "A transition does not have to be short. May I propose a lengthy one, until Haru reaches the age of majority?"

"Until I turn 20?!"

"Yes, Haru. In that way, you can journey back and forth, from the human world to the Cat Kingdom, from your human self to your cat self. And then, when you are truly old enough to make this life-changing decision, you can take the final step - one way or the other."

"That is, if it is acceptable to your mother."

"Be able to go back and forth? Can that be arranged?" Naoko asked.

"We would have to confirm it with the King's advisor, Natori," said the Baron.

"If possible, then yes, I would go along with that," she replied.

"Haru?"

Yuki put a paw on her shoulder. "I think it's the best plan, Haru," she said, looking at her friend.

Haru sighed. "OK"


"Yes, that certainly is a possibility," Natori told the group. "With the King's permission, I can fashion an amulet for Haru to wear that will enable her to transform back and forth from one body to the other."

"Wonderful!" Said Naoko.

"May we have an audience with His Highness to discuss this proposal?" Asked the Baron.

"Probably tomorrow; I will let you know the time," Natori replied, and left.

"He certainly is a formal cat," observed Naoko.

"He has to be," said Yuki. "He practically runs the Kingdom by himself. The King has the final say, but Natori organizes everything. He's extremely efficient."

"Let us hope he is inclined to go along with our plans, so that he will phrase it in a way acceptable to the King," said the Baron.

Naoko yawned. "It's been quite a day; I'm exhausted!"

"I've arranged a room for you right next to your daughter," smiled Yuki. "And I have ones for you and your associates, Baron."

"You are most kind, your Highness," he replied.

"Yes, thank you so much!" Said Naoko.

"My pleasure," she replied, and taking the Baron to his quarters, she bid Haru and her mother goodnight.

"I'll show you where our rooms are, Mom."

"Thank you, dear." She put her hand on Haru's shoulder. "Your fur; it's so soft." She absentmindedly began petting it.

"Ooh, that feels good!" Haru started purring.

Naoko jerked her hand back. "Sorry; that's just a little hard for me to handle."

Haru chuckled. "No prob, Mom."

Naoko entered her room. It was very nicely laid out in earthen colors, with a fish design latticework across the top of the walls. Her bed was oval and fleece-lined, with raised sides all around except for the front, which was lowered for the entrance. "Looks like a big, soft, cat bed," she chuckled.

Yuki had made sure there were pillows and a blanket beside the bed; she also found a ceremonial gown made of soft felt for Naoko to use as a nightgown. "So thoughtful," she smiled, and changed for bed.

Haru had the same accommodations. She got down on all fours, climbed up into her bed, paced around a few times, and kneaded the fleece lining. Lying down, she tucked her tail around, chin resting on her right arm and her left paw over her nose. Purring, she fell asleep.


The next morning, the four reassembled with Natori.

"Alright," he began, "I have discussed your proposal with Prince Lune, and he is convinced that Haru's transition should take as long as is necessary, until she reaches the human age whereby she is legally able, in your world, to decide on her own. He wants the best for Haru, and Mrs. Yoshioka, as her mother, guardian and most appropriate mentor, is the one to guide her daughter in making this choice."

"Thank you, Natori," said Haru's mother, "and thank the Prince."

"You are welcome, and I shall pass that along to His Highness. Now, as I said last night, an amulet can be fashioned which will give Haru the power to transform from cat to human and back again at will. It can also be used to open a portal from our world to yours, and allow for communication between us. But only the King can authorize its manufacture."

"I understand," said Haru.

"Our audience is coming up. Now, when the time comes, allow me to speak first. I know how to phrase the proposal to make it amenable to His Highness. When I am done, if he has questions of you, then of course, you should answer them, but try to follow my lead, as they say."

"We will," responded Naoko.

"Very well." And he led them into the Royal Courtroom. Standing to the right of the Cat King was Prince Lune. To his left was Natoru. Natori walked in, with Princess Yuki in front, followed by the Baron, then Haru and her mother side-by-side.

"Your Highness," began Natori, "Princess Yuki, Baron Humbert von Gikkingen, Mrs. Yoshioka and Miss Haru have discussed the situation of her transition."

"Mmm hmm," he replied.

"Thanks to input from Mrs. Yoshioka, we have learned that the human world is far less advanced than the cat world."

"What?" Thought Naoko.

"As a result, in the human world, kitten hood takes a great deal longer than in the Cat Kingdom."

"Mmm," the King mused.

"Ah, I see what he's doing," she realized.

"Therefore, we learned that Haru, in her human form, is still a kitten, and needs to be with her mother for a little while still. Therefore, we recommend the creation of an amulet that would allow her to transition back and forth between the human realm and our realm, from her human form to her cat form, until she finishes her human kitten hood under the care and wise counsel of her mother."

There was a moment of silence while the King stroked his thick whiskers. He looked back and forth between Haru and Naoko.

"OK"

Naoko breathed a quiet sigh of relief!

"Thank you, Your Highness," said Natori. "I will get to work on the amulet."

"Sounds good, babe," he smiled.


A little while later, Natori met with the Prince, Yuki, the Baron, Naoko and Haru. He held in his hand the amulet. It was one half of a red, round semi-circle cats-eye stone mounted in a gold setting, hanging by a short chain from a collar. He put it around Haru's neck.

"It looks like the stone that the King has on his head," said Haru.

"It is of a similar nature," explained Natori, "and gives him kingly powers."

"How does it work?" She asked.

"You place your paw on it and give it a command; or your hand if you are in your human body. To change to human, you simply say 'human'; to change to cat, you say 'cat'. To open a portal you say 'portal' and to communicate you say 'communicate', and a communication window will open up."

"Let me try it right now!" She said excitedly.

"Uh, one thing to keep in mind, Haru: when you change from cat to human, you may want to be sure you have clothes nearby; he said in a matter-of-fact manner."

"Haru!" Scolded her mother.

"Oh!" And she stopped.

"Perhaps we should be on our way, Haru," said Naoko. "You have school in a day."

"Mrs. Yoshioka, may I ask a favor?" said the Baron.

"Of course!"

"Before you return to your world, would you mind terribly if Haru brought Toto and me to the Cat Bureau?"

"Oh, not at all! Haru?"

"How do I direct the amulet?" Haru asked Natori.

"Say: 'Portal, Cat Bureau' and a portal will open there."

"Let me get Muta and Toto," said the Baron. And after he left, Haru and her mother said their goodbyes to Yuki and the Prince.

"Goodbye, Yuki!" said Haru, hugging her, "I'll be back soon!"

"Farewell, Haru! I'll look forward to your communication."

She bowed to the Prince. "Goodbye, Your Highness. Let me know when the wedding is."

"We will make sure of it, Haru," he said, returning the bow. Naoko also made her farewells.

The Baron returned with Muta and Toto. "So? Is it time to go back already?" said Muta.

"Yes," said Haru, "Watch!" And touching her new amulet, she said "Portal, Cat Bureau". Instantly, a portal opened up, and through it, they saw The Baron's house!

"Well, that's pretty neat," said Toto.

"Shoulda used that the first time!" said Muta. And waving goodbye, they stepped through. As soon as everyone passed through, the portal closed.

"What a beautiful place!" said Haru's mother.

"Welcome to our world," said The Baron. "We're not that far from yours."

"No need for another portal?"

"Nah, I can show you the way," said Muta. "Follow me." And he started walking down the alley.

"Wait!" Said Naoko, "Shouldn't Haru transform into human first?"

"Uh, Mom, no clothes?" she smiled.

"Oh no!" Naoko did a facepalm. "You left your clothes back there!"

"That's OK! I'd kinda like to see our town from a cat's-eye view."

"Hey kid, it's not all it's cracked up to be," said Muta. "Like people sittin' on ya."

"I told you I was sorry!" She laughed.

"And Haru, remember, no walking on two legs," said the Baron. "Once you leave the Cat Bureau, all fours."

"Hey, Haru, something else," said Toto.

"What's that?"

"Notice anything different?"

"Different?"

"Look up."

Haru wasn't sure what he was referring to, until she looked up at her mother! "Aaah! Mom! You're huge!"

"She's not huge, silly! She's human-sized again! You're cat-sized."

"Hello down there!" Naoko waved.

"Uh, hi?" Waved Haru back.

Her mother chuckled. "OK, Muta, I think we're ready."

"Goodbye," said Toto. "I'll check in on you from time to time. Just don't swat me, OK?"

"I won't," laughed Naoko.

"Farewell," said The Baron, "the Cat Bureau will be here whenever you need it."

"C'mon, let's go already!" Said Muta, and headed down the alley. Mother and daughter followed behind.


Arriving at their house, they saw Hiromi.

"Mrs. Yoshioka! Hello! I tried calling you but you didn't answer your phone! Did you ever find Haru?" She looked down at the brown and white cat following her. "Oh! What a beautiful cat! Is it yours?" Haru walked up to Hiromi, meowed and circled her legs purring. She bent down and petted her. "Hello, kitty! Gorgeous eyes!"

"Yes, I found Haru, she'll be home soon. I'll have her call you. And Haru and I decided to adopt this cat; she is beautiful, isn't she?"

"What's her name?"

"I haven't decided yet. I think I'll let Haru name her," she winked.

Well, that's Chapter 2. Thanks for the reviews! I have some ideas where I'd like to take this story. Please by all means, if you have any thoughts or suggestions, let me know!

Haru can use her amulet to transform from human to cat, and can journey back and forth from her world to the Cat Kingdom. What kinds of adventures will she have? She'll be spending her teen years in the human world until she reaches the age of majority - which in Japan is 20, so she will have a foot - and a paw - in both for some time.

Thanks for reading! Please review.