Chapter 2

Haru studied her living room for a second, before sighing in satisfaction and falling on her couch.

"You'd think after all this time, since you moved in here, you'd be done setting things up" said a voice from the kitchen.

Haru rolled her eyes playfully and called back.

"You know very well that it takes me forever to set things up, mom."

Naoko came into the living room chuckling, and then took a seat next to her daughter.

Haru and Naoko looked around the living room admiring it.

The walls were painted Robin's Egg blue and the bedrooms were painted a light green. The furniture was very cozy and welcoming, which closely resembled the bureau's furniture. Pictures hung on the wall of Haru's graduation, from her childhood, and family group photo's. There were also some decorations all around the place that screamed feminine. The inside of her home resembled an old English cottage.

Naoko shook her head slowly, smiling softly.

"Where you got your taste of furniture... I'll never know."

Haru giggled and continued to scan the room.

Naoko sighed and stood up from the couch.

"Well, we are officially done with your house. How do you feel?"

"Like..." Haru paused for a moment.

"Like...my life's going to take a whole new turn. That I'm going to be a whole different person after this..."

Naoko looked at Haru with a surprised expression.

"Wow... wasn't really expecting a reply like that..." said Naoko smiling slightly.

"Well, it's true..." Haru said.

"That's exactly how I feel..."

Naoko stood there silently.

'She's nervous... that it's finally official... that her house is finally done. That she's going to live on her own now. That she is finally an adult...' thought Naoko.

Naoko walked over to Haru and put a hand on her cheek.

"You know, you could have stayed with me. It's not like I forced you out... you could always come back..." Naoko said giving Haru a warm smile.

Haru smiled in reply.

"No...I want to do this... I couldn't just stay with you forever. It's about time that I start my future and move forward." Haru replied.

Naoko smiled and turned to the clock on Haru's wall.

"It's getting late, I should probably get home now." said Naoko reluctantly.

Haru nodded in agreement.

"Call me if you need anything..." said Naoko.

"Kay..." replied Haru.

With that Naoko went to the front door of the house and left.

Haru lied down on her couch, reality crashing down on her.

'Guess I better get used to the fact of living alone...' Haru thought looking out the living room window at the orange sky, revealing that it was dusk.

'Maybe I should get a bird or a dog...' thought Haru smiling a little.

Haru pushed off the idea of getting a cat since she could talk to cats, and the whole thing would be awkward for her again, that's why she would prefer another animal.

'Then again if I got a cat it would make it less lonely around here.' thought Haru.

Haru groaned in irritation as she buried her face into the armrest.

Suddenly Haru heard a tapping sound at her window.

Haru lifted her head and turned her attention to the window.

'Oh...it's that time of the day again...' Haru smiled while getting up and making her way to the window.

The closer she got, the better she could see her fat friend waiting for her on the other side of the window.

Finally she reached the window and opened it.

"Hey Muta" Haru said.

Muta made his way inside.

"Hey Chicky"

"Come for some more of that Strawberry Rhubarb pie I made?" asked Haru. 'Boy…I've never met a cat or anyone who has such a sweet tooth than Muta' Haru thought to herself.

Muta looked eagerly at Haru.

"Yes-!" Muta said but stopped halfway embarrassed of his eagerness.

"Well there's another reason why I'm here..." said Muta looking out the window, looking at something outside.

Puzzled, Haru followed his gaze out the window and gasped softly.

In the sky, headed towards them, was a big familiar crow heading right towards the window and holding a box in his beak.

"Toto!" Haru smiled brightly at the crow.

"Hello Haru, so nice to see you again, after all this time." Haru heard Toto call out to her, before landing on the windowsill facing them.

"I missed you Toto." Haru said smiling at her old friend.

Before Haru could continue her reunion, her eyes went wide when she saw something come from behind Toto.

Next to Toto stood, the wooden figurine, Baron Humbert von Gikkingen, in the flesh. (A/N: or wood… xD)

Haru couldn't say anything. She could barely breathe.

Baron smiled up at Haru and tipped his hat.

"Hello, Ms. Haru..."

OOO

"No way! They invited me to their wedding?!" Haru asked.

Baron smiled at Haru, moving his cup of tea, from his furry lips.

"Yes, as an honored guest."

"Well I'm honored." Haru said.

Baron took another sip of his tea before scanning around the house in awe.

"You have done a lovely job of decorating, Haru." said Baron.

Haru blushed and chuckled.

"Thank you..."

Muta snorted.

'Chicky got her sense of style from Baron. Of course he would like it' he thought rolling his eyes.

Toto snickered, as if he was reading Muta's thoughts.

Baron and Haru however, were not aware whatsoever of what Toto and Muta were doing, they were in their own little world.

'My, Ms. Haru has gotten much lovelier' thought Baron.

'I still can't believe Baron's here! He hasn't changed a bit...literally' thought Haru giggling to herself.

"Oh, I forgot to add, Yuki asked in the letter, if you could stop by at the palace soon because they have a variety of gowns that they would like you to try on if you'd like." Baron said.

Haru thought for a moment.

'I don't really own anything at the moment that would be suitable for a wedding. Maybe I should go.'

"Yes I'd like to. But when do I go and how?"

Muta smirked.

"The same way you came to the kingdom before."

Haru shuddered at the thought of riding those cats again all the way to the Cat Kingdom. It was like riding a rollercoaster, but without being strapped in.

Toto glared at Muta.

"Don't tease her Muta..." Toto said glaring subtly at Muta, then turning to Haru.

"You will be riding with me."

Haru's eyes widen slightly.

"I'll be riding you?"

Baron catching Haru's confusion added.

"You will be shrunken temporarily, and as for when you go, Yuki said anytime this week would be fine."

Haru nodded at Baron and looked down at her tea. Thoughts of the pass hours, with her mother and herself, redecorating went through Haru's mind.

"Do you think...that it's best to move forward, with my future...?" Haru whispered.

Muta, Toto, and Baron looked up at Haru.

"What was that?" they said in union.

Haru snapped out of her trance and showed them a reassuring smile.

"Oh it's nothing." Haru said putting the cup of tea to her mouth.

Baron studied Haru silently, concern filling his heart for her.

'Ms. Haru...'