Disclaimer: I do not own any aspect of "The Cat Returns." Those rights belong to Studio Ghibli.
Chapter 7
The attendants led Haru to a giant grand hall where the ball was to be held. They ended up on a balcony with gold railings and a marble floor covered by a red velvet carpet. On either side of the balcony, a marble staircase, also covered by red velvet carpet, led to the main floor.
Haru observed the ballroom. The walls and floors here were, for once, not made up of stones. The walls made of gold (at least inside they were) and elaborately decorated with carvings of cats. The floor was made of granite where the colors were dark on the edges but crimson in the middle. Black banners with golden edges hung from the ceiling with the side profile of a black cat with familiar silver eyes completing the design. A long white table with endless plates and bowls of gourmet food lined either side wall under the domineering presence of tall windows with scarlet curtains that were tied up to let the essence of night in the room. Candles among candles lined the walls and made the gold glow bright. Far on the opposite wall was a giant entrance for guests. A gray and white cat in black, 17th century attire and a black hat with a feather stood on the side of it, ready to announce the name of whatever guest entered the ballroom. Small multiple doors at the side walls were open for any guest wishing to sit under the night sky on the terrace.
"Mmm, you look ravishing, my dear," said the Duke's baritone voice as he climbed the top of the stairs to greet Haru, a hungry smirk on his face. To match Haru's outfit, he wore a black doublet that was slashed to reveal golden material beneath it. The wired collar that flourished from his neck was also golden. He wore his usual black breeches and boots. On his head, he wore a golden crown with his usual onyxes instead of his typically silver crown.
Haru replied to his comment with silence.
The Duke approached to stand at Haru's right. "Everything is ready for tonight. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.'
Hmph, I highly doubt it, Haru retorted in her mind.
The small band just below the balcony began to play music as the guests entered. Cats came in their best dress through the giant entrance though the announcer hadn't announced anyone yet. The room began to echo with chatter as friends and neighbors talked while waiting for the remainder of the guests to arrive.
"Who exactly is invited?" Haru inquired, observing the great amount of cats filling the ballroom.
"All the royal members of the Cat Kingdom and those employed by them," the Duke answered.
"Then why hasn't the announcer called out the names of the guests?"
"The announcer need only announce the royals. They are the only ones of some importance."
Jerk, Haru thought in her mind, glaring at the Duke from beneath her dark veil.
Haru stood, thankful no one could see her shifting her legs beneath her gown through the long wait, as the guests continued to enter. She did not pay attention to any of the names that were called by the announcer. The names went through one ear and out the other.
"How long do we have to stand here?" Haru asked, fighting the urge to whine for her legs that cried for movement.
"Until all the guests have arrived," the Duke said. "The announcer will let me know when they all have come."
Haru frowned. She didn't know how long this guest list was. She continued shifting her legs to keep them moving, not paying attention to the activity of the ballroom. She gazed off in a random direction, her mind on the Baron. The setting seemed all too familiar. Here she was in a grand room full of happiness and joy while she stood here against her will. She wondered when the dancing would begin. She wanted to look at all the couples waltzing across the floor. Most likely, she would be waltzing soon too. But it wouldn't be with Baron. He wouldn't be here to rescue her from this awful place. Haru let two fresh tears slip unseen beneath her veil as her heart was wrenched with longing…
"Presenting King Lune and Queen Yuki, rulers of the Cat Kingdom!"
Haru's head snapped up. Lune?! Yuki?! They're here?! she gasped in her head. Of course they're here, dummy. The Duke did say that all the royal members of the Cat Kingdom were invited. And so Lune and Yuki stood in the entrance, bowing and curtsying before the rest of the guests who clapped and mumbled to each other in excitement at the lovely couple. The two of them rose to reveal their spectacular outfits. Lune wore an embroidered, sky blue, pinked doublet and an ornate golden, pointed crown. Yuki looked darling in her sugar pink, satin dress with a tight bodice and matching petticoat. She wore a golden tiara on her head and continued to wear her trademark blush-colored bow around her neck. Haru took a moment to smile at the happy couple and how beautiful they looked on this night.
If only I could say 'hi' to them without them recognizing me…Haru wished, frowning.
A few more guests arrived before the band finally stopped and the guests turned their attention to Haru and the Duke on the balcony.
"My friends!" the Duke projected. "It is not often that I have balls or celebrations of any kind. But tonight is a special night for I come before you to announce that I have found a bride."
Gasps and mutters quietly echoed throughout the hall.
"This lovely chaton next to me is to be my wife and the Duchess of this castle!" the Duke exclaimed triumphantly, evoking a wave of applause from the audience.
"I have organized this ball to celebrate our engagement. And so, my dear guests, enjoy!"
Another applause rolled through as the orchestra began playing a moderato waltz. The Duke took Haru's paw and together they descended to the floor. The other cats watched as they walked to the center of the floor and turned to face each other. Haru gulped and hoped she could follow the Duke's steps. Haru placed one paw on his shoulder and the other in his raised paw. The Duke took began to lead her and Haru tried her best not to stumble. Luckily, any mistake she made was hidden beneath her gown. The other couples joined in once they had started dancing. Haru did her best to follow the three beats of the waltz but was overcome with disgust at having to touch and dance with this deceptive cur. She had to look past the Duke's face to make it look like she was looking at him.
When the waltz was over, there were claps and the couples bowed and curtsied to each other. The Duke led Haru off of the dance floor so they could chat with the other guests. Haru faked smiles one by one as guests came up to congratulate their engagement.
The dreaded moment came when Lune and Yuki approached the Duke and Haru. Haru gulped, hoping they wouldn't recognize her beneath the veil.
"Duke," Lune addressed, bowing before the Duke with Yuki curtsying at his side.
"Your Majesty, I'm so glad you could make it," said the Duke, hiding a sneer. Haru could notice he was and wasn't trying to play nice.
"Congratulations on your engagement," said Lune.
"We are very happy for you," said Yuki, giving a small smile.
"Yes, thank you," said the Duke, returning the smile with an awkward one of his own.
"As you know, it is custom for the king to dance with the bride," Lune said. "I would like to fulfill this tradition if I may, Duke."
Haru gulped again. Oh no…Duke, say no…please say no…she found herself thinking.
"As long as you don't exploit this tradition like your father," the Duke said with a smile on his face.
"Ah, what a memory," Yuki commented, shaking her head with disapproval. Haru got the mental image of the ex Cat King with his creepy eyes on Yuki as he danced with her. She shivered at the thought.
"Of course not," said Lune, chuckling. "I will treat your bride with utmost respect." Lune turned to Haru and extended his paw. "Shall we?"
Haru nodded reluctantly and placed her paw in his offered one. Another moderato waltz began to play as Haru put her free paw on Lune's shoulder and they began to dance.
"I hope you and the Duke are happy together," said Lune, giving her a small smile.
Haru gave a nervous laugh and replied, "Yes. Thank you." She took a moment to look away from him, her eyes looking downward. She was still hoping he wouldn't recognize her.
Lost in her thoughts, she looked up suddenly when Lune gave a gasp of pain. Haru realized a little too late that she had stepped on his hind paw.
"No! I'm so sorry! I'm a meowsy dancer!" Haru apologized quickly, looking up at him with alarmed eyes. She cursed herself for saying 'meowsy.' She was beginning to talk like a cat again!
"It's all right," said Lune, smiling in reassurance. "No harm do—"
Lune's smile faltered when Lune began to gape at Haru midsentence. Haru gulped again. Please don't recognize me…PLEASE don't recognize me…
"Haru?!" Lune gasped, low enough so the other guests couldn't hear.
Haru winced. He recognized me!!
"You're the Duke's fiancée?! What in the world are you doing in the Cat Kingdom?!" Lune asked quietly, his mismatched eyes wide in horror.
"I can explain…" Haru said quietly.
Lune raised his head to look around the ballroom. He spotted Yuki near one of the tables of food, chatting with some other female cats. Yuki turned and met eyes with Lune who nodded his head in the direction of the terrace. The joyful smile was wiped off her face as she excused herself from them. When the waltz ended, Lune and Haru quickly bowed and curtsied to each other.
"Come with me," said Lune, motioning for Haru to follow him.
Haru followed him through the crowds of guests and dancing couples to a doorway to one of the terraces. The cool night breeze hit them as they entered the ambiance of the evening. Yuki turned from her place by the railing to go meet them.
"What's the matter, Lune?" Yuki inquired.
"It's Haru," Lune said, turning to Haru who was bowing her head in embarrassment.
"Haru?! Is that really you?!" Yuki gasped, trying to peek through the dark veil.
Haru looked around to see if anyone else was watching before she threw back the veil to reveal her slightly furry, tan face. "Yeah, it's me," she admitted sadly. "You two look wonderful."
"Oh my goodness!" Yuki said, throwing her arms around her. "It's been two years."
"How did you recognize me, Prince—er, King Lune?" Haru asked over Yuki's shoulder.
"Please, Haru, just call me Lune," Lune corrected. "When your head was bent I thought I saw hair. But when I saw your eyes, they were still slightly human. I'd recognize your brown eyes anywhere."
Yuki removed her arms from Haru and stepped back. "What in the world are you doing here, Haru?"
"It's a long story…" Haru replied weakly, repeatedly wishing this wasn't happening.
"Please let us hear it," said Lune.
Haru sighed and tentatively summarized, "Basically, the Duke captured me and is forcing me to marry him. He wants to lure Baron here since he's the only one who can stop the Duke from taking over the human world."
"Taking over the human world?!" Yuki repeated, her dazzling blue eyes widening in horror.
"I can't believe him…" Lune said through gritted teeth, peering inside the ballroom at the Duke through one of the windows. "I knew something was up with him. He has committed great crimes by doing this! Kidnapping a human…not to mention the giant treason he's created by daring to break the delicate balance between the Cat Kingdom and the human world and not informing me of such intentions." He turned back to Haru. "I will not allow this to go on in my kingdom. I will punish the Duke for his injustice, Haru, I promise!"
Haru nodded weakly, not sure how to respond to Lune's determination.
"Darling," Yuki said, turning to Lune, "we must hurry and tell Baron what is happening."
"Yes, I agree," said Lune, nodding in agreement.
"No!" Haru protested in despair, causing Lune and Yuki to turn to her in confusion.
"But why not, Haru?" Yuki asked. "Baron must know what's going on."
"The Duke will kill Baron if he comes here," Haru said, trying to keep back tears again. "I'm the bait to lure Baron here. You can't bring him here! I'll never be able to forgive myself if…" Haru couldn't say the next words. Instead, she began to shake with sobs.
"Oh, Haru…" Yuki said sympathetically.
"I am begging the both of you…" Haru struggled to continue, "please don't bring Baron here…"
Yuki and Lune exchanged worried glances. Lune pondered for a moment and finally said, "All right, Haru. But I will not stand for the Duke's actions. I will punish him for his injustices."
"If you must, do it after the wedding," said Haru. "I'm to marry him tomorrow."
Lune nodded.
"Haru, you can't seriously be going through with this!" Yuki said. "There must be a way to get you out of this situation! I know you're worried about Baron but you out of all people should know how strong he is. He won't submit to the Duke."
"There isn't a way out, Yuki," Haru said. "The Duke is powerful. I've seen it. He transformed one of his cats into Baron and tortured him right in front of me. I don't know what he can do to Baron and I don't wanna bring him here and find out. There's nothing I can do but play his game. I'll do whatever it takes to keep Baron, Muta, and Toto safe, even if that means sacrificing what I want."
Yuki and Lune gazed upon Haru with sadness in their eyes.
"I really must get back to him," said Haru. "I'm so happy to see you two again. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other since I'm to become a duchess."
Yuki hugged Haru tightly. "It was good to see you too." She withdrew from the embrace and put a paw to Haru's cheek. "Don't lose hope, Haru."
"We will find a way to get you out of this without anyone getting hurt," Lune reassured.
"Thank you," Haru said. She curtsied before them, threw her veil back over her face, and was gone in a hurry.
Lune and Yuki stood on the terrace for a long time, their thoughts troubled about Haru. They went inside and pretended to enjoy the ball. The guests began leaving when the clock struck 10 o'clock at night in the human world. While the guests left in excited chatter, Lune and Yuki journeyed back to their castle in disturbed silence.
"I don't feel at all safe leaving Haru here with the Duke," Yuki confessed to her love.
"I know. Neither do I, Yuki," Lune replied.
"What should we do?" Yuki asked. "I want to respect Haru's wishes but I'm sure there's a way to save her if we just try. I'm sure the Baron would be able to do something."
Lune pondered for a moment. "I want to respect Haru's wishes but I know there must be a way to save her. The Duke has only been so powerful relatively recently. If we can find out why, then we can strip him of his power. Baron will be able to help us and you and I both know how much he cares for Haru. We'll tell him to come to our castle."
Yuki nodded. "I only hope things go in our favor."
"We must try," said Lune, closing his eyes and rubbing his cheek affectionately against his queen's lovely white one. She closed her eyes and let a loving purr tremble in her throat as she nestled his cheek back.
The two of them enjoyed each other's presence for now, knowing that they must get down to some horrible business when they reach the castle.
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Author's Notes: Whew! Couldn't stop writing this one! I really wonder if I should write slower just to see the reactions I get to each chapter but I get so excited every time I finish a new chapter :) I'm thankful that I've gotten nothing but positive reviews on the story (and I'm hoping it stays that way).
So yeah…don't actually have much to say this time around xD
Thanks to chee-wit, Lunamoon12, YarningChick, EarthGurdian, and chocolatecheese08 for reviewing after the last update! And, seeing the outcome of this chapter, even I'm finally glad to bring our friends at the Bureau into the next chapter :D You don't know how long I've been waiting to write about them again. Stick around!
