Wanna Dance?
Haru was wondering round the castle halls. Her head was lowered as she thought of the problems that she had caused for her friends.
"It's not your fault you know," a voice said to her, startling her out of her thoughts. Turning she saw Natoru running up to her.
"What?" she asked waiting for him to catch up to her.
"I saw you...... In the royal hall.......... Thanks for waiting," Natoru said as he caught up to her, catching his breath. Haru nodded and gave him a smile as they both continued to walk along the halls.
"But like I said Miss Haru, it's not your fault, what happened that is," he repeated, Haru stopped and turned to look at Natoru.
"It's just so............ It's not fair, that all these people suffer because of me," said Haru in a sad tone.
"Yes, life does seem to go wrong for you often," Natoru said with a thoughtful look on his face, "But look on the bright side, so far everything has worked out well for you," said Natoru with a grin.
"That's true, if I never saved Yuki, I never would have save Lune and I never would have met Baron," Haru said as she thought about the conversation she and Baron had the other night.
"Right! And don't worry about Lune. He's a great king and many of the board members are loyal to him," he said, his gin still plastered on his face. Haru sighed, her eyes were sad.
"What's wrong?" Natoru asked, he didn't mean to upset the girl.
"It's nothing," Haru said giving him a sad smile.
"Oh, doesn't look like nothing," Natoru replied.
"I.....I just wish my mum were here, but Lock Jack..........he killed her," Haru said, becoming teary she looked away from Natoru.
"I'm sorry Miss Haru, I know what it's like to lose someone, my owner died a while back," said Natoru, his eyes became distant as he remembered.
"Owner?" Haru asked timidly.
"Yes, she was pretty, just like you........ She drowned on a river rafting trip, I didn't even get to say good bye," he finished sadly.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to upset you."
"Don't worry, it was a long time ago. I'll never forget her, and you won't forget your mum. You just have to keep living, have fun for the both of you," he said smiling to Haru. Haru smiled back at him before giving him a hug, Natoru blushed as she released him.
"Would you like to accompany me to the dinning hall?" Haru asked, she really liked Natoru, he was annoying yes, but he always did try to mean well.
"I wish I could Miss Haru, but I promised my cousin that I would meet him in the library," he replied, giving her a smile.
"Cousin?" asked Haru wearing a curious look.
"Yes, Natori," replied Natoru as he waddled off back the way he came. "Hm, I didn't know they were related," Haru thought.
"Bye Miss Haru!" Natoru called as he turned round the corner.
"Good bye!" Haru called back, feeling her spirits lifted. She smiled as she continued on with her journey to the dinning hall. Haru rolled her eyes as she heard a familiar argument.
"You all ready called me a birdbrain, you idiot."
"Oh yeah, well go fry yourself chicken."
"You already called me a chicken too; you got a fur ball in your brain."
"Come here and say that to my face you........."
"Honestly, can't you two go one day, without a fight," laughed Haru as she entered the room.
"Haru! You're looking happier," commented Toto.
"I feel happier," Haru said with a smile, as she made her way to the table. Muta smiled and nodded to Toto, Toto nodded back and turned to leave the hall. Suddenly a beautiful melody began to play, Haru got a dreamy look as she dreamt about her last dance with Baron.
"Hey kid, wanna dance?" asked Muta, offering Haru his paw. Haru giggled and nodded, standing up Muta led her to the dance floor. He twirled her around with excellent skill and was taking her through the routing box step.
"Whoa Muta, I never knew you could dance," said Haru, impressed with the large cat.
"Yeah, well don't get too used to this, I don't dance a lot," replied Muta. Muta smirked as he saw Toto silently re-enter the room along with someone else, at Toto's nod he twirled Haru across the room only for her to land in someone else's arms.
"Mind if I cut in?" an amused voice asked, Haru looked up and smiled as she saw the face of Baron, nodding enthusiastically, Baron began leading her through the dance.
Muta and Toto watched from the sidelines as Haru and Baron began to dance, they smirked to each other, watching as the two both moved in a dignified grace.
"I have to hand it to you Marshmallow, this was a really good idea," said Toto, still looking towards the elegant dance.
"Of course, all my idea's are brilliant," said Muta in a smug voice, Toto rolled his eyes, choosing to hold his tongue rather then ruin the moment for their two friends.
Haru forgot all her troubles, feeling safe in the arms of Baron. She giggled as Baron twirled her. As he pulled her back, Haru leant her head on his shoulder and Baron wrapped his arms around her waist, both were content in the moment. Baron smiled and kissed the top of Haru's head as she listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat, neither one seemed to have a care in the world.
Lune and Yuki entered the dinning hall, both smiled at the sight of their friends, Yuki leant her head on Lune's shoulder. She smiled at the peaceful looks Haru and Baron shared, this was the happiest she had seen them in days. Lune, squeezed Yuki's paw, making her look up towards him.
"Would you care to dance?" he asked her, a loving smile gracing his lips. Yuki smiled and nodded before the two began to grace the floor with their elegant dance. Haru smiled seeing Lune and Yuki take to the dance floor before returning her attention to the one holding her.
Hidden in the shadows of the side entrance, unseen by either dancers, stood an angry Ex-Cat King. His fur bristled with anger as he watched Haru and Baron, a scowl planted on his muzzle. He turned and stormed back to his room. He growled and began throwing around the furniture. He calmed down and looked around the room.
"What does a Babe like Haru see in a doll, when she could have a Babe like me?" he said as he kicked at the broken chair.
Haru was humming to the tune as she and Baron glided across the floor. Baron looked to Haru, both were looking into the others eyes as brown met green. Baron brought his head in close to Haru's. Their lips were mere inches apart.
BOOM!!!!
The music abruptly stopped as the couples pulled apart as the echo of an explosion, reverberated around the room.
"Sire!!! The village is being attack!!!" screamed Natoru as he entered the dinning hall. Haru, ran out of the dinning hall to the balcony, giving her full view of the village. What she saw brought tears to her eyes. A thick cloud of smoke rose above the hills. Haru turned and cried on Baron's shoulder when she felt his hand on her shoulder.
"Haru, stay here with Yuki," Baron said once she had calmed down, at her nod he smiled and turned to Toto.
"Toto, Muta!!" Shouted Baron as he jumped off of the balcony only to be caught by Toto before he could hit the ground, Toto flew back up to the balcony and grabbed Muta's out stretched paws, before flying towards the smoke. Haru watched as they became a mere speck in her eye line.
"Be careful," she whispered as they disappeared over the hill.
"Haru, Yuki, stay here. I must go and help the people," said Lune before he too made his exit, but not before Yuki pulled him in to one last hug. The girls turned back to look at the village, each praying for their friends to return safely.
"Your Highness, Miss Haru, I think maybe you should come inside," said Natoru as he pulled them away from the view. Smoke was still rising and in the distance, and screams could be heard. Haru cringed and covered her ears as she ran back into the dinning hall. "This is all my fault, it has to be Lock Jack," she thought, angry at the cat who had tormented her for the last couple of days.
Yuki came into the room and gave Haru a hug as she attempted to comfort her, knowing what the brunette was thinking.
"Haru, this is not your fault," she said in a soothing voice.
"Yeah right," came a voice from their sides, "Who else is Lock Jack after, that he would kill tons of innocent cats for?" Yuki scowled as the face of her father-in-law came into view. Haru hung her head in shame knowing that the old cat spoke the truth.
"Tell you what Babe, just between you and me. The Board of Cats, have come to an agreement. They're going to usurp the thrown and re-coronate me," the old cat said purring, Haru and Yuki both looked shocked before their facial expressions became somewhat appalled.
"They would never betray Lune," insisted Yuki as Haru squeezed her paw in support.
"That was before Lock Jack came around and Lune put the safety of his friend, before the safety of his people," he replied indicating to Haru.
"How dare you!! Lune is a great king, he never forgets his people and is thinking of his people when he insists that I stay here!" shouted Haru.
"Why, because of the gates of darkness business? Oh please Haru, don't tell me you actually believe that," the Ex-Cat King said with a laugh as he rolled his eyes. Yuki and Haru glowered at the old cat.
"You know, once I become king, I'll have to throw you out. That is unless, you become royalty," he said purring as he thought of the only way to make her royalty. Haru gulped knowing where he was heading with this already.
"So, if you wanna stay safe Haru, Babe, you'll have to marry me," he said with a smirk, Haru swallowed in order to keep her lunch from making a second appearance.
"I'll never marry you!" cried Haru as she recoiled in disgust. The old cat glared at her, his eyes became mad as he seethed with rage. Haru unconsciously took a step back at his gaze, Yuki stepped in front of Haru seeing her fear.
"That is enough, leave now, You have no right to do this to Haru," said Yuki, becoming protective of her friend. The Ex-Cat King laughed as the room filled with guards.
"Sorry babe. I'm in charge, take my daughter-in-law to the dungeon," he said with a laugh as he looked back to Haru, taking in her form he smiled. Haru gripped on to her friend only to be pulled off by one of the guards, she watched helplessly as Yuki was taken away.
"YUKI!" she screamed as she reached for her friend.
"HARU!" cried Yuki as she was dragged away.
Meanwhile outside the dinning hall unseen, Natoru turned to look at Natori, as they both shared a worried look.