A/N: And here, Meku and Meki try to look for the Cat Bureau while Haru embraces more of her changes into a cat. :)
The Cat Returns: Haru the Princess of Cats
Chapter 3: Sisters Reunited; The Transformation Progresses
Sometime later, Haru was now going through another change.
"Meow, this is kinda fun watching my humanity drift away and becoming what I was meant to be. Though, walking on two paws is actually more difficult than I thought.", Haru spoke just before the bump above her patootie grew bigger, becoming a nub at first and then growing longer.
"Meow, I think I know what's happening. My tail must be growing. Purr purr, oh! and now my legs feel weird, too. They must be turning into my hind legs.", Haru guessed as her tail grew and her legs changed.
"Oh, yes! Grow, tail, grow. Goodbye human legs and hello hind legs.", Haru meowed in pleasure as she was eventually confined to a permanent position of walking on four legs, causing her to fall onto all fours, just before two long hairs on both side of her face grew out giving her whiskers.
"Aw. Meow, I have whiskers now. Oh, they're so beautiful.", Haru sighed in awe.
Meanwhile, Meki and Maku were walking around the city in the Crossroads, looking for the white cat.
"Find the Cat Bureau... Never heard of a Cat Bureau.", Meku spoke.
"Yeah, that's the first I've ever heard about it, too.", Meki agreed.
"The voice said to look for the white cat around this area. Who knows? Maybe he's nice like the voice that spoke to us.", Meku guessed as they approached the tables and chairs in the middle of the city outside a restaurant.
"Well, all I know is that today's been a really long, weird day. I definitely need a break.", Meki responded as she set her stuff down on a chair before she then started to sit down, only to hear a groaning sound upon sitting down.
When she did, she exclaimed in surprise and sat back up immediately.
"What in the heck was that?!", Meki exclaimed before the source of the sound perked up and turned slightly with a glare.
"Hey, you big fatso! What was the big idea scaring me like that, huh?!", Meki exclaimed.
"Wait a second, Meki. That's the white cat we're looking for.", Meku realized, surprising her sister.
"What? That's the big white cat?", Meki asked in a bit of surprise.
"I am so sorry for sitting on you like that. I had no idea you were sitting there.", Meki apologized profusely.
"Look. We need to find the Cat Bureau. Someone told us to ask you where it is.", Meku whispered as the act only turned to them with a sort of glare without even saying a word.
Then, the two decided to take their leave.
"Sorry. Guess we have the wrong cat.", Meki spoke as she got her stuff back up before the cat sat up and spoke.
"Wait, I'll show you two.", the cat spoke somewhat solemnly.
"Really?", Meki spoke in surprise before the cat then headed out, intending for them to follow.
"Hey, wait a minute! Slow down!", Meku shouted as she and Meki ran.
As they did, though, they went all across the alleyways and even toward the tops of the sunroofs.
"Uh, isn't there an easier way?", Meku puzzled.
"Hey, come on! I guess I shouldn't have called him fatso because he seems pretty spry for a cat his size.", Meki commented as the two sisters caught up and followed him out the narrow passage, down the staircase, down the road, into yet another narrow space, and eventually, a sort of villa with small buildings up ahead as the two even noticed the cat standing on his hind legs before then venturing further into the center of town just as the sun was starting to set.
When they saw him again, they noticed the white cat getting out some kind of folded-up newspaper from the mailbox, opening it, and the sitting down to read it.
"So..., this is the Cat Bureau, right?", Meku asked to the white cat.
"Well, what do you think?", the cat asked before he continued reading as Meku and Meki eventually noticed a small cat that is fully dressed (including a top hat and shoes).
"Whoa...! I think we already are there.", Meku spoke in wonder before the light from the sun started to shine on the windows, reflecting the light towards the house that the cat was reading a newspaper in front of.
"Hey, Baron, knock it off. Nobody's impressed with your cheesy light show, okay?", the cat commented.
Then, as soon as the sun had set, the lights disappeared while a few lights turned on (2 outside the house and 1 inside) before out stepped the small cat to see the two human girls towering above him before taking off his top hat.
"Good evening. Welcome to the Bureau.", the small cat known as Baron greeted before Meku and Meki walked over to him.
"Wow. You're cool.", Meki spoke.
"Thank you. In case you haven't noticed, you are now in a world quite different from your own. This is a refuge fro creations. Whenever someone creates something, with all of their heart, then that creation is given a soul, you see. Like me and Toto, there.", Baron responded before a stone raven glowed and then started to move, no longer a stone statue, stunning the two.
"Uh, is that...?", Meki asked as Meku gasped.
"That is Toto. The stone statue with a soul.", Baron responded.
"I see you have a couple of visitors today, Baron. How unusual.", Toto spoke.
"Indeed. They're quite fetching ones, too.", Baron responded as he put the top hat back on.
"Did he say 'Baron'?", Meku asked.
"Hold on. The white cat said it, too.", Meki realized.
"I am Baron Humbert von Gikkingen. The artisan who created me gave me that title.", Baron explained.
"Huh. I guess we'll just call you Baron, then.", Meki grinned.
"So, let's get down to business. You two say you're having a bit of trouble with those cats from the cat kingdom?", Baron asked.
"Uh, yeah. That's right. Just yesterday, our sister Haru, and we saved Prince Lune and his two brothers from a truck and ever since then, the Cat Kingdom won't stop trying to repay us.", Meku explained.
"I see.", Baron spoke.
The white cat, on the other hand, wasn't quite as understanding as he put his newspaper away and got off his chair.
"Huh. Serves you right. Thought you'd helped the poor kitties, did you? You should've minded your own business, ladies.", the white cat scolded.
"Muta, what in the world is your problem? These two girls saved one of your own kind. You should be grateful, you idiot.", Toto scolded as she flew above Muta and then landed on top of a roof on the small house.
"Idiot? Now, they're in trouble for it, aren't they? So, they were stupid. That's all I'm sayin'.", Muta responded.
"Hey, who are you calling stupid?! And here I was going to give you some fish, but if you're going to be like that, I might as well not give you any now!", Meki scolded, shocking Muta while puzzling Meku.
"Fish? Well never mind what I said. I'll have some of that.", Muta grinned.
"Not until you apologize for calling us stupid.", Meki spoke, peeving Muta just as much as she was before he sighed.
"All right. I'm sorry I called you two stupid.", Muta sighed.
"There. Now, was that so hard?", Meki spoke as she then handed Muta the fish.
"So, where did you come across them, Muta?", Baron asked.
"At the crossroads. Somehow, they knew about the Cat Bureau.", Muta responded before eating some.
"Well, that's because someone told us about it. We couldn't get a good look at them, though, if not any look at all. We only heard a voice.", Meku responded.
"A voice?", Baron puzzled.
"You're hearing voices? Check yourselves into a looney bin. Don't bother us with your mental bra...!", Muta began before Toto then scraped against Muta's head slightly with his talons.
"Knock it off!", Muta shouted.
"You knock it off! Quit being so catty.", Toto urged.
"Don't try that again!", Muta shouted before getting attacked again.
"You guys, we can just leave. We don't want to cause any trouble.", Meku assured as Toto and Muta argued.
"I didn't get your names.", Baron spoke.
"Uh, Meku. It's Meku. And this is my sister, Meki.", Meku introduced.
"Well, Ms. Meku and Ms. Meki, please. Step into the Bureau.", Baron insisted.
"Quit that!", Muta shouted.
"Curiosity killed the cat. Flea bag!", Toto exclaimed before scraping against Muta again.
"Stop it! That hurts!", Muta shouted.
"At least I don't lick off my own hair and then swallow it!", Toto retorted.
"Come along, now. Don't worry about them.", Baron insisted as Meku and Meki looked back at the scuffle.
"Try that again, chicken wings.", Muta dared only to get attacked again.
"Can't you tell the difference between a chicken and a crow?", Toto asked.
"Of course, I can. I'm not the birdbrain here.", Muta retorted.
"Well, at least I don't look like a giant marshmallow.", Toto retorted.
"Oh, yeah? Well, then, at least I don't have a birdbrain.", Muta retorted.
"You already said that, you idiot!", Toto exclaimed.
"I did?! All right, then go fry yourself, you big chicken!", Muta exclaimed.
"You already called me a chicken, too. You got a hairball in your brain!", Toto exclaimed just as Meki and Meku followed Baron inside and saw the beautiful interior of the house.
"This looks close.", Meku commented as she tried to go in next after Meki.
"Wow! This place is beautiful.", Meki grinned.
"Sit wherever you like. Make yourselves at home.", Baron insisted.
"Thanks.", Meku thanked.
"Milk with your tea or lemon?", Baron asked.
"Milk, please.", Meku responded, inadvertently closing the right door next to her in the process.
"Good choice.", Baron responded.
"Lemon for me, please.", Meki requested before Meku opened the right door and then stood up.
"You have great taste, Baron.", Meku grinned.
"Here you are.", Baron spoke, holding out the tea for her and Meki.
"Thank you.", Meku spoke before picking up both the teacup and the dish as Meki did the same for hers.
"Aw. How cute.", Meku grinned.
"That's my own personal blend of tea. It's a little different each time, so I can't guarantee the taste.", Baron spoke before Meku drank her tea and swallowing it.
"Wow. That's the best tea I've ever tasted.", Meku grinned.
"Then, you're lucky.", Baron grinned.
"Meku, that's the only cup of tea you've tasted.", Meki retorted before trying a sip form hers.
"But this tea isn't half-bad, either.", Meki added before Muta and Toto walked in.
"Just tastes like boiled grass to me.", Muta responded, closing the door behind him.
"Tea is too refined for your crude taste buds.", Toto retorted.
"At least I don't eat worms!", Muta retorted.
"Will you guys just let it go already?', Meki sighed.
"Muta, why don't you have a seat kindly tell us what you know about the Kingdom of Cats, please?", Baron asked.
"It's a dangerous place. You shouldn't set foot in there if you don't believe in yourself.", Muta responded.
"That's a very good point.", Baron agreed.
"Well, after we saved Prince Lune, Haru left with the other cats to the Cat Kingdom. Who knows what's going on with her now? And that's not the worst part. Not only would they drag us here, they're going to try to marry me with Lune.", Meku responded.
"So, why don't you do it, kids? You'll be set for life.", Muta grinned.
"But that's not what we want. Not like this.", Meki retorted.
"What? It might not be all that bad.", Muta grinned.
"That's ridiculous.", Toto responded.
"They won't know 'til they try it.", Muta spoke.
"But we don't want to try it! We want to stay free!", Meki retorted.
"Now, then. I have always entertained the idea of paying a visit to the Kingdom of Cats. Sounds like now's the time.", Baron responded.
"Have a nice trip, Baron. Hope you make it back someday.", Muta spoke.
"You're coming with me.", Baron spoke.
"Nah. I'll pass. But thanks for thinking of me.", Muta refused.
"Baron, you're not gonna take them there, are you?", Toto asked.
"We can't leave them unprotected. But if Muta wants to stay here, he can keep an eye on them. Hm?", Baron suggested.
"No way! You can't leave 'em here! I'm not babysitting.", Muta refused.
"Why? Are you busy at the moment?", Baron asked.
"Not really.", Muta responded.
"Listen. We'll just go home.", Meku spoke, puzzling Baron and Muta.
"What?", Toto added.
"I'm sorry. We didn't mean to cause you so much trouble. Muta's right. It's our fault we got involved with those cats in the first place.", Meku apologized.
"But Meku, are you sure?", Meki asked.
"Yes. We'll figure something out.", Meku responded.
"Well, then. So sorry the Cat Bureau couldn't be of any help to you.", Baron spoke before Muta growled.
"All right! All right!", Muta shouted, puzzling Meku and Meki.
"Huh?", Meku puzzled.
"I'll watch the little babies.", Muta assured.
"Good kitty.", Toto grinned with Muta glaring at him.
"Then, it's all settled. You two can stay right here with Muta.", Baron spoke.
"You sure?", Meku asked.
"Oh, don't you worry about Muta. He likes to complain a lot, but actually, he has a heart of gold.", Baron spoke before Muta scoffed.
"Oh. That makes sense.", Meku spoke in understanding.
"So, basically, he's a big softie.", Meki smirked.
"You could say that.", Baron responded before Muta sighed.
"And this is the thanks I get...", Muta sighed.
"Thank you for your help, Moo-ta.", Meku responded before gasping upon realizing what was just said aloud.
"What?! MOO?! Are you saying that I'm a fat cow?!", Muta exclaimed.
"No, it's just you're fat. Oh! Uh...", Meku responded before Toto chuckled at the scene.
"I like this girl more every minute.", Toto grinned before Muta stood up with a huff.
"I'M OUTTA HERE!", Muta shouted.
"That's too bad, because I was just going to get out some Angel Fruit cake I have in the cupboard.", Baron responded.
"Where in the Cupboard?", Muta asked as he went toward the cupboard.
"Uh, it's in the upper right shelf.", Baron responded as he followed after Muta to help him get out the cake.
"Why didn't you say so?", Muta asked as he opened the cupboard.
"I believe our guests deserve a proper afternoon tea.", Baron spoke as he set the cake down.
"This calls for some of my special mulberries.", Toto spoke before flying off from the balcony.
"You're too much, Baron. A tea Party and everything? Is there any way we can help?", Meku asked.
"Yes, there is something. What I need you two to do is to learn just one thing: always believe in yourself. Do this and no matter where you are, you will have nothing to fear.", Baron responded before Meku and Meki nodded.
"Baron! Hey! Give me a hand with this whipped cream.", Muta urged.
"You're going all-out.", Baron spoke.
"Better believe it.", Muta responded.
"Who knows? Maybe this is the world I belong in.", Meku grinned.
"I don't know about that. But I can see what you mean.", Meki responded before there was a knock on the door.
"Hey. Is that Toto?", Meku asked.
"I don't know. if it was him, he'd fly over to the balcony.", Meki responded before her sister opened the door and only saw the same cat from several hours earlier.
"It's time to go to our kingdom, you two.", the cat spoke.
"Not you again!", Meki exclaimed before several cats burst in and circled around the two causing them to fall on top of said cats just as Baron and Muta noticed.
"Skip the tea.", Baron spoke before he and Muta rushed after them just as Meki was the first to get dragged away, albeit with some resistance.
"Come on...!", Meki exclaimed as she tried hold on as best she could only for her grip to slip with Meku trying the same thing.
"Oh, don't let them take us away, please!", Meku begged before she and her sister were dragged off just as Toto arrived.
"Baron! Baron! A bunch of cats are headed this way!", Toto shouted before noticing that he was too late.
"Oh, no.", Toto spoke.
"A little late, birdbrain!", Muta scolded as he ran off after the girls.
"Toto, give me a lift.", Baron spoke before climbing up to join Toto.
Meanwhile, Meku and Meki were dragged away by the cats all across the alleyways.
"We had a hard time finding you.", the cat spoke.
"We wanna get off!", Meku exclaimed.
"What?", the cat puzzled before the cats turned left, causing Meku to tip backwards with the cat then stopping her from falling backwards.
"Careful, Ms. Meku.", the cat warned before Meki grabbed the cat by the back and lifted him up, also shaking him around.
"Stop these cats, you jerk! We want to get off and we want to do that now!", Meki shouted.
"Don't worry. You're just having some pre-wedding jitters, that's all.", the cat responded.
"NO, WE'RE NOOOOT!", Meki shouted, making the cat shiver with fright.
Meanwhile, Toto, Baron, and Muta followed after the girls as best they could.
"They could've waited 'til after we had cake.", Muta panted before he was suddenly lifted up by Toto and shouted as Meki pinched and stretched the cat's cheeks in anger.
"Ow! Quit that! Let me go! Stop it! That hurts!", Muta shouted.
"They're coming for us!", Meku spoke with hope while Meki looked puzzled.
"I said let me go!", Muta shouted.
"Okay, Toto. Now!", Baron shouted before Toto flung Muta off with a chuckle.
"Hey, I take it back!", Muta exclaimed as he fell before the cats only moved around, prompting Muta to fall flat on the ground.
"How could you let him fall like that?! You cats are the worst!", Meki exclaimed as she pinched even harder.
"You're gonna regret that!", Muta exclaimed before he lunged and landed on top of the cats.
"Muta!", Meku spoke with joy as she helped him up while Meki glared at the brown cat.
"You're just lucky he's all right.", Meki glared before letting go of his cheeks.
"Ow... But we're over the weight limit.", the cat spoke before a portal appeared on the wall.
"Toto!", Baron urged.
"I see it.", Toto responded before he dove downward with the cats dragging Meku and Meki away going through it before Toto and Baron followed just before the portal closed.
Play Ferdinand J. Smith Music: "HBO 1982 Theme"
Meanwhile, another portal opened just behind the billboard with Baron and Toto following the cats in hot pursuit before said cats went down the side of a building, literally, making Maku panic with a frightened scream while Meki was surprised as Baron and Toto followed them, flying downwards.
"Oh, let us off this thing!", Meku shouted in fright.
"Uh, I don't think that's a good idea right now, Meku.", Meki responded before the girls went through the portal as Toto and Baron followed with the portal on the ground closing before a bystander was only able to see the glistening stars upon turning around.
Then, a portal appeared on the side of a bridge before the cats, along with Meku, Meki, and Muta, burst out from it with Baron and Toto following soon after, flying thorugh the trees.
"Outmaneuvered... Get above the trees.", Baron urged.
"Right.", Toto agreed before ascending upwards just in time to see the cats go through one last portal before it closed on them.
"Now what?", Toto asked before the stars left behind started going up and then moving forward.
"Looks like they're riding the wind. Follow those lights.", Baron urged.
"Got it.", Toto responded before the two followed the lights up until they arrived at a sort of giant, paw-print shaped lake just as the stars finally vanished.
"That's it.", Baron spoke as he and Toto looked down toward the lake.
End Ferdinand J. Smith Music: "HBO 1982 Theme"
Meanwhile, Meku and Meki got back up in slight pain.
"Ow... That hurt.", Meku groaned.
"Tell me about it. I feel like I have a sore back and I'm not even old yet. Where are we, anyway?", Meki agreed before the two looked around at the foggy landscape.
"Yeah. We can't see a thing.", Meku added before the fog cleared up some, revealing Muta, who is now bigger (in height) than before.
"Muta? What happened?", Meku asked.
"Yeah, you're huge.", Meki added.
"No, kiddos, you got smaller.", Muta responded.
"Really? Why's that?", Meku asked.
"Because we're here, that's why.", Muta responded before the fog cleared up to show a sort of royal palace from far away with a portal just above it, touched only by the highest spire on the castle, surrounded by a pond.
"Wow... That's the kingdom of cats?", Meki spoke in awe.
"It looks so beautiful...", Meku added with a grin.
A moment afterward, the two sisters noticed a couple of cats as one of them got out of the house while another presented to her a ring of flowers before placing them on her head only for both to get svared off the moment they caught sight of Meku and Meki.
"Wow. There are cats all over the place.", Meku spoke in wonder.
"What did you expect? It is their kingdom.", Muta responded before Meku ran off.
"Hey, you!", Muta shouted before Meku only did a somersault and landed on the grass just as a white cat with a pink bowtie appeared and grew worried before running down the hill.
Meanwhile, Haru, Lune, and Kintarou were out for a walk when the trio noticed the two sisters Haru never thought she'd see again, never mind so soon.
"Meku and Meki? Oh, this is a purr-fect day. Now, they can see the real me. And they can even join meow, so that's even better.", Haru spoke elatedly before going to greet her sisters.
"Well, I would be happy to greet my future sisters in law, my love.", Lune grinned.
"Well, then, your majesties. Let's go and greet them.", Kintarou agreed before the trio went over to greet Haru's sisters.
Meanwhile, Meku sighed in relaxation as Muta and Meki caught up.
"It's so relaxing here...", Meku sighed.
"Hey. We have to find a way out of here fast, chicky.", Muta responded.
"And we have to find Haru and make sure she's okay.", Meki added.
"Relax...", Meku responded.
"Listen, kid!", Muta shouted.
"What about Haru?", Meki asked.
"I've never felt so at home in my life.", Meku only responded before a voice called out to her.
"Hurry! You've got to get out of here!", a voice called out before Meku sat up in puzzlement and saw a white cat with a pink bow tie as did Meki.
"You two must leave. Neither of you belong here.", the cat spoke in worry.
"Wow. You're beautiful... Everything's better here. Even the cats.", Meku spoke in surprise.
"Quickly! You don't have much time. Please, Ms. Meku, before it's too late.", the cat pleaded.
"What? How do you know my name?", Meku asked.
"And why does your voice sound familiar?", Meki asked just as Haru, Lune, and Kintarou arrived.
"Meku! Meki!", Haru shouted.
"Haru?!", Meku spoke in surprise before Haru giggled.
"Welcome to the Cat Kingdom.", Haru, Lune, and Kintarou greeted in unison.
"Haru, is that you? And what happened to you? You look like a cat.", Meku puzzled.
"I know. Isn't it purr-fect? It started happening after I got here. I'm turning into the real me, what I was always meant to be, a cat. Isn't that ameowzing?", Haru grinned.
"It's weird is what it is.", Meku responded.
"Well, I like it. It's great to see Haru becoming what she wants. I just wish I could join her.", Meki responded just as suddenly, her eyes changed to bright blue cat eyes, her teeth sharpened to fangs, her ears became pointed and went to the top of her head, her nose became a triangle, flipped upside down, and turned pink, and finally her upper lips puffed up, and split right to where the tip of her triangle shaped nose ends with the same thing happening unknowingly to Meku.
"Oh, I'm sure you can, Meki. I'm sure you can. And it gets better once my changes are complete. I'll be a cat forever, isn't that ameowzing?", Haru asked just before the brown cat and his entourage turned up.
"Ms. Meku, Ms. Meki!", the cat shouted.
"Huh?", Muta puzzled.
"Oh, no. Not him again...", Meku groaned.
"Oh. Natoru, what's up?", Haru grinned.
"Good morning, Princess Haru...", Natoru panted.
"Wait. His name's Natoru?", Meki puzzled.
"There you are. I've finally found you. We seem to have accidentally dropped you two upon entry. Your fat servant exceeded our weight limit, I'm afraid.", Natoru explained, peeving Muta.
"What? No. This is Muta. He's a good friend of ours.", Meku responded.
"Oh, that's nice. Come on. Everyone's dying to meet their new princesses. Fat friend, you can come, too.", Natoru assured before Muta reacted in shock and disgust.
"Yeah, I don't know about this.", Meku spoke in worry.
"Mustn't dawdle. The king is waiting in your castle.", Natoru spoke.
"Wait. Our Castle?", Meki puzzled.
"Mm-hmm. Well, soon enough, anyway.", Haru nodded.
"Hey, where do you think you're goin'?", Muta asked.
"The King's waiting for us. It'd be rude not to even say hi.", Meku responded.
"Have you completely lost your minds, kids?!", Muta exclaimed.
"This way.", Natoru spoke before Meku realized something.
"Oh, wait a minute. Can she come with us, too?", Meku asked.
"Who are you?", Natoru asked.
"Don't you remember her? That's Yuuki.", Prince Lune responded.
"That's right. I serve at the royal table.", the white cat responded.
"Oh. So, you're employed by the King, then. Guess I forgot about that. My mistake. She works at the castle, Ms. Meku. You and your sister will see her there. Come/", Natoru grinned as she urged Meku and Meki along.
"See you soon, Yuuki.", Meku grinned as Meki noticed Muta starting to walk away.
"Come here, big guy.", Meki spoke as she grabbed Muta by the tail.
"Ow, ow, ow! Hey!", Muta exclaimed as he was dragged along with them, making Haru giggle a bit before she, Lune, and Kintarou followed after them as Yuuki grew worried.
"Poor Meku... Poor Meki...", Yuuki spoke before she moved forward along.
A/N: And it looks like Meku and Meki are being lured in like Haru was earlier. I wonder where this is headed now. Oh, and in case you were wondering about the song I put in this chapter, I just recently saw a classic HBO 1983 logo. It's really great. And I have to wonder if HBO Max would have a new logo with the similar nostalgia sometime soon as an extended verison.