A/N: And here, we have the 2nd-to-last chapter of this story. And while it may seem like this is where it ends, the next chapter is actually the last one. And what would this epilogue entail, you ask? Well, we'll see soon enough in 2 days. :)
The Cat Returns: Haru the Princess of Cats
Chapter 6: Return to the Human World; Haru's New Home
The group was at a loss over what had just happened.
"You've gotta be kidding. We're back where we started.", Meku spoke in slight worry.
"Now, what do we do? Just stand here?", Muta asked.
"Nothing else we can do.", Baron responded.
"Meku! Meki!", Kintarou shouted as he ran and caught up to see them just fine.
"You okay?", Kintarou asked.
"Uh, yeah.", Meku responded.
"Good.", Kintarou responded before the Cat King and his army caught up.
"Quick! Quick! Get 'em! Get 'em!", the Cat King spoke as he and his royal entourage caught up.
"Baron. Nice to see you again. Princesses, would you please accompany me back to the castle?", the Cat King asked.
"Eh, being a cat's not so bad.", Muta spoke.
"Meow. I thought it was kinda nice.", Meki agreed.
"Do I really have to learn to like to eat mice?", Meki asked.
"Perhaps you shouldn't give up quite yet, Meku.", Baron assured.
"Bring the royal carriage.", the Cat King spoke.
"Sire, have you lost your mind?!", Natori scolded.
"What's the problem?", the Cat King asked.
"Don't you expect us to ride in the middle of the night and smash it through a wall and stuff!", Natori scolded before Kintarou cleared his throat.
"Is there a reason why you went to such lengths to keep the girls trapped here?", Kintarou asked.
"Well, I wouldn't say trapped exactly. I just wanted to repay the girls who rescued my three sons. And I thought just maybe they'd be happy to have good-looking girls like Haru, Meku, and Meki for brides, yeah.", the Cat King explained.
"The thing is, Father, do you know why we tried to stop you from getting them married to us back at the palace?", Yuri asked, puzzling the Cat King.
"That's because I've already chosen my bride. I've decided to marry Yuuki.", Yuri responded, making Yuuki gasp in surprise as she gasped while Meki nodded in confirmation and Lune and Haru grinned.
"That thing?", the Cat King asked in surprise.
"Guess it was a surprise.", Muta commented.
"You know, if I didn't start liking this prince already, I certainly am now.", Baron added before a gift box was presented to Yuri, who went over to Yuuki and presented a box to Yuuki.
"This is for you. I traveled to your old home to get these.", Yuri spoke before Yuuki then opened the box and found inside, a cute box of fish crackers.
"I haven't had these in years.", Yuuki spoke in surprise.
"Meow. I used to love these when I was a kid.", Haru remembered.
"I know. You fed me a whole box of these when I was just a stray.", Yuuki grinned.
"That filthy little kitten? That was you? You're so beautiful now, I never would've recognized you.", Haru grinned in surprise.
"Yuuki. Will you accept these crackers as a symbol of my love for you for as long as our 9 lives shall last.", Yuri asked before Yuuki nodded.
"So, these crackers mean that... you can marry Yuri instead of me!", Meku realized as the Cat King and Natori both looked confounded while Natoru grinned.
"I'm so happy for you!", Meku grinned as she hugged Yuuki.
"Thank you, Meku. And Haru? Thank you for feeding me when I was a kitten. Without you, I might not be alive today.", Yuuki grinned.
"So, you're the girl with the fish crackers Yuuki told me about. And you're also one of the three girls who rescued me and my brothers when we nearly gout ourselves killed by a truck.", Lune realized.
"We are in your debt, Meku.", Kotaro grinned.
"What can we do to repay you?", Yuri asked.
"You don't have to repay me. I'm just glad things turned out so well.", Meku grinned.
"I guess we did do the right thing after all. Added bonus, now, Haru and I get to enjoy life as a cat.", Meki grinned.
"Uh..., yeah. That, too.", Meku added in slight surprise.
"So, uh, Meki. I was wondering. Do you, uh, want to go on a date?", Kotaro asked.
"Say no more, big guy. I'm in.", Meki grinned before gently kissing him in the cheek when she stood up, making him quite blush before the Cat King sobbed a bit.
"This is all very moving. I had no idea you had a bride in mind already. You should've told me.", the Cat King spoke, puzzling Meku, Lune, and the others.
"Poor Meku. You must feel like such a loser.", the Cat King guessed.
"Not really.", Meku responded.
"No, I'm sure you do. So, look. I have a great idea. You should marry me instead.", the Cat King suggested, making Natori gasp.
"I'll get you some fish, too. As a symbol of my undying love and all that. So?", the Cat King spoke.
"That's very nice of you, but I think I'd rather be myself again.", Meku responded.
"I'll change you back if you marry me.", the Cat King assured, puzzling Meku before she then gave a peeved look as her cheeks puffed up.
"I've officially had it up to here with you!", Meku scolded, puzzling the king, who blinked.
"First off, if anyone feels like a loser, it's probably you. Second, nobody decides who I am but me and there is no way on Earth I would EVER marry you!", Meku exclaimed, taking the King aback as he then reeled back from her outburst and lost his balance, falling backward to the ground before lifting his head and looking around.
"Was that a no?", the Cat King asked before Muta laughed.
"So, I guess you're not ready to get hitched, then, huh, kid?", Muta grinned, making Natori and the others turn to Muta.
"Not a chance.", Meku responded adamantly.
"I respect a woman who stands up for herself. Even if she does like to stick her nose in other people's business. So, I, Renaldo Moon, will defend her.", Muta, AKA Renaldo Moon, assured.
"Renaldo?!", the first cat guard spoke in surprise.
"Renaldo Moon?", the second cat guard puzzled.
"The Renaldo Moon?", the third cat guard asked.
"So, that's who he is!", Natori exclaimed in realization.
"Who?", the Cat King asked.
"Your Majesty, how could you have forgotten?! He's such a notorious criminal; his story is written on our walls! Years back, an enormous white cat appeared out of nowhere, devoured all the fish in the lake, and then ran off. He called himself Renaldo Moon.", Natori explained as he gestured to said writing on the walls.
"Years back?! What a monster!", the fourth cat guard spoke in shock.
"I don't believe it.", the fifth added in disbelief.
"Did you really do that, Muta? That's disgusting.", Baron asked before Muta chuckled.
"And this time, I'll eat the entire CASTLE!", Muta threatened, frightening the guards.
"Hurry! Get his majesty to safety, now!", Natori urged before the security guards then went toward the Cat King and tried to drag him away until the Cat King pushed them aside and tossed them aside toward the cat guards, prompting Kintarou to stand in the Cat King's path with a protective snarl.
"Oh, come on.", the Cat King spoke.
"Please, sire. It's not safe.", Natori urged before Lune, Kotaro, and Yuri went over to Meku and the others.
"Hurry. Take Ms. Meku to the exit. We'll hold back the King as long as we can.", Lune assured.
"How do we exit? The tower collapsed.", Baron puzzled.
"It's all right. The exit's still there.", Yuri assured, pointing toward the exit on top with the night sky then starting to rise.
"The sky...", Meku spoke.
"Oh, no. The sun's rising.", Baron spoke in worry.
"I'll get her to the exit!", Muta assured before he then grabbed Meku by the back of her shirt.
"Hey, what are you doing?!", Meku exclaimed before Muta then tossed her up to the stairs with Meku then landing on her feet and looking down toward Muta and the others.
"Nice.", Muta grinned.
"Hey, you could've at least warned me!", Meku shouted.
"Run, Meku! Hurry!", Baron shouted.
"Good luck! And thank you!", Lune waved.
"Don't be a stranger, now, ya hear?!", Kotaro added.
"Your generosity won't be forgotten!", Yuri added before Meku nodded with Yuuki grinning to Meku as she and the others were escorted away.
"Am I going to see you two again?", Meku asked.
"Yeah! We'll stop by and visit now and then!", Haru assured before she took off.
"See you soon!", Meki added before she followed after Haru as they ventured off to help Baron and Muta.
"Good bye, Yuuki. Good bye Haru. Good bye, Meki. We weren't wrong to save cats. No matter what happens, I believe in my decision. I believe. I believe...", Meku thought as she ran up the stairs while the Cat King pushed past Natori and Natoru as the Cat Guard Captain spoke to Lune.
"Sir, your father!", the captain shouted before they went outside with Kotaro and Yuri following just as Muta roared and scared the cat guards away only to get tripped by Haru and Meki.
"We'll hold them off.", Muta assured.
"Thanks, Muta.", Baron thanked before he then ran upstairs.
"Where's the king?", Lune asked.
"Up there.", the captain responded, pointing to where he is as Natori gasped in fright.
"Father! You're gonna hurt yourself! Get down!", Lune shouted as Kintarou caught up.
"He won't listen.", Kintarou discouraged.
"I'll find a way to get him down.", Natori assured before taking off.
Meanwhile, as Meku ran up the stairs, Baron was only a few stairs behind when the Cat King popped up from the window and tossed his sword at the wall, stopping Baron from going any further.
"FIGHT LIKE A CAT, YOU CHICKEN!", the Cat King shouted as his fur shook.
"With pleasure.", Baron responded as he removed the sword from the wall just as Muta caught up.
"Need help?", Muta asked.
"Take care of Meku.", Baron responded.
"You got it!", Muta responded before he went up while Baron started to go outside.
As Meku made her way to the top and arrived there, Baron and the Cat King had their own duel in the meantime as they each prepared and drew swords before each charging toward each other with just one clash as Baron flipped and landed on his two feet while the Cat King turned back toward him and stood his ground. Unfortunately for him, the purple gem suddenly broke, splitting into pieces, although still on his head, before the Cat King gulped and let out a yell of defeat before half of his fur shed off his body, leaving the lower half hairless while the rest of him, including his arms and upper body and tail still quite full of fur.
"I win, King.", Baron spoke before he swung his sword once, shaking a couple of purple fur pieces off.
"How embarrassing...", the Cat King blushed.
Meanwhile, Meku noticed what happened from high above and then proceeded toward the exit, her mouth and nose back to normal with no tail nor whiskers to be seen, especially with her hands turned back to normal as well.
"I heard rumors about a nosy cat figurine who likes to help others with their problems. I assumed you'd be just some kitschy knick-knack that collected dust. Had I known you were this good, I would've asked you to come and work for me.", the Cat King spoke as Meku then climbed up there only to gasp as she noticed something wrong before Baron turned to the Cat King.
"I prefer a life of sticking my nose in others' problems.", Baron responded before he heard Meku's scream nearby.
"WHERE AM I?!", Meku shouted.
Play SAO Alicization Music: "Coercive Power"
"What have you done?", Baron asked before the Cat King only chuckled and set his sword down as he explained.
"I haven't done anything. The tower's hundreds of feet shorter now. I wouldn't be surprised if the exit moved as well, babe.", the Cat King explained.
"Ms. Meku...", Baron spoke before taking his leave while picking up his stuff as the Cat King laughed.
Meanwhile, Haru, Meki, the other cats noticed Meku's current situation.
"Oh, no! The exit moved.", Natoru spoke worriedly.
"I should've foreseen this.", Lune spoke.
"I can't believe Dad would do something like this.", Kotaro spoke in disbelief.
"But look. Meku's not a cat anymore.", Yuuki responded.
"Please, make it, Meku...", Haru spoke in worry before Meku started to grow back to normal size while now completely turning back into a human. Unfortunately, the wind started to push her down and started to make her fall down.
"Help me...! Oh, no...! No...! I-I'm gonna fall...! Oh, no, I'm falling!", Meku exclaimed as she started to tip down due to the winds pushing her down while Baron ran up the stairs.
"MEKU!", Baron shouted as he ran upwards.
Then, Meku was apparently able to be caught in time as she held onto Muta's arms and wrists.
"Muta, I hope I'm not too heavy!", Meku spoke in worry.
"From now on..., you're not... allowed to... make... any more... fat jokes!", Muta grunted in response as he started to get dragged down little by little as his feet caught onto the exit's ring before then slipping, causing Meku to scream as she fell down with Muta yelling out as he slipped.
End SAO Alicization Music: "Coercive Power"
"I'm sorry, Muta!", Meku shouted as she and Muta fell as the latter gave grunts from the force of the winds blowing him and Meku away.
Meanwhile, though, Baron was soaring down into the air as well.
"Hold on!", Baron shouted as he then caught up to Meku and Muta.
"I don't want to die!", Meku spoke in fear.
"You're not dead yet! Open your eyes!", Baron shouted before Meku did so and noticed Baron on her back.
"Baron?!", Meku puzzled.
"Stretch your arms and look down!", Baron shouted.
"I can't! I'm scared!", Meku shouted as she spun around.
"Just trust me!", Baron shouted in response before Meku then opened her eyes, her spinning motion stopping for now before she then stretched her arms as well.
"Are you sure we're still alive?", Meku asked.
"Yes!", Baron shouted.
"For now!", Muta added before the sun rose up as Meku turned to her left and saw it before then looking back down.
"I think I could get used to this!", Meku grinned.
Then, all of a sudden, a flock of crows circled around and then formed a spiral with which Meku, Muta, and Baron slid down, slowing their descent.
"What are all these chickens doing here?!", Muta shouted.
"A flock of crows?", Meku puzzled as she managed to get her gentle footing.
"Perfect timing!", Baron grinned, now on top of Meku's shoulder, as Meku and Muta then walked down a spiral made of crows.
"So, Muta. How's it feel to be saved by a bunch of birdbrains?", Toto asked.
"Toto!", Meku grinned.
"It sure took you long enough!", Muta shouted.
"Nice work, Toto.", Baron grinned.
"I'm just glad I had enough friends hanging out in the area.", Toto grinned.
"Are you sure we're not too heavy?", Meku asked.
"You're as light as a feather, Meku.", Toto assured.
"Thanks.", Meku thanked.
"I beg to differ.", Muta argued.
"Meku, look.", Baron spoke, pointing to the school nearby.
"That's my school. I don't believe it. I'm gonna make it home. Thank you, everyone.", Meku beamed.
"But where's Meki?", Toto asked.
"It's kind of a long story.", Meku responded.
Meanwhile, the cats were joyous over her safe return.
"Hooray!", Natoru grinned with laughter.
"Unbelievable.", Lune grinned.
"She actually made it back home.", Kotaro grinned.
"We won't forget you, Ms. Meku.", Yuuki grinned.
"Hope to see you again soon, Sis.", Haru grinned as she and Lune took their leave and went up the stairs again just as they saw Natori descending downwards and then turning to his left to see the Cat King in a criss-cross applesauce position.
"Your Majesty?", Natori asked as he saw him and then caught up to him as Lune and Haru peeped out the window.
"Natori... I've been thinking. It may be time for me to retire.", the Cat King spoke.
"I think...I shall accompany you, sire.", Natori assured before Lune and Haru turned to each other and grinned before stepping out.
"In that case..., leave everything to me. And my future queen.", Lune responded, making Haru blush with a grin and a purr.
Meanwhile, Meku explained the whole story.
"So, Haru and Meki chose to stay there as cats?", Toto asked.
"Yeah. But they seem fine with it. And they said they'll come visit soon.", Meku responded.
"Let's hope they do it sooner. By the way, I got this for you.", Toto spoke as he handed the briefcase to Meku.
"Thanks, Toto. Oh, boy. My heart is still pounding.", Meku sighed.
"Scared, were you?", Baron asked.
"Yeah. But I did have some fun, too.", Meku grinned.
"Really? I didn't.", Muta responded with a grin.
"Well, then. Now that Meku's problem is solved, we should let her go home and get some well-earned rest.", Baron grinned as he stood up.
"Cat-nap.", Muta grinned.
"I guess this is goodbye?", Meku guessed.
"One last chore to do.", Toto responded before he flew up, picked Muta up by the paws, and flew off.
"Baron? Just for the record, I think I have a crush on you.", Meku grinned.
"Just for the record, I admire a young woman who speaks from the heart. If you ever need us, you will always know how to find us again. And the Bureau's doors will be open for you be it day or night. 'Til then, trust yourself!", Baron shouted as he jumped with a spin and landed on Toto, the trio flying off.
"Goodbye. I'LL MISS YOU! TOTO! BARON! AND FATSO!", Meku shouted as the trio flew off.
"Fatso? I heard that!", Muta shouted.
"She's only telling the truth.", Toto spoke.
"Shut up, you birdbrain!", Muta shouted.
"Hey, don't give me the 'birdbrain' thing again or I might accidentally drop you.", Toto warned.
"Shut up, you birdbrain!", Muta repeated before Meku only grinned and then made her way back home.
Meanwhile, a pig-like alarm clock rang before it was stopped, this time by Haru's mother as she curled into her covers before realizing something.
"Oh, I gotta get up.", Haru's mother spoke as Maku woke up and got downstairs as well before Meku's mother picked up her baby, Maki, who started to coo as she was gently picked up.
"Mom?", Maku shouted.
"Yeah? What's up?", the mother asked.
"You're not gonna believe this.", Maku spoke.
Much to her surprise, she saw Meku already dressed up and reading a newspaper.
"Morning.", Meku grinned.
"Meku? What are you doing up so early?", Maku asked.
"Yeah. It's not even a school day.", Meku's mother agreed.
"I'm going out with Hiromi and meet up with my sisters. Don't want to waste the day.", Meku responded as she then folded up the newspaper.
"So..., I made some breakfast for both of us.", Meku grinned.
"What?", Maku puzzled.
"I'm done. So, help yourself. I made some tea, too.", Meku spoke, handing the newspaper to Meku's mother before she then stopped and turned to her.
"Oh. By the way...", Meku began, making Meku's mother gasp a bit.
"That's my own special blend of tea. It's a bit different every time, so I can't exactly guarantee the flavor.", Meku explained before she then left with a grin and a wink.
"Oh. Okay.", Meku's mother spoke as Maki cooed.
"Since when did she get up early?", Maku puzzled as Meku's mother opened the pot.
"What do you know? Smells good.", Meku's mother spoke.
Later, outside at the crossroads, Meku met up with Hiromi.
"So, I've got some big news you're gonna be excited about.", Hiromi grinned.
"Yeah? What's up?", Meku asked.
"Machida broke up with his girlfriend.", Hiromi grinned, only earning a slight gasp form her.
After a moment, though, Meku responded.
"Oh. That's too bad.", Meku spoke.
"What? Are you kidding?", Hiromi asked.
"What do you mean?", Meku asked.
"I thought you'd be completely ecstatic.", Hiromi puzzled.
"Not really. Doesn't matter anymore.", Meku responded.
"Okay. Well, what do Haru and Meki say? And where are they anyway?", Hiromi asked before a meow was heard nearby with Meku noticing Haru and Meki arriving at the tables.
"Funny you should mention them. They're actually right there.", Meku responded, pointing to the two cats. But when Hiromi turned around and saw them, she only dismissed them to be two cats.
"Are you crazy? They kinda just look like cats to me.", Hiromi responded before Haru and Meki stood up with the former speaking first.
"Meow, you'd be kinda surprised how things turn out.", Haru responded, making Hiromi react in surprise.
"AAAH! Meku! Did you see that?! They just...", Hiromi exclaimed.
"Talked? Yeah. Long story short, my sisters got turned into cats. They seemed fine with it, though. So, what brings you two here?", Meku responded.
"Well, the Cat King just recently retired. And Natori, too.", Haru responded.
"Really? He did?", Meku asked.
"Yeah. And now, Lune kinda needs some extra help back at the Cat Kingdom and I was wondering if you could help.", Meki responded.
"Sure. I'd be more than happy to do that. And you can come, too, if you want, Hiromi.", Meku assured.
"There is no way that this is happening...", Hiromi responded in slight surprise.
"Yeah. That's basically the same reaction I had. If you want, I'll explain the full details to you on the way.", Meku assured as she took Hiromi's hand and both started walking to where Haru and Meki were leading them, passing by Muta by coincidence.
"Okay...", Hiromi responded.
"Okay, Hiromi. What's going on with you and Tsuge?", Haru asked.
"Nothing new.", Hiromi responded.
"Come on.", Haru responded.
"What? Nothing's happening.", Hiromi stated.
"Don't give me that. I wanna hear the whole story.", Haru responded as Muta looked up before yawning and then getting off the chair to go for a walk in a different direction.
A/N: Not quite how you thought it'd end exactly, huh? Well, that's what the epilogue is for. It'll show what happens after the events in this chapter. So, with that in mind, what do you think should happen in the epilogue? You can post your reviews about how you think this'll go down if you want, at least until Tuesday, because that's when I work on it and post it. Until then, feel free to do some thinking or go about your own business if your stumped. Either way, I'm sure the epilogue will not disappoint. :)