Disclaimer: All characters and places from "The Cat Returns" are property of Studio Ghibli. All that you don't recognize is mine though.
Whispers of a distant land: Chapter three
A week later, in Japan…
As she pushed open the door, letting out an "I'm home!" Haru sighed in exhaustion. It had been a long day at uni, and with the exams coming up she had barely enough time to herself. Her mother was home, working on a new pattern, almost oblivious to her daughter's presence, just like that day so long ago when Haru came home and asked her if she thought cats could talk. Haru shook her head, smiling at her mother. Shizuru really worked too hard sometimes. She heaved herself upstairs and into her much tidier room now that she was 21, depositing with a big "Oof!" her bag on her desk. It really had been a long day after all, so she considered she was allowed to be tired, wasn't she? As she sat on her bed - the chair at her desk being occupied by a pile of books - she heard a crunching noise that would have made her jump three feet in the air instead of simply bolting back on her legs had she not been so tired. A letter? Who would send me a letter like that? She frowned slightly as she looked on the disturbing envelope that was resting on her bed. It had her name written in big flowing script on the cover, in a definitely European style. Who did she know that was from Europe? She frowned at the letter a bit more before the answer downed on her: Baron! Of course, with his british accent, he had to be from Europe in the beginning! Haru nearly tore the letter in half in her excitement before finally settling down enough to actually read the words:
"Dear Miss Haru,
I am truly sorry for barely seeing you during those four years, especially when you took on your time to come and visit us at the Cat Bureau. I would very much like to meet you in the Sakura Park near the fountain, tonight at 9:00 pm. I hope you forgive me and will be there,
Baron."
Haru was floating. Baron wanted to see her! And in such a romantic setting! It was practically a date! She nearly squealed in excitement before remembering that the daring cat was, well, a cat, and that since she was human, it couldn't possibly be a date. He most likely wanted to catch up with her and apologize for his evasive behavior during those years – each time she went at the Cat Bureau, he had either been absent, or simply in a rush to get somewhere and had barely had the time to say hello. Yes, it was most likely to apologize. He was such a gentleman. But no matter, she would be there, if only to see him. Besides, she couldn't possibly let him down, could she? Haru smiled. She wasn't so tired after all.
Six days before, at the Palace in the Cat Kingdom
Baron and Toto made their way into the palace and towards the king's office, a serious looking - and seemingly worried - Natoripreceding them at a brisk walk. Finally, they came to the light colored and arched oak doors of Lune's office. Natori knocked politely and waited for an answer before poking his head in and saying: "Your majesty, they're here."
"Well then, come in," came Lune's voice from the other side.
As the three stepped inside, Baron and Toto were astonished to see Lune pacing. He seemed even more worried than Natori, which was something considered almost impossible, although only his pacing and the atmosphere of the room let them in on that, for as a King – and Prince before – Lune knew how to school his face in not showing the emotions he didn't want people to see, and Baron and Toto both knew that the only reason they were allowed to see him pacing was because they were close and trusted friends.
"Ah, my friends, it is good to see you again" Lune greeted them. "Please, have a seat."
"Thank you, it is also a pleasure to see you again," answered Baron as he and Toto sat down in the seats in front of the desk, while Lune settled on the other side, Natori at his side as usual.
"I will be direct my friends, I am in need of your help. The Cat Kingdom is in great danger," declared Lune.
Baron's ears twitched. "How is that so?" he asked.
"Some time ago, there was a slight dispute between the Kingdom and the Empire of Birds. It involved the current ruler's son and one of my own subjects. However, I did not call you for this, as the culprit has already been punished. The problem resides elsewhere. Natori?" Lune turned to his faithful advisor.
Natori nodded and continued: "A few months back, a new ambassador was engaged, by me I'm afraid. We sent him a week ago to Raïtal, capital of the Empire of Birds, in order to appease the Emperor, seeing as he has excellent background in the profession, even if he is not a cat. With him we sent the second advisor to the King, Mr. Natoru. Said ambassador came back a day ago, saying that all went well, and that advisor Natoru had decided to stay a little while longer at Raïtal."
"But you don't trust your ambassador's word for it, do you?" asked Baron as he began to see where all this was going.
Lune nodded. "Yes, and we have serious reasons to think that there is something fishy going on here, seeing - as a first hint – as to how much Mr. Natoru fears the current Emperor, and we would like you to investigate the matter as quickly as possible, and as discretely as is felinely possible. We want you to go to Raïtal and find out what really happened to Advisor Natoru."
Baron looked at them for a moment, although he had already made up his mind. Finally, he said:
"I will need someone to take me to Raïtal," he stated.
"I can do that," said Toto. Everyone looked at him. "What? I'm a bird after all! I know where Raïtal is, and I could help you sneak into the palace, I have some contacts there. Besides, I will be able to take you there more quickly, seeing as I won't get tired as any ordinary bird."
"You would Toto? My, you really are a precious friend, but are you sure you want to do that? It will be quite dangerous, you know," said Baron, arching an eyebrow in question.
"Of course I'm sure! Besides, what other bird will you find that would accept to carry you there, and what more, to cope with you for two whole days of travel!" Toto said as he waved his wings dramatically.
"Well, it looks like matters are settled," said Baron as he turned back to the king and his advisor. "I have one last question though."
"What is it?" replied Lune, quite happy that Baron accepted the mission. He wasn't a citizen of the cat Kingdom after all, and didn't have to follow the king's orders at all. A wild card, in other words.
"What is the name of the creature that is not a cat that managed to become ambassador of the cat Kingdom? It is quite a feat, and I would very much like to know who this individual is."
"I believe you may know him, Mr. Baron," said Natori as he adjusted his glasses, "for he is a creation as you are. His name is Fento."
Baron's fur bristled almost without his accord at the name. Fento! How right Lune was to not trust him! That creature was the most suspicious one Baron had ever met, and the fact that he was the ambassador made him even more suspicious. Something wasn't quite right here. His eyes narrowed.
"You were right not to trust him," he growled. "I don't know what he did this time, and I have no proof whatsoever, but I'm sure now that something isn't right here. I'll investigate the matter and come back as soon as possible. Until then, don't trust anything he says or does, and don't leave him out of your sight! He is possibly one of the most manipulative creatures I've ever had the displeasure of meeting."
With that, Baron got up and, barely remembering to bow, left the room. Toto followed him, but not without saying to the bewildered king and advisor: "If you wanted him to take the mission to heart, you've said the right name. What the results will be though, I can't tell. Baron and that guy Fento can't stand each other."
Tbc…
Review responses:
fallenphantom16: Thank you! Reviews like this keep me going! Hope you like the chapter:)
e-chan: I've already written half of the story (I think), but if you want I can add some scenes about Haru. Just send me what kind of stuff you'd like to see, and I'll see if it can be included.
EarthAngel: I'm sorry about the review thing. It's a button that is automatically checked when you begin a story I think. It annoyed me a lot of times for other stories. Thank you, I though it would be a good idea. My first thought actually was to make a "Cat Returns" fanfic, 'cause I think there aren't enough of them.
Author's note:
I'll be posting some artwork for this story on my deviantart gallery soon. Here's the link:
http/ellenlome. all those of you who read the story but didn't review, thanks for reading it anyway. Adding a review is even better though -, it makes the author happy and it may get you…get you…uh…..(turns around) hey, you guys got any idea what we could give them if they review more?
Muta: Some angel fruit e-cake?
Ellenlome: Nah, not original enough.
Toto: What about a double posting?
Ellenlome: oh, that sounds good! - Ok, so if you review, you may get two chapters in a row!
Haru: It's kind of rude to ask for reviews like that.
Ellenlome: (makes puppy eyes) you think so?
Baron: well, you're almost bribing them you know.
Ellenlome: Oh, shush! (disappears)
Baron: she can't say that we didn't warn her.