Author's Note: Boy, this is wandering off into pioneering directions. Thank you all for the encouraging words, but I'll do a Muta and be pessimistic about anyone liking this chapter. It might be what you expected, but it's causing me to write myself into a corner, if you know what I mean. Therefore, if anyone would be so kind as to offer to beta the next two chapters, it's something that I'll gladly accept. Email me. Ciao for now. :)

By the way, a toriuma is an avian mount used by the Valley people from Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind (i.e., Lord Yupa's Kai and Kui). If Laputa contains fox-squirrels, why not a few horseclaws in the land of the cats? It's not so different from Porco Rosso and Kiki and Jiji and Totoro hiding in Whisper of the Heart. Go on, look for them. They're there.

As a last note, The Cat Returns does take place in Koganei. Darn. Revisions all over again.

AN ACCEPTED TEMPTATION

That afternoon found the humans and soldiers surrounding an agitated farmer on an ostrich-like toriuma. The fellow had come racing willy-nilly down the road and caused everyone to hide in the bushes, then pop out and ambush him in order to learn why he was in such a hurry.

"Is there a healer among you?" were the first words out of his mouth. "My wife is ill, she needs one badly!"

Shizuku, remembering what she had done for the Baron, took one look at her husband and volunteered. So did Gabriel, who had the Cats' medical kit with him and was the most experienced in dealing with field medicine.

After leaving some instructions with the Stormy Cats and quartermaster people (and some hurried discussion with Baron on whether they'd be too late getting to the place they were going to if they intervened) they rode the toriuma to the farmer's simple mud-walled, sod-roofed dwelling. As they headed towards the front door, Shizuku let it slip that she never knew cats raised crops. Weren't they meat-eaters?

"Of course we raise crops," Gabriel said, sounding somewhat surprised. "Haven't you ever seen Renaldo Moon nibbling on plants? We do it sometimes. We get upset stomachs when on an all-meat diet. As for the excess crop, it gets sold to other countries."

Inside the house they found the farmer standing holding his two kittens close against him. One was a tom of a solid brown color, the other was a tortoiseshell tabby. Both would have been adorable, if not for the frightened looks in their eyes.

"She's in there." The farmer cat pointed to a curtain-covered cutout in the wall.

Gabriel went in first with the farmer, leaving Shizuku outside trying to console the two kittens. The boy's name was Yuuzo, while the girl's was Sanpei. After clinging to her tearfully as a sort of substitute mom, Shizuku assured them that their mama would be alright and made use of her magic once more to distract and entertain them. She looked at the blue curtain and hoped her words would be proven true.

------oOo------

Gabriel emerged from the room some minutes later and looked at Shizuku. No, he mouthed, then said, "I think it's something she ate. She's in a bad way. Would you have a look at her, please?"

Shizuku left the much-mollified children and passed the curtain. There was a gray cat in a small bed, and her tongue was sticking out and she was panting. When Shizuku put a hand to her forehead, it was hot.

"I'm not sure I can do anything," she said to Gabriel, "but I'll give it a try."

She spoke a few words to the suffering cat, then laid her right hand on the forehead and her left on the paws lying on the middle of the coverlet. She closed her eyes and concentrated.

The yellowish glow of Shizuku's healing power came again and filled the room for a second or two. Then it vanished, and she sought to stand. She staggered as she did, but righted herself even as Gabriel stuck his arms out to steady her.

"I think I've–" she breathed, then stopped as she looked at her hands. "No... Gabriel-san..."

------oOo------

Not in a million years would Kouji Amasawa's younger brother have imagined himself riding bareback on a rotund white cat, whose noisy wheezing made him worry that he was going to have a heart attack soon.

"Slow down, Muta," he cautioned.

"I'll never let it be said that I made everyone else late," gasped the giant cat as he loped after the Stormy Cat commandos, who were also on all fours. Flying just above them was Toto, with Baron and Haru on his back, leading them in the right direction. "You should take more pride in yourself, Seiji, like I do."

"I don't care about pride," returned the human. "Shizuku likes my painting. She also supports my violin-making, even though it means we're often away from each other. That's all I really care about."

"Listen, you two aren't joined at the hip. You ought to have a life of your own."

"But I do have a life of my own! It's the being together that's sorely lacking." Seiji sighed. "We're not joined at the hip, but we sure are joined at the heart. It gets so lonely without her, I'm tempted to stray with all those lovely Italian women I meet."

"Hah! Now at least I know you're flesh and blood like I am."

"Why, Muta? Ever had any girlfriends?"

"Sure. Lots of them. I gave them up because it was getting difficult looking after all my kids."

"All your what?"

Muta turned his head for a moment to look at Seiji. "What part of that can't you understand?" he panted. "Tell me so I can shout it at you. You know, kids? The little ones who run around and pull at your fur all day, or keep chasing and biting your tail so you don't get any sleep?"

"I know that. It's just... Muta, have you ever been married?"

"You mean like Lune and Yuki? Nope. They're royalty and I'm not. I ride the trains and amble between houses. I'm not the marrying type."

"So you mean you had kids, but never married any of their moms?"

Muta slowed to a walk. "Alright, Seiji. Out with it. What are you getting at?"

"I... I don't know. I don't want to sound moralistic, but it doesn't seem right to me to have children and not marry..."

"I can't settle down! Look at what I do! Also, none of the tabbies would have fat old me as a husband anyway. At least I made sure my kids were well-looked after. But why am I excusing myself to you?" Muta's voice became angry. "It's the way of us cats who live in your world. D'you think that just because you're a human you've got the right to judge us? Sure, you may have the dominant civilization on Earth, but a lot of you have morals that'd make any hyena proud. Just look at where you've left just about every other animal species! Stewards and caretakers, bah! You can't even look properly after yourselves! If you're so concerned about people having kids and being unmarried, why don't you ask Haru where her father is?"

Seiji slid off Muta. His hands and feet were cold and his arms were shaking. He wanted to answer back, but was shamed into silence by the knowledge that what Muta was saying was at least partially true.

The giant felid stopped and let out a great, yawning-mouth sigh. "Seiji... look, I'm sorry. You got me riled up. Hop on, or we'll lose the others."

"No thanks. I think I'll walk."

"Come on," Muta insisted. "When you've seen fellow cats stoned and shot to death, sometimes out of nothing but fun, or run over or placed in garbage bags and thrown out with the rest of the trash, then maybe you'll understand why I'm so disgusted with the world sometimes. For now... just forget it and get back on, human."

Reluctantly Seiji got back on his pet-turned-ride. The others were already out of sight.

"You know," said Muta, starting to move again, "I wonder if any of my kids will take after their old sire and enlist in the Cat Business Office when I'm gone..."

Somehow Seiji found his voice. "Gone, Muta? Nonsense. You'll live forever."

"None of us is forever, Seiji. None of us."

------oOo------

When they arrived at the farmhouse the soldiers were a distance away, and Toto was parked beside the front door. Seiji leapt down from Muta's back, and the cat stood up and gratefully stretched his back.

As he made his way to the low-slung structure, he saw Baron and Haru exit it, holding something hazy between them, as if they were assisting it. He stopped in his tracks.

"Seiji!" The vague form of Shizuku broke free of those supporting her and walked calmly to her husband. She stepped into his arms, and he embraced her. She was a solidifying cloud, or a phantom made of an airy, almost-invisible gel, a specter in need of the comfort and reassurance only her husband could give.

"Seiji," Shizuku repeated, her voice sounding like it came from far away.

"Are you alright?" he asked, feeling her struggling to stem her rising panic. "How do you feel?"

"Detached, like everything's so far away from me. I can't see so well now. Everything's becoming lost in a blinding white. But don't worry, I'm fine..." Shizuku's arms tightened around him. Seiji said nothing, but held her close.

The woman with the short, straight dark hair shuddered, and her body became a dead weight in his arms.

"Shizuku!" Seiji held her away from him so he could look at her. Her insubstantial face had a faint smile on it. When he put two fingers on the side of her hazy throat, his concern was lessened. She had a pulse. It was quick and weak, but it was there.

She moaned and stirred slightly. Seiji put his right hand on the back of her head and nuzzled her nose with his own. "You silly girl, so this happens every time you heal someone, eh?" he said softly. "I guess all you need is a little rest." Even as he spoke he could discern her body slowly returning to solidity.

He lifted his head. "Hey, could we wait a while? She needs to rest."

"There's nothing to be done about it." The words came from Gabriel, who like the Cat was also standing watching the couple. "We'll have to wait to see what happens to the farmer's wife too." He turned and motioned to the Stormy Cats and quartermasters. "Break time!" he called. "Stand down. We'll be here for quite a while."

Baron gave a tsk as he watched Seiji lift the unconscious woman and, under the guidance of the farmer, bring her inside the house. Haru, who was standing beside him, noted his reaction. She coughed politely.

"We might not make it in time," he muttered. It could have been a response to her, or not. Haru couldn't tell. She was about to turn her back on him and join Toto and Muta when he called her name. She made a half-hearted attempt to look in his eyes, then settled for a blank stare in the vicinity of his hat brim.

"Yeah?"

"I'm grateful we have this interruption, Haru," the Cat said. Were her ears fooling her, or did he sound the tiniest bit apprehensive? "We really need to talk."

"What's there to talk about?" she snapped. "You've made yourself so clear, I don't think there's anything left to discuss."

"That's not true." To her satisfaction Baron actually seemed hurt.

"Alright. Supposing that you're right and we do have something to talk about, let's do it right here. Talk."

"I'd rather we do this somewhere private..."

"So you can charm me with your words? Nothing doing."

Baron sighed. "You're being very difficult."

"So what if I am? I just want you to leave me alone."

Without warning the Cat stooped and picked her up in his arms. He held her firmly so her arms were pinned at her sides, preventing her from doing anything except squirm in his grasp.

"Hey! Put me down!"

"If you won't listen to reason, young miss," Baron said in a low and determined voice, "I'll have to use force. But one way or another, we're going to talk."

There were catcalls and whistles from the soldiers. "That's the way! Careful, don't drop her! Go, Baron, go!"

The cat gentleman—not so gentle any more—aimed a withering look in their direction, and their cheering died down somewhat. Shifting Haru so he could carry her more conveniently, Baron turned to Toto and Muta and announced, "We'll be over there if anyone needs us." 'Over there' was a stand of trees in the middle of what was otherwise cereal cropland.

As the Cat walked away on an earthen trail Muta called after him. "Go easy on her, Baron! She's just a kid!"

"Shut up, you," cawed Toto. "They'll be having no fun and games."

"What do you mean?"

"There's something going on with those two."

"Oh? Like what?"

Toto shook his head, and Muta had to swing his torso back to avoid the large bill as it slashed through the air. "I get the feeling they're angry with one another. When I flew them here Haru wouldn't even hold on to Baron, so she held on to me instead, and now I think I've lost some feathers." Toto twisted his head around and began to preen himself. "Yup. There they go."

Muta put a paw to his chin. "Hmm. You'd think this was going to be a straightforward affair, marching to the sea."

"I never expected it to be so. Why does Baron want us to join King Lune's army anyway? He's got more than enough cats to demolish a small town if he wanted to."

Muta shrugged. "Whatever it is, it's still got to do with Louise, I bet. You know him. He can be so one-track-minded at times." Muta gave the crow a once-over. "Hey, feather-face, didn't you bring any food? Seiji's got the goodies in his pack, and I don't think it'd smart to disturb him right now."

"Heh. Where does it look like I hid it, Vacuum Mouth? Go ask the cats if they've got any. If they don't you're welcome to eat them."

Muta cast an appraising glance at the crow. "Speaking of eating things... you're starting to look like a lovely turkey dinner yourself..."

"Keep your distance, Moota, or I'll peck your brains out. Oh, that's right, you haven't got any."

"Why you–!"

------oOo------

Just before Baron set Haru on her feet they saw Toto flying away from the sod house in a storm of dust, hotly pursued by Muta. The Cat shook his head and sighed. "Those two will never grow out of it."

Just then Haru slapped him. Or at least she tried to, but the Cat was expecting such a move and instantly raised his walking stick near the side of his face. Haru's palm hit the solid cherrywood instead.

"Ouch!"

"Sorry. If you'll just listen to me for a minute..."

Rubbing her injured hand, Haru scowled. "I don't seem to have much of a choice, do I? Barbarian," she added.

Baron stood still, the very picture of offended dignity. "Are you that intent on physically assaulting me?"

"Don't tempt me."

"Alright, then." He lowered his cane. "Go on, hit me."

Haru stood there, unwilling to give in to the temptation.

"What's the matter? Gone afraid all of a sudden?"

"I'm just not as rude as you are," she relented, folding her arms and stuffing her hands in the crook of her elbows. She turned her back on the Cat, who let out a little puff of air.

"Well, at least you're willing to listen."

"Because I'm being coerced."

A long silence. "Haru, I'm sorry for what happened in the training hall. We have to hash this out now, please. We might not have the time—or the opportunity—later."

There was a quiet, heartbroken little sigh. "How could you, Baron?" asked Haru, her voice quavering. There was a world of hurt in the four small words.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't sure we were about to do the right thing." Baron cleared his throat. "You're a beautiful girl, and I find you attractive, Haru, so for a moment there, it was dangerous... do you understand?"

Haru turned round to look at him. "Do you really mean that?"

"That's the truth, I swear. Please forgive me. I'm aware I told you I was never a playboy, but I must admit I've had one or two dalliances in my time. It's hard for me to live each day bereft of Louise and not wish for a little female companionship now and then. But Haru, those trysts were always done with the stipulation that they would end quickly, with no regret on either side." The Cat closed his eyes. "No regret, but not no pain."

Haru felt the anguish in the Baron's voice. "And if I let this... thing... between us continue, I'm afraid that's all I would end up offering you. A temporary joy, leading ultimately to nowhere. A one-night stand, at worst. Tell me, Haru, is that what you want?" His head came up and his large yellow eyes bored into hers.

Haru spent an eternity in indecision, and it seemed their entire surroundings waited too, with bated breath. The air was warm and oppressive, and the trees had stopped the rustling of their leaves. There was nary a sound, save perhaps there was the whirring of a passing sparrow, or the fluttering of a swallowtail's newly-flexed wings, or the twanging of a silken web as its mistress tested its links; but these passed beneath her notice, for her nerves were thrumming with tension and her mind was preoccupied by the echoing question of 'Should I?'

Should I? Was it indeed what she wanted? A few days', weeks' dalliance with Baron? Something that would in the end turn out fruitless, because he had Louise and she had Kei? Was she really going to encourage them both to betray their loved ones' trust?

After smiling tremulously at the Cat, she stepped up to him and hugged him, pressing her face into the warmth of his chest.

The Baron returned her embrace, silent. "Are you sure about this?"

She nodded, rubbing her cheek against the smooth cloth of his tailcoat.

"Machida?"

Haru looked up at him. "Louise?"

The Cat closed his eyes again. "I see."

Haru's hands bunched the cloth of the Morning Coat. "I wonder if you do, Baron. Let's have no regrets over this, okay? We both deserve a little happiness. I think Louise would understand and forgive you of this indiscretion."

Baron smelled the delicate scent coming off Haru's dark brown locks and kissed her hair. "Yes. But I have to ask, Haru. Afterwards?"

"We'll see. Tell me something, Baron."

"What?"

"Do you feel anything for me?"

"What do you think?"

"Please, no games now. My heart's pounding so bad I can't think."

"So I noticed. Of course I do. If I didn't I wouldn't be standing here holding you like this. It's the reason why I didn't want to be the one to deliver the invitation to the party in the first place."

"Oh? What do you mean?"

"I was afraid I'd stir something up between us. You said you had a crush on me years ago. Let's just say I recognized latent feelings of the same type in myself. After all, you're a very pretty and charming girl, and it's not so difficult to fall for you too, Miss Yoshioka."

A smile grew on Haru's lips. "Thank you, Baron."

"I wanted Muta to be the one to give you the invitation, but he was too lazy to do it. I was amenable to the thought of seeing you again after such a long time, though, so I didn't quibble much over the matter. I didn't know it would lead to this..." Baron tightened his embrace. "Haru, I really, really hope I don't hurt you..."

"Likewise," she whispered. She knew she wasn't the only one gambling with her feelings.

They spent a minute or two enfolded in each other's arms. Then the Cat gently took hold of Haru's slender limbs, balled up her hands in his own, and planted little kisses on her knuckles and the backs of her fingers. "Under what star was I made," wondered he as he did so, "that I should have young ladies like yourself throwing their hearts at my feet?"

A curious warmth flooded Haru's heart as she smiled shyly up at the Cat. "Under an ascendant Venus, I guess," she said. When Baron had stopped kissing her digits she went back to hugging him, so enamored was she at that moment that she didn't want to be separated from him by the least inch. He had accepted her offer; there was nothing else in the world to compare with that happiness, short-lived though it must be. "I'll stay with you until we find Louise. Don't worry, dear heart. I won't ask much from you. Except for tonight."

"Huh? What about tonight?" The Cat suddenly felt very nervous.

"Nothing. Just wait for me."

------oOo------

When they emerged from the stand of trees they found the Stormy Cats lined up on either side of the path back. They had the looks of kitties who had gotten at the cream; some eyed them smugly, while others had puffed cheeks and bitten-in lips, clearly trying to prevent themselves from bursting out into laughter. One cat who let out a high-pitched mewing laugh was instantly clouted on the pate by his colleague with the pommel of his very own sword.

At the further end of the formation was Gabriel, standing in the middle of the way. He, too, had a self-satisfied smile on his face.

At his command the Cats drew their swords out and crossed them over the path, forming a tunnel through which Baron and Haru had to walk through. They then proceeded to butcher-sing their way through a caterwauling rendition of Mendelssohn's Wedding March.

Haru's cheeks flamed more fiercely, and she closed ranks with Baron, who in turn took her left arm and linked it with his right.

"My dear cats, you're embarrassing the lady," he reprimanded the commandos as patted Haru's hand in reassurance. "I had thought better of elites such as you. Gabriel, I expect this is your idea of a joke."

"Certainly it is," the Swordmaster answered, grinning a toothy grin. "You two were so taken in by each other that two of us sneaked close by without either of you noticing."

"Y-you mean you heard?" Haru whined. She felt like dying.

Gabriel's wide grin was a mixture of the teasing and paternal. "Enough to know what you two were doing."

She suddenly felt Baron stiffen. "Haru, just say the word, and I'll demand satisfaction from the two miscreants who embarrassed you. And I." His hand grasped the grip of his walking stick.

"No, no, it's okay, Baron," Haru said, pacifying him. "Please."

"We were just kidding, Baron," said one of the Cats. "We didn't mean to offend you or Miss Haru. At any rate, what harm's a few overheard words going to cause?"

"Just don't do it again," the Cat warned, and he and Haru finished crossing the tunnel of swords and headed back to the farmhouse. Behind them, the Stormy Cats lowered their weapons and sheathed them in the scabbards hanging from their baldrics.

"Let's go," Gabriel ordered his soldiers, still chortling.

Something whizzed over them and knocked them flat on their faces. Uttering various curses, they raised their heads and saw a large black bird flying away from them. They also saw a large cream-white cat with one brown ear hanging onto its legs, yelling imprecations at it.

"C'mere, you lily-livered excuse for a crow!" they heard it roar. "Just bend your neck a little so I can tear your throat out!"

"Sorry, Gabriel!" came the belated apology from the crow.