"This is incredible miss Ume. You learn much quicker than I did." Baron smiled as Ume was producing various balls of energy, simply for lighting, the book levitating in front of her so she can read the spells requested of her to use.
"More than likely you were learning more than just magic during your training Baron. Besides I have always wanted to do something like this before." She giggled and set the book down the balls of light disappearing. "This truly is a fairytale you know. Despite it being a dark one with Haru and Yuki gone." She looked down at the ground.
"Do not worry about them right now, tomorrow Lune and I will go to rescue them from the dog kingdom. After that we will still have a war to fight though." He sighed and walked out onto the balcony looking out over the cat kingdom, guards were everywhere now. "Ume I want you to stay here. Continue your training if you wish, but I do not want you to come with us."
"If this is about my back Baron it is completely healed now. Mostly healed. That isn't the point, i want to help, I'm going to help. To make it up to Yuki and Haru for not helping them more." Baron huffed and looked away.
'Muta was right, she is dead set on this' Baron stepped back into the room and grabbed her hands. "Miss Ume, I think it best you don't get too involved. after you return to your orginal form you won't remember any if this." Her eyes widened and she stepped back.
"What you mean this will all be gone, Baron... I don't want that, I want to help and keep helping after this disaster."
"You want to be a part of the bureau than?" Ume nodded eagerly. "Well, let us hope that the pin's enchantment decides this is where your heart belongs." He smiled. "Now back to training, if you get inti trouble without me you'll need something to help you, and there isn't enough time for fencing lessons."
Ume smiled eagerly and went back to practicing flipping through the book for the spells Baron asked her to perform. She didn't even have to think about levitating the book anymore.
000
Ume practiced for the majority of the day, even after Baron left to finish planning with Lune. Muta interrupted her in the middle of healing her back the rest if the way.
"Baron says you shouldn't be using healing magic, too dangerous for a beginner." He grumbled. "I'm here to tell you dinner is ready, they're waiting for you."
Ume nodded setting the book down and walking out of the room. "You sound like a grumpy old man Muta." He huffed and followed behind her.
"That's because i have been playing messenger for Baron and Lune all day. I'm not sure they realize I'm old."
"And fat." Ume had to dodge a swiswipe from him. "Hey! At least I'm being honest with you."
Muta sighed and looked up to see a black and white cat smiling at him. "Ah, tell them I won't be at dinner."
Ume tilted her head. 'Didn't think Muta could like someone more than food' She giggled at the thought and continued on to the dining hall, it was mostly empty, except a small table with Baron and a sad looking Lune. Ume took a step forward before her ears twitched at their conversation.
"She isn't going Lune, I feel terrible that miss Haru and Yuki were taken, I won't have another friend taken." Lune smiled weakly at Baron.
"You would take Haru on bureau business all the time after you met her. what makes Ume any different. is it that you're growing fond of her? You know she isn't Louise." Baron jumped at the name and scowled a little.
"I realize this, but, she looks so much like her. And is nothing like her. It's like looking at a twin." He grabbed his head and sighed. "Enough talk please, she should be here soon, and try to cheer up Lune, i despise seeing you this way."
"I can't help it, I've been away from Yuki too long. If not for you I would have rushed off without a plan."
Ume interrupted them by walking to the table and taking a seat. "Sorry I was late." She kept what she heard to herself as Lune and Baron turned their attention to her. "Muta said he wouldn't be joining us. He found something better to do than eating, surprisingly enough." Lune chuckled and Baron smiled.
"Thank you, miss Ume, one minute in the room and you've managed to make it feel less gloomy." Lune nodded and gestured to the fish and chicken in the middle of the table.
"Please help yourself, Considering the training you've been doing it wouldn't surprise me if you need a lot." Ume nodded and letting her, polite side take over she grabbed a small amount of both, eating slowly.
The small amount of happiness Ume had brought into the room was soon gone as they ate in silence. Baron ate very little, given he was a creation. Ume finished what she had gotten and sat there staring at her hands.
"Well I'll leave you two to talk before going to bed, tomorrow we head for the dog kingdom, and Yuki." Lune stood and walked out of the dining hall, leaving Ume and Baron to sit there awkwardly.
Muta and his new girlfriend were walking down the hall when she tapped his shoulder pointing at the two half-cats sitting at the table. Muta looked towards a corner with instruments and walked over to them, grabbing an accordion checking a few things before starting to play. Ume looked up ears twitching at the music. Baron looked as well and got the hint from Muta.
"Miss Ume, would you care to dance." He said standing and extending his hand to her. "Might be our last chance for a while."
She nodded lightly and took it, Baron leading her to the middle of the room to begin a simple slow dance. Baron leading the way so Ume didn't need to worry about messing up. Muta's girlfriend joined him on a violin as they continued their slow waltz through the room. Baron spun her catching her on his arms and smiling gently. Ume lay there blushing a deep red.
"I, Baron... There's something I need to say, but I can't say it." She looked away and Baron put a hand on her cheek gently moving her eyes back to face his.
"There is no need miss Ume, I believe I know, although, I can not return such feelings." He sighed sadly and looked away standing her up.
Muta frowned in the corner as well as his girlfriend. Ume just stood their staring at the ground as Baron walked out. Lune was waiting outside the dining hall.
"Baron, you have to get over Louise. Ume has fee-" Baron kept walking making Lune stop mid sentence.
000
"Don't worry about him Ume, he had a bad experience with his last relationship." Muta said to the half-cat as she stormed off to her room. Muta was jogging just to keep up with her. "Don't get mad at him, it wasn't you."
She ignored him walking into her room, when Muta tried to enter she pushed him out with a wall of energy. She couldn't keep positive emotions but she could use telekinetic magic without emotions. Muta banged on the wall for a few minutes before giving up and going off to find Baron.
000
"Why would you say that to her? She cares about you Baron." Muta protested.
"We have a job to do Muta, I won't get too attached to her."
"Than why dance, if you were going to refuse her feelings."
Baron didn't answer, sitting at his desk with hands on his head. Muta sighed and left walking to his room. Baron pulled out a picture of a white Half-cat similar in appearance to Ume, except her eyes were the same emerald green as Baron's.
"Why did you go Louise, I needed you."
000
The next day was filled with panic as all the servants and soldiers prepared for the trip to the cat kingdom. Lune was issuing orders along with Baron. Muta was off to the side with his girlfriend, and Ume was nowhere to be seen. Muta was asked to go retrieve her.
He did so after complaining, walking to the half-cat's room. There was no barrier this time. Muta hesitated to step into the room, so the black and white maid did so
"Wait here Muta."
"Marie-" She cut him off and parted the curtains looking around the room.
Ume was passed out in the bed, tear stains running down her face. Marie approached and gently shook her awake.
"Go away Muta, I don't want to talk or... You're not Muta." Ume sat up and frowned rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "I know today is the day we save Yuki, but... Baron was probably right I shouldn't go."
Marie shook her head and patted Ume's shoulder. "Miss Ume, Baron will need you, trust me, and I'm sure he will turn around and express some form of emotion for you." Ume smiled softly.
"I doubt that last part, I'm terrible with relationships, but if you and Muta think he needs me I'll go." She frowned. "I'm too easy to sway aren't I?"
Marie just giggled and grabbed her hands leading her out the door. Ume barely had time to make her book fly to her. 'My book... No Baron's book.' She shook the rest if the sleep from her mind before they reached Lune's office.
"Ah glad you could join us Ume. We are about to leave for the dog kingdom soon." Baron kept a but of distance between himself and Ume.
"Sorry I was up late... Practicing." 'By breaking things for the majority of the night. I'll have to apologize later.' She smiled softly.
"Ah well, perhaps you'd like to help Baron with the portal? it takes quite a but if energy and with both of you doing it you won't tire out."
Ume nodded and walked up to Baron, he showed her the necessary movements for the portal creation and they began. Moving their left hands in a circular motion, and signing a few words with their right hands. The portal opened to a world similar to the cat kingdom, no cattails however, plenty of dogwood trees.
"Do all the worlds have a plant named after their species?" Baron shrugged.
"Just about, the bird kingdom has many birds of paradise flowers." Ume nodded and stepped through the rest of the small group following behind.
Lune, Baron, and 5 soldiers were all they were bringing to retrieve Yuki. Small parties move quickly and quietly.