Creation's Lament Chapter Seven: The Blackmail
When Lune and Yuki arrived back at the castle, they were stunned by the flurry of activity. Guards were running around with various weapons and scattering across the countryside. At the center of the activity was the Cat King, delivering orders as fast as he could.
"Make sure to blanket the entire kingdom; I want the intruder rooted out!"
"Father, what's going on?"
He turned to his son, his eyes aflame.
"Didn't you hear the boom? That only comes when someone forces an entry. There's an outsider somewhere in my kingdom, and I will find him!"
The prince and his fiancée exchanged a look.
"Father, what if the intruder has no ill will towards the kingdom?"
The king snorted.
"Son, you know it's near impossible to come here by accident and make a boom like that. Better safe than sorry."
Lune took a breath.
"I just came from the forest; there's nothing there."
The king growled.
"I wish you told me that before I sent a legion in that direction. Could've sent it elsewhere."
Lune paled.
"I'll tell them to come back." He ran back before his father could say more. The king stared at his son, a dark suspicion starting to take root.
'Isn't Haru's hut near the forest?'
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The interesting thing about Creations' dreams is that they have them with their eyes open, and they are completely aware of their surroundings. If anything, their dreams resemble humans' day dreams.
Scenario 1: Baron's sleeping in the Bureau window. I swoop in with Haru on my back, but Baron won't see her until he comes out to greet me. He'll stare in shock as Haru hops off my back and bows politely to him.
"Good evening, Baron. I'm Haru." For the first time since Toto's known him, the cat figurine will be speechless. His orange fur will get stained red by the unexpected blush.
If the crow was a real bird, he would have started laughing in his sleep.
Scenario 2: Baron's out looking for me, since I said I'd be back a few hours ago. Haru's settled into her home by the time he gets back and he'll scold me for worrying him. Then I'll tell him that I stopped by the Cat Kingdom and picked up a present for him. I'll call Haru out-
The bushes moved, shattering the dream. Was she back already?
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Haru ran back with her bag, excited to finally be leaving the Cat Kingdom. Her steps were light as she entered the meadow… to find several soldiers surrounding a stone Toto. One of them experimentally poked him, wondering how a statue got into the middle of the forest.
"What are you doing?" she cried out, making them all look at her. They automatically straightened as the leader of the group came forward.
"Miss Haru, there is nothing to fear. We will take the object to the king, and he will decide what is to be done."
She shook her head violently.
"He's a Creation, like me. Please let him be; he means no harm."
The guard twitched in shock, but stepped aside so she could approach the statue. She touched the stone feathers gently.
"Toto, I know you're still tired, but if we're going to leave, it has to be now."
The crow slowly shifted into flesh as a guard came closer to her.
"You're leaving, Miss Haru? The King won't be pleased."
Haru shrugged as she removed the sling from the healed wing.
"I can never give him what he wants, and I recently heard about someone I'd like to meet."
The guard laughed nervously.
"You know about the Cat Bureau then?"
She nodded, and slung her bag over Toto's shoulders as she moved to climb onto his back.
"Hold it right there!"
Haru turned sharply, seeing the king behind her, holding his son by the scruff of the neck. He stared at the giant bird, and at the cat Creation about to board him.
"Whoa, that bird would have quite a drumstick."
The crow jerked uncomfortably as Haru stood in front of him protectively.
"Toto's a Creation, not for eating."
The king's eyes got wider. No, it couldn't be.
"Haru, you're not leaving, are you?"
She nodded solemnly.
"Your majesty's attentions have been flattering, but it is a folly for a mortal and immortal to have the kind of relationship you wish from me. It's best that I leave before matters get worse."
His eyes narrowed.
"Guards! Kill the bird if it moves."
Haru gasped and flattened herself against Toto's feathers as the green cats closed in, apologetic looks on their faces as they raised their weapons. She could feel the crow tremble slightly under her fingers as she rubbed him for comfort. Although Creations were immortals, they could be killed by ordinary means in either form.
"What are you doing? Toto's done nothing to you!"
The king growled angrily.
"Yes, he did; he tried to take you from me. I'm tired of playing nice, Haru. I always get what I want, and you know what I want from you. In exchange, I will let your friend return to his home. Make your decision quickly; I have my son to punish after you, and the ex-servant girl."
She could see her friend cringe slightly as his father tightened his grip.
"Don't! Lune and Yuki deceived you for my sake; if anyone should be punished, it should be me."
But what he wanted from her would be punishment enough. Every inch of her fur felt like worms were crawling around underneath, and she felt like she was about to throw up.
But Creations were rare enough, and the Refuge would still be there after this king's death.
Swallowing the lump in her throat and the tears that threatened to blind her, she voiced her decision. Even then, her voice was thick and shaking.
"If you will leave the prince, his fiancée, and the crow Creation alone, I will consent to be your wife." It was the hardest thing she had ever had to say.
Toto gaped at her, slightly disgusted at the prospect. Even the prince looked horrified that she had actually agreed. The king glowed in triumph as the crow tried to step to the other side of his cat friend.
"Haru, what are you-"
"Silence!" The king cut him off, a maniacal gleam in his eye as he released his son, who fell to the ground rubbing his neck from where his father was holding him. His purple gem of a crown glowed mystically, opening a portal next to the crow. "She has made a promise. Now leave, before I serve you at our engagement dinner."
Toto looked at Haru, her fists still shaking and struggling to hold back the tears. She nodded, barely able to look at him. Toto wrapped one wing around her in thanks and comfort before flying into the portal.
'And if he thinks I won't be back with reinforcements, he's even crazier than he looks. And that would be really saying something.'