I usually don't get two chapter done in one day. Hm. Anyway, as you've probably realized, this fanfic is way humor XD It does, and will, have very cute romance though :3 Just be patient! And for some strange reason, Hikari is turning out to be a bit different than I've imagined her to be...

Enjoy!

-CONVINCING-

I returned his gold and green gaze with my brown one. After finding me on his doorstep and reading the note, he had quietly picked up my small box, brought me inside, and placed me on his desk. Sitting in his chair, arms folded, he was looking at me in thought.

"That Witch…" he sighs, standing up to retrieve his crystal ball. Holding it gently in his hands, he returned his gaze to me. "Since you're a cat and you can't talk… I'll use my crystal ball… to read your thoughts…" He looks down at the ball, then back up at me. "As long as that's okay…"

I nod my small kitty head. Even after knowing Wizard for over a year, he never did talk much. He was the type that would rather sit in silence with his own thoughts or gazing up at the stars than hold a conversation. What he lacked in words I learned to pick up in body movement. It was something that made talking to him a little bit easier.

He nods back. "First… what happened?"

I twitch my ears and tell him. From going to drop off the blackberry pie to the explosion to even Witch running off leaving me at the doorstep like a stray.

"You should have been… more careful…" he comments, leaving me to twitch my ears stubbornly. "… Do you… know what spell she was trying to cast?"

Head shake from me.

"That makes it difficult… to find a cure…" He looks down in his crystal ball in thought, and I sit there watching him. I've always wondered what it was like being able to use magic. To be able to gaze into a crystal ball and see thoughts, the future, the present, the past, and probably so much more I had not even a clue about.

Magic was so intriguing.

"I'll definitely need a potion…" He glanced up at me. "Remember when Witch… was a frog? The potion… will be similar…"

I stuck my tongue out, already imagining the potential taste. 'How long will it take?'

"I'm not sure…" he replies, an index finger tapping the crystal ball's surface gently, creating a tip, tip, tip sound. Frowning, he sets down the crystal ball and gravitates towards his many piles of books. Grazing his fingers over the spines, he picks out a book and flips it open, turning the pages as his eyes move back and forth quickly.

Finally deciding to venture out of my small box, I pad around the crystal ball, careful not to look into it for too long. The incident with Jake taught me that. I was even afraid to touch the ball, not that I would anyway. It was important to Wizard, and I wouldn't touch it without good reason to.

Looking around Wizard's house, I still couldn't quite get used to how big everything looked. The books, the bookshelves, the potted plants, even the steps to his telescope looked out of proportion. Not to mention Wizard himself. He was always a head or so taller than me, but now, he seemed like a giant.

Knowing he wouldn't like me poking around in his things, I made myself comfortable on the edge of the desk and waited, surprised that the hard wooden surface actually felt nice. No wonder cats can sleep anywhere. Everything feels like a pillow!

I watched as he slowly and distractedly made his way back to the desk, his eyes solely on the pages of his book. Sitting down and biting his bottom lip slightly in concentration, I nudged closer to him and peered over the leather of the cover, my gaze catching a language I wasn't familiar with. Settling back down, I flicked my tail.

Then I remembered: my farm. Who would take care of it while I was stuck like this? Standing up and slowly leaning over, I reached with a paw and patted the page of his book, trying to get his attention. Wizard blinked and looked up at me, and I nodded towards the crystal ball. 'Who's going to take care of my farm?'

"I can't…" He sat there in thought for a few seconds. "Do you… know anyone who can?"

I nodded. 'Anissa and Renee. But, there's no way I can tell them what's happened to me. They probably wouldn't believe it.'

Wizard nodded slowly. None of the villagers believed he was a Wizard. He was just an ordinary fortune teller to them. And it was just rumor and speculation that Witch lived in the forest. "An excuse, then…?"

I twitched my tail in thought. Wizard probably wouldn't have much say with the villagers, and if I suddenly went on vacation, Hamilton or even any other villager would know before Wizard, regardless if Wizard was regarded as one of my closest friends. Then again, the whole island was trusting, and it wouldn't raise much suspicion if Wizard did suddenly say I went on vacation or something…

Then it hit me. When I was ringing the bells, Gil was the first to pick up that something was going on, and he even glimpsed Finn for just a fraction of a second after the Green Bell was rung. If anyone was to even attempt to believe the truth, it would be him.

'Wizard! Gil! The mayor's son! He was one of the first to figure out what I was doing with the bells, and he even glimpsed Finn for a small second! If anyone has a chance to believe the truth, it'd be him!'

"Are you sure…?" Wizard tilted his head and furrowed his brow, not quite believing me.

'It's worth a try, at least! And besides, he's the mayor's son! He can come up with a good excuse for my absence that'll please the villagers and not raise much suspicion!'

Wizard couldn't argue with that, and we both knew it. "Fine… we'll talk to him when the sun rises."

'Hey, Wizard…?' I think, trying to catch him before he glances away from the ball. I was too late, however, and his eyes were already back on the book, his fingers resting delicately on the worn out pages. Lowering my ears, I curl up into a ball, my face directed his way so I could watch him. Thank you…

I must have fallen asleep, because movement at the desk made me peel my eyes open. Blinking away the blurriness, I yawn and look around. Decorations I weren't used to waking up to, and the significant aurora of herbs brought back the memory of where I was.

Standing up and stretching, I blink at Wizard, who was still hunched over a book. Glancing at one of the windows, I took in the sight of sunlight. Glancing back at Wizard, I tilted my head.

Noticing my gaze, his multicolored eyes looked up. "Good morning… Hikari…"

I nod, unable to stifle another yawn. 'Did you sleep at all?'

He shook his head. "I've been… trying to find a cure… for you."

'Sleep's important, Wizard! I don't care if it means I'm a cat for one more day!'

"I can go days without sleep…"

I can't help but shake my head. 'You never fail to amaze me. I still say it's unhealthy.'

"I'll be fine…" I couldn't help but note that he seemed genuinely confused. "Anyway, I'm ready to go see Gil… whenever you are."

I nod, yawning once more before hopping down onto the wooden floor. 'The longer we wait, the longer I'll be a cat! C'mon!'

Closing the book with a soft whump, Wizard stands up and follows me to the door. Squinting my eyes at the sudden light, I delicately step out onto the pavement, my pads making the warm rock feel a bit squishy and easy to walk on.

Since the mayor's house was right across and down from the pathway, it took us only a minute to reach it. Glancing up at Wizard and noting his slightly strained look, I felt a little bad for him. He wasn't used to being up and about during the day, where so many people could see him. He was nocturnal, through and through.

Raising his hand and giving a few short knocks on the door, he waited patiently, standing more stiffly than usual. Placing a paw on his leg, he looked down. I started purring, my kitty body seemingly knowing how to. Nodding slightly, he looked back up quickly as the door clicked open.

"Hello," says Gil, surprised. It wasn't every day the local fortune teller comes to your house. "Is there something you need?"

"I'd like… to talk… to you," replies Wizard hesitantly.

"Oh, sure. Come on in, then." Stepping aside so Wizard could enter, Gil waits until we're in before closing the door. "So, what is it?"

"I'll get… straight to the point." Kneeling down and opening his arms slightly, he waits for my approval. Padding up to him, he picks me up gently and straightens back up. "This is Hikari. She was… caught in one of Witch's… failed spells…"

"Wait…" Gil crosses his arms, a frown crossing his face. "Do you mean the Witch that's suppose to live in Fugue Forest?"

Wizard nods. "Hikari was… turned into a cat."

Gil sighs. "You really expect me to believe this?"

Dropping into thought, Wizard remains quiet for a few moments. "Will you… follow me? I wish… to show you something…"

It was obvious Gil didn't want to, but his upbringing to respect others took over. "Fine."

Leading the future mayor back to the dark, herb smelling house of Wizard's, the crystal ball was placed on its original stand, sitting between the two men. "Please place… your hand on the ball… Hikari, please… talk to him."

Narrowing his eyes, but obliging, Gil placed his hand on the crystal ball, Wizard doing the same on its opposite side.

I sit beside Wizard's feet. 'Can you hear me?'

The blonde's face went from one of suspicion to amazement to utter disbelief. "That sounds… a lot like Hikari…"

'So it is working! Hi Gil!'

"Wha…? What tricks are you playing, Wizard?" A slightly cold, but scared, tone crept its way into Gil's voice.

"It's her thoughts…" he simply replied.

'Gil, please, believe him! What he says is true! I've been turned into a cat, but because of this, I can't take care of my farm! So while Wizard figures out how to cure me, please, make up an excuse for my absence and ask Renee and Anissa to take care of my farm! You can even say that I asked you to ask them! Please!'

"This… this cannot be happening…" With his free hand he rubs his forehead, probably trying to straighten out his confused thoughts.

"I can help her… but it will take time…" Wizard urges.

'Please, Gil!'

Gil's blue eyes drop down to me, and I take a few steps toward him, meowing, "Please!"

Taking his hand off of the crystal ball and stepping a few paces back, he cast his face downward. Seconds that seemed like hours passed. Then finally, his handsome face turned back up. "Fine, I'll help. But don't think I completely believe all this."

"You don't need to… As long… as you'll help…" sighs Wizard in relief.

"I will. But we don't speak of this, and I think that this cat is still just a cat." Turning around with a huff, he exits, the bright sunlight outside flooding into the room shortly before being shut out once again by the door.

'He has no choice but to believe, yet he doesn't want to accept it…' I observe, rather amused. Gil was so easy to fluster. It was a fun pass time Luna and I found a while ago: Who can fluster Gil the most? Obviously Luna would win every time, especially now since they were engaged, but it was still fun nonetheless.

"As long as… he'll help," replied Wizard, crossing his arms with a worried look.

Flicking my ears in reply, I pad back over to the desk and jump back up, next to the book. Peering at its pages, the only thing I could recognize were a few diagrams, but comprehending them was something I would never be able to do.

A growl in my stomach made me twitch my ears again. Sitting down, I look at Wizard levelly, my cat eyes in thought.

"Hungry?" He asks, reading my thoughts from the crystal ball. "I have no fish…"

Jumping back down and padding over to the door, I look over my shoulder back at Wizard. He may not have fish, but I knew someone who did. Toby. And at this time of day, if my circadian clock was right, he would be at the end of the dock, fishing.

Fresh fish. Albeit raw, it was still fresh. If Witch could eat flies as a frog and be perfectly fine, then I could eat raw fish and be fine too, right?

"Just make sure… to come back…" murmurs Wizard as he opens the door and frees me.

I flick my tail in response.

Padding down the steps quickly and making my way over to the docks, I catch sight of Toby and quicken my pace until I'm standing behind him.

Now… I'm a cat. Toby has a soft heart. What do cats do that always make people melt?

Building up my courage, I suck in a breath and meow, sending my voice box into purring mode as I rub against his leg. I meow against just for good measure.

Looking down, Toby smiles and bends down. "Well, hello there kitty." Placing a hand on my back, I feel myself instinctively lean into him, my purr getting louder. Getting pet was like someone giving you a massage! "Hungry?"

This is so embarrassing… I meow again, once again rubbing against his leg.

"Well… alright. I'm sure I can spare one fish for you." Digging into his cooler, he takes out a fish, holding it out for me.

Now, I'll be honest. It looked slimy and disgusting. Usually I didn't mind fish. I fish to pass the time. But, knowing I was going to have to eat it just like that, without skinning it and cooking it first… made my human part shiver. My cat part, however, jumped with joy and, on impulse, made my jaw grab the amphibian and bite into it.

I had mixed emotions. My human taste buds wanted me to hurl, while my cat side was having a party. My hunger, however, made me give into my cat side, and I dug in, purring all the while. Toby made sure to move over slightly to give me room to eat, casting his line out to resume his daily fishing.

Stuffing myself until I couldn't eat another bite, I purred away, making sure to thank Toby by giving him one last leg rub before walking off.

Having sensed my return, Wizard was there to open the door as I sauntered in, finding a corner of the house to curl up in.

"You alright…?" he asked, noting my antisocial action.

'I am so conflicted…' I admit, hiding my face the best I could behind my tail. 'Free food, but what I had to do to get it… Raw fish… is delicious and repulsive at the same time… Wizard, when I return to being a human, remind me to congratulate Witch for surviving as a frog for so long…'