Hey guys! Well, this story was pretty fun to write. I had so many options and obviously I couldn't explore them all, considering I just kept on writing and writing, not exactly thinking before I wrote. When I get an idea in my head, I just run with it…a sad habit I must break. *sweat drop* Well, hope you enjoyed the story. This should be the last chapter, then done with Cat Returns for a while…unless a sequel is requested after this… 'hint hint…' ;) So, without further adue, here is the final chapter to "Life Goes On."

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Cat Returns

Haru's POV

When we took off for the exit, I could barely keep consciousness, but forced myself to do otherwise. With the tower now rebuilt, the exit was now back in place. We swiftly flew up and out of the exit. While we hovered for a bit, examining the are to see where we had ended up, I started to feel a bit more focused. Eventually, we knew where we were. We were flying over my now very lonesome-looking apartment. I unconsciously grasped onto Baron a little tighter as memories started flooding into my mind.

"Not much farther now, Haru." Baron said. He must have noticed my anxiety. I only nodded in response. As we descended into the courtyard of the bureau, we saw a large, white feline, whom we recognized as Muta, pacing back and forth. When he finally noticed us, we landed, and he came running right up to us.

"Where have you been?" he exclaimed. Baron was in the process of helping me off Toto. "You've been gone for days…!" His voice trailed off as he noticed my staggering body. "Hey, kid! You ok?"

"Muta, if you would kindly wait until we're completely finished, we will gladly tell you what happened." Baron snapped. I could tell he wasn't ready to deal with Muta's frantic rants. Muta nodded and stepped aside for the moment. I chuckled lightly at this. Baron looked at me with a smile at this. Then his face faded to seriousness.

"Haru…" he started. "I want you to know that no matter what you choose, I will always love you." He smiled lightly. I smiled back. When I held the vile up to look at it, I thought long and hard about my choice. I looked at the three bureau members before saying,

"I know I can't please everybody I love…and those I can't will suffer greatly for it. But, whatever I choose, it will always be for the best. Even I may not like the choice, but it will be for the best. The choice I'm about to make may change my entire life forever. And, I want you all to know, that it IS for the best." Baron's eyes shifted downward at this statement. I smiled. "Which is why…I know you will understand when I do this." After saying this, I popped the cork to the vile, and drank the liquid. It had a nice and sweet taste to it. I took a step back from the group and waited.

"Isn't something supposed to happen now…" Muta started, but trailed off when my body started to glow a very bright light. I winced in pain as my side started hurting a bit, but could also feel my body transforming. I soon, couldn't feel the ground beneath me anymore, as the light lifted me to complete the transformation. This went on for a good few minutes, before I finally felt myself lowering to the ground. I was so overwhelmed, I just let the light allow me to lay on the ground.

"Haru?" I heard Baron say, as he rushed over to help me back up. I stumbled a bit getting up before I heard him gasp. I smirked.

"Well? How do I look?" I said. My fur had changed to a light grey color. I still had my face, but it was also much like a cat's. My paws turned back into hands, but fur-covered. Much like Baron's. I had a longer, fluffier tail. Much changed, but I was still part cat. I looked like a female version of Baron.

"I don't understand…" Baron stated after a few moments of staring. I smiled.

"I figured I didn't have much back home…and Hiromi has bigger plans for her life. She'll be fine without me. I figured…I could start a new life, here in the bureau…" I walked over to the still shocked Baron and placed my hand on his face. "I love you so much. And I want to be with you, Baron. No matter what it takes, I will always be with you." I smiled, if it was even possible to smile any bigger than I was. He smiled back before cupping my face in his hands.

"Just as long as you're happy, Haru. That's all that matters." He replied. I nodded, before allowing him to capture my lips in a passionate kiss, one that I would never forget for as long as I shall live. Muta and Toto were happily arguing over nothing as usual. We pulled away from each other for a moment to watch. I started to laugh, as it didn't hurt anymore, and it was a truly genuine laugh. One I haven't had in a long time.

"Oh, yeah, you birdbrain!" Muta shouted.

"Again with the 'birdbrain' thing. Muta, you have no originality." Toto retorted. They continued like that until I decided to have some fun. I pulled away from Baron and snuck in a direction he wouldn't notice me. As he continued to throw the same insult at Toto, I was carefully sneaking up behind him. Toto eventually caught on to this, and was trying hard not to laugh.

"What's your problem, Birdbrain? Why you laughing?" Muta asked. I was close enough. As soon as I got close enough, I jumped up high enough to land on his shoulders. I jumped up higher than him, jumped on his shoulders for like a split second, and jumped off, watching him flail about.

"HUH? WHAT!" He screamed as he fell backwards. We all erupted in hysterical laughter. I was laughing so hard, I ended up on the ground, clenching onto my sides. It felt so good to laugh again.

"Oh, Muta! You're face! It was priceless!" I exclaimed between my hiccups of laughs. He got up and stormed over towards me.

"What was that all about!" He exclaimed. I tried hard to suppress my laughter.

"I'm sorry, Muta. I just haven't had a laugh like that in a LONG time." I said with a grin. He calmed down a bit.

"Now, how about we all go in for some tea?" Baron suggested. "I'm sure you want to hear all about the situation, Muta?" He looked over and nodded at Baron. I ran back over to Baron, entwined my arm with his, and walked into my now permanent home. I smiled at the thought of being with Baron the rest of my life. We got inside, received our cups of tea, and sat down to talk about the case. It took some time for Muta to understand some of the history of the Cat Kingdom, but after some extensive explanations, he finally understood, and asked no more further questions on the matter.

We sat and talked for a few hours. I just happened to look up at the clock on the wall, which read about 10 o'clock. I tried to stifle a yawn, which ended up not working in the end anyway. Baron noticed this.

"Would you like to go to bed?" He offered. "It is quite late. The room is up the stairs, first door on the right." I blushed at the thought of taking his bed. But I thought, since I might be living here now, we'll have to revert to sleeping in the same bed sooner or later. I nodded before saying good night to everyone. After everything that's happened, sleep came quite quickly. Before I knew it, I was sound asleep, left to my endless dreams of random thoughts in my mind.

The next morning came quicker than I thought. I woke up to a very bright light. I rolled over to try and block it out, but it didn't help too much. I decided to get up. I forgot that I hadn't had any other clothes, so I slept in what I had on last night…how embarrassing…

"Great…what else am I going to wear…" I thought out loud. I looked over at a desk and chair and noticed a dress hanging over the chair. I smiled and went over to try the outfit on. All together, it was a pale yellow-colored dress with a black belt around the waist, a pair of black leggings, and black flats. There was even a yellow ribbon for my hair. After I had a good look at myself in the mirror, I thought out loud, "Wow…Wish I had clothes like this before…" I smiled, got one last look, before skipping down the stairs. When I got downstairs, I looked around for the one who had captured my heart.

"Baron…?" My voice trailed off as I noticed said cat laying on the couch, his head lulled to the side, fast asleep. I smiled and silently skipped over to him. I hovered over him like a little child watching her parents sleep.

"You know…it isn't polite to watch people sleep…" He mumbled. I jumped back a bit, my face turning bright red.

"Ah! I'm sorry!" I said. He chuckled as he sat up. When he finally noticed the outfit I was wearing, he stared for a bit, before shaking his head to snap out of his thoughts.

"That dress suits you quite well, Haru." He said. I nodded.

"Thank you so much. But where, may I ask, did you get it?" He smiled sadly before replying,

"Louise, my once betrothed, had an exquisite taste for simple, yet elegant dresses. Yes, they did suite her, but I am not ashamed to say that you fit the part much better." I smiled sadly.

"You miss her, don't you?" I asked. He looked over at me and nodded slowly.

"At times, yes. But, one must learn to move on in life. Meet new people, start a new life." He said, quoting my words. I smiled before embracing him lightly. "So, how would you like some breakfast?" He said, walking out to the kitchen to start said meal. I nodded, and followed him out.

"I now know, this is the world I belong in." I thought to myself. I smiled at this thought, before helping Baron with breakfast.

After we were done eating, I asked if there was a way to deliver the letter I had written for Hiromi. I had written an actual letter for her along with the poems, stating that all my stuff be donated to people who really need it.

"I can have Toto fly it to her for you." Baron suggested. I nodded. I handed the letter to Toto telling him to make sure to take good care of it. I didn't want Hiromi to worry about me. The last thing she needs is stress when she's almost done with high school and moving on to college. Toto took off with the letter to take it to her.

"Well…shall we go inside? It's quite cold out…" I said with a shiver. Baron nodded before escorting me back inside. I'm glad I made this choice. I know I made the right one. I'll be helping out with cases, and be with the ones I love, all at the same time. This is the start of a new life for me.

A life that I will cherish more than anything in the world.

Whew! Done! Hope you enjoyed! I know, not the best ending, but I had to leave it open just to see if people wanted a sequel. R&R, comment and criticize! See ya guys next time! Ciao!