Return of the Cat
Invitation

"In the letter, you said you had something to discuss with me, Baron?" Haru inquired, curious and confused.

"I do," the cat confirmed, gripping his cane tightly.

"What is it?" She found it hard to conceal the concern in her voice.

"Perhaps you'd better sit down," he suggested. As she did so (she's his size, by the way), he added, "I have something very important to tell you."

"Is something wrong, Baron?" Haru wondered as he began to pace in front of her.

"Wrong? Well, that depends on your point of view I suppose," he said, beating around the bush. He halted his nervous circular pattern of walking. "I have been feeling a bit under the weather as of late."

"Oh. That's terrible," Haru sympathized.

"However, my health is not what I called you here to discuss," Baron continued. "I was actually..." A sudden realization hit him. Haru waited anxiously for him to continue.

"Perhaps it's best, after all, to wait until after you exit high school to unload this knowledge, burden, if you will, onto you," he decided.

"But...no!" Haru cried. "The letter said that your news was urgent! And, besides, I only have one more year of high school, anyway." (Accurate or not, that's the way it is for now.)

Baron opened his mouth, perhaps to argue, but was interrupted. "What's so important that you can't even tell me?"

"I, well...perhaps..." he stuttered, fishing around in his mind for any of his usual brilliant thoughts. However, they failed him now, or else, failed to make themselves apparent.

"Baron!" Haru, overcome by curiosity and hurt by what she took to be his mistrust in her, exclaimed.

The cat took a deep breath, ready to take the plunge and confess. He nodded, signalling that when the words came to him, he would speak. He pieced various sentences together in his mind, feeling them out with his tongue before attempting to try any of the explanations out. Finally, he found one that he approved of that he hoped would not appall her or frighten her off.

He took another breath, prepared and composed. "Haru..."

Her eyes bore into him as she waited for him to talk. He found himself no longer able to do so.

"Haru," he began, losing the words he had tied together so meticulously. "I was thinking perhaps you would like to visit the Kingdom of Cats one more time."

He was afraid that she wouldn't buy his lie.

"Is there something wrong in the Cat Kingdom, then?" she guessed.

"No, not really," he admitted. "However, they are hosting a ball of sorts, very soon."

"Why?"

"It's a meeting of the minds of the world's greatest cats," he contined. "And Lune had invited me to come. He values my opinion on many topics, and also seems to be under the impression that if something were to, indeed, go wrong, I would spot the hindrance before it had a chance to make itself a real nuisance."

"Well, that sounds nice." He could see the question in her eyes - What does that have to do with me?

"I was hoping you would come with me," he told her. "You have a sharp eye, and Yuki has been dying to see you again for quite some time."

"You want me to come?"

"Yes."

Haru drummed her hands on a nearby table, opening her mental planner. "A visit would be nice..." she confessed. "When is this ball?"

"In a few days' time," Baron replied. "This Saturday night."

"Hmm...yeah. I think I will go," Haru answered him. Then she gasped. "But what should I wear?" she panicked.

"Just be yourself, Haru."

"Okay," she muttered, calmer, but somewhat confused.

"Hey, Baron," Muta interrupted the moment. "Got any cake?"

The orange cat and the human girl looked at one another. "So I will see you Saturday night, then?"

"Sure."

"We will make the journey at 6:00 sharp, so be on time," he adivsed.

"Okay." She left.

When she was out of earshot, Muta couldn't resist asking, "So did you tell her, Baron?"

Baron sighed. "No," he replied sadly.

Kohari: Sorry for the long wait. I'm not gonna make any excuses, even though there are a whole bunch. So...as always, review, please, with any questions, comments, concerns, personal experience, and constructive criticism. And, once again, this wasn't really proofread all that well, so if you catch any errors, PLEASE let us know so we can fix 'em. Thanks!

Note: Everything the Baron said about a ball is true.