Return of the Cat
Announcement

Note: Sorry, guys. A lot's been going on lately. We know you're all probably mad at us for waiting so long to update. We're sorry...

Haru leaned out of her window, looking down every street in her line of sight, anxiously awaiting Baron. Her mother was downstairs in the quilting room, working on her latest project. She had cooperated with her daughter regarding her outfit, giving input when necessary.

Haru wore a lime green dress that perfectly complimented her skin tone. Adorning her feet was a pair of matching flats, so her feet wouldn't hurt when she danced. She had decided to leave her hair down for the night. She moved away from the window and went to the mirror across the room, examining herself critically.

Hearing a peculiar sound, she turned to see Toto perched on her windowsill. "Haru, are you ready to go?" the Baron asked, dismounting. He didn't fail to notice that she was wearing the necklace he had given her.

"Yes," she answered. Finally, a thought dawned on her. "Wait. How are we getting there? I can't ride Toto." The Baron hadn't thought of that, he admitted.

A loud meow rose from the street outside. Beside Haru's mailbox, a small black and white spotted cat looked at them, as though calling them. It meowed again.

"He says to come with him," the Baron translated, hopping upon Toto's back once again. The dark bird flew down from the window and alighted upon the mailbox. But Haru couldn't just jump from the second-story window. She stared at them for a moment, and then ran downstairs, careful not to slip and fall. She took a quick peek at her mother, who was already fast asleep at her quilting table. "Bye, Mom," Haru whispered softly, then left, making sure she had her cell phone in her purse before she locked the door.

The cat meowed again. "He told us to follow him," the Baron infromed her. They obeyed. The cat led them to an alley. There was something different about the wall at the very end...

The cat walked expertly through the wall. 'The wall must be a portal into the Cat Kingdom,' Haru realized. Toto flew through as well, without hesitation. Haru walked reluctantly up to it and pressed her hand against it. Her hand didn't touch a solid object, but went through the wall like putting her hand in water. She withdrew her hand quickly, scared, then stepped closer to it and put her hand through the wall again. She looked behind her, to ensure nobody was watching, then took a deep breath and plunged in.

She blinked and found herself no longer in the human world. In fact, she was no longer even human. It was just like when Lune's father had had her brought to the Cat Kingdom, only this time, she came willingly.

"Haru!" she heard her friends call to her. They gestured for her to come with them. She ran to catch up with them, glad that she had not worn heels. A group of cats was waiting for her a little ways away. They escorted her and Baron to the castle, assuring Toto that they would be well taken care of. Toto flew off, calling out his farewells. Suddenly, he vanished. 'He must have flown through the barrier,' Haru realized, recovering quickly from the shock of his disappearance.

Yuke rushed to meet her right outside the palace, too impatient to wait for them to come into the entertainment hall. Lune had been left behind in the dust. Yuki hugged Haru, while Lune and Baron stuck to shaking hands. Yuki and Haru exchanged compliments and headed for the entertainment hall, catching up and talking about everything that had gone on since their last encounter.

Baron and Lune started to trail after the girls. Lune couldn't resist asking, "Do you plan to tell her tonight?"

Baron was silent for a few moments. Lune was afraid he wouldn't reply. It was a personal question, after all. Then the Baron spoke. "I truly don't have any plans for tonight, Lune. I seem to be making it up as I go."

Lune frowned. "You know what I think, Baron. Just keep that in mind tonight."

"I shall," Baron promised.

They had then reached the entertainment hall, where cats from all over the world were assembled. The ball had been organized to celebrate Lune's coronation, but they also intended to discuss the issues that Lune would have to deal with once he took the crown permanently. They were all seated at a long table, length very close to the width of the entertainment hall, so as to accommodate all the cats.

Lune clapped his hands as Baron helped Haru into her chair and took his own seat. "Hello, everyone! Welcome to my palace! I know you're all eager to begin the celebration, so let the ball begin!" He clapped his hands again, and music began to play from the orchestra. It was a waltz.

Haru watched as all the cats around her rose to dance, twirling around the dance floor in astounding grace. She found herself feeling a little sad...all these couples...

"Would you care to dance?" she heard Baron's voice, paired with his paw outstretched, begging for hers.

"I...okay," she said. He led her to the dance floor close to Lune and Yuki. He steered her so that they were perfectly in sync with the other dancers. Baron could see Lune and Yuki smirking at him while Haru's back was to them.

Finally it was time for the meal. Lune and Yuki returned to the table, and all the other cats understood what was happening. It didn't take long for all of the cats to have resumed their respective seats at the table. Lune gave the order for the food to be brought in, and they all ate heartily of the delicious food set before them.

After Lune had noticed that the majority were finished with their meal, he stood once again and clapped his hands. "Everyone! May I have your attention, please?" All eyes turned to him. "Thank you. I'm sure you all know about Yuki and myself, and how very much we are in love. And now, we have an announcement to make." The young king gestured to her, and she stood, as well. "Yuki and I are pleased to announce that we are engaged, and we wanted you all to be the first to know."

"Congratulations" spread down the table, and Lune smiled, pleased that they had all accepted Yuki. Someone even raised a toast to the couple.

"Baron, would you like to say anything?" Lune offered.

Baron could not refuse. "Lune, you are one of my closest friends, and I have nothing but the deepest respect for you and your fiancee. I wish you both happiness, success, and the best of luck in your marriage, and in your royal duties as king and queen of our glorious kingdom. I believe I speak for us all when I say you will make a good king, and that we could not have chosen a better one."

All of the cats clapped, including Haru, Yuki, and Lune. Baron took a deep breath, making a split-second, life-altering decision. "I also have something else to say, on a more personal note. Something I should have said a long time ago." He turned to Haru and spoke her name, finally ready...

Suddenly, the glass windows shattered, and shards showered to the floor. The silhouettes of unfamiliar cats could be seen where previously there had been painted glass. Lune immediately pushed Yuki out of sight.

"You do not speak for us, Baron!" shouted a huge deep-colored cat, just a shadow in the far window. Then, smaller, dark red cats leaped from the window, and with lightning speed, yanked Haru from her seat and carried her, screaming, out of the middle window before anyone had time to reguster what had happened, much less do anything about it.

"Haru!" Lune and Baron cried out.

"Lune," the large cat addressed the king. "If you wish for the safe return of your lovely bride-to-be, you will renounce your throne and leave the Cat Kingdom forever! Don't worry, you'll have some time to think about your decision Lune. We'll be in touch.". The cat then disappeared. The security cats came in, too late to prevent what had already occured.