Return of the Cat
Chapter 11: Fleeting Victory

Kohari: Okay, admittedly, this wasn't a really quick update. It's just that I was enjoying summer so much. This summer is my transition from high school to college - the first truly "free" summer I've had since middle school. I'm sorry for being so selfish. I feel kinda bad knowing that while you were all waiting patiently for an update, I was at the beach reading various books and tanning with few thoughts of completing the story. I hope this chapter will convince you all to forgive me, however. Enjoy!

"Do you think he really will come, Baron?" Lune wondered aloud, concerned. "Even though we have a hostage, I'm not confident that he will do as we requested."

"I'm sorry to say that I agree with you, Your Highness," Baron replied. He glanced out the window, taking note of the direction in which the cats that were Maroon's lackies were headed.

"Well?" Maroon demanded as soon as his followers had returned from their errand. It didn't take him long to notice that one of the group was missing. "Where is Sherman?" (A/N: I have no idea what I chose that name. Probably 'cause he's a yes-cat? lol...Okay, lame joke. Sorry.)

"Lune is holding him prisoner, sir," one of the breathless cats answered. "He says he wants you to come to the palace and talk to him in person."

"Why? So he can ambush me?" Maroon demanded. "That fool! Who does Lune think he's dealing with? Does he not know how angry he is making me?"

"He says that Sherman will suffer for your refusal," added the cat's companion.

"I couldn't care less," Maroon told them. "What is one cat for the sake of the future of all cats?"

All in his gang exchanged glances, aware that he was planning to sacrifice Sherman, if necessary, for the sake of the Cat Kingdom. They weren't sure what to make of it. They had heard it before - Lune's marriage could be disastrous for them all. But none of them wanted to die for it. They couldn't help but feel sorry for their comrade.

"I tire of this game of cat and mouse," Maroon concluded. "Where is the girl?"

They all turned to where Haru had been sitting moments ago. The cats gasped in unison when they realized that he had vanished, seemingly into thin air.

"She's gone," one of them stated the obvious, causing Maroon to growl loudly with fury.

"Find her!" he commanded in a booming voice. "Find the girl! Now! And once you have, kill her! The girl must be destroyed! For the sake of the Cat Kingdom!"

The cats scrambled around desperately in search of Haru, hoping that they found her before Maroon had time to find fault with them for not watching her more carefully.

"Are you alright, Haru?" Baron asked her as soon as they were safely concealed outside the building. He immediately commenced to untie her bonds.

"I-I'm fine," Haru stammered a reply, still in shock from the excitement of being rescued.

"Good. Now, we have to hurry," Baron reminded her, "before one of them -."

"I found 'em!" one of Maroon's followers exclaimed triumphantly upon spotting them.

"Run, Haru!" She didn't need to be told twice. They could hear the chaotic shouts of Maroon's gang in pursuit.

Baron led her by the hand to Toto, who had been waiting patiently for them, hidden cleverly in some large bushes. Baron and Haru climbed onto the bird quickly, who took off before Maroon's cats could even hope to reach them. Toto set his course for the castle, chuckling at the reaction of those stupid cats when they saw that they couldn't catch the elusive Baron, spirited Haru, and winged Toto.

"How did you find me, Baron?" Haru ventured to ask as soon as they were out of danger. She already knew how he had gotten there so fast.

"Lune and I 'persuaded' one of Maroon's errand-kitties to tell us where they were stationed." Baron's explanation of 'persuasion' made Haru giggle. "I had already seen the direction in which they were heading, so it wasn't really difficult to find their hide-out."

"Well, thanks for saving me again, Baron," Haru expressed her gratitude. "I hope this having to rescue me thing doesn't become a regular event."

Baron smiled, suppressed the urge to laugh. He still had a bad feeling about this whole ordeal, as though they hadn't won just yet...

"Lune?" Baron called for the King as he and Haru dismounted from Toto on the windowsill.

"That's strange," Haru pointed out. "The room's dark." She spoke the truth. The lights were out completely. King Lune's office was filled with creepy shadows.

"Something's not right here," Baron agreed, looking around.

Haru gasped suddenly, attracting Baron's attention. He then saw what had startled her. Maroon stepped out from the shadows. Lune was in his clutches, with a dagger to his throat.

Kohari: Okay, so it wasn't that long, but I hope you liked it. I will try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible. Thanks for all your support!

Note: Not proofread.