Chapter Twenty Three: The Best Apologies
Right actions in the future are the best apologies for bad actions in the past.
-Anonymous
xxXxx
All Hallows Eve was a much beloved day by the Cat Kingdom, and the people of the Piaal Baronetcy were no exception to that. The entire day was spent in revelry and games that were enjoyed by all.
Although Haru never specifically said so, Baron knew that it was the first genuine party she had been invited to in over a decade, if ever. She very quickly became educated in the simpler, more energetic dances of the peasants as well as several of their games. Granted, she couldn't play some of them because it would have been improper in her role as both a lady and Sea Maiden, but at least she was becoming familiar with them.
"That sticks game looks like a lot of fun," she said wistfully as one cat or another was pulled over the head of the resident champion.
"You could probably beat him," he assured her with a small smile, fighting back memories of his brothers enjoying the sport.
She sighed a bit. "Too bad you'd probably stop me if I tried to go over there."
"Not to mention the fact that he would probably hand over the title without a fight."
"Maybe not; it's not like we're at the palace," she pointed out, just before twitching a bit, and looking around her with intent.
"Is something wrong, Haru?" he couldn't help but ask.
"I'm not sure. I told Yuki that she could have today off, but I'm not seeing her anywhere." She suddenly looked angry. "She better not be doing my laundry or something else to miss out on the fun."
"I rather doubt she is up to that. Yuki does know how to have a good time. I'm certain she's enjoying herself."
"I hope so. It'd still be nice to see if she's around, though."
Baron nodded, understanding her feelings. After all, her incredibly protective nature was one of her better qualities, and it was only natural that she would look out for the first genuine friend she had ever had.
For some reason, that thought made him look around in puzzlement. "Come to think of it, I don't see Lune anywhere, either."
"Does he like these kinds of parties?" Haru asked curiously.
"Usually, yes, but he hasn't been himself in a while."
Since Haru saved his life, actually.
She nibbled her lower lip a little. "Baron? Lune isn't always so distant and formal, right?"
"Sometimes he has to be, because he's the prince. However, one of the reasons he enjoys visiting me is because he can relax without getting scolded."
The half-human sighed sadly, thinking about the distant prince.
Baron frowned; he didn't like seeing her depressed. He looked around with more intent, trying to find something to distract her from her inevitable future.
Suddenly, he saw the perfect thing. He grabbed her hand, and started guiding her away from the makeshift sticks arena.
"Baron? Where are we going?" she asked with surprise.
"Oh, just somewhere that you'll enjoy immensely," he replied in an off-hand manner, although he was grinning from ear to ear as he headed toward the Human Tree.
ooOoo
Approximately half an hour later, all traces of melancholy were completely erased from her features, and she was laughing happily.
"This is so cool!" she cried out as Toto broke out of a barrel roll, far above the baronetcy. "It's even better than surfing!"
"Why thank you, Haru," the crow said over one shoulder before heading above the few clouds again.
Baron also laughed, having the time of his life. It was one thing to ride Toto for trips to and from the palace, and completely another to go flying just for the fun of it. Although he hadn't the time to join Toto for joy rides in a terribly long time, he was glad that Haru was there as well.
Still, it was hard to keep his mind off of the way her warmth was soaking through the back of his shirt, and on the sides where Haru's arms were gripping Toto's feathers for dear life.
How did she always manage to stay so warm? Was it a human trait, or a personal peculiarity? He bit back a small smile, strangely certain that it was the second option. It was rather doubtful that anyone in Raven's Peak radiated such warmth.
Before Baron knew it, Toto was landing, and the sky was turning a soft violet color.
"How could it be sunset already?" he couldn't help but complain as Haru slid off from behind him.
"Believe me; I know how you feel," she laughed, giving Toto a big hug around the neck. "Thanks for the ride; it was amazing!"
The crow smiled warmly at her, and wrapped his great feathery wings around her for a hug of his own as the little kitten slipped off his back. "It was my pleasure. Only Baron's ever liked riding me before."
Haru looked at the runt, and gave him such a warm smile that he forgot about his disappointment. "That's because he has good taste. Thanks for thinking of this, Baron." Then she gave him one of her trademark hugs, one that was warm enough to almost make him melt in her arms like butter.
"Y-You're quite welcome, Haru," he managed to say, wondering why his tongue was choosing to go on strike now of all times.
That just made her grin, and give him another warm hug before standing up. "So, what's next?"
Baron frantically tried to think of something. For some reason, the thought of sharing Haru right now wasn't all that appealing. "A walk sounds lovely; care to join me?"
"Of course. Thanks again, Toto," Haru said cheerfully, waving her hand at the giant crow as she left with the little kitten. "Are we going anywhere in particular?"
"Not really. It's just that… a walk sounded nice about now," he said evasively, although he immediately wished to kick himself.
Couldn't he think of anything better than that?
Thankfully he didn't need to say a single word. Haru seemed perfectly content to just walk beside him, her dreaming eyes on the ocean as the sun sunk behind it. Baron, however, could hardly keep his own eyes off of her face. It wasn't often that he got to see her look that peaceful, that content. It was very soothing to see her like that. If only he could see her like that more often.
She suddenly looked down at him, making him start studying his shoes instead of her.
"Baron? Can I ask you something?" she asked curiously.
"Of course."
"If you really were so terrified of humans once upon a time, why did you study them so much?"
"Will you tell me about Ivan?" he replied, hoping to startle an answer out of her.
Haru flinched, and looked away. "I guess I can wait then."
The under-grown noble looked up at her, his green eyes turning sad. Maybe that had been the wrong thing to say. She was withdrawing from him, and he couldn't handle that.
He decided to answer anyway, starting with a resigned sigh. "I suppose one might say… it was because of you."
She growled with exasperation. "Stupid prophecy," she muttered while brushing her long hair back from her face with one hand.
"No, no; the prophecy had nothing to do with it," he assured her, almost laughing now. "I meant you, specifically."
She gave him a very wary look, so he knew he had to explain himself quickly.
"About the same time that I was retrieving Vulcan, Lune met Yuki, and he mentioned my fear to her. When I came back to the palace, he introduced us. She spoke up, and said that not all humans were monsters. My brothers fed me all sorts of horror stories about humans the year before I left home, so it was quite a shock to learn that she survived living in the Human Kingdom thanks to one."
Haru was still staring at him, but at least she didn't look as nervous. "So, that's when she told you about me?"
"Correct, although she told me that your name was Chicky. I was curious as to why a 'monster' would show such kindness to a defenseless kitten. I spent the years since extensively studying your kind, trying to find some answers."
Haru paused long enough to lean against a convenient tree, looking very sad. "There are monsters among my kind, though."
"But the same holds true for my kind," he admitted, also leaning against a tree. "Smaller quirks aside, there's not all that much difference between our species."
"Except that humans don't live in the Cat Kingdom as humans," Haru said dryly. "Plus the fact that cats don't keep humans as pets, unless you count the king's obsession with putting me on display like one," she started growling.
"Haru, don't think about that," he said worriedly, walking over to hold her hand. "You're no pet, no matter what the king thinks."
She looked down at him, and squeezed his hand back while smiling. "Thanks, Baron. How do you always know how to make me feel better?"
"… I'm not entirely certain," he admitted sheepishly. "I think its instinct, because I don't always know what will work beforehand."
She grinned and leaned down to kiss his cheek. "Here's hoping your instinct never runs out."
Baron could immediately feel all the warmth in his body rush to his face, making him wonder if Haru could feel it through his fur. It was nearly a wonder that his fur didn't start smoking from the intense heat of the blush.
"Y-Yes, that would be wonderful. I mean, it would be terrible if I lost it- my instinct, I mean," he stuttered like a fool, so unlike his usual tone.
Haru giggled at the kitten, and gave him another hug. "Baron, you've got to be the coolest cat I've ever met."
He made some incoherent sounds, attempting to string them into a single word, even if it was a silly one.
She grinned at him, and kept his hand in hers as they started walking again. "This really is a beautiful place, Baron. You're lucky to call it home."
"… Yes. Beautiful," he answered weakly.
He was kidding himself if he was thinking about the baronetcy.
ooOoo
Once the sun disappeared into the sea, Baron and Haru reluctantly returned to the town square, where a certain number of torches were glowing. A spirited tune was coming from a group of musicians as nearly every spirit danced around, laughing with happiness as others kept the beat with clapping hands.
Haru sighed in contentment. "Isn't that a wonderful sight?"
Baron looked up at her beaming face and nodded. "I've always enjoyed seeing them this happy."
Seeing that the two had returned, one of the younger fishercats approached them and bowed respectfully. "My lady; may I have the honor of a dance?"
Haru looked down at Baron quickly as his blood ran cold. But he still smiled and released her hand, even though the action made him feel disconnected and lost as the young cat led Haru to the middle of the town square, and started teaching Haru the energetic dance, which did look like a lot of fun.
'If only I could do that without collapsing…'
"She won't forget about you, my lord."
Baron gasped sharply while turning around fast. "Richard! What have I said about sneaking up on me?"
"My apologies, my lord; I merely wished to speak to you while Lady Haru was out of earshot," the old steward explained while inclining his head at the town square.
Baron followed his gaze, not willing to miss a chance to even see a little of the human girl. 'Did he ask Thomas to dance with her, or is he taking advantage of her absence?'
"I know how you hate it when I eavesdrop on you, but you were not the only one to hear Lady Haru play the harp. Word of her talent has spread out to nearly the whole baronetcy, and you may have noticed that there are many present from your two other towns."
"Come to think of it, there are more cats present than usual," Baron mused, wondering what Richard was leading up to.
"With your permission, my lord, I would like to have your mother's harp retrieved from your room. We would be honored if Lady Haru graced us with a song tonight."
Baron's jaw dropped. "Why in the Cat Kingdom are you asking me? That's really up to Haru to decide, and you would have received a faster answer if she were here instead of over there."
"Except that it is your mother's harp."
"Which Haru can play whenever she wishes." 'Now if I could gain the courage to tell her so.'
"Excellent; I'll have Adam retrieve it immediately," Richard concluded with a wide smile, running off to do so.
Baron groaned, and inched closer to the dancing in order to get her attention. Haru would not be pleased with such short notice.
Unfortunately, she was being exchanged between partners at a rapid pace; it almost felt like every male present wanted to someday tell his children or grandchildren that he had actually danced with the Sea Maiden herself.
Surprisingly, she wasn't running low on energy at all. By the time the twentieth cat came and went, she was still as fresh as if she had been resting all evening.
Baron was forced to conclude that it had something to do with her mixed genes. But he still needed to give her a little bit of warning. "Jacob, would you mind telling Lady Haru that I need to speak to her? It's rather important, and I don't dare go in there," he begged of a middle-aged cobbler that had been recovering nearby on a long bench as he sat down at it.
The old grey cat gave him one of his cheeky grins, and immediately got up to start weaving his way between all the dancers. With a bit of difficulty, he managed to steal her away from her current partner and whisper something to her.
Haru seemed surprised, but nodded thankfully at him as he escorted her off the large dance floor. She grinned at the little kitten as the cobbler bowed his way out of their presence. "What is it, Baron? Did you want to dance?"
"Yes- I mean no- I mean… let me start over," he sighed, feeling like an idiot for the second time that day. "Were you aware that when you played for me, others could hear you as well?"
She seemed surprised, and bit her lower lip in concentration as she sat down next to him. "I guess it's reasonable; stone walls make for surprisingly good acoustics. Why do you ask?"
"Richard just informed me that almost or perhaps everyone here would love to hear you play for them."
Haru's large brown eyes went even wider, and he could see a trace of yellow in them again. "You mean… in front of everybody?"
"I couldn't imagine why everyone would want you to play while off in a corner where no one could hear you."
Haru looked around her with fresh fear; taking in just how many people were present. "Play… right now?" she asked in a sick tone.
Baron looked at her renewed horror, trying hard not to laugh at the expression on her face. "Haru Yoshioka, you don't suffer from stage fright, do you?"
"…Maybe?" she squeaked in an uncertain tone. "I mean… I've only ever played for Muta before, and you, and… there are a lot of people here," she mumbled under her breath, looking down at the hem of her dark green dress. "I haven't even been practicing as much as I used to. If Richard had said something sooner, I could have at least practiced."
"It was rather rude of him to spring it on us like this," Baron agreed completely. He reached over and patted her hand to comfort her as he thought of something. "What about the sea?"
She looked at him in surprise.
"Did you ever used to go out to sea and play by the waves, or perhaps in your boat?"
Her mouth fell open a little. "How did you know about that?"
"You seem like the type to do that, especially if Muta needed to sleep half the day in peace and you wanted to practice. Try picturing that the crowd here is just the sea, and you're playing for yourself, or perhaps Muta. I won't force you to play, if you would rather not, but apparently a good number of cats from my other towns traveled here, just to hear you play."
Haru looked out into the crowd, many of which were still dancing or clapping their hands in time to the music. "So that's why it felt like there were more people I didn't know than usual," she said under her breath.
"My lady?" Adam panted as he ran up to them, Baron's harp cradled in his arms.
Haru looked at the little lord a little worriedly.
"Only if you want to," he reminded her with a smile. "If you say no, it might warn them against springing this kind of surprise on us in the future."
Haru gave him a small smile, and hesitated only a little more before accepting the harp. "Except who knows when a chance like this will happen for them again? I mean, if they really did travel to get here for it?"
Adam beamed at her, and ran off to tell Richard, who in turn got the musicians to finish their song with a fun flourish.
Once the noise had somewhat dimmed, the old steward nodded at Baron.
Catching the hint, the tawny kitten stood up on the bench and spoke in as loud a voice as he could manage. "Dear friends, treasured guests; for your continued pleasure, Lady Haru has consented to play a song for us. It might be a good idea to make it something we can understand," he whispered the last sentence to Haru specifically as a polite applause drowned him out to anyone else.
"Gotcha. English this time," she confirmed as she started testing the strings again. After a minute of that, she gave a rather sheepish smile. "Sorry about the wait; I can't think of a song off the top of my head."
"We'll wait," one of the fishercats called as some of the smaller children made sounds of disappointment.
For some strange reason, Baron couldn't keep his eyes off of her face as she looked down a bit, staring off into space in concentration. "Just do the first song you think of; we'll be certain to love it," he encouraged her with a smile.
Haru gave him a brief, thankful smile, just as her fingers chose a soft, thoughtful melody. She looked down at her hands with surprise, but then shrugged it off as she started singing along.
"Every now and then,
"We find a special friend
"Who never lets us down.
"Who understands it all,
"Reaches out each time we fall.
"You're the best friend that I've found."
Her voice was every bit as lovely as Baron remembered. But for a reason he could not fathom, he found that he preferred her to sing in Japanese. He shook his head to silence his thoughts, and listen only to Haru.
"I know you can't stay,
"But a part of you will never ever go away.
"Your heart will stay-.
"I'll make a wish for you,
"And hope it will come true.
"That life will just be kind
"To such a gentle mind," she nearly choked, but just managed to get herself under control to keep singing.
Baron looked at her worriedly, wondering what was wrong.
"If you lose your way,
"Think back on yesterday.
"Remember me this way.
"Ooh, remember me… this way-."
Haru was trying hard not to cry now, but her restrained cries were clearly heard in her soft, slightly mourning tone, making the closer cats look at her in worry.
"I don't need eyes to see
"The love you bring to me
"No matter where I go,
"And I know that you'll be there
"Forevermore, a part of me,
"You're everywhere.
"I'll always care!"
As she sang out the chorus again, Baron realized what the problem was. This song was probably reminding her of home. Her true home; not the kingdom. Perhaps encouraging her to sing the first thing she thought of wasn't the best idea, after all.
"And I'll be right behind your shoulder,
"Watching you.
"I'll be standing right beside in all you do
"And I won't ever leave,
"As long as you believe.
"You…you just… believe," the human sobbed, unable to take it anymore. Despite the fact that the song didn't sound finished, she set the harp on the bench and bolted for the trees again.
"Haru?" Baron called in confusion, following in an instant. It didn't occur to him that it was strange to go after her, or that nearly everyone in the baronetcy was watching him do so.
All he could understand was that Haru was in pain, and he wanted to know what was troubling her. Fix it if he could.
But since he wasn't a fraction as athletic as she was, he lost her fairly quickly. He speedily walked down the path, trying to think of where she might be hiding.
'The rocks?' Baron didn't know where the thought came from, but it was as good a place as any to look for her.
Just as he passed by the familiar blackberry bush, he could hear stifled sobs coming from ahead. Thankful that his instinct had served him well, he cautiously approached the formations, where the mournful sound was a little clearer.
He didn't see her at first, but all he had to do was go around the rocks in order to see Haru huddled tight on the ground between two of the larger slabs of stone. She was crying into her arms, oblivious to his approach.
"Haru?" he asked softly.
She flinched at the sound of his voice, and tried to maneuver herself deeper into the crevice.
"Haru, please talk to me," he pleaded; gently taking her head between his hands and making her look up at him.
The emptiness in her eyes was horrible to behold, even as tears continued to fall from her eyes and down her wet face.
"Tell me what's wrong," he whispered, willing to do anything to make that look disappear.
"I-It's just that…" Haru managed to gasp between her sobs. "Muta… he used to say that… that song reminded him of Dad. But… right now…"
Baron understood in a heartbeat. "It reminded you of Muta instead, and how much you miss him."
She nodded miserably, burying her face into her arms to cry some more. "I… thought I was handling it okay. I thought… I thought…" Instead of finishing her sentence, she could only sob in despair.
Baron was used to pain on many levels. Even if he wasn't stuck inside this weak little body, his brothers had ensured that he was acquainted with hurt and heartache.
But the worst he had ever experienced was Haru's pain. She was trying hard to keep her tears under control, but even with burying her head into her arms, he could still hear her loud and clear. Her entire frame shook as she pressed her huddled body tighter against the stones, shaking her head even worse.
"I-I'll be fine… in a bit," she gasped, turning away from him in shame. "Go…"
"No," Baron told her firmly, wrapping his scrawny arms around her shoulders for as big of a hug as he could manage. "The last thing you need right now is to be alone."
"But-" she tried to say while trying to shake him off.
"No buts. You don't leave me alone when I want you to. We can stay out here as long as you wish," he informed her in a soft voice.
He was fairly certain that the next sob was of gratitude, because she had him wrapped in her arms in a second, and buried her face against his tiny neck.
"Thanks," she whispered, squeezing him like she would a teddy bear.
Baron wasn't precisely sure how long he had his arms around her neck, giving her the comfort he could as her tears slowly passed. But the longer he stayed there, the more certain he became of his guilt.
He was the reason for her heartache. If the king had allowed Natoru or Natori to fetch her, there's a chance that she'd still be in the Human Kingdom with her doting stepfather, even if her life would have ended if she had stayed.
He wanted to tell her that Renny missed her just as much, but then he would have to come clean about the retrieval of her locket. If only the king hadn't made him swear never to tell the truth about the challenge.
If only… there was something he could do to ease her pain. A consolation prize of sorts.
Suddenly, he remembered the trinket he had tossed into his top dresser drawer after returning from the palace. Almost without bidding, a plan began to form in his mind; one that quite frankly, he should have done when he first had the chance.
At last, Haru calmed down enough to return to the party, and Baron was able to escape to his tower.
Toto let himself in as Baron started gluing several sheets of paper together to create a larger sheet.
"What in the Cat Kingdom are you doing?" the crow asked as he sailed around the room once to land at Baron's side.
"I'm fixing what I broke, even if I get killed for it," the stunted cat responded as he started gluing together a second large sheet.
"Does this have anything to do with what you and Haru were doing earlier?" Toto asked suspiciously.
Baron froze. "I was merely comforting her, Toto."
"I saw what you were doing, Baron. But shouldn't comforting her be Lune's job? I mean, he is her intended and everything."
Baron paused in the careful application of glue. "… That's a good question. But I don't mind the honor."
Toto suddenly swept him up with a feathery wing. "It's not so much whether or not you mind comforting her, Baron. I think you're getting a little too attached to her for your own good."
"Preposterous-"
"Just what are you planning with all that paper?" Toto insisted again. "You're about to do something crazy, and I'll bet my home in the Human Tree that it has everything to do with Haru."
Baron looked away shamefully.
"Does that count as a yes?" Toto asked stiffly.
"We took everything from her, Toto," Baron whispered, trying to pry his way out of the bird's giant wing. "Her home, her kind; even her world. I want to ease her pain a bit, that's all."
"So what does this have to do with all this paper?" Toto asked, nudging a corner on the first large sheet.
"I need to compose a few letters to make this work, but please don't disturb them until the glue's dry."
"Oh, I see," Toto said sarcastically. "Make a few big letters, take them to the Human Kingdom, and what? How is this supposed to help the girl?"
"It will," Baron answered between his teeth as he took a third piece of paper, and wrote two large human words on it. "It has to."
xxXxx
'Remember Me This Way' was performed by Jordan Hill for the live action movie 'Casper'. There was originally another chorus after the last part Haru sang, but I thought it would have more impact unfinished.