A/N; So here's my excuse for updating early again. My big sis is finally (FINALLY!) getting married to a guy that is so awesome, we've already just made him part of the family (he's a geek that isn't afraid of work or partaking in humor! Huzzah!).

However, they're getting married in another state this time next week. So to spare myself from having to remember an update between all the wedding things I'll need to help out with and worrying about having an internet connection, I'm spreading the joy by updating now.

Have I mentioned that I'm kind of excited? It took a lot of frogs for her to find this prince!

Chapter Ten: Windows

I peer through windows,

Watch life go by.

Dream of tomorrow

And wonder why.

'Someone Like You', Wildhorn's Jekyll and Hyde Musical

xxXxx

Cats. Cats everywhere. Staring at her!

Haru flinched back from some of the gazes, despite the fact that Muta was more than willing to protect her. 'I know I wanted attention, but not this much!'

On the bright side, there were more stunned and curious stares than angry ones as Muta and Dona walked side by side down a large hallway. The fat one started whispering in one ear, his tone soft and encouraging.

Her grip on his shirt only increased as they passed by another group of cats that were craning their heads to get a good look at her. All of them were dressed in the same simple but nice style as Muta, Dona, and herself.

"Is it that obvious that I'm new here?" she muttered, starting to get depressed that no one could understand the question.

Dona reached up to caress her face, saying something warm and loving as she and Muta kept walking.

"So, just how big is this place, anyway? You two seem to know where we're going."

Muta gave her another hug as he kept marching with Dona, but otherwise didn't answer her.

Haru sighed, leaning against one of his shoulders. Whatever this place was, it was starting to feel like a dream. Or at least like she was trapped in a tiny bubble, with no way of knowing what was said outside of herself.

Suddenly, Haru noticed something else about the adult cats. Nearly all of them were sporting necklaces that were somewhat akin to collars. She gave a glance at Muta and Dona, too distracted to look before now.

Yep, they were wearing matching collar necklaces. But before she could really study them, Muta and Dona came to a sudden stop outside a large set of doors painted a simple pearl grey.

One man, er, cat, was standing outside the door, keeping his peculiar gaze on her as he opened one of the doors a crack and respectfully called something within.

The voice that answered made Haru stiffen on reflex. 'Holy flip, of course. They brought me to the ginger!'

Muta spoke firmly into one of her ears and gave her another hug before he and Dona entered the fully opened door.

The first thing she saw was the same cat from last night, though he was now dressed much more formally in a grey suit and top hat, as opposed to the odd grey overcoat from before. He looked like he had just barely stood up from the high back chair next to him, and his gaze seemed nervous. Maybe even a little sad.

Haru couldn't help but feel guilty from that look, especially after realizing he had saved her life. But had he meant to, or was he trying to bring back the original owner of this body?

Oh no… what if he had been in love with the real owner? His actions would make perfect sense if that was the case. But Muta and Dona were willing to believe what her name was. Just what the flip was going on?

Muta said something, but the ginger held up one hand to stop him. His voice was soft and steady as he took a few steps away from the chair.

Slowly, as if he wasn't sure that was what he was supposed to do, the fat cat came forward and gently set the girl on the vacated and warm seat.

'Yep, he was definitely just sitting here.' "You're not leaving, are you, Muta?" she couldn't help but ask in worry. One hand of hers kept a weak grip on his large wrist, trying hard not to accidentally scratch him with her new claws.

He rubbed one of her cheeks softly as he asked the ginger a question, to which the answer seemed to be negative. Muta relaxed, and stepped to the side and sat next to the chair as Dona knelt over the other arm rest. Her hand was on the young lady's unoccupied one, rubbing it gently in a calming manner.

But Haru's eyes were locked on the ginger as he took two steps to stand right in front of her, staring at the girl with sad but determined eyes. A whole moment passed between them as he clearly struggled to think of something to say.

Not that she would understand whatever it was he could tell her. "Um… hi?" she greeted awkwardly, desperate to break the silence.

He blinked at the sound of her voice, and managed a nervous smile as he said something to her that was very warm and… affectionate? Oh boy, she was going to be in trouble if she didn't cut him off.

"Look, I'm sorry if you were close to whoever used to own this body, but I'm not her. Just ask Muta and Dona, my name is Haru. Haru," she tried again while pointing to herself, since that did the trick earlier.

"Haru?" he asked, brightening happily.

"Haru. Who are you?" She pointed at him with the same finger, hoping he'd get the idea.

He did. "Baron," he stated, holding his simple top hat to his heart in salute.

Haru blinked. "Baron? Seriously?" 'So I did hear that word!'

He nodded, setting his hat back on his head with a happy smile still on his lips.

'Is that his name or his rank? If that's his name, this place is pretty weird.' "Okay, Baron?"

His ears perked up around the top hat.

"I'm… sorry about screaming at you earlier. I overreacted and you weren't doing anything worth screaming over. I still don't know what's going on, and okay, you're a cat and it was pretty freaky to see a cat as big as you, but that doesn't mean I… None of this is getting through, is it?" she asked in misery, already knowing the answer.

Baron's eyes took on a sad appearance, but his lips were set in a determined line. Gesturing with one hand for her to keep her eyes on him, the grey-clad cat stepped lightly to one of the large windows that made up one of the room's walls.

Muta walked on his knees backwards a bit so that Haru could see him around the chair. Keeping his gaze on her, Baron removed one glove, tucked it into a pocket of his grey suit jacket, and placed his bare hand directly onto the glass.

She gasped as the glass darkened and colors began to swirl around, until she was looking at…

Haru gaped in complete shock, staring at a much-younger version of herself curled up in the window seat of her room, eyes narrowed in concentration as she slowly and sloppily stuffed polyester filling into her half-filled toy.

"Cat," her past self muttered under her breath in a soft petite voice. "He's a cat, his ears are pointy."

The left ear was only a shade or so darker brown than the Muta currently holding her hand. He squeezed it gently, but her attention was still fixed on the glass.

On command, Baron was able to change the view to a literal slide show, though it didn't take much to summarize her human life. Mercifully, there was more emphasis on her music than her loneliness. He even included a few angle shots of her baking, mostly desserts, since that was what she loved baking most.

… He knew that. She could see it in his warm steady gaze, still locked on her and waiting for a reaction.

"Holy flip," Haru whispered, still shocked. "You know exactly who I am." 'He's a stalker. I have a stalker?'

Come to think of it… all the views of her were at strange angles that a movie producer wouldn't think of using, and the shape of the 'screen' kept changing with each shot, even though the glass was staying unchanged. There was even one point where her past self was literally wiping down the glass that was showcasing her.

"… Mirrors. You've been watching me through windows and mirrors! Were you the one that kept breaking glass?" she demanded, trying to stand up. She immediately fell over, since her legs weren't very strong.

Muta leaped forward, just catching her by the waist. A sound of alarm came from the ginger, who had instinctively jumped forward to help despite the distance. As soon as his hand was no longer in contact, the glass cleared to its original state. The fat cat made a few scolding sounds as he tried to ease her back into the seat, but Haru wasn't interested in being put back on the soft cushion.

Using the back of the tall chair, she was able to get to her feet for a little while. Taking a deep breath as Dona tried to soothe her, she tried again while keeping herself balanced over the back of the chair. "You were the one breaking the glass, weren't you?" She emphasized her words with pointing at a still-worried Baron, the window, and making a violent motion with her hands.

Baron immediately looked guilty, but he was honest enough to nod while saying something low and apologetic.

"You could have hurt someone! We thought there was someone out to harm the students! Were you trying to hurt someone?" she asked suspiciously. "The principal? Hiromi? Tsuge?"

He had his hands up in a defensive gesture again, and the words from his mouth were taking on a tinge of panic.

Dona forced Haru to look at her, scolding her with a wagging finger.

"Well, I'm sorry, but it took Tsuge's mom hours to pick all the shards out of him! Just what is going on?" she demanded, grabbing both of Dona's wrists while leaning against the chair. "You know who I am. I'm okay with that, but how did I end up here? Why did I die? How did Baron start watching me? And if he's been watching me for years, why didn't he already know my name? And if you didn't already have a daughter, where did this body come from? Why was he prepared when I… Just… just what's going on?" the girl asked, almost in tired tears of rage. "What am I doing here?"

Dona made some soothing sounds, bracing the girl against her tightly. Muta must have seen that her legs were becoming a little too unsteady, because he swept her off her feet and gave her another bear hug. He was trying to say something comforting, but he was looking at Baron a bit desperately as Dona kept trying to calm her down.

The ginger looked distressed as well. His large green eyes flickered to her as he tried to think of something, just before turning to the window again. But instead of showing her more, he played with a latch until one pane opened enough for him to reach outside.

"What the heck is he doing now?" Haru asked a bit crossly, keeping an iron grip on Muta's shirt as the orange and cream cat leaned almost completely out the window.

With a breath of triumph, Baron straightened up and relatched the window closed. Once that was taken care of, he turned and held something out to her.

For the… she had lost track of how many times her jaw had dropped in the past few days, never mind since waking up in this world. In any case, the item in his hand was enough to leave her speechless.

He had a silver rose in his hand. She knew those long thorns anywhere! The only difference between that rose and the ones around her house was a subtle sheen in the pearl grey petals.

"Those were from you?" Haru felt stupid for asking that when he couldn't understand her, but how could an alien cat plant a protective circle of thorns and roses around her house if he couldn't even get the seeds that close to her…

Magic. Right. She never had tried to find out who was responsible for the protection; she was just happy to have it.

Baron slowly came forward and offered it to her. He said something in a sad apologetic tone, but did nothing to disguise the tender way he was looking at her. No one had ever looked at her like that before, but she instinctively knew what it meant now that she had calmed down.

'I was wrong. It's me that has his attention.' How did that happen? Or why? What could he have seen in her that not even Tsuge did? Her face flushed underneath her fur, and her eyes were turning wider as his gaze refused to relent.

There was still a lot she didn't understand, but one thing was abundantly clear. He had not only saved her life, but he had been protecting her for years. If it weren't for his subtle interference, she just might have died years ago at the hands of one thief or another.

She owed him courtesy for that if nothing else.

Hoping that she wasn't invoking some unknown tradition, she hesitantly took his offering and held it close. Just like with her roses at home, the thorns bent softly to avoid pricking her. "Thank you. For… well, you know what for. You know how much those thorns mean to me."

Baron smiled at her, almost like he knew what she was saying. It was only then that he shifted his gaze to Muta and Dona, telling them something that she could only guess had to do with her. Opening the left side of his jacket, he took out a thick but small envelope and handed it to Dona. Whatever he said to her had a serious but gentle tone.

The obsidian cat held the small envelope to her heart, smiling happily as she replied.

'Erf? What's in that envelope? Please, please don't be bribe money!'

Muta asked something, Baron responded… this was getting old very quickly. They were talking about her right in front of her, but she couldn't understand a thing! This was even more frustrating than when the other students called her a tramp when they knew she could hear them. From the way all three of them were fond of looking at her, she doubted they were saying anything bad, but it was still frustrating.

Bowing gratefully, Muta and Dona turned back to the door, Haru still in the bigger cat's arms. The ginger said something soft and warm that the girl couldn't help but think was directed at her.

Hold on. If he's been watching her for years, there was one thing she needed to know. "Baron?" she asked timidly just before Dona opened the door.

Muta stopped cold and turned around so that she and the ginger could look at each other. Baron nodded while asking a word, maybe 'yes?'

She took a deep breath for courage. "Frankenstein?" 'Why am I asking if that's what he did? He doesn't understand a word I-'

"Frankenstein," he confirmed, giving her a grateful smile. He said more after that, but then stopped himself short with a growl of frustration.

'So it's annoying him too. But how did he know about Frankenstein if he can't understand me?'

Muta grunted something, making Baron nod miserably as he straightened and marched up to the giant cat with a determined look. Haru stiffened slightly as he took her hand in his, and brushed a soft kiss over her furry knuckles. The rose he had given her was still in her fingers.

Haru's face turned even hotter under her fur. 'Holy cow, what am I supposed to do? This guy couldn't be more obvious if his last name was 'Le Pew'.'

But unlike Pepé, Baron could tell he was making her uncomfortable. He released her hand, gave her a sad but relieved smile while nodding at Muta. The larger cat nodded back, saying something warm and thankful as he and Dona left the room. The door finally closed and the trio was walking down the hallway again.

Haru helped herself to a big fistful of Muta's shirt and rested her head on his shoulder. The other hand gripped the offered rose, making it easier for her to study it as Muta and Dona started walking down the hallway again. Her heart was still pounding, but at least it was getting under control.

But seriously! How did he pull a Frankenstein, let alone know that was the word for it? Where had this body come from? There weren't any stitches or bolts, but she was pretty sure that the energy she had felt upon arriving had been lightning. But since this world worked by magic, she couldn't know for sure.

Dona asked something worriedly while brushing a hand over her face. Haru released Muta's shirt in order to press that hand against her cheek, sorely needing the comfort from the simple touch. Dona's thumb rubbed gently against her hand as soft words were offered, but not understood.

"You know what?" she asked both of them, making the two look at her worriedly. "That brought up a lot more questions than it answered."

ooOoo

As soon as they returned to the room she had woken up in, Muta and Dona got right to work. Muta set her gently on the bed as Dona happily opened up the envelope Baron had given her. She unfolded some thick papers from within, making Haru breathe a sigh of relief.

'Thank heaven, not bribe money. So what is it?'

The older female gave her a strange look, but shrugged it off and sat herself level to the girl's knees. The obsidian studied the first paper carefully as she said something to Muta, who seemed to agree. He began tearing the white cloth off the furniture, which sent a modest amount of dust flying.

Setting the paper aside for now, Dona gave it another glance while grabbing one of Haru's bare feet and adjusting her seated position.

"What are you doing?"

Dona inched closer while keeping her leg in a straight line, and gave Haru a gesture and what sounded like a gentle command.

"Erm… I have no idea what you want," the girl said apologetically. "Are you going to fit me for shoes?"

Dona gave her a despairing look, but repeated the gesture and command. Her fingers pointed from Haru to herself. The young girl growled in exasperation, but then cut herself off with both hands against her mouth. That growl had been a bit louder than she had meant to do.

That made Muta laugh as he sloppily folded one of the large sheets. Dona sharply asked him something, frustration more than clear in her tone.

He nodded, throwing the mess of cloth at the foot of the bed and taking over Dona's place by her feet. The obsidian in turn said something mutinous as she took over folding the sheets with a practiced flair.

The huge cat took a second to study the paper before shifting his attention to the young lady in front of him. "Haru?"

"Muta," she replied while nodding.

That was enough for him. He said something slow and firmly as he gestured from her to him, but he also pressed the foot in his grasp against his ample waistline. His way of tracing from her to him followed the leg instead of just pointing.

'Kick him?' Cocking her head, Haru braced herself against the headboard with her hands and pushed that leg against his girth.

Muta's smile was wide and just a shade smug as he triumphantly stated something that made Dona give him a lighthearted glare.

"Oh, I get it! It's physical therapy so I can start walking again!" Haru realized with delight. 'But how did Baron know I would need it? Ugh, too many questions that can't be answered…'

Muta gave her a strange gesture, which she chose to interpret as 'relax your leg'. That turned out to be the right answer, although it took a bit of trial and error between them to work out a set of codes for what Muta wanted her to do. His wife pouted even as she neatly folded all of the sheets into a surprisingly small pile.

But far too soon, the exercises had worn her out. Dona could tell, and had to scold Muta before going too far. The fatter cat pouted, but then eased Haru's body into a better position for sleeping and covered her with a single blanket. But then Dona removed the pillow from under the girl's head before carefully replacing it with her own lap.

Muta asked something, but Dona shook her head stubbornly while grabbing one of Haru's hands. After a bit of thought, Muta asked something, Dona answered…

"This really is getting old," Haru muttered under her breath, gripping the beautiful obsidian's hand. "You two could be discussing alchemy for all I can tell."

The two cats looked at her, and then at each other with obvious worry. Muta said something in a compliant tone and kissed both of the females. Thankfully, Haru's kiss was on her forehead instead of Dona's on the lips. Then he gave both of them a warm loving glance, and closed the drapes before leaving the room. The folded sheets were tucked under one arm.

Once he was gone, Dona helped herself to the girl's longer head fur with her free hand. With gentle fingers, she caressed and played with it in a soothing manner. Haru sighed happily from the loving action, but somewhere in the middle of the sigh, it decided to turn into a purr.

Haru's hands both flew to her mouth out of embarrassment, but Dona only laughed warmly before giving the girl a loving embrace. A deep, reassuring purr came out of her as she resumed playing with the girl's hair.

The previously human girl had no choice but to relax at such a soothing sound and gesture until she was purring again. "… Thank you for being so nice to me, Dona. Not even my mom's done this kind of thing since I was tiny." Haru flinched at the treasonous statement, despite the fact that it was very true. "She was getting better before I died, though. But why now? Why did I have to come here when they finally woke up? Why did I have to die? How did Baron know I was going to die? Why does he like me if he can't understand a thing I say?"

Dona could tell that her young charge was upset, but there was a stubborn tilt to her jaw. She spoke again while tilting Haru's head to lock eyes with her, her eyes sad but determined.

Haru couldn't understand a word that came out of the obsidian's mouth, but the tone was… several things for sure. Warm. Loving. Sad. Hopeful.

… Grateful.

The younger cat did the little she could to cuddle against the older one. "I just wish I knew what was going on, Dona. Nothing makes sense anymore." On a whim she looked at her hands again, only then realizing that she still had Baron's rose. 'How did I miss that? My hands and feet are the only parts I can directly feel anymore.'

She studied the flower from every angle and explored the soft petals with her padded fingers. She knew the rose wouldn't give her any answers, but the familiar sight was making her feel better. Even if the shade of grey wasn't quite the same that had greeted her during the warmer months on her own world.

Dona said something that included Baron's name while she continued playing with Haru's head fur. Whatever it was had the feeling of deep reverence.

Her eyes widened after a moment. "Baron gave me to you and Muta, didn't he? I don't know where this body came from, but you two are sure acting like doting parents." 'A lot more than what I'm used to dealing with. But it's so nice to get this kind of attention without begging for it…'

The cat woman's voice was warm and reassuring after she kissed the girl's, oddly enough, twitching ear.

Haru sighed and decided to leave those thoughts alone for now. "Whatever the reason for me being here, at least I'm not alone again."

The obsidian gave her another hug, and after hesitating a second, began speaking softly. She had such a pleasant voice…

By the time Muta came back with more food and exercises, Dona had managed to slip the rose out of Haru's unconscious grasp and into a modest crystal vase next to the bed.

Stranger still; by the time the girl woke up, it was still only morning.