A/N; Can't believe I almost forgot to add this to the update, but nitroglycerine's also been doing some reading of my work on Youtube. Please feel free to check her out!
www .youtub /chan nel/UCDsvAD PAglJ4o0yfDykNtHA/ videos
Also, jenna131's been doing some reviews of my stories as a collab with Sindy Sugar. The links to both youtube pages are located on my profile in case you don't remember which chapter to find jenna131.
(P.S. in Honor, Machida's just sent to a remote island filled with sadistic monkeys, not the Cat Kingdom. Sorry for the confusion.)
Enjoy!
Chapter Twelve: My World
Come with me now
To see my world
Where there's beauty
Beyond your dreams
Can you feel the things I feel
Right now… with you?
-Phil Collins, 'Strangers Like Me'
xxXxx
After showing Haru the labyrinth and the garden within, Baron started taking her out of the castle every day, partially to help her walk on her own again and partially to show off his realm.
'But 'show off' is such a vain term. Hmm, what's another way to phrase it? Show me around? Sure, we'll go with that.'
Never mind that he obviously had a lot to brag about, no matter how modestly he drew her attention to anything in particular. Whenever she had read about the Garden of Eden, she had imagined a, frankly, watered-down version of Baron's domain.
First off, the grass was as thick and lush as a carpet, and a soft mint that showcased all the various flora and stone cottages like a display. Again, the silver roses were everywhere, but to a much lesser degree than on the castle, allowing other blossoms to take the spotlight where they pleased.
All the buildings were made of the same grey stone, possibly retrieved from the mountain behind Baron's castle, but each one had some small touch or design engraved into the sturdy stone that made it unique among the many other houses scattered through the fertile valley.
It might have been Haru's imagination, but there didn't quite seem to be enough cats to fill all the homes, since some didn't have gardens or anyone around them.
One cat woman sweeping out her doorstep looked up, smiling with genuine pleasure as she called out something and performed the strange hand wave that seemed to mean 'hello'. Haru returned it in sync with Baron as he answered cheerfully, now that she was feeling confident enough to make any gesture in public.
Her adoptive parents and benefactor had hurriedly stopped her from making more than one hand gesture that was apparently considered rude here. Seriously, it was almost like Baron could read her body language before it even happened.
'I guess stalking a girl for seven or so years can do that to a person. I wonder if he's seen me in all the mirrors and windows.' Haru shook her head, angry at herself as she kept walking with the tawny feline. 'No, Baron's a gentle-cat; he'd have learned which glass surfaces to avoid. I said I'd give him a chance, and that's what I'm going to do. He's earned a chance.'
Besides, her obsession with modesty had given her a habit of folding the bathroom mirror on itself before baths.
The ginger gently touched her hand while asking something that sounded worried.
Haru shook her head again while giving him a guilty smile. "Sorry, Baron. Just got lost in my thoughts again."
The worried look took on an undertone of suspicion.
"No, really, I'm fine," she insisted, gripping his hand with a gentle squeeze as they kept walking. "Not that I'd be able to tell you if something was wrong, but you know what I mean."
Baron sighed, and informed her of something as he brought her captive hand up to his face in order to kiss it.
"Oh, and you're a flirt, too," she responded with a laughing smile, feeling her face turn warm at the now-familiar gesture. "A shameless one, at that."
His grin increased at her playful tone, making him automatically wrap an arm around her shoulders for a gentle hug.
She could feel her face turn hotter, but did nothing to stop him. A bit self-consciously, she wrapped an arm around his back and gripped his jacket to keep her hand steady.
Baron's answering smile was… radiant. He deepened the embrace happily, soaking in her presence as they kept walking. The look on his face said louder than words that he felt like the luckiest guy on the planet.
'But why does he feel that way about me?' Haru stared off into space again, carefully nibbling on her lower lip to avoid biting it again. 'What is it about me that he thinks is so amazing?'
The soft breeze suddenly shifted into a full gust as a huge bird flew a little too close to them from behind, cawing loud enough to make the girl panic and duck on reflex.
"Especially considering him!" Haru yelped, glaring at the giant crow who was grinning mischievously around his beak as he said something with a sarcastic air.
Now, 'giant' could easily be a relative term. If her new body was the same size as a regular cat back home, the black bird would have been maybe only slightly big. But since she had no way of knowing if cats here were normal or human-sized by comparison, she still thought the term 'giant' was appropriate. He was as big as two rhinos when his wings were folded neatly at his sides. With his full wingspan, he was the size of five rhinos lined together.
"Toto!" Baron snapped, calling the crow by name before scolding him as he helped Haru rise to her feet once more.
Toto shrugged, looking unashamed as he landed fairly close to them in order to answer. But he did take a few steps closer in order to rub the side of his face against one of her arms with affection.
"You're going to give me a heart attack if you keep doing this, you silly bird," Haru growled under her breath, but still taking the time to rub his soft waxy feathers. "The first time nearly put me back in the grave!"
He kept rubbing against her, cawing softly in appreciation. He asked Baron something, to which the answer still had an air of annoyance. Toto pouted, but didn't fight more than wrapping a wing around Haru for a quick hug before taking to the sky again.
"If it wasn't obvious he only picks on people he likes, I'd hate him," she informed Baron as he reasserted his grip on her to keep walking.
His good humor seemed forced now, and his pace a little too much like a trained soldier.
"Wait, you weren't jealous, were you?" Haru asked incredulously. "I'd have thought that you'd want me to get along with your friends."
His green eyes flicked to her, softening as they did so. He sighed, relaxing his grip and pace as said something that sounded like an apology.
The slim brown cat smiled, suddenly remembering the day that the school windows shattered twice. 'Come to think of it, both times were when Tsuge and I were in each other's arms. Not to mention the fact that my thorns kept trying to eat him alive for two weeks after that.'
Which must have been how long it took for Baron to figure out it was only an act. They still hugged when they were alone, but that had been the end of it. The ginger cat had to be a genius to pull a Frankenstein on her, he'd have seen through the deception at some point.
'Hey, that's right. His temper exploded the windows whenever I was 'flirting' with Tsuge or in danger.' She tightened her grip on his arm, lost in thought as they began walking again. "Doesn't that tell me everything I need to know about you?" she asked out loud, since he couldn't understand her musings.
He still looked at her worriedly as he asked something.
"It does describe you in a nutshell," she pointed out. "You're a jealous, overprotective stalker that warmed up to my best friend when you figured out we weren't really dating. You also don't push me past my limits, you are willing to share me with Muta and Dona, and you don't try to stop me from making friends with anyone." She gave him a smile while hugging the arm in her possession. "That counts for a lot more than other stalkers."
Baron's answering smile wasn't as radiant as before, but it was still warm and relieved. He spoke to her, his tone as reassuring as ever as he leaned in closer.
"Whoa, wait, what are you doing?" she balked, leaning back to avoid his face.
The tawny feline blinked in surprise, but still sighed as he straightened again. He patted her hand in a reassuring manner, and urged her onto another path.
That time, Haru relented. "Thanks, Baron. But it really is too soon to think about kissing you."
ooOoo
Life was good. Better than good, it could only be called perfect. Everybody loved her in this new world, most of all by Baron. Seriously, she was one lucky girl to be the one he adored.
Somehow, the random walk the two were taking through a flower encrusted garden changed into walking down a flower encrusted aisle, lined with beaming cats that took delight in scattering petals onto… her veil?
When did she start wearing a veil? What was Muta and Dona doing at the other end of the aisle? She managed a look downward to see herself dressed not in the traditional white, but a light pearl grey that mirrored both the roses and Baron's preferred wardrobe; the finest gown she had ever worn in her life. Baron didn't seem like the type for finery, but even he had changed his usual grey suit for a much more formal uniform of the same shade, and he had a light green sash over his chest with what looked like a family crest sewn just over his heart. It made him look like a dashing soldier, especially with the sword strapped to his side.
The tawny feline brushed his lips over her fingers, his heart still in his gaze as he used his other arm to assert a grip around her waist and lead her down the path.
Haru smiled bemusedly, not really registering the intent. Or perhaps, she understood that Baron was going to marry her that moment, but saw no point in fighting the ceremony.
Really, why should she fight it? Baron was the alien equivalent of a Prince Charming, a rare and elusive species that was close to extinction. He loved and honored her, wasn't that enough?
'But do you love him?'
The thought was enough to make her stop in her tracks. The dancing petals, the cheering, even the people seemed to slow down like the last movement of a wind-up doll until the entire world was as silent and still as a tomb.
Her mouth opened, but she was strangely unable to speak. 'I like him. I respect him.'
'That's not love. That's friendship.' The last word was spoken with distaste, as if speaking it brought the taste of bile to the lips.
Baron looked terrified at her hesitance. He gripped her tight by the shoulders, his mouth opening and closing in a silent plea. Despite the fact that everything had turned mute, she still couldn't hear his voice.
Haru looked down at the hem of her suddenly heavy dress, feeling like a filthy rat. 'He's been kind to me. I don't want to hurt him.' But wouldn't marrying him without loving him hurt him just as bad?
Maybe even more so?
'Why am I even thinking like this? I'm still just getting to know him. Love could come later. Same with marriage.'
One of his hand's trailed up to caress her cheek… as his other hand regretfully slammed a dagger into her heart.
Haru's eyes snapped open with a gasp of horror. She hurriedly sat up and placed one hand over her speeding heart. Her large brown eyes hurriedly looked around, but could find nothing other than shadows in her darkened room.
Oh, she was cold! But since the maids used magic to light fireplaces on this planet, she was better off snuggling deeper into her blankets while pining for her Muta toy. As she did so, her eyes stared intently at the curtains, but found no hint of light peeking from the sides.
"Great," she grumbled while curling into a fetal position on the large bed. "Just when I start sleeping like everyone else, too. Sure hope it's close to sunrise." The girl was still tired, but doubted that any more sleep would come that night.
'Really, that last part came out of nowhere. Baron would no sooner murder a baby than put a scratch on me. Right?'
ooOoo
Muta and Dona could tell several hours later that something was off, if nothing else than the fact that she was usually asleep when they came in with breakfast. Dona kept brushing her hands over Haru's face and head, which really only made the girl wrap her arms around the obsidian woman's waist and squeeze.
"It was just a bad dream, Dona. I'll be okay in a day or two," she mumbled sadly, getting more depressed than ever that no one could understand her.
Really, the dream would be a lot easier to handle if there was someone that she could talk to about it. But if she tried anyway, all they would do is try to cheer her up. They were trying to do it anyway, but there was only so much they could help.
Haru mentally shook herself and finished the tea in her sweet little cup that was shaped like a concaved leaf before taking another bite of the strangely fruity bread Dona had brought. "So what's on the schedule today? Between you two and Baron, I think I've seen everything this castle and village has to offer." She couldn't help but hope that she was disguising her moodiness from them.
Dona wasn't fooled, and neither was Muta, but they still seemed relieved that she was trying to be cheerful. Muta was speaking to her between mouthfuls, which earned him a light slap from Dona who was more than likely scolding him for his table manners.
Within seconds the bread and tea was demolished and Muta was hurriedly helping the girl to her feet.
"You sure seem excited about something today," the ex-human noted as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led both her and Dona out into the hallway.
There were cats as usual, but by now they seemed to have adjusted to her presence and merely genuflected respectfully. The action seemed to be almost forced from a handful of younger cat women, but they still did it.
'Is it because they were hoping for a chance with Baron? Or is it because they don't approve of me because I'm an alien?' No, that didn't seem right. One would think that it would be the older people that would be prejudiced, and she could tell all the disapproving felines were beauties.
Muta automatically let go in order to let Haru tackle the stairs on her own.
Her balance was fine by now, but she still kept one hand on the rail out of habit. This new body, wherever it had come from, was much more graceful than her human one had been, but figured it couldn't hurt to take an extra precaution.
Besides, walking down a huge staircase in a dress like this made her feel like a lady.
Still beaming with pride, Muta wrapped a large arm around her as soon as she let go of the banister and led her to the now-familiar door that led outside. He sounded ecstatic as he informed her of something which earned him a loving yet sarcastic comment from Dona.
A short trip through the door, and Muta was guiding her toward the village again.
Wait, no he wasn't. He was going a bit past them and closer to the mountain to a place that almost seemed to be tucked away-
A familiar set of wings flew too close from behind again, making her duck with a yelp.
"Dang it, Toto! Do you have to keep scaring the daylights out of me?" Haru demanded as Muta also gave the bird a piece of his mind.
Looking as unashamed as ever, the giant crow landed next to the trio a bit more carefully than usual.
Baron's tone was reproachful as he slid off the bird's back, but he was obviously trying to fight back the black mood as he gazed at the girl in front of him. The slim brown cat fought back an involuntary shiver as his eyes brought her nightmare back, but did her best to force the image away for now.
Muta had something to add after the lord was done, Toto had a ready reply, but Dona started pulling on her husband as he tried to…
Haru shook her head at the thought. No, she had to be misinterpreting. Only a moron would try to physically assault a bird that big.
Baron hurriedly placed himself between Toto and Muta, his patronizing tone now directed at both of them.
"Or maybe I didn't misinterpret," Haru muttered to herself after Baron managed to make the two look ashamed.
Toto and Muta both looked at her and seemed to sigh in identical defeat. Dona rolled her eyes at the pair of them before giving her ward a deep embrace and played with her head fur while telling her something that had the tone of 'be a good girl'.
"Is this another date with Baron, or am I missing something again?" Haru sighed, knowing full well that only their actions would be able to tell her.
Muta and Dona didn't leave, but the ginger did approach her with a happily expectant smile.
A lot like from her dream, making her sway slightly from horrible deja vu.
Baron hurriedly grabbed her shoulders to steady her, asking something with a worried expression.
Haru took in a deep breath while forcing a smile. "I'm fine, Baron. I just didn't sleep well last night." 'Why am I glossing things over? It's not like he can understand a word I say anyway.'
He gave her a suspicious look with irritation showing through. A few words from his mouth formed a question, but she still couldn't understand a word. Her attempts at learning the local language were... less than successful, to put it mildly.
She forced a bigger smile and gave him a small hug. "I'll be fine, I promise. What's up your sleeve today? Or pack, I guess," she corrected herself while staring at the satchel he had slung over one shoulder.
Baron brightened at her change of mood, but still asked something of Muta as he led the girl to the giant crow.
Dona answered with a worried tone, making the ginger look thoughtful. But at least his answer was comforting as he brushed one gloved hand across the girl's cheek before grabbing her by the waist.
"Whoa, wait, what are you doing?" Haru asked in a panic, but even as she asked, the feline lord picked her up completely and set her on a smirking Toto's back. He immediately climbed on after before she could slide off, and wrapped an arm around her waist and delivering a quick order to Toto.
"Oh please no," she choked in horror, but it was already too late. The crow was already spreading his wings and-
Haru wrapped her arms tightly around Baron's neck and buried her face into one shoulder to keep from seeing it, but it couldn't stop the sensation.
She was airborne again. Her arms actually managed to squeeze harder until she could feel the oxygen passing through his throat, although it wasn't much. "Baron, take us down! Tell Toto to land!"
He struggled to say something while attempting to loosen her hand, but she doubted that any of his words could be understood.
Her lungs were heaving. Her heart was speeding out of control. Carried away… again… no…
NO!
Her eyes were still shut as tightly as possible, so she had no idea what struck her from above. All that could be understood was the pure, unadulterated rush of energy that hit her harder than a freight train. Strangely, the energy also had a sound louder than standing right next to a maxed- out speaker at a rock concert.
Power…
ooOoo
"… Haru? Haru!" a familiar voice pleaded with her, caressing her face with one hand as an arm held her against something warm.
A groan escaped her lips, one hand raising her forehead to combat a pounding headache and a persistent tingling feeling that was teasing her from head to toe.
Someone… Baron, breathed a relieved laugh as he hugged her tightly.
"Ugh, this reeks of déjà vu," she grumbled, forcing her tired eyes to open so she could sit up on her own.
Not that she was able to, because as soon as she broke free of Baron's arms, Dona and Muta pulled her into their own, crying and fussing over her like she had been through a near-death experience. Another one, that is.
"No, hey, come on," Haru was able to say despite her spinning skull. "I'm fine, I promise… just fine… why are Toto's feathers smoking?"
The giant crow had been just visible behind Muta's massive shoulders, but it had been the subtle smoke that had caught her attention. The poor bird looked like he had just gotten rescued from a burning building, and staring at her in complete horror.
Haru blinked confusedly before turning her gaze to Baron. How odd… his grey suit was singed in several places, and one side of his neck, shoulder, and chin had been burned to his hide.
Her eyes widened at the wound, making her wiggle out of her adoptive parents' arms so she could take a closer look. "What on earth happened? Where did this come from?" Her hand hovered over the mark, close enough to feel the heat but not quite touching it.
Baron winced, but his tone was soft and… hesitant? There even seemed to be an undertone of understanding, but not because he knew what she was saying.
It was about then that she noticed her sleeve was also blackened, but instead of splotches like Baron, all the spots were connected by thin lines like a drunken spider web over the soft lavender fabric. A look downward confirmed that the strange design had continued all over the dress, but the biggest mark was over her heart. At least, she assumed that there was still a heart there instead of elsewhere.
Haru looked up at Baron's burned neck with horror. 'My head was resting there when he took me on Toto!' Despite her decided lack of knowledge concerning magic of any kind… "I hurt you! Oh no, I'm so sorry, I just wanted Toto to land but you couldn't understand me and it was really scary and I don't want to go up there now or ever. I know you can't understand me but really; don't ever put me on Toto or any bird ever again because I don't know what happened just now but I do know that I don't like seeing you or Toto like this and I'm really so-"
It was about there that Baron interrupted her monologue, gently wrapping her arms around her and pressing her face into the shoulder that hadn't been injured. His reply was very gentle, very forgiving, but most of all grateful. Something about her rant had made him start radiating relief like a sun radiates warmth.
He was genuinely happy.
ooOoo
Although Baron's intentions were more than clear toward Haru, no one other than her adoptive parents and Toto had made an attempt to go anywhere near her, never mind befriending her. They bowed when she passed, likely at Baron's insistence, but that was the end of it.
Haru could barely find the energy to notice that they were now avoiding her like the plague. 'This doesn't make sense. I'm fairly certain that it was lightning that struck us, but the sky barely had any clouds this morning. I couldn't have called it down, could I?'
Baron reached across the table to wrap her hand in his, his tone low and worried as he asked something.
She could barely find the urge to look at him, but still squeezed his hand. "I'll be fine, Baron. I'm just not hungry."
His worried look increased as he gestured at her untouched food.
The female cat only shook her head as depression sunk in a little harder. 'Why do I bother saying anything? He's never going to understand me at this rate.'
They were currently sitting alone at a small table on a balcony, watching both the stars and what Haru could only interpret as glowing butterflies dancing around the castle's roses. It would have been a really romantic dinner if it hadn't been for the ill-fated ride.
Eventually Baron sighed in defeat. Leaving the remainder of his plate, he helped her out of her seat and escorted her back inside.
Haru snuck a guilty look at the bandages covering his neck. 'I shouldn't have let that nightmare get under my skin like that. Maybe I could have stopped myself from hurting him and Toto if I had shaken it off like an adult.'
The walk back to her room was almost awkwardly silent, even if his arm was wrapped around her shoulders to keep her warm against the chill of the night.
'He's not giving up on me. Why? What does he see in me that makes scares like today worthwhile?'
Baron suddenly released her arm, making her snap out of her thoughts. They were already in front of her room. He said something with a rather sad smile, and gently touched her face before leaving her.
"Goodnight, Baron," she replied softly, letting herself into her room.
It had been such a long day. There were so many questions she still had, but no way of asking them.
Haru looked at her right hand, feeling a bit curious. "However that happened, it was me." 'It should have been impossible. But what if… can I?' Her large brown eyes narrowed in concentration before closing completely. She was straining, straining-
Something zapped!
Her eyes shot open to see tiny tendrils of electricity dance and struggle from her fingertips. The amount was pitiful, considering how hard she was concentrating, but it was enough to make her smile in satisfaction.
If she could summon it, she could learn to control it.
"Yet one more reason why magic is cooler than science."