Chapter One – A Walk Through Town

Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with The Cat Returns, only the characters that I have made up.

(EDIT 2019: Majority of the following chapters are going through a revamping process. I am adding a lot more detail and perhaps a lot more information that would make the story's progress a lot easier to understand. I will say now, the change is huge. However, I have left in here SOME of the previous A/Ns -if you can even call them that- because I found them funny. I hope you enjoy! Please leave your opinions in the reviews.)

Yo guys – Jess here. I am completely and positively obsessed with this film. It's literally the best. :D

Haru x Baron

Enjoy!

ooOoo

Prologue

In the middle of a forest shrouded by a dense cloak of fog, not far from the Cat Kingdom, stood two cats. In the pitch-black darkness of the night, only their silhouettes were visible. They circled each other slowly as they anticipated each other's move. The air was tense, that much was clear.

"Have you been watching the girl?" One of them spoke, his cloak covering most of his body. The other cat bared its teeth slightly.

"Of course I have."

The first cat smirked and nodded, "Good… Good… The time is almost upon us, Kaynen." The cat named Kaynen remained silent as they continued to circle each other. "And when that time comes, you had better be ready…" The first cat warned, ending its sentence with a sharp hiss. Kaynen stopped the circle, staring almost timidly at his master. After a moment of careful consideration, he stooped into a low bow.

"Of course."

When he straightened, the cat had vanished, leaving not a single trace behind. Kaynen turned and began to make his way back through the looming trees.

End of Prologue

*BEEPBEEP*

Haru groaned and rolled over in her bed.

*BEEPBEEP*

"Alright, alright!" She said in frustration, the pillow muffling her voice. Her hand lazily snuck out from underneath her covers and sought out the alarm clock.

Another day at school.

She kicked the blanket off of herself and sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. Thank the Lord it was the weekend tomorrow. All she wanted to do was have a nice long lie-in. Yawning, she made her way downstairs and made herself breakfast. She had taken it upon herself to actually get up early and eat before she went to school nowadays. A healthy start, her Mother would say.

As she poured her orange juice into a glass, she felt something soft brush against her legs. With a knowing smile, she looked down to see her tabby cat, Kaoru, making figure of eights between her feet in greeting.

"Morning Kaoru."

"Good morning Haru."

Yes, her cat talked.

In fact, he had been able to talk ever since she found him two years ago. She found him as a stray and decided to take him in as soon as she found out that he could talk. Ever since, they've been as close as two peas in a pod. Keeping it a secret from her Mother was quite the obstacle, as Haru would gain quite the many weird looks from her every once in a while. Ever since she moved out of her Mother's place a few months ago, however, they have been free to talk to each other whenever they want. Living with a cat that talked was much easier than living one that didn't. Instead of having to guess what it was that her cat needed, he could instead simply tell her. Made life much easier.

As an added plus, Kaoru was her last connection to the Cat Kingdom. Before she had found him, she'd been yearning to return and see the Baron, and Muta, and Toto. But she knew that she couldn't. But then she found Kaoru: he reminded her so much of her past adventures that the memories were always running vividly through her mind each time they spoke. Having him there quelled her frustration of not being able to go back.

"Did you sleep well?" Kaoru asked, climbing up onto the table as Haru sat down.

"Yes, I slept very well," Haru replied with a mouth full of Frosties.

Kaoru stood up on his hind legs and wandered over to her. Haru still found this action quite amusing, as normal cats didn't have the tendency to walk like humans. "We should do something today."

Haru raised an eyebrow, "Kaoru, I have school today. I can't."

"Ah, school. You're old enough to drop out, you know," Kaoru said as he tapped her spoon with his paw once she put it back in the bowl. Some milk flicked onto the table and he stooped to lap it up.

"I know I am, I just think that I should stay on until the end. You know, graduate. Make my Mum proud."

"Your Mum is proud of you either way, Haru. And so am I," Kaoru stood once again, puffing out his chest as he flashed her as much of a smile as a cat can muster. Haru smiled back.

"If you really want to do something today, I guess I could call in sick," she said, giving in. She never did have the willpower to say no to him. Kaoru leapt off the table happily.

"That's great!"

A few hours later.

Haru walked through town with Kaoru resting in her arms. They got a few strange looks from passers-by, especially when Haru started talking to him. But they were used to it by now. It was a lovely day, the sun was up and there was a cool breeze that made the heat bearable, especially for the tourists. Initially they had set out to go to the beach, however, they had soon found out from the angry shouts of protest that pets were not allowed there.

Instead, they decided to take a walk through their beautiful town. They were passing through a part of town that Haru was familiar with the most. On the right-hand side of the cobbled street was a sweet little café with white chairs and tables marking is presence outside. Haru let a nostalgic smile lift her lips as she stared at the chairs: it had been a while since she'd stopped to have a look at this place. It was, after all, the place her adventures had started. With a thread of hope, her eyes scanned the chairs for any signs of the fattest cat she had ever seen, Muta. But alas, he was not there.

Always with the wishful thinking, she scolded herself mentally.

Kaoru suddenly started purring and wriggling in her arms, letting her know that he wanted to be let down. She paused for a moment to stoop down so that he didn't have to jump. She watched him closely as he made his way through the table and chair legs. She frowned but thought that he was just exploring. However, when he was almost out of sight she panicked slightly and hurriedly made her way after him. She managed to catch up to him and he turned his head and smiled, "Come on, Haru!" he said as he led the way down a small alley way. Haru glanced around, worried that people would hear, but followed him, nonetheless. Flashed of déjà vu came to her, this alley seeming all too familiar.

"Kaoru- Kaoru, wait!" She called after him, picking up her pace, "Come back!"

But Kaoru, pretending that he didn't hear her, kept on going. He climbed onto a low rooftop and waited for Haru to catch up again. Once she was just within arms-reach, he continued again. Haru's heart pace began to quicken as she took a wild guess at where they were headed. And soon enough, her suspicions were confirmed as they came around the last corner.

Right in front of her was the Cat Bureau.

Kaoru brushed himself against her legs once again, a sense of pride emanating from him. He ran through the archway and stopped at the statue in the middle of the Bureau. Haru took a deep breath, internally scolding Kaoru and blessing him at the same time. She was doing her best to not look overwhelmed or joyous, despite how much it was threatening to spill over her 'calm' expression. Her eyes flicked over the coloured houses, her heart swelling with warmth. Her eyes finally settled on the little green house. The one that she loved so much, with it's ever present sleeping companion, the fattest cat she had ever seen, Muta.

Said cat woke with a sudden start at the feel of Kaoru curiously prodding his belly, ending with him sliding off his chair with a soft thud. Haru burst into laughter at the sight, pointing at Muta as he struggled very grumpily to get back onto his feet. At first, he was angry that someone was laughing at him, but when he saw Haru's face, a rare if not brief smile appeared on his furry lips.

"Well," he muttered. "The little chick has returned…"

ooOoo

Hope you guys enjoyed it!

Please tell me what you think in the reviews. :D

Ciao!