Chapter 3

Disclaimer: The characters that make up the wonderful 2002 movie, The Cat Returns, do not belong to me; nor does anything that you would be able to recognize. Instead, just about everything, aside from the drabbles, belong to the writers and animators over at Studio Ghibli.

Summary: There were simply too many reasons why the Baron loved Haru; he simply cannot just chose one.

Warning: Major Haru x Baron shipping. Lots of fluff (mostly) and romance.

A/N: Thanks to all of the people who have read this and especially the review from James Birdsong (Guest)! It makes me smile, so thank you!

Enjoy!

41. Boundaries

Sometimes ignoring the limits of a person is the best answer; and with the Bureau, doing so was a way of life.

42. Fall

One moment, she was kneeling on the tower's lip, staring down in shock and growing fear at the familiar town, which was dozens of feet below her; and the next, Haru found herself tilting, falling down into the clouds as they raced across the dawning sky.

43. Miles

Despite the welcoming feeling and peacefulness that the Kingdom of Cats easily offered to its inhabitants, there was a much darker secret that the land held. For just beyond the kingdom's borders, where the tall trees and grass fields twisted into odd shapes, lay a castle whose walls were crumbling from neglect and long forgotten secrets.

44. Link

As days gradually turned into years, the Queen of the Cat Kingdom knew that the love the King held for her was quickly fading.

45. Remain

Unlike Hiromi, her dearest friend, and for secrets that the she would not tell - partially because most would not believe her, Haru decided to stay in her home town.

46. Nine

Thanks to a dark brunette, Prince Lune did not have to worry about loosing one of his nine lives.

47. Escape

Reflecting on the latter moments of her adventure with the Cat Kingdom, Haru often wondered if the Baron's methods of escaping were usually that grand.

48. Share

If it had not been for Baron asking if anyone else wanted a slice of cake just as Muta had taken out the appropriate silverware, Haru was positive that the white cat would hold no guilt about not sharing.

49. Break

One of the reasons why Naoko never took to buying expensive china and delicate knickknacks was not because of her paycheck, instead it was due to her clumsy daughter.

The sharp wail of the teapot broke the redheaded woman out of her reverie, and at the sudden noise, she bumped into the counter that was had been resting upon. With a second cry of surprise, Naoko looked down at her feet and was greeted by the messy, and sharp, remains of a bowl. The woman sighed, 'then again, I'm no acrobat either.'

50. Haze

Crossing his arms in obvious displeasure, Muta followed alongside the short human, whom he had forced into babysitting. Though his ears swiveled around to point in the direction so he could still hear the conversation, the cream colored cat decided then to stare off into the field that, off in the distance, was covered in a thick haze.

He hoped that the Baron and, unfortunately, Birdbrain would find them soon. Before it was too late.

"Muta! Hurry up!" A familiar voice called, causing him to blink in surprise before rushing up to continue walking alongside Haru. His grumbles of being forgotten floated along the cool breeze as it suddenly rushed through, not stopping until it reached the section of the kingdom that was covered an opaque fog, where it was eagerly swallowed.

If someone had been watching the haze-filled mountain range, one would have considered them to be hallucinating; and it was because the heavy fog seemed to be moving, rolling over the tall grass ranges. After all, that was impossible, right - something inanimate cannot simply move by its own accord? That is... all but this, for the haze carried with not only the fat feline's discomforts, though it also brought with it promise, and discovery.

51. Snowflake

There was one thing that Lune knew for certain: his love for Yuki was unlike any other.

52. Flame

It was not the complete silence that was coming from the ginger feline that surprised him, instead it was the sudden spark of emotion that filled the other's eyes - complete determination and.. love.

53. Formal

There was not a day when the Baron did not wear his familiar - and favorite - white suit, red vest, and blue bow tie.

54. Prepare

Despite having nerves of steel and a vocabulary that would instantly charm someone over, the Baron knew that, no matter what, nothing would have prepared him for the day that he fell in love.

55. Order

It was official - she did not mix well with order, regardless of the simplicity; somehow, someway, the rules were always broken, and Haru often time found herself in the mix.

56. Transformation

Haru often wondered what she would look like if she had not made it back home before dawn.

57. Thanks

Grumbling under his breath, Muta wondered why his friends at he Bureau had to show their thanks in such odd - and annoying - ways.

58. Summer

The long days of summer not only brought warm weather, but the extended amount of free time; moments, Haru realized, that she would be able to spend at the Cat Bureau.

59. Tremble

Inwardly, the Cat King was very surprised that, unlike the people that ruled over, the Baron did not cower - not even flinch! - under his multi-colored gaze.

60. Diamond

Sure, diamonds were pretty, but the type of jewel that completely stole her heart were emeralds.