Chapter 4
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: All occasions, no matter how long or shot, sudden or predictable, are special.
Warning: Major Haru x Baron shipping. Lots of fluff (mostly) and romance.
A/N: I would like to thank all of the people who've took a chance to read this story, as well as the ones who left a lovely review: Sindy Sugar, haruxdreamcometrue 16!
Enjoy!
76. Rescue
Muta's technique was to trip and fall into the enemies, and so far, it was working.
77. Ink
Other than the certain sparkle that the crow's eyes held, another way that she could identify her years-long companion in a crowd of equally inky-black crows was the unusual colored shine that would sparkle off his feathers in the day's sun.
78. Sleep
The one thing that Haru liked more than sleeping in was visiting her favorite trio of animals in the Bureau.
79. Collide
As their swords came together with sharp clang, the Baron held an advantage over the lavender feline. Unlike the king, the living statuette had something to fight for.
80. Joke
"Oh, come on, Muta," the dark brunette droned, shifting in her spot on the red cushioned sofa. "It was only a joke!"
The off-white colored cat frowning in disagreement at the same time that a grunt escaped his throat. He promptly crossed his front legs over his large girth. Regardless if the comment had been a simple joke or not, Muta did not particularly favor his favorite thing in the world getting insulted - food.
81. Card
She was the Queen to his King, and they fit together perfectly.
82. Gamble
On that day so long ago, no longer did Haru see that her choice to risk her well being for a simple cat as a bad thing.
83. Risk
Quietly standing in the corner of the room, he sent a glare towards the oblivious Cat King. Pressing the silver mask to his orange and yellow furred face, Baron took a much calmer step towards the awaiting dance floor. No matter the danger, he would leave this place with Haru.
84. Disc
As the large, black record began to spin in quick circles on the player's surface, only a few silent minutes passed between the room's two eager occupants before a familiar, soft accordion-based melody drifted from the gold-painted horn. Despite the circumstances that the song had been played during, smiles filled their faces.
85. Surgery
Haru could only watch with tear-filled eyes as two nurses and a doctor whisked away her sickly mother through a door that stood at the far end of the hallway.
86. Bone
Haru had always been disliked the sight of animal, especially a cat, bones.
87. Death
Neither Baron nor Haru worried about the end of their days, for they were immortal in both love and age.
88. Fireflies
That night, the daughter of Naoko was not the only one catching fireflies in small glass jars.
89. Piano
On Sunday mornings, the small, yet comfortable, Bureau was filled with not only 'Good Morning's but a beautiful lady's singing and a piano's soft notes.
90. Chest
Even from far away, she would be able to recognize that red vested chest anywhere, even in the rain.
91. Luck
Upon graduating from school, both teachers and classmates - ones she had befriended or not - had wished her many farewells and smiles of good luck in facing the harsh, boring outside world; but what none of them knew was that she was taking on a completely different adventure.
92. Warm
The deep, dark shade of emerald that his eyes were dyed was not the thing that surprised her; instead, it was the welcome and love that he greeted her with every morning.
93. Tack
Among the many others, Haru easily tacked the picture to the large cork board that took up a majority of one of her walls. She smiled wide as she stared at the beings that littered the picture's surface; it fit perfectly.
94. Trick
The one thing that she hated the most was being tricked, whether it dealt with a haunted house attraction on Halloween or an unknown, agreed marriage.
95. Zebra
As the camera went off for a second time over the last couple of moments, Hiromi asked, "aren't they the cutest things, Haru?"
Watching the black-and-white-striped animals graze the grass and slowly walk around the, rather large, enclosed pen, the darker brunette gave a simple shrug. "Sure," she answered, but to be honest; nothing could compare to cats, even as something as interestingly designed as the zebra.
96. Rapids
They had fallen for each other as quick as a river ran around in the Amazon Rain Forest; fast and hard.
97. Danger
No matter how big or small the problem was, Prince Lune would come running to his soon-to-be-bride either day or night.
98. Electrical
As their fingers briefly touched as the cup was passed from one to the other, a faint blush began to creep up on the human's cheeks. In response, the male statuette smirked in knowing, "are you alright, Miss Haru?"
Swallowing, said one nodded. "Y-Yeah, 'm okay," she answered softly, ignoring the shouts of her mind at the new, brief feeling that had surged through her hand. It was like a spark; sharp and exciting.
99. Guess
As silent as ever, Haru tip toed up behind her favorite feline, who was sitting comfortably in the red and brown arm chair. Quickly darting her small hands out from their positions at her sides and covering the awake statuette's eyes, the human finally let lose an awaiting giggle. "Guess!" She encouraged.
Chuckling softly himself, Baron went along; "Um, let's see, is it.." he paused for dramatic effect, of course. "Queen Yuki?"
Fingers twitching along with her body, which began to shake with restrained laughter. "Nope! Strike one!"
"Muta?"
Rolling her caramel-colored eyes now, Haru shot down his second guess; "Wrong again, Baron! Strike t-" However, she was not able to finish as her arms were abruptly tugged out from over the feline's eyes and a following tug sent her leaning even further over the large back of the chair.
"Good morning, love," the Baron greeted, ignoring the slight frown to the brunette's face.
Lips puckering in disagreement, Haru reminded him, "not fair, Baron. You didn't guess."
"Okay." With a quick chuckle rumbling from deep within in his chest, the fancily dressed feline complied with the once-cheery graduate; "Is it, Miss Haru?"
Rewarding him with a kiss on the side of his furry face, Haru smiled in response. "Correct!"
100. Argument
Despite the many insults and rude names that Muta and Toto called out to each other whenever the opportunity presented itself, it was clear that there was a deep respect and admiration for the opposite creature.