(A/N: I'm back with an all new fanfic. This story is a crossover between 'The Cat Returns' and 'Whisper of the Heart'. The idea for this story first came to me after the… 4th time I saw WotH and 3rd time for TCR. At first I thought that TCR was supposed to have been the story Shizuku wrote in WotH, but then I realized, from the glimpses and lines from Shizuku's story, that they weren't the same, and thus began my idea for this story. So sit back and enjoy.)

Disclaimer: I don't own 'The Cat Returns', 'Whisper of the Heart', or anything else anyone is familiar with.

"WHISPER OF THE CAT"

Chapter 1: Meetings

Haru Yoshioka was so glad that school was over for today. It was just one of those days that seemed to last forever. But now the school day was over and she could relax.

Sitting down in the shade of a tree, Haru closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of the wind blowing her long brown hair around her face. She breathed in deeply, smelling the fresh cut grass. She loved days like today. They were so peaceful, so relaxing. It's a shame that such a nice day had to be wasted at school.

"I bet they don't have school in the Cat Kingdom." She muttered. "Those cats can do whatever they want. I wish life could be like that here."

"Hmph, then why didn't you just stay in the Cat Kingdom?"

Haru opened her eyes at the sound of the familiar voice. Sitting in the tree she was resting against was a very large, very fat cat. Haru smiled at the cat and sat up.

"Hi, Muta." She said. "Good to see you again."

The cat snorted. "We just saw each other last week."

Haru cut her eyes at the cat. "I'm fine, thank you." she said sarcastically. She was used to her cat friend's grumpy attitude. But this time, something was different about the overweight feline. He had a rather deep scratch across his nose. "Hey Muta, what happened to your face?"

The cat turned away from her. "None of your business."

That could only mean one thing. "You got into a fight with Toto again and he scratched your nose, didn't he?"

For as long as Haru had known both Muta and Toto, a stone crow statue with a soul, the two would constantly annoy each other. It was actually funny to watch. Toto would always insult Muta for being fat, and Muta would always insult Toto for being a bird.

Muta and Toto were members of the Cat Bureau, a group of magical creatures that helped others with their problems. The leader of the group was Baron Humbert von Jikkingen, a mystical cat figurine.

A few years ago, Haru ran into some trouble after save the cat prince, Lune, from being hit by a car. The Cat Kingdom was very grateful and the Cat King had become so fond of Haru that he decided to have her marry his son.

Haru wasn't all that thrilled about having to marry a cat, so she was led by Muta to the Cat Bureau. The Bureau members were happy to help, at least 2 of them were. But then the Cat King's messengers arrived and took Haru to the Cat Kingdom where she was turned into a cat herself. No one would listen to her when she said that she didn't want to get married; they just thought she had wedding jitters.

Luckily, the Bureau members rescued her from the Cat King's clutches. They had nearly escaped when they were cornered. But then Prince Lune arrived. He announced that he had already chosen a bride, Yuki, one of the cats that worked at the palace. Yuki accepted Lune's proposal and the two were to be married.

Haru thought she was in the clear, but the Cat King decided that he would marry Haru himself. With the Cat Bureau members' help, along with Prince Lune's, Haru was able to escape and return to her own world, where she became a human once again. Since then, Haru had a close friendship with the Bureau members and would visit them occasionally. Muta would sometimes visit her, but usually only to get something to eat. He was a glutton. Which them brought back to the reason why Muta now had three scratches on his nose.

"So what if he did?" said Muta stubbornly.

Haru rolled her eyes. "What were you fighting about this time?"

Muta snorted. "He called me fat."

"He always calls you fat."

"I'm not fat!" Muta shouted. "I'm just… big boned…"

Haru sighed. "How original." she muttered sarcastically. Couldn't he at least think of a better excuse than that? Seriously, that excuse was as old as time itself.

Muta growled in irritation and hopped down from the tree. He started walking away without even saying goodbye.

"Hey, where are you going?" Haru called after him.

"To get some food. I'm hungry."

'Of course he is. And he says he isn't fat.' Thought Haru. She got up and followed him. She had nothing planned today, so she could hang out with her furry friend until she got tired of his grumpy attitude.

"So, how are things at the Bureau?" she asked. "Any more people in trouble."

Muta yawned. "Nah, just plenty of time to relax." He said in a bored voice. "It's kind of nice not having anyone one around to bug you. Except for bird-brain.

"Muta, didn't you learn anything from that scratch on your nose?"

"Hmph, he got lucky. The next time I see old drumsticks, I'm gonna turn him into a turkey dinner."

"Whatever you say… fatso."

Muta tripped over his own feet. "What? What did you just say?"

Haru had to hide her smile. "Um, I said let's go." After a moment she realized that she had no idea where they were going. "Hey Muta, where are we going anyway?"

"I am going to my feeding grounds." Muta replied, making sure to put plenty of emphasis on the word 'I'.

"Feeding grounds?" Haru repeated. "You mean like place that you catch mice."

"Course not. There's this neighborhood I go to where the residents feed me."

'A whole neighborhood feeds him? No wonder he's so fat.' Haru thought. "So basically, you just show up, eat, and then leave."

Muta shrugged. "Yeah, pretty much. They get a cat for a few hours, and I get some grub. AND I'll have you know that no one there says I'm fat. Although, there is this one kid that calls me Ball."

Haru laughed. "Ball, huh. That's funny. It suits you too."

Muta glared at her. "You know, I was going to show you a surprise, but since you're being so rude to me, you can forget it."

This got Haru curious. "Really, what kind of surprise?"

Muta turned away from her, lifting his head up. "I'm not telling."

Haru pouted. "Oh, come on. Please."

"Nope."

"I'm gonna tell Baron you were mean to me."

"Ha! Go ahead. What's he gonna do?"

Haru crossed her arms. "It's not what he will do, but what he won't do. You wouldn't want him to not serve dessert the next time you visit."

Muta grumbled. "Alright, fine. But no more fat jokes."

"They're not jokes. They're facts."

"I'm not kidding."

"Neither am I."

Not wanting to listen to her anymore, Muta jumped up onto the stonewall and began walking along the top, several feet above Haru's head. Haru decided that she tormented the cat enough and began walking silently. She began to notice that she had never been down this way before.

"Hey Muta, where are we?"

"One of my feeding grounds." The cat replied. "Ah, and here's the pre-dinner entertainment."

Haru watched as the large cat ran forward. "Entertainment?" Muta didn't reply. Instead he sat on the top of a gate that held back a dog that began barking. Muta let his tail fall down over the gate, dangling it a few inches out of the dog's reach as it barked and attempted to chomp the furry tail. Haru gave Muta a look of disapproval. "Muta, that's mean!"

Muta snickered. "No, it's fun."

Haru put her hands on her hips. "And what are you going to do if you fall."

Muta grinned smugly. "I'm not going to fall."

"Oh yeah."

Haru began rattling the gate, making Muta nearly lose his balance.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Muta hopped down before he fell off. "What gives?"

"It's not nice to tease someone like that." Haru lectured.

Muta turned away from her. "Whatever."

He stomped away from her. Heading an antique shop. The door was open and Muta walked right in.

"Muta!" Haru called. "Where are you going now?"

"Food!"

Haru sighed and followed the always hungry cat into the shop. She gasped as she saw all the amazing items on display. This place was very nice. How could she not have known about it before?

"Wow, look at this place." She whispered in awe. "These things are beautiful. I'll have to come back when I have some money."

Muta snorted. "Yeah, yeah. A bunch of pretty knickknacks." He nodded to her left. "Take a look at what's on that table."

"Hmm? On the table?" Haru looked to her left and gasped again. "Huh? But that's… Isn't that… Can that be…"

Muta nodded. "Yup, the statue Baron was born from."

Haru walked over to the cat figurine. It was indeed identical to Baron in every way. The detail was amazing. It actually looked like the real live Baron was standing in front of her. The glass eyes sparkled and shined with life. The maker had obviously put all his heart into creating this magnificent statue. No wonder it was given a soul.

Turning to Muta, she asked, "Did you know Baron's statue was here?"

Muta stretched out on the floor like he owned the place. "Of course, I've known for years."

"Does Baron know?"

"Nope."

Haru bent down and picked Muta up by the fur on his back. "You didn't tell him? Why not?"

Muta shrugged. "It's not like it matters. What's he going to do if he knows? Buy it?"

Haru didn't have an answer for that. She just sighed and dropped the large cat, not even bothering to put him down. She went back to look at the Baron statue. She was amazed at how life-like it looked. She half expected it to speak.

Muta stood up on two feet and dusted himself off before dropping down on all four again. "Well, there's your surprise. Enjoy. As for me, I'm getting some grub."

He turned around and left the room, disappearing somewhere into the shop. Haru shook her head. Muta had a one-track mind. She turned her attention back to the statue.

'How long as this been here?' she wondered. 'Hmm, I wonder if I can buy it. It would make a nice present for Baron. I can't believe Muta never told him.'

The sound of footsteps brought Haru out of her thoughts. An old man entered the room carrying Muta. That was weird, Muta normally didn't like to be held.

The old man noticed Haru staring at the Baron and he smiled warmly at her behind his gray beard. "Hello. Welcome to my shop. Please have a look around. I'm just going to feed Moon."

Haru blinked. "Moon?" She looked at Muta who winked at her.

The old man nodded. "Yes, that's what my grandson calls him. He named him that because he looks like a moon."

Was that the real reason, Haru wondered, or did they know who the fat cat really was? Muta's real name was actually Renaldo Moon, or at least that's who he said he was after he ate all the fish in the lake back in the Cat Kingdom. She wondered how many names Muta really had.

"I just call him Muta." She said.

"Really?" the old man replied. "There is someone else here that calls him Muta too."

'Maybe they've been to the Cat Bureau.' Haru thought.

"It's been awhile since I've had a customer." The old man said, trying to make conversation. "Oh, I don't mean to be rude, you may call me Mr. Nishi."

Haru bowed to him. "I'm Haru. It's nice to meet you."

Mr. Nishi nodded. "It's always nice to meet new people." Muta, getting impatient, meowed loudly. Mr. Nishi chuckled. "Alright, Moon, I'll fix you something to eat."

Haru cut her eyes at Muta. He was really taking advantage of the old man. "Maybe you shouldn't feed him. He's fat enough as it is."

Muta glared at her as Mr. Nishi laughed. "Perhaps he's just big boned." Smirking, Muta stuck his tongue out at Haru. "Well Haru, you have a look around. Tell me if you find anything interesting."

"How much is this?" Haru asked, pointing to the Baron statue.

Mr. Nishi looked at what Haru was pointing at. "Oh, I'm sorry, dear, but I'm afraid that isn't for sale."

Haru frowned. "Why not?"

Mr. Nishi seemed to be considering something. "Well, you see, that statue is very precious to me. I could never part with it."

Haru nodded. "I understand. I had to ask. It's a very lovely statue."

"Yes, I thought so too." he said. Muta meowed loudly, trying to get Mr. Nishi's attention again. The old man chuckled again. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you." He set the impatient cat down and went to retrieve his bowl.

Haru looked back at the Baron statue. "Do you know if there are any others like this?" she asked.

"Not that I know of." Mr. Nishi replied from under the counter. He resurfaced again with a box of cat food. "But there is another cat statue that goes with it."

Haru looked up curiously. "Another statue?"

Mr. Nishi nodded. "Mm hmm. The Baron originally came as a pair. The Baroness came with him. But she was away getting repaired when I bought the Baron. I've been trying to find the Baroness so that the two may be reunited, but I've had no luck." He didn't say anymore on the subject, not wanting to talk about his personal life.

This really made Haru curious. 'So, Baron came with a Baroness. That's interesting. I wonder what happened. Hmm, I wonder if Muta knows. I'll ask him later.'

Mr. Nishi returned with a bowl full of cat food, which he set down beside Muta. He looked back at Haru who was once again staring at the Baron, apparently deep in thought.

"Is something the matter?" he asked.

Haru looked up. "Hmm? Oh know. I'm just thinking. It seems really sad that the two had to be separated. It almost seems as if the statue itself is sad."

Mr. Nishi chuckled. "I've heard that before. My grandson's girlfriend said the same thing. Yes, it does seem as if the Baron is unhappy. The shine in his eyes seems sad. Maybe when the Baron and the Baroness are reunited, a spark of happiness will appear in those eyes of his."

Haru sighed sadly. "It's not right that the two should be separated. They should be reunited."

Mr. Nishi smiled. "You do sound like my grandson's girlfriend. I think the two of you would get along rather well." The sound of two people singing caught the old man's attention. "Ah, what good timing."

Haru looked up as the singing got closer.

"Almost heaven, West Virginia,

Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River.

Life is old there, older than the trees,

Younger than the mountains,

Blowing like a breeze.

Country roads, take me home

To the place, I belong,

West Virginia, mountain mama,

Take me home, country roads.

All my memories, gather around her,

Minor's lady, stranger to blue water.

Dark and dusty, blowing in the sky,

Misty taste of moonshine,

Teardrops in my eye.

Country roads, take me home

To the place I belong,

West Virginia, mountain mama,

Take me home, country roads.

I hear her voice in the morning hour,

As she calls me,

The radio reminds me of my home far away,

And driving down the road I get a feeling,

That I should've been home yesterday, yesterday.

Country roads, take me home

To the place I belong,

West Virginia, mountain mama,

Take me home, country roads.

Country roads, take me home

To the place I belong,

West Virginia, mountain mama,

Take me home, country roads.

Take me home, country roads.

Take me home, country roads."

The two people singing ended their song as they entered the antique shop. They were a boy and a girl about Haru's age. She thought she recognized the girl. Wasn't she the one who was writing the lyrics for the graduation song at the end of the year?

"Ah, Seiji, Shizuku, good to see you." said Mr. Nishi.

"Hi, grandpa." The boy replied.

"Hello, Mr. Nishi." Said the girl.

Mr. Nishi motioned to Haru. "This young lady is Haru. We were just having a talk about the Baron."

This immediately got Shizuku's attention. "Oh, you're interested in the Baron?"

"Uh, sort of…" Haru replied. She already knew a lot abut the Baron, having personally known him for a few years now. What she wanted to know about was the Baroness. "Mr. Nishi was just telling me about the Baroness."

"Oh, you mean Louise?" said Shizuku. "Yeah, she originally came with the Baron, but they got separated."

"We've tried to find her, but no luck." Seiji added.

Mr. Nishi smiled, knowing that the three of them would get along nicely. "I have some things to take care of. You kids have fun now."

(A/N: And so ends the first chapter. This is only the first chapter of many and I hope you'll all enjoy my writing. Did I mention that whenever I need inspiration for writing WotH always helps to inspire me. It's one of my favorite movies. Ah, I'm rambling now. Please leave me a review or two… or ten. I'll see you all next time. Bye.)