Alone Chapter Thirteen: The Wedding

Two weeks later, on the original day that Haru was supposed to make her decision, she was instead being prepared for her wedding with Baron. The dress Mrs. Jennes had ordered for her was a masterpiece of snow silk, the simple elegance speaking for itself. As for decorations, she had a single strand of small pearls around her neck and a sheer veil over her face.

As she was escorted out of her personal quarters for the last time, her maid handed her the bouquet of lilies, which were white and yellow in color. This time, Haru was the one to impulsively hug her companion, silently thanking her for everything she's done. The woman laughed and hugged her back, thrilled that her master was finally receiving the happiness that he deserved. And Miss Haru had been through enough to have earned her own share of the happily ever after.

The werecat smoothly glided to the entrance of the main hall, thinking sadly that her father wasn't going to be giving her away; she was to walk the aisle alone. Haru brightened as she thought of the one she would be walking towards. Her heart threatened to burst once more, but this time from joy. This was a happiness that she had been certain for so long would never be hers. Thank heaven Baron's patience streak outdid her stubborn one.

Now that she thought about it, it was pretty much the same thing, but with a different attitude.

Muta had gotten lucky; Baron was so happy to have finally obtained Haru's hand and affections that the fat cat had gotten off the hook with only a missed supper. Of course to hear him talk, the white feline made it sound like the Cat Lord was making him starve in a land of plenty. He was also put out that he wasn't in the hall when Haru revealed her battle skills, after years of hearing what she had done to the Cat King for his ridiculous offer. He was sitting next to a window inside the chapel, Toto on the other end so that they wouldn't disrupt the ceremony.

Now that she was in the company, a servant gave the sign to the musicians, who started a beautiful march. She watched the maids of honor and best men go first, and then the flower girls, happily spreading flower petals everywhere. Henry proudly walked after them, carefully holding the twin gold rings on a white velvet pillow. Haru breathed deeply, and held the flowers in front of her.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Baron opted for a white version of his usual gray suit, certain that his bride wouldn't mind at all. His insides danced around nervously as he watched the children prance down the aisle, and take their places at the end of the aisle.

Then Haru appeared, as beautiful as an angel. Being the groom, he didn't feel the inclination to take his eyes off of her, gliding smoothly down the aisle as proudly as any queen, her loving gaze locked on him.

The main hall suddenly became flooded with blue light, and a portal appeared between the bride and groom. A sea of gray cats flooded out and headed for Haru, who smoothly jumped to the side, her eyes angry as she stood on top of a pew, the cats now unable to trip and carry her off. She delicately held the train of her dress in one hand and the flowers in the other, the guests edging away from the aisle to keep clear of the cats. The bride groaned, her veil having fallen to the cats from the jump.

"Great, someone must have squealed."

The cats parted enough for their monarch to be carried through the portal on a rickshaw. Baron couldn't mistake him, the gold on his arms and forehead declaring his rank.

"Stop the wedding, babe. You have the wrong groom."

Haru glared at the lazy cat, the guests wondering what the cat was saying.

"No, I don't. Baron is the one I chose, and he is the one I will marry."

The cat shook his head angrily.

"But I chose you. I am a king, and you are a fledgling samurai; it is clear whose opinion takes superiority in the matter."

Baron back-flipped over the portal and landed next to his bride. He wrapped one arm around her waist, partially to keep his balance and partially to annoy the arrogant ruler, who was turning redder by the second.

"I can see why you weren't impressed by him, Haru. King, leave this wedding immediately and you will be unharmed."

The large gray cat hissed.

"You're as good as one of my subjects, so I'm telling you to return my bride to me. She was mine before you knew she existed."

Baron stiffened, his hair rising in hostility.

"I am subject to the ones I love and them alone. You have no right to Haru, and never did. Now leave."

Only the female samurai had ever dared to speak to the feline monarch like that before, and he didn't appreciate his orders being ignored like this. He stood up from his rickshaw, the royal crown beginning to glow as he grew taller than Baron. In one paw, a sword materialized.

"Then fight like a cat, you chicken!"

One guard tossed the Cat Lord a sword as his bride snatched his top hat.

"With pleasure!"

Haru kissed him on the cheek and whispered into his fur, covering the action with the stolen hat.

"The crown's the source of his power."

Baron nodded and jumped into the aisle, which was cleared by the felines eager to see the end of the Haru matter. The king stared reproachfully at the bride.

"What, no kiss for me?"

She glared at him as she jumped towards the priest, landing in front of him.

"Drop dead."

He laughed.

"Still as charming as ever. But you should be more respectful to your future husband."

She shrugged.

"I am. I'm completely respectful to Baron."

His eyes narrowed.

"I meant me!"

The Cat Lord coughed pointedly and raised his weapon in a fighting stance. The Cat King glared at his rival, and charged. Baron did the same, clashing swords once before back-flipping over the portal and next to the priest, where Haru was patiently waiting. He gave the sword back to the guard and linked arms with his bride, who returned the top hat to its perch on his head.

"Proceed, please."

The Cat King turned to glare as the Cat Lord, his eyes aflame.

"What are you doing? You haven't won-" he was cut off by the cracking of the purple gem on his forehead, which was quickly followed by most of his fur falling off his body, revealing the scrawny body that had been hidden by the long mis-kept hairs. He covered himself quickly, embarrassed beyond words as everyone inside the hall started to laugh their heads off, including the girl he had been chasing for three years.

Haru was doubled over in her mirth, noting that Baron didn't have so much as a scratch on him. He wasn't laughing, but he did look very pleased with himself, like a cat all alone with a big bowl of cream.

"Silly fool; if I say I've won, than I have. And to the victor goes the spoils."

His bride giggled and kissed his face again while he maneuvered his lips to hers.

"Excuse me, but there is a formality to cover before that part."

The couple turned back to the priest, who was still chuckling over their antics and the naked king in the aisle.

"We are gathered here today to witness the union between our beloved Cat Lord and his lady samurai. Baron Humbert von Gikkingen, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold-"

The Cat King rose to his feet again.

"No!" He tried to lunge for the couple, but then a uniformed squad of cats burst from the portal and knocked him onto his back. A gray shorthair walked through the portal, a second purple gem in his paw. Holding it out to the feline monarch, the cat made his king shrink to a regular size so that the guards could keep him under submission.

"Sorry Father, but this is for your own good. I'm retiring you before you do any more damage."

As the cats carried their former king through the portal, the cat in white uniform bowed towards the bridal couple.

"Sorry I couldn't come earlier, but I just found out why Father sent me on that urgent mission. I should have done this years ago."

Haru laughed.

"I'm glad you didn't, Lune. Baron's worth the two and a half years it took to find him." How could she possibly get angry at him when his worst crime was falling for her cat? The royal feline straightened, glad that she wasn't angry at him.

The groom grinned.

"You know, I like this prince. I mean king."

After all the intruding cats but the new monarch fled into the portal, a pure white cat came out, looking around desperately. Her gaze softened as she looked at the bride.

"Trying to get married without my knowledge? For shame, Haru."

The werecat laughed, gazing at her old friend.

"Hey, Yuki. I knew the guy you picked was a winner."

The Cat Queen looked at the groom and grinned.

"Looks like yours is, too. Well, Priest? What are you waiting for?"

Baron repeated her words, since only he and Haru were the only humans in the room that could understand cats. And he was rather curious himself as to the hold up.

"What else? For the interruptions to stop!" The priest shook his head. "Forget this. Do you take Haru Yoshioka to be your wife?"

"I do."

"Do you take the Baron Humbert von Gikkingen as your husband?"

"I do."

"Then I pronounce you husband and wife. Now you may kiss the bride."

Baron was already working on it, his new wife weeping tears of joy. Never again would she have to worry about Lune's father. She had her old feline friends back. And she had a new love that would last.

A roar of cheers ensued, but neither the Cat Lord or Lady heard it.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Lots of love to; Drifting One, Watersoul the Head Star Walker, EarthGurdian, Lanari, HyperMint, Skymning, InkyManipulation, Lee0616, mistress of mist, Sapphirewaters, and Joyfull Scroll for their hilarious reviews. I hope the ending pleased all of you, because writing it definitely pleased me!

More fanfiction to follow!