N/A Ahhh for those guys who are reading this, this is a chapter is long overdue,non? Very good. I updated it~! HAHAHHA... so proud of myself! Hehehehe..... ah well. I actually forgot about this story for a while. As they say, "out of sight, out of mind". Along the way, I forgot the plot of this too! So I quickly made one up right in the spot. Sorry folks! But it'll be more dark but the characters, I think, will develop nicely. I'll add humor to it too, if i can. Please review! It'd be much appreciated.

Disclaimer: I don't own Cat Returns. This baby was made by Studio Ghilbli. *fangirl scream*

They all watched her scuttle away timidly through the doors and only then they were sure she was out of ear shot, they began talking.

"My good Baron, I do wish you wouldn't pay her much attention," Lady Eliza murmured under her breath as she soothed out her dress. Her daughters eyes shot to hers but she gave no sign of attention.

If cats would have eyebrows, Baron would no doubt have his sky high. Copying her casual attitude, he said softly, "May I inquire why, Lady Eliza?"

Her lips thinned and casted her daughters away, "My darlings, please go, I wish to speak with Baron privately." At first they were hesitant but seeing her ferocious glare, they too, scuttled away like mice. Eliza swept her eyes back to his and smiled tightly, "That girl, that girl is rather... how do I say this...?"

'Sweet? Sincere? Charming? Lovely?' "Lady Eliza," he started as he leaned back to his chair, deadly serious, "Just what are you hiding from the Court? What exactly are your secrets?" His emerald eyes were set in a semi-glare and his furry lips were frowning slightly.

With a quivering voice, she replied, "None, my lord. None. I just wish to shelter you away from that.... monster of a girl." She started tearing up, hopefully to convince the Baron with her feminine wills. Quickly, Eliza began forming a likely and believable story. But it was too late, Baron could plainly see that it was a morbid lie. He clenched his jaw.

"Monster, lady Eliza?" Baron whispered softly, trying to control his sweet temper, "Lady Eliza, I shall speak honestly; there is no way that girl can ever be a-"

"She murdered my dead husband! Her father, Baron! Murdered!" She glared at him as she whispered harshly, "If that is not monstrous, I don't know what is!" Her fists curled, nails dug into her palm, threatening for blood to spill.

A soft knock interrupted them, "My lady? my lord? Tea is ready." Soft and fearful, Haru's voice called out behind the door leading to the kitchens.

"Come in, Haru," the lady said coldly as she narrowed her eyes to slits.

The door swung open gently and revealed a pale skinny girl in nothing more than rags. Baron could only stare both in wonder and fascination at her whilst calculating what lies would the Lady utter. Haru nearly dropped his tea as she set it down under his calculating stare. She gulped, praying slightly he won't comment in her many imperfections as many men had. And then fearfully, she settled her mistress's tea next, avoiding her frosty glare.

"You may go now, maid. Please go tidy up the patio, it a mess."

Haru bowed, "Yes ma'am, right away." As she walked away to the patio, she could feel his placid stare still plastered on her unwaveringly. Haru shivered, though there was no cold or a simple gust.

As she turned the corner, Baron almost sighed at her disappearance and tore his eyes away from the spot she was in, back to Eliza's not quite-snarl. Mentally, he rolled his eyes, 'What a bitter crone.'

"Baron, I beg you not to fall for her devious, cunning ways," her voice shook as she sipped her tea, "You are no fool, my lord. Surely you see how much of a heathen she is?" She fought back a strangled moan as she gulped down her tea. Bliss.

He said nothing but gave an unruffled smile. Reaching out for his tea, he watched her with stern eyes as he sipped his tea delicately. He almost purred, 'What a lovely blend!' It was so... dreamy. It was warm and sweet, reminding him of a lovely spring day. And there was something else, when it settled into his stomach, something that made it so.... special. A yearning, hope, or maybe it was just honey? He did not know.

"Lady Eliza," he remarked, quite literally snapping her from her stupor, "I must say, this is the best blend I had ever had."

"Yes," she muttered, looking down into her cup, "yes. It truly is something, eh? My... late husband taught her this." Then there was something in her eyes, glazed and so soft as she remembered as recounted from her past. For a brief moment, she smiled so softly, like one would to a newborn baby.

"Lady Eliza?"

She looked up, the fierce haughty gaze of a woman scorned was back. "But, however how nice her tea is," she paused for drama, "I simply cannot allow you to continue trying to.... communicate with her."

The Baron's eyes turned steely and cold, "And why is that?"

She looked at him with dead eyes, ones that already gave up on everything, "I simply cannot. Good day to you, Baron."

Without further ado, the catman stood up in his full height, tipped his tophat slightly and bowed, "And good day to you, milady." Then, with a prompt turn, he walked away.

Lady Eliza didn't even turn as she heard the gallop of the horses behind her, no, instead, a scene played across her mind, haunting her. The teacup in her hands shook, trembling like a leaf as she whispered, "Meenna, oh god, Meenna, I'm sorry."

Not too long ago, she had watched the Baron exit and in panic, Haru had hid herself in a nearby bush. As embarrassing as it was, something bothered her more. Maybe it was his emotionless face or maybe when he slammed the carrige's door shut and it sped away, there was something missing in her.

Inside the lounge, she shook her head, sighing, 'Silly, silly fantasies.'

"Why are you sighing?" Haru turned at the question, and nearly jumped out of her skin. Two stormy grey eyes looked at her accusingly. "Are you in love with him, Haru?"

"N-no!" She nearly shouted, blushing madly. "Please, milady, don't tease me like that!"

Instantly, her pretty face softened, "Sorry. I'm just rather...nevermind." Ivette grabbed her hands, holding them tightly, "Don't go making boys fall OK? I'm not about to give up my good maid."

Haru smiled fondly, "I wouldn't even dream of it."

The black haired beauty smiled back happily, "Good!" The grand clock chimed, indicating that its the middle of the day. Hesitantly, Ivette slowly let go of her hands, "Ah, it's time. I have to go. For piano and all. See you later, Haru!"

She then raced off, without so much of waiting for the maids reply. "See you!" Haru called, even though the young girl was already flying up the stairs. Ivette was always like that, she was so careful around her, like she hiding something secret from her. It had been like that ever since they were small.

"I guess I better start on the basement then." With that statement, Haru dejectedly sighed. And like all other days, she walked towards her most hated part of the house; the second basement. Not only it was insanely big, it was also, very very dim. She had always believed that something was off ever since her grandma told her that. Yes, she quite remembered it clearly....

~oo0oo~

I held on to her grandma's firm hand as they descended down the rickety stairs. Everywhere was dim, just this slight ominous glow above high in the ceiling flickered about. The grey brick walls didn't help at all, it just added creepiness.

"Grandma," I whispered tentatively, squeezing her hand, "why are you taking me here?"

She didn't say anything for a while, "So can know." My grandmama was never one for words. She held herself proudly and would stand up straighter than an arrow, head held high as she walked.

Puzzled, I looked up, "What do you mean?"

At last, we were at the last flight of stairs. I could see the room much better now, it was like a small bedroom, with no bed. There was a sofa tacked away in the corner, right beside the big lamp and a small coffee table filled with books and papers, there was even a quill scattered along. There was also a blanket near the sofa, it looked handmade.

The thing that struck me the most, however, was the walls. Stretching from every corner was bookshelves, only leaving little space for the brick wall itself. Even more stranger that it was lined with books. Not a single gap.

My eyes widedned as I spotted something wrong with the carpet. It was white. All white, pristine clean. In the middle of it however, there was something... scarlet, scarring the its pureness. Then it struck me. "Grandma," I breathed out as I pointed to the blob, my finger was shaking. I was shaking. "That spot... is that... what I think it is?"

She did not say anything. Her hazel eyes was grim. Her face was grim. She was serious. "Someone," her voice didn't fail her, "was killed here. Right in that very spot." She raised her arm and pointed, to my dismay and my fears were confirmed; she was pointing in that scarlet spot.

n.a I'm planning to make this a "whats behind the death of blah blah" type of cinderella remake story. Don't worry, no gore no nothing. It has romance too~! Nothing explicit.

So.... let's go random topic #2: "Have you seen Ponyo?" (Don't own it) I HAVE!! AND IT WAS AWESOME AND CUTE AND AWESOMELY CUTE.