Chapter Text
The air was stuffy and warm as Haruka started to wake up. He blinked open his eyes to the filtered light coming through the fabric of his blanket. Ah, so that's why it was too warm, he must have pulled the covers up higher while he was asleep. Annoyed, he reached out to push the blanket away, but found himself unable to get it to cooperate with him. Huh. He didn't remember his blanket being this huge.
He tried once again to push off the covers, but the weight seemed to have tripled overnight. Not to mention his inability to get a grasp on the material.
Frustrated, Haruka tossed and rolled a few times, and slipped off the side of the bed with 'thump,' bringing part of the blanket with him.
Something was definitely not right.
The bed was higher up than he remembered, he thought, as he looked up at the towering structure, and the way he moved his muscles didn't feel right... It was hard to process what exactly wasn't right but there was something amiss for sure.
Trying to stand up, Haruka found that he couldn't get his legs to work the way he wanted to; his balance was lost, and he quickly tipped forward onto all fours.
Okay, well, that was weird. Maybe he was still just half asleep... But that thought was quickly pushed to the side as Haru looked down at his... Paw? He stared at it for a moment in confusion. Trying to stretch his fingers, he instead brought out a set of curved claws that clicked on the wood flooring.
What?! Now in a panic, Haruka scrambled to his feet (paws?) and ran to the nearest mirror. Only to find that he can't reach it. Located a couple feet off the ground was a long, rectangular mirror, that he had in his bathroom. His eyes quickly darted around the room to find something to stand on. Aha! With the toilet seat down, Haruka took aim. He bunched up his haunches with a wiggle, and launched himself up. This was surprisingly easier than he thought it would be, and he almost overshot his landing site.
Once situated, he turned towards the mirror and his blue eyes widened in shock, confusion, and horror as a pure black sleek cat stared back at him. What was going on here?! The cat looking back at him was definitely himself; which was confirmed by moving his arm up and making a small wave at the mirror using his paw. His mind blanked for a second as he just stared at his cat-self in the mirror.
He considered the possibility that this was all a dream, but after an attempt at nipping his arm to wake himself up, he concluded that he was indeed awake.
This created more questions than answers; stuff like this happened all the time in dreams. But reality? No. Impossible. Maybe he was just hallucinating... Ate some bad mackerel. The fish last night did have an off taste to it...
Behind him, his tail started to flick in agitation. The sudden involuntary movement made him jump in surprise, making him lose his balance on the toilet seat. Slipping off, he managed to land on his feet, like he is suppose to do as a cat anyways.
Turning his neck to look at his new appendage, Haruka had to admit to himself that even if it was food poisoning or some illness, there is no way he could so vividly feel the curl and sway of this tail.
He needed water to help deal with this situation. That would clear his head enough to try and figure out what could possibly be going on here.
Walking over to the tub he stared at the tall white walls of the appliance and then looked to the knob used to actually turn on the water. No way would he be able to get a grip on the knob with these paws.
Haruka huffed in annoyance. How was he supposed to have his morning bath now?
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Makoto quickly glanced at his watch as he made his way up the stairs to Haru's house. They had plenty of time before school started but he knew Haru probably hadn't eaten breakfast yet and would take the time to grill mackerel whether short for time or not.
Once reaching Haru's front door he knocked out of habit. Not really expecting an answer. And after a couple seconds slide the unlocked door open. "He really shouldn't leave this door unlocked all the time," he muttered to himself as he entered the entryway.
"Haru?,"he called out as he removed his shoes before walking further in.
No answer. He was probably in the bathtub like usual. With a sigh Makoto made his way over to the bathroom and slide open the door fully expecting Haru to be sitting in the long cooled water, still soaking till the last possible second.
But what he was met with was an empty room and a surprisingly empty bathtub. "Huh... maybe he overslept." Quickly making his way upstairs he started mentally preparing an argument explaining that yes he understood he still hasn't had his morning soak but there was no time for that now.
His bedroom door was partly open so Makoto was able to peek inside but Haru wasn't there either. The covers weren't made and were half hanging off the side of the bed, bunched up on the floor. Where could he be? He wasn't in the kitchen when Makoto passed by.. He wouldn't have left for school without him would he? What if something happened?! What if there was a family emergency and his parents needed him right away?! What if- His train of thought was abruptly cut off as something dark rushed past his legs and into the room.
A startled yelp slipped through his lips as he jumped back a step or two. He looked down to see a black cat with blue eyes staring up at him. The cat opened its mouth and proceeded to let out a series of loud meows. The cat quickly padded in circles around him with its tail twitching in agitation.
Letting out a sigh Makoto clutched his chest in relief. It was only a cat.
Stopping it's insistent meowing the cat rose on its hind legs and reached up with its front paws grabbing at Makoto's leg.
Surprised Makoto bent down to the cats level and proceeded to try and pet the cat. "Ah.. Hello? Is Haru taking care of you? You wouldn't happen to know where he is would you?" The cat backed away from the attempts at petting, giving him an indignant look and letting out another meow. "Eh I guess you don't like being pet huh?" He couldn't recall seeing this cat around here before. Which made him wonder where it had come from.
Makoto straightened back up and turned to continue his search of his missing best friend. The cat could wait for now or they might be late for school.
While heading to the stairs he pulled out his phone and sent a text. He knew Haru rarely used his cell but at this point he was running low on ideas. As he was about halfway down the stairs the cat darted in front of him, almost making him lose his balance. He let out a squeak and quickly grabbed the railing.
The cat turned around and let out another meow. This one longer and more whiny than the others.
After his heart rate returned to normal Makoto decided that carrying the cat down the rest of the stairs would be safer. But as he reached for the cat it jumped away and quickly padded down the rest of the stairs and sat down at the bottom. This cat didn't seem to like the idea of being held either.
After checking the rest of the house with the black cat trailing after him Makoto concluded that Haru had most likely gone to school himself this morning. Which was odd but has happened before in the past. Only when Makoto was too sick to go with him... Did he just want some alone time? Was Haru mad at him for some reason? Shaking his head to dispel that thought. Of course not. They had walked home together like normal yesterday and Haru had seemed his usual self. Besides being somewhat obscure about why Amakata-san had called Haru to her office after school.
Deciding he should hurry and get to school to sort this all out he put on his shoes and was already closing the door to Haru's house when the cat slipped through the door to the outside. "Ah!" he yelled as he quickly tried to avoid squishing the cat in the doorframe.
This cat just wouldn't stop following him. Not that he was complaining since it was a beautiful cat and normally he adored spending time with any animal. But right now he was too preoccupied to play with the cat no matter how tempting.
"I'm sorry little guy, I don't have time to play right now and I don't have anything to feed you," he said as he scratched his neck nervously. Something about this cat was unnerving as it stared at him with those intelligent blue eyes. It was almost like the cat had something important to tell him.
The cat flicked it tail and its whiskers twitched as it made its way closer to Makoto before letting out another "mrrrow" this one sounding more pleading in nature. "I really am sorry" he said as his shoulders slumped, he really had a hard time resisting cats. "But I need to get going".
He started jogging the rest of the way down the stairs, careful that the cat wouldn't try and trip him again, constantly looking back to just see the black cat sitting at the top of the stairs staring at him. It looked annoyed and almost seemed to be glaring at him. As if he should feel guilty for daring to leave without it. What was up with this cat?
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Haru will not admit to panicking. Panicking is not something he does. He is calm, cool and collected, that is who he is. He has to be. But admitting it or not, panicking is what he did for the first hour after he woke up this morning and only got worse as Makoto refused to listen to him.
Of course he had forgotten that to Makoto everything sounded like meows to him. Once realizing his mistake Haru quietly followed Makoto around the house as he thought of ways to try and communicate with him. But he still hadn't thought of a plan by the time Makoto was descending down the steps so instead choose to sit and glare at nothing in particular.
Maybe he should write a note...or type it out...but looking down at his paws he dismissed those ideas as he would have trouble typing with these, let alone be able to hold a pencil.
This was all so annoying. He didn't even know why he was stuck like this. Which is why he needed his friend's help.
Well one thing is for sure, sitting here won't do any good. So he made the decision to go to school and try to communicate again with Makoto. Or maybe even Nagisa, Kou, or Rei. Anyone at this point is better than no one.
Getting to his feet Haru started running in the direction of school. Having to get used to the way his front and hind legs worked together to propel his body fast along the ground. Almost tripping a few times, but he quickly got used to this new means of movement. What was harder to get used to was not having shoes. As the bare pads of his feet scrapped against the rough cement and a pebble got lodged between his toes he wondered how cats always dealt with this kind of annoyance.
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Arriving at school Makoto quickly made his way up to homeroom that he shared with Haru. Only to find that the black haired boy wasn't there.
Asking a few fellow classmates if they had seen him, he was met with negatives replies and was just going to ask another student when the teacher entered and everyone had to take their seat.
Roll call was taken but when they got to Haru's name there was silence. The teacher looked up from their chart and locked eyes with Makoto. Raising an eyebrow; they clearly were expecting an explanation from him.
"Ah.. s-sorry I don't know where he is but I don't think Haru is coming to school today" he stuttered.
The teacher looked somewhat surprised at his response but nodded and continued with roll call. A few of the students glanced over at him as if to confirm that Haru was indeed not with the brunet. They seemed somewhat shocked as well and proceeded to whisper in hushed tones.
This was going to be a long day.
~ ~ ~
The day passed torturously slow as Makoto kept looking at the clock, willing it to speed up. The sooner the day ended the sooner he could continue his search for his missing friend.
At lunch time he had met up with Nagisa and Rei asking them if they had any idea where Haru could be. Being just as much in the dark as he was, they suggested calling his parents just in case it was a family emergency that dragged him away from home so suddenly. And after school he planned on doing just that.
What he was NOT going to do was Nagisa's suggestion to leave a plate of mackerel under a propped up box, attached to a string, in an attempt to catch 'this quiet and reclusive species known as Haru-chan'.
Makoto shook his head as he recalled that idea. He was sure Nagisa picked that up from watching nature documentaries with Rei.
They had decided to still do swim practice for the day as there was a good chance if Haru was around he would still show up to swim even if he skipped school for whatever reason.
Unlocking the gate and entering the pool area Makoto noted that he was the first to arrive. Taking on the duty as captain, he went over to check the chlorine levels before changing into his swimsuit.
As he approached the pool a black shape caught his eye. Turning his attention towards the dark clump kicking up water he let out a gasp as he recognized the clump of fur as a cat.
CAN CATS EVEN SWIM?! his thoughts screamed loudly. He knew cats hated water, so that meant they couldn't swim right? Making a quick decision Makoto dove into the water intent on saving the cats life.
His clothes logged him down but he was closing in on the cat when he recognized the blue eyes of the feline as the ones belonging to the cat that had been in Haru's house this morning. To his surprise the cat didn't appear to be struggling, in fact it seemed perfectly content on paddling through the water. But as Makoko approached it looked towards him and allowed itself to be picked up and held against his chest so the cats head was positioned on top of his shoulder.
Swimming over to the edge of the pool Makoto set the cat on the ledge so he could have both hands free to hoist himself out. Once back on the dry concrete he turned to pick up the cat once more, just in time to see the cat jump right back into the pool. "H-hey!"
The cat was paddling small circles close to the edge of the pool where he sat. It almost sounded like a motorboat as it loudly purred into the water.
"Hey now you shouldn't be in the pool you could drown or get sucked into the filter or something" he anxiously said as he worriedly looked onto the cat. Although it seemed perfectly happy with staying in the water.
He stuck his hand partially into the water palm up and made cooing sounds in an attempt to bring the cat within reach. "Come here, I won't hurt you, I just want to help you out of the pool"
It seemed at first that the cat hadn't even heard him. Not even a flick of the ears. But a few seconds later the black cat started to paddle its way closer to his hand. Keeping its head perfectly raised to avoid sucking in water and its tail a streamline shape as it trailed behind it, Makoto was impressed by its fluid movements in the water. Each leg kicking in perfect unison to break the waters edge. He never knew cats could swim like this. It's almost as if it belonged in the water more than land.
When the cat was a foot's length away from his hand it stopped, paddling in place, and looked up into his eyes. The shades of blue within it's iris shining and reflecting the waters surface. It didn't meow or make a sound but Makoto felt it was trying to tell him something. His brow starting to scrunch up in contemplation he missed the small huff of bubbles the cat let out in annoyance.
While Makoto was still concentrating on what the cat could possibly have to tell a human it swam the rest of the distance, closing the gap, and placed one of its paws into the palm of his hand that was still hanging in the water.
Jerking back to attention Makoto stared in confusion at the cat's actions. It's almost as if it was giving Makoto it's paw to pull it out of the pool... Staring more intently into the cats blue eyes this time he noticed that he recognized that blue... And that shade of black fur ... "Haru-chan...?", he questioned hesitantly, as he winced at his own question. Of course it isn't Haru. Haru isn't a cat. So stupid. At least no one is around to see him talking to a cat.
But then the cat meowed back in response. Making Makoto jump slightly. Ridiculous. That was just a meow not a response. But...
"Haru?"
"Mrrow"
Quickly scooping up the black cat from the pool, he held it an arms length away and stared into its blue eyes. "Meow twice if you understand me..."
"Mew-meow"
Dumbfounded Makoto continued to hold the cat for another minute just staring. There is no way this cat is Haru. His childhood best friend. His friend that he would recognize no matter what... no matter what... Eyes widening he set the cat down. "Haru..."
The cat let out a short chirp in response. Flicking it's ear to chase off a bug that was getting too close. Then turning once again towards the pool. But this time before jumping back in the cat was caught midair by two large hands as Makoto let out a long drawn out "Haruuuuu"
There was no doubt about it, this cat is Haru. He would recognize him anywhere, and apparently as any species.
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Haruka had arrived at school around noon, after having to climb a tree to avoid a dog that got away from its owner. He had stayed up in the tree an extra 20 minutes just to make sure it was really gone before continuing on his way.
By the time he reached the school entrance the midday sun had turned his black pelt into a heat trap. He wasn't entirely sure he wouldn't catch on fire at this rate. He could feel the sweat escaping through the pads of his feet and was somewhat panting as he approached the side of the building. He needed to get to the pool.
He squeezed his body through the bars of the fence and dove right into the cool water. It felt so refreshing to wash the heat right off his fur. It wasn't until he needed a breath of air that he paddled to the surface.
The water accepted him and he accepted it back. He wasn't afraid of drowning and somehow swimming in this new body came naturally to him. Like most things involving water did.
He soon lost track of the time and before he knew it there was a huge splash and the water was disturbed.
Makoto.They had never needed words in the past and he hoped that they wouldn't need any now as he tried again to communicate with his friend.
It was strange that he could still understand human speech as a cat but maybe normal cats could understand humans too? In any case it's good that he could, so he was able to respond to Makoto and get this whole thing straightened out.
Currently being held in Makoto's arms Haruka jerked his head around as the gate to the pool squeaked open. "Ooooh! Mako-chan what have you got there?!" Nagisa yelled as he skipped his way over. Stopping about a foot from them.
Pink eyes widened as he took in the drenched sight of Makoto still in his uniform and the black bundle in his arms with its fur sticking in every direction.
"Wah?! It's a cat! Did he fall in the pool? I thought cats had super good balance though so that wouldn't happen.."
Makoto scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Um... well, you see."
But he was saved from further attempts at explanation when Nagsia quickly switched his questioning train of thought from the past to the present as he reached out to try and pet the cat.
Haruka tried to shuffle away from the out-stretched hand but couldn't get very far in his current position. Only forcing Makoto to readjust his grip on the shivering form. "Ah Nagisa! You probably shouldn't! He doesn't like being pet very much"
"It's okay Mako-chan I just want to try one thing..."
Haruka's ears snapped to the side as a successive series of loud snapping sounds were created from Nagisa's fingers. Quickly turning his head to find the source of that sound he was met with a long index finger right in front of his nose.
"Boop"
A light pressure was applied to his nose and just as quickly it was gone. Retreating his neck back as far as it would go Haruka attempted to glare at Nagisa. His ears flattened against his head and tail twitching. Did he just boop me?!
Putting more effort into wiggling free this time Makoto in response lowered him down towards the ground where he jumped the rest of the way. With a shake of his fur Haruka retreated several feet away from the two to sit down. Starting to lick at his crumpled fur before realizing what he was doing. Gross.. Stopping for a second with his leg sticking out in the air and tongue half out of his mouth. But the urge to fix his messy fur was so intense he decided to just give in and continued to clean himself. He didn't understand the urge but it was on-pare with his need to jump into every body of water he came across.
Which was scary in itself. How many cat traits is his going to fall victim to?
~ ~ ~
Watching from a distance Haruka tucked his legs underneath himself as he got comfortable. Rei and Kou had shown up a few minutes ago and the club members were currently hunched in a circle arguing with each other. From here Haruka could still hear what they were saying with his improved cat hearing, but chose to ignore the conversation once it started going in circles.
"That's completely preposterous! Not only does that defy all logic but is simply impossible by scientific means."
"Nuhuh. Body swapping is totally possible! Haven't you seen Freaky Friday? Or! Or what if he made a wish on a shooting star and it came true!?"
"Why would he wish to become a cat...?" Kou said as she gave a doubtful expression.
Nagisa shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know! So he could eat all the mackerel he wanted?!"
"..I still don't believe that cat is Haruka-senpai," Rei muttered.
"Guys! guys!" Makoto interrupted. "Here I'll prove it."
Haruka stood up as the group approached him. He was slightly unnerved at how much taller they all were than him. Having to crane his neck up to get a better look at their faces.
"Haru? Could you meow twice if that's you?"
Complying with Makoto's request he meowed twice if only to quickly end this argument and start to focus on the real issue here. How were they going to turn him back into a human.
Rei and Kou still looked skeptical but Nagisa was even more enthusiastic than before.
"AHA! IT REALLY IS HARU-CHAN! THATS SO COOL!"
"Ah...I don't think I would use the word 'cool' to describe the situation, but I'm glad you believe me now."
"I'm still not convinced," adjusting his glasses Rei gave Makoto an apologetic smile. "It's not that I doubt your word Makoto-senpai but...you must admit this situation is somewhat hard to believe."
"No! No! I understand!" he waved him off as he continued, "I wouldn't believe me either, but... I can just tell its him... Plus you hadn't seen him swimming! I didn't even think cats could swim, let alone like this."
Kou tapped her finger against her cheek in thought, "you two do have that weird psychic connection.."
"Ah? I don't think I would call it a psychic connection exactly..?"
Haruka sighed in exasperation. Okay screw what he said earlier about not being able to write, he was going to try anyways.
Grabbing a stick between his teeth he walked over to a patch of dirt that was around the pool area and started to write. 'Write' being a loose term as he attempted to drag the stick through the dirt.
His ears twitched as he heard the footfalls of his friends approach. But didn't turn around as he was too engrossed in his project.
Finally finished he dropped the stick next to him and turned his head to stare up at them.
Straightening up from her bent over position Kou put her hands on her hips, "Well I guess that settles that."
Looking back at his work Haruka was pleased that it was at least legible.
In the dirt, made up of jagged and squiggly lines, the word "Free" was carved.
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Cutting swim practice short for the day the team started to head in the direction of Haru's house, all the while discussing what the plan of action should be.
"Soooooo basically we don't know what caused this, or how to fix it?? Sounds like we're screwed to me."
"Way to be optimistic about this Nagisa," Kou remarked with a roll of her eyes.
"I'm just tellin' it how it is! Besides," he quickly skipped a step over to Haru, who was still currently being held in Makoto's arms. "It's not all bad! Haru-chan is so much cuter like this."
Attempting to boop him on the nose once more Nagisa stuck out his index finger only to have it swatted away by an outstretched paw. Quickly retreating his hand Nagisa pouted in response to the glare he was receiving.
"Nagisa I don't think you should do that, Haru doesn't seem to be a big fan of it." Makoto scolded as he readjusted his hold on his friend turned feline. He could feel the low growl rumbling from Haru's chest letting him know he was angry. Not to mention the tail that kept flicking him in disapproval.
Finally arriving at the steps leading up to their homes he could feel claws digging into his shirt and lightly pinching his skin as the uneven terrain jostled his passenger somewhat. Passing his house and turning a corner they reached the Nanase residence. Using a spare key kept under the flower pot to unlock the door they one by one entered and removed their shoes, setting down their bags at the entrance.
Once everyone was seated in the living room they exchanged silent looks. No one knowing what to say.
Of course it was Nagisa who broke the silence first. "Okay....so now what?"
"Hmmm"
"Ummmm"
"Ah...."
They probably all looked like a bunch of gapping fish, opening and closing their mouths but no real words coming out. But it was understandable since it's not like he or the others had ever encountered anything supernatural in nature before. Scrunching his eyebrows together in thought Makoto decided he needed to make the first suggestion, he was the team captain after all. "Well there are a lot of things to consider; how this happened, how can we reverse it, how long it will last, etc. but a more immediate concern that we can actually do something about is how we are going to cover for him. The school will question if he's out for more than a few days..."
Casting a worried look down at Haru, who currently sitting in the loaf position, he really doubted calling the school up and saying 'sorry Haruka Nanase was transformed into a cat he can't make it to his classes for a little while' would fly with the principal.
Pushing his glasses further up Rei had a contemplative look. "I do believe having Makoto senpai's mother call the school saying Haruka senpai has the flu could buy us a week, at most. Considering Tachibana-san is his emergency contact by permission of his own mom."
"That could work." Kou agreed.
"Except for the fact that my mom wouldn't lie to the school!!"
"But she wouldn't know its a lie if you lie to her about the lie, so it wouldn't be like she's lying if the lie she tells is the truth to her."
Kou snapped her head towards Nagisa and gave a exasperated look. "Half of that was pure babble!"
Nagisa puffed out his cheeks in annoyance. "Whatever! The point is you gotta lie to you mom mako-chan!"
"W-what?! I can't do that! It's..its just wrong. Plus I've never lied to her before I don't think I could fool her."
"Well statistically speaking if you've never lied to her before your chances of her believing this lie are far greater than someone who lies all the time and has been caught on occasion."
His shoulders sagging as he lets out a sigh. "That's not the point Rei! I'll just feel bad!"
"Mrrow!"
Looking down Makoto saw Haru pushing his cellphone over with the tip of nose. Stopping just a couple inches from his knees to sit down with the phone in front of his paws.
"You agree with this plan too huh?"
"Mrrw.." He flicked his ear and looked to the side almost guilty but after a second looked back up. As if to say 'I don't like lying to her either but we don't have any other choice'.
"Okay fine... only so the school doesn't worry, so that they don't call your parents, which would lead to calling the police who would form a search party, and they obviously would need to interrogate us since we know you best, and maybe even the FBI would get involved if they knew about the human turned cat part, since that's something the US government would want to know about right?! and oh my god this can get blown out of hand so easily! What if my mom finds out I'm lying and calls the police herself?!"
The rest of the group exchanged looks between each other as Makoto dialed his house number, 'who jumps to conclusions like that?'
After 2 rings the call was picked up. "Hi! Mom!?" His voice a little too high pitched.
He could already tell this was going to be the longest phone call he's ever made.
And after a grueling 15 minutes on the phone, and 5 of those minutes being Kou jumping in to make sure the conversation didn't derail, they finally convinced Tachibana-san to call the school and let them know Haru wouldn't be attending for awhile because he is bedridden.
Deciding nothing much else could be done at the time, the team dispersed. Rei promising to do some research concerning this phenomenon via the library, while Nagisa promised to do some 'research' of his own via forum websites.
Having worked out with his mom earlier, Makoto prepared to stay the night over Haru's house. Getting out the extra futon and blankets.
Settling down with his laptop Makoto began his search for possible solutions.
After half an hour of clicking links to dead end forum conversations and unhelpful yahoo answers Makoto was beginning to lose steam. There were only so many unhelpful suggestions you could read before you started to go insane.
"Thanks but no thanks xXxdino_gurlxXx but I'm not going to try dark magic unless I become really desperate."
Clicking off the web browser he leaned back into his pillow digging the palms of his hand into eyes. This was seriously exhausting.
Haru, who had been quietly watching his struggle from the top of the nightstand jumped down onto the floor and started slowly padding over to the base of the futon. With a balanced leap he flew up and landed next to Makoto. Only to step up into his stomach which caused Makoto to release a puff of air.
"Ouf! Haru that hurt," lifting Haru off that particular spot and settling the cat next to him. "Sorry but I don't seem to be having much luck with finding a solution..."
Letting out a long sigh he reached over to pat Haru on the head. "You wouldn't happen to have any clue as how to how or why this happened would you?" Not that he would get a clear answer but if anyone knew anything it would be the person who got turned into the cat right?
Blue eyes blinked up at him. A look of concentration passed over the cats face before he shook his head no.
"Well it was worth a shot."
A few more hours of searching the Internet was all he could handle before he felt his eyelids grow heavy and caught himself starting to nod off.
Calling it quits for the night he quickly brushed his teeth and turned off the lights around the house. Haru trailing behind him and almost getting under his feet a few times, but disappeared when Makoto started to head back upstairs.
Finally able to settle under the covers on the futon he shifted a few times to get comfortable. Staring up at the familiar ceiling of Haru's bedroom, illuminated by the faint moonlight streaming in from the window. This had been a long day. The anxiety of it all finally taking its toll on him. Just as he was starting to fall asleep he felt the futon shift beneath him and soon felt a furry body pushing his way into the crook of his arm. The black bundle making a few circles before curling in close and resting his head upon Makoto's arm.
He was somewhat startled as it was unlike Haru to be touchy with anyone and Makoto had simply assumed Haru would be sleeping in his own bed a few feet to the left.
Out of nowhere guilt seized up Makoto's chest. Haru had spent an entire day stuck as a cat. He must have been terrified at first... and may still be. And there was nothing Makoto could do to help. He had spent all those hours on the internet but he knew before even booting up the laptop that there wouldn't be an answer to their problem. He doubted even Rei would find anything helpful in the hundreds of books he would have to search through.
The truth is, they were dealing with something supernatural here. Magic and fantastical things like this just don't happen in real life. Maybe in some shounen manga but not for them.
He felt tears start to prickle at his eyes and he blinked rapidly in hopes of dispelling them.
Using his unoccupied arm he reached over to stroke the cat's back. His hand glided over the smooth fur a few times and in a low voice he whispered a reassurance, "don't worry Haru we'll find a way to change you back, I promise."
Haru swiveled his head around to stare at the arm touching him.
"Ah sorry!" Makoto quickly retrieved his arm once he realized what he was doing.
Blue eyes leveled a look at him. But after a second gently bumped his head into his hand to communicate that he was forgiven.
Going back to resting his head on Makoto's arm Haru stared up at the window giving view to the night sky. It was hard to read what Haru was thinking as a cat but the slight trembling he felt every so often gave him a good enough idea. He was scared. Scared that Makoto's promise, while having good intentions, is impossible to fulfill.
Silent minutes passed but soon the two fell into a fitful slumber. Subconsciously Haru buried himself closer to Makoto, while the arm wrapped him closer in his sleep.