Chapter Three: Old Friends New Again

A pounding ache at the back of Baron's skull made him groan with displeasure. How did he get hit there? He was always careful…

He opened his eyes, not recognizing the room he was in. It was warm and inviting, reflecting a preference very similar to his own tastes. He tried to sit up, but the room began to spin, landing him back on the pillow.

'Trees…forest…Louis…bandits…' A soft coughing caught his attention, making him shift his head to the seat next to him.

Good old Toto was right there, relief evident in his eyes as he sat on the back of the wooden chair pulled close to the bed.

"Glad to see you decided to join the ranks of the living."

Baron chuckled, the sound slightly hurting his head.

"Don't be too sure. What happened?"

"Well, after you got hit on the head, a bunch of soldiers came to the rescue. Louis went off with a guard to deliver the message, and the woman in charge of the soldiers took you home to heal."

Baron's eyes shot open, and he gripped the front of his tunic. The scroll was gone.

"Why didn't you go with him?"

The crow shrugged.

"The guard seemed trustworthy, and I wanted to be sure you were in good hands. Baron, this woman…she says she knows you. She knew your name without being told, and Louis's. She's been popping in here every five to ten minutes to see if you're awake, and she's worried about you. Did you help any girls around this country?"

Baron chuckled again, his head clearing a little.

"Once, many years ago. But the girl wasn't high ranking; she was just scared." Even as he said the words, the day seemed rush back to the front of his mind, making the pain double.

It was a late winter day, although it could arguably be an early spring day. In either case, snow still lay on the ground.

His heart wrenched, thinking about the small girl. He never really stopped thinking about her, even if she was a bit rude. He didn't expect to ever see her again.

He tried sitting up again, this time slowly. He managed to stay up long enough to prop himself against the head of the bed. He reached up with one hand to touch the bandage covering his wound. How could he have been so careless?

The door creaked open, and he turned enough to see a wizened old woman with a small bowl of water and a towel in her hands. She beamed brightly at the man as she set the bowl and towel on the table.

"The lady will be wanting to know you're awake." Without a further word, she ran out the door, her steps echoing down a long hallway. Baron leaned over enough to grab the towel and dampen it, holding it to his wound with relief.

Whoever this lady was, he was anxious to express his gratitude to her.

Fast paced steps ran towards his door, and he could hear heavy panting right in front of it. One more minute passed before the door slowly opened, a young woman poking her head in experimentally to look at him. Her eyes locked with Baron's.

His heart sped up, unable to denounce those large brown orbs.

For once, he was minding his own business, merely passing through the country of Celia on the way home. For a reason unknown, his eyes were drawn away from the snow-cleared path.

They stared at each other a little longer, Baron breaking the silence with a warm chuckle. Well, it wasn't the first time he had been proven wrong, and he was glad to see her again.

"My, my; how the tables have turned."

The woman laughed a little, fully coming into the room.

"I take it you remember me? I didn't expect you to."

He smiled warmly at her, making a light blush appear.

"You're a little hard to forget. I take it from your intervention on my behalf that you're no longer angry at me?"

She laughed a little guiltily as she sat at the edge of the seat, allowing plenty of room for Toto.

"I haven't really been angry at you since about two seconds after you left. I know it's a little late to say this, but I'm sorry for what I said to you. You were trying to help, and you did." She took a steadying breath. "I've been following your advice, and it works like a charm. I'm a lot happier now."

He smiled again, content that she was well.

"What about your father? How are things with him?"

Her eyes softened, a distant pain threatening to surface.

"I haven't seen or personally contacted him since before I met you. I look too much like Mother for his comfort. I try not to worry about it though."

His gaze sharpened.

"And your brother?"

A smile resurfaced on her lips, which he thought suited her much better.

"My best friend. Sometimes he slips and calls me Mother, but we love each other, and that's what counts. How have you been?"

He smiled, still wondering a few things about her.

"Before getting attacked, fairly well. About the only thing that seems to change back home is my brother's height. I suppose it's a good thing I had him with me; you might not have known what to do with the message."

The door creaked open again, and the trio looked over to see a gluttonous mass of white cat waddle in.

"It's getting dark outside, so the viscount and Momotaro will probably be back sometime tomorrow. Hey, is that bird for me?" he asked, eyeing Toto, who gave him a contemptuous glare.

"Lady Haru, is that a cat or a pig?" the crow asked. Haru slapped one hand over her mouth to suppress the giggles as her cat hissed. Baron shook his head disapprovingly.

"Toto, we are guests here; please remember your manners."

The brunette swallowed another giggle before addressing the feline.

"Thanks for the information, Muta, but Toto isn't for eating. And if you do it anyway, I'll give you to Baron." She turned back to the tawny haired man. "I'm not sure if that's a fair trade though; how much does Toto eat on average?"

The lord couldn't stop a smile from creeping onto his lips.

"Actually, Toto likes to find his own food. He only takes offerings at formal gatherings."

"Then it isn't fair; I won't actually say out loud how much Muta eats, but it's more than that."

"Let me guess; three cows and two giant babies per day?" Toto taunted, flying off the chair to avoid Muta's claws, narrowly missing Haru's arm. She stiffened as the two began to chase each other around the room.

"If you two are going to fight, then take it outside! Baron needs peace and quiet." She suddenly froze and held one hand to her mouth, realizing that she was being louder than they were. Baron smiled at her, all forgiven as the cat and crow left the room, still taking swipes at each other.

As their voices faded down the hallway, Haru slowly realized that she was alone. With a man. No chaperone. It was one thing to be alone with Baron when he was the adult and she was the child, but the last thing anyone could call her now was a child.

Covering her nervousness with a smile, she faced the patient again.

"Are you hungry?"

He thought about it.

"A little."

She smiled at him again as she ran out the door, determined to find something for him.

He smiled at her retreating back as she shut the door.

'She's grown well. I knew she'd be quite fetching upon maturity.'