Spirited Away and The Cat Returns both belong to Studio Ghibli. My most humble thanks to Miyazaki-sama for not minding us fanatics borrowing.
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"Hey, lovebirds! Little help here?" Muta's grouchy voice broke the spell ensnaring Haru and Baron. Both blushed so crimson steam floated off their cheeks. Baron hopped off of Haru's lap and rescued his friend from dangerously wobbling food and drink. Haru dropped her head until her hair hid her face. Toto pulled himself together and flew down with Baron's hat in his beak. The Cat Creation accepted it, tried to smooth out the crumples from crashing into Toto, and gave it up as a lost cause. Time for a new hat.
Chihiro, meanwhile, was staring down at the bath tag in shock. Haku was looking for her? How long? What could have drove him to seek out the Cat Bureau, a mythical place she hadn't even HEARD of outside of Haru's stories? He had promised they would see each other again, but still! A doll-sized tea cup appeared in her vision. She blinked and blushed at Baron's kind face smiling at her and the tea he was offering.
"I'm very sorry for my behavior, Baron," She said, bowing. Baron shook his head and extended the teacup.
"No offense was taken, Miss Ogino. In fact, I am rather relieved." Chihiro's eyebrows decided they liked being crashed together and petitioned her brain to stay that way. Chihiro ignored the petition to accept the tea. Baron's smile took a slightly mischievous slant. "I had worried that what you had suffered might have damaged your spirit. I am very glad to see that is not the case. When you are ready, I will call Lord Kohaku."
"How long has he been looking for me?" Chihiro asked softly. Baron's smile slipped a little.
"I honestly do not know. He did not say. He was very concerned that you would not remember him, or see him only as a childhood fantasy." Haru snickered.
"Not a chance, if her sketchbook is anything to go by," She said, gently elbowing Chihiro's side. Chihiro swatted at her bodyguard.
"I see. Thank you, Baron." Baron nodded and went to fetch Haru tea. Chihiro drank hers quickly and smiled.
"You were right, Haru. This is marvelous!"
It took three cups of tea and six macaroons before Chihiro felt stable enough to see Haku. Haru and Baron left her alone, preferring to discuss the mechanics of the communication spell, which Chihiro shamelessly eavesdropped on, finally getting some answers in that regard. Muta and Toto squabbled over the coconut cake, quickly coming to blows and causing Chihiro to rescue said cake before they fell on it. All in all, she could see why Haru loved this place and these people so much she had to tell their story, even if the bodies had been changed to human for the sake of privacy. And maybe some wishful thinking on Haru's part. Seeing her and Baron together, it was incredibly obvious why none of the guys at school had attracted Haru's attention. Who could possibly compete with Baron? The image of a human sized Baron being introduced to Haru's mother triggered a giggle fit. Haru and Baron stopped talking to stare.
"All right, what's so funny?" Haru demanded. Chihiro waved her hand, the other one firmly pressed against her mouth. She finally pointed to the fighting bird and cat. Muta was gnawing on Toto's leg while the Crow Creation beat him with his wings. Baron sighed.
"Those two will never learn to play nice," He said, shaking his head.
"Well, it does provide some entertainment," Chihiro said, finally releasing her mouth. Haru nodded, grinning.
"You are both very kind. How are you feeling, Chihiro?"
"Much better, thank you, Baron. I...I think I'm ready now." Baron's face lit up with a huge smile, causing noticable palpitations in Haru, who pressed a fist to her heart. Chihiro let a smile grow.
"Excellent! I will be right back." Baron stood, nodded to the two women and darted into his house, leaving the door open. Curious, Chihiro leand on her elbows and peered inside. Baron was standing with his back to her at a large (for him) desk, holding something in his hand.
"She is here," He said firmly. Chihiro's heart gave a funny leap and she straightened. A roaring sound, like a waterfall, filled the air. Everyone looked up, including Baron who had come back outside. Chihiro sprang to her feet, shading her eyes. Haru's mouth fell open.
"Tha...that...that's..." She stammered.
"The River God Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi," Baron finished for her. A magnificent white dragon with jade green crests bellowed a greeting that sounded incredibly happy and landed in the courtyard, his massive coils taking up most of the room.
"HAKU!" Chihiro shrieked and ran over to throw her arms around his muzzle. Kohaku leaned his forehead against hers and both seemed to sigh with relief. Kohaku's sea-green eyes flew open and he sneezed, sending Chihiro staggering back. With a rush of white water, the dragon was replaced by a regal man. A man who looked ready to kill. He grabbed Chihiro again and began sniffing her neck and chest. The male Creations and cat quickly turned their backs to the couple. Haru flushed scarlet and looked at Chihiro's face. She looked startled, but not scared or nervous. Kohaku finally pulled his face out of her cleavage and turned to the group, teeth bared. Haru barely kept herself from jumping back.
"WHO has touched MY Chihiro?" The River God demanded.
Everyone stared at the furious River God. Chihiro was blinking, clearly surprised by his possessiveness. Baron pulled himself to his full height and stepped forward, only to be blocked by Haru's leg.
"There was an announcement of a man attacking women at our school Monday. Chihiro fished a purple hair tie out of her bag and put it on. I haven't seen it off since," Haru said firmly. Kohaku glanced at Chihiro, who turned her head to the left. Purple sparkled in her hair.
"I took it upon myself to be her bodyguard. I came to the Bureau to ask for their help in watching her. That's when I found out you were looking for her too." Haru swallowed when angry green eyes turned back to her. "She was not alone when she was attacked, Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi-sama. Toto was with her and flew to her rescue. She broke free from the pervert fondling her and fled to Grandfather Ginko."
"Grandfather Ginko?" Kohaku growled.
"A large and very old ginko tree on campus," Chihiro answered, stepping forward. "He hid me until Haru arrived, ready to take on the jerk herself. She charged him when he threatened her. I couldn't let her get hurt, so I dragged her into Grandfather's protection." Kohaku whirled on Chihiro. "I'm fine, Haku. Haru, Baron, Muta, Toto, they all comforted me and did their best to keep me safe. It wasn't their fault! They saved me!" Kohaku growled and yanked Chihiro back into his arms. He stroked her back and shoulders, nuzzling her hair, her neck. Haru glanced down and behind her. Baron was smiling and nodding.
"Well done, Haru. Very well done."
"Thank you, Baron," Kohaku sighed, hugged Chihiro tightly, and turned back to the small group. His eyes swept over Haru, standing protectively in front of the smaller Creations and enormous white cat. A faint grin appeared on his mouth as he let go of Chihiro only to lace her fingers with his.
"For what it's worth, My Lord, I did leave the disgusting man several disfiguring wounds to teach him a lesson," Toto offered, keeping himself behind Haru's right leg. Kohaku's smile grew and he finally let loose a small chuckle.
"Baron Humbert Von Gikkingen?"
"Here, Kohaku," Baron stepped around Haru's leg and bowed. Kohaku knelt, bringing Chihiro down with him.
"You have found my heart, and for that I am most grateful. Please name your reward." Chihiro blushed crimson while Haru hid a big smile behind her hand. Baron shook his head.
"The happiness of you and your Mate is all the reward I need." Kohaku shook his head, rose and favored Haru with a speculative look.
"You took it upon yourself to protect Chihiro, even without knowing her connection to me and how dear I hold her. For your bravery, I would reward you." Haru shook her head.
"Chihiro's safe, happy and with her Dragon. I don't need any reward either, but I would like to know if I can see Chihiro again, sometime," She said shyly. Chihiro and Kohaku exchanged glances. Chihiro smiled and nodded. Kohaku brought their joined hands together and rubbed his cheek against her fingers.
"Neither of you wish for riches or fame or even the promise of a favor owed. For such selflessness, there is only one thing I can do. Haru, please come here," Kohaku said, letting go of Chihiro. Puzzled, Haru stepped forward. Kohaku touched her forehead and she collapsed into his arms with a sigh. Baron's eyes sparked dangerously.
"Lord Kohaku! What have you done?" He demanded. Kohaku smiled at the furious cat-man, kneeling carefully with Haru in his arms.
"She is only asleep, Baron. As to what I am doing," Kohaku bit his finger, then gently pried open Haru's mouth, rubbing the bloody finger on her tongue. "I am granting two wishes." He closed Haru's mouth and gently stroked her neck until she swallowed. He then lifted her left wrist and bit just hard enough to draw blood. Baron nearly crushed his cane in his hands as he watched. Kohaku pressed his still-bleeding finger to Haru's wound, rubbing it slowly back and forth. After several seconds, he lifted Haru's wrist to his mouth and licked the wound clean. Baron's composure slipped several notches when the bite slowly healed. Kohaku looked down at the Cat Creation and smiled.
"Now she can stay with you for as long as you both wish. Here, take your heart, Baron Humbert Von Gikkingen." Kohaku offered the sleeping Haru to Baron, who blinked at the River God.
"It's ok, Baron," Chihiro said, nodding. "She's loved you a very long time, don't you think you both deserve a chance?" Baron hesitated, then reached for Haru. To his amazement, she shrank when he touched her, quickly becoming the perfect size to hold close. Toto and Muta gasped. Baron stared up at the River God and his new Mate.
"I...I do not know what to say."
"She will wake up soon. Give yourselves both the chance for happiness, Baron. You deserve no less after giving us ours." Kohaku stood, helping Chihiro to her feet. "I am going to take Chihiro to her parents' house and declare myself. Hopefully they will be understanding. If not, well, that is the way of humans. Either way, you will both be receiving invitations to the wedding in a few weeks."
"WEEKS?" Chihiro shrieked.
