Chapter Eight – An Explanation

Katarina was fidgeting stressfully as they stepped up to her front door.

How had her Mother found out about Baron? She was sure that she hadn't slipped his name or anything. But more than that…why was her Mother doing this to her?

Baron had formed himself into a human appearance. His hair a thick layer of orange toned locks with a slight blonde glow – his eyes the same colour but a little rounded. His suit had been traded for something more modern – a white button up shirt and a black dress pants, his brown shoes still in place. Since Toto had dropped them off a few blocks away, he'd clasped her hand in comfort, knowing that she needed it dearly.

Katarina hesitated as she raised a hand to the normally unlocked front door.

Baron tightened his hold on her hand. "Kat?"

Katarina looked up at him, surprised at the nickname he had ever used.

"I'm right here."

Katarina nodded. "I know. Thank you."

Baron quickly kissed her forehead as the front door swung open.

Katarina gasped, released Baron's hand and stepped away. "Dad."

"Your Mother was watching out for you." Daisuke said with an exasperated sigh. "Personally I think she's going overboard with this, but you know your Mother."

Katarina smiled, but it fell as nerves took over. "Um, Dad, this is Baron. Baron, this is my Father, Daisuke Tamiko."

Baron bowed politely – well practiced in Japanese culture – and then stood up straight. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Katarina speaks of her parents often."

Daisuke smiled and ushered them inside. "I wish that Katarina had told her Mother and me more about you." He admitted as he closed the door behind them. "She's been keeping your identity a complete secret. But Haru's somehow worked it out, so I apologise for this sudden invitation."

Katarina flushed with embarrassment, but Baron had more pressing matters suddenly sprouting forth. 'Haru?' And then he remembered.

"His name is Daisuke Tamiko, I met him when I was working as a receptionist at a veterinary clinic. His family dog was ill. And I guess that after a while he started to come back only to see me – leaving the dog at home."

He looked over at Katarina and realised what an oblivious fool he was. Katarina was the spitting image of Haru when she was seventeen.

They had slipped their shoes off and as Daisuke led them towards the kitchen Baron noticed his gift to Haru – the never wilting rose. He gently touched the petals before he followed Daisuke and Katarina, his hands behind his back, his emerald eyes troubled. All this time….Katarina had been Haru's daughter? He looked at her, her ponytail bobbing slightly with every step she took. Now that he looked at her, with a slightly more human brain, he realised how stupid he'd been not to notice. And the bell, it was the same colour as the dress Haru had worn in the Cat Kingdom. The idiocy of his mind.

"Haru." Daisuke called as he and Katarina turned into the kitchen. "What have you done now?"

"I'm making dinner, what does it look like?" A familiar voice asked in response.

Baron's eyes widened as he entered the kitchen and the familiar voice became a familiar face. "Haru?"

Haru turned from her place at the stove. "Baron? Wow, you're not a cat anymore."

Baron chuckled. "My magic's improved. I can alter my height and appearance at will now."

Haru smiled. She frowned though and stepped away from the stove to take his hands. It amused her that she was taller than him now. "Baron – I'm sorry, I should have visited you."

"Not to worry, Haru. I hold no grudge. You were happy with your family, I could never hold a candle to what you have acquired." Baron said.

Haru tightened her hold on his hands. "As far as I am concerned, you are my family." She said.

By this point, Katarina's jaw was hanging open and her eyes were wide. "What?"

Baron and Haru turned to her.

Haru laughed brightly. "You didn't really think that I could have made up a story like that all on my own?"

Katarina crossed her arms. "I was a little girl, of course I thought you made it up."

Baron looked at Haru, puzzled. "What story?"

"I'd tell Kat the story of my journey in the Cat Kingdom. "Haru explained. "But I've never told her it was real."

"It was?" Katarina exclaimed. "Mum, how much have you been keeping from me?"

Haru smiled. "Not a lot sweetheart. I'll explain after dinner."

Katarina squeaked. "I have to wait that long?" Katarina whined.

Baron chuckled. "I'm sure that you can handle it, Kat."

Katarina pouted. Life wasn't fair, even when things seem to be going okay.

. : . : . : .

Dinner was rather quiet, except for the subtle inside jokes that Katarina and Baron had – and the comments that her parents gave. Especially the ones about her eating. Baron refused to take responsibility, but Haru would have none of it.

"If it weren't for you Kat would have receded into herself and withered away. She's still here because of you." Haru said.

"She's right, Baron." Katarina added, picking at her rice.

Baron frowned slightly, but accepted their praise without another word.

Once they'd finished eating and Katarina cleared the table, she returned to her said and cornered her Mother. "Okay, so what is this story that you've been keeping from me?"

Haru laughed lightly. "I didn't really keep a lot of it from you. Mostly names and the fact that it was set twenty-five years ago and that I was the 'peasant' girl."

"And you left out Toto." Katarina added.

"Well, the story was complicated enough for a four year old girl." Haru defended. "But I met Muta at the Crossroads, rather than a town square. And it was because I saw you following him out of the Crossroads that I knew you'd met the Baron somehow." She explained. "And to a degree I'm still very good friends with King Lune and Queen Yuki – who still claim that they under are in debt to me."

"Whoa, whoa, hang on. You know the King and Queen?"

"Of course. And they gave me that bell you're wearing to protect you." Haru replied. "It was a Baby Shower gift."

"To protect me?" Katarina asked, touching the bell lightly. "Protect me from what?"

Haru glanced at Daisuke nervously. "Well, you see…you know the Cat King in the story?"

Katarina nodded.

"Well, he still holds a grudge against me. But I'm not easily fooled and Lune and Yuki placed a protective spell on your Father's wedding ring." Haru explained. "However, they had reason to believe that he was going to target my daughter – you. I don't know how, and I didn't ask for I knew it would be complicated."

"It was frightening." Daisuke added. "We didn't know when or how he was going to strike."

"Especially when I knew that Baron had destroyed his source of magic back when he got me out of the Cat Kingdom." Haru explained. "So we can only assume that he's using someone else to do his bidding."

"Oh great, it could be anyone." Katarina mumbled.

"Don't worry though. That bell gives you all the protection you need." Haru said.

Katarina smiled. "I guess that explains why you were so touchy about this thing, huh?"

Haru and Daisuke smiled back at her.

During the conversation, Baron remained silent, a million thoughts running through is head. "Is it possible that some kind of magic is the reason why Katarina stopped eating?" He asked suddenly, silencing an unrelated conversation as the others looked at him.

"What do you mean?" Daisuke asked.

Baron righted his posture. "I assume that it was sudden?"

Katarina nodded.

"Well, there is a possibility that Kat has been affected by some kind of magic that maybe isn't hindered by the bell. Though that is highly improbable as Lune asked me for advice on protective spells – so it is more than likely that I helped to make that bell possible." Baron explained. "I am glad that this magic didn't seem to work at the Bureau."

"What do you mean?" Katarina asked.

"I'm a sorcerer. I can sense the presence of magic. Right now, and every time that I'd escort you back to your street for that matter, I can feel the magic surrounding you." Baron pondered the thought for a moment. "Or perhaps it's a counter effect for the ineffective magic?" He shook his head. "I can't be sure. But I can be positive that something or someone is definitely interfering here."

"But that potion you're giving me will help?" Katarina confirmed.

Baron nodded. "Yes. It should. If not, I'll modify it so that it will help."

Haru reached over the table and took the Baron's hand. "Thank you, Baron. You don't need to help us like this."

Baron smiled. "I did say that the Bureau's doors would be open for you, be it day or night. The same applies to Katarina, whenever she needs me." He said, looking over at Katarina with a gentle smile.

Katarina smiled lightly.

Haru grinned, sending Daisuke a cheeky glance. "Baron, would you come with me for a moment?" She asked, standing up from her seat.

Baron looked up at her; a little perplexed, but nodded none the less and stood from his seat. "Certainly."

Haru led him down the hallway and up the stairs. "Baron, I really do need to thank you for everything that you have done for me and my daughter. And I can see that you make her very happy. And that you are delighted when in her presence." She said as she opened the door to the room she shared with Daisuke.

Baron didn't respond.

Haru chuckled as she walked over to her bedside table. "I'm not a teenager anymore, Baron; I know how boys act around girls. And I am aware that you're only a young man."

Again, Baron had nothing to say.

"You know, Baron, she's a good girl."

"I know that." Baron said, standing in the doorway.

"Then is there a reason why you haven't told her then?" Haru asked, pulling a box out from the top drawer, sitting on her bed and sifting through its contents.

"Told her what, Haru?"

Haru gave him a meaningful look. "I already said that I can tell how a guy acts around a girl he likes. The way you look at her – I can just tell."

Baron frowned as he looked down to his feet. "I'm not quite sure what you mean, Haru. I respect Katarina very highly."

"Respecting her doesn't mean that you're not allowed to care for her, Baron."

"I never said I didn't care for her." Baron explained with a sad smile. "There are some complications that restrict the kind of relationship you seem to picture."

Haru smiled and took an object out of the box. "Baron, there is something that I think you should have." She said, walking over to him. "This belonged to my great grandmother." She said, holding the object out for Baron to take. Once he'd reached a hand palm up for it, she dropped it into his hand.

Baron observed the object – a silver ring with an intricate silver rose attached, imbedded on the petals were small pink diamonds. "Haru, this is beautiful. But should I really take this?"

"My great grandmother gave it to me; she told me that I should give it to someone very special." Haru said. "You're someone who's changed my life – and my daughter's. I think that makes you very special – and perhaps you could give it to someone who means a lot to you."

Baron looked up at Haru and then back at the ring. "Haru, even if I – " He paused, unsure what he was supposed to say. "Even if I did pursue Katarina – it could never be."

"And why not?" Haru demanded.

He sighed. "The same reason I couldn't pursue you. I don't age – I'd watch her grow old and then eventually die while I continue to live. I could never deny her a full life, aging alongside the man that she could one day love." He buried his face in his hands. "I care for her too deeply to ever do that to her."

Haru didn't speak, understanding perfectly why he was troubled. Hesitantly she reached for him and pulled him into an embrace. "Don't deny yourself a beautiful romance for the sake of your possible guilt, Baron. Katarina is my little girl and I want her to be happy – and I know that she can make you just as happy as you've already made her."

Baron closed his eyes tightly, trying to work out what he should do.

"But Baron, if you're so concerned about it then don't rush into it."

"Certainly not." Baron said, stepping out her arms. He closed his hand around the ring. "I think I should go back to the Refuge."

"Baron!"

Baron turned at the call of his name, his hearing still heightened even in his human form. "Yes?"

"Would you like some tea? We don't have your blend, but Mum's is still just as good." Katarina replied.

Baron's previous decision vanished at the sound of this – as he headed for the stairs he looked sideways at Haru. "You started making your own blend?"

Haru flushed slightly. "Well, it was an inspiration. And once I tried it I realised how fun it can be to experiment to find that perfect taste."

Baron chuckled and finished the last three stairs with a leap that led him straight into Katarina. He jolted, but this caused her to lose her balance and she stumbled back. His gentlemanly instinct reached out for her and then they were still. His hand holding her arm, her hand clinging to his shirt sleeve, the both of them leaned back, only just balanced perfectly. They looked up at one another, panting slightly, before they righted themselves while bursting into laughter.

"I apologise. I should have watched where I was going." Baron said.

Katarina giggled brightly. "I shouldn't hang around at the bottom of the stairs." She added.

Haru watched this interaction with excited eyes, and then a sinister plan came to mind. "Hey Kat?"

Katarina looked up the stairway. "Yes?"

"I was wondering; do you have a date to the formal dance?" Haru asked casually as she stepped off the staircase.

Katarina's reaction was instant, her cheeks turning bright pink. "Well – uum, I mean. No one at school really likes me at all. So I uum, I was planning on showing up and then leaving."

Baron stared at her. "You possibly can't do that."

Katarina turned to him. "Why not?" She demanded.

"I won't allow you to attend this dance on your own." Baron replied. "Every woman should have an escort to be sure that you are watched over."

"Who do you think I should take then, Baron?" Katarina asked smartly, her arms crossed. "You?"

"If you'd accept my arm, certainly."

Katarina stopped short as her mouth open to retort – she hadn't excepted this response. "A-are you serious?"

Baron nodded. "I'd hate for you to experience such a monumental part of your schooling without having someone there to share it with." He said.

Katarina smiled shyly. "Well….I suppose. If you don't mind attending a silly, twentieth century high school dance….then uum…would you come with me? Please?"

"It would be an honour to have you on my arm." Baron said, giving an English styled bow.

Katarina giggled. "Besides, I already got the dress; I should get the most out of it, right?"

Baron nodded. "That would be a good idea." He agreed.

Katarina could hardly contain the continuous spill of giggles that emitted from her. Forgetting herself, she jumped into the Baron's arms, still giggling. "Thank you, Baron. This means so much to me."

Hesitantly Baron circled his arms around her waist, unable to ignore the scent of her shampoo. "You're only too welcome, Kat."

As their embrace lingered, Daisuke appeared from the kitchen, his eyes slightly widened at the scene before him, but his wife wrapped an arm around him and gave an excited squeeze, pressing her lips to his cheek and then led him towards the kitchen again. "Leave them be for a moment, Hun." She said in a hushed tone. "There's something beautiful unfolding – and it might take a while for anything to actually be announced. It's best not to disturb them."

Katarina sighed lightly. "I hate it when they think I can't hear them." She whispered.

Baron chuckled and tightened his embrace on her. "You don't have to hug me for too long, Katarina, if you're worried about them."

"No, I think….I want to stay like this for a while longer." Katarina admitted, tightening her embrace slightly. "You're so warm….and….I feel safe."

Baron let his eyes slide closed. "Likewise, my dear." He admitted – to her and himself.

Slowly, but surely, Katarina slipped out of the embrace, her hands searching for his, trailing down his arms. "Baron?"

"Yes?"

"You know what you said a month or so ago about finding someone, and how you couldn't take a girl's life away because you would never age and they would?" She asked, looking him right in the eyes.

"Yes, I remember."

"I just wanted you to know that I don't care about any of that."