Chapter Nine – Beginning of the End

Baron collapsed into his desk chair; now back to his normal self – coat and hat with his cane on the hat stand. He was mentally exhausted, confused and a little bit more than pleased with himself.

Once he and Katarina had finished drinking tea with her parents, she informed them that she had an exam in the next two days so she had to study. Baron made haste to follow her and kept her on track while helping her with some examples and amusing comments that would keep her spirits up. Four hours he'd stayed there and it was nearly midnight when he'd returned to the Bureau.

But, he still wasn't sure of how to handle and implement Haru's advice – not to mention what Katarina had said to him. 'I don't care about any of that'. He lifted a hand to his face and rubbed his aching forehead. He lifted his hand away and wondered silently what his hand actually looked like. He could feel the strange pads beneath the silk of his gloves and he knew that he had rather lethal claws that would surely tear the gloves if he dared need them. He supposed it was his strange sensibility and being more human like in his actions that these feline attributes bothered him a little and therefore kept his gloves on.

But then his thoughts travelled to that embrace – or embraces, he corrected himself, as he remembered the one she gave him before he'd left – they were different to the others she'd snuck from him in the past. These ones lingered, far longer than his gentlemanly side should have allowed – especially if he hadn't decided to court her. He groaned a little and stood up to set up some calming tea.

He admitted to himself, though: he'd liked it too much.

"So how was it?" Muta asked as he opened the front door.

Baron looked up at him. "What answer are you looking for?" He asked suspiciously.

Muta shrugged and slouched into his usual seat.

Baron refused the urge to roll his eyes. "There's some interesting happenings going about her family, that's for sure. Did I tell you that her mother is Haru?"

Muta sat up in shock. "You're kidding?"

"Not at all. I probably should have known myself. Haru and Daisuke were very hospitable of course. Haru's visit to the Cat Kingdom came into the conversation more than once. Kat knew so much about the Cat Kingdom because Haru told her a fairytale version of it when Kat was still a little girl – apparently I've been idolised for most of her childhood as a result."

Muta snorted.

Baron pursed his lips as he poured his tea. "But more so then that, the ex-Cat King has been seeking revenge on Haru for the events that lost him his powers and the throne. Kat's bell was a gift from Lune and Yuki – laced with magical properties to protect her. Daisuke's wedding ring has been laced with magic too. And Haru doesn't need any protection, the ex-Cat King is too scared of her."

Muta laughed. "Agreed."

"There's a lot to sort out." He said, yawning slightly as he walked to his desk and sat down. "I need to begin taking note of all of this."

"When do Chicky's exams finish?" Muta asked.

"Uuuh, she has one in two days and after that she only has one other – that's on the day after that." Baron replied. "Why?"

Muta shrugged. "No reason." He noted the Baron's exhausted expression and the way he held himself was completely different in his fatigue. "Baron, maybe you should rest and begin writing tomorrow."

"No, no. Kat won't be visiting until her last exam is done. I'd like to get this done as soon as I can." Baron insisted. "I'm a doll, Muta. I'm sure I can handle it."

. : . : . : .

Her last exam was over – she stepped out of the exam hall and savoured the feel of the sun and fresh air. The past three days had been dull, for obvious reason. She hadn't seen the Baron, Muta or Toto at all. That was going to change.

She leaned against the back of Muta's chair and cleared her throat.

The cynical feline looked up at her. "Oh, hi Chicky. You've finished your exams huh?"

Katarina nodded. "Been bored without my presence?"

"Not really. But I think Baron's gone off the deep end." Muta admitted.

Katarina frowned at this. "What do you mean?"

Muta looked around a bit. "Come on, we'll walk and talk." He said and jumped off the chair.

Katarina willingly followed and once they were safely in the alley ways, Muta slowed down enough to only lead the way by a short distance.

"He's been writing down everything and anything he can about your situation. Any kind of abnormality that you have told us about and every suspicion that he has. He was very keen to be done before you'd come today – and I thought he'd be done days ago, but he was still going when I left this morning."

"What do you mean? He's been writing for days and nights?"

Muta nodded sadly. "I think he wants to make things right for your life – his determination tells me that much. He's almost forgotten to have tea."

"And when that happens you know that something is wrong." Katarina agreed with the worry in Muta's voice and expression.

"I would have come to you sooner, but you had your exams." Muta explained.

"That's alright. Let's go and make sure he hasn't gone too far."

When they arrived at the Bureau, Baron was still hunched over his desk, the quill in his hand scratching continuously across the paper before him – the only pause was to dip the quill tip in the bottle of ink nearby. He was writing so intently that he hadn't even noticed their presence.

Katarina sighed. "Oh Baron…He looks completely worn out."

"He was worn out when he got back from your place the other day. He doesn't look as worn out as a person would be – he's a doll right? But he's going to destroy himself soon." Muta said. "And he refuses any advice or help."

Katarina grumbled and slammed the Bureau doors open – she was still her human height.

The sudden sound startled the Baron and he shot upright, his quill still in hand. He immediately shrunk the girl and she stormed in, hands on her hips, giving him a dark and daring look. "What are you doing?" She demanded.

"I'm writing out my thoughts so that I can thoroughly determine the source of your plight." Baron replied.

For a moment, Katarina was stumped by his 'ye olde' choice of words. "Have you slept at all since you came back from my place?"

Baron shifted his gaze guiltily. "I don't need sleep as often as you would think. And sleep is slightly different for me. I simply turn into my doll form."

"Then do so. Now." Katarina ordered.

"Oh no, I couldn't possibly. You're here; it'd be rude for me to sleep while I have a guest."

"I don't care, Baron Humbert von Gikkingen." Katarina stated. "Go into your corner and rest. Now." She ordered again. "I'll read your manuscript to pass the time."

Baron hesitated, but placed his quill down, put his coat and hat on, picked up his cane and stood in a corner by his bookshelves where he slowly turned into wood.

Katarina pressed her thumb and forefinger into the bridge of her nose. "That man – he's almost as stubborn as my Mother." She said, taking Baron's now vacant seat.

Scattered over the desk, in a strangely ordered manner, were sheets after sheets of paper, all of them written on in a perfect script.

"You tamed the beast, Chicky. I didn't expect that." Muta commented as he took his seat on the lounge.

"I have a certain power over the Baron I don't think even he knows about." She said sinisterly, looking up at Muta to gauge his reaction – satisfied with his frightened expression she looked back down at the manuscript to try and determine the order they went in. "I'm glad that I do though. I wouldn't want him to hurt himself over this. And it's not really a plight at all." Katarina corrected. "I'm more worried about where this guy might be hiding, what else he's messed with – that kind of thing. You know?"

Muta nodded in agreement. "Do you want some tea or something?"

"If you could." Katarina replied and finally, found the first page the Baron had written – on the top of a pile that seemed to read in order.

Most of it, after reading for several hours, she'd heard before – her lack of hunger and other general facts and possibilities. But what surprised her more was the page that the Baron had been writing when she had arrived. He'd written on the fact that Aki was suddenly hostile and perhaps that could be the fault of whoever was causing trouble – targeting Katarina indirectly. Tears had just sprung in her eyes when Baron's comforting hand landed on her shoulder.

"It's only a theory. I'd have to find a way into your school tomorrow to investigate – I assume that all exams are over?"

Katarina nodded as Baron offered her a handkerchief. "We'll be back at school tomorrow and until our graduation in a week."

"Fantastic." Baron said.

"Are you feeling better now?"

Baron smiled warmly. "Very. I should thank you for pulling me into line. I admit I just had too much to write."

Katarina giggled. "At least you listened to me."

His smile widened and he gently pressed his furry lips to her forehead. "Thank you, Kat."

Katarina was then left with a ferocious flush covering her cheeks – and it took all she had to keep it hidden.

. : . : . : .

She pulled the hair band out again with a frustrated growl of annoyance.

Her hair was a mess of waves, she had no idea what she was supposed to do and her Mother was useless – having given up herself long ago. She had half an hour until the dance, she was fully dressed, makeup and all. The only problem was her hair! She stared at the mirror of the bathroom again and tried to focus on some kind of design. Any kind of design.

What she would do for Aki's advice at that moment.

She heard a commotion down the stairs, but passed it off as the Baron arriving – he could wait. But before long, there was the sound of approaching feet up the stairs and the bathroom door was given a good knock.

And it wasn't the Baron's voice that accompanied it – but her 'Aunt' Hiromi. "Kat, I'm here to assist and masterfully resolve your problem."

Katarina rushed to the door and opened it. "Thank god, Aunt Hiromi – I don't have a hope of getting my hair done in time."

"Don't worry. I'm a trained professional." Hiromi said as she began to brush through Katarina's hair. "And hey, who was that handsome young man downstairs? I've never seen him before."

Katarina flushed. 'Baron's already here?' "Uum, oh, that must be Baron. I didn't realise he was here yet."

"He was having a cup of tea with Haru." Hiromi said.

Katarina giggled slightly. "Sounds about right."

"So who is he?" Hiromi pressed, tugging more than she should on the girl's hair.

"He's a friend of mine. He offered to 'escort' me to the dance….he's kept me going while Aki's been uum…well. I'm sure you know."

"Yes…I was a bit surprised when she wanted to dye her hair and get her ears pierced – at least I was the second time around. Something's changed about her." Hiromi said. "But she seems happy enough so I guess I won't interfere unless it'll hurt her in some way."

Katarina nodded. "I suppose that's fair enough." During a ten minute silence, Katarina thought on the clues that the Baron had been collecting and analysing while he visited her school in secret – and making her eat at lunch. She'd determined that Aki had been targeted somehow and there were strong traces of magic around her, but there was no way for him to know exactly what it was or how it could be stopped – he could never get close enough to her. Katarina dared not say any of this to Hiromi though.

During that silence Hiromi had tugged half of Katarina's hair to the back of her head and pinned it securely there so that the rest of her hair flowed down her back. Her fringe still hung to reach her eyebrows and pieces of hair that didn't reach the ponytail at the back hung on both sides of her face as usual.

"There, you're done." Hiromi announced. "Simple, but elegant – and that natural wave works perfectly for this style."

Katarina turned and embraced her adopted Aunt. "Thank you so much Hiromi."

"And Katarina."

"Yes?"

"I'd go for the Baron if I were you. Haru always spoke highly of him – and she said that there was something going on." Hiromi said cheekily. "You can't fool that Mother of yours, and that blush on your cheeks isn't fooling me either."

Katarina's flush darkened. "He's just my friend. He'd never consider me in that way – he's got a complex that I can't really argue with." Katarina explained. "But don't worry; I'm happy being his best friend."

Hiromi laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'll be downstairs."

Katarina nodded as she left the bathroom. She turned back to the mirror – lovely she was, yes, but she wasn't sure if the outfit really worked for her anymore. She shrugged though and stepped out to the hallway to retrieve her shoes from her bedroom. A soft gasp stopped her in her tracks and stared towards the stairs.

"Oh, Baron. Hi."

He wasn't in his normal suit, but a more modern design, though he had favoured for his usual off white tones for his coat with a white shirt, red vest, black pants and a dark blue tie. But what really surprised her was that he was in his feline form. Wasn't Hiromi downstairs?

Although, Hiromi had said that she knew the story – so she probably knew everything.

Baron offered her a smile, but his eyes were alight with something completely brighter than happiness – it was admiration. He stepped up to her, reached for her hand and gently pressed his lips to her knuckles. "You're absolutely stunning." He complimented, looking up at her as he released her hand and then stood up straight. "Hiromi said that you might need some company."

Katarina's cheeks flushed red. "Thank you." She replied to the compliment. "But I shouldn't need any company up here. I was just going to get my shoes and then head downstairs." She said and quickly entered her room.

Baron followed her as far as the doorway and leaned slightly against the frame as she reached under her bed, looking for her shoes. Stunning didn't even begin to cover it either – she suited the colour yellow almost more so than her Mother did all those years ago. He had to say though; the style that Katarina had chosen was perfect.

Katarina's hurried actions dulled as she found her shoes; she noticed that her hand was still tingling. A quote from her favourite romance novel came to mind: 'When you feel deeply for someone – a deep and meaningful love – their very touch will linger on your skin and you will continue to shake with ecstasy'. She slowly stood up with her shoes in hand. "Baron?"

Baron looked up from examining his currently gloveless hands – they still frightened him. "Yes?"

"I wanted to ask you something."

"Ask and I shall do my best to reply." Baron responded.

"Do you love me?"

Baron froze – he'd been dreading that question his whole Creation existence. Even if his heart was leaping joyously in his chest. "In what sense, Kat?" He asked.

Her eyes narrowed. "You know what sense I mean."

"I'm quite sure that I don't."

If possible, her eyes narrowed even further – in a dangerous way that actually frightened him. He averted his gaze from her murderous gaze to quickly contemplate the weight of his decisions and the consequences that they would trigger. He felt like such a fool – he was near on a century old and yet he couldn't admit his love for a girl, who straight out asked him a question that could very well be answered yes or no. It was bordering on the ridiculous. "That is a question that I shouldn't and couldn't answer."

"And why not?" She demanded.

Baron again had to assemble his words carefully – this delicate situation that had their hearts on the line was going to either go well or bad. And to give her the best life possible he would have to break her heart.

"You don't then." She stated.

Baron looked up at her, horror crossing his expression as he saw the moisture increase in her eyes. "Kat, you're only seventeen – I'm nearly a hundred. I'd be taking advantage of you."

She scoffed angrily. "What kind of excuse is that? Age? Please."

"Please, Katarina, I'm only doing this to give you the life that you deserve." Baron insisted. "Please give the peace of mind that I need to continue on and find a full, human man who can live along side you – not lagging behind at the same age and – " But his sentence didn't finish however, as she stormed forward with surprising speed, she dropped her shoes and reached up to pull his face to hers and caught him in a fierce and demanding kiss.

For a long moment he was frozen, his eyes wide and breathing becoming unsteady as he forced air out through his nose – but soon, against his better judgement, he relaxed and once she was sure he wasn't going to escape she lowered her hands towards his chest. As a deep purr of pleasure erupted up from his throat he reached his hands up and gently took a hold of her face, fingers curling slightly around her ears and under her jaw to pull her closer. His head tilted and he pressed against her in more earnest.

But even as his heart began to race, his resolve began to scream madly in his head.

In one swift, but reluctant move, he pushed her away from himself and took a step back for safety. As he stared into her flushed face he saw in her eyes the glowing he'd hoped to dull down had increased.

"K-Kat." He gasped. "I apologise. There really is no excuse for what I have just allowed myself to do."

"What do you mean?" Katarina asked. To his joy the glowing dulled, but it was being replaced with the settling rejection.

"I've told you before, Kat – I can't allow myself to love a normal, lovely, human girl. I just can't live with the guilt of knowing that I have stolen away a life to keep as my own. And beyond that I won't be able to cope with the pain of watching you die with no hope of ever joining you wherever you may go." Baron paused, hesitating, but then his resolve gave in to his heart. "I love you too much to ever hope to survive the agony I'd inflict on myself."

"So you've gladly taken one pain over another?" Katarina demanded.

"I would be happy knowing that you are happy – being happy but then watching you die is a worse outcome. Please, I plead that you have no ill will against me, I am doing this to save you."

"Humbert, if you love me, does my opinion mean nothing to you?" She asked.

"It means the world to me." He insisted. "But you are slightly biased and your teenage hormones won't listen to reason."

"You can't push me away that easily, Baron." Katarina told him. "I love you, Baron. I want to stay beside you until I die and I want to give you the love that you keep denying yourself for the sake of girls like me. You've given up, but I want to prove to you, that a love can still happen for you."

Baron swallowed as she drew closer to him. "But you'll only ever have me as I am."

"That's fine by me, Baron." Katarina whispered as she slowly closed the space between them.

"Well, isn't this just sweet?"