A/N; if anyone wants to see a really cool cosplay of Haru, go to InYuJi's gallery on Deviantart. Both pics are really, really cool!

Chapter Twelve: The Confrontation

Jurah looked at him and snorted with disgust as he relocked the cage. "I wouldn't get your hopes up, if I were you, my little monster. She probably saw you as a pet, and you'll never see her again. We leave in the morning, so get that mess cleaned up."

The old gypsy sneeringly gestured at the broken stick and scattered white pieces of fabric that he had deliberately stepped on. "That girl was pretty stupid, to waste a rose on you." He left the tent, once again forgetting to leave the freak his bit of bread.

xxXxx

"Come on, you almost had it," Haru encouraged three of the chorus girls, on one corner of the stage the next morning. "Couldn't you feel the music bubbling inside of you?"

"Actually, I think that was just breakfast," the oldest of the girls giggled.

Haru sighed, and looked at the conductor as the managers and patron entered the auditorium. "Could you give us another c sharp?"

He grinned at her, and pointed his baton at a tuba player, who played the note obligingly.

"All right; let's try the scale again, only with feeling," Haru begged as she slowly walked around the girls. She had one hand on Baron's back, since he was once again draped over her shoulders.

Unseen from her gaze, Humbert was watching her every move. She appeared to be no different from normal, or at least what he assumed to be normal. He didn't want to be proven right, but he was mentally bracing himself for the worst.

The three girls in question sang in la's along with the scale, their expressions slightly exasperated. But then without warning, the youngest girl sang out loud and true on the last note, more pure than what she had been expecting. The other two girls jumped back in surprise, and stared at her with complete shock.

Haru grinned, and took her hand off the small of the girl's back. "You forgot to align your spine," she explained to the stunned girl. "Proper posture has a lot more to do with your vocal abilities than you think. Come on, let's try it again."

"Ah, could we borrow you for a while, Haru?" Renaldo called out. "We want you to help us pick out the next production."

She looked over at them, just noticing that they were in the cavern-like room. This could have been Humbert's imagination, but he could have sworn that he saw her flinch, very slightly.

"I guess we'll pick this up later," Haru said reluctantly, curtsying to the three girls before walking down the small set of stairs to the left of the stage.

Unlike his mistress, Baron suddenly seemed on edge as Haru approached her managers.

"Shall we, then?" she asked politely.

"Yes, by all means," Humbert answered, sharply restraining himself from offering her an arm. He was sure to only earn a scratched-up sleeve if he tried that with Baron around.

He sighed, certain that he would be getting that fairly soon, anyway. He walked on one side of her with Toto, and Renaldo on her other side as they exited the auditorium.

"I found this pretty good play while we were searching through the production options the other day," Toto informed her, using his body to hide the fact that Humbert was falling behind on purpose.

Baron wasn't fooled. He kept his green gaze on the lord, his expression deeply suspicious. Humbert kept his own expression indifferent, mentally bracing himself for what would surely come. He nonchalantly reached into the inside breast pocket of his black jacket, his gloved hand searching for something specific.

"Oh? What was it about?" Haru asked curiously, scratching Baron's ears with one hand.

"You know The Little Mermaid, right? I figured it would be a safe opera to produce, since you wouldn't have any kissing scenes in that one. What do you think, Chicky?" Renaldo asked yet again.

She nibbled on her lower lip thoughtfully. "Yes, unrequited love should be just fine. Is it settled, then?"

"Almost," Toto replied in a low voice, suddenly grabbing one of her arms as his brother did the same.

"Hey!" Haru protested as she was lifted off the ground, and carried quickly through the halls.

Her cat hissed angrily, but then gained his own problems. Humbert suddenly grabbed him from around Haru's neck, thrusting him into a thin burlap bag. He held him tight, so that the cat could not move or scratch him up again. He ran to catch up with the others, ignoring the cat's angry protests.

"What are you doing? Put me down!" Haru ordered, desperately trying to kick the men holding her.

"In a while, Chicky. Could you open the door, Humbert?" Renaldo begged, once they reached her dressing room door.

He did so quickly, and shut the door behind himself as the Moon brothers firmly deposited their diva on the couch, sitting on either side of her while still holding her arms, so that she could not escape.

The couch complained loudly about Renaldo's weight, but everyone was too distracted to notice.

"What is wrong with all of you? Humbert, let go of Baron right now!" she ordered, her eyes dark and angry.

"In a moment, Haru," he answered calmly, walking across the room to sit in a chair close to the couch. He still gripped the sacked cat close, the burlap protecting him from the sharp claws. "If you would be so kind, would you tell us just what happened last night?"

She stiffened. "After the lights went out, I woke up at home in my regular clothes. Can I have Baron back now?"

"Not quite yet. Where is your home?"

She sighed in exasperation. "Humbert, you know I'm not going to answer that. What happened to our deal?" she demanded of her managers, looking from Renaldo to Toto, and back again. "You said I could keep my private life private!"

"From the newspapers," Toto corrected. "But a few too many 'incidents' have happened because of you, Haru. We want you to tell us what's going on."

"What do you mean, 'going on'?" she asked, her expression becoming worried.

Now that the cat was no longer struggling, Humbert brushed one of his gloved hands over the cat's back through the burlap to further soothe the feline.

It could have been his imagination, but it sounded like the cat was smelling him through the bag.

"We've caught you lying to us, Haru. We know for a fact that you do not live where your papers say you do, and none of the security guards have ever seen you near a single servants' entrance. Tell us the truth, if you don't mind," the young lord asked again.

Haru's eyes filled with fear for just a second, but she lifted her chin defiantly. "And if I refuse?"

"Then I'm afraid we'll just have to take you away from the opera house for your own good," Renaldo informed her.

That got her immediate attention. "I wouldn't do that, if I were you," she warned them. "You wouldn't make past any doors with me if you try that."

"Then perhaps you had better tell us what's going on," Humbert said firmly, although he was secretly aching.

"I'd sooner commit suicide."

Without warning, the cheap burlap sack burst open, and Baron leaped out of Humbert's arms, landing in Haru's lap in the same bound.

Haru's arms were released with the managers' surprise, so that she could hold her cat close, kissing his forehead. "They can't take me out of the opera house, can they, Baron?" she asked him fondly.

The cat shook his head fiercely in agreement, and began meowing loudly, patting her face with his padded paws.

Her eyes glazed over, and she looked up to the ceiling.

"Haru?" Humbert asked.

"Be quiet. I'm trying to listen." She winced slightly with the effort, even as Baron continued to mew at her.

Toto and Renaldo stayed silent, although they looked as confused as Humbert felt.

Haru suddenly narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Humbert is what?" she hissed angrily, so unlike he had ever seen her before.

Not even the discussion over her father had invoked that tone.

Humbert made to ask her what was wrong, but she quickly put up a hand to keep him quiet, seemingly listening hard to the sound of silence. She used the other hand to pet her tawny cat, since he was still upset over something he couldn't begin to guess at.

"Are you absolutely sure?" she seemed to ask the empty air in front of her, her tone rapidly changing from the timid soprano he had fallen in love with.

Humbert again exchanged confused glances with the Moon brothers, but they were still as clueless as he was.

"As you wish, Master," Haru finally sighed, rubbing one hand against her forehead in a frustrated manner. "I can't believe it. All these years…"

"Haru?" Humbert asked worriedly, taking a step towards her.

But then she looked up at him, and he quickly took two steps back. Her dark brown eyes, that had so reminded him of sweet chocolate, were now molten in rage, even more so than they had been a few minutes ago. She looked at him coldly, the same way that a judge looks at a convicted criminal.

Or the way she had looked at his mother, the night before.

"Congratulations, gentlemen," she said in a strangely formal tone. "The Opera Ghost has consented to grant the three of you an audience." She sharply turned away from them, and started searching through one of the drawers in her dressing table.

"What, really?" Renaldo asked in shock.

Haru nodded, and tossed a large plain handkerchief at him, then his brother. "Tie those over your eyes. It's not important for you to know the way."

"And if we refuse?" Humbert asked in an injured tone.

Haru glared at him, and snapped her fingers once. The remaining handkerchief in her hand suddenly snapped to life, and flew for his face.

He choked down a startled oath, and tried to tear the cloth from his eyes. But it was soon tied hard against his ebony hair, and he could feel himself getting lifted into the air without hands.

"Wa-ait! Make it stop, Haru!" Renaldo wailed, obviously getting the same treatment as the lord. His voice became hard to make out, as all three of the men began spinning around, and around. Humbert's top hat soon fell violently to the ground, as did his cane.

"In a few more seconds," she replied almost cheerfully, a slight hiss indicating that a sort of door had been opened. "Like I said before, it's not important for the three of you to know the way." She let out a small giggle as the three of them continued to spin. "That should be enough, Master. They probably don't know what way is 'up' at this point."

"I think I'm going to be sick," Renaldo groaned as the spinning came to a halt.

"If I weren't so terrified, that actually would have been fun," Toto nervously stammered.

"Just remember; you're the ones that insisted on meeting him!" Haru retorted in that false cheerfulness, snapping her fingers again.

Like they had been tied with an invisible string, the dangling men became drawn to a specific point of the room. But they couldn't tell where, thanks to the blindfolds and still-spinning craniums.

As Humbert was lowered slightly through the new door, he made an attempt to speak. "What on earth is going on-"

"No questions, no comments," Haru said with a military abruptness. "Don't talk until I say it's all right, or the Master might take away your voices."

'Master?' Humbert kept quiet, but he could not make his mind do the same. It appeared that his theory was correct, but he was still disturbed by this complete change he saw in Haru.

Was this the real her? Or was the real her lost under his uncle's power? He longed to ask, but didn't dare for the present. He clenched his fists, and prayed that her soul could still be saved.

They floated behind Haru's soft footsteps, the other clear sound being her cat's pleased purrs. Faintly, on the other side of the walls, the co-managers and patron could hear the common staff moving about or a retired ballerina giving lessons to a group of giggling girls.

The hallway seemed to stretch forever, and ended with a long staircase.

Haru opened a large door with difficulty, and closed it after the three had bobbed through it. "All right, you can talk now."

"Where are we?" Renaldo whimpered, rubbing his hands over his arms to combat the sudden chill. His words echoed a few times, and they could hear a distant dripping sound.

It was just like being in a cave.

"It's not important for you to know that yet. We're halfway to- agh!"

"Haru!" Humbert suddenly shouted, reaching out to the sound of her voice.

"It's… okay," she giggled as her voice began to travel farther away from him in a downward motion. "But be prepared; the Master's too impatient for the stairs tonight."

"What- STAIRS?" Toto yelled as the three felt a sudden change of elevation.

"The stairs I usually take to get to the boat," Haru explained calmly, a slight thudding indicating that she had made contact with something wooden.

The others soon joined her in the boat, which was obviously small. Humbert felt a bit of wetness as water began to seep over the edge of the water craft. Haru yelped with surprise, probably from the cold.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Renaldo wailed as he was lifted into the air again, and the boat began moving.

"I'm sorry, but this thing wasn't built to hold a lot of weight," Haru explained apologetically. It didn't work well, since she was clearly suppressing a giggle. "It was originally supposed to hold three people, and you're over the limit. You kind of look like a kite right now, sailing behind us like that."

"Not a word, Bird Brain," Renaldo growled at his chuckling brother.

"What's left to say when she's already said it?"

"Not now!" Humbert snapped at the two, looking to the left of him, where he could hear Haru's voice from. He raised one hand to her, but then her cat batted it away, strangely clawing him only a little this time.

But unlike the last time, Haru did not reprimand her pet. "We're nearly there," she reported as freshly oiled metal began to crank against itself, and the sound of fast-dripping water met their ears.

"Please say I can come down now," Renaldo begged, making the brunette laugh again.

Humbert was relieved that it was her first, almost innocent laugh.

"Would you mind, Master? They've been behaving well enough. No, by all means; it'd probably be a good idea."

"What would?" Humbert asked. His voice was immediately drowned out as the cranking metal clashed again, sending something large and heavy into the water several feet behind them. He could feel the waves of the impact splash violently against the back and side of the boat until it finally collided with something solid.

"Ahh, sweet ground!" Renaldo gushed as his feet touched solidity again. "You don't know how I've missed you!"

"You can take your blindfolds off now," Haru giggled, hopping out of the boat expertly. "None of you are going anywhere for a while."

Although his heart was sinking into his stomach, Humbert hurriedly un-worked the softened knot, and pulled the handkerchief from his eyes.

Candles. Long, white candles. They were everywhere, almost to the point of clutter. They were stacked artistically in columns, each one already lit by flame.

His instincts were correct. They were obviously in a cave, and it was a large one. They had come to a small beach inside the cave, which framed a large silver lake that was being fed by the river they had just traveled on. The river in question was blocked by an impressive iron gate.

Strangely enough, there were also signs of domestication. He could see a small organ on a higher plain, and there was a large white cabinet, just beyond a large couch. The stone walls were mostly covered with cream-colored cloth to help brighten the place, and there was even a stove and table for meals.

"You three have been wondering about my accommodations, have you not?" Haru smirked, rubbing her cheek against her cat's fur. "Does this seem safe enough to you?"

"H-Haru," Humbert tried to say, but his breath was caught short. He cleared his throat, and tried again. "Haru, is this truly your home? Several feet underground?"

"That's right," she answered cheerfully, gently kicking the side of the boat. "Well, Humbert? Toto? Aren't you going to get out? My Master's patience isn't going to last much longer."

The lord quickly stood up, and stepped out of the boat with an amazed Toto on his heels. "Enough games, Haru," he said firmly. "Where is my uncle?"

She looked him straight in the eye… and smiled mysteriously. "How should I know? I've never met him in my life."

It took a full minute for that to sink in.

"But… if you didn't mean my uncle…then who?"

She grinned wickedly, and took a few steps back, ensuring that all three of the men could see her. "Gentlemen," she said with a formal curtsy. "It is my distinct pleasure to present his lordship, the Opera Ghost; my master, my guardian, and my best friend."

"About time," Renaldo muttered under his breath.

She took the tawny cat off her shoulders, and held him out to Humbert. "Say hello to Baron!" she chirruped happily.

Toto and Renaldo immediately fell over with a mixture of shock and irritation.

Haru held the cat close to her chest again, bending over slightly as she laughed long and hard. "Sorry. I couldn't help myself."

Humbert rolled his eyes in exasperation, and reached out to shift the cat to one side. "Haru, now is not the time for jokes!"

"This is not a joke!" the cat snapped at him in a human tongue, batting the young lord's hands away again.

Humbert looked at the cat again, his eyes slowly widening. He blinked once, and then twice.

"But I must agree that now was not the proper time for humor, Haru," the cat said sternly, turning enough to look at the brunette holding him.

"I'm sorry, Baron, but when am I going to get an opportunity to use that line again?" she giggled.

"Never, if I have anything to say about it."

"… That's the voice," Renaldo whispered, staring at the cat like it was a demon.

"Of course I'm the voice," Baron said with strained patience, licking Haru's wrist affectionately. "If I hadn't spoken up, you would have walked away before my angel showed you what she is capable of."

"I'm still irritated with you for ratting me out like that," she informed him, wiping a tear of mirth from her eye.

"Well, if you had tried out that day like I told you to, I wouldn't have needed to rat you out," came the retort as his form became shrouded in grey mist.

The soft haze grew, and filtered out of Haru's arms to shift around her body until it was behind her. Her arms became pressed against her chest as the strange vapor began to solidify into a body of its own, a good head and a half taller than the brunette. The improved arms were now wrapped firmly around the young diva, in a distinctly possessive gesture.

Humbert's anger at the cat's forwardness with Haru melted into disbelief as he got a good look at the true Baron.

He was dressed from head to toe in a long black cloak, and a beautifully crafted steel mask was over his head; an exact replica of his feline face.

"Baron, you're such a drama king," Haru sighed, wiggling one arm loose in order to reach up, and gently remove the steel mask.

And when it was removed… there was no difference.

Baron's face was exactly the same as it had been before, but it was now perched on a human-shaped body. He wasn't quite a cat, but he wasn't quite a man, either. If anything, he was lost between the two species.

Humbert stared shamelessly, his mouth unconsciously falling open. The naked reality slapped him hard across the face, almost knocking him off his feet.

Baron glared at Humbert coolly, and tightened his possessive grip on Haru. "You know who I am, don't you?"

Humbert said nothing as his mind sped out of control. This wasn't possible!

The tall feline's ears twitched with irritation, and he gently set Haru aside so that he could stalk closer to the young lord. "We have a similar blood signature, Mr. Gikkingen. And your expression says loud and clear that you know why."

Slowly, Humbert nodded. "All this time," he whispered, shaking his head in disbelief. He held one gloved hand to his forehead to combat the approaching headache. "If I had known you were real-"

"Who am I?" Baron demanded, grabbing two fistfuls of Humbert's black jacket and shaking him a bit.

With terror, the young lord looked the half-cat full in the eyes. "You are my cousin," he whispered.