Yeah I know IÕm filling in a lot of gaps here in this story, but deal with me if IÕm not totally politically correct. I mean, they never said what the BeastÕs real name was, or how old Chip was. I just, sort of, fudged it to make it fit my story. So deal with me and donÕt flame if you donÕt agree. PLEASE! Beauty and the Beast II ~ Child of the Night and Day Chapter Two ~ Counter Appearances The years had gone by all too quickly for Belle. At first it seemed her daughter would never get over the smelly diapers and midnight snacks leaving herself exhausted day after day. But now, with Katrina turning ten, it seemed like they had never been at all. As she lounged on her chair in the library, her feet dangling over the armrest, she flipped through the pages of her book. Another one of her favorites. Her husband always tried to get her to read some new one (his library had plenty of them) but somehow she kept on returning to her old reliables. Giggles echoed through the giant room, reverberating off of the old texts. Belle peeked over the edge of her book towards the two children in the corner. ÒWhat are you two doing over there thatÕs so funny?Ó Belle called to them. ÒNothing, Belle,Ó Chip said automatically, jumping up straight, his hands behind his back. ÒNothing, mother,Ó Katrina echoed, shooting up beside her cohort. Belle had to laugh. Even though Chip was a good five years older than her, she was already as tall as him. Belle set her book down as she lifted herself up from her chair, striding towards the two michief makers. ÒOh really... Then what are you hiding behind your backs?Ó Belle asked, acting concerned, crossing her arms. ÒOh, this...Ó Chip asked innocently, bringing out a box and looking at it like he had never seen it before. ÒYes, that!Ó Belle laughed. ÒOh, nothing. Its nothing really.Ó ÒThen you wouldnÕt mind showing me whatÕs inside?Ó ÒInside?Ó ÒYes, inside, you little mischief.Ó ÒYou really want to see,Ó Katrina asked, her eyebrows raising. ÒYes.Ó Katrina looked to Chip; disbelief in her face. ÒIÕm waiting.Ó ÒMother, its my birthday present!Ó Katrina exclaimed. ÒI havenÕt even seen it yet. Its still a surprise. Even for me! Please, can I go with Chip and open it?Ó BelleÕs look changed from teasing disapline to understanding kindness. ÒShure, honey. Run along. But stay indoors; I donÕt want your dress ruined for the banquet tonight.Ó ÒThanks, mother!Ó Katrina exclaimed before running out of the room, Chip in tow. Belle watched, sorrowfully. Her little baby... She was so glad Katrina had found such a good friend in Chip. He was such a good lad. Even at fifteen he had the air of a gentleman. She did say that Victor spoiled those two. Even treating Chip as if he were his own son. Victor had wanted a son so badly. But they were worried about BelleÕs life after she almost lost it with Katrina. And he had told her that he would rather keep her longer than have a million sons without her. That was probably why Victor was so intent on Chip going to the school. It was honor enough for Chip to share a tutor with Katrina even though he was a servant of her house. Katrina had been delighted to have a schoolmate. Now Chip had advanced so much that Victor had proposed to send him to a higher edgucation. Belle had agreed automatically, but Katrina had not been so kind again. ÒWhy canÕt I go?! Why does Chip have to leave me?Ó Belle could still hear her daughterÕs cries in her head. ÒHeÕs the only one I have in the world!Ó ÒYou have me, sweety.Ó ÒBut its not the same. Chip does EVERYTHING with me!Ó Belle felt sorry for her daughter. She knew what it was like to seem to loose everyone you love, but it couldnÕt be helped. Chip would leave for school within a month. But those too still seemed all the more mischievious lately... Belle threw aside the possible thought and returned to her book. * * * * * * * * * * * ÒWHEW! That was close!Ó Katrina exclaimed as she slumped against the wooden door to her room. ÒToo close,Ó Chip agreed. ÒHow did you think of that lie so quick?Ó ÒI donÕt know,Ó Katrina shrugged, hopping on the bed next to Chip. ÒIt just came to me.Ó ÒThat was quick thinking. Just think what your mother would say if she saw us with this...Ó Chip opened the box and took out the old tome. ÒI know. SheÕd go insane to know that we got our hands on a real Magic Book.Ó Katrina flipped through the old pages, looking at the detailed drawings. ÒI love magic. Especially magical people; like fairies. But the way my parents talk about it, it sounds deadly. Like a disease.Ó ÒI donÕt know. My motherÕs always shushing Lumiere about something about magic that happened eleven years ago.Ó ÒWell if it was eleven years ago, youÕd remember it, wouldnÕt you?Ó ÒI would only be four, half-wit. I wouldnÕt remember!Ó ÒSorry! But why would they keep it a secret? Did somebody die from it or something? Like a spell went all backwards or something?Ó ÒI donÕt know... but I bet I know somebody who would know, and we could get it out of...Ó ÒCOGSWORTH!Ó Katrina exclaimed, reading her best friendÕs mind. They jumped off the bed, running out the door and towards the ball room, where Cogsworth would sure to be found, trying to order people around for the banquet. ÒNo, no, nooooooo! The ribbons have to be pink! Not blue! Blue is for boys. Mistress is a girl you ninnies!Ó Cogsworth exhasperated as Katrina and Chip came up to him. ÒI like blue,Ó Katrina stated, making Cogsworth jump a few feet in the air. ÒKatrina! My dear! I know you like blue... but its such a... um, boyish color...Ó ÒWhatÕs boyish about it?Ó Katrina asked innocently, battering her big green eyes. ÒWell, I... um... well, you see... its what most boys wear?Ó Cogsworth tried. He gave up though, and turned back to the maids who were on the ladders ready to replace the blue ribbons with pink. ÒOkay, okay... keep the blue ribbons!Ó The maids sighed putting the blue ribbons back on and carrying down the pink ones. ÒKatrina, you hate blue!Ó Chip whispered while CogsworthÕs back was still turned. ÒI know,Ó she smiled and laughed as Cogsworth faced her again. ÒSorry about that, little dear. Everything has to be right for your banquet, you know. And ChipÕs sending off. WeÕre all so proud of you, boy.Ó Cogsworth beamed at Chip. Katrina rolled her eyes and brought the conversation back to her. ÒCogsworth, Chip and I were wanting to ask you something.Ó ÒAbout something that happened a while back,Ó Chip added. ÒHappened? Happened?Ó Cogsworth pushed the words in and out of his mind as he thought. ÒAbout eleven years ago?Ó Katrina added. ÒHappened eleven years ago... oh yes! That was the year your parents married, my dear. How could I have forgotten that!Ó ÒNo, Cogsworth. Something else. Something invovling magic...Ó ÒMAGIC?Ó CogsworthÕs mouth dropped at this word. ÒOh yes, Lumiere told us all about it, but he said you knew the finer parts of the story,Ó Katrina lied, her bright eyes still battering. ÒLumiere, you can never keep your mouth shut for one measly moment...Ó Cogsworth mumbled under his breath, although both Katrina and Chip heard him, as well as see his face turn seven shades redder. ÒNo need to worry about those old wives tales Lumiere is bound to tell. DonÕt believe a word of the mumbo-jumbo that old codger says. What did he say? People turning into teapots, candlesticks, and clocks? Magical roses? Well, whatever he said, donÕt you buy a word of it! Your parents have always been the most honorable people. Now, run along. And mind you keep your dress and hair pretty for the banquet tonight eh?Ó Cogsworth winked before returning to his business. Katrina and Chip didnÕt say a word until they were safe in her bedroom again. ÒWow! Did you hear what he said? And he tried to make it seem that Lumiere was lying... It must have been true!Ó Katrina exclaimed. ÒYou pulled the old psychological bewilderment on him again. That was excelent! Did you see how red he got when you told him that Lumiere told us! HA! And it must have been quite an escapade! People turning into appliances! No wonder its been kept a secret. It must have caused some serious damage!Ó ÒAnd a magical rose! It almost sounds romantic,Ó Katrina laughed, laying back on the bed. Chip laid down next to her, proping himself on his side to face her. ÒBut what did he mean by Ôyour parents have always been the most honorable peopleÕ? Did they do something wrong? Did they cause it?Ó ÒOh, donÕt worry about it, Katrina. Everyone knows your mother. She would never do anything that would harm anyone. Everyone loves her!Ó ÒBut what about my dad?Ó ÒOkay, so he can loose his temper once in a while. But your mother keeps him in line, doesnÕt she. And if they were married that year, sheÕd be there to keep him straight. So you see; nothing to worry about!Ó Katrina looked to her friend, his eyes filled with compation towards her. He always did know exactly what to say to her. ÒThankÕs Chip. YouÕll make an excellent writer someday, you know. Always knowing exactly how to put words. ****check for irony below**** IÕm gonna miss you when you leave next week.Ó Katrina threw her arms around her friend, letting the tears fall again. Chip put his own arms around her, comforting her. ÒDonÕt worry, Katrina. ItÕll only be for a few years, and IÕll write to you. Then, after IÕm done with school, IÕll come home and be able to help your father with his trade negotiations while I finish some books. Maybe IÕll even write one about you!Ó ÒYou wouldnÕt!!Ó ÒWhy not!Ó ÒCause then youÕd have to tell about all the naughty things I did! Like my lying! You promised never to tell anyone!Ó ÒOkay, okay. If I do write a book about you, it wouldnÕt say ANYTHING about your faults. Only about your sweet personally and stunning beauty!Ó Katrina hugged him again, letting his sweet sent fill her. The same smell he had when they climbed trees together, or snuck into the kitchen to steal pastries. ÒChip?Ó ÒYeah?Ó ÒWill anything change between us while youÕre gone? Will we still be best friends when you return?Ó ÒOf coarse! Nothing will change between us...Ó Chip said, lying to himself. Things were already changing. Over the past years his feeling for Katrina had been growing. She didnÕt know. She was only ten, after all. But he was fifteen. And he loved Katrina a lot. Even enough to leave her to get an edgucation so that he might someday return and be fit in her eyes. He knew it may never come true. He was like her big brother. She had told him that a thousand times over. But he still loved her. Even beyond what he knew about her... There it is: My second chapter. Hopefully this one will actually come up WITH returns and tabs *mumbles about stupid computers* If not, SORRYYYYYY!!!!! ThereÕs nothing I can do but try and try again to reload it better! If anyone knows what iÕm doing wrong, bash me over the head with an email! PLEASE! Hey, well, the little irony not is below. Other than that, this is Dragoneyes ¶_¶ signing off. TTFN~* Okay, okay! I thought IÕd put in a little irony in this fic with my favorite known characters. ^_^ Heheheheheee... Chip, the kid who was nicknamed for his chiped tooth and cute/impared talking, always speaking his mind whether or not it was good for him, would end up a writer, always knowing what and how to say things. *HEY!!! Stop throwing those vegetables at me! OUCH! That cabbage hurt!* Okay, keep reading...