"It was Machida?!" Haru screamed out. Baron nodded his head angrily.
"I never trusted him" Baron said. Haru's angry expression turned into one of amusement. Her eyes sparkled with mirth. Her anger long faded away.
"I think that's only because you were jealous of him" Haru teased. Baron blushed. He cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Even before I met you" Baron said stubbornly. Haru shook her head and smiled. She walked over to Baron and placed a hand on his cheek. Baron's emerald eyes drifted to Haru's instantly as he leaned into her touch.
"You're a terrible liar" Haru said.
"Then how come you didn't figure out I was cursed until I told you?!" Baron said in protest.
"Well, I already suspected that there was something magical about this place, so you didn't hide that part very well." Baron pouted at Haru's remark.
"That's not the point" he said as he crossed his arms over his chest. Haru giggled at the childish action.
"What should we do about Machida?" she asked in sudden seriousness. Baron frowned.
"I say we do things the civil way and confront him about it" Baron said. Machida was never a horrible person in the past. He used to be a proper gentleman. Maybe he'd have a reasonable explanation for all this.
"Good idea, Baron!" Haru said. She was one for reasonable decisions and not rash ones also.
"When do you want to leave, love?" Baron said gently as he grasped Haru's hands in his. His thumbs drew circles on her skin.
"I think tomorrow would be the best time to go. It would be improper to show up unannounced. We should send them a warning ahead of time" Haru said thoughtfully.
"Of course!" Baron agreed. "I'll send word right away." Baron stood up abruptly and rushed out of the room. Haru giggled once again at his actions.
The next day…
"Are you ready to go, love?" Baron asked as he glanced back at Haru who was coming towards him.
"As ready as I'll ever be" Haru replied as she laced her arms through his. She looked at the ground sadly.
"What's wrong, Haru?" Baron said quietly, placing his hand over Haru's.
"I just can't believe Machida would do something as cruel as what he did" Haru explained.
"It will be alright" Baron said softly. Haru weakly smiled at him as he led her to the carriage waiting outside. The trip to the York's home was again short like the last time. Upon reaching the mansion, Baron escorted Haru to the door before ringing the doorbell. The same maid from last time answered the door and led them inside. She took them to an empty sitting room before leaving and saying that her masters would be with them shortly. During the wait, Haru twiddled her thumbs anxiously while Baron wrapped an arm around her shoulder comfortingly.
"Haru!" a voice said cheerfully. Haru looked up to see Mr. and Mrs. York enter the room. Machida was not with them.
"Hello, sir and madam" Haru said politely as she stood and bowed. Baron stood next to her and waited for the Yorks to bow before bowing himself. The all sat down together.
"We have missed you terribly so" Mrs. York said sadly as she clasped one of Haru's hands in her own. "We feel awful about what happened with our son. We only wish we could do something to show how sorry we are."
"Yes, indeed" Mr. York agreed as he looked pointedly at Baron. Baron could tell that Mr. York was silently asking him if there was something Baron, in general, wanted to receive as an apology, for Baron was the superior in social class in the room.
"Oh no! We don't need anything. We just want to speak to Machida for a short while" Haru said.
"I'm afraid he won't be coming back home until lunch. You are free to stay here until then" Mr. York invited. Haru smiled in thanks.
"He's been out of sorts since the ball. He feels awful for what he did, dearie" Mrs. York said solemnly.
"I should hope so" Baron said with a hint of a growl. The two elder Yorks looked down at their laps in shame and embarrassment. Despite, the slight tension and awkwardness of the air, Haru and Baron made polite conversation with the Yorks until it was lunchtime. The Yorks asked Baron and Haru to join them and so they did.
It wasn't until a few minutes after lunch, and everyone was back in the sitting room, when they heard the front door open. Footsteps could be heard coming down the hall and getting closer by the minute. Haru slightly withdrew into Baron but straightened her back and lifted her head nonetheless. "Mother?! Father?!" Machida called as he walked down the hallway.
"In here" Mrs. York said with a nervous dart of her eyes towards Baron and Haru. Machida's pace quickened and he opened the door to the sitting room. He paused once he saw Haru and Baron in the room. He shakily took a deep breath and was about to turn to leave the room but a voice stopped him.
"Machida?" Haru said softly. Machida turned towards Haru a little guiltily.
"Baron. Haru" Machida said in greeting as he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.
"May we speak in private?" Haru said quietly. The Yorks nodded and left the room. Baron placed a hand on Haru's. Machida's eyes followed the movement, and he frowned. His brows furrowed in agitation. Haru directed her gaze at Baron. "You go too." Baron opened his mouth to protest, but he closed it once he saw Haru's pleading eyes.
"Okay" he said before quickly pecking Haru on the lips and leaving. He made sure to glare at Machida on the way out. Once the door closed and only Haru and Machida were left, a deafening silence filled the room.
"So I see you and Baron are getting along well?" Machida said to break the silence.
"Yes" Haru said. She squeezed her lips together until they formed a thin line. Machida sighed.
"Go ahead. Say what you want to say." Haru's shoulders slumped at the words.
"Why?" Haru said sorrowfully…desperately. Machida squeezed his eyes shut.
"I don't have a good excuse for my actions" Machida started. His eyes opened to stare at Haru longingly. "I didn't mean what I said at the ball. Those guys...they just…I was so angry but I couldn't stop myself for saying something…something that would make me fit in. Living in the upper class is a living struggle, Haru. If I didn't say what I said back then, then they would have thought lower of me. They expect someone like me to show power and keep up a reputation. Do you think that if I punched them all for what they said then told them that I was with you because you were an amazing person that they would have accepted it? No. They would have thought I wasn't a man. I never meant to hurt you, Haru. I truly and sorry for what I said. It's survival of the fittest" Machida rambled. Haru frowned at the words.
"If you're sorry, then how come you spread rumors around the city that I was a whore? Not only that but also that I was carrying Baron's child!" Haru screamed out. Her hands grabbed fists full of fabric. A few stray tears ran down Haru's face. Machida's eyes widened.
"I swear it wasn't meant to go that far!"
"So you admit that you did start those rumors!"
"Technically, yes, but it's only because I love you!" The room fell into silence once again. Machida blushed from where he was standing and turned away from Haru.
"Y-Y-You love me?" Haru asked hesitantly. Machida could only nod at the question. Haru frowned and shook her head to clear her thoughts. "I don't believe you" Haru said firmly. Machida spun around in shock to look at Haru. She was giving Machida an icy glare.
"Why?"
"Well, why would you hurt me by telling people I'm a whore?!"
"I was just angry because I knew you chose Baron over me. I didn't want anyone else to love you the way I did, so I spread a rumor about you around so they couldn't love you like I did." Haru said nothing as she thought about what Machida said.
"Okay, I believe you love me but apparently that wasn't enough" Haru said as she stood up from her seat and smoothed out the skirt of her dress.
"Huh?"
"You obviously didn't love me enough to not spread rumors around. You should have known I would have gotten hurt in the process. People don't hurt people they love. You hurt me by spreading that rumor" Haru said like it was obvious.
"I'm sorry. I know I'm not the best person in the world, but please forgive me. I love you, Haru. Please. Marry me?" Machida said as he strode over to Haru and grasped her hands in his. Haru gasped.
Before she could say anything, the door burst open and an orange and cream cat launched itself at the seat behind Haru. It jumped up then used the seat to jump up on Haru's shoulder. The cat carefully balanced itself then wrapped itself around Haru's neck. Haru freed one of her hands from Machida's and gently touched the tawny cat's head. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"A cat?" Machida said in confusion. Haru bit her lip.
"I'm sorry. This is Baron's cat. I don't know how he got here" Haru said in an accusing tone. Baron just hissed and swiped a paw in Machida's direction. Machida ignored the feline and gently tugged on Haru's hand. She turned her full attention back on him.
"An answer" he said softly…fearfully.
"M-M-Machida! I'm flattered but…I think you already know my answer" Haru said apologetically. Machida's confidence faltered but he stayed smiling anyway. His heart broke on the inside.
"It was an honor to challenge Baron for your heart. I still hope we can stay wonderful friends. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't in my life" Machida said. Haru's smile brightened.
"I forgive you for what you did. I hope we can stay friends too. Just please, try and stop that rumor going around" Haru said uneasily. Machida nodded.
"Anything" he said as he kissed Haru's knuckles then her cheek. Baron hissed and just missed Machida's face with his extended claws by a centimeter. Haru quickly swatted Baron on the paw.
"Humbert, be nice!" she scolded. Baron's ears flattened. His lips were drawn back in a snarl.
"You should probably go. Baron's probably pacing outside" Machida said. Haru laughed.
"No, I think he's probably planning plots to hurt you. He's good with being sneaky. He has cat-like reflexes, you know?"
Baron tensed on Haru's shoulders, so she scratched behind his ear to calm him down. A loud a deep purr was heard throughout the room. Machida raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. "I'll escort you back out to the carriage. There is no doubt in my mind that Baron is waiting for you" Machida said dejectedly.
"Thank you" Haru said as she looped her arm through Machida's. Machida led Haru down the hall and back to the door. The sound of pitter patter was heard outside. Machida frowned and turned to grab an umbrella from the umbrella stand. Before he could offer an umbrella to Haru, she stood on her tippy toes and kissed Machida on the cheek. She paused and her mouth was near Machida's ear. "I love you too, Machida. I just wish it could be the type of love you wanted" she breathed. As soon as the words left her mouth, Haru slipped away from Machida and yanked the door open. Baron yowled in distress as he and Haru were showered in the rain. Haru ignored the carriage driver waiting outside and ran down the street.
Baron jumped from Haru's shoulder and ran behind a nearby hedge. A flash was seen before a human Baron reappeared. Haru paused in her running to look at Baron. She flashed him a mischievous smile and broke off into a run again. Baron's eyes widened, but he grinned anyway. He took off after her. It wasn't until they were in front of his mansion that Baron caught up to Haru and wrapped her in his arms. Haru giggled and struggled in his grasp. Baron stilled her with a kiss. He took off his wet suit jacket, top hat, and cane and tossed them onto stairs to the house.
Like a gentleman, Baron bowed deeply to Haru and held out a hand to her. Haru blinked in surprise. Her cheeks turned a pretty pink. She smiled at him bashfully before curtsying. She took his hand. Baron pulled her flush against him and led her into a fast paced waltz. He threw in a few dips and twirls in the process. The two laughed the whole time. Water flew off of their bodies as they twirled around the empty street. Neither one noticed the multiple pair of eyes looking out of the windows to the mansion. A good majority of the spying servants smiled at the sweet scene of their master and friend.
A/N: Awww, a happy moment at the end. Don't worry. I'm going to try to make the chapter pure fluff or a good majority of it. Please review. Tell me your opinions on the story. Seriously, the story may be pre-written but if you want to see something happen, then just tell me. I'd be happy to throw it in somewhere….but no sex scenes.