Chapter Twenty: Inside Stone Walls

Just as the last hymn was sung, Haru started pulling on her aunt's hand, to lead her down the hallways. Naomi groaned with displeasure and pain, as blood began to flow through her legs again.

"How can you stand this, Haru?"

"Stand what?" the brunette said conversationally, walking a bit slower than she would have liked, thanks to her aunt's weaker legs.

"Standing on your feet without moving until the priest stops talking."

The girl shrugged, not easily distracted from her goal.

"I've been doing it for years, Aunt Naomi. I'm used to it, now please be quite." Firmly gripping her aunt's arm, the brunette didn't bother with being subtle, knowing how loud her aunt could scream. She kicked at the stone, and pushed her aunt and herself through.

Naomi landed on her side, a yelp in her throat.

"What did you do that for, Haru?!"

"Shh," the brunette said, helping her aunt to her feet. "I'm sorry, but that had to be done quickly, and Father Hashio can only keep Friar Nashi distracted for so long. He'll be up in a bit."

Naomi rubbed her side, looking around the secret passageway as her niece guided her through it.

"Where are we?"

"In the church, but within the walls. I did tell you that hardly anyone knew that my friend was here."

"Yes, but I didn't realize that it was an intentional secret!"

Haru sighed once more, kissing her aunt's cheek.

"I think you'll understand why, once you meet him. Can we come up?!" she called up a spiral staircase, towards the hole at the top.

"I would be offended if you didn't!" a masculine voice called back down to her, a hint of amusement clear in his chuckle. Naomi's warning sense began to go off, as she started climbing the staircase after her niece.

"He doesn't sound all that sick, Haru."

"That's because he isn't. I don't think he's been sick a day of his life."

"I haven't," the voice said, extending a gloved hand to the fair brunette. Haru took it without hesitation, and eased herself through the opening, reaching back with her own hand to help her aunt, who took it hesitantly.

"Then why did you- AUGH!" the woman shrieked at the top of her lungs. Her niece smoothly whipped the woman into the room anyway, and closed the opening behind her.

"Anything from Father Hashio yet?" the young brunette calmly asked the half-cat, who shook his head.

"He should be arriving momentarily, all things considered."

Naomi scrambled to her feet, staring fearfully at her niece's companion.

"You lied to me," she hissed. Haru nodded gravely.

"Of course I did. I knew you wouldn't want to come if you had known I was visiting Baron, or let me visit him."

The gypsy woman shook her head at herself, backing against the wall.

"But… my daughter…"

"Has nothing to fear from me, as I told her," Baron said smoothly, walking over to the fireplace in order to check on the simmering teapot. "The tea should be ready shortly, Mrs. Yamani. I trust you've been well?"

The woman watched her niece settle herself comfortably on the couch, and start scratching the ear of a ridiculously fat cat. Haru's brown eyes flicked up to her aunt, a little disappointed.

"Aren't you going to answer the question, Aunt Naomi?" she inquired a little sternly, the way the woman usually did with her, whenever the girl's manners slipped. The woman gulped.

"Fair."

The butterscotch and vanilla cat looked at her. His green eyes were a little sad, but understanding.

"I see."

The woman's heart began to pound harder, remembering what her niece had said about the cat creature, all those months ago.

"Are… you still a fan of my daughter?" the gypsy asked, making her niece flinch. Baron gave a shrug as he poured the tea into three cups.

"I haven't watched for her in months, if that's what you mean. As well as your daughter dances, I've found that I prefer a good conversation with Haru."

The brunette smiled happily, her eyes filled with relief as the white cat under her arm looked up and smirked evilly.

'Haru's actions had always been as transparent as glass. Could it be true?! That she's… infatuated with this creature?!'

Haru sighed, and patted the worn couch cushions on the other side of the fat cat.

"Come sit down, Aunt Naomi. I thought your legs were tired."

Hesitantly, the woman walked over, and sat down, carefully accepting the tea cup that Baron offered her.

"It's my own personal blend, but no guarantees on the flavor. It's a little different every time."

The woman wasn't sure if she should actually drink it, so she watched her niece take the first sip, apparently enjoying it.

"Anything new with you, Haru?" Baron asked, settling himself down on the other chair, directly to the girl's left. She laughed lightly.

"Besides my aunt finding out about you, nothing much. Louise was the one to figure out that I was seeing someone besides Father Hashio, so she's been merciless with her teasing."

Baron sent a mean glare at the white cat, which now looked unbearably smug.

"At least I'm not alone in that regard anymore. Did Tsuge propose to Hiromi yet?"

"No, but I think he's getting closer," Haru giggled. "He got to 'will you m…mmm-' yesterday before running for it."

"My, that is impressive progress," Baron laughed with a bit of a purr. "There's only so far that he can drag this out."

"I know. I think Hiromi's about ready to propose to him, just to get the show on the road."

The two burst into laughter over poor Tsuge's predicament, making the older gypsy woman stare.

'It's almost like she can't even see his whiskers.' She looked down at the cooling tea in her hands, and decided to give it a try. Taking a small sip, her tongue was immediately coated with the soothing combination of mint and lemon. When could Baron have possibly gained the ingredients to make this, if he couldn't leave the cathedral?

She silently watched the two interact, realizing that they had already forgotten about her presence. Her niece's face seemed to glow with an inner fire, in a way that the woman had never seen before.

Her Haru looked… happy.