Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

They. Had. *A problem*. A *SERIOUS* problem. Not one that was Anne Hathaway's fault, much less Princess Mia's, but 'twas most definitely TWILIGHT'S!!

See, this 'Bella Swan', the protagonist of aforementioned just-released young adult vampire romance novel by Stephanie Meyer, was uncomfortably A LOT LIKE their still-storyboarded Yoshioka Haru ...*HOWEVER*, rather than a sweet smart shy but noble high-school girl, she instead turned out to be a 'Mary-Sue' in *the WORST* way. Seriously- she and Haru were so much alike in looks and personality that it wasn't the least bit funny. (Not even *Renaldo Moon/Muta* or TOTO were laughing- and not even the good Baron had a single nice word to say about her; so you KNEW it was *BAD*...!)

Hence, they *did NOT* want to even remotely risk their sweet Haru becoming Miss Swan's Japanese twin, yet had to *press forward*! The question was- *HOW*??? Who would play Haru's role in Studio Ghibli's 'The Cat Returns'????

The Cat King reluctantly allowed Hiroyuki Morita and crew to use his magic crystal ball as a *magic MIRROR* in order to find their Haru. Save for personality (kind of shy and quiet, sweet, noble, brave, a bit quirky and awkward, polite, smart), everything and anyone else was up in the air; they could not in the least afford to be picky and choosy! Girl, guy, Belle herself- although, if he-or-she was still a teenager, all the better...

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As the crystal ball scanned over each and every possible candidate over at/in Toontown in Burbank, everyone watched and waited anxiously- even calm cool Baron... *Finally, finally, FINALLY*, it landed on-

"*HIM*???!! *That thing*!?? He's as UG-LY as either Quasimodo or the Phantom or Frankenstein's Monster- and he's *supposed to look NORMAL* now that he's a Real Boy!!" 'CK' protested vehemently once he'd punched air back into his fluffy paunchy barrel chest and stopped choking on air and his own spit, his mismatched eyes of fire and ice that matched those of his son Prince Lune still bulging even wider and flashing angrily. "Haru's supposed to be a BABE, and he's- *so not*, babes! *Ergh*... And he's apparently got FRECKLES too, as well as occasionally cross-dresses *for FUN*- the whole she-bang from make-up to jewelry; his *hair's* longer when it shouldn't be!! *FREAK*...
"Besides, dontcha remember that *in the book*, he's a mean nasty trouble-making little boy??! Betcha he's the same here- only putting on a good face for the cameras..."

Onscreen, Natoru was a kiss-up 'yes-cat' to the Cat King. But HERE-

"*Oh, SHUT UP*, you- you JERK!" the adorable chubby stocky brown-spotted Scottish-fold hissed in her cute sweet little fluffy voice while glaring fierily up at 'CK'. (Yes- *she*.) "CLEARLY, young Pinocchio *DISNEY-style* is nothing but a *sweetheart*, since your crystal ball currently acting as a magic mirror landed on HIM, and not someone else! *Everything he did*, even if he made mistakes along the way, he did for *his FATHER* and to make him proud- the puppet-show, Pleasure Island, Monstro both times ...*so there*!"

"Well-said, daughter," Natori purred pleased and proud as punch as he adjusted his small round pez-nence glasses on his longer straighter muzzled nose.

"*BRAVO, Chicky*! You stick it to him and tell him!"

"...I have no problems with him, either. He seems like actually as much a little gentleman as yourself, Baron. -Even if for just a little while onscreen, it won't really be any hardship to play his mother. If he doesn't have a good maternal figure besides the Blue(Haired) Fairy, then it's *HIGH-TIME* he got one, I say!" was Yoshioka Naoko's contribution once Muta had not-so-gruffly finished applauding alongside most everyone else.

"...It's settled, then," said Morita weakly through a relieved smile. "Pinocchio is our Haru! -Now we just need to get Mickey Mouse's and Mr. Geppetto's permission, and we're good to go and ready for '*ACTION*'..."

Baron stepped on his own foot in order to pay attention to the others (sans a sulking glaring Cat King and a couple of doubters/nay-sayers including Machida) who were now all eyeing him expectantly and hopefully. Even though his heart was racing from/with nerves, he gifted his fellow co-stars and the Ghibli staff with a kind gentle assuring smile as he said, "Fear not. I shall forthwith make haste to Toontown and negotiate with 'Herre' Mickey and good Geppetto owing to young Pinocchio playing our 'Haru'. -Think you could give me a lift, Toto?"

The stone crow Creation who could shape-shift into any form he pleased same as Baron grinned over at his noble in blood and heart friend, his dark eyes twinkling in his currently-feathered face. "'Course, Baron! You mind if Marshmallow comes along for the ride? You know, for emotional support and whatnot..."

Muta playfully hissed and swiped at Toto, though he was clearly biting back a grin of his own. "Aww, *knock it off*, ya big chicken!"

Baron smiled and shook his head at his two 'feuding' friends (never mind that Muta AKA 'Renalda Moon' had started out as a VILLIAN to Baron's hero in Miss Shizuku's story she was struggling with in 'Whisper of the Heart'), every once in a while sneaking another peek at the winsome uniquely-fetching raven-haired boy with big sparkling bright blue eyes, cheeks of rose, and a surprise sugar-sprinkling of freckles laughing, talking, and performing with his friends and family either onstage or in 'private' still displayed in the Cat King's video-recorder crystal ball. "That's enough now, you two. And yes, of course- if you wish to come along, you may, Muta. Some emotional support would not go amiss in this venture, I think..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

(-He might as well admit it, even if only to himself. He was already *SMITTEN* as he had never once been with Louise, no matter how much he'd tried back in 1995. You'd think that he would BALK [but still be polite/courteous about it] since 'Haru' would after all at the end of the day be a *BOY*, ...*but NO*. As it turned out- NO.

*It did not matter* whether 'Haru' was a boy, girl, gender-fluid, or non-binary- Baron Humbert von Gikkingen. Was. *TOAST*. At first sight, he'd fallen *hard and fast* for a fetching brunet with a sweet spirit, brave heart, and noble soul who spoke from the heart... 'Admire' and/or 'greatly esteem' *NOTHING*, no offense whatsoever to Miss Elinor Dashwood of Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility' on the latter! As they said these days, he was CRUSHING, and *HARD*...)

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It was a fairly ordinary day for Pinocchio Edward Seth Benjamin Belmagio-Tommaso and family when either they or he were/was not on camera for a re-release, different adaptation, or as of very recently, *a CROSSOVER*. Aforementioned boy was curled up in a cozy armchair while reading 'Sense and Sensibility' (his very favorite out of Miss Austen's works, though 'Emma' was a close second because it was so funny) while Jiminy Cricket was perched on his shoulder and Figaro was napping in his lap with Spring on his left, Geppetto was working on another cuckoo clock while cheerfully humming or singing under his breath, his older 'twin' Carlo was IM-ing his boyfriend, and Zia Chiara (also known as the Blue Fairy) was making and baking cinnamon-rolls with help from his and Carlo's sweet quiet older sister Cleo while tonight's supper of beef barley stew simmered in the crock-pot...

Pinocchio sighed happily and breathed in the sweet scent now mingling with a savory aroma and the always-comforting smell of wood-shavings, beeswax, paint, and woodsmoke from last night's fire. It all smelled like *HOME* as much as the pages of his book that he was slowly turning once he *AND Jiminy* had finished reading the previous one... (For the moment, he could quell the futile hurt LONGING for *someone else* to be here; who should be here *OFF-screen*, but darted away plus was *JAILED* the minute '*CUT*' was called whenever Pinocchio had a mother-figure and Geppetto a love-interest/wife, because she had *hurt, bet on, and tried to kill her own child*...)

A sudden polite but URGENT knock at the door pulled 'Little Woodenhead' out of his thoughts. He marked his place in his book, put it aside for the moment, apologetically shooed a stretching yawning Figaro and Spring off of his lap and away from his side, stood up, and made his way over to the door. Keenly remembering Father's, Jiminy's, and Zia Chiara's talk about 'Stranger Danger' (something *sorely missed* and *NEEDED* in the original story), he nervously leaned up on tiptoe to peer through the peep-hole and queried, "Wh-Who- Who is it??"

He apprehensively rubbed or bit his lower lip while clutching his arm when he saw that an anthropomorphic cat with green eyes a la Gideon but dressed as sharp and fine as 'Honest John' -complete with cane and top hat, but sans cloak-or-cape- was standing on the doorstep along with two other Cats (one BIG, um... *PLUMP*, and mostly cream-colored with one muddy-brown ear and the other tall, lean, and inky-black from ears to nose to tail-tip; both dressed a bit more modernly than their companion but nowhere near as sloppy or ragged as Gideon), his heart knocking nigh-painfully against his breastbone and ribcage- then he relaxed just a bit when the nattily-dressed Cat politely tipped his hat and uttered in the same tone, "Good day, young Pinocchio. Our sincerest apologies for disturbing you and your father good Geppetto... I am Baron Humbert von Gikkingen, and these are my companions and co-stars Muta and Toto.
"May we please come in? I solemnly swear that none of us mean you or your family any harm or mischief. We simply need to speak with your father and yourself plus Sir Jiminy Cricket and any other family you may have about a rather important matter."

He was as suavely-dressed as J. Worthington Foulfellow- possessed just as smooth a voice combined with an instant magnetic charm. ...But a GENUINE *gentle warmth* akin to his dear sweet gentle father, wise-cracking kind conscience and very first best friend/pseudo-godfather gleamed from his own green eyes- exuded from his handsome feline face colored butterscotch tinged with strawberry and vanilla same as Spring and *his BODY LANGUAGE*. For all his own fine clothes and charisma, *NOTHING* about HIM was even remotely a sham- much less twisted, evil, heartless, or wicked!
Dapper and refined where Gideon was, well, *an EYESORE*- yet still a most honorable cat, same as his companions (despite the fatter one's grumpy face and the twinkle of cunning and mischief in the darker one's eye).

Jiminy gave him a gentle assuring pat and rub on his shoulder-perch as Pinocchio shakily breathed in and out and calmed his thudding heartbeat- he felt his family's concerned kind eyes at his back. All steadied and assured him enough to cough and muster a sweet polite smile while opening the door and saying, "C-Come in, M-Misters Humbert, Muta, 'n Toto!"

"Thank you most kindly, my lad," the Cat with Cary Elwes' of 'The Princess Bride's' voice replied with another hat-tip. Then he added, "Ah... and just so you know, 'baron' does not imply my rank in the tier of nobility. That- well... It *actually is* my first name. 'Baron' with a capital 'B'. 'Humbert' is my *MIDDLE moniker*."

"*Ohhhh*..." Pinocchio realized, his eyes widening. "So it's- it's like ...like with *Ms. Duchess* from 'The Aristocats' or Ms. Lady from 'Lady and the Tramp'."

Mr. Baron nodded. "Just so."

The (semi)former puppet-boy squeaked and blushed. "S-Sorry, Mr. Baron! A-Awful sorry for the mistake!"

"Apology accepted, but no harm done," the gentleman Cat assured him with a warm gentle *SINCERE smile* that made Pinocchio's stomach flip and his heart *flutter* while his soul strummed like someone had plucked and caressed the strings of a harp.

"Yeah- it's all good, kid! Baron might be a hat-tipper literally named for a branch of nobility, but he's no snob or stiff," Mr. Muta interjected, grinning over at the abashed still-nervous teen while edging his way in after Mr. Baron and Mr. Toto. "Sorry to bust in on ya'll like this, but we *REALLY* need to talk to you and your pops about- well, you. *Meeeoowch*!! DANG IT, Toto- didja hafta do that?!"

Mr. Toto glared over and up at the now-pouting giant Cat rubbing at his sore head. "Well, I wouldn't have had to smack you upside the head if you hadn't just *blurted it out* when they DON'T KNOW YET, 'Buta-san'!"

A sharp Look from Mr. Baron (and *WOW*- did that name EVER -heh- suit him as much as Signora Duchess's did hers'!!) made the other two anthro felines cease and desist what would have likely dissolved into familiar bickering- one that strongly brought to mind for Pinocchio either that of Zia Chiara or Jiminy whenever somebody was doing or saying something *STUPID* if not FOOLISH. Strangely enough, it only further assured him in Baron's favor, same as his genuinely beautiful manners and Spring-coloring...

Oh- Now Father, Carlo, Zia Chiara, and Cleo were coming into the room, Carlo slipping his phone into his pocket while the others wiped their hands. He could feel his brother giving the three Cats a good long Look and only slightly relaxing after he too saw and felt their WARMTH as opposed to cruel empty coldness- he was still *watching* them in order to protect his and Cleo's 'fratellino' (little brother). Father was half-and-half, same as Cleo, Figaro, and Spring. Zia Chiara??
She had a talent for looking into people's hearts and sensing their true selves. Hence, she instantly gifted Misters Baron, Muta, and Toto with a warm kind smile as she curtsied after mirroring her elder nephew.

"Good day, 'gentile signori' (kind sirs)!"

"Y-Yes- 'si'. Good day," Geppetto added, wrestling his own manners into submission. "Ah- please, sit down and make yourselves comfortable. Can I get you anything to drink?"

Baron sniffed the air and licked his furry lips, smiling delightedly at what his nose had discovered. "I am mostly a tea-drinker, whether part-British or no ...but I will certainly not say 'no' to hot chocolate, if that's what you are currently fixing instead."

His fellow Cats purred and nodded in agreement (though Muta added under his breath, "Never been a fan of boiled grass, anyway. Give me *chocolate or coffee* any day, thanks!" and Toto bit back a snarky comment in response).

"Well, then!" Geppetto smiled, instantly pulling out three more mugs while Carlo poured steaming semisweet hot cocoa additionally flavored with peppermint into each cup plus a small bowl for Figaro and Spring as their unexpected guests sat down at the dining-room table. "That settles it! And if we apparently need to TALK for some reason or other, then a good bracing comforting drink can only help- yes? -We also have some cinnamon-rolls baking in the oven. Perhaps you'd care for one or a couple once they're done and cooled off, as well?"

The three Cats unanimously agreed, Baron of course adding politely, "Only if it won't put you out."

"Nonsense- nonsense, Signor Baron!" Geppetto pooh-poohed while sitting down himself. "Not at all! I just hope that neither of you mind apple added."

"'Mind'??? *You kiddin'*, Mr. Geppetto?!" Muta exclaimed, trying his best *NOT to drool* now. "Apples and cinnamon go together like peanut butter and jam! If anything, you IMPROVED on an already great classic, and I approve with five gold stars! -May I *pretty please* have the recipe?"

"You'll have to ask my younger son- he's the one who thought of it while thinking of other flavors to try besides orange, caramel, and chocolate," Geppetto laughed, clearly delighted that somebody LOVED that idea.

Baron bit back a fond smile and Toto snickered behind his paw-hands at the sight of big tough Renaldo Moon now directing large sad kitten-eyes towards Pinocchio, who laughed merrily himself and told the fat brown-and-cream cat through a sweet sunny smile, "*Of course* you may, Mr. Muta! Go right ahead!"

"Thanks, kid! Beats just sticking to angel-food cake, whipped cream and mulberries added or no!"

Pinocchio bit back and swallowed down his query of Muta's liking to cook given his sheer delight and practical begging, sharply recalling that he, Mr. Toto, and Mr. Baron were here because of something URGENT and *IMPORTANT* apparently owing *to HIM*. Mr. Muta still saw the question in his eyes, though, and replied gruffly but kindly, "Yeah- I do like to cook, kid. *LOVE it*, 's a matter of fact! I mean, Birdbrain and Baron are hardly slouches in the kitchen department- but me?? *I'm a CHEF* compared to them."

Mr. Toto shrugged and mouthed, 'He's not wrong.'

Everyone sipped or lapped at their hot cocoa for a couple of minutes, Baron and Muta humming in pleasure and approval at the peppermint lacing it. Then Geppetto cleared his throat and looked over at Mr. Baron, Mr. Muta, and Mr. Toto, the others soon mirroring him. "Why have you come here today, 'buoni signori'? What for??"

"Something to do with *Cleo's and my brother*, you said," Carlo added since Cleo had gone non-verbal today. "But WHAT EXACTLY? What does Pin have to do with anything concerning you three, or wherever you come from?"

Mr. Baron set his own mug down and wiped his mouth with a pocket handkerchief before answering. "First off- are any of you aware of anime in general, and/or Studio Ghibli?"

Bemusedly, they all nodded. (Carlo in particular was a fan of *ALL anime*, but Pinocchio tended to stick to Toei Animation, Ghibli, most of 'Hello Kitty', and Grimm's Fairytale Classics [though he had a soft spot for Pokemon; they were just *so CUTE*!!])

"Good- that's good. Then I assume that at least one of you has seen 'Whisper of the Heart'? Seen and heard ME as well as Muta in it?"

The adults had only seen the trailer- not the movie itself yet. The younger generation, though, HAD, and liked it as much as 'Castle in the Sky', 'Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind', 'My Neighbor Totoro', and 'Kiki's Delivery Service'. They had all seen it in the theater together when it came out, and Cleo owned the movie.

(Pinocchio didn't say this aloud, but he observed that Mr. Baron looked rather different with smaller ears, lighter green eyes, his coat, hat, and pants a light shade of grey rather than cream or white, bowtie a solid navy-blue rather than red and polka-dotted, his vest red instead of green, and his fur more 'strawberry-gold' and ivory rather than sandy-blond like in 'Whisper of the Heart'/'If You Listen Closely'. Not BAD- not at all! Just, *different* from his original interpretation...
Still awful handsome, though. And *awful NICE* as opposed to a smooth criminal or just a plain mean cat-! He was the Cat to Robin Hood's truly gentlemanly Fox if not Danny or Thomas O'Malley standing up on his hind-legs and dressed nicely...)

"*Wonderful*! That makes things a bit easier (not that I would have minded explaining should any of you have needed it). Well, you see, they- ah... Loved my character so much even though I was 'just' a cat figurine that, well- They... decided to make a SPIN-OFF/SEMI-SEQUEL to 'Whisper of the Heart' starring myself and Renaldo Moon, though he'd be called 'Muta' instead."

Again, Pinocchio tried to bite his tongue, but he couldn't help himself. He was *awed and amazed*- and so were his siblings! "*REALLY*??? A *spin-off*??! *Wow*!" he exclaimed, smiling bright and wide as he FELT his eyes sparkling in happiness. "Gee, that's *GREAT*, Mr. Baron! You- You 'n Mr. Muta are awful lucky! They- They liked you both so much they w-wanted t' bring you both back, plus some new friends!"

Thankfully, Mr. Baron didn't mind the interruption, smiling back kindly as he said, "Thank you, young Pinocchio. I must admit, Muta and I are indeed lucky."

"It's gonna be more like 'Castle in the Sky', 'Nausicaa', or one of Shizuku's stories come to life than a slice-of-life a la 'Kiki's Delivery Service'," Mr. Muta interjected. "Gotta admit- lookin' forward to it! Especially *NOT playing the bad guy*; Cat King's enough of a *CREEP* as it is."

"Thing is, though," said Toto with a worried nervous look in his dark eyes, "we've got a *BIG PROBLEM* when it comes to our main protagonist, and it's all thanks to TWILIGHT, and to a point the roles that Anne Hathaway's played so far and will probably continue in the future with diviations now and then."

Jiminy instantly connected the dots- then groaned, face-palmed, and slowly ran his hand down his other mug. "Lemme guess- let me take a *real wild* guess," he grumbled. "Your heroine is shy and quiet yet brave, fairly pretty with pale skin, brown hair, and big brown eyes, and you don't wanna risk HER turnin' into a Mary-Sue a la Bella Swan, hence why she hasn't been Officially Drawn?"

"*Ding-ding-ding*! We have a winner! Got it in a NUTSHELL, Mr. Shrink," Muta groaned in response as he rubbed at his own furry forehead and jowls.

"-Dear me," Geppetto breathed sympathetically almost in unison with Chiara.

"*That SUCKS* like a vampire PAINFULLY and *messily* does blood," was Carlo's huffed-out input as he blew his slightly messy black bangs out of his brown eyes. "Sorry, 'ragazzi' (guys)."

"-But *WHY* come *to US*???" Jiminy pressed.

Now it was BARON who sucked a deep breath in and then let it out before nervously responding. "The- The Cat King has a magic crystal ball that he uses in 'The Cat Returns' like a magic mirror or a video-recorder. We ...used this crystal ball to- to search for our 'Yoshioka Haru'. That's the name of our protagonist to be. It- ah... It- finally landed on -*Pinocchio*, for all his being *a BOY* and possessing black hair and blue eyes rather than BROWN hair and matching eyes, since- since his and Haru's personalities are the same down to a 't'."

Pinocchio jumped, squeaked, and blushed the color of his Trademark dungarees, his family's eyes meanwhile having *QUESTIONS* even while filled with warmth and thanks for Baron's courteous words that he clearly MEANT and wasn't just saying to be polite.

Nobody on the Disney side seemed quite sure what to say. Finally, however, Carlo quipped, "Looks like you've got another job lined up, Pinny! And this time *in drag*."

Anxious nervous shy bright blue orbs for eyes searched out and then met with calmer gentle yet just as apprehensive eyes more *MINT-green* than gooseberry. "M-M-*Me*??? Are- Are you SURE, M-Mr. Baron??" Pinocchio swallowed.

Baron said nothing- just nodded kindly. It was Muta who spoke. "*The Cat King's crystal ball* says so, anyway, doll."

"*Renaldo*!!" Toto hissed almost strangely in a caw.

"It's- It's okay, Mr. Toto! H-Honest!" Pinocchio assured him. "I don't- I don't mind! L-Lampwick calls me that too 'f not 'Slats' or 'Nocchi'. And- And Father, Carlo, Cleo, and Zia Chiara call me 'bambolotta' or 'burattinaio', which respectively means 'little doll' and 'puppet-boy', if not 'poppet'."

Toto blew out a big sigh of relief, though still gave his and Baron's big fat friend a hard reproaching nudge. What if he *HAD BEEN offended*- or worse, *his family*??!

Next, Pinocchio wanted to know, "What- What does your 'Yoshioka Haru' l-look like??"

Baron pulled out an artist's colored sketch from his coat pocket, unfolded it, and then handed it to Pinocchio. Displayed on the piece of paper was a petite long-limbed teenage girl with longish straight chocolate-brown hair pulled back in a high ponytail, big sweet soft doe-eyes a blend of chocolate and caramel, smooth clear skin pale as snow, a rounded-oval face, and slim shyly-smiling lips wearing a navy and white schoolgirl's uniform with short sleeves and skirt, knee-high white socks, black loafer-shoes, and literally tied off with a red necktie. Pinocchio sweetly, shyly, nervously smiled back at her ...and then squinched his eyes shut and CONCENTRATED while his own small-framed slender form magically shimmered and shifted, his hair shortening and lightening and straightening out more, the shape and size of his eyes changing ever so slightly, his mouth thinning just a bit more as the rosiness in his cheeks faded, his face becoming more oval than heart-shaped, curves being added to gangles. *His CLOTHES* changing from a modernized version of his Trademark outfit to a navy skirt and buttoned-up vest, a short-sleeved shirt, a red necktie, and black loafers- his hair being scooped up and pulled back into a high ponytail...

Baron's, Muta's, and Toto's eyes only popped further and jaws dropped even more when next once now-caramel eyes blinked open, *ANNE HATHAWAY'S voice* came forth from Pinocchio's vocal cords as he queried shyly, "W-Will this do?"

"...It'll do *GREAT*, doll. *You have MAGIC*???!!" Muta finally wheezed once he'd punched air back into his chest. "Must've gotten it from your not-so-blue-haired mom Miss Wings or somethin'..."

Baron flinched inwardly at the sheer *PAIN* now flashing through the sweet brunet's large eyes and over his fetching face that mirrored those of his father and ...clearly *NOT mother*. He wanted nothing more than to give the younger male a big warm hug, stroke his hair, and comfort him. -*NO, Baron*; *NO*!!! *Blast it all*, you two have just met- you are still a STRANGER to him, for all you are *NOT* Foulfellow's and Gideon's clones despite your species and fine dress! *Take. It. Slow*, Gikkingen...

"She's- She's m-*my AUNT*, Mr. Muta. My z-'zia'," Pinocchio quietly corrected the large white cat with one brown ear. "Her- *Her y-younger sister* is my s-semi b-birth m-moth- mother. Not- Not CARLO'S, though! We- We have different m-mothers."

"-Oh. Sorry, kid. Didn't know," Muta mumbled, his own green eyes troubled.

"'S okay, M-Mr. Muta," Pinocchio weakly smiled through a small sniffle. "You're- You're FAR FROM th' first person t' make that assumption. Original Collodi or otherwise, *EVERYONE* does it."

"And- And, yes," Geppetto gulped while dashing at his eyes. "Sh-*SHE* is either the g-ghost of my dead wife or- or my love interest I was t-too shy to make a move on in the past in- in various adaptations. *THANK HEAVEN* there was no need for that in *'Geppetto'* just recently!"

Figaro mewled sadly and rubbed his fluffy black-and-white head against the toymaker's ankles while a wet-eyed Chiara gently clasped and rubbed his shoulder and Carlo hugged him tight along with Cleo.

The sight of the *HEARTBROKEN* little family brought a lump to Baron's and his friend's throats, their eyes stinging and watering. Whomever the Blue Faerie's little sister was, she had apparently *chosen to leave* and not unwantingly Left i.e. died from illness, an accident, or premtive murder, and it still *HURT them*- but especially 'Zia Chiara', good Geppetto, and young Pinocchio. Baron tried to speak, but couldn't- luckily, Toto guessed what he wanted to say and picked up on it.

"You- You know, ...'Haru' has a mother- a really sweet nice lady named 'Yoshioka Naoko', loves to quilt- ...but Mr. Hiroyuki said that there's no reason why *YOUR OWN family* can't come along with you during TCR filming. So you don't get too homesick, and all," he said kindly.

"H-*Honest*, Mr. Toto?" Pinocchio quavered. "Father, Carlo, Cleo, Figaro, Spring, Zia Chiara, 'n Jiminy can- can come with me?"

"Cross my heart, hope to *NOT die*, stick a needle in my eye, 'Nocchi," the originally stone-crow Creation swore with a gentle smile.

The Belmagio-Tommaso family all smiled back at him as well as Baron and Muta. "If that's the case, we'd all better start packing once we've finished our 'small smackeral' then," said Geppetto. "And speaking of- I do believe the oven's about to beep. Let me just go take those apple-cinnamon rolls out and carefully put them on a plate. *Careful*- they'll be hot!"

He quickly walked out to do just that just as the timer indeed beeped.

Again- Pinocchio couldn't help himself, despite Baron's still being *a STRANGER*. He was too relieved and happy- hewassonotanythinglikeFoulfelloworGideon... And so, despite Jiminy's and Zia Chiara's sharply yelping out his name, he 'glomped' the gentleman Cat in a hug. "*Thank you- thank you*! M-'Millegrazie'!" he choked out.

Baron was quite shocked and surprised- but by no means whatsoever did he mind. Pinocchio's embrace was eager, yet soft, sweet, and warm... and he smelled *LOVELY*. His 'angel-kissed' rose-dusted snowy skin possessing (of course) a natural aroma of white pine, while his thick soft long hair as black and shining as Toto's feathers had the scent of ripe Snow apples, lavender, blue roses, tea-tree oil, and peppermint... (He hoped that 'Little Woodenhead' liked his own cedar and tea scent just as much, and found it soothing as well as enjoyable.)
He himself couldn't resist *purring*, though JUST stopped himself from rubbing his cheek against Pinocchio's or nuzzling his hair, even if he couldn't hold himself from briefly hugging the other back. "'Bitteschen'- you're welcome, Pinocchio lad," he murmured. "*MORE THAN welcome*... It's a new place- a new STUDIO; nice as Ms. Yoshioka is, you shouldn't have to be alone when it comes to family, *I* say*!"

And *thankfullythankfullyTHANKFULLY*, Hiroyuki Morita quite agreed.

(Mickey Mouse was a bit unsure [more than understandable], but in the end he agreed so as not to risk a Mary-Sue- deciding to treat this as merely another acting job for young Pinocchio. Also- the *APPLE-cinnamon rolls*?? *Utterly delicious*. The Cat Bureau was looking forward to trying more flavors in the future, though the main 'Pinocchio' cast was also quite eager to try angel-food cake with whipped cream and MULBERRIES as prepared by Muta with a nice cup of tea prepared however anyone liked it.)

The Cat King still scowled and sneered, and Machida and a few other 'students' smirked and snickered at the picture Pinocchio made in Haru's school uniform with *freckles* and much longer hair. But everyone else smiled warmly, waved at him, and bid him and his family welcome alongside the rest of Studio Ghibli- especially Naoko, Natoru (who squealed and called him "*So ADORABLE*!!" with big starry eyes), Natori, Prince Lune, Yuki ...and another 'actor' who was playing Haru's best friend 'Hiromi' Anna from the delayed-since-the-40's Disney film 'The Snow Queen', it turned out! (They didn't dare risk another Mary-Sue or fangirl; they just *didn't*.)

Hmm... How interesting. There seemed to be a *spark* between Geppetto and Naoko. Small, but it was there. -Well, should the chips fall in a certain direction, he could certainly use a *GOOD woman* offscreen for a much-needed change...

(He only hoped that none of Geppetto's 'kittens' minded it. Carlo seemed like he could be occasionally prickly in his protectiveness when it came to his beloved father, elder sister, and younger brother...)

One thing more before events could *OFFICIALLY start*-

"Miss -Chiara? Would- Would you please be so kind and ...turn 'Haru' into a cat or half-cat during certain scenes?" Mr. Hiroyuki inquired of the lady mostly known as 'the Blue Fairy' but born Chiara Evelina Belmagio.

Chiara smiled sweetly -then said, "No need, Signor. Pray, *observe*... 'Nipote'- if you would?"

Pinocchio smiled back at her before next sprouting *CAT ears, tail*, whiskers, dove-gray, or creamy-white fur while his mouth shifted and changed. Then he changed gray and white to chocolate-brown and practically tan.

"-*That's AMAZING*!" Lune cried. "So- you can change back?"

'Easily!' Pinocchio nodded in reply before then retracting his fur and whiskers, though still leaving his ears and tail behind as silvery-smoky wings popped from his back and a gilded crystal wand appeared in a notch on his belt. Then he let those fade away, as well.

%"You're *a FAIRY*????!!"%

Pinocchio swallowed hard and blinked before managing to say, "I'm- I'm only gonna say this ONCE. Ch-Chiara also known as 'the Blue Faerie' *is not my mama*. Her- Her y-younger sister was 'n is. But- But b-*by BLOOD AND NAME ONLY*. She's- She's not F-Father's wife, and n-never was. I'm- 'M *a CREATION* like M-Mr. Baron, b-because Father carved, painted, 'n sewed clothes for me *with all of his heart*, he loved children so much 'n was so l-lonely. That's- That's how I was Officially Drawn. I- I only ever had anythin' t- to 'prove' onscreen...
"Wh-Whether it was from my 'zia' or h-HER, yes, I'm Fae-blooded. 'M *Fae-TOUCHED* same as Princesses Cinderella 'n Aurora. That's- That's why I can sh-shift 'n change so easily. I'll- I'll be able t' do that for Th- 'The Cat Returns'."

"...Well, as I said- *welcome to Studio Ghibli*, 'Haru'."

"Th-Thank you, Mr. Hiroyuki. And- And thank you for- for letting m-*MY family* come with me."

"It's nothing- but you are very welcome all the same. Baron, would you mind showing our guest-S around?"

"Not at all, 'Herre' Hiroyuki."

Baron covertly watched the Cat King out of the corner of his eye from beneath his hat-brim while politely offering Lady Chiara his arm. Now that he'd actually met *sweet fetching PINOCCHIO* face-to-face, would his tune change at all?? Would Baron have to *keep watch* alongside Sir Jiminy, young Carlo, good Geppetto, Lady Chiara, 'Fraulein' Spring, and 'Herre' Figaro?

"*EVER MORE ugly* in person! He's supposed to look NORMAL now that he's real-real; not supposed to have *FRECKLES*, either, or a still-high-pitched voice! Haru-Babe's only a COVER-UP- I'll have to *force myself* to think of him with a perfect pretty face, clear skin, gorgeous knockers, sweet curves, and a nice tight hot wet, heh, *pussy* rather than hideous disfigured features, distasteful spots, bumping angles, a boring flat chest, skinny little ass, and dirty bumhole..."

Baron had to bite back a *furious growl* at how DISGUSTINGLY the Cat King was talking, and how he was slandering his sweet blue-eyed raven (and *SLAP HIMSELF* to stop himself even vaguely thinking about Pinocchio's more private areas, or even simply kissing him). The Cat King was unfortunately both heteronormative and homophobic- that's all there was to it. *Thank Heaven* that LUNE had a much better head on his shoulders and much more common sense-!

*********************************************************************************************************************************************

One thing alone Baron would *EVER* agree with 'Honest John' on: Pinocchio was indeed a natural-born actor. Which was made even better by the fact that he still stayed so sweet, kind, thoughtful, and caring *OFF-screen/stage* rather than letting all the fame and adoration go to his head, for all he enjoyed singing, dancing, and acting. He still loved spending time with his TRUE friends and family as well as getting along with most of his new co-workers/fellow cast-mates- still loved carving and painting with his father, joking with Jiminy and Carlo, baking with Zia Chiara, reading quietly with Cleo, and taking care of Figaro and Spring as much as taking tea and talking or companiably reading with Baron, flying on Toto's back in his crow form, cooking with Muta, sharing sweet or funny stories with Lune, Yuki, Natoru, and 'Hiromi' AKA Anna, asking Natori how he was, and sewing with Naoko...

They had all been *TERRIFIED* at all of the dangerous 'stunts' Pinocchio had to do and participate in as 'Haru', poor Geppetto having a couple of horrible nightmares afterwards sometimes (the truck, the tower collapsing, and the fall from the sky)! But they'd all powered through and hugged Pinocchio tight once the dust settled ('Herres' Geppetto and Jiminy, Miss Cleo, and Lady Chiara plus young master Carlo of course fussing over and checking him over in addition). -And PINOCCHIO had had to fight back flashbacks *by the skin of his teeth* whenever the Cat King had to act like a sleazy pervert for all he apparently wanted 'Haru' for *a DAUGHTER-IN-LAW*, poor boy!

(Baron *knew why*, too. Not only because it didn't take a GENUIS so long as you weren't close-minded, a fool, or both, but because Pinocchio had once shakily and tearfully confided his past *ABUSE* as a child over tea ...and that *that BLOODY BITCH* [excuse his language] who was sad to say *his MOTHER* had not even once tried to help him escape or let his aunt help him!! *HELLFIRE*- she had ORCHESTRATED it all, being a Half-Heartless and the Fox, Cat, Puppet-Master, and Coachman being *their child-predator henchmen* alongside 'Larissa the Green' and 'Amorale the Grey'...
No. DAMN. *Wonder*. He and his family had briefly been *so HEARTBROKEN* at the thought of HER. *What on Earth* had Geppetto seen in her, if she clearly didn't want children as he did???! -Well, at least one good thing had come out of his broken semi-courtship: *Pinocchio*.

He'd *WEPT in Baron's arms* for almost an hour after revealing the truth of his broken family and *WHY* he'd lied, and all the Cat Creation could do was purr and whisper gentle soothing words of assurance, affection, and comfort in his ear while petting his hair and rubbing his back.)

Bless his heart- he was *BRAVE*, though. When came the time to yell '*HECK NO*!!!' in the Cat King's face in heated response to *HIS marriage proposal*, Baron knew that he would be pretending it was *those cruel sick evil MONSTERS* he was yelling at, and he would be inwardly cheering and fist-pumping while fighting the urge to laugh loud and rude in that greasy long-hair's ugly face. And, yes- *he WOULD* absolutely enjoy cracking 'CK's' crown and half-shaving him, thankyouverymuch! No, he was not the least bit sorry. Whether perverted or just plain rude, *he'd had it coming*, talking and thinking about Baron's beautiful boy like that-!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Ohhhhh, HOW Baron had had to stop himself from sneaking in a kiss on Pinocchio's lips or cheek during the 'Katzen Blut' waltz, hugging him back once 'Haru' recognized him and Muta was freed, cuddling him close while they raced up the stairs of the Portal Tower with 'Haru' in his arms, simply taking a hold of his hand in assurance at one point, or swooping down on Toto's back and snatching him off of the parade of grey Cats led by not-so-foolish Natoru (really, she was quite sweet and adorable- a 'teddy-bear' of a Cat)!! When it came to the 'Goodbye (For Now) Scene', he was *REALLY* going to be wrestling with himself while gently touching and stroking 'Haru's' cheek as he said 'If you ever need us, you will always be able to find us again. And the Bureau's doors will be open for you be it day or night...', drat it-!

'*CON. TROL. Your. Self*! Never mind that "Cut's" been called for now- *you BEHAVE*, Baron...!'

Easier SAID than *DONE* when there was still a glimmer of hero-worship, awe, and amazement in *Pinocchio's* large sweet eyes as blue and bright as stars after Baron had defended the younger Creation from the Cat King's big camo-green guards with *his CANE*. A nineteen-year age difference- surely that was *too much*, even if it worked out fine for Miss Marianne Dashwood and Colonel Christopher Brandon...! Surely, Sir Jiminy, good 'Herre' Geppetto, Lady Chiara, young Carlo, Miss Cleo, and even NAOKO had questions and objections, if they ever saw Baron's fighting back and side-glances-!

"...*WOW*. You're just as good as Jiminy with his umbrella! Note to self: NEVER EVER get on your bad side."

Baron flushed and coughed. *Blast it*, the younger male looked BLOODY ADORABLE as a 'Neko' with his natural grey coloring! "D-'Danke' (Thank you). You're- not so bad yourself with your fists, magic, sword, or a staff. Were you my enemy, I wouldn't want to come across YOU in a dark alley!"

There was that adorable laugh of his a cross between a mouse's squeaking and the musical chime of a Christmas bell. -But why was he *shyly lowering his lashes* while looking up into Baron's eyes?? Why was his smile- softer? Sweeter??

"F-For- For your gallantry, you m-must have my favor, Mr. Knight," 'Nocchi' murmured shyly, almost reaching out and taking hold of Baron's hand-paw but tucking a stray lock of hair behind his ear instead.

Baron *could not have* heard that right! Hecouldn'thave...!! "Oh? And what might that favor be that you offer me as thanks, fair youth?" he queried with a warm gentle smile but QUESTIONS swimming in his mint-green eyes once darker jade.

Pinocchio leaned up on tiptoe, reached out, and cupped Baron's cheek. The gentleman Cat made himself be still as stone even while he THRILLED in that sweet gentle touch on *HIS face*, liquified mint melting into the bluest sea.

"-Why, *a KISS* of course, 'buono signore'."

How. *BADLY* Baron wanted to feel those lips pressed against his own, and gently pressing back!! But still-

*It hurt it hurt IT HURT* to say aloud while giving him the slightest push, but he *had to*, or risk being badly maimed if not KILLED. "*No- we can't*- Your family; surely they would not approve! What- What if I *TRIGGER you*?? N-Not to mention *the age difference*...!"

"You won't 'trigger' me- would *NEVER* hurt me, much less like this," Pinocchio promised sweetly yet seriously, gently stroking Baron's cheek and taking hold of his gloved hand-paw. "And- And while Father, Zietta Chia, Carlo, Jiminy, Cleo, 'n some of my friends 's well as yours will give you a Shovel Talk, *they APPROVE*. They know how I feel about you, and *they don't mind*. They *LIKE you* an awful lot, Baron- have since they first met you!
"You *WON'T trigger* me because you're *NOTHING* like either Dishonest John or Gideon, never mind your own suave dress complete with top hat and cane, and your own smooth charm. YOU'RE sweet as angel-food cake- they're as sour and rotten as lemons gone bad. You're a *TRUE REAL HONEST gentleman*, Cat or no ...and *I love you*, Baron. 'Ti amo, cuore mio'."

In this battle, Baron could do nothing but *surrender*- he melted like a snowflake at the touch of the sweet raven he adored and had from the first. "-I love you too, Pinocchio. 'Mien liebling'..." he near-whispered while gently cradling the puppet-boy's own face with his free hand-paw.

('Babe' would *NEVER* pass *HIS lips*, thankyouverymuch. Just- *UGH*.)

"Will you come to claim your reward now, Mr. Knight?"

"If I may have the favor you offered to me granted, my sweet one..."

*Oh, PUUURRRRR*... How *soft, sweet, and smooth* his lips were!! How GOOD his touch felt-!!! Baron could whack himself HARD with his own cane for *NOT doing this* with his beautiful boy already! At least his patience had greatly paid off...

It wasn't just in his mind that he was purring in response to Pinocchio's soft sigh. (And true to the younger Creation's word, *no trigger* despite Baron's being feline and displaying such.)

However-

#'Pinocchio sweetheart... Just a heads-up- my tongue's ...rather rough. And- well, my teeth are sharp...'#

#'I know that, silly! It's alright, "tesoro"- I was already long prepared for that, when I fell for you. I don't mind, Baron... "Per favore", I want you t' kiss me *deeper* 's well as like this-!'#

Now one of Baron's arms was stealing around Pinocchio's small thin waist, his other hand-paw tenderly burying itself in his long black hair now half-pulled back. #'As you wish, darling...'# he conceded before opening his mouth.

Pinocchio whimpered quietly in response and let his own lips fall open, then oh so sweetly *mewled* at the first brush of tongues in tandem with Baron's purr edging into a growl. Furry and smooth lips mashed while their tongues swirled in a mating dance of sweet passion, Baron taking care to watch his teeth even as his fingers tangled in raven strands, his arm clenched tight, and he purred and growled. Pinocchio uttered mewls, whimpers, and moans from his throat, for the first time ever *LOVING* being kissed and clutched like this, while he clutched just as tight *and SWEET* back...!

'*MINE*. *You're MINE*, Baron Humbert von Gikkingen! *My Baron- my Mate*. My- My True Love... I don't care how cheesy, corny, or soppy that sounds- Lampwick and Carlo can tease me all they want!'

'*Mine*. Always and forever mine, Pinocchio Edward Seth Benjamin Belmagio...! *MY sweet darling brave noble fetching raven*- my love...'

He had been *such an IDIOT*. Pinocchio had been 'crushing' just as hard on Baron all this time- and so, after some time adjusting, it would have been *perfectly fine* to kiss him and ask him out! His family were perfectly fine and okay with it-!!

The two Creations kissed until they had to pull apart for air- but Baron still cuddled Pinocchio close, and Pinocchio snuggled into Baron's chest with his ear over his heart. And they stayed that way until they sensed Pinocchio had better shift back into half-cat!'Haru' for the rest of the Maze, the Tower collapsing, and Prince Lune's Return (plus Yuki's proposal that was *just LOVELY*, even if short).

"Are you free after 'Cut', love?"

"Hmm... yeah. Just hafta let Father know where I am, 'n I have t' be home b'fore curfew."

"Well, then- what do you say to a cup of tea and some chocolate angel-food cake with whipped cream and mixed berries back at the Bureau once we 'blow this Popsicle stand'?"

"Sounds *GREAT*, Baron 'tesoro'! J-Just us, right?"

"*Just us*, 'liebling'. Muta and Toto will be out on their own date, I do believe..."

He couldn't help it- *he LAUGHED*. Loud, long, and merry. And Baron *LOVED* hearing that sweet beautiful sound caress his ears offscreen as the Cat King was *shaved half-naked* as well as having his crown broken. He bit back his own smirk as he said quietly and matter-of-factly, "*I win*, King."

"*How EMBARRASSING*!!"

~"It SERVES YOU RIGHT, you big nasty creep! You *NEED* t' be knocked down a peg or three!"~

'Agreed completely, darling...' Baron smiled to himself.

Chapter Text

Geppetto Christian Amendola Tommaso had *NEVER* been attracted to/gotten a 'crush' on or fallen in love with a 'donna' until he'd officially met and gotten to know Signorina Ilaria Alberia Belmagio when he was nineteen and she was sixteen, after her elder sister Chiara (later 'the Blue[Haired] Faerie') had saved him from Monstro the Whale *the FIRST* time while they'd all been out on the sea for a leisurely sail around the coast of Esperia, Tuscany, Italy. -Well, actually, to be wholly and completely honest, he'd had a *HUGE* crush on the beautiful near-petite brunette with long thick hair the color of darkest chocolate a blend between wavy and straight, sparkling deep green eyes, a 'rose-leaf' complexion (pale skin with rosy cheeks), *constellations* of freckles scattered over her skin like soft sweet tender kisses bestowed upon her by her guardian angel or faerie godmother, and the voice of a mermaid or siren long before he'd actually gotten the courage and opportunity to speak to and with her. A secret dreamer with a love of music, like him... Reckless and headstrong, 'si', her dark green eyes glittering with mischief and cunning rather than shining with kindness and patience akin to her practical angel of a sister- but a yin to his yang Geppetto did not mind.

However- while he *ADORED* children and longed to have some of his own one day either by blood, adoption, or both, ...Ilaria was of a very different mind. She had no desire whatsoever to be a 'madre'. -And, even more hurtfully, much like his papa, she had believed and thought his once-secret longing to be a woodcarver and toymaker rather than a luthier (one who repaired and made instruments) to be silly, ridiculous, and foolish; that there was NO FUTURE of being a toymaker in Pariva!

That his 'little woodenhead' Pinocchio had ended up being *HER son* as well as his own had ended up being an unforseen quirk of fate, especially given how she had semi-followed in Chiara's footsteps and become a Fae herself (though the Seelie equivalent of a *DEATH EATER* from Signora J. K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' series rather than a kind and benevolent Wishing Faerie) and therefore disappeared as though into thin air the night that Chiara had to cast a Forgetting Spell over her hometown as had been The Rules back then ...but for all his own theatrical bent, love of chocolate and music, and half his appearance, his own disposition was more akin to that of his gentle-natured father, warm kind patient aunt, his grandparents on his semi-birthmother's side, and his maternal uncle rather than possessing the attitude of a diva as well as the voice of one such, *thankyouGodthankyouangelsthankyouHolyFamily*! CARLO was the more mischievous scampish one with a fairly 'healthy' dose of snark, and *HEAVEN KNOWS* where he'd gotten THAT from?? (Possibly his and Pinocchio's paternal grandfather, just outwardly rather than inwardly and less grumpy/cross/peevish...)

But his deep tender fond affection and love for she who eventually became also 'Signora Cleo del Mar the Crimson Nightingale of Esperia' was not only broken but SHATTERED into *NOTHINGNESS* when she *placed a bloody bet on*, conspired to HURT, and even possibly *KILL her own child*; didn't lift so much as a finger when he was kidnapped, *RAPED*, and held prison one way or another by the Heartless's henchmen Foulfellow, Gideon, Stromboli, the Coachman, and the Green Fisherman plus one angry horny pedophaelic chicken farmer. *Ground to DUST* under the heel of a good thick solid well-made boot... The rose-tinted lenses of his *METIPHORICAL glasses* were smashed, and he horridly saw crystal-clear and plain as day-
She had tried to kill *CARLO*- *HAD killed* his other dear sweet beloved wife Constanza Carlo's mamma by way of poison that mimicked a dread rare semi-antiquated disease! The bomb had thankfully MISSED (though his 'povere caro' shining golden sun and little pinecone had still been fairly sick for a couple of weeks from the gas fumes and not a bit scraped as a result of debris flying past him as the church had been destroyed)- Carlo had *pulled through* a round of 'Petrification Sickness'; he had been safely hidden away during filming of 'Pinocchio' back in 1938, '39, and very briefly '40 under careful attentive munificent watch of 'Zia Chiara' and a couple of other 'Auguro la Fate' (Wishing Faeries) whenever he was not with his father, cat, goldfish-turned-elder sister, and surprise younger brother...

He had (quietly) CHEERED and muttered through a couple of betrayed heartstricken sobs ~"*Good riddance*!!"~ when after a trial as held and presided over by Signore Mickey being proclaimed *GUILTY* of *ALL charges* B.C. and A.D. his precious beloved 'little woodenhead' and thrown in jail- didn't just *HATE* but *unadulterratedly loathed* having to act with her any time that Pinocchio's creator and father *DID have a sweetheart or wife* onscreen (for example, the 1972 mini-series and 1996 movie). *NEVER EVER* visited her, or had any intention of doing so anymore than Chiara or either of his sons... She was *practically dead to him*, 'millegrazie', after what she had so horrifically done to his beloved Constanza, dear Carlo, and 'dolce' Pinocchio-!!
(At least he got a HUGE *GENUINE apology* every single time he had to face, touch, and [bleh] kiss She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named onscreen- same thing where Pinocchio was concerned, especially since he always ended up with an ugly livid dark bruise that sometimes even BLED as a result of his not managing to duck or fly away and therefore avoid her *slapping him HARD*... Especially since every chance SHE got afterwards '*CUT*!!!' was completely called at the end of filming, she *PHYSICALLY abused* him as well as emotionally and verbally, even if only for a few minutes. Either shoving, slapping, or kicking him away from her whenever they had to embrace or she had to gently touch him...)

Constanza had been quieter- much more kind. Preferred to work *BEHIND the scenes* rather than perform onstage in any way. To *sing WITH* people, croon lullabies or warble funny silly ditties to her child or children... She had been practically-perfectly content with painting cuckoo clocks, music-boxes, figurines, and toys with Geppetto, sewing and embroidering clothes for his dolls and puppets. HAPPY, even- *GENUINELY happy*!
Carlo had her laughing sparkling dark brown eyes that were almost hazel, her porcelain complexion, her tallish slim build, her silken shining slightly naturally-messy raven-dark hair; her smile...

Ahh- but she would have been a not just 'good' but *WONDERFUL* stepmother/*MOTHER-mother* to Pinocchio and Cleo as much as their own Carlo, were she still alive... *Would NOT* have been even remotely an Evil/Wicked Queen Grimhilde or Lady Tremaine towards them, much less a 'Toads and Diamonds' mother!

Well- The point being, not since either Ilaria or Constanza had he ever once been tempted by another woman's sparkling sharp wit, laughing eyes, silken colorful or colorless hair, warm smile, or guarded or non-guarded heart. He had *LOVED* the latter, and been grievously agonizingly wounded not just on his own behalf by the former verbally and emotionally (though she had sometimes literally smacked him in the mouth, spat in his face, and either shoved, slapped, or kicked him away after '*CUT*!!! Aaaannddd *that's a wrap*!!' was called, whenever they had had to embrace and/or kiss in a flashback or present scene). His large open warm loving gentle heart was not only (half)empty, but *much scarred*...
He was lonely in the romantic sense, 'si' -*VERY lonely*-, -but *he would NOT* even vaguely risk a 'wicked/evil stepmother' when it came to his sweet precious beloved boys and his little water-baby Cleo, therefore ending up in 'Principessa' Snow White's and Cinderella's 'povere' fathers' shoes, thankyouverymuch! Now he wasn't just shy in the 'bashful' sense when it came to 'amore'; he was *GUN-shy* concerning being *MORE THAN friends* with pretty(ish) kind smart funny ladies either single, divorced, or widowed. Nervous- anxious- edgy- apprehensive.

-Besides, he was more-or-less fairly content and happy with just his three 'dolce bambini' and their cats (plus Sir Jiminy H. Cricket Pinocchio's 'outer conscience', very first best friend, and pseudo-godfather). *MOSTLY content and happy*, anyway... He wasn't looking to get his and his family's hearts ripped in two and shredded and their souls shattered all over again either by design or (semi)accident by a possible girlfriend or wife, 'millegrazie'.

*********************************************************************************************************************************************

...You can just *IMAGINE* the complete and utter SHOCK, then, when he felt sudden instant *sparks* towards Yoshioka Naoko of Studio Ghibli's 'The Cat Returns' the moment his bespectacled pale blue eyes and her *ALSO 'four-eyed' deep dark rich chocolate-brown eyes* met!! Saw how her maple/caramel-colored orbs for optics were warm -*GENUINELY warm* from/with *kindness* as well as in hue and tone- how she seemed 'plain' or 'merely pretty' at first, but then was revealed as *BEAUTIFUL* via her smile...
How her very favorite color was apparently yellow in any shade, tone, or hue (Gold was already *LONG taken* by the 'mother faerie', so perhaps instead, were *she* a Wishing Faerie, her Sidhe name would instead possibly be 'the Xanthous Faerie' or 'the 'Saffron Faerie'; mayhap even *'Flaxen'*)- how her cropped-short hair was the very same shade of dark ginger red as that of dear sweet kind gentle shy yet brave Quasimodo or Lady Lily Evans-Potter; deep, rich, vibrant... How kind, caring, and considerate she was towards his 'little woodenhead' whether he was 'Haru' or not...

Headstrong- stubborn; but warm, kind, patient (mostly), straightforward, and honest. Also much preferred to stay in the background rather than sing, act, recite, or dance onstage, even just for fun. Quilting was *her JOY*- her *LOVE*, as carving, putting together, and painting clocks, music boxes, and toys was to him. It was and had been *HER dream* ever since she was a child; her own most secret longing! She LIKED children of any age or gender- *LOVED them*, even.
If she danced at all (she didn't seem the singing type, but he could be wrong), it was more than likely in the privacy of her own home or just simply in private...

He was *ENRAPTURED*. Spell-bound. *Entranced- enchanted*! -And 'twas not just one-sided, it turned out. SHE 'like-liked' him, too; had *had a crush on him* (*EEK* in the gulping hard blushing fiery way) for a long while, apparently.
Looks and/or stereotypical handsomeness didn't matter a wit or jot *to HER* (though she thought that he was very 'cute' in both the attractive and adorable sense). It had been his big beautiful HEART and soul as clear and blue as his eyes that had captured and caught her attention from the very first! His humble nature- his either whimsical or playful mischievous sense of humor; *HIS smile and laugh*, especially where his son(s) were concerned...

'Dashing', 'chiseled', 'strapping', 'dark and mysterious', or 'conventional' *BAH HUMBUG* and *hang spring-cleaning*!! When it came down to it at the end of the day, she very much preferred 'sweet', 'sincere', 'patient', and 'caring'. Didn't at all mind his being shy or being a toymaker instead of continuing the failing family business of being a lutheir...
She would likely tease him, on the former, but *nicely*- in a playful, good-natured way. Mischievous, yet without Ilaria's or Carlo's sometimes-sharp digs that heavily leaned on the sarcastic side a la Potions Professor Severus Snape or most Villains. Not *MEAN*, as she had been with or without meaning to be.

Yoshioka Kumiko Naoko was Princess 'Fred' to his Prince Dauntless of 'Once Upon a Mattress'. *HIS Grace Farrell*- his Jane Eyre. The Maria Kutschera to his Captain Georg Ludwing von Trapp...

They started out as *just friends*, at first- a 'whirlwind romance' was not exactly advisable especially when one party had their children's thoughts, feelings, and opinions to worry about and be concerned with, for all that it was often quite fun and exciting to read about, listen to, and/or watch in a novel, play, movie, or television series episode. (Carlo especially would have been irritated, angry, and upset to the point of sharp shouting possibly hurtful arguments with his, Cleo's, and Pinocchio's father had he and Naoko gone that route- and Jiminy and Chiara would have been *EXTREMELY* concerned and wary!) Simply talking- chatting- getting to know one another; working on each other's own personal not-really-hobby and passion project in one another's company in comfortable (semi)silence...

They had been holding out for at least *a MONTH*- but two weeks into the Belmagio-Tommaso family's arrival at Studio Ghibli for Pinocchio's newest acting job *NOT as himself* plus 'in drag', Carlo, Cleo, and Pinocchio even if nervously, warily, and apprehensively had given their wholehearted permission and blessing for things to go further since it was clear as crystal or Cinderella's famed lovely magical slippers when they weren't fashioned of fur or gold and plain as day that Geppetto and Naoko had CHEMISTRY with a big blaring neon capital 'C'; that *sparks had flown* when they'd not only met but locked eyes! *Just PLEASE*, pretty please *be careful*...
(*BOTH OF them*, of course- but especially their gentle-natured tender-hearted sweet-souled father.)

However, Fate was kind- she stepped in and saw their budding and blossoming not-so-affair of the heart through with/via what one would call 'quiet' dates. Reading or talking together over a nice big(ish) mug of tea or hot chocolate (neither of them were very fond of either the smell or taste of coffee)- cooking together- tending Naoko's flower and herb boxes- watching the sunset or sunrise- going thrifting or to the library- having a pajama day- going for a bike ride or hike- picnicking- stargazing- watching each other's favorite movies with or without the commentary on- Things like that. Neither were even just a smidge ready to really go steady in public yet. Give it a couple of or three months, at least...
Geppetto even 'officially' took up sketching, drawing, and painting again outside of work blueprints as he hadn't really since he was at least nineteen! (Sketching hadn't really upset or annoyed Papa as much as carving 'silly little trinkets' and 'wasting good firewood on useless baubles' did and had.) He either penciled and colored what he and Naoko imagined certain book characters to be like during 'book club' discussions or readings-aloud, -or drew Naoko herself if not his children, Figaro, Spring, Chiara, Niccolo, his sweet-as-sugar granddaughters Dafne and Nina, Sir Jiminy, Signor Alberto and Signora Anna Belmagio, or his own parents.

'Si, si', si'- third time was indeed the charm...! Heh- 'charm'. He had been charmed to make her acquaintance- *charmed BY* her. Enchanted to meet her as he hadn't been since Constanza, or even Il- She-Who-Shalt-Not-Be-Named...

He'd been too shy and oblivious to kiss HER- she'd once *kissed HIM* on the cheek, on the day of her audition for the Vallan Madrigal Conservatory that had been her dream school. Constanza?? Again, she had made the first move, though they'd also held hands and embraced beforehand. He and Naoko, on the other hand, had *BOTH made the first move* when it came to kissing on the lips; and thankfully, she didn't mind his furious blushing and nervous stammering and stuttering when it came to 'bacioe' (kisses) on her temple, side or top of her head, or cheek. He couldn't help it- 'experience' or no, he was just plain shy and awkward! Hardly smooth, dashing, cool, and completely confident...
He wasn't just a 'dork'- he. Was. A. *NERD*. A SCHMUCK. A plainer more quiet 'meek' Theodore Rochester or Georg von Trapp. He was *NO Prince Charming*- unless that fairy-tale royal was Dauntless the Drab, Curlique of 'The Golden Branch', or Algernon Peregrine 'Perry' from M. M. Kaye's 'The Ordinary Princess' (no offense whatsoever to Florian, 'Kit', Phillip, Eric, Adam AKA 'Beast', Aladdin, Simba, Hercules, and Kuzco, of course!).

*Hem*!! Anyhow and anyway... Kisses were awful nice, whether chaste, 'medium', or deeper- but she also gave *really good*- no, *WONDERFUL hugs*. (And he'd sorely missed non-platonic snuggles and cuddles, for all that 'Little Woodenhead' and Cleo especially were endearingly lovably cuddlesome and embraceable.)

He'd had QUESTIONS and *Concerns* when it came to Signor Baron ...but they had soon all faded into *practically NOTHINGNESS* (or at least very very faint) because no twisted words came forth along *THIS Cat's* smooth velvety honeyed voice from a silver tongue and golden throat. His HEART was pure gold- his soul as clear and blue as Pinocchio's eyes. Suavely dressed, plainly clad, magnificently costumed, or ragged, ill-fitted, and rumpled, he was a most honorable and gentlemanly 'gatto' with not so much as *a SLIVER* of a mean or wicked bone in his body.
Therefore, he allowed his precious 'little woodenhead' to be courted and court in return the moment it became OBVIOUS that *they'd KISSED* (finallyabouttime)- and that *NOTHING* about Baron during their first 'spark' had *triggered* his sweet boy into a nasty horrendous flashback or three, nor during the other times on quiet or public dates...

......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Yoshioka Kumiko Naoko only very vaguely recalled her 'first' boyfriend and husband in that he'd been rather rich, a 'stud', an athlete, and that there'd been problems between them, though she wasn't quite sure *what EXACTLY*. She was more than a bit bummed (and not a little angry, too) that Haru wouldn't be taken off of the drawing board and Officially Drawn, but sadly understood 'thanks' to Stephanie Meyer's more-than-likely-going-to-be-famous-and-a-series 'Twilight', and their similar in looks and semi-personality female protagonist/heroine who unfortunately turned out to be a 'Mary-Sue' that Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, and Hiroyuki Morita *didn't dare* bring to life for dread fear of the same thing happening to Yoshioka Chizuro Haru. Naoko had only *hopedhopedHOPED* that she and Haru's actor would be able to at least somewhat get along, even if they didn't become 'besties' or close to it...

Like everyone else, she had been *BEYOND shocked* when the Cat King's magic crystal-ball/video recorder had finally landed on a certain either cheeky/cocky or sweet-hearted not-so-little-anymore puppet-boy while searching for 'Haru'! FLABBERGASTED- *THUNDERSTRUCK*. -And very thankful that in (ha) real life, his personality matched that of the female protagonist's from 'The Cat Returns' to a T rather than via Lorenzini-Collodi in his original magazine-serial-turned-novel: a shy awkward but kind and noble person...!
And her maternal instincts had risen forth with a *VENGEANCE* when she saw *how SAD* and LONELY those sweet large blue orbs for eyes were after seeing not so much as a hint or trace of a *mother* in sight. Not only that, but also BETRAYED- *forsaken/abandoned*. *HEARTBROKEN*. Anguished... which was EVEN WORSE up close.

She didn't just YEARN- she *ACHED* to give sweet young Pinocchio Edward Seth Benjamin Belmagio-Tommaso a big warm gentle hug as he haltingly explained to her and the rest of the TCR cast and crew who exactly his semi-birthmother was, and why and how he himself was Fae (meaning that the Cat Kingdom transformation would be easy-peasy lemon-squeezy, more-or-less; *PHEW*...!!!). To give *Geppetto* a good nice long hug, as well as -quite surprisingly and startlingly- human!Cleo and Pinocchio's elder brother Carlo...

But she sternly made herself hold back down to an affectionate or sympathetic hair-tousle, back-pat, or shoulder-rub since *they'd just met*; where Geppetto, Carlo, and Cleo were concerned, anyway. Poor young 'Pine-Eye' had been very *VERY nervous* (and already not too fond of strangers immediately touching him both due to his nightmarish past and his being on the Autism Spectrum), but he'd bravely pushed forward despite shaking from head to foot as though he suffered the palsy...

#"A-Af- After all, we're- w-we're f-FAMILY o-onscreen- when- wh-when 'm H-'Haru', th-that is! E-Even if w-we don't r-really em-embrace 'r much t-touch d-durin' the scenes w-we have t'gether... We're- W-We're *child 'n mother* in- in th- 'The Cat Returns', s-so... W-We- We sh-should get u-used to it. T-Touchin', em-embracin', a-and even k-ki-kissin', I mean..."

It was a very good argument- a very RATIONAL one. All-too logical. And *SURELY*, sooner or later 'fanfic' writers were going to be happily typing her and 'Haru' snuggling, cuddling, kissing, and laughing if not crying...! Rocking and singing to her while stroking her hair when she was sick, having a *BAD* day, or had woken up from a nightmare, or just soothing her to sleep...

They COULD *skip it*, if they wanted to, to make a nervous *even SCARED* 'autie' comfortable -but there was at least *ONE scene* during a flashback to 'Haru's' (and Yuki's) childhood where she happily ran back to her mother and trustingly lovingly held on tight to her hand (probably gave her a hug, too). And from what few scenes in TCR they had together, viewers could see and observe that Naoko's and 'Haru's' relationship was fairly loving and warm, if a bit distant due to 'Haru's' clumsily and awkwardly growing into her teenage years... 'Nocchi' was right- all too right. Best to more-or-less at least *START TO get used to* their 'mother-daughter' relationship onscreen right away...

Naoko sighed quietly, her heart being touched even further at the freckled blue-eyed raven's stimming that was as much part of his autism as much as sheer apprehensive nervousness and even *slight fear*. Shifting and rocking on his heels- either rubbing his lip between his teeth or biting it- clutching at and rubbing one thin arm; how trepidatious and timorous his big baby-blues were from underneath that Trademark jet-black flop of bangs as he shakily breathed in and out... Poor thing. *Poor sweet child*-! So SCARED- yet *so BRAVE*...

She tried to bite the endearment back, but it slipped out anyway. "-You're right, honey. We SHOULD just get used to it, or start to, since 'Haru' and I are shown/written to be fairly close-knit and affectionate, even if a bit distant. And after all, 'practice makes perfect', more-or-less...!"

Pinocchio swallowed hard- nibbled and bit his lip while clutching his arm so hard Naoko worried that he was going to leave a bruise. Another shaky breath in and out... Then- "A-Are- *Are YOU* a-awful n-nervous about- ab-about us t-touchin', h-huggin', and- and p-possibly k-kissin' in- i-in a f-fam-familial way too, M-Mrs. N-Naoko??" he quavered with a gentle sympathetic look in his anxious timid wary cerulean eyes.

The bespectacled brown-eyed redhead smiled warmly over at the young dark-haired male already costumed in 'Haru's' school uniform (but with *HIS longer hair* pulled half-back). "No pun intended, but to be completely honest? *JUST AS nervous and scared* as you are, Pinocchio sweetheart," she replied kindly. "We're STRANGERS, after all- *only just met* a few hours ago! -But if *YOU'RE ready and willing* to try, then so am I, 'Nocchi-chan-kun."

Pinocchio weakly yet sincerely smiled back at Naoko in response.

Okay- they were half a foot apart. Fairly good start... Sensing that SHE needed to make the first move since Pinocchio was so leery and (again, no pun intended) strung-up when it came to unfamiliar *FE-males* as much as elder males, Naoko held out her arms as carefully and gently as possible and made sure that her inviting open bosom stance was as nonthreatening, disarming, and assuaging as possible.

Her heart CRACKED and her soul *HURT* when she saw Pinocchio's eyes quiver and dampen and heard him *whimper* like a lost frightened kitten piteously mewing out in the rain, causing *HER eyes* to sting and water in sorrow and sympathy. *Just WHAT* had HAPPENED TO him, to make him react so??? What had *that BITCH* his semi-birthmother DONE TO him whenever she'd had to fill in the role of Geppetto's sweetheart and/or wife??!? Possibly also *done to GEPPETTO*, at that!??

He wasn't labeled/Trademarked as (eventually) 'brave, truthful, and unselfish' for nothing, though- despite his clear fright and PTSD, Pinocchio pushed through and on, tremblingly wrapping his near-scrawny arms around Naoko's back while pressing close and nestling into her. The quilter's throat stung and tightened upon hearing and seeing Pinocchio bite back and swallow down another whimper and *a SOB* while shuddering as he was gently tenderly yet tightly hugged back and his hair was stroked.
And she KNEW. *She sickeningly knew*-!!!

"SHE *HURT you*- hurt *your practical angel of a father*. -Didn't she, 'koneko'?"

Pinocchio sniffled, gulped, sobbed, and hiccuped as he nodded. Naoko's heart WRENCHED. She had *NEVER* seen a child -*or ANYONE*- so upset. So *BROKEN AND SHATTERED*- like a battered abused porcelain doll if not a concrete angel...

"Ev- E-Every time c-'*CUT*' 'n th-'*That's A WRAP*!!' was called wh-when sh-SHE n-'needed' t' be there w-with me 'n Father," he choked out, tears pooling and shining in his sweet blue eyes. *His LIPS* were trembling as much as his whole small thin frame, poor boy-! "She- Sh-She sl-slapped my face- h-*HARD*. S-Sometimes so hard I bl-*bled*! Sh-Shoved, p-pushed, or k-ki-kicked me away from her... Sh-*She HATED* t-touchin' me- m-much less k-*kissin' or huggin'* me. D-Didn't want kids AT ALL- e-*EVER*! Sm-*Smacked Father in the mouth* wh-whenever they h-had t' kiss- sh-shoved 'r k-*kicked HIM* away..."

There was horrifically *MORE* that 'Nocchi wasn't saying, Naoko could chillingly tell. (She was now SUSPICIOUS about the 'Candle Accident Scene', and how *EXACTLY* the Fox, Cat, Stromboli, and the Coachman were involved with this sweet pure-hearted boy in the first place beyond simply being greedy scumbags and crooks with rotten withered hearts as black as coal and cruel twisted souls...) -But she would wait until either 'Nocchi told her, or Geppetto. She wouldn't push, even a little bit- no matter how curious, worried, and concerned she was. That *would NOT* help, especially right now...!

However- "What did- SHE do to Carlo and Cleo if anything, 'Nocchi 'kuroneko-chan'??" Naoko wanted and needed to know.

"Ig- I-Ignored 'em, m-mainly," the emotionally-fraught blue-eyed teen hiccuped, burying his face into Naoko's shoulder and blotting his wet burning eyes with her pale yellow short-sleeved shirt. "She- Sh-She *HATES* C-Carlo, though- u-*unadulterratedly loathes* him! B-Because F-Father was s-supposed t' o-*ONLY* have a crush on, f-fall in love with, c-court/date, 'n m-marry HER, a-apparently. She- Sh-She- *She killed Madre Constanza!! Tr-Tried t' kill Carlo, too*! Tw- TWICE!
"...*She bet on, h-hurt, d-didn't help me, 'n tried t' kill me too*," he sobbed quietly. "N-Nev- NEVER MIND th-that I was h-*HER sonchildfleshandblood* as mu-much as F-Father's-! I- I- I wasn't s'posed t' be *a CREATION*, which meant that Z-Zia Ch-Chiara w-was s'posed to not just break but sh-*SHATTER* The Three Main Rules of Fae a-all in one f-fell swoop- wh-which meant that sh-*she could do as she liked as a Heartless*..."

Naoko's heart *SHATTERED*. She screamed loud, long, disbelieving, furiously sorrowful, and disgusted inwardly at that- that '*JERKETTE*' who was sickeningly also *Pinocchio's TRUE ACTUAL MOTHER*, the Blue Faerie Chiara Belmagio's younger sister, ...and *good Geppetto's semi-girlfriend*. She didn't know *the WHOLE* story yet, but what little she was able to piece and sew together made for a frightening, *DARK*, UGLY, sorrowful picture on a horror-themed or Halloween quilt.
The chocolate-eyed redhead felt sick to her stomach- sick in her *heart and soul*. Her own optics blurred and stung. *How dare she*???!! *HOW DARE that bitch* cause 'Little Woodenhead' to become a broken concrete angel?!?? To *HURT him* in any way, when she was HIS MOTHER, damn it??!! -*How dare she hurt GEPPETTO* physically, emotionally, or verbally???!

All she could utter while feeling Pinocchio subconsciously clasp her tight in MUCH-*NEEDED* comfort and gently stroking his hair and rubbing his back in return while carrying him over to the sofa was a weak damp, "*Oh, PINOCCHIO*- oh, sweetheart... *I'm so sorry*! I just- *I can't EVEN FATHOM IT*, kitten- how a mother could DO such a horrible rotten dreadful awful disgusting thing to her own child... How *bratty, cruel, and selfish* she was towards your father, his technically first wife but second sweetheart, your half-brother Carlo- and her own sister-! *It makes me SICK*, that she treated such sweet innocent precious people like you and your family so shabbily and cruelly..."

Pinocchio sucked in a shuddering wet breath, then Looked right up at Naoko with those big sweet *ANGUISHED* blue orbs for eyes as clear as the sea or a lake yet soft as a forget-me-not framed by long dark tassels of lashes and thin ebon brows. Colin Craven's eyes in largeness and thickness and length of cilia- Sara Crewe's in the amount of pure heartbreak yet *still so much love to give*. "You- Y-*You* won't ever h-HURT F-Father, Carlo, or m-me?? *NEVER EVER*?? P-*Promise*?" he gulped.

Naoko heartbrokenly yet comfortingly rubbed her cheek against his thick soft semi-wavy black hair and dropped a sinceregenuinenonfake kiss on the side of his head. "*I promise*, Pinocchio honey," she near-whispered through her own tears. "*NEVER*. *Never never ever*, 'koneko'! Not if I can help it somehow... And NO HARM on my end will come to your 'oba' (aunt), conscience/best friend Jiminy, Cleo, Figaro, and Spring, either. Not onscreen- not once the camera rolls away..."

Her poor sweet little kitten finally fully BROKE at that and wept into her chest as though his heart would break.

All Naoko could do was ease him up onto her lap and gently rock him as well as enfold him in her arms while crooning sweet soothing words of comfort and assurance in Japanese, Irish, and English into his ear, still tenderly carding his hair and rubbing light circles over his back- every now and then planting a soft gentle kiss into his hair or on his temple, as well. Spoken words of hopeful comfort and soothing that soon turned to song...

~"Come stop your crying-
It'll be alright;
Just take my hand,
Hold it tight-
I will protect you from all around you;
I will be here,
Don't you cry...

For one *so SMALL*,
You seem *so strong*-
My arms will hold you,
Keep you SAFE AND WARM...
This bond between us *can't be broken*;
I will be here,
Don't you cry...

'Cause you'll be in my heart;
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forevermore...

*You'll be IN MY HEART*,
No matter WHAT they say;
You'll be here in my heart
*ALWAYS*...

Why can't they understand
*The way we feel*??
They just don't trust
What they *CAN'T explain*;
I know we're different, but
DEEP INSIDE US,
We're not that different at all...!

And you'll be in my heart-
Yes, *you'll be IN MY HEART*,
*From this day on*
Now and FOREVERMORE...

*Don't listen to them*,
'Cause WHAT do *THEY know*??
*We NEED each other*-
To have, to hold!
*They'll see IN TIME*,
I know...

When Destiny calls you,
*You must be strong*;
I may not be with you,
But you've GOT TO hold on-
*They'll see in time*,
I know...!

*We'll show them TOGETHER*,
Because

*You'll be in my heart*;
BELIEVE ME, you'll be in *MY HEART*!
From this day on
*Now and FOREVERMORE*...

*You'll be in MY HEART*,
NO MATTER WHAT they say-!
*You'll be here in my heart*,
*ALWAYS*...

ALWAYS-
*I'll be there for you ALWAYS*;
*Always and always*...

Just look over your shoulder-
Just look over your shoulder;
*Just LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER*...

*I'll be there
Always*..."~#

And from there, not only had a romantic bond but a *FAMILIAL bond* had formed between a Tommaso-Belmagio and Yoshioka. Carlo had taken a bit more time to fully truly warm up to her both out of protectiveness for his father and brother and his having bonded with and loved HIS mother from conception to pregnancy to birth- but then, Naoko had expected that, given how very different Carlo's and Pinocchio's maternal situations were. Cleo was half-and-half, being as shy as hers' and her brothers' father ...yet soon enough, once Geppetto and Naoko had dated for a while both quietly and in public, Carlo began to consider the Japanese-Irish quilter as a second mother, and Cleo and Pinocchio the mother they'd never truly had.

(She and 'Geppy' had been *worried and concerned* about 'Nocchi's and Baron's mutual *BIG crush* on each other given their S & S age difference and Baron's being a CAT who dressed as sharply as *DIS-Honest* John Foulfellow ...for a while. HOWEVER, Baron Humbert von Gikkingen was a true gentleman in every sense of the word for all his being an anthropomorphic feline! *Beautiful manners*, *beautiful HEART AND SOUL*...
And clearly, he *TREASURED AND ADORED* Geppetto's 'little woodenhead', Naoko's 'kitten', Carlo's 'Pin[ny]', Cleo's 'piccolo asino', Lampwick Romeo's 'Slats', Chiara's 'bright shining little star', and Jiminy Cricket's 'Pinoke[s]'; would R-E-S-P-E-C-T and honor him as well as love him! So *just HOW* could 'Nocchi's family say 'no'??? -They couldn't. Didn't want to [much]; not when the dashing charming genteel-yet-genuine anthro-cat Creation originally carved out of cedar wood had so captured yet gently held Pinocchio's heart in his gloved hand-paws and vice-versa...)

When the snobby vainglorious prejudiced narrow-minded Cat King had OF COURSE made a nasty comment or two about how such a 'babe' like Naoko and dashing gentlecat such as Baron had chosen a couple of *plain awkward clumsy ugly* dog-faces like Geppetto and Pinocchio, Naoko had *punched and kneed him HARD* before a just-as-incensed-and-insulted Baron shaved him again. This time *ALL OVER*- from head to face to torso to limbs to tail ...after a snarling sneering flashing-eyed Carlo and Cleo had dumped a jug full of MAPLE SYRUP on top of him, therefore *making it NECESSARY* for him to be shaved. 'Haru' had laughed aloud- giggling, snorting, squealing, cackling until he was doubled over and almost on the floor while tickled tears prickled his eyes. As had *just about everybody else* including usually sweet gentle cordial Geppetto.
Muta, Toto, Carlo, Lampwick, Jiminy, and Natoru had been POUNDING THE GROUND WITH THEIR FISTS and *CRYING* with laughter, and all four 'knights in shining armor' had been rewarded with a kiss- family members on their cheeks, and respective significant others with soft sweet passion and *loveloveLOVE* on the lips. And for Geppetto and Naoko, that fervent thanks for defending him and their son went just a little further...

(And 'Geppy' turned out to be QUITE the tender attentive ardent lover, for all that he was clumsy, awkward, and shy. After all, in his work, he was *VERY GOOD* with his hands, and in general, *his MOUTH* was soft, sweet, gentle- if a little playful and mischiveous at times...! -Needless to say, even if only 'first base' rather than a full-out 'home-run', Naoko ended up being *VERY satisfied*, and would only continue to be so.)

-If before and after she had been Officially Drawn someone had told Naoko Yoshioka that she would end up meeting, falling in love with, and being co-parents with her Disney crush, then she would have laughed long, loud, and hard in that person's face. Welp- *the joke was ON HER*, as it turned out...! And she couldn't be happier.