Shidge
Beauty and the Beast AU
(I watched the live action, so now I'm just... In that mindset and it's stuck.... Help.)

"Good morning, Katie!"

"Good morning!" Katie waved as she walked by some of the villagers. "How are you today?"

"Oh, wonderful, ma cherié!" The woman whom had previously greeted her giggled. "You look as wonderful today as you always have."

Katie laughed. "I'm not that pretty. Have a good day, Madame!" She waved again, then continued down the cobblestone road. She smiled a a bell rang while she opened the door. "Good morning!"

The man in the room jumped and yelped, then laughed as he turned. "Ah, Katie! My favorite bookworm!"

"You're only bookworm."

The older man hummed and nodded as she ran a finger over the spines of the leather books. "Oh, this one!" She gasped and drew it to her chest.

He laughed. "How many times will you read it?"

"As many times as I want." Katie stuck out her tongue. "Good day!" She waved, then went back onto the streets.

She heard whispers by the boutiques and glanced over. Girls whispered to one another, casting disdainful glances her way. Katie snorted, then smiled and waved. She turned down the street, continuing to the bread shop. Then;

"Katie!"

Said girl froze, then slumped. She pivoted with a smile. "Sendak!" Katie waved up at him as he approached on his horse. "Haxus, too! That was quite the short hunting trip." She mused as they both slid off their steeds.

Sendak chuckled and puffed out his chest as he held up a bouquet of an assortment of flowers. "I'm always back early to see you, Katie."

Katie blinked, then hummed as she took the offered bouquet. "It's very beautiful, and I appreciate your thought." She smiled, then turned. "However, I have my eyes elsewhere."

Haxus laughed, then silenced himself with a single glare from Sendak. "Who is this man you've set your eyes on?"

Katie laughed and waved her new book.

Sendak smiled. "Perfect woman to have as my wife."

"I don't know, Sendak. She's stubborn and really doesn't seem interested in you." Haxus muttered. "Also, she reads."

Sendak huffed. "So what? We'll have intelligent little boys running around with the strength and stubbornness of oxen."

Haxus shrugged. "Whatever you say."

~

Katie hummed as he kicked the door shut behind her. "Mother, I'm home!" She called, and the older woman peeked out from the kitchen area.

The woman smiled and brushed off her apron. "Oh, good! I was beginning to worry."

Katie rolled her eyes, then set the sack full of things she had got from town on a counter. "About what? There's nothing to worry about."

Her mother laughed, then kissed her daughter's forehead. "Of course. Now, will you help me load the wagon? I'm almost done."

"Yes. I'll just feed the animals and tend the gardens, first."

~

Katie waved her mother off, grinning. "Come back safe! Oh, and don't forget my rose!"

Her mother laughed. "I could never!"

The young woman giggled, then patted her dirty apron. "Rover, take care of mother!"

The chestnut stallion whinnied in return, tossing his large head.

Katie waved once more, then trotted back into the chicken's pen. "Hello, little chicks." She greeted and scooped up one of the chirping yellow ones. "How is your wing?" Katie gently pinched the end of the chick's little wing and stretched it while holding the chick still. She inspected the scab. "Good. Not infected." Katie set it down, then stood.

She opened the door to the pen, then locked it.

"Lovely afternoon, isn't it?"

Katie gasped, then whipped around to face her visitor. "Oh! Sendak!" She smiled, then side-stepped. "How nice of you to visit me. However, if you seek my mother, she's gone off on another trip."

Sendak chuckled and carded his fingers through his dark hair. "Good thing I've come for you."

While her back was turned to him, her nose scrunched up. Katie looked over to him with a strained smile. "Oh?"

"You speak and act as if you are not interested in me." He followed her up the stairs and onto the porch. "However, Katie, we would be the most beautiful couple." He didn't see her sneer as he looked at himself in the glass of her window. "You'd tend the house and animals and our strikingly handsome and smart boys."

"So they'll be more like me than you?" She smiled, and Sendak smirked.

"I'm smitten by your sense of humor, my lady." Sendak mused, unaware of the eye roll and scoff she gave him. "Our house will be the best in town. Antlers decorating the walls, fur rugs on the floor, wide open spaces for our, say, seven lively young boys."

"Seven?"

"Yes."

"I'd simply enjoy a single boy. Or a girl."

"Alright, we'll have seven boys and a girl."

Katie groaned, crossing her arms. "No."

Sendak blinked, then turned his attention from his reflection to her. "What?"

She smiled and opened her door. "I'm not going to marry you, Sendak. It's not going to happen. Ever." Then she shut the door. He heard a final, 'ever' on the other side of the door afterwards.

Sendak cursed and stomped down the stairs and into the cobblestone street.

~

"Marry Sendak. Disgusting." Katie huffed as she stepped back out of her house. She looked over the section of town she could see. "I want more than this... So much more." Katie looked to the green, rolling hills, then grinned. "I'll have more than this someday!" She cheered to herself, gathering the skirt of her dress in her hands, then she ran out of town, far into the open fields.

Far from the town, far from Sendak

She spun on the hill, then fell into the flowers and grass. Katie sighed, closing her eyes.

A sudden, urgent neighing snapped her out of a blissful trance. Katie sat up, then gasped and stumbled to her feet. "Rover!"

The stallion whinnied and reared as Katie hurried over. "Rover, Rover!" She eased, slowing her approach with her hands raised. The chestnut steed huffed and calmed his scattering hooves. She pet down his neck. "What? What happened? Where's mom? Where's the wagon?" Rover panted and lowered his head. Katie looked to the direction he had come from. She then looked into his dark, frightened eyes. "I know you're scared, but please... Please take me to her."

~

The broken, icy castle beyond the bent, metal gate was more daunting than the winter forest infested with wolves behind her was. Katie gulped, the gently urged Rover ahead. "It's cool. Just a crumbling... Huge... Scary castle is all... Nothing too bad... Could be worse... Maybe."

Rover huffed and swung his head.

Once he was beside the stairs leading up to the gigantic doors of the castle, Katie pulled him to a stop, then slid off. "Stay here... Just until I have mom." She patted his shoulder, then slowly made her way up the stairs. Rover snorted, then stomped. "I know, buddy. I'll be right back."

With effort, Katie forced the door open, wincing as it creaked and groaned. She gripped the fabric of the apron over her skirt and looked around.

Soft whispers sounded, so she swiveled... They stopped.

"Hello?" Her voice trembled, echoing off the dark, cracked walls. No one responded, though three candles were lit. She approached the light.

Katie jolted and,paused as she heard a distant noise. She pivoted, then hurried to the large stairwell. "Mother?"

No response.

She gulped again, then chose a way to run up. "Mom!? Mom, where are you!?" She shouted, following lights along the walls up several sets of stairs.

Coughing got louder, so she ran faster. "Mom!"

"Katie?"

Said woman bolted, then skidded to a halt in front of a cell. "Mother! Oh, thank God I've found you!"

Her mother panickally stumbled over. "No- Katie, you have to leave! Before he finds you-"

"Who? No, that doesn't matter!" Katie began to look for a lock and a key. "I'm getting you out of here!"

"I'm not letting her go."

Her mother froze, but Katie pivoted sharply, straightening her back and squaring her shoulders. "Who's there!?"

A figure moved in the shadows. A very tall, bulky figure. "She's a thief. I will not simply release her."

Katie raised her chin. "My mother is not a thief. Let me take her home."

He snarled. "She stays. Leave, or I'll make you stay as well."

"What'd she 'steal' anyway!?" Katie snapped, lashing out her hand and taking a step closer.

"A rose." He growled, hunching and leaning closer. His face was still guarded by shadows.

"A rose!?" Katie shouted in disbelief. "You're locking her away because of a rose!?"

He raised his head. Katie was starting to think that whoever this was, wasn't human. "It was my rose. She not only stole it, but killed it as she plucked it from the others."

Katie sneered. "I'm the one who asked for the rose! Lock me away instead!"

"No, Katie!"

"Why would you take the place of a thief?"

"Because she is my mother!"

This person growled and shocks shot down Katie's spine. "Leave!" She flinched. "Leave, and never return!"

"Go on, Katie." Her mother ushered.

Katie swallowed, then breathed deeply. "Will you at least let me say goodbye?"

He stood still. "Fine." He reached up and Katie flinched at how large his hand was on the lever disguised as a candle. Once the door was open, she flung herself at her mother.

"Mom!"

"Katie!" She gasped, then wrapped her daughter in a tight embrace. "You must go back to town and forget me."

Katie shook her head and squeezed tighter. "You're the only family I have left, mom... I can't let you go so easily." She twisted around and shoved her mother. She cried out and stumbled back, then gasped as her daughter slammed the door shut. "Go! I'll find a way out!"

"No!" She wailed, lounging for the door. Katie raised his chin. "Katie, don't-"

Her captor placed a hand on her mother's shoulder and Katie froze up.

His hand... Wasn't a... Hand...

It was paw-like a had sharp claws. The color of the fur was a silvery-black. Once he was gone, her mother with him, her trembling knees gave out and she fell to the dirty, crumbling floor beneath her. Katie shook, eyes wide and stuck to the stone beneath her. "A monster..."

~

Katie curled up against the wall of the cell, studying the cracks and chunks missing in the wall across from her.

The door suddenly creaked open, and she leapt to her feet.

It wasn't the beast. She couldn't see him. She hadn't even heard him.

"Well, won't you come out?"

Katie hesitantly stepped towards the door. "Who's there?"

Who ever it was snickered. "Just come on. If you're worried about Shiro, he's not here."

"Shiro?" Katie placed her hand on the frame of the cell door. "Who is he?"

"The guy you threw your mom at."

"I didn't-" Katie protested, then stopped herself. "His name is Shiro?"

"Well, more like Takashi, but we call him Shiro."

Katie glanced around. "Where are you?"

"Down here."

She looked down, then screamed and leapt back.

"Whoa whoa whoa!" It shouted, waving two of its three candles. "Do not scream!"

"You-you talk!?" Katie pointed at it.

"Yes yes, now come on!"

Katie curled her fingers in her hair and tugged. "How!? You can't-"

It stuck one of the candles in front of it's face that was carved into the silver. "Shh! He'll hear you, then be pissed off at me!"

Katie stared, eyes wide. The candlestick seemed to relax and slump. "Come. Follow me to your room."

She gulped and crawled slowly over. "My room?"

He nodded, the candle atop his head flickering. "Yes yes, of course. Your room. Or do you want to stay in here until the day you die?"

Katie clambered to her feet. "I think I would like a bed to die on."

The candle stick laughed, then waved one of his candles. "Come. Follow me." He defended down the stairs. "My name is Lance, by the way."

"Katie." She responded. "I'm Katie."

~

Slowly, Katie sat on the side of the bed, looking around the large room. "It's... As big as my house."

Lance laughed. "What a small house!" Katie rolled her eyes, then lay back. "But... You must miss it already."

"He's a beast... A monster." Katie murmured.

The candle stick hummed and she could hear the click of his silver feet on the floor. "He looks like a beast or a monster, cariño. However, I promise you, he is a good man at heart."

"Sure. He's such a good man that he locked my mother away for plucking a rose for her daughter." Katie rolled and curled up on the bed, hugging one of the pillows. It was a little musty. Hopefully she could find a way out so she wouldn't have to get used to it.

"Ah, sarcasm. I've heard of it. Well, cariño, I hope you can find a way to see him differently."

~

Katie listened intently to the door, hoping no one came in to see her tying sheets together.

When the door suddenly burst open, she yelped and tossed the sheets. Katie quickly kicked the fabrics under the bed as she stood.

"Oh, lets get a good look at you!" The teapot shouted. Katie furrowed her brows as the painted eyes of the teapot looked her up and down. "Yes, yes it could be her! Lance, you were right!"

"Of course I was!" Lance climbed up to stand beside the teapot, then put his candle hands on his waist. "When am I wrong?"

"All the time."

"Keith!" The little flames on the candle burned brighter as a featherduster fluttered into the room, dusting off cobwebs. "Novio! I thought you loved me!?"

The featherduster scoffed. "Not when you're an idiot."

Katie giggled behind her hand at the strange display, then yelped as the pink wardrobe shouted and lurched.

"What is with all this ruckus!?" She cried.

"Allura's awake!" Lance shouted gleefully, leaping off the tray. "Allura! We have found her! She came to us, more like, but the one his here!"

The wardrobe was still, as if staring at Lance, then tilted and Katie jolted at the feeling of eyes on her. The wardrobe shuddered, then a shriek of joy came from it. "She is here! The one to set us free!"

"Quiet down!"

A little clock came clambering into the room.

"Ugh, Coran! Chill!" Lance groaned.

The clocked huffed. "Well, excuse me, but Master Shiro never said anything about giving this girl a room!"

The teapot whined. "Coran, we couldn't leave this poor thing up in that disgusting, dark cell."

Lance nodded. "Hunk's right! We can't just leave her up there."

"Even I wouldn't want to be up there." Keith settled beside Lance.

Coran sighed, slumping.

Katie watched amusedly as these normally inanimate objects arguing and moving so flamboyantly on their own.

"Fine, alright. Just don't tell him she now has her own room. It's time for dinner, so come. Allura will keep her company."

~

Both Katie ans Allura shouted and jumped where there were when they heard a roar.

"What...?"

Allura sighed, slumping. "Lance must have done something to make Shiro angry."

Katie gulped. "That roar was... Shiro?" Allura nodded. Katie looked down. "He's... I don't... I can't do this..."

The wardobe sauntered over to her. "I know Shiro seems scary-"

"He is!" Katie yelped, jumping back. "I'm leaving. I am. I'll escape and find my mother and-"

Knock

Knock

Knock

...

Katie gulped.

"Join me for dinner."

Allura and Katie looked at each other after the gruff voice sounded.

"What?" Katie didn't mean for her voice to tremble.

"I said-!" He started in a growl and Katie stumbled back.

"No no no, Shiro! You can't scare her or she'll never come down!"

"Then what am I supposed to do!?" He hissed back at Lance.

"Calm, gentle, and smile... Never mind, please, querido Dios, don't smile."

There was an annoyed huff, then just two gentle knocks rather than three forceful knocks. "Will you please join me for dinner?"

Katie clenched her fists and her jaw. "No."

Silence.

"What?"

"I said, 'no.' I will not join you for dinner!" Katie shouted, then yelped as he roared and slammed on the door.

"Fine! Then starve!"

Katie fell back on the bed, eyes wide as she heard him storm furiously away.

~

Katie tossed the sheets out the window, watching as they tumbled down, then slowly began to let more down. She wasn't sure how much she was looking forward to running through that wolf-infested, winter cursed forest in the middle of the cloudy night, but she was pretty sure it was better than being locked up by a beast that just told her to starve.

"Please, stay." Allura whispered. "Please, you might be-"

"Might be what!?" Katie snapped and looked over at Allura. "I might be dead if I stay!"

The door opened and Katie dropped to the floor to go and crawl under the bed if it was the beast.

Wheels squeaking made her stop.

"Oh... Oh, you're... You must be hungry."

Katie looked up to see the yellow teapot on the tray. It's eyes were on her sheet latter. "What?"

It gestured to the door. Katie still found it hard to believe that these things can bend and move as if they were human. She slowly stood. "You must be hungry. Let's get you some food."

"But he said-"

"Don't mind him. Can't have you starving yourself to death. Follow me."

~

Katie laughed as she watched the display Lance put on. "Oh my goodness, this all looks amazing!"

"You are our guest." Lance bowed to her from the middle of the table. "Eat anything you'd like. I'd recommend the gray stuff."

She clapped. "I'll try anything, just point! Wow, it's so amazing!"

Lance grinned, his flames flickering giddily.

~

Katie stopped as she was being led to her room. "What's up there?" She asked, pointing to the dark stairwell.

Lance and Coran yelped, stumbling over to push her towards the other stairwell. "Nothing, absolutely nothing!" Both shouted.

Katie blinked, then nodded. Once they were sure she was following them, they went rambling on and went ahead.

She smirked once they were too drowned in conversation, and ran back. She went up the stairs, then paused halfway.

Doors creaked and the stairs didn't feel very sturdy. Katie gulped, then continued.

Her hand slid along the smooth, wooden railing. She silently wandered down the hallway, straight to the large, daunting door.

Katie took a deep breath, settling the uneasy feeling she had. Too curious for her own good, she pushed the door open.

After she took a quick glance-over, Katie stepped inside, then looked around. The room was completely destroyed and the wall on the other side was half-gone.

Only one thing stood out from the rest. Katie swerved around broken wooden furniture to the glass-encased rose. She breathed out softly and reached out to touch the glass.

"What are you doing!?"

Katie screamed and flung back, the large, dark figure landing in front of her.

"What did you do!? Do you know what you could have done!?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't-"

"Get out!" He snarled, voice inhuman. She stumbled back, eyes wide and full of fearfull tears. "Go! Leave!"

Katie cried and dashed out. She ran down the stairs, not caring if she'd trip.

She just had to leave!

She heard shouts and begging behind her as she ran straight for the door. Katie rammed into the wood and forced it open. "Rover!" She wailed, and the horse whinnied.

The stallion ran right for her and she got on as quickly as she could. "Go, go!" Katie shouted, tears freezing her cheeks in the cold, wintery night air.

Rover bolted without hesitation. Katie clung to him, difficult riding him without a saddle. She buried her face in his mane.

Rover suddenly neighed and reared up. Katie shrieked and gripped him tighter. She looked up and gasped.

"Wolves..."

The stallion galloped down the path, wolves barking and howling and joined the few already following.

Katie looked around for a weapon, anything to defend her and Rover. She yelped and jerked forward as Rover slid and whinnied. Katie cried as she was flung off and hit hard, cold ice.

"Rover!" She gasped and scrambled to get up.

Wolves growled at the ice's edge. Katie fumbled around, then grabbed a fat, fallen stick. One barked and Katie yelped, stumbling back.

Rover whinnied and managed to finally stand.

Two wolves lounged and Katie closed her eyes.

Two yelps and a roar sounded just before a crash.

Katie gasped as she fell back, open her eyes wide.

A large, black beast threw a wolf and tore another off his chest. Katie scampered back to Rover as another wolf was flung and a different canine leapt onto the beast's shoulder.

The young woman flinched and whimpered as he roared and ripped the wolf away.

She could almost see blood soak the torn black cloak he wore.

The wolves barked pitifully as they ran while the beast slumped and lay in the snow.

Katie gathered herself and turned to Rover. She readied herself to rise up onto the stallions back, then paused as she heard the low, shallow breathing from the beast behind her.

She gulped, then let go of Rover. "Hold on." Katie unclipped her cloak and stepped towards the black-furred beast. She knelt beside him in the snow and draped her cloak over him. His dark, gray eyes opened and looked up at her. "I won't be able to get you on my horse without some help. Do you think you could stand?" He nodded. "Alright. I'll bring him over here."

~

Katie flinched at the roar the beast released. "You fat, giant baby!" She snapped, gripping the warm, damp cloth in her hand. "I hadn't even touched you yet!"

"It stings!" He snapped back, gray eyes boring into her.

"And it's going to!" Katie dipped the rag into the bowl of warm water. "However, it's going to hurt more if you don't let me clean it! So sit as still as you can and let me help you!"

He clenched his jaw and growled, but lay his head on the pillow and glared at the wall.

Katie sighed. "Thank you. I'll try to be gentle." He just huffed. He'd wince and growl As she cleaned his wounds, but stopped roaring and snapping at her. "So, will you tell me your name?"

He growled again. "I thought the others would have told you by now." He grumbled. 

"Lance did, but don't you think that if I'm stuck here, we should get to know each other?"

The beast muttered under his breath. "Takashi." He finally spoke. "But everyone calls me Shiro... What is your name?"

"Katie... But some people call me Pidge." She whispered, glad the bleeding finally stopped.

Shiro hummed. "Katie is a pretty name."

She smiled. "You must be delirious from blood loss to suddenly say something like that."

He growled and turned his face into the pillow. "I was just trying to be nice."

Katie laughed softly, then pet the fur on his forearm. She was surprised to find the fur was so soft. "I'll bandage this up and you should be fine. However, I won't be surprised if you wake up with a fever."

Shiro grumbled, but nodded.

~

"Well, no fever." Katie mused, pressing the back of her hand to his forehead.

"I know." Shiro huffed, looking away.

Katie rolled her eyes. "Do you like to read?" She asked.

Shiro blinked, then looked up at her. "Read? Yeah. One of the few things I can do around here."

Katie laughed. "I'm one of the only people in my town that read. None of the other women and very few children know how to read."

"What about the men?"

"They can read." She grumbled. "All of them hate the fact that I can read just as good as them."

Shiro winced as he sat up. "Men are fools."

Katie smirked and folded her arms. "I agree."

Shiro glanced around, then looked up at her. "Would you like to see my books?"

It was her turn to blink owlishly. "You'd allow me to?" He shrugged and she smiled. "Yeah. I'd love to see your books."

"Let me get dressed and I'll take you."

~

Once the grand doors were pushed open, Katie's eyes widened and her arms fell limps by her side. She stepped in after him. "Oh, wow..." She breathed, making a circle as she looked up and around. "So many... Have you read all of these!?"

Shiro shrugged, picking up a book that lay on a table. "No, not all. Some are in hieroglyphics."

Katie laughed, then dashed to a wall full of books. "Oh my... I've never even dreamed of so many books." She ran her fingers over the spines of the books.

"Like it?" Shiro mused.

"Yes, very much." Katie murmured, sliding a book out from between two smaller books.

"Then it's yours." Katie pivoted to look at him with big eyes. Shiro shrugged, setting the book he had down. "I hardly use it anymore and these books need their care. If you like it so much and if you want it, this whole library is yours."

Her ambers eyes sparkled and her grin nearly split her face. However, when she spoke, her voice was soft. "Thank you."

~

"You know, Hunk..."

"Hm?"

"I'm kinda amazing, huh?" Lance asked as he and the teapot peeked into the library.

Hunk rolled his eyes. "Uh huh. Sure. I'll let you believe that."

Lance groaned and rolled his head to look at Hunk. "Come on, man. You know I'm amazing. If it wasn't for me, they wouldn't be like this.

"I'm sure." The golden teapot mused.

~

"These gardens were once the most beautiful." Shiro murmured, Katie's arm over his as he led her through the snowy castle gardens.

"I'm sure." She teased and nudged him.

Shiro huffed in amusement, looking down at her. "They were. I would prove it, however..." Shiro gestured to the the gardens with his free arm.

Katie hummed, then glanced over her shoulder at a soft neigh.

"Rover!" She crooed, taking her arm away from Shiro's. Katie picked up her shirt in the front and rushed through the snow to her horse. "Hey, Rover."

Rover knickered and tossed his head, then pressed his head to her chest. Katie looked up and grinned as a shadow cast over her. "What?"

Shiro shrugged, hesitantly raising his paw. "I haven't... Seen a horse in a long time. Haven't pet one either."

Katie rolled her eyes and smiled. "Here. Just pet him gently. Don't startle him." She placed her hand on the back of his paw and led him to Rover's back. "There. Now just pet him." Katie removed her hand and watched as Shiro moved his large, smokey black hand gently running along the stallion's back. Katie watched and pet Rover's velvety muzzle. "Not so bad, huh?"

Shiro shook his head. "It's nice. He's not shying away."

"He's pretty brave when he's not being chased by a pack of wolves or roared at by an unknown beast." She hummed resting her head on Rover's shoulder. Shiro scoffed.

Katie giggled and stepped back. Shiro focused on petting Rover while Katie kept her eyes on Shiro. She crept up the stairs, then scooped up some snow. Katie balled up the white, cold ice, then chucked it.

Shiro jolted, white now littering his black fur. "Wha-!?" His wide, his gray eyes sparkled in confusion, then were mischievous once they landed on a snickering Katie.

He slowly crouched and gathered snow in his paws.

Katie shrieked as a large, canon-sized snowball came flying at her. She dropped down onto the stairs, laughed. Katie gathered more snow, then started throwing as she ran closer to the doors.

Shiro began to laugh and it nearly caught Katie off guard. She grinned, then slammed the doors shut before any of his giant snowballs could hit her. She leaned up against a broken column, laughing breathing as he opened the door.

"I win!" Katie claimed, gathering her skirt and bolting up the stairs.

~

Katie raised a brow at the slurping from the other end of the table.

Shiro peeked over the edge of the bowl, then lowered the bowl and his head in embarrassment. Katie hid giggles behind her hand.

"Diffcult to use as spoon?" She mused and he nodded. Katie smiled and stood. "I'll help you clean up."

"You don't have to, I'll do it, I-"

She held up a hand to stop him as she made her way over. "I'm helping." Shiro looked up at her, then just nodded.

~

Katie lost a sense of time within the crumbling castle. She became friends with the animated-inanimate objects. She spent lazy afternoons with Shiro by a fire with a book. Often times, she'd read to him.

She began to feel at home within the castle as she grew closer to the beast. Katie now could hold long, excited conversations with almost everyone in the castle when she wasn't buried in books.

Usually, they'd tell her everything(despite there never really being much to tell), but no one was telling her anything today. Allura was excitedly putting together fabrics she wouldn't let Katie see, all the featherdusters disappeared as well as Coran.

It was Hunk's job to keep Katie distracted while Lance was with Shiro.

"I don't understand what's going on." Katie grumbled, petting Rover as the horse idly ate.

Hunk hummed. "Well... I suppose it couldn't hurt... Before this curse, there was an annual ball. Once every year that people from around the world would come. It was a very special day. It used to be to celebrate the marriage of the previous king and queen; Shiro's parents. However, after his mother passed away, it became more of a way for his father to show off his riches."

Katie saddened at Hunk's sorrowful expression. "Oh... Did something happen to his father before the curse?"

Hunk nodded. "Yes. He fell ill and passed away, just as his wife had. Shiro... Wasn't the same as he was when a child. Everyone loved him. He'd always smile and play and... He was compassionate and kind, but when his mother died... His father took away his happiness and replaced it with his own greed. It was so easy because Shiro was so young."

Gently, Katie leaned on Rover. The stallion snorted and huffed, nudging her, then went back to eating. "How were you all cursed?"

"Well," Hunk started, closing his eyes, "one night, at a ball... A ball made just for nearby, eligible, beautiful young maidens for Shiro to chose from which to marry. Late into the ball, the doors had flung open and thunder roared... It was frightening, and everyone was still. An older woman came in, holding a rose. She asked for shelter from the storm. Shiro laughed and turned his back. She then began to beg and he laughed. Everyone else followed.

"She then stood, a bright light surrounding her. 'You are unfit to lead this kingdom,' she had said. I remember it clearly. Shiro became scared as he looked back to her. People began to scream and run. Then she laid her curse." Hunk breathed deeply. "Anyone that was still in the castle by the time she set it, was cursed... The spell can only be broken if Shiro falls in love and the woman returns that love... Before the last petal on the rose falls."

Katie sat in the snow by the wheeled tray. "So... You all think that I'm her... Don't you?"

Hunk sighed. "We all hope you're her... We can tell he cares for you."

The young woman gulped, then nodded. "Yes... I supposed he does... But I doubt it's love."

Before Hunk could protest, a sudden, giddy shriek came from an upstairs window.

"HUNK! BRING HER UP HERE! I'VE MADE THE PERFECT DRESS!"

Hunk and Katie glanced to each other, then laughed.

~

"Oh my... Allura, this is... Wow..." Katie twisted slightly, then spun in a circle with a smile spread across her face. "It's so beautiful..."

The dress Allura had crafted for Katie was a pale, soft green. Not too bright, but not at all dark. Sleeves were non-existant and the skirt was larger than she was used to. However tight the corset was, she was still able to move so easily. Frills and little emeralds and diamonds littered the skirt and brightened the room. The torso of the dress was wrinkled by a sparkling green tool, backgrounded by silver silk.

Her hair was brushed out, the top layer pulled back and curled/braided into a bun and gathered in pins and fake, white and green flowers.

Katie looked up to Allura, eyes sparkling and grin wide. "Thank you so much. I love it."

Allura's doors and drawers shuddered gleefully. "Go on, get out there."

Katie nodded eagerly and rushed out. Once she was at the top of the stairwell, she paused.

Shiro was slowly beginning to descend the stairs, arguing quietly with Lance.

"Takashi!" She called, snapping both of their attention to her.

The beast's gray eyes widened and his shoulders raised. Katie raised the front of her skirt and stepped down. Shiro followed suit and met her in the middle. Shiro seemed stunned, but managed to offer her his arm and soften his expression.

"You look... Amazing."

Katie placed her arm over his. "So do you."

Shiro led her down the last flight of stairs, and Katie looked around in amazement. So this is where all the featherdusters had disappeared to.

The ballroom was beautiful, the chandeliers glistened and a piano sat by its lonesome in a corner. Once they reached the ballroom floor, the piano began to play.

"This castle still surprises me." Katie murmured as she stepped around to face Shiro. She slipped her hand into his and her other hand over her shoulder. Shiro placed his unoccupied hand on her waist.

"Really? I've never really been surprised by it." Shiro murmured and began to lead. Katie hummed and followed.

"You've lived in it your whole life." Katie mused. "It's not surprising that you're not surprised."

Shiro chuckled.

No more words were exchanged as they moved smoothly. Both had stumbled a bit at the beginning, neither having danced in a while. Their eyes never left each other and the rest of the world was drowned out.

Katie almost forgot about why she was here in the first place.

~

Katie's arms wrapped around Shiro's arm as he led her through the west wing. Katie looked around at the clutter and was careful to not catch the dress on anything.

"Just two petals left." Shiro murmured as they came to a stop. Katie blinked, looked up at him, then to the rose.

"Oh." Katie took the last few steps without Shiro, then brushed her fingers over the glass. "You... Have so little time..."

Shiro stood beside her, lowering his gaze. "And you miss your mother."

Katie looked up at him. Shiro picked up a mirror, then held it out to her. "This mirror will show you your mother." Carefully, Katie took it. She held up the intricately detailed hand mirror. "Go on."

"I..." Katie saw her worried reflection, then breathed deeply. "I wish to see my mother."

The glass shimmered and waved until Katie saw her mother. Katie gasped, eyes widening. Shiro jumped over and looked into the mirror.

Her mother was being dragged out of a bar, screaming and kicking. Katie gripped the mirror. Shiro covered the mirror with his paw, gently gently turned her head to look up at him. "You need to go to her."

Katie sobbed, covering her mouth with one hand. "Shiro, I-"

"Go. She's your mother and she needs you." Katie nodded, then tried to hand him back the mirror. Shiro shook his head. "No. Keep it."

She smiled. "Thank you, Shiro." Katie whispered, then ran out.

~

Shiro stood on the balcony, watching the green dress and chestnut horse disappear into the winter forest. He gripped the railing, then cursed as the castle groaned and crumbled. Shiro looked over his shoulder to see a single petal fluttering and dying as it fell amongst the other dead petals.

His jaw clenched and his tightened his grip on the railing. He looked back to the forest. Katie was gone. "One..."

~

Katie's hair fell and lashed about in the wind as she urged Rover to gallop as quickly as he could. The town slowly came into view. Fire illuminated the cobblestone streets and tall buildings. "Good boy, Rover!" She shouted over the wind whipping at them. Rover whinnied, his hooves now clacking on stone.

"Stop!" Katie shouted, Rover skidding to a halt beside the mob. "Stop it! What are you doing!?"

Sendak was the first to approach her. "Katie, my love! Your mother- she's delusional."

Katie slid off Rover, refusing Sendak's offered help. "I believe not. Why do you think so?"

"She tells tales of a beast that has you locked in a castle, deep within the forbidden forest. Yet, here you are." Sendak explained with a soft voice.

Katie gripped the mirror handle. "It's true. Every last bit of it."

Sendak furrowed his brows, then scoffed. "Of course you'd say that, darling. She's your mother and you do-"

"Show me the beast!" Katie snapped, holding up the mirror. "He is real!"

Sendak's dark eyes widened. "What a beast... I've never seen... Such a terrifying thing."

Katie's eyes widened and she jolted. "No! He's not at all terrifying!"  Katie gasped. "He's kind!"

Sendak sneered. "This beast clearly has Katie under some spell."

"No!"

"We must get rid of it! Before it comes and kills our children!"

"No, he won't-" Katie cried, then yelped as she was grabbed and forced into the wagon with her mother. "Sendak!"

Sendak looked through the bars. "Do not worry, Katie. I will kill this thing that has you under his control. Then, once I return, we will finally be married."

Katie shook her head. "I will never marry you! Please, don't hurt him!"

Sendak sneered and locked the doors himself. "Let's go! To kill the beast!"

"Kill the beast!"

~

Katie slammed her shoulder into the doors, then gnashed her teeth together.

"Katie, stop it!" Her mother reached out to her. "You're going to hurt yourself!"

She shook her head. "Mom, I have to stop them. They're going to hurt him."

Her mother took Katie's hand. "Why do you care? Sweetheart, he locked you up."

Katie sobbed. "No... No, he gave me a room and we had dinner together and I made friends with everyone there. I know it seems crazy to be friends with a candlestick and a teapot, but I love it there. It's crazy and lively. It feels like home, mom."

Her mother breathed deeply. "Okay... Alright, sweetie. Let's get you out of here."

~

When Katie finally reached the castle, she leapt off Rover. She could already hear fighting. Katie rushed up the stairs and into the foyer. She dodged flying plates and swerved around strugglers. "Lance!? Lance!"

"Pidgeroni!" The candlestick cried gleefully and leapt into view. "He is up in the west wing with the rose!"

Katie grinned. "Thank you!" She shouted, gathering the skirt of her dress to run up the stairs. "Good luck! And don't call me that!"

"Don't need luck!" Lance called back with a wave. "Geronimo!"

~

Katie panted as she burst into the room. "Shiro!?" She gasped for breath, heart pounding uncontrollably in her chest. No response came to her. "Shiro?" Her tired voice shook.

Katie rushed through the room, to the rose. "Just one petal left." She whispered, then gasped as a shot from a gun rang out. "Shiro!" She dashed out onto the terrace. "Takashi!?"

A shadow moved on the protruding building to her right. Her breathed hitched as she looked over. Shiro clung to the roof, looking up at her. Katie caught sight of Sendak as gasped. "Shiro! Look out-"

Shiro roared and jolted, tumbling off the roof.

"Shiro!"

He grabbed onto a window sil, then hefted himself up.

Sendak growled and dashed around as Shiro escaped through the other side.

Katie gripped the stone railing, biting back tears. "Takashi, come here... Over here..."

People flowed from the giant doors beneath, screaming as they retreated. Katie paid them no mind as her eyes followed Shiro.

Sendak reloaded the gun and Katie tensed. She cried out to Shiro as Sendak raised his weapon.

Another roared ripped from Shiro and he slid down the roof.

"Takashi, get over here!" Katie shouted. Shiro looked up at her, then nodded.

"Don't go near her!" Sendak snapped, coming to a stop on a bridge, connecting two terraces.

"Takashi!" She shouted as he bunched himself up, preparing to leap. Katie tried not to close her eyes, heart practically stopping in fear.

Shiro leapt.

He barely caught the railing. Katie gasped and grabbed his paws. "Come on, come on." She urged as she helped him onto the terrace. "Takashi."

He placed a paw on the side of her head. "Katie..." He murmured, then grunted as another shot thundered through the air.

"Shiro!" Katie cried as he stumbled forward.

Sendak cheered in triumph. "I've killed the beast!" He shouted as Shiro collapsed. He froze up as cracks echoed beneath him. Sendak looked down to see rubble plummeting into the fog. He looked back up to see he was falling with it...

Katie dropped to her knees beside Shiro and helped him roll onto his back. "Shiro, Shiro!" She placed her hand on his face and held his head in her lap.

Shiro groaned, eyes fluttering. "Katie... You came back..."

She nodded and tried to smile. "Of course I did. Why wouldn't I?"

Shiro hummed, his breathing shallow. "I'm glad I... I got to see you one last... Time..."

Katie shook her head. "No, not last time. You're going to see me everyday... Everyday Shiro."

He couldn't keep his eyes open. Katie tried not to sob. "Shiro... Shiro, please..." He sighed and his body went limp. "No, no... No, Shiro, please..." Katie wept, leaning over. She pet the black fur. "Takashi, I love you... I love you..."

Katie lay her head on Shiro's chest. Through her tears, she saw the last petal fall.

"Takashi..." She whispered, closing her eyes.

A soft breeze blew through the room. Katie sat up and looked around. Katie gasped and scrambled to her feet, a woman standing beside the table with the rose. "Who are you?" She asked, but received no response.

Katie went to shout at her as she lift the glass over the rose, but then the petals began to rise and flutter about. The room brightened and Katie wasn't afraid. She gasped as there was a sudden flash of bright light and raised her arms to block her eyes. Her cloak and dress whipped about in the rush of air, hair with them.

Once the light was gone, Katie peeked through her arms to see the woman was gone... And Shiro was no longer on the floor in front of her.

"Shir-!" Katie started, then stopped as she pivoted.

A man stood, clothes torn and sagging. He looked down at his hands, twisting arms to inspect them. His hair a black and short aside from his white lock of bangs. A scar stretched over his nose and his eyes were gray.

Katie gulped and took a step forward. This caught the man's attention, then he grinned with tears in his deep eyes. Katie's breath hitched, then he tossed his arms around her. He buried his face in her hair, holding her tightly. Katie returned the tight, warm embrace. Their lips gently, but excitedly met, relief flooding both of them.

"I love you." Katie whispered as they pulled apart.

He chuckled, their foreheads pressed together. "I love you, too."

~

Katie laughed as they dashed down the stairs and to the loud, boisterous cheering. Shiro's hand held tightly to hers.

They ran into the crowd, then Katie yelped as she was suddenly engulfed in arms.

"I knew it! I knew it right from the moment you stepped foot through those doors!"

"It feels so good to hug again!"

"I'm go glad you stayed!"

Several voices cheered in Katie's ears and she laughed. "I'm going to go deaf!" She shouted, reaching out.

Two hands grabbed hers and she was back in Shiro's human arms. Katie looked back at the people whom had nearly suffocated her. "Guys... It's so nice to see you how you truly are."

Lance grinned and bowed. His dark, chestnut hair messed up and his suit messy from joyfully bouncing around. He held another man's hand, and he looked unimpressed. Katie assumed it was Keith. A beautiful woman with white hair stood with a bright, smiley, chunky man. Hunk and Allura. Then a red-haired man with a mustache. Katie giggled. Coran.

Katie looked back up to Shiro. Shiro smiled down at her.

~

Music and soft chatter filled the castle, everyone with their partner.

Well, aside from Katie. She talked to her mother on the sidelines with a glass in hand.

"I love what you've done with your hair." Her mother ran her fingers through Katie's shortened hair.

"I really like it. Easier to take care of." Katie pinched a lock of chestnut hair that now just reached her shoulders. She smiled as a hand placed itself on her elbow.

"May I take your daughter for a dance, Madame?" Shiro asked with a smile.

Her mother stepped back and gestured with her hand to the other dancing couples. "Go on. I'll just find myself a handsome young partner."

Katie and Shiro both laughed, Katie setting her glass down on a nearby table. Katie placed her hand on Shiro's and followed him to the middle of the ballroom. "Quite the pretty party." She mused, placing her other hand on his shoulder.

Shiro hummed. "I suppose. However, the prettiest thing here is you." Katie grinned as he spun her under his arm. "All I want now is to show you off to the whole world."

She giggled and followed his lead. "Show me off, hm?" Katie switched around. "Doesn't sound half bad."

He chuckled, gazing into her eyes. "Good. Hope you get used to it."

Katie shook her head, unable to stop smiling as she followed him. "I might be used to it by our wedding."

"That's tomorrow." Shiro mused as they switched.

"Of course." Katie nodded. "You've practically invited the whole world."

"Have not."

"Yes you have."

Shiro sighed and shook his head. He offered a small smile. "Alright, alright. I may have invited a lot of people." Katie nodded firmly. "You're beautiful tonight."

Katie hummed, giving his chest a pat before spinning back. "And you look very handsome."

"I love you." Shiro whispered, and Katie's grin grew.

"And I love you, too."

-----

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This took too long