Marinette had spent two weeks perfecting her dress. Brilliant red satin, heavily beaded and finished with a black sash. She had saved up for all the materials and was proud to show off her work at the party tonight. Especially since she was one of the least wealthy people there.

Master Fu, a very wealthy sort of gentleman, had given out invitations to everyone in his neighborhood, as well as mix of other friends and acquaintances, both wealthy and not.

Marinette's parents owned the bakery that Master Fu frequently visited. It might be the only bakery he visited; Marinette couldn't be sure. Still, he had been kind enough to extend an invitation as guests, not just catering, so the Dupain-Chengs were determined to enjoy themselves at the event.

Extravagant was not the right word. Classy was much more accurate. The rented dance hall had dark wood flooring that was polished to a shine. White drapery hung from the walls, accented with bouquets of white flowers, gold ribbons, and gleaming bells. The rich brown wood tables that lined the walls were accented with white table clothes and decorated with fine, gold-rimmed porcelain dishes. Crystal goblets and silver utensils were perfectly arranged on golden placemats.

On the other side of the hall, music from a small, stringed orchestra filled the air. People were already dancing and enjoying themselves, chatting with friends and acquaintances, and likely making connections for business deals. Her papa had done that many a time.

It had been a joyous party, one with delicious food and lively music. Marinette had been asked to dance a couple of times. She had warned them beforehand of her tendency to step on toes, but always promised to do her best. Enemies were not made, but neither were friends.

Chloe being the exception of this rule solely because she was Marinette's enemy even before this party.

The party ended late, though no one, not even Master Fu, was complaining. Gradually, people started to leave. Master Fu repositioned himself by the door in order to hand out gifts to all of his guests. Chloe and her father left before Marinette, so she was able to see Master Fu give the spoiled brat a small black box tied with a ribbon and bell. Chloe lavishly thanked him for the gift and the party before she followed her father away.

"Ah, Mr. Dupain," Master Fu addressed. "I am so glad that you and your family could make it to the party."

"We were honored to be invited," Papa replied.

"Still, I wish you the merriest of Christmases. And before you go…" he reached into one of the containers and pulled out an ornate black box wrapped in a vibrant green ribbon, competed with a little bell. "Allow me to bestow a gift to your lovely daughter."

"For me?" Marinette questioned, looking at the little box, knowing Chloe had been given one very similar.

Master Fu grinned, his kind eyes shining with mirth. "Of course."

Marinette hesitantly took the box. "I thank you very much. It is far more than I expected."

"That is what Christmas is about," Master Fu said. "To bestow blessings on those who deserve it, and sometimes, even those who don't."

"Still," Marinette said, holding the gift reverently. "Thank you."

"You are very welcome. I hope you will come to my New Year's ball as well. I'm sure it will be spectacular."

"We will see," Mr. Dupain said. "Thank you for the invitation."

Marinette followed her parents outside into the night air, only to see Chloe opening her gift. She gasped at whatever was inside, showing her father and waving around the ribbon that had held the box shut.

Suddenly, something darted out of the alley way of the building, making its way to Chloe and reaching up to play with the ribbon.

Chloe felt the tug and turned to retrieve her ribbon, only to screech at the solid black cat. "EWW!" She shrieked. "Scram, you beast. Get!"

The cat cowered and bolted back to the alleyway. Chloe huffed indignantly. "Can you believe that? I was nearly attacked. And it almost made off with my ribbon!" She immediately handed her father her gift so she could tie the gold ribbon into her blonde hair. "There," she said, snatching the box back from her father. "Perfect, and it will go lovely with my new earrings."

"What a witch," Marinette mumbled under her breath. However, the mention of earrings made Marinette wonder what could be in her box. Carefully, she untied her ribbon and flicked open the box to reveal a dazzling pair of red earrings. Marinette gasped. Master Fu must have spent a small fortune on the earrings alone if he gave them out to all the girls in attendance. There had been a couple dozen girls her age.

Suddenly, she felt a yank on her ribbon. Looking down, she noticed the black cat had come back and was now batting at her green ribbon. Marinette grinned. She wasn't the biggest fan of cats, but even she had to admit that this cat was pretty cute. She jiggled the ribbon, only for the cat to play with it, always reaching far up for the end that the bell was tied to. It leaped in the air, and Marinette yanked the ribbon upwards, seeing if the cat could grab it. Instead, it landed in the snow with a poof.

Her parents giggled behind her, but she knew they were anxious to go home because of the early morning they had tomorrow. "Bye, kitty," she said, reaching down to pet the cat's ears. It started purring up a storm.

With that, she wrapped the ribbon around her box and followed her parents home. Only to be followed by the black cat. It followed at her heels like a loyal puppy dog. Like it belonged to her. Marinette stopped and turned. "Go home, kitty." She said. "Go on."

But the cat simply sat in the snow, looking up at Marinette longingly.

She shook her head. "I don't want you to get lost. Go home, kitty." In hopes to deter it, she stomped her feet in the snow, taking baby steps towards it.

Instead, the cat stared at her, then butted its head against her legs, rubbing up against her.

Giving up, Marinette sighed. "Fine, follow us home," she said exasperatedly. Her parents shook their heads in amusement.

But the cat did just as Marinette said, tailing her all the way home.

When they got to the front door, the cat sat on the mat, staring pitifully at them.

Marinette always knew she had a soft heart, and she just couldn't stand the way he sat there like a lost dog, looking up at her in hopes he would be let inside in the warmth. Marinette groaned. "Stay there. I'll be back."

While her parents went to bed, she went into the kitchen, fishing through the refrigerator for the left over fish they had as well as the milk. Putting both the milk and the bits of fish into their own paper bowls, she heated them up in the microwave for a moment to warm them, then went back outside to place the bowls by the door.

The cat meowed loudly as it smelled the bowls, almost a "thank you" before it dug into the fish.

"Good kitty," she said, giving it one last pet before she went inside and collapsed into bed.

The next day, Marinette was up bright and early, though she was little more than dead on her feet. Her father gave her the list of deliveries that needed to be taken care of. It was Christmas Eve, after all. Everyone wanted something for the holiday, and since the bakery was closed for Christmas, they had many, many orders for today, several of which had to be delivered. So, after examining the list, Marinette gathered the orders she needed, and started out.

The moment she left the front door, she nearly tripped over a mass of black on the sidewalk.

The cat.

Marinette stared at the cat, who looked like she hadn't just tripped over him, as it marched over to her side and sat down. Marinette swore it was smiling at her as it let out a loud "meow."

"Hi, kitty," she said, exhausted.

It meowed up at her again.

"I'm tired. I have work. I can't do this today. Sorry." With that, she marched off.

Only for the cat to follow her.

She just let it go. She wasn't in the mood to fight the thing today.

Nine deliveries later, the cat still followed right at her side as though he was on a leash. Honestly, it had been nice to have company, even if only a cat. When she got back home, the cat took its place sitting by the door. "Meow."

Marinette looked down at the cat in pity and amusement. "All right. Wait right there."

She went into the kitchen, fishing through the fridge to find some leftover turkey from a meal. Taking off a chunk, she went back to the front door, then dropped it in front of the cat. "There you go, kitty."

It happily munched on the small portion as though seated at a feast. Marinette marveled over how a cat could eat and purr at the same time. She retreated inside, only for her father to give her more deliveries.

She sighed, but took the items to do her job.

And when she walked out, there was her kitty, sitting and waiting.

"You ready to go?"

The cat bounded up and forward three paces before turning back around to her. "Meow!"

Her mood improving by the moment despite the bitter cold, Marinette started off, the cat following loyally at her side.

By the time her nose was pink and runny, her fingers were numb, and her legs were stiff, she was finished. The cat constantly looked up at her, worried. "Good kitty," she coaxed, sniffling.

Unconvinced, the cat groaned.

When she got home, she went straight inside and up to her room. She cocooned herself in blankets and sat on her bed surrounded with tissues and mustering the strength to go make herself hot cocoa.

And then she heard a thunk on her balcony. She dismissed it, but when there came a perpetual scratching on her window, she forced herself to go check it out.

Only to find the cat.

"Hi, kitty," she said, slightly surprised. "How'd you get up here?"

It meowed, then reached out to pat her nose.

She giggled. "I'm ok," she said, reaching out to pet the cat, its fur cold and snow covered. "Good kitty."

It purred, leaning into Marinette's touch. It caused her to grin. "You know, you're enough to make me like cats."

It meowed loudly, as though in offence.

She giggled. "But I suppose you're my cat now, huh?"

It meowed again, leaning into Marinette's hands and purring.

Happily, she sighed. "Wait here." She closed the hatch. Padding around her room, she found the ribbon, the one with the little bell. Perfect for her cat.

Pushing the door open again, she knelt down to be able to wrap the ribbon around the cat. Honestly, the color was striking against its black fur.

"From now on, you are Chat Noir. 'kay, kitty?"

Wearing the bell with pride, the cat meowed, then started rubbing up against her.

Giggling, she petted her new kitty. "Good Chat."