The students would be taking a field trip to China. They were learning about Ancient China in class so Mr. Damocles insisted that they could study better by travelling to China and to see the culture for themselves.
"Mr. Damocles are you sure about this?" Ms. Bustier asked.
"Yes." He said slightly dazed. "It will be very educational."
"Are you alright?" She asked. "You seem a little out of it."
"All is well. You need not worry about expenses they have been taken care of."
"Okay." She said still a little unsure.
The day to leave was on Friday, the bus took them to the airport and got on the plane to take them to China. During the trip everyone talked and chatted except for Adrien and Marinette who were quiet the whole time.
Flashback to last week...
"Miraculous Ladybug!" Marinette cried as all the damage was fixed. She then went somewhere to change until she felt Cat Noir grab her arm.
"Stay please. I must know who you are."
"No! It's too dangerous. I'm sorry Cat Noir but if you ever got hurt because of me I'd never forgive myself and that could happen either one of us knew each other's identities. Besides you'd be disappointed in who was under the mask."
"That's not true."
"I wish I could believe that."
She went into the closet and closed the door, he listened to the transformation where off. He hung his hand and sighed as his transformation wore off.
"I can't take it anymore Plagg."
"Okay kid but be careful with your words."
He opened the door and low and behold stood Marinette, her face turned bright red.
"A...Adrien?" She stuttered. "Wha..What are..you doing here?"
She had a good theory but she hoped and prayed she was wrong. Please no! She thought, please don't let be Cat Noir, please don't let him see I'm Ladybug and then be disappointed.
"Ma...Marinette? You're my lady?" He asked. "But...It can't be. It's just not possible."
Marinette felt tears stream down her face and her lip quiver.
"I knew it! You'd never accept me!"
She ran away in tears.
"Marinette wait!" Adrien called.
But she was a lot faster than he was, pretty soon she was gone.
"Smooth move kid." Plagg said."Wonderful words."
"Not now Plagg."
"Oh Cat Noir!" Plagg said in a squeaky voice. "I'm sorry but the reason I don't want to tell you who I am is because you might be disappointed and ashamed of me." He then tried to speak in a voice similar to Adrien's. "Marinette? You're Ladybug? That's impossible! There's no way you could ever be Ladybug because you're not good enough."
"I never said that!"
"Well might as well have said it because that's what she thinks. I told you to be careful with your words."
"I was in shock. I didn't know what to say."
"Whatever, where's my Camenbert?"
After that the two had avoided each other all week if they ever had any contact it was just awkward glances. Once the plane landed, they checked into the hotel, and unpacked their things. After that they went to a museum to learn about Chinese history.
"And here we have Emperor Yoa-Ling one of the kindest and most generous rulers China ever had." The tour guide said pointing to a picture of him. "China was facing a starving period once so he gave all his subjects bread and dumplings."
"Who's that?"
Alya asked pointing to the picture of a beautiful young woman wearing a pink and white kimodo.
"That would be the emperor's daughter Princess Jie-Jie. Like her father she had a heart of gold and legend says that she masqueraded as a ladybug spirit using luck to help her people."
"An Ancient Chinese Ladybug? Can you believe that Marinette?" Alya asked her excitedly.
"No I can't." But that was a lie. Marinette knew that Ladybug had been around for hundreds of years and that she had always played a big part in history though she never thought one of them could be royalty. But then again anything is possible.
"Who's that broad?" Kim pointed up to a picture of a hag like woman. "Talk about ugly."
"That would be a wu. A hideous shape shifting witch who hypnotized the emperor into promising his daughter's hand in marriage to her jinn son even though she was in love with Lu-Ten a palace guard. However she mysteriously disappeared on their wedding day."
"What do you mean?" Adrien asked.
"I mean she just vanished. Most of China believes she killed herself. Though one of the jinn's servants claimed he saw her being carried off by a black cat spirit."
"An Ancient Chinese Cat Noir too? I gotta get this for my blog."
Marinette giggled at Alya's excitement. After the tour they went to eat at a restaurant nearby though Marinette could hardly eat she was still upset about what happened with Adrien.
"You know Marinette maybe you should talk to him." Tikki suggested.
"You heard what he said Tikki."
"Maybe you misunderstood. I think it's time to tell you how you feel."
"No! I can't!"
"Why?"
"Because...I don't know how I feel."
"Well think about it."
She thought long and hard, Adrien and Cat Noir had always been so kind to her though she still didn't like his flirting which now that she knew he was Adrien made her blush. She remembered how that stupid cat had always protected Ladybug and Marinette even if cost him his life. He truly was so wonderful.
"I...I don't know. I guess...I...I still love him even more than ever now."
"Then tell him."
"But...What if he doesn't like me anymore."
"It's better than never knowing."
"You're right. Wish me luck."
She took a deep breath and went to look for him, she found him at a booth drinking some Chinese tea.
"Adrien?" Adrien froze when he saw her coming.
"Oh no. She's coming! Plagg what do I do?"
"Who am I? Cupid? I'm not helping you with your love life."
"Come on! Nino's in the bathroom so you're the closet thing I have to a wingman. So what do I do?"
"I don't know, say something."
"What do I say?"
"Open your mouth. I'm sure something will come out."
Adrien opened his mouth but there was nothing but silence.
"Strange nothing came out."
Adrien shoved Plagg into his shirt and smiled at her.
"Adrien...Can we talk outside?"
"Yes."
They went outside of the restaurant where it was cool and dark due to the night.
"Look Marinette about the other day." He started. "I'm so sorry, what I said wasn't what you think. I'm actually very glad you're Ladybug."
"Really?"
"Yes I was just a little shocked."
"I really hope that's true because I want to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"Well it's...it's been on my mind for a very long time and I-"
"Yes." Alya whispered from a distance. "Nino she's finally doing it."
"Awesome." Nino whispered.
"The thing is Adrien I've always-"
"Adrikins!" Chloe said walking to him. "What are you doing out here? You'll catch a cold also our food is ready."
"Um actually Chloe I'm not that hungry right now. What were you saying Marinette?"
"Well I-"
"Oh forget her! She probably doesn't have anything important to say."
"Adrien." Then Lila grabbed his arm. "You promised to tutor me in Chinese after dinner."
"Hey back off sister! He's my boyfriend." Chloe said.
"Oh really? Hey look is that waitress stealing your purse in there."
"What?! Where?!" She said running back to the restaurant. "Don't touch my bag! It's prada!"
"Well now that she's gone why don't you and me get to tutoring?" Lila said.
"Okay but I need to talk to Marinette."
"Who cares?"
"Hey! I'm right here." Marinette said.
"Sweetie why don't you go make a dress and leave us alone?"
"Lila! Marinette I-"
"It's okay Adrien." She sighed. "You go help Lila I'm just gonna go for a walk."
She walked into the park nearby and sat on a bench. She looked down at the ground and began to shed a few tears.
"Why are you crying?" a voice said.
"Huh?" She looked up to see a young man standing a few steps from her. "I wasn't crying."
"You're a terrible liar." He said. "But that only means you feel guilty about it."
"Look I really don't want to talk about it." She wiped from the tears from her face.
"It's really sad when the one you love could care less about you."
"Um I think I should be going."
She got up and starting walking back when a hooded figure dropped in front of her. Adrien was halfway inside when he heard Marinette's startled scream, he pulled away from Lila and raced toward the park. He saw the hooded figure holding Marinette by her arms while the man stroking her cheek.
"What's going on? Let me go!" She said struggling.
"Hey! What are you guys doing?" Adrien asked. "Get away from her!"
Adrien raised a fist to punch the man but he missed and the man disappeared. The hooded figure threw Marinette over his shoulder and took off running.
"Plagg claws out."
He changed into Cat Noir and raced after them. He jumped up and whacked the figure with his baton causing him to drop Marinette but the hero caught her. Then they watched as the figures cloak fell off to reveal nothing.
"Are you alright?" Adrien asked.
"Yes." She said.
"Who were those guys and what did they want with you?"
"I don't know."
"Come on. Let's get out of here before something else bad happens."