"Tikki! Spots off." Mari said as she landed in an ally way. The Kwami separating from her just as the last dot beeped out. She caught the over worked Kwami and gently placed Tikki in her bag. Which already had cookies in it. "Sorry Tikki..."

"Don't be Marinette, we won." The ladybug Miraculous said, gently rubbing her eyes before starting to munch on her cookies. Marinette giggled softly. They had won. It had been a long battle after their teach was akumatized. But all was well again. Until it started to pour. While it had been cloudy she thought she'd have time to get home before it started to rain... sadly she was wrong.

"You always forget your umbrellas. " Tikki noted inside the bag

Mari groaned. "I know.." with that she just walked. If she was late she'd be in trouble for sure. Hugging herself as she went.

She'd been half way home before a sound startled her. A trash can fell over. Followed my a pained sound. Marinette shifted before picking the bin up. A small kitten was inside. "Oh no..." she mumbled and slowly reached down. The kitten hissed and tried to scratch her, but Mari got him out safely. Quietly hushing the animal. Doing her best to cover it with her jacket. It didn't take a thought at all. She took the poor thing home

It was a tiny little black kitten, left all alone. It could have died had she left it. The animal stayed curled to her, all the way to the bakery. When she walked in her mother gasped at her state of person. "Momma.. do we have any cream? Or milk we can spare?"

"Of..course. But what's wrong?" Her mother stepped closer. Examining her child

Mari slowly showed her mother the feline. Her mother sighed at it's condition. Nodding. "I'll bring it to your room. Both of you go dry off. "

Mari beamed. "Thanks momma!" She gave her mother a one sided hug before going upstairs. The shaking animal needed to be warmed up so she set it on her bed. Focusing on drying it first. Tikki left her bag and examined him. "He's small."

Mari nodded. "Poor thing... he's skinny too.." after that she changed into dry clothes and then sat. Gently petting the animal. Trying to keep him comfortable and warm. The animal easily curled into her.

"I never thought cats warmed up to people so quickly. " Tikki noticed. Then giggled. "Or maybe you just have a way with cats. "

Marinette smirked softly. Doing her best imitation of Chat, "well. I am the cats meow. "

Tikki giggled loudly than ducked away when Marinette's mother walked in. Holding a saucer of luke warmed milk. She knelt and placed the saucer on the ground then helped the kitten to sit. The animal easily took to it. Easily porking the milk down. Which only made both the females hearts ache.

"Did it have a tag..?"

Her mother slowly pet the nervous animal

"No momma... he was in a trash can..."

The older woman nodded. "We could take him to a sh-"

"Wa... but momma... couldn't we keep him..? I'll take care of him!" Mari offered hopefully. Already growing attached, she'd always loved animals, but had never actually gotten one. When she was younger she wanted a dog. However she loved how the feline would snuggle close. Ironic for her partner in anti-crime.

Her mother shifted. "Well.. I don't see why not..." it was true. There really wasn't a reason to not allow the cat to stay. Her daughter was responsible... most of the time. And it would help her learn how to take care of something else..

"You're the best!" Mari squeaked and hugged the woman.

"We need to get him some things from the pet store though." The woman warned. "Get it on your way home from school. "

She nodded. Smiling wide. The kitten sat. Cleaning himself before looking between the two woman. Her mother knelt. Letting the animal smell her palm. "What are you going to name him?"

"I haven't decided just yet.."

"Alright. Dinner is almost done." She said and went to go inform her husband of the new addition

When she was alone again. Tikki left her hiding spot. "What /are/ you gonna name him?"

"I'm thinking about it. "'Mari confessed. The list really was endless... and it would be a lie that naming him Adrien didn't cross her mind. She tapped her chin, the animal exploring and starting to play with a bell that had been on her desk. Similar to the bell on the collar Chat wore...

Mari smiled softly. Standing and taking up the bell. Putting it on a black ribbon and trying it around the animals neck. The kitten nuzzled his new owner and started to play with his collar.

"What about Chat?" She held the kitten for Tikki to see. The Kwami nodded.

"If he found out ladybug had a kitten named after him..." Tikki said aloud. Causing the duo to laugh.

"Oh I guess you can't get enough of me, m'lady." The female taunted softly. Setting the animal down while she giggled.

In the morning Marinette left as fast as she could. Excited for after classes. She had her own baby sitting money and her mother even gave her allowance early. Making sure she'd have enough to get everything she would need. Unaware that the feline had followed her until it was too late.

"Hey Alya!" Mari called. Walking up the steps. Alya winked to Nino before smirking. "Hey girl!... is that yours?" She asked. Looking to Chat.

"Is what mine..?"

Nino looked away from Adrien and tilted his head. "The...cat?"

Mari paused and paled. Then turned around.

Meow~

"Ah! Chat!" Mari gasped and lifted the kitten. The animal easily nuzzled into her. No idea at all that he was in trouble. "You sneaky little thing... you were supposed to stay home. "

Alya walked over. Eyeing the animal, "chat? Like chat noir?" She snickered. The. Whispered. "Crushing on the cat?"

"No!" She pouted.

Nino and Adrien walked over to.

"So you brought him to school?" Nino asked

"No.. he followed me I guess.." Mari flicked at the bell gently. Chat licked her fingers.

"What did you say his name was?" Adrien asked

"Uh..it...his name is Chat.." she blushed about to more than likely vomit words before the cat seemed to kiss her. Mari sighed and shook her head at all the sudden affection. He was correctly named. "I... guess I'll have to go home really quick."

"You're crazy girl. You won't make it there walking. You'll be super late. " Alya said.

"Well I can't just take him to class with me.."

"My drivers still here." Adrien offered. "Come on, I'll give you a ride." He flashed an award wining smile. Making her heart skip a beat.

"Uh sure thank you." She beamed.

Nino pat Adrien's back, "just don't be late man. Your psycho pop would flip. "

Adrien brushed it off. Quickly going to his car before if left. Sliding in and leaving the door open for Mari. Who sat and shut the door. Blushing softly. Her she sat the kitten sniffed at Adrien.

"He's cute. Did you just get him?" Adrien asked

"Uh.. yeah. I found him all alone.."

"That's nice of you." Adrien nodded giving her a smile, "so why Chat?"

"He... reminded me of Chat Noir, slightly goofy but sweet." The kitten nuzzled her leg. Yawning

Adrien smirked a bit giving a nod. "Well I heard he's pretty cool."

"Not as cool as you..."

"What?" He asked and looked to her

"Oh.. nothing. " when she got home she quickly gave Chat to her mother before joining Adrien for a ride to school

During class Adrien was distracted. Thinking of what Marinette. Did Mari love chat Noir? He smirked softly at that. Enjoying the idea a bit