Songs: Everything by SMNM and Thief by Ansel Elgort.

Bridgette was packing some things for her trip back through the forest when she caught sight of her right palm. A week had passed since she came across the cursed Chat Noir in the forest. What seemed like a harmless, flirtatious creature was actually something more cunning. He kissed her hand goodbye and after helping her grandmother with things, she was told of the mark. That cat could now find her whenever she entered his forest, the only way to free herself was to free him, with a kiss.

Sighing, she put down her large basket and put her small backpack on before throwing her signature red hooded cape over it. She tied it loose around her shoulders and tried to not think of Chat awaiting her presence in the forest. She wondered how he was going to find her and if the bond went both ways. Maybe if looked angry enough he would stay away and let her pass without problem, she didn't want to linger any longer than necessary.

"Grandmother, I'm heading out now." Bri walked into the kitchen all ready and set her basket on the counter.

"Take some cookies Dear, you can share with Chat Noir." She tucked some into the basket and Bri rolled her eyes.

"Why? Does he even eat cookies? How does he survive all alone?"

"Stop that. Of course he eats cookies. When I pass through, I give him cookies and he gives me nice conversation. Perhaps you should ask him how he survives on this journey back home." She gave Bri a hug and kiss on her cheek and started shoo-ing her out the door.

"But Grandmo-"

"No buts! Now hurry. You want to make it back before dark or your parents will worry. I would trust that cat more than you think you should." Bri gave her a hug and kiss back, before waving and walking into the forest.

Chat Noir felt her the moment she stepped past the outlier trees, unfortunately he couldn't go and greet her. Some shady looking men had entered his forest and he wanted to make sure they stayed away from the north part of the forest. They came from the west and were headed east and so far everything was moving smoothly. Occasionally he would dart from tree to tree and give them a scare to keep them on their toes, that things were run by him.

A few hours passed and Chat stiffened, she was very close. He left the men to go and hunt her down. Bri was skipping and humming along the path, he watched her from above, his grey-green eyes piercing and he saw her some to a stop.

Bridgette heard a chuckle from above her, but it started echoing and she shivered. She looked at the paw print for the first time since entering the forest but saw nothing out of the ordinary. When she looked up, she screamed, Chat was right in front of her, smirking, or smiling. She wasn't sure but her hand flew over her heart and she could see the hint of fang he was sporting.

"Little Red, Little Red, you finally return." He took the paw printed hand and kissed the back of it, bowing low. She pulled it back and stepped around him.

"Harrumph. I've been walking for hours and now you grace me with your presence. I was so bored." She tried her best to cross her arms while she walked but couldn't with the basket.

Walking up next to her, Chat took the basket from her arms and carried it for her.

"Thank you." She muttered.

"Not a problem. I'm sorry I wasn't here to greet you, I was taking care of some other things. The forest is awfully large." He winked at her and realized how short she really was compared to him, he had to be almost a foot taller than her. His tail moved and wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. "So, you missed me?" His cheeky grin had her pushing his face away and smiling.

"Shut up." She laughed at him and then pointed to the basket he was now carrying. "My grandmother made cookies, she said you'd enjoy them." He smiled a full wide, fangy grin and dove for the cookies. His eyes were alight with the discovery and she was glad he wasn't turning down treats like the last time she offered. He held out a cookie for her and they both ate and talked, walking all the while closer to the center of the forest.

Chat didn't want to leave her but he needed to dart ahead to where those bandits were and make sure they don't give her any trouble. He would rather not stain his forest with blood but some things were more important, some people were. Darting along the tree line he tried to think of what could have drawn him to her, he had not marked anyone in years. She was young and he didn't think she ever traveled alone before. That, or he just never noticed her till she blossomed into an adult woman. Shaking those thoughts he approached the men at the crossroads and quickly climbed a tree to hide.

They were almost on the other side of the clearing when they spotted her. He had hoped they would continue on and their paths would never cross. He let a low rumble sound in his chest and almost hissed when one of the men stepped closer to her.

"Hey Little Miss, whatcha doing out here?"

"And alone at that."

"Just passing through on my way home." She thought these men were shady and must be the reason Chat was so on edge the closer she got to the clearing. She gave them a wide berth and kept her head down to avoid conversation. She could feel three sets of eyes on her and felt a shiver pass.

"What's in the basket?" She paused, she almost forgot she was carrying the basket, Chat had carried it for so long and now it was back in her possession.

"Nothing of note, just pastries." She pulled her red cape closer around her and hurried her feet toward the end of the clearing.

The man closest to her reached out to grab her arm before she could make it away from them, he had crossed the space so fast and she gasped.

"Let go of me!" Bridgette screamed out and went to punch him but the other man grabbed her other arm. She kicked out and they lifted her and only got one step closer to their cart before a loud hiss rang out. She froze and so did the men.

"Let go of her. Now." His voice was cold and close but panicked glances around couldn't find it. There was a growl and she renewed her fighting efforts, the men didn't listen to the voice and she was still in their grip.

The sounds of the forest were gone and there was an eerie silence. Bridgette gave up on fighting and realized one way or another she would be released, Chat would make sure.

The men took another set and suddenly the snarling face of the cursed Chat Noir was in front of them. Bri was taken aback by his fierce image but knew he would never hurt her.

"I said, let. Go." When the men did not comply and took a swing at him he swiped his claws at the arms holding her. She fell back on the ground and attempted to scramble back from the fight. Chat chucked and was toying with them. He was too fast for their movements and was constantly dodging, swiping at them till his claws dripped red.

"Chat." Bridgette whined out, she wanted to go home and just for them to leave. He read her mind.

"Go Home Little Red."

"But-"

"Go!" He grabbed the man who first dared to touch her and held his sharp claws to his neck, turning to face the other one, his tail flicking wildly.

"Let her leave and your friend here lives." He would only give him one warning. His claws sunk deeper into the man's skin and he whimpered like a dog. Chat gave a deadly chuckle and waited for Bridgette to cross into the trees before he flung the man at the quiet one. He strut off in Bri's direction, done with his plaything until he heard the click of a knife. He paused and his ears were alert and his tail stilled.

"Don't. Not in front of her." He could tell she was hiding behind a tree watching everything. He looked in her direction and sent her a look of remorse before a smirk replaced it and he turned around slowly. "You two must have a death wish. I am normally not this lenient. I'll say it once more, leave." He growled out. Unfortunately the men both moved to attack him and he had no choice, well, he did, but this was more fun. His claws slid nicely through the knife man's throat and when he fell lifeless to the ground the other man took pause. Chat grinned and showed his fangs. He made a show of flicking the blood off his hand and then bringing it to his lips, give his index finger a lick while staring at the man.

"Look what you made me do. Stained my forest with your blood. In front of my mark, you attacked my mark. You would have been lucky to escape with your life. I'm cursed you know," He took slow deliberate steps while the man backed up for every one he took. "Bad luck radiates off me. Looks like you don't have any luck left."

"Please, I'll leave and never come back." The man held up his hands and backed away faster, he tripped and fell on his back. Chat laughed and strode closer.

"Where was that attitude a few minutes ago? It's too late now." He pounced on the man and tore his throat out, blood spraying him.

He sighed and got off him, frowning, he had made a mess. He was wild from blood lust and forgotten about the girl. He heard her snap a twig and his head whipped around in her direction. He heard her gasp and slowly came to the realization she might be afraid of him now. He walked to her, trying to wipe the blood off his face and claws, this pair of clothing ruined and he would need more.

The closer he got to the tree line, the more her breathing picked up, it hitched and he could see her tear stained face. He wanted to stop, to say something, he had nothing to say, this kill was justified, and they had almost taken and harmed what was his. He carried on and kept walking, he heard her tentative steps follow his and after some time she walked next to him instead of behind. He held his head up high, secretly proud of his kill and although he knew she wouldn't praise him, he hoped she would say something soon.

Instead of her speaking first, it was him who took initiative. "I thought I was going to lose you."

She took time to respond "I knew nothing would happen to me."

"A-Are you okay?" He turned to look at her shiny blue eyes, his green cat ones looking her over carefully. They were almost to the end of the forest, the town where she must live, the edge of his former kingdom.

"I will be…" Both nodded in silence and continued to the end. Getting a kiss from here was going to be set back this incident. He took two large steps in front of her and stopped her, his hand taking her marked one. He kissed the back of it.

"Will you visit me? Not just when you go and see your grandmother." She smiled and gently took her hand back, looking at the paw print on her palm, she wondered what people in the village would think.

"Perhaps." he smirked and took this as a good sign, he had all the time to wait, especially if he could break the curse sooner rather than later. She looked past him and saw the view down to the town from the open tree line. "I'll try."

"That is all I can ask Bridgette." They walked till they were only a few feet from the sunlight, he stayed in the shadow of the trees.

"Goodbye Chat Noir." She reached up on the tip of her toes and kissed his cheek, a tease, it had to be on his lips to break the curse. He murmured a goodbye while watching her dash into the sunlight, her dark hair shining a blue hue. He smiled, next time he saw her, he would surely win her over.