A/N: Greeting's everyone. Another week, another chapter. Ever since the first season of this series ended I've had a hole in my heart as I wait for the new season to come back. Anyway I want to thank everyone for their support of this story. So please enjoy!

A Fox Tails: Chapter 4: Catch the Fever

Once the sun went down and the city lights switched on, it was time for the nightly patrols of the city. On Top of the famous Notre Dame a figure waited upon the highest point that gave the breathtaking view of the Parisian City.

"Good evening M'Lady." Chat Noir greeted with his casual smile, "They say you can see the most beautiful sites from here. And their right?"

"Um Ladybug, you're awfully quiet tonight." he noted, "Don't tell me cat's got your tongue?"

"Chat where were you today?" she questioned in a series tone as her blue eyes stared at her partner, "There was an akuma attack today and I couldn't reach you."

Chat Noir/Adrien's P.O.V

'Oh man Ladybug looks really upset.' I had to come up with a way to explain himself. It's not like I wanted to miss the akuma attack, after my 'conversation' with Lila in the park, I had three photoshoots and a fencing practice. In my excitement to learn more about Ladybug I had completely forgotten to check in with her. The worse part is not only did my Lady have to fight an akuma by herself, but I had to learn about from the news. Even coming to the meeting spot he was beyond nervous, anxious of how his partner would react to his absence during the akuma battle. He expected a scolding and he wouldn't deny he deserved it.

Looking up I could see she was waiting for an answer, "My apologies My'Lady I was...doing a secret mission." he could not tell her where he really was, she already thought of him as a flirt. Plus what would he say, 'Sorry I couldn't take your call but my civilian self was out on a date with another girl.' nope. She would skin him alive and never speak to him again.

"A secret mission?" she looked sceptical and a bit confused, "What kind of secret mission?"

"You're not the only one trying to find leads to Hawkmoth." I said trying to at least buy some time until I came up with a better excuse. Plus it wasn't technically a lie, he was getting useful information.

"True, but you still could have called me. I was worried." there was a concern in her voice, now I really felt guilty. For leaving My'Lady to fight alone without her knight and for making her worry about me.

"I know and I deeply apologize." I spoke with honesty and regret, "But I vow to never let you fight alone again." I gave a small smile unlike my one's when I flirted, "Forgive this kitty?" i went down on bended knee giving the most regretful look I could give. I was not too proud to beg, especially if it was for my love.

"Fine." she spoke calmly uncrossing her arms, Chat Noir's smiled returned hearing the words of agreement and forgiveness, "Since you were on a mission I'll forgive you, but you remember to call ahead of time."

"You have my word as your valiant knight." his smirk returned, "You'll never have to worry about fighting alone."

"Who said I was alone." that sudden comment made her partners smile drop into one of confusion. If she didn't fight alone, did that mean she had help, "Alright it's time for the patrols. Let's go." taking out her yo-yo she swung into the city leaving a silent and contemplating cat.

"What did she mean by that?" he blinked. He had a feeling in his gut that in his absence something was about to change. A something that could affect him and Ladybug, "I don't like this feeling."

'Tink.' he blink feeling something tap on his nose.

"Huh?" looking up clouds were beginning to pull in, "Great now it's about to rain." just his luck, his bad luck.

Monday morning, Kitsi had just walked into the classroom. Going up the stairs she placed the backpack on the desk. Though it was still a few minutes before class, she was rather upset because she wanted to see Marinette and show her the book she had found in the park.

'You cannot reveal this book to anyone!' Whissp words echoed in her head. Since he gave Kitsi a earful about protecting the book and consequences should it fall into wrong hands she had no choice but to keep it in her room. While she understood his concerns, In truth she was thinking of the things she had read in the strange book full of masked heroes. In the end she locked it in her room.

"Where is Marinette?" Kitsi looked around, not seeing her friend anywhere. She remembered Marinette had a pension for being late. After saving her yesterday as Kitsune she had forgotten to check on her after leaving her on some random roof. Her mood took a drop. She liked being in class with the bright eyed girl and she wanted to make sure she was alright. Looking to the side she spotted students conversing with none other than Lila. The new transfer now one of the most popular students in school. Even Chloe seemed impressed with her all things considering. Overnight Lila had become the girl everyone wanted to know. With exception to Kitsi and Marinette.

Brushing the thought to the back of her mind she noticed that the class had converged into a mass of overlapping talking at one of the desks. Curiously she watched as the groups of students continued to talk and after a few moments she rose from her desk as a thought crossed her mind.

Curiously she wondered what the talk was about, yet conflicted that it might be something not meant for her. As she contemplated a crinkling sound caught her ear. The culprit, a number of empty wrappers from Whissp gluttonous devouring of the contents in the pouch that was now barely half full as it once was.

"Whissp?" she whispered yell into the front pocket of her shirt, "How many did you eat, there was a least 100 pieces of candy. Now it feels like...twenty at the most."

Whissp laid at the bottom of the pouch, a satisfied grin on his small mouth, looking up at his new partner, "Sorry." he hiccuped .

He was lucky he looked adorable.

As she made her way back down the steps she passed by her classmates. Walking up to the trash she prepared to dump the wrappers, but lingered for a moment trying to take everything in.

Ever since Lila had arrived Kitsi had to keep a close eye on Marinette because of how everyone seemed to flock to Lila making her instantly popular among the student body. But Kitsi had her reservations about the transfer student. While she had nothing personal against her, just the way she operated kept her at a safe distance from the other. Yes she seemed nice enough, but her attitude was off putting, at least to Kitsi. Everyone had that certain thing that kept them from others. For Kitsi it was bragging. Boosting just for the sake of drawing attention and Lila fit that bill perfectly. Everyday it seemed like something different came up concerning Lila, a rumor or piece of gossip that continuously boosted her popularity.

"Class is going to start in five minutes." but there was still no sign of Marinette. She knew she was often late and had even heard some of the excuses she gave. Some of which were rather cute and a bit creative. But mostly funny. Kitsi couldn't help chuckle a bit. But while she knew the tendency she couldn't help feel worried. A sense that something was off. With time ticking away until class started Kitsi decided to check with the most reliable source.

Alya. Marinette's best friend and aspiring reporter. If there was a good story Alya would either know it or would be on it like chocolate on croissant; which actually sounded really good.

'Focus Kitsi.' she nearly smacked herself, instead just poking herself on the side of the head making it tilt to the side, "Tokidoki watashi wa watashi no nō wa watashi ga kurushimu tsukuru no ga sukida to omoimasu.", she mumbled.

'Ring!'

"Eep!" Kitsi through her hands up in surprise scattering the papers up in the air. She quickly noticed her mistake as she looked up at the wrappers.

"I got it." as the papers made their descent Kitsi quickly snatched them from the air, plucking them before they made their way to the ground or even past her head. After grabbing the last of the wrappers she then transferred them to the trash before giving a sigh of the relief.

'That could have been a mess.' she thought a little embarrassed she had been surprised by a school bell. She definitely needed to calm down. Turning around she began going up the stairs back to her seat along with the other students. Some staring at Kitsi, who caught her 'stunt'. As she took her seat the door opened. Maroon eyes looked up to see not blue highlights or bluebelle eyes. But the figure of the teacher walking in, greeting the class.

After her last class Kitsi had been at her locker placing her books inside. She hadn't seen Marinette all day and hoped she was okay. A sound tickled her ears, peering out she noticed the culprit was a group of what seemed like three students. Probably just friends having a good conversation it looked fun. Even though she had made a couple of friends, it wasn't exactly concrete. With Marinette off somewhere and everyone else hung up on Lila, she again found herself alone. Even Alya, who good as she was, was trying off trying to get another interview out of Lila for the Ladyblog.

"Day dreaming again?" Whissp spoke poking his head up from his hiding spot.

"Not really." she shrugged a bit, "Hey Whissp you're a kwami, do you know other kwami's?" she asked curiously trying to get her mind on something else.

"Of course I do. Though it's been awhile since I've seen the other having been put in a box for a century." he yawned at the thought, "Though you think since they've found new holders they would call an old friend. How rude." he pouted, though he didn't know who or if the others had holders.

"I'm sure they aren't being rude." reaching into her pouch she pulled out a piece of flavored candy, seeing the delicious orb Whissp took no time wrapping the treat into him.

"You are too cute~" she beamed seeing her kwami nibble and eat on the treat, "Besides you, there's Ladybug and Chat Noir." Whissp commented.

"What are they like? The Kwami's I mean."

"Like night and day." he replied, "Tikki, Ladybugs kwami, is one of the sweetest you'll ever meet, like sugar and goodness all rolled up into a bundle of energy and cuteness. An embodiment of pure goodness and ethereal beauty" he explained fondly making Kitsi stifle a laugh at her kwami "Then there's Plagg..." he groaned a bit as he spoke the name.

"Plagg?"

"Chat Noir's kwami and frantically one of the most annoying of all of us." he shook his head, "You would think being half of the two strongest powers he would conduct himself with more...style. Instead of making lame puns. How Tikki could put up with such him for so many centuries is beyond me." he folded his arms.

"Sounds like you two don't get along that well." though there was defiantly some jealousy there.

"Sometimes. But with the pecking order their like my bosses or the leader of the other kwami's. At least in his cheese filled mind." he explained, "Besides them and me, there are about four other kwami's out there. Making a total of seven."

"Where are they?" she asked curious about the other magical creatures.

"Like I said I last spoke to them centuries back." he responded, "Besides ladybug and cat miraculous. The only one I sure of is the bee miraculous, but she's still asleep. Other than that the other four are in the wind." Kitsi pondered what Whissp had told her. There were seven miraculous all together. Besides her's and Paris's heroes, there were still four other kwami's and miraculous possibly in active.

"Now then do you have any more spicy treats?" he asked, like he hadn't eaten enough of her snacks before class. Reaching into her bag she held out the pouch to the kwami, with candy in hand Whissp jumped into the opening rumbling the bag.

"Maybe I'll get to meet the rest of the kwami." she whispered, excited at the thought, "I bet they're all so cute!" she beamed as she took down the hall. But as she she turned the corner she found herself colliding with something sending her items to the ground.

"Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going." Kitsi apologized picking up the papers and the pouch she had she dropped, "I've been running into people a lot so." she gave a light laugh, silently hopping Whissp was okay.

"It's not problem." the brunette said with a calm voice. Looking up Kitsi was meet with none other than the italian transfer student who had taken the school by storm, Lila, "You're the new girl right?"

"I'm Kitsi Inari,I just enrolled here, it's my fourth day. Almost a week." she introduced herself. Not exactly the smoothest, but it was simple, "And your..."

"Lila." she replied simply.

"Oh right. I know you." Kitsi was polite and formal, but still cheery. Though she had a couple of classes with the new girl she seemed oblivious to this fact. "I mean I've heard a lot about you. You're really a popular person around school. Private jets with princes, hanging out with musicians and directors." she counted off the stories she had heard from other students, "Your life sounds really amazing." now she sounded like the other students, she giggled on the inside at the thought.

"I know. It's so stressful when people are talking about you all the time." though she didn't seem that stressed or even upset that people were talking about her. She actually seemed flattered by the attention. Though as she thought back to the cafeteria she remembered how Lila took to being surrounded by peers who hung off her words as she regaled them with stories of her travels and her exciting life.

"Right...though I wasn't expecting to run into you. Though do we ever expect to run into anyone." she admitted, " But you're really a popular topic around the school..."

"Oh really? I haven't notice." obviously a lie, "I was actually about to hang out with Adrien Agreste. You know the famous model and son of Paris's top designer Gabriel Agreste."

"Oh yeah I've heard of them. I actually have a couple of classes with Adrien." she admitted.

"Me too. Though him and me, we're like this." she intertwined her fingers to represent how close they were.

"That's really something." she assumed politely, "Seems like you and Adrien are becoming really good friends..." she began, "Guess you guys must have really hit it off."

"Of course." she smirked, "We connected because we both love superheroes. He also heard about me and Ladybug."

"Right I saw the video on Alya's blog. You know Ladybug saved my life too." she didn't know what she said, but suddenly Lila's smile disappeared into a scowl, before slowly returning to her lips.

"Oh she did?"

"Yeah. On my second day here. Crazy day." she paused for a moment, "I was thrown like football clear over Paris before Ladybug caught me and swung us both to safety. And then there was the time she saved me from being turned to stone. But you know it's just one of those days in Paris." she recalled almost fondly even though of the end result had Ladybug not caught her.

"Really..." Lila seemed half intrigued and the other half a bit apprehensive. But why would she be upset? It was the truth.

"Hey there you are?", a voice spoke. Looking back a familiar blond head came waltzing towards them.

"Oh Adrien there you are!" Lila smiled walking over to the blond model, Kitsi rolled her eyes a bit, "I thought we we're meeting at the park for our talk." there was an emphasis of motioning in her voice. A message that only they would know.

"Right, I just needed to grab something from my locker." he explained with a soft smile, "Sorry did I interrupt anything?"

"Oh nothing important. She was just introducing herself to me, because I'm new." she sounded so innocent, another attempt to impress the blond model.

"Oh well that's cool." green eyes looked at Kitsi, "Kitsi one of the nicest people here. She was actually a new student before you Lila." he noted for the sake of conversation.

"So she told me." Lila leered a bit at Kitsi, but her smile never wavering.

"Yeah Kitsi is really strong too." he added, "She even stood up against an akuma."

"You fought an akuma?" guess she skipped that part, she blinked in disbelief, silently leering a bit at the way Adrien seemed to praise Kitsi.

"I wouldn't say fought. It was more like a brash rage over spilled treats." she gave a light laugh, "But I was just trying to help. But things could have been a lot worse if Ladybug and Chat Noir hadn't shown up. They're awesome." she smiled, emphasizing the heroes names which seemed to draw mixed reviews from both Adrien and Lila. For Adrien it was happiness and fondness thinking of the red clad super-heroine and for Lila discontent at the emotion showed by Adrien.

"It was more then that. You were really brave and you saved me and Chloe." Kitsi blushed a bit at that.

"Well this has been fun, but Adrien and I have a lunch date in the Park. Right?" Lila cut in seeing how Adrien was paying so much attention to Kitsi.

"Oh yeah...sorry Kitsi I need to go. Laters." Adrien gave an apologetic look.

"Caio." with a short wave the two moved past Kitsi to head towards the exit.

Kitsi watched Lila and Adrien walk away, latched onto the model's arm as though she were on the top of the world. As though they were dating. Though before they left Kitsi caught a coy smile on Lila's lips that oozed of a triumphant victory.

'What's her problem?' she thought witnessing the others actions.

"I'm starting to think Marinette was right about being suspicious of that girl." at least for the reasons of the rumors being spread about her, "If anything she's a brat." she mumbled.

"So what are you going to do?" Whissp questioned poking out from out of the candy pouch.

"I don't know. But my tail tells me something's not right." with that in mind Kitsi walked down the halls trying to think. But as she prepared to leave she was suddenly stopped.

"Ah Ms. Inari could I speak to you for a second?" the voice belonged to one of the schools teachers, Caline Bustier.

"Hai...I mean Oui." she responded, "Hello Ms. Bustier." she greeted the teacher.

"Hello Kitsi. Sorry for stopping you so suddenly." she smiled apologetically, "I was hoping you could do me a favor."

"Sure. What kind of favor? "

"Well I got a call from Marinette's mother. It seems she's not feeling well."

"Marinette is sick? Is she okay?"

"Her mom said it was a small fever. Unfortunately she has to remain in bed and couldn't come to school today." she explained sadly, "I was hoping you could drop her assignments off at her house." she asked showing her Marinette's homework and assignments.

"You want me to deliver her assignments?"

"I know it's last minute, but I don't want one of my students to fall behind on her studies." she was a very attentive teacher, understanding and wanting to make sure her students did well.

"I understand, I was just wondering I suppose. I'm new so usually you think 'last person to send to another student's home.' "

"I was going to ask Alya, her best friend, but it seems everyone is a bit preoccupied." of course and she had a sense it involved a transfer student.

"Well you can leave it to me." she said happily, "I'll make sure Marinette get's her work. I can also check on her." plus this was also a chance to see where Marinette lived.

"Thank you." the teacher handed Kitsi the folder of assignments, "I placed her address on the front of the folder."

"It's on 12 Gotlib Street in the 21th arrondissement of Paris."

"Okay I just have to tell my driv...I mean ride to make an extra stop home. "

"That's good. But Marinette actually doesn't live that far from the school." she explained.

"Like a couple a blocks or..."

"Well, she actually lives across the street at the bakery across from the school. You might have seen it on your way to school." Kitsi blinked in suprise.

'She lives that close?' but she had a pension for being late, how is that even possible? Now she had another question to add to the list. Her brain was going to just check out one of these days.

"That's a bit of a surprise. I've never really noticed." how she didn't know, "But I'll still deliver it." with a affirming smile Kitsi took no time sprinting off toward her mission.

'Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie'

Kitsi looked up at the sign on the bakery. The shop itself looked quinte and comfortable to the eye. Warm and inviting. She could smell the baked goods from where she was standing. Sniffing the air she felt pure joy well in her stomach.

'Yummy~' but she remembered she was here for a purpose. She had to deliver Marinette's assignments and more importantly make sure Marinette was okay.

"How have I never noticed this place before?" walking up to the building she reached for the door Kitsi gave it a pull. When nothing happened she gave another series of pulls, but found her efforts halted as the door wouldn't budge.

"Closed?" looking at the note taped to the inside of the door, it showed that the shop was closed for the day. How was she going to deliver Marinette's homework? Looking inside she saw the place was empty. Stepping back she attempted to think of a different method to complete her mission.

"How am I going to get inside?" she could leave it in the mail shoot, but that wouldn't solve her wonder about Marinette's condition.

"Just leave it in the window or something. You have other duties remember." Whissp stated from her pocket, "Plus I'm starving." he added.

'A window?' she thought for a second. Looking around Kitsi ducked into the side passageway next to the bakery.

"Whissp, Tails Up!" after transforming Kitsi easily scaled up on the side of bakery and jumped through the window into the apartment above.

"And she sticks the landing." with a smirked even though she had just committed a crime of breaking and entering into her classmates home.

"So this is Marinette's house." she looked around noting the warmth of the house before taking a couple of sniffs, "And it smells like love and baked goods." she took another sniff.

"I'll just leave her work on the table." she was about the plantlet when something caught her ears that increased her hearing expanitanly. Looking up she followed the almost whisper like sound further into the house. It took her down a hall before sending her up.

'Up there?' reaching up she took hold of the draw string pulling it to release the ladder.

"I'm in Marinette's room?!" she realized seeing the decorated attic. It was quite a cozy room, about as big as her private pantry.

"Emmm...Kitsune...?" she mumbled through her feverish state, "H-Ho...what are you doing here?" she coughed. Her face was a favored red, a long blush over her cheeks, with flushed and clammy skin. Definitely a fever.

"How did you...get in?" she wheezed.

"Through the window." she paused, " I-I mean, this is just a dream..." she sounded casual, but gave a stereotypical dream state voice. Though a bit worried after having admitted to breaking and entering, but hopefully in Marinette's fevered state she would chalk it up to delirium.

"Emm...kay..." with another mumble and groan she fell back into bed amongst a series of sheets. After a exhale of relief, Kitsi walked over to Marinette's bed. Using her hand she felt her foreward.

"Mari's burning up." she noted worriedly feeling the hot to the touch skin, "First thing I need to do is get her some cool towels to bring down the heat." her only reply was a small squeak. As she looked around she saw a bowl on the table.

She brought the substance closer and gave it a curious sniff, "Oh! What is that!?" her nose scrunched up, her nose ablaze from her sensitivity to smell, "My poor nose. What is in this stuff. Raw sewage, kerosine, and...essence of skunk?" she nearly gagged.

"Emm...m-m...edi...cine..." Marinette mumbled.

"This is medicine? Uh, it smells like something to kill bugs." she groaned, "If Marinette's going to get better, this is definitely not good for anyone." she would have to do something about this, "Don't worry Mari-caroon, I'll fix you right up." she quickly tiptoed out of the room and back down into the main house.

"Whissp, Tails Down." she whispered releasing her hero form.

"Just what do you think you're doing? You we're just supposed to deliver the papers." Whissp pointed out in annoyance at his partners decision to now try and play nurse to one of her classmates.

"You saw Marinette, she's looks so miserable and helpless." she commented as she walked to the kitchen, "So I'm going to nurse her back to health." she stated seriously as she found a apron and tied it on.

"So just breaking into her home wasn't enough?"

"You're the one who pointed out the window." she pointed out.

"But did I say transform and jump through it. Nope that was you." he rebutted, "You we're only supposed to deliver her homework, not make her dinner."

"Well we're still not leaving. Marinette is sick and as you've stated as a hero I have to make sure civilians are safe."

"From akuma's, not whatever your classmate has." he added,, "What are you even making?" he questioned watching Kitsi take out various ingredients.

"I'm making a special soup to help get rid of the fever. It's a recipe my grandmother made when someone was sick." she explained.

"And it helped relieve a cold?" he questioned looking at the ingredients she had been taking out.

"Well kinda..." in truth it knocked you out so long you didn't even know you were sick. One time she had caught a bad cold and after trying some of her grandmother's soup she woke up four days later with no memory of even going to sleep. "Though I am tweaking it so it's a bit 'tolerable'." Looking into the cabinets she took out a large cooking pot and placed it on the stove, "While I make the soup you can keep an eye on Marinette in case she needs anything."

"I am not a babysitter or a nurse. I will have no part of this." he folded his arms in refusal.

"Oh?" she seemed to question, "Not even for this?" reaching into the fridge she pulled out a hot red item flashing it to the kwami.

"Hot pepper!" he attached himself to the spicy food giving it a few kisses, "Hello my precious spicy little friend~"

"This is too cute." she chuckled wanting to take a picture, "So you'll keep an eye on Marinette?"

"Fine." he agreed still cradling the hot pepper, "But don't expect me to wipe her nose or anything like that."

"Just watch her. If anything seems out of the ordinary let me know." she commented with a wave of the wooden spoon in warning.

"Alright, I'll keep an eye on her." he repeated, grabbing his pepper he floated and headed back towards Marinette's room.

In Marinette's room...

After leaving the kitchen, Whissp had floated up, returning to room of Marinette. He landed on a shelf that overlooked the bed where the flushed skinned girl lay still knocked out, but breathing. He barely knew much of his partners classmates, but kept small details in mind of different people Kitsi was affiliated with.

'Marinette Dupin Cheng' she was young teen who attended College Depont College, class representative of her class, friendly, and loved by most in her class. Her parents owned a bakery, she's a semi decent student, give or take a few tardies and times she's fallen asleep in class. She appeared to be well liked, and has a warm personalities.

Whissp looked around the room taking each item and drawing further information about the girl. From all the fabric and utensils he could tell she was a designer, clothing more than likely. Staring at the walls she saw the occasional decorations along with some interesting posters of a familiar green eyed, blond haired boy.

'And she's a fan...' he looked at the photos more closely, 'Correction, she's in love with Adrien Agreste.' obviously. With an exasperated sigh he took a seat on the desk and began eating his hot pepper. As he began his guard duty of the young designer and baker's daughter, his yellow eyes looked with observing indifference as he watched her sleep.

A glint appeared in yellow iris locating the location of the rattling. Looking to the side he noticed something sitting on the side, a ball point sewing needle. Carefully his small hand grabbed hold to it as he continued to fine eating his pepper.

'Shuffle, shuffle'

"Got you!" with a turn he jumped, needle in hand toward the intruder. No one snuck up on Whissp, not even...

"T-Tikki!?"

"Whissp is that you?" the red kwami blinked before a smile came on her face. As the two kwami's stared at each other Whissp seemed to have grown silent, "Oh Whissp it's been years! Centuries." she pounced bringing him into a hug. Whissp was surprised but then gave a dreamy like expression feeling the warm embrace of his fellow kwami.

'She still smells like sugar and sun rays.' he thought fondly.

'Wait." he suddenly broke the hug, "If you're here...does that mean..." he looked from her down to the one on the bed, going back and forth multiple times.

"Oh this is too good!" he laughed humorously.

"Huh?"

"Oh nothing just some interesting irony." he chuckled a bit more, "So, this is your partner. Ladybug." he looked down at Marinette.

"Yep!" she nodded happily, "Whissp what are you doing in Marinette's room?"

"Oh it's a long story involving my overly unpredictable partner." he sighed a bit, "Too make it short my partner is in the kitchen making some kind of concoction and had me on watch duty."

"Your partner is in the kitchen?"

"Yep, want to meet her. Though as a warning she might explode meeting Ladybugs kwami."

"As curious as I am, I don't think it's wise to know each other's partners." she declined, "Truthfully I've had the pleasure of meeting Kitsune or rather my partner has. And she seem's like an impressive holder."

"Well you know. She's a bit of a challenge to work with. But quick on her feet." he commented rubbing his cheek a bit. His eyes curiously wandered the room before landing on the photos on her wall, "What is with human's putting pictures of each other across their wall, especially of just one person?"

Tikki giggled, "Can't argue with you there. You should see some of the other photos she has." she playfully teased, a bit glade Marinette wasn't aware to hear her.

"You should see my partner's room. Posters everywhere! Though I'm not so sure on her preferences just yet."

"Have you met Plagg yet?" Tikki asked.

"...Thankfully no." he mumbled at the thought running into the ball of destruction, "Unfortunately our paths haven't crossed yet. Though I'm rather curious about the new miraculous holder of the ring."

"Oh? Well his new partner, Chat Noir, is rather...special." she commented politely, "He's a bit of a show off, rather flirty especially with Ladybug, and then there's the puns. Guess some things never change even over time." she giggled.

"So it seems." he sighed dreading having to deal with Plagg and his puns.

"But I'm sure you both will cross paths too. Though it seems he has been missing as of late. Ladybug is a bit..."

"Worried?"

"I believed she said annoyed." she quoted, "But she is worried for her partners safety. We both are."

"Hey Whissp, I finished the soup." a voice called from ladder that led up to Marinette's room.

"Was that...?"

"That's my partner." she confirmed, "You should probably hide. I don't think my partner could handle finding out her classmate and friend is also Ladybug."

"Right." in a quick roll Tikki took residence in her hiding spot concealing her from the other's view and vice versa.. Just in time for the trap door to open revealing Kitsi. Who somehow managed to balance th bowl of soup while climbing up the ladder and back into the room.

"How's Marinette doing?" she asked walking over to the bed.

"Still sick." obviously, "And still knocked out." he responded calmly, "Is that the famous cold curing soup?" looking down at the mixture it looked decent, the scent rather pleasant.

"With a couple of tweeks, it is!" she beamed silently, "This should help relieve the high temperature. Since I didn't find most of the ingredients I had to substitute one or five things. But it should do the trick." she walked up the stairs to the bed and pulled up a small stool on the side. Using the cold towel she placed it over her friend's forehead allowing the cold water to soothe the burning.

"Alright Mari, bottoms up." taking the spoon of soup she gave it a quick blow to cool it, she carefully helped lifting her head a bit, gently sitting her up and bringing the spoon to her lips. The steam and smell from from the soup climbed into Marinette's nose, making it wiggle and sniff on instinct.

"Emmmm...mm..." she mumbled, her eyes slowly blinking open with a lazy, unfocused stare.

"Time to take your medicine." she sang bringing the soup closer.

"Don't wanna." she grumbled rejecting the substance.

"If you want to get better you'll have to eat the 'magic' soup." again she was met with a rejected shake of her head.

"Any other plans?" Whissp questioned, "At this rate we'll never get home."

Kitsi pondered her options to get Marinette to eat the soup. One way was to force it to her, but she didn't want to hurt her while she was sick. Another was a funnel and pour it down, though she might choke on it. So that was out.

She pounder it more. The only way she could think about was doing it the way her mom used too...she paused at the thought. The more she thought about it a hot blush came across her cheek.

"I can't do it like that! Marinette would never forgive me!" she covered her face in embarrassment.

"What has gotten into you?" Whissp questioned.

"...Nothing." she squeaked out before clearing her throat, "I have a plan that might work."

"Let's see time for a final check." after making sure Marinette was comfortable asleep, Kitsi had taken some time to do a little cleaning, "Okay that should be everything." she gave a confidant smile.

So wrapped up in the final check she failed to hear the door opening before she saw two adults, a male and female walk in. There was an awkward silence in the room between the three individuals.

"Kon'nichiwa!" she greeted happily deciding to break the silence, "I mean Bonjour." she corrected herself, "I'm Kitsi Inari. I'm a classmate's of Marinette's." she introduced herself to the two adults who she hoped didn't find her threatening and call the police. She did not know how to explain that to her parents.

"W-Well it's nice to meet you Kitsi." the large man greeted with a friendly smile, "We're Marinette's parents. I'm Tom and this is my wife, Sabine." he was a tall man with a large build that reminded Kitsi of a giant, a friendly giant. Everything about him appeared soft from his green eyes and his personality that radiated protection. He had neat brown hair with sideburns and a moustache.

"It's nice to meet you." his wife, Sabine, greeted politely. She was quite pretty, guess she knew where Marinette's got her looks. She was smaller than her husband. Her hair was dark like Marinette's along with the blue highlights. And her grey eyes were just as gentle as her husband and her daughters.

"It's nice to meet you too." she blushed a bit feeling a almost overwhelmed by such tenderness, "Sumimasen. I didn't mean to surprise you, it is a bit strange finding someone in your home." she hit her head a bit as she apologized before explaining, "I was sent to deliver Marinette's homework."

"That's very sweet of you. Marinette's still asleep upstairs. It seems she caught a fever last night." she said sadly looking up toward the stairs.

"I know...I mean I been watching over her." she explained, "I had come to drop off her homework and saw her on the balcony. Guess she must have been trying to get some fresh air and fell asleep." she explained, though she felt bad for lying, it would be more complicated if she had admitted to climbing up the bakery and through the window.

"It was still nice of you to watch after Marinette for us. We had a last minute delivery, but we didn't think we'd be gone for so long."

"Well it's alright. I hope you don't mind that I used your kitchen. I made Marinette some soup to help with the fever. Again sorry for inadvertently breaking into your home. I wanted to make sure Marinette was safe. She's still asleep and her fever seems to have gone down."

"I wish that I could stay, but I just got a text wondering where I'm at" she forgot about her ride back at school. Austin must have called Andrew who no doubt called her parents, she was so dead, "Thank you for inviting me into your lovely home, tell Marinette I'll talk to her later. Have a goodnight." she quickly shuffled to the door.

"Oyasumi!" and with one last wave left.

"?" the two looked at each other a bit confused on the girl's behavior, when suddenly the door opened again.

"I mean bonne nuit" she corrected before ducking out of the home.

After leaving Marinette's house Kitsi quickly dashed back to the school meeting her driver Austin.

"Sorry Austin, I got a bit held up." she apologized, Austin gave a look of understanding as he opened the car door, "Thanks for waiting for me." getting in the car Austin closed the door before heading to the driver side.

"Where to Ms. Inari?" Austin asked as he started up the car.

"Home. As quick as you can." she said in urgency, "I've got a load of homework and a test to study for." plus explain where she was for four hours.

"As you wish." after buckling up they were off and headed home.

To be continued...