Tibet, China
Chat Noir and Rena Rouge took off for India that night, arriving a full day later in the easternmost airport in India. From there they took a train through Bhutan and into China. Based on additional information from Marinette, they discovered Master Fu lived in a temple in the on one of the mountain peaks in the Tibet Region. So after getting some directions from the locals, they made their way up the mountains.
Chat had always known Rena to be a chatterbox. That's how they originally became friends when they were younger. She could talk her way into anyone's heart and mind. But over 48 hours of her talking with minor exceptions for sleep, eating, and personal reasons; Chat was wishing for the silence of his office or the library. He should have been used to it by now, but he wasn't. Nino said that if she wasn't talking, then something was probably wrong, which had proven true on many cases. So Chat allowed her ramblings as he guided them up the mountain.
"So we finally decided on a morning wedding, so the reception will lead right into lunch. Nino wanted lunch because its cheaper, plus the place we were booking has more available morning options, plus their lunch menu was pretty delicious. Also that means we don't have to drive to the shore in dark," she prattled on.
"So everything is ready for the wedding then," Chat commented as he paused their trek, scanning the area for the easiest passage as snow began to litter the ground.
"Everything but the wedding dress. My Indian dress I gave away when we stopped in Indian that one time, and the other dress is so outdated. Marinette offered to bring it up to fashion standards, but with how soon we are planning the wedding I don't know if there will be enough time."
Chat nodded, as he continued, briefly noticing a dark figure retreating behind some rocks. A bird? A wild dog? A person?
"Nino says having Marinette would be practical and cost effective, but I can't have her do that especially when she is already resizing the bridesmaid dresses and completely redoing my sister's dresses. They are 21 now? Can you believe it? They were sixteen when I got engaged and they've sprouted like wildflowers."
Chat was certain of it now, someone was watching them as they continued to climb. There was a shadow following them on their left through a rocky terrain that kept them mostly obscure from eye sight.
"I mean people change a lot over five years. Look at you, all suave and fearless. I remember the sad little boy reading his parent's encyclopedia because he was afraid of dirt."
"That was over 20 years ago," Chat whispered, eyeing their surrounding for anymore followers.
"I know, but what I said still goes. We are fickle people with fickle minds, always changing. Did you ever think when you were eight you would explore the world like your mother, go to places she went to, finish adventures she never could?"
"Not specifically. I may have admired her courage but never thought I would be here now."
Two more persons tailing on the right. Chat keep one hand close to his hip at all times as they continued climb. The wind howled through the rocks, chilling Chat to the bone. He frowned as he noticed one of their pursuers lost their footing, a few pebbles sliding down the mountain side.
The fact he could hear those pebbles alerted him to Alya's silence.
"Can a bird nest here," he asked her as he helped her up a ledge of rocks.
"While a bird could roost here amongst the rocks, it fears the holy ground," Rena answered.
Rena had noticed their followers amongst the rocks, probably meaning they were close to the temple.
"Would holy ground deny a bird a place to rest?"
"If the holy ground deemed the bird a vulture, it might."
"How might the bird prove itself an eagle then?"
"Respect the ground or leave for other nesting trees."
Chat nodded as they came to spot where the mountain plateaued. Dangerous to fight on a mountain, but safer than the jagged stones below and above. Chat reached for the peacock fan in his backpack, glad to find it safe after their trek over. He lifted his hands over his head, holding the peacock for their pursuers to see, Rena lifting her hands as well but from behind, facing the way they came up.
"Their hearts are darkened, whoever took this last did not leave a favorable impression," warned Rena.
"We have something that we believe belongs to you," Chat called out to their followers, "We just came to return it and ask some questions."
"I don't think that did the trick."
"What do they want us to do? Kneel on our faces in submission?"
No response from Rena or those on the mountain.
"Rena?"
Chat turned his head slightly only for his face to come in contact with a black fist.
