A Fox Tails

by KnightOfLelouch

When Kitsi Inari moved to Paris to attend school the only things on her mind was getting to experience French life and making new friends. Never would she guess she'd have to protect the city while hiding her identity behind a mask. Can she step up and become the hero? If only it wasn't the biggest secret she was hiding. Rating based just to be safe.

25. Chapter 25

A/N: I know I said I would post last Saturday, but some things came up and I wasn't at my computer all day. Also, big news! Troublemaker is out! Also, today is my birthday!

---

Fox Tails: Chapter 25: Burn Brighter

---

When Kitsi woke up the next morning, she yawned and stretched her body. She was still at her brother's loft. Scratching her head, Kitsi gave another long stretch before getting out of bed.

"Morning Kit!"

"Good Morning Lady Kitsi."

Her kwami's greeted her.

"Morning guys." she said back, "I don't know why, but I slept great last night." placing her house shoes on Kitsi decided to wash-up before heading up front to see if her brothers were up yet.

When she got to the front she was met with a heavenly smell that enticed her nose and her stomach.

"Something smells good!" when they got to the kitchen Kitsi found the source. On the table was a spread of food.

"There's a letter." Caliburr pointed out.

Curiously Kitsi picked it up and opened it.

'Sis

Please enjoy this special breakfast

We know will tantalize

We had to leave early

But we left you a surprise

All around the city with left a few clues

With gifts along the way

Especially for you

Once each is deciphered, it will lead you to a place

With one grand finale

To bring a smile to your face

Love Always, Your big brothers

The card was also signed by each of her brothers.

"Aww~", her brothers had cooked her a big breakfast and apparently made her a surprise. A big surprise that was going to take her around the city.

"It looks like your brother's really put a lot of hard work to lift your spirits."

"I'll say." Whissp commented, "They made pancakes!" a large stack with whipped cream and fresh fruit.

"I'm betting Itsuki cooked this." out of all her brothers, he spent most of the time in the kitchen when they were little. Everyone else was either sneaking treats or...well sneaking treats.

"Everything looks so good." she commented eying all her options, "Let's dig in before it gets cold." Kitsi decided to go for the plate of eggs and sausage. Caliburr found a sundae, while Whissp went for the pancakes.

"Something wrong with these pancakes.' having tried to literally jump into them, the kwami wasn't meet with warm fluffiness. Instead, he found himself literally hitting them.

"And this sundae seems rather stiff.", she said sucking on the straw but finding no cold, creamy texture.

"And my eggs seem a bit...limp." not to mention they cut like rubber.

"Wait..." she looked at the food, 'Of course' this was her brother's Itsuki's doing. He was a prop maker. So most of this food must be fake.

"I should have guessed they pull something like this." she would never sleep when food was being prepared. Especially in this kind of space, "Somethings tells me my brothers are going to make me work for my surprise."

Looks like the hunt was on.

"So most of the food is fake." this seemed to disappoint her kwami's, and herself, but noted that Itsuki's craft was really good, "So all we have to do is find the real food." then that would be where the clue was.

'Well, it's not the pancakes." Whissp noted tapping the styrofoam and plastic prop.

"It's not the sundae.", Caliburr said sadly.

That left them with a lot of options to go through.

"Looks we're going to have to try everything." until they found the real food and the clue.

"I'll take the middle. Whissp you go left. Caliburr right." if they all worked together surely they would complete the taste. With a nod, they each went to work. Checking each dish for the real food.

From waffles to eggs with bacon, biscuits, milkshake, juice, omelets. Each one was either plastic or styrofoam.

"When did your brother have time to do this?" Whissp questioned as he checked the bowl of fruit, "Wax." he sighed.

"I think we're almost there." having subtracted the fake dishes. Leaving only a couple of dishes left.

"I think I found it!" Caliburr said. The plate held a bowl of fresh oatmeal. Still hot with steam rising from the substance.

"Well, it wasn't what I was going from." especially with the spread that was first on the table, "See any clues?" looking over the dish, Kitsi spotted a napkin underneath the plate where the bowl sat. Carefully lifting the bowl, using a napkin to hold the hot bowl, Caliburr and Whissp removed the letter, before Kitsi sat the bowl back down.

"Let's see what we got here?" she looked at the letter.

You solved the first challenge

Such a delicious feat

But it was just the start

Next one won't be such a treat

Once you finish your meal

Downstairs a car you'll find

To take you to a place

A meeting of all times

"What does that mean?"

"Besides that, your brothers have been busy."

"Will see about that." if there's on thing Kitsi was up for it was a challenge.

After finishing her hot meal, making sure to grab something for her kwami's, she got dressed and prepared to head out. Making sure to grab her charm case and backpack. After leaving the apartment. As the note said there was a care waiting for her in front of the building.

Austin greeted Kitsi with a nod of his cap.

"Morning Austin." she greeted her driver. Austin had been her driver since she was in Paris, being transferred from the house back in Japan. She had known him since she was little having driven her from home and school since she was in elementary. Even with his stoic demeanor. Kitsi trusted Austin like most of her family did.

"Your brother's asked me to deliver this to you." from his jacket he handed Kitsi another envelope, "I will driving you for the rest of the day."

Kitsi nodded accepting the envelope.

---

At the Louvre,

Her next clue brought her to one of the cities most regarded landmarks. The Louvre. A large museum filled with vast and priceless pieces of artwork from all walks of life and times. Making it a place where all times met. From the ancient time of Rome to the obedience of the Renaissance. The mystery sands of Egypt to the modern works of renowned artists.

Now the net place for Kitsi's clue.

Her first test was Itsuki related. This one seemed more of Hitoshi's signature.

Whatever her brother's had planned she was going to see it through. Plus with Whissp and Caliburr helping her, she would come out on top.

Once she was inside, Kitsi opened the letter Austin had given her back at the apartment.

You're in a place with many pieces

Which the city loves so much

Look at all the priceless works

But remember not to touch

Hidden in these treasures

A rare case

That you're allowed to break

'Allowed to break?' she looked around for a moment, "In a museum?" there was nothing she could break in there without being fined or possibly thrown in jail. And she was sure her brothers did not want her in jail.

She better get looking. She had a lot of ground to cover.

"I got this!" there was no way this would be too hard. Plus she had a whole museum to take in.

---

One hour later...

After walking around for a good hour or so, without finding a single clue, she made a quick stop at the concession stand and bought a ridiculous amount of candy and stuffed it into her bag and with the way she was feeling decided to consume as much as she could. She needed to rest her feet and let her brain rest. She had been all over the museum trying to figure out her brother's riddled. She had seen plenty of priceless art, which she was sure she couldn't break.

At this point the only thing breaking was her.

Sitting on the bench she rubbed her temples as the sound of footsteps passing filled her ears from the visitors.

At least they were having a good time.

So why wasn't she?

Any other time she would be enjoying her brother's riddles and scavenger hunts. Especially since this would be their first one in Paris together. But for some reason, she couldn't shake the little gray cloud lingering over her head that had formed from the day prior. She tried not to think about it, but something in her head told her it wouldn't be a simple thing to just let go off.

Opening another box of candy she downed the whole back before throwing it empty box in the trash. Since she couldn't go to school as 'punishment' for flicking Chloe on the nose and to figure out the clue to her brother's scavenger hunt. Though if she knew she would get suspended she would have taken a swing at the pain in her butt.

It wasn't fair.

Why was she being punished for something that was completely blown out of context. She was sure she didn't even hurt Chloe. But, being the mayor's daughter gave her more push to get her way. Especially with the headmaster who bent backwards to keep Chloe happy, at the expense of the other students.

But where was Kitsi's leaway? Especially for her troubles she could have gotten detention. Suspension was over the top. At that point she couldn't take it anymore and to a part of her nature she ran.

She ran and ran. And when people asked she lied.

She was fine.

But now she couldn't even enjoy being in a museum without feeling gray.

"Kitsi?"

Peering to the side, her gaze fell on a familiar face.

"May."

It was May Desu. A young girl, about Kitsi's age, who volunteered at the museum from time to time. Taking pictures of the various artwork, with her favorite being the status. She and Kitsi had become art friends. With her love of photography and her love of charm making, they talked from time to time about their crafts.

"I wasn't expecting you see you here today.", Kitsi usually stopped by during the weekends. Popping in for a moment to visit and check in on May. Today, as she was doing her rounds, she noticed a familiar head of dusk red hair sitting on the bench. What drew her close was Kitsi's demeanor, which if you knew Kitsi, was rather off. The energy she gave off was usually energetic and excitedly spontaneous. Now it seemed gray and flickering.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I don't know.", she exhaled looking at nothing in particular.

"I know someplace where we can talk." getting Kitsi up she took them to a more private place to talk. Surprisingly May brought Kitsi to one of the break rooms in the museum. Perci had given her a spare key, with permission, to use the rooms if needed. Right now Kitsi was sitting on the couch. Slouched back eating another box of strawberry gummies.

"How are you feeling?" May asked.

"Besides a headache, I've been better." and that was putting it mildly. Taking a moment to herself Kitsi began piecing information of why she was at the museum. And she didn't like it. At first, it was for a scavenger hunt her brother's had set up to lift Kitsi's spirit. But, in a way, as she thought about what her brother's had done literally overnight. She felt guilty.

All this trouble for her.

All this trouble on her.

Her mind was a mess. Her emotions were confused.

Happy or sad? Angry or relieved? Thankful or melancholy?

She felt it all.

But then why? Why should she feel this way? For everything det before her there was seemed to be an unfair shift that pointed to Kitsi.

What had she done to deserve this?

"I don't ask for much. All I wanted was to do is have one day. Was that too much to ask?" she sniffled before opening another box of candy, "What's a girl gotta do to get some respect around here?" it wasn't like she hadn't earned it. She got thrown off a roof and fought three akuma's in her civilian form.

"It will be okay Kitsi." May placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Domo May-chan." she sighed, "But at this point my only solace maybe in these boxes of candy. At least they'll never go behind my back and hurt me." tipping the box back she emptied them into her mouth and quickly swallowed the remainder before discarding the box to the side.

"Is that healthy?" she didn't particularly eat sweets, but she didn't think eating boxes of it was good for her friend.

"I eat when I'm troubled." she admitted, "I work and I try so hard to do my best in everything I do." both for herself and everyone else, "But what do I get? Complaints and criticism." and false accusations.

"I'm the one who got my brother's to let my classmates volunteer at the studio, got our teacher to let them use the hours for our assignment, and I gave everyone tickets to a concert for practically nothing." she listed off, "I was even going to treat them to a special surprise." which included a day at the spa, shopping, and treating them to a nice lunch, before finally meeting her brothers, not including all the gifts she bought, "But I'm the bad guy because I wouldn't ask Rain for favors. Or that I like my brother better than some singer. He's my older brother." what else was I going to say. He was family, "Who can't even pick up the phone for his own baby sister." she shoved another mochi to stifle her crying.

"It sounds like you've been having a bad day." past tense,"Bad isn't the word." she bit out, "I was suspended. For no reason!" not even her brother's or Andrew knew this. Now she was doing a scavenger hunt her brother's set up and couldn't even enjoy it.

"I didn't nearly get killed multiple times to get treated like this." clenching her hand she crushed the book which had been filled with now flattened rainbow colored sweet drops, "I feel so full of anger." she growled, "And yet my soul feels so empty."

"I want to enjoy myself and what my brothers are doing for me.", because of all the effort they had put into it, "But I'm conflicted." she should be happy, "Instead I'm sitting in a museum, eating boxes of candy."

As she went for another box of treats, her plans were halted when May had gotten the remainder and put them to the side, out of her reach.

"Maybe we should put these to the side for a moment." she suggested, "While I can't imagine how your feeling or what you've been going through. I don't like seeing you punishing yourself." she considered Kitsi a friend. And as a friend to see her so down was not something she wanted to see.

Kitsi was silent, her dejected expression spoke volumes as she looked off to the side. She was hurt. Emotionally mostly. It irked her that at this point everyone tried to find the worse from her when she put only her best. Making assumptions without even asking her. Not even bothering to talk to her. Was it so difficult to just talk to someone?

"That is it!" she had enough, "I am sick and tired of people making assumptions about me. Of believing every little rumor or piece of gossip that comes up."

"...What are you going to do?" May could see the girl was upset, understandably so.

Kitsi paused, looking off for a bit. What was she going to do? Even in her state, she couldn't come up with a solid plan for her next action. She was angry, sad, disappointed, and confused.

"All I know is that I have the need to break something.", which poised badly being in a museum with priceless artifacts and paintings. And also contradicted what she was actually there for.

"Maybe you should, um, take a breather." May offered, "Stressing yourself out isn't good for you."

"Trust me May, stress is the last thing I want to be. I've been trying to keep calm and have a semi-normal afternoon." she frowned, "But it seems like I try to go forward something keeps pulling back." and thinking about it was only making her more stressed.

"Perhaps you just need to look at it differently." she offered, "When I'm feeling down, I come to the museum." it was like a second home to her, "Being around all this history and art makes me feel happy and calm." plus her boyfriend was also there to be an extra ear and shoulder of support.

"I wish I had a space like that." at least she wished she still had a space where she could relax. Besides her house and maybe the roofs of where she patrolled, "Is there something wrong with me? Did I do something wrong?" it was like she was being punished for something she didn't do. Yeah, she left school early and may have wrecked a classroom. But it wasn't her fault. And yes she flicked Chloe on the nose, but she was playing it up to make herself look like the victim.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with you." May defended, "You're a good person." she commented.

"Arigato May-chan." Kitsi gave a small smile after being complimented, "...But" the frown returned seconds later, "I just don't know what to do with myself." and that scared her. She should always have a plan. Whissp always said she was quick on her feet. And Caliburr said she had a warrior's will.

"It will be okay." May tried to reassure, "Sometimes things might seem worse than they appear. But, we hope and believe that things will be better in the morning."

"I wanna be able to reach my goals. With my own hands." Kitsi glanced down at her palms, "But I..." she slowly closed them, "Sometimes I feel like maybe I'm putting too much effort." she would give a hundred a percent whenever she could.

"May can I tell you something? As a friend."

"Of course." she nodded.

"The truth is I might have told some untruths when I started school. Actually when I came to Paris." she admitted, "I was afraid that if I told people who I really am they might not see me as the person I want to be." maybe that's the reason she was being punished.

"Oh...um..." May seemed to be listening with a concerned air around her. Whatever she was about to be told must be something that really effects the girl if she hides it from everyone else.

"I wanted to talk about it. But, things didn't turn out the way I wanted." she exhaled a bit, "So when I tell you this please don't think of me differently."

"S-Sure." she nodded, "But if you don't want to talk about it you don't have to push yourself."

"No. I have to do this." if not she would continue to live with this pressure in her stomach, "The truth is I..." she sucked in a breath. Leaning over she whispered into May's ear. At first, the girl seemed calm for her demeanor which, as the words continued on, her expression would shift through the levels of surprised to shocked.

May gave a slight gasp as Kitsi pulled away, "Really?"

"Yeah."

"Your..."

"Yes."

"That's...I don't know what to say."

"Please say you won't think any better or worse of me." she seemed to beg, "I didn't want to lie. I just wanted normality." it was a humble and unselfish gesture.

"I don't think anything like that. I mean I'm just surprised." she admitted, "I would never have guessed." to her Kitsi never came off as, well, well off. Not saying she was poor or anything. Though with the number of tickets she bought since she's known her she might have suspected something. But nothing like she was just told.

"I've had a bit of practice." it helped to keep things downplayed from time to time. She didn't spend a lot, when she could, only carrying a small amount of money. Hiding any major credit cards her parents opted to let her have. Her clothing was standard with a name brand thrown here and there, with the explanation of finding them on sale. She didn't brag about any trips or even her family that much except what she needed.

"So your not upset with me?"

"I don't think so. I mean there's no reason, right?" for May Kitsi was just Kitsi. She just now knew she was rich, "Money doesn't change who you are. I like you because well...your kind."

"Really?" she blinked, "So you don't think of me differently?"

May shook her head, "You're still Kitsi. Right?"

'I am? I am.'

"I couldn't see you as anyone else."

Kitsi gave a sigh of relief, "Thanks May-chan." those words were soothing to her, "If only everyone else was as modest as you." then she wouldn't feel the need to hit them over the head just to get a solid answer or nearly get akumatized.

"I'm not...really good at talking to most people. But, I do know what it feels like when someone puts you down." she had spent most of her life being picked on by other girls and because of her passive attitude she didn't stick up from herself she had just let it happen. She had a friend here and there, but still, she felt alone. After being akumatized, though she didn't remember much of it...or any of it, she felt even more alone. Like people were looking at her and only saw the giant snake-girl that turned people to stone. But even in her darkest moments, she found her lights. Like Perci, who had comforted her and made her feel happy. He saw her, May, and that was enough for her.

"Just know that if you ever want to talk. I'm right here." she gave a small smile, "Plus Perci is here too." she blushed a bit, "Oh! I know. Perci is doing a sculpting demonstration today." perhaps it was a little something to take her mind off whatever was troubling her.

"Sculpting demonstration?" thinking about it she remembered May said something about Perci training to be a sculptor.

May nodded, "Yeah. Perci's father works for the museum." recreating sculptures and doing touch-ups around the museum, "It's really interesting to watch. It starts in a few minutes. So would you like to go?"

'Well, I don't have anything else to do.' no way she was going back to school and she couldn't really go home right now without being questioned. Especially when she didn't have all the answers herself.

"Sure." she agreed, even hesitantly, "Can I have my mochi back?" she looked at the boxes still in Maty's possession.

"Perhaps after the demo.", she suggested while also throwing the empty boxes away. After helping Kitsi up the two headed to the area where the sculpting demonstration would be taking place.

Though she supposed it beat being at school.

---

At College Dupont Francis College

P.E was just beginning. Students we're warming up for the day's activities. Most were doing stretches, as dictated by the couch before each lesson, while others seemed to be a conversation around the gym.

However, for one person, there seemed to be a gray cloud over her head. On the sidelines, Marinette sat on one of the benches. Her elbows on her lap, as her knuckles cradled her cheeks.

"What's wrong Marinette?" Tikki whispered seeing how anxious her partner looked.

"I don't know." which worried her even more, "I had a plan." she was going to make Kitsi a gift basket and surprise her when she came back to school tomorrow. Yet somehow she did a lot of baking, but not for what she had planned to do.

"I think you may have been distracted a pair of green eyes and a nice voice." Tikki teased. Remembering how her partner was fangirling over her crush and the lead singer who had both strolled into her parent's bakery.

"Right Adrien." she swooned, "I-I mean I wasn't distracted." she defended, though the blush on her cheeks said otherwise.

"Your head was so far in the clouds I didn't think you were ever going to come back down." she giggled.

"Don't judge me." she pouted, "I still have to figure out what I'm going to do about Kitsi."

"Have you thought about talking to her?" Tikki offered.

"Um...I don't know if that will help." she tapped her fingers together.

"Marinette there's nothing to be worried about." Tikki reassured, "Plus this will be a good chance for you two to clear the air."

"Maybe." but she wasn't a hundred percent sure, "What if the talk goes really bad. Like I say something and make things worse!" she panicked, "She already hates me. All because I let myself get jealous, again."

"Marinette she doesn't hate you.", Tikki said.

"She doesn't like me right now either." she frowned, "At this point, I'm not even sure luck can salvage this friendship."

"Marinette?" the student nearly jumped hearing a new voice, looking to the side she spotted Adrien.

"A-Adrien. Hi." she greeted a bit nervously, "I didn't see you there." hopefully he didn't see her talking to herself like some nut case.

"Sorry if I scared you." he apologized, "I saw you sitting here by yourself. Are you okay?" he asked.

"M-Me" she blushed, "I'm...okay. Fine. Couldn't be better." she was lying of course, but she didn't want Adrien to know. He had enough on his plate without her unloading her personal problems on him.

"So how are you?" she tried to change the subject.

"Okay I guess." he replied, "I wanted to thank you. For yesterday." helping him at the bakery. Even though he didn't buy anything right then, he appreciated Marinette's help.

"O-Oh, it was no roblem...problem!" she quickly corrected, "If your ever in the neighborhood you know where to find me." she gave a small smile and earned one back.

"You're really reliable. I'm lucky to have someone like you."

At that moment Mari felt her heart nearly skipped a beat. Adrien thought she was reliable and he was 'lucky' to have her.

'/'

However, Marinette pulled out of her thoughts of admiration when she and Adrien were approached by some of their classmates.

"Hey, guys settle something for us.", Kim began, "What do you think, Kitsi with a tail or Kitsi with a sword?"

"Why would Kitsi have a tail?"

"Or a sword?"

"Kim and Alix were having an argument about what Kitsi would look like as a supervillain.", Max explained that a conversation had been going around about the transfer student.

"I think she turn into some kind of big animal. Like a werewolf.", Alix said.

"Well, I said she turn into some kind samurai." Kim countered, "Seriously she would be awesome with a sword." especially with samurai armor.

"Why are you guys talking about Kitsi being a supervillain?", it wasn't a topic people generally brought up.

"Kim overheard Alya and Nino talking about this morning." and since then the topic was floating around the school. Theories of what Kitsi might look like if ever the time came where she would become Hawkmoths new victim.

"Is this really an important topic?" especially after Kitsi going missing and was actually almost akumatized. Even if no one besides the heroes and a few others knew the truth. It was still a serious topic. Whether it was talking about it or how unserious people sounded while talking about it.

"I still go with the beast thing." Alix said.

"Seriously, you have no imagination.", Kim said.

"I might have to agree with Alix.", Max said, "Even without the animal factor, my data shows Kitsi is more inclined in hand to hand. Using a weapon like a sword wouldn't be practical."

'Hawkmoth isn't exactly practical.', especially when it came to his victims. It usually depended on what item the akuma possessed and what powers came with them.

"Guys Kitsi isn't going to turn into a beast or an evil samurai.", Marinette said.

"Yeah, Kitsi wouldn't hurt anyone.", Adrien added.

"I don't know. Did you see what happened to Chloe's nose." Kim pointed out that the heiress had come to school with her nose bandaged because Kitsi had struck her.

"Come on you don't believe Kitsi would do something like that?", even to someone like Chloe.

"Factoring in Kitsi's strength and her temper and the fact she doesn't like Chloe." Max punched the numbers into his calculator, "There is a 50% probable chance."

"That she hit Chloe?"

"Actually according to my numbers, she would have broken more than her nose." given the fact Kitsi could hold her own against akuma's, her strength and endurance she could have really hurt Chloe then just was noted. No one could deny Kitsi was strong. How much, was still being determined.

"I don't need numbers to tell me, someone should have smacked that spoiled brat ages ago." Alix wasn't one to hold back her dislike of Chloe and was one of the few people who would voice it openly.

"I still don't think Kitsi 'hurt' Chloe as much as people think.", knowing Chloe she was milking it for sympathy. Meanwhile, Kitsi gets suspended and has to deal with the fact she nearly got akumatized again. Alone.

At this point, the other three students had already head off, probably looking for someone to settle their argument.

"This is completely wrong." Marinette sighed, "If anyone deserves sympathy is Kitsi.", not being suspended and being treated like she didn't have feelings by everyone else. She was hurting and everyone was talking about her turning into some kind of monster.

"I agree." Adrien said, "It seems like everyone is worrying about everything else." except the fact that Kitsi could have actually become a pretty strong villain. Even if they didn't know the circumstances, they should at least have some respect for her.

"Nooo!" came a cry that filled the gym. Many students stopped what they were doing and some even cringed at the shrill voice of whatever made the ear-grinding noise. Marinette and Adrien had stood up, out of reflex.

"What was that?", it sounded like a banshee. Had another akuma spawned already?

Suddenly something or rather someone came running up towards them and into Adrien. It was none other than Chloe.

Of course.

"What happened?" Adrien questioned. One because Chloe was crying and two because she was crying into him a bit too close for his comfort. Especially with how she buried her face in his chest.

"It' horrible, absolutely horrible!" she whined, looking up he could see she had been crying and he also got a closer look at her bandaged nose.

"What?"

"There completely ruined!" Chloe cried as Sabrina showed the remains of Chloe's hair-clips. It looked like they had been stepped on or possibly put in a blender.

"Whoa Chloe calm down girl." Adrien said trying to calm her down, "There just hair clips." no need to cry over them.

"Can't you just buy new ones ?" Marinette commented.

"Oh, that's brilliant." Chloe snapped sarcastically, "This was a one of kind, handmade piece. It will take weeks to replace." Though this was the precise reason they urged against students wearing jewelry and other fragile items during gym class.

"Can't you just call the designer you got it from and get another set of hair-clips?" they were pretty sure with her being the mayor's daughter she could get a new pair with a snap of her fingers.

"Of course I could." Chloe replied back, "Now where is that friend of yours?"

"Friend?" she questioned, "Alya?" if she was looking for her then her guess was as good as Marinette. She hadn't seen her since yesterday after she told her about her super important, big, interview she was preparing for.

"Not the blogger. The other one." that still didn't answer the question because Marinette had many friends. That could be anyone.

"You mean Kitsi?" she was the only other person she could think off at the moment.

"Duh? She does things like this, now where is she?" she questioned again. Usually, if Marinette was around Kitsi wasn't far behind.

"Isn't Kitsi out for the day?" reminding that Kitsi was suspended for the day for what Chloe had been saying as 'assault', which led to her broken nose. Honestly, she didn't know how no one knew about this.

"Well that's just perfect." she huffed, "She actually needs to be here and she goes off and gets suspended."

"Chloe you got her suspended." Adrien reminded that it was Chloe who had cried to the headmaster that Kitsi had damaged her nose for no reason and got her suspended for an undetermined amount of time.

At this point, they began to think maybe Kitsi had a point about people taking her for granted.

"Chloe, why do you need to see Kitsi so much? Just call the designer and have you send you a new pair." Adrien suggested, wondering why Chloe was being so defensive about it.

Chloe gave a slightly surprised look before looking off to the side.

"Chloe? What are you hiding?" Adrien questioned. He knew when the heiress was hiding something. She had a tell when she wasn't being a hundred percent truthful.

"Nothing." Chloe denied.

"Chloe?" Adrien pressed knowing his friend was hiding something. Being friends since childhood, he could recognize the telling signs.

"I told you it's nothing." but she still insisted to see Kitsi.

But both students didn't seem to buy it. Chloe was definitely hiding something.

"Chloe would this have something to do with the fact that Kitsi was the one who made those clips." and gave them to her.

Chloe seemed to pale for a moment.

"No. Why would you say something like that?" she debated, "You think I would wear just anything."

"Really because I remember seeing designs just like this in Kitsi's sketchbook.", Marinette commented, knowing Chloe couldn't contradict something on paper.

"Those hair clips were made by Kitsi!" Sabrina blurted out.

"...Yeah, so." she finally admitted, though with her usual uppity tone, "They're just hairclips I have dozens more at home." she stated.

"Really because you seem to be wearing them an awful lot." in fact there wasn't a day since the competition she wasn't wearing them in her hair and when people noticed she boasted about how she got them from a famous designer that only made pieces for high society.

"W-Well that's um...because they happen to match my outfit." Chloe replied, obviously an excuse to admit she actually liked the clips her classmate had made, "Just tell me where she is so she can fix these things." she demanded obviously frustrated.

"Chloe, she's suspended.", Marinette reminded. They didn't even know where she was. Even then wouldn't even tell the petty heiress.

"Well, she needs to be here now!" Chloe fumed, "One of you get on your phones and call her." she demanded.

"Chloe calm down." Marinette sighed, not in the mood for one of the girl's tantrums, "Plus she's can't come back to the school." and probably wouldn't talk to them anyway.

"Ugh! You're all completely useless!" Chloe scowled and with a scoff, she marched away with Sabrina in tow.

Both Adrien and Marinette sighed.

"I better go make sure she's okay." and doesn't hurt any innocent bystanders. The last thing they needed was another akuma. Excusing himself he went to after his childhood friend leaving Marinette alone.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Marinette commented.

"When does she ever wake up on the right side.", Tikki whispered added causing both girls to giggle.

"You got me there." she gave a small grin, "Still can you believe her?", she gets Kitsi's suspended and then has the nerve to think she would do something for her like fix the hair-clips she had been pawning off as designer.

Thankless brat.

"Alright students listen up." the coach called the class to order, "Today we are going to be having class outside." that seemed to put the students in good spirits. Having class outside.

"Because you will all be running laps."

The cheers soon turned to gasps.

"Lapse?"

"We were going to be having a swim day, but it looks like we have an uneven amount of students to make a team." with one student being injured, one being absent, and another out for suspension. The lesson had to be completely changed.

"So that will be pushed back and we will be focusing on your cardio and endurance." he instructed, "Twenty lapses around the school!"

"Sir, isn't that a bit much?", Adrien asked.

"Nonsense." the teacher disagreed, "I'm sure you are each capable of completing this task."

"Now then outside everyone." he instructed, "That goes for you too Ms. Bourgeois." he added.

"Um hello, I'm injured." she pointed to her bandaged nose.

"Not for running." he said, "Now to the track." with a few grumbles the students headed out to the track field. Chloe passing a glare to the teacher.

Marinette sighed to herself. Today was going to be a long day.

---

Back at the museum...

May was right. The demonstration was quite popular with people as all the seats set for those participating were filled with attendants young and old. Up front, Perci and his father were giving a demonstration on sculpting. Participants were given a block of stone and were tasked with creating their own pieces from the material. Each person chiseling away while the instructor gave examples and instructions on various techniques to aid them. Some were good and some could use works. With the occasional overworking that turned rocks into pebbles. But, it was still fun. May was taking pictures of the class which would be used for future promotions.

For Kitsi's part, she just watched. Perhaps she would take a future class when she had the time. But, she had to admit it was relaxing even if she was only observing. Somehow it made her heart feel lighter. The inner silence. Like she could breathe with worry.

When it ended and clean-up began Kitsi volunteered to help clean up.

"So what did you think?" May asked as she and Kitsi were picking up tools from the tables.

"It was nice actually." she admitted, "I had fun. Maybe next time I can participate." she gave a small smile.

"Anyway I should get back to finishing this scavenger hunt." she pulled out the note, "I'm still having trouble figuring out this clue.' she had looked at over the clue multiple times and still couldn't figure out what her brother was directing her too.

She still couldn't figure the riddle out. Something in a museum that you can break.

Kitsi nodded, "This mean anything to you?"

May looked at the riddle and seemed just as confused as Kitsi. She couldn't think of anything breakable in the museum.

"Hey May!" Perci had just come from the back room and saw his girlfriend looking over a piece of paper, "What are you looking at?", he asked walking up to them.

"I'm trying to help Kitsi solve a riddle." she pointed out.

"Hello." she greeted her friends birthday.

"A riddle?"

"It's something her brother's made. But we're having a bit of trouble.", she mentioned.

"You wouldn't happen to know of anything breakable in the museum?" Kitsi asked. Perci had been at the museum longer than May since his father was an employee. Surely he knew something they were missing.

"Well, everything is breakable.", he commented.

"Anything I can legally break?" she asked.

Perci seemed to think, "Nothing I can think of." even with all his time there even he didn't know anything that could be legally broken. Even touching items was grounds for being removed.

"Sorry, Kitsi."

"It's fine May.", when her brother's said they were making it tough they meant it.

"Perci." another voice called.

"Yeah, dad?", Perci's father was one of the architects and sculptors of the museum. As a former archaeologist, he spent most of his early life traveling and finding new pieces of art and treasures from all over the world.

"It's time to move these vases.", he mentioned to the various pieces that had been sitting on the wall.

"Are those new pieces for the museum?" May asked curiously. In all honesty, she thought they were made during one of the classes. By the look and design of the pieces and the overall display of them seemed old.

"Actually there dummy pieces.", Perci mentioned.

"There items that were brought to the museum to be checked for authenticity." his father explained that Louvre got items from all over. So they had to be checked before they were displayed. Just in case they were fake, replicas, or in some cases illegally sent to the museum.

"These particular pieces are being taken to the basement to be scrapped."

"Scrapped?"

'You know broken."

Kitsi eyes widened at this, "Did you say broken?"

"Oh yes. Can't have things like this floating around." it would quite embarrassing for the museum,

"And this is legal right?"

Perci's father nodded.

"You wouldn't happen to need a hand, would you?" she asked.

Something told her she found a release for her stress.

---

At the Studio...

"Almost done.", Hitoshi said with relief that everything seemed to be coming together. Once Kitsi see's her surprise, her dazzling smile was sure to return. He was already picturing it his head.

'You did all this for me?'

'You're the best big brother!'

Hitoshi couldn't help but grin at this.

"Well, that should do it for the first half of the setup.", Akihiko said packing away some leftovers that didn't get used, "Perhaps it's time for a break." he suggested. They still had a good amount of time before Kitsi would arrive. For extra measure, they made sure to make the scavenger hunt extra difficult for Kit. But the results would be well worth it.

"The set is nearly complete. Directions are on point. And all the checkpoints are going well."

"I can't wait to see the look on Kit's face when she sees this." it was going to leave her speechless.

"Oh Rain!" the group each gave looks of frustration as they saw a familiar head of blond coming their way. As they came to stop in front of the group, they both greeted...Rain, though Chloe seemed more boisterous to her presence, while the one behind her was quieter and shyly waved the singer with a nervous smile.

"Ugh, what are they doing here?" Hitoshi grumbled in Japanese. All three brother's looked at the eldest to handle his fans. It was bad enough keeping them away from the studio after word got out that Rain and the band frequented the building. Security had to be increased just to keep nosy reporters out. But after the incident yesterday Hitoshi had been adamant about keeping unauthorized people out of the studio. Especially those who may or may not have had a hand in upsetting his sister.

The only reason he wasn't saying anything was because he had promised Kit he wouldn't.

"How can I help you, Ms. Bourgeois?", Rain greeted, silently growing rather frustrated with the girl popping up when she felt like it. Mostly due to her father's position as both the mayor of Paris and the owner of the hotel he and the band were staying at. Which is why he had to sneak away when he was composing Kitsi's surprise. Plus as it turned out both girls were in his sister's class so he would be cordial, as needed. Though he thought he made it clear about space. Both for himself and his band members.

"Well, when I heard you were here I had to come and say hello.", she said with a sweet voice that oozed with flattery. Her friend giving small wave behind her.

"Well, that was very kind of you. Both of you.", he said, though only half-heartedly. The heiress had already greeted him, multiple times already, so obviously there was another reason from her sudden visit, "Though unnecessary, having to come all this way." yet how she knew he was at the studio was worry some.

"Hijō ni fuhitsuyōna." Hitoshi murmured as he stood there having to listen to this dribble, "Can we get going?" the question earned an annoyed glare from Chloe, but ignored by the older. He wasn't going to be intimidated by some spoiled brat who threw her dads name around.

"Apologies Ms. Bourgeois, I...we have a prior engagement we need to attend to." Rain pointed out, though not giving any details lest risk her popping up or trying to follow and ruining the surprise.

"Of course! And being the kind person I am, I thought it would be nice to personally escort you wherever you need to go." she offered.

"That is 'kind' of you Ms. Bourgeois, but unnecessary. I have my own transportation." he reminded that he had his own driver and could easily get around the city.

"Oh...well of course!" she smiled if only not to appear jilted, "I also wanted to invite you to lunch at the Le Grande Paris Dining Hall." which promoted the finest food in all of Paris.

"That's very kind of you Bourgeois, but again unnecessary." again he declined the offer, "I actually have plans."

"Still I insist on treating you to lunch on me of course." again she insisted getting a bit too close to the singer, "Think of it as a thank you for all your hard work."

"Ms. Bourgeois...", Rain began.

"Chloe would be fine." she insisted.

"What I was about to say is that while I appreciate your...hospitality." to say the least, "I must decline your offer." he repeated, "I have work to do here and we're on a schedule."

But again Chloe didn't seem to get the message.

"Well I still insist." and she wasn't taking no for an answer, "Plus I'm sure the help can finish up work."

"Help?"

"Is she talking about us?" the triplets didn't seem to like that comment.

"We aren't the help." Hitoshi corrected. They were employees. Interns by title, but employees all the same. The way she was describing it they were some kind of grunts or clean-up crew.

"Whatever." she brushed it aside, "So lunch?"

Rain sighed, "Again Ms. Bourgeois, I don't have time for lunch." he had a project to complete and the conversation was taking away precious, "If there's nothing else please let us get back to work."

It was then Rain noticed something different about the heiress.

"Your nose," he commented seeing the bandages over the bridge of her nose.

"Horrible right? I was viciously assaulted by some brute." hurting her poor nose, "It's a miracle it wasn't worse."

"Are you okay?" he asked if only to be courteous. Though by the looks of the bandages the injury must be serious.

"My condolences." he offered.

"That's so sweet of you!", her demeanor changed from victim to fangirl again in the blink of an eye. Latching onto the singer's arm for some kind of comfort, "Which is why it would mean so much to me if you came to lunch with me."

Rain sighed. This was going nowhere.

"Ms. Bourgeois...", Rain said

"Chloe would be fine." she insisted.

"If I take you to lunch would you promise not to bother us for the rest of the day?" even if Rain was basically only going to lunch with her to get her off his and his brother's back so they could work. Essentially getting her to leave them alone. She took it as a victory and instantly agreed.

"Do you mind if I take Ms. Bourgeois and her friend to lunch?", even if they were losing a hand or two, it would get the blonde heiress out of their head so they could work.

"That seems reasonable." Akihiko said, "Just don't be out late." they still had tests to run and needed Rain at the studio to do them.

With a nod, Rain found himself being reluctantly lead away by Chloe to what would hopefully be a short lunch.

"I don't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for the guy." especially since he got guilted into taking the spoiled daughter of the mayor out to lunch.

"It also seems were short-handed." which meant the work would be a bit slower, 'Hopefully Ame's time won't be too bad."

"I hope he brings us something back." Hitoshi commented, "I'm starving."

"Lunch." Itsuki, in the conversation, had gone to the back and brought back three lunches. Each one had been made by the chefs and Andrew back at the family house.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Hitoshi beamed. No one could resist that kind of cooking.

"Well let's eat up." they still had a bit of time before Kit was set to arrive. But, they could enjoy a little downtime.

---

Back at the Louvre,

It was a done deal. In the basement, Kitsi was busying herself breaking vases. Smashing the phony pots onto the basement floor. The pieces scattering to the floor to which Kitsi searched carefully for a clue.

"Find anything?", May and Perci had been helping in the search. Donning gloves and safety goggles as they used mallets to break open the items in search of a clue. So far, they found nothing.

"Keep looking." they still had a few more pots to go and Kitsi was prepared to go 'Zelda' on every last one until she got her prize. Picking up the pace she began smashing more and more pots until after 20 or so pots, May carefully cracked opened a red, rectangle. Looking through the rubble she found something.

"What the...?"

"Did you find a clue?"

"No I found...a box?" it was wrapped in a blanket.

"What is this?" holding it up, Perci and Kitsi came over to look at her discovery.

"A bento?" as sure as her eyes were maroon and there were two magical sprites in her hair, they had found a bento.

"A what?"

"A Japanese box lunch. Prepared in a compact and easy to carry container." Kitsi explained.

"There's a note." handing it to Kitsi, she opened it up and read.

Congrats, you found it

Something one of a kind

Sure to feed your stomach

Each bite with you in mind

Go to the fountain

For a quick drink

Look down, Look deep

For some time in the water

Don't falter

There your next clue

Will be waiting for you

"I got to go to the fountain!" there she would find her next clue and eat the delicious lunch she just found.

"Arigato May-chan! Perci-kun!" she thanked her friend and her boyfriend, "You guys are the best!", without their help, she might not have found out about the basement and release some of her emotions from smashing the vases. There was just something about broken pottery that was rather soothing.

"I really owe you guys." in fact. Going into her bag Kitsi handed May a box and Perci an envelope.

"Thank you guys again." and with that, she ran off before the two could question about the items they had been given.

"Good luck Kitsi.", May said as she waved to her friend. It was nice to see her energy again.

---

Back at the school,

Students had been let out for an early lunch. After the couches exercises from running around the school, Ms. Bustier gave her students an early break to rest their aching limbs. Since they weren't focusing on class.

While other took the time to rest on the benches and stairs, some had gone off campus. Adrien had another photoshoot, while Chloe and Sabrina went back to the hotel. Refusing to dine on common food in the cafeteria. Typical.

Marinette had been surprised the heiress didn't stay to milk the whole 'injury' thing. She didn't seem so injured when she was rubbing her face in Adrien's chest. At that point, Marinette could have taken a swing at Chloe herself.

Other than her aching legs, she couldn't stop thinking about her absent classmate. It felt weird not having Kitsi there. She supposed she had become used to having Kitsi near. Talking about random things and asking Marinette for treats she sometimes brought to school. Even the times she wasn't near her, Kitsi always left an energy that hung around.

She missed it.

She didn't know when Kitsi would be back. Especially with her suspension still in effect, she might not be back until who knows when. If she even decided to come back. Kitsi felt unappreciated and taken for granted. And she couldn't argue that there was a lack of sympathy when it came to Kitsi's feelings. Even by her own classmates who had shown more concern over Chloe's nose, then the fact Kitsi wasn't there.

It wasn't like she could tell them what happened? Could she?

Perhaps if they knew how Kitsi was feeling then they would understand and feel more concern over her situation. But, what if she made it worse. She didn't want Kitsi to think she was talking about her behind her back.

Especially since she herself was just as guilty as anyone for taking Kitsi for granted.

She had thought just talking to her might be enough. But, the more she took everything into account she knew she would have to think bigger. Much bigger.

In her absence, Marinette had noticed how much Kitsi's presence had affected the school. She would help carry heavy items when students and faculty needed help. She was always there to give advice if needed. She also kept Chloe in line at moments when the heiress tried to bully to get her way.

Even after her short time at the school, Kitsi had made a place in people's lives. It was such a shame most people didn't know it. Now they would rather talk about Kitsi turning into some kind of monster.

But they didn't know.

They didn't see what she witnessed first hand. Feel the weight of guilt and helplessness watching someone you cared about being corrupted. Knowing that in the end, they would have to fight them.

And knowing that part of it was your fault.

---

Fontaine de la Victoire

Standing before the large fountain Kitsi couldn't help inhale. With such a beautiful day it was relaxing being in such a place. The fountain was one of the biggest in the city. Making it one of the best places to have lunch. And after the time at the museum, she was starving. Setting the box on the side of the ledge of the fountain, Kitsi placed the napkin on her lap and setting the bento on to of her lap.

"Itadakimasu!" now to eat, "This is going to be so yummy!" she couldn't wait.

As she prepared to open the box she suddenly felt something pressing against her side. She would have ignored it save for it being wet.

"Wet?" turning to the side she nearly fell off the fountain when she saw what had bumped into her.

"Am I crazy or is that a...crocodile?", that had come out of the Paris fountain. She was so hungry she was seeing things.

"If you're crazy then it's contagious." because they saw it too. They watched as the crocodile moved about the ledge, balancing its body from falling out the fountain. How it got it was a mystery. How no one had seen it was another mystery. Though it wouldn't be the only time the people of Paris were oblivious to things.

She thought about leaving and calling animal control to come an get the animal before it hurt someone. But, before she could leave she noticed something. The crocodile didn't look dangerous. In fact, it looked a bit, upset.

"Kit?", her kwami's cautioned her to be careful as she moved a bit closer to the creature who seemed to notice her as they turned to look at her. His yellow meeting her marooned. They looked so, sad.

Continuing her observation she noticed something on the croc's mouth. A black strap that was wrapped around. The material tight around its scaly skin. Preventing him from opening his mouth.

"That doesn't look too good.", carefully moving closer the croc growled at Kitsi. To them, she was a stranger. A threat.

"I'm not going to hurt you," she said carefully, though she probably should be worried about herself. Crocodiles were one of those creatures that could do a lot of damage, "I just want to get that off you. Is that okay?" with steady movement she reached out her hand. Gently showing she was not a threat to them. The croc would growl and move it's head slightly. Until Kitsi found the strap, feeling the material against her fingertips.

"This in on tight." they must have gotten tangled up and ended up in the fountain for safety with its mouth roped shut, "Let's see if we can get this off you. Just promise not to bite me afterward.", once it seemed to give her some trust and she went to work. Carefully working the material she maneuvered it to slide off it's about with a good pull. Freeing the croc from its prison.

"There now, isn't that better?", she said seeing how happy it looked after being able to move its mouth again.

"Aw, what a cute crocodile.", Kitsi commented, "You're not bad at all.", he was just agitated by his snot being tangled in the rope.

"Maybe it escaped from the zoo.", she heard Whissp commented.

"I don't think so.", just by the behavior, it looked more domesticated than anything, "Are you lost big guy?", she rubbed the scale of his head lightly. The croc's tail wagging as its tongue hung out like a dog.

"But why did he come out of the fountain?", Caliburr asked. From what she was hearing this animal wasn't supposed to be where it was.

Kitsi commented, "He must have been attracted to the lunch Andrew made." no one could resist this kind of cooking.

"Kit, look in its mouth." Whissp pointed out. Looking at its mouth Kitsi spotted something hanging from the side of its jaw. It looked like some kind of watch.

"Remember the clue." he reminded.

"Time in the fountain."

"It was the watch." her brother's must have put it there. And now it was in the mouth of a croc.

"How about a trade? That little watch for this yummy food." she hated to giving up her lunch, but it was for a good cause. Opening the box she showed the crocodile all the delicious found on the inside. Leaning in closer the crocodile sniffed at the food and with a wag of his tail seemed to indicate he liked what he smelled.

After dropping the waterproof watch, Kitsi took it and handed over her lunch to the playful croc. Who happily gobbled the food up. Munching it effortlessly in his massive jaw.

"I have the same reaction." she giggled, "But I did find the next clue." but as she prepared to leave she felt something on her leg. It was the croc who had been nuzzling her leg. Scratching her with his scaley.

"Well aren't you a sweetheart." she commented patting his head, "I wish I could stay and play with you, but I have to go.", but she couldn't leave him there. He could wander off and get run over or worse be captured by animal control.

"Know anyone who lost a crocodile?"

Kitsi pondered for a moment. Who in the world would have a crocodile in Paris?

---

At the Le Grand Paris Hotel...

"Mister Stone I assure you there is nothing to worry about.", Andre had been trying to assure the rocker who had been passing his suite for the past hour.

"Don't tell me there's nothing to worry about." Jagged was not in the mood. He had come back from a session of laying down some awesome tracks at the studio and then comes back to his suite to find his crocodile Fan, was missing. After tearing the room apart he had called in the owner, Andre, and demanded the hotel be searched top to bottom for Fang.

"I assure you my staff is searching the hotel for your crocodile." he made sure to get the species right this time. Having slipped calling him an alligator which irritated the singer.

"We're sure you're doing all you can." Penny, Jagged Stone's assistant, was trying to keep her client and friend calm, "Jagged and Fang have a very close relationship."

"I raised him from a little egg." now he was lost somewhere in the city. Alone. Without him and or his favorite squeak toy to keep him company. He didn't want to leave him in the suite. But the studio wouldn't allow 'animals' in the studio. Plus it was suggested he would be comfortable in the room for a couple of hours.

"If anything happens to my Fang, I'll never forgive myself."

"Don't worry Mister Sone. As the mayor of Paris, which is me, I'll have the entire police force searching the entire city if he had too.", at this point, he was prepared to have the heroes searching.

'Knock, Knock'

The sudden knocking turned their attention to the door that slowly opened.

"Excuse me. Sorry to intrude." which apparently she was seeing as the Mayor of Paris and Jagged Stone were in the same room.

"Young lady I hope you have a good reason for barging in here.", Andre said in a tone of modest offense.

"Sorry, but the front desk told me to come here." opening the door more she showed the extra guest she had with her. Which shocked those in the room.

"Fang!" upon hearing his name the crocodile, now known as Fang, had quickly ran and jumped onto the rocker like a dog welcoming its owner home. Only reversed.

Kitsi couldn't help but giggle. It was like watching two best friends, instead of an owner and his pest. It really showed the love they had for each other.

"I've been looking all over for you.", Fang responded with a number of licks to Jagged's face, who laughed, "That tickles Fang! I missed you too."

"I figured the only person crazy enough to have a pet croc in this city, must be none other than Jagged Stone.", Kitsi commented in her own language.

"As you can see your Fang was in danger at all." Andre spoke, "He was in the capable hands of the hotel...animal walker." he said.

"Animal walker?" she raised her eyebrow.

"Excuse us for just one moment." taking hold to Kitsi he moved them out of earshot. Complimenting Kitsi, not by her name, for taking such good care of Fang. While also complimenting Jagged as a precious guest of the hotel.

Once they seemed to be in a safe place the owner, who she knew was the mayor of the city and father to her 'classmate', was trying to persuade her to act like she worked for the hotel. She guessed it was a way to save face and not admit they lost the legendary rock and rollers beloved pet and friend. Which would be a PR nightmare with the number of fans in the city and all over the world who loved the singer. Especially if something had happened to the lovable killer croc.

Kitsi thought for a moment. She could go along with the charade and help the owner. Or...she could tell the truth and let him deal with the consequences. Especially since this would look bad on Chloe if her father's hotel got in trouble for the negligence of a guest. She could ride this for however long. That would teach that brat. She got her suspended. A little payback would be so easy since it was practically gift wrapped for her. And with her mind, she could exploit it to no limits.

But some little extra voices in her head and nuzzles on her neck. The dark impulses simmered down in her brain.

"I'll play along, but you got to do something for me." she whispered, "Unless you want to explain to Jagged Stone, world-famous rocker, how you lost his best friend who was nearly captured by animal control." that would be a headline.

"Name your price." Andre seemed to agree.

Kitsi smirked. This was going to be fun. Leaning close to his ear she whispered something in the hotel owners ear. Her terms in order to keep her mouth shut.

"I can't do that." even the thought of it made him nervous.

Kitsi rolled her eyes a bit, "Then how about...", she whispered something else in his ear.

Andre pondered her request for a moment, before nodding. With that they shook hands, sealing the deal. Putting on their best they returned to the singer still welcoming Fang back.

"Thank you again for taking such good care Fang." his assistant Penny, thanked Kitsi for keeping an eye on him.

"The pleasure was all mine." Kitsi said, "Mr. Bourgeois knows how much you care for your best friend and wanted to make sure Fang was healthy and comfortable while Mr. Jagged Stone was touring the city.", explaining it was part of a new program to give all guests and their companions the same level of comfort the best service expected of a five-star hotel.

"Only the best for King of Rock and Rock roll," Andre added.

"Don't push it.", Kitsi added quickly. She never much cared for people who tried too hard to flatter someone. Especially to kiss up to someone because of their status. Which of the main reasons why she didn't tell people about her parents, her big brother Ame, or most people in her family.

"Hey Fang what's this around your neck?" he noticed the collar around Fangs throat. The black letter studded with purple pieces.

"That's mine." Kitsi said, "It seems some people aren't used to seeing a crocodile in the city." even if it belonged to a famous star like Jagged Stone, "Now when Fang walks on the scene, they will know this is a killer croc of rock!" literally. She used the remains of the leather strap that had caught fang and some of the pieces she kept in her case. And with a little super strength glue, she got the croc a new 'leash' on life.

"Now that's what I call metal!" Jagged seemed to like the extra edition of the studded collar, "I definitely need to jam about this."

"Thank you, Miss..."

"Kitsi Inari." she introduced herself, "But people call me Kit."

"Well, Kit consider yourself a friend of mine." especially after bringing back his Fang.

"Epic." she flashed a metal sign, "And speaking of jam, I gotta roll.", she still had her errands to complete, "Thank you for choosing the Le Grande Paris Hotel!" with a quick bow she left the room.

---

At the Agreste Mansion,

In his office, Gabriel was going through some designs on his monitor. Testing new colors on various articles and accessories.

"Mr. Agreste.", came a voice on the intercom.

"Yes, Natalie."

"Sir, you have a call."

"I'm rather busy. Can it wait?", he had his hands full with a runway in three days. Plus dealing with incompetent workers who couldn't even get a simple pattern right, "Who is it?"

"It's Lady Iro.", his assistant responded. Halting his movement, the designer's attention seemed to have changed.

"Send it through.", even during the busiest of times, especially in his profession, certain clients held a higher priority than others. This was one of those times.

"Hello, this is Gabriel Agreste."

"Evening, Gabriel.", a voice spoke on the other end, "It's been far too long."

"Yes, it has been a while since our last conversation.", six months to be more precise, "I trust you're doing well."

"To a point.", she responded, "I wish this was a less personal call. We could catch up. Unfortunately, this is business. I was calling about these 'photos' you sent me.", she said with a hint of disappointment behind her calmness, "I think we might not have understood each other."

"Are you saying you don't approve of the designs?"

"This isn't about designs." not fully, "I mostly agreed to this collaboration of yours between my son and your brand, is because your son happens to know mon petit pétard. And because you promised she would be apart of the shot as well." she said in a loving tone among the icy words, "Then you send me pictures of your son and a girl I don't know." even though the speaker the client on the other end didn't sound too happy with what she had been sent, "I know you don't joke Gabriel. And I'm not in the mood to laugh." especially when it came to her child.

"What photos are you talking about?" looking at his screens he watched as a number of photos appeared on his workstation.

"I don't know what you're trying to pull Gabriel, but I don't like being tricked." she said in a calm and warning tone, "This isn't what was agreed to."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes at the photos, "I see."

"Make no mistake I will be correcting this oversight." he said, "I'll have Natalie keep you updated with the changes once they become available."

"I know you will. Because if it isn't and my petit petard isn't happy. Winter might be coming sooner than you think. Ja ne." with that the phone line clicked off.

Pressing the button on the intercom he spoke, "Natalie." he was going to get to the bottom of this.

---

Back at the studio...

"Well looks who finally came back." Hitoshi and the other's watched as Rain came back into the studio.

"How was your lunch?" Akihiko asked.

"I would rather not talk about." he murmured in his native tongue.

"Was it that bad?"

"All she did was talk about herself most of the time.", he spoke in Japanese. From the time they left to their lunch at the restaurant, Chloe would only talk about herself or compliment him in some form of way. A false modesty he quickly noted and in a way detested.

"So where are your little groupies?" Hitoshi questioned if only to tease the eldest.

"Honestly I don't know.", during the lunch, Chloe had gotten a phone call and had left from the table without much of an explanation. It was odd and rather rude, but at least he was allowed to finish his lunch in relative peace.

"Well it's good to have you back." now they could put the finishing touches and begin the final phase of their plan.

"Right." he nodded.

"How long will it be before Kit gets here?"

"According to Austin, she found the clue in the fountain.", Akihiko read the text the driver had sent. Besides driving Kitsi around, he was keeping tabs on her so they knew how long they had before she got to the final clue.

"Alright, so that gives us only a few more hours until Kitsi would arrive.

---

At College Dupont Francis College...

"What's Chloe crying about?", the last time she had heard anything from her, she had been bragging about her lunch with Rain. Texting pictures around of her and the singer at her father's hotel. Then she comes to class to find Chloe crying on the floor with the whole class watching. She swore if this was about her nose again...

"Adrien's not coming back to school anymore! Ever!", she cried. Her mascara was running, creating a line of black where tears had run down her cheeks. Sabrina was trying to comfort her, to no avail.

"What!?", did she hear right?, "What does she mean, Adrien's not coming back to school?"

"Adrien's dad has grounded him.", Kim said.

"For life.", Max added.

"Grounded?", like he got in trouble.

"But why is he being pulled out of school?", Adrien couldn't have done anything remotely bad that would warrant being pulled out of school. He was sweet and kind.

"Don't know. But, Adrien's dad was super upset.", he even came up to the school, kind of, and basically scolded him in the headmaster's office. After that, he took Adrien home and now he won't be back to school. Chloe had found out first and had a serious breakdown from the news.

Marinette bit her lip, "Adrien's...never coming back.", it felt like her heart had been cracked into pieces. She was never going to see Adrien again. The love of her life might be gone forever and there was nothing she could do about it.

---

"Adrien's being taken out of school?", not something she expected to hear. But, her day had been filled with expectations. So she couldn't exactly talk, "But why would he be leaving school?"

After she left the hotel and returned to the fountain where her driver, Austin, was thankfully still waiting for her. After she saved Fang from the fountain and returned him back to Jagged, she still had found her next clue and had been driven to what was her final spot where she would receive the location of her surprise. Of all the places in Paris she could have ended up, she found herself in a boutique. Definitely Akihiko's challenge.

The store was of modest size, but the inside was filled with a number of clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories that many girls would die for.

"Are you sure about what you heard?, Whissp asked.

Caliburr nodded, "It seems there was trouble with his father and now your classmate may not be for much longer.", Caliburr said what she had heard when she got stuck at the ice cream bar at the hotel. She had heard it from the blond, Chloe, who sounded like she was about to have a breakdown when she got the news.

"Well it seems perfect Adrien Agreste has made a mistake." she air quoted, "What did he do?", now Kitsi wasn't one to assume something about someone right of the bat. But, if everyone was going to assume things about her, then she plays the same game.

"From what I heard your classmate gave some misinformation to his father." a classic case of shooting the messenger.

"Wow, I heard rumors that his dad was tough but pulling him out of school." just because of some misinformation. That was a bit much. Then again most of the stories seem accurate when she thought about the times she had seen the designer. Even from his rare appearance, Kitsi saw a stern and a rather solid personality.

"What could he possibly have said that would make his dad take him out of school?". Caliburr probably heard wrong. He was probably taking his son out for a day or two. He couldn't just remove him from school altogether.

Right?

Not that she cared what was happening. This was between Adrien and his father. If he got in trouble that was his business, not hers.

Right?

Sure she had covered for Adrien in the past, but not anymore. He needed to learn about the consequences of his actions.

"I'm not touching this.", she was wiping her hands clean, "I'm going to get my big surprise." and that was that "This is going to be amazing. Right?"

"What's wrong Kit?" Whissp asked seeing a conflicted look on Kitsi's face.

"Nothing, I was just thinking...", she scratched her neck, "I mean it's not like I care or anything.", she didn't.

"But?", she seemed to be avoiding something.

"Nothing. I'm going to find this last clue and go get my surprise.", right after she finishes this challenge, she'll be whisked off to see what her brother's had been working on, "Do you think I should go with the blue or the yellow?" she held up two of the outfits she had picked up to try on.

"I go for the yellow. Brings out your eyes.", Whissp commented.

"What about Adrien?", Caliburr asked.

"What about him?", she already said she wasn't going to get involved, "Even if I wanted to help him. What am I supposed to do?", it was between him and his father, "I can't just go up to Adrien's father and say, 'Hello Mr. Agreste, you don't know me, but I think you're being a bit over the top taking your son out of the school'.", because that would work so well, "I don't even know what he's upset about."

"Isn't it worth it to try?", Caliburr said, "I know you have your doubts about your friends at the moment. But, you might be the only one that can help."

"But what can I do?". Even if she wanted to help, she wasn't exactly in a position to be making demands of anyone. It wasn't like she could walk into his office and convince him to let Adrien stay. She was no one.

With a sigh, she gathered the clothes and headed back into the boutique. There's wasn't much she could do at this point. All she had to do was buy her some clothes and then she could go. Whatever problems came up, unless it was an akuma attack, it was out of her hands.

"Uh, Kit. I think you're going the wrong way.", where she wanted to go was the opposite direction, "Where are you going?"

"I don't know.", it was like she wanted to go one way, but her feet weren't listening. She wanted to go to the register and pay for her items. So why was she heading to the back of boutique? The only thing back there were dresses and gowns. As she looked through the clothing she found the dresses themselves looked rather luxurious and the price tags were set in the triple digits.

Going further back she stopped by a half mannequin that displayed a particular outfit that caught Kitsi's eye. A full outfit with shoes and purse.

With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, "I'm about to do something really stupid." she sighed, "Looks like ice cream is going to have to wait."

"Where to this time?"

"To save a foolish princess.", for the last time. Reaching up she grabbed the dress and headed toward the front.

---

At the Agreste Manor,

Gabriel was 'speaking' with his son. And by speaking, it was more like scolding his son for the blunder that would possibly cost him, two potential clients. One of which wasn't even working with them. He and Natalie had been doing damage control to remedy the situation. Most of the resources came down to find this girl. The one Lady Iro specifically asked for, without much clue as to who she was.

Except that she called her, her little firecracker.

And since Adrien, his son, had little idea who she was it was beginning to look grim.

"Adrien I believe our agreement for me allowing you to attend this gathering with your friends was on the sole condition that you would get this Rain to be apart of the Spring line."

"I know."

"Then why did I get a call from Lady Iro who was not only unhappy with the images sent to her, but also the fact that the girl in the images with you was not the one that was agreed upon."

"She...what?"

"Neither Lady Iro or Rain have any knowledge of who that girl is in the photo's with you.", he repeated, "Because of this the line is threatened having both of them stop doing business with the Agreste." something which could damage their reputation of various ends losing two major figures at once because of such a blunder, "I thought you said you knew the girl that was mentioned by Rain." being the girl closest to his heart.

"I...did." at least he thought he did.

"This is very serious. I don't need to tell you the consequences should we allow two major figures dismiss the brand." he said sternly, "If this girl isn't happy then Lady Iro will cut ties with not only the company, but she will also remove her son as well."

Adrien looked down at the floor in shame. Not only had he disappointed his father, but now he was never going to be allowed back in school. All his friends, his classmates, his teachers, he would never get to see them again.

It would take a miracle to fix all this.

"Mr. Agreste?", came the voice of Natalie, his assistant, from the other side of the door, "I'm sorry for disturbing you sir, but it seems you have a guest. Who wishes to speak with you immediately ."

"And who would that be?" suddenly the door opened further and in walked a female. She looked to be about Adrien's age by the size. She was wearing a short white dress with light blue embroidering on the side. With short white hair that looked soft and feathery to the touch. While heeled shoes that clicked as she walked across Mr. Agreste office floor. She stood to stand before Mr. Agreste and to the side of Adrien. Both watching the girl with confusion and suspicion of who she was.

"Natalie who is this girl?", Gabriel questioned why some strange girl was in her office.

"Gokigen'yō?", the girl spoke, "I am Yuki Iro.", she introduced herself, "I got a call from my older brother and came to speak with Gabriel Agreste."

"Your older brother?", the designer raised an eyebrow.

"Rain. I'm his little sister.", the admission seemed to surprise the three in the room. Especially Adrien.

Adrien gasped, "Your Rain's little sister?"

So he did have a younger sibling.

"Hai.", she said with a flip of her hair, "And like I said my big brother told me about a photoshoot. He said a close friend of mine gave someone permission.", she said with hints of annoyance in her voice, "As I told my older brother I didn't know what he was speaking of. I gave no permission for anyone to confirm any sort of collaboration."

Gabriel did not like the sound of that, "It seems a young lady told my son that you and your brother wanted to work with the Agreste line. Though I'm beginning to see the information was false."

"It seems my big brother let it slip I was in Paris and someone took advantage of the situation as a means to get on the good side of your son.", a mere farce and misuse of information, "When my older brother told me the situation I came down here to offer my apologies in person."

"Well, that's very kind of you Ms. Iro."

"Please call me Yuki." she insisted, "And it's the least I could do having for the trouble caused to you and your son.", it was only fair, "Especially Adrien. His friends were quite broken-hearted when they found out they would be losing their classmate."

"But how did you find out all this?", his classmates were one thing, but how did the sister of Rain and daughter of Lady Iro find out.

"I wouldn't have known if Kitsi hadn't told me.", Yuki explained how she received a call from her old friend about the situation with her classmate. Though she was a bit doubtful about getting involved her 'assistants' assured her it was the right thing to do.

"Kitsi?", did this girl know his classmate? This was a surprise to him. She never mentioned knowing someone like Kitsi. Let alone being old friends.

"Who?"

"Kitsi Inari." she said, "I believe she's one of your son's classmates."

"Kitsi Inari. I think I've seen her work.", he commented. Remembering the jewelry competition and seeing the small sketchbook with some of her designs.

"I'm flattered you've heard about m...her.", she admitted, "She's an old friend of mine and as well as my family. Ever since we were little kids."

"Really?"

"Oh yes. She's one of my closest and most trusted friends.", she said in a modest tone, "Which is why when she explained the situation to me. I said I would handle it."

"But I also wanted to talk you about your son. I understand your upset because of the situation with my mother and older brother. But, I don't believe you should pull Adrien out of school."

"Excuse me?"

"What I mean is? Adrien truly believed he was doing a favor for me having my brother to promote the Agreste line. He meant no disrespect to you or me or my family."

"So there's no reason to take Adrien away from the school he likes and friends who love him." some more than others, but still love. Plus it wasn't his fault.

"Very touching. But, that still doesn't excuse my son from lying to me." and losing two clients and embarrassing him and the company.

"I understand how you feel.", in a sense, "What if I can get them to both agree to endorse the Agreste Brand?"

"I find it hard to believe you to persuade them both to such conditions." he seemed suspicious. Even if they were family, even that had so much leeway.

"Well if you ask anyone you'll know I'm the type of person who always rises to a challenge.", it was one of those quirks that she admired and sometimes got her in trouble.

"I'll humor you."

"Just give five minutes.", she said

"You have four."

"If you promise that Adrien can stay in public.", it was a gamble. But she didn't look like she was backing down.

"Are you sure about this?", even though Adrien was relieved that that Yuki had come to his defense, but he couldn't ask her to gamble with her luck. Especially against his father and her family.

Yuki turned to Adrien for a moment, "Trust me.", lifting up her hand up she placed it on his shoulder as a sign of reinsurance. But, as he glanced at her hand he noticed something. The white bandages wrapped around her hand.

Pulling it down she turned back to Gabriel, "So do we have a deal Mr. Agreste?"

Gabriel only gave a slight nod.

"Fine." taking out her phone she began dialing a number.

"Okasan!", she beamed, "Yes I'm fine. I'm loving Paris so far. Did you get the pictures I sent you?", she paused for a moment, "Yes. Of course.", things seemed to be going smoothly. Yuki was responding to the conversation and questions from the other line, "Eh...iie." she shook her head.

"Mom, I need to ask you a favor." she began speaking in Japanese to the person on the other end. Once she was done she listened to the other end, which was now known as her mother. She was speaking to Lady Iro.

"Arigato Okasan!", Yuki beamed softly, before ending the call.

"Well?"

"Victory!" she said with a triumphant smile on her lightly glossed lips, "Shi...my mother has approved of your designs and would be delighted to continue working with the Agreste Line."

"And Rain?"

"Also approved. Though instead of spring, he would prefer the fall line. It's his favorite season.", much cooler and would fall in line with the band's schedule.

"Really?"

"Her assistant, Tabitha, will be sending you a confirmation along with RVER'S manager information."

"I don't know how you did it, but congratulations .", even from his even tone, Gabriel sounded pleased.

"So does this mean I can stay in school?" Adrien asked hopefully.

His father gave a single nod.

Adrien smiled, "Thank you father."

"Well I love to stay, but I do have a schedule myself." Yuki said, "Thank you for allowing me into your home."

"I'll walk you out." Adrien insisted. While his father called Natalie, Adrien escorted Yuki to her car. Once they had made it out of the house, they stopped in the middle of the path.

"I can't believe that worked.", Kitsi gave a sigh of relief, "Your dad is kind of intimidating.", she didn't think she could remain in character for that long. It was one thing to put on a wig and some fancy clothes, the heels might have been a bit much, but she was in a rush. Once she had gotten dressed up she made a dash to Adrien's house and played up the role of Yuki. The young daughter of Lady Iro and little sister of Rain. In her mind, she thought about acting like Chloe, but that might have been too much. Even for her.

But somehow she made it work.

Taking off her glasses she gave a sigh of relief.

"Um, Yuki?", almost forgot about where she was. Looking up, cool green eyes met the fiery maroon of a familiar set, "Kitsi?"

It was her. He knew he recognized those eyes.

"Your Yuki?"

"Told you, you could trust me.", she said rubbing her head. She wanted to take the wig off, but since they were still at Adrien's house she decided to keep it on.

"Wait, so you disguised yourself as Rain's little sister and Lady Iro's daughter.", in a way it was genius. In another way, "Isn't that illegal?", even if it was for a good cause Kitsi could get in a lot of trouble if anyone found out.

"...Depends on how you look at it.", she said as she smoothed out her dress.

"Won't you get in trouble?", especially if Rain or his mother found out. Even his father could have her arrested for identity theft.

But Kitsi didn't look worried, "Well excuse me. But, I didn't exactly have a drawn-out plan.", she walked into that office and went completely off script. He should be grateful she went so far to save his butt.

"Thanks, Kitsi." he said, "You really got me out of a corner.", or in this case his own house.

"Yeah well just remember you owe for this.", she said. She didn't have plan's to play dress up and 'pretend' to be the daughter of one of his father's clients. Just to get her classmate, who she was still upset with, stay in school.

"Still you came all this way to help me.", he sounded like it was out of character or that Kitsi had actually come to help him, "And you even dressed up like...", an actual daughter of a rich girl.

"It's not exactly my style. But the dress is pretty cute.", she commented. Plus it came with matching shoes and accessories to pull it together, "Also you breathe one word of this and I will hurt you." she warned leering her eyes at him.

"My lips are sealed." he promised knowing Kitsi might make good on that promise, "Still thank you. I didn't think you go through so much trouble.", especially acting like some kind of heiress to get him back in school.

"Are you kidding? Everyone was pretty sad when they found out you might not be coming back." even Chloe for all that it was worth was genuinely upset that Adrien would never return to school. Losing not only her childhood friend but one of the only people who put up with her, "And honestly I would miss you too.", possibly.

"Anyway, I need to go. And get this wig off.", plus she still had to get her surprise, "So until tomorrow, Kit out!"

Adrien watched as Kitsi, Yuki, walked down the pathway and towards an awaiting car. After she got in, the door closed, and it drove off.

---

"Alright, what's this surprise I had to go through half the city to get?", after being driven to Kami knows where and blindfolded. She was finally allowed to leave the car, though where she did not know, but by the silence, she had to question what her brother's had planned for her. She knew her brothers were just trying to make her feel better, but part of her just wanted to go back home. Tired from the day's activities. She didn't even have time to change out of her disguise, save for the wig.

"Alright Kit, before you get your surprise. Just know that we do this out of love.", a voice, that she recognized as Akihiko, spoke.

"Now get ready on the count of three.", he instructed giving Kitsi a chance to prepare herself.

"Okay. One, two, three!" the blindfold was removed and Kitsi still had her eyes closed. After a moment Kitsi eyes began to flutter open allowing her vision to clear.

Looking around it looked like, the park. But darker. How long had they been driving? She could have sworn it was midday when she was blindfolded. Yet she was sitting on a bench and she could make out what looked like the Eiffel Tower. Except darker and not lit up. If it was night, the tower would be lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Surprise!" her brother's cheered as the lights turned on.

Kitsi stared up in awe. The bright colors shining brilliantly around her.

"How the heck did you guys..."

"Do all this." Akihiko finished, "Well it was a bit of a project." they were literally running all over Paris gathering supplies. Each helping with decorating the studio with lights, ribbons, and other amenities that Kitsi was fond off.

"How? Why?"

"For you. Duh."

"Me?" she pointed to herself, "You guys did all this for me?"

"Who else." her brother's said in unison.

"We noticed that you've been down." and as her brother's they hated seeing her so sad and despaired, "We thought this would help lift your spirits."

"I set up the lights and sound system." Hitoshi declared proudly.

"I chose the patterns." Akihiko said, "I also did the bands hair and makeup."

"But, how did you get the Eiffel Tower?" that must have been a huge feet. Even for them. She knows they didn't just build one in the time they left the apartment.

"Well we thought about doing this at the actual Eiffel Tower." but they wanted the surprise to be personal and just for Kitsi.

"Luckily we had a spare, smaller model, in the studio prop department." which had been sitting around and would get some good use.

"Itsuki spent hours digging it out."

Kitsi looked at her older brother who gave a thumbs up.

"So you've been doing this all this time?", turning the studio into a private Paris. They had done all this for her.

"It wasn't easy keeping this a secret from you Kit." between keeping her away from the studio, which was fairly simple all things considered, it was one of the biggest projects they had ever done in such a short amount of time.

"And judging from the look on your face I say it was a huge success!" Hitoshi declared.

"You guys are...are..." she puffed up her cheeks, "Unbelievable!" she exclaimed. if she could grin any bigger she would. She couldn't remember the last time she smiled so wide. Excluding the time she got her miraculous because nothing could top that.

"Glad to hear it."

"And speaking of hearing." with a motion he pointed to the towards the tower where the lights began to transition up the tower before landing on the high platform.

Was that Ame?

"Is that Ame? With a piano?" she blinked, "On the Eiffel Tower."

A flower burning brighter than the sun

You're not the girl I remember

You've become something more!

Uncountable light

Unbelievable sight

Burning brighter than you did before

Kitsi couldn't help but grin as she heard her brother sing. For her. Her eyes lighting up with a flurry of emotion.

"So you like it?" her brothers asked.

"Like it? I love when my big brother sings to me." she always remembered the times he would sing for her. At times calling from wherever he was and singing to her. It was those times she felt like she was with her brother even when they were hundreds of miles and a continent away from each other.

"I never heard this song before." she noticed the lyrics weren't something she had never heard him play. Was it a new song? Maybe off his album or even a concert exclusive song.

"It should be.", Hitoshi said.

"Kit, Ame wrote that song just for you."

"For me?" she gasped looking up at the tower. Her brother wasn't just singing for her. He had even written a song, just for her.

For all the stars that you deserve

To the one girl I adore

She's not the same

Cause she's always burning brighter

then did before

As he continued the song and the piano resonated with the last notes. Below his siblings erupted in applause down below. But, the look from his sister, her eyes pricked with tears, but what he noticed most of all was the smile on her lips.

For him, that was he could ever ask for.

Burning brighter than before

After the song and seeing everything her brothers had done for her. She couldn't help bouncing off the walls with energy. Literally.

"That was amazing!",she exclaimed.

Hearing that, her brother's seemed pleased.

"I can't you guys did all this.", the tower, the setting, the lights, the music, even the scavenger hunt. It was beyond anything she could ever dream.

"Listen sis.", Ame began, "I wanted to apologize for my behavior. I didn't mean to make you feel the way you did." he apologized, "I was afraid that you were upset with me after the incident with getting akumatized." he admitted.

"Why would I be upset?" or why would he even think that?

"I don't remember much about what happened. I was afraid I had hurt you and that you wouldn't see me as your older brother." so instead of facing the problem he ended up avoiding it and his own sister.

"I could never be afraid of you or even upset.", Kitsi said.

"But I kidnapped you and hurt people."

Kitsi gave a sympathetic look, "You didn't do anything. Silent Rain did." she reminded that he had no control over his actions, "To tell you the truth, I was afraid. I know it was because of me you got akumatized."

The brother's looked at each other.

"I didn't mean to make you upset or worried or whatever I did to turn you into a super villain.", her eyes began to tear up, she lowered her head and after a moment it rose again revealing her flushed cheeks and her eyes leaking tears, "I'm sorry!", she cried.

"Don't cry Kit." they didn't want her sad again.

The four brother continued to comfort their little sister. Kitsi looked up at them with a pout,

"I know I embarrass you and I've been trying really hard to change myself." she looked at the eldest.

"You embarrass me?", Ame blinked, "What makes you think you embarrass me?" he asked.

"I...overheard you talking with Chloe. At the hotel.", well, she heard parts and pieces. She hadn't meant to listen in, but she couldn't help it after she was seated right behind their table in the dining room. How was she to know her older brother was there with one of her least favorite people in Pari? But she was and she listened to her brother talking about her.

"I know I can be a bit loud, I have a temper problem, and my eating habits are like that of a boar, and my personality is annoying sometimes." she listed off what she heard the pain in her bit, Bourgeois, talking about her when she came up in the conversation. While Ame didn't say anything, he didn't try to deny anything either.

The triplets looked at the oldest in confusion, shock, and from Hitoshi perspective disappointment at what they were hearing.

"Kitsi. Kit." Ame said, "Sis, I'm not embarrassed by you."

"Yes you are." she said, "You haven't returned my calls or texts since yesterday. And you 'said you didn't want to be near me.'", she wiped her cheeks.

"You wanna explain this?", Hitoshi questioned sternly to the eldest. Because the nice mode was starting to turn real quick.

"It's not what it sounds like."', he said, "Yes I said in a way I didn't want to see you. But not in the way you think.", in all honesty, he was half listening to the heiress. Her tone and attitude towards others were rather, in his opinion, disrespectful. Especially when she spoke about Kitsi. His own sister. It took all his patients not to walk away from the table.

"Then could you please clarify?", Akihiko spoke.

"The truth is I was embarrassed. Of myself.", he said.

"W-What?" even Hitoshi was shocked to hear their elder brother, known for being the cool and level-headed musician, was embarrassed.

"Seeing how much you've grown up and changed I couldn't help feel embarrassed that you weren't how I remembered.", she used to be so small, curious, and always looking to go off on a new adventure. He remembered the little girl who would greet him every time he came back home to visit. Who would listen to him play and mimic him during practice? Who would sneak into his bedroom and spend the night curled up at his side? So seeing her now, going to school, making new friends, and fighting akuma's. To say he was surprised was an understatement.

"Just when I thought I've caught up you've sprinted away again and I feel as though I might never catch up.", he just wanted his little sister to be his little sister, "There was so much I didn't know. About my own little sister."

"I should have talked to you more instead of putting my problems off on others.", a true sibling didn't hide things from each other. As the oldest, he shouldn't have been so critical and try to learn about his sister who would always be willing to talk to anyone. It was one of the countless things he loved about his sister.

"So I don't embarrass you?", she sniffed.

"You could never embarrass me." he reassured, "You're my little sister.", he smiled rubbing her head lovingly, "I will always love you no matter what."

Kitsi smiled a this.

"Just don't scare me like that again." she warned, her face flushed, "You could have talked to me." they were siblings.

"I know Kit. I didn't know where to begin." Ame said, "I didn't want to worry anyone." but it ended up backfiring in ways he would never have considered, "I wanted to learn more about you." at least what he didn't believe he knew.

"We're siblings. We can tell each other anything." though given the age difference somethings they might have to keep from Kitsi, "If you wanted to learn about me I have so many stories I could have told you." literally, "Plus you can always call me, text me, email, letters, smoke signals." there were dozens of possibilities.

But, with everything happening she questioned herself and what she was doing.

"Actually I was wondering about that. Where were you most of the day?" all four siblings again looked to the oldest for an answer.

"He wanted to surprise you with something to apologize for the whole akuma deal." Hitoshi explained, "He got a bit, sidetracked."

"Really?" she looked at the eldest.

Ame gave a nod and gave her a smile of reassurance.

"I wanted to get you a gift that conveyed my feelings truthfully."

"You didn't have to get me anything." she said, "I just wanted to make sure everything was okay between us." but knowing her brother would go through so much for her, even if it was a complicated situation, she was still touched by how much they tried, "Plus you wrote a song for me." what could be more personal than that.

"In fact", excusing herself for a moment Kitsi went into her backpack and after a short search pulled out a number of items.

"Odoroki!" she exclaimed presenting a number of items to her brothers.

"Was this?" the brother's looked at the boxes they were given. Each one was a different color and sizes of cases.

"Like I said I made gifts." she had brought them along with the hopes of surprising them. But, with her being sick she wasn't able to get to them.

"You got us presents?"

"Kit you didn't have to get us anything.", they were supposed to be surprising her. Though they weren't going to look a gift Kit in the mouth.

She gave a nervous grin, "I wanted to thank you guys for helping me the past couple of days. Like the tickets and the letting my classmates help out at the studio. You didn't have too and I really, really appreciate it." she smiled, "Plus you really worked so hard just to make me feel better. So I made you some gifts."

"So what are you waiting for? Open them!" she instructed and watched as her brother's opened the gift.

In the red box, given to Hitoshi, Kitsi had made him a red clip for his camera. A number of various red colored beads decorated with a golden band.

The fuschia box, assigned to Akihiko, inside was a lotus style hair clamp. The clamps were green like the pads of flower, while the top was decorated in a lotus flower.

And last but not least the dark green box, for Itsuki, inside was a bronze bracelet with three green stones embedded in the metals.

"Ame." she looked to the oldest, "This is for you." she showed the booklet to her oldest brother he accepted the booklet.

"Is nothing special or anything." she watched as her brother opened the booklet. Inside were various pictures and people that were taken all around Paris. With stickers and little captions Kitsi had made herself, "I wanted to show you what I've been doing in Paris. I've been to so many places and meet so many people. Even though we can't be together, I hope one day I can show you it all. Together."

"Do you like them?" she asked a little anxious about her brother's reactions, "They aren't fancy or anything, but I hope you like them."

"Like it? I love it!" Hitoshi stated holding up the clip.

"Really?"

"Of course." the brother's nodded and appeared to like their gifts.

"Kit. The fact that you made these yourself. How could we not like them." Akihiko complimented.

"Talented.", Itsuki added, giving a small smile before he and his twins each put on their respective gift. Hitoshi clipped his pants, Akihiko fixed the comb in his hair, while Itsuki fixed the bracelet onto his wrist.

"This is very thoughtful of you sis." Ame said, "It shows how much effort you put into what you do." he smiled.

"Thanks, sis." her brother's thanked their little sister for all her hard work.

"I'm just happy you guys liked them." admittedly she was going to buy them gifts, like the make-up case she had bought for Akihiko the last time. But she wanted something more personal. So she made each of them a small gift.

She smiled, "I love you guys.", with all her heart.

"I have a present for you too Ame." she said, "I promise to finish it.", she said.

"Just having you back to yourself is more than enough." he smiled.

"We love you too sis." her brother's spoke without hesitation before pulling her into a group hug.

"Also what's with the dress?" Hitoshi whispered.

"Don't ruin the moment.", she whispered back. She wanted to savor the moment of having all her brothers together.

---

Later that night...

After her brother's had gone to bed. Kitsi had transformed and headed out into the city. It felt like forever since she had been out at night. With a deep breath, she took in the night air.

"I missed this."

"Kitsune?", looking back yellow eyes found her two partners just landing on the building.

"Mon porte-bonheur. Mon sort de malchance.", she greeted, "How are we doing this lovely night."

"Just fine hot feet." Chat commented, "We were wondering where you've been?"

"We tried calling you. Are you okay?". Ladybug asked.

"Sorry about that. I had some family business to handle.", she said, "But, I'm back and ignited to put my paws to the pavement." she said flexing her muscles.

"Glad to hear it."

"It's good to have you have you back.", even if akuma attacks had been quiet, there was still work to be done in the city.

"Ready to patrol the city?"

"Ignited and excited!", she declared, "So did I miss anything while I was simmering?", she asked rather curiously. She wondered what her partners had been up too. Outside of being Kitsi, she had only transformed once these past couple of days.

"Let's talk after patrol's."

"Fair enough.", she wouldn't push it.

---

To Be Continued...

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A/N: Thank you all for supporting this story. Please remember to comment and review. I love to get your opinions. I'll try to update quicker.

Special Announcement!: Miraculous Ladybug and Chat Noir has been nominated for a Teen Choice Award. Please vote and let's bring home an award for Thomas and his crew, ZAG, and all the Miraculous fans all over the world!

Mon porte-bonheur - My Good Luck Charm

Mon sort de malchance - My Bad Luck Charm

Until next time.