A/N: When you get a tumblr just so you can see ML stuff xD I'm still figuring out how it works, but my username is ghostgirl19posts in case any of you were curious ;D

Also, let's have a throwback to the fabulous Frazie's fanart of 'On The Prowl' that showcased a scene from last chapter: frazie303. deviantart art/ On-the-prowl -Chat-Noir-to -the-rescue -fan-art- 622368435

Don't forget to remove the spaces!

Chapter 7

On Tuesday, Nathalie informed Adrien of a rare evening photo shoot that was mandatory to take part in. The model agreed, knowing not to disobey his father, but was secretly worried of what Hawk Moth would say. Hopefully he didn't have an assignment.

Adrien grimaced later after school when he saw that yes, he did in fact, have an assignment. He was to rob an expensive department store, steal all the designer clothes and perfumes. Hawk Moth reminded him that he had women buyers as well.

He pressed a thumb on the red 'x' icon on the screen, letting him know he was refusing it. Hawk Moth would be extremely displeased, so Adrien knew he had to think of something big to make it up to him. Two days in a row of refusing assignments? He was just asking to be killed.

When Nino texted him, just wanting some casual conversation, Adrien included the detail of having a photo shoot that evening. His best friend gave him some pitying words as usual, but told him to just smile for the camera and bear it. The two ended up making plans to play video games after school the next day, since as far as Adrien knew, his schedule was free.

On Wednesday morning, Adrien walked in to see everyone was glued to their cell phones and whispering furiously to each other. He was used to seeing this in other teens, being attached to your cell phone was normal. However, he knew this was different. Something strange was going on.

When Adrien walked in his class, he was greeted with the sight of Alya and Nino hovering over the former's phone, with Marinette looking at her best friend with uncertainty.

"It's all over the news! Didn't you hear?" He heard Alya ask.

"No?" Marinette replied, confusion evident in her answer.

"Hear what?" He piped up, wanting to know what was going on.

The blackette shrieked at his voice, whipping around in her seat to face him. He felt bad for scaring her, so he plastered a big, warm smile to his face in an effort to calm her down. "Hi, Marinette."

"H-Hi, Adrien!" She squeaked, still flustered.

Adrien slightly frowned at the way she spoke to him. Just how bad had he scared her? He decided to direct his attention to Nino, hopefully she'd calm down during that time.

"What's going on?" He asked him.

"They think Chat Noir doesn't exist!" Nino exclaimed in a mixture of disbelief and excitement.

"What?!" He shouted in anger. He couldn't believe this! How could people think he doesn't exist? He's been performing crimes for three years, how could they doubt his existence? Who did they think has been robbing them all this time? Robin Hood?

In his sudden anger he noticed his three friends all looking at him in bewilderment.

That's right. Chat Noir had every right to be mad about this, but not Adrien Agreste.

He quickly schooled his features to a look of astonishment. "I-I mean...he leaves notes at all his crimes! How can they not think he's real?"

Thank God for his criminal quality of being able to think on the spot.

"They think it's a gang or something that's doing it, using the name 'Chat Noir' for various members and their various crimes," Alya explained. "It's not impossible, I mean, we have no pictures to prove Chat Noir is real."

Adrien tried his best to maintain his cool. Really? A gang? He was better than any gang in this city, they wish they had his crime skills.

"And who came up with this theory?" He asked, voice level and calm. He even leaned an elbow on his desk to better show that he was trying to be casual. Whoever came up with this theory was going to be very sorry.

"Mayor Bourgeois. He announced it last night at a press conference," Alya answered, before going back to her phone.

"No wonder you're out of the loop," Nino chuckled, throwing an arm around the blond's shoulder. "You had a photo shoot last night, didn't you?"

"Yeah," he muttered, not meeting him in the eyes as the wheels turned in his head. If he didn't have that stupid photo shoot, then he could've completed Hawk Moth's assignment. Would that have stopped the Mayor from making that bullshit theory?

Great. Now his reputation as the best criminal in Paris is on the line. All because of one freaking photo shoot.

Thanks, Dad.

"So, what do you think, Marinette?" He heard Alya ask. "Do you think he's real?"

At the sound of the young designer's name he perked up, but not obviously so. He discreetly listened to the two girls talking from his place in front of them. He hid a grin, knowing this was going to be an interesting answer.

"Um-" She stalled, not really saying anything committal.

"I for one think he is," Nino interrupted. For a split second, Adrien was pissed at his best friend. He was dying to hear Marinette's answer. But his next words saved him. "They're just jealous that a guy could be that good at something and not get caught. Chat Noir's a real badass."

He pressed his palm to his mouth to hide the growing smirk. Glad to see Nino thinks so highly of him.

"Are you praising a criminal?" Alya asked in disbelief, raising an eyebrow.

Nino held up his hands in a sign of surrender. "Hey, hey, I'm not praising him!"

Yeah, Adrien thinks dryly, that would be terrible.

"I still wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley. I'm just saying that he's too badass to get caught. Criminals can be badass."

"Say 'badass' one more time." Alya rolled her eyes, but smiled.

The blond grinned as he noticed Marinette trying to suppress a giggle. Sometimes she was just too cute.

"Well, I don't believe in him," the journalist continued. "No one's ever seen him, it would make more sense for it to be more than one person doing all the crimes. How about you, Mari?"

Good, maybe now he can hear what Marinette thought about the elusive thief. He made sure to pay close attention.

"I-I...um-" She stuttered. She paused for another minute before talking again. "No, I don't think he's real."

"Hm," Adrien hummed. Looks like he'll have to make her regret those words. After he proved to dear ol' Mayor Bourgeois that Chat Noir is very real, and very close.

"What about you, man?" Nino asked, turning to face him. Adrien snapped out of his thoughts to pay attention to his friend. "What do you think?"

Why not have a little fun with this? "I think he's real. Just like you said," he paused to grin, "he's too badass."

While Nino roared with laughter, Alya groaned and rolled her eyes. Marinette bent her head down so she was eye-level to her tablet, looking like she just wanted class to start. Adrien turned back around to face the chalk board, already thinking of ideas on how he could prove his existence.

...

It was in the middle of a study period that the answer struck Adrien. In order to prove he was real, people would have to see him, right? In that case, he would have to commit a robbery in broad daylight.

He was hoping he'd always be the mysterious, aloof Chat Noir that was never seen but always heard, but it looks like good things don't last forever.

Is he ready to make his grand entrance?

Adrien grinned, eerily similar to his counterpart.

...

At the end of the school day, Adrien walked out along with his friends. He'd act completely normal, then hop in his limo, get home, then quickly suit up and go to the Louvre. He never stole anything without Hawk Moth's permission, but he hopes that he'll like whatever painting he takes.

"Bye, Adrikins!" Chloe yelled, jarring him from his calculating mind. He held back the urge to roll his eyes, already knowing what she was going to attempt. At the last second he spun around and caught her by the arms, just barely dodging a kiss.

He forced a smile to appear on his face. "Bye, Chloe."

She acted like she wasn't disappointed and gave him a sweet good-bye before skipping ahead to her own limo with Sabrina following closely behind. As soon as their limo pulled away, Adrien's followed and stopped to take it's place. The Gorilla stepped out and waited patiently for the model.

"That's my cue to exit," Adrien said with a half-smile, shrugging his shoulders. "See you guys tomorrow."

Wait, I thought we were gonna play video games?" Nino interjected, looking disappointed.

The blond froze. Damn, he forgot all about it! He hated disappointing his friend, but he had to prove Chat Noir's existence.

"Uh-I...g-got a photo shoot today! Yeah, last minute photo shoot. You know how it is." He rubbed the back of his neck with a hand and flashed a toothy smile, hoping he appeared apologetic. He was, in all honesty. It would've been nice to have an afternoon off with video games and some classic guy time.

"Yeah, I get it, dude. Good luck." Nino shrugged and gave him a thumbs-up. A corner of Adrien's mouth lifted, he knew he would make it up to him later.

"Thanks. Bye, guys!" With that cheerful good bye, Adrien quickly ducked in his limo and allowed the Gorilla to take him home. If the burly man heard Adrien's lie, he made no comment on it.

...

It wasn't long before he was wearing the leather cat suit and leaping across the rooftops of Paris, intent on heading straight to the famous museum. It felt strange to have the harsh rays of the sun at his back instead of the soft glows of the moon. He also felt utterly exposed, his black suit blended perfectly with the night. In the daytime, anyone could see him.

He had to make sure to be extra careful. No one could see him until he wanted them to see.

At last, he made it to his destination. He dropped down in front of the entrance, cutting off a family that was just about to enter.

The man's eyes widened, the woman screamed and pointed a shaky finger at him. The toddler just tilted his head and smiled at him, probably wondering why a man was dressed as a cat when it wasn't Halloween.

Chat Noir smirked and winked before turning around and going in. When he was inside and people had their sights on him, they immediately guessed as to who he was. Many people screamed and ran away, some took out their cell phones and either recorded, took pictures, or called the police.

Meanwhile, Chat just continued on his way, looking for a painting that he was sure Hawk Moth would like. Was he a fan of water color?

He came upon a new, large room. He grinned and strode down the hall, taking pride in the way people gasped in fear and took their phones out.

"Chat Noir!"

"Is that really him?"

"Who else could it be?"

"Please don't hurt us!"

The blond almost rolled his eyes. He was known for stealing, not killing. Geez.

He may have almost killed two people, but that's beside the point.

Chat turned his head all around, looking for the right painting to steal. The corners of his mouth lifted as he caught sight of a medium-sized painting with a beautiful nature scene. Water color, too.

He confidently walked up to where it was displayed and promptly snatched it off the wall.

"Hope you don't mind me getting a few paw prints on it," he spoke out loud before snickering. He turned, ready to leave, when his eye caught a man holding out a cell phone and recording him. The man was awfully close to a potentially dangerous lawbreaker.

Chat supposed he should reward the man for his bravery. Also, it would be perfect in order to send a message to the Mayor

He purposely walked towards him, but the man got frightened and began to back up.

With the painting tucked under one arm, he lifted his other in a sign of surrender. "Relax, I'm not going to hurt you. I just have something to say."

He smirked in amusement as the phone now began to tremble. Still, he continued on with his goal.

"Still don't think I'm real?" He mockingly asked. "Still think I'm just a conspiracy? Well, my dear Mayor, I hope this convinces you of the opposite."

With those words he turned tail and sprinted out of the museum, knowing the police would be there very soon. This time, he didn't have night's cloak to protect him.

...

"Come in!" Hawk Moth snapped.

Chat Noir opened the door, smirking as he tucked the stolen painting against the wall.

"Chat Noir?" His boss questioned, standing from his chair in disbelief. "What-"

"I heard about the Mayor's bullshit theory about me not being real. So, I decided to prove my existence and stole this in broad daylight. Hope you don't mind." Chat crossed his arms, conveying the message that he didn't care whether Hawk Moth minded or not.

His boss smirked. "Oh, so you did hear about that? I didn't think a conspiracy theory would be enough for you to out yourself, Chat Noir."

The blond scowled, not liking the way he tried to belittle him. "I didn't out myself, I just committed a crime in the day instead of night. It's not like anyone knows who I am."

"I'm still dying to know," Hawk Moth returned, raising a coy eyebrow.

Chat narrowed his eyes in a warning glare. "And you're not going to find out. Also, I want to stop receiving assignments."

The smirk dropped from his lips to be replaced with an open-mouthed expression in surprise. "What?" His face contorted to anger. "You can't quit! You're my best criminal-"

"Relax, relax," Chat snapped, patience wearing thin. "I'm not quitting. I just want to do crimes on my own time. You'll still get all the stuff I steal, it's just that I'll be stealing it whenever I choose."

"And why should I grant you this?" Hawk Moth questioned, no doubt expecting a very good reason.

A certain Princess's face flashed through the handsome thief's mind.

"I've been busy," was all Chat said, fixing his expression to one that displayed indifference. "I'm still a person under this mask, a person with a completely different life."

Hawk Moth steepled his fingers together and eyed Chat with...well, he couldn't identify the look. Suspicion?

"How often will you commit crime if you were on your own time?" He finally asked.

"Kind of often," the blond replied, unsure. "A couple times a week."

Hawk Moth continued that pressing stare, trapping Chat's emerald gaze with his cold grey one.

"I will only let you do this because your my best. Do not let me down." Hawk Moth glared at the boy in front of him. "This doesn't give you permission to start slacking."

Chat flashed him an easy grin. "Wouldn't dream of it. I still have my reputation to keep."

By the time his meeting with his boss was over, it was pretty late in the evening. He chatted with Jackady to pass the time, though for once he didn't drink anything.

He didn't want his Princess to smell alcohol on him when he came to visit. He didn't think she'd like the smell very much.

He didn't forget how she doubted him earlier that day.

...

When he arrived on her balcony and peered through the glass panel leading to her room, he saw her stretched over her bed to turn off her lamp. He smirked and tapped his claws against the glass to stop her.

She was clearly startled, given her slight jump. Her mouth dropped as she took in the sight of him.

Chat Noir took that as his cue to enter. He opened the hatch and dropped down to the bed on all fours, then sat back indian-style.

"Good evening, Princess," he bid. "So, I heard that you had doubts about me."

Her cheeks delved into a rosy hue as she visibly gulped, looking nervous.

"U-Ummm..."

"You know, I figured with all we've been through, you would've believed in me." He closed his eyes and clicked his tongue, meaning to scold her.

Marinette still stared at him, eyes locked on his. "Uh, I-" she stuttered.

"So," he continued casually, "was my little meet and greet at the Louvre real?"

Her sapphire eyes went wide in new surprise. Her breaths came faster.

He grinned deviously and leaned closer to her. "I spoke to the man recording me. Was that real?" He asked, tone lowered.

"Y-Yes?"

He inched closer to her, she answered by lowering down on the bed, putting space between them.

"You still sound unsure," he pointed out, noticing how her answer sounded like a question.

"I-I am sure!" She stammered, biting her lower lip.

"Really?" He had her trapped, with his legs on both sides of her own and his hands were resting on both sides of her head. She gazed up at him in wonder, her cheeks continued to color.

"Are you really sure, Princess?" He whispered, practically in a purr.

"Um..."

"That's what I thought." The thief shook his head, lips tugged down into a frown. "How will I be able to convince you I'm real?"

He saw her slightly shiver at his words. A slow grin stretched his lips.

"I-I-"

"Do I look real to you?" He bent his head lower so their noses were touching. He took in her heavenly blue eyes before moving down to her neck.

"Do I feel real to you?" Slowly, he dragged his nose along the smooth column of her neck, letting his lips brush tantalizingly over the skin.

The blackette bit her lip, he heard her heartbeat quicken.

He didn't stop until his lips were at her ear.

"Do I sound real to you?"

Her breath hitched before she barely nodded, her eyes with almost shut.

He smirked at how he could bring her to this state, with just a few words and a little contact. He wondered how she'd be like if he actually kissed her.

But right now she was being punished.

"Good."

He sprang away from her, leaping out the trapdoor and back into the cool air. Marinette's eyes slowly opened, her mouth was parted in confusion.

"Just wanted to make sure. Good night, Princess!" With that parting remark and smirk, he closed the hatch and ran back into the night towards home.