Part 29: Stray Kat

Dawn broke over the city. Most people slept through their Saturday morning, with two notable exceptions. The first was Marinette Dupain-Cheng, who had slept fitfully through the night after spending most of the previous night looking for that girl. She kept repeating, "It's all my fault, she's going to get lost," over and over again, even in her sleep. The second person was Adrien Agreste. He had accompanied Marinette the night before, though he hadn't said a thing. He had searched silently, until Marinette suggested that they go home, rest, and resume searching until morning. However, after they parted ways, Adrien had transformed into Chat Noir and continued searching. He hadn't slept a wink.

Chat paused to rest against a chimney. He watched the sunrise, though he couldn't find the energy to appreciate it. That girl that had run off...he didn't know why, but guilt ate at his insides. He felt like he should know her. She looked so upset when she ran off, and Adrien felt like it was his fault. If only he had tried harder to follow her. With a sigh, he set off again.

About a block from the school, Chat spotted a familiar looking pink jacket. It was that girl! He hopped down to the street below. The girl was huddled in the doorway of a shop, shivering in her sleep. Chat wondered how he had missed her.

"Excuse me, miss?" Chat gently shook her shoulder. The girl woke up with a start, which caused her to headbutt Chat in the face. "Ow!"

"Oh. Oh, I am so sorry!" The girl rubbed her head, then gasped when she finally realized who she was talking to. Her voice was raw when she spoke again. "Chat Noir? What are you doing here?"

"Ah, well, this boy, Adrien Agreste, ran into me last night and asked me to keep an eye out for you. Have you been out here all night?"

"Yeah," she said. Her tone said that he should already know.

"Well...Kat, right? Is there anything you want to talk about? You ran off pretty quickly. Er, that's what Adrien said," Chat added hastily.

Kat smiled a sad smile. "I don't think it's anything that can be helped, so what's the point?"

"The point is that it actually sometimes helps to talk things out," said Chat. "I remember, there was one night that-"

Chat frowned. He suddenly had two memories, one over the other. The first was just a night patrolling with Ladybug. The second was the same exact night, but Ladybug wasn't there. He had gone patrolling by himself because he didn't want to sleep. No, he hadn't gone patrolling. He had gone to see...Kat.

"That can't be right," he muttered.

"What? What can't be right?"

"It's nothing," Chat shook his head. The lack of sleep had to be getting to him.

The bell on the shop's door rang as someone opened it from the inside.

"Oh, hello." A kind looking woman stepped out holding a watering can. "What are you doing here, Chat Noir?"
"Just helping out a friend," Chat replied.

"Oh, how sweet. What's your name, dear?"

"Kat."

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Cicily. What are you both doing out here so early?"

"Not much," said Kat. She leaned against the wall.

"Well, can I help you two with anything? Would you like some hot chocolate? Or maybe a book?" Cicily pointed to her shop. "I have quite a selection."

"That's okay, Ma'am," said Chat with a yawn. "I've got to get going."

"What about me?" Kat asked in a small voice. "I don't have a room any more...I can't…I can't go home."

Chat Noir was at a loss for words. Luckily, the shop owner wasn't.

"Do you need a ride home?" She asked. She tucked a lock of nearly gray hair behind her ear. "I can drive you anywhere you need."

"I don't have anywhere," said Kat miserably. Chat's heart hurt in sympathy. He wished he could give her a room in the mansion, but Father would not be happy if he brought home a stray girl. The shop owner thought for a moment, then provided a solution.

"I have a spare room upstairs, if you'd like," she said.

"But you only just met me."

"Ah, that's what I love about this city," said Chat Noir, "most of the people are so nice, they'll take in a stray Kat off the street without a second thought."

"That's a terrible pun." Kat sniffed, then she giggled. "I love it."

Chat grinned tiredly. "Thanks."

He said his goodbyes, and returned to the mansion. Once back in civilian form, Adrien sent a text to Marinette.

"Hey. I know you're probably still asleep, but I found Kat. She's safe."

He was surprised when she responded immediately.

"That's great! ...Do you know who she is? I feel like I know her."

"I do too," Adrien texted, "but I don't know why."

"Let me know if you figure it out."

"Will do."

Adrien sighed and splayed out on his bed. Sleep wasn't so elusive now, and his eyes drifted closed.