Chapter Three: A Princess Across Time

He had already dropped his transformation…hours before, and called upon Plagg's power again. The rain coated his leather, slicking his face and soaking his hair down to his scalp so it stuck uncomfortably to his eyes, but he wasn't leaving until he saw her. He needed to see her. It wasn't a question, but an absolute necessity echoing amidst time itself, tickling the back of his heart like a variable he couldn't account for. Where had it come from?

His tail flicked again, spraying minute droplets amongst the downpour, and he ushered in a tired breath, his bright eyes sliding closed. Images of elegance and stolen kisses among a throng of silver armor clad warriors pierced his mind. The pictures lulled him under, threatening to coax him into a time long lost, and he frowned, almost sure he had fallen asleep…..

Anything for my Princess.

Soft, beautiful laughter, not too different from Marinette's, whispered along the inside of his skull, and he felt his lips tugging upwards, his muscles relaxing along the entire length of his body as he travelled along the whim of the sound. It was so…memorable. Like a dream he'd had a thousand times…or lived a thousand years before and could never forget, even if he couldn't remember the exact details.

Shall we dance along the beams of the moon tonight, as always? The smooth masculine voice purred.

Such a strangely familiar whizzing sound, and the excited giggling of that woman, who wasn't Marinette, but who could be all the same, under the giant glowing moon, filled his soul as he drifted lazily down into the tunnels of his own subconscious. Cool air rushed along his face….as he…flew by…swung…

Kitten…

He frowned. There was no kitten here…only Princess and Chat Noir…Dancing along the beams of the moon. However, as he saw them, in the eyes of his mind, they…looked…like ancient versions of…

"It's okay, mom!" Her voice made his eyes snap back open, and he got up on all four, peering into the glass. Chat endeavored to clear the lingering pictures from his mind, but the glimmering ghostlike trails left stains behind his lids, and he swallowed, trying to refocus his attention in the present.

He blinked several times to reveal that the alluring bluenette's room remained shrouded in soft darkness, but he could hear her beautiful voice through the thin pane. "I'll dry off right away!"

A thud followed the hasty promise, and his cat ears perked, noting that she'd closed the trapdoor. He'd only heard her. There was nobody with her. Illumination finally flooded the chamber, and he pawed at the skylight.

"Mari," he said firmly, and he heard her yelp of surprise, and there was a crash that followed, making him blink. Several beats of silence ensued, but he waited with a patience he'd wrought of desperation through her absence. He wasn't leaving. "I'll sit out here all night," he commented, snarling. "I'm not going away."

The bluenette was moving up the steps following his declaration, and he saw her, his heart beating faster at just the sight as she unlocked the skylight. "What are you doing here," she growled, frowning. She shifted aside to allow him room to slide inside, and the feline was thoughtful enough to try to avoid her bed as much as possible, leaping for the railing.

He slipped a little, and fell, yowling as he tumbled over, slamming onto the floor. "Me-owtch," he groaned under his breath as Mari rushed to his side via the safe route.

"Oh, God, are you okay!?" The concern in her voice was enough to mend his ails. Always with your presence, Princess. A foreign husky voice echoed along his mind, making him falter, but he cleared his throat a bit to fill the minute delay.

"Just wounded my pride," he countered, sitting up, flexing a little. Nothing felt broken, and he started shaking his head violently enough to spray her with the collected water from his soft golden hair, but Marinette was already drenched. However, it didn't stop her from making a surprised squeal in her throat.

"H-Hey, Ch-Chat," she sputtered, and emitted a giggle, which made him respond with a sideways grin.

"You look good wet," he teased, his heart stumbling through his chest with his own words, and her beautiful eyes widened. He saw the way her breath quickened, her breasts heaving against her clinging shirt, and he dropped his gaze. Dammit.

Good job. Plagg's voice was mocking now, and he avoided the cringe that threatened to roll over his handsome features.

"Wh-what are you doing here," she asked, sounding more angry this time. "How long were you out there?"

"Since the fight ended," he admitted, fiddling with the bell at his collar absently. "I wanted to make sure you were okay," he said carefully, trying to keep his voice even.

"You're soaked," she whispered, and her smell reached his nose, making him still, his claws digging into her floor gradually as his own body grew warm under the guise of her arousal. It set each nerve in his body alight with electricity, demanding he take her, and he barely contained his animal urge to tackle and pin her. He wanted, desperately, to know how delicious that intoxicating wetness would taste…

Let us enjoy the rain together. The unfamiliar husky tone returned, and he threw his emerald orbs to the floor, clenching his claws tightly. What was happening? Between the ghost entity echoing unwanted words through his brain, and Marinette's body inciting warmth and pleasure in his own….he was drowning in…an ocean of insecurity and madness.

"So are you," he retorted finally, getting quickly to his feet to put distance between them without looking at her. The double entendre was probably lost on the woman, but his throbbing erection was suddenly too painful to bear. All he wanted to do was feel how good it would be to bury himself inside of her, but instead, he needed to make a hasty retreat, for both their sakes. "I'm glad you're okay," he said more harshly than he meant to, hopping up a few of the stairs, but her bitter laugh stopped him in his tracks, quelling some of the desire that had been boiling in his adolescent blood to an uncontrollable level. The sound tapered into a cry, which forced him to turn back towards the bluenette with rigid, calculated movements.

"D-Don't come back," she bit out, her face contorted into something that was akin to agony and fury. "Ever."

"P-Princess?" He dropped the few steps he'd gained, landing with a loud thud, and she backed up several inches. Her excruciation radiated in nigh tangible waves, and he swallowed with the sheer gravity of her trepidation.

"Don't call me that!" She covered her face, sobbing, and Chat's heart broke into pieces too small to see. "I'm not your Princess, I don't want your s-stupid pity!"

You will always be my Princess. The alien voice proclaimed, sorrow stricken, making him, wince, but he gathered his breath enough to respond to the woman in front of him. The real woman…who mattered.

"Pity?" He felt the confusion sliding over his face and delving into his chest, lodging there. "I don't understand." He moved closer, cautiously.

When she dropped her digits she slammed her palms into his chest, but Chat refused to be swayed, even under her…impressive strength, probably due to her fury. "I c-can almost deal with Adrien not wanting me because I'm not good enough!"

"M-Mari," he gasped, his stomach knotting painfully.

Nobody would compare to the beauty of your soul.

She slashed her hand through the air to physically cut off his protest. "I c-can deal with not being with the man I've loved since I can remember because he can do s-so much better than plain ole Marinette!"

"You're not—"

No man could ever do you justice. The entity in his head was driving him mad, but the words were striking deep into his core, like they meant something. Like the truth in them struck a chord in the matter of his heart, here, and now, despite not being his own…they…were so…familiar…where…did…they…come…from? Where…did they belong?

"I cannot deal with you pitying me…coming here pretending to be my friend, Chat! If you didn't want to hang out with me, you should have just said so. What, what was this? You, got bored and you couldn't figure out a way to tell me? You didn't have to string me along like I actually meant something to you," she sobbed harder, clutching at her chest like she physically hurt, and he tilted his head.

His eyes narrowed to dangerous slits as her last words infiltrated his sensitive ears, both human and none, and she ushered in several gulps of air under his heavy gaze, inching backwards as he began prowling towards her. Suddenly, her back hit the wall, and he was inches from her. Why would she think such a thing? What was going on in her head? Whatever it was…it made him…angry…and hurt.

Have I not proven enough for you, Princess? The voice was so sorrowful now…so broken…

"How dare you say I was stringing you along, Mari," he bit out angrily, fighting to be heard around the ethereal voice. "When I've done nothing but..." He turned his face away, grinding his teeth together so tightly he was fearful he might chip a tooth. He had done everything he could to keep from hurting her and taking advantage of her.

Kitten, please…ignore it…

He saw her push her back into the wall from the corner of his vision, turning her face away. "Fine, you didn't. Now, g-get out," she said firmly. "I d-don't want your p-pity, Chat." Now, her voice just sounded broken, and his heart contracted with a violence he wasn't quite expecting. The ghost didn't make an appearance this time, and it left only his anger and melancholy. His inadequacy…

"I d-didn't…because I—" He huffed, running his fingers through his soaked hair, slamming his fist against the wall beside her head without warning, startling her so she was looking at him again. "I don't pity you, Mari!"

"Then why did you lie to me about yesterday!? I thought…we had fun…that we were friends!" She shoved her finger into his chest as she gathered her anger back up like a tangible courage.

"I needed a break!" He hissed, and he realized how close they were now, just...a few inches…and he could…

But she just looked more hurt, and it was killing him inside, his emotions a dominating force clogging his mind. "Then have your stupid break, I'm not stopping you, but don't expect the door to be open for you when you come back."

The bluenette pushed both palms into his heaving chest, and shoved, but he didn't budge, not one centimeter, and the surprise and worry that crossed her face was nothing compared to her own sudden realization that they were close. Chat knew, because her smell hit him stronger than it ever had before, and she made the smallest noise, barely perceptible, in the pit of her throat. It wasn't fear…it was…excitement? Expectation? Whatever it was, it was intoxicating, drowning his resolve in an ocean of primal drive.

He gripped her wrists, thrusting them against the wall, and he put his face so close to hers that the breath of his labored panting blew out over her mouth as he grit his teeth. "I didn't need a break because I'm sick of you, Mari," he warned, growling, each word bringing their lips dangerously close to touching. He yearned with every fiber of his being to close the negligible gap between them.

Chat could feel the soft swell of her breasts with each hurried intake of air she conjured, caressing just barely against the leather of his suit, and apparently, she liked the new position, because the scent only grew stronger, threatening to rob him of all of his senses and resolve. How exceptionally little effort it would take, just to…give in…he pined for it…she…begged for it…with her body…almost with her mind…did he really…have to say no?

"Wh-Why then," she whispered, and it was a miracle her mouth didn't press into him. The way her words sounded, pleading for him to admit he wanted to be with her, made Chat ache so much more than his body already did, vibrating on the edge of a great precipice, threatening to fall in, and his eyes stung. It took every iota of his considerable strength not to thrust his throbbing cock against her moist sex, which was the only perfume he could scent, now, and have her right there. He didn't…know why…he just didn't…because he wanted her…so incredibly bad, his soul…burned for it, deep in the crevices…deep in his bones. His..his..hea-hear…

"Because you m-make me feel…" Like a traitor to the woman I'm supposed to love. He reeled back quickly, releasing her, and shook his head violently. "I f-find you attractive," he croaked honestly, whirling away as she used her nearby desk to steady herself. "I h-have to go," he whimpered, the fog of her scent engulfing his mind, and his boots refused to move.

"I-If you find me attractive why does that mean you have to take a break? C-Cant you stay?" The hopefulness in her voice slaughtered his will, and fresh tears stung his eyes as he squeezed the emerald cat orbs closed, twisting his chest into a knot he couldn't begin to untangle. It was…so incredibly unfair. "I…th-think about you too, Ch-Chat," she whispered so low, his ears flicked to pick it up, paining him even more.

He began to shift back towards her, but managed to catch himself in time to avoid letting her see the tears cascading down his face. "B-Because it would be wrong," he grumbled, barely able to breathe as his voice wavered. Because I broke your heart already, for one…and why…why do I have to love a woman who doesn't love me back? "Because I l-love Ladybug, and it wouldn't be right, no matter how badly I want you," he said sadly.

You're my Princess, always. The voice purred, and the hauntingly familiar…beautiful foreign giggling followed him into the night, because this time his feet did move, and he managed to make it up to the skylight, and out without her demanding he never return.

***POV Change***

Marinette trembled, sobbing uncontrollably into her pillow as her body shuddered. What was she supposed to do with this information if Chat was telling her the truth? She hadn't been able to sleep all night.

"I m-must have sounded desperate…pathetic, begging him to stay," she spat into the fluffy mass, screaming her pain and frustration. What an idiot! "I think about you too, Chat," she said in a mocking tone between sniffles, pulling at her hair as she screeched. "Desperate moron!"

"I'm sure he doesn't feel that way, Marinette," Tikki offered softly. "He's the one who said he wanted you first," she pointed out.

"He said he found me attractive, not that he wanted me!"

"Okay, yeah, he said he thought you were attractive, but then he said he wanted you very badly," she murmured.

The bluenette whimpered, rolling onto her back, staring up at the barely breaking dawn over her skylight through aching eyes. "I g-guess," she grumbled. "He only really wants Ladybug, though," she said dejectedly.

"That's you, Marinette."

"It's not the same."

The crimson being sighed. "Ladybug isn't better than you. You're the same person!"

The bluenette snorted, rolling away. "Yeah, okay. I bet even Adrien would go for Ladybug before me!"

She ignored the odd noise her Kwami made as the fresh tears broke free from her shimmering bluebell orbs. She was tired of not feeling good enough.

***An hour later***

Ladybug swung, landing with skilled practice behind a building before muttering 'spots off' to reveal an annoyed crimson Kwami. "You said only one time, Marinette. This isn't good," she huffed.

"Just one more day," the bluenette grumbled, making her way down the steps hesitantly. She still wasn't even sure what she was doing here. She wasn't even sure…he would be here…All she knew was she needed somewhere to be that didn't feel tense and full of pressure.

Mari approached the houseboat gradually, hesitantly, licking her lips. The deck was empty, and she cringed. She wasn't positive if she should just invite herself onboard. That didn't seem entirely wise and with the early hour, shouting loudly seemed less wise.

"L-Luka?" God, what was she doing? "Luka," she repeated a little more loudly, peering at the sun cresting over the horizon. What had been going on in her hormone, depressed, adolescent mind to drive her to this point?

"He's probably still sleeping," her ancient muttered from the confines of her purse, and the bluenette sighed, turning away.

"You're probably right." Her shoulders slumped as she took several steps in the opposite direction.

"Marinette?" His soft voice sounded surprised, and she couldn't stop the blush erupting through her cheeks as she spun, nearly falling as she faced the houseboat again.

"L-Luka!" She gasped. "I'm M-Marinette," she squeaked.

A warm smile slowly spread over his handsome face as he walked to the edge, leaning against the railing, and his defined arms crossed over his chest. "Not that I'm not happy to see you M-Marinette, but what are you doing here so early?"

The bluenette bit her lip, shoving her gaze to the ground. It took her several gulps of air before she could answer, and fresh tears stung her eyes. "I w-wanted to go somewhere I felt…okay…and I could o-only think of one p-place right now," she whispered hoarsely, sobbing.

The musician descended from the craft immediately. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I shouldn't have been nosy," he said, gathering her into his gentle arms, and she collapsed against him trembling.

"N-No, you had every right to know why a weirdo showed up at your house so e-early," she muttered.

"Weird? Yeah, but you're always welcome, Mari. I wouldn't have it any other way." His voice was firm, and strong, as he guided her onto the boat, leading her down to his cabin. "You can stay as long as you need to feel better, I promise," he whispered softly. "Do you want me to play you something?"

She chewed her lip again, shaking her head, and gestured for him to sit on his bed, her cheeks flaring brightly as he moved without a question, and he wrapped his arms around her, allowing her to curl against him, closing her eyes.

"I just wanted…w-wanted…" she hiccupped. "I wanted to feel…wanted..," she breathed honestly, closing her eyes.

"I'll always want you around," he said gently, holding her tighter. "Whenever you need me."

"Thank y-you," she whispered, willing herself to disappear into the warmth of his safe, kind arms.

***POV Change***

She was absent again, and his nerves were alight with his anxiety and pain. Marinette wasn't one to continuously miss class. Be tardy? Sure. However, that wasn't his only problem. Something about their conversation the previous night was wrong. He kept trying to replay the entire thing through the filter of his brain, but then images and scents kept getting snared in his mind, and his blood began to grown warm beneath his flushing skin.

Then, he'd just start thinking about what might have happened if he'd just closed that last breath between their bodies instead of running away like a coward. What would have been wrong with giving in?

He shook his head frowning, and someone touched him, startling him. "Whoa, dude, the bell rang, but you're uh, still sitting here. You look lost."

"I guess it's nothing," he muttered, rubbing the back of his head slowly, but he was almost sure…Marinette had said something strange. Something out of character, maybe? Something she shouldn't have…it was on the tip of his tongue, but each time he reached for the information, it scattered. Secret information?

It hadn't helped he'd been so angry, and hurt…and…aching to have her. He sighed loudly.

"Mari won't be joining us, Nino," Alya muttered softly, tugging on her boyfriend's as she tried to move them along.

"Where? When? What are you guys supposed to be doing?"

"Can we invite Adrien, please?" Nino's voice sounded like a pleading child, and Alya scoffed, groaning.

"We did invite him, remember? He said he had plans tonight! Some function his dad is throwing!"

Oh, right. He sighed. "I have to do a shoot tonight, I forgot," he grunted. "What is Marinette doing?"

"Doesn't really matter," the journalist replied brusquely, and his brows shot up before the pain set in.

"O-Okay…sorry."

"Alya!" The scathing tone of her boyfriend was enough to make her falter, and she made a strangled noise.

"I guess her and Luka are hanging out! Geez, nosy, much," she glared, snatching her boyfriend's arm once more. "I'm sure you'll be too busy to notice, right, Agreste?"

"Right." The fine misting of anger beneath his skin and the quickening of his frantic heart did little to suggest that Chat Noir wouldn't be peaking in on the couple, though. After all, heroes did all kinds of protective work, big and small, right?

Author Note:

And…crap…I did something…totally…crappy. I…made this…into…an epic fantasy in my head… WELCOME TO ANOTHER THREAD OF FATES INSTEAD OF A FLUFF! ! BE PREPARED! SORRY SORRY SORRY! This chapter..has just…changed…everything..I'm…sorry : ( hopefully…you enjoyed.. and YES…fucking..Chat…totally..MISSED…the LIED…accusation…it wasn't a misprint…I'm aware of what I wrote..hence the 'something was wrong with the conversation' bit…

Kazza2182, sure as shit he's going to break her…trying to be…a good man…and jealous as he is -_- dumb cat. The reveal is going to be AWFUL!

Trying414, my heart hurts for kitty MORE in this chapter, but what is up with this? Yes, Luka is an awesome dude..so…it sucks rooting for either..

Darealduna, Hello new name! I'm very pleased to see you, and very much hope you stick around. Not as many reviews on the second chapter, so I'm hoping I didn't scare people away, but *shrugs* we'll see. Chapter three was interesting…and morphed into something BEYOND what I expected, but I roll with the punches…and that is how thread of fates went from 'fluff/reveal to epic fantasy' and I guess…this is what I've got I'm hands now too *twitches* dumb…beast *glares at story*

Faefolk11, You're always very welcome my miss Fae! He should have listened even closer the SECOND TIME! UGH! Yes, so inconvenient those Akuma attacks…but man…*cringes* he was so worked up he missed it…again! He'll figure it out eventually? *scratches her head* Maybe? Yes, sweet, sweet Luka deserves a chance too, sadly enough…but…but what is up with…the mysterious foreign voice? *thinks* Sorry the fluffiness got thrown out the window *mostly* I will still has the fluff! You know I likes the fluff…but I'm…more awesome at the 'feels' and 'angst' apparently…and the 'sex' o.o''