The story below is based on the characters from Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir. I own nothing of the show. This is purely fictitious and written for the enjoyment of my readers and myself. All rights go to the proper parties.

Poke-ranger21 - Thank you for the input. I agree that Cat could have considered that Marinette was infected, but for the sake of this story, that didn't cross his mind.

Bloody Rogue dragon deity king-Thank you for your comment. I actually planned on something similar to what your sister came up with. Although mine is a bit less dark. It seems like the logical answer to Cat's question and a plausible lie. Kudos to your sister!

Agiani- Thank you for your comment! Hopefully you like the next parts too!


A few days have passed since the curious cat questioned both Ladybug and Marinette about Multimouse. Akumas have appeared and been defeated with the help of different heroes chosen by Ladybug. Carapace, Vesperia, Rena Rouge, Pegasus, and even a new hero, Pigella, were used to fight the akumas. They fought new and old akumas, including Reflekta and her new sentimonster, Guiltrip. The mouse miraculous hasn't been needed again, and Marinette is happy to put Cat Noir's questions behind her. Unfortunately, her kitty is stubborn and hasn't lost an ounce of his curiosity.

Marinette had just finished a new design in her sketchbook, a new kitty section costume idea, she can't wait to show Luka and the rest of the band. She even made a costume for when Adrien is able to join them on stage. She sits up to her desk and leans over her sketchbook, flipping aimlessly through the pages, before hearing a thump on her balcony overhead.

Cat Noir lands on Marinette's balcony and rushes to her trap door. He spent the past few days fighting akumas and thinking about Marinette. He needs answers and he's tired of waiting for them. He knows he's being unreasonable and way too stubborn, but he can't help it. Curiosity did kill the cat, but hey, satisfaction also brought it back. He's determined to get a real answer, and he won't be satisfied until he does.

He leans close to the trap door an knocks lightly. He hears Marinette make her way to the door and open it for him. "Good evening, Purrrincess. Your knight in shining black leather is here once again." He teases, giving her his signature smile.

Marinette rolls her eyes and smiles, "Hello Kitty Cat. What can I do for you tonight?" She steps back from her trap door and climbs down her ladder, inviting Cat Noir to follow.

"I believe I warned you last time that I would be coming back to talk to you about Multimouse again." Cat Noir says while claiming a spot on Marinette's chaise lounge and watching her take a seat in her desk chair.

"I've already answered all your questions, Cat. I can't be Multimouse anymore. It's not safe. Besides, you and Ladybug don't need me." Marinette reminds.

Cat Noir was clearly unhappy with Marinette's answer. The dissatisfaction written all over his face. He sighs, irritated, and says, "I know you say you can't, and you say it's because it's dangerous, Ladybug said the same. I just want to know why it's not safe. Why can't you be Multimouse anymore?"

Marinette looks at Cat and sighs. He's not going to give up unless she gives him a plausible answer. She hates lying, especially to her partner, but what other choice does she have? She can't tell him the truth without revealing her identity. She has to lie, and she has to make it believable. She sighs again and squirms uncomfortably as the knots in her stomach twist with guilt while she prepares to lie to her partner once again. Quietly she says, "I can't be Multimouse or any other hero because I used too many miraculous that day. The more miraculous you use, the more strain it puts on your body and your mind. One or two is typically fine, but three or more can have serious consequences."

Cat Noir gasps and stands up quickly, running to Marinette as if she were hurting, the worry evident on his face. "Are you okay?" He cries.

Marinette smiles, appreciating her partners concern for her, "I'm okay, Kitty." The knots in her stomach tangle as she continues her lie, "Ladybug and the guardian both agreed that I should retire permanently from the miraculous team. I was very weak after defeating Kwamibuster," that part isn't a lie. Marinette was mentally and physically drained for days after Kwamibuster. It took all her leftover strength to hide the effects from her friends and family, she slept away her entire weekend after that. "They're afraid that if I wear a miraculous again, it could have permanent consequences on my health." She finishes.

Cat Nour stares at Marinette in awe. He had no idea that being Multimouse put such a strain on her, mentally and physically. She seemed fine at school and he didn't hear anyone acting concerned about her. Cat Noir's own guilt ate at him. There's no satisfaction in the answer she gave him. All Cat Noir feels is guilt and regret for trying so hard to get Marinette back on team miraculous. His eyes start to sting as he thinks of the possible consequences of Marinette wearing a miraculous again. He was pushing for something that could seriously harm her. She could be permanently effected by a miraculous. Why did he have to want her on the team so badly? He didn't know it could be so dangerous for her. Even without Shadowmoth's influence. He shook his head trying to clear his mind of his concern for her. Marinette is okay. She's sitting right in front of him watching him struggle with his worry. She says she's okay. He needs to trust her, but there's still one more thing that's bothering him. "Why couldn't you tell me this the other day? Or better yet, why couldn't Ladybug tell me?" He questioned.

"I didn't want to worry you, Kitty. I didn't want you to be concerned for me." She places her hand on his cheek as he kneels in front of her. "I'm okay and there's nothing to worry about. There's no need for you to be looking at me with this much concern." She removes her hand and places it in her lap, momentarily embarrassed. Her cheeks flush and she looks down at her hands.

Cat Noir reaches for Marinette's cheek and guides her to once again look at him. Her cheeks are pink and she nervously bites her lips. Cat Noir's eyes scan her face and pause as they reach her pink lips. He momentarily wonders how they'd feel pressed against his. How soft would they be? Marinette said she loved him during Weredad, does she still feel that way? Would she be okay with him kissing her? Would she want that?

Cat Noir shakes his head and catches Marinette's eyes again. Her cheeks are now red and her eyes struggle to find his. Cat clears his throat, "I understand your reasoning, Princess, but why did Ladybug avoid answering the same question?"

"She was respecting my privacy, Cat. It was my choice to tell you. Not hers." Marinette states plainly. It's not exactly a lie. Ladybug, herself, was protecting her own privacy by not telling him. It's not exactly the truth either though. Ladybug could have just as easily of been the one to tell him these lies. Cat Noir just happened to choose to talk to Marinette tonight.

"That's probably it." Cat Noir states as he stands once again. "M'Lady is very caring. I'm sure she wanted to protect you and your privacy. I'm sorry that I pushed you to tell me." Cat said sincerely.

"It's okay, Cat Noir. I don't blame you for being curious, and I'm flattered that I made such an impression on you that you wanted to make me a hero once again." She smiles softly and stands to join him.

Cat Noir clears his throat and rubs the back of his neck with his hand. He looks at Marinette shyly and says, "You were an amazing hero, Marinette. I wouldn't expect anything less from our Everyday Ladybug." He beams at her before his eyes catch her surprise and his face screws to a confused look.

"W-what did you c-call me?" Marinette stutters.

Cat Noir's confusion clears as dread creeps in. He just called her Everyday Ladybug, he just hinted at his identity. He called her that as Adrien at their class picnic. How could he be so careless? "O-oh? I um, I called you our Everyday Ladybug. You know, since you help everyone everyday without even needing a miraculous. You're a civilian Ladybug in all the things that you do for others. D-do you not like the nickname?" He returns, swallowing the nervous lump in his throat.

"N-no, the nickname is fine. It's just…" Marinette swallows and looks down at her feet. "A close friend of mine said the same thing before. It just took me by surprise is all." She responds, oblivious to the possibility that Cat Noir could be Adrien Agreste.

"Well, your friend is right. You are our Everyday Ladybug. Paris couldn't be any luckier than to have you saving the day one friendly gesture at a time." With those words he bends to grab her hand and places a kiss on her knuckles. He smiles as he straightens up, "I'll see you again soon, Princess. Have a goodnight."

"Goodnight Kitty." Marinette responds as she watches Cat Noir leave her room. She collapses onto her desk chair and sighs heavily as their conversation sinks in.

Tikki and the other kwamis fly from their hiding place and float in front of Marinette. "You handled that perfectly." Tikki praises. "Cat Noir was given an answer that'll have him stop asking for you to have a new miraculous, and your identity is safe. You did good, Marinette." She compliments.

"Then why do I feel so miserable, Tikki?" Marinette sobs, tears starting to flow from her eyes. "Why does this have to be so hard?"

"Oh, Marinette. You did what you felt was right. You protected your identity and still answered his questions as honestly as you could. You had to lie to get him to stop asking. He wouldn't have stopped until you did or until he learned that you're really Ladybug." Tikki responds carefully. She flies to sit on Marinette's lap as the other kwamis surround their guardian.

"It's okay, don't cry." Mullo says.

"Tikki is right, Marinette. You did what you believe is right. You're the guardian now. You had to lie to him to protect your identity in order to keep you both safe. One day you'll be able to share the truth with him. I'm sure Cat Noir will understand." Wayzz states, always the wise mentor.

"When the time comes that you can share the truth with him, we will all be here to support you, right guys?" Daizzi asks. All the kwamis nod their affirmation.

Marinette smiles, "Thank you, all of you." She opens her arms slightly, inviting them in for a hug. All the kwamis zoom close and they smile as they hug their guardian.