Hello, beautiful people! I'm sooo sorry I took so long to post! I hit a bit of a block these last couple weeks. If I posted on time, it would've been a short chapter and I didn't want to do that. It has been a crazy couple weeks, and I finally finished my many homework assignments last night. Before we continue, I would like to say... Unfortunately, it seems this story is coming to a close... I KNOW! It doesn't seem like it, but it's true. I think I only have a few chapters left as far as material goes, but I'll just see how writing goes the next couple months. Without further ado, I'll let all of you read my story. Enjoy, and stay tuned!

Chapter 8

"I'm sorry, princess, but I have to leave." Those were the last words Marinette heard before everything went still and silent. She watched through another perspective, almost like a spector, as Chat Noir let himself out of her room through the trapdoor and somewhere in Paris. It was several moments that she sat there, motionless, wondering if tonight really happened or if it was some strange nightmare. Her mouth was still open, eyes wide in panic and confusion. It wasn't until Tikki floated over to her that she seemed to go back into her own body.

"Marinette? Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah, no, I don't know. Tikki, what happened?"

"You mean with Chat Noir?"

"So that really did happen?"

"Yes, it did."

"Well… what did happen?"

"It seemed you indirectly asked him if he was a ladies' man, so to speak." Tikki's words caused Marinette's mind to whir into overdrive, everything blurring and turning white as she silently panicked.

How could I be so stupid?! I was having a pleasant evening with him, why would I destroy it with my random thoughts? My feelings didn't truly matter, so why did I open my big mouth and hurt his feelings? She didn't realize that she was curling herself into a tight ball on her bed until she felt Tikki rest on her shoulder, providing a healing warmth and comfort. "Tikki, what do I do?"

"Just apologize to him and explain what was going through your mind."

"When will I be able to apologize? What if he doesn't want to see Marinette again?"

"Then you might have to seek him out."

Her confident words relaxed Marinette a bit. That sounds like a good, but unstable, plan. If he doesn't come over in a few days, I'll go out and try to find him myself. I'm Ladybug, after all. After the soothing mantra repeated itself a few times in her mind, Marinette calmed herself down and laid back down under her covers, thankful that Tikki was considerate enough to turn of her light before she went to bed. "Thanks, Tikki. I'll apologize as soon as I run into him."

"I would hope so, that poor boy looked upset." He didn't only look upset, he looked downright angry! Marinette shivered when she remembered how his face soured into a deep scowl and his ears twitched atop his head. If she didn't know him as well as she did, it appeared that he would've destroyed something… maybe without even using his cataclysm. No matter, Marinette just hoped she ran into him soon so she could apologize. Before she knew it, her eyes drifted close and she finally succumbed to sleep.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

So many thoughts were racing around in his mind, he couldn't differentiate which was for what. But one topic in particular stood out above the rest: did Marinette truly think so low of him? He didn't even realize he made it home and detransformed, mindlessly making his way to his bed as Plagg flew over to grab some cheese. Adrien was even too mentally exhausted to change into his pajamas. Thinking that Marinette believed him to be some sort of womanizer caused a heavy rock to settle in his stomach. Never has he thought this his playful flirts or sideways comments would make others believe he was that way with everyone. Did everyone see Chat Noir like that?

The sound of obnoxious chewing flowed to his ears, causing his thoughts to drift a bit, thankfully. "Hey, loverboy, mind sharing why you almost cataclysmed Le Mur des Je t'aime* on our way back home?" Plagg asked, feigning ignorance.

Adrien wanted to roll his eyes and pull at his hair, but he was too tired to do much except answer Plagg in as few words as possible. "I don't know, I think I was just irritated."

"At the wall or at what it represents?"

His friend's accusation caused him to cringe, knowing that he was caught, whether or not he meant it. "Perhaps both. I needed somewhere to vent, and that was the first thing I came across that truly angered me. Thank goodness I came to my senses before I acted upon my wish," Adrien tried to joke, only gulping in response to the intense glare Plagg sent his way.

"Vent? Vent?! Chat Noir can't use his powers to vent, especially when it involves personal problems. This power was given to you because both the Guardian and myself saw your potential, we knew you would be able to help the people of Paris without prejudice. If you use your powers for your own personal gain, you are no better than Hawkmoth!"

Plagg's rant caused Adrien's eyes to widen in shock and apprehensiveness. He's never seen Plagg this angry, he wasn't even sure if he's seen Plagg angry, and it wasn't a very pretty sight. It was actually terrifying. Even though his current form was a cat, he still had emmense power in his little body. Adrien couldn't help but nod his head in agreement, "okay. I'm sorry, I won't do it again."

Plagg sent another scrutinizing glare Adrien's way before sighing, setting his cheese down and floating over to his chosen. "Listen. I'm not always so sentimental, but I'm serious about this," he started as he sat himself down in Adrien's lap. "I'm going to tell you a story, and you're going to just listen until I'm done." Adrien could only nod again, urging his little friend to continue.

"Many centuries ago, I had a chosen who was a simple farm boy, not much older than you are now. I chose him the day he received a letter for the draft, he was meant to leave for war for the king of his land. He was a kind lad, one desperate to help his ailing mother and weakened brother and sister. With my help, his calvary unit was the only one to survive against their enemies, and luckily they won the war. He quickly advanced in rank following his knighthood, seeing how he was so kind to the people and helpful to those in need. However, as his rankings increased after captain, he became greedy and wreckless. Over time, he began to consider the safety and well-being of others less and less, eventually just killing others in cold blood, whether they were friend or foe for 'the good of the kingdom.'

"It all turned sour when his beloved wife became worried for him, asking him questions he didn't want to answer. They were friends growing up and eventually married and had many children. But that didn't matter when he got angry with her at her insinuation. He transformed in front of her in his fury, grabbed her by her neck and hoisted her in the air. With a few words of anger, he ended the conversation by using the cataclysm on her. She disintegrated into dust before his eyes."

Adrien truly didn't know how to react to that confession, he knew it took a toll on Plagg, both remembering it and retelling it. The dull light in his eyes made it seem like he was reliving the scene right now, instead of centuries ago. "Did… did he give up being Chat Noir then, after killing her?"

Plagg snorted derisively, almost offended that Adrien asked such a thing before he sobered once more. "One would think. I sensed that he felt remorse immediately after the act, having killed his oldest and best friend and lover, but it didn't last long. The darkness in his heart already consumed him. A few days after the fact, the royal court heard of his violence toward his wife and charged him, planning to arrest him, but he escaped the kingdom with all his weaponry and my ring, leaving his kids and his livelihood behind. As the years passed, he turned more violent and heartless, killing and plundering entire villages by himself using my powers before he created one of the largest band of rogues the neighboring kingdoms have ever known. I couldn't do anything, I was simply a tool to do his bidding while trapped in his ring."

"You couldn't restrict his power?" Adrien asked astonished.

"No. Even though Tikki and I are very powerful, we still can't resist the whims of our chosen. I'm guessing that's what Nooroo is going through right now."

"I know who Tikki is, but who is Nooroo?"

"He is the butterfly miraculous. He's normally calm and reserved, not wanting to harm another living being, but he's easily manipulated. My guess is that he was found and taken by Hawkmoth and used as his prisoner like I was so many years ago."

"That would make sense," Adrien lamely mumbled, not knowing how to respond to a statement like that.

"Anyhow, I was his prisoner for many years until the inevitable happened. The darkness completely consumed his being, and it was weakening his body dramatically. He was the bane of each kingdom's existence, so they created expensive bounties for him. One day, a young man in dark robes sought him out and challenged him to a battle, and my chosen's pride couldn't resist in accepting. After several hours of fighting, he had no strength leftover, and eventually fell at the hand of his foe. But before he could take his final breath, the stranger removed his hood and revealed his identity as my chosen's youngest son. When he left, the son was no older than seven years old, and he was weak and fearful. It seems the dishonor his father thrust upon them strengthened his resolve, and he took matters in his own hands. And despite all the wrongdoings his father committed, he felt it right to bury his body honorably after his death."

"Wow, he sounds like an incredible man."

"He was, and I will always be in his debt, even after death. I was thankful for him, truly, because what I didn't know at the time, was that he was the most recent chosen of the Ladybug miraculous."

Adrien was stunned speechless. His mouth opened and shut many times, wanting to ask something, anything, but nothing came out. He even made a few strangled noises, causing Plagg to look at him before sending him an enduring smile, showcasing one of his sharp fangs. "Wha-"

"That's right kid, my sweet tooth ironically chose his own son to bring his downfall. But because he was the Ladybug of the time, when he defeated his father, he also cleansed his soul. Before I was freed from my dark prison, a bright white light encompassed me, and I saw the same boy that I chose so many years prior. Not his form that he died in, but the pure and innocent young man that saw the world with so much light and hope, the person that only wanted to help others and make the world a better place. I watched as he walked off into the light and, when I came to, his son was looking down at me in concern, and he had the same eyes as my chosen. That's when I knew that Tikki made the right decision."

"Wow, that's intense," Adrien admired.

"Indeed it was. Ever since then, I've been extremely picky with my chosens, and since then Tikki has always had a chosen at the same time as myself. But there is one thing I always was curious about, but Tikki never explained in detail to me… His son, he never used his miraculous' powers to fight his father, and he rarely used them when he fought for the kingdom in the years following. In fact, he returned both miraculouses long before the end of his life, just to ensure no one else would abuse their powers." A few minutes of silence followed after Plagg's quiet admission, before he turned kind but stern eyes back to his chosen. "I told you this story so you would learn something. So, what was it?"

Taken off guard, Adrien sputtered for a moment, before the words starting spewing from his mouth. "Emotions without a firm hold can lead to irrevocable damages, and one bad decision leads to more?" The end of his answer was more of a question, but he hoped Plagg would accept it.

A moment of tense silence ensued until Plagg sighed, and Adrien wasn't sure if it was in dejection or relief. "That's part of it kid. You need to learn that emotions without a leash can lead to terrible consequences, but you also need to understand that it's not just emotions that could lead to your downfall, it's using your powers for them. If you were to, how you say, 'vent' using your powers, you are no better than my late chosen. If you use your powers while in an emotional state, whether for good or bad intentions, it will cause a darkness to develop in your soul, and it will only continue to grow as you continue to wield them, until either Ladybug purifies you or your death comes to you."

Adrien gulped heavily, not expecting such an intense topic to appear at such a late hour. Finally, he understood the rage that consumed his little friend earlier, and he couldn't blame him. Now he felt bad for his outburst, but was glad he didn't follow through with the act. "I understand. Thank you, Plagg, for teaching me this lesson. I know how difficult sharing such a story must've been for you," he sympathized as he reached a hand forward to caress his friend. When Plagg turned away with a light-hearted huff, he stalled his hand from advancing.

"Meh, not really. It's history, and history contains lessons for people of the modern age to learn. I'm simply just teaching you so history won't repeat itself." Even with Plagg's words, he knew that his friend was just trying to save face, and he admired that. He had a feeling that Plagg was still hurting from a past chosen, so he wanted to comfort him as best as he could.

Reaching forward, Adrien scooped up his friend, who offered little resistence, and pulled him to his chest, allowing him to get comfortable in the crook of his neck. "Thank you. I hope you realize how much your story and your concern mean to me, how much you mean to me."

"I do, and it's sickening." His blasé joke caused Adrien to chuckle, before he pulled his blankets up and got comfortable himself.

"Good night, Plagg."

"Good night, kid."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Marinette couldn't sleep, she was too riled up. All night long. Chat's expression kept replaying in her mind every time she thought she would be able to fall asleep. She would close her eyes and barely sleep ten minutes before she would wake back up. Marinette tried to drink tea, read, even design, but none of it worked to calm her down. So when the sun began to peak over the horizon, she nearly sighed in relief, knowing that school would begin soon. Studying for finals and being around her friends could hopefully distract her enough until she saw him, hopefully later tonight.

By the time she finished getting ready for school, her maman had breakfast ready and there was plenty of time before first period. When she made it downstairs to the kitchen, her maman gave her a surprised look before sending her a gentle smile. "Marinette, sweetie, you're up early."

"Yeah, maman, I decided to get an early start to the day. Finals is coming up soon."

Sabine gave her daughter a thorough search before setting down her spoon and walking over to the counter, leading Marinette to sit on the stool beside her. "It appears you didn't sleep very well, right, sweetie?" Marinette was surprised, she truly didn't know how her maman could've figured her out. Sabine simply sent her a knowing smile before rubbing her back. "I'm your mother, sweetheart, I know everything about you."

Marinette's eyes widened slightly in horror, thinking she spoke the truth and possibly knew that she was Ladybug, but then she felt Tikki shaking in laughter in her purse. "Wh- ahum, what do you know, maman?"

"I know when you're tired or something is bothering you, and it appears you are dealing with both. I have a feeling whatever is bothering you kept you up last night. Honey, what's wrong?"

Marinette decided it was best to confess, but only tell the basics. "One of my friends was talking to me last night, and I accidentally said something that might've hurt his feelings, so now he won't talk to me. What should I do?"

"Just find him and apologize, I'm sure he'll forgive you," she advised before turning back to her bowl on the stove.

Nodding slightly, with a hint of disappointment, Marinette bid farewell to her parents before walking to school, taking her time for a change. "Tikki, do you think he'll forgive me?"

"I'm sure he will, he's a considerate chosen. Besides, he knows you enough to know that you didn't mean what you said, you just said the wrong things and didn't know how to fix it at the time."

"You're right! I hope I run into him tonight so I can apologize!"

With a new spring in her step, Marinette made it to school with plenty of time to talk to her friends and review her studies from the night before. Despite having very little sleep in her system, she couldn't help but be in a good mood. Everyone was smiling even though the stress from their finals are coming up. Adrien came to classes late, saying that he had a modeling gig really early in the morning and that was why he was tired, but it was almost like he was avoiding her. Nonsense, Marinette thought to herself. There's no reason why Adrien would be mad at me, I haven't said or did anything wrong to him. Maybe he's just tired and stressed. All of us are, and if he's still modeling this week, then he must be extra tired. Marinette was lost in her thoughts and didn't see where she was going before she bumped into a wall. Not a wall, Adrien's strong back. "Adrien! Hi! How are you!" she blabbed, feeling her face flame as an awkward smile broke through.

Not expecting the weight to hit his back, Adrien was surpised he didn't stumble forward. He hardly got any sleep the night before because of his racing thoughts, and he was practically a zombie the entire morning. When people asked, he would tell them he had an early modeling session. He was fully prepared to give the same spiel when he heard the soft voice ramble behind him. A cold shiver ran down his spine, while his face heated up knowing she was so close to him. Taking a deep breath, he schooled his features and turned around, placing a soft smile on his face, hoping that he could get away with it. "Hey, Marinette. I'm just peachy, and you?" As she looked up at him, he noticed that she, too, had bags under her eyes. Both tried to cover the evidence with makeup, but unlike her, he knew why she had bags under her eyes. He was paralized, not quite knowing how to feel. His entire being screamed to comfort her and apologize, but some part of his head said that he had nothing to apologize for. She was the one who hurt his feelings, he just left before things could get worse.

Her melodic voice brought him back to the current, "I'm fine, just a little tired. I was up late studying last night."

Liar, you were sleeping half the time, the Chat side of Adrien whispered, causing a smile to quirk the one side of his lips before he could stop himself. "That's good, do you feel prepared for finals on Thursday?"

"I hope so, one of my friends helped me understand a calculus a little better," she answered with an easy smile, before it turned to a slight frown.

"What's wrong?" he feigned curiousity but displayed genuine concern for his friend.

"I said some wrong things to him, and he took it the wrong way. I wasn't able to correct myself or apologize before he left, and I'm afraid he won't want to see me."

She was lost in her thoughts, concerned about her feline friend, that she didn't notice the blush erupt on his cheeks or hear him clear his throat awkwardly. "T-that sounds… nice. I'm sure he'll appreciate it."

"I hope so. He means so much to me, I can't loose him to a misunderstanding." This time, he was utterly speechless and his entire face was the color of his partner's suit. He gulped, trying to regain his composure so he could answer her, when Alya called for Marinette. "Well, that's my queue to leave. I'll see you later, Adrien! Get some rest!" Before he could answer, his crush ran to the courtyard and left with the rest of the girls to who-knows-where. Seeing her walk away from him with a smile on her face, it made him feel… empty, like his heart was ripped from his chest and she took it with her as she left the campus grounds.

A tug on his shirt caused him to begin walking to his waiting car, which would take him back to his mansion. Plagg continued to peek up at him through his shirt during the whole ride home, and Adrien tried to reassure his small friend with gentle smiles, but he wasn't sure it was working on his wise friend. When they got home, he immediately went to his room knowing that Plagg would want to talk to him. Once his door was closed, he knew he was right.

"So? What are you going to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"Knowing your princess, she's most likely going to go looking for you tonight if you don't show up."

"I doubt it. It's supposed to start getting cold tonight, and it'll get worse through the week, and we both know how much she doesn't like the cold."

"That's true, that's why I think we should keep an eye out."

"Why is that?"

Plagg wasn't going to admit that he knew that Marinette was Ladybug, and if she was anything like Tikki's previous chosens, she was going to wander around Paris until she either found Chat Noir or found some clue as to where he was. "Trust me, my gut is screaming that she might go looking for trouble."

Adrien snorted, knowing that he was right. Trust Marinette to go around stirring up mischief, perhaps that was why Chat Noir was always so attracted to her. At least, that was one of the many reasons he liked her. "Maybe, I wouldn't put it past her. I'll see about it."

"Let's just hope that if you don't go tonight, nothing will happen to her."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

It has been three days. Today was Thursday, and Marinette has wandered the streets of Paris every night since their argument. With each day that passes, she worries more and more about her friend and what he must think of her. She was lucky to have studied earlier in the week, and she feels like she passed with great marks in her first tests. If she didn't study and have Chat there to help her earlier in the week, she would've certainly failed. It was only when she thought about their discussion before their 'fight' that made her confident when answering the plethera of questions. Now, she desperately wanted for find her feline friend to apologize and thank him for all of his help, and hopefully redeeming their friendship. She couldn't afford to lose him. It was true, he would still have her alias as Ladybug, but it wasn't the same. She was closer to him as Marinette, in her opinion, and she didn't want to lose such a close friend.

She was walking along the Sienne, observing the calming rhythym of the flow and listening to the soft murmurs of the river, when she heard a scuffle behind her. When she subtly looked behind herself, she saw the tall form of someone duck into an alleyway. It appeared to be a man in dark clothes, but she didn't want to assume much. It was already past midnight and far past her curfew, and she was also looking for her closest male friend for over three hours. It's time to go home before something bad happens. Just as the thought ran through her head, she heard a louder noise behind her and she increased her pace to a near-jog across the bridge going back to her house.

She already passed the housing districts, and now she was passing the stores and restaurants that have been closed for a couple hours now. If anything were to happen to her, no one would be there to know and save her. You're Ladybug, for Pete's sake. Just run down an alley and transform, no one would bat an eye. With that in mind, Marinette quickly made her way to an alley and looked around, making sure no one was around so she could transform. Right when she opened her purse, however, someone grabbed around her waist from behind, placing their other hand over her mouth.

Marinette was currently trapped, with her arms pinned to her sides and her mouth covered, and it didn't help that her feet were dangling below her. She was incompacitated, not being able hit his gut or stomp on his toes, and calling for help was out of the question. Tikki was jostling around in her purse, sensing her chosen's distress, but she was also unable to show herself. She felt tears form in her eyes at her helplessness, knowing that she was Ladybug but unable to do anything as Marinette against her attacker. She just hoped that someone, anyone, would come by and help her before it was too late.

*(Le Mur des Je t'aime, Wall of Love, is a symbol of love with 'I love you' written in 250 languages and contains red specks on tiles to resemble broken heart of humanity that wall tries to repair, on a square Place des Abbesses)