Ok so the holidays have got my time clock messed up big time and because of (enter any number of real life time consuming annoyances here...) I am not anywhere near where I wanted to be with this story. Even still this is the sequel to The Cats Shield and Purloined Puns. I'm going to try and update this every three days until the end of the story. Phew... first Chaptered fic in a while... wish me luck!
Guest... SO if I ever get around to doing the revamping I will add an index probably as a first chapter or at least it will be the first thing you see so it will be easier to find the start of all the stories. I WILL NOT be separating them all out into there own individual stories because Cats Closet is meant to be a collection even if I never expected that collection to get quite so big...
When a sleep over at the schools Gym gets crashed by an Akuma Marinette finds herself with no where to hide and an oddly clingy Adrien wanting to tell her something. But how can she stop an Akuma when she can't even transform? Sequel to The Cats Shield and Purloined Puns.
Locked In (Part 1)
It had taken all of Adrien's debating skills and quite a bit of his free time to achieve his goal but somehow he had managed it. With a beaming smile Adrien handed in his signed (By his father no less) permission slip saying that he could attend the Friday nights Gym Locked In Sleepover.
"Dude you actually managed to get him to sign?!" Nino proclaimed as Adrien came to sit beside him. "That's awesome! Now I don't have to try and forge your pops signature!"
Adrien laughed but he wouldn't put it past Nino to try something like that had his father refused to sign the papers. "He was actually really cool about it when he realized it was a school wide thing and not just something a few kids threw together for fun."
"I still think it's totally bogus that you had to bargain for the weekend off…" Nino ranted, "But if you're cool with the added workload…"
At that point Adrien tuned Nino out somewhat accidently because Marinette had chosen that moment to arrive to class laughing with Alya as she rummaged through her bag for something.
"Dude are you listening to me?" Nino demanded and when he got no response he flicked Adrien in the ear.
Adrien jolted at the flick sputtering at Nino as he grabbed his ear. "What was that for?!"
Nino rolled his eyes as Marinette triumphantly pulled out a slightly crumpled and chocolate stained form. "I would tell you to stop making eyes at Alya but somehow I don't think that you were staring at my girl."
Adrien turned a delicate pink color "I have no idea what you are talking about!"
"Riiiight…" Nino muttered then turned to face Alya as she sat down. "So Babe think we will get in trouble if we share a sleeping bag? I have an extra-large one ready and everything."
"You read the rules Nino. No sharing blankets with anyone, but that doesn't mean we can't pick spots next to each other. I'm sure Marinette and Adrien won't mind pairing up either."
"Alya!" Marinette whisper screamed and Adrien felt his face flush a little darker.
He wanted to be smooth and suave, he wanted to make light of Alyas joke or scream yes and profess his love to Marinette… instead all he managed to do was avoid the topic entirely. "This will be my first lock in… Are they a lot of fun?"
Marinette glared daggers at Alya as she nudged Marinette refusing to answer for her. After a quick breath Marinette nodded "They a-are. We play games like flashlight tag, tell scary stories and all sorts of stuff."
"Cool…" Adrien breathed grinning at Marinette and making her go silent for fear of scrambling her words.
Before they could continue the conversation any further their teacher called for attention and class officially begun. It had been a good day and Marinette left school in a good mood. She had managed to swallow her anxiety several times through the day and actually had a complete conversation with Adrien at lunch! It had been exciting and Adrien really seemed to enjoy talking to her. They had been getting closer lately and Marinette was thrilled although still nervous that she would mess up horribly somewhere along the way. She was doing homework and not paying attention to the time when a light tapping sound echoed at her window. Glancing up Marinette realized that it was getting dark outside and Chat was sitting at her window. Waving him in Marinette closed her books since she just had a single problem left to complete.
"Hello princess! Being a studious student this evening huh?"
Marinette rolled her eyes but couldn't keep the grin off her face as he leaped lightly to her floor. "Yeah I wanted to get all my extra homework done tonight because tomorrow I am going to a school lock in!"
"Oh yeah… that's a good idea…" Chat murmured looking thoughtful for a second until he glanced up and saw the curious look on Marinettes face. "W-what? It is a good idea! What is a lock in anyway?"
He looked so openly curious that Marinette had to laugh shoving the idea that maybe Chat did go to her school right out of her head. "A lock in is where a bunch of students along with teachers stay over at school to sleep. They do them in the gym usually where we play games have pizza and usually stay up faaar too late. It's really fun though… would you may be like to come? You don't have to stay or anything but if you have never been to one it's something neat to experience and I'm sure no one would mind you dropping in. Its tomorrow night, at the School across the street."
Chat was actually a little stunned by the invite but since he was already going as Adrien he couldn't show up as Chat randomly. Lock-Ins meant no one (students at least) could leave and there were only so many places to hide between the locker rooms and the open floor of the gym.
He let his ears fall "That sounds like a lot of fun but unfortunately I already have something I have to do tomorrow night and I won't be able to sneak out."
Marinette patted him on the back in comfort since he looked so forlorn "It's ok Chat would you like a snack or a popsicle? I actually don't have any physics work tonight."
"Oooh can I have a popsicle? Do you think they will have any new jokes on them?" Chat wondered as he followed her out of her room to say hi to her parents.
Chat didn't stay as long as he normally did and Marinette wondered what exactly was on his mind since he seemed conflicted about something. Just before leaving he promised to drop by on Saturday no matter what happened and it left Marinette feeling confused. She asked Tiki what she thought of Chats somewhat cryptic words but even she didn't have any clue as to what he had meant either.
Friday passed in a haze of excitement and during lunch Marinette brought her night bag over to the gym with the other students picking out a spot with Nino Alya and Adrien. Somehow her sleeping bag ended up next to his and Marinette knew she would be doing absolutely no sleeping that night. If Adrien slept she would probably be too busy staring at him and besides what if she snored?! Either way she was super glad she had gotten a full night's sleep the evening before. School passed quickly and most of Marinettes class went to her house when it ended since it was right across the street to begin what Nino called the pre party. Marinettes parents made snacks so there was plenty to eat although no one wanted to fill up completely since there would be pizza at the lock in too. Unfortunately Adrien had to finish up some last minute things at home so he couldn't go but Marinette told herself it was fine since she would be sleeping or at least staying by his side the whole rest of the night. Several hours passed and as it started to get dark everyone packed up last minute treats and a few games from Marinette's stash before heading back over too school. To everyone's surprise Chloe as well as Adrien were waiting at the door while a puffing Sabrina came jogging up extra pillows in her arms. Ever since Doppelganger Chloe had been far more tolerable since for the first time in her pampered life she had actually gotten into trouble. Ladybugs miraculous cure had fixed all the costumes in the end but not before the acting troop had found them and brought the whole mess forward to the principal. Since Chloe wasn't at school he was able to work hassle free and with numerous students as well as several teachers backing him he had called the mayor of Paris and Chloe had been suspended for several days. This had led to a slew of people coming forward to say just how awful Chloe was to everyone and the horrified mayor had decided something finally needed to be done. At home Chloe had been given an ultimatum; clean up her act or she was going to be on lockdown for the rest of the year. Unsurprisingly Chloe had thrown an absolute fit but her father managed to stand firm in his decision forcing Chloe to start down the path towards a better kinder attitude.
"I'm just saying if we can afford to bring a bed we should be allowed to." Chloe huffed waving Sabrina inside.
Adrien shot her an indulging smile. "Of course Chlo… but that's not the way this works. Honestly I don't really plan on sleeping much tonight."
Chloe pursed her lips as everyone arrived. "Yes well I need my beauty rest and if anyone tries to draw on me or do anything crude while I sleep I'll call daddy!"
That said she turned and flounced off leaving several grinning classmates in her wake.
"Guys that's not a challenge." Adrien warned
"Awe come on… its washable!" Kim proclaimed fishing a washable marker out of his pocket.
"As funny as it would be Kim, Chloe said she doesn't want to be a part of the pranks." Marinette chided gently "She is trying so respect her choice."
"Awe and your trying too girl! I'm so impressed!" Alya laughed wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Marinette grinned but she was actually a little impressed with Chloes newer attitude lately and the fact that for the most part she was sticking to it. "Alright lets go set up the games so we can get this night started!"
Everyone cheered and somehow Marinette found herself walking in next to Adrien who looked like a kid walking into a candy store. Grinning he turned to her clearly ready to start confessing his love (she hoped) when a screech of static from the speakers made them both wince.
"Alright students! Please drop last minute items off at your sleeping places and then come over here. We have some last minute rules and such to discuss!"
"Uh… do you have stuff? Drop off stuff?" Marinette asked then wondered if she had made any sense at all.
Adrien shrugged (and was that a blush forming on his cheeks?) "No… well I mean yes. I have some movies but I don't think anyone is going to be sitting around watching movies when there is so much more to do!"
Marinette patted him on the shoulder the butterflies in her gut taking flight. "I-I'm sure once it gets later people will want to rest."
Adrien gave her a warm smile that made her heart melt and then she tripped over a bag nearly going face first into the floor. Without a second thought Adrien caught her hauling her up almost totally off the ground and for a long moment the world around them froze. Their faces were inches apart and Marinette could feel their hearts pounding in time… or it might just have been hers. But still! She was in Adrien's arms their bodies pressed against one another and yes that was a definite blush on Adrien's face.
"Ah… so-sorry…" Marinette finally stuttered out the world around them coming back into focus.
Adrien reluctantly let her go. "I'm always happy to catch you Marinette."
Marinette felt her face heat up even more and she nodded unable to find the appropriate verbal response in her melted brain. Together they made their way over to their sleeping spots dropping off the last items they had before finally heading over to the stands where a growing number of students had started to gather.
The principle was standing on a step ladder and once everyone was surrounding him he gave the normal welcome speech and laid out the rules. They were setting up the courtyard outside for a game of flashlight tag that was to be held later and pizza would be arriving shortly. Everyone cheered with that news and the group broke apart once he was finished with the rest of the announcements.
"So what should we do first?" Adrien asked in excitement.
Nino threw an arm over his shoulders. "First we watch Marinette trounce everyone in video games, then we have pizza, and by then the adults should have the outside games set up to play! It's gonna be an awesome night!"
Adrien couldn't wait and he wasn't surprised as the night followed Nino's plan to a T. He played video games with Marinette and when it came to teams they were so unbeatable they were forbidden from teaming up while playing normal people. The pizza was the best he ever tasted although that might have simply been because he was in such great company. Once everyone had eaten they all piled outside and Adrien was thrilled to see the courtyard had been turned into a soft sided maze that had multiple exits. Everyone was given a reflective band that went around their waists and a flashlight. Then they were released into the maze in teams to see how many points could be scored. Alya, Nino, Marinette, and Adrien ended up on the same team which thrilled Adrien to no end. They had a blast and won the team flashlight war which the reward ended up being coupons for ice cream. There were several more rounds of flashlight tag and afterwards everyone broke off to take showers in the gym or just change into their pajamas. By that time it was starting to get late and several people moved their things to the far corners of the gyms to get some sleep. Midnight was supposed to be the official lights out and 1am was when the teachers would be coming around to try and make people go to sleep. For now though Adrien was happy to sit with his friends and several people he didn't know as everyone tried to come up with scary stories. For the most part the stories were lame retellings of the ghost stories he had read as a small child.
"Marinette has good ghost stories!" Alya called when everyone was groaning over the terrible rendition of Bloody Mary.
"Oh really?" Adrien asked as the other students perked up as well making Marinette freeze.
"Well I have a few… Alya seems to like them…" Marinette finally managed.
"Then tell one!" Several students cried attracting the attention of one of their new teachers a young woman named Anna.
"Are you kids telling Ghost stories?" she asked making the circle of students go quiet.
"We are ma'am." Adrien answered for them all when no one spoke up.
"I love scary stories! Have any of you heard the tales of Babayaga?" Anna asked and when almost everyone shook their heads she gleefully began telling them of the witch that her grandparents had told her about. "Deep In the woods there is an old Witch named Babayaga. With her nose as long as her face and a mouth full of iron teeth she delights in eating bad children for breakfast!"
There were a few smiles and more than one person snickered a bit as Anna continued describing the old woman. "She lives in small clearing surrounded by a white bone fence made from the femurs of the victims she has devoured. Her home is a small cottage that stands on chicken feet and it-"
More snickers cut off her words and Anna peered at them looking confused. "What is so funny?"
"A house on chicken legs? That is the most absurd thing I've heard in a while." Chloe stated even as she laughed delicately behind one hand.
"Babayaga is not someone to be laughed at Chloe." Anna said solemnly but Chloe waved her hand.
"Whatever… what does this Witch do besides eat naughty children? Fly around on her enchanted rake?"
"Actually she flies using her giant mortar which she sits in and her pedestal that she uses to steer with..." Anna answered honestly and was shocked when most of the students before her burst into laughter.
Her face flushed and she stood as Marinette snapped "Everyone stop laughing let her tell her story!"
Anna shook her head "It is fine Marinette. I can tell my stories are not for you children."
"Your lame stories you mean…" Chloe cut in before Marinette could try and soothe Anna.
"They are proverbs and teaching stories Chloe. You would do well to listen to them before Babayaga punishes you." Anna snapped then turned and walked away leaving an odd chill in the air.
Everyone looked at Chloe who crossed her arms. "Oh don't look at me like that. You all were laughing. It's not my fault I'm the only one here brave enough to say what I think."
"There are better ways though Chloe." Adrien sighed making her turn and pout at him.
"OK! So who was next in telling a scary ghost story!" Nino butted in and when everyone turned to look at him he rolled his eyes. "We are here to have fun as a group, no more arguing. Marinette you were next right?"
Marinette blinked "Uh… I guess? What story do you want to hear though?"
"Ohhh do the Lily one!" Alya cried and everyone looked at Marinette with interest.
"Oh come on. A Ghost story about lilies'? Like that will be scary." Chloe scoffed but everyone shushed her.
Looking around the expectant circle Marinette sighed and closed her eyes a moment to get herself in the right mindset. A few breathless seconds passed then she began to speak in a haunting tone that raised the hairs on every ones neck.
"Once upon a time before Paris was a concrete city, when lush grasses and forests spread far and wide there lived a lovely young Woman who had two men courting her. Now both men knew of each other since childhood and since the day they met her both were always trying to win the Woman's affections. As they aged they chose different professions as the Woman grew more beautiful each day. One became a Banker gaining wealth and status as their city grew. The other became a Weaver who created very good business and had a big heart. They had all been friends since they were young so the woman loved both men but knew she would eventually have to choose between them.
The Banker always showed his love for her by bringing her large expensive gifts and taking her to exotic places. The weaver on the other hand could not compete with such lavish spending. He would take her on romantic picnics and he would always bring her a blood red lily which was her favorite flower from the moment he brought her the first. The Banker knew of these red lilies but no matter how hard he looked in the surrounding forests he could not find them. Often times he would ask the Weaver where he got them but the Weaver always refused to say since it was the one thing the Banker could never buy. Finally the day came where the Woman had to choose between the two of them even though it broke her heart to do so. Both men offered her so much but in the end the Woman chose to have a future where she would have more rather than less. She chose the Banker.
The Weaver was heartbroken but understanding her decision he still offered to bring the Woman some red lilies for her wedding. The Woman gladly agreed and the Banker asked once more to come with the Weaver and help pick the flowers. To his surprise the Weaver finally agreed and they set a date. Overhearing their conversation the Woman decided to follow the men on the day without them knowing for she too wanted to know where the red lilies grew.
The day finally arrived cloudy and heavy with moisture but the two men set out anyways for the wedding was scheduled for the very next day. Excited the Woman followed close behind careful to stay out of the men's sight. After a long walk they arrived at a stunning grove surrounded by large yew trees and growing all through the center of the grove were the beautiful red blood lilies. The two men walked into the flowers and as the Banker bent over to pick a perfect blossom for his soon to be wife the Weaver struck him down with a long blade he had hidden in his jacket. Horrified the Woman screamed and rushed forward to catch her dying lover his blood as red as the lilies she loved. She held him as his blood soaked into the ground and sobbed as it slowly began to rain.
The Weaver had been unable to understand her decision to take the Banker as her husband instead of him. So enraged and heartbroken over the Woman he had decided to kill the Banker amongst the flowers she had loved. He had not planned return to her empty handed however for he had already decided on a tragic story of the Banker saving his life. Unfortunately he had never expected her to follow them and now she knew of his treachery. As she looked up at him the Weaver knew she would never forgive him and that his life as he knew it was over. In that moment a cold madness stole over him and before he knew it, he had lashed out striking the Woman in the heart. As the Woman lay dying she cursed the Weaver and his treachery telling him that he has created his final web. She told him with her final breaths that since the flowers were once the symbol of their bond he could protect them forever as his punishment. The rain began to fall harder as the Woman closed her eyes for the final time and the man watched in horror as the blood red lilies started to change color. Their color changed quickly to white in the pouring rain, the blood red color seeming to drip from the petals until only the edges retained their crimson hue. The red on the ground seemed to pool around him, quickly covering his feet and suddenly terrified he turned to run. By that time the pool had deepened to his ankles and it was far too late. The red liquid rose from the ground and consumed him leaving in its wake small red spiders in the outline of a human. As the liquid seeped into the ground the spiders stirred crawling to the edges of the now red tipped white lilies to begin spinning webs of protection between the trees. To this day no one has ever found the clearing although it is said that sometimes a sacrifice is needed to keep the spiders protection in place. These days there is a legend of a white flower who's tips are red like blood that grows deep within the woods far off the beaten path. It is a lovely flower said to hold a tragic past and an even more tragic curse. It is said that if you pick one you will be cursed by the spiders that protect them and only the blood of a lover and the tears of the lost can break it. No one knows if the stories are true but if you see a lovely white lily with blood red tips only look don't touch, and for all those who don't heed the stories, be brave."
The group remained silent as Marinette finished and she glanced around wondering if maybe she should have gone with a different story as no one breathed a word.
Finally Alya spoke making almost everyone in their circle jump. "Ok I think that was even creepier than the last time you told that story Marinette."
Marinette grinned sheepishly as a chorus of 'well done!' and 'no more stories from you!' echoed around the circle.
Chloe stood looking the slightest bit pale. "If you want something to be believable you shouldn't pick a cursed flower Marinette. After all we do live in the middle of a city!"
She stormed off with an apologetic Sabrina trailing after her and everyone else seemed to want to call it a night too since no one really wanted to go after Marinette in storytelling. The group broke up so Marinette, Alya, Nino, and Adrien moved to where they had laid out their sleeping gear.
"That story was amazing Marinette! Where did you hear it from?" Adrien asked since he had never heard of such a legend or story before.
Marinette grinned sheepishly pulling at the loose waves of her hair. "Uh… I… um… made it up?"
"Yeah and creeped me the heck out while doing it!" Alya called from over her shoulder as they arrived.
"I've had some time to revamp it. Besides you're the one who asked for it!" Marinette laughed as they dropped down onto their stuff.
"That's amazing Marinette!" Adrien whispered in awe, "Is there anything you can't do?"
"Well she is terrible at physics." Alya supplied when Marinette made an odd burbling sound instead of speaking real words.
"A-Alya!" Marinette finally spluttered even as they all broke into a fit of giggles.
They settled in for the evening the noise in the gym steadily decreasing as people lost the battle against sleep. They had decided to watch a movie on Alyas laptop but Nino and Alya must have been sleepier than they let on because they both passed out before the movie was halfway over. Marinette tried to concentrate on the movie and not the fact that Adrien was lying next to her their bodies almost touching. She couldn't help glancing over at him every so often and about the third time she did she realized that Adrien was staring back at her! Their eyes connected and Marinette could feel her face heating up under his gaze until suddenly he asked "H-hey Marinette? Can I talk to you for a minute? Um privately?"
"Yes!" Marinette yelped then swiftly lowered her voice as at least one person glanced in their direction. "What d-do you need?"
Adrien opened his mouth then glanced at Alya and Nino who suddenly looked a little too tense to be truly sleeping. "I'll meet you in the locker room area in two minutes." He leaned closer his voice dropping to a whisper, "I don't think our friends are really sleeping…"
Marinette glanced at Alya who was clearly fighting to keep a frown off her face and snickered suddenly liking the idea of privacy. "Ok" She somehow managed without even stuttering and pushed herself up off her pillows.
With a big yawn Marinette wove her way through the pillows, blankets, and students making her way to the locker room area. No one even glanced her way and she slipped inside her heart pounding. Adrien wanted to talk to her privately! He was probably going to ask her out! Or maybe he was going to tell her that her breath smelled… Did it smell?
"Tiki does my breath smell?" Marinette blurted out in a frenzied whisper only to realize she had left her purse and therefore her kwami at her sleeping bag. Gnawing on her lip Marinette started to pace counting the seconds since she couldn't actually go back out and grab her purse without looking really weird. Adrien would want to know why she had randomly returned just for her purse and Marinette didn't dare try and make up a lie for a question like that.
The seconds passed at an agonizingly slow pace and Marinette was starting to freaking out. She was trying to decide if she would rather pass out or puke when suddenly cries of alarm echoed through the gym. Jolting to attention Marinette rushed for the door only for it to burst inwards with Adrien standing in the doorway. He held her purse in one hand alarm written all over his face and behind him floating over the center of the gym was one of the oddest Akuma she had ever seen. It was an old skinny looking woman with long silver hair that seemed to writhe behind her. A long scythe like nose protruded from her face while iron looking teeth flashed in her mouth as she cackled from her perch in an oversized looking mortar. The elongated pedestal in one bony hand oozed sinister looking purple looking smoke and her wild eyes turned on them as Adrien tripped while trying to get through the door. The pedestal rose into the air and Marinette darted forwards reaching Adrien in time to yank him into the room with her. A beam of smoke shot at them and Marinette hauled him around, the door starting to close as she shoved him away from the danger. Something soft pillowed at her back as she heard Adrien shout incoherently but she was already falling forwards her eyes closing and for a while at least all she knew was darkness.