Author's Note: Second chapter, and the plot is just about starting.

Sleep was a blessed torture. It allowed him to relax, but would never give him peace. Fragments of centuries ago would plague him, memories of soaring the skies behind a spotted acrobat, memories that were never his. Yet, slumber was a necessity. It didn't mean Plagg had to like the dreams that came with it.

The kwami blinked slowly at the ceiling. Nothing hid from his night-vision and it barely entertained him. Curse the cruel nights that loved him.

In another century, he would have been sitting with his Chosen, talking elaborate plans of their future. And Plagg would never crush their spirits when they craved a full meal, nor when they pretended that the mud beneath their feet was lush carpets, and that the rocks beneath them were feathered pillows, though he knew that it was mere dreams.

Yet, at that moment, Plagg lay with a full belly on cotton pillows that radiated heat. He even was blessed with guilty pleasures like cheese. But the night was a cruel friend, and emotional frost hung in the air.

Plagg turned to the door.

Adrien had been gone for an hour. A whole hour without the boy pulled at Plagg's concern but he forced it away. What was there to be worried about? This Chosen had it all – what the other Chosen craved – to be clothed, to be fed and to be housed.

Plagg didn't need to take this kitten under his paw. All was well.

This kitten had a house, had ample food and far too much clothes.

Then why was it so cold?

That same shiver that latched onto Plagg's tiny self – the same grip he felt when he knew his Chosen was suffering. But what could possibly be wrong? The only times Plagg knew of this pain was in the weeks without food… or when another jerk had threw a careless kick at his kitten. Or worse, when he couldn't provide food for his kitten…

And on pure reflex, Plagg jumped into the air. He hovered over the bed, ears strained and eyes alert.

Why won't Adrien come inside?

The boy was standing behind the door. Plagg could sense his presence, the telltale lingering of his soft conditioner mingled with that honey soap gracing his body. The clothes he wore almost always choked Plagg with the sharp detergent. An influencing factor that made the kwami avoid hugs.

But this kitten didn't need hugs. He didn't need the small warmth that Plagg provided, nor did he need a tiny animal to drip his tears onto on winter nights. Not like the other Chosens…

Then why was it so cold?

Plagg was used to trusting his instincts. It saved his life far too many times but now he doubted its reliability. Adrien was fine… What reason he had to not be fine?

But instinct never failed him before. And so Plagg rushed to the door. He stuck his head through it and found himself in the face of his Chosen. Adrien had his eyes tight and his teeth grinded out low words that Plagg didn't want to hear.

Familiar words…

Cold words…

Plagg frowned deeply, and flew next to Adrien. Small droplets trickled near his eyes and a clenched fist rubbed it away.

There came that shiver again, but Plagg was confused.

Why was this kitten crying? He had food and clothes and shelter. He had people who cared for his wellbeing- his father made sure he was housed and clothed and fed. He had friends, didn't he? He had money. All the things the other kittens desired. All the needs satisfied, so why was this kitten provoking Plagg's protective nature?

Plagg may not have understood, but he couldn't stand the suffering. The kwami gave Adrien's cheek a gentle touch, but the boy stiffened.

Verdant eyes shot open when Adrien gasped. They were red and Plagg could see tiny veins crisscrossing inside. This kitten had everything he needed… didn't he?

Adrien gave a shy smile, and a deeper tinge highlighted his cheeks, "Did I wake you? Sorry about that."

Plagg's frown deepened. Why was this kitten so sad? He wasn't hungry nor cold… was he?

"You cold?"

Adrien stiffened and Plagg clamped his jaw shut. The kwami could handle the literal needs. He could go for weeks without food for the sake of his kittens. He could survive in hunger… for the sake of his kittens… But Adrien looked fine!

To know that something he couldn't see dared to hurt one of his kittens made Plagg release an involuntary hiss. Adrien winced, and shook his head. The boy's eyes widened and he replied that he was fine, then thanked Plagg for asking.

Plagg was not welcome.

"Come on Plagg. I'll put you back to bed."

Adrien walked past the kwami and waited for him to enter. Plagg remained outside. Thoughts at a thousand per minute. And it was ten thousand thoughts later that Adrien cleared his throat to gain the cat's attention.

Plagg turned to Adrien and narrowed his eyes, seeking the needed solution. But Adrien stood rigid against the door, far too softer than what Plagg liked. He contrasted, confusing Plagg.

Bright eyes that dulled and golden hair that slacked. He bore his teeth but the smile screamed of a grimace. All signs that pleaded for careful attention. Adrien had to be the most confusing of kittens. Plagg shook his head, no, Adrien had to be the most confused of his kittens.

Adrien still waited for Plagg, but Plagg took his time. How long will this kitten wait? Ten thousand thoughts leaked into twenty thousand thoughts and still this golden child stood in the shadows.

"Plagg?" croaked Adrien, his voice breaking for a moment, "Are you coming in?"

No. Plagg wasn't letting Adrien invite him into the misery. Plagg raised his head and squared himself. Adrien was his kitten, and he wouldn't let another one succumb to darkness. Not this golden one. Not while this golden spark still shimmered… didn't it?

"Put on a jacket. We're going out."

Plagg saw the boy's face fall when he turned away from the kwami. He murmured that his father would never let him go anywhere after curfew.

Plagg flew near to Adrien, "I am not your father."

And like that, the first barrier fell. Adrien gave a glittering smile and rushed into his room, using pure muscle memory to aid him. But he was Plagg's, and bad luck therefore stuck to his shadow.

A crash and a shout made Plagg roll his eyes. A quick, "I'm okay!" and then another muffled shout.

This kitten was stranger than his others. He had everything… But when the night beckoned him, he had nothing. But Plagg could change that. Plagg wouldn't let another kitten fall too far. He wouldn't lose another… Not this golden child…

"I'm ready Plagg! Claws…"

"No!"

Plagg cut him off with a gentle shout. He wouldn't admit it, but Adrien had begun to scare him- worry him. The same fear that accompanied the shiver. He depended on his powers far too much. To escape his reality, to be distracted.

But not this time.

Plagg spoke lowly, "Not as Chat Noir."

Adrien's smile dissolved and Plagg winced. He shouldn't be allowed to look that sad. It was a cruel beauty.

How is that this kitten looked so beautiful even in total misery? It was some sort of evil curse.

Adrien's eyes flickered to the floor, "I'm sorry Plagg… I keep abusing the miracul…"

"No time for that!" Plagg protected, zipping closer to the child.

Distraction.

Adrien jumped, "You okay Plagg?"

"Come on Garbage Man! Move it!"

Plagg pushed at Adrien's back, enough to give the boy a head-start to their window. Adrien wore his usual attire, and Plagg adjusted the collar.

"Geez. Fix up yourself. You look like trash."

Was it bad that Plagg relied on gentle verbal jabs to speak with this kitten? It was the only positive response. The only response that Adrien quipped back with clean humor.

"And don't forget the cheese! Put it in your jacket. Only one piece? Put at least ten!"

"Fine Plagg!"

Adrien rubbed his hair from his face, putting an extra piece of cheese in his pocket. He sent an annoyed look to the grinning kwami.

Plagg dashed to Adrien's bed, and tugged away a familiar blue object, "You'll need this scarf."

Adrien frowned deeply, but he fixed the scarf around his neck in smooth ease, "Plagg, are you going to tell me where we're going or…"

Plagg shook his head, "Don't ruin the fun. It's a secret!"

Adrien groaned and complained that he was tired. But Plagg knew better. The kwami saw the glimmer in the child's eyes when he announced to put more cheese. The free smile that glittered in the dark and put the extra skip in his steps.

But how long could Plagg's distraction prove effective?

And Plagg was nowhere closer to determining the true culprit of this kitten's dilemma.

And even though Adrien smiled, the night was still cold. The slick numbness within still plagued the kwami.