I would like to thank Cindy Gomez 123, DJWifi Trash, Fandomgirlgrace , Lizzy Vanilla , UltimateEchoEcho217, corejudith, like none of the fanfics for favoriting this story.

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*hands you a virtual cookie* And thank you for reading this story of mine.

Marinette POV

It was a shock to the both of them, I knew it would have been. They stared at me, and I didn't know what to do, so I turned my eyes to look at my feet. Now, when everything was done, I wanted to let all my feelings out, I didn't care who would see or what they would think. I wanted to scream, but I was unable to. Finally, my tears flowed and I let them, simply because I didn't have any reason to not let them. By now, both of them had recovered from the shock, and Alya just quickly captured me in a tight embrace and Nino joined in. We had no idea how much time it had been when realization hit me like a wall. Even though we had every right to mourn, we couldn't. Not with Hawkmoth around. So I regretfully pushed them away and tried my best to explain to them, what I could not fully understand myself.

"We can't do this right now."

I could see Alya's mouth open in protest but I went on.

"We can't let an akuma get to us, not here, not now."

I knew that I was going to have another breakdown soon. But I was not willing to put them in danger so I kept myself strong, for them...and for him. So I just smiled and hoped that it would be enough to make them believe that I was fine. But I could very well see that I wasn't fooling them in the slightest. But they left, although reluctantly. Tikki took this moment to reveal herself ,as she had earlier hidden herself to not complicate things more.

"I'm sorry Tikki. For telling them. I just couldn't keep it from them anymore..."

"It's okay Marinette. Alya and Nino can be trusted, they are your very good friends."

Tikki flew up to my cheek and rubbed hers with it. And I let her…I just wanted to be with someone. So we just sat in silence. There were some questions that were bugging me, to which I wanted answers.

"Tikki…what happened to Cha-Adrien's kwami ?"

The revelation was very sudden and I had not fully accepted it yet, but I would… just like I would accept the loss of my partner, my best friend, my other half.

"I think Master Fu has taken the ring…and he would have to choose a new miraculous holder after this…unfortunate incident."

Having to fight with a different Chat beside me, was so…unexpected and different. I didn't even want to accept it. It sounded wrong, in its own way. It broke me but I couldn't afford to be broken. I was as fragile as broken glass, but I had to be strong for everyone. For myself, for my friends and all of Paris. I knew I had to handle myself, that it was a absolute necessity. But that did not make the job itself even a bit easier to do.

During the next few days I mostly kept to myself, but I tried to provide comfort to whoever needed it. The only one who knew my true state was Tikki and she didn't stop me when I cried my eyes out in her presence, and I was utterly grateful because I *needed* it. I needed those few moments, when I was nothing but only a person mourning the death of someone very close. In those moments I seized to be Ladybug, to be Marinette, to be anyone's friend or enemy. Those were my weakest moments, but I am proud of them. They showed that I was a normal person, like everyone else and I had my vulnerabilities too, that I had feelings too.

In those moments, I realized how much I valued his presence in my life, in both roles. And it crushed me to think that I could have done something about it, but I didn't. I didn't realize what kind of difficulties he was facing in his life, and I *chose* not to pry. Maybe if I had asked if he was okay, if he was happy…he would still be here. With me.

He was so happy and cheerful always. But how could I have not realized that it was all a façade? He was wearing a mask, and I wasn't able to see the real him. Like he was in pain, and he needed someone, I wasn't there for him. What kind of partner was I? Not a very good one, for sure.

After all this, I had a breakdown the second I entered my room. All the pictures, clippings, everything…it reminded me of him. Everything I could see screamed *him* so hard. I cried until Tikki finally took everything down.

I couldn't the thought of all this much longer so I thought of taking a walk, as Marinette of course. I don't need anymore attention than I'm already getting as my superhero self. I went alone, leaving Tikki to complete her well deserved nap. I didn't really focus on where I was going, so I ended up somewhere I thought the last place I should be. Adrien's mansion,really? This triggered memories, regrets, and thus led a near breakdown all over again. I managed to compose myself again, somehow. As I made my way through the streets of Paris this time I knew where I wished to go, and that was exactly where I went. Master Fu's dojo, was the one place I knew that would be good for helping me calm down.

"Hello ladybug!"

He greeted me warmly, as calm as always. I greeted him the same way and sat down.

"I have some matters to discuss with you Ladybug, and I was hoping you would give your views."

"Yes, the circumstances have changed quite a lot." I laughed weakly ,and tried my best to maintain my professionalism and get this over with.

The situation could have been worse, it seemed. When Tikki had said 'other miraculous holders' she did not mean the Chat Noir ring, but the other miraculouses. Master Fu had said that he would give out two other miraculouses, the fox and the turtle to be precise, to compensate for the one lost. They are not as powerful as the Yin and Yang but would prove to be a great help. The sooner they are given, the better. Hawkmoth would attack very soon, considering he knows we are weak currently.

I would not admit the fact that it would have broken me to fight with a Chat Noir, if there was. I *had* hoped that they would let the Chat Noir ring be, and choose other wielders. My wish was fulfilled, and I was glad for something, after a long while three weeks to be exact.

Luck was on my side it seemed, as the new holders were none other than Alya and Nino. I explained to them whatever I could. I was highly professional during the attacks and I didn't talk about them too much afterwards. I really wanted to let it all go, but I was unable to. But I knew that I would be okay without my other half. If not okay, I would survive, at least. As for Alya and Nino, I hoped that they would understand that I had unconsciously built up walls again, and this time they was blond cat-boy to break them.

That's it for Note. It was supposed to be a short story to begin with and I don't want to drag it on for no reason. This one is not as well done as the last chapter but I wanted to update soon. So here it is.