Observation

I'm actually dividing this chapter into two because it was actually pretty long. Also because I only have this part done and a fraction of the other one in bits and pieces based on banter between LB and CN. And as it was taking me so long to get it written, what with applying to a new job, the interview, and working on art for an upcoming show, I haven't had much time to write. Hence the split.

There WILL be an akuma fight in the next chapter that I'm very excited for. I'll even have a small preview for the next chapter at the bottom of this one.

Let me know your thoughts on the chapter and story in a review when you're done reading. And if you can, tell me which is your favorite episode in the series or your favorite part. Do you have more than one? I'd love to know! Mine would have to be the Evillustrator episode where Chat interacts with Chloe after Ladybug has left. His frustration with her is more evident as Chat and hilarious. The second, is the one with the mime who was in the 2D anime version of Miraculous. His whole character outfit and abilities were awesome and interesting.

POLL! I made one. You all can choose what the next Miraculous story will be. You get two votes. It should be in my profile page.

Special thanks:

HopelessRomantic183:

Thank you for the detailed review! XD I've been reading up on various descriptions of the characters, how they act, and why. It's evident in the show that Tikki and Plagg are aware of the other hero's identity as they occasionally drop hints throughout the show, all of which are overlooked or ignored by their chosen. Plus it is relieved that they can sense other kwami.

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Chapter 8: What's Yours is Mine

Green eyes flickered from the two girls across the stadium to the screen in his hand. The news anchor had just announced the appearance of an akuma to the far north. Chat licked his lips and looked back up to Ladybug who was listening to a question. He knew better than to shout and disrupt the interview. Even if his career was only part-time, he was still a professional.

"So, Ladybug, quite a few fans have been asking...are you single? If not, do you have someone you like? And what are they like?"

A hero's mask had several benefits. One: it was a piece of their armor and helped protect their face. Two: it hid their identity which was the most important reason. Villains, Hawkmoth, paparazzi—and Alya—would be all over them if they were found out. And third: it could hide some of the more persistent of blushes. Too bad she didn't have something to cover her red ears.

Ladybug didn't answer right away. She didn't want to pull a Marinette, so her lips formed a thin line as she considered how to answer. "...I am single, yes. ...I-I also do have someone I lo-like! I can't tell you much about them for their own safety as well as mine." Where to begin? "He is very handsome, b-but that's just one of his many qualities. He's kind to everyone, even if they don't necessarily deserve it," Chloe popped into her head at this. "Regardless of the situation, he always treats people fairly and gives them the benefit of the doubt. He stays loyal to his friends and works hard help them if they need it. Plus he's really smart and talented."

"Ooh, sounds like an ideal guy. I'm sure there's going to be a few heartbroken guys after this; your partner included."

This got a chuckle out of the bug. "Chat isn't actually in love with-" her yo-yo beeped, "-me." She glanced down at the green light that flashed on the center dot and looked for her partner. There was a small worry he had been listening in, but when she spotted him standing atop one of the seats waving his baton she let out a breath. "Looks like the interview will have to end here."

Alya hummed, a little bummed but she understood. "Well, you heard it folks. Single but interested. Will someone else capture this Lady's heart? Stay tuned to the Ladyblog for the duel interview in a few days and don't forget to take a look at Chat Noir's new blog, Chat's Chat. Till next time, this is Alya Cesaire keeping you informed on all Ladybug news."

"Sorry it had to be so short," Ladybug apologized while standing up. "Will you be fine getting home this late?" She was a little worried Alya might try to follow after them, but with the camera equipment, and a valuable interview to back up from her phone, it might be safe to say she'd actually go straight home.

"It's fine, I figured this might happen. It just means I'll have a few more questions for next time. I guess we'll have to get my friend to reschedule another time. And I'll be fine getting home. I've been out at much later hours before." She said that almost as if she were boasting. Ladybug frowned, smothering out the grumble that threatened to escape her throat.

"Of course you have..." Leave it up to Alya to be out and about at odd hours to record Ladybug. "Chat and I can contact her another time. Stay safe and bug out!" The red hero gave her a short wave before jumping down to the grounds to go join Chat.

(OwO)

The two darted across the rooftops of Paris towards the epicenter of the recent attack. According to the news, the akumatized victim had introduced himself as Doctor Lucky and had caused quite a bit of inexpiable mayhem to the people around him. The two miraculous users had somewhat of in idea given his name, but they couldn't be sure until they actually faced him.

It didn't take too long to find the place. It was filled with people going crazy and running away from random things. Some hid, but others, who seemed to be incredibly uncoordinated, were trying to get as far away as possible. They'd trip over the silliest of things, or would run into whatever happened to be their way. One woman was being attacked with fresh pigeon poop, another had torn his shorts to reveal...he preferred going commando, and another gentleman was freaking out on the phone over some business issue. Only the few who hid didn't seem to be having quite as bad of a day as the others...probably because they weren't moving around.

Chat landed in the middle of the street, Ladybug beside him. "Um, is it just me or do the people seem to be freaking out more from what's happening around them than the actual akuma?"

"Maybe his power gives people bad luck. Or he takes it." A plausible assumption given his name. Many past akuma had similar parasitic abilities where they absorbed things from the people around them. Hopefully this akuma couldn't actually steal luck. That would be worse than giving bad luck.

Ladybug hurried over to some of the civilians hiding behind a dumpster. "Hey, do you guys know where the akuma is?"

All three pointed down the street. "He went that way!" "He said something about trying his luck." "Please stop him, Ladybug! He steals peoples luck! He said so!"

Well, it was now confirmed. Ladybug nodded to them. "Don't worry. We'll handle this. Just keep yourselves safely hidden for now. Come on, Chaton. I think he's going to the Casino Barrière d'Enghien-les-Bains"

"But my lady, I'm too young to gamble. Though I'm not too bad at poker," he added, winking at her, "In fact, I'd love to play a private game with you." He was rewarded with a visible blush, much to his glee.

"Neither am I, but we've got a job to do, purr-vert" she fussed, refusing his offer while ignoring the heat that traveled to certain regions of her body that shan't be named. Stupid teenage hormones."And I'd rather not know where you learned to gamble."

"The internet," he said innocently.

Why was she not surprised? "Of course... Now come on!"

(OwO)

The Casino Barrière d'Enghien-les-Bains was a mid-sized casino north of the heart of Paris and located near a water source with spurting fountains and pretty lights. With two hotels and two restaurants and a theater, it was an ideal place for tourists and anyone too drunk to go home. There was a small fee to enter and attire ranged from casual to semi-classy, despite how fine the establishment looked on the inside. 450 machines and 42 betting tables and two bars made up the inside of the casino.

In short, it was a fine place to relax and play. Yet as Ladybug and Chat Noir arrived, they were greeted with a surprising sight. Everything...

Was totally normal.

No akuma.

Or at least, no terror and destruction left in the wake of a pissy akuma with an agenda. No screaming for help, bizarre side effects, or maniacal laughter. Did they get it wrong? Was he going someplace else?

The pair looked at each other and walked up inside. Still everything seemed normal even as they went up to the front desk. The man at the counter raised a brow at the appearance of the heroes. They obviously weren't old enough to be there.

Chat hooked an arm around the counter and leaned into it with one ankle casually crossed over the other."S'cuse me, buddy, but have you seen an akuma enter here? Probably brightly colored, wearing some ridiculous suit, and boasting their plans for the world to hear, or threatening to harm someone…. We gotta go beat him up!"

Ladybug silently rolled her eyes. She wondered if he had said that on purpose, or if it was accidental.

"Besides you? No, I haven't," the man answered flatly. "I just run the front desk for the hotel and information crevice. You could check with Frank over in security. They've got cameras...to you know...watch people?"

"Thanks." His one word came out a little more dry than he meant, but the man at the desk seemed not to care too much.

"First door to your right, head down the hall. It'll be on your left with a sign."

(OwO)

Indeed there was someone named Frank in the security room wearing a bullet resistant vest over his uniform with the casino's name and "SECURITY" written on the front and back. As they approached the room, another man could be heard screaming his lungs out. This new man, much shorter and a bit tubbier, looked to be in charge of the hotel, or at the very least, higher on the food chain than poor Frank. Poor Frank with his coffee-stained trousers. The duo stood at the open doorway, watching the scene unfold, noting only seconds into it that all of the TV monitors were black. It was starting to become clear what may have happened, if the man's loud yelling wasn't already a dead giveaway.

Ladybug cleared her throat loudly but the man didn't seem to hear her over his own voice. Being the gentleman that he was, Chat didn't want his lady to strain her beautiful voice to get the man's attention. He pulled out and extended his baton, then reached over and tapped the loud man on the shoulder twice.

The whipped his head around and yelled "WHAT!?" The teens flinched. "O-oh. Ladybug. Chat Noir... To what do I owe the honor?"

Neither really wanted to be the first to speak, but the spotted hero stepped up. "We believe there's an akuma in the casino and were hopping to locate him quickly with your security cameras so as to minimize casualties."

The man's lips thinned. "Unfortunately, the cameras are all out thanks to this buffoon." Frank shrank down in his roll-y chair looking both embarrassed and quite sorry. "He somehow managed to rip out some of the wiring and we don't have anything to fix it at this time."

"Rip...out?"

"I-I...tripped over the cords after I spilled coffee on myself," he pointed to some of the cords near the wall that had been ripped from the head of the cord. The heads still stuck out of the outlets, sparking venomously where the wires were exposed.

"Yikes. That's shocking. At least you didn't get hurt, right?" Chat tried, and failed to lighten the guy's mood.

"Yeah, too bad," the short man muttered, glaring at his security guy.

Ladybug bit her lip after she examined the cords more closely. How unlikely it was for the rubber to tear and the wires to snap in such a way. They looked new. The chances were probably astronomical. Maybe. Or maybe she was overthinking it. Only one way to find out.

"You didn't by any chance encounter anyone strange before this happened, did you?"

"Huh? Um...I just came back from a smoke break outside and some guy wanted to bum a cigarette from me. Told me he wanted a quick smoke before trying out his luck." This wasn't accidental. "He didn't exactly look like an akuma or anything, though. A-assuming that's what you're implying?"

His boss's face puffed up to an interesting shade of red. "Employees are not to share cigarettes with guests, even during breaks. It's unprofessional."

"What did he look like?" Ladybug asked, trying to speak over the other man's scoldings while Chat wrapped an arm around the shorter man's neck, pulling him to the side.

"Let's have a little chat, cat to man," the male hero started. "Look, I know you're pretty pissed off what with all the claw-full happenings: the monitors being off, and the cords sparking, and unprofessional smoke breaks, but the akuma we're after seems to steal people's luck from them. It's not this guy's fault. He never even said that he actually shared any. Just that the akuma asked him for some. That may be why he's having a string of bad luck. He was just following your rules like a good employee, when out of the blue...akuma! You can cut him some slack for today, right? Ladybug's power should set things right and fix the problem. We could really use his help to keep the casino side closed to visitors until we catch the akuma. The people like a joint that can keep them safe from such things, after all."

The short man grumbled at the idea but relented when Chat gave him his best kitten eyes. Well, it was probably because Ladybug also suggested the same thing, and seemed to have no problem looking more authoritative than the shorter man now that he was no longer yelling. But Chat liked to think it was his effort that truly swayed the man.

(OwO)

The inside of the casino was a flurry of lights and sounds. Bells rang for the few big winners while the majority fell on hits or misses. Waitresses carried out drinks to those on the floor while crowds moved about looking for a table or available slot. Dealers stood at each table, shuffling cards or manning the roulette tables

Ladybug didn't care much for the activity within the room. Even as she scanned over the heads of people, nobody really stood out. "It'll be hard to find him in this crowd."

Hard but not impossible. From Frank's description of the man, he wore a greet suit with darker green embroidered clovers on it. The pants were piss yellow with an orange grid, and his top short top hat was black with a green and gold ribbon. He also carried around a cane with a polished black stone on top. At least his shoes were a normal black.

"We could just clear everyone out," Chat suggested.

"And him along with them. He may also try to take a hostage. If we clear them out, it'll have to be done quietly and in small groups."

"Understood. Um...not to make things more difficult, but we kinda stand out like a couple of sore claws," he jerked his head over to some of the people taking pictures of the two. This was probably the closest these people had ever been to the heroes, and in a place like this, no less. If only the duo were old enough to be there without their suits, and familiar enough to not keep their identities secret from the other. "He'll know where here long before he sees us if these cats start talking."

Ladybug's lips formed a thin line as she looked at the people around them—who clearly weren't taking pictures with their phones. "I've an idea but it wont make us entirely invisible."

Chat cocked his head to the side.

Ten minutes later, the duo returned, plan in action.

"Cosplay is so much fun, wouldn't you agree, Milady?" Chat purred into her ear. The heat caused her to blush and a shiver ran up her spine. The male grunted when she elbowed him to back off. "I'd love to dress up with you at an anime convention. I could be Naruto and you could be my Hinata."

How amazing it always felt when one could hide from the world or see it in a new perspective. From prince/prisoner-like status to paid servitude, it was a refreshing feeling. Chat adjusted the form-fitting vest, wishing just a bit that it wasn't so warm in the casino. His suit was completely covered with black slacks, a white, button-up shirt, and a white, blue, and black vest. A blue and black hat with a flat top covered his blond locks and perky cat ears. White gloves covered his black ones with his cuffs and claws sticking out. He glanced down to his outfit; the only thing that hadn't been covered were his steel-tipped boots and mask. He wasn't one to boast—as Adrien—but he looked damn fine in this getup. Maybe Ladybug would like it, too.

His eyes fluttered over to the love of his life who was only a few feet away. Her own attire was far more appealing than his in his eyes. Form-fitting black slacks, a deep blue blouse that was only a few shades darker than her eyes, and finally a blue and white vest that held a similar cut to his own, but showed off some of Ladybug's more sexy curves, not that her skin-tight suit didn't already do that. If he hadn't been wearing his mask right then, he'd probably be lost in La La Land with a stupid grin plastered on his face.

It was kind of strange seeing Ladybug in normal clothes. A strong reminder that she was indeed a normal-amazing-civilian under that magic mask. Like him, her hands were also covered with white gloves and her feet were bare but for her suit, which meant other than her feet, only her mask revealed her identity as Ladybug. It was a strange sight, because in normal clothes, from behind, Ladybug reminded him of another girl.

"Focus, Chat. The casino is letting us borrow these uniforms to sneak up on him. We're here to do our job, not play around."

Her words didn't phase him in the slightest. "Or rather Tamaki and Haruhi... That would be more fitting for our purr-sonalities. Plus I could openly flirt with you!" Oh how bright and cheerful he looked at this exciting revilation.

Ladybug groaned loudly and walked off into the crowd before he could say anymore. The cat just chuckled and took a different direction. "Maybe even Ayuzawa and Usui. Ladybug in a sexy maid outfit... ah, a dream come true!"

The lady in disguise was grateful to be in her suit. Had she been wandering around this place as Marinette, she would have tripped over sideways about five times by now. People dressed in nice or fancy clothes weaved around each other without any trouble. Several were dressed a little boldly as if their attire were a lucky set and twice she had thought she had found the akuma. Yet upon closer inspection, it had merely been bad taste in clothes. Hopefully she'd never have to deal with an akuma on Halloween or during a masquerade.

As she moved through the crowd, she stopped a few people, telling them to calmly leave the room. It helped with the crowd a bit, but it was still pretty busy.

A muffled beeping had her shoving her hand into her pants pocket for her yo-yo. "Did you find him?" she asked."

"No luck on this end. I've gotten a few people to leave, though. I'm going to start making my way towards your side and see if..." Chat trailed off and she stopped in her movement. Before she could check in to make sure everything was okay, his voice came back sounding more serious than before. "Found him. Middle of the room towards the back. "

"I'm on my way. Wait till I get there."

"Naw, I've got a pawesome idea to get close and find out where the akuma is hiding."

A sense of dread filled her. "Chat, no!"

"See you there, my Love Bug."

"Chat, wait! Chat?" He...he hung up on her! THAT STUPID CAT! Ladybug pushed through the crowd, not caring if she adjacently elbowed to get them to move. Hey, she was a short teenage girl in a room full of tall adults. How else was she supposed to move around without revealing herself? Maybe she'd give her partner a good elbowing as well.

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Thanks for reading this chapter, and don't forget to review and vote in the poll for the next story.

Preview: Chapter 9: Luck be a Lady

"Well that was close."

"Too close. Be more careful."

He shrugged and gave her a pleasant grin, "What can I say, I live for danger."

"Not if your dead," she countered, unimpressed.

The two jumped out of the way as part of the ceiling fell down; the earlier destruction having a hand to play, but not as much as the effect Ladybugs luck had. Dodging some of the larger debris, Ladybug filed to spot a nearby stool and tripped over it with a yelp of surprise. She face-planted into the carpet with a surprised squeak. As Marinette it was a familiar venture, but as Ladybug she should have been more careful. More graceful.

Looks like even her luck could run out as a large chunk of the ceiling fell towards her.

"LADYBUG!