The thunder has moved on when I open my eyes the next morning, but the rain continues to fall. I poke my head out of our tree shelter and the path is covered in mud. I'll have to wait for Ladybug to wake up, but I think we're grounded for the day.

She looks younger then her twenty-one years when she sleeps. Her eyes flutter open, finding me watching her and sits up rubbing her eyes. "Morning. Its still raining, huh?" "I just checked. I think we should stay here for the day, the mud will make it tough going." "I agree, but that doesn't help us at solving the problem of food for the day. We can't make a fire in here, and its certainly to wet to make one outside."

"Maybe I could just go a little ways into the trees, just to fill the canteens?" "Okay. But take the bow and arrow with you. Just because its raining, doesn't mean there's not predators out there." I kiss her cheek. "I'll be back before you can miss me."

The mud squishes between my feet, but its so wonderful to breathe in the fresh air and smell of rain. The wind is composing a song high in the treetops, and I listen to its melody. However, on just a wet day, any animal will be hidden away, waiting for the sun to return.

I can't come back empty handed. Sure, Ladybug would understand but I need to provide for her. Something red and knobby swaying in some trees causes me to go deeper into the forest to find out what it is. Apples. Delicious, crunchy apples. No one seems to be living about this area, and so I take an arrow from my sheath and aim.

Plump! Plunk! Plonk! Apples fall into the leaves below and I step forward to collect them. Yes, I know I could have just plucked them from the tree, but where's the fun in that, and besides, I need to practice.

"So, you think just because its raining means no one's watching you, eh?" A gravelly voices makes me whirl around, shocked to see an old lady stepping out from the trees. She's short and a bit gnarly with a snowball of white hair atop her head. But her eyes are twinkling, but I don't relax my posture for a moment.

"I'm sorry. I thought is was wild fruit. I was just trying to find some breakfast for me and my partner since the squirrels don't seem to be abundant this morning." Her lips twitch and she cackles out a laugh. "Well, you seem to be an honest fellow, so help yourself to the apples. Though I could turn them into delicious pies for you and your partner."

I stick out my hand, smiling. "Cat Noir." "Pyo. But you can call me Grandma Pyo like all the young travelers do when they pass through. I'll stay here and wait till you get your partner. It will be nice to have some company." "You-you don't mind waiting in the rain?" "Go on, Cat Noir. Rain never hurt me."

When I get to our tree, Ladybug is peering out of the entrance, a worried look on her pretty features. "Where were you? And did you find anything to eat?" "Grab your pack, love. I found something much better."

Luckily, Pyo has found shelter under one of the giant soaring trees. A quick hello to Ladybug, and where off a swift pace. The minutes pass quickly and soon I can see a little log cabin with smoke rising from the chimney. Its funny, I feel like I'm coming home, but of course I've never been here before. "Come on in. But wipe your feet at the door."

"Oh, its so cozy," Ladybug scans the room with bright eyes. "Please, is there anything we can do to help?" "Just relax and enjoy the fire. Though I'd love to hear your stories, once I get breakfast ready." "How did you find her?" Ladybug asks, as we both listen to the hiss and crackle of the fire. "I was shooting apples since there weren't any squirrels about." "Well, at least apples would be an easy target, seeing the can't move." she giggles, brushing her fingers across my arm. I lean towards her, lowering my voice. "Are you flirting with me, love?" "What if I am?" Our heads snap apart quickly as Pyo re-enters the room. "You'll want to get dried off, you'll find towels in there."

I close the door behind me and scoot over to where Ladybug has some big fluffy towels. Once we dry ourselves off, I lean against the counter, gripping the counter top. "Ah, yes. Were were we?" she giggles, placing a hand on my chest. Only her and I exist at this moment, especially when her hands start to wander down, ending at my leather belt at my waist. "Is this making you a bit tight, Kitty? Maybe I should loosen it." she slides it out, slowly, and I want her, now. "Detransform. We'll have to make this quick."

As soon as she's detransformed, she shuffles out of her clothes, all the while her eyes locked on mine. I find a small soft towel and use as a blindfold before dropping my own transformation. Turning her round I whisper her ear. "This will be quick and fast, so keep your voice down." I enter her quickly, and she whimpers a tiny sound. I wait for her breathing to even out, and begin to move quickly. "Cat," she moans, for my hands are skimming her body. "That's right, say my name." She close, so close. "One more time, love." "Cat Noir!"

I clean her quickly, and though my cravings for her are nowhere near satisfied, this will have to do for now. "Ah, there you are. Come on, food's on the table."

The table is cheerful, but what I like best is the huge picture window she has to look out of. "So, what brings you to these parts? Your not the usual travelers." "Hawkmoth burned Paris to the ground, and wants our Miraculous. With him having control of Butterfly Miraculous, there's no stopping him and his need for power."

"Hawkmoth, eh? I've heard of him and the forest creatures told me that man in a purple suit passed by here not long ago. Carried a swarm of butterflies with him. Odd man if you ask me."

Ladybug looks at me and presses her lips together. Even if the situation is serious, the way Pyo is describing Hawkmoth makes him almost funny. "You'll be needed better supplies then the ones you've been foraging. I'll fill your packs before you leave."

Pyo shows Marinette a quilt she's working on, but then her eyes turn sad. Ladybug touches her shoulder. "What's the matter?" "I got the pattern from the one time I visited Paris. I'm more a loner, but the woman was so lovely. Emile Agreste was her name, and she had a little boy named Adrien. Sweetest child, that little cherub."

I stare at her, the oxygen in the room been sucked out, or maybe its just me. "Excuse me a moment." Before Pyo or Ladybug can say anything, I'm outside. I make my way to a big rock with an overhang, and with no one around I cry. The ache of my mother being gone is hard to bear at times, and it seems like that time is now.

"Your Adrien Agreste, aren't you?" I gasp as Pyo as appeared out of nowhere, and I don't lie to a woman that has showed us nothing but kindness. "Claws In." "Well, you've only got nicer, Adrien. No wonder you were given the Cat Miraculous." "You knew my mother?" "We'd stayed in touch until she fell into the coma. It was like she just disappeared. You miss her a lot, don't you?" I nod. "I thought you looked familiar, but I couldn't place you."

"I don't know what Hawkmoth is fleeing from. But usually, people run away when there hurt or grieving." "Ladybug and I will end his reign of terror. I promise you that." "You and Ladybug, you a couple?" "That's complicated, but we're more then friends." "Hmm. I could tell when I peeked in one you from the living room. Now, we should be getting back before your lady gets worried."

"Before we go, Cat Noir, I want to show you how to play cards." "Cards? Forgive me, Pyo, but what good will that do on our journey?" "You can never been to careful. And around here be toll bridges."

"And the way across is by playing cards?" she nods. Ladybug sits and watches, some games are new to me, a few Felix taught me when we were younger. Finally, its time to go, and with packs loaded down when head back out on to the now dry trail. "Keep strong, and love each other," Pyo whispers to me.

Its hard to leave this cabin of comfort, but we must press on. The going is easy going, but after awhile I see Ladybug wincing every few steps. "You okay? Your wincing?" "Haven't you noticed in the past few hours that there's more rocks and stones on the path?" "Now that you meson it, yes. Any ideas?" "Wait here. I have an idea."

Ladybug walks into the woods a ways, her head bowed as if she's looking for something. When she heads back towards me, her arms are full of moss and she drops it on the path and swings off her backpack.

I watch admirably, as she starts to sew the moss into a shoe-shape. "Here, slip this on. The padding will last awhile, and it should make the rocks a bit more bearable." "You really deserve the Miraculous of Creation, for your creativity knows no bounds." "I don't know if moss shoes will ever be in style, but thanks, Kitty."

Hand in hand, we continue our climb of the mountain, happy and mossy, with bellies full.