As much as I hate secrets, I think I hate fighting with Ladybug even more. Back when we were younger, we would have the occasional spat, but we never wanted to fight each other. I sigh, my mouth feeling sour, I could have been more gentle with my words, thought before I spoke.

I uncurl my ball, and wander down to the stream. I smile as I can see watercress growing on the side of bank, and I dig in my pack for a string to go fishing. I slide my feet into the water as I set my pole aside waiting for a bite. Then, like a stone or pebble, I sink back into my thoughts.

"You look like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders," a voice says. I leap up, baton whirling, and I stare at a man with the blackest hair I've ever seen. "Are you friend or foe?" "Friend. But I'll have to see what my crow thinks of you." "Crow?" I stop whirling my baton in confusion. The man whistles a few notes and a big black crow flies onto his arm like a arrow. "My name's Corvus, and this is Croak. What's your name?" I extend my hand, throwing my line back in with the other. "Cat Noir." "I'm sorry to sneak up on you. I come down here every morning to fish for myself and Croak here. He loves fish, but enjoys the occasional berry." I smile. "Its not your fault. My partner and I had a disagreement, and she's gone on ahead." I gesture for him to sit, and he tosses his line into the water. "Sounds like she's more then that." I blush. "Well, Ladybug is special." "I won't go poking my nose where it dosen't belong, but a apology is a good place to start. Even if it wasn't you who started it."

I feel a tug on the line, and pull up a decent sized fish. Corvus helps me put over the fire I started earlier. "Thanks. Do you this area well? I'm just passing through." "Many steep hills in these parts. And holes. Best you watch your step, or they could sallow you." I wonder briefly if Ladybug has meet anyone, but then again, she's very careful for she dosen't like to take risks. "Oh, Croak's been a bit protective lately as there's been some strange men around. Came back a few days ago missing a few feathers." I gasp. "Hawkmoth."

"Now there's a name that Croak hides under his wings. There were some strange creatures in the woods not long ago. When we part ways, be careful."

I eat as quickly as I can, and stand up to thank him. I dig in my bag, pulling out a gold coin. "I know its not much, but maybe it will help some day." "I can tell you care for others, Cat, and I thank you for you kindness. Here, take this rope, you may be in need of it."

I watch the pair, human and crow disappear among the trees, then head back on the path. Even with the sun shining, its cool and shady here in the woods. The only downfall is the mosquitoes, and I slap some mud on my face hoping to repel them.

Suddenly, one of my cat ears turns forward, and I strain listening. Was that someone calling for help? I set off at a fast walk being careful of the holes Corvus warned about. "Heelp!" A voice calls, and it sounds weak as if it's been calling for awhile.

I sprint toward a massive hole and gasp when I see Ladybug at the bottom. I could cry with relief when I threw the rope down to her. "Climb up! I'll help you!"

Ladybug's face lights up as she sees me, and she starts climbing. Finally, she's free and I fling my arms around her, and we're both crying. "I'm sorry!" we both say at the same time. I check her for scrapes and bruises, finding one on her cheek. "Let's never fight again," I whisper, and she nods, melding her lips to mine. My heart that felt empty without her is suddenly very there in my chest. I kiss her back, slipping my tounge into her mouth, tangling my hands in her hair. When I pull back, I say, "Let's get that cheek taken care of."

"I felt so lost without you," Ladybug says, as I dig for an antiseptic wipe in my bag. "This is going to sting. Squeeze my hand." Ladybug gives the tinest of jerks, then its over and I rub oniment onto the wound. "I did too, Bugaboo. But we're together again."

The going is slow for there are many holes, but we manage to skirt around them. I don't want to alarm Ladybug but I keep hearing werid sounds that sound like voices. But surely its just a animal, right?

"My Lady, you didn't meet anyone along the trail before you got stuck, did you?" "No. Why?" "I keep hearing things, voices. You don't think we're being followed, do you?"

Ladybug gives a little laugh, and reaches out to take my hand. "Oh, Cat. Its probaly just your growling stoamch as usual." But there's no time to stop and rest, we won't camp till sundown. We come to the bottom of another hill, and see that we are on the fringes of another wooded area.

Ladybug stops, hesitating and biting her lip. "What is it?" I whisper. "I just have this feeling," she looks at me. But we don't have a choice, so we leave behind the sun and enter the forest. "Cat, I'm afraid," Ladybug walks close to me, and I have my baton at the ready. Its to quiet, no birds chirping or singing. I feel the hairs on the back of my neck rising and my feline senses tingling.

Just then, a net drops from the trees and we're caught off guard and stumble. "Well, well, Tuff. Looks what we caught. A Cat and a Ladybug." Ladybug tries to struggle upright, but the net is heavy, and I touch her arm. "No, love, save your strength."

"Boss is going to be happy to see you. Though it wasn't hard to find you with your trust fall. All the arguing was muisc to our ears." My blood begins to boil, and I desperately want to use my Catayslm. But I resist. "Everyone has a spat here and there. But it dosen't mean our love is stronger then ever."

"Ugh, disguting, the pair of them. Take them to the shelter till we figure out what to do with them." Tuff, the taller and stronger of the two, cuffs Sendi. "Do with them! We're taking them back to the boss! Huh, why did he hire you?"

They argue as they carry us to a small shelter of leaves and branches. Then they walk off, still arguing."Those two don't know that loves conquers any evil. But I have a plan, Kitty." I smile at her. "That's my smart girl. That didn't take long."

We cuddle in the net, wanting to escape but knowing it would be pointless and especially in the daylight. "Do you think we're near the castle?" Ladybug asks, but I'm staring at a thrid member of their group. He looks like he could tear apart the net with one hand, and he stares down at us. "Don't think your going to escape. We know your celever. That's why I'm been sent to guard you."

I groan under my breath as he sets his hulking girth against a tree, but Ladybug presses a finger to my lips and touches her forehead against mine, looking into my eyes.

I struggle to what secret signal she could be sending me, but then it clicks. There has always been a slient commution between us, like we know what the other is thinking. I relax, brushing her cheek with my fingers.

Tuff and Sendi come back into camp, carrying a small pail of blackberries. My mouth waters. "Do you think we should let them eat?" Before Tuff can respond, Girth barks, "No! Let them feel the taste of hunger. At least for today."

Tuff and Sendi though not good themselves, seem more unsure then Girth, who seems the most evil. The divide the the blackberries, talking amongst themselves. "What do you think Hawkmoth will do with them after he's gotten their Miraculous?" "Probaly will thrown them in the dugeon. Won't have use for them then."

I stroke Ladybug's hand with my thumb trying to calm her. I know their just trying to frighten us, but what if their saying is true?

Eventaully, they grow quiet and we wait for the perfect moment, and I wait for my Lady's instructions. She points at the sky then lowers her finger, nodding at me.

Wait for darkness to fall, are her silent words. She must already have a plan in place, but cannot tell me for fear of giving the plan away.

A slight breeze picks up and I doze with one eye open, my arm around Ladybug's waist. "Don't you think of using your powers," Tuff says, catching me look at him. "Why? Are you afraid?" I taunt. He splutters, but he can't find words and I give a grim smile. "that's what I thought."

"Leave them be," Girth says. "We'll be rid of them soon enough." I watch the shadows lengthening and listen to the wind in the trees.

"I'm going to head down to the stream for supper." "Make sure you bring back water. We'll be dry before sunup otherwise."

To our disappointment, Sendi and Girth stay behind, but Ladybug gives a little wink. When Tuff comes back, they immediately start cooking the fish. My mouth waters at the good smells, but I want freedom more then food. After they eat, they get sleepy, and one by one they start to nod.

"Time for action, Kitty. Get ready."