Gideon clears his throat and I step away from the window. "Cat Noir, can we have a word?" Immediately, my palms start to sweat because those are some of the scariest words you can hear. I hate being in trouble and as we walk to his office, I rack my brains trying to think what I could have done wrong.
Ladybug sits in one of the mahogany chairs and looks up at me when we enter. Her eyes are pink as a bunny's and I wonder if she's been crying. "Your partner decided that personal matters where more important then the competition yesterday. She faked not feeling well. Even if you didn't win the challenge, Ladybug, I had to deduct points from your team. Don't you think you should tell Cat your sorry?" "What was so important it couldn't wait?" I don't care about winning, but I want the truth. "I-I needed to talk to Argos. I should have waited, Kitty, I'm sorry." "Don't apologize to me, say sorry to Orion. But why are going to Argos when you can always come to me?"
A tear trickles down Ladybug's cheek. "Because I can't tell you who I am under the mask." I feel myself getting angry. "So, Argos can know but I can't?" "I-" "I need some some space. Ladybug, if you don't ever trust me with your secrets, our partnership won't last. Excuse me."
Before Gideon or Ladybug can say anything, I walk out. Anger, jealously, and hurt boil up and I desperate want to destroy something. And why shouldn't I? I'm Cat Noir, and I have the power of destruction. And right now I want to destroy every wall our secret identity puts up.
I can't go back to the dorms in this mood, I would snap, or say something I would regret later, possibly only causing more problems. I lean against the wall, taking deep breaths. Maybe a walk in the gardens will help.
When I talked to Mother earlier, she said she didn't want me to worry about her illness. Why would Father and Mother keep this a secret from me, though it explains a lot? You can't know how much I wanted to tell her I saw Father, but that would be giving way to much away. Besides, Mother thinks I'm at some kind of design college, not training to defeat Hawkmoth and Crone. Still, I would have kept Mother's secret, or helped out where I could.
"You look like you could a cup of tea," a voice snaps me out of thoughts. The woman who gave Ladybug and I are letters stands in the garden watching me. "I wouldn't want to bother you, Pyo." "Nonsense, I would love the company. Come along, Cat Noir. I'll make cake and tea."
I'm surprised to see she has a small cottage at the end of one of the garden paths. Though I'm angry, I feel it fading as there's so much beauty around me.
Cackle sat in one of trees, watching the old woman and Cat Noir walk towards the cottage. Cat wasn't just wearing a black mask today, he wore the mask of many emotions. Cackle knew if he let Crone know she could use that to her advantage and he would get a full bucket of worms! Cackle took off silently. Little did he know Grandma Pyo was watching.
"Your cottage is beautiful," I tell her as she unlocks the door with a small key. A fireplace in the living room with a bed and a patchwork quilt in the corner. A small kitchen with gleaming pots and pans looks cozy.
"Now, tell me what troubles and heavies your heart. And don't worry, I've heard them all." Like tea being poured from the kettle, my problems spill out. It feels so good to talk to someone who cares, and I can tell Pyo is loving.
She sets before me slices of honey cake and tea and takes my hands in hers. "Dear child, that's quite a bit to take on for one so young." I wipe at my eyes, I can't lose Mother and I can't lose Ladybug. "I know it seems like Ladybug doesn't trust you keeping all these secrets, but she does. I've seen the way she looks at you, and she is a girl in love." "With me?" "Be gentle, give it time, and above all, forgive. Ladybug will reveal when she's ready, and it will be sooner then you think." "You think so?" "Have faith in her, Cat." "Thank you. Guess the saying is true, us cats really are impatient." Grandma Pyo throws back her head and laughs. "I always loved a cat with a swishing tail. Would be nice to have one for company." "I'll keep a eye out for one," I promise. After finishing my cake and tea, I give her a hug before setting out. "Cat, may I tell you one last thing before you go?" I nod. "Take care of each other, and above all love." I smile. "That's two things, but I'll take them to heart."
When I get back to the main building, my heart with each step feels lighter. Orion, Sapphire, and Ladybug are playing cards in the common room, a cozy fire crackling in the fireplace. They haven't seen me come in, so I clear my throat.
"M'lady, may I have a word?" I see her face pale, and no doubt she thinks I'm going to talk sharply to her again. "All right," she answers, her voice soft. "We'll finish the game later," she promises, and Sapphire and Orion walk out of the room.
Once the door shuts, I sit down next to her on the plum-colored couch. "First of all, I'm sorry for the way I acted. I was harsh and distant and I should have kept my emotions better in check." I take her hand. "That's always been one of my weakness." "I'm sorry, too. I'm just scared. Gideon was right though about one thing. I should have dealt with my personal problems until the day's challenge was over." "Have you apologized to Orion?" "Yes. I'm going to make it up to him somehow. Cat…" Ladybug's eyes fill with tears, and she crawls into my lap and begins to cry. "Shh. Its going to be okay." "Just don't let go, please! I can't lose you!" "I'm not going anywhere." "I've heard the next challenge is something to do with the dark and enclosed spaces." I shudder, clutching her closer. "Enclosed spaces are one of my greatest fears." Ladybug gives a shaky little laugh. "good thing we'll be facing it together then."
We cuddle until lights-out and Ladybug kisses my cheek before heading off to the dorms. I have a hard time sleeping, I can feel the walls closing in around me, and I have to escape.
So, once again, I head down to the garden a place of peace. "You couldn't sleep either?" Orion says from the darkness. "Most Cats enjoy enclosed spaces, but not me." "I'm glad you got things straightened with Ladybug. As soon as we have a free day, I'm going to take Sapphire to the rice paddy." "I'm happy you know what you want to do. I feel so lost." "You'll know when the time comes." "What do you see me doing?" I gaze up at the moon. "Maybe this is private between you and Ladybug, but I can see you being a terrific dad." "I do want kids someday."
We chat a bit more, and head back to the dorms. Sleep finds me easily, and a dream steals me.
Marinette stands in front of the mirror again, only this time its not made of ice. "I'm proud of you, Kitty. It was brave what you did today. You could have held onto your anger, but instead you talked out and solved your problems." "At first I wanted to destroy, but love repairs all damage. But I miss you, Princess. Will I ever be able to see you without the mirror of ice?" Her laugh is warm like a summer breeze, and her eyes light up. "Oh, Kitty, you hug me everyday. You just don't know yet, do you?" "Know what?" "Now, now. All will be revealed in good time." "Princess?" "Yes?" "I'll have to face some of my biggest fears soon and I'm scared. Will you help me?" "Cat, even if you cannot see me, I'm always with you in your heart. Be brave and chin up." "I miss you." "I miss you too, Kitten. But now you need your rest."
In the morning, I shower and dress with a dopey grin on my face. Marinette's comforting words were exactly what I needed, and I pick a rose from the garden to give to Ladybug.
But when I enter the dining room, there's no sign of her, and my friends haven't seen her either. My heart thuds in my chest. She hasn't left me, has she?
My fear of being abandoned and alone comes back in a awful rush, and I run from the dining room. I keep running until I reach Grandma Pyo's house, surprised to see Master Fu and her having breakfast together.
"Cat Noir, she vanished during the night. A woman all dressed in black entered the Temple, but the moon went behind a cloud and that's all I saw."
"Crone!" I slam my fist down onto the table. "She's going to pay for this!" Grandma Pyo lays a hand on my arm. "Easy, dear. Remember how we talked about anger clouded our thoughts. We don't want you being trapped too!" "Your right. Please forgive me, I love her."
"Your think clearer on a full stomach, so dig in!" Though my stomach is tied in knots, I force myself to eat something.
Crone may have taken my Lady, but she's forgotten who she is dealing with, and I can be a clever and sneaky cat. Now, I just have to look for clues….