"Why would a giant spider plonk his web down on my house?" Marinette yells. "Whatever did I do to him?" "Um, you did hit him over the head with a rolling pin." Marinette rolls her eyes. "Yeah, cause I was trying to save you! Now what do we do?" "Maybe we could lure him with bait?" "Nice try, but I'm pretty sure spiders don't like cookies." Then she groans, turning to me. "I'll be right back. Stay right here, understood?" she instructs, waving a finger under my nose. "I'm rooted to the spot," I grin.

She climbs the stairs and a minute or two later, I hear her yell, "Hey, Spider, want a piece of me?" A flash catches my eye, but before I can figure out where it came from, Marinette is walking back downstairs smiling. "And that's how you take care of a giant spider." "What did you do?" "I offered him one of his favorite snacks. Flies."

Wow, this girl is so awesome. I give her a bow of respect. "Speaking of favorite snacks, may I have a cookie now?" Marinette bursts into giggles and they are contagious. "Yes, I think we have earned a cookie or two. I'll brew some coffee."

"Cat?" I look up, licking a crumb from my lips. "How did you get here? Did you wish on a crystal like me?" "No, I was napping and suddenly I felt myself falling into a deep void and then I was picking pine needles out of my bell. I think I was sent here by someone." "Do you know who?" I shake my head. "Not a clue. But we found each other for a reason, I'm sure of that."

Marinette looks thoughtful, but stays quiet. After our snack, we try the door to see what to do about all the giant spider webbing, but to our surprise its vanished. Marinette looks at me. "You don't think the spider has anything to do with why were here?" "I don't know, but I'm sure we'll find out sometime. Hey, lets take a walk. We've had enough excitement for one day."

We set off down the path and Marinette gives a small giggle. Curious, I raise an eyebrow at her. "I thought your version of excitement is taking a nap." "Ah, naps. Remind me to find the best sunspot in the house when we get back."

"Oh, Cat…" Marinette murmurs quietly as we enter the woods. "Listen, do you hear a stream?" We fall silence as we step onto the wooden bridge watching and listening to the water bubble and chuckle, making its own music as it tumbles and flows on. "Let's put our toes in the water," Marinette says, and I help her down the hill, lest she slip.

I lay back in the soft grass, the canopy of green a sunshade above my head. With my best friend beside me and a pillow made of green, I close my eyes and…."Hey, no snoring," Marinette jokes as she gives me a light poke, causing me to meow softly.

With my sensitive cat ears, I hear a thudding sound close by, like someone is felling trees. Marinette must hear it to, for she's sitting up and listening. "Let's go see what that sound is," I stand up, offering my hand.

The thudding sound gets louder as we get closer, and Marinette clutches my arm. "What if its the person who sent the spider?" I freeze. I didn't think of that. Creeping forward cautiously, we round the bend to see an older man swinging a ax into a log. He catches sight of us, his black eyes twinkling. "Hello, there and come say hi. Don't be shy!" "Oh, this is exactly the time to be shy. He has a ax!" I try to run but Marinette catches my tail. "We'll be fine."

"What are you doing?" Marinette asks, stepping closer. "Why, I'm getting rid of some of these dead trees, young lady. I need to make room for my garden." "Oh, how wonderful! My name is Marinette, and my friend over there is named Cat." I step forward, waving. Master Fu is looking at Marinette. "Hm, Marinette did you say? Come with me. You too, Cat."

I catch up with Marinette quickly and grab her hand. "What if he's bad? He has an ax!" "He's kind and gentle. Trust him and trust me." I nod, but I feel more comfortable with the second part of her answer.

His home is a small cottage, tucked away in the trees. Though the outside exterior is fancy, the inside is a simple design. "when I heard both of your names I knew you were the ones I had summoned to take the journey and rid this land of evil!" "Wait," Marinette cuts in. "You were the one who gave me my crystal? But that doesn't make any sense. Adrien Agreste gave me my box of crystals, not you!" "Ah, but someone gave Adrien the box. But the important thing is that your here now. You have all the right skills to bring the mysterious villain to justice." Marinette thinks for a minute, before looking at me. "You in, Kitty?" "We were sent here for a reason, and with you by my side, Princess, we will win." Master Fu smiles at me. "I like your confidence but even with your powers you have to be careful." "You know about the Miraculous?" "Oh, yes. I studied in the temple learning all I could. You two have everything you need for your journey, so my only advice is this: Trust each other and help each other no matter what." Then he stands, showing us to the door. Marinette smiles as we step back onto the path.

"We'll begin our journey first thing in the morning, Master. And we won't let you or the forest down." She reminds me so much of M'lady in that moment, confident and brave. Master's smile is soft. "Take care both of you."

We head for home, and Marinette is quiet and I ask her what's the matter. "Nothing," she says to quickly, speeding up. "In fact, I'm going to go ahead, but I'll see you first thing in the morning." "Marinette, wait!" I call, but she is off and running, not wanting to answer.

Is she hiding something or feeling guilty? Is that why is left Paris in the first place? I sigh as the questions swirl around in my head. I wish she would confide in me, for though I don't have all the answers, I would stand by her side.

Making a cup of tea when I get home, I detransform and head out to my own garden, sipping my warm sweet tea and breathing in the scent of flowers.

A dot of red catches my eye and curious, I move closer to a rose, finding a ladybug inside. Could it be possible that Marinette is Ladybug, and that Hawkmoth still exists somewhere? It would explain the akuma at least. Or was it possible that the Butterfly Miraculous was never recovered after our final fight and now someone else wields the Miraculous with its evil power.

I yawn, sitting down under a tree, letting the sun work its magic and soon I'm asleep. Marinette stands before me, head bowed. "Why won't you look at me?" I ask, trying to lift her chin, but she jumps backwards, frightened and afraid. "Because, if I detransform your walk away and I'll be all alone again." I smile, finally lifting her head and wiping some tears away. "I will never leave you." She looks me in the eye. "Even if I'm Ladybug?"

I sit up, finding the sun has set and darkness has taken over. I stumble into the house, fumbling with supper. What a dream, I think as I eat my dinner. Dreams are like puzzles of our day, but this dream puzzle is hard to figure out, and is puzzling me.

I would love it if Ladybug is indeed Marinette under the mask. But I'll wait until she's ready, and I have no proof its actually true. With thoughts spinning in my head, I sit up and begin to write.

Confident and brave you are,

But its okay to feel shy and afraid.

I long to know if your my partner from long ago,

Don't be afraid to tell me, for I will never leave you.

Each day when you wore your disguise, I fell deeper,

Ready to love the girl behind the mask.

Feeling more calm now, I snuggle back under the covers and once again asleep shortly. I wake at dawn, to pack, for it may be quite some time before I see my home again. I think of Marinette doing the same thing, and as I walk out the door, I wonder if I'm leaving it for the last time.

Slinging my knapsack over my shoulder, I take a deep breath and head down the short path towards Marinette's. I watch my reflection rippling in the stream for a moment before transforming.

Marinette is outside once again, and she seems more like herself. "I'm all packed and ready, but lets eat a quick breakfast first."

Once the dishes are all dried and put away, she locks the door and faces me. "Let's go kick some akuma butt," she grins, and she holds up a fist for me to pound.

We set off down the path and I smile at her for traveling witb someone you love is always better then traveling alone.