I stumble out of bed the next morning and Tikki gives me a concerned look. "You okay?" I shake my head, cupping my palms so she can sit in my hands. "I think Hawkmoth is still alive, and that's why Cat and I were sent here. After all, I never retrieved the Butterfly Miraculous." A few tears roll down my cheeks and splash onto my Kwami. "Marinette, your allowed to be human and make mistakes. And Cat still loves you for you, Miraculous or not." "Yeah, but I feel so guilty!" I flump down in my chair and stare at myself in the mirror. I should have dived into the fog after Hawkmoth on that fateful day, but all I did was stand there. But I cannot spend the whole morning moping, for we have a journey to start. I brush and braid back my hair, feeling a bit better when the coffee pot starts to brew.

I'm slinging on my knapsack when Cat opens the door. "Good morning," I say, softly, taking in his handsome features. Cat touches my cheek and I lean into the leathery softness. "Did you sleep well? You look tired." His kindness sends more tears and I rush into his arms. "Hey, Princess, its alright. Did you have a nightmare?" I nod, not wanting to talk about it. "I'll feel better once we get going," I tell him and before he lets me go, he kisses the top of my head.

Morning mist still hangs in the air in patches, but it promises to be a hot day. Already, I can feel myself sweating. "We'll head into the woods here," Cat says, producing a map from his belt and points. The woods when we reach them feel a bit spooky, as we say goodbye to the full sun. Patches of sunlight still peek through, but its dark, damp, and dank in here too.

I giggle as Cat stops one of his cute black ears flapping and swiveling. "I hear the gurgle of a stream. You know what that means don't you?" I shake my head. "Fresh fish!" "Cat, you are not going to catch a fish in your mouth. If we're going to go fishing, we'll make a pole."

Cat looks for a stick, as I sit by the stream, my toes in the flowing water. The gurgling noise relaxes me, but I still feel slightly on guard. "Found one!" Cat crashes through the trees and plops down next to me. "Okay, you try to catch your fish, but no funny business." "Funny business?" "I'm not walking through the woods with a wet cat. Your going to reek. Meanwhile, I'll get a fire started."

I laugh as I walk away, watching as his tail takes on a life of its own, and swishes back and forth in the leaves. Its fun looking for sticks, and soon I have a nice crackling fire started. Fifteen minutes later, Cat comes with his prized fish. As it roasts, it begins to smell good and my mouth waters.

A rustling sound in the bushes startles us slightly, but when we look up, nothing is there. "Princess, I do believe I can feel my feline senses tingling," he whispers in my ear, hand on my arm. Normally, I would gently tease him about this, but I feel something too.

Suddenly, with a strange screech a person leaps out of the bushes and stares at us. Only, its not a person like I first thought, but some kind of giant plant with human like features. Its body is all a dark green mottled color, so its able to blend into its surroundings and surprise its prey. Cat pushes me behind him, and I duck behind some bushes, transforming into Ladybug.

Cat's mouth drops open when he sees me, but there's no time for a reunion, as the plant creature begins to speak. "Didn't you know in this part of the woods, we much ladybugs for breakfast." Its voice is lovely, but eerie at the same time. "Haven't you heard?" I take the yo-yo from my belt and begin to whirl it like a shield. "This ladybug is poisonous so come closer if you dare." "Silly bug, poison does nothing to me, in fact, I like poison." As she speaks, she shifts ever so slightly and I leap into Cat as she whirls a vine at us. "Quick reflexes, but you'll be no match for this vine."

Before I stop her, her vine has us both tied against the tree. She grabs Cat's fish and begins to munch, grinning at me slyly. I growl under my breath as she walks away, and soon the chorus of birdsong starts back up again. "I've read about the Plant Creatures," Cat tells me, keeping his voice low. "But I didn't actually know if they existed, until now. Though its good to see you." I smile at him. "Good to see you too, Kitty. Even if we are all tangled up." Cat laughs. "It reminds me of the first time we met, tangled up together after you came flying through the air." Pain shoots through me at the memory, but I can't let it take hold of me. Those were the best of days, when Cat and I kept our city safe. "I have a idea to get us out of here, but you may want to move over." Cat slowly shuffles to the right, for when Plant tossed us the vine, it roped us together. "So, what's the plan?" I close my eyes and and concentrate. "Whew, something smells bad, M'lady." "That's me. I'm sending out a odor from my suit, attaching any vine-munching bug."

Soon, the sound of clicking fills the air, as tiny bugs and insects saw through the vine. At last, the vine drops away and the scent of my suit slowly fades away. "Very smart, Bugaboo. Who knew stink could be so effective?" "In this case, stink was useful. I heard Marinette told you about not catching a fish in your mouth." Cat grins, then his happy look turns to a look of horror when he sees his prized fish blackened by the fire. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again, M'lady. Anything green is evil." I laugh, reaching up to ruffle his soft hair. "I'm sure Marinette will let you have another go at the fish. After all, she wouldn't want you to pass out from hunger." "Were did Marinette go anyway? She was right behind me." "Oh," I pause, and fight the blush from entering my cheeks. "I told her to go hide in the bushes, but I'm sure she'll be back soon." Cat gives me a sad look. "I suppose you have to go now, to keep your identity a secret." I nod. "But I won't be far. Whenever you need me, I'll be around."

I zip up into an apple tree loaded with apples and I watch Cat sigh and slowly walk back towards the stream. An apple sized lump sticks in my throat, but I sallow it down.

I leap from branch to branch, following him closely, amazed at how dense this forest is. As I reach the stream, I detransform, and just my luck, I fall out of the tree. "Ouch," I groan, and try to sit up. Not a good idea for the world is spinning.

"Just lay still," a gentle voice in my ear says. "Here, rest your head in my lap." I do as I'm told, and he strokes my hair gently.

I must have fallen asleep for when I wake up, the sun is low in the sky and I smell sweet and savory scents. "Cat?" "Good evening, sleepy," he smiles and gives my cheek a quick peck. "Sorry I fell asleep," I sit up and yawn, finding my hair full of leaves, but I feel refreshed. "Dinner is served," Cat smiles, handing me food on a tin plate. I take a tentative bite, and to my surprise the fish is perfectly cooked. "I'm impressed." "Just wait till you try dessert."

Dessert is a mixture of apples, flour and oil in a dough ball like form, but its delicious. By now, the sky is filled with purple shadows. "I found a couple of trees with a hollow opening where we can sleep for tonight. I even filled them with leaves so it won't be hard as a rock."

We clean up around camp, and Cat holds my hand as he leads me into the trees. Instead of feeling uneasy like I did earlier in the day, I feel peaceful and safe.

"Marinette?" "Yes?" "Would you like to stay up and watch the moon rise with me?" I smile. Back in Paris, this would have never been possible unless all the lights of the city were out. "I'd like nothing better."

We make another fire, smaller this time for we aren't cooking food, but we douse it when it grows dark. Steam hisses and curls like a cat's tail towards the sky.

Soon, nothing can be heard expect for the wind in the trees and…..a loud rumbling purr breaks the silence and I giggle as Cat rests his head in my lap. "Would you like some scratches?" He nods, purring ever growing louder. I hum beneath my breath as we wait for moon rise, safe, warm, and content.

Many miles away, Hawkmoth stamped his cane in frustration. He'd seen the whole thing through his crystal ball of the fight between the Plant Creature and Ladybug. She'd only grown smarter throughout the years he had spent nursing his wounds from the fall into the fog. But he was smart too, and had many tricks up his sleeve. Cat and this Marinette might reach the castle one day, but he'd be ready to play. In the meantime, he was sending a swarm of bats there way. They would have to go through a cave in a couple of days time, and he smiled in anticipation waiting to see the frightened looks on their faces when they encountered them.