I consult my map wondering which way to go. I've always lived in the big city, Paris, to be exact, but after twenty-one years of feeling stuck and wondering what to do with my family, I decided it was time for a change. Okay, I did have a job at the local sewing shop and my parents never turned down help at their bakery.

But when I hit my eighteenth birthday, I felt especially restless and begin to save like crazy, and begin to look for cottages out in the woods. Little did I know, not only would I be living in the woods, I would be living in a actual tree, hollowed out and fashioned into a comfortable home. And here I am stuck at a crossroads. Well, there's only one thing to do. Wander down the path for a bit, and if I don't find it, come back the way I came. Slinging my knapsack over my shoulder, I take a deep breath and continue moving forward.

Compared to Paris which is always hustling and bustling, the woods are at peaceful respite after all the noise. Still, birds chirp above me in the trees, and an occasional rustling sound has me gripping my pack more tightly.

At last I see my home at the end of the path, sticking up taller then the other trees. I stuff my map into my pack and take the gold key from round my neck and fit into the lock.

The first word that comes to my mind is cozy when I step inside. A stone fireplace commands the back wall of the living room and a rag rug graces the floor. A plum colored couch is here to, but I know if I sit down now, I may doze the day away.

All my sewing things are set up neatly at my desk, though I long to have a spinning wheel someday. I adore my little kitchen, everything is neat and organized. But I blink in surprise as I see another fireplace with a emorus cauldron. A slightly smaller stove sits in the corner, with mugs and a teakettle hanging from the rafters.

I'll figure out the food later, and turn to go to unpack. As I work, I wonder how many people live around here, and if there is a village close by. I'm accustomed to being alone, I've always been more happy daydreaming, sketching or sewing then talking to people.

Just as I'm finishing, I begin to hear a clicking sound. Strange, could one of the knobs of the stove be stuck? Curious, I step back into the kitchen, but its quiet and empty. I head outside and look around, then up for the noise seems to be coming from the treetops.

Ladybugs. Thousands and thousands of ladybugs swarm on the upper branches and I let out a scream. I wouldn't call my clumsiness bad luck, but this is on a whole new level!

Suddenly, a boy in a black leather catsuit with a golden bell at his throat, comes leaping out of the bushes. I want to scream again at his sudden appearance, but I hold back. "I heard you scream. What's wrong?" "Ladybugs," I moan, transfixed at looking at the upper branches. "My home is being invaded by ladybugs!"

The cat boy's mouth drops open, and his eyes grow huge. He's as still as a statue, staring at me. But we don't need stillness, we need action. "Aren't you going to do something?" I yell to be heard over the whir of wings. "Your the chosen one," he whispers, and I wonder if I've heard him right. Then, if by magic all the ladybugs take off in one big cloud.

"What were you saying?" I ask. "Your the chosen one. Your the new Ladybug." "Okay, back up. I'm at a Ladybug, I'm a girl, and my name is Marinette. What's all this chosen one stuff?" Cat opens his mouth, but a rumble above him interrupts. Dark clouds are covering the sky. "Would you like a cup of tea?" I offer, gesturing inside. At least I can offer him that.

"That would be pleasant, thank you." I peek back at him as he follows me into the kitchen. "What's your name?" I ask. "Cat Noir." I turn to look at him as I get the teakettle down from the wall. "Are you some sort of Sheriff of Nottingham?" Cat cracks up so hard, he starts meowing, grabbing his stomach. "Oh, Princess, that's a good one! No, I just help around the woods." I turn away. "Did you get fur stuck in your ears? My name is Marinette, not Princess." "My agoplizes." Okay, maybe he does have some gentleman qualities. "What's your name where your not wearing the suit?" "Ah," he smiles at me, and I'm glad I'm getting out the teabags for I flush. His teeth are perfect white and his green eyes sparkle with kindness and mischief. "That's a secret to be learned another day." "I'm sorry I've been a little hard on you," I tell him as the kettle whistles. I pour the tea and slice some cake. Then we sit down at the round oak table to talk. "I'm new around here. In fact, I only moved in today."

"Where are you from, Marinette?" Cat asks, taking a bite of my sticky honey cake. "Paris." "What's it like there?" he asks, leaning forward in his seat with curiously.

Lonely, I want to say, but that wouldn't set a good impression of the City of Light and Love. "Beautiful and busy," I tell him, wanting to be honest. He keeps a steady gaze on me. "But you weren't happy there. If you were happy, you wouldn't have left." I laugh lightly. "What are you doing, reading the tea leaves?" I joke. "But your right," I whisper. "I was lonely there." "With a girl as pretty as yourself, I find that hard to believe." My mouth drops open. I've been called lots of things, but "pretty" wasn't one of them. Tears sting at my eyes. "No one's ever called me that." "I know we just met, but I know your pretty inside as well as outside." "Thank you, Cat. Have you always…." My eyes drift down to the black ring on his hand with a green paw print icon. "What's that?" "My Miraculous." "A what?" "A Miraculous. It gives me my powers." I giggle. "It lets you be a Fluffy Cat?" Cat grins, and I feel my heart quicken. "Yes. I have the power of Destruction. But you are the chosen one." I sigh, leaning back in my seat. "You keep saying that." "You'll be the new holder of the Ladybug Miraculous, granting you the power of Creation." "Do you have the Miraculous with you?" "No, not at present. Now that your here, you and I have been chosen for a special mission." "Mission?" "I was sent by a man of Fu, Master Fu to guard these woods. But as soon as I showed up, things starting getting odd." I take a big bite of cake. "Odd?" I mumble. "Like the ladybugs?" "No, much more serious. Purple and black butterflies started showing up in the woods and if anyone would have a negative emotion they would get akumatized." I give him a stare. "A akuma is the butterfly." "I see." "So far, whenever I broke thee object the akuma was hiding in, the butterfly would fly away and not come back. But where was it going? That's where you come in." "Go on." "With your Ladybug Miraculous, you'll be able to purify the satsumas and they'll turn back into regular butterflies. But only Ladybug can purify them. When the magical ladybugs swarmed your house earlier, I knew you were the chosen one they had picked to be Ladybug."

Even the little ladybugs had faith in me, I think, and I look up and give Cat a smile. "Well, I suppose I could give it a try." "There is one thing you should know. Now that your here and you've accepted, we will go on a journey to see where these mysterious butterflies are coming from, and rid the forest from evil. I would love to be your traveling companion, but the choice is up to you."

I've only just met Cat, but I feel like I can trust him, and even be open with my secrets. "I'll travel with you on one condition," I say. "And that is?" "Will you show me around and do have a village here? I'm dying for a good cup of coffee." "I think that can be arranged. I'll bring your Miraculous in the morning." Cat stands up, and I walk him to the door. The night is purple as Cat leaves he gives me a small bow. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Marinette. I'll see you in the morning." "Nice meeting you too, Cat Noir. Say, what do you usually do for breakfast?" "Oh, the usual fish in the stream." "How about some hot flapjacks, baked by yours truly?" "I would love to come to breakfast."

We say our goodnight, and I shut the door, making a small bowl of soup for supper. What a day it has been. To settle before bed, I make a cup of tea and do some sewing, rocking back and forth in the rocking chair.

My bed is warm and cozy, under a patchwork quilt, but when I dream, I dream of a hot blinding tropical sun and soft white sand under my feet.

I rise early, and watch the sunrise before heading into my new kitchen to make breakfast for my new friend. I whistle as I work, feeling happier then I have been in quite some time. Little do I know, I've about to get another brand new friend that won't leave my side, and will become my one of my closet companions. Knock, knock. A new day has begun.