Something needle-like and sharp digs into my arms, and briefly I wonder if I fell asleep sewing. Opening my eyes, I see two yellow orbs staring back at me, and it all comes back to me. Mog must of crawled into bed with me during the night, as Cat and I are staying at Cosy's. "Meow?" I giggle, stroking her soft black head. "I bet your looking for breakfast, aren't you? I have to make my kitten breakfast too."

The last sentence makes me pause as I stroke my soft ball of fluff, and lapping the attention, Mog rolls on her tummy. Will when I have kids of my own? To make breakfast for, to help with finger-painting and hand-prints? At least not until Hawkmoth is defeated.

I slowly climb out of bed, and Mog stays with me as I dress in a pink sweater and styled my hair in my usual two buns. I laugh softly as I can hear Cat snoring in the living room, but Meg hearing my footsteps jumps up with a happy meow and trots over to me. Together, we all troop into the kitchen.

"Good morning, Marinette. Sleep well?" "To well. Especially with this little fluff ball. Mind if I feed the cats there breakfast?" "Of course. The scoop is in the cupboard with their food, you can't miss it."

I take a deep breath as I enter the pantry, the smell of herbs and spices is strong in here. Measuring out the cats food into bowls, I turn to find two fur balls meowing and curling around my legs. "All right, all right, my loves! Here's breakfast!"

"Well, there's two happy kitties feed. Where's Cat?" "Still asleep. Will breakfast be ready soon?" "In about five minutes. Tell you what, how about you cut a couple of sunflowers for the table." "You have a garden?" "Go through the back door and you won't miss. Just make sure Meg and Mog don't go out with you."

The morning air is fresh and sweet-smelling as I step outside, my bare feet getting covered with dew. I gasp in delight as Cosy's garden in front of me, is almost a work of art.

In one garden are vegetables and fruit, while the other holds sunflowers, their yellow and black faces already turned towards the sun. I snip a flower, and watch as the sun filters its red light through the trees.

Its hard to think evil has touched this forest, and I vow to return it to peace. When I walk back in, I humming softly and not paying attention. "Princess?"

Hearing Cat's name, I slowly raise my head to find him staring at me, a loving look on his soft features. Time stops as we smile at each other, a rosy blush to my cheeks. "Good morning, Kitten," I tell him shyly.

Still holding onto my flower, I give him a good morning kiss. The spell is broken as Cosy clears her throat quietly. "If your ready, breakfast is ready." "Oh, right! Of course."

Cosy has outdone herself making us pancakes with jam, butter and syrup. "So, will you continue to Hawkmoth's castle?" Cosy asks, as we eat. "That's the plan," Cat says. "Is there anything we need to know?" "The Dark Forest lies not that far from here, and your best to use caution." "The Dark Forest?" Cat and I look at each other. "It sounds serious." "No one knows what kind of creatures live there, but to make it through, you must find Candle."

When I think of a candle, I think of the Disney candle who sang in Beauty and Beast. "Candle guides travelers through the forest with her light. If you see her, try to raise her spirits, for she hasn't been the same since Hawkmoth pasted through here." "We'll do our best."

"Thank you for your hospitaly," I tell Cosy as we hug. "Oh, it was my pleasure, Marinette. And so glad to have met you, Cat. Take care of each other, there's a strong bond between you that I haven't seen in a couple in a very long time."

We wave, as we get on the trail, packs full, water jugs heavy. "Cosy said to just keep going. We'll know the Dark Forest when we see it."

"What kind of creatures do you think are in there, Marinette?" "I don't know. I kinda hope we don't meet any."

I stay close to Cat as the journey goes on, and eventually towards mid-afternoon we reach a clearing. We travel swift and fast, but stop once the next forest begins. This isn't like the others we've past through, for once you enter there's an immediate feeling of gloominess and lack of sunshine.

"Cat, stop!" Cat is trekking along quickly, when my ladybug senses tell me that there's danger nearby. Cat stops mid-step and freezes. "There's something swinging in the trees up ahead." "Stay here. I'll report back." I don't argue with him for it will give me an opportunity to transform into Ladybug.

"Oh, M'lady! There's some kind of caterpillar, lots of them, hanging from the trees! But where's Marinette?" My mouth feels bitter, like after eating a sour grape as I lie. "She's safe. Swinging caterpillars, you say?"

We walk towards the dangling creatures carefully, and out of nowhere, I tackle Cat as one of the caterpillars shoots sticky string from its mouth, hoping to entrap us. We roll into the bushes, breathing heavily. "Thanks, Bugaboo." I nod, watching the caterpillars carefully. "Oh, I wish Candle were here to guide us."

"A light in the darkness is always a good thing,

For light conquers darkness and every evil thing."

Cat and I stay hidden, but we try to find the source of the voice. Then, we see her, her body flickering like a candle, thus her name. "Candle, Cosy told us about you. Can you guide us through the Forest?" Candle nods.

"I shall lead, and you will follow.

But keep your eyes peeled for danger."

Cat holds my hand as we follow her up to the caterpillars. Surprisingly, they don't shoot their sticky string at her, rather she feeds them flowers and then they climb back up into the trees.

"So, you know my friend Cosy. How is she doing?" "Good. She welcomed us into her lovely home," Cat speaks up. "I wish I could go visit her, but with Hawkmoth passing through the forest, I feel like I need to hide." "Don't let fear rule you. Be cautious and smart, and you'll be fine."

The forest gets gloomier as we travel, and soon its almost pitch-black. Our only light is Candle, lighting our path.

Eventually, we see a spark of light, and we continue towards it eagerly.

"I must stay close by you throughout the night, for who knows what could come out of the forest. But once you reach the end, you find a plentiful harvest and perhaps some new friends."

Candle joins me in the daily chore of picking up sticks for the fire, and I try to find out more about her.

"Do you have family nearby?" she shakes her head sadly. "I do have family, but their guarding other forests. Alas, Ladybug, I won't see them till Hawkmoth is defeated." "That's where Cat and I are traveling, and we will restore peace to the forest. I give you my word and promise."

During the night, I lay awake watching the fire. When will I work up the courage to tell Cat that Marinette has been right beside him this whole time, that Ladybug is in fact, me, Marinette. Here you are, telling people to face their own fear, yet you can't even face your own.

I know! I yell at myself. I just wish I wasn't so scared. I finally fall asleep when the birds are twittering their morning songs, and Cat has to shake me from my slumber. "Cat?" I sit up, groggily, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "You feeling okay?" he asks, and I look at him, his kind and gentle voice, so sweet.

I open my arms for a hug, and Cat sits down and I immediately crawl into his lap, where at last I release my tears. I'm thankful they are silent as they slide down my cheeks, and Cat cradles me in his arms, rocking me back and forth.

Candle joins us for breakfast later, and she compliments my fire-cake creation. "The fun stuff is what you put on top," Cat grins. He digs in one of the packs pulling out a jelly jar. Though he struggles to open it. "Come on, use your muscles," I tease. "Would you be so kind, M'lady?" I take the jar, and with a quick twist of my wrist, we hearing a slight popping sound.

Cat's mouth hangs open, as he looks at me. "How did you do that?" I struggle to keep a straight face. "Very simple. I eat my vegetables."

Candle looks between the two of us. "You seem very close. You've known each other a long time, I take it?" I nod, eating a dried berry. "We used to live in Paris."

As beautiful as the City of Light was, after Cat left, I felt like I was living in a world of darkness, where love and light had disappeared. Now, reunited, my heart feels full. But it still hungers to tell the truth, and reveal my identity.

Packing up camp after breakfast is a short affair, and Cat leads the way as I hang back with Candle. "You seem troubled, Ladybug. Anything I can do to help?" "How do you know if someone truly loves you?" I tell her my predicament. "Trust yourself and your partner. But Ladybug, even I can see you belong with Cat."

"Look! A field! Look at all those yummy pumpkins!" As we closer, sure enough a field of gold wheat sways gently in the breeze. A scarecrow sits in the middle of the field. Both of us are admiring the beauty, failing to see someone tan and bushy coming to greet us.