Peep. Peep. Peep. I peek over the rim of my nest and listen to a small group of owls chattering, waiting to be fed. These owls are at that stage in life, where they are extremely fluffy and a little uncoordinated. However, The worms and assorted creatures does not appeal to me, and I try not to turn a shade of green.

Flap, flap, flap. Our owl-friend from last night, descends into my nest and tucks her feathers in carefully. "I never told you my name last night. Its Flutter." "Pleased to meet you. Marinette." I shake her hand (claw?) and she smiles at me. "Ready for breakfast?" "Er," I smile politely, feeling my stomach starting to churn. She laughs a hooting sound. "Don't worry, Marinette! I'll take you the Roost and get some proper food for you!" "Great, cause rodents aren't really my thing…." I joke. "Now hold on tight."

She flies upwards further into the tree. There is an ending to the tree, but its a long ways up. "Glimmer will be serving breakfast shortly. Now, I must swoop down and grab your Cat friend!"

I smile and push open the wooden door to the mess hall, and a wave of scents washes over me. For a minute, I feel homesick for Paris, or more my parents bakery. But then I smell the smell of smoke, and I rush to help.

"Here, pass me the paddle!" I call to other owl-girl and she does as I tell her. "Open the oven door slowly….." Coughing as the smoke pours out, I grab the paddle and pull it out. Well, it used to be bread. Now its just a lump of charcoal. "Oh, its ruined! I'll never be a baker!" the girl wails. "Hey," I say, putting the burned bread on the counter. "Don't say that. We all have accidents." "I'm always daydreaming and getting distracted! And then I burn the bread!" "There's nothing wrong with daydreaming, but when you have a fire going, you need to keep a close eye on it." "You sound like you know what your talking about…" "Marinette." "Glimmer." "My parents run a bakery back in Paris, so I know my way around the kitchen. Now, would you want to try again if we make it together?" she sniffles, wiping at her eyes. "Your the kindest human I've ever met. Okay, let's try again."

I help her measure and mix the dough, then together we put in the oven to bake. "Bugaboo, you here?" Cat calls. "Looks like my partner finally showed up for breakfast. Which is strange, for he's never late for a meal." Giggling, we walk out into the main dining area, where Cat is waiting. "I heard that and good morning, my love." "Oops. Forget about your super hearing," I joke, giving him a hug and kiss.

I introduce him to Glimmer, and Cat surprises both of us when he tells us he knows a terrific pancake recipe. Pancakes are luckily easy to make and finally we sit down to eat breakfast. "My mother tells me your on a journey to Hawkmoth's castle. Your very brave to be going there." Word must spread fast through the trees. "In fact, most owlets think Hawkmoth is like the bogeyman. Made up when their naughty." "Here's real, all right. Marinette and I have met him face to face."

Flutter comes in, and we pause to look up at her. "Sorry to interrupt. I see you've gotten breakfast?" Glimmer and I smile at each other and nod. Cat finishes his food and stands up. "Much as we love to spend the day and chat, we should get back on the trail, Marinette." I sigh, knowing he is right. Its always hard leaving our new friends.

"I can take you to the forest floor, then you'll cross The Garden of the Snails." "Oh, no. Not more vegetables," Cat whispers to me. "You don't have to eat this time, love. Maybe," I whisper back. Flutter is careful with her talons as she flies us down to the ground, and gives us both hugs. "Bring peace back to the forest, so my owlets will grow up with no fear." I step forward. "I give you my promise that we defeat Hawkmoth."

Then with a hoot and a flutter of wing, Flutter flies back into the tree. In the distance, we see green vegetation towering above us.

Around mid-day, we enter the jungle of green. "What are these stalks?" Cat asks, as we brush by them, and I stop for a moment to take a closer look. "Corn, by the looks of it. No snails in sight yet though."

Even with the shade, the going is slow-moving and we have to rest and drink water often. We're passing the water jug back and forth when I hear a small giggle. "What was that?" I ask, instantly alert. "Transform," Cat tells me, using his serious voice. Ducking into the corn so I'm not spotted, I transform into Ladybug.

"M'lady, look there, up ahead. Flowers." I shield my eyes and see tall flowers dancing and twirling in the breeze. Cautiously and with our weapons at the ready we approach them.

"Look, Violet! Daisy, a ladybug! Do you think she would want to rest in a flower?" Before I can react, the flower, Daisy, picks me up and settles me in her yellow center. "Hey! You should ask before you grab! Put me down!" I try to break free of the center, but the yellow pollen has me stuck tight. The flowers don't seem to care about my plight, only giggle with delight. "Oh, she's a feisty one!"

I'm jostled back and forth, and I look down at Cat, getting an idea. "Cat, throw me up your belt and extend your staff!" Cat does, and I push off hard from the flower, grabbing the belt in mid-air. I slide down the baton and come to a stop in dirt on my bottom with a soft thump!

"Oh, don't be mad! We just want to play!" "We don't want to play!" Cat yells at them, and I get behind him, for I don't want to be grabbed again. The flowers duck together, whispering to each other and giggle. "My, my, your an angry dandelion aren't you? Since you don't want to play, will send you to the Lions' Den!"

Now we are both tossed into the air, and find ourselves face-to-face with some snarling Dandelion flowers.

"Psst! Come this way, but move slowly!" A giant snail calls from my behind us, and slowly and carefully we begin moving backwards. "Climb on my shell, and I'll get you to safety."

Cat helps me up the giant snail shell, but I keep slipping. Then I have an idea. I still have Cat's belt and I loop both of us in it. Our snail friend begins moving at a slow pace, but at least we're moving away from the snarling beasts.

"The Garden of Snails used to be a peaceful place," the snail says, stopping when the coast is clear. "Snails and flowers lived in perfect harmony, until one day some strange butterflies came to rest on the flowers." "Akuma," I whisper to Cat and he nods. "If travelers aren't careful, they'll become the flowers playthings forever." "Thank goodness you were coming by when you did! Thank you for your kindness…." "Hubert." "Ladybug and Cat Noir." "Say, I've heard of you! Word has been spreading throughout the forest of the two heroes who are going to defeat Hawkmoth." "That's our mission," Cat steps forward. "But it seems there's plenty more to the garden."

"Stay with me and I'll lead you through. But you must come have supper with me." Cat and I glance at each other. Hubert saved us, so how can we say no?

Hubert has a small living space among the ripe tomatoes and my mouth waters. "Go ahead, pick one. There juicy and sweet this time of year."

Gathering wood to make a fire, I set to work making tomato soup. Cat chats with Hubert as I work, and just as the soup is finishing, I feel a drop of water on my nose.

Squashed, but cozy, we sit in Hubert's small hut, watching the raindrops and eat soup and fire cake. Hubert munches on leaves.

Feeling full and sleepy, after we eat, I rest my head in Cat's lap, and fall asleep. I dream of my parents, with me helping them in the bakery. I wake with a strange ache in my chest, and Cat asks if I'm alright. Hubert has gone to pay a visit to a friend. "Guess I'm just a bit homesick, that's all." "I used to be homesick when we started this journey, but as long as I'm with you, Marinette, I don't feel that way anymore. Your my home now."

I stare out at the falling droplets as I answer. "I can't picture my life without you, Cat. Puns and all." Cat holds me tight, and we stay like that until Hubert comes back. Luckily, the rain was just a passing shower and already I can see the sun peeking shyly out from behind the clouds.

"You still have many miles to go before reaching Hawkmoth's castle. Let's get you to the edge of the garden."

But we don't make it tonight, with Hubert's slow pace. He feels bad, but we assure him its not his fault, and we begin to make camp for the night.

Though I want to reach Hawkmoth's castle as soon as possible, with the miles we still have to cover, is it possible to fall even deeper in love with Cat? Even though the walls of the crystal cave told me his name is Adrien, I have yet to see his real face, the boy behind the mask.

Be patient, I tell myself. Looks like I'm going to need patience for the next part of my journey, at least while Cat and I travel with our snail friend Hubert.