I'm not normally an early riser but today I was awake before the sun. "Well, your up early," Plagg, who is my Kwami, grins. "Did you make yourself a new friend yesterday?" I smile, blushing a shade of fushia pink. "Its great to have a friend, Plagg. You've known how long I've wanted one." "Something tells me you want to be more then friends. But remember what Master Fu said." His surly attitude makes me frown. "She is the Chosen One. The ladybugs wouldn't have gone to her tree if it hadn't been true. And just because she's my friend, doesn't mean your any less special to me."

I walk into the bathroom, and shut the door, wanting to shower and have some privacy. Standing under the hot spray, the smile comes back bigger then ever. Growing up in a castle was lonely expect when Mother was around. But alas, she disappeared many years ago and Father kicked me out as soon as I turned twenty-one. I would be lying if I didn't say I miss him a little bit, but when Mother disappeared, his heart hardened like the stones of the castle.

Drying off quickly, I bound back into the main room. The sun is just rising, so its a bit early to knock on Marinette's door, but I could pick her a bouquet of flowers. "Ahem," Plagg coughs, floating in front of me and interrupting my musing. "Aren't you forgetting something?" "Oh, the Miraculous!"

I open the secret drawer that I keep locked, taking out the small box with the earrings inside. Then I turn back to Plagg. "Let's go see our Princess! Plagg, Claws Out!"

I love early mornings with the dewdrops still clinging to the leaves and the sky a pretty pink, holding its breath as it waits for the sun's return. I walk to the meadow where a field of bluebells dance in the breeze. I've only seen the ocean once, but when I miss it, I like to sit among the sea of blue flowers waving in the breeze.

Tying my precious bundle with a pink ribbon, I trot down the path to Marinette's. To my surprise, she's already awake and is swinging on her bench swing in the big tree next to the house.

Her face is the picture of happiness, but she wears a expression I can't figure out. "Good morning, Marinette. I hope you slept well your first night here?" "Good morning, Cat. Yes, I did sleep well. Why, are those for me?" "A bluebell for a bluebell," I grin. "Their lovely. Would you like some coffee after I find a vase for the flowers?" "I never turn down a cup of coffee between friends." Marinette's eyes light up at the word "friends" and scurries away. I sit down on the porch swing, listening to the creak and sway.

Marinette is back out in a minute and I stop the swing so she can climb on. "I didn't know if you liked milk and sugar in your coffee, so I added both," she says, handing me the steaming mug. "Thank you. How do you take yours?" "Just with a splash of cream. I find black coffee to bitter."

We rock in silence for a moment before I turn to her. "I don't want to sound impatient, but I was promised flapjacks for breakfast." Marinette giggles and nudges my side. "You cats are all the same. First thing in the morning you meowing at the food bowl. But remember Cat, you were to give me something as well." "Don't worry, your earrings are safe. Now, please feed me before I pass out from hunger." "Okay, come on in."

"So, are you excited to see the market before we go on our long journey?" "Cat?" Marinette's face is a shiny pink from the heat of the stove. "Do they have Starbucks on the island?" I laugh. "We're getting supplies, not getting cafffiened. But yes, they have a Starbucks."

Marinette sets the fluffy cakes on the table, serving me some and plonks down a bottle of maple syrup. "Let's dig in."

Oh, berries and jam, this girl can cook, and cook well! I give a meow of pleasure as the bites melt in my mouth. "You seem happy," she giggles, taking a swig of orange juice. "Seeing you know how to cook assures me that we won't starve on our journey." "Hey, Cat?" "Yes?" "How would a cat get caffeinated?" "Ah, Catnip. Its addicting, and we can roll around it for hours playing. Why?" "Oh, no reason." "If you had a tail, I would say it would be swishing with a idea."

I help her with the dishes then we go into the living room, were I present her with the small box. She pinches the lid to open it, and her mouth drops open, her eyes growing wide. The two earrings shimmer in the early morning light. "Cat, their beautiful. All I have to do is put them in?" "Well, there's a bit more to it then that, but that's a good start." She slides the earrings in, and they fit perfectly.

Just like with Plagg, a shimmering red light appears before Tikki appears. Marinette jumps back with fright as Tikki hovers above her. "What's is that? A familiar?" I laugh, gently, not to hurt her feelings. "No, I'm a Kwami, and my name is Tikki. I grant the ladybug holder the power of creation." Marinette catches Nikki her hands gently, peering at her closely. "Your cute. Will you be my friend?" Tikki giggles with delight. "Oh, yes, Marinette! All you have to do to become Ladybug is say, Tikki Spots On!" "Spots On?"

A pink light swirls around Marinette and the magic suit wraps around her. The pink light fades away, but Marinette keeps her eyes closed. "Princess?" I clear my throat. "You can open your eyes." She does and walks over to the mirror. "I look like a ladybug, but I don't feel like a ladybug. Wait, what's this?" she unhooks her yo-yo from her waist. I help her activate it and she reads through the instruction guide. "Cool! So, I can use it like a shield?" she says, swinging it suddenly and I have to dive behind the couch not to get bonked.

"Maybe I should take the yo-yo outside," she says, when she sees me behind the couch. "Less things to break that way." "I'll teach you to use it on the way to the village."

I show her how to toss the yo-yo string long distance, so she can travel from place to place with great accuracy and speed. "Let me try! Let me try!" she claps her hands. "Okay."

"And...toss…!" Marinette tosses the yo-yo and flies through the air, sailing towards the trees. "Kitty, how do I stop I this thing?!" Powerless, I jog after her, wincing as she lands in one of the trees, a few leaves raining down. "Oof!" She slowly slides down from the tree and staggers towards me. "Maybe I'm not supposed to toss it that far?" she collapses into me. I wrap my arms around her, giving her a hug. "Practice makes perfect, and I'm just glad your okay." "How about we put away the suit for now?" "How do I take it off?" "Easy, just say, "Spots Off," I grin.

Tikki swirls out of the suit. "That was a wild but fun ride!" Marinette blushes and cups palms for Nikki to rest in. "I'm a bit of clumsy bug at the moment." "Its okay, we can learn together." "You better hide until we leave the village, Tikki."

Tikki giggles, then vanishes. Marinette's eyes grow wide with delight as we enter the small village. Stalls with people selling fruits and veggies line the streets, and about any home good you could imange.

We gather supplies, but along the way, people keep offering Marinette samples and asking where she's from. "Cat, try this chocolate, its scrumptious!" "I think I figured that out when it got all over your face," I laugh. "Here." she offers me a bite, and I bite it gently, trying to be careful of her fingers.

We start to head back, but Marinette skids to a stop. "What is it?" "We forgot to grab a Starbucks!" she dashes back in the other direction and I take off after her. "I think I figured something out," I tell her as I catch up to her in line and catch my breath at the same time. "Yes?" "Your heart will be won over by coffee, not chocolate." "That's mostly correct. But the man I'm looking for must be honest, caring, trustworthy…" "Sounds like a long list." "Let's just put this way," Marinette grins as she grabs her drink off the counter. "I'll know him, when I see him."

We decide to meet back up the following morning after we've packed. "So, she told you what she wants in a man, but she didn't tell you her type," Plagg tells me as I work. "She will when she's ready. And even if I have a crush on her, I'm going to take it slow." Plagg gives a mock gasp. "A crush?" "Please, Plagg, she's beautiful and sweet. There's just something...charm-meowing about her."

"Just don't drop to many puns, or she'll give back the earrings." "Oh, there are other ways to charm a girl then puns. Ever heard of purring?" "You feeling okay, kid? You look sick." Yeah, lovesick. Besides, its better then the lonely ache I felt at home with no one to play with. Sure, I had everything at the castle, expect the two things I really wanted in life: Love and a friend.

But now that Marinette and I are going to on a journey to figure out these mysterious satsumas, there will be plenty of time for her and I to grow close. I don't expect her to fall in love right away, and even I'm not in love. These feelings are so new and different, but they make me feel alive.