{+}{+}{+}
Adrien's P.O.V
I awoke to the sounds of screaming and crying. I shot up and looked for the danger.
Yet, there was none.
My attention was brought to the little girl crying on my makeshift bed. I grimaced when she suddenly let out a shriek. I had forgotten that I was caring for a young female for a while. My jumbled mind struggled to recall what all Polymouse said when babies cry.
I picked up the baby and tried to smell for any uncleanliness. I learned my ability to smell is slightly more enhanced than a regular nose. Much to my fortune, I did not smell anything unpleasant. I tried to feed the little girl but she did not cooperate and continued wailing.
Letting out a sigh, I cradled her and tried to think of another solution Polymouse told me.
"Maybe I can...no, that will not work...or I could...negative..." I thought.
To my surprise, the room went silent. Snapping out of my hazy head, I glanced down at the little girl. She was fast asleep once again, snuggled into my chest.
I felt my face flush in embarrassment. I am the leader of super-powered rebels, not a babysitter. Polymouse would be better equipped for this task than I ever will be.
But I admit...I do not dislike this as much as I thought I would.
My knowledge of babies and children was far from knowledgeable. The most I know is they need changed, fed, and wake you up many times in the night. It did not sound pleasant when hearing mothers telling stories of their offspring, some worse than others.
Yet, this was not as bad as I thought it would be. Shockingly, I quite enjoyed the close contact with the small human. I may be extremely tired at the moment but I did not mind.
This little girl seemed to bring something out of me I never knew existed. Or maybe it was someone else who already brought it out of me without knowing.
The baby softly snored in my arms, tiny hands mindlessly clenching and unclenching. I could not help smiling at the display before me. I lifted my free hand and let her grab my finger.
"She is...quite adorable," I thought before everything came to a halt. I shook away my previous feelings and removed my finger from her grip.
"No, I cannot get attached! This baby will be gone in a mere few hours, anyway. She will have a new home and family that will care for her. Once we find her one, at least," I said in my mind.
I do not understand how I even developed these feelings so quickly. Is this what actual loving fathers and mothers feel knowing their baby for only a few minutes after birth? How could I obtain those kinds of feelings for a baby not my own in such a short time?
No! I deny these feelings. I am not attached or anything, merely drawn in by the cuteness...I suppose.
I returned the baby to my bed only for her to whine at the lost contact. I flinched and carefully cradled her again. How did she know something was amiss in her sleep?! Are her senses that elite or something?
Letting out a sigh, I knew I was trapped. I made myself comfortable on my bed and placed her next to me. This was the only way we were both going to get any sleep.
Before I knew it, I was out like a light.
{+}{+}{+}
I woke up again. With a yawn, I checked to see the baby still sleeping soundly next to me. A good thing.
My hearing caught the sounds of someone training in the dojo. Curiosity drew me in, wanting to know who was here. I got out of bed, calling upon my transformation (much to Plagg's dismay).
I was nearly out the door when a different sound caught my ears. I was drawn to the bed, seeing the little girl wide awake and watching me with big eyes. She was nibbling on her fingers and kept kicking her legs around.
"Well now that she is awake...I cannot just leave her here, I supposed," I thought. Even I knew, it was an excuse. There was just something about this little one...I could not describe it.
I have only known this baby for a few hours and for the majority of it, I was asleep.
I kept having to remind myself not to get attached. This is only a short-lived moment before she leaves. I will never see her again so it does not matter.
Mindful of my claws, I picked the baby up.
I hope one of the female heroines was training. They understand children more than I do. Some of the male heroes probably do as well but I do not know which ones were capable.
I peeked around the corner, locking onto the figure fighting a punching bag. Much to my relief, it was Ladybug.
"Ladybug," I called out to her, approaching the woman. The spotted heroine jumped in fright and turned to see me. The tension in her muscles dialed down into more of a relaxed form.
"It is only you, Kitty. You frightened me," Ladybug said, placing a hand over her heart.
"My bad," I replied, sitting on a bench. I patted the empty spot next to me, memories of a worried Polymouse crossing my mind.
"I would like to speak with you," I requested, earning a frown from Ladybug. I noticed she hesitated before taking the offer to sit.
"What would you like to talk about?" Ladybug asked, seemingly not looking in my direction anymore.
"Is everything alright? Polymouse had told me you were troubled about something," I explained, "And, I was wondering about this baby as well."
Ladybug winced at the mention of the little girl and bowed her head. She fiddled with her fingers, trying hard to hide her discomfort. Yet, I could see straight through her as though she were glass.
"Ladybug?" I questioned, concern laced in my voice. She took a deep breath in and released a shuddery one. Finally, she raised her head and glanced my way.
"Can I hold her?" She asked in the smallest voice I have ever heard her speak. Without a second thought, I handed the baby over to Ladybug, who gratefully took the child.
Ladybug cradled the baby before placing her on the ground belly first. I raised an eyebrow at this action before watching in astonishment as the little girl started to crawl.
"How did you know she could crawl?" I asked, bewildered. Did Ladybug know some witchcraft? Was she actually a witch in her other life?
"I had a theory of this young one's age and was putting it to the test. She seems to be around seven to eight months possibly. That is the average time babies start crawling," Ladybug explained.
"You seem to know a lot about babies which leads me to wonder why you left me in charge of caring for her. You do realize I have no experience with babies," I replied.
Ladybug frowned before admitting, "I deeply apologize for burdening you. I just...was not in the right mindset. I am still not."
"What is the matter? You were very frazzled when you left yesterday," I asked.
Ladybug was about to say something before changing her mind. I placed a hand on her shoulder to reassure her that whatever it was, she could trust me. She was not alone in this—none of us are.
"War," Ladybug simply answered, "I realized yesterday that my miraculous cure cannot save everyone once they have...deceased."
Her bluebell eyes locked onto the little girl happily babbling and crawling around. I immediately understood what Ladybug was referring to. Ladybug was unable to save the baby's parents or parent—could not save many others in the disaster.
This job always had a heavy impact on this team. We each share some sort of trauma due to this war, especially the ones we could not save.
I wrapped my arm around Ladybug and pulled her into a side hug.
"I am sorry that had happened to you. It is one of many prices being in this war. I will not lie. There is always a heavy cost with lives lost. The best we can do is prosper, end Hawkmoth's reign to prevent more loss, and protect the future generations," I told her, gesturing over at the little girl.
Ladybug leaned her head on my shoulder, making my heart skip a beat. Her lips caught my sight, reminding me of their cherry-like taste. I immediately went flustered.
"This is not the time!" I thought.
I felt something touch my leg, snapping me out of my head.
There was the small baby, trying to grab at my leg with her hands. She used my limb to help her stand and stared up at me. She smiled at me, showing off a few teeth starting to grow in. I could not help the smile blossoming on my face.
"Whatever do you plan to do with her?" I asked Ladybug.
"I do not know," she replied, "She seems to be really fond of you though."
"And what may I ask is that supposed to mean?" I questioned.
"Oh, nothing," Ladybug teased, "But we will have to care for her until we find her a proper home."
"We? Did it slip your mind that I do not know how to care for a child?" I stated.
"I meant the team but it should mainly be my responsibility. The...mother did ask me to care for her child. I unfortunately cannot take her with me. It...it is very complicated where I live," Ladybug tried to explain, "But I will help as much as I can."
I was saddened to hear that Ladybug's living arrangements were not an ideal home. I at least had Master Fu, Nino, Alya, and the rebels as a family.
This made me wonder how bad Ladybug's home life was. What made it so complicated?
I could not ask nor should I linger on this topic. It was a dangerous route to follow. It could lead me to find out her identity and in the middle of a war that would be very dangerous knowledge.
"You have nothing to worry over. We are partners for a reason. This little one is just as much my responsibility as well now," I responded, "I will do my best too."
"I am very grateful for having you as my partner. You always seem to know how to make me feel better by just being here," Ladybug admitted.
"I feel the same with you too. Your presence is that of a soothing spell you put me under when you are nearby. I might still be lost after losing the other Ladybug and it would have worsened with Master Fu gone," I explained before Master Fu's final words dawned on me.
The revelation of my father's identity was not the only secret written in that letter. There was another one but it was about Ladybug.
"There is something I need to tell you," I added with a serious tone. Ladybug moved away to look me in the eyes. It was odd how much I already missed her warmth leaning against me.
"What may that be?" She asked.
"I shall be right back," I told her, heading to Master Fu's quarters. His body was still in there. We would have to figure out when to bury him before nature takes an unpleasant course with his body.
I quickly grabbed the second paper of Master Fu's letter. The first one was a secret only meant for my eyes but the second one was for both me and Ladybug.
I returned to the training room and met with the adorable sight of Ladybug cooing over the little girl in her lap. The little girl just happily smiled without a care in the world. I could not help smiling at the sight and just appreciated this domestic moment for a while.
"She will make a great mother someday," I thought before a fierce hotness covered my face.
"Chat Noir? Is everything okay? Your face is quite red," Ladybug pointed out once noticing me. I tensed before denying anything wrong.
"No! No! I am alright!" I assured before clearing my voice and approaching Ladybug. I handed her the paper so she could read it.
"Master Fu left his final words in this letter," I explained. Ladybug scanned the page for a moment before flipping it over.
"Where is the first page?" she questioned.
"That was only for my eyes to see," I told her.
Ladybug returned her gaze to the paper and began to read it.
{+}{+}{+}
Ladybug's P.O.V
Ladybug and Chat Noir, I have hidden many things in my lifetime—some things, I am not proud of. Chat Noir would have already learned that much.
I glanced over at Chat, who was off in a different world.
I was too much of a coward to tell either of you these secrets and hope you will one day forgive me. You both deserved a better master, for I was very blessed to have such amazing children as holders of the miraculous.
I could feel my eyes growing misty and warm from tears. I took in a shaky breath and continued.
Including, the original Ladybug, Kagami Tsurugi...
My heart felt like it was stomped on when reading those few words. Did he make a mistake when he chose me? Did he truly not like me but was too kind not to say anything?
Then, shock overwhelmed me when I read the rest of the sentence.
...even though she was never meant to be the true holder of the ladybug earrings.
I gaped at this new information. The Ladybug before me—whoever Kagami may have been—was never meant to wear the ladybug miraculous? I never knew there were supposedly "worthy" chosen and assumed anyone with a good heart could wield it.
She knew that she was never meant to be the true wielder of the ladybug earrings. But she still accepted the role while I continued my search. She once told me how selfish she used to be until given a purpose. Ladybug gave her a chance to protect civilians that could not and it brought her peace, knowing she was doing good.
She hopes that the next Ladybug will bring to the table what she was unable to.
We trust that you will do just that. You have come a long way in a short amount of time and will have your team behind you for the long run.
You are the true Miraculous Ladybug
When the time is right, you will be the next Guardian of the Miraculous. I leave Chat Noir as a temporary guardian and will continue to train you.
I wish you all the best and trust that you will one day defeat Hawkmoth.
This is my final goodbye to you.
Master Fu
I cried, unable to hold in my sobs anymore. I set aside the letter and held the little girl in my arms closer for comfort.
Guardian?!
He wants me to be the next Guardian of the Miraculous?!
Those are some big shoes to fill, especially since I only received these miraculous nearly a month and a half ago. So much has happened in such little time.
"What...What are we going to do?" I asked Chat. I am scared of Master Fu's last request to become the guardian. What if I fail and turn out to be a horrible guardian? What if I cannot live up to his standards and everyone turns their back on me?
I am also saddened, having read Master Fu's final words. Once his funeral ends, Master Fu will be completely gone.
Chat looked over at me with a somber expression.
"We will continue and do what we have always done," Chat answered, genuinely, "We will figure things out together. You do not have to worry about being the Guardian. You will not be alone in this. I—we will all be here for you."
I relaxed at the assurance that the pressure of being a guardian would not fully be on my shoulders alone.
"Would you care to do some sword fighting training? It has been a while since the last time we practiced," Chat offered.
"As much as I would love to—I-I mean like to!" I stammered, face heating up, "Wh-What about b-baby?"
I referred to the little girl as I held her up to emphasize my point.
Suddenly, a portal opened in front of us. I jumped, not expecting the sudden time burrow to appear. Bunnyx poked her head through and slyly smiled at us. She carefully took the little girl from my arms and disappeared back into her burrow.
The portal closed.
Chat and I both blinked. We looked at each other before Chat said, "Well, that takes care of that problem but I am not sure if Bunnyx is the right choice to care for a child."
"Oh, I would not worry. I am positive Bunnyx has it under control," I assured Chat, trusting the rabbit hero. I gestured to the sword rack.
"Shall we?"
{+}{+}{+}
Before I left, Bunnyx returned the little girl to Chat and me.
"Thank you for watching her while we trained," I said.
Bunnyx waved it off and signed, "It was a pleasure for all you have done for me."
She disappeared back into the portal.
"Can you understand her sign language?" Chat asked.
I tensed. I could not tell Chat Noir that I had to learn sign language for my lady lessons. Nor was there hardly anyone in the poor section who knew sign language. It was not like there were books on the subject in the poor section.
"O-Oh yes! I know someone else who is mute. So, they taught me," I lied, giving Chat Noir the little girl, "Well, I must be off! I shall return later tonight!"
I scrambled out of headquarters and made my way home. I knew if I stayed any longer, Chat would have managed to figure out my fib and find out that I am a wealthy lady. He might see me differently if he found out who I truly am and my status.
I landed in my room, only to be greeted by many wedding gowns.
"Spots off," I said. My transformation faded off of my body and snatched a cookie from my stash for Tikki.
"Ah! You have returned!" Rose exclaimed, appearing out from behind a rack of wedding dresses.
"What is all of this?" I questioned. Rose's smile did not fade but shrank as sadness took over her features.
"You have to try on and pick out your wedding dress," Rose explained, a gloom floating around the usually perky woman.
"Your wedding date was rescheduled for a sooner date. You are to marry "Luka" within the week."
{+}{+}{+}