"I hope everything's okay," I tell Cat as we walk down to Master Fu's apartment. "He does tend to be a little dramatic, Bugaboo, but I hope so too." Cat raps on the door with the secret knock and we hear a "please enter" coming from inside.

"We got your call, Master. Is everything okay?" "I need to gather herbs in the forest. If a sickness passes over one or both of you, these herbs will cure any ailments while even in your suit." He hands Cat the list. "I hope you never need them, but you need them on hand just in case."

"We'll be back this evening," I tell Master Fu, and Cat and I head out.

"I wonder if its some sort of test," Cat asks, as we sit in the taxi, heading out of town. "Maybe. But we've been lucky no akuma has ever poisoned us." "So far," Cat says.

Its nice to get away from the city, even if just for the afternoon. The trees have their autumn decor on, the sun sparkling on the crimson, gold, and orange leaves. "I love the smells of fall," I tell Cat as we head into the coolness of the forest. "Bonfires, the crisp smell of apples…." "Pretty soon it will be time for Pumpkin and Apple drinks, M'lady," Cat's eyes light up. "May I assume you'll be the first one in line?" I tuck his arm through mine. "Only with you by my side. The first herb were looking for is ginger."

Slowly, we make our way through the herb list, searching through the forest but enjoying each other's company as we do so. "Would you live in a cozy cottage out in the woods, Bugaboo?" Cat asks, as I carefully pick leaves. "No, I'd be like that old lady who lived in a shoe," I keep my face straight. "M'lady, can you picture the smell?" "Hey, I'm a designer. I'd design the shoe, and believe me, it would smell awesome." "You mean pawesome, love. Ah, I can smell the catnip now." "More like lemon polish!" Cat sticks out his adorable pink tongue, and we laugh.

"I think that's everything on the Master's list," I scratch off the last herb. I glance at Cat. "Kitty?" "Bugaboo, we found an apple tree!"

Sure enough, red balls of fruit sway gently in the breeze, carrying the scent of apples past our noses. Before I can stop him, Cat is climbing the tree, tail wiggling with excitement. "Be careful!" "Ladybug, didn't you know cats always land on their feet?"

I catch the apples he tosses down at me. I check the position of the sun, and call, "I think we should head back now." "Um, one problem, love. How do I get down?" "Oh, Cat."

Making a basket and pulley system with my Lucky Charm, I lower Cat down. "Am I grounded yet?" he asks, paws covering his eyes. "If I knew you were afraid of heights, I would have went up." "Afraid?" Cat leaps out of the basket and strikes a heroic pose. "Ladybug, I'm not afraid of anything!"

"Really? So, if I need to vacuum when I get home…" I tease. Cat peeks at me with one eye, or maybe its a glare. "Don't you mention that foul beast. One of these days, its going to suck up my tail."

We banter heading back, dropping off the herbs at Master's Fu, before parting with a hug.

Master Fu watched the playful couple as they headed to their homes. There was someone special he would the herbs to, but only when the time was right…...