Disclaimer: See Chapter One.

Warnings: See Chapter One.

Word Count: 4,505 (Purely Story)

A/N: So not much to say. Enjoy!

Reviews: No Reviews

Chapter 8:

School was back on it's normal schedule and Marinette, Kuwabara, and Kurama had gone early, again. The three were already sitting in their seats when Alya walked in. She made teasing faces while she sat next to her best friend. Marinette just glared and pouted at her friend.

Kurama didn't know what the two were going on about however he found the bluenette looked so adorable. How her face flushed and she would sputter nonsense at her best friend.

"Yo!"

Kurama turned towards the door. In walked Nino and Adrien. Nino winked over at Alya who grinned at him, a slight blush on her cheeks. Marinette was now the one elbowing her bff. However, Kurama's green eyes followed the blonde model. The blonde's green eyes were looking at Kuwabara. Kuwabara looked at the two that entered. However his gaze had a cautious look towards the blonde. However, it vanished as Nino sat down.

"Sup guys." Kuwabara said, giving Nino a fist pump.

Adrien slowly walked to his own seat. He had caught the cautious look. He didn't understand it.

"Dude, how are you feeling?" Nino asked.

Kuwabara blinked at him.

"Fine, why?" he said a bit confused.

Nino blinked at him.

"You're leg dude. How's your leg." Nino laughed.

"I guess it's better if you forgot about it."

Kuwabara blinked at him for a moment before laughing himself. He scratched the back of his head.

"Oh yeah. I'm good as new!"

Nino smiled.

"That's awesome." he said giving Kuwabara another fist bump.

Adrien's eyes widened. He had totally forgotten about it! He had been Chat the night before and didn't even ask Kuwabara if he was alright! He felt so guilty. However, he had been so preoccupied by his Lady sending him home and then stopping that guy...

"Dude, you okay?"

Adrien blinked before noticing Nino giving the blonde a worried look. Kuwabara was giving him a look. However, he didn't know what it was.

"Yeah." Adrien said rubbing the back of his neck.

"I just didn't get any sleep last night."

Kuwabara frowned.

"How come?"

Adrien looked back and saw Marinette looking at him with concern blue eyes. He smiled. She was so sweet.

"I guess I wasn't tired." he said with a smile.

Kuwabara wanted to say something but he knew he couldn't. He wasn't suppose to know Adrien was Chat Noir. It was to protect the cat. And the carrot top would never share that information with anyone. Not even Eikichi!

"Oh." Marinette said a thoughtful look on her face.

However, she yawned. This made Alya snicker and Kurama smile.

"Looks like you are tired too." Alya laughed.

Marinette blushed slightly but laughed.

"Yeah, just a little."

She had a hard time patrolling once she sent Chat home. She had felt so bad. She couldn't understand why he looked so hurt. All she asked was for him to take a night off. He deserved it. Sure, they both needed it. However, her partner did more work than her. He did more physical while she did the planning. If anyone needed an extra night to sleep it would be her kitty.

"How come?"

Marinette looked at those concern emerald green eyes. She blushed a bit before looking away. She could hear Alya snicker next to her.

"I guess I wasn't tired either."

Before Kurama or Alya could ask why, Ms. Boyer came into the room.

~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~

"So what are you guys doing for lunch?" Marinette asked after the lunch bell rang.

"We are going back to my place." Alya said, slipping her arm into Nino's.

Nino blushed and nodded; as words couldn't come out of his mouth.

"Oh." Marinette said.

"What about you?" Kuwabara asked Adrien.

Adrien blinked at the carrot top. He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Probably going home."

"Why don'tcha come back with us?" Kuwabara asked with a grin.

Adrien blinked at him. He felt his heart flutter.

"I'm sure it would be alright with my parents." Marinette said with a smile, a slight blush crossing her face.

"Alright. Let me just call Nathalie." Adrien said taking out his phone.

"Dude, why don't you just go." Nino said, rolling his eyes; finding his voice even with Alya on his arm.

Adrien was about to turn 18 for god sake! He shouldn't have to ask permission. Or rather that's how Nino felt.

"I understand man."

Adrien and Nino both looked at Kuwabara.

"I can't go anywhere without tellin' my sis. I'm surprised she didn't come with me." Kuwabara chuckled.

"I think it's because I am here." Kurama chuckled as he stood next to the seat, his bag on his shoulder.

Alya and Marinette were already standing, ready to head out.

Kuwabara grinned up at Kurama.

"Yer probably right." he laughed.

Adrien smiled. However he felt a bit out of place. He still didn't understand how the carrot top and the redhead weren't best friends. If they weren't, what else did they mean to each other? That thought gave Adrien a sinking feeling in his gut.

"I'll be right back." Adrien said, starting to stand up.

Kuwabara stood up and let the blonde out. Kurama shifted backwards to also let the blonde up. However, he gave the boy a look that made Adrien become even more confused. When the blonde left Kuwabara bent down and grabbed his bag.

"So what are you two going to do back at your house?" Marinette asked with a smirk.

Alya stuck her tongue out at her best friend. However, the comment made Nino blush even more.

"N-nothing!" he squeaked out.

This made the group laugh, including Alya.

"Well, I got permission to hang out." Adrien said, coming back into the room.

Adrien was so happy that he had gotten permission. It seemed a bit too easy. However, he wasn't going to complain.

"Maybe I can play against you this time." Kuwabara said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Adrien blinked at him before a wide smile crossed the blonde's face.

"I'm pretty good, just to warn you." Adrien chuckled.

"Bring it on!" Kuwabara said, his face full of determination as well as his voice.

Kurama shook his head with a smile.

Marinette smiled, yet was relieved that she didn't have to play against Kuwabara. She was starting to feel really bad for the guy.

"Great! We'll see you in an hour then." Alya said winking at Marinette.

She pulled Nino out ofthe classroom, leaving the four behind.

~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~

"Yeah!"

Adrien groaned as his head lowered in defeat.

Kuwabara was standing up with a wide grin on his face.

Kurama chuckled.

"You are pretty good...when you aren't playing against me." giggled Marinette.

Kuwabara had a fire in his eyes.

"I'm ready! Let's do this!"

Marinette laughed and shook her head.

"We have to go back to school now. Lunch is almost over."

Kuwabara whined. Kurama shook his head but chuckled.

Adrien looked a bit sad. He was having so much fun...despite the fact he lost to the carrot top six out of fifteen times.

Eikichi yawned and stretched from his position on the bed. Kuwabara grinned and walked over to his cat. Eikichi blinked up at his master and gave a cute little meow. Kuwabara chuckled before bending down and kissing the top of his head.

"Sorry baby. I'll be home in a bit." Kuwabara said before grabbing his backpack.

Kurama snickered, while Marinette giggled behind her hand. Adrien couldn't help his own chuckle and smile. Kuwabara turned back to everyone with an annoyed look.

"What?!" he said aggravated.

He just couldn't understand why they all looked at him. Not to mention what they thought was so funny.

"Nothing." Kurama said with a chuckle.

Kuwabara gave a look before grumbling as he left the house. The other three followed close to him.

~~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~~

The day seemed to go by fast. Adrien was even able to go back and hang out at Marinette's house. This time, Nino and Alya joined. They all played games, both video and board games. Most of the games Marinette had won, however it was still a fun time. By dinner time, they all were tired.

Adrien really didn't want to go. He wanted to stay more and get to know more about Kuwabara. He found the carrot top so interesting. Not to mention, sweet, competitive, a good sense of humor, and an overall nice guy.

So when the blonde got home to his cold and basically empty house, well he started to miss the warmth and kindness of the carrot top.

"What's wrong?"

Adrien snapped out of his thoughts. He was sitting at the dining table, eating something that Nathalie had prepared. It was some kind of soup but he wasn't really interested in it.

"Nothing." he said as he stirred the hot liquid with his spoon.

Nathalie just looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm just going to go to my room." Adrien said before excusing himself from the table.

It was almost time for him to go out on patrol with his Lady. He grimaced. He had forgotten about the night before. His Lady had sent him home early. However, thinking about it now he wasn't as upset as he had been last night. She did it for his own good.

"Plag transform me!" Adrien said, once he locked himself in his bathroom.

He transformed into Chat Noir and headed out of the window towards his meeting place with his Lady. However, he happened to take a quick detour by Marinette's bakery. Chat was still a bit early and wanted to check in on the carrot top. It wasn't like it was with Marinette. He couldn't just knock on the balcony and come in to see him. He would have to go through her balcony just to see the carrot top.

Chat didn't need to talk to the carrot top, just check in on him. So when he reached the bakery, he landed on the window that looked into the carrot top and redhead's room.

"Why not?" Kurama asked.

"Cause he pissed me off." growled Kuwabara.

Chat's ears twitched. He didn't mean to eavesdrop. He just wanted to check in on the carrot top. However, he found himself unable to move. The conversation holding his attention.

Kurama let out a sigh. He pulled out his phone and began to dial a number.

"What are you doing?" Kuwabara asked, growing a bit stiff from his seat on his daybed.

"I'm calling Yusuke."

Kuwabara growled before standing up and going to the bathroom. Kurama watched his friend with wide green eyes.

"I'm takin' a shower." Kuwabara grumbled before locking the door behind him.

"So?"

Kurama blinked before looking at his phone. He had already finished dialing the raven haired teen's number. Kurama let out a sigh before going back to the couch.

"He doesn't want to talk to you."

Kurama could hear a frustrated growl on the other end.

"What did you say to him? It had to be more than telling him he needed to come home." Kurama said.

Chat went stiff at those words. His green eyes widening. Why would this Yusuke guy ask Kuwabara to go home? Was there trouble back home? Chat felt his chest tightened. However, he was snapped out of his thoughts.

"Nothing really..." Yusuke said sounding a bit guilty.

"Yusuke." Kurama said in a low threatening sounding voice.

The voice gave Chat a chill and he was sure it gave Yusuke one too. Chat was just happy his cat ears weren't for show. They worked like real cat ears and could hear very well. So he could clearly hear Yusuke's voice on the other end.

"He is just being a big baby! I mean it's been two years since the Chapter Black case and..." Yusuke began, sounding frustrated.

"What?" Kurama growled, standing up from the couch. "Tell me you didn't..."

There was a long pause on the other end. Kurama let out an aggravated sigh.

"It's been two years Kurama! He needs to get over it!" Yusuke growled.

"I can see why he is pissed with you. How dare you bring that up. We don't even know what they did to him..." Kurama said, lowering his voice even more.

"I know..." Yusuke sighed. "I...I mean I just wasn't thinking..."

"You never seem to, epsecially when it comes to Kuwabara." Kurama sighed.

He was pissed. How could Yusuke be so insensitive? And with Yukina breaking the carrot top's heart only a couple months ago? To bring 'that' up now? Well, Yusuke was being a selfish jerk.

"I don't think he'll talk to you. Not for a long time."

"But..." Yusuke said, sadness in his voice, and a hint of fear.

"You hurt him Yusuke. I don't blame him for not wanting to talk to you." Kurama said a bit angrily.

"I'm sorry okay!"

"Sorry won't help. You went too far." Kurama sighed.

"I just miss him..."

Kurama let out another sigh.

"You have to be careful what you say. Especially about 'that'."

"But it's been two fucking years!" Yusuke growled.

"He should have at least told us what happened..." Yusuke let out an aggravated growl.

"He will tell us when he is ready. You can't rush him or you will push him to..." Kurama said, not finishing the sentence.

Chat's ears twitched at that. What would Kuwabara do? What was so bad that it would make Kurama get so mad? What happened to Kuwabara where he looked...sad? Yeah sad and angry before going into the bathroom.

"I..." Yusuke started before sighing.

"I know. I'm sorry."

"I'm not the person to apologize to. However, he doesn't want to hear it right now. You need to find a way to make it up to him." Kurama said looking towards the bathroom.

The shower had been running for a while now. However, Kuwabara took quick showers and would be out any minute.

"I don't know how." Yusuke grumbled.

"You have to figure it out. I'll talk to you later." Kurama said before hanging up.

Chat sat there on the edge in thought. He wanted to know what happened two years ago to the carrot top. However, like the redhead said, Kuwabara would have to talk about it himself.

Kuwabara walked out of the shower, using a towel to dry his hair. He already had some pjs on. He stopped his movements before looking towards the window. It was where Chat was peeking from. However, Chat quickly jumped out of sight. His eyes wide. He hoped he wasn't seen.

"Are you alright?" came the redhead's voice.

Chat didn't dare to look back into the window.

"Yeah..." Kuwabara sighed. "I'm gonna go to bed."

Kurama seemed to hesitate.

"Alright. Goodnight Kuwabara." Kurama said.

The lights went out in the room. Chat let out a relieved sigh before looking at his baton. The time read 8:40 pm. He grimaced. He was ten minutes late.

'So much for being early.' He thought before heading off towards the meeting place.

~~~~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~

"You're late."

Chat landed beside his Lady, a shy smirk on his lips.

"Sorry, I got catup with some extra things."

Ladybug rolled her eyes, however the pun seemed to make her more relaxed.

"Listen, about last night..." she started, looking a bit guilty.

"It's okay my Lady. I understand you were just worried about me. I appuricate the thought. You truly do care." he said, wiggling his eyebrows at her.

She rolled her eyes again, however a smile on her lips.

"Are you sure you are alright?" she asked, turning worried and a bit serious.

"I purromise you my Lady. I am purrfectly fine. It was actually a good idea. Although, all of your ideas are good." he said with a wink.

Ladybug let out a relieved sigh. She had been so worried about her kitty. She didn't know what kind of condition he would be for tonight's patrol. However, it seemed whatever had been bothering him had been fixed or worked out. She was just happy he understood she wasn't trying to hurt him.

"So anything exciting happen?" Chat asked as he perched next to his Lady.

Her legs hung over the Eiffel tower's ledge.

"It's been quiet." she said looking over the city.

The skyline was so beautiful with the city light's brightening up the sky.

"Well, should we head out?" Chat said standing up.

He looked down at Ladybug with a grin. She looked up. Her heart felt so much at ease. She didn't like the sad look that had been on his face the night before. She stood up and stretched.

"Let's go. See you in two hours." she said with a wink, before swinging her yo-yo off towards her normal route.

Chat smiled before going off to his own.

~~~~~~~Scene Change~~~~~~~~~~

Kuwabara was sitting on his bed. He had his history textbook on the bed as he sat Indian style. Eikichi was sitting in his lap, purring as he slept. Kurama had been working on his own homework on the couch.

"Hey Kuwa."

Kuwabara's head snapped up.

"Yo, Rien." Kuwabara said as he grinned at Adrien.

He was happy to have a distraction. It was hard enough to study history. However, it was even harder when you had to study a different country's history! So any distraction was welcomed.

The two boys had gotten close over the month Kuwabara had been staying with Marinette. The blonde had come over almost everyday. It was almost like clockwork it was so much.

"Hi Adrien." Kurama said with a nod.

Adrien nodded back.

"Hi Shuichi."

Kurama still felt uneasy around the blonde. He still didn't know what his intentions were towards Kuwabara. The redhead was also not sure how the blonde felt for the bluenette. Kurama had gotten closer to Marinette during the month. He couldn't deny that he had fallen for her. However, that didn't mean he could act on his feelings. However, knowing that Marinette had strong feelings for Adrien, well it didn't make Kurama like the blonde even more.

Kuwabara could sense the tension in the air. He would have been able to even without his spiritual awareness. He didn't understand why the two teens had so much tension when they were together. Both teens were similar, to the point Kuwabara thought they would be best friends.

"Sup?" Kuwabara asked, bringing the blonde's attention back to him.

Adrien turned back to Kuwabara. He couldn't help the smile on his lips.

"Well, I thought you might need some help. I don't have any photoshoots all day so I am free."

Kuwabara's heart fluttered at the smile that crossed the blonde's face. However he realized why the blonde had come over for. He groaned before leaning back on his bed.

"I don't wanna study any more." he whined.

This caused both Adrien and Kurama to laugh.

"What would your sister think if she heard that." snickered Kurama.

Just the mention of Kuwabara's sister caused Kuwabara to sit straight up in the bed.

"Don't you dare!" he growled, sending a glare at the redhead.

Kurama put his hands in the air.

"I was just saying." he chuckled.

Adrien smiled before going over to the bed and sitting down. The movement seemed to stir the sleeping cat; who didn't move when Kuwabara sat up so suddenly. The cat yawned before standing up and stretching. He looked over to Adrien. What sounded like a happy meow, he jumped into Adrien's lap. The blonde picked up the cat.

"Hi Eikichi." he laughed, as the cat purred and nuzzled his head against the blonde's face.

Kurama couldn't help the smile that crossed his lips. It was just too adorable. However, that didn't mean he trusted the blonde.

"Oh, hi Adrien."

All three boys turned and saw Marinette come down from her room. She looked at Adrien with a smile. The more the blonde came over, the easier it was for to control her stuttering. She wasn't blushing as much either. She started to feel more comfortable around him.

Adrien felt so happy. All he wanted was Marinette to be comfortable around him. He thought of her as a very close friend. Even a best friend just like Nino. She was his first true friend. Sure, Nino had introduced himself. And sure, Nino had offered to be his friend. However, Marinette was different.

At first the bluenette didn't like him. He had to admit, it did look like he was putting gum on her seat. However, he couldn't just rat out Chloe. Sure the blonde girl could be mean, however she had a heart...somewhere in her. However, even though Marinette thought he put the gum on her seat, she still listened to him. She let him tell her his side of the story. How he really was trying to take the gum off her seat. Though he didn't tell her who had done it. She believed him and even accepted the umbrella he offered to her.

He still didn't get the umbrella back. However, he didn't care. She looked so adorable when it closed on her. But it warmed his heart that she trusted him. That she listened to him. That she liked him for him. She wasn't like the other girls that only liked him for his famous father or for his looks. She treated him like a normal person.

"Hi Marinette." Adrien said with a smile. "What are you up to for today?"

It was a Saturday after all.

"Alya and I are going to head to the park. Did you guys want to come?" she asked, her eyes lingering a bit on Kurama.

Marinette didn't realize it until those emerald eyes stared back into her own blue. She blushed and turned her focus back to the blonde.

"Yeah! That sounds like a great idea!" Kuwabara said, tossing his history book to the side and standing up.

"Kuwabara," Kurama began, sounding like a strict mother, "you should study for that history test that is on Monday."

"But mom..." Kuwabara whined.

However he yelped when Kurama's own history book was sent towards his head.

"I was just kiddin'!" he said with a cheeky grin. However the redhead didn't seem to find it even a little bit funny. Marinette giggled behind her hand.

"Well, we are only going to the park. Maybe you can study there?" Marinette suggested.

"That's a great idea, as always." Kurama said with a warm smile.

Kuwabara shivered. He found it creepy how easily the redhead could switch from pissed to pleasant at the drop of a hat.

"That sounds good." Adrien said with a smile.

Kuwabara turned to the blonde and couldn't help the smile that crossed his own face. However, his gut started to get a bad feeling. The last time he had gotten this feeling was when he predicted that earthquake the year before.

"You know what, I think we should all stay home and study." Kuwabara said, sitting back down and burying his nose in the book.

Everyone looked at him. Kurama had a curious look, Marinette a surprised, and Adrien just blinked at the carrot top.

"But you were just excited to go." the blonde said.

He couldn't understand the carrot top sometimes.

"Yeah, well I changed my mind. I really need help on this stuff and I don't need ta be distracted." he said, as he stared harder at his book.

Kurama narrowed his eyes. He could tell Kuwabara knew something. However, he didn't want to say anything. It was smart. He couldn't just share his powers willy nilly. It wasn't like it was back home.

"Can't a guy change his mind?" grumbled Kuwabara as he buried his face more in the book.

Something bad was going to happen. He wasn't sure what, but he hoped it didn't have to do with an akuma. Since Adrien and Marinette were Chat Noir and Ladybug, they would have to go after it. If that happened, well Kuwabara would go after it too. However, one of them would get hurt...he was sure of it. His sixth sense was screaming it.

"Well, did you want to go?" Marinette asked Kurama.

The redhead looked at Kuwabara, whose shoulders tensed up. It seemed like the carrot top was debating something.

"I wouldn't mind..." Kurama started.

"You know what, let's go." Kuwabara said with a growl.

Kuwabara knew it was going to be bad. But it looked like the group was going to leave him behind and just go anyway. He couldn't do that. At least he knew something bad was going to happen. Maybe just that would help prevent someone from getting hurt. He stood up, picking up all of his study stuff and leaving the room. Everyone looked at him, not sure what to think.

The three ended up following the carrot top to the park, which was only across the street from the bakery/house.

Kuwabara had sat down close to where the statue of Ladybug and Chat Noir was located. He let out a sigh. The feeling was starting to get worse. He felt like he needed to be on alert.

"Kuwabara?"

Kuwabara jumped and found everyone was looking at him. Alya and Nino had joined the group by this point. They had run into them on the way to the park. Alya was heading to meet Marinette there anyway. Nino ended up tagging along, at the last minute.

Kuwabara sweat dropped before scratching the back of his head.

"Yeah. I guess the test is gettin' me nervous is all." his laugh was too loud and sounded fake.

None of them believed him.

"Well, I guess we should get started." Kurama said before sitting down.

The redhead could see it in the carrot top's eyes. He didn't want to talk about it. He wasn't sure why or what it was, however, he wasn't going to push him. Well, not in front of everyone else. He would get him when the two were alone later.

Adrien was about to say something.

"ADRIEN AGRESTE!"

Next Chapter Preview:

"I was wondering if you still need me to help you study for Monday's history test?"

Kuwabara blinked at his phone before he groaned.

"Craaap I forgot!"

The carrot top heard a laugh from the other end.

"So I'll take that as a yes?" Adrien said with a grin.

"Yeah. Especially since Ku...Shuichi is helping Marinette." Kuwabara said, fixing the name at the last second.

Adrien wondered why Kuwabara didn't call Shuichi, Kurama. He had heard the carrot top use it before. He assumed it was just a nickname. However, he easily called Adrien, Rien. So what was the difference?

"Well, did you want to study here?" Adrien said a bit cautiously.

Adrien didn't want to be around the redhead. Between the looks and the obvious dislike the redhead had towards the blonde, well, he wouldn't have been able to help Kuwabara.

Kuwabara blinked. He hadn't gone to the blonde's house yet. And it would be nice to leave Kurama alone with Marinette. Even if the carrot top thought it was a bad idea for his friend to fall for the bluenette. However, he could see the string of love already connecting his best friend to the bluenette. He could also see the string that connected to Adrien to Marinette change. It had changed to what he now had with Yukina...

See you all in the next one!