Disclaimer: See Chapter

Warnings: See Chapter

Word Count: 4,552

A/N: Nothing to say, so enjoy! *smiles*

Reviews: No Reviews

Chapter 9

The group froze. Kuwabara's body stiffened. His eyes widened. That answered the question of 'who' might get hurt. The group looked over to where the voice had come from.

A woman stood there. She wore a long purple dress with a purple design of a spiral starting from the bottom of the dress and running up to the low neckline. It was sleeveless and was very flattering on the slim body of the woman. Her brown hair was short and framed her thin peachy face perfectly. Her hazel eyes were more brilliant from behind the black mask on her face. It was an akumatized victim.

Adrien furrowed his eyebrows. The woman looked familiar like someone...

Green eyes widened in recognition.

"Ms. Florio?"

"Who?" Marinette asked looking at the blonde with wide eyes.

She figured the woman knew Adrien, just by saying his name. However, he was a famous model. His pictures were posted all over Paris for the Gabriel brand. It was father's clothing brand.

"She works for my father." the blonde said.

"I'm not Ms. Florio! My name is Mistress Seam! And your father has criticized me for the last time!" she growled as she glared at the blonde.

Before Adrien could say anything, Kuwabara stood in front of him.

"Listen Miss. Whatever his dad did doesn't mean ya havta take it out on Adrien."

Adrien stared at the carrot top with wide eyes. His heart fluttered in his chest. Joy started to fill his body. The only person to defend him like that was his Lady. Whenever the reporters would call him a sidekick, as Chat Noir; Ladybug would get upset and say he was her 'partner'. They were a 'team'. He was important to her. His heart fluttered at her words too.

Marinette stared at the carrot top with wide eyes before turning serious. She grabbed Adrien's hand. The blonde's eyes snapped to the bluenette's hand in his. Before he could say anything, she began to run, holding his hand. She had to hold back the blush that wanted to come to her cheeks. However, she needed to get him out of there and far enough away where she could change into Ladybug without worrying about him being safe.

Kurama felt a growl wanting to escape his thin lips. How he wanted to pull her hand out of the blonde's and hold her in his arms. He had to keep calm, but it was starting to become worse as he learned more about Marinette.

Kuwabara let out a relieved breath. He was happy the blonde was getting to safety. He knew Marinette would protect the blonde. She was Ladybug after all...although the carrot top wasn't suppose to know that. He turned his focus to the akuma in front of him. He could hear Alya filming with Nino trying to pull her away from the action. The DJ wasn't having any luck with that by the sound of it.

"Get back here!" Mistress Seam screamed.

She pulled a thread from the black belt that went around her waist. With a needle in her hand, she sewed a rope in record speed. She began to swing it, ready to throw it in the direction of the bluenette and blonde were running.

Kuwabara instantly called forth his Spirit Sword and was able to cut it in mid throw. The woman growled in frustration. A purple butterfly outline surrounded the woman's face. Kuwabara cringed. It was so full of evil that it made his stomach churn.

"Look out!" Alya shouted, pointing with one hand while the other still held her phone.

Kuwabara looked with wide eyes. The woman had sown up a sword and had gone after him. He yelped before blocking the threaded sword. It had held against his own. He was in so much shock he stumbled backwards. The woman grinned before bringing her sword back to swing again.

However, something wrapped around it and pulled it from her hands. She growled and turned around.

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

Marinette didn't know how long they were running. However, it was long enough where she felt it was safe for Adrien. It was also far enough away from any prying eyes.

Adrien had been in shock but snapped out of it and had ran with her. It was a good idea. It gave him his own excuse to find a place to change into Chat Noir. He needed to go back. Hopefully his Lady was already there. Hopefully she was alright to fight a little longer until he was able to get there. He hoped against all hope the carrot top wasn't hurt. The thought of either his Lady or the carrot top hurt made his heart pang.

"I think we are safe." Marinette said as she stopped, a bit out of breath.

Adrien nodded as he too needed to catch his breath.

"You should go home." Marinette said.

Her eyes looked serious. Adrien could have sworn they looked like his Lady's eyes. However, he shook his head.

"What about you?" he asked.

He hoped she would get somewhere safe. He was already worried about his Lady and Kuwabara. He didn't need to worry about his Princess.

Marinette blushed slightly.

"I'll be fine. I'll head to Alya's house. Maybe Nino was able to drag her back there." Marinette said, hoping that sounded believable.

Both of them knew that not even the brunette's boyfriend could pull her away from an akuma attack. However, Adrien didn't have time to worry. He needed to head back and help his Lady. To make sure Kuwabara was safe as well as his Lady.

"Alright. Be safe." he said before heading off.

Marinette smiled with a light blush. She watched him vanish.

"Marinette!" Tikki said coming out of her purpose.

"Right. Tikki transform me!" Marinette said before turning into Ladybug.

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

Chat had rushed as fast as he could. He arrived at the same time as his Lady.

"Purrfect time as always my Lady." he purred with a grin on his face.

Ladybug rolled her eyes.

"Let me go!"

Both of their eyes snapped to the voice. Their eyes widened at the sight.

Kurama had a rose whip in his hands. It was like a long vine with thorns all over it. It was wrapped around the woman's arm. She was struggling to get free, however, the thorns seemed to hurt as she hissed in pain.

"Kurama!" Kuwabara growled. "Ya gotta let her go."

Kurama didn't say anything.

After he had disarmed the woman from her sword, she instantly made a ball. It looked normal until the two boys heard the ticking. She threw it. However, it wasn't at either of the boys. In fact, Alya and Nino had caught the woman's attention and were almost hit.

Almost, as Kuwabara jumped in front of the bomb and took it to the chest. Well rather his arms, as he had them up to take the brunt of the hit. Kurama snapped at hearing Kuwabara's yelp. That was when he snapped his Rose Whip at the laughing woman's arm.

Kuwabara had taken worse. Hell, the burn had hurt more than that bomb. It didn't even do much damage. The carrot top figured it was because it was made out of string. If it had been any other material, he was certain the damage to his body would have been worse. But this wouldn't even leave a scar.

"I'm fine! Look!" Kuwabara growled, putting his arms in front of the red head.

Kurama looked and saw it only looked like rope burn. Kurama's eyes seemed to calm down before he pulled back his Rose Whip. Luckily it didn't do any damage to the woman. Other than hurt her pride.

Ladybug's eyes were wide and full of fear. She didn't know what happened while she had taken Adrien away, but it had to be something really bad. That look that was on the redhead's face was just so...terrifying. Not to mention that weapon he had in his hands.

Chat's own eyes were wide. Those emerald green eyes looked almost...evil. He could have sworn he saw them change to yellow at one point. However, he shook his head.

"My Lady!" he shouted.

She snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Chat. His eyes said it all. She nodded before throwing up her yo-yo.

"Lucky Charm!"

A flash of pink was seen before an object fell into her hands.

"What do I do with this?" she asked.

It was a red with black polka dotted rope.

"You better figure it out quickly my Lady." Chat said, taking out his baton.

The woman had that purple glow again and was looking in their direction.

Ladybug looked around. Tree branch, the woman's belt, a loose metal clasp on the bench, and then the object in her hands.

"Chat, can you get me that metal clasp?" she asked, pointing to the bench they had been using earlier.

Chat looked at it for a moment before nodding. He called forth his Cataclysm and rushed over to it. Mistress Seam sewn up a whip and began to snap it at Chat. However, Kuwabara brought out his Spirit Sword again and had it wrap around it. Chat froze for a moment. However the look in Kuwabara's eyes told him to not worry. To just get that clamp for his Lady.

Chat nodded before touching the bench. It disintegrated just leaving the metal clamp. Chat grabbed it before throwing it to Ladybug. She caught it. She quickly tied the one end of the rope to the metal clamp and then tossed the other end around the tree branch.

"Chat!" she shouted before throwing the clamp now attached to the rope back to him.

He caught it. He could see what was going on.

"Kuwabara move!" he shouted.

The carrot top had been keeping the woman busy as she went made weapon after weapon. She tried to hit Chat and Ladybug, however the carrot top had blocked each attack. He looked behind him and saw Chat charging towards his direction. He yelped as he just jumped out of the way. Chat quickly snapped the clamp around Mistress Seam's belt.

"My Lady!" he shouted.

Ladybug threw her yo-yo to the statue and pulled herself towards it. The rope around the tree branch pulled the woman off her feet, making her drop her needle. Chat caught it before it could touch the ground.

As the woman was pulled off the ground, Ladybug swung back to the tree and spun herself, with the rope around the tree branch, securing it; before jumping down. She looked up to see the woman struggling as she dangled there.

Chat ran up to her and handed the needle to her.

"I thought it was bad to pull a seam out." Chat said as he wiggled his eyebrows.

Ladybug groaned.

Kuwabara laughed at it, making Chat grin. His ears twitched in pleasure at the laugh.

Ladybug broke the needle, which released the akuma.

"That's enough evil for today little akuma." she said before capturing it.

"Gotcha!"

She released the now white butterfly; waving.

"Bye, bye little butterfly."

She gently put the woman on the ground before untying her and throwing the rope into the air.

"Miraculous Ladybug!"

A pink light went through the sky. It fixed the bench, making it better than new, other little damage was fixed before surrounding the woman and changing her back to normal.

"Whu?" she said looking around, confused.

Chat and Ladybug grinned before fist bumping.

"Pound it!" they both said.

Chat turned to Kuwabara who put his sword away and was talking to Alya.

"Are you guys okay?" he asked.

Alya was still in shock. She had caught everything on her phone, luckily. Nino nodded but was able to speak for the both of them.

"Dude that was amazing! Thanks!" he said fist bumping Kuwabara.

Kuwabara grinned.

"What are friend fer." he said.

Alya snapped out of her shock before turning to Kurama. He was mentally kicking himself. He didn't understand why he had lost his cool. It wasn't like him. However, he figured it was how overprotective he was of Kuwabara. The redhead figured, if Kuwabara hadn't had his heart broken a couple months ago. Or even if he wasn't worried about it almost getting hurt again, maybe he wouldn't have snapped like he had.

Ladybug and Chat both noticed the interaction and wondered what happened. However, both of their Miraculous beeped.

"Well, I'd like to hang out..." Chat said, earning another groan from his Lady, making him grin, "but I must be off! Chow my Lady!" he said before turning to Kuwabara.

"Thanks for the help!" he gave the carrot top a two finger salute before heading off.

Kuwabara grinned. He was happy to help. It was like the good old days. He had said he didn't 'miss it'. That he shouldn't have even been involved. Although, that was true. He wasn't suppose to know about Yusuke working for the Underworld. However, when Botan shared the Four Saint Beast mission...in front of the carrot top no less, well he felt he needed to help. The fact Yusuke wasn't going to go without Botan bribing him...with tickets to the next martial arts competition which was hard to get. Well, Kuwabara didn't think the world needed a guy like him to try and save them.

No. Kuwabara went by his own free will and for the sake to make sure the raven haired teen didn't screw up. That was when he fell through that rabbit hole of working, unofficially, as an Underworld detective himself.

"You were a great help. Thank you." Ladybug said with a warm smile before another beep caught her attention.

"See you later!" she said before swinging off herself.

"Well, we should probably go find Marinette and Adrien." Nino said with a smile.

This seemed to snap Alya out of her stupor. She quickly posted the video to her Ladyblog.

"Maybe they don't want to be found." she said with a wide grin.

Kurama flinched at the words. Alya noticed and inwardly smirked. She really did want the redhead to sweep her best friend off her feet. Adrien was a great guy. However, she knew he only thought of her as a friend. Nino had sneakily asked the blonde of his thoughts of the bluenette. He told her what his answer was to his sly question. It didn't look good for her best friend.

Kuwabara's heart panged yet it wasn't so bad. He wasn't sure why. Although, the red string on his finger seemed to make him feel a bit more relaxed. But it also made him get scared. Yukina's string looked as red and strong as this. Now her string was weak and changed to a 'sisterly' look. It was the same as his own sister. It looked similar to the strings attached to all he cared for. Each person had a different color of red and strength. The strongest was with Yusuke.

Kuwabara grimaced at the thought of his friend. He had ignored the raven haired teen's calls since that night a month ago. He had gotten over it. However, it was now the principle of the thing. Yusuke needed to learn to not push the carrot top's buttons. Especially when it came to that case. He wasn't ready to talk about it. Actually, he didn't want to tell anyone about it. He didn't want to share the horrors he saw. He didn't want to give anyone else nightmares. He did it for their protection.

The carrot top didn't know when he would answer Yusuke's calls but he figured he would let the guy squirm a little bit longer.

"Well, maybe they are back at Marinette's house?" Nino suggested.

"Well, let's go then." Alya said.

The brunette had a glint in her eyes that made all three boys worry.

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

When they got back to Marinette's house, the bluenette was waiting outside. Adrien wasn't there.

"Where's Adrien?" Alya asked with a worried look.

"Oh he went home." Marinette said with a shy smile.

Nino and Alya looked relieved to hear that. They had gotten scared when the blonde wasn't with Marinette. Kurama looked a bit suspicious. However, he didn't say anything. Kuwabara knew better but also didn't say anything.

"Well, we should be heading out. You guys should go back to studying." Alya said with a twinkle in her eyes.

She really wanted to stay and ask Kurama what that weapon...Rose Whip? Yeah Rose Whip. What and where it came from. However, after seeing Kuwabara's Spirit Sword...well it really didn't surprise her. They were both friends, after all, and came from Japan. She was starting to feel like Japan had more people like them. She wanted to go home and look it up. And if it was what she suspected, then she was going to make a new blog. A Kuwablog? Well, the name was a work in progress.

"What are you guys doing tomorrow?" Marinette asked.

"Well, we're going out to the movies. Did you guys want to go?" Alya asked.

Marinette could tell in her friend's eyes she really didn't want them to join. So she shook her head.

"I think I should study for that history test too." she said giving her best friend a smile.

"Maybe I can help you."

Marinette blinked before looking at the redhead. He gave her such a warm smile that it made her blush.

"You don't have..." she started.

"But I want to." he said, his smile seeming to make her heart beat stop.

Alya just laughed at her best friend before grabbing Nino's arm.

"See ya later girl." she said with a wink before leaving.

Marinette's blush got darker, making Kurama chuckle. She pouted.

However, before anything could be said, Kuwabara's phone went off. The carrot top looked at it and smiled. Kurama raised an eyebrow at this.

"I'll be back." Kuwabara said before going into the house.

"Yo Rein. You alright?" he asked.

Kuwabara knew the blonde was Chat, but Adrien didn't know that so, he had to pretend he still didn't know.

"Yes. But how about you? Are you alright?" Adrien asked, however he mentally kicked himself.

He wasn't suppose to know he might have gotten hurt.

Kuwabara snickered. Apparently the carrot top was a better actor than the model.

"Yeah, nothing I couldn't handle." he said with a grin.

Adrien let out a relieved breath.

"So what's up?" Kuwabara asked.

"Well..." Adrien started but stopped.

When he got home is when he realized that he hadn't helped the carrot top with studying for the history test.

"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 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 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...

"Kuwa?" Adrien asked.

It was too long of a pause.

"Yeah! It would be great to get outta here for a while." Kuwabara said with a laugh.

Adrien didn't know if he believed that or not however, he was happy to hear it all the same.

"Alright. I already got permission from Nathalie." Adrien said with a smile.

Before the blonde had even called Kuwabara, he had asked his guardian if it was fine. To his surprise, she said his father did not mind. He didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. The fact Nino was still banned from the house, well he expected his father to say no. However, he was happy he asked, even if he was confused it was approved so easily.

"That sounds great!" Kuwabara asked.

He was starting to feel excited.

"Great! Should I come around nine in the morning?" Adrien asked.

"Yeah, sounds great!" Kuwabara said as he sat down on his bed, having heading up to his room while on the phone with the blonde.

Eikichi came over and sat in his lap.

"Can Eikichi come over?" Kuwabara asked.

The carrot top felt bad. He hadn't really spent any time with his cat, other than at night.

Adrien hesitated. He wasn't sure if his father would approve.

"Maybe not. But I'll try for the next time." Adrien said.

However, his eyes widened. Next time? Was it going to be something that happens more?

"That sounds fair." Kuwabara said with a nod.

"So nine?"

Adrien snapped out of his thoughts.

"Yeah."

"Alright, see ya then!" Kuwabara said.

"Yeah. See you later." Adrien said before hanging up.

Plagg came out of his jacket with a grin.

"Oh shush." Adrien said before sitting at his desk.

"What? All I want is cheese." Plagg said, trying to look as if he didn't care.

Adrien rolled his eyes but smiled as he handed this kwami a piece of cheese. Plagg flew over to his spot that was in Adrien's room.

A flash on his computer alerted him that there was an update to the Ladyblog. He clicked on it.

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

After dinner is when Kurama was able to ask Kuwabara who he had talked to earlier.

"Just Rien." Kuwabara said with a shrug before going back to playing with his cat.

He wanted to get as much time in with his baby before having to leave him by himself tomorrow.

Kurama seemed to freeze at that. His eyes narrowed.

"What did he want?"

Kuwabara flinched at the voice. He couldn't understand why his friend didn't like the blonde.

"He asked me if I still needed help studying. Which I do, so we are gonna study together tomorrow. What's yer problem with him anyway?" Kuwabara said looking at the redhead.

Kurama had been sitting on the couch reading as he spoke to Kuwabara. He was trying to act so natural that it looked fake.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. You've had a stick up yer butt since he came over this morning. What's yer problem?" Kuwabara said, putting his cat to the side.

Eikichi looked sad but went to his master's pillow before laying down. Kuwabara stood up and walked to the couch. He stood in front of the redhead, his arms crossed over his chest.

Kurama looked up at his friend before letting out a sigh.

"How do you feel about Adrien?" Kurama asked, getting straight to the point.

Kuwabara froze. He wasn't expecting that. Was Kurama...jealous? His eyes widened. He looked at his hand. But Kurama's string hadn't changed. It showed a strong brotherly bond. It didn't look like anything else.

"Whu?" he said as he looked back at Kurama.

Those emerald eyes looked concerned.

"Do you like him?" Kurama asked, putting down his book.

Kuwabara's face slightly blushed before he shook his head.

"What does that haveta do with anything?" Kuwabara said.

However, he hadn't answered the question. Kurama's eyes narrowed in suspicion. How the carrot had said that...

"Kuwabara."

"What does it matter! Yer acting like a jealous girlfriend!" Kuwabara growled.

However, he yelped when Kurama's book was thrown at him. Kurama hated being called a girl. He hated that he looked like a girl. He couldn't count how many times people would mistake Kurama as Kuwabara's girlfriend.

"Sorry." Kuwabara said, hands up and a sweat drop.

"But ya kinda are. What's up? Seriously, what does it matter?" Kuwabara said.

Kuwabara knew he basically was admitting it.

"Because I don't want your heart broken again." Kurama sighed.

Kuwabara's eyes widened before he sighed. He should have known.

"Listen, I'm fine." Kuwabara sighed.

He hated having everyone worry about him. Why did they all think he was so fragile? Well, they treated him like he was anyway. He was a man! He could handle rejection...even if it still hurt.

"I don't think you are." Kurama said with serious green eyes.

"In fact, I think Adrien is just a..."

"A rebound? No. I thought it was but it's not." Kuwabara said.

"It could be tho. It hasn't been that long since..." Kurama started.

"I got my reasons. Just trust me." Kuwabara said with his own serious look.

"Besides, you should focus on yer own love problems."

Kurama blinked at the carrot top. He was about to ask what the carrot top meant.

"You are falling for Marinette." Kuwabara said.

Kurama's eyes widened before relaxing.

"She's just a nice girl."

"Bullshit." Kuwabara said. "I can tell. I may be a bit dense sometimes, but I know love when I see it."

"You were wrong with Yukina..." Kurama said before instantly regretting his words.

Kuwabara flinched. That hurt. It hurt more than what Yusuke said a month ago. He gritted his teeth before standing up.

"Ya know what, I need some air." he growled before walking out of the room.

Kurama sat there. He didn't mean to say that. However, Kuwabara had been wrong with the ice maiden. If the carrot top was such an expert with love, as he claimed; how come he got his heart broken? How did he not see it coming? Kurama let out a sigh. He needed to take a shower. He needed to get some rest. He really needed to apologize to Kuwabara. However, he knew the carrot top wouldn't accept it if he tried to apologize now. He headed off to the shower, getting ready to go to bed.

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"So what's new?" Yusuke asked, wanting to go back to 'normal'.

Kuwabara smiled.

"Nothin' much. Just the norm here in Paris I guess." Kuwabara said with a shrug.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, school is annoying. I even got a history test on Monday. A French history test!" Kuwabara grumbled.

"One of your weaknesses." Yusuke chuckled.

"Ya mean yer weakness. I just can't understand it 'cause it's French history."

"I thought you knew French?" Yusuke asked.

"I can speak it, understand it, and kinda write it. But when it's French history? Well, I'm kinda screwed." Kuwabara sighed.

Yusuke chuckled.

"I'm sure Kurama isn't having any problems."

Kuwabara huffed.

"He makes it look easy."

Yusuke chuckled.

"So the fox is helping you?" Yusuke asked, a small smile on his lips.

"Naw, Rien invited me to his house to study." Kuwabara said.

There was a pause on the other end. Kuwabara could sense his best friend get tense. For what reason? The carrot top couldn't understand.

"Rien?"

See you all in the next one!