Ch20

Cat Noir swore as he and Hive ran through the night. "Is he still tailing us?" The cold night of Paris blew past them as they ran from their pursuer. Su Han was in the distance, the monk had attacked them out of nowhere and now they were forced into a retreat.

His cousin frowned and nodded. "He is."

In the distance, they could see Su Han trailing after them his brow furrowed. Damn it if only Viperion were here to help. Sadly their snake compatriot was nowhere to be seen and this monk was hot on their tail.

"Should we try fighting him?" Hive asked.

"It won't end well," he sighed. Looking over his shoulder he saw Su Han gaining up on them. "But looks like we won't have much choice." Hive nodded as they both landed on a rooftop and drew their weapons.

Su Han landed not far from them. "I will not repeat this again. Surrender the bee miraculous and submit to Ladybug. Failure to do so will result in me terminating your lives."

Hive's posture was rigid his muscles ready to swoop into action. "Never!"

He was shocked by the amount of venom in his cousin's voice but he didn't have time to question. Felix has changed since he started using the miraculous, even if he doesn't admit it I know he won't let it go easily.

"We are working fine with Ladybug," he said twirling his baton in his hand. "As for Hive here, don't worry the miraculous is in safe hands."

"Surrender it now," Su Han said as he prepared to lunge at them.

"Don't worry we'll take him down one way or another," Felix said softly his voice had a hint of coldness to it that made the hairs on his neck stand up.

"Yeah but I would rather not have a fight," he said.

"You both aren't worthy of those miraculouses," Su Han snarled.

His posture turned rigid as he met the monk's gaze. "Oh really?"

"You are nothing but a boy who doesn't know what he is playing with." Su Han glared at him. "A mere child who only wishes to play around."

He gripped his baton tightly. "Go screw yourself!"

The monk charged at him. He barely had time to react as Su Han's fist collided with his baton. This guy is really persistent. Swinging his baton he tried to land a hit only to have the air knocked out of him.

He managed to make a landing and gasped for air. This guy is strong, how can we defeat him here?

"You bastard!" Hive yelled as Su Han went after his cousin.

He knew Felix was trained in a variety of fighting styles and was more than adept at fighting stronger opponents. Yet here is cousin was on the defensive.

Just where did this guy train? He went in and assisted his cousin. Su Han dodged his baton but was hit in the guy by Hive. The monk winced but ignored the pain as he continued to block their attacks.

I won't let you take our miraculouses. He fought like a cornered cat, his body reacting to Su Han's attacks blocking and striking he tried to find an opening but the monk was stronger than any opponent he had fought before.

Hive blocked the monk's attacks and was more successful than him in trying to fight the monk but even he was slowly getting backed into a corner.

"Enough!" Su Han yelled as he kicked them both.

His eyes widened as he was thrown across the room his cousin not far behind him. "Damn this son of a bitch," Hive swore as they both got up.

"Surrender now or I will use lethal force," Su Han said.

This is bad. We can't keep up with him forever. The swinging of a yoyo caught his attention as a familiar figure landed between them and Su Han. "Ladybug!"

Ladybug stood between, she looked at him and nodded politely before turning to Su Han. "I told you to stop doing this!"

Su Han shook his head. "Unless they submit to you they are a danger. I'm putting an end to this foolishness now!"

Ladybug glared at the monk. "Can't you just let me handle it? I'm not the guardian. Master Fu entrusted the miraculous box to me!"

Well at least she is on our side. He had never seen Ladybug so frustrated before, yet in her eyes he could see her usual strong determination. For a moment he felt like he was in the old days, glad to see her smile and her fighting by his side. A pang hit his heart, deep down he still missed her. I hope we can rebuild something even if it isn't a relationship.

He turned to Hive. "Don't worry she'll get us out of this."

Hive raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

He smiled at his cousin. "Trust me she will." Hive gave him a curious look but nodded.

Su Han glared at them. "How can you be the guardian when the owner of the cat miraculous doesn't listen and hides the bee miraculous?"

"I'm dealing with it," Ladybug said through gritted teeth. "Can't you just give me some time."

The monk frowned. "My patience isn't limitless. As a guardian you must be firm." Su Han then turned around and leaped into the night.

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks."

Ladybug turned to him and nodded. "No problem." She scratched her head awkwardly. "Do you mind if we talk?"

"Sure," he said before turning to Hive. "Give us a minute."

Hive looked at him and nodded. "Good luck."

His cousin leaped to a nearby rooftop but still at a close distance to come and help if necessary. You've always been cautious Felix.

He turned to Ladybug and scratched his head awkwardly. "It's been a while."

"Cat Noir don't give me that," Ladybug sighed. "Listen Su Han is not someone you want to mess with, he tried taking the miraculous box from me and threatened to take mine if I don't shape up."

"He what?" he stared at her in shock and clenched his fists. He already didn't like this guy but now he wanted to beat his ass more than Hawkmoth. "You're a great Ladybug."

Ladybug gave him a small smile. "Thanks. It means a lot. It hasn't been easy being the guardian and Su Han is just one of many problems I have to deal with."

"We all have our own problems," he sighed.

"I um know Viperion has been meeting with you guys," Ladybug said. "Despite our differences, I would like us to be partners again."

His eyes widened. "R-Really?"

Ladybug nodded meeting his gaze. "For the sake of Paris I think we should set aside the past. What do you say?"

She extended a hand. Swallowing the lump in his throat he nodded. "Sounds good."

He shook her hand. "By the way I think I should introduce you to my friend."

Turning around he motioned for Hive to come over. His cousin quickly landed next to him and folded his arms as he looked Ladybug over. "Hive Ladybug wants to work with us, I agreed. Is that ok with you?"

He would still work with her either way but he wanted his cousin to know that he didn't have to work with her if he didn't want to him.

Ladybug and Hive looked each other over their eyes weren't that friendly. "A pleasure to meet you," Hive said politely.

"Likewise," Ladybug said calmly.

They both looked at each other as if they both didn't want to be there with the other.

"Hive is very close to me," he said. "I trust him with his miraculous."

Ladybug sighed. "Well I'm not supposed to let him keep it but if you promise he won't lose it or use it for any trouble then I'm good."

Hive shrugged. "I promise."

"I'll keep him out of trouble," He said with a grin.

"Well I hope we can all work together," Ladybug said. "Between Su Han and Hawkmoth I don't know who gives me a bigger headache."

He laughed. "Don't worry me and Hive got your back. Right Hive?"

"Yeah don't worry about us," Hive said his gaze cool.

"Glad to hear it," Ladybug said. "Well see you both around." Twirling her yoyo she flew out into the night sky.

"Are you ok with this?" Hive asked.

He looked at the ground and nodded. "Paris needs us to work together. Besides she'll keep Su Han off our backs."

Hive nodded. "Fine. I'll work with her two just so long as she doesn't treat us poorly."

"She won't," he said. "Not that she hasn't made mistakes in our relationship but I know she'll do the right thing in the end." Looking up at the moon he thought of all the good times they had together. "I'll set our boundaries though. The real problem is Su Han."

"We'll need all the help we can get to take him down," Hive said. "I haven't had an opponent who made such a fool of me in a long time." His cousin's gaze narrowed. "I'll take him down I swear it."

He placed an arm on his cousin's shoulder. "Don't let him get to you ok? You aren't alone."

A flicker of relief spread across his cousin's gaze before. "Well come on lets head home, before we time out again."

Ladybug. I hope we can trust each other again. He didn't know if he was ready to open his heart up again, but he at least wanted her in his life in some sort of capacity.

That night he managed to rest well. No nightmares about his mom or any other problem in his life. The next morning as he was getting ready for a luncheon his father was hosting for various influential fashion designers Felix came into his room.

"You know that book?" Felix asked as he set his laptop down on the table. "It wasn't easy but I'm beginning to translate some of it."

He sat down next to his cousin and looked at the various images on the screen. "Really? What does it say?" There were pictures of kwami and various symbols he didn't understand.

"They talk about moves and the history of the miraculous," Felix said folding his arms. "I'm still decoding it myself. Apparently, this Su Han guy is a part of an order that defends the miraculous."

Felix showed him a page of a group of men dressed similarly to Su Han in front of a temple. "They strategize in fighting miraculous holders," Felix said. "The book talks about their moves and how they fight but doesn't go into too much detail. I plan on studying it, it would be good for when we go up against him again."

He nodded. "Ladybug said she'll try to get him off of our backs but he seems like he really wants our miraculouses."

"Yeah I don't see him listening to her," Felix said. "We'll have to prepare for a worst-case scenario." His cousin folded his laptop and looked him in the eyes. "Adrien the miraculous have changed us both. I know being Cat Noir means the world to you, I'll help you defend it."

He stared at his cousin not knowing what to say. "Th-Thanks. But you don't have to get too involved if you don't want to."

Felix shook his head. "We are family we should look after each other. This Su Han can and will hurt you if he wants. To be honest I doubt if I could take him one on one."

"Well if it comes to that I have your back," He said.

His cousin nodded. "Thanks. I've been analyzing his moves and fighting style, when the time comes I'll set a trap and we'll take him out." Felix formed a fist and slammed it into his palm. "This man will only be more of a nuisance if things continue."

"I know," he sighed. The mere thought of the monk sent a shiver down his spine, the fact that even Felix had trouble with him also worried him.

His phone buzzed. Picking it up he realized it was from Kagami. "Guess who is returning to Paris this evening," he said showing his cousin the message.

Felix looked at it and nodded. "Good. We could use the backup. Let me know if she tries to make you uncomfortable."

He laughed awkwardly. "Th-Thanks." He knew that Kagami had feelings for him and always tried to get into his personal space, frankly he liked but thought she was a bit too headstrong at times.

As the guests arrived Felix kept an eye on his uncle. Just what are you up to? As the guests were arriving he sat next to his cousin and Kagami as they managed to catch up.

"So you've been having more trouble I see," Kagami said. They were in a secluded part of the house talking about their times as miraculous wielders and their confrontations with Su Han.

"Yeah this monk really is a piece of work," Adrien said. "But we'll try to find a way to stop him."

Kagami leaned over and grabbed Adrien's hand, he saw his cousin wince his body shake slightly as she leaned closer. "If you ever need anything I'm at your service," She said softly.

Adrien gulped and nodded. "Th-Thanks."

"We may put a plan to take him down," He said as he passed Adrien a bottle of soda for him to get away from Kagami. "You're free to join us if you wish."

Kagami hid her disappointment. "Fine. What do you need?"

"I'll send you the files of a book we acquired," he said as he sent her the translated pages. "It gives details on this man's order and fighting style. It's a mixture of Tibetan and Chinese martial arts, very deadly."

Kagami nodded. "I see. I'll be sure to look over them."

"Well come on let's go before our parents get suspicious," Adrien said.

As they headed towards the main room he noticed Kagami trying to grab his cousin's hand only for him to awkwardly hold it.

I'll have to keep an eye out for him. The main hall was full of people talking, in the distance he could see his uncle and Nathalie. He frowned as he watched them converse about something in detail before going off into a hall. Just what are you hiding?

After forcing himself to socialize a bit he discreetly headed towards where his uncle went. Carefully walking along the hall towards a closed room. "We almost have them we just need to work harder," Gabriel Agreste said. "But they keep getting away from us."

"Well find a don't way," Nathalie said. "Sooner or later they will slip up."

Just what are you talking about? He frowned as he leaned closer to the door. "I will do all I can talk them, for her I will do anything," His uncle said softly his voice surprisingly full of emotion.

A hand on his shoulder nearly made him jump. "Hey what is it?" Adrien asked.

"Oh nothing I was just walking around," he said grabbing his cousin's hand and pulling him back to the crowd. "Come on lets enjoy ourselves."

He did his best to have a good time with both Adrien and Kagami yet he couldn't let his guard down. His very survival instincts were telling him something was not here. "Are you ok?" Kagami asked as Adrien went to get something to drink.

Folding his arms he frowned at Gabriel Agreste. "My uncle. Something isn't right about him, I can feel it."

"It wouldn't surprise me," Kagami said. "My mother and him speak often and for an extended period of time." She looked at him curiously. "What do you think they would discuss?"

Gabriel Agreste scanned the room and their gazes met, there was no friendliness in his eyes. "I'll have to investigate myself. If it involves Adrien." He paused not knowing what to say.

Kagami grabbed his arm her gaze as fiery as the sun. "Don't worry I'll protect him too," she said firmly.

"Good to know," he muttered. As he scanned the room he couldn't help feeling as if he were a sheep in a wolf's den.