The Supreme watched Claw Noir wander aimlessly down the sidewalk. "Why is the destructive cat sad, Master?" Dussu asked. "Because," he said, turning to the Kwami, "he misses his mother."

The Supreme stopped and turned to his Kwami, grinning an evil smile. "And your going to help him see him again." Dussu fluttered her feathers nervously. "But Master, you know that only the holder of their chosen Miraculous can unlock the pasts holders, and Claw wears the Miraculous of the Black Cat, not the Peacock." "Then we shall give him that opportunity, won't we?"

Wang Fu moved quickly, and from nowhere, Claw felt two tiny trickets falling into his hands, followed by a riddle.

I stare upon you and cannot see you,

But thousands of you gaze upon my likeness every day.

Find me, and unlock the memories of the past.

Mother

Claw's head snapped up, and raced away, a hopeful glint in his eye. The Supreme chuckled. It wouldn't be fun to be the red spotted bug or Claw if they were already in a weakened status. Let their confidence surge back, then strike when they least expected it.

Claw ran to the Louvre, panting, grateful the lines weren't long at this time of day, and his status helped too.

Claw knew exactly what painting his "mother" was talking about, and wander through the halls, trying not to look to eager. On the sheet of paper they was a list of instructions, plus he now had two more pieces of jewelry, a brooch and….he wasn't quite sure what the second was, but it looked to be some kind of necklace.

Claw stopped in front of a painting of a woman with blonde flowing hair, sitting on a fountain's edge, feeding peacock's. Claw took a deep breath as he glanced at the object setting in the palm of his hand. In mere seconds, he would see his mother again, all thanks to this tiny object.

Pinning the brooch to leather and holding the necklace close he whispered, "Dussu, spread my feathers."

Claw shielded his eyes at the bright blue flash, and a cute little Peacock soared out of the ring. "Hi, I'm-" suddenly, the creature went mute. Was that supposed to happen? His attentions were turned as his necklace lit up, and suddenly pictures of past Peacock holders appeared. His Kwami may have not been able to talk, but she flew up to one, pointing and diving.

Claw consulted his paper one more time then with a powerful leap, touched his mother's picture. "Reunion!"

Claw fell into a heap as another bright flash filled the air. Then, he heard musical laughter. "Are you hurt, my child?" Claw felt frozen, as he stared up into his mother's eyes. No. This had to be a trick, another one of the Supreme's ploys.

But no, it was his mother's smile, her giggle. This had to be real, it had to be. "Here, let me help you up," Emile told him, the playful laughter still there. But when Claw tried to grasp her hand, it just went through. "I forgetting," Emile said. "I'm only a memory now." Claw sighed, and smiled back. "Plagg, Daggers In. Well, do you remember me?"

Emile gasped as she gazed upon her son. "Adrien, I would never forget you, never. Even when I sick, you were at the forefront of my thoughts." "I miss you so much, and Father's heart is heavy. He won't even tell me what happened to you, and he….shut me out. Making dresses and costumes have become his family now."

"Adrien, if I could wipe every tear from your eye, I would," his mother's voice was gentle. "And heal your father's heart. If there's any healing to be done, it has to be him and you."

"What happened anyway?" Adrien asked, wanting to move on from his father. "My Miraculous poisoned me and I fell ill. But it allowed me to have you, my most precious gift."

"So, it's all my fault?" Adrien fought hard to keep his voice not a shout, but he balled his hands into fists. "Am I the cause of your death?" "No, Wang Fu is the cause of my death, after he poisoned my Miraculous." Adrien swiped at his eyes. "Wang Fu?"

"You know him better as the Supreme. He is not be trusted, Adrien. I assume Ladybug is in hiding right now, and that is wise. But you should be getting back to your partner."

"But I…." Claw's eyes prickled with tears. Ouch. Why was this feeling like slicing a dozen onions? "I don't want you to leave again."

"Maybe a lullaby will help. Remember the song I sang to you, when you were young?" Adrien nodded, and Emile begin to sing.

"Little Kitty On a roof, all alone without his lady.

He waits dusk till dawn, but when she doesn't show he feels all alone.

Fear not, Little Kitty, will you flick your gold bell?

See, that made you smile.

Your bell represents a loving home and wanting to be loved.

Now, my child, I must go…."

Indeed, Emile Agreste was fading away, and Adrien knew it was time. "End of Reunion." He shed a few more tears, but now his heart was lighter. He knew his mother was right. He needed to stop running from his problems, even more so that he had Marinette by his side.

Marinette was setting the table when Claw got home, and she rushed up to him. "Love, are you okay? I was worried sick!" she kept her voice calm and gentle and she placed a hand on his cheek, and he snuggled into it.

No one was cooler then this black cat, but his Princess a close second. He handed her a flower, her favorite, a bluebell. "I don't think I'm ready yet, but soon." "Okay," she sighed, planting a soft kiss on his lips.

"Marinette?" Claw gulped, taking her hands and grasping them tightly. "Yes?" "I think I'm…" you can do this, he told himself. "I think I'm ready to meet with Father. Maybe for breakfast?" "You sure?" Claw smiled a ghost of a smile. "I have to start somewhere, don't I?"

Marinette found her way into his arms again, he felt home.

Later, alone with Plagg, the echoes of his mother's lullaby rang in his ears. But a lullaby could also be viewed as a lull before the storm, and the Supreme would soon make another move.