"Princess? Princess?" Claw whispered as he scanned her balcony. Strange, there didn't seem to be any sign of her and there was no glow illuminating from her bedroom. Claw landed with a soft thump, checking her flowerbeds and pots.
His heartbeat quickened as he saw little green sprouts pushing their way up through the soil. But the dirt was a bit dry, so Claw filled the water can, knowing Marinette must have gotten caught up with something.
The fresh smell of dirt, rejuvenated his spirit. One day, maybe they could have their own little island with a big garden, and a cozy cabin where Marinette could have a spinning wheel and as much fabric as her heart desired. But what Claw wanted most was kids. Did Marinette want kids? He remembered she had briefly mentioned hamsters, but a hamster couldn't fulfill the want for a child. Claw loved their milky, soapy smell, the way his mother used to sing to him before dropping off to sleep.
Claw's lip trembled. Don't cry, not here, not now. Just because Marinette isn't here doesn't mean she's sick or hurt. Breathe, breathe. He looked towards Hyssop's balcony, but like Marinette's room, Grandma's apartment was dark. Claw finished watering, then headed towards home.
The hot, soapy shower felt good, getting clean and his calmed his troubled nerves. I don't just love Marinette, he thought to himself as he slipped on a hooded sweatshirt. I'm in love with her.
Detransforming, Adrien curled into a ball, and tried not to shake until morning. He was out as soon as it was time to leave for school, but still no messages.
Adrien kicked at can as he walked the short distance to school, listening to the metallic thunk, thunk, thunk!
It was hard to hide his sleepless night. "Tsk, tsk, Adrien," Chloe called out when he entered the art room. "Did the baker girl do your makeup?" Adrien didn't give her the time of day, but shot her a glare.
He perked up however when their teacher told them today they would work on their bracelets, and though Adrien wished Marinette were here, it would be lovely to surprise her with it.
He worked away steadily, not looking up until the bell rang, keeping his ear out for a buzz on his phone.
"I don't understand, Plagg," Adrien whispered as they walked after school. "She can't just vanish into thin air, can she?"
He looked up sharply when Grandma Hyssop came towards him. "She hasn't vanished, Adrien. She was just needed urgently." "Oh, yeah?" Adrien didn't like the way his tasted, bitter and acidic, but at the moment, he didn't care. "What would be so urgent she couldn't tell her best friend and partner?" "She had to save the world from a source of destruction caused by the Supreme. But it won't be long before you see her again."
"Those were the exact words my father told me before Mother disappeared. If she was still alive, I would have known by now." Adrien was shaking from fear of the unknown, lack of sleep and lack of love….. The anger left Adrien and he slumped to the ground. "Forgive me, Hyssop. My words were cruel when you were just being kind." "Which is why its the perfect time for a cup of tea and lots of love."
Adrien looked up, smiling through his coursing tears. He was glad when they made it home, (yes, this was a home for him) and Grandma sent him to lie on the couch, and Squash accompanied him with a happy meow.
"We'll have dinner and watch a movie, Adrien," Grandma told him. "It would be good for both of us. I miss Marinette too." Adrien stroked Squash, agreeing to the plan. "Does she look...bigger to you? Or is it just me?" "I think she may be expecting kittens," Grandma smiled, turning back to the kitchen when the teakettle begin its usual shriek.
"I've given you mint tea, dear, is that alright?" Grandma asked, handing Adrien the steaming cup. "Tends to calm frayed nerves." Adrien looked up sheepishly. "I am sorrier about earlier," he said, letting the minty smell wash over him. "Its natural to be defensive when your worried about the girl you love," Grandma said, eyes twinkling. Adrien's mouth dropped open. "Eat your cake, sweetheart," Grandma closed his jaw gently and Adrien automatically bent to obey.
"Adrien, when you get to be my age, you figure things out pretty quickly. Besides, when I water my roses at night, its quite easy to hear to you and Marinette talking." "Grandma, I'm shocked. You eavesdropped?" There was a moment of silence, before the pair burst into laughter.
"You'll be joining her soon in Tibet, Adrien. Hesperia only has so much training knowledge, and the Guardians have centuries of lessons." Adrien popped a chunk of cake into his mouth. "So, Marinette is already training?" "Doubtful. She'll have a test in patience in the morning, if the training is still the same. Can you keep a secret?"
Adrien smiled his Claw Noir smile. "Can cats hold their tongues?" "If I'm right, Marinette will be doing a mediation training tomorrow, seeing how long her focus can go. When I trained it was in the middle of the lotus pond, and there was a ton of frogs." "Hopefully she doesn't get kissed by one and it turns into her handsome prince," Adrien laughed.
He felt much better now, in the care of Grandma Hyssop, and he took a short nap as she prepared the food.
Adrien enjoyed the movie, but his thoughts were on Marinette. What was she doing right now? Patience is a virtue, he reminded himself.
It wasn't long to he was fast asleep, with Squash snoring and cuddled in his arms.
He woke to the smell of sizzling pancakes, feeling refresh and a light heart. He was about to step out the door to school, when the blue portal opened again.
"Adrien Agreste, you have been summoned to start your training at the Temple Of Guardians, alongside your partner. Do you have everything you need for your journey?" Adrien shook his head. "I will give you a half hour, no more, no less."
These Guardians sure keep secrets well guarded and are strict on time, Adrien thought as he hurried to the mansion as Claw.
He hurried to pack his things, surprised when he finished ahead of schedule. But he was forgetting something, wasn't he? Of course, Marinette's lucky charm bracelet and he was going to carry his as well! He pocketed the beloved object just as the Guardian returned.
"No more stalling," he said, "time to go." Adrien shouldered his pack, stepping through. However, when he reached the other side, he was confused.
Why, this wasn't the Guardian's Temple, far from it! This was the middle of the woods! Maybe the training started here?
The first thing he should do is find a water source, as its good to have water close by. And if the Supreme is around, he would have the option of leaving no footprints.
The woods smelled like gingerbread, and Adrien breathed in deeply, worries temporarily forgotten. Sunshine warmed his hair and he titled his head, hearing the babbling of a brook.
Smiling happily, Adrien started downstream, each step lighter then the last. Soon, he would see his Princess again, and his heart leaped at the thought.
Grandma had packed a lunch for him, and Adrien ate when the sun was at its hottest, taking a well-deserved nap in the shade.
But Adrien had slept much longer then he met to, for the sun was low in the sky. Adrien groaned, but shrugged it off, after all he had slept poorly recently.
Maybe he could make some kind of shelter with branches and leaves? It was worth a shot. He picked out an ideal spot, then transformed, using his super strength.
Using some trees as extra cover, Adrien built his small hut, then crawled inside, testing it out. Nice work, Agreste, he thought.
Unless you looked hard, it would be hard to see his shelter from the array of greenery. But Adrien couldn't rest long for their was supper to think of. But Adrien had been fishing with his father ever since he was younger, and he knew how to make a fishing pole.
It was nice fishing, bringing back wonderful memories of his father, back before Mother had disappeared. Father had been a different person back then. Still stern, but with a sense of love and humor that Adrien had come to admire.
But like the ripples one on the water, those were all memories now. A sliver gleaming fish flashed before Adrien's eyes, distracting them at just the right time.
Later, a crackling fire cooked his fish, which was one of the best Adrien had ever ate. Sighing contently, he crawled into his shelter and fell fast asleep.