Ch23

Ladybug stood across from Cat Noir, his face was calm and for once in a while he was smiling at her. "So I'm glad we are working well together again," she said awkwardly.

Cat Noir shifted his gaze calm. "Likewise."

It was weird to see her partner stare at her without his usual flirty persona. While he was still polite and somewhat friendly with her Cat Noir in many ways still kept her at a distance. He was a little too rigid towards her and a part of her missed her old partner.

Swallowing the lump in her throat she took a deep breath and looked her teammate in the eyes. "You know I'm sorry that I didn't treat you like an equal, it was selfish of me to exclude you."

Cat Noir folded his arms. "We are partners. Even if you didn't want to return my feelings you shouldn't have hidden things from me."

"I know but I wanted to protect those that I love," She said defensively. "I mean, I didn't want Hawkmoth to hurt anyone?"

Cat Noir raised an eyebrow. "Well you still should've trusted me. I mean we've been through more together than you and Alya."

She winced. I can't tell him that she is actually my friend. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "But I really want to mend the wedge between. Will you give me another chance? I'll do my best to make sure you are involved."

Cat Noir paused his eyes not betraying any emotion. "I want us to work together as well," he said calmly. "But I want there to be no secrets between us and I want to be treated as your equal not your sidekick."

She looked him in the eyes and nodded. "I promise I'll work on it."

Cat Noir smiled at her. "For my part I'll work on giving you some space."

"I um appreciate that," she said as she scratched her head. "Listen I won't ask about the bee miraculous, just make sure that it isn't misused."

"I promise," Cat Noir said firmly. "Hive is close to me, I trust him." He turned to face the Eiffel Tower. "Trust me, he'll be great help against Hawkmoth."

Deep down she agreed with what Cat Noir said. Hive was a sly fighter and was a better friend than enemy. "Well just be careful," She said. "Su Han doesn't like it, he doesn't like a lot of things about you. Be careful he means business."

Cat Noir smiled at her. "Don't worry I'm not alone and neither are you. Don't let others put you down." Her partner then took out his baton and leaped into the night.

You aren't. I care about you, Paris cares about you. But some people don't like you. She shivered as she thought of Su Han. He really is a thorn in both of our sides.

She wanted to be the best guardian but it wasn't easy, especially with Su Han breathing down her neck and berating her every other moment. Between him and Hawkmoth I wonder who gives me the most trouble.

She patrolled her section of Paris when she heard the familiar footsteps land behind her. Speak of the devil. Turning around she saw Su Han his brow furrowed in disappointment. "What can I help you with?" She asked politely. What did I do wrong this time? The monk only seemed to come to chastise her and make her feel more unworthy than she already felt.

Su Han frowned at her. "That Cat is still disobedient. Break him into submission and take back the bee miraculous or I will teach him respect."

She flinched at the hatred in his words. "We are working well together," she said calmly. "I'm sorry but I'm the guardian I am more than capable of handling him." A fire burned up inside of her as she met his gaze. "I don't need you to monitor everything we do, I am capable of being a guardian."

Su Han's gaze narrowed, a shiver went down her spine. "Then there will be consequences little girl." He sneered at the last part, his gaze burning with contempt.

His voice was so cold it sent shivers down her spine as he turned around and leaped into the night. Be safe kitty. Her heart ached at the thought of Su Han killing Cat Noir and his cocky new friend.

Oh god please don't do anything stupid. She shook her head and returned home. "Spots off," she said as she landed in her room.

"Marinette I think we should be careful around Su Han," Tikki said. "I don't think he is joking."

Sitting down in her chair she rested her head in her hands. "I know. But lets face it he would criticize me for the smallest thing and find some excuse to lash out at us." She shook her head. "If only Master Fu were here." Grabbing a tissue she cleaned her eyes. "Only then might things be different."

Tikki landed in front of her an sat on her laptop. "He trusted you to be the guardian and faith that you'll make the right decisions."

"Well I'm glad for his intentions," she muttered.

"But at least Cat Noir is willing to be your partner again," Tikki said.

She nodded. "True." Personally she was conflicted about her partner, deep down she wanted him back by her side but she was still hurt by his actions. "As much as I want the bee miraculous back I won't press for it now. Hive can be a good ally."

Hive was infuriatingly cocky and the fact that she didn't know her identity made her suspicious of his motives. At least Cat Noir knows him well. I wonder what their relationship is like anyway?

"You are guardian so long as you think the miraculouses are secure then you should be fine," Tikki said. "You can't solve all of your problems now."

She sighed and picked up the picture of Adrien on her desk. "I know. Sadly one of them has no intention of speaking with me." Setting the picture down she shook her head. "I know he wants nothing to do with me but I want to at least apologize."

"Good idea," Tikki said. "I'm sure he'll hear you out."

Grabbing her phone she texted Nino asking if he would be willing to arrange something. Her heart leaped out of her chest when he responded that he'll see what he can do. Hopefully this doesn't blow up in my face. She really did want to make up with Adrien and possibly start over with him. After making sure the miraculous box was secure she got ready for got ready for the night and quickly went to sleep.

The next day her eyes widened as she saw another text from Nino. "He's willing to hear me out!" Her heart leaped for joy as she reread the text. Water began to form in her eyes as her spirits lifted up at the slightest chance of getting back in Adrien's good graces.

"Well this is your chance Marinette. Try and apologize and let Adrien know you didn't mean to invade his personal space," Tikki said reassuringly.

She nodded eagerly her mind racing through various thoughts on how what to say. I have to make this count, this might be my only chance to show him that I didn't mean to harm him. After getting ready for the day she quickly left and ran to school where she found Alya waiting for her.

"Hey Marinette you look happy," Alya said as they entered the school grounds.

"N-Nino said that Adrien is willing to hear me out," She said as she scanned the courtyard for sight of either of them. "I'm going to apologize and let him know I didn't mean to bother him."

"Well good luck," Alya said. "Remember his father won't take kindly if you do what you did again."

Her face reddened as she looked to the ground. "I know."

Alya nudged her. "Heads up here they come."

She froze as she slowly looked up. Nino came up to them both and behind him was Adrien. Her sweet Adrien looked as charming as ever yet something was off about him. He had bags under his eyes and his gaze looked cold.

"H-H-Hi," she managed to stutter out. Come on focus this is my only chance.

"Hey Marinette you wanted to say something to Adrien right?" Nino said.

Adrien's gaze was calm his eyes were neither friendly nor antagonistic, she didn't know how to feel about that. A part of her honestly wished he'd be that shining knight in armor for her Luckily Alya nudged her and snapped her out of her thoughts.

"I'm sorry," she blurted out. Taking a deep breath she fought the fear inside of her as her heart began to race. "I'm sorry for breaking into your house and invading your privacy. I'm sorry I stalked you."

There was silence as Adrien looked at her and folded his arms. "Marinette I considered you a friend yet you violated my personal privacy. I've heard things that would make my father very angry. I heard about how you stole my phone, had a copy of my schedule, and stalked me multiple times. Are you sorry for those too?"

She looked over at Nino and Alya looking for some help but neither of friends looked as if they wanted to help. "I-I am," she said softly her eyes watering up. "B-But I did those things because I care about you a lot. I know we are meant to be together."

Adrien raised an eyebrow. "Well Marinette I hardly know you and you hardly know the real me. What you did made me feel violated, you know how hard it was to convince my father to not take me out of this school and to not press charges?" He shook his head. "My father has done worse to other people who invaded our personal space."

A shiver went down her spine. "I'm sorry," she muttered. "I just really wanted to be close to you."

"Well I did consider you a friend," Adrien said firmly. "Right now I have my own personal problems to deal with, when I am ready and you've proven that you have changed I will be willing to rekindle our friendship."

"I understand," She said softly. Well it wasn't like I was expecting him to automatically be my friend again and then my boyfriend. Wishful thinking but life wasn't always a fairytale.

Adrien nodded. "I'll see you in class. Maybe in the future we can friends again"

With that he walked away leaving her with Alya and Nino. "You ok Marinette?" Alya asked as she handed her a tissue.

She cleaned the tears from her eyes. "I don't know." Taking a deep breath she was relieved that Adrien didn't hate her but it was obvious he wanted distance from her. "At least he doesn't hate me."

"Don't worry just give him space," Nino said. "I know he is dealing with a lot of mental health related problems but when he is ready I know he'll reach out to you."

"I guess," She muttered.

Her heart still ached and yearned for Adrien yet she knew she had a long way to go now, especially since he wanted distance between them. The rest of the day she did her best to focus on her classes. As with every other day since he came back Adrien didn't so much as look at her or acknowledge her.

It's for the best. Her heart sank as she stared at Adrien's back longingly. Besides I'm the guardian, he deserves someone who is always there for him.

As school ended she headed home and looked up at the sky. "Life isn't always fair, we just have to move on," She muttered.

Tikki came out of her earrings. "Don't worry Marinette I'm sure he'll eventually want you in his life again. For now lets just focus on Hawkmoth."

She nodded, as much as she wished it were different she had more pressing matters than love and romance. As soon as she got to her room she locked the door and set her bag on the table. "Tikki Spots On!"

As soon as she transformed she leaped out of her room and into the city. The evening was calm and so far there was no sign of an akuma or even Cat Noir.

She leaped from rooftop to rooftop till she noticed a familiar figure leaning against a chimney and staring off into the city.

A frown spread across her face as she landed on the rooftop. Hive admittedly looked good in his outfit. The dark black and yellow costume weaved around his body as if it were made by a designer.

"Ladybug," Hive said with a glance her way. "What brings you here?"

"Just patrolling. Where's Cat Noir?" She asked.

For a second she swore she saw fear in his eyes. "He's busy with other matters." His voice was low as if making it more obvious he didn't want the issue pressed.

She awkwardly stared at him. For whatever reason Hive reminded her Cat Noir but he definitely was more cunning and there was a cruelty in his eyes that made her uneasy.

"Were you the one that got the cat miraculous back?" She asked, her body shaking with anger at the memory of Alya in the hospital.

Hive shrugged. "I was."

The frankness of his admission took her by surprise. She frowned as her anger boiled inside of her. "You hurt her." It took all her will power to not yell or get violent with him.

Hive's gaze was unreadable as he turned and looked up at the sky. "Me and Cat Noir go way back, I would do anything to protect him."

The sincerity in his words softened her heart. "What happened to him?" She asked softly.

The bee hero turned and faced her his gaze hardening. "He has a rough home life and needed a break from everything. You hurt him by keeping him out of the loop."

She shifted and avoided his gaze. "I-I didn't mean to hurt him."

"What's done is done," Hive said with a shrug. The bee hero turned and faced the city. "He's a great hero and I know he'll to great things, but I'll make sure no one takes advantage of him."

She looked up. "Who's taking advantage of him?"

Hive froze and for a moment anger burned in his eyes but she had a feeling it wasn't directed at her. "Not everyone in his life wants the best for him, some of them want to use and abuse him."

Turning his back to her Hive looked out into the city. "If you really want to help you just be there for him, you don't have to respond to his feelings but his friend only if you mean it. He has enough trouble in his personal life as it is."

Looking to the ground she thought of his words. "I do," she said softly. "He is my friend even though we have our differences and our difficulties."

She rubbed her eyes at the memories they shared and the battles they fought together. Cat Noir I'm sorry I couldn't be the companion you deserved.

Hive looked at her, his gaze hard. "Then treat him like one. Trust me he'll all the help he can get." With that he leaped off the building and into the city.

Felix sat across from Kagami in her suite room. The Japanese girl was calm as he told her what he discovered. Yet when he was done her gaze betrayed both fear and shock.

"Oh god I knew his father cruel but to do all of this?" Kagami stared out the window in shock half expecting an akuma. "What a cruel man."

He folded his arms. "Indeed." His insides boiled just thinking about it, it took all his will power to be civil to that man.

"Does Adrien know you?" Kagami asked.

He sighed. "I'm planning to but I need to be careful about it." Looking up his gaze met hers. "Uncle Gabriel will be the toughest opponent I've faced. Will you help me free Adrien from his grasp?"

Kagami nodded. "I will. Do you have a plan?"

"I'm formulating one," he said calmly. "But catching my uncle won't be easy." He ran his hands through his hair. "I know you care deeply for Adrien, I hope one day three of us can be free."

Kagami smiled her face softening. "I do as well. I've been keeping my distance and giving him space. But I hope one day he can be free enough to make the choice to be with me."

"I look forward to that day too." He hoped one day the three of them could choose their own lives away from their strict controlling parents.