The Miraculous Adventures of Marinette and Adrien

12

I grip Chat's hand, and let him hoist me up.
"Are you crying?" I ask, swiping the tear from his face.
"Just allergic to feathers." He sniffles, then shrugs, smiling sheepishly.
"I really don't understand that, because aren't cats supposed to hunt birds?"
He squints at me, almost angrily, "I wasn't made to be Chat Noir! I'm sorry I have allergies!"
He throws his hands up in the air, and I punch him, square in the chest.
"Ow!" He growls. "What was that for?" His eyes widen furiously, and I cross my arms.
"Snap out of it." I say, firmly, then tap him on his head, "he's getting to you. Well... At least we know he's close." I sigh, and turn in a circle, scanning our surroundings.
"...sorry." He mutters.
I look at him, "You just gotta keep your emotions in check." I smile. "C'mon, let's scale that building."
I throw my yoyo towards one of the only non-bent lamp posts, and swing up onto the rooftop, Chat jumping close behind.
I crouch down low into a squatting position, my bum resting on my ankles.
Once Chat crawls next to me I start to sigh, "I don't understand how he can affect us when we don't see him. I mean, he must be close?"
"Ahh, right you are." The man voices from behind us, making Chat hiss, and me jump up out of fright.
"Ahh, didn't mean to... Startle the poor little animals. It's funny that you're just... Kids. Hawk Moth wants you so badly." He chuckles, wrapping a piece of jewelry around his finger.
That's where the Akuma must be! I think, knowing Chat must be assuming the same idea.
"I'm sorry I couldn't stay around to play, but I just have... So much hatred to spread! So many... Relationships, families... flings to break up." He smiles menacingly at Chat Noir, "Au revoir..." And then vanishes.
I grab Chat's clenched fist.
"Remember what I said." I remind him.
He wrenches his hand from my grip.
I couldn't hear any crying, but tears were streaming down his face. He rubbed his hands against his face, making his cheeks red, then strung his hands through his hair, sitting down on the skylight of the roof.
"You have no idea how much I want to hurt you." He seethes, glaring at me.
I take a step backwards, my eyes widening.
"Chat... I don't think this is a normal Akuma we're dealing with."
"Oh really?" He laughs darkly, and I take another step backwards, my foot slipping on the loose gravel.
He looks down at my feet, and his eyes widen, like a spooked animal.
"I..." He stands up, "Ladybug... I'm sorry." He holds his hands out towards me, but I stand there, rigid, my hands clenched at my sides.
"We need to figure out a way to defeat him." I say, almost robotically, glancing at Chat's outstretched arms. "As soon as we can, otherwise... Things will only get worse. It's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured."
Chat lowers his arms. "You saw the necklace he had, wrapped around his fingers?" Chat asks quietly, which wasn't like him at all.
I nod, stepping closer to him.
"Well... Like always, we get the Akuma, we defeat the bad guy. Now we just need to come up with a plan to get the necklace..." He taps his foot, thinking.
"I got it." I finally say, and we both glance up at each other, smiling.