Adrienette: Unfolding Love

Chapter Seven: Ladybug's Not Coming

Hi guys, Alpaca here. Sorry for not updating in a while! I was working on my new AU, which is called Angels and Sprites. Feel free to check it out, because after I finish this story I will be directing all my attention to that AU (as well as my oneshot book)

Chat Noir raced down the streets of Paris, searching for the akuma and his Princess. Growling, he stopped on the streets and lifted his nose into the air, searching for Marinette's scent. And then he caught it; the calming smell of vanilla and cinnamon. But it was dampened with another smell...

The smell was coffee.

That little girl-stealing barista bitch, Chat thought angrily as he searched Paris. Eventually the smell became stronger, closer, more recent. Turning down a dark alleyway, Chat Noir's feet pounded harder on the concrete, anger and possibly even love fueling him as he searched for her.

And he heard it; soft cries, whimpers sounding so fragile and hurt that it dug into Chat's heart, slicing his very soul into little pieces. Chat Noir walked farther down the alley, multiple shadows obscuring his sight, until he saw a little light reflecting off of... an earring? The sobs became louder, more heartbroken, as Chat stepped closer, his anger fading and replaced with severe concern. 

"Prin...cess?" Chat called out, using his old nickname for the girl who he believed to be the one sobbing. A bitter sob was heard after that, and that particular one stabbed Chat in the heart pretty hard. More whimpers were heard, and then Chat heard his voice.

"So nice of you to join us, Chat Noir," said a deep voice, hidden in the shadows. Chat growled, stepping forward.

"SHOW YOURSELF, COWARD!"

"I won't show myself, Chat Noir. But I will show your precious little Princess," said the voice, tone laced with venom. Suddenly a foot stepped out of the shadows, and the rest of the body followed. Chat growled again, fully seeing the man with the sinister villain. Couer Brise grinned, nodding his head to the feline superhero. 

"Hello, Chat Noir," Couer greeted, his pale skin deathly white in the afternoon sunshine. In response, Chat unhooked his baton from his back and twirled it in his hands, righting himself into a fighting stance. Couer Brise wagged his finger and tutted, his wine-colored eyes narrowing on the superhero. 

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, kitty cat," Couer snarled, gesturing to the side of him. Suddenly someone - a girl - stumbled out of the shadows, her hands covering her face. She was weeping, sobbing, crying her heat out, crystal tears gushing from her eyes. She fell to the floor, her knees hitting the ground with a large THUD, and she finally pried her hands away from her face, and Chat's heart stopped. 

It was Marinette. She looked horrible, but she was still recognizable. Her usually shining midnight hair fell limply around her shoulders, the bounciness gone. Her cerulean eyes were pale, desolate, drained of happiness, and the usual twinkle in her eyes were gone. Her porcelain skin was pale, and tears flowed down her cheeks like rivers. She gripped the sides of her arms, shaking. Her lips were cracked, and she was biting her bottom lip.

"H-help me," she croaked, shaking harder. Another sob escaped her mouth, and she looked up at Chat, her eyes pleading. "Help me, Chat!" 

"SHUT UP!" Couer screamed, grabbing her arm and giving her a good shake. "You belong to me, so shut up." Chat felt the rage rise in him. How dare this bastard hurt his Princess. Hurt Marinette. Another thought his Chat square in the chest. Where the hell was Ladybug? 

"Get. Your hands. Off of Princess," Chat commanded, gripping his baton tighter. Couer laughed, the sound bitter and cold, and he tugged Marinette to her feet. She cried harder, twisting her head away from the sinister akuma.