My Kingdom For A Stray

Chapter Six

"And THAT'S when Ivan finally had the bright idea to actually get up and help!"

The warm kitchen of an old fort rung out with echoing laughter. On a stool sat the knight Chat Noir, his shoulder expertly bandaged up as he tells a story of one of his many adventures to his new friend. He very nearly on many occasions spills his mug of ale, due to his extravagant gestures and story telling. Lila stood by the table off to the side, holding her stomach from her laughter at his funny tales.

"Did you REALLY meet a spell caster with the ability to control...pigeons?!" She laughs. Chat Noir nods. "Yes!! He even DRESSED and sounded like one!! He flapped his arms like a chicken and cooed! It was hilarious! But the idiot SOME how still managed to beat up over half of my group! With PIGEONS!" They both fall into more laughter, clutching their knees or stomach for support. Finally the laughter fades to chuckles, and those to content quite. Lila leans her back against the tabletop, her ivy green eyes looking over the bare chest Chat Noir maybe a bit too long for an innocent glance. But the knight didn't notice this. His own eyes gaze into the flames of the oven as slowly they died down.

Chat's face fell solemn as he stared. His thoughts once more returned to the whole reason he was here...Marinette. Chat could almost pretend that the warmth that came from the fire rather instead came from her sweet smile. He even could see her sparkling blue eyes as she grinned at him. For a brief second the image Chat Noir dreamed up in the fire flickered for the briefest of moments. From a happy, cheerful Marinette, the image changed to one of her pained, tears streaming from her face as she pleaded with Chat Noir...

Chat Noir jumps, startled by the image that left as quickly as it came. He blinks in shock as Lila shifts awkwardly where she stood. "Is...is everything ok Chat?" She asked, her eyes glancing towards the flames.

Chat shook his head, rubbing his forehead. "Uh...yea...I just..." He trails off, before letting out a drawn out sigh. From the stool he stood, placing his mug once more onto the table. He smiles kindly at Lila before speaking once more. "You have done me great kindness, Miss Lila...but it is fair time I left."

Chat's good hand reaches for his tunic which laid off to the side on a chair, but Lila beats him to it, standing between him and the clothing. "B-but.." she said, a look of worry on her face. "You don't have to leave! You are very much welcomed here!" She says, chuckling, a small tint of nervousness in her voice. "Besides, your shoulder is not done healing yet... surely it is better if you stayed until then. Only a day or so should do!"

Chat chuckles, but shakes his head. "No, it is better if I leave now...I shouldn't have stayed as long as I have. I promise I have very much enjoyed your company, and that delicious food! But I need to find my friend..."

Lila huffs. "What good will you do your friend if you are too injured to find them?" She asks. Chat chuckles again, reaching around her as he picked up his tunic.

"Thanks to your wonderful care, I'm not nearly as injured as I was before. And I thank you deeply for that. But now I must go, Lila." Chat said, flashing her a smirk, even though he was losing a bit of his patience. The image of Marinette he had seen in the fire still haunted him...Chat Noir could almost hear the cries of the butterfly from the forest as he saw the pain filled eyes of his beloved Princess...

"But you can't leave!" Lila begged, bringing Chat Noir back to reality.

"I have to, Lila. My friend is trouble, and I'm the only one who can find her! She needs me!!"

The chestnut skinned girl's shoulder slump at his words, looking up at him sadly. "So...it is a girl..." she said softly, her eyes looking down to the floor. They both stood there, a foot away from the other. Slowly Chat nods. "Yes...and I need to find her...before its too late..."