The Black Cat (a Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction)

Marinette: Before My Eyes

   "Marinette, what is that on your apron?" Chat asked me. I looked down, and blushed a little.
   "I couldn't open a jar for raspberry jam and when I did, it exploded everywhere... that's when you landed on the balcony." I answered.
   "Oh," he sighed, "Okay. Wait, why do you have raspberry jam?"
   "I'm making raspberry bars." I answered, "Why?"
   "Do you need help?" he asked me.
   "Sure, that'd be great." I smiled. We finished early, and I was able to check up on my website and shop. I started a small shop called, "Nette's Boutique", and I widened my eyes when I saw 3 requests. I sat down and contacted all the people. Two of them wanted dresses, and one wanted a tux... I could probably do those. If I did them, I'd be getting 1,000. Customized dresses were always wanted, especially in a place where fashion was big. I had a lot to do, then.
   "Chat?"
   "Yes, Mari?" he hung by the door.
   "I have to run and get a lot of fabrics... do you mind coming with?"
   "Not at all, Princess." he answered, "I'd be more than happy to."
   "Great. Good news, the shop already has 3 requests." he walked over to the screen and smiled, "That's great, Marinette!"
   "Let's head out... I want to get these done as soon as possible."
   "Okay." I grabbed my purse, and I looked up directions to the nearest fabric store. Before we could leave, I got a call.
   "Shoot, hold on, I have to answer this." I looked at the photo. It was Alya. I picked it up, "Hello?"
   "Girl, have you asked anyone to the Sadie's dance?"
   "No." I answered. "When is that again?"
   "A month from today!"
   "Come on, Alya!"
   "You have to go! I can't go without you!"
   "Yes you can, you have Nino... I'll think about it."
   "Come on, we've known about this since the first day of school!"
   "I'll think about it. But, I gotta go."
   "We'll talk later tonight, right?"
   "Yeah, sure." she ended the call, and I grumbled, heading toward the door. That's when I saw Chat patiently waiting for me. 
   "Who was that?" he asked me curiously.
   "Alya." I answered. "Apparently we have a talk scheduled for tonight."
   "You don't look too excited." he chuckled.
   "It's because I already know what she's going to talk about." I sighed, "But that's besides the point... I hope you're ready to carry a lot of fabric." 
   "How much?"
   "Four outfits worth." I answered.
   "FOUR?" his eyes widened, "Why four?"
   "In case." I answered. To make a long story short, the woman behind the desk was shocked to see a girl hiding her face and a masked superhero in her store. We told her this was not the first time we'd be here, and she offered to give us free tote bags, which you know, made my day a little better. We headed home with enough fabric to make a mummy, and I set aside some fabrics I picked. But I don't know what overcame me. I bought fabric for two more outfits... because I was thinking about taking Chat with me to the Sadie's dance. As if it weren't ironic enough... it was a masquerade ball... meaning masks were normal. I already knew everyone else in the class had a date for the dance. I was the only one planning on not going. While I was a little annoyed at Alya, I knew she just wanted the best for me. Maybe a dance would lift my spirits. I was doing a lot better now than I was when I made the decision that I wouldn't go before. Yeah, Chat would be a really fun person to go to a dance with... and all this extra fabric, I could probably use it to make him a suit, that is if I didn't mess up on any of the other things. But, I guess if I wanted him to go, I needed to ask him soon.
   "Mari," Chat knocked on the door, "I'll be right back. I'm going to do a quick patrol of Paris... just to make sure everyone's okay from the akuma attack."
   "Okay." I smiled, "Be back before dinner."
   "I will. Are the bars cooled off yet?" he asked me. 
   "No, they still need five minutes... they have to fully settle. I promise when you get back, you can have as many as you want." I assured him.
   "Yes!" he smiled, "Okay, I'll be back in 20 minutes." he opened the balcony, and closed the door behind him. He flew off, and I scrambled to the kitchen. I whipped up some frosting, and colored it green. I put it in a plastic bag, since I didn't exactly have a piping bag. I piped, "I think we'd have a "claw"some time at Sadie's." with a bunch of little paw prints around it. I groaned at the pun, before putting it on the table. I cleared up all the stuff I used to make the frosting, and cleaned the kitchen. I was getting ready worried though, since 20 minutes was almost up. I took off my apron and hung it up. I washed up, and by the time I was done, Chat had come back.
   "Hey Chaton, how was patrol?"
   "It was good. Everything's cleared." he sighed of relief.
   "I-I've got a surprise." I smiled a little nervously. His ears perked up,
   "What is it?" I held up the tray of bars, and he quickly noticed the green frosting on them. He read it, before looking at me.
   "Will you go with me?" I asked him. He took the tray and set it down. I thought he was going to reject me. Then, he engulfed me in the biggest hug.
   "Really? You wanna go with me?" he asked me, excitedly.
   "Yeah," I giggled, "So, will you?" he released the hug, and looked me in the eyes, 
   "I would love to go with you to the dance." he answered.
   "Really!?" I smiled.
   "Of course!" he picked me up, "We'll dance the night away and blow all the other people away!"
   "Ha ha!" I laughed. "I have to make you a suit and mask, then."
   "A mask, but I already have one." he snickered.
   "Silly Kitty, it's a masquerade ball, I have to make you a fancy mask."
   "Oh, I get it. You can make suits?" he asked me.
   "Well sure... I can make a lot of things." I answered, "Besides, now that I've had experience, I can incorporate magic into my fashion... just with things like speedy sewing... I get to design a dress, too!"
   "What will your dress be?"
   "Well, I can't tell you that now, can I?" I teased. He groaned, and I laughed, "I have to get a knife for the bars."
   "R-Right." he put me down. I grabbed a knife, and proceeded to slice all the bars. After eating a few of them and eating dinner, I headed straight to my room to bust out the three requests. I knew I wasn't going to get them all done, but I wanted to start the tux. I started taking out all of my stuff, and starting. He had sent me the measurements, and I started cutting by side. In one night (with the assistance of my magic), I finished cutting out all the pieces from the fabrics, and lining them up together. Unfortunately, if I tried doing anymore, I'd stay up later than I needed to.
   "It looks good so far." Tikki complimented me.
   "Really?"
   "Yeah!" she answered, "You always make stunning clothes, Marinette."
   "Thanks, Tikki." I sighed, "How have you been holding up?" I asked her.
   "Why are you worried about me?"
   "I don't know... you had to change your lifestyle as well, 6 months ago." I laid down, and she laid next to me, "How have you been doing, through all of this. Most importantly, are we doing the right things?"
   "I've been okay. Nothing much has changed for me. Not as much as you, Marinette. As for whether or not you're on the right path, I think you are. I think you're doing the best you can. I personally think you haven't been making too much time for yourself."
   "What makes you think that?" 
   "You've been doing so much for everyone else, that you haven't had time for yourself." 
   "Well, it's been a while since it all happened. Of course, I'm still homesick, and of course, I miss my parents more than anything. They still haven't come back. But, I know if I just ponder over it, and do nothing because of it, I'm not going to be able to move forward. Besides... who knows what would've happened if I didn't take any action? I probably would've been taken a long time ago by the Anti-Magic Counsel. I mean, I wake up almost every night, scared of what might've happened to my parents. I'd like to think they're still alive, or that they're okay... but I can't say I know." I teared up a little.
   "I'm so sorry, Marinette." Tikki sighed.
   "It's okay." I sniffed, "Besides, I turn eighteen in 2 weeks. When that happens, I could probably change my name, move to the outskirts of France and come to Paris when there's an akuma... it'd be better. I just have to hold on."
   "I'll be here for every step of the way... you know that." Tikki hugged me.
   "Thank you, Tikki." she quickly hid when she heard a knock on the door. I'm not sure why, but I just started tearing up more.
   "Princess? Are you okay?"
   "No." I answered. He opened the door, and saw me crying.
   "Oh no, Mari." he quickly sat down on the bed next to me, and started hugging me.
   "It all just hit me." I sniffed, "I don't think I'm ever going to see my parents ever again."
   "No, don't say that, Marinette." He pulled me closer, "It's going to okay."
   "Will it?" I asked him, looking up.
   "We're in this together, Mari," he looked down at me, "I swear, I will do everything I can to make sure you're okay." I remembered... his father kicked him out.
   "Thank you."
   "Will you be okay... going to bed?"
   "Do you mind staying with me until I fall asleep?" I asked me.
   "Not at all." he smiled. It happened. Right there. Before my eyes, I found myself falling for the person I least expected.

~~~~~~

   AHHHHH!!!!! I'M SHOOK! Sometimes, I make myself fangirl, and it's just another reason why I love writing fanfiction stuff so much. You can make your own dreams come true, and that's a good thing... right? Also, over 300 reads? You're too kind! Thank you so much for clicking on the book and giving it a chance! Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed, and I'll see you very soon! Till then! ~Morgan