So Long Ago

Chapter 6

Up. Down. Over. Under. This way. That way. Every way!

It didnt matter how, when, or how quickly he tried to get away from the bug, Chat Noir could not shake Ladybug from his tail.

His backpack of freshly stolen gems and jewlery still clink and clank on his shoulders, while just in view behind him was the ever furious Ladybug. And by now, it was even making him mad. Why wouldnt she just buzz off and leave him be?!

Why having the scarlet bug so close mad him angry, yet sad at the same time...the cat refused to think long about it. But he knew he didnt want her any closer...

Yet.

Suddenly, an idea sparked in the clever cat's mind. What better way to distract a bug, than with a bit of bait? Chat Noir grinned maliciously, before adruptly coming to a stop in his vaulting, dropping to the ground almost effortlessly.

Ladybug squeaked in surprise, caught off guard for once by this trick of his. Still, it was only a second at most before Ladybug had switched directions, her brows furrowed as she searched for the cat.

But she didnt need to search long...

"Oh Bugaboo!~ Looking for someone!?" taunted the ever too familiar voice.

Ladybug's head whipped towards the sound, a sneer on her face. But her eyes widened in alarm, forcing her momentum to a adrupt halt as Chat Noir balanced high above the ground on his baton...

With a passenger...

Well. More like a hostage.

A guy, about their age hung off of Chat Noir's arm like a koala clinging for his life. His eyes wide with panic as his ball cap and glasses were slipping off his head at this great height. But all this young man could worry about was the readily growing distance between him, and the sidewalk.

"What the everloving HELL man?!" Nino cried out, still clutching to Chat Noir for dear life.

Adrien did feel bad. But when he landed, he grabbed the first person he saw...

Which happened to be his best friend...

Eh. He'll just have to owe Nino lunch later.

"Chat Noir!! Dont you DARE harm him!!" Ladybug hissed out, even more anger boiling inside her as she perched atop a street lamp, gripping her yoyo firmly.

Chat laughed tauntingly at her threat.

"Or what? Youll catch me and throw me in jail?! Youve done a great job at that already! How long again have you been threatening me with jail? And yet, here i am! Do you just like me that much, Bugaboo?~"

Marinette's mind tunneled as she remembered the comments made by people....the people she protected...

Ladybug doesnt care...

Ladybug isnt strong enough...

Ladybug is partners with Chat Noir...

Partners...with Chat...

Chat...

Unbidden even more memories force their way to the surface of her mind, all on the span of seconds. Flashes of innocent grins. A happy go lucky kitten, courage as big as his heart as he offered his lady his helping hand...

Chat...

"Helloooo Ladybug!! You still there?! Its rude to keep our new friend hanging around!" A jeering voice called out, snapping Marinette out from her memories. Nino was still there, indeed hanging on for his life as Chat Noir now held him by the back of his shirt. The terror was clear in his eyes, as his gaze flicked from the far away ground, to pleading with the heroine.