Breaking Free

Chapter 3

Marinette

When I woke up in the morning, my head was pounding and my eyes were blurry. Guess that's what happens when you hold your emotions in for so long. Especially with Hawkmoth in Paris. I sighed and slowly sat up. Placing slippers on my feet, headed downstairs for breakfast.
Upon arrival, Chloe was already down there. She had Waffles with strawberries on top and coffee. When she saw me she dropped her fork and raced over, tackling me into a hug.
"Thank god your ok. I almost went back and killed Tim for pushing."
I giggled "Chloe he has a right to ask what happened. I shouldn't have reacted the way I did." I replied sheepishly.
"Nope, she bullied you, harassed you, and beat you. You have a legal right to react that way."
I huffed "I know. Its just that, I wasn't expecting to tell my whole story then and there. I definitely wasn't expecting to freak out like I did. I know I broke my phone yesterday, but I think now that Hawkmoth is defeated I can express my negative emotions that I bottled up for so long, and their coming out as episodes then when I want to deal with them."
Chloe sighed "Mari, if you had to choose, you wouldn't deal with them. Because that means you have to relive the deaths, and the really bad ones like abuse or assaults. I know those are hard for you, you had to help them get a whole new life, but you have to be able to heal. Just like they did. How is Sarah?"
I gave a small smile. Sarah is a ten year old girl that got akumatized a year ago, because her mom abused her emotionally and sometimes physically. When she reverted back to normal, her mother made a scene by stomping over to her, smacking her in the face then yelling at the poor girl for no reason. There were a lot of names that were used, that never should have been.
"I got a text the other day, she said her new family is treating her well. Remember she moved here to Gotham. She said she is really thankful that she found them." I sighed " I wish she never went through what she did. She doesn't remember any of it, but I know she looked for the video."
I looked down at my breakfast and frowned. Why can't I help her more?
"Why don't we invite her over to see if she would like to go to the park. We're in town and I want to meet this new family of hers. Besides Pollen and Tikki would love to see her, and I can assume the feeling is mutual."
"Yeah, can I use your phone?"
Hugging she handed her phone over. Putting the number in I sent the text.
Hey Sarah, it's Marinette texting from Chloes phone. We are here in Gotham, and were wondering if you want to meet up?
OMG, yes!!! I missed you guys so much. Why don't you come over for dinner? My new parents have work.
Sounds good, six work?
Yep!! See you then!!

I handed Chloe her phone and ate some breakfast. Today was going to be a good day.

After getting ready for the day, I decided to go for a walk. After getting a new phone of course. Clutching my phone in my hands and Tikki hiding in my hair I walked. And walked. And walked. It was peaceful. There was a light breeze that made me hate Ladybug side affects, but it was nice. I noticed a park nearby and decided to check it out. Normally I would head back to the hotel, but I have dinner tonight so I wanted to kill some time. I sat on a bench and sketched. Ideas flowing from my head to the paper. I was there for hours. I was in grossed with my design I didn't see the Great Dane run up to me and tackle me off the bench. Squealing I threw my book in the air and hit the ground with a thud.
"Ow"
There was a lick
On my cheek. Giggling I looked at the dog before me. I scratched its ears and neck.
"Hello boy, are you lost?"
I looked around but saw no one around. I grabbed my discarded sketchbook and placed them back on my bag. I grabbed the dogs collar.
"Titus. It nice to meet you I'm Marinette."
Titus licked me on the cheek again and started running circles around me. I giggled and just about to grab him again when I heard someone yelling.
"TITUS!!!"
Titus perked up and barked then went back to running circles around me. I looked around trying to see who was calling the dog. The guy was gorgeous. He had raven black hair and what she could only see as, emerald green eyes. I gave a small wave, before Titus knocked me over again. Giggling I sat back up and threw a nearby stick. The guy came over and gave me a nod of acknowledgement.
"Thanks for finding my dog. He is a slippery one, just like his owner."
I know that voice and that look, "how are you Damian?"
"Decent. I have other things to worry about right now, like...you."
I blushed and looked away. "I don't need a babysitter."
"Never said you did. Last night was a mess up, I wanted to make sure you were ok."
I clenched my jaw to keep from doing anything else. "I'm fine."
He chuckled, no your not. I can tell you holding back." He sighed before turning to me. "Do you like sparing?"
"Depends on what?"
"Come I'll show you. We are going back to the Manor so be prepared."
"Alright, I have to be back at my hotel before 6."
"Plenty of time. TITUS!"

When we got to the manor, I was bum rushed to the back of the Manor and into a room. There were mats all over the place, weights, weapons. Being the guardian, I forged my own weapons to resemble baton and yo-yo. I turned to Damian and smiled.
"What do you want to do first?"
"Spar first. What is you experience in martial arts?"
I smirked "decent."
"Alright, show me what you got."
Taking off our shoes and stepping into the mat. We circled each other, trying to find a a weak spot, him doing the same to me. I pulled out my yo-yo, the sting mad out of a steel carbon fiber wire and a thin metal circle at the end. I pulled back the string, as he lunged, throwing it at his feet and tripping him. He recovered quickly, but not quick enough, as I flipped him over my shoulder and placed him in an arm bar. I waited for him to tap.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen. Fifteen. Tap.
Releasing the arm bar. Standing up I smirked as he pouted at me.
"Come on, admit it. You weren't expecting someone who could handle herself?"
He sighed "nope. You good Angel."
I blushed "A-Angel?"
"Yep. I think it suited you."
I covered my face. "Man, stop doing that!!" I wined
"Doing what?" He smirked
I huffed " making me embarrassed!"
"Why, you get embarrassed easily. I can't help that. It just makes it easier to tease you."
I swung my yo-yo around one more time and threw it around a nearby practice dummy. I pulled hard and the steel wire cut through the dummy. I pulled it back and smiled. I felt so much better. Sparing always helped, Chloe and I use to do it all the time, but we haven't found a place yet. We hung out at the manor for hours. Just Damian and I. We talked about everything and anything. I got this feeling of impending doom and check the clock. 5:34.
Crap.
"Damian I have to go. I have dinner with an old friend of mine. I am meeting her new family today."
"New family?"
My eyes darkened at that. "She had a rough history. Her mom was.... let's just say not the greatest. Me and Chloe helped her after a particularly nasty insistent. My mom had an old friend that lives here in Gotham. They adopted her, and now she lives here. She, Chloe and I became really close after that. I finally get to see her again. She's eleven. I have to go or I am going to be late."
"How about a ride?"
"Please?"

When we got to the hotel. I have him a quick thanks before rushing inside. I got a quick shower, while Chloe Lectured me about punctuality. I dressed into a Robin themed outfit. It was a dress that went down to my knees. It was red with a yellow waist band, and a black strip at the end of the dress. With my usual flats. My hair up in a tight ponytail. I smiled at Chloe and we headed downstairs. When we got there, we saw a very familiar car parked out front. When the door opened, my suspicion was confirmed.
"Damian, what are you doing here?"
"Is it obvious? I'm giving you a ride to your friends house."
"Alright."
When we got into the car Chloe turned to me.
"What is he doing here?" Guardian? She chose that language?
"I hung out with him all day."
"THAT'S where you've been?!?!?"
"Yeah, he know that we are going to see Sarah, but doesn't know why she is here."
"Good, I better not have to kill him."
"Chloe it's fine. Besides it's a ride."
"What language are you speaking?" Damian interrupted us.
"It's a language that has been extinct for years." I replied.
"What's it called?"
"Never learned the name." Chloé spoke. "YAY!! Where here!!!"
The car stopped in front of a two story house. On the front stairs stood a girl with dirty blond hair and blue eyes. I jumped out of the car, and raced over.
"Sarah!!"
"Auntie Mari!!"
She met me half way and jumped into my arms. I may be Jagged's niece but she is mine and Chloes. I looked her up and down, al of her injured were healed and she was no longer as dangerously thin, as she was before. I felt tears rolling down my face.
"Auntie Mari, don't cry. I'm fine. See." Sarah spun in a circle and smiled. Then jumped into the woman's beside her. Chloe.
"Auntie Chloé!!!"
"Hello little Bee. How are you?" Chloé asked as she placed a hand on my shoulder to help ground me.
"Good. School is stressful. I had to learn to speak English, but I was able to make a lot more friends. How are you?"
"You know, we are living here now. Mom showed up and found out about Lila and she rescued me and your Aunt Mari." Chloe summed up.
"Good. Because I almost convinced mama to come get you guys."
I looked at Sarah in shock. "Sarah I told you we would be fine. And to not look back."
"But you are my family too!! And I wanted to help you....Like you helped me."
We grouped hugged. I pulled back and smiled at Sarah.
"I don't deserve you." I whispered
"Nope. You promised not to do this again." Sarah stayed with a glint in her eyes. "Besides. You know my new Mom and Dad."
"Do I?"
"Yep, come on!"
Sarah grabbed Chloe's and I's hand, before dragging us into the house. I shouted a quick thank you to Damian before the door closed behind me.