Music for the Soul

Chapter 6

Marinette

I woke up to something nuzzling my cheek. Then there was a lick. I opened my eyes reluctantly, and was met with Captain licking me. I giggled and pet him.
"Good morning to you too." I looked at my clock, 7:30 "you might as well be my new alarm clock."
Captain whined and then it hit me. I picked him up and rushed outside. I'm shocked he didn't go inside.
When he finished doing his business, he came over and sat at my feet. I smiled and picked up a stick.
"You wanna get it boy?" I wagged it in his face and threw it. "Go get it."
Captain barked and chased after it. He was so tiny. I'm gonna take him to the vet today. I have to go to Wayne Gardens today. Maybe I can ask Bruce if I can take him? I felt something hit my shin, and I picked up Captain.
"Do you wanna go deal with my class today? Well have to get you a collar and a leash, but I think you'll enjoy it." I said.
He barked and wagged his tail, licking my face with, what I thought was, a smile on his face. I giggled and took him back inside.

"Marinette, why is there a dog on the couch?" Kim asked when he woke up.
"He's my new puppy. Found him in an alley last night." I said while grabbing breakfast for myself, and for Captain. Kim came over to me and gave me a side hug and Captain instantly growled. He jumped off the couch and raced over to us, growling and barking like crazy. I stepped away from Kim and Captain places himself between us. I chuckled.
"Captain, he's a friends. Now down boy."
He didn't back down completely, but he eased his barking and growling to low.
"He's more protective than me, Chloé, and Damian I think." Kim said as he grabbed himself some breakfast.
We ate our food in peace, and when I finished I fed Captain. I can take him to the vet and I think they sell leashes and collars there as well. When Captain was finished, and I had changed, I loaded the car up and we were off to the vet.

"He's healthy, a little hungry but perfectly fine. I'm going to give you some milk for her to drink, but please start weening her off it as soon as possible. In a few weeks she should be ready for puppy kibble so keep an eye out." Dr. Gena said.
"Thank you. Do you have collars and leashes I could purchase?"
She nodded. "Just get one at the front desk."
"Thank you for seeing him on such short notice."
She chuckled and nodded her head, "It's not problem dear, please make an appointment to come see me again in four weeks. Captain should have already started eating puppy kibble by then."
Nodding, I took the gallon of milk she handed me and headed to the Gardens. The class should be there soon.

"Look it's Mari-Slut!" Alya shouted.
I tensed and gripped Captains leash tighter. I hear Captain growl, and stand in front of me. I sighed and pat his head. His tail wags for a second, before he goes back to growling. I sigh and walk over to Chloé, Kim and Max.
"Hey guys." I said with a forced smile on my face. The grip on Captains leash tightening.
"Hey Mark, how was the vet?" Chloé asked
"Good, she gave me some milk for Captain and I got him a collar and leash. I have to go to the store later and get some bowls for him, but everything's good."
Captain walked over to Chloé and nudged her leg. Chuckling she pet Captains head.
"That's good..... Your such a good boy Captain." Chloé cooed. My friends and I laughed at as she baby talked to Captain. He barked and raced around in circles. "Have you told Damian about Captain yet?"
I shook my head. "No, he should be here soon. Mr. Grayson will be our tour guild, along with Miss. Ivy." I said as I recalled the itinerary from my memory. I bent down and picked Captain up as I heard lots of footsteps. I clutched Captain to my chest and refused to turn around.
"Marinette, how could you!!? How could you slap Lila!" Alya yelled
"I didn't do anything, Alya. I was at the vet, then I came here. How could I have possibly hurt Lila in that time?" I said as I kept my back to her. Captain was growling at her from his place in my arms. I stroked his head to calm him.
"Why were you at the vet?" Rose asked
I turned around to show them Captain. "I found him last night, he's mine now." I stated and gripped Captain just a little bit tighter.
Rose cooed and stepped forward to pet him, but I stepped back. She looked hurt.
"Why can't I pet him?" She asked
"Your not my friend anymore, remember?" I deadpanned
"We are too!" Alya shot back.
"No your not! Your believing every word Lila tells you, and you've only known her a few years! You've known me dunce we were in elementary school!! The second she talked about her 'life' you guess ditched me! Tell me how that's being my friend!!" I yelled. I was sick and tired of their attitude. And to make it worse Adrien stepped forward.
"Marinette, calm down. This isn't anyone's fault." He stepped closer and closer. Captain squirmed and growled at him. "Just go on a date with me and I'll tell them Lilas lying." He whispered to me.
I was shocked. He's giving me an ultimatum. "You......you dick! You just as bad as them, or do I have to remind you, what you did to me." I said in a deadly tone.
He looked shocked. "M'lady?"
I shook my head. "Not anymore." I gritted out.
He looked pissed. Before I could react, he gripped my upper arm, digging his nails into my skin. Again. I clenched my jaw, refusing to let him see how it hurts.
"Give me Plagg back." He stated.
I shook my head. "Let me go Adrien." I said loud enough for everyone that's close enough to care, to hear.
"Not until you give me Plagg back."
I laughed bitterly, "You don't deserve, Plagg. You don't deserve to be Chat Noir. I'm the Guardian, Adrien, your unworthy."
Adrien wasn't taking no for an answer. His grip got tighter and tighter. A few tears escaped, and landed on Captains head. Captain growled, barked, then but Adriens hand. Adrien let my arm go, and I stepped away and stumbled into Chloé. Captain still in my arms, licking them as reassurance. Chloé slung an arm around my neck and stepped closer to my side, Kim and Max stepping in front of us. Chloé checked my arm and gasped. Confused, I followed the line of sight. There was a handprint sized bruise, and tiny cuts with blood slipping out on the tips. I winced when she poked it. And to top it all off, Damian walked over.

"Angel, what happened?"
I didn't get to say anything, Chloé told him and he instantly tried to storm off. Kim held him back, but he was struggling. When Damian realized there wasn't anything he could do, he walked back over to me and tried to pull me into a hug. Key word tried.
Captain bark and growled at him. Damian looked at me puzzled and I laughed.
"It's ok Captain, he's a friend."
That didn't pacify him at all. So I did the craziest thing every, I wrapped my arm through Damians and leaned my head on his shoulder. Captain stopped growling and quirked his head to the side, curious. I giggled and handed Captain to Damian. It took a minute, but he settled in his arms and licked Damian.
"When did you get a dog?" Damian asked as he scratched Captain.
"Last night. Found the little guy in an alley. He's healthy, but still to young for puppy kibble so, I have milk for him in the car. The vet said it can be warm or cold, but cold preserves it more, but I'm not too worried." I said and kissed Damian on the lips.
Damian smiled into it, and when he pulled back he looked at my arm. I tugged at my sleeve till it was down.
"I'm fine, Dami." Lie. Adrien knows I'm Ladybug now, he has a clear shot of getting the Cat Miraculous. At least he doesn't know where I live anymore. I nearly cried when Dick came over and gathered the class.
"Today we will be touring the Wayne Gardens. Pamala Ivy will be joining us today. She takes care of the plants here."
Poison Ivy is one of my favorite rouges. But the Sirens itself are my favorite. An individual is cool and all, but a group is even better. Harley Quinn, CatWoman, and Poison Ivy, are still bad but not as bad. Like, Harley is an emotional therapist. Salina, CatWoman, is married for Bruce Wayne. Pamala Ivy, Poison Ivy, is rubbing the Wayne Gardens. They hardly do any crime, and they help the BatFam out on occasion.
"Hello everyone, I can't wait to show you all the Garden. It's beautiful here." Ivy said "now who won the scholarship here?"
The whole class except my friends instantly smiled. "Lila!" They said at once.
Ivy looked puzzled and looked at a piece of paper in her hand. "I don't have that name. I have a Marinette. Is there a Marinette here?"
The classes smiles, turned to glares as they looked at me. I slowly raised my hand with hesitation. And then Ivy squealed. She raced over and hugged me.
"It's you. Your the one making my babies brighter! How? I have never seen you before."
Miraculous side effect. Damn. Putting on a smile, I shrugged and said "I have no clue."
Captain didn't like Ivy touching me so he gave a warning bark before jumping into my arms. Damian and I laughed.
"Sorry, he's protective of me." I said in between laughs
Ivy chuckled. "It's fine, Harley's hyenas are worse."
"I bet." I stuck my hand out, adjusting to Captain, "I'm Marinette."
"Pamala Ivy, but you can call me Ivy."
"Nice to meet you. I just want to say, I'm very happy to hear how you turned over a new leaf. I'm happy your doing something you love and not something out of anger. Plus, I'm happy for you and Harley." I said with a genuine smile.
Ivy looked shocked. But is melted away into a warm smile. "Thank you. Not a lot of people believe me when I said I was starting fresh. Harley is one of the main reasons I've decided to start over. It was mutual, we didn't want to be the same person we were, so Batman helped us out. It took some convincing, but I'm happy he gave in."
I winked "so am I."
After introducing my friends, Ivy started the tour.