The Huntress And The Knight

Chapter Four

Adrien knew that it was dangerous to go out at night, looking for a wanted criminal, but he didn't care. He knew he could fight her off if it came down to that. He did worry about the rumors that she was not only talented with a bow but a sword as well, but he tried not to give them any mind. Adrien didn't care about the holes in his plan, he wanted to meet Ladybug again, only for her, she would be meeting a stranger for the first time.

Adrien kept his guard up as he rode Plagg through the forest. The sack of valuable trinkets tied to his belt jingled as he rode, so he kept an eye out for thieves stalking the path.  Though he doubted there would be any. In the past few months, he had made sure to arrest any thief he came across, but now he worried that he had been unfair about it. Hopefully, today's actions could begin to make up for the mistakes he made while enforcing his father's unjust laws.

He slowed down Plagg as they got to the edge of the forest. He didn't want to make any noises as he guided his horse through the overgrown bushes and brambles. He worried that people might recognize him, even if he wore his new disguise. Before leaving the palace, he had decided to trade in his silver armor for slick black hunting gear. Adrien had stolen the black attire from the head hunter of the palace, but the man already had enough black shirts, capes, pants, and boots that Adrien was sure he wouldn't miss the stolen ones all that much. To add some finishing touches, Adrien used an extra black shirt to whip a mask and a pair of black cat ears. Along with the hunting gear, Adrien had also ransacked the palace for trinkets that he knew contained much value but would not be missed.

As Adrien approached the village square, he could have sworn he heard hoofsteps behind him, but when he turned around, no one was there. He shrugged before making his way to Mari's street. He knew that the people around her were the least fortunate of the people in the village, so as he rode down the street, Adrien left a few trinkets on the doorsteps of the villagers' homes. When he had decided that he would be leaving these items to the people, he worried that they might be accused of stealing, but he hoped that they could exchange the baubles for money without any problems. They could claim that it was an old heirloom, after all.

"Looks like tonight's going off without a hitch," he whispered to Plagg as he remounted his trusty steed after dropping off the last of his gifts. Adrien knew that if Plagg could talk, he would probably tell Adrien that the night wasn't over before complaining about not having enough food, but that didn't discourage Adrien. He was proud of what he had accomplished tonight, and he hoped he could repeat it tomorrow night to help even more people. He didn't let his hopes get too high; Adrien knew that if his father found out what he was doing he would be done for. Gabriel had almost caught him escaping that night, but Adrien had been able to convince his father he was merely going for a late-night stroll around the palace.
   
As Adrien made his way towards the forest, ready to go home for the night, he heard the hoofsteps again. Without a moment's hesitation, he turned around, not expecting his eyes to be met with the sapphire eyes of Ladybug herself. She wore a flustered expression, which was most likely the result of being caught following him on her horse, but she quickly regained her composure. Although he had hoped to meet the Princess clad in red with black spots, he hadn't thought his wishes would come to fruition. Now, as he stared into her mesmerizing eyes, he didn't know what he was ever going to say.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her stern voice surprising him. He had expected her to praise him. Well, maybe praise was a strong word, but Adrien hadn't expected her to sound....mad at him? He honestly couldn't tell, and with the darkness that surrounded them, he couldn't see the emotions written on her face.

"My name is Cat Noir," he told her, giving her a mini bow from the back of his horse, "and I am here to help you serve your people. Our people."

"Our people?" Ladybug asked, her words dipped in venom. "Why would I want to want to work with a thief like you?"