Whatever It Takes, (Sequel To No Matter What.)

Chapter 12

Marie's POV

A couple weeks passed after that weird lunch conversation, and neither Elio, nor Liam has mentioned the new Ladybug to me like that again. At least, not as obviously.

They keep making subtle remarks about what the new Ladybug looks like, usually glancing in my direction after saying whatever it was they said.

It really confused me. I knew both Liam and Elio were pretty observant and kind of smart, but I was careful. Plus they'd have to really pay attention to me to figure it out.

I mean not even my own best friends knew it was me. How did people who knew me better than I knew myself not know, but the jerks who never leave us alone somehow figured it out?

I was worried but I hadn't told Mom yet. I thought that if I did, she'd take away my miraculous and I wouldn't be able to help Paris anymore. I wanted to handle it myself.

"Marie! Hellooo? Ya good?" I jump slightly, shaking my head to clear it and seeing Leah right in front of my face looking a little concerned.

"Oh yeah I'm fine. Just spaced out for a bit." I brush a strand of hair behind my ear.

"You've been doing that a lot lately," Kagome says from beside me. "What's wrong?"

The three of us had decided to go hang out at the park for a while. It was a nice day and we finally didn't have any homework to finish so we wanted to relax and talk for a bit. We had been walking there when I started to think about things and space out.

"I'm fine, just kind of tired." I smile reassuringly at my two friends. It was true, I was tired.

What with all the homework we'd been getting lately, plus the akumas I had to fight, and worrying about what Elio said, I wasn't getting much sleep at the moment. Tikki would try to help me calm down, telling me I was doing very well and telling me I should tell Mom about what Elio said and that telling her would help.

I wasn't so sure though, and I told Tikki this. She understood my reasons, and hasn't said anything to Mom yet. I'm really greatful she hasn't.

"Well, you'll get to chill now so quit worrying," Leah says with a bright smile. I allow myself to relax and talk with Kagome and Leah as we walk.

We reach the park and find a place to sit. Leah flops down right on the grass, throwing her head back and flinging her arms out to either side. Some of her hair had come out of its ponytail and strands of her dark hair slightly fell in her face.

I fall beside her, careful of the fact that I was wearing a skirt. Kagome sat down too, letting out a small happy sigh as she felt the sun on her face. She removes her red and blue scarf from her neck.

"Can I see that?" I point to the scarf and her hands. She nods, holding it out to me. I take it and sit behind her.

She knows what I'm going to do since Leah and I do it often. Her hair is very pretty and long. Silky black strands with subtle red streaks in it. We love to do her hair. I begin carefully brading my friend's hair, making sure not to pull too hard.

"How's your brother?" I ask curiously.

"Ok I guess. He's angry with Father at the moment." Kagome sighs again, this one a little more sad.

"What's he mad about this time?" Leah sits up.

"I made a piano version of one of Mr. Couffaine's songs. I liked the song and he said it was ok but when Father heard it-" Kagome looked down.

"Why would he be upset that you were playing one of my Dad's songs?" I was confused. I hadn't seen Kagome's dad interact with my own much but I didn't think he disliked his music or anything.

"I'm not sure," Kagome answered me. "He just yelled at me, telling me to never play that song where he can hear it."

"Which one was it?" Leah asked curiously. Both of them knew a lot of my dad's music since we'd been friends for so long.

"It was "No Matter What.""

We all knew that song well. It was a song my dad wrote back when he and Mom first got together. He plays it often for Mom when she's had a bad day or just isn't feeling too great. It's a song he wrote to tell her that he'll always love her, no matter what.

It was an especially beautiful song, and me and my two friends knew it well. It was a song that made me wonder if I'd ever be able to love someone as much as my parents love each other.

"But that song's amazing! Why does he have a problem with it?" Leah asks, her dark eyes filled with confusion.

Kagome just shrugs. I finish her brade, tying it off with her long scarf because why not, before letting it fall against her back.

"Thanks Marie." Kagome feels the silky brade with a smile.

My mind was on the song now. Why did Mr. Agreste have a problem with my dad's song? It was a big enough problem that he yelled at his shy daughter and told her never to play it when he was around. My face hardened a little as I thought of that. How could he yell at Kagome.

She was so sweet and kind and a little shy at times. Even though she was shy, she could usually handle herself. However, there are exceptions to what a person can handle. This is the same for Kagome. She can't stand when her father yells at her. 

I often wondered about Kagome's mother, Kagami. I wondered if she ever knew how cold her husband was to their children.

I remember Mrs. Agreste. She was very beautiful and kind and she and my mom were great friends. Though she was pretty serious and a little cold at times, you could tell she loved her children.

Kagome didn't used to talk about her father much. She and her brother were happier back then. I wondered if their father was cold to them back then, but Kagami was their for them so it didn't matter to them as much.

I wondered if Mr. Agreste had grown colder after the death of his wife, or if he'd always been cold but it was just more noticable now.

A/N: Yo! Happy Halloween! I bring you another chapter!

I have a long weekend this weekend so I have a lot of time to write for you guys.

So, you learned a little more about Kagome and her family this chapter. What do you think? Do you have any theories?

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think and I'll see you in the next one.

Bye! 💜