Enemy AU! Wanted to do at least one fic for it.

...You know what, I think this is my first official ML fic where Gabriel is Hawk Moth.

When his father first brought up his offer and shared with him this opportunity to get her back and a way how; Adrien knew that he would have to work with a variety of people, helping them meet their personal goals while fighting against Lady Luck herself. A near impossible foe to defeat with all good luck on her side. But they had to try. They still had to keep it at.

Luck had to run out sometime. It was just a matter of patience and determination.

Though, he long thought it was only dealing with Ladybug herself that he would have to be patient with.

It's very rare that he found one of his father's akumas pushing his patience.

And yet, today this one was.

This akuma with his personal objective.

One of the more ridiculous objectives Adrien has ever heard.

A date.

Taking a girl out on a date.

No revenge on anyone.

No making some great masterpiece or trying to prove a point.

All this akuma wanted to do was go on a date.

And where did that leave Adrien with this? Adrien who was assigned to help akumas by any means necessary and no matter the situation, even if he was allergic to them; he had to help (though Mr Pigeon was a fated mess to be, he could barely do anything in that fight with all that sneezing). This was no different.

So where did this leave him?

It left him chaperoning.

Chaperoning.

He could scarcely believe this.

He was so baffled and agitated that he couldn't even jump to the opportunity for a pun! Now, he had no doubt in his mind that Ladybug would come, she would never leave a a civilian alone with an akuma. But this left Chat Noir waiting, observing this date from the shadows, and likely going to end up very bored out of his mind till the red heroine showed herself.

Maybe he should just destroy a Paris monument? Ladybug would come sooner, they could make use of this akuma, take her miraculous and be done with this day and then the akuma could go on his date!

But no, evidently not.

"I want to go on a date tonight!" the redhead insisted, frowning at Chat Noir like he was crazy. "We go after Ladybug now, she may succeed and I'd never have this chance!"

Chat's tail gave an angry twitch, his ears falling flat on his head as he grimaced at the artist based akuma. "She's going to refuse!" Chat stated, glaring at the bakery building where the akuam's crush lived. "We're wasting time here!"

"I don't care!" Evillustrator snapped. "I want to try at least! And I come first! That was part of the deal!" The akuma paused when a butterfly symbol flared over his face, and Chat kept quiet, waiting as his father spoke with the akuma.

Evillustrator nodded. "I'll get her miraculous, but I come first," he repeated, turning towards the bakery. To Chat, he warned, "Don't be seen. You'll scare her."

Chat shot back, "And you won't?"

The akuma ignored him as he flew towards the bakery, erasing the window and slipping in. Chat hovered close by, expecting the akuma to come out depressed or enraged, maybe he'll erase the building in revenge to getting turned down. It was bound to happen. What sane person would agree to go on a date with an akuma?

Maybe that would be for the best.

Evillustrator might be more up to using this girl as bait for Ladybug if she refused him.

Ladybug would certainly be more inclined to come if someone was under threat.

Only, it seems that plan was dashed when Evillustrator flew out, the biggest smile on his face, giving the black cat a start at how happy he looked. "She said yes!" Evillustrator exploded out, dropping before Chat, his teal eyes gleaming in mirth.

Chat gaped at him for a minute before shaking his surprise away. He asked, "Did you threaten her?"

That blissful expression dropped away with an offended scowl. "What? No!" The akuma shook his head, "I would never hurt her! I simply asked if she would join me tonight and she said yes! She said yes!" Bubbling with excitement, the akuma started pace and skip before Chat, murmuring to himself as he started to partly plan out the date, partly to gush about it to Chat.

"It's going to be on the Siene," Evillustrator declared, "and we'll have music, it'll be a beautiful night and-"

"Ladybug," Chat pipes in.

The akuma shot him a frown before nodded. "We'll need to be ready for her." Evillustrator glanced back at the bakery, sighing wishfully. "I would hate for her to ruin this date."

Chat Noir gave a bored hum, tail twitching absently.

Straightening, Evillustrator turned to Chat, ordering, "I'm going to get everything ready for tonight, don't disturb me."

"Don't worry," Chat reassured, giving the akuma a mocking bow. "I'll find a way to amuse myself till the big date tonight." The one he was chatperoning.

...Nah.

It would've been better if he said that around Lady Luck, hear that annoyed scoff and see the roll of her eyes.

Anything to get under her skin.

Giving him a strict nod, the akuma departed, humming notes Chat didn't care to hear as he headed off to get ready for his "big night". Chat rolled his eyes after him as he turned back the bakery, curious as to who this girl was, and what would convince her to agree to go on a date with an akuma.

He could get it if she was threatened. Do what you had to when surviving.

But that didn't feel like Evillustrator threatened her; especially since this akuma seemed to have his head in the clouds, and was a gentle soul. The worst so far that he's done since his creation was erase this girl's window.

That's the worst this akuma has done so far.

Erase a window.

Probably one of his father's most dangerous akumas yet, and the worst he did was erase a window to ask this girl out on a date.

Who even was she?!

He got his answer when she came into view to inspect what's left of her window.

She wasn't what Chat was expecting. He was expecting someone like Chloe. Bright blonde hair, with pristine skin caked in makeup. Someone that held herself with pride and assurance. He found that's what most infatuated akumas looked too. Someone outside their reach, someone that usually caused their creation.

But this girl, she didn't meet what he was expecting.

And he highly doubted that she was the cause of Evillustrator.

She was... the best word he could think of to describe her was small. Someone that could be easily looked over in a crowd.

She was below average in height, her frame with small and slim. Her hair was dark, gleaming blue in the sun like crow feathers and was tied up in familiar pigtails.

For a mere moment, his thoughts flickered to Ladybug.

Ladybug who was about that build.

Ladybug who had that sort of hair style...

The thoughts stopped.

He... wasn't too sure, but he's sure her hair was lighter, maybe she had a little more muscles on her, and was a little taller than this girl.

There was no way this could be Ladybug.

He wasn't that lucky.

He wasn't lucky at all.

He was even more sure when he watched her stiffen, her blue eyes locking right onto him. She looked very alarm at the sight of him.

Ladybug was never scared seeing him.

He watched as the girl narrowed her eyes at him warily, before hurriedly hiding away in her room, no doubt watching him where he couldn't see her.

Shaking his head, Chat dove out of sight, ducking into a near shadow of a chimney. Waiting a few minutes, he watched as the girl came back into view, looking around for him. Her lips moved as she murmured to herself and left the window, disappearing back into her room. Perking, Chat was just about to move to a new spot when she came out of the bakery, and walked right into an angry trap.

Curiously he watched as a red head exploded at the girl, the raven haired girl wincing and struggling to contain the other girl's frustration.

She wasn't successful as the girl stomped off.

With a slump and shake of her head, the akuma's crush stepped away, giving one last look around before wandering off. Chat trailed after her, green eyes locked onto the bounce of her pigtails.

He was going to be ready when she caught up to Ladybug, ready to hear the plan the heroine might have for tonight. Maybe even catch her off guard...

At least, that's what Chat told himself as he shadowed her.

He shouldn't have.

He really shouldn't have.

This was a big mistake.

But it seems to be too late to help it.

After trailing her most of the day, and feeling a little miffed that she hasn't had any sort of contact with Ladybug; Chat was getting bored. When she slipped into an empty street, an hour before the date, he dropped down silently behind her on a whim.

Despite his hushed landing, he was intrigued to note that she tensed immediately.

It was all a subtle stiffness of her shoulders before she forced herself to relax and walk on, like ignoring him would make him leave.

It made his tail twitch excitedly.

Technically he should. This wasn't his prey to mess with. And he was in clear view. If Ladybug came by, he would've been easily seen. Mindful, he was close to a civilian; she may come and engage him.

Or she may dive down and spirit the girl away to safety.

Maybe even leave a brokenhearted akuma, waiting at the Seine.

...That actually wasn't too bad an idea.

What better way to encourage him than having his long awaited date stand him up?

What to do?

Scare the girl?

Drop her on a roof far, far away?

His eyes slid over the girl absently, taking in her small frame. Maybe seeing her in his arms migh—

"How long are you going to follow me?"

Chat gave a start, blinking when he met her narrowed teal eyes.

He gave her a cheeky smile. Easily he came up to her side, grinning at how she stepped away from him. She was nervous. He could work with nervous. "As long as I want too," he told her, tail flickering behind him. "I'm a curious cat."

"You know what they say about cats and curiosity."

His smile grew. "Don't forget about satisfaction, Princess."

She scoffed, storming away from him, unable to lose him as he simply trailed after her, always a few steps behind. "I'm not going to see Ladybug," she called over her shoulder.

He simply hummed.

"I'm not going to see her," she insisted.

"Just because you don't plan on seeing her, Princess, doesn't mean she won't show."

She let out a loud groan, smearing her hand over her face. He took the chance to come to her side, watching as her nose gave a cute wrinkle. "Why did you agree?" he asked, giving her a start.

She peeked at him between her fingers, blinking.

He repeated, "Why did you agree to go on a date with an akuma?"

"You really expect me to believe an akuma when he says he won't hurt me?"

No. He suppose not. They were known to be unstable and unpredictable. He should know with how many he's worked with. She did or said the wrong thing, Evillustrator may turn on her. Chuckling, he asked, "So, if you won't inform Ladybug of what's going on, how are you going to come out of this tonight?"

She looked surprised by the question before harrumphing. "I have full confidence in taking care of myself."

Amused, he teased, "Oh, quite a big girl aren't you?"

She shot him a glare. "I could flip you Kitty Cat."

Chat burst out laughing, claws digging into his side as he crowed out his chortles. She wrinkled her face down at him, her features sharp with agitation. It almost looked like she wanted too, wanted to reach for him, grab him and show him just how well she could flip him.

Only to sigh and walk on, leaving Chat leaning against the wall as he tried to control himself. His green eyes trailed after her, giggles and chortles escaping him. Perking right up, he went after her, tail moving coyly behind him. Coming up beside her, he riled, "I would like to see you try."

She didn't respond. She kept her eyes locked ahead, not acknowledging him at all.

He wondered if she thought that if she ignored him, he'd go away.

Chat had no plans too.

"I don't think I got your name," he comments.

"I don't want to give you my name," she said.

"And why not?"

"You're Chat Noir," she points out, rounding on him with a small scowl. "You're up there with Hawk Moth as public enemy number one."

"To Ladybug," he said, leaning closer. "You don't have to worry about me."

She surprised him by setting a finger on his nose and pushing him back. He blinked at the touch and she quickly withdrew, wary of his reaction. Chat peered at her, a slow smile blooming over his lips. How bold. Most certainly didn't react this way with a wild rogue like him.

"I think I would like to know your name," he persists.

She grimaced at him.

He offered his claws to her, adding a mocking bow behind it. "As I'm sure you know, I'm Chat Noir. The devilishly handsome rogue of Paris."

"Debatable," she returned, not giving him her hand.

Undeterred, he pressed, "And you are?"

She pursed her lips. Not answering.

He took her hand, bringing it up to his lips for a kiss. He released her after he touched the tip of her knuckles. "Princess then," he decided.

"Ugh," she huffed, drawing away and putting space between them. "Why are you following me?" she demanded. "I didn't think I'd see you till tonight."

"I'm intrigued," he stated simply, eyeing her up and down. "It's not too often I come across a civilian who doesn't tremble before an akuma, or me. Most I meet scream at the sight of me."

"With the power to destroy anything you touch, you are kinda scary," she returned.

"True," he hums. Just to scare her, he adds, "I have yet to test it out on a living being."

"I dread the day," she said, eyeing his claws with a frown.

"So you're not scared?"

"…A little," she confessed.

He knew it. No one besides Ladybug was brave enough to face an akuma on their own. And with no Ladybug to secure her safety, he's surprised she's not handling this worse.

Maybe when it was time she'd freak out more.

"Well," he voiced, hopping in front of her and stopping her right in her tracks. "If things get dangerous I'll protect you Princess."

She shot him a look. "You'd think I'd trust you?"

He chuckled, leaning forward so that he was in her space. "It's between me and the akuma," he said, "I don't know how much of a choice you have."

Satisfied, he pulled out his staff and vaulted away, leaving the princess to stare after him.

"How about not trusting either of you," she murmured, glaring after him.

Marinette was very nervous.

It was going to be her very first time handling an akuma and Chat on her own, not as Ladybug and with no powers at her disposal.

She honestly had very little idea what she was going to do about this, how she was going to pull this off.

She had an objective, get the possessed item.

Only thing she had in her way was the akuma's distrust and Chat watching her every move… maybe his attention would entirely be looking for Ladybug? If Chat's attention was elsewhere, she was confident she could get a hold of the suspected item. Even if it wasn't, it appeared to be Evillustrator's main weapon.

Whether the tainted butterfly was in it or not, getting the pen was ideal.

"You can do it!" Tikki cheered, snapping the purse open to peer up at her. "Just keep a level head."

"Yeah," Marinette murmured, wincing as she came upon the Seine. "That'll be easy." Worst case scenario, they get her earrings.

"You came!"

Marinette looked up, smiling as Evillustrator rushed to her, big smile on his face. "I said I would," she said, beaming, "Happy birthday!"

His smile turned bashful as he rubbed the back of his head. "Thank you," he bid, then clearing his throat, he waved to the Seine, presenting a boat to her. "Your carriage awaits!"

Intrigued Marinette came near, letting Evillustrator help her up. While she settled on a bench, Evillustrator started up the boat, eagerly seating himself beside her. With a fancy twirl of his pen, he started to draw on his pad. She watched in wonder as music notes rose up out of the air, whistling pleasant tunes.

Smiling softly, she leaned back and took a moment to relax. It was nice so far. Cracking her eyes open, she looked about.

The moon floated high and lovely in the air.

The Seine was gentle and calm.

And Paris loomed over them, asleep and hushed.

It was a very lovely night.

And an even better date than she thought it'd be.

She thought about maybe just relaxing back, and enjoy the date. She could always get the pen after this. Only, she caught sight of a shadow on roofs.

She tensed for a second, watching as Chat Noir hop along the roofs. He stopped for a moment, turning his bright green eyes down to them. She wasn't sure, but it felt like his gaze was locked on her.

"What's wrong?"

She jumped. "Huh?"

Evillustrator leaned forward, frowning. "You seemed tense."

"Oh!" Blushing, she awkwardly jerked towards the Parisian roofs. "I saw Chat Noir," she confessed.

Evillustrator frowned darkly, turning his eyes up to glare at the cat. "I'm sorry," he sighed, "but he's got to be there. I wish he wasn't, but…"

"Ladybug?" she guessed.

"Yeah, it'd be horrible if she ruined this."

Oh if only you knew akuma.

Giving him a reassuring smile, she said, "I'm sure it'll be fine."

He smiled. "I'm sure it will be. Chat Noir should be able to stop Ladybug before she reached us. But if I have too, I'll keep you safe."

Marinette simply smiled.

As Evillustrator resumed the music, Marinette turned her gaze back to Chat, watching him move lithely along the roofs, and occasionally catching the glow of his green eyes peering down at them.

Her hand came to rest over her purse as she felt Tikki shuffle about.

Soon, she decided. She'll try and get that pen soon.

Fifteen minutes in and Chat was bored. There was no Ladybug in sight anywhere, and he even took the precaution of scaring a few civilians he saw wandering around at night. This city was known to post up and warn people when he or an akuma was about.

Ladybug should be aware of them, and should have arrived a while ago!

Why wasn't she here?!

Growling, he sat still for a moment, shooting a glare down at the date.

Surprisingly it looked like the girl was having a decent time with the akuma. Something that shouldn't even be possible.

Frowning down at them, Chat dipped closer to the boat, hiding away in the shadows and tuning his ears down towards them.

"I do a bit of drawing too," Princess said, her gaze turned towards the Parisian roofs. Chat wondered if she was looking for him. Curious, he crouched lower, narrowing his eyes to better hide the glow of them in the night.

The akuma responded, "I'm aware."

She leant about, Chat could see the frown on her before she brightened, leaning towards the akuma and asking, "Where'd Chat go?"

He watched the akuma give a start, looking towards the roofs with an annoyed frown.

Whether it was from Chat leaving his post, or because he date asked about him; Chat couldn't say. What he could say for sure was that Princess asking about him brought a pleased purr to his chest.

"Perhaps he got bored," the akuma guessed, "or maybe he's fighting Ladybug. Either way, he doesn't matter. Tonight it's about us."

Chat wonders if he could get away with throwing a loose shingle at the akuma's head.

"But if he's fighting Ladybug, shouldn't you be helping?" Princess asked.

Aw, she does care.

Chat saw the flare of the butterfly symbol over the akuma's face. He heard a very weary sigh. "Technically yes," the akuma said. The symbol flickered out. "But the deal is that I got to do what I want, I come first." Turning to her, the akuma swore, "Spending my birthday with you is what I wanted most. I can only have one birthday a year."

"And who knows what'll happen next year," she murmurs sagely.

"Exactly!" the akuma proclaimed, eagerly leaning into her space. Chat watched as she warily leaned away, a small, tight smile on her face.

Not that the akuma noticed, oblivious in his bliss.

"So!" the girl voiced, gently pushing him back for space. "You know I draw, since I don't have a present for you, about I draw something for you?"

The akuma beamed. "I would love to have a drawing from you!"

Chat narrowed his eyes.

"May I see your pen?" she asked, reaching for it.

The akuma had the decency to hesitate.

Princess wasn't going to be deterred. "I'll give it back," she promised, holding her hand out expectantly. Frowning down at his pen, then glancing at her, Chat watched, baffled as the akuma gave up his main weapon. Then, with one of the most sugar coated smiles Chat's ever saw, she bid, "Sorry Nath."

The akuma had only time to blink before he was grabbed, hefted up, and tossed over the side of the boat.

Chat gaped.

As the akuma jerked up, growling a gurgled name Chat couldn't catch. Princess sped up to the wheel and turned the boat closer to the street. With the pen grasped securely in her clutches, she jumped the side of the ship, onto the street and fled away into the night.

Chat stared after her, jaw dropped in wonder. It wasn't even clicking in his head to go after her, or help the akuma, despite how he was calling for Chat.

His mind was stuck in replay, viewing that scene over and over again.

And she was just a simple civilian.

A civilian!

One he'll have to see again…

Turning to the akuma, he was just about to jump down and join him, only, just as the akuma climbed out of the water, black bubbles encased him and a confused red head stood in place.

She got the pen to Ladybug already.

Chat narrowed his eyes.

She must have contacted Ladybug before she left home. That was the only explanation he could gather.

Sighing, Chat stood, tail jerking side to side in slight agitation.

No doubt he was going to hear about this later when he got home. He wasn't anywhere to be seen as a civilian took care of one of the more dangerous akumas his father's made. Very easily he might add. Though in her defense, this was one of the more naive akumas they had, especially in thinking that a girl would be completely up for a date with one.

He cracked a smile.

She really didn't need his help at all.

As Chat turned and left, the confused red head wandered home, muttering to himself as he tried to remember what happened.

Chat made a mental note to go see that Princess again.

Especially if she had Ladybug's contact information.

"That went really well," Marinette declared, coming up onto her balcony, squirt bottle in hand. Tikki fluttered close, chirping her confirmation.

"You handled it wonderfully," the little red god declared, proud.

"Yeah, though I say we got lucky that Chat decided to disappear on us. I might've sat through that whole date waiting for the perfect moment to get that pen."

"It is curious that he left," Tikki comments, frowning as she turned to Paris.

"Maybe he saw a mouse," Marinette teased.

Tikki smiled. "Previous Black Cats have all be easily distracted one way or another," she said, "though I have yet to know one that was distracted by a mouse. A little light, sure, but a mouse?" The kwami shook her head.

Marinette turned to her, an evil smile playing over her lips. "Older Chats have been distracted by little lights? Like, laser lights?"

Tikki frowned. "Marinette," she scolds, "using a laser light on Chat won't help your situation with him."

"But it'll be funny!" Marinette promised.

"It may be, but out of all other miraculouses, the Black Cat has always been the most loyal and devoted comrade and partner to us. I personally still think that you should try to appeal to him. When good luck and bad luck are opposing… it usually doesn't end well. They're meant to counter the other, circle each other, and balance the other. If it comes down to it, you can easily partner with another miraculous hero, but none will work as well with you as the Black Cat."

"Uh huh," Marinette snips, "never mind that the first time we met, he tried to scratch my ears off." Trying to rip the miraculous from her ears…

That was honestly very scary, the desperation and determination in his slanted eyes.

She shivered.

Tikki came up and nuzzled her chosen's cheek, humming a soft, gentle tune. "It will be as it should be," she promised.

Before Marinette could reply, the little kwami darted into her room and out of view. Confused, Marinette looked about to see what scared Tikki away, stiffening when she met the glow of green eyes a few roofs down.

Marinette stiffens, tightening her hold on the spray bottle.

Oh no.

No no no nononononononono.

She wonders if he would leave if she ducked into her room right now. Only, he was already almost upon her and just as she turned to dive into her room, he landed on her balcony railing, greeting, "Princess!"

Grimacing, she stiffly turned to him, the spray bottle set between them like a weapon. "Chat Noir," she returned.

Beaming, he bid with a sarcastic clap of his claws, "That was quite the show last night, I really never expected that happening."

She tensed. "You saw that?"

"Every single bit of it. From the tricking, to the grabbing, to the tossing. It was hissterical!"

Marinette grimaced all the darker.

Chat just beamed, very amused.

Setting a hand on her hip, she demanded, "Why didn't you help Evillustrator?" Especially if he was there. She was nervous now. What if he followed her? What if he saw her transform into Ladybug?

Leaning closer, he said, "Would you believe me if I told you I was too blown away to even think of helping."

He was now much too close for her comfort.

"Back off," she warned, shooting a light spray at him.

He withdrew, frowning and shaking the water off.

"So," he started.

"So," she echoed, weary.

"What's Ladybug's contact information?" he demanded.

She stared at him. "What?" she uttered.

"I followed you all day after the akuma asked you out. You haven't been in contact with Lady Luck at all. Which means you must have contacted her while in your room, where I couldn't see."

Marinette stared at him for a minute, then jerked, raspberries blowing past her lips as she tried to keep her laughter in check. Only to fail. Dropping the bottle, she hunched over, cackling as she hugged her sides.

Chat's ears fell flat on his head, glaring down at the laughing girl. "I'm serious," he warned.

"I, I don't have it," she managed out, stumbling away and dropping into her lounge chair, breathing hard.

"Then how did you get in contact with Ladybug?" he pressed.

"I never did," she said, giving him an amused smile. "I got away with the pen, and was lucky that she saw me while passing by. That's the only time I ever came in contact with her that day."

Chat pursed his lips at her.

She gave him a mocking smile.

Slowly, he returned it, his tail twisting back and forth, like a cat eager to play.

Marinette's smile dropped warily, eyeing him.

"Very clever Princess," he praised. "It was certainly something neither of us expected."

She eyed him, nodding slowly.

"Unfortunately for you, I'm very curious now."

Marinette was instantly defensive. "You know what they say about cats and curiosity."

"Don't forget that satisfaction brought it back," Chat declared, hopping down and drawing near. Marinette tensed her chair, glaring at him, daring him to try something. Leaning down, he said, "I'll keep coming back till satisfied."

"Don't you dare," she warned.

He shrugged, drawing away and hopping onto the railing. "I'm a cat," he said, "I go and do as I please." Deeming that was enough, Chat turned and bounded away, leaving the very tired dark haired girl on her lounge chair.

"Well," Tikki pipes from the balcony trap door, hovering out enough to flash Marinette a smile, "not what I had in mind, but certainly is a step in the right direction!"

Marinette groaned, burying her face in her hands.

Damnit all.

It's a maybe that I'll do more with this. For now, it'll be just a oneshot.