The path through the forest seemed relatively clear through her veil, but she clutched the black roses closer to her chest all the same. Maybe this was a bad idea; if she was attacked by an animal, no one would know – well, Alya might, but that wouldn’t change much. It wasn’t like the town would come save her if she was in danger. They would wake up tomorrow, find her gone, and just throw a party; their animosity towards her had never been a secret.

They didn’t mind sacrificing their best bakers until they realized they failed to kill her.

Didn’t hesitate to immediately say their actions were her fault.

So she was partially doing this for selfish reasons – well, if removing herself from the town was being selfish, but it was helping them too. Get rid of the source of their misery and maybe meeting the deity by the mountain.

“… I didn’t even consider what to do if he wasn’t still there,” she mumbled, feeling her eyes sting. “But, I’ve already come this far. What’s there for me if I went back? Alya doesn’t have a chance to leave if she’s worrying about me.”

Maybe being attacked by an animal wouldn’t be the worst option.

Not that the thought stopped her from jumping at a nearby rustling. Slowly turning her head, her eyes grew when she saw the foliage move again, shaking harder and louder than moment’s ago. Whatever was there was about to step out, and she saw her life flashing before her… and death stepping out of the bushes suddenly sounded like a blessing for everyone again.

“Meow!”

“…. Huh?”

 The rustling had stopped and double taking, the black cat – a familiar black cat.

“Have you been following me, kitty?” she asked, kneeling down and outstretching a hand towards it. It approached with the barest sniff to her fingers, its whole body already vibrating as it purred and rubbed against her hand. Giggling, she sighed, “At least you always liked me… You wanna walk with me one more time? Maybe the deity will let you stay at the temple…”

Then he wouldn’t have to worry about going back and possibly getting kicked by one of the townspeople. Not that they were normally a danger to him, but whether that was him alone or her being nearby, she didn’t know. Either way, right now, he appeared to accept her offer with a chirr and turned, stalking ahead down the forest path. Marinette followed, pleased to have a friend, but sad that this might be the last time she saw the cat. He’d always come when Alya couldn’t, and now this would be goodbye to one more friend so she could keep the deity company.

Fortunately, there were no more surprises as they neared and the dark path gradually began to brighten with the trees thinning near the mountain, allowing more of the waxing moon’s light to reach the ground. The temple was – well – it could’ve been better. Though built into the mountain itself, there were statues worn by time and indiscernible anymore as to their original forms anymore. What could be seen – what parts were broken off – were covered by plant growth. As for the building, much of it suffered from erosion and rock slides, but the ‘door’ was still somehow clear despite everything.

Her feline companion continued on while she stood outside, looking above the doorway to try seeing the worn down carvings there. She could make just a little out barely; two figures and what might be her bouquet being exchanged between them.

A whoosh and blaze of crackling orange light snapped her attention away from the doorway and leaping back from the temple door. Inside, a torch had caught with more following with similar sudden pops. That unsure feeling was coming back as she gazed into the now alit inner sanctum and saw no one present – no one but her cat companion gazing back towards her in mid-stride with his gleaming green eyes. He walked on and she steeled her nerves to step inside herself.

“Kitty… We don’t know if you’re allowed to be in here…” she called in a hushed tone, her voice echoing despite her actions. Though she said that, it probably was okay – there were cats depicted on the walls, small and sitting before a bigger cat - no, a bipedal creature with a cat’s head and tail. Above and behind this beast’s back, dark mist seemed to swirl, but it did not show anywhere near cats or humans later shown on the wall.

Because there was the cat creature again with another wearing the customary garments and veil: the cat’s bride.

“Hm… I wonder why the bride never stayed,” Marinette said aloud, staring at the two. “If he had a permanent bride, maybe this wouldn’t be happening now.”

The flames around her flickered.

“The bride’s permanence has nothing to do with your town’s misfortune.”

Eyes bulging, Marinette spun around on her heels and would’ve fallen over were it not for the black claw that caught her. She managed to stifle her gasp and raised her head slowly, taking in the lithe form holding her, dark fur covering their torso, chest, neck, even their face with smatterings of golden yellow throughout. The feline face, those electric green eyes, her heart stuttered. It was the cat god no doubt, but she knew those eyes – he’d been with her the whole time.

“K-Kitty…”

“Marinette…” he answered, his voice bearing a purring rumble. His large triangle ears lowered. “It’s my fault. The day you were born was the anniversary of when I realized your town abandoned me. The misfortune I drew away and used to protect your people poured out of me in my mourning and began to plague they town. If our arrangement continued, I would’ve stopped it, but they started using you as a scapegoat… I was angered and intentionally began to curse them while watching after you. And yet, you came here… you’re offering yourself for them?”

His fault? But from the sound of it, the tradition was broken by her town; it wasn’t his fault for their action or thoughts. Still, he did escalate their ire, but he’d been trying to protect her?

“… I don’t know,” she sighed. “I was wondering that myself when I started walking tonight… am I here for the town? For myself? Both might be more accurate. They don’t have to deal with me anymore, but I don’t have to be around them anymore either… And you don’t have to blame yourself, Lord Plagg. What you did was just in response to them; and I can understand hating being alone.”

Steady on her feet, standing chest to chest – er, more accurately, her head to his chest level – she gazed up at the cat god. His green eyes were wide and pupils expanded, shrinking back when he processed her words. The claw that held her before came up to hold her hands still clutching the black rose bouquet.

“… Call me Chat. I always liked it when you did,” he replied with a smile, but then brought his muzzle closer to her forehead. “No matter what you think your reason is, you’ve always had a kind heart, Marinette; far kinder than both the town and I deserve. Do you really… not mind being mine forever?”

“I don’t mind. Neither of us has to be lonely anymore this way,” she whispered, heartbeat racing. She remained still, waiting to see what he would do. It took a moment for him to act, and his other claw came up to draw back her veil over her head, pressing it against her back as he held her closer.