The Other Box

Chapter 9

Grains of Truth

Ok...this chapter is as long as the freaking meaning of life! If you get that reference...you get an internet cookie! I could have stopped at Style Queen as I already had 30 pages by that point, but since I was late enough as it was... I said screw it and continued with Gaara's Regrets. Was not expecting it to me this long and I am extremely tired!

Enjoy!

XXXX

As soon as she woke this morning, Chloe knew that something was up. Like her, her father had gotten better over time and was no longer treating her like she was a bomb that would go off at any moment on him. However, he was sort of like that now and was hurriedly trying to make their hotel room presentable. "Daddy? What is going on?"

"CHLOE!" Andre nearly shouted in fright before he put a hand to his chest to calm himself down after he saw her freaked out expression. "Sorry for worrying you, but I do have news for you."

"What?"

"Your mother is coming to town to Gabriel Agreste's fashion show! She should be here soon."

That admission caused Chloe to grow an uncomfortable look on her face. Her mother was coming back. Before she would have just grinned and bore the crap that woman would put them through. Now, she was not going to act like the woman's mini-me anymore. She doubted the woman would even notice anyway. Her mother could barely remember their names.

Then, a thought struck that made her grin. Audrey did want her to be with Adrien for reasons she didn't really know. Maybe this was a good time to try and figure it out. Plus, it was a small way for her to get back at her mother with Naruto around. Yes, Audrey needed to at least meet her best friend that she was in love with.

"Since we are going to a fashion show, do you think Naruto can come along?"

Andre smirked. Of course, she would want to bring the boy. He didn't blame her. The boy was basically her rock. "Of course you can and if you decide to tell him your feelings in front of her, you certainly have my blessing."

"W-what? DADDY!" Chloe burst out with a massive blush on her face.

Andre just laughed, happy he could share a dad moment with her. Going in for a hug, he said, "Oh sweetheart, I have seen the way you look at him. I am sure he wouldn't mind."

"That's not the point." Chloe mumbled into the hug, "I…want him to figure out his feelings for me and then have him confess to me."

"Chloe..." Andre said shaking his head in mirth. "There is something you have to know about young men. They don't always pick up on stuff like that. Something drastic has to happen for that. Even I can tell Naruto likes you, but he is dense to it."

"Something drastic?" She repeated to herself as her father left their home to go and wait for her mother downstairs. No doubt the woman would cause problems by firing everyone, thankfully her father had a system in place that if any of the staff were to get fired, they would just go home for the day. It is not like she would remember them anyway.

Shaking her head of those thoughts, she left their hotel room as well and headed for Naruto's. It was the weekend, after all, so he would be free. So he has bound to run into her mother at some point. He needed to know about her beforehand.

"Did I tell you I got invited to a fashion show?" Jagged Stone's distinct voice caught her attention as she rounded the corner leading to Naruto's room that was right next door to his. He was leaning on the wall talking on his phone with someone. "Yeah, Penny said it would be good publicity and all that. Oh, hey Chloe!"

"Hey Jagged." She said as she walked passed him, both of them waving at each other.

"Huh? Yes, the very same. OH! I just remembered, the boy she is always hanging around with is Naruto!" Jagged said excitedly. That caught Chloe's attention and she slowed her walk to listen in. There was a pause in the conversation and then Jagged's voice grew somber. "Yeah, from that time in your life, which is still weird to me. They are sorta the same mate, but he is calmer. What is funny though is that he is part of a band with your kids, would be the perfect excuse to see your family and him." Another pause and Jagged laughed, "Your me best mate! And maybe you can find info on that so-called brother of yours that you think you have out there even though you are a single child. Man, you think up the weirdest stuff after the accident, but it has given us some good songs."

That was all Chloe heard as the man walked back into his hotel room and closed the door, but she swore she saw a smirk on the man's face when he looked at her again. What was all that about? Who even was that and why did they somehow know Naruto? Was it like the old man that day? If so, things could get interesting again.

Knocking on his door, he opened it with his usual heartwarming smile that she loved. "What can I do for you, Hime?" he said as he let her in.

Smiling she went to sit on his couch, "Oh not much, but there is something you should know my Knight." She replied as she picked up a new photo on his desk. "My mother is coming to the hotel."

"Oh? So I get to meet the infamous mother and harsh fashion critic huh?" Naruto said while rolling his eyes, making her giggle.

"Yeah, and we are going to the fashion show that Adrien said he was going to be in. Oh, I am sure Marinette's hat will go over well with her, Gabriel liked it after all!" She said with a nervous smile for her friend. "So, will you come along?"

"Of course! I want to meet this woman to support you if she gives you issues!" Naruto replied seriously.

"Thank you!" The girl said happily as she gave him a hug. After reluctantly moving away from his warmth, she took a look at the new picture. It was of an older looking Naruto and a pregnant red-headed woman. They looked so peaceful and cute! "Are they…?"

"Yeah, they are my parents." He said softly as a calm smile crept on his face while they looked at the picture. "I found this tucked away in a seal in that scroll. I'm glad I have something of them and you know, the nickname I gave myself as a kid makes more sense now."

"What was it?"

"I was going to be the Orange Hokage!" He said with a goofy pose, making her laugh again. He then took the picture out of its frame and flipped it over to see words on there. Of course, it was in Japanese so she didn't understand it. "The Yellow Flash and the Red Hot Habanero! Hopefully, our kid will be the Orange Hokage next!" In all honesty, after meeting Kakashi and Hiruzen here, he thought about trying to find a version of his parents in this world. But the thought of them not recognizing him like Kakashi…it was scary. So he held off for now.

"That's so sweet," Chloe said cheerfully as she leaned into him. However, a thought suddenly crossed her mind as she did. Red and Yellow made Orange. Quickly eyeing his red shirt, she blushed. She was yellow this time while he was the red one! Calm done girl, don't get too ahead of yourself! You need to be his girlfriend first! "So!" She said as she shot up, hiding the blush that darkened. "Let's go help daddy in case mom is here."

XXX

"How useless can you be?! You're fired!"

When they got downstairs, it was chaos as they thought. Audrey Bourgeois was screaming at everyone for not having things the way she wanted even though they had no way to know beforehand and it was pissing her off more and more. From an outside perspective, it was funny watching her get pissed off for no real reason, but it was also irritating.

Audrey was a slender woman of fair skin. She had a round heart-shaped face, blue eyes, and golden hair cut into a sharp bob with short bangs that frame her face. Her face was obscured by a pair of dark shades that covered her eyes. It was almost scary how Chloe was almost a clone of her. Audrey wore a white sleeveless jumpsuit with a thick black stripe down the right side and Naruto had to admit something. After the shower incident, he had to admit that Chloe was developing like her mom, almost Ds. While nice, he needed to think of other things fast! Those thoughts were coming back! ANWAY, the romper was long in length and bare around the shoulder blades. On her head, she has adorned a black hat with black-and-yellow color stripes on the underside, yellow hat, and a black-and-yellow flower on the left side. She sported a pair of bright golden high-heel shoes. She also wore white evening gloves which reached up to just under her elbows. Her right ring finger was adorned with a gold ring with a modern design, though it is uncertain whether this is her wedding band or not, but he hoped it was to show she was at least faithful to Andre.

Now he understood why Chloe was like she was when he met her. The woman had a heavy influence on Chloe to the point she thought she had to act like the woman. Thankfully, Chloe was better now and she could not agree more.

"There you are, Antonio-uh Andre!" Audrey shouted and anybody could tell he wasn't fairing well. Ever since Chloe stopped being like her mother, he had grown more of a backbone. However, with his wife, it was difficult. "I cannot believe you let this place become so disorganized that they don't know what I want when I want it!"

"Well dear, you fired everyone before, so these new people wouldn't know!" Andre said pleadingly, a bit hunched over and he was cupping his hands.

"Ugh! Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!" Audrey replied with a scoff and folded arms

However, Andre frowned and straightened up, "We don't all have future sight dear." He said, catching her off guard for a moment, a small blush on the woman's cheeks.

Audrey found something to distract her from her husband's strange behavior. Him having a backbone was not what she expected. She found her daughter casually walking up to her with some blond boy. He certainly wasn't the Agreste boy. "Claudine- uh! I mean Chloe! I hope you are ready for the fashion show, we leave for it soon! Now, who is this boy?"

Chloe had a strained smile on her face as she dealt with her mother. The woman was still as intense as ever. "Mom, this is Naruto Uzumaki, my best friend."

The writer was a teenager? Huh, good for him. Audrey thought but the last name still bugged her for some reason. Where is did hear that name before? Ugh! No matter. Naruto was not the Agreste boy but was enough she supposed...for now. Her daughter was standing rather close to this Naruto after all. She couldn't say anything in front of her husband on that matter though.

As Audrey stared at him from behind her glasses, Naruto did think she was a little intimidating, but he had dealt with worse. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Bourgeois." He said with his calming smile as he held out his hand.

Audrey just stared at the boy with her frown and her arms crossed, "I am sure. It is a good thing you actually have a fashion sense with Gabriel's clothes on you, especially if you are coming with us." And there was another thing, her daughter wasn't mimicking her every move. She honestly didn't know how to feel about that. Was it because of this boy? It certainly seemed so because the girl seemed more confident around her with him at her side.

With that, she told them to meet her in the car that Gabriel sent and she left the building. There was a collective sigh of relief in the lobby. Chloe blinked owlishly, "I think…she might actually like you. She wasn't as harsh with you as she is with others."

"That is her version of liking someone?" Naruto asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, she wasn't always like that." Andre said with a sigh, "Come on, let's go."

XXX

"This is it! Here she comes, the International Queen of Fashion, director of Style Queen magazine, Audrey Bourgeois!" Nadja reported to her viewers as the car came up and Audrey came out, posing dramatically for the cameras. Chloe, Naruto, and Andre all got out shortly after.

"Anthony! Uh…Andre! Be a dear and fire the chauffeur. I can't believe Gabriel allows his staff to drive like that!"

"He was a bit fast, but not that bad." Chloe said with a shrug, making the woman raise an eyebrow at her for a moment.

Audrey just scoffed before putting her foot on the red carpet to the building, only to quickly take it off. "What is this carpet? Is it fabric? Why isn't the red carpet made out of marble, as I said?" She turned her head to a nearby policeman, "You're fired! Ridiculous! Utterly Ridiculous!"

"When did she ask that?" Naruto asked, his irritation slowly growing for the woman. Their first meeting was ok, but as the car ride dragged on and her continued attitude, now she was starting to irritate him.

"Another mind-reading thing," Andre grumbled as he walked next to Naruto. Chloe was farther ahead of them as they followed Audrey into the building. "I know you thought you were done dealing with this attitude when my daughter stopped, but Audrey is far worse. Will you be ok?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." Naruto sighed. "Can I ask you something?"

"Why did I ever marry her?" Andre asked. "She wasn't always like this. Yes, she was intense, but not to this level and I was young and made my choice." He paused for a moment as he glared at her back. "She doesn't know that I know about her thing with our daughter and the Agreste boy, Adrien."

"It makes you wonder, doesn't it?" Naruto asked.

"Yes." Was the man's response, like he knew something already. "I still love her, so I am trying to make this work."

"Now I see why Chloe was having such a challenge in changing, especially in consideration to the sparkling personality her mother has." Said Naruto under his breath, but Andre heard it and smirked.

XXX

As they walked into the building, Nadja greeted them for an interview while smiling at Naruto because of his and Alya's blog. "Audrey, like the slogan of your magazine says, 'If it's in good taste, it's in Style Queen.' So, what's in good taste this year?"

Audrey gave the woman a once over and scoffed, "Judging by the way you're dressed, you obviously don't know, my dear." At this Nadja frowned while Naruto grit his teeth in annoyance. Chloe was starting to get embarrassed, but quickly took hold of Naruto's hand to calm both of them down, which did not go unnoticed. "For your information, the trend this year is glitter."

Ignoring the attitude, Nadja continued on. "As the Editor of Style Queen, you spend a lot of time in New York. It must be nice to be with your family for a change, here in Paris?"

Chloe took a breath at that as she reached into her jacket to get a small present for her mom. One last attempt to get on the woman's good side! "I hope she is happy to see us! By the way mom, I have a little something for you!"

And there it is. The girl showing off to her in front of people again. "Clara! Uh…Chloe! What is this?" Audrey asked, uncertain.

"Um, it's a gift."

"Huh! This wrapping paper is ridiculous. Utterly Ridiculous. You're fired!" Audrey said, waving it off, but the truth was, she wasn't sure how to feel. She thought her daughter stopped trying to show off for her in front of people! If she wanted to give a gift, there was a time and place!

I knew it Chloe thought sadly as she closed her eyes in pain. Thankfully, Naruto took hold of her hand, making her feel better.

"Darling, please, you can't fire Chloe!" Andre said with a nervous chuckle as he put his hands on his daughter's shoulder in support. Chloe smiled brightly as the two men on her side. "She's you're daughter!"

Nadja nervously continued the interview, but she did not like this woman. "Audrey, how long are you planning to stay in Paris?"

"The shortest possible time," Audrey stated tiredly as she walked away from the group and further into the building, the group slowly following her.

"Thank god for that," Nadja said under her breath, but Naruto heard her. He smirked as they low fived when he walked passed her. Thankfully no one else heard her and she did her sign off. "Thank you. This is show just might be one of the most important in Gabriel Agreste's career, as evidenced by Audrey Bourgeois's presence. Will the famous fashion designer who never appears in public show up for the occasion? Stay tuned to find out! Don't be bemused, it just the news!"

XXX

"Oh and there's Marinette….ow." Naruto said as the girl ran in with her hat in a round box, only to trip and fall down. Only Marinette…

"What is this?" Audrey asked incredulously as the hat rolled over to her and she picked it up. She had to admit, it was crafted well, not that she was going to voice that.

"Uh…" Was all Marinette could get out as she now stood in front of the intimidating woman.

"Mom, this is Marinette Dupain-Cheng, she is one of my friends from class," Chloe said with a smile at the girl, who smiled so nervously back. "She is an aspiring designer who won Gabriel's design challenge awhile back with this hat. Oh! She even signed it!"

"I see." Audrey said as she looked over the hat and saw the name. But this was a surprise, Chloe was friendly with another girl, not just the Naruto boy. And she was even excited for the girl. Just what happened to Chloe while she was gone? She used to be her mini-me!

"I..It's not me, it's another Marinette! I was just bringing it to her." The girl ranted nervously, making Chloe shake her head.

"Marinette, we have to go." Nathalie said, directing the girl away. Marinette quickly took the hat and ran away in shame.

"Nice girl." Andre said with a chuckle while Audrey peered over her sunglasses at the retreating girl, but did not say anything. So she was an aspiring designer? Good for her. "Anyway, we should be getting to the runway to get our seats."

"I suppose so." Audrey said as they walked away.

XXX

However, when she got there, she was highly disappointed to see it was not flashy and extravagant as the many other places she had been to. And who even were these people! Most of them were teenagers! "How dilapidated is this place!? And I have to share the front row with these lowlifes? Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!" She then sat down in the only empty seat.

"Uh, sorry, but that seat is reserved for Marinette." Alya cut in, trying to be nice.

"This Marinette girl again?" Audrey asked, wondering why that klutz was so popular.

"Mom, I know you're important to the Fashion World, but let's find out what the issue actually is." Chloe stated, butting in while giving Alya an apologetic look. Now Alya was just curious! Especially when she saw Naruto right behind them and he did not look happy! Was the famous Style Queen that bad?

Nathalie walked up at that moment with her deadpanned look. "Mrs. Bourgeois, Mr. Agreste has reserved a seat for you."

"Ugh, finally!"

"In the second row."

"WHAT?!" Audrey screamed, making Andre wince. "I always sit in the front row."

"Not today."

"This is unacceptable! Gabriel cannot do this to me! I'm the one who discovered him! Without me, he'd still be drawing his unworldly designs in his dismal, cramped studio!"

"I can offer your seat to someone else if you don't want it." Came the no-nonsense reply, making Naruto blink. He really liked this woman now! He thought she was just stuffy when he visited Adrien, but she was a really level headed person!

"How dare you! You're fired!"

"I don't work for you, I work for Mr. Agreste."

"We'll see about that!" Audrey declared as she took out her phone, but he did not answer the call, further irritating the woman. Naruto was actually smirking with Chloe the entire time, but she didn't know that.

"I assume from your expression that I am not 'fired'?"

"This is unacceptable!" Audrey whined while stomping her foot. "I will not view a fashion show from the second row! Ever!"

"Audrey, dear, quit throwing a tantrum and sit down!" Andre nearly shouted as he walked up to her, shocking her once again. The only time he ever talked to her that way was when they first started dating!

"Fine!" Audrey growled back as she went to her seat, but her emotions ran very high. High enough for a certain villain to really catch notice.

XXX

"Tell me, my dear Akumas, what will be the trend tonight?" Hawk Moth gleefully asked as he soaked in all the negative emotions that Audrey was giving off. Charging a butterfly, he then let it go. "Fly away, my little Akuma, and evilize this wonderfully vile queen! She will be my masterpiece!"

XXX

As soon as Audrey took a seat in the second row, her anger rose again but she stayed quiet as the fashion shoot for that hat and the Agreste kid started. Sitting from the second row wasn't that bad, but to be honest, it was simply insulting! The more she thought about, the more it angered her and all she saw was red.

Too much happened! She comes home and nothing is how it should be. People should automatically know what she wants damnit! Then her husband appears and she expected the sniveling attitude he portrayed ever since they got married, but no! He is back to the man she dated and she liked that! He had a backbone! Then their daughter comes down not acting like her copy and with some non Agreste boy. Now she couldn't have her rightful place upfront in a fashion show!? That was simply ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous! She was THE Style Queen damnit!

That was all it took for the little black butterfly to make its way into the building to find her. Naruto felt her anger spewing forth and knew something was going to happen, he whispered to Chloe as much. But the girl surprised him. She thought getting Akumatized would change her mother for the better, but she wasn't sure. After all, they still had to deal with her Akumatization first. He squeezed her hand in warning, letting her know one was in the building and heading straight for the woman.

They braced themselves as the black butterfly merged with the flower in her hat and then as the saying goes, 'Hell has no fury like a woman scorned.' And boy did Audrey feel scorned! "Style Queen, I am Hawk Moth! You've been refused a throne that is rightfully yours. As queen of fashion, you will now be able to revenge those fashion disasters who disrespected you!" Hawk Moth stated her in mind.

"They'll see who's Queen, Hawk Moth!" Audrey said deviously as the darkness enshrouded her before it all burst out in a golden shower of glitter! She reformed on stage with a triumphant looked on her glittery face. Style Queen had bright and sparkly golden skin. She wore sunglasses with dark shades over her eyes and her head appeared to have pulled-back gilded hair in the style of a crown with five black pointed stones attached around the front. She wore a golden leotard design with vertical strips of cloth, with a black strap on her left shoulder and pointed black edges around each leg. She also had medallion high heeled boots. She held a long gilded staff, that had a bud-shaped tip with a black chevron line around it on top. "A fashion show without the Queen on her throne. Glitterally unacceptable!"

"Yeah…this one's going to be a real dust-up, I just know it." Naruto said, making Chloe giggle in her seat.

"Then you might want to draw up a broom to sweep her away." Chloe replied with a smirk, getting Naruto to gawk at her.

"Good one!" He said as they got up, "Let's see if we can talk her down first." They then walked around the back of the stage that she was on, hoping to intercept her.

"Where's that ungrateful Gabriel Agreste?" Style Queen asked her audience. "I demand that he kneels before me!"

"My father isn't here!" Adrien declared, catching her attention and making a few people slap their faces.

"Well, then, if fashion-disaster daddy isn't here, I'll just have to settle for Agreste Junior! You're fired!" She yelled as she pointed her staff at the boy and a golden beam shot out and hit him, turning him into a statue made of golden glitter.

"Aw shit, that is not good," Naruto grumbled from their spot near the door to the catwalk.

"We'll get him back." Chloe said with determination.

"Adrien! Ugh, we no longer have a choice." Hawk Moth shouted in shock before he spoke to Style Queen, "Style Queen, you must defeat Ladybug, Cat Noir, and Inari as soon as possible."

XXX

Andre ran to the stage to try and reason with his wife as well. Even if she was mad with power and turning completely random people into golden glitter statues. "Audrey dear, you need to stop this madness now!"

"I don't think so! You're fired too!" Style Queen shouted in glee as she turned him as well. As she walked over to him and put a hand to his face, she smirked. "I am doing this for me. You needn't be involved in this dear."

"Mom!" Chloe said as she and Naruto caught up with Style Queen.

Her presence seemed to stagger the Akuma for a moment. "Claudine? Uh…Chloe? I'm not Mom. I am Style Queen! Do you and your friend want to be fired too?"

"I'd rather not, Style Queen." Naruto said as he leaned on the door frame, trying to make this casual so she wouldn't be as riled up.

"Uh, no. I really don't Style Queen." Chloe said a bit nervously before she smiled sweetly and asked, "Don't you need an assistant? You fired your last one."

"Hmm, you're right I do." Style Queen said thoughtfully. "Alright, I'll take you on trial! Don't disappoint me! But you, I don't need you." She then turned Naruto into a statue as well, making Chloe cry out in horror. But then she saw that he was winking at her. Right, shadow clone.

"Style Queen!" Ladybug shouted to get her attention as she swung in and landing on a scaffolding.

"UGH! What an atrocious suit! The bug look is so last year!" Style Queen scoffed with a wince.

"But the yo-yo makes a strong comeback this year!" Ladybug declared as she tried to use it on the Queen, only for it to harmlessly pass through her.

"HA! You're a couple sizes too small to beat me, Ladybug!" Style Queen said as she shot out a beam of gold to try and freeze the bug. Inari was about to come in and help her out when Chloe got the Queen's attention.

"Mom! Uh, Style Queen! If you want to find Gabriel Agreste, I know where he lives." Putting on a fake smug look, she smirked at the Bug, "You can take care of Ladybug later! She's worthless anyway!"

Style Queen raised an eyebrow at that before shrugging. "It's not a completely idiotic idea." She slammed her staff down dramatically and the statue of Adrien was quickly absorbed and then she turned to a cloud of glitter that took Chloe away as they traveled to the Agreste Mansion in style.

"I didn't like this woman before, and yet Hawk Moth somehow ramped her Royal pain of a personality to be even worse." Inari said as he appeared next to Ladybug, who jumped in surprise. "But….glitter? I am not a fan. It gets everywhere and is hard to remove."

"Inari! Why didn't you transform sooner?"

"I was looking for a golden opportunity," Inari smirked when he heard her groan. "But seriously, I doubt she will find Agreste in his mansion."

"Why is that?"

"Because I am pretty sure that man has extra security after the Simon says incident. He probably has a bunker or something in these situations." Inari was with a shrug.

"Then do you have any ideas on how to deal with the Queen?" Ladybug asked, a bit annoyed at the situation.

"Didn't you say Master Fu has a miraculous that can immobilize opponents? Why don't you go get that while I track down and stall Style Queen." Inari suggested.

"That is a good idea, but where is Cat Noir? I figured he would have been here already."

"You're not going to like the answer." Inari sighed when Ladybug just crossed her arms. "He won't be in this fight because he lost his Miraculous for the time being."

"Oh great, now we are down a person!" Ladybug whined. "Then like you said, I will go and get someone to use the Bee Miraculous!"

"See ya then. And tell Plagg I said hi." Inari said as he went up in a poof of smoke, his glitter statue doing the same.

XXX

Soon, Style Queen made her way to the Eiffel Tower, a place where most of the villains seemed to go. Once there, she reformed Adrien on a glitter table, almost making it look like a tomb. She took off the black rose that held her Akuma in it and put it with the boy before erecting a field of glitter to protect it. "Keep this for me, sleeping beauty!"

"You aren't actually going to hurt my little brother are you, Style Queen?" Chloe asked a bit worried.

"So that is how you view the boy? Disappointing. We'll have a talk later about that, but if you don't want to be fired like Agreste Junior, I suggest you shut up and be a good assistant by telling me if you see any of those heroes that Hawk Moth is looking for." Style Queen ordered before flying off to shout atop the tower for Gabriel to show his face or else.

Chloe took that moment to take a kunai out of her jacket that Naruto had given her for just in case and tried to stab at the glitter barrier, but each attempt just made it bounce off harmlessly.

"Man, what a royal pain in the ass." Inari said as he casually walked over to her.

"Inari!" Chloe said happily as she gave him a hug. "Be careful, she might actually get you!"

Inari smiled kindly as he took out his paintbrush and drew a hole in the ground. "I am not that worried, I'll be sure to fight her until the glitter end."

"Tough talk boy!" Style Queen shouted as she appeared and shot off golden beams at him and Chloe. Inari merely grabbed hold of the girl and spun away. Chloe smiled up at him as she looked at him in wonder. Style Queen just rolled her own eyes as the getaway. "So you're Inari? Your look is not as bad as the Bug's but the musketeer days are over!"

"I beg to disagree! They've only just begun!" Inari said with a cocky smirk. "But I have fought people like you before, so I know your weakness."

"I highly doubt that boy, I'm invincible!"

"Huh, Garra said that too," Inari said as he dodged a few more beams before backflipping away. "Catch me if you can!"

"I will so enjoy skinning this fox!" Style Queen screamed as she tried to hit him with her staff as well.

Inari just smirked as he stepped on the hole he made and disappeared. "Whoop Whoop Whoop!" He said echoed as the hole closed. "Time to place whack a fox!" his voice came from above, making the woman growl in frustration.

XXX

"Master Fu, Cat Noir lost his Miraculous and it's just Inari out there. We need to get the Bee Miraculous to stop her!" Marinette said in a panic as she entered his home. "He thought it best I come here to get it."

"I wouldn't worry too much, the Miraculous is only lost, not gone." Master Fu said calmly as he turned to her, revealing a small black cat-like creature eating cheese.

"Man, that tomcat's really got himself stuck up in a tree this time." The creature said lazily.

"Let's me guess, you're Plagg, Cat Noir's Kwami." Marinette asked with a smirk, "You're just as lazy looking as Kurama."

"What can I say, we get along too well." Plagg said with a shrug. "But Cat Noir tends to copy me a bit too much when he is with you. Yet, even with your smarts, he's been doing silly things. Heh, in 5000 years, I've never experienced such an irresponsible Miraculous owner! But at least you have Kurama's owner backing you up this time around. That hasn't been a thing in so long!"

"What do we do now?" Marinette asked.

"Well, you got me to help you out!"

"No! That is out of the question Plagg! You are way too dangerous with an owner!" Master Fu said seriously.

"Oh come on! I am not that bad."

"Does the disappearance of Atlantis ring a bell?"

"It was a bet with Kurama! He egged me on!"

"The Leaning Tower of Pisa?"

"I didn't see it!"

"DINOSAURS!"

"Oh! Yeah, OK, Kurama and I did go too far there, but we were young still! At least we managed to keep some things alive!"

"No." Was the final response from Master Fu as he got up to take the Bee Miraculous out of the box and into a smaller one. "Neither Plagg nor Cat Noir can help you today. Marinette Dupain-Cheng, I hope you have chosen wisely on who you are going to give the Bee Miraculous too. Once done, you retrieve it from them."

"Don't worry, I have got the right person in mind!"

XXX

"Oh come on, the one time I need Naruto on these stakeouts and he gets himself turned into a glitter statue!" Alya said as she carefully tried to make her way up the Eiffel Tower as to not get caught and end up with the same fate. "But this is just a great scoop!"

"Alya! Don't get to close to Style Queen! It's dangerous!" Ladybug said as she made her way back up the structure.

"It's hard to get the scoop where you're not in the middle of the action, Ladybug! Besides, my partner got turned into a statue, so it is just me this time."

"Well, I have a scoop for you. Alya Cesaire, here's the Miraculous of the bee which grants the power of subjection. You will use it for the greater good." Ladybug said, handing the box out for her to take.

"Whoa! Careful you two!" Inari shouted out before Alya could take it. He popped out of a hole in a ground and grabbed them away before they could get blasted with another golden beam. In the quick motion, Ladybug dropped the box and it fell down below.

When she tried to hand the box to Alya, the box was no longer there. "Oh no, Alya, get out of here before it is too late!"

"Uh, right." Alya said before she merely got in a good place to hide and continued filming.

"Inari, I dropped the box and can't find it!"

"Then we go with Plan W." Inari said walking up to her and both disappeared in a black hole and then jumped out of it near Adrien's prison.

"You left out all the rest of the letters boy!" Style Queen roared from her spot above him. "I tire of these silly games, fight like a man!"

"W is all we need." Turning to his partner, "Tell me, what the best way to get rid of glitter?"

"Usually people just wash it away or use glue to gather it." Ladybug said, wondering how that was going to help in this situation.

"Correct! While I am sure your Lucky Charm could get us something to mess with her, i don't know if it would be enough. The next best thing is water and while I might not be the best with it, I did learn how to do a special one."

"But your ninja techniques require the element to already be here!" Ladybug said in a panic.

"That's what the hole is for! Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Inari said with a smirk as the hole went right underneath the villain while another hole opened up near the Seine River, drawing in the necessary water. The result was a decent sized dragon made of water shooting to a Style Queen that was already trying to move away.

For her efforts, her glitter body was blasted to pieces, leaving her head to land nearby and roll over to them. The rest of her body fell down too, but they were useless as they soaked in the water. "How dare you ruin my invincible body with water of all things!"

"Mom, I love you, but you need to be stopped." Chloe said as she walked over to stand by the heroes, kunai still in hand.

This seemed to stall Style Queen's mind for a second as they went back to trying to take down the barrier with their weapons, the water somehow not doing much to help them. "HA! Even by taking me down, you still can't win!"

"I don't know about that." A small voice said as Plagg made his presence known, floating in the air with his arms crossed.

"Ugh! What is a floating rodent going to do to help!?"

"Now that's a real faux paw," Inari scoffed with a small guffaw catching Style Queen's attention, "Plagg, do your thing!"

"With pleasure," Plagg replies cheekily and a laugh at the pun, "Cataclysm!"

Inari casually observed the black cat Kwami's handiwork, who created a shockwave of destruction energy cracking the barrier….along with the entire tower and the earth shaking Paris while said magical creature worriedly told Ladybug to do her thing, "I agree that this 'cracks' the case on why owners are largely needed for Kwami as powerful as you."

"I wholeheartedly agree!" Ladybug said after catching the butterfly and purifying it before sending the swarm out to fix Paris before it caved in on its self.

"Mom! Are you alright?" Chloe asked as her mother reformed and lost all the glitter, turning her back to normal. Even though the woman put her through so much, she still cared for her.

"Ugh, I feel like I was put through a blender! You're all fired!" Audrey shouted before Chloe rolled her eyes and helped her mother up and started going downstairs.

"Thanks again for the help Inari, Ladybug." Chloe said as they left, giving Inari a wink.

"Oh man, we still have the fashion show, my dad is probably already worried enough about me." Adrien said as he looked over the city nervously.

"I wouldn't worry about it, Bishonen." Inari said with a smirk as he and Ladybug walked over to him.

"Yeah, I can give you a lift!" Ladybug offered with a blush forming on her face.

Inari had to admit that seeing the two interact with each other was cute. Teasing material for later. "You two get going then, I'll make sure Mrs. Style Queen and her daughter get back safely."

"Don't be gone too long." Ladybug said cheekily with a wink as she quickly picked up Adrien and swung away.

Inari just shook his head as he casually walked down the walls to Chloe and her Mom.

XXX

"I don't understand. Style Queen was my greatest masterpiece! How could she have failed?" Hawk Moth said dejectedly, feeling completely out of steam. "How could I have failed? What should I do?" This particular loss weighed heavily on the villain's mind. Could he even continue his work after this loss?

Turning his transformation off and leaving his lair, Gabriel saw he had an incoming call and answered it on his large computer screen. The person was revealed to be Nathalie. "Sir, you took a big risk today, especially regarding Adrien."

Gabriel had an exhausted look in his eyes as he said, "If only I could tell Adrien why I'm doing this, he would understand." He then looked to the portrait of his wife and sadly smiled.

XXX

"Remind me to tell your father to fire the person in charge of the Eiffel Tower Elevators. This is unacceptable. Utterly unacceptable!" Audrey said, already out of breath as they walked down the stairs.

This was the scene Inari came upon as he casually walked down the side. He chuckled at Chloe's tired non-committal response. It seemed the girl was finally done with her mother's shit for one day. However, he raised an eyebrow when Chloe picked up a small box, look around, and put it in her purse when an extremely excited look on her face. Huh, so that was where the little Miraculous box went. At least Chloe found it and not her mom. So he would let her tell him. He trusted her.

Still, his prankster side came out as he remembered he still had that hole he drew. "While I don't know if the Mayor has the power to fire someone like that, all you have to do is ask nicely and I'll get you back to the fashion show in no time at all."

"Ah! Stop doing that!" Chloe shouted in embarrassment while her mother just glared at the hero. She remembered everything she did and chasing this lunatic was one of them. She did not want to deal with him right now.

"So what, are you going to have us travel in that hole of yours?" Audrey asked rudely.

"If you ask nicely." Inari replied cheekily, further raising the woman's ire.

"Inari, will you please do us a favor and send us back to the fashion show?" Chloe asked sweetly just to piss off her mom.

"Of course, hime. Remember, keep your arms and legs to yourself and they won't fall off." He chuckled as the hole opened up underneath them and they fell in, causing Audrey to scream in terror, only to feel solid ground a moment later as they hopped on the ground in front of the fashion studio. "Thank you for choosing Inari's Hole in the Ground! Patent-pending! Ta ta!" The fox themed hero said as he went up in a poof of smoke.

Audrey just looked at the spot he used to be in with ire in her eyes and decided right then and there, she hated him. And she needed someone to blame once they found out they postponed the fashion show for the next day to clean up.

XXX

"To what do I owe this visit, Naruto?" Master Fu asked as he poured them both some tea. Naruto sat down with a contemplative look and Fu knew then it was serious.

"Master Fu, I know I am not the Guardian of your box, but we need to do something if Hawk Moth is going to continue to up the power in his Akumas and deal with my Corrupted Miraculous. We can't just give out the Miraculous and take it right back if we know who they should be with. For bigger threats, we need a team and the only way to do that is to let them keep it on a trial basis so they can learn all the ins and outs."

"I knew this day would come and to be honest, I agree with you boy, I am just nervous that I would mess it up again." Master Fu admitted. "I have been teaching You and Marinette about the other Miraculous, so maybe she can decide, I do want her or another person to be the next Guardian."

"Who's the other person?"

Fu smiled fondly as he closed his eyes as if remembering better times. "My first student. She was going to take over for me so that I could finally be with the woman I loved, but she decided that she wanted a family and I really don't blame her." Fu gained a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he looked at the blond. I won't tell you who she is yet, but you know her."

"Well, if you trust them." Naruto said with a shrug.

"I do and I trust that you have found the missing Bee Miraculous that Ladybug seems to have misplaced? I assume that is partially the reason why you wanted that team made."

"I may have found it but I don't have it. I trust the person who does have it though. I think she will make a great addition to the team. After all, I have been training her a bit in our workouts."

Fu and Naruto stared at one another for a long time before Fu sighed. "Fine, I trust you. Give her a trail run and then I will decide."

"Time to up her training then, you won't be disappointed!" Naruto said excitedly as he left the room.

"I hope not." Fu said quietly as he looked out his window with a foreign look.

XXX

"Ice cream!" A voice rang out happily as Naruto walked across a bridge on his way home. Looking to who said that. He saw a portly man at an ice cream cart happily giving ice cream, mainly to couples if Ivan and Mylene were any indications.

"What's this about?" Naruto asked as he walked to them.

"This is Andre's Sweetheart Ice Cream Cart." Mylene said cheerfully. "I am surprised you didn't know about this…wow you must have really good luck to just come across it. It took us three hours to find him on our first time!"

"Yeah, I do have luck like that," Naruto said sheepishly. After all, he could wipe out entire casinos with his strange luck. It was as if something could tell he got dealt a shitty hand at life, it made sure he would get some forms of luck to always be on his side. "So what's special about this place."

"It's more of an urban legend that if couples who eat at Andre's stay in love forever. Marinette's parents talk about their experience too. It so cute." Mylene said.

"Huh, neat. But I don't think I can get it because I not with anyone." Naruto said with a shrug.

"Yet." Ivan and Mylene said under their breaths.

"What?"

"Oh nothing Naruto, just try it. He can even predict who you are going to be with just by ice cream alone!" Mylene giggle, already who what his would be. "Andre! Would you be so kind as to show Naruto your magic?"

"W-wait! I don't believe in destiny!" Naruto blushed at that but Ivan and Mylene pushed him closer to the cart anyway.

"And what is this young man's name?" Andre the ice cream man asked. Now that Naruto had a better look at him, he was very cheerful looking. He was short but stout and had brown hair along with a mustache. He had on a short-sleeved white top with dark blue stripes, dark gray pants, and shoes. He also wore a dark blue beret on his head, a thin red scarf around his neck which he tied at the front, and a blue apron.

"He is one of our friends and classmates, Naruto Uzumaki." Mylene said.

"Ah, the famous new writer! Wonderful! I shall get the right ice cream for you!" Andre sang as he scooped up ice cream three scoops high. "Peach for the lips, pineapple for her lovely hair, and for her mesmerizing blue eyes, blueberry! I am sure you love will be merry!"

Naruto took the cup of ice cream with two spoons and stared at it for a moment. Mylene saw this but she also saw his smile grow sad. Did he know or not? Who did they know that had blond hair, pink lips, and blue eyes? Chloe of course!

Yeah, he knew who this ice cream represented but he knew she would never go for a guy like him. She would probably get married off to some rich dude for political reasons and she would be happy. She had become such a great person too. Sure he had money, but he wasn't born into it. Their worlds were different. As much as he liked the idea to be with her, he doubted he could. So, he played stupid. "Uh…it is just ice cream guys. It is awesome in general and as I said, I don't believe destiny. Heh, just ask Neji." He said as he paid and walked off as he ate the ice cream in silence. He didn't know if that was convincing or not. But a text from the girl he had been thinking saved him from further embarrassment.

XXX

Chloe sighed as she sat on her bed, the little bee creature, Pollen, flying around her room. After she found the box and was greeted by Pollen, her mind had been reeling at all the info she had been given. If she accepted, she would be like Naruto and Ladybug. She could finally be more useful when those Akuma show up. But…Ladybug did seem to lose this. Would it be right to just take it like that?

That was why she texted Naruto. She wanted his opinion.

A knock on her front door got her attention. Opening it, she saw the man of the hour and smiled brightly. "How can I be of service, hime?" he asked with a dramatic bow, but couldn't stay that would be they both started to crack up at the ridiculousness of it.

"I wanted to show you something that I found earlier today," Chloe said with her hands behind her back as she leaned closer to him and smiled. "I found a Miraculous! Ta da! Meet Pollen!"

"Good to see you again. Kurama too." Pollen said with a bow of her own, making Kurama appear in midair and he chuckled.

"Well isn't this interesting kid, the polite busy bee has gotten an owner. How's it feel to be out fo that box for once?"

"Wonderful as always!" Pollen said cheerfully.

"I should have known you would have already known about her," Chloe said nervously. "I wanted to ask your opinion. Do you think I could actually be of any help to you all? I see you fighting all these Akuma and I do get worried, but I have just felt useless, especially today when I couldn't even break that barrier or calm down my mom."

Naruto just leaned in and gave her a tight hug. "Don't feel that way hime, I don't see you as useless. Far from it!" Since she couldn't see his face, she never saw his prankster smile. "But you know, we are going to have to convince the Guardian to let you keep it."

"I figured as much, no doubt my old reputation will hinder that." She said as she gave him the box sadly. It broke his heart then to see her dejected like that. She really did think she had no chance. "I am going to the roof for a little bit."

As soon as she closed the door, Naruto sighed, "Damnit. That prank wasn't worth it."

"I'll say. She seems like the perfect person for my Miraculous and I can feel that her form would be wonderful!" Pollen said, a little disappointed. "Master Fu is too strict!"

Kurama eyed his Miraculous owner critically. It really did hurt Naruto that he hurt Chloe again, even if he didn't mean it. "Well kid, what are you going to do about it?"

"Show her that she's worthy." Naruto with determination, "Kurama, Tails Rise."

XXX

Jagged Stone opened the door his balcony in time to see Inari running up the building, paying him no mind. The Rock Star blinked before he smirked to himself. He was not idiot even though he portrayed himself to be one most of the time. He saw things no one else really did. For example, he had seen Naruto transform into Inari once. He knew better to rat the boy out even if he got Akumatized again. He was basically his honorary family since he didn't have one of his own. He also knew that the two blonds had a major thing for one another but they were holding themselves back.

After all, he had heard them talking and singing on the roof at night and it really warmed his heart. He hopped this time, it would be no different.

XXX

Inari jumped onto the roof to see Chloe near the edge, leaning on the railing with a sad look and few tears in her eyes. Despite all she picked up and was working on, she still felt useless. It hurt him to see her that way. He guessed her mom being in town and getting Akumatized brought that line of thinking back.

"I've seen that look before, I know it all too well. It's hard to comprehend how far I have fell." Inari started to sing, getting a jolt out of the girl because she clearly didn't hear him land. She gave him an odd look as he spread his arms while and smiled. "But I have found a place that I can call my own. And I could take you there, why should you be alone?" That made her blink in more confusion about why he was singing out of the blue like this…but he did that sometimes, usually with his guitar. Inari then reached into his coat and held out the box making her eyes go wide. "No need to hesitate, what are you waiting for?" At this, he flipped the box open and Pollen jumped to sing with him, "I know, you're what I am looking for!"

"W-what? What about the Guardian?" Chloe asked, her face red at the hidden implications of the song. It was probably something he didn't take into account when he picked this song to sing.

Inari smiled gently at her. "I convinced Fu we need a team and I choose you to be a part of it. I want you to train with it so you can have your big moment to shine. So our workouts are going to be more intense."

"If I can fight at your side and protect you, I don't mind." She said, blushing as he put the comb-like hairpin in her hair behind her glasses. It was odd, but it seemed like it could be placed anywhere is it just clipped on. With a nod, he stepped back. Chloe took a breath, "Pollen, Buzz On!"

At this moment, the world changed for Chloe. It became brighter as a golden light wrapped around her body into a yellow skin-tight suit. The shadows then jumped on to her and created black V like streaks going down from her breasts to her waist. A single V streak appeared on her shins before it skipped a section and turned the rest of her shins and feet black. The same thing happened to her forearms as well. At the bottom of her feet, she gained golden combat stilettos with sharp tips. She had a high collar with that same V and a small black diamond shape underneath that. After that, the light separated a bit, creating a bust window for her like a large V. It showed off some generous cleavage. After that, her ponytail blew out and her hair flowed naturally down with that ribbon in her hair going up further on her head to create bee-like antennae. Even her sunglasses changed. They went from normal sunglasses to a pair of tactical yellow and black goggles that still looked stylish. The little miraculous clip moved from her hair to her hip and produced a thin see-through silk veil around her waist. In it, there were bits of golden honey, making it sparkle. With one tap to her Miraculous, an Estoc Sword appeared. It was a kind of rapier that was edgeless. Just the point was well…pointy! The hilt and handguard were gold while the blade part was pure black.

When the light died down and Inari was able to get a good look at her, he felt his face heat up as a bright blush adorned his face, especially when seeing her hair loose as he liked to see and well, that bust window was something alright! The way that suit clung to her every curve was just…wow. She really was beautiful before, but now...just wow!

Chloe saw him staring in wonder at her and smirked to herself. So he does think I am beautiful. She then got a smug look on her face before she got in his space. "Do you like what you see, my Knight!"

That blush seemed to grow intensely, so he put a hand to his face and fake coughed while turning to look the other way in embarrassment. He had been caught staring! "Uh, yes, you look stunningly beautiful." He got out, making the girl's mind stop for a moment before she started to inwardly cheer. Maybe she had a chance to get him to admit he had feelings for her! "But uh…want do you want to be called?"

"Hmm." She thought out loud before a moment and a smirk crossed her features. "You know, I have always been partial to the name, Honey Bee. You just used it for your blog. It's fitting."

"Wow, I thought you'd want to be called Queen Bee." Inari said with a nervous chuckle.

"I think there have been enough queens around here, don't you think?" She deadpanned before a flirty smile crossed her face as she got in his space again. "Besides, I am not done being a princess. I am not a queen…yet. Now, where were we?"

Inari nervously chuckled as he was not used to flirty Chloe. He oddly liked it. He then took out his brush and created a voice synthesizer, but this one was more for songs than practical jokes. "OH BABY!"

(If you don't know the song, it is 'I'll Save You' by Jordan Sweeto. Enjoy)

"Tear down the night sky and I'll save from your mundane life!" Quickly drawing a door, he opened it, making Honey Bee giggle, "Yeah I'll hold the door. You take the stage light! Have you wanted more?" Inari said he as he guided her under a nearby light on the roof. He then held out his hand again with a heartwarming smile and she took it with no hesitation and begun to sing with them as they started to room hop. Jagged looked up just in time to see the two heroes sing their way across the rooftops under the night sky.

"Way to go you too." He said with a happy smile and walked into his hotel room. He saw all he was going to see tonight. Paris had gotten a new heroine that was with the crazy fox musketeer. Things could only get better.

"Tear down the night sky and I'll save you from your mundane life. Yeah, I'll hold the door!" Inari spun the girl around on a rooftop as he positioned her under another light. "You take the stage light, cause I've found the cure! You're what I'm looking for!"

Now it was Honey Bee's turn to take the lead. "Now if we stay right here, we'll always be this young. I'll never leave your side, we'll never have to run and I can feel your heart, as you lay by my side!"

Inari looked into her eyes as they danced from rooftop to rooftop. And it was getting clear that they had woken up a few people. "Your eyes are all I know, this new world where I reside. No need to hesitate, what are we waiting for? I know, you're what I'm looking for." Both heroes leaned toward the voice synthesizer, "Oh Baby!"

"Tear down the night sky and I'll save you from your mundane life. Yeah, I'll hold the door, you take the stage light, have you wanted more? Tear down the night sky and I'll save you from your mundane life. Yeah, I'll hold the door! You take the stage light cause I've found the cure. You're what I'm looking for!"

By that point, they dance upon the Agrest Mansion and then jumped away from it. Adrien swore he saw Inari with a new hero. "Huh, so Pollen has an owner now." Plagg said, bemused at the sickeningly sweet scene while Adrien watched on, thinking about his Ladybug. He'd ask Plagg who Pollen was later.

At some point, the singing duo made their way atop the Eiffel Tower. Now Honey Bee was a bit nervous because they were so high up and they needed to get down, and she feared they'd be jumping. Instead, Inari drew up balloons before taking hold of her and them securely, making her blush again. He was really making it hard to slip up and not confess to him.

"And I can be your light when all you know is fear.

And I can take you there,

And I can take you there,

And I can lift you up

Far from these fallen tears

And I can take you there,

And I can take you there

Why should we hesitate, what are we waiting for?

And I can take you there,

And I can take you there,

And I can take you there!"

By this point, they had landed on Marinette's roof, catching her attention too as she got up to watch Inari sing and dancing with…someone. Ever if Tikki was squealing in joy at seeing someone named Pollen out and about. Wait…Pollen. That Kwami was part of the Bee Miraculous! So Naruto found it? Good. She would talk to him later about that.

"Oh baby! Tear down the night sky and I'll save you from your mundane life. Yeah, I'll hold the door you take the stage light, have you wanted more?" By this point, they had made it back to their hotel rooftop and de-transformed, but they were still singing as they made their way to the elevator. "Tear down the night sky and I'll save you from your mundane life. Yeah, I'll hold the door." Naruto opened to the door to her hotel room and let her in. "You take the stage light, cause I've found the cure. You're what I'm looking for. Yeah, you're what I'm looking for." He smiled at her and said, "Yeah, you are going to make an awesome hero."

Chloe smiled brightly with happy tears in her eyes before hugging him tightly. He was about to leave though when she caught his hand. Seeing his questioning look, she gestured to all around them. "I'd rather not be alone tonight. Mom and Dad won't be back for a long time. Could you stay here with me tonight?"

"Yeah, movie night and sleeping on the couch!" Naruto said excitedly making the girl giggle.

"Actually I am tired now from all that excitement," Chloe said with a yawn, but she was blushing. "Come sleep in my bed. It's comfier!"

That stalled Naruto's thought process. Sure they had slept together before but that was always on the couch. Now she wanted him in her bed? Gulping, he nodded his head as she led him to her room and got in bed. "Good night." She said softly as she still held onto his hand.

"Good night." Naruto said as well. However, it would be a moment before either actually got to sleep because they felt embarrassed. This situation was a bit awkward, but Chloe thought it was drastic enough to get him thinking about her. Plus, he didn't realize it, but that song was pretty romantic.

XXX

Early in the morning, a brown energy ball appeared on the tip of the Eiffel Tower. It stayed like that for a moment and then converted to a swirling wisp of sand and it made its way across the city of Paris in silence.

This was something that Kurama felt and was nervous about. Of course, the first Tailed Beast to appear would be that lunatic. He only hoped that Naruto and his team could handle him. He would warn the boy right now, but there was another human in the room, staring at the couple lying together in Chloe's bed. Oh, he would let them deal with this too.

Chloe opened her eyes first and was greeted with the sight of Naruto completely out of it. It brought everything back to her mind that last night actually happened. She was a Miraculous user now and Naruto was going to show her the ropes! Plus, he was in her bed! One step closer!

She smiled at his peaceful look and brought her hand, which was still holding his, up to cup his face. He was not a morning person, so she assumed that he was a heavy sleeper. It turned out to be true because he never made any movement. For a moment, she thought about getting close enough to kiss him, but a clearing of the throat brought her attention elsewhere.

To her horror, her mother was glaring at her with intense heat. "I didn't think that you were actually with him when I told you otherwise. We'll talk later. Get up; the fashion show starts again soon." Audrey demanded and left the room before Chloe could say anything.

Chloe looked nervous before she shook her head. She was not going to let her mother get to her anymore. She just could not let that happen. With her hand still on Naruto's face, she rubbed her thumb along his cheek. "Hey Naruto, wake up." She said softly, but it got the job done.

Slowly, Naruto opened his eyes and saw Chloe smiling at him. Then he noticed where he was, causing his face to pale. He reacted out of instinct due to his past and flinched off the bed, landing in a heap before he bowed on his hands and knees until his head was touching the floor.

"Oh Kami! I am sorry Chloe! I didn't do anything perverted, I swear! Please don't hit me, I'll do anything you say!"

Chloe widened her eyes before they started to water up. Was this his experience with women back in his world? He did say that Sakura girl had a temper and would hit him across the field if she perceived him doing anything perverted or even asked her out. She knew he had it bad in his old world, but damn, this was…eye-opening once more. However, what he said made her grin too. "Anything." She asked, faking a tense voice, causing him to flinch again, making her feel bad.

"Yes! Anything!"

"Then stand up and face me!" Chloe demanded. Slowly the blond other worlder stood up but he refused to look at her, sadness and panic in his eyes. Then he looked at her, ready for anything and it made her heartbreak. She scooted over on her knees until there was almost no distance between them. She then smiled and hugged him tightly, feeling him tense up a bit. "I am not those girls back in that village, so there is nothing to apologize for. I asked you to sleep in my bed with me, so don't feel that worried. You're my best friend."

Naruto didn't know what to think at the moment, but he felt himself loosen up before he hugged her as well. "Thank you." Came his soft reply.

"Anytime. Now get ready, we have a fashion show to get ready for." Chloe said cheerfully.

As Naruto made his way out of her hotel room, he saw Audrey giving him an unreadable expression as she just stood there. However, he also saw Andre lounging on the sofa, looking like he was trying to hold in laughter. He didn't want to know, so he hurriedly left the hotel room.

XXX

Gabriel Agreste, a man who had not been outside his home since his wife fell into her coma, was now outside the building where his son was showing off the hat he picked for a fashion show. He honestly didn't know what he was supposed to feel as he walked inside the building.

That last loss and put things into perspective for him. He doubted he could ever get the Miraculous of Ladybug and Cat Noir and especially not Inari. And without them, he would never see his wife conscious again. His son would never see his mother again. That was a heart retching thing for him because honestly, he didn't know how to be a good father. Emilie was the one who took care of Adrien. She knew all about him. What did he know? Only to be a fashion tycoon and a villain. So he put activities on the boy and made him a model for his clothing line.

And that was what he was good at, but he needed to be there for his son. He needed to be a father.

That was why he was there at the fashion show, to support his son like Nathalie had been supporting him ever since Emilie lost consciousness. Her last act helped him see he needed to be present. So when stepped out on to the open catwalk, heard the whispers as he walked towards his son. He felt the room's shocked silence as a somewhat good thing because as his son stared up at him and took off the hat, he could only do one thing. Hug his son.

That action brought all the noise back and he was fine with that. As long as he could be with his son, he felt that he despite the underhanded tactics he had been using as of late, didn't matter anymore.

XXX

As soon as the rest of the fashion show as over with, he felt he had another loose end to take care of. The one who found him and helped him be the fashion designer he was now. The woman he Akumatized and possibly ruined his relationship with. But he knew how to win her over again. "My dear Audrey, I heard about the unforgivable misfortune you had to endure." A peck on her hand and he saw that faint blush on her face, meaning his plan worked. A quick look to the others near him told him that the Uzumaki boy and Chloe were there as well as the mayor.

"I'm still quite overwhelmed." Audrey huffed.

"I want you to know that I fired the person responsible for the misunderstanding. Only one row in the house is befitting to Audrey Bourgeois and that's the first."

Audrey smirked, "Let's not overdo it, huh, Gabriel?"

He also noticed the girl who's hat he picked walk up to them with her parents. "Did you enjoy the show?"

"So-so." She then took the feather hat off Adrien's hat to examine it before turning to Marinette. "This hat is not a Gabriel Agreste! Are you responsible for that?"

Getting the attention on her, Marinette grew nervous as she looked around. Chloe smirked at her, Naruto did the nice guy thumbs-up, and Adrien encouraged her to stand proud. That was right, this girl had low confidence. Well, if what he thought Audrey was going to go through with, then this girl would learn to have all the confidence in the world. She would expect nothing less.

"I…I'm the one who created it." Marinette replied with a nervous smile.

Gabriel inwardly sighed. He needed to help this girl. "Marinette won a fashion-design competition."

"It's the most…exceptional thing I've ever seen! You're a visionary, Marinette!" Audrey said cheerfully as she smiled and took off her sunglasses. "Glitter's had its day. Feathers are the trend of tomorrow! I haven't felt this much emotion since…you." This was directed him and Gabriel knew it. He knew many things and one of them was the woman's…crush on him. Of course, he would never leave Emilie. Then or now.

"She does have talent." However, a quick look at the others and he knew there was a blow-up about to happen. The woman was really not the mother type. After all, Naruto had tensed up and Chloe looked like she was about to burst out in rage. Well…might as well get this over with.

"You want to be a fashion designer, right?" Audrey asked.

"Uh…yes, Ma'am."

"Then come to New York with me. I'll make you the biggest name in fashion! I'm sure you'll even upstage Gabriel!" Audrey said.

Of course, he was not worried about that, he could always make a comeback, but that piece of news really made things worse for what was about to happen.

"Oh! I'll be able to model for you!" Adrien said cheerfully,

"We'll be there for you honey, no matter what you decide." Mrs. Cheng said encouragingly.

"My Helicopter will be leaving for the airport at 8 pm tonight," Audrey informed her. She would leave without the girl if she had to.

"Isn't this awesome for Marinette, right Naruto, Chloe?" Adrien asked and Gabriel really wished his son hadn't. His emotional awareness was rather dim. Now…they would see the fallout because the girl was nearly in tears.

Chloe breathed hard as she tried to control her anger. This woman. This damn woman always knew how to push her buttons! She was trying to be a better person! No, she wouldn't ruin her relationship with Marinette over her jealousy. Not again! Her mother was to blame for everything! "This is…RIDICULOUS! UTTERLY RIDICULOUS! Once again, you are leaving us in the dust! I am happy for Marinette but damnit, you've never even offered to take me with you to New York!"

"Why would I offer to take you?" Audrey asked incredulously. "I'm offering to take Marinette because she's exceptional, Claudette…Chloe."

"I AM exceptional too!" Chloe shouted desperately, all her fears returning.

Audrey scoffed as she examined her nails. "The only exceptional thing about you, my dear, is your mother!"

"Audrey!" Andre shouted in shock and rage while Naruto glared at the woman, his own rage building. No one looked happy when Audrey said that and Marinette was wondering if she should even go with this woman to New York. Her parents certainly didn't like her now.

"Exceptional?! You have always thrown that in my face. If you were around to begin with, you'd know how exceptional I am! I used to look up to you, I even did all the requests you gave me that you didn't want daddy to know about. I even threw myself at my little brother figure damnit! I have done everything you asked and even acted like you, ALL to make you see how exceptional I am!" Chloe screamed angrily in her mother's shocked face. Streams of tears were pouring out of the girl's eyes as years of hurt were released. "But now I see it will never be enough for you. You don't care. Tell me…did you ever love us. Did you ever love ME?"

Audrey stuttered. She didn't know what to say. Her daughter had revealed secrets she wanted hidden. But…to hear all of that and be asked the L question? She wasn't in the right mind to answer that.

"Your hesitance tells me all I ever needed to know." Chloe cried, her voice cracking. She shot a teary smile to Marinette, "Good luck in New York, you'll be great." Then she ran off sobbing.

Once she was out of sight and before anybody could utter one word, everyone was almost brought to their knees by a force of pure anger and killing intent. Then it was mostly gone, just dumbed down by a lot and directed solely at Audrey, who could barely breathe.

"You know, I have been looking for a golden opportunity to really have a chat with you." Naruto said in a way to calm voice that made everyone very nervous. "But now I can see, I was just about to waste my time."

"What the hell do you mean?" Audrey asked, her own anger trying to make a comeback. Keyword: Trying.

"Because of all the bullshit you put her through. She thought that by doing all of that, she would gain your love and be able to see you more often, even go to New York to be with her mom that ran away."

"I never ran." Audrey tried to defend herself but it was a flimsy defense and she knew it.

"You did run. I get that you wanted to be a career woman and feel important. You could have stayed here in Paris, one of the fashion centers of the world and been with your family. But no, you chose to move halfway around the world to start your career to be THE critic of fashion. You couldn't handle that and being a wife to a man that clearly loves you and has done everything you ever asked of him within his power to do so. You couldn't handle being a mother to a girl who viewed you as her world. A girl who wanted to be with you once and a while, learn from you. But the only thing she learned from you was to be cruel and she lost friends and people close to her because of that. It took me, to give her a chance at being herself again because others deemed her a lost cause or were too afraid to do anything about it. And then you come back just to pull this bullshit off, putting her on the precipice of turning back into you or letting it go to be the girl she wants to be and my best friend. Glad to see she didn't lose that glimmer of hope and want to be better." Naruto dished out the truth, stunning everyone in the room that it took him to silence of the raging Style Queen. "But no, you could handle being a critic and watch as hopes are dashed. I hope you can handle it thrown back at you."

Then, he walked away to find Chloe. She didn't need to be alone right now.

XXX

Naruto walked quickly through the halls of the fashion building that he didn't bother to get the name of. He needed a way to cheer up Chloe and the only thing he could think of right now was music. So he brought out his guitar, not caring if anyone saw how he used seals. No one was around anyway. He found her sobbing on her knees in front of a large window that overlooked Paris. It was defiantly a marvelous sight, but that was not why he was here.

Silently, he hugged her from behind. She flinched a moment before she held on to his arms tightly as she sobs increased. It broke his heart to see and hear her like this and he felt that it was his job to make her smile again, especially when she turned around in his embrace and felted her tears through his shirt.

(Please put on, "You will be found." By the people who made the Dear Evan Hansen play.)

So, in a soft voice, he began to sing, not knowing that he had an audience that was slowly growing. Alya, Marinette, and Adrien were the first to arrive, followed by Andre and then more of their classmates began to show up. But neither blond paid them any mind. "Have you ever felt like nobody was there? Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere? Have you ever felt like you could disappear? Like you could fall, and no one would hear?"

Alya brought her phone and begun recording this in awe. Honestly, she forgot he knew he could sing! Plus, this recording would be two-fold. For the Honeybee Blog and when the two got together, their kids would love to see this. She felt like she owed her blog partner that much as he came through on his promises, especially with the one that involved Chloe.

Naruto let go of Chloe as he now had her full attention as she was looking at him in wonder as he brought his guitar around. "Well, let that lonely feeling wash away. Maybe there's a reason to believe you'll be okay. Cause when you don't feel strong enough to stand you can reach, reach out your hand." He held his hand out with her taking it immediately with absolutely no hesitation. He half hugged her because he put the guitar over her so they could play together. "And oh, someone will come running. And I know, they'll take you home." He didn't plan this but a cloud covered the sun for a moment, making it a bit dark. "Even when the dark comes crashing through, when you need a friend to carry you and when you're broken on the ground, you will be found." Audrey took that moment to show up at the back of the group, looking at the entire performance with an unreadable expression as she held on to one arm.

And at the moment, Naruto spun around out of her grasp as his back faced the window. The clouds moved and light came back, bathing him in its golden light, making Chloe's eyes go wide as he brought a fist to the ceiling. "So let the sun come streaming it 'cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again." He walked back to her and held her chin for a moment before showing her the audience. The people that were worried about her. "Lift your head and look around,

You will be found

You will be found

You will be found

You will be found

You will be found!"

"Oh my god. Dude is a natural at this." Alya whispered teary-eyed. "People really do need to see this thing. You might not like it, but you could help a lot of people like this. Way to go Naruto."

Marinette looked at Alya for a moment and smiled as she wiped her own tears away. She was glad she accepted Chloe's friendship again. She was glad she could see this! Before she knew it, she was striding towards the blonds, Adrien not far behind her with a huge smile on his face. "There's a place where we don't have to feel unknown!" Marinette felt herself sing, getting Alya and a few others to gape at her. "And every time that you call out, you're a little less alone."

Adrien took both Chloe and Naruto's hand and put them together, "If you only say the word."

Adrien and Marinette smiled at each other before looking back at a stunned Chloe and Naruto as they took their hands as well. "From across the silence! Your voice is heard!"

"None of us are alone," Alya whispered, only the phone really hearing her.

Naruto smiled brightly as everyone was starting to know the words and sing along. He squeezed Chloe's hand to get her to look at him again with a wonderful smile directed right at him. He couldn't explain it, but he loved that smile. So he led again with everyone singing behind him.

"Even when the dark comes crashing through

When you need a friend to carry you

When you're broken on the ground

You will be found!

So let the sun come streaming in

'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again

If you only look around

You will be found

You will be found

You will be found

Out of the shadows

The morning is breaking

And all is new, all is new

It's filling up the empty

And suddenly I see that

All is new, all is new

You are not alone!"

Audrey watched in awe as many people repeated that last line many many times. She was so used to mean words with being a harsh fashion critic, that she almost forgot this nice warm feeling everyone was giving off. To be nice, all to help her daughter from the sad state she put her in. But she didn't expect her daughter to actually join in on the song. "Even when the dark comes crashin' through, when you need someone to carry you, when you're broken on the ground!" That actually brought a tear to face, but she still could not join in. At this point, she felt she didn't have the right too. She needed to make things right first. One look from her husband was all she needed as they both walked away, letting Chloe and Naruto have their moment. If this boy made her daughter happy, then so be it.

"You will be found!" Everyone sang in glee. "So when the sun comes streaming in, 'cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again. If you only look around, you will be found. Even when the dark comes crashin' through. You will be found. When you need someone to carry you. You will be found. You will be found."

Naruto put his guitar down on the ground and faced Chloe again and brought her into his arms, "You will be found."

Chloe's heart was fluttering as the boy she loved held her like this. He only came here to cheer her up, but end up getting everyone singing for her because, like Naruto, they were worried for her. Of all people, the girl that used to make their lives harder. It made her tear up again but in happiness. This boy made it stupidly hard for her not to confess, but just for this moment, she could let her willpower over this disappear. As they still held each other, Naruto looked at her and smiled. Then, she leaned into the hug and he felt her lips press against his.

has stopped working.

While his brain was rebooting, Chloe felt fireworks as the kiss happened. It was everything she hoped it would be and more! She knew she made the right choice with him, but now came the hard part. Leaning back and hearing nothing but silence, she blushed hard when she saw the group still there, smiling and gawking at them. Looking back to Naruto, his face was red with a zoned out look at his face. "Naruto? Are you alright?" She asked softly.

Slowly, his eyes came back into focus and he blinked at her. "Um, yeah. W-what was that for?"

Chloe could tell he was fluttered and was a bit afraid that if she outright told him why she kissed him that he would reject her. So, reigning in her willpower once more, she smirked at him. "It was…a thank you kiss." She paused for effect and to let that sink in. "What, don't tell me this is your first kiss?" Because it certainly was hers! Since it was him, she was all the more glad.

"Um…" Naruto said, shifting uncomfortably as he let her go and rubbed the back of his head. "No. But was my first with a girl!" he quickly said but soon regretted it because he could hear people that were still watching them snort in laughter and it spread as the implications came to light. Marinette shook her head with a smile and started directing people out of there with the help of a grinning Adrien. They had ammo now.

Chloe widened her eyes for a moment. She felt a moment of a panic when he said no, but then her mind when blank before it hit her like a truck. Her giggling wracked her body as soon, she could not contain her laughter. "W-who was he?" She managed to ask.

"It was an accident ok." Naruto replied with a pout, which only made her heckles rise. "Seriously it was! We were having a glaring contest because we hated each other at the time and Shikamaru bumped me from behind, not my fault I kissed Sasuke."

"YOUR OLD TEAMMATE?!" Chloe shouted before she had to use the wall to support herself because she just could not stop laughing. Marinette and Adrien, who were still there, snorted too.

But their levity was put on hold for a moment as the room grew dark and then the windows burst because they could not contain the sudden sand storm that pelted them. Naruto shielded Chloe from it with his body though, Adrien surprisingly doing the same for Marinette.

"I didn't think the forecast called for sand!" Adrien shouted over the roar of the storm and then it stopped and all was quiet. Looking around, the room was covered in sand, but outside hundreds of wisps of sand lazy floated in the air.

Then a voice Naruto thought he would never hear again spoke in one of them as it passed them by. "Where did you go, Naruto" Gaara voice said before Naruto put his hand in it and it compressed in on itself to that of all small black bead with a string on it. A monk's prayer bead to be exact.

"Who was it asking for?" Marinette asked confused. "It seemed to blank out on that part."

"Me," Naruto said, staring at the bead in disbelief. Slowly turning to the window, he looked at the hundreds of wisps and gulped. "This might take a while."

"MOM!" Marinette suddenly shouted as she ran off to find her parent to make sure they were ok, Adrien not far behind to look for his father. This was also a clever way to sneak off and transform.

That just left Naruto and Chloe in the room by themselves again. "Then, I guess we better suit up." Chloe said with a smile as she took Naruto's hand.

"NO!" Kurama screamed as he appeared in a panic. "This is one I will not allow you to start with girl!"

"What, why?!" Chloe shouted back at the fox in indignation.

"Because even before this, Shukaku was fucking insane. His corruption will be worse I fear. I will not subject your first fight will the likes of him!" Kurama then turned to Naruto, "You fought him before with the boss toad's help!"

Naruto looked oddly at the fox. "But it is Gaara and wisps of sand. Are we really facing Shukaku again."

Kurama sighed. "The bead you have in your hand. That is not the Miraculous. It was once a compass, to have change into this, Shukaku must be hung up on something from his past and the voice of Gaara in the sand are his regrets. Once they are put together, Shukaku will reemerge."

"So we will be fine until we have to bring them together." Chloe deduced and then tried to take off, but Naruto caught her arm. About to tell him off, she stopped because of the haunted look on his face. "What's wrong."

Naruto bit his lip as he frowned. Looking at Chloe, "Gaara had a horrible life and it broke him at one point. Please don't lose yourself in his madness. Please be careful."

Kurama was one thing, but Naruto being worried about her made her feel touched. Giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, "I'll be fine, but thank you for the warning. I can do this."

Watching her go, Kurama then looked at Naruto. "So kid, are you ready for this?"

"Yeah, but we are not doing this alone. Kurama, Tails Rise." In a flash of red light, Inari stood there. He walked to the main area of the fashion building and saw just the person he thought he needed to see. Just as he stood in front of Nadja Chamack, Ladybug, and Cat Noir jumped in.

"Nadja, I need your help."

Nadja blinked as the three heroes stood in front of her. "Inari? What could you possibly need my help for? I am the one reporting all the heroic deeds your group does."

Inari smiled sadly at the woman. "No doubt you've heard of the freak sand storm and the leftover wisps of sand floating all around."

"Yeah, I was just about to investigate that!" Nadja said excitedly. "Are you saying you know what this is?"

"It is one of the Corrupted I talked about in our interview," Inari said, getting the attention of the few people still in the showroom, which included Gabriel Agreste.

"I see, then allow me to introduce you to your audience." Nadja made a quick call and then stood in front of the camera. "Don't be bemused, it is just the news. No doubt you have been affected by that freak sand storm. I have just learned we are finally seeing one of the Corrupted that Inari talked about and I have him here to explain how this one is going to go."

"Thank you, Nadja." Inari said cordially, "Everyone, we are dealing with the One Tail and honestly, we need your help. Those sand wisps contain the regrets of Gaara, the One Tail's last Miraculous user. If you chose to help, don't judge him to harshly please. He was brought up to be a monster by his father who ordered his assassination many times as tests for his power. He didn't change until I fought him and won. Please, if you help, be ready to face tragedy and once done, please bring all the beads to the Eiffel Tower."

As Inari gave the floor back to Nadja, Gabriel saw a wisp of sand float in. Not seeing any issue to help. He reached up to touch it and the wisp expanded around him. His emotion-sensing he absorbed from Nooroo, a power he gained from being in his transformations for so long, got into overdrive as the feeling of sadness overwhelmed him. He was able to see the past.

What he saw were two redheads talking while what seemed like battles raged on, but he could not be sure. All he could focus on were these two. The older of the two had blacked out eyes though like he wasn't really alive and he was trapped within a sand structure in the shape of a giant woman.

"You've grown, Gaara." The man stated before addressing the woman of sand he was be entombed by. "Isn't that right, Karura? It seems I did not possess the ability to see the true value of things after all. This power you have that protects you all the time, you did not get that from being the Jinchuriki of Shukaku. But it is your mother's, Karura's." Gabriel looked to Gaara and saw that the same sand woman was protecting him from golden sand. But he felt it, No matter what happens, I will protect you, Gaara."

"Mother…loved me?" Gaara got out, the feelings of shock and disbelief bleeding off him as he began to cry.

"Yes, when I ordered Yashamaru to kill you, I also told him to lie to you about that." The man, obviously Gaara's father admitted. "If there was anyone Yashamaru hated…it would be me, not you as he said. He did what was ordered, for the sake of the village. As your Kazekage, I took away your future by turning you into a Jinchuriki. As a parent, there is only one thing I gave you, nothing. Your mother gave you life so that you too would become Kazekage. She gave you friends. All I really did as your father was torment you. I don't deserve your forgiveness."

Thanks to her, for the first time, I receive love's medicine from my father. Gaara's thoughts echoed out as his father was fully entombed with a sad smile on his face and a seal tag was put there, his soul leaving finally.

Then, the sand stopped swirling, taking the images with it as it all compressed in on itself, turning into a bead that Gabriel caught. He blinked as he saw teardrops on his hand and found that he was crying too. Quickly, he wiped them away as Inari walked up to him.

"Good job Mr. Agreste, collect as many as you can," Inari stated as the hero team split up.

The man just nodded as he pocketed the bead and left the building. Once in his car, he sighed. "I can't give up. His mother wouldn't, so neither will I. I am sorry Adrien, but it seems I will be even busier with these Corrupted." He then ordered his driver to go home.

XXX

Gabriel stepped into his lair once more, releasing Nooroo from the box and putting on the Miraculous. "My work here is unfinished. If I can use these Tailed Beast Miraculous, then I have a chance."

"Master, which tailed beast?" Nooroo asked nervously.

"Inari said it was the one tail."

"Master! That one is unstable! Shukaku is completely insane!"

"I see, then no matter, this will be the perfect experiment for when I do get one the Tailed Beasts. Nooroo, Dark Wings Raise!" Gabriel shouted, transforming into Hawk Moth once more. He then charged a butterfly and send it into the bead. At first, nothing happened, then it flew around the room and then out his window. "And now we wait for the madness to begin."

XXX

Cat Noir reached for one of the wisps and heard just one thing in a gravelly voice, "People cannot with against their loneliness." It was rather sad to think that but he knew loneliness all too well. But has he went from wisp to wisp, his anxiety rose. How could someone live like that?

"Loneliness is this world's worst kind of pain."

However, one went too far for him, "A soul needs a purpose to live and so I concluded that my purpose was to kill everyone besides myself. I felt alive!"

"This guy's life…was so screwed up!" Cat Noir said with a freaked-out expression. As he reached for another, I found it to be rather sad.

"It's love Gaara." A mystery voice stated softly. "love, but how am I supposed to get it?" Gaara asked, sounding nearly in tears.

However, the next wisp of sand made Cat Noir realize how bad Gaara had it and how good he himself had it in comparison.

The sounds of metal hit sand scared a young Gaara for a moment. "What? Why me…?" He asked as the sand sounded like it moved and then crushed someone. When the little boy went over to them, he screamed bloody murder.

"Why you…Yashamaru?"

"It was an order." The mystery voice from earlier stated weakly. "By your father…Lord Kazekage."

"My father?" came the teary whine of Gaara.

"Gaara, you who were born and possessed by the Sand Spirit Shukaku. However, Gara, you can't control the living spirit of Shukaku, thus you pose a threat to the village. Before any more damage is done…"

"So you had no choice, but to go along with Father's orders, Yashamaru?" Gaara asked bitterly.

"No, that's not so. It is true I accepted Lord Kazekage's order, but if I had wanted to turn it down, I could have if I wanted to." The man rasped out hatefully. "You…who stole my dear sister's life when you were born! I jumped at it even though you were my late sister's legacy. However, I was not able to love you. My sister didn't choose to have you. She became a sacrifice for the village! My heart has borne the wounds of that moment and it has never healed. Heh, my sister gave you that name, Gaara. A name that means, 'a devil that loves only itself.' So love only yourself and fight only for your own sake! Then….you can continue to exist. She didn't name you out of love or concern. You were never….loved! Now….please die…" After that, that sound of an explosion went off and another scream came next. But it wasn't that of a scared child, it was of pure rage.

Cat Noir stared on blankly for a moment as his own tears had begun to fall as he took the bead. His own father…he wouldn't do that to him, right?

XXX

"It's almost unbearable, isn't it?" Naruto's tired voice came from within the sand as Chloe touched it, making her gasp. "The feeling of being all alone, I know that feeling, I've been there. In that dark and lonely place. Now there are others, other people that mean a lot to me. I care more about them than I do myself!" All for a village that didn't really care about him were Chloe's bitter thoughts. "And I would let anyone hurt them! That's why I won't ever give up! I will stop you, even if I have to kill you!"

"But why?" another tired voice asked in complete shock. This must be Gaara. "Why would you do this for anyone but yourself!?"

"Because they saved me from myself! They rescued me from my loneliness! They were the first to accept me for who I am! They're my friends."

It was silent for a moment, but then another voice came through, one she had no idea who they were. "Well…love is the heart's desire to serve someone who is precious to you. To watch over them, like my sister did…for you Gaara."

"Love? Is that the thing that makes him so strong?" Gaara asked himself.

"Naruto, that's enough." Another voice chimed in that seemed close to the blond ninja. "Look, Sakura is going to be alright. The sand crumbled away, she is free. This guy's chakra is all used up."

"Sasuke? Oh….that's a relief." Naruto's voice said before she heard a thump, probably signifying that he was done and had passed out.

"That's enough. It's over." Gaara's voice said as it sounded like people took hold of him. "Who knows, Naruto Uzumaki…maybe some even I someday could find love. Temari…Kankuro….I'm sorry."

"Even back then, you were looking out for everyone," Chloe said as she wiped her tear away and grabbed the bead. "But I will continue saving you because I don't just want to be your friend. I want to be your family. I love you."

XXX

"Gaara, let it go!" Kankuro's voice said exasperatedly once Ladybug got into another sand wisp. "I don't want to say this but, you know how they see you, you're a weapon of terror. Seriously, leaving our team and joining the regular troops is not going to be an easy thing. They're full of Jonin who think pretty poorly of you. And most of the villagers? They are as terrified of you as they have always been."

"I know that. I've always known but doing nothing at all will almost certainly bring even greater pain. I know what I must do. I must clear my own path and perhaps then the day will come. The day will come I can be like him. I want to be part of this village so I'm aiming for the title of Kazekage, as a shinobi of the sand."

"Gaara…"

"I will work hard and that to the people of this village. Watching Naruto Uzumaki has brought me clarity. Until I met him my ties to others brought only pain and sorrow but he was always pushing me to redefine those ties. I think I finally understand the suffering and sadness of life, the joy, these are feelings that can be shared with those around me. It was Uzumaki, he's the whole reason my eyes have opened. When we fought, we connected. He's known the same pain I have. He though me I can change the path my life will follow. One day, Kankuro, I'd like to become something precious to others too. Not just to be viewed as some hideous weapon, but as the Sand's next Kazekage." Ladybug smiled. Of course, her teammate was able to change this guy. It seemed that most people he fought ended up as better people and as friends. Watching him befriend Chloe was proof enough for her, but now she had this Gaara guy as well as further proof.

XXX

Inari made his way through parts of the city to see people actually helping out, some were angry, some were scared, and others were just sad. But they were helping and that is what moved him. So when he finally got to the Eiffel Tower, a large crowd had formed with Cat Noir, Ladybug, and Chloe among them.

However, there was one wisp of sand left and it was just floating there in the middle of everything. As soon as he entered the area, it burst open so that everyone was listening in. And if Inari was correct, it sounded like a speech.

"In the name of profit and gain for one's nation and village, shinobi have hated and hurt each other for many years. From the first to the third great ninja wars and the conflicts in between, all of that hatred cried out for power thus I was born. In the past, I was hatred and power and a Jinchuriki. I hated this world and its entire people and thought about destroying but, but then a single shinobi from the hidden leaf village stopped me. He cried for me, I was his enemy yet still he cried for me and he called me his friend even though we had battled. He saved me, we were on different sides but we were both Jinchuriki. Between those who have experienced the same pain, there can be no hate! There are no enemies here now because each one of us bears the pain of being hurt by the Akatsuki. The Sand, the Stone, the Leaf, the Mist, and the cloud are no more. Now there is only…SHINOBI! And if you're still unable to forgive the Sand, you can come back and face me after this war is over!"

"Gaara..." Inari said aloud, shaken but happy at what his friend had become. Ladybug and Cat Noir smiled at him, but now they could see how far Naruto had changed a lonely little psychopath into a leader that people could respect. Looking around, the crowd really became into it as they were no longer fearful or sad. They all had smiled on their face. Inari could not help but cry at what he heard next.

"The friend I spoke of who saved me is the target of our enemy! If he falls into their hands our world's finished. I want to protect my friend and I want to protect this entire world! I am too young and inexperienced to do that, so I ask you. All of you! Please lend me your strength for this fight!"

A crowd in the sand roared in approval and so did the crowd of Paris. Inari cried as he cheered for his friend. Had they really all fought for him and people like them? It was touching, but sad considering that Gaara was gone.

"I guess I can't deny the grain of truth," Inari said to himself before he shouted to get everyone's attention. "Ok, everyone!" He then held up his bead attached to the string, which was taut, waiting for the other beads. "Let your beads fly!" The crowd once more and threw the beads in the air and as one, they all flew towards it, creating a monk's multi-layered necklace. However, Inari did something that caught more than a few people's attention. He jerked his head in another direction with a fearful look.

Inari had felt a dark emotion heading their way and it was powerful. A single bead came into existence at high speed and it felt just like Shukaku's madness! So as soon as the bead merged with the necklace, he tried to get everyone to leave, but he wasn't fast enough. Only Ladybug, Cat Noir, and himself were able to get away in time as the necklace exploded in another violent sand storm, quickly encasing everyone under the Eiffel Tower. Then it rose upward and encased the tower in twisted sand as well until only that dark bead was at the tip of the tower. Shukaku's head materialized around it and smirked.

"Oh it is great to be back! And looky here, there are people already here to kill."

Knowing that Chloe was amongst those trapped, set Inari off. Drawing up a megaphone, he screamed. "SHUKAKU! LEAVE THEM ALONE. I AM THE ONE YOU WANT THIS TIME!"

The head looked down at Inari for a moment and grinned with malice. The head split and formed a mini Shukaku that slide down the sandy tower while cackling madly. "Well if it isn't Kurama's owner! I almost didn't recognize you boy! But I won't go back into my Miraculous, there is too much destruction to be had and your pal Hawk Moth has given me a chance to do it!"

"After dealing with Style Queen," said Inari in slightly lamenting tone, "I thought we'd be done with 'gritty' issues for a while, but no, one of several things from my past storms into town."

"Puns?" Shukaku asked incredulously.

"At least this mad Tanuki thinks the puns are overboard." Ladybug stated, glaring at the sand beast the best she could, but he was very unnerving.

"Are you kidding girl?" Shukaku cackled. "They are fun! It is too bad these people didn't desert this area, now they will feed my bloodlust!

"Wait a second. You can't just kill them." Cat Noir said quickly. "Where's the sport in that? Why don't we play a game, you like games right?"

"You know you Matatabi reject, I know you are playing me, but you have piqued my curiosity." Shukaku eyed them and then the crowd he trapped. Then he smirked. "Well, let's play the same game Gaara played with that pink-haired teammate of yours. Ah, I miss tormenting Gaara so much! It was fun playing as his demented mother! OH GAARA HONEY! KILL THESE NICE MEN! I WILL LOVE YOU AND YOUR EXISTENCE WILL BE PROLONGED! AH HAHAHAHA!" The demented laugh of Shukaku washed over them as he twirled around, freaking the heroes out. "Slowly I will crush all these people to death and then I will feed on their blood if you can't find the Akumatized bead that I am in."

"What? That is like finding a needle in a haystack!" Ladybug shouted.

"Well, that's too damn bad. The odds are stacked in my favor, I love impossible odds. And don't think the same tricks will work on me!" Shukaku said as his form fell flat and he let the people breathe at least by taking the sand of their heads, but really he just wanted to hear people scream as he crushed them. "Tick tock. Tick tock!"

"Is this really how the Tailed Beast is?" Ladybug asked. "Is this the sand demon you talked about before as well?!"

"I cannot deny the grains of truth," Inari said with a sigh. "As much as I would love to into detail about this blast from the past, but I rather get this over with before Paris is duned."

"So you have a plan or is it my turn." Ladybug asked grimly.

Before she could say anything, a huge hand made of sand smacked Cat Noir into the tower. "IMMA PLAY WITH THE CAT! TRY NOT TO SHIT YOURSELF AND USE ME AS A LITTER BOX!"

"Damn, we can't stand around like this. I have to distract him." Inari said as he formed a familiar hand sign. "MULTI SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!" Soon, thousands of Inaris came into existence and rushed the tower with Rasengans in hand.

"Didn't I just say the same tricks won't work on me! SAND STORM DEVASTATION!" Shukaku roared as mouths appeared all over the tower and blew more sand into existence but the force was enough to take out the wave of clones in one go. This caused a sandstorm to once again overtake Paris and another hand to form just to grab hold of Inari and then slam him into the ground. "IMMA PLANT ME A DUMBASS CACTUS!"

"...so much for the devil you know. Whoever said that needs their head examined after I get mine done first." Inari groaned as Ladybug came over to help him up.

"Well, Inari, do you have a plan b?" She asked as she observed the returning sandstorm and oddly enough, structures of sand forming and floating around the tower. "If we could get enough water, we would be able to do something like with Style Queen."

"That will take a lot of energy to gather…but there is also not much water to begin with in the middle of the city."

"Aright, can you sense where the Akuma is? You can usually sense when one is nearby due to all the negative emotions running amok." Ladybug suggested.

"Yeah, it's at the top of the tower, but we have to get Cat Noir and find a way up there." Inari stated as his eyes darted all around, also picking up on the structures forming. He thought about both plans and grimaced. They were both going to have to be done somehow. "Let's go, shoot your yo-yo into one of the platforms."

"Right!" Ladybug replied with determination as she threw it. The yo-yo managed to imbed itself into one and it took her up quickly, Inari grabbing her hand as fast as he could. The two flew through the air until he was slingshot away into another platform as the one they were one collided with theirs, forcing Ladybug to shoot off into another.

As Inari ran along the next platform, an idea popped into his head as he felt the wind rushing by him. Quickly taking out his brush, he drew up a board and a sail, effectively creating a windsurfer with the design from Treasure Planet. "WHOOOO!" He screamed despite the roar of the storm.

"WAIT A SECOND? ARE YOU ACTUALLY WIND SURFING?" Shukaku screamed incredulously. "THAT'S CHEATING!"

"No more than you, Tanuki!" Naruto cheered as he whipped around the structure.

"INARI! WATCH OUT!" Cat Noir screamed as he was launched towards the fox themed hero. Inari just smirked as he ducked and plucked the cat out of the air. "Thanks for catching me, I did not feel like learning if I could still land on my feet like a real cat from this height."

"Anytime." Inari said cheerfully as they dodged and weaved large sand boulders being flung at them as well.

"So, what's the plan?"

"Get to the top!"

"How?"

"Working on that," Inari replied as his eyes darted all around, pieces of buildings were now being added into the mix, merging with the sand. He swore he saw Ladybug go for her Lucky Charm too. However, but he could not focus on that for four large structures were about to forcibly crush them. Tsking the fact he didn't have much time, he drew up another hole and flung an off guard Cat Noir into it, where it landed on the upper part of the tower. Naruto just smiled as he bought up his arms and let the four structures crash into him while Shukaku screamed in happiness that he killed him.

Or he would have if Naruto hadn't flown out of the walls, his entire being intangible and a mystified look on his face while Shukaku screamed in rage and a tone came from his Miraculous. Now he had limited time as Inari because he used a power.

XXX

This was crazy. How was she going to be able to get back up there? Ladybug fought the winds that were picking up to watch her teammates flying in the air while she looked for a safe way to get up there and not haphazardly like how Cat Noir was.

Then those boulders came crashing down, forcing her to dodge every single one of them. This was getting her nowhere fast. She already tried to get fling her yo-yo at a structure again, but it bounced off as the structures seemed to harden.

"Fine, LUCKY CHARM!" She called and got a large wrench that one would use for fire hydrants. Looking at it and one of the dispensers of water, she smirked. Running to one and using all he strength to open one, it burst open and sprayed the nearby sand, only for it to fall flat as mushy mud. Ladybug smirked at the sight, especially when another boulder of sand crashed into another fire hydrant, bursting it open. Oh yeah, they had plenty of water. It was all under the city!

Now she needed to get Inari's attention…but how. The wind was howling too loudly for her voice to normally get by. That was when she saw the megaphone Inari had used to catch Shukaku's attention flying nearby. Using her yo-yo, he grabbed it and shouted, "INARI! LOOK!"

XXX

"INARI! LOOK!" Ladybug's shout made him look back down to see her pointing at a stream of water coming out of the ground where a fire hydrant used to be. Oh right, the entire city had water underneath it. This…was going to take a lot of chakra to pull off.

"Ok." He said to himself he as he drew up a hookshot and chucked his board into the tower next to the hole he flung Cat Noir in while aiming his hookshot and firing as well. As he hit the structure, he used chakra to cling to the surface, reached into the hole, and pulled Cat Noir out of it as he deposited him on the embedded board. "New plan, use that staff of yours to get up there as distract him as much as you can, this next jutsu is going to take a lot out of me."

"Wow, can't even give a cat a break." Cat Noir said nervously before he did just that.

Inari watched him go before shaking his head as he took out the board and went windsurfing again. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu! YOU ALL KNOW WHAT TO DO!"

"RIGHT!" He all screamed as they all tried to do a long series handsigns for a water jutsu. He was glad he had created so many before the sand structures did take out quite a few of him. Ignoring that for now, he arced his board upward to reach the top of the storm.

What he saw was very weird. Cat Noir was pole vaulting across many sand structures, distracting Shukaku, who was no longer just a head. At the very tip of the tower where his Akuma was held, was the giant eye of the Shukaku. Four Pointed Star pupil and all. He was sure someone would compare it to the Eye of Sauron.

A stray shot of sand managed to catch Cat Noir off balance, making his fall, but Inari quickly caught him again on his board. "Ready for this, Bishonen?"

"Eye would get to the point!" Cat Noir joked.

"Right. WATER STYLE!" Inari shouted along with the rest of him. On the ground below, the ground shook violently before geysers of water shot out and begun to rise to their point, hundreds of shadow clones dispelling with that act alone. Ladybug was even caught up in one as she traveled with it.

"NO! I WON'T GO OUT THIS WAY!" Shukaku screamed in horror as portions of his sand crashed to the ground once water touched them. So he stilled the storm to bring it all back to swat Inari and Cat Noir away from him and formed his arms to defend himself in an X formation.

Inari smirked as he backed up and the water began to reach where they were, a bewildered Ladybug jumping on his board as well. "You two ready for this?!"

"FOR WHAT?!"

The giant head of a dragon formed under his board, surfing the water instead of the now none existent rushing winds, while the rest of the serpent-like body spiraled around the tower. Forming his 7 colored Rasengan in one hand, he finished his jutsu as the colors merged with the water. "IRIDESCENT GREAT WATER DRAGON JUTSU!"

The dragon seemed to roar as it opened its gaping maw and crashed into the wall of sand that was actually resisting it. That was why he formed the Rasengan as well. However, he didn't know if he had enough chakra to pull this off. Ladybug and Cat Noir put their hands on his shoulders, making him look at them. They just nodded with determined looks on their faces.

Inari smiled gratefully at his friends and teammates as he faced forward and thrust the orb into the wall as well. There was more resistance, but not much because the three of them started to glow and the orb enlarged while blue fire caught onto it.

Soon, the colors of Red, Black, and Blue were the most prominent as they shouted. "AAAAAGH! THIS IS FOR GAARA AND ALL THE OTHERS YOU TORMENTED! MIRACULOUS RASENGAN!" A single shout was heard as they broke through and went straight into the eye where Inari took hold of the Akumatized item and quickly purified.

Once through to the other side, Ladybug smirked in triumph, but she grew worried when she saw Inari slumped over on his knees. "MIRACULOUS LADYBUG!" She shouted as the swarm appeared, chasing the giant water dragon, depositing them safely on the ground, freeing the people and the tower from the sand, and then going off to fix the rest of the city.

"That was amazing!" Ladybug shouted as she hugged Cat Noir in absolute joy that all of that madness was finally over.

"I'll say!" Cat Noir said hugging her back, enjoying simply being close to the girl.

A brown light then appeared before them as the Priest Prayer Bead Necklace reformed for a moment and then melted into a different form. It turned into a small cylindrical tube about an inch or so thick and deposited itself in Inari's waiting hand. Flipping the lid open revealed it to be a fancy brown and gold compass.

Like Kurama, Shukaku now had a very small Kwami form. It was of a sandy brown Tanuki in a jar. The Kwami glared at the blond for a moment before sighing. "Well….shit. No wonder Gaara lost last time. You literally throw shit out of your ass."

"Yeah." Inari panted. "And you just had to make things harder."

"What can I say, I love it when shit it chaotic!" Shukaku squealed in delight, his midair form spinning in circles.

"He's not going to be a problem, is he?" Ladybug asked, freaked out that the Kwami was still…psychotic.

After seeing Ladybug and Cat's unnerved looks at Shukaku's unhinged antics, "Relax you two; if this Tanuki gets out of hand again, I'll tan his hide later." Upon seeing their worsened looks, he added, "don't worry, I won't do it in front of witnesses."

"Oh come on master! I'll be good!"

He looked to see Shukaku giving him an unconvincing and creepy attempt at the 'puppy dog' eyes, "If you think you can play innocent just because, Tanuki means raccoon-dog, you're sorely barking up the wrong tree."

Shukaku deflated at that before saying, "Eh, can't blame a Biju for trying."

Inari gave him a flat look before replying, "I've got enough dirt on you that says otherwise and to know better."

Shukaku gave him a flat look in return, "Really?"

"Oh yes," Said Inari slamming a fist into a palm like a judge's gavel, "You're more of a blowhard because of your wind attribute."

"Fine…whatever." Shukaku pouted as Inari and Ladybug's Miraculous went off, signaling they barely had any time left in their suits. Shukaku disappeared as his compass was closed.

"Well. I'd say this was a job well done! Pound it!" Cat Noir said, pounding his fist with Ladybug's.

Upon noticing the lack of a fist of a certain fox themed hero, Ladybug turned to Inari and saw that he was swaying heavily on his feet with an extremely tired look on his face. "Inari?"

Inari saw that his vision was very bleary, so he began to close his eyes as he just felt so tired. It won't hurt to take a nap, would it? I just hope Chloe is ok.

"INARI!"

XXXX

Aaaaaaaaaaaand FINALLY DONE! This chapter took a lot out of me...so I am headed to bed. Also, if I didn't accurately describe Honey Bee's costume, I have a link in my profile for her picture.

Please let me know what you all thought in a REVIEW!