"A life with trust is a life with the thrill of chances, but a life without trust will always be uncertain."

— Forbidden Fruits

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

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"Ever heard of the myth behind tumbleweeds?"

Marinette furrowed a brow at that. "I can't say I have."

Chat Noir leaned back atop Plagg, seeming relaxed. The pain in his ribs seemed to have subsided (mostly) as the hours stretched on. His thigh was wrapped in bandages still, which would need to be changed every several hours. As for riding on his horse without any help, he seemed to be perfectly capable of doing so even without his saddle.

But... he was sent to ride in the center of the circle until they were out of bear country, and of course, wherever he went, she went also.

He lazily held his reigns in one gloved hand as they rode. "Some folks call 'em the Russian thistles 'cause they were found in 'contaminated' feed through trade, just as they say Russians stowed away in ships for a new life in the west."

"Is that actually true?"

"Which part?" He had an amused smile on his lips. "The contaminated feed or the stowaway Russians?"

"Both."

"The feed part is true. The Russians stowin' away is hearsay."

"Just as I suspected."

He chuckled, revealing his pearly whites. "But that's the reason why most folks out in these parts are weary of tumbleweeds. You should keep that in mind when we reach the next town."

Instantly, she leaned over ever-so-slightly towards him on her horse, her eyes holding nothing but curiosity as she asked, "Why?"

He couldn't help but chuckle softly at her genuine curiosity. In fact, he found it to be incredibly attractive. This is what he had hoped for, after all. For Marinette to perhaps see his point of view. If she could do that, perhaps there was a chance she could eventually love him.

Woah... love? Baby steps. She barely considered him as a friend.

But at least he could say progress had been made. Marinette seemed to be past the general stage of hatred for him and she seemed to be more herself; more open and conversational with him as well. He liked this side of her. He liked talking to her.

"Well..." he cleared his throat as he considered his answer. "It's 'cause they call it Tumbleweed Valley. Ain't nobody who's ever visited fancies trustin' the people who live there."

And, of course, he was speaking from experience. The last time he visited Tumbleweed Valley was with his parents. He didn't even remember how old he was at the time. All he remembered were the bloody crooks on every corner, sneering at an outlawed family with children. He always figured it was because they didn't think his parents could do their jobs correctly with two kids in their arms.

After all, his parents had been well-known 'bounty hunters' with a bounty of their own on their heads.

They weren't actually real bounty hunters, though. They simply tried to do what was right even if they lived a life of wrong. They were bandits from beginning to end, but sometimes, instead of taking, they liked to give back.

Like trying to save Marinette from the Reaper.

Chat Noir shook his head, immediately getting rid of that thought. The last thing he needed was to have that on his mind. Considering just how well he and Marinette seemed to be getting along now, he wouldn't be surprised if she could read right through him.

And he didn't need her to ask him again about why he took her. Not now.

And yet, his mind wandered to the last time he'd ever visited Tumbleweed Valley. Ever since he first visited as a child, he hadn't made an attempt to come back. In fact, he overall tried to avoid passing through. But considering bear country had set them back a day, there was no way he could risk taking the long way without fearing that the Reaper might be right behind.

"Why are there always dangerous people in these towns we visit?" Marinette asked, which quickly broke him away from his thoughts and the haunting memories of his deceased parents. Thank God for it too, because the last thing he needed was to have that weighing on his chest right now.

"There are dangerous people in every town." Chat Noir told her rather seriously. "Even in Deadwood."

Marinette furrowed her brows in confusion. "There is rarely any crime in Deadwood."

He wanted to laugh at her ignorance until he reminded himself that Marinette was ignorant because she was sheltered. She had no idea what lurked in the shadows, what occurred behind the scenes, or how far people were willing to go for what they wanted. Deadwood wasn't much different from most towns out in the west, and it certainly wasn't a sanctuary. If her father was naïve enough to believe it was, then he was a fool.

"A dangerous man doesn't need to stand out in order to be dangerous." He said vaguely.

Plagg let out a huff through his nose as if to agree with his rider's statement. Chat Noir couldn't help but smile as he leaned forward to pat the stallion's neck.

Of course, because of her growing curiosity, that answer didn't supply. "Does that mean you knew some bandits dwelling in Deadwood?" Marinette asked.

"Yes." He answered immediately. "I once told you I had eyes and ears everywhere, and that was true. Even though the lot of them work for me, a lot of them also do not."

"So, there are spies in Deadwood?"

"There are spies everywhere, Marinette. Want to take a wild guess on what the ones in Deadwood were spyin' on?"

She didn't respond. A subtle glance out of the corner of his eye caught her swallowing uncomfortably.

A part of him wanted to sympathize with her, but the bigger part of him remained realistic. "There's a sayin' that says the truth is meant to set a man free, but that is not always the case, is it?" He turned to look at her then, his expression open despite his cold seriousness. "This is why I haven't told you why you've been taken. You're not ready for the truth."

"That might be true," Marinette answered, surprisingly in agreement with his words, but then she turned to meet his gaze, and the emotion swirling in those dazzling blue eyes of hers spoke more volume than any word. "But I think that's not entirely the reason. I think part of the reason why you haven't told me is also because you're not ready for the truth to be out there."

He didn't let her intellect surprise him, but damn, perhaps she really could read right through him.

Instead, he cracked a smile and decided to mask her truth in agreement. "Perhaps you're right."

Marinette's mouth fell agape as if she hadn't expected him to agree with her assessment, but she didn't have a chance to voice her next thought. A bellowed shout from the front of the line announced that they had reached the end of bear country. They would be passing underneath the rock formation that marked the end of the luscious forest soon, and so, Chat Noir would need to return to the front of the formation.

His smile slowly turned downward with the realization. Despite the somewhat touchy subject, he was enjoying the openness. He wasn't quite ready to quit talking to her.

But... her safety was more important to him, so, he moved to untie her mare from his belt.

But then, Marinette's hand shot out, her open palm landing on top of his gloved hand. He looked up in surprise, finding her blue-bell eyes piercing into his own.

"Let me go to the front with you." She insisted. Despite her tone remaining soft, the determination to get what she wanted was there.

He instantly shook his head. "The front is too dangerous for you."

"Let me decide what is dangerous for me and what is not." She retorted stubbornly. He would've thought it attractive, and he did, but he simply didn't have time to dwell over just how much her stubbornness made him want to kiss her.

"You're too exposed up front." He tried to explain patiently, "I'd rather you be in the center with Nino, where I know you'll be the most protected."

"I don't want to ride with Nino." She huffed, "I want to ride with you. I feel safer with you."

Her words caused his heart to clench tightly in his chest. Her frown was evidence of her stubbornness, but her irises told a different story. She was nervous, which meant she was speaking from the heart. She truly wanted to stay by his side, and not because she wanted to go against him. Knowing that made the temptation to give in to her desires so much stronger. He wanted nothing more than to do anything to please her. If he could give her everything she desired, he would do so in a heartbeat.

But his brain nagged at him, warning him of the dangers that lay ahead.

He sighed a bit frustratedly—not at her—but at his rapidly beating heart. "I know... but I can't have you upfront. Your life is too important to me."

She looked like she wanted to argue, but Chat Noir didn't allow her the chance to retort. Instead, he called for Nino, who quickly slowed his horse down from farther upfront so that he could follow into step beside Plagg. Chat Noir silently handed his friend the lead to Marinette's mare. When he turned to look back over his shoulder at her, he swore his heart cracked inside his chest.

Marinette was looking at him, but her eyes were pained. Anxiousness was radiating off of every bone in her body. The sight had him wishing he could simply hug her.

But he couldn't. So instead, he removed his ringo hat from atop his head and placed it on hers.

"Keep it safe for me, yeah?" He cracked a smile that definitely didn't reach his eyes. "I always return for it."

And then, before his mind could be changed, he lightly nudged Plagg forward with his stirrups, but his stallion huffed through his nose and shook his head, his mane sashaying behind him as he stubbornly stayed routed in his spot. Even he didn't seem to want to leave Marinette behind—or perhaps he was more interested in the mare.

"C'mon boy," Chat nudged his horse once more, but Plagg wouldn't budge. Instead, his horse flicked his ears at the sound of his name but otherwise didn't react to it. In other words, he was ignoring him.

A series of snickers shifted his attention over to the mare, where Marinette sat atop her with a smug look on her face. The deadpan expression on his face only widened her smile.

"It seems Plagg agrees with me. I should go up front with you." Marinette looked too proud for her own good, but he couldn't find it in himself to be annoyed. A grin of his own was pulling at his lips before he could even consider stopping it.

"Stubborn horse." Chat laughed. With a shake of his head, he extended his hand out to Marinette, who removed his hat from her head and handed it back to him. Grinning, he placed it back on his head and said, "Looks like I came back for this sooner than expected."

Marinette matched his wide grin. It was then that he realized just how much he adored her smile.

"Are you sure, sir?" Nino questioned hesitantly.

Chat Noir shrugged. "No, but I never argue with my horse."

Nino relented despite his own uncertainty because he wouldn't dare question his leader or his horse. He handed the lead back to Chat Noir, who then proceeded to tie the rope onto his belt.

Once everything was fastened correctly, he turned to meet Marinette's eyes with a little smirk of his own. "Hang on tight."

She raised her eyebrows in amusement as if she didn't see a reason to listen. Well, he had warned her. Chuckling, Chat Noir let out a clipped whistle. The sound had both horses' ears shooting upright before Plagg was launching them into a gallop. Unprepared for the sudden movement, Marinette lurched back.

However, she was able to grasp the mare's mane before completely falling off. Chat Noir couldn't help the series of laughter that escaped past his lips as he watched her lean over the mare, arms encircled around her neck. Marinette shot him an unpleasant glare, but that only made his smile widen.

They reached the front of the group in a matter of seconds. Chat Noir slowed Plagg into a simple trot as the stone formation which marked the end of bear country slowly towered over them. He dismissed the men upfront with a thankful wave, allowing them to get back to their posts.

Marinette surprisingly didn't grumble at him for the little stunt he pulled. Perhaps because she knew it was her own fault for not heeding his warning.

To his left, Kit suddenly appeared on her mare. She looked annoyed. "What is she doin' here?"

Thankfully, Marinette hadn't heard the remark. She was too busy trying to re-steady herself on the mare to even realize his sister was there. But Chat Noir had heard those words, along with a jab of bitterness and disgust laced behind them, and it instantly dampened his mood. Turning to look at his sister with a furrowed brow, he warned, "Play nice."

She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "It was only a question." Her smile, however, showed her feigned innocence. He didn't have to be observant to know that she was up to something. "I was just wonderin'... considerin' this is the first time you've ever allowed the princess to ride up front. Seems a bit darin', wouldn't you say?"

"Whatever you're tryin' to get at, get on with it."

Those words alone were all it took to have his sister's fake smile dissipate in a matter of seconds. "You got all cozy with her last night in your tent," Kit said dangerously low. It didn't frighten him in the slightest, though, which was why his expression remained entirely nonchalant, and some might even say... bored. "Imagine my surprise when I woke up this mornin' and found my big brother and the pampered enemy princess cuddlin' each other as if they liked it."

Unamused, Chat Noir arched a brow. "Would you rather I cuddle you instead? You know you could just ask. Jealously doesn't quite do it for you—"

"I ain't jealous! What I am is skeptical."

He decided he'd let her humor him. "Enlighten me."

"Doesn't it concern ya that one day she's wantin' to kill ya, and then the next, she's completely changed her mind?" His sister asked low enough to where Marinette couldn't hear. "I just don't think it's all that wise to be trustin' her so easily."

"Trust is a strong word, Kit. We're not at that stage yet."

"So, ya plan to eventually trust the princess someday?"

He hummed, considering her question. "To plan and to hope are two different things. All I do is hope. I hope her eyes will be opened 'cause of this. I even hope perhaps she might even see me in a new light."

"Ya mean in the romantic kind of light?"

He said nothing in response to that, but his silence was all the answer his sister needed.

"I don't know what ya see in that spoiled lil princess," Kit grumbled out. "Ya could have any woman as far as the west stretches, but ya want her. It's always been her. Someone who is the exact opposite of you and ain't even got an ounce of sympathy for people like us. Dont'cha see that? Dont'cha see what's she's doin' to ya?"

"And what exactly is she doin' to me?"

"She's playin' ya. She wants ya to believe that she's on your side. That she's changed."

"And what if she has?"

"You don't actually believe that, do ya?" The way his sister asked him that had a sense of guilt behind it as if she felt sorry for him. When he left her question unanswered, she huffed out a disbelieving sigh through her nose. "Then you're foolish, brother. Absolutely foolish."

Chat Noir wasn't a fan of being called foolish. He could be an idiot or even stupid sometimes, but he wasn't foolish. "Watch your tongue."

"Ya know I'm right." Was his sister's response. He expected nothing less from her. After all, Kit was hardly ever known to apologize, and she certainly wouldn't say sorry if she believed she was right. "Ya ought to think 'bout my words. Don't dismiss 'em simply 'cause ya don't like 'em."

He was given no chance to argue further. Kit clicked her tongue and her mare responded to the demand, turning around and trotting back towards the center of the formation. Chat Noir let out a frustrated huff through his nose. Now... he couldn't help but dwell over the doubt his sister had planted in his mind. What if Marinette was really trying to trick him into believing that she had changed, just so that she could use the opportunity of him with his guard down to her advantage?

Chat Noir didn't want to believe that... but the possibility was there.

And now, he couldn't get it out of his head.

"Is everything okay?" Marinette asked softly, her voice laced with concern. It snapped him out of his reverie, but it didn't snap him out of his doubt. She must've noticed something had shifted in the air. Either with the look on his face, his sister's sudden presence and disappearance, or both. Considering she seemed genuinely confused, it didn't seem as if she'd heard a single word from his conversation with Kit.

'Unless she's a good actor', Kit's annoyingly mocking voice rang like a bell in his head. He shook his head, trying to push that thought into the farthest part of his mind.

"I'm fine." He offered her a smile that didn't reach his eyes, but he prayed it looked convincing.

Marinette's concerned expression didn't shift in the slightest. He idly wondered how someone could fake something that looked so genuine. If... she was faking, the rational side of his mind offered.

"What did she want?" Marinette asked. "Was it about me?"

It took everything in him not to let a single ounce of emotion slip through due to the fact that he felt like he was being scrutinized by her. She was too observant for her own good.

"It was." He admitted. After all, he wasn't known to be a liar and he wouldn't start with her.

A frown slowly pulled at Marinette's lips. He didn't like to see it there. "Why does she despise me so?" She huffed out bitterly. "I haven't done anything to her."

For some reason, a bit of guilt clawed at his chest then. Marinette was in the dark when it concerned Kit's hatred for her when all the answers she sought simply lay in the truth he hadn't shared with her yet. Why she was here.

"It's hard to explain." Was his decided answer. He couldn't go into much detail without unloading everything that entailed with her kidnapping, and now certainly wasn't the time. "For now, don't let her bother you. I'll handle her later."

The conflicted expression on Marinette's face looked like she wanted to say more, but she decided against it. Instead, she accepted his answer and nodded, overall dropping the topic. He was thankful for it too, because now, with all that was on his mind, he had a lot to think about.

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A few hours passed before the silhouette of Tumbleweed Valley came into view. The town was fairly large, exactly how Chat Noir remembered it, hidden between two steep, canyon-like hills that sheltered the town from most of the outside world. The only way in was through a secret passage that was like a maze through the canyon. Only a bandit knew his way through it by heart.

Perhaps that was why Tumbleweed Valley was a kind name for the place. In truth, it was really a black market hidden in the middle of the desert.

Marinette was weary of the place, and he didn't blame her. Before they had even entered the canyon, Chat Noir had told her to wear his hat. If she thought Losthollow was bad, this place was ten times worse. At least in Losthollow, brawls and belligerent behavior were strictly forbidden. But here? You could kill a man here and bury his remains in the soil and not one person would bat an eye.

Two men greeted them at the rocky archway which was the official entrance to Tumbleweed Valley. Everyone who planned to cross through the town had to be checked there. Above them, several men stood on the ledge of the canyon with rifles in their hands.

Marinette's face remained hidden throughout the entire check-through process.

Once inside, Chat Noir led them straight to the inn. The inn master, who was badgering a guest for the right amount of coin to rent a room, brightened at the sight of a familiar face.

"Well, I'll be damned..." The stout little man chuckled. With his attention now off of a potential guest, the other man quickly collected his laid-out coin and dashed away. "If it ain't the Agreste boy. Last I saw ya you'se was a wee lad."

Chat Noir didn't return the smile or the familiarity. "Cut the pleasantries, Lotto. I'm not here to reconnect. I need enough rooms for forty men. I'll pay you whatever it costs or more to get that."

"Just as snarky as you'se was back then." The innkeeper chuckled, unperturbed by Chat Noir's coldness. He stepped around his desk and opened a large book. As he scanned down a long list with the skim of his finger, he eventually tapped a page. "Lucky ya wee'se got plenty of room for the lot of ya. But it's gonna cost ya a bit more than a few silver coins."

Chat Noir didn't miss a beat. He dropped a small sack of coins on the desk. Gold coin. "Would this suffice?"

The innkeeper instantly snatched the bag, like a greedy hog desperate for its next meal. He opened the bag and took a peek inside, seemingly awed at just how much Chat Noir had in his pocket. "Aye, this'll do." He chuckled. He then handed Chat Noir a key and then his eyes lured over his shoulder, taking in the group of men that was with him. "Welcome to Tumbleweed Valley, fellas. I hope ya'll enjoy yer stay."

Everyone remained silent behind their leader, just as Chat Noir instructed. Whenever passing through Tumbleweed Valley, it was best to say as least as possible.

"Quiet lot." The inn master noticed. Then, his eyes found the one thing Chat Noir was hoping he wouldn't see. Marinette. "And who's the fine young lady?"

Marinette instantly stiffened in her saddle. Chat Noir forced himself to remain impassive. "And why does she concern you?"

"Oh nothin', boy. Unless ya plan to sell'er. I know plently'a lads who could do with a new pleasure slave—"

"I would advise you not to finish that sentence..." Chat Noir gritted out lowly, "...when referrin' to my wife."

No one reacted to his choice of words, not even Marinette, whose expression remained hidden behind the visor of his hat anyway. The only one who did react was the stout little innkeeper, who looked genuinely surprised by such a revelation.

"Oh... ah... my mistake then." The innkeeper sheepishly replied. "Though, you followin' in yer daddy's footsteps then, eh? Seems ya didn't learn what the consequences of a family can cost ya out in these parts."

Chat Noir didn't respond. If he had, it wouldn't have been a verbal response. It would've been a punch to the man's freckled nose. Instead, he let his anger remain in the pit of his stomach as he tugged on Plagg's lead. His horse instantly turned away, and then Chat Noir dismounted. He led Plagg on foot towards the stables, not even sparing a glance over his shoulder. He idly heard his men from behind as they each stepped forward with their horses to receive their key, neither greeting nor thanking the innkeeper for his forced hospitality.

After silently helping Marinette down from the mare and boarding both horses for the night, Chat Noir kept his hat on her head and took her hand in his gloved one, leading her through the boisterous inn courtyard. Many eyes watched as they passed, and Chat Noir knew who most of them belonged to.

Finding the door which had the same number that was engraved into his key, Chat Noir quickly unlocked it and strode inside. The door shut behind them with a loud click.

They were greeted with darkness. There was an unlit candle on the nightstand. Chat Noir was too enraged to even pull out his matches and light it.

It was then that Marinette finally decided to speak. "Chat Noir?" Her voice sounded timid as if she were afraid of him, and he hated that. "You're squeezing my hand a bit too tightly."

Horrified, he instantly let go. His gloved fists clenched at his sides in agony. "Shit." He hissed out, keeping his back faced towards her. "I apologize... I didn't mean to—"

"It's okay," she assured in a gentle interjection. That didn't ease the tension in his shoulders, though. "You didn't hurt me if that's what you're worried about."

That wasn't his biggest worry at the moment. He was worried about stepping over a boundary with her; worried about bringing her to this place. Tumbleweed Valley only brought the worst out of him. The memories he had of this place were all horrible ones.

And if his anger were to cause him to lose control—to hurt Marinette on accident...

He needed to calm down. He needed to clear his head.

Exhaling heavily, Chat Noir straightened his posture. "I need some fresh air." He admitted so quietly that he almost didn't hear his own words. He kept his back facing towards her. "You are to stay here while I'm gone. Do not leave this room under any circumstances."

Her silence was unexpected. He expected her to protest or insist she go with him. Instead, she remained silent, and that frustrated him.

"Did you hear me, Marinette?"

"Yeah, yeah," she answered, a bit sassily, might he add. "I'll stay here."

That was all the answer he needed. He turned on his heel and stalked past her—but not before gently reaching for his hat and plucking it off her head. As he fastened his black, ringo hat over his blonde locks, he opened the room door and quickly shut it behind him, leaving Marinette alone in the darkness.

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Do I have any comments on this chapter, you ask?

Well... yes... as a matter of fact... I do. Chat Noir calling Marinette his wife had me quaking 🥵

Anyway, see you again in the next update on 8/26/2022!

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