Marinette inched down the halls that morning, tired. She didn't sleep whatsoever that night. She hadn't slept in a few nights. The first few were just studying and/or akumas. But it was something different that time.

*FlAsHbAcK*

Ladybug ran through the city, jumped on buildings, dodging flying pieces of metal. A few miles ahead, was an akuma. The Metal Manipulator. As Ladybug, she fought the villian. The villian had trapped people in cages of metal shards.

"Hey M'lady!" Said Chat Noir, coming up suddenly.

"Hello Chat." Responded Ladybug.

"I bet if we get this one down. We might get a medal!". He smirked

Ladybug sighed. "Let's just Fight this akuma and get this over with!"

They fought for over an hour, but nothing went as planned. The akuma still wasn't down. Soon, Ladybug's earrings beeped. "I need to go!" She called out, and jumped away from the scene.

She hid, and detransformed. She was now Marinette. Tikki was tired.

"Are you okay?" Marinette asked, concerned.

"I'm fine." The kwami responded.

"That's good." Said the teen girl. Tikki floated around. Marinette looked up, and her eyes widened. "Tikki! Watch out!" She screamed.

Tikki looked up, and saw a small chunk of metal. To the kwami, it looked giant. When she realized what was happening, it was too late.

"TIKKI!! Marinette screamed out.

*EnD oF fLaShBaCk*

Ever since that day, Marinette had been thinking about that guilt non stop. She couldn't tell anyone, or else that would mean she'd have to say she's Ladybug.

"MARINETTE!!" Called out Miss Bustier. Marinette woke up, and quickly shook her head. She had fallen asleep AGAIN.

Suddenly, the principal came in to make an announcement.

"Kids!" He began, "This school year is almost over! So, thanks to sponsors, the entire grade will take a trip to Tokyo! You will all get a permission slip after school! Make sure you all have passports!! And money to spend!". All the kids were excited. Marinette smiled. She hoped this would help her to take her mind off of her loss.

After school, Adrien came up to her. "Hey Marinette." He said.

"Hello Adrien." Said Marinette, awkwardly.

"Aren't you excited about the trip?"

"Yeah... I guess."

"What's wrong Marinette? You've been glum lately."

"I just have been through alot."

"Don't be sad. You can talk about it with me."

"I just had a death in the family."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"It was my kw- cousin! Yeah my cousin! Named.... Tina. She was very close to me."

"Oh I'm so sorry. Well my condolences.". He walked away. Marinette grinned and turned pink.

"He cares!" Marinette yelled out, "I knew he likes me!!"

That night, Marinette brought the permission slip to her parents, and they happily signed it. She was headed to Japan in 3 weeks.