X.
I yawned. It was midday only several days after the uncomfortable departure of Tugger and I was dead tired. Sleep was becoming harder and harder to capture these days. I wasn’t certain why, but the old, overwhelming sense of dread was hovering in the air. And, like always, I was the only one to notice. I suppose the next thing that happened in my life was my own fault. I had no way of knowing what would happen, but of course, that’s always seems to be the case with me. I had grown uncomfortable in my own bedroom and, groggy and half asleep, I was hunting for a new place to sleep. I figured I’d go to my mother’s room and crash in her bed. After all, she was probably outside with the kittens anyways, and her bed was the nicest in the warehouse. I don’t know where she found some of the decorations for it; I just knew that it was the softest place to sleep. I didn’t bother to knock; like I said, she was probably outside. Or making small talk with Griddlebone. I hated it when the two of them got together. Usually I would be their main topic of discussion and I was helpless to stop them from making fun of me behind my back. Besides, they were my mother and my mate- what could I do about it? But, no. She was in her room all right. “Oh, my God!” I cried, staggering backwards and clapping my paws over my eyes. “Jeez, Macavity! What are you doing in here?” my mother’s voice shrieked. I heard rustling noises and hesitantly dropped my paws to my sides. Sheets drawn up to her chin, my mother at huddled at one end of the bed and Ira at the other end. They stared at me with wide, horrified eyes. They were both breathless and their fur was mussed. Despite their ages, they both looked like a pair of guilty adolescents. Grizabella had one paw up against her mouth and was biting the nail with her eyes darting nervously between me and Ira. “Were you...?” I closed my eyes briefly. “This was not something I needed to see!” “We are adults,” Ira replied indignantly. I opened my eyes to see him gather Grizabella into his arms and kiss her gently. “I should think that we would be allowed to do this type of thing without your permission.” “Yeah... but... she’s my mom!” I shook my head. “And... it’s gross...” I finshed weakly. Grizabella giggled. “Macavity, dear, how do you think that you came into the world?” I slapped my paws over my ears this time. “I’m leaving now!” I spun on my heel and marched out of the room. Moments later, I felt a soft paw on my shoulder and turned around reluctantly. Grizabella smiled sheepishly at me, her eyes turned upwards in a pleading way, yet she didn’t look as though she was really going to ask of my approval. “We were going to tell you, dear. Soon. But, I guess we should’ve told you sooner or else you wouldn’t have seen us-” “I don’t care what you want to do,” I groaned. “It’s just... creepy to see your mom... and...” I shook my head helplessly. She laughed, smoothing her paw down my cheek. “I know, sweetheart. I know I wouldn’t have wanted to see my mom and dad doing that.” I shivered. “Let’s talk about something else, hmmm?” “All right,” she agreed with a touch of laughter. She linked her arm through mine like she would a girlfriend’s. “What did you have in mind, darling?” “For one: how long have you and Ira been interested in one another. And no... personal details.” She laughed again, her eyes sparkling. This was the first time I’d seen her look so young and happy. “For some time now. I couldn’t tell you an exact date, of course. I mean, that would be impossible. All I know is that every time he looks at me, he makes me feel like a girl. He’s so charming and handsome. I only wish I’d met him sooner. And his eyes...” She sighed dreamily. “It sounds like you really like him,” I replied. She turned her face up to mine. For a moment, I felt as though I were the parent and her the inexperienced teenager. “I love him, Macavity.” She fingered a lock of her headfur, twirling it around her finger. “He wants to be my mate... and I want to be his.” “Your mate? Mom, that’s great!” She smiled, her face lighting up again. “I know it is. I told him yes. The only bad thing is that we’re too old to make any more kittens. I think he’d be a wonderful father, don’t you? I mean, look how he acts around the kittens and they’re not even his.” I nodded. “Yes, I think he would. But, would that make him my stepfather. You know, you two becoming mates and all?” Grizabella blushed. “Well, dear, he sort of already is.” “What?” I asked with mild disbelief. “Well, we already made it official. Earlier today. When you walked in, we were kind of on our honeymoon when-” “OK! You don’t have to bring that back up again.” “Sorry, darling. I just hope that you realize that Ira and I are in love and are now officially mates.” I kissed her on the forehead. “Of course, I do. And I’m glad. I’m glad that you found someone that you can love and that someone loves you. I mean, besides me. And the kittens and-” “I think I get your point,” she laughed. “I am, too.” “Well, I’m glad you approve, Macavity,” Ira said good naturedly, coming up behind Grizabella. He put his paws on her hips. “As much as I hate to do this, I do think it’s important that my beautiful queen’s kitten approve of her finding a new mate.” He wrinkled his nose, pretending to mock me. “Even if you are a bit foolish and full of yourself.” “Thanks,” I said emotionlessly. He grinned and I couldn’t resist returning it. “Ira...” Grizabella mumbled, pressing herself close up against him. I cleared my throat loudly as his paws started to wander. They broke apart with guilty smiles. “Sorry, Macavity. I hope you don’t mind having a couple of frisky, old cat running around the warehouse,” Ira said with a grin. “Who are you calling old?” Grizabella growled, slapping his arm. Ira took a step back, holding his paws out in front of him protectively. “Not you, my darling. You’re the youngest and most beautiful queen I’ve ever laid eyes on. And you’re the-” “That’s not going to work,” she growled, jerking him forward for a kiss. They embraced passionately and when it looked as though they weren’t going to separate for a while, I slipped away silently. ~*~ I grinned as I turned the corner and saw that Bombalurina’s door was open. Looking around, I decided that no one was watching or nearby. I peeked into her room to see that she was sitting on her bed, back to the door. I crept in silently, closing the door carefully behind me. She didn’t notice anything yet. I slipped up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. I pulled her close as I sunk down onto the bed, inhaling her sweet scent. She let out a terrified gasp and jerked away frantically. She whipped around to face me, eyes wild with fear. We stared at one another in shocked silence. After a moment, Bombalurina’s shoulder’s slumped forward and she sighed. “You scared me.” I touched her face. “I’m sorry. You know, you might want to shut the door when you’re in here alone. You never know when a crime boss thinks that you look pretty good to him.” I kissed her passionately. She returned the kiss, letting herself melt against my body. I put my paws on her back, drawing her close up against my chest. I could feel my heartbeat start to speed up as she moved to be more comfortable. Abruptly, she pulled away. Her eyes were wide and she studied my face. I could see her feelings were torn between embracing me and something else. I frowned, confused. “What’s wrong?” She shook her head. “Nothing’s wrong. I just don’t feel like it right now.” “But you just-” “I changed my mind,” she growled. I blinked in surprise, then looked down at my paws in my lap. “OK.” Bombalurina stood and walked to the other side of the room. She stared at Demeter’s bed for a long while before baring her teeth angrily and turning away from it. She glared around at the contents of the room and slumped down on a pillow. I watched her curiously. She narrowed her eyes at me. “What are you looking at?” “You,” I replied cautiously. “What’s your problem? Why are you so upset?” Her fur bristled threateningly. “I’m not upset.” “Whatever you say.” She stood, her eyes practically burning a hole through me. I had never seen such hatred from her, unless she was talking about her step-father. “You want to know, Macavity? Well, it’s all your fault if I’m upset. It’s your fault!” My mouth gaped opened. “What? How? I have no idea how your attitude has anything to do with me.” “Of course you don’t! You’re a male!” Oh, great. Not only was the most seductive female in the warehouse angry with me, but she had turned into a raving feminist. I didn’t dare say anything as she stalked back and forth, extending and retracting her claws. Suddenly, she stopped and turned to me. “Macavity, I have something very important to tell you.” I stared at her, daring her to speak. She frowned and looked down at her stomach. “I’m pregnant.” I felt my stomach plunge. I grabbed onto the side of the bed. “You’re what?” She sneered. “You heard me! I’m pregnant!” Suddenly, she collapsed. “I didn’t mean to be! It wasn’t supposed to happen!” Her paw pressed to her mouth. “How can we keep this a secret? People will notice me bulge out with kittens!” She gritted her teeth. “I’ll end it now!” She raised her left paw, claws extended, to rake it across her stomach. I wrenched myself out of my shock and leaped off the bed. I grabbed her arm and pushed her to the ground. She covered her face with her free paw and began to sob. “No, Bomba! You’re not going to kill the kittens or yourself!” She stared at me dully for a moment, then, without warning, raked her claws across my face. I cried out and jerked back. She kicked me in the stomach and scrambled to her feet. “I hate you!” She practically flew from the room. I buried my face in my paws, cursing out loud. ~*~ A couple of hours passed and I figured that Bombalurina had left for good. I had no idea where she could’ve gone, but I wasn’t upset. I felt empty. That’s probably why when Demeter pranced into the room I made no move to show her that I was there. I could see that she was happy. For once the little golden kitten was smiling without cause and skipping around the room. Maybe she did have a cause, but I didn’t know what, so I didn’t matter to me. She twirled around twice, then paused on one back paw. Back arched, she extended her other back paw towards the ceiling, spreading her arms out to the side. When she had achieved a position of a vertical split with her back arched so that her head nearly touched the back of her bottom knee, she straightened and leaped forward. She leapfrogged a stack of pillows, knocking them to the ground. I swallowed as she sprawled onto the fallen pillows, clasping her paws over her chest. Her eyes were half closed and dreamy. Her tail was twitching happily and curling around her leg. Watching her prance giddily around the room was stirring up too many memories. She was no longer sweet, little Demeter. She was a cruel, laughing Cassandra. A scolding, disappointed Jennyanydots. The Griddlebone I had seen at the docks for the first time. Finally, she was Bombalurina threatening to kill our kittens just to spite me. I cleared my throat loudly, stepping forward. The little gold and black kitten gasped and sat up right. Her eyes were suddenly wide with fear. “Macavity! I had no idea you were in here.” Her large golden eyes darted around the room. “If you’re here for Bomba, I’ll just leave.” She started to leave, but I found myself step in front of her to block her exit. Her paw flew to her chest and her eyes widened. “Please leave me alone,” she whispered. “Not yet, my dear,” I replied, pushing the door closed. She let out a soft whimper. “You see, I did come to see Bombalurina. But you know what? She didn’t want to see me.” I grabbed her chin and tilted her head up. Demeter was fairly trembling at my touch. “Why are you frightened?” She didn’t answer. “Not because of this!” Emphasizing the last word, I struck her across the face. She collapsed to the ground with a terrified sob. Her arms crossed protectively over her face. “Don’t hurt me!” she shrieked. “After what your sister did to me? My dear Demeter, I wish that were true. Only... there’s only one way I can punish Bombalurina.” I knelt. “You see, if I hurt you, I hurt her, too.” “No,” she moaned, drawing back. I grabbed her arms and jerked her towards me. She let out another sob as I pressed my mouth to hers. I could feel her struggling to pull away from me, but wouldn’t let her. Maybe I couldn’t. Besides, her touch, however reluctant, sent chills up my spine. I tightened my grip with one paw and dropped the other one to draw it around her waist. She tried to push me back, but was too small and weak. I had no trouble pining her to the ground. Her sobs were growing louder. “Shut up,” I hissed, tightening my grip again. She cried out in pain and bit her lip to hold back another cry or scream. Suddenly, I felt something heavy and hard crash over my head. I could barely let out a gasp as I toppled over. My vision swam and I could only faintly make out another figure lift a hysterical Demeter off the ground. I tried to push myself up, but blackness overwhelmed me and I collapsed. ~*~ “Come on. Wake up.” I jerked my head away from the strong odor and my eyes flew open. I sat up quickly. “Whoa, Mac! Calm down!” I sagged now that the odor was no longer filling my nose. I felt an arm support my back and help me lay back down again. “Ry?” Orion nodded, a frown on his face. He gingerly touched the bump on my head, trying to figure out how badly I was hurt. I cringed and pulled back. “That hurts!” “Sorry,” he replied emotionlessly. I looked back up. “What happened?” I asked. “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?” I cover my face, shamed. “How long were you-” “God, Macavity! What the hell is wrong with you?” he snapped. “All I know is when I heard someone screaming for help and sobbing, I ran down here. And what a wonderful surprise to find you practically raping a kitten! What got into you head?” He rubbed his temple. “I just knew that I couldn’t let you do that. So, I hit you. I’m sorry if I hurt you too badly, but that was the only way I knew to stop you.” I rolled over, burying my face in a pillow and curling into the fetal position. “You can leave now. Just gather their belongings and leave.” “Macavity...” “Please. Leave.” I could barely find the strength to whisper. Suddenly, I felt Orion drag me upright. He grabbed my chin and forced my head up. “Stop that. Every time you something terrible, you always play the pity card to make yourself feel better. You can’t do that anymore. It won’t work this time. You have to admit what you’ve done. You have to admit to yourself.” “No, Orion. I can’t! I can’t-” “Macavity! Now!” I slumped forward. “Fine! I tried to rape Demeter! Are you happy now? Are you?” He hugged me close as I shuddered and began to cry. I allowed myself to be leaned against the wall and watched weakly as Orion walked to the far side of the room. He returned with a blanket and draped it around my shoulders. I grabbed at the corners and tightened it around me. I turned my face up to him. “Orion?” “Yeah?” “How can you even stand me?” “It ain’t easy,” he replied. Then he offered me a small smile. “But, you’re my best friend and I couldn’t just walk out on you, could I?” “No,” I replied softly. He nodded, then turned to lay on one of the beds. He flopped down and stared back at me, head resting on his forearms. I nestled down into the blanket. “Thanks,” I whispered. “No problem, man.” He grinned. “If I didn’t look after you, who knows what stupid stuff you’d do.” I smiled at that and closed my eyes. In a matter of moments, I slipped into a light sleep.
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