The fear and trepidation hung around the Yard, thick, heavy and oppressive like the early morning fog that had rolled in. Some of the men had gone in search of Macavity, and the abducted tribe members, but that was three days ago. Now the cats who were left behind set about the task of rebuilding their homes, and piecing back together what they could of their shattered lives. Some cats like Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were making due out of the kindness of others, their home utterly destroyed by the fire the siblings now picked through the remains, trying to rescue anything of sentiment or value. Skimbleshanks, one arm in a sling and his shattered ribs heavily braced helped them. No one spoke, not in the whole Yard, a sickness of the heart having set in like a plague. Deuteronomy was dead, as was Gus the theater cat who had put up a vain fight in his grandchildren's defense, the Yard razed, queens, toms, and kits absconded with; to befall prey to any number of wicked crimes. Many filthy, vile, and unwanted images managed to eke their way into the cats brains as they worked in silence.
Jelly was the first one to see them coming through the fog, her eldest son, Tumblebrutus his hand gripping her shoulder reassuringly as the survivors, worn, and broken stumbled their way into the Yard. The queen whose hands had not long ago buried her leader and then her father trembled with apprehension and a longing to hold her kits. Parents, siblings, children of those who had been stolen away during the Jellilce's most sacred night ran to claim them, wrapping them in strong embraces, and blankets, whispering their love and lamenting at those who shied away. Pouncival clung to his younger sister Etcetera, who cradled a badly broken wrist her fingers a sickly shade of grey.
He released her and took a step back as Jelly rushed towards them seeking to lavish them with affection. "Mom, not now, please!" he said tearily, unable to meet her gaze. She hesitated, taking a step nearer, but nodded, heartbroken as she ushered her children home, knowing fullwell the cruelties of the cat who had stolen her two youngest. Other kittens such as Electra rushed into their families awaiting arms and began sobbing immensely, unable to find words for their joy or relief. Skimble ignored his pain hugging his only child as tightly as his wounds would allow. While older cats like Cassandra, slunk away in silence, their wounds their own. The abyssinian her pride and beautiful face badly damaged by the ordeal struck for home.
Munkustrap, grimly watched the reunions happening about him when Jennyanydots approached with a rag for the gash above his brow. The tom waved her off wincing as she began to tend to him before going on to explain, "You will need to gather your medical supplies, many of them are hurt," he said in a weak tone before holding himself a bit higher as eyes washed over him, knowing that the tribe now looked to him leadership and strength. He, ruefully, felt in that moment as he comfortably gave orders more in control than he had since the attack. "Etcetera's arm will need to be set and-"
Munkus's words were halted as his number two shuffled past with a heavy limp. "Alonzo," he said with a sigh, approaching the tom he had yet to speak to. "It's not your fault, you couldn't have done anything more than you already-" Alonzo, tears standing in his stark grey eyes, and blood staining red the white of his fur glared at his mentor silencing him at once. "If I had been stronger..." he left the rest unspoken his tone bitter and full of hate. Alonzo shook his head solemnly before continuing towards his den. It was then that a bleary eyed Bombalurina rushed to the guardian and took his hands in her own.
"Tugger? Impetuoua?" she asked voice weak and faltering. "Balurina," Munkustrap began sorrowfully. "Impetuoua-" the kit's uncle couldn't bring himself to name the evils wrought upon her young body. "She," he paused again to swallow a hard lump. "She's in a really bad way." he said voice trembling and tears sliding down his striped cheeks. Balurina's fur stood on end as her sister came to comfort her, neither a stranger to the Hidden Paw's sadistic and malicious nature.
The red queen relied on her Demeter's strength to hold her aloft as she nearly fell to her knees at the sight of her husband as he stepped into the clearing, an unmoving bundle held protectivly in his arms, tears streaming down his face as he struggled to hold himself together. Munkustrap remained where he was, trembling with rage and sorrow as the queens made their way to the leopard coated tom as he collapsed to the ground, burying his face in the bundle and wept. "I'm going to kill him!" Tugger wailed. "I'm going to kill him!"
/
Impetuoua's name suited her well. The young vivacious kitten was a laughing, loving ball of energy that kept her parents, the notorious couple of Bombalurina and Rum Tum Tugger forever on their toes. The kit with wide amber eyes, deep red coat, and sporadic leopard spots was currently curled between her parents as they dozed in the early morning light that filtered in through their windows. She flipped and rolled restlessly about as her mind faded away from the realm of dreams and into the world of wakefulness. She opened her eyes and glanced about, comforted by the familiarity that met her gaze. "Daddy," the kit whispered inching her way up the bed. "Hey, daddy!" Rum Tum Tugger groaned pulling a pillow over his head, muffling his daughter's voice.
Bombalurina reached out with a cold foot and nudged her husband's leg which recoiled quickly. "She's talking to you!" the queen said with a stretch. The kitten moved closer as her father moved away, not yet ready to deal with the morning. Impetuoua poked her head under the pillow, her nose brushing her father's. "Tonight's the ball, right daddy?" Tugger feigned sleep trying hard not to smile as she rubbed her tiny nose to his. Discouraged his daughter left him be, ducking back out, if only for a moment. "I kissed a boy!" said the six year old when she reappeared in her father's sanctuary. The tom sat bolt up right, eyes wide. "Mommy told me to say it!" Impetuoua squealed rushing to her mother's side for protection, all the while the red queens were laughing harmoniously together. "That isn't funny!" Rum Tum bellowed pointing a finger at his wife. "That's my daughter!"
Bombalurina looked at him amorously. "I hope you remember that I was once someone's daughter from time to time!" she said crawling towards him on hands and knees, he mate's expression softening as he smirked at her. Impetuoua made gagging sounds as she threw herself about the bed and her parents kissed, passionately. "You know," said Tugger during a break between their lips. "If you'd sleep in your own room, you wouldn't see us kiss." Balurina raised a coy brow at him. "If she slept in her own room we'd have another little bed-warmer to contend with by now!" "Ah," said Tugger kissing his wife again. "But they would be too young to care!"