The ground beneath her feet crunched quietly. The trees seemed to wave slowly, as snow fell around her. It was eerily dark, and bone chillingly cold. She didn't care where she was going, as long as she could get away from him. He was the reason she was in this state. He caused the death of her family. He killed her friend, and now she was alone. Left to fend for herself. She bared her teeth angrily, unsheathing her delicate claws. The thought haunted her like an unwanted ghost; She was alone, cold, hungry and was no doubt going to die. Her head lowered sadly. It was almost Christmas, and she was alone. Likely forever. Hearing a gunshot, her ears pricked. Her tail tucked between her legs as the low, loud moan echoed through the forest. Her heart pounded in her chest and she ran as fast as her paws could carry her. She heard the footsteps of the undead creatures gaining speed. She ran as fast as she could, skidding to a halt at the end of a cliff. She panted heavily, looking down the cliff. Her spirits rose slightly at what she saw; A campfire, surrounded by five or six humans. Okay, they were humans, but they weren't zombies. The moans became louder, and one seemed to roar as it approached her. She glanced back to see a huge zombie behind her. Her heart picked up the pace. She looked down the cliff, to see that the humans had been alerted of the presence, most staring at her. She couldn't tell why though. The zombie behind her got closer and closer every second. She turned her back to the cliff edge and backed up from the zombie. She reared, unsheathing her front claws. The edge of the cliff crumbled slightly under her weight. It was die by zombie, or die by the drop. Her decision was quickly made. Being a cat, she had more chance of survival by jumping. The zombie reached forward to grab her, but by then, she'd leaned back. Her back claws let go of the cliff face, and she plummeted to her death.

The Betrayed

Chapter one

If It Wasn't For Hate, We'd Be Dead By Now

Words; 4,250

"Holy Criep!" Demoman exclaimed as the red cat threw itself off the cliff backwards. "That cat's bloodey crazey!"

"I'd rather drown than be eaten by those things," Engineer scoffed. Scout and Heavy simply stared at the cat as it fell. Medic slapped his hand against his face. "still, it's rather suicidal," The five watched as the cat twisted in the air, so its feet were facing the ground. Before anyone knew anything, Spy was standing below, arms ready to catch the cat. It was lucky he was there; The cat lost balance and rolled back to its back. Spy caught the cat easily in his arms. It shivered for a few seconds, before falling limp.

"How good are you with animals, doctor?" The Spy asked as he turned to face the group.

"I'm no a vet, Spy," the German answered with a scoff. "Still, it's vorth a try," Spy nodded as he arrived at the campfire. Medic took the unconscious cat from the Frenchman gently, taking a good look at it. "She appears to be alive, but very veak," Spy grimaced. This cat had just survived an attack from those disgusting creatures by jumping off a cliff. The Spy couldn't help but feel sympathy for the animal.

"Hold on," Demoman interrupted Spy's thoughts. "You said she? It's a lassy?"

"Ja," was the answer. This wasn't much of a surprise. "if you remember, she-cats vere more likely to escape zhe plague, veird as it sounds."

"Fair point," All eyes turned to trees by the fire as footsteps could be heard. Scout gathered his baseball bat and stood ready to batter any zombies. To his slight disappointment, there were no zombies, only Sniper, Soldier and Pyro. He sighed and lowered his bat.

"Any luck?" Spy asked the three.

"Hardly," Sniper replied. "We got a little food, but it's bloody hard to find animals that haven't been infected,"

"If only zhere was a vay to remove zhe infection," Medic grumbled, his attention returned to the cat in his arms. She was unusually large for a domesticated cat.

"You're the doctor," Engineer inquired.

"Ja, but I know nozhing about zhis infection," The cat began to stir, her ears flicking and her tail swaying a little. "Ah, velocme to zhe living," The cat looked up at Medic with a half blank look, her head cocked to one side. It appeared she was studying him carefully. "Because she's a cat, she vill tell vho is infected," The cat meowed a little.

Who were these humans? Why hadn't I picked up their scent? I shoved the questions to the back of my mind as I felt the human holding me put me down. I was shaky standing up, but what do you expect after jumping off a cliff. I shook off the terror that lingered in my fur. I sat down and looked around at the humans. Three more had joined the group, and I was intrigued by their looks. I cocked my head at the youngest one; he looked like he was in his twenties, human years that is. I turned to each one slowly, taking in their appearance fully. I turned to a rather large, bald human, taking note of the bullets stored on the bullet belt over his shoulder. The next one I turned to was a rather tall man, a balaclava over his face. I was a little amused by his appearance, a balaclava, with a suit? I shook my head and turned to the human sitting at the other side of the fire. He was wearing dark red overalls and my eyes focused on the huge wrench in his hand. I shuddered at how much damage that could do, should I piss him off. I turned to the one beside him. I cocked my head curiously, he had an eye-patch over his left eye and had a huge gun in his hand. At least, I thought it was a gun. I turned again to look at the humans that recently arrived. One was wearing a fireproof suit with a gas mask. I shuddered, feeling a little on edge. The human beside him was wearing a soldier's uniform and had deer slung over his shoulder. I turned to the ninth human. He was very tall. That was the first thing I noticed. Before I could take a proper look at him, I felt a gloved hand on my head. On instinct, I crouched and pinned my ears back.

"I von't hurt you," I looked up at the German, weary of how much in danger I felt. I let out a small purr as I felt the hand make contact with my head and stroke it softly. I hadn't felt a human hand stroke me in so long, it felt like I was in heaven. My purring became increasingly louder as he began tickling a sensitive spot behind my ear.

"Looks like you've made a new friend doc," laughed a strong Australian accent. I looked up to see the tall human crouched beside the German. I purred even louder as he stroked the fur under my chin. A small chuckle emerged from both humans. I suddenly felt very intimidated as a flashback returned to my mind.

The two humans chuckled darkly as they stroked the young kitten. Before she could react, she found herself strapped to a table.

"This wont hurt one bit..."

I shook my head and stopped purring instantly. I couldn't be around these humans!

"Katze, vhat's zhe matter?" I meowed pitifully, wanting desperately to run. But I couldn't find the will to do so. "hmm..." All sensation of comfort vanished as he picked me up, his hands holding me under my forelegs. "I didn't notice zhe collar..." I mewed as the Aussie took the disk attached to my collar and looked at it.

"Holy Doolie, this is the cat that escaped from the science labs a few years back," He gasped. I closed my eyes, waiting for the reaction.

The reaction I got was completely unexpected.

"I vas voundering vhere she vent. I told zhose dummkopfs not to use her," I opened my eyes and looked at the German in curiosity. "zhought I'd never see you again, Rajan,"

My mind whirled. Memories of my past flooded my mind; separation from my parents, fighting my brother, almost facing death, taken in by some human, gaining my name... Becoming the best friend to a human. I meowed happily, purring a little.

"Now, ya'll hold on one dang moment, ya'll know this cat?"

"Ja, she vas my pet," Klaus replied, stroking my head. I remembered his name! Now I just needed to figure out the others'.

"Well I'll be damned,"

"Shame you got her back at such a dangerous time," spoke a Bostonian accent.

"Vell, I got her back, zhat's all zhat matters right now,"

"Well, since she's gonna be staying with us, now would be a good time to introduce us all, mate," Klaus nodded and stood up, holding me in the crook of his arm. I may have been large, but I could still be held easily. He pointed to the scrawny young man.

"Zhat is Scout," Scout grinned, lifting his hat. Klaus then pointed to the large, bald man. "Zhe heavy," He motioned to the man in overalls. "Engineer," He turned to the tall man with the suit. "Spy," He turned to the Australian. "Sniper," He turned to the last three, first the man with an eye-patch. "Demoman," second was the fire-suited one. "Pyro," He finally turned to the 8th, with the deer over is shoulder. "Zhe Soldier, und I'm zhe Medic," Medic? So I'd have to call him that? I shook off the thought and meowed. He gently put me down beside the fire. I looked up at the clouds thickening above. I grimaced, knowing it was going to snow soon. I turned to Medic, and my stomach decided to choose this moment to roar with hunger.

"Someone's hungry," Sniper chuckled. I sighed heavily.

"Well, there's enough deer here for all of us, plus extra, for now," Soldier spoke up. I looked at him to see him shove a stick through the carcass. It wouldn't be long before the virus would reach the deer, meaning we'd have to eat it sooner, rather than later.

After stuffing myself with roast deer, I lay curled up in a ball beside the fire. My eyes were too heavy to keep open after my long journey, so I saw with my ears and nose, so-to-speak. The others were laughing among themselves, despite the current situation. I purred contentedly as I rolled over onto my back. I spread my paws and flexed my claws, letting the heat from the fire warm every inch of my fur.

"She's settlin' in well," Sniper commented. I opened one eye as I heard him sit beside Medic. I purred a little as he stroked my chin gently.

"Ja, She vas very friendly,"

"Whaddya mean, was, doc?" Engineer asked. I heard Medic sigh, and rolled onto my stomach to look at him.

"After she vas put in zhe lab, her personality shifted,"

"So now she doesn't trust so easily?" Sniper inquired.

"Ja," Medic sighed. I meowed, tilting my head, causing him to smile a little. My calm dissipated suddenly, my whiskers twitching. I stood up abruptly and looked behind Pyro and Soldier. "Rajan? Vhat's zhe matter?" I looked at him, then back to the forest. "She smells somezhing," I didn't wait for him to explain and bolted past the previously mentioned mercenaries. I stopped a few meters short of a rabbit's burrow. I sniffed the air a little, and crinkled my nose at the foul stench omitting from the burrow. I heard footsteps and quickly recognized Sniper and Medic. I looked down the burrow to identify the smell. I couldn't see anything, not even the slightest movement. "Vhat's in zhere?" I shrugged my shoulders, essentially getting them stuck in the burrow; I'd dug in a little way to get a better look. I heard shuffling in the burrow and cocked my ears forward. I sniffed the air, only to be overrun with the foul stench of the undead. I yowled in horror as I saw the decaying body of a rabbit. "Rajan!" exclaimed both mercenaries. I felt one gloved hand and a bare hand grab my body and pull me – or at last try to – from the hole. The rabbit crept closer, its teeth dripping with blood. I pressed my paws against the ground in trying to dislodge myself from the hole. It was in vain though. I was utterly stuck. My panic worsened as the rabbit got closer. If that thing scratched me, I'd become one of them! I had a decision to make; Be eaten, or rip it to shreds. My decision was made when Sniper pulled me out of the burrow. Unfortunately, the roots of the tree growing over the burrow caught on my head, ripping some of my fur off. I yowled in pain and unsheathed my claws instinctively.

"Sorry mate!" Sniper grimaced. I growled lowly as he held me in his arms close to his chest. "I didn't know the roots were growin' there," I sighed. I was too tired to argue with him. Plus, I knew he couldn't understand me. I mewed quietly as I felt a gloved hand on my head. I purred a little in amusement as I heard the sound of a slap. "Ow! What was that for?"

"For hurting mein katze!" Medic snapped. I heard a mumble from Sniper, but couldn't decipher what he'd said. I heard Medic grumble something in German, but my fatigue wouldn't allow me to listen to him. I felt my eyes close and my body relax against Sniper's. God, I hadn't realized how tired I was until that moment. I purred very softly as I felt Sniper's bare hand stroke my chin. I heard a stereo of soft chuckles before a; "Gut Nacht, Mein katze," and a; "You need the rest, mate," before I drifted into sleep.

Medic scowled at Sniper through the journey back to the campfire. Who could blame him? His cat had been pulled out of a dead rabbit's burrow and almost had her skin torn off.

"jees Doc, can ya stop glarin' at me! I swear, I didn't know the roots were growin' in the burrow," Sniper finally snapped, still holding Rajan to his chest. Medic simply scoffed. Sniper frowned. "The way ya acting is makin' it look like I bloody killed 'er,"

"You almost did," Medic retorted, a small growl in his tone. Sniper sighed in frustration.

"I got her out, didn't I?"

"Ja, but you hurt her,"

"Will you two stop bickerin'! I could hear ya'll from here!" Engineer growled as the two mercenaries returned to the fire.

"Mmph!" Pyro scoffed. Heavy and Scout had already fallen asleep in their worn out sleeping bags, Demoman had fallen unconscious from too much beer; He'd run out before the end of the apocalypse if he wasn't careful. Soldier was warming his hands on the fire, while Spy had vanished; as usual. Medic sat down on his sleeping bag as Engineer resumed strumming his guitar. Sniper gently handed the cat to Medic, before taking his place of keeping an eye on the camp while the others slept, when the eventually fell asleep. Soldier let out a yawn, though he had attempted to stifle it. Pyro set his flamethrower down before lying on his sleeping mat; He didn't need a sleeping bag, his fire-suit would keep him warm enough. Medic watched as Soldier got in his sleeping back and went to getting asleep. A loud clank alerted the Medic that Engineer was already setting up a couple of sentries. Medic sighed as he clambered into his sleeping bag, making sure Rajan was comfortable wrapped in his lab coat before attempting to sleep, if his insomnia allowed him to. Spy materialized beside his own sleeping back.

"vhere have you been?"

"I have checked the perimeter, mes ami," Spy replied. Medic sighed and looked at his cat. A small smile crept across his face as Archimedes landed beside the cat and nestled himself beside her. "It looks like Archimedes is comfortable with her,"

"Ja, zhank gott," Medic chuckled. What an odd combination, Spy thought. A Dove and a cat, friends? It truly was the 'End of the world'. Amused by the thoughts, Spy chuckled quietly to himself. At the corner of his eye, Spy spotted Engineer settling in his sleeping bag. "gut nacht, Spy, Engineer,"

"bonne nuit, Medic,"

"Good Night fellas," With the good nights over with, each mercenary dropped into sleep, including Medic for a change.

I woke with a start the next morning. I felt I was in someone's arms, and whoever they were, they were running from something.

"Verdammt, verdammt, Verdammt!" I heard Medic exclaim. I opened my eyes slowly to find him running in front of me. I cocked my head in confusion. Why was he running in front? I looked up at who was carrying me, to my surprise, it was the Engineer. He didn't notice I was awake, so I took the opportunity to take in my surroundings. Behind him, Soldier and Spy were following, behind them I saw Sniper with a Kukuri, Scout with a baseball bat, and Pyro with an axe. I looked back towards Medic, he had his Kritzkreig armed, and he was using on Heavy, who was glowing like crazy, his fists being used as battering rams. Where was Demoman?

"Yaaaa!" I heard his Scottish accent yell. I almost jolted as he ran out of the trees and catch up to Engineer. "Well, that was a we bit of fun, and it was bloody worth it!" He laughed. Engineer rolled his eyes.

"It's best off ya'll use ya fists," he chided.

"Ah well, I'm outta bombs in any case," I rolled my eyes. My attention was caught by something white and red flying past. I purred in amusement as I recognized the bloodstained dove. "Looks like Ra'an's awake,"

"Ya'll be right there," I looked up at Engineer, who was grinning. "ya'll ready to run for yourself? I can't carry ya forever," I nodded unintentionally. Engineer carried me by the scruff, and slowly lowered his arm until my paws made contact with the ground. Once they did though, I shot off out of his grip. "Go get 'em!" I heard Engineer encourage. I rolled my eyes and ran ahead of Medic and Heavy. I heard Medic yell something, but didn't think about what he'd said, instead, I ran ahead. The wind against my fur felt reassuring and made me feel free.

"Doktor! Rajan very fast cat!"

"Indeed, Mein friend!" Medic laughed. I grinned a little, until a zombie rabbit launched itself at me. I hissed and clawed at it; ripping out its chest with ease. Countless rabbits ran at me, everyone of them got sliced in two, or had their heads ripped off by my jaws. I felt a sudden, unfamiliar pain in my forelegs. The back of them were beginning to strain, and my blood felt too hot to handle. I skidded to a halt as the pain became unbearable. I closed my eyes and held my head in my paws. My body felt like it was changing; adapting to the situation. I heard a gunshot, which dragged me from my pain. I looked up to see another Sniper, this one was wearing blue, aiming his Rifle at a large, undead bird. I cocked my head a little.

"It's zhe BLUs!" Medic roared, stopping beside me. The other Sniper heard his cry and faced our group. I couldn't tell if his expression was of horror, relief, or a bit of both. I low and loud bark echoed from the tree the Sniper was situated in, and before I knew it, I was running head on towards a huge, blue dog. I yowled in anger, the dog barked loudly and we collided in the air; We had launched ourselves at each other. The dog tried to get his jaws around my neck, but I dodged every time, returning his biting with swipes of my claws. Eventually, the dog reared and slammed his paws on me. I winced a little, but kept my ground; I leaped up into the air, and plummeted back down, claws unsheathed. I missed him by a few inches, big mistake. I yowled in pain as he grabbed me by the tail and started to swing me around violently. My head bashed against the ground several times, and the occasional tree. The dog reared, my tail still gripped in his jaws, and slammed back down, smacking my head against the ground.

"'Ey! Wrath! Let 'er go!" I heard one of the Snipers yell. Because of the damage to my head, I couldn't distinguish one Australian from the other. The dog let go of my tail, and I heard him back off, growling lowly. "I told ya, if it ain't infected, you don't attack it unless we're huntin' for food! Bloody dog!" The next thing I heard was a gun being cocked. I opened my eyes, but all I could see was a red liquid running down my face on one side. I couldn't see out of my right eye, and I instantly began to panic.

"Ya'll better get a leash on that dang dog of yours!" Engineer growled.

"Don't have one I'm afraid mate,"

"Vell Make one! Verdammt Dummkopf!" Medic snarled. I brushed the blood from my good eye and looked up at the bickering humans. "Vhat are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," I heard Medic growl. "Chill Doc, I'm here tryin' to defend what's left of me team,"

"vhat do you mean?"

"The virus got all the BLUs, all except me, Scout 'nd Heavy," The BLU sniper sighed. I mewed pitifully as I felt a pair of hands pick me up. These ones I recognized as Sniper's, our Sniper that is.

"so, there's only three of yas?" Demoman inquired. The BLU Sniper nodded once.

"The rest of 'em are wonderin around our camp, but non of us wanna kill 'em,"

"So ya'll hidin from them?" Engineer asked. BLU Sniper nodded. "That's a bit damn stupid," The rest of the argument was drowned out by my heartbeat. Everything began to blur, and I started to see double. I noticed the BLU dog and Sniper look at me with a grimace. RED Sniper's hand pulled me into his chest defensively and I felt myself being tucked in his jacket. I felt a warm, thick liquid ooze down the right side of my face, into my ear and down my shoulder. I rested my head against Sniper's chest,

And blacked out.

Sniper felt the she-cat fall limp in his arms, but not before feeling her blood drip from her head onto his hand.

"Damn it!" He exclaimed, glaring at the BLU Sniper. "Your pissin' dog bloody hurt her!" The BLU dog looked up at the RED Sniper, his face riddled with amusement.

"Bloody dog, he's got no sympathy what so ever," BLU Sniper growled, grabbing the dog by the collar, causing it to yelp involuntarily. RED Sniper felt Rajan's body go colder and colder. He held her closer, running his free hand down her back slowly.

"Doc, I ain't sure she's gonna last much longer without help,"

"Nein!" Medic glared at the BLU Sniper. "Keep her varm for now,"

"Got it,"

"We still have medical supplies left from our Medic, I can take ya to our camp,"

"I don't trust him..." Spy frowned, glaring at the one he backstabbed several times back on Teufort, and all the other battlegrounds. The BLU Sniper put his hands up in surrender.

"I wont hold any tricks, I swear,"

"Rajan's slowly dying, I doubt ve have much choice,"

"You really want to save her, ey doc?" Demoman mused. Medic gave him a firm look.

"Take us zhere," Medic ordered. BLU Sniper nodded. RED Sniper waited for the others to follow the Enemy Sniper before bringing up the rear; He wanted to make sure he could get away with Rajan quickly, should anything go wrong.

The Camp was situated beside a rapidly flowing river, in one of trees was a 'Sniper's nest', a small border of wooden planks surrounded the campsite, clearly the BLUs didn't want to be reduced any more than they already had. RED Sniper took in the surroundings in every detail, he may need the information later on. BLU Sniper opened a make-shift wooden box and Medic looked inside. RED Sniper watched hopefully as the German took out several random objects. In his hands, Rajan was growing colder and colder, she was almost like Ice.

"Hurry doc!"

"ja! I'm just as vorried as you!" Medic retorted. Engineer stood beside Sniper, the same look of concern on his face. Rajan may have been a new addition, but she had already made her home in the hearts of all the mercenaries. Even Soldier looked pale with worry, though he tried to hide that. Sniper stroked the cat slowly, he knew she probably couldn't feel anything, but at least he was trying. Medic finally removed his head from the box and motioned for Sniper to bring the cat over. Complying, Sniper hurried over to the doctor, holding out the weakening cat. Medic took the cat from Sniper and kneeled on the ground, settling her on the ground before him. Sniper watched in anticipation as the Medic began performing complex-looking operations on her. Without his laboratory, this would be a miracle to pull off. "Verdammt! Her heart is already beginning to give out," At the announcement, all the mercenaries, including the BLUs, gathered around the RED Medic to watch the operation being preformed. BLU Sniper scolded the dog for the umpteenth time and sent him down to the camp entrance. BLU Scout and BLU Heavy shared the same look of confusion and worry. Medic grimaced. "Zhis is nicht gut... Sie wird sterben, wenn ich etwas nicht tun soon..." Medic mumbled to himself. He clicked his fingers as an idea popped into his head. He immediately switched on his medigun and used the red energy beam to keep the cat alive. It wouldn't heal her wound, he'd have to do that manually. Sniper grimaced as the medic began to slice open the cat's head, undoubtedly reaching her skull. There was a sickening sound as her skull was pulled into two parts. Sniper wretched and covered his mouth as the doctor began stitching the cat's brain, if it were even possible.

"Wrath must've really damaged her brain,"

"Ja, he split zwei nerves inside zhe main section of her brain, it vill be difficult to heal, but I can manage,"

"Whoa, wait, you can't be serious!" Engineer suddenly burst out. "She has bloody brain damage, and ya'll say ya can fix it?!"

"Ja," Engineer raised both eyebrows in disbelief. "I can't explain how,"

"This is Medic we're talkin' 'bout laddy," Demoman vouched for the medic.

"Yea, I guess so..."

An agonising wait later, and Medic finally looked up from his work. He grabbed his Medigun and used it to heal the stitching on Rajan's brain and closed the gap in her head. Each mercenary watched in anticipation.

Was she going to pull through? Or was she going to lose the battle with death?