Love Through Time

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Thunder rolled overhead as rain splattered the cold concrete under them. People were safe and sound in their England homes. Every once in a while, a car would fly past the heavily soaked shadow, not caring what was happening back from their homes.

The Rum Tum Tugger ran through the streets as rain weighed him down. His face was barely visible from the tuft of fur hanging in his face. His teeth were clamped onto something more important to him. More important to anyone in this entire world.

"Ambush!" Tugger's older brother, Munkustrap called into Tugger's den. Tugger looked up from where he laid beside his mate and kittens. He growled, standing up with his fur on edge.

Bombalurina looked up from cleaning her kittens. Two boys and a girl. The boys were a mix of their father and mother, the girl looked exactly like her, except for her black paws, which came from Tugger's coat. She was the runt of the litter, and right now very sickly. She coughed pitifully, using her tiny paws to scratch her nose, which was running like a river. Bomby licked the little girl's nose as her two older brothers curled up around her. Their names were Luca and Deuce, the little girl was Imarina. Bombalurina flattened her ears back as Tugger walked over, his eyes still on the mouth of his den.

"You have to get yourself and the little ones out of here. They're the first priority." Tugger said, looking at her. Bomby got up quickly, picking the two boys up by the scruff. Tugger grabbed Imarina quickly, who yelped from sudden pain.

"Sorry baby." He muttered softly, before running out the back door behind his mate.

Thunder rolled through the junkyard, a mix with screams of pain and rage. Tugger looked up. He had to help his tribe, but he couldn't. He wanted his mate and kits safe first. They ran through the back way, suddenly being pursued by cats. Tugger tried not to hurt Imarina as they jumped over a fence away from them. The cats stopped, but were soon trying to find a way over the fence. Bomby panted, putting the two kittens down. Tugger let Imarina join her brothers.

"Tugger we have to split up. You have to take Imarina and get her out of here. I'll take the other two. It'll be safer that way." She said. Tugger looked at her. He remembered the queen. She was a flirt, always trying to be with the other toms. Tugger was the same way with the Queens, but soon they had fallen in love with each other, and soon had their own kits.

"I can't let you go by yourself with all that's happening Bomby." He said, looking at her. Bombalurina sighed, looking at Tugger.

"You have to. Trust me I'll be okay, so will the kits. But Imarina is sick. You need to get her somewhere safe Tugger. Please." Bombalurina begged. Tugger shook his head. Bomby kissed him softly, then pulled back as Imarina gave a small yelp and a little cough. Bomby nuzzled Imarina softly.

"It'll be okay Rima. Daddy will look after you." She said. Imarina looked up with big green eyes, sniffling.

"Where are wu and da boys goin Mumu?" Imarina asked innocently. Bomby smiled, kissing her on the forehead.

"We'll be back, don't you worry. Your father will take care of you." She said, looking over at her two others, who were looking at her with big brown eyes. She walked over to them as Tugger picked up Imarina by the scruff of the neck.

"I wove wu Mumu." She said. Bombalurina smiled, then kissed Tugger.

"Be safe." He said.

"I always am." She said, then picked up her two kittens and jumped on a trash can, looking back at them, before jumping off the other side.

Now Tugger ran through the rain, trying to keep Imarina dry by his mane, which wasn't working out well.

He dove into an alley quickly as lightning crashed overhead, making his fur prickle. He looked for some shelter. Two trashcans stood apart with a board overhead. Tugger dove into that. He put Imarina on the ground. Imarina shook violently, coughing.

"Shh, baby it's okay." He said, licking Imarina's red pelt to get warmth back into her.

"I wanna go home!" She cried. Tugger smiled.

"I know baby. It's alright. It'll be okay. You'll get to go home." He said, looking toward the way he came. He hoped the junkyard was okay. He hoped Bomby and the boys were okay. He couldn't bear to see them hurt, or worse. He sighed, looking down at his little girl. He curled up after licking himself dry. Curling around Imarina. She buried her face into Tugger's fur. He smiled down at his little girl, before closing his eyes.

Tugger woke up a few hours later to something licking his nose. He opened his eyes to see little green orbs staring at him. He startled, falling back a bit. Imarina sniffled, looking at her father.

"Daddy! I hungy!" She complained, sitting down. Tugger looked at the kitten, then sighed.

"Alright, alright. Hold on." He said, getting up and walking out. The rain had stopped, but thunder rumbled in the distance. He could see the moon a little through the clouds. He sighed, before going after a couple of mice. After catching a couple, he gave the smallest to Imarina and sliced it open for her. Imarina devoured it hungrily, and Tugger watched amused by it. She had something from Tugger, but she looked like her mother. After they ate and rested a bit, Tugger got up.

"Alright, let's head back to the Junkyard." He said, stretching his legs. Imarina grinned, then followed her father.

The moon was high when they were almost home. Tugger sniffed, then stopped, turning toward an alley. Imarina looked at her father.

"Daddy?" She asked, cocking her head to the side. Tugger soon hissed as three large shadows, followed by barking soon ambushed them. Tugger grabbed Imarina and ran from the Pollicles. He ran until he tripped, throwing Imarina. He hissed, then got up.

"Go Rime! Get back to the junkyard, follow the scent!" He yelled as the Pollicles got closer. Imarina looked at her father.

"GO!" Imarina whimpered, before running down the street. She heard yowling and barking but she kept going. Soon yapping was heard behind her and she ran faster, wanting to be away. She ran down an alley and stopped at the dead end. She turned around as a brown and black Pollicle walked up to her.

"Look at this little one. This should be fun." He growled. Imarina puffed out, unsheathing her little claws and hissing. The Pollicle laughed, then pushed her further into the trash. She felt tears slicking down her face, thinking she was going to die. Something yowled overhead as an orange shadow attacked the Pollicle. A grey cat jumped down to hurt. She hissed, looking away.

"Easy little one. I won't hurt you." The Queen said, looking at the little kitten. Imarina turned to looked at the gray cat with a white chest and underbelly. The queen seemed friendly. She turned to hear yelping and saw an orange and black cat walking up to her. Its ear was torn to shreds, and one eye had a deep brown scar across it, rendering the one eye useless. It limped on a lame leg as it walked up.

"Why are you doing out here you little scrap! You coulda been killed!" He yelled, making Imarina cower into the rubbish pile deeper, so only you could see her green eyes wide with fear.

"Hush Rilan. You're scaring her!" The gray queen exclaimed to the tom.

"Well whaddya expect Tamira? She almost got us both killed!" The tom named Rilan looked at the little kitten.

"Hey sweetie. Come on out, Rilan won't bite, he's just a talker." Tamira pressed, looking at the baby. Imarina sniffled, coughing a little.

"She's sick." Tamira whispered. Rilan scoffed.

"Great, another one to dump out again." He muttered. Tamira cupped his ears, making him yowl, glaring at Tamira.

"Come here sweetie." She said again. Slowly but tentavily Imarina crawled out of her hiding placed, sniffling as her nose ran. Tamira gasped, looking at her.

"What's your name baby?" Tamira asked.

"I. . . Imarina." She said. Rilan scoffed, his eyes widening.

"A Jellicle!" He exclaimed, hissing.

"My home was under attack. My daddy ran with me while my mommy and broders ran somewhere else. My daddy was pwotecting me fwom Pollicles." She explained, tears falling down her cheeks.

"It's alright baby. Come on, why don't you come back with us. We can take care of you." She said. Imarina stood there. Tamira sighed.

"Come on. If you want to later, when we're sure you're okay. We'll take you back alright?" She asked. Imarina smiled, then walked up to her.

"Thank you." She said. Tamira smiled.

"Come on Rilan!" She yelled as they walked back. Rilan sighed, but had no choice of what his sister wanted, and walked with her.