The Protective Ginger Tom

Summary: I got bored one day and this was the result; a short story based on a troubled queen and her unfortunate journey. Feeling abandoned, she runs away from everything and that's when the danger begins to creep up on her; unfolding before her forest green eyes.

A/N: This is just something I wrote to help clear some stubborn WB. Don't forget to review! =)

Disclaimer: I do not own CATS.

Chapter One: The Lost Queen

One day after another, the same three toms from the neighboring tribe would bully her; chase her down an alley or torture her with crude comments. It was consistent to a point where it was expected daily. Only if they missed their beating frenzy would it then seem out of the ordinary. Today however, was no different.

~OoOoO~

At one point she thought her legs would detach themselves from her body. She struggled to fill her lungs with air but she just could not stop to rest. She had to keep going. She had to get away from the terrors not to far behind her.

Her heart was about to burst within her rib cage. Every heavy beat pounded against her chest. She didn't know how much longer she could go on. The world was spinning around her. But she had to escape the torment; the strife. She had to keep going.

Scupper, Diablo, and Toby were closing in on her fast. The gap between the three toms and the frightened queen was decreasing in size. The grey, orange, and brown trio growled at her ferociously. The temptation was enough to drive them mad.

Demeter could tell that they were getting closer. She could hear their speeding paws against the stone pavement. She desperately wanted to avoid everything that would happen at the moment she were caught.

After a few more agonizing strides, Diablo latched on to her flesh like a lion on a gazelle. They collided with the ground violently and Scupper and Toby swiftly joined in on the fray. They viciously beat on her; claws, teeth, and fists. Her cries were muffled under the throbbing pain.

She squirmed to get free but Diablo cupped his paw over her mouth and she stopped moving. He stared deeply into her eyes and smiled a sinful grin. He flexed his claw down to her throat in a threatening fashion. "Will you stop? If not, I'll just have to silence you myself . . . permanently."

With widened emerald eyes, Demeter nodded hurriedly. It wasn't the bullying that had Demeter so terrified, it was the fact that now they were willing to commit a murder. Usually they would just pummel her into the Earth and give up until tomorrow.

He suddenly grasped her face and pressed his lips to hers roughly. She cringed as his claws dug into her flesh as he held her tight.

"HEY!" a voice boomed. Demeter could see the familiar silhouette of a cat from the corner of her eye.

Diablo tore away from Demeter. He gradually stepped away from the golden-ebony queen who now dared to turn her head towards the silver tabby. She stood promptly at recognition. She hadn't realized that there were fresh tears streaming down her face.

"Get behind me." he managed through gritted teeth. She scurried over to him and obeyed his command.

"One more foul decision from either of you towards this queen or in any other situation and you will be fed to the Pollicles." He declared; bravery and strength evident in his tone. "Now go."

They scampered off in defeat. He breathed a sigh of relief while watching their retreating forms. "Are you OK?" he turned to Demeter.

"Demeter? Where did you go?" Demeter was nowhere to be found.

He tilted his nose to the breeze and focused on detecting her impeccable scent. But it was tainted with the odor of Scupper, Diablo, and Toby. He tried to follow it nonetheless. But the further he got, the more it faded.

He returned to the Junkyard alone. But the question still lingered in his mind; where was Demeter? Where could she have gone? He was distraught over why she fled from him. Why didn't she just stay? Why?

Truth be told, Demeter couldn't answer these questions herself . . . even if she wanted to. She was confused and lost in the world; struggling to find her place; where she belonged . . .

~OoOoO~

A search team was composed in hopes of recovering the lost queen. But would they find her? Would she be willing to return to her home?

A/N: The names of the bullies were pointless but I threw them in there for the hell of it. They seemed creative enough to me. XD

Anyway, I accept reviews AND constructive criticism graciously. :P