Yay chapter 2! surprisingly I kept my word of updating every week and didn't procrastinate.
Anyways hope you enjoy!
Once the cat was clean he wrapped him up in a large bath towel, drying him off before dressing him in a pair of his loose black and white striped pants and a white undershirt; as the cat's clothes needed to be cleaned. The redhead hadn't moved at all and barely made a noise throughout the whole process, besides a few tiny almost inaudible whimpers when the Hatter touched his damaged leg, tail or put a bit too much pressure on his chest.
The Hatter then bundled the Cheshire cat into his arms, heading out into the living room where he could get the creature some warmth. Though he was stopped by a rather cross looking Hare, "What on Earth are you doing with that foul creature?!"
The Hatter was rather taken back at the Hare's harsh words, "he needs help… he would have died if I left him the way he was…"
The Hares ears twitched in anger, "that thing is better off dead!" He then stormed out before Hatter could retaliate, most likely going back to cleaning up their tea area.
The Dormouse came in as he heard William leave and placed a comforting hand on the Hatters shoulder, "Don't mind him… He doesn't like cats… but um… e-even though I'm not big on cats myself, I'll help you…"
The Hatter gave the mouse a small smile, "Thanks Dormouse… could you do me another favour and find something to warm this lil' guy up? I fear he may have hypothermia…" Ronald's eyes widened a little in worry before he gave a quick nod and ran off to the Hatters room in order to get some blankets for the cat.
Undertaker sighed and laid the cat down on the couch, keeping his arms wrapped around him to try to provide any warmth he possibly could. He looked over the rather attractive face of the cat; he looked slightly pained but otherwise peaceful. Hatter reached up with one arm and softy stroked one of the fluffy pink striped cat ears, he smiled brightly as he swore he heard a tiny purr in response; though he knew he probably imagined it since the cat was as still as a cadaver.
"Is this enough?" Hatter looked up to see – what appeared to be a walking pile of blankets, though he figured out it was his rodent friend.
He gave a small chuckle, "yes Ronald I'm sure it is."
Ronald dropped the blankets down next to the silverette before collapsing on the floor, "good, those things are bloody heavy and I'm tired."
Undertaker chuckled as he started to wrap the freezing feline in the blankets also tucking a hot water bottle Ronald brought out with the blankets in amongst the layers, "You're always tired… but thanks for the all the help, Ron…"
Ronald smiled and sat up, "no problem," the rodents eyes scanned over the cat at first with a small amount of fear though soon softened and he gave a small smile, "it's rather cute when its asleep… kinda harmless and well… innocent looking…"
Hatter smiled back at his friend as he finished, "never thought I'd hear you say that about a cat… why are you helping me anyways?"
Ronald scratched the back of his head nervously, "W-Well I'd hate for him to die because I didn't help… and I was kinda thinking… if I help m-maybe the cat will be grateful and won't eat me… m-maybe even be my friend… yeah wishful thinking I know…"
The hatter gave a shrug, "who knows, we'll just have to wait and see when he wakes u—" The hatter was cut off as a small wine came from amongst the blankets.
The cat whimpered and mewled as he opened his eyes slightly, looking around the room in a daze, "w-what… w-where am i-i…" the cats voice came out in a weak rasp.
He felt like he'd been hit by a train, his head was pounding and everything hurt, he couldn't see a thing; partially because he wasn't wearing his glasses and partially because of his headache. He faintly heard two others speaking and he was able to smell two distinct scents in the room, one he knew was a man, the other he guessed was a rodent of some sort.
"You're in my crypt, love; you had a pretty nasty accident out in that storm… I brought you here to get fixed up…"
The cat looked a bit surprized as The Hatter spoke, his ears flicking in the direction of the silverette's voice, "why? I mean… why would you bother putting so much effort into saving a stray like me?" the cat's voice was a pained whisper which both The Hatter and The Dormouse had to strain themselves to hear. Hatter was a little surprised at the cat being a stray, he was just so cute, how could he not belong to anyone?
"Well I couldn't bear to let any creature perish due to my neglect …" Hatter gave the feline a soft scratch behind the ears; earning a weak purr in response, "I bet you're hungry…" Undertaker took out a bone-shaped cookie from his coat and held it out.
The cat leaned in sniffing at the cookie before he snipped a piece of the cookie out from Undertaker's hand with his sharp fangs, before managing to swallow it with a bit of difficulty due to the burning pain in his throat. Ronald paled a little at the sight but stayed put in case Hatter still needed his assistance.
"T-Thank mew…" the cat's eyes fell closed once again as he lowered his head back down against the cushions, slipping back into unconsciousness as his fatigue, pain from his injuries and his oncoming fever get the better of him. The Hatter and Dormouse were confused at first but soon realised the cat had meant 'you' in all honesty they both found the cats slip-up with the word rather adorable.
Undertaker stood giving the cat an affection pat on the head before turning to his rodent friend, "could you keep an eye on kitten for me? I need to go talk to Hare…"
The mouse gave a nod, "uhh alright but what if he wakes up again? From what I know cats eat mice so… what if he tries to eat me?"
Undertaker let out a small sigh, "I highly doubt he could even hurt you in his current state… plus he seems sweet, I don't think he would even get the idea in his head." With that Hatter left, leaving the Dormouse alone with the sleeping Cheshire cat.
