Gears walked back to the junkyard. Kira had just been released from the hospital and they wanted to see how the Jellicles were doing. He helped her climb the fence and walked towards the clearing.
Kira still had bandages wrapped down one arm and around her torso. Thank god she had a friend like Gears to help her cleanse the wounds and get dressed that day and probably would still help her for a while until she was more healed. While she walked she leaned against him, eyes half closed tiredly. But she had insisted on them going, her rest could wait. "I've been lying in bed for a week!" She had argued. "I can rest later."
"Gears! Kira!" Pouncy suddenly cried, popping up from a large pile of junk. "Hey, everyone, look who's here!" Kira smiled as the kit ran to them. "Hey Pounce." She said roughing up his head fur.
Kira looked at her feet and hugged her knee's. "I'm sorry." She said softly, resting her back gingerly against the car. Pouncy was doing pretty good at staying out of Mungo's reach. Until, that is, he tripped over a piece of junk and tumbled down a hill.
Mungojerrie laughed loudly as he pounce tackled the tomkit. He picked Pouncy u by the scruff in his teeth and trotted back to the group.
Tugger sat down next to her and yawned, "Is there anything you need Kira?"
Gears walked into the clearing and plopped down with his junk. The artist then started sorting through his rubbish with a shit eating smile on his face.
She looked up when she heard Gears drop his spoils, a smile tugging on the corners of her lips. At least he was happy, it was the least she could do. "No...I'm okay." She said, her voice was still soft. She felt better, despite surrounded by males. She was around friends. Leaning her head back and closed her eyes.
Munkustrap followed Gears back to the clearing and set down another bag Gears had filled and took up his perch on the tire, watching.
Pouncy struggled against Mungo's teeth. Flailing and swiping, making little growling sounds though he wasn't truly angry. "Le'go!"
Tugger yawned again and poofed into his maine coon form, curling up tightly against her leg.
Mungojerrie sat down next to Gears and dropped the squirming tomkit onto his lap, "Stop fussin'!"
Gears laughed at the pair of them and continued sorting, now with Mungo's help.
Kira, now half asleep, absentmindedly began scratching Tuggers head. Her fingers tracing his stripes and eventually ending up behind his right ear.
Pouncy reluctantly sat still with a small 'hmph' and began helping them. What else was there to do?
Tugger and Kira seemed passed out and Munkus was on guard duty. Munkus watched them and the junkyard carefully, eyes scanning the dark shadows. Then those green eyes fell on Kira and Tugger. They had all been worried about the human girl. But Tugger perhaps the most. He mulled this over in his mind as he kept watch.
Gears was like a kid in a candy shop as he sorted and resorted his trash, a few times he ran back to the piles to get more or return something.
Mungojerrie had given up trying to understand the method behind Gears' piles so he resorted to handing thing to the human who in turn sorted them.
Tugger murred happily at the scritchings and stretched out.
Pouncy decided to be content at just watching, curling up on Mungo's lap turning into his cat form and comfortably laying his head on his paws.
Kira dozed for a good half hour before shifting just enough pressure onto her back that she yelped and woke herself. Sitting upright she rubbed her shoulder and looked around. Momentarily forgetting where they were.
Munkustrap stretched out on the tire and seemed relaxed as he casually watched them and their surroundings. But his ears were upright and swiveled like satellites.
Gears jumped at Kira's yelp and ran to her side, "Are you alright?"
Tugger was still in cat form but hissed and stood on the very tips of his little toes. Every hair on end and hissing and spitting cutely.
"I'm fine, I'm fine." She said rolling her shoulders slightly. "Just hit the wrong spot." She was glad for Gear's and everyone's help but the fussing was slightly on her nerves. She looked at tugger and couldn't help but smile. "Hey, calm down." She said, her voice calm and soothing as she stroked his head.
Pouncy jumped at Kira's sudden noise and movement and almost dug his claws into Mungo's leg. Sitting up, his ears perked forward wondering what was going on. "Are you sure?" Munkus asked, shifting from the tire to the car.
Mungojerrie yowled and shot up, sending Pouncival flying into a torn and ratted pillow. "Pardin me Pounce!"
Gears looked Kira over anyway to make sure she was fine, "Alright you don't seem to be bleeding!"
Tugger calmed down and nuzzled into Kira's knee, mewed and curled up again.
Kira sighed and nodded. "I could have told you that." She muttered, her stubborn nature kicking in again. Patting Tugger's head again she stood. "I'm going to go for a walk." Before anyone could say anything she was off, walking with only a slight limp.
Munkus' ears drooped slightly. "She doesn't like help does she?" He asked, looking at Gears. Pouncy yelped as he hit the pillow, getting himself entangled in the torn fabric and fluff. Finally he pulled himself free, though bits of the fluff clung to him.
Mungojerrie picked the tomkit up by the scruff and picked all the fuzzies off of him.
"No not really... she doesn't like people getting to close." He watched her leave and it took everything he had not to chase her. "She's been hurt bad before"
Tugger heard this and jumped off the trunk, trotting after her and changed into his humanoid form on his way.
Munkus nodded, he could tell and remembered vividly the last time he brought it up. He wouldn't do it again. However Tugger was suddenly after her. He was about to go after his little brother and jumped down from the car. Pouncy mewed angrily and wrestled in Mungo's arms. Kira walked for a while, picking her way carefully over the uneven ground. For a while she did well, despite her limp, but the ground suddenly shifted underfoot as the junk came lose. She stumbled, looking for something to grab hold.
Tugger caught her hand and pulled her into him, "You really shouldn't be walking around on your own yet"
Mungojerrie yowled at the tiny tomkit clawed at him and he dropped the fluff of a kitten, "Bloody 'ell! If ye wan'ed down all ye 'ad te do is ask!"
Gears grabbed the silver tabby's tail and shook his head, "She'll be fine..."
Munkus was about to argue, but then sat down. Gears knew Kira far better than any of them did. He just hoped Tugger didn't get himself killed... Pouncy landed more or less on his feet, stuck his tail in the air and tried to walk over to the others with as much dignity as he could muster up. Kira gasped slightly as she hit his soft chest. For a brief moment she clutched onto him, his scent filling her nose. Then she tried to push herself away. "I'm fine." She looked away, teeth clenched.
He let himself be pushed but held her hand tenderly, "I won't let you do a face plant on my watch!" He was just as stubborn as she was.
Mungojerrie chuckled softly to himself as he watched the tiny kitten attempt to storm off.
"So what's the plan Munkus? You guys want to come to town again?" He had a lap full of spark plugs and was whipping them down.
"I'm not sure we should leave again. After the last incident." Munkus said with a small shake of the head. "I'm sorry Gears, I just don't want it repeating itself. Macavity has plagued our clan for years. I'm sure he hasn't just given up, he never does." Kira attempted to pull away but knew it was no use. Instead she sat down. "Why are you attracted to me?" She asked suddenly. Even though her voice was soft, there was a touch of anger in it.
"Who wouldn't be?" he asked with his signature smirk and kissed her hand softly.
Mungojerrie turned into his cat form and tackled the tiny tomkit to the ground.
Gears nodded, "Alright then! I'll bring my laptop and some popcorn tomorrow and we'll have the party here!"
"You humans amaze me. Nothing seems to dampen your spirits." Munkus said with a small smile and a laugh. "Okay then, whatever you wish." Pouncy yowled and tumbled to the ground under Mungo. He batted at the calico, though claws retracted, and tried to wiggle free. Kira looked away. "Stop with the charisma. Tell me exactly why." She stated, her voice almost taking a bitter tone.
Mungojerrie purred triumphantly as he sat on the squirming tomkit.
Tugger laughed a bit, "You aren't intimidated by me... and you're about as stubborn as I am!"
Gears yawned and stretched out, laying down down next to munkustrap and watching the two toms tackle each-other.
Pouncy squirmed, trying to get out from under the tom. After a few moments of wrestling he settled down. Right before changing to his humanoid form. Once he had hands he grabbed Mungo's scruff. Kira ground her teeth, she was trying to think of some kind of come back but she couldn't. "Tugger...I can't." She finally said, still refusing to look at him. She tried to disconnect the feeling of his warm hand around hers.
He ran a thumb tenderly over the back of her hand, "Do you find me that repulsive?"
Mungojerrie went limp and grumbled, he hated being man-handled.
Pouncy stood triumphantly holding Mungo for a moment before dropping him to the ground and sitting contentedly to the side, where he started to groom himself. Kira couldn't stop her hands from shaking. "No its not...I mean...I just can't! I don't think I can take it." She suddenly blurted out.
Tugger hid his reaction well and took a careful step back, "I'm very sorry..."
Mungojerrie sat on his rump as a tomcat and crossed his paws adorably.
Gears laughed at them, "Do they ever get along?"
"Sometimes." Munkus laughed. But he couldn't hide the fact that he kept looking in the direction Tugger and Kira had disappeared to. They hadn't heard any yelling yet, that had to be a good thing. Kira was silent. She knew she had hurt him. How many other guys had she shoved away? Yet this time...It hurt again. Fresh hidden wounds were opening again in her mind. "Tugger...I'm sorry...so sorry." She said, but her voice wasn't harsh anymore. It was hollow, quiet. A tear falling down her cheek.
The Maine Coon stepped towards her again, he rested a warm hand on her cheek and used his thumb to wipe away the tear. It had become a careful dance between them, both trying not to tread to harshly over old wounds.
Kira rested her cheek in his hand for a moment. A moment to long, before turning away. It wasn't a jerk, like she was tearing herself from his touch. But a sad movement. "I...I feel I owe you an explanation. I want to tell you...Why it can't work..Why it's so painful. But I don't know if I can." She said, her voice choking back tears in a couple places.
Tugger's ears drooped a bit on their own accord as he let his hand fall slowly to his side. "You don't have to tell me... I don't need to know."
Mungojerrie was still pouting when Gears scooped him up and put the tiny calico in his lap, stroking out his fur.
Kira shook her head. Why? Why did it hurt so much? "Tugger...I..I just need your help." For once, she latched onto him. At least, mentally. The only physical motion was that she grasped his hand tighter before turning her back to him and gingerly she began to undo the bandages wrapped around her.
Once loose enough to slip down around her waist, and she lifted her shirt to expose her back. Her back was torn with angry red lines, fresh and half healed. But crisscrossing in the opposite direction of most were knotted scars. Pale, almost white compared to the rest of her skin and only brightened by the new cuts.
The Maine Coons eyes widened at the sight of the damage.
"I...I was almost killed Tugger." She whispered, voice quivering with a mix of emotions.
Tugger shook his head, "That's horrible!" He pulled her a bit closer, not clinging but just enough to comfort her.
"And its all my fault. If only I had controlled him..." Tears ran down her cheeks and her shoulders shook. It was so hard to say, so hard. Shaking her head she thought of an alternative. Pulling one hand into her short-sleeve shirt she began to undo the bandages.
Tugger couldn't help but run a finger over one of the scars before he leaned down and kissed it gently, "I'm very sorry" His eyes were deep with sadness as he looked up at her.
She winced lightly at his touch, but a shiver ran down her spine. Quickly she wrapped up the bandages again, though she didn't turn around. "He should have killed me." Her voice was low, dark and hollow. Tears still flowed but hardly any emotion besides pain showed in her eyes.
Tugger tied the knot in her bandages for her and pulled her into a loving embrace, "Never say that... ever ok?"
"Its true." She said into his chest. "If it wasn't for me...If I hadn't let him go get drunk and high..." A sob wracked her body. "Father would still be alive...If only he had let that man kill me." She shook painfully. Emotions coming out with such strength that she hadn't felt for since the first healing months after the accident with Gears.
Tugger just held her, stroking out her hair gently. He couldn't bring himself to speak as he kissed the top of her head and rocked her slowly.
"If only." She shook her head. "I don't want to be hurt again...I don't want others getting hurt...Gears, he's the only one I have left. I'm terrified to get close to anyone. That's...That's why I can't." Her mind told her it was the right thing to do, like with all the others. But why could she tell Tugger all this when she could barely speak to Gears about it? Why did her heart feel like it was being torn apart?
The Maine Coon took her hands and kissed then softly, "I don't have much to say to comfort you other than what I'm sure Gears has already told you... It wasn't your fault" He hooked a lock of her hair behind her ear and looked down at her.
She shook her head. But was, couldn't they see that? She deserved whatever pain was thrown her way. If only she'd been strong enough. Again with the 'if's! "I don't know what to do." She whimpered into his chest.
Tugger nuzzled her hair again, "There isn't anything you need to do... remember those who are gone but don't dwell on the past..."
"Its not just that Tugger...Its about this..." She looked up at him. "I...I don't know if I should be here, this close. Half of me wants it, the other half is screaming at me that I'll just get hurt again." She shook her head in despair. "I deserve this confusion." Her voice became the same bitterness as before.
Tugger bopped her very lightly on the nose with his index finger, "Say it again and I'll bop harder!" he gave her a false stern look and raised a brow.
She looked at him, about to argue, but stopped. He was right, they were both just as stubborn as the others. However...She rested her cheek on his chest again. "Tugger...I'm terrified, I wont lie. But...Tell me..." She paused a long moment. "Am I safe?" It was an odd question, and yet not so strange after hearing her tale of the past.
Tugger stroked out her hair and nodded, "Yes... you are safe here... I won't let anything happen to you..." He kissed the top of her hair and just held her.
Kira fell silent, closing her eyes and listening to the sound of his heart. "It's...It's hard...It may take a while." She said. "Too long...If you want to go...Stop now."
Tugger shook his head, his cheek ruffling her hair as he did, "I'm not going anywhere babe..."
She held him a little tighter. "...Okay..." She said softly with a small nod. Her body still shook with emotion, though only a few tears still fell. For a long while she was silent, listening to him breath, feeling the warm air of his breath in her hair. When she began to pull herself together she looked up at him. "We should get back. They're probably wondering where we are."
"I agree..." He smiled softly, "If you'd like to punch me in the face and yell it might give them the right idea" He chuckled and pointed to his cheek.
"No..." She couldn't help but smile slightly. Resting her hand on his cheek for just a moment, she stood. "I think it's okay." She began to head back, standing just a bit closer than before.
Munkus had almost dozed off. The entire junkyard was quiet besides the few seagulls and rodents running around.
Pouncy had curled up and was playing with a feather. Batting at it as it sailed into the air.
Mungojerrie soared through the air and snatched the feather in his mouth, flicking his tail at the tomkit before prancing off, just out of range.
Tugger followed her back, his hair swishing from side to side.
Gears cocked his head at the pair of them, "He doesn't seem to be injured..."
Pouncy made a surprised growl sound and quickly took chase, changing to cat and jumping onto Mungo's back.
Munkus sat up and looked at them, head tilting to the side. "No he doesn't..." His voice was a mix of amusement and slight astonishment.
Kira looked from Munkus to Gears and back. Her normal personality was almost completely back. "What?" She stated, the mask back in place and barriers re-made. "If you're wondering, yes I am still annoyed with you two." She sat down in a small huff and carefully leaned against a large pipe.
Gears chuckled softly and rolled his eyes, "Yeah yeah! You couldn't stay mad at me if you wanted too"
Tugger sat on the pipe behind her, subconsciously taking a protective stance.
Mungojerrie yelped and rolled over, letting the tomkit land on his stomach.
Kira reached for the nearest object, luckily it was the same pillow Pouncy had gotten caught in earlier, and whipped it at Gears.
Munkus raised an eyebrow and looked at his little brother. Something sure had happened in the time they had been gone. He'd ask Tugger about it later.
Pouncy wrestled, trying to get the feather back. Back after a moment he switched tactics and grabbed Mungo's tail again.
Mungojerrie yipped and spun in circles, sending the tomkit flying in circles with him, "Git off me arse!"
Gears caught it and rolled backwards laughing, "Nice throw!"
"Yeah yeah." Kira said with a small smile. "So, what happened while we were gone?" Though she did look for something else to throw.
Pouncy held on tight, refusing to let go. A small snarl escaping his clamped jaws.
Mungojerrie turned and tried to bite the tomkit but ended up clamping down on his own tail. The calico yowled and sat, whimpering.
Gears gave her a raspberry and flailed his arms, "Not really! what happened with you guys?"
Tugger's ears perked as he listened for everything and anything.
Kira stuck her tongue out in response. "We...Talked." She said after a moment, looking up at Tugger a moment.
Munkus's ears perked forward. Did Tugger ask her about the cleaning bit? She didn't look that upset, but who was to say?
Pouncy let out a chirping laugh, which made him let go before nuzzling into Mungo's leg in an apologetic manner.
Mungojerrie rolled his eyes and wrapped his arms around the tomkit and snuggled him.
Tugger nodded, "Talked..." he ruffled Kira's hair and smirked softy.
Gears yawned once more and sniffed himself, "Whoa!"
Kira smile and playfully batted at Tuggers hand. "Yeah...I bet we both stink. Let's get home." She stood and went over to Gears. "I'm bringing air-freshener next time 'kay?" She laughed. Yeah...He was defiantly going to talk to Tugger after they left.
There was a distinct change between the two. "Are you sure you want to come back tonight?" Munkustrap asked Gears. Pouncy yawned himself, squeaking at the end and nestled into Mungo's arms.
Gears nodded and helped Kira over the wall, "So what did you guys 'talk' about?" He winked and smirked ear to ear.
Mungojerrie yawned to and curled up with the tomkit as the sun started to set.
Tugger stretched and rolled his shoulders, "Penny for your thought Munky ol boy?"
Kira looked at Gears and then ahead on their path to her house. "Things...Him...Me." She said, a slight blush coming to her cheeks. "What did you do?"
Munkus said, looking at Tugger amusedly. Pouncy absently began to purr as he started to drift to sleep.
Tugger shrugged, "Her past... I can't really say anythin about it.." he ruffled his brother's headfur like he had done to Kira and walked off.
Gears pulled her close and smiled, "Are you alright?"
Munkus shook his head and smoothed out the fur. "Really...And you walked away unscathed. I have to say I'm slightly impressed." He said with a smirk. "So what's happening between the two of you?"
"Yeah...I think I'm all right." She said, laying her head on his shoulder. "It hurts...But we both knew I'd have to face it again."
Tugger shrugged and plastered his signature smirk on his face, "It wasn't too bad! She knows what she's talking about!" he turned their conversation into a sexual innuendo.
Gears helped Kira walk home as they headed back to his apartment. "We'll get past this... I'll be here until you resolve it.."
"Really..." Munkus rolled his eyes a moment. "You do realize there may be a problem later on." He stated, folding his arms and resting his chin on them, his tail slowly swishing back and forth. There were two ways Tugger could fall off of the sword he was balancing on.
Kira nodded and was silent for a long while, a lot of things swirling around in her head. Finally they were back at the apartment, she felt kind of bad for surviving off of him like this. 'It's only for a week at the most...' She kept telling herself. She wouldn't allow herself to use Gears for longer than that. "Will you still be here...Even if I resolve it?" She asked aloud as she laid on the couch.
"What do you mean? I don't think I'm in danger..." Tugger's smirk faded and he looked genuinly confused by what the tabby had said.
Gears nodded, a large reasurring grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Of course! I'll be here until you tell me to leave!"
"Even then you probably wouldn't would you?" She said with a growing smile. The anxious feeling finally starting to fade away. "Okay, so what are we going to do since we're apparently going back tonight?" She asked, she hadn't known they were going back until Munkus had said something.
Munkus sighed and closed his eyes a moment. "Humans aren't like us Tugger. They're a lot more fragile than you think. And I don't mean physically in the sense that Macavity had. It already appears that she's been hurt once, are you going to let it happen again?"
"I still don't get it..." Tugger cocked and eyebrow and looked to the silver tabby to elaborate.
Gears smirked, "I was thinking of introducing them to Romeo and Juliet! I have a butt load of Shakespeare DVD's at my apartment!" GEars was getting very excited.
"Introducing a bit of classic romance...Nice." She said. She had never personally liked romance movies but hey, she wasn't going to ruin Gear's excitement. It never occured to her what Romeo and Juliet was though.
Munkus shook his head. "What I'm saying is you already have a ton of the queen's falling all over you. Is Kira just another 'toy'," he knew he may regret using it in those terms, but it they were the only one's his younger brother understood unfortunately. "Like the others?"
Tugger's confused expression rapidly became a snarl, "Kira is anything but a toy!" He was now an inch from Munkustrap's face, his teeth beared and claws extended.
Gears helped her onto his couch and ran around to gather movie stuff. He popped 3 bags of popcorn and shoved it all in a giant plastic bag. Gears then got 2 boxes of pop and his laptop and movies.
A small smile touched Munkus's lips. "Good. That's what I was hoping to hear. Be careful Tugger all right? I don't want to see anything bad happen that you'll regret." Pushing himself up he stretched and stood, deciding to take another quick look around before Kira and Gears came back.
Kira sat up and helped him pack what little he would allow her too and then grabbed a couple blankets and jackets. "Are we set?" She asked looking around the room. "Empty out the kitchen yet?"
Gears chuckled, "Not yet! We still have 5 packs of hotdogs for breakfast lunch and dinner tomorrow!" He smiled and helped her out of the building and back down the road as the sun finished setting.
Tugger grumbled softly and plopped down on the tire by himself.
Kira laughed and let him lead her, though she did have a slight scowl, it was easier than to argue at the moment. Soon they were back at the junkyard. After she had been helped over the fence and Gears was beside her she looked at him thoughtfully. "How often do you sneak in? Have you ever been caught?" She asked as they made their way to the clearing.
Pouncy, purring loudly, began to wriggly slightly. Paws twitching as he chased something in his dreams.
Munkustrap returned shortly after a good look around. Everything was safe, quiet. No sign of the Hidden Paw. "Okay, think we're set." He said, sitting down beside Tugger.