Chapter 8
"WHAT!" Blik hissed, glaring at his brother. Gordon crossed his arms, slumping back into his chair, his expression still in dream land.
"Just like I said, Blik... I think I'm in love with the wee lass..." His voice was soft as he let out a sigh. Blik was on the edge of exploding.
"I knew she was up too something!" He hissed, loud enough for Gordon to hear. His head snapped towards the black cat.
"What?"
"Isn't it obvious, Gordon? She's sucking up to you and you're darn kindness! She just needed a place to stay so she played all cutesy and innocent to you just so she could live here!"
Gordon growled. How dare he say such things about her!
"Blik! That is not true! She's here because she's confused about what to do about her missing family!"
Blik scoffed.
"Oh really? Well, when have you seen her trying to contact them, or even find them for that matter?" Gordon gulped. Honestly, he hadn't really thought about that.
"Umm... well... Maybe the lassies just... scared..."
Blik crossed his arms and grinned. "Well, can't argue with that, she's scared of everything!" Gordon was about to lunge at Blik for saying such cruel words, but the sound of music rung through his ears. All eyes turned to the stage as Pandora had begun her song, not daring to look up at them or anything else; she closed her eyes, imagining she was alone... She had a brief memory...
Eve looked up at her from the book they had just finished reading. The younger cat yawned.
"Pandora?" She looked up her with pleading eyes as Pandora faced her. "Can you sing me too sleep?"
Pandora nodded and cuddled her sister closer on her lap, though they were roughly the same age, Eve was like the baby of the family, Pandora being her protective and loving older sister.
"What song would you like?"
"The shining road... please?" Pandora smiled softly, gently rocking back and forth cuddling Eve as she began to sing...
In the dream and real life...
"Watashitachi no sekai wa - mahou wo kakerarete
Ai suru to kime kisae - namida ni ujirareteru
Boy futari de jumon wo sagashi ni ikou
Kinjirare ta yume wo - kanaerareru kuni he
Dare ni mo naisho de - ashita na tchi awaseshiyou.
Itsuka kotori wo ume ta - yowake no mieru oka de
Tsumetai asamoya - kimi to te wo tsunaidara
Hikaru michi no fuuin ga tokeru yo
Hateshinaku
Kirawa retakunaikara - kokoro wokakushiteta
Warai kaketekuretane - hontoni ureshikatta
Boy watashi ni yuuki woataetehoshii
Kinoumadeno subete - zero nidekiru chikara
Dare nimo naishode - sotto kuchiduke shiyou
Itsuka yoma nakunatta - furui ehon no youni
Asatsuyu ichimen - kaze gakira mekasetara
Hikaru michi ha massuguni tsuduku yo
Dokomademo
Callin'you
Kanashi i yoru ha kun no namae wo tonae runo
Callin'you
Soreha sekai no kusari wohodoku jumon nano
Dare nimonaishode- ashita machiawase shiyou
Itsukaminnade mitatsu mirai no mie ru oka de
Tsume tai asa moya kimi toraru kidashitara
Hikaru michi hamassuguni tsuduke ruyo
Dokomademo..."
Pandora finished her song and opened her eyes, looking down at not her sister sleeping in her arms, in the warmth of their home, but outside, in the back garden of Katilda's house where she stood in front of the karaoke machine and her new found friends clapping, mostly amazed by her singing, though Blik looked far from impressed. More jealous maybe?
But Pandora barely noticed, she was too busy noticing Gordon was clapping loudest of them, even cheering the loudest. Pandora smiled and blushed, placing the microphone on top of the karaoke machine and quickly hopping back to her place as Katilda reached into the hat, picking out Waffle's name. Waffle gave a joyous 'Splee' before crashing into the pile of CD's, trying to find his favourite song.
No one noticed the large figure hidden in the shadows of the bushes, behind the fence on left hand side of the garden, whose green eyes had been locked on Pandora the entire time she had sung. It slipped away into the night once she stopped her lovely singing.
Katilda grinned sitting down next to Pandora, sitting at the very end of the row, two empty seats (one belonging to Waffle) by Mr. Blik.
Katilda slumped down Pandora, her head hung down, eyes looking down at her paws, curling around each other, a small blush and smile planted on her face.
"Pretty obvious what's going on, Pandy'!"
Pandora jumped and looked over to the yellow cat, grinning, arms crossed, slumped back in her seat. Pandora blushed hard.
"N-N-Nani ga...?"
"You... Gordon... There's something going on here... And from what I witnessed, he's taking a HUGE interest into you..."
Pandora went bright red and looked away. That couldn't be true... could it?
"N-Nashi... Impossible... He loves 'human Kimberly'... not me... Besides, wasn't he going to invite her over?"
Katilda shook her head, "She couldn't come... something about homework but that's not the topic here... Listen, Gordon said he loves human Kimberly, but I think his feelings are starting to edge towards YOU now... If only you had opened your eyes while singing up there Pandy'... He was looking at you like you where some sort of..."
"...Angel... A beautiful angel she is..." Gordon once again sighed, delicately picking a small white flower from the ground and lifting it to his face, resting his head in his left paw. Blik growled at his brothers words and as Gordon lightly smelt the small object in his paws. Blik swiped the flower from his brother's paws and supposedly crushed it in his palm.
"Gordon! Give it a rest already! I don't wanna sit here all night and have to listen to you going on about false 'feelings' and especially not while it's about HER! That idiotic, good-for-nothing, scardey-cat, mangy little piece of-"
Rage quickly took Gordon over. He knew it was his dark side finally taking control and he couldn't stop. How DARE Blik say such low things about his bonnie lass!
He tackled the unsuspecting black cat within seconds; both tumbled across the grass, in front of the two female cats that stood up from their chairs in shock. Waffle poked his head out from the pile of CD's in time to see Blik pin Gordon to the ground prepared to punch him, but Gordon was much faster as his fist slammed into Blik's stomach and another blow into the head, Causing Blik to crash into the fence. Gordon got up in a battle stance, his fur stood up as a look of anger and aggression burnt on his face, opposing Blik's rather frightened and regretful look.
Gordon leapt forward, snarling, his fist slamming into the fence as Blik's head moved just in the nick of time. Pandora watched in fright as Blik grabbed a nearby chair and held it up like a lion tamer would in a lion cage, though he shook violently and looked scared half to death. The look on Gordon's face seemed to show he was ready to deliver another blow on the cowardly black cat until...
"You two stop!" Katilda raised her paws stepping forward. "What's going on here?"
Gordon's claw shot towards Blik, "He had the nerve to insult Pandora!"
Blik dropped the chair in anger and glared; "Only 'cus it's true! I don't regret any word I said-" He was cut off when Gordon leapt forward, claws digging into Blik's neck as he pinned the black cat to the grassy floor, eyes full of hatred and anger, his free claw raised above his head, preparing to slam into Blik's head and-
"GORDON, STOP!" Gordon felt his anger wash down as Pandora tugged him off Blik. He looked over at her, and felt the sharp knife of guilt stab into his heart. His dear bonnie lass was crying! Tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked at him pleadingly and very upset. His claws sunk back in as she sniffed.
"Please... For the sake of goodness... Don't hurt him... Please..." She was barely to get that out through her tears, and every word tugged at Gordon's heart strings as he lowered his paws and head in shame. Pandora let go of him and sniffed again.
A tense silence filled the night air as the five cats stood there in shock, pain, worry and anger. None sure of the other's next move.
Pandora whipped her eyes and sighed as Katilda helped Blik up; avoiding Gordon as best she could as Waffle lowered into the CD pile, in fright and worry. Gordon looked up at Pandora. She looked back at him.
He couldn't help but let the edge of his lips lift by an inch, but it dropped lower than before when Pandora's heartbroken eyes stared through him, in fear and... Anger?
She looked to Katilda. "I... I have to go..." She didn't wait for an answer. Pandora was already through the back door before anyone realised what had happened. Gordon jogged forward slightly, holding a paw up, trying to reach for her.
"Pandora, Lassie, wait!" Katilda held him back with one paw firmly pressing down on his shoulder. He looked at her, not able to identify the look in her eyes properly.
"Let her go, Gordon... She needs time to herself..." Gordon's head turned away sadly and buried into his paws as he collapsed to his knees.
"Ohhh... What have I done? I've ruined everything... all out of anger over some stupid comments!" Katilda gently patted the crying cat's shoulder, a slight look of worry on her face.
"Calm down Gordon... Let's just get to the bottom of this... You said Blik said something about Pandora?"
Gordon sniffed and looked up at her. "Aye... I-I don't know what happened... I was just... overtaken by sudden rage... I... I just..." Katilda smiled and lifted him onto his feet. She looked back to Blik.
"Try to calm Waffle down will ya?" She said firmly. Blik could tell she was not going to take no for an answer, and he wasn't in the mood to argue back, so he made his way over to a frightened Waffle as Katilda led Gordon inside into the hallway.
"Gordon, listen... I can understand why you got so angry... Do you have... 'feeling's' for Pandora?" She couldn't help but grin as Gordon blushed and nodded.
"Aye... I guess it wasn't going to stay hidden for long..." He jumped as Katilda beat her fist into the air and jumped.
"I KNEW IT!"
"Umm... Knew what?" Katilda grinned.
"C'mon Gordon, Isn't it obvious? You? Pandora? Together!" Gordon looked down sadly, blushing.
He sighed, "It was most likley impossible before she hated me... Now there's nothing left..." Katilda rolled her eyes and slapped Gordon across the back of the head.
"OW! Great gopher, what was that for?"
Katilda poked her finger into Gordon's chest, giving him a stern look.
"Look Gordon, I'm Pandora's closest friend right now... and I know for a fact that she likes you too! Right now, you don't wallow in your own self pity... You find her and set things straight, by that I mean apologise and tell her your feelings! This is a great chance, and I suggest you take it!"
Gordon stood there in silence, trying to process everything.
Pandora loved him? Tell her? Should he?
Yes! Katilda was right! It was now or never!
He grinned and hugged Katilda, "Cheer lass! You're right! I need to tell her! Thank you..." He released her from his hug and ran out the front door after Pandora.
Katilda grinned. "Good luck Gordon..." She headed to the back garden, to clean up the rest of the mess.
Pandora wiped her eyes once again before cuddling herself from the freezing night breeze, the only light came from the street lamps that she walked under quickly. She was certain this was the way back to the mansion, though she wasn't going to get there for a while. Her feet hurt, from running and from how heavy her heart felt. Did Gordon really attack Blik?
Sure Blik wasn't the kindest cat on the planet, but still... She had never seen Gordon look so hostile. It scared her.
She shivered again. Unable to walk any further, she lay back against a lamp post, tired and sad. She looked down at the concrete floor; the light of the street lamp heated her, but only slightly.
"Hey there cutie..." Pandora gasped at the rough voice. She cuddled her arms and jerked her head up at the sound of the voice. It was hard to make out, but in the shadows, just outside of the street lamp light, stood the figure of a VERY large brown cat, ears folded like her own, green eyes looking down at her, and she didn't like the look in his eyes.
She stepped back slightly.
"Umm... Who are you?" The cat stepped forward into the light, revealing he was covered in stitches and scars. He bowed slightly and took her paw in his. She gulped at the harsh, cold feel of his paw.
"I'm bootsie... What would your name be, beauty?" He grinned winking at her. Pandora immediately took her paw back and backed away from him quickly.
"I'm sorry, but I need to go!" She gasped as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. He grinned, revealing his yellow, jagged teeth. Pandora gagged in disgust.
"No ya don't! We've got the rest of the night ahead of us, cutie... Now tell me your name!" He growled, shoving his head against hers.
"Pandora!" She yelled in fright. It was a natural reaction, and she was deeply regretting it.
"Better... Now then... You tired, Pandora? Cus I know where you can spend the night..." Pandora pushed away once again.
"I am already staying somewhere. Now leave me alone you Kurīpu!" As her reached for her again, her claws unleashed and slashed across his face. She ran down the street as fast as possible. Her heart pounded as she heard loud foot stamps coming after her and Bootsie's voice "Get back here you little-" Pandora drowned out the last part as blood pounded in her ears.
Her arms swung through the chilling night air, her feet pounded against the hard concrete. She gasped for air, feeling as though she was about to collapse. He was getting closer, closer, closer...
His paws pressed against her head and slammed her into the wall. Pandora cried out in pain and collapsed in a heap, clutching the left side of her aching face. Bootsie's shadow fell over her. She looked up in fright, her left eyes starting to bruise as he grabbed her by the neck and held her against the wall.
Pandora tried to swing her claws at him, but his free claw gripped around her wrists and tightened, digging into her flesh causing her a twinge of pain.
He grinned wickedly as she choked out a cry of help. His head pressed against hers. "Give up beauty... You're mine!"
He began to drag her half-limp body away, to somewhere more private.
Gordon ran down the street towards the mansion. He was certain that was the first place Pandora would have gone. She had nowhere else to go anyway. He had to tell her... He had too...
He grounded to a halt. Further down the street. He saw two figures. One a large cat dragging a smaller one along down the street.
Curiosity got the better of him as he walked further towards the two figures. Getting closer, a wave of realisation washed over him. Pandora! She looked so tired... beaten... scared... and the other cat? He didn't care. All he knew was that he needed to get Pandora back. He belted down the street and came close to the two.
"HEY! YOU!"
The larger cat turned as Gordon came to a stop in front of him, before realising this cat was Bootsie, The Chumpie chump's pet cat who had at one point bullied Mr. Blik. Bootsie growled down at Gordon, gripping Pandora's wrists. She looked over at Gordon pleadingly and breathed heavily, barely able to stay awake any longer.
"What do ya want, fatso?" Bootsie growled. Gordon's chest puffed out as he stood to his full height, glaring back at the larger cat.
"In the name of the highland quid clan, I DEMAND you release MY bonnie-lass!" Bootsie merely chuckled.
"You're 'bonnie-lass'? HA! Get lost ya little twerp! I don't have time for the likes of you!" He began to walk away. Gordon bubbled with anger. He leapt up and slashed his claws into Bootsie's cheek. Bootsie cried out in pain and grabbed his bleeding cheek, giving Gordon the perfect opportunity to sweep Pandora into his arms and run.
Though that's what he would have liked to have happened. Just as he reached for Pandora, Bootsie grabbed him and threw him against the wall, delivering two punches into his stomach and cheek. Gordon slid the ground, his stomach and cheeks burning in pain. He wasn't going to let the likes of Bootsie get to him, not in front of his lassie!
He forced himself up, his knees shaking weakly as he held up his fists, ready to attack and defend. Bootsie's fist rocketed towards Gordon, who dodged the attack and unleashed his claws on the large cats face. Bootsie grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and squeezed down, choking Gordon. Pandora weakly stood up.
She knew she was too weak to fight but she had to do something. She closed her eyes.
"Paramora..." She muttered, "...I need your help... What do I do?" She could feel her dark side grin wickedly as a sudden burst of anger flooded through Pandora. Her eyes went darker as she knew what to do. She leapt forward and bit down hard into Bootsie's leg, causing him to cry out in pain and drop Gordon. She then unleashed her claws and dug them deep into his heels and forced him off his feet, landing on his back. She then leapt onto his chest scratched down his face with her claws, leaving three deep gashes down the right side of his face, leaning towards the left. After five powerful punches, she looked down at the motionless, blood covered face of Bootsie.
She slid off him, a strange mix of fear and adrenaline rushed through her veins as she breathed heavily. She looked up at Gordon, staring at her in armament and shock. She knew why, and she wondered if that really just happened.
A tense silence cut through the night air like a knife. As the feel of adrenaline wore off, Pandora felt woozy, and Gordon sensed her begging to weaken. He rushed forward and gently gripped her shoulders, making sure she wouldn't fall. He gulped, forcing to stare into her sapphire eyes and be enchanted by her. She began to weaken, nearly falling to her knees as her surroundings began to morph into shadows. She blushed as Gordon swept her into his arms, carrying her somewhere.
"Don't worry lass..." He said gently, his Scottish accent calming her heart beat as he spoke, "I'll get you home, safe n' sound..."
She fell into darkness where she was greeted by her thoughts.
Pandora stood in the white light, coming from a lamp swinging from the ceiling.
Where was she? Why was she here? How did she get here?
She cuddled herself, shivering, eyes darting around as she looked into the pitch blackness of where ever she was.
There was a moan. Of pain. Horror. Agony.
Pandora shivered as a chorus of other moans and cries joined in. Some, she noted, where weak cries of help and mercy.
What was happening?
The lights flashed on. She gasped.
She was stood in the middle of a white room, towering over her were cages. Cages full of animals, in pain. All having strange tags on their left ears and each having some visible injuries, like dieses. She cowered down to her knees in fright.
It was the lab. The same one she had rescued her brother Snippy from... barely, that is.
She looked down the many rows of cages. There, of a plain desk was one large cage sitting on its own. Pandora curiously wandered down towards it, trying desperately to ignore the pleas and cries of the animals she passed, many speaking in different tongues. She shivered, approaching the cage.
"H-Hello?" she muttered, there was moment in the cage. She gasped realising just what was in it.
She gasped as her siblings heads peeked through the cage bars. She couldn't help but smile at being able to see them again. She looked at each one as she happily said their names.
"Eve! Rose! Snippy! I can't believe it! You're here!" Her expression dropped to see anger and hatred buried in their eyes. Even Eve, the one she always knew to be energetic, kind and funny, was now glaring her down with anger.
"Yeah, I'm b-b-back here!" Snippy growled, "All b-b-because of y-you!" Pandora stepped back, in fear and confusion.
"What...?"
"Yeah!" Eve spoke up, "We looked all over California for you, only to have sciencey-guys catch us!"
"And what did you do?" Rose growled deeply and spat her words, "Ya took refuge in a mansion... A freakin' mansion! Leaving us to rot here!"
Pandora shook her head wide eyed, "No! Nashi, it's not like that! I've been trying to think of what to do... I didn't know where you were, or that you were even in California... I don't even know how I ended up in Bakersfield!"
"Well it doesn't matter know... You're too late..." Rose growled as bars slammed down around Pandora, she gasped looking around the enclosed area as the room began to grown darker, she could only see the red, glowing eyes of her captor and the shadows and glaring eyes of her family.
"See ya around..." The three cats muttered. "...Sis'!"
The cage top smashed down on Pandora as she screamed. She shot up and gasped, trying to take in what was happening.
Where was she?
Was she dead?
"Pandora? Lassie?" She turned her head to Gordon's soft voice as he looked at her in worry. He was sat by her on her bed in her room, meaning she was home.
It was a dream...
She wasn't dead...
She didn't see her siblings...
Her breathing calmed as her fur flattened down, she still gasped for the sweet air as Gordon placed a paw on her shoulder.
"Lassie, are ye alright?" Pandora nodded slowly.
"Hai... Just a nightmare... Gordon-san... Are we at home?" Gordon smiled and nodded softly. Pandora's face turned slightly worried as she looked down.
"Is... Bootsie...?"
"Don't worry lass..." Gordon gently took her paws in his. "You're safe now...and by the way... thanks for... helping me..."
Pandora smiled, "I guess I was just returning the favour... after all, you saved my life before..." Gordon chuckled.
"Aye... But I didn't really have a reason to save you then, other than the fact that you were in danger... This time though I..." He stopped, looking away blushing, a smile still evident on his face.
Pandora titled her head, "This time...?"
Gordon gulped. 'Tell her now, Gordon quid...' He faced her, beautiful eyes sparkling in interest and curiosity made him want to melt. She was so cute...
He coughed and straightened himself out, "Pandora... I sort of... well... what I'm trying to say is... I-"
"PANDORA!" Waffle shouted bursting through the wall and jumping onto the bed next to Pandora who had jumped at his entrance and had her arms around Gordon's neck.
Gordon blushed at her actions, at the same time, felt rather annoyed at Waffle's sudden entrance.
He had been so close...
"Waffle-san! What a splendid surprise..." She smiled lightly, before blushing t Gordon, realising her arms where around him. She nervously slid away, muttering a sheepish, "Sōrī..." that made Gordon blush and smile at her as Waffle pounced onto the bed by her.
"Are you alright? I though aliens stole you!" Pandora giggled at Waffles concern, despite such a silly thought.
"No Waffle-san, I'm fine, honestly..." Gordon could sense the slight sadness in her voice while Waffle couldn't. He knew she obviously didn't want to mention what had happened, and he understood why.
"So, Laddie... Why are ye here?" Gordon asked. Waffle turned to him still grinning, though his eyelids fluttered tiredly.
"I got kinda tired... Plus so did Katilda and Blik... Blik's already in bed I think... I just wanted to say goodnight..."
Pandora giggled slightly. Waffle certainly hadn't looked tired when he burst in.
'But that's Waffle for you,' she thought, 'Unpredictable...'
Gordon smiled. "Well, Goodnight to ye then lad..."
Pandora also smiled, "Hai... Goodnight, Waffle-san..."
Waffle smiled and yawned before shuffling out the room and closing the door behind him, leaving Gordon and Pandora alone.
Pandora sighed and looked down rather sadly.
Gordon frowned, noticing her change in emotion.
"Something wrong, lass?" Pandora smiled slightly.
"Oh, nothing major... It's just waffle reminds me of Eve so much..." Gordon smiled slightly and placed his arms around Pandora's shoulders, slightly cuddling her. She blushed slightly, resting against Gordon's shoulder.
"Ye miss 'em, eh?" Pandora nodded. Gordon couldn't help but smile widely as he hugged her tighter. She was so cuddly...
"What are they like...? Yer family..." Pandora smiled, tracing back to her family.
"Eve... Is sort of like waffle... extremely enthusiastic, goofy, cute, funny, and can speak Frogarian." Gordon raised an eyebrow.
"Frogarian?"
"Hai... She has a pet frog called Siebel, and they apparently speak to each other..."
"Oh aye... Ye mentioned that at the Barbeque..." He trailed off, remembering why they were here and not there. He gulped. He had completely ruined that perfect afternoon. All out of anger.
"I'm sorry, lass..." He muttered, ashamed of himself, "Sorry I ruined such a lovely evening for ye..." He felt his shame and sadness wash down as Pandora's arms wrapped around him, brining him into a sweet, kind hug. He blushed, not being able to keep the goofy grin from sliding over his lips.
"Nashi... It's okay... Honestly... Besides, you did just save me," She paused, letting out a small chuckle, "...Again, that is..." Gordon chuckled along with her. His heart sank slightly as she lightly pulled away from him, the warmth of her embrace leaving him.
"But... I just want to know... Why did you attack Mr. Blik exactly?" Gordon looked down slightly, twiddling his thumbs; know he couldn't lie to her. He never could. He never would.
"He... He insulted ye... I got really angry and... Well..." Pandora frowned slightly, tilting her head in confusion and slight concern.
"Doesn't that seem a little over the top? I mean, it's not nice that he said something about me but... attacking him?" Her eyes softened at his sad expression. She gently laid a paw on his shoulder, making him look into her eyes. He nearly gagged at how beautifully they sparkled.
"I-I know it sounds rather stupid that I attacked him over his words..." He stammered slightly, his gaze starting to stray away from her the closer he got to confessing his feelings. "B-but... I-I think, no, I KNOW the reason I got so angry about it is..." He felt his cheeks burning like fire. He coughed, still trying to get the words out.
"It's because..." He felt his heart thudding in his chest as he looked up into her sapphire eyes, gleaming in confusion and curiosity.
"I...I...It's because I..." He heard his darker self shout from in his head, 'GET IT OUT ALREADY YA BIG OAF!'
Pandora felt slightly shocked as almost shouted his next words, a blush forming on her cheeks as the words came to her ears.
"It's because... I LOVE YOU!"
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