Hm, not exactly proud of this chapter as much as the last one. But oh well. I really think it's as good as it's gonna get. It's not really bad, just redundant since a lot of stuff happens that you probably expected anyways.
And as for the sucky title, I'm really sorry I couldn't think of anything better here. I just liked it because both words started with a "B" and a bravado is a "swaggering display of courage." I guess it makes sense, since it does focus a bit on Tigger's sense of pride and stuff.
And if the beginning seems a little forced and awkward, it's meant to be like that so just hang in there.
Special thanks to all who reviewed my last chapter: Kylyn, Jarrtail, Tinselpool, Tainted Lullaby, and Red Squirrel Writer. Thanks a bunch guys.
And an extra special thanks to my Beta Readers: Tinselpool and Cinnamonpool. I feel bad that they had to go through the torture of reading and editing the first draft. :P
And as an added note, a lot of you must be wondering why Hawkfrost wants to keep Tigger's identity a secret. Well, if you think about it, it wouldn't really be smart to tell someone "Hey, guess what, do you know you were evil in the past?" That would freak him out a bit. That's only a bit of the reason why, so just keep reading and I'll clarify in future chapters.
Blind Bravado
"Who is he? What was he like? Is he my father? Is he my kin?" he padded closer to Darkstripe, enthusiastic and eager to hear all. Suddenly, the night sky seemed to close in on his vision, as if a shadow was now folding down against the clearing. And then he looked to Darkstripe, staring at him with surprise. And after that... Darkness.
Everything was gone... all he could hear was the blood roaring in his ears, his heartbeat drumming...
Tigger opened his eyes to the stinging shards of light, blinking as he cleared his head. Drowsily, he stretched his mouth in a wide yawn, lazily swiping his pink tongue over his lips as he regained his bearings. He was too dazed to feel any kind of shock. The only thing he felt at first was confusion, and then a bit of curiosity as he scanned his surroundings.
He was lying in a spacious but cluttered space furnished with soft, plushy cushions that had whitish-yellow fluff sticking out from several ripped holes. The area had some dusty shine to it, and there was a hole near the ground that opened up to the daylight. And there were windows throughout the area, giving him a full view of the Outside- nothing but dark, disheveled shapes of monsters clumped together randomly.
And off to his right, he spotted a small cat huddled in the corner, her crooked paw painfully obvious. She glanced at him shyly before ducking her gaze back down to her paws.
"Where am I...? In the junkyard... in a monster...?"
And then slowly, his memory caught up with him. He remembered his talk with Chess.
Instantly, his eyes widened and his heart leaped as he pounced at the window, pressing his nose against the warm glass as he scanned the skies.
No! No! No! No! No! How long was I asleep? I didn't sleep past sunhigh did I?
He released his held breath, lowering a paw wearily as he identified the sun, still in low in the sky.
Not yet sunhigh... good...
Suddenly, he remembered that Twist was there watching him, probably amused at his seemingly kit-like behavior He turned around to face the other cat, feeling a bit embarrassed by his actions. She simply stared at him while he stayed fixed in his position, almost as if any sudden movement would shatter the fragile moment of peace between them. Finally, Tigger lowered himself back on all fours, staring at his footpaws in an attempt to express some sort of indifference.
He didn't dare look her in the eye, just in case she was still staring at him. And who wouldn't? He was the stranger here in her home, and he was the one jumping out of his sleep like some startled kit. He swallowed audibly as he gave her a furtive glance, trying to coil his tail around his paws to seem more calm than he really felt.
"She must think I'm such a furbrain!" he winced inwardly before he addressed her in the most confident voice he had.
"I'm sorry if I scared you..." he felt his voice trail off as she showed no intentions of replying. She just sat there timidly, looking away from him almost as if she wanted to call off the conversation all together. Feeling the hot embarrassment searing just under his pelt, the tabby was obliged to remain silent and look the opposite direction, still feeling the uneasiness crackle in the air between them.
"Why is she so quiet? Can't she just say something so I don't feel so... like such a..." he struggled to summon the best word to describe the situation, "Like some... stupid kittypet..." He strained his ears, hoping that he would hear the soft padding sounds of paws making their way to the exit or something. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to escape from the awkward predicament.
He glanced at the smudged glass windows again, tired of seeing all the jumbles of dead monsters blocking a potentially scenic view. And except for the constant scritch-scratch of Tigger's fidgeting claws gripping the cushions, everything was silent. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Tigger asked the most sensible question that came to mind.
"So where's Ajax?" he mewed, keeping his eyes facing down at his paws.
"He went out to look for scraps," she answered in a quiet voice, high pitched and a little scratchy from misuse. A couple more moments of silence ensued once more before Tigger spoke up.
"So... how- uh... how did you meet Ajax?" he asked, shuffling his footpaws over the cushiony innards of the monster.
"I was just a stray kit wandering around... and he... he found me and brought me here...," she replied in a whisper.
"Oh... that's nice," the kittypet meowed, cringing inwardly at how unsympathetic and uninterested he sounded, "I... uh... have to go now..." With that, he rushed out of the exit, hearing the crippled cat call after him.
"But where are you going?"
"I just have to do something," he replied, eager to get as far away from this place as he could.
"But Ajax says-"
"I'll be fine!" he insisted, running off towards the fence of the junkyard, "Tell Ajax that I'll be back!" He heard her muffled voice as his paws pounded and kicked up dusty clouds on the ground. She might have told him to stay, or maybe that she wished him saftey, but he didn't bother to turn back to ask. He had no time for that.
He could feel the wind brushing against his face as he raced and zig-zagged through the maze of monsters, alone and free to make his own decisions.
Is this what it feels like to be a warrior? Able to do whatever you please because you're strong enough? Able to make your own decisions and do what you want with your life?
He didn't even bother to slow down as he neared the gates, the dog Bruiser leaping up to chase him, only to realize that the cat was already well out of his reach. Tigger couldn't help but suppress a triumphant yowl- his spirit lifting even higher at his latest feat. And then his heart swelled with pride at the prospect of Ajax's reaction when he brings Chess back. An accomplishment like that would only be capable of the bravest and most daring of cats- not just some kittypet.
"I'm coming Chess! I'm coming!"
The Outside was crowded by the usual twolegs and their monsters, bustling to-and-fro in their own little errands. Chess sighed as he looked at the sheer size of it all. He couldn't imagine how far he could go from his home. If he were to go too far, would he even be able to find his way back at all? Would he get so lost that he would lose everything ever familiar to him? His twoleg? His food? The place he'd lived in practically his entire life? His twoleg would be distraught if he abandoned her.
Wistfully, he remembered when he first met her. It was a very faint memory in his mind, but he remembered how big the twoleg nest was when he and Tigger first arrived. And he remembered how they would cuddle next to her while she watched that glowing black box, and how Tigger would tussle with her paws playfully, leaving behind tiny, loving etches on her skin. And then he recalled how she grieved for Tigger in her own strange way.
She got some strange, rare illness where salty water would fall from her eyes. Then she started eating a lot of food, and spending a lot of time talking to that tiny black thing as she flipped through pages of a huge, thick yellow book. And sometimes, she would disappear for a long time only to come back still upset and very tired from whatever it was she was doing. Chess had the idea that she was out there with her loyal monster, searching for his lost brother.
He heard a door open and he heard the stomping sounds of his twoleg's paws. He watched her as she bent down to fumble around with those strange, fake paws that they always wore. He instantly felt his heart drop at the thought of leaving her all alone- the same way he felt so isolated when Tigger was gone.
What would she do all by herself? Would she get another cat? Would she miss me? Should I stay... But I would miss Tigger more... he needs me.
As a last goodbye, he padded to her and rubbed himself against her leg. She seemed to be content right there, stroking him as she noticed his sudden change in mood. She said a few words in her strange twoleg language as she straightened her back and reached for the door.
This is it. Good-bye twoleg... I'm sorry...
She turned the knob and the door opened up a crack. Instantly, there was a sudden flash of gray, and the door shuddered as a figure squeezed past it. The twoleg gasped a cry of surprise as she rushed out the door, yowling in a desparate, pleading tone. Chess halted by the steps, a sad, reluctant look in his pale blue eyes.
"I'm sorry," he mewed hurriedly, hoping she'd understand his words and feelings, "I love you and I'll always remember what you've done for us. But Tigger needs me. I hope you understand that."
And he left, hearing the twoleg's pounding steps falling behind him.
"Tigger! I'm coming!"
Drip... drip... drip...
To Tigger, the sounds of the chiming droplets and the sloshing of puddles against his paws never sounded louder. It was strange, coming here again. He couldn't help but recall the beginnings of his adventure- how long ago it felt. And then he felt a swift swell of pride in himself at how much he'd withstood. It seemed as if he was never really ever a kittypet at all... like he was something more than just that... that he was meant for greater things.
He squinted his eyes, shielding them from a dim speck of light in ahead.
He felt a rush of excitement as his pawsteps quickened, anticipating the escape. He imagined Chess all alone in the Outside- exposed and vulnerable at all sides. And then he would show up... a brave and daring warrior that would guide his brother back to safety. Of course, it would take some time for Chess to get used to the Outside lifestyle, but that would only be for a while until they moved out for the forests...
Tigger approached the exit, leaping through it only to hiss lightly as his head bumped against the giant waste box above him. He glanced around, scanning the area for any Blood Clan cats. None. Just a bunch of twolegs walking around on their own selfish agendas. Creeping out of hiding, he breathed in the fresher air, noting the familiar surroundings.
I did it... I always knew I could...
But there was no time for that now. He padded out of the alleyway, always keeping his ears pricked and his eyes wary of Blood Clan. They caught Ajax once, after all.
He swerved this way and that, evading the clumsy maze of clumsy twoleg legs that crowded his vision. And then he looked up to see the familiar tall twoleg nest and the patios clinging to its sides. He approached it, keeping in mind to cross the monster path only when the lights would blink red.
He was so close now, just across from his old home- a monster path separating his way. He stayed as far away from the monsters zipping around in deadly speed, waiting impatiently for the green lights to flicker red. He looked up at it again, its windows gleaming in the sunlight, making his eyes hurt when he blinked.
One of those windows belongs to Chess... let's hope he's out of his-
Suddenly, just as a twoleg opened the door to get in, a gray blur rushed out and Tigger immediately recognized him.
Harsh sounds buffeted the frightened kittypet's ears as he glanced left and right, looking around him with a mixture of panic and awe. He was alone in this strange place now, and everything seemed to tower above him.
"Tigger!" he yowled, "Tigger where are you?!" He ignored the passing twolegs glancing at him curiously as he paced in front of the twoleg nest, his eyes darting around frantically.
"Chess!" Tigger yowled back, hoping his brother could hear his voice above the monsters and twoleg chatter. The gray cat must have heard him, for he started yowling louder, running around in a confused stupor. Suddenly, his twoleg burst out of the doorway, rushing towards him with her arms outspread pleadingly. Tigger held his breath as he stood there, unable to help his brother while he was under threat of being taken back to the nest- for forever.
In the corner of his vision, he saw the light flash red and Tigger was off, bounding to his brother's aid. His sudden appearance startled the twoleg, sending her staggering back as she yowled out the one of the few words he understood: "Tigger!" But he ignored her as he joined his trembling brother, grabbing his scruff to bring him to his senses.
"Follow me! Now!"
That was more than enough, as Chess obeyed instantly and chased after his brother as quickly as he could, struggling to keep up. As they ran, Tigger spared no words, only looking over his shoulder occasionally to make sure that his brother was still behind and that the twoleg wasn't following them. He felt a fleeting pang of sympathy for the poor desparate twoleg but he brushed the feeling away.
She'll get another cat.
His vision flicked all around them, making sure that there wasn't a sign of Blood Clan.
"We're almost there!" he cheered himself on, "We're almost there!"
He then glanced back at his brother, who was following him doggedly with a frightened, despairing expression on his face. This whole while, Tigger had always thought that Chess would be happy to see him again- or at least show some enthusiasm for this sudden adventure. But no, he seemed so dazed and confused. Tigger shrugged the disappointment off and focused on moving forward.
He'll be okay later. I was scared too at one point... and I-
He halted in his steps, his eyes widening as he turned his head slowly- stiffly, as if he was somehow frozen. A pale gray she-cat stared back at him, mirroring the same expression of disbelief until slowly, his lips parted in a snarl.
"Chess! Run!" Tigger yowled, "Run as fast as you can!" The stranger charged at them, screeching as she did so.
"Traaaaitor!" she hissed as she brought her claws slashing forward. The dark tabby evaded the fierce swipe as he hissed at her, his back arched and his fur standing up on its ends.
"Chess! Run!" he ordered as he braced himself for another attack. The she-cat yowled once more as she pounced on him, grabbing his scruff between her teeth. He twisted out of her grasp, feeling her teeth leave etches in his skin as he tore away from her. Swiftly, he spun around, bringing his unsheathed claws down on her face in full force. He hit his mark, but the attack left him with vulnerable spots.
Instantly, she bowled him over, biting him on the shoulder. He hissed with alarm as he pummeled her soft belly with his back paws, wriggling to get off his back. Finally, he managed to flip around, his assailant now digging her fangs in his ear. In a panic, he surged forward, escaping the grasp of her raking claws.
He heard the sounds of pursuit behind him and he swung his head around, his mind flooding with relief and fear. Relief because Chess was still with him. Fear because the she-cat was just behind them, catching up to Chess at a rapid pace. He sped faster, feeling his tail whip around in the air behind him as the feelings of hope and despair dug their claws deep inside his heart.
The tunnels! The tunnels are our only chance now. If we could just get to the entrance, we could make it... but how much longer until the entire clan gives chase...?
Uh-oh, they're in trouble. D:
I can honestly say that I was feeling pretty emotional when I was writing the part about Chess's attachments to his twoleg. I mean, imagine of your pet ran away? I mean, if that happened to me, I would be in a world of depression for a long time and I would always wonder what they were thinking about when they left?
REVIEW and tell me what you think about this chapter. Hate it, love it? Any comments, suggestions, ideas, name suggestions, chapter name suggestions (this chapter's title is evidence of my dire need for these), constructive criticism, questions, etc. are always welcome. Anonymous reviews are accepted here. If you just don't feel like reviewing, thanks for reading anyways. :)
