Running from Family

By Actress of Broadway

Edited by Skimbleshanks, the Railway CAT

I don't own "CATS." I just own the new cats.

Chapter 3: Introduced to the Tribe

The next morning, Quaxo was the first to wake up. Sneaking a peak over the edge of the bed, he saw that Veronica was not yet awake in her newspaper nest with her arms still in the "X" position. She was scrunched up into a ball and shivering from the cold. Quaxo wondered why the kitten would stay in the cold when she could have joined them where it was warm.

He slowly got out and made his way to the kitten. He looked her over and felt again that he had seen her somewhere before. Shaking that feeling from his head, he shook her left hand to wake her up. The red kitten immediately woke up and grabbed his hand with her right hand. Before he could react, she had him on the floor with her left hand pressing on his throat and her right hand ready to attack him.

Quaxo was surprised at her speed but also by the look in her eyes. They were filled with fear and anger. Taking a closer look at him, Veronica realized who it was and her eyes grew wide. She immediately got off him and bowed her head in shame. Quaxo got up and massaged his neck. "I'm sorry I scared you."

Veronica looked very ashamed as she started to back away. Quaxo stopped her by going to her left, making her stop, and said, "Where are you going? You don't need to run away."

Veronica still looked guilty for what happened but sat down in front of him. She seemed nervous for some reason but Quaxo didn't pay any attention to that. He noticed that her coat was disheveled from her sleep. "Do you want me to straighten your fur?" he offered.

Veronica quickly started to straighten her fur to show that she didn't need help from him. She did a rather fine job at making her fur straight again. Unfortunately, she couldn't reach her back no matter how much she tried. Seeing Quaxo's look, she slowly turned around and tensed up. He started to smooth her fur and she tensed up even more. As he continued, wondering why she seemed so afraid, she slowly relaxed but still kept her guard up. He finished and said, "Your fur's straight now. You can relax."

Veronica nodded her thanks as she turned around. She saw that his fur was ruffled as well and asked with a motion with her hand if she could straighten his fur. He turned around, giving her permission. She hesitated at first and then tried it very quick with her eyes closed. Seeing that he didn't react the way she expected, she kept going, slow at first but then getting into it. By the time she was done, she was smiling. Quaxo turned around and saw her smile. "Hey … you have a pretty smile."

Veronica looked surprised at his comment but nodded her thanks. Watching from their bed, Etcetera and Victoria were enjoying the interaction between the two young cats. However, their enjoyment was short-lived. Their parents came into the room. Veronica lowered her head at Jellylorum. But when she saw Asparagus, she hid behind the bed. As she got out of bed Victoria looked over at Veronica and said, "You don't need to hide. My parents won't hurt you."

Veronica, apparently, didn't believe her for she stayed behind the bed. Asparagus tried to approach her but she backed up and looked terrified. Sighing, he said to Jellylorum, "I'll let you tell her. It's quite obvious that she's not coming out as long as I'm here."

Veronica shook her head quickly from behind the bed. When Asparagus was gone, she emerged but stayed behind Victoria.

Jellylorum said to Veronica, "Since you will be living with us until we can locate your family, our leader Munkustrap will show you around and help you with the other cats."

Veronica nodded as she emerged from behind Victoria a little. When Jellylorum took a step toward her, she hid behind the white cat again. Etcetera thought that she was acting really bizarre for a cat. "What's the matter with you?" she asked the red kitten.

Veronica just gave her a little glare and walked to the window to wait for her guide. The three siblings joined her at her side and waited beside her with their tails waving below the sill. Soon they saw the silver tabby jump up on the wall. Quaxo gently pushed the window open and leapt down to the ground. Victoria quickly followed but Veronica hesitated for a moment. Etcetera waited for a second but then lost her patience. She grabbed Veronica's arm and jumped down to the ground.

When they landed, Veronica roughly took her arm back and stood possessively next to Victoria. With that, the kittens jumped up on the wall with the adult cat. Munkustrap nodded his hello. Veronica appeared a little nervous under the large silver tabby's watchful eyes. Etcetera nudged her forward. Veronica nodded her hello.

"Good morning," Munkustrap said. "What is your name?"

Veronica tried to speak but then couldn't. Before Munkustrap could ask again, Quaxo explained, "She's mute, Munkustrap. We call her Veronica."

Veronica nodded. Munkustrap nodded. "I see. Well, Veronica, I am Munkustrap…and I will show you around and introduce you to the tribe."

Veronica looked a little nervous as Munkustrap jumped down off the wall. Etcetera slightly pushed her and Veronica moved irritably away from the younger kitten. Munkustrap looked up at Veronica, waiting for her to join him. She shook her head. Etcetera giggled. "Don't worry. He'll protect you if Macavity shows up."

Veronica winced and covered her ears at the mention of the fiend. Quaxo asked, "Are you all right?"

Veronica nodded, although she looked terrified. Victoria said, "You know, Etcetera is right. After all, Munkustrap did fight … him … two nights ago."

Veronica looked surprised as she looked with surprise at Munkustrap. She pointed to Munkustrap and asked her question with motions with her hands to the siblings.

Victoria nodded. "Yes, he protected us when … he … arrived during the Jellicle Ball."

Hearing that, Veronica quickly jumped down next to Munkustrap. Wondering why she reacted like that, the three siblings turned and padded back inside their home.

Munkustrap and Veronica started walking down the road, on the lookout for the other cats in the tribe. The first two they came across were Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer with bags over their shoulders. Munkustrap sighed in frustration and said, "What did you steal this time?"

Mungojerrie said, "Nothing."

Veronica shook her head. Rumpleteazer saw her and said, "Veronica! You're up!"

Veronica nodded. Munkustrap said, "You two know each other?"

Veronica hesitated. Mungojerrie said, "We've run into each other a lot in the past. Though we don't know where she comes from."

Veronica just shrugged. Before Munkustrap could ask anything else, the two troublemakers headed off to Munkustrap and Veronica's left. The silver tabby shook his head again. "Those two are always getting into some form of trouble. But they're not bad in the sense of being heartless criminals unlike a certain cat."

Veronica nodded a little as she and Munkustrap headed down the road again. Waiting for them were Demeter and Jemima. Veronica froze when she saw Demeter. Munkustrap asked, "What's the matter, Veronica?"

Veronica shook her head and nodded toward Demeter and Jemima. Demeter nodded at Veronica. "Good morning. What is your name?"

Munkustrap said, "We don't know her real name. Quaxo, Victoria, and Etcetera call her Veronica."

Veronica smiled. Demeter said, "My name is Demeter. This is my daughter, Jemima."

Veronica's eyes widened a little when she heard who Jemima was. Jemima asked, "What's wrong?"

Veronica almost began to speak but thought better of it. She just held her hand out and Jemima touched it, making Veronica smile brightly. Demeter said kindly, "You can tell us."

Veronica shook her head. Munkustrap said, "She can't. She's mute."

Jemima cocked her head to the side. "Cats can be mute?"

Veronica nodded. Munkustrap said, "We need to push along. She should meet the other cats since she will be living around here until we find her family."

Demeter nodded and left for the local market area with Jemima in tow. Veronica continued to look after the females with a small smile on her face.

Said Munkustrap, "I suppose you know what happened to Demeter all those years ago."

He was, of course, talking about Macavity violating Demeter when she was young. Veronica nodded and made a motion with her head, asking if they could continue. Munkustrap was about take her around when Bombalurina ran into Veronica, making both of them fall. Bombalurina quickly rose and helped Veronica up. "I'm sorry. Wish I could stay but I have to run." With that, she took off down the road.

Veronica looked after the older queen. Munkustrap rolled his eyes and said, "That was Bombalurina. And…"

Tugger ran past them after Bombalurina. He didn't say anything to the two cats but he did give Veronica's tail a little tug. Veronica took her tail and started to clean it, as if to clean Tugger's presence off her. Munkustrap groaned. "That was the Rum Tum Tugger. We just call him Tugger."

Veronica didn't seem to hear him as she continued to clean her tail with a little spark of worry in her eyes. Munkustrap touched her shoulder and she jumped. Realizing what she was doing, she quickly get go of her tail and hid her hands behind her back, smiling. Munkustrap thought about asking about her actions but she motioned if they could continue.

For the rest of the morning, Munkustrap introduced Veronica to the rest of the tribe. As they continued, Munkustrap noticed something very unusual about Veronica's actions. Every time she would meet a female, whether it was an adult or a kitten, she would reach out her hand, allowing them to touch her. She truly connected with Electra, who complimented her on her coat color. She was a little hesitant about Jennyanydots and Cassandra but she eventually warmed up to the two older cats. She had a little trouble with the twins, Coricopat and Tantomile, because they sensed something about her and walked off before they could really get to know her.

In contrast, every time she met a male of any age, she would hide behind Munkustrap, shivering in fear. Pouncival, Admetus, and Tumblebrutus scared Veronica a little but Munkustrap cajoled her in to letting them touch her. Skimbleshanks, Plato, and Alonzo, on the other hand, left her completely terrified, not letting him touch her in any way. No amount of coaxing from the three cats or Munkustrap could get Veronica to come near them. That raised suspicions in Munkustrap but he mentally acknowledged that she wouldn't want to talk about it.

As the sun was reaching the highest spot in the sky, Munkustrap took Veronica home. She bowed to him and jumped into the yard. Munkustrap looked after her, generally puzzled about her actions. With one last glance over his shoulder at the confusing kitten, Munkustrap started ponderously home.

Veronica made her way inside to find no one waiting for her. As she stepped down from the window sill, Etcetera jumped in front of her, making Veronica silently scream. Etcetera burst out laughing but Veronica pounced on the younger kitten. Quaxo and Victoria came around the corner to find Veronica posed to attack and Etcetera freaking out. Victoria pulled Veronica off Etcetera and Quaxo helped his younger sister up.

"What happened?" Quaxo asked concernedly.

Veronica acted like Etcetera did by acting like someone pulling a surprise on another person and then pointing at herself. Quaxo rolled his eyes. "Why did you scare her like that?"

Etcetera shrugged. "I thought it would be fun."

Veronica glared at Etcetera and would have leaped into attack if Victoria hadn't held her back. Etcetera hid behind Quaxo in fright. Shaking his head, Quaxo lectured, "Now you know not to scare her again."

Etcetera agreed with a frantic nod of the head. Veronica gave Etcetera a silent hiss and sat down by the kittens' bed. Quaxo approached her and said, "I'm sorry my sister did that. She should know better."

Veronica just nodded in agreement. Etcetera approached the red kitten and asked, "Can you forgive me?"

Veronica thought about that for a moment and then nodded. Etcetera smiled and hugged Veronica. Tensing up, Veronica peeled Etcetera's arms off of her and pushed the younger kitten away. Quaxo and Victoria could tell that Etcetera and Veronica were not going to get along at all.