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 4: Damaging Pride
During Veronica's first two months, she stayed inside her new home. Her three new friends kept trying to entice her outside with them but Veronica would just shake her head. However that meant that Veronica had to stay in the house with Jellylorum and Asparagus, so she hid when the other kittens were out.
Etcetera kept trying to drag Veronica out but the red kitten would always either push the younger kitten away or make a sudden movement, scaring Etcetera into believing that Veronica would pounce on her again. After a few failed attempts, Etcetera asked her older siblings to try. Victoria was the first to try. "Veronica, why don't you join me and my brother for a nice walk today?"
Veronica considered her offer and started to shake her head. But then Etcetera tried again with her offers. She approached Veronica and said in a loud voice, "Come on, Veronica! It'll be fun!"
Veronica placed her hand on Etcetera's face and gently but firmly pushed the young kitten away. Quaxo rolled his eyes. "How long are you two going to hate each other?"
Veronica shrugged. Etcetera protested, "I don't hate her! I like her!" She would have hugged Veronica but Veronica shot the young kitten a glare and she thought better of it.
Just then, there was a soft tap at the window. The four kittens looked up to see Mungojerrie tapping the window. They could also see Rumpleteazer behind the tom. Veronica lit up, went to the window, and opened it. Mungojerrie smirked. "Hello, Veronica."
Veronica just smiled and hugged Mungojerrie, and Rumpleteazer tensed. Quaxo and Victoria thought that Veronica's action was unusual. Victoria pointed out, "She's hugging him. What's going on?"
Quaxo shook his head. "I don't know. When I ran into Munkustrap a few weeks ago, he told me that Veronica was very hesitant around the males. So why is she so comfortable around Mungojerrie?"
Victoria shook her head. At the windowsill, Veronica was still hugging Mungojerrie and even rubbing her face against his chest. Rolling her eyes, Rumpleteazer tapped Veronica's shoulder and said, "How long are you going to hold him like that?"
Realizing what she was doing, Veronica backed up and smiled a little. Shaking his head, Mungojerrie said, "Veronica, I was wondering if you would like to join us for a walk."
Veronica's eyes widened a little and she nodded.
"May we join you?" Victoria asked.
Veronica gave Mungojerrie the pleading eyes. Mungojerrie chuckled. "Sure. As the humans say, the more the merrier."
Veronica and Rumpleteazer rolled their eyes. Looking down at her friends, Veronica motioned for them to come with her and the two tiger-striped cats. Still confused by her actions, the three siblings joined Veronica and her two friends.
While they were walking around, Victoria and Quaxo noticed something about Veronica's actions. Veronica seemed happy whenever Mungojerrie would point something out to her. She was happy when Rumpleteazer did the same thing but she wasn't as happy as when Mungojerrie did it. Also Mungojerrie would sometimes grab either Veronica's hand, shoulder, or tail. Whenever he would do that, Veronica wouldn't react.
To test what might happen, Quaxo tried to touch Veronica's hand. Veronica kept her hand away from Quaxo. Quaxo and Victoria were greatly confused by her actions. Etcetera didn't notice because she was too busy trying to make Veronica like her. Veronica was not to be swayed however and steadfastly refused to treat her with friendship.
When the six felines arrived at an intersection, the siblings turned right as Veronica and the tiger-striped cats went left.
Asked Rumpleteazer, "Where are you three going?"
Victoria said, "We're going to meet the other kittens in the junkyard. Where are you going?"
Mungojerrie just said, "You three go and meet the other kittens. We'll catch up with you later."
Etcetera nodded and took off for the junkyard. Victoria and Quaxo followed their sister and continued to wonder why Veronica was so close to Mungojerrie when she was so skittish around the other toms.
Once at the junkyard, the three siblings made their way to the most open area of the junkyard. The junkyard was where the kittens liked to hang out because there was a certain magic in the junkyard that no cat could explain. That magic made the kittens feel safe. Etcetera was greeted Electra, who noticed that Veronica was not with them. "Hey, where's the little red kitten?" she asked Quaxo.
Quaxo looked to the entrance behind him and said, "Veronica went off with Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. But Mungojerrie said that they would join us later."
Electra accepted the answer and started to chat with Etcetera in front of the busted oven. Knowing that their younger sister would be occupied for a while, Quaxo and Victoria joined Jemima, Pouncival, Tumblebrutus, and Plato, who were all hanging out on and around the beat up car. Jemima asked, "How is Veronica doing?"
Victoria said, "She's fine. But there have been some problems."
"Like what?" Pouncival asked from on top of the car.
Quaxo stretched. "Ever since Munkustrap took her around and introduced her to all the cats in the tribe, she's stayed inside. Victoria, Etcetera, and I have tried everything to try to get her to come outside."
"How did you get her to come out today?" Pouncival asked.
Victoria shook her head. "We didn't do anything. It was Mungojerrie who got Veronica to come out when he and Rumpleteazer came to see how she was holding up."
Plato was surprised to hear that Mungojerrie got Veronica outside when no other cat could. It surprised him because he and Mungojerrie were around the same age and Veronica was afraid of the rough-looking cat. "She listens to Mungojerrie?"
Victoria pointed out, "Not only that but she hugged him."
Plato's eyes narrowed a little.
"What's wrong, Plato?" asked Victoria in surprise.
Plato shook his head a little. "I'm just a little insulted."
Jemima asked, "Insulted? Why?"
Plato sat up. "Mungojerrie and I aren't that far apart in age. When Veronica and I met, she could barely look at me, let alone let me touch her hand. But then I hear that she's hugging Mungojerrie? That's an insult to all toms!"
Tumblebrutus crossed his arms. "What do you mean all toms?"
Plato looked at Tumblebrutus and Pouncival. "Did she not touch you two?"
Tumblebrutus looked up at Pouncival, who just shrugged as if to say that he didn't get what Plato was talking about. Tumblebrutus turned back to Plato and said, "She touched us."
Pouncival jumped down next to Tumblebrutus. "She was a little hesitant but she warmed up to us."
Now Plato was even more insulted than before. He was about to say something to that effect when they heard Electra and Etcetera shriek with delight. Victoria and Jemima whipped around excitedly. Rolling their eyes for they thought that Tugger had arrived, the toms turned around to confirm their suspicions. To their surprise, Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer, and Veronica were there. Each had a bag and in each bag was some food. Victoria and Jemima joined their female friends and started to pull out some food for themselves. Seeing the young toms, Mungojerrie said, "Come on over! We have enough for everyone!"
Pouncival and Tumblebrutus loped over to join the gang. Quaxo started to follow when he noticed that Plato was staring Veronica down with narrowed eyes. Quaxo said, "Don't let it bother you, Plato. She'll warm up to you. Think about it; she didn't trust me when we first met and now we're kind of friends. Just be yourself and she'll grow to like you."
Plato didn't like the fact that Quaxo, a younger tom, was giving him advice. But he nodded and the two toms joined their friends. Veronica handed some food to Quaxo and was about to give some to Plato when she looked up at who she was giving the food to. She jumped, dropped the food, and backed up, putting her arms in the "X" position on her chest. Plato turned to the younger toms and said, "See what I'm talking about?"
Veronica backed up a little more, eyes full of fear. Mungojerrie turned to her and asked, "What's wrong? Plato won't hurt you."
Veronica gave him a look that said, "You should know." Mungojerrie realized with a start why Veronica was acting so hostile. "Oh! … oh. You mean … ?"
Veronica just nodded and Mungojerrie nodded back. "I understand. I'll tell him."
Veronica smiled a little and joined the female felines in the center of the open space. However she went along the wall so she wouldn't have to be near Plato. Mungojerrie said to Plato, "Come with me. I need to tell you something."
Plato nodded and Mungojerrie took him to a secluded corner of the junkyard where they could talk in private but still be in view of the other felines. Once there, Mungojerrie sat down and gestured for Plato to join him. Plato sat down in front of Mungojerrie and said, "What is it?"
Mungojerrie looked past him at Veronica. "I'm sorry Veronica is scared of you."
Plato crossed his arms. "Yes, why is that? Alonzo and Skimbleshanks told me that she reacted the same way. I figured it was because something happened to her with an older tom. But then I hear that she's hugging you. You and I are not that far apart in age! She should be scared of you like she's scared of me!"
Mungojerrie glared at Plato. "No, she shouldn't be afraid of me! If you knew what she's been through, you would be more understanding!"
Plato said, "What has she been through that was so horrible? And why are you so special?"
Mungojerrie stood up and said quite loudly, "Because I protected her!"
Rumpleteazer shot him a glare and shook her head. Mungojerrie saw her motions and shook his head as well. Nodding once, Rumpleteazer went back to talking with the other females to divert their attention away from the two toms. Taking a breath, Mungojerrie sat back down and explained, "Veronica knew a … couple of older toms who liked to kick her around. One was around Skimbleshanks' age. The other was … not that much older than you and I."
Plato listened intently. "But then why are you so special?"
Mungojerrie smirked. "I protected her one day. I saw the tom that's around our age beating her up and I got between him and her. I was scratched a bit but I held my position until the tom left."
Mungojerrie looked Plato right in the eyes and said, "That's why she trusts me … and no other older tom. That also explains why she was able to let Pouncival and Tumblebrutus touch her. Pouncival's younger than her and Tumblebrutus is about her age, if not a few months older. Believe me, Plato, it has nothing to do with you personally. It's just your age."
With that, Mungojerrie adjourned to the front of the car where Pouncival and Tumblebrutus lounged on top.
Pouncival asked, "Why does Veronica hate Plato?"
Mungojerrie rolled his eyes. "She does not hate Plato. She's scared of any male around his age."
Hearing that, Tumblebrutus thought of something. "Mungojerrie, you're around Plato's age."
Rumpleteazer came over to the busted oven and motioned for Mungojerrie to join her. Deserting the car for his mate, Mungojerrie said over his shoulder to the two young toms, "I have a special reason as to why she likes me."
Tumblebrutus looked at Pouncival, who shrugged and said, "Maybe she likes him."
Tumblebrutus shrugged as well. "Maybe. Who knows?"
Mungojerrie went up to Rumpleteazer and asked, "What is it?"
Rumpleteazer just shoved Mungojerrie.
"What was that for?"
Rumpleteazer hissed, "You almost spilled where Veronica came from!"
"I told a half truth. I didn't say any names."
"Good. We can't be going around telling everyone Veronica's past. Do you want her to remember?"
Mungojerrie shook his head. "No. I haven't seen her smile like this since … well, since I protected her that day."
Rumpleteazer's eyes softened as she touched Mungojerrie's chest. Hidden under his fur were four long scars. "I remember that day."
Mungojerrie nodded as he took Rumpleteazer's hand. "Stop remembering. Veronica has."
Rumpleteazer nodded. "Yes. But we have to keep quiet."
Mungojerrie looked at Veronica, who was smiling at Electra teasing Etcetera. Rumpleteazer rejoined the females as Mungojerrie let his gaze linger on Veronica for a moment. He looked over at Plato, who was still in the corner, and nodded. Plato went over to Veronica, who hid behind Rumpleteazer. Plato said, "Mungojerrie explained to me … why you act like you do. I understand. But you should understand that I'm not like those toms."
Etcetera asked, "What toms?"
Plato told her, "I'll tell you later. Veronica … I would like you trust me."
After he said that, he held out his hand. Veronica debated in her mind on whether or not she should touch Plato's hand. She then started to reach for Plato's hand. But just before she touched his hand, Veronica took her hand back. She gave Plato the apologizing eyes and he said, "That's fine. But I hope you can learn to trust me."
Victoria said, "You can trust him, Veronica. He's a good, strong, dependable tom."
Veronica just barely shrugged as she emerged a little from behind Rumpleteazer. Still a little hurt, Plato sat in front of the car and Pouncival and Tumblebrutus talked to him a little. Veronica felt guilty but didn't let her emotions show, and tried to listen to the females' wide and varied talk.
