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 10: Returning to Love
After Anonmusent forced Ringmenka away, the cats continued on with the Jellicle Ball but they acted like Ringmenka had never existed. They couldn't believe that Macavity's daughter had been right under their noses acting as spy for her Father. The cats acted like they didn't care what would happen to her. That is, almost all of them didn't care.
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were very worried about their friend. They knew how dangerous Macavity and Anonmusent were. They'd seen firsthand what the father/son duo could do to the young queen. Now that she was back after two years of hiding, they could only guess what her family would do. They were too afraid for their own lives to go save her; however, they weren't the only cats who were worried about the red feline.
Victoria and Quaxo were even more worried. Ringmenka was Victoria's best friend. The white cat was worried that she wouldn't see her red friend again. Quaxo was worried for Ringmenka's life. He feared that she would be killed. Because of this, he was very distracted, and he wanted to go rescue the queen he cared for. But he thought that her brother had taken her back to Macavity's hideout. Little did he or the rest of the cats know that she and her brother were closer than they expected. In fact, they were only about twenty paces away.
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Anonmusent sat on top of a busted comfy chair where he had pushed Ringmenka down on the seat. She was lying on her stomach, crying. Rolling his eyes, her brother hissed, "Will you stop that crying? It's getting very annoying."
Ringmenka glared up at him and sniffed. "They … hate me now. They hate me … " she glared up at her brother, " … all because of a lie you told them! How dare you say that I would help Macavity!"
Anonmusent glared back. "I had to lie. You of all cats know what a brilliant liar I am. And how dare you speak about Father without respect!"
Ringmenka jumped down to the ground. "I never speak about that fiend with respect! I hate him! I've always hated him! I will say that to his face when he gets here!"
An older male voice rang out behind her, "Say what to my face?"
Anonmusent smirked, jumped down on the ground, and bowed. Ringmenka's eyes grew wide and she swallowed hard. She slowly turned around to see Macavity. She froze and bit her lip, growing very scared. Macavity raised his eyebrow and said, "Were you going to say something to me, Ringmenka?"
Ringmenka hesitated and Macavity lashed out, scratching her arm. She kept her cry in as she clutched her arm. The fiend said, "Two years and you forget my rule? Never speak unless I tell you to? Now I asked you a question … and I demand an answer."
Ringmenka sighed and shook her head. "I wasn't going to say anything … sir."
Her ears lowered in shame when she heard the song to signal the beginning of the annual Jellicle dance begin. She lifted her head a little as Macavity and Anonmusent talked amongst themselves for a moment. "Anonmusent, this is your training attack. What do you intend to do?"
Anonmusent smirked. "For one thing, I'm going to kill every one of them."
Ringmenka hissed, "You leave the tribe alone."
The two males looked at her in surprise. Macavity roughly grabbed her arm and hissed, "Did I give you permission to speak?"
Ringmenka looked into his eyes and hissed back, "No … and I don't care. I don't care for your rules … I don't care for your family … and frankly … I don't care for you."
Macavity scratched her arm and she clutched her arm.
"You've gone too far," he hissed.
Ringmenka glared at him. "Like I said … I don't care."
As they were arguing, Anonmusent peered shiftily at the tribe. As Quaxo sang, Anonmusent turned and saw Ringmenka smile blearily, inducing Macavity to rake at her again. Her brother took another look at the black cat and grinned evilly. He would have leapt to attack if Macavity hadn't said sharply, "Anonmusent, get over here!"
Anonmusent obeyed but not before glancing craftily at the younger black cat, and smirking evilly. When he rejoined his father's side, he saw that Ringmenka was on her knees, covered in scratches. Her ribbon was also ripped up.
"It seems that your sister has developed an attitude during her little vacation. Since this attack is yours … I'll leave her to your claws to punish."
Anonmusent was surprised. "Really? I can punish her? But you've never allowed me to give her anything other than a few kicks and scratches. You had all the fun."
Macavity slightly nodded as Ringmenka looked up to reveal a new scratch on her left cheek. "Well … someday you may have a kitten like her. Think of this as training. Make me proud." With that, the fearsome cat disappeared.
Anonmusent chuckled as Ringmenka stood up, holding her left arm. He grabbed her and started to drag her away, but she refused to move. He tried to make her come but she ripped free of him and shot up on top of a garbage pile, looked at the moon, and sang the last line of the song with the tribe.
Anonmusent pulled her down by her tail and pulled her joltingly up to a standing position. He smirked evilly and began circling her, tail twitching rudely.
"You know … I noticed that you reacted when that little black cat sang. I figure that you have feelings for the little feline, am I right? I also suppose that's where you got that ribbon you're wearing."
Ringmenka refused to answer. Anonmusent chuckled.
"Well … since you won't live long enough to stop me … let me tell you what I am going to do to your friends. My original plan was to kill every cat in the tribe. But after taking a look at them, I've decided to change my plan a little. I will still kill them. But … I was thinking of taking that pretty white queen as my mate."
Ringmenka's eyes slightly widened and Anonmusent saw this. He stopped in front of her and said, "Also … I've got a special plan for that little black cat. Since you seem to care for him … I'm going to finish him … nice … and slow."
Ringmenka's eyes grew wide and her face twisted into a scowl.
Anonmusent asked, "What's with that look?"
Ringmenka lowered her head a little, still glaring at her brother, and hissed, "You touch one strand of fur on his body … I'll rip your throat off."
Anonmusent's eyes grew wide. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she was dead serious. But then he smirked.
"How do you expect to do that? I'm a better fighter than you could ever be."
Ringmenka smirked back. "True. But you'll have to catch me first."
Anonmusent scoffed. "What does that mean?"
Ringmenka smirked more. "I know this junkyard like the back of my hand."
With that, she jumped behind the comfy seat. Anonmusent shook his head and went behind the seat to attack her. But she wasn't there. Confused, he glanced around for some sign of movement. He didn't see her sneak up behind him until she nicked his back. He winced and turned around to see her.
"So … after all this time, you decide to get violent. But you're becoming like Father to the wrong tom."
Ringmenka hissed. "Never say that I'm like that cat! I will never become like him!"
Anonmusent smirked and bared his claws. "I figured. Why else would he kick you out?"
Ringmenka revealed her claws. "That was the happiest day of my life. But let's not talk about the past now. I have a tribe to protect."
Anonmusent chuckled evilly and posed for attack. "You mean a tribe who doesn't care if you die."
Ringmenka hissed loudly and attacked her brother. The two siblings fought a heated battle. Fur flew, claws scratched, and mouths bit. Finally Ringmenka collapsed in pain, covered in more scratches and bites. Still standing, Anonmusent caught his breath and looked down at the lacerations on his body.
"Wow. Who would have thought that you could be a formidable opponent? But it's time I ended this."
Ringmenka considered him and got an idea. She limped to her feet and took off and Anonmusent followed her. She continued to run, ignoring her pain, until she came to a tall pile of metal garbage cans. Smirking and panting, she turned to her brother, who said, "Enough stalling. I should have done this ages ago."
Ringmenka smirked some more. "Come and get me."
Anonmusent grinned evilly and charged. But before he could reach her, she hit the pile with her body, wincing at her injuries. The top one fell and landed bottom side up right on top of Anonmusent. Ringmenka chuckled. "Hope I never see you again."
Ringmenka started to head back to the open area but stopped for a moment to catch her breath. She knew that she was badly beat up but she had to go back and explain everything to the tribe. So she gritted her teeth and headed off, leaving Anonmusent to struggle out from under the garbage can.
When Ringmenka finally made it back, she hesitated by the right side of the radio for a moment and watched. She didn't notice that another young queen was watching from the left side of the radio. At that time, Quaxo and Tumblebrutus were doing a dance duet. Ringmenka smiled and said quietly, "Oh Quaxo … I'm so glad that you're not going to get killed."
She paused as she registered what she had just said. She was worried about Quaxo, not Mistoffelees. She wondered if that meant that she loved Quaxo the most. Without realizing, she removed her ribbon and put it aside. When the cats went to the edge of the open area, she jumped down and stumbled to the ground because of her injuries. Everyone was startled but turned away. Plato leapt in front of Victoria. Admetus made Quaxo look away but not before Quaxo noticed her ribbon was gone. Only Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer continued to watch the red Jellicle. Mungojerrie would have gone to her but she looked at him and held her hand out, shaking her head. As she slowly stood up, Munkustrap approached her and hissed, "Why have you come back?"
Ringmenka held her side. "I'm not the type to run from family."
"You ran from your last family."
Ringmenka glared at the silver tabby. "I was kicked out! And I was happy to leave."
"You were happy to leave Macavity … your father?"
Ringmenka covered her ears and snapped, "Shut up! Don't say that! I hate them! I hate Anonmusent! I hate Griddlebone! I hate Macavity!"
Munkustrap was surprised at her reaction. "You hate your family?"
"I am not like them! That family requires its members be evil! I am not! In fact, I am their complete opposite! Why else would Macavity abuse me like he did?"
Munkustrap raised his eyebrow. Mungojerrie nodded helpfully as he remembered the events that he had seen. Plato murmured, "Were her Father and brother the two toms you told me about?"
Mungojerrie nodded again. Ringmenka took a deep breath and lifted her left arm to the silver tabby. Munkustrap backed up a little and Ringmenka said, "Stop it. I'm just showing you evidence of my past. This was his favorite arm to scratch for some reason. Come look."
Munkustrap didn't believe her at first but then took a look at her arm. Under her fur were numerous scratch scars along with her fresh scratches. Looking up, he could barely make out scars on her head and body. He backed up as she said, "Now do you believe me?"
Munkustrap still didn't. "If your life has been as horrible as you say … then why did Anonmusent say that you came up with the plan to spy on our tribe?"
Ringmenka looked Munkustrap straight in the eye. "He lied. He's a brilliant liar. Macavity made sure of that. But … I would never help that fiend. Why would I want to harm the tribe I envy and want to be a part of?"
The cats sensed that she was telling the truth and started to turn to look at her. Still keeping his guard up, Munkustrap looked away. Ringmenka got on her knees and took his hand. "Please … I beg you … believe me. Even if I was a spy, which I'm not … I never would have come. I would never even think of putting this tribe into harm's way. I especially would never try to kill you. You're the perfect older brother … the older brother I've been looking for. The same can be said to the rest of the tribe. You're all my family … a family I love deeply. Please … "
Munkustrap didn't know what to do. Turning his head uncertainly to Old Deuteronomy, he saw the Jellicle leader nod. He also saw Mungojerrie nod. With a deep breath, Munkustrap stood Ringmenka up, gestured with his arm for her to stay and retook his place by Old Deuteronomy. Ringmenka could feel the stares of the cats and sighed. "I'm sure that you still don't trust me. I understand. I'll make you a deal. I'll stay until the end of the mating dance. If no one comes to me … I'll leave and never return."
She then put her arms in a gentle "X" formation on her chest, looked to her left, and closed her eyes. The cats didn't expect her to say what she just said. Victoria murmured to Quaxo, "Can you believe it? She's going to leave … forever!"
Quaxo looked at Ringmenka and shook his head. "No, she's not."
Ringmenka waited, expecting no one to approach her. But her ears picked up a cat approaching her and the cats' gasps. She turned her head and opened her eyes. It was Quaxo. She was surprised for she thought that no cat would want to be near her now that they knew where she came from. She took two steps forward and he made the motion, telling her that he wanted to be her mate. This startled her and she padded a few steps back. He smiled and nodded. Smiling as well, she started to perform the mating dance with Quaxo. Watching them, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer smiled. As they danced, Quaxo noticed that Ringmenka had a few tears running down her face. "What's the matter? Aren't you happy?" he asked.
Sniffing, Ringmenka said, "Yes … that's why I'm crying."
Quaxo smiled. As the rest of the tribe started to close in on them, Ringmenka came to a realization. She finally figured out which personality she loved the most. As the mating dance came to an end, she whispered, "Quaxo … I love you."
Quaxo smiled and whispered back, "I love you, too."
The peace was momentary, however. Coricopat and Tantomile shot up, sensing something. Then Quaxo reacted as well. They looked around, wondering where the outsider was. Soon everyone reacted and looked as well. Ringmenka was too busy drowning in her happiness to notice. Looking up at the broken radio, Quaxo pointed out a young outsider on the left side of the radio, looking at Ringmenka.
She was about Etcetera's age. She was smokey gray with white arms and legs. Her chest and face were white as well. She had a diamond collar on. The cats would have welcomed her but there was something about her that they did not accept. She reeked of Anonmusent. Alonzo went to send her away as the others started the fancy dance to show the outsider what they had that she would probably never have. The outsider moved away from the radio but still stayed to watch. She was impressed with the dance and tried to imitate it but was continually distracted by the different moves. Finally she gave up and just watched.
Ringmenka, on the other hand, was having the time of her life doing the dance. She didn't even notice the outsider, who couldn't look away from the red Jellicle. Ringmenka felt happier than ever before. In her mind, she was finally home. She had a family who cared for her, despite her flaws. She had friends who liked to be around her, despite her past. But most of all, she had someone who loved her for who she was. As she and the other five young queens took center stage with her leading the way, she realized that she was extremely lucky to have what she had and danced her heart out.
But when she and Rumpleteazer went to the side for a moment, her friend noticed something. Ringmenka's scratches were opening up.
"Stop dancing! You're hurting yourself!"
Ringmenka just laughed. "No way! I'm not stopping until the very end!"
Rumpleteazer tried to stop her but Ringmenka started to dance with the final small ensemble in place of her tiger-striped friend. Rumpleteazer shook her head at her friend's stubbornness but then smiled when she saw how happy the red Jellicle was.
However, towards the end of the dance, Ringmenka couldn't ignore the pain. Nevertheless she grit her teeth and refused to stop. The thought that kept her going was, "For the first time in my life … I'm truly happy." When the dance did stop, she collapsed. She then saw how open her scratches were. Quaxo immediately went to her and helped her away to have her wounds treated. When they were out of sight, the young outsider slipped away. She tried to get out without being seen but she ran right into Anonmusent, who scowled at her. "Who told you you could leave your room?"
The young queen hesitated. Anonmusent grabbed the back of her neck and lifted her up. "I'm taking you back and making sure you stay there."
She swallowed hard and said in a third class English cat accent, "I just … wanted to see … my friend again."
Anonmusent laughed. "Ringmenka doesn't even know you're here. She has no idea that you're mine. Even if she did … she would never come and get you. That would mean facing Father and me. She will never do that. Just get used to this little arrangement."
The queen lowered her head as Anonmusent put her on his back and took her away. She whispered, "Ringmenka … help me."
