The Beauty Underneath
Chapter Seven – Growing Up
Jemima
As the moonlight cast a silhouette on the junkyard, she felt her chest tighten with worry. Her lip trembling gently, she felt her rigid body relax slightly as a gentle hand came down onto her shoulder, turning slightly she was greeted by the face of her protective…'uncle.'
She still wasn't used to the concept that her protector actually turned out to be blood relation. However, she gave the tom a meek half smile before turning her view back to the clearing. With a hoarse smile, the silver tom put his arm around her and pulled her closer so that they were touching side by side.
"You know, Demeter is very proud of you," he said, his tone light. Jemima flinched; pleasing the golden queen was not her intention, she had merely tried to get by without endangering her own mental state. It seemed there were many people who were 'proud' of her however.
"You've grown up so fast Jemima, I remember when Skimble and Jenny first walked you around the junkyards... I could pick you up in one hand then. And now look at you, so mature."
He gave a gentle sniff, as if he was saying goodbye to his own kitten. With a small chortle he patted her shoulder and rubbed her head so that her head fur flicked her out in a messy elfin way. Skimbleshanks sighed and approached the two; his arms wide open for his adopted daughter.
Jemima gave a small smile and allowed herself to be held by the father figure she had grown to love. He felt tears sting at his green eyes and Munkustrap nodded respectfully before sidling away into the darkness.
Skimble felt the small girl in his arms shake gently; he kissed the top of her head soothingly and looked down to see tears falling down her face. The peculiar thing, however, was that her face showed no remorse, no nerves, nothing negative at all. It was quite the opposite in fact; she had a smile stretched across her gentle face and her eyes, behind the tears, had lit up.
Pulling away, he blinked at her before asking, "Are you okay, sweetheart?"
She gave a little giggle before barely whispering, "Just nervous I guess…"
The ginger tom smiled and put his arm around her before leading her into the clearing where the cats were preparing for dance numbers and songs. Jemima had forgotten how sweet the pre ball feeling was, forgotten how the adrenaline and anticipation pumped through her veins like anesthetic. The movements and notes emanating from her fellow jellicles made her feel safe.
"Maybe you'll feel better when it's actually happening, lovely...Now," he stopped abruptly, so much so that she almost walked into him, "I don't think the queens would ever forgive me if I deprived them of their annual pampering session. Hop along to Victoria's den now, okay?"
The girl in front of him huffed. She was not one to sit still whilst someone dabbed at her, however giving a determined breath and an obviously false smile she let herself be escorted to her friends.
Bombalurina
"Hold still."
"Can you just look up for me, sweetheart?"
"Tilt your head!"
Bombalurina laughed softly as she watched her niece being prodded by over eager elder cats. The red bombshell and her golden sister held back and simply observed since there was still a tense aura about them all, however, she couldn't feel proud that her sister had produced such a beauty. Jemima sat obediently as the females crowding her attempted to sort out her unruly fur, it made Bombalurina smile as she reminisced about her coming of age and how she was persistent on how no one would take over her limelight or stress her out.
"Your. Damn. Hair," her deep eyes turned to see Etcetera jokingly attack the sitting Jemima's head fur, "I don't know how you've been laden down with it."
It was meant to be a joke, Bombalurina knew this, everyone did. However, she felt a hiss emerge from her lips as she snarled at the tabby girl. The smaller Etcetera held her paws up defensively, "Woah, chill out."
Bombalurina usually would have laughed it off, blamed it on 'women problems' and moved on but when she saw the expression on both her sister and her niece's face, she could feel nothing but spite for the girl. Demeter looked away uncomfortably and Jemima had her face hidden by looking down at the floor.
The bombshell shrugged and got up, bumping the tabby with her hip, "Out of my way then kiddies. Let the master take over."
She gave a hoarse chuckle and tilted Jemima's head forward so that her niece's unique almond eyes met with her own sensual narrowed one. Giving a soft smile she murmured,
"You have lovely hair," before letting her fingers dance in each flick and curl of Jemima's head fur so that it looked tidier. Her ruby lips pressed against her forehead when she was finished, as if confirming she was done. The girl looked up into her Aunt's face and gave her a sweet smile, when Bombalurina turned around to return to her usual sitting position, she saw that Demeter was smiling too.
Pouncival
As usual, the ball had lived up to all the promises made. All the dances went past flawless, each note sang impeccably and each routine mesmerizing. He grinned, the thought that they had gotten to the invitation to the jellicle ball and there had not been one visit from the Hidden Paw was sweet and he wouldn't have believed it if he wasn't there.
However now as the music slowed down and the lights seemed to dim, he shivered with anxiety. He felt his older brother pat his shoulder reassuringly and a few people murmured encouragements as they all drowsily lay down around the center.
All worries, however, was replaced with ecstasy as he saw his dearest step into the moonlight. Her own lips trembled with nerves and he saw her body shake gently as everyone's eyes fell upon her. He stepped forward and he saw that she relaxed slightly seeing that a close friend would help her though it. They went through the whole usual routine that every cat did but as he nuzzled her cheek and felt her breath shudder as he lifted her frame above his head that he wanted so much more that what was happening.
He was chosen to dance with her but he wanted to know that even though he didn't really have a choice, he would have done it anyway. He wanted to be the closest to her, he wanted to see her smiling face first thing in the morning and last thing in night. Whilst everyone lay down to sleep, he just watched her. She slept with her brow puckered and her lips pursed, as if she was worrying about something. He put his arms around her and ran a hand down her back. He didn't want her to be scared or worried, he wanted her to be able to experience the happiness he was.
As if on cue, Skimbleshanks bolted upright and sniffed the air, Pouncival stiffened knowing what was coming. One by one, each cat lifted their heads and looked around fearfully.
There was a bang and a bloodcurdling laugh fell upon the junkyard.
Macavity
Oh, he had been watching. Of course he had been watching. What father wouldn't want to see his little girl growing up? He flinched and winced as she was tossed around by the foolish tom that had attempted to challenge him the last time he had tried to get in touch with his sweet.
What disgusted him though, was that Demeter just watched as if she was watching a relatively interesting sports game. She showed no emotion, no smiles, not even grimaces.
When they all gathered for their usual group nap, Macavity jumped on the car so that a crash echoed around the junkyard and laughed when they all looked around, alarmed variations of expressions painted over each face. Macavity gave another smile and he jumped into the clearing.
Everyone had separated, holding onto loved ones. The only people in the clearing were Jemima and the tom Macavity was losing patience with. It seemed that various members of the tribe were holding all Munkustrap, Demeter and Skimbleshanks back. He smiled at all of their worried faces before saying with curt politeness,
"Why so quiet everyone? Please continue with your festivities."
The tom stood in front of Jemima, his torso facing her own but his face was turned so that he was looking Macavity in the eye. Jemima peeked over his shoulder and so that she could get a good look at her father. The ginger tom sighed and started to play with his claws slightly,
"Oh dear, oh dear. Silly little boy, if you do not step aside I'll have to make you." The tom's frame only became more protectively rigid, Macavity mentally counted to five before smirking. "Have it your way," he murmured, nodding with feigned courtesy before smacking the younger tom with his claws unsheathed so that several gashes slit his cheek.
The boy fell sideways, hitting the ground as hisses and snarls reverberated off the walls of rubbish. Jemima immediately went to her knees and cradled the other's injured body as he flinched, holding his hand in front of his wounds as if to hide from her prying eyes.
"You hurt him," she whispered icily, her eyes narrowing as she looked up into her father's face. The ginger tom instantly felt weak, he stroked his daughter's cheek and ignored it when she turned her face away from him. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her away from her friend's side.
"I've been gentle since now, but I must have you see reason," he muttered as she scrambled to get away from him. He picked her up over his shoulders in a fireman's lift and started to run.
As soon as he got through the gates he heard a pair of feet running after him. He assumed it was the stupid tom and turned around, bracing himself for the impact. Only to be surprised when Demeter's eyes bore into his own and ran into him full force.
As he fell he started to laugh.
Stupid woman… he thought to himself with a slight snigger, you could have just asked if you wanted to join us.
And with that, Macavity was embraced by his two girl's screams as they found themselves in the room full of lilies.