Whew! Sorry that took so long to update! I had to think of something to continue the story, and, well, here it is! Enjoy!


Tugger and I had begun noticing a change in our daughter's behavior. She was normally quiet, just like how she was from birth, but lately she started avoiding contact. Whenever Tugger, her family, her friends, or I tried to touch her, she backed off. She kept herself isolated from everyone, either hiding in different places everyday so we couldn't find her, or staying in her room.

Tugger and I eventually gave up trying to coax her to tell us what was wrong. Fairuza and Ovahad were desperate to get their friend back. None of us thought about what might have happened between her and Reed until one particular day.

"Is Tara any better?" Fairuza asked me one day.

I shook my head sadly. "No."

"Con we see if she wonts tah play?" Ovahad asked.

"You can try," I sighed. "I can't make you any promises, though." The kittens scampered into our den. Tugger came up and put him arm around my waist, nuzzling my head. "Maybe Tantomile and Coricopat can tell us what's wrong," I said hopefully.

Tugger shrugged. "It's worth a shot." Before we made a move to see the twin mystics, we heard a shriek from inside the den. We rushed inside to see Chartara holding her arms across her body and trembling violently. Fairuza and Ovahad were on the ground, looking at her in shock.

"What happened?" I asked.

"We came insoide tah get Tara, but she yolled os soon os we touched 'er ond pushed us down," Ovahad replied.

"I think you two had better go home," Tugger said. He looked like he knew something that I didn't. The kittens nodded and ran out of the den. Tugger came closer to Chartara and crouched down so he was eye – level with her.

"Go away!" She cried, hugging herself, avoiding his gaze.

"Chartara," Tugger said quietly. "Tell me: what exactly did Reed do to you?" She shook her head, refusing to say anything. "Chartara," he said more sternly. "Look at me." Slowly she looked at Tugger. "What. Did. He. Do?"

It took her a few moments before responding. "Things that hurt. Things I didn't want him to."

Tugger's eyes widened and narrowed in suspicion. "Did he touch you in bad ways?" Chartara only looked down, which gave Tugger all the confirmation he needed. My paw flew to my mouth. Reed was a horrible, horrible tom! It made me wish he was still alive so I could hurt him for doing that to our daughter! Tugger stood up and grabbed my paw. We went outside and he led me to Jenny. Jenny looked at our upset faces and quickly put down her knitting.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Reed is a disgusting tom!" I blurted out, tears falling down my face. Jenny held me close to her and I sobbed into her shoulder.

"What happened?" Jenny looked to Tugger.

"We just found out Reed did inappropriate things to Chartara," Tugger growled.

Jenny gasped. "Well, I suppose she shows the signs. It's just never happened before in the tribe. I should have recognized the signs as soon as she began showing them…"

"It's not your fault," I said as I stepped away from Jenny and back to Tugger. "We didn't know, either."

"Well, if you want, I can help her get over her fears," Jenny offered. "I'll spend a lot of time with her, trying to help her let go of everything that happened."

"Really?" I perked up. "You would do that for her?"

Jenny nodded. "Anything for you and your family."

"We'll bring her by tomorrow," Tugger said. "Thank you so much Jenny." We waved and walked back to the den. Chartara seemed to have gotten over her short period of horror and was happily playing with her ball of yarn. Tugger and I glanced at each other.

How long would it take for her to be back to normal?