Finally! Third Chapter Up!
Chapter 3: Singing Lessons, And Tears
Imarina turned over in her new comfy nest. She bumped into her father, who chuckled as she nestled into his mane like she did when she was a kitten. She played with it as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Morning Daddy." She said, giggling. Tugger smiled, kissing her forehead.
"Good morning my little girl." He said, laughing as she got up and stretched. He smiled. Imarina looked so much like her mother. A pang of heartbreak ran through his body, but he choked it down. Imarina pulled at his tail, making him yowl.
"What was that for?" He said, swatting at her playfully. Imarina giggled.
"Get up sleepy head." She said, pulling at it again, before running out of the den. Tugger sighed.
"Still my little girl." He said, groaning as he got up. His legs were stiff still from the fight with the Pollicles, but he didn't mind. At least he had his daughter back. He walked out to see Imarina run out and tackle Mistoffelees, who rolled over and swatted at her. Alonzo joined them, pulling at her ear and picking her up. She sank into his body, shrieking for him to put her down.
"Hey Tugger." Tugger looked to see Munkustrap sitting beside him, looking as the bundle fought. Tugger smirked.
"Looks like you're an uncle again huh Munkus?" He said. Munkustrap grinned.
"I'm glad. I missed her as much as you did." He said, then watched as Alonzo batted softly at Imarina, who was on top of him.
"Funny." Tugger looked at him.
"I've never seen Alonzo ever leave his post from the yard. Not since Exotica. . ." He said, then stopped. Tugger sighed, looking over at Cassandra. The Abyssinian queen had been Bombalurina's friend for the longest time. Exotica was Cassandra's little sister. They had been inseperable. Alonzo had dated Exotica for some time, before the war, when two toms brutally murdered her as one held Alonzo back to watch. He hadn't been the same since. Cassandra went into a depressed state, only talking to Admetus sometimes, but that was it. Tugger shook his head.
"I think your little girl has broken through to him." Munkustrap said, pointing as Imarina pounced on Alonzo's back, who laughed as Mistoffelees pulled her off. Tugger growled, suddenly growing a protectiveness over her. Munk laughed.
Imarina giggled, batting at Alonzo's tail as he stood over her, growling playfully. He jumped off, allowing her to get up. He looked over at Skimbleshanks who called him, and walked over. Imarina sat up, licking her paw and dragging it over her ear to get the dirt off. Misto looked at Alonzo.
"I've never seen him so happy since Exotica died." He said, making Rina look at him.
"He used to be in love with Cassie's sister. But then she was killed. He got depressed, then you come around and he's happy again. It's just strange." Misto explained, shrugging. Imarina smiled.
"Rina!" Imarina squealed, seeing Coricopat and Tantomile as they walked over, smiling. She pushed between them, purring as her best friend gave her a gentle lick on each ear. Tantomile hugged her adopted little sister, as Cori ruffled her head fur. She smiled, then hugged Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, who came barreling over when they heard she had returned. Imarina laughed, looking over where Jemima was sitting with Victoria. Vicky looked away and entered the den she shared with Jemima.
"Excuse me guys." She said, then walked over to Jemima.
"Hey Jemmy. Can I talk to Vicky?" She asked. Jemima nodded, then entered with her. Vicky was sniffling in the corner of the den.
"Vicky you sound like me now." She said, walking over to Victoria, who looked at them. She pulled her leg up, wincing as it hurt.
"Go have fun Rina. I don't want to spoil it since I can't do anything." She said, sighing.
"Hmm. Have you ever tried something other than dancing? Like singing?" She asked. Jemima shot her a look, but Imarina ignored it for a second. Vicky was looking at her.
"I mean I do like to sing. But that's Jemmy's talent. Not mine." She said.
"I'm sure Jemmy can share her talent. Can't you Jemmy?" She asked, looking at Jemima. Jemima finally got where she was going.
"Of course I can for my best friend." She said, giggling.
"There you have it Vicky. Your new talent. Use it well." She said. Vicky giggled, hugging Imarina.
"Thank you Rina." She said. Rina giggled, pulling back. She helped Victoria up and they walked out of the den and into the sunlight. Vicky enjoyed the warmth She sat down in the clearing, where Cori, Tant, Teazer, Mungo, Misto, Alonzo, and the two brother Pouncival and Tumblebrutus were sitting.
"So what really happened to you that night? And what brought you back here Rina?" Tumblebrutus asked. Rina smiled, sitting in the middle of the clearing.
"Well when Dad had been attacked by the Pollicles and told me to run, I was being chased by another Pollicle. I hid in an alley as it tried to locate me. But another cat attacked it, sending it yelping away. A female cat, named Tamira coaxed me out of my hiding spot. Her and her brother, Rilan, took me in and soon I became Rychel." She explained. The cats listened intently.
"I had noticed how Rilan was growing quite attached to me. He had trained me to be a fighter, but. Yesterday we had went hunting alone. I went to get a mouse when he had pinned me against a wall and kissed me roughly. I couldn't pull away. Then Tamira attacked her own brother and I ran away. That's when Alonzo found me and brought me here." She finished, looking at the cats.
"That must have been horrible." Jemima exclaimed.
"Did he try to. . .mate with you?" Vicky asked. Imarina nodded.
"I hope I never see him again. To think I trusted that tom. He even took my. . .bracelet." She sighed, looking at her naked wrist.
"My mom's bracelet. She gave it to me when my eyes had first opened. It was special to her since she got it from her owner. She wanted me to pass it down to my daughter one day." She said softly, forgetting that everyone was watching, including her father. She sniffled, feeling tears sting her eyes. She remembered the silver bracelet with the purple jewels encrusted on it surrounded by gold. She loved that bracelet. But one day when she was battling Rilan, she took it off to protect it, and never saw it again.
"Rina?" Imarina snapped back to reality, looking at her friends and her father, who frowned. She sighed.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, then tore through the group, running away. Alonzo went to go after her, when Misto held her back, pointing as Tugger went after her.
Imarina tore through the junk. She tripped and fell, curling up and crying as she remembered her mother and brothers. Tugger stopped, looking at his daughter.
"You look like your mother when you cry." He said. Imarina looked at her father, before laying her head back down and crying some more. Tugger stooped down by her, picking her off the ground and cradling her to his chest as she cried into his mane.
"I miss Mommy, Daddy. I miss her, and Deuce and Luca." She sobbed.
"I know baby. I know." He soothed, rubbing her back as it shook in sobs. Imarina's grip tightened in his mane as she shook.
"Do you think they're still alive somewhere Dad?" She asked. Tugger looked at her blue eyes.
"Somewhere baby. Somewhere." He lied mostly. He didn't know if they were alive or not either. Imarina sighed.
"Sing Mommy's song Daddy. Please?" She asked. Tugger looked at her, chuckling a little, before closing his eyes and singing the song he first sung to Bombalurina a long time ago.
If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad today?
If you're not the one then why does my hand fit yours this way?
If you are not mine then why does your heart return my call?
If you are not mine would I have the strength to stand at all?
I never know what the future brings
But I know you're here with me now
We'll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with
I don't wanna run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?
If I don't need you then why am I crying on my bed?
If I don't need you then why does your name resound in my head?
If you're not for me then why does this distance maim my life?
If you're not for me then why do I dream of you as my wife?
I don't know life so far away
But I know that its just a trip
We'll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with
And I wish that you could be the one I die with
And I'm praying you're the one I'Ve build my home with
I hope I love you all my life
I don't wanna run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?
'Cause I miss you, body and soul so strong that it takes my breath away
And I breathe you into my heart and pray for the strength to stand today
'Cause I love you, whether it's wrong or right
And though I can't be with you tonight
You know my heart is by your side
I don't wanna run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?
Tugger finished the song and looked down at Imarina. She was smiling with her eyes closed, her breathing even. Tugger chuckled, kissing her forehead, before picking her up and heading back to the junkyard.
Song is "If You're Not The One" By Daniel Bedingfield. Sorry its short. REVIEW!