The Story of Tiberius

Chapter 74

"Ivory's a little late," Tiberius murmured to himself. The hawk was laying on the floor of his shed like he usually did. Though he had his hood on, he could tell that it was approaching midnight. And yet the sphynx cat still hadn't showed up. Recalling how the feline hadn't been feeling the greatest for the past week and a half, the red tailed hawk assumed that she had probably come down with something and just couldn't make the trip tonight. Before he could fall asleep though, he lifted his head when he heard her familiar footsteps on the rooftop. A moment later, his hood was pulled off to reveal Ivory.

Getting a good look at her bloodshot eyes, Tiberius knew that Ivory had been crying not long ago, most likely another fight with her mate Rex. Seeing that she was probably going to collapse, he instinctively caught her in his wings and gently pulled her into an embrace. Crying all over again, Ivory buried her face into his shoulder. Ignoring the tears that were soaking his feathers, Tiberius quietly patted her on the back as he whispered, "It's alright. You're safe now."

"No I'm not. None of us are. Someone's seeking to kill Rex and quite possibly all the Alley Cats," Ivory whimpered, pulling her head back so she could look Tiberius in the eye. The hawk could not believe what he had just heard. Tears rolling down her cheeks and whiskers, the hairless feline explained, "There is this pack of dogs that is led by this dangerous pitbull. No one has ever heard of these guys before, except for my mate. I think they struck up a deal or something but I don't know what. And now..."

"You think something happened to where this pitbull wants revenge and plots to kill your mate?" Tiberius guessed. Her whiskers drooping, Ivory slowly nodded her head. Burying her face into the hawk's chest, she mumbled, "My mate fears that I could be killed as well."

"Because you're his mate?"

"Because I'm pregnant with his kittens."

Now this was news to Tiberius. Looking Ivory up and down, he never would've guess that she was pregnant. Sure, her stomach had a slight curve to it and she had told him about her recent increase in appetite. But other than that, she didn't look like she was going to be a mother. "How long have you been..." the hawk asked, his voice fading near the end. He was guessing that it was probably going to be a week or so. Glancing down at her side, Ivory meowed, "I know I don't look like it but, according to Doc, I've been pregnant for a month and a week. Almost as long as I've known you."

"Seriously?!"

"Yeah. And Rex thinks that it's because of them that I could be a target."

"Don't you two live with like... a whole group of cats?"

"Have you met a pitbull?"

"Uh... no."

"I'm not saying this about the entire breed but this guy is one of those dogs that just ruin it for everyone else. You catch my drift?"

"I think so..."

"This dog could kill the entire group before we'd notice what's going on. We can't fight him on our own."

"Now that sounds bad."

"It's so bad that my mate is going into hiding."

"What about you?"

Ivory didn't answer Tiberius's question right away. Staring at her tiny paws while her long tail wrapped around her, she mumbled, "He thinks that the kits and I would be safe if I wasn't around him." Putting the pieces of the puzzle together in his head, the hawk looked down at the feline before him as he murmured, "In other words, he... left you to fend for yourself." Shoulders shaking greatly, the hairless cat cried, "I don't know what to do. We're both supposed to stay away from the Alley Cats until the threat is past but I can't survive on my own. And there's nowhere safe in New York City." Looking up at the red tail, she went on, "And don't try suggesting that I stay with you. This dog would kill you too."

Still holding the crying cat in his wings, Tiberius gently hugged Ivory. His mind filled up with thousands of ideas to help his friend out. Declining one after the other, he at last thought of one that could work. There was a slight cost though that came with it but it was probably the only way to save her. "Ivory, I have a plan," he whispered. Looking up at the hawk, the hairless cat mumbled, "Can you tell me about it in the morning? I'm a little tired." Nodding his head, the red tail murmured, "Just pick a spot anywhere. Mi casa, su casa." Laying down in his corner, Tiberius was about to fall asleep when he felt Ivory curl up beside him. Purring slightly, he rolled over onto his side and placed a wing over her to keep the hairless cat warm that early October night while the feline used the hawk's chest as a pillow. The two slept peacefully together.