Stray Cat

Disclaimer: I'm just borrowing some of my favorite characters and their setting. This story and the OC, Kara are mine. I'm not making any money off of this. This first chapter is relatively clean. I've done a little editing here to improve readability. This is a story with sexual content and adult themes. While I do write PWP, this isn't that kind of story. For those who asked, there may indeed be a sequel coming. I thought I was done with Kara. But it seems she's not done with me.

Chapter One: Abandonment

Wolverine prowled through the grounds around the large fortress-like structure. His team-mate Nightcrawler accompanied him, staying just at the edge of his vision. The bastard that built this place was richer than any man had a right to be and had used his money to buy whatever and whoever he wanted. The rest of the team was searching the structure itself, rounding up what was left of his security forces and rescuing some of his two-legged chattel. This operation had taken nearly a week and only today did they find out that somewhere on this property was a menagerie -- and according to one of the rescued mutants, the poor creatures had not been fed or watered since the X-men arrived.

Logan paused as he caught the unpleasant scent of unwashed cages and decay. They were too late for at least one of the beasts. He waved to Kurt and picked up his pace, now that he had a direction. The others hadn’t quite understood their urgency, but didn’t argue. A few moments later they came to a stop in the center of a clearing. A dozen structures surrounded the clearing, each representing a “habitat” resembling those found in zoos, only smaller. Each one held some predator, or at least the remains of one. The wolf, the cheetah, and an exotic crossbred cat were already dead and rotting. The hyena had rubbed it’s muzzle raw, trying to work it’s way between the bars of the cage to get to the carrion. Several others were alert enough to watch the men listlessly, as they examined each cage and hunted for the food and water that must be somewhere nearby.

-Jeannie. We’ve found it. Got some live ones. Barely.- Logan concentrated his thoughts with the ease of long practice.

-We’re almost finished here. Give me your location and we’ll join you shortly.- Logan held his mental “map” in the front of his mind. –Got it.-

He heard Kurt muttering in thickly accented German. While the words were unintelligible, the disgust and pity were not. He joined Kurt in peering through the bars at yet another poor beast. This one was some sort of cat, but its pelt was so covered in dust, the species was hard to tell. He could count its ribs and marked their slight rise and fall. Not only was this one caged, it was muzzled and collared. A chain tethered it to the wall. Something metallic shone dully through the dust on its paws.

“It’s been…declawed.” Kurt spat out. Logan snorted, this scene obviously sparked some bad memories for blue elf. Unlike the other habitats, this one opened at the front and had an electronic keypad, rather than a padlock. A metal plate next to the keypad said simply “KARA.”

Using his claws, Logan sliced through the lock, allowing the barred door to swing open. He stepped inside cautiously. Just because it looked three-quarters dead, didn’t mean it wasn’t still dangerous. Green-gold eyes stared at him unblinking from behind the muzzle. The cat remained motionless, only the rise and fall of its chest and the unwavering gaze indicating any life remained. Now that he was closer he could smell the odor of disease, infection. Looking at the collar, he could see that it was spiked on its interior and had been left in place long enough to become imbedded in the beast’s flesh. Wounds unable to heal had become infected. He stifled a growl at the deliberate cruelty implied. He heard Kurt’s gasp as he approached, followed by low guttural curses.

He approached slowly, watching for any sign of aggression. The cat merely stared. He reached out a tentative hand to stroke its matted fur at the shoulder. The flesh under his hand tensed slightly but again the beast remained still.

“Poor critter. Doubt it…she would make it. Look at those wounds.” Wolverine cautiously fingered the collar. The animal shuddered. Its eyes closed for a moment. “Probably be kindest to put her down.” Logan stroked what he could reach of the animal’s head between the muzzle and collar. He extended his claws and slipped one between the links of the collar, slicing through it as if it were cobwebs. He carefully pulled it away as the animal flinched, but made no move to attack. He paused to stroke its head and shoulder again as he looked at the oozing wounds. When he was sure the animal would not panic, he turned his attention to the muzzle. This too, had been left on far too long and had created deep abrasions on the face and neck. The animal met his gaze again and moved for the first time.

Kurt and Logan drew back as the cat slowly rolled its shoulders until its neck and belly were exposed. It then closed its eyes and was still. Again, only its breathing indicated that it still lived. Wolverine extended his claws of his right hand and knelt again, gently stroking the beast with his left.

“Do you think it knows?” Kurt asked, the creature’s actions seemed so deliberate. He remained as close as he dared. His experience in the circus had taught him just how fast such a animal can move.

“Of course she knows. Just because she can’t talk doesn’t mean she’s stupid.” Logan gave the animal a final stroking, seeming to make up his mind. He drew back his clawed hand, ready to end the animal’s suffering.

“Logan wait! She’s a mutant!” Jean’s voice cut through the air.

Wolverine growled and sheathed his claws with an audible “snikt.” The cat rolled away from him, took one look at Jean and Scott standing in the doorway and immediately slunk into the farthest corner of the enclosure.

“Dammit Jeannie! I almost killed her.”

“I’m sorry Logan. It wasn’t until I got close that I could detect her thoughts. Even then, it was hard to tell that she was…human. One of others we rescued said they thought there was a mutant in the zoo. A shapeshifter.” She walked inside and murmured reassuringly. “Come out Kara. We won’t hurt you.” The cat…no mutant shrank further away. “She’s afraid of me. Of us. Of humans. She doesn’t think of herself as human.” Jean murmured, backing away, a look of real distress on her face.

Kurt cleared his throat. “What of me, Jean. How does she see me?” He moved slowly toward the cat, his own yellow eyes meeting her green-gold ones.

“She’s confused, but not as frightened. The…ah…zookeeper said that she has been trained to answer certain commands. Nonsense words, I suppose. ‘Dakka’ means trainer or keeper, ‘Sata’ is the command to change form.” Jean pulled Scott away from the cage door. Wolverine backed away while Kurt continued his slow approach. Kurt nodded absently.

Kurt began to murmur reassuringly in German, not caring if she understood anything but the tone of his words. She made no move to escape, but as he grew closer he could see that she was shivering. He tried English. “Come little Kara. No one will hurt you. I will be your Dakka for now.” Her ears flicked forward at this and she seemed to relax slightly. He knelt down slowly in front of her. A low noise rumbled from his chest as he began to purr reassurance. She then moved forward and pressed her face into his chest, after a moment she began to purr in a higher pitch. He began to stroke her as he would any cat, soothing her distress, avoiding her wounds carefully.

Logan drew nearer again. “Dakka eh? If she is what I think she is, we just might need a ‘Dakka.’”

“I don’t know about that Logan.” Scott interjected, disapproving.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about, Boy Scout.” He gave the younger man a disgusted look. “What do you think Kurt?”

“Ja. I agree….I have seen this before…I think. We have no idea what she has been trained to do. We may need the…authority…of a trainer if she gets out of hand.” He continued his soothing stroking.

Logan nodded. Before Scott could form another objection, he spoke to the cat with authority. “Kara. Kurt will be your Dakka.” The cat met his gaze and sat back on her haunches. “Kara. Sata.” The cat’s form swiftly changed, flowing until dark fur was replaced by pale skin, green-gold eyes shone through disheveled dark hair. Her body was painfully thin, bruises no longer hidden by fur showed vividly in patches of yellow and green through the dust that covered her head to toe. She swayed as she knelt, trying to keep her balance. The wounds on her neck still oozed and the abrasions from the muzzle made vivid red stripes across her cheekbones. Kurt placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her.

“She needs some clothes.” Scott pointed out the obvious, looking away.

“Kara. Dou you have something to wear?” Logan asked. The girl blinked twice then craned her head over her shoulder towards a door that had remained unnoticed till now. “Thought so.” Logan stalked over and wrenched it open. He paused a moment on the threshold then entered. They could hear low cursing drifting through the door before he stamped back out with a long black garment, his expression grim. Scott looked at him questioningly as he motioned the girl to stand and draped the cloak-like thing around her shoulders. Her silver-tipped fingers fumbled clumsily as she tried to fasten it, prompting Kurt to gently bat her hands away and finish the job.

“Look for yourself, Cyke.” Logan collected the remains of the muzzle and collar. Curious, Scott stalked past the older man to enter the room.

“Shit!” Came a single word from behind the door. Curious, Jean followed. Along the walls were arranged rows of restraints, collars, chains, whips, riding crops, and other objects, some of which defied description or definition. Jean stopped beside him and they stood gawking in disbelief until Kurt spoke.

“Mein freunds, we need to get her medical attention, immediately. This can wait.” Beyond a tightening of his expression, he seemed unsurprised by the collection of oddities. He now held the fragile girl in his arms as she was too weak to stand. She turned her face away from the room and its contents and closed her eyes wearily.

“Right. Let’s get back to the Blackbird. We can’t do much more here. We’ll let the authorities know about the animals and leave them some food and water.” Cyclops snapped back into his role as Fearless Leader. “Kurt, teleport back with her and see if you can get her some first aid.” Kurt whispered something in the girl’s ear then vanished in a puff of smoke. The remaining mutants quickly made sure the animals had food and water. Jean scanned each one “just to make sure” they left no one behind.

By the time everyone reached the plane, Kurt had managed to sponge off the worst of the dirt from the girls face and neck and had bandaged her wounds. He was now coaxing her to take small sips of water from a canteen and feeding her tiny pieces from one of their emergency ration bars. It was clear she was carefully avoiding eye contact with anyone except the Nightcrawler.

“How is she?” Jean asked.

“Not good. We should get her to Doctor Mccoy, I think.”

“We should probably get her to the nearest hospital then.” Scott interjected.

“Humph! Hank’s the best bet, big brain aside, being blue and furry is his best qualification.” Wolverine raised a meaningful eyebrow in the girl’s direction. The girl started at the sound of his voice and looked in his direction, but didn’t really seem to see him. He walked closer and took her chin in his hand. Her eyes seemed unable to focus and she blinked slowly. “Hang in there kitten…Better hurry up Cyke.”

Forgoing further argument Cyclops strapped into the pilot seat, waiting only long enough for his passengers to secure their own belts before taking off. Conversation on the flight was subdued, most of the team seemed lost in thought. Jean radioed the Professor to relay the day’s events and to request that Dr. Mccoy meet them in the Infirmary. By the time they reached cruising altitude, the girl’s eyes had closed wearily. Kurt’s face was unreadable as he tucked a blanket around her.

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When the plane landed, Kurt was unable to rouse the girl at all. Alarmed he teleported her directly to the infirmary where Dr. Henry McCoy waited.

“So this is our refugee? How long has she been unconscious?” The Beast plucked the girl from his arms and laid her gently on a gurney. He began his examination at once, focusing on his patient.

“I am not sure. She fell asleep on the plane. Now she does not wake up.” His tail lashed behind him, betraying his agitation. “We almost…we did not know she was a mutant…Logan and I were going to put her down. Jean stopped us, Gott sei Dank!”

The Beast quickly stripped her of her cloak to assess the full extent of her injuries. He examined the curious metallic coverings of her fingers and toes, covering each to the first joint. Then he carefully removed the bandages from her wounds. “Infection, dehydration, malnutrion…she would not have lived much longer. She was quite fortunate indeed that you did not arrive, say six hours later. The bruising is partially healed and essentially superficial. I do believe I can remove these metallic coverings from her digits without harm, but that will have to wait. I will start intravenous fluids and antibiotics at once.” The doctor bustled about, quickly suiting actions to words. Looking up to find Nightcrawler still standing nervously next to the bed, he continued his questioning.

“Can you tell me anything else about her condition and how you found her?” Correctly deducing that his friend needed something constructive to do, he handed him a basin of water and a wash cloth and motioned towards the girl. Taking the hint, Kurt began carefully cleaning the coating of dust from her body while he described the discovery of the shape-shifter. After re-bandaging the girl’s wounds, the doctor also grabbed a washcloth and basin. As the dirt washed away, more bruising and scarring were revealed.

“So she has obviously suffered months, probably years of abusive conditioning. She now has a fear of humans, including human-appearing mutants? Has she spoken at all since you found her?”

“No.” It was Logan who spoke, stalking into the infirmary. He tossed the broken collar and muzzle on a counter with a clatter.

“Why did she not change form and remove her restraints?” The Beast picked up the remains of the collar. “Ah…I see, a clever and sadistic design. The spikes prevented her from making the change to human form. Doing so would have caused them to puncture her neck deeply, quite probably enough to cause her demise.” Examining the muzzle next, he continued. “And with those sheaths on her fingers I think it unlikely she would have been able to manipulate the fastenings on this device.”

The doctor turned to the girl, examining her fingers again. Logan silently took up the abandoned water basin and refilled it with water. Grabbing a towel he took charge of the girl’s head, gently rinsing the filth out of her hair. “Might have a head-wound. Can’t see through all this dirt.” He rumbled in explanation.

“Indeed. I made a cursory examination, but there may be hidden injuries.” He began to rummage around in drawers, looking for something. “I believe I know just the thing to remove these devices. Ah, here it is.” He turned around with a small metal tool in his hand. Beginning with her newly cleaned feet, he began to poke and prod the metallic sheaths covering her toes. After a moment he was able to remove them, one by one. Each one left a bloody ring. At Kurt’s look of concern he explained. “It will heal quickly, there appears to be no real damage. Again, clever devices, she could not have removed them herself short of amputating her appendages.” He quickly applied antiseptic to the wounds but did not bandage them.

By this time, the girl was as clean as she was likely to get and Logan was toweling her hair dry. He gave the Nightcrawler a brief speculative look. While Kurt carefully pulled a blanket over her still form, he gave the doctor a meaningful look and nodded toward the hallway.

“Please remain here with her, Kurt. Logan, could you come with me to report my findings to the Professor?” The Beast motioned for the smaller man to precede him. Once the door closed behind them, Logan turned to the doctor and cleared his throat.

“How soon would it be safe to put her on something for…birth control.” The doctor’s eyebrows shot upward.

“It isn’t a matter of safety, but I fail to see any need for contraception. She is hardly in any condition to engage in amorous activity. Please explain your reasoning.”

“Once she’s well, she’ll be quite a looker. Lotta temptation. She won’t say no. Can’t say no, I’d bet. There was a whole collection of ‘toys’ in the room behind her cage. Last thing this stray needs is a litter o’ kittens.”

“Ah, she wasn’t just a curiousity then, she was a …plaything…of sorts? Hmm…Some of her injuries were consistent with sexual abuse.” The doctor looked concerned. “I do not doubt your observation. Perhaps we should find a feminine nursemaid for her. Someone to serve as a chaperone?”

Logan shook his head. “Ain’t none. She’s scared to death of people, unless you’re volunteering, it’s Kurt or nothing. If anyone understands what she’s gone through, he does.”

“I will administer contraceptive injections, beginning at once. I do concur that Mr. Wagner is the best guardian available, if he is willing.”

Logan snorted. “He’s been acting like a hen with one egg since we found her. Try giving her to somebody else.”


Concerned about his patient, Dr. McCoy chose to sleep in the office adjoining the infirmary. Assuring Kurt he would call him at once if there was any change, he sent the younger man off to bed. It was nearly 2 AM when he was awakened by a clatter in the next room. He immediately hurried to check on his patient. A quick look told him she had vacated her bed and had pulled the IV from her arm. The noise had been caused by the IV stand falling to the floor. A small amount of blood spattered the white linens and fluid dribbled from the abandoned tubing. He had not heard the door open or close, so she should still be in the Infirmary.

“Miss Kara? Please come out. You may have hurt yourself.” He began to prowl quietly between the beds, checking each possible hiding place as he went. “I am your doctor, I just wish to make sure you are not injured.” After a few moments he had narrowed his search to the dark hollow beneath the main sink. If he peered carefully, he could make out the gleam of a pair of eyes. He could barely discern the dark outline of her cat-form.

“Please come out Miss.” After a few moments it was clear that no amount of coaxing from him would convince her. Unwilling to frighten her futher by attempting to use force, or to risk tangling with her newly freed claws, he rang Nightcrawler’s room.

“Mr. Wagner, I am sorry to disturb you, but your charge has awakened and appears to be quite agitated. She has ensconced herself beneath the scrub sink and refuses to exit. She may have injured herself when she removed her IV line.”

“Ach! Ja. I will come.” Kurt mumbled into the phone. A moment later, he arrived wearing only a pair of pajama pants and a cloud of smoke. Rubbing his hands through his hair wearily, he spoke. “Where?” McCoy pointed.

“Hello litte one. I see you are awake. This is a strange place to you, no?” Kurt crouched before her hiding place and peered within. He could see the cat shape huddled uncomfortably in the cramped space beneath the sink. “I am here, Kara. No one will hurt you. Come out.” He repeated his words in German and slowly reached into the shadows until he touched warm fur. Remembering her earlier response to his purring, he began to do so again. After a moment her higher pitched purr joined his and she slowly crept forward until she could once again press her face to his chest. He stroked and ruffled her fur for several moments until he could feel her relax and heard the tone of her purr change from nervousness to something more relaxed.

“Could you get her to resume human form so that I might examine her?”

Kurt nodded. “Kara, you are safe here. The doctor only wants to help you. We need you to change back.” The cat tensed under his hands. “Kara…sata.” The flesh writhed under his touch and in a moment he once again cradled a girl against his chest. “Good girl.” He whispered, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. Scooping her into his arms, he stood gracefully, then carried her back to her bed.

“This is Dr. Mccoy, Kara. He takes care of us when we are hurt or ill.” Now that he could see her face, he could see briefly her fear and confusion before her features took on a carefully neutral look. He continued to rest a hand on her shoulder as the doctor began to examine her. In the few hours she had been under proper care, she had improved markedly. Some of her bruises had faded to invisibility, the wounds on her neck were already showing a more healthy color and the abrasions on her face were now almost healed over. She was still painfully thin, but her color was much better.

“Hmm…quite a recovery. I did not expect you to regain consciousness for at least another four hours, perhaps longer. But I do think we should continue your IV fluids and antibiotics. You are still dangerously underweight and those wounds were quite badly infected when you arrived.” Dr. McCoy spoke directly to the girl, who seemed unused to such treatment. “Do you think you could eat something, Miss?” She nodded cautiously. Kurt eased her back onto the bed as the doctor prepared to replace her IV. She offered no resistance and the doctor finished quickly. Kurt pulled up a chair next to her bed as the Beast left to assemble a meal for his patient. He stifled a yawn as the girl looked at him curiously.

“I guess you are wondering where you are?” She nodded. “This is a school for mutants, like you and me. We learn how to control and use our special abilities…” He began to talk, describing the school, its grounds, and its inhabitants. He had actually begun trying to explain the rather unorthodox rules of the students’ favorite sport, “mutant ball,” when the doctor returned with a small cart loaded with food.

“Ah, mutant ball…somewhat after my time, I think. But the youngsters appear to enjoy it a great deal. It also provides excellent opportunity for them to learn the use of their abilities and teamwork.” Henry droned on at length as he made sure both his patient and her “nurse” were well provisioned with high protein, high calorie snacks, before himself settling down with his own The girl ate everything on her tray so quickly Kurt feared she would choke. Soon after, her eyelids began to droop. Rather than risk being called back, Nightcrawler stretched out on an unused gurney and the doctor returned to his office couch.

The room was still dark when something brought Kurt to full wakefulness. The sound of labored breathing and the rustle of sheets came from Kara’s bed. Moving quickly, he stood beside her bed, watching her struggling against some nightmare, strangely silent. Fearing she would again tear her IV out, he reached for her, grasping each of her arms firmly. She froze, her eyes flew open and he could tell that she was not really seeing him or the infirmary, but instead some fragment of nightmare. After a moment she blinked and shuddered, before finally seeing him.

“Bad dream?” She nodded cautiously, still tense. He glanced at the clock on the wall. Still an hour or more before dawn. “I’m here. You’re safe, kitten. No one will hurt you here.” She nodded again, but her expression was skeptical. Letting her go, he reached for the nearest gurney, pulling it side by side with hers, then dropping the railings in between, improvising a double bed. Checking the brakes to make sure neither bed would move, he climbed swiftly onto the empty gurney and stretched out beside her, bringing her close so that her head was pillowed on his shoulder. He carefully wrapped his arms around her, forming a warm, living set of restraints. He began to purr once again and was rewarded by feeling her relax, and after a moment, her own soft purr. Soon she was sleeping again, and finding her presence oddly comforting, he too quickly fell asleep.

In the morning, the Beast was mildly surprised by the sleeping arrangements, but only nodded with approval at Kurt’s solution to the girl’s nighttime escapades. Once he was sure the doctor had things in hand, Nightcrawler gently extracted himself and went in search of a shower, promising to return with breakfast for three later. The girl did not stir at all.


That first night set the pattern for Kara’s remaining stay in the Infirmary. Each day, several of the X-Men took turns keeping her company until she was at relative ease with, Jean, Rogue, Storm, and strangely enough, Logan. Scott and Colossus continued to make her uneasy, but she no longer hid from them. After that first night, the girl’s natural shields reasserted themselves and neither Jean nor the Professor could touch more than her surface thoughts without provoking panic. Professor Xavier chose to remain unseen, for now. Each night Kurt slept beside her, soothed her through several nightmares, and gently restrained her from hurting herself or removing her IV. She recovered quickly, at least physically, and three days later, the doctor was willing to leave her in Kurt’s care. In all that time, she made no human sound, not even a whimper during the worst of her nightmares.

Despite thorough and careful investigation, the good doctor could find no physical reason for her silence, and cited psychological trauma, and probably conditioning by her former captor as the likely causes. The girl would answer yes or no questions by nodding or shaking her head, complied readily with orders when not unduly frightened, and appeared to understand what was said to her. Careful observation indicated that she could indeed read, but would not use any device intended for communication. Any attempt to pressure her into writing, tapping on a keyboard, or even using a word board and pointer would result in withdrawal. And, if pressed further, she would retreat into her animal form. The doctor concluded that she had been conditioned with severe punishments for any attempt at communication, probably to protect her “master’s” interests.