For BroadwayKhaos Jellicle week december :)

Sunday

What was he thinking? It wasn't his fault his lover was now lying unconscious on the bed before him. It wasn't his fault that his lover might never wake up again. What was he thinking? He was thinking selfishly. He was being selfish, all he thought about was how his lover was never going to wake up and how he would never survive that. But what about the tribe? He was their leader now after all, he had to help them. So he looked at his lover's face and kissed his lover's lips.

"I'll be back tonight Zo, don't worry", and he left.

What brought this up you think? Well it happened that morning. Skimble stood outside the den that was Alonzo's, now shared with Munkustrap. Poor Alonzo had been in a coma for two months and what a hellhole those two months had been. Munkustrap had been devastated over the fact that his lover was now in a coma and might never wake up. He had barley left the other tom's side, only to get food and go to make his toilet. Other than that he sat by his lover's side the entire time.

The tribe was just a big confused ball of fur, that was what Skimble thought anyway. Since Deuteronomy left it was Munk that was the new leader… but the silver tabby hadn't shown. He wouldn't help anyone. Tugger had tried to talk to his brother but all he'd got was a black eye. Admetus and Asparagus Jr. had also tried, they hadn't been hit by Munkustrap's punches but they hadn't succeeded to get him out either. All the grown toms had tried, no one wanted to risk harming the kittens or the queens. Now Skimble decided that he should try.

Munkustrap was watching his lover's face and sniffled. He cried everyday for the lover he had "lost". He didn't dare to leave, what if Alonzo woke up and didn't find him there? Would Alonzo think he'd abandoned him because he was in a coma? Tugger, Admetus and Asparagus and all the other toms had tried to talk some sense into him. But Munk didn't want to listen to their complaints. Couldn't they see he was hurting?

"Come back Zo", he whispered. "I need you." And he buried his face in his lover's chest and cried. Then he felt a paw on his back and looked up and saw Skimbleshanks smile at him and take a seat beside him. Munk's eyes narrowed.

"No", he said.

"I haven't said anything lad." Skimble answered calmly.

"You want to make me leave his side."

"No. I'm just here to visit."

Munk looked at the older tom skeptically and Skimble sighed.

"I can't force you to do something you don't want to do lad", he said. "You are younger and much fitter than I am. But remember that I've also been head over heels in love with someone and still am."

"Jenny."

"Of course."

They were quiet for a few minutes.

"He asked for you", Skimble said.

"Who?"

"Macavity, he's been trying to attack us a couple of times now, but when he can't find you or Alonzo to fight he leaves. Tumble, the poor lad, ran into him an evening and that moth eaten fur coat asked were his best buddy Alonzo had run off to."

Munk's eyes widened.

"What did he mean with best buddy?"

"I don't know lad, but it is Macavity. You do know he sees you as his best sparring partner right?"

"Yes I did know that", Munk looked back at Alonzo's still face. Skimble smiled softly.

"I remember when I found him on the street", he said and put a paw on Alonzo's arm. "I've never seen such a scared kitten in my entire life."

"Of course he was scared", Munk snapped. "His mother had just died and he was in country where he didn't know anyone or the language!"

"Calm down Munkustrap, I wasn't blaming him, I was going to say that I felt as sorry for him then as I do for the tribe now."

"The tribe", Munk asked in confusion.

"Well of course, haven't you noticed it's lost lad?"

"Lost?"

"Yes everyone is wondering what will happen next, who will defend us from the pollicles and Macavity, who will we turn to in time of need…"

Munk looked back at Alonzo.

"It's not fair Skimble", he mumbled.

"I know lad, I don't think it's fair either. You are being selfish."

"WHAT?"

"You care for how you are hurting but what about Alonzo's adoptive brothers? What about the tribe? What about Alonzo? He's not suffering if you are missing. Do you really think the lad wants you to just sit here and feel sorry for yourself?" Skimble rose. "As long as I have known the lad I know he cares more for others than himself. Was he awake right now he would punch you for not being out there." Skimble pointed at the door. "But roll around in self-pity. Be your father, he's an expert in that."

"I am not him."

"Proof it then lad", Skimble said and walked out of the den. He stopped and counted on his fingers. Three, two, one…

Munk stepped out beside Skimble and started to walk to the clearing. Skimble looked back into the den and smiled at Alonzo's still form.

"Don't worry lad, we'll figure something out", he said and hurried after Munkustrap.

The follow up to "A week with Zo" and "A week with Munk and Zo".