Munkustrap blearily opened his eyes when he heard his family come back from their walk, none too quietly. Munkustrap yawned and stretched before padding downstairs to greet them. Munkustrap looked at the clock, he'd only slept for about three hours and he was on watch all night. Alonzo was watching over the Jellicles now while Munkustrap got his rest.
"Louie, where are you?" Munkustrap shuddered; he hated that name with a passion. Munkustrap greeted the family with a loud meow. Tom, the 11 year old son, dropped onto his knees next to the silver and black tabby. His mother passed something to him and Tom placed it on the floor next to Munkustrap. Munkustrap stared at it in surprise. It was a new born kitten. It gave a pitiful squeak. Munkustrap lay down beside it and nuzzled it gently. What type of a queen would desert a kitten this young? Munkustrap gingerly picked the kitten up in his mouth and carried it back upstairs. He walked into the study, which served as his room. Munkustrap placed the kitten on his bed and sat down across from it, watching it intently. It was silver female kitten with black stripes. Munkustrap sighed, lying down next to it. It looked a lot like him. Munkustrap decided to do what Jennyanydots would do to the kitten and cleaned it. Munkustrap pulled the kitten into his side to keep it warm. Munkustrap was jolted awake a few hours later by a noise at the window. Munkustrap crouched low in front of the kitten, arms spread out protectively.
"Whoa, Munk, chill it's just me." Munkustrap sighed and relaxed.
"What are you doing here, Tugger?" Munkustrap asked the Rum Tum Tugger as he pulled a blanket over the mewling kitten. Munkustrap walked to the window and pushed it open a crack, Tugger slipped through it thankfully.
"We got worried when you didn't show up." Tugger explained, shaking his wet fur.
"Hey, watch it!" Munkustrap warned. Tugger stared at his brother in confusion. Munkustrap pulled back the blanket to reveal the small kitten. Tugger stared at it.
"The family found it on their walk." Munkustrap explained, picking the mewling kitten up and cradling it in his arms. Tugger stroked its head delicately.
"It looks like you." Tugger said, a grin making a way onto his face. Munkustrap stared at his brother.
"You and a certain queen haven't been…ya know?" Munkustrap gave a small hiss. Tugger held his hands up in surrender.
"No, I haven't, Tugger." The kitten buried its head into Munkustrap's chest.
"What does your family call her?" Tugger asked, taking the kitten from Munkustrap.
"Molly." Munkustrap said simply. Tugger gave a disgusted look.
"I think we should call her Mali," Munkustrap said. Tugger looked at him.
"Mali?" Munkustrap nodded, not taking his green eyes off the kitten. Tugger sighed.
"Is she even a Jellicle?" Tugger asked. Munkustrap sighed.
"I don't know." Munkustrap took the kitten from Tugger and nodded toward the window. Tugger made his way to the window and reached his paws down. Munkustrap quickly looked out of the door, midnight and the house was asleep. Munkustrap handed Mali to Tugger before clambering out of the window. Munkustrap carried Mali by the scruff of her neck in his mouth as he and Tugger ran toward the junk yard. Munkustrap cradled Mali in his arms as they walked into the junk yard. The female kittens immediately swarmed Tugger.
"Not now," Tugger said, shooing them off.
"Aww but Tugger…" Tugger shook his head and looked to Munkustrap.
"Victoria, can you got get Jennyanydots?" Munkustrap asked the white kitten. She nodded and ran off.
"Hey, what's that?" One of the male kittens, Pouncival, asked. Munkustrap showed the tiny newborn kitten. Jemima cooed at it, Electra and Etcetera stared at it. Tumblebrutus climbed over Pouncival to look at it.
"Aw, it's so small!" Jennyanydots appeared by Munkustrap's side.
"My, look at the little dear." Jenny said softly as Munkustrap handed her the kitten. Jenny examined the kitten and gasped in surprise.
"She's barely a day old!" Jenny exclaimed. Munkustrap nodded.
"She still hasn't opened her eyes." Munkustrap said quietly. Jenny handed the kitten back to Munkustrap and motioned for him to follow. Tugger tagged along.
"What have you called her, Munkustrap?" Jenny asked as they reached the large, overturned cabinet that served as the infirmary.
"Mali," Munkustrap said quietly, stroking the squirming kitten. Jenny sighed as she stared at the kitten.
"She may not make it." Jenny said softly. Munkustrap nodded, holding the kitten tighter to his chest.
"Mali looks a lot like you." Jenny added. Munkustrap sighed.
"I've been hearing that a lot." Munkustrap said, "She isn't mine," He added, noting the look on Jenny's face. Mali gave a small chirrup. Munkustrap laughed.
"So this is the little kitten that's caused gossip." Munkustrap turned around to see Demeter standing in the doorway. Demeter walked to his side and took Mali from him.
"Aw, she's so sweet." Demeter cooed.
"How did you come across her, Munk?" Jenny asked.
"My family did when they went on a walk." Munkustrap said. Demeter nuzzled the kitten, purring. Munkustrap smiled. Demeter gave a small blush and passed Mali back to Munkustrap.
"I've got to get her back before the family notice we've gone." Munkustrap said, he paused to nuzzle Demeter before leaving. Tugger tagged along. They both clambered through the window. The light turned on in the study.
"Oh, we are majorly busted." Tugger said, sinking to his belly on the floor. Munkustrap gently put Mali on the floor.
"Shoo you nasty cat," The mother cried out, stomping near to Tugger.
"I'll see you around, Munk." Tugger called out as he leapt through the window. Tom slammed the window shut. Munkustrap sat on his haunches and stared up at the family.
"What were you doing, Louie?!" The mother asked, her hands on her hips. Munkustrap lay on his stomach on the floor, his ears pressed to his skull. The sooner he could get them to shut up the better. The family sighed and the father locked the window. Munkustrap looked at the locked window, his heart dropping.
'Damn, that's going to make a noise if I try opening it.' Munkustrap thought. The family left the room. Munkustrap picked up the kitten and placed it on the bed. Mali mewled and pushed its little body forward to snuggle against Munkustrap.
"Mrrow," Munkustrap looked back to the window and sighed.
"What am I going to do with you?" Munkustrap asked.
"C'mon, Munks," Munkustrap turned and stared at the small kitten, its blue eyes staring at him intensely. Munkustrap walked over and sat next to her.
"Not now, Mali." Munkustrap said gently to the kitten that was never expected to live past the first week of her life. She was now four months old but a bit on the small side. It was very early on a Sunday morning and Mali wanted to go out.
"Mali!" Munkustrap called softly as she slipped out of the room and into the hallway. Munkustrap followed her. Mali wandered down to the kitchen where the father was sitting, drinking coffee and reading the paper. She rubbed herself against the father's leg before winking at Munkustrap and scratching at the door, meowing loudly. The father sighed and opened the door.
"Watch her, Louie," He called out after them as they both wandered off. Munkustrap watched Mali bouncing ahead. Munkustrap followed Mali to the junk yard. Mali was immediately tackled by Pouncival. Mali gave a peal of laughter and started wrestling with Pouncival. Tumblebrutus and Electra joined in.
"Be careful kittens," Munkustrap warned. Coricopat and Tantomile, the psychic cats, appeared by Munkustrap's side.
"Old Deuteronomy wants to see you." Munkustrap was taken aback.
"He's here?" Munkustrap asked. "The Jellicle ball isn't for another few weeks." Coricopat nodded.
"He's here." Coricopat and Tantomile said in unison. Munkustrap nodded and looked back to Mali. Mali had detached herself from the pile-on and was staring at Munkustrap. Munkustrap gave her a reassuring smile before he went to find his father.
"Munkustrap," His father greeted as he walked into his den. Munkustrap gave a small smile as he quickly hugged his father.
"I hear you've found a new kitten," Deuteronomy stated. Munkustrap nodded, sitting across from his father.
"Yes, my family found her on one of their walks," Munkustrap sighed. "She was barely a day old." Deuteronomy sighed heavily.
"In what circumstances was the queen in for her to dump her kitten, we may never know." Munkustrap nodded in agreement.
"She made it past her first week I take it." Deuteronomy said. Munkustrap nodded.
"Yes, she's about four months old now." Munkustrap explained.
"Father," Munkustrap hesitated. "I-I don't know if she is a Jellicle cat or not but," Munkustrap sighed. "But everyone loves her; we can't just turn her out." Deuteronomy gave a thoughtful hmm.
"Mistoffelees," Deuteronomy called. The black magic cat appeared in the doorway. He was barely a few months old that Mali himself.
"Yes?"
"Can you bring…" Deuteronomy looked to Munkustrap.
"Mali," Munkustrap said quietly. Deuteronomy looked back to Mistoffelees.
"Can you bring Mali here please?" Mistoffelees gave Munkustrap a worried look but nodded anyway.
"Yes, sir." Mistoffelees mumbled as he left. Minutes later, Mistoffelees returned with a nervous Mali who was holding his paw. Munkustrap opened his arms and Mali quickly dove into them and cuddled close to his chest. Deuteronomy looked from Mali to Munkustrap.
"She…" Deuteronomy began.
"Looks like me?" Munkustrap finished. Deuteronomy nodded.
"She looks like a Jellicle cat…it's a pity we don't know who her parents are." Deuteronomy said finally. Munkustrap sighed in relief.
"She can stay then?" He asked hopefully. Deuteronomy nodded. Mali gave a large yawn. Munkustrap laughed.
"Go find Demeter," He murmured in her ear. Mali nodded and leapt off his lap. She waved as she ran off. Deuteronomy looked back to Munkustrap.
"She needs an official guardian." He said seriously. Munkustrap nodded.
"I know, that's why I'm taking care of her." Munkustrap said as he got to his feet.
"I better make sure she doesn't get into any trouble." Munkustrap said.
"I'll see you around." And with that he left. Munkustrap walked to Demeter and Bombalurina's den and found Mali enclosed tightly in Demeter's arms. Demeter was laughing and stroking Mali's head. Mali grinned at Munkustrap as he approached. Munkustrap sat beside Demeter.
"Mali, are you coming?!" Pouncival yelled out as the kittens ran past. Mali looked at Munkustrap and Demeter. Demeter relinquished her hold on Mali and Mali ran off.
"She's gotten so big." Demeter sighed. Bombalurina sighed.
"You're not goin' all maternal on me are you?" She asked Demeter. Demeter gave a scowl.
Mistoffelees sat in the shade of the courtyard, watching everything that happened.
"Guys, wait up!" Mistoffelees looked for the source of the pleading. It came from a small silver tabby with black stripes, it was Mali. The other older kittens turned and looked, while the younger ones continued ahead, as Mali bolted up to them.
"Mali, you're too small and too slow!" Admetus said annoyed. Mali sunk down low, staring up at them with her bright blue eyes.
"I can't help it." She whimpered.
"You can't play this game, you're too small." And with that the kittens ran off, leaving an upset Mali. Mistoffelees stared at the small kitten which slunk off to a small tunnel and climbed into it. Mistoffelees sighed, stood up and walked toward the tunnel.
"Mali, are you okay?" He asked, kneeling down beside it. Teary blue eyes stared at him from the darkness.
"I hate being small, Misto." She muttered. Misto reached his arms into the tunnel and pulled Mali out of it. He had to admit it, he had a soft spot for this little kitten. The kitten cuddled close to his black and white chest as he carried her back to his shady spot. Mistoffelees set Mali down and lay down on his stomach, sighing heavily. Mali clambered onto his back. Mistoffelees turned his eyes upwards as an upside down head appeared in front of him.
"Hey, Misto, you're not much older than the other kittens," Mali said thoughtfully. "Why don't you play with them?" Misto gave a small chuckle.
"I'm…not exactly a kitten but I'm not exactly an older cat either." Misto said. "And besides, I'm learning how to control my magic and I'm…different from them."
"Different?" Misto glanced up at to look at Mali in the eyes.
"Yes, different."
"I don't think you're different." She answered. Misto smiled.
"Thanks, Mali." Silence fell over them. Misto felt a bit uneasy, his magic twitching inside of him. He never felt like this unless Mali was around.
"What's wrong, Misto?" Mali asked gently, sensing his unease. Misto gave a small cough. He heard a small 'whoa!' and something tumbled beside him. Mali sat up from her spot on the ground and rubbed her head. Misto sat up and gave her an apologetic look. Mistoffelees was feeling more uneasy with every passing moment. Mali suddenly brightened up.
"Skimble!" She cried out and ran toward the rail way cat, leaping into his arms. The uncle of the cats hugged the kitten. Skimbleshanks had been away for about a week.
"Hi, lassie," He greeted in his thick accent as he set Mali down. Mali absently itched at one of her silvery ears before bounding back to Mistoffelees, leading Skimble.
"Why aren't you with the other kittens, lass?" Skimble asked. Mali ducked her head down.
"They ran off on her," Mistoffelees explained. Skimble let out a sigh as he sat beside Mistoffelees, who was slightly taken aback by this, and picked Mali up once more. Mali gave a content purr as she curled up in Skimble's arms. Skimble smiled down at the small kitten in his arms. He had grown remarkably fond of this one. Mali was a lot smaller than the other kittens. Mistoffelees got to his feet as the uneasy feeling returned. Skimble and Mali raised their heads and stared at him. Misto rubbed his arms nervously.
"I just remembered I have to go see Tantomile and Coricopat." Mistoffelees said, Mali gave a small nod and curled back up. Mistoffelees quickly headed toward their den, Coricopat and Tantomile were like his mentors, and they helped him with his magic. Coricopat was sitting outside of the den in the sun, stretching slightly.
"Cori," Mistoffelees called as he got closer. Coricopat straightened up and stared seriously at Mistoffelees.
"What is troubling you, young Mistoffelees?" Coricopat asked slowly. Mistoffelees settled himself beside Coricopat.
"It's Mali." Mistoffelees stated. Coricopat nodded and closed his dark eyes.
"You sense it as well, do you not?" Coricopat asked. Mistoffelees stared at Coricopat in surprise.
"You knew?!" Mistoffelees asked. Coricopat sighed and nodded.
"How could we not?" He said deeply. "She has been growing stronger every day." Misto sighed.
"What do we do?" He asked. Coricopat opened his eyes and turned his gaze to Mistoffelees.
"We watch her."
Mali stretched out her limbs, yawning, as she woke up. She blinked and found herself in Skimble's and Jenny's den.
"Ah, you're awake, lassie." Mali turned around and saw Skimble walking towards her. Mali purred and nuzzled the uncle of the kittens gratefully. Mali bounced toward the exit of the den.
"Thanks, Skimble!" She called out cheerfully as she left.
"Anytime, lass!" Skimble called back. Mali walked around the junkyard, her blue eyes searching. She finally found what she was looking for and grinned, crouching low. She gave a yell of laughter and pounced on Mistoffelees back. Mistoffelees fell to the ground with an 'oomph', but laughing all the same. Mistoffelees rolled over, flipping Mali onto his tuxedo chest with his paw. Mali purred loudly and pushed her head into his chest.
"What are you two kittens up to?" Misto quickly rolled over to see the source of the voice, forgetting that Mali was on his chest. Mali rolled before stopping, on her back with her paws in the air, at Munkustrap's feet.
"Hi, Munku!" Mali chirped cheerfully. Munkustrap bent over and picked Mali up. Mali cuddled into the silver chest. Munkustrap stared up at the dusk sky.
"Mistoffelees, can you take Mali home?" Munkustrap asked. Mali stared up at Munkustrap.
"I'm on duty tonight," Munkustrap explained, seeing her look. Mali gave Munkustrap a quick nuzzle before he set her down.
"Bye, Munks!" Mali called out as she and Mistoffelees set out. Munkustrap watched them go, a sense of unease rising in him.
"C'mon, Misto!" Mali laughed, as she bounced around him. Misto padded forward, shaking his head. Mali was making him dizzy. Mistoffelees stared at Mali in surprise as she stopped suddenly. They had been walking down one the alleyways to get to Munk's and Mali's family's house. Mali crouched down and began hissing and spitting, her hackles raised on her back. Misto was instantly on alert. Three Pollicles appeared. Misto pushed Mali behind him as they were backed up against a wall. Misto was glancing side from side, frantically, cursing the Everlasting Cat silently for not letting his magic come to him at this time. The biggest Pollicle strutted up to Misto and knocked him out of the way. The Pollicles ignored Mali as they turned on Misto. Mistoffelees tried the best to defend himself without his magic but it was fruitless. Misto looked up weakly to see the biggest Pollicle going for the kill. A sudden angered hiss had the Pollicle turning around. Startled yelps quickly rang out. Mali had lunged, claws out, and attached herself to the Pollicle's face. Misto stared horrified as Mali clawed at the Pollicle's face. Mali was grabbed by another Pollicle and torn off. Mali fought against the two Pollicles left. Misto weakly tried to get onto his feet to help Mali when the two Pollicles backed off suddenly, whimpering. Misto caught sight of Mali, hunched over, blood dripping out of her torn ear. Mistoffelees jaw dropped when he noticed what was scaring the Pollicles. Her blue eyes were glowing brightly and some strange aura was illuminating from around her small frame. The Pollicles turned and ran off, tails between their legs, yelping. Misto approached Mali cautiously, he knew how dangerous young magic could be.
"Mali?" He called softly. Mali let out a soft hiss.
"Mali, it's okay, they're gone." Misto said gently. The strange aura began dissipating. Mali's eyes met Misto's green ones.
"Misto?" She whispered before she collapsed in a heap. Mistoffelees gently picked Mali up before limping back to the junk yard. Munkustrap ran to their aid as soon as Mistoffelees limped back in. Munkustrap took the limp and bloodied Mali from his arms and cradled her.
"What happened?!" Munkustrap asked, appalled.
"Pollicles," Misto answered weakly, swaying slightly.
"You let them attack her?!" Munkustrap cried out. Misto shook his head.
"Tried…hardest…to…stop, Mali…hurt…them…more…than…they…hurt…" Misto trailed off. Tugger caught the wounded Mistoffelees as he collapsed. Jennyanydots and Jellylorum rushed up and helped get the wounded into the infirmary. Jenny looked over Mali, frowning. Munkustrap stroked the still Mali's head softly.
"She isn't all that hurt…she's fainted from complete exhaustion." Jenny said, sounding confused. Munkustrap looked up to her.
"What is it?" Munkustrap asked.
"Even if she did fight, she wouldn't be this exhausted. It's sort of like when…" Jenny trailed off, her eyes looking to Misto's still form. Misto gave a sudden moan and opened his bright green eyes.
"Like me…" Misto finished Jenny's sentence. Munkustrap and Tugger exchanged confused looks. Mistoffelees sighed and winced.
"Mali has a power, that's what scared the Pollicles off!" Mistoffelees explained. Munkustrap stared at the small figure on the makeshift bed.
"How long have you known?" Munkustrap asked quietly, never taking his green eyes from Mali's form.
"Today…officially." Misto answered quietly. Munkustrap turned on Misto.
"Officially?!" Munkustrap asked. Misto nodded.
"There was something about Mali, I felt it every time she was near me…so I went to go see Coricopat and Tantomile." Misto gave a slight hiss as Jelly cleaned one of his wounds.
"Cori confirmed my suspicions." Misto finished. Munkustrap turned on his heel and stalked out of the infirmary. Tugger watched him go, surprised. Tugger turned around when he heard a low moan, he quickly went to Mali's side.
"Hey, princess, it's about time you woke up." Tugger said softly, taking her small paw in his own. Mali stared at Tugger with pain filled blue eyes. Tugger watched her bandaged ear flick and twitch.
"What's on my ear?" Mali asked, reaching to itch it. Tugger caught her paw.
"A bandage." Mali let out a small oh. Misto had made his way to Mali's side by then. Mali purred and nudged his chest with her head. Misto wrapped his arms around the kitten and held her closely. Mali cuddled into his chest, Tugger left with Jenny and Jelly. He decided to let the kittens be.
"Macavity," The hench-rat bowed before the ginger cat. Macavity stared at the hench-rat with his sunken eyes.
"What?!" Macavity barked, annoyed.
"The spies have just reported in…that new kitten in the Jellicle tribe has powers." Macavity raised an eyebrow. He only knew of one new kitten.
"Mali?" Macavity asked. The hench-rat nodded.
"That magic cat, Mistoffelees, isn't leaving her side." The hench-rat continued. Macavity growled.
"Annoying little twerp." The hench-rat stared at the pacing Macavity.
"What's your plan, sir?" The rat asked. Macavity's paws bunched into fists.
"I want that kitten!"
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My first Cats fan-fic, please Read and Review :P