Hiya, everyone! I am here to drop the terrible(?) news that I wouldn't be able to update for a while because mid-term exam period has just started! Everyone is mad, because this test decides whether we are going to go to a good high school or not! I myself is no exception, and I have to try really hard to get good grades, especially in math and English. So I just had a crazy idea that I'd better write a short one-shot before I disappear... and here is the product of my crazyness! PLEASE DON'T HATE ME FOR THIS! :(
And... I have to say that I'm very very sorry for SunsetWanderer. I wanted to enter her Munk-Deme contest but I didn't have enough time to write a story and update it... so I think this is especially for SunsetWanderer! Oh, by the way, this is going to be a sad fanfic... DON'T KILL ME!
Enjoy!
Munkustrap & Demeter
The Unattainable Story
Munkustrap closed his eyes and felt the warm breeze tickling his nose. He let out a soft breath and smiled to himself to enjoy the special moment. By being the tribe protector and second in command in the Jellicle tribe, he was always busy. He had to work hard and sometimes had to sacrifice himself for the safety of the whole tribe and yard. But he was willing to, if he had to. Especially for a special queen named Demeter. Another gentle smile was made in his peaceful face as he thought of his mate-to-be queen.
Demeter meant everything to him. Munkustrap truly loved her, and he knew that she loved him back. They often stayed up whole night sharing their true stories and small talks. He loved her voice, that was so gentle and soft. He loved her eyes, filled with genuine love and care for the silver tabby and for all the tribe. He loved her smiles. It made him happy just to see her smiling in front of him, shining her bright forest eyes. Yes, he loved her. When he had asked her to be his mate, her face was filled with happiness and love. And so was his.
Munkustrap opened his eyes slowly as he felt someone sitting down next to him. He turned his head to see the golden queen curled beside him, with a shy grin across her face. She blinked, blushing softly under her fur. Munkustrap reached out a paw to stroke her face gently.
"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have..." she murmured, still blushing. Munkustrap shushed her by holding a finger on her lips. He had a sly grin on his face, as Demeter let out a gasp of fake surprise. She snuggled close to him, purring deeply. He hugged her back tightly, holding her in a sweet embrace, purring also. The queen looked up to meet his blue eyes.
"It's fine." the silver tom assured. "as long as you're with me." he smiled.
At then, the two felines had no doubts that they would live live happily ever after, side by side until the Everlasting Cat would separate them. They believed that happiness is always there, as long as they loved each other.
"I love you, Deme." Munkustrap whispered, kissing her lips.
"I love you too, Munkus." she whispered back, returning the kiss softly.
But they were wrong. They didn't see what was waiting for them. And they also failed to notice a tall ginger tom, lurking behind the darkness looking at them with close eyes...
They didn't realize that their love was an unattainable story.
Macavity had always loved Demeter. Even when they were both little kittens. He loved every moment sharing with her, and he especially liked to see her laughing happily beside him. He loved her green eyes, and her every being. He could feel his heart racing with pure happiness and excitement, whenever Demeter came near him. It made him smile just to see her.
But he hated Munkustrap. Even though they had the same father, Macavity was the one who got all the blames. And Munkustrap who got all the attention and love. Even their father, Old Deuteronomy, chose the silver tabby to be the tribe protector and his future successor, despite the fact that Macavity was the older son. Munkustrap had tried several times to brighten up Macavity, but the ginger tom tried to avoid him as much as possible.
But Demeter chose Munkustrap. The bright one, the considerate one, the smart one and the kind one, leaving Macavity behind. That was what hurt the ginger tom most. Munkustrap took away everything from him. The job of the tribe protector, the successor, and the queen that he loved with all his heart.
I'm going to be mates with him, Mac. She smiled brightly up at him, with a huge happy grin across her beautiful face. He had never saw her looking this happy and excited. Under the bright Jellicle moon, Demeter whispered to Macavity that Munkustrap had just asked her to be his mate.
Oh, I'm so excited! For all these years I thought that he didn't like me one bit! And my dream came true! This is awesome! I still can't believe it that he proposed me... she mused. When Macavity said nothing, she looked slightly confused.
You are glad... aren't you, Macavity? I wanted you to be happy... I mean, you're one of my best friends.
Yes, yes. Friends. Not mates. How could she expect him to be happy?
He loved Demeter. He wanted Demeter to be his mate through their entire life. He loved her. But she chose someone instead. And that 'someone' was Munkustrap, Macavity's greatest enemy. Although Munkustrap didn't dislike the ginger tom, he hated the silver tabby.
If I can't have you, no one can. He growled into the darkness as Demeter walked away, without looking back.
You love each other... but you can't live in your happiness forever, Demeter. Not when you can't be mine...
It was two weeks before the Jellicle ball when it happened. Two weeks before Munkustrap and Demeter's mating dance, a pack of ruthless Pollicle invaded the junkyard.
Fortunately, no one had died in that sudden attack. But many Jellicles were injured and they were lying everywhere, moaning in pain and sorrow.
"How could this happen to us?" Jennyanydots wailed. She had a big scratch across her face and blood was still oozing out of it. Her kittens were crying heavily beside her. She sobbed as she held Victoria and Jemima close.
Munkustrap let out a sigh. He looked around the yard to see Skimbleshanks lying on the ground, with a massive cut on his forehead. A throb in his arm reminded him of his own injuries. While he was fighting off the dogs, one of them managed to bite him. He would have died, if Alonzo was there to save his throat. Fresh blood was still oozing from one of the scratches in his abdomen. He hissed in pain, and bowed his head to clean the wound.
"Munkus! Munkustrap!" he raised his head and looked at Demeter who was running towards him, with tears rolling down her cheeks. Soon he found his arms full with a sobbing queen. As the golden queen wept in his chest, he gently patted her back to calm her down a bit. Her arms were wrapped tightly around his waist, holding on for dear life.
"Deme... it's okay." he soothed. "they're gone. They won't bother us again."
"Munku... you almost died! How could you say that? Oh my Everlasting Cat.. you're injured!" she almost screamed at the end of the sentence. "turn around. Let me take a look at you."
"Demeter, I'm fine." he had to laugh, even though this was not a situation to laugh. "Jenny will fix me up, don't worry about me."
"She's busy already with Alonzo and Admetus." she murmured, cleaning the wound on his back. Munkustrap winced slightly as pain sore through his back.
"You're nothing but a big baby... hold still, I can't clean this with you keep moving." she complained. But he licks became softer and gentler as pain slowly disappeared. As the pain subsided, he finally got a chance to look around the yard properly. Alonzo was being treated by Jenny across the clearing, Admetus was slowly limping away to his den. He saw Jellyrorum and many kittens huddled up in the corner, shivering. Skimble looked quite shaken. He sighed.
"I can't believe this is happening." he whispered. Demeter met his eyes, looking up from cleaning his wound. She didn't answer.
"Attention, please." all cats scattered around the yard looked up at the sudden noise. And on top of the giant tire, there stood a tom, no other then Macavity himself.
"What is he doing up there?" Munkustrap growled. Sudden thought swept across his mind that he didn't see the ginger tom while fighting off the Pollicles. But he decided to listen to the ginger tom anyway. Demeter was finished with his wounds and was also staring at Macavity with puzzled expressions.
"I have something important to tell you. It's about today's attack." he went on.
"Oh, Puh-lease! Can't you give us a break?" it was Rum Tum Tugger. "You know, we all got a terribly injured during the fight- and you look good, by the way. Where the hell were you?"
Macavity ignored him completely. But he sent a glare towards the Maine coon, hissing under his breath. "Munkustrap, would you come forward here, please?"
The silver tom was quite surprised, but he came up to the front and stood beside his older brother. He looked at Demeter's direction and saw her eyes were filled with worry and concern. He turned his head to look at Macavity, who was having a strange expression on his face. Was it... triumph?
"Munkustrap, where were you before the Pollicles attacked our yard?" the ginger tom asked.
"Uh... I was on patrol, actually. In the northern border. I came straight here when Alonzo mentioned that-" Macavity cut him off.
"Pollicles invaded our yard."
Munkustrap nodded slowly. He clearly didn't know where this conversation was going to. What was he up to?
"Everyone, this is how he repays us, after all things we did for him!" Macavity suddenly shouted. Munkustrap just stared at him, eyes wide with shock. "I believe that today's Pollicle attack was all because of him. Our own protector turned against us and tried to kill us all! Evidences are clear, considering-" he broke off, because Munkustrap pushed him away forcefully away from the tire. Macavity suddenly lost balance and fell of the tire, but he landed the ground with four legs.
"WHAT are you talking about?" Munkustrap growled threateningly, baring his teeth. "I didn't do it! How could you say such a thing in front of the whole tribe?"
"Like I just mentioned, the evidences are quite clear." Macavity jeered. "you said that you went patrol on the northern border. Did you realize that Pollicles live there? And if you ask me, I'd say that you had a pleasant time making planes with the Pollicle leader to attack your own tribe!"
"Macavity, I didn't do this! Why are you doing this to me?" Munkustrap cried out in despair.
"Munkus, how could you do this to us?" Plato shot up from the crowds. The patched tom walked up to the ginger tom and stood up next to him. "I trusted you! WE trusted you! You're our protector! And this is how you treat us?"
"Plato." Munkustrap let out a shocked breath. "you..." he looked at them. Macavity was now grinning from ear to ear, with wild satisfaction glowing in his contorted face.
"You did this." he growled. "you planned on doing all this..."
"Macavity, don't do this." it was Demeter who stood between them. She looked at the ginger tom with pleading eyes. Tears were already rolling down her cheeks. Her voice was shaking slightly as she held onto Munkustrap's paw. "you... you really don't think that Munkustrap did this..."
"Oh, yes. I do." Macavity smirked. "and you know it."
"No... Munkustrap would do no such thing!" she turned around and faced the whole tribe. They were looking at the four cats in the front, eyes wide with shock and disbelief. "everyone, you HAVE to trust him! He didn't do it, I know!"
"Macavity, I didn't do this!" he cried desperately. "you have to believe me... you're my older brother. Doesn't it mean something to you?"
Macavity punched Munkustrap across the face. It was so fast the silver tom barely had time to react. Munkustrap fell to the ground, letting out a pained gasp. Demeter screamed and tried to help him up but Macavity pushed her away from the silver tabby. The ginger tom grabbed Munkustrap's collar and began to choke him.
"You stopped being my brother when you took Demeter away from me!" he growled under his breath. Munkustrap's eyes were wide with shock and feelings of betrayal. "and you will pay for it, little brother." he spat out the last words. His grip on Munkustrap's collar tightened and the silver tom struggled to get away.
"Let go of him!" Demeter yelled. "you'll kill him. Let him go! Why are you doing this, Macavity?" she latched onto the ginger tom's back and tried to pull him back. "please... don't do this."
Munkustrap was slowly going limp under Macavity's grasp. Demeter let out a sharp scream and bowled him over. The tabby was released. He collapsed to the ground and began to cough. He breathed in slowly, massaging his bruised neck. The golden queen quickly began to rub his face, trying to sooth him. She herself was shaking with fear and anger.
"Somebody grab him!" Macavity ordered. Plato shot forward and grabbed Munkustrap from behind. The tabby had no strength to get away from the patched tom. Demeter tried to stop Plato, but with no avail. Some other toms were now standing beside Macavity.
"Macavity, please! Don't do this!" Demeter burst out crying.
"Kill him!" someone cried out in the crowd. "we have to make him pay for this!" some other toms yowled in agreement.
"Exile him! We can't let him live here after this." it was Bombalurina this time. Demeter's eyes went wide suddenly. It was no other than her own sister who wanted Munkustrap to be exiled. She slowly walked up to the scarlet queen, shaking with disbelief. Young kittens were staring at them with horror in their eyes. But their mother turned them away from the golden queen, slowly shaking their heads.
"But Lina... you're my sister." she whispered. "please... can't you see that the tribe needs Munkustrap?"
"I see that you need him." Bombalurina spat out bitterly. Demeter tried to say something but she turned around from her.
"Alonzo... please." she sobbed. "you can't do this. Help him!" Alonzo hesitated before he moved to Munkustrap's direction, but Plato stopped him with a threatening growl.
"Enough of this childish play." Macavity growled. He came closer to Demeter and held her face in his large paw. She tried in vain to hold the tears back. But as she squeezed her eyes shut, drops of tears fell from her forest eyes again. Macavity slapped her hard across the face, making her collapse to the ground, letting out a wail.
"You'll die... unless you are mine again." he whispered before looking at Munkustrap, who was still looking down at the ground. Plato and Bill Bailey was behind him, holding him to the ground."get him out."
"NO!" Demeter ran towards Munkustrap. She dropped to her knees beside him and began to cry uncontrollably. Rough sobs invaded her body as she clutched onto him, crying heavily. But the silver tom was not moving.
"Macavity... please... let me go with him if you have to exile him." she sobbed. "I... I can't live without him... let me go with him, please..."
At this, Munkustrap raised his head and looked at Demeter through shocked eyes.
"No, Demeter. You have to stay here... I can't let you."
"I don't care. I can't be apart from you... I need you." she cradled his face in her paws and looked into his blue eyes. "and you know it..."
"If you leave the junkyard now, you can't come back, Demeter." Macavity growled menacingly. "and if you leave this yard, you're most likely to be dead in next few months. The golden queen glared at him with eyes filled with hatred.
"I'll never forgive you for this, Macavity." she spat. "and I don't care. I'd rather die out there than becoming yours."
"Do as you wish. I don't need you either if you still love him."
"Then I'll never be yours." she growled before helping Munkustrap to his feet. Her forest eyes were blazing with pure hatred and anger.
"Leave now... before I kill you both." Macavity said. "don't test my patience."
Without saying anything, she turned away with the exhausted tabby in her arms. They slowly made their way through the yard. Nobody said anything as they watched the two felines disappearing from their sight. But they also didn't see that their eyes were now full of sadness and agony, not with anger. Demeter tried to look back as the passed the main gate. But she turned her head before she could meet anyone's eyes. And as she took another step out to the junkyard, a drop of tear fell from her green eyes.
They were not a Jellicle any longer. They were stray cats wondering alone. An outcast. They were now the enemy of their former tribe.
Demeter let out a frustrated sigh as she numbly gazed at the scrawny mouse running away from her grasp. Her stomach growled with hunger and she squeezed her eyes shut and tried to concentrate on something else. But she failed. She never knew what would hunger mean to a stray. It has been two months since they were kicked out of the tribe. The golden queen stumbled through the empty street, her head dizzy with hunger and exhaustion. She was not a good hunter.
As she walked on, she saw a puddle of water glistening ahead of her. The sparkling water reminded her of her own thirst. She quickly went to the puddle and licked the cool water. It was better than starving, at least. As she was finished with drinking, she looked down at the water's surface and had to let out a sigh of despair. She was so thin. Her black and golden fur lost it's former glow. Even her eyes looked empty.
Demeter raised one paw and struck the water's surface hard. Drops of water scattered everywhere and she let out rough sobs, unable to control herself.
Why did this happen to me? To us? Her heart ached as she thought of her mate.
But she had to go on. She had to return to Munkustrap. That was where she truly belonged. Demeter turned around from the puddle and began to walk away, her head bowed.
About half an hour, she finally managed to catch a mouse. It was very small, but it made her mouth water just by the sight of it. Demeter, with great difficulty, pushed down the urge to gulp that mouse in one single bite. She lifted the dead mouse from the ground and trotted down the streets. At last, she caught something to ease the hunger.
As she turned around the corner and entered the empty alley, she saw the silver tabby lying on his stomach, groaning in his sleep. She slowly went up to him, her legs shaking. She gently licked his face, purring tiredly. "Munkus, it's me."
His eyes fluttered open and his eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light. He raised his head and gave her a quick lick in the cheek, smiling tiredly. "you're back." he tried to sit up straight, but it was too much for him. He sank to the ground again with a pained groan. Demeter's heart felt heavy as she helped him roll onto his side. As he was rolled to one side, his belly revealed a horrible gash, still clotted with dry blood. Drops of fresh blood was visible through his silver fur. It was two days ago that he got hurt in a fight with another stray alley cat. He received a fatal blow to his belly, so he couldn't move. Even though the bleeding had stopped, he lost too much blood to move around. His face looked even paler than before.
"You okay?" she whispered. He nodded, forcing a smile.
"Don't worry. I'll be okay in a few days."
Demeter didn't reply. She nudged the mouse to him. But he just stared at it with empty gaze. He looked back at her, without saying anything. He sighed, once again. "I don't want to eat anything. I just... want to rest."
"But Munkus, you have to eat something!" she cried. "look how thin you are now. You must eat this. If you don't-"
"I'll die in a few days." he whispered drily in a cracked voice. "Deme, you have to understand."
"I can't, and I won't, if it affects your life!" she shot back towards him. "and don't say that! Please, I can't live without you, Munk..." her words ended with a sob and she buried her face into his chest. She hugged him with all her might, unable to let go. She held back a chocked sob, looking up at his face. "I won't let you leave me. Never."
Munkustrap let out a small chuckle, nuzzling her softly. "Alright, I get it." he said warmly. "I won't leave you, Deme. I promise."
. . . . . . .
Demeter was suddenly woken up from her sleep when she heard a pain-filled groan beside her. She whipped her head to one side and gasped. Beside her, Munkustrap was moaning in pain, his breathing harped and strangled. She instantly went to his side to examine his wound on his belly. It looked okay, but she couldn't help but worry.
"Munkus, please. What's wrong?" she whispered. "tell me!"
He gasped for breath, his claws scratching the hard ground as he writhed in pain. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment and shakily let out a harsh breath. "I... I don't know... it hurts... so much..." he managed to say through gritted teeth. "it hurts, Dem... w-what's wrong with me?" he started to go pale again. Another painful groan escaped from his lips. His grip on her paw began to slacken. Demeter whimpered, trying to calm him down. Few agonizing minutes passed terribly slowly. But finally, Munkustrap was relieved from the pain.
"You okay?" Demeter asked quietly. He nodded slowly. He yawned, and curled up next to her. She snuggled close to him and licked his chest. Her rhythmical licks soothed him down as he slowly drifted into deep sleep.
But as the days passed by, Munkustrap's condition got worse. Demeter soon discovered that his wound on his belly was infected. Rising fever dominated the silver tabby and each night, he couldn't escape from the endless pain. He would sometimes cough out dark droplets blood. He was getting weaker and weaker. His energy was ebbing away quietly and quickly. His blue eyes lost all emotions as the days passed by again and again. Demeter cried each night, praying to the everlasting cat. She even offered herself in his place in the heavyside layer. She just couldn't live without him. Her life meant nothing, without him.
One day, Demeter was out hunting in the dark alley. It was a rainy day with dark clouds covering up the sky. With her black and golden fur soaked wet, she couldn't move faster than usual. Hunger and exhaustion played a role in that too. Raindrops mingled with tears in her face and fell onto the ground silently.
Demeter knew, that if someone didn't help him, he would die soon. Demeter also knew that she couldn't help him. Not alone. She almost knew nothing about medicine and treating wounds. She blamed herself for it. If only she paid more attention when Jenny was treating Munkustrap's wounds!
In fact, she already had a plan. But it meant she had to leave her beloved mate for a while in search of her former tribe. She knew clearly well that he was not in a state to move or travel with her. She had to go alone, without anybody's help. Demeter already felt worries for Munkustrap creeping up onto her spine. How could she leave him, in this condition? He desperately needed her help.
"But he'll die if I don't go to find help..." she whispered. "I can't lose him... whatever happens."
"Jenny would help him. He's like a son to her... I know she'll help him."
Demeter's plan was this. She would leave at early in the morning for the Jellicle Junkyard tomorrow morning. She wouldn't tell Munkustrap where she would go... it was clear that he would object. She decided to tell him that she was going away for a while for a better hunting ground. It is not a real lie... she told herself, filled with guilt. It was true that they were in desperate need of new prey. This alley they were staying didn't have many preys to catch.
She returned to Munkustrap in the late afternoon, with nothing to eat. She crouched next to him to give him warmth. Even he was burning up, he felt extremely cold. Demeter gave him a few licks to wake him up. The silver tabby stirred but didn't wake up. She suddenly felt scared. She reached out a quivering paw and nudged him softly. She let out a sigh of relief when he groaned.
"Munkus... wake up. I have something to tell you." he barely nodded, but Demeter was sure he was listening. "I... I want to search for a new hunting ground. You know, we don't have much to eat in here..." she murmured.
"But Deme." he whispered. His eyes were already opened and were looking at her with concern. "it's dangerous. It's not safe to travel in... your condition."
"Oh, come on. At least I'm better than you, Munkus." she tried to joke, but she failed. "I'll be okay... and I promise you. I'll be back in four days. There is no danger out there... and you know that I'll be careful, whatever happens."
Munkustrap tried to argue back, but Demeter shushed him with a light kiss on his lips. "Don't worry, Munkustrap. I'll be safe."
"I'll be back in four days... no, three days." she said with conform. In the back of her mind, she knew that if she hurry, she could be back in three days time.
"I promise. I'll be back in three days time." she whispered, nuzzling him softly. "I will never leave you, Munkus... no matter what." she gazed into his blue eyes. Demeter wrapped her arms around his waist and breathed in his familiar scent, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I love you." she whispered.
"I love you too." he whispered back. "I'll be waiting for you... for ever, if I have to."
The next morning, Demeter was finally ready to leave. She silently left Munkustrap's side, careful not to wake him up. He was sleeping soundly. She could see his chest rising and falling slowly as he breathed in and out. She pulled up a sad smile, looking at him with sadness in her forest eyes.
"I'll be back soon, Munkus..." she whispered. "just be safe until I come back. Please... I can't lose you."
She slowly backed away, without tearing her eyes from her beloved mate. Drops of tears rolled down her cheeks and she let out a sob. She suddenly turned around and began to dart away, without looking back again.
She had to hurry... if she wanted to save them both.
God, I hate myself for this. I know it sucks but don't hate me!
Please review! The chapter 2 will be soon updated!
Have a nice day. :D