Authors Note: This story is written by the co-author of 'What's a Jellicle Cat' and a friend, all credit goes to them. Yankeedoo belongs to her. Other Cats characters belong to T.S. Elliot.
The sky had been dark for nearly the entirety of the day. The ominous scent of rain hung in the air as a dark and humid night approached. A tiny kitten whimpered to himself, his ears tucked back and his tail between his legs as he ran from shadow to shadow. He had recently lost his mother and had been on his own for a week now. The tom kitten's remarkable coat was stained with dirt and a bit of his own blood from old injuries. His skin seemed to hang off him and his ribs could be seen easily. His mother hadn't had time to teach him how to properly hunt and his bright markings didn't help the situation.
A silver tabby sat, eyes ever watchful in the dark light of the junkyard. A crack of lightning broke the sky in two and just as quickly the clouds were split, spilling rain drops hard and fast. A flash of black and white crossed his vision and he shuffled sideways slightly to make room for his second in command. Alonzo leapt into the open trunk of an old TSE1 Ford.
"Miserable day isn't it?" The harlequin tom shook out his fur, light droplets of rain sent across an assortment of blankets and the silver tabby.
"Just a bit." The cavernous echo of raindrops on steel was enough to drive any tom mad. Not Munkustrap though, he could sit and listen to the rain all day.
The tomkitten was caught in the middle of a clearing behind a large house when the rain started, his tri-coloured coat was drenched almost instantly as he attempted to quicken his pace. His hunger and exhaustion slowed him down to barely a trot as he approached a large junkyard in order to find cover from the rain. He was nearly dragging himself by the time he reached the edge of a large pipe the one in the clearing. His eyes were red from crying but the tears were lost to the rain. He was too tired to completely make it into the pipe and left himself laying over the edge. The young tomkitten closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. At that point all he wished for was peace, a quick end to his miserable life.
Munkustrap's ears shot up and he picked up an unfamiliar scent. "Do you smell that?" His eyes scanned the junkyard and they settle on a startling scene. A kitten, no older than their own Jemima lay exhausted and shivering in the rain. His natural instincts kicked in, preparing himself to head out into the unruly weather.
"Alonzo, fetch Jenny and bring her back here." The black and white tom followed Munkustrap's gaze and nodded, setting off into the rain. The silver tabby jumped out of the trunk and leapt through the rain, dodging puddles with expert skill.
"Hey there little guy." He dropped to his knees beside the kit, scooping him up, into his arms. Upon raising the small kit from the ground, he was alarmed at how light he was.
The young kitten had a remarkable coat. Based in white with bright red stripes and deep blue stars. He would have been exquisite if it weren't of his sickly state. The kitten's head lolled back as Munkustrap lifted him. He had a vague sense of being moved but exhaustion had drained everything from him.
Munkustrap sheltered the kit as much as he could, leaping back through the rain to the trunk. He carefully placed the tri-coloured kit on a soft blanket, checking him carefully for wounds. He winced softly at the numerous scratches and cuts on such a small kitten. "What's happened to you?" He stroked back wet headfur from his eyes.
"Munkustrap, what is going on?" Jenny sounded flustered, jumping up into the trunk beside the silver tabby, Alonzo close behind. One look at the small kit and her anger faded. "Out of my way this kit needs medical attention." She busied herself with cleaning the small tom from the tip of his ears to his tail.
The small tomkitten groaned softly as he awoke. It became suddenly obvious that he was no longer freezing and wet. He had awoken on a large mound of pillows in a very warm and dry den. The kitten opened one eye sleepily and looked around.
"Well well well! Look who finally woke up." The calm voice of the older queen startled the kitten and he scrambled instinctively away from her.
"Calm down dear, you shouldn't move too much." She smiled kindly at him. "You're still injured." She walk towards the kit slowly, so as not to frighten him any more than he already was. "You're safe here." She whispered, gently checking the kits wounds and bandages.
His large colourless eyes shot around the room before settling on the queen. He opened his mouth to speak but only a strangled squeak came out. The tomkitten swallowed hard and tried again, "i-is this the Heaviside...? Am I finally dead?" His shaking stopped as he spoke, as if the thought comforted him.
"Oh sweet Bast no." The queen laughed softly, stroking his now clean fur. "You're at the Jellical junkyard. Our protector Munkustrap found you last night." She fussed over him, delighting in the fact that he was holding still for her. "My name is Jennyanydots, but you can call me Jenny."
She turned and walked away from the kitten, rummaging through some boxes. "Do you have a name my dear?" She seemed to find what she was looking for and handed him a mouse cake. "Eat this, it'll give you you're strength back."
He took a tiny bite from the mouse cake. Upon licking his dried lips he practically inhaled the rest of the cake. "My mother named me Yankeedoo..." He scrubbed at his eye as if he were crying but no tears came, after a week on his own there weren't any left. "I should be going... thank you for the food Jenny" He said and began to stand.
A large silver tabby blocked the exit to the den, looking down at the small kit. "I'm afraid we can't allow that…Yankeedoo is it?" He placed a paw on the tomkit's shoulder, leading him back towards the blankets. "You see, you're only a kitten, and after seeing that state you were in after last night I'd feel much more relaxed if you would stay with us here in our junkyard." He turned to the elder queen. "Good morning Jenny."
Yankeedoo's ears shot back in fear as he saw the huge silver tabby looming over the only exit. "ok..." He gulped as he was led back to his pile of blankets. "I really shouldn't stay Sir... I'm not exactly... stable"
"Well I should think not!" Jenny said sternly, her hands on her hips, "You were nearly starved to death last night!"
Munkustrap sat down in front of the kit, trying his best not to scare him, he seemed terribly skittish and he didn't want the tiny thing to have a panic attack. "Never mind the 'sir'. " He smiled, waving a paw dismissively. "My name is Munkustrap. And we would be glad to have you." He was ,however concerned about the kits final statement.
"What do you mean by 'not exactly stable,Yankeedoo?" For some reason he had a strange sense of deja vu.
Yankeedoo wrung his large tri-coloured tail nervously. His mother had warned him never to tell anyone about his... talents. However if he didn't show these 'Jellicles' he may end up hurting them and he didn't want that. "I... can do things..." He swallowed hard dancing around the subject, "Things most cats can't do..."
Munkustrap soften his look somewhat, by folding his legs underneath him, tail curling to rest in his lap. "Go on." He spoke softly, paying Yankeedoo his full attention.
The slightest shade of pink appeared beneath the tomkitten's facial fur. "My mother said I shouldn't tell anyone." He looked as though he wished to cry but nothing came again, "She said I would be hurt if I told anyone..."
Jenny raised a brow and exchanged a glance with Munkustrap before turning back to the tri-coloured kitten, "We won't harm you dear, just tell us"
Yankeedoo looked Munkustrap deep in the eyes as if trying to see if he was really as good as he was acting. "I can do tricks... like magic ones..."
Munkus smiled at the kit, his large ears perking up. "You can rest assured that we can help you there." He stood, holding out a hand for him. "Come with me and I'll show you." Yankeedoo looked at the tabby's paw, then across to Jenny.
"It's ok dear." Jenny smiled, folding up some of the blankets. "He's only going to take you to see Quaxo."
Yankeedoo looked more nervous, "Quaxo... is he mean?" His eyes darted around before he pulled closer to the silver tabby and quickened his pace to keep up.
Jenny laughed softly and shook her head, "Not at all! He's quiet and small and black.."
"From his ears the the tip of his tail" Came a deep voice with the slightest hint of seduction. A large maine coon sat on a tire that they had to pass to get to Quaxo's.
"Morning Tugger…" The tabby rolled his eyes slightly. "You're up surprisingly early." Munkustrap led the tiny kit in the general direction of a large disused sewer pipe. "Quaxo… you home?" He called out knocking on the edge of the pipe. When no reply came he sighed softly. "Quaxo!"
"What?" A spirited black and white tuxedoed tom appeared on top of the pipe, legs crossed and a childish grin on his face. "I'm practicing." Munkustrap shook his head softly.
"I have someone I'd like you to meet." Quaxo turned his attention to Yankeedoo and slid down off of the pipe. "Hello." He smiled looking down slightly at the young tomkit.
"He looks like Uncle Sam and the Cheshire Cat had a love child!" Tugger remarked as he leaned against the pipe next to Quaxo.
Yankeedoo practically cowered behind Munkustrap as he looked at the large maine coon with wide and frightened eyes.
Though Munkustrap laughed, Quaxo was not amused. "ingore him, he's a terrible bore. No-one listens to him." Quaxo smiled and knelt beside Yankeedoo. "So, how old are you?" He asked, through the brotherly spat beside them.
"You can talk Tugs!" Munkustrap waved a finger lazily at his brother. "You look like an 80's hairball."
"At least I'm not going grey." Tugger spat back, a cheeky though still moderately sexy smirk on his lips.
Yankeedoo wrung his tail anxiously again as he stared at the tuxedo tom with wide eyes, "Six Mr. Quaxo Sir..." His ears were flat out the sides and his shoulders up as if he were trying to hide in plain sight.
Munkustrap waved an arm at his brother, "Your disobliging ways are what has turned my fur from silver to grey!"
Tugger snorted, "Those are a matter of habit! Besides you've always been grey!"
"Six? Well well, that's makes you a lot older than me before I came here." He took in the red's and blues in the kits fur and his eyes went wide. "You certainly are a brightly coloured kit aren't you?" He smiled, ruffling Yankee's headfur softly. "I can show you some magic tricks if you like, you don't have to listen to these two going on all day."
Munkustrap's fur poofed slightly and he coughed to clear his throat. "You say you enjoy muddles, the real reason is you can't be bothered to sort out you're bloody fur!"
The verbal battle went on until Jenny cleared her throat loudly. Both adult toms' ears drooped and then went silent instantly.
Yankeedoo couldn't help but giggle softly as he looked at the adults, "Will you really teach me?" He looked very excited for a moment then went sad, "Mother tried to get this scary cat to teach me once." He shook his head as if the memory was clouding his mind, "I didn't like him at all"
"Teach you? It's not something that can be taught you know…" Quaxo looked a little confused. "You're…you're a magical cat?" He looked over the kit again and smacked his palm to his forehead. "Why didn't I see it before. Of course I'll teach you." He grinned, taking the young tom's hand in his. The pair walked away from the sibling set, Jenny lecturing away to her hearts content. "Do you know what this cats name was?" He asked cautiously, if it was who he thought, there was a chance the young tom could be in danger.
Yankeedoo wiggled his nose as if in deepest thought. "I don't think I ever knew his name... He always told me to call him Master." Yank nodded as if this information was good enough, "But he was a mangy looking ginger tom if that helps!"
Munkustrap's ears perked up and he became very serious and he and the maine coon exchanged a glance. "Macavity..." Munkustrap muttered as his claws slipped subconsciously out of their sheaths
Quaxo glanced back at the pair, a hint of fear in his eyes. "Yank, we're gonna play a game ok? In this game you're not allowed to talk about that specific tom. Can you do that for me?" He put on his best smile and sat the kit down at the edge of the clearing. "Right, first I want you to show me what you already know. And don't worry about hurting me. I can take it."
Yankeedoo looked a bit confused but shook the feeling off. "Alright!" He concentrated hard for a moment and vanished.
Tugger flailed as the tomkitten appeared only inches from him. "Not another one!" The maine coon exclaimed and pouted cutely.
Yankeedoo clapped his hands and sparks flew everywhere. He stood up straight and began to walk back towards Quaxo. It took a moment for the Jellicles to realized he was floating 3 inches form the ground as he walked.
Quaxo stifled a laugh at Tuggers reaction, the coon getting more than his just desserts.
"Well done Yank, I don't think I've seen Tugger jump like that in ages." He watched on with slightly widened eyes. This tomkit was very advanced for his age. He himself was about ten years when he finally figured out how to teleport. "You're very good, do you feel drained at all? Physically I mean."
Yankeedoo looked himself over and thought for a moment, "My legs kinda feel kinda like noodles... and I'm starting to get a bit of a headache" He rubbed the back of his neck and smiled.
Munkustrap looked between the two, "Is that good?"
"It's perfectly normal to be tired, but too much magic before he's ready and it could be a lot worse." He pulled the young tom down to sit beside him. "Once your powers are a bit more developed, you'll barely notice anything. Quaxo smiled and took Yanks paws in his. "I think I'll teach you basic regeneration for now. So you can heal yourself if you ever get into a scrap." He continued to explain the process, trying to make the experience a little more 'kitten' friendly.
Yankeedoo nodded and looked at one of his more damaged arms that Jenny had wrapped, "Alright Mr Quaxo... what do I do first?"
Munkustrap slapped his brother up side the head before sitting down and watching the events.
"First of all you need to relax and clear your mind." He ingored the two toms behind them closing his eyes. "I'm pretty sure you've found out that when you're scared or angry you power doesn't work quite as well as it should?" His eye cracked open to see the kit nod. "Right well, it's like creating sparkles but a bit more control, and instead of forcing power out you're taking it in. Do you understand?"
"I-I think so..." He muttered and closed his eyes, trying very hard to do what Quaxo instructed.
Munkustrap started chatting with Jenny again. Tugger saw that no one was paying attention and began to tiptoe towards the two magical cats. He was an inch from Yankeedoo when he yipped loudly in the tomkitten's ear.
Yank's eyes shot open and he jumped half a foot in the air as the energy he was building up released into Tugger who's fur stood on end with static.
"Tugger!" Quaxo shouted batting the maine coons legs. "How many times have I told you to not! I repeat NOT interrupt me when I'm doing magic?" He tapped his foot, even though he was still sitting down. "Don't worry about Tugger, he's had worse. I almost set him on fire once… his tail smoking and everything." Once the 'golden puffball' had regained a Tugger like appearance he continued with his lesson. "Healing yourself is easy." He turned back to Yankeedoo rolling his eyes. "Your body has magic running through every cell, every fiber of your being, so minor things like bruises heal quickly." He carefully unwrapped the kits arm from it's bandage, wincing slightly at the sight. "Healing others however is a completely different matter."
Tugger smoothed out his fur the best he could before fluffing his mane and stalking off to sit next to Munkustrap. The Maine Coon crossed his arms over his chest and grumbled darkly, something about damn magic kits.
Yankeedoo exchanged a glance with Quaxo before concentrating on his forearm. A large gash had been made there after a run in with a pollicle. The wound had been so deep that the tips of the canines had left dents in Yank's bone. "Tell me what I have to do..."
Quaxo raised an eyebrow slightly, shaking his head. "You can't heal cuts this bad on your own." He very carefully wrapped his paw around Yankees wrist and placed his other paw over the wound. "It'll only hurt for a second ok." He focused only on the kit, and treating his wound. He shuddered slightly when the pain began coursing through him, flesh, skin and fur rejoining before the young kits eyes. Quaxo's breath was coming in light gasps, feeling every miniscule drop of pain that had been caused upon the kit. When he withdrew his hands, his tail twitched for a while but then he seemed fine. "You see Yank? When you heal others, you take their pain into yourself, but because it's only a little bit at a time your magic takes care of it quickly."
Yankeedoo gave the smallest of gasps and searched the tuxedo tom's eyes, "No! I don't want you to heal me if you have to feel my pain!" He grasped Quaxo's paws in his own and gave the tom a concerned eyes. Yank knew how much pain he was truly carrying and the tomkitten wouldn't forgive himself if the tuxedo tom took all of it for himself.
Quaxo was taken aback by the kits actions and he smiled softly. "Don't worry, I've been doing this for years." He placed his paw over Yank's. "You shouldn't have to suffer at your age." He remembered how he had been at Yanks age. He'd kept his powers to himself, not telling anyone for fear of rejection or worse, banishment. "I'm more than happy to help you Yank."
Yankeedoo sighed softly and leaned down, He gave Quaxo's paws a nuzzle as a 'thank you'. The tiny magical tom ruffled his own head fur and leaned back, "Alright alright... do what you got to do then."
Quaxo dipped his head softly and helped the kit to lean back against the trunk of the car. "You're going to feel a little warm. But don't worry, you'll be perfectly fine. "He placed his paws on Yankees stomach carefully, eyes focused as he set about healing him.
Munkustrap frowned softly, overhearing the conversation between the two magicians. "Tug, did you know that? I mean, that it hurts Quaxo when he heals someone else?" He ran a paw through is headfur. "He never said a word about it before."
Tugger shrugged as he finger-combed his mane, "I kinda assumed the pain went some place. It couldn't just vanish! That would be too easy."
Jenny nodded, "I figured it all along. Well at least since that healing session he had with you after your tiff with Macavity during last years ball." He looked at the magical pair thoughtfully, "While he was fixing some of your major stuff his face got screwed up like it hurt him."
Yankeedoo gasped as his whole body tingled. He had been hurt so long he hadn't remembered what it felt like to be healthy. "Whoa... thanks!"
After the pain had subsided, Quaxo shook his head softly, in his usual humble manner. "Not at all." He double checked over Yank's wounds, happy with the level of healing. "If you ever get in a scrap again, come see me ok?" He smiled sweetly, hopping up onto his feet and holding a paw out to the kit. "I can show you around if you l
like. SInce this is going to be your new home."
Yankeedoo nodded and took Quaxo's paw before what the tuxedo tom had said sunk in, "My home? You mean I can stay here?" He looked around with wide eyes and a broad smile. He never had a home before, just a box or rubbish bin to crawl into during the night.
"Of course. You didn't think we'd let a young kit go wandering the streets of london all by himself, did you?"Quaxo stopped for a moment and smiled down at Yankee. "We're going to take care of you Yank. That's what families do." The older magician led him around the junkyard, pointing out various other jellical dens and they're usual meeting point for the Jellical ball.
Yankeedoo was paying close attention to everything Quaxo said. He held tightly to the other tom's paw as they walked. He thought if he let go then he would either be lost or attacked like when he was out in the streets.
Suddenly out of nowhere a ball of orange and black fur flew off the top of a rubbish heap towards them.
Yankeedoo clamped his eyes shut and thrust a hand towards the calico tom. A mini shield formed and Mungojerie slammed headfirst into it, falling onto his butt.
Quaxo frowned softly in thought. 'He's so skittish, he must've been on his own for quite sometime. His thought distracted him from the calico's attack. "Good reflexes." Quaxo laughed as Mungojerrie picked himself up of the ground, dusting off his fur. He mumbled something about 'cheating' but Quaxo decided not to make anything of it. "So who's dis? 'nother one of your tricks gon' wrong Mistoffelees?" He laughed gesturing to the kit's tri-coloured coat.
"Mungojerrie, this is Yankeedoo. He's going to be staying with us." Quaxo placed a paw on Yankee's shoulder, comforting the kit. "It's ok Yank, this is Mungojerrie. He's not going to hurt you, though it's a good idea to be on you're guard around him."
Yank's eyes went wide and he attempted to morph into Quaxo's hip, he got so close. "He smells like that tom you told me not to talk about..."
Mungojerrie stood and cocked his head, "Wha's 'e talkin' bout Quax?" He walked over and sniffed the tiny tomkitten curiously, "Seem det Munkie'll take in any tom off de street!"
"He's a kitten Mungo, have some compassion." Quaxo's fur bristled slightly. If Munkustrap hadn't taken him he couldn't bare to think what would have happened to him. And Mungojerrie was the least expected person to make such a remark. "It's ok Yank. He's got nothing to do with that 'cat'." he stroked the kits headfur, trying to soothe the poor worried tomkit. "He used to once, but not anymore." He shot Mungo a look, practically warning to calico to be careful around Yankeedoo. "He's had a run in with a certain ginger tom."
Mungojerrie lowered himself to be eye to eye with the colourful tomkitten. "Well den! Seems we gots somet'in in common you and I!" He ruffled Yank's very short headfur and smirked, "Don' worry Mate! I ain't gon' 'urt yeh!"
Yankeedoo nuzzled instinctively into Quaxo's hip before reaching forward and touching the small cut his shield had made on Mungojerrie's forehead. It healed instantly and he pulled his arm back quickly.
"Yank! What did I tell you?" He stroked the kits shoulder softly, looking over him with concerned eyes. "Not till you're older ok? I don't want you put yourself at risk." Quaxo couldn't help but fuss over the kit, it was like having a younger brother.
Yankeedoo wiggled his nose and pouted adorably, "But I can do it now..." He crossed his arms and leaned into Quaxo as Mungojerrie chuckled.
"Well 'ave fun with yer new trainee Quax!" He ruffled the tuxedo tom's headfur and walked off.
Quaxo's expression softened at Yank's cuteness. But it was quickly covered up when Mungo ruffled his fur, the tuxedo tom finding any form of patronizing behaviour annoying. They continued their 'tour' with a few less distracting meetings with other cats.
Yankeedoo was introduced to everyone who hadn't left after the Ball and was treated like a doll by the queenkits. He sat wide eyed with a pink doll bonnet on in the middle of the queen kitten's group. He looked as Quaxo as if saying 'HELP ME!'.
Quaxo shook his head softly, shrugging his shoulders. "Come on girls, give him some room to breath." He laughed, practically wrestling with Jemima over Yank.
"But he's adorable Quaxo!" She squealed, latching onto Yankees waist.
"Yes Jemima, I know but if you dress him up anymore you'll confuse him beyond belief."
Jemima giggled and kissed Yankeedoo on the cheek. "You can have him back now Quaxo!" She hugged the very confused and blushing tomkitten.
Yankee drew very close the Quaxo, "Are they always like that?" He wrung his tail a bit as he walked away from them.
"Not always, but most of the time...yeah." He laughed as they began back towards the main clearing. "So any questions?" He leant down a little to be nearer to the kit's height. "Do you like it here so far?"
Yankeedoo shook his head, "No questions..." He looked around once more to see the kittens playing and Tugger and Munkustrap arguing with Bomba and Deme running interference, "I love it here! Thank you Quaxo!"
"You are most welcome Yank." The tuxedo tom ruffled his headfur softly, leading the kit towards Munkustrap and Tugger, listening silently to the argument, before clearing his throat so the others would acknowledge the presence of a kit.
Tugger was the last to realize Yank was there and the last to speak, "Oh go F--..." he noticed Yankeedoo and Quaxo almost too late, "--ling poop?..."
Yankeedoo cocked his head to the left, "fling poop? thats not very nice Tugger Sir!"
Quaxo's palm immediately found his forehead, the less than tactful Tugger had done it again. Demeter's angry outer shell cracked slightly at the coon's words. "Are you a regular poop flinger Tugger?" She giggled.
"Munkustrap, do we know where Yank will be staying?" Quaxo asked, ignoring the gold queens tittering.
Munkustrap thought for a moment, "I thought he could stay with Jenny and J--..."
He stopped speaking when he noticed Yankeedoo shaking his head so rapidly it might have come off his shoulders, "I can't sleep near anyone else! I can't control my magic when I sleep!"
Munkus looked the tomkitten over once, that did explain his bloodshot eyes and exhausted look anyways.
"Hey it's ok. Calm down ." Quaxo stroked the kits shoulders softly. "You don't have to do anything you don't feel comfortable with." He thought for a moment. "Well he can stay with me, or the twins. They can suppress his powers while he sleeps. And I'm fine with barriers till he learns to control it a bit better."
Yank instinctively drew closer to Quaxo and smiled, "Really? Thanks so much Quaxo!" He nuzzled into the larger tom and purred.
Tugger elbowed Munkus subtly, "Ain't every day you see a tom smaller than Quax!" He laughed loudly and Munkustrap rolled his eyes.
"Very well, It's getting late." He yawned despite himself and stretched.
Quaxo smiled down at the kit and ruffled his head fur. Yankee was certainly growing very 'attached' to the older magician. "Have a good night Tugger, Good evening Munkustrap." He nodded curtly to the queens and led Yank to his den for the night. He held back a drape which served as a door to his den. "Go on in and make yourself comfortable Yank."
Yankeedoo sniffed the air softy before silently approving of the den. He held his colourful tail close and wrung it softly as he stepped into Quaxo's home and plopped down onto the bare floor, "Thanks so much Quaxo! I'd be sleeping in the streets again if it weren't for you!"
Quaxo smiled following Yank into the den. "You can sleep over here with me." He arrange some spare blankets beside his 'bed' and stretched out, yawning softly. "It's no problem Yankeedoo. I could do with the company to be honest." He patted the blankets beside him.
Yankee did a cannonball into the 'bed' and walked in three small circles. The tomkit then snuggled up close to the older tom and purred deeply. It was the first time he had been cozy while sleeping since he was born.
Quaxo softly stroked the kits fur, curling up next to him. He'd never shared his den with anyone, naturally preferring his personal space. But Yankeedoo needed him, he was the only one who really knew what the kit was going through. "Yank…" He yawned. "If you need anything else just wake me ok?" He nuzzled the kit softly before settling himself for the night.
...
In the middle of the night Yankee whimpered and curled into a tighter ball. He was dreaming, a nightmare buy the look of it. his fur was on end with static electricity and sparks of it kept jumping from him to Quaxo. His eyes shot open and a painful bolt of it jumped form him to the larger magician.
Quaxo woke with a start, unsure of why he suddenly looked like a blackened Tugger. His eyes shot to the kit beside him and he stroked out Yanks fur, ignoring the smaller jolts of electricity. "Yank… You ok?" He spoke softly, trying not to frighten the kit. "Was it a nightmare?" By the sound of the larger tom's voice, it was if he had never fallen asleep in the first place.
Yankee shook his head, rubbing his short headfur into the blankets frantically, as if he were trying to escape into the sheets. He wiggled into a tighter ball and sniffed softly. Yank's eyes clamped shut so tight his tears seemed to force themselves through the tiny space he left.
Quaxo fished the small bundle of fur out of the sheets and pulled him into a hug. "Ssh, ssh. It's ok Yankeedoo." He reached out, wiping away a few of his tears. "You're safe. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you." He cradled the kit in his arms, slowly rocking back and forth to soothe him. "It's not real Yank." He whispered softly. "It's not real."
Yankeedoo was shaking like a leaf as he practically tried to occupy the same space that Quaxo was, "B-but it is real... really real" He sniffed once and looked up at Quaxo with wide and frightened eyes, "At least it was real"
"It was 'that' tom wasn't it?" He continued to stroke out the young kits fur. He dreaded to think of what Macavity could have done to such a small and vulnerable kitten. Although his outer expression was soft, rage boiled inside him. Macavity took such joy out of others pain, it made him sick to his stomach.
Yank's eyes darted from left to right rapidly before they settled on Quaxo's bow tie marking, "H-he... he..." He mentally grasped and struggled for a term that would describe what happened but his young mind couldn't register the concept of it.
"Calm down Yank. You'll get Hiccups if you're not careful." Holding the kit close with one arm, he reached across to a little 'cubby' hole and pull out a small bottle of milk. "Here, drink this." He handed the bottle to Yank and pulled a blanket up over them both. "Try not to think about it Yankee." He kissed the kits forehead softly. "He's never going to get his paws on you again."
Yankee forced down the milk as slow as he could manage. He gulped heavily on the last sip and struggled to put a small smile on his face "Thanks..." He wiped furiously at the tears, "I'm sorry..."
"It's ok Yank, honestly." Quaxo smiled, waving his hand softly. Sparks flew from his finger tips and settled on the ceiling of the den, creating star like lights. He rubbed a paw soothingly up and down Yank's back. "You'll be asleep in no time Yank, and this time I'll stay awake so you don't have anymore nightmares ok?"
Yank sniffled once more before he settled into Quaxo's arms, "I'm so sorry..." He muttered his words as he slowly drifted off to an exhaustion induced sleep. The tip of his tail flicked silently back and forth in his still wringing paws as his breathing evened out.
"Sleep sweet Yank." Quaxo smiled down at the kit, keeping watch over him. He wasn't sure how many hours had gone by, but the soft glow of gold just outside his den indicated dawn was approaching.
Yankee sniffed and nuzzled into Quaxo's belly. He looked up at the larger tom through half-lidded eyes, a small smile on his face, "Good mornin..."
"Good Morning." He smiled softly. "Did you sleep well?" He ran his fingers through his head fur softly and yawned. His ears flopped as his he shook out his head fur.
Yank giggled softly as Quaxo's ears flopped, "Yeah thanks." He wrung his tail softly, "I'm sorry about earlier..."
"It's ok Yank. You don't need to apologize." Quaxo smiled, ruffling the kits fur.
"Mistoffolees!" Pouncival and Tumblebrutus came bounding into the den, tails waggling like crazy. "Munkustrap said there's a new kit!" Pouncival grinned from ear to ear. "Is that him?"
"Can we play?" Tumble crept close to Yankeedoo and sniffed the kits tail.
Yankee had just enough time to look at Quaxo for help before he was tackled by the two tomkittens. He didn't know what was happening until he was pinned under the two wide-eyed tomkit, "Hello..."
"What's your name?!" Pouncy asked as he practically bounced in place.
Quaxo smiled shaking his head softly. "It's ok Yank. This Is Tumblebrutus and Pouncival." He gestured to the two tom's in turn. "Tumble, Pounce, this is Yankeedoo." He sat back, watching the adorable scene play out before him.
Pouncival and Tumblebrutus both nuzzled Yankeedoo in a warm greeting before sitting back to let the poor confused kitten of his back.
Yankeedoo sat cross legged in front of them and sniffed cautiously at the brothers, "Hi...?"
Tumble bounced once and grinned widely, "Wanna play with us today?"
Pouncy nodded happily, "Please?"
Yank looked at Quaxo for help.
"If you want to. I'm sure you don't want to be stuck with me all day." Quaxo laughed, ruffling the kits fur. "I've got some errands to run, Fixing stuff up and what not. I can come and find you later on if you want?" He offered, tidying up the pile of blankets before head to door of the den.
"Please…"Pouncy begged. "Tag is no fun when you're playing with the queens, they always get themselves hurt."
Yankeedoo smiled as Quaxo gave him the go-ahead, "Alright I'll play!"
The brothers giggled and grabbed one of his paws each before dragging him out of the den and started a game of tag.
Quaxo followed behind them, glad that Yankeedoo was already starting to fit in with the other kittens. It would be hard for a while, but in the end it'd be worth it seeing a smile on the tomkit's face.
"You're it Yank." Pouncy giggled, jumping up onto the car trunk.
Yank looked a bit confused at what Pouncy said. He wiggled his nose when he saw the two brothers scampering off. The tiny magician smirked widely and closed his eyes. He appeared in front of Tumblebrutus.
"What the heck!" Tumble shouted rolling backwards away from Yank, shocked at the flash of fur in front of his eyes. He pulled himself together, ignoring Pouncival's laughter. "Hey! You're just like Mistoffolees!"
Yank cocked his head to the left, "Who's Mistoffelees?" He asked and brushed a bit of sparkles from his fur. Pouncy trotted over and looked him up and down, "He even sparkles like Misto!"
Tumble nodded in agreement with his brother. "Do you think they're related?" He sniffed and eventually sneezed, sparkles shooting from his nose.
"Mistoffolees is a magician, he's pretty much the entire reason we got old Deuteronomy back at the last Jellical ball" Pouncival nodded vigorously, getting very excited about the story. "You should know, you're practically living with him."
"You mean Quaxo?..." He looked in the direction that Quaxo had vanished in shrugged, "I'm not related to him at all."
Tumble sneezed again and covered his nose, "I love sparkles but this is plain ridiculous!"
"Well, either way. Good choice in a den mate. Misto's is the coziest! Though Aunty Jenny's is pretty comfy too." Pouncival strayed off subjuct for a moment, Tumble's 'sparkles' getting caught in his fur.
Yankee blinked softly, "Mate?..." He shook his head and shrugged, "It is pretty cozy. I didn't really pick it though. I didn't have a choice."
"A den mate Yank. You know. Like Deme and Bomba? Tugger and Munkustrap?" He could see his explanation probably wasn't the best to start off with. "He brushed himself down, turning his attention to his brothers continued sneezing. "Really? How come?"
Yank's white facial fur turned pink as he smiled bashfully, "I kinda... spark when I sleep. You shoulda seen Quaxo last night! He looked as poofy as Mr Rum Tum Tugger."
"I would've paid to see that!" Tumble laughed, his sneezing finally dying out. "At least ,maybe then he'd finally get a queen of his own, I mean that's what they like about Tugger is his huge, gigantic massive mane."
"All poofed up like Victoria when it's rainy!" Tumble rolled around with laughter.
Yankeedoo giggled cutely and tapped his feet together, "I love it here! You Jellicles are amazing!"
Pouncy slung an arm over his shoulder and chuckled, "Well you're welcome here as long as you want!"