I'll say one thing, you guys are going to love this chapter!
Well it was like a bolt of lightning had gone through me. Before I could comprehend it Quaxo was in my arms and I was kissing him fervently, both of us desperately trying to make up for all the long months that we were apart. 'Quaxo, Quaxo' was all I could murmur while he planted kisses all over my face.
'I'm sorry, I'm so sorry' Quaxo was apologizing over and over again, though for what I don't know. To try and make him shut up I pulled him close and kissed his lips with everything I had. Tears were streaming down my face, dampening his soft cheeks but neither of us minded. I didn't know how or why he was here at all but I didn't care. He was here and that was all that mattered.
Minutes or possibly hours later we had both calmed down enough to talk. I was seated against the wall of Quaxo's den while he sat next to me with his head resting on my shoulder. 'Why did you run away, just then?' I asked. He shivered and nuzzled my shoulder for reassurance.
'I thought you would hate me, after all I've given you every reason to'. I slipped my arm around Quaxo and rubbed his back in swooping circles, just the way he liked it. I had never hated Quaxo, I had simply hated the fact that he'd left.
'Why did you rescue me then? He laughed a little when I asked that.
'I didn't recognize you till I was literally on top of you!' I chuckled a little, so much for love sees through all disguises.
We talked for many hours, I had entirely forgotten about returning home. Quaxo helped my smooth down my disheveled coat back to its normal pristine condition and in return I helped him groom the mud and dirt out of his fur. Between gentle licks I told him about everything that had happened in the junkyard, from his disappearance, to Deuteronomy being persuaded to banish him, and finally how I had come to my present situation. Quaxo sighed at the mention of his banishment.
'I don't suppose I'll be allowed back to junkyard, will I?' I shook my head. I'd never known a cat to be accepted back into the tribe once they've been banished, just take a look at Grizabella.
'You didn't choose to leave did you Quaxo?'
'No'
'What made you leave?'
'Demeter'
'Ah…' an uncomfortable silence followed for both of us. Quaxo absent mindedly ran his tiny hand through my head fur. I started purring with the comforting sensation. Finally I decided to break the awkward silence with another question.
'What did she say?'
'That she'd tell our father Victoria and I had come to the junkyard.'
'You mean she'd tell Growltiger that you two were with the Jellicles!'
'More of less yes, that's what she told me'. I hissed quietly and Quaxo flattened his ears a little but neither of us moved from where we were. Both of us knew our chances of getting Demeter to confess her threat were so low it wasn't even funny. A medieval torture rack might have worked, though I doubt that even the Napoleon of crime himself would know where to get one.
Eventually Quaxo and I both fell asleep. His head pillowed in one of my arms like I had dreamed of for many months.
While sleeping I had a visitor in my dreams.
The visitor had and ebony black coat that sparkled in the moonlight, and eyes with a thousand years of wisdom behind them.
The visitor was Mistoffelees. The magical cat who's spirit has passed through many generations, and was currently carried by Quaxo. I'd always felt rather intimidated when the magic cat was called forth and I'm sure he knew this as he stared down at me.
'I see you're still in love with my current bearer Munkustrap' he stated, I nodded though it wasn't a question. Why was it that whenever I was with Mistoffelees he made me feel like I was a teenager once again? Talking to one of the senior toms in the tribe, who'd unleash a death glair if I even so much as looked at his daughter?
'But you two will have to remain apart as he is banished from the yard'. I nodded again, I could see no way around it. It would hurt immensely knowing that Quaxo was alive but couldn't live in the junkyard, but who cares? It was much easier than not knowing if he was alive or dead.
'I'll create a false vision for the twins to see so cats won't be suspicious over your disappearances' said Mistoffelees, his gaze softening a little.
'Thank you' I murmured 'and please tell the Everlasting cat thank you for bringing Quaxo back to me' Mistoffelees smiled.
'I will' he said. Then he departed, leaving me with a final message.
Remember that I have lived through many centuries and have been loved by many cats*.
Although I will never love another cat in return.
However Quaxo has only one life to live, and a full capacity to fall in love.
I want both of you to make the most of it, you have my blessing.
Ps If you so much as SNIFF Quaxo without his consent then I will hunt you down and render you to a state of extra crispy.
Mr. Mistoffelees
Waking up I noticed that the sunlight had already started coming through the crack that led to the outside. The next thing I noticed was that the arm I had wrapped around Quaxo had gone completely numb.
'Good morning' said Quaxo planting a kiss on my forehead and sitting up.
'Umm' I mumbled, I had never been good at mornings. Quaxo chuckled.
'I'll get us some breakfast' he whispered and before I could say a word he'd disappeared outside.
When we'd finished the two rats he'd brought in for us we discussed what to do about, well… everything. It was agreed that Quaxo should go to my brother Macavity's hideout and become one of his agents. Macavity would see the obvious advantages of having a magician in his employment and he would be able to offer Quaxo the protection he didn't have on the streets.
We also agreed that it was too dangerous for him to visit the junkyard, if he was found he'd be instantly attacked. I might even have to be the one attacking him. Instead I would go and meet up with him, in deserted alleyways, abandoned buildings, underneath bridges, on top of skyscrapers. Wherever was safe. We would never be able to meet regularly or even very often. Neither of us was happy with that, but certain Jellicle, a certain Jellicle Queen would get suspicious if I was away from the junkyard too often.
'Do you think we can do this?' whispered Quaxo as we walked towards the junkyard; he slipped his little hand in mine worriedly. A few streets later it was time for us to part. I wrapped my arms around his waist and he brought our heads together for a kiss, I loved the way our lips molded together so well. Running my paws up his back I made Quaxo's skin shiver, he however had the ultimate comeback. Smiling against my lips his fingers danced maddingly across my chest, running the risk of reducing me to a spineless piece of jelly.
'Love you are too much' I said when we broke apart sometime later, Quaxo smiled.
'That's better than not enough' he said bringing us back to the present, we both sighed.
'You remember Macavity's address?' I asked, he nodded.
'You remember the words of the spell?' he queried, I nodded too. Quaxo had put a small spell on me so that when I spoke the correct words it would help me get my chores done quicker, very useful for a protector.
Giving each other a quick kiss we turned around and went our separate ways, Quaxo to Macavity's hideout and me to the Junkyard. I made sure that I did not once look back the way I came, I didn't think I could keep on going otherwise. Upon entering the junkyard I was greeted by several frantic Jellicles, including Demeter.
'Where were you?' she screeched clearly restraining herself from slapping me in public. 'We were worried sick!'
'I got taken by some humans to the pound, it took me a while to escape and find my way back here.' Demeter smiled satisfied by this explanation and gave me a hug, I returned the embrace because it was expected of me.
'Oh and while you were gone the twins had a vision' said Demeter smugly 'they saw Quaxo drowning in the Thames, when he was washed up he was clearly dead.' Her eye's glinted green with malice, eagerly waiting for my reaction to this "devastating news"… If only she knew.
Putting on a mask of grieving I leaned forward and whispered 'I hope you're happy that I'm not' before turning around and walking toward the den that the kittens lived in with Jennayanydots and Skimbleshanks, her mate who worked at the railway. I wanted to find Victoria, Quaxo's little sister.
Looking around I quickly spotted Victoria's white coat among the hyperactive fur balls that were scampering round the den. She quickly spotted me, as did the other kittens.
'Munkustrap!' They cried before charging over and smothering me with hugs and purrs. While being suffocated by their affection I found Victoria clinging to my left knee. Picking the little princess up I whispered in her ear.
'I have news about your brother' she squeaked in excitement as we walked over to a quiet corner, the other kittens resumed their play and ignored us.
'Quaxo is alive' I said quietly 'and he's living not too far away from here' she squeaked again, sounding exactly like Quaxo.
'Will he be coming back soon?' she asked eagerly, I sighed and shook my head.
'Not for a while sweetie' I answered 'but you might be able to visit him sometimes' She nodded sadly, I hated disappointing her so, she was too young to understand the rules of banishment. Come to think of it, I didn't understand them either.
'Do you miss him Munkustrap?' Victoria asked bringing me back from my thoughts.
'Yes Vicky' I answered 'you're brother is one of the nicest, kindest, and most affectionate Toms I know' I actually had many more words to describe Quaxo, but I didn't think it be wise to tell Quaxo's sister what they were.
Victoria gazed at me curiously, as if searching for answers. Suddenly something clicked in her mind and she giggled, her face turning slightly pink.
'I think so too' she replied before jumping off my lap and running off to play with her friends.
Leaving the den I climbed to the top of the TSE to watch over the clearing. While gazing over the Jellicles I started to daydream.
I imagined Quaxo by my side, the two of us talking and laughing together, content with the world. I fantasized the two of us sliding off the bonnet once my watch was over and walking hand in hand to a den which we shared, both of us overjoyed that we were finally mates.
I know it's not much of a vision, but it's all I've got.
Fins
Naww, slightly sad ending for Munksy.
I LOVE criticism provided you can back it up. Actually I adore comments of any sort.
