Chapter Four
Months passed since Amadeus was born and I was sitting on the top of a car pile, my son chewing on the tip of my fluffy tail. My ears swiveled when they caught the sounds of someone clamoring up the pile behind me. I caught sight of scarlet fur out of the corner of my eye and all the muscles in my body tensed.
"Whoa! Take it easy, Msterope. I'm just here to… chat." My good eye lingered on Bombalurina's face, taking in the sincerely amiable smile across her sensually curved red lips. A smile curled my own lips and I shifted to give the scarlet bombshell more room.
"So I heard Deuteronomy reconciled his orders…" Bomba laughed gently and looked down at her paws.
"Yeah… I heard you fought for my cause… thank you." I could hear the tears in her voice, and I reached over to pull the scarlet queen into my arms. Her face pressed against my shoulder and I rocked back and forth. Amadeus's large, round teal-colored eyes stared up at Bomba, and then he rolled over onto her lap. Bombalurina gave a start and looked down at the fluffy kitten in her lap.
Amadeus was on his back, one light grey paw stuffed into his mouth, drool dripping down it a little. His round eyes blinked, and something white was sparkling around his paw. The long fur around his wrists and ankles fluffed momentarily when Bombalurina shifted him so that he was nestled against the inside of her thigh.
"Hello there, cutie-pie. And what's your name?" I smiled, knowing full well that Bomba knew what his name was. She and Jemima had worked things out a little while ago and now the younger tabby was living back with her older sister.
"Madeus." He mumbled around the drool covered paw. He grinned, showing his half-grown teeth to the tall scarlet queen. Bombalurina smiled down at him, and then grinned mischievously.
"Are you tickling, Madeus?" She asked. Amadeus's eyes went very wide and he started to wriggle in Bomba's lap.
"No! No, Momma!" He reached for me, but I leant back, watching as Bombalurina danced her fingers up my son's sides. Peels of laughter mixed with little shrieks filled the air and I laughed. A rumbling bass of laughter joined me and I glanced over my shoulder at Merope, a very pregnant Saffron was at his side, glowing as only a pregnant queen could.
"Uncie Merry!!!" Amadeus squealed, launching himself out of Bombalurina's lap into Merope's arms. He enveloped his nephew and cradled him against his large, wide chest. Given my brother's size, I was sure Amadeus was going to be a big tom when he grew up. Saffron made her way carefully and slowly over to my side and plopped down; letting out a long sigh.
"Hey Bomba, how's things?" Saffron, despite the slight prejudice, was always friendly to the scarlet queen. Bomba smiled back at Saffron, shifting so she was facing the pregnant golden-orange queen.
"Things are pretty good, how about you? Is the pregnant life treating you well enough?" Merope's cold blue eyes went to Bomba, his fur sponging a little when a slender scarlet glove trailed across Saffron's belly. I reached over and touched his knee gently, smiling warmly at him. A hint of pyrotechnics danced at the corners of his eyes.
"And on top of all of it, Merope treats me like a damsel in distress. He won't let me do anything without him being right there or standing beside me." Saffron's amber-colored eyes went to her mate with love in them.
"I'm glad he's here for me…" She said, flinching a little when she remembered that Macavity never was, and never would be, there for Amadeus. My son wriggled in Merope's arms, one paw catching his thick black shoulder fur, and he pulled himself up. Like an acrobat, Amadeus pulled and climbed up onto his uncle's shoulder, turning around with a fist full of black fur from Merope's cheek.
"Made it!" He announced cheerfully. I stood up, reaching up for him when he reached down for me. Taking him into my arms, I grinned up at Merope.
"I still can't believe you never told me that Saffron was pregnant until a few weeks ago. Albeit I should have known when she disappeared for a little while…" My brother smirked down at me, patting the top of my head in a brotherly fashion.
"She was the one who wanted it to be a surprise." Merope's blue eyes went back to his mate, who was in a deep discussion with Bombalurina. Their heads were leant together and they giggled or laughed every few minutes.
"Queen Talk…" I muttered, smiling and shifting Amadeus. He grabbed my shoulder fur and propped his chin up on it. Squealing with glee, Amadeus tried to wiggle out of my arms.
"Poppa! Poppa!" I set my stripey son down and watched him run to Munkustrap. With a laugh, Munkus lifting Amadeus, twirled him in the air and brought him down on his muscular shoulder. I nearly drooled at the sight of his muscles rippling under the silver and black fur, my paws itching to touch.
"Munkustrap." Merope said, bowing his head to the silver tabby. My mate smiled up at him, squinting a little against the bright sun.
"Good to see you, Merope. How is life in the yard treating you? I haven't seen you around in awhile…" A smile curled the ends of Merope's wide mouth and he chuckled. It wasn't so odd to see now; the Junkyard had lessened his otherwise grim attitude.
"Life is definitely good, sir. I'm flattered that you asked Deuteronomy to put me as a pipe guardian. I'm not used to being a bouncer of sorts…" With a grin, I remembered watching Merope awkwardly bowing his head to all the cats that came in from the richer part of town. Cassandra, the sensual Burmese, had run her paw across Merope's wide, muscled chest with an interest even I had issues fathoming. A few of the other queens who came in from that part of town were Victoria and Demeter. A few toms of the tribe lived there too; mainly Mistoffelees, Rum Tum Tugger, Alonzo and Bustopher Jones.
Munkustrap walked over to me, Amadeus held against his shoulder, and kissed me gently on the lips. Merope rolled his eyes at me, grinning as he went to sit next to Saffron.
"Mmm… This is a lovely start before guarding. Alonzo said that he'd take you to see Skimble at the Railway Station." I smiled sadly at him, rubbing my paws along the muscles across his chest.
"But I wanted you to take me…" I said, leaning up and fusing my mouth to his. A deep purr vibrated out of his chest, joined by mine and soon by Amadeus; who I'd forgotten was still in Munkustrap's arms. Merope cleared his throat in the background, looking up at us with a smirk on his wide mouth.
"I'm sure you have guarding duty to do, Merope." Munkustrap growled, answered with a chuckle as Merope bowed at the waist. He made one sweeping movement, a sparkle showing in his icy blue eyes as he turned to go towards the pipe.
"Arrogant piece of work…" Saffron turned from Bombalurina and looked up at Munkustrap with her amber-colored eyes.
"That he may be, Sir, but he's my arrogant piece of work." Smirking up at him, Saffron flicked some of her headfur out of her eyes. Bombalurina's head was still bowed, and she avoided eye contact with my mate. Munkustrap looked down at her for a moment, and then walked over. Lifting her chin with his paw, the silver tabby looked deep into Bomba's eyes.
"All is forgiven; you've learnt, have you not?" Her scarlet head nodded slowly, tears starting to well up in her eyes.
"Then there's nothing to worry about." I interjected, moving to put my arms around Bombalurina's scarlet shoulders. Looking up at my mate, I smiled gently.
"I think you have patrolling to do, my love." I whispered, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. Munkustrap raised an eyebrow at me, shaking his head before stealing a kiss and making his way down the pile.
"I will see you later, Deus." He called back to the kitten tom he'd left with me. Amadeus looked up at me with dramatically filled eyes.
"Poppa…" He whimpered, burying his face in my legs. I stifled a laugh and stroked his headfur gently.
"He'll be ba…" A bellow from Merope made my head snap up and ears swivel to full attention. I looked at Amadeus and smiled gently.
"Can you stay with auntie Saffron and auntie Bomba, darling? I have to go see uncle Merope." My son nodded his head and padded over to the scarlet queen awkwardly. He flopped down on his rump beside her and tugged gently on her shoulder fur. Smiling at them, I turned and raced off towards the pipe.
"What d'ya mean I need a nurse? I'm just fine." A female voice made my eyebrows rise as I approached the pipe. Merope was blocking the entrance, but I could see that there was someone else there.
Might as well help… I thought, walking up and touching Merope's shoulder gently. He looked over it at me and rolled his eyes.
"Hey! Who are you looking at? You listen to me! I need to find either Bustopher Jones or Deuteronomy, it's urgent, I'm telling you!" I motioned with my head for my brother to step aside, and I stared with disbelief at the black queen before me.
"About time…" She said, stepping into the light and eyeing me suspiciously. Her eyes were hazel-colored, and the only markings on her black fur were the white around her mouth and stripes on her cheeks. A big blue ribbon around her neck had a golden charm on it, but it was her in general that made me gape.
"Aira… fleeza?" I asked cautiously. The black queen sponged, narrowing her eyes on my face, staring blatantly at my scarred eye. It made me feel awkward and out of place, but I knew who she was.
"Say that again, queenie?" She asked, moving carefully towards me. I pulled myself up to my full height, almost a head above the black queen and looked at her more evenly.
"Airafleeza." All the fur on the new queen's back stood up, and her tail bushed; slashing dangerously behind her. Merope stiffened, ready to jump in if the queen got violent.
"How do you know my name?" Merope and I exchanged looks, and I moved towards Airafleeza, putting my paws on her stiff shoulders.
"You're our cousin…" Her mouth opened and closed several times, and her eyes flicked back and forth between myself and Merope.
"You… have got… to be kidding me." Fleeza said with a snort. She crossed her arms over her chest when I regarded her with a raised eyebrow. Merope crossed his own arms over his chest and looked down at the black queen.
"We can hardly joke about something like that, Airafleeza." His bass voice rumbled gently. Fleeza glared up at Merope, and then eyed me carefully.
"Fine, then get me some help." Rolling his eyes, Merope looked at me.
"Take care of her, Msterope." My brother whispered, looking over the scratches and scars on our cousin's arms and across her chest. Smiling up at him, I nodded. I turned to Airafleeza and held out my paw. After a moment's hesitation, she took it and I smiled gently.
"I'll take care of you, don't worry." I said, gently pulling her towards me so I could put my arms around her shoulders. Fleeza's eyes fluttered, and then she slumped against me. Cursing under my breath, I shifted and lifted my black cousin into my arms. A groan escaped her lips and I rushed off towards the infirmary.
Jellylorum dabbed a cut across Airafleeza's black cheek gently with a piece of wet linen gently while Jenny put some ointment on the black queen's arms. I paced back and forth behind a curtain, gently chewing on my thumb. Munkustrap appeared in the doorway, and my eyes whipped to him.
"I came as soon as Merope caught sight of me. Who is she?" My sightless eye flickered with an orange light, but then I stared back at the curtain with my good eye.
"She's our cousin. I haven't seen her in so long. Her mother disappeared with Airafleeza and our two other cousins from Macavity's service just prior to when Macavity blinded me." My tail fluffed and twitched irritably around behind my calves. My mate crossed the infirmary and wrapped his arms around me. Pressing my face against his shoulder, I let his purr rumble through my body.
"I just hope she'll be okay…" I groaned when a black paw wandered over my body. Munkus tilted my chin up and looked into my face. He placed a gentle kiss on my lips and smiled against my lips.
"If Jelly could save you eye, albeit leaving it blind, she can save your cousin." I chuckled, putting my arms around his neck and nuzzling my nose into his throat.
"I hope so." Jellylorum appeared at the curtain, sweat beading across her nose. Munkustrap looked at her curiously. A smile was curling her lips and she started to laugh; a sound that seemed slightly hysterical.
"What's wrong, Jelly?" I asked, moving to her side and putting my arm around her shoulders. Her sky blue eyes looked into my face, and she shook her head with a normal laugh.
"It's nothing, I just… go look at her yourself! Jenny and I… we healed her." Blinking, I turned and pushed the curtain back. A gasp parted my lips as I looked over my cousin. She was sitting up, propped against a set of sock pillows, and Jenny was chatting with her. A smile brightened Airafleeza's face and a laugh escaped her lips just before she could cover her mouth. The scratches were completely healed up and only slightly puckered pink scars remained.
"But how?" I asked, completely dumbfounded. Fleeza's black ears flicked towards me, and then her head turned. Awareness and caution flickered across her face, and her chin tilted up defiantly. Jelly touched my arm and I blinked.
"We don't know… Jenny and I were putting ointment and salve on the cuts, and I suddenly felt warmth coming through me. It felt right when I started to brush my fingers across the scratches and they started to close up." Munkustrap put his arms around my waist, resting his chin against my shoulder. His green eyes met Airafleeza's hazel ones and I felt the muscles in his face move as his eyebrow raised.
"This is odd, Jelly, but I'm sure if you asked my father he might be able to explain it to you." Munkustrap said, not taking his eyes off my cousin. Her eyes widened and she tried to scramble to her feet. Jennyanydots put her paws on Fleeza's chest and shook her head.
"Oh no, you don't! You need to rest, dearie. So just settle yourself down in those pillows." Airafleeza pierced Jenny with a glare, but seemed to decide that it was best not to fight because she settled back into the sock pillows.
"Fine, but don't think I'm gonna yawn go to… sleep." She muttered, fighting to keep her eyes open. Jennyanydots chuckled, running a motherly paw over Airafleeza's forehead.
"Rest up, dearie." She whispered, pushing herself to her feet and turning to me with a grin. My eyebrows went up as my good eye explored her body and rested on her rounded belly.
"Umm… Jenny?" I asked, not taking my eyes off her belly. She chuckled, putting her paws over her swollen belly.
"Yes, you're thinking correctly, Msterope dear. Skimble got a little… excited." Jelly sighed, putting her paws on her hips.
"You could be a little more discreet about that sort of activity." The butter-colored healer said, flicking her eyes at me and Munkustrap. Jennyanydots stifled a laugh against her paw and her green eyes met Munkustrap's.
"Yes, well, I'm sure these young kittens have heard all about what happens when two cats love each other very much." Jelly's paws flew up, an exasperated sigh leaving her mouth.
"I give up!" She sighed, turning and going through the curtain to the yard. Grinning wryly and me, Jenny winked.
"Now, do you want me to look over you, Missy? I'm sure things have been… physical between you two lovebirds lately; even with Amadeus sitting in the next room." My ears flattened against my head as I blushed. Munkustrap cleared his throat and looked at Jenny with a smile pulling at one corner of his mouth.
"I'm sure I have no idea what you mean." He said innocently, backing away from me so Jenny could lead me to a pillow. I sat down, giggling only a little when her paws rubbed across my sides and then over my belly. A strange warmth went where her paws were, and Jenny closed her eyes. The orange healer's lips curled up at the ends as her paws traveled over my belly, and a chuckle escaped her.
"Haven't been busy, eh?" She asked, opening her eyes and taking her paws away from my belly. Munkus cleared his throat again, grinning at her.
"You're pregnant, Msterope dear; with twins as far as I can tell." My eyes widened and I clutched to Munkustrap's paw. Tears sprang to my eyes and one escaped down my cheek.
"T-twins?" I asked cautiously, looking up at Munkustrap. He leant over, licking up my tear and then kissing my cheek.
A few weeks passed since Airafleeza arrived, and I was sitting with Merope outside the infirmary. He was rubbing his paws together, his ears flicking back towards the curtain every five seconds. I was sitting comfortably with Amadeus curled up by my side.
"You know, worrying about it won't make it better or make it go faster." I commented dryly. Merope shot me a dirty look, turning his head when the curtain was pulled back. Jellylorum's face was flushed; her mouth open as she panted for breath, but a smile was pulled across her face.
"She wants to see you, Mr. Daddy." My brother's eyes widened and he shot from his place on the ground into the infirmary, narrowly missing smacking his head as he went.
"That was quick." I said, wrinkling my nose with faint disgust. Amadeus shifted, blinking green eyes up at Jelly sleepily. Jellylorum sighed, coming to sit beside me.
"Well now that Jenny and I are healers, things seem to take a lot less time when we put our minds to it. How is Airafleeza holding up?" A grin pulled across my pursed lips when I thought about my black cousin. The last time I'd seen her; she was busy smacking Mistoffelees when he was trying to get her to play tag. She never seemed to get into anything with the other cats her age, but she loved to watch and learn.
Merope walked out of the infirmary, a tiny saffron-colored kitten in his arms. Looking up at me, tears were flowing down his cheeks.
"I'm a dad. This is my daughter. Look Msterope, I did it." Smiling gently at my brother, I nudged my son so I could stand. I walked over and waited for him to lower his arms. The infant princess wiggled, protesting at being held away from her heat source.
"May I?" My eyes flicked up and scanned Merope's face. He was glowing, but he still seemed to be disbelieving that he had a daughter. I looked down at my niece and took a better look.
Her main color was the same as her mother's, except slightly darker. It was more of a reddish-orange than a golden-orange. Her chest, boots and gloves were black with a band of faint white fur around the top edges of her wrists and ankles. Black fur faintly striped her thighs and when Merope transferred her to my arms, I looked at her back to confirm my thoughts: black stripes down her back as well. Her face was white with black and reddish-orange markings on her cheeks and above her eyes. I wagered her eyes were going to be either light blue or light amber.
"She's gorgeous, have you picked a name for her?" I looked up at my black brother, and he blinked.
"I… I'm not sure what Saffron decided. Let's go." He turned and held out his large black paw for his nephew, and Amadeus stretched out of his place. My son was getting taller, reaching almost my ribs now.
"Saff?" I called, moving through the curtains to where my friend was sitting. She looked up at me and smiled.
"I did it, Missy. Aren't you proud?" The smaller queen said weakly, beaming up at her mate. Merope blinked away more tears and reached down to pick up Amadeus.
"I'm so proud of you." I whispered, sitting down next to her with the tiny princess in my lap.
"What are ya gonna name her?" Amadeus chirped, grinning toothily down at his aunt. Saffron smiled mischievously, reaching over and stroking her daughter's back.
"Geneva." She said with a sigh. Amadeus looked at Geneva and wrinkled his nose.
"How am I s'posed to play with her? She so small…" He muttered, glowering up at the adults when we started to laugh.
"What's all the laughing for?" Fleeza poked her head into the infirmary, her round eyes staring straight at Amadeus. He shrugged and pointed up at my arms. Airafleeza moved with slightly clumsy movements, and nearly tripped over a sock pillow. Merope steadied her and smiled gently down at her. She smiled back, albeit reluctantly, and peered over my shoulder.
"She's so… little." My black cousin's nose twitched and she reached a paw around me to gently touch Geneva's tail. The infant princess mewled and wriggled gently in my arms. Airafleeza jumped back, her eyes wide and then she grinned from ear to ear.
"Well, that just proves she's alive, don't it?" The sound of my cousin's laughter filled the infirmary. It was definitely not something that we heard that often. Jelly poked her head around a separating curtain and looked at Fleeza with an amazed look on her face.
"Now that's a sound that is more than welcome around here." Munkustrap walked into the infirmary, smiling broadly at Airafleeza. She blushed, hiding a shy smile behind a paw. My mate walked over to her and took her paw gently. He looked over her curled lips gently and nodded his head.
"You should smile more often, it makes you more beautiful." Munkus kissed Airafleeza's knuckles. My cousin pulled her paw back and grimaced.
"Gross!" She said, wiping off the back of her paw. Everyone in the infirmary started to laugh. Mistoffelees walked in, eyes widening when he saw Fleeza. The two black cats looked at each other for a moment, and then Fleeza stuck her nose in the air.
"I'm going back outside; I'll be sunning myself if anyone needs me." Her voice was cool, and her eyes stabbed Misto as she walked by. The small tuxedo tom shrank away from her, looking up at Merope and me.
"What did I ever do to her?" He jerked his chin towards the fleeing form of Airafleeza. I shrugged, handing my niece back to her mother so she could eat.
"I'm sure you haven't done anything, that's just the way Fleeza is." Misto nodded, his eyes going back to where my cousin headed.