Macavity jumped down so he was only a few yards from them and laughed low. It was like threatening thunder and send chills down Jingalizzy's spine. Her fur was on end and she took a defensive stnce as she kept her back to Mungojerrie's and watched the henchrats while the toms talked.

Macavity smiled evilly and looked the group over, "Rest assured that I have done nothing that our little brother has not enjoyed..." There was a sadistic edge to the phrase that made Mungojerries teeth grind.

"Where is Tugger?!" A threatening growl escaped Munkustrap's throat, almost as loud as Macavitys maniacle laughter. His fur stood on end much like Jingalizzy's, but in pure anger and hatred, not fear. Images of the destruction Macavity had left behind flashed through Munkus's mind. "For what you've done to Tugger, Rumple, father...I'll tear you limb from limb!" His back was to Mungo and Jingal, he took a step forward but even through his anger his eyes darted to the henchrats

Mungojerrie put a reassuring hand on Munkustraps shoulder, "I propose a trade!" He announced quickly before anythign could happen.

This caught the Hidden Paw by surprise, "Ah my Dear Mungo... It is indeed good to see you! Have you missed my touch?" The same sadistic edge was there and Munkus could see the shiver of disgust and the pure pain in Mungojerrie's eyes.

"I propose a trade!" He repeated as he forced himself to look strong.

"As you've said before my dear Mungo. What is it you wish to trade?"

"Me for Tuggah... You can have me if you return Tuggah and leave the Jellicles alone!"

This pierced Munkus's angry fog. His eyes widened and cleared. "No." He wanted his little brother back but could he allow one of his closest friends to trade himself for the entire clan? "Mungo..." His voice still held the angry growl, but it was faint, worry was the main factor now. His mind was torn, what should he do?

Mungo didn't break his gaze with Macavity but his grip tightened on Munkustrap's shoulder as if to say that this was truely the right thing to do. "I'll be completelah yours an I won' run! Jist give them Tuggah and I'm yours." His voice was strong but Jingal and Munkus could hear the tiniest tremble underneath it all. Jingalizzy knew better than to turn her back from the henchrats but she backed up until she was pressed against Mungojerrie and took his free hand, squeazing it tightly.

"Very well... Come back tomorrow and you shall have Tugger!"

Reluctantly Munkus backed out of the lair, ears back and teeth bared. As soon as they were far enough from the den he turned on Mungo. Gripping the smaller Calico's shoulders he held him up against the fence. "What do you think you're doing?!" He growled. But it wasn't just anger, that was infintismally small compared to the worry and fear. "There has to be another way!"

"Les you wanna git all the Jellicles killed then der isn'!" Mungo spat, his hands were shaking as he wraped them around Munkustrap's. "I 'AVE to do dis Munk! You know it da best choice!"

Jingalizzy had remained silent as she took a stance behind Munkustrap, "Sir..."

Munkus was silent for a long moment, breathing heavily. Clenching his teeth a thin hiss was heard. "There is. You were already in his clutches once before you came to us. I wont make you go back again." His eyes had lost some of the harsh glow. "I'll give myself instead."

Jingalizzy 'eeped' softly and the two toms turned to look at her for the first time since they had found Rumpelteazer. "No Sir...The clan needs you'se! Alonzo ain't cut out for runnin the joint and We'd be takin ovah if you'se weren't there!" She pleaded with her eyes and suddeny hugged him tightly, "I'm so sorry Munkustrap but... but I t'ink Mungo is right..."

Mungojerrie nodded a thanks. He knew it would kill her to know he was again in the clutches of Macavity but he was the better candidate between the two toms. "Promise you'll take care o' Teazah for me?" Jingalizzy nodded at once and tears dampened her coat.

Munkus clenched his teeth, his breathing still heavy as he was trying desperately to find a way out of this. Trying to save Mungo. His grip tightened on Mungo's shoulders before he let go and stared at the ground. He couldn't, for once in his life, find another way. All these years they've beaten off Macavity and now...Now it was choose between his little brother and best friend. "Rumpleteazer will go after you." He said, his voice quiet, hollow, nothing was left. No anger, no fear. Nothing.

Mungojerrie quickly pulled Munkustrap and Jingalizzy into a tight hug, "She knows bettah... She's always bin da smartah one..." Munkus's shoulder felt wet and it took a moment to realise that Mungo was cring, and hard.

Jingalizzy licked his cheek softly, trying her best to comfort him. "I'm sorry it had ta come ta dis Mungo..."

Mungojerrie nodded into Munkustrap's shoulder, "You take good care of the kittens... and make sure Jingal keeps her nose clean..."

Munkus wrapped his arms around Mungo and nuzzled into Mungo's head fur. He found that he himself was beginning to cry as well. "You bet I will, nothing will happen to anyone, I swear. But I promise you Mungo..." His voice had dropped so only Mungo and Jingal would be the only ones able to hear if anyone was listening in. "I'll get you out of there, even if I have to kill Macavity with my own paws. "

Mungojerrie finally pulled his face from Munkus's shoulder and his face was ungodly pale through the fur. "I don' wan' anymore Jellicles gettin' hurt..." He didn't reject Munkustrap's promise and his eyes seemed to plead for another way out.

Jingalizzy gently pushed Munkus aside and hugged him tightly, "I won't abandon you Mungo... never ok?" She had to commend the calico for even thinking of sacrificing himself like this.

Munkus let Jingal push him out of her way and shook his head at Mungo. "I wont let anyone get hurt. If anything it'll be me. I'm going to do whatever is in my power to get you out of there." He had a certain respect and admiration deep down for Mungo, the well-known half of the theivery duo. He was now giving himself for Tugger, who was also known for stealing mates away, including Rumple.

"Just wait and stay alive okay? I don't want to think about what that wretch will do to you." I refuse to think of him as any relation to me or Tugger. He thought this part silently to himself as he looked down at the smaller tom. "Are...Are you going to return with us to the clan or stay here?"

"I'm gonna come with you'se guys but I don't wan' anyone to know I won' be comin back" Jingalizzy burst into tears and Mungojerrie comforted her the best he could. "I ave to atleast say g'bye to Teazah... even if she don' know I'm leavin"

Munkus looked at Mungo with a pained expression. His heart felt like it was being torn to shreds. But he nodded and turned to head back. On the way he collected himself and put on the mask as the leader once again for once he entered the clearing he was bombarded with questions. And of course he lied. He hated lying but it was what Mungo wanted.

"We haven't found Tugger yet. We came to rest and then return to searching." He looked down at the ground and sighed. They accepted that answer, they understood his sorrowful look, interpreting it as his sadness for his little brother. But Scarlot could see beyond it. Munkus was sitting high up on the wickerchair, finally alone.

"Somethings gone wrong hasn't it?" She questioned, materializing out of the shadows in her silent way. Munkus just looked away. "What happened? Whats going on?"

"I...I can't say." He choked out through clenched teeth. She could see his emotional barrier wearing thin, as it often did when she was around. He felt, and admited to her, that she could see through it anyway, it was almost nonexistent.

Mungojerrie found Rumpleteazer in their den with a few bandages around various areas. He licked her cheek softly and nuzzled into his favorite spot just under her left ear. He inhaled her scent, savoring it deeply. He knew he wouldn't get to be near her for a long time, maybe never. "I'm glad you're ok Teazah..." He whispered

She wrapped her healthy arm around his neck and pulled him onto the mat they used for a bed and urled up against him, "I'm glad I have you Mungo... I don't know what I'd do if I didn't..." This torn Mungojerrie apart and he physically flinched and his tail thrashed for a moment befor ehe regained his mask of calm.

Jingalizzy had found Pouncy and Triniten and was greeted by the youngest Jellicle tackling her knees. "JINGALISHY!" She could help but smile at his tiny lisp and hold him close.

Munkus suddenly found himself embracing Scarlot. For a moment she was shocked, what could have happened to affect Munkus so much? But she didn't say anything. If he wasn't going to talk now she wasn't going to get it out of him. "Come, lets go back to our den." She coaxed him to their own den, a broken yet still cozy cuboard. There they curled up together. He burried his head into the curve of her chin and neck, curling around each other. She stroked his head, wondering what was wrong before drifting into a troubled sleep. But Munkus found no sleep. He remained awake until morning came.

Mungojerrie held his mate tightly, careful around the many injuries Macavity had inflicted befoe he was able to find her. Tears streamed down his soaked fur on his cheeks. they continued to flow utnil their wasn't any left and his eyes burnt as his body tried to force more tears to come. He watched his mate sleep until the sun came up and then he kissed her softly on the lips and slipped out to find Munkustrap.

Jingalizzy disentangled four kittens from around her waist and crept out to join the two Toms. Pouncy stirred and sat up sleepily when he felt Jingal move. Blinking his curiosity won out and he followed quietly, wondering where Jingal was off to so early.

Munkus slowly stood and gazed down at Scarlot, his own eyes were sore and red, but from his refusal to shed tears. After a long moment he crept out of their den and quickly found Mungo and Rumple a little ways away from the clearing.

Mungojerrie looked abnormally stoic and all of the fear and pain in his eyes had been flushed away with the tears. He stood tall and seemed fearless next to Jingalizzy. The queen on the other hand was wringing her hands and her tail was thrashing, "Are we really gonna do dis Munkustrap?..."

"What choice do we have?" He was uncharacteristically hollow sounding. He sounded...beaten. Had the Hidden paw actually won? No, he refused to think that.

"Do what?" Pouncy asked suddenly. His big innocent eyes blinked up at the older cats as he sat crouched on a box. Mungojerrie turned strangly calm eyes on the small kit. He woudln't speak if he didn't have to. Anything to not start crying again.

Jingalizzy blinked a few times, as if not believing Pouncival had followed her, "Go home Pouncy!"

"But...But." He was suddenly frightened. His ears laid back as he crouched lower to the ground. The adults looked...Strange, unatural to what he was used to.

"Do as she says Pouncival. Go back to the den, we'll...return in a little bit." Munkustrap said. He almost choked on the 'we'll', for it wasn't true. One of them wouldn't be returning, at least for a while. Pouncy turned his frightened blue eyes on Mungo. Something was definantly wrong, he sensed it.

Mungojerrie wanted to rush to the tomkit and wrap his arms around him. He wanted to pull him close and plead for him to help but he knew it would only make it worse, "I'll see ya soon... promise." His voice was unnaturally low and serious. His eyes seemed glazed as he forced back any emotion. "Let's go"

Pouncy backed up slowly, tail between his legs. But he did not follow as the adults continued on their way. The way Mungo spoke...It wasn't like his normal self. What was going on? It seemed to be the question as of late for as Scarlot awoke and found Munkus gone she wondered the same thing. Munkus gave Pouncy one more look before continuing with Jingal and Mungo. After a while, not rushing to the den as they had before and it was in complete silence, they reached Macavity's den. He gulped down the huge emotional lump that had formed in his throat.

"Ready?" His voice almost cracked.

Mungojerrie focused his dead eyes on the new Jellicle Leader but made no move to agree or disagree. He just held out a hand, "Take good care o dem. You'll be a great leadah, you'll see"

Jingalizzy was too shaken to even give him a hug goodbye as a few henchrats escorted only Mungojerrie inside.

Munkus grasped Mungo's hand in both of his and locked eyes. He couldn't say anything, his mouth wouldn't open and work. His eyes, though, silently repeating that promise. Once the henchrats began to escort the calico away he looked at the ground, eyes tightly shut and let go of Mungo's hand. Teeth clenched he felt the unwanted tears falling. Somehow, someway he was going to get Mungo out of there again.