Cori lay on the mattress, Macavity curled up behind him. Macavity had walked in a few hours ago, sending Munkustrap AKA Mutt from the room. Macavity wrapped his arm around Cori's waist, pulling him closer to him.

"Sleep, Cori," Macavity murmured in Cori's ear. Cori rolled over, facing Macavity. Macavity's half aware silver eyes were on him. They looked soft, like they used to. Macavity yawned, his warm breath rushing against Cori's face. He reached up, rubbing Cori's head fur back into place. Macavity pulled his paw back, resting it beside his head. Macavity's eyes finally closed. Cori closed his eyes as well. He remembered the first time he and Macavity had well…the day they went together.

Cori and Macavity ran past the river, laughing.

"Did you see Skimbleshanks face?" Macavity laughed. Cori laughed as well, running to their tree. Macavity leapt onto Cori and they started wrestling.

"I'm so gonna win!"

"Pfft, as if, Cori!"

"I can win!"

"Nah uh,"

Macavity slammed Cori's back onto the ground, making sure it didn't hurt him.

"Ah ha, told you I'd win," Macavity growled playfully, pinning Cori's wrists to the grass beside his head, while sitting on him at the same time. Cori just laughed, the small fluffy kitten trying to wriggle his way out from under Macavity.

"No you don't," Macavity laughed, making sure Cori didn't get out.

"I won, what do I get?" Macavity asked. Cori just laughed.

"Anything," The young Cori laughed. Macavity tilted his head before leaning down, claiming Cori's lips. Macavity pulled away, letting Cori's wrists go but still sitting on his stomach. Cori just stared at him, stunned. Macavity wouldn't say sorry, kissing Cori had been his prize.

"W-What?" Cori stammered. Macavity just looked at him, pressing his paws against Cori's chest.

"I always wanted to do that," Macavity told him sheepishly, smiling. Cori smiled, reaching up and kissing Macavity once more. Macavity rolled beside Cori, grabbing Cori and pulling him against him, still continuing the kiss. Macavity's paw gently rested on Cori's hip before travelling down his leg. Cori purred madly against Macavity's lips. Macavity rolled Cori onto his back, pulling away from Cori's lips and perching up to look at Cori. Cori tried to kiss him again. Macavity just nuzzled him, his paw resting on Cori's thigh. Cori looked at him, biting his lip.

"I'll be gentle," Macavity whispered to him, kissing his lips once more. Cori nodded, opening his legs slightly. Macavity gave a chuckle, moving down and moving Cori's legs apart further.

"I need more room, gorgeous," Macavity told him. Macavity moved in between Cori's legs and looked at him. Cori was looking nervous.

"It's alright, Cori," Macavity told him. "I'll stop," Cori shook his head, smiling at Macavity.

"No," Cori told him, reaching and taking Macavity's paw. Macavity gently reached down, kissing Cori's soft and slightly pudgy stomach. He was still to lose the minimal kitten fat he had…but he wasn't fat, not at all. Cori squirmed slightly, laughing. Macavity smiled.

"Are you sure?" Macavity asked. Cori nodded. Macavity kissed Cori's stomach once more. The next ten minutes were a blur for Cori, all he knew was small pain, before pleasure, Macavity murmuring lovingly and reassuringly to him and Cori's loud purring, blocking out most of the noises.

Cori sighed and rolled over, turning his back to Macavity. That was the old Macavity, the new one…well, he was ruthless, mean, and he didn't care if you were in pain or not.

Munkustrap looked around the hallways, looking for Macavity. He had a grip on Cori's paw, pulling him along the hallways. Cori's breath suddenly caught in his throat, the fur at the back of his neck suddenly standing on end, his legs trembling.

"Munk," Cori whispered. "He knows,"

"I knew something was off with you," Macavity hissed as he appeared. Munkustrap suddenly found himself shoved against the wall, Cori's paw wrenched away from his. Macavity muttered under his breath and Munkustrap gasped in pain. Cori watched from where he was pressed against the opposite wall. He watched as Munkustrap was returned to his original self.

"Now, what are you doing here, brother?" Macavity hissed, keeping Munkustrap pressed against the wall.

"Getting Cori away from you," Munkustrap hissed. Macavity bared his teeth, drawing out his claw and raising it. Cori ran forward, latching onto Macavity's back and wrapping his arms tightly around Macavity's throat. Macavity snarled, grabbing Cori and throwing him over his shoulder. Cori was slammed against the brick wall and fell into a heap below it. Macavity's eyes widened and he quickly fell to Cori's side, running his paw down Cori's side.

"Cori," Macavity mumbled. Munkustrap quickly shoved Macavity backed, picking up Cori and bolting down the hallway and out of Macavity's lair.

Munkustrap walked beside Cori as they got back to the yard. It was the early morning, when everyone was awake. They all stared at Cori as he and Munkustrap walked through the yard. Cori looked to Munkustrap.

"Thank you," Cori whispered. Munkustrap placed a paw on Cori's shoulder before walking over to Demeter. Cori looked around the yard, his green eyes were searching for one cat. He ignored every hard stare and glare, every dirty look he received from everyone. His green eyes met a pair of dull brown eyes. Cori slowly walked over to Tugger and he sat opposite him.

"I'm sorry," Cori whispered, looking at Tugger. Munkustrap winced when he heard the sound of a loud slap. He looked and saw Tugger was resting his paw back on his lap while Cori's head was turned sideways.

Cori blinked, slowly turning his head back to look at Tugger, ignoring the stinging from the slap on his left cheek. Tugger looked at him before pulling Cori into his arms.

"I'm sorry," Cori whispered into Tugger's black fur. "I'm so so sorry,"

"I know…but don't do that to me again," Tugger murmured. Cori nodded against Tugger's shoulder.

"You have no idea how sorry I am, Tugs," Cori murmured, clutching onto his mane. "But I couldn't bear to see you hurt, I just couldn't live knowing you were hurt or killed because of me," Tugger buried his nose into Cori's neck, inhaling his cinnamon scent.

"Stay with me," Tugger whispered. "We can fight together," Cori closed his eyes, nodding against Tugger's shoulder.

Tugger watched as Cori slept in their den.

"Hey, Tugs," Tugger looked around as Munkustrap walked in.

"How is he?" Munkustrap asked, nodding to Cori.

"He keeps waking up…nightmares," Tugger sighed. Munkustrap looked at him.

"He never stopped loving you," Munkustrap told Tugger. Tugger looked back at him. "The whole reason he left was to protect you," Munkustrap murmured. "He knew that Macavity would come back and get him…he thought he could handle it if he knew you were alive," Tugger closed his eyes and lowered his head.

"Take care of him, Tugger," Munkustrap said quietly. "Though he may have broken your heart, he only did it to save your life," Tugger nodded and Munkustrap left the den. Tugger crawled over to Cori as he heard Cori whimpering again. Tugger curled around Cori.

"Shh, Cori, it's alright," Tugger murmured in his ear. Cori rolled over, his green eyes opening a little to look at him.

"Tugger?" Cori whispered. Tugger pressed his nose against Cori's, getting a small smile from Cori.

"Yes, gorgeous, it's me," Cori smiled and snuggled against Tugger. Tugger pulled Cori into his arms.

"You're safe, Cori," Tugger murmured into his ear. "It's going to be okay now," Cori pawed at Tugger's mane in his peaceful sleep.

"L-Love you," Cori mumbled sleepily.

"I love you too," Tugger smiled, rubbing Cori's cheek.

Cori walked across the yard quietly, his head lowered. He was still being glared at, even though Munkustrap had given the Jellicles the reason why he had left like that. Cori yelped as he was shoved aside and sent tumbling into a junk pile. Cori wearily looked up from where he had landed, sprawled out, at the bottom of the junk pile. Alonzo, Cassandra, Asparagus Jr and an outsider, Victor, towered over him. Victor wasn't really part of the tribe, but he was around often enough that it wasn't unusual to see him. Cori looked up, his eyes wide.

"Get out of here you traitor," Alonzo spat. Cori wiped Alonzo's spit from his face with disgust. Cori tried to get to his feet but was kicked back. Cori winced as junk dug into his spine. Cori crossed his legs calmly, looking up at the four that stared down at him with hate.

Tantomile…some help?

'On our way,'

Cori blinked. Alonzo bent down, grabbing Cori's chest fur and yanking him off the ground.

"I never thought you'd betray Munkustrap like this," Cori hissed at Alonzo. Alonzo snarled and Cassandra dragged her claws down Cori's back, making him yowl loudly in pain. Victor and Asparagus grabbed Cori's arms. Cori glanced at Asparagus, panting.

"H-How is Jelly going to take to this?" Cori panted, pain tearing down his back. Asparagus just twisted Cori's wrist cruelly in reply, making him scream in pain as the bone snapped.

"Chill out, Asp," Victor laughed. "They'll hear," Cori glared at Alonzo.

"O-One thing y-you didn't count on," Cori whispered, his head spinning with the pain from his broken wrist.

"Yeah, what?"

"I can fight with my feet," Cori hissed, before using Victor and Asparagus as leverage, grabbing them and flipping back, kicking Alonzo in the chin in the process. Alonzo went flying back. Cori managed to get loose before Cassandra gripped his tail, dragging him back. Cori flipped onto his back, trying to kick her but Victoria kicked him swiftly across the jaw, dazing him. Alonzo sat up, rubbing his jaw, glaring at Cori. Cori's head was turning side to side as he blinked, trying to clear the dazed feeling. Alonzo pulled Cori up once more, Asparagus and Victor grabbing Cori's arms and forcing them behind his back. Cori screamed out in pain as Asparagus twisted his broken wrist.

"Get the hell off of him!" Alonzo was tackled away from Cori and Cori slumped slightly, but was still help up by Asparagus and Victor. Cori heard hissing and snarling before the grips on his arms were released.

"Get back to your dens and stay there until I deal with you!" Cori dimly heard Munkustrap yell. Cori looked up, his vision blurry from the pain. He felt a pair of arms around his waist.

"Damn savages," Cori heard Mungojerrie hissed.

"Munk, what are you going to do to them?" Cori heard Tantomile hiss angrily.

"Cori," Tugger's voice murmured in his ear before lips pressed against Cori's neck. Cori gave a small pained groan as Tugger lifted him from the ground.

"It's alright, Cori," Tugger murmured to him. "It's okay now,"

Macavity watched the scene from the top of a junk pile. He saw Munkustrap pacing around angrily, his hackles on end, his tail puffed up…he was pissed. Jerrie had his arm wrapped around Tantomile's waist, trying to calm the seething queen. Tugger was sitting on the ground with Cori, holding him. Macavity watched as Tugger lifted Cori from the ground and carried him in the direction of Jenny's den. Macavity frowned before disappearing.

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Hm, what is Macavity thinking? Poor Cori…

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