Munkustrap walked through the lair, the hench-cats nodded to him respectfully as he walked past. They liked Munkustrap, because he was there, Macavity wasn't killing them in his emotional breakdown. Munkustrap opened the door to Macavity's throne room, pausing in the doorway as he watched a cat plead with Macavity.

"Please, sir, please…m-my kitten, he was sick this week, I'm not lying I swear!" The cat was begging. Macavity was staring at the cat, his face impassive.

"I-I promise I will have double the payment next week,"

"I know," Munkustrap was surprised at Macavity's words, and it seemed the cat was as well.

"Next week, just your usual payment…and I know your kitten was sick, Tomas, you wouldn't lie to me about that," Tomas gave a cry of relief.

"I promise you, sir, I'll pay you double,"

"That's not necessary, Tomas," Macavity waved him off. "Just have your payment by next week, or I may not be as forgiving,"

"Of course, sir!" Tomas cried, getting to his feet. He gave a grateful smile to Munkustrap as he hurried past him.

"That was generous of you," Munkustrap said, walking over to Macavity. Macavity shrugged, pulling Munkustrap onto his lap.

"I'm in a generous mood…and he's never failed on his payments before, and I know he has a kitten," Macavity murmured, nuzzling Munkustrap's chest. Munkustrap purred, snuggling against his lover. Macavity sighed contently, rubbing Munkustrap's side. Munkustrap rested his head against Macavity's shoulder, his paw absently running through Macavity's chest fur, Macavity was purring deeply.

"Aw, you two are the cutest!" Macavity rolled his eyes, wrapping his arms around Munkustrap's waist.

"Shoo, Griddlebone," Macavity purred before capturing Munkustrap's lips. Munkustrap smiled as Macavity broke apart, they stared into each others' eyes.

"I'm busy," Macavity smirked, pulling Munkustrap up, pulling Munkustrap over his shoulder. Munkustrap laughed as Macavity carried him out of the room.

Cori walked around his den, wincing occasionally as he rubbed his bruised arm. Tantomile had been moved out of the den, told to stay with Admetus while Cori was confined to the den.

Cori looked up as he heard someone approaching. He turned and looked around, his eyes narrowing as Old Deuteronomy made his way into the den.

"Coricopat,"

"Go away, I'm not going to speak to you," Cori said, his voice even. Deuteronomy's eyes narrowed.

"You have no choice," Cori turned away, his back to Deuteronomy, his tail flicking angrily.

"Now, Coricopat…you're going to go out and tell the others you didn't mean what you said…that Macavity had bewitched you the night before, he had forced you to tell you where Munkustrap was," Cori spun around, snarling angrily.

"No!" Cori yelled, his paws clenching into fists. "I'm not lying!" Deuteronomy just walked around the den, his back to Coricopat as he examined a Phantom of the Opera poster on the den wall.

"Even if it meant your sister was safe?"

Cori's breath caught in his throat as Deuteronomy's threat floated over to him. Cori blinked.

"D-Did…did you just threaten my sister?" Cori growled, shocked. Deuteronomy looked at Cori, giving a small shrug.

"Well…if you want your sister and that goof-ball of a boyfriend she has will remain safe in the yard…then it would be in your best interest to do what I tell you," Deuteronomy stared intently at Coricopat, watching as the young dark Tom began to crack. Cori's green eyes were wide and were beginning to well with tears as his emotions and thoughts conflicted within him. He was shaking, his legs slightly bowed.

"Coricopat?"

Cori's eyes lifted and looked at Deuteronomy.

"You're making me betray my best friend…why?" Cori croaked. Deuteronomy stared at Coricopat.

"Because it's what's best," Cori shook his head, a rough sob escaping his control.

"Well?" Deuteronomy asked him, getting impatient. "Are you going to lie?"

"Yes," Cori whispered, loathing himself. Deuteronomy smiled, walking over to Cori. He stopped by his side, patting Cori's back before leaving. Cori collapsed to his knees, pushing the pads of his paws against his face, sobbing roughly.

Oh, Cori, Tantomile's voice whispered softly.

"I-I'm sorry, Tants!" Cori sobbed, knowing she could hear him.

You shouldn't have done it, Cori…Addie and I would have been fine, Tantomile told him softly, her presence seeping around his mind, trying to comfort him.

How could I, Tants? Cori basically wailed. You're the only one I have left, how could I risk you?

Oh, Cori,

I'm sorry, Tants…

It's alright, Cori…it's alright,

Cori curled up on his nest, sniffling before he gave a rough sob.

He couldn't believe he had just helped betray his friend.

"No,"

"Yes,"

"No way!"

"Yes,"

"No!"

"I'm telling you!"

"I don't believe you!"

"Tantomile told Admetus, who told me!"

"Tugger, I don't see how Cori could…!"

"Misto, he's scared,"

"But it's Cori!"

"I know, Shorty," Tugger sighed.

"H-He wouldn't betray Munkus, he just wouldn't!" Misto said, close to stomping his foot. Tugger hugged the younger Tux tightly.

"Cori's scared for Tantomile, Tux," Tugger said softly. "She's the only one he has left,"

"I-I know…b-b-but…!"

"I'll try to sway Dad from anything okay, just stay quiet alright," Tugger nuzzled Misto's forehead, rubbing Misto's back before walking off. Misto rubbed his eyes and went for a walk.

Macavity looked as Munkustrap stretched out on the bed, his chest heaving and his fur slightly sleeked with sweat. Macavity chuckled, nuzzling at Munkustrap's side. Munkustrap chuckled breathlessly, looking at Macavity.

"Mac, do you still have my old collar?" Munkustrap asked slowly. Macavity lifted himself up onto his arms, looking at Munkustrap.

"Why?"

"Because I want to give it to Tugger," Munkustrap said quietly. Macavity nodded, nuzzling Munkustrap's stomach, making him laugh. Macavity kissed Munkustrap's cheek.

"Well, I've got some stuff to do…Hidden Paw, you know criminal stuff," Macavity smirked. Munkustrap raised an eyebrow before shrugging and smiling.

"Have fun…" Munkustrap laughed. Macavity kissed him, pulling the blanket up around Munkustrap's shoulders.

"I love you," Macavity whispered, nuzzling Munkustrap's cheek with his nose.

"I love you too," Munkustrap whispered, wrapping his arms around Macavity, nuzzling him.

"Get some sleep, gorgeous," Macavity murmured as Munkustrap let him go.

"…kay," Munkustrap yawned, his eyes already shutting. Macavity smiled, grabbing Munkustrap's old collar from the corner of the room.

"Are you done with Misto's book?" Macavity asked.

"Yeah," Munkustrap mumbled.

"I'll take it back to him too," Macavity sighed, picking up the depressing read. Well, he thought it was depressing; Munkustrap seemed to like it though. Macavity looked back at Munkustrap when he reached the door and saw he was asleep. Macavity smiled at the sight. He left soon-after.

Misto walked around the yard, feeling sad and on edge. He had walked past Cori's den, he heard Cori muttering sadly to himself.

He was losing it…Misto knew Cori was losing it, he couldn't cope with the idea that he may have just betrayed his friend.

"Mistoffelees," Misto startled, looking around. Macavity was standing there, looking at him.

"Um…hi?" Macavity walked over to Misto, holding something out. Misto took it, looking at the book.

"He finished reading it, he says thank you," Macavity said. Misto smiled, handing the book back.

"Tell him to keep it," Misto smiled. "I have no use for it," Macavity inclined his head.

"I think he'll like it," Macavity said quietly.

"Is he okay?"

"He's doing fine," Macavity smiled. Misto smiled back.

"Thank you, Macavity,"

"For what?"

"For saving him, for making him happy again," Macavity looked at Mistoffelees and held out his paw. Misto eyed it nervously for a second before taking it, shaking his paw. Macavity inclined his head once more as he let go of Misto's paw.

"Do you know where Tugger is?"

"Um…I don't know…wait, hang on," Misto quickly put out feelers with his magic, looking for Tugger's life source.

"He's alone, near a junk pile to the east," Misto told Macavity. Macavity looked at Misto, impressed.

"That's impressive, young one," Macavity said deeply. Misto gave a small blush. Macavity disappeared to go find Tugger.

Tugger was leaning against a junk pile, thinking to himself.

"Hello, Tugger," Tugger startled at the voice, he looked around wildly and saw Macavity standing in front of him, staring at him.

"Macavity," Tugger said, shocked. Macavity looked at something in his paws before tossing it to Tugger. Tugger caught it and stared at the object.

It was Munkustrap's collar.

"He wanted you to have it," Macavity said. "I gave him a new collar," Tugger smiled, looking at the leather studded collar.

"How is he?"

"He's doing fine," Macavity said lightly. "He misses you but he's happy," Macavity watched as Tugger gave a soft smile, still staring at the collar.

"Good," Tugger whispered. "Good," Macavity sighed.

"If you want to come see him, Tugger, you are more than welcome," Tugger looked at Macavity in shock. Macavity smirked.

"I'm not kidding…and no, I haven't gone soft," Tugger laughed at Macavity's words. Macavity just smiled.

"I think Munkustrap will enjoy seeing you, and if you want…bring Misto, Tantomile, Admetus, Jerrie, Teazer or Cori when you come,"

"Cori…" Tugger whispered, his smile fading.

"What is it?"

"He…he agreed to go back on what he yelled at Dad,"

"What?"

"When you took Munkus, Cori was outed as the one who told you…Plato dislocated Cori's arm after Cori had revealed everything to everyone about Dad,"

"Another reason to kill that bloody red-haired Tom," Macavity growled under his breath.

"Any way…" Tugger continued. "Dad went to go see him…and told Cori that if he didn't tell the tribe that…"

"That what, Tugger?"

"Dad," Tugger said it disgustingly, as though he hated to admit he was related to Deuteronomy.

"Dad's making Cori tell the tribe that you forced him to tell where Munkus was…that you bewitched him," Tugger watched, a little scared, as Macavity snarled, his fur bristling.

"Cori's so scared…he agreed because Dad threatened Tantomile and Admetus," Macavity growled under his breath.

He didn't blame Cori, he knew how much Cori cared for his sister. Macavity nodded at Tugger before turning on his heel and stalking back through the yard. Macavity was fuming inside. Deuteronomy was going to be the 'good' guy again in the yard, get them to believe he was doing what was best. Macavity paused when he heard footsteps approaching. He turned and saw a certain red-haired Tom walking his way. Macavity grinned evilly.

Perfect.

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Ahh, chapter done! This took forever!

Thanks to those who reviewed!

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Luv HGP!