HAT: I get the strong feeling some people won't like me for what's coming up. *grins wickedly* But then again, that's the plan. Enjoy! *dives into a black hole*
Rumpelteazer: CRAP! Get the duct tape, katana, red dress, and high heels!
Asparagus: Can't we leave her? Every time she goes into those I have to wear the dress and heels.
Rumpelteazer: No or else there'll be angry fans. let's go!
Asparagus: *puts on dress and heels and goes into black hole grumbling* This is some bull sh-
*fades to black*
Mistoffelees comes back into the junkyard and everyone crowds him, especially the kits who want to see a magic trick. He smiles and gives them what they want, putting on a small magic show that doesn't seem to drain his energy. I hold back along with the other "adults" and watch in amusement as the kits find entertainment in my older brother's magic. It's funny, we were the kits at one point, they were watching us like this, now the roles are reversed. I never knew how they felt until now... man, I won't misbehave so much after this! I don't think any- strike that- most of us will misbehave so often.
"Hey," Tugger says, walking up to his younger brother. During the time the adults were turned to kits, he lost his swagger and walks with a purpose like... well, like Munkustrap. "Did you get the final ingredients."
"Yep," the tux answers.
"How long will it take for the potion to be made and take effect?"
He winces a little. "Well... It'll take a few days to get done and another day to take effect."
"So long as it happens before Macavity attacks again," Tugger says, his amber eyes full of worry about our ginger brother attacking and taking advantage of the adult's young age. That's why we're sleeping in the community den now. Macavity could easily take advantage and kill Old Deuteronomy, Munkustrap, everyone that can stand a chance to get in his way. I just hope that Macavity doesn't take this opportunity and kills all of them and all of us before it's too late. "Until then, I'll be making sure you're guarded as well."
"Okay," Mistoffelees replies, darting off into his den to work.
"The sooner the better," Etcetera mutters, bouncing Demeter on her hip.
Etcetera's become really mellow since given the responsibility of taking care of kits unlike her usual hyperactive bouncing off the walls self, but I'm sure she'll go back after everything returns to normal once again. All of us have changed in many ways. I see Gus moving to put something in Tantomile's head fur and I swear if one more kit gets goop on them, I'm turning them over my knee and giving them something to remember even when they change back!
"How're you doing?" Victoria asks, sitting beside me with an exhausted look on her face.
I shrug. "About as good as it gets with kits running around and keeping me from doing anything but make sure they don't do anything stupid," I answer.
She nods. "Yeah... Plato's just now getting some sleep and I'm gonna try for it myself soon."
"Still, they're adorable," I mutter, watching all of the adults I knew play around as kits. "It's relaxing at the same time..."
She sighs in content. "Surprisingly. During times when all you have to do is watch. The real stress comes with-"
"Stop!" cries Asparagus, shoving Jellylorum away from him.
"That," I finish, watching Mungojerrie scold Jellylorum about messing with the rusty red and black tom-kit and Rumpelteazer tend to said tom-kit. "Well, they're doing a good job."
"I think everyone's going a pretty decent job with having little to no experience taking care of kits," my pure white sister says.
I nod. "Yeah, true."
I giggle as Pouncival tumbles after Cassandra. "Cassie! Come back here! You need a bath!" yells the emerald eyed tom.
Suddenly black tom with red and white spits comes into sight and he catches the little brown she-kit and lifts her up. "Why are you giving my tomfriend so much trouble, huh? I thought I told you to behave last time I was here."
Pouncival scratches the back of his head nervously and smiles at his tomfriend. "Hey, Diancecht, thanks for catching her. She's quite the pawful."
Diancecht kisses his tomfriend's cheek. "No problem."
I giggle at the two with the white queen beside me and shake my head, feeling pure content despite the pure kitten chaos among us. I wonder how many times they felt this way with us. We go into the community den when the eldest brother of mine makes an appearance. Tugger stands at the forefront, his amber eyes glinting dangerously and I remember our conversation. His gift is fighting. I bite my bottom lip and remember another part of the conversation. They've just been fighting Macavity in order to try and change the ginger cat but...
Maybe... I think before Tugger pushes me back.
"Keep back and protect the kits," he orders.
"But-"
"Jemima!" he snaps. "It's impossible, trust me. Now stay back."
I reluctantly take orders and watch as my brother brawl. In truth, Tugger's not in top condition, he stayed up late trying to make sure the younger kits were asleep as well as guarding. My heart leaps in my throat when Macavity manages to pin the Maine Coon down. I run forward, not giving any thought to my own safety and shove the yellow eyed tom off of my brother. I crouch in front of him and Macavity stands at full height and looks down at me.
"Oh, so my kitten sister's got some fight in her?" he asks with a sadistic smirk.
I gulp and stay in a general crouch, but make sure I don't look threatening. "I just want to talk."
He blinks then laughs. "I'm not in the mood for talking! But I'm in the mood for other things," he says, his claws sliding out.
Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit! Is all that I can think as I lift up my arms to protect myself. The blow doesn't come and I look up at Skimble and Macavity, who stares at him incredulously. I feel fear lift in me at this sight and I move forward and wait, knowing Skimble will stay between me and the infamous Hidden Paw.
"Stay away from her," growls the railway kitten.
Macavity laughs and shakes his head. "You've got to be kidding... Skimbleshanks is a kitten?! And what about the others? Are they kittens too, is that why Tugger's playing Protector?" he asks as tries to look past us to the community den.
Panic. "Macavity," I say, gaining his attention. "Why?"
He blinks. "Um... why what?"
"Why are you doing this?" I ask, trying to see if my gift can help him like it helped Grizabella. Maybe it can, maybe it can't, but it's worth a shot. "You know it's not right... is it because you want something to fill the void? Because we, your family, can help with that."
He seems to waver slightly, but he shakes his head. "No. I'm not going to do it! You have no idea how much I've been through!"
"No, but if you tell me and let me help we can be a real family..." I whisper, feeling a longing in my chest. "What regular family has a criminal that does heinous crimes for seemingly no reason? What normal cat can't talk about their eldest brother, or accept them because of everything they've done? We know you're our brother, but we can't accept you because of your actions."
He looks... guilty. I can see it and I take the chance of moving closer and I can a worried glance from Skimble, but I keep my dark eyes focused on my eldest brother's bright eyes. This has to work because if it doesn't, I've endangered many cats for no reason. I hear Tugger get up and the viciousness in the Napoleon of Crime's eyes returns.
"She's right. It hurts... To think about the cat you used to be and then see what you've become. I know you're still in there, even if you're trapped, even if you're so far away we have to work hard to get you," the maned tom says with a croaky voice.
Macavity shakes his head as if to try and clear it, but when he stops and looks between me and Tugger they're clouded. "Why? Why should I return to cats that will never trust me?"
I walk the tightrope between life and death and take the final steps to stand in front of him, merely feet away from each other. "I trust you," I whisper, holding my arms out.
Macavity's eyes are still clouded, but there's a flash as he lunges forward.
Life and Death.
I wonder which one will claim me because everyone screams and I want to, but I can't. Which one will my soul be embraced by?
Death.
HAT: So how many of you hate me for this cliffhanger? I bet all of you because the next chapter won't be out for a while.
Exotica: You're terrible.
HAT: *grins* I know, but not only do I have to have time to write it, but I have a proposition. If I get seven reviews I'll make it my top priority and make sure it comes out within the next three days (not including today). Sound like a deal?
Exotica: You're evil.
HAT: No, I just really want reviews.
Exotica: And if you don't get seven?
HAT: Oh, I'll still post it, but it won't be a priority and it'll come out later.
Exotica: *shakes head* Wow... Well, HAT owns nothing besides the plot. Please review.