"Munkustrap!"

"Tugger, just go home," Munkustrap said, turning back around and looking at him. "Just go home," And the silver tabby walked off. Tugger stared after him, shocked. Tugger hesitated for a moment before following his brother. Munkustrap squeezed into another crack in the wall, Tugger peered in and saw a small office like room.

"Yes, Nicky?" Munkustrap sighed, sitting opposite the tan cat.

"What was he doing here?"

"He followed me…I didn't know he did," Tugger heard Munkustrap say meekly. Tugger was surprised.

"How much does he know, Straps?"

"He doesn't know anything," Munkustrap murmured. "Just that I fight to find out information,"

There was a silence.

"Is he the only one who knows that?" Nicky's voice was dangerous.

"Yes…and he won't say anything,"

"Good…because if Macavity found out I was giving his movements to you, we'd both be dead,"

Tugger ran then…he didn't want to hear anymore, he didn't want to hear how his brother had turned into something he hated.

Tugger sat on the tyre, waiting for his older brother to drag himself back to the yard. It was two am when Munkustrap finally arrived back in the yard. Munkustrap looked up and saw Tugger on the tyre. He sighed and walked over to Tugger, sitting beside him. Tugger just stared across the yard.

"What did he mean when he said he owned you?" Tugger asked a few moments later, his voice hard.

"I have to fight whenever he calls for me," Munkustrap murmured.

"How did you get yourself into it?" Tugger asked, looking at him.

"I…when Cori first disappeared, I knew something wasn't…right," Munkustrap said slowly. "So, I tried to find where Macavity was hiding…but I had no luck," Tugger blinked.

"So, I went to see Nicky, who is like Macavity in some ways," Munkustrap murmured. "He agreed to see me and when I gave him my terms, he said he wouldn't help me," Munkustrap looked at his paws.

"I refused to leave and he offered me a deal…I fight his best fighter," Munkustrap sighed. "I win, he'd give me Macavity's location, I lose…and I was his, that I would have to do whatever he asked me to,"

"And like an idiot, you agreed,"

"Yes," Munkustrap mumbled sheepishly.

"I lost…but Nicky said that I was a good fighter, that he'd train me and put me in fights…I didn't have a choice," Munkustrap sighed. "I've been fighting ever since…and when I win, Nicky gives me those pieces of paper that shows Macavity's movements," Tugger sighed, shaking his head.

"So, you can't get out?" Tugger asked him. Munkustrap shook his head.

"Not until I win all of the fights and get named champion," Munkustrap muttered.

"Why don't you just not turn up?"

"Because Nicky's hench-cats would turn up here and literally drag me to the arena…and, Tugger, they are huge," Munkustrap gave a small smile.

"How come none of us have noticed your injuries?" Munkustrap gave a small cough.

"Demeter and Misto help me cover them up," Munkustrap told Tugger, glancing at him. Tugger sighed once more.

"I know you're disappointed in me, Tugger," Munkustrap sighed. "Trust me, I'm hating this second life I lead," Munkustrap pulled his younger brother into his arms, hugging him tightly.

"We'll get them back…and I will eventually get out of this," Munkustrap murmured into his ear. Tugger nodded against Munkustrap's shoulder. Munkustrap yawned and let Tugger go.

"I better go see Dem," Munkustrap smiled slightly. "She worries," Munkustrap slid off the tyre and walked towards his den. Tugger leapt off the tyre and headed towards his and Cori's old den.

Cori leaned against the wall, tears falling uselessly down his cheeks. Macavity had taken Aden away from him…he had literally pulled the crying kitten from Cori's arms. Cori looked away as Macavity walked in.

"Where's Aden?" Cori whispered. He winced when Macavity grabbed his arms tightly.

"Safe," Macavity hissed. Cori trembled as he looked into Macavity's furious silver eyes.

What had he done to make him like this?

Macavity ripped Cori up from the mattress, throwing him against the wall. Cori cried out in pain as he hit the wall, hard, and fell to the floor. He tried to curl up, to protect his already bruised body from the beatings and hurt he had already gotten from Macavity. Macavity just grabbed his ankle, yanking it out so his legs were exposed. Cori screamed in pure pain as Macavity retraced the 'mark' on Cori's outer left thigh. Cori writhed in pain, trying to get away as Macavity dug his claw in as he slowly ripped open the circle that was the paw. Cori screamed and sobbed as his leg burnt red hot in pain, he could feel the blood streaming from his leg.

"What did I do?" Cori screamed, writhing as Macavity held him against the ground as he continued to reopen Cori's scars. Macavity paused for a moment, leaning forward to place his mouth by Cori's ear.

"You were whispering Tugger's name last night," Macavity growled. Cori stopped writhing and froze, his sobs still continuing.

Oh…not good.

"You…love…him," Macavity snarled. "But…you're…mine!" Cori started screaming again as Macavity continued on with reopening all of Cori's old scars.

Admetus held Aden as Aden struggled and cried. They could hear Cori's screams. It sounded like he was in the room beside them, the screams were that clear and that loud. Aden buried his face against Admetus's fluffy chest fur. Admetus rocked the kitten back and forth, trying to comfort him even though tears fell from his own eyes as he heard his friend screaming in so much pain.

Tugger stretched out, his joints popping back into place.

"Tugger!" Tugger sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"Mm?"

"I know where Macavity is!" Munkustrap grinned, bouncing on his heels.

"What?" Tugger got to his feet.

"I've worked out where Macavity is!" Munkustrap was literally bouncing. Tugger smiled and hugged his brother tightly.

"Thank you," Tugger whispered.

"Come on," Munkustrap grinned. "We've got to get the rescue team up," Munkustrap pulled his brother from the den and went to gather up the fighters.

Cori groaned, rolling over. The sheets under him were damp with sweat…his sweat. He had a fever because the wounds on Cori's outer left thigh had gotten infected. Cori's eyes rolled back briefly before he blinked, focusing on the ceiling. Macavity's face suddenly appeared in his vision. Cori groaned weakly. Macavity's paws ghosted his waist and grabbed his hips. Cori gave a low whimper, his head tossing from side to side. Cori felt the collar wrap around his neck and he cried out.

"M-Macavity…d-d-don't," Cori whispered, his voice weak. Macavity paused, looking at him, his silver eyes emotionless.

"And why not?" Macavity asked, his voice cold.

"I-I need help," Cori whispered. He knew he was sick, he knew he was extremely sick.

"And why would I do that?" Macavity tilted his head. Cori gave a ragged sob. Macavity looked down at the shivering Tom under him. He could feel how warm Cori was…he knew he had a fever, but at the moment he really did not care.

Cori was saying Tugger's name in his sleep!

Cori was his not the Rum Tum Tugger's! Cori was his and his alone!

Macavity leant down, pressing his lips against Cori's warm cheek.

"No such luck," Macavity murmured before nipping at Cori's ear. Cori continued to shiver under him as Macavity bit his collar-bone. Cori let out a loud cry. Macavity looked at the trembling, shivering and weeping Cori before he left the room.

The fever got worse overnight.

Tugger, Munkustrap, Alonzo, Mistoffelees, Plato, Mungojerrie, Bombalurina and Rumpleteazer stood outside the building, looking at it. Munkustrap looked at Tugger and Plato, both of whom had someone in there…well, Tugger actually had two.

"Are you ready?" Munkustrap asked them. They both nodded.

The Jellicles entered the building and quickly began taking care of the hench-cats. Plato, Jerrie, Bomba and Mistoffelees ran down one way while Munkus, Tugger, Alonzo and Teazer ran down the other.

Alonzo spotted Macavity and snarled, quickly engaging the orange cat in a fight while Tugger ran towards the room Macavity had just left.

Plato opened the door to a room.

"Plato?" Plato ran in with Mistoffelees by his side. Aden ran and leapt into Misto's arms. Misto hugged Aden tightly. Plato gently pulled Admetus up from the ground, hugging him tightly.

"W-What took you so long?" Admetus whispered.

"Sorry," Plato murmured, kissing him.

Tugger threw open the door to the room and saw a dark shape lying on a mattress, shivering. Tugger ran forward with Teazer behind him. Tugger was shocked at the state Cori was in. Cori's eyes were closed and he was shivering but he was covered in sweat. Tugger laid a paw on Cori's shoulder and Cori's eyes snapped open as he gave a hoarse cry.

"Cori, shh, you're safe," Tugger whispered. Cori whimpered, his dazed green eyes darting around wildly. He couldn't seem to focus on any of them.

"Oh, Bast," Tugger looked at Munkustrap. Munkustrap was kneeling by Cori's legs, looking at Cori's left leg.

"T-The wounds are badly infected, Tugger," Munkustrap murmured. "We need to get him out…now!" Tugger nodded and tried to lift Cori…but his arms were shaking too much, he couldn't believe the state Cori was in. Munkustrap pulled Cori into his arms, yelling for the other Jellicles as they ran outside. Alonzo kicked Macavity back and ran with them. Macavity yelled in anger as he watched Munkustrap run off with Cori in his arms.

The Jellicles regrouped outside. Misto had Aden in his arms. Aden whimpered as he spotted his dad in Munkustrap's arms. Munkustrap looked and saw Admetus was in enclosed safely in Plato's arms.

"Let's go," Munkustrap breathed before they all headed back to the yard.

Cori was taken from Munkustrap's arms the moment he stepped into the yard. Skimble carried Cori quickly to Jenny's den, so Jenny could treat him. Misto carried Aden there as well as Plato led Admetus, who was clutching onto his arm. Munkustrap looked at Tugger, who was looking unsure. Munkustrap sighed, rolling his eyes. Tugger gave a small smile and went to see Tiana and Ferny, knowing that he would be sent from the infirmary because it would be quite packed.

Skimble watched as Jenny quickly treated Coricopat as Jellylorum worked on Admetus and Aden, who both weren't that hurt. When Addie and Aden were sent from the infirmary that was when Tugger came in. Jenny looked up at him before going back to sponging Cori's forehead as Cori shivered uncontrollably with the fever.

"Is he going to be okay, Jenny?" Tugger asked. Jenny sighed, pausing.

"I think so, Tugger…but…but he's going to struggle," Tugger frowned but his eyes widened when Jenny brushed at the dark bruise around Cori's neck. Jenny gave him a sad smile as Tugger sat closer, taking Cori's paw in his own.

"I'm sorry, Cori," Tugger whispered. "I'm so sorry,"

"T…T-Tug…ger," Tugger's eyes widened when Cori whispered his name. Jenny looked at Cori sadly.

"I-It'll be okay now, Cori," Tugger murmured, rubbing Cori's head. "It'll be okay," Jenny just looked at Cori as Cori gave a violent shiver and a weak groan before he went still, his chest rising and falling shakily. Jenny looked at Tugger as he murmured softly to her son before looking at Skimble.

Cori was in bad shape because Macavity had put him through hell…but they both knew Macavity would be back for him.

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