Sorry I've been a while, things have been a little hectic but I'm back writing so fingers crossed I'll have the next bit up soon!
Thanks for all the lovely reviews, I appreciate them so much, especially as things aren't going that well fir me at the moment.
I hope you enjoy
xxx
I blates don't own Cats
11. Fading Light
Hearing a rustling noise beside her, Demeter turned over and opened her eyes. Preparing herself to face the morning reluctance, she was surprised to find it was still dark and sat up to find the noise which awoke her.
"Munk?"
"Go back to sleep Dem, I didn't mean to wake you." Munk said from a spot that was not next to her in bed.
"What are you doing?" She asked, her throat dry.
"I'm going to patrol." Munk said, "I didn't go last night and I don't like to leave it too long."
"Come back to bed." Demeter protested.
"I've got to go, I'm sorry." He kissed Demeter who scowled, "Go back to sleep Darling." Before Demeter could protest further, Munkustrap had left the den, leaving Demeter to return to a lonely sleep.
"It's getting colder now." Bombalurina said with a frown, "I don't like the cold."
"I'll keep you warm baby." Tugger said and he wrapped his arms around her.
"You'd better." Bomby said as she nestled back into her Mate's embrace.
"You better enjoy the Tugger whilst you can, Munk has been going on at me about patrolling."
"You haven't been patrolling in ages you lazy so and so."
"Well he hasn't asked me," Tugger protested, "I will if he asks me."
"I don't know how your brother puts up with you." Bomby muttered.
"Same reason Dem puts up with you."
"Don't let him get away with that." A cheerful voice said which instantly made the others smile. Rumpelteazer plonked herself down next to them and smiled a warm smile to her friends.
"Hey Rumple!" Bomby said with a laugh.
"Where's Jerrie?" Asked Tugger.
"Dunno," She replied with a shrug, "I think he was saying he was going to go into the Orson farm and try an get a chicken, give Jenny something nice to cook for supper."
"How you two don't get caught is beyond me." Bomby mused.
"It's a skill m'dear." Rumple said with a proud smile.
"It's not one we moan about either." A different voice said. Munkustrap had approached them and said, "After you brought that duck home, Everlasting Cat knows how considering it was bigger than you, it lasted the whole tribe days!"
"Well we like to do out part!"
"So what's shaking bro?" Tugger asked Munkustrap who was standing next to them , "Sit down." Tugger gestured at the empty space next to him.
"I have to go to the docks," Munk replied with a shake of the head, "Berowley and I are getting some supplies." Berowley was the protector of another local tribe and he and Munkustrap often helped each other out as both tribes were enemies with Macavity and some of the members were friends with each other. "Fish, wood, you know, the usual stuff."
Munkustrap yawned and Bomby noticed how tired he looked. His face had become drawn and his eyes bloodshot. His fur had lost its vibrant shine snd his body had lost its defined muscles and he looked older than his 32 years (human years) of age.
"Are you alright Munk?" Bomby asked, "You don't look that good."
"I'm alright," Munk said, although he himself didn't sound that convinced which was a little unnerving as Munkustrap was the best cat for underplaying any illness or problem he might have.
"She's right Munk, you look pretty rough."
"Thanks." Munk snapped. "Honestly I'm fine, I've just been a bit under the weather recently."
"You're working too hard sweetheart." Bomby said firmly but kindly.
"I'm just trying to look after Dem," Munk sighed, "I want to be there for her all the time but I need to get all the duties done."
"Delegate a bit then. You need to sleep sometimes, even you SuperMunk." Tugger said with a slightly concerned look on his usually calm face.
"I said I'm fine." Munk said irritably "I just need to get everything done."
"Why don't you get some rest," Rumple said, "Tug, you can go meet with Berowley and we can get some of the others to help out. In fact Jerrie's going to be back this evening so if you can get a message to…" But Munk did not here the rest of Rumpelteazer's idea. His head dropped a little and his eyes closed momentarily as he stumbled slightly.
"Munk?" Bomby said and got up along with the others, "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, fine." He muttered.
"Mate you don't look fine, I'm gonna," before Tugger could finish, it was as if a giant hand had pushed Munkustrap and his legs gave way. Rumple and Tugger darted to him and prevented him from falling and gently steadied him down. Alonzo and Plato had been sitting on the old oven and had seen Munkustrap collapse and had rushed over to help as Rumple immediately went into medical mode.
"Munk, Munk can you hear me?" Munk let out a groan and opened his eyes, "Munk?"
"Yeah," He muttered, "I can hear you."
"Let's get him inside." Bomby said, Plato and Tugger helped Munkustrap put an arm around each of them and they slowly made their way to his den. Bomby went hastily ahead to forewarn Dem as Rumple gave Alonzo a list of things she needed.
"Don't cry Dem," Bomby said soothingly as she saw her sister's eyes fill with tears once she had told her abut Munk.
"I'm not going to cry," Demeter said, trying to keep her voice firm, "I need to be strong for him, he didn't crumble when I nearly lost the kits and I'm not going to now."
"He's going to be fine honey." Bomby said reassuringly, "He's walking and talking and Rumple will find out why he collapsed, she knows what she's doing."
At that the moment, the three Toms came in, followed closely by Rumple, they walked Munk to the bed and steadied him down as he thanked them and closed his eyes. Demeter went to him and held his hand in hers, "I'm here Munky." She said gently as she stroked his head, "I'm here." At that moment Rumple came in, carrying some things that Alonzo had evidently fetched for her.
"I think it would be best if everyone left, Bomby Tug, one of you can stay. But the rest of you," She gestured at the door she was kind but firm "and keep this quiet, if Jenny gets a hold of this." She rolled her eyes and the others nodded. They said a quick word of reassurance to Demeter and left.
"You stay Tug," Bomby said, "Munk is your brother."
Tugger kissed her lightly on the lips and she left the room, leaving just Munk, Dem, Rumple and him. Rumple placed a cold flannel on Munk's head and asked Tugger to warm up some cream.
"What have you been doing?" Rumple asked gently as Demeter held his hand.
"When was the last time you slept Munk?" Demeter asked.
"Last night."
"For more than a few hours." Demeter said firmly. Munk said nothing and closed his eyes once more.
"Have you eaten today?"
Munk said nothing again but scowled slightly
"The explanation is plain and simple, you're exhausted. This is nature's way of telling you to slow down." Rumple said.
"I can't slow down," Munk muttered, "I have a Junkyard to maintain, a tribe to look after, duties to do."
"What's more important Munk, duties or your family?" Demeter said, her voice rising. "What means more, the job or me?"
"Demeter," Rumple hissed, "don't get worked up, it's not going to help."
"I need to say this!" Demeter said and Rumple put her arms up in a defensive position and said something about seeing where Tugger had got to in a quick tone before leaving the room.
"Munk I love that you are the protector and how far you will go to protect us, I'm so proud to call you my mate. But we're having a litter; you're going to be a father. I'm giving birth in a few weeks and our lives are going to be totally different. You are going to be an amazing father but we can't do it if you aren't going to be around. I'm not saying give up your duties, I'm saying don't do so much. Look at you, this isn't my strong beautiful Munkustrap, I love you too much to see you like this."
Tears were falling down her face and as one landed on Munkustrap she noticed it had mixed with his own tears that he was silently crying.
"I'm sorry Dem," he said quietly, "I just want to be the best I can be. Old Deuteronomy trusts me with the tribe and I can't let him down. But you are the most important thing to me, you and our litter, I'm always going to be there for you, you are my world. I love you so much Dem."
More tears fell down his tired face and Demeter held him close.
"I love you too Munk." She whispered.
Rumple and Tugger came back in to find Munk asleep with Demeter on the edge of the bed. One hand was stroking his, the other firmly around his body, holding him close.
"Look after him Dem," Tugger said, "He doesn't know when to stop."
"He needs to slow down," Rumple said, "it isn't doing anyone any good with him like this." She looked at Demeter's large stomach knowingly.
"I know." Demeter said quietly.
"I'll talk to Old D." Tugger said, "And the rest of the tribe, I'll sort it out Dem, it will be fine."
Demi looked at her sleeping mate and she knew he would never do anything to hurt her and what a great father would be.
"They will be, they will be soon." Demeter said as she held onto Munkustrap who although looked frail and worn, she had never loved more, as she knew everything he did, he did for her.
