Chapter 11:

Tugger was contemplating his usual dramatic entrance, combing his mane with his claws he was about to descend upon his besotted fans when. "Ow!" Something furry had crashed into him. Getting to his feet he was about to give the assailant the rough side of his tongue when he realised it was Demeter.

"Deme?" He exclaimed mildly shocked. "If you wanted a piece of The Tugger you just have to ask, this is a bit extreme." Teasingly mocking while dusting himself off.

She glared at him before bounding to her feet. "In your dreams Tugger." The venom in her voice shocked him. She always rebuffed him, but he had never received such coldness before. He had thought they had reached an understanding after their talk.

"Are you alright?" He asked with all seriousness.

"Will. Everyone. Stop. Asking. Me. That!"

Tugger just stood there not knowing what to say, or do for that matter. Demeter stood there panting, anger etched into her delicate features. "Dem if you....."

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" He must have leapt a good mile into the air! "Don't ever call me that again understand?" He nodded dumbly, though he had no idea what the matter was. "You're just like him, always wanting for selfish reasons. Pleasure before thought, pleasure before reason."

"Hey now wait a minute Dem." Understanding finally where this was going.

"WHAT DID I SAY ABOUT NOT CALLING......?"

"SHUT UP!" He shouted back. And she did, teeth clamping shut in shock. "Good!" He was determined not to get angry. "Now what the hell is wrong with you?" He said angrily.

"I'm not mad."

"OK?" Though all the while fearing for her sanity.

"I'm sick of everyone watching me, as though they're waiting for me to do something crazy."

'Well you're certainly acting crazy now.' He thought desperately. 'A pleasant interruption from anyone would be gladly appreciated!'

"Do you think I'm crazy?" She held his gaze, there was a manic sort of gleam in her eye as she had said that.

"No." He lied.

She studied him for a moment before looking away. He fought the against urge to sigh in relief. They stood in silence for awhile, Tugger watching her out of the corner of his eye, all the while taking tentative steps back, Demeter just watching the junkyard beneath them. Suddenly she turned back to him, his steps halted.

"I'm sorry Tugger." It sounded as though the words were being ripped from her throat. He waved his paws in a nonchalant way to show he wasn't offended. "It's just that he used to call me that."

"Oh." Was all he could manage? Again the silence stretched between them. "Um." 'Careful.' "Why were you in such a hurry?"

She seemed to absolve that, then apparently realising that it was an obvious remark to make after crashing into someone, she replied. "I won't let him win. I not mad. I'm not broken. I will regain my life."

"R...I...G...H...T?" 'What the bloody hell?'

Taking this as understanding she pressed on. "Munkustrap's my mate." This was getting weirder by the minute. "I trust him." He watched her chest rise and fall. "I know he would never hurt me" Why was she blushing? "Then why couldn't I....."

CLUNK!

The penny had dropped. It was finally making sense, Munkustrap's' sulking and Bomba's anger, he had seen her sulking about this morning. Since Demeter's strange dreams Munkustrap had said he felt as though Bomba didn't want to leave him alone with Demeter, he said it was as though she didn't trust him. Something about toms being toms or such.

It was his turn to blush. She must have just come from....he had better go and find Straps; he would certainly need cheering up after that.

"Obviously you're not ready yet."

"I am ready! I love him!"

"I know." It felt strange giving this sort of advice. 'Deme why do you always make me fluster?'

"Then why couldn't I."

"Because that bastard hurt you."

"Munkustrap is not Macavity." She said defensively

"I know that." 'Everlasting cat Deme I'm only trying to help' "I'm not saying he is."

"He would never hurt me....he would never force me." Her voice was beginning to rise. Why was she so angry at him? He never asked her to run into him.

"Deme look." He had to calm this situation, if Bomba heard Demeter like this he would be a dead kitty. "I know you love Straps, but what Macavity did to you will take a long time to heal. Munkustrap will understand he loves you."

"It shouldn't be this way."

"I know." Placing a comforting paw on her arm. "I know." Stroking it gently. Suddenly she rebuked hissing at him, claws unsheathing she took a swipe at his face.

"What the?" Ducking.

"Don't touch me." Taking another swipe for his face. "I'm not some simpering kit you can play with." This time her claws hit.

"Dem." Raising his paws in self defence but this only brought on a noise like a step on cat, advancing she continued her terrifying attack.

"I'm not a toy." She caught him again.

"Deme stop!"

"I'm not some prize." He had to stop this! He stopped his back tracking and stood his ground, taking a few more hits in doing so. Then; like when he was hunting mice, he took on an agile stance, senses tuned he watched the small queen's movements waiting for the right moment before.........

With lightening reflects he grabbed hold of her right arm, squeaking in anger she brought her other paw up, anticipating this he merely caught it blithely. Panting with the effort he realised that they were making some what of a commotion. Panicking at the prospect of receiving further injury from a not to impressed Bomba, he desperately tried to get her to shut up.

"Deme." Remembering to use the correct name. "Deme please just calm down." She merely squeaked louder, fighting to release herself from his grip. "Deme!" Certain that Bomba would be emerging any minute, he did the first thing that came to mind.....

He kissed her!

He felt her body convulse in shock but he held on, fearful of her reaction and a little fearful of his. Shock lasted for a second, resistance a little more before both seemed to relax into it. He felt her body flow into his, his initial alarm of what the hell was he doing began to fade.

He let go of her arms wanting her to pull back, fearing that she would. But she just clung to him, lips still locked to his. His paws snake their way around her waist then began to roam her body. 'I have to stop this, this is crazy.' He thought desperately, instead however he pushed her gently to the floor. 'Munkustrap will kill me!' He couldn't help himself. She. Was. Gorgeous. 'Bomba will kill me!' He could feel her body trembling beneath him. 'The whole bloody tribe will kill me, I can't do this.' He climbed on top of her. 'Why did he have to mess you up?' Tears stung at his eyes.

"Deme?" It was Bomba.

They looked at each other, eyes totally blank.

"Deme?" She was getting closer.

Tugger slowly got to his feet then offered his paw to Demeter, who ignored it. At this point Bomba emerged.

"I heard....Deme are you alright?" Spotting her stretched across the floor. Demeter rose hesitantly to her feet, not looking at anyone. "Deme what...?"

"I have to go." And with that she disappeared.

"What did you do?" Bombalurina snapped.

"I didn't do anything." Once again raising his paws in self defence.

"I swear Tugger, if you........."

"Don't you think you should be sorting out your sister? I tell you somethings snapped, she's not right."

Growling in frustration Bombalurina left; not without a painful punch to his arm first as a warning.

"Bloody females." He called after her; though not actually loud enough so she would hear. "Mad the whole bloody lot of them." Rubbing his arm as he went.

"So very young and now so very much messed up." Demeter had heard the whispers about her, had felt the eyes watching, waiting for her to prove them right.

In her blundering, erroring way she was doing just that; conforming to their view of her, she had to get a grip of herself. If not then she would lose everything and that was something she would not allow to happen.

The mind's insanity is a complex thing, it is not to be underestimated. Control is a delicate luxury in which very few seldom gain, it requires a fight for dominance it's struggle long and demands for intolerable endurance. Faults will be made and set backs are a certain occurrence. It is a manic dance between lunacy and normality. (Whatever that is?) A thin line is trodden, a line in which Demeter walked and one in which she balanced on the brick of a precipice. Would she fall?

'No.' She thought fiercely. 'I have to get a hold of myself.'

Macavity could not win, he couldn't. This was exactly what he wanted, discord and amenity, distrust and sorrow. No more, no more would she tolerated his hold, succumb to his will. For he had made certain that she would be a mass of neurosis, distorting her perceptions of reality, he had hoped for it should he lose her; she saw that now. She was to be the bomb in his plans; sending her back to the tribe so she would self destruct, taking the others with her.

Well that was to be his original plan for her, before he claimed love. She feared the truth in that declaration, feared he would never let her go and in this she was a danger.

But there were ways in which she could right this mess. 'Now is the time, you can not put it off anymore.' She mentally upbraided herself, she had been dragging her feet for too long, it needed to be done.

Demeter had to heal, Tugger had helped her realise that; however unconventional that had been, before she could start she had to ensure the well fare of another first.

"Despair not on the things that can not be amended." Jenny had wisely consoled one cold night. Though offering it as a pick me up from the dark brooding Demeter had fallen into after the painful birth of her kit, she had been certain there had been a deeper meaning in Jenny's pearls of wisdom.

It was Jenny who Demeter needed now. She knew the true origins of Electra's conception; she saw it in her eyes and for this she was the only one Demeter was certain she could trust.

"DEMETER." Bomba came bustling up; huffing and wheezing as she went. "Are you alright?" Seeing the determination on her younger sister's face.

"It's time Bomba, I've waited too long as it is." Veering off in the direction of the old rusted car.

Bomba stopped dead her pursuit as she took in Demeter's words, then realising her sister hadn't stopped with her, sped to catch her up. Grabbing Demeter's arm she spun her around. "You still pursue this? There is no need, this is insane."

"The heart's insanity admits no cure. I have to do this, it's the only way to keep her safe." Wrenching her arm free and entering the car.

To say the least, Tugger was left rather confused. What the hell had happen? More to the point, what the bloody hell could have happened?

'Did I just? Did we almost have? With DEMETER?' Shock was defiantly an understatement.

The stoic queen, who had somehow ensnared two of the most influential toms, had almost worked her spell on him. THE TUGGER! That was supposed to be his job, his prestigious reputation. Was he now losing his touch?

Yes he could see the attraction and yes he had certainly felt the allure, but she was a wreck!

She was skittish, confusing, her behaviour all over the place, not only that she was his brother's mate and Macavity's lustful desire. 'I'll admit I like a challenge but this is taking the piss.' He most certainly did not want to become tangled up in that.

'She was almost raped for Heaviside sake, why the hell would you try to...?' He didn't want to finish that, even in his head. There was no question that he would have hurt her, messed her up even more then she already was.

Yet despite this something had tempted him and it wasn't hard to understand why. There just was something about her, something that pulled and tempted, that seduced you in a quite manner, devouring unbeknown until it is to late and you were consumed completely. He understood why Munkustrap and Macavity had lost their minds over her, he could never and would never love this queen but he had almost been pulled in.

Even after everything she had told him, even after the mass of neuroses she had became; true at times she was outwardly fine but there were the occasions when she wasn't, when she was mood swingy, temperamental, defiant to all those trying to help her, altogether she was bloody well shocking. But she was still incredibly sexy, quietly intoxicating, yet mysteriously intriguing, she drunk you in without trying.

Silently thanking Bomba for her unknown saving sense of timing, Tugger made his way back to his den for once ignoring the looks of his adoring fans. Once inside he settled down to his favourite past time of grooming himself, it was a way to relax and also ensured he kept his female fans attention. Five minutes into it however he had lost all forms of dedication, for once ignoring his appearance he speculated on what it might have been like if he hadn't been interrupted with Demeter.

'That would have been an experience!' Whether good or bad, he found he really would have liked to have known. 'Shame on you!' But he couldn't deny who he was or what he enjoyed.

Shivering with disgust; it was Bomba he had always had an eye for, he thought about Macavity. If Macavity had really been sucked in by the golden queen and did infact love her, Straps would have to be careful.

It was amazing the control someone could have over anothers will; Macavity had it's power but more interestingly Demeter had it also.

He would never want Demeter, not in that sense; as Straps and Macavity did, now he had a taster of her power and feared for his older brother. Munkustrap was hooked, totally besotted with the petite queen and unless Demeter sorted herself out, she would destroy him.

Whatever could have happen between them he knew one thing that was certain, mess with Demeter and you got stung; her markings were strangely apt in that sense.

"Deme you don't have to do this, there has to be another way. There has to be."

"I've made up my mind Bomba; I don't want her hunted like me. I can spare her that at least."

"Deme." Ignoring her sister Demeter cast her gaze back to her struggling kitten; whom she held protectively against her chest. She was beautiful, perfect and hers. No, no matter what she would always be hers that at least she could keep; only she wouldn't be hers not any more not really. She had thought to do this early on, when her mind had cleared enough for her to understand the full implications of what having Macavity's kitten truly meant.

"I won't let him hurt you." She whispered to Electra. "I'm so sorry." Lumps of emotions welled in her throat chocking her words. "But I can't keep you." Placing a gentle kiss on her forehead she passed her precious kitten into the waiting arms of Jenny. "I will always love you Electra. My Electra."

"You won't be far from her; you'll be able to see her everyday. You can still be a big part of her life Demeter, that doesn't have to change." Jenny offered cradling little Electra, whom seemed more interested in a fly that hovered about the small den.

Demeter; eyes brimming with tears, forced a watery smile. "But it will be as an outsider. I can never truly be a part not anymore if I'm to keep her safe."
And with one last look at her perfect daughter she left.

"Deme." She had forgotten Bomba. "Deme." Panting as she raced to catch up. "Jenny's right, you can still be a part of Electra's life. You don't have to shut yourself off from her completely."

"Please Bomba." Stopping she squeezed her eyes shut, feeling Bomba's paw grasp her shoulder protectively. Opening her eyes slowly she pulled away from the embrace to address her sister. "I would like to be alone now. Please." She added, seeing the hurt expression cross her sister's face.

"Sure Deme." Hesitating for only a moment Bomba strode off.

Quickly forgetting her sister's grief Demeter set off across the junkyard, though in truth she didn't have a clue as to where she was going. Only the need to be alone and process everything kept her feet moving.

Passing by several spots where she had in the pass sort sanctuary; her Tugger encounters speeding her steps, she found to her surprise that she had unwittingly made her way to Munkustraps' den. She stood there for several minutes staring at the entrance not truly understanding what had drove her here, their last association had been somewhat of a disaster. Yet despite the blushes that the recollection of this memory brought she made her way inside. The den was empty, at this time of night Munkustrap would no doubt be of helping some cat or another, no one seemed able to do anything without first consulting him. But that was his nature, never rude, always too polite to refuse someone's needs however tedious it may be.

Gazing around the room she made her way towards a tiny object that had caught her eye. Lying amongst numerous rags and cushions that were intended for a bed, was a furry pink thing. On closer inspection she found it to be a small pink toy mouse, the same toy mouse; if she weren't mistaken, that she had given Munkustrap when they were kittens.

It had been her favourite toy; she remembered bringing it to the junkyard to show her friends, playing with it quite happily in the sun when she became distracted by a funny noise. Intrigued (the whole curiosity thing and cats) she went to investigate this strange sound. After rummaging through various piles of junk she happened upon a tower of cans and car parts, the strange noise was much louder here, so with a determine mind she pressed on until she stumbled upon none other then Munkustrap. She watched him carefully keeping well out of sight; the strange noise seemed to be coming from him. It was then that she realised that he was crying! So shocked at this she had blurted out. "You're crying!" In utter disbelief. Munkustrap didn't cry after all, everyone knew that this couldn't be right. Suffice it to say he had jumped clean out of his skin. After a little talk she had unearth that he had gotten into yet another fight with Macavity and had come off rather worse for ware. She had comforted him for awhile, then still a little surprise that this brave cat; she had always admired his level headiness, had been crying she selflessly gave him her toy mouse as a sort of pick me up gift. He had looked at it rather dishearteningly; it was pink after all, but understanding the gesture had accepted it.

She picked up the toy mouse fondly, a little surprised that he had chosen to keep it after so long. She remembered hoping that he would give it her back, it had been her favourite toy at the time and she had missed playing with it greatly.

"Demeter?" She dropped the mouse spinning round, to find the source of her contemplations standing in the entrance. He was so handsome, she watched as the shadows rippled across his muscular chest. "Can I help you?" He was far to polite to ask the obvious what are you doing here?

Her mouth felt so dry. "I needed a place to think and I found myself here."

"Are you alr....?" Stepping forward.

"Please!" She screeched. "Don't finish that sentence." His steps faltered as he looked at her worriedly. "I'm just sick of everyone asking me that." She continued rather sheepishly.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She noticed numbly how he moved warily around her, as though scared of her reaction if he should accidentally touch her in passing. She couldn't blame him though, after last time. He sat on the pile of rags and cushions motioning her to join him. She took a couple of tentative steps towards him, each of them it seemed wary of scaring the other. It all made for a rather uncomfortable atmosphere.

As she sat she noticed the pink mouse. "I can't believe you kept that." Indicating the toy. "Why?" Inquiring further as she watched his gaze shift from her to the mouse.

"Because you gave it to me." He replied simply.

"Oh." An uneasiness settled between them again and the urge to run filled her. 'No! I won't run this time. What's the matter with you he's your mate?'

"Bomba told me what you did." That flight instinct was stronger then ever now.

"She had no right." She shot back. "No right!"

"She cares about you." Calmness issued off him in waves.

"I'm fine!" She was getting angry now.

"You're not." Still with that maddening calmness. "You can't be, not after that."

"I said I'm fine. Why is that so hard to believe?"

"Because you're not heartless Demeter." She hated the sympathy that edged his voice. She didn't want sympathy, pity or any form of comfort or concern that everyone lashed upon her daily.

She jumped at the touch of his paw to her cheek, seeing her start he removed it quickly not successfully hiding his hurt. But she didn't care she was angry at him for fearing to touch his own mate, angry at herself for being the one who enforced it.

"I did what I had to do, I don't regret that. She will never be his and if I had to die to ensure that then I would. Whatever it takes I will keep him from her." 'My Electra!' "If that means shutting myself out of life for good then so be it." His eyes, so beautiful yet so penetrating bore into her soul, stripping away the vernier to the cat within. Sighing, releasing the anger that filled her she felt the need to explain further. "I know it's sounds heartless, but you wouldn't understand."

"Try me." Calmness was there again. Turning away from him she finally open up.

"How can I be a part of her life? How can I go to her everyday, interact with her, comfort her, play with her, acting like nothing has happen nothing has changed? How can I do that each day and then just walk away and leave her? Just leave her like she isn't mine that I didn't give birth to that precious kitten. Like I don't care. Then what? The next day greet her like I do everyone else, like she isn't special to me, like she doesn't mean anything more then the rest. I can't do that to myself, I can't do that to her. It's better if I break ties now, it will heal much quicker in the end."

Motion at the corner of her eye brought her head round. Munkustrap had reached out hesitantly towards her in an attempt to comfort her, as she turned he drew back reluctantly, clearly still wary of her reaction.

Holding his gaze she inched herself closer, coming to rest knelt in front of him, conscious all the while that they were both breathing far too quickly to be natural. She felt his paws tremble as she took them within her own, dropping her gaze she brought them up to her mouth and kissed them lightly. The trembling doubled, but her's did not as she held on steady, a calmness she had not felt in a long time gripped her.

"Kiss me."

Peering through luscious long lashes up at him, Munkustrap could feel his entire body trembling. "Demeter?"

"Please."

He wanted to, oh how he wanted to. She was his mate and he loved her, but he was afraid of hurting her. Afraid of damaging this fragile queen further. "I don't want to hurt you." He pleaded.

"You won't. I'm fine."

'You're not.' He thought desperately. 'How can you be?'

"Munkustrap?"

"I can't." 'He hurt you, he hurt you so badly why else would you have run before? I love you; please don't make me hurt you.' Her face was so close; he felt her move his paws placing them around her waist, moving her own to rest on his shoulders he watched transfixed as her mouth parted expectantly.

"I just want to feel real again." She whispered as a tear ran down her check. "Please."

His heart beat wildly, her scent filled his nose, her image his vision, black and gold brilliance blinding his senses.

"Munkustrap plea...." He kissed her.

He intended to be gentle, intended to leave it there but Demeter didn't want that. Noting her paws in his fur she pulled him down on top of her and without much of a struggle he willingly gave in.

Full night had descended, the junkyard was still it's inhabitants; those that had stayed, had finally given into sleep. A blissful silence held all as a crisp chill roamed about the yard. Munkustrap shivered as the chill descended upon him, wrapping it's icy tendrils about his lean body freezing the small beads of sweat that clung to his fur. He stood quite alone a watchful figure in the night.

"What are you doing?" Roared an enraged Bomb; like all things unfortunate, she had entered at the percise moment Munkustrap had kissed Demeter and had witeness the whole disaterous fall out.

"I....I" He had tried to explain.

"You stay away from her, do you hear me? You toms are all the same, only thinking about one thing."

"No, that's not what happen. Please Bomba just let me explain." He felt like crying in his desperation.

"Just stay away from her." And then she had left, no doubt to find her sister and pick up the pieces yet again.

What would Bomba say now, if she knew what he had just done with Demeter? 'Kill me that's for sure.'

"Tugger is that you?" He had been watching for some time now a rather pathetic form dodging about for the best part of an hour.

"Sssshhhh she'll hear you." Tugger replied earnestly as he made his way to Munkustrap.

"Who will hear?"

"Jelly." He whispered, all the while shooting frantic looks about him.

"Why would Jellylorum be looking for you?" It really was quite a pathetic sight, seeing the tall frame of Tugger hunched over trying to appear insignificant. A truly impossible task for such a big ego.

"Because I saw her and Gus Jr in a bit of a clinch and happened to make a comment about it in her hearing." Munkustrap winced; most of what came out of Tugger's mouth could be insulting.

"What did you say?" Fearing the worst.

"Nothing. Just that there should be an age limit on things like that. I mean, it not exactly pleasant seeing that at their age." Munkustrap rolled his eyes. No wonder Jelly was angry. It was hard not to laugh, Munkustrap firmly believe that despite his comment Tugger would certainly be continuing on with said antics until a ripe old age.

A lack of scolding fury raining down from a wrathful Jelly seemed to reinburst a sense of confidence within Tugger, his body straighten and his normal swagger-ask appearance returned.

"So what brings you out and about at this late an hour Straps?"

His mirth died and he found he couldn't look at Tugger any more.

"Oh right Demeter." Munkustrap glared at the accusation within his voice. "Well I'm right aren't I?" Holding his paws up defensively, correctly interrupted the deathly look he was receiving. "Let me guess." Taking in his dishevelled appearance. "You're minding your own bloody business when she comes crashing into you, then violently starts hitting you because you dare to ask if she were alright?"

"What?" Munkustrap asked slightly puzzled.

"Nothing. It's just looks as though you're been dragged through an hedge backwards is all." Which produced a flurry of hectic fur straightening from his older brother. Tugger watched intrigued and a little bemused as Munkustrap manically run his paws over his body. Something had unhinged his normally stable brother and he was certain at the heart of it lay Demeter.

A slight breeze circled the pair and as it stole away across the yard once again, dragged with it a familiar scent to Tugger's nose.

"You sly Pollicle." A grin bordering his mouth.

"What?" Munkustrap inquired with both paws roaming his head fur.

"Aaahhhh don't act all innocent with me, I can smell her all over you." Paws dropping Munkustrap reluctantly bowed his head in ascension. "Well?"

"Well what?" Nonplus.

"Did she blow your mind?" Eyebrows rising up and down.

"Tugger!"

"What?" Mock innocence evident, however taking in his brother's rather disgruntled look Tugger decided to relax a bit on the joking. A bit mind, all this seriousness of late threaten to turn him normal. 'Parish The thought!' "Hang on a minute." Suddenly realising something. "Where the bloody hell is she?" He shot.

"Who?"

"Demeter you twit."

Munkustrap scowled. "Oh, I thought you meant Jelly."

"Why the bloody hell would I want to know that?"

"Well you said you pissed her off so I thought......"

"DEMETER YOU....!" Then regaining his composure. "Where's Demeter?"

It was odd seeing that sheepish expression stole across his brother's usually serious face. "I left her sleeping."

"You left her!" Slapping his paw to his forehead. "Why the bloody hell would you do that?"

The pause seemed to stretch forever, then morosely Munkustrap spoke up. "Because.....because I'm afraid that I've hurt her."

There was no mocking this time. 'Damn you Demeter for making me bloody fluster again.' Recalling to mind his own awkward encounters with the skittish queen.

"Why would you think you've hurt her?" 'Because that bastard tried to raped her.' Tugger thought miserably though knowing full well that Munkustrap didn't know, he was certain however that like Bomba he suspected something along those lines.

"She gave up Electra today." Bomba had resentfully sought him out; she had still been irate with him, but her concern for her sister had dampened it enough for her to seek his help. 'And look what I did.'

"Shit."

"I found her in my den, we talked. She was wary, one minute she would be flinching if I looked at her the next......How can you go from not wanting to be touch to that?"

A memory flashed in Tugger's head, that of him kissing the golden queen. He to gone from being chilled to the bone by her fury, to scolded within an inch of his life by her feminine charm. "I don't know Straps. All I know is if she wakes up and fines you gone...well lets just stay she isn't going to be very happy."

"But what if I hurt her? After everything she couldn't have been ready for that, she wasn't thinking straight. I took advantage of her Tugger. That's what I've done. That's what she'll think." For the second time in his whole life he saw his brother cry. "Bomba was right, I should have stayed away from her, I can't be trusted."

"Listen to me Straps." He said taking his brother firmly by the shoulders. "You did nothing wrong. You love that bloody queen and she bloody well loves you. What you did was only natural, you're a tom for Heaviside sake and you have needs just like the rest of us. Believe it all not Straps your not prefect. Bomba had no right to keep you away. That decision was Demeter's, and if she thought she was ready then you and Bomba have just got to respect that. You can't hold her paw forever, she not a kitten anymore. Yes she seen and been through some shitty things, but if this is the way she chooses to cope with it then so be it. I know it happen at an odd time but it was bound to have happened eventually. The worst you can do is disrespect that by throwing it back in her face and leaving now. That was a big bloody step she took tonight and she choose to do it with you because she loves you and trusts you. And if I have to keep bloody spouting all this bloody wisdom and knowledge much more I'll be turning into Old Deuteronomy himself."

An actual smile bloomed across Munkustraps' face. "Thank you Tugger, but I don't think your quite ready to replace Old Deuteronomy just yet."

"Wouldn't bloody want to, not enough fun involved and too much bloody responsibility anyway."

"TUGGER!"

"Shit!" Jellylorum it seemed had finally caught up. "Later Straps."