Munkustrap

Pacing a few steps ahead of his hunting party, Munkustrap felt confident that he'd tracked down the hairless tom. With his nose pressed against the ground, inhaling deeply, he caught his scent and gave chase. "Munkustrap! Wait!" The Egyptian Mau stopped and turned around. He'd inadvertently left behind his small pack; he forgot how much naturally quicker he was than them. On his way to see him, his limbs shook and shivered. Some of it was anger, some of it was dread. Some of it was also his body's natural reaction to the freezing air.

Taking a few breaths to still his agitated heart, Munkustrap turned to give his toms a reassuring glance. "They're nearby." He said.

"They?" Said Coricopat. "I thought we were going to see Raithen."

"Raithen might still have his group with him."

"How many are we talking?" Asked Plato.

"Only three or four cats."

"Three or four homicidal cats." Coricopat interjected. Alonzo hushed him at once.

"I hope you're planning to give them Hell for what they put you through." Plato growled.

Munkustrap huffed. "I'll give them something. I just want them to know they're not welcome here."

"You plan to do that with your claws and teeth."

"No." Munkustrap demanded, turning around. "No threats. No violence. All it'll do is give them twice the incentive to attack."

"We have incentive to attack!" Plato argued.

"Enough." Alonzo chided. "Listen to who's in charge here."

"I am."

"Both of you, hush." Munkustrap didn't need this; not before they even found the threat. They needed to work together, Lord knows they needed to if anything was going to be accomplished. They were all as unsettled as their leader before them; none of them knew what to expect. Before they could proceed on looking, Munkustrap turned to see that the three Copperkits were scuttling out of a storm drain and came to them instead.

"Munkustrap?" Called the distinctive voice of a Sphynx cat. "I thought that was you!" The bald, nearly one-eyed tom came forward with a partially toothless grin. "The weather's kept us off our trail; I'm not exactly made for traveling in cold air, as you can tell!"

As much as Munkustrap wanted to play coy and remain guarded and astute, he couldn't bear to treat the polite, aging, withered cat with discourtesy... even if he might be responsible for trying to have him murdered. "Where's the third cat following you?" He asked instead.

Raithen responded with a peculiar expression; both of his brows went up, one going slightly higher than the other due to his squint. "Which one...?" He looked back at his silent companions. "Oh. You mean Nebula? Fiend's always been rather defiant. He broke off from our group about a day or two ago. Why do you ask?"

Something told him that he was lying, or at least half-lying. Munkustrap wasn't entirely certain, and he didn't know just what exactly was at risk. He looked back at his group, who all waited on him to speak. Munkustrap cleared his throat and said, "This Nebula of yours... I recognized his scent when he raided my tribe the other night... he tried to have me killed."

Raithen looked absolutely repulsed. "Killed?" Just saying such a word made his voice crackle. "What do you mean?"

Now it was Alonzo that couldn't quite hold his tongue. He sniped, "It means he nearly took down one of our toms!" Munkustrap shot him a look over his shoulder, telling him to shut up. His kittenhood friend should know that glare well.

Raithen, instead of looking horrified, reacted as if he wasn't surprised at all. "Oh good gracious." He sighed as if this were just a minor annoyance. "My most sincere apologies." That's it? Munkustrap thought, appalled. An apology? A half-arsed one at that? "Nebula's always had a bit of an instability when it comes to things not going as planned. He'd thought we were coming asking for a place in the junkyard, but I guess I didn't communicate my intentions to him clearly."

"He said he was given 'instructions to follow.'" Rebuked the tabby, wearing his trademark death glare. "I can't imagine just some stranger would've sent him to kill me shortly after leaving your pack." He'd caught him in a lie... or did he intend for him to catch him in a lie? He had no idea. He hadn't even meant to come off as threatening as he sounded. Munkustrap hated being lied to is all... especially to his face. It demeaned his own intelligence. "He also said something about my father not being able to raise me proper." As he spoke, his tone grew icier, he felt his claws unsheathing from his paws. It was the disrespect of Old Deuteronomy that called upon his inner lion. His need to defend his honor. "Tell me. Did you or didn't you come out here to have me murdered in front of my own tribe?"

Plato tip-toed closer to Munkustrap and whispered in his ear; careful to not let Raithen hear him or read his lips. "You already know the answer. What are you waiting for?" Munkustrap inched him off with his shoulder. He knew what he was doing, they just had to trust him.

The Sphynx coolly dodged the question and asked, with some curiosity, "Is Nebula still alive?"

"You didn't answer me."

Raithen reacted as if he was offended. "All I ask is to know if one of my own colleagues is well! Please tell me you didn't hurt him too much."

"He's fine. Now tell me the truth!" Commanded Munkustrap, becoming more infuriated by the second. He did not need claws—his piercing stare could do the damage for him.

The bald tom turned to his cohorts and nodded his head, sending both of them back down the drain. "I did give him instructions that night. I told him if he was going back to your vicinity to ask to stay, that he should do so properly." Purposefully vague, of course. But Munkustrap still wasn't entirely sure what to make of it. It made no sense to him (of course) but even if he pointed it out, Raithen surely wouldn't give him a concise answer... and the silver tom needed clear and pronounced. Not discreet implications. He wasn't so dumb as to miss the inconsistencies in his words, but didn't know what do with what was thrown at him. It felt like when Macavity had said he wanted him to realize something before he told him why he took Old Deuteronomy... something was there, but he didn't know what. Wait...

"You knew of Macavity." Said Munkustrap, seeming to change topics. "Did he ever try to invade your tribe or use any of your cats as workers?" The three Jellicles behind him were put off by the enquiry; they hadn't expected to hear that name on this cold, foggy morning.

Raithen sneered and said, "My only encounters with the lad involved chasing him out of my neighborhood when he was pursuing one of our queens, and when we were suffering a shortage of food because he'd drafted all of the local rats to work for him. A decent negotiator, I might say. Though his tactics weren't exactly... agreeable."

"Did he say anything about me or my father?"

Raithen sighed. "How do I put this? I knew of your father before Macavity was ever even thought of! But I get where you're going with this. No. None of this has to do with Macavity. I don't care about the shit-eating thief that tortured toms and preyed on humans. I don't care that your brother ripped his throat right out of his skin, the bloke deserved it. No. I only concern myself with present matters, if you will, and that's about our very desperate tribe."

Munkustrap's expression broke for a soft moment. "Desperate?" Alonzo, Coricopat, and Plato were getting weary of this aimless chatter. They'd come expecting a fight, and they still felt one sneaking up on them... they just didn't know when.

"We're a dying race, going extinct, if you will. We only have about twelve Copperkits left... none of which are capable of reproducing anytime soon. That's because we only have males in our tribe. No females, not anymore. So what we came up with was that we would pair ourselves with another tribe, unite us both, for the sake of saving our namesake."

"But that's forbidden. Once you're pledged to a tribe, you can't desert it, not even to join another. That's betrayal." He said, half-quoting his own father. "You can't come live in another tribe's territory... it's not yours." He said clearly.

"Not unless the other takes it by force." Raithen calmly added. He paused just to get a good glimpse at the aghast look on Munkustrap's face. It was so much that Alonzo took a step forward, knowing what he meant. "Now, this has been very informative and all, but I think there are more important things you ought to be worried about?"

"Like what?" Munkustrap said skeptically.

He turned on his tail. "Hm... When you dumbly let me know that my tom was alive and with your kind, I sent my men off to fetch him. It'd be a shame if something were to happen to one of your friends... or your lovely, expectant mate while you're away." The words hit him like bullets and Munkustrap, feeling ill, charged right past his own group and sprinted towards the junkyard.

Bombalurina

The Somali queen had wanted to take a look at the opposer for herself. What had tried to be an assassin was nothing more than an animal locked in his cage. She wanted to poke her head right through the metal bars and spit on him. Whoever dared to threaten the Jellicles was doomed the moment they even thought of it. Already every older Jellicle walked by and snapped their jaws at him; they were anxious for Munkustrap to return home and give the orders... everyone was conversing about the tribe's 'first trial.' First one Bombalurina herself was alive for, at least. Not even Munkustrap and Rum Tum Tugger were born the last time Old Deuteronomy held someone accountable for a crime against them.

She hadn't all the details, but from what she was told, this wasn't the first assassination attempt on a Jellicle leader... only that time, it had come from one of Old Deuteronomy's own subjects. To have someone attempt murder on you... then to find out it was someone you trusted and cared for, and a tom as noble and good-hearted as the Norwegian Forest had been... it must've been excruciating. Old Deuteronomy exiled the culprit... which had to have been more difficult than having him executed. No Jellicle had commanded an execution, and Old Deuteronomy wasn't about to be the first. It took strength to spare a life as much as it did to take one, he had said.

Bombalurina didn't personally have an opinion. While she wanted justice, she didn't wish death on anyone. Macavity was probably her first exception... by the time she'd even thought about it, her future leader and his brother were carrying back their father's dead body... dead by his claws. The deed had been done and it saved her the effort of feeling any sort of confliction. It seemed the tribe was more content knowing he was gone, and it indeed gave them one less variable to worry about every day of their lives. But now new worries were to come; it was there in their own abode. But he imposed no threat, no more than a rat carrying a disease that they could stomp on and be done with.

She peered around the carrier where he couldn't spot her only to see that, just out of sight, many of the older cats had their eyes on it already. Skimbleshanks, Asparagus, even Jennyanydots were keeping watch as if there was any possibility of him escaping. Bombalurina wondered where the kittens were and scented them out instead. She found them with Jellylorum, and with Jellylorum was Demeter; she looked rather pained, like she was having stomach cramp—

...Could it be?

No. Labor pains were much more severe for a queen to take with such poise... must just be regular pregnancy pains... then again, what did Bombalurina care? The calico had plenty of help surrounding her; it's not like she'd be on her own. Of course, because Demeter did everything with so much grace, she'd even give birth calmly and pleasantly. She was sure that's what everyone else in the tribe was thinking. She watched as the tortie Jemima put a paw on Demeter's belly; she looked saddened. "Is your tummy hurting? Does that mean they're gonna come out?"

Demeter through her rugged breathing, managed to say, "No, sweetheart. It's just a pain. It's not time yet." Jellylorum felt the calico's face. "What?"

"You feel really hot. You sure nothing's happening yet?"

"Of course not!" She replied, more apprehensive. "It's just the breathing." She tried to slow herself. "I'll be all right. Munkustrap will be home soon." And during this, Bombalurina was wondering where Rum Tum Tugger had gone. He was not with his sister-in-law, nor did he go with his brother. If he wasn't keeping watch on the captive, then surely he had to be somewhere. The kittens could sense distress much more abundantly than grown cats could, it appeared. The four females piled around Demeter and gave her nuzzles to try and soothe her. Etcetera gave her kisses.

"Do you need water, love?" Asked Jellylorum.

"No." She insisted; she started to get up. "If I move around, it should stop." Though it was difficult, she managed to push herself up onto her feet; already it felt as though there was less weight on her, but also heavier... the weight had gone lower... if she could describe it any other way. It shifted from her stomach, farther down into her pelvis. It seemed like Demeter was able to catch her breath and everyone looked relieved... even Bombalurina felt some solace from that.

She smelled something a bit odd that caught her attention and she looked around to see if any sort of animal had wandered in. Not just one; two beasts seem to have strayed into the wrong territory. She sniffed the air, unable to determine which direction it was coming from. Perhaps the tom had needed to do some business and was forced to do so in the cage... leave it to a Jellicle to make one of their own prisoners stand in their own shit. Not even they were above such a punishment. But no, the scent was distinct, and it was becoming stronger.

Bombalurina felt compelled to follow and the aroma led her to one of the borders, where from a storm drain, she saw two pairs of eyes leering out. Her face wrinkled up into a sneer and she snarled. The cats watching the carrier might have power in numbers, but Bombalurina was young and swift—she had no qualms about facing these outsiders on her own. Slithering out and slinking under a car, they kept their eyes on their surroundings, ignoring Bombalurina completely as if she stood no chance against them. The nerve! How they moved in such perfect sync was almost disturbing—as if they'd had quite a bit of practice.

Keeping her head low, she watched them skulk around the perimeter and out of sight, almost disappearing into thin air! She tried to find them, and during her search, she heard from inside the broken oven filled with blankets and pillows someone panting like a dog. She peered in and saw, lying there, Demeter. She was on her side, her pear-green eyes were watering, she could barely move. Demeter looked up at her and asked, "Is Munkustrap back yet?"

"I don't know." She answered with a grouchy tone. Demeter didn't look offended; she was in too much pain to even care what the Somali thought of her. Bombalurina couldn't peel her eyes away from the struggling queen. Something wasn't right, and she was an idiot not to know. "Something's happening and you know it."

"It can't." She responded, breathless. "Munkustrap has to be here. I can't do this without him."

"Do you want me to go get Jenny?" She asked. Even if Demeter said no, Bombalurina would alert the Gumbie cat anyway. She must really be more clueless than she let on. Demeter thought about it, unable to get a clear sentence out. She nodded. "All right." Said the Somali.

Before she could even turn around, she heard the calico say, "If you see Munkustrap tell him where I am." Bombalurina looked back and nodded. It suddenly burdened her to leaved the restless queen on her own, even if it would be for just a minute or two. Demeter's face was ruddy from the breathing and she started to wheeze. She was going to dehydrate.

Going against her own pride, Bombalurina proclaimed, "I'm going to bring you some water."

Munkustrap

Springing over the junkyard fence, Munkustrap twisted in all directions, not sure whether to look for his mate or the culprits first. Everything appeared to be normal, though the cats that saw his distressed face as he flung into sight were now concerned. He hurried to his resting spot, but Demeter wasn't there. He looked around for Jennyanydots, Jellylorum, the kittens, somebody she might be with. He managed to find some respite when he could scent Demeter along with two other queens.

He found her with her head resting in Jennyanydots' paw while she fed her water. Her eyes lit up with relief upon seeing him. She reached her arm out to him. "Munkustrap—!" He grasped her paw and scanned her disheveled state; she was exhausted.

"Are you hurt?" Was the first thing he could get out. Demeter winced, even Bombalurina who was sitting nearby looked befuddled.

"What—? Hurt? No." Munkustrap didn't look convinced, and before she could reassure him further, Jennyanydots felt the calico's bump; she was all too familiar with this behavior.

"The kittens are ready to come out."

Munkustrap's eyes bulged. "What?"

Demeter shook her head. "No! It's not— It's not time! It's too early!" It took all of her effort just to say that, meanwhile Bombalurina couldn't help but look terrified at the prospect. All Munkustrap could think was not now! Not while they could be in danger! Of all the times this could be happening, it couldn't be now! But that wasn't up to any of them. It was more crucial than ever to keep those fiends away from her; Munkustrap would see to it.

He held her cheek and whispered, "Demeter, I'll be back. I won't go far and I won't be long—"

She shook her head furiously. "No! No, you can't go!" She pleaded.

"I'll be right here. I just need to make sure of something."

Her nails dug into his wrist like a vice grip. "Please! Don't! I can't do this without you!"

Seeing her in physical pain was cruel enough, but her begging for his presence was all the more heartbreaking. But his duty was not just to her, but the tribe as well. He needed to eliminate the threat at once! "I'm not leaving you!" He assured her, and it seemed to work. "I'm going to be right here. Just let me take care of something. I promise it'll be all right!" Demeter didn't want to let him go, but she knew that if he was this desperate to pull away from her at this time, then it must be important. He looked to Jennyanydots, "You'll stay with her?"

"Absolutely."

And then to Bombalurina, "And you?" She looked rather stunned that he was even asking. Haughty as she'd been acting, the queen was in labor for God's sake! She could act like she had standards just this once. "Are you going to help her, Bomba?"

"Yes." She said, trying not to sound aggravated. Munkustrap nuzzled Demeter's face; he wrenched at the thought of leaving her, but he just had to ensure that the Copperkits caused no harm. He would tell them to leave if that's all they wanted; they could take Nebula and never return. He didn't care for a fight over territory or 'property.' If they had any ounce of morality in them, they'd take pity on a tom who was about to watch his kittens be born... a tom they'd tried to murder knowing he had a pregnant wife. He couldn't be so trusting as to believe they'd spare him even now.

When he crossed over to the carrier and saw that the two toms were trying to pry open the lock, he hissed to alert them of his presence. Without so much as a growl, the toms silently turned the silver and black Mau. Munkustrap lashed his tail and his teeth were bared, claws deployed, ready for the worst. He'd done a number on Macavity from pure adrenaline alone, but this was different.

He would not let anyone hurt his children!

"Rise!" Nebula called in a mocking tone. "Are you not the kind that has a distaste for violence?" As he spoke, Munkustrap slowly shifted into a less defensive stance, "Why don't we have it your way instead? You unlock this cage and we go on our way. No cuts or bites required." This time, Munkustrap didn't look so willing; he stared, unblinking. Nebula sneered smugly, "Raithen told me that's how your father took care of things." At that, the tabby's heart jolted for a fleeting moment. Upset by the mere mention of his name again, he turned and averted his gaze to the ground, trying to get his thoughts together. "So what's it going to be? You wouldn't want to break poor Old Deuteronomy's heart now, would you?"

His words felt like a cold knife twisting in his chest; he sucked his lip and abated his turmoil. It had to be manipulation—he'd just insulted his beloved father a day ago... there was no way he would change his mind so quickly... but he was still right! He couldn't bear just thinking of going against his father's ways. The Jellicle's ways. Even after what he'd done, Old Deuteronomy would not have wanted Macavity slain! He didn't have any time to contemplate either; Demeter was waiting for him! And the fool he was, he'd left Alonzo and the others so far behind in his hurry that he might've gotten them lost.

Where was his brother when he needed him? Granted, how was he of all cats to predict that any of this could be happening this morning? The Everlasting Cat must be testing him, he thought. But even though he'd failed before... why did he have to torture him for it? Did he not know how much he already suffered?

"Well?" Asked Nebula. "You don't have all day, I can tell!" Unfortunately, he was correct. Munkustrap had no time to make this decision, but something was occuring to him—if he didn't let him go peacefully, they'd open the cage by force. No one needed that, he didn't need that. If Raithen was behind this, he would've come after him the night he let them stay put, after all. No doubt the toms would make sure Nebula returned to their leader. His words had been cold, but perhaps he understood that the Jellicles weren't willing to defy what they'd done for centuries.

"If I open that door, all three of you are to walk back to Hammersmith without stopping. You are never to come back here!" He declared; his paws were shaky—he had to get back to Demeter. She'd looked so scared; not even when Macavity tried to best her did she flinch. She was braver than any other queen he'd met, and so now he would need to be brave for her... and perhaps being brave meant trusting his gut. Anything that would get him back to her more quickly.

"Munkustrap!" He didn't get to take a single step forward when he heard Alonzo's voice call out to him. He and Plato already had their claws ready for attack. "What'd these wankers try on you now?"

"Nothing!" He insisted. "They say they'll go peacefully if we unlock the cage." Not even Munkustrap sounded so sure about his choice.

Plato was outraged. "You can't be serious!"

"I didn't say I would!" He rebuked, turning back to the Copperkits. "How do I know I can trust you?"

The three all exchanged looks, somehow understanding the other without any words. Munkustrap tried to figure out what they were plotting; wishing he had the ability to read minds this very moment. If only Mistoffelees knew how—he'd be useful for such occasions! He had to stop getting distracted. Pay attention, he heard his father command.

"Open this crate and you'll know." Nebula baited. Honestly, there was no way to know, was there?

"Munkustrap," Plato warned, "you're a fool if you unlock that door." Munkustrap wanted to deny him, but he agreed! Why did this have to be now? All he could think of was Demeter, how his father could handle this so seamlessly. It was his job to protect and serve, not stand there conflicted! Someone else called his name, a voice that almost turned his knees to water and he looked to see Demeter. She was breathing heavily, hardly able to keep upright. Bombalurina had already come running after her.

How was she here? What was she doing?

"Demeter! Wha—?"

"I— I couldn't let you do this alone!"

"Demeter!" Bombalurina grabbed her shoulders, furious. "Are you insane? You need to get back to—" Demeter fought her off. Jennyanydots was rushing over. This was all wrong!

"Who's this?" Grinned Nebula. "The Lady of the tribe?" He blew a kiss at her. Livid, Munkustrap stepped back and stretched an arm in front of Demeter, particularly over her bump. "Why don't you talk some sense into your mate and tell him to open this door?"

"Demeter," he hissed through his teeth, "get out of here right now." He said more pleadingly than demanding.

"I will not."

"Alonzo, get her away from here." Alonzo nodded and took Demeter's arm, but she forced him away. He fought back just as hard with Bombalurina at her other arm.

"Mun—Munkustrap!" She screamed at the top of her lungs, but he couldn't let this happen. What he didn't realize was that she was warning him.

He suddenly knew. The silver tabby span around right into the Copperkit swinging its paw at him, hitting him across the side of his neck. The force sent him right into the ground and Plato jumped between them, his razor claws tearing into the perpetrator's collar. He could hear Demeter fall into a frenzy as she scrambled her weight against Bombalurina and Alonzo. The yowling of the dueling toms crescendoed as Munkustrap pushed himself back up, eyeing Nebula making his escape from the broken lock, almost pitch-black eyes looking right into his.

Demeter had seen enough; fueled with the focused hate of protective marital rage, she slashed her claws against Alonzo and charged forward. Reflex nearly compelled Munkustrap to stop her, yet the futility of it was instantly apparent as she closed the ground between him and the second silent tom with remarkable speed. Munkustrap fought another instinct—to push her out the way. Alonzo struggled to sight on the bouncing target of the tom's body, afraid to make a move. Plato had met a near-even match between himself the Copperkit, who'd fallen submissive and fled. Nebula, what Munkustrap had thought to be the real threat, had escaped.

Dust sprinkled in his eyes and temporarily blinded him; he was left clawing at his face and when his watery vision cleared, he watched the tom toss Demeter aside with a powerful swing. Then Munkustrap heard it before he saw it. All at once she balled her arms around her stomach and landed right on it with a deafening thump and a scream of agony. He moved like a bolt of lightning; right as the tom brought down his paw, Munkustrap launched himself over her and felt the sickening sensation of his claws dredge deep into the skin of his upper arm, all the way into the quick. Alonzo began to tear into the tom's backside without falter, Demeter was convulsing in spasms of torment, and even Bombalurina had a look of horror on her face as she rushed to the calico's side.

Demeter rolled into a ball, desperate to protect the kittens inside of her. She felt a wetness at her crotch that she thought could only be urine... but it was stickier and thicker. She dared to look and instead saw red trailing steadily out. Angels above could hear her pandemonium as she caterwauled in grief and terror at once. At that moment, Munkustrap crunched his teeth into the bone of his opposer's shoulder blade. He and Alonzo's claws raked repeatedly through the flesh of his back and scalp; he sank his teeth into the tom's thigh until he shook him off.

With a yell of pure paternal rage, Munkustrap threw the Copperkit into the ground with such force that he lay stunned—conscious, but unable to resist any farther.

"Go on!" Alonzo shouted, "Finish him!" Munkustrap stared; shaking and hardly able to breathe. He turned around. Plato and Bombalurina picked up Demeter and began hefting her towards Jellylorum.

"Please! Please, no!" She continued shrieking as she bled. As she shouted, it only registered in Munkustrap's mind as a distant echo... this couldn't be real. It must be a nightmare. He wanted it to be over. He would wake up shivering and frantic, but find that Demeter was safely lying beside him, the tribe was unscathed, and their kittens were still resting inside of his mate's womb. Her bawling brought him back to reality and the injured tabby that was at his feet. Demeter's cries grew fainter and fainter, and Alonzo's shouts became louder.

"Come on! Kill the beast!" His voice cracked like a whip.

Why? Why must he kill? It shouldn't have to be like this. But there was no use in showing mercy at this rate—the tom had tried to see him dead, and now his kittens... his babies... his poor, precious babies... The silver tom knelt down before the bleeding body and picked up his chin, his claws were deployed and pressed deep into his skin...

...and suddenly, the Copperkit spoke.

"No!" He made a scared, whimpery sound as he looked up at him. "Please. Don't hurt me. I won't tell Raithen, I swear!" He begged, nearly blinded by his tears.

"So now he's a coward?" Alonzo said. "Show him what Jellicles do to cats like him!"

And Munkustrap would. In his eyes, with nothing but loathing in them, the vilest contempt, he took a deep breath in. He whirled and heaved his claws right at him, putting his whole body into the slash. The next time the tom opened his eyes, he saw Munkustrap had not struck him, but the ground underneath him. Nothing but four, three-inch deep slices into the earth that could've just as easily been his head. He breathed. "Go." Munkustrap spat. "Tell your leader to stay out of my territory."

With a look of confused gratitude, the tom, barely able to stand, squeezed under the gates and clumsily sauntered off in whatever direction he could carry himself in. Alonzo stood there, speechless. Munkustrap was down on his paws and knees, unable to stand. His shoulders arched up as he ventilated in harsh, heavy breaths, kneeling over as though he were ill. The Turkish Angora might not agree with what he just did, but it was not his place. In a tender voice, he started to say, "Munkustrap, what do—"

"Find Tugger." Was all that he said in a meek voice.

"I don't know if we should leave—"

His head snapped up and with tears in his bloodshot eyes, he shouted, "Find Tugger! Go get my brother! Tell him I need him!" Falling into a weak sob, he bowed his head low again, claws clenching the earth beneath him. He heard Alonzo scamper away as fast as he could.

My babies... Please, Merciful Everlasting, please save them...