Over the next few weeks, Munk had noticed an obvious change in Misto and Tugger. Misto had become distant again and Tugger spent most his days in a drunken, and some most likely high as well, stupor. He worried about them; both were on different paths to self-destruction. Even though Tugger acted no different than usual, except goofier and occasionally more serious, and no one knew what was going on with Misto, except Pounce, who was the same age. Munk kept as close an eye on them as he could spare until one day, he decided it was time to intervene.

"Yeah, Munk, why did you want to see me?" Pounce asked, meeting him just outside Munk's den.

"Have you ever found out what sent Misto back into his…exile?" Munk asked, getting straight to business as usual.

"He doesn't talk about it. All I know about it is, Tugger was involved and that's why he is avoiding him the most. I only assume that's also Tugger's problem."

"That would explain a lot. I wonder if I could get Tugger to tell me…any way, I asked you here to try and help me fix this. They are both just getting worse in health."

"I had noticed that. I'd love to help, but Misto refuses to leave the clearing he found, where he practices his magic. He only goes home long after dark to be sure Tugger won't be awake and leaves when it's still dark in the morning to be sure of the same thing. He exhausts himself with practicing."

"With all that practice, I'll bet he's improved a lot."

"No," Pounce shook his head. "His mind is too pre-occupied with other things. He only hurts himself with it, not on purpose, but he's obviously paranoid about something."

"That settles it then, we have to stop this for both their sakes."

"But how? Misto won't have anything to do with Tugger now."

"Don't tell him Tugger will be there; just tell him I want to talk with him and help. It's not far from the truth."

"Alright, when do you want us to do this?"

"If possible…now."

"Where should I take him?"

"Jennyanydots'. If he is as bad off as you say, she needs to look him over. I'll find Tugger and have him in another room, so he can hear it without Misto knowing he's there."

"Ok, Misto's probably trying to practice. I'll try to get him." Pounce said, heading off in the general direction of the clearing.

Munk didn't have far to go as Tugger's den was the next one from his. He knew he'd find Tugger either passed out there or regretting drinking so much the night before. Sure enough, as soon as Munk pulled back the curtain that served as the door, he was greeted by a groan from the pile of blankets in front of the mirror.

"Who is it? Don't you know how early it is?" Tugger whined, obviously in the middle of a hangover.

"Tugger, its noon. Get up; I need to talk to you." Munk said, sounding very much like Jenny scolding a naughty kit. "Come on, I don't have all day."

"Aw, Munk, come on. Can't this wait?" Tugger whined, once again covering his head with a blanket to avoid the sun light.

"No, Tugger, it can't." Munk said sternly, yanking the blanket away from him. Tugger let out a hiss as the sun fell on his now revealed face. "Let's go. It's your own fault if you're hurting. Now get up we're going to Jenny's."

"Why are we going to Jenny's?" Tugger grumbled, knowing it was pointless to argue the point when his older brother used that tone.

"Because I want her to look you over. I know you and I know you haven't eaten much if anything lately."

"Why do you care?" He mumbled, sounding very much like a kit impatiently awaiting their year as a Tom. Munk yanked on Tugger's ear in irritation, causing Tugger to yelp as he clutched his now very sore ear.

"I'm your brother, remember? How could I not care? You're just lucky dad has stayed with his humans. You'd be in a lot more trouble if he saw you like this, instead you have me." Munk said, starting on the way to Jenny's den, an unwilling Tugger following.

"Sorry, Munk, I guess that was uncalled for."

"You guess?"

"Ok, ok, it was definitely uncalled for. I just…have a lot on my mind…"

"Is it about Misto?"

"…Yeah..."

"Tugger, that's really what I wanted to talk to you about. What happened?"

"It's my fault, Munk. It's all my fault! He hates me! I don't know what to do!"

"Tugger, calm down and stop being a drama Queen. I can't help you if you don't tell me what happened."

"It was Quaxo…"

"Misto's brother?"

"Yeah, but I thought it was Misto…I had no idea it was Quaxo."

"Tugger, what did you do?" Munk asked, getting worried about how bad things had gotten.

"It was just a kiss…" Tugger said dejectedly.

"Just a kiss? Then why is Misto so upset?"

"He believed Quaxo's lies that it wasn't the first time we had met…and his tone suggested worse…and Misto's avoided me since, so I have no idea what he thinks now."

"And you want to patch things up with him?"

"Of course, I can't stand this! It's killing me, Munk!"

"Actually, you are doing that…"

"You know what I mean! At this point I may as well not exist at all! I doubt he even notices me now! I changed, Munk! I may still flirt around, only because nothing is really officially between us and I have my reputation, but I don't do more than that anymore because I…don't want to hurt him…" Tugger started emphatically just to return to his former dejected mood. "But that's what happened anyway…"

"Tugger, that's exactly why we are going to Jenny's." Munk started to explain, standing outside of Jenny's den. "Pounce is bringing Misto, so I can hear his side, but I still want you both to get looked at. Both of you are practically killing yourselves. You'll have to stay in the adjacent room and don't say anything. If Misto knows you are there, I highly doubt he'll talk, let alone stay there."

"You can't expect me not to do anything! This is the closest I've been to him in probably a month, let alone hear him!" Tugger protested, only silenced by a warning look from Munk. "I'll try, Munk…"

"Good, now go before Pounce and Misto show up."

Munk had already informed Jenny of his plan the day before, wanting permission from her first to use her den and so she would go easy on Tugger. He had decided to wait for them outside her den, but he wasn't prepared for the sight that was to greet him as Pounce came into view. He couldn't hold out the gasp that escaped him as he saw Pounce carrying a barely conscious Misto. Things, he feared, would never go back to normal.