"Munkustrap! Oh, now where has that kitten run off to?"
"I'm right here, Aunt Jenny!" Munkustrap called as he quickly bounded up and onto the top of the trunk that he lived in with Jennyanydots and her mate, Bustopher Jones.
Jenny smiled as she saw her young charge scrambling up to sit next to her. "Now where have you been?" she asked. "It's nearly suppertime!"
"I was playing with the other toms." Munk smiled. "They were actually letting me play with them today!"
"They were?" Jenny asked, surprised. Normally she had to go and actually instruct the other tom kits to play with Munkustrap. "And what were you playing?"
"We were playing with that ball that Macavity found the other day." Munk replied.
Found... Jenny thought, skeptically, That kit 'finds' more things...
"And they said that I had an important part in the game!" he smiled. "They said that since I have the best eyes, and because I'm the smallest, I'd be the best one to be the referee." he beamed proudly as he followed his foster mother into their den. "I was the one who made sure that the ball always was where it was supposed to be."
"Well, isn't that nice of them." Jenny said, rather non-enthusiastically. "Now, you go clean up for dinner. You know Uncle Bustopher likes it when you're clean."
"Yes ma'm!" Munk nodded and quickly went deeper into the den.
Jenny sighed. Those tom kits had just found another way to keep from having to play with poor Munk. Now he actually thought he was included, while in actuality he was still side-lined. She shook her head. No doubt this was another one of Macavity's ideas. The red kit seemed to almost take pleasure in finding new ways to exclude or torment his younger brother.
Tugger, well, Tugger liked to be popular with the other kittens. He was quickly developing into a rather handsome young tom and the queen kits were starting to take notice of him. He didn't seem to enjoy the exclusion of Munkustrap, but Macavity was the older brother, and what he said was what went with the kitten crowd. Coricopat was almost as secluded as Munkustrap, but he had his sister, Tantomile, and Coricopat was at least big enough to make what he wanted known. And as for Victor and Admetus, well, they were followers and would exclude whoever Macavity said to.
The new queen kittens, Bombalurina and Demeter, seemed a little more inclined to be kinder to Munkustrap. Bombalurina would usually give him at least a smile, and Demeter would often talk with the young tom since at the moment he was the only one who wasn't constantly asking her to dance or go steady. In fact, the young queen seemed to enjoy just talking with Munkustrap and he certainly seemed to reciprocate it.
Jenny looked down at the grouse she had prepared.
Demeter certainly seemed Munkustrap's only friend in his age group, but he looked to be in danger of loosing her to the others. Jenny had noticed, with some dissatisfaction, that Macavity's eye had landed on the calico queen kit lately and every so often she would see her eyes linger on him, and a shy smile creep across her lips when the two talked or were near each other. And if she came under his influence, the only ones Munkustrap would have still on his side would be the adults who had taken him in.
Time being only around adults had made an impression on the young tom. He was generally more serious than other kittens, thoughtful as well. Munkustrap was quite capable of having an intellectual conversation with even his father, Old Deuteronomy. But it didn't help him with the other kittens, and Jenny could tell that Munkustrap's closeness with his father was a source of jealousy from Macavity. Macavity was to be the Jellicle Protector when he was old enough, and he felt that the tight bond that could be seen between Old Deuteronomy and Munkustrap should have been between himself and his sire. The red tom kit couldn't see that the bond between his younger brother and his father was only so strong because of the neglect of their mother.
And Grizabella... Where are you now?
It hadn't been too long after the three tom kits were old enough to be on their own that the Glamour Cat had simply dissapeared into the night. Even though she hadn't said a word to anyone, everyone knew where she had gone. The world was simply too big a place for a Glamour Cat to stay in one Junkyard.
CRASH!
Jenny whirled around. What was that?! "Munkustrap? Are you alright?" She called into the den.
No answer.
Worried, Jenny quickly moved into the den. Dispite her care, Munkustrap had always been a small kitten, easily injured. "Munkustrap?" she called out again.
She found the small tom curled up on his bed, curled into a ball. Nearby was a small tin filled with small pebbles. Munkustrap always placed a pebble into the tin when he had played with the other kittens. It helped to remind him that the others thought enough about him to include him.
It looked like it had been kicked over violently.
Pebbles were scattered all across the floor and there was a dent in the side of the tin. Jenny looked down at Munkustrap, who didn't even look like he knew she was there. She heard a sniffle as she saw him tying to keep from crying. It wasn't working very well. His thin frame didn't hide much. The Gumbie Cat sat down next to the small tom kit and gently stroked his back.
"Munkustrap?"
Silence. Followed by a choked back sob.
"Is there anything you want to talk about?" she asked quietly.
Silence.
Jenny frowned. Munkustrap generally prefered to talk through his problems with someone. "Munkustrap?" she asked again.
"They never really wanted me to play, did they?!" Munk finaly broke down. "They just gave me that stupid part so you wouldn't make them play with me!"
"Poor dear..." Jenny said quietly, pulling her charge into her arms. "I'm sure they just wanted to make sure you were included..."
Munkustrap looked up at her, tears brimming in his eyes. "They never really want to play with me." he sniffed. "I'm too small. They can't play rough when I'm in the game. And I don't like play fighting all the time. I like talking and stuff." He wiped his eyes. "They say that queens only do that. I hear them talking when they don't think I can."
Jenny hugged Munkustrap tightly, tears threatening at the corners of her own eyes. Munkustrap was as dear to her as her own kitten might have been, and she hated to see him like this. "You're just maturing differently then they are, dear." she said quietly. "You think more like a grown tom and they are just kittens in bodies of toms." The thought didn't seem to be making much difference to the gray kitten.
"Maybe if I was like that they'd play with me." he cried quietly into her fur.
The two just sat there for a long while, the Gumbie Cat gently rocking the kitten back and forth like he was still a few weeks old. When Bustopher finally returned home, he looked into the back room and shook his head sadly. It took no words from his mate or his ward to explain what had gone on that afternoon.
Munkustrap had been meloncholy since that afternoon. No ammount of cheering from Jenny, Jelly, or any of the other adults could alieviate the young tom's dark mood, which mached his coat quite appropriately. He looked a beaten kitten, knowing that no matter what he did, he would always be an outsider to the rest of his peer group.
Watching from the top of his adopted family's car, he saw Tugger flirting with Bombalurina. The two were quite a lot alike, both showing the signs of being the ultimate in sexuality for their respective genders. Victor and Admetus were wrestling with each other. The two toms liked the tests of stregnth. The twins were sunbathing on a mattress. Macavity was nowhere to be found, neither was Demeter. Munk's demenor grew blacker. His one friend, and she was probably off with his brother somwhere.
A shadow fell over Munk's back. He turned around to see who it was. "This seat taken?" Demeter smiled down at him.
"Umm, no! Of course not!" Munk smiled, cheering up imensly at the sight of his friend.
Demeter was a young calico, gold and black being the highlights of her coat. The pattern fell similarly on her body as on her sister, Bombalurina's, but with more stripes and less spots. She had kind, green eyes and a soft smile that always seemed to make Munkustrap's heart beat a little faster when he saw them. While not as overtly sensual as her sister, Demeter was obviously still going to be quite a beautiful queen when she was fully grown.
"You looked kind of down." Demeter said softly. "I thought I'd come over and see if there was anything I could do."
Munkustrap sighed. "You're doing a lot just by talking with me. None of the others really ever seem to want to do that." Demeter nodded. She knew that the other kittens would often tease Munkustrap behind his back. If he had heard half of the things that had been said about him...
She decided to try and change the subject. "You going to be at the Ball next month?" she asked.
Munk looked unsure. "I... I haven't made up my mind yet." he replied. "It all kinda depends on some stuff."
Demeter leaned back and smiled. "I'm going. I wouldn't miss it for the world! Jelly says it's so much fun with all the singing and dancing..."
Singing... Dancing...
Requiring phyical prowess that Munkustrap knew he didn't have.
His ears drooped a little. "Umm... Were you going to go with anyone?" he asked.
"Well," she smiled at him, "I was kinda hoping Macavity would ask me." Munk flinched. Demeter sat up. "Why? He hasn't asked Bomby, has he?"
"No..." Munkustrap said, softly. "She's going with Tugger."
"But I would be delighted if you would accompany me." came a silky voice from behind them. Munkustrap and Demeter turned to see Macavity perched on top of the car roof. Demeter smiled. "It's a date then." the red tom kit smiled, casting a side glance at Munkustrap, whose tail had curled under his legs. "And you, little brother, will we have the pleasure of seeing you there?"
"Yeah... I'll be there." Munk choked out. Then he quickly turned and ducked into his den.
Demeter looked confused. "What's wrong with him, I wonder?"
Macavity shrugged. "He is an odd one. Now, shall we practice for the Ball?" he asked, extending a hand to Demeter. Smiling, she took it and the two walked off.
From inside the den, Munkustrap watched. "Demeter..." he cried quietly before retreating to his bed area.
"He hasn't gotten out of bed in days, Deuteronomy." Jenny said in an anxious whisper. "I don't know what's wrong. He won't talk to anyone, he won't eat... I'm so worried about him. He's just not naturally strong enough to do this to himself."
Deuteronomy frowned. This was indeed troubling news. Normally Munkustrap was the first to great him when he returned to the Junkyard from his wonderings. This time he hadn't seen or heard anything of his middle son until he had been met by Jennyanydots, who had brought him the news of Munkustrap's turn. He moved quietly into the back area of the den where the beds were and saw the form of a young tom under a blanket. Deuteronomy gently lay a hand on the young cat's shoulder. Munkustrap would know straight away who it was.
"I'm not getting up." came the horse whisper of someone who had spent hours crying.
Deuteronomy sat down on the bed. "You're hurting yourself by doing this, Munkustrap."
"Right now that's all I want." Munkustrap replied. "If I'm lucky, maybe I'll die and then I won't be a bother to anyone anymore. The other kittens won't have to be told to include me, and the adults won't have to watch out for me."
The old tom sighed. "Munkustrap, Jennyanydots didn't save you from death by exposure just to have you starve yourself now."
"She should have." Munkustrap wimpered. "Then she wouldn't have to worry about me. Why she wanted to take care of a cast off is beyond me... Momma didn't even want me..."
"Oh, so now your own Father doesn't count for anything?" Deuteronomy said quietly.
Munkustrap shot up, just like Deuteronomy expected. "NO!" he exclaimed, before falling back, the exclaimation draining what little energy he had. "No... You're everything... More important than Momma was..." he whispered.
"Now see what I mean?" Deuteronomy smiled, laying a hand on the young tom's forehead. "You've let yourself get too weak, Munkustrap. How do you expect to do anything at the Ball in this state?"
"I'm not going."
"Now why is that?" Deuteronomy asked.
Munkustrap had leaned himself up against the wall of the den, but didn't look at his father. "I'd be all by myself. That's no fun."
"All by yourself?" Deuteronomy asked. "Are you sure? What about Skimbleshanks? The two of you get on well."
"He's going to be with Jellylorum."
"Jennyanydots?"
"With Uncle Bustopher."
"Gus?"
"Noilley Prat."
"Tugger?"
"Bombalurina."
"Victor?"
"Wrestling with Admetus."
"Tantomile?"
"Coricopat."
Deuteronomy sighed. He had a feeling he knew what the answer to the last question was. "Demeter?"
He saw Munkustrap flinch, and almost visibly shrink. "Macavity." he answered quietly.
"Demeter..." Deuteronomy said quietly. "Munkustrap, is that what this is about? You have feelings for the young queen?" He barely saw the slight head-bob that was Munkustrap's answer. "You're not embarassed by them, are you?"
Deuteronomy could see that there were tears threatening to fall from Munkustrap's eyes. "How can I not be?" he whimpered. "She's... Demeter's... Well, she's everything! She's beautiful, kind, interesting, fun, and a whole mess of other things that I can't name. She makes me feel happy when she's near me, I'm sad when she's not... But when I heard Macavity ask her to go to the Ball with him, right there in front of me..." He looked up at Deuteronomy. "It felt like someone had punched me in the stomach."
Right in front of him... Macavity... How can you be so cruel? Deuteronomy thought.
"She sings like an angel," Munkustrap went on, a smile creeping onto his face, "and her dancing is like poetry if you could see it. But..." he looked down, a cloud passing over his face, "I couldn't ever tell her. I guess I know that now. I'm just the uninteresting little brother of Macavity. I might as well face the fact that there isn't a queen alive who'll ever want to be with me. They like toms that are strong like Macavity and handsome like Tugger."
Deuteronomy placed a hand on his son's shoulder. He knew there wasn't anything he could say right now. The only thing that would change his mind was for some queen to prove it to him.
"Munkustrap, come to the Ball. If nothing else than to make your father happy." Munkustrap looked up and slowly nodded. He would do anything for his father.
The Jellicle Ball had gone smoothly. Jellylorum and Skimbleshanks were now offically mated and quietly retreated to the Railway Cat's den for their first night together. Gus and Noilly Prat had returned to the theater, once Gus had given a good talking-to to his new son-in-law. Coricopat and Tantomile went back to their shared den, while Tugger and Bombalurina flirted back to Tugger's pipe for a rather shameless night. Admetus and Victor rolled around in the dirt some more before finally calling it a night. Demeter had, much to the chagrin of Macavity, retired to her own den, forcing the red tom to go back to his own. Jenny and Bustopher went back to their den, leaving Munkustrap with Old Deuteronomy sitting on the tire.
Munkustrap had done his best to keep up with the dancing of the ball. The faster ones he had problems with, but slower tempos were no problem. He might be small, but he was coordinated. After a while though, it was all too much for the recovering young tom, and he retreated to the the tire to sit with this father. There had been points where he had been enjoying himself, especially when he was able to watch Demeter dance, but those moments were usually always dashed when he saw his older brother step in to glide along side her.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" Deuteronomy asked quietly.
"I guess." Munkustrap replied. "I wish I could keep up better though."
Deuteronomy smiled. "Just keep your stregnth up, and keep practicing, and one day you'll be dancing with the best of them, Munkustrap." Munk couldn't help but smile a little bit. His father had an infectious energy sometimes.
Suddenly, there was a scream from elsewhere in the Junkyard.
"That was Demeter!" Munkustrap exclaimed, his ears perking up as he jumped to his feet. Before Deuteronomy could say anything, the young tom was off the tire and racing as quickly as he could into the yard where the scream had come from.
"What in Heaviside's name was that?!" Skimbleshanks' head popped out of his den, followed by Jellylorum's. "That sounded like a scream!"
"Demeter's voice. Munkustrap took off before I could stop him." Deuteronomy answered. Skimble let out a hiss. His mating night or not, he was still the Protector until Macavity was of age. The orange tabby quickly sped off in the direction Deuteronomy indicated, Jellylorum and Deuteronomy following behind.
As the alarm was raised, the other cats joined the group, until the only ones not there were Demeter and Munkustrap. "Heaviside! He can move fast!" Admetus muttered, trying to keep up with the other toms.
"Yeah," Victor huffed, "who would have thought the runt could sprint?"
"That's enough outta the two of ye!" Skimble shot back over his shoulder. "The lad's ahead of us and is in Heaviside knows what kinda danger!"
Munkustrap ran quickly through piles of junk following the direction of the scream. He turned a corner and saw Demeter pinned to the ground by a large stray. The queen was thrashing about wildly, trying to get away, while the stray straddled her body and looked to have every intention of violating her.
A veil of red fell over Munkustrap's field of vision. A stray... A STRAY... had the gall to touch Demeter like that!?
Without a second thought to his own safety, the small tom jumped on top of the stray's back, sending the both of them flying. "Get out of here, Demeter!" Munk called after her. Demeter turned, and froze in her tracks, obviously not expecting the rescuer who had come to her aid. Munk noticed her reaction and waved her on. "GET OUT!" he called again. This time she listened, running off to find the others.
"You little shrimp!" the stray hissed. "I'd been keepin' my eye on that dame for weeks now!"
"You lay a hand on her..." Munk growled before being cut off by a punch to the face.
"And my plan gets the ax by a runt!" the stray added before throwing in a kick to the stomach. The kick sent Munkstrap flying, the wind knocked out of him. The gray tom managed to pull himself to his hand and knees, and hazily made out blood coming out of his mouth.
Blood... the thought drifted through his mind. Aunt Jenny said something about blood from the mouth...
Munkustrap felt himself being lifted. "I hope you like swimming, runt." the stray laughed evily.
Swimming..? Munkustrap opened his eyes as wide as he could, since they were now starting to swell shut from the punch, and saw the object of the threat. An open man-hole. The sound of fast moving water could clearly be heard from inside. Munkustrap tried to struggle free, but the stray had the advantage of stregnth.
"Put the lad down!" Skimble's voice rang out from nearby. The stray paused. "Put him down and ye can leave unmolested."
"Jellicles, eh?" the stray sneered. "Nah, I think I'll have more fun getting rid of this one!" he said, tossing Munkustrap down into the blackness of the open man-hole.
"Murderer!" Skimble roared, leaping at the stray. He was followed by Admetus, Coricopat and Victor in pinning the cat down.
"Where is he?" The five cats looked up to see Old Deuteronomy standing over them.
"The runt?" the stray laughed. "He's getting a nice tour of the sewers of London." Deuteronomy hissed, a sound that sent chills down the spines of any cat that heard it.
"Skimbleshanks, do with him as you see fit." the Jellicle Leader said, slowly turning and walking back to the Junkyard clearing.
Not long after there were screams of a cat who was having revenge being inflicted on his hide
The others watched Old Deuteronomy go. It was like seeing him age decades in a matter of moments. He would not shed tears before the tribe, but he would do so in private. Soft sounds of the queens crying could be heard, as they were comforted by mates, friends, and brothers. While not many of the younger cats had been close to Munkustrap, he was a Jellicle, and to lose one was to lose part of themselves. Jenny wept openly for the loss of the only kitten she had ever raised as her own. Jelly cried for a kitten she had helped to bring into the world. Demeter's tears were for a friend and for a savior that she would now never be able to thank. Even Tugger's eyes were damp. Although never close, he had always been secretly fond of his older brother, the one who would listen and could understand about the troubles of Macavity as an older brother.
There was only one cat who did not cry.
Macavity sat a distance away from the group, wondering what this new twist would mean for him.