Why Can't I Love You
By Robin Girl
Chapter 3

(Ehehehehe backs away laughing nervously..eh..Update? Yes?)

Munkustrap walked over to the main circle where the cats hung out. His eyes searched the entire yard and finally stopped on four cats. "What in Heaviside happened now?" Carefully and almost discreetly he ran over and knelt beside Skimble.

Skimble was fussing over Misto's head. Did Misto fall over again? The Tabby poked Skimble in the arm scaring Misto and surprising Skimble. "Oh, hello, Munkustrap, can I help ye with somethin'?"

"What..What happened over here?" The second in command asked wide eyed. He placed his hands on his hips which gave all four a cats a sense of being scolded by their mothers again. "I demand an explanation."

"Nothing to horrible, just two cats came over and gave them trouble. I saved them and they all got out unharmed save for a scratch or two." Skimble explained calmly nuzzling Misto's shoulder to calm the young Tom who had begun to shake and shiver.

"I see." Munk had the look of "There is something you're not telling me isn't there?" plastered on his face. It was obvious he didn't believe it all. "And where did those cats go?"

"Off down there." Tumble replied pointing down to the dark parts of the 'yard.

Munkustrap nodded and calmly said, "I'm glad no one is hurt. I'll be up there if you need me." Then he stood and started to walk off.

Mistoffelees watched intently and finally untangled himself from Skimble's arms. "I'll be right back."

"Are you sure you should be up, lad?"

Mistoffelees wanted to say, "No.." but he couldn't. He wanted to ask Munkustrap an important question. If Misto didn't do it now it wouldn't get done at all. It was now or never. "Yeh, I'm sure. I'll be right back, promise!!"

"Trappy?"

Munkustrap halted and turned around. He watched the small Tom that he and Tugger raised, some how, flawlessly, walk timidedly over to him. "Yes, Mistoffelees?"

"Um.." The young Tom blushed and wrapped his arms around himself, "Do you not like me now that you know?"

"Not like you? Where in Heaviside did you get that idea from?"

The black cat shrugged shyly, "It's just..you aren't smiling when ever I'm around anymore. And I used to always make you smile. Tugger told me it was my job when I was younger."

"You're Job?"

"Yeh, since..since I couldn't do anything else correctly without causing anyone problems," Misto gave a weak smile, "Tugger, pulled me over one day and told me 'Kid, I can give you the most important job ever. And not even you can mess this up!' I asked him what it was and he replied, 'To make Munk happy, kid. That's your job!'. And..well..if you're not smiling...then I'm not doing my job..and that means you're either upset or angry beyond reason. I just want to make sure I'm not the cause of it."

"I'm just a little overwhelmed, that's all, alright?" Munkustrap explained pulling the young Tom close into a hug. "You have to understand that this is a big change for everyone and not just you. Now I have to make sure no one hurts you or Skimble, or even Plato and Tumble. I'm not condeming this at all, I just have a lot of stuff to square away before I'll feel at ease with you two showing your affection in public. Mostly in the direction of the older Queens. The younger ones, I don't really think care. But the older ones, Misto, they could hurt you. I don't want anyone to hurt you, physically or emotionally. I'm the same as Tugger, you know that, silly kitten!"

Mistoffelees giggled and looked up grinning. Munkustrap smiled back down, this time with a real smile and not the fake one that Misto had become accustomed to since the confession. "I know you are. And you know what's funny? Tugger shows more protectiveness than you do out in public."

"I know, that is quite a shocker. I think you grew on him." Munk's grin widened, "There is only one cat who has ever gotten constant love from Tugger. And that is/was you. I think he always will to. I'll try harder if you wish. I'm just not around enough, like I'd like to be."

"That's ok! You run the Tribe when Old D isn't here. So you have an excuse. Besides if you were here all the time then Tugger would have never turned responsible."

"That, my kit, is most likely true."

Misto nodded. "So, it's ok if I love Skimble?"

"Yes, kit, it is. As long as you love him and he loves you that's all that matters to me. Now scat. I know Skimble is pacing with worry because you're up on your feet when you just got hurt!" Munkus pushed Misto towards Skimble's general direction and to finish the command he parentally popped the black Tom's rump. "You know where I'll be if you need me."

Misto squeaked in response and sprinted off before Munkustrap resulted to tickling.