Fresh Revenge
Rating: K+ (PG)
Disclaimer: I do not own cats in any way and have no claim over them. (As much as I'd like to!)
"Come on bro," Rum Tum Tugger sighed, gently hoisting Munkustrap to his paws, figuring the tabby would not want to be carried. "The others will be wondering where we are, and that paw needs tending."
"No it doesn't, it's just bruised." Munkustrap said stubbornly. "There are more important things that need to be done then treat a bruised paw."
Tugger shot a pleading look at Alonzo. The black and white tom answered his plea and softly but firmly grabbed Munkustrap's right paw. The silver tabby hissed in pain.
"Alright it may be more then bruised." He finally admitted as the three cats started to walk back to the main yard. "But you still haven't answered my question: how's Mistoffelees?"
"Well …er …he's not dead." Rum Tum Tugger said slowly.
"Not yet anyway." Muttered Alonzo. Tugger cuffed the tom around his ears, but Munkustrap had heard.
"Will you just tell me, I am second in command of the Jellicle tribe for the sake of the Everlasting cat!" Munkustrap snapped. Both Tugger and Alonzo gave him a glance of surprise at the usually calm cat.
Rum Tum Tugger was the first to dare to tell his brother about Mistoffelees. "When we left Misto …well he wasn't doing to flash. Jenny said he's lost a lot of blood and …he isn't the strongest of cats …"
Munkustrap nodded and they kept walking, Tugger and Alonzo keeping a close eye on the silver tabby just to make sure he wasn't hiding any more serious injuries.
The first cat they saw as they entered the junkyard was a black and gold queen who appeared to be biting her lip with worry. As Munkustrap came into her view she let out a cry of relief and in a flash had her arms around the tabby.
"Demeter …can't …breath." Munkustrap managed to gasp through the queen's grip. She released him and instead went to hold his paws. As her paw touch his injured one Munkustrap yelped.
"What happened to your paw Munk?" Demeter asked delicately before abruptly stiffening like a statue as she caught a scent on the wind. She bared her teeth and her claws and hissed in warning. "Macavity."
Alonzo whirled around at the mention of the name and began to scan the area. Munkustrap however, put his intact paw on Demeter's shoulder and quietly comforted her. "Macavity's gone. We had a fight, him and me. Your smelling his scent on me."
Demeter looked at him carefully, and then to be sure sniffed his coat. A shiver flew down her spine, confirming what Munkustrap had said was true. Relieved, the queen leaned against the tabby and relaxed.
Rum Tum Tugger and Alonzo exchanged glances that clearly said 'we have to get them together.'
As they made their way to the Jellicle hospital in the old car Alonzo made some plain excuse and darted to one side. Peering over his shoulder – and mane – Tugger saw Cassandra wrapping her slim Siamese arms around him. That meant she didn't have the hots for Mistoffelees, as everyone believed. Speaking of which…
"Munkustrap what have you been doing?" Cried a striped and spotted queen from the dubbed 'TSE' car door. Jennyanydots must have seen the group arrive, and there was no missing Munkustrap's red-dotted coat and shaking right paw. "Get in here right now!"
Rum Tum Tugger would not have been shocked if even Macavity had heard the queen's voice from his secret den, although he hid a laugh as Munkustrap's shoulders slumped. The tabby, closely trailed by Demeter, ducked into the car. Tugger followed, not only because Munkustrap was his brother but also to see how Mistoffelees was doing.
Victoria still clutched one of the tuxedo tom's black paws tightly in her own white ones. Seeing Tugger enter, she lifted her gaze from the magical cat to him, and Tugger saw her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"He hasn't moved. Not so much as a twitch." The white queen blinked, and a silver tear trickled down an already wet cheek. The Tugger started to wonder if Victoria loved Mistoffelees as the brother she never had, or something more.
A curse from Munkustrap made him swing to see what was going on.
Jennyanydots was obviously trying to see if Munkustrap's paw was broken, and it seemed that Munkustrap wasn't enjoying her prodding and moving his stiff claws.
"Well, the good news it that nothing is not broken," said the Jellicle nurse. "But your paw is at least fractured, and I'm pretty sure you need a vet to take a look at this."
Rum Tum Tugger physically saw every conscious cat shiver or shift uncomfortably at the mention of a vet. He could swear that Munkustrap had paled slightly as he said, "Well my owner won't be back at the house for another few hours. Can't you at least do something until then?"
The tiger stripped queen thought for a moment and then began rummaging around under what remained of the driver's seat. She reappeared a second later carrying a handful of bandages and a small splint. She sat Munkustrap down on the remaining front seat.
"This may hurt dearie so try not to scratch." Jennyanydots said smoothly.
"I'm not a kitten anymore Jenny you need not-" He started but as Jennyanydots straightened his paw the leader in training yelped before biting his tongue to keep quiet. His uninjured paw found it's way into one of Demeter's and she grasped it.
Rum Tum Tugger tried not to wince as Jennyanydots straightened his brother's paw then positioned the splint and tightly wrapped his paw before placing Munkustrap's arm in a sling.
She stood back to admire her work. "Just remember to take it off before your owner or any other human you know sees you. Who knows what your human would say if you came home in a cat-made splint and sling."
"As I said before Jenny, I'm not a kitten and I know the rules." Munkustrap relaxed, and Demeter placed her head on his shoulder. Tugger wanted to just say to them to admit how they feel and get together but he knew that now wasn't the right time.
Sudden coughing made Tugger's head snap to where Mistoffelees lay. At the same time a distressed Victoria cried out. "Jenny!"
The small tom's body shook with every cough, but as Tugger moved closer he saw the real reason for Victoria's alarm: small droplets of blood scattered the magical cat's lips and cheeks.
Mistoffelees was coughing blood.
Ohh cliff hanger for you all, aren't I just so kind sometimes!
Carbucketty - I feel special that someone as lazy as you liked my story so much they reviewed. (I read heaps, but hardly review any stories as well :) )
Mystica21 - Yea well only three chapters left, and you've read them all, and I did send you an email when I got your review.
Tiger Lily21 - Lupin RULES! Anyway, I think Munkustrap and Demeter are just meant for each other too, and Munk is my second fave cat. (With Misto first)
Thanks also go to MaoShu and Mystitat who reviewed also.
Well that's all for this week. It's wet and cold in Tassie at the moment, perfect weather for a doze (yawn). Cya all next week.
Desert Thief - zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz