Quaxo's Secret Tale
By: Brittglamorra
Part 15
Well…I left you hanging, but all better now right? Poor Tugsie. And Poor Deut. Even poor Macavity. Please enjoy…the poorness. Songs are Regret by Anathema, A Broken Toast by John Carrie and Moor Green and In the Arms of an Angel by Sarah McLachlan. Enjoy…again…
"Tugger? Tugger! DAD?!" Quaxo yowled. Blood gushed from the tom's throat, and his mane was terribly messed up. But Quaxo could feel the life energy in the tom. Warm blue eyes very briefly fluttered open before closing again.
"JENNY!" Quaxo shrieked loudly. "He's alive! Jenny save him!" Quaxo cried. Instantly the queen raced forwards and crouched over the tom. And almost instantly her face fell grim.
"Quaxo…" She breathed.
"What?! What is it?" The small tom cried. Jenny stared into his eyes.
"I can't do anything…His veins have been torn…" She murmured, her eyes full of tears. Quaxo let out a hiss and a sob mingled into one.
"No! H…He can't die! I won't let him!" Quaxo stared at Tugger's face through tears and held his paws over Tugger's throat. They began to glow blue. Before he could do anything Quaxo was tackled to the ground.
"Stop! Quaxo! A broken neck is one thing! A torn apart throat is another! You'll die!" It was Cori, glaring into his eyes, and pinning him…Normally Quaxo would never harm any other cat without good reason but he kicked Cori hard in the gut and sent him rolling away.
"Stay away! I don't care if I die! Nobody else is going to die because of me!" Quaxo screeched wildly, glaring at Cori, who was doubled over on the ground gasping. Tantomile crouched by his head and Mungojerrie just behind her. They stared at Quaxo shocked, and with unimaginable grief for the tux in their eyes. Quaxo crouched next to Tugger again and held his shaking paws out. They began to glow furiously and Quaxo saw honey-gold magic mingling with his own...His suspicions were confirmed. He had his father's magic now, strengthening his own.
Golden faded into blue and a deeper shade of blue was formed…The refreshed blue shot from his paws and settled over Tugger's throat. Quaxo gritted his teeth as he felt pain, but his power was stronger than it had ever been before, stronger than any cat's in the world. Still pain assaulted his throat and made his entire body ache…Before the tribe's eyes a shallow gash began to appear on Quaxo's throat, blood dripping down and staining his white bib. Quaxo growled and snarled as he continued to force power into Tugger, healing his broken uncle, brother, father, best friend…
Suddenly a gentle and soft paw rested on his shoulder and a sweet scent overcame him.
"Quaxo…Please stop? You're hurting yourself…I need you." Her trembling voice whispered. He peered up into Teazer's beautiful silvery-green eyes. They were filled with tears and he blinked.
"I…i…H..Ha…ve…to…sa…ve,im…." Quaxo groaned. His eyes suddenly rolled back in his head and he collapsed onto the fluffy and sticky chest of the manned tom. Darkness crashed down on his world, the last thing he registered was the dull but steady lub-dub of Tugger's heart. It strengthened as Quaxo weakened and then everything was silent…still…nothingness.
Quaxo felt a strange sensation. There was complete darkness, nothingness, than his conscious was swamped in blue light. He felt the strange sensation of floating. Just moving about through open air. He could detect a familiar scent. And a soft and gentle purr found its way to his ears. He felt soft paws push him away. His head spun and he slowly felt a sense of solidity beneath him, slowly carrying him down, down, down….ever so slowly.
It was only hours later when he was gently shaken awake…His paw moved to his throat, but there was no wound…He felt no pain but the dull ache in his head…He peered up into the concerned eyes of Jenny, who smiled when he woke, and hugged him gently.
"Quaxo…You fool…I told you not to go risking your life like that." Jenny murmured with affection in her voice. Quaxo groaned and sat up…Besides his headache he was perfectly unscathed, the only visual evidence of what had taken place, the faint pinkish stain on his white chest from whatever blood he had lost. He peered up at her.
"Is Tugger ok?" He murmured. Jenny nodded with a smile, but worry flashed through her eyes.
"Yes…." She said hesitantly. Quaxo was instantly alert.
"What's wrong?" He demanded. Jenny sighed, and helped the tux walk across the room and to another medical bed. Tugger lay limp among the blankets, his wound healed but a nasty and very obvious scar across his throat, and running up under his chin, across his cheek and over his eye remained. Quaxo winced…The toms face and throat would be forever marred.
At that moment Tugger began to stir…he groaned and peered around.
"Q…Quaxo? Jenny? Uhhh…The pain in my head…" The tom groaned. Quaxo smiled gently and hovered a paw over the toms head. His paw began to glow and Tugger sighed, visibly relaxing, and slumped against his pillow. "Thanks tux. The pain is gone." He murmured. Quaxo's own head spun and throbbed as he did this but he ignored it. Tugger's arrogant and swag tone was strained and raspy…But Quaxo knew it would get better once Tugger had drunk something.
"No problem." Quaxo replied softly. Tugger blinked, and then all the memories clearly hit him. His eyes widened and he lurched into sitting position.
"Where's Mac? What happened?" He demanded. Quaxo winced, and the sick and guilty feeling began swimming in his stomach again. He looked down at his paws, tears threatening to fall.
"I…I killed him." The small tom whispered. Tugger blinked in shock.
"You…" He paused and changed the subject. "Umm…so what happened with me dying, ya know?" Tugger meowed. Quaxo blinked up at him.
"Your throat was torn open Tugger. I could not heal you but Quaxo risked his life….again…." She paused and rolled her eyes as she said this. "to save yours. But…You are scarred Tugger…" Jenny murmured. Tugger blinked, a blank expression on his face.
"My fur will grow over it right?" Tugger asked shakily. Jenny shook her head.
"No…I'm sorry. The damage is too bad…You'll never look the same again." Jenny breathed…Tugger stiffened like stone, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open. Then he leaped off the table and ran to the shattered shard of mirror that hung over Jenny's sink. Tugger stopped and stared at the marred Tugger who stared back at him from the mirror. His heart jerked painfully and he looked away, tears in his eyes…
The heavy and thick silence in the den was broken when there was a loud yowl from outside.
"Jenny! It's time to go!" Called the familiar voice of Munkustrap. Jenny nodded with a sigh.
"Are you two coming? Its Deut and Macavity's funerals right now." She murmured sadly. Quaxo and Tugger fell silent instantly…Both stared at the ground and gave tiny nods. Jenny nodded and padded out of the den into the clearing. Quaxo followed but Tugger froze at the door, shaky, and tears threatening in his eyes. Quaxo peered over his shoulder at the large tom.
"It's ok…I will be right here with you." Quaxo whispered, pressing close to Tugger's flank. Tugger nodded shakily and followed him out, staying close…Cat's turned to look and their eyes widened in shock before one by one they quickly looked away…The toms were carrying the still bodies of Deut and Macavity out of the clearing. The rest of the tribe followed slowly, Tugger and Quaxo bringing up the rear…Tugger stared at his father….Quaxo stared at his…Finally they arrived at the oak where the tribe cats were buried, and Munkustrap shakily faced the tribe.
"Though they are no longer with us they are here in our hearts, in our voices, and in our dance. May the Everlasting Cat guide the pawsteps of the great Jellicle Leader Old Deuteronomy and redirect the, for so long misguided pawsteps of Macavity. And in honor of both we shall sing a song for each as is tradition." Munkustrap stepped back and a quiet hum of voices rose in the still evening air. Then Munk began to sing, and one by one the Jellicle's broke in, singing the praise to the sky.
"Spend all your time waiting
for that second chance
for a break that would make it okay
there's always some reason
to feel not good enough
and it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
oh beautiful release
memories seep from my veins
let me be empty
and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight
in the arms of the angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold Junkyard room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here
so tired of the straight line
and everywhere you turn
there's vultures and thieves at your back
and the storm keeps on twisting
you keep on building the lives
that you make up for all that you lack
it don't make no difference
escaping one last time
it's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees
in the arms of the angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold Junkyard room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here…" The tribe sung in beautiful voices that harmonized in perfect synch. If you thought a Jellicle sung beautifully on the night of the Jellicle ball, you would soon learn that when plagued with sadness or some other intense emotion they sounded more beautiful and eerie than any other sound in the world. Tears fell as thick as the blood that had fallen that night and the Jellicle's were united. As the song ended they slowly lowered Deut into his grave and stood back, waiting for someone to begin singing for Macavity…No cat choose these songs. They just came to the hearts of each cat, one first, and then the rest. There was a long silent pause when suddenly Quaxo felt a sharp pull in his heart…for all that could have been…His voice rose in the still and silent air and soon the other Jellicle's were falling into tune. The emotions were thick.
"Endless restless dreaming
There's a hurricane inside
Surrounding me like an ocean
Twisting toward the dark divide
Now the deeper I'm descending
Getting clearer, finer now
On a mission to go it alone
Keep the key and hide this heart from harm
Thin air takes you away with it
Disappearing, leaving nothing clear
Thin air, drives me to drink again
A broken toast, a glass held high
And it leads me to believe in
Calves fattening too fast
While we feast and foul ourselves away
There's an answer in the longer grass
Thin air takes you away with it
Disappearing, leaving nothing clear
And I'm left behind
Father of mine, you're dark divine
Blindly tortured you got a wasteland in your eyes
A life till now and why coz you don't lie
Want to throw my arms around your pain
And let it out
No heart needs to bleed
No heart needs to bleed
Father of mine, you're dark divine
Blindly tortured you got a wasteland in your eyes
A life till now and why coz you don't lie
Want to throw my arms around your pain
And let it out
No heart needs to bleed
No heart needs to bleed…" Quaxo's voice rose above the rest and sung for all that could have been…No matter what he had done some part of the hearts of each and every cat had loved Macavity…Even poor little Quaxo's. A tear escaped from him and fell to the ground, soundless, invisible. Suddenly he felt something overcome him…something unexpected and powerful, and suddenly another voice seemed to enter his being, singing from within him, through him. As he began to sing cats look up startled and saw his eyes flash the blue of Macavity, before fading back to green…Then slowly they joined in. The Jellicle's knew as Jellicle's do, that when one Jellicle begins to sing they all sing too. When a cat needs to sing, then it is law that he sing. And they all knew Macavity was singing to them through him, all his innermost emotions revealed. The listened mostly but also harmonized softly with him.
"As I drift away... far away from you,
I feel all alone in a crowded room,
Thinking to myself
"There's no escape from this
fear,
regret,
loneliness...
Visions of love and hate
A collage behind my eyes
Remnants of dying laughter
Echoes of silent cries
I wish I didn't know now that
I never knew then...
Flashback
Memories punish me once again
Sometimes I remember all the pain
that I have seen
Sometimes I wonder what might
have been...
Visions of love and hate
A collage behind my eyes
Remnants of dying laughter
Echoes of silent cries
And sometimes I despair
At who I've become
I have to come to terms
With what I've done
The bittersweet taste of fate
We can't outrun the past
Destined to find an answer
A strength I never lost
I know there is a way
But my future is now set
And though the tide has turned
still I never learned to live
without regret." As Quaxo finished singing something released inside him…He suddenly understood that his father was free…The other toms slowly lowered the body into the hole and Munkustrap said a few final words that no cat quite caught, for they were still moved by the song. But then the toms pushed dirt into the holes, over the still bodies of Macavity and Deut. Two more small crosses were added to the Jellicle graveyard. The two toms names had been scratched into them, and their collars were hung from them. Then Munkustrap turned to Quaxo.
"Quaxo Mistoffelees. Before the body and spirit of my father and former Jellicle Leader Old Deuteronomy I take on full responsibility of the Jellicle tribe as Jellicle Leader and officially begin your training. You have served under me as Jellicle Protector and you shall continue to do so until the day you die, the day I die, or the day I retire. Please step forwards and say those words necessary of you as well as a few words for each fallen Jellicle." Munkustrap meowed quietly. Quaxo swallowed, stepping from Tugger's side and padding through the crowd to stand next to Munk beside the graves.
"Jellicles. In the death of the former Jellicle Leader and the acceptance of role of the current, I Quaxo Mistoffelees accept the full responsibility of Jellicle Protector and vow to serve this tribe until the day I die, or the current leader dies or retires. I will do my best to learn and serve you as I should." Quaxo paused and gazed at the freshly made graves…sickness and grief tugged at his heart and he felt hollow. He had murdered in cold blood, and his father no less. The young tom gazed down and suddenly he understood.
"Deuteronomy was a great cat. He lived many wonderful lives and sadly had to bury many close friends. And for the first time it is us that stand in grief at his grave. But we should not be sad for Deut. He is no doubt happy. Countless lives of watching your family and friends die around you must have been hard. But he did it with the noblest and kindest of hearts. He bore a thorn crown that very few can bear, and he did so greatly. He always shared his wisdom with the tribe and each of us had a close bond with our loving leader. He taught each and every one of us things, and cared about each of us as his own kits. He is still teaching us though he is gone. He and his wisdoms alike shall always live on in the hearts of each of us, and in no way will his memory be forgotten. The great Deuteronomy is a part of us and a part of the tribe. As long as the tribe survives Deuteronomy will never truly die, but will care for us and guide us as he always has.
Macavity is indeed a different story but in no way does he deserve our love and respect any less…He was a Jellicle with a heart, love, kits, and friends just like any of us. I have seen things that no other cat has. I know some of you are still bitter, but know this. Macavity's magic and mind were corrupted when he was very small and taken by Aeron for no more than five minutes. In that small amount of time an innocent child was corrupted and broken forever until the last moments of his life. Anger is what drove his cruelties. Anger and pain. It is true his actions were not acceptable, but it was pain and heartbreak which drove him, and no matter how he tried he could not break free from it. Macavity was more than that though. He was a son, a brother, a mate, and a father. Macavity was my father, and I hated him for the longest time. But I now understand. He loved Likia and I and he despised himself for each thing he did more and more as the numbers grew and days flew. I think you all know that a third name symbolizes a cats most positive and strong trait. Macavity's third name was Regret. He regretted what he did each and every day though he could not help it, and he had heart in there. So I believe my father deserves respect and affection. I forgave him. Can you?" Quaxo meowed strongly, standing tall and refusing to let his tears fall. Slowly one by one the tribe cats nodded and dipped their heads in silent respect, before each began to walk slowly home, their tails dragging in the dust, but a new light in their eyes. Finally only Demeter, Munk, Tugger, and Quaxo remained. They dipped their heads as they stood quietly around the graves before they turned and walked back to the Junkyard. Quaxo was last to go. He conjured two roses, white as snow, and placed one on each grave. Their sweet scent filled the air, and they stood upright, growing roots and embedding themselves to grow forever more on the two graves. Then he turned and walked away from them…he would never forget. But he would always forgive for it was in Quaxo's nature.
News traveled fast of Old Deuteronomy's demise, and Jellicle's traveled from far and wide to visit his grave and pay their respects to the tribe, as well as congratulate the new Leader and often the new Protector. News also traveled quickly of the Napoleon of Crime's death. They congratulated Quaxo often but it only dug the deeper hole of guilt and grief in his stomach. Most of these cats did not know Macavity had been his father, and they were simply glad to be rid of him. If they had known perhaps they would not have spoken. But they did and Quaxo would never forgive himself for taking another's life, his father no less. Brutimateous came again, with him the tribe that he lived in. Quaxo met a few more relatives and Brut comforted him as best the old crusty cat could, before they all left once more. Quaxo sighed heavily. Finally after days he had peace…
The evening was warm and quiet, the stars shining brightly overhead when Quaxo retired to his den. He was creeping in when he heard quiet sobs from further down the pipe. His brow furrowed and he frowned, slipping further into the back. Had something happened to Bomba or Tugger, his two resident guests…He came to a halt, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. What he saw was utterly heartbreaking. Tugger was curled in his nest of blankets, a tight little ball of fur that shook with sobs. Quaxo had never seen the large tom cat like this. And it made him shiver. He moved silently forwards and touched his paw to Tugger's flank.
"Tugger?" Quaxo whispered. Tugger stiffened visibly and curled tighter into himself.
"Go away." Tugger said in a voice thick with tears. Quaxo sighed and moved closer.
"No." He replied heavily. Tugger growled low in his throat but the sound was choked with tears. Quaxo sighed and pressed close to the larger tom who only stiffened more. Quaxo sighed heavily and blinked at him.
"Get lost Kit!" Tugger snapped, pushing him away roughly. Quaxo rose to his paws and glared at his friend. He roughly swatted his ears and Tugger jolted away, revealing his scarred face, though it was masked with shock.
"I am not leaving until you tell me what's wrong!" Quaxo spat stubbornly, his ears laying back somewhat. Tugger sighed and gave a watery smile.
"Stubborn little rat. Since when do you swat to get attention?" Tugger grumbled. Quaxo rolled his eyes.
"Since you won't tell me what's wrong. This better not be about your face." Quaxo murmured seriously. Tugger paused and his face fell…Since the day he had been marred Tugger had been so good about it, not calling attention to it, but not becoming offended when others stared. He was still flirtatious old Tugger, and the queens still fell over him, if only to save his pride sure, but they did and Tugger had not taken it too hard. He mostly ignored it and laughed it off when it was brought up. Now he looked crestfallen.
"It think it might be." He said in a heartbreaking voice. Quaxo frowned and stared into the warm blue eyes.
"What do you mean?" He asked very softly. Tugger shivered once before he looked up at Quaxo.
"Bomba left me. She told me it wasn't going to work and she walked away." Tugger said in a shaky voice. Quaxo blinked sadly and he stared at Tugger as the large tom stared at his paws. Anger was burning through Quaxo and he barely registered Tugger's next words. "Maybe I am nothing…Maybe all I had was my looks, and now no one wants me…I should just leave…" Quaxo hated Bombalurina for doing this to Tugger and he got in Tugger's face, his eyes narrowed and furious and his tail lashing.
"Don't you dare start this shit! You have been so good since that day and you will not start this now! Bomba can be a bitch if she wants to. She doesn't deserve you! And you are desirable. You are still loved and wanted. If Bomba is too full of herself to see this then you don't need her!" Quaxo spat fiercly. Tugger winced with wide eyes then sighed and looked at his paws.
"I thought Bomba loved me for…me…How do I know the other queens are not just going to walk away and not give me a second glance like Bomba did? No cat cares about me for me. No cat will touch me or even look at me." He murmured. Quaxo sighed and stared sadly into his eyes.
"Tugger…I love you for you." Quaxo murmured. He gently brushed his paw over Tugger's scars and let his eyes roam over them, then meet Tugger's wide blue eyes. "I will touch you, and not be afraid to look at you. You have me Tummy." Quaxo whispered. Tugger swallowed thickly and stared at the little tux, shivering under his touch. No cat had touched his scars since he got them, nor had been so close to him. The gesture given by the tux seemed almost seductive. Had it have been any other cat Tugger would have thought it was. But this was Quaxo. This was the tom he had raised as his son. And Quaxo loved him as a father and best friend. The gesture was out of love rather than any intimate feelings. Perhaps there could have been such feelings between the two toms. Had it not have been Tugger that had found him that night on the street…But it was Tugger and Quaxo was his kit. This gesture only made his heart warm with affection for the small tom. Gratitude. And he smiled warmly.
"Thank you Quaxo. I will stay." The large tom rasped, but then he sighed. "Though it might be hell to live anywhere near Bomba…I actually love her Quaxo….I actually love her…" he breathed. Quaxo smiled happily and licked the large toms tears away.
"Glad you're feeling better…Now if you excuse me…I have business to attend to." Quaxo purred, giving no hint of what he was about to do…Tugger nodded and curled up, falling asleep with a purr, before Quaxo trotted from the den and into the darkening night.
Quaxo stalked into Bomba's old den, his eyes narrowed dangerously. But then he halted. He heard her sobs coming from her room and he slipped into it, peering at the curled up shape. He walked up, his concern overtaking his anger.
"Bomba?" He whispered, gently touching her shoulder. Bomballurina froze for a heartbeat before Quaxo wrapped his paws around her…The usually flirtatious and calm queen whirled towards him, flinging her paws around him and sobbing into his shoulder…His anger was gone now. He sat there letting her cry for a long time before her sobs died away and she peered up at him with watery sky-blue eyes.
"I…I broke up with Tugger." She whispered. Quaxo sighed heavily.
"I know. But Why Bomba?" He murmured. Bomba let out another sob.
"I…I couldn't take it anymore…Everynight he wakes up crying and he won't tell me what's wrong…he murmurs in his sleep about his face…he thinks everyone is abandoning him…I can't stand to stay there and watch him suffer like that…How am I meant to love him when he doesn't love himself?" She whispered. Quaxo sighed heavily…but then he looked directly into her agonized eyes.
"I know it's hard. But you need to be there for him. He needs you now more than ever Bomba…He thinks nobody can love him with his face anymore…He thinks you don't love him. I didn't think you were that shallow, and you're not. But…He needs you right now." Quaxo said seriously, staring into her watery eyes. His tone was serious and stern, sounding somewhat like a father reprimanding their kitten. Bomba stared back for a long time before she nodded.
"Ok Quaxo…I'm sorry." She whispered shakily. Quaxo blinked and sighed.
"It's alright. Just tell him how you feel." He murmured. She nodded and left the den. Instead of following her back to his own den Quaxo scaled the junk nimbly and sat on top of it staring up at the stars.
They danced and shone merrily above, and he was unsure why they were so happy…He was cold on the inside…hurting…what had he done? He had killed a cat…He had killed his father…when there was hope of saving the tom who's third name was Regret. Quaxo had never taken another cats life and had never planned on it…But as soon as Macavity's claws tore the throats from both Deut and Tugger he had seen red, a darker shade of red than the vivid and violent crimson of the blood that had stained his paws…He had sprung, seeing nothing…But then right there…Were the terrified and apologetic blue eyes of Macavity. Quaxo had looked down to see his own claws embedded deep in the ginger cat's throat. Quaxo had stared shakily, gaping at his trembling paws covered in his own father's blood.
Quaxo remembered that night…The icy blue eyes…the words his father had spoken to him…But none of it seemed to matter…all that was apparent was the overwhelming hollow and cold feeling…he was sick to the stomach…he had torn his father's throat out…and now he was broken, feeling as though sharp claws had torn his stomach out. Though they had not…With a shiver Quaxo curled up on top of the junk and closed his eyes, drifting into sleep…
Dark and disturbed…his dreams swirled and tossed about in his mind, a chaotic mess, a furious lash of claws…His head spun…then suddenly, as a rogue wave lashing furiously in a raging storm would crash down on the shore, the dreams stilled. Quaxo crouched shivering and panting in the park near the Junkyard. He peered around fearfully then slumped down with a heavy shuddering breath…but he leaped to his paws again moments later when a cat came padding perfectly silently across the grass, a tall ginger and red tabby with jagged black stripes and vivid blue eyes, not to be described as cold or icy however. He smiled warmly at the small tux, who gazed at him cautiously.
"It's alright son. I will not hurt you." Macavity said calmly. His voice was rich and deep toned, no trace of insanity or anger hidden there. Quaxo blinked and stared at him with wide green eyes.
"What do you want?" He asked hesitantly. Macavity smiled.
"I wanted to tell you that it's ok. You did what you had to and I am not angry at you." He purred softly. Quaxo swallowed thickly.
"B…but I killed you…" Quaxo whispered. Macavity sighed and tilted his head slightly. His eyes held the same type of wisdom and experience that Old Deuteronomy's did.
"Yes. But you had no choice Quaxo. If I had of lived you would never had made me realize what exactly was wrong with me so I could fight it and get my memory and sanity back. I would have continued killing every cat you have ever cared about…every cat I have ever cared about." Macavity said gently. Quaxo looked up fiercely at him.
"There is always a choice!" He expressed passionately. Macavity smiled a little sadly.
"Yes…there is…And I made the wrong one." He breathed. Then he looked up at his tux son. "But you either have the choice to move on and realize Rumpleteazer is awake and watching you right now, move on with your life…Or pretend nothing is bothering you, dwell in misery, and hide everything from everyone who cares about you." Macavity murmured. Quaxo blinked and gently touched his nose to his fathers.
"I'm sorry…I wish I could have saved you…I…I will try…" Quaxo looked at his paws. "But you are my father and I murdered you. I will never forgive myself for that…" Quaxo breathed. Macavity blinked and stared at him opening his mouth to speak again…
"Quaxo?" The voice that came out was not his…but a familiar, gentle and sweet feminine voice. Macavity looked slightly annoyed and Quaxo tilted his head in confusion before the dream melted away…
Rumpleteazer stood shivering beside Quaxo's sleeping form and Quaxo opened his eyes to peer at her.
"What's wrong?" He asked softly. She was looking around rapidly and her chest was heaving. Her eyes were two huge and round silvery-green orbs glowing in the darkness.
"I…I was having nightmares." She breathed. Quaxo blinked seeing the haunted look in her eyes and he smiled sadly.
"You wanna stay here and lay with me?" He murmured softly. She nodded with a small smile and curled up beside him, pressing close against his flank. Quaxo felt a bit awkward, bellowing his love for her to the world and he was sure she would shun him, but as he stared down at her small slender form, surprisingly smaller than his own he realized he had never lost his closest friend. But still he was embarrassed and stared at his paws…He noted she turned her head and stared at him for a long time…Amusement lit in her eyes briefly and he realized she could see the faint blush beneath his stark white face. He blinked looking away but her soft voice comforted him.
"It's ok. I just wanted to ask you…do you really love me?" Teazer asked softly. Quaxo blinked in surprise and turned to stare into her wide and beautiful eyes. He couldn't lie to her…he cared too much. So he faced her boldly and spoke softly.
"More than you could ever know." He whispered. Teazer smiled after a moment, a small, affectionate smile.
"I love you too Quaxo…I always have." She breathed. Quaxo's eyes widened and he stared at her.
"Y…you have?" He asked shakily. Teazer tilted her head slightly, complete honesty in her gaze.
"Yes." She replied. Quaxo blinked, suddenly feeling more confident. He leaned towards her and gently pressed his lips to hers…Teazer had her breath stolen away…oh…how she loved him…She kissed back, her eyes fluttering closed. Quaxo's eyes close too and shocks of energy rushed through both cats. They were a thousand miles away suspended in their own world…nothing would ever separate them again. Quaxo would never let anything hurt Teazer again, and Teazer would never leave his side. Finally they parted for air and Quaxo held her close to him. She leaned against him and gradually fell asleep…
For now Quaxo was happy as he watched the moon, a full and vibrant glowing orb hanging lazily yet elegantly over London. And yet...
Deep in the pit of the tux's stomach, guilt, grief and horror still gripped him like a vice, as the image of his own claws sunk deep into his fathers throat replayed over and over in his mind, blood gushing from the wound, and those ice blue eyes filled with terror.
HEY! Wassup fellow Jellicle's?! You like this chapter? The suspense, and finally a little TeazxQuax? Yeah. Only a little bit left before the end of the story! Now this will actually most likely be awhile for the next update. As the last chapter + the epilogue are not completed being written yet. :) Thanks for making it this far guys! You're all awesome!
Oh. And side note there will eventually be chapter titles added, once I figure out where I stashed them...Can't remember anything for the life of me. lol