The kitten continued to look around, eyes focusing on the slightly messy main den. He could see there were a few rooms off of the main den.
The kitten froze, going rigid, when Macavity started walking over. Macavity paused, surprised, before giving a small smile.
"I'm not going to hurt you." Macavity told him as he slowly walked over, going to sit beside his dad. Tugger turned around in his dad's lap, so he could properly see the kitten.
"Deut, we're going to head home," Jenny said softly. Deuteronomy looked at her. She gave a small smile as she came over to hug him.
"It might help him open up if there's less cats around." She murmured in his ear.
"Thank you, Jenny, Skimble."
"Any time." Skimble grinned.
"You know where I am if you need me, and I've left you some dinner on the counter, there's enough to share with this little one…Bast knowing he needs a decent meal!" The kitten looked up at her at that, looking confused. Jenny smiled warmly at him.
"Good night, little one." She cooed. Jenny kissed both Tugger and Macavity on the cheek before leaving.
"Bye, Jenny and Skimble." Macavity and Tugger chorused as the two left. Deuteronomy looked back to the silver kitten, finding that he was still sitting perfectly still, paws entwined in his lap. Deut looked to his kittens, finding them itching their ears and fidgeting. He frowned as he compared them.
The little tom-kit was far too still for a kitten of his age.
"So, little one," Deuteronomy started again. The kitten gave a quick glance to show he was paying attention before lowering his eyes.
"You do not need to be afraid to look at me…or at anyone for that matter." Deuteronomy reassured him. He gave a reassuring smile as the kitten's green eyes slowly lifted to meet his gaze.
"That's better." He smiled. The Jellicle leader smiled as Tugger yawned in his arms.
"Bed time."
"B-But, Dad!" Tugger whined. Deuteronomy chuckled, hugging the complaining Maine Coon close.
"Go on," He laughed, kissing Tugger's forehead. "I'll be in soon to say good-night."
"Alright." Tugger mumbled, pouting. The kitten got up.
"Night," Tugger yawned, as he stumbled towards one of the rooms. The kitten watched him go. Deuteronomy winced as he noticed the deep bruises covering the kitten's back.
"Little one," The kitten looked back at him.
"How did you end up in this state?" Deuteronomy asked sadly. "How did you end up a slave?"
"M-My mother sold me," The kitten said quietly. "S-She said I was useless and too much trouble, she…she hated me."
"She sold me to a Tom…and he was first master." The kitten whispered. "He got tired of me, said I was too slow and did everything wrong, so he sold me." Deuteronomy sighed sadly.
"What about your father?"
"I never had one." The kitten whispered. Deuteronomy looked at the kitten sadly. He smiled when the kitten's stomach gave a loud rumble.
"Hungry?" He asked.
"No, mas…-sir." The kitten said. Deuteronomy shook his head.
"My boy, you don't need to lie, I want to know when you're hungry." The kitten gave a reluctant nod. Macavity quickly got to his feet, heading over to where Jenny had left dinner. He grabbed it and came back over, setting it in front of the kitten. Deuteronomy smiled at his son.
"Thank you, Macavity." Deuteronomy murmured. Macavity just smiled as he leaned against his dad. The kitten stared at the food in front of him in surprise.
"Little one, are you okay?" Deuteronomy asked as he noted the look of surprise on the kitten's face.
"Y-Yes, sir…I-I've just never had so much food offered to me before…or nice food offered to me before, sir." The kitten admitted. Macavity gave a hiss as he hugged his father's side tightly. Deuteronomy looked at his son in concern, seeing the anger welling in his golden eyes. He wrapped his arm around his son's shoulders, pulling him close.
"It's alright, my boy." Deuteronomy murmured gently to him. "He's under our care now." Macavity gave a nod, knowing his father understood exactly what he was angry about. The kitten, however, sat there, staring down at the food with his ears flat in fear.
"He was not hissing at you, little one." Deuteronomy reassured him. "He was angry that you've been treated the way you have, not being allowed proper food." The kitten looked back up, looking at Macavity. He gave a small, nervous smile. Macavity grinned back, curling against his dad.
"Go ahead, eat." Deuteronomy told the kitten. The kitten nodded and dug in. Macavity yawned, leaning against his dad.
"Come on, Mac, time for bed." Deuteronomy murmured. Mac nodded, getting to his feet.
"I'll be back in a moment." Deuteronomy told the kitten as he got to the feet. The kitten gave a nod.
"Night, kid." Macavity grinned, ruffling up the kitten's silver and black head-fur. The kitten smiled, though looked confused.
Macavity and Deuteronomy walked into the kittens' bedroom. Tugger was fast asleep in his bed, snoring.
"Oh, man." Macavity groaned as he heard Tugger's snore. "I'm never going to get to sleep now." Deuteronomy laughed. Macavity climbed into his bed, curling up. Deuteronomy pulled the blanket up, tucking his son in.
"Dad, where's he gonna sleep?"
"Oh, I hadn't thought about that." Deuteronomy murmured. "I'll put the spare mattress in my room, so I can make sure he's alright during the night." Macavity nodded.
"Hey, Dad?"
"Yes, my boy?"
"I-I love you." Deuteronomy purred, leaning down to nuzzle his eldest.
"I love you too, Macavity." Deuteronomy murmured as he gently kissed Macavity's forehead.
"Dad?"
"Mm?"
"Is he going to stay with us forever?"
"…yes, I think he needs a loving family." Deuteronomy said slowly. "But, it's up to him."
"I want him to stay." Macavity whispered, his gold eyes sad. "We'll take care of him."
"I know we will." Deuteronomy smiled as he tucked his son into bed.
"Sleep well, Mac," He murmured. Macavity curled under his blankets, eyes closing.
"Night, Dad."
Deuteronomy quietly left the room, closing the door softly behind him. He walked back into the main den, finding the kitten had eaten half of the food.
"Are you full, little one?" Deuteronomy asked. The kitten nodded.
"Thank you." Deuteronomy smiled as he sat back down. The kitten looked up at him. Deuteronomy noticed that a small light had come back into the previously dull green eyes. He smiled as the kitten stretched and yawned.
"Little one?"
"Yes, sir?" Deuteronomy hesitated before shaking his head.
"Never mind, the questions can wait for another day." The kitten blinked, surprised, but gave a slow nod. Deuteronomy watched as the kitten yawned once more.
"Let's get you to bed, little one." Deuteronomy watched, shocked, as the kitten's ears flicked back and his eyes widened, scared. Deuteronomy quickly thought back over what he said and his eyes widened.
"No, no, no, little one, I didn't mean it like that!" Deuteronomy quickly reassured the panicked kitten.
"I'm going to set up your mattress…until I can organise a better bed for you later." Deuteronomy said softly. "I said that because I meant you need to sleep…I didn't mean anything else but that." The kitten nodded, releasing a large breath of relief. Deuteronomy smiled once again, relieved that the kitten had relaxed.
"Why don't you look around while I go get your bed ready?"
"I can do it…" The kitten piped up. Deuteronomy shook his head, smiling.
"No, you are a guest in my house, allow me to do it for you." He told the kitten as he got to his feet, heading towards his bedroom.
He got the mattress out from the spare back room and dragged it into his, pushing it onto the floor. Deuteronomy grabbed some blankets and pillows and began to make the bed. He frowned before he grabbed an extra blanket, just to make sure the kitten was warm enough.
Deuteronomy headed back to the lounge and found the kitten had curled up on the floor, his eyes closed.
"Oh, little one." Deuteronomy murmured sadly, before bending down and scooping the sleepy kitten into his arms.
"Sorry, sir." The kitten mumbled sleepily.
"You have nothing to apologise for," Deuteronomy said quietly as he walked into his room. He carefully deposited the kitten onto the mattress, resting the silver head onto the soft pillows. Deuteronomy pulled up the soft blankets, tucking them around the frail kitten.
"Sleep well, little one." Deuteronomy whispered, gently rubbing the kitten's ears. "You are safe now." The kitten gave a sleepy murmur as he cuddled in the blankets, sighing contently.
Deuteronomy smiled as he headed to his own bed. As he lay down, he turn to face the kitten, watching as the kitten slipped into a deeper sleep. Deuteronomy smiled and closed his eyes.
At least the kitten was safe now.
Deuteronomy woke in the middle of the night, sensing movement in the room. He slowly opened his eyes, before they snapped open. A beautiful white Queen with black, gold and red splashes throughout her fur was bent over the sleeping silver kitten. A white glow surrounded her.
"L-Lilly?!" Deuteronomy breathed, shocked, as he watched the spectral figure of his recently deceased mate, who was leaning over the silver kitten, gently stroking his cheek.
Lily looked up, smiling at her mate.
"Hello, Deuty." She greeted gently, a slightly echo behind her voice. Deuteronomy couldn't believe his eyes.
"I am here," Lilly told him softly as she stroked the kitten's ears. "I was sent here."
"B-By who?"
"The Everlasting Cat."
"W-Why?" Deuteronomy whispered. Lilly looked at him, her brown eyes warm.
"You were seeking a name for this special one…we decided to give him one." Deuteronomy smiled as his eyes drifted to the little kitten.
"What is the name bestowed on him?"
"Munkustrap." Lilly breathed, looking back to the kitten as he shifted.
"Munkustrap." Deuteronomy echoed, as he stared at the kitten. "It suits him."
"I'm glad you followed my wish, Deuty."
"You wanted me to find him?"
"His light was fading, he was losing all that he was…he had to be saved." Lilly explained. "His soul is filled with innocence and love, he fought so hard to keep it, and I couldn't allow him to lose it. He was a beacon of light in a place so dark."
"I'm worried about him." Deuteronomy admitted. Lilly smiled reassuringly at him.
"Don't be, just show him the love you give our boys and he will be just fine." Lilly told him softly. She softly glided over to him.
"Sleep, my love, all will be well." She whispered as she leaned forward, gently kissing his cheek. Deuteronomy lay back down, tired all of a sudden.
"Sleep." Lilly whispered.
"Don't go." Deuteronomy whispered. Lilly took his paw.
"I love you, my dear, but I need to go…I'm being called back."
"B-But…"
"You're taking amazing care of our boys, and I know you'll take care of Munkustrap…remember, I will always be with you." Lilly whispered. Deuteronomy's eyes slowly closed, unable to keep his eyes open any more.
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And he has a name now!
I actually had a fairly good week at uni this week, my teachers have been really supportive
Plus have been writing because I was jealous of my friends! They got to meet Tom Hiddleston! I'm over-the-moon happy for them of course, but jealous haha
I will update when I can, I promise, but assessments are coming up O.o
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Luv HGP!