Munkus winked at Cori as they ended up beside each other during Jellicle Songs. Cori grinned back before he pirouetted across the clearing.
Deuteronomy watched from his place on the tyre as the Jellicles danced their hearts out under the glow of the Jellicle Moon. His eyes fell to his three sons, smiling as he watched them dance with their friends.
Macavity's dancing was rather…suave. His dancing was elegant but the way he moved, he wanted to be noticed especially by the Queens. Macavity's moves caught the Queens' eyes, he was enchanting, sophisticated and suave, an element of flirting within his movements as he danced with Demeter, Bomba and Cassandra.
Tugger was rather similar, but the way he danced was still different. He was light on his feet, looking rather graceful despite his gangly and long limbs. The way Tugger danced had sex appeal, Deuteronomy noted with a sigh, he wanted to be noticed and be the centre of attention. Even when he was dancing alongside the others and in routine, he still had a way of rolling his hips and looking sensual. Deuteronomy sighed and shook his head fondly when he noticed Tugger jutting his hip out near Bomba, striking a rather alluring pose, making the saucy red Queen wink at him.
Deuteronomy turned his gaze to Munkustrap, who was smiling as he danced alongside Coricopat and Tantomile.
Though Munkustrap held himself rather stiffly sometimes, he was rather light and graceful on his feet. He wasn't a showy or flirty dancer like his brothers, but something about the way he moved still caught your eye.
When it came to the mating dance, Munkus found Coricopat and Tantomile and curled up with them, the trio purring loudly as they curled in close to one another.
"So, who's with who?" Cori whispered as they looked around at the others pairing up, and as Skimble and Asparagus slipped away from the clearing, going to go check on their mates and the kits.
The three were too young to take a mate this time, not that they really minded.
"Bomba and Tugger, that's not a big surprise," Tantomile murmured as she cuddled in close to Munkustrap's left side.
"Deme and Mac, now that is a surprise!" Cori laughed quietly, poking Munkustrap's side, making the silver Tabby swat at him. Munkus looked at his brothers for a moment as they began to get cosy with their partners for the mating dance. Demeter was blushing as Macavity whispered to her. Bomba was smiling seductively as she lay with Tugger, her tail swishing, as she murmured in his ear, making the maned Tom grin broadly.
Munkus turned his gaze away from his brothers and away from the other couples. His gaze met his father's soft stare and he smiled. Deuteronomy smiled and waved at his son from where he was sitting on the tyre. Munkus waved back, grinning, before he settled down between Cori and Tantomile. The twins yawned tiredly as the excitement lulled down for a bit. Munkustrap stretched out leisurely, his muscles aching a little from all of the dancing, as he yawned. The twins curled against his sides, purring softly, and warming him.
"H-How did you guys go with the dancing?" Tantomile yawned as she rested her head on her paws.
"It was good," Cori answered as he rolled onto his side, facing Munkustrap. Munkus nodded in agreement.
"It was fun, and I don't believe I messed up too badly," Munkus murmured. Cori smacked his shoulder gently.
"You didn't mess up at all; don't be so hard on yourself!"
"He is right, Munkus," Tantomile added quietly. "We did not have the same dance training as the others, we didn't dance and sing from the moment we were born, unlike the others," Cori nodded.
"And for someone who only started dancing and singing not so long ago, you did an amazing job,"
"As did you two," Munkus murmured. The twins smiled as they settled down, their green-gold eyes watching the Jellicle Moon and the stars.
Munkus sighed as he relaxed, allowing his eyes to drift close, to rest just for a little bit.
"Munk, Munkus!" Munkus shot awake to find Cori and Tantomile staring at him.
"W-What's going on?" Munkus asked tiredly as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The twins smiled at him.
"The others will be waking within a few moments and the ball will begin once more," Tantomile told him softly as Cori cast his gaze around at the sleeping couples.
"We thought we'd wake you before the magic did," Cori added, turning his slightly glowing green-gold eyes to Munkus. Munkus stretched out his limbs, smiling.
"Thanks," Munk smiled as he sat up, itching at his ear as he looked around the clearing, the moonlight reflecting off of all of the junk and casting an eerie but mystical looking glow around the clearing, and bathing the soft moon light on the occupants within it.
He looked to his father and found he was still sitting on the tyre, though his eyes were closed as if he was in a deep meditation. The occupants of the yard started stirring as the air seemed to take up a spark of electricity. Munkustrap saw his brother grinning in the shadows, his white fangs seeming to glow in the moonlight, before Macavity leapt to his feet, blue sparks erupting from his paws.
The Jellicles gasped in shock and surprise as the old, broken spotlights around the clearing suddenly turned on and lit up the clearing.
Macavity turned to his father, who stared at him in shock.
"I've wanted to tell you for a while, Dad," Macavity spoke up suddenly. "I-I just didn't know how…" Deuteronomy smiled as he descended from the tyre, walking to Macavity. Macavity's ears flicked back nervously before they lifted back up as Deuteronomy took his paws, smiling at him, as he squeezed them reassuringly.
"You had no reason to be afraid to tell me," Deuteronomy told him softly. "No matter what, I will love you." Macavity smiled, purring softly, as he nuzzled his dad's cheek.
"Though, I do want you to have lessons with Trelawney now as well, so we can keep an eye on your magic." Deuteronomy informed him. Macavity's ears twitched back slightly before he gave a nod. Munkustrap couldn't help but notice his brother looked a bit…unhappy with that suggestion.
Deuteronomy turned to the Jellicles and smiled at them.
"What are we waiting for?" Deuteronomy laughed. "Let's get on with the ball!"
The Jellicles cheered and whooped before they leapt into the next dances.
As the ball wound down to a close, the Jellicles moved towards Deuteronomy as he prepared to make his announcement of who would ascend to the Heaviside Layer for the chance to be reborn.
Munkus huddled close to his brothers as they sat near the tyre, watching their father. Tugger wrapped his arm around Munkus's shoulders, pulling his younger brother close. Munkus grinned at Tugger as he curled closer to Tugger's warm mane. He glanced at Macavity and found his gold eyes had a distant look in them, as though he was lost in thought.
"Hey, Mac, are you okay?" Munkus asked quietly. Macavity blinked and looked at Munkustrap. He gave a small nod.
"Mmhmm, fine." He murmured before he turned his attention back to the tyre. Munkus frowned. Tugger squeezed Munkus closer when he saw Munkus's frown.
"Don't worry," Tugger murmured quietly in Munkus's ear. "He's probably just tired," Munkus gave a small nod, though he couldn't quite shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
"Jellicles," Munkus turned his attention back to his father when he heard his voice speak up. Deuteronomy was standing on the tyre, looking out over them all.
"It is time," The Jellicles watched with baited breath as Deuteronomy slowly descended from the tyre, kind brown eyes sweeping across them all. The Jellicle Leader slowly weaved his way between the tribe members before he came to a stop in front of Penny. Penny looked up, her hazel eyes lifeless. Deuteronomy gently offered his paw, which she took.
"Penny, my dear," Deuteronomy said softly. Penny met his eyes, a small smile gracing her lips. She hadn't been the same since Triton had been killed by Pollicles.
"Thank you, Deut," She whispered. Deuteronomy inclined his head.
"Mum!" Demeter and Bomba ran up, hugging their mother tightly. Penny was hugged closely by her crying daughters.
"It is okay, my darlings," Penny whispered as she gently held her daughters close. "You have grown up; you do not need me watching your every move,"
"But, Mum…!"
"I'm going to join your father, my girls, be happy," Penny smiled, before she gently kissed their foreheads.
"I'm proud of you both, and I love you more than you can imagine…but it is my time now," Penny turned to Deuteronomy once more, who offered his paw. Penny took it and Deuteronomy led her back to the tyre as Cassandra and Tantomile comforted Demeter and Bombalurina.
Munkus sighed sadly as he leaned against Tugger. Tugger nuzzled Munkus as a soft white light started to glow around the tyre, where Deuteronomy and Penny stood.
"Tugs?"
"Mm?"
"What happens when a Jellicle gets chosen?" Munkus whispered.
"The Everlasting Cat allows them to be reborn into a different Jellicle life," Tugger explained quietly as the ball came to an end and the other Jellicles went over to Bomba and Demeter. Munkus gave a nod as he stood up and stretched. Tugger grinned at him, nuzzling him before he headed over to see Bomba. Munkus padded over to Deuteronomy, who was sitting on the tyre. Deuteronomy smiled as his son sat beside him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pulling him close.
"You did well tonight," Deuteronomy murmured. "I am very proud of you," Munkus smiled.
"Thanks, Dad," Munkus looked around the clearing as he yawned tiredly.
"Ready for bed, Munk?" Deuteronomy chuckled. Munkus smiled sheepishly at him. Deuteronomy just smiled.
"You can go whenever you wish," Deuteronomy told him. "The ball has officially ended…and I believe a young kitten will be waiting for you," Munkus gave a nod.
"I really should go get Quaxo," Munkus agreed. "I did promise him that I would go get him as soon as I could."
"I will see you when I come back to the den," Deuteronomy murmured. Munkus smiled, nuzzling his father, before he leapt from the tyre, heading over to see Tantomile and Coricopat.
"You are leaving?" Tantomile asked softly as he approached. Munkus gave a nod.
"I need to go get Quaxo, I promised him," Cori and Tanto nodded in understanding.
"Shall we see you tomorrow?" Cori questioned. Munkus nodded. Tantomile purred as she hugged Munkus tight.
"See you tomorrow," She purred. Cori nodded in agreement as Munkus smiled.
"See you tomorrow," Munkus agreed. "Have fun, guys," Munkus turned and headed towards Jenny's den, smiling and saying goodnight to the Jellicles he passed on the way.
Munkus reached Jenny's den and poked his head inside. He smiled when he saw that all of the kittens were fast asleep, curled close to one another.
"Hello, my dear, how was the ball?" Munkus smiled at Jenny as she voiced that question. He padded on to sit beside her.
"It was good," Munkus answered softly. "A lot of fun."
"Who was chosen to be reborn?" Jelly questioned from where she sat on the other side of Jenny.
"Penny was," Munkus answered. Jenny sighed and gave a nod.
"She was happy to go," Munkus told them. "She wanted to be reunited with Triton." Jenny and Jelly exchanged a sad smile. Jenny turned back to Munkus and tweaked his cheek.
"How was Quaxo?" Munkus asked. Jenny smiled.
"He was great," Jenny told him. "Was very playful, but he's a very sweet kitten, Munkus," Munk smiled.
"He is a sweet kitten," Munkus agreed before he yawned. Jenny gave a small laugh.
"Go to bed, sweetie!" She told him fondly. Munkus smiled, gently nuzzling Jenny's cheek.
"Thanks for looking after him, Jenny and Jelly,"
"Any time, my dear," Munkus went over to the pile of kittens and gently detached Quaxo from it. He smiled at the small Tux in his arms as Quaxo mumbled sleepily and cuddle close.
"Munku?" Quaxo mumbled sleepily, his purple-green eyes opening just a crack.
"Hey, Quaxo," Munkus murmured to the kitten in his arms as he stepped out into the night, though the sky was just beginning to light up a bit.
"We go home?"
"Yeah, buddy, we're going home," Quaxo purred softly as he cuddle in closer to Munk.
"Love ya, Munkus," Quaxo yawned, his eyes slipping shut again. Munkus paused, surprised, before he smiled.
"I love you too, Quax," Munkus murmured.
"What are you doing out here?" Munkus turned, pausing when he saw Tirus glaring at him.
"I'm taking Quaxo back to our den." Munkus answered. Tirus's eyes narrowed as he caught sight of the sleeping kitten in his arms.
"Get to your den then," Tirus snapped gruffly before he turned and stalked off. Munkus shook his head before he continued on to his den. He smiled when Quaxo started purring in his arms.
Tirus may try to run him out of the yard, but Munkus would never leave Quaxo, he would do whatever he could to protect the kitten.
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Eep, I am so so sorry it's taken so long to update but I've been suffering from a bit of writer's block…I just get on the computer and stare at the screen since I just have no idea what to write!
I have an idea of where the story is going to go, it's just putting it down on here and not making it seem rushed or lacking detail that I'm struggling with…
Hopefully I'll get some inspiration back and the next chapter won't be too far away…
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Love,
HGP