Munkus gave a small moan as his eyes fluttered opening, his whole body aching. There was an excited chirp.
"Munku!" Munkus rolled his head to the side, giving a tired smile as he saw a white face beaming up at him, purple-green eyes wide with excitement.
"Hey there, Quax," Munkus murmured tiredly as the small tuxedo kitten cuddled his side, purring loudly.
"Hey, little bro, finally awake?" Munkus turned his head once more, giving a small smile when he saw Tugger was sitting on the other side of the bed, holding his paw securely.
"Hey, Tugger," Munkus murmured, exhausted. Tugger smiled back at him.
"How are you feeling?"
"Just aching, but it's not so bad," Munkus told him. Tugger frowned at that.
"Not so bad?" He questioned, disbelieving. "You were attacked by a Pollicle!"
"I've had worse," Munkus admitted, wincing slightly when he saw Tugger's shudder.
"Don't remind me." Tugger muttered, looking at Munkustrap's paw.
"Tugger, I'm okay, really." Munkus smiled, trying to reassure his older brother. Tugger sighed, relenting and giving him a smile in return. Munkus turned his attention back to Quaxo as the kitten rolled around in the space between his arm and side, giggling as he did so.
"He was worried about you," Munkus glanced up at Jenny as she bustled over, smiling at the young Tom. Jenny smiled at him as she gently rubbed his ears.
"How are you feeling, sweetie?"
"A bit sore, but I'm okay," Munkus replied as he slowly sat up, wincing as his muscles ached, as he cast his eyes around the den. Jenny noticed his green eyes seemingly looking for something or someone. She smiled knowingly.
"Your dad just left about ten minutes ago," She told him gently. "He had to go talk to Macavity." Tugger and Munkus exchanged a look at this. They had both been discussing how different Macavity had become since the ball, that he wasn't the same older brother anymore. Munkus tore his eyes away from his brother when he felt Quaxo clambering onto his chest.
"What are you doing, Quax?" Munkus asked as Quaxo settled down against his chest, smiling at him.
"Don't wanna leave you alone," The kitten answered.
"I know you won't," Munkus answered, confused as to why Quaxo would think he was alone. Quaxo just gave a nod as he shuffled closer to Munkustrap's face on his belly, causing Munkus to glance at Tugger, unsure. Tugger looked just as confused as he was.
"Argh, Quaxo, no grooming!" Tugger burst out laughing as he watched Quaxo trying to grab Munkustrap's face with his small paws in order to stop Munkus from turning his face away. Quaxo pouted, his tongue poked out between his teeth, as he held onto Munkustrap's face.
"Quax, I really don't need to be groomed." Munkustrap was trying to explain to the kitten, arching his head back as Quaxo attempted to groom him once more.
"Do too!"
"Not…"
"He's right, dear, you need a bit of a groom," Jenny interjected, failing to keep the smile off of her face as she giggled. Munkus looked at Jenny, shocked. That brief distraction and lapse of concentration from Munkus allowed Quaxo to clamber up closer, using Munkustrap's shoulders as leverage, and begin to groom Munkustrap's face.
Munkus just sighed in defeat, slumping back against the headboard of the bed, and allowing Quaxo to groom his face. He shot a look at Tugger who was rolling around on the floor he was laughing so hard.
"Hey, Quax," Munkus managed to get out. "I think Tugger is in need of a groom too, especially after rolling around on the ground." Quaxo paused and looked at Tugger, who froze, staring up at Munkus in horror, as Jenny laughed.
"Don't even think about it, Shorty!" Tugger warned Quaxo as he sat up. Quaxo pouted.
"I'm not short!" Quaxo pouted.
"Go get him, Quax!" Munkus grinned cheekily. Tugger looked at Munkus, his eyes widening in shock.
"What?! Munkus, no!" Quaxo turned to face Tugger, crouching down and wriggling his rear before he lunged, attaching himself to Tugger's mane.
"Nooo!" Tugger whined as Quaxo began to groom his mane. "Munk!" Munkus just chuckled as he rested back against the headboard, smoothing his fur back into place.
"You shouldn't have called him short, Tugger," Jenny chided him as she checked over Munkustrap's wounds again. Tugger just sighed, sitting back and allowing Quaxo to groom his mane.
"Munku, are you okay?!" Munkus gave a small smile as Cori and Tantomile walked up to his bed, looking worried. He gave a nod.
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" Tantomile asked as she cast her eyes on his bruised and grazed form, before focusing on his bandaged arm. Munkus nodded.
"I'm fine, Tanti," Munkus assured her. "This is really nothing."
"Compared to…?" Cori spoke up softly, his green-gold eyes searching Munkustrap's bottle green eyes carefully. Munkus sighed, running his free paw through his head fur.
"Compared to what other injuries I've had before," Munkus admitted, causing the twins to wince. Munkus stared at his paws, trying to push a painful memory away that was trying to come back. He glanced up as someone took hold of his unbroken paw. Cori was staring at him, his eyes sad and understanding.
"Don't try to repress it, Munkus, it'll only make it worse," Cori whispered softly to him. Munkus exhaled, giving a nod.
"Munk, what's he talking about?" Tugger asked, frowning.
"A memory that just came to mind." Munkus answered simply, still staring at Cori, who gave a weak smile.
"Munk?" Tugger asked worriedly. Munkus looked to his brother, giving a sad smile.
"It's okay, Tugs, really it is." He assured his older brother, who looked sceptical at his answer. Tugger went to argue against him when his dad arrived.
"Oh, my boy, you're awake!" Deuteronomy sighed, relieved, as he walked towards Munkustrap's bed, Coricopat and Tantomile moving out of the leader's way. Cori and Tanti headed to exit the infirmary; Tugger frowned before depositing Quaxo onto the bed with Munkus and following the twins, leaving his dad to have some time with Munkus.
Tugger ducked out of the infirmary and his brown eyes quickly scanned the clearing, looking for the twins. He spotted them nearing the oven.
"Cori, Tantomile!" Tugger called as he jogged to catch up to them. The twins turned and looked at him sadly. Tugger stopped beside them, staring at the two.
"W-What is it that Munkus doesn't want to tell me?" Tugger asked them breathlessly. The twins looked at each other, seemingly having a mind conversation with each other.
"If he's told you, then you can tell me!" Tugger burst out angrily after a few moments. Cori turned his green-gold eyes to Tugger while Tantomile continued to just stare at her twin.
"He did not tell us anything." Cori answered softly.
"But…but you know…!" Tugger spluttered. Cori inclined his head slightly.
"Yes, but that is only because I received a mental reading from him and-and discovered what he has kept secret." Cori sighed. Tugger just blinked, his brown eyes showing his confusion.
"W-What is he keeping secret?" Tugger stammered. Cori and Tantomile exchanged another sad glance.
"Some of the torture he was put through." Cori replied quietly before shaking his head. "That's all I know and all I can say…sorry, Tugger," Tugger just gave a small nod as both the twins turned their eyes to him.
"Do not pester him about it, Tugger." Tantomile told him. Tugger frowned at that.
"He will talk about it when he is ready," Cori continued.
"But if he is pushed too early, it may cause more harm than good." Tantomile finished. Tugger gave a nod, understanding what the twins were trying to say. The twins smiled at him before they turned and began to walk away.
"Cori, Tantomile!" Tugger called suddenly, making the twins pause and look back at him.
"Yes?"
"W-Will Munkus be okay?" He asked, worried. The twins exchanged smiles.
"He will be, as long as he has his family." Cori smiled. The two waved before they continued on their way, going to find Trelawney.
Tugger smiled, reassured by the twins words, before he continued on his way.
Deuteronomy sighed contently as he eased himself down on the couch in his den.
He was getting old, Deuteronomy thought with a chuckle.
It had been just over a week now since Munkus had had that run in with the Pollicle, and the majority of his wounds had healed with exception to the small fracture in his arm.
Munkus was out in the clearing now, entertaining the kittens who loved him so dearly.
Deuteronomy looked up when he heard a knock at the den entrance.
"Sir?" A gravelly voice called.
"Come in, Tirus." Deuteronomy called back. The serious Protector walked in, settling himself across from the Jellicle Leader. Deuteronomy examined the Protector closely. He knew it was time for Tirus to announce who he wanted to take his place.
"Do you have a successor in mind?" Deuteronomy asked. Tirus gave a small nod, his grey eyes looking at the Leader uneasily.
"I do, sir." Tirus murmured. Deuteronomy gave a nod.
"Okay, who is the Jellicle that will replace you?" Deuteronomy questioned. Tirus hesitated momentarily before looking at the Leader.
"Munkustrap."
Deuteronomy froze.
That was definitely not the name he was expecting to hear.
Deuteronomy's fur began to bristle in anger at Tirus's choice. He knew Tirus was doing this just to get back at Munkustrap, to make him feel worthless.
"How dare you!" Deuteronomy hissed at Tirus. Tirus held his paws up in surrender, his grey eyes going wide with apprehension.
"Deut, it really is not how it seems…" Tirus tried explaining.
"You've put my boy through enough misery, now this?!" Deuteronomy boomed, furious. "I will not have you torment my son like this, especially since you'll be hurting both Munkus and Macavity just to get at Munkus…!"
"Sir, Munkustrap was the one who saved MY life from the Pollicle!" Tirus yelled suddenly. Deuteronomy went silent, shocked.
"W-What?" Deuteronomy breathed. Tirus sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Munkustrap came across me getting my tail handed to me by the Pollicle." Tirus started. "He leapt in and saved my life, Deut…"
"Why did you lie?"
"Because he was terrified that he would be seen as dangerous, and-and it was my fault." Tirus murmured, looking at his paws. "He was so scared of being seen as dangerous, he begged me not to tell anyone…I-I just had to lie for him," Deuteronomy just stared at him, shocked. Tirus cleared his throat, trying to dislodge the lump that had suddenly formed there.
"I chose Munkustrap because he willingly leapt into danger to save me, a Tom who has given him hell since the day he arrived," Tirus murmured. "He's selfless and brave, with a heart of gold." Deuteronomy gave a small smile at his explanation.
"What about Macavity?" Deuteronomy asked. "He has been training for this all of his life." Tirus sighed.
"He's a good fighter, Deut, that is true…but there's something…dark in him." Tirus tried to explain. "I can't see him willing to lay down his life for a chance for another to live." Deuteronomy rubbed his forehead. He was beginning to see the darkness in his son too, something wasn't right.
"Okay, call everyone to the tyre and you can announce your choice." Deuteronomy murmured. Tirus nodded before rising to his feet and leaving, leaving Deuteronomy sitting there, feeling uneasy.
Ten minutes later, the tribe was assembled in front of the tyre.
Deuteronomy looked around for his sons and found them with the other kittens.
Munkustrap gave a chuckle as Quaxo hugged his thigh, before ruffling the kitten's ears making him purr. He glanced over to Macavity, who was standing beside him, standing tall and proud.
"Excited, Mac?" Munkus asked, grinning. Macavity just glanced at him before looking back at the tyre, the corners of his lips twitching.
"I've been waiting for this for a long time." Macavity answered. Munkus smiled, putting his paw on Macavity's arm.
"You're going to make a great Protector, Mac." Macavity smiled at Munkus.
"Jellicles, Tirus has an announcement to make!" Deuteronomy called. Tirus stepped up on the tyre.
"Jellicles, I have made my decision on who will be the one to take my place once I retire." Tirus spoke up. "It was a…fairly difficult decision," Munkus looked down at Quaxo as Quaxo squeezed his leg, giving a small smile.
"The Tom I have chosen has shown courage, selflessness, and a pure heart," Tirus took in a deep breath, looking around at the waiting Jellicles.
"And the one I have chosen is Munkustrap!"
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Uh-oh…what's going to happen?
Also, what memory Munkus remembered will be brought up in future chapters!
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Love,
HGP!