Munkustrap lifted his head at the call of his name, confused. The Jellicles all turned to look at the confused young Tom, equally confused and as shocked at him.
"Wait…what?" Munkus stammered, his eyes widening in shock as he stared up at the tyre.
It couldn't be true…they had to be joking, right?
"W-What?!" A sharp breath came from beside him, causing Munkus to look at Macavity, who was frozen in shock, as he stared at Tirus.
"I did everything you wanted!" Macavity cried out. "I trained every single day!" Tirus shook his head.
"M-Mac," Munkus breathed. Macavity spun around, his gold eyes flashing darkly as he looked at Munkustrap.
"Why do you have to ruin everything?!" Macavity yelled, striking out, hitting Munkus across the face and causing the young Tom to go flying towards the ground. Quaxo screamed in fear as Macavity leapt onto Munkustrap, clawing and beating at him. Munkustrap didn't fight back as Macavity beat on him, he was too shocked. His protector, his first friend, was beating him…he couldn't believe it or force himself to react.
Quaxo was yelling as he pulled on Macavity's arm, trying to stop him hurting his big brother. Skimble was wrapping his arms around Macavity's waist, trying to heave the strong Tom off of the younger Tom underneath him. Cori and Alonzo leapt in to help, grabbing Munkustrap's arms and pulling him out from under Macavity.
"Enough, lad, enough!" Skimble hissed into Macavity's ear as the orange Tom was finally pulled off of his brother. Macavity went still, panting, his gold eyes still furious. Cori helped Munkus sit up, frowning worriedly. The rage in Macavity's eyes disappeared at the sight of the bloodied Munkustrap.
Blood was dripping from Munkustrap's black nose and from his split lip, his right cheek had a gash on it and was already starting to go puffy, and bruises were slowly beginning to blossom across Munkustrap's face and chest.
Macavity closed his eyes, turning his head away, as he pulled out of Skimble's grip. He then turned and started to walk away, his walk turning into a run as he neared the edge of the clearing.
"Mac, Mac, wait!" He heard Munkus call out desperately but he didn't stop as he ran as far away from the clearing as he could.
Munkustrap watched as his brother ran off as he was held back by Antony, who had stopped him running after him.
"He needs time," Antony murmured to Munkustrap. Munkus sighed sadly, looking to Quaxo, who hugged his leg, whimpering.
"It's alright, Quax." Munkus murmured as he gently rubbed Quaxo's ears.
"Oh, my dear, come, let me see your injuries!" Jenny sighed worriedly as she grabbed Munkustrap's paw, pulling him in the direction of the infirmary.
Jenny pulled Munkus into the infirmary and set him down. She frowned worriedly when she noticed his gaze seemed faraway, and kind of dull.
"Munkus?" Munkus remained silent as Jenny gently dabbed away at the blood and dressed the cuts. Jenny gently cupped Munkustrap's uncut cheek, tilting his head up so he'd look at her.
"Darling," She murmured. Munkus blinked and looked at her, his emerald green eyes sad.
"I don't know what to do, Jenny." Munkus whispered. "I never wanted any of this…" Jenny gently took his paw, squeezing it softly.
"I am sure there is an explanation behind it all, Munkus," Jenny reassured him. Munkus sighed.
"I don't want to be the Protector, that's meant to be Macavity's job…it was his dream after all." Munkus murmured. Jenny just gently squeezed his paw once more before she continued on looking over his injuries.
"Munku! Munku!" Munkus opened his arms just in time to have a shaken Quaxo barrel into them, sobbing softly as he buried his face into Munkustrap's chest. Munkus held the small kitten close to him as Quaxo sobbed.
"Shush, Quaxo, it's okay," Munkus soothed softly. Quaxo shook his head.
"Why Mac hurt you?!" Quaxo wailed. Munkus just remained silent, holding the kitten close.
"You're okay, Munkus, just a few scratches that should heal by themselves," Jenny told him gently. Munkus gave a small nod, getting to his feet.
"Thanks, Jenny," Munkus murmured, before taking Quaxo's paw and leaving the den. The young silver Tom looked around, spotting Deuteronomy talking to Skimble and Tirus. He walked over to the trio, hesitating for a moment.
"Dad, can I talk to you…privately?" Munkus asked hesitantly. Deuteronomy gave a nod, smiling softly.
"Quax, go play with the other kittens, I'll be back soon," Munkus murmured to the small Tuxedo kitten. Quaxo looked at Munkus worriedly before sighing, nodding and heading off to the group of kittens.
Munkustrap and Deuteronomy headed back to their den in silence, though Deuteronomy kept glancing at his youngest worriedly. As they entered the den, Deuteronomy turned and looked at Munkustrap.
"What is it, my boy?" Deuteronomy asked softly. Munkus hesitated for a moment, wrapping his arms around his aching middle.
"I-I can't be the Protector." Munkus answered finally, looking up to meet Deuteronomy's gaze.
"Munkus, I'm afraid you have no choice in this matter." Deuteronomy said heavily. "If you are chosen, then that is final."
"But I'm not meant to be the Protector!" Munkus cried out. "Macavity is!"
"Macavity attacked you in anger and jealousy; he cannot be the Protector by doing that."
"I…I can't be the Protector, I-I just…" Munkus stammered. Deuteronomy stared sadly at his son.
"I don't want to fight anyone!" Munkus cried out suddenly, paws gripping at the fur on his arms. "I hated being forced to fight!"
"Munk, you only need to fight when absolutely necessary." Deuteronomy reassured him. Munkustrap shook his head.
Why didn't Deuteronomy understand that he couldn't do it?
Why didn't he understand that he just wanted to have a normal life?
"I-I can't…" Munkus murmured.
"Munkus, as a Jellicle and as a son of the Jellicle Leader…"
"But I'm not!" Munkus yelled out, making Deuteronomy pause.
"What?" Deuteronomy questioned, stunned.
"I'm not a Jellicle, and I'm…I'm not your son," Munkus cried out. "I was a pity case; my own mother didn't even want me!"
"Munkus…"
"No one wanted me! I went through four masters before you and they all got rid of me!" Tears began rolling down Munkustrap's cheeks. "Macavity is your son; he is the one who is meant to be the Protector, not me!"
Munkus breathed in sharply, tears still pooling in his emerald green eyes.
"I'm…I'm not a Jellicle and-and I have no family, the only family I knew abandoned me when she had the chance." Munkus looked up at Deuteronomy, before closing his eyes and looking away, unable to look at the hurt and heartbreak in Deuteronomy's brown eyes.
"I-I'm sorry." Munkus whispered before he turned and darted from the den, running through the yard. The silver Tom ran down the pathways, away from the main clearing, just needing to put space between himself and everyone else.
Finally, he slowed down, panting, as he looked around. He crawled into a cabinet and settled down, crying softly to himself.
Why did he say those things to Deuteronomy?
Why did he tell him that he wasn't family when he was the closest thing he's ever had to a father?
Munkustrap looked out miserably from his hiding place and saw the full moon beginning to appear in the darkening sky.
Silence overtaking
Darkness overhead,
Shadows now are waking,
Monsters in the bed,
Bitter hearts are aching,
Heaven knows just why,
But look the clouds are breaking
Full Moon Lullaby
Full Moon
Wash it all away
Full Moon, Full Moon,
Wash it all away, wash it all away
Let the night surround you
Gently close your eyes,
Now the moon has found you
Watching from the skies
Troubles fade around you,
The rifts they start to fly
Now sweet sleep has crowned you,
Full Moon Lullaby
Full Moon,
Wash it all away
Full Moon, Full Moon,
Wash it all away, wash it all away
Will the blackness brighten?
Will the dawn come soon?
Will day also frighten?
What's the answer Moon?
When the heavens lighten
And steal you from the sky
What will come tomorrow?
Munkustrap sighed and rested his head back against the cupboard. He had no idea how he could go back and face Deuteronomy now.
Anxiety and fear tightened in his chest.
Would Deuteronomy disown him? Send him from the yard in disgrace and allow the slave-traders to have him back?
Munkustrap shuddered at that thought, hugging his knees tight as he bit his lip, causing him to wince as the split on his bottom lip, that had opened when Macavity punched him, opened up once again, bleeding.
He lifted his head at the sound of someone walking by and muttering to themselves. He glanced out of the cupboard and saw Macavity trudging by, head lowered. Munkustrap watched him pass, hesitating for a moment, before slipping out of the cupboard and following after him.
Munkus found Macavity kneeling in the neighbouring clearing, his back heaving slightly.
"M-Mac?"
Macavity stiffened at the sound of Munkustrap's timid voice. He slowly turned and saw Munkus standing there, hesitant, blood trickling from his split lip.
"M-Munk?" Macavity croaked, unsure of why Munkustrap would approach him after Macavity had hurt him so. Munkustrap walked over and knelt by Macavity's side.
"Mac, I'm so sorry." Macavity's gold eyes widened in shock at Munkustrap's apology.
"Munk, you have nothing to be sorry for!" Macavity breathed. "I'm the one who should be apologizing; I should have never hit you! I'm so sorry, Munkus, I'm so so sorry." Munkus smiled slightly as Macavity pulled him into his arms, holding him close. Munkus wrapped his arms around Macavity, hugging him back as he nuzzled his face into Macavity's neck, feeling safe and secure in his older brother's arms.
"I'm so sorry, Munkus," Macavity murmured into his head fur. "Forgive me?"
"I never blamed you." Munkus mumbled in reply as he curled close. "Mac, I-I told Dad I don't want to be the Protector, that you should be." Macavity shook his head.
"Munk, once you're chosen, that's it." Macavity sighed softly. "And besides, I shouldn't be the Protector, I mean, what Protector attacks someone because they didn't get what they want? …no, I don't deserve it."
"But, Mac…"
"No, Munkus, it's okay, I would have made a lousy Protector."
"That's not true." Munkus insisted, making Macavity chuckle fondly.
"Thank you, Munkus, but…I have to find something else to do."
"Like what?"
"I'm going to focus more on my powers, that way I can help the tribe." Munkus nodded, pulling back out of the hug. Macavity frowned as he wiped the blood away from Munkustrap's lip.
"Sorry, little brother." Macavity murmured guiltily as he gently wiped the blood away. Munkus just gave a small smile.
"It's alright, Mac, really it is." Munkus assured him. "A split lip and a few bruises are nothing…I was more worried about you." He admitted. Macavity gave a small smile, pulling Munkus in for another hug.
"You care too much about others, and not enough for yourself." Macavity chuckled slightly. "You're going to be the death of me, little brother, I swear."
"Don't say that!" Munkus whimpered.
"I'm kidding, Munku," Macavity assured him. "I just worry about you," Munkus smiled at that as he rested in Macavity's arms. Macavity sighed after a while, looking around at the darkening sky as the sun sunk closer to the earth.
"We should probably head back," Macavity paused as Munkustrap stiffened in his arms.
"Munku?" Macavity asked worriedly. "What's wrong?"
"I-I argued with Dad before," Munkus mumbled. "And…and I said a few things…"
"Munk, believe me, he's probably heard it all before from me," Macavity smirked before it faded as Munkus shook his head against his shoulder.
"No, I-I told him that-that I have no f-family, t-that I-I'm just a-a pity case."
"Oh, Munkus…" Macavity breathed, holding his little brother closer as Munkus gave a small sob. Macavity rubbed Munkustrap's back soothingly as Munkus shook in his arms.
"I-I just…I don't want to fight, I hate it," Munkus murmured. "And when he said that I have to, as my duty as a son of the Jellicle Leader…it-it just came out."
"I'm sure he understands you were just upset, Munku, it's been quite a day." Macavity said gently. Munkus shook his head, paws entwining in Macavity's long fur.
"I promise you, Munk, it'll be okay." Macavity told him.
"W-What if he…what if he throws me out?" Munkus whispered. "I-I can't go back to being a slave, I can't."
"Munkus, he would never ever do that to you!" Macavity promised him vehemently. "He loves you, Munk, more than you'd ever know…and I know he'd rather die before he'd even consider disowning you or throwing you out."
"Really?"
"Promise, little brother." Macavity smiled softly as he nuzzled Munkustrap's ears. Macavity frowned for a moment, hesitating.
"And, Munk…i-if something ever did happen to you, like when that Tom tried to take you away again," Macavity tried to ignore the shudder Munkus gave. "If someone took you away, I will do everything I can to bring you back home; I won't rest until you're safe at home with us." He smiled as Munkus relaxed in his hug, purring.
"Thank you, Mac."
"C'mon, Munk, I'll go see Dad with you," Macavity told him as he got to his feet, pulling Munkus up with him.
"I should probably apologize too," Macavity added sheepishly as he looked at the bruises forming across Munkustrap's chest and face. Munkus just gave a small smile in response, cuddling in close to his side. Macavity gently wrapped his arm around Munkustrap's shoulders, giving a smile in return.
"Alright, let's go do this then." Macavity breathed. Munkus gave a nod, feeling nervous.
He prayed Macavity was right…and he prayed that Deuteronomy would forgive him.
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Song is Full Moon Lullaby from King Kong the musical
Hehe, glad to know everyone is still enjoying this! Will hopefully have the next chapter up soon-ish
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Love,
HGP!