Munkustrap groaned as he was rudely woken as someone pounced on him.
"Heya, Munkus." A painfully cheerful voice practically shouted. Munkustrap cracked an eye open, turning his head slightly from where it was resting on his pillow, to glare at the offender.
"Whaddya want, Tugger?" Munkus grumbled as he attempted to curl back up into his bed, trying to pull his blanket from under Tugger's weight.
It felt like he had only just gotten to bed after the last patrol the night before.
He groaned as Tugger slumped down on him.
"I'm bored!" Tugger whined. Munkus sighed, opening his eyes to look at his brother.
"Why don't you go annoy Cori or Quaxo?" Munkus yawned. "Or go chase Bomba?" Munkus glared at Tugger when he got an elbow in his ribs as Tugger shifted around on top of the blanket, trying to get comfortable…or trying to be even more annoying.
"Nah, I've talked to them before…and, please, I don't need to chase Bomba, she'll come after me," Tugger winked, causing Munkus to roll his eyes. "And I don't even have Jellicle Ball rehearsals to keep me busy since it's been cancelled this year." Tugger continued.
It was true.
Due to the amount of Jellicles that had left or had been killed in the previous year, Deuteronomy had decided to cancel this year's Jellicle ball, seeing as the three recent Jellicles to have left, through death and banishment, had only been gone three months.
Instead of the Jellicle Ball, Old Deuteronomy had proposed a night of celebration and remembrance of those who were no longer there.
Munkus was torn from his thoughts as Tugger wriggled into a more uncomfortable position atop of his little brother.
"Alright, alright!" Munkus groaned, knowing Tugger wouldn't leave him alone until he acquiesced to his demands. Tugger grinned and shifted off Munkustrap, allowing him to sit up. Munkus yawned and rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"Remind me again how I'm the younger brother?" Munkus laughed tiredly. Tugger pouted.
"Where's Quaxo?" Munkus yawned, glancing around the bedroom and finding no trace of his sparkly ward.
"At a lesson with Cori and Tantomile." Tugger said grudgingly. "I went to see if he wanted to go hunting…he almost zapped me." Munkus looked at Tugger curiously; he wanted to hear that story. Tugger sighed when he saw the curiosity on Munkustrap's face.
"So, I went to find Sparkles and found him in a clearing with Thing 1 and Thing 2…" Tugger started.
"Tugger!" Munkus admonished him, shocked at the name calling. Tugger just grinned.
"I'm just kidding, Munkus, you know I love those two!" He chuckled. "I called Cori that actually the other day, pretty sure I still have his teeth marks on my arm somewhere." Tugger murmured as he examined his left arm.
"Serves you right," Munkus chuckled.
"We had a laugh about it after I pried him off." Tugger told him, causing Munkustrap to chuckle and shake his head.
"You were talking about Quaxo, Tugs?" Munkus reminded him, making Tugger stop rambling.
"Oh, right," Tugger muttered. "Anyway, I went to go see Sparkles and found him in the normal practise clearing with Cori and Tanto, and they were teaching him to use his powers," Tugger explained.
"What power?" Munkus queried as he stretched out. Since having found out about Quaxo's magic almost a month prior, they had discovered, through his lessons with Coricopat and Tantomile, that he was capable of wonderful, powerful things.
"The lightning." Tugger answered. "Apparently they were teaching him so they could strengthen his energy and threshold for his magic?" Tugger tilted his head, confused, before he continued.
"Anyway, walked into the clearing and BOOM, a lightning bolt explodes right near my foot!" Tugger recited animatedly, his paws gesturing. "Quaxo, of course, freaked out and Cori and Tanti had to reassure him…" Munkustrap tuned out of Tugger's rambling.
Quaxo had quite strong magic which made the twins concerned that it could build up inside of him and become quite dangerous if he didn't have an outlet for it. So, they were teaching him ways to let it out, but at the same time, strengthening his threshold for magic so he didn't collapse due to exhaustion afterwards.
"So yeah, that's how Sparkle-butt almost fried my foot." Munkus heard Tugger finish. Munkustrap looked back at him, eyebrow quirked.
"You know, if you're calling him Sparkle-butt, I'd be careful, next time it might not miss," Munkustrap teased. Tugger smirked.
"Just because he's my nephew doesn't mean I'll stop teasing him," Tugger laughed. "I don't want him to become suspicious because I stop teasing him!" He winked conspiringly.
Munkustrap and Deuteronomy had decided it was Tugger's right to know about his nephew and niece.
Munkustrap smiled at his brother before giving a final stretch of his limbs, smiling contently as his joints popped.
"So, what's your plan then, Tugger?" Munkus asked as he looked back to his brother.
"I want to go on a walk," Tugger grinned. Munkus gave a nod, grinning.
"Sure, I'm up for that." He agreed. Tugger leapt lightly to his feet as Munkustrap stood up, quickly making his bed. Tugger pulled a face at him as he watched Munkus quickly neaten his room. Munkustrap just raised an eyebrow at him.
"What?" He asked as he straightened the pillows.
"You're just so…neat." Tugger smirked. Munkus rolled his eyes.
"Just because your den looks like a Pollicle has attacked it, doesn't mean I have to let mine look like that," Munkustrap retorted as he straightened the blanket, eyes sweeping over the immaculate room to make sure nothing was out of place.
"Yeah, but you're like crazy clean." Tugger snorted. "I mean, you live here with a kitten and it's spotless." Munkustrap gave a small sigh.
"You know why I'm like this," Munkustrap murmured as he straightened up, smoothing out his fur. "I've been like this since I was a kitten, Tugs, I had it beaten into me…I doubt it'll change any time soon." Tugger winced.
"Sorry, Munkus, I didn't mean anything by it," Tugger murmured softly. Munkus looked at him and gave a smile.
"I know you didn't, Tugs, and I'm not offended or anything." Munkustrap told him. Tugger smiled.
"So, can we go now?" He asked, causing Munkustrap to laugh.
"Okay, let's go." Munkustrap grinned.
The two headed towards the den exit.
"You picked a nice den for you and Quax," Tugger spoke up. Munkustrap glanced at him before ducking out the door.
"Oh?" Munkustrap questioned as he watched Tugger slip out of the den, through the pipe exit. Tugger nodded, glancing back at the sturdy structure.
"Yeah, still close to Dad though, huh?" Tugger looked back at Munkustrap. Munkus gave a nod.
"He's getting older and is spending more time at the Vicarage Wall," Munkus explained. "And when he is here, well, I don't think having an overactive kitten with magic is particularly good for him." Tugger nodded as they entered the clearing. Munkustrap gave a chuckle, causing Tugger to look at him.
"What?" He questioned. Munkus nodded to the tyre. Tugger turned to look and smirked when he saw Alonzo sprawled out on it, head dangling off the side, fast asleep. Skimble was sitting in front of the tyre, telling a story to the kittens.
"Tugger!" Tugger winced at the squeal as little Etcetera came bounding over, attaching herself to his leg.
"Um, hi, Etcetera?" Tugger greeted, shocked. Asparagus walked over, shaking his head and chuckling, before detaching the kitten from Tugger's leg.
"Sorry, Tugger," Asp laughed as he tucked the struggling, pouting kitten under his arm. "She seems to have become attached to you lately." Tugger's eyebrows shot up at that. Munkus gave a small laugh.
"Eww, Cetty has a crush!" Munkustrap smiled as Admetus and Plato, now fledgling Toms and quickly approaching Tom-hood, appeared by their father's side.
Munkustrap couldn't believe how quickly they were growing up.
Even Quaxo was getting close to becoming a fledgling Tom.
"What are you up to, boys?" Asparagus asked as he shooed Etcetera back to sit with the other kittens.
"We're going for a walk and maybe a hunt in the park," Tugger grinned, bringing Munkus into a headlock, causing the latter to groan and squirm to try get out of his grip. Asparagus smiled as he looked at the two brothers.
The tension between him and Munkustrap had been resolved a week after the discovery of Quaxo's magic and the tense argument moments after.
"Can you tell Alonzo when he wakes up?" Munkus chuckled. Asparagus gave a nod.
"Of course, Skimble and I can look after things here while you get a break, Munk," Asparagus smiled. Munkus gave a thankful smile.
"Thank you."
"Can we go now?" Tugger asked, getting impatient. Munkustrap chuckled, giving a nod.
"Alright, alright, keep your tail on," He laughed, ducking just in time as Tugger swatted at him.
The two waved to Skimble and the kittens before they headed towards the yard entry.
The two brothers chatted, carefree, as they trotted along the city streets, both happy they got to spend some time alone together without one having to rush off and the other being mobbed by the Queens.
"So, how are things lately, Tugs?" Munkus questioned as they walked through the markets, dodging around the bustling crowds.
"The usual," Tugger grinned. "Amazing." Munkus chuckled and rolled his eyes.
"Any luck with Bomba?" Munkustrap teased as they walked along. Tugger looked at him and grinned.
"Of course, no Queen, or Tom, can resist my charm." Tugger purred. Munkus raised an eyebrow, trying not to laugh, moments before Tugger walked head-first into a pole. He burst out laughing then.
"Yep, even the poles are attracted to you." Munkustrap laughed. Tugger glared at him from where he sat on the ground, rubbing his head.
"Shut up." Tugger grumbled as he got to his feet and they walked off. Munkustrap nudged the grumpy Tugger's shoulder as they walked.
"I was just kidding." Munkus murmured as silence hung between them. Tugger sighed, looking at Munkustrap and giving a small smile.
"I know; I was just…embarrassed." Tugger admitted, nuzzling his worried little brother. "Sorry for making you worried."
"Me? Worried?" Munkus smiled. Tugger gave him a knowing look.
"I know you, Munkustrap." Tugger said seriously. "You still worry about if someone is angry at you, and I know you can't help it." Tugger added when Munkustrap looked away.
"But it's me, you know I'll never get angry at you for teasing me," Tugger grinned. "I mean, I tease you to no end, I have to be able to take it too," He winked. Munkustrap gave a small smile before it broke out into a full grin and laughter as Tugger suddenly pounced him.
"Tugger!" He grinned, batting him across the ears. Tugger leapt up, sticking his tongue out at Munkustrap, before darting away. Munkus grinned and chased after him, close on his tail. They ran into the park, darting around the trees, before Munkustrap managed to pounce on Tugger, knocking them both to the ground.
They both laughed as they rolled around, tussling with one another, ears and tails being pulled and gnawed on.
"Haha, can't beat me!" Tugger crowed as he managed to gain the upper paw.
"Pfft, you wish!" Munkustrap laughed as he hooked his leg around Tugger's waist, flipping them over. Munkus grinned as he pinned Tugger to the ground. Tugger sighed in defeat.
"Alright, you win." He pouted. Munkustrap grinned triumphantly before he slipped off of Tugger, sitting beside him instead. Tugger yawned as he sat up.
"I'm hungry." Tugger stated moments later. Munkustrap looked over at him, seeing Tugger was staring at him.
"Well, what do you want me to do about it?" Munkustrap asked, eyebrow raised.
"Want to hunt?" Tugger suggested. Munkustrap gave a nod in agreement. The brothers got to their feet and wandered further into the park, heading towards a small clearing which was generally filled with rabbits.
"I'm glad we got to hang out, ya know?" Tugger told him as they walked along. "We barely get to hang out anymore, and I miss my baby brother." Munkustrap smiled, nudging Tugger with his shoulder.
"I miss hanging out too," Munkustrap told his older brother. "Things haven't been the same since Macavity…" Munkus suddenly trailed off as an older brown and grey queen suddenly stormed up to them, stopping in front of Munkustrap and glaring at him.
"You!" She hissed. Tugger paused and looked at Munkustrap, finding he had stopped walking as he stared at the slightly shorter Queen in front of him. Tugger's brow furrowed worriedly as he noticed Munkustrap's posture had gone from relaxed to tense and rigid, his tail had puffed up; his hackles had slowly begun to rise and his ears flattening slightly. But it wasn't Munkustrap's posture or his defensive mechanisms that worried Tugger; it was Munkustrap's eyes as he stared at the Queen in front of him.
Munkustrap's normally gentle and bright emerald green eyes were dark and filled with anger and hate as he glared down at the Queen.
"Munkus?" Tugger asked worriedly, barely glancing at the Queen as she hissed at Munkustrap's name. "Who is this?!"
"My mother." Munkustrap forced out between gritted teeth.
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Oh noes!
Thanks to everyone who gave their input on who Munkus should form a love interest with, will hopefully start working on those chapters shortly!
Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Love,
HGP