Macavity walked through the house with ease, seemingly knowing his way around. Munkustrap stuck close by Macavity's side, but remained on alert, knowing Macavity could have set a trap, no matter how much it pained him to think that his brother could do such a thing.
As they approached a doorway, a Tom stepped out, an annoyed look on his face. Macavity stopped, Munkustrap peering over his shoulder at the Tom. The Tom was mostly white with brown ears and a smudge on his nose. A long dark scar ran down the right side of his face, black and brown streaks covered his strong build.
His piercing green eyes glared at Macavity.
"Why have you brought a stranger here?!" The Tom snarled. Munkustrap shivered slightly at the authority and power in his voice. Macavity bowed his head slightly before he reached around, pulling Munkustrap out and pushing him in front.
"This is Munkustrap, Tomas," Macavity said. Munkustrap glanced at him, surprised at the tone of utter respect in his voice. Tomas just raised an eyebrow, unamused.
"The Jellicle Protector, yes I know," Tomas sighed. Munkustrap frowned, looking at him.
"I don't believe I know you," Munkustrap replied. Tomas grinned a wolfish grin at that.
"I am the leader of the Hidden Paws," The Tom introduced himself. "Tomas." Munkustrap's eyes widened slightly in shock.
He knew of the Hidden Paws.
They were a large gang of criminal cats who stole, kidnapped, tortured and more, just for gold, diamonds and power.
Munkustrap looked at Macavity, shocked. Macavity just gave an easy grin.
He knew now why the cats on the street feared him.
"Why did you bring the Jellicle Protector here, Mac?" Tomas asked, getting impatient.
"Munkustrap is also my adopted brother, Tomas," Macavity continued. Tomas nodded. He knew that.
"My father saved him by buying him from a slave stall." Munkustrap watched as Tomas stiffened. Tomas's dark eyes turned onto him, staring at him. Macavity walked to stand beside Tomas, looking at Munkustrap as well.
"One of the stories Munkustrap told us of his past was of a Queen he had met, who had comforted him and told him to fight off the Tom w-who would try to-to…" Macavity broke off, unable to say it. Tomas winced slightly. Macavity looked at Tomas.
"The Queen always called him her 'Shining Star'," Tomas's eyes widened in shock as his head swung around to look at Munkustrap, unable to form words in his shock. He shook his head, disbelieving.
"N-No, i-it can't be," The normally stoic Tom stammered. "S-She said t-they killed him!" Munkustrap shook his head.
"They…they almost did," Munkustrap murmured. Tomas ran his claws through his head-fur, shaken.
"I thought it might help her, knowing that Munkus is alive and has a family," Macavity murmured to Tomas. Tomas gave a small nod.
"She's this way." Tomas sighed softly. Tomas turned and walked through the door behind him, Macavity motioning for Munkustrap to follow. Munkustrap did so hesitantly.
"Maria, how is she?" Munkustrap heard Tomas ask someone. He walked through the door and saw him talking to a cream coloured Queen. Maria gave a small nod, glancing at Macavity and Munkustrap.
"She is a bit out of it today, sir," Maria answered, her voice soft. Tomas gave a nod. He turned to Munkustrap, beckoning him. Munkustrap cautiously walked over to him.
"I'm warning you now, kit," Tomas growled. Munkustrap raised an eyebrow as he was called a kitten.
"Be careful with what you say, I don't want her to break down." He warned. Munkustrap gave a nod. Munkustrap took in a deep breath before he walked into the room Tomas indicated to. He paused when he saw an older pure white queen lying in bed, staring listlessly at the ceiling above her. She hadn't really changed much, Munkustrap thought as he softly walked closer to her. Her white fur had dulled slightly with age and she looked older, but she still looked like he remembered her. Munkustrap gently sat beside her bedside, glancing at Macavity, Tomas and Maria, who stood in the doorway, watching closely.
"Pearl?" Munkustrap said gently. The Queen on the bed blinked, slowly turning her head to look at him. Her blue eyes widened as she stared at him.
"S-Shining Star?" Pearl whispered. "N-No, it can't be! They killed you!" Munkustrap gently took her paw in his own two.
"It's me, Pearl," Munkustrap smiled. Pearl shakily lifted her paw, cupping his cheek. Munkustrap purred softly.
"I'm so sorry, my Shining Star," Pearl cried hysterically. "I should never have told you to fight back! They told me they had killed you!" Munkustrap shook his head firmly.
"Pearl, you telling me to fight back is what allowed me to survive all of those years and all of my masters," Munkustrap soothed her. "I saw what happened to the other kitten they took in after me, I saw what it did to him, and I'm glad I fought back." Tears trailed down Pearl's white cheeks.
"Oh, little kitten," She whispered. "I've thought you were dead all of this time," Munkustrap shook his head.
"I almost died," Munkustrap admitted to her gently, glancing at Macavity and seeing his golden eyes widen in shock and anger. "But the Everlasting Cat deemed that it was not my time and made sure I was brought back." Pearl gave a small sob. Munkustrap just purred reassuringly as he nuzzled at her cheek.
"Pearl, I was freed and adopted by a wonderful Tom, who gave me a name," Munkustrap told her. "I was brought into a loving family and suddenly had two older brothers who cared for me, and protected me." Munkustrap smiled.
"I'm now the Protector of the Jellicles, a tribe who are family to me, I have a young charge who I take care of and who I adore, and-and I'm in love," Pearl smiled as she gently rubbed Munkustrap's cheek.
"I'm so happy you're alive, my Shining Star," Pearl whispered, her paw drifting from his cheek to his collar. She smiled, her eyes lighting up as she looked at the collar.
"Oh yes, you have a very loving family," She murmured to herself. "Such a beautifully crafted collar," Munkustrap smiled. Pearl's eyes widened as a thought suddenly occurred.
"What do they call you now?" She asked him, curious. "You said the Tom who adopted you gave you a name…" Munkustrap nodded.
"I'm called Munkustrap now," He told her. Pearl beamed at that.
"Munkustrap," Pearl murmured, testing it out for herself. "Such a regal and strong name,"
"The Everlasting Cat gave it to him," Pearl looked at the doorway, towards Macavity, who smiled.
"W-What do you mean, Maccy?" Pearl asked softly. Macavity glanced at Munkustrap, who looked at him, curious.
"Our Father told me the story," Macavity said carefully. "How my deceased mother appeared on the night Father had rescued Munkustrap, telling him how the Everlasting Cat had told my mother to lead my father to Munkus, that his light was fading and that he had to be rescued." Pearl gently squeezed Munkustrap's paw.
"Mum also told Father that the Everlasting Cat had chosen a name to be bestowed upon the rescued kitten, that his name was to be Munkustrap." Pearl gave a small hum, smiling.
"I always knew you were special," Pearl purred. "I told you, Tomas, my love, didn't I?"
"You did, my love, you did," Tomas answered, his voice gentle, from the doorway.
"What did Mum do?" Pearl beamed as a pure white Queen appeared in the doorway, leaning on Macavity, who rolled his eyes.
"Griddle, my darling!" Pearl greeted. Griddlebone smiled, though her blue eyes showed surprise. Griddlebone walked into the room, glancing at Munkustrap, before she knelt beside her mother's side, leaning over to kiss her forehead.
"You seem to be well today, Mum," Griddle murmured. Pearl nodded, smiling, looking to Munkustrap.
"My Shining Star is alive!" Pearl purred, petting Munkustrap's cheek. Griddle raised her eyebrows as she looked at Munkustrap, before looking at Macavity questioningly. Macavity gave a small nod.
"Ya know, Mac, when I told you this, I had no idea that you knew him." Griddlebone said airily. Macavity gave a shrug.
"You could have at least told me before you brought him here!" She told him, eyes narrowing. Macavity just blinked, staring at her.
"You had to run off and do stuff!" Macavity protested.
"Alright you two, both of you stop it before I knock your heads together," Tomas warned, sighing as though he had to endure their bickering daily. Pearl gave a giggle as she watched the two awkwardly murmur apologies.
"They're like this all of the time," Pearl whispered to Munkustrap. "They're so close." Munkustrap smiled at Pearl. Pearl's smile faltered slightly.
"I-It's what she needs, especially since…since Zeke is…gone." Pearl whispered. Munkustrap gently leaned down, nuzzling her cheek comfortingly. Pearl smiled, gently rubbing Munkustrap's cheek.
"Oh, look at you," She sighed contently. "All grown up and such a happy Tom." Munkustrap gave a small smile.
"Most of the time," He murmured. His eyes warmed when he looked at her.
"You were the best thing that happened to me when I was…when I was a slave," Munkustrap told her.
"Oh, honey," Pearl sighed sadly. Munkustrap gave a sad smile.
"You gave me more love and affectionate than my mother ever did…and more than she still does." Pearl frowned as she looked at him, going over what he said.
"Y-You've seen your mother?" She asked, worried. She knew that his mother was the one who sold him into slavery. Munkustrap nodded, eyes downcast. Griddlebone got to her feet, understanding that her mother wanted to talk to Munkustrap. She headed over to Macavity, giving his tail a tug.
"Yes, she still despises me," Munkustrap sighed. "She threatened to ruin my happiness," Pearl's eyes went dark.
"She better not go near you." Pearl muttered darkly, surprising Munkustrap. Munkustrap gently squeezed her paw, reassuring her.
"I'll fight her to the last breath, Pearl," Munkustrap promised her. "I won't let her harm any of my family," Pearl gave a nod, relaxing, before she smiled.
"Besides, I doubt Maccy would ever let anyone hurt you." She said. "He adores you." Munkustrap smiled as he glanced over to said brother, finding him teasing Griddlebone, who simply flicked his nose in return.
Pearl sighed tiredly, her eyes fluttering close.
"You'll be fine now, my darling," She said softly. Her blue eyes opened again and looked at him. Pearl gave a tired smile.
"I think I'm going to be okay now too." Munkustrap gave a soft smile at that. "Now that I know you're alive and doing so well, that will help me." Munkustrap gently held her paw as Pearl slowly began to fall asleep. She tiredly rubbed at her eyes, smiling at him.
"I need to rest now, my Shining Star." She murmured. Munkustrap gave a small nod. Pearl arched her head up, gently kissing Munkustrap's forehead. Munkustrap purred softly as he nuzzled her cheek lovingly.
"Sleep well, Pearl." Munkustrap said gently. Pearl smiled and her eyes drifted close. Munkustrap watched her for a few moments, making sure she was okay, before he got to his feet, walking over to Macavity. Macavity turned his attention away from Griddlebone, smiling sadly at his brother as he approached.
"You okay?" He asked, concerned. Munkustrap gave a nod, a smile appearing on his lips.
"Yes, I think I'm going to be." Munkustrap answered, having a feeling that his nightmares were going to get better now that he had been reunited with one of the positive experiences from his time as a slave. Macavity smiled at that.
"So, Mac, are you going to continue to be rude or are you going to introduce me?" Macavity rolled his eyes, giving a sigh.
"Munku, this loser is Griddlebone," Macavity introduced. "Grids, this is my baby brother, Munkustrap." He gave a yelp as Griddlebone yanked on his ear.
"Griddlebone," Tomas sighed as he walked by, going to check on his mate. Griddlebone just smiled innocently.
"Yes, Daddy?" She asked sweetly. Tomas chuckled at her response. Macavity rubbed his ear, glaring at Griddlebone.
"C'mon, Munks, I'll walk you back to the yard." Macavity grumbled. Munkustrap fought back a smile and nodded. Griddlebone wrapped her arms around Munkustrap's middle, surprising him.
"Nice meeting you, Munkus, perhaps we'll meet again soon." Griddlebone winked.
"Griddle," Macavity sighed as he pulled on Munkustrap's arm, getting him out of Griddle's embrace. "I told you he has a Queen." Griddle shrugged as she looked at the blushing Tom.
Macavity rolled his eyes as Griddlebone winked at his brother once more as he towed Munkustrap out of the door and back towards the junkyard.
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Sorry for the wait, but life has been a bit busy!
Hopefully it won't be too long for the next chapter!
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Love,
HGP!