Macavity and Munkustrap continued their walk to the yard in a comfortable silence.
"Hey, Mac?"
"Mm?"
"Who is Zeke?" Munkustrap asked hesitantly. "Pearl said Griddle hadn't been the same since Zeke died…" Macavity hesitated for a moment.
"Zeke was Griddlebone's older brother." He explained. "He was killed shortly after he and his father managed to find and free his mother." Munkustrap winced.
"Who killed him?" Munkus asked quietly as they continued to walk.
"The ones who had his mother at that time." Macavity sighed. "Zeke was, well, rather boastful that he and his father had managed to get into a well-guarded place, free their mother, kill the bastard and the majority of his followers that had abused his mother…" Macavity glanced at Munkustrap, trying to gauge his reaction. Munkustrap looked shocked but nodded for Macavity to continue.
"A few weeks after they had freed Pearl, Zeke had gone to do some business for the Hidden Paws, when a group of Toms that had escaped his and Tomas's revenge appeared, they ambushed him…"
"Oh no," Munkustrap murmured. Macavity gave a small nod.
"Zeke barely made it out of there and managed to make it back home," Macavity sighed. "He died in his father's arms, with Griddlebone beside him." Munkustrap winced, shaking his head sadly.
"Were you there?" Munkustrap asked his brother.
"No, this was before I was banished." Macavity answered. Munkustrap glanced at Macavity once more.
"And now you're part of the Hidden Paws?"
"Second in charge actually." Macavity smirked proudly. Munkustrap shook his head.
"Don't give me that, Munkus," Macavity muttered.
"Mac, The Hidden Paws is basically a gang of thugs." Munkustrap told him. "I don't get how you can be part of such a group that steals, kidnaps, and hurts others!"
"Munkustrap, shut it!" Macavity snarled, shoving Munkustrap against the brick wall. Munkustrap hit the wall with a loud thud, wincing as pain tore through his back. Macavity hissed as he pinned Munkustrap to the wall, keeping his paws on Munkustrap's shoulders.
"Don't talk about things you have no idea about!" Macavity hissed, gold eyes flashing dangerously. "Tomas and Griddlebone have been the best things that have happened to me! They understand and appreciate me, like no one did before!" Munkustrap's eyes turned emotionless as he looked at his brother.
Macavity blinked, surprised, as he looked into Munkustrap's emotionless green eyes. It took him back to when his father had first brought Munkustrap home.
Munkustrap pushed Macavity off of him, before brushing down his fur.
"I can walk the rest of the way to the yard." Munkustrap murmured as he turned to walk away.
"Damn it, Munkustrap!" Macavity snarled, annoyed. Munkustrap didn't even glance over his shoulder as he walked away. Macavity growled, more annoyed at himself. He knew what he said had hurt Munkustrap. Macavity watched as Munkustrap walked away before he himself spun on his heel and stalked off in the opposite direction.
Munkustrap sighed as he approached the yard gates.
He knew he probably over-reacted to Macavity shoving him against the wall, but that one action reminded him too much of his mother.
He also couldn't believe that his brother was part of the Hidden Paws, a dangerous gang.
Munkustrap sighed as he wearily rubbed his forehead. He'd have to be on guard, though he loathed admitting it, Macavity had power now and he could potentially live up to his threat.
"Those seem to be some heavy thoughts on your mind, Munkus," A voice broke Munkustrap out of his thoughts. He smiled as he focused on the twins, who were waiting for him by the gates.
"Hey, you two." Munkustrap greeted. The two looked at him, concerned.
"Are you okay?" Tantomile asked. Munkustrap gave a nod.
"Actually better than I've been for a while," He admitted. Cori gave a small smile at that.
"What is troubling your mind then?" Cori queried as they walked back into the yard.
"Macavity." Munkustrap answered with a sigh.
"What about him?" Tantomile pushed. Munkustrap explained the visit to Pearl and how he had found out that Macavity was not only in the Hidden Paws, but second in charge as well. Tantomile's paw slipped into his own, squeezing gently. Munkustrap looked at her and smiled, gently placing a kiss on her cheek. Cori rolled his eyes at the display of affection.
"Yes, I see what you're worried about." Cori spoke up. "You're worried that now he has more power he can potentially live up to this threat at getting back at the Jellicles for banishing him." Munkustrap gave a nod in confirmation. Tantomile and Cori looked at each other, seemingly having a mental conversation.
Munkustrap just continued to walk, being used to them doing so by now.
He yawned and rubbed his eyes with his free paw, the action causing the twins to look at him, eyebrows raised slightly.
"Are you okay, Munkus?" Coricopat asked, tilting his head. Munkustrap nodded.
"Yes, just feeling really tired; I think I need a nap." Munkustrap yawned tiredly. Cori and Tantomile exchanged smiles.
"We are going to go meditate; perhaps you should get some sleep?" Tantomile suggested. Munkustrap nodded.
"Sounds like a good idea," He smiled. Tantomile purred, leaning forward to nuzzle his cheek. Cori just grinned and patted his shoulder before they both turned and headed off towards their den.
Munkustrap yawned as he ambled off towards the tyre, nodding and smiling to the Jellicles he passed before leaping on top of the tyre, and sprawling out in the warmth of the sun.
He was just beginning to doze off when he heard shuffling noises coming from beside the tyre. Munkustrap tiredly cracked open an eye and smiled as he saw it was Gus settling down on an upturned tin.
Soon enough, the kittens had spotted their favourite story teller and had scrambled over to listen to a story. Quaxo leapt up onto the tyre and cuddled into Munkustrap's side, settling down. Munkustrap smiled as he wrapped his arm around him, allowing the kitten to snuggle in as Gus began his story.
A little while later, Gus cast his eyes around the kittens, finding them all asleep. He gave a small smile as he stopped telling the story.
"Please, don't stop it there." A tired voice said. Gus looked around and smiled when he saw Munkustrap staring at him, smiling sleepily, as he lay on the tyre, with a sleeping Quaxo curled up against his side.
"I was enjoying the story," Munkustrap continued. Gus gave a chuckle and a nod.
"Alright, my boy." Gus continued on with the story. He adored Munkustrap, he was such a sweet Tom and no matter how old he got, he still loved to hear Gus's stories.
"Skimble!" Skimbleshanks looked up from where he was polishing his pocket watch at the sound of his mate's hushed voice.
"Aye?" He hummed, looking at his happy mate. Jenny pointed to the tyre. Skimble turned to look at what she was pointing at and a grin formed on his lips.
Munkustrap was fast asleep.
Finally.
"Hopefully the kittens don't wake him." Skimble murmured, seeing the kittens starting to rouse.
"He looks so peaceful!" Jenny sighed. "I don't want the kittens jumping all over him and waking him!" Skimble looked to his mate as she looked at him.
"Skimble, why don't you get him and bring him in here for a nap?" Jenny suggested smiling.
"Aw, Jen, he's a Tom now!" Skimble laughed. "I doubt he's gonna want me to go pick him up and carry him in here!" Jenny put her paws on her hips, brown eyes going large. Skimble sighed, knowing there was no chance of him winning this argument.
"Alright, alright." He sighed. "But if he gets all embarrassed, I'm blamin' you." Jenny giggled at that and went inside her den to set up a comfy nest for Munkus.
Skimble heaved himself to his feet before he walked over to the tyre, expertly moving around the kittens that had just woken up. Skimble winked at Quaxo, who was rubbing his eyes, as he gently shifted him out of the way. Quaxo watched Skimble curiously as Skimble got onto the tyre. Skimble bent down and gently scooped the sleeping Tabby into his arms, carrying him in a bridal lift.
Munkustrap barely stirred as Skimble carefully made his way off of the tyre and back towards his den.
The silver Tabby cracked open an emerald green eye, giving a low whine.
"Skimble, I'm not a kitten," Munkustrap mumbled, protesting. Skimble gave a chuckle as the tired Tom turned his head in against Skimble's vest, snuggling closer despite his protests.
"Aye, I know, lad," Skimble told him. "But Jen doesn't want the kittens wakin' ya."
"Alright." Munkustrap mumbled, giving another yawn as his eyes slipped shut once again. Skimble smiled as the young Tom as he ducked into his and Jenny's den, finding Jenny waiting for them. Jenny cooed softly as she saw Munkustrap curled up in Skimble's arms. She smiled as she indicated to a nest filled with cosy and warm blankets. Skimble carefully deposited Munkustrap onto the nest, the young silver Tom immediately yawning and stretching out contently.
Skimble chuckled and shook his head fondly as Jenny started fussing over the sleeping Tom.
"C'mon, Jen, stop fawning over the poor lad and let him sleep!" Skimble laughed. Jenny gave a playful scowl in his direction.
"But he's so cute when he's curled up like that!" She fawned. Skimble shook his head, laughing.
"Well, I'm going to go find Deut and keep an eye on the kittens." Skimbleshanks told her.
"I'm going to stay here and watch over Munkus," Jenny replied. "And keep an eye on here just in case one of the kittens hurts themselves again." Skimbleshanks nodded as he walked over to his mate, kissing her cheek.
"Alright, m'love," Skimble murmured. "I'll see you later." Jenny gave a nod as Skimble left the den.
Jenny settled down on her cushion, picking up her knitting. She smiled as she looked at the sleeping Munkustrap, who had a peaceful expression on his face.
Jenny turned her attention back to her knitting.
"Hi, Mum." Jenny placed her knitting aside as she looked up.
"Hello, my dears," She greeted her twins. Coricopat and Tantomile walked in, settling down beside their adoptive mother.
"How long has he been asleep here?" Tantomile asked in surprise as she looked at Munkustrap.
"Oh, around two hours now," Jenny said lightly. "He was sleeping on the tyre for about half an hour before I got your Dad to carry him in here," Cori sniggered.
"Dad carried Munkus in here?" He asked, grinning. Jenny gently swatted Cori's nose.
"Yes, though Munkustrap tiredly protested he wasn't a kitten." Jenny smiled. Tantomile and Cori grinned at that.
"He's very peaceful." Jenny added, giving a sigh. Cori gently probed at Munkustrap's mind, his green-gold eyes widening.
"He's not having nightmares." Coricopat revealed to Tantomile and Jenny.
"Oh, thank the Everlasting Cat for that." Jenny breathed, her brown eyes warm, as she looked at the snoozing silver Tabby. Cori glanced at the two Queens in the room, who were looking a little sombre as they stared at the Tabby.
"Well, he's definitely more adorable when he's asleep." Cori sniggered, trying to lighten up the mood.
"Oh, Coricopat!" Jenny sighed.
"At least I can be adorable, Cori," a tired voice yawned. The three looked at Munkustrap, who was sitting up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"Now, that's just rude, Munkus," Cori retorted. Munkus grinned at his friend, who just gave a pout.
"How do you feel, Munk?" Jenny asked him. Munkustrap smiled at her, his green eyes light.
"I…I feel really good, Jenny," Munkustrap answered. "Still a bit tired, but I feel rested." Jenny beamed.
"Good to hear, sweet-heart!" She said cheerfully. Her smile faltered though as Munkustrap stretched, twisting his body, revealing the beginning of blossoming bruises down his back.
"Munkus, what happened to your back?!" Jenny asked, shocked, as she pulled him over to her, examining the bruises.
"I just had a run in with a wall," Munkustrap answered lightly. Jenny frowned at his answer but let it slide, seeing the glances the twins gave each other. Munkustrap finished stretching out his limbs, giving a large yawn.
"I might go find Quaxo," He smiled, nuzzling Jenny and the twins, before he left the den. Jenny waited til he left before she rounded on the twins, looking at them sternly. They shrunk back a bit at the intensity of her stare.
"Okay, my dears, what do you know about Munkustrap and his 'run in with the wall?" She asked them. Tantomile and Cori looked at each other, gulping.
Munkustrap grinned as he snuck up on the kittens, who were standing about trying to decide who was going to be it for tag.
"Gotcha!" Munkustrap laughed as he grabbed Quaxo around the middle, hoisting him up in the air. He winced slightly as Quaxo sparked as he gave a squeal of surprise, but wasn't hurt.
"Munkus!" Quaxo laughed as he realised who had grabbed him, his fur returning to its normal colour as he calmed his magic down. The kittens grinned as they all lunged at Munkustrap, attaching to his sides and legs.
"Ahh no!" He cried dramatically as the kittens pulled him to the ground, leaping onto him.
Deuteronomy, Skimble, Jelly and Asparagus laughed from where they were sitting, watching Munkustrap being attacked by the kittens.
"Incoming!" Munkustrap's eyes widened as he watched a grinning Alonzo, Jerrie and Tugger run towards them.
"No, no, no!" Munkustrap laughed as he tried to scramble away, but to no avail. The three leapt into the fray, tackling Munkustrap. The kittens squealed with laughter as they tussled with the older Toms.
Deuteronomy laughed as he watched the Toms tussle with the kittens, being careful with them though.
It was good to see Munkustrap smiling and laughing once more.
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Woo, an update!
Been busy busy busy, so hopefully haven't made you wait too long!
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Love,
HGP