Title: The Protector (12/14)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Character death
Summary: When some Jellicles are cat-napped, Munkustrap has to descend back into Monnik territory, back into his old life, and must confront his biggest fear - the truth escaping.

Roleplays:

If you're not into RPing, feel free to skip this part.

Ourjellicle (o u r j e l l i c l e s . p r o b o a r d s 5 1 . c o m ). is a normal Cats RP set after the Jellicle Ball. Currently, Macavity has taken over the junkyard, but the Jellicles escaped safely. They're enlisting the help of a crew of pirates, though, to reclaim their yard… but that decision may cause more pain than pleasure.

One of These Nights (w w w . s 8 . c r e a t e p h p b b . c o m / o n e o f t h e s e n I g h t / I n d e x . p h p ? m f o r u m (equal sign) o n e o f t h e s e n I g h t) is an AU RP where the Jellicles are human members of a band (named Jellicle). Tugger (taken) is the lead singer, with Bombalurina (taken), Alonzo, and Plato (taken) as other members, and the rest of the Jellicles helping out as friends, stage hands, special effects, etc. Munkustrap (taken by me) is the manager of the band, and his father, Deuteronomy, is a huge music mogul. Macavity (taken) leads the rival band, the Depraved. Most of the characters are still available, though. If you're interested, come on by!

The Protector

"Kitty-cat?"

Munkustrap jumped at the gruff voice, his fur puffing out. "Polli- oh… hello, Milton."

"Two kitty-cat!" Milton was the local police dog, a friendly German Shepherd. He and Simbol were good friends, and Simbol had introduced Munkustrap to him a few months ago. Milton was pretty intelligent, for a Pollicle, and usually could make full sentences. "Kitty-cat Munk-cat! Simbol-cat!"

"Yeah, good to see you too," Munkustrap said, turning back to Simbol. The older cat was still breathing, still purring… and still not moving.

Milton put his big nose down next to Simbol, snuffling loudly. "What wrong with Simbol-cat?"

"Simbol's been hurt," Munkustrap said. "Badly. He…" An idea came to him, and he turned to Milton. "Milton! Can you do us a huge favor? Please?"

"Milton police dog! Milton here to serve!"

"I'll take that as a yes," Munkustrap said. He pointed to Simbol. "Simbol can't walk. He's really badly hurt. Can you carry him back to the junkyard? Carefully?"

"Milton can! Milton here to serve!" Despite his loud, barking voice and not too bright mind, Milton was a good friend to have. The large Pollicle bent down and picked up Simbol, holding him gently in his paws. Simbol gave a hiss of pain as he was picked up, but he made no other sound. "Lead on, little kitty-cat!"

Munkustrap ran ahead of Milton, guiding the dog back to the junkyard. Milton was one of very few Pollicles allowed in the yard, and even then, he was always watched. Though he was gentle, even Simbol looked tiny in his paws. All it would take is one accidentally-too-hard swipe to a playful kitten for serious damage to be done.

Still, if Milton was carrying Simbol, then Simbol would be brought to the yard, and then Jenny and Jelly would fix him! Please, please, please be able to heal him, Munkustrap thought desperately as he ran.

Approaching the junkyard, Milton whined and Munkustrap set his ears back. There was a ululating wail rising from the rubbish. It lasted for a few moments, before fading away. "What that?" Milton asked Munkustrap. "Sounded painful."

"Grief," Munkustrap said quietly. "It means a Jellicle has died."

The wail was a way for the Jellicles to share their pain, and could last as long or as short as needed. Whenever one cat felt strong grief over the death of a Jellicle, they began the wail. All other Jellicles would raise their voices to match it, showing the grieving cat that he was not alone. These wails often happened for at least a full day after the death, but they could carry on longer. Deuteronomy once said that the wails over Exodus' death (Exodus being the old Jellicle Leader before him, his father) lasted for a fortnight.

This wail had been for Cattivo, Munkustrap knew. That meant that Alonzo and Admetus had returned to the yard. Hopefully, hopefully, the wails would continue for Cattivo only, and not for Simbol as well. "Come on, Milton," he said. "We need to get Simbol to the healers."

"Lead on, little kitty-cat!"

Jellicles leapt aside as Munkustrap ran through the yard, followed by Milton with Simbol. They blinked at the Pollicle. When they got near the dresser, though, Admetus came running out. "Munkustrap! Munkustrap, you're back!" He pulled Munkustrap into a hug before turning to Milton. "You found him!" He approached Milton hesitantly, reaching up. "May I have my father, sir?"

"Give Simbol-cat to this-cat?" Milton asked, looking questioningly at Munkustrap.

Munkustrap nodded, reaching up as well. "Yes, Milton, give him to us now. Thank you."

Milton passed Simbol over and took a step back, barking happily, his tail waving back and forth. "Milton here to serve!"

"Thank you," Munkustrap said again. "You can go now."

Milton nodded and trotted off, his head held high.

"Dad…" Admetus whispered, cradling Simbol against him as best he could. Munkustrap was supporting Simbol's legs, as he was too big for just Admetus to hold. "Oh, Dad…"

"Let's get him inside," Munkustrap said quietly. "He needs a healer." Admetus nodded, and between the two of them, they brought Simbol inside the dresser.

"Simbol!" Jenny came running over, dropping to her knees beside her mate. "No… Simbol!" She bowed her head over him, beginning to sob as she cradled his head in her lap.

"Jenny…" Simbol whispered, raising a paw to touch her cheek.

Jellylorum knelt beside Jenny, resting her paw on Jenny's shoulder. "He's not dead yet, Jenny. Maybe we can do something!"

"Dad?" On the other side of the dresser, Plato and Alonzo were curled up with each other, their faces wet with tears. "Is that Dad? Is he all right?"

"Daddy!" Tumble came shooting out of a corner and crashed into his father, clinging tightly. "Daddy Daddy Daddy! Catti's asleepying and not wakey-wakeying! And everyone's cryin'! Daddy! Daddy!"

Simbol had visibly cringed when Tumble ran into him, but he reached up slowly, wrapping his arms around the kitten and holding him close. "Shh, Tumble," he murmured. "Calm down... I'm here… now…"

With a sniffle, Tumble curled against Simbol's chest. "Daddy, you're bloody," he said.

"I know," Simbol whispered. "Shh."

The dresser was getting crowded, and Munkustrap felt out of place. He backed out, taking a few steps away and sitting down. From here, he could see inside, could see Simbol, surrounded by his family. Jelly was fussing over him, but Jenny was just curled up next to him, crying and nuzzling his cheek. Tumble was cuddled against his chest. On his other side, Admetus supported Simbol's side. Gus, who was awake now, crawled over to take Simbol's paw, and Munkustrap was reminded of how they were father and son. Alonzo and Plato leaned on each other as they approached, curling up around Simbol's legs. Yes, Simbol's whole family was with him. Surely, he'd heal now.

"Did you bring him back?"

Munkustrap looked up to see Old Deuteronomy standing over him, looking curiously into the dresser. He nodded. "Yes… Simbol's in there now. Jelly's treating him."

"Good," Deuteronomy said, resting his paw on Munkustrap's shoulder. "You did good, Munkustrap."

"Thank you, sir," Munkustrap said, closing his eyes.

Deuteronomy patted Munkustrap's shoulder before moving past him, stepping inside the dresser.

Munkustrap had no idea how long he sat there, staring into the dresser. Deuteronomy blocked his view, but still he sat, watching and waiting. When Simbol was stable, surely someone would come out and say something. Surely someone would tell him. Surely someone would…

Jenny raised her voice in a wail that reverberated around the yard, one full of fresh pain and grief and loss. Alonzo, Plato, Admetus, and Jelly all joined her soon after, as well as Deuteronomy, who's deep, mournful howl was unmistakable, and Gus.

Munkustrap's eyes widened and he began shaking his head, taking a step back, and then another, then another. All around him, cats were picking up the wail, spreading the sadness. Deuteronomy turned and looked at him, slowly shaking his head.

Simbol was dead.

As a note: In the last chapter, Simbol was purring. This is something cats do when they are in pain and/or near death. Munkustrap, while knowing that, was also hoping that Simbol wasn't purring for those reasons.