Macavity groaned as he came to.

"Hey, Mac," Macavity lifted his head sluggishly. Griddlebone was looking at him, her white fur bloodied and ragged.

"Munkus," Macavity croaked, his voice hoarse.

"They took him back, boss," Gilbert said weakly, as he tended to a wound on his own side. Macavity sat up, not paying attention to the throbbing in his head.

"I-I have to get him back," Macavity muttered, rising to his feet. Griddlebone caught him as he fell back down.

"Rest a while, Mac…you need to rest," Griddlebone told him softly. "You're no use to Munkus when you can barely stand," Macavity jerked out of Griddlebone's arms, pressing the pads of his paws tightly against his eyes as he growled to himself.

He didn't want to leave Munkustrap there for any longer than he needed to be.

Munkustrap stalked around his den, agitated.

"Munkustrap," Munkustrap turned around, looking at Mytos.

"Mytos," Munkustrap mumbled. "Why'd you agree to help kidnap me?"

"Your father told me that Macavity kidnapped and bewitched you," Mytos said. Munkustrap stared at Mytos.

"Mytos, please, look at me," Munkustrap said. Mytos stared straight into Munkustrap's baby-blue eyes.

"I wasn't bewitched by Macavity, Mytos," Munkustrap said, trying to keep his voice even.

"I love Macavity, Mytos," Munkustrap whispered, tears filling his eyes. "I left with him because I wanted to…I stayed with him because I loved him, I accepted to be his mate," Mytos's eyes widened.

"But…Coricopat!"

"D…Deuteronomy told him to say those things or he'd do something to Cori's sister and her partner," Munkustrap said. He refused to call Deuteronomy his dad anymore…he wasn't his dad, not anymore. Munkustrap looked at Mytos.

"Mytos," Munkustrap turned his back as Deuteronomy walked in. Mytos looked at Deuteronomy, his eyes blazing.

"Is it true?" Mytos asked, angry.

"Is what true?"

"Did you threaten Coricopat's sister in order to get him to lie?" Munkustrap looked over his shoulder. Deuteronomy was staring at him.

"Munkustrap, what have you been telling him?" Deuteronomy asked, his tone as one scolding a kitten. Munkustrap turned and looked at him, his tail flicking angrily.

"The truth!" Munkustrap spat. Deuteronomy shook his head, sighing heavily.

"Munkustrap, my boy, what spell has he put you under?" Munkustrap yelled out in frustration, stalking angrily around the back part of the den.

"You never acted like this before…he's obviously done something to you," Mytos looked at Munkustrap, who was baring his teeth and snarling at Deuteronomy. He frowned. It was true. Munkustrap had never acted like this before.

Maybe Macavity did put him under some sort of curse.

"Sir, I refuse to do this!" Deuteronomy sighed at the high pitched cry. He and Mytos left the den, to find Misto waiting outside; Plato was standing behind him, glaring at the small Tux.

"I…I refuse!"

"You have no choice, Mistoffelees…you will do this,"

"NO!" Misto yelled at Deuteronomy. The Jellicles jumped. They had never heard Mistoffelees yell before.

"Mistoffelees," Deuteronomy sighed. "This is your duty as one of the Toms of the yard, to protect," Misto shook his head, looking at Tugger. Tugger was staring at the ground.

"Mistoffelees, put the charms on the den, now, or I will have no choice but to banish you," Misto closed his eyes, his shoulders slumping.

"J-Just do it, Misto," Tugger whispered. Misto stared at Tugger and nodded. Misto stepped up, tears beginning to fall from his eyes. Misto lifted his paws and began muttering under his breath, muttering the charms that would repel and hurt Macavity if he tried to teleport or enter the den in anyway. Tears fell in an unchecked stream down Misto's cheeks as he continued placing the charms on the den. Tugger stared sadly at the small conjurer, whose back was heaving, tears sliding down his cheeks as the foreign words were chanted. Misto stopped chanting, falling to his knees. Tugger quickly walked over to the small Tom, falling to his knees beside him. Misto turned and buried his face into Tugger's chest, sobbing.

"I'm sorry, Tugger, I'm so sorry,"

"I know, Tux," Tugger murmured. "But what else could you do?" Misto just sobbed against Tugger's mane. Tugger looked up at his dad, as the crowd dispersed. Tugger tightened his hold on the sobbing Mistoffelees.

"What are you doing to us all?" Tugger asked angrily. "You've broken Munkustrap's heart, you've forced him away…you've destroyed Coricopat mentally…and now look what you've done to Misto!" Tugger hissed.

"You don't care about us anymore!" Tugger snapped, pulling the Tux into his arms before standing up and carrying the sobbing Misto away. Deuteronomy just blinked before walking to his den.

Macavity slowly opened his eyes, finding himself in his room…his and Munkustrap's room.

"You passed out again," Macavity's silver eyes found Griddlebone. She was staring at him sadly.

"I told you, Mac…you can't push yourself too much,"

"He's been there three days, Griddle!" Macavity growled. A paw rested on his side.

"I know, darl, I know," Griddlebone murmured. Macavity closed his eyes, clenching his fists.

"Here, sweetie," Griddlebone whispered. Macavity felt something soft against his arm. He listened to Griddlebone as she left before he opened his silver eyes. His eyes widened before softening as he saw the small chocolate coloured teddy bear resting beside him. Macavity grabbed the bear, stroking its cheek.

He remembered feeling his heart swell when he saw the bear on Munkustrap's nest.

Macavity pulled the bear against him, burying his nose into the top of its head, inhaling Munkustrap's scent…even though it was mingled with the scent of tears, Munkustrap's tears. Macavity sighed. He inhaled Munkustrap's scent once more before he dozed off, trying to sleep off that blasted head-ache so he could go save his mate.

Munkustrap sluggishly opened his eyes when he felt something warm pressing against his sides. He blearily raised his head, looking around. His heart literally melted when he saw Tumblebrutus and Pouncival curled up by his sides. Jemima was curled near his front paws, near his head.

"They thought you shouldn't be left alone," Munkustrap looked up, looking at Jenny. She was smiling at him sadly.

"They hated seeing you so sad, so they thought they'd come curl up with you…to cheer you up," Jenny smiled at the three kittens. "I'm proud of them…that they can see through everything that's happening and see you're still the wonderful Tom you always have been," Munkustrap smiled, wiping away a tear that managed to break free.

"Thanks, Jenny," Munkustrap smiled. She beamed, wiping away her tears.

"Jen?"

"Yes, dear?"

"What was happening out there last night?" Munkustrap asked hesitantly. Jenny paused, sighing sadly.

"Deuteronomy made Misto put charms on the den," Jenny watched sadly as Munkustrap's baby blue eyes widened and his silver face paled.

"M-Macavity won't be able to enter this den at all,"

"No," Munkustrap choked. "No," A rough sob escaped his control, the wracking of his body stirring the kittens away.

"Munkus?" Tumble asked, his brown eyes wide.

"Munk, no, don't cry!" Jemima whimpered, scampering closer and wrapping her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Pouncival and Tumblebrutus hugged whatever part of Munkustrap they could. They were basically draped over his shoulders, hugging him tightly. Munkustrap was letting out soft sobs, though he was trying to regain control of his crying. Jemima nuzzled against his cheek.

"Munkus, don't cry, please!"

"S-S-Sorry, kitten," Munkustrap hiccupped. "I-I-I can't stop," Jemima nuzzled against him. Munkustrap gave a watery chuckle, wrapping his arm around her and hugging her tightly with one arm.

"What can we do to get you happy?" Pouncival asked, innocent as always. Munkustrap just gave a weak smile in his direction, before it faltered.

"I don't think you can do anything, Pounce," Munkustrap said quietly, pulling the young kitten into a hug with his free arm. Tumble wrapped his arms around the three of them, resting his head on Munkustrap's shoulder.

Jenny looked at the four sadly as they all hugged each other tightly.

She walked from the den, sighing sadly.

"Poor boy," She murmured to herself.

It wasn't fair…she loved Munkustrap to bits and to see him so unhappy, it made her sad. Sure, at first she thought he was being silly the way he was acting, but now she could truly see how much Munkustrap and Macavity loved each other…and she was a big softie when it came to true love.

"Dad," Deuteronomy turned around when Tugger called his name.

"Yes, Tugger?"

"W-Why don't you let Munkus go?" Tugger suggested weakly. "I know you want him to settle down with a Queen and have kits…but…I can do that, you don't need Munkus," Tugger had no idea why he was saying this, he just needed to help Munkustrap, he just wanted to make his older brother happy again.

"C'mon, Dad, if it's kittens you want…I can father a fair few," Tugger gave a sly grin but it faltered at Deuteronomy's cold look.

"No…Munkustrap is the oldest, he needs to have kittens,"

"Dad…"

"He's the strong one, the wise one…my eldest," Tugger eyes widened.

"Wait…you're saying I mean nothing to you, that you don't care if I give kittens or not?"

"No…Munkustrap is the eldest, next in line…he needs to have kittens," Deuteronomy snapped.

Tugger was shocked.

He turned bitter and angry, glaring at his dad.

"Cori was right," Tugger hissed. Deuteronomy looked at him.

"You are a psychopath," Tugger spat. "And I am never calling you father again, you are not my dad…he's long gone," Tugger turned on his heel and stalked off, his hackles raised angrily.

Deuteronomy shook his head.

"Stupid boy," He whispered. "Munkustrap is the important one, he's the one who has to carry this tribe once I'm done," Deuteronomy shook his head, disappointed, and walked off.

Tugger walked into his den, pacing around agitatedly. He lifted his head before stalking out once more.

"Cori!"

Cori gave a startled cry, waking up and falling off his cushion. He looked at Tugger, unsure, he didn't know what Tugger thought of him.

"Y-Yes?" Tugger frowned, walking into Cori's den.

"Why are you stammering?" Cori's ear twitched in confusion.

"I-I don't k-know," Cori murmured. Tugger crouched down beside Cori.

"Has Deuteronomy done that to you?" Tugger asked softly. Cori lowered his head.

"Cori, I'm so sorry,"

"I-I'm t-the one who should be s-sorry," Cori stuttered. He had no idea why he was stuttering…why was he so nervous and scared?

"Why?"

"I-I b-betrayed Munkus," Cori whispered, lowering his head.

"Only cause Deuteronomy made you," Tugger said softly. "He threatened your sister, Cori…no one blames you, I know Munkus doesn't," Cori nodded, still looking at the floor.

"You were right, Cori,"

"A-About what?"

"Deuteronomy is a psychopath," Tugger gave Cori a weak smile. Cori returned it and Tugger hugged the dark calico. Cori broke down in his arms, sobbing heavily.

Macavity placed aside the book, having finished reading it. He frowned, staring at it. The gold lettering of the title glinted back at him.

Romeo and Juliet

Macavity blinked, thinking over the book. In a few ways it did relate to him and Munkus, no one had really approved of their relationship, they kept it secret…and a father was trying to keep them apart.

He only hoped it ended differently for them.

"Please, Munkus, don't try anything stupid…I'm coming for you," Macavity whispered before rising to his feet…that blasted head-ache finally gone.

A week was far too long.

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

Sorry it's shortish but I'm tired!

Thanks to those who reviewed!

Please read and review!

Luv HGP!