Munkustrap sat on the floor of Plato's den, running his paw down the sleeping Tumblebrutus's back. Tumble had refused to leave his side. Munkustrap sighed, looking at a raggedy blanket.
He looked up when Deuteronomy walked in.
"Munkustrap,"
"Shh, he's sleeping," Munkustrap looked down at Tumble pointedly before looking at Deuteronomy. He gave a smirk at Deuteronomy's annoyed face. Munkustrap just went on to scratch Tumble's ears.
"When did you and Macavity become mates?" Deuteronomy asked, his voice cold.
"Two weeks ago," Munkustrap said, his voice even.
"It is not…it is not a proper mating,"
"We had the ceremony, Deuteronomy, whether you like it or not…it is official,"
"NO!" Tumblebrutus startled awake, gripping onto Munkustrap tightly. Munkustrap wrapped his arms around the frightened kitten, hugging him tightly.
"It is, Deuteronomy, and you can't change it," Munkustrap smirked. Deuteronomy scowled at Munkustrap before sweeping from the den.
"M-Munk, what was that about?"
"Never mind, Tumble," Munkustrap soothed softly, rubbing Tumble's ears.
"Munku, c'mon," Tumble looked at him. "I've always been on your side,"
"I know, kitten," Munkustrap sighed. Tumble nuzzled Munkustrap's shoulder.
"Deuteronomy is angry because Macavity and I are mates," Munkustrap said a few moments later.
"Really?"
"Yep," Munkustrap smiled.
"Cool," Tumble grinned. "I…I like you and Macavity together," Tumble admitted.
"You were so happy, Munkus," Munkustrap gave a small laugh.
"I was," Munkustrap sighed, his smile fading. Tumble rubbed Munkustrap's arm.
"Go back to sleep, kitten," Munkustrap murmured. Tumble nodded, curling up beside Munkustrap again. Munkustrap lay down and let Tumble put his head on his shoulders, curling closer.
Munkustrap let his eyes slide close.
"Ready for this, gorgeous?" Munkustrap let out the breath he was holding, turning around and looking at Macavity. Munkustrap nodded, giving a small smile. Macavity readjusted Munkustrap's new collar, smiling before kissing his cheek.
"Let's go, Munk," Macavity murmured, taking his paw. They walked to another room.
"Hello, Macavity," Macavity smiled at the dark brown Tom.
"Hello, Mason," Macavity gently pulled Munkustrap closer to the mysterious Tom.
"Munkustrap, this is Mason," Macavity said softly. "He's going to be…he's going to make this official," Munkustrap nodded, a little shyly. Mason smiled warmly at Munkustrap.
"Ready?" Mason asked. Munkustrap nodded and looked to Macavity. Macavity smiled reassuringly. Mason was murmuring under his breath, which sort of confused Munkustrap as he turned his back to Macavity. Macavity's paws touched his hips.
"This mating ceremony is different from the Jellicles," Macavity murmured in Munkustrap's ear.
"Ready, baby," Macavity whispered before he lifted Munkustrap up, mirroring some of the moves that's used in the Jellicle ball. Macavity stroked Munkustrap's leg before lowering him down. Gilbert perched himself up, smiling as Munkustrap was lowered onto him. Macavity ran his paws down Munkustrap's sides, smiling at the delicate shiver that ran up Munkustrap's body. Macavity pulled Munkustrap up, both of them kneeling, before Macavity got up and walked around, kneeling behind Munkustrap. Macavity pressed his chest against Munkustrap's back before lifting Munkustrap's arms.
"Pads up, Munkustrap," Mason said softly, stopping his chanting. Munkustrap turned his arms so the pads of his paws were facing up. Macavity placed the pads of his paws onto Munkustrap's. Mason came over, crouching beside them. Munkustrap was mystified, watching as Mason wrapped red ribbon around their right paws, tying them together before going on to do the same to the left paws.
"Different ceremony," Macavity whispered in Munkustrap's ear. "Remember?" Munkustrap nodded as Mason walked away, turning his back to them, but singing softly under his breath. Macavity kissed Munkustrap's neck, pulling Munkustrap against him.
Macavity murmured soft, loving words to him. Munkustrap smiled, gasping slightly.
Afterwards, Macavity wrapped his arms around Munkustrap. Munkustrap looked back at Macavity, his face flushed and pink. Macavity smiled, kissing Munkustrap.
"We're mates," Macavity whispered.
"Officially," Mason smiled as he walked over, untying the ribbons around theirs paws. Munkustrap wrapped his arm around Macavity's neck, hugging him tightly. Macavity smiled, kissing him.
"I love you, Maccy," Munkustrap whispered, running his paws up Macavity's face to rest behind his ears. Macavity smiled, not seeming to care that Munkustrap had just called him his pet name in front of Mason.
"I love you too, Munkus," Macavity smiled.
"And we'll be together always, right?" Munkustrap asked, tilting his head.
"Always now…no one can keep us apart," Macavity told him, adjusting Munkustrap's collar.
Munkustrap opened his eyes, his paws going up to his collar, which he was amazed he still had. Tumble yawned, snuggling closer. Munkustrap smiled at the kitten. Munkustrap looked up, his smile fading when Deuteronomy walked back in. Munkustrap rose to his feet, Tumble yawning as he stirred.
"What do you want now?" Munkustrap hissed, his bristles rising briefly.
"Take off that collar," Deuteronomy said briefly. Munkustrap's paws flew to his collar, the one Macavity gave him.
"No, it's mine!" Munkustrap hissed.
"Now, Munkustrap,"
"Never!"
Deuteronomy strode across the room towards Munkustrap. Tumble scrambled back out of the way. Munkustrap leapt back as Deuteronomy came towards him. Munkustrap smacked Deuteronomy's paws away as Deuteronomy tried to grab the collar.
"Don't you dare!" Munkustrap yelled. "It's my collar!" Deuteronomy managed to grip Munkustrap's thin wrists with one of his large paws. Munkustrap struggled, crying out as he tried to break free.
"Let me go!" Munkustrap cried out. Tumble darted from the den, going to seek help. Deuteronomy grabbed the collar, unbuckling it before tearing it away from Munkustrap's neck.
Munkustrap let out a wail as the collar was pulled away from him.
Deuteronomy let go of Munkustrap's paws. Munkustrap lunged, trying to get his collar. Deuteronomy just pushed him back. Munkustrap fell to the floor and Deuteronomy left the den.
"No!" Munkustrap croaked, feeling his bare neck. "No, no, no!" Munkustrap broke down as his last connection with Macavity was taken away.
"Whoa, Tumbles, slow down!" Jerrie said, stopping the kitten.
"What's wrong?" Teazer asked him, seeing the scared look on his face.
"D-Deuteronomy went into Plato's den, he demanded Munkustrap give him his collar," Tumble stammered.
"They were arguing, Munkustrap was trying to fight Deuteronomy off," Tumble watched as Teazer's face went dark.
"Looks like Deuteronomy won," She hissed. Tumble and Jerrie turned, watching as Deuteronomy walked across the yard, a collar dangling from his paw.
"We've gotta get it back," Jerrie muttered.
"For Munk," Teazer said, nodding.
"For Munkus," Tumble echoed. Teazer gently took his paw, giving it a small squeeze.
"C'mon, kit, we can use ya help," Teazer said lightly, pulling the kitten along.
"I-I just gotta tell my mum about Munkus,"
"Sure, then meet us at our den," Jerrie said before he and his sister ran off. Tumble ran to his den.
"Mum!" Tumble gasped. Jenny turned around, frowning when she saw the state her son was in.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" Tumble quickly explained what had just happened with Deuteronomy and Munkus, but he didn't tell her about his meeting with Mungo and Teazer. Jenny nodded and quickly left the den.
She walked towards Plato's den, already she could hear the sobbing. She walked into the door, looking at Munkustrap, who was huddled on the floor, paws pressed against his eyes.
Munkustrap sobbed, he didn't care who heard him. He couldn't believe Deuteronomy had taken his collar. He needed someone now…he wanted Macavity, but he wanted his mum as well. He now saw how his dad had turned he and Tugger against her, when all the time she had loved him…Munkustrap didn't blame his mother for leaving, but he hated himself for the way he had treated her at the ball…but at least all was forgiven in the end right? When Deuteronomy showed his 'merciful' side.
"Oh, Mum…I'm so sorry," Munkustrap whispered, tears falling from his eyes. He gave a rough sob.
"Oh, Mum, I need you so much, I miss you…I need you now more than ever!" Soft arms wrapped around Munkustrap.
"I'm sorry, dear, she…she can't," Munkustrap nodded at Jenny's voice. She gently rubbed his back as she held him close, murmuring softly to him. Munkustrap sobbed, clutching onto her tightly, his face buried in her shoulder.
"W-W-Why can't h-h-he just let me be happy?" Munkustrap bawled.
"I don't know, sweetie," Jenny whispered sadly. Munkustrap sniffled.
"D-Did Tumble get you?"
"Yes, darling, he was very worried about you," Jenny said softly, pulling Munkustrap down so his head rested in her lap. He lay curled next to her, his head resting on her leg. She gently stroked his ears. Munkustrap's body was still heaving slightly from sobs but Jenny just murmured and cooed to him, rubbing his ears. Soon, he was asleep, his paw clenched tightly.
"Oh, my poor darling boy," Jenny whispered, continuing to rub his ears.
"He's in Plato's den, Mac," Macavity lifted his head and nodded.
"Good job, Gilbert," Macavity said, standing up.
"Bring him home, Mac," Gilbert smiled sadly. Macavity nodded. Griddlebone ran up and hugged him tightly. Macavity hugged her back.
"Bring him back, we all miss him…and make some of those Jellicles pay for tearing you apart," Griddlebone whispered.
"And, Mac, if you're not back in two hours, I'm coming after you," Macavity smiled, letting go of Griddlebone.
"I know, creeper," He winked and walked out of the lair.
"I…I suddenly have a really bad feeling," Griddlebone murmured. Gilbert walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"It'll be alright, Grids,"
"I'm not so sure, Gil,"
"Griddle,"
"Gil, I'm serious,"
"I know, darl," Gilbert kissed her cheek. "But…but we have to believe they'll come back together,"
Tumble snuck into Deuteronomy's den while Teazer and Jerrie created a distraction. He looked around the den, looking around for the black velvet collar with the red and silver diamond studs. His eyes caught it.
"Bingo," He whispered, quickly running over and grabbing it.
"What do you think you are doing, Tumblebrutus?" Tumble froze. He slowly turned around and looked at Deuteronomy, his paw and the collar hidden behind his back.
"Um," Tumble gulped.
"Come on," Deuteronomy sighed, shaking his head. Tumble followed Deuteronomy from the den, still gripping on tightly to the collar. They walked across the clearing. Jerrie ran behind them, grabbing the collar from Tumble, making sure Deuteronomy didn't notice. Deuteronomy walked into Jenny's den, talking to Skimbleshanks while Tumble waited outside.
"Oh, of course, sir, I'll make sure he's punished accordingly for sneaking into your den," Skimble said as they left the den together. Tumble's eyes widened and Deuteronomy nodded, walking off.
"What were ya thinkin', lad?"
"We got Munkus's collar back for him," Tumble said quietly. Skimble beamed.
"C'mon, Tumbles."
"I'm not in trouble?"
"Pfft, as if," Skimble snorted. "I'm too proud of you," Tumble beamed as he and his dad walked into the den.
Munkustrap was sitting with Jenny when Jerrie and Teazer ran in, giving Munkustrap his collar before darting out again. Munkustrap stared at his collar in shock. Jenny took it from his lap and placed it back around his neck, straightening it.
"There, perfect," She smiled. Munkustrap smiled at Jenny.
There was a loud bang and a howl of pain.
Munkustrap and Jenny leapt up, running to the den exit.
"NO!" Munkustrap screamed, trying to run out. Alonzo quickly grabbed him, hugging him tightly. Munkustrap started sobbing.
For there, on the ground, barely breathing…was an unconscious Macavity.
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A couple of more chapters to go?
Aww, no! Poor Mac and Munkus!
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Luv HGP!
