Okk, here's a slightly meh chapter. I swear, I have something BIG planned for the next one! Just bear with the lack of epicnicity in this chappy. I'll probably change it later anyways so it's more interesting -_- ****SPOILER ALERT*** Tugger says 'shit', what a potty mouth!

Tugger sounds too... intelligent?... in this chapter :/ But I guess he's kinda had to grow up a bit.

Review response time!

Iamtwilight: Well, I'm glad that you are so optimistic :) The light is there, just not yet. I hope you keep your faith and optimism when sh*t hits the fan xD

Calanarie: Yes I did! Perceus was perfect for the job... now I must kill him :| JOKING, God, take a joke! I also thought that kicking and screaming would be more interesting.

SolemnDreamer: Strawberry-rhubarb please!

FantabulousMe: x3 Thank you! Flamers suck, but having their flames be true is even worse; just making sure. Yeah, Poor Busty :( I actually really like him which is why I gave him such a part but I wasn't too happy when I realized people would only see him as an A-hole. Yes, Misto doesn't deserve to go through all this, but that's the beauty of fanfiction, it doesn't actually happen! So Misto's safe :)


Quaxo woke up to the sound of Munkustrap and Jenny mumbling quietly as she finished checking him over and started the unfavourable task changing his bandages. "It's been days, Jenny. Are you sure this is normal?" he heard Munkustrap's worried voice right behind him.

"He's grieving, Munkustrap. If sleeping helps him cope who are we to take that from him?" she replied softly as she peeled back the larger bandage around his chest. He winced as the bandage clung to the blood-sticky skin on his chest. He was a bit confused over why Munkustrap was so worried; he was just tired. It's not like he hasn't been eating or cries at every hour of the night, he just wanted some rest and alone time.

"Ow, Jenny," he whimpered when the pulling and tearing continued.

"Speaking of the devil," Jenny laughed as his eyes fluttered open. Munkustrap tossed her a relieved look before softly nuzzling Quaxo's shoulder who, to his surprise, gently nuzzled back.

"How are you feeling, son?" he asked patiently.

"I guess I feel better, though my chest is a bit sensitive," he yawned cautiously; not wanting to disturb Jenny's work. That wasn't exactly the answer the tabby was looking for but he'll take what he can get.

"I'm sure it'll heal up in no time," he assured and the room went silent once again. When Jenny's was finished she got up and gave the two toms some room, she knew that Munkustrap would have to tell Quaxo about the arrangement with Bustopher Jones sooner or later; and knowing this cat, it would be sooner. Quaxo watched as they exchanged one last worried glance before they were finally alone.

"Quaxo, there's something I need to talk to you about. Do you think you're up for it?"

"Uh, I guess," Quaxo hesitated.

"You sure? If you want I could always talk to you about it later-"

"What is it?" Quaxo asked, he wasn't liking where this was going. Was he going to be banished?

"When you were brought here after the incident with your uncle, he and I discussed your arrangements." he paused to take a deep, long breath; he didn't like saying this just about as much as Quaxo wouldn't like hearing it. "When the weather cools down, you're going to go live with him for the cold months."

"What? Y-your sending me away? This is my home," he squeaked. "Am I too much of a bother? I'll get better, I swear I will!" Fresh tears started to sting the backs of his eyes, they didn't want him anymore.

"No, Quaxo, nothing like that. Don't rush yourself into recovery. It's just that winter in the junkyard is harsh, you of all cats would know, and we don't want you freezing to death if your fur doesn't grow back fast enough. The snow is coming sooner than we expect, I just don't want to risk losing you." Quaxo's mind was reeling. I cant believe they're sending me away... the solemn silence from the kit unnerved the tabby, he just wish he could know what was going through his thoughts, find out how bad he was actually taking the news.

"I want you to understand, Quaxo, that this is for you. I-I couldnt forgive myself if I let something else happened to you." Quaxo wiped away the fresh tears pooling in his eyes and nodded.

"I understand. Just...Just, I dont want to be alone. I don't want you to leave me-" Munkustrap pulled Quaxo into a hug, regretting it the moment he felt Quaxo tensed in his arms.

"Dont worry. I will never ever leave you." He sniffled back the tears as he held the tux's shaking form, he could feel the dampness on his shoulder from his silent tears. Quaxo snuggled closer; burying himself in the hollow of the tabby's neck. The contact was still uncomfortable but Munkustrap was safe; he was, afterall, his father. No one else. No matter what blood said.

"I love you, dad," he whispered into the soft, fluffy fur on his neck. It wasn't too often they referred to each other as father and son, but to Quaxo it felt normal, Munkustrap did raise him as he would his own son. Quaxo knew that it made Munkustrap happy too.

Munkustrap smiled widely as he hugged the tux closer. "I love you too, son." They sat for a while in each other's arms, Quaxo sighed; his life was collapsing around him so quickly that he wondered if he would ever be able to save any of it, maybe he should just stop fighting it. Nothing he did was going to save him from the pain and disappointment that was in store for him.

The two sat in silence until Quaxo had fallen asleep in the safety of the tabby's arms. Munkustrap laid the sleeping form on his plush nest, curling up protectively beside him. His eyes grew heavy and soon he found himself slipping into a light, undisturbed sleep.

Oo oO
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A light knocking sound came from the front of the den before the Rum Tum Tugger's head peeked in, the corners of his mouth twitched uncertainly. He retreated when he realized the toms were sleeping; closing the door softly behind him. He turned and headed for one of the trails that lead from the clearing, maybe a little walk would help relieve some stress.

As he exited the junkyard's social center; he saw Victoria and Plato talking quietly on a stack of milk crates. A small twist of anger formed in his stomach at the white queen, she hadn't visited her brother since Bustopher's visit and he doubted that she was planning on seeing him anytime soon the way she was carrying on.

He walked slowly as the faded path unrolled in front of him. The cold, late November air danced in his mane and lightly brushed his skin; Quaxo would be leaving for Bustopher Jones's home soon. He would have to make sure to visit him often.

Preoccupied, Tugger didn't notice the smaller queen standing a few feet in front of him until he bumped into her.

"Oh, Demeter. Sorry," he smiled dismissively. The golden queen looked startled but also somewhat ashamed.

"Oh, it's fine, Tugger," she turned her head away from the curious cat, his interest was immediately piqued by her usual behaviour.

"Penny for your thoughts?" He inquired, he didn't really care about her problems or concerns; he just needed something to kill time and help take his mind off things. Though he wouldn't mind knowing what had the usually dreadful queen in such a state.

"You couldn't afford it," she laughed after a second. She started to moved forward along the path and Tugger easily fell into step with her.

"Take IOUs?" he joked wryly, she just smiled before turning her head to the front. They walked for a few moments without speaking.

"Ever wonder why bad things happen to good cats?" she asked.

Tugger nodded slightly. "Sure I do, but I guess bad things happen to everyone whether they deserve it or not. Accidents happen to the best of us," he shrugged.

"What if those accidents weren't meant for them, what if they just happen to cross paths with someone else's problems?" she continued. Tugger gave her a slight side glance, what was she getting at?

"Well, it's unfortunate but I guess we can't dwell on every cat whose gotten in the way of our own sufferings; we'd all go mad," he reasoned. They stopped walking and solemnly stared at the patch of earth in front of them, darkened with blood. The junkyard was suddenly too silent to them, it listened to the slow, synchronized breathing of the two witnesses, neither of them sure what to do.

"Macavity wasn't Quaxo's accident," she stated bluntly. The maine coon's stomach turned in its already twisted state, he looked to the golden queen for further explanation. "He was coming for me, Quaxo got in the way."

He stared at her uncertainly. He honestly had no response to her confession, he was shocked.

"This was all my fault!" she croaked miserably. "I saw him, I told him to run... and I left him." She turned to Tugger for some sign of approval, someone to say it wasn't her fault; that she did all she could do. "If I had any idea..." she trailed off.

"Why didn't you go for help?" he asked flatly. She didn't need his sympathy; she came out of this unscathed. Quaxo suffered for her, he lost her battle, surely he deserved all the glory and sympathy from all this.

"I don't know. I just hid, I couldn't think," she shook herself from the mental images. He was right there, she could have dragged him with her and they could have both escaped. "How is he, by the way?"

"He's, uh, he's not doing so great, I guess. I don't really know, though." No one in the Jellicle tribe has ever had to face a situation like this, so it was hard to tell whether anything Quaxo did or any reaction he had was 'normal'.

She nodded, understanding the sub-text in his response. "Could I visit him?"

Tugger shrugged indifferently. "I don't see no reason why not. Though you might want to talk to Munkustrap or Jenny and maybe explain what happened in case Quaxo freaks out or something," he suggested as a precaution.

"Ok. Thank you, Tugger." She turned from the accusing patch of earth in front of them. "I'll see you around,"

Oo oO
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Oo oO

The evening sun was setting and the temperature was dropping with it. Winter was coming all too quickly this year. Victoria walked past the door to Jennyanydots's den, hearing soft crying floating lightly from the window. She sighed as she guiltily tugged at the fur on her arm, she felt horribly bad for her brother. Her ears perked up at the deep sound of someone clearing their throat; her head snapped up to see Tugger eying her curiously and with some expectation.

"Tugger, what are you doing here?" she gasped slightly in shock.

"I should be asking you the same question," he responded icily. The snowy queen lowered her head before nodding quizzically to the blue bundle in his arms. "It's his blanket, it's going to be cold tonight; and I thought a little something from home couldn't hurt him either."

"That's nice," she responded curtly. Tugger only nodded before he started past her, stopping just outside of listening range to any cats inside the den.

"It's not fair, what you're doing to him," he stated. Victoria only stared at him blankly, making him a bit unsure whether or not he should continue. "He waits for you to visit him, you know. He may not show it but aside from Munkus you're the closest thing he's got to his old life. Maybe you should help him cope instead of pushing him away because you're uncomfortable."

"He's not the same, he hardly feels like my brother anymore," she whispered regretfully.

"Well no shit," Tugger scoffed. "You can't just come back from something like that, it takes time."

"I'm well aware of that, Tugger! It's just- I can't look at him the same way anymore! This- this isn't natural! Do you think I want to push him away? I would give anything to have the old Quaxo back; but I can't!" she almost screamed. Tugger's face remained indifferent to her outburst. The cold wind began to pick up as the last shadows of day began to fade behind the horizon. She should be getting inside soon; rules have become strict.

"It's called sacrifice, Victoria. I'm sure if I can do it, you can too," he muttered venomously before turning to the door to the den. He stepped aside when Demeter exited the den, her face puffy but a significantly relaxed mood lightened her steps as she quickly strode to her den across the clearing.

Tugger pulled the door open with his foot as he waltzed into the candlelit den, throwing the fluffy duvet on the unexpectant tux. Quaxo chuckled when he was almost taken out by the thick cover, but quickly regained his posture and wrapped the light blue blanket around him securely; looking more like a young child then an almost-tom.

Munkustrap nodded a gracious 'thank you' to the mained coon, quickly followed by the tom's muffled 'thanks, Tug'.

"No prob, tux. By the way, don't make plans for tomorrow," he instructed. "I'm taking you outside. Quaxo shall be a hermit no more!" he exclaimed as he left the den before Jenny was given the opportunity to kick him out. Quaxo looked nervously to Munkustrap who shrugged; just as confused as he was unsure.


So there it is! I decided that you guys have been really good to me so this turned into a really long chapter! It's a treat I guess. Please RXR! And I'll put something big in the next chapter! Eeeeeek! Can't wait!