((i feel i have to apologize for the lack of chapters. life got real busy real fast, and my attention went elsewhere, but updates should be more often c: again, i own none of this except merry.))

The following day, early in the morning, Mistoffelees woke up Merrytus. He nudged her, and gave her a rat, though she wasn't hungry. He didn't seem to mind for once. His mind was obviously on the task at hand…how was he going to enter the tribe without being threatening? But more importantly, how was he going to convince Munkustrap of the truth?

"I'm going back to the tribe today." He paused, and she went to speak, but he cut her off. "No, you can't come in with me. They wouldn't hurt a kitten, but…I still don't want you coming," he said, and sat down next to her. "You can come, but you must stay hidden."

They traveled to the tribe, Merrytus hiding behind the same refrigerator she had hidden before. Mistoffelees entered slowly, keeping his head down. Everyone stopped what they were doing when he entered, and that was when he raised his head, looking around.

"I need to speak with Munkustrap," he said to them, not the playful tom he had been before. He knew he didn't belong at the moment, but he was no threat, and he was sure his tribe knew that.

Victoria went forward, nobody stopping her. They exchanged a look of longing as she walked forward, putting her paw on him and nuzzling him gently. He saw the heartbreak in her eyes.

"I know it wasn't you," she whispered to him, and would have continued, had Munkustrap not entered.

He walked forward and Victoria sauntered off, her head down as Demeter nudged her, as if trying to raise her spirits. Munkustrap glared as he raised himself up in an automatic defense. "What is it, Mistoffelees?" he asked, darkly.

He looked around, and began towards Munkustrap's den, hoping they could talk in there. Munkustrap nodded and looked at Tugger, who followed protectively. When they settled in his den, Mistoffelees began.

"Last night, Merrytus overheard Macavity talking to Mungojerrie," he said breathlessly and somewhat desperately, hoping they would believe him, but knowing it would be quite a long shot.

The two brothers exchanged a look of disbelief. "Why should we believe you?" Munkustrap asked incredulously, shaking his head. "Choosing the only other cat in the tribe with a past with Macavity…I would have been a bit more creative if I were you, Mistoffelees."

"No!" Mistoffelees yelled, then sighed, looking down for a moment. "I didn't choose him, I saw…Merrytus heard him, his accent. She heard him talking to Macavity last night. They're going after you, Tugger."

Tugger glared and tugged on his mane with his nose in the air. "They would never get to me."

"They did last time," Mistoffelees reminded him, and looked down. "I don't want to believe it's Mungojerrie, either. But it is. Merrytus knows what she heard…she wouldn't lie to me." He stared at the two with a somewhat defeated face. They didn't believe him. They wouldn't believe him. After a moment, he rose. "At least keep an eye out, Tugger. They are targeting you next." As he walked out, he heard Munkustrap mumbling in Tugger's ear, and he only hoped it was even just a little bit of suspicion towards Mungojerrie.

--

Mistoffelees nudged Merrytus out from behind her fridge, smiling down at her as if everything would be alright in spite of what had just happened. "It…didn't go well. They didn't believe me," he said to her, and nodded for them to start walking, towards the other side of the junkyard. He needed to take them to a different location, in case Macavity knew she was there listening that night.

"But you told them it was Mungojerrie, didn't you?" He nodded. "Then you were telling the truth! Why didn't they believe you?" she asked. She was sure the other cats loved Mr. Mistoffelees…they trusted him, and what he said, because they liked him. They always had, as far as she could see. Surely they had considered what they were saying to be wrong?

Mistoffelees shrugged, looking down at his feet. "I know. I don't know why they didn't believe me. I think…I think the only reason they don't is because they need someone to blame right now, to make sense of it all," he explained as best as he could, trying to make it make sense to her. But it didn't even make sense to him.

She understood, but she didn't want to. It was silly to her…there was nothing but suspicion that said they were with Macavity. They continued to walk to a new spot, both of their heads hanging with disappointment.

--

Days had passed since he had seen the tribe, and as far as Mistoffelees knew, Macavity had yet to attack. His fur was becoming dirty and somewhat matted with all the other distractions around him. He'd accidentally run them into a pack of Pollicles the day before, barely escaping without a scratch. Mistoffelees decided that on this morning, he'd let Merrytus sleep in to whenever she wanted. He sat there, much less attentive than he had before; Mistoffelees was tired, both physically and emotionally. He missed Victoria more than he could even say. He missed Jenny, and Bustopher Jones…he missed his tribe.

Finally Merrytus rose, stretching, and making her way over to him to wish him a good morning, no doubt. Noting how exhausted he looked, she smiled up to him. "Do you want me to go hunting for us?" she asked, and he nodded, but wasn't foolish enough to expect food to come back with her.

Merrytus trotted off, after being told to stay near at least. She looked around, seeing neither a bird nor a rabbit to eat, and she became even more aware of her empty stomach when she did. She wandered a little farther, before she ran into (quite literally) a black, brown and orange calico cat. She stopped and looked up, seeing the familiar face of Mungojerrie.

She wasn't scared, and neither was he, but it was certainly awkward enough for them. "If Munkustrap knew you were in the junkyard, he may not be too happy," Mungojerrie said, though it was said without much care. As if he had other things on his mind.

"I could say the same about you," she mumbled to him, and she sat down, staring up at him. What could she honestly do now? She would have to let him go. Mistoffelees was too far away to meow—or was he? Merrytus let out a seemingly quiet meow as she sat there.

Mungojerrie grinned. "That's a pretty impressive trick, little queen, but I'm not exactly in the mood for tricks. Nor do I have time. Now, if you'll excuse me." But before he could be excused, he saw Mistoffelees sitting next to Merrytus, looking at him with as much hatred as he could possibly muster.

Mistoffelees pushed Merrytus back before he walked forward. He eyed Mungojerrie, shaking his head. "I don't understand why. What could Macavity offer that this tribe couldn't?" he asked, but didn't dare sit down. He wasn't sure what he would do with Mungojerrie now that he had him, but Mistoffelees never really did have a plan.

"A better life. Have you seen how Macavity lives? Well, I suppose you have…" Mungojerrie mumbled, looking to Mistoffelees almost apologetically. "He lives like a king. I wanted to get that for me, and me Rumpleteazer. She deserves better than petty crimes in a dirty junkyard," he said, and he looked down. "I always thought that."

"She deserves better than a betrayer," Mistoffelees said, glaring. "Sure, you'll be living just great. But what about your friends? And her friends?" he asked, but it was obvious he didn't care for an answer. "And what about Alonzo, hm? You were friends with him, too."

"I know!" Mungojerrie hissed, and he dropped the bag he was carrying. "Do you think I intended for him to be killed?"

"Macavity sure knew how to get right to the three brothers," Mistoffelees said, and he sighed. "It's not too late to go back, you know. I did."

"I'm not a stupid little kitten, Misto. You know very well it's too late for me to go against Macavity," he mumbled, and he picked up the bag, slinging it over his shoulder. He began to walk off.

Mistoffelees frowned. "Wait!" he called, and Mungojerrie stopped. "Will it be tonight?" he asked, gulping somewhat.

"You know I can't tell you that, Mistoffelees," he mumbled, and continued on.

Mistoffelees grimaced. He had a feeling it would be tonight…and he only had one option. He had to fight. Even though he was a terrible fighter, and even though he would probably fail, he had to at least try. He glanced down at Merrytus, and frowned.

"I expect you never caught anything?" he asked, and when she shook her head, he chuckled. "Right. Well. I should probably teach you how to hunt at some point," he mumbled, and he went off to find food, Merrytus following after him.