Chapter nine: Family Bonding and Love Blooming
"Asteria, is that you?" Munkustrap called down, as he noticed the black and grey blur streaking towards him.
She nodded and furiously swiped at the tears dripping down her face. Munkustrap felt pity for her and crawled down from his post to wrap comforting arms around his niece. "What happened?" he asked.
"I lost it," Asteria whimpered, "I just started yelling at him, then he began crying and then I started crying and now I'm here!" She buried her face into Munkustrap's shoulder.
"Listen Asteria," Munkustrap gently nudged her away from him to hold her at arms length, "I believe you are my niece and I will help you as much as I can, but you have to understand that I am the Jellicle protector and I still am on duty now."
"I'm really sorry," Asteria apologized, going pink again, "I really need to stop acting like a kitten."
"Your eleven months old, its understandable," Munkustrap smiled, "Now, I can show you to my den if you like. I'll have to come back here, but my mate will take care of you."
"That would be wonderful," Asteria smiled, the last of her tears beginning to dry on her cheeks.
Munkustrap lead her around the bend toward an area hollowed out of a heap or trash. He crawled inside and Asteria followed, surprised to find that it was very roomy and padded by discarded blankets and mattresses.
"Who's there?" a voice suddenly demanded from the darkness.
"It's Munkustrap, Demeter," Munkustrap answered, "I have brought a guest."
A beautiful black and gold queen with hints of red in her coat emerged from the corner of the den and gave Asteria a long look. Asteria couldn't help but notice that her eyes seemed to hold a permanent fear in them, as though she had been hurt long ago.
"You look familiar," Demeter mused, "but I can't think of how I know you"
"My name is Asteria," Asteria told her, "My mother is Lillypaw and my father is Tugger."
"Your father is-" Demeter couldn't finish. She looked at Munkustrap and said with an edge of malice, "Well, finally Tugger will have to learn responsibility."
"Yes, but for now, I've given Asteria permission to stay with us," Munkustrap explained.
A shadow of a smile graced Demeter's lips.
"Well Asteria, our home is your home," she smiled, "One moment, I'll find our daughter and she can show you around." She poked her head outside the den and called, "Jemima!"
The red, black and tan kitten Asteria had noticed earlier came trotting inside, rubbing her mother affectionately on the head.
"Hello mommy," Jemima grinned, "Hi daddy. What is it?"
"I want to introduce you to someone," Demeter tried to smile at her daughter, but only managed a sort of grimace, "This is your cousin Asteria. I want you to show her around today."
"But moooooooooomy," Jemima whined, "I was going to go see Tugger with Electra and Etcetera today!"
"You were with him all this morning Jem," Munkustrap said firmly, rescuing Asteria from some embarrassment, "Now I want you to be a good little queen and show Asteria around."
"Okay," Jemima turned to Asteria and gave her an angelic smile, "Well, where do you want to go?"
"You decide," Asteria forced a smile and followed Jemima out of the den, determined to let her new cousin show her the world she was meant to be in and let her mind wander from her father.
* * *
" . . . and that's Pouncival's rocking chair. No ones allowed on it except him and if you try it, he'll grab your tail and drag you off." Jemima had been talking solidly for a quarter of an hour as she led Asteria around. She seemed ecstatic to have a new friend. Asteria had been smiling and nodding politely, but deep down, she still felt guilty about what gone down with her father.
"And down that path is Skimbleshankses den," Jemima pointed around the bend, "And over there is-"
"Wait," Asteria stopped her, "Slow down. A cat named Skimbleshanks lives down there?"
"Yes," Jemima smiled, "He's a railway cat. No train can start without Skimble."
" Cool, listen Jem, why don't you go play with Tug-" Asteria choked on the name and started over, "Why don't you go play with your queen friends? I need to go find someone."
"Alright," Jemima said, smile fading slightly, "I'll see you later, Asteria."
Jemima wandered off and Asteria felt slightly guilty for being short with her. "I seem to be causing everybody pain today," she thought miserably, the image of Tugger's tear stained face seemingly seared to her eyes. She shook her head; surprised she was so shook up about a tom whose attitude she found disgusting and immature. Then again he was her flesh and blood.
Sighing, Asteria plodded around the bend and found herself looking at a neatly arranged den, hollowed out of a bathtub. A yellow/orange tabby tom with a brown chest, who looked at least five, maybe older, was reclining in front of it, studying the pocket watch gripped in his paws.
"Hello?" Asteria said timidly.
The tom started and turned to her with a snarl. He stopped abruptly when he saw her.
"Don't sneak up on meh like that, lass," the tom scolded, "Don't ya know it is wrong to disturb ah sleepin' cat?"
"I'm very sorry," Asteria apologized, "I was just trying to find someone named Skimbleshanks."
The tom's face softened.
"Well, you've come to the right place, lass," he smiled, "I'm Skimbleshanks. What can I do for ya?"
"I'm looking for Mungojerrie," Asteria smiled back, breathing a sigh of relief, "He told me I could find him here."
Skimbleshanks got up and climbed into his den.
"Mungojerrie!" he called, "There's a lass here askin' for yah!"
Two seconds later, Mungojerrie came flying out of the den.
"Asteria!" he beamed running up to her, "I was wonderen what was takin' so long."
He stopped when he saw the pain in her eyes. "Wha' happened?" he asked.
"I started yelling at him and he began crying," Asteria could barely get the words out.
"Why didn't ya come to me?" Mungojerrie put his arms around her, "I would've 'elped ya."
"You didn't exactly tell me where this place was," Asteria responded bitterly, "So I went to Munkustrap's."
"I'm sorr'e Asteria, I wasn't thinken straight," he rubbed the side of her head gently with his own, "Tell ya what, do ya want to just hang out wi' me today? I could show ya around."
"That's alright," Asteria managed a smile, "My cousin already gave me the full tour."
"Cousin?" Mungojerrie frowned, "Oh right, Jemima."
"But I would like to hang out with you," Asteria told him, pinking again, "If you don't mind."
"Not at all," Mungojerrie grinned, "Come wi' me."
He led her across the Junkyard and onto a sofa that looked hopelessly weather beaten. Asteria kneaded it with her paws and sat down daintily.
"I come 'ere when I want tuh git away from it all," Mungojerrie said, sitting down next to her, "Tuh just relax and let ma thought take flight. Plus-" he dug into a tear in the cushion, "there are something's I find I don' want Teaz'ah tuh no I 'ave."
He brought up a full bag of kitty treats and Asteria's mouth began watering.
"I've bin savin 'um," he smiled, tearing it open, "Bu'h I thought now would be a gud time tuh break 'em open. 'Elp yaself."
The two of them threw themselves upon the treats in a full display of kitten greed. Asteria stuffed herself full to bursting, but still snarled at Mungojerrie when she saw him going for the last one.
"Come on Asteria!" Mungojerrie laughed, "You've 'ad twice as many as meh. Let meh 'ave it!"
"Never!" Asteria growled playfully and launched herself at Mungojerrie. They rolled over and over on the couch, before tumbling to the ground, laughing and growling as they clawed playfully at each other.
"Got ya!" Mungojerrie growled triumphantly, pinning her down.
Asteria rolled out from underneath him and took off, laughing hysterically. She could not remember when she had had this much fun before. But she had let her guard down, for Mungojerrie came ramming into her side and set them both tumbling again, a blur of gray and orange.
Finally, they both collapsed, roaring with laughter until their sides ached. Asteria suddenly noticed that Mungojerrie's face was mere inches from her own, as they had finally collapsed while he was pinning her again. The electric currents almost hurt; they were shooting so fast through her body. She let out a low purr. He purred too, but quickly stopped, rolling off her and shaking his head to try and clear it.
"Sorr'e," he murmured, "I don' know wha' came ov'ah meh."
The two of them walked back to the sofa in silence and stretched out on it comfortably.
"Tell me about yourself," Asteria asked abruptly.
"Wha'?" Mungojerrie looked confused.
"You essentially know my full life story," Asteria explained, moving a little closer to him, "Tell me about yourself."
For the rest of the day, Mungojerrie told Asteria about himself. His story was not a pretty one. His parent both worked for the most evil cat in the city; a cat named Macavity. When he and his sister were born, they were destined to grow up and work for him too. Their mother had done all she could to conceal them from her boss. But he eventually discovered them and killed their parents on the spot. He raised the siblings to be evil and rob houses of valuables. But one day, they escaped while the guards were sleeping. They had been accepted into the Jellice tribe and taken in by their Uncle, Skimbleshanks. Macavity had made a few attempts to get them back, so they cut him a deal. He got half of the things they stole every night and in return, he let them live in the Junkyard pretty much undisturbed.
"Do you miss your parents?" Asteria asked.
"Everyday," Mungojerrie responded, "One day I will take mah revenge on Macavity fo' wha' 'e did."
"Revenge can't be the answer," Asteria mused, "Eye for an eye, fang for a fang, it just isn't right."
"Well, wha' would you do?" Mungojerrie inquired.
"Nothing," Asteria told him, "The everlasting cat will see that one day Macavity is punished for all his misdeeds."
The cats sat in silence, watching the sun starting to set in the sky. Suddenly Mungojerrie pressed his body lightly against Asteria, his paw on top of hers. His fur was very soft, well kept for a cat that regularly dug through garbage. Asteria looked at him and tentatively nuzzled the side of his face. He purred quietly. That made the sparks fly through her skin again.
"Jerrie," she whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Do you . . ." Asteria faltered, "Like me? I know we've barely met, but I feel close to you already."
Green eyes stared hard into blue. He opened his mouth when . . .
"Surprise!"
A blur of orange leapt on top of Mungojerrie and wrestled him down to the ground. Asteria jumped down to help, just as Mungojerrie managed to seize his sister by the pearls.
"Teaz'ah wha' the 'ell do ya think your doin'?" he yelled, raising his voice for first time since Asteria knew him.
"Well, ya kinda disappeared Jer, I didn' know where ya went," Rumpleteazer grinned, "Besides, i's time tuh go raiden."
"Your right Teaz'ah," Mungojerrie looked at Asteria then said, "Would'ja give us a moment alone?"
"You've 'ad all day," Rumpleteazer retorted, but all the same turned around and walked off.
Mungojerrie hopped back up on the sofa and gave Asteria a sincere smile.
"I don't know wha' i' is about ya," he murmured, "But, I've felt very strongly about you the moment I met ya. You'ah really special queen."
"That doesn't really answer my question," Asteria smiled.
Mungojerrie chuckled, then leaned forward and gave her a tentative lick on the cheek. Asteria shivered happily and purred.
"I do like ya Asteria," he admitted, "I jus' don' wanna start anythin' serious wif you until you are truly an adult cat. You are still just a kit and you are still fragile abou' wha' 'appened wif Tugger. You need to get you'ah life together before ya can be wif me."
It was a wise speech, but Asteria didn't care. She began to sniff, tears welling in her eyes.
"Don' feel bad," he whispered, nuzzling her head, "I'll always be ya friend, and when this 'ole ordeal is sorted out, I 'ope we can be sumthin' more."
"I'm not waitin' any longer Jerrie!"
"Comin' Teaz'ah!" Mungojerrie called back through gritted teeth. He turned back to Asteria, gave a small shrug and rounded the bend after his sister.
Asteria let out a long sad yowl. She dug her claws into the sofa in anger; she just seemed to be making everything worse for everyone today.
"Asteria?"
She jumped and hissed as she turned around. Tugger was standing there, eyes red from crying, the spike still in his paw.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he apologized, tentatively jumping up on the couch to join her.
Bitter anger replaced the sadness and Asteria looked away from him.
"Look," Tugger began, taking a deep breath, "I believe you are my kitten and I know I can't make up for all the time I've missed."
Asteria turned back to him, no emotion at all on her face.
"But I do want to be in your life, if you let me," he continued, moving closer to her and retying the spike around her neck.
A tiny smile twitched Asteria's mouth and she touched the spike gently.
"Thank you for returning it to me, Tugger," she said.
Tugger gave a slight frown.
"What? I'm not daddy yet?" a hint of his attitude returning to his voice.
"Not yet," Asteria's smile broadened, "You are charming, I'll admit that, but I still haven't quite forgiven you."
"I hope you'll grow to like me," Tugger smiled.
"Did you use that line on my mother?" Asteria asked, the smile dropping of her face like a rock.
Tugger's face turned as white as milk.
"Oh Heavyside, I'm sorry," Tugger spluttered.
"It's alright," Asteria sighed, though she still felt hurt, "I take it you haven't talked to a queen without flirting in a long time."
Tugger turned red now and kneaded the couch with his paws.
"That it true," he admitted, "I really have to learn how to be a father."
"Well, I think I am willing to let you learn." Asteria pressed herself tentatively against his side. Tugger blinked, unsure of what to do, then gently rubbed her head with his own.
"Tugger what is going on?"
Asteria started. Staring down from atop a pile of rubbish was a scarlet queen with flecks of black with fire blazing in her eyes.
"Bomba!" Tugger moved away from Asteria, "Listen-"
"Don't even start Tugger," the queen snarled, springing down from the pile to face him, "I can tolerate it when you flirt with all the other kittens. But a kitten from another tribe, that is low even for you!"
Tugger fluffed his mane defensively.
"Bomba, Asteria is not from another tribe. She is just new and anyway-"
"Just shut up!" The queen's fur was standing on end. She let out a throaty growl and lashed her tail. "I am sick and tired of all your excuses!"
"Will you just listen to me?" Tugger growled, facing her with anger growing in his eyes. He lashed his own tail and gave a low hiss.
Asteria stared at both of them, panicked.
"Please don't fight!" she pleaded, "I wasn't trying to steal Tugger, honestly! I just-"
"Keep out of this brat!" The scarlet queen snarled.
"Don't talk to her like that Bombalurina!" Tugger swiped the air in front of Bombalurina's face. She hissed in retaliation and bared her teeth.
"Stop it please!" Asteria wailed, but Bombalurina launched herself at Tugger, yelling "You son of a pollicle!" She tore at his mane and kicked him in the gut. Tugger yowled and tried to pull her off him, but she just sunk her claws in deeper.
"Don't!" Asteria seized Bombalurina's arm and began to drag her off her father, but Bomba scratched her across the face. She tumbled off the couch, her face bleeding. Tugger managed to kick Bomba off him, but she just came right back, biting and scratching wildly.
"This is all my fault," Asteria thought, watching the two cats tearing at each other. She took off, running through the rapidly increasing darkness, toward Munkustrap's den, believing she had caused enough trouble for one day.