Tugger sat cross-legged as Misto slept next to him. Tugger stared at the door, waiting. He had been sitting like that for almost an hour when Quaxo finally came in. "Well?" he asked.

"Well what?" Quaxo replied.

"What does the tribe think?"

Quaxo shrugged. "They'll tolerate it. Not everyone agrees, but it's Munkustrap. No one can dislike him just because he likes toms."

Tugger frowned. He was relieved Munk wouldn't be run out, but he couldn't help but think about his other brother. Macavity was practically run out, but not Munk. Tugger realized that everyone just wanted an excuse to despise Macavity, because Macavity had always been an obedient cat that never got into more trouble than any others. They needed an official reason to tell him he's a disgrace. Tugger looked down at Misto and kissed his head. He got up gently, not wanting to wake him, and left the den.

He caught up with Munk and Alonzo who were just emerging from Deuteronomy's den. "So? What did Dad think?" he asked.

"He doesn't care, just as long as I'm happy," said Munk.

Tugger frowned more.

"What?" Munk asked.

"Nothing." Tugger walked towards the back of the Junkyard. He hopped the fence and walked to his brother's lair. He kind of guessed it was the basement of some pub, and he didn't want to just barge in. So he tapped against the window. Someone opened it and smoke blew into his face.

"Yeah?" someone asked.

"Is Macavity here? I'm his brother," Tugger said.

"Tugger or Munk?"

"Tugger."

"Alright, come on in."

Tugger crawled through the window and the tom led him to a cat door. "He's in there." Tugger walked in and didn't see anyone. "Macavity?" Tugger called. He heard a noise coming from an adjoining door and some muffled voices. He recognized his brother's, and he knew the other voice sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite remember whose it belonged to.

Macavity came out, looking a little annoyed and ruffled more than usual. His annoyed expression changed when he saw it was his brother. "Hey Tugs," said his brother. "What're you doing here?"

"I have to tell you something," Tugger said.

"What is it?"

"Munk told Dad and everyone about him and Alonzo being together."

"Let me guess? He needs a place to stay?" Macavity guffawed. "He shouldn't have done it."

"No, he doesn't need a place to stay," Tugger said, grimacing as his brother frowned. He sighed. "Everyone's okay with Munk and Alonzo. I know they weren't with you, but half the cats that kicked you out are dead."

Macavity's eyes raged red. "Yeah and they probably influenced their kits and so it's not like anything's different!" Macavity sighed, a depressed look coming across his face. "I should've expected it, but of course I thought they weren't that bad."

"I'm sorry Macavity," Tugger said.

"It's fine." He sighed again. "I just wish things could be different."

"Maybe they will be one day."

Macavity looked at the door he come from. "Maybe."

"Who's in there? Do I know them?"

"Uh...no."

Tugger smirked. "I thought you were a good liar."

"Well it's none of your business then," Macavity said, getting flushed. "You can leave now."

"See ya later Mac."

Misto smiled when he saw Tugger walking towards him. "Hey Tugger," he greeted.

"Hey Misty," he replied, grinning just as big.

Misto giggled and looked around before planting a quick kiss on Tugger's lips. "What do you wanna do today?"

"Uh, I think I'll have a talk with my dad."

Misto's smile vanished. "W-why?"

"Well, I just have to tell him some things, but it's not necessarily about us. About my brothers."

Misto nodded. "Okay, well...be quick." He smiled. "I wanna spend some alone time together again."

Tugger smiled and kissed the tux before walking to his father's den. He entered and called for his father.

"Back here Tugger!" Deuteronomy called back.

Tugger emerged on his father with a few other Jellicles.

"What do you need son?" his father asked.

"Uh, I need to talk to you," Tugger said, shuffling under the stares of Jenny and Jelly.

"Is this about how you've gone off a lot lately?" Jenny asked.

"Gone off? Where to?" Deuteronomy asked.

"I need to talk to you about something more important, Dad," Tugger said, losing his natural confidence.

"Something more important than you?"

Tugger cringed at Jenny's backhanded insult. "No, really, it's important."

"Well, go ahead."

Tugger looked at the older cats. "I wanna say it in private."

"What on earth could this be about? Surely you can say it in front us."

Tugger sighed, getting annoyed. "It's about your son."

"What about Munkustrap?"

"Not that son."

They all fell quiet. Deuteronomy sighed and said, "Do you mind if I have a private word with my son?"

The others got up and left, giving Tugger scrutinizing looks. Tugger sat next to his father.

"What about Macavity?" his father asked.

"Do you know why he left?" Tugger started off.

"He never told me. Everyone gave me their beliefs, but I've never been certain. I just believe he doesn't feel like he belongs."

"He doesn't." Tugger gulped and looked up at his father. "Macavity left because he felt like no one accepted him cause...he likes toms...and I told him that Munk had recently been accepted and it really hurt Macavity cause now he's reassured that they ran him out just because they didn't like him and needed a good reason to dislike him. He thinks he's a bad person and so he's behaving that way but you know him. He's really not a bad cat, Dad. He's just torn up about things. He never did anything bad but then he left and he did a lot of bad things and I think he just wants attention, or otherwise revenge. Either way it's not for him to be treated like that." Tugger sighed, feeling hopeless for his brother. "Dad, he should've never left."

"I know son," said Deuteronomy. "Perhaps, the next time I see him, I'll have a talk, and perhaps you could tell him that."

Tugger smiled sadly at his dad. "Okay, Dad."

His father smiled. "Now, go along and have some fun son."

Tugger stood up and galloped out of the den. He was walking quickly to Misto's den but was caught before he could make it all the way. It was Bomba who stopped him. She was crying.

"Bombi, what is it?" he asked, feeling bad for his friend.

She shook her head and led them to a small nook within the junk. "Oh Tugger it's horrible."

"What is?" Tugger asked.

"They act like it's fine but it's not and they're just gonna hurt me until I can't take it anymore."

"What're you talking about?" Tugger asked.

She took a deep breath and said, "Well, Demeter and I had been having this relationship and when Munk and Lonz came out we figured we could, too. Everyone keeps telling Demeter not to be with me like that, saying I work with Macavity and am a slut and a bad influence and that I'm just gonna hurt her. Then they tell me such mean things. I thought that it was okay with everyone but now I realize it's only who you are. They don't care who Demeter is with just as long as it's in their standards. Munk and Lonz are great together because they're great cats. Demeter's a great cat but I'm not and so we shouldn't be together. They think I'm trash and have always expected me to be with you because they think you're trash."

"They said that?" Tugger asked.

She nodded and the tears came again. "It's not fair Tugger! Can't I just be happy?"

"Of course you can Bomba. Look, if it's to the point that you're run out of the Junkyard, just let me know and I can get you a place to stay."

"Thanks Tug," she said and hugged him. She ran away then, hiding from anyone who could insult her.

Tugger sighed and sat down. They think you're trash. If they think Bombi's trash, thought Tugger, and Demeter isn't, then what would they think of Misto and I? They think I'm trash and Misto is far from it. So...I'll just get run out like Macavity. Tugger's heart fell at the realization. Misto will want to come with me, too...and I can't let him give up a great life here. He's gonna amount to something. He won't be able to do that in Macavity's lair. I can't hold him back...

Tugger stood up, dreading what he was about to do as he walked to the den.

:O

Oh no! What's gonna happen? Sorry it took so long to update. I've been quite busy. If you've read any of my other stories, then you'd know that most of the couples are the same throughout almost all of them. So that should let you know who's gonna end up with who!

=^..^=