Chapter 9: Hope Renewed

"Where is he? Where is Munkustrap?" Demeter all but rushed into the infirmary when she heard that Munkustrap was back.

"Demeter calm down, Jenny is taking care of him." Tugger said as he lead Demeter out of the infirmary. Demeter and Tugger sat next to each other outside of the infirmary door.

"Tugger, how did you find him? I mean we've all been looking non-stop for him, but I just don't understand how he was out in the open then with…Growltiger" Demeter hissed Growltiger's name and turned to Tugger, looking for answers.

"Demeter, to tell you the truth, I have no clue why. I mean, one minute I was just walking back and forth down the street, and then the next I heard my name. when I looked up I saw Munkus running towards me. I just couldn't believe my eyes that he was actually there. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me, but it wasn't. It was really him."

Tugger's eyes started to water and lone tears started to fall.

"I- I thought I would never get to see him again. I couldn't stop myself from thinking about a world without Munkus. I can't believe I almost gave up on him." Tugger bowed his head and let the tears fall.

"But you didn't Tugger. Even when everyone else was prepared to move on, you were still determined. Munkustrap wouldn't stop talking about you, you know? He would talk about how you're his best friend, and how you have each others back. Munkus Believed in you, even in his darkest hours with Macavity and Growltiger. I know you would never give up on him. Its ok to think the things you did Tugger, it happens to the best of us sometimes."

Tugger slowly lifted his head to Demeter. Her eyes showed the truth in her words. But Tugger still couldn't believe he would be like the other and give up on his brother like that.

"Thanks Dem. That means a lot to me." Tugger smiled for the first time since they've gotten Munkustrap back.

"Tugger, can I ask you something?"

"What is it Demeter?"

"Munkustrap told me that Macavity wanted revenge on him because he took his rightful place to the throne. What did he mean?"

Tugger sighed and looked up at the stars in the night sky.

"Macavity, used to be a member of the Jellicle tribe. Him and Munkustrap used to be very close. They would always hang out and have fun. But that all changed when our mother died. Macavity became a whole new person. He stopped talking to everyone and went off on his own. Munkustrap tried to get him to talk to him at least, but Macavity wouldn't. Then it got worse when Carbucketty got killed by a pollicle. Macavity wouldn't even come to the junkyard after that. He grew distant and altogether stopped talking to Munkustrap. One day Macavity came back and attack the junkyard. Our father, Old Deuteronomy banished him from the tribe after that. Everyone was in shock, but Munkus and I were devastated. Our older brother was gone, out of our lives for good.

"After that, Deuteronomy had to name Munkustrap as heir the lead the Jellicle tribe. When Macavity betrayed the tribe, he lost ever right to it and he lost our trust and respect. The only person who seemed to still think he had good was Munkustrap. After Munkustrap killed Tyrant, that was all it took for Macavity to turn completely and Munkustrap gave up on him. But now, with Macavity back, I can't help but seem what Munkustrap was talking about. Macavity still has his old self in there, we just got to break him out. I just hope dad sees it."

"Don't worry Tugger. I'm sure with Munkustrap's fighting spirit and your persuasiveness, you can convince your dad to let Macavity back in. To tell you the truth, I saw it in Macavity's eyes. He didn't want to do the things he did to us. It was like someone was forcing him to…" Demeter trailed off and looked at Tugger with wide eyes.

"…Growltiger." Tugger finished, understanding what Demeter was getting at. Tugger was about to add something, but they heard the infirmary door open and saw Jenny walk out. Both stood up and watched Jenny as she made her way over to them. They both prayed for the best.

/~/~/~/~/~/

Jenny stared down at Munkustrap as Tugger brought him in and gently set him on the bed next to Macavity's sleeping form. Jenny immediately went to get her supplies so she could start handling Munkustrap. Jenny was on her way back when she heard Demeter and Tugger talking. She came back into the infirmary and saw Tugger leading Demeter out to give Jenny some privacy. Jenny thanks Tugger silently and bent over Munkustrap.

Jenny was working furiously on Munkustrap trying to get him clean and look over his injuries. She didn't seem to notice that Macavity had come to during all the commotion going on.

/~/~/~/~/~/

Macavity heard Jenny talking to somebody about putting Munkustrap on the bed next to him.

Wait, Munkustrap? …Munkustrap! They found him! Thank the Everlasting Cat. I thought Growltiger had… no don't think that way. Munkustrap is back alive. I have to see him.

Macavity fought against his body protests of the darkness and willed himself out of it. He slowly opened his eyes and turned his head to where Jenny was bent over Munkustrap working desperately to clean and bandage him up.

Oh Munkus…From what Macavity could see, Munkustrap's fur was not as bright as he remembered it being. Instead it was full of dirt and grim. You could see some of him ribs sticking out, but the most noticeable wear all the bruises, cuts, and claw marks that covers his body. Macavity couldn't help but to feel guilty because he probably caused some of those.

"Munkus…" Macavity managed to croak out, his throat still a little sore. Jenny's head snapped up and looked at Macavity.

"Macavity you need to go back to sleep, Munkus is going to be alright."

"No Jenny! He's not alright! Look at him. Some of its my fault" Macavity whispered as tears stared to form.

"Macavity, this is not your fault. Its Growltiger's. If the story you told me is true, Munkustrap has no one to blame but Growltiger. He made you do this."

"But Jenny-"

"Hush. Go back to sleep, you need it. Besides your no good to Munkustrap is your tired all the time. From the looks of it, he's going to need both you and Tugger."

Macavity hesitated and shifted his eyes from Jenny to Munkustrap's unconscious form. He sighed and closed his now heavy eyelids and gave into his body needs and let Jenny take care of his brother.

/~/~/~/~/~/

After Jenny made sure Macavity was asleep again, she then turned her attention back on Munkustrap.

Jenny quickly cleaned Munkustrap, being careful around the numerous cuts and claws marks. She silently cursed when she felt broken bones. She reset Munkustrap's arm and leg. Jenny put a cast on both injuries and moved onto the more serious cuts on his body. The cut on his chest was her main concern. It was deep than all the rest and it was still bleeding. She tried her best to stop the blood flow and cleaned it. She wrapped a bandage around it and did the same to the rest of the cuts.

By the time she was done it, the first lights of daytime started to show. She cleaned off her paws and walked out of the infirmary and spotted Tugger and Demeter talking. They both snapped they're heads up when they heard her come out. Jenny walked over to greet them and to let them know the fate of their Jellicle Protector.

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Yea, yea, yea I know… it took me FOREVER to get a chance to update and here it is! I've had major writers block and I've been busy with soccer (go figure). Plus I'm taking a chemistry class during summer so I don't have to take it during the school year, and it's a pain in the butt! Buuuut I get to take my final early for it so hopefully after I take it and get settled back into writing I shall update more! But seriously, I is terrible sorry for not updating like I should have been. Ugh. :/ I hate being busy.