Emily, thank you so much! I'm glad you are enjoying it! I hope you continue to read and I will try my hardest to keep pleasing you :)

Six

When Victoria finally woke up, she told Munkustrap that she was going to go dance with Mistoffelees. The two of them, being the best dancers of their age, were teaching the youngest kittens. Munkustrap hugged her goodbye and then decided to go for a walk through the junkyard. He was walking with no particular place to go until a scream rang out through the night. Without hesitation, Munkustrap ran towards the noise. He prayed to the Everlasting Cat that everything was ok and that he would make it in time to help the cat in trouble. His paws pounded against the ground as he ran through the junkyard, occasionally leaping over piles of trash and discarded items.

He stopped when he believed he was close to the source of the scream and listened attentively. His ears perked up in alarm and he warily examined his surroundings. There was no one around and, for the most part, the junkyard was silent. Munkustrap's heart ached as he started to let himself believe that he had failed to help whoever had needed him.

I was too slow… Whoever was in danger is now probably long gone and there's nothing I can do about it.

Munkustrap sniffed the air, but was unable to find the scent of a foreign cat, so he had no idea what else he could do. He didn't even know who it was that had needed his help. His eyes watered with angry tears and he was trying to hold back a scream. He unsheathed his claws, ran over to an old tire, and began ripping it to shreds.

I've let the tribe down! I'm not cut out for this! his mind screamed. I can't keep anyone safe! I can't make anyone happy! I'm tired of always smiling and pretending to be calm! I can't-

His thoughts were interrupted when another scream filled the night. Munkustrap couldn't help but gasp.

There's still hope?

He pushed away from the destroyed tire and ran towards the sound. As he got closer, he started to fill with optimism. When he finally arrived to the source of the scream, his heart and jaw dropped.

This… this is not what I was expecting…

Etcetera screamed for the third time as Tugger patted the top of her head and winked at her. He chuckled at her excitement and then walked away from her. Also surrounding him was Electra, Jemima, Bombalurina, Rumpelteazer, and Demeter. While everyone else was crowding around the Maine Coon, hanging onto every word he said, Demeter was sitting off to the side, pretending to be interested in a discarded baby blanket.

"And then, this cat came up to me, swaggered up to me actually, with a look of pure hatred," Tugger said to the girls, who were completely entranced by his story.

Munkustrap made his way over to Demeter, figuring he could keep her company since he was there. He jumped up next to her, onto the tire that she was sitting on. He watched her ears perk up; alert that someone had approached her. She looked over her shoulder and when she realized who had joined her, her eyes lit up.

"Munk…" she whispered.

"Hey," he replied, grinning at her. "You sure look like you're having a good time. Aren't you just enthralled by my brother's story?"

They both glanced over at Tugger, who was explaining how he won an argument with another Maine Coon on which cat had the better mane.

Demeter rolled her eyes and continued to absently finger the baby blanket. "It's absolutely thrilling," she replied sarcastically.

"Why are you here then?" Munkustrap asked. "Why not find something else to do?" He couldn't help but hope that she would suggest the two of them go for a walk together. He would love to spend some time alone with her.

"Because I'll hear Tugger complain about me leaving for hours when we get back to the den," she said with a sigh.

Munkustrap felt his face get warm at the thought of Demeter and Tugger sharing a den. Questions about the two of them filled his mind. Did they sleep together? Did Demeter cuddle up against Tugger's warm body, burying her face in the soft fur of his mane? Did Tugger hold her close to him? Did he position his tail over her waist, just to give him one more way to touch her and get close to her?

Munkustrap shook the thoughts from his head. Jenny had just cleared his mind of such considerations. He didn't need to fill himself up with them again. He inhaled deeply, relaxing himself. He looked back at Tugger, who was now down on one knee, holding one of Rumpelteazer's paws in his own, reciting a poem about love that he had found on a box of Valentine's Day candy one day when exploring the junkyard. Etcetera looked like she was going to burst into tears at any given moment and was clutching one of Electra's paws for emotional support. Electra's face was a mixture of amazement at Tugger's poetic side and annoyance at her sister's grip on her paw. Jemima seemed to be in a trance, completely enticed by Tugger's words. Rumpelteazer looked as if she might faint and Bombalurina was practically green with envy.

"They're all so ridiculous," Demeter said, her voice breaking Munkustrap away from his thoughts.

He turned to her. "Hm?" he asked, unsure of what she had been referring to.

She flicked her tail in Tugger's direction. "All of them. Just look at the way they swoon over him. It's absolutely ridiculous. I never did understand what my sister sees in him. She acts like a kitten whenever he's around."

Munkustrap nodded. "Tug has always managed to charm those around him. Even when he was a kitten he was an expert at melting hearts. That's how he managed to get away with all the trouble he always caused." He shook his head, slightly amused. "Old Deuteronomy always failed to warn any of the queens he mated with about how much of a handful my brother is."

Demeter giggled and laid her head on Munkustrap's shoulder. She yawned and closed her eyes. Munkustrap smiled soaking in how elegant she looked. Her resting face was so calm and the light from the moon illuminated her fur. He absently began to stroke one of her ears. Demeter let out a sigh of contentment. Munkustrap couldn't help but think that he was in the perfect position to kiss her. He wondered if-

"Behold girls!" Tugger's voice boomed, jolting Munkustrap out of his thoughts. He and Demeter jumped at the sudden loudness of the tom's voice. "One of the most beautiful queens I've ever laid eyes on." He winked at Etcetera then strutted over to where Munkustrap and Demeter were sitting. "She certainly has captured my heart and has yet to leave my mind."

Demeter made a gagging sound at Tugger's theatrics and Etcetera let out a mew of jealousy. Munkustrap shot his brother a look that demanded he explain himself, but Tugger only waggled his eyebrows in response.

Tugger took one of Demeter's paws in his and pulled her off of the tire she had been sitting on. "I must say, I'm very lucky to be graced with such a beautiful mate." He let out a seductive purr and stared into Demeter's eyes. And then, he kissed her. Quick and simple, before anyone had time to register what was going on, he brought his mouth down on hers. The fur from his mane and whiskers tickled her face. When he pulled away from her, his face was full of pride.

Etcetera squealed with excitement and Electra tried to calm her sister down. Jemima and Rumpelteazer pouted. Bombalurina stalked away, her tail twitching angrily. Munkustrap was dumbstruck. He felt as if his shock was gluing him to his place on the tire. He couldn't move, couldn't speak, and couldn't think. Demeter looked just as stunned as Munkustrap felt.

"She's speechless," Tugger whispered, pulling her close to him. "I guess I'm better than I thought." He winked again at his fans. "Well, I believe it's time for us to leave. Have a wonderful night girls." He blew each of them a kiss and then began making his way back to his den with Demeter following close behind him. The girls slowly left as well, tittering on about Tugger and Demeter's kiss. And Munkustrap just stayed rooted to his spot on the tire, still unable to process what he had just witnessed.

I'm really interested in what you have to say and what you think will happen. Also, suggestions are always welcome! Please, tell me what you think! The more reviews I get, the sooner I'll update. Hooray! ;) Thanks for reading!

Mew Painappuru