Munkustrap and Etcetera returned to the main area. They had to worry, since Munkustrap had to go to the patrol. This time, Alonzo, Tumblebrutus, and Admetus was waiting for him.
"Etcetera, why don't you go to Jellylorum's den. I have something to talk with them," Munkustrap whispered.
She did so.
Alonzo told Munkustrap that he wanted to talk with him where there weren't so many cats. Munkustrap was curious why, but he went together with him to a lonely area not that far from the main area. Tumblebrutus and Admetus came with them too.
Alonzo came up and put a paw on Munkustrap's shoulder. Angrily.
"Munkustrap, yes I am mad. Look at my eyes…"
Munkustrap knew why he was so angry: Now that he remembered, he had missed another patrol. This time, the first day-patrol. A few hours ago, Munkustrap had went to the back entrance to try to get the flowers that Rumpleteazer gave to him - the flowers that he left there yesterday - making him miss the patrol… He was in trouble. Deep trouble. Especially if they tell my father, he thought.
"Munkustrap, I told you this morning not to miss patrols. And now what…? On that same day, you miss the patrol. The first day-patrol. The first patrol for today. You should be glad Old Deuteronomy doesn't know that you missed two patrols," Alonzo said, filled with rage.
Munkustrap then wondered why Old Deuteronomy wasn't curious about why he wasn't at patrol when he was telling him about the whole August-26th thing… Oh, he remembered, I never told him the times of the four-tom patrol. Ever. And he never asked me about that… he just trusted me… that I will do my job… This thought made Munkustrap feel several times guiltier.
"Wait, then why didn't you tell me at the evening social hour where I made the announcement?" asked Munkustrap.
"Oh, you should be thankful for that, too. Tumblebrutus and I wanted to ask you that so bad. But we didn't. We didn't so that you weren't embarrassed in front of the whole tribe… We did it for you… for you who broke the promise… for you who is so fuckin' irresponsible!" Alonzo said, almost shouting.
Munkustrap just stared at the ground. He had no excuses. The protector missing two patrols that he started… that was unacceptable and ridiculous.
"You know what? You know what? How about this – I quit the patrol, the patrol led by such an irresponsible tom," Alonzo declared.
"Me too; I quit," said Tumblebrutus.
Now the attention was on Admetus – scared by Alonzo's fury, he quickly said, "Me too."
"Alright. I will go to Old Deuteronomy and ask for the end of the four-tom patrol. And possibly my daily patrols as well… I'm sorry… really guys…" sighed Munkustrap.
Munkustrap saw Alonzo nodding with agreement – not with a kind face, though. He also noticed that the tom was trying to keep himself from slapping or punching Munkustrap in the face.
"Alonzo, just do it. I deserve it," said the depressed Munkustrap.
Alonzo started off his punch… that stopped it in midair; the fist never made it to Munkustrap's face.
"Munkustrap, although I am dying to do so, I won't, since I know you're the protector and I have at least the slightest bit of respect for it," said Alonzo, still with a furious face.
It would been better if he just beat me up, thought Munkustrap.
The group of toms disassembled.
That night, when Munkustrap went up to his father, Old Deuteronomy, and told him that he wanted to end the four-toms patrol and also his own daily patrol, the old cat just gave a smile and said yes. He gave a look that showed so much trust in his son. It was clear… his face gave an I-trust-that-you-know-what-you're-doing-so-I-trust-you-whatever-you-say-or-do look to his son. Munkustrap smiled, thanked him, and said goodnight… but he felt guilty in his heart. Terribly guilty. Just guilty. Betraying his own father's trust in him… he just wanted to run away.
That night, Munkustrap couldn't sleep for more than an hour. It was too much to him. All of it. The stress had to be released sooner or later, and Munkustrap was frightened he may not control himself…
Morning came, and he went about his usual routines. This went on for the entire day; there were only two things missing from him – the patrolling and Munkustrap's usual enthusiatism or at least a small smile.
The evening social hour came. Cats gathered at the main area and chattered. Some cats seemed to have forgotten about the whole redevelopment issue – at least temporarily – while others seemed more worried. He suddenly noticed that several cats were missing.
He wandered tiredly through the yard, making sure things were in control…
"Munkustrap, someone's hurt," said a small voice. It was Jemima.
Munkustrap went into his alert mode. "Who? What happened?" he asked.
"Just follow me. It was… Victoria…" Jemima answered.
Munkustrap's heart was sprinting. He followed Jemima into Victoria and Plato's den, where Victoria was lying on her bed. She had quite a large cut at her thigh. He looked around: Bombalurina, Demeter, Plato, and Cassandra were there.
Munkukstrap took a look at Victoria's cut… the red mark was very clear on the completely-white coat of the queen.
"Victoria… you alright? What happened? Do you need me to lick your wound?" he asked.
Victoria put her arm on her face as said, "Munkustrap, I'm so… so… sorry." She seemed to be crying a bit.
Demeter sighed. "Munkustrap, I'll tell you what happened outside." Munkustrap followed her outside.
"Ok, Munkustrap. First, I want to say I'm sorry. But… ok… Well… Victoria, Bombalurina, Cassandra, and I, the four of us, started to go on a patrol secretly from you starting today morning. Things went all pretty good, until we went the third time for the day today… Victoria was walking past a sharp object in a junk pile without noticing it was there… and well… she gave herself that bruise. She really couldn't see the sharp object in the pile… very hard to notice," she said, "But Munk, just know that her getting hurt is not by a human; it doesn't have to do with the redevelopment."
Munkustrap was angered, even if it was her love speaking to him. "Demeter," he said, rather unkindly, "I told you not to do the patrol. I told you someone would get hurt."
"Munkustrap, I know, and I'm really sorry. But she wasn't hurt by a human… really. Munkustrap…"
"Demeter, why did you intentionally ignore what I told you?"
"Munkustrap, I'm sorry…"
"Demeter, look at my eyes. Why did you…!"
"Munk… calm down…"
"Demeter, the queens aren't supposed to be patrolling!"
"Munk… you need to give queens a chance to do it! Munkustrap, injuries do happen!"
"Demeter, you're being irresponsibe!"
"Munkustrap, seriously!"
Whether Munkustrap then went through a mental disorder or just a bad release of his stress is not known, but he indeed did release his stress:
Munkustrap smacked Demeter in her face with the back of his paws. It gave a loud "smack!" – a really loud one…
All cats outside were looking at him, shocked. Everyone was frozen. Even the cats inside Plato and Victoria's den seemed to be shocked – they could see through the windows, after all…
Demeter was just standing there, more shocked than anyone else…
Munkustrap didn't know what he just did. And when he realized that he actually smacked his love… his legs trembled and he fell to the ground, wailing.
Demeter ran into the den, crying with all sorts of negative emotions.
Munkustrap just lied there, crying and crying… regretting at what he just did…
No cat dared to approach Munkustrap; they just went back to their dens, afraid at what might happen next.
Poor Munkustrap lost it…
I really appreciate comments; please feel free to be critical.
Tell me how I'm doing for my first fanfic story… :)
(By the way, I know that cats are nocturnal, but let's just assume that in this story, they sleep at night and live at day like humans…)