Argh! I was at the VERY end of editing this chapter and then something stupid happened on and I lost it all! It's a sign that I should make my chapters shorter xD
Not much to say about this one yet... Enjoy!
"So he's going to be bunking at your place?" Bombalurina asked slowly. Tugger nodded hesitantly, didn't they just go over this?
"It's not that big of a deal. Bomba," he chuckled, thinking twice about his reaction to the obviously pissed queen when she shot him an angry glare.
"So where are we gonna meet up?" she crossed her arms over her chest: not a good sign.
"I don't know, your place maybe?" he exclaimed.
"Ya, I'm sure Demeter's going to love that!" she let out an exasperated sigh. Before this mess, Tugger and Bomba would have their dates at his and Munku's den. Munkustrap didn't mind, if he knew, about their get-togethers because he was always surveying the junkyard until about midnight, when Alonzo would take over. That was the only setup that worked out for the two because Demeter, Bomba's littermate, didn't care for the flirt at all for reasons unknown to Tugger.
"Well, what do you expect me to do! We're not going to hook up next to Misto." Bomba gave him a stern look, obviously she would have to spell it out for him.
"Figure something out or there won't be any 'hooking up'." She spun on her heel to head home; leaving the maned coon in her wake. It's not like the Rum Tum Tugger needed her for a hook up. He could have anyone he wanted at the flick of the wrist, he didn't need demanding, high maintenance Bomba! He huffed angrily before turning to his own den.
Quaxo's bed was set up between his own and Munkustrap's, only allowing a few feet of aisle space between each unit. Tugger glanced between his bed and Quaxo,
who was resting peaceful and snug in his light blue duvet; his head resting on the pillow Tugger had thrown on the mound earlier. Tugger sighed heavily, times like this he would have sought out the tux and vent about the endless grief the queens would give him; Tugger was really beginning to doubt that the tom would ever mate in fear of going through such troubles. He had to admit, he did sometimes get carried away and told him more than he needed to know. Thinking it best, he flopped on the blankets next to the resting tom. The tiny tux opened his eyes to find Tugger staring up at the ceiling in frustration.
"Hard day?" he asked simply to the mane coon who just shrugged. Quaxo knew the moment that he opened his eyes that something was on the coon's mind, most likely than not it was about a recent queen. He waited patiently for Tugger to start his rant, granted he didn't listen to half of it, but he knew that he was the only cat the older tom confided in and he was always willing to help out his friends.
"Bomba's being a real... Queen," he replied somberly.
"Yeah, I hate it when they're like that," Quaxo joked, receiving a small punch to the upper arm from his maned friend. "Victoria gets like that sometimes; makes me wonder how I could stand being her littermate. She blames it on her 'time of the month'... whatever that means," he finished with his thin eyebrows in a knit; his mind running madly to find out what that could possibly mean.
"Nah, that's not Bomba's problem. I would know if it was." Quaxo gave him a wary, confused glance "How would you know?" he asked out of curiosity which caused the older tom to burst out laughing at his ignorance and lack of experience.
"You'll learn soon enough," he simply said. Quaxo hated when older cats pushed his questions aside like that. It was sometimes as if he was still a kitten! Although he hated it when his questions were dodged; Tugger was pretty honest with him, so if he dodged one of his questions or inquiries then it probably meant that the answer would probably not be favourable.
"So did they ever figure out what's wrong with you?" Tugger turned on his side to face the tuxedoed tom. He just shrugged before telling Tugger about his exchange with Jennyanydots, knowing that it would probably put him in a better mood, which it did. Tugger imitated Jenny's shrill voice as he pretended to reprimand Quaxo for doing something absurd, they both laughed. Quaxo was first to stop, his cheery complexion rapidly turning serious and concerned as his eyes darted throughout the room eagerly.
"What's wrong?" Tugger nodded to his friend who was making a mad dash across the room on shaky knees. Tugger sat up to question him further but was cut off by the sound of the young tux being violently ill in the wastebasket near the door. The golden eyed tom sighed sadly before crossing the box to kneel by the hunched magician and rubbed his back soothingly while he continued to vomit.
When he finished, Quaxo rested his back heavily against the wall; smiling gratefully as Tugger handed him a bowl of water to quench his parched throat.
"I remember when I had my first sip of Skimble's scotch," Tugger laughed before he started to do his imitation of Jenny's voice, causing the black and white tom to chuckle lightly for fear of another attack. He gave a sigh as he pushed himself up the wall, grabbing the soiled wastebasket to empty it out behind the den; Tugger grabbed his arm as he walked by him.
"I'll empty it, you go lie down, " he offered. Quaxo shook his head politely.
"No thanks, Tug. I got it," he turned down before heading towards the exit. Tugger grabbed the can and lifted it high above his head, using Quaxo's stunted height to his advantage. Quaxo desperately clung to the rim of the basket in a feeble attempt to save what was left of his independence and dignity.
"If I don't do it then I lose my 'excellent bedside manners' badge," he joked as he tried to shake Quaxo lightly from his hold on the bucket. "If I were you, I'd let go. I'm not against pushing a sick-O like you to get my way." the small tux let go of the basket, dropping a few inches onto his toes; icy blue eyes glaring playfully at the taller cat. Both toms grinned as they stood on the verge of bursting into laughter. Quaxo shrugged lightly before flicking his wrist in Tugger's direction; giving in to the coon's odd demands.
"It's amazing that your brother puts up with you sometimes," he groaned before gently lowering himself onto his nest and curling himself up in a light blue duvet. Tugger walked back into the den after he had finished with the emptying of the wastebasket; putting in a grocery bag just in case. He glanced at the young tuxedo lightly curled up in the blankets, Tugger couldn't help but stare at the slight rise and fall of the blankets that draped over the lean, elegant frame of the respected magician. He shook himself lightly back to the present before walking over to place the bucket on the ground next to Quaxo's head.
"Here, make sure you don't miss," Tugger joked lightly, his young friend nodded; covering his hands over his mouth and jokingly puffing out his cheeks. Tugger rolled his eyes lightly before turning to his own bed. Quaxo looked to the door, there was still plenty of daylight outside.
"You know, you can leave if you like. I'm quite capable of looking after myself. I'm sick, not dying." Tugger glanced between him and the door; obviously considering his suggestion. His mind was quickly made up when Quaxo made another dive for the bucket, this time he wasn't joking.
"It's all good, tux," he assured as he tried to convince him that he was actually choosing to stay here on his own terms, which, was slightly true. "Besides, you're much more interesting and... lively, than the kits," he smiled; settling himself on the pile of blankets comfortably.
"I doubt I'll be much fun, Tug," Quaxo breathed as he re-adjusted himself, finding the small pillow Tugger had placed on the blanket earlier and hugging it to his chest tightly; this made Tugger smile internally. Point 836 for Tugger, Munkustrap... somewhere between 10 and nothing. The mane coon simply nodded then placed his head on his paws in silence. Quaxo shrugged him off, turning to find relief from the intense pain in ignorant, blissful sleep, unable to hide his discomfort much longer.
Oo oO
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Munkustrap had decided to finish his shift early that evening, much to Alonzo's dismay. He climbed up the pile of old phone books that he cleverly arranged into a set of stairs, he could hear Tugger's enthusiastic voice as he climbed the shallow steps followed by Quaxo's soft response. Tugger's loud laughter erupted and contrasted with the quiet remark from their new denmate.
He walked into the box to find Tugger sitting on the ground with a photo album next to Quaxo, who was sitting up weakly in his bed; using Tugger's shoulder to support his throbbing head which had grown much too heavy for his weakening state. They were both looking at the pictures in the album that Tugger must have found out behind the den, they were making foolish stories out of the images stored inside the book.
"This one looks like she's seen the Rumpus cat," Quaxo murmured when Tugger flipped the page, he chuckled when he observed the human girl who was walking in on a surprise party, her expression wide and somewhat fearful.
"That or she's seen Admetus' costume," Tugger joked back. They both laughed for a moment and Tugger turned the page.
"That one looks like you, Tug," Munkustrap pointed to a half shaven pollicle who wore his long, shaggy brown hair like a mane. Tugger looked up at Munkustrap quickly in shock, how long had he been standing there? Quickly re-adopting his composure, he stuck out his tongue immaturely at the tabby and mimicked him by repeating his comment in a high, queen-like squeal.
"Ha," Quaxo laughed suddenly. "It does!" he giggled lightly against Tugger's arm.
"So," Munkustrap put his paw on Quaxo lightly before crouching in front of him so he could be seen. "How was your day?" he asked expectantly, hoping for some change in his mild disposition.
"It was... rocky, for lack of a better word," Quaxo shrugged, ignoring the muffled snort that emanated from the coon next to him.
"More like chunky," he chimed, motioning to the waste basket at their feet. Munkustrap looked over at the pail before turning his gaze back to Quaxo who looked humble in his vulnerable state, it's true he was declining; Munkustrap could see it by just looking at the tom.
"Well, lets just hope that tomorrow turns out better for you Quax," he smiled reassuringly. Quaxo returned the smile with a beam of appreciation. Munkustrap leaned over to empty the waste basket that, thank cat, had a grocery bag lining the inside.
"I wouldn't take that out just yet," Quaxo warned, rubbing his stomach as a grimace distressed his features. "I'm probably going to need that soon." A quick glance passed between Tugger and the silver tabby as they both turned eyed the tux cautiously, neither wanting to be in the way if his prediction happened to come true prematurely. "That one looks like Pouncival after he fell into the tar pit last summer," he pointed to the fresh page in the album that lay neglected in Tugger's lap.
Yeah, it kinda does," Tugger chuckled in response.
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Screams filled the bloodied sky of night as he dashed along the narrows of the always changing junkyard. He could pick out every cat's cries and name them off; Jenny sobbed sorrowfully, Tugger could see her in his mind's eye holding the bloodied body of her son Tumblebrutus. Munkustrap howled in pain as a shatter of glass crashed in the background of his agonized yelps. Etcetera's desperate screams fading away into the mysterious and unknown piles of jeering garbage that stalked round him, changing their paths to prevent the black and leopard spotted tom from reaching his friends and family. He blinked hard, the scene changed in front of him as one by one the Jellicles came into view. He could see Jenny mourning, Munkustrap dead, Etcetera beaten, and above all, the Magical Mr. Mistoffelees standing tall on the tire. His face was blank as he stared through the many lives he had destroyed, how could he have done all of this?
"Why?" Tugger screamed out to him. The mostly black tom's expression changed to a devilish grin.
"I didn't mean to!" the higher, less threatening voice of Quaxo cried out miserably from behind the malicious grin. Before Tugger could see anything else, hear anything, feel anything; he was surrounded in darkness. Something in his mind was waiting... but what for?
"Tug!" something gurgled to his left before a loud thump echoed in his mind. Wake up, wake up, wake up!
The mane coon snapped up in his bed, sweat drenching his fur; making it stick to his body in all sorts of directions. His eyes clamped shut when the large flashlight in their den lit up the small space with the intensity of a summer sun.
"Quaxo!" Munkustrap snapped as he lunged across the room. Tugger let his numbed mind follow the action in the room, Munkustrap was on his knees a few feet between his and Quaxo's bed. He inspected the tabby's actions with more intention; he was shaking Quaxo fiercely in his grip, slamming the tiny black head on the plywood floor of their den. No. Quaxo was shaking by himself... he was shaking?
"Tug!" light green eyes caught his gaze, this was real. He finally snapped out of his haze, it was all real. He lunged from his bed to the floor, closing the gap between them.
"What's happening?" he yelled. Quaxo was twitching severely on the ground, small noises escaped his foaming lips as he cracked his head on the plywood. Munkustrap smacked his face lightly, trying desperately to get a response from the convulsing tom. Quaxo's electric blue eyes were wide but unseeing as his small frame writhed uncontrollably. Tugger reached behind him to grab one of the navy blue cushions from his bed and placed it under the tux's head.
"We need Jenny!" Munkustrap stated in his delusion. He was meant to protect the Jellicles from outside threats, he didn't know how to protect them from themselves.
"Go!" Tugger urged. He wouldn't be much help to the magician if he was sent into the night to fetch Jenny, Munkustrap was the athletic one, he would be able to clear the distance to her den in under five minutes flat. Munkustrap nodded quickly before making a mad dash out the door, taking the phone books two at a time.
"Quax? Quaxo wake up!" Tugger pleaded with the younger tom, he was shaking so badly... surely something would break in that fragile body of his. Fear coursed through the coon's veins, this was too much! He grabbed the shaking cat's shoulders and started to shake him slightly, calling out his name in a panicked frenzy. After a few minutes the spell died off and Quaxo's body went slack in his paws, shaking as if chilled in the aftershock of the past few minutes.
Tugger laid him gently onto the plush, navy blue pillow. He watched as the tux's head lolled from side to side, slowly trying to regain consciousness. Tugger looked out of the gaping door, all that met his sight was the empty darkness of the junkyard, he returned his gaze and was met with heavy, dulled blue eyes.
"Hey, buddy," Tugger greeted softly. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth when Quaxo moved to respond.
"Hi, Tug," he croaked; his voice sounding more like the demon from that 'Grudge' movie his human's children keep watching.
"You scared the crap outta me, don't do that again!" Tugger scolded though his voice cracked under the thought of another episode.
"Well, because you said so..." He quipped, trying to lighten the situation as best he could.
Tugger could hear Munkustrap talking away as they neared the den, Jenny would be here soon and would probably start rambling away at how Tugger made this happen with some medical theory. Just because you're a doctor's cat, it doesn't mean that you are one yourself.
Quaxo propped himself up on his elbows, his vision swam in circles at the pounding in his head. It felt like someone had taken an aluminum bat to the back of his head several times. Nausea washed over him; causing him to slump back onto the pillow that lay below his head, he felt so miserable and was secretly so scared that he couldn't hold back the silent tears that threatened to leak from their icy blue wells.
He covered his forehead to shield his still disoriented eyes, he didn't need any of the older toms see him cry; not that Munkustrap or Tugger would care really. It was more of a pride issue for him, mysterious magicians don't cry over headaches and upset stomachs; no matter how torturous. He heard a light, sudden gasp from the coon at his side and could sense him tensing, Oh great. Tugger snatched Quaxo's wrist and flung it roughly from his face. The tux quickly retracted his hand to wipe away the tears, his vision went slightly red once his hand passed over his eye. He couldn't see very well but the bright red stain of blood clashing angrily on his white furred paw was too shocking to ignore.
Gasp! Oh my goodness, blood! Yeah, well you saw it coming! And if you didn't then I'm sorry if I shocked you... not really ;)
Reviews are GOLD... Solid ! *Queue gold member music* Yeah, Baby!
That was Austin powers in case you were about to comment saying how much of a dork I am :|
Also, my fave part of the story... The 'Step Brothers' reference! Can you see it? I sure can xD It makes me smile :3