Okk, sorry this took so long. I've been swamped and today I got a rush of things done and I'm feeling amazing!

So this one is a bit- well kinda a lot- shorter than the previous chapters but I hope that by next week I can make it up to you guys :)

Enjoy!

Quaxo had been moved back to Jenny's den. She had told the two toms that he had had a seizure. They didn't really understand exactly what that meant but, from the looks of it, it wasn't good. Munkustrap stood before Old Deuteronomy at the tire in the clearing; he'd just finished explaining what had happened to the tux the night before, Deuteronomy looked distressed.

"What do you suggest we do, father?" Munkustrap looked up questioningly. Old Deuteronomy's brow furrowed in thought, what options do they have?

"Bring him to his home and let his humans take care of him," he suggested. Munkustrap shook his head quickly.

"He doesn't have a human home. And if he did they would have him put down on the spot!" Old Deuteronomy looked at him in concern, there wasn't much they could do for the tux besides keep him comfortable and hope for the best, which was highly unlikely. A long, heavy silence passed between them.

"Maybe..." He started but paused to plan his words correctly for the tabby's sake. "We should consider starting to make arrangements." His son looked at him blankly, this can't be it! He's just come out of kittenhood, we can't be making funeral arrangements already! They should be making Dad's arrangements long before Quaxo should be even considered.

"So that's it? We're just going to wait here and see whether or not he dies? There is absolutely nothing we can do for him?" Munkustrap's voice elevated with his growing anger over his father's willingness to give up. He could see Deuteronomy looking around the clearing to see if any of the other Jellicles happen to be witnessing his son's outburst.

"Now, we must be reasonable, Munkustrap." His voice became hard and stone-like, as if the silver tabby was a child once again. "We don't have the resources to pour into curing him, and we certainly don't have to let all the other Jellicles know about his condition!" he muttered between a clenched jaw. The last thing this tribe needed was an uproar or panic, especially when the ball was right around the corner.

"Well, if Quaxo can't get any help here then maybe he can get some attention somewhere else!" Munkustrap fumed. He turned to storm off but was stopped dead in his tracks when Coricopat and Tantomile came slinking towards them.

"Maybe we can help with that," Tantomile said coolly. She, like her twin, showed no emotion as they walked up to the two cats. Their duplicated coats seemed to also mimic each other as they stalked closer. Munkustrap's tail gave an irritated twitch, he knew that with them in the equation; he would end up with an even bigger headache.

"The magician's condition is... delicate, it's true he can't find any help here," Coricopat spoke quietly. His voice was somewhat anxious and he spoke at a faster pace than his sister; the only thing besides their gender that was different about them. Munkustrap didn't know what questions to ask to further their theory or get them to the point.

Tantomlie looked to Old Deuteronomy who looked at them as intent as Munkustrap, their relation as father and son was crystal clear in how their brows furrowed in thought and their bodies bent forward with their heads cocked to the side in interest.

"The dis-ease that's plaguing him isn't natural; we don't know what it is-"

"But we do know someone who can help with this situation, hopefully shed some insight on what's going on."

"So if the disease isn't natural, is it his magic?" Deuteronomy sat heavily on the tire, this was going to be a very long and confusing conversation.

"Like we said; we don't know. But we do know that if nothing is done then Quaxo will be dead by the end of the week." Munkustrap flinched, they only had a couple days left.

"What about the Mistoffelees?" His father inquired from his perch behind him.

"We're not too sure what will happen to the demon, he will probably die off as well," the queen of the pair replied without interest, or so it seemed.

"There is a healer who resides on the other side of the city, he will be able to tell us what's wrong and hopefully help us cure the magician," Coricopat turned back to the problem at hand. Munkustrap looked overhead at a passing cloud, there would be about 7 hours until sunset.

"Great! When do we leave?" He asked the pair. He was willing to leave now and leave Alonzo in charge but it was really up to the twins on when they should leave, they did, after all, know the way.

"We leave whenever you're ready," Tantomile stated blankly. Munkustrap quickly excused himself before he dashed off to find Alonzo and Tugger , hopefully he could find them both easily enough.

Oo oO
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Oo oO

Wake up... Wake up, Quaxo... Quaxo! The small tux jumped as he jolted into consciousness. I'm awake, leave me alone, he replied to the demon stirring inside his oddly vacant mind.

"I didn't do anything!" Tugger protested beside him, Quaxo jumped a bit at the sudden noise. Obviously he forgot to keep his mouth shut. He brought his hand up to his forehead, massaging his splitting headache, he didn't even want to open his eyes; he was in so much pain. His muscles burned and ached fiercely at the though of making any kind of movement.

"Not you," he muttered grumpily. It took him a few moments to feel the weight of the thick blanket draped over his thinning body and to process the strong scent of the kittens on the blankets beneath him. He was at Jenny's.

"Oh. So how are you feeling now? Any better?" He thought over the past night, he remembered waking up in a panic and then waking up again next to Tugger with a searing headache... before being dragged to Jenny's.

"Umm," he couldn't find the words to describe how he felt; like he was hit by a truck? As if he'd been tossed off the highest junk pile by a crazed pollicle? He dropped his hand heavily onto his half covered chest. "I can't see!" he gasped when he opened his eyes to a shade of black deeper than his ebony coat.

"What do you mean-?" Tugger bounded over to his side instantly, the young tux immediately started to hyperventilate as he tried to regain his sight.

"I can't see, that's what I mean!" he shrieked.

"Hold still," Tugger demanded, grabbing his pale, pasty white face. Quaxo's eyes were milky and glossy with a rim of blood leading to the corners where Tugger could easily trace their paths down his thin face. His stomach clamped down at the sight of the panicked eyes looking right through his honey own orbs.

Just then, Munkustrap burst through the wooden door to Jennyanydots and Skimble's den in an excited frenzy. "Tug! The twins know where there's a healer that could cure Quaxo," he gushed. He stopped when he noticed his younger brother hold the tux's head in his paws, giving the coon a quizzical look. Tugger motioned him over and turned Quaxo's head slightly to meet the tabby's. A low rush of breath was the only response from the Jellicle Protector.

"I'll meet you in the clearing," Tugger murmured to Munkustrap softly. The silver cat nodded as he stole a last glance at the sickly tom before leaving.

"You're leaving?" Quaxo rasped fearfully. How could he be leaving at a time like this! He couldn't help the kittenish crack in his voice, he didn't really care, he was past his pride now.

"I'm going to go help Munkustrap bring the healer back so you can get better-" Tugger explained. Guilt washed over him at the sight of those milky, unseeing eyes as they started to water.

"I'm scared," he rasped, his voice breaking under the fear and uncertainty; will he live to see his friend's return? How long could he wait?

Without warning, Tugger leaned down and locked the tux's lips with his own; a small, shocked gasp being his immediate response before Quaxo melted into the kiss, hoping it would entice the coon to stay with him. They leaned into each other eagerly, knowing that this may be the last kiss they will ever share. Tugger was first to pull away, he leaned over so that his forehead was resting gently against Quaxo's.

"I know, tux. I just want to make sure that we get back as soon as possible," he soothed gently. "I'll be back before you know it." Quaxo looked up in a vain attempt to make eye contact, nodding as he sniffled back a couple tears. With that, Tugger set his head down on a large, plush pillow before quietly rushing out the door. He strode towards the tire at the head of the clearing with his head down, hoping that the silent tears that threatened to streak his bold face would go unnoticed.

Yeah, short and meh. But I can't wait to post the next chapter! Eeeeek

Review make the world go 'round! And I shall also do a jig, no one can see me so it's all good ;)