"What are you doing here?" Munkustrap demanded to know, his eyes flashing to Macavity briefly, finding the ginger Tom looking in Tumble's direction.
"I've heard rumours, Munkustrap," Growltiger drawled.
"Oh really?" Munkustrap hissed. "And what rumours would those be?" Growltiger just grinned.
"That you have a weapon of mass destruction here," Munkustrap raised his eyebrows but looked unamused.
"You're kidding me," Munkustrap replied dead-panned. "Does it look like we can have anything in the junkyard...other than scrap metal and hard rubbish?" Growltiger growled, suddenly striking the unprepared silver Protector, sending him stumbling back.
"Mac?"
"I told you, Growl, the Jellicles are too peaceful to have something like that," Macavity said boredly, though his eyes did rest on Mistoffelees briefly, knowing that the weapon Growltiger referred to could quite possibly be the small conjurer.
"I know there's something here!" Growltiger snarled. "A weapon or a mystic or a magical cat," Cori and Tantomile exchanged looks before Cori slowly rose to his feet.
"Cori!" Tantomile hissed, trying to grab his paw to pull him back down. Growltiger turned and looked at the calico mystic. Munkustrap's eyes went wide when he saw Cori standing.
"What?" Growltiger hissed at Cori.
"T-There...are only two mystics...but we can only sense danger and get small snap-shots into the future," Cori explained. "If you think the weapon is us...then you're sorely mistaken," Growltiger glared at Cori.
"He's telling the truth, Growl...he and Tantomile are limited in their abilities." Macavity confirmed. Growltiger yelled loudly.
"I want to know what it is!" Growltiger yelled. Macavity rolled his eyes at that.
"Mac, grab one of them and interrogate them while I talk to my silver pal here," Growltiger hissed, staring at Munkustrap, who straightened up, his back straight as he stared at Growltiger. Macavity gave a sudden smirk, looking over at Tumblebrutus. Tumblebrutus just sat, staring at Macavity, as Macavity began walking towards him.
"Damn it, Tumbles, don't stare like an idiot, move!" Tugger hissed, grabbing the young Tom's arm.
"Oh don't do that, Tugger," Macavity laughed, his voice cold. "Let me talk to my good friend,"
Act scared, Brutus Macavity's voice suddenly whispered in his head. Tumble forced himself to shake and recoil as he looked up at Macavity.
"Come now," Macavity smirked, grabbing Tumble's arm and pulling him up before leading him away.
"No!" The Jellicles were all yelling as Tumble was 'forcefully' dragged away. Macavity led Tumble to a den, making sure they were out of sight of the Jellicles and Growltiger before Macavity enclosed Tumblebrutus in his arms. Tumble entwined his paws in Macavity's wild head fur, drawing him close.
"I'm sorry I had to stop us meeting," Macavity murmured, resting his forehead against Tumbles.
"But I couldn't risk you with Growltiger in town," Macavity murmured, inhaling Tumble's unique scent. Tumble purred as he snuggled close to the warm Tom, who held him close.
"I missed you," Tumble murmured, gently rubbing Macavity's chest.
"I missed you too, Brutus," Macavity smiled, kissing the top of the young Tom's head. Tumble shivered and wrapped his arms around Macavity, just trying to get as close as possible.
"Mac, Growl's wanting you...oh, hey, Brutus,"
"Hi, Griddle," Tumble murmured, his voice muffled as he buried his face in Macavity's fur. Macavity sighed. Tumble frowned as Macavity let him go before he ruffled up Tumble's fur, trying to mess it up.
"Sorry...got to keep up appearances, make sure Growl doesn't get suspicious," Macavity murmured as he ruffled up Tumbles fur.
"I-If you do that...shouldn't I...shouldn't I be bleeding?"
"What?" Macavity asked, shocked. Tumble sighed.
"The Jellicles...they know you as ruthless...if they see that my fur is just ruffled, they'll think something is up," Tumble murmured.
"I-I can't hit you," Macavity breathed. Tumble looked at Griddlebone, who held up her paws.
"Oh no, darling," Tumble sighed.
"Brutus..." Macavity murmured as Tumble raised up a claw, cutting at his own lip. Macavity gripped Tumble's paws.
"Brutus!" Macavity exclaimed, shocked as he held onto Tumble's paws.
"I don't want Growltiger or the Jellicles to get suspicious and think you're going soft...they'll try hurting you otherwise...maybe kill you," Tumble said, staring into Macavity's red eyes.
"Oh, Brutus,"
"Griddlebone, please...help..." Tumble pleaded. Griddlebone sighed, looking at him sadly.
"I'm not going to be hurt...please,"
"Griddle, before you...start," Macavity said. He put his paws on either side of Tumble's face, cradling his face.
"This will help," Macavity murmured, gently nuzzling Tumble's face before pulling back. Macavity's paws glowed blue for a few minutes before he stepped back from Tumble.
"You won't feel anything now," Macavity murmured, tired. "And those wounds will heal quicker," Tumble smiled before he turned to Griddlebone, going serious. Griddlebone let her claws slip out.
"Sorry, kitten," Tumble gave a weak smile. Griddlebone quickly swung her paw across, just wanting to get this over and done with. Tumble cringed, waiting for the pain that never came. Macavity smiled as he watched Tumble's eyes snap open, looking at the scratches oozing blood on his chest in surprise. Griddlebone quickly gave small cuts on his cheek.
"That's enough," She murmured before Macavity could even put input anything. Macavity nodded, gently grabbing Tumbles arm.
"Come on...just remember to act scared alright," Macavity murmured. Tumble nodded, nuzzling against Macavity's neck gently. Macavity purred softly. Macavity, Griddlebone and Tumblebrutus all looked towards the den exit when they heard a loud cry.
"Come on, Brutus," Macavity sighed, pulling Tumble from the den. Tumble gave a whimper as they came to the main clearing and saw exactly what was happening. Munkustrap was bloody and scratched, being supported by two of Growltiger's followers as he slumped in their grip. Munkustrap was fighting to break free though, his blue eyes fixed firmly on Coricopat. Coricopat was being held back by Growltiger's followers, he was glaring at the pirate Tom who stared at him, intrigued. Macavity passed Tumble into Griddlebone's arms. She wrapped her arms around the young Tom, holding him...to the others it looked like she was restraining him.
"Growl...what are you doing?" Macavity barked as he stalked over to the pirate cat.
"This one tried to stop me getting the information from Munkustrap...and he won't tell me why he was so intent on stopping me from hurting the Protector," Growltiger laughed gruffly. Cori just glared at him, flinching away when Growltiger went to touch his cheek.
"Don't touch me!" Cori hissed. Growltiger growled at that, raising his paw.
"No!" Munkustrap yelled, struggling. Growltiger looked back at Munkustrap, grinning evilly.
"You tell me where this weapon is, Munkustrap, and I'll leave...this," Growltiger looked Cori up and down. Cori growled at him. "Whatever he means to you, alone."
"For the last time, there's no weapon!" Munkustrap cried. Growltiger hissed and raised his paw again, Cori closed his eyes. Cori cried out, groaning as Growltiger suddenly bunched up his paw and thrust it into Cori's stomach, sending the mystic doubling over.
"No!" Tumble and Munkustrap cried out. Growltiger went to strike again when something grabbed his wrist.
"Don't do that again," Macavity hissed as Growltiger looked at him. "Munkustrap's telling the truth, he wouldn't risk his soon-to-be mate's life," Growltiger growled, pulling his wrist from Macavity's grasp. Cori raised his head from where he was still partly doubled over, to look at Macavity.
"Let him go," Macavity order Growltiger's followers. They let Cori go. Cori immediately went to Munkustrap, shoving aside the cats holding him. Munkustrap slumped into Cori's arms. Cori slowly lowered them both to the ground, cradling the silver Tabby in his arms.
"What did you learn from him?" Growltiger hissed, nodding at Tumblebrutus, who was still held back in Griddlebone's arms.
"Same as you...there's no weapon, as I told you," Macavity growled, his red eyes going dark. Growltiger growled, finally admitting defeat.
"Get outta here," Growltiger ordered his followers. Growltiger and his followers left. Macavity looked around the yard, his eyes resting on Cori and Munkustrap.
"Thank you," Cori whispered. Macavity inclined his head slightly before turning. He nodded to Griddlebone as he walked past her, but gave a small wink to Tumbles.
"See you soon, darling," Griddlebone murmured in Tumble's ear before letting him go and giving him a small shove in the back, sending him stumbling forward.
Tumble watched as they left before he hurried over to Cori and Munkustrap. Jenny and Jelly were already by their sides, making sure they were okay.
"Cori, Munku, are you okay?" Tumble asked worriedly, ignoring the look his mother gave him. Munkustrap and Cori nodded. Cori gently rested his paw on Munkustrap's shoulder.
"Are you okay?" Cori asked, his green eyes staring in Tumble's blue-green ones.
"I'm fine," Tumble smiled, but winced as his lip split again. The magic had worn off.
"Let me take a look at you, sweetie," Jelly said, gently taking Tumble's arm and turning him so she could look at him. She frowned but then sighed, relieved as she examined the scratches on his chest and cheek.
"They're shallow, thankfully...so they should heal up in no time," Jelly said gently, rubbing Tumble's shoulder.
"Thanks, Jelly." Tumble smiled.
Later that night, Tumble helped Cori lower Munkustrap into the nest. Munkustrap pulled Cori down as well, setting him in between his legs. Tumble sat beside them.
"Are you okay?" Munkustrap asked, rubbing Cori's stomach which was beginning to bruise.
"I'm fine," Cori said softly, nuzzling Munkustrap. Tumble looked at them both sadly.
"Are you okay, Tumbles?" Cori asked the young Tom softly.
"I'm fine," Tumble answered.
"How did you get the wounds?"
"I did the one on my lip...and I persuaded Griddlebone to give me the scratches," Tumble said quietly.
"Tumble, why?" Munkustrap exclaimed, alarmed.
"Because I didn't want the other Jellicles or Growltiger to know anything was happening with Macavity...that I was changing him," Tumble said quietly. "I didn't want Macavity to be hurt, or killed, because cats found out he was...different when it comes to me," Cori moved away from Munkustrap slightly, in order to pull the young Tom into his arms. Tumble curled into Cori's embrace, purring softly. Cori rested his head on top of Tumble's, gently rubbing the young Tom's back. Cori looked up at Munkustrap as the young Tom fell asleep in his arms. Munkustrap smiled slightly, moving over.
Both Cori and Munkus were too sore to move Tumblebrutus to his own nest at the moment.
Cori gently laid the young Tom out on the edge of the nest, before he lay down himself. Munkustrap pulled Cori into his arms, nuzzling at the back of Cori's neck.
"I have a really bad feeling, Munk," Cori murmured.
"What do you mean?"
"I feel something bad is going to happen, Munk," Cori repeated. "I don't know what...but...every time I look at or touch Tumble, the feeling intensifies,"
"What does that mean, Cori?"
"This bad feeling...it means something is going to happen to Tumble, Munk," Cori whispered, gently reaching out and touching Tumble's head fur.
"Munk?"
"Yes, love?"
"I really don't want anything to happen to Tumble,"
"Either do I," Munkustrap murmured in Cori's ear.
"I...I just don't know if I can handle losing him...he's become..." Cori trailed off, unsure of what to say. Munkustrap just nuzzled the back of his neck in reply.
"I know, darling...and we'll take care of him, we'll always be here for him," Munkustrap murmured, gently kissing the back of Cori's neck. Cori rolled slightly, so he could roll his head to look at Munkustrap. Munkustrap's blue eyes stared at him sincerely.
"I love you, Munk,"
"I love you too, Cori," Munkustrap smiled, gently kissing the male mystic before they both settled down to sleep.
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Sorry it's been a while...I've sort of have had no inspiration for this story...so I've been writing another one...which might be the next fic after this one is finished, I'm a bit hesitant to put the next one up...I'm not sure if you'll...receive it well...
Thanks to those who reviewed!
Please read and review!
Luv HGP!