She had to hand it to him, he was an excelent protector. Never letting anything get past him. Well, almost anything, her ears drooped as she suddenly felt guilty of all the secrecy. Despite herself she had begun to like quite a few Jellicles. Jenny was allways so nice and she took care of the kits like they were her own. Sighing she focused on Munkus's movements. His fur glistened in the moonlight, rippling over his muscles as he jumped from perch to perch, tail swishing out behind him...She blinked rapidly and shook her head.
What was she thinking? He still didn't trust her, even though he was lightening up a little. Letting her siblings be around her longer, not warning the others about her. Biting her lip she turned and looked into the den she had stayed in that night. Shaking her head once more she crawled back to the sleeping mound of Maine Coon, but she knew sleep wasn't going to come anytime soon.
She let her thoughts run on their own accord, skipping around to various topics. Every path she took in her mind, however seemed to lead to luxurious silver fur. Scarlottin cursed her mind fiercely as she curled closer to the large tom beside her. The contact comfort had always helped slow her racign thoughts when she was a kit but now it brought the sickening scent of the tom beside her. Scarlot couldn't help but notice how sweet he smelled, it was a sickening sweetness. Rum Tum Tugger tried far too hard to have the best scent of the toms. This only led to him smelling like a rotting corpse... not that Scarlot was proud to know that scent well enough to compare it. The sun was rising slowly as she played idly with a tuft of Tugger's fur. The young queen waited until she was sure Munkustrap had started his patrol on the other side of the territory before she pulled away from Tugger and made her way to the kittens's den.
Entering the den she quickly found her siblings. Curled up among the pile of kits and yet easy to point out. Their bright red, black and white fur standing out from the browns, yellows and greys of the others. Their fur would have been something to be proud of, so vibrant and soft, yet it only had condemed them.
Sighing she stepped silently over to them and stroked their headfur. How she now wished that they had taken more of their mothers colors instead of the vile cat she now called her 'lord'. After a few moments of watching her siblings sleep she stood and turned to exit the den.
She flinched back as she nearly slammed head first into a wall of silver and black. Her gaze slowly rose until her eyes met Munkustraps. Scarlottin mouthed the word 'hi'. Munkustrap motioned for her to follow him out of the den. Once out of earshot of any sleeping Jellicle's, Munkus crossed his arms, "What were you doing in the kits' den?" He had been letting her visit her siblings more and more recently but he didn't feel comofrtable with her sneaking around while the others were asleep.
Her ears laid back as she looked at her feet. Not in anger or saddness. More out of nerves as she stuttered a moment. "I-I...I was just checking on Gristen and Lorian" Her voice was soft, despite the fact that they were out of earshot of any other Jellicles.
"They're safe with Jennyanydots and Skimbleshanks." Munkus said, arms still crossed as he looked down at her. "You shouldn't be sneaking around."
"Sneaking?" She looked confused as she looked up at him. "Look...I know you don't trust me. Its obvious all right? But they are my siblings, my kits and I still worry about them. Whether or not Jenny or Skimble are watching them!" She hadn't slept much and the fact that he was only slowly letting her see Gristen and Lorian for longer periods of time was getting on her nerves.
Munkustrap rasied a brow at her and uncrossed his arms, "I see... I think it would be alright if the twins wanted to move into your den at the begining of next week" He said looking thoughtful as he rubbed his chin. Scarlot's eyes lit up and she smiled broadly. The young queen had to struggle to resist the urge to tackle hug the silver tabby, "Really? Thank you Munkustrap! Im sure they will be over joyed to hear that!"
Scarlot was practicly bouncing up and down. Her family would be back together again soon. Just one more week. However, her thoughts crashed down on her. So many 'what if's. What if they wanted to stay with the other kits? What if her 'job' decided to make a call to her den instead of waiting for her to show up?
The first she could handle. After all, they were finally with others of their age. They had friends now. But the second question sent a shiver down her spine. She had left out the detail of her kits being here. She wasn't going to let Macavity know where they were, not while she was still breathing.
Quickly she composed herself. Covering up the previous excitement and sudden fall of worry with a smile. "Thank you." She said again before turning, then she thought of something. Turning back around she touched his arm for the briefest of moments before quickly dropping her hand to her side. She looked like she wanted to ask him something, but then bit her lip and spun, racing off. A slight pink burning in her cheeks.
Munkustrap found her touch random and strange. Yet, at the same time he wished she hadn't run off so quickly. "You are welcome Scarlottin!" He called after her and continued on his patrol.
Scalot smiled widely as she danced her way back to her den. She wanted it to be spotless when her siblings moved in. She hummed softly to herself as she sorted and organized her smll den. There wouldn't be a whole lot of living space for the three of them but there was enough room to sleep comfortably.
The cleaning didn't take long as she didn't have much to clean. Though she did take the few blankets she had out and laid them out in the rising sun to warm and air out. Then, she forced herself to relax and lay out in the warming sun to wait for her siblings to awake.
Her mind began to wander as the warmth of the sun made her sleepy. Dozing off, her mind traced over the recent discussion with Munkus. Lingering on the details of Munkus face and following the patterns of his stripes. With a slight jolt her eyes snapped open and she sat up. Bast why did she keep thinking about him!?
Scarlottin allowed her tired eyes to focus. Nearly ten full seconds after awaking from her nap she realized Lorian was nose to nose with her. A tiny eep escaped her before she hugged the queenkitten tightly and purred.
Lorian giggled and hugged back, "Tired Scar? You sure took a while to respond!" Lorian asked as she nuzzled into her sister's neck.
Gristen was talking to Pouncy and George but soon joined his twin in hugging Scarlottin tightly, "Morning!"
"Maybe a bit." She said roughing up Lorian's headfur. "Morning you two. Guess what? I've talked with Munkustrap and he said that you two can move back in with me. If you want that is." She quickly added, knowing that they had grown close with the other kittens.
"Really!?" Lorian squeaked happily. She had missed Scarlot and it had taken quite some getting used to with the other kittens. "Does this mean he wont bug us to go play anymore if we're with you?"
"No, I don't think so." Scarlot laughed lightly, nuzzling Lorian's cheek. "I think he's coming round."
"Told ya he'd like her!" Gristen said elbowing Lorian who squeaked and elbowed him back.
Lorian stuck her tongue out at her brother and made a face, "-I- knew he'd like her first silly!"
Scarlottin raised a brow and crosse her arms, "What in Heaviside are you two furryballs rambling about now?" she laughed, they were always so cute when they bickered like this.
Gristen elbowed Lorian again and smiled too widely, "Nothing Scar!" He giggled nervously and then scampered inside, his twin hot on his tail as they played.
Scarlot tilted her head to side as she thought about what they had said. Could they mean really what it sounded like? No...He only just now trusted her...But why did she suddenly feel hopeful? Shaking her head violently she stood and sighed. 'Work remember?' She reminded herself as she started getting the blankets she had laid out.
Lorian looked around and then noticed Gristen's back was to her. "What are you doing?" She wondered creeping up to his side.
"Nuffin!" He said through a mouthful of mousecake.
"HEY!" She cried, tackling him. "Share!"
Hearing the shouts from inside Scarlot knew they had found the treats she had gotten from Jenny for them. Smiling she continued folding the bankets, her life was finally starting to go back to normal.
Scarlottin hummed softly as she continued to pick up, her steps gained a bit more than a bounce as she spun and trotted from place to place, gathering up everything.
Tugger walked around the corner whilst Scarlot was mid-spin and smiled, "That good of a day huh?" he chuckled and sat down on a broken stool next to her.
Scalottin eeped and giggled nervously when she noticed the maine coon had been watching her, "I'm sorry you had to see that! I'm a horrid dancer!"
Tugger waved a paw, "Nonsense! You are great!"
"Yeah..." A blush was very apparent as she turned to fold the blanket she had in her hands. Busying herself to try and forget he had seen her dance.
"Aw, c'mon now!" Tugger said standing and going to her side. Taking her hand he spun her gracefully, when she was facing him he had her in his arms and swayed slightly as if slow dancing. "I was surprised to see you gone this morning."
"I...wanted to check on the kits." She looked down at her feet, concentrating on two things: Trying to get her blush to fade and not step on the maine coons paws.
Tugger stopped swaying and it took nearly a full 30 seconds before Scarlottin even noticed they were standing still. This fact only made her blush more as she rest her paws in the soft fluff of Tugger's plush mane. "Scarlot?..." He hooked a finger lightly under her chin and lifted it so she looked him in the eyes, "Can I ask you something without you getting defensive?" A pleasant smile remained on his carefully calm expression yet his tail thrashed almost violently back and forth with anxiety.
Scarlottin wrung her tail a bit before she realized he was just as nervous. "What is it Tugger?" Out of instinct she reached up and rested a paw on his cheek.
"Promise you wont get defensive." He repeated, putting a hand over hers on his cheek.
"Of course..." Scarlot replied, she wasn't sure if she was more confused or more anxious than anything. Her tail tick tocked back and forth as she waited.
"Scarlot...Do you honestly want to be with me?" He asked after taking a breath. Scarlot's ears laid back at the question, she almost winced, surprised at the question. It was one of the few she hadn't wanted to be asked. For multiple reasons. First, it could very well mean he suspected her. And second...how could she answer? She did like the maine coon...maybe not this way but...She didn't know!
Then somethign happened to confuse the stuffing out of her, Tugger smiled. "I didn't think so..." He took her paw and spun her slowly, letting her face him again. "You have eyes for another tom!" He chuckled, "I understand!"
Scarlottin eeped as she was spun and gave him the most confused look she could manage. "What are you talking about Tugger?" She barely kept herself form stuttering as she looked past him to stop stammering.
Tugger looked thoughtful as he spoke next, "But the true question is who is it? Who would be so drop dead sexy? So amazingly awesome to compete with THE Rum Tum Tugger?" He chuckled as he said this and then followed Scarlottin's line of sight. "Oh I see!"
Scarlottin shook her head rapidly as she realized she had been staring at Munkustrap once more. "Munkus?! Seriously? C'mon Tugger!" She said defensively and crossed her arms.
Tugger leaned down so his head was even with hers and looked over his brothr, "Yeah you're right! He's not bad!"
Scarlot's eyes were wide as her ears lowered so far they would have fallen off if they could. Her face burned red at his comment. Shaking her head she punched him in the shoulder. "Be serious!" She said, quickly forcing her eyes to look at him rather than Munkus. "Munkustrap? He's barely trusting me and has hardly talked to me why would I ever fall for him?"
"Hey!" He rubbed his shoulder in mock pain. "I am being serious! You promised you wouldn't get defensive!" He accused, but his amusement was as plain as the grin on his face.
"Tugger I...I...Its just..." She stumbled for words, her blush darkening even more. She didn't know what to say! She wanted to disagree, to say it was impossible, but something deep inside her asked if it really was so unbelievable.
Tugger stood up and gave a sharp, piercing whistle. "'Ey Munky! com'ere!" He yelled over the clearing.
The silver tabby spun around as if he were being shot at and glared at his younger brother. Munkustrap's ears perked forward as he trotted over the short distance between himself and the couple and raised a brow. "Yes Tugs? How can I help you?"
Tugger shoved Scalottin in his direction, "The lil lady's got somethign to tell you!"
"What?! Tugger no-!" But Munkus was already there, her eyes widened even more as she was pushed forward. Eeping she dug her claws into the ground before twisting out of the path she was pushed and bolted for her den. "I'll get you for this Tugger!" She whispered venomously to the maine coon as she passed, just before she disappeared.
Once inside she leaned against the wall just to the side of the opening and tried to slow her breathing. Her heart was racing and she didn't know why. Why was she so scared to talk to Munkus? All she had to do was tell him she liked him as a...as a what? Friend? Protector? None of those answered seemed right. Yet she balked at the idea of loving him.
She was glad to see that her siblings had run along after eating their treat. They were probably with the Bailey boys or Etceti and Electra. She didn't want them to see her in this state, so confused and unsure. Sinking to the ground she held her knee's. How she wished this day was over.