Title: Conjuring Pain

Author: Ailendolin

Rating: T (PG-13) … just to be sure.

Disclaimer: I do not own cats and do not make any money with this story. I only own the little plot bunny.

Summary: Being a conjuring cat isn't a gift. Quaxo should know. All magic ever brought him was pain, loss and loneliness. It started ruining his life when he was a kitten. Will his broken spirit be mended when Tugger and Munkustrap stumble upon him?

Word Count: 1366

Warning: Angst, Hurt/Comfort, but mainly Fluff – a lot of it.

Chapter 06: Brown Mouse

The next morning came bright and early and neither Munkustrap nor Tugger was looking forward to it. There was the problem of finding a new home big enough for a small family and they were both afraid of how meeting the tribe would affect Quaxo. Judging by his reaction yesterday he did not like big crowds where all the attention was focused on him. 'Maybe,' Munkustrap thought as he licked Quaxo's face to wake him up, 'he feels uncomfortable because no one ever bothered to notice him enough.'

"Hey, sleepy head. Good morning," Munkustrap smiled as he watched Quaxo opening his eyes. The young cat stretched, mindful of his paws, and looked at the tabby.

"Good morning," he replied, still a bit shyly. Before Munkustrap could say something Tugger strode into the den with a nervous smile that looked out of place on his face.

"Morning, Quaxo, Munk. Guess who's out there?"

"By the sounds of it the whole tribe," Munkustrap guessed. Tugger only nodded and Munkustrap tiredly closed his eyes. "It seems we can't delay this any longer, hm?"

"Nope, I don't think so, Munk. Have you told him?" Tugger nodded to Quaxo who cautiously drank some water from his bowl, looking like he was expecting someone to tell him to stop.

"No, I haven't. I tried yesterday but he was too tired." Munkustrap turned to Quaxo with a smile and said, "Hey, little one, how are your paws?"

Quaxo seemed to consider his answer before he replied, "A bit better. I think I can walk. Why?"

Munkustrap and Tugger exchanged a look.

"Because we have lots of plans for today, right Munk?" Tugger looked expectantly at his brother.

"Right," Munkustrap said, "Would you like to go outside, Quaxo? We need to find a bigger home today."

Quaxo shrugged, and Munkustrap realized that the kitten was trying to be brave.

"And there are a few cats who would like to meet you," Tugger continued and both he and Munkustrap could see Quaxo going tense. This was not going well.

"M-meet me? Why?" Quaxo asked, staring at them with wide brown eyes.

Munkustrap could see how frightened the young tom was just thinking about going outside. He nuzzled Quaxo's head reassuringly and said, "Because you are very special and they are curious about our new family member and would like to welcome you to the tribe."

"It's not much, really. We just go outside and say hello and when you want to leave we go back inside, alright?" Tugger added. He could see Quaxo looking doubtfully at the two of them. The little tom still did not seem to be inclined to meet the others and Tugger could very well understand that after what the kitten had gone through. But Old Deuteronomy had told them that Quaxo was to meet the tribe today and they could do nothing about that except try to make it less frightening for Quaxo.

"And you won't be alone," Munkustrap reassured. "Tugger and I will go with you, stand by your side and be there for you. You don't have to be afraid. They are all very nice cats and we also have a few kittens not much older than yourself right now, so maybe you'll find someone to play with. How does that sound?"

Quaxo thought this over and then timidly asked: "You will really stay with me? The whole time?"

"Of course we will, little one," Munkustrap replied and hugged his protégé. Quaxo then nodded shyly and Tugger and Munkustrap took this as a sign that it was okay for them to go outside now.

The sun blinded them for a moment and the cats in the yard immediately went quiet as they saw the three toms emerge from the dishwasher. Tugger felt their eyes on the three of them and even though he was not the centre of their attention he could tell how uncomfortable Quaxo had to be at the moment. The little tom was hiding partly behind Munkustrap and peering out cautiously behind the tabby's leg.

Munkustrap nuzzled him once more before he raised his voice. "Good morning to you all," he addressed the tribe. "I am sure we all know why you're here and I beg you to have a little bit respect for our new tribe member and give him time to adjust to the way things are around here. Quaxo is not used to so much attention and is easily frightened as you can see. He went trough a lot and although he is not our own kitten by blood I want all of you to treat him as if he were because I certainly think of him as family."

Munkustrap paused for a moment and looked at the expectant faces staring up at him. He sighed, seeing the eager faces of the other kittens right in the front row trying to get a good glimpse of Quaxo. He turned to the tux and quietly asked, "Now, Quaxo, do you want to say hello?"

Quaxo looked unsure, but after an encouraging nod from Tugger he came slowly out of his hiding spot and shyly said, "Hello …"

The other cats immediately smiled and chorused a greeting for the young cat who quickly hid behind Munkustrap again. The tabby smiled fondly and once again addressed the other tribe members, "Thank you all for the warm welcome. We appreciate it but I think Quaxo should now get his well-deserved rest."

With these words Munkustrap left with Quaxo while Tugger remained outside to explain a bit more about the new member of the tribe. The little cat was definitely tired and still confused about the whole situation but Munkustrap thought he had done very well. He draped one fluffy blanket over Quaxo and looked at him with pride shining in his eyes.

"This was really brave of you, Quaxo. I'm very proud of you."

Quaxo's white cheeks started to redden and Munkustrap realized with a jolt that Quaxo was blushing. He could not hide his amused smile although Quaxo did not seem to notice.

"Thank you, Munkus," the small kitten mumbled.

"You're welcome, little one. Did you see the other kittens? They are really eager to meet you. Do you want to meet them?" Munkustrap asked.

"Maybe," Quaxo replied, unsure.

Tugger chose that moment to enter the dishwasher with a smile on his face.

"I think their curiosity is satisfied for now," he said to Munkustrap and then turned to Quaxo. "I have something for you, kid. Here." He gave Quaxo a small brown plush mouse. The little tux looked surprised at the furry mouse and then stared questioningly at Tugger.

"A young kitten gave it to me," Tugger tried to explain, "His name's Tumblebrutus. He wanted you to have it so you would never have to be alone again. It's his favourite one, you see."

Quaxo nodded and Munkustrap could see that he was very moved by the present. The little tom carefully took the mouse into his bandaged paws and gently cradled it against his chest.

"Tell," he started and paused for a moment, "Could you tell him 'thank you', Tugger?"

Both Munkustrap and Tugger heard the rephrasing of the sentence but decided not to say anything about it. There would be enough time for Quaxo to learn that he did not always have to ask for things.

"I think you can thank him yourself when you see him again. We will go look for a place to live after you took a nap so you'll probably meet him then. Alright?"

Quaxo nodded and Munkustrap pulled the blanket tighter around him.

"Okay, now that that's settled I think it's time for that nap Tugger mentioned. We'll be here when you wake up."

Quaxo obediently closed his eyes and was asleep within a few seconds.

"He really is tired out, isn't he?" Tugger observed as Munkustrap curled around Quaxo.

"Yes, he is," the tabby agreed. "This was really hard for him, although I think young Tumblebrutus did make this a lot easier for all of us."

The brown mouse was still held firmly between Quaxo's paws when Tugger left the den half an hour later.

TBC