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: 1479

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

Author's Notes: Hello everyone! This story is back *smiles* For a while there I kind of lost my inspiration for continuing it but then, three weeks ago, I saw Cats once more in Hamburg and was again captivated by this beautiful musical and took this as a sign to start work on this story once more. I went through the old chapters and changed a few things. Nothing huge, but a lot of rephrasing and such went on. I think it now reads a lot more fluently and has overall improved and I hope you see it the same way.
I want to take this chance to thank everyone who has read and reviewed this ff so far. I know I have kept you all waiting for years and you all probably thought that I have given up on it. If I had, this story would have been taken down from the site a long time ago. Maybe some of you are still around and like to give it another read.
In the end, I'd love to get some constructive criticism, and reviews are always loved. *smiles* I hope you enjoy this new chapter!

Chapter 07: Welcome Home

Tugger returned about two hours later with a couple of mice dangling from his mouth. He grinned at Munkustrap when the tabby raised an eyebrow. "Figured you'd be hungry," he explained after dropping the mice onto the floor. "The fur ball could use some food, as well. He's just skin and bones, as it is. That can't be healthy."

Munkustrap nodded and stretched elegantly, careful not to rouse Quaxo from his sleep. He padded over to his brother and hungrily ate one of the mice.

"Does it surprise you?" Munkustrap asked after he had finished the mouse. "He probably only ever got the few scrapes of food his family left over. And he wouldn't have asked for more. You know that."

Tugger sighed. "Yeah, poor kid. Just imagine growing up like that, always going hungry and being last in line." He shook his head in disgust.

"Well," Munkustrap said when he finished his second mouse, "Sadly, not all cats value their kittens above anything else. I would willingly hunger just so that Quaxo or any other kitten would have enough to eat."

"His mother clearly felt different," Tugger mumbled and glared at the wall as if Quaxo's mother would appear there any minute. Instead, Quaxo's fluffy head peeked out of the blankets with a yawn and both Tugger and Munkustrap chuckled at the sleepy expression on the kitten's face.

"Hey there, sleepyhead." Munkustrap smiled and nuzzled Quaxo's head.

"I hope you're hungry," Tugger said and dangled a mouse in front of the young tom.

Quaxo stared at the mouse for a moment before he lowered his head. Tugger frowned.

"What's wrong?" he asked. "You do like mice, right?"

Quaxo's eyes turned wide. "I do," he said hurriedly. "It's just ... m-my Mom – the mice she brought me were usually smaller. And it was d-difficult to eat them. I-I don't think I can ..." he trailed off and looked down at the floor ashamed. Munkustrap felt something clench painfully in his chest.

"Hey, it's okay," he said softly and tilted Quaxo's chin up gently with his front paw. "We'll bite off small pieces for you."

"It's no big deal," Tugger added. "We do it for all the kittens."

"Really?" Quaxo asked.

"Really," Munkustrap smiled encouragingly. "Sometimes we give them small pieces of mice, other times we mash them so the mice are easier to eat, especially for the younger kittens. Just like the stuff Jelly gave us for you to eat yesterday."

Quaxo nodded and watched in awe as Tugger bit off piece after piece from one of the dead grey mice and laid them into the blue bowl. When he was done Munkustrap gently nudged Quaxo in the direction of the food.

"Go on, eat, little one," he said.

Tugger grinned at his brother in triumph when Quaxo ate piece after piece with obvious appetite.

"Want more?" Tugger asked when Quaxo had finished the last piece. The young kitten shook his head and Munkustrap pushed the green water bowl in front of him before he ate the remaining mouse himself. Quaxo drank just after a moment's hesitation and both Munkustrap and Tugger considered this a small victory.

"So," Tugger declared after he had licked the fur under Quaxo's mouth dry, "I was strolling around the junkyard earlier and I think I may have found the perfect home for you."

"What is it?" Munkustrap asked, intrigued.

"Well," Tugger said with a grin, "You've probably already seen it on one of your patrols. It's the old wardrobe just around the corner, far enough away from the centre of the junkyard that the others won't bother you all the time but still close enough that someone can be there in no time if you need help. Sounds good, huh?"

Munkustrap looked at Quaxo. "It does sound good, doesn't it?"

Quaxo shrugged. "I like it here," he said quietly.

"Oh, me too," the tabby laughed. "But it's a bit of tight fit, don't you think?"

Quaxo looked over his shoulder at his brown toy mouse. "C-can I take it with me?"

"Of course you can, kiddo," Tugger said immediately, wondering briefly if Quaxo had been forced to leave a favourite toy behind at some point in his life – or if he ever had a favourite toy to begin with. "In fact, if you two approve of my choice we'll bring everything over to the wardrobe: your mouse, the blankets and pillows, and your bowls, of course."

"So," Munkustrap said, "Want to go check it out? We'll be with you every step of the way, I promise."

Quaxo nodded and together the three of them left the dishwasher. The sun was shining brightly when they stepped outside. Various cats were lying around lazily, letting the sunshine warm their furs. A few eyes stared curiously at them when they crossed the yard but no one came over and bothered the three toms for which Munkustrap was glad.

They rounded the corner and left the centre of the junkyard behind them. Huge piles of old electronics hid them from view now and, just as Tugger had promised, they could see the wardrobe a few metres ahead. It was bigger than Munkustrap remembered it und looked in good shape. They walked up to it and together with Quaxo the grey tabby peered inside. There was enough room for four cats in there, it was dry and provided enough protection from unwanted eyes.

Munkustrap turned around and looked at Tugger who was grinning smugly. "You're right," he said. "It's perfect."

Tugger's grin grew brighter. "Who's the king of the junkyard?" he asked jokingly and Munkustrap rolled his eyes.

Instead of answering Tugger he asked Quaxo, "What do you think?"

"It's so big," the small kitten said in awe. "May I go inside?"

Munkustrap closed his eyes briefly, wishing Quaxo would not always ask so politely when he wanted something.

"Sure you can," he replied and watched as Quaxo tentatively explored his new home, curiously staring at the high walls. He turned back to Tugger. "I think we're staying."

"Good," Tugger said. "I'll go get your stuff, then."

Munkustrap stopped him by laying a paw on his shoulder. "You don't have to do this."

Tugger smirked at him. "I know," he agreed. "But like I've told you: We're in this together. The least I can do is make sure the two of you are comfortable in your new home. Also," he added, "I don't think Quaxo should walk all the way back and forth again. It's not good for his paws."

Munkustrap shook his head and smiled fondly. "Since when have you become so wise and responsible?"

"Since you brought that impossibly cute fur ball with you," Tugger retorted with a playful grin. "It's your fault I'm getting soft. Don't think I won't blame you when I don't get the ladies anymore because of this."

The older cat chuckled and rolled his eyes. "I didn't expect anything less from you."

Tugger winked at him and ran back towards the centre of the junkyard while Munkustrap walked inside the wardrobe to check on Quaxo. He found the black-and-white kitten trying to climb onto the shelf in the corner and managed to catch him at his neck just as he was about to fall.

"Sorry," Quaxo said immediately. "I d-didn't mean to fall."

"I'm sure you didn't," Munkustrap said with a smile and sat him down on the shelf he was trying to reach. "Just ask for help next time. That shelf is too high up for you, especially with your bandaged paws."

Quaxo nodded and peered into the corners of the shelf.

"What are looking for?" Munkustrap asked.

Quaxo looked back at him, dark eyes happy and sad at the same time. "At home, I always had to sleep on the top shelf, and it was damp and mouldy." He wrinkled his nose. "I did not like it. This one here is nicer."

Munkustrap gently grabbed him at his neck and sat him back down onto the floor of the wardrobe.

"You know," he started, not knowing how to go about this new piece of information, "I would very much like it if you slept down here."

Quaxo stared at him with wide, questioning eyes. "Why? Mommy said clumsy kittens like me have to sleep on the shelves so that they learn not to be clumsy."

"Because," Munkustrap said, feeling sadness wash over him just thinking about Quaxo trying to climb an almost impossible height, "I feel safer when you're at my side."

"Me too," Quaxo whispered shyly as if he were sharing a secret. He moved closer to Munkustrap and buried his head in the tabby's chest. "Feel safe with you," he mumbled against the fur and a lump formed in Munkustrap's throat.

"You are safe with me, little one," he promised quietly and nuzzled Quaxo's head. "Welcome home."

TBC