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: Everyone thinks to be able to conjure would be great, but Quaxo cannot confirm that. To him magic only means pain, loss and loneliness. It started ruining his life since he was a kitten. Will his broken spirit be mended when Tugger and Munk stumble upon him?

Word Count: 2509

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

Author's Notes: Hi, everyone! Time for another update. It's already been way too long since the last one, but my muse demanded me to write down an ASoIaF story first. Sorry *g* Thank's again to everyone who reviewed or put this story on their alerts! I hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 15: New Kittens

When Munkustrap arrived in the clearing Jenny and Demeter were already waiting. He greeted both of them with a nuzzle. "They're not back yet?"

Demeter shook her head. "No. But they should be here any minute now."

"How's little Quaxo?" Jenny asked.

Munkustrap smiled. "He's great. Plato's looking after him right now and I think they're getting along really well."

"That doesn't surprise me," Jenny said fondly. "Plato is good with kittens. He's just too shy sometimes."

Demeter nodded. "He is, but can you blame him? Poor guy probably thinks he's going to break them."

Munkustrap shook his head. "I don't think that's the case anymore, Demeter. Plato's become a lot more self-assured over the last few months since he's taken up guard duty."

"Giving him that sort of responsibility was a good decision," Jenny agreed. "He's a lot more open now. And-"

She was interrupted by a loud voice singing various lines from "The awful battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles". The three cats looked at each other. "Tugger," they said in unison. Munkustrap shook his head. Trust Tugger to entertain the new kittens with a song about dogs. He could almost imagine him acting out the entire song on his own on the way to the junkyard. Sometimes his brother enjoyed being the centre of attention a little too much.

"They're here!" Demeter exclaimed excitedly. Just then, Tugger turned the corner, trying to imitate a ferocious dog which just made him look like ridiculously foolish . Behind him, three kittens came into the clearing, followed by Bombalurina and Admetus.

Jenny made a noise that sounded almost like a squeal. "Oh, look, Munkustrap, they're all queens! Jemima will be so happy!"

Jenny was right. The three little kittens were all queens and obviously littermates. Two of them were already practically worshipping the ground Tugger walked on, while the third and eldest walked a few steps behind them, only now and again gazing at Tugger in grudging admiration.

Bomba had the biggest smile on her face when she greeted Munkustrap. "Aren't they adorable?" she asked and pointed to the kittens who were busy fawning over Tugger. "The white one is Victoria. She's the oldest of the litter."

"And relatively immune to Tugger's charms, thank the Everlasting Cat for small mercies," Admetus added wryly.

When Victoria heard her name being spoken she raised her head and came over to them. She glanced at Munkustrap shyly. "You must be Munkustrap," she said, with a little smile. "Bomba has told us about you and the tribe. Thank you for taking us in."

Munkustrap smiled at her. "You're welcome, Victoria. I hope you will like it here."

"I'm sure we will," Victoria replied. With a quick but shy nuzzle to Munkustrap, Demeter and Jenny she returned to her sisters.

"She's such a sweetie," Jenny said, gazing at her fondly. "Jemima and she should get along just fine."

Bomba laughed. "Yeah, well, the other two are another matter entirely. The dark one is called Electra. The light one with the patches and stripes is Etcetera. She's the youngest of the litter and quite a piece of work."

Admetus grimaced and nodded. "Oh yeah, she is. Just wait until you hear her scream or squeal in delight. Nothing for sensitive ears, I guarantee you that." He rubbed his right ear ruefully.

As if she knew they were talking about her, Etcetera let out a loud squeal of joy followed by laughter. "Oh, Tugger, you're the greatest!"

Admetus looked at the other cats who were trying not to wince. "See what I mean?"

Munkustrap nodded. "Good thing Quaxo's such a quiet kitten." He grinned at Bomba. "You sure will have your share of fun with that one."

Bomba smiled at him wryly. "They'll find their own dens soon enough. And by the way, I've heard your den is the new kitten playground. I'm sure the three terrors will visit you more often than not in the near future."

"Lucky me," Munkustrap mumbled and the others laughed.

Tugger choose that moment to saunter over, followed by two excited kittens and a more dignified Victoria who just shook her head at her sisters' antics. "So, Munk, what do you think of our new tribe members?"

"I think the tribe won't know what hit them," Munkustrap answered with a diplomatic smile. "Hello, little ones." Both Electra and Etcetera chirped an obedient hello back at him. "Did you enjoy your trip here?"

Electra nodded vigorously. "Oh, yes! It was so cool! We saw so many things. We've never left the house before!"

"And Tugger is the coolest!" Etcetera added, earning Munkustrap a smirk from Tugger. "Ever! I'm going to be his mate when I grow up."

That wiped the smirk off Tugger's face and Munkustrap could not help but laugh at him. "This could be interesting. Didn't peg you for the settling down type, Tugger, but then again: miracles do happen sometimes."

"Ha ha," Tugger grumbled good-naturedly.

Demeter rolled her eyes. "As much as I enjoy your brotherly banter, I think we should show the kittens their new home. They must be tired from the long walk here."

Victoria nodded gratefully and together the little group made their way over to Bombalurina's den. The kittens stared at it a little apprehensively, but Bomba nudged them forward. "Don't be scared. Go on in and look around. I know it's not a fancy human house, but it's warm and comfortable and if my sense of smell doesn't deceive me there should be a couple of mice in there waiting to be devoured by you."

That sent Etcetera and Electra running. Victoria followed at a slower and more deliberate pace. Bomba shook her head fondly and sighed. "I already adore them."

Jenny gazed at the den opening thoughtfully. "I think Victoria might be ready for her own den quite soon. She seems so mature already."

Admetus nodded. "She is. While her sisters were hanging onto Tugger's every word we actually had a really nice conversation. She kept asking about the junkyard, about the different cats. My brother in particular seemed to interest her a lot."

Tugger grinned. "Ah, young love. So romantic."

Jenny hit him over the head. "They haven't even met yet, Tugger. And they're both too young for mating anyway. Don't even think about taunting either Victoria or Plato about this."

"That hurt, Jenny, you know," Tugger grumbled and rubbed his head. When Jenny kept glaring at him, he rolled his eyes and pouted. "I won't, I promise. Are you happy now?"

"Very," Jenny said with a pleased smile.

"Well," Munkustrap said, before Tugger's pout could turn into a full-blown sulk, "I think we should leave Bomba and the kittens to settle in. There'll be enough time to get to know them and I'm sure father will want to greet them personally tomorrow anyway. Let's allow them a little rest and quiet before the whole tribe descends upon them."

Bomba smiled. "Thank you, Munkustrap. For everything." She nuzzled him.

"Of course, Bomba. We'll see you tomorrow. Have a good evening."

Tugger, Jenny and Admetus followed him away from Bomba's den and back into the clearing while Demeter stayed behind. She would help Bomba over the next few weeks with the kittens, taking care of them, showing them how to hunt and preparing them for a life on their own in the junkyard in general. While both Electra and Etcetera still seemed to be very childish, Munkustrap was sure that Victoria at least would proof to be an avid student and learner.

They stopped in the clearing.

"I'd better go and relieve Jelly of Tumble," Jenny said and waved goodbye.

They watched her leave, until Tugger stated, "Well, I'm hungry. I think I smelled a rat when we brought the kittens into the junkyard." He grinned devilishly. "Hope it's a fat one." And off he was, dashing around the corner and out of sight.

"It's just us, then," Munkustrap said amused. For a self-proclaimed lazy tom, Tugger could be extraordinarily fast when hunger called. "Want to come with me and pick Plato up?"

Admetus laughed. "I'm sure he's old enough not to need to be picked up by anyone, but yeah, I'll come with you. To be honest, I'm kind of curious how things went with Quaxo."

"Why?"

"Well, because it's the first time Plato's keeping an eye on a kitten on his own," Admetus explained. "There's bound to be some problems."

Munkustrap smiled reassuringly at him. "Don't worry. Plato and Quaxo get along just fine. Plato's great with him. I think he's more natural at this than I am."

Admetus raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

Munkustrap told him about the worries Quaxo had when his friends were leaving. "Plato made him feel special," the tabby explained. "With just a few words from Plato Quaxo went from being near tears to smiling and playing again. And, if I may say so, Plato for his part looked incredibly happy to be able to play with him."

They rounded a corner. Admetus sighed. "Plato's that unfortunate age where all the adults tell him he's too old to play anymore, though it's so obvious how much he wants to play some silly game or another with the kittens. But he doesn't because he thinks the other cats will frown upon that. It's not fair."

"No," Munkustrap agreed, "it's not. That's why I asked him to look after Quaxo in the first place: to give him a chance to be himself, to be as silly and playful and kittenish as he wants to be. He's missed so much, and had to grow up so fast, I think he deserves this little reprieve from adult life.

Admetus nodded gratefully. He said, "Thank you for doing that for him. I know you wouldn't trust just any cat with Quaxo."

"Plato's a good guy," Munkustrap smiled. "He'll make a good father one day."

Admetus grimaced. "He will, but him mating is nothing I want to think about. Not now, not ever." He shuddered and Munkustrap laughed. "It's just weird thinking about my baby brother growing up."

"But he will," Munkustrap told him with a smile. "And no matter how ridiculous Tugger was when he was talking about young love, I think Plato would be a wise choice on Victoria's part. They would work very well together."

Admetus sighed and shook his head. "I know, that's why I told her more about him when she asked. But shouldn't they meet first before we decide their fate?"

"Oh, absolutely," Munkustrap said, highly amused. "I'm not planning on playing matchmaker, just observing that they would make fine mates if they happen to catch each other's eyes. What about you? Anyone catch your eye?"

At that Admetus blushed and Munkustrap had to fight very hard not to start laughing. "Maybe," Admetus finally said evasively, looking anywhere but at the tabby.

"Maybe?" Munkustrap raised an eyebrow. "Maybe is no real answer."

Admetus glared at him. "I'm beginning to see how you and Tugger are related," he grumbled. "Fine, I've been spending a lot of time with Cassie lately."

"Cassandra?" Munkustrap asked, surprised. The graceful queen did not live at the junkyard permanently since she had a lovely human family that gave her a home.

"She's perfect," Admetus sighed and now Munkustrap could not help but smile. "She's beautiful and graceful and knows how to hold her own in a fight. Perfect."

"Does she like you back?"

Now Admetus was grinning. "I think so."

Munkustrap nudged him playfully. "Good for you. You deserve some happiness."

"I haven't told Plato yet," Admetus admitted just before they rounded the corner that would lead to Munkustrap's den. "I don't know how."

They stopped. "Just tell him," Munkustrap said. "He'll understand. As long as you don't suddenly stop spending time with him I think he'll be fine."

"I think I'll talk to Cassie first," Admetus said. "Make sure we're on the same page and all. No need to tell Plato if she's not as interested as I am."

"You do that." They started walking again and rounded the corner. A few meters away they saw both Plato and Quaxo running after a stray leaf, trying to catch it, all the while laughing. Plato faked a stumble just as he was about to reach the leaf, thus allowing Quaxo to get to it first.

"I won!" the little black-and-white kitten shouted gleefully. "You're not hurt, are you?" he asked Plato uncertainly as he turned around and saw the older tom still lying on the ground but Plato only laughed. "No, I'm just clumsy." He pounced on Quaxo and started tickling him.

"Look at them," Admetus murmured quietly. "It's been a long time since I've seen my brother this carefree."

Plato saw them then and ceased his tickle attack on Quaxo. He grinned at them. "Hi, you two!"

"Hi, you two!" Munkustrap and Admetus greeted in return. Quaxo's whole face lit up when he saw Munkustrap.

"Munkus!" the little tom squealed and lunched himself at the tabby. "We had so much fun! We were sunbathing and playing and hunting leaves and catching butterflies and stalking beetles and-"

"Don't forget to breathe, little one," Munkustrap laughed. "I take it you had fun with Plato?"

Quaxo nodded. "Yes. So much! Can he come play with me again?"

Munkustrap winked at Plato. "If he wants to."

"You do, don't you?" Quaxo asked pleadingly.

Plato ruffled his black fur. "Of course I do." He looked at his brother then. "Hi, Metus. How was the kitten journey?"

That got Quaxo's attention as well. Both he and Plato looked at Admetus with curious wide eyes. "It was good. Three new cute little queens for the junkyard."

"Jemima will be delighted," Plato grinned.

"When can we meet them?" Quaxo asked eagerly. Apparently his earlier worries about the new kittens stealing his friends away were forgotten, Munkustrap was glad to notice.

He and Admetus exchanged a look. "Tomorrow, probably, if Old Deuteronomy comes to greet them. The whole tribe will be there."

"Me too?" Quaxo looked at him hopefully.

"Yes, little one, you too. You're a member of the tribe, after all," Munkustrap explained gently. "Now, how about we clean you up and get you ready for bed? We don't want you to fall asleep when you meet the new kittens, do we?"

Quaxo shook his head vehemently.

"Good," Munkustrap smiled. "Now, say goodbye to Admetus and Plato. You will see them again tomorrow."

"Goodbye, Plato," Quaxo said and nuzzled his new friend affectionately. "Goodbye, Admetus."

Plato ruffled Quaxo's fur once more. "Bye, Quaxo. See you tomorrow!"

"Good evening, you two," Admetus said, and he left with Plato, telling him on the way all about the new kittens. Munkustrap watched them round the corner before he turned Quaxo towards their den.

"Now, bath time, I think. You're fur's all over the place."

Quaxo giggled and ran ahead and into the den. Munkustrap followed him more slowly, wondering how he had ever lived without little Quaxo in his life.

TBC