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: 2490

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

Author's Notes: So, I promised the next update would be in September when I'm back from Siberia, and here it is. I'm not terribly satisfied with how this chapter turned out which is probably because I have a lot of things on my mind right now. Personal stuff, family-related. That said, this chapter ends with a little cliffhanger because I've decided to move things along. The thing is, I don't really have the time to keep this story going for much longer since I've now started work on my master's thesis and that is of course my priority. I still have something planned for this story, but I hope that I can finish this fanfiction with 20 chapters total. We'll see how that goes. Anyway, enjoy this chapter and I'll try not to take another two months for another update.

Chapter 17: Official Playground

The next morning dawned bright and early and Quaxo was up and about before Munkustrap had even cracked one eye open. For a moment, he watched the kitten chase after a moth that must have found its way into their den during the night and giggle happily all the while before he yawned and asked, "What are you so excited about today, little one?"

Quaxo turned around and with a wide grin jumped onto Munkustrap's back. He laughed and nuzzled the tabby's neck affectionately. "Morning, Munkus! Are we going to meet the new kittens now?"

Munkustrap groaned playfully and buried his face into the pillows. "No," he moaned, drawing the word out. "I'm way too tired. See? I'm already fast asleep again."

On his back Quaxo shifted, and even though Munkustrap had his eyes closed he could imagine just how the kitten was cocking his head in confusion. He grinned when he felt Quaxo's paws digging deeper into his back, preparing for another jump.

"You're not asleep! I know you're not. Come on," Quaxo said, and jumped. Munkustrap, however, was ready for it and Quaxo shrieked with laughter when the tabby turned around lightning-fast and caught him in the air, only to begin tickling him without mercy.

"Stop!" Quaxo laughed. "I thought you were tired!"

Munkustrap stopped and grinned down at his charge. "Not anymore." He resumed tickling Quaxo's belly for a moment longer before he nuzzled his head affectionately. "Morning, little one."

"I'll never wake you again," Quaxo vowed, still laughing.

Munkustrap snorted. "Oh, you will. I'm sure of it." He stood up and stretched elegantly. "Are you hungry? I smell some mice not far from here. I could catch us some."

"That would be nice," nodded Quaxo.

"Alright," Munkustrap said. "I want you to stay here and wait for me. I'll remain in shouting distance, so don't leave the den, alright?"

Quaxo nodded once more and with a last smile to him Munkustrap stepped out of the dark den into the sunlight. The day was bright, with no clouds in sight and a slight breeze blowing. Quickly, Munkustrap followed the sense of the mice. It didn't take him long to locate them under some buckets. Sometimes, they really made it too easy. Triumphantly, he went back to the den where an eager Quaxo was waiting for him. Together they ate their breakfast – in Munkustrap's case slowly with the chance to savor the taste, in Quaxo's case as if he were on the run and the Great Rumpus Cat was after him.

"Are we going to meet the kittens now?" Quaxo asked.

Munkustrap laughed. "Patience, Quaxo. Patience. We will go to the tire in an hour, when Old Deuteronomy arrives to greet the kittens and welcome them into the tribe. Just like he did with you."

"That was scary," Quaxo admitted, his big eyes never leaving Munkustrap's. "Will the other kittens be scared as well?"

Munkustrap pondered that for a moment. "I don't think so. They're older than you were when you came here, and they're not alone, you know? They have each other, and they know Bomba and met some tribe members already. You knew no one and had every right to be scared."

"I'm not scared anymore," Quaxo declared proudly and Munkustrap ruffled his fur.

"And you have no reason to," he said. "There is nothing to be afraid of as long as you're in the junkyard."

Quaxo smiled at him and snuggled closer into his grey-striped fur. "I like it here, Munkus. I like being here with you."

Munkustrap nudged one of Quaxo's dark ears playfully. "And I like having you here. As does the rest of tribe."

Before he could say anything more they heard someone clearing their throat outside their den. "Hello? This is Plato," they heard the young tom say nervously. "Are you awake? I wondered if Quaxo was up to some more playing before the meeting starts."

Munkustrap grinned when Quaxo looked up at him with wide, excited eyes. "See? It's barely morning and already you have a visitor. Come on, little one, go to him and have fun."

For a moment, Quaxo burrowed himself deeper into Munkustrap's fur before he sprang up, grabbed his plush mouse and ran outside. Munkustrap shook his head fondly and followed his charge at a slower pace and stepped outside just in time to see Quaxo knocking Plato down on his back.

"Oops," Quaxo said, but Plato was laughing happily and soon Quaxo joined in.

"Morning to you too, little troublemaker," Plato said. "And to you, Munkustrap. I hope this is not too early."

Munkustrap waved a paw dismissively. "Don't worry, we've already eaten breakfast. Someone is very excited to make new friends today."

"Are you now?" Plato asked the little black-and-white tom. "I've heard they are very nice. Jemima is beside herself with happiness of having finally some young queens to play with. She's already awake as well," he added towards Munkustrap.

The tabby laughed. "I can imagine it. Let me guess: young Pouncival is not exactly delighted about that?"

Plato shrugged with a smirk. "He's pretty envious of Tumble being an only child right now, I think. He hates it when someone disturbs his sleep."

"Don't we all?" Munkustrap asked rhetorically. He stretched once more and then settled down in a patch of sunlight to watch Plato and Quaxo play in the cool air of morning as only young cats could. Quaxo's paws did not seem to trouble him anymore, and his jumps grew more reckless the surer his footing got. More than once Munkustrap had to remind himself not to intervene and to allow Quaxo to test out his own limits, remembering that he had been just as adventurous when he was a kitten. So he closed his eyes, relaxing in the sun and trusting Plato to keep Quaxo out of any serious trouble.

He was dozing lightly when Pouncival, followed by an amused Skimble, came stomping around the corner, looking for all intents and purposes as if it was pouring and someone had destroyed his favourite toy. Munkustrap had to try very hard not to start laughing when he saw the thunderous expression on Pouncival's face.

"Good Morning, young Pouncival," he greeted the kitten with a bow of his head.

"Morning," mumbled Pouncival back, and Munkustrap and Skimble exchanged an amused glance. Skimble settled down next to Munkustrap, and together they watched Pouncival walking over towards Quaxo and Plato.

"Quaxo?" Pouncival said, and without waiting for an answer continued, "Never, ever get a sister. Seriously."

Plato snorted, which turned into laughing when Pouncival glared at him. Quaxo just looked politely confused. "Jemima isn't so bad, Pounci," the black-and-white kitten said. "I wouldn't mind having her as a sister."

"Yes, you would," Pouncival assured him. "You have absolutely no idea how loud she can shriek, and how much this hurts your ears, especially when it's not even bloody morning yet, and all because of three new kittens."

"Language, Pouncival," Skimble said sternly.

"Yeah, yeah," Pouncival grumbled. He turned back to Quaxo. "You should really, really tell Munkustrap not to get you a sister. Once she's there, there's no returning them. Believe me: I've tried."

Munkustrap raised an eyebrow and looked at Skimble. "Did he now?"

Skimble nodded. "Yep. He asked us if we could send Jemima to live with Bomba as well, seeing as she obviously wouldn't mind having another kitten under her wing, because, and I quote, 'one more or less doesn't make a difference and then I could finally have my peace and quiet, thank you very much'. He was very vocal about that this morning."

They watched Pouncival grumbling on about his sister, unaware that neither Quaxo nor Plato were really listening. "Poor you," Munkustrap said finally with a smile. "I can't even imagine taking care of two kittens, with one full of excitement and the other plotting murder."

Skimble laughed. "That's a surprisingly accurate description of what went on in our den this morning. But Pouncival will get over it. He's just as excited about the new kittens as Jemima is, deep down. Well, maybe not exactly, since the kittens are all queens and queens are, and I quote again, 'not cool'."

"Until the moment when they suddenly are." Munkustrap and Skimble shared a knowing glance.

"Munkustrap? Skimble?" Plato called from his high seat on the frame of an old bed that lay on a pile of junk. "I think it's about time to go. I can see the others assembling by the tire."

Pouncival groaned. "Do we really have to go? It's just three stupid kittens."

Skimble walked over to him and bit him gently in the ear. "Yes, Pouncival, and you will behave." He shook his head. "I remember distinctly that you were just as excited as Jemima is today when Quaxo was introduced to the tribe. So why the long face now, hm?"

"Because they're kittens!" Pouncival gave him a look that clearly said, 'isn't that obvious?'. "And besides, Quaxo's cool."

That earned him a bright smile from Quaxo and an exasperated sigh from Skimble.

"Well," Munkustrap said, laughing, "now that that's settled, let's go."

Together, they walked the short distance to the main clearing of the junkyard. Most of the tribe was already there, talking excitedly. They spotted Jelly, Tumble, Admetus and Jenny off to the sides, and to Pouncival's woe Jemima was with them. After making their way over to them and greeting each other affectionately, Jelly said, "I hope you've calmed down somewhat, Pouncival."

"'Somewhat' is quite accurate, I believe," said Munkustrap with a twinkle in his eye while Pouncival just turned and told Tumble to never allow Jelly to get him a sister. Quaxo laughed, surprising the older cats. "He's told me the same thing," he told Tumble who started laughing as well.

"He sure is more open now than just a few days ago," Jenny observed. She smiled. "Good for him. His paws seem healed as well, as far as I can see."

Quaxo seemed to have heard that and turned proudly, albeit a little shyly, towards Jenny. "They don't hurt anymore," he declared happily. After exchanging a glance with Munkustrap he added, "Thank you for helping me."

Jenny chuckled. "You are most welcome, Quaxo."

Quaxo looked expectantly at Munkustrap. "Well done, little one," the tabby said.

Instead of turning back to his friends, Quaxo suddenly cocked his head. His ears twitched. "Old Deuteronomy?"

Munkustrap looked at him in wonder, when a moment later the voices of Coricopat and Tantomile who were on the other side of the clearing melodiously called out, "I believe it is Old Deuteronomy." A feeling of worry settled into the pit of his stomach, thinking back to the night when Quaxo's fur may or may not have been glittering. Nobody in the tribe had ever been more perceptive than the twins, except Macavity, once upon a time.

"There he is!" Tumble called out. Slowly, Old Deuteronomy made his way through the waiting cats and onto the tire, all the while aided by Tugger who was being his usual sauntering self. Once the junkyard quieted down, Old Deuteronomy raised his voice. "I thank all of you for coming today, and I am proud to welcome three new kittens into our tribe. Most of you have already heard about them, and some of you have already seen and talked to them. They are the litter from Bombalurina's sister, and I gladly grant them a place among us. So, without further ado: Welcome, Victoria, Electra and Etcetera!"

The tribe cheered when the kittens walked up to the tire, together with their aunt. Jemima was beside herself with excitement. "Oh, Victoria looks so beautiful!" she said. Munkustrap noted that Plato nodded in agreement.

"I hope you will be happy here," Old Deuteronomy went on and smiled down at the three new queens. "I am sure the other kittens are very eager to meet you."

"We thank you," Victoria said softly, while Elektra seemed a bit overwhelmed with all the attention. Etcetera, however, did not notice anything of it, having only eyes for Tugger who was standing behind Old Deuteronomy.

The tribe chief nodded. "There's no need for that," he said quietly. Louder, he announced, "Hereby I declare you full members of our tribe, guaranteeing you our protection and friendship."

Seeing as the official business was done with, Jemima used that moment to squeeze through the other cats, appearing in front of the newcomers. Tumble followed her a moment later with a grumbling Pouncival in his tow, while Quaxo looked up at Munkustrap with questioning eyes.

"It's okay, you can go, too," Munkustrap said, and his kitten was off in a dash.

"At least yours asks you for permission," Jelly said dryly as they followed their kittens.

Jemima was already making friends. "Hi!" she said with a wide smile. "My name's Jemima, and that is my brother Pouncival. And those two are our friends Tumblebrutus and Quaxo."

"Hello," replied Victoria.

"Want to be friends?" Jemima asked. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for a kitten that's not a tom."

Elektra laughed. "I can imagine. Nice to meet you! And ignore our sister, she's already head over heels in love with the Rum Tum Tugger and her IQ goes down to 10 whenever he's near."

They looked towards Etcetera who was gazing dreamily at the object of her affection. "10 might be optimistic," Tumble mumbled. When he realized what he had said his eyes widened but Elektra laughed. "You may be right there."

"I'm new as well," Quaxo told Victoria quietly. "But I'm sure you'll like it here."

"It is a nice place," Victoria acknowledged.

"And a fun place!" Jemima added. Want to come over to our den and play?"

Munkustrap chose that moment to intervene. "I think your parent's den may be a bit too small for that, Jemima."

"Yes," nodded Jelly. "And you're supposed to ask me or your father before inviting someone over, young lady."

"Yes, mum."

Quaxo turned to look at Munkustrap. "Can't they all come over to our den? We have enough space."

Even if he wanted to Munkustrap could not resist those big dark eyes looking at him to pleadingly. "Why not?" he said. "As long as it's okay with everyone. Bomba?"

"Fine with me," the queen said. "I could use the break."

So it came that after the meeting was finished seven kittens were playing outside Munkustrap's den while the older cats dozed in the sun. Admetus grinned at the tabby. "Your den is now officially the playground. You do realize that, don't you?"

Munkustrap shrugged. "I don't really mind. Just look how happy they are."

Admetus' grin grew wider. "I can see how happy my brother is, yes."

The others laughed, and Munkustrap thought that life could not get any better. Of course, only a few days later everything went wrong.

TBC