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Before and After the Hidden Paw
By: J. T. Thuy
Dedicated
to my inspiration, Carolyn
¡@
" I
pronounce you, Kiriandren, and you, Macavity, tom and queen," Deuteronomy bowed his
head at both of them. Jennyanydots wiped a tear from her eye. It was a relief to finally
see her best friend Kiriandren tie the knot. Even if it was with Macavity, it was still
sweet.
Skimble smiled
and hugged his younger brother. " You take care of her ok Mac?" Skimble replied
smiling at him, "Kiria is a wonderful queen."
" And when
are you going to settle down with Audrer?" Macavity asked amused jerking his head at
Jellylorum's cousin Audreriana.
" There's
always Jenny for you Skimble," Gus, short for Asparagus, replied smiling his
congratulations to Macavity, "You're only twenty (cat years) Macavity, you're so
young. I wish you a good long life." His son, Asparagus Jr., stood beside him with
his mate Rheana.
Macavity smiled
at his new mate and she smiled back. Kiriandren was a red queen, seventeen cat-years old.
Very young in her father's opinion. As they were leaving, Macavity felt a tug on his arm
and he spun around only to face his new father in law.
" You hurt
her and you'll never see the light of day Macavity," a old tom named Jeron hissed.
" I
promise I won't, I love Kiria Jeron, I'll take good care of her," Macavity told him
sincerely.
" You had
better," Jeron hissed stalking away to his mate.
" Don't
mind him love," Kiria told Macavity giving him a hug, "He'll get used to
you."
" If you
say so," Macavity hugged her back and followed Deuteronomy to the great leader's den
where he was holding a small celebration for the two as that was the tradition after all
weddings. The Jellicle Meadow was surprisingly bright that day, the many nests dotted the
edge near a quarry of rocks. The newest nest belonged to Macavity and Kiriandren.
"
Congratulations Macavity," Deuteronomy's younger mate, Lovrena, told him grinning at
Kiria, "I'm honored that you are now my brother in law." She was recently
pregnant with kittens and was expecting them in two months. She was also Kiria's older
sister.
" Thank
you Lovrena," Macavity bowed his head.
The married
couple separated. Macavity went to his friends and Kiria to hers. A few Jellicles were
uneasy around Macavity and had not totally approved Kiria's falling in love with him. But
a few, like Skimble, were ecstatic about it. He had always hated the prejudice against his
younger brother and now they could see the good tom Macavity really was.
From there
started a chain reaction of toms and queens getting together, becoming mates. Skimble
didn't go for Audrer like Macavity had suggested, he had followed Gus's advice and not
long after his brother, he took Jennyanydots as his mate.
And so, began
the beginning of our favorite cat tribe.
¡@
Jellylorum
stepped out of the room looking tired but otherwise happy. She had just delivered
Lovrena's kittens and had given Deuteronomy permission to see them.
" He looks
like a younger me," Deuteronomy smiled cuddling his eldest.
" You
remember how that looks like?" Lovrena giggled nudging her youngest tom, a white and
brown mix.
" I hope
you don't run out of tom names," Kiria joked picking up the middle one, a black and
brown mix with a small ring of mane.
" The
oldest is Munkustrap," Deuteronomy declared putting the gray and white tabby down and
picking up the middle, "This one of Rum Tum Tugger, Tugger for short."
" Plato,
definitely Plato," Lovrena licked her kitten's forehead.
Not long
afterwards, Asparagus and Rheana were blessed with three sons, and two daughters which
they proudly named: Admetus, Pouncival, Tumblebrutis, Cassandra, and Exotica. Audrer and
her mate Warren got twins which they named Coricopat and Tantomile. Jellylorum and her
mate Veran received Etcetera and Victoria. The EC gave Skimble and Jennyanydots two
daughters who were the youngest in the whole tribe: Electra and Jemima. Deuteronomy found
an abandoned black and white mix which he let Macavity name Alonzo after his and Skimble's
father. Alonzo was the same age as Deuteronomy's eldest sons and Lovrena took him in.
But a month
after Munkustrap, Tugger, and Plato were born, Kiria produced two daughters which Macavity
named Bombalurina and Demeter. They both looked a lot like Kiria which he was very proud
of.
" Who's
that?" Munkustrap had asked nudging Demeter.
" That's a
kitten Munkustrap," Kiria laughed," You're a kitten too."
¡§ Those
kittens are also your cousins,¡¨ Deuternomy told his two eldest.
" What's
his name?" Tugger asked tentatively poking Bombalurina who gave a small cry. Lovrena
pulled her second to oldest away from the little queen.
" They're
queens Tugger," Macavity laughed, "You, Munkustrap, Plato, and Alonzo are
toms."
"
Oh," Plato nodded. The four were still very young, only a month old. They had found
Alonzo when he was a few weeks old.
" Where do
kittens come from?" Alonzo asked looking up at Kiria in question.
" I'll
tell you when you're older Alonzo," Deuteronomy had to answer for Macavity since the
ginger was trying not to laugh.
And before Etcetera,
Victoria, Electra, and Jemima were born, Kiria had a second litter, this one consisting of
two toms and two queens.
Macavity
proudly named his eldest son Mungojerrie, the second oldest was named Rumpleteazer, after
that was Tecerol and his youngest son was named Mistoffelees.
" See
Bombs? See Demi?" Macavity lead the two to their four younger siblings," You
have two brothers and another two sisters."
" Are they
going to be anything like Munkustrap?" Demeter asked whacking Munkustrap's head
again. He gave a small cry and rubbed his head.
" What'd I
do this time?" he demanded.
" You're
stepping on my tail."
"
Hopefully not," Bombalurina agreed picking up Mungojerrie," I wonder what color
his eyes are."
" Misto
looks like my grandfather," Kiria remarked licking him.
Macavity picked
up Tecerol, Cerol for short, and hugged her. She was a ginger cat, like him. He lifted her
head a bit and smiled at discovering she was the kitten who had the same birthmark as him:
a small spot of reddish brown at the base of her neck. She had just been born and he had
already developed an instant love for his youngest daughter. She snuggled closer to her
father happily. A warmth filled up inside of him and it stayed even when he put her back
down.
" I feel
so warm inside," Skimble laughed picking up Rumpleteazer, "I'm the uncle two
sets of kittens."
" Kiria,
you never answered me," Alonzo nudged the small tuxedo cat, "Where do kittens
come from? I'm older, you can tell me now."
" The
stork?" Jennyanydots managed to squeak before she and the older cats burst out
laughing.
" But
don't we eat stork?" Plato asked looking up from his game with Tumblebrutis,
Pouncival, and Admetus.
"
Yeah," Asparagus said slowly.
" Then how
did the stork give Kiria her kittens without us eating him?" Tugger asked.
Lovrena put a
paw on Tugger's mouth. " Don't be so curious Tugger," she told him.
" But¡K"
" I hope
none of them grow up to be trouble makers," Kiria replied smiling, "Or too
curious. I don't know how I'll manage to survive anything like that."
" The
threat of dogs grows with each passing day," Deuteronomy told the clan while the
kittens played not too far away. The only one paying attention was Munkustrap since his
father forced him to. " The Rumpus Cat can only do so much to protect us form the
dogs," Deuteronomy continued, "We need to take extra measures to ensure the
safety of the clan."
" Like
what?" Rheana asked.
" The
kittens are all at least eleven, they're old enough to understand Decision 43,"
Deuteronomy replied softly, "I'm sorry, I see no other option."
" What's
de-ci-sion for the tree?" Victoria asked her older sister.
" I
thought it was the incision forty bee," Electra piped up pushing Pouncival away from
her.
" You're
both wrong," Tumblebrutis rolled his eyes, "He said da-rition far the he."
" What's
Decision 43?" Munkustrap asked his father seeing all the older cats start whispering.
" We have
to leave temporarily to go to the other Jellicle living place," Deuteronomy
explained, "The junkyard."
" Why the
junkyard?" a queen named Orine asked, her thick Scottish accent filled with concern,
" ‘Tis
drafty, cold, and wet since we last came. ‘Tis that
not the reason our ancestors left there in the first place?"
" No
Orine," Deuteronomy shook his head, "Our ancestors left the junkyard for the
same reason we are leaving our meadow. The junkyard is our true home, the stories tell of
rooms under ground filled with straw and actually beds for the kittens. It's warm in the
winter, cool in the summer, and since the shelters are underground, and it's long
forgotten by the dogs. We'll be safe there."
Cerol stood
beside her father and looked up at him in confusion. " We're leaving the
meadow?" she asked. Macavity patted her head. Cerol lowered her head a bit and
whispered, "So long as we're together I guess we'll be alright."
" We're
leaving the meadow?" Jemima asked walking up to her father, "But¡K but I love
our meadow. Do we have to leave our nest?"
" I'm
sorry Jemima," Skimble hugged her, "This is only to keep you kittens safe. I'm
sure you'll like the junkyard."
Coricopat and
Tantomile joined Jemima and lead her to the other kittens. " We'll be ok,"
Coricopat told her.
Bombalurina and
Demeter saw them and trotted away from their friends. " You ok Jemima?" Demeter
asked, "You look sad."
" I don't
want to leave the meadow," Jemima hugged herself, "It's my home."
" I don't
want to leave either, but our parents are just trying to protect us," Bombalurina
told the kitten.
" I'm
going to the my nest and I'm staying there until we have to leave," Jemima took off,
Bombalurina, Demeter, and the twins following at her heals to make sure that the youngest
kitten in the tribe didn't get hurt.
"
Jemima?" a head lifted out of his family's nest.
" Oh, hi
Mungojerrie," Jemima greeted, "How come you're not with the other kittens?"
Mungojerrie
laughed and urged Rumpleteazer and Misto out of the nest. " Since when did we ever
listen to what our parents said?" Mungo laughed, "Besides, dad told us to stay
here to keep us from disturbing the meeting because he thinks we're going to put another
booby trap."
" And I'm
supposed to make sure they don't leave," Misto replied nodding his greetings. He was
extremely quiet.
" We're
not that bad are we?" Teazer giggled.
" How'd
you get a cockney accent?" Tantomile asked.
" We want
to be unique," Teazer grinned using her real voice, "And besides, it drives our
parents up the wall and that's all that matters."
"
Hey," Plato appeared out of nowhere and looked at Mungo and Teazer, "You're dad
says you can come now. Deuteronomy needs to talk to all of us about what we're going to do
about the dog problem."
Coricopat felt
a slight tingling and he looked up. Tantomile looked in the direction her twin was looking
and nearly died. " DOGS!" Coricopat cried grabbing Jemima and Tantomile,
"RUN!"
" Teazer,
COME ON!" Mungojerrie grabbed his sister started running.
"
Misto!" Bombalurina and Demeter grabbed their youngest sibling and shot up taking off
after them.
" Go, go,
go!" Plato took Jemima from the twins and put her on his back.
" GET
THEM!" the lead dog roared.
"
DADDY!" Teazer screamed at the top of her lungs as the dogs ran faster after them.
"
DEUTERONOMY!" Plato yelled.
"
MOMMA!" Jemima cried.
Macavity sensed
something and his head shot up. Tecerol jerked too. " My god," Macavity picked
up his youngest daughter and gave her to Kiria, "Oh my god, the kittens!" He
started running away from the meeting place to the meadow.
"
Coricopat! Tantomile!" Audrer cried, "Deuteronomy, some of the kittens are being
chased by dogs!"
"
Macavity!" Kiria cried giving Cerol to Jeron, "Take care of her daddy."
"
Mom?" Cerol asked as she watched Kiria run off after the older cats. She turned her
face up so she could look at her grandfather and asked, "What's going on?"
" Come on
dear, you're staying with the other kittens," Jeron may have disliked his son in law
but he loved his grandkittens. He took off and put Cerol down beside Alonzo who put a
comforting paw around her.
" I'll
help take care of her Jeron," Alonzo told him. Cerol nodded but showed no fear in her
eyes. She knew she would be safe, she was worried for her siblings.
" You do
that youngster," Jeron ran after the other cats. Meanwhile¡K
"
HELP!" Demeter cried as the dogs advanced even more.
" Get
those kittens!" the lead dog roared, "Get them, get them, GET THEM! We'll show
those Jellicles who's boss!"
" You are,
you are!" Teazer cried too scared to remember her cockney accent.
"
Teazer!" Mungo looked at her with shock.
" Shut up
and RUN!" Teazer ran faster.
"
Rrrr-rawf!" a dog caught up with her and snapped his jaws at her barely missing her
tail.
"
AHHHH!" she screamed holding onto her tail and soon she was running ahead of all her
friend driven by pure adrenaline.
"
Teazer!" a far off voice screamed.
"
Daddy!" Teazer saw her father and ran faster into his outstretched arms.
" Go with
Gus," Macavity pushed his daughter at Gus and ran to the other kittens flanked by the
other toms, Kiria, Jennyanydots, Audrer, and Lovrena, the four bravest queens in the
tribe.
" A little
further Tanta," Coricopat urged her pulling his twin. Demeter tripped and took Misto
down with her.
" Get
up!" Misto urged her weak self, "Demeter the dog's¡K"
"
DEMETER!" Macavity yelled running faster as a large dog towered over one of his elder
daughters.
"
Help!" Demeter cried hugging onto Misto who's eyes were wide with fright.
The dog laughed
as he stood over the two helpless kittens. Misto saw his fangs, the saliva dripping from
his mouth and figured that he didn't want to die at the hands of a dog. He felt something
well up inside him, something he couldn't explain and before he knew it he had jumped up
and was throwing a streak of lightning at the dog towering above them.
"
What?" he asked as sparks flew between his paws.
Demeter took
advantage of this, grabbed her youngest brother's shoulders and took off running, leading
him.
" I didn't
know Misto could do that," Jemima remarked as Lovrena, Jenny, and Skimble led her and
Plato back to the meeting grounds.
" Talk
later, run now!" Skimble scooped her up and took off.
"
Hurry!" Mungo took each of the twins' paws and helped them run to Audrer.
" What are
we going to do daddy?" Bombalurina asked as Macavity lead his eldest kitten away from
the still approaching dogs.
" Whoever
said, 'we,' would do something?" Macavity put her on his shoulders and ran off
leading both Bombalurina and Kiria away. "You
and Kiria are going someplace safe, I am going
to do something," he corrected pulling Kiria.
" This
way," Deuteronomy appeared and took Bombalurina and Kiria from Macavity and starting
leading them towards the junkyard. Asparagus and Skimble flanked him.
" I'll try
and stall the dogs," Macavity started back.
" Macavity
no!" Kiria cried struggling against Skimble and Asparagus's grip. Lovrena appeared
and helped drag her sister along with them.
" Take
care of yourself," Skimble told his younger brother.
" I
will!" Macavity ran back towards the dogs.
" You're
brother is too stubborn," Deuteronomy remarked.
" Will he
be ok?" Bombalurina asked running beside her mother.
" Of
course he will dear," Kiria replied worriedly. They caught up to the other cats who
were clustered into a group following Gus who had visited the junkyard before long ago in
his youth and knew the way.
" Demeter,
Jerrie, Teazer, Misto, are you all ok?" Kiria hugged them.
"
Yeah," Teazer nodded using her cockney accent again.
" Where's
dad?" Demeter asked.
" He's
stalling the dogs so we have more time to get to safety," Deuteronomy replied,
"Your father is getting a huge honor after all this."
" Where's
Tecerol?" Kiria asked looking at Jeron.
" She's
safe with Alonzo," Jeron said jerking his head at the two. Alonzo had Cerol's paw in
his as he wove her through the cats to her parents.
" I took
care of her just like I promised," Alonzo told Jeron.
" Thank
you Alonzo," Kiria told him," You'd best stay with your mother young one.¡¨
Alonzo patted Cerol again before going off to Lovrena.
" Dad's
fighting the dogs isn't he?" Cerol looked up at her mother.
" It's ok,
he'll come back," Mungo patter his youngest sister's back, "Macavity's the
strongest tom in the Jellicle Tribe."
" I
know," Cerol nodded, "I can see him right now, he's using his magic to control
the dogs."
"
What?" Kiria asked looking down at her daughter, "Cerol, what're you talking
about? Macavity doesn't have magic."
" Speaking
of magic," Demeter looked at Misto, "Misto, how'd you do the lightning
trick?"
" I¡K I
don't know," Misto looked at his paws and could almost feel as if something new had
awakened inside of him, "I knew we both needed help and I wanted it so much. I feel
different, like there's something woke up inside of me that was there, just
sleeping."
" Is my
son a conjurer?" Kiria looked at Deuteronomy eyes wide, "And¡K I believe Cerol
has intuition too."
" But who
could they have gotten it from?" Asparagus asked, "Neither you or Macavity
possess magic. Unless¡K" Everyone turned to Skimble.
Skimble hated
himself for what he did next. " I don't know," he lied, "If Macavity has
magic, he never told me about it."
¡@
Macavity aimed
streaks of carefully aimed lightning bolts at an oncoming dog. The dog whimpered and ran
away.
Another dog
made him spin around. This one was a female. He threw his lightning bolt at her but she
didn't move away in time and in seconds, she lay dead on the ground. High pitched barking
came to his attention as a rather large puppy ran at him. This one's reflexes were slow
and he ended up dying too.
"
STOP!" the lead dog roared at his dogs, "Go back to the cave!" They all ran
away except for the two Macavity had fried. The lead dog saw them and his eyes widened.
" Voiera?" the lead dog ran to the fallen female dog and felt in vane for a
pulse. In panic, he tried the puppy. He dropped the puppy's pulseless arm and turned to
Macavity with blinding rage. " You killed them!" he barked, "That was my
mate and my son!"
" I'm only
protecting my family and my clan," Macavity snapped, "I'm sorry."
" No you
aren't," he lead dog snapped back, "But you will be. Watch your family conjurer,
I will have my revenge!" He took off, leaving the two bodies behind.
Macavity used
his magic to zap him down further along the path so he wouldn't have to walk as far. After
a few minutes of walking he spotted the Jellicles, Tecerol in the back. Seeming to have
sensed him, the kitten spun around. Misto soon followed after her. The other cats didn't
even notice
the two left until
they heard them take down their father.
" How'd
you know I was back already?" he asked them hugging them both tightly.
" We just
did," Misto shrugged, "Are you ok?"
" Just
fine Misto," Macavity stood up. He put Cerol around his shoulders and held Misto's
paw and hurried to reach the Jellicles.
" Are you
ok? Are you bleeding in any way?" Skimble examined him. He dropped his voice so only
the two of them could hear. " They suspect," Skimble whispered, "Macavity,
Misto inherited magic!"
" What?" Macavity looked down at his youngest
son, "He WHAT?"
" And
Cerol got intuition," Skimble shook his head," I don't know how we'll cover this
up. Now you see what I mean when I told you to tell Kiria about your power?"
" Are you
crazy?" Macavity demanded, "The Jellicles don't trust conjurers ever since one
killed Deuteronomy's first mate and whole second litter! We can't tell them I'm a
conjurer! They'll expel me and Jeron will hate me even more!"
"
Daddy?" Cerol looked up at him, "We won't hate you." Misto nodded.
" Cerol,
Misto, do me and Skimble a big favor and don't tell your mother or siblings or anyone
about what you just heard," Macavity looked at them. He looked at Misto and added,
"Did you throw lightning at the dog that was about to hurt you and Demeter?"
" Y¡K
yes," Misto stammered holding onto his father's arm, "I was scared but I knew
Demeter needed help."
Macavity bit
his lip and exchanged worried looks with Skimble. "We can't tell them about Misto's
magic either, they might prejudice him," Macavity concluded.
" They
suspect Macavity, they'll test both of you," Skimble insisted, "Tell them
outright, they'll trust you. Don’t' let
them find out, just tell them."
Macavity was
saved from saying anything because the rest of his family took him down. Skimble gave him
one last look before going to Jemima, Electra, and Jennyanydots.
" You have
our eternal thanks Macavity," Deuteronomy told him, "We may have been uncertain
about you before, but now we give you our utter trust."
Macavity bowed
his head and followed the procession to their new home, the Jellicle Junkyard where their
lives would be changed forever.
¡@
" Quit
hogging the hay!" Alonzo looked pointedly down at Plato.
" Shut and
go to sleep Lonz," Plato buried himself deeper into the hay.
" But
you're taking up all the space!" Alonzo complained.
" Am
not!" Plato protested and sat up, "Tugger is!"
" Hey! Why
you pinning it on me?!" Tugger demanded sticking his head out of the hay.
" Well
you're mane is obviously taking up more space then needed," Plato pointed out.
" Is
not!"
" Will all
three of you please shut up?" Munkustrap
looked at his younger brothers with a very ticked off look, "Some of us would like to
sleep."
There was a
knocking on the side of the wall and a very ticked off Demeter yelled, "STRAPS SHUT
UP!"
" Some
queens need their beauty sleep!" Bombalurina added.
" In that
case you'll never sleep Bombs!" Tugger yelled.
" True,
true," Plato whispered.
" You're
cruel," Munkustrap shook his head, "You shouldn't be mean to the queens in the
other room."
There was a
pounding from the other wall and Cassandra's voice could be hear yelling, "You toms
over there wouldn't mind being QUIET would you?!"
" We
mind!" Plato laughed.
" Thanks
Plato!" Pouncival thanked, "Keep it up! Annoy her!" In the other room,
Bombalurina and Demeter were plotting a semi-evil plan to take revenge on the toms with
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. Misto and Tecerol were sitting up looking at them.
" We can
make a booby trap that spills water over their door!" Teazer giggled.
" With
ice?" Demeter asked cackling at the thought.
" If you
like," Mungojerrie nodded.
" You're
cruel," Cerol frowned, "You shouldn't be so mean to the toms, I mean, they are
Deuteronomy's eldest sons. And our cousins."
"
So?" Bombalurina grinned, "We've been at war with them since we were born, no
harm done there."
" At least
leave Alonzo alone," Cerol blinked, "He did take care of me while you were all
being chased by the dogs. I owe him that much." Misto nodded in agreement.
" Ok, we
can leave Alonzo alone," Mungojerrie nodded.
" Who
says?" Teazer demanded.
In the other
room, Admetus, Pouncival, Cassandra, and Exotica were having a battle, again.
Tumblebrutis, the youngest and most peaceful of them all, was trying in vain to sleep.
Exotica, usually shy and withdrawn, only showed her aggressive side when she's burying one
of her brother's heads into the hay which was their bed.
" Pounce
get off me!" Cassandra ordered throwing her brother off and pouncing on him.
" Why do
you always have to kill each other when some of us would like to get some much needed
sleep?" Tumblebrutis asked looking at them.
Admetus pushed
his brother under the hay and buried him in there. " Go sleep bro, we'll take care of
Cassandra and Exotica," he told him. There was the sound of muffled words from Tumble
but he let it go and tired to sleep as his older siblings engaged in another war.
In the other
room on the other side of Macavity's kittens, the twins, Etcetera, Victoria, Electra, and
Jemima found that they couldn't sleep. They all missed their old nests and while
Macavity's kittens plotted, the four brothers argued, and the five siblings warred, the
six youngest were sitting up in their beds of hay.
" Ok, it's
final, I miss the meadow," Jemima said finally interrupting the silence.
" I know
huh?" Etcetera agreed shivering under her hay, "I miss counting stars. It helps
me sleep."
" You can
count?" Electra asked.
" Yeah,
dad's teaching us," Victoria nodded, "But Etcetera does it better than me."
" Maybe we
can count hay," Coricopat suggested picking up a handful of hay and started counting
it.
"
Maybe," Tantomile agreed following his example.
Etcetera
followed suit and before long, she had reached 32 and felt a lot better. " It
helps," she told Jemima, "It may not be stars but it's ok."
" I don't
know how to count," Jemima stated.
" We can
only go up to three," Electra added.
" We'll
have to teach you then won't we?" Victoria grabbed some hay and gave some to both
Electra and Jemima.
Macavity and
Kiria shared a room with Skimble and Jennyanydots. While the queens were asleep, Skimble
had roused Macavity and dragged him outside into the clearing where the Jellicle Ball
would take place in one month.
" We have
to tell them," Skimble stressed.
" They
dropped their suspicions, there is no need to," Macavity shook his head, "It's a
lot safer for Cerol and Misto if the cats don’t know
what they inherited. "
" Misto
got a lot of magic," Skimble explained, "I saw the way he threw the lighting
Macavity, he seems to have even more than you do and he's just a kitten."
" You
see?" Macavity pointed out, "And I bet Cerol has a little bit too. I knew she
had intuition, I just never knew whether or not she got magic. I don't want her and Misto
to suffer the prejudice I did when I first became a Jellicle."
" They're
Kiria's kittens, the cats won't care," Skimble said desperately, "You know that one day or another they'll find out
about you and them. It'd be better to just tell them, then let them find out on their own
and accuse you of lying."
" And
besides," Macavity looked away, "A lot of the toms, Alonzo and Munkustrap
mostly, look up to me. But they've been brought up to fear conjurers. I don’t want
them getting crushed by
finding out their role
model is a conjurer."
"
Daddy?" a voice asked. It came from the direction of the main entrance.
" Cerol,
Misto what are you doing out?" Macavity asked picking them both up, "You're both
supposed to be asleep. How'd you get here?"
"
Intuition comes with magic and I thought I'd find you here," Cerol replied.
" And
Bombs, Demi, Mungo, and Teazer are conjuring ideas for booby traps to play on Munkustrap
and them and we can't sleep," Misto replied.
" That's
the longest sentence I've heard that kitten say in a long time," Skimble remarked.
" Mom's
here too," Cerol replied jerking her head at the door.
Macavity almost
died when he spun around and came face to face with his mate. Kiria's eyes were shining as
if holding back tears. Her lower lip trembled as she asked, "Why didn't you tell
me?"
" Kiria¡K
I¡K" Macavity stammered.
She shook her
head a bit and patted his arm. " Don't worry Mac, I still love you, I just think you
could have told me," Kiria sighed a bit and scooped Misto up into her arms, "I
won't tell the clan unless you want me to."
" You
see?" Skimble looked at his brother pointedly, "The clan will find out. You'd
best tell them rather than them exiling you for keeping important secrets."
" Misto
has magic doesn't he?" Kiria asked.
" Yes,
from me," Macavity hugged her, Cerol, and Misto all together, "Ok, you all win.
I'm telling them about my power in the morning."
" You
won't regret it Mac," Skimble smiled leading them all in.
The next
morning Macavity found himself in Deuteronomy and Lovrena's room with Kiria, Cerol, Misto,
and Skimble. Munkustrap and Alonzo were sitting on the floor beside their father. He was
ready to tell the leader about the secret he had kept from all of them. Ever since a
conjurer had killed Deuteronomy's first mate and his whole second litter of kittens, the
Jellicles had grown to fear and hate all conjurers thinking they were all bloodthirsty. In
fact, that conjurer had been Skimble and Macavity's grandfather which was all the more
reason they both kept that secret.
" So
Macavity, what brings you here?" Deuteronomy asked.
" I¡K"
Macavity looked at Kiria for support, "I want to start with, I never meant any
harm."
" What do
you mean?" Lovrena asked.
" I've
kept something secret which I know is wrong," Macavity looked down, "I was
afraid you'd hate me if I told you right out. But, well, Skimble and Kiria brought to my
attention that I should trust that my own clan would not exile me."
" What is
it Macavity?" Deuteronomy asked studying the ginger.
" I am a
conjurer," Macavity looked up, "Cerol and Misto are too because of me."
The cats were
taken aback. Alonzo had sat down very quickly when he heard this. Munkustrap appeared to
be in shock. They had both been brought up to be afraid of conjurers. Lovrena couldn't
stop staring at him and Deuteronomy¡K it was hard to interpret his reaction.
" Sir, I
understand your hate for conjurers, and I understand if you expel me but I mean the
Jellicles no harm," Macavity said quickly as the old cat stood up and started walking
towards him, "I¡K it was also Skimble and my uncle who hurt the Jellicles so and
we're both sorry about that. W¡K we¡K I¡K I'm sorry I didn't say it outright but we
were afraid you wouldn't accept us."
" Oh dolt,
stop backing away I'm not going to bite you," Deuteronomy smiled.
"
Sir?"
" I
understand fully why you weren't honest and I'm not going to penalize you,"
Deuteronomy explained gesturing for Macavity to sit back down, "In fact, I'm going to
promote you for telling us. I was going to anyway since you stalled the dogs."
"
Sir?"
" It's
been some time since we had a real protector of the tribe ever since Gus developed
palsy," Deuteronomy smiled, "How does it sound to be an official
protector?"
" See
daddy?" Cerol jumped up at him, "Being a conjurer doesn't change who you
are."
¡@
It was the
Jellicle Ball, Macavity was the main protector. By now, the whole clan knew about his
situation. And Cerol and Misto's too. They didn't think much of it, sometimes they would
even
forget it until they
caught sight of Macavity working with both Cerol and Misto trying to develop their powers.
At one lesson,
Alonzo had heard Macavity asking the question, "Who are you?"
" We're
conjurers, don't use our magic unless absolutely necessary," Cerol replied repeating
something Macavity had been drilling into their heads.
Cerol was by
herself that day playing with a string on top of a car. She looked at the nearby forest
with longing. She wasn't old enough to go there yet, next month she would be.
" Hey
Cerol," a voice behind her said.
" Hi
Lonz," Cerol waved as he jumped onto the car beside her.
" What cha
doing?" Alonzo asked," Why aren't you with Jerrie and them?"
" I'm
thinking," Cerol replied honestly putting the string down.
"
About?"
Cerol shook her
head. " I have a bad feeling Alonzo, it's about dad and I'm worried," she looked
up at him, "You're nine months, what do you think? Am I crazy?"
" You're
Cerol, Mac and Kiria's daughter, you're far from crazy," Alonzo patted her back,
"I have a question. If I'm not related in blood to Lovrena, then does that qualify me
as your cousin?"
" I don't
think so, does it matter?"
" Just
curious."
" Don't be
Tugger," Cerol cautioned, "Bombs might decide to target you also."
" I not so
secretly think Pounce likes Bombs," Alonzo said changing the subject. I'll wait till she's older, seven months ought to do
the trick, he thought.
The Jellicle
Ball was exciting in a good way. Jemima felt more at ease in her new home after that and
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer felt at home enough to pull their first prank in this strange
new place one month later.
" MUNGO!
TEAZER!" Macavity yelled as he towered above his two trouble makers, dripping wet
having set off a booby trap they had intended for Tugger and Plato. The sun was out, it
was a beautiful day. Unfortunately, the almost twin tabbies that were his had changed it
by rigging water booby traps all over the junkyard.
" Bomba
paid us," Mungo said meekly.
" I don't
know what to do with you two!" Macavity threw his paws up in exasperation.
" Sorry
dad," they chorused.
"
Ahhhhh!" Victoria screamed, "Who put that water there?"
" That one
was for Munkustrap wasn't it?" Macavity hung his head.
" Yes
daddy," Teazer's ears drooped a bit.
" Wasn't
there one for¡K" Mungo began.
" GOD
THAT'S COLD!" Pouncival cried.
" At least
that trap hit its mark," Teazer hid a smile.
"
Cassandra and Exotica paid us," Mungo explained quickly, "We also had one for¡K"
" TUMBLE
WATCH OUT!" Exotica's voice rang out.
"
WATER!" Tumblebrutis yelled.
" That was
supposed to be for Admetus," Teazer explained. Louder, she called, "SORRY
TUMBLE!"
" Go to
your room," Macavity pointed a paw at the entrance to the underground rooms,
"Demi, do me a favor and watch over them."
" Come
with me Bomba," Demeter dragged her older sister with her as they followed their
younger siblings.
" Someday
those two are going to give me a heart attack," Macavity hit his head against a wall.
" But it's
cute, I'm sort of happy to see them finally comfortable here," Kiria smiled.
" A little
too comfortable," Macavity shook his fur.
" At least
I was spared," Alonzo remarked.
"
Dad," Cerol and Misto suddenly appeared at his side, "We're old enough to go
into the forest by ourselves, can we?" Cerol put on her most pleading face.
" Alonzo,
could you go with them?" Macavity asked the black and white mix.
"
Sure," Alonzo nodded, "Come on Cerol, Misto, off the forest."
" Later
dad!" Misto called.
" He
opened his mouth, amazing," Tugger replied appearing beside Kiria. He saw Macavity's
state and cringed. " I think that one was for me and Plato," he smiled
sheepishly, "Sorry."
" No harm
done," Macavity jumped on top of a car and settled down, "I can dry."
She's seven months now, I guess that's as good a time
as any, Alonzo thought, No, I gotta talk to
Misto first. I wonder if he'll approve my asking out his sister¡K " Hey Cerol,
let's check your tree climbing skills," Alonzo stopped under a tall tree,
"Climb."
" You're
kidding me," Cerol looked up at the tree in disbelief, "I'll get stuck Alonzo,
I'm afraid of hights."
" I'll
help you down," Alonzo told her, "Going up is the easy part, it's going down
that you'll need help with. I'll be there, don't worry Cerol."
" I trust
you Lonz," Cerol started up the tree.
Alonzo waited
till she was out of earshot before turning you Misto. " Ok Misto, I need to talk to
you," Alonzo began.
" You like
her a lot but you want to see my reaction and you need to know whether or not our father
would approve," Misto grinned, "I'm not a small kitten anymore Alonzo. I'm your
friend, just say it out right ok?"
" Is it ok
to say I love you man?" Alonzo laughed.
" Save
that for Cerol ok?" Misto laughed with him, "I don't care. And dad likes you, he
won't mind. I mean, Cerol's seven months, who cares if you're just three months
older?"
"
Actually, starting today I'm eleven months so that would make me four months older than
her."
" Does it
matter?" Alonzo patted Misto's back. " Thank you Misto," Alonzo looked back
up and called, "You need help getting down?"
"
YES!" Cerol's voice could be heard, "I
can't get down!" The two toms laughed and Alonzo made his way up the tree. He
found Cerol on one of the larger branches looking like she was clutching for dear life.
" How did I let you talk me into climbing up here?" she demanded as he stuck out
a paw to help her down. Her ginger fur was standing up on end and Alonzo had to laugh.
"What's so funny?" she asked as he scooped her up in his arms and she clutched
at him too afraid to look down.
"
You," Alonzo said simply, "Hey Cerol, you're seven months now right?"
"
Yes."
" You're
dad let Bombalurina go out with that tom from the Firewind Tribe when she was seven months
right?"
"
Right."
" Would he
let you go out with me now that you're seven months?" Alonzo asked a little quietly,
but loud enough that she could hear. " I would hope so!" Cerol laughed,
"You know, I have been waiting for you to say that to me for a LONG time
Alonzo."
" I'll
take that as a yes," Alonzo smiled in relief as he neared the bottom.
" It was
meant to be a yes."
" Is it
just me or did you suddenly change?" Alonzo looked her over.
" I
grew," Cerol rolled her eyes.
Macavity took
the news of Alonzo and Cerol gladly. By then he was dry. Bomba and Demeter were shocked,
their little baby sister (or so they thought) going out with the would be brother of their
rivals, a.k.a. cousins.
"
Collaborating with the enemy I see," Plato joked slapping Alonzo's back, "You
know, you're lucky you're not really our brother otherwise she'd have been your
cousin."
" I know
huh?" Alonzo agreed, "Hey, how'd Munkustrap and Tugger take it?"
" Well¡K"
" Alonzo I
love you!" Tugger came running through the door with an evil grin. They were in their
room. " Now," Tugger cackled, "Bombs and Demi can't pay Teazer and Jerrie
to booby trap us. I mean, us being you're adoptive brothers and all, Cerol would take
liking to us and she would tell her siblings not to¡K"
" Nice try
Tugger!" Demeter called through the walls, "You're not Alonzo's brother so
HA!"
" Can't
blame us for not trying," Munkustrap called.
" When
will their rivalry end?" Kiria moaned burying her head into her pile of hay.
" It's ok,
we'll find a way to survive," Jenny patted her best friend.
Tecerol woke up
in the middle of the night with a pounding feeling in her head. She shivered a bit and
shook Demeter, who was beside her, awake.
"
Wha?" Demeter asked groggily.
" Do you
feel that?" Cerol asked looking around in the darkness, "Demi, do you feel
it?"
"
Yeah," Demeter nodded and buried herself deeper into the hay.
" What do
you feel?" Cerol asked.
"
TIRED!" Demeter pushed her youngest sister away, "Cerol, go back to sleep." Demeter went back to
sleep.
" Keep it
down," Bombalurina added groggily.
Annoyed, Cerol got up and crawled as quietly as she could to Mungojerrie and Rum