A Full Week Later

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap flicked out his tail, brushing the tip against Quaxo's ears. He offered him an apologetic smile and a, just humor her, expression. Ever since Macavity catnapped her a year ago, Munkustrap had been offering the skittish queen extra protection, swearing to prevent it from happening again. The last Jellicle Ball had been a very close call. If Demeter wanted to sit next to him right now, even at the expense of Quaxo sitting next to him, he wasn't going to complain.

[orangekittencream]

Demeter scowled right back at the Tom. She and the Magician had never gotten along. She had always disliked how close he wanted to be with her Jellicle Protector and how he was always whining about everything. She laid her head on Munkustrap's shoulder, wanting to be as close to him as possible. She thought he could use the extra Queen support after his last battle. Her tail gently wrapped around his legs, trying to show the young Tom just who Munkustrap belonged to.

She was surprised as Bomba came up to her. She smiled again and purred softly as she nuzzled her head against her friend's. It was nice to be out again. With friends, instead of by herself, too frightened to show her face again and always in fear of whether Macavity was still about. That fear was always creeping up on her in the back of her mind, but she was so determined to push it out. Besides, with Munkustrap here, everything was always fine. She looked up into the Tom's eyes with longing and a sweetness she only showed to him.

Pouncival's ears backed down as the Princess started to scold him. Good thing Old D got him away from a bashing. He slinked to sit beside her, grinning up at the old leader. Once again though, that tail got his eyes, and being the Tom kitten he was he pounced for it again. He grinned as he picked up in his teeth, radiating victory.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap groaned inwardly. What was it with Quaxo and queens? Cassandra didn't like him, Demeter didn't like him... and Demeter was definitely being cuddly now. "Are you all right?" he asked, placing a friendly arm around her shoulders. "Did Bomba tell you what happened the other night...?"

Etcetera shrieked, releasing Old Deutemy's legs to jump in the air, her fur standing on end. "POUNCE!" She turned, trying to grab Pouncival's tail without causing hers to get tugged, since he was still holding it. "You stinky poopy-butt!" She had already forgotten that she was in the presence of the Jellicle leader, and was supposed to be acting lady-like, like her momma said.

[[scean]]

Quaxo stood from where he sat beneath the tire and glared at Demeter, openly hissing at her as he leapt onto the tire once more. He took residence on the tire about three feet from where Demeter sat, a low growl radiating from the back of his throat as he tried to prevent himself from clawing at the queen's back. He was the one who'd cared for Munkustrap over these past days. Where did she get off coming and acting as if she'd been there the entire time?

Quaxo hissed at her again, wrapping his tail around himself and digging his extended claws into the tire, his upper lip twitching in anger.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap nudged Demeter over and reached out a paw for Quaxo, offering him a place between Old Deuteronomy and himself, if the little cat wanted it. He knew Quaxo loved him, he knew Demeter cared for him, but this constant fighting over and around him was starting to get on his nerves.

[orangekittencream]

Demeter hissed right back and wanted so much to fight the little brat, but instead decided to slink off just as silently as she came. She was beginning to get irritated very quickly with the young Tom. She didn't know yet of how he had cared for the other Tom, but probably wouldn't care anyway. Munkustrap was hers and that was final. Her eyes narrowed and an annoyed flick of a black tail was the last anyone saw of her.

[[scean]]

Quaxo watched as the bit-- queen slinked off, seeing her disappear. Once he was sure she was gone, Quaxo slid into the spot she'd been before, curling against Munkustrap's side and nuzzling his cheek softly. "Munk, I really don't like her." he admitted, as if it hadn't been obvious. Quaxo's paw slid onto Munkustrap's leg and he smiled at the older tom, resting his head on Munkustrap's shoulder.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

"But I do," Munkustrap murmured into Quaxo's ear. "And I swore that I would never let Macavity get his paws on her again." He reached up to pet the back of Quaxo's head. "Please, just try to get along?"

[[scean]]

"I can't, Munk." Quaxo murmured, frowning a little at staring at his older friend's face as cutely as he could. He purred a little at Munkustrap's paw petting him and nestled his face into his neck once more, sighing heavily. "She's trying to steal you away from me. I won't allow that. She doesn't like me, either. Haven't you noticed that?"

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap frowned, pushing Quaxo away from him gently. "Quaxo, I'm not yours." yet. "She cannot steal me away from you - nor can you steal me away from her, as I'm sure she's feeling. I am not Demeter's. I am, however, the Protector of this tribe, and I count you both as good friends. You're only making things difficult for me if you keep antagonizing the queens who sit near me." He sighed, shaking his head. "I know she doesn't like you either, and I'll talk to her about it, and I'll tell her the same things I'm telling you. Now, plesae, for my sake, can you try to be a bit more friendly?" He kept his voice quiet as he spoke, so the tussling kittens wouldn't overhear, though Deuteronomy might.

[[scean]]

Quaxo was silent throughout Munkustrap's entire speech, biting his lip softly. He closed his eyes for a second when Munkustrap ceased his speaking, and nodded slowly. "I can try." he murmured, his voice cracking softly. Munkustrap's first sentence had caused his throat to tighten, a weight to fall on his shoulders. He wasn't Quaxo's. The young tom moved farther away from Munkustrap, his tail tucked between his legs and his ears fallen as he scooted away. "I understand, Munkustrap. I won't... argue with the queens anymore."

[Munkustrap Etc.]

"Thank you, Quaxo," Munkustrap said, offering the now-dejected cat a smile. "That's all I ask." He reached out for the little cat, hoping he hadn't hurt Quaxo too badly with his words.

[[scean]]

Quaxo moved away from Munkustrap's touch, frowning a little and curling up, his knees to his chin. He wrapped his tail around himself, not really feeling up to looking at Munkustrap at the moment. "You don't want me, Munk. Go find one of the queens..."

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap blinked, scowled, and nearly threw his paws up in frustration. "That's not what I said..."

Etcetera, however, chose that moment to intervene, her tussle with Pouncival over (for now) She placed her front paws on the tire and looked up, sadly. "Is Mistokitty sick?" she asked. "Is Mistokitty's tummy going grumblygrumble? 'Lectra's tummy's been going grumblygrumble, and she looks like that all the time," Etcy jabbed a paw in Mistokitty's direction, "and Momma says she has a furball. Does Mistokitty have a furball? I've never has a furball before. I doesn't think I wants a furball. Furball sounds fun, but I doesn't want my tummy going grumblygrumble."

[[scean]]

Quaxo lifted his head to look at the kitten, a tiny smile forming on his face. He went to her, pulling Etcetera into his arms and holding her close to his chest. "Mistokitty's fine, sweetheart." he said to the kitten, quietly, and sat down again, holding Etcetera in his arms. He gave her an affectionate lick on the ear, nuzzling her cheek gently and looking up to Munkustrap. "That's what it sounded like you said, Munkustrap. You said you weren't mine, which, to me, means that you don't want me." he murmured, not caring that there were kitten ears around.