A Full Week Later

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Etcetera curled her arms around Mistokitty. She liked Mistokitty, because he was small enough for her to almost be able to touch her paws together when she hugged him. Most older cats were too big for her to do that (though she could touch her elbows together when she hugged Tugger's leg or tail or arm, and once, she managed to KISS his tail! He didn't seem to notice, though, but Etcy knew that was just him pretending not to, so he wouldn't make the other queens jealous of her. Tugger was soooo thoughtful like that!). "I's glad Mistokitty don't has a furball. It is sad if Mistokitty was feeling icky when 'Lectra and Munkstrap and Rumpateaza and Mungajerrie all feel icky, and when Pounce keeps on bein' mean and eating my tail!" She turned her head to stick out her tongue at Pouncival. "I doesn't feel icky, though! I feel really really good! Even if I is sad because I doesn't have my snugglebunny... but that's okay! Cause Rumpateaza needs a snugglebunny more than me! I can share! Momma says I's such a lady for sharing..."

As Etcetera continued to monologue, bouncing slightly in Quaxo's lap, Munkustrap shook his head, "But that's not what I meant, Quaxo. I'm nobody's and everybody's. I belong to the tribe, not to any one individual cat. I can't. My duties come before everything else, including any relationships I may have."

[[scean]]

Quaxo gently pet Etcetera's fur, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead and hugging her close to his chest. He put a finger to her lips, silencing her before gently sliding from beneath the kitten. Quaxo stood slowly and looked over to Munkustrap, going to the older cat slowly. He reached over, placing a soft paw on the older tom's shoulder and staring into his eyes. "Why, Munkustrap?" the young tom said quietly. "If you had a mate, Munkustrap... if you had a mate, they could help you with your duties. You could still belong to the tribe, Munkustrap. You could still protect them, even if you had one love in the tribe." Quaxo turned his gaze away and heavevd a quiet sigh before sliding off of the tire and taking up residence in the spot he'd sat before, crossing his legs and staring at the ground.

[Arya]

(-rolls in but is stuck- Who put super glue on the floor!)

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Etcetera blinked as she was silenced. The last time someone had tried to silence her like that was... TUGGER! HE TOUCHED HER! She fell backward, squealing happily to herself, as Mistokitty moved away.

Munkustrap shot Etcetera a worried look before recognizing her expression as "Tugger-obsessed" and realized she was fine. Loud, but fine. He slid off the tire to sit next to Quaxo. "If I had a mate, I would be even more afraid of losing them than usual," he said quietly. "If I had a mate who helped me in my duties, I'd be terrified that something would go wrong. If I had a mate... I would risk risking the entire tribe for that one cat, and I can't do that."

[[scean]]

Quaxo frowned deeply, leaning against Munkustrap's side and closing his eyes slowly. He took Munkustrap's paw in his own and looked up at the older tom. He reached his other paw up, stroking Munkustrap's cheek softly and staring into his eyes. "Munk, I know you." he whispered. "Even if you had a mate, Munk... if the tribe was in danger, you'd save them." The young tom leaned up and softly kissed the older on the lips, then pulled back, sighing. "... couldn't you just... try it?"

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Etcetera popped her head over the edge of the tire to see what the two older cats were up to just in time to see Mistokitty kiss Munkstrap. Her eyes went wide, her mouth dropped open, and she nearly screamed, "EWWW! KISSES!" but then she realized that it might be even cooler if she stayed really super-stealthy-sneaky quiet, and maybe she could get a story to tell 'Lectra, Jemima, Victoria, and Pouncival. She stuffed her paws in her mouth to stay quiet, pulling back so just her eyes and ears peeked over the edge of the tire. Neither of the older cats would have noticed her, since she was behind them.

"I would try," Munkustrap said. "But I think I would try to save my mate more." He caught Quaxo's paw in his own. "If you were my mate, and Macavity was threatening both you and the tribe, I know I would go after you."

[Arya]

Mungo stuck up behing the group. "BOO!" He said jumping into the middle his arms raised high. His mood seemed to be much better now then it had been when his mate had gotten hurt.

He had disapeared without ever coming out of his den for two days straight. Rumple could go a wile without eating, and his mind was on nothing but her. The and due to the water he had saved up in the den he didn't need to bother to go out and get some for them. He was a little worried now. Not about Rumple, about Macavity. Thats why he never went out of the den. He just had a feeling that as soon as he left Macavity would pop up and take her from him. What if he came back just to get them? Munkstrap was still recovering and was in no mood to fight such a powerful cat.

Rumple apeared infront of them. She had her left leg outstretched and pointed, she was standing upright, and overall looked like a beautiful queen. She had her coat perfectly brushed, had given herself a bath, had her pearl necklace on, and a headband of white flowers that Jelly had recently made for her wile she was sick. She looked a lot better then she had after Macavity attacked. She smiled brightly, her brown eyes looking cheerful. "Ello!" She said nodding her head. She did a front walkover, to a front handspring, to a front flip, and landed in the splits to prove that she was perfectly fine.

[[scean]]

[ sorry arya, that was me. -shame- ]

Quaxo smiled at Munkustrap briefly, pulling his paw out of the older tom's grasp and brushing it softly across his face. He bit his lip softly and sighed quietly. "Munkustrap, I could handle myself in a battle." he said quietly, pecking the older tom's lips quickly and pulling away, still leaning against Munkustrap's side. "If I was your mate and Macavity threatened the tribe and myself... I wouldn't let you try to protect me. You know as well as I do that I could handle myself against Macavity."

The young tom jumped when both Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer appeared, having been startled. He clung to Munkustrap's side for a moment before moving away, looking over to the duo. "Guys, don't do that!"

[Arya]

(XDDDDD)

[[scean]]

[ hilarity? ]

[Arya]

(I'm very goofy at the moment.)

[[scean]]

[ haha. arya! do you have aim? ]

[Arya]

(Sadly no, I don't know how to sign up.)

[[scean]]

[ aww. it's really easy! all you have to do is go to aim.com and find the link to download it & make a screen name. ]

[Arya]

(Okay, brb.)