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Family isn't Always Blood

Chapter 4: Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer and Munkustrap and Exotica and...

Summary:

Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer try to explain themselves, while Munkustrap follows the sisters to safety. Exotica provides a powerful lesson for the young leader.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

“Macavity? Really?” Skimbleshanks screams at the twins,” How could you possibly…”

 

“Skimble, calm yourself,” Deuteronomy harshly states. Skimble grumbles, taking a place beside the old leader, cursing to himself as he swishes his tail angrily. Deuteronomy sighs, looking to the toyger’s,” Would you two care to explain?”

 

“We di’n mean fo’ it ta go t’is fah,” Rumpleteezer sheepishly says, looking down at her paws,” ‘Onest.”

 

“We swea’ah, we ‘s gonna cut contac’ wit’ ‘him aftah dis job,” Mungojerrie cuts in quickly,” He ‘as makin’ strange rules ‘nd he’s been all moody fo some toim.” 

 

“You’re still working for him?” Skimble yells.

 

“How did you two find yourselves working for that despicable tom?” Deuteronomy sighs, covering Skimble’s mouth with his tail.

 

“Well, ‘t all stah’ted when we was kits,” Jerrie pipes up,” B’fore ma picked us off ta’ streets, Teezah an’ I ‘ad to steal ere’ scrap o’ food ta keep us ‘live. Aft’ah while we foun’ t’at oldah cats ‘ould give us lottsa scraps fo’ human shinies.”

 

“If we coul’ get noice pre’ty stuffs, then we ‘ould be able ta eat for a week wit lil effort,” Teazer joins in, looking pitifully to Deuteronomy,” Then ma foun’ us n’ took us in, so we did’n need ta steal no mo’.”

 

“But aftah a bit we got bored,” Jerrie’s face exagerates a frown.

 

“Sup’ah bored,” Teazer joins in, exagerating her frown,” So Jerrie suggested we cause a lil mischief.”

 

“It was Teazah who suggested we staht wit our well ta do neighbors,” Jerrie elbows Teazer in the side, who playfully returns the gesture,” We ‘ould sneak in, take sum food, throw laun’dry ‘bout, jus’ ‘ave a lil fun.”

 

“Then I ,” Teazer shoots a look to Jerrie,” took a lovely set a pearls from one o’ da more hoity toity blokes, an’ we didn’ know wat ta do wit em. So we decided ta visi’ te ol’ stompin’ groun’s of our yout’. We foun’ an ol’ tom who ‘ould take em for a noice couple fish n meats.”

 

“That’s wen he ‘eard ‘bout us. ‘E was impressed wit’ our inginuity ,” Jerrie proudly puffs up his chest, shrinking back down at Skimbleshanks intense glare,” An’ we had truly missed th’ fun o it all. So we took ‘im up on th’ offah, go’in out when ‘e instructed, takin what he tol’ us to, and ‘e would give us drinks ‘n oth’ah... prizes.

 

Deuteronomy and Skimble look at them questioningly. Teazer nudges Jerrie harder with an angry look. The twins look between the two elders, Teazer finally swallowing her pride and closing her eyes tightly,” Catnip.”

 

“What?” Teazer and Jerrie think they’re eardums will  burst from Skimble’s screams.

 

“It was only once o twice,” Jerrie says in a pleading tone,” We quickly stopped aftah seeing the effects on th’ o’tha cats. Bu’ stealin’ was addictin’. We didn’ know wha’ ‘e wanted wit us, bu’ we enjoyed th’ reputation tha’ came wit our antics.”

 

“Tha’s how we met them,” Teazer says, near crying from the pressure,” we’d get our ordahs from Macavity, an’ he enjoyed spendin’ time at ‘is lil noight club. He’d ‘ave us wait on th’ floor where that red queenie ‘ould perform. What ‘as her name?”

 

“Bombshell I believe,” Jerrie says with a nod,” An, som’times if we ‘ad a lil too much, we’d take ovah the stage from ‘er and perform our own antics to the crowds delight.”

 

“Though I ‘ave seen that goldie girl before as well,” Teazer says, now seemingly conversing with her brother, ignoring their adoptive fathers flabbergasted stares,” ‘Member? Sometimes ol’ ‘cavity would bring down ‘is personal squeeze to show off to oth’ah toms.”

 

“Roight, I ‘member now, wasn’ too comfortable wit tha’ myself, but couldn’ speak ‘gainst ‘im,” Jerrie looks back to the elders,” ‘e’s been in a real bad mood since she disappeared. It’s why we were thinkin of quitin’. He’s been searchin’ the whole city for ‘er an her sistah.” 

 

Teazer and Jerrie look at the elders, a deathly serious glint in their eyes. The both squeemishly crawl backwards, ears pinned in fear, keeping low to the ground and next to each other. Skimbleshanks comes up to them, looming over them. They both tremble.

 

“Were you going to tell him about those two?” Skimbleshank’s voice is cold and calculating as he looks down on the two.

 

“‘Course not!” Teazer squeeks out,” We’d nevah sell out a jellicle!”

 

Skimble lurches forwards, the twins close their eyes tightly. They’re surprised when the bodyweight of Skimble falls on top of them, along with a roaring purr in a loving embrace. They slowly open their eyes to see Skimble silently crying as he holds the two close to him.

 

“Thank cat you’re safe,” Skimble says with a small sob,” You’re done with that life, right? You’ll never see him again?”

 

“N...nevah…”Jerrie stutters out, moved by his father.

 

“Do you two know if there are any other agents of his nearby?” Deuteronomy asks.

 

“Nah, it was jus’ us. We’re pretty far from ‘is base.” Teazer says with a quivering voice. She looks up to Deuteronomy,” Are we in trouble?”

 

“That’s for your parents to decide.” Deuteronomy smirks, nodding to Skimbleshanks. 

 

Skimble stands, wiping his nose and shaking the tears from his eyes. He looks at the twins with a stern glare,” Just wait til your mother hears about this.”

 

“Anything but that!” the twins shout in unison, while Deuteronomy chuckles at the sight.

 


 

Munkstrap carefully trots along the old cobblestone of the junkyard, trying not to make a sound as he follows the brown queen’s familiar scent. As he tracks, he does his best to ingrain the scents of the red Bombalurina and the golden Demeter.

 

Ah, Demeter, a name he never thought he’d hear again, a cat he never thought he’d see again. Though hazy with time, he can still remember the best parts of his kittenhood, and she was brightly smiling in many of those memories. When it came to play fighting, almost no one could beat the proud golden torbie, not even George when he felt obliged to play with them. She led many of the hunting parties, taking the role of leader astonishingly easily, yet always had enough time to come back and care for her younger sister. Admirable, kind, proud, as he thinks back he could probably fill a book with praises for the cat in his memory. A deserving holder of his heart so long ago.

 

Yet, after the ‘incident’, those sisters had become some of his largest inspirations. The pain and desperation he felt at losing them and so many others forced him to realize the weighty responsibility that comes with the title of ‘Protector’. Because of them, he worked harder, forced himself to be the fastest and strongest in the tribe. On the days when he felt tired, like he wanted to stop or quit, her golden fur and radiant smile would flash brightly in his memories, leading him to push harder and keep going.

 

He’d reached the status of Head Protector of the tribe when he was three, gratefully taking it over from Asparagus. With the title, he became the narrator of the Jellicle Ball, watching his kin dance and sing while he stood proudly by his father’s side. He would be the first to admit, he has never been much of a dancer. The last time he truly enjoyed it was when he danced the pas de deux with Demeter. He still allowed himself the simple joys of prancing and a few plies during the ball, but refraining from intricate lead dances or solos, as they only reminded him of her.

 

Even today, he felt a deep pride in the tom he’s become as he patrolled the yard, steadfast in his goal to protect the tribe's newest kittens Electra and Etcetera. When he rushed to aid Alonzo, with Skimble fast in tow, the last thing he expected to see was the dazzling coat of gold and black of his memories. He almost thought her ghost had finally appeared before him, but she was different.

 

He couldn’t find the words to express himself, moreso when she had collapsed in a heap before him. He felt his mouth move, but couldn’t even let out a peep. The shock only grew when he saw the large red Bombalurina protectively standing over Demeter. In his memories, he remembered the small red kitten, always attached at the hip to Demeter, crying when they had to separate, yet here she stood, a proud and elegant queen desperate to protect a cherished one. 

 

If anything, he was very impressed with Skimble’s bravery. It takes more guts, than even Munk can admit to having, to fearlessly face a mad queen. Thankfully he snapped out of his daze long enough to be able to rush Demeter to Jellylorum. Just as quickly as he’d realized she was alive, he had to get her into emergency care. Yet he still hasn’t said a single word to his old friend. When it felt right to finally talk to her, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer came back, and his father said, well didn’t say, something that lost him his opportunity. Normally he’d only have great things to say about the leader, but in this moment only a few choice words come to mind, non of which are too pleasant. 

 

He shakes his head, trying to focus back on the task at hand. As he approaches the rod iron gate, the sound of choking sobs alerts him. At first he wants to sprint towards the sound, but as  he gets closer, he hears the gentle reassurance of two other queens. He stops, hiding nearly subconsciously, with his ears perking to listen against his will.

 

“...if he knows, we’ll have to run again,” the pained voice cries softly between sobs.

 

“Roger and Stephan will protect us, we have a home now,” Munkustrap can barely make out Bombalurina’s strained voice, doing her best to hold back whatever tears she wants to shred,” He’s never going to hurt you again.”

 

“He’ll never come near you again while mama’s here,” Exotica’s voice is cool and calm against the sobs and sniffs echoing in the alley,” Mama Exotica will always be by your side from now on.”

 

He sits up, back pressed firmly against the cool bricks that hold the gates. The once brave and fearless warrior of his memories shatters in his head as he listens to the anguished sobs and cries she unleashes into her mother’s breast. His heart breaks with every crackling inhale and pained scream she unleashes. When Bombalurina can’t hold it in anymore, he feels his eyes fog with empathetic tears. The pure agony in both queen’s voices buries itself deeply into Munkustrap subconscious. He may be happy they’re alive, but he has to wonder what the cost was for them to stay alive while away from his gaze.

 

He desperately wants to pop out, to hold the girls close and promise them that everything will be amazing from now on. He wants to give them the world, if only to stop the sadness they hold inside, but he can’t.He knows, far better than anyone he would say, that an unexpected third party is the last thing this tender family moment needs. So he sits, adjusting his ears to listen for any other noises, doing his best to protect them from the shadows.

 

The cries die down, and the small patter of paws leaving the area alerts him it’s time to move. He climbs various old machinery and trash to get to the top of the junkyard wall. From there, he makes a path for himself in the air, hopping from balcony to balcony, over awnings of cafes, all to keep a birds eye view on the trio. He burns the path they take into his head, memorizing the path to their home like he’s done for so many other jellicles. He watches them carefully, stopping when they stop, scanning the surroundings every other step to make sure nothing will interrupt them.

 

After around two hours, the girls stop in front of a cream colored townhome just outside a bustling market square. He slinks down from the fire escape, crouching behind a corner to observe the tearful goodbye between adoptive mother and daughters. He watches the pair, stuck to each other’s sides like glue, slink into the neatly fenced front area. He creeps a little closer, to be able to see two large human men open the door almost immediately at their arrival, scooping the queens up in loving embraces. A smile creeps onto his face as he watches the queens melt into their human’s embrace. 

 

“You can come over here if you’d like,” Exotica’s cool tone startles the silver tabby. He looks over to the brown short hair, staring directly at him with a sly smile. She nods her head, he slowly slinks out of the shadows to claim a spot next to her. She raises her paw, tapping it right next to her,” please, sit.”

 

He obeys, sitting properly at her side. He shifts his weight, finally looking at the house when he’s comfortable. In the large front window the humans seem to laugh and smile as they dance with the cats to music Munkustrap can’t hear. They smile warmly to their dance partners, showering them with kisses and pets. A sense of awe sills him as he watches smiles grow on faces that had just been stained with tears. Oh, what their laughter must sound like, what music is playing, what sort of noises are they making? He feels a twinge in his chest as Demeter lifts her head, her slightly crooked smile radiating its own light in his eyes.

 

“This...this is what you’re truly protecting Munkustrap,” Exotica says with a sad tone to accompany her usual wise undertones,” these girls have been through the closest thing to hell a cat can experience. Yet they’ve found a place where they can still smile so brightly. It’s your duty to not only protect their bodies from harm, but to protect their sense of safety at home as well.”

 

“I under…” Before he can finish his statement, Exotica pulls his attention away to stare straight into her eyes. The slight fog in her pupils shines with a strange intensity that nearly frightens the silver tabby.

 

“I need you to promise me, as a mother, that you completely understand the weight of what I’m saying.” Exotica releases his chin, he recoils slightly. Exotica sights, brushing her fur down, looking forwards.

 

“Apologies,” her voice now has a low hushed tone,” but I have to make sure I don’t lose them ever again.” She takes in a long deep breath to calm herself, smiling gently towards him after releasing it. She gently smooths down the hair between his ears,” Do you know why me and the older jellicles are a bit harsh on you?”

 

“Because I’m to be the Jellicle leader?” Munk says, cocking his head in confusion. She chuckles.

 

“Well, that may be one reason,” her expression stiffens slightly,” but there’s one that’s more important to us.” She takes in another deep breath, looking forwards with a stoic expression,” do you remember your predecessor protector?”

 

“Asparagus?” another hearty chuckle.

 

“No, no, that ol’ coot only temporarily took the title, until you could come of age to receive it. I’m talking about her.”

 

“Ah, Grizabella…” he watches as Exotica’s expression sours at the mere mention of her name.

 

“She was the designated protector of the tribe for three years. She took on the roles of confidant, protector and inspiration for many young cats in the tribe. She took all of her responsibilities seriously...for a bit,” Exotica bites her lip, taking a shaking breath,” What do you remember about that day? The ‘incident’?”

 

Munkustrap shutters. Memories he had locked down begin to resurface quickly. “I remember playing with Tugger and Alonzo in the yard. We were joking and dancing, then everything went red...the adults started screaming, then the kittens were screaming…” Munk pauses to put a paw on his temple, noticing his visible tremble. 

 

“It was an organized attack between Growltiger’s clan and Macavity’s gang,” Exotica gently nudges Munkustrap in reassurance,” They hit us when we were weakened. Our three main sub-protectors were away. Skimbleshanks was halfway to Wales, Asparagus was taking care of his elderly mother with his father at the grand theater, and Jenny was taken on a trip with her family. We were solely dependent on Grizabella for our defenses. Little did we know the night before she had gone on a cat nip bender. She had decided to take a long walk to work off her hangover, without telling anyone, abandoning her post.”

 

“We didn’t even hear them enter the junkyard. They came in, claws and fangs bared. I can’t even say it was a fight, it was a near one sided massacre,” Exotica growls out, slamming her paw on the iron gate in front of her,” Everyone lost something that day. George lost the use of his front right paw, Jelly can’t use her back left leg to its fullest ability ever again, and I...I lost kittens, my brothers, my sisters. The tribe lost many of our elders, almost all our kittens, young kings and queens we’d adopted into the tribe. Worst of all, we lost the tribe mother, Andromeda.”

 

Munk’s throat feels fiery as he forces a gulp of air. Hearing his mother’s name still hurts a bit to this day. What small memories he has of her are all kind. She was a silver tabby with crystalline emerald eyes, much like him, with small patches of gold along her coat, emulating stars across the galaxy. She had a never ending patience and kindness to all, taking on a mother to all cats who called the Jellicle’s their family. 

 

With the good memories, also come the memories of her las battle. She had desperately hid away Tugger, Alonzo and himself, before turning her attention to the intruders. She fought with the viscous vicariate of a starved lion. She swatted, bit and clawed her way through tom after large tom, giving everything she had until the last breath. That was then Deuteronomy had finally arrived, using his immense power to banish the last of the enemy from existence.

 

“By the time Grizabella showed up, still high and coated in newly ‘acquired’ gemstones, we’d finished counting our dead and began tending to the injured. We counted ourselves lucky to only be bleeding.” Exotica grinds her teeth together, gently patting a patch on her stomach,” And what did she ask upon seeing out battleground?” Munkustrap sees the tears forming in her eyes,” ‘Looks like I missed some party’.”

 

“That was the only time I’d ever seen Deuteronomy completely enraged. He called forth a storm of near biblical proportions to banish her from the tribe eternally. She tried to protest, but no one could even stand to look at her, let alone defend her. We gave her the title of ‘Glamour Cat’ to shame her for the rest of her days.”

 

“Why was she blamed so harshly? Wasn’t it Growltiger and Macavity who hurt us the most?” Munk looks back to the lit window, the queens and their humans long gone.

 

“Oh, we do blame them. We put the blood of every cat we lost that day on their backs as just a few more sins to add to their long list of crimes. But, it was Grizabella’s complete betrayal of our trust that left us all enraged.” Exotica once more looks at Munk with intensity,” You can expect a criminal to commit heinous crimes, but you can never expect the one who’s supposed to protect you to leave you weak when needed most. That is when you feel truly hopeless,” Exotica looks down to the still young tom, watching the weight of her words sink in.

 

“The task we ask of you is near Herculean, but we push you to do your best. We’ve also learned from our mistakes. Every Jellicle knows at least basic defense, but you’ll near always be our final line of defense. So I must ask again, can you promise to protect every cat in the tribe’s physical and mental well being?”

 

Munkustrap pauses, looking between the window and Exotica. He trembles, trying to figure out his answer. He’s always thought he was as prepared as he could be, but maybe the true weight of his job has never dawned on him before. He turns quickly, bowing to the large brown queen before turning on his heel and sprinting back towards the junkyard. 

 

Exotica sighs, turning to the window with a smile on her face. In her hazy and blurred vision, she watches the light in the window go out. She lifts her head to the sky, taking in the slight light on the moon on her fur.

 

Munkustrap sprints with all his might, bursting into the junkyard in just under half an hour. He weaves through the rubbish piles, ignoring his friends as he passes. He dashes straight into the den of Old Deuteronomy, who lazily lifts his head at the sudden disturbance. Munkustrap pants, sweaty and disheveled.

 

Before the leader can say a word, Munkustrap prostrates himself, yelling,” Please teach me magic!”

 

Deuteronomy looks at his son, gently lifting his head to look in his eyes. For a moment, the small emeralds flash with the same fire he’d fallen so deeply for long ago. He smiles.

 

“You have a lot to learn, my boy,” he says with a loud and resounding chuckle,” so let’s get started.”

Notes:

Ok, as much fun as the stupid intense cockney accents were to write, I will now be making them talk normal in further chapters. Just imagine the accent lol. Feel free to comment anything that might make the story a bit more enjoyable for ya, and have a nice day, night, week or whatever you're having!