Never Be The Same

A Tugger/Misto Fanfic

Chapter 1: Fall From Grace

(This takes place 6 mos. after "Pieces")

~~**~~

Unknown to most of the Jellicles tonight, a mysterious dark figure was creeping around the junkyard. His eyes glowed a wicked yellow, and the moonlight would catch a gleam of fang every so often. Its shadow crept past every den, past the sleeping kittens, even pausing to slip inside certain dens. He was so silent, he could surely slit a throat and never be caught. Sometimes its claws tingled with the temptation to do just that. But no, not tonight. If anyone had stumbled upon him tonight, they would see how off his mind truly was.

His jaws salivated grotesquely, his eyes widening as he passed another den, and saw Demeter sleeping near the entrance. She slept alone tonight. Macavity had been seen around the junkyard lately, and Munkustrap was gone on watch with a few other Toms.

His tail twitched back and forth, waving in an almost mesmerizing motion. Demeter slept soundly, never knowing the danger lurking near her.

He slinked inside her den, his feet making no sound at all. He even took the time to look around. He stood over Demeter, sniffing her fur. He growled low in his throat, his claws brushing across her fur as he was admiring her.

He had turned for just a moment, put his back to her, when her eyes opened and she saw the large figure standing in her den. Her feet scampered beneath her as she tried to find her footing. She hurried out the door, her heart pounding.

"Munkustrap!"

From across the junkyard, Munkustrap's ears perked up when he heard the panicked calling of his mate. "Demeter." He raced back toward her, Alonzo and Mistoffelees close behind.

Demeter had watched as the stranger ran out of her den. At first she feared it was Macavity, but after realizing it wasn't, she found herself even more afraid. When she saw Munkustrap, Demeter rushed into his arms. He held her gently, feeling her tremble, all the while scanning the junkyard for their unwelcome visitor.

"Should we go after him Munkustrap?" Alonzo asked.

"No. Let him go." Munkustrap said, his tone low and serious. "Let's stay safe tonight." Misto watched as Munkustrap gave Demeter a gentle reassuring kiss on the cheek. "Get back to your dens."

As Demeter and Munkustrap went inside, and Alonzo hurried off to be with Cassandra, Misto found himself mindlessly wandering on his way back to his den. The old Mistoffelees would've been scared. The old Mistoffelees would've been terrified, and ran and hid. But after what had happened to him as a human. Running from some crazed stray cat just seemed pointless.

He smiled, wishing Tugger could see him now.

Some days a human that looked like Tugger would walk past the junkyard, and if Misto had time he would jump up on top of the wall and walk along side of him. Most times the human didn't seem to take much notice.

Only Munkustrap knew what had happened, knew of the relationship he shared with Tugger. Misto's heart broke a little more every day.

The moon was bright and full tonight. Misto gave it a final glance, before going into his den to sleep alone.

~~**~~

The next day Munkustrap called a meeting, gathering everyone together near the big tire. Demeter stayed very close to him, and Misto could see she was still afraid. Bombalurina and Jellylorum were doing what they could to keep the kittens in line, though Rumpleteazer wasn't doing much to help that. Cassandra and Alonzo came together, holding hands, and their tails wrapped around the other's waist.

Misto sat down near Victoria, and she crawled into his lap and snuggled close to him.

"Most of you don't know what happened here last night." Munkustrap said, "But we had an intruder here last night. Thankfully no one was hurt." He glanced at Demeter. "But this was not Macavity. We weren't able to get a good look at him, only that he's a bit smaller than Macavity, and very quick…"

"Yellow eyes." Demeter piped up. "He had these horrible yellow eyes."

"So," Munkustrap continued, "I want everyone to be extra cautious when venturing out of your dens late at night. I want the kittens to stay inside after dark at all times."

"Awwwwww!" The kittens groaned in protest.

"I'm sorry kits, but I won't take any chances. It's even possible this intruder could be working for Macavity. Let's just be careful."

He dismissed everyone, and they all went on about their business. Misto hung back, watching as Munkustrap and Demeter walked off hand in hand.

"Mistoffelees!" Munkustrap called. Misto looked up. "Please don't sit there looking decrepit all day, go do something."

Misto forced a smile, "I will."

~~**~~

The next few days were quiet, almost drearily so. There was no sign of this mysterious intruder, nor any foul happenings anywhere in the junkyard. Life was peaceful, as usual.

Munkustrap still insisted that everyone follow the discussed rules, and that they still take turns going on watch every night. Tonight, Misto was on watch again, with Plato and Mungojerrie. 'A fine mix', Misto thought. Mungojerrie was to busy occupying himself to notice anything going on around him, and although Plato was paying attention, he was the oldest tomkit (Now that Misto was out of that category) and he gave Misto no easy feeling about his fighting capabilities. Misto himself, knew better.

"I hate this." Mungojerrie whined, "How long do we have to be out here?"

"Not much longer." Misto answered, looking up to the moon.

"Come on Mistoffelees. There's nothing out here." Plato said, "Munkustrap won't notice if we go in a little early. I'm tired. Aren't you tired, Jerrie?"

"Not me, I'm just bored." Mungojerrie said, "Could be out scoring trinkets. Instead I'm here…with you lot." Plato and Misto stared blank faced at him. "Sorry."

"Look, none of us what to be out here right now. But Munkustrap is depending on us tonight to make sure that the Tribe is safe." Misto said.

"Wow. When did you get so responsible and mature?" Plato asked.

"I've done a lot of growing up these past few months, Plato."

All three Toms were quiet. There was no sound, not even a chirping cricket, accompanying tonight. Misto stood, peering up at the wall in front of them. "Jerrie, jump up there real quick, give it one last go-over, and then we'll go inside."

"Right-o!" Mungojerrie saluted Misto, then leaping up to the top of the wall. He looked slowly in both directions. "Nothing out here…wha? Ahh!" Jerrie yelled, as he seemed to be pulled off of the ledge.

"Jerrie!" Plato yelled.

Not two seconds later, Mungojerrie pulled himself back up, laughing. "Gotcha!"

Misto shook his head. "Alright guys, let's call it a night."

Behind them, some trash shifted. Their ears perked up, and all three of them turned. Mungojerrie jumped down from the wall, standing behind Misto. "Did you hear that?"

"Yes." Misto answered.

"What was it?"

"I don't know."

"Well go see." Plato pushed Misto forward, then waved his paw as if sending him on.

Misto couldn't believe he was out here, with practically no help, going after what could turn out to be a maniacal killer. Misto looked down to his paws. Tiny blue sparks danced around his fingertips. He was ready.

He walked toward where the sound had come from, his heart pounding, praying it was just a mouse or some nonsense. Another loud crash came from the same area. Misto could hear rustling from the other direction too. He imagined some of the others had heard that last crash, and were coming to investigate.

He could see a tall figure just ahead, but if it was the same cat from the night before, he wasn't sure. Misto hoped whoever it was would just go away. The figure stumbled, bracing himself against the wall as if he were dizzy. Misto looked again, something about this cat seemed very familiar.

"Misto?" Munkustrap whispered, as he came up behind Misto. "Is this our intruder?" He growled, ready to pounce.

"I don't think so." Misto said. Misto stood, his fingers still sparking, but walking ever so slowly towards the dark cat. The other cat groaned and turned around, still bracing himself against the wall. The moon seemed to fall just right suddenly, shining a light directly on him.

Misto gasped.

"Tugger?"

~~**~~

It was Tugger, there was no doubt about that. That blonde fringed mane couldn't belong to anyone else. But in a way, it didn't even look like Tugger. He seemed…skittish. Very un-Tugger like.

"Tugger?" Misto stepped into the light. "Tugger, it's me."

Tugger looked over at Misto. Misto had nearly forgotten how shocking Tugger's eyes could be. They took your breath away.

"Tugger? Please say something."

Tugger panted, looking around and then back at Misto. Misto smiled, thinking Tugger would say how much he had missed him, and then Misto could run into his arms and feel safe and warm again. But Tugger still looked at Misto with the same confused expression, finally uttering.

"Who are you?"