Mungojerrie paced back and forth, he was wringing his paws and breathing deeply, trying his best to remain calm. He murmur encouraging words to himself, trying to be reassuring but was failing. A beam of sunshine stopped his thoughts and his pacing, he was sure that he looked like a dear caught in the headlights. He turned and saw Rumpelteazer carefully closing the cloth door after she climbed in. She looked up and fiddled with her pearls, staying on the other side on the box.
"Pouncival said that you wanted to see me," she whispered, still playing with the jewelry. Mungo couldn't help but fidget; this was not a very comfortable situation.
"I did want to," he nodded, still trying hopelessly to remain calm. "Have - have a seat," He watched as she slinked down. He began pacing the width of the room, which wasn't very long, trying to get his thoughts in order. He would start sentences and cut himself off, he ran a paw through his head fur; why was it suddenly so hard to talk to her?
"You can sit down if you want," she offered, gesturing to the wall across from her. Mungo's eyes darted around, and he began nodding.
"Yes, thank you I will," he said, immediately falling against the wall. He stomach began churning, he felt cold and he could feel sweat on his paws. "This is a lovely house you got here."
"It's your house," she reminded with a giggle. Mungo slapped his head, now he was a nervous wreck and stupid. He felt a gentle paw on his knees; he peeked through his own paws and saw that Rumpelteazer had moved closer. "They think that something is going on; they're quite worried."
Mungo nodded as she settled back, he knew what she was talking about. Their parents, and most of the tribe, were noticing that they weren't spending anytime together. They used to be rather tied to each other and ever since the incident in the clearing they did all that they could to advert any contact with the other. They just didn't know how to act about each other since then. He'd been questions numerous of times by his parents on why they had suddenly became so cold. He'd just say that it was a fight and they'd leave it at that. He heard his mother and Jellylorum talking about it; saying that Rumpel hardly leaves her bed or wants to play with the other kittens. Mungo knew that they had to get everything straightened out and patch up their 'fight', "So what should we do?"
"Talk about it I suppose," she whispered. "We could start at the beginning and talk about why you kissed me."
"I was trying to get you off of me," Mungo said simply, hoping that it didn't sound as dumb coming out of his mouth then it did in his head.
"I can't wait to see what you'd do if Tugger sat on you," she smirked, making him relax slightly. "Is that really why you did it; because if it is then I want to know why you didn't come and see me in the past few days."
Mungo combed his paws through his head fur, "Its part of the reason," He looked up and knew that she wanted him to continue. "You... You remind me of Majellina. That's why I started to play with you; I felt as if she came back and it was meant to be. Then, you being your cute self... I fell for you. I just wasn't sure if it was you or the memories that I fell for though. So I figured that I should try to find out..."
"So you kissed me," she finished as he nodded. She sighed and cast a glance at the door before turning back to him. "Did you find out?" Mungo opened his mouth to speak but he felt as if his voice died. He simply shrugged at her, unsure of what to do. "Alright," she sighed, "Here's what we'll do. If you want to get together, kiss me now. If not, don't do anything and we can go back to being friends; sounds good?"
Mungojerrie pursed his lips together and nodded. He looked down and noticed that his paws were shaking, she seemed to have noticed too for she placed her own on top of them in an attempt to sooth them. His gaze traveled up her arms and stopped once he reached her face. It had changed from the first time he had seen it; back then it was childlike and full of amazement of the things that surrounded her. Her eyes were alit and her face shown with her pride when she spoke her name. Her whiskers were twitching from the cold, and were they weighed down with her tears. Now it was calm; her eyes were searching his, hoping that he'd find his answer. Her whiskers stood out from her slightly pointed face. Her brown dots hung on the white between the orange that accompanied her face. He closed his eyes and sighed helplessly. He felt her pat his paws reassuringly before she lifted them off.
"Alright," she sighed as well. "I'll see you around later." He opened his eyes and saw her slip out, back into the sunlight. He banged his head against the wall in despair. 'Way to go, you let her get away...' Why did he care, she was still around, she was still his friend; that was what he wanted, wasn't it? Of course it was, they were friends and he was happy that they were. Then why isn't he out there playing with her? Why did he feel like he just stabbed himself in the heart? This wasn't happiness was it; wasn't it supposed to be joyful and uplifting and all that good stuff? It was, then why did he feel like this? He certainly wasn't in love with her. He would know it if he was. He could tell that he wasn't in love with her; he would have felt something when they were together; like he did when he kissed her. He would have felt that same over-the-top floaty feeling, like he was flying, when she was just here... He would be happy... Like when she put her paws on his and they calmed down. And he'd be relaxed... Like when he breathed in her scent before falling asleep.
'....'
Mungo tore the cloth to aside, actually ripping part of it off in the process. He looked wildly around, Rumpelteazer wasn't in the area. He walked over to her suitcase house and knocked the zipper. He peered inside, it was empty; no one was there. Somebody must have seen where she went. He ran back down the junk pile, and began to walk around hoping that someone else was about. He found Admetus hanging out of a picnic basket, relaxing in the sun. Mungo hurried over to him, nearly tripping over his paws.
"Admetus, did you see Rumpelteazer," Mungo asked, trying to hide the urgency in his voice.
Admetus stretched himself out lazily, "Yeah, she came by not more the five minutes ago, said she was going for a walk. She went over past the mattress."
"Thank you," Mungo called running towards the bed that was often used as a trampoline. He began to weave through the piles, getting further and further away from the safety of the tribe's quarters. He stopped once he reached a familiar mound; it was the end of their boundaries. She wouldn't have gone across it; she knows that she's not supposed to leave without someone. He turned to search what he just ran through when a scream pierced the air. His heart began beating louder, he knew who it was; she was out there. He began running, trying to figure out from which direction the scream came from. He pressed his eyes closed, trying to see if he could pick up any other sounds. He heard a deep, rumbling noise that made his heart stop. Pollicles; his mind began racing; he hasn't came within twenty yards of a Pollicle since he lost Majellina. He could feel his legs shaking from fear and he knees buckled; he had grown deathly afraid of dogs since then. He heard Rumpelteazer scream once more. He pushed his fears to the back of his mind and took off towards the sound; back to the area where they found her pearls.
A large Pollicle was in front of one of the piles, crouched down, growling, teeth barred; he was standing over a limp form with light fur and pearls. 'Please no...' Mungo unleashed his claws; fear, anger and regret swarming up inside him. If he kissed her when he had the chance she would be safe. Mungo ran up behind the Pollicle and lumped on his back, digging his claws deep into his hindquarters. The Pollicle barked with pain as he began trying to buck the cat off of him. Mungo flew across the area into a pile, dazing him slightly. He shook his head and saw the Pollicle right in front of him, ready to strike. Mungo yelled in fright, closed his eyes, and swiped his claws across the mutt's face; making him whimper. Mungo warily opened his eyes, the Pollicle was gone; he was alive. He ran over to Rumpelteazer's side and rolled her onto her back, trying to keep his thoughts straight. He carefully ran a paw across her face and sighed; if only she knew how he felt... He felt something tickle his paw gently; he looked down and saw her whiskers quivering. Mungo happily picked her up, and carried her off; back to the safety of home
Mungojerrie watched as she stirred, waking up. Her eyes fluttered open as she looked around, realizing that she was in Mungo's box. She turned her attention to him, a bewildered expression on his face.
"How are you feeling," he asked, sitting down next to her, tucking his blanket under her slightly.
"Fine,' she whispered, "How did I get here?"
"I found you with a Pollicle, chased him off and brought you back," he said, trying to sound as if it was the easiest thing he ever did. "You fainted; it wasn't that hard to bring you back to life."
"You took care of me," she asked with a slight giggle, as if she thought that he was pulling one of her four legs.
"My mom's a Gumbie cat, I picked up some things okay," he shrugged. "What about you, what were you doing out of bounds, it's dangerous!"
"I just needed to get away and think," She retorted, "...And thank you for saving me."
"No problem," he said before they fell into a silence. "Rumpel, I've be wondering..."
"Oh no, that can't be good," she giggled, Mungo laughing along with her.
"Seriously though, I was wondering if it was too late for that kiss," he asked. Rumpel looked at him curiously before giggling. She looked down and smiled, obviously flattered. She returned her attention back to him, biting her lip and shaking her head.
"No, it's not, you could take as long as you want to," she said in her cheerful voice.
"As long as I wanted to think about it or as long as I want kissing you," Mungo asked, raising an eyebrow. Rumpel giggled 'Both' as he laid a paw on her cheek. He brought her into another deep kiss, feeling as if he was flying; knowing that this was right. He finally realized why it was Rumpelteazer that Majellina inhabited; it was just her way of keeping her promise; to always be together. Someone could have came along and taken Majellina from him, and he wouldn't have been able to stop it. And a queen would have swept him away and they would have began to separate, their own families to tend to. Now, Rumpelteazer was his, he was hers, and he wasn't planning on losing her.
A/N: Happy 2005 everyone; I hope that you're celebrations weren't nearly as dizzying as mine... And mine had no alcohol so I'm a little worried about any of you drinkers out there. Well, this was the last chapter of the fic; I have a prequel to this in the works, it's about half done; it needs a little more meat to it. And I have another idea for a sequel; I'm kind of running with this now aren't I? Well... Either way I have a resolution that I'm sure I can keep (to turn 17) unless I get hit crossing the highway while going to school. That's rather unlikely though.
Chimmy-Lava – It did now did it? Charlie Brown is on? I didn't watch him at all this year... (sniffle) him and his little tree. Maybe I can buy it at Wal-Mart. I'm glad I got the U.E too – much better then my lousy video copy. I'm on your wall... How did the others like my "artistic skill"? You'd probably go on my Cats wall... or maybe you'll debut on my door. I have a lot of cool things on my door...
Jemima-luvah – Well then it makes sense to make it so political. I never had to read any constitutions (except the one that you wrote) and am not looking forward to ever doing so if yours wasn't even very political. I hate politics with a passion. We got bombed with snow the day after Christmas... and we got rain today so I can see the grass in my front yard now. You're right though, we Canadians are lucky (with our hockey and all) you should come up next Christmas and celebrate your first white one... Okay you stopped your rambling (I love rambling). I'm glad that you loved it
Mystitat – And iPod... nice. I suppose that it is funny when you think about it... I couldn't think of anything else to call chapter two
etcies – Thanks and same to you; although it already passed; so have a good new year
lozzypop – Dilemmas are what make the word go 'round... especially in Fanfiction. I'm glad that you've been loving this so far... There shall be more to come – not in this fic mind you but... you read above, you know what I mean.
Nabooru – Woot! I can make Nabooru like it even though she doesn't... really... like... Woot! I did? I'll have to check back to that. The reason why it happened is because... of... my mind wandered off? I'm not sure. I'll change it. Thanks for letting me know about that.
Why would you reach for the "8" when the letter "A" is right next to your index finger...? Do you even know the anatomy of your hand? Besides if you had no numberswould you really spell it "Leightter"? And the last time I checked a single letter was not an acronym for a homonym. I ought to slap you with a dictionary! And then, so you may conjure vast superior words, a thesaurus! You must be, as an IQ standard, "Mentally Retarded." I'm surprised that you haven't tripped over your IQ yet it's so low... I'm sure that someday you'll be hired as a Wal-Mart Greeter – who would not get the discount.
(You just got to love heckling Glace Bayers...)