Thank you everyone who reviewed last chapter! Demeterfan, PrayLoveCATS, eld mcm, and Jackie Is Grey. You guys are really awesome... :P So this is the last chapter, as I have notified before. I hope you enjoy the last chapter and... the ending!

Last 31 Days

Epilogue

Not A Kitten Any Longer

"Munkus?" Quaxo asked quietly in the back seat as the silver tabby drove on, without saying anything. The tabby's blue eyes were fixed straight ahead, but judging by the movements his ears made, it was almost obvious that he was listening. The car slowly came to a stop as they were blocked by a red signal. Munkustrap sighed and turned to face the kitten. "Yes, what is it?" he asked tiredly.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked softly. "you know you don't have to do this. You didn't have to..." he trailed off but Munkustrap's eyes answered everything. His eyes looked pain-filled and sad, but at the same time, it looked beautiful. Quaxo gulped as the silver tabby sighed heavily and turned around to face the road ahead of them. The car started up again and they raced down the countryside. It was raining heavily and the roads were slippery. Raindrops plattered down to the front glass endlessly as they drove on.

"I almost didn't want to leave, Quaxo." he whispered. "but I had to... I'm the only one... who can get him." he stopped from time to time as if to stop emotions from overwhelming him completely. "Others can go after him if they want, I know! But look what happened to them. They can't stop him. He's too strong for them."

"And you?" the black tom blurted out disobediently. "he murdered them all, even without anyone's help! And yet you believe you alone can stop him? You've hunted him down for years, I know. But you've always had failed to protect them from... being murdered!" and at the moment, Quaxo realized that he had gone to far. The car screeched to a halt in the middle of the road. Some cars that were following them also had to stop, calling out loudly to get out of the way. But Munkustrap was still, without moving. With the silence wrapping them both, the sound of raindrops was killing Quaxo. The other cars slowly began to turn their direction and race past them, swearing loudly.

Munkustrap's voice that followed the deafening silence was surprisingly calm. "It doesn't matter... even if I fail."

"Munkus, I'm sorry..."

"Stop." he growled suddenly. "stop apologizing for what you didn't do wrong. You are right. I've failed to protect them." he gripped onto the wheel with vice-like grip, feeling the sharp claws digging into his pad. "but I just don't want to be helpless... not any more. And I won't live that long anyways." although he didn't want to, they had to laugh at the end of the sentence. He pressed onto the accelerator and the car began moving.

"I just... wanted to try my best. For my dead friends and the victims... it was my duty from the start. And who knows? Macavity might try to hurt someone around us again if somebody doesn't stop him for sure."

"I don't blame you, Munkus." Quaxo mumbled quietly. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'm the one who should be sorry for the dead ones." Munkustrap said calmly.

"They shouldn't be blaming you. I know you did your best the whole times." the silver tabby was quiet for a moment before answering,

"Quaxo... I hate it myself, but I just have to think myself as the one who should be responsible." he let out a quiet chuckle. "I'm sure you'll understand when you're a little bit older."

At that time, Quaxo didn't answer. He just nodded and stared at the bottom of the car. And now, he was regretting his dicision. He should have tried something then. He should have tried to comfort him, relieve him from stress. He should have suggested him to go back. He should have done SOMETHING. But now, it was all to late. Before he knew, it was the last conversation he had with his silver tabby friend. He didn't know it at that time.

It was around nine in the night when they got a call from Demeter. Jemima had been sleeping in her room with Sillabub. They were huddled close, wrapping themselves tightly with a blanket and shivering, not from cold. Their eyes were wet with tears and they cried in each other's arms, even before they heard the news from their mother. Bombalurina had been in the kitchen with Bill Bailey when she recieved the phonecall. She was the one who cried the hardest when she heard the news.

"Bombi." Demeter sobbed. "Bombi... oh, Lina..." but the scarlet queen was also crying at that moment. The golden queen didn't have to say the words out loud.

"Shhh, Deme." Bombalurina tried to comfort her sobbing sister. But she too was crying, with hot tears running down her cheeks freely, messing her makeup. But the beautiful queen didn't even try to wipe away her tears. She just cried, along with her sister. She slowly sank to the floor, still grabbing the reciever with both of her paws. Tears fell to the floor as the queen sobbed hard, blocking her mouth and nose. "Deme, please don't cry..."

"Lina... I..." the queen on the other side of the phone burst out crying again. "I... I don't know what to... Oh... Lina... I..."

"Shhhhh... Deme... it's... it's okay... I'm still here with you..." the scarlet queen reached out a paw to grab a pawfull of kitchen towels from the table, still trying to mask her sobs. She knew she had to be strong, for her sister. She pressed the towels and blew hard, still sobs wreaking her body. She wiped away the tears.

"Lina..." Demeter wept. "Lina..."

"It's okay... you don't have to say anything... so... should I... get the kids ready?" she asked in a trembling voice, still wiping away the tears that were never disappearing in her eyes. Everlasting Cat, Bombalurina. Be strong. You gotta be strong. Look at your poor sister... You're the only one she has from now on... get a grip...

"He's dead, Lina... he's dead... just ten minutes ago... Lina... he's dead..."

The reciever fell to the floor with a loud crack. Soon the signal went dead as the scarlet queen completely broke down, buring her head between her knees. Nothing could stop the sobs and tears. She just wept, crumpled on the kitchen floor with the newborn kitten wailing out of destress from one of the chairs. She sobbed hard, crying her eyes out. She swore at him for leaving so soon, she cursed him for leaving his beloved family alone. But most of the time, she cursed herself for not being a better sister-in-law, a better friend, a better queen for this tom, a better aunt for his kittens.

"Oh, Munkus... Munkus..." she sobbed hard. "why...?"

Suddenly, she felt a small paw touching her left shoulder and raised her head to face her youngest niece staring back at her with those big eyes. Jemima was standing near the enterance. She was buried in the darkness so she couldn't see her face clearly. Bombalurina hugged Sillabub tightly, never wanting to let go of this tiny life. She was still crying. The kitten's eyes were also wet with tears. But she didn't seem to know her father's death. It seemed that she just cried along with her Aunt, just because she cried first. Just like how little kittens would do...

"Aunty Bombi, why are you crying?" she murmured. "Is Mommy still there? Can I talk to Mommy?"

"Bobbie... I don't know what to..." she broke into tears again, gripping onto the tiny kitten. "Jemmi..."

Jemima quietly stepped into the kitchen. Her face was also wet with tears. It suddenly occured to Bombalurina that she almost looked like a grown-up queen. Although her body and frame was very small, her face held so much emotion and pain. The scarlet queen realised in that moment... that her niece would never be a kitten like she once was. And that she'd never be the same again... the heartache, pain and the loss of her father was too much for the kitten to endure.

Jemima didn't say anything. She just put the reciever in the place and knelt beside her sister. Then she hugged her.

"Jemima, come here, sweetheart." Bombalurina put her arms around both kittens. She stroked their heads and wiped away their tears. Those never-ending tears. Jemima raised her head to stare into her aunt's eyes. She was not a kitten any longer. She was the oldest of the three kittens. Deep into her heart, she knew she had to take care of them and their mother... just like how her father used to do.

But she didn't want to. She didn't want to be a grown-up kitten so quickly. For now, she just wanted to be with her aunt, mother, and sister.

"Aunty Bombi..." she began to sob. "aunty..."

"Shhh, Jemmi. It's okay."

"Daddy's gone... isn't he?" she whispered. "I know it... I know it means he is dead... and... never coming back... and... and I'm never going to see... daddy again..." she burst into tears and buried her small frame in her aunt's chest. Bombalurina couldn't do anything to console her beloved niece. The three just cried together. And with that, Jemima's peaceful kittenhood ended.

She was not a kitten any longer.

Quaxo finally woke up, with the biggest headache of his entire life. He groaned as he blinked, his head filled with too bright light. He turned his head to face a black and white blur staring back at him. The silluette was very familiar... black and white with a pair of nice-cut trousers... Bustopher...

"Uncle Bustopher...?" he moaned out quietly. "wha-" The blur nodded and reached out a paw to stroke his forehead. His forehead was sticky with sweat and he was slightly feverish. Bustopher gently put a wet cloth on his forehead, still stroking his smooth fur. Quaxo tried to say something but his mouth and throat was dry. It hurt just to move his lips. His uncle seemed to read this and he pressed a water-filled mug under his lips, which he gulped down with much gratitude. As his thrist slowly ebbed away, he began to grow aware of his surroundings. Clean room with comfortable bed and a table, and a bookshelf propped against the opposit wall. It was his room. He had come home. How did he... he was Munkustrap and all the other cats near Macavity's warehouse... but how?

Then he remembered. Munkustrap had hit him in the vital point near his neck and he had fainted. He could just remember the tight pain in his neck at the moment before he lost consciousness. Then where were the others?

"Uncle, where is Munkustrap...?" he barely managed to whisper. But the black and white tom just stared down at the floor, sighing heavily. And as he squinted his eyes, Quaxo could see a single teardrop glistening in his eye. And even before Bustopher could have enough courage to speak, he knew what he would hear. His blue eyes widened slightly as the shock filled his head with dread and pain. His uncle's eyes dropped closed, with a teardrop running down his furry cheek.

"Quaxo... terribly sorry to tell you this but..." he chocked out.

"No..." Quaxo cried out in a hoarse voice. "It can't be! He just can't... he can't be..."

"Quaxo, it was already too late to help him."

"NO! There's been some kind of mistake... he wouldn't die that easily! HE JUST CAN'T DIE!" he wailed. "please, tell me it's a lie, Uncle. Please!" he burst into tears even before he knew and he felt his uncle's strong arms being wrapped around his back. His paw patted his back, his mouth murmuring something soothing to his ears. Their tears mingled and dropped to the floor, with Quaxo cring heavily in his uncle's arms and with Bustopher who was having his own tears.

"It's all my fault, I should have stopped him..." he whimpered.

"Quaxo. Calm down."

"I can't calm down!" he screamed. "Macavity's killed him, didn't he? I should have known it!"

"Nobody could have stopped him better than you, Quaxo. He had made up his mind... nobody can blame you. Not even yourself. You know you did your best to help him."

"But he's dead... I should have helped him to survive, not to be killed." he moaned into his uncle's shoulder fur. Their shoulders were wet with each other's tears. "it's all my fault." At this, Bustopher pulled him away from his shoulders and stared him into his eyes. His naphew's eyes were brimming with hot tears. "Quaxo." he said in a low, strong voice.

"Munkustrap's death is indeed a tragedy, I know." he soothed. "I loved him like a son... just like how I love you."

Quaxo was silent.

"But nobody should be blamed for his death. Especially you. If it weren't for you, he wouldn't have found out where Macavity was. And that would have led to more murders. And Munkustrap would have blamed himself for that. You know him. How stobborn he could be with his occupation..." he tried to make a laugh out of that situation, but he knew he had failed. He sighed. "Quaxo... Munkustrap could never have gotten Macavity down without your help. No one can deny that fact. Munkustrap just wasn't killed. He chose his own death. He knew he could never survive with Macavity with each other's tails... so he chose the second option. To kill him at the expense of his life. That was the only choice he had."

The little tuxedo again buried his head in the bigger tom's shoulders, with sobs invading his frame again. His whole body shook as he wept, with his uncle's arms around him. "I hate myself for doing this, Uncle."

"I understand... but please, don't blame yourself, Quaxo. Munkustrap would have never wanted you to suffer because of his death." he patted his back softly, wiping away his nephew's tears. "he trusted you. I know he did."

Bustopher handed him a silk handkerchief and Quaxo blew hard into it-which Bustopher would have never let him to do so before-, daring a weak smile. He wiped around his eyes and tried to calm his nerves. But even with his beloved Uncle's presence near him, Quaxo knew deep into his heart that he could never forgive himself, or stop blaming himself for the silver tabby's death.

They held the funeral two days after Munkustrap's death. His family, friends, and many othe relatives came to wish his fairwell. They all cried. They cried a lot. They held each other in their arms and shared the sorrows, the happy moments with the departed silver tabby... they shared each other's news. They promised to help the family together. Demeter thanked them for their help. Her beautiful green eyes were swollen and red.

'We'll be okay.' she would say to the visitors. 'he'd want us to remain strong... even without him. And... now... I should protect them, right? Just like he used to do.'

After the funeral, they all returned to each other's place. Skimbleshanks to the railway station, Bustopher Jones to the hunting grounds and pubs, Rum Tum Tugger to the Clubs and pubs...

But they all remembered the silver tabby. His sacrifice, and how much he had loved his family and friends. They all knew that Munkustrap would always remain in their hearts. They couldn't help being saddened at his death, but they resolved the sadness by remembering the happy and funny moments they had together. Demeter remembered when they were dating in high school, Tugger remembered all those stupid pillow fights they used to have as kittens, Bombalurina remembered flirting with him(against his wishes), even with Demeter in their sight.

They all had something to remember him by. Memories in the past kept him alive inside their minds. And in the case of his eldest daughter Jemima, they were the dried roses that were now in her room, a cracked glass jug, and the old swing in the garden...

It was the night after the funeral. Bombalurina had decided to stay with them for a while for the sake of her sister and the kittens. Demeter and her sister spent most of the time together. The scarlet queen would comfort her, just like how Munkustrap. They still cried a lot. Especially Demeter. Each night, she'd cry herself into sleep with the help of her elder sister. It was pain just to see her. It was Demeter who was suffering the most from the loss of her beloved mate.

But Jemima couldn't sleep too. She'd cry, just like her mother and aunt and sister, but it wasn't easy for her to go asleep and forget everything. She didn't want to forget. Her memories with her father were just too precious to let go. And she missed her father. She longed to see his face again, to feel his strong arms around her, calming down her kitten nightmares just like how he used to. But she also knew that she could never see him again.

Jemima turned around in her bed, with Sillabub moaning out in irratation each time they bumped each other. She sighed and gazed into her sister's red puffy eyes before quietly getting out of the bed. The whole house was silent. Her parent's room door was closed and only the pale moonlight filled the house. The moon was so bright that she could see the stairs and funitures clearly even without turning on the switch. As she walked down the stairs, she remembered the time when her father told her about the Jellicle Moon and the Jellicle Ball.

It's an old legend, he'd say. cats go to the heaviside layer with the full moon... that's the Jellicle Moon. We go past the Russell Hotel and into the heaviside layer.

Daddy, are you telling me the truth? she'd say with a frown. I can't believe it. And Munkustrap would laugh, tickling his daughter under the chin. Well, princess. I don't know for sure but daddy has a feeling that you'd be telling this to your kittens when you grow up.

Jemima reached the kitchen and walked up to the fridge. She opened the door and pulled out a glass jug filled with ice-cold water. She really was not thirsty, but she just wanted to drink something. And something cold and refreshing. The cups were right beside the kitchen sink but she didn't bother to take one. She leaned onto the kitchen table on her stomach and began to drink. It was a habit of her, to drink right out of the jug with her mouth. And her mother hated it. She used to say that she took that from her father. And she'd glare at him from across the table while Munkustrap just laughed and encouraged Jemima to continue, enraging Demeter even more.

"You know your mother hates it when you do that." came a voice.

She jumped, and the glass jug fell from her paws to the table's surface, making a loud noise. White lines formed in the glass jug as it hit the surface, but luckily it didn't break. Jemima wildly whipped around to see who it was, and-

"DADDY!" she cried out. Her small mouth fell open and she just stared at the tall silver tabby who was standing right next to the kitchen enterance. Munkustrap was smiling. He was clean with no trace of any blood and he was looking much healthier than before. And before she knew it, Jemima was running towards him, with tears already threathening to fall from her eyes. "DADDY!" he opened his arms and she buried herself in his strong frame, sobbing her eyes out. She felt Munkustrap hugging her back with the same warmth and love as before.

"Daddy, I missed you so much!" she sobbed into his chest.

"I missed you too, Jemmi." he whispered back. He let go of her slightly to stared into her tear-filled eyes. "I love you." he smiled.

"I love you too, daddy."

They held each other tightly again, not wanting to let go. But Jemima slowly eased out from his grip and stared at him from a step away. Although her eyes were still red, she was grinning from ear to ear. "Daddy, did you come back to see me?" Munkustrap laughed and ruffled her headfur. "Of course I did. And don't tell mommy that I came back to see YOU! She'd be soooo disappointed." Jemima laughed along with him.

"Daddy, why don't you go see mommy and Sillabub and Bailey? They'd want to see you!" at this, the silver tabby seemed to hesitate. And Jemima just stared at him with those curious eyes.

"Jemmi... before I go see the rest... I have a surprise for you." he said softly, with a sad smile on his lips. His daughter's expression brightened immediately at the word 'surprise'. "Really, daddy?" she asked. "I want to see it right now!"

"well, it's not very big, princess." He chuckled. "will it be okay with you?" Jemima nodded furiously, with a happy grin on her lips.

"Well then, turn around." Jemima whipped around and blocked her eyes. She heard her father laughing softly behind her. "Daddy, can I turn around now?" she asked.

"Not now... okay... now you can-" even before he could finish his speech, she wildly turned around and faced the object he held in his paws. It was a rose bouquet with lovely ribbons. Jemima's expression filled with owe as she gingerly took the bouquet from her father's paw. And her face slowly came to a happy smile as she held it in her arms. "daddy, it's so pretty. I love it."

"Glad you like it, Jemmi." Munkustrap smiled. "Sorry for missing your concert, sweetheart. Will you keep it?"

"Of course I'll keep it. I'll keep it forever." Jemima grinned. At this, her father just took her by one paw and led her outside. Jemima followed, with the rose bouquet in her other paw. Outside the house, the moon the so bright. Munkustrap's silvery fur looked very beautiful under the pale moonlight and she gasped softly. The tabby led her to the old swing in the far corner in the yard and they both sat down. The swing moved from side to side with a familar creak and cracks. They just sat there for a moment, gazing up at the shining full moon.

"Daddy." Jemima blurted out suddenly.

"Yes, Jemmi?" Munkustrap looked at her. "what is it?"

"You have to go back... right?" tears were filling her eyes again. "you... you're still dead... right? And... and you can't stay with us..."

"Jemmi..." he sighed. "Sweetheart..."

"Daddy, don't go. Please." she let out a sob. "you're with me now. Why you can't stay with me?" and she knew there was no answer to her question. She felt her father embracing her and murmuring soothing words to her. But she knew the fate of this dream, that they couldn't be together... that they do not belong in the same world any longer...

"Jemima... I'm so sorry." Munkustrap whispered. "I'm sorry... for making you sad..." Jemima cried in his arms, letting out exhausted sobs from time to time. The silver tabby sighed before gathering his daughter in his arms and standing up. The rose bouquet fell from her paw to the swing. Munkustrap hugged his daughter to his chest and started to walk around the moonlit garden, with Jemima still sobbing quietly.

"Jem... I love you more than anything else in the world." he whispered, stroking her back as he walked slowly. "never forget that. I've always loved you and I always will. I'll always be watching you... your mom, your brother and sister, your uncle and aunt... everyone." Jemima was silent now, with her slow and steady breaths near his shoulder. Munkustrap smiled sadly before continuing his steps. Her eyes were closing slowly.

"Jemmi... do you remember when I told you about the Jellicle Moon?" he said quietly. "It's real..." he craned his head to check if she was awake, but it seemed she was asleep. The tabby gently kissed the sleeping kitten in the forehead, with a single drop of tear glistening in his own eyes.

"I love you so much, Jemima." he whispered for the last time. "I'll always be with you... my little girl..."

When Jemima woke up from sleep, it was still dawn. She remembered the night clearly. She had fallen asleep in her father's arms. She remembered the warmth, the softness of her father's presense near her... and his eternal love for his daughter.

She raced down the stairs and into the kitchen. And there was the glass jug, still cracked. She raced outside.

And outside the yard, on the old swing...

There was the rose bouquet.

Thank you for reading! Phew! I finally finished the story! :D when I look at the ending now, does it resemble you of 'The Phantom Of The Opera'? Just kidding :P Please review for the last chapter!

Thank you all, for your endless help and encouragements for this story. I felt really happy while writing this and I can't possibly thank you enough.

Love you all. And Thank you so much.