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Fombulabri smiled contently, wrapped in Pouncival's arms.
'Ello Abby.' She opened her eyes to look up into his. How long had he been watching her sleep? She didn't care. She tenderly kissed him on the lips. The other kittens still laid asleep in various areas. She smiled and laughed, still kissing him, as he began to tickle her. Then suddenly she remembered Misto, and pushed his hands away, parting from their kiss.
'Abri?' She parted and gazed up at the silouette of a black cat. Bri swallowed.
'Misto, I...' A tear rolled down his cheek as he turned and walked away. Mungojerrie grinned at the two childishly. Then frowned at remembering his friend's pain.
'Ye two...' He waved his finger at them and made the 'tsk tsk' sound. Bri, not seeing the humour, removed herself from underneath Pouncival and followed Misto out the mouth of the cave.
'Misto, wait! I...' He turned to face her.
'How?! How in Heaviside name? And he's just a child!'
'That's just it, Misto, so am I. I'm a kitten and I wasn't forced to choose a mate yet. I already have though.' She forced a weak smile at Misto, trying to make him see her point. 'Besides, it was cold, and we were just keeping - I don't know how...' Her voice cracked, wavered and cut out as tears spilled from her eyes. Mistoffelees stared blankly at the black tabby as if he did not even know her.
'Well, it did. And I have nothing more to say to you.' He turned and left the cave. Fombulabri's lips trembled as she watched him walk away from her. Other than that, she didn't move a muscle. Pouncival laid a paw on her shoulder, seeming to cause her to crumple to the floor. Mungojerrie awoke the kittens to take them home as the other, younger Tom tried to console Bri.
'Abby?' He squeaked. Tandilana noticed Bri sprawled out on the floor before Pouncival and immediatly ran to the two.
'Bri?' What's wrong?' But all that escaped Bri was open sobs.
'What happened, Pounce?' Tammy said, redirecting her question. Pouncival's blue eyes lowered to the ground. Then up at Misto's hunched back. Tammy said nothing else, afraid of what damage it might do. She returned her gaze back down to Bri. Still unmoving except for slow deep breaths, a tear trembled in the corner of her eye. One by one, the rest of the kittens gathered around Bri to learn of her sorrow.
'Bri, c'mon. Let's go home.' Blaize and Etcetera earged. But if she heard, she made no reply, not did she even look at them. Mungo forced his way through the small crowd.
'She's not gon' move. I'll carry 'er.' Mungo scooped her up in his arms. He turned to exit the cave, with the others following, but Bri wriggled out of his grasp and fell to the ground with a 'thump'. She bolted to the dark corner of the cave, out of view, before anyone could even react.
'Abby? Let's go..' Pouncival crawled toward her. A rock broke on the ground when she backed away from him. He stopped short.
'Ab..'
'Stop, just go.' Her voice seemed so distant, but stern. Pouncival stared sadly. The group all just looked at each other.
'Go...I'll stay here with her.' Tandilana whispered to the rest.
'But ye don' know ta way back.' Mungojerrie protested. Tammy looked back to her magical friend. Not looking back at the rest, she sighed.
'Come back for us later.' Pouncival tore his gaze from Bri to glare at Tandilana.
'What? No!'
'Pounce, I'm the only one she'll listen or talk to.'
'Well, after we...I might.'
'Might being the opprative word. I know I could help. So just go, guys. And come back for us later, Mungo.' Mungojerrie nodded, not wanting to argue with the orange tabby, rounded up the kittens and left with Mistoffelees. Tandilana watched them until they disappeared, then turned back to Fombulabri.
'Bri? Why in Heaviside's name did you do that? You had such a great thing with Misto!' Tammy's eyes changed from judging to apologetic when she heard the other kitten sob.
'I don't know! I was cold, so Pouncival came to cuddle with me to make me warm, and, and...oh I don't know!' She burst out from the shadows and wrapped herself around her best friend.
'I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!' She slipped off Tammy to the ground, tears soaking her face. Tammy followed her down, holding her paws within her own.
'Bri, you didn't do anything to me. I forgive you, but it's Misto you have to apologize to.' Bri looked up at her and nodded.
'Maybe if you do with this Conjurer what you did with the little one.' They turned around to see a tall pure white Tom.
'Who the hell are you?' Tandilana was a bit purterbed that he was eves-dropping.
'Hell? Now, why does it heave to be hell? Why not Heaviside?' *How smug* Tammy scowled. Fombulabri looked at her in surprise.
'What did you say, Tammy?' The orange tabby looked comfused.
'I didn't say anything.'
'Yeah. I heard you. You said "how smug".' Tandilana looked surprised as well, then felt the strange Tom's eyes apon her, causing her to blush, if it's possible for a cat to.
'No, Bri, I didn't. I thought it.'
'Oh, how brilliant. You have telepathy as well?' Bri looked up at him through watery eyes.
'I didn't have it before...'
'It's alright.' He walked over to the two, kneeling beside them. Tammy hissed through clenched teeth. 'I'm also gifted with such things.' He set his paw on Fombulabri's forehead. She flisnched but relaxed under his warm touch. She slowly closed her eyes. A smell of sweet flowers and fresh flowing water consumed the air. She felt herself relax as a sense of peace and happiness filled her.
When Tandilana saw that he was using some sort of magic on Bri, she growled within her throat and bounded on him. Fombulabri snapped back to reality. The white Tom gulped as Tammy's claws unsheathed at his throat.
'Don't you dare use magic on her!' She hissed,
'Tammy, it's all right. It relaxed me and made me feel better. More confident.' Bri laid a weary paw on her friend's shoulder.
'I was just trying to help.' He said. Tandilana retracted her claws and backed away. The Tom stood and brushed himself off.
'Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jafaun.' He reached out and kissed each of the kittens' paws.
'I'm Fombulabri.' She batted her eyes. At him. Tammy smacked her. *No flirting. You're already in enough trouble!* And Bri heard as Tammy expected. The black tabby lowered her head to the ground.
'I'm Tandilana. But don't get too attached. I already don't like you,' she half joked.
'Well, that's too bad.' He flashed a small grin at her. 'Anyway, I know the way back to your Junkyard. Are you ready to go home?'
'How do you know that?' Tandilana was really mad now. How nosey was this cat?
'We're not that far, and I wander quite a bit.' Tammy rolled her eyes and Bri shrugged. He extended a paw. Fombulabri reluctantly grabbed it. He led her out of the cave, smiling at Tammy on the way. She followed them back to the Jellicle Junkyard.
