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No one could find Munkustrap anywhere after the Jellicle ball. They all knew he had some injuries from what happened earlier.
“I know he’s hiding,” Alonzo told Jenny with a concerned tone. “I don’t know where though.”
The other sighed, “He’ll need to show up soon or those cuts will get infected. That will be worse for him.”
Unbeknownst to the two, a certain Deuteronomy brother had listened to their conversation. He had an idea of where Munkustrap could be. It was a place that they hadn’t visited since they were kittens and was where the two could leave their responsibilities behind for a short time. Even if that meant having to go back to reality at some point.
He carefully made his way over to a clearing between the edge of the Junkyard and the border of their home. It was first discovered by Munkustrap when things were beginning to get tough. Tugger, being the curious cat he was, followed him one day. But instead of getting upset with him, Munkustrap simply smiled and let Tugger sit with him.
The clearing itself was filled with flowers and other unidentifiable pieces of trash.
But it was their place and that’s all that mattered.
When he arrived at the secret place, his eyes immediately went to a body of gray and black fur laying curled into a ball. It was a different ball than Tugger was used to. He was used to a tired ball, an overtired ball, an anxiety-filled ball, or even an emotional one. But this. This was scarier than any of them.
He practically crawled over to Munkustrap so quietly that it was like he was another cat. He then sat next to his older brother. He didn't even touch him.
They sat in complete silence, enjoying each other’s company.
That was until Tugger said, “You know Jenny is going to get upset if you don’t see her about those injuries.”
It was a straightforward statement yet Tugger knew his brother needed to be reminded.
But for some reason, Munkustrap replied with a simple, “I know.”
They didn't say much else. It wasn’t like his brother to be this quiet. Yet this also meant that he was thinking of something. Something which took more energy than taking care of himself.
Then Tugger got it. “Don’t tell me that you feel guilty over everything because you shouldn't.”
He noticed his older brother visibly shudder at the truth.
A tense silence grew between the two once more. Tugger knew he had to be patient when Munkustrp was like this. Munkustrap knew that he needed to choose his words carefully or Tugger would get onto his case even more.
“No one should have gotten hurt. No one.” He said it in a tone so soft that Tugger had to strain his ears.
“But that doesn't mean you have to blame yourself Munkustrap.”
Munkusrap rolled his eyes, “You know, usually its Demeter who has to give me these talks.” Then he remembered how close Macavity got to her and how terrified she was and how he lost control over the situation.
As those thoughts scrolled through his mind, Tugger replied, “You can't blame yourself for Macavity’s actions towards Demeter. He had all of us in a daze.”
‘I know. Then can I feel guilty about Alonzo getting hurt?”
“No, you can't because he is a protector like you and knows the dangers of being one.”
“Then I can feel guilty about how Macavity was able to get through our defenses.”
Tugger had to think carefully about this comment. “No you can’t because no one thought, not even you, that Macavity was going to be a menace on the night of the Jellicle Ball. You can’t predict everything Munkustrap.”
Munkustrap sighed, “Since when did you become so wise that you can try to convince me to not be guilty over everything?”
“Well, I did learn from the best.”
That was the comment which caused Munkustrap to not only smile but give his younger brother a hug.
“I guess you did.”