Journal of Etcetera
by Barbalurina

Part 6:

One Week Later: 

They found Vicky!!!!

When Papa brought her into the junkyard, she
looked.....strange.   

She was still that pristine white color, but there was
something different about her.  Her diamond collar was
gone.  Her fur was longer, and just a bit matted.  She
wasn't the Princess Housecat that she was before she
was taken.  There was something strange about her
eyes.....

I wanted to talk to Vicky, to beg her forgiveness for
leaving her, but Mama appeared out of nowhere and took
her away. 

I stared after them helplessly.  I would wait until
she'd cleaned up and got her strength back before
trying to get her alone.

I turned to see if Papa needed anything, but
no...Jenny was taking care of him, and wouldn't want a
lot of fuss made over him.  

"Well, its nice to know your sister's all right."  

I turned to see Cassandra, a Siamese I really didn't
know very well.  

"Uh, thanks."

"Oh, no.  Thank you, dear."

"For what?"

"For bringing Mungojerrie back into circulation."

"What?"  Did she mean what I thought she meant?

"Oh, darling.  We've been waiting a year for him to
come around.  Now he'll be ready."

Who's we?  "Ready?  Are you going to try and take him
from me?"

"Dear, he's not yours to keep."

My jaw dropped.  My breath got short.  It hit me.
Hard.  Cassandra was planning to seduce Mungojerrie,
and not only her, probably Bombalurina, too, and who
knows who else?  

Would he go along?  

Why wouldn't he?  These Queens were older, gorgeous,
and probably more skilled at Mating, than I.  

There wasn't anything I could do to stop it, either.  

"Honey, there are plenty of Toms to enjoy around
here.  Don't limit yourself."

"Well, why don't you 'enjoy' them?"

She just shook her head with a smile I didn't
comprehend.  "Maybe one day you'll understand, Kitten."

That's it!  "I'm not a Kitten!"  I leaped on her and
knocked her over.  

We rolled over and over, scratching at each other and
screeching.

I saw that some Toms had stopped to watch us.  I guess
we were pretty amusing to them, as no one tried to put
a stop to it.  In fact, I thought I heard someone
cheering!

Finally a voice cut through to us.  "STOP!"

I backed off.  Cassandra was a pretty sorry sight.
Her short fur made it easy to get to her skin, so she
was pretty messed up.  I didn't want to think about
what I looked like. 

Munkustrap looked at both of us.  "What is this
about?"  His voice was deadly quiet.  

We both started talking at once.

He cut us off again.  "Cassandra, I will speak to you
later.  Go."

She looked like she wanted to say something, but
Munkustrap gave her a look that said she wouldn't want
to trifle with him just then.

He gaze returned to me.  Oddly enough, I didn't feel
any fear of him.  Not any more. 

"So, what happened?"

This wasn't going to reflect well on me.  I had
attacked, after all.  What was I going to say?  That I
attacked her so she wouldn't be attractive to
Mungojerrie?  There were far too many Queens to do
that!

So I told him, flatly, that I had attacked her because
she was going to try to take Mungojerrie away from me,
and that she'd called me a Kitten.

"You know, if he does go to her, then he was never
really yours anyway."  

"You're not helping me."  Why would a Tom understand
where I was coming from anyway?

"And what will you do when the next Queen tries?  Kill
her?"

"I - She just made me so angry.  She said maybe I'd
understand someday.  I guess what really got to me was
that she called me a Kitten."

"Ah, then you only confirmed it by acting like one."  

"You're right.  But why does she have to go for
Mungojerrie? It's not fair."

He sighed.  "There is a lot in life that isn't fair,
Etcetera.  Attacking every Queen who eyes Mungojerrie
will not make him stay with you, if he chooses to go."

"You're right, but I don't have to like it."

"No, but you need to exercise some self-control, and
you need to apologize to Cassandra."

That was going to be unpleasant.  "Yes, sir."  I bowed
my head and turned to go.   

I dreaded the apology.  I could just see this smirk on
her pretty - but now scratched - face.

I found her and apologized quickly, then turned to
make a hasty exit.  

Her voice floated across the space between us, "I'm
sure Mungojerrie would be interested to see your
handiwork."

Oh, I wanted to just turn and attack her again!  But I
refrained, this time.  I merely shrugged and left her
there.  

I went back to my box and moped.   Knowing that my
days with Mungojerrie were probably numbered did
little to help.  

What if he did accept Cassandra's offer?  Or another
Queen's?  What would I do?  What could I do?  

I didn't want to just turn my back and go off with
some other Tom.  I felt that Mating was special, not
to be shared with just anyone.  

Did I want to share Mungojerrie?  No, but I couldn't
force fidelity on him either.  

This whole thing was leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

Two days later: 

Four days and I hadn't seen Mungojerrie.  Or
Rumpleteazer, for that matter.  Where were they?

Every time Cassandra passed by the car, where I was
perched, she smirked.  

I kept my claws to myself.

Then I saw Electra running across the yard
with.....Tumblebrutus?  But wasn't she with
Coricopat?   I shook my head.  It wasn't my business.  

"Contemplatin' yer name, luv?"

I turned and saw Rumpleteazer, with a brand new
collar.  "Rumple!  Where have you been?  I didn't know
if you or Mungo were ever coming back!"

"Our 'uman family went on 'oliday.  They took us
with 'em."

"Ah....is Mungo gonna be here soon?"  I wanted to get
to him before Cassandra.....or anyone else!

"Impatient, aren't you?"  She winked at me slyly.

"Yeah.  I've missed him."

"Well, that's sweet to 'ear, Et."  Mungo was just so
quiet!  I wonder just how much he hears before I ever
see him!

"MUNGO!"  I turned and jumped on him, knocking him
over, similarly to Cassandra, but with affection.

"Well, maybe I should go away more often.  I think I
like the return reception."  He licked my face, and I
licked his.

"Well, well, aren't you a cute pair of Kits?"
Cassandra had made her way over to us.

I froze, and said nothing.  I knew I wouldn't be able
to control myself if I did.  

He looked up at her.  "What 'appened to yer face?"

"Hmmm....maybe you should ask her.  She had such a
temper tantrum, you know."

"I asked you."

"I'll tell you some other time.  Maybe when we're not
surrounded by Kittens."  She indicated Rumple and me.

My claws were digging into my own paw pads.  I wanted
SO badly to jump her again.  Yet again, I managed to
restrain myself, but only because I didn't want to
look bad in front of Mungojerrie.

She turned her back, waggled her rear, and ran her
tail under his chin, then left.  The invitation could
not have been much more clear.

I didn't wait to see if he took her up on her
invitation or not.  I couldn't bear to see it if he
did.  

I went again to my box, tears spilling down my face.
It wasn't fair.  Knowing that life wasn't fair didn't
help at all.

"Et!  Come on Et, don't do this."  Mungo's voice was
outside my box.  Why was he outside my box?

Then he leaped in, landing right in front of me.  

I jumped back.  He was telling me it was over between
us.  I knew it.  I felt it.  

I blurted, "Go!  I know you want to!" before he could
say anything.

"Really?  Then why am I 'ere?"

"I - I don't know."

"I do.  I want to be with you.  She 'olds no
attraction for me."

"Why not?  She's pretty and more experienced.
Probably would know better how to please you than I
would."

He laughed.  I didn't.

I sniffed.  "What's funny about that?  It's probably
true."

"I've no doubt that she's more experienced.  The thing
is, Et, is that with all 'er experience, it 'olds no
wonder for 'er.  It's not something she really enjoys,
it's something she uses to bargain with."

"I'll bet she's very skilled."  I still felt a bit
sullen.

"Maybe, but skill isn't everything."

How could that be?  In fighting skill meant a great
deal.  Wouldn't it be the same in Mating?  I must have
looked puzzled.

"Let me give you an example......" He began rubbing my
back with his paws.  "Say....you were with The Rum Tum
Tugger."

That finally made me laugh.  

He didn't.  "Well, he's very experienced, and 'ence,
probably very skilled.  Now.....if you were given the
option, who would you choose?  'im or me?  I'm not as
experienced as 'e, I promise you."

Well, it was no contest.  "You.  Always you."

"Why?"  He was still rubbing my back, making it a bit
hard to think.

"Because....."  How do I say that his very touch makes
me quiver with desire, whereas The Rum Tum Tugger
would have to try really hard to get even half that
reaction from me?

"Because?"  He prompted me.

"Well, he doesn't make me feel like you do."  That
sounded good.  Not too blunt.

"And 'ows that?"

"Uh.....really, really, really good."  Then I just
sounded dense.

"Now turn that around and substitute me for you, and
Cassandra for The Rum Tum Tugger."

"Oh...."  My mind was getting hazy from his pawing my
back.  My purring must have sounded as loud as a car
engine.

"Besides, skill means very little when you're with
someone for the first time.  It takes gettin' to know
someone and what pleases them that makes you skilled,
anyway."

"MMMMmmmmm.....then you're very skilled indeed."

"Well.....like anythin' else, there's basics and
specifics.  It just so 'appens that you enjoy a lot of
the basics.  I only know one thing specific to you."
His paws rubbed into my neck where his marks had
scabbed over.  

I trembled.  

"Maybe I should get to know some more of those
specifics, eh, Love?"  He took one of my paws and
licked between the pads.  

I looked at him curiously.  "What are you doing?"  

"Finding your 'ot spots."

"Oh....well, I don't think that is one."  At least, it
didn't make me feel anything in particular.

He smiled.  "Well, then I'll find one that is."

He found one almost immediately between my shoulders,
making me yowl and squirm.  "Hmmm.  There's one."  I
heard him chuckle.

He continued down my back until he'd identified every
spot that made me squeal. 

He was driving me mad!  I had to work up to it, but I
managed to growl out, "Now!" Meaning he'd better get
on with it!  I hoped that he understood.

He did.  

Oh my!  Almost as soon as he began, I shattered hard
beneath him, crying out long and loud.  Then things
went black.

I'm not sure how long I was out before I felt Mungo
licking my face.

"Wake up Et, Love, please!"

When I came to, it was with Mungojerrie's worried face
staring into mine.

"What happened?"

He let out a sigh of obvious relief.  "Well....."

"Well, I know what was happening before."

"Yes.....well, I'd only 'eard about makin' a Queen
pass out from pleasure.  I guess I did something
right."  He said this as if he didn't quite believe
it.  

I smiled.  "I don't think it could have been much more
right."

"Oh, come on."

I sat up.  "It's true.  Now....where are your hot
spots?"  I moved toward him.

"Et, you don't 'ave to do anythin'."  As he said this,
I had him backed against my cardboard wall.  His
protest was weak at best.

"Well, come on, now, Mungo, I know you couldn't have
gotten much out of that encounter.  I mean, I was out
less than a minute into it!"  I started touching him
the way he'd touched me, only on his front.

I took one of his paws.....and licked between the
pads.  I heard him inhale sharply.   "So you like
that?"

He nodded.

"Hmmm....what else do you like?"  

Moving down his body, I could feel his body becoming
more and more tense.  Finally, he had to stretch out
on the ground, or he might have fallen over. 

Well, he was extremely sensitive where his legs joined
his body, on the inside.  Probably because it was so
close to his........Tomness.  

Someday I would ask him what it was called.

What would he think if I just......licked it?  Would
he like that?  What would he taste like?

He had me touch it with my paws before.

I didn't ask.  I leaned forward, and delicately
touched him with my tongue.  

He jerked back so fast, he tore a big hole in my box!

"I'm sorry, I thought you might like that."  I was
horrified.  I should have asked!

"I did, Et.  You just.....surprised me."  Was he
having trouble breathing?

"I know.  I should have asked.  I didn't know I'd hurt
you."  

"'urt me?  No, Et.  Not at all."

I still felt uncertain.  He'd probably tell me he was
fine even if he were in terrible pain.

He lay back.  "Please, Et.  Go on."

"You're sure?"  

"I'll prove it."  He leaned over....and licked
himself.  

Wow!  There was something unbelievably hot about
watching him do that.  I felt myself tingling again.

It was kind of hypnotic.  

He stopped.  "See, I'm fine."

I blinked and snapped out of it.  "All right."  

I repeated the delicate touch with my tongue.  I heard
him groan.

He had a slightly bitter taste that I didn't mind at
all.  Not like the taste of his blood, which was salty.

I continued, wondering if he would let me complete his
pleasure this way.   The tingle in me was stronger,
now. 

Weird how doing this was making ME hot.  

Well, I wondered no more.  He pulled himself out from
under me, grabbed me by the waist, and bit down on my
shoulder.  Hard.

I screeched.  

"Now," he growled.

I didn't argue.

Thankfully, this time I didn't pass out.  

When he finally released me, I must have had about
twenty claw marks on my body, and at least four bite
marks on my shoulder and neck.  And enjoyed every
moment.  

My last thoughts before I fell asleep was that I
really couldn't blame Cassandra for desiring
Mungojerrie.  Only trying to act on it.

Later that evening: 

Mungo left me promising to either fix or replace my
box.  I could just see him explaining how it had
gotten torn, and I laughed to myself.

Well, I decided it had been long enough.  I had to go
see Vicky, Mama, or no Mama.  

I went to the Human home where I'd lived the first
weeks of my life with Mama.  Not as swank as Victoria
Grove, but comfortable.

I hesitated outside the door.  Would Vicky even talk
to me?  

I went in.  Mama wasn't there.  Vicky was sleeping
under the blanket in Mama's bed.  I suppose so that
Mama's Humans would not find her there.

I reached out a paw and touched her gently on her
right foreleg.  

"Mama?"

"No, Vic, it's me, Et.   Are you all right?"

She looked out from the blanket.  "I'm.....getting
better.  The Kits....did they get sent?"

"Yes, they did.  With all due dignity."

"Good.  I hoped.  Thinking of them kept me going."

"Vicky, I'm sorry.  I know it's not enough to just say
it.  I should have found someone to stay with you."  

"Et, it wasn't your fault.  Please, don't do this to
yourself."

"But - "

"No, Et.  I won't have it."  She sounded so like Mama,
I almost laughed.

I heard a hiss behind my back.  Mama!

I turned around.  Mama moved so she was between Vicky
and me.  You'd think Vicky was still a nursing Kitten,
the way she was trying to protect her from me.  She
didn't say a word.

"Mama, what are you doing?  It's Etcetera!"  

"Lie down, Victoria, you're still not well."

"But Mama, why are you -?"  Mama pushed Vicky down and
covered her again with the blanket.

"Whatever you think of me, Mama, you can't keep her
here against her will.  She's an adult."  This, of
course, fell on deaf ears.

"You, get out."  She tried to stare me down.

My temper was pretty short these days, so I stared
back, defiant.  "Fine, the CORPSE was just leaving."
I flounced out.  

It hurt.  This attitude Mama had with me hurt a lot.
I never knew how much until she started protecting my
own sister from me.

I can't help but feel there's more to this than just
Mungojerrie.  She was pretty distant to me before he
became part of my life.  

I was too wired to try and sort it all out.  At least
I got to talk to Vicky, even if it was just for a
minute.

I went back to the junkyard with a heavy heart.

"Etcetera, dear, are you all right?"  It was Jenny.  I
knew she wouldn't leave me alone until she knew what
the problem was.

"Oh, Jenny, my whole life is a mess!"  Oh my goodness,
I just started bawling on her shoulder as if I were
one of her Kits.

She let me cry myself out before trying to get me to
talk further.  "Darling, tell Jenny."

I told her what happened with Mama, and Cassandra, and
Mungojerrie.   

She looked at me, her nose twitching.  She didn't say
anything, but looked me over, like I was sick, or
something.  "What are you doing, Jenny?"

She kept a light attitude, which helped a bit.  "Just
seeing for myself that you're in good health, dear."  

"I'm not ill, Jenny."

"Not yet.  Soon, perhaps.  Being with Kittens plays
havoc with your body and emotions."

With.....Kittens?  "Jenny!  I CAN'T be with Kittens.
I've not had my cycle again."

"Well, I'm not certain, but my nose rarely plays me
false."  She paused.  "You know, dear, your mother
does speak of you."

"Really?"  Was there hope for us?

She nodded.   "I don't know what to do about
Cassandra, but then she's spoiled, and used to getting
what she wants."

"Well, if I have anything to do with it, she won't
have Mungojerrie."

"And if he does decide to go be with some other
Queen?  I don't know what to tell you, dear.  It
happens a lot.  Toms are Toms.  Usually, a Queen can
find another Tom pretty easily."

"But I don't want to find another Tom.  I like
Mungojerrie."  

"Maybe you'd feel different if Mungo actually DID it.
On the other hand, Toms have been known to keep more
than one Queen."

The face I made must have been funny, because Jenny
laughed.  "Dear, it's not that bad.  For example, your
father and I have a nice thing going, but we also see
other Cats, too.  It doesn't mean we don't care for
each other."

This whole conversation was confusing me.  "Jenny?  If
I am with Kittens, then will you help me when my time
comes?"

She frowned.  "Well, traditionally, it would be your
mother's place....."

"No."

She sighed.  "All right.  If she won't do it, I will.
Fair enough?"

I sighed.  "All right.  I'm pretty sure she won't do
it, though."

"Don't count your chickens before they're hatched,
dear.  This could change things between you two."

I didn't think so, but didn't say.  "Thank you,
Jenny."  

"I'll be here if you need anything."

I thanked her again, then left.  

Pregnant.  The possibility was somewhat exciting, and
somewhat frightening.  Not like before, when I thought
it was a complete disaster.

I went back to my box.....and it was gone!  In its
place was a solid wood crate.  

Where had Mungojerrie gotten a wooden box?  More
importantly....how did he get it here?

"You like it?" a voice came from inside.

I jumped up on top, and went inside a hole that had
been cut in the wood. 

I fully expected to be greeted by Mungojerrie, but
no....it was Alonzo!  The wood must have distorted his
voice.

"Oh!  Yes, I like it.  You did this?"  I was starting
to feel uneasy, but didn't know why.

"Well, I had some help, but......yes."

"Thank you, Alonzo.  I'm sure Mungojerrie thanks you,
too."  How sweet of him to help Mungo get this monster
box over here!

"This has nothing to do with Mungojerrie."

My uneasiness was changing to near panic.  "What do
you mean?"

He walked toward me.  "I has to do with you....and me."

Okay, I needed to get out of there!  I backed away, as
far as I could.  "There is no you and me."

"Come on now, Etcetera."

"Come on, nothing!"  I leaped out through the hole in
the ceiling, and ran.  

Why was he doing this?  I thought he was a good Cat.
Second only to Munkustrap in protecting the tribe.

Unfortunately for me, Alonzo was stronger, and faster
than I.  He caught me.

"LET ME GO!"  I struggled.  I didn't like the way he
was touching me.   

"Shhhhh."  

"No!  HELP!"  

"Oh, Alonzo, can't you tell she's scared?  She's not
playing The Game."  It was Bombalurina.  Was she there
the whole time?

He let me go.  He didn't even say he was sorry.  "I
thought she was just more enthusiastic at playing hard
to get."  I ran around behind Bombalurina.  

"Leave me alone and take your box with you!  I don't
want it!"  Dammit, don't cry, Et!

"You brought her a gift, ‘Lonz?  You never bring me
anything."  Bomba pouted.  

"I'll find something for you, Red."  And so it went
on.  They both ignored me and left.

Had the entire world gone insane?

Where was I going to sleep?  I wasn't going to stay in
that box.  

Could I go to Victoria Grove?  I wasn't in heat....but
the sky was clouding over in a way that I didn't
like.  Surely I could stay there until he or I found
something else.  

When I got there, it was very cold, and was starting
to snow.  

I shivered my way to the basement, where Mungo was in
a nice warm basket.  Was Rumpleteazer EVER home?

"Love, is it time?"

I shook my head, trying so hard not to cry.  I just
couldn't believe how much I had been crying lately.

"What's wrong, Love?"

"M-my b-box is g-gone, and it's snowing."

"Get over 'ere.  You must be freezin'."

I walked slowly over to the basket he was in.  There
was a blanket that looked very warm and inviting.  

I stepped in gingerly.  

"Et, are you all right?"

"I will be.  I just need to get warm."

He moved forward to warm my back.  Now that I had time
to think about this too-interesting evening, I
couldn't stop the tears.

Who knew a Cat could be so tired, so young?


Part1.2.3.4.5.7.8.

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