((A/N: This fic may be a little dark. Definnitely not for a younger audience, and is a little violent and graphic at times. Don't own anything but Nathaniel.))

Darkness blanketed the streets of London. Strays roamed everywhere, milling the streets without any resolve whatsoever. These were the cats who had no home, and hadn't been willing to join one of the two major crime organizations in London. One of these organizations was run by the Hidden Paw, and the other was captained by the fearsome Growltiger. Growltiger was, literally, the captain of his organization- it was a ship, docked on the Thames. The ship was dilapidated and rather diminutive, but was well guarded by nautical loving toms. They were there to keep Growltiger safe from his nemesis- Macavity, the Mystery Cat.

On the very night that this story begins, Growltiger was residing in his cabin, grumbling to himself as he tapped his claws on the desk and furrowed his brow. The pirate was plotting, and had hit a brick wall. For you see, Macavity possessed a book, and it was one that Growltiger wanted, very badly. He'd had it, too. Until that blasted cat had taken it.

What had her name been? All Growltiger knew was that she'd been seen around his ship a few times, and that whenever she showed up, something went missing. A notorious thief, or something. Pretty, too. From the stories he'd heard about London, and from what his spies had told him, he knew that she was one of Macavity's best , Growltiger leant back in his chair, resting his head in his hands as he gazed hostilely at the floor. He'd exhausted all possible options. Sending recruits in for the book would lead in death. There were only a few toms in Growltiger's employ, and he couldn't afford to lose any of them. Even Growltiger admitted that Macavity's henches were better trained than his were- their cunning had often been an advantage against his brutish workers.

The second option he'd thought of was to get the queen to bring it back. Yet, that idea had also been sunk. She was intelligent, and Macavity wouldn't let one of his workers walk into a trap. It had happened before, and the red tom had done everything to get the poor bastard back. He'd done everything he could, and had even been willing to strike a bargain with Growltiger. However, the bargaining was unnecessary, as the tom captured had been nobody. Just another dim witted henchcat.

The pirate was about to cast the whole topic from his mind when he paused. If Macavity had been willing to agree to simple deals to get a stupid, ordinary henchcat back, what would he agree to to get one of his best workers back? He'd probably even give up that heavily guarded, valuable magic book.

Chuckling victoriously, Growltiger threw himself out of his chair, letting it clatter down to the floor as he marched over to the door. He threw it open, sticking his head out and bellowing for his second in command.

"Nathaniel!"

A tall, wide set, tough looking tom appeared in an instant, a leery grin on his face. His features were plain, and he possessed a dark brown, tabby pelt. A deep scar ran up his side, and his body was extremely well muscled. It was easy to see why this guy was the second in command.

"Yes, sir?" Nathaniel grinned, his voice low and husky, as though he'd been smoking 60 a day all his life.

"I have a job for you, in relation to that magic book. You know the lass who took it from us?"

Nathaniel simply smirked, a low rumble resounding in his chest. He certainly remembered the queen who had robbed it from him, alright..

"Yeah, I do," He confirmed, smirk still lingering on his face.

"What was her name? I want you to take her. And you can get revenge for her robbing you while she's here," Growltiger chuckled, folding his arms in triumph. Nathaniel was the roughest tom in the vicinity, and hated it when people crossed him. Because of this, Growltiger wasn't surprised that the mention of the queen angered him.

Nathaniel's brow furrowed for a moment, his jaw clenching as he racked his brains.

"Come on, come on, give me the wretched name!" Growltiger snapped, becoming slightly irritated as Nathaniel dwelled over what her name had been.

"Rumpleteazer."

"Ow! 'Jerrie, that hurts!" A young calico queen hissed, as a bigger, almost identical version of herself dabbed disinfectant on a gash in her arm.

"Sorry, 'Teazer," The tom, now known as 'Jerrie, apologized, before setting about wrapping his twin's arm in a bandage.

"It's okay. Thanks, 'Jerrie," 'Teazer smiled, nuzzling her brother as he lifted her down from the infirmary table. His sister had been swiped by a pollicle, but had had a lucky escape. She never usually went out thieving on her own, but there were times when Macavity wanted Mungojerrie to help him out. As Macavity's second in command, he was often busy.

Sighing, 'Teazer wrapped her uninjured arm around Jerrie's waist, as the calico tom helped her out of the infirmary and into the corridor. Once there, he weaved in and out of the other henchcats as he took his sister back to her barrack.

"Do I have to go back to train this evening?" 'Teazer asked, yawning. It was only about 6pm, but Rumpleteazer was absolutely exhausted. Every other henchcat was on their way to training, so the barracks were pretty desolate when the two calicos entered. Mungojerrie simply chuckled, setting his sister down on her messy, unkempt bed. She sighed happily, stretching her slim, calico body out. Her chocolate brown eyes refused to leave 'Jerrie's, clearly searching for an answer.

"Nah, 'Teazer. I asked the boss, and you can have tonight off. That's it, though. Don't think you can just skive because of my fabulous second in command-ness," 'Jerrie grinned, leaning down to affectionately nuzzle his beloved sister.

She scoffed, picking up a pillow with her good arm and whacking him with it. Served him right for being cocky. Her twin, however, simply smirked, before initiating a mad pillow fight with his twin sister. Minutes later and he was victorious, leaving 'Teazer scathing and 'Jerrie grinning.

"Cheers, 'Jerrie," 'Teazer yawned, nuzzling down into her bed as 'Jerrie made his way to the door.

"'Course. See you soon," He nodded, before shutting the door behind him. He was wrong, but at that moment in time, neither of them knew it.

An hour or so later, and 'Teazer had fallen asleep. The other henches were in training, and Macavity himself was supervising. Thus, the corridors were silent, and, for once, no guards patrolled the perimeter.

This all worked to Nathaniel's advantage. He'd got to the Hideout without a whiff of trouble, and had managed to sneak inside without detection. He didn't know why, so just assumed that it was down to his oh so extraordinary skills. Now.. Now to find that bitch calico. She'd stolen from right under his very nose- and she'd taken something that was vital to his boss's company! According to his boss, the book was with Macavity himself, so there was no way he could go and get it back without a word.

Growling quietly, Nathaniel began to search the corridors, an image of Rumpleteazer in his mind. A slim queen, of age, with a lovely calico pelt. How would it look stained with her blood? A slight smirk appeared on his face as he continued to walk.

The air was stale- the scents of Macavity's henches were all gone, apart from one. Female, quite sweet.. Wait. He ceased in his walking to pause outside the door from which the scent of a queen had come. Chuckling, Nathaniel silently opened the door, his grin widening as his eyes caught sight of the scent's owner.

The slim calico queen was still stretched out on her bed, one bandaged arm down by her side, the other behind her head. Exactly as he remembered her.. Plus, she was injured. That worked in his favour. Chuckling lowly, Nathaniel crept over to her, roughly trailing a paw up her body and grasping on to her injured arm. Rumpleteazer's eyes flew open, about to yelp, when he covered her mouth with his free paw.

"Hello, my darling. You'll be coming with me," He growled, reaching down to pull her up to her feet.."No, please-" 'Teazer yelped, as the tom pulled her up to him, using a piece of fabric he'd brought to bind her. Seconds later, and her mouth was bound too, rendering the queen immobile and mute. Regardless, she struggled in his grip, as he hoisted her above his shoulder. She wasn't much of a problem- he was so much stronger than she was. However, the young calico was still putting up one hell of a fight. Kicking, writhing, and muttering what sounded like obscenities through her gag.

"Oh, shut up," Nathaniel growled, clutching her tightly as he barged back through the door.

'Teazer hissed, still struggling in her captor's firm grip. She had no idea why she was being taken away. Even if she did- she'd only gone thieving after a direct request from Macavity. She wasn't a bad queen, really. What did they want with her?

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