DISCLAIMER; I (unfortunately) do not own Cats! All credit to Andrew Llyod Webber & T.S Elliot! :)

The morning sun was shining brightly into the junkyard & filled Tugger with warmth. He yawned & rubbed his eyes, clearing them of fatigue. He jumped a little when he noticed a little ball of red fur sleeping soundly next to him, but smiled when he realised it was Bombalurina. His best friend. She was younger than him but she was already the epitomy of beauty, he had only noticed this recently & felt different feelings for Bombalurina that wasn't just friendship, but he wasn't sure what.

He lay for a while, embracing her but grew impatient for her to wake up. They'd planned a hide & seek re-match today & Tugger was determined to win. He sighed & Bombalurina woke up when he exhaled sharply on her neck. She turned to glare at him, but could only smile when she looked at his grinning face. 'Hello sleeping beauty!' Bombalurina giggled & punched Tugger playfully on the arm, but she could feel her cheeks blazing & her heart racing. 'Ow!' Tugger rubbed his arm & frowned at his friend. Bombalurina flinched & jumped to his aid. 'Sorry! I didn't mean it Tugs!' she cried. Tugger stood up majestically & flattened his bed-head fur, 'S'okay, it doesn't hurt or anything, I was only joking .. had you going didn't I!' Tugger smiled at her through gritted teeth, his arm arm throbbing in pain.

'Ch'yeah right! It won't just be your arm that's hurting today when I beat you at hide & seek!'

'Dream on kit!'

Bombalurina smiled playfully & raced to the door of the den.

'Hey, where're you going?!'

'Outside to hide!'

'Wait for me!'

'Catch me if you can, Tugs!' Bombalurina grinned & with that she was gone.

Tugger ruffled his head fur & whispered 'Oh it's on!' & walked out of the den & perched himself on top of a pipe to get a good view of the junkyard & to try & spot the red princess.

* * *

Old Deuteronomy paced anxiously around Jennyanydots' den. His mate was being treated for a mysterious illness in the room next to him & he had not slept in days from worry. He had not seen his sons, Tugger & Munkustrap, for a few days either; to prevent them from getting worried & upset about their ill mother. Ignorance is bliss he told himself & Jenny, in concern to the situation. He could smell death in the den & he feared the worst when he turned to see Jenny standing before him, with a look of despair on her face. Deuteronomy did not need an explanation & walked slowly into the room, his heart breaking as he stared at his mate lying lifeless on a bed of torn blankets & cushions. He held her hand & sobbed furiously into her fur.

'Deuteronomy, they need to know.'

'Find Munkustrap & Tugger & bring them here.'

Jenny nodded her head sullenly leaving Deuteronomy in the room with his beloved to find the two toms.

* * *

Tugger had been searching for Bombalurina for what seemed a lifetime for a kitten, but less than ten minutes for an older cat. 'Where is she?' he thought. He had searched high & low for the kitten, but could not seem to find her. He was determined not to give up & carried on searching for her, but was interrupted by Jenny who's eyes were puffy & red from crying, closely followed by a skeptical looking Munkustrap.

'You have to come with me Tugger.'

'But I have to find Bomba ..'

'Bombalurina will have to wait. You're father needs you.'

'B-but ..'

Before Tugger could complain, Jenny grabbed his paw & pulled him in the direction of her den. He looked over his shoulder, hoping to see Bombalurina to tell her he had to go. What could be so important that I've to leave her?