…CP3

Time, never something Bomba has taken much note of before, passes in a flash. And before neither she nor Demeter can count to three, weeks have passed.

The Jellicles have open their tribe to the sisters, who soon feel like long times friends with most of the cats.

It takes days for Demeter to stop shaking, and more for them both to sleep probably in their new den – a nice, old wardrobe covered by umbrellas and filled with blankets – but they find that life with the tribe is something much different than what they are used to from the factory.

There is no fight or struggle to eat. Everyone shares what they have, though the kittens have first right to whatever the tribe has to offer. The queens can walk around without fear of the toms, who smile and laughs with them, instead of growling and dragging them off to their dens with force.

There is peace between the toms. No one fights over silly things or arguments, and no one spots bruises or bloody rifts daily. It's a whole new way of living, and Bomba likes it.

Demeter seems to thrive as well. More outgoing than Bomba has ever seem her before, her sister soon spends most of her time with the other queens. Especially Jellylorum and Tantomile soon become her closest, while she still seems shy of the toms, though not as afraid as Bomba has seen her in the past.

And Bomba, for the first time in… well, her whole life probably, is able to relax. There is no fear of violence or rape, of hunger or staying warm and dry. She doesn't have to fear for her sister, or Macavity's ill mods, or anything other than merely… live. And she loves it.

With the constant fear vanished from her, she enjoys the life the tribe can give, and soon finds friends among both queens and toms. Especially Tugger, who since their first day has payed close attention to her. And she has to admit she likes it.

….

About two months after the Jellicle Ball – and the sister's arrival – Bomba returns to the clearing after a good night of prowling around the neighborhood, and finds the many of the other cats gathered, and upset.

Curious about the fuss, Bomba joins Skimbleshanks at the back of the crowd.

"What's happening?" she asks and stretches her neck to better see.

Skimble shakes his head, "Old Deuteronomy has left us." He sounds nearly broken by the word.

Bomba frowns, "Left us? Why?"

"It's his way, my dear," says Jennyanydots, Skimbles mate, as she sits down beside them. The two rubs their heads together gently before turning their attention back towards what everyone else is focused on. Bomba can't see and moves closer, sneaking through the catered cats until she can see more clearly.

Before the old one's den stands Munkustra, tall and firm, and talking with Jelly, and the twins Tantomile and Coricopat.

They all seem down by their leader's disappearance, and Bomba looks around after Demeter but can't spot her. She then joins Tugger who is lying on the large tier the tribe uses as a gathering spot. With a swift jump, she lands beside him, and he smiles at her.

She raises an eyebrow at him, "You don't seem so concerned about your missing father, she says and lies down beside him.

"He's not missing, he's merely roaming. It's what he does. He will come back soon," Tugger grins and gently runs his claws down Bomba's back, and she leans into it, purring slightly. She relaxes them. If none of the old one's sons are worried, then there is no reason for her to be.

But she is still affected by the mood that falls over the tribe.

With Old Deuteronomy gone, a sense of total safety is gone. The cats are not exactly frightened, but the lasting joy from the Jellicle Ball is slowly disappearing, and it's like everyone is waking up from a daydream. Real life has come.

But even with the change, the Jellicles are still better company than any of Macavity's cats, and Demerter and Bomba gets used to the longing for the old father. And they get used to the Munkustrap who leads in his absence.

Demeter especially seems to like Munkus. Whether she knows it or not, she is drawn to him.

Bomba is not sure why yet, though she thinks is the calmness he gives off. Like a steady place to hide during a storm. No matter what, she approves.

Time passes and soon the leaves begin to fall off the trees. The cats begin to prepare for the winter, which means many of them says permanently with their respective human families.

Those such as Skimble and Jenny return home and is not seen for weeks at the time. Others like Asparagus and Jelly moves into the theater to help the old Gus, along with their sons, Plato, Admetus and Tumblebrutus.

The rest – the twins, the sisters Cassandra and Exotica, and a few others – doesn't have a home and stays at the yard. Demeter and Bomba have no choice in the matter and stays as well.

In the evenings, they all stay in the largest den, the one normally belonging to Asparagus and Jelly. Here they all sleep, able to stretch and still lie close enough to keep warm as the snow begin to fall outside.

It is here Bomba began to really feel happy. Every day she prowls in the snow with her sister, who seems more alive than ever before, and in the night, she lies closly with Tugger.

The close living space also means she gets to know the other cats better. Especially Alonzo, Munkus' right paw cat, shows to be excellent company. Funny and with a bright smile he will often entertain them during the dark nights.

The whole world seems to slip into sleep as the snow outside builds up.

It doesn't last long however.

…..

Christmas and New Year pass, leaving loads of fattening food for the Jellicles.

They roam the streets and alleys, digging out the trash and finds more food than could ever feed the entire tribe. Every night they meet in the den and eat together, while the days are being spend as any cat will spend a day.

Bomba also begins to spend time with Munkus, who is much more relaxed now that the tribe is smaller and gathered in one place. Like his brothers, he is fun and even a great storyteller, and it doesn't take many days before the sisters know every deed every Jellicle has ever done. Bomba doesn't miss the looks he gives Demeter either, and can't help but smile when her sister shyly meets his eyes.

She should have known all good must end one day.

The snow sticks to the ground even in the city, and as Bomba enjoy walking on the roofs, looking down at the humans and the traffic, she often goes there just to observe. And that's when she meets him. Magron, ugly and scared as always, and one of Macavity's cats.

By chance, they suddenly stand before each other, and Bomba, chocked beyond words, can barely move. Magron looks equally blown away by it all, but then he grins.

"My, my," he giggles, "Bombalurina herself! Where have you been, gorgeous?"

Bomba turns away from him, ready to run but he blocks her path. She hisses at him, "Move!"

He shakes his grimy head, "I don't think so. The Boss is still very upset that you left, and took Demeter with you." He sneers the last and bares his teeth.

Bomba smiles as coldly as she can, "Too bad," and goes around him, only to have him grab her arm.

"Now you listen to me, Red," he hisses, "Macavity wants you back. Both of you, and he won't stop until he gets you."

Bomba leans in until their noses almost touches, "He can rot in hell. We're not coming back. Now let go!" she tugs her arm free and leaps away from him. With a few great jumps, she is off the roof and down in an alley, quickly making her escape.

She looks back and sees him following her, eyes mad and tongue hanging like a dog's out of his mouth. Disgusted, she picks up her speed and nearly flies over the snow.

As she reaches the edge of town, she looks back, but Magron is nowhere to see. She waits a while, careful, but he still doesn't show.

Still nervous she very slowly heads for the junkyard, constantly looking over her shoulder. There is no sight of him however, and she finally enters the yard, feeling home at once.

She doesn't tell Demeter of her little meeting, no use scaring her. Instead she curls up to her sister that night, unable to sleep, and with Magron's words in her ears.

It turns out she didn't shake him off like she thought she did.

The very next day, only few hours after sunrise, Exotica comes running into the clearing, fur standing on edge and her teeth bared. Munkus is by her side at once, asking what's wrong.

"They are here," she hisses, not at him but at the general situation. Munkus' eyes grow dark, and he looks back at the gathered cats behind him. Demeter gently takes Bomba's paw in hers, eyes wide, and Bomba knows it's useless.

"I ran into Magron yesterday," she tells her, and watches as Demeter's eyes glass over.

"Who did you met?" asks Munkus, suddenly standing by her side.

She hangs her head, "Magron, one of Macavity's cats. He must have followed me here." She expects to be reprimanted, but Munkus just nods and goes to Tugger and Alonzo who stands ready.

Then all three toms turn to Exotica.

"Show us the way," Munkus say and they leave.

"I'm coming too!" says Bomba and leaps after them, taking up the space beside Tugger, who just gives her an emotionless look. She looks back and sees the twins take her place with Demeter, and she once again feels grateful for having a tribe.

Exotica leads them to the entrance of the junkyard, and Bomba is shocked to see the number of gathered cats, and even more to see who is leading them. Macavity himself.

Munkus changes completely from the gentle cat she knows, and growns nearly terrifying as he sees his brother. Tugger is not far behind him, and the two of them stand along with Alonzo in front of Macavity, not showing even a glint of fear.

"Leave, Macavity," says Munkus, "You know you're not welcome here."

Some of the cats snigger, but Macavity is silent. He swings his head slowly from side to side, and Bomba can feel something cold run down her back.

"Leave!" Says Munkus loudly.

"Not before I get what is mine," says Macavity says, voice hoarse, eyes shifting to land on Bomba, who despite herself moves behind the toms.

"She is not yours, neither is her sister. They are free cats. Now leave or I'll make you."

Macavity laughs, "Five against twelve? I thought you were smarter than that, brother."

"Jellicles against cowards," Munkus simply states, "You know we will win." Macavity bares his teeth and Bomba knows what's coming.

"Prove it," he snarls and then leaps forward, his cats right on his heels, and the fight breaks out.

Macavity heads for Munkus but is stopped by Tugger who rams into his side and pushes him away. The two toms roll away in the snow, snarling and hissing. The other cats attack Munkus, Alonzo and Exotica, who all proves to be more than good fighters. Having thought the fight was winless, Bomba has hesitated, but when she sees how her tribemates fight, she feels her courage rise, and she jumps into the fray.

Hissing and attacking with claws and teeth, she quickly defeats two cats, skinny and mangy, and honestly no match for her.

She looks around and sees Munkus having joined Tugger against Macavity who is losing ground. So is his cats who are getting pushed back my Alonzo and Exotica, and Bomba can see Munkus was right. They may be many, but none of them has the will to stay and fight. One even runs after Alonzo barely touches him with his claws.

Finally, Macaviy gives a howl and the cats all turn and heads for the entrance to the yard. Tugger and Alonzo follows, snapping at the retreating cat's hells. Then they come back and stand beside Munkus.

The cats leave, all except Macavity who stops at the entrance and yells back at them, "Come back to me Bombalurina! Come back with your sister and I'll leave the Jellicles alone. If not, I'll kill all of them and drag you back myself."

Then, is a shower of sparks and smoke, he disappears.