A/n: Kind of a short one this one, but since I've finally finished writing this and it's been going way too long, I'm giving you the last three chapters in one update. I hope you enjoy the ending. I'm glad it's finally finished, but there is a possibility of a prequel, or sequel, or something. So all I'll say now is enjoy and review.


Chapter 7 - What's in Store

The next morning arrived with a bang. Literally. One of Macavity's henchcats had slammed the door to the cellar on his way down to fetch Tumblebrutus. The brown and white patched tom stirred with a groan, as he woke up the memories of the previous night washed over him. That woke him up a little, he remembered what he'd agreed to, and he realised what the henchcat must be here for. He was on his feet, his fur on end and hissing warningly by the time the henchcat had reached his cell door. The tom hesitated, and seemed confused, which made Tumblebrutus relax a little.

"What do you want?" he growled, still eyeing the henchcat suspiciously.

"The boss sent me to fetch you," the henchcat replied hesitantly, carefully unlocking the cell door and opening it uncertainly.

"Oh." was all the young bosun could manage. He was getting paranoid, he chastised himself. It was perfectly understandable, in a place like this. He nodded and followed the henchcat, a mixture of dread and curiosity causing a feeling that his stomach was doing backflips, and not necessarily in the good way.

They reached Macavity's 'office' all too soon, and Tumblebrutus' trepidation increased when the henchcat left him standing alone outside the door.

He sighed and forced himself to knock on the door, resisting the urge to bolt. He groaned quietly when Macavity told him to go in, but he entered the office anyway, still partly curious to see what was going to happen.

"Relax," Macavity said, noticing the tension and the nervousness in the young bosun's body language, "Don't be so nervous."

"Sorry," Tumblebrutus muttered, still not meeting the ginger tom's eye.

"Don't apologise either, just take it easy, I'm not going to eat you." Macavity said, getting a little annoyed.Tumblebrutus said nothing, but instead stared intently at the floor, unsure of what to say or what he was supposed to do next.

"I have a feeling you already understand what I'm expecting from you." the ginger tom continued, apparently not bothered that the bosun wasn't speaking. Tumblebrutus gave a nod, the only acknowledgement that he'd been listening. "Well, that saves further explanations then. It's not going to be a problem, I trust?"

"Huh?" He was getting a choice? "I..." Was he getting a choice? "I guess not." Yes, yes it was a problem. Tumblebrutus couldn't for the life of him figure out why he hadn't said so, he had indeed worked out that replacing the queen didn't mean providing for the henchcats. It meant providing for their boss. Which of those would be worse, the young pirate didn't know.

"Glad to hear it. Don't look so worried, you're in safe paws." That was reassuring, if it hadn't come from the Hidden Paw's mouth. "Now, I believe you have chores to be getting on with, I shall send for you this evening."

"Okay." Tumblebrutus managed to say, miraculously without squeaking. He paused for a moment, it seemed as though the ginger tom had something else to say. He was still watching the bosun, as always his expression was unreadable, but something about his expression made Tumblebrutus' fur stand on end. He turned and left the office, feeling Macavity's eyes on him even after he closed the door behind him. He ran off to get on with his set tasks, hoping to be able to take his mind off of what he was going to be doing later. It was cruel to make him wait even longer, he'd be thinking about it all day. Perhaps that was deliberate?

-----

"Any word from the bo'sun yet?" Growltiger demanded, eyeing Grumbuskin suspiciously.

"Not yet, Cap'n. The rest of the troupe made it back, but Tumblebrutus is still ashore."

"Aye? I don't see how we can wait any longer. If he's not back in threedays, he's left ashore until next time we make port in London." Growltiger was one of the classic grizzled old seacaptains, running a tight ship, ruthless, merciless and paranoid. His real intentions were just as Macavity had deduced, he'd planned to get Tumblebrutus off his ship. There may have been whisperings of a mutiny, there may not. Growltiger wasn't taking a chance.

"Aye cap'n," Grumbuskin agreed, taking his leave to supervise the loading of the hold. As always, making port meant collecting supplies. The first mate couldn't help but wonder, if Tumblebrutus would make it back in time. Grumbuskin himself was rather fond of the bo'sun, he was good at his job.

----

Unaware that he had less time than he'd initially thought to collect his prize, Tumblebrutus was sure it was the end for him anyway. The day had positively dragged on, often menial chores were good for taking one's mind off of things, but for some reason this tactic had just not worked. It had only resulted in a gradual increase in his apprehension until he could barely stand it. By the time the henchcat arrived to show him where to go, he was little more than a bundle of nerves wrapped up in brown and white fur. He followed the henchcat in silence, tail and ears twitching at every sound. They stopped outside a door. Without warning the door was opened and Tumblebrutus was roughly shoved through it, cringing as it slammed behind him. 'At least I didn't land flat on my face,' he thought to himself, tentatively opening his eyes to see where he was.

"Wow..."