It was the dead of night and all was quiet in the junkyard. All of the tribe was sleeping apart from Skimble and Alonzo who were on patrol. They were out of sight from the other cats in their dens. Alonzo and Skimble met up whilst they were on patrol.

"Anything?" Alonzo said.

"Nothing at the moment. Quiet night all round by the looks of it." Skimble said in his northern accent.

"So far." Alonzo said rubbing his forehead.

"If you need some sleep…"

"If I go to sleep, Munkustrap will never let me hear the end of it!"

"Suppose so. Don't let Jenny see you doing that though. She's a lot worse than Munkustrap."

"Note taken." Alonzo said smiling.

"I'm glad it has been." Skimble said patting him on the back.

Skimble and Alonzo parted ways to go onto the next part of their patrol. Usually it was Alonzo and Munkustrap who did the patrol but with Munkustrap indisposed Skimble had to take over instead. Alonzo didn't mind as long as Skimble didn't keep talking about trains all evening!

0000

Carbucketty waited until Skimble and Alonzo were out of sight. He then sneaked off to Munkustraps and Demeters den ready for the plan Munkustrap had hopefully come up with. When he got there he found Demeter standing outside the door and staring him straight in the face.

"Hello." Carbucketty said, trying to look past Demeter for Munkustrap.

"Looking for something?" She asked.

"Umm… Not really." Carbucketty said worriedly.

"Then why are you out here then at this time?"

"Umm.. Lost?"

"Very funny. Now go back to your den."

"I was looking for Munkustrap." Carbucketty finally plucked up the courage to say.

"He's busy." Demeter answered him.

"Oh good to hear." Carbucketty smiled.

"Right. So are you going back or do I have to get Alonzo or Skimble to escort you back?"

"Okay I'm going." Carbucketty said leaving, hoping he would see Munkustrap later.

Demeter watched the young cat leave. She was very confused by the young cat's intentions. Carbucketty usually wasn't the one to come to someone's den unannounced. Maybe Jemima was hanging out with him for too long! She re-entered the den. Munkustrap was waiting for her.

"Who was that?" He asked as she walked into the den.

"Just Carbucketty. Wanted to see you about something."

"Did he say what?"

"Not exactly. I just said you were busy."

"Right. What were you doing out there anyway?" Munkustrap enquired.

"Protecting you, just in case Alonzo or Skimbe needed you to go on patrol."

"But I'm not going on patrol."

"Exactly."

Munkustrap shook his head and tutted. Demeter was a little overprotective at times. Even if Alonzo or Skimble did come round, they would know better than to go against Jenny and Demeters wishes. They had been around for too long to know better.

"I'm going to bed." Demeter said.

"Mmmm." Munkustrap said looking out of the door.

"Are you coming?"

"I'll be there in a minute." Munkustrap said, still looking out of the door.

"Don't be too long."

Demeter kissed Munkustrap on the cheek and went into the bedroom. Munkustrap waited until he heard the door go. Then he went out of the den to find Carbucketty.

0000

Jenny was in her den looking over her supplies for the next few days. Even though she might not need all of them, she kept them all ready for use. Plus if Tugger had anything to do with it, her den would be filled all week. Alonzo came round on his round. Jenny didn't mind Alonzo coming in as she was used to it but tonight was different.

"Jenny?" Alonzo asked.

"What is it?" Jenny said, smoothing her fur.

"Have you got anything for nausea?" Alonzo asked.

Jenny folded her arms and squinted her eyes. This made Alonzo nervous to ask for anything else.

"What for?" Jenny asked, scowling.

"Um… Nothing really, just asking for a friend."

"Yeah. You expect me to believe that do you?" She said laughing.

"Yes." Alonzo said, rubbing his hands together.

"What's it really for?" Jenny asked, trying to get more information.

"Okay. I'm feeling a little bit sick." Alonzo finally fessed up.

Jenny sighed. Even though she had finally got her answer, she wasn't exactly happy with it.

"Fine. I'll go and get some for you." Jenny said walking to her medicine part of the den.

"Thanks Jenny." Alonzo smiled.

Jenny left Alonzo to it. Alonzo looked around the den he had been in for a lot of time the last few days. He really didn't like Jennys den. It wasn't that he didn't like Jenny but her den always smelt of a very weird odor and nothing would get rid of it.

"Here." Jenny said coming back to join him. She gave him some pills which were bright green.

"Couldn't they be another colour?!" Alonzo said looking at them.

"Just take them." Jenny said, frowning at the tom's joke.

Alonzo nodded and left the den to go back on patrol. Jenny went back to looking over her supplies.

0000

Carbucketty was waiting outside his den. He knew Munkustrap would find him sooner or later after Demeter told Munkustrap he had been at the den. He didn't have to wait very long, as Munkustrap turned the corner.

"I thought you'd be waiting here." Munkustrap said with a strain in his voice.

"Well, I didn't know whether to wait outside your den or come back here."

"You kept out of Demeters bad books that's enough."

Munkustrap turned round behind him. Something was on his mind but Carbucketty couldn't tell what it was.

"Let's get out of here." Munkustrap said, jumping up onto the perch.

Carbucketty followed him. On the perch they could see for miles. They both sat down to talk.

"So what's the plan?" Carbucketty whispered, just in case Skimble or Alonzo could hear them.

"We need to sneak into the lair. Then get past the henchmen, which means we need a distraction."

"I'll be the distraction." Carbucketty spoke up.

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Then I'll get the kittens whilst you keep them busy. Hopefully Macavity won't be able tell what's going on."

"Hopefully."

"Then we can just run back to the junkyard. Macavity wouldn't dare come in here."

"So, when are we going?"

"Early tomorrow morning. Everyone will still be asleep so it'll be easy."

"Sounds good. Hopefully it works." Carbucketty said.

"It will. We'll get them back." Munkustrap said trying to keep the young cats hopes up.

"Yes Mr Munkustrap."

"You don't have to call me that you know." Munkustrap said with a smile.

Carbucketty smiled back.

"I'd better get some sleep." Carbucketty said getting up.

"Alright. I'll meet you here in a few hours." Munkustrap said.

Carbucketty nodded and then left for his den. Munkustrap turned back to the view of the city. All the street lights made the city look a lot prettier than it was during the day. It was kind of nice to see some change. He looked up at the sky. That was one thing that had changed. The sky was full of clouds. He decided to stay where he was for the rest of the night so didn't disturb Demeter again, she seemed to get very angry very easily these days! Munkustrap laid down on his back and closed his eyes.