While The Cats Are Away

This story is safe for all ages

The Somewhat Ineffable Disclaimer: All characters used in this story (except for the hence cat) are belonging to T.S. Eliot and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group. I'm just "borrowing" them for this creative writing exercise. Absolutely no monetary gain will be made from this story (but hopefully I'll gain some useful writing praise/criticism from people who have taken the time to read it, with much appreciation to them).

I haven't had a chance to read all of the stories on this site yet so if there are any similarities between my story any others, I apologize in advance because there's a lot of reallywell thought outideas I've seen so far. The second adventure, involving a car was taken from actual experience, of my Maine Coon mixed-breed cat Bobby, that is. He actually did break into a car with the windows down to get someone's lunch. He did that twice!

As most of you already know, Quaxo and Mr. Mistoffelees is one and same character but uses different names as his maturity and use of magical powers become prevalent. There is actually another set of characters that I am creating as one in the same but you can figure that one out for yourself.

I hope you all enjoy it in one way or another. Thanks.

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Chapter One>

Midnight, on this night there were many sounds from the pavement. A rusty old garbage wagon had rolled by waking many of the residents of the Jellicle junkyard. It was known only by that name to the amazing cats who called it home. This was their time to be on the prowl; for food, companionship, frolic and mystery. Two such cats in particular moved stealthily away from their home. These cats were known for their incurable need rove. To their human co-habitants, they seemed at times like one and the same cat for their coats were marked of bright tabby black, orange and white stripes. The cats of their tribe however, knew their differences in size and color well but also to look-out for them. They walked with matched footsteps for they were on a mission to Old Man Elkins' flat. They had been there before if only to peer into a window. Like sidewalk shoppers they carefully selected where to "find their next prize" before each mission and the smaller of the pair had her golden eyes on a silver creamer and saucer set which sat like a welcoming beacon in the center of his kitchen table.

"Move back, Mungojerrie, oi want to make sure that it's still there." the smaller cat spoke from their perch on the fire escape.

She giggled with delight to see that it was.

"Shh!" the larger cat warned. "It won't do us much good if we get caught before we get in there, Rumpelteazer!"

"Sorry." she apologized although her giggling had barely subsided.

"Help me with this window." he ordered.

"Ow, it's a heavy un, it is."

They tried in vain but the window would not give. They returned to the junkyard to look for some tools that might help when they were spotted by the tribe's protector and leader, a strong tomcat of silver and black tabby stripes. His impressive stance and noble stare was still intimidating to the two mischievous cats, even after all this time.

"I have been looking for you two." The cat named Munkustrap spoke in a concerned tone of voice.

"We wasn't up to nothin', 'onest." Rumpelteazer tried to say but her voice came out in a higher pitch than she had intended.

"Whatever it is that you two have been up to, I'm sure that I don't want to concern myself with that now. There are more important matters at paw." Munkustrap was clearly not interested in their latest adventure.

"Mungojerrie, We have word from some frightened stray cats that Macavity may be on the move to a new lair now."

"It 'asn't been a year since 'e was last on the move. Where's 'e about this toime?"

"That's just it. We don't know. We're rounding up a small surveillance team to keep watch on his hencecats. I need you in it."

"Me?" Mungojerrie stepped back in surprise.

"Yes, you were once in league with Macavity and you would know better than any of the rest of us how he might chose to move."

"And me?"

"No, Rumpelteazer. This… doesn't require too many cats as yet."

Munkustrap had first meant to say that the mission was too dangerous but he did not want to alarm the worried queen, so he used the other reasoning which was also true. She wrapped a leg around her brother's leg as though she had been given the other reason instead.

"What team's 'e going with then?"

"For now, it's just Alonzo and Coricopat. Cor will help with his intuition and Alonzo is willing take any advice that Jerrie can give to help us."

"Ow long will this be going on?" Mungojerrie seemed ready for his mission.

"There's no way to tell that yet. Plato will travel between your hide-out and the junkyard if there's anything you should think of later that you need. I'll do my best to have you all back in time for the Jellicle Ball. You understand that's why we must know where Macavity is going to.'

"When do we go then?"

"At dawn, if you can be ready."

Mungojerrie nodded in agreement and Munkustrap moved-on to seek-out Coricopat and his twin sister Tantomile. Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer had forgotten about their mission just an hour before and returned to their human co-habitant's home in Victoria Grove. It was a long sleepless night for both of them as they lay cozy by the hearth. Teazer had not been without Jerrie since his return to the tribe when she was still in her kittenhood. It seemed he had always been there to watch out and teach her about the ways of the junkyard and now for the first time as a queen, she would be on her own. How dangerous was this mission that Munkustrap is sending Jerrie out on? What would she do with her time? She wondered until the dawn's light came in through the window.

Before the Misses of the house was up. The notorious team was on their way back to the junkyard. When they arrived, Coricopat and Tantomile were already waiting in the center of the junkyard. They seemed like statues standing there in the early dawn fog, made from the same mold that were painted in thin stripes and patterns of black, tan, white and gold. The matching pairs of siblings acknowledged each other as Munkustrap approached with Alonzo, a striking tall black and white cat with piercing blue eyes. He was accompanied by a sleek short haired spotless Egyptian Mau cat of elusive nature named Cassandra.

"I've left Rum Tum Tugger in charge for now. Heaviside help us. So I can take you to the place that we believe Macavity is on the move to if you're ready." Munkustrap was never one to waste time with words, unless he was telling a story. The others briefly acknowledged their companions before going.

"Now, promise me Teazer, that ya won't get inta any trouble whiles I'm away. Save all the good loot 'tils I get back, yeah?"

"Yeah, I'll try." She really meant it too… at that time.

Mungojerrie gave her a sideways glance for he knew she wouldn't stay out of some form of trouble on her own. He just hoped it wasn't anything that he might have to leave his mission to attend to.