The next day the four kittens woke up early to start their watch on Deuteronomy. Victoria and Pouncival had both agreed to help Misto and Alonzo after hearing about yesterday's event.
"Hey guys! I want to help!" Misto sighed as he heard the voice of Etcetera, one of the youngest kittens, behind him. She was almost as hyper as Pounce, which was probably why they were such close friends.
"Pouncival! Why'd you tell?" Alonzo asked angrily.
"Uh...well, you know guys. Um...." Pounce stuttered, unable to come with a suitable explanation to give his friends.
"It's ok," Misto interrupted, not wanting a fight, "as long as Etcy didn't tell anybody." Etcetera shifted uncomfortably. "You didn't tell anybody else, right?"
"Well, just Electra. Who told Jemima, who told Demeter."
"Who told Bombalurina who told everybody else, right?" Alonzo concluded. Etcetera nodded. Mistoffelees groaned. Now all the cats probably thought he was some kind of loon.
"Well, too late now. Let's get started," Misto said. All the other cats present followed him out of the room. Tantomile, Coricopat, Cassandra, and Tumblebrutus met them outside Deuteronomy's bedroom door, where Munkustrap, Demeter, and Jemima were already waiting. Everybody stared at Mistoffelees.
"Um," Misto began, realizing that they were waiting for his instruction, "we'll pair off, I guess." He took a quick count of who was there. "Ok, Etcetera and Pounce, Alonzo and Munku, Jemima and Demeter, Tant and Cori, Cassie and Tumble, and that leaves me and Vikki," he paused to smile at her before continuing, "We'll stay in our pairings throughout the day. When you talk to the others, tell them to find a partner." Everybody nodded. They walked off in their pairs and went to eat their breakfast before Deuteronomy woke up.
Jemima, who had been watching Deuteronomy's door with Demeter, ran over to where Victoria and Misto were eating their tuna a few minutes later.
"He's up." was all she said before running off. That was all she needed to say. Misto and Vikki tensed up, but went to help her spread the word. For the rest of the day, every feline in the house would be silently watching Deuteronomy, trying to act as normal and inconspicuous as they could.