"Alright," Munkustrap marched past Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer, much like a drill sergeant, "You two are to watch the kittens today while we get our dens ready for them – is that understood?"
"Sir, yes sir," they barked in unison, standing at attention. Munkustrap turned back to look at them; they exchanged glances and began to laugh. "We know Munkustrap; just tell us who's who."
"Well, the one with the brown patch over his right eye is Pouncival; the one with the brown patch over his left eye is Tumblebrutus. Jemima is nearly all black, Etcetera's nearly all white, and Electra's brown."
"Very vague," Mungojerrie commented.
"I know," Munkustrap sighed, "You don't have to worry about Victoria and Plato, they're old enough to take care of themselves, and they're going to be with Misto – as far as my understanding goes, but do try to keep an eye on them."
"Alright, sounds good," Rumpelteazer nodded, "So where are they at?" As if on cue, the five smaller kittens tackled the two calicos from behind, pinning them to the ground with a jubilant cry.
"Have fun," Munkustrap smirked, walking off, a bit of a bounce in his step. "Ah, payback is so sweet."
"Payback for what," Tugger asked, walking up beside his brother.
"Payback on Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer; from when we had to baby-sit them. Now they have to watch the kittens," he said, stopping suddenly. "Where did you come from?"
"Mungo and Rumpel are watching the kittens?"
"Yes," Munkustrap said, before being roughly pulled back towards the opening by Tugger.
"Why aren't you watching this? It's going to be the best thing ever; can you imagine how bad they're going to do?" Tugger and Munkustrap, who was forced to do so, sat on a torn cushion, above the designated play-area. Mungojerrie had Tumblebrutus on his back while Victoria and Etcetera were trying to get to the tom. Rumpelteazer was being hugged, rather fiercely, by Pouncival and Electra, being dubbed their "Freckled Sister" while Jemima was preparing to knock down Tumble from his perch.
"What are you doing," Bombalurina asked, joining the two on the pile, as she and Demeter walked up. Tugger pointed at the scene, "Oh," she cooed, "This is going to be good."
"You two honestly aren't going to sit back and watch them labor over the kittens are you," Demeter asked in a disgusted tone as she stalked off.
"Ow; Rumpelteazer - Pouncival bit my tail!"
"Tail biting," Demeter said gleefully, "Move over Munk, I want to see this; got to love Karma."
Two hours had past since the kittens were 'dropped off', so to speak, and a crowd had formed on the upper junkpile, consisting of those who had babysat Mungo and Rumpel when they were little. The two calicos were under a pile of hyperactive, laughing, kittens that were having a good time pinning their sitters.
"Can you please get off," Mungojerrie pleaded, face in the dirt.
"We want to play a game! Something fun;" Jemima cried, bouncing up and down.
"Please, just go away," Rumpelteazer wined, "and hide."
"You mean 'Hide and Go Seek'," Pouncival asked, his face rather close to hers.
"Yes," she smile weakly, "Of course, you all hide, and I'll come find you."
The kittens cheered, climbing off the two and instructing Rumpelteazer to count by the old boot. They dragged of Mungo to various locations as they tried to find a suitable hiding spot in the thirty seconds. Rumpelteazer uncovered her eyes and surveyed the area.
"You're cold," Alonzo yelled down at her. She turned and gave him a confused look before walking off towards the pizza box, "Colder!"
She took a step towards the tire, "Warmer." She took another tentative step, "Warmer," another one.
"You're hot," Tugger yelled when she was in front of an upturned flower pot. She flipped it over and looked at the ground beneath it.
"No one's there," she called back up at him.
"I wasn't talking about if you were close to the kits or not," he said with a smug grin, earning him a hit from Bombalurina. Rumpel gave a mix of an annoyed look and a flattered smile as she tried to find the small kittens.
"Cold"
"Warmer"
"Freezing"
"Still Warm"
"Which kit are we talking about?"
"I don't know; why not all?"
"Sounds good"
"Cold"
"Freezing"
"Warmer"
"Neutral, I suppose"
"No, still cold"
"Warm- no, getting colder"
"You're getting warmer"
Rumpelteazer turned every which way before falling down from dizziness. "I give, Ollie-Ollie-oxen-fee!"
"Oh, you're no fun Rumpelteazer," Cassandra scolded, "Don't give up so easy."
"Yeah, come on Tiger, get back in the game."
"Who just called me 'Tiger'," Rumpel asked, sitting back up. Tantomile pointed at Coricopat who grinned, "You're so odd."
"Odd or not, you're quitting. That's not a good thing to be teaching the kits. Now you go and find them. After all, you know every hiding spot."
"Fine," she said, getting up. "I'll get them; one," she opened the cupboard, revealing Tumblebrutus and Pouncival, "Make that two." She looked under the car "Etcetera, three." The picnic-basket, "Electra, four," under a pile of rubbish, "Mungojerrie and..." she lifted up a hat, "she's not here; maybe – no. Perhaps – not there either..." She stepped back, Mungojerrie entertaining the others as she tried to think up other hiding spots.
"Did you check by the tire," Admetus suggested.
"Yes..." she nodded, "I can't think of anywhere else she can be. I mean, I looked above, inside, beside, underneath."
"Did anyone see where Jemima when," Exotica asked, obviously concerned that the kit in her care was gone. All the others shook their heads, looking between themselves.
"Jemima," Rumpelteazer yelled, frantically searching the area, "Honey, the game's over now. Come on out!"
"How did you loose a kitten," Exotica asked, climbing down and helping Rumpelteazer look.
"My eyes were closed; all of you up there still had your eyes opened, why weren't you paying attention to where she was going?"
"Are you turning the blame on me," she asked, lifting the lid on a shoebox.
"No, we just need to-"
"Wow, do another one!"
Exotica and Rumpelteazer both looked up and towards the nearby junkpile where the voice came from. They ran around it, fining Jemima sitting comfortably between Plato and Victoria as they watched Mistoffelees practice his tricks.
"Well, this is the first one I learnt. I'll need a glass of water, some sticks, a cloth and an assistant," he said, listing the items.
"Jemima; thank Everlasting Cat you're alright," Rumpelteazer exclaimed, running over. "Do not disappear like that. You were supposed to be in the clearing - hiding -not all the way over here; do not do that again, okay?"
"Alright Rumpel," she said sadly, making her way back to the group, "Your magic's really good Misto."
"Good start," Tugger commented, "First day and we misplaced a kitten; I can't wait to see what you have in store for tomorrow Munk!"
A/N: Sorry about the lack of update, I meant to have this up on Monday but I ran in to some "difficulties" with It's all over and done with now, no worries. And "Chicago" truly did rule with the ever-wonderful Vance Avery staring as Billy Flynn.
Tiger Lily21 – Well I updated. I saw that you have a new story – which I well read once I get the time. I promise.
Chimmy-Lava – I figured that you'd remember this. And correct – they are brothers.
Mima-Love – Don't worry, 'tis okay. You already read the start before, now it's newer stuff. I did spell Kanata the right way but then the spell checker was being mean and… it changed it.
PEP SONG!
This stops once we reach Antigonish!
No it doesn't!