They walked for about ten minutes, Kardia leading in silence, Mungo and Pounce behind her, giggling, and sometimes breaking out in bursts of laughter, and Electra and Etcetera following, whispering to each other, with their heads down. Suddenly, the group was halted, when a strange tom stepped out on to their path. He was not of the Jellicle Tribe. Kardia stepped back abruptly, and kept the kittens behind her, by putting out her arms. The tom was tall, taller than Kardia's mate, Bill Bailey, and she found herself growing increasingly worried. The two adult cats stared at each other for a moment or two, then Kardia said "Who are you, and what are you doing, trespassing on Jellicle territory?"
She knew she was being bold, and the tom, with his sleek, well-built body, and massive stature, could easily attack her at any time, but instead, he just smiled and said "So, this is Jellicle territory. Phew, I was wondering when I was gonna hit it!"
He had a strong accent (Manchester, Kardia suspected), and, now that he was smiling reassuringly, Kardia thought he looked rather handsome. However, she had been messed about by toms like this one before, and so remained her protective stance. When the tom saw she was still unsure, he opened his mouth to introduce himself, but never got the words out, for at that precise moment, there was a ferocious hissing, and a brown and white streak threw itself in front of Kardia. The strange tom took a few, wise steps backwards, as Bill Bailey took up the same protective stance as Kardia, and hissed a warning. The other tom put up his paws in defence, but Bill would have none of it. As far as he was concerned, this tom had been interfering with his mate, and he was determined to protect her. It was only when Kardia laid a paw on his shoulder, that he ceased hissing, and, standing as tall as he could (which didn't make much difference!), he said to the tom, "So, who are you, stranger, and what are you doing on Jellicle territory?"
He had hoped that, by putting emphasis on 'stranger', the tom might take a hint, and back down even more, but he did just the opposite. Instead, he ruffled his fluffy mane, and said, proudly, in his Manchester accent "Well, I'm actually looking to be a Jellicle, so it appears I've come to the right place! And as for introducing myself, I'm Rum Tum Tugger. But, you can call me Tugger," he added, with a wink in Kardia's direction. Bill Bailey growled a warning, but Tugger took no notice; he was busy grinning, and winking, at each of the kittens in turn.
Nobody could've predicted what happened next. One moment, the group were standing there, each of the adults thinking of his or her next move, the next, two huge Pollicle dogs came crashing through an old window pane, one knocking Tugger off his feet, the other going for Bill, Kardia, and the group of kittens. Kardia, and the two female kittens screamed, and Kardia began ushering the kittens back with extreme haste. Bill tried to fend off the Pollicle, but finding himself up against a snarling Alsatian, was weakened through remembrance of a past experience, and was soon thrown to one side. The Pollicle turned its ugly, snarling face towards the group, and Kardia realised that they were done for. She was just cowering over the kittens, praying it would be quick, when there was an almighty yowl, and a streak of black and brown fur leapt at the dog, closely followed by a black and white, then a red and white streak. Looking up, Kardia and the kittens saw the brute being forced back by Tugger, and two other toms who she didn't recognise. Looking around for the other dog, all she saw was a grey and white tom, another stranger, pulling Bill to his feet. Suddenly, the small area where they were seemed to be alive with cats. Kardia briefly saw Munkustrap and another tom rush past her to help fight off the Alsatian, and then, suddenly, she felt a paw on her shoulder; turning round she met the eyes of Jelly, Jenny, and two other Jellicle queens: Bombalurina, a red queen, and Cassandra, a dark brown, elegant half-Siamese. She stared at them for a second, numb with relief, before hearing a desperate mewing at her feet.
Looking down, she saw four little, scared kittens staring back at her. Smiling comfortingly, she picked up Electra, in one arm, and Etcetera, in the other, while the two little toms ran to Bombalurina, who currently looked after them and their sister. Jelly came forward for Etcetera, but Kardia, who was reluctant to let go of the little thing, turned from the old queen, and went to her mate, who now glaring, rather unnecessarily, at Tugger and his group of friends. Kardia gave them all the once over, and decided that Tugger was still the best looking, though the black and white one, she thought, was kinda cute.
Her thoughts, however, were interrupted by Munkustrap, and the other Jellicle tom, an older, red tabby called Skimbleshanks, walking forward and surveying the rather relaxed-looking bunch. Kardia was unsure of what Munk's reaction would be, for she knew he could be harsh, but when he spoke, his voice wasn't stand-offish, more welcoming.
"So," he said ", who are you, and what business do you have with the Jellicles?"
It was Tugger (not surprisingly, Kardia thought) who spoke up.
"Well," he said, a pleasant smile on his face ", me 'n' my friends have been looking for a Tribe that will accept us. The few others we tried turned us down because we are believed to be vagabonds, rogues, if you like. But, honestly and truthfully, we're not. We're just lookin' for a Tribe to settle into."
His voice, as he ended his speech, had taken on an almost pleading tone. Munk considered it for a second, then said "Ok, fair enough you've told us your business, but what about your names? I've not heard them yet!"
Tugger grinned sheepishly, and said, "Oh, yeah, sorry. I almost forgot. I'm Tugger. Rum Tum Tugger. And this," he pointed to the black and white tom, "is Alonzo, this," pointing to the red and white, "is Plato. And, finally, this," indicating the grey and white tom, "is Admetus. Boys, say 'hello'!"
Each of the strays inclined his head to Munk, and Tugger said "So, um, may we see your leader?"
Munk thought for a second, then nodded and said "Follow me."
Tugger grinned at the silver tabby, and motioned for the other toms to follow. They followed Munk past the queens and the kittens, Tugger winking at them as passed, and flashing Kardia a particularly toothy grin. She blushed, and cuddled the kittens closer. From behind her, Bill Bailey growled, low in his throat, but Kardia just ignored him. If there was one thing she couldn't stand it was jealousy, especially from her own mate. However, he had tried to help, and she remembered it. Turning to him, she smiled softly and nuzzled him, to let him know that he was still loved. Soon, they were walking back, behind the other cats, Kardia still holding Electra, and Etcetera, who she'd not yet given back to her mum.
Bill Bailey offered to carry one of the kits, and Kardia gladly (for her arms were aching) handed over Etcetera for him to carry. When they reached the Junkyard, Munk left the four strangers waiting by the old, tractor tyre that was the 'throne' of the Junkyard, while he went to fetch Old Deuteronomy. Kardia reluctantly had to let Bill hand Etcetera back to her mum, who didn't carry her back to their den, but set her down almost at once, took her paw with an air of one who doesn't care, and pulled her away from the four strange toms. Kardia sadly watched her go, then, remembering her own kittens, went with Bill back to their den. There, they found Exotica, Cassandra's sister, looking after Veni and Tia. Kardia thanked her, and hugged all three of the kittens at her feet. Then, she and Bill went over to the bed, placed the kittens on it, and curled up around them, exhausted.