Chapter 5

Just as the three of them reached their fancy home on the heart of Victoria Grove, their mistress, Kelsey, opened the door and looked around. No doubt looking for her precious babies. She smiled when she saw them come trotting up the walk, but then it faded when she saw that Strawberry and Trixi (Anglina and Rumpleteazer) weren't alone. She thought for a moment that it might be Maverick (Mungojerrie) but as they came closer, she saw it wasn't. By this time the three of them were right at her feet. Her eyebrow raised and she put her hands on her hips. "Well, Strawberry, Trixi, you know that you shouldn't bring stray cats home."

The three cats stared up at their mistress. One looked guiltily innocent, one looked uncomfortable and one looked sweet.

Kelsey sighed. Her cats were so cute when they did that. "I guess one more cat won't hurt. But…that doesn't excuse the broken planter you tried to hide behind the couch. Yes, Trixi. I found it and I know it was you and Maverick." She smiled and scratched Anglina who purred behind her ears. "Strawberry is too good for that."

"Little does she know…" muttered Rumpleteazer as she glared at Anglina.

"…That I was the one who knocked it over." Anglina said smugly as she purred happily.

Kelsey picked up Firewind who hissed lightly. "Hey. Don't you hiss at me. If you do, I won't keep you. We need to name you and get you a collar. But come inside and have some cream." Her high heels clacked on the wooden floor and her black skirt swished slightly as the other two felines followed their mistress.

"I'm glad he's staying." Anglina said.

Rumpleteazer turned and smiled. "Of course you are. You like him. And it seems to me that he likes you too.

Anglina blushed as their human set four bowls of cream down on the floor. To try to hide her embarrassment, she started to lap at the bowl.

They were almost finished when they heard the mistress' voice. "There you are Maverick. Where have you been? Strawberry, Trixi, and another one are in the den. And what have you got in your mouth? It looks like-" they all heard the phone ring.

Jerrie was grateful that the phone rand when it did. If the other three, wait, three? were in the den, that'd mean that they could hear what Kelsey was saying. Since when did Kelsey get another cat? He wondered if it was a queen or tom and froze when he heard a low rumble that could only belong to a tom. He definitely didn't want Teazer knowing about the present he got for her. He looked around hurriedly for a place to hide the jewels. He finally decided underneath the couch cushion in the living room. After he got rid of the jewels, he sauntered into the den and stopped still when he saw the tom with Anglina and Rumpleteazer. He watched them talking and laughing and felt a spurt of jealously when he saw Teazer's face light up.

Anglina looked up from her cream and noticed Mungojerrie staring at Firewind and Teazer. She smiled to herself as his eyes met hers. 'Poor Jerrie. Little does he know that I like Firewind.' She called out, "Jerrie! Come here. You're missing the good stuff."

Jerrie caught Anglina's eyes and seeing the look in them, blushed slightly. He walked over cautiously to the other felines. "Hey, Teazer." He looked just at her. Then he realized that the others were staring at him. He continued, "Hi Anglina, and uh… I don't know your name."

Firewind looked at the tom that addressed him. 'So this is the tom who likes Teazer.' He thought. He inclined his head and spoke, "I'm Firewind. Nice to meet you, Mungojerrie. Kelsey took pity on me and so I guess this is my home now."

Mungo couldn't believe it! This new tom was gonna live with them and take his Teazer! He sensed something going on between them. How dare he move in on his turf!

Fire was a bit unnerved to see the look in the other male's eyes. "Mungojerrie, if I may have a word with you?" he stood up and inclined his maned head towards the other side of the room.

Mungo followed warily. He couldn't imagine what this new tom would want or even have to say to him.

Rumpleteazer and Anglina just exchanged mystified looks.

"What do you suppose is going on?" Rumpleteazer asked Anglina.

The strawberry colored queen shrugged her shoulders.

The two toms settled themselves a ways from the queens and it was then that Firewind spoke.

"Mungojerrie," he shifted his weight slightly, "I… I realize that it may seem like I'm moving in on your territory. No, don't interrupt. This is hard enough as it is, but I feel that this needs to be said."

Mungo shut his previously open mouth.

"I can tell from your eyes that you love Rumpleteazer." The red tom finished very matter-of-factly.

Mungo blushed slightly. 'Was it really that obvious?' he asked himself.

"I also know that… wait, never mind."

"What?" Mungojerrie's curiosity was piqued now.

"Nothing. I'm a gal pal." He said that last bit almost to himself. He coughed and continued. "Anyways, I also know that I rather fancy Anglina. She' hot! I mean, really, come on." He looked a little embarrassed. "I'm just letting you know that I won't be any competition for Teazer's affection other than friendship. I'd like to be friends with you, but I can't if you're going to jump down my throat." He blew out his breath in relief held out his paw. "Do we have an accord?" (Had to put that in there.  Go Pirates!)

Mungo's mind was racing. If Firewind liked Anglina, and didn't like Rumpleteazer, then, that meant that there was a clear path! His heart skipped a beat. He looked at the offered paw and then offered his own. He grinned, life was gonna be good.

The two toms walked back over to the girls and Mungo started to lap at his cream while Firewind sidled over to Anglina.

Just then, Kelsey came back into the room with a black and silver collar. "Alright, handsome, here you go. Your very own collar." She reached down and picked him up. She slipped the collar over his head then tightened it a bit so it wouldn't come off. "Hmm, now a name. How about… Fishnchips?" (For you, CT. )

Four pairs of slitted eyes stared at her as if she'd grown a second head. (For you again, CT. )

"Ok, not Fishnchips. What about Sparkles or Sunset?" she tried again.

"'Sparkles?' What kind of name is that?" muttered Firewind as the two queens and Mungojerrie just laughed. "That's a Pollicle's name. it is not a name for a tom as distinguished as myself."

Anglina just laughed harder at that and Firewind looked a bit hurt. Seeing this she went up o him and gave him a little lick.

He purred happily.

This was going nowhere. Kelsey sighed. "What about Flame? Yes, that'll do nicely. The rest of you lot, be nice, or else… Just because I let Flame stay doesn't mean that I'm going to overlook your misdeeds. Tomorrow I'll get Flame his own bed. Meanwhile, you can figure out sleeping arrangements yourselves." She turned and walked out of the room, high heels clicking smartly.

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Whatcha think? Please review! This has 2 more chapters to go. They are finished and and is currently being read. They will be up by Christmas for sure. And yes, the next 2 chapters will have lots of MJ/RT action.

-Anglina