Chapter 5>

Rumpelteazer and Electra had made their way back home at a good pace. Old Deuteronmy had taught all of cats when they were young that if they got lost at night, they need only to follow the light of the moon until they reached the familiar scent of the Jellicle territory. They kept their eyes on the half moon above. In just a few short days, it would be the full moon of the Jellicle Ball. But trouble had set-in with the clouds above. The rain that began to fall concealed the moon and the scents on the street all together. Fortunately, yet unknown to them, they were not that far away.

Rumpelteazer stopped and Electra followed her lead. They looked both ways. They were tired from a day's walk and hungry too. Now, they were becoming rain-soaked as well.

"Oi think it's this way, or… maybe that."

"You aren't sure?" Electra needed some reassurance of Rumpleteazer's leadership just then.

"No. Oi'm used to 'aving Jerrie in the lead. I wish he were 'ere now. It seems like it's been so long olready. Oi couldn't imagine what it would be like without…" she trailed-off in thought.

They picked a direction and began to walk.

"I couldn't imagine not having Ecetera about. I mean, we're not as alike as what you Mungojerrie have together. We've certainly got our differences. I hope that when we're older, we can be like Demeter and Bombalurina, the sisters who can say anything they want about each other but Heaviside help anyone else who might have a bad word to say…"

ROOF!

Both cats looked back for they knew that dreaded sound all too well.

ROOF!

"Poll'cles!" Rumpelteazer shouted in a way to rival Demeter.

The cats ran hard and fast for two Pollicle Bulldogs were heavy on their trail and gaining on them fast. They darted into an alleyway where the shape of everything was a distorted shadow and they vaulted onto some rubbish bins where they were cornered good.

The dogs growled loudly as they slobbered with anticipation of their prey. Rumpelteazer felt every nerve in her shake as Electra looked about frantically.

"Rumpelteazer up!" she shouted as she made a failed attempt to leap up to the fire escape above.

She came crashing back down on the rubbish bin lid. She held her side and Rumpelteazer placed herself in front her and hissed and growled at the dogs who were trying to climb a pile of rubbish to get to them. One had got just close enough that Teazer could feel his heated breath. She lashed out with her claws at the ready. The dog yelped for he had been caught on the nose.

ARR ROOF! ROOF! ARR! ROOF! The dogs were jumping wildly now.

One had got his footing steady enough that he could reach the wounded the cat with just a little effort. Rumpelteazer saw him and hissed.

The sound of an unearthly yowl from the other end of the alleyway made both sets of dogs and cats stop to look. A large moving shape loomed in the darkness coming closer towards them the red glare of a neon light in a window above made the glowing eyes of this figure more intensifying as it's feline shape approached.

It was the Great Rumpus Cat!

The dogs whimpered and crouched in a backwards walk in confusion and disbelief at this creature with it's bared jaws and fierce shimmering coat of silver and gray. They now found themselves with no means of escape except to bolt past the creature of doom which they did, but not without a reminding swipe to each dog's ear about who's territory this was.

"I have found them!" He suddenly announced in a clear resolute voice.

Then he bent over and rubbed the shimmering muscles on his shoulder as if he had been tired from searching for some time. He looked back at Rumpelteazer and exhaled with a comical smile for a moment before slipping back into the shadows. The sounds of rubbish bin lids circling like coins and glass bottles rolling about could be heard where he tread away.

Four other cats approached them in the darkness. Rumpelteazer braced herself in front of Electra again but almost dropped with relief to see that it was the search party out to find them. Munkustrap looked relieved and exasperated together. Without a scolding, he lowered Electra from the bins and carried her as Alonzo helped Rumpelteazer down with his strong arm and the party returned home.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning brought the scolding from Jennyanydots that Rumpelteazer and Electra admitted that they had rightfully deserved. Jenny's coat of orange tabby stripes and darker leopard spots was fluffed up with frustration. Demeter stood by with her arms crossed.

"Rumpelteazer, you're setting a terrible example for the younger cats, not just Electra. For some reason I don't understand, they look up to you and that wise-cracker brother of yours. I won't have it! Until the ball, you'll be here. That's an order, not Victoria Grove, not some bloke's tool shed. Here. Understood?"

Rumpelteazer tried to hold back a laugh seeing Jenny's complete lapse of character. Electra tried to be serious too. Even Demeter appeared to be suppressing an amused expression.

"Yes, Mum." Rumpelteazer answered with acting remorse.

"Demeter has offered to keep watch on you until then." Jenny stated lastly.

What? was the clear facial expression of Rumpelteazer but she did not complain.