The next morning...
"I can only hope to the Everlasting Cat that we don't have to try and fight off those horrid Pollicles to get a decent meal today..." said Skimbleshanks, a tall muscular orange tabby Tom said to his friend Asparagus, who too was a tall tabby, but was brown and not as muscular.
"Otherwise we'll be hitting the sewers to get hold of the rats that are avoiding all of this snow." The two toms were approaching the gates of Junkyard that a tribe of cats called the Jellicles called home. They were on their way to hunt and contribute to the tribe's food supply. During the winter months, hunting was especially difficult as most of their prey went into hiding as the the temperatures fell below freezing.
Asparagus nodded in agreement as they took their first steps out of the junkyard gates. Just then he stopped as a red and black bundle behind two crates caught his eye.
"Skimble, do you see that?" He asked quietly
"Hm?" The orange tabby murmured not noticing until now that Asparagus had stopped and was gazing over at the crates just outside the gates.
"Right over there, it's breathing I think." Asparagus stated very softly, careful not startle whatever or whoever it was. He quietly crept over with Skimbleshanks right behind him. As he got closer he knelt down and took a closer look. He then saw two sets of small pointed ears attached to two separate balls of fur that were pushed so close together, they looked as if they were beginning to fuse and become one.
"Oh Gus, it's kittens!" Skimble exclaimed in a whisper as he moved to get a closer look as well. He knew they were probably without a parent. It wasn't uncommon for untribed, single parents to abandon their kittens in the winter, as it was harder to provide for both themselves and their young. Without much thought, he reached out and touched the red fur ball, hoping to provide some comfort. The kitten popped up and hissed in fear, clutching the smaller black and gold kitten protectively.
"Shh, darling it's alright, we won't hurt you" he said in the most calming and kind voice he could muster.
"You two look so cold and hungry. Why don't you come with us and we'll get you someplace safe and warm."
Bombalurina liked the sound of that but was hesitant to trust a strange Tom. Instead of taking the orange Tom's outstretched paw, she let out a low growl, hugged her little sister closer and scooted further behind the crates.
Skimbleshanks turned to Asparagus, go get Jenny or Jelly. They'll probably respond better to a queen. I'll stay here".
Asparagus nodded and ran back through the gates and across the junkyard to a den next to an old car that was tore up for parts and trashed in the yard long ago. He quickly ran through the peice of fabric that was used as a doorway and into the living room area where two tabby queens sat on an old sofa sipping on cups of tea. The Tom stopped and held his chest trying to catch his breath.
"Gus what is it?" Jellyorum, a white and tan queen who was also his mate, asked.
"There are two kittens behind those crates just outside the gates" he explained as he caught his breath "they're clearly freezing and starving and they won't come with us. We think they will probably respond better to one of you" he said gesturing to both Jellyorum and Jennyanydots, an orange and white tabby who was Skimbleshanks' mate.
"Oh dear" Jenny exclaimed jumping to her feet.
"Let's both go" Jellyorum said heading for the door with Jenny in tow. The three cats dashed back across the junkyard and to the entrance where Skimble and the kittens were. He was now sitting in the snow with his back against the fence, singing a Jellicle song in attempt to win the two terrified kits over. When he noticed that Asparagus had returned with their mates, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Kittens, this is Jennyanydots and Jellyorum, they will be oh so kind to you, and would love to take you to go warm up and get a nice meal in ya". Jenny and Jelly enthusiastically nodded.
Bombalurina peered up at the two queens. Their faces were kind and their smiles were warm. Jellyorum got a little closer and knelt down before them.
"What's your name darling?" She asked softly
Bombalurina stared for a long moment.
"Bombalurina" she finally answered in an almost whisper.
Jellyorum grinned "What a gorgeous name. And who is this in your arms?"
"Demeter" Bombalurina answered in the same quiet voice "My sister."Demeter pulled her face away from her sister's chest and peered up at the adult cats before her with big hazel eyes. Jellyorum smiled at her and gave a little wave. The young kitten blushed and pressed her face back into her older sisters chest.
"What a good big sister you are protecting her like that." Jennyanydots chimed in.
"You do look so so cold though dearie" she continued "why don't you come with us and we'll get you to a warm safe place."
Bombalurina continued to stare fearfully at the queens, scared that it was trick and that she'd get her and her sister hurt.
"We have lots of mice and warm milk" Jellyorum said in a desperate attempt to coax the kittens out from behind the crates.
"We also have nice soft blankets and cozy places to rest. You do look exhausted." Jenny added.
"We promise we won't hurt you" Jellyorum explained as she reached her paw out, hoping Bombalurina would take it and let them care for her and Demeter. She had no idea what these poor kittens must have been through, so it was understandable that they weren't eager to go with them. Bombalurina observed the tan and white paw, and thought hard for a long moment. She knew they wouldn't be able to survive on their own in the cold city streets of London for much longer. Reluctantly, she finally took hold of the motherly queen's paw and allowed herself and her sister, who was still in her embrace, be led from out from behind the crates. As Bombalurina stood, her legs began to buckle and she collapsed like she did the night before, only this time Jellyorum was there to catch her. Jennyanydots swiftly took little Demeter from her and cuddled her into her soft orange fur in attempt to shield her from the cold. Jellyorum then pulled Bombalurina into her arms, as it was clear she was too weak to walk. Bombalurina's first instinct was to struggle , but she was too tired and actually quite enjoyed the warmth that the kind tabby queen's body was giving off. She relaxed a bit, and allowed herself to be carried off into the junkyard.