"Your Swagger Makes Me Smile"

"Your Swagger Makes Me Smile"

A/N: Two chapters in one day? Yes, you lucky ducks, you're fortunate that I was bored and felt like posting you another one. Don't forget to comment remember! I love people commenting! Also, heads up. This is another flashback chapter. Sorry.

Rum Tum Tugger yawned. Opening his eyes reluctantly, he rolled over in his lavish bed. His bed had a huge duvet, coloured a deep red, which was incredibly thick and soft. The striking red contrasted amazingly with the black ebony of the Bureau that was his lair. The bottom half consisted of old-fashioned, ebony drawers, the top half a wardrobe, with a few built in shelves. The entire antique piece may not have been in great condition (it had to have been discarded over a hundred years ago) but would have been worth a fortune. Trust Rum Tum Tugger to have only the finest. The bottom of the wardrobe had fallen through into the first drawer bellow, where the Tugger's duvet bed lay. He peered from his bedroom vantage point. The doors of the wardrobe were hanging open, allowing Tugger to survey his surroundings. He had his own clearing just outside the bureau, which was only accessible by the industrial pipe in the jellicle's main clearing. Tugger lazily walked down the open drawers, which served as a staircase. Tugger padded through the pipe to look over the jellicle center. That's when something caught his eye. A group of his fellow Jellicle's were sitting together, something was going on between them. The group included Jellyorum, Demeter, Rumpleteazer, Mungojerrie and Bombalurina. Wait a second. Tugger peered closer to the group and realized Mungojerrie was stuttering out something to Bombalurina. A flame of intense anger ignited in him, but Tugger denied the truth of its cause to himself. There's no reason to be angry, he self-reassured, why would I be angry? He watched them a little longer and smirked when Bombalurina began to walk off. For some reason, her leaving them oddly eased him. This was short lived though, as he noticed Mungojerrie catch up to her. The flame of extreme anger was back. Was he jealous? Tugger chuckled nervously to himself. The Tugger doesn't get jealous. He stated firmly in his mind, but he was unable to pull his gaze from the two. Suddenly, he lost reason. Who does HE think he is? Tugger involuntarily growled. Mungojerrie was walking WAY too close to Bombalurina. He stretched his ears to hear what they were talking about, but he was too far away. He saw her laugh at something Mungojerrie said which made him want to rip Mungojerrie's throat out. They wandered around a trash pile and out of sight. Tugger growled again and stalked over the mountain nearest to him, following them away from sight, high in the junk. Tugger didn't exactly register why he was so furious at Mungojerrie, all he knew was he would not be with Bombalurina much longer. Heaving in anger, Tugger swiped an empty canister of oil, sending it tumbling down the pile and sprinted after the two.

"Oh dear…" Jennyanydots watched as the oil canister plummeted down the steep hill of rubbish and crashed loudly on the ground. Jenny's ear flickered painfully at the sharp clang of metal. Her mate Skimbleshanks appeared from behind the TSE1 in alarm.

"What was that?" He asked wide eyed from the unexpected noise. Jenny sighed. She knew what this was about, and she instantly knew whose tail that flickered from sight. Jenny hesitated.

"Tugger."

"Tugger?" Skimbleshanks furrowed his brow in confusion, rounding the car to take a better look at the mangled oil canister. His eyebrows rose slightly higher. "What made him so upset?"
Jennyanydots smiled in spite of herself. She knew this would happen eventually. Tugger had been in denial too long.

"He saw Bombalurina and Mungojerrie"

"Oh?" Skimbleshanks looked confused, until a smile slowly evolved on his face. "Ohhhhh…" He lingered on in understanding. Jenny nodded, her smile mirroring her spouses'. "It's about time," Skimbleshanks added knowingly, making Jenny lean against him.

"I know. Do you remember when they were kittens?" Jenny tilted her head to look into Skimble's chocolate brown eyes. Skimbleshanks beamed down at her with a warm, quiet laughter.

"It was obvious even themn wasn't it?" He asked her rhetorically.

Jennyanydot's counted the heads of all the kittens, as Skimbleshanks did the same to double check. One, two, three, four; Old Deuteronomy's sons. Five, six; Bombalurina and Demeter. Seven; Mistoffelees. Eight, nine; Tumblebrutus and Tantomile. Ten, eleven; Cassandra and Exotica. Check. She numbered off in her head.

"Eleven." Skimbleshanks whispered out to her from behind the group of kittens.

"Eleven." She muttered softly back to her mate, smiling lovingly. She looked down at all the kittens sleeping quietly in her den inside the TSE1. They were all so adorable. They'd been sleeping for a few hours, as kittens do. They were due to wake up soon, no doubt eager to play for a few more hours before the sun set and they would return home. They were all a fairly funny sight, with paws and bodies slumped all over each other. She heard a stirring and surveyed the kittens again. Tugger had opened his wide, deep brown eyes and lifted his head around alertly.

"Did you have a good sleep Tugger?" Jenny asked softly, causing Tugger to turn his gaze to her. He simply nodded, clumsily untangling his back legs from underneath his brother Alonzo, and pulling his tail from between Tumblebrutus and Exotica. Skimbleshanks and Jennyanydots watched, slightly puzzled as Tugger continued to search for something.

"What are you looking for Tugger?" Skimbles kept his voice hushed.

"Bombi…" Tugger answered in his cute, child's voice, trailing off as he spotted her curled up between Demeter and Mistoffelees. Carefully stepping between still quiescent kittens, he padded over to Bombalurina, and started nudging her.

"Bomba…Bomba wake up now!" He urged.

"Tugger!" Jennyanydot's chastised in a hushed voice, "Don't wake her up!"
"But I wanna' play with her" Tugger defended, Jenny giving him a warning look.

"Well you can wait till she wakes up by herself." Skimbleshanks told Tugger in an even, caring tone. "She needs to finish her sleep first." A yawn was emitted from Tugger's side, and he turned, disappointed to see it wasn't Bombalurina waking up, but Mistoffelees. Misto rolled over from leaning on Bomba's side to stretch. The black tuxedo-clad cat sat up and rubbed an eye with the side of his paw.

"Oh, Tugger. You're up too" Misto spoke, only to be hushed by Jennyanydots. Misto then remembered every one else was still resting. Misto looked between Jenny and Skimbles.

"Are Tugger and I allowed to go out and play now?" Earning a nod from both adult cats. "Come on Tugger" Misto started to make his way to the open crack of the car boot, but Tugger stayed stationary, just looking between Misto and Bombalurina.

"Go on Tugger, why don't you and Mistoffelees head out? Hmm?" Jenny insisted to the young kitten, but Tugger shook his head stubbornly. Jenny shot a frustrated look towards her mate. She'd been fed up with Tugger today; he was always so stubborn. Skimbles however returned a more understanding look. Skimbles lowered his head to speak to the mulish kitten.

"What's wrong Tugger? I thought you wanted to go outside and play?" Skimbles face was plastered with a small smile, using a bit of reverse psychology.

"I do." Tugger muttered pig-headedly, not facing his elder.

"Then why won't you go outside and play with Misto?" Mistoffelees was standing by the door of the boot with Jenny in curiosity.

"Cause." Tugger glared and looked back to the peaceful Bombalurina. Jenny sighed in aggravation. She had half a mind to push Tugger outside herself. He'd been acting particularly spoilt today. Skimbles just kept smiling patiently at the grumpy main coon.

"Cause why?" Skimbles asked gently. Tugger frowned and his voice became troubled.

"Cause if I leave without Bomba again she'll get sad again and think I don't want to be her friend anymore." Jenny suddenly dropped her frustrations; Tugger must be trying to stop another fight like yesterdays. Skimbles gave a sympathetic nod to Tugger.

"Did you say sorry to Bombalurina?" Skimbles had heard all about the fight from Jennyanydots the night before. Tugger nodded. "Is Bombalurina still upset at you?" Tugger nodded again, before turning to look eye to eye with Skimbleshanks.

"She won't play with me anymore!" Tugger's voice was panicked. It was the worst thing that could possibly happen, in his mind.

Jenny shushed him again, seeing some of the kittens stir at Tugger's outburst. Jenny thought for a moment, thinking of a way to get Tugger outside before he woke everyone up.

"Well Tugger, how about you go play with Mistoffelees, and when Bombalurina wakes up, I'll tell her that you wanted to stay until she woke up, but I made you go outside." Jenny compromised, knowing this child-like explanation would persuade Tugger. Tugger looked slightly skeptical.

"You promise?" Tugger stepped forward to Jennyanydots, as if assessing whether she'd actually tell Bombalurina that. Jenny smiled kindly, almost amused at his negotiation skills.

"I promise." Tugger nodded in agreement.

"Ok…" at this he turned to Skimbleshanks, "You make sure she does it, ok?" Both adults shot each other amused looks.
"I will." Skimbles fought the urge to salute the kitten in jest. Tugger then ran over to Mistoffelees, both then jumping to a wooden crate, serving a step between the ground and car. Jenny sighed in relief, thanking heavyside that he hadn't woken up anyone else, and she didn't have to deal with any crying kittens.

"You promise?" Tugger yelled, popping into view once more by jumping back on the crate.

"SHHHHH! Yes! Yes! Go!" Jenny urgently shooed him off as she frantically checked no kittens had been abruptly awakened and burst into tears. She through Skimbles, who was stifling laughter, a perturbed yet thankful look.

"So is Bombi still mad at you?" Misto asked Tugger, kicking the soft drink can back to him. Tugger kicked it to the side of Misto and it rolled a little behind him.

"Yeah." Tugger replied moodily as Misto recovered the empty can.

"But weren't you playing with her before nap time?" Misto looked at the clouds trying to remember.
"No. She wouldn't talk to me neither." Tugger responded depressingly. Misto kicked the can back to his friend.

"Then who was she playing with?"
Kick. The can bounced back to Misto.
"Demeter and Munkustrap."
Kick. The can skidded over to Tugger again, Tugger stopping it with his tail and flicking it back. "Demeter's real angry with me too."
"Why?" Misto picked the can up in his mouth, "wha' 'id 'ou do ta 'er?" Misto threw the can in the air, Tugger jumping to catch it, but missed. The can rolled over and into a cardboard box. Tugger dug around inside the box; hitting the can back out and pushing it between his front paws back to where he stood initially.

"I didn't do anything to her!" Tugger defended indignantly, returning to his spot, can resting in front of him "She's probably just mad 'cause she thinks it's my fault Bomba was sad." He reasoned in slight denial and kicked the can, dust flying into the air.

"Probably." Misto reasoned. The can had again slid past him, but Alonzo who seemingly appeared out of nowhere, caught it.

"I thought you were still sleeping." Misto turned to Alonzo in surprise, Alonzo passing the metal cylinder back to him.

"I was but now I'm not." Alonzo said simply.

"Is Bomba awake yet?" Tugger asked eagerly, down heartened when Alonzo shrugged.

"I dunno. Don't think so." Misto booted the can to Tugger again. Alonzo watched in mild interest. "Whatcha' guys doing?"

"Kicking this can." Misto and Tugger answered in harmony.

"Oh." Alonzo saw Tugger miss the can that slipped his way roll into the cardboard box from before. Tugger went to retrieve it.

"Hey wait you guys," Alonzo's voice made Tugger turn around.

"What?"

"You should make it you're supposed to kick the can into the box" Alonzo contributed. Misto stared thoughtfully at the box.

"That's a good idea. Let's do that."

Tugger bit onto the side flap of the box, teeth puncturing the card board as he dragged the box (the can still inside) over to where it was away from the other discarded items and closer to Alonzo and Misto. Tugger scrutinized the box and the entirety of the clearing.

"We need another box for that side" Tugger pointed with his front right paw to behind Misto. Alonzo nodded. They all began to search around the jellicle center clearing for another box.

"Is this Ok?" Misto called out to his friends after a few minutes of searching. Tugger and Alonzo followed Misto's voice to behind a plank of wood. There was a laundry basket that way slightly bent out of shape. It was a fair bit bigger then the kittens.

"Yeah. That's good." Alonzo said finally. Misto grabbed one of the handles and gave a few pulls, but it didn't move at all. Tugger was able to yank the other handle from under some bottles, but it didn't budge much.

"What're you guys doing?" A female voice sounded from behind them. It was Exotica who spoke. Tantomile was with her, but she had a distant look in her eyes.

"They're trying to get this basket out to kick a can into." She answered dreamily. The kittens looked between each other slightly weird-ed out.

"Um…yeah…" Misto said carefully. "But we can't get it out." Tumblebrutus then appeared alongside his sister and Exotica, followed by Skimbleshanks.

"Tumblebrutus, see they aren't trying to get a basket out of-" Skimbleshanks stopped mid sentence as all the kittens stared up at him. Skimbleshanks looked at Tumblebrutus wide eyed.

"I think I'll need to talk to your mother…" Skimble looked oddly at the twins, who were now sharing that far away, glassy eyed look again. "Anyways, what on earth are you three trying to do?" He asked Misto, Alonzo and Tugger. Alonzo explained about his idea for this new game. Skimbleshanks had to admit, it was a clever idea for kittens to come up with. He easily lifted the basket from behind the plank and dragged it back so it was opposite the box.

"Thanks Skimbleshanks!" The three kittens yelled dismissively as they salvaged the aluminium can from the box, Misto explaining the game to Exotica and the newly arrived Demeter, while Alonzo and Tugger tried to figure out whose goal was which . Skimbles sat docile in the background, smiling at the scene.

Bombalurina shivered. It felt colder then before. Opening her eyes, she realized that Demeter and Mistoffelees were gone. Jennyanydots was watching over the last of the dormant kittens; Macavity, Munkustrap and Cassandra. Jennyanydots gaze fell upon the now upright Bombalurina.

"Oh, did you have a nice nap?" Jenny asked in a motherly way.

"Mhmmm." Bombalurina sneezed as she got up, Jenny laughed lightly. She watched Bombalurina lick her paw and smooth over her ear.

"Tugger wanted to stay with you, but I made him leave." Jenny informed Bombalurina out of the blue. The striking red kitten cocked her head, unsure of what to think. Jenny looked down considerately at the slightly confused baby cat.

"Don't be upset Bombalurina," Jenny smiled kindly, "Tugger's very sorry. He misses his best friend you know" Bombalurina looked up at Jennyanydots, seemingly searching for guidance.

"But he forgot about me…" Bombalurina thought, distressed.

"He didn't forget about you Bombalurina, he just got preoccupied." Jenny endeavored to fight for the two kittens friendship, "He didn't want to hurt you. Just give him another chance." Bombalurina sat, pondering for a few moments longer. The first smile Jenny had seen in days spread across Bombalurina's face. It was diminutive, but it was a start. "Ok."

Bombalurina jumped down from the car to the crate, continuing to the ground. She found herself a bit bewildered as she saw her fellow jellicle kittens engrossed in a game with a can and two boxes. Skimbleshanks was off to the side, keeping an eye on them.

Tugger's team cheered as Alonzo threw the can into the cardboard box. The team was composed of Alonzo, Exotica and Tugger. Mistoffelees team was himself and Demeter. Demeter rolled her eyes as Exotica stuck her tongue out at her and Misto.

"We got a poi-ant" Exotica teased mockingly, making Demeter giggle.

"But you have 3 people on your team, we've only got two!"
"Oh well" Exotica said flippantly, both girls giggling. Alonzo was running around Misto in victory when he spotted Bombalurina watching from the side.

"Bombalurina!" He tried to stop quickly, but rolled into Misto, knocking them both over in a heap, shaking with laughter. Bombalurina giggled, but didn't move from her spot.

"Bombalurina!" Alonzo's voice snapped Tugger's attention from the game. He followed Alonzo's gaze to Bombalurina, who was sitting a fair way from the game, watching quietly. Tugger beamed widely and started running over to his favourite scarlet friend. His heart lifted as she saw him and offered a smallish smile. He slowed down as he approached her; it felt like he hadn't seen her in years.

"Hi Tugger," She offered timidly. Her voice was beautiful. Tugger felt a funny feeling in his tummy.

"Hi Bombs" Tugger grinned, that funny feeling rising. He suddenly dropped the grin and looked ashamed. "I'm really sorry Bomba, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." He looked downwards, pushing a paw into the ground, watching the dirt collect against the pad of his foot. Bombalurina's giggle lifted his eyes to hers. Her eyes were a really pretty green.

"That's Ok." She forgave him, voice sort spoken. Tugger kept staring at her face. Her fur was a deep scarlet, with subtle purplish tinges. Her smile seemed to light up the world.

Bombalurina kept her green eyes fixed on his deep, chocolate brown ones. She couldn't help but notice how the rings of Tugger's eyes were a rich, sparkling gold, then they melted into a chestnut brown until it darkened to a chocolate brown at the rims. She heard her name being called and looked over to see Demeter motioning her over. Bombalurina's eyes flickered back to Tugger, who was still gazing intently at her. She grinned at Tugger once more before sprinting to meet her sister. Demeter was smiling, but was giving her a stern look.

"Why were you talking with Tugger?" Her tone was somewhat demanding.

"We're friends again Demi" Bombalurina's smile faded as she faced her sister's unwavering look of disapproval, "Don't you want us to be friends again?" This made Demeter sigh.
"I don't know. He hurt your feelings really bad, remember?" Demeter spoke with childlike caring towards her sister. "I love you remember Bombi, sisters forever?"
"Sister's forever" Bombalurina shared a sweet, bonding smile with her sister.

"Are you going to play too Bomba?" Alonzo asked from behind her. Bombalurina saw Demeter nodding and she decided to join in too.

"Yeah, Ok" Bomba smiled as Alonzo called everyone back over. It seemed since Alonzo came up with this new game, that he was in charge of the teams. Alonzo drew a line in the dirt with his tail, and surveyed the group of kittens' authoritavely.

"This side is for my team, and this side is for Tugger's team." He used his tail to point to each side of the line, "I'll pick one kitten then Tugger will pick one for his. Ok, my turn first…" Alonzo then bit his tongue and made a sound indicating he was deep in thought.

"Exotica" Alonzo said finally. Exotica squealed and ran over to her new captain. Tugger then scanned the group left. Misto was bouncing around, begging to be picked. Tugger sighed and finally had to pick Misto to shut him up, but said sorry to Bombalurina. Exotica was whispering who to pick in Alonzo's ear.

"Demeter" Bombalurina smiled as her sister was chosen. Misto attempted to persuade Tugger to pick another boy for the team, but Tugger was stubbornly refusing.

"Bombalurina" Tugger almost blushed when Bombi ran over to him.