Fifteen

"Where should we start, Tug?" Mistoffelees asked. The group was gathered in the middle of the junkyard, trying to figure out their plan of action.

Tugger scratched behind his ear as he thought. "Well, Old Deuteronomy wants Plato to take the first guard shift. But, I think we will benefit more with two cats in guard. That being said, Bombalurina, I want you to keep watch as well. Plato, you'll be responsible for one half of the junkyard and Bombalurina, you'll be-"

"No."

Tugger raised his eyebrows in confusion and turned to the red queen. "'No'? What do you mean, 'no'?"

Bombalurina shrugged. "Just no. I'm not keeping watch. I'm not going to be part of this crazy search party nonsense. If Demeter took off, then it's her own damn fault. I don't want to try and drag her back to a place she doesn't even want to be."

"What do you mean 'took off'?" Tugger asked, his confusion growing. "How do you know she just took off? How do you know she wasn't catnapped?"

Bombalurina sighed. "Because I was there when she first disappeared. We got into an argument and she ran off because she was upset. She wasn't taken. She's just being dramatic."

"What?" Tugger yelled, causing Bill Bailey, Mistoffelees, and Victoria to jump. "You knew this whole time and you didn't say anything? Why wouldn't you speak up when we were in front of Old Deuteronomy?"

Bombalurina shrugged again and turned away from Tugger so he couldn't see the tears in her eyes. She was hoping that Demeter was just being dramatic about their fight. There was, of course, no way she could prove that Demeter was fine and just blowing off steam, but that was the story she was sticking with.

"Everlasting Cat… Damn it, Bombalurina!" Tugger yelled, knocking over a large pile of junk in his anger.

"I suppose you should be angry with me," Bombalurina said bitterly. "I mean, I can understand that you have every right to be upset over situations that concern your mate. I mean, because you just love her so much!" Bombalurina spat the last four words, which, not only shocked everyone, but also caused a faint blush to rise up on Tugger's cheeks.

"Bombalurina, you're overreacting…" Tugger said, trying to stay calm. Bombalurina shook her head in response. The tears in her eyes fell and she ran away from the group. Tugger didn't chase her though. He a job to do and he couldn't get distracted from it. He turned to the cats that were still by his side and sighed. "Very well then, we're going to have to work around this, I suppose." The cats nodded in agreement. "Alright, Plato and Bill Bailey, I want you two to go on guard. Plato, I want you on top of the dresser that overlooks the left side of the junkyard. Bill Bailey, I want you to be on the china cabinet that overlooks the right side of the junkyard. Do you understand?"

Bill Bailey and Plato nodded vigorously and then rushed off to their assigned posts. Tugger than turned to Victoria.

"Victoria, dear, I need you to go report to Old Deuteronomy about what just happened with Bombalurina. Tell him exactly what she told me. Then, find me and let me know what he says about that please."

"Of course, Tugger," she replied and she bounded off towards the old cat's den.

"And what about me, Tug?" Mistoffelees asked, pulling at the Maine Coon's tail. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Misto, I want you to patrol with me. Is that alright?"

"Of course!" the black and white tom replied with excitement.

"Good," Tugger said, and he smiled at his friend. "Let's begin then, shall we?"

I'm really interested in what you have to say and what you think will happen. Also, suggestions are always welcome! Please, tell me what you think! The more reviews I get, the sooner I'll update. Thanks for reading!

Mew Painappuru