Part 5
"I hate winter", Admetus said and shook off the snow on his head. "It's so cold!"
"Look at it this way", Alonzo grinned.
"What?"
"Your fur gets fluffier and the queens like to snuggle into it."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Aw come on, don't think me, Ex and Ori haven't noticed you and Mil."
"I don't know what you're talking about. Ori would kill me."
Alonzo started laughing. "Haven't you noticed how he keeps an eye on you and Mil whenever you are together?"
"Well..."
Alonzo patted him on the back. "If you like her as much as it looks... Then you should tell him that and that you care for her."
"I-I've been meaning to b-but you know Ori."
"I think he's getting more and more annoyed with you", Exotica said as she sunk down beside Alonzo and snuggled into his thick and fluffy fur. Alonzo grinned and wiggled his eyebrows pointedly at Admetus.
"Not a word", Admetus warned and Alonzo's smile got wider.
"Excuse me", Exotica said.
"Not you Exy", Alonzo said and licked her on her cheek. "He's talking to me."
"Oh..."
"Why is Ori annoyed with me Ex", Admetus asked and noticed two small black cats sneak towards Alonzo and Exotica.
"He wants you and Mil to confess", she grinned.
"Confess what?"
"Ad I'm not blind and neither is he or Alonzo... though sometimes I wonder."
"Quiet you", Alonzo said to her and nuzzled her neck. "And don't think I can't see you just because I'm looking at Exy!"
"Aw man", Quaxo huffed and he and Misto walked over to them. "How does he do that?!"
"Practice", the grownups all said in unison.
"What are you", Misto huffed and sat down beside Alonzo. "Triplets?"
"No", Alonzo gave him a soft brotherly nuzzling. "You always ask the same question."
"Do not", Quaxo said and jumped onto Alonzo's back and snuggled into his fur as far as he could. Misto snuggled in to him too.
"What am I", Alonzo asked as he was immobilized by his three loved ones. "A blanket?"
"A very cute one", Exotica grinned and Alonzo flushed a little.
"Get down Q", Alonzo sighed. "You're killing my back."
"But it's so cold."
"I know lil' fella... I know."
"Alonzo", Coricopat yelled as he and Tantomile ran over to him.
"What is it Ori?"
"Something wicked this way comes..."
"Macavity again!" Alonzo rose and the two kittens fell off of him and Exotica grumbled when his warmth left her. She and the kittens snuggled together. The toms made ready to fight... again. When they heard a loud barking and a yell:
"An' stay out ya 'ear me ya foilthy cot!"
The cats breathed a sigh of relief when they heard Colossus voice. Soon the Great Dan appeared. He was dragging an old chair over the snow.
"Colossus", Alonzo greeted and the kittens ran over to him and started to rub against his front legs purring happily.
"'ello Allie, 'ello MQ."
"Hi", they beamed.
"Was an ole foilthy gingah cot at ye ga'e Allie."
"We know. Thanks for getting rid of him again."
"No problem my lil' cot. Now... thois is for ya all." He put the chair in front of them and used his massive body to break it to pieces.
"Pins", Admetus asked and raised an eyebrow.
"No no no Ad", Colossus grinned. "Is foire woo'."
"Fire wood", Alonzo asked and crocked an eyebrow.
"Yeah Oi figure' my lil cots are all col' an' Oi saw lil' Mio star' a foire some doys back."
Misto blushed as his tribe looked at him. "I can do it again..."
"Then go ahead Mio", Alonzo grinned.
The little conjurer looked at the wood and set it on fire with a wave of his hand.
"Everlasting Cat", Exotica exclaimed and lied down close to it. "Now this is warm."
Alonzo grinned at Colossus as his tribe settled down around the fire.
"Thank you old friend", Alonzo said.
"Anythin' for my lil' cot."
At the Junkyard the Jellicles were freezing too. Skimble and his family were snuggled together in their den.
"I don't like this cold dad", Demeter said with a sigh. "It's too cold."
"I know lass."
"And I'm worried about the Strays", Bombalurina said. "They're out there in the cold and have nowhere to go."
"I know honey", Jenny said. "But they are clever. They'll figure something out."
"I wish we can see them again soon", Skimble said. "Alonzo was here with Plato two days ago but we never saw him."
"Don't worry dad", Demeter said. "We'll see them when spring comes. I know it."
Almost two years went by before the roads of the Strays and the Jellicles were crossed again. This time it was because of another tragedy. And the crossing began in a park where Tugger and Asparagus is out looking for Demeter. Macavity had attacked them and slain Edan and Flinga. Timoteij and an old cat named Pharaoh had both gone to Heaviside the years before. After killing Edan and Flinga Macavity had kidnapped Demeter and everyone was now out searching. Except for Cassandra, the kittens Victoria, Jemima Munkustrap and Demeter's little girl and Tumblebrutus Jelly and Gus' youngest kitten and they were taken care of by Jenny and Jelly. The rest of the tribe had scattered to search for Demeter. They went in pairs and it had fallen on Asparagus' to go with Tugger.
When they got to the park they'd looked around for only ten minutes when Tugger said:
"She's not here let's go back."
"No", Asparagus growled. "We have a lot more to search Tugger. So I suggest you stop whining and start looking! She might be here somewhere!"
"She isn't here."
"How can you be so sure?"
"How can you?"
A soft giggle caught their attention and they saw a dark and according to them very hot Abyssinian queen come out from the shadows of the dark green bushes.
"Well, well, well", she said softly. "Why do toms always have to fight over queens?"
"Well hello gorgeous", Tugger said, mission forgotten. He stepped closer when she held up a paw.
"Don't come any closer Tugger."
"How do you know my name and why shouldn't I come closer?"
"Everyone knows about the Rum Tum Tugger, the stray hater."
"I don't hate strays."
"Could've fooled me", Asparagus grumbled and Tugger glared at him while the queen laughed.
"I also told you to stay away for your own good", she continued. "I mean I'm a filthy stray", she walked over to them and walked around them in a seductive way. She even tickled Tugger's nose with her tail. "We don't want it to rub off on you will we?"
"Listen lady", Tugger said and she sat down in front of them. "You're not filthy you're hot."
"Flattery will give you nothing Tugger. But if you continue calling me hot you might get some bruises and gashes."
"A pretty lady like you wouldn't do that."
"Well the pretty lady has a mate", said a voice behind them and they spun around and their eyes fell on a beautiful Siamese. "And before you start Tugger. This pretty girl has a mate of her own."
"What do you want", Tugger told her as she sat down beside the Abyssinian.
"Oh nothing", she said. "Just stopping by. I haven't seen you in a while."
"Have I dated you?"
Both queens made gagging noises and looked disgusted.
"Tugger I don't think you're their type", Asparagus said. "So stop harassing every queen we see and let's go."
"You know", the Abyssinian said and jumped into his way. "It would be nice to talk some longer Asparagus. You've grown to become quiet handsome."
"Well we're a bit busy for the moment... wait did you just say my name?"
"Aw Mil he can listen after all!"
"Really", the Siamese hurried over to them. "Well you are right. Aspie has grown quiet handsome."
"Don't let Ad hear you say that."
"Tell him and I tell Zo."
Asparagus' eyes were wide when he stared at them.
"Exotica... Tantomile", he asked and they turned to him again. "Is it really you?"
"Well I'd never", Tugger said as the queens beamed and nodded. "Everlasting cat! You girls look stunning."
"Shut up shaving brush", Exotica hissed.
"We weren't talk in to you bonehead", Tantomile said.
"Shaving brush?" Asparagus snickered. "Wait till I tell Edan... oh..."
"What", Exotica asked suddenly worried. "What's wrong?"
"Exo", Asparagus said and put his arm around her. "Edan is dead."
"No..." said both queens horrified.
"Macavity killed him today. He also killed Flinga and kidnapped Demeter."
"That's why you're out here" Tantomile stated.
"Yeah... we are pretty far away from our territory aren't we?"
"Yes you are on Strays' territory now."
"Can you guys help us", Tugger asked.
"Didn't we tell you to shut the hell up", Exotica hissed and then turned back to Asparagus. "That's not for us to decide. You'll have to talk to Zo... This way."
The queens started walking and the toms followed.
"Wait", Tantomile said. "That thing can't come."
"Excuse me", Tugger said angrily.
"You are not welcome at our home or on our territory. So leave before I'll kick you out myself."
"And you better not tell anyone where Asparagus is", Exotica said. "We prefer to take McDonalds with surprise. As long as he thinks we're neutral he won't suspect a thing."
"I'll got the right to tell whoever the hell I want", Tugger yelled.
"Fine", Exotica said. "Come Mil, let ditch these losers."
"Wait", Asparagus said. "Tugger come on man. We might need their help. Think about it, Alonzo and his tribe knows far more about the streets than we. We want to take Macavity with surprise so we can save Demeter."
"Okay fine", Tugger huffed. "I'll see you at the yard. I'll tell them you decided to search a little more." The manned cat left and Asparagus turned to the queens. They squealed in delight and hugged their old friend.
"Now", Asparagus said. "Lead the road ladies."
"Asp!" Three voices exclaimed happily.
"Hi guys", Asparagus beamed and they all hugged him. "Wow!"
"What", Alonzo asked.
"You guys are all so... so muscular! What have you been doing? Wrestle a pollicle?"
"Just a few times", Alonzo said and shrugged.
"Zo who's that", said a voice and Asparagus saw a young cat that would still be considered a kitten.
"This Q is our old friend Asparagus."
"He's from the Jellicles Q", said another voice and Asparagus stared as another kitten walked on a really narrow rail.
"Mio get down from there", Alonzo scolded. "Come and say hello properly."
The kitten grinned and jumped down in a pipe someone had placed in the yard. Asparagus was about to point out that he would never get out through the bottom. The hole there was sealed but there was a crack about an inch wide. But his eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw the kitten creep through the crack and hurry over to them. The others were just rolling their eyes, well not the other kitten. He was ecstatic.
"Cool Mio! You learnt a new trick!" he said.
"Yeah... you ought to see me with cards."
"No more card tricks you hear", Alonzo scolded. "Remember how mad Ad became when you lured off him all his food."
The kittens both shuddered.
"Now", Alonzo went on. "Asp this is my kittens Mistofelees and Quaxo."
"But we call them Q and Mio", Admetus said.
"If they're not in trouble", Tantomile said.
"Or if we're talking to both of them", Coricopat said. "Then it's just MQ."
"Okay", Asparagus said and grinned carefully. "These are the same kittens?"
"Yeah", the Strays said.
"Oh... sorry."
"So", Alonzo said and jumped onto a car. "What bring you here Asp?"
Asparagus looked at the ground. "Macavity." The toms all stared at him. "I'm not working for him... He attacked us today and killed Edan and Flinga."
"Shit", Alonzo said and jumped down. "We're all really sorry."
"Yeah... Cassie took it hard since Timoteij went to Heaviside last year."
"Who more is gone", Admetus asked.
"Well I know that you know Crystal is gone." The Strays all nodded. "Then Polly went to Heaviside the year you left, so has Pharao oh and Bumblebee died out of old age."
"I see..." Alonzo said. "But I can see on your face that something more is wrong. So spit it out."
"Macavity kidnapped Demeter Lonz..." Alonzo's eyes went wide. "We don't know where she is. I ran into Tanta and Exo searching for her. They told me you might be able to help."
Alonzo's face went from shocked to fury. "You can bet Tugger's sorry ass we are!"
"Yeah", the others cheered.
"What are you gonna do", Asparagus asked and Alonzo grinned.
"I don't like that grin", Quaxo said.
"Me neither", Misto said. "It almost makes me feel sorry for them."
"I take it that's not a good smile", Asparagus asked Coricopat as Alonzo started to pace back and forth grinning.
"It is for us... but not for Macavity and his henchcats."
"Okay troops", Alonzo grinned. "This is what we'll do..."
TBC