'So let me get this straight.' Bomba was pacing her den trying to make sense of what Tugger had just told her.

'Mac has brought Pouncival into the Jellicles in order to prove he is a better person. How is that gonna work? No-one knows Pounce's connection with Mac.'

'We just need an opening, a chance for us to break down the wall of power Demeter has built up. She has the tribe protector round her finger, the two of us paranoid and the whole tribe turned against Macavity.'

Bomba turned to face the maine coon. 'So what do you suggest we do?'

Tugger paused for a moment, 'We go to the top. There's only one person with more influence than Munkustrap and that's Old Deuteronomy. We need to go straight to him with as much evidence as we can find.' Tugger punched the wall in frustration.

'I just wish there was more we could do. It's so wrong that she can control us. The scheming little… hey, what are you laughing at?'

Stood leaning against the wall of the den, Bomba smiled, causing Tugger to raise his eyebrows questioningly.

'You're adorable when you're all fired up.' She managed to say between giggles, her dark eyes twinkling.

Macavity could kick himself. He'd been concentrating so much on getting the kit lost, he'd managed to get himself lost as well. Looking around, he had no idea where he was.

'Curse that no good ball of fluff!' Macavity hissed to himself as he looked up and saw that night was beginning to fall. He really wasn't in the mood for finding his way home in the dark. The ginger tom sighed, this is what he had been reduced to; Skulking about in the dark away from the warehouse that had become his home. More than ever he longed for his den back in the junkyard. Settling down against an old tree stump, Macavity sat watching the sun go down, his fur glowing like fire in the amber light. The sun warmed him and content at least for the moment, he closed his eyes to enjoy the heat.

He must have fallen asleep because when he opened his eyes again it was dark. Macavity shivered. Without the sun the temperature had dropped dramatically. He stood up, desperately trying to force his eyes to adjust to the darkness. Taking a few steps forward. Suddenly the ground beneath him gave way and he was sent tumbling down a hill. He braced himself for whatever he was about to hit. He did not expect it to be soft.

'Owwww! Oi, this is my spot mister, find your own place to sleep!'

Macavity tried to roll over and sit up to face the young queen he had just rolled into.

'I'm sorry, I was just walking and then..' He blinked as the red and black queen rubbed her eyes sleepily, moving her paws she looked straight at Macavity.

It was as if he was looking straight into Demeter's eyes. They were the same deep gold colour, outlined with the same beautiful lashes. But this wasn't Demeter. Macavity's mind was buzzing, she was related, that was for sure but Demeter didn't have a sister… did she? He studied her more closely as she curled up to sleep. She was still young, her face looked angelic as she slept. Macavity felt bile rise up into his mouth as realisation hit him. She was no sister of Demeter, she was…

'Jemima?'

'Where is she? Dem, what's happened to her?' The whole tribe could hear Munkustrap's shouting from outside the den.

'I don't know! I sent her to bed and when I woke up she was gone!'

'Don't be so stupid Dem! How could she have gone!'

'I'm not going to stand here and be called stupid!' Demeter marched to the door.

'Where are you going?'

'To Look for her!' Demeter screamed before she slammed the door. She had barely made it across the junkyard when she felt two sets of paws grab her.

Inside Bomba's den she was thrown on the floor.

'This is low Dem, even for you.' Tugger stared at the queen with utter contempt.

Demeter sat up slowly, looking him straight in the eye.

'I don't know what you mean.'

'She's a KITTEN Dem!' Bomba's voice was weak with emotion.

'She's old enough to look after herself.'

'Dya know what, I can't stand the sight of you. You make me sick Dem. Now that kitten had better be found and she had better be unharmed or I swear by the ever lasting cat I WILL kill you.'

Demeter just smirked at him.

'Come and get me.'

Tugger heard Bomba before he saw her. The sound of her claws against Demeter's face was a sound both horrible and satisfying to his ears. In a flash of red he saw Bomba fly at the queen, her claws extended, glistening. As they made contact, Tugger heard the sound of skin tearing and then Demeter's bloodcurdling yowl.

Quick as he could manage, Tugger pulled the scarlet queen away, holding her shaking body close to his as the tears began to fall. He stroked her face gently, checking she was alright before looking at Demeter. Blood was trickling down her face but she didn't seem to notice. She just looked Tugger in the eye, shaking her head slowly.

'You will regret this Bomba. You think your pathetic little scheme has worked? "no tom will ever look your way again' Ha, that's because they all think you're a useless little whore who's only good for one thing. And they'd be right wouldn't they? But do you know what Bomba, I don't need any other toms. I have the most powerful tom in the junkyard and he believes whatever I tell him. So, my little slut, your charade is all for nothing.'

'Get out of here.' Tugger had begun to shake with rage.

Demeter rose slowly.

'Faster.'

Step. step. step. Demeter slowed completely to a halt and turned on her heels.

'Oh and Tugger, you'd best enjoy your little playmate while you still can.'

'GET OUT!'

Demeter smiled as she calmly marched our of the den.