A/n: I'm terribly sorry for the extreme lateness of updates. Uni stuff has been crazy, and I lost my creativity completely for a while. Everything's back to normal now though, and I'm on holiday so to make up for the lateness, I'm giving you two chapters in one. This one is sort of a filler but each chapter is important of course. As always, I love hearing what people think, love it or hate it, feedback makes my day. Also as a special Holiday Treat, I've got a new piece coming, I'll be updating He Too Had Stol'n Away aaaand I've got a massive update for my website on the way complete with shiny new layout. So watch this space. This one, right here  . Enjoy. (I swear, Cats is not mine, I promise!)

Chapter 7 – Progress for Progress' Sake

Alonzo seemed to be doing better. He'd been badly hurt in that fight with the Pollicles. He was like a tom possessed, attacking so ferociously. I'd seen him in plenty of fights before, but I'd never seen him like that. I was so sure that the dogs would rip him apart, but he's on the mend now. The rest of us are as well. Plato's human took him to the vet, and he came back with a cast on his leg. The rest of the injuries were pretty minor. Pouncival and Tumblebrutus milked it as much as they could, they loved having the queens fawning over them, admiring their new scars.

It wasn't a cause for concern for me, the Pollicle attack. As far as I knew, it was just a random attack. It happens now and again. We got rid of them, that was the main thing. They wouldn't be back in a hurry. Things seemed to be finally getting back to normal. Even I was growing into my new role. Being the Leader wasn't so bad, I guess I can shoulder some responsibility after all.

I was still visiting Munkustrap several times a day. He was still out of it, but I kept it up. He'd responded once, and I was sure that if I kept this up, I could get him to respond again. I had hope, and I wasn't going to give up on him.

One day while I was in my brother's den, I realized that I had never tried making physical contact with him. I couldn't think why, but something had held me back before. He'd responded when I said something affectionate before. I wondered what would happen if I touched him. I had to try. I laid a gentle paw on his shoulder, still talking to him while I did that. He flinched and hissed at me. Not quite what I was hoping for, but it was another response. I tried again, talking gently to him, trying to reassure him.

"Munkustrap, sshhh. It's me, it's Tugger." I put my paw on his shoulder again, and he flinched again, turning to look at me with his dead eyes. I looked into his yellow eyes, looking for some sign of recognition, something to tell me that he knew I was there. I thought I saw something, could he see me? Did he realize I was there?

"Munkustrap?" I said. His ear flicked, he heard me! Yet he didn't answer. I sighed. I was sure I'd gotten somewhere with him, but I supposed it would take time. I left him, with renewed hope. I didn't want to leave, but I had to speak with Skimbleshanks before he left for the trains. I made my way back to the central clearing, feeling better than I had in months. It looked like things would start getting back to normal. I found the ginger tom, who was preparing to leave for the train.

"You ready to go then Skimble?" I asked as I approached.

"Aye, just about. I'll be back in about three days, and it'll be good tae spend some time in Glasgow." he replied in his strong Scottish accent. It seemed to be more pronounced than usual, probably just because he was going back there.

"Have a good time at home then." I said grinning, "I hope you can find out more about this symbol, but don't put yourself in danger over it." I added, more seriously.

"I'll be fine, lad. I think I might remember where I saw it, so I'll see whit I can do." the marmalade tabby replied.

"Thanks Skimble." I replied.

"No problem. I have tae go and say bye to Jenny before I leave. Look after yerselves, I'll see you in a couple o'days." Skimbleshanks replied and walked away to visit his mate. I saw him ten minutes later, heading for the gate, on his way to the station. I hoped he'd be okay, and I hoped he'd have some good news for us when he got back. I sat down and sighed, watching over the tribe members as they sat and talked, or played with various pieces of junk.

I'd slipped into a light doze, when someone called my name. Alonzo. I opened my eyes to see the black and white tom walking towards me. He was with two tiger tabbies, Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer. He looked upset, and I could see that Mungojerrie was walking with a slight limp.

"What's going on?" I asked, as they reached me. Alonzo sat down, looking grim. Rumpelteazer seemed worried and scared, and she fussed over Mungojerrie's wounds. He'd been in a fight and I was sure that whoever he had fought with, had come off a lot worse.

"I got some bad news for ya, Tugger." the striped tom began, "I found out something about that Pollicle attack the other day."

That got my attention.

"What did you find out?" I asked, encouraging him to go on, but dreading what I was about to be told.

"It was no accident. From what I 'eard, someone planned it. I dunno 'ow, but apparently someone sent those dogs 'ere to attack us." he explained in his strong cockney accent.

"Damn. Did you find out who?" I persisted. He shook his head.

"No. Tha's the thing. Everyone seems to know that someone set the 'ole fing up, but nobody knows anyfing 'bout who it was." he replied.

"Damn it." I cursed, "Thanks Mungo, at least we know now. What happened to you anyway?" I said, indicating Rumpelteazer who was still cleaning up various scratches.

"Nothing to worry about Tugger. Just some idiot who thought he could start summat with me. It's mental out there, since word got around about Macavity. Riots and what not, everyone's panickin' because he got murdered. I'll be alright." he explained. That worried me, but it wasn't altogether surprising. Macavity had been murdered, it was so unexpected. Many had thought about it, I'm sure, but I doubt there would have been many who would have actually attempted it never mind succeeding in finishing him off.

"As long as you're alright Mungo. Take care if you go back out there." I said, knowing that I wouldn't be able to convince him not to go back onto the streets.

"You know me Tugger, I always stay out of trouble." he replied with a cocky grin. I laughed, and Rumpelteazer batted him gently.

"Come on Jer, we should go eat, and you gotta rest." she said.

"Alright, I'm coming." he replied, "See ya later Tug,"

"See you." I said, as they padded off towards their den.

"So much for things getting better." I muttered to Alonzo who had sat there the whole time in silence. He laughed nervously.

"Looks like it's just getting started, who would have done it?" he said quietly.

"We'll just have to wait and see." I replied. I had the feeling that he was right, it was just the beginning and there was worse to come. I hoped to the Everlasting Cat that Skimbleshanks would come back with something to help us.