Lorian and Gristen were suddenly heard giggling not far off and Scarlot knew what that meant. Sure enough a moment later they were bouncing on and around her, "Wake up Scarlot!" They chimed in unison.
Though annoying as it was, she couldn't help but smile. She was still overjoyed at the fact that she was with them again.
"All right, I'm up I'm up!" Quickly rolling over and onto her stomach she caught Lorian, who was on her way to land on Scarlot's back once more and then Gristen who was running around her.
"Since when are you two up before me? I'm slacking." She said, nuzzling her nose into their headfur. Munkustrap still wouldn't allow them to share a den, he still didn't trust her. Letting them go she stood and stretched as she left the den.
A bright new day. She was feeling much better, healing quite well according to Jenny. At first, she felt it was going to be a great day, until she remembered what day it was and what she was to do.
"So sorry about that Dear!" Came Jenny's tired and motherly voice from the den's entrance, "You know how squirmy and slippery these two are when they want something!" She smiled and touched a paw to Scarlot's in a greeting.
Lorian and Gristen made faces at eachother, "Hello! I'm Squirmy!" Lorian said with a large grin.
"Hello Squirmy! I'm Slippery!" Gristen shook her paw and they both burst out in giggles.
Scarlot laughed and smiled. "Don't I know. They always have been!" She roughed up their headfur again. "Go on now, I'll be with you in a moment to go hunting!" She nudged their backs for them to go off and play.
"Are..Are they behaving for you?" She asked, her voice faultering a moment as she watched them run off to find any of their friends. Scarlot wasn't used to not being the one looking after them. Yes, she was there, back together with them, but the job of careing for them seemed to have been handed over to Jenny. Especially since that nuiscance of a tabby kept watching her every move and always subtly telling them to go off and play when they had been around her to long. She sighed.
Jenny brushed a but of dirt from her naturally smooth coat and nodded, "They are very energetic and tend to stay dirty no matter how much I clean them... But they are kittens!" The elder cream-based calido put a paw on Scarlottin's shoulder, "They are wonderful, you did a very good job raising them." Jenny sighed and remained silent as she looked over her shoulder, "I would have no problem lettign you care for them Dear but it's not up to me."
Scarlot sighed, rubbing her arm as she watched them tackle one another. The three patch tomkits she had come to know as the Bailey Brothers joining in quickly. She shook her head slowly. "Mom did a good job. I almost lost them, did lose them. Even if it was only for a week or so I shouldn't have ever let that happen." Her voice was soft, not exactly guilt ridden, but stating sadly.
Jennyanydots gave her a quick hug and lifted her chin to meet her gaze, "The important thing is that you never stopped looking for them! you did everything you could to keep them safe and you did your best!" With that the cream calico gave a nod and walked off the tend to a scuffle between Electra and Etcetera over what looked to be The Rum Tum Tugger's belt.
Scarlot managed a smile before sighing inwardly and following. Her ear's perked up slightly at the sight of Tugger's belt. Rolling her eyes slightly she wondered how it ended up in the two queenkits paws. Then again, he was quite a forgetful Tom, the only thing ever holding his attention being Queens.
He had become her target since their leader was so suspicious about her that she couldn't get close. It was easy enough, most of the queens seemed to just melt in his presence anyway, she just joined the crowd. Though he was a bit flashy for her taste. Looking around, she knew he couldn't be far behind, where was that maine coon?"
"Oi! Gimme Back Me Belt you lil' Imps!" The maned tom stomped over to the fighting queenkittens and snatched his studded belt from them before clipping it back on in one practiced motion.
"Think of the Devil... and he appears" Scarlottin grumbled to herself and adorned her best fan-girl expression and trotted over to Tugger.
"Hey there handsome!" She crooned. "They're just kits," her voice was soft, comforting as she nuzzled into his side. "How has your morning been?"
The maine coon was grumbling darkly when she approached but melted instantly into the smooth and dashing tom most of the queens knew heim to be, "Hell Love! My morning has been... eventful... How about yours?" He asked, rubbing her shoulder idly.
"A little roudy awakening," she said tracing her fingers around the spots on his chest. Closing her eyes she sighed happily as he rubbed her shoulders. "But alls well, I'm going to take the kits hunting in a bit, want to join us?"
Tugger looked over at the two queenkittens grinning a bit too widely at him and chuckled nervously, "Surely Love... If it gets me away from those two!" He used his thumb to work out a large knot in her neck before planting a chaste kiss on her forehead and trotting off, "But first I have to speak to Munky!"
Scarlot smiled her brightest smile and nodded. "Don't worry, I'll protect you from the ferocious queenkits" She giggled, pecking him on the cheek. "Don't be to long, we're going to head out shortly." Turning away from him, she brushed her poofy tail across his stomach before she sauntered away, back to watching Lorian and Gristen play.
The twins had joined the Bailey Brothers as they watched a trail of ants marching. Then all five kittens grabbed bits of trash, held them over their heads and marched in a line, laughing loudly all the while.
Scarlot stretched out on a box, letting her fur soak up the warm sun as she watched them with half lidded eyes. She was happy that they were. They had friends to play with now, that was surely a good thing. Still, though, them being in connection was unnerving to her since Macavity wanted information about them. This brought up the question she had been asking herself over and over for the past week: Did she include that her siblings were with the Jellicles or not? Sighting she rolled onto her stomach.
"When are we hunting Scarlot?" Gristen said, bounding over to her. His stomach growled as if to punctuate his sentence.
"Soon Gris." She said, smiling at him. "We're just waiting for Tugger."
Lorian giggled and scampered off, "I'll get him!" She dropped to all fours, which was a faster way to travel at her age, and raced across the clearing.
Gristen turned to watch ehr leave for bout half a second before he knew what was goign on, "Hey! Wait! Ill go with you!" He shouted and chased after her. He skidded around the corner and collided face-first into his twin's back. "Oof!"
Lorian shushed him and pointed to the silver tabby and maine coon talking a few feet off. "I'm spying... quiet!"
Scarlot was about to stop them, saying to let the Maine coon be but it was to late already. With a small sigh and a shake of her head she closed her eyes again.
Gristen looked past his sisters shoulders with curiosity shining in both of their eyes. This was far more fun than chasing mice.
"Hello Tugger" Munkus said, turning to look at his younger brother. Munkus had taken to keeping a lookout a lot more than normal since that Scarlot joined them. He was still wary.
Tugger plopped down on an old pillow and looked at his older brother, "you wanted to see me Munky?" The maine coon smiled in his naturally cocky manner but his eyes held a bit of frustration.
The silver tabby crossed his arms over his broad chest and sighed, "Yes. I wanted to talk to you about Scarlottin, you seem to be spending a good chunk of your time with the queen."
Tugger shrugged, "What about it? I don't see what's got your tail in a twist. She's nice, and Hot!" He grinend widely and chuckled.
Munkus sighed in frustration. "She smelled to much of that vile feline in my opinion. She still holds some of that stench as well." He paced, fur rising a little. "It just...doesn't feel right." He was being far to careful. After the last years ball interuption anything having to do with Macavity put him on edge.
"Oh lighten up Munky!" Tugger replied with an exhasperated sigh.
Munkustrap began to lecture and warn again when Tugger jumped to his feet and put both paws on the silver tabby's shoulders. "Munky! You need a good night for yourself... Demeter still around?" The maine coon chuckled and pretended to look for the golden queen.
"For the last bloody time..." Munkustrap said while pinching the bridge of his nose, "My name is Munkustrap! Not Munky you arrogant dolt! And I need you to stay out of trouble!"
"Out of trouble...Got it." Tugger said with a laugh. "I'll get to work on that but right now, Scarlot and the kits are probably waiting on me to go hunting." He began to take a few steps backward.
"Tugger..." Munkustrap began, rolling his eyes. "Watch yourself okay? I still don't trust her."
Gristen and Lorian looked at one another. Munkustrap still didn't like Scarlot? It had been a week...In their minds everything had been forgiven and forgotten when she returned, but maybe that wasn't so true.
Scarlottin cleared her throat to get her siblings' attention, "What are you two doing? You should know better than to spy on others!" The red and brown queen crossed her arms and waited for their response.
The twins were so intently eavesdropping that the sudden noise behind them made them jump and scramble to face her.
"Oh Hiya Scar!" Gristen smiled just a bit too innocently as he rocked on his heels.
Lorian brushed the dirt from her knees and smiled as well, "We weren't spying! we were going to get Mr The Rum Tum Tugger and happened to be here while they were talking!"
"Oh really?" Scarlot replied, shifting to put her hands on her hips and raising an eyebrow. She looked up briefly, almost casually, to see Tugger and Munkus talking before she looked back to them.
Munkus looked past Tugger quite suddenly, ears tuned in. Narrowing his eyes he opened his mouth to say something.
"Now you two run along all right?" Scarlot said nudging them back to where the Bailey Boys were still playing. "We'll catch up."
"See Munky?" Tugger said elbowing Munkus in the side lightly. "She was just getting the kits." He shrugged.
The silver tabby was silent as he thought over the many different motives she would have for standing there. "Sure she was."
Tugger fluffed his mane and sauntered over to the queen and her siblings, "Mornin' toots!"
Scarlottin batted her long eyelashes as him and put on her best smile, "Hi Tugger. You ready Babe?" Her tail swayed softly behind her as she nibbled cutely on hr lower lip.
"Sure thing Girl! Lead on!" He wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked to the other edge of the clearing to start their hunt
Scarlot forced herself to not look over her shoulder at the Tabby. After all, he was watching her every move and she was sure just that little look would probably send him over the edge.
Gristen and Lorian scampered ahead, sniffing the ground for any and all scents. Though they were more playing at the moment, it was clear when they found the scent of a rat. Especially since they bolted down an alley.
"Ready for the hunt?" Scarlot said laughing lightly, her laughter tinkling as she took off at a jog behind her siblings. They were lead right into a small dirt and trash covered maze-like area that led between many of the close buildings and that was filled with the scent of rats. Seeing as they were in a small area and she could keep her ears out on the movements of her siblings she split off down a short trail to the left.
Tugger took off after the kittens, knowing that he'd be killed if they got into trouble. The mane coon was on the twins' tail as they wove over under and, on occasion, through the mounds of rubbish in order to catch the large rat.
Gristen at one point had the bugged traped under his paws. However the victory was short lived when Lunch nipped the tomkitten hard n the palm of his paw.
Lorian giggled at her brother as she raced past him, grabbing the rat by its tail and avoiding the little beasts clas and teeth.
Scarlot went in circles, trying to keep on the trail of the rat and yet stay in earshot of the kittens. Tugger went with the kits she figured since he hadn't followed her. Finally she saw the black mass of rat scurrying just ahead of her. She dove, claws extended. Then she was caught by the scruff of the neck and pulled backwards. Next thing she knew, her back was thrown against the wall.
She snarled and dug into the arm, teeth bared and eyes wild. Not only was her hunt interupted, but she was suddenly ready to fight for her life or kits if need be. She had learned a thing or two while with Macavity.
Tugger jogged up behind the kits. "Good job you two." He said with a smile before finding and killing his own rat.
"Hey! Darlin! You make me bleed anymore and YOU get to drag me unconscious back to 'Cav!" He said and pulled his arm away, letting her claws drag across his flesh for a moment before wrenching free from her grip, "Mad as a Donkey in a Tuxedo!" He grumbled and sucked on a large gash to try to stop the bleeding.
Scarlottin snarled at him but lowered her bloody paws anyway, "What do you want Rosco?!" She kept her tone hushed since she was in ershot of the kittens and Tugger.
"I don't none Darlin! It's what the Boss wants that brings me here! What have you learned?" The cornish rex sat down and waited to hear the inormation as he nursd his bloody and torn arm.
Scarlot sighed, though it sounded like a partially held back growl as she found a ratted old cloth to wipe her claws on. "What do you think I can learn in one week? I still haven't gotten the blasted tabby's trust." She spat back. "He still suspects me and is watching me like a hawk. On the plus side, I've gotten close to his younger brother The Rum Tum Tugger."
She thought a moment. "All I know is that every four hours Munkustrap changes guard with a black and white harliquin Tom named Alonzo. The kittens are mostly looked after by Jennyanydots, Jellylorum and Skimbleshanks. That's pretty much it for the moment."
Her ears plastered back as she eyed the gashes she had left on his arm. "You deserved that after what you did." She said, crossing her arms as she changed the topic. She wanted to turn her back to him and stalk off back to her kits and Tugger but knew that would be a death sentence.
He pt his arms up in a surrendering motion and bit the air, "Hey now! I was doing my job! like you should be doin yours Girly." He pointed a stern finger at her, "Boss ain't gonna like that you haven't collected much on his brother." He went back to licking his wounds tenderly.
"Your JOB?! You assaulted me with a PIPE Rosco!" She hissed and the fur between her shoulders began to rise as she took a step towards the tom.
She snarled quietly. "You were the only one I trusted back there and what do you do when I'm being sent out?" She paced. "Tell Macavity to be patient. I know its not his strongest ability but I'm not going to get accepted in with open arms in just one stupid weak!"
"Not to mention his smell is still lingering in my fur." She shuddered lightly as she spoke under her breath.
Rosco sniffed her softly and shook his head, "A good bath'll take that right out Darlin!" He smiled, trying to get on better terms with her again. The cornish rex sighed softly and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Look Scar... You know I would never hurt you normally right?"
Scarlottin snarled despite herself and shook her head, "I don't know what to think anymore! You were like a brother to me and you hurt me Rosco! You really hurt me!"
He sighed and stood. "Everything'll be fine Darlin." He said reaching to touch her shoulder. She jerked away at his touch and looked down at the ground, her arms wrapped around her once again. Nodding his head sadly he turned to go. "I'll pass along the message." Then he was gone.
Scarlot turned her eyes away from where he disappeared. Her hands shook and she clenched them to her sides. Everything'll be fine he said. Shaking her head she turned to rejoin Tugger and her kits.