Of the Cat Burglar and the Cat Protector

Junkyard Service

 For a young cat like herself, the walk over to the junkyard from Victoria Grove was a stroll in the park. The weight of the chicken in her scarf bag was minimal and her pace was quick. The streets and sidewalks were mostly clear, the occasional stray Pekingnese not being much of an obstacle. Nothing was in her way.

Arriving at the front chain-linked fence of the junkyard only made her grin wider. It wasn't very busy in the junkyard; the majority of the kittens were still asleep in either their homes or in the abandoned tires. The only cats awake that she could see were Demeter, Alonzo, Quaxo (or Magical Mister Mistoffelees, which neither Mungojerrie nor Rumpleteazer ever used) ... and Munkustrap. He was busy talking with Demeter about a topic that Rumpleteazer didn't care much about. Something about needing night guards. Good, he was distracted, she thought. Perfect.

As soon as her front paw stepped past the fence, a loud crash occurred behind her. She nearly dropped the chicken in shock but was able to keep her grip. Quickly spinning to see the crash, Rumpleteazer was met with the indifferent gaze of a dark-spotted cat.

"Meow."

"Hello, Tugger", she enthusiastically said.

"What's going on?" He poked at the scarf bag. "What's in the bag?"

Rumpleteazer quickly pulled the bag back. She took it out of her mouth and placed it to her side. "It's none of yer business." He began to sniff at the bag. "Wha— cut that out! You might leave yer germs or somethin'."

"When did you start caring about germs? Mr. Mistoffelees told me about the dumpster eggs." He tilted his head to the side as his tail swished. The Rum Tum Tugger enjoyed bothering others for his amusement and this conversation was no exception.

"UGH! He promised that he would say nothin' about that." A smug grin appeared on the Rum Tum Tugger's face. Rumpleteazer simply sighed. "Sniff the bag. Just don't eat anythin' or I will scratch you."

The Rum Tum Tugger swiftly grabbed the bag with his mouth and placed it in front of his forelegs. "Chicken. I didn't know you could hunt," he chuckled lightly as he backed away, fearful that she would follow through with her threat.

"Ya know that I can't! I can't kill 'cause that stuff messes me up." She shuddered as she remembered her brother hunting a lizard in the backyard. So scaly.

"Why are you bringing in chicken anyway? We've already eaten the leftover goose and goose eggs."

"I wasn't in the mood for chicken..." Couldn't she skip eating her chicken in peace?

The Rum Tum Tugger walked carefully towards Rumpleteazer, his eyes looking for any signs of illness. No scrapes on her legs. No claw marks or bites. No foaming of the mouth.

"Did you eat anything?" He poked her back and her head.

"I had some carrots — well, more than enough carrots — for breakfast. I skipped the chicken."

The Rum Tum Tugger's eyes widened; Rumpleteazer couldn't tell if it was in fear. A silence fell upon the pair before he shook his head slowly while driving his forelegs into the ground.

"Eating more than enough, huh? Why is that?"

Rumpleteazer did not like the scared look in Tugger's eyes. They were beyond unnerving. "I just feel hungrier today, that's all."

"You look, how should I say this, bigger than usual." He grimaced as he said "bigger". "Uh, not in a bad way though. Just more —" He sat upright and placed his forelegs in front of his stomach, moving them outward as if he were an expanding balloon. "— bigger."