Secrets Revealed || TFCRP Novella

Chapter 5

Before the crow of the rooster, Hamlet was already awake, but feeling as helpless as ever. He didn't leave his nest, at all.

Butch clambered up the ladder and licked Hamlet. "Get up you pathetic meatsack, there's work for us barn cats. There's a reason why we live with the mice."

Hamlet grumbled and rose to his paws. Giving Butch a narrowed look.

"Hey, I know you want to leave, but you can't, and whether you like it or not, you're sick in the barn, ya'hear?!" Butch hissed, shouldering Hamlet.

"Yea, I hear ya," Hamlet snarled, his Iowan-country accent thickening slightly. "But all I hear is bullshit!"

"Hey! Watch yo' mouth Hamlet," Butch growled, his voice low. "I don't know how you were treated in the Clans, but here, I'm in charge and I am not going to put up with this crap, so shape up!"

"You don't know what I've been through-"

"Damn right I don't, but you can't expect pity from everybody everytime life bites your sorry ass," Butch cat down. "Listen, until you've walked a day in Missy and my paws, you have no right to feel entitled to pity from either of us."

Hamlet was silent.

"Missy's a nice cat, naturally sympathetic," Butch continued. "And though I don't love 'er, I respect her. She's always there for me when I need her. Now me, I'm a cold hearted tomcat, born and raised in the city-"

"I've been to the city, that's where I found my friend, Thrushstep," Hamlet interjected.

"Then you know how awful of a place that is," Butch chuckled. "But I didn't go seeking no pity, nah, I pulled myself to my paws, and got them dirty by gettin' myself a home on this here farm. Becomin' a barn cat might just be the best thing that's happened to ya. Now c'mon, let's get some breakfast."

Hamlet and Butch leapt down from the loft, Missy already down there and, Hamlet never noticed it before, but her belly was slightly swollen. "Mornin' Missy, you alright?"

Missy tilted her head to the side. "Being pregnant sucks."

"Butch's kits?" Hamlet ignored a gruff "hmph" from the tom as Missy nodded slowly.

Hamlet nodded slightly before hopping into the hay piles - the only other time a complete stranger opened up to him was Crowbite, when he had caught Hamlet by the WindClan border. Hamlet, then Bouncestream, confronted the tyrant as to why he was doing this. Crowbite returned with the story of how he lost his sister, the only one close to him, and how he wanted to keep her memory alive.

Hamlet sighed as he caught a slow-running mouse and sat down to eat beside Butch and Missy. After that, they began their chores.