Chapter II
Temper Tantrums

Mako was walking alone, not consciously disobeying Munkustrap, but just wanting to be on his own for a little while.
He had a lot to think about, the Jellicles, this new neighborhood, his new Owner. And now this scaring development.
Although he'd only moved here a few months ago, he felt totally at home with the Jellicles.
But the neighborhood was still a little scary, and of course Macavity was always prowling about, plotting and scheming.
The Owner was nice, but the kids on the second floor drove him crazy. They were too noisy, and they loved playing a game they called "spook the kitty".
Kitty! Hah! Nearly an adult tom, and they still called him a kitty.
"Hullo, kitty. What'cha doin' out all by yourself?" A black cat jumped out in front of Mako, and crouched in an attack position.
Not being much of a fighter, Mako turned to run, but found himself face to face with another of the black cats. "Where're you goin' kittycat? Wanna run to yer friends?"
"Your friends can't help you now, kitty."
Another cat jumped out of the shadows.
"Red Eirik!" Mako stared at the large cat. "That's it," he thought, "I'm dead. Too bad. Now that everything was going so well."
"You should have known," his sub-consciousness told him.
"After all, when things look good for you, the world yanks the carpet out from underneath you. I bet you wish you'd told Victoria what you feel."
"Where did that come from?" Mako thought. "I'm not in love with Victoria."
"Not yet," his sub-consciousness answered, "but you would be, if you just had a little more time."
"I would?"
His thoughts were interrupted by a paw to the jaw, which rattled his teeth.
"Are you listening to me, kitty?" Red Eirik was standing in front of Mako, holding him by the scruff of the neck, and shaking him.
"I want you to take a message to the other Jellicles. Tell them that they have two days to get out of this town, or they'll wish they had never been born."
Eirik turned and walked away, back over his shoulder, he called, "Work him over lads, show those Jellicles that I mean what I say."
After the first dozen or so punches, Mako couldn't feel the pain anymore, there were just a blackness which engulfed him, shutting out the hitting and kicking.

The little tom woke up, could feel that he wasn't dead, 'cause being dead wouldn't hurt this much. He struggled to open a swollen eye, and could see that the night had come.
"At least I'm not floating in the harbour," he thought. "This even hurts more than when we were thrown in the river when we were kittens."
The darkness crowded in again. . .

"Oh, the poor little kitten! Who could have done something like this to him?"
"It probably were that Red Eirik and his thugs."
"But how can anyone harden their hearts enough to do this?"
"I don't know, Jellylorum. But I do know that it won't go unpunished."
Mako could hear Munkustrap and Jellylorum talking, but he couldn't see them.
"What's happened? Am I blind?" They could all hear the panic in his voice, even as he fought to control it.
"Just relax Mako, you're in good hands." Munkustrap reached out and took his paws, "Who was it, Mako? Who did this to you?"

Outside, the other cats were waiting. And tempers were flaring.
"I say we go over to Macavity's den, and beat the stuffing out of them." The Tugger was stalking forth and back,
waving his paws in the air and swearing like a dockworker.
He didn't particularly enjoy having a baby brother all of a sudden, but nobody was going to beat him up without answering to the Tugger.
And it wouldn't be a nice sight.
"Ease up, man. You won't get near Crimekeep unnoticed. There are guards and lookouts everywhere. At least there were when I ran the place."
Macavity's voice were hoarse, and he looked like a prizefighter who'd gone too many rounds in the ring.
"Crimekeep? D'you call your lair Crimekeep?"
"No, I don't. One of my associates did, and the name kinda stuck."
Alonzo stood up, and said: "Be quiet. Here comes Munkustrap."
"Who was it, Munkustrap? Who was it?" the Tugger had put away all affectations, and moved rapidly to Munkus' side.
"From Mako's description, I think it was Crasto and Rounel. But Eirik gave the order."
"I knew it had to be those two. They've had it in for me ever since I took Shinji and Rinxi out for a little. . ."
A blush started up the Tugger's face, "ah. . . Never mind! They would jump at any chance to get back at me! Even through Mako!"
The cats around him recoiled from the Tugger's rage. This was a different cat from the carefree womanizer they thought they knew so well.
The only cat that wasn't surprised, was Munkustrap. He knew only too well how Rum Tum Tugger felt, seeing one of his family beaten to within an inch of his life,
and not having been able to prevent it. Although they didn't look much alike, the two half-brothers had alot in common.
Both were natural leaders, both were strong and agile, and none of the brothers were the least bit ambitious.
The main difference was Munkustrap's willingness to sacrifice himself for the good of the tribe, whereas Tugger didn't feel a commitment to cats he didn't like.
He would walk through fire for a friend, but he wouldn't take responsibility for others.
Now, Munkustrap could almost hear the Tugger's thoughts, he knew that thick layers of cynicism and rude, smarthmouth comments where splintering, showing how much he cared for his family. Mako had only been with the Jellicles for a few months, but already it felt as if he'd always been there.
He fitted in perfectly between the Tugger and the other cats. A sort of emotional bridge.
"Come here Tugger, I've got something to tell you."
"Not now! I'm going to "Crimekeep", and I'm gonna rip his heart out!"
The Tugger gave sound to a fearsome yowl, and sprang into the night.
"Plato! Admetus! Go after him! Try to keep him out of trouble!"
"That'll be easier said than done." Plato grumbled as he and Admetus sped after the Tugger.

As Deuteronomy made his way through the alleys and the backyards, he thought about the Tugger.
"I really should try harder to show him the responsibilities he has. Breeding shows, and his is better than most. When I get back to the Junkyard, I'll have a talk with him."
The Jellicle leader snapped out of his thoughts as three feline hurricanes crossed the road in front of him.
He recognized Plato, Admetus and Tugger, but they didn't notice him and kept going.
A few yards behind them, Coricopat came running. He had seen the trio on their way to Crimekeep and Admetus had told him about the events.
Now he and his sister, Tantomile, assisted as back-up. Before Corico became aware of Deuteronomy, he'd already run into him.
"Easy there son, what's the big rush?" Deuteronomy steadied Coricopat. Running into Old Deuteronomy was like running into a waterbed filled with jelly, and Corico almost lost his footing.
Corico concentrated, and connected with Old Deuteronomy's thoughts. Times like these, he was really grateful for his psychic powers. Thoughts were so much faster than words.
"There's a new cat in town," he thought, "his name is Erik. He's taken over Macavity's territory, and says he'll take ours next. He also attacked Mako, and had his henchcats beat him up. Bad. Tugger has gone to kill Erik, Plato and Admetus are going to keep him out of trouble, I'm back-up."
Deuteronomy reeled a bit under the onslaught of Corico's thoughts, they were more intense than they used to be.
"Easy there, Coricopat," he said, "you seem unusually upset. I didn't know you cared this much for Mako?"
"I can feel a connection to him, and so can Tantomile. We believe he is one of us."
"Oh. Now that you mention it, I can see what you mean. He always is one of the first to notice changes. I just thought he was observant," Old Deuteronomy sank into deep thoughts, and when he looked up again, Corico was long gone.

"Can't you see them Tugger? They're watching the street from under that car." Plato was trying to keep Tugger from rushing into too much trouble at one time. "If you try to go in that way, they'll see you for certain."
"So what?" sneered the Tugger, "I'm gonna cut them to pieces just like I'm gonna cut Erik."
He threw Plato's paw of his shoulder, and walked forward.
Admetus looked at Plato, shrugged, and followed Tugger across the street.
"This is gonna get ugly," Plato thought before he too, followed Tugger.

"Tell me again sweetheart: why are we doin' this?" 'Teazer was balancing on the fence, looking down on Mungojerrie, who was looking for a way in to the house.
" 'ave you forgotten the time we were trapped in that alley? We owe Mako this much."
"Yes. Ah know. But what is this place? An' why are we trying to break in?"
"This is where the Vet is 'teazer. An' we're gonna steal some of the things Jenny and Jellylorum said they wished they 'ad." Jerrie was still struggling with the lock.
Rumpleteazer jumped down from the fence. " 'ere, let me." She made quick work of the lock.
"Thanks, love." Mungojerrie rubbed his head against 'teazer, "you know, Ah love the way you work with locks."
"That's not the only work of mine you love, now is it?" Rumpleteazer winked.
Jerrie grinned wickedly, "just you wait, darlin', 'till we get back."
"Ah cannae wait." 'teazer answered, grinning just as wickedly.

Deuteronomy walked into the Junkyard accompanied by Mistoffelees. As usual, the tux had sensed his nearness first, and had come looking for him.
When Munkustrap saw him, he gave a sigh of relief, finally someone else to take the resposibility.
"Deuteronomy! It's good to see you again!"
"Ah, yes. It's good to see you to Munkustrap. And all you others too, of course." Old Deuteronomy made his way to the tire and sat down.
"Now. What is this I hear about a new cat?"
Munkus straightened, and reported. When he was done, Old Deuteronomy sighed and said, "I knew we would hear from Black Aliss again. We should never have allowed her to join the Jellicles."