Chapter One: Planting the Seed

"Meow…"

Mistoffelees watched as his friend strutted into the junkyard as his number at the Jellicle Ball began. He couldn't help but roll his eyes as all the kittens squealed with delight. Not that he begrudged them their enthusiasm, but his ears rang with pain every time Etcetera shrieked.

"The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat."

Tugger surveyed the crowd with a smirk. "If you offer me pheasant, I'd rather have grouse."

Misto chuckled at the sentiment. Tugger had a well-known reputation for fickleness and not just with his food…

The tux scanned the tribe with a well-trained eye. Almost every queen was drawn to the spectacle like a magnet, hypnotized by the Maine Coon's gyrating hips. The younger ones were on the verge of salivating at the sight, while other more experienced felines like Bombalurina and Cassandra were playing it cool…or at least trying to give the impression of it.

Misto continued his observations as he moved to sit on the TSE-1, taking note of the more subtle energy of the toms. The older ones seemed perplexed by the scene or indifferent entirely, while the kittens just seemed hopeful that some of Tugger's charisma would rub off on them by association, eagerly participating in the song and dance.

The remaining toms were seething with disapproval, jealousy, or both. Munkustrap just shook his head at his younger brother, beleaguered from the ongoing task of reigning in the hysterical kittens in Tugger's wake.

Misto could no longer resist joining in. He casually sidled up to the Maine Coon, ready to plant his seed of mockery. "The Rum Tum Tugger is a terrible bore."

He noted the briefest flash of surprise in his friend's expression, but as usual, the other tom was quick to recover from Misto's teasing. "When you let me in then I wanna go out."

It was almost aggravating how he could playfully dance his way out of any situation, never letting anyone ruffle his fur literally or figuratively.

Misto admitted defeat once again and marched back to his perch. As he turned back to watch, he was surprised to see Tugger giving Pouncival's rear a surreptitious spank during the dance. The tux was intrigued. His friend didn't usually take liberties with other toms. At least not in public…

His gaze flicked to a few toms in the crowd that seemed to be playing the disinterested card and succeeding about as well as Bombalurina in their attempts. Misto knew all too well that the Jellicles' resident queen killer had a taste for toms as well. Not that Tugger knew he was aware of this…the tux was playing ignorant in front of his friend for the time being.

"The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious beast."

And right on cue… Misto thought as Bombalurina stepped out to command the Maine Coon's attention. He was actually surprised at how long the red queen had resisted the urge to assert her dominance as the resident saucy vixen.

Misto felt a pang of jealousy as the two felines began to dance flirtatiously, Tugger's hands caressing her ass as if it was natural, as if it just made sense to do that at any given moment.

It must be exhilarating to be so brazen.

It seemed like Bombalurina was finally getting the reciprocation she desired as Tugger's hand trailed up her body, their lips just inches apart.

"For I only like what I find for myself…"

The tux could feel all his will power commanding him not to react to the impending kiss. His breath hitched as the Maine Coon looked up from the queen as if considering his options.

"…no." The red queen tumbled to the floor in a shocked heap. She scowled at Tugger, but even her annoyed glare could not penetrate his resilient good humor.

Misto rolled his eyes as she jumped to her feet, vainly trying to pick up where they had left off. Tugger thoughtlessly bumped her aside with his hip, and she retreated in a huff.

"Doesn't care for a cuddle."

The tux could not feel sorry for the red queen. It was lesson she just couldn't seem to learn. Playing with Tugger was a guessing game, and she should know by now that getting his attention was not nearly as difficult as keeping it.

As the song whipped into the final frenzy, Misto decided to hang back from the dancing. A few of the other toms around his age seemed determined not to join in as well. Misto noted that Alonzo especially was radiating anger in the direction of the Maine Coon and his fan club. It seemed that his gaze was focused on one of the young, enamored queens in particular, but with all of them frantically jumping around, it was difficult to decipher which feline had drawn his attention.

As the chorus subsided with gusto, many of the abstaining Jellicles seemed poised to move on to the next number. Tugger was never one to relinquish the spotlight quickly, however, and Misto couldn't help but groan at the prolonged display of hip gyration. Despite his better judgment, the tux let his gaze trail down to the Maine Coon's lower body. He wasn't about to go into hysterics like a horny kitten, but he couldn't let the view go to waste.

Tugger's black fur glistened on his toned thighs, and that ass… Misto took in every curve of it, every ripple of movement. He normally didn't let himself indulge his foolish attraction to the other tom, but that body demanded it tonight. The moonlight seemed to enhance Tugger's beauty to a maddening level, and Misto hated himself for admitting it.

As much as the tux abhorred the sound of Etcetera's scream, he was relieved when it pulled him from his trancelike state. He quickly made sure his expression was neutral, praying that no one had noticed his temporary lapse in self-control.

Tugger's spell over the tribal libido was finally broken completely by the entrance of Grizabella into their territory. Misto's focus shifted to the bedraggled intruder, and his sexual urges faded back into the subconscious.

As the Jellicle Ball came to a close, Tugger leaned against the TSE-1 and soaked up the residual starlight as the sun crept over the horizon. Munkustrap waved as Jenny began to usher the kittens off to their dens and turned to join his brother.

"Another big success, bro," Tugger said to him with a proud smile.

Munkus nodded. The ball was one of the few nights that the two of them could put their differences aside and enjoy each other's company. "Yes, I believe it was."

Tugger cleared his throat impatiently.

The silver tabby chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Your performance was impressive as usual…"

His brother smiled at the reluctant praise. "Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint my public. They do so look forward to it."

"Indeed," Munkus said. "I was afraid Etcetera was going to have a stroke or something."

Tugger ran a hand through his fur. "This body can be overwhelming to such young impressionable kittens."

His brother just shook his head.

"You weren't so bad yourself tonight," Tugger said. "It's nice to see a stiff guy like you loosen up for a change."

"Thanks," Munkus said with a frown.

Tugger gave his arm a brotherly punch. "I mean it though. I know I don't tell you this ever, but I respect you. You organized a top notch ball, and you gave Macavity a proper ass kicking!"

The tabby couldn't hide his surprise and pleasure at the compliment. "I like to think I got a few good hits in before he escaped… The real hero of the night is Mistoffelees."

Tugger's expression remained placid as always. "True. He was pretty phenomenal tonight, wasn't he?"

"Yeah," Munkus agreed. "He really pulled through for the tribe. There's more to that little tux than meets the eye…"

"Yeah," Tugger said softly as if considering this for the first time. "Well, I'd better go get some beauty sleep. Gotta maintain this physique for the ladies…"

"Goodnight, Tugger," Munkus said with an exasperated sigh. He watched his brother strut off into the darkness.

It wasn't until he turned to go that he realized that the Maine Coon was going to bed alone. Strange…and on tonight of all nights? That's not like Tugger at all.

Tugger reached his den and fell into bed with gusto. Another stellar performance by yours truly… he thought as he snuggled into the blankets. Time for some well-deserved rest.

He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Uninvited images from the ball began to enter his mind, and he soon realized that they all featured one cat in particular. Mistoffelees…

Tugger rolled onto his stomach and tried to think about something less unsettling. He tried to remember the feel of Bombalurina's fur against his own or the adoration in Jemima's face as he spun her around.

The more effort he made to avoid thoughts of the tux, however, the more persistent the images became. Now that he took the time to consider things, Tugger realized that he had been watching the other tom all night.

He remembered how graceful Misto had looked as he danced tonight. He didn't move like other cats. Even when he felt the excitement of the ball, his movements remained light and smooth. Tugger had never been the strongest dancer in the tribe, and he was often jealous of his friend's natural grace.

The magician had seemed so genuinely surprised when Tugger had started singing his number at the ball. The original plan had called for Munkustrap to perform it, but Tugger had secretly asked his brother to let him step in last minute. Misto deserved a performance as dazzling as his conjuring skills, and Tugger wasn't about to let his dullard of a brother dampen the mood. Besides the grin on the small tom's face had been worth it.

Misto's performance had certainly rivaled his own for excitement. The little tux danced like a fiend, and Tugger had had to concentrate hard not to get distracted while singing. The image of the magician raising his slender black leg up over his head was especially captivating. Tugger felt his body reacting strongly just at the recollection of it, a heat slowly rising in his groin.

Most of the queens in the tribe weren't even that flexible, and while Tugger would gladly put the moves on any female who exhibited such tantalizing abilities, he found himself flustered when it came to Misto.

It wasn't that Tugger was opposed to messing around with another tom. He had done that plenty of times, but always on the down low of course because he had a reputation to protect. Tugger didn't limit his sexual prowess to one gender, and every once in a while a beautiful tom would strike his fancy and fall prey to his seduction with ease.

Mistoffelees, however, didn't seem susceptible to his charms. Actually now that Tugger thought about it, it seemed more like the small tom immobilized his seductive abilities. Every time he finally managed to get the tux alone he just couldn't make the move. It was an unnatural situation for the Maine Coon, and he was at a loss. He frowned and forced himself not to think about it anymore.

Fatigue began to take hold finally, and as the sun rose and sleep overtook him, Tugger found himself dreaming of a certain conjuring cat and his flexible legs…

At the other end of the junkyard, sleep was also evading Mistoffelees. He was still reeling from the ball and from all his friends' praises for saving the day.

He had to admit that he was impressed by his own quick thinking and magical skills under pressure. It was a trick that he had only practiced with inanimate objects before, but everyone had seemed so sure of his abilities that it had given him the confidence he needed to pull it all off.

Most shocking of all had been Tugger's participation in his number tonight. Misto had expected Munkustrap to sing it, but as soon as he heard the introduction, he had immediately recognized his friend's sultry voice.

It seemed innocent enough, but the tux couldn't help but feel honored by the surprise. In every previous ball, Tugger had only sung about himself and his father, Old Deuteronomy—the two cats he loved most in the world—and Misto was flattered to be in such company. Somehow it seemed more significant to hear Tugger sing his praises than it had whenever Munkus had performed the song. Misto didn't want to read into it too much, but his intuition told him that this small act was revealing.

The tux had also noticed his friend watching him periodically throughout the ball. Every time he had sensed the Maine Coon's eyes on him, Misto had done his best to dance flawlessly. He grinned inwardly, remembering the startled look on his friend's face when Misto had lifted his leg above his own head. He liked the idea that Tugger was impressed by his flexibility.

His memories drifted back to the image of Tugger's hip swaying seductively. Misto groaned, frustrated and aroused at the same time.

"Damn you, Tugger…" He rolled onto his back at stared at the ceiling, praying for sleep to come.

His mind decided that it would rather fantasize, however, and soon all he could think about was what those muscular thighs would feel like wrapped around his body. He licked him lips and ran a hand through his fur.

Finally he could take the physical tension no longer. "That's it!" he cried. He clapped a paw to his mouth, surprised by his own outburst.

He scrambled out of bed and dug through his books until he found a blank sheet of paper and a pen. He slammed the paper down on his desk and began scribbling furiously.

My Plan to Seduce the Rum Tum Tugger:

He raised the pen to his mouth for a moment, pondering.

Step 1: Give the appearance of simultaneous innocence and sensuality. Look irresistible and remain aloof.

Misto studied the words for a few minutes before nodding. He had made up his mind. He would make the curious cat his own or go mad trying.

He crawled back into bed, feeling much more relaxed and satisfied with himself. He knew the other tom thought Misto was a virginal prude, and that was precisely why he would never anticipate the magician's plans. Misto would have Tugger in his clutches before he even saw him coming, and the best part of Misto's plan was that the other tom would think the whole thing was his own idea. It was perfect!

Tugger was an elusive, fickle tom, and Misto was determined to not only win his heart but to make his friend work for it. Tugger only liked what he found for himself, so the tux would put himself away on a metaphorical larder shelf. He smiled at his own joke.

Watch out, Rum Tum Tugger, he thought as he drifted off to sleep. There's a new master of seduction in the junkyard…