Turf Wars: Chapter 3

"Oh my, what happened to you?" Valerie asked Greyson as they lay basking in the morning sun. She had just noticed the large wound near his hind leg.

"It was an accident. Some dog thought he could get me. I was a little careless. It could have been avoided." Greyson replied.

"You can't fight Ginger in this condition." Valerie said, concerned. "You need to take your time, and plan carefully, before you attack."

"Oh, I'll be fine," he said dismissively. "I'm sure I can take him on. How tough can one old guy be?"

"Very tough, I think you'll see. You need to lay low, at least until that heals. Then we'll take him down. He won't know what hit him," Valerie said, wisely.

Two months later...

There were three of them - and they were the prettiest kittens Valerie had ever seen. With Greyson for a father, how could they be otherwise? She liked them all lovingly. The tiny grey kittens cried as they tumbled closer to their mother. 

Greyson was still in hiding. Valerie could sense that Odie and Ginger had their suspicions of a stranger on the turf. If they knew about the kittens, it would only be a matter of time before they sniffed him out. And then, it would be war. 

He came around once or twice a day, when he knew it was safe, to see the children. They all took after him. Children, being heirs, played a very important role in family feuds, without ever actively participating.

The children soon grew too old to stay hidden in their little box all day. They were coming out and playing most of the time, each day venturing a little farther from their hideout. The litter, comprising of one boy and two girls, were very noisy and energetic, all of them perfectly healthy. 

Odie watched from afar, then returned to Ginger's side. 

"You were right," she said. "I just confirmed it. There are three of them. All grey."

"Hmm... how long did your sister think she could hide them from us? Hide him?"

"I can't believe she would dare to do this," said Odie, more shocked than angry. "What are you going to do about this? Please tell me you have a better idea than just challenging him head on."

"Relax, Odie. I have a plan. There's only room for one of us on this turf."

To be continued...

Turf Wars: Chapter 2

"Hi, I'm Greyson," said the handsome, grey tomcat standing before Valerie.

"Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Valerie," she said, still transfixed by his looks. "You're new here, aren't you? I haven't seen you around before."

"There comes a time in every man's life when he has to set out and find his own territory. I've been traveling for two days. It looks like, finally, I've found something I like," he said with a grin.

"Oh, you will love this place! We could use a - Oh no!" Valerie exclaimed. "Ginger. He shouldn't see you. He'll - "

"Ginger? Is he your - ?"

"He owns this turf. If he sees that you are his competition, you won't walk away without a fight."

"That's exactly what I'm looking for, Valerie dear. I will challenge whoever owns this turf, and make it my own," he said confidently.

"I don't doubt that, Greyson. In fact, I'll be rooting for you. Anything to get rid of that sick... never mind. But you can't do it now. Don't jump into it. Take your time. We'll take him down together," she said.

"And when I'm king, you'll be my queen."

"I can't wait."

She took him around and showed him all over the turf. Greyson was impressed; by this goldmine of a turf he had tumbled upon, and this clever, beautiful woman he had met. He had known that taking over a turf would be extremely difficult. But it might be easier, if she was by his side.

Together, they walked out into the night.

To be continued...

Turf Wars : Chapter 1

Ginger and Greyson were ready for war. Snarling, seething, shouting profanities at each other, they waited for the perfect moment to launch their attack. Tails erect, hair standing on ends, the tension between them was insurmountable. They were oblivious to the spectators watching them; their wives and children, hiding under cars and on top of walls, fear and worry clouding their faces. The moment was right. They pounced.

Then it was chaos.

Six months ago...

It was meal time. Odie and Valerie jumped for the food the minute it hit the plate.

"Get away! It's mine!" Valerie shouted, using her paw to push Odie's head back.

"You first!" Odie snapped, countering with a swing of her paw.

Odie and Valerie growled and hissed, ready to fight for the plate of food before them. Valerie raised her paw to attack, but the fight was broken up when the human came back out. The human lady separated the cats, divided their food into two equal halves and gave it to them. Odie and Valerie grudgingly ate their shares, safe in their corners.

It didn't matter that they lived in the same house, or that they were half sisters. Odie and Valerie hated each other. Their father was a majestic, white tomcat who was the best ruler the turf had ever seen. He was kind and benevolent, yet strong and mighty. His reign lasted for generations and it was a time of peace in the turf. No one dared challenge him.

But now, he was no more. Old age caught up with the cat who had never lost a fight in his life. With him gone, the golden age also came to an end.

Odie and Valerie, having finished their lunch, lay basking in the sun, carefully grooming themselves. A tomcat announced his arrival and the ladies looked up; Odie in eagerness and Valerie in contempt.

Ginger jumped down from the wall and approached them, his tail held high in pride. As the present king of the turf, he owned everything and everyone in it. His orange fur looked almost brown due to lack of care. All over his body, he had wounds that refused to heal. A prominent scar ran across his face; a mark that will forever be a reminder of that one fight from which he was lucky to walk away from in one piece. As a ruler, Ginger couldn't hold a candle to his predecessor, who was far greater than him in terms of looks and capability.

Odie dutifully ran to him, licking his face and neck affectionately.

"Darling, I'm so glad you're home. How was your day?" Odie asked.

"Tiring. Very tiring." Ginger replied, collapsing on the floor and stretching himself all over the sun baked sand. "Being king is hard work."

Valerie grunted in disapproval and walked away.

"Does she have a reason for hating me?" Ginger asked once Valerie had left.

"It's not just you, it's us." Odie said disdainfully. "She's so stuck up. When does she ever care about anyone but herself? I mean... I miss our father too but... you wouldn't be king if he was still around." Her voice changed to a silky soft purr. "And you are so good at being king."

"Baby, you got that right." Ginger smirked.

That night, finally alone, Valerie stretched herself and started grooming. Ginger must have gone by now, but she didn't want to be anywhere near other cats. Ever since Ginger got control over the turf, Odie had been treating her like she was a second grade citizen. Odie never missed a chance to rub it in her face that he had chosen her to be his queen and not Valerie. Yeah right. Valerie scoffed. Like I ever wanted to be wife to that smug, ugly...

She was alerted by a thud just a few feet away. She sat up, cautiously surveying her surroundings. A tomcat appeared before her, and she was immediately blown away by how handsome he was. He had a long, bushy tail, thick grey-brown hair and a very masculine face. He smirked at her and said,

"Hi, I'm Greyson."

To be continued...