Hubert Nip

CHAPTER 5 (The Search)

"Why did you invite Burrito on this search?"

   Sweat was dripping in Hubert's eyes as he answered. "CrackerJacque, how many times do we have to go over this?" He was now stopping to wipe his face with a towel. "Burrito is our friend and you have known him since you were a kitten."

   CrackerJacque was struggling to adjust the straps on his backpack. "That FreeFeline has poor hygiene and I will not tolerate his stench any longer!"

   Hubert exhaustively answered. "That may be so, but you smell like feline saliva and I tolerate you."

   The yellow tabby pulled up the sleeve of his white jacket and smelled his furry arm. "Nothing, I smell nothing at all."

Hubert added. "Nobody can smell their own stench. By the way your odor is especially foul after you clean yourself and you do clean yourself so often. Oh, and I would like to mention. Why not clean yourself when you are alone? For instance, I will be eating a snack and you will sit down and lift your leg and..."

   CrackerJacque threw his arms in the air. "I am sorry, that my feline instincts disrupt your human schedule. How about when you are swimming in the Cove? Can you fathom how excruciatingly painful that appears to me? A shower of water would cause me the most painful death."

   An extremely raspy voice of another feline interrupted the argument. "I find that cleaning myself attracts bugs when working outside. So, I never do."Answered Burrito, who did not seem bothered by the subject of the conversation.

   "To keep bugs away?" Hubert asked then agreed. "Burrito, I can understand how that makes sense."

   CrackerJacque sarcastically smacked himself in the forehead. "Bugs! Silly me. Burrito, accept my apology."

   Hubert was now standing with his arms open. "Now, that our differences are settled. We must concentrate on our journey. Can we agree?"

   CrackerJacque looked behind,then at Burrito, and back to Hubert. "Why are you only staring at me and not Burrito?"

   "Because you are the one with the differences?"

   "You said WE?" CrackerJacque yelled back.

   "Well, to be fair, I was staring in the hope you would admit your guilt."

   The yellow tabby turned and started walking in the direction of the HighTower. "I refuse to apologize because Burrito has poor hygiene."

   Burrito pleaded. "CrackerJacque's comments have never bothered me. Also, you should ask him to return or he will get lost."

   Hubert patted the hairless feline on his maroon Pilos hat, a brimless felt cap that came to a point. "I could never speak highly enough of the differences between FreeFelines and the feline servant class. As the son of royals, I blame the system and I blame myself."

   After their argument about odor, the three remained silent as they trekked through fields until they found themselves in one of high vegetation. Burrito seemed cautious while inspecting the tall stalks around them. "There is much danger that could sneak up on us."

   The time was passing slow and the breeze fading while the surroundings became eerily still. There was a feeling of something lurking in the tall grass and the three were now standing back to back for protection. Burrito drew his machete and CrackerJacque his tiny sword as they became aware of their situation.

  "Did anyone notice that I had this sword refurbished?" The feline nervously asked the other two."We shall soon see if it was worth the cost in repairs."