"You promised to tell him today!" Excetera gave a nervous smile. Jemima was giggling and nodding while Victoria stood with her hands on her hips. "Honestly, Cetty, if you're not going to tell him, at least let us take a chance." Excetera's face fell.

"You promised to back off from my tom."

"Only if you told him. He doesn't even know he's your tom..." Jemima frowned at Victoria.

"Leave her be. I don't see you rushing up to Tugger anymore than she is." Excetera shook her head.

"I'm gonna tell him. Give me a second..."

"How much longer do you need? You've been going to tell him for years now." Jemima moved to in front of Excetera. She faced Victoria.

"You just can't wait to sink your claws in him, can you? Leave her alone till she decides to tell him." Victoria fluffed out her fur. Her stepped back and began to examine her claws as Jemima broke down her guard.

"I'd just like her to get on with it." Victoria rubbed her claws against her chest and stared at the sunlight reflecting off the bright pink polish. "Besides, I have Plato. He's cute enough and he just adores me anyway..."

"Not that anyone wouldn't." Excetera muttered. Jemima gave a hidden smile and clasped her friend's shoulder.

"You can do it, Cetty!" The three kittens watched as the Rum Tum Tugger came into the junkyard. Excetera busily smoothed her fur and looked at Jemima. "You look great." the calico whispered.

"Okay, I'm gonna go tell him..." Excetera stepped out from her friends and moved to where Rum Tum Tugger stood, gazing at no place in perticular. She felt the blush rise to her face, and taped him on the shoulder to get his attention.

Rum Tum Tugger looked down at Excetera. The small queen was giggly, yes, and could be immature, but the main coon still liked her. She was female, and (let's face it) the Rum Tum Tugger liked anything female. "Oh, hi Cetty." 

Excetera blushed furiously.

"Hi Tugger..." Her voice trailed off to an inaudible squeak. She stood there, staring at him, past him, for a second. He stood waiting, but became a tad impatient when five minutes passed and she didn't speak.

"What is it?" He prompted. Excetera took a deep breath. 

"I-was-wondering-if-you-knew-I-liked-you-cause-I-do-I-really-do-and-I-wanted-t 
o-know-if-you'd-be-my-mate.." Everything came out in a high-pitched rush, but it was still understandable. Rum Tum Tugger was dumbfounded. He began to shift back and forth uncomfortably as he answered her question.

"Er..you're a tad young.."

"Only two years younger than you." she objected.

"Well...." Rum Tum Tugger was furiously thinking and blushing as well.  "You see...it's just...."

"What?" Excetera's voice held a smidge of fear.

" I'm the Tugger, and I really don't want to settle down now. You'd be better off to find a tom like Pounce who is more your age......." 

But Excetera didn't hear anything past "..really don't want to settle down now.." She bit her lip fiercely, almost drawing blood as she turned away. Rum Tum Tugger stood frozen for a second, before attempting to reach out at Excetera.

"I'm sorry.." His hand grazed her arm. She turned to look at him, tears streaming down her cheeks, and she yelled with a bitter voice.

"About what?"

"I'm sorry I don't..er..." he didn't know how to phrase it, so he finally said what came to mind. "Like you like that..." Excetera gave a high, false laugh. 

"Don't kid yourself." With that said, she turned and stomped away, before running, and finally reaching her home, where she broke down and cried herself to sleep.