Cha-ching!

Vrrrrrrr!

Ahhhhhh! So many noises! Why were they doing this to me?! I didn't want to die! I didn't want to die! Help, someone help!

" Aw Flea," my owner's son peered into my cat carrier," Stop crying. It'll be fun on the plane."

A plane? A PLANE?!?! I screamed mentally, Nooooo!

" We shouldn't do this to Flea," a girl peered in, she was my owner's son's twin," He hates cars, he'll hate a plane even more."

My thoughts exactly.

" You two," my owner said crossly," We are going to England, your mother misses her homeland so much it's making her sick. I know you two spent all of your twelve years in the US but we need to give your mother a chance too."

" Can we just go on the stupid plane and get this over with?" my owner's eldest daughter demanded," If we don't, I'm driving away right here, right now."

" Take me with you!" I tried to scream but it came out a pitiful meow.

I was in an airport. My human family was going to England since the mother was sick and wanted to spend her last days in her homeland. It didn't occur to us that we would be moving there permanently! I had no problem with living in England, whatever that was, I just didn't want to go on a plane.

" Heeeeeelp!" I screamed. A nearby cat saw me and laughed. He was in a cage too. " This is no laughing matter," I pouted.

" I'm just laughing at your human name," he said," Flea."

" Oh leave me alone," I looked at the bottom of my cage. Yeah, Flea is my human name. I hate it but I guess I'll have to live with it.

" What's your real name?" he called.

" Alonzo," I said looking up again," Yours?"

" Mordicai," he answered," I'm moving to Jerusalem, wherever that is. Anyway, nice meeting you Alonzo."

" Yeah," I returned. His owners took him away leaving me alone. My family started to board the plane. The engines were on and they hurt my ears. But that's not the worse part. They shoved me under their chair!

Do you know what is under there? Gum, trash, and their smelly shoes that's what! I only hoped that they didn't take their shoes off.

" Oh Flea are going to complain the whole way?" the father demanded.

Yes, I am, I decided and kept on meowing.

The trip was long and boring. I was hungry. I wanted to catch a bird. They expect me to eat plane food scraps? I don't think so!

Anyway, I'm Alonzo. I'm three months old, and I don't want to die! I never knew my mother or father and I'm usually in a very good bouncy happy mood. Not right now though.

Time passed and I survived the trip by sleeping and eating dry food that they shoved into my cage. It was torture, almost worse than the vet, amazing as that was. God, I swore to myself that I'd never go on another plane ever again.

When we finally landed, I endured more of the car until we reached the new house. When they carried my carrier out I noticed that we were in the forest, and the house didn't look all that bad. But of course, the minute they opened my cage door, I shot out and began hugging and kissing the nearest sofa.

" Bad kitten!" the twin sister said," Don't do that!"

" And why not?" I demanded refusing to let go of the chair. It came out as a pissed off meow. I think the girl twin's name was Sarah and her twin brother was Daniel. Yes: they are Jewish. The oldest sister was named Ruth I think.

" Hey honey," the father greeted the mother. The mother had been living here for a week before we came," We brought Flea just like you told us to."

" Mew!" I said running up to her. I liked this mistress.

" Hey Flea," she said picking me up. I purred and rubbed my head against her. She spent a few minutes talking to me while everyone else explored the house. After she let me down, I pawed at the cat door I saw there. But she shook her head and said," No, you need to establish that this is your house."

" Oh darn," I grumbled and went to curl up on the couch.

" Hey, it's just for half a week."

" Oh yeah, just half a week," I said sarcastically," I suppose that now you're going to say your illness is just fatal." It came out as a low half meow half growl.

" Don't make that sound," the mother frowned. She sat down on the couch beside me and ran a hand through my black and white fur. I could just imagine the look on my blue eyes. It made even me laugh.

Just then, my mistress cringed and took in a deep, fast breath. I shot up and started to meow. She was starting to get an attack. The family rushed in and carried her to her bed. I stayed on the couch but I could hear her panting and starting to cry. And the worse part was that we couldn't give her any pain medication because she was allergic to it.

She was screaming and crying in the next room and the eldest daughter was on the phone calling the doctor that had been helping the mother. They had closed the door so I couldn't go in. It's a helpless feeling, not being able to be there for someone you care for.

I heard a tapping on the window and looked there. A cat was there. He didn't look much older than me. He was a gray and white mix tabby. He waved and smiled and I walked up to the open window. A screen kept me from going out.

" Hello," I greeted.

" Hello," he returned," Are you new here?"

" Yeah, just came in from America," I said," Moved here permanently."

" That's nice," he nodded," I'm Munkustrap."

" I am the oh so great Rumpus Cat," I smiled," By night known as Alonzo."

Munkustrap laughed. " When will you be allowed out of the house?" he asked.

" Half a week," I grumbled," Oh well, it's better than a whole week."

" I know," Munkustrap agreed. He had a collar I could see. Then he got a serious look on his face and asked," I know this is none of my business but is your mistress alright? She sounded very much in pain."

" She is," I admitted," Very much. She's dying from some sickness."

" Oh," Munkustrap said," I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

" It's right in my face, no reason why we shouldn't talk about it," I shrugged," Hey, how old are you?"

" Eleven months," Munkustrap answered," You?"

" Three months," I answered," I feel so young."

Munkustrap laughed again and said," Once you're allowed out of the house, go look for me. Become part of our tribe, the Jellicle Tribe."

" I was too young to be part of a tribe in America," I mused," I think I'll like England."

" You'll like the people in our tribe," Munkustrap assured me," And I'm sure they'll like your sense of humor."

" My god, you mean you people don't have anyone with you with humor?" I asked in fake shock," What kind of cats are you?"

" Oh, we have humor, I just think yours is exceptional Alonzo-by-day-known-as-Rumpus-Cat," Munkustrap smiled," Well, when you can, go into the forest and head northeast until you reach a cave. That's where my father lives. Go there and become a Jellicle Cat."

" I'll do that," I nodded," In, you know, just half a week."

" That's three and a half days," Munkustrap said.

" Wow, you're right, that is short," I thought," I can wait that long. Anyways, come visit tomorrow please? It's lonely here. I mean, the family will be paying to much attention to the mother and I won't really have anyone to talk to."

" Sure," Munkustrap said," Mind if I bring my brother?"

" Who's your brother?" I asked.

" His name is Rum Tum Tugger," Munkustrap said," And I have another friend you should meet. He's four years old."

" Do you always hang out with cats younger and older than you?" I smiled.

Munkustrap laughed and said," I need to go home. Don't worry, I'll visit tomorrow. Bye Alonzo!"

" Bye Munkustrap!" I called as he ran off.

" Who was the cat that was just here?" Daniel asked," It was funny how it looked like that cat was talking to Flea."

And far off, I thought I heard I stifled laugh. " Hey! What's wrong with Flea?" I demanded and I heard Munkustrap laughing.

" Hey: my human name is Cynthia," he laughed," They still think I'm a female."

" And I thought my name was bad," I grumbled.

He left and I sulked on the couch. " No Flea, off the couch," Ruth said shooing me off," If you remember, you go in the basket."

" Aww," I complained," How come you always get the couch?" It came out as another low half meow half growl.

" Don't make that sound," Ruth laughed," Ok, you can take the couch for now."

" Thank you ever so," I thanked sarcastically. No sound came out but I think she got a clue when I curled up into a ball and buried my head between my paws. I went to sleep after that and when I woke up, they fed me and played with me a while before letting me go. I tried to get at the couch again but Sarah and Daniel were in the middle of a game of cards.

I jumped on their game which made them start to squeal in protest. Sarah put me in her lap and continued with their game. Afterwards, she put me into the basket they want me to sleep in and they went to sleep.

After some time in the dark, I went to sleep dreaming of meeting Munkustrap tomorrow and those two other cats.

" Oh Alonzo!" I heard someone calling.

" Huh?" I woke up groggily. It was mid morning and the family I knew was gone to bring the mother to the doctor. In the window I saw the figures of three cats. Oh yeah, Munkustrap would be visiting today. I trudged up to the window and demanded," What time do you to wake up? Before the birds?"

" It's better to get at them while they're still asleep," Munkustrap smiled," I brought you one." He held one up.

" Aw thanks," I said," But now that you can't bring it in the house, you can sit out there and taunt me with it."

" I like him," one of the cats, I think he was Rum Tum Tugger, said. I saw a bit of mane starting to grow on him.

" Hello," I greeted," I'm Alonzo, by day known as the Rumpus Cat."

The red tabby with them, he was definitely Skimble, laughed and said," Hello. I'm Skimbleshanks. Call me Skimble. I hope you don't mind being with a four year old cat."

" Four years?" I pretended to be appalled," You really don't look your age. I could have sworn you look a lot younger."

" You look older than three months," Skimble said," You look very mature."

" Thank you," I smiled. Wow, no one's ever called me mature before.

" I'll slip the bird in through your mail opening," Munkustrap offered.

" It's ok," I shook my head," My owners would get suspicious. Not like the bird would fly in and tell me to eat it."

" If it would what a wonderful world it would be," the other cat said," I'm Rum Tum Tugger."

I was right! " Hello," I said again," I'm Alonzo, and I sound like a broken record."

" But there's one big difference," Rum Tum Tugger said," Broken records are annoying, you aren't. Hey, when do you get out of the house."

" Tomorrow," I said with a big smile," I can't believe it's already been half a week."

" We'll be waiting here," Tugger said," Hey Alonzo, how's it like in America?"

" Red, blue, and with white stars," I replied.

" Where in America did you come from?" Skimble asked.

" I think it's a state called California," I shrugged," I'm not sure."

" Anyway," Munkustrap said," If your mistress alright Alonzo?"

" They're taking her to the doctor and won't be back till evening," I answered," How is your family?"

" All and well," Munkustrap shrugged," I still don't know why they named me Cynthia."

Tugger ( that's so much easier to say isn't it?) laughed and said," At least my name isn't so bad. I'm not telling what it is."

" I'm Skimble," Skimble smiled," I just added the last part."

" Why are we talking about names?" Munkustrap asked.

" What do want to talk about?" I demanded," Food?"

" I was think various bird types," Munkustrap joked.

We laughed. I liked these cats. They were really nice and I couldn't wait to see the others. " Oh yeah Skimble," Tugger said.

" What?"

" Guess who my and Munkustrap's new stepmother is?"

" Who?"

" Reena," Tugger said.

" My sister?" Skimble demanded.

" Yep," Tugger grinned," And I think if anything happens to this wife, the next'll be Jellylorum."

" Much as I like your father, he is strange," Skimble smiled and shook his head," Any kittens yet?"

" Nope," Munkustrap shook his head," But I'm out of paws to count the number of step brothers and sisters I have."

" We have no step sisters," Tugger looked at him.

" If it's not too much, may I ask what you are all talking about?" I asked.

I found out that Munkustrap and Tugger were the eldest sons of the Jellicle Leader Deuteronomy and that their father took a lot of wives since they were always dying. But they still got a lot of set brothers.

" You exaggerate," Skimble smiled," You only have three step brothers. Admetus, Pouncival, and Plato."

" I feel so in the dark," I sulked.

" You'll come out into the sun tomorrow."

" Some help you are," I said jokingly. We talked for a long time about unimportant things, things that don't really matter. It was fun talking to them. I also weaseled it out of Tugger that his human name is Fu-Fu.

Skimble's name was decent and I'd trade anything for it. So that was us: Fu-Fu, Flea, and Cynthia.

" Flea!" a voice called and I heard the sound of the door shutting," Flea, we're home."

" Meow!" I mewed.

" Tomorrow," Munkustrap said," Bye!"

" Later Munkustrap!" I called," Bye Tugger! Bye Skimble!"

They wished me good bye just in time before the humans came in. The mother wasn't with them. I walked up at them questioningly.

" Flea," Sarah picked me up," Mom is in the hospital. She needs to stay there until tomorrow. She says she doesn't want to… to die in a hospital. She wanted to pass on in her house in the forest."

I cocked my head. I had no idea what they were talking about. What I did understand was that she wasn't coming home tonight.

" Anyway," Sarah sighed," I decided to let you out early."

Wa-hoooo! I cried mentally. I began to get excited. " Let me out!" I said struggling. She let go and I darted to the door cat door.

" Remember, come home before dark," Sarah cautioned," Ok, later Flea!"

" Meow!" I said. She unlocked the door and I ran out.

Freedom!

" Munkustrap! Skimble! Tugger!" I called as loud as I could running in the direction I had seen them walking," Munkustrap! Hold it! My humans let me out! Munku…"

" Hey, no need to shout kitten we're right here," Tugger tackled me and pinned me onto the floor. I threw him off easily.

" Don't rub the fact that I'm a kitten in," I smiled.

" You're strong for a kitten though," Tugger rubbed his side where I had kicked him," I can't believe you're only three months. Ow, you're almost as strong as Munkustrap."

" Naw, you're just weak," Skimble said leaning against a tree.

" Oh yeah?" Tugger jumped at Skimble but the older cat just dodge him and Tugger ended up flat on the ground again.

Munkustrap make a tsking sound and shook his head with a look of pity. " I'd hate to think what would happen if the others saw you. There goes your dignity."

“ Hey!” Tugger cried running at Munkustrap. He missed and ended up hitting a tree.

“ Good going George of the Jungle,” I muttered.

“ What?” Tugger asked turning to me.

" Nothing," I shrugged," Talking to myself. Anyway, could you take me to this leader? I really want to become a Jellicle."

" Sure," Munkustrap said," And there's this one female I want you to meet. She's ten months old and her name is Demeter."

" That's nice, she's older than me too," I replied. I walked with them for a while, happy to have found friends in such a short time until we reached this cave. This big cave. Well, big for me at least. I got nervous at the opening but Munkustrap and Tugger pushed me in while Skimble pulled me from the front.

" I'm suddenly not so sure about this," I struggled a bit.

" Don't worry," Tugger said," I grew up in here."

" No wonder," I muttered.

" Deuteronomy," Munkustrap called," We have a kitten that wants to be a Jellicle."

There was sudden movement in the darkness and an old cat appeared. His face was fatherly and kind and his fur was thick yet it was obvious that it was ancient. He had a sense about him that almost stopped my heart in wonder and awe. " Hello," the old cat greeted me," I am Deuteronomy."

" And I'm Alonzo," I gulped," By day known as the Rumpus Cat."

He laughed and said," Well Alonzo, do you wish to become a Jellicle Cat?"

" I already got the cat part down," I shrugged," Sure, I'd love to add Jellicle to my title."

" You are accepted by me so you are now a Jellicle Cat," Deuteronomy said," I'm happy you joined us, it'll be good to have a hero in my tribe Rumpus Cat."

I laughed a bit before saying," You won't tell anyone about my secret identity will you?"

" We won't Flea," Tugger slapped my back. I think it was payback for my pushing him away so easily.

" Oh yes, Munkustrap, Tugger," Deuteronomy turned to his sons," Reena's expecting a kitten."

" More step brothers or sisters," Tugger smirked," I feel so old."

" Yay!" Skimble smiled happily," I'm going to have a niece or nephew! Deuteronomy, can I name one?"

" Ask your sister," Deuteronomy shrugged," She's asleep right now. What would you name a kitten if you ever got one?"

" Maybe Jemima," Skimble shrugged," Or Skimble Jr."

I laughed and asked," First we talk about our humans names, then food, and now kittens? What's next? Various rodent types?"

They laughed at my joke and I felt a little proud of myself. I was a little kitten and all these older cats were laughing at my jokes. I bowed to Deuteronomy and Munkustrap and Tugger led me out while Skimble went to talk to his sister Reena.

After we were away, without warning I scrambled up the nearest tree and jumped down, a bird in my mouth.

The week went by and one day, everyone was came out of the mother's room crying. I cocked my head and slipped into the room and saw the mother still on her bed. I nudged her with my nose but she didn't wake up, didn't pet me. I licked her closed eyes a bit. She always woke up when I did that. Then I understood.

She was dead.

" Flea, don't go here!" Sarah appeared and took me out of the room," Let mom rest."

" But, no! Wait!" I squirmed but it came out as a pitiful meow," Wait! I need to say good bye!" I jumped down and ran at the doctor who was covering the mother with a sheet. " Get away from her!" I shouted. It came out as a hiss.

The doctor understood and let me jump onto the bed again. The family was watching in the doorway. I sat down on the mother's chest so that my face was near hers and rubbed my head against her. I licked her cheek one last time before running away, outside to hide in a hole I found under the steps to cry.

" Hello," a female voice said above me," Are you ok kitten?"

I looked up. She was a calico, older than me. Maybe around Munkustrap's age. Her blue eyes were filled with concern as she asked me again," Are you ok?"

" I guess I am," I said sitting up," My mistress just died."

" I'm sorry for your loss," she said," Can I go in there with you?"

" I don't see why not," I shrugged. She went through the hole and sat by me. " What's you name?" I asked.

" Demeter," she answered," Yours?"

" Alonzo," I said," Munkustrap told me about you."

" Really?" Demeter looked very bright suddenly," What did he say?"

" When I became a Jellicle, he wanted to introduce me to you," I answered stretching a bit," We never got to that because I had to go home."

" Oh," Demeter looked discouraged but then shook the look off," If it's ok with you, do you want to talk or anything?"

" Can I ask a question?" I said.

" Sure."

" Are you a Jellicle?"

" Yes," she said," You just became one right?"

" Yeah," I nodded," Yesterday."

" Hey Alonzo," she said patting my back," Are you really upset about your mistress?"

" I don't know," I looked down," I don't feel anything. I mean, I don't feel bad, I just feel nothing and that's what makes me feel bad. Feeling nothing."

Demeter nodded knowingly," How old are you?"

" I just turned four months," I said," Today."

" I'm ten months," she replied," But I've already lost someone I really care about. A brother. His name was Josiah. A dog killed him. But you know what? I had to remember that even though he's gone, I still have my older sister with me."

" What's her name?" I asked.

" Bombalurina," Demeter answered.

" So what your telling me is even though my mistress is gone, I still have the rest of the family right?" I asked.

" Yes," Demeter nodded," You know, you're smart for a kitten."

" Tugger said that I'm strong for a kitten," I smiled," Wow, two pluses: smart and strong. What next? Smart, strong, and attractive?"

" You will be someday I'm sure," Demeter looked me up and down," Not my type though."

" Yeah I know," I smiled at her jokingly," You're tastes go to Munkustrap."

" What?" she demanded," How did… I mean what are you talking about Alonzo?"

" When you asked about what Munkustrap said about you, it was only slightly obvious that you liked him," I pointed out," But I won't tell."

" Thanks," Demeter sighed in relief," I can't tell him yet. We're both too young anyway."

" What if he likes you?" I asked," If you knew for certain, would you tell him?"

" Nope!" she laughed," I'm waaaay to shy."

" Well, you'll manage to someday," I assured her," A nice female like you shouldn't have any problem getting a male like Munkustrap."

" You think so Alonzo?" Demeter got a sort of glassy look on her face.

" I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it Demeter," I said smiling," Thanks."

" For what?" she asked.

" I like talking to you," I said," Maybe I'll see you again?"

" We're both Jellicles little Alonzo, of course we will!" Demeter laughed," Hey, come with me. I want you to meet my sister. She'll like you. Just use say anything funny and she'll like you instantly."

" What do you mean say something funny?" I demanded," What am I supposed to do? Say: Hello, my nickname is Flea, what's yours? Ringworm? Well, isn't that nice."

Demeter laughed and said," Yeah, she'll like you. And is your nickname really Flea?"

" That's my human name," I sulked," At least it isn't as bad as Munkustrap's name."

" Yeah," Demeter giggled," Cynthia. I don't have an owner. Hey, if you ever need me, I have a nest not too far from Deuteronomy's cave. Visit sometime ok Alonzo?"

" Thanks Demeter," I said," Do you still want me to go with you to meet your sister?"

" Sure," she chirped," Come on!"

I followed her as we left the hole and started off into the forest. We came to a stop at a very cozy looking nest. A female calico, she looked older and redder than Demeter, was there talking to Tugger. " Bombalurina," Demeter called," I want you to meet someone."

Bombalurina turned around annoyed that her sister disturbed her while she was talking to the cat of her dreams. " What Demeter?" she demanded.

" Oh, hi Tugger," Demeter greeted," Anyway, have you met our newest member yet?"

" Oh!" Bombalurina said jumping out of the nest," He is such a cute kitten!"

" Hi Alonzo," Tugger greeted," Ah, getting popular with the dames a lot faster than I am I see."

" What can I say?" I smiled," It's just the cute little kitten charm."

" I like him," Bombalurina said," What's your name?"

" Alonzo," I bowed," By day known as the Rumpus Cat."

Bombalurina laughed. " Yeah, I definitely like you," she nodded," Now, what were you saying Tugger?"

" I was just about to tell you about little Alonzo and how you would love him," Tugger said honestly," Demeter beat me to it."

" How come you two know so much about me?" Bombalurina pouted.

" I'm your sister," Demeter pointed out obviously.

" I'm your ex," Tugger smiled and nodded mockingly.

" I don't know much about you," I said leaning against a tree," I'm sorry to intrude on you so I'll leave if you want me to."

" No, stay!" Demeter, Tugger, and Bombalurina cried. They looked at each other.

" Nice to know how I touch the hearts of so many but my owners will be worried," I said," I can visit tomorrow if you want."

" It's sad that you missed the Jellicle Ball," Demeter said," It would have been nice for everyone to see you. You're a really sweet kitten Alonzo."

" Jellicle Ball?" I asked.

" The gathering of the Jellicle Cats to dance by the light of the Jellicle Moon!" Tugger said pretending to be dramatic. He saw the look on Bombalurina's face and demanded," What? I can be poetic if I need to be! Deuteronomy's my father too!"

Bombalurina shrugged and asked me," Alonzo, where do you live?"

" In a house in the forest somewhere around here," I said," I just moved in from America. Demeter, can you walk me home? I think I'll get lost."

" Sure Alonzo," Demeter said smiling," I was thinking of asking you if I could walk you home anyway."

" I'll come," Tugger volunteered.

" Me too," Bombalurina said," On the way, you can tell us what it's like in America."

" I feel so young," I complained good naturedly," I'm four months old in a group of two tens month olds and an eleven month old."

" You're four months?" Bombalurina demanded," I thought you were around seven or eight months."

" Do I really look that much older?" I asked.

" That's what I thought," Demeter said," Oh well, we'd better be getting our American friend back to his house."

They walked me home and I was happy. I was really hanging out with cats older than me. It was cool as my owner's children would say. We engaged in a conversation of how America was like ( names, food, kittens, and now America. What next?) and they explained about the Jellicle Ball which sounded really fun. That moonsong thing sounded cool too.

" Tugger!" a voice called. It sounded very annoyed.

" Uh-oh," Tugger said," I'm busted."

" Why?" I asked.

" Tugger!" the voice shouted again. Munkustrap appeared suddenly looking very cross with his brother. " What do you think you're doing?!" Munkustrap cried," You were supposed to be watching Syna! She's going into labor!"

" What?!" Tugger cried running off," Oh my god!"

" Who's Syna?" I asked as I ran along beside Demeter, Bombalurina, and Munkustrap. Tugger was running so fast he was out of sight.

" Someone who's pregnant and decided to go into labor," Munkustrap panted," God, how could Tugger do this?"

" Don't be hard on him Munkustrap," Demeter panted," Look at how fast he's running. He feels really bad."

" Alonzo, do you know anything about delivering kittens?" Munkustrap asked me.

" A little," I gasped," The mother was a vet and took me into her office a lot."

" Good," Bombalurina said panting as she ran," None of us even have a clue how."

" Why?" I asked," Don't you have a mid wife or something like that?"

" Syna is our mid wife," Demeter moaned," The other one is with her owners on a vacation!"

" Oh."

We ran for what seemed like hours when in reality it was only about fifteen minutes but it was enough to almost make me pass out. I heard someone crying and ran into the room. I saw a tortious shell mix in there and Tugger was putting water over her head trying to sooth her pain while she was tense with pain.

" We have a mid wife!" Munkustrap called in.

" Where?" Syna cried. She screamed and said," Oh my god, the kitten's coming out the wrong way. Ahhhh!" She looked so much in pain.

I crouched beside her and said," I am not a mid wife or even close to one but if you tell me what to do, your direction and what I have seen my owner do should help your kittens survive."

" Ok," Syna gasped," Position yourself where the kittens will be coming out. See if the head is coming out first."

I did and opened her legs. " I can't see the head," I reported," I see the back of the kitten."

" You need to reach in where you think is the direction of the head," Syna told me," And make sure the head is out first. Otherwise, the kitten will die."

I nodded and reached in. I felt the kitten's neck and grabbed what I hoped was the kittens front part and slowly pulled out its head. Yes! I could hear it mewing!. The head was out.

" Push Syna," I cried," I see the kitten's head. It's out. Tugger, Munkustrap, keep her cool. Demeter, hold her paw. Bombalurina, hold her other paw."

Syna screamed and I could see her squeezing the dames' hands. The kitten was almost out! My heart pounding, I said," One more long push Syna!" She screamed again and slowly, the kitten came out. It was covered with blood, my paws were covered with blood, but it was alive!

" It's a queen," I reported," A tortoiseshell female."

Syna was crying as she took the little female. I handed it to her and she whispered, " Thank you," she gasped," I never got your name."

" Alonzo," I replied," By day known as the Rumpus Cat."

" You saved my kitten's life," she said," Maybe you are the Rumpus Cat. She is my only one. A litter of one! Just wait till Asparagus sees her."

" What will you name her?" Munkustrap asked patting more water on her head.

" I picked out her name long before this," Syna smiled," Electra."

" That was amazing!" Bombalurina cried," A four month old kitten delivered your little kitten."

" You're four months?" Syna demanded.

" Yes," I nodded pouring water on my paws. I didn't want to lick off the stuff. It smelled different from other kinds of blood.

" You look like your one year," she mused letting Electra drink milk.

" You should rest now," Tugger said," And this time, I'll stay right here."

" Don't feel bad Tugger," Syna shook her head," I'm the one that told you that you could leave. It's my fault."

" But Munkustrap told me to stay no matter what you said," Tugger insisted," Anyway, you always stay with the newly made mothers for a few hours after the kitten's been born."

" Syna! Syna!" a voice cried. In walked in a calico. He looked around Syna's age.

" Don't worry Asparagus," Syna held up the kitten," This young tom, Alonzo, he delivered our little Electra."

Asparagus ran to his mate's side and looked up at me. " Thank you," he nodded," This means so much to me."

" You're welcome," I bowed," I'm happy to help. Pardon, but I need to go home. My owners will be worried."

" I'll walk you home," Demeter said standing up.

We began to walk out of the cave but I turned around and said," Happy Birthday little Electra."

" Who's Electra?" she asked in a small voice.

" You are," her mother said. Demeter, Bombalurina, and Munkustrap led me out of the cave

" Of all the things I've seen happen that is the most amazing," Bombalurina said smiling and shaking her head.

I looked down embarrassed. I didn't like all this attention. It made me nervous. " I just need to get home," I said quietly.

Demeter understood and said," If this makes you uncomfortable Alonzo, we'll avoid the subject for now ok? But this is a great thing you did. And it deserves recognition."

" Just not right now please?" I pleaded.

" Ok," Munkustrap said," But by tomorrow, the whole clan will know about this."

" They will?" I squeaked.

" Asparagus is Deuteronomy's cousin," Munkustrap explained," And everyone knows Deuteronomy. You'll be somewhat of a hero."

I looked down at the floor again. " I shouldn't have jinxed the Rumpus Cat thing," I moaned. We reached my house, Bombalurina fussing over me, Demeter defending me, and Munkustrap telling me what would happen. Me? I was quiet.

" Bye," I called crawling into my house.

" Bye Alonzo," they called and watched me as I went inside.