Time passed and little Coricopat and Tantomile grew up nicely, Deuteronomy got a new wife, and now Jellylorum is expecting kittens. And we got another nice piece of information.

" I'm going to have a kitten!" Skimble told us excitedly. Tugger, Munkustrap, and I were talking to him in the train station. Demeter wasn't with us, she was helping baby-sit the twins.

" You're a female?" Tugger asked.

" No, no, no," Skimble shook his head," My mate Jennyanydots is going to have a kitten!"

" Hey, congratulations," Munkustrap said," Are you naming it Jemima?"

" If it's a girl," Skimble nodded," Alonzo, could you deliver her? Jellylorum has her own kittens to worry about and I'm sure Syna will be there to help you."

" I guess," I shrugged," So long as it's not twins!"

" It won't be," Skimble assured me," I trust those little twins scary as they may be."

" Jellylorum got them to not speak their mind unless it's important," Munkustrap told us, "I think it's better that way."

" You tried to murder the poor things," I said smiling," Bad Cynthia, bad."

" I'm not a dog," he said.

" Bark, bark," Tugger added, " Munkustrap, we know you like Demeter so cough it up!"

Munkustrap smiled and coughed. Then he got his serious look and said," I do not. I will not admit to what is false."

" Fine, be that way," I agreed with Tugger," We won't tell you how but just possibly she could like you also."

" Really?" he asked interested. Then he saw the look on my face and groaned," You were testing me." Then he smiled and said," I knew you were and I couldn't help but play along."

" Yeah, right," I rolled my eyes letting it go," Anyway, I'll deliver little Jemima for you Skimble. And I'll do Jellylorum's kittens if she want me to."

Demeter walked in on us right then with her sister and another cat. " Hello," Demeter greeted us," Let me introduce you to the newest Jellicle. Cassandra."

Cassandra looked at us and said," Hello."

" Hello Miss Cassandra," Tugger stepped forward and bowed to her," How are you on this lovely day?"

" Very well thank you," Cassandra said looking ready to melt," And who might you be?"

" I am The Rum Tum Tugger, " Tugger smiled his best smile and Cassandra looked like melting even more.

" Oh please," I sighed exasperated," I'm Alonzo."

Cassandra turned to me surprised. I think she was used to guys drooling all over her. She was ok but I still had that other cat, the one in the park, on my mind. I mean, who was she?

" I need to get home," I told them all," Later."

I walked home still thinking. I know it was stupid but I couldn't stop thinking about that mysterious female I had seen. I really hoped that I could meet her.

Even more time passed and then three months before the Jellicle Ball, Jellylorum went into labor.

" Alonzo!" Munkustrap called me. I was eating under the stair of my front porch when he came.

" What?" I demanded," Don't say it!"

" I will," Munkustrap said," Jellylorum's kittens are coming."

" I'm hungry!" I complained running out of my hole.

" Stop complaining and run," Munkustrap told me.

I ran, I had gotten faster, and reached Deuteronomy's cave. The twins, Deuteronomy, Syna, and Asparagus were there. And another look told me Tugger was there too, in the corner.

" Hello," I said running in," You caught me when I was eating."

" Stop thinking about your stomach," Tugger joked," Get those kittens out."

" There are two of them," Jellylorum told me," I feel them. Syna, you get the first one, Alonzo, get the second one."

" Yes Jellylorum," I said.

" You ready?" Syna asked positioning herself while I washed my paws.

" Yes."

" Push!" Syna ordered.

Jellylorum screamed and I could see one head poking out. She pushed again and out came a little brown and white mix.

" Alright Alonzo," Syna pushed me.

" Push Jellylorum!" I cried.

Jellylorum screamed and a small head poked out. I positioned my paw under the head and said," One more push Jellylorum and the kitten will be out!"

She screamed one more time and I was holding yet another messy kitten. Only this one….

" Oh my god," I gasped.

" What?" Syna demanded," Is it ok?"

" It's female," I said handing it to Jellylorum," And she's pure white."

" What?" Jellylorum asked licking her kitten clean," Deuteronomy, this one is pure white!"

" Pure white?" Tugger jumped up.

" Yes," Coricopat and Tantomile chorused. And they were on the other side of the room. " Victoria is pure white!"

" Who's Victoria?" Munkustrap asked.

" I was just thinking of naming her that!" Jellylorum cried," Yes! I'll name her Victoria. After the queen."

" And of the other one?" Deuteronomy asked," What will you name her."

" She's so cute!" Jellylorum said licking the other one too," She needs a cute name."

" So long as it isn't Flea or Cynthia it'll be good," I shrugged.

" Etcetera!" Jellylorum announced," My daughters are Victoria and Etcetera."

Munkustrap, Tugger and I exchanged looks. Etcetera is going to get teased. " Who's Etcetera?" Victoria asked," Who's Victoria?"

" You are Victoria," her mother said.

" I am Etcetera," Etcetera whispered.

" She's smart," Asparagus nodded.

I washed my paws and went to the twins. " Hello," I greeted.

" Hello," Coricopat returned," You want to ask us something?"

" Yes," I nodded," It's about some female I saw in the park."

" Her name is Rumpleteazer," Tantomile told me," You will meet her in time."

" Yes, she will have a brother named Mungojerrie," Coricopat nodded," You will become friends."

" You two will take some more getting used to," I said," Well, thanks. Hey, do me a favor and don't tell anyone what you told me ok?"

" Yes Alonzo," they chorused.

" Thanks you two," I nodded," Later."

" Bye," they said together.

" Happy Birthday Etcetera and Victoria," I said leaving," Bye everyone."

" Wait, stay Alonzo," Munkustrap called.

" But I'm hungry," I moaned.

They laughed and he said," Ok, go eat. Get your prey around here though. I need to talk to you."

" Ok, fine," I grumbled. I walked out, caught the first mouse, or maybe it was a rat, I saw and went back.

Munkustrap pulled me into a corner and said," Alonzo, Can you keep a secret?"

" Sure," I shrugged," What about?"

" Demeter," he said.

" Oooh," I drawled out quietly," What about lover girl?"

" She's going out with Plato," Munkustrap looked distressed," And I'm afraid to ask her why."

" So you do like her," I mused.

" A little," Munkustrap looked down," I didn't really think about it before but she's a really good friend. When she went out with Plato, I guess I kinda realized how good a friend she was."

" ASK THE GIRL OUT WILL YOU!" I insisted. No one heard.

" I can't," Munkustrap said," Plato's my friend too."

" Oh well," I said," Wait till they break up, then ask her out."

" But I can't," Munkustrap sulked," I mean, I just can't."

" You can get to becoming the protector of Jellicles but you can't even ask a girl out?" I asked him.

He made an annoyed sound in his throat and said," Some help you are. Oh well, I'll walk you home."

" If you were positive that she liked you, would you ask Demeter out?" I whispered.

" No."

Wow, they're both hopeless, I thought. I would have told him that Demeter liked him but what good would it do? Anyway, I promised her I wouldn't tell him. Now I promised him not to tell her. I sighed," Well Munkustrap, give it time and when you can, then ask her out."

" Thanks Alonzo," he thanked me. I got home and crawled under the steps and finished what I hadn't finished eating.

" Hey Alonzo," a female voice said above me.

I looked up and saw Cassandra there. " Hello," I greeted," You're Cassandra right?"

" Yeah," Cassandra nodded," Can I go in there with you?"

I shrugged and said," I don't see why not."

She nodded and crawled in. " Hi," she said again," I've been meaning to ask you how old you were."

" They all ask that," I laughed," Eight months."

" You look so much older than that," Cassandra nodded," I'm seven months."

" That's nice, someone my own age for once," I smiled," What do you think of the clan?"

" They're all pretty nice," she answered," Demeter told me that you're somewhat of a hero. What does she mean?"

" I delivered a kitten," I shrugged," Syna's kitten. And I guess they think I'm some sort of hero because one mid wife was gone, the other was in labor and I took it into my own paws."

" That is heroic you know," Cassandra told me.

" That's what they all thought and they pulled a surprise ceremony on me," I smiled," And made me fight Munkustrap to test how strong I was."

" Who won?" she asked.

" I did," I shrugged," I think Munkustrap was going easy on me."

" Wow," Cassandra said looking me up and down," I've seen Munkustrap and I can't imagine anyone beating him."

" That's why I think he was going easy on me," I nodded," Either that or he thought that any four month old kitten with the human name Flea would be weak."

Cassandra laughed and asked," Your human name is Flea? It's better than mine. I'm Fluffy. I get the traditional cat name."

" I'm starting to appreciate the name Flea," I said," Anyway, what brings you here Cassandra?"

" Demeter said she wants to throw a party for her and Bombalurina's birthday in one week," Cassandra said," She told me to come and she also wanted me to bring a temporary date."

" I see," I nodded.

" I was wondering if you would come with me," Cassandra said sheepishly," I mean, Tugger's nice and all but I wanted to go with someone my own age."

" Sure," I shrugged," In one week right?"

" Yes."

" I'll go," I told her," But forgive me if Munkustrap or someone runs in screaming for me to deliver another kitten."

" How many have you delivered?" she asked me.

" Electra, Coricopat and Tantomile, and just now Victoria," I said," Etcetera was taken care of by Syna. I'm expected to deliver a friend's kitten sometime soon."

" Vice protector and a master deliverer," Cassandra mused," Maybe you are a hero."

" Anyway," I said looking at the floor," I'll go with you to Demeter's party. Was I invited?"

" She was just going to tell you when she bumped into me," Cassandra said," I'll leave you alone now."

" It's ok," I replied," I'm just resting from the last kitten."

" I understand," Cassandra nodded," You go sleep Alonzo. I'll see you in a week ok?"

" Thanks Cassandra," I said walking out with her," Later."

" Yeah," she nodded. Then she left.

I went into my house and climbed up the stairs to Sarah's bedroom. She was out with friends that day so her bed was up for grabs.

A week later I found myself walking with Cassandra to the clearing where Demeter told us to go. Cassandra was beautiful that night but not really my type. Crazy as it was, I was still mooning over that cat I had seen. Tantomile said her name was Rumpleteazer and that I would meet her someday.

God I hope I'd meet her soon.

" Thinking deep thoughts?" Cassandra asked me.

" Yeah, pretty much," I said.

" What about?"

" My friend's kitten," I lied," I'm wondering if suddenly he'll run in and start screaming for me and I'll ruin your evening."

" I see," Cassandra said," Hey, we're there. Hi Bombalurina!"

I looked up. We were in a clearing near Demeter's nest. It was lighted by the light of the full moon and she had brought a few lanterns which I bet came from the junkyard. The hostess, Demeter, wasn't there yet surprisingly. I hoped that she would walk in with Munkustrap.

But it was a false hope, Munkustrap was already there. The twins were there, Electra was, a few males I didn't know were there. I think they were Admetus, Pouncival, and someone named Aedin. Tumblebrutis was there talking with Munkustrap. And some other female was there. I think her name was Exotica.

" I'm going to talk to Munkustrap a while ok?" I told Cassandra. She nodded and went off to talk to Bombalurina.

" Hey Alonzo," Munkustrap greeted me," I see you're with Cassandra."

" She asked my first," I shrugged," I just couldn't say no so I said the opposite of no."

" Which is, ' maybe,' right?" Munkustrap joked.

" Who's Aedin?" I asked," I mean, who's he related to?"

" He's Demeter's cousin," Munkustrap said," Here on a visit."

" Hey, where is lover girl?" I asked.

" Going out to get Plato," Munkustrap sulked," Those two will be together for sometime I think."

" Aw, it's ok Munkustrap," I patted his back," All relationships end one day or another."

" Unless they become mates," Munkustrap grumbled.

" Do you always have to be a pecimist?" I demanded slapping his back," Think of it as: all relationships end one day or another and then she'll be up for grabs."

" Demeter isn't a prize or anything that you can just toss around Alonzo," Munkustrap frowned," Oh well, I can wait. But if the two become mates I don't know what that'll do to me."

" Oh gosh!" I hit his back even harder.

" Ow!"

" Sorry," I apologized," But Munkustrap, they are just going out! They are not going to become mates. I don't need to be Coricopat or Tantomile to know that."

" I couldn't help but overhear your conversation," Tantomile appeared beside us," But Uncle Munkustrap…"

" I'm not your uncle," he said," I'm your step brother."

" It's easier to say uncle," Tantomile smiled," Anyway Munkustrap, don't worry about Demeter. She left the party to break up with Plato, and I'm sure that you will ask her out someday." She turned away but then looked back," I won't tell her."

" Thanks," Munkustrap thanked her," Does she like me?"

" Ask Coricopat," Tantomile avoided the question," And besides, as you would say, such things aren't meant to be known by others."

" Anyway," I sighed," Thank you Tantomile."

Tantomile left just as Plato and Demeter walked in. Plato looked a little somber but so did Demeter but the minute she saw me and Munkustrap she brightened up and walked towards us.

" Hello you two," she smiled," Enjoying?"

" Yeah," I nodded," Did you tell Cassandra to ask me here?"

" Kinda," Demeter looked guilty," I shouldn't tell you but she has this little crush on you. I think it's because you're the only tom her age that hasn't been bothering her."

" I'm kinda preoccupied," I admitted," You see, there was this one female I saw in the park and crazy as it is, just one look at her and I just can't stop thinking about her."

" Did you actually talk to her?" Demeter asked.

" Kinda," I smiled," I asked her to watch where she was going. She said sorry."

Demeter laughed and said," You don't even know this person and you keep thinking about her? She must have been pretty beautiful huh?"

" Very," I nodded," I asked the twins about it and they said her name was Rumpleteazer and that I'll meet her someday."

" That's why you have that air-heady look on your face," Munkustrap laughed," You're thinking of some girl."

" Naw, I'm thinking of you Munkustrap," I rolled my eyes," I mean, your eyes really strike me, I mean brown. Wow. And I'm not even going to start with how I admire your tail."

They laughed and after a few seconds, I laughed too. Not that I would ever think about Munkustrap like that but I think that Demeter does.

Cassandra went back to me right then and said," I'm sorry to do this but I have to leave early. I'll make it up to you Alonzo ok?"

" Sure," I shrugged," Later Cassandra."

" Bye," she waved and then disappeared into the night.

" I hate to say this but I think she likes you a lot," Munkustrap looked at me," What do you think of her?"

" She's ok," I said," But I think I'll be thinking of her just as a friend more than anything else."

" She's really pretty and all though," Munkustrap pointed out. Demeter looked a bit pained. I don't think he noticed Demeter but he quickly added," But not my type."

" I know she is," I nodded," But still, she's just not my type."

" You have that female in the park in your mind," Demeter scolded," Forget her, you don't know her."

" Fine Demeter, I never knew you cared so much," I smiled.

" You're like the brother I never had Alonzo," Demeter pushed me onto the ground," Of course I care."

" What about me?" Munkustrap pretended to be joking.

I think Demeter thought he was joking because she laughed and said," I think about your eyes too Munkustrap."

" And I think about yours," Munkustrap laughed too," All blue and everything." They may have sounded like they were joking but I knew better. They weren't. They were really hopeless.

" I'll leave you two to admire each other's eyes now ok?" I said. They both gave me a dirty look. I smiled sheepishly and backed away to talk to Tumblebrutis.

I ended up bumping into Tugger instead and sent us both tumbling onto the floor. " Sorry Tugger," I apologized, helping him up.

He didn't looked to ticked off. In fact he actually laughed and said," No need to rub in that you're stronger than me Alonzo. Hey, where did Cassandra go?"

" She left early," I shrugged," You like her?"

" No," Tugger shook his head," I just have a message for her from Bombalurina. Oh well. Hey Alonzo, come with me to bother Bombalurina and her friends."

" I don't like seeing her mad, it scares me," I said struggling.

" Yeah, I love American humor," Tugger carried me to where Bombalurina was while I was struggling and trying to hit him.

" Put him down!" Bombalurina ordered," Put my adoptive brother down."

" I'm you're brother too huh?" I joked. Tugger dropped me onto the ground and helped me up.

" Of course!" Bombalurina smiled.

" Who's he?" a male asked. His name I found out was Aedin.

" A friend," Bombalurina patted my back," He's like the younger brother I never had."

" That's what Demeter said," I replied," So nice to know you two really care."

" How come he scores and I don't?!" Tugger demanded jokingly.

" He's obviously more attractive than you are," Bombalurina shot at him before smiling, " And besides, he's younger."

" So I get busted for being older? I'm not even two!"

I laughed and slipped away into the darkness. I liked Demeter and Bombalurina. In fact now that you think of it, I did kind of think of them as my adoptive sisters. The ones I never had. I smiled to myself thinking that maybe that plane trip was worth it.

After doing my business, I went back and had fun. I got to know Admetus and Pouncival and they accepted me. Everyone tells me that those two kind of take a long time to accept new members. Except for the newborns to the tribe.

I was just talking to Exotica, a casual conversation when she asked me about how America was like, when Demeter ran up to me and pulled me away. " Later!" I called.

" You too," Exotica returned going off to talk to Electra.

" Alonzo," Demeter put me up against a tree," Do you think what Munkustrap said about my eyes were genuine or a joke?"

" You pulled me away to ask that?" I demanded.

She made a distressed sound and said," Because he's flirting with my sister!"

" He is not," I assured her," He's just talking to her."

" How can you be so sure?" she shook me a bit before calming down," Sorry. Sorry, I'm a little stressed out."

" Did it occur to you that maybe he could like you and he's getting payback at you for going out with Plato?" I suggested.

" You think so?" Demeter looked at Munkustrap and Bombalurina.

" No," I shook my head," I'm just guessing."

She pressed her mouth into a thin line and replied," Alonzo, this is no time for your jokes!"

" If you are so worried about it Demeter ask the guy out," I whispered tersely," Take him hunting or something! Say it casually like, ' Munkustrap, come with me to grab a mouse or something.' "

" Like pretending I'm asking you to come with me?" Demeter asked.

" Yeah," I nodded," You can say that."

" Can you find out whether or not he likes me?" Demeter pleaded.

" Demeter," I moaned," He's friend. Even if he told me, I don't blurt out my friend's secrets."

Demeter let out a breath and gave me a quick hug. " Sorry Alonzo," she apologized," I'm a little tense."

" A little?"

" Ok, very tense," Demeter looked strait into my eyes," It's one of my mood swings nights."

" A night where you go into heat?" I asked confused.

She pushed me onto the ground playfully and said," No! You know how human females get something called PMS? Like that."

" Ruth always gets mad at me on that time," I nodded," I get it. So right now, do you want me to stay or leave?"

" Stay," Demeter said," Hey, what do you think I should do though?"

" Aside from ask him out," I thought a while," May I suggest calming down?"

Demeter nodded. " Calming down's good."

The next months I made sure I was always ready for little Jemima to come out anytime. When I received the news the Jellylorum was still recovering, and that Syna was sick with some kind of flu, I was horrified that I had to do another delivery by myself.

" Alonzo!" Munkustrap appeared at my window just as I was going to go to sleep.

" Jemima's coming?"'

" Yes, come on!"

I darted out my kitty door and demanded," How come you always come to get me?"

" I run the fastest!"

" Wonderful."

I had to run a lot faster this time, the train station was pretty far from here. By the time I got to the luggage van, I was panting. Jennyanydots didn't look too much in pain, she was a strong dame I had to admit. Skimble was pacing. When he saw me, he smiled and asked," How did you get here so fast?"

" Panicked running," I panted. He directed to a water bowl and I washed my paws.

" I can feel just one kitten," Jennyanydots reported cringing a bit," I don't feel a lot of pain though. She's small."

" So you think it's a girl too?" I asked positioning myself.

" I trust those twins," Jennyanydots nodded.

" I do too," I agreed," You ready?"

" Yes," Jennyanydots nodded taking both Munkustrap's and her mate's hand.

" Munkustrap, you pour the water," I told him," You have more experience. Skimble, you're the pep squad."

He laughed.

" Ok Jenny," I said opening her legs," Push!"

I heard her gave a small cry. I was surprised. I was used to them screaming. Little Jemima really must be little.

" I see the head!" I announced reaching in a bit to pull the kitten out a little more," I think we need just one more long push Jenny."

This time she did scream and a little bloody tortoiseshell was in my paws. " Hello Jemima," I said handing her to her mother.

" Those twins really are accurate," Munkustrap nodded.

Jennyanydots licked her kitten clean and we watched. It was really sweet. Skimble looked ready to start crying but he remembered tom protocol. Jenny was crying from happiness. Jemima really was tiny. Skimble was holding her when the little kitten asked," What's that sound?"

" What sound?" Skimble asked gently.

" Music," Jemima whispered," I hear music."

" There's no music right now Jemima," Munkustrap said patting her little head. I wanted to do the same thing.

" I am Jemima," she whispered snuggling closer to her father. He gave his kitten back to Jenny and let the little one sleep.

" What music is she talking about?" I asked," Don't say she has intuition like those twins! That's scary enough!"

" Maybe she can hear the music from the station master's radio," Jennyanydots said," It doesn't matter does it? She's my only daughter. I'm happy you delivered her Alonzo."

" You're welcome," I said. I thought a while before asking," Can I hold her a while? She is so adorable."

Jennyanydots smiled and motioned for me to pick Jemima up. I did and a sudden warmth went through me. Jemima was so cute, so small, so innocent. I had a sudden urge to want to keep her but I shook the thought away. I could just hang a lot with her when she grew old enough.

" Isn't moonsong in three days?" Skimble asked.

" No," a voice said. Tugger was there with Deuteronomy.

" Greetings Deuteronomy," we all bowed.

" I'm not royalty stop bowing," Deuteronomy laughed," I remembered what the twins said and wanted to see little Jemima."

" Here she is," Jennyanydots motioned to me. I still had her in my arms.

" Whoa!" Tugger exclaimed coming closer," Those twins were right!"

" What's this about the Jellicle Ball?" I asked putting Jemima down beside her mother again.

" The Jellicle Moon is coming in very late this year," Deuteronomy replied," I think the Everlasting Cat wants Jemima to participate in it. I have a feeling this up coming Ball is going to be very important. I don't know why."

" You'll tell us when it is right?" I asked.

" Yes, of course," he nodded," Thank you again Alonzo. Oh yes, Victoria wanted to talk to you. She's outside the van because she's too shy to come in. Come in Victoria."

Gingerly, Victoria stepped in and waved. " Hello," she said quietly," Etcetera, come in with me."

Etcetera practically bounded in and said," Hello everyone!" Electra came in behind the two. Maybe it was some kind of premonition but I knew that Electra, Etcetera, Victoria, and Jemima were going to be very good friends.

" Hello you three," I said.

" Were you the one who really delivered me?" Victoria asked. She really was a beautiful kitten. But too young for me.

" Yes Victoria," I nodded.

" I didn't believe them when they said that you did," Victoria nodded," Now I do. I think it's cool that someone like you delivered me."

" What's the big deal?" Electra shrugged," He delivered me."

" Why are we talking about this?" Munkustrap asked when I went to hide behind him.

" Nothing better to talk about," Etcetera smiled. She had stayed a cute kitten. Wonderful: her sister was beautiful and she was cute and smart.

" I'd better go," I said," My owners will get curious."

" Bye Alonzo," Skimble called as I left," Thank you."

" You're welcome," I returned," Happy Birthday Jemima."

" Thank you," I heard a little voice say.

I left with a smile on my face. Even though I had delivered other kittens ( Electra, the one where I had no experience; Coricopat and Tantomile, the ones no one knew how to deliver; Victoria, who would grow up to be a tom magnet), I think Jemima was my greatest triumph. I don't know how but I already felt that little Jemima would be very popular.

I was talking with Tugger and Munkustrap a day before the Jellicle Ball. By then, Jemima was an up and running one month old. Like I had predicted, the four kittens became very good friends. They also liked to hover around me because they think I'm some kind of uncle or something.

" Munkustrap!" I heard someone call.

I turned around and saw an unfamiliar red tiger tabby running towards us.

" I remember you," Munkustrap nodded," Hello Whatever your name is."

" Mungojerrie," he answered stopping in front of us," We followed your advice and my sister and I do want to become Jellicles."

I almost died right then. He said his name was what? " Huh?" I demanded," What's going on?"

" I met these two about six months ago," Munkustrap explained," They looked like they needed help and I told them about the Jellicles."

" Smart move bro," Tugger said looking someone behind me up and down. I spun around and I think my heart stopped. It was her. That Rumpleteazer person! For a minute I couldn't stop staring but after a while, I shook myself from my trance.

" I think I'll like these two here." Tugger continued," Hello, I'm Rum Tum Tugger miss. You are?"

" I'm Rumpleteazer," the female said flattered," Glad to meet you."

I rolled my eyes at Tugger and said," I'm Alonzo." I took her hand and gave it a kiss too. Same reaction to me.

" Where's your brother?" Munkustrap asked them.

" I don't know," Mungojerrie said playing with his collar," We were caught by the cat catchers and he was left behind."

" I'm sorry," Munkustrap said knowingly," But come now, I'll take you to Deuteronomy."

Tugger put an arm around Rumpleteazer's shoulder and I took her hand. We led her inside. I noticed that Mungojerrie sighed at our efforts.

" Deuteronomy," Munkustrap called as we emerged into the main area of the cave," I have two cats here who wants to become Jellicles." Jellylorum wasn't there I noticed.

Deuteronomy hobbled out and I noticed that by the way Rumpleteazer tensed up that she noticed his sense of importance too. " Welcome, I am Deuteronomy, the leader of the Jellicle Cats," he told them

" I'm Mungojerrie sir," he gulped," This is my sister Rumpleteazer."

" Hello sir," Rumpleteazer said standing beside him.

" Do you wish to become Jellicles?" he asked.

" Yes sir," Mungojerrie saluted to him. I was amused at his good manners.

" You are both accepted by me so you are now Jellicle Cats," he announced.

" Thank you sir," Rumpleteazer said.

" Tonight is the night of the Jellicle Ball," he informed us all," When the sun sets, join us in the junkyard and there you will meet all of the Jellicle Cats and can you two dance?"

They looked at each other. " I don't know," they said at the same time. I saw a look in their eyes that they were thinking of something. Maybe some kind of secret. Oh well.

" I'll teach you," Munkustrap volunteered.

" They won't hear moonsong anyway," Rum Tum Tugger shrugged," You can come and meet the others if you want. You can dance next year."

" What's moonsong?" Rumpleteazer asked.

" The song from the Jellicle moon," I explained taking her hand again," The Jellicle Moon rises once a year and that's when we come together to dance and sing for the moon and the Everlasting Cat." It was a good description even though I didn't know what I was talking about.

I saw the two exchanged looks again and I was wondering what they were hiding.

" I see," she said," Thank you for telling me Alonzo. May I have my hand back?"

" No," I joked. I let go and we both broke up laughing and I noticed Mungojerrie roll his eyes.

" Munkustrap, Alonzo," Deuteronomy said," I'd appreciate it if you told our newcomers about our tribe and our ways and our rules. Tugger, stay with me I need to talk to you."

" Must I?"

" Yes."

" I'll be seeing you later Miss Rumpleteazer," Tugger said to her. She had the same melting look Cassandra had.

Munkustrap led them out and said," I don't have much to tell you except for stay within our boundaries as much as possible, don't kill anyone, and don't keep big secrets from us if it means jeopardizing your safety or the clans safety."

" Yes sir," Rumpleteazer said. I put an arm around her shoulder again.

" Can you both sing?" Munkustrap asked.

" I don't know," they said together.

" Your accent is really cute Teazer," I remarked," I like it." They did have an accent, I'm just not going to bother with all the commas.

" What accent?" she demanded.

" The one you and your brother have," I said.

" We ain't got any accent," Mungojerrie replied.

" Ya, I know!" Rumpleteazer said. Then she stopped and listened to herself. " I do 'ave the lowe' class bit don't I?"

" It doesn't matter," Munkustrap said," The way one talks doesn't matter in our tribe."

" That's right good," she said.

" Anyway," Mungojerrie said," I also wanted to ask if you've seen our brother. The ginger cat?"

" Only new ginger we have in our tribe is a three year old tom named Macavity," Munkustrap said," He's the protector of the tribe."

" Do we ever meet him?" Mungojerrie asked.

" Tomorrow you will," I said," But I warn you: Macavity's a bit scary. He gives me the creeps." Macavity had joined us about a month ago. Demeter and Bombalurina had brought him in. They considered him their adoptive father like I was their adoptive brother.

" You speak with American tongue," Mungojerrie nodded.

" This cat does not hold a tongue!" I laughed," And I moved here from America."

" Hey Alonzo," he said," You were saying something about moonsong. And then that Rum Tum Tugger cat said that we wouldn't hear this moonsong. Why?"

" Well," I began," Moonsong is heard once a year but only Jellicles and a few tribes can hear it. You'll hear moonsong in about a year because newly made Jellicles can't hear it." I had no idea what I was talking about but then again, I had heard enough about the Ball and moonsong to write a book bout it.

" Munkustrap," Rumpleteazer said," You volunteered to teach us how to dance. Would you though?"

" Sure, I'd be happy to," Munkustrap smiled," Helping out the new Jellicles is my responsibility. Being the vice protector is pretty dull so I make up for it by helping out the newcomers."

" I'll help too," I volunteered," I can hold Rumpleteazer up." Did I mention that both of us were demoted? Yeah, Macavity became main protector, Munkustrap was demoted to vice protector and I was kicked off the protector list totally. But I was still a mid wife( or as I was beginning to think of it, deliverer) and they assured me I always would be.

" You just want to help because of our new female!" Munkustrap laughed at me," Oh well. You can help."

Munkustrap and I taught those two how to dance. I may not have been a good enough dancer, but I was a good enough teacher. Rumpleteazer's beauty really struck me and I was happy to be with her. Mungojerrie gave me a few disapproving looks but in the end we became friends in just one day.

They left and I turned to Munkustrap." Can we visit Demeter?" I asked.

" Sure!" Munkustrap said excitedly," We both know why I do, but what about you?"

" I need to talk to her about something," I said. He got a suspicious look on the face, I looked down and said," Remember at Demeter's party we were talking about Cassandra? I said something about a female I saw in the park."

" Oh god, is it Rumpleteazer?" Munkustrap demanded.

" Yes, it is," I hung my head," I need to talk to a female about it. You're great and all but Demeter's good at things like this."

" I never said anything against visiting her," Munkustrap smiled and started to push me in the direction of Demeter's nest.

" Talk about enthusiastic," I rolled my eyes.

We reached Demeter's nest and found her playing with a ball she had found somewhere. I thought it would be really funny if I did something to Munkustrap. So I smiled innocently at my friend before pushing him onto her. Demeter pushed him off and pinned him onto the floor.

" You really are getting weak Munkustrap," Demeter joked.

" Naw, I'm just going easy on you because you're a female," Munkustrap said struggling just a little.

" Don't go easy on me," Demeter said pushing his head down.

" Ok," Munkustrap threw her off and pinned her.

" Is this a mating ritual?" I asked in amusement.

Munkustrap gave me a dirty look and let Demeter go. She got up and asked," So what's new?"

" There's two new additions to the Jellicle Tribe," Munkustrap said.

" And?"

" There's a female," I said slowly," Her name is Rumpleteazer."

" What?"

" Her brother is Mungojerrie."

" What?"

" Yes," Munkustrap confirmed," We just finished giving them dancing lessons."

" You gave dancing lessons?" Demeter asked.

" Demeter!" a voice called.

" We'd better leave now," I said starting to back up.

" No, stay," Demeter said," I'm here Macavity. Talking with Munkustrap and Alonzo." She turned around and a three year old ginger cat appeared.

Chills went down my back. Sure Macavity was strong, outgoing, and friendly at times, Macavity still scared me. " Hello Macavity," I greeted.

" Hello Alonzo," Macavity greeted," Hello Munkustrap. Munkustrap, I've been meaning to tell you: we are supposed to go early to the Jellicle Ball."

" Yes Macavity," Munkustrap nodded," We have two new additions to the tribe."

" Yeah," I added," They're two red tiger tabbies named Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer."

Macavity recoiled a bit but immediately regained his composure and said," That's all well and nice. Two new additions." He turned to Munkustrap and said," I may come a little late but if the Ball starts without me, can you be protector for the night? I know I'll be there but just in case though ok?" Munkustrap nodded confused. Then he turned to me and made me shiver a bit.

"And Alonzo, You be the vice ok? That's what you were."

"Ok," I said," In any case, I'm going to go home. My owners are expecting me. Bye Demeter. See all of you tomorrow."

"Bye Alonzo," Munkustrap said," I'm going to stay and talk with Macavity a little longer."

I nodded and left.