Rumpleteazer

The next night, we told Tara where we were going and went to the Jellicle Ball. I was very excited because I was very eager to see Alonzo again. He's so sweet isn't he?

We went to the junkyard careful to avoid Loriek's grave because I didn't want to start crying again. We were a bit early and only Munkustrap, Rum Tum Tugger ( who I found out is his brother), and three other cats were there.

" Mungojerrie," Munkustrap greeted," Rumpleteazer, welcome."

" Hello Munkustrap," I greeted cheerfully," Hello all!"

" Yes, hi," Mungojerrie agreed.

" Let me introduce you to my friend Skimbleshanks," Munkustrap said pointing to a orange tabby," Skimble for short. The calico is his mate Jennyanydots. And this," Munkustrap pushed out another calico," this is Demeter."

" Hi," Demeter said shyly. She was pretty, and right about my age. Maybe a few weeks older.

" Hello," I greeted.

" It's a pleasure to meet all of you," my brother added.

" I like these two," Skimble smiled," Their manners are a lot better than a certain cat I could point out."

" Leave my father alone," Demeter replied cringing," He's just, well, withdrawn, that's all."

" He should be here by now," Munkustrap said worriedly," I guess I have to take his place until he does get here."

" You're all talking about Macavity right?" Mungojerrie asked.

" Yes," Demeter said," My father."

" Who was your mother?" I asked. Hey: maybe we could be related. It's a strange world.

" Macavity isn't my real father," Demeter explained," He found me and my sister Bombalurina and took us in as more or less adoptive daughters. Of course, my sister and I look so much like our adoptive father you really couldn't tell the difference."

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

" It's alright," Demeter said," Here comes my sister now."

We turned around and saw another calico. She looked almost like Demeter only a bit older and a bit redder. We chatted a while and as more cats came, I tried my best to be friendly to each one. I think the only one who had a problem with me was the males Pouncival and Admetus. The only female that appeared to have a problem with me was the older female Jellylorum. They told us it was to be expected because Jellylorum has a thing for newcomers. She doesn't take kindly to them until she gets to know them enough.

Then, the ball started. Munkustrap had to be the protector that night because Macavity still wasn't there. He told us that we could sit on the sidelines and watch if we wanted. Sure enough, they started and began singing and dancing to some music. Only the EC knows. We sat on the roof of a car and watched. These Jellicles could dance. I mean, really well. There was this one place in the corner where the kittens were since they were still too young to dance. Mungojerrie and I went to them. Demeter, who said she wasn't being called to dance, came with us.

" Hi!" I greeted.

" Hello," the brown and white mix said to me," I'm Etcetera. You two must be the new ones they told us about."

We introduced ourselves and I could see one of the kittens, I later found out her name was Jemima, had taken some liking to my brother. Jemima was a cute tortoiseshell kitten with deep brown eyes, she probably fell into the category of mystical cats. Electra was the same breed as Jemima, only she was more tomboyish. And Victoria, she was a thing to see. A pure white cat! Her white coats gleamed in the moonlight and her cool blue eyes I could guess would make almost any male melt. But her personality was warm and happy. I liked her and I could guess that most females looked past her looks. I mean, if I hadn't talked to her I'd think she was a snob. But she isn't. In fact, I discovered that she was Etcetera's sister.

" I like you Rumpleteazer," Etcetera said smiling," You're nice."

" I like your brother," Jemima joked and she giggled. Sure she was a mystical cat but she was still a kitten with a sense of humor.

" The cats in this clan are so nice," Mungojerrie told us all," I mean, I thought we'd get teased or something."

" The only males you have to worry about are Pouncival and Admetus," Demeter said, " They have a thing about picking on newcomers. And everyone else, with the exception of Jellylorum, are nice."

" I think I'll like being in this clan," I chirped," Hey, can you hear this moonsong thing?"

" Yes," Victoria nodded," We can hear it because we were born Jellicles."

" Oh," I said.

" The song just ended," Victoria said," And Alonzo is coming here."

" Hello girls," Alonzo said sliding up to our group," Hi Teazer." He kissed my hand again. He was making a habit of that. I didn't mind.

" Kittens," Jennyanydots called," Come on! Moonsong has a special dance for you young ones. Anyone below two years onto the dance floor."

Alonzo smiled and led me out. He was under one year old by about a month. I didn't know what to do so I just copied what the others were doing. It turned out, I wasn't all too bad of a dancer. Even if I couldn't hear the music, I could still dance. All in all, the kittens dancing with me were: Alonzo, Etcetera, Victoria, Jemima, Electra, Coricopat, Tantomile, Cassandra, Tumblebrutis, Plato, Pouncival, Admetus, Demeter, Bombalurina, and my brother. I later learned everyone's name if you're wondering.

We were resting from that dance when I saw a flash of black and white. " Alonzo," I said pointing into the shadows," I think is I saw someone there."

Munkustrap, who was talking to my brother near by stood up and said," Alonzo, Mungojerrie, can you two fight?"

" Pretty much," my brother shrugged.

" Good, because I need you both just incase," Munkustrap began to creep into the darkness.

They went of leaving me there. Males, they think they're so tough. Using my best method of stealth, which is really good, trust me, and I crept after them. I saw them not too far away. I slunk closer and perched myself on top of a ledge where I could see them. What I saw was very interesting.

Tugger was there, and he was casually talking to a small tuxedo cat. A tuxedo cat with white socks and white on the tip of his tail. His profile was small, but not small as in scrawny. I looked at him curiously.

" What's your name?" Munkustrap was asking kindly. He really must be bored with his job of being vice protector.

" My name is Mistoffelees sir," Mistoffelees, the tuxedo cat, bowed," I am looking for my uncle, or I think he's my uncle. I don't know how but I know we're related."

" Who's your would be uncle?" Alonzo asked.

" His name is Bustopher Jones," Mistoffelees said," Perhaps you may know him? He belongs to the Jellicle Tribe."

" The St. James's Street Cat," Munkustrap nodded," We know him."

" Is there anyway I could meet him?" Mistoffelees asked. Wow, his manners we even better Mungojerrie's and mine.

" He's here," Munkustrap nodded," Tugger, can you go get him?"

" Sure bro," Tugger said," Later Misto."

" Misto?" Alonzo asked," I like that. Mistoffelees, can I just call you Misto?"

" Sure," Mistoffelees said," That's what everyone calls me."

I cocked my head. Something about little Misto seemed strange. Like… well… let's just say he had a different sense surrounding him.

Suddenly, there was a loud crack from under me. " Uh-oh," I groaned. The ledge I was sitting on was giving way! It broke and I landed right on top of little Misto. " Sorry," I apologized," I didn't mean to fall on you."

" Teazer…" my brother scolded me.

" Oh dolt Jer leave me be, you know I'm curious!" I giggled and stood up. I helped little Misto up and almost fell over. You know, he was a little cuter than Alonzo. But then I looked at Alonzo again and thought that they were both alright. " Sorry again Misto," I said.

" It's ok," Misto shrugged brushing himself off," But I guess it really can rain cats."

I giggled again and faced Munkustrap and my brother. They had a disapproving look. But Alonzo was trying not to laugh. But a closer look at the other two and I found out that they were trying not to laugh too. I mean, it was funny, my falling out of the sky wasn't it?

" You can laugh, don't try to hide it," I smiled.

They erupted into laugher. Including Misto. I don't know why but their laughter was contagious and soon I was laughing along with them.

" Did I miss something?" Tugger demanded coming back. A large, fat tuxedo cat that looked almost exactly like Misto walked beside him. I presumed that it was Bustopher Jones.

" Mistoffelees?" Bustopher exclaimed.

" Hello Uncle Bustopher," Misto greeted bowing.

" Why are you here?" Bustopher asked crossly.

" I was wondering if I could be a Jellicle Cat," Misto said sheepishly," I know you told me not to but I really wanted to."

" Do what you want Mistoffelees, just be cautious," Bustopher said," It's nice to see you again but I have to leave early. Visit as soon as you can."

" Yes Uncle Bustopher," Misto bowed again.

Bustopher left and I said," So you want to be a Jellicle?"

" Yeah," Misto nodded," I never got your name."

" I'm Rumpleteazer!"

" Teazer…" Mungojerrie said again," Go back the Ball now."

" Fine," I said and trotted off back to the Ball.

Mungojerrie

I sighed and turned to Misto. He looked on after my sister and I could tell he liked her. Or at least the way she looked. I sighed again and said," Misto, come with us to the Jellicle Ball. We just need the leader Deuteronomy to accept you and that's it, you're a Jellicle."

" That's good," Misto let out a breath of relief," I don't need to do any tests or anything?"

" Nope," I shook my head," Trust me: I just became a Jellicle yesterday. I remember."

" I never got your name," Misto said," Or the rest of you either."

" Mungojerrie," I shook his paw. Alonzo, Munkustrap, and Tugger introduced themselves and right then, I could feel the magic of friendship tying us together. We all walked back the Ball. Misto was well taken in just like I and my sister were. I could see her chatting with her new friends: Victoria, Etcetera, Demeter, Electra, and another female. I believe her name is Tantomile. I later discovered she was identical twins with another cat named Coricopat.

I also discovered they have some kind of intuition.

" Old Deuteronomy!" they exclaimed at the same time.

The other cats seemed to trust the twins and got into some kind of formation. I was beside my sister and Misto in near the back of the group. And sure enough, Deuteronomy appeared. He was smothered by the enthusiastic cats. My sister, Misto, and I decided to just bow in respect. He made his way to this giant tire and sat down. He looked like a king on his thrown.

" Time for you to become a Jellicle," I told Misto.

Alonzo, who appeared beside me, smiled and said," Deuteronomy'll love him. With his manners he'll knock over a cow!"

" Nice comparison," Misto said sarcastically and laughed.

Munkustrap and Tugger came and the four of us pushed Misto up to Deuteronomy. Misto did the whole bowing routine and answered all of the leader's questions with at least one, " sir."

" Can you dance?" Deuteronomy asked. He had a thing about asking that.

Misto's eyes brightened. " Yes," he nodded," I taught myself."

" Could you show us?" Deuteronomy looked interested. I was interested too. I mean, just by looking at Misto, you could guess he was a gifted dancer.

Misto nodded and went to the center of the dance floor. He started off his dance with several high jumps, then he made his way twirling, jumping, and shaking with a surprising amount of energy. He was amazing to watch. When he was finished, we all applauded except for a two males. They were the same males who had a problem with me and my sister.

" Wow," Alonzo smiled," He's good for a little guy."

" It's because he's a little guy that's he's so good," Munkustrap nodded.

" What's his name again?" Skimble asked. I liked him too. He was like an uncle. The kind that doesn't want to kill you.

" Mistoffelees," I answered," We're just calling him Misto."

" The name suits him well," Skimble nodded.

Misto was blessed as a Jellicle and spent the remainder of the Ball with us. Us being Alonzo, Tugger, Munkustrap, Skimble and me. But occasionally, Skimble had to leave for, " grown-up's," business. But he always came back. I was happy we found the tribe. At the end, I was amazed to find out that Deuteronomy got to pick one cat to go up to the Heaviside Layer to be reborn. He chose someone name Syna who was someone named Asparagus's mate. We sang a final song and went our separate ways.

I got to talk to Misto alone and said," Where do you live Misto?"

" I have a nest in the woods," Misto replied," Sniff it out, you can't miss it."

" I'll visit you sometime ok?" I said.

" I'd appreciate that," Misto smiled. I smiled too and after saying good bye walked home with my sister thinking about our good fortune.

Three days later, I found Misto at my front door. " Hi!" I greeted stepping out. I didn't want the Jellicles to know of my owner's gift just yet.

" I just found out that they're holding a trial for Macavity right now," Misto said," I wanted to see how Macavity looked like. Come on!"

" Teazer, Macavity's trial!" I called.

She darted out of the cat door and seeing Misto there, neglected to say good bye to Tara. She shared my feeling.

" Bye you two!" Tara called.

" Meow!" I called hoping she got a hint. Tara did and she didn't say anything else.

" Hey Misto," Teazer greeted," Let's go! I want to see how Macavity looks like!"

" Go to Deuteronomy's cave!" Misto called as we darted off towards the forest. We reached his cave and started to go in when a bright flash of light erupted and blinded us temporarily. When it died down, the sound of cries of astonishment filled the air. We burst into the main room.

" Where is he?" someone cried.

" He was just right there!" someone else insisted.

" Conjurer!" someone else exclaimed.

" What?" Misto demanded jumping in.

" You three are late but maybe it's a good thing," Munkustrap came running over, " Macavity was expelled. He got mad and he disappeared! Out of thin air!"

" Conjurer," I whispered.

" No," Misto shook his head in shock.

" Good Everlasting Cat I don't believe it," Teazer shook her head too.

" I never knew he was a conjurer!" Demeter was crying. I snapped my head towards her. Munkustrap brought her over and tried to comfort her. Bombalurina was being comforted by Tugger.

" We're not saying you knew anything," Munkustrap said," Now Demeter, do stop crying."

" Ok," she sniffed.

My mind was going very fast. I mean, my theory was a long shot but maybe I was right. I pulled Teazer into a corner and said," I think I know who Macavity is."

" I think I do too," Teazer looked very worried," I think Macavity is our brother Sirius!"

" My thoughts exactly," I nodded," He probably lied about his age. Or made himself older with his magic."

" But how could he turn evil?" Teazer wanted to know," Sirius always was a loving cat."

" Maybe when he used his powers, it gave him a sense of power," I shrugged," He is a ginger cat like father. Maybe he got some of Draco's thirst for power."

" Then… then he's not Sirius anymore is he?" Teazer began to tremble," He's Macavity. Why would he change his name to that?"

I was interrupted then by Munkustrap. " Go home you two," he sighed," There's nothing we can do. We have no other conjurer here."

Misto kept quiet. He was standing beside me. I could tell he was itching to say something. " What do you want to say Misto?" I asked.

" I can't stand it," Misto slumped," Here: all of you come to my nest, and I'll tell you something. Get Alonzo and Tugger too. And Skimble too if he's not too busy."

All of us confused, we called Alonzo, Tugger, and Skimble and followed Misto to his nest in the woods. After we had all settled down, I asked," Now Misto, what were you going to say?"

" I can't stand keeping this secret anymore," Misto looked at us, his eyes looking very tortured," I didn't want to tell anyone, I was afraid you wouldn't accept me if I did," he said," But, when I heard Munkustrap say there wasn't another conjurer in the tribe, I had to say something. Keeping quiet would have been lying."

" What are you saying?" Munkustrap asked nicely even though he was aching to know what Misto was trying to say.

" I'm a conjurer," Misto hung his head.

We stared at him. Then, Rumpleteazer asked," What's so bad about that?"

" I know," Alonzo agreed," You're still a cat, just with capabilities."

" You mean you're not mad at me for keeping that secret?" Misto asked," And you won't scorn me? That's what everyone else did if they ever found out."

I smiled and said," Naw, I think it's cool. You having powers and all."

" You sound like my mistress," Alonzo complained.

" It's a good thing you told us," Skimble said," Macavity could have found out and might have tried to kill you."

" Yeah," Tugger agreed," Guys like him probably can't stand competition."

" I am nowhere near competition," Misto shook his head.

" Don't put yourself down," I said," Hey, can you show us some of your power? Just to be sure that you aren't pulling our leg or anything."

Misto thought a while then he stood up and twitched his hand. His fur suddenly want from black with white socks to just black. His fur was so black that it shimmered in the sun, a big difference. This way he looked a lot more magical. His face and chest was still white but the rest of him was, like I said, black.

" This is how I really look like," he explained," I used the disguise to keep myself looking normal."

" Your fur is beautiful," Teazer remarked looking at him an awe.

" Thanks Rumpleteazer," he thanked. He waved his hand again and he got the white socks and white tip on his tail again.

" Ok," Tugger said nodding," Now I know he's a conjurer."

" I had to tell someone," Misto sat down again," Please, I'm not ready for the other cats to know. Can you keep this quiet until I'm ready to tell them?"

" Sure Misto," Munkustrap nodded. He shot a sharp look at his brother.

" I won't tell!" Tugger cried," I'm his friend too, I keep my friends' secrets."

" If you kept promises too it would amaze me," Munkustrap leaned against Misto's nest.

We all vowed to keep Misto's secret between us and I noticed again how Misto kept looking at my sister. Alonzo too. Hmm, maybe that would be a problem.

Oh well, so long as Rumpleteazer didn't end up with kittens, I won't mind. They're my friends and who cares if my friends go out with my sister?

Rumpleteazer

" We're moving?" I demanded about a week later," Why? Where?"

" My family is moving into the forest," Tara shrugged," I don't want to leave. I'm just starting to be happy here."

" But it means we'll be moving away from Cyra and Charity!" I cried," We can't!"

" You can always visit them, I mean, tell them to become Jellicles," Tara suggested,

" We'll be right there in Jellicle Territory. I mean, right now we're not in their territory. We're in Maine Coon Territory right now."

" But Cyra and Charity aren't allowed out of the house," Mungojerrie pointed out.

" We'll take you to visit them every now and then," Tara assured us," If it was my choice, I'd stay here. I'm sorry you two." Tara looked away and said," We're moving in three days to go live in a house in the forest."

" I'm going to go say good bye to Cyra and Charity," I said sadly," We loose too much people."

" You and I both," Tara agreed.

" What do you mean?" I asked.

" I never told you two something about me," Tara sat cross legged on the floor," I'm adopted. Well, you don't know what that means. Um, my parents aren't my real parents. My real parents died when I was four."

" Really?" Mungojerrie asked.

" Yeah," Tara's eyes were starting to shine with tears," A family in England wanted me so they went to America, stayed there until I became fourteen, and then moved back to England. I really like them a lot. But still, I lost a sister and a brother and both of my parents. And now I'm losing Karen."

" I'm sorry," I said rubbing against her. Mungojerrie jumped in her lap.

" But that's not all," Tara's tears were starting to spill over," I'm going to loose you two also."

" What do you mean?" Mungojerrie cried.

Tara was crying now. " I'm going to die," she cried hugging us both," I have this disease and I only have about a week left to live. I wanted to spend my last days in the forest. I also wanted to spend my last days seeing you two happy."

" Tara!" I cried and dug my head into her shirt. Why do I always have to loose people I love? I asked mentally. I started crying too and I could tell Mungojerrie was also. I guess he didn't care about tom cat protocol.

" Don't cry," Tara told us even though she was crying herself," It's ok. My parents will take care of you. I have a will, and one of my last statements was for you two to be taken care of at all costs when I'm gone."

" First momma," I sobbed," Then Loriek, then Sirius, and now you." I started crying again. I hadn't cried that much since Loriek died. " Mungojerrie you better not leave me too!"

" Teazer," Mungojerrie hugged me," I won't leave you. I'll always be here."

" That's what everyone else said!" I cried in his fur," And they're all gone."

" I've always said that and I've always been here," Mungojerrie assured me rocking me back and forth.

Tara picked us both up and put us in her lap. " Hey, let's spend our last days together happy ok?" she said with a smile," Let's go to Karen's house."

" Ok," Mungojerrie nodded," It'll do us all good."

Tara got up and walked out. I followed her, Mungojerrie at my side. My tears had dried up by then but I still felt like I had this giant hole in me. I knew it'd only get bigger. Tara knocked on the door and Karen answered. The two embraced and the minute they got inside they both started crying.

" What's going on?" Charity demanded. Her one green and one blue eye were filled with worry. " Karen what's wrong?" The last part came out a meow.

" I think your cat wants to know what's wrong," Tara told Karen.

" I'm just sad Popcorn," Karen sniffed," Tara's moving away."

" Oh no!" Cyra cried," Teazer, Jer, you're not moving are you?"

" We are," I moaned," I don't want to move!"

" Neither do I," Mungojerrie agreed. He tried to keep his cool, there was no way he'd cry in front of a female other than me. Cyra started to meow and brush against Tara's feet. A sign that she didn't want Tara to go.

" Cyra, it's ok," Karen picked up Cyra.

" I still can't believe you named them after food," Tara laughed," Well, you named Popcorn after food."

" Hey, I was considering naming them after Egyptian Goddesses," Karen shrugged," But except for Bastet, all the others were so long."

" Greek Goddesses," Tara suggested," Or muses."

" That'll work," Karen smiled," Melpomene and Terpsichore right?"

" That doesn't sound bad," Tara said," You actually remember long names like that?"

" My secrets to my superior knowledge is secret," Karen joked," I memorized the muses for a report two years ago and they're still in my head. Want to go somewhere? Spend your last three days here with me?"

" Sure," Tara said," I'll leave Teazer and Jerrie here to play with Cyra and Popcorn ok?"

" You mean Melpomene and Terpsichore," Karen laughed," I'm happy you told me to name one of my cats Cyra. It really fits her."

Tara nodded and leaned towards us and said," I'll be back. I'll spend most of my time with you in the forest. Bye."

" Later Tara," we said at the same time.

She smiled and after waving again, left with Karen.

" This is terrible," Cyra shook her head," You moving?"

" It gets worse," I said," Tara, our mistress, she's going to die of some disease. She has a week left to live."

" Oh," Charity said concerned," That's bad. I know how much you two love her."

" You two better not die anytime soon," Mungojerrie said," I don't want anymore people I like dying."

" We won't die," Charity smiled.

" They all say that," I whispered.

" Until then though," Cyra said. She jumped on me and soon, all four of us were playing in a pile on the floor. We played, talked, played more, talked more, ate, had fun until Tara came and took us home. For the three days we had left to spend with our cousins, not a second of it went to waste. We loved seeing our cousins and when the day came, I was crying. Mungojerrie was struggling.

" Well," I sobbed out hugging Cyra and Charity," If they ever decide to let you out of the house, remember to visit us in the forest. Sniff us out. We're in the Jellicle Cat Tribe so if you can't find us, find a Jellicle and they'll take you to us."

" Jellicles," Cyra nodded," I'll remember."

" And if you can't find us in the forest, go to the junkyard and see if we're there," Mungojerrie added.

" We will," Charity assured us.

" Time to go!" Tara's mother announced.

" Good bye," I said hugging them both tightly again. Mungojerrie did too. They hugged us back and we left. On the way out I could see Tara and Karen hugging each other very tightly. Karen's little sister Hannah was sucking her thumb. We got into our carrier and right before they closed the door, I smiled for our cousins and said," I'll see you again someday! Good bye! Love you!"

" Darn right she is!" Mungojerrie agreed," Someday Cyra and Charity!"

" Bye!" they called just before the door closed.

We drove for what seemed like a long time, Tara beside us. When we reached the new house, I couldn't see any difference between it and our other house. Tara brought us in, we explored the house and then ate our dinner. That night, Tara slept in her parent's bed and for that night only, her parents let us sleep on their bed too.

The days that passed for us were wonderful. We never left Tara's side and she never left ours. At night, we would sleep on her bed with her with one of her parents by the bed side. Then, came the day we had all dreaded: the day Tara would die.

She lay on her bed, too weak to move. Mungojerrie and I on either side of her pillow. Her parents were on each side of her bed holding one of her hands and the doctor had left to leave them privacy.

Tara's mother was crying and her father sat there telling jokes hoping to cheer us all up. I guess they figured we liked her a lot too. We were talking to her too, in a casual tone and adding in a few jokes too. Like," Well, when you pass on, make sure you take the road to wherever you humans go. I don't think Heaviside is for you." They weren't very good jokes but Tara laughed anyway.

" Mom, dad," she gasped," Can I talk to my cats in private for a few minutes?"

" Sure Tara," her mother said getting up," We'll be back in three minutes."

They left. " Jer, Teazer," Tara said.

" Yes Tara?" we said at the same time.

" My parents will take very good care of you," she said," They will. They love you almost as much as I do. And don't worry about me. I've lead a good life more or less. I'll be in good hands."

I didn't want to cry. Tara wanted to see me happy. So I would try. " Aw Tara," I said," I know you'll be in good hands, humans have an Everlasting Human too and he'll take you up into his paws and take good care of you."

Tara laughed weakly. " We have an Everlasting Human," she nodded," Don't worry about me."

Mungojerrie licked her forehead. " You're the best owner a cat could ask for," he said," I like you a lot Tara. And we'll live out our lives happily thanks to you. We're Jellicles thanks to you. And I could never thank you enough for that."

" I know, me too," I agreed.

" And you did something for me that no one ever could," Tara smiled.

" What?" we both asked.

" You were my cats," Tara said," My friends. And that is something I'll always appreciate."

We both gave her cat kisses and her parents came back in. They talked to her for about fifteen minutes when she said weakly," I'm so tired."

" Then rest," her mother said.

" I love you all," she said. She then closed her eyes and went limp. The doctor came and felt her pulse. He looked very grave and walked out of the room.

Tara was dead.

Her funeral was held the next day and she was buried in the cemetery. The inscription on her tomb was: Tears are like rain, in the end they stop and leave a rainbow, love to all¤

I was deep in the forest with Mungojerrie. When we finally got home, we plopped down and cried. And cried, and cried until we were out of tears to shed. We sulked in our basket and let the hole inside us both eat at us. We couldn't eat for the next day. On the second day, we were still in our basket, Munkustrap, Alonzo, and Misto dropped over. Our humans weren't home, they were off on business. The three didn't even bother to knock, they just walked right in through the kitty door and walked up to our basket.

" What do you want?" I asked picking my head up.

" We saw the name of your owner on the newest gravestone," Munkustrap said," We want to offer our condolences."

" Thanks," Mungojerrie thanked emptily," I appreciate it."

" You should eat," Misto said pushing our bowls to us. He saw that it was untouched.

" I'm not hungry," I whispered," I don't think I ever will be again."

" You really liked her didn't you?" Alonzo asked rubbing his head against mine.

" Yeah," I admitted," I miss her."

" I have an idea that will help you out a bit," Alonzo said," What did your owner like about you two the most? What made her laugh?"

" When we got into trouble," Mungojerrie answered laughing a bit," Which was often."

" Then, do what you do best to keep you occupied," Alonzo suggested.

A spark lit up inside of me. A little burst of happiness. A slow smile creeped onto my face. " I'm having a flashback," I laughed," Jer, remember when I stole food for the first time?"

" In the park," he nodded smiling too," The look on that large human's face was hilarious. Then Tara saved you."

" She did," I nodded," Hey! I just remembered: it's our birthday!"

" Oh yeah!" Mungojerrie replied," I forgot."

" Happy Birthday," Misto said," You know, your mistress wouldn't want you to spend your birthday in sadness."

"And she wouldn't want us to spend the rest of our lives crying over her," I smiled," She'd want us to be happy doing what we do best. And what do we do best?"

" Get into trouble," Mungojerrie shot up and laughed.

" Right," I nodded and stood up too. That was the moment when the Notorious Duo, the new Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, was born. And it was our birthday, it was a good time to be born again.

Mungojerrie

Time passed and Rumpleteazer and I got an extensive reputation for being mischievous ( which we were), notorious ( definitely), thieves ( but small things like a sock or these things called necklaces), troublemakers ( oh yes), and most of all: comedians.

Tara's parents were annoyed a bit of course but they loved us. They thought our little acts were funny and almost got to enjoying it. The only thing that they seemed to have a problem with was our taking table scraps. We stopped so in reward, instead of stealing it, they would feed us a few scraps. The year passed and we were coping.

And then, Alonzo asked Rumpleteazer out.

I was surprised. I mean, I know he liked her but not that much. Rumpleteazer was ecstatic. The night they went out, I spent the time with Skimble riding the train for a while. It was fun. Jemima was spending the night with them because it was her birthday. I was out of things to give her so as my gift to her, I danced with her and she was content with that. Jennyanydots didn't mind. She liked me. In fact, I think she was happy I was dancing with her daughter.

" I have to go home now," I told Jemima as we rested from dancing," Happy Birthday Jemima."

" Thanks Mungojerrie," Jemima thanked.

I walked her to the luggage van where she would be staying with her mother and father. I wished them both goodnight and began to walk home.

" Mungojerrie!" Skimble called.

" Yes?" I turned around.

" The Jellicle Ball is in three days!" Skimble told me," Do come, it is then that you'll hear moonsong."

" Good," I nodded," Thank you Skimble."

" Good night my friend," he said before walking to the conductor. He was the railway cat and was sort of responsible for this train.

I trotted home and found Teazer there already. " Jellicle Ball in three days," I reported.

" I know, Alonzo told me," she smiled," Hey, Alonzo and I, just after tonight, we decided not to go out anymore."

" Why?" I asked.

" We like each other yes but we just didn't feel that pull," she explained," That feeling. We're still friends though."

" Oh," I sighed," Oh well, that was your first date and that's good."

" Yeah," Rumpleteazer agreed," I can't wait for the Jellicle Ball! I really want to sing and dance for moonsong."

" Me too," I agreed," Anyway, we should go to sleep now."

Teazer nodded and curled up in our basket. I curled up beside her and fell asleep, both dreaming of the Jellicle Ball.

Three days passed slowly and soon, we found ourselves at the Jellicle Ball. We were so excited. We got there early again and found Munkustrap, Tugger, Demeter, Bombalurina, Jemima, Plato, and Skimble there. I wondered where Jennyanydots was.

" Hi!" I called.

" Hello!" Rumpleteazer chirped. We were all happy, social, and in a very good mood that day.

" Hello you two!" Munkustrap greeted smiling," I'm happy to see you two are your bouncing, excited selves again." Munkustrap was now the official protector of the Jellicle Tribe, Alonzo was the vice protector.

" Alonzo's advice really worked," Teazer said," Where is he? I need to thank him."

" I need to also," I said.

" No thanks needed," Alonzo appeared behind us. He had a habit of doing that. " All in a day's work for I, the oh so great Rumpus Cat."

Misto was with him and he laughed. " Some Rumpus Cat," he replied," If you're the Rumpus Cat, what does that make me?"

" My sidekick, Black and White," Alonzo joked.

We laughed. Alonzo's humor was never ending. The cats arrived one by one and soon, we were all there.

" Moonsong is about to start," Munkustrap announced. To me, Teazer, and Misto, he said," Listen and it will tell you what to do."

I did and it's like something inside of me opened up. I almost heard this voice telling me to go into the shadows with Teazer until Tumblebrutis finished singing. She seemed to hear it too and walked into the shadows with me. And then, I heard it.

It was a very beautiful sound. And yes: I could sense that it came from the moon. Munkustrap slunk from the roof of a car and began to the song with," Are you blind when you're born?"

Demeter added her bit. Skimble went next then Asparagus, Tugger, Alonzo, and on we went. Misto heard it too and jumped out of the shadows after Bombalurina sang her bit. After Tumblebrutis tumbled, I jumped out singing," Are you mean like a minx?"

" Are you lean like a lynx?" Rumpleteazer added.

Soon, we were singing and dancing with them all and we were just as good as them. We seemed to know what to do exactly because moonsong told us what to do. We went on from that song, to explaining the naming of cats, and Victoria got to dance by herself. Misto sang the invitation and we went on to sing about Jennyanydots.

She had put on a costume and Munkustrap, Demeter, Bombalurina, and Jellylorum sang about how Jennyanydots was a gumbie cat who likes to sit and sit and sit and sit. We all got to dress as roaches and it was fun singing and dancing. What I don't understand is why Munkustrap she was a tabby when she was a calico. Oh well, I guess nothing else rhymed with the rest of her name.

Then Tugger was called by moonsong. It was fun to watch the kittens screaming at his feet. My sister just ran around with him but didn't try to get at his tail like the other kittens. Etcetera seemed especially fond of him.

Then, she came.

She was an old female. Very old. She was dirty, old, ugly, and worn down. My heart and Teazer's heart went out to her but judging by the way everyone was keeping the kittens away from her, we decided not to try to touch the old one.

The old female looked at Munkustrap with narrowed eyes after he pushed Demeter away from her. " Remark, the cat, who hesitate towards you," she hissed," In the light of the door, which opens on her, like a grin. You see the border of her coat is torn and stained with sand. And you see the corner of her eyes, twist like a crooked pin."

Demeter sang about her, how she knew so much about the old one I didn't know. Maybe moonsong told her. I found out that she was Grizabella the Glamour Cat, a despised cat since she had abandoned the Jellicle Clan. I don't see why they should hate her that much. The old female left trying not to cry.

Then Bustopher Jones came out. Misto was happy to greet and interact with his uncle. At one point while we were singing about him, Misto playfully pulled his uncle's tail. To tell you the truth, I wanted to do the same thing.

Near the end of the song, moonsong called me and my sister into the shadows and I had a feeling it wanted us to sing and dance for it. We were right. From our position, we heard a loud crash and Demeter cried out," Macavity!"

Taking advantage of the situation and hoping we'd be able to entice what could be our brother out, Rumpleteazer gave a loud giggled and hopped onto the roof of a car. She carried a bag with her hoping Macavity would try to come closer and see what was inside. I had one too. Teazer got me to come out and we crept down to the main dance floor of the junkyard. We looked around a bit looking for Macavity but bumped into each other. It was right then that moonsong called for us to sing.

" Mungojerrie," I sang

" And Rumpleteazer," my sister added.

" We're a notorious, couple of cats," we sang together.

" As knock about clowns," Teazer sang still hoping our brother would appear," Quick change comedians, tight rope walkers and acrobats." Seeing that attempt fail, I gave it a go.

" We have an extensive reputation," I sang," We make our home in Victoria Grove." Opps, that was where we used to live. Oh well. " This is merely our center of operation. For we are incurably giving to rove."

We sang about what we did in the house, even though it was slightly exaggerated. But even after we finished, our brother did not show up. The cats came out again, chastised us, and then let us go. It was then that Deuteronomy came and we all greeted him. I then discovered something: Munkustrap was going to tell a story for Deuteronomy and we were supposed to be in it. He gave us the outline and moonsong told me and my sister to be the first Peke and Pollicle in the story.

It was a popular story. A fairy tale of how there was a great battle between the dog tribes Peke and Pollicle until the Rumpus Cat, a fairy tale hero very much like the human hero Superman, stopped them.

I dressed as a Pollicle by putting a shoe on my head, and boxes on my paws. I liked the look.

" And no one at all was about on the street," Munkustrap sang," When a Peke…"

My sister jumped out dressed as a Peke.

" …and a Pollicle," Munkustrap added.

I jumped out. I saw Alonzo trying not to laugh.

" …happened to meet," Munkustrap crossed his paws and Rumpleteazer and I pretended to examine each other. " They did not advance, or exactly retreat," Munkustrap sang, " But they glared at each other," he motioned for us to pretend to glare, we did," and scraped their hind feet."

I scraped my hind feet but it was hard doing it with boxes on them. " And started to…" Munkustrap motioned at Teazer.

" Bark!" she pretended to bark.

" Bark!" I added.

" Bark!" she said again.

" Bark!" I said. And then, thinking it would be funny, went," Bark!" again.

" Bark?"

" Bark?"

" Until you could hear them all over the park," Munkustrap sang and this time they gestured to who barked. The males, who were all Pollicles, got a hint and barked twice too. Munkustrap playfully hit my head and I walked back to my friends who were still trying not to laugh. They had put boxes and various pieces of trash on them. We were funny to look at. The play went well and Admetus, who I discovered was a strong believer of the Rumpus Cat, got to play the Rumpus Cat.

The play went well and afterwards, Deuteronomy told us some morals about Dogs and Jellicles. I heard what he said, but it didn't really process.

Crasshhhhh!

The loud crash was heard again and Demeter cried," Macavity!"

I looked around hoping to get a good look at him. I saw only a flash of ginger fur. I ran to the shadows hoping to see him but I didn't. Then, the Jellicle Ball, the dancing part, began. We did fine. Misto got a lot of dancing parts as did my sister from the moon. I think the moon guessed that I didn't want to dance too much so it kept me in the back. I liked it that way.