The next day, Cyra was out practicing a dance move Jemima had taught her the night before during starsong when someone came out of the bushes. It's just Misto, she thought not bothering to look who it was, Here to dance.

" Hello Cyra," the cat greeted.

" Tugger?" she asked.

" Yeah," Rum Tum Tugger leaned casually against a tree," Nice dance maneuver. Looks like something from Jemima."

" It is," Cyra said nodding," Jemima, Misto, and I were practicing last night."

" What are you doing tonight?" Tugger asked.

" I don't know," Cyra shrugged," I'll probably be with either Misto, or Victoria or my cousins. Either that or I'll be hunting on my own."

" We could hunt together tonight if you want Cyra," Tugger put a hand on her shoulder and used the most charming voice he had," Or we could do something else together tonight."

" You mean a date?" Cyra asked.

" Yeah, exactly," Tugger nodded," So, you want to?"

Cyra thought a while. Any of the kittens she hung out with would die to have a chance like this. But, she didn't like Tugger, at least not this way. And in any case, she might hurt Misto's feelings. Or one of her friends.

" Sorry Tugger, but no," she said as nicely as she could hoping she wouldn't hurt his feelings," I don't think I should. I might hurt Misto's feelings."

" What do you mean by that?" Tugger asked.

Cyra paused. Ok, what do I mean? she asked herself. " I don't really know," Cyra told Tugger," I mean, maybe it's just a feeling but I have a feeling I'll hurt Misto's feelings if I do go out with you. Sorry Tugger."

Tugger was surprised. No female had ever declined him before. And yet somehow, he felt as if it was to be expected and that he shouldn't worry about it. " It's ok Cyra," he told her," I understand. Misto's my friend too."

" I know," Cyra nodded," Thanks for understanding."

Tugger nodded and disappeared into the bushes to report to Misto. He hurried to his friend's nest and found Misto there batting a piece of string he had found.

" Hey Misto," Tugger called," Guess what?"

" Cyra and you are going someplace tonight?" Misto asked glumly still batting the string.

" No!" Tugger laughed," She said no."

" What?" Misto looked up in disbelief at his friend," Tell me that again?"

" I asked her out and she said no," Tugger told his friend," She said, now get this Misto, she said she was afraid she's hurt your feelings."

" What?" Misto repeated," You're kidding."

" No," Tugger shook his head vigorously," She said she didn't know how, but she was afraid she'd hurt your feelings."

" Good Heaviside I don't believe it," Misto was still in a state of shock," She said that? She really did? You aren't making this up?"

" Nope," Tugger smiled," Go get her lover boy. Just not today. She'll get suspicious."

Misto bobbed his head up and down vigorously still thinking about. " Thanks a lot Tugger," he thanked Rum Tum Tugger enthusiastically.

" Just doing my job," Tugger said cocking his head in his Rum Tum Tugger way," Well, this should count as my good deed for this month. Good luck lover boy."

" Yeah," Misto said distractedly, he still had the big, happy smile on his face.

" Oh yeah," Tugger turned around," The Jellicle moon is rising."

" I forgot. When is it?" Misto asked. If he was lucky, he and Cyra could be an item by the time Jellicle Ball came.

" In three days," Tugger smiled mischievously," I hope neither of you go into heat, you don't want to have to explain kittens."

" Tugger!"

" Ok, ok, I won't bring up kittens," Tugger held his hands up in defense," See you in three days."

" You too Tugger," Misto nodded to him," Thanks again."

" No problem," Tugger laughed and he disappeared into the bushes,

The day right before the Jellicle Ball, Misto found himself dancing with Victoria, Jemima, Alonzo, Tugger, and of course, Cyra. Demeter came and went because she had business with her sister Bombalurina. They were all practicing for this year's moonsong which Deuteronomy predicts will be more complicated.

" Put a little more energy in your high jumps Alonzo," Cyra suggested," It gives you more time to kick while your up there. Jemima, excellent but you just need to work on landing. You might lose your balance and the result is very painful trust me."

" Victoria, your routine is wonderful, but when you shake your shoulders, don't hold your breath, breathe," Misto told his friend," Tugger, your just fine. Just stop trying to kick me."

" Yes Misto," Tugger mocked.

" Want to go at it again?" Cyra asked.

" Sure," Victoria smiled," I'm having fun."

" Me too," Jemima agreed.

" Me three," Alonzo joked," I am three. I never thought I'd get here."

" I'm three too ," Misto said.

" I can't wait for this year's Jellicle Ball," Cyra said excitedly," I have a feeling moonsong will call us. All six of us."

" Cool!" Alonzo said. When they looked at him, he laughed and said," I probably got that from my owner's daughter."

" Anyway," Misto said," We should rest now, we need all of our strength for tomorrow night. I can't believe it's already been a year."

" Who cares?" Victoria asked," I love the Jellicle Ball! I wonder who we'll sing about."

" We have to wait till tomorrow night to find out," Jemima told her," Until then, I'm going to get a bird."

" I'll go with you," Tugger smiled his killer smile at Jemima and she almost melted.

Victoria rolled her eyes and looked at Cyra who giggled. When the four were left alone, Alonzo put an arm around Cyra's shoulder and said," You know Cyra? If you don't have a partner for the slow dance, remember, I'm right here."

Cyra laughed and pushed him away playfully. " I'm not going to dance in the slow dance Alonzo. I'm going to stay up with Deuteronomy."

" Oh well," Alonzo shrugged," Well, if you ever need a tom for the dance, I'm always here for you."

" I'm sure," Cyra giggled, then she looked at Misto. " Who are you going to dance with in the slow dance this year Misto? Last year you were busy taking me around."

Misto shrugged. " I don't know," he said," I think I'll just stay up there with Deuteronomy too."

" I'm dancing with Tumblebrutis this year," Victoria added in," He asked me and I promised him I would."

" I'm considering Cassandra," Alonzo told them," But hey, I'm still available Cyra."

" Hello again!" Jemima chirped carrying a mouse in her paw," The birds all got away. I settled for this."

" I got a mouse too!" Tugger held up his," I'm sick of my owner's canned food."

" I get table scraps," Alonzo said," And I hunt too. But table scraps are good."

" Why are we talking about food?" Victoria asked looking at him.

" We don't know what else to talk about," Alonzo told her.

" I do," Cyra said suddenly," Who's Macavity?"

That stopped everyone. " Why do you ask?" Tugger asked her.

" All this time and I still don't understand who has was," Cyra said," I mean, you say his name a lot and I get the impression he's a bad guy. But who was he exactly?"

" He's a criminal mastermind," Misto began," The Ball before you came, he came and took away Deuteronomy. Probably payback for Deuteronomy's expelling Macavity from the tribe. I brought him back with my magic and the last we heard of Macavity was right before I found you. And oh yes: Macavity is a conjurer like me."

Cyra shuddered," No wonder you're all so cautious about him."

" Can we talk about something else?" Jemima pleaded," Like debating whether or not we should look for Demeter?"

" Ok," Cyra nodded.

" Should we or should we not look for Demeter?" Victoria asked amused.

" I don't mind bothering Bombalurina," Tugger's tail began to sway with excitement.

" Let's go then," Alonzo said reaching out for Cyra's shoulder again. He missed and she giggled as he fell to the ground.

" You people have a thing for putting an arm around my shoulders," she said amused as she joined Victoria. Jemima stayed with Rum Tum Tugger. Misto walked beside Alonzo. They set off looking for Demeter. They found her, practiced some more in a different clearing they found then went to their separate homes each dreaming of what would happen the next night.

Ok Misto, Misto was saying to himself as he combed his fur so much that it shined, Remember, even if Cyra says no, you both are still friends, nothing will change that. Here's another tip Misto: stop talking to yourself!

" Hey Misto," Cyra appeared suddenly at the edge of his nest," You ready?"

" Yeah," Misto nodded climbing out.

" Is Alonzo walking with us?" she asked.

" Maybe," Misto shrugged," I don't know."

Cyra looked him up and down and remarked," I didn't know your fur was so black."

" It can be," Misto nodded," I just keep on the white on my tail and paws so that I don't attract too much attention. I like looking like an ordinary cat."

" That's nice," Cyra giggled," Sorry, I'm in the giggle mood. I'm really excited about the Jellicle Ball. I love moonsong."

" Then, come on," Misto put an arm around her shoulder, for the hundredth time that year.

They walked to the Jellicle Junkyard and soon, the sounds of the cats reached their ears and they smiled. " It sounds like they're all there," Misto reported as they walked in.

" Hey Cyra," Alonzo greeted running up to them," Hello Misto. What's new?"

" It's my birthday," Cyra shrugged," Misto's fur looks so black it shines, your fur shines so much it's almost blinding."

" What can I say? Alonzo said turning around jokingly," It's my curse and my blessing."

Cyra laughed and replied," Be careful with your fur though Alonzo. I might decided to push on the ground again."

" Oh the pain of being insulted!" Alonzo clutched his chest mockingly.

" I'll see you both later," Cyra told him and Misto," The girls are calling me. Bye!"

" Bye Cyra," they chorused.

" Isn't she perfect Misto?" Alonzo asked distractedly," Who cares if she's a little younger?"

" Alonzo," Misto began," Maybe, just maybe it would be a good idea if we both leave her alone."

Alonzo looked at his friend in disbelief. " You're kidding me right?"

" No," Misto shook his head," Face it Alonzo: there's a situation here. A lot of males like her. You included."

" So?"

" I don't want to put us in a predicament," Misto looked down," But Cyra means a lot to me. And I don't think just in the friend way either. I really like her a lot Alonzo. But I want to consider you also. How about if we wait until she chooses her own boyfriend?"

Alonzo looked at Cyra again who was busy chatting with her friends. Then he sighed," I like her a lot too Misto. And I guess I always knew that you did also. It's only slightly obvious because you're always hovering around her. And I respect your feelings but, could you give me a chance to ask her out? You let Tugger."

" He told you?"

" I weaseled it out of him after I saw him talking to you in the clearing," Alonzo smiled jokingly," She said no didn't she?"

" Yeah," Misto nodded leaving out what else she had said," How about if we drop this conversation for now and take it up later?"

" Good idea," Alonzo agreed," Until then, let's go bother Munkustrap!"

" There's always Mungojerrie we can bother."

" They're together right now, so lets bug them both."

" No wonder your nickname is Flea."

Alonzo laughed and slapped Misto's back. " Come on Black and White," Alonzo said pulling Misto along," I, the oh so brave Rumpus Cat, go now on a mission to conquer one of the hardest tasks: get Munkustrap to not be so serious!"

" That's hard," Misto agreed laughing.

" You know what?" Etcetera said looking off at Alonzo and Misto," I just noticed something. Alonzo's not all that bad."

" Hey ladies," Tugger said appearing behind Etcetera," How are we all?"

" Forget that thought," Etcetera said jumping up at Tugger.

Demeter rolled her eyes and turned to Victoria. " I remember when you used to scream at Tugger also," she told Victoria," You were a kitten then but it was still so cute. I wonder when Etcetera will grow out of it."

" In time," Cyra responded," Let her have her fun with Tugger. Soon, she'll be facing other things."

" I know huh?" Victoria agreed. When they gave her a confused look, she smiled sheepishly and said," I probably got that from my owner."

" Moonsong is starting," Jemima replied," The welcome dance."

" Let's go!" Victoria chirped excitedly.

Someone, probably Skimble, dimmed the lights as Munkustrap began the opening song describing the Jellicle characteristic of being blind when born. Usually the beginning song was the same every year, only each verse is said by a different person than last year. This was the case and Cyra sung the part: Where you there when the pharaohs, commissioned the Sphinx?

They found out that she had a great singing voice too.

The beginning song went well, then moonsong gave the music for the invitation to the Jellicle Ball. After resting, moonsong called out for the twins Coricopat and Tantomile who sang about themselves and things that they sensed and although it was a really cute song, Misto had a hard time understanding why moonsong called them.

Then, moonsong called him. Not only him, but Tugger, Jemima, Victoria, Alonzo, and Cyra too. They had no clue what to sing about so they left it to Jemima to figure out what to sing.

" Candle fire, moon bright beam, reflected in water, both lights gleam," Jemima's sweet voice rang out.

" Bright stars above, cool wind singing, the songs of all, together bringing," Cyra added.

" When all songs flow, when all songs meet, together they bind, into one beat," Misto put in. They each added their own bit to song. Victoria and Tugger had no idea what they were talking about but went along with it until Jemima and Cyra took over the song as they performed their routine that they had practiced in the clearing and Tugger followed Misto's advice on trying not to kick him.

When they finished, they each went back into the crowd and were praised. It really was a good act even though no one had a clue what Cyra, Jemima, and Misto were talking about. No one except for Munkustrap and Alonzo.

" Are you sure it was safe to sing about that?" Munkustrap asked them the minute he could get Jemima, Alonzo, Cyra, and Misto alone," For all we know…"

" For all we know what?" Alonzo demanded," Not like Macavity is watching from the top of the junk pile." When he saw the look on Munkustrap's face, he laughed and said," What? He wouldn't be."

Misto looked up at the top of the junk pile not too far from where the Ball was being held. There, he thought he saw a crouching figure but by the time he got his magic to scan it, whatever it was was gone. Misto looked at Alonzo and asked," Or would he?"

The Ball went on and Deuteronomy came. " Hello Deuteronomy," Munkustrap greeted his father as the Jellicle leader sat down on his tire.

" Hello Munkustrap," Deuteronomy returned," Hello Cyra." Cyra was beside Munkustrap. Misto was not too far away.

" Hello sire," Cyra bowed her head a bit in respect.

" Hello Deuteronomy," Misto bowed respectfully too.

" Remember when I told you both to stop treating me like royalty?" Deuteronomy laughed.

" Cyra!" Mungojerrie called," Get yourself over 'ere."

" Coming," Cyra called back. To Deuteronomy, she replied," My greetings. I'll see you later."

" You too Cyra," Deuteronomy smiled.

Cyra nodded and rushed off to her cousin, leaving Misto. He looked on at her for a while before turning to Munkustrap and saying," Munkustrap, I think Macavity is here."

" What?"

" Remember when Alonzo joked that Macavity could be on the top of the junk pile?" Misto asked," I scanned the area with my magic and I think I sensed something. I'm not positive but it could be."

Munkustrap looked at Deuteronomy and asked," What if he got a hint about Cyra's, um, ability?"

" I heard one of the songs, too," Misto said," She taught me. Jemima was with us the night when there the night song from the stars."

Deuteronomy looked at Misto and told him," Mistoffelees, we have a situation. I'd appreciate it if you didn't wander away from the Ball tonight. You are at stake now. Macavity may want to get revenge at you if you remember two years ago."

" Yes Deuteronomy," Misto bowed," I think moonsong is calling the main dance now. It wants me up front. I'll see you all later."

" Mind what I tell you Mistoffelees," Deuteronomy replied as Misto walked off, "Don't wander off."

Moonsong began its main song, where the Jellicle Ball actually began. This dance is a very high paced dance in which all cats, with the exception of Deuteronomy, participate in. After the first round, they all lay down to rest. Usually, there was a slow couples dance where moonsong's soft resting tunes were used to dance slowly to. Those who didn't want to dance rested near Deuteronomy.

Misto thought that it was very sweet to see Munkustrap finally dancing with a female, who incidentally was Demeter. Alonzo danced with Cassandra. Even the ones with mates let their mates dance with another cat. Cyra let Mungojerrie drag her onto the dance floor. But after a few minutes, she pushed him away and sat with Misto.

" Cyra," Misto said quietly.

" Yes Misto?" she asked.

" I know this is a lot to ask," Misto began trying his best to look calm," But, do you want to dance?"

Cyra looked surprised for a moment. Then, a slow smile crawled onto her face and said, " Of course. I'd love to Misto."

He held her hand gently and led her out to the dance floor and almost instantly, half the males' heads turned. For now, Misto told himself proudly, Cyra was his.