Mistoffelees walked right up to the group of cats, the small figure right behind him. As soon as Misto was in the half circle that the tribe had formed, he sat down. Looking behind himself to check on the black ball of fur behind him, then he looked again at the jellicles. Unfortunately the tribe couldn't see behind him because he was not that exposed to them.
"Well," Mistoffelees said with a smile, as he looked behind him again, "Here we are. And you know I could be wrong, but I think the tribe wants to meet you."
The jellicles heard more moving fur from the small body. All of the tribe watched in silence. Only Pallaris, the gray female, had the nerve to ask the obvious question. "Who is it?"
"And why is he afraid?" Alonzo asked.
"He probably needs a tribe welcome," Pouncival said. Tumblebrutus and Pouncival had what the twins like to call a 'unspoken glands'. They could just look at each other and the same plan, or a thought would transfer threw their heads. Pounc gave Tumble that exact look, and before anyone could stop them the two kitten toms rushed behind Misto to find the new arrival.
"Pounc! Tumble!" Munkustrap yelled at them to come back but it was to late.
When Pouncival and Tumblebrutus looked behind Mistoffelees, they found a smaller version of him. A small black kitten, with white paws, a white chest, a white face and a white tipped tail, cowered behind him. It's small golden-yellow eyes were full of fear. The kitten was shivering and his tail was twitching nervously. And it didn't help when it saw the two approaching toms. Immediately it's fur stood on end and it started to hiss. The two toms were surprised at the kittens actions. Pouncival could see that it was a little smaller then Tumble and himself. The black and white ball of fur abruptly started to back away, from behind Mistoffelees, trying to stay away from the toms. But upon doing so the small kitten was exposed to the tribe.
Mistoffelees hissed at Pounc and Tumble. The kitten was also hissing but stopped suddenly when it heard, squeals and coos from the jellicles. Realizing it was out in the open, the kitten quickly jumped in between Misto's front paws trying to stay hidden.
Voices from the cats filled the junkyard. "Oh how sweet.....!" "How cute........!" "Who is that........?" "Look how small......" "Look at the fur.......".
Old Deuteronomy smiled in surprise, at the tiny figure. The small kitten didn't do a very good job keeping itself hidden in the front, as well as it did in the back. All the cats stared in awe and shock at the black and white ball of fur, curled up tight in Mistoffelees' front paws. Misto smiled at the small kitten.
"It's all right," he said, "no one will hurt you." The small kitten looked up at him with scared eyes.
"Lad," Skimbleshanks said in amazement, "Look how much the wee thing looks like you." Mistoffelees smiled at him. The kitten looked at Skimble with it's big yellow eyes. It seemed to smile at Skimble's remark. Mistoffelees them moved his paws away from the tiny beast, and before it could fallow, Misto grabbed the kitten by the scarf of the neck. The timid beast, hung from Misto's mouth, as Mistoffelees made his way threw the crowed of jellicles, and up to Old Deuteronomy and Munkustrap.
The kitten slowly became more afraid as they approached the jellicle leader, and future leader. It's small eyes became large and frightened. As soon as Misto put the little beast down in front of Old Deuteronomy, the kitten backed up against Mistoffelees as much as it could. Old Deuteronomy just smiles warmly. Munkustrap stared in shock at the kitten. The small cat look so much like Mistoffelees, Except it's eyes. It even had a black bow tie just like Misto. As he gazed into the kitten's eyes he had the weirdest feeling of déjà vu. He felt like they had met before, but Munkustrap didn't recognize it at all.
Mistoffelees slowly pushed the tiny beast toward Old Deuteronomy. The kitten looked up at Old Deut, who smiled in comfort. All the jellicles were silent as Old Deuteronomy held out his paw to the tiny kitten. The kitten just looked at it for a second, not knowing what to do. Mistoffelees gave it a small purr to let the kitten know it was safe.
Very slowly the kitten held out it's paw which was much smaller then Old D's. The older Jellicle took the kitten's paw. The two just gazed at each other for a second. Munkustrap watched as a smile formed on Old Deut's face. The jellicle leader then looked at Misto. Mistoffelees nodded and smiled. Old Deut then looked back at the kitten. It's bright golden-yellow eyes were not as big, but it was still scared. It obviously didn't like being the center of attention. Old Deuteronomy smiled to make the kitten feel better.
"You've found you way back home, young one, welcome," The older cat released the kittens paws. But the kitten seem to no longer be scared. Instead in rubbed it's head against Old Deuteronomy's paw, as if to say hello. A few jellicles started to murmur, creating a small stir amongst them.
Mistoffelees was grinning with pride. He seemed to be enjoying the fact that the little beast he had brought for everyone to see, seem to be a little less fearful. The kitten then turned it's gaze to the large silver tabby tom next to Old Deut. Kitten stuck out it's nose to sniff Munkustrap. Munk did the same. The two got a quick sniff of each other. Some of the jellicles thought that was amusing and Munkustrap could hear a few of them giggling and snickering. The kitten pulled away and shrunk itself back into the safe paws of Mistoffelees. Munk scowled at the tribe and a few of the snickers stopped. Mistoffelees looked down at the kitten.
"Do you remember Munkustrap?" he asked. The kitten looked at Mistoffelees and shook it's head. "No? What about Old Deuteronomy?" Again the small beast shook it's head. "Do you remember anyone here?" Mistoffelees turned to the tribe, for the little beast to see, but still the kitten shook it's head.
"It's all right," Mistoffelees said with a smile. Munkustrap was really confused. Why would the little kitten know them?
The two kitten toms decided to get another look at the tribes arrival. Of course Tumblebrutus and Pouncival were held back by Bombalurina and Demeter.
"I think you two have caused enough trouble for one night," Bombi spat. Demeter nodded in agreement. The two queens approached the tire and made their way over the three toms and the kitten. Demeter smiled warmly at the tiny beast. The kitten stuck it's head out from Mistoffelees' flank, watching the slim females approaching.
"Oh Mistoffelees!" Cried Bombalurina. "It looks just like you!" Mistoffelees smile, but the kitten looked suddenly very happy. To the amusement of the tribe the kitten then sat up, making itself look more like Misto. It then puffed out It's chest and held it's head high with a smile that looked a lot like one of Mistoffelees when he smiled. Loud coos were heard from the queens, and chuckles were heard from the toms. The kitten upon hearing the noise, thought it did something wrong and hid among Mistoffelees' paws again.
"Oh, it's OK hon," Demeter said, trying to comfort the small kitten. "None of us jellicles will hurt you. My names Demeter, and this is my older sister, Bombalurina." Dem pointed to the red female next to her. Bombi smiled. The kitten had made it's way out from Misto's front paws to see the two queens better, but still remand close to Mistoffelees.
"Do you have a name sweet heart?" Bombi asked in a kind voice. The kitten looked confused. It looked up at Mistoffelees for guidance on the subject.
"Um....," Mistoffelees pondered, ".......Your favorite one." He smiled.
The kitten looked back at the two queens. Then in a very small voice it said, "Little Midnight."
A gasp was heard from the tribe . Whispers were heard from all around the junkyard. The voice was very feminine and tiny. Munkustrap looked in surprise at the kitten. It looked like a tom, but....it sounded like a queen! He could see a few others thought the same way.
"Hey!" Pouncival said as he and Tumble came up to the tire. "How come he sounds like a girl, Mistoffelees?"
"Because," Mistoffelees scowled at them, "She is a girl."
That got a few more gasps from the tribe. "A girl....?" "But it looks like him....." "Are they sure......?"
"Misto!" Mungojerrie said in a mocking fashion, "Who's the lucky queen?" Rumpleteazer, always at his side, giggled.
"Yeah Misto," Tugger echoed, "Was she pretty? How did you get stuck with it?" A few of the toms laughed. Victoria felt very uncomfortable. Etcetra put her paw around her younger sisters shoulder. But of course Misto cleared up the situation.
"Mungo, Tugger," Misto said with a small scowl still on his face, "She isn't my kitten. This is Midnile'monly, or as I nick-named her, " Misto nuzzled the face of the kitten who purred, "Little Midnight, my little sister ."
Victoria let out a sigh of relief. All the jellicles gather close to see the new arrival.
"Oh Misto, she's just darling! "Jennyanydots cried as she gazed at the little kitten, "What was her jellicle name again?"
"Um......Midnile'monly," he said, "Way to hard to pronounce or say, for that matter," he smiled, "Besides, she seams to like Midnight better."
The small kitten purred at Mistoffelees, swishing her tail at him. She wanted to stay close, because the jellicles were starting to approach her. Old Deuteronomy urged Misto to take her down to meet every one.
"Come on Midnight," He said taking the hint. Midnight timidly followed. He led her into a circle the jellicles had formed.
"You've already met Bombalurina and Demeter," Misto said pointing to the two smiling queens, "But these three are Etcetra, Electra, and Jemima, the youngest queens of the tribe" They smiled, "These toms are Alonzo, Plato, Adumetus, and Rum Tum Tugger," the four toms smiled at them, "These are the elders of the tribe, Skimbleshanks, Agustus, Jellylorum, and Jennyanydots," The females cooed at the kitten while the two toms simply smiled, "These are the twins Coricopat and Tantomile," they both smiled, "Cassandra and Exotica," the two sisters smiled, " The two cat-buglers Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer," Misto lend over and whispered in Midnight's ear, "Watch out for them."
"I heard that," Mungojerrie scuffed. Rumpleteazer giggled and smiled.
"Anyway," Mistoffelees went back to introducing the tribe to his younger sister, "These two are Pallaris and Lavara Nina," the females smiled, "You've also already met these two clowns," Misto said in a flat voice as he pointed to the kitten toms, "But that's Tumblebrutus and Pouncival."
"Hey!" Tumble said in their defense.
But Mistoffelees was already moving on, "You remember Old Deuteronomy, our leader, and Munkustrap our future leader," the two smiled, "And last but not lease," Mistoffelees made his way over to the white jellicle, "This is....."
"Victoria," Midnight finished for him, with a smile. Misto, Victoria, and the rest of the tribe looked down at her in surprise.
"How did you know that?" Mistoffelees asked with a smiled.
"You said you had a crush on the pretty white one named Victoria," Midnight replied. Mistoffelees' eyes shot up. Giggles and laughs were heard from the tribe. Under Victoria's white fur you could see her blushing as she gave a short laugh. Mistoffelees you could really tell was blushing. Tugger made his way up to the other side of Misto, chuckling.
" 'The pretty white one' ," he said in a mocking voice.
"Shut up Tugger," Misto frowned at him.
"But that's what you said," Midnight crouched down, thinking again she did something wrong. Victoria smiled at her.
"It's nice to meet you Midnight," she said, making Misto smile at her. Midnight smiled back and purred.
"It's nice to meet you too," She said.
"Well," Mistoffelees said. His cheeks had turned back to their regular white. "That's the tribe." Midnight smiled. She was still very shy and stayed close to her brother. "Are you sure you don't remember anyone?" Mistoffelees asked again, hopefully. But still Midnight shook her head. Misto look a little disappointed but smiled. "Why don't you see if you can make friends," he suggested.
Midnight looked at him warily and then at the tribe. All the kittens were curious about her and Pouncival and Tumblebrutus decided they should lead the way. The two toms approached Midnight who stared at them.
"Hi," Tumble said. Midnight gave them a faint smile. She stuck her nose out again to take a small sniff. Tumble did the same. It looked a little more cuter, then when it did when Munkustrap did it, so not a lot of jellicles laughed. Pouncival thought his best friend Tumble looked like a geek, and he chuckled. Tumble just ignored him. Jennyanydots came up behind Pouncival and gave him a push. Pouncival fell over on his face and hissed at Jenny.
"Mind you manners," She said with a scowl, "Go on." Pouncival and Jenny didn't exactly get along. Pounc was obsessed with getting the elder queen angry with him, but he didn't feel like making a fool of himself in front of the new jellicle and Old Deuteronomy. So Pounc walked up to Midnight and said in a flat voice, "Hi."
"Hello," Midnight replied with a small smile. The two looked at each other. Both felt very uncomfortable, as they looked into each others eyes. Tumble got a sudden impulse to be mischievous. He came up behind Pouncival and pushed him into Midnight. For the second time that day Pouncival fell on his face. This time at the feet of the black and white queen. The junkyard exploded into laughter. Pouncival looked up at Midnight and Mistoffelees. Misto tried to hide his laughter, by covering his mouth with his paw, but it did no good. Midnight just faintly smiled. Pouncival quickly got up, to save himself from any more embarrassment. Tumble came up behind him and started laughing really hard. Pouncival took a swab at him and hissed.
"Not funny Tumble!" Tumblebrutus couldn't stop laughing. Pouncival took another swab at him. Suddenly a small black white paw followed, taking a swab at Tumble as well. Pouncival and Tumblebrutus looked at the new queen in surprise. Mistoffelees smiled.
"Oh no you don't," he said to the toms, "don't you two even start teaching her that stuff." Mistoffelees looked at Midnight. "Do not try to be like these two. All they'll do is get you into trouble." Midnight nodded in under standing, but Mistoffelees knew that look in her eye. She was hooked.
"She's going to be a tom-queen," Misto thought to himself, "great." Most of the toms in the junkyard immediately knew they were going to like this kitten.
But before the toms took over, Jellylorum and Jennyanydots had look over the new queen. They walked over to Misto and Midnight and started giggling.
"Oh! Look how sweet she looks!" Jenny cried! Jelly agreed and she put a paw on Midnight's face. Midnight really didn't like this, but she stayed still put.
"Oh look at this face!" Jelly cooed. "Mistoffelees, she looks just like you!" Misto smiled.
"Na, she's cuter," he replied. But Jelly and Jenny were busy, fussing over his sister. Frankly the other kittens didn't mind Midnight getting their attention, after all they got it all the time.
Jenny was looking over the kitten's face when something caught her eye. A small birth mark, or what looked like a birth mark, on the left side of Midnight's face, down near the mouth. That looked very familiar. Jelly caught it too.
"Now where have I seen this before?" Jelly asked as she turned Midnight's face a little to get a better look.
"Yes this seems very familiar," Jenny nodded.
"Um....," Misto jumped behind Midnight, "that's her.....her...... oh darn, what did you call that Midnight?"
"My birth spot," she said. She had no clue why the elder queens were making a fuss. It was just something she was born with.
"But where have I seen this before?" Jelly still pondered. Demeter couldn't really see and Jenny and Jelly were making her course. So she walked up behind the two jellicle queens to get a better look.
"Here let me see," she said making her way through Jenny and Jelly, "I have a pretty good memory, maybe I can place it."
The two queens moved aside to let Demeter look. When Dem took one look at what Jelly and Jenny were addressing, her eyes immediately got very large. That birth mark, it wasn't a birth mark! It was a beauty mark! A small black beauty mark on the left side!
"Grizabella!" Demeter cried.
To be continued...................
