"It's not much farther," Victoria groaned as Tumblebrutus nudged her. Aileen proved to be extremely slow, so Quaxo and Jemima helped her hobble along. Etcetera was very much of a chatterbox, and described in more detail about the jellicle ball. She told about old Deuteronomy and that he chose who would go into their next cat life. She explained that it was mostly a time where they would traditionally sing about themselves and usually were dancing to the music. Almost unintentionally, Aileen gave a slight wince at the word "dancing". Only Jemima and Quaxo noticed though, after all, they had to each hold onto one of her arms to help her. Dancing?! How am I supposed to do that? I may be able to sing but dance??!! Tumblebrutus interrupted Aileen's thoughts. "Old Deuteronomy don't dance, though. Could sit by him if you like." Victoria glared at him in disgust at his improper English, but he didn't seem to care that much. Etcetera kept on blabbing until Pouncival pounced on her tail and they began to wrestle playfully. It ended up with an affectionate head rub and a truce. Aileen smiled faintly as the others giggled.

The six taught Aileen a few songs for the ball, and Jemima said that she might sing along with her on her line. All was going quite well. Aileen had grown to like these six cats. She liked the way Tumblebrutus spoke, very poor, but nice. She enjoyed watching Victoria snap at him for that reason. Victoria was a well brought up queen, who could act slightly spoiled sometimes, but was usually caring and good. Pouncival was by far the funniest. Sometimes he would fall quite unintentionally, and let out the funniest sounds you ever heard. Etcetera was much like him. Funny, but kind. She was much more of a chatterbox than Pouncival was, though. In fact, he hardly ever talked at all. Jemima was the kindest of them. She was quiet and lovingly understanding. She was already becoming quite close to her. But Aileen didn’t know what exactly to think about Quaxo. He had the same type of kindness that Jemima had, but he had a mysterious air about him. He could be very funny and playful sometimes, in a cute and kittenish way. Though he had a strange scent. Aileen’s fur stood on end each time their fur brushed. Aileen was definitely a weak kitten, but she had extremely good senses. Something about him was very different, and unlike the other’s similar scent. He seemed shy sometimes, but enjoyed attention when he received it. Aileen at last had decided that she rather liked this handsome black tom. He was not much bigger than she was, but she thought he was stronger than he looked. But all the same, she kept an unknown fear about him to herself.

“We’re here!” Quaxo exclaimed with his playful, yet soft and drifting voice. Aileen stared, amazed at the sight before her.

She had reached the junkyard that they had all told her about. Many cats of all shapes and sizes sat in a circle around a tire. They all seemed to be watching the sunset, as though they were waiting for something. Tumblebrutus instructed Aileen to stay behind a small pile of junk before Jemima came to get her. The six ran excitedly towards a large silver tabby. He looked stern and responsible. Etcetera reached him first and began to franticly whisper something to him. At first he backed away a bit in surprise and said something that looked like, "Say again?" Etcetera began once more to whisper in his ear, and his eyes widened. By now the others had reached him.

"Can she stay for the ball? Please?" This sounded like Pouncival. "She's not going no where." Obviously Tumblebrutus. "She is very proper and kind." Victoria was making a motion as to strangle Tumblebrutus as she said this. "Oh do let her stay! She's my friend!" Surprised at Jemima for her words, Aileen was touched. The tabby was too. She hardly asked for anything, but now she was asking.

Peeking out a little more, Aileen spotted Quaxo talking quickly to two identical and slick cats, who were looking her way. Aileen sensed something strange about this two, as well as Quaxo. Less electric absorbed than Quaxo, but more mentally powerful. Oh yes. She could sense it very well.

The silver tabby looked as though he were deep in thought. Then, slowly he seemed to have made a decision. "She can stay until the Jellicle Ball is over. After that, it is Deuteronomy's choice." Etcetera squealed with delight, and Pouncival jumped like a jumping jack. Jemima lifted herself up and walked towards Aileen’s hiding place. Jemima reached out her paw, and a paw out of the darkness grasped hers.

A small, feminine form took shape before the circle of cats. The pretty black and white cat tried her best to stand strong as she kept a grip on Jemima. Jemima patiently helped the kitten hobble up to the tabby cat. His stern face seemed to soften a bit as he watched her hobble. Her pleading eyes made a motherly looking cat almost cry. "I am Munkustrap." The tabby finally stated, "You are welcome to the junkyard. "Thank you." Aileen almost cried out as she hugged Jemima.

Immediately she was scooted over to two kindly queens called Jennyanydots and Jellylorum. They groomed her fur a bit and wiped away the dirt. She was silky and smooth. She hobbled with Jemima to an old, rusty microwave oven, and there they discussed many things with each other. Jemima told her more about the Jellicle ball. Jemima was to sing the song "Memory" in memory of last years' choice, Grizzabella. Jemima and Aileen talked about last year and how grand the ball was, that year. And than, Jemima stumbled upon the subject of the "loss of innocence" dance. "When Deuteronomy comes, we begin the loss of innocence." Jemima explained. "That is when a kitten leaves kitten hood by finding a partner to mate for their first time with. The more serious type comes latter on, usually on the second or third year. Most of our kittens already lost their innocence last year. Err... including me." Jemima fumbled at her last words, and Aileen smiled a little. Jemima continued bravely. "Pouncival went with Bombalarina last year, but I think that he might go with Etcetera this year. Etcy didn't go last year, and I think those two are getting close." Aileen thought about this for a moment, "So, I guess I'm still a 'kitten'." she mumbled. "Well, tomorrow night you shall become a young queen." Jemima declared. Aileen looked up at her nervously. "Whom would I go with?" she asked, "How would I be able to even attract anyone to me?" Jemima smiled mischievously. "I think you already have someone's eye on you." She stated triumphantly. "Who?" Aileen asked. "Oh, somebody you've met." Jemima answered. Rolling her eyes, Aileen decided to play her little game here. "By the way," she asked, "who was it you went with last year?" That made them even enough. Jemima turned slightly pink and muttered a small, "Tumblebrutus." Hah! Cute couple. Soon they began to get tired, and they curled up next to each other and fell asleep.

Aileen woke up with a start. She found that Jemima was already awake. "It's close to sunset!" She exclaimed excitedly. The ball! Of course, it was tonight! Jemima helped Aileen get out of the microwave and helped her on her way to a large tire. Apparently, they were all supposed to meet there just before sunset, for there were already many standing around the tire.

Aileen spotted Quaxo and waved lightly to him. He came over and they talked a little. He's very kind. And cute too! Aileen thought amiably. He did a thing or two that make her laugh, both of them unintentionally. "I just hope Macavity doesn't come and spoil it like last year." Quaxo sighed. Aileen's eyes shot up to look at his. "Who?" she asked. "Oh, he is a ginger cat who tried to catnap Deuteronomy last year. He is very malicious and awful." Aileen's eyes looked distant and sorrowful all of a sudden. This worried Quaxo. "Are you okay?" he asked, clearly concerned. "Yeah... I'll- I'll be okay." Quaxo looked at her with his deep, brown eyes. "I- I've met him." Aileen finally managed. Quaxo's eyes widened. "He- he killed my mother- and tried to... kill me." Aileen continued. "I'm sorry that happened." Quaxo sighed. He came closer to her and licked her cheek, carefully and softly. Pouncival came by then, and Aileen stared at him wave as he left. Pouncival glanced at him, then at Aileen, and grinned mischievously. Quaxo glared at him.

Aileen felt for the first time light. She had always been light in size, but she carried such heavy burdens in her mind. For the first time in her life, her burdens felt lifted.

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