A/N: haha! I remembered to do the authors note BEFORE posting the story this time. I lost my view count for the first one because I had to edit it and delete the old chap… I hope I didn't lose reviews too! That would suck! Anyways here it is. I hope you enjoy

I know I'm posting this really soon but I wanted to get it out so that it didn't look like a oneshot.

Chapter T wo

A Cat's Sixth Sense

The closer the Jellicle Ball, the more uneasy Munkustrap became, and when Munkustrap was uneasy everyone was uneasy. The cat usually had a calming, protective feeling about him, but with that gone none of the cats found it easy to sleep at night.

None of the cats, that is, except Quaxo. How could he worry about Munkustrap's paranoia when there was a beautiful white cat to think about? He was caught in the blissful oblivion of his own destruction, and he knew it. Not that he cared. Anything was worth it just to be around her, to receive the occasional friendly nuzzle, to look into those eyes…

He was getting ahead of himself. Relationships were gradual things; they'd only just become friends. But he could wait. It would all be worth it in the end.

"Misto!" That joyful purr made his heart flutter. He bounded up to meet her, brushing he side of his head gently against hers in greeting. "What do you want to do?" She squealed. It has hard—no impossible—not to be caught up in her playful energy.

He shrugged, resisting the urge to bounce up and down—an urge that she clearly wasn't resisting.

It was the Rum Tum Tugger who interrupted their conversation, slinking in with a visible sway of his hips. "Heeey, Quax. Who's this dream-on-white-paws?" He was laying the "charm" on thick, but then again, that was his style. For once, Quaxo didn't find it at all funny.

"Her name's Victoria," he spat out, with more venom than could go unnoticed.

"Oh-ho-ho!" Tugger raised his paws into the air, backing away with a look of temporary surrender. "Don't bite off my head, champ, I was just asking."

Victoria let out a bell like laugh. "Hello, Tugger." Quaxo wasn't sure if he should be amazed or frightened by how she knew everyone's name before they knew hers.

Tugger, of course, wasn't at all surprised. It's not like word of him didn't make its way around the queens with unimaginably speed. He took a few steps closer to her, walking with the rhythmic, seductive swagger he was known for. Her eyes followed that sway like all other queens.

Quaxo was terrified. Was he losing her this early on? And to Tugger of all cats? He took a quick step between them, his back to Victoria, sending warnings to Tugger with his eyes. "Tugger," he growled under his breath, so quietly that Victoria couldn't hear him. "Watch it." He raised his voice, forcing faux cheer into it. "Victoria and I were looking for something to do, want to join us?"

Finally Tugger took the hint. Laughter sparkled in his eyes and he shook his head. "That's alright. I need to go find Bomba anyways. Later!" He winked at Quaxo and bounded off in the other direction humming his song to himself.

Quaxo's muscles were now able to relax. He turned back to Victoria, a genuine smile on his face.

"What was that about?" Her eyes were wide and curious.

He shook his head. "Just… Tugger," he laughed, "He can be such a pain."

She grinned. "So you're friends with the Rum Tum Tugger? I'd never have guessed."

His tail swished happily. "No kidding."

"Quaxo!" Quaxo cringed. So much for some time with Victoria. What would Munkustrap possibly have to say that was so urgent? Couldn't it wait?

Munkustrap came barreling around the corner. "There you… are!" He panted, stumbling over his own paws in his attempt to stop. Victoria helped him to his paws and they both waited patiently for him to catch his breath.

After a few minutes the silver tabby continued, "Are you sure everything's alright?" It took Quaxo a moment to realize what he was talking about. Macavity. Of course.

He sighed. This wasn't at all how he'd wanted the day to start. "Yes, everything is perfectly fine. Tell Demeter to calm down. I'll know the second he gets within a hundred feet of the junkyard."

Munkustrap's eyes were troubled. "Will that be enough time?"

"More than enough," he pushed lightly against the tom's shoulder, directing him back the way he had come, "You'll be the first to know. Now go to her."

The tribe protector nodded crisply and set off swiftly—though no where near as recklessly—back in the way he came. Another sigh escaped him. These interruptions just wouldn't work. How was he supposed to enjoy a whole day with Victoria if cats kept bouncing in to ruin it?

Victoria was staring at him. "What was he talking about?"

Quaxo grinned reassuringly. "Nothing. Pure paranoia is all." He began walking, Victoria following into step at his side. He looked around for somewhere secluded enough that they wouldn't be bothered.

They passed Etcetera—looking for Tugger—Bombalurina—looked for by Tugger—and Jemima—murmuring something about skinning Tugger. Victoria laughed at each one, her shoulders shaking silently. "Looks like Tugger's the star of the evening, doesn't it?"

Quaxo rolled his eyes. "This evening, and yesterday evening, and tomorrow evening, and every evening."

With a little giggle she swatted his nose with her tail. "You sound jealous."

He blinked, wrinkling his nose in surprise. "No," he flexed his snout a few more times, "not jealous, just bored with it. It's always the same thing."

"A boring Rum Tum Tugger, what a concept." She smiled, then paused in her walking, glancing around. "Are we going anywhere in particular?"

He shrugged. "I guess not."

I mischievous look passed across her features. She bumped playfully against his side. "Then lemme show you something!" She took off and he followed gleefully.

A few of the older toms and queens stuck their head out to scold the younger cats. ("Quiet down; some of us are sleeping!" and "My old ears can't take all that racket!") Not that they paid them any mind.

Quaxo didn't pay attention to their surroundings, just bounded breathlessly behind Victoria's white body. He almost crashed into the car when she leapt onto it. His senses registered it just in time to stop himself and mimic the action.

They were on top of an old, rusted car that could have been red once, but it was so broken down it was hard to tell. There weren't any other cats around. He knew they must be deep in the junkyard, as he didn't recognize this place himself. He had been so involved talking with Victoria that he hadn't noticed the sun creeping closer and closer to the horizon. Now the last glows of pink were dieing away, replaced by the blues and lavenders of night.

He sat, captivated, as one by one the stars peeked out from their daytime hiding spots. Victoria curled up beside him, pressing her warm flank to his. Her head rested lightly on his front paws and occasionally her whiskers would tickle his leg.

"Wow…" he breathed, as if speaking too loud would frighten the stars away. Her eyes were closed. She rubbed her head against his legs a few times, half asleep.

She spoke in a slightly slurred purr. She sounded both tired and wide awake somehow. "Mhm… just wait 'till the moon rises."

He saw it peeking out from the opposite horizon line, waxing near full. It was close to the Jellicle Ball. He should have been worrying about Macavity. But right then, he didn't care.

Something prickled at the back of his mind; an eerily familiar sensation. He'd felt it once before, but he couldn't think when. It would be there, right on the tip of his tongue and then Victoria would purr, or move, or smile and he would lose it.

He decided to let it stay lost. It was an unpleasant feeling; he didn't want it intruding on this bliss. So he let it go, let it slip away and thought of nothing but the warmth of Victoria by his side.