Thanks to all who reviewed. I must ask you to spread word, though. Cause you all are either the dear Inspector or people I rp with! Anyway, this chapter is brought to you by the quote of the month! "At the shrine of friendship, never say die. Let the wine of friendship never run dry." –Drink With Me, Les Misérables.

Disclaimer: Yeah, I wish….but my birthday is coming up, so feel free to get me either CATS or the song Indian Sunset. Capac Raimi belongs to my good friend, CriticalAngel. Thanks to her for letting me use this excellent assassin.

Pouncival's Journal, entry #3

"Pounce?" Etcy whispered, just as I was about to go to sleep. "We aren't going back, are we?" She sounded scared, so I turned to her and pulled her into a gentle hug. I didn't want to tell her the truth, but she would know right away if I lied.

"In the immediate future, no, we can't go back. Maybe, once the war's over, but I can't risk our family getting hurt." I was close to tears myself, thinking of those who I might not see again. But I pushed through it for the good of the family.

"But what about Electra, and Tugger, and Alonzo? Your own brother, Pounce… how can you turn your back on Al?" Her tone was disapproving, and I felt incredibly guilty.

"Do you think I wanted to? This isn't the best option, I know, but it's the only one if you value our safety. Etcy, please, just trust me this once. I promise I will never make a decision this large without consulting you ever again."

"Once is enough to wreck a relationship, you know."

I nodded, hoping she would see the love I bore her in my eyes. I couldn't stand to see her hurting like this, but we didn't have a choice, did we? I'm not so certain anymore, but it's far too late to change it."Etcy?"

"I love you, Pounce, but you can't just go behind my back on something this huge. Did you even stop to consider how I might feel?"

"Yes. I knew you would be unhappy, but I couldn't bear the thought of losing you or the kits, and that's a risk we'd be taking if we had stayed!" My voice was beginning to rise. How dare she think I didn't care? I wasn't quite thinking straight, and if I had been, I wouldn't have said anything.

"I know, Pounce." To my surprise, she got up and hugged me instead of shouting back. I couldn't believe my luck…such a queen as she has never existed in the history of forever. I hugged back, gently rubbing her back. It was then I noticed that she was crying.

"It's ok, Etcy. It's going to be ok, I promise." I kept murmuring comfort to her, hoping she would see how much she really meant to me.

~_~_~_~_~_~_

It was a month after our departure. Not a day passed when I didn't think of the Jellicles, or the fight Etcy and I had the night we left. Since then, her pregnancy has really started to show. It's only natural, seeing as she's due in another month or so, but I still insist on being surprised when I see her. We've been steadily making our way north, hoping to find allies in nearby Whales, but we haven't had much luck yet. No one wants to get involved in a war against the Napoleon of Crime. We stuck to back roads and alleys, scrounging for food where ever we could. I absolutely refused to eat until I knew that Etcy had eaten enough for both herself and the kits. Sometimes, it meant I wouldn't eat, but it was worth it to know that Etcy and the kits would be ok…

Yesterday, we actually came across Mistoffelees. I couldn't have been more surprised to see him if he had fallen out of the sky. "Misto! What brings you out here?"

"Looking for food…I thought I smelt something in this direction, but I suppose that would have been your supper. Now, the real question is what brings you here, and out of the Junkyard."

"War is no place for a pregnant queen…I couldn't bear the thought of losing Etcy or the kits." I hugged Misto in a brotherly way. "Heaviside, it's good to see you again, Misto! Just wondering, have you heard any news since leaving? We haven't gotten wind of anything, but maybe I was just listening to the wrong sources."

Misto squirmed uncomfortably. "I hate to be the one to tell you, Pounce, but things haven't been going well at all. You remember that albino assassin, Capac Raimi?" When I nodded, he continued. "Well, he's been busy…and you know he never misses. His most recent victim was Alonzo. He was in a fight with Macavity, and had been surrendering, when Capac came up from behind and slashed his throat. I'm sorry Pounce. I know how close you two were."

I just stood there in shock. I couldn't believe what Misto had told me. Though it didn't occur to me then, now, I am shocked to see yet another similarity to the events of that song…

Traveling down the prairie roads, leaving hoof-tracks in the sand

Those who wish to follow me, I welcome with my hands.

I heard from passing renegades, Geronimo was dead.

He'd been laying down his weapons, when they filled him full of lead!