Chapter 10: The Ball

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry this has been so long. Not only have I been bombarded with work, but I also had serious writers block for this chapter. Therefore I did the little iTunes shuffle experiment to try and expel the block (which I may eventually publish). However, I still had some serious blockage up in the brain… I know where I want the story to go, and I knew how I wanted this chapter to end, but everything in between just didn't want to flow. So sorry again and thank you so much for following! Review please! Thanks!

Still don't own cats… or any creativity for the disclaimer.

Quaxo took my paw and began to pull me out of my den with the largest grin plastered on his face. It was almost comical, but I realized that my face was probably equally as joyous. However, as soon as we stepped out into the fresh air, I felt my grin drop ever so slightly.

Sitting lazily on one of the many piles of junk was a cocky black and white tom, allowing his tail to flick lethargically back and forth. Alonzo glanced at us and then to the surrounding yard, as if thinking he could fool us. He was clearly Quaxo's chaperone. He would follow us and watch for the rest of the night.

My uneasiness grew as I realized that the rest of the younger cats would not really welcome Alonzo. This dance was supposed to be our special event, the older cats were not to really even know about it, let alone attend. I didn't want them to be mad at Quaxo or I, but we couldn't tell them the actual reason for Alonzo's attendance of the dance. I gave a quick swallow as I decided that I would just have to tell them that I let it slip. If it meant getting to go to a dance with Quaxo, I could deal with a few cats' anger. Plus they would get over it relatively soon.

Alonzo yawned, stretching his limbs as he rolled onto his back. I had to admit, he was really convincing at looking like he was doing nothing. If I hadn't known the regulations placed on Quaxo, I probably would have thought that Alonzo really had been just taking a nap outside my den.

My eyes met Alonzo's as he glanced in our direction. There was a moment of stillness, as if both of us were testing the waters, seeing how the other would react. However, Alonzo lazily closed his eyes and turned his head to face the sky. I could see the corner of his mouth curl up into a subtle smile.

I relaxed. I was glad to know that Alonzo was not going about his duties with any ill will. Maybe he had realized that Quaxo meant every word he said. Quaxo was one of us. He was a Jellicle.

Quaxo squeezed my paw, gently pulling my attention back towards him. I smiled as I gazed into those copper pools that I so loved. I laughed as I saw the corner of those eyes crinkle with the smile that he returned.

"Ready for tonight?" He purred. His face was lit up with complete innocence. He was like a kitten listening attentively to the story of the Great Rumpus Cat. He couldn't wait to see how tonight's story would turn out.

I found his enthusiasm to be infectious as I eagerly nodded in reply. "Of course!"

As if following some cue, we both began to run towards the location that Cetty and Plato had designated. We wove expertly around the various objects that sprang up before us as if we had run these trails a thousand times. However, we never let go of each other's paws, we remained connected as we traveled through the yard.

Just as my den was about to be out of sight, I glanced over my shoulder to see if Alonzo was still lounging on the pile of junk. The patched tom was gone. I quickly scanned the surrounding area, but saw no sign of him. Maybe he would remain hidden to the other kittens too. I could only hope so.

I was suddenly withdrawn from my musing as I felt a swift jerk on my arm, pulling my to my right. Quaxo had pulled me off my path, which had been on a collision course with a rather large discarded television set.

I realized that I had to forget Alonzo. He didn't matter tonight. This evening was all about Quaxo and me. Who cared what others thought? Why should we care who was watching us? As long as we had each other, nothing could ruin this dance!

I laughed again as I jumped over a small pile books and Quaxo ducked under a steel bar that was sticking out from a nearby pile.

I could tell that we were nearing the dance's location because I could faintly hear the music as it drifted down the wind. The closer we got to the location, the more I could feel the music as it pulsed through the ground.

The clearing came into sight and I gasped as my feet stayed planted in the ground. I looked at Quaxo pleadingly; my eyes begging him to tell me what I was thinking was untrue.

From the clearing I saw various colored lights illuminate the dimming sky. I knew that Quaxo had volunteered to help decorate, but he couldn't have violated the 'treaty' already, could he have? I couldn't think of any way that those beautifully colored lights could have been made in the clearing without the use of his magic.

Quaxo glanced from my heartbroken face to the clearing and than back to me. He broke into a smile and laughed, pulling me close to him and wrapping his paws around my waist. "Relax, silly." He cooed. "It's not what you think. I hunted around the yard and found some flashlights and some batteries with some power left. Then Pounce and I found some colored stuff to shine the lights through. I wanted there to still be some magic in the evening…"

I began to purr as the sentiments behind his actions hit me. He was such a sweet tom. Even when there were restrictions on him, he still did everything in his power to make sure everyone had a good time. To make sure that I had a good time.

Quaxo returned my purr with one of his own and a heartwarming smile. He leaned in close enough that I see each one of his eyelashes. I held my breath. Somehow, with him so close to me, I had forgotten how to breathe.

"Good. I wanted to see that smile." He purred again as he leaned in, covering the little distance left between us and gingerly placed a warm kiss on the tip of my nose.

I pulled back and laughed. My nose had begun to tingle and I eagerly wiggled it back and forth, trying to rid myself of the sensation. My paws were resting on his upper arms, and I didn't want to detangle them from his fur. I could only imagine how I looked at that point. I was wiggling my nose to try and get rid of the itch since I refused to let go of Quaxo. On top of that, my eyes were crossed, as it was my natural instinct to look towards the source of my discomfort on my body.

I heard a harmonious, soft laughter, causing me to look up from my nose and back into the entrancing copper eyes. They were bright with amusement. Quaxo took one paw away from my waist and reached up to my nose, giving it a gentle scratch. "Better?" He couldn't hide the laughter from his voice.

"Almost…"

He cocked his head to the side in confusion; unsure of what else he could do that would make the moment better.

I giggled as I inclined my head towards the tuxedo tom and softly brushed my lips against his. I felt his lips press against mine, welcoming their presence. His paw reached up, cupping my chin and holding me against him.

After a few moments of passion I smiled through the kiss and pulled my head away, opening my eyes to take in the blessing before me. I saw Quaxo's eyes flutter open as well, intently gazing into mine.

"Come on!" I half whined, half giggled. "The others'll be wondering where we are!" I spun in his arms and grabbed his paw as I took off towards the clearing, pulling him behind me.

We both came to a stop in unison at the very edge of the clearing. I let my watchful eyes rest on the beautiful scene before me. Running around under the lights, allowing the colors to dance of their pelts were about half a dozen cats finishing up the decorations. Everyone was helping each other as the last little bits of cloth were hung on the piles and the final few lights were moved for maximum illumination.

I was glad that we had decided to hold the ball while the ground was still covered with snow. The way the flakes fluttered as the cats scurried about and the way it reflected the colored lights made the magic of the night really come alive.

I glanced around me, wondering if I could find a black and white patched tom hiding around in the piles. My search came up empty-handed, I couldn't even see a feint movement within the towering piles. That tom was a great surveillance, and somehow had heard my prayers and had every intention of staying hidden.

I released a sigh of relief as I calmly walked into the clearing with Quaxo securely holding my paw. The other cats turned to greet us in turn as everyone seemed to slowly congregate at the center.

Pounce and Mungo stood proudly at the very center, chests puffed out in satisfaction as they pointed to all the lights and cloths they had hung around the clearing. The queens made exclamations of awe at each object that the two toms pointed to.

Plato slipped up beside me and laughed as I had begun to get caught up in the admiration. He looked over and made eye contact with Quaxo and the two toms held their gaze for a bit. I was worried that Plato might try to say something, but instead he just smiled and gave a polite nod. Quaxo returned the gesture before turning back towards the other cats, exclaiming that he helped too. Plato laughed and joined in as the toms began to compete with each other to say who had contributed the most, much to the amusement of the queens.

After a few minutes of toms calling back and forth, slowly getting louder as they compete with each other, a commanding Jem and Addie walked towards the group. Jem stood as tall as her petite stature would allow and called for quiet. I tried my best to suppress a giggle that had begun to rise up within me. Even though Jem was so small, she always seemed to be in control of those around her. She wasn't in control in any kind of dictating way, but she was just calm and collected, a natural leader.

"Hey, guys, please!" She called as Tumble and Pounce began a small nudge war, quietly pushing each other back and forth. The two toms ears flattened as they gazed down at the ground in submission to the small queen.

Jem cleared her throat and continued, "Anyways. Thanks to everyone for helping out and coming! Addie has set up the boombox thing and picked some really great songs. But remember, there is one rule! Everyone has to dance with everyone at least once!" She giggled a little bit as the kitten inside her, her true self, began to peek through. She twirled towards Addie and deftly rested her paws on his arm. "Let the ball begin!" She called as everyone cheered.

All the cats immediately began to pair off. Jem sat neatly down by Addie as he settled himself next to the boombox and pressing the magic button that allowed the machine to play the music that he had put in. Plato gracefully asked Lectra to dance. I was sure he was just building up his courage; plus the girl you like's best friend has to like you too. Mungo had walked over to Cetty and bowed before her, extending his paw asking for a dance. The young queen couldn't contain her bubbly giggling as she energetically nodded her head. Teazer had moved over to Tumble and Pounce as the three began an acrobatic contest. It wasn't exactly what I would have expected at a dance, but it was the two things that those three loved, a contest and acrobatics.

I felt the paw in mine pull me closer and then raise my paw above my head, forcing me to spin. I happily obliged the guiding paw as my turn brought me face to face with a handsome young Quaxo. "May I have the first dance?"

I didn't even have to respond as we began to twirl and jump around the clearing.

However, the music finally began to change as the song drew to a close and I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. I turned my head to see a smirking Plato at my side. "May I cut in?" He asked, turning his gaze towards Quaxo.

Quaxo nodded and slowly placed my paw in Plato's. "Of course. We've gotta follow the rules." He laughed. He gave me a quick peck on the cheek before trotting over to the observing Jem and outstretched his paw, beckoning her to dance.

I turned my attention back to Plato and began circle him as I molded my dance moves to the music. Plato instinctual responded to my dancing as we began to work around the clearing and the other pairs.

The music was just slow enough to allow for conversation and I was not going to let this opportunity to pass. I needed an update on where Plato was with Cetty. "So when you gonna ask her to dance?"

Plato rolled his eyes as he grabbed my paw and spun me around him. "So nosey!" He chided, grabbing my waist and performing an assisted leap.

I spun out form his grip and turned to face him, continuing to move with the music. "This is very important information."

He laughed, "Well, I guess if it's so important… I was thinking after the next song. I promised the next one to Teazer. She wants to try a lift. Says it's the one thing she can do that the boys really can't."

I laughed. That would be focus of that mischievous queen, to outshine the boys.

"You ready for it? You don't want to freeze up and let the cat catch your tongue."

Plato even had the politeness to laugh at my horrible pun. "I think I can figure it out. And hopefully, we will soon be competing with you and Quaxo for cutest couple."

I smiled at his optimistic outlook and welcomed the challenge as the song came to an end. The two of us each theatrically bowed to the other and came up laughing as everyone began searching for their next partners.

I was still debating who to dance with next as the next song began to play. It was a beautifully soft song that seemed more like a lullaby than a dance number. A black figure stood before me, keeping me from my search for my next partner.

"You would have to be crazy to think that I would let the first slow song of the night go to another tom." Quaxo purred in my ear.

I smiled as I wrapped my paws around his neck and his paws found their place encircling my waist. We fit together perfectly, as if we were made for each other. I was glad he had interrupted my search. Even though I hadn't been thinking about it, I knew that the second I had found someone, I would have regretted every second of it. It's not that I didn't like the other toms and queens, but I know I would have wanted the first slow dance to be with Quaxo.

We slowly drifted around the clearing with small lifts and jumps scattered throughout our dance. I eventually rested my head on Quaxo's shoulder as he rested his head on mine. I felt his chest begin to vibrate with his purrs as he hugged me closer. I felt his paws as they began to play with the fur on my back, causing shivers to run up and down my spine. Would I ever get used to his touch? I hoped not, I loved the constant reminder of how much Quaxo meant to me.

The song came to an end, but we continued to hold each other close, both refusing to let go. The next song began and I peeked over Quaxo's shoulder to see Plato stride purposefully towards Cetty. I let a smile appear across my face as I reluctantly pulled away from my love. "Like you said, we have to follow the rule." I purred, cupping his cheek in my paw.

I received a playful pout in return. He finally let a laugh escape his lips, ruining what was left of his unconvincing ploy. He eventually nodded and turned to find a new partner as I also turned to find mine. Pounce happily cured me of my search.

While I gladly began to jump and dance around with my energetic new partner, my gaze kept wandering to Plato and Cetty. Neither of them had spoken to the other yet, which was unusual for Cetty, but I could see Plato summoning his courage.

Just then, I heard a low hiss come from my right. Us cats that were in earshot of the noise stopped our motion as we turned towards the offender. Who could possibly have anything to hiss at on a night like tonight?

Quaxo stood next to Lectra in a low crouch as his fur stood on end. His eyes were distant, as if looking beyond the small gathering in the clearing. No one knew what to do, and by this time, the rest of the cats had noticed Quaxo's strange behavior and were beginning to gather around him. It was a rather eerie feeling as the jovial music continued to play but all the cats in the clearing stood stock still, analyzing the tense tom in the middle.

Quaxo let out another hiss as he dashed over to me. He pushed his way in front of Pounce, nearly knocking him to the ground. Luckily, Tumble caught him. Quaxo swiftly grabbed my paws and squeezed them tight.

His grip hurt and I let out a soft whimper, trying to pull them away. I was scared. What was going on? Why was Quaxo so upset and what was he doing? Didn't he know that he was hurting me?

He kept his vice like grip around my paws as his eyes desperately tried to search mine. He was looking for something, I could tell, but I didn't know what. I anxiously wanted to give him what he was searching for, I wanted to ease whatever it was that was frightening him, but I didn't have a clue what it was.

Finally, he looked down at his paws as they continued to squeeze mine. He let go with a disgusted look and then brought them up to cover his face. "Shit!" he growled as he took off out of the clearing and towards the main meeting place.

There was a stunned silence for a moment as no one was exactly sure what had happened. Even I was unable to move as I was trying my best to decipher what exactly had transpired.

Just as I was beginning to regain my wits and look about at the other confused felines, a loud explosion rang out from the meeting spot. The ground shook with its impact as we all took a step to catch our balance.

"Quaxo!" I whispered. What happened? Was he okay?

My ears jumped forward as hissing and screaming began to call across the junkyard. Fear overtook me as I began to blindly run towards the clearing. I could hear the patter of paws as the others followed close behind me.

Only one thought crossed my mind. Where was Quaxo?

A/N: Again, sorry so much for the late update guys! I almost feel like I've been neglecting a child or something precious. I feel so terrible! Anyways after this next week ends, the work should lighten up. If I can't update by Monday, you won't see an update till at least next Friday. I know, it makes me want to cry. I AM SO SORRY! Please forgive me and review! Thanks.