Jing laid by the boy's bedside for the next few hours. He had stopped coughing, but she wasn't sure he was better. Her head rested on her paws, her eyes slightly open, watching as his mother bustled around the house. Every once in a while, the woman would come in and rest her hand on the boy's chest or place a fresh cloth on his head.

Jing turned her face to the window, her eyes becoming wide when she saw what was perched on the ledge. A large black and silver tabby stared back at her, a small smile on his face.



Gummibean began to grow weary from running. Her paws ache and her stomach growled. She groaned, leaning against a fence.

"Ooohhh.....why did I leave so close to dinner?" she asked herself, looking around. The streets weren't familiar to her. She turned around, just to come face-to-face with Coffee. She gasped. "What are you doing out here?"

He sat next to her. "Oh, just roaming around. What are you doing here?"

She turned to the orange and brown calico. "I-I ran out on my dad again. He doesn't seem to like you very much."

"Why's that?"

"I don't know. I've heard him and my mom talking a lot lately about someone named Jing. Saying something about how she got taken when she was with your parents, and then my mom starts to cry and....that's all I know."

Coffee scratched his head. "Hmm...Hmm.....I think I know what's wrong with your dad."

"What?" Gummibean asked, placing her paws on Coffee's arm.

"I think your dad might have been mates with this cat—"

"That's ridiculous. He would have told me. He tells me everything." She laughed. "Or at least, I think he does."

"Well, anything's possible. My parents don't talk to me at all. They're usually out loot gathering or something. I barely ever get to see them." He stood, pulling Gummibean to her feet. "Maybe you should go talk to your dad. If what I think is true, then maybe he won't think of me as badly."

"Maybe...."



Mistoffelees ran down the street, skidding to a halt at the corner. He knew this place. The darken streets had haunted his dream for years. This was where Jing had disappeared the first time. His fur stood on end as he walked into the shadowed alley.

Hisses and howls echoed in Misto's ears as he continued to walk along the path. He could tell that Jing had been here once or twice. Her scent lingered in the air. It was old, almost undetectable to any cat or dog, but not to a magical feline.

Mistoffelees had barely made it halfway, when a large orange and red tabby landed in front of him.

"Macavity...." Mistoffelees hissed. Macavity just smiled. Misto began to back away, but another cat jumped down, blocking his path. Kaine crouched down, his ears pressed back and his fangs bared. There was no escape for the beloved Jellicle.



Jing stood up and jumped onto the windowsill, her heart pounding with joy. She placed a paw on the glass, tears streaming down her cheeks. Someone had found her.

Suddenly, Jing felt herself being lifted. The woman's kind eyes looked into hers. She understood. The woman walked to the door and opened it.

She set the black and white queen down. "Be sure and come to visit us. I'm sure Peter would love to have you here." Jing looked up to her with concerned eyes. The woman smiled and laughed. "He'll be fine, don't worry. You run along to your friend."

Jing smiled and turned from the woman, running to where the silver tabby waited. She ran into his arms, her tears soaking his warm fur.

"Oh, Munkustrap....." Jing cried. "I thought I'd never see any of the Jellicles again...."

"Shh. It's okay. I'm here." He held her tight, letting her sob into his chest. "I won't let anyone take you again." He let her go and placed a paw on her shoulders. "Come on. We better get back."



Coffee led Gummibean back into the junkyard. They separated, Coffee to the old car, Gummi to the oven. Gummibean peeked in, finding her mother fast asleep. Carefully she made her way next to her and laid down beside her. Victoria opened her eyes slightly to see her kitten found her way home safely. She closed her eyes once more, hugging her daughter closer.

Coffee looked to the oven with grief and turned back to the car, squeezing through a small opening under it. He nestled himself in a small pile of blankets that were there, letting his own tears drift down his cheeks. He wished his parents could care for him like that.



No sooner had the Junkyard all gone to bed, when Munkustrap and Jing crept in. Munkustrap opened his mouth wide to shout, but Jing pulled him down with a sharp paw.

"They don't need to know tonight, do they?" she whispered. "I mean, can't we let them sleep?"

"They have the right to know, but, if you really want to wait, you better find a good hiding spot." He replied, keeping his voice low. "If Demeter sees you, the whole Junkyard will be awake anyway." He began to walk away. "Goodnight."

"Wait." Jing said. She sighed. "I guess it is best they knew now."

Munkustrap smiled. "Why don't you say hello to your father first. He's over by the bike tire."

"Thanks. Goodnight, Munkustrap." She walked off to find Alonzo.

Munkustrap watched her as she disappeared around the corner. "Goodnight....kitten." He walked off to the tire and leaped up next to his sleeping mate. She stirred and opened her eyes.

"Oh, it's you..." Demeter yawned. "I thought you were someone else."

"I have a surprise for you, but you have to wait 'til it shows up. Alonzo's bringing it." He smiled and crawled up next to her.

"What is it?" She asked. Munkustrap just shook his head. "Oh, come on. You know how I hate not knowing!"

"Just wait."



Jing carefully tiptoed up to where Alonzo was fast asleep. He was the same than ever. Maybe a little shaggier than usual, but it had been three years. She was just about to touch him, when he spoke.

"What are you doing?" he said, not turning to face her. She stopped in her tracks.

"Dad?" she whispered.

"Dad....." his tone was confused. He rolled over, his eyes opening wide with shock. "Jing?!"

She nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. He hugged his daughter. "Oh, my kitten!" he held her in front of him, looking at her with tears in his eyes. "How you've grown!"

"Shh!" Jing placed a finger to her lips. "I want mom to see me before you wake the whole Junkyard!"

Alonzo just smiled and embraced his daughter once more. She wrapped her arms around him and they stood there like that for what seemed like hours. Finally, they broke apart and walked quietly to the tire. Alonzo leapt up first and pull Jing up next to him. Demeter had apparently fallen asleep again, because Munkustrap had to shake her awake. She batted at him furiously, until he pulled her to a sitting position. He covered her eyes with his paws and whispered to her, "Don't scream. It's just a little something I picked up for you...."



Mistoffelees opened his eyes. The light was dim, but the tom could make out a prison cell. His prison cell. He began to stand, but his knees buckled beneath him. He fell to the ground, inhaling dirt as he did. He coughed and pushed himself to his feet. He took a look to his surroundings. A small dish sat next to the bars, a rotting stench of old tuna coming from it. Taking a few cautious steps, he approached the bars of the cell. A small queen leaned on the opposite wall, a sneer on her face. Her golden coat was matted with grime.

"Finally woke up, eh?" she laughed. "You've been quite the gossip around here. A Jellicle. And a magical one at that." She began to file her claws.

"Why am I here?" Mistoffelees asked, placing his paws through the bars.

"No one knows really, cat." She replied. "And if I did, why would I tell you? I mean, there's nothing in it for me. You can ask around, but I doubt you'll get much information."

Misto stood silent for a minute. Finally he asked, "What's your name?"

This took the kitten back a little. She stared at the black tom before answering. "I never knew my real name. Macavity just calls me Kilia. I'm not sure what it means, but it does have a nice ring to it....I guess." She didn't sound as confident anymore. She came back to her senses. "What's it to you anyway?"

"No reason. I just thought you could use a friend." Misto walked to the back of his cell and sat down.

"I have no friends. And I don't need them." She hissed, her voice cracking.

"That's right." A cruel voice replied. Macavity stepped out of the shadows. Immediately, Kilia began to quiver. "Because friends bring you down."

"Y-y-yes, s-sir." She stuttered. "F-friends bring e-everyone down-n, sir."

"Shut up." He hissed. "And don't talk to the prisoners!" He backhanded her, sending her to the ground. She held her bleeding cheek and scampered down the corridor and out of sight. A satisfying smile crept across Macavity's face. He proceeded up the stairs, scowling at Mistoffelees as he passed.

Slouching into the corner, Mistoffelees whispered to himself, "I must get out of here......"



This one was really long! Sorry that it took a while to get up, but my computer wouldn't let me on the internet, so I had to post it up at school.