"How's Old Deuteronomy doing," Tugger asked, seeing Munkustrap walk back into the yard.

"He's fine; napping," he sat next to his brother, surveying the yard. "Kittens still wreaking havoc?"

"Of course," Tugger growled happily, watching the small kittens running around, "I was tempted to give them some catnip – just to make them go crazy but... then I felt this emotion, I knew that it would be wrong, and I didn't want to do it because I felt bad for Mungo and Rumpel."

"It's called pity," Munkustrap cleared, "They have their paws filled as is. I mean, they're outnumbered five to two. When we had to watch them; at least there was more babysitters then kittens."

"That's true," the maned tom nodded, "We should probably help them out, they could use it. I know that Misto, Victoria and Plato pitch in when they can but... they just end up riling them up more."

Munkustrap sighed, "That's true."

"Pouncival, get down from that pile- it's dangerous!"

"No it's not."

"It's going to collapse, please come down."

"Make me!"

"Mungo-"

"I'm on it, Tea. Watch the others."

Tugger snorted as Pouncival got his paw stuck in between some trash, "Serves him right."

"The Ball's coming up," Munkustrap pointed out as Mungo carefully scaled the pile. "End of the week."

"Already? Seems like only last month," Tugger commented. "We'll have to tell the others."

"We need to tell the kittens about it, all about it," he said, "It's not going to be easy..."

"What do you want me to do about it?"

Munkustrap looked over at him with a smug grin, "You like telling bedtime stories, right?"

"And then," Tugger said, crouching over slightly – for dramatic effect, "the Tire raises up into the sky; carrying Old Deuteronomy and the chosen Jellicle all the way up to the Heavyside Layer!" The kittens gasped, mouths agape and eyes full of awe as Tugger threw his arms upwards and stretched out.

Munkustrap and the others on the piles above laughed at Tugger's showy movements. It was night – past the kittens' bedtime but they were being given a special treat; so it was alright. Mistoffelees had conjured a fire in the middle of the clearing, the kittens sitting around it as Tugger, on the other side of them flames, told them about the upcoming Ball. The light from the fire gave Tugger an almost... cynical look; it was quite innerving. Some embers flew up as the wood crackled and snapped, as if magic. One look at Misto was conformation that it was, indeed, magic; he was guiding the sparks with his paws.

"Then what," Electra asked breathlessly, reaching for Etcetera's paw.

"Then the Tire come back down, with only Old Deuteronomy left on it, the other Jellicle having being left at Heavyside to come back in a different Jellicle life." Tugger grinned, "For waiting up there is the Heavyside Layer, full of wonders, one Jellicle only will see. And Jellicles ask, because Jellicle dare: who will it be?"

"Who will it be," the kittens chorused, looking up at the Maine Coon.

"You'll find out later this week, at the Ball," Munkustrap said, coming down from the pile, "Now if I'm not mistaken, I know at least five kittens that should be in bed."

"Aw," they moaned, meeting up with their adoptive parents who brought them home.

"Nice job, Tugger," Munkustrap commented as Tumble stood beside him, watching, "You even got me excited for the Ball."

"You're just saying that."

"No," Munkustrap said, shaking his head, Tumble doing the same, "You really did set the mood."

"Go on," he said, watching the younger tom mimic Munkustrap.

"I mean, you were in your element out there. You were giving them the highs, the lows; you were performing like you were on stage. It was over the top but it worked." Tugger laughed as Munkustrap began flailing his arms about, "You are the best storyteller ever... Tumble's mimicking me – isn't he?"

"He's quite good at it," Tugger commented.

"Thanks," Tumblebrutus smiled, bounding in front of the tabby.

"Get to bed."

A/N: Okay – short chapter. I'm well aware. And I apologize... it isn't the longest things I ever wrote – I know. I've been getting ready for exams and Thursday; when John Hamm is coming to speak to the 11s and 12s at SAERC. We're supposed to think up questions that we want to ask him since this opportunity most likely will never come around again... So I got mine all set. I would add more to this but, lack of energy. I just spent 19 hours of my weekend babysitting two highly energetic kids... And, just for the record - it is gorgeous out!

Tiger Lily21 – Flattery definitely makes me want to update faster, so keep it coming if you want. I won't protest. I'd wish you luck but you already did it – and it was great.

Nabooru – It gets explained somewhat in the next chapter, and possibly later on too. It's "foreshadowy"; how did I do that? Oh well, so long as you like it.

Want jump? Boing, boing, boing...