They searched in a new direction every third day. It became their method to the madness that had overtaken their lives.

Twelve days into their second freedom had yielded nothing. Lord Vu's palace became their point of return; they went back frequently to check the place they had last seen her. Nothing.

On day thirteen, they began to encounter familiar landmarks. Maybe it was beginning to feel like they had been going the wrong way the whole time, but when they recognized the Magistrate's palace from a distance, Sagwa felt compelled to make an announcement.

"Sheegwa and I planned to go back to the alley...maybe she beat me there."

Even to her own ears, her voice sounded empty. But it seemed to reenergize the rest of them. They changed direction, heading towards the alley and the palace beyond. Sagwa found herself following a familiar pathway and it suddenly felt like she was going home. She had to remind herself and it made her sick. It made her realize that she was missing the palace almost as much as she missed telling Sheegwa to be careful, or that everything would be okay.

How could I have been so naive?

They stopped in front of the gate and Hun-Hun stared at it. She didn't speak. It felt...surreal to be back; especially without Lik-Lik, Jet-Jet, Wing-Wing...Would the other strays be happy to see her?

The Miaos were not occupied with thoughts of alley cats. That was, at this juncture, the only difference between them. In every other sense, they were a pack.

The gate was closed, and they squeezed through the gaps. Mama looked surprised when she reached the other side. "I didn't think I'd fit."

"Well, we're all eating differently," Baba agreed.

"Or hardly," Dongwa grumbled.

Sagwa rolled her eyes and bounded forwards. Her voice echoed through the alley. "Sheegwa!"

Her family members' voices joined hers as they seemed to recall the purpose of going back. When Sheegwa didn't come, they grumbled their complaints and came to the next gate, which barricaded the filthy alley from the immaculate palace. It was exactly how they remembered...well, almost. Their unwelcome presence was relatively new. Baba couldn't look away from the familiarity of his childhood home.

"Sheegwa?" Dongwa called through the gate.

He squinted, trying to see the movement that suddenly came from the bench. A cat jumped off and started trotting towards them; and approaching them put her head up to the gate. "Do you mind keeping it down? My master is trying to work."

"Sorry," Sagwa said, and immediately wondered why she had. "Have you seen a young white cat around? Faint markings?"

"Three days ago," the cat confirmed. "Now...get!"

"Excuse me," Mama hissed. "Do you have any idea who we are?"

"Actually I do! You're disgusting alley cats." She wrinkled her nose at them and pranced away with a laugh.

They looked at each other in displeasure.

"Guess we gotta get used to that," Baba muttered.

"It won't take as long as you think," Hun-Hun tried to reassure them. They didn't seem to believe it.

To their surprise, Mama slipped through the gate and started walking after the new palace pet. "Excuse me?" she called, inquisitively.

The cat turned and narrowed her eyes at the sight of the trespasser. "What?!"

Mama approached. "That cat is my daughter. I'd really appreciate more information."

"That's all I know. I'm not encouraged or inclined to talk to strays."

Mama's eyes narrowed. "I'll have you know, young one, we served the Magistrate for many years; and we served him well. Someday you may not be this lucky."

"Perhaps you were no longer meeting his expectations. He didn't exactly lower his standards." The cat turned and ran towards the palace, and Mama retreated to the gate. Looking over her shoulder she saw other cats coming up to the windows.

"We'd better move on," she murmured. They moved away from the gate and back behind the solid security of the wall.

Baba looked at Dongwa and Sagwa, both of whom were looking at him with bright eyes and silenced minds. Regretting his earlier behavior, he turned to face them directly. "Does anyone have an idea?" he asked, knowing they always did. Sometimes it was a good one.

"She could be in the village. Maybe at the wharf."

Silence. Mama's eyes narrowed at the sudden lack of innovation. Her earlier words were true; there shouldn't be a leader, only equals. But right now their only answer was zero. Somebody had to speak.

"Any of us could be taken by a villager. So we need to go in pairs again. Wim Bao, go with Dongwa and check the village. Sagwa, we will check the wharf."

Hun-Hun stepped forward. "What about me? I'm okay on my own."

Mama's keen eyes were warm as she smiled at her. "Do you know where the bat cave is?"

"Yes."

"Please go ask them for help."

Feeling relieved that she had not been stuck with either Dongwa or Baba, Sagwa ran with her family back to the far gate. It felt as though her heart would burst. Was she running louder than usual? Why was she so light-headed?

They got to the gate and forced themselves through, one at a time. Then, with ten eyes and one mind, they parted ways.

-0-0-0-0-

Running on the pier, dodging humans and searching for Sheegwa didn't allow for much conversation. They bolted past fishermen, pedestrians and tourists; afraid that each person they passed might try to scoop them up. Though she wanted to just be alone, Sagwa stayed close to her mother. It should have felt like the right choice, but it just made her feel like a kitten again.

It was not a proud moment.

Their paws thudded on the planks as they haphazardly got to the other side. Nothing. The setting sun illuminated the rolling waves, and the sky rang with the calling of the gulls.

Mama sighed, clenching her jaw. "Tonight is the Chinese New Year," she announced.

"Right! She might be hiding from the fireworks; she hates loud noises."

They turned and began to scamper back across the pier.

-0-0-0-0-

Dongwa and Baba were chased from a little market, and they slowed as they neared the throng of people.

"We need to get out of this crowd!" Baba growled.

Dongwa looked up. "Well, we could get up on the roof. Like we did to watch the fireflies."

"That reminds me. Tonight is the Chinese New Year...maybe she went to watch the fireworks. I know how much she loves glitter."

"And color!" Dongwa added optimistically.

"Yep, she's as good as found."

They started to run.