This time it was Sagwa who found them. Jumping off one of the trees, she startled them.

"What were you doing up there?" Dongwa asked.

"Nothing," came the inconspicuous reply. No good would come from telling him that she had to make sure the palace hadn't been painted on the tree house walls. They wouldn't understand.

She didn't understand. She just...had to.

The priority that rang the deepest with everyone was to track Sheegwa, who had been glimpsed tracking her mate. Yeh-Yeh was tired again, so he retreated into the shed to sleep in ground-level safety. The rest of them carried on; finding Sheegwa, Siao-Po and their kittens loitering in the forest, by the water. In the quiet atmosphere, their words floated clearly to them on the wind.

"She disbanded it?"

"Yeah. Sorry."

Siao-Po huffed a sigh. "She really..." He looked away, loath to say the words. "She really surprised me. She's so strong."

"Well, when I encounter competition," Sagwa's voice made Siao-Po scramble nervously to all fours, "I don't make someone else fight!"

Siao-Po narrowed his eyes, but wouldn't encourage her hostility again. He looked at Sheegwa. "We can start again."

"Heh, start what again?"

"Building a pack."

To his and everyone else's surprise, Sheegwa took one step back. "No."

"No?"

"No," she repeated firmly. "Siao-Po, I love you. And when it all started, I thought you genuinely wanted to unite cats in trouble. But you manipulated them, you lied to them, and you let them be afraid. I see it now, the only thing you wanted was to feel like you were in charge."

Siao-Po looked down at their uncomfortable kittens.

"And I'm glad it's over. I am not starting again," Sheegwa said with finality.

Siao-Po knelt slightly, examining his children's eyes. "Do you want to go with me, or her?"

"Are you...finished with each other?" Song asked.

"Yeah."

The kittens were quiet, each contemplating the impact their decision would have on their lives. "I'll stay," Song finally said, and Fan nodded in agreement. Looking utterly defeated and insulted, Siao-Po looked up at Dongwa.

He spoke nervously. "Tijensi Master?"

"Leave me alone."

Siao-Po turned and trotted dejectedly down the path. The family walked back to the empty campsite and into the shed where Yeh-Yeh still snored, and lay down to regenerate their strength.


Sheegwa was awoken sometime later by an unfamiliar noise, originating from near the shed. She stood up, approached the door and butted it open, surveying the woods. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting the forest into golden glory. She followed her ears to the noise, and was shocked to realize that the alien sound was the laughter of her own son. Running towards the tijensi bird, he spun around and smacked it with his tail, sending it flying to one of his nieces.

"You're getting good at this, Fan!"

"I'm open!" Song yelled, and raised a waiting paw.

Sheegwa sat on the grass, watching the kittens play together.

Sagwa's stealthy approach frightened her. "I'm sorry for what I did."

"You did what was best for them." Sheegwa shrugged, hopelessly. "I never would have."

Sagwa sat down with a quiet sigh. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"Yes. You did."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Sheegwa looked at her and smiled sadly. "It...needed to happen."

They watched the youths play together. Sagwa looked over at her sister and was concerned by the deep frown on her face. "What's wrong?"

"I...have never heard him laugh before."

The admission surprised and upset her. "What do you think?"

Sheegwa watched Fan lunge, passing the bird with his head; very much like his uncle. "I didn't think," she said thoughtfully, "That I could love him even more."

There was another silence, filled only by the laughter and encouragement from the five kittens. Then Sagwa made up her mind and turned to look at her sister. "We're leaving today. We're going to the Dowager's house. If she won't take us in, our backup plan is to go to Auntie Mae-Mae's."

"Wow."

"I want you there. I want Song and Fan there."

Sheegwa considered, and finally gave a resolute nod. "We will be."

The responsive grin on Sagwa's face filled her heart with joy. Sheegwa took a slow, deep breath. "Can you do me a favor, Sagwa?"

"Sure."

Sheegwa looked hopelessly out among her nieces.

"Tell me who's who."