A/N: Just a very small chappie leading up to the beginning of the ball. Remember to read n review!

'I got it.' He gave it to Munkustrap who looked up apologetically.

'This will sting.'

'I am not a kit, I can handle a little pain!' I hissed unapologetically, waiting for him to apply the poultice, closing my eyes. After a few seconds the pain came and my eyes snapped open, flashing angrily. Just as my mouth opened to speak a paw rubbed up and down my side soothingly, I looked to see Rum Tum Tugger looking down at me with a surprisingly soft expression, before he noticed I was looking at him and that expression quickly morphed into one of amusement.

'You're quite the vicious princess aren't you? Not many knights would be riding out to save you with that expression.' I laughed, rolling my eyes, my mind taken off the pain for a second.

'If anyone even tried to paint me as a damsel I would bite their head off.' He nodded in agreement, looking up at his brother.

'You done yet Munku? I don't want to have to pretend to be nice to her much longer.' His eyes glinted in amusement as he glanced down, half smiling.

'Oh, do not spare any thought for my feelings. That is fine.' He laughed shortly before quickly turning as a crash was heard then light giggling. 'How long is it until the Ball, Munku?'

'An hour or two.' I glanced up to look at Munkustrap, confused.

'What ball?'

'The Jellicle Ball. How can you not have heard of it?' He looked at me incredulously before putting my leg down, 'There, that's finished.'

'Well I did not know it was held here!' I glared at Rum Tum Tugger before turning to Munkustrap, 'Thank you. Now, I must go before it gets too dark. The stray Pollicles usually begin patrolling then.' I stood, groaning as my leg protested. I stepped forward, feeling the leg beginning to crumple underneath me, and closing my eyes, preparing for the fall. It did not come and I peeked one open, seeing, much to my embarrassment that I was caught in the paws of Munkustrap.

'Yeh, I don't think you're going anywhere quickly.' He grinned down at me and I sighed, grumpily allowing myself to be lifted up. 'You can stay with us for as long as you want. You're a Jellicle, you should see the Ball.'

'Fine.' I huffed, earning a laugh from Rum Tum Tugger, who grinned down at me.

'Not a damsel?… sure.' I swiped at him and he ducked, laughing.

As I was carried down to a clearing we were met by quite a few queens and kits. Tumblebrutus left to go find a young queen called… Jemima, was it? Munkustrap placed me carefully on a tyre.

'Will you be alright if I go greet some friends?'

'Of course.' I snapped, twisting to clean my sleek black coat. He muttered a goodbye and I half nodded before turning to Rum Tum Tugger.

'Don't you have any friends to greet? Or any friends at all for that matter.' He shrugged, leaning back and stretching.

'They come to me. I don't chase anyone.'

'Right, sure you don't.' I smirked, only for my eyes to widen as a screeching mass of queens and kits made their way towards Tugger. 'Oh Everlasting Cat. You're one of those toms, aren't you?' He just smirked in reply and I groaned, putting my paws over my ears as I tried to drown out the sounds of the fawning queens.