A/N: I am SO sorry for not updating more quickly. I got extremely busy with getting ready for auditions and then auditioning. Also, this week was Homecoming week. I'm not typically a school spirit kinda gal, but our new principal is just awesome. He's really supporting the students, particular to me the Theatre program, even if the school board isn't. A lot of weird things have happened in the time I haven't been writing. One of which being that stupid Jason broke the microwave. Little jerk. But, you're expecting a story, not my ramblings. So, without further ado, here's another chapter of Pepper.

Ch 11: Auditions

So, as it usually does, life went on. My paw slowly healed, and I was finally able to run around with the other kits. I don't think I ever had so much fun playing Tag as I did that first day I could again. Tumblebrutus and I were basically tom-friend and queen-friend. Neither of us really asked the other, it just sort of happened that way. The time went by so fast; it almost seemed to leave us all behind. This year, Brutes, Vicky, Lecty, Plato, Addie, and I were all going to make the transition from kits to young adults. It was an exciting thought, but somewhat scary nonetheless. One day, about two months before the Ball, we were called to a meeting with my father and grandfather.

"Now, kits, I'm sure you're all wondering why we called you here today," Old Deuteronomy said. "We've arranged this meeting to choose the two who will be dancing the Invitation and Mating dances this year. Now, as you all know, being chosen for these dances is a great honor. But, great honor comes with great responsibility. The two who are picked will have to attend numerous practices and learn the dances perfectly. Now, I give the floor to Munkustrap, so he can explain the details."

My father stood up and walked to the center of the semi-circle we had arranged ourselves in. "Tom-kits and queen-kits, this year you're to become young adults. I fully believe that any two of you could perform these dances extremely well, but we do have to choose just two. Now, if you're wondering how the choices will be made, I'll explain in just a moment. First off, I need to tell you that the dances signify that the two cats are becoming mates, so that will be a factor in choosing who gets to dance. Also, should anything happen to one partner, the other must give up their dance, unless they wish to take a different mate. Now that you know those two things, I'll explain the process of choosing. It's basically an audition. We're going to have each pair choreograph a dance to perform for a panel of judges, and whichever couple's dance demonstrates the most skill and dedication will be chosen to dance at the Ball. Your dances must be ready in two weeks. Any questions?"

All the kits shook their heads in the negative.

"Well, alright then. We'll meet back here in two weeks for the judging. Good luck, kits!" my father said.

"We look forward to seeing what you come up with," my grandfather added. We all got up and exited the meeting place.

"This should be interesting…" I said to Brutes and Lecty, who were walking with me.

"Yeah… I don't know if Addie and I are going to try out… Neither of us is very good at dancing, and we already plan to become mates at the Ball anyway…" Lecty said.

"That doesn't mean you shouldn't audition. Who knows, maybe they'll like your dance and you'll be picked," Brutes replied. I nodded in agreement.

"I wonder if Plato and Vicky are going to try out. I know she'll want to, but I've never been certain if he likes her back," Lecty said, thinking aloud.

"Who knows...?" I replied, wondering as well. Electra decided to go meet with Admetus to discuss whether or not they'd prepare an audition dance. Tumblebrutus and I went and climbed up onto my roof.

"Hey, Pepper, I have a question for you…" Brutus said, somewhat timidly. That's strange… I don't think I've ever heard him sound like that before…

"What is it, Brutus?" I asked, unsure of what to make from the situation.

"Well, I was wondering if…maybe…you'd want to try out for the dances with me?" he asked. He looked so anxious I thought he'd explode.

"Of course I want to, Brutes! I'd love nothing more than to dance the Invitation and Mating dances with you!" I said, all truthfully. He tackle-hugged me. We hadn't kissed yet, though we'd been "together" for a while. It was sort of a silent agreement that we wouldn't until we weren't kits anymore.

So, for the next two weeks, all the kits that were of age were practicing their audition dances. Plato ended up asking Vicky to dance with him. Electra and Admetus decided to try as well. Each couple was given a human radio to use for music. If we could figure the contraption out, that is. I went to my human home regularly, as is expected of an inside-outside cat. I heard her listening to a really nice song, so I decided I'd ask Brutus about it. I snagged her iPod and ran back to the Junkyard. I plugged the little thing into the radio and played the song for him.

"So, what do you think?" I asked him.

"I like it. I think we should definitely use it for our dance," he replied. I was a little surprised, because I hadn't thought he'd agree so readily. The song was light and airy sounding trance music. We choreographed a fun but romantic dance to the song Fireflies by Owl City.

When the day came for auditions, we were all very nervous. The only ones who looked even semi-confident were Victoria and Plato, mostly because they were the best dancers of our generation. I decided to go talk to Electra. I padded over to where she and Addie were sitting, and Brutus followed.

"Hey, Lecty. You ready for today?" I asked.

"Well, I guess… Our dance is ready, but I just hope we'll be able to do it right…" she said.

"I know how you feel… I'm really nervous…" I replied. She said they choreographed their dance to a song called One Day by Matisyahu. I'd never heard it before. Victoria told me that she and Plato had created their dance to a song called Beautiful by Eminem. I didn't recognize that name either. All the kits talked for a while, and seemingly out of nowhere, Dad appeared.

"We're ready for you all," he said. He went and sat down at the end of a line of adult cats, which included my grandfather, Aunt Bomba, Jennyanydots, and Gus. "Okay, now who would like to go first?"

"We will, Uncle Munku," Vicky said. She and Plato walked to the center of the small clearing and stood in front of the judges. My mother, who was sitting off to the side, pressed a button on the human stereo and the music started playing. Victoria and Plato's dance was complicated and graceful, and it made my heart drop. Well, I guess there goes our shot… The judges clapped, as did the rest of us, and Dad called for the next pair. Electra and Admetus stood in front of the judging panel, and my mother pressed the button. Their dance was simple, yet it was cute and it looked like they had fun doing it. I smiled. Then, it was my and Tumblebrutus's turn. We got up and stood in front of the cats who were going to make this decision. Mom pressed the button, and our song started to play. Our dance was very partner oriented, and we had a blast dancing to our song. After we finished, Aunt Bomba told us all we could leave to await their decision. I could already tell it was going to be the most nerve-wracking wait of my life so far.

A/N: Wow… I really don't like this chapter very much… I'm probably going to go back and re-write it later. I apologize for the lack of length in the chapter, as well. I promise to try and update more often, but I've been super busy with Theatre and Joey. Please, PLEASE, tell me what I could do better with this. Thanks! :D