[A/N] Well, there's only a few chapters left—like, one or two—and I'm super stoked about it! (not the fact that it'll be done, but that everyone else will know what happens) So without further ado, I give you the next chapter!

"Believe it or not, I'm trying to help you."

I scowled at Macavity, who was watching me from his chair. I rolled my eyes and went back to licking my cuts clean, making sure there was no glass hidden away.

"You said you were trying to thwart Deuteronomy's plans. How is that helping me?"

He didn't answer, but he tossed a folded piece of thick paper towards me. "That can answer your question."

Eyeing the ginger tom carefully, I picked up the paper and unfolded it. It was a family portrait, printed in sepia and small enough to fit in a bedside-sized picture frame. There were seven children, though the three in the back—two girls and a boy—looked more like adults than kids. "Why should this answer my question?"

"Study the girl in the middle of the back row," Macavity said. "Tell me her name."

I frowned as I looked at the particular girl. She seemed familiar… somehow. I shook my head. "I don't know any humans. I've been a street cat my whole life."

"Have you?" Macavity sneered. "How long has that been?"

This caught me off guard. I opened my mouth several times, trying to remember my age. My subconscious mind was telling me a number in the teens, but that couldn't possibly be right… could it? "Two years…" I said slowly, deciding it was most plausible.

Macavity laughed. "Try two months."

I scoffed at his judgment. "I'm not a kitten, you idiot."

Macavity leapt off his chair and advanced towards me. I backed up cautiously; there were still shards of the mirror on the floor. "You've been a cat for two months. Before that, you were the human girl I pointed out to you."

My face went red, and I bit my lip—to keep from laughing. Macavity was truly insane. Sure, I had no memories from before two months ago, but that didn't mean I was human! The idea was purely impossible. I struggled to control my impending laughter. "Uh-huh. Ok," I snorted a bit. "Um, it's clear that you are not completely right in the head," I swallowed. "And you need professional medical help."

"I'm not crazy, Cassie."

That was unexpected, I thought. I shook my head. "You must be mistaken. My name isn't Cassie."

Macavity raised an eyebrow at me. "Oh really?"

"Yes, really. Cassandra already has that name. It wouldn't really be particular if it was mine too, would it?"

"Cassie, tell me something," Macavity continued calmly. My ear twitched at the sound of the name. Why did it seem so right for him to be calling me that?? "Do you honestly think you've been a cat your whole life?"

I rolled my eyes. "I think we've established that, yes. It's impossible to change a human into a cat."

"There are four perfectly capable conjures in that junkyard tribe, Cassie—"

"STOP CALLING ME THAT! MY NAME IS KROOVA!!" I lunged at his throat, my teeth bared.

…

I struggled under the weight of one of Macavity's henchcats, glaring at the ginger tom. He was massaging his throat, gingerly feeling the scratches I'd put there. "Take Kroova out of here. I never want to see this queen again." The tom on top of me nodded and began dragging me out of the room. I broke free of his grip and tore through the storage room, running as fast as I could.

=^..^=

The henchcat returned to Macavity's chamber to clean the mess. After a while, he looked up from his work.

"With all due respect, sir, why did you let her go?"

"She has accepted that she's a cat, and will never be human again." Macavity said, bored. "That's why she needed to say her own name out loud."

"But sir," the henchcat scratched his head. "Forgive my ignorance, but why?"

Macavity sighed. It was pointless to explain anything to brainless cats. "She just needed to know, and that alone would ruin Deuteronomy's plans. He wanted that life erased from her mind completely." He surveyed the work done by the henchcat. "That is all. You're dismissed." The henchcat bowed low and left the room.

=^..^=

Alonzo watched Cassandra, contemplating. She wouldn't look at him, and was still crying. He sighed and knelt in front of her.

"Hey," he said, pulling her chin up. "Nobody's perfect. Can you imagine how boring the world would be if we were?" He laughed a little, and the corner of Cassandra's mouth lifted. He sat against the wall, letting her lean on his shoulder. "I don't care what sort of mistakes you've made." He squeezed her paw. "I want you to know that I'll love you no matter what."

Cassandra sniffed, wiping the moisture from her eyes. "I love you, too." Alonzo smiled softly and pulled her into a hug.

=^..^=

I ran the whole way back, my name repeating itself in my head. Macavity was wrong; but for some reason, I kept hearing his words, you were the human girl I pointed out to you. I turned into the alley, slowing my steps. I put my ear to the wall, and could hear muffled voices. I listened closer, and could tell Alonzo was still there. That was one conversation I didn't want to interrupt. Instead, I settled to wait in the alley.

…

I had fallen asleep on a pile of stuff, and was brought back by a sharp cry of pain. I was instantly alert, listening for another one. There it was. I was off without another thought, pounding as fast as I could towards the junkyard.

I found Jenny in the center clearing, scolding Electra and Etcetera about something or other. I skidded to a stop next to her.

"What is it dear?" Jenny asked. (I was panting for breath)

"Cassandra…" I struggled to control my breathing. "She needs you."

Jenny's eyes went big, and she hurried off, leaving two very confused queen-kittens behind. I sat down to catch my breath. Jenny stopped at the edge of the clearing, watching me with concern. I waved her off.

"I'm just a little dizzy from running," I said. "Go, now!"

=^..^=

Alonzo stared at his paws. As soon as Jenny arrived, he'd been kicked out of the den. Now all he could do was sit and listen to the sounds of pain coming from inside. It was dark now, and jenny had been inside for several hours. He jumped at the sound of paws coming down the alley.

"Hey," it was Ears. Alonzo breathed a sigh of relief that he wouldn't have to sit alone any more. "How's it going in there?" she asked.

"I have no idea," Alonzo said, his head dropping. He noticed that she was wrapped in bandages. "Macavity did that to you?"

She smiled cockily. "Don't worry," she said. "I gave as good as I got."

"How did you escape?"

"He let me go," she said, frowning. "After a few hours, he seemed satisfied and just… let me go."

"What do you think he was satisfied with?" Alonzo watched her face.

She rolled her eyes. "He wanted to interrupt Deuteronomy's plan… whatever that means." She shrugged. "In any case, I learned what my name is."

Alonzo sat upright. "How did this happen?"

She laughed. "He forced me to look at a mirror."

"So… What's your name?"

"Kroova," she said, smiling a little. "It's amazing, isn't it? Knowing your own name. I feel complete now."

"Yeah," Alonzo had to smile. Kroova seemed happy now, without a hint of confusion in her countenance. "Kroova, huh?" He leaned back. It wasn't the sort of name he expected, but it fit her; short and sweet.

So there ya go. You now know my OC's name! Believe me, I had a hard time deciding it!

My sister was just reading this through and she asked a question, which I will answer; yes, Cassandra is in labor… a week early. Not so good :/ Can't wait to see what happens next!