Instantly, the queens and kittens were herded to the center of the clearing, with the toms standing protectively around us ready to fight. I noticed that Taru and Raena were also standing guard. Next to me, Vail was glancing around, tugging at her glove. She pulled out a small bottle and dipped each of the claws on her left paw in it before she wrapped it up and tossed it aside. She grinned at me.

"I've waited a long time for this," she said quietly.

"Can you do something?" I asked, scanning the surrounding junk piles for the ginger tom. Vail nodded. "Copy the knowledge of fighting from the barn cats' memories into the rest of the tribe. It'll come in handy in case we have to fight."

Vail shook her head. "I don't want anyone else fighting him. That gets to be my pleasure alone."

Munkustrap heard us talking, and joined our whispered conference. "That wouldn't be a good idea, Vail. He's—"

"My father, I deserve it." Vail glared at the silver tabby, who returned his attention to the shadows around the clearing. A loud voice echoed through the air, sending chills down my spine. In the center of the group, I could see Bombalurina shielding Demeter as she shivered violently.

"Jellicles," said Macavity, though he was still hidden from view. "You have a traitor in your midst. Send her to me, and no one else shall get hurt." The tribe began looking around, confused. Who would be a traitor? The voice chuckled. "If you need help figuring it out, look no further than Kroova's daughter."

Vail narrowed her eyes as the entire tribe—even some of the barn cats—turned to stare at her. She stood up calmly, her eyes fixed on one particular shadowed spot. "You want to settle this, old tom? Come out from hiding and let's fight; you and me."

Macavity laughed at her boldness. "That is exactly the attitude that will get you killed," he stepped out from his hiding place, and Vail stepped through the group to stand between us and Macavity. I felt a paw on my shoulder and saw Talon standing behind me, ready to fight. Vail glared at Macavity, and he descended from the pile to stand on even ground with her. "Let's get this over with."

Taru and Rascal began ushering the cats to the sides of the clearing, where we spread out on the junk. Vail and Macavity began circling towards the center, and the air seemed to crackle with energy. The stars, which had twinkled so merrily before, seemed distant and cold, and were fast being covered by thunderous black clouds. A chilling wind began gusting around the junkyard, forcing everyone to huddle in sheltered spots; there weren't many within view of the clearing.

I could hear Taru whispering to herself, "Claws out, eyes half-closed… her tail isn't twitching, but she'll pounce first…" I watched, making the same observations in my mind. Vail was keeping her weight evenly distributed on her legs, making it easy for her to strike without preparation. She kept her eyes half-closed to keep possible blinking to a minimum, also to reduce the risk of getting dirt in her eyes. True to Taru's prediction, Vail lunged, claws first, without any sign that she would do so. Macavity managed to dodge out of the way, but Vail seemed to guess where he was going; she caught him on the shoulder with her claws. I gasped; she was reading his mind! It seemed obvious Macavity didn't know about it, otherwise he would have set up defenses.

Macavity scratched Vail across her face, but she swung at him with equal ferocity. As I watched, I realized she was using her left paw a lot more than normal. Then I remembered the little bottle. Each time Vail failed to cut him with her left claws, she seemed only to get angrier, and I knew it was only a matter of time before she snapped completely and went wild. They snarled and lunged at each other, and each time Macavity managed to rake his claws through Vail's fur, I couldn't help but flinch.

Macavity managed to knock Vail's feet out from under her, and she landed hard on an injured shoulder. She yelled out, trying to ignore the pain as miniscule rocks entered her cuts, and Macavity grinned triumphantly. He leapt at her, teeth and claws reaching for her neck. It was then he made his biggest mistake of the fight. Vail kicked upward with her hind legs, raking him across his face with both sets of claws. Macavity tumbled backwards, clutching at his face, screaming. Vail pushed herself up, trembling and breathing hard.

"The concentrated poison will kill you a lot faster than the two years it normally takes, but you'll be begging for death long before then." She said, glaring at the ginger tom writhing on the ground. The tribe stared dumbfounded at Macavity as he tried—and failed—not to scream in pain. Munkustrap was the first to come to his senses.

"Jenny, Jelly, get Vail to the medical den," he commanded, sending the two queens hurrying Vail away from the clearing. "Alonzo, Plato and Admetus, help me get Macavity out of here."

…

I stepped into the medical den, watching the two queens wrap up the many cuts Vail had gained from her battle with Macavity. As far as I could tell, she was unconscious.

"How is she?" I asked quietly.

Jennyanydots smiled warmly at me. "You have a very brave daughter," she said as she rubbed a cream on Vail's shoulder. "She's fine; just sleeping. We gave her some broth that would allow us to stitch some of these up." She gestured to the numerous cuts cris-crossing Vail's body. "She said she didn't want them to be healed by magic."

"She wants the scars," Jelly added as she began pulling a needle and thread through Vail's shoulder. I shuddered and looked away.

"Anyway," Jenny said, setting the bowl down. "If you're just going to stand there and watch us, I think it best for you to leave and occupy yourself otherwise. As far as I know, Deuteronomy still has to choose someone to go up to the Heaviside Layer."

I smiled and thanked them, leaving the medical den to return to the clearing. What I saw there was truly a puzzling sight. Deuteronomy was standing on the tire with… Rum Tum Tugger next to him? Munkustrap was standing at the head of the tribe on the ground, facing his father and brother. I could tell they were arguing about something.

"All I'm saying is that he doesn't deserve it!" Munkustrap said angrily.

Tugger rolled his eyes. "He's going to die anyway. We might as well get rid of him now."

"And let him start another life?" Demeter asked incredulously. "No thank you!"

"I think you are all overreacting," Deuteronomy said, trying to calm the angered cats. I sauntered up next to Cassandra, who was shaking her head with a scowl on her face.

"What happened?" I asked quietly.

"Deuteronomy suggested Macavity go up to Heaviside." She said in disgust. "Tugger is the only one who agrees."

"Isn't that ultimately Deuteronomy's decision?" I muttered, looking at the old tom.

Cassandra nodded. "But Munkustrap threatened to kill Macavity before he could go."

"Munkustrap wouldn't do that, would he?" I looked at the silver tabby, wondering if he really had the capacity to kill. Cassandra shrugged, returning her attention to the argument. I frowned at my paws. Did Macavity deserve a second chance? Perhaps he simply had poor upbringing. He did horrible things to you, a voice whispered in the back of my mind. Yes, I reasoned, but without that, I wouldn't have Pike and Vail. You wouldn't have gone to Ireland, and you never would have the family you have now. I bit my lip, bracing myself for what I was about to do. I plucked up my courage and sprinted to the tire to stand next to Deuteronomy and Tugger.

"What are you siding with them for?" Munkustrap stared at me, and I felt myself wither under the glare of the tribe. I noticed the barn cats were standing at the back, separated from the group. I could see Taru's look of disbelief as she saw me on the tire. I bit my lip again.

"I know I have as good as reason as any of you to go against Deuteronomy's decision, but I've been thinking," I paused, glancing at the two toms by me. Deuteronomy smiled encouragingly and Tugger grinned. "I would be a Jellicle if it weren't for Macavity—"

"She makes it sound like a bad thing," Pouncival muttered, though he was loud enough for everyone to hear. I pressed my mouth into a line to wait for silence.

"Because of him, I traveled to Ireland, where I met the cats who I am proud to call my friends and family. I have my two kits, who are smarter and more talented than any other pair of kits I have ever met. I took the time to count the blessings I have because Macavity has touched my life. Why can't you?" The Jellicles glanced at each other uneasily. "Demeter, would your senses be as strong if you had never met Macavity?" the black and gold queen stared at me for a moment, and then slowly shook her head. "Munkustrap, would you be able to fight as well?"

Tugger laughed. "Exactly." He grinned at his brother. "He taught you how to fight, bro. You'd pretty much suck if he didn't, because I never would have."

This earned some chuckles from the tribe. I smiled at the Maine Coon, glad he was supporting me. "Take a moment and think about how your lives would be without Macavity. Sure, there will be some parts that might be better, but try to focus on how you've benefited from him. Think twice before you reject Deuteronomy's decision."

There was silence, and the first to move was Pike. He sprinted up to stand next to the tire, grinning. "Without Macavity, I never would have been born." Immediately following his statement, all his friends joined us next to the tire; they would never have met Pike. The next to come up were the barn cats, with Taru clapping me on my shoulder. Mercuos muttered something about never meeting Vail, and his face burned red. Pouncival and Tumblebrutus glanced at each other, then joined us.

"We wouldn't have learned to fight as good," Tumble said.

Eventually, each and every member of the tribe was gathered around the tire, waiting for Deuteronomy to begin. He beamed at everyone, most of all me, and stretched his paws out. "Bring Macavity here," he said. Alonzo and Munkustrap left to bring the ginger tom, and the rest of the cats began singing.

Up, up, up past the Russel hotel,

Up, up, up, up, to the Heaviside Layer…

Macavity was staring out of his good eye at us, no doubt trying to make sense of the situation. His arms were slung around Alonzo and Munkustrap's shoulders, and his wounds were bandaged. A path cleared to the tire, and the toms slowly made their way up. Macavity's eyes darted to the sky, then to Deuteronomy and back again, then widened. He was powerless to do anything to prevent ascending to the tire, so he allowed himself to be carried up. Deuteronomy supported the ginger tom's weight, who was staring in wonder up at the sky. As the area filled with mist, I felt Deuteronomy's paw pulling on my arm, and I climbed onto the tire as well as it lifted into the air.

Macavity kept his eyes riveted on a shining spot in the clouds, but his attention was on me. "You did this? Why? I've only ever done bad things to you Jellicles."

I smiled and placed a paw on his shoulder. "I took the time to see the good in you. Not many can do that, and they are blinded by prejudice and hate. I was able to see the blessings in my life from knowing you." I smiled at the tom. "Pike and Vail really are extraordinary kits," I said. "It may sound weird to say this, but…" I took a deep breath. "I'm glad I know you. Thank you."

Macavity stared at me in wonder. "It would have been nice to get to know you," he muttered. I grinned at him.

"Well, you never know," I said. I glanced at the clouds we were nearing. "We might meet again someday."

Macavity stared back up at the clouds, where a truly amazing thing was appearing. I stared, open-mouthed as a large silver paw stretched gracefully downward towards the tire. Deuteronomy smiled at Macavity and helped him onto the paw, which slowly—almost lovingly—retracted into the layer of clouds, disappearing through the dark rolling mass. I shivered as I realized how cold it was, and Deuteronomy wrapped an arm around my shoulders for warmth.

"I am certainly proud of the queen you've become," he said as the tire returned to the ground. "Not everyone would have been able to convince the Jellicles to accept Macavity that quickly. I wish everyone could be as forgiving as you."

My ears and face burned at the compliment. "I don't really like the idea of Munkustrap becoming a killer," I muttered. I knew it was just an excuse, but it was true. I didn't like the idea of killing any other creature unless I had to for survival.

=^..^=

The sun was sending streams of pink and gold across the dusty blue sky as everyone returned to their dens for some well sought-after rest. I snuggled down next to Talon, who was already asleep. I sighed. When Vail was feeling up to it, we would be returning to Ireland. No doubt Mercuos would be courting Vail; he was already spending his free time hanging around the medical den. Taru had cuffed him around the ears for not acting sooner, which had made all of us laugh (how could he when she'd been in London and he in Ireland?). I smiled as I felt a tiny nudge from my kitten, and I looked forward to the future with eagerness.

With these happy thoughts in soothing my mind, I fell asleep next to the only true love I'd ever known.

…

EPILOGUE

I fell back against the blanket-covered hay. Giving birth was certainly a lot of work. Raena smiled at me.

"It's a little tom," she said, handing me the tiny bundle.

Talon and I gazed at our son. He was almost pure gold, with a large white patch over his right eye. I wondered if his eyes would be green when they opened.

"Do you know his name?" Talon asked quietly.

I shook my head. "He'll tell us when he's old enough." I stroked his seemingly long headfur. "He's beautiful," I cooed.

"What else would you expect?" Talon joked. He kissed my cheek, then our son's forehead. "He'll grow like mad, I know it."

I laughed. "Pike and Vail certainly did," I let my head fall against Talon's shoulder. "But then, they grew up away from here."

Talon rubbed my arm. "You're tired," he said. "Get some rest, I'll stay awake."

I nodded as my eyelids began to sink. Talon carefully took our son out of my arms, and as I was carried to a more comfortable place to sleep, I could hear him singing an Irish lullaby…

Over in Killarney

Many years ago,

Me Mither sang a song to me

In tones so sweet and low.

Just a simple little ditty,

In her good ould Irish way,

And l'd give the world if she could sing

That song to me this day.

"Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, hush now, don't you cry!

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,

Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, that's an Irish lullaby."

Oft in dreams I wander

To that cot again,

I feel her arms a-huggin' me

As when she held me then.

And I hear her voice a -hummin'

To me as in days of yore,

When she used to rock me fast asleep

Outside the cabin door…

FIN

[A/N This is a lullaby my madre sang to me as a child (she's Irish), and I wanted to use it because she was singing it to my little brother last night and teaching me the tune. Well, I hate to say it, but I'm really done this time. I'm actually really sad that it's over... kind of like closing night in a show; I'm sure you all know the feeling. Anyway, I'll be including Talon and Kroova's son in my Cats in Narnia cross-over, so you'll get to know him there.

MandoJetti: You spelled it wrong.

Also, you guys should all check out Aquavera's Story! I've been enjoying it a lot, and so should you!

Well, with this story being done, I can say that I will now be focusing more on my other stories… TTFN!!