"Wait!"

She had been running and running, as fast as she could. Not that that was very fast, due to her sore paw. She had to stop, to catch her breath and rest. The other cats, her so called 'friends', had run off, and the pursuing dogs were getting ever closer. This isn't the first time something like this had happened, Titch thought, bitter.

"Later, Titch!" Scratch, the Manx, yelled over his shoulder.

"Wait! Please!" Titch yelled, but to no avail. All of the others were way out of sight by then.

She leaned against the wall, hoping, wishing, praying that she would be able to move, or fight, or just do something to get out of this mess. Some luck. She could hear the barking coming closer and closer.

She swore internally. They were coming around the corner. Titch tried to run, but she found she couldn't move it at all, not even to hobble on it, let alone escape. She just cowered against the wall, eyes tight shut. She had her claws crossed that they could not see her in the dark.

As if. They did see her, and they had claws too. And it seemed like they enjoyed nothing better than using them to attack poor innocent cats.

Titch's fur was matted with blood, and her vision blurred before she saw the figures-a Maine Coon, a bicolour tom, an older brown cat and a ginger and white tom, led by a stern looking silver and black tabby. That was when she finally gave in, and the whole world went black…

Titch blinked, realising she was pouring her heart out to some cat she'd met all of five minutes ago. Oops.

Oh well. This 'Jelly' cat looked nice enough. At least, she didn't look like she was going to give her back to those stupid dogs.

"You poor thing! I was afraid of something like that. Well, as you have hears, I'm Jellylorum, and this," Jelly gestured around her.

"This is the Jellicle Junkyard. Now, what's your name?"

Titch swallowed. She had been wondering when that would crop up.

"Er…Titch."

"Titch?" Jelly was puzzled. "That's not a name."
"Well, that's what all the others called me. Even the humans. I'm a stray, see. My parents disappeared when I was little. I can't remember them."

Titch shrugged.

"So, here I am." Titch decided she didn't want to talk about it, and curled up in the blanket she had been wrapped in, and promptly fell asleep.

"Poor little lamb…"
Jelly pulled the blanket tight around the small, sleeping form of 'Titch', sighing as she did so.

Suddenly, Jelly felt a paw on her shoulder. She gasped and whipped around, only to find Munkustrap standing there looking sheepish.

"Oh…Everlasting Cat, is everyone trying to scare me to death today!"

Munkustrap smiled wryly.

"You called?"

Jelly nodded.

"Yes. Our little friend just woke up."

"Really?"

"Yeah. She doesn't seem too bad. A lot of these cuts are old."

Munkustrap raised an eyebrow.

"Poor her. Did you get a chance to talk to her?"
"Yes, but she didn't say much. Told me about the attack-her friends ran away and left her in the lurch as soon as the Pollicles turned up."

The Protector winced. It was lucky Jelly had spotted her-if not, those Pollicles would have been ready to tear the poor cat in half.

Rumours were flying around the Junkyard about the new arrival. (Pouncival and Tumblebrutus were claiming no responsibility.) Even the usually distant kittens were interested, after all, it had been a long time since something of interest had happened around there.

Old Deuteronomy was especially interested, not just because as the Jellicle leader he would have to find out where the cat came from and return her there. Even from his perch on the vicarage wall, where he had been all day, he knew everything. (Mainly because, on Munkustrap's command, Alonzo came to give him updates.)

In fact, the only cats who didn't know were the house cats, the ones who were staying with their humans.

Cats like Victoria, Mungojerrie or Rumpleteazer.

Cats like Jennyanydots, who was now racing towards the Junkyard as fast as her paws could carry her.

When Old Deuteronomy finally reached the Junkyard, it was about a quarter of an hour later, but little 'Titch' hadn't woken up yet.

The leader was going to meet Jelly, to talk about what they were going to do with this young cat.

"How is she?"

Jelly, who had her back to the door, had another shock, before swearing under her breath.

"Can you please not do that?"

Old Deuteronomy chuckled and apologised, before turning back to the sleeping Titch.

"Did she tell you where she was from, Jellylorum?"

Jelly shook her head, then proceeded to tell the leader al she knew about the young queen's problem. When she was finished, he sighed sadly.

"So she didn't have a tribe or a family?"
"No, they seem to have disappeared when she was a newborn. Or if she did, she didn't mention them."

"That's right."

Both Jellicles looked down at Titch-she had woken up when they weren't paying attention and was listening intently to their conversation.

The grey calico blinked sleepily and tried to stand up, but her twisted paw seemed to collapse under her, and she fell back into a lying position.

"Ow." She mumbled.

Old Deuteronomy looked on, sympathetically.

"Little one, Jellylorum tells me you have no home, no family to go back to." It was more a question than a statement. Titch grunted a yes.

"Do you want to stay here, at the Junkyard? We can look after you, and you will be safe in here."

Titch's large amber eyes lit up. A home! She had never had a real home before. She found herself stuttering, suddenly embarrassed.

"Y..yes please, sir. I mean, if it's not too much trouble. Sir."

Old Deuteronomy's stern face broke out into a smile.

"It won't, I assure you. Now, I hear you are called 'Titch'."

Titch nodded.

"That isn't a proper name for a Jellicle. Would you like me to Name you?"

"Yes, sir."
Old Deuteronomy pondered for a minute. This wasn't like naming a pet, or a cat's first name. A Jellicle Name must have meaning, must be exclusive to that cat.

"How about…Silico?"

Titch loved it. Finally, having a proper name, not just 'Titch.' "That would be great."

"Well then, welcome to the tribe, young Silico."

Author's note-Sorry about the wait. GCSE's really take a lot of time! Anyway, big thanks to musicgal3 for reviewing, and, once again, please review if you haven't already. Thanks!

Disclaimer-I don't own Cats.