Chapter two: Somewhere In The Junkyard Midway Through The Walk…

Cass giggled at Misto. They had just sat down on a large junk pile, and Misto had stood up quickly after sitting on hot metal warmed by the sun, only to have Cass laugh at him.

"What?" Misto demanded in a very no-nonsense way. Cass wondered if she should go straight and just say it, or let him wonder why she was laughing at him.

"Tee hee!! Look behind you!" replied Cassy, trying not to crack up to loudly.

Misto turned his head around slowly and warily, waiting for Tugger to pounce on him as a joke from Cass.

"Aaackk! That's disgusting! Unsanitary! Get it off! Eww!" Misto shouted. He sat down and pawed at the used toilet paper stuck to his hind quarters.

"Here," Cass handed him a pair of barbecue tongs, which he proceeded to use quickly and carefully. The moment was so perfect, Cassy didn't want anything to interrupt it.

"Nothing could ruin this moment… I'll never let this be forgotten!" Cassy laughed as Misto scowled at her. But of course Cassy had jinxed it, and with a crash, a mysterious cat she had never seen before came tumbling straight at them, stopping abruptly and gracefully just before colliding with the two of them and hissing, ready to fight.

"Ok… And may I ask who you are?" Cass remarked snidely. –Ohh… Burn that, mystery cat! - Thought Misto. Cassy paid no attention. She unsheathed her claws and positioned to spring. She pushed down, lifted a lip in a snarl, and just as she swung her back legs forward and pushed, a huge voice bellowed.

"NOO! Cassandra Bastette! STOP!"

Cass stopped mid-air and re-sheathed her long, sharp claws. She dropped gracefully to the ground, and stood tall.

"Humph." She puffed her fur slightly and began to strut home, just when a large, old and tottery cat scrambled to her side.

"What?" She said, not looking at him, even though she knew who it was. Old Deuteronomy looked at her.

"I'm sorry. I lost my temper when I saw what was happening. That cat's name is Aliana. She is a new Jellicle. She came from a home where the men would hurt her. She has a bit of a temper and hasn't been here long, so she's still unfamiliar with the junkyard, and is a tad clumsy. She also is very easily startled and offended. I haven't told anyone she's here yet. You're the first." He explained quickly. Cassy was the only one who didn't practically worship Old D, but they were still good friends.

"I understand… But she just came barging in and she ruined my coat and hissed at me!!" Cassy whined like a newborn.

"I know, and I'm sorry, but I was wondering…" He trailed away.

"Yes? You were wondering what?" Cassy prodded at the slightly nervous looking Old D.

"I was wondering if you would be her… Well, pretty much a foster mother to her. I can't take care of her-I have other duties- but you, you're not busy, you can be kind and you're disciplinary. She wouldn't need milk, no, goodness no. She's almost 5 months. Just teach her the ways of Jellicles, of cats. That's it. Until she's older… About a year or a year and a half." He finished.

Cassy heard Misto's questioning thoughts back at the junk pile.

"Mistoffelees could play the role of father?" Deuteronomy chuckled softly at his couple joke. Cassandra fumed.

"Humph! Excuse me? Never mind… I'll do it! Now, if you would be so kind as to excuse me…" Cassy turned abruptly. She said it just to shock Old D into pausing so she could get away. But then it dawned on her that she had agreed to foster a 5 month old kitten. Ohh… She moaned to herself. This could be bad.

Then Misto came bounding towards her, a frown on his face. –I told her to stay put.- He thought to her. But there was something of a smirk on his face. –Misto? What did you do?! She's barely five months old! Oh no. - Misto seemed surprised and a little shocked, but not guilty. Maybe he hadn't done something to bad. –O well, it's nothing much. She just won't be going anywhere until I say so. - -Hmm… You could be a good father to her…- Oops! Cassy might have thought a little much. -What? - Misto sounded very inquisitive. -I'll explain when we get back to her… ­- Cass wouldn't give away too much, not yet. -Very well. Let's go then. - And they were off.

"Hello, Aliana. I'm Cassandra. But call me Cass. This is my friend, Misto. We'll be taking care of you." She ran through the scene with Old D, which was a big mistake. Misto chuckled at the couple joke. Cass' once silver fur turned pink all over her face and she focused on Aliana.

Aliana spoke, "Do see his mind? I do. I see the one called Old Deuteronomy's mind, too. And your's as well. That joke did not seem funny to you, but you would be a pretty couple. Really very pretty…" Oh, great. She reads minds… Cass thought.

"It's really great. But I want to meet other people. I can speak through minds, also. Can I meet other people?" Cass thought for a moment. Why not?

"Of course we can see them, Alli. Let's go to my house and get you a snack and clean you up, first."

"Ok. Let's go." She replied, setting it in stone. She began leading the way up the junk pile. Alli was walking reeaallyy slowly, and Cass looked at Misto. He waved a paw and Alli moved at normal speed.

"Umm, Alli? My den is over this way." Cass said to the little five month old kit.

Without a change in expression, the kit somersaulted backwards and looped around to go in the direction I pointed her to, as if that were where she had been going the whole time. Cass stood still and watched her go by, sighing tiredly. - Just like me… - She thought gently. Cass thought she saw Aliana raise her head a little higher. –Mhm, definitely me. -