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The Newcomer

By Carolyn

Part One

        Mistoffelees, better known by his friends as Misto, really, really had bad luck in love. The first cat he had liked had been Demeter. But he grew out of it knowing she was too old for him and she liked Munkustrap, one of his best friends. Then there was Tantomile, a cat his age with a high sense of intuition like him. But his powers told him hat she was interested in Tumblebrutis, another friend of Misto's. There was also Rumpleteazer, but he was friends with her brother Mungojerrie and he was afraid that if it didn't work out, his friendship with Mungojerrie would sway.

        Oh well, he thought, I'll wait. If I don't find love, then maybe love will find me.

        " Hey Misto!" a voice called.

        " Hey Alonzo," Misto greeted," Ready to go?"

        " Of course!" Alonzo's bright black eyes shone in the darkness reflecting the light of the Jellicle moon. " If we're lucky, a cat from another tribe will come to visit. If we're really lucky, a whole tribe will come for a visit filled with new females!" Like him, Alonzo also had bad luck in love.

        " Misto laughed and added," With the amount of dreaming you do it's amazing you can fit reality into your head at all!"

        Alonzo laughed at his friend's remark. " And with your power it's amazing your not more popular."

        " I just don't want to be," Misto cocked his head and gave Alonzo his mystic look," Can we go now?"

        " By all means," Alonzo replied.

        They were on their way to the Jellicle Ball. An exciting occasion for all Jellicle Cats. Last year's celebration had been particularly exciting. Macavity, an evil mastermind criminal cat, had barged in and kidnapped their leader, Old Deuteronomy. Misto, using his magic which he naturally possessed inside of him, had brought their leader back and managed to save the ceremony. He hoped this year would be as exciting as the last, only in a different way.

        Well, it would be.

        Misto and Alonzo, Misto was a tuxedo cat and Alonzo was a white cat with black patches, walking on until they reached the Jellicle Junkyard, the place where the ball took place. The instant they trotted in, their friends Munkustrap, Mungojerrie, and Skimbleshanks( Skimble for short) came rushing to greet them. His other friend, Rum Tum Tugger, was off elsewhere. Flirting most likely.

        " What took you two so long?" Skimble demanded mock crossly," We can't start the welcome dance without our two heroes."

        "We're not heroes," Misto said quietly.

        " Misto, your a nice guy and all but you don't have to be so modest. Munkustrap's as much a hero as we are," Alonzo corrected his friend. Turning to Munkustrap, he asked," How's lover girl? You know, the one you saved?"

        " Demeter is not my lover girl!" Munkustrap laughed," Come on now, now that you two are here we can start the welcome dance."

        " Do you think Macavity'll be coming again?" Mungojerrie asked. Last time, Mungojerrie wouldn't let his little sister Rumpleteazer out of his sight since he's a bit overprotective.

        " If he does we shouldn't worry," Alonzo looked at Misto," We have Misto."

        Misto, being his shy self, decided to leave right then and join Victoria, one of his best female friends. Victoria's pure white coat looked dazzling that night and though she was very beautiful, Misto never had lusted for her. She was a very good female confidant to him and they, and everyone else, knew they were just friends.

        " Misto!" Victoria cried happily giving him a hug," Dance with me?"

        " Sure Victoria," Misto replied.

" Thanks Misto, you really are a nice guy," Victoria smiled.

A few minutes later, the moonsong, a song given by the moon which only Jellicles can hear, began. The sound of each cats' melodic voices filled the air.

        " Is something wrong?" Victoria asked suddenly," You're very quiet, even more quiet than you usually are. That's not like you."

        " Victoria, I really wonder if I'll ever find the right female," Misto admitted," I know you're going to say Jemima but no, she isn't for me. I have a feeling Coricopat likes her anyway."

        " Etcetera…"

        " Victoria," Misto interrupted," None of the Jellicle females are for me. I'd appreciate it if you kept this quiet."

        " Sure Misto," Victoria nodded knowingly," Look who's starting to dance and sing. I wonder what moonsong sees in him. Tugger never quits does." Rum Tum Tugger was a tom cat who was extremely popular with the younger females.

        " Go dance," Misto told Victoria," I'm going to talk to the twins." The twins being the inseparable pair Coricopat and Tantomile. The two also had a bit of intuition like him.

        Victoria left reluctantly to dance with her friends and Rum Tum Tugger. Misto laughed a bit seeing how all heads turned watching the graceful Victoria. Several males had had an eye on her for quite some time.

        After chatting a while with the twins, Misto left and wandered away from the light of the Jellicle Ball to wander in the darkness.

        Meanwhile, Alonzo was reminiscing with his friends when her heard the twins announce,

" Old Deuteronomy!"

        " Our leader, he comes," Skimble called out.

        " Get into greeting formation," Munkustrap replied," Save a space for Misto in the front. Tugger, it's useless to tell you to do anything so do whatever."

        " Sure bro," Tugger said still flirting with Etcetera who refused to give up her position between his legs.

        " Don't remind me," Munkustrap grumbled. The two were brothers.  They were the eldest sons of Old Deuteronomy. Same father, different mothers. " Alonzo, you and Mungojerrie look for Misto. If Deuteronomy gets here before you do, let's just hope that doesn't happen."

        " Come on," Alonzo told Mungojerrie. The other cats nodded and the two ran off.

        " Misto!" Mungojerrie called into the darkness.

        " Misto, Deuteronomy's coming!" Alonzo added.

        Misto, who had been laying on a car roof looking at the stars, heard them and called back," I'm coming." He walked back to the Ball when a sense of evil hit him. A tingle of danger shook his intuition and he knew the name of this danger.

        " Macavity!" he shouted at the top of his lungs," Warn the others! Macavity's…" A bloodcurdling scream caught his ear cutting his sentence off.

        " This time Bombalurina and Demeter can't say Macavity's not there," Alonzo looked at Mungojerrie," Warn the others, I'll fight him off."

        Mungojerrie nodded and ran back to the Ball. " Munkustrap!" he called," Macavity! Guard the others! And be getting my sister to safety."

        Alonzo ran into the darkness. The scream he had heard earlier had gone but he ran in the direction he had heard it from. Misto would go there, he's brave for a little guy, Alonzo thought.

        Misto let his magic guide him to the source of the scream. The tingle of Macavity's presence had left him but what he found he would never forget.

        Unconscious, stretched out across the junk, but otherwise unhurt, was what looked like an adolescent cat. Around Misto's age. He rushed to the cat, definitely female, and put her face in his lap. " Wake up," he told he gently," Wake up."

        The female's eye's fluttered open. " Where am I?" she whispered," How did I get here? Who are you?"

        " My name is Mistoffelees," Misto said gently hoping not to scare her," Call me Misto. I'm here to help you. Can you walk?"

        " I don't know," she looked into his eyes as if to study him. She was a red tiger tabby, like Mungojerrie. She had very bright green eyes and her profile was very much like Misto's: small but no scrawny.

        " What's your name?" Misto asked.

        " Which one do you want?" she asked.

        " The one that's yours," Misto joked.

        She laughed. Her laugh was beautiful Misto had to admit. She sat up. " I'm Cyra. At least that's what my humans called me," she paused before adding," I'm looking for my two cousins. They belong to the Jellicle Tribe."

        " I'm a Jellicle," Misto told her," Who are your cousins? They wouldn't be Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer would they?"

        " They are," Cyra nodded.

        " I know them very well," Misto smiled helping her to her feet," They're mischievous trouble makers right?"

        " That's them," Cyra confirmed," They make a lot of trouble for their owners. From stealing table scarps to knocking over the Ming vase."

        " You know them very well I see," Misto laughed," My friend Alonzo and I will let you meet our leader Deuteronomy. Do you wish to become a Jellicle?"

        " I've never belonged to a clan before," Cyra smiled," I'd love to be able to join yours."

        " You'll definitely be accepted," Misto patted her shoulder.

        " Where's Macavity?" Alonzo demanded suddenly appearing behind Misto.

        " Macavity left," Misto put an arm around Cyra," I found her. She's Mungojerrie and Rumplteazer's cousin."

        " Why good lady," Alonzo took her hand," I apologize for not noticing your presence."

        " No apology needed good sir," Cyra looked at the ground," Sir Alonzo I mean. Before you ask, Misto told me your name."

        " Enough acting like humans, we should take her to the Ball," Alonzo replied refusing to let go of her hand.

        " Keep her away from Tugger," Misto cautioned seriously," You know him."

        Cyra walked between the two as they led her to the Jellicle Ball. The lights appeared and the cats did too. " Don't be afraid," Misto told her sensing nervousness in the young cat.

        " Will they accept me?" Cyra whispered worriedly," Will my cousins help me?"

        " They'll accept you," Alonzo assured her," You're a tabby, you'll blend right in."

        " Look!" Coricopat and Tantomile's voices rang out.

        " Mistoffelees," Munkustrap came running," Who's that? What happened to Macavity?"    

        " Macavity left," Misto answered," I found her unconscious. Her name is Cyra."

        " Hello," Cyra said quietly looking up.

        " Deuteronomy's here!" Etcetera, a cute, lovable kitten, cried happily. And indeed, Deuteronomy walked in and was instantly smothered by the cats. He finally made it to his tire when Misto, Munkustrap, and Alonzo finally managed to bring Cyra to him.

        " Who are you my child?" Deuteronomy's wise voice asked," Where did you come from?"

        " My name is Cyra, sire," Cyra looked at him," I used to be a house cat until the house, and my family, burned down. I've lived a stray for a week until I remembered that I had two cousins, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. I knew they were Jellicles so I went here to find them. They are my only family."

        " Cyra," Deuteronomy began," What clan were you part of?"

        " I was never allowed out of the house so I was never part of a clan," Cyra answered.

        " Do you wish to be one of us?" Deuteronomy asked.

        " Very much yes, sire," Cyra's eyes brightened.

        " You are accepted by me, so now you are a Jellicle cat," Deuteronomy smiled at her," I hope you enjoy your life with us. Mistoffelees."

        " Yes?" Misto asked.

        " Will you introduce Miss Cyra to the clan?"

        " Gladly," Misto bowed and took Cyra's hand. He led her into the crowd who were talking and reminiscing again until moonsong called them again.

        " Cyra!" a voice cried out.

        " That would be your cousins," Misto smiled.

        " That's Mungojerrie's voice, I know his accent anywhere," Cyra smiled too.

        " Cyra, what in 'Eavyside's name are you doing 'ere?" Mungojerrie demanded.

        " Long story Jer," Cyra smiled half heartedly. Her eyes were filled with pain as if remembering something." Where's Teazer?"

        " With 'er friends," Mungojerrie answered," Misto, you takin 'er around?"

        " Yes," Misto nodded" Don't worry, I'll keep her away from Tugger."

        " You do that," Mungojerrie agreed," The moonsong calls for me and my sister. Be'ave now Cyra. We'll talk later cous."

        " Thanks Jer," Cyra thanked.

        Mungojerrie walked away and sure enough, moonsong began again and the cats all left the main floor to let Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer answer moonsong's call.

        " Do you hear moonsong?" Misto asked.

        " What's moonsong?" Cyra asked.

        " The song of the moon," Misto said looking at the Jellicle moon high in the black sky,

" Jellicles can hear it and a few other tribes can. Once blessed into our tribe, it takes about a year to be able to hear moonsong."

        " You mean a song which comes from everywhere, and yet nowhere?" Cyra began," A song that seemed as if it was created at the beginning of time and yet just created? A song that's ever changing and yet the same each time it is heard?"

        " You speak very poetically," Misto remarked," But that's the exact way I'd describe moonsong."

        " I hear that music once a year," Cyra said," I hear it now. "

        " What?" Misto demanded looking at her," You were just accepted! You're not supposed to hear it until about a year!"

        " I've heard it all my life Misto," Cyra looked at him quizzically," I remember hearing the music the day I was born."

        Born under the Jellicle Moon? Misto asked himself. " Can you dance?"

        " Yes," Cyra's eyes shone," I taught myself. When I hear the song, sometimes I hear it calling to me and I dance and sing for it."

        " Could you show me the next time it calls for you?" Misto asked.

        " Of course, it's the least I could do," Cyra smiled," Who's that?"

        Misto followed her gazer and groaned. " He's Rum Tum Tugger," he muttered," He's popular with the females. Probably the mane they're attracted to. He's the one we want to keep you away from."

        " He's attractive," Cyra nodded knowingly," But not my type."

        Good, Misto thought. He stopped himself from thinking anymore thoughts of how Cyra might be the answer to his love problem. " Misto!" a female voice called. Victoria began to walk towards him

" Let me introduce you to my friend Victoria," Misto said to Cyra," Victoria, this is Cyra. She's the newest Jellicle cat."

" Hello Cyra," Victoria greeted cheerfully," You have a really pretty name." 

" Thank you very much Victoria," Cyra said smiling at the white cat," I love your name too. After the queen right?"

" Yeah," Victoria shrugged," but it's a name like any other. Misto, come with me to introduce her to the females."

Misto nodded. He felt Cyra tense up but he patted her shoulder and she relaxed. " The only person you should worry about here in this clan is Rum Tum Tugger and a few of the males," he told he softly," You can trust the females and me." She nodded nervously.

" Victoria, who's that?" Electra, a kitten that was Etcetera's age, asked leaping up. She was closely followed by Etcetera and Jemima, two kittens, and two adolescent named Bombalurina and Demeter. They, with the addition of Rumpleteazer, were what humans call a clique.

" This is Cyra," Victoria announced," She's the newest Jellicle cat! Misto's showing her around."

" Hi," Cyra waved shyly.

" Hello," Etcetera greeted, her ear twitching with curiosity," I'm Etcetera. Victoria's sister. Before you say anything else, tell me what you think of Rum Tum Tugger."

" He's ok," Cyra shrugged," That tom's not really my type."

" You're about as strange as Demeter," Etcetera shook her head," No matter, I like you anyway. Misto, stay with us. Show us some magic."

        " Yes! Please! Please!" Electra added.

        " I really shouldn't," Misto looked to the ground and felt his skin beneath his fur grow warm," Magic shouldn't be used that way." He felt Cyra looking at him in confusion.

        " Stop it," Demeter told her friends," Don't put so much pressure on Misto."

        " Who wants to bother Tugger again?" Bombalurina asked," Rumpleteazer's moonsong ended."

        " Yay!" Etcetera squealed and she ran off followed by Electra and Bombalurina. Demeter and Jemima stayed.

        " Pardon them," Victoria told Cyra," They have toms on their mind all the time. You'll get used to it." Then she patted Jemima. " This is Jemima."

        " Hello Cyra," Jemima greeted," Welcome to the Jellicle Tribe."

        She's fitting in just fine, Misto thought, Alonzo was right. Just then, a different song began to ring out from the moon. One that rang out for someone he didn't recognize.

" Who's the moon calling for?" Demeter asked.

" I think it's calling for Cyra," Misto looked at the newcomer. He was surprised because he could see Cyra's gaze looking at the moon as if it was talking to her.

" Do you still want to see me dance?" Cyra asked Misto," It's calling to me. I have to answer its call." It being the moon.

        Misto smiled and said," I'll introduce you." Cyra nodded and Misto walked into the center of the dance floor. " Cats," he called," I give to you who moonsong calls: Cyra."

        " Who's that?" Rum Tum Tugger asked who stopped flirting with the females for a while.

        Cyra, still looking as if she was hypnotized by the song that called her stepped into the middle for the dance floor. The moonsong became stronger in all of their minds and Cyra was suddenly pulled into its rhythm. She was amazing. It was like seeing Mistoffelees dance only better and this time, the moon was calling this one.

        When moonsong ended, Cyra shook herself from her trance and seeing everyone staring at her, she winced and ran off to the side where Misto was waiting. " Was I that bad?" she asked him looking around.

        " What are you talking about?" Misto demanded," You're one of the best dancers! The best really. Did moonsong call you in that much?"

        " I have known moonsong forever," Cyra replied," And yet, I've heard other songs too. Twice a year there is the song that comes from the wind and the song that comes from the stars. I hear the song that comes from the clouds four times a year. But the song from the moon, a certain phase that occurs once a year, is the strongest."

        " I'm taking you to Deuteronomy," Misto held her around the shoulders and led her up to Deuteronomy again. " Deuteronomy," Misto said bowing," Munkustrap, I think Cyra's gifted with something."

        " Now kidding," Alonzo laughed," Did you see the way she danced? It was like watching a female you Misto!"

        " Different gift," Misto looked Deuteronomy in the eye," Deuteronomy, she can already hear moonsong."

        " What?" Munkustrap and Alonzo chorused.

        " You can hear moonsong?" Deuteronomy asked Cyra who was quickly starting to get nervous again.

        " Yes," Cyra stammered," I've heard this moonsong three times including now. The first was when I was first born. The first thing I heard. Is that bad?"

        Everyone exchanged looks. " No, it's not bad," Deuteronomy said slowly," But very, shall we say, extremely unusual. Cyra, tell us more about how you hear moonsong." Cyra told them what she had told Misto. When she was done, everyone was still staring at her.

        " The only cat who's ever heard more than moonsong, well, I don't know one," Munkustrap looked at his father hoping he had an answer.

        " Leave her alone," Misto said a little more forcefully than he had intended," We'll discuss this some other time. Not during the Ball."

        Deuteronomy nodded. " In a week, come to my cave in the forest," he told Cyra," You too Mistoffelees. Munkustrap, do come and make sure Tugger doesn't find out."

        " Yes sir," Munkustrap nodded.

        " And I sir?" Alonzo asked.

        " Another opinion would be good," Deuteronomy mused," Alonzo, come too."

        After that, Misto led Cyra off the tire to take her to her cousins. The rest of the Ball went well. Cyra was very well accepted, even by Bombalurina who is hard to please. In the end, when Deuteronomy picked a cat to go to the Heaviside Layer, it was his very old friend Gus which was sort of hilarious since his daughter, Jellylorum, had to help assist him half the way up. In the end, she came down and Gus was up in Heaviside.

        " Misto," Rumpleteazer suddenly appeared beside him with Cyra.

        " Yes?" he asked.

        " I'd appreciate it if you'd take Cyra in for a while," Rumpleteazer said," We'd take 'er in but our humans wouldn't allow it. She said she's be fine staying with another cat and you know 'er best aside from me and my brother."

        " I'll be glad to let her stay with me," Misto was in a state of nearly pure happiness," If she wants to."

        " I'd be happy to," Cyra nodded," I thank you both for being very kind to me. I truly appreciate it."

        " Thanks Misto," Rumpleteazer thanked," You really are a nice guy."

        Misto put an arm around her shoulders again and after saying goodnight to everyone, he led her out of the junkyard and into the forest where he had a cozy nest he made himself using a combination of his magic and his natural skill.

        They walked for some time and soon, his nest came into view. " There's my nest," he told her. All she could do was nod. They got there and he let go of her and sat down on the floor. " So Cyra," he began after a few seconds of silence.

        " Yes Misto?" she asked. She was sitting against the wall not too far from him.

        " You have a lot of questions to ask, I can feel it," Misto told her," Ask them freely."

        " How did I get here?" Cyra looked him strait in the eye," You say you found me but I feel that that is not all that happened."

        " I did find you, I roused you, you know the rest," Misto told her.

        " What happened before you found me?" Cyra asked.

        " I left the Ball for a little while to think," Misto answered," I heard Alonzo and Mungojerrie calling me. I started back when I felt the presence of another cat. An evil one. I heard a scream which I presume is yours, and the cat's presence left and then I found you."

        " I see," Cyra nodded," I remember someone attacking me from behind. I didn't see who it was. My head hit the ground and the next thing I knew I saw you. Can I ask something else?"

        " Yes."

        " Were those kittens kidding when they asked you do show them magic?"

        " No," Misto looked down," I… I have magic naturally inside of me Cyra. Please don't think of me in a bad way. I'm just a cat like any other. Only with special capabilities."     

        " Conjurer?" she smiled," Amazing. I can't believe I'm in the same nest as a conjurer. Misto, knowing you have magic doesn't make me think you're evil, wicked, or anything bad. In fact, I'm happy knowing that we'll be safe at night."

        Misto smiled too. Cyra was enchanting. " Glad to hear you're not someone who'll scorn me."

        " Why would I?" Cyra cocked her head and gave him and amused look," Now Misto, I know that you have questions too."

        " Yes, I do," Misto admitted," What's your other name? Not the one you keep secret."

        " My unique name is Rettania," Cyra told him.

        " Here's another one: do you any magic?" Misto asked.

        " No," Cyra shook her head.

        " I really wonder how you can hear other songs than moonsong," Misto shook his head,

" Maybe you have some kind of magic different from mine."

        " Can we drop the subject of my hearing of other songs?" Cyra asked desperately.

        " Ok," Misto nodded," Can I ask just one more question?"

        " You just did," Cyra said.

        " Very funny," Misto smiled," What do you think of the males in my tribe?"

        " There are a lot of them," Cyra replied jokingly," But really, the males in your tribe aren't all that bad. Some aren't as friendly as you, Alonzo, and Munkustrap though."

        " Just avoid them," Misto advised," They'll get used to you. They got used to me." He looked up at the sky. " You should go to sleep now. You stay on the nest of leaves over there. That's my bed. I'll stay on the floor."

        " I should stay on the floor Misto," Cyra said beginning to curl up into a ball on the floor," I am the one who barged in on you like this."

        " Don't be ridiculous Cyra, you're a guest," Misto insisted pushing her towards his pile of leaves in a corner of his nest," You deserve the bed."

        " How about this: we both sleep on the floor?" Cyra suggested.

        " Ok, fine," Misto shrugged thinking he'd just use his magic to put her on the bed later when she was asleep.

        Cyra nodded and went back to where she was sitting and curled up in a ball. " Goodnight Misto," she said," I want to thank you again for taking me in like this. Very generous of you."

        " No problem," Misto assured her curling up not to far from her," Goodnight Cyra."

        He saw her nod before she went to sleep. When he was sure she was out, he used his magic to bring her onto the bed of leaves before going to sleep himself.

Part Two

A week later, the two found themselves in front of Deuteronomy's cave. Cyra was in a state of nervousness that even if you didn't know her, you would have seen it. Misto tried his best to calm her, but it made her relax about a hair.

        " Welcome Cyra," Munkustrap greeted them at the front of the cave," Hello Misto. Deuteronomy's waiting inside. Just walk on in."

        Misto nodded and began to lead Cyra into the cave until they reached the main room where Deuteronomy was perched on his chair. " Good day Deuteronomy," Misto said bowing.

        " Hello again sire," Cyra said curtsying as well as she could.

        " Do stop acting like I'm royalty," Deuteronomy as clearly amused with the two's good manners," Both of you sit up here beside me."

        Misto led Cyra's almost petrified self and with some difficulty sat her down in the chair beside the great leader. " Are we waiting for Alonzo?" she asked.

        " Not anymore," Alonzo appeared and walked over and sat beside Misto. Munkustrap sat on his father's other side.

        " Good, we're all here," Deuteronomy said then he turned to Cyra," How old are you?"

        " I'm two," Cyra answered," My last birthday was the Jellicle Ball."

        Everyone started looking at each other again. " When do you hear the other songs?" Deuteronomy asked.

        " I hear the song from the wind on the shortest and longest night of the year," Cyra explained," The song from the stars I hear on the nights when day and night are equal. I hear the song of the clouds four times a year, there's usually no pattern to the clouds."

        Deuteronomy nodded and said," I never told you all something. Jemima, she says she can hear another song aside from moonsong. She hears it only once a year. She thinks it comes from the stars. It's in the fall during the night when day and night are equal. Jemima was afraid you'd think her a freak so she didn't tell anyone but me."

        " But I hear it twice a year," Cyra reminded him," Does that make me a freak?"

        " No!" Deuteronomy laughed good naturedly," But it is unusual. There once was a cat, a Jellicle that we all know, I won't tell his name, he heard all the songs too. And he's two years older than you Cyra. He told me, that every now and then, moonsong and all other songs bond together one night. Anyone born on that night, which is usually on the night of moonsong, will be able to hear all songs. About one of a million cats have this ability."

        " Who was this cat?" Alonzo asked.

        " I promised not to tell his name, even now," Deuteronomy told him," Maybe, someday, I will tell you."

        " We understand Deuteronomy," Munkustrap nodded," So, this happens once every two years?"

        " No," Deuteronomy shook his head," He told me that it just happens whenever."

        " So Deuteronomy," Cyra began," I was born the night all songs bonded?"  

" Yes," Deuteronomy nodded," We are very happy you found us Cyra. If any cats out there find out you had this ability, they might think you have a power, like Mistoffelees, and try to kill you."

" Do I have any powers though?" Cyra asked.

" Maybe," Deuteronomy answered guardedly," Maybe not. I don't know everything."

Alonzo reached over Misto to pat Cyra's shoulder. She looked at him with a confused look and he took his paw back. " Deuteronomy," Alonzo began," May I ask a question?"

" Yes you may Alonzo."

" If Cyra was born on that night and doesn't have powers, how come Misto wasn't born on that night, and he does have powers?" Alonzo asked.

" I inherited it from one of my parents," Misto replied," Or grandparents. I never knew either."

" Deuteronomy," Munkustrap replied," I seem to remember that Misto found Cyra unconscious which leads us to think she was attacked by Macavity who was here a little while before you came. Could he have wanted to test if she had power or anything?"

" It seems very likely," Deuteronomy agreed," We should keep a good watch over her for about another week to see if Macavity will try to get at her again."

" I volunteer," Misto and Alonzo said at the same time.

        " It's nice to know I'm with cats that really do care," Cyra smiled at all of them," I'm really grateful to all of you for caring so much about me but it's not necessary. You don't have to go through the trouble."

        " It's no trouble," Misto told her.

        " No trouble at all," Alonzo added.

        Misto saw Munkustrap exchange looks with his father. " Misto," Munkustrap said," I want you to take care of Cyra mostly. Call Alonzo if you need help if Macavity comes."

        Misto nodded respecting Munkustrap. Munkustrap had already seen what could turn out to be a serious situation. All Alonzo could see at the moment was Cyra.

        " Go home," Deuteronomy told them all," And everyone? Keep Cyra's ability a secret."

        " Yes Deuteronomy," they all said and they walked out of the cave.

Munkustrap walked with Misto and Cyra for a while when he suddenly said," I think, Cyra, that you should find a boyfriend."

" What?" she asked.

" At the Ball, when you were dancing, I saw many of the males' eyes follow you half the time," Munkustrap explained," You earned Victoria's amount of male popularity in just one day. I'm afraid it might cause conflict."

" I understand," Cyra said," But Munkustrap, I hardly know any of the males with the exception of Misto and Mungojerrie. I can't just pick a male to be a boyfriend. You understand right?"

" It was just a suggestion," Munkustrap shrugged," Either way, if anyone tries to hurt you, call me or Alonzo. We're the best fighters."

" Yes sir Munkustrap," Cyra nodded," Thank you for the advice."

Munkustrap left Misto and Cyra to go to his house. " Do you really think I should follow Munkustrap's advice Misto?" Cyra asked.

" It's up to you," Misto told her," Hey, I know a clearing not too far from my nest. I practice dancing there a lot. If you ever want to dance in private, feel free to use it."

        " Thanks Mistoffelees," Cyra thanked," I know I say a lot of, ' thanks,' to everyone but I really mean it. Hey, I know I shouldn't ask you for anything, but I'm thinking of building my nest now. I was wondering if you could help."

        " Sure," Misto said," I'd be happy to."

        " Misto, you really are a nice guy," Cyra smiled and gave him a hug.

~

        A week went by and no one made any attempts on Cyra. Except for maybe the occasional visit to Misto's nest by one of the males which were usually uneventful. Cyra built her own nest not too far from Misto's. It was far enough that they didn't see each other but close enough that it could be reached in about a minute and a half.

        Week after week passed and Cyra was fitting in perfectly. She was very well liked and popular even though she was still very quiet and shy. Victoria, Jemima, and Demeter took instant liking to here and she was now part of their clique. Her cousins came for visits often an certain times she went over to their home.

        Misto's and her friendship grew. Often times they would hunt together, go places, or usually, go in the clearing he told her about and dance and teach each other dance moves. They were extremely good friends and one day, Misto decided to tell her something only he, Deuteronomy, Munkustrap, Alonzo, Rum Tum Tugger, and Victoria knew.

        " Your real name is Quaxo?" Cyra asked him after he told her," Cute name."

        " I don't really like it," Misto shook his head," I like Mistoffelees better."

        " Mistoffelees is a better name for you Misto," Cyra agreed," You know what tonight is?"

        " No," Misto replied," What?"

        " The night of second starsong," Cyra answered. She had given names to all the songs she hears. " Tonight, day and night is equal which means tonight is starsong night." She stopped before asking," Do you want to hear starsong Misto?"

        " Very much," Misto nodded.

        Cyra nodded and said," Meet me here tonight. I'll see you later Misto. I promised the girls dancing lessons. Then Victoria, Jemima, Rumpleteazer and I are going to go hunting together. Later!"

        " Bye Cyra," Misto called as she trotted off. A presence of another cat came to his attention and he knew this one very well. " Come out Tugger," he called turning towards the bushes.

        Rum Tum Tugger stepped out and said," Your friend is really beautiful Misto. Normally, I'd take her out on a date but I can tell you like her a lot. And being your friend, I respect your feelings Misto."

        " Your point is?"

        " Ask Cyra out," Tugger suggested," Get her before someone else does. Like Alonzo. Or possibly me."

        " Tugger," Misto said crossly," Don't do this to me. I want to ask her out." He paused to think about his words. " I really do want to. But I'm afraid that if I do, I'll jeopardize our friendship. Cyra's friendship means a lot to me. It means as much to me as you, Munkustrap, Mungojerrie, and Victoria mean to me."

        " How about this Misto," Tugger began," You let me ask her out, I ask her what she thinks of you, I tell you what I find out and I promise not to seduce her. Sound good?"

        Misto thought a while before saying," Ok, you win Tugger. But don't book it tonight. She's going to teach me how to listen to one of the songs she hears."

        " Sounds fun," Tugger nodded," Later Misto." He started to walk away.

        " Oh and Tugger?" Misto called.

        " Yes Misto."

        " Thanks," Misto thanked," You always pull through."

        " Hey, I may not be Munkustrap but Deuteronomy's my father too," Tugger laughed as he disappeared into the bushes.

~

        Misto went into the clearing that night and was surprised to see Cyra already there. She was leaning against a tree looking at the sky as if having a silent conversation with the stars.

        " Hey Misto," she greeted looking at him," How was your day?"

        " Normal," Misto shrugged," You?"

        " Great," Cyra smiled," We found this mouse the size of a kitten. It was black, white, and had this little mask on its face. It got away though. I wanted to show it to you."

        " That one is called a raccoon," Misto said," You shouldn't try to hunt those."

        " Ok," Cyra nodded," I know you're going to ask about starsong but it hasn't started yet."

        Misto nodded too and put an arm on her shoulder. " Just tell me when it starts," he told her," Until then, want to practice?"

        " Sure," Cyra agreed. Then she stopped suddenly, smiled and said," It started." She took his hand in hers and told him," Close your eyes. Concentrate really hard on the stars. Imagine that they're calling out to you with their music. Imagine them becoming one with you. Open your mind to them."

        Misto did what she told him to. And then, it was very faint at first but then, he could hear… something. He could hear music, vaguely but just enough so that he didn't have to strain to hear it. " I hear something," Misto told his friend," Is it starsong?"

        " Yes!" Cyra cried excitedly," Do you think you can dance to the music?"

        " Sure," Misto said," I think… I think it wants us to dance together."

        " It does," Cyra told him," Shall we?"

        " Definitely," Misto said taking her hand again. Starsong's main dance wasn't too complicated. Not too fast, not too slow. Plenty of twirls, high jumps, and high kicks. After that song ended, they sat down to rest.

        They sat at the base of a tree when a sudden rustle in the bushes was heard. Their heads spun and the playful laugh of a female echoed through the clearing.

        " Jemima?" Cyra and Misto asked at the same time.

        " Hello," Jemima stepped out," Sorry to burst in on you like this but may I ask you something Cyra?"

        " Yes," Cyra answered.

        " Were you just dancing to a song that sounds like moonsong?" Jemima asked.

        " My secret's out to another person," Cyra moaned," Jemima, I didn't really want to tell anyone. You'd all think I was a freak."'

        " Tell me what?" Jemima asked.

        " She hears other songs aside from moonsong," Misto explained when Cyra started to study the floor again," She taught me how to hear this one. We were dancing."

        " You can hear it?" Jemima asked excitedly.

        " Yes," Cyra replied softly.

        " I do too!" Jemima cried excitedly jumping up and down," Now I know I'm not imagining things! I heard tonight's song calling for someone other than me and I thought maybe Misto could help. This is the only song I hear aside from moonsong."

        " Oh yeah," Misto said his mind clicking in remembrance," Deuteronomy told us. I forgot. He was telling us because we went to him about Cyra's predicament."

        " Starsong started again," Cyra announced," It wants Jemima to dance with us too." " Then, come on," Misto led Jemima into the clearing and starsong led them into another dance. This one a little faster than the last one. Jemima may not have been as good a dancer as Cyra and Misto but she had a surprising amount of energy. When that starsong ended, they all sat down and rested.

        " This is wonderful," Jemima said gasping for air," I never thought anyone else could have my same gift or curse, or whatever you call it."

        " This is fun," Misto agreed," I like starsong and I'm happy you showed me how to dance to it Cyra."

        " It's the best gift I could give to you after all you've done for me," Cyra smiled. Then she whispered so that Jemima couldn't hear," I also needed to give you another present since you told me your name is Quaxo." Outloud so Jemima could hear, Cyra asked," So Jemima, Happy Birthday right?"

        " Yeah, you remembered, thanks," Jemima thanked," This is my birthday."

        " Happy Birthday Jemima," Misto told her," You want us to walk you back to your nest?"

        " I'm staying overnight with my father and mother," Jemima said. Her father and mother was Skimble and Jennyanydots.

        " You want us to walk with you to the train station?" Misto volunteered. Her parents also lived with the train people as the official train cats.

        " I guess," Jemima said, then she smiled," Misto, I know it's asking a lot, but could you zap us there? Just use your magic for this purpose just for today?"

        Misto laughed. " I knew you'd say that," he nodded," Ok, just for tonight."

        " Great! Now I get to see your magic in action!" Cyra smiled.

        Misto held both of their hands and shook his head a bit. In a flash, they found themselves in the train yard right in front of the open luggage van. Skimble was there pacing and when he saw his daughter with his friend, he stopped pacing and stopped worrying too.

        " Jemima, don't disappear anymore," he scolded her gently," What are you three young ones doing out so late?"

        " Dancing," Jemima smiled," We found this beautiful clearing and we are were practicing our moves. Cyra and Misto were also teaching me a few new dancing moves."

        " Our birthday present to her," Cyra told Skimble respectfully.

        " Thank you both," Skimble thanked," I appreciate that Jemima can really have friends there for her. Misto, you really are a nice guy and Cyra, I'm really happy you joined the clan."

        " I'll see you both later!" Jemima called as she walked into the luggage van with her father.

        " If it's not too much Misto, do you think we could stay a while and look around?" Cyra asked.

        " I'm going to talk with Skimble a little while ok Cyra?" Misto told her," Don't go too far. You could get hit by a train and I can't bring cats back from the dead."

        " I promise not to get hit by a train Misto," Cyra promised and she sauntered off leaving Misto to chat with Skimble who had just emerged after tucking Jemima into bed.

        " You like her a lot don't you?" Skimble asked Misto the minute Cyra was out of earshot.

        " I guess," Misto shrugged," I don't know. I don't know what I feel about her except that she's one of the best friends I ever had in my life."

        " She's perfect for you," Skimble continued," Same age, more or less same interests, both of you are excellent dancers, she's the one for you Misto."

        " Don't do this to me Skimble," Misto shook his head," I'm torn apart as is trying to figure out what exactly I feel for Cyra. Don't make it worse."

        " Pouncival has an eye for her," Skimble told him," Tugger does definitely. Admetus, Coricopat, and Alonzo do too. You had better get your paws on her, before anyone else does Misto."

        " I know, I know, I know," Misto moaned," Ok, you win Skimble. I like her a lot. But like I told Tugger when he told me the same thing: I don't want to jeopardize out friendship. It means so much to me."

        " You have to take a chance," Skimble said," How else do you think relationships get started. One person takes the risk. I had to take a risk when I first met Jennyanydots."

        " I told Tugger he could ask her out for tomorrow night," Misto admitted," He promised not to seduce her. I just want to see how this makes me feel and how she feels."

        " Careful Misto," Skimble cautioned," This is the heart we're talking about and playing games with the heart, can be devastating if you make a mistake."

        Meanwhile, Cyra was walking through a deserted part of the train yard when she felt another cat with her. I probably spent so much time with Misto that I got some of his intuition, she thought. " Who's there?" she asked.

        The other cat was silent for a while before saying," I am."

        " Come out," Cyra said. She didn't feel afraid of whoever this was. It felt like, like she knew this cat, only she didn't.

        " Hello," the cat purred coming out of the shadows," What's you name?"

        " I'm Cyra," Cyra replied looking into the cat's deep eyes and she could feel him looking into hers," You are?"

        " My unique name is Kyliron," the cat answered walking closer," And yours is Rettania."

        " How did you know?" Cyra asked.

        " I know a lot of things Rettania," Kyliron said moving even closer. So close, he began to run a hand through her hair.

        " Cyra!" Misto's voice sounded very close," Come on! We'd better get home!'

        " Coming Misto!" she called. To Kyliron, she said," I'd better go. Bye Kyliron. Maybe we'll see each other again."

        " I know we will Cyra," Kyliron purred and took his hand away from Cyra," Good bye, for now."

        " For now," Cyra echoed. Then, she turned and trotted back to Misto. His black and white figure came into sight and she said," Hello Misto. How are you?"

 &