Notes: Well. Here we are.

After this chapter, things will be getting into gear. Expect a lot of POV changes, and, as I much as I regret it, slower updates and shorter chapters. The chapters have been fifteen to twenty pages, but now they'll be around ten to fifteen. After August sixth, though, I will hopefully get

I've gotten two pairing suggestions—They'll be introduced in the next chapter. I have some stuff already written, but I wanted to get this up, so they'll go in the next chapter.

You're all going to hate me for what I did with Etcy. She's still hyper, of course, but I've stretched her intelligence, and now she's secretly rather depressed. I told you I'd be shedding new lights on the characters. I didn't tell you I'd be completely abusing how open to interpretation CATS is.

By the way, cats probably don't have godchildren and godparents, but these cats do. And I want to introduce another OC—made by you. I'm going to make a contest.

Onwards!

P.S. Lyrics from "airplanes" belong to B.o.b and Hayley Williams, I think.

Etcetera

"You're late," my "mystery tom" remarked as I crested the junk pile. It was very dark, and very cold. I made an annoying sputtering noise as I hoisted myself up to safety. I smiled at him, and crawled over to the clothes dryer he was leaning against, his arms crossed.

"No I'm not, you're early," I whined, slinking over to him.

"Just keep telling yourself that, kit." Said Munkustrap, as I sidled up against him.

"Munkus," I said quietly, "is it weird that I'm friends with your daughter?" Munkustrap laughed, and I felt a little stupid. I looked up at him. Demeter was so lucky. She didn't have to hide her relationship with him. She was practically expected to shower him with love whenever she saw him. Me and Rumpelteazer on the other hand… if anyone found out about our relationships with him, he'd probably be looked at so much differently. Negatively. I didn't want that for him. I just didn't want to hide. I was a kitten; I wasn't supposed to have secrets.

Yes, I knew about Rumpelteazer. I didn't care. Rumpelteazer was cool. If there had to be another queenkit, I would prefer it was she. Electra was taken. Victoria… now, I'd just be jealous of her. I don't compare. Plus, she's got Mungojerrie and Plato. Jemima had Alonzo, or Mistoffelees, if she could decide. Presto said Munkustrap intimidated her—though I wouldn't mind it if she was the other queenkit. She was a lot like me. Just not as smart.

"It's not weird, not at all." He said, stroking my upper arm. I rested my paw on his chest, hoping I could feel his heartbeat. No such luck. I was slightly disappointed—I wanted to be able to make his heart race. But I was okay with it. He felt relaxed with me.

"Do you love me?" I asked, bracing myself for whatever answer I got.

"Of course."

"Do you love Rumpelteazer?"

"Yes."

"Do you love Demeter?"

"Yes."

"Is it really possible for you to love three queens?" I asked, sitting up straight. Munkustrap looked slightly disappointed—which, I had to admit, made me feel a little better.

"I've got a heart big enough for a hundred, Etcetera. And I love you three most. Now don't be a stranger." He said, placing his paw on my back. I reluctantly went back down, resting my head on his shoulder. "Good girl," he said smugly. Munkustrap acted differently towards me—and presumably Rumpelteazer and Demeter. He was cockier, not as reserved, but he still had that kind, Munkustrap charm.

I bit my lip, keeping myself from asking him whom he loved best. Sometimes, I thought I was more curious than Tugger. Oh, I still adored Tugger. Even with our other toms, all of the kittens would still love Tugger. You just couldn't stop loving him. Seriously.

I knew I never had a chance with him. It didn't mean I wouldn't try, or at least pretend to. I knew Tugger had older, prettier queens around him. Like Bomba, even if she was having some relations with Plato. He had Cassandra, as well. And her sister, Exotica. And even another certain queen I knew. And then there were the other kittens. I didn't stand a chance, but I knew it. Contrary to popular belief, I was a highly intelligent little kitten, and I was very aware of myself. I knew everything that was going on in the tribe. I knew about the affairs, the love triangles, everything. And I knew that I wouldn't have a relationship with Munkustrap for long.

Tugger knew about Munkustrap. I told him. I tell him everything. We have a little gossip group with Alonzo—and Alonzo knew too. I may be his "number one fan," but I can control myself. Sometimes. Okay, not very often, but I was getting better, I promise!

"Munkus, I'm tired." I said after a long, content silence. Our breathing had fallen into unison, and only the sounds of rustling leaves and passing cars filled the air. It was chilly.

"You should get home, then…"

"I don't want to go home yet."

"I know, I know. I don't want you to, either." He said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. I grinned, nuzzling his chest.

"Can't I just sleep here, Munkus?" I asked, my voice whiny. Munkustrap sighed melodramatically.

"Okay. Only for a little while, but then you have to sneak home. All right?"

"Right." I said, scooting even closer to him so I got all of his warmth. The chill seemed to disappear. I tried to fall asleep, but I couldn't, so I was left pretending. A painful feeling gnawed at my stomach—I was losing him, I knew it. I was losing him just as our relationship started. I could never compare to Demeter, or even Rumpelteazer.

I'd just have to cherish this, and grin when he leaves me.

Today felt a bit difficult. The pain grew and grew, with every time my eyes led me to Munkustrap, or when I caught some sort of show of affection he received from Demeter. Jealously knocked at my insides. It whispered sweet words to me, and I found myself losing respect or any friendly love I had for Demeter. It lowered with every loving glance she gave to Munkustrap; it lowered with every look she discreetly gave to Alonzo, or Coricopat, or worse—Tugger.

I honestly thought she hated him. However, my gossip buddies told me otherwise. It truly baffled me how open the Jellicles were with their relationships. Alonzo and Tugger were very good friends, even though they both had something going on with Demeter—and honestly seemed to loathe on another. It didn't seem to matter that Alonzo had something with Jemima, Tugger's niece—or Cassandra, who had been with both of them with some point.

I was such a kitten. I just couldn't completely comprehend all of this, and it sucked. I always wondered just when all of this infidelity began. Whenever it did, as soon as I was brought into it, it got harder and harder to keep being the hyperactive kitten. I had baggage of my own. I surely wasn't the kind of kitten who used noise to cover her pain, but my life wasn't peaches and cream. It was filled with jealousy, anger, sadness, and a third feeling I couldn't place my fingers on—to be expressed with humorous whines or to not be expressed at all. It was suffocating.

My best friend, Victoria, was gorgeous. She had toms throwing themselves at her ever since the junkyard was graced with her birth. Even as a blind kitten, Jellylorum had told her—I simply overheard, honestly—the toms cuddled and played with her most. Electra was pretty as well. Actually, her face might have been prettier than Victoria's, maybe.

Don't get me started on Jemima. She's beautiful. Those big eyes, the red and black fur, and the petite frame, all congregated together to make her one big wad of adorable kitten. Of everyone, I was probably the most jealous of her.

I also felt ungrateful. I had Munkustrap, who—while all the queens new he was taken (just not by two kits and a queen)—was very sought after. I saw those eyes Cassandra made at him, or that tail flick Exotica did. Munkustrap was perfect, in every sense of the word. Even if he was cocky around me, or maybe I thought he still thought of me as a kit (which I was, but I'd be a queen soon!), he was still perfect. Actually, those parts of him probably made him more irresistible.

"Etce?" came Victoria's voice. It was too quiet, and I strained to hear her. A few other cats' footsteps, probably Electra and Jemima's, accompanied hers. I was sitting on a junk pile, secluded from the rest of the junkyard. A lot of us kits had been going off by ourselves lately—it was my turn, I supposed. I didn't want anyone to find me. Except for maybe Alonzo or Tugger. At that time, I needed some advice, and they usually had some. Even if they were the flirts of the tribe—Tugger more than Alonzo, of course—they did give good advice.

"Yeah?" I replied airily, turning around to look at them. If I could make them think I was fantasizing instead of wallowing in self-pity, they'd leave me alone. Presto, Victoria, and Electra were looking up at me. No Jemima. I assumed she was with Alonzo (who could have been with Demeter or Cassandra), or with Coricopat (who could have been with her or Demeter), or any other toms she could lead on while clinging to her innocence. So talking to Tugger and Alonzo was out. I could still talk to Tugger though. That was if I could get Presto, Victoria, and Electra off my tail. Why wasn't Victoria on a date with Plato? He was probably with Bomba…

"Oh, we were just wondering if you wanted to hang out… You kinda disappeared, we didn't know what was up." Electra said, looking puzzled. I guess my pretend daydreaming didn't work.

"No thanks, I'm tired today… sorry." I said, shaking my head, then stretching. I was a good actress, most of the time. The others nodded dumbly.

"It's okay. If you change your mind, you know where to find us." Victoria said, before spinning on her heel. If only she knew… I thought, watching as Electra waved before catching up to her. If only she knew, and if only she knew that I knew. The words felt cramped in my head, so I squeezed my eyes shut in a feeble attempt to change the subject.

"See you, Etcetera," Presto said slowly, then quickly turned around and ran to catch up to Electra and Victoria, successfully slipping on Everlasting knows what. I turned back to the West, watching as the sun set. I would note be seeing Munkustrap tonight. I would be alone.

"Okay, what's up with you, kit?" Tugger asked. I sat in front of him and Alonzo, legs crossed. Apparently they—of all cats—had caught on to my damp mood and were worried. I could tell by the small amount of urgency in Tugger's voice, and the identical looks on both of their faces. They were still intimidating.

I pressed my lips together into a straight line. How would I say this? I had a lot I was thinking about.

"Well…" I began, twiddling my thumbs. "I feel… inadequate."

"How so?" Alonzo asked, leaning back. We were in a small clearing in the junkyard, surrounded by especially tall junk piles. The interior of the junkyard was getting stale.

"Think about it." I said. "Alonzo, you're head over heels for Jemima. And she's… gorgeous."

"Right."

"Hey, that's my niece you're talking about." Tugger teased, resting the back of his head in his paws. He had gotten taller, I could tell. Even if he was a grown tom, it felt like he was getting taller all the time. Though Tugger was the tallest tom, he wasn't the biggest. Without that mane of his, Tugger was actually really slender. Of course, only I would notice that.

"Yeah, yeah. Continue, Etce…?"

"Victoria's beautiful too. I mean, you simply can't deny it. Even Electra's really pretty. I feel stupid." I said, looking down. My face was hot.

"Firstly, Etcetera," Tugger said sternly. I looked up. I'd heard that tone very few times, which was usually when he decided to be responsible or something. "You are so incredibly smart that it actually worries me sometimes, and secondly—"

"Have you looked at yourself lately?" Alonzo interrupted. "It's like in the past three days you've aged a million years."

"… Wait, is that a good thing?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.

"Yes." Alonzo said, crossing his arms.

"You're all beautiful now, Etcetera!" Tugger said, tacking back the pep-talk reigns. "My brother's adorable godchild is all grown up!" he said, pretending to cry. I couldn't help but laugh. Alonzo and Tugger always knew how to cheer me up.

We were an interesting trio. A hyperactive kitten—well, usually hyperactive—a notoriously indecisive Maine coon, and a black and white tom who could be a flirt but still responsible.

"Thanks," I said, grinning. There were other things I wanted to talk about, but I wouldn't dare ruin this happy mood.

"Anything else on your mind?" asked Tugger, gently thumping my forehead with the base of his paw.

"Hey!" I whined, still grinning. "Aaaaaannnyyywaaaay, I'm good… what's going on with you two?"

And so we launched into our usual banter. And I kept everything else to myself. Bad choice.

Presto

How did this happen? How did I get into this situation?

Oh, of course I knew. I lost the race, sliding on god-forsaken tin foil.

How we reached that point in the conversation escaped me. All of the queenkits and tomkits (save for Etcetera, who had been gone all day) had gotten in some sort of argument, over whether or not queenkits ran faster than tomkits. It was so stupid.

The wagers? If the toms won, their runner had to hang out with a queen of the other toms' choosing for three hours. Same for the girls, but they chose a tom.

The runners? Mistoffelees and myself.

The winner? Mistoffelees.

The queen chosen by the other toms with assistance from the other queens?

Me.

Why? Was it so easy to tell I liked him? Why couldn't the runners have been different, or why couldn't they have chosen another queen?

It was all part of their plan, their sick plan. Absent Etcetera had called it Operation: Matchmaker. So I was stuck here, sitting next to Mistoffelees, as the other kits hid around the corner, shushing each other so they could hear us.

"They know we can hear them, right?" I said quietly. Mistoffelees shook his head, nearly as bored as I was. Half an hour had passed, ut it felt like and eternity or two. The other kits probably expected up to make out or something. At the thought of that, I cooked up a plan. I leaned into Mistoffelees, and whispered, "We should make sex noises to freak them out."

The black and white tom scooted away from me, eyes wide. I gawked at him, surprised by his reaction. Prude. "All I heard," he said, narrowing his eyes, "was we, should, and sex."

I blushed. Well! That was just wrong. "Oh my God, you are so stupid!" I said, as a laugh crept up my throat. "You should have seen your face! And I didn't even suggest that!" I said, clutching my stomach. Sure, I was embarrassed at the misunderstanding, but that was pretty fucking hilarious.

"Wait, what did you say?"

"You know what? Never mind. I'll just let you think whatever your sick little mind wants to think, Quaxoffelees." I sighed, noting that the kittens' constant hushing and whispered had ceased.

"You haven't called me that in a while,"Mistoffelees noted. He was right. I, and most everyone else, had gotten into the habit of just calling him Mistoffelees, and variations on that. Though Tugger had done that all along.

"I know. It's fun to say, though." I said, standing up. I looked around the corner that the other kittens had been hiding behind. They were gone. Huh. Mistoffelees got up and stood next to me.

"Oh dear." I cooed, shaking my head and crossing my arms. "Those poor children must have heard what you said." I accused, looking at Mistoffelees with mock horror.

"Hey-! I wasn't the one making indecent proposals."

"Hey, I didn't say what yo think I did."

"Then what did you say?"

"Not telling." I hissed, sticking my tongue at him. He pinched the bridge of his nose, irritated. I had gotten quite good at that, and—with the occasional help from Etcetera—making him blush. I was quite proud of that, especially with that huge tumor of a crush I had on him.

"…Should we go back to the clearing?" Mistoffelees asked after a moment of silence. I shook my head.

"They'll yell at us." Actually, I just want to spend time with you.

And so we walked. And talked. We walked and talked about stupid things, while one bothersome question fought to pass my lips—do you like me?

What were we talking about? I didn't know. Some little man inside of me was controlling my actions, making me speak and carry on a normal conversation. Meanwhile, my mind was so far away I thought I'd never be able to find it. I was walking next to Mistoffelees, close to Mistoffelees, and holding an actual conversation with him.

And that brings me to this point. Quaxoffelees and I, sitting on top of a junk pile as the sun got lower and lower, depriving half of the world of its warmth, leaving it cold and blue. To the east, the first star of the night emerged.

"Presto?" said Mistoffelees, snapping me out of it.

"Hmm?" I said, looking at him with a pleasantly surprised face. He shook his head in faked disappointment. I was rubbing off on him. "Yeeees?" I asked, bringing my legs to my chest and resting my chin on my knees.

"Nothing, you just looked like you were going to fall asleep."

"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking." I said, lifting my head up. Everlasting, Mistoffelees was just wonderful. I just wanted to do something—as indecent as that sounds. I didn't know what. I just wanted to let him know I liked him, without having to say those words. Without having to speak. But how could I do that?

Alonzo and Tugger were long gone. I was alone again, and I didn't mind this time. I was updated on all of their drama, and I felt a whole lot better about myself. Sure, I didn't know if they were complimenting me just to get it out of the way, but I didn't want to think they were.

At this time, I was scaling the tops of junk piles, humming a little tune. It was quiet, the faint murmur of the main clearing and the sounds of human civilization the only things penetrating the silence. A plane passed overhead.

Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars?

Of course not. It wasn't night yet, and planes aren't stars. It didn't mean I couldn't dream. I wanted to make a wish, but resisted. It was silly, kittenish. I wanted to act more like a queen. If I looked more like one as Alonzo and Tugger had said, then it was about time I acted like one. I did, sort of, didn't I? I was smart, wasn't I? Sure, I was loud, and I squealed, but I was smart. If I quieted down, I would probably be the best-behaved kitten. Maybe I could be the favorite instead of Victoria and Jemima, maybe I could be the one the adults depended on instead of Electra.

I hopped from a tall junk pile down to a shorter one, nearly losing my footing. As I regained my balance, I heard faint voices. One was Presto. The other was male… Mistoffelees. What were they doing together? Alone, even? I knew Presto liked Mistoffelees, but I wasn't sure if the feeling was mutual. There were a few hints, but I never asked. Which I should have—that's what friends do, right?

I carefully stepped over to another junk pile of the same height, curiosity taking over. I cringed at every little sound my footsteps made. I climbed on to a junk pile that was right next to theirs, but taller. I accidentally kicked a tin can, wincing as it hit the ground. They stopped talking for a moment, then resumed. I looked down at them, making sure they couldn't see me. To my surprise, Presto leaned into Mistoffelees.

And kissed him.

Yay! Kissy kissssyyy.

Sorry for how rushed this chapter is. I wanted to get it up, and get to the kiss. That's why so much dialogue is chopped out. I might add some "deleted scenes" when this is all over.

Go see my contest (It's called "Presto's best friend contest")! Review, and you can do junk pile parkour with Etcy and me.

Thanks for reading, my children…