The Story Of Little Midnight
Chapter 3 
Welcome Home
By: Little Midnight
 
(Authors Note: OK be for you read this story, I have a few fellow writers to thank. First: I would like thank Tumblebrutus, author of "The Day of Dread", "Tumblebrutus and Anybodys", "The Tale of Tumblebrutus", "The Jellicle Revenge", and my personal favorite, "Jacob's Party”.  I would like to thank Tumble for letting me use her idea for the characters of "Macavity's Strays" Thanks a bunch Tumble!!  Second: I would like to thank Sadie, the author of "Misto's Story," "Rumpus Cat Rescue", and "Misto the Caddie".  I would like to thank Sadie for the idea of Misto's parents, especially his father "Grikspittle".  Thanks a bunch Sadie! Last but not least I would like to thank the unknown author of "Siflay" for the idea of Misto's older brother.  Thanks all of you!!!!  And again this story is long!  I hope you enjoy it!)
 
 "What?!" Bombi cried.  The sound of her sister cry out the name of the jellicle, who last Ball went to the Heaviside, made her heart race.
 
 "That birthmark!" Demeter's eyes were wide open.  "I'd know it anywhere!  Grizabella has.....had the same one!"
 
 A gasp was heard from the tribe and soon all the jellicles crowded around the kitten, who had now turned scared.  Munkustrap jumped down off the tire to get a better look, his face full of curiosity and alarm.  Old Deuteronomy just smiled.
 
Midnight became very scared at the sudden change in the crowds attitude.  She ran behind her big brother Mistoffelees, for shelter and safety.  Misto turned to the jellicles, and made a motion to stop.  He mouthed to them, "She doesn't know."  The tribe quieted down.
 
 "Um.........Midnight," Mistoffelees looked down at the tiny queen. "Why don't you see if anyone wants to play?"
 
"Like me!" a voice piped.  Jemima, who was exited that she wasn't going to be the youngest queen any more jumped out and batted at Midnight playfully.  Tumblebrutus also came up to her.
 
 Midnight looked sideways at them, then looked at her brother.  Misto smiled at her.  "Go ahead," he said.
 
 "Hey Tumble," Pouncival called.  "You know you can't play ruff with the queens.  Why bother?"
 
 "Well," Tumblebrutus looked at him, "why ......."  But Tumble never finished.  Suddenly the new kitten jumped on him knocking him down to the ground, something Pouncival and Tumblebrutus had done many times, but something that not many girls did.  Tumble lay pinned on his back by the black and white queen.  Pouncival and Jemima broke into laughter. Tumble looked up at Midnight in shock, then also started to laugh.
 
 Jemima tugged on Midnight's tail, and growled playfully.  The small jellicle jumped at Jemima, her black and white tail twitching.  Tumble came up behind Midnight.
 
 "You’re it!" he yelled as he took off.  Jemima ran next to Midnight.
 
 "Come on!" she said, "I never let a tom get away with that.  And I have a reputation to hang onto."  The two queens took off after Tumblebrutus.  Pouncival rolled his eyes.
 
 "Lets see," he pondered, "Tumble will probably last about two seconds with those two, I should go bale him out."
 
 Mistoffelees sighed as he watched Pounce run off.  One of the good things about the kittens was they really didn't care.  They always had something that most adults had lost, the power of forgiveness.  Jemima and Victoria had displayed that at the jellicle Ball.  But sometimes it seemed that they didn't understand why most of the adults got so upset over things.  The tribe gathered around Mistoffelees.  Most had skeptical and worried faces.
 
 "Mistoffelees," Demeter came right up to him, "That was... I mean... she was... she is... that was who I think she is right?!"
 
 "Yeah," Bomb put an arm around her sister.  "She's not going crazy........right?"
 
 "Bomb!" Demeter scowled at her.
 
 "No your not," Mistoffelees said, "That was her."  Munkustrap approached him.
 
 "That was Grizabella?" Mistoffelees nodded, "But Grizabella was your......."
 
 "Mother, yeah I know." Misto looked at the silver tabby, "She came back."
 
 "But how did she end up as you sister?" Jellylorum asked, "I mean..... when your reborn, don't you have to have a new jellicle body?  Did Griz have a kitten before she came back to the tribe?"
 
 Misto shook his head.  "I don't think so."
 
 "Who was the father?"  Old Deuteronomy asked.
 
 Mistoffelees looked up at him.  "Same as mine."
 
 "Grikspittle?" Munkustrap arched an eye fur.  Mistoffelees nodded slowly.  Victoria walked up and sat next to Mistoffelees.
 
 "But your mother’s..." Agustus looked at him, but dared not to say the next thought on his mind.  But Misto finished for him.
 
 "...Dead.  I know," the black cat gave a small smile, "Well I guess she isn't now."  Mistoffelees looked over at Midnight.  She was hiding from Jemima and Tumble in the old dodge.  Her yellow eye's were aglow with delight.
 
 "That's not what I meant," Agustus' ears twitched every which way, something he did when he was nerves.
 
 "I think what Agustus means is," Skimble said, "That wee kitten looks only about a few weeks old, not even a month.  And it's been a few months since the Ball.  How did Grizabella have a kitten, after she went to the Heaviside?"
 
 "Yeah," Munkustrap stepped for ward, "I really don't think it's possible to have a kitten and be reborn into her."
 
 "You know," Misto said still looking at Midnight, who was now getting into a wrestling match with Pouncival, "I was wandering the same thing. I didn't even know I had a little sister.  I probably would never know if it weren't for my father."
 
 "What do you mean?" Munkustrap asked, "Your Father?  But you haven't seen him for years."
 
 Mistoffelees gave a small smile again as he looked at the ground.  "I saw him a few weeks ago.  That's when he told me I had a sister." Mistoffelees closed his eyes remembering that night, that changed his life for ever...
 
                                                      ***3 Weeks Ago***
 
 "Mistoffelees!" cried an older black tom.  His white face was filled with fright, as Macavity's claws ripped throuth his black fur, like it was fabric.  "Mistoffelees help me!"
 
 Mistoffelees held out his paw to his brother Siflay, but he couldn't reach him.  He just wasn't strong enough.
 
 "Siflay hang on!"  Misto cried desperately.
 
 "Help me Brother!  Please help me!"  Siflay's eyes were wide and scared.
 
 "Yes Mistoffelees," Macavity's lips curled in an evil smile, as he held Siflay like a rag doll in his claws, "Help him."  Macavity  threw back his head and laughed.  Then with one terrifying blow, he dug his claws into Siflay, causing him to scream in agony.
 
 "NOOOOO!!!  SIFLAY!!"  Misto cried.  His face filled with tears, as he slowly watched, helplessly, his brother's arms go limp.  "No!"  But Mistoffelees couldn't move.  It was like his feet were nailed to the floor.  He couldn't help Siflay, he couldn't.  "Siflay!"
 
 "I......thought.....y-you were.....my ....b-br-brother," Siflay growled slowly in a weak voice.  "Just like you let me get in the pollicle fight, it's your fault, you let me die."  Mistoffelees shook his head violently.
 
 "No!  Siflay I.........," but his words were useless.
 
 To Misto's horror he watched his brother's eyes role back into his head, and with one horrifying shutter, Siflay's body gave up.
 
 "No!  Siflay!  No!  I'm so sorry!  Please!"  Mistoffelees felt his whole body start to shake uncontrollably.  He could feel every tear that rolled down his face and sink into his thin face fur .  "Oh please Siflay!"  But he knew it was no use.  Siflay lay as lifeless as the night air.
 
 Macavity's evil laugh rung in his ears like a bell of death.  "And now," the Hidden Paw said, reaching down with is red stained claws, "It's your turn."
 
 "No!  Leave me alone!  No!"  Mistoffelees cried as he banged his fists on the couch.  His eyes suddenly popped open.  The couch.  He was at home in his house, not at the junkyard.  He gave a sigh of relief, as he wiped away his tears from his cheeks.
 
 He had been having the same dream over and over, ever sense he reunited with his long lost brother Siflay.
 
 He remembered it so well.  It was only a few weeks after the Jellicle Ball, when Macavity came for revenge.  But it was unlike any revenge Misto could have imagined.  Macavity had brainwashed his older brother, Siflay.  The black cat had been separated from the safety of their mother, and had gotten into a fight with a pollicle, when the two were only weeks old.  Macavity had saved him, but in return for his life, Siflay was to become a stray.
 
 The years pastand Siflay was forgotten.  Until the night Macavity brought Siflay to the junkyard.  Their purpose, to kill the jellicle who interfered with the Hidden paw's kidnapping plan.  Mistoffelees.  The battle had raged.  Magician against magician.  But Siflay had the upper paw, he didn't care anything for his younger brother.......... or so he thought.  When the time came he just couldn't do it.  He couldn't kill the only brother he had.  In return for his disobedience to Macavity, Siflay lost his life.
 
 Mistoffelees shuttered.  He remembered his brother's last words, as he held him in his arms.
 
 "I thought I would never see you again," Siflay had said with a weak smile, "I'm just sorry we had to meet like this."
 
 The tears started to fall from Misto's eye's again, just like they had on that cold night.  He repeated the words he had said to his brother. "Please don't die on me."
 
 But now, just like then, did no good.  Siflay had died that night. Misto had never forgot that look in his brother's eyes.  The look of death, a look that scared him, a look that haunted him in his nightmares.
 
 Mistoffelees felt his body start to tremble in the night.  He couldn't help it.  Misto had heard from meanly, who had lost a love one, that they would give anything to hear their voice again.  Mistoffelees wished he could stop hearing Siflay.  Over and over in his dreams he witnessed again and again, his brother's brutal murder and repeating cries of help that he couldn't respond to.  But now, he felt that Siflay blamed him for his death.  It hurt so much to think that.  He kept telling himself that it was all it him mind, but the more he slept the more afraid he became.
 
 The jellicles started to nosiest him becoming more and more disconnected.  Misto had spent meanly night's by himself, doing nothing but crying, over the loss of the only family he new existed.
 
 "Knock it off," Mistoffelees said to himself, "You've got to get some sleep."
 
 The black jellicle jumped off the couch where he had been sleeping and curled up under a chair.  Rapping his tail tightly around his small body he closed his eyes.  It took him a long time, but soon, he fell asleep.
 
 He, again, had a dream.  He feared every time he went to sleep.  Afraid that he would see his brothers eyes glaring at him with hatred. But this dream was different.  He was back at the junkyard.  The night was cold but he couldn't feel the wind.  Looking around he realized no one was there.  He was the only one.  It was better then seeing Siflay again.
 
 Mistoffelees turned his attention to the stars.  Each shining brightly.  Twinkling, like they all had their own personality, all had a history, all had a tale to tell.
 
 "That's because they do," A voice filled the empty junkyard.
 
 Misto spun around to see an old black tom cat.  His entire body was black.  He looked like he was slim, but had lost a lot of weight, because Misto could see his bones.  But the tom's eyes is what caught Mistoffelees' attention.  Bright blue.  Just like his were when he was a kitten, but they had now turned to a dark blue, almost black.
 
 Mistoffelees narrowed his eyes at the approaching tom.  He knew him anywhere.
 
 "What do you want?"  Misto hissed.
 
 "It's nice to see you again Mistoffelees.  Or should I say the Magical Mistoffelees," The tom smiled.
 
 "You have no right to be here,"  The jellicle growled.
 
 "Where's here?"  The tom asked.
 
 That kind of stumped Misto.  He looked back to the old tom.
 
 "Look," he said, "I don't care why your here.  I don't want to care.  I have nothing to say to you."  Mistoffelees started to walk away.  He didn't know where he was going, but he had to get away from the tom.
 
 "Maybe you don't," replied the tom, "But I have something I want to say to you."
 
 "Like what!?" Misto yelled at him.  "What could you possibly have to say to me?  What does the 'Great Grikspittle' have that could possibly have any meaning to me?"
 
 Grikspittle's whiskers twitched.
 
 "I'm getting the feeling you never forgave me," he said with a sigh.
 
 "What tipped you off?"  Mistoffelees growled as he folded his arms across his chest.
 
 "Look Mistoffelees," Grikspittle said as he came up behind him, "I know you don't like me.  I don't know if you ever liked me......"
 
 "I liked you when you weren't a part of my life," Misto said with a scowl.
 
 "I didn't know I was a part of your life," Grik couldn't help but smile at that.
 
 "You weren't!" Mistoffelees raged.  "But it seems like I'm getting visits from unwanted family members lately."
 
 Grikspittle winced.  It wasn't aimed at him but he felt it anyway.
 
 "I know you don't mean that.  You loved your brother very much," he sighed, "I heard about what happened."
 
 "Oh you did, did you?"  Mistoffelees had become hard and cold.
 
 "Yes, I did," Grikspittle looked at him with his blue eyes.
 
 "Why would you care?  You were never there for us when we were kittens, why should you be there for us now?"  The jellicle's tail twitched as he turned his back to the tom.
 
 "I do care Mistoffelees," Grikspittle put his paw on Misto's shoulder,
"I do care.  I care about you and Siflay."
 
 Mistoffelees growled in anger and shook away the paw.  "How can you say that?!  The first chances you got you abandoned us.  Not only that you helped Macavity when he kidnapped me.  And if you cared at all, where were you the night when Siflay needed you?"
 
 Grikspittle felt that one.
 
 "I...I don't know," he said, "I haven't really paid any attention to you two, I assumed you could take care of your selves.  But when I heard what happened to Siflay.........,"  Grikspittle closed his eyes in sorrow.
 
 But his act wasn't fooling Misto.  "Why did you come here?  To ask forgiveness?  Well to bad, your not getting it.  You mean nothing to me, and I do not intend to see the same from you."
 
 "Mistoffelees,” Grik had a scowl on his face, "Whether you like it or not, I am still your father, and you and Siflay are still my sons."
 
 "Well look at me!"  Mistoffelees growled throwing up his arms in sarcasm, "I'm the son of a traitor!"
 
 "If I am a traitor," The black tom was this close to taking out his frustration on Misto, "What about your Mother?  Is she a traitor?"
 
 Mistoffelees just looked at him.  He didn't know how to respond. Grizabella had abandoned him when he was a kitten, but she couldn't do anything about Siflay.  She was dead.
 
 "So now your going to blame this on her?"  The jellicle's claws were retracted, but remand at this sides.
 
 "No, I'm not," the scowl on Grikspittle's face disappeared.  He looked like he didn't have the strength for it.  "In fact, she's the reason I'm here."
 
 "She's dead, dad," Misto said, "She went to the Heaviside last Ball."
 
 "I know."
 
 "How would you know?"
 
 Grikspittle smiled.  "She visited me."
 
 "She what?"
 
 Grik walked up to Mistoffelees.  The jellicle just looked at him.
 
 "A few weeks ago, she decided to visit me,"  The black tom pointed behind his son.  Mistoffelees turned around, and was lost in a spin of colors.  The dream like moonlit junkyard, melted into a dark allay way. Mistoffelees couldn't feel his body, he had gone limp.  He couldn't feel anything.  But he could see.  Looking around, he could see a slim black tom cat, sleeping on a trash can.
 
 Mistoffelees felt sorry for his father, to see him like that.  He didn't understand why Grikspittle was showing him this.
 
 Suddenly, from around a corner, a slight soft clang was heard.  Misto could see Grikspittle look up with a start.
 
 The black tom's fur went on end.  "Who's there?"
 
 From behind a large box, a beautiful slim queen stepped out.  She was a glamorous striped calico.  Black, white, brown, gray and a little red on her, with sparkling blue eyes.
 
 Misto eyes widened in shock and surprise.  He recognized her immediately.  So did Grikspittle.
 
 "Griz?"  The tom marveled.  "Grizabella?  Is that you?"
 
 "Hello Grik,” Grizabella smiled, "How are you?"
 
 "I'm.......well," Grik jumped down off the can, "Look at you!  You haven't changed a bit!  Still as glamorous as ever!"
 
 Grizabella smiled.  She did look a lot younger then when did at the ball.  "Oh yes I have changed Grik.  I'm dead."
 
 "Your what?"
 
 "I'm dead.  Don't act so surprise Grik," the queen rubbed her head against the astonished tom cat, "You know very well, I'm not this young."
 
 "But.......you.....how...I.....you," It was all Grik could manage.
 
 "It's OK Grik," Grizabella touched his face, and smiled, "Your not going anywhere."
 
 "But if your dead....how can you be here?"  Grik took her paw away from his face. "Are you a ghost?"
 
 Griz laughed.  "You could say that."
 
 "Well, I........your," The tom was still a little amazed.  "How did you.....I mean......did you...."
 
 "How did I die?"  Surprisingly enough, she smiled.
 
 "Um well it's non of my business but ......well...."
 
 "I went back home Grik," Grikspittle's eyes went wide.
 
 "To the tribe?  But they banished you."
 
 "Yes I know.  I thought that maybe they would give me another chance. To be among them again.  To feel like a real jellicle cat," she stopped and sighed with a smile, "They chose me to go the Heaviside."
 
 Grikspittle's eyes widened.  "They did?"
 
 "Yes," she smiled again. "They forgave me.  They let me have this chance to start over."  Grizabella looked at Grik, her eyes suddenly filled with tears.  "Oh Grik, I saw our son."
 
 The tom looked ashamed.  "Mistoffelees?"
 
 "Yes, Grik.  You should be proud of him.  He's a magician, just like you.  His powers are a little rusty, but he did save Old Deuteronomy from Macavity."
 
 "He did?" Grikspittle couldn't help but smile.
 
 She nodded.  "He reminded me of you, when you were his age."
 
 Grik's smile dropped.  "I wish you wouldn't say that."
 
 "Grik,"  Grizabella's eyes sparkled as, once again she held his head in her paws.  "You should be proud of him.  He's almost an adult, and already is handsome and as smart as ever.  I only wish you could have seen him."
 
 Grikspittle sighed.  "I wish I could have too."
 
 For a long time the two just looked at each other.  Not speaking a word, not even blinking as they gazed into each other's eyes. Grikspittle finally turned away from the queen and started to walk down the alley.
 
 "Grik," Grizabella whispered softly, but loud enough for him to hear.
 
 "Griz,"  the tom looked back at her, "I'm happy for you, I really am. It's great that you've been chosen to go to the Heaviside, and  to be given that second chance.  And I hope you will be happy with your new life."
 
 "Grik wait,"  Grizabella trotted after him, "Grik, I didn't come here just to talk.  I have a favor to ask of you."
 
 "What?"  The tom looked at her.
 
 Grizabella smiled.  "Come."  She walked back down the alley and retreated to the spot from where she came from.  Grik followed her.  As he peaked his head over the box, he found Griz cradling a black and white bundle.  She smiled at him as she crested the kitten's silk soft fur.
 
 "Griz?"  the tom's eyes bocled in shock.  "You had a kitten?  I didn't know.  That's great."  Grik approached them.  "Who's the father?"
 
 "You are Grikspittle."  Grizabella handed him the kitten.
 
 "What?!"  Grik almost dropped it.  "It can't be mine!  We haven't seen each other for years!  How can I be the father?!"
 
 "You just are."  Grizabella stroked the kitten's back.  It gave a small mew and rolled over in Grik's arms.  Black, white, same as Misto.  Only it's eyes were a bright golden-yellow.  It looked up at Grik and gave another small mew.  It's voice was soft and shrill, like all kittens.
 
 
 "It's a girl," Griz said as she stroked the kittens head.  The tiny queen began to purr and held out her paws to be in the warmth of her mother once again.
 
 Grik was still in shook, and very confused, but managed to hand Griz the kitten.  The small jellicle purred happily as she griped onto her mother.
 
 "This little one," Griz said sadly, "Is all alone.  She has no one to go to."
 
 "I still don't understand how it's my kitten."  the tom's tail began to twitch.
 
 "She what you would call a Heaviside birth."  Grizabella tickled the bell of the kitten.  In response the queen giggled in delight.
 
 "A Heaviside  birth?"  Grik's eye's were lost.  "What's that?"
 
 She smiled.  "That's what your daughter is."
 
 "But why am I the father?"
 
 "Grik," Grizabella turned to face his eyes, "The heavens work in mysterious ways.  It's best not to question them.  There must be a reason."
 
 "But I....."  Grizabella silenced him with her paw over his mouth.
 
 "How can you say she is not yours?  She looks just like you."
 
 In matters of the truth she looked more like Mistoffelees, than anyone else.  Her white round kitten face.  Her soft silky black fur.  Her already long black, white tipped tail.  But some of her features did resemble Grikspittle's.  The tom nodded in agreement.  A smile appeared across his face as the little queen looked up at him with her big gold eyes.  She giggled and held out a paw.  Being a kitten and not having the physical strength in her muscles, her paw waved back and forth as she reached out for him.
 
 "I think someone would like to say hello," Griz said as she smiled.
 
 Grik held out his paw to the kitten.  She grabbed a hold of it and held on.
 
 "Da....da...daddy?" the tiny queen stuttered.  Grik felt himself start to tremble.  Griz once again handed him the kitten.  This time he held onto her.  The kitten pawed at Grik's whiskers, playfully and purred.
 
 "She's beautiful," Grik whispered.
 
 "I know,"  Griz smiled sadly ,"But I'm afraid she's going to end up a stray."
 
 "What?" Grikspittle scowled, "Why?"
 
 "She has no place to go.  She's all alone."  Griz looked at the tom with hopeful eyes.
 
 "Griz, no.  You know I'm not a father.  Look what happened to Siflay and Mistoffelees.  I can't be any kind of a father to this kitten, when I never was one to my sons."
 
 "Then take her to Mistoffelees," Grizabella griped on to Grik's arm that wasn't being occupied by the kitten, "I don't want to see what happened to Siflay happen to her."
 
 "But........is Mistoffelees mature enough?"
 
 Griz smiled.  "I think so.  He's grown up quite a bit since the Ball," her eyes saddened again, "And since he saw his brother again."
 
 Grik nodded sadly.  "He probably will have a better chance of taking care of her," he looked down at the kitten who was starting to fidget.
 
 "Grik," Grizabella's eyes were teary again.  "Promise me you'll take her to Mistoffelees, promise me you'll keep her safe."
 
 Grikspittle's whiskers twitched somewhat, before he nodded.  "I promise."
 
 Griz smiled through her tears.  She looked down at the kitten, and stroked her fur tenderly.  The kitten purred.
 
 "Oh," Griz said sadly, "My little Midnile'monly, your so young, but you'll grow, you'll grow into a beautiful jellicle."
 
 "Mommy go bye-bye?" Midnile' asked.
 
 "Just for a little while," Griz smiled.  "You mind you father, and be a good girl.  I'm always with you, remember that."
 
 The queen looked up at Grikspittle.  "Good bye Grikspittle, I'll miss you."  Suddenly she began to tremble, as her physical body disappeared into beams of light.  The tom watched in amazement as the beautiful beams, slowly began to circle around them, lighting up the dark alley. Midnile' giggled and tried to grab at one of the beams.  One of the lights locked on the kitten's eyes, mesmerizing her.  Grik gasped as he watched slowly all the shining beams sank into the kitten's eyes.  With a brilliant flash of light, the beams disappeared.  The only light now was the soft shimmering glow that surrounded the kitten.
 
 Midnile'monly looked up at her father.  To his amazement, the kitten's eyes began to change.  The outer rim of her eyes began to become bright blue.  Like his were.  Grikspittle gasped.
 
 "Mommy went home," Midnile' said.
 
 The alley started to mix into the night as it slowly once again became the dreamy junkyard.
 
                                                ******************
 
 Mistoffelees felt his body start to come back to life.  It was like he had been frozen in animation, watching his mother and father.  But they had disappeared along with the alley.
 
 Misto felt a shutter come over him.  The kitten he had seen, he didn't know what to make of it.  Did he have a younger sister?
 
 "You could call her that," Grikspittle answered.  Mistoffelees looked around and found his father on the tire, looking down at him.
 
 "What was that?"  The jellicle asked.  Misto's anger had turned into confusion.
 
 "That," Grikspittle said, "Was something that unfortunately you never learned how to do.  I showed you that night your mother visited me."
 
 "Why," Misto asked.
 
 "Because you need to know what happened," Grikspittle replied, "Your mother's last wish was that you take care of her."
 
 "Her?"  The jellicle's confusion increased.  Grikspittle motioned for Misto to join him.  Slowly Mistoffelees started to approach the tire.  As he climbed up the box stairs he realized that Grikspittle was not the only one there.  At the far edge of the tire, sat a tiny ball of black fur curled up in a ball.
 
 "Is that.....?"  Mistoffelees voice left him when the kitten peered at him over her fur.  Her eyes.  Golden-yellow, rimed blue.  For one moment they just stared at each other.  Misto's heart seemed to beat faster and faster.
 
 "That's your sister," Grikspittle knelt down and put an arm on Misto's shoulder.  The kitten got up from her spot and slowly made her way over to Mistoffelees.  The jellicle held his breath.  Her eyes were amazing. So bright.  Mistoffelees didn't know why he was so nervous.
 
 The kitten stopped right in front of Mistoffelees.  Her ears twitched as she watched him.  There was something about the way she was looking at him, made Misto feel unconvertible.
 
 "Say something son," Grikspittle said as an encoragement.
 
 "Like what?"  Mistoffelees asked.
 
 "Like what?"  The kitten echoed.  Misto stared at the kitten in shock as she rubbed up against his chest, purring.  Then the kitten curled up at the end of the tom's paws and fell asleep again.
 
 "What's her name?"  Mistoffelees asked.
 
 "Your mother called her Midnile'monly.  I assumed that was her name. It's a long name."
 
 Mistoffelees nodded.
 
 "Mistoffelees," Grikspittle looked at him, "I know you don't like me. I don't know if you ever liked me, but I'm not here to ask for forgiveness.  I know what I did was wrong but I can't do anything to change the past.  I've tried to forget it, tried to move on with my life, but...........I know you've stuck it in the back of your mind. It's still with you.  I know I can never make it up to you."  He stopped and took a breath.  His eyes lowered to the ground, to look at the kitten.  "You heard your mother, she's all alone, and I too don't want to see her end up like Siflay............."
 
 "You want me to take care of her don't you," Mistoffelees sighed.
 
 "No, your mother wanted you to."
 
 "Um, Dad.  What about all those lights and beams and stuff?  Doesn't that make that kitten..................."
 
 "This kitten," Grikspittle said, "Is your sister.  It doesn't matter who she was.  It's who she is now."  His voice was firm as he said it.
 
 Mistoffelees looked down at Midnile'monly again.  "If you want me to, I'll take care of her."
 
 Grikspittle smiled.  "I have one request."
 
 Misto rolled his eyes.  "What?"
 
 "Try to be a better father to her then I was to you."
 
 Suddenly Grikspittle started to fade away, as the junkyard started to become darker and darker.
 
 Mistoffelees woke from the strange dream suddenly.  He looked around. He was still under the chair, curled up in a tight ball.  That had been the strangest dream he had ever had.  At least he didn't have to see Siflay again.  Mistoffelees stood up to stretch, when he realized that sleeping beside him was a black and white kitten.  Her head had slipped softly under his paw.
 
 "What the........" The kitten looked up at him with her big golden eyes.  She was there with him.  He had agreed to take care of her.  His little sister.
 
 "Mistoffelees?"  She asked.
 
 MIsto tilted his head slightly to look at her.  She was like his little twin.  So small.  Her eyes.  For some reason they reminded him of the moon.  The full moon at.............
 
 "Midnight," He said.
 
 
                                            ********************
 
 "And from that night on," Mistoffelees said.  "She just wanted to be called Midnight for some reason."
 
 The jellicles had gathered in a circle to listen to Misto tell how he was saddled with Midnight.  It was sad in a way.  Jellylorum looked like she was going to cry.
 
 "I never saw my father after that night."  Misto sighed.  Victoria rubbed her head against his shoulder for comfort.
 
 "And you've been taking care of her?"  Munkustrap asked.
 
 "Yes," the black jellicle looked behind him.  Midnight had Pouncival in a gridlock.  It was very funny to see.  Jemima and Tumble were finding it hilarious.  Jem couldn't keep herself up and was leaning on Tumblebrutus for support.  All the jellicles looked over just in time to see Midnight cut Pounce some slack and let him go.
 
 "Sorry Pouncival," Midnight said in a small voice and a shy smile.
 
 "Oh," Pouncival mumbled.  "You just got lucky."
 
 "I didn't hurt you did I?"  Midnight sounded worried.
 
 "Just his pride," Tumble chuckled.  In response Pouncival hissed loudly at him.
 
 A few of the jellicle giggled.  Suddenly Midnight's eyes became wide and scared she immediately ran for her brother, braining her tiny body into his chest.
 
 "Hey Midnight," Pounc said, "I didn't mean to scare you."
 
 Midnight shook her head.
 
 "Midnight, what's wrong?"  Mistoffelees asked.
 
 "Eyes," she trembled.  "Bad eyes.  Lots of bad eyes."
 
 "Bad eyes?"  Old Deuteronomy was a little confused.  Even in his old age he didn't know what that meant.  Mistoffelees obviously didn't know what that meant either.
 
 "What do you mean, bad eyes?"
 
 "Lots of bad eyes," the little queen shivered, "A two really small, really evil, really bad eyes.  They're scary."
 
 "Small eyes?" Munkustrap questioned.  But Midnight looked too scared to say anything else.  Munkustrap scratched his head trying to figure out what had sacred the kitten so bad when from behind him a frightening hiss was heard.  The tribe turned to see Demeter, fur on end, claws retracted, and teeth bared.
 
 "Dem?"  Munkustrap put a paw on her shoulder.
 
 "MACAVITY!!"  She hissed.  The jellicles gasped.  Skimble fallowed with a hiss.
 
 "Strays too," he growled.
 
 A sudden burst of panic rung throughout out the junkyard.
 
 "Maybe they'll pass by," Adumetus shuttered.  He didn't like to admit it, but he was often afraid.
 
 "Not a chance," Alonzo growled.  "They're always looking for a fight."
 
 "Then lets give it to them!"  Tumble growled trying to act older then he was.
 
 "Yeah!" Pouncival agreed.  At least Pouncival looked older then he was.
 
 "Munkustrap," Mistoffelees looked scared.  "Munkustrap I don't want him  to know about her."  He motioned to Midnight.
 
 Munkustrap eyes dared around the junkyard, until he found a spot behind an two old trash cans.
 
 "There," Munkustrap pointed.  "Hide her, but I don't know if it will do much."
 
 Mistoffelees nodded.  He grabed the tiny queen by the scarf of the neck, and quickly ducked behind the mattress.
 
 "Aw let em come!"  Tumble always loved to get a chance to prove to Alonzo that he wasn't just some kitten.  After all Alonzo treated Pouncival like he was a full grown tom cat, and Tumble was older than him, although he didn't look it.
 
 "Pipe down squirt," snapped Alonzo.
 
 "Make me!"  growled Tumble.
 
 "Knock it off!"  Agustus snarled.
 
 "Well, well, well.  I see we came just in time," laughed a cold and hard voice.  The jellicles looked up to see a large ginger cat, glaring down at them.  His face twisted into a cruel smile.  On each side a stray smiling with a look of evil mischief in their eyes.  You could see the make believe tail twist back and forth on the stub that used to be Snarl's tail.  The black "V" on Mooch's forehead was easy to see on the tan stray.
 
 "What do you want Macavity?"  Munkustrap growled.
 
 "Oh why must I always want something?"  Purred Macavity.  "I can't just come here with my fellow strays to say hello?"  All the strays and rats broke into laughter.
 
 "Good one boss," A dirty gray rat known as Hiss corked.
 
 "Ahh, I kill me," The ginger at chuckled, "No seriously, I have been recently informed that a new kitten had been added to you sorry excuse for a tribe."  Hiss and a few of the rats seem to look proud.
 
 "Well you were informed falsely," Nina snapped.  She was not fond of the strays, especially Leaper, who seem to be getting closer.
 
 "Oh really," Leaper sunk closer to her.  Alonzo became extremely defensive and hissed at the gray stray.
 
 "Aw I wasn't guna do nothin'" Leaper growled.
 
 "Shut up!" Macavity shouted.  He turned to the jellicles.  "Where is it?"
 
 "We don't know what your talking about,"  Old Deuteronomy frowned.
 
 "Oh I bet you do," Mooch seem to slither up.
 
 "Jellicles are sooooo stupid,"  Shiva giggled.
 
 "Hey back off hussy," Pallaris snarled.  Tugger had to hold back the gray queen.
 
 "Hussy?!  I'll show you a thing or two!"  Shiva retracted her claws.
 
 "Get er Shiva!" Flare cheered her on.  Mooch grabbed Shiva and kept her a bay.  Disappointed Shiva and Pallaris seem to fall silent.
 
 "Wait one second," Macavity growled as he looked around.  "Where is that black and white hair ball you call a magician?"
 
 Munkustrap felt a twinge of fear.  Misto had gone to hide Midnight, but he couldn't see him anywhere.
 
 "Um..well.he," Munkustrap fumbled with the words.
 
 "I'm right here," Misto popped up behind Mungojerrie and growled.  "And it's Mr. Mistoffelees to you."
 
 "Well I'm soooo sorry," Macavity grinned.  "We came to see that new kitten of yours."
 
 "What new kitten?"  Mistoffelees hissed.
 
 "Don't play dumb Misto," growled Leaper.
 
 "I don't have to, I'm sure you'll do a great job for me."  The Jellicles broke into laughter.  A rat also was chuckling but was quickly silenced by Hiss.  Leaper eyes were hard and cold.
 
 "You've got a death wish don't you?" He started to approach the young jellicle.
 
 "Leaper," a puffy white queen stepped forward.  "Don't."
 
 "Aw Griddlebone, I wasn't gonna hurt him," Leaper protested, "Just scratch him."
 
 "That's not why we came here,"  Griddlebone turned to Macavity, "I don't see any new kittens here boss.  Just the regulars."
 
 Macavity looked at her for a second then turned to Snarl.  Snarl took a good long sniff at the air.  Mistoffelees held his breath.
 
 "Nothin'," Snarl reported.  Macavity growled at Hiss and a few of the rats.
 
 "Idiots!  Lets go strays!  And as for you Mistoffelees watch your back."  Macavity turned his back to the jellicles and walked away.
 
 Shiva curled her lip at Pallaris.  In response Pallairs' thin black tail made a big thump on the ground.  Leaper smiled at Nina who cringed.
 
 "See ya around sugar," laughed the stray.  NIna looked away.  Alonzo pulled her closer.  Griddlebone was the last to leave.  As she walked past a trash can, she stopped and started to stare at something. Mistoffelees breathing patterns increased.  Griddlebone's eyes narrowed.
 
 "Hey Bone!" Misfortune called, "Come on!  What's wrong, find somethin'?"
 
 The white stray hesitated.  Her gray eyes turned to Mistoffelees. "No," she called back to Misfortune, "Just a mouse."  Giddlebone took one last look at the can then walked away.
 
 As soon as the strays were out of sight, Midnight peeked her head out from behind the trash can.  Mistoffelees pawed for her to come over.
 
 "Who was that?"  Midnight asked.
 
 "Strays," Skimble growled.
 
 "You stay was from them Midnight,” Misto warned.  "Don't go near them."
 
 Midnight didn't look like she understood but she nodded anyway.
 
 "They're gone," Plato called.
 
 "Well that was a unpleasant end to the night."  Munkustrap growled.
 
 "Oh I don't know Munk," Old Deut smiled. "Midnight," The kitten looked up at him.  "Welcome to the tribe."
 
 "Thanks," Midnight said shyly.  All the jellicles applauded.
 
 "I just