The Tale of Saberinna
by Saberinna

It was a cool day at the Junkyard. In fact, it was average. The kittens played, the older cats watched. It was quite quiet, except for the laughter of the kittens, and the hum of conversation. At that moment, a loud crash was heard. Munkustrap, the Protector and one day, Leader, leapt off his perch, hissing.

"Tugger, come with me. Skimble, look after them." he ordered, and ventured down a tunnel. Reluctantly, his brother, The Rum Tum Tugger followed. The cats all started whimpering what the sound could have been.

"Macavity!" someone called. The kitten females gave a small scream. Skimble looked around.

"Who said that? If I find out, you'll be in trouble." he growled. The Yard was silent, until a scratching noise was heard from the other tunnel, and a small whisper. Skimble ran up to it, when a white, black and silver head of a female kitten poked out.

"Oh, sorry to disturb, but was this, by any chance, the Jellicle tribe?" she asked. Alonzo stepped next to Skimble.

"Who's asking?" he asked, drawing himself full height.

"The Rennicles called me Saberinna." she said, stepping out of the pipe. 

There something familiar about her markings.

"You're a Rennicle, eh? So what brings you to the Jellicle meeting place?" asked Alonzo, cocking an eyebrow. There was something she didn't like about this cocky cat.

"My mother died in a car accident-" she began, but at that moment, The Rum Tum Tugger stepped out.

"It was nothing, just a pile of junk having an avalanche. Hey, who's this?" he asked, and he walked to her.

"I'm Saberinna.' she said. He smirked, and brushed his tail against her leg. She stepped back, so he leaned forward, and gave her a small kiss on the nose.

"Oi!" she cried, and instinctively swiped. A small scratch appeared on his nose.

"Hey! Little brat." he said, and stepped back.

"Now, lassie, why are ye' here?" asked Skimble.

"As I was saying before this fur ball walked in, my mother-" She was cut off once again when Munkustrap walked out angrily.

"Tugger! I was completely covered by that other avalanche, and you decided to turn tail!" he growled. Tugger shrugged.

"Munkustrap, we have someone for you to meet. This is an imposter." said Alonzo.

"What?!" cried Saberinna. Munkustrap stepped forward, and cocked an eyebrow at her. They had almost exactly the same markings.

"Are we related?" asked Munkustrap jokingly.

"If you are Munkustrap, yes, I'm your kitten." she said. Every head turned to Munkustrap. He stepped back.

"But... I can't... I mean, I didn't..." he stuttered.

"A year ago, you mated with a cat named Filalia. She was part of the Rennicles, and only did it so she could win your trust. Luckily, you didn't. But she had me, and she died." she explained.

"Well, say the personal stuff out loud then." he muttered.

"Great, I kissed my niece." complained Tugger. Saberinna looked horrified.

"You're my uncle? Gee, great." she said sarcastically. Then, she heard a thud. She turned to see Munkustrap unconscious on the floor. She and Demeter rushed to his side, and he sat up groggily.

"Was that all a dre - Oh, no, you're still here." he said.

"I think these two need to sort out a few things." said Jellylorum, and she herded the kittens out, and the older cats followed. Tugger wanted to stay, but Jellylorum gave him a hard smack, and he quickly scampered off.

"So, um... Why didn't you stay with the Rennicles?" asked Munkustrap. Saberinna sat down, and he sat down a few meters in front.

"Because they didn't want anything more to do with me, I guess. The whole scheme to win your trust was a failure, and I was just the bi-product." she said gloomily.

"Oh. How many more Protector of tribes did she... you know..." he asked, trailing the question.

"Macavity, Juranium, Ceaser..." she said, counting on her claws. Munkustrap shuddered. These were all leaders of very popular tribes. To think he was one of them...

"Okay, okay, I get the drift. But, you know, Ceaser's a silver tabby. Why didn't you go to him?" he asked.

"Because he's more white, and he has one long white stripe down his back. I don't." she said. Munkustrap nodded.

"Oooookay. Well, I guess you're a Jellicle, and I guess you're my kit... But one thing. Don't call me dad or father just yet, okay? I'm not used to this... Oh God I'm bad with kits..." he muttered. Saberinna laughed.

"That's okay. I don't want to yet any how. I'd probably accidentally call you mum, or something. But call me Saber." 

"Fair enough. Well, we better call all the tribe in now, and announce your arrival to the tribe." he said, and called them back in. The Jellicles were pleased for Munkustrap. But he decided right then and there to keep away from her, incase she turned out to be a spy, or something. Saber wondered around the Junkyard, when she heard a voice from a near-by pipe.

"Psst! Psssssst!" it said. Saber cocked her head and knelt down beside it.

"Hello?" she asked.

"'Ello! Oi 'eard abou' this from 'ere, bu' Oi don' wanna ge' ou', 'cause ye father will see us." it whispered.

"Yeah," said another voice. this one was female. "See, we aren' in the good books with ye father, you know wha' Oi mean?" At that moment, a hand landed on her shoulder. She turned and saw Alonzo. She stood up.

"What were you doing?" he asked suspiciously.

"Someone was talking to me..." she said, looking into the pipe.

"Excuses, excuses... Anyway, I think your story was bull, and that you're a spy for Macavity." he hissed. She laughed.

"Macavity? Uh ahh. Mum said he was real nasty. She was his girlfriend once, like she was with Munkustrap." she said.

"Yeah, what ever. I'll find you out. Just wait and see." he hissed, and he walked away. Then, she heard a clatter from the pipe.

"MUNGO!" hissed the female voice.

"Sorry! Oh, sh*', i's every where!" he said, a bit to loudly. Munkustrap came up. He crawled in, and pulled out an angry Rumpelteazer, and an embarrassed Mungojerrie.

"Um, 'ello Munk!" said Mungo.

"Now, I'll say for the last time this week; Do not steal. Ever. Is that understood? Because next time, there'll be a punishment." he hissed. The two orange, white and brown calicos nodded. Munkustrap walked away, shaking his head.

"Hi, I'm Saberinna. Are you thieves as well?" she asked.

"Yeah. Wai' a minu'e, are you a thief?" asked Rumpelteazer.

"Yup. Mum taught me every thing from spying to creating a diversion." she 
said proudly.

"Oh really?" asked a voice. Alonzo had been eavesdropping. "Ha! So you're a 
spy?" Saber looked him up and down, and turned to Teaser.

"What's his problem?" she asked. Tiezer laughed.

"'E suffers from to'al paranoiyer." she said, and Alonzo walked away in a huff. Mungo (for that is his nick name), scurried into the pipe, and came out again. He handed something to Saber.

"'Ere. This is for you." he said.

"Wow!" she exclaimed. It was a very long pearl necklace. She looped it around a bit, and pulled it over her head.

"Thanks!" she said. Teaser nudged Mungo.

"You have lots." he hissed at her. She pouted, and Saber laughed.

"Wanna play?" asked Mungo. She nodded, and instantly, Teaser tackled her to the ground. Shrugging, Mungo joined in. Munkustrap watched this from his perch on the Old Ford. Someone slid next to him. He turned and saw Tugger.

"Yeeeeello." he said, "Did you know, I kissed your kit. She scratched me." Munkustrap laughed.

"Good for her." Tugger pouted, hoping he'd get some sympathy. Alonzlo walked up to them.

"There is a very good chance she's a spy." he said. "She said her mother trained her as a thief and spy."

"Are you sure?" asked Munkustrap. He nodded. "Damn it. Okay, I'll talk to 
her."

"My suggestion is to hold her in contempt." said Alonzo.

"You would." hissed Munkustrap. He headed toward the group.

"Saber? I need to talk to you." he said. Saber stood up, thanked Mungo again for the pearls, and followed Munkustrap away.

"What?" she asked, sitting down.

"Alonzo just told me that you were trained as a spy." he said.

"Well, mum taught me a few pointers, but she didn't train me. I learnt how to be a thief myself." she said, rolling her eyes at Alonzo.

"Right. Well, no offense, but I'll have to be keeping an eye on you, just in case." he said.

"Hey, no problem. I'm not surprised." she said, shrugging. Munkustrap laughed nervously, and he walked away. Saber yawned, and lay down for a cat nap. But her eyes flew open. Someone was watching her. She looked around, annoyed. No one was taking any interest in her at all. But she still had that feeling.

"Hello." said a voice from above. She looked up and gave a yell. A black cat with a white face and chest stood over her, from behind. She stood up quickly.

"How did you get there?!" she snapped.

"Like this." he said, and he transported himself to her left. She screamed and ran for it, and hid behind Munkustrap. All the cats turned to see what was going on.

"Saber?!" asked Munkustrap, looking behind his shoulder. "What happened?!" She pointed at Mistoffelees.

"He - he - he appeared next t-t-to me." she stuttered.

"Misto! Don't scare her like that! It's okay Saber, he's a magician. He's harmless." assured Munkustrap. Saber crept out from behind Munkustrap. Mistoffelees took a step forward, and she hid behind him again. Munkustrap grabbed her paws and steered her in front of him.

"You two can talk, and someone needs to apologize." he said. Mistoffelees took Saber by the paws, and lead her away. She pulled them away, and crouched on the Magic Tire, ready to run.

"I'm real sorry. I should have told you. I'm Mistoffelees, but every cat calls me Misto." he said, extending a paw. When she didn't touch it, he let it drop.

"Listen, you don't have to be scared of me." he said. 'Jeez,' he thought, 'She's a bit high strung.'

"Scared? Ha! I'm - I'm not scared." she said.

"Really? So you won't mind if I do this?" he asked, and ZAPped her. She gave a yell, and hid in a trash can. Again, the cat's attention turned.

"Misto!" cried Munkustrap, "Stop scaring the poor kit!" Mistoffelees guiltily pulled off the lid, and peered inside. She stood up proudly, and stepped out, glaring at him, trying to act brave. But she was shivering.

"Saber, please, I'm sorry. I won't do that again. How old are you?" he asked.

"9 months." she stated. Mistofolees smiled.

"I'm 11 and a quarter. But I was made an adult early, when I was about 10 months. You're still a kit?" he asked again. She shrugged.

"Sort of. Mum used to say I was mature enough to become an adult. But in the Rennicles, you have to have mated." she said.

"Really? Well, things are different. I haven't mated yet." he said. They blushed and looked away.

"Sorry for running away and screaming. I don't usually scream." said Saber. Mistoffelees shrugged, and ZAPped her.

"Well, I do mind. A lot, actually. And if you do it again, I'll kill you." she threatened. Mistoffelees laughed, and did it again.

"RIGHT! THAT'S IT!" she cried, and chased him. He laughed, and they started playing. Saber grabbed his tail, at one point, and dragged him to the ground. She leapt on to his back, pushing him down. He landed with a THUD!

"Jeez! You're good!" he said, and she sat on his back.

"Mother trained me." she said, as he sat up. She tumbled to the ground, and he pinned her. Victoria watched, jealous. She liked a few males in the past. Plato, Alonzo. Even Munkustrap for a while. And of coarse, Mistoffelees. He was always the one (or, he's now the one, now that she thinks about it). She watched as Saber through him against the wall, and kept him there. She ran over.

"Stop it! You're hurting Misty!" she cried, pulling Saber off. Mistoffelees rolled his eyes.

"Firstly, don't call me Misty, and second, she wasn't hurting me!" he cried.

"I wasn't? Damn!" she said, and they laughed.

"Well be careful with my boyfriend." said Victoria, and she walked away angrily. Saber cocked an eyebrow.

"Boyfriend?" she asked.

"Nope, we're not. She wants that though." he said.

"Hmph. She should go with that Alonzo thing. They deserve each other." said Saber. Mistoffelees took the opportunity, and dived at her, pinning her.

"So, Munku, how does it feel to have a kit?" asked Demeter, nuzzling him.

"I dunno. Normal. I don't think I'm going to get very attached to her. Besides our markings, it doesn't seem like we have much in common." he said, nuzzling her back. "Besides, I don't want a kit. Well, not yet anyway."

"Mmm. You could tell her to scat. Or just pretend she's one of Etcetera's group." suggested Demeter.

"True, but what if we have kittens. Can you imagine?" he asked, putting an 
arm around her.

"No. And I don't think we should." she said, pulling away. Munkustrap shrugged, and watched the two cats play.

"OOF!" cried Mistoffelees. Saber pinned him for the thirteenth time. She laughed evilly.

"Give up?" she cackled.

"Never!" he cried, sounding as much as he could like Lancelot or King Richard in battle. Saber cackled like a witch, and Mistoffelees through her off. She clashed into someone's 
legs. She looked up and saw Tugger.

"Hi Misto!" he said. Misto got up and walked over, extending a paw. Saber crouched in between their legs. Tugger looked down and laughed.

"What's with the kit?" he asked Misto. He shrugged.

"She's been quite the scaredy cat lately." he said. Saber growled and kicked his feet out from under him. She stood up.

"Please don't say that you're friends with Misto." she said.

"Okay, I won't say it." Tugger laughed. Saber groaned, and helped Mistoffelees up.

"Besides me, you make the worst friends." she said, and walked away.

"You like her, don't you." said Tugger, cocking an eyebrow at Misto's gaze.

"Yeah. I mean, no! Of course not. Not one little bit." he said quickly.

Saber walked over to Etcetera, who shyly cocked her head.

"Hi! I'm Saber. What's your name?" she asked.

"Etcetera." she whispered. Etcetera crept up to Saber, and sniffed her. Saber laughed and backed away.

"Sorry, I'm not used to that." she said.

"Oh." said Etcetera. They sat there, and an awkward silence drifted around them.

"What's it like, at the Rennicles?" asked Etcetera, so suddenly and loudly that Saber stepped back a bit.

"Um... Well the meeting place is really boring. It's this parking lot behind a shut down super market. It's all gravel. But this place is cool." she commented, looking around.

"I guess. There's lots of stuff to do. Catch a bug, go hunting, scratch the life out of the old sofa's..." said Etcetera. Saber laughed happily. Saber looked around in facination.

"It's so cool here. I'm glad I'm a Jellicle." she said.

"Yeah. All the girls say I'm dim." said Etcetera.

"Really? That's probably because they're jealous of something." assured Saber, a bit surprised by the sudden change of conversation. Suddenly, Etcetera's ears snapped forward.

"It's him." she whispered excitedly, and she walked towards a group of girls. In the middle of the group, was Tugger. They mewed happily around him. He shooed them away, and walked over to Saber.

"Al and Munku think you're a spy." he said simply. Saber's ears perked forward.

"What?! Oh no..." she said, and she ran down a pipe. Tugger cocked his head, and followed. She lead him to an old parking lot, where a group of cats stayed. She walked over to a reddish main coon.

"Rusko, they think I'm a spy..." she started. Tugger gasped, and ran back to the Junkyard.

"She's a spy!" he cried, as he rushed through the pipe. "For the Rennicles!"

All we had to do was sniff her, and we would have known!" Etcetera stepped forward.

"I tried, but she backed away, and said she wasn't used to it." They all looked at Munkustrap, who was looking bitterly disappointed.

"I'm not going to make any decisions. It'll be to hard." he said. "Alonzo, your the Protector when I'm away, you deal with it."

"Okay. I interrogate her, and get all the Rennicle secrets." he said. At that moment, Saber walked in sadly. To toms (Tumble and Admetus) stood next to her.

"Saberinna, you are found guilty of being a spy for the Rennicles." said Alonzo. Her eyes widened.

"What?! But I'm not..." she stuttered.

"You were seen at the Rennicles meeting grounds, talking to their leader." he hissed.

"Oh, no-" she started.

"There's no point denying it. Take her away for later interrogation." he growled, and the toms held her by the arms, and dragged her away.

"Wait! I'm not a spy! Dad! Tell them!" she cried. Munkustrap looked away. 

"Misto! You'd know!" 

They put her into a cage that was further down the pipe, so no one could see her. She paced angrily. She's not the sort of kitten to cry. She took off her pearls, and through them through the bars, and out into the main area. Sighing, she started to pick the lock. It clicked, and she made a dash. She needed to go through the main area, so she could get her Rennicle collar at the other pipe. She had kept them there, when she was about to go out and reveal herself. She ran straight through. Paws made grabs for her, but she dodged them. Saber grabbed her collar and ran. Suddenly, someone yanked her tail, and pounced on her back.

"OW!" she cried. It was Misto.

"Someone taught me that move." he said. He grabbed her paws, conjured up ropes, and tied them at her front.

"You'll regret this." she hissed. He took the collar out of her paw, and he marched her out.

"I found this. A collar." he said, tossing it to Alonzo. He studied it.

"A sure sign that she's still a Rennicle." he announced, holding it up. She cried.

"Why won't you believe me? I'm not a spy!" she cried. Alonzo cut the ropes.

"Get out of this tribe, spy." he hissed. She hung her head, and she ran away. Munkustrap hung his head as well, and Demeter walked up to him, comforting pats followed. He slid away from her, and slid out of the Yard. He heard a scream, and he ran to the source. It was in a dark ally. She was fighting with someone. Arguing. It was Rusko.

"It's not my fault they think you're a spy! It's not my fault your mother died! Why should I let you stay? Give me your collar!" he snapped. She growled.

"No way! And anyway, if the Jellicles don't accept me, then I'm a Rennicle! I'm one of you! They think I'm a spy, even though I'm his daughter, and you don't care!!!" she shouted. Munkustrap stepped in.

"I don't think you'll have to worry about that issue. She's my daughter, and I'm keeping her. She's a Jellicle through and through." he said, putting a paw around her.

"Munkustrap?!" she asked. Rusko ruffled his mane and walked out angrily. Saber nuzzled Munkustrap's neck.

"Thank you." she whispered. He smiled, and they walked back.

"Munkustrap?! What the..." cried Alonzo when they got back. Saber smirked at him.

"I found her fighting with Rusko, arguing to be let back in his tribe, because her father thinks she's a spy." he growled at him. Saber nuzzled Munkustrap again.

"Well, fine. I guess... I with draw my banishment order." said Alonzo angrily.

"Thank you, Al." said Munkustrap sarcastically, and they walked past him.

"Thank you so much Munku." she said, as they sat down.

"Please, call me dad." he said. She grinned. Something very fury pushed through the middle of them.

"Hello Tugger." said Munkustrap wearily.

"This is so cool! I have a niece!" he said. Saber groaned.

"And I have an uncle. Maybe I can pretend to be a spy, that way I wouldn't have to see you again!" she snapped.

"Awwwww come on! Ya know you love me!" he cried. He slid down, and walked over to Bombalurina.

"It takes time to get used to him." said Munkustrap. Saber nodded her agreement. At that point, a free-for-all dance had started up. The first music was slow. Mistoffelees ran over.

"Can I have this dance?" he asked, holding a paw out. She smiled and took it. He lead her to the middle of the dance floor. As they danced, a long pearl necklace wrapped around her neck. She looked behind her, and she saw Mungo and Teaser dancing behind her. Mungo mouthed "What?" and they kept on dancing. Saber laughed. She saw Munkustrap and Demeter, dancing VERY close.

"I think I might have a mother soon." she said. Misto looked around.

"Oh yeah. Those two have been together for so long. I keep on egging Munkustrap to ask her to be his mate, but he won't. To shy." said Misto. Saber nodded understandingly.

"You still have Vicky as a girlfriend?" she asked. Misto rolled his eyes and groaned.

"Gee, I hope not." he said. He looked at Saber, and she was blushing.

"What? Why are you blushing?" he asked.

"I'm not! You are!" she teased. They broke apart, and looked away. Misto grabbed her paw.

"I'm glad you're a Jellicle." he whispered. They walked away from the 
dance, and sat down. Misto leant forward, and so did she. Forward, forward, 
until they-

THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!