Author's note: This has more violence than the first, though it is the revised version. PG to PG-13?

Aileen had pondered whether or not. Should I really ask him?? She decided to dwell on it later. Right then, Quaxo had walked up to her. "Hi." He said brightly.

"Hello, Quaxo." Aileen answered.

The two had gotten quite close to each other. Three months had passed, and Aileen had been happier than she ever was before. Jemima and Tumblebrutus made it official and became mates. They were indeed very devoted to each other, and proved to be a happy couple.

She had learned what happiness was. She had learned many things here. On her own it was a wonder that she learned to talk. But she was very intelligent. She didn't know vanity and snobbishness or happiness. Now she knew both. She had regrettably begun to catch the vanity and superiority and gossiped with others about others. Otherwise, though, she was very kind.

Just a month ago, a horrific storm had come upon the junkyard. Lightning flashed everywhere. Aileen's phobia of lightning and her mothers' death kicked in and she had fallen upon the ground in a fit of shaking and screams. Her eyes were wide and completely white in fear. She felt herself being lifted and laid down near something warm. As the storm lessened, so did her mental state. She blinked a few times and began to see things. As she came into focus, she realized that she was in a house next to a lit fireplace, and next to her was Quaxo. He had come into Jennyanydots human's home, like the other cats had, but he had gone back for her, when he realized that she wasn't with the others. He followed the sounds of her screams and brought her back when he found her. It had pained him to see her in such a sight, and it pained him to feel how helplessly light she was. He had lightly licked her ear and she smiled a bit.

She then on knew that she would never be alone. He hardly ever left her side after that. Let alone let her out of his sight.

Yet she still pondered the question: Should I ask him to be my mate??? "Pouncival and Etcetera are becoming very close." Quaxo mentioned. "I predict that they will be the next to be mates."

"Unless another couple is faster." Aileen thought aloud, and immediately began to blush furiously. Quaxo looked up, caught a little off guard at the sudden outburst of his very good friend.

But he didn't have much time to dwell on the meaning of her words. He had picked up a scent. It was the scent of a cat that much resembled the devil. Aileen's face turned pale not long after Quaxo caught the scent. She began to shiver.

"Macavity!" Quaxo growled. Aileen stiffened, and tried to get up and get out, but she couldn't do it herself. Quaxo helped her on to her feet and they went as fast as possible to the rest of the jellicles. It seemed they already knew. Demeter was looking about nervously with Bombalarina at her side. Rumor had it that Demeter was once catnapped by Macavity, and that Bombalarina was his hostage once, too. Demeter's catnapping was more recent than Bomb's, and it seemed that Macavity had his soul set on her life for the time being.

Jemima was cuddling with Tumble, and when she saw Aileen hobble up with Quaxo giving her some support, she came up and hugged her in fear. Aileen was too faint feeling to smile kindly at her. She could tell that, he was near. She knew Quaxo sensed he was close, too. Macavity felt very nearby, even Tumble and Jemima could sense him, now.

Quaxo watched as Aileen's eyes turned a strange type of color. Not like her occasionally moon white color, but more like a stormy night color. Her eyes became deeper and darker until they suddenly turned into a shiny black, and she began to hiss at a large, bent up steering wheel from an old car. Quaxo snapped his eyes to the wheel, and he too began to hiss. Jemima and Tumblebrutus hissed soon.

"Macavity!" Jemima hissed. A large ginger cat of whom we all know so well leapt from his hiding place. Jemima dashed for help. Tumble stayed with Quaxo, both trying desperately to pull Aileen to safety. But it was too hard. She fell too many times, and she was too slow. Quaxo motioned for Tumble to go, and he nodded. Luckily Macavity hesitated on his prey. Apparently he was surprised to find Aileen there. But now he was moving in on them. Quaxo gently touched her shoulder and closed his eyes. The world swirled around in front of Aileen's face, and she found herself near the jellicle tire, where all the jellicles had assembled at Jemima's message. Tumble was fast, so he was there too.

Aileen was panting heavily and Quaxo secured her balance with his arms. She had not yet seem him do magic before. Well, small things like throwing his voice in different places, yes. But this? No way! It was impressive, and yet she felt very weak after he, well, teleported her and himself.

"Sorry about that." He muttered. "That usually happens when I use that trick on someone unused to it." Aileen recovered after a bit, and realized that she had to have missed something in her little phase.

Macavity was fighting with Munkustrap, but unlike last year's Jellicle ball, he had reinforcements with him. Hungry and unkind looking strays began to attack the cats around the junkyard. there were about ten of them. They all looked extremely strong. A totally black one attacked Alonzo. A mottled one attacked Jellylorum, Jennyanydots, and Tugger (who was hiding behind the others). Toms streaked through the junkyard in streaks of colors. Jemima fought ferociously at a white and determined looking stray. Next to her was Tumble, fending off strays from him and her both.

Electra had an encounter with a exceptionally strong looking stray. He left her motionless on the ground. Aileen crawled over to her and carefully turned over the blood stained Electra, and found that she was alive, but barely. Aileen looked frantically around for Jennyanydots, she was the best cat for this. But the black stray was still pursuing her. Hobbling up to her, Aileen came up behind the black stray and bit his heel with her sharp fangs. Jennyanydots saw her and Aileen yelled "Electra!" and pointed to Electra. While the stray was preoccupied with his heel, Jenny dashed over to Electra and took matters into her own hands. Aileen tried to follow, but a familiar form prevented her from doing so.

It was the calico who had attacked her some three months ago! Aileen hissed and clawed at him. He simply clawed her leg. A horrible shriek of pain filled the junkyard, and Aileen clung to her sensitive leg. He saw how weak and crippled her leg was. He knew that her leg was the most sensitive place on her body from experience. And now, he had her.

The calico didn't stop there. He clawed her all over and blood stained her beautiful white and black colors. None of the wounds were really fatal (save her leg's), but he still kept her from lifting herself off the ground. When she was certain that he had won, a black form of which we all know very well took shape very suddenly before her.

Quaxo! Quaxo hissed at the calico and leapt onto its back. He sank his teeth deeply into the calico's neck. The calico clawed at Quaxo but he still kept a death grip on him. The calico finally began to sink to the ground, and Quaxo let him go. Aileen looked down at her blood-covered paws, and buried her head in them.

Most of the strays were defeated. Only two remained, three including Macavity himself. They began to retreat. The jellicles had a few wounds. Munkustrap was scratched up, Alonzo had a scar on his chest, and Electra was doing somewhat better, at least the wounds were clean and most of her pain was gone. They lost Exotica.

Cassandra wept for her sister's death, as did many others. Jemima was tired, and Victoria had a bleeding ear. Quaxo had scratches on him, but he seemed well and active. After all, Aileen thought, he is a magical cat.

Quaxo turned his sensitive face to Aileen and her leg. He came closer to her and began to lick away the blood. The pain of her wounds screamed at her, but she felt somewhat deaf at that moment. Quaxo had saved her life. Hers! He could have simply taken the responsibility of protecting himself. But he choose to protect her also. He had fought this cat before, but with help. This time he entirely defeated him alone. Aileen was stunned that a cat would really care for her so much. Her face was covered with blood so he began to lick her face. Then, after a moment she licked his. He seemed a little surprised at her sudden action. But as he looked into her now bright, crystal like eyes, he smiled at her and nuzzled her shoulder.

Jellylorum came up towards them and the second she saw Aileen she began to tell Quaxo to bring her a list of things. Quaxo closed his eyes and the things began to suddenly appear. Jelly grabbed a wet cloth and cleared her leg thoroughly, though it made Aileen jerk her head a bit at the painful feel of it. Jelly quickly apologized and wrapped a dry cloth around her leg and instructed Quaxo to pick Aileen up and follow her. Quaxo did as told and Aileen wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Jelly led them into a broken down washing machine with blankets in it and helped Quaxo lie Aileen down in them. Jelly muttered to Quaxo to stay with her. Their were others in need of treatment.

Aileen curled up with a painful look on her face and fell into a much-needed sleep. Quaxo watched her face soften in her sleep, and her breath come in evenly. He thought about how close he came to losing her, and how ferociously he fought to keep harm from her. His face turned hot with blush as he remembered. But she had been through enough already, and no one was going to hurt her further. He made an oath as he licked her head and make sure of that.

Aileen woke up two days later with Jemima and Jelly by her side. "If you're lucky the pain from your wounds will pass in a few days." Jemima mock cheerfully stated. Jelly looked very doubtful. "So why are you here?" Aileen asked. "Umm, I'mgoingtohavekittens." Jemima stuttered. "What?" "I'm going to have kittens."

"Well, congrats!" Aileen said. Longing for sleep overcame her and she fell into another deep sleep, or so she thought it was.

Aileen stayed in that oven for a long a week or so. She didn't heal swiftly, but she did eventually.

Aileen hobbled up to Jemima and Tumblebrutus for a good chat. They looked relieved that she was okay. But she could tell that they were nervous about upcoming events. Aileen wished them happiness and courage and made her way over towards Quaxo's drainpipe. Aileen found him sitting by himself. But he looked very different. His white paw and feet were black, and a very glittery black it was. He looked very beautiful.

Quaxo turned suddenly face to face with Aileen. He looked very relieved and whispered "Everlasting cat! Your alive." Aileen smiled at him and nuzzled him very affectionately. He came closer to her and groomed her fur with his tongue. She purred and cuddled into his black, comforting arms. All doubt was over. This tom had protected her. This tom had accepted her. This tom felt more than a friend to her. She had longed for companionship for quite a long time. But now, she realized that it was more than his companionship that she wanted. She saw now how much she really needed him by her side. She knew now that 'love' could not come close to the feeling she felt for this tom. Fell asleep in his arms once more, with a full understanding of why she was there and with him.

Quaxo watched her face as he before had done many times. He had grown to adore this beautiful face next to him. He had always felt responsible for this kitten, but something about her was different. Or perhaps it was he. She was no longer a kitten. She was getting older. His feeling for her was growing stronger. Feeling? What feeling? Quaxo thought to himself. Love. The answer that came to him surprised him a bit, but then he smiled to himself and closed his dropping eyes. Love.

"Oh!" Jemima groaned.

"Keep it up, your doing fine." Jenny cooed. It was due date and Jemima was having her kittens. Aileen was helping Jennyanydots nurse Jemima. Tumble sat next to Jemima comforting her and calming her. "Here comes one!" Jenny announced. After a few moments Jenny handed a small bundle of red fur to Aileen as she tended to the next bundle. Two more bundles of fur were in Jenny's arms as she and Aileen tended to them. One was white and brown and black with one black patch on its right eye. The other was black and white with stripes on its back, slightly resembling Munkustrap, only not as perfectly striped and this kitten was a darker color. The one Aileen had held was a red color, much like Bomb's color.

"Two toms and a queen!" Aileen announced to an upcoming crowd outside the large microwave oven they were in. Cheers rang out and Jelly almost fainted at the announcement. Quaxo licked Aileen in approval and she smiled at her mate. Two weeks had passed and they had finally decided not to put off mate hood any longer.

Jemima cleaned the kittens and thought of names for them. "Lets see, this one is shall be.. Exotica." Jemima thought aloud. Suddenly the patched one tried to get up and fell down, then tried again and again with out stopping.

"Well now," Aileen mused, "This one's got a lot of energy and determination." Jemima thought about what was said and snapped up her head.

"Energite!" She exclaimed, "His name is Energite!" Tumblebrutus smiled.

"I get to name the last one!" he declared. He looked at the smallest and last kitten in his arms. It slowly opened its eyes up at him. It had big eyes, like Jemima's, but a deep black. Sort of like a..."Jett black gem." Tumble muttered to himself. "Jett is his name." Tumble decided.

"Great!" Aileen declared. "Energite, Jett, and... Exotica." Aileen fumbled at the last name.

After about a month, the kittens were up and running about. Energite was fast and never gave up. Jett was quiet, but playful and seemed to not like crowds or to get to know people. Exotica was funny and lively, and she liked to stick around the older queens such as Bomb, Dem, Cassandra, and sometimes Victoria. The three were very close to each other and their parents. Energite and Pouncival played a lot together. Energite would do all the yacking and Pouncival would listen. Jett, as said, kept to himself and was close to no one. He stayed with Jemima and Tumble, but never really talked to them or his siblings. Aileen had grown to enjoy having the kittens around. Exotica was short, but looked older than she was. Energite was big and muscular while Jett was middle sized. Aileen had tried to understand Jett, but he would say nothing to anyone.

(This gets more graphic about here.)

Aileen had been feeling strange lately. She had felt weaker than usual, and it was a feeling she was unused to. She had spent nights hugging her stomach in nausea and Quaxo had been worried about her. She had convinced him that it was nothing and he had eased a bit. But she threw up many times when no one was looking. She had longed for more to eat. A single mouse or two usually filled her up, but now she wanted five or six. Aileen thought about where she had seen this happen before. It sort of reminds me of Jemima when she was- "Everlasting cat!!" She suddenly gasped in realization. She hobbled slower than usual to Jennyanydots.

"Jenny!" She yelped before fainting of exhaustion. When she woke up Jenny was examining her. "Jenny," Aileen breathed, "I- I've been feeling strange these days."

"I know." Jenny said. "Congratulations! Your having kittens." Aileen clasped her hand over her mouth. "It may be a little bit more difficult for you than it was for Jemima, but all the same it will come." Jenny continued. Aileen was speechless and wondered what to say to the others. "Quaxo's the father I take it?" Jenny smiled.

"Yes." Aileen answered faintly. She was still in shock.

Aileen stayed with Jenny for a while and she told her that walking was going to be hard work, so she shouldn't try to walk around a lot. Aileen had nodded, remembering the way she unexpectedly fainted. Aileen spent most of the afternoon there by her advise. Aileen fell asleep for a long time.

Quaxo had seen Aileen hobble slower than usual towards Jenny. He had seen her eat more than usual, hold her stomach more than usual, and sleep more than usual. Aileen always was awake from 10 AM to 2 AM. She now woke up and fell asleep very differently. Quaxo was worried about her condition. He realized that she still hadn't left Jenny, he would have seen her. He could just hope that what ever it was, it wasn't serious.

Aileen hobbled away from Jenny to find Quaxo. To her surprise, he was closer than she had thought he was. She was still tired from walking at all, though, so she collapsed next to him, breathing heavily.

"Aileen," Quaxo asked softly, "what's wrong?" Aileen looked at him for a moment, and then sighed with a small smile.

"Quaxo," she breathed, "I'm fine. The only reason why there would be any difference in my life would be because," she paused, "there's going to be more than three kittens in the junkyard." Quaxo looked up at her, mildly startled.

"Really? Who's expecting?" he asked.

"I am." The way he had been startled just a moment ago had no comparison to his startle just then.

"Aileen, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes. You're going to be a father, so which would you rather be called: daddy, dad, father, papa, pop, dadio- "Quaxo batted his paw gently at the giggling Aileen.

"Very funny. We have to look at this seriously Aileen." Aileen's face stiffened a little at his words.

"Quaxo, I know. I'm also just a bit, well, scared. I don't want to think about it seriously." Quaxo nuzzled her a bit affectionately.

The two hugged each other for a while. Quaxo could sense much fear from Aileen. Aileen was very scared of what Jenny told her. Jenny had said that it wasn't best for her to have kittens, that it will be difficult, and dangerous with her, *cough* condition. I'm too weak. I was just born weak and was never supposed to have kittens. Aileen thought this very strongly, and Quaxo to a certain point could sense her fearful thoughts, and so he longed to give her comfort.

Aileen watched Jemima's kittens play the next afternoon. Aileen thought about how she would have kittens in a few more weeks. Or, would she? Perhaps she would lose them. Aileen shuddered at the horrid thought.

Aileen was growing to look very different. She had grown to become a very haunting pale color. She was having a very hard time. It was no secret any more. And the time to have the kittens had come. She had not really grown round, just a slight bulge. Otherwise she would have been considered thinner than usual. But the bulge was ready to come out.

The birth was the most difficult part of all. She struggled for time with a death grip on Quaxo's paw, who was beside her. Jemima helped a little. Jenny needed a nurse, while Quaxo was to keep her calm, which wasn't really working out. Finally, a little fluff of fur was visible in Jenny's arms. It was completely black, save a small white mark on her forehead. She was very small looking, but she was strong and healthy. Aileen had given all her oomph into this kitten, and she was a strong one. Quaxo told Aileen to name her, it was she who had done all the work. Aileen took one glance at the pretty kitten placed in her arms and saw that it's pupils were completely white, like hers, with a dark brown rim, like Quaxo's. Aileen looked at the kitten's sleek fur, all black and shiny, like a black strength. "Ebony." Aileen whispered, and the kitten cuddled into it's mother's fur and fell asleep.


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