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Wonder Goes Exploring Part 2
By Roalee

“He’s your brother!”

“So, my scrawny brother passed his quick brain to you, huh? At least that’s something.”

I, as most of the cats around me, stared at Great White with renewed shock. I recovered fairly quickly and said impishly, “May I call you Auntie?”

The large queen yawned widely, showing off her fangs. “You do and I’ll tear you to shreds.” Still, she gave me an amused look.

I cocked my head and replied, “All right, Aunt Shark.”

Most everyone gasped, readying themselves for a fight. Great White grinned at me, showing most of her teeth. A familiar tan form stepped up. He said pleadingly, “Please don’t hurt her Great White.”

“Whatever do you mean, Blue? I have no intention of harming a single hair on her body. And neither will any of you, got that?!” She swept every cat there with a fierce gaze. They cowered.

“Come, Wonder. Let’s talk.” My new found aunt leapt down from her perch and walked out the door. Giving one quick glance at Blue, I followed. Excited meowing erupted as I left.

“So, how is Moby Dick doing?” she asked casually as I matched strides with her.

“Last time I saw Dad, he was great. Let’s see... he refused his collar, ran away, came back to teach me and my litter mates to hunt efficiently when we were old enough. He’s been taking care of Mother and Rota as best he can.” I chuckled lightly, “considering he never sets a paw in the house.”

Great White laughed at that as well. “Yes, he’s stubborn that way. Never went into The Shed either.” She sighed heavily. “Want to know how I knew about our relationship with each other, Kitten?”

I nodded curiously, mostly because she referred to me as a kitten. We padded along together, hugging the shadows. I preferred walking in the streetlight, but I was taking her lead. “Do you remember that first time you met me? And you told me to ‘Blow it out my ears?’” I nodded again, grinning at the memory. “Well, nobody but my brother had dared say anything like that to me. That particular phrase was his favorite. You know it’s amazing how much of your father you have in you. By the way, not many felines know this,but my Particular name is Sharkellie.”

We strolled in silence. I was glad for it. It gave some time to think. I had somehow guessed at the shortened version of her Particular name... how odd. A lot was happening in a short amount of time. Thankfully, I could handle change quickly. I decided that I would treat my new aunt exactly like I treated Spots... like I’d known her for years.

“So, Aunt Shark, may I ask you something?”

She smiled at me affectionately. “Even if I said no, I know it wouldn’t stop you. Go ahead.”

“Do you know anything about the Jellicle tribe?”

“I’ve heard of them.” Great White hesitated midstride. She sighed and stopped, sitting. I sat on my haunches as well, curling my tail around my toes. Opening my mouth to ask again about the Jellicles, all I got out was, “So...”

“They’re House Cats,” she said shortly. Reluctantly, she added, “But they’re not so bad, I guess.”

“I don’t understand. Why do you dislike House Cats so much? And what makes that tribe different?”

She gazed at me for a long time before answering. Her eyes were sad. I sat very still, trying not to twitch my ears too much, but I was growing slightly and uncharacteristically impatient. All of a sudden, it came to me. I didn’t question it.
"All House Cats are pampered and soft and not fit to be called felines.”

My voice was soft and gentle. Then, I got a terrific headache. I closed my eyes tightly and waited for the pain to subside. When I finally opened my eyes, I was staring straight into yellow eyes. “Are you okay?” the owner of those eyes said sharply. I could tell my aunt was a bit frightened. Her hackles had risen slightly and when I nodded she licked my cheek quickly and backed away, surprised at herself for doing it. I too was surprised, but was more concerned about the pain in my head. She was licking her fur flat as I tried to gather my thoughts. I shook my dark head and settled myself again. I still hadn’t found out anything about where the Jellicles might be found.

“Aunt Shark, the Junkyard. Where can I find it?”

“Kitten, you have no idea of how scared I was just then,” Great White said gravely.

I chuckled. She reminded me of Dad. “I seem to have that effect on everybody.” I grew a bit more serious. “The Jellicles. All this side stepping is just making me curiouser and curiouser.” Jellicles. The more the word was said, the more I wanted to find them. I just had to meet them.

“Let me explain to you first about how I feel about them. They are House Cats, true, but not like the sissy, nancy-cats around here. Don’t look at me like that!” she said as I gave her an outraged look. “I don’t mean you or Spots, okay?”

Well, I had to admit that I had complained to my uncle earlier that most of my friends were pretty boring. I nodded to the white queen to continue.

“Anyway, they’re a tough little tribe from what I hear. They’ve held their own against Macavity’s agents so far. Some of my own tribe decided that they were tough enough to be part of his gang and went to the city to seek him out. One came back a week later, horrified at the lengths Macavity went to, to get what he wanted. Pillaging of human homes, killing of felines, and kidnapping of kittens.”

I sat, horrified at the thought of such a creature. He couldn’t be real.

“Oh, Kitten, are you sure you want to get mixed up with that bunch?”

I nodded mutely. Now, I really wanted to meet them. My desire to meet them was so strong it pulsed through my body. Seeing the determined look on my face, she sighed. “Okay, I’ll entrust you to the same tomcat who came back. He was an ornery little scrapper when he was younger, but I think he’s matured quite a bit since Macavity. Let’s go, Kitten.”

She started back towards The Shed. I followed her with a little trepidation. “Aunt Shark, I know I can handle almost all situations thrown at me, but I’m not sure I like the idea of going with a tom I don’t know.”

“Oh? Well, we’ll see. I’ll chose someone else if you don’t approve, but I assure you he is one of my trusted friends,” the older cat said with a smile.

As we entered The Shed, I noticed that the six little ones who accompanied me earlier were chattering away at a large tomcat in the corner. His piercing blue eyes met mine and I froze. Aunt Shark headed straight for him. “Blue? Come here, please. You kittens, back to your mothers!”

The kittens darted in different directions to obey. One, the tiny calico, ran up to me, gave me a quick rub and grin before running out the door. I laughed and stopped when Blue sauntered up. “Yes, oh Great White Shark?” the tannish cat said seriously. He had a playful glint in his eyes as he addressed the queen. “What may my humble self do for you this evening?”

She growled at him, “Quit being so dramatic and listen closely. You’re to escort my niece to the Junkyard.”

“Say what?” “He’s the one?” Blue and I said, overlapping each other.

She looked at both of us critically and said, “Yes, to both your questions. And Blue?” She turned to him, “You stay with her until she decides to let you go. Understand?”

He nodded numbly. Then he gazed at me and grinned hugely.

Great White turned back to me. “Is there anything else, Kitten? Do you approve of my choice?”

I tore my eyes from Blue’s face. I stammered, “Y...Yes, yes of course. I’m just surprised. We have met before.”

“Huh, I thought you might have. So... better grab something to eat before you leave. It will probably take a couple nights to get where you’re going.” She briskly shoved us both towards the food and sat. Her maternal instincts were in overdrive.

As I ate, my mind whirled. ‘I was leaving tonight. I was going to be spending at least two nights with Blue!’ I frowned slightly. I hadn’t realized the Junkyard would be so far. ‘No wonder Spots didn’t know where it was.’

My head shot up. “Uncle Spots! I have to tell him where I’m going and how long I’ll be gone. I can’t just leave.”

A white paw rested on my shoulder, calming me. “Kitten, I’ll deliver the message myself. I’ve been cursing myself for a long time for letting my stubborn prejudices get in the way of family.” I rubbed my head with her’s comfortingly. She licked the top of mine and nuzzled me. My aunt sighed, “I’ve been such a fool.”

“I’m glad we found each other. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to bring myself...,” I glanced at the silent Blue. “And Blue back home safely.”

I looked at her solemnly. My green eyes sparkled delightedly as she laughed merrily. “You do that, Kitten.”

With a perplexed look on his face, the tan tomcat kept eating.

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