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Wonder Goes Exploring Part 4
By Roalee

"I see him! He's coming over that rise there!"

"Can't tell how big he is yet. Better be safe than sorry. Here, get behind me."

I fluffed my black fur indignantly. I really disliked unnecessary shows of machismo. So, instead of moving, I decided to clean myself. My tan companion gave me a look of total incomprehension.

"Wonder, what are you doing?"

I licked a paw and swiped it across my head. "I would think it's obvious. You've got it all under control, don't you?" I cocked an ear in Blue's direction.

"Yeah, I guess, but..."

"Good. Here he comes," I said as I closed my eyes. In the silence proceeding the lone cat's arrival, I was bombarded by feelings that were not my own. Again, shooting pain ran through my head.

"Careful, Blue. He's angry, wary, and weary." I said this softly, hoping that my friend could hear me. I didn't see the concerned look he gave me. I was willing my headache to go away. Forcing my eyes open, I lifted a shaky paw and licked it. Rubbing my head vigorously helped little for the pain, but it gave me something to do.

Blue, in the meantime, got into a defensive stance. The other cat walked up slowly. His eyes went wide when he saw how big Blue was. I stopped grooming to take a look at the newcomer. He was white with brown splotches or brown with white splotches, I couldn't decide. He looked about as old as I was and was of moderate size. I shrugged internally. Blue could handle the situation while I finished cleaning.

The two males stared at each other for a tense second before the stranger spoke. "Oh, cats, I did not mean to intrude. I'm called Plato. I saw you were walking in the same direction I was. May I travel with you a while?"

Plato's voice was low and melodious. He spoke carefully, but I could hear how tired he was. Either Blue heard the same thing or he thought Plato was of no threat because he relaxed his stance slightly.

"Well, sure you can," he said with a smile. "I'm called Blue. And this is..."

"Hello. I'm Wonder."

"Yes, you sure are one," Plato murmured.

I smiled at him.

"Ahem," Blue cleared his throat. "So, where are you headed to exactly, Plato?"

"Oh, I need to get back to my tribe," he said as he flattened his ears and bared his fangs. "And hurt someone badly."

I flicked my ears in surprise. Blue got all defensive again. Plato saw this and visibly tried to calm down. The brown and white cat lay down tiredly.

"Sorry about that. I'm just exhausted. I've been traveling for nine days, trying to get back to the Junkyard."

"The Junkyard?" I asked excitedly. "Are you of the Jellicle Tribe?"

"Indeed, I am," Plato stated after licking his sore footpads. "Why do you ask?"

"We're headed there ourselves," Blue said. He looked at the smaller tom curiously.

"I didn't know the Jellicles traveled so far from the Junkyard."

Plato resumed his licking of his paws. I trotted over to stand by Blue and murmured to him, "Let's rest awhile, Blue. The sun is really starting to rise." Louder, I spoke as I lay back down, "Tell us, Plato, how come you are so far from you home?"

Blue looked at me and sighed. He lay down comfortably beside me, ready to listen to what Plato had to say.

"First of all, thank you for allowing me to travel with you. You're right. Jellicles don't go away from the vicinity of the Junkyard if they don't have to. I only know home is that way." He pointed with his tail. Then, he sighed heavily. "I was sent out into the middle of the English countryside by one of my fellow Jellicles. He's a Magic Cat and I guess I did something that rubbed him the wrong way. Anyway," the brown and white tom shook his head. "He transported me out there and I've been walking home since."

"That was mean to do that!" I exclaimed.

Plato growled, "Yes, but Misto never did have a handle on his magic."

"Humph, I still think it's mean."

"Um, do you mind if I catch a few winks? I'm really beat." Plato lay his head on his paws and closed his eyes.

Blue nuzzled my neck and said, "Sure thing. We could use a nap as well."

"Blue," I whispered in his ear. "You should go catch something for him. I know he's hungry. And did you get a look at his paws?"

"My, you certainly are getting all maternal all of a sudden." Blue licked my nose quickly and was off to find something before I could swat him. I let the warm sun lull me to sleep. I was still aware of my surroundings, though. I heard birds singing and bugs buzzing. Plato's breathing was slow and deep; He was really asleep, he trusted us that much.

'If the other Jellicles are like him,' I thought. 'Then I shall get along with them fine.'

My thoughts were interrupted as I caught the scent of a fresh kill. I half opened my eyes to see Blue drop it by Plato's head, look down at his fully sleeping form, and walk towards me. I shut my eyes all the way so I could have a deep sleep. Blue snuggled against me and settled in for a nap.

"Thank you for this. You have no idea how much I appreciate it," was the first thing I heard as my senses became alert. I also heard a hearty chewing and swallowing and I smiled.

"You should thank Wonder, young tom. She's the one who suggested I hunt it for you."

"Talking about me again?" I said with a huge yawn. I extended my forepaws ahead of my and had a good stretch. Sighing, I closed my eyes and turned towards the sun, which had lowered slightly. I frowned when I sensed clouds on the horizon.

"It's going to rain sometime later," Plato said around a mouthful of rodent.

"Tomorrow, I believe," I said.

Blue looked from Plato to me in puzzlement. I opened my eyes and caught his look. Smiling, I nudged him reassuringly. Turning to the brown and white tomcat I asked, "Are you quite rested and fed?"

Plato licked his lips and said, "Quite."

Nothing was left but a bit of fur and bones. He looked much better than when he first arrived. I laughed and headed towards our goal. The two tomcats looked at each other and shrugged.

"Let's not keep the lady waiting," said Blue and he bounded after me.

Plato chose to trot briskly, a bit behind us. As he caught up with us, he asked, "You're both House Cats, right? I mean, I know Wonder is for sure by her name and collar, but what about you, Blue?"

My ears swiveled backwards, towards Plato's voice. I got another headache and for some reason his question offended me, but I couldn't figure out why. I glanced at the cat in question and was shocked to see his ears slightly flattened and eyes narrowed. I faltered a step and dropped back until my shoulder was level to his hind legs. Blue noticed this and turned to me concerned. "Wonder?"

I smiled at him as best I could. My head was still throbbing, but it was subsiding.

"Go ahead, Blue, answer his question."

"Actually, I'm a Stray, Plato."

"Oh, then Blue is short for...?"

Blue stopped for one second, standing tall and proud. "Blucarrock." He resumed walking.

I gave him a quizzical look. "How come you never told me that?"

He gave me an impish grin. "You never asked." He hastily turned to the younger tom and asked, "So you have nothing against Strays?"

"No, of course not! I'm short a human myself and I'm content to stay at the Junkyard."

Blue said nothing. I knew he probably never had a human in his whole life and if he had wanted to be part of Macavity's gang when he was younger, then he must have had some hard feelings for them.

"Besides," Plato continued. "I'm sure this elegant lady wouldn't have stuck around with you if you were less than decent."

"That much is true," I affirmed.

"Plato can I ask you something?" Blue said after a moment of thoughtful silence.

"Ask away, friend."

"Is it true the Jellicles take on lifemates?"

Plato stumbled in surprise. I perked my ears, curious. My parents weren't lifemate, but they did love each other very much. I had never heard of such a concept for cats. Being with one tomcat your whole life? Actually, it sounded very appealing, if you found the right one.

When Plato recovered, he gave Blue a strange look and answered, "Um... yes, we do tend to do that. Although, if both cats felt they have chosen wrongly, then they may find other mates."

"I see." Blue looked thoughtful.

I shook my head. I just didn't understand why Blue would ask such a question.

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