"So Keely was taking a little cat,er,wolf-nap.What's the big deal?Just try again another night!"said Nick as he sat with Tet in the starlight.

"No,Nicky,you don't understand.The way Cat told me,it was like she was covering up for Keely.I get the feeling that I should just leave her alone.She wants me to,"Tet said sadly.

"Cheer up,ol' buddy!"Nick tried to lighten Tet's mood."You know,I still think the flowers could have been a sure thing.Eh?"Tet didn't laugh,leaving Nick to clear his throat uncomfortably.

"I thought everything would be perfect.That once she saw I was different from that slime she had before,she would fall in love with me.I guess I should think more clearly."

"Tet!Pal!Give yourself some slack!She's had it rough.It was a good idea,though.It's just sometimes they don't work like you want them to.Look at Cat!The babe's been rallying since she found Larke in the woods as a newborn!That's ten months!But has she given up?No!And you shouldn't either!"Tet looked up.Nick Whiskers could sure be surprisingly sensible when he wanted to.

"You think so?You think I should keep at it?"

"Indeed I do!Just keep givin' her the ol' Tet Solfire charm till she screams for you to take her into your arms.Besides,if you don't,then I will,and trust me,I can have her hooked on me in half the time you can!We Whiskers men are purebred studs!"

"Yeah,you just try it,weasel,and I'll bite your skinny tail to shreds!"laughed Tet playfully.He noogied his friend.

"Ey!Watch the hair-fur!Slobbery canine!"The two wily males began to threaten each other and wrestle.

"Nick!Tet!You beasts,come inside!We're going to Vixenberry tomorrow and I want everyone to have a good night's sleep,"said Cat as she appeared out of nowhere and grabbed the ears of the two scufflers.

"Ow!Hey,woman!Leggo!"yelped Nick.

"I ain't your woman,Whiskers,and I'm not planning to let go until you two come inside!"

"Ouch!C'mon,Kitty!We're not kids!Just lay off the ears!"winced Tet.

"You aren't kids?What do you call all that rolling on the ground?"laughed Cat.

"Male rituals,"snorted Nick."YEOWCH!"Cat let their ears go with a slight yank and ushered them inside."Who do you think you are,my mother?"

"I'm the closest thing to it,and don't you forget it!Now listen,Digoby is staying with Larke tomorrow,so you're joining us,no arguments Tet!"said Cat.

"No problem,"said the vulptod."I need to get away more often anyway."

"Good!I think we can get somewhere with the council this time!Vixenberry tomorrow,in a week,the world!"Cat said,raising her paws dramatically."Now get to bed,you lazy balls of fur!"

*** *** *** ***

Morning rose,as the four prisoners were sneered at by the Brat Pack.They were bonded and gagged,unable to cry for help,as Zoey kneeled close by,wielding her dagger.Somehow,Mirage loosened the cloth in her mouth.

"Why don't you just kill us and get it over with,Brats?!"she cried,her voice muffled.Zoey walked over and yanked on the cloth,tightening it.Tears ran down Mirage's cheeks from the pain.

"Because,we want to see you suffer.You'll fry in the heat,and starve like beggars before we kill you.We won't give you the benefit of a fast death!"

"Mistress,"said Gabby to Zoey."They have nothing but a leaf-bag of berries and two canteens."

"Enough,"said Zoey,grabbing the food and drink.She ate and drank the nourishment in front of her prisoners' eyes to antagonize them.Caddie yanked at his bonds and gave a muffled,angry yell.Zoey laughed.

"Too bad about your friend,Gimp,"she sneered,pointing at the bushes where the Brat Pack had deposited the cat's body.

"Too bad!"echoed Jay.Peaches laughed and snorted.Trixi felt tears come to her eyes,as she thought of Gimp.Poor crazy yet brave Gimp,who had fallen to her end because of them.She had only been protecting them.Buddy had only been protecting them,and now both were dead because of her.Trixi knew she deserved to die,but Caddie,Mirage and Lynx didn't.Perhaps...She motioned with her head for them to loosen her gag a bit.

"Mmmpphh!"Zoey glared at her.

"What do you want?"She might as well hear what the rabbit had to say.After all,there was nothing she could do to save herself.Zoey turned to Jay."Loosen her gag!"

"Listen,I'll make you a deal..."Trixi began as her gag was loosened.

"We don't like deals!"growled Zoey."Tighten her up again!"

"Wait!My life in return for theirs!You can kill me,but let them go!"Mirage and Caddie shook their heads wildly.No!Zoey contemplated this.It would be fun to kill the gray one right away.And once the rabbit was dead,she wouldn't know whether the others were released or not.Zoey would lose nothing with this deal.

"As you wish,"she sneered,raising the dagger.Trixi shut her eyes tight,waiting.The other three turned away,not wishing to see their friend killed.They couldn't do anything else...

"YYEEEAAAUUUGGHHH!"There was a piercing scream of agony,but it was not from Trixi.The four prisoners opened their eyes and stared in surprise.Out of nowhere,a blade had appeared and chopped off Zoey's entire tail!It went careening into a bush.Trixi looked up to see three figures standing on a boulder.They were saved!One of them,a goat,bounded stealthily down and removed the bonds and gags from the four travelers.The other two,a squirrel and a hare,advanced on the screeching Zoey.The rest of the Brat Pack had already retreated,true cowards as they were.

"Run!"glowered the hare.Zoey tried to stand her ground,but another blade from the squirrel pierced her foot.She screamed again and ran away,falling frequently on her crippled foot.Neither she nor the rest of the Brat Pack would ever fight again.The squirrel turned to the four travelers.

"Don't be afraid,"she drawled kindly in her sweet southern accent."We're your friends.My name is Marie Sheryli,and that young goat is our darling little Lily."Lily smiled at them but didn't speak.She never talked.

"A-hem?!"grumbled the hare.Marie rolled her eyes.

"And that is Rockford,"she said blandly.The hare puffed himself up proudly.

"Rockford the Scourge,they call me!"he said in his nasally voice.

"More like Rockford the Splurge..."muttered Marie.

"I heard that!So who are you fuzzballs?"asked Rockford.

"I'm Mirage Whitecat,and this is Trixi Bigfoot.The kitten is Lynx,and this little piece of fluff is Caddie Rushtail."Rockford stared at the albino and yelled.

"Ack!Look at 'im!Look at his eyes!He's possessed,I tell you!Possessed!"

"Rockford!"snarled Marie,slapping the hare."He's an albino,you grit!"

"I knew that..."

"Anyway,"said Marie."Where are you four headed?"

"We're trying to get to Ivy Wood,"said Trixi.

"To meet the Outcasts!"cried Caddie.

"Owtats!Owtats!"said Lynx.

"Ivy Wood!I know exactly where that is!Why don't y'all let us escort you there?We have plenty of food and drink to spare!"said Marie.

"Thank you!"cried Trixi,excited.

"Tank oo much!"said Lynx,leaping into Lily's arms.The silent,kind goat nuzzled him.

"Then it's set!"cried Rockford."But first we have to see to something.Lily?"The goat put Lynx down,ran into the bushes and pulled out a large,furry,bandaged body.Trixi gasped.She knew that purple coat!

"Gimp!She's alive!"

"Gip!Gip!"

"Gimp!I told you she rocked!I knew she wasn't dead!"cried Caddie.The amazing Gimp opened her eyes.

"Of course I'm not dead!The amazing Gimp has survived every war there ever was.Would feel better after a little rest,though..."She closed her eyes.Trixi could see that the stab wound had narrowly missed her heart.

"Lily is a wonderful doctor,"bragged Marie.Lily blushed and ducked her head.She was,Trixi could see,for she had done a wonderful job with the bandages,putting Gimp's arm in a sling lest she injure herself more.

"Hey!"cried Rockford suddenly."My canteen!See?It says Rockford Hare!That's me!"He picked the beloved object up and cradled it."How I've wanted to place my lips against yours again!Oh,my lovely canteen,I shall never let you out of my sight again!"

"Hopeless,isn't he?"Marie rolled her eyes."As you can see,we've encountered ruffians like that Brat Pack before."

"Us too!But I whupped 'em!"said Gimp woozily.

"Well,they won't bother us anymore.Not after that little chop-chop!"joked Mirage.They all laughed.

"Why don't we rest here for the whole day.Give Gimp some time to recover.Then tomorrow,we'll take you to Ivy Wood,"said Marie.

It was agreed...

*** *** *** ***

The Outcasts traveled the usual path to Vixenberry,and Tet felt a strong sense of dŽjˆ vu.Skylre was chattering excitedly,Cat was worrying about Larke,Sniper was flapping above them...

"Hey!"whispered Nick."Try talkin' to Keely!"They looked at her.The small wolf was walking behind the rest of them,arms crossed at her chest.Tet shook his head.

"No,I'd better not.She's angry about something..."

"No she's not!She's happy!"grinned Nick.Tet gave him a Look.

"Does that look like she's happy?"Nick shrugged at the wolf's cold expression.

"You don't understand.She's happy when she's angry!"

"You just lost me,Nick,"said Tet.

"Watch!"Nick strolled backwards until he was side-by-side with Keely.He reached an arm to wrap around her shoulders."So,baby.How 'bout those Lamaze classes,eh?Tell me,are you gonna feed your kid with a bottle or do you plan to...AAUUUUUGGGHHH!Not the groin!!Oooohhhh..."Nick howled as Keely's fist whacked his gut,a place sore from previous encounters with her foot.She grabbed the arm he had wrung around her shoulders and flung him backwards to the ground with one quick twist.

"Pervert!"

"Uuugghhh!!"

"Nick!What the heck do you think you're doing?!"steamed Cat.

"Just trying to make her happy...uuunnnhhhh..."

"Great,Nick!Now she's gonna avoid me,too!"snorted Tet in the black weasel's ear.

"Oh,just help me up!"Tet reached a strong arm down to yank Nick off the ground."YOW!Not that one!"Nick cried when Tet grabbed the arm Keely had twisted.

"When will you ever learn?"Tet asked.He turned and watched Keely,walking side-by-side with Cat.If she trusted Cat,why couldn't she trust him too?

*** *** *** ***

The council was taking a break.Blue Golde and Smokie Ringpaw sat apart from the others.They didn't get along with the veteran members.Blue found them stuffy and rude,and Smokie prefered to keep to himself,save his friend,Blue,and his fiancŽe,Faerie,a pretty red panda.Blue saw the group first.

"Smokie,look!It's Cat and the Outcasts!"he said.

"I'll warn the others,"answered Smokie.

"Warn them?You make them sound like fugitives!"Blue snorted,but he went with his raccoon friend anyway.

"Your Honor!"cried Smokie to Bull Temple."The Outcasts have returned again!"The wrinkled panda bear groaned.

"That's the third time this week!"He addressed the council."Everyone!Lunch is over!Cat Prideflower and her gang have come back.Remember to stand your ground!As for you,young bobcat,"Bull said,turning to Blue."If you defend that lunatic caracal again,I shall have you demoted to janitor!"Blue glared at the panda's retreating (and very large) backside.

"Even if I'm only a janitor,I'll still defend her,"he muttered under his breath.

"Hurry,Blue!"The bobcat sighed and followed Smokie into the council-hall.

*** *** *** ***

The Vixenberry Council-Hall loomed before them.Cat's fists clenched.She was ready.Keely,however,was not.She had begged Cat to let her stay at the cottage,but the caracal had refused.Keely didn't want to tell Cat the truth.She didn't want to tell her that her boyfriend was a member of the council.

"Um,Cat?I'd like to wait outside...if you don't mind,"she said nervously.Cat opened her mouth to protest,but sensed the tone in Keely's voice,and merely nodded.Tet had heard Keely,and walked over to her.

"Are you O.K.?"he asked hesitantly.Keely glowered at him.

"I'm fine!"she snapped."I just don't feel well!"Tet winced at her reply and backed away,a hurt look on his face.Keely wanted to apologize,but instead she turned and walked to the nearby park outside the council-hall.The rest of the Outcasts went inside.Keely suddenly felt vulnerable without Cat around,and got up to go inside after them.She'd just say she changed her mind,that's all.She started to walk towards the council-hall and paused,realizing who was in there.She didn't want to look at his smirking face ever again.She turned around,and in doing so,bumped into someone.

"Excuse me,"she said,keeping her head down.

"No problem..."Keely gasped.That voice!She looked up into the face of a wolf with fur of deep brown.Her ex-boyfriend!He gave her a cold smile."No problem,"he repeated,grabbing her wrists.

*** *** *** ***

"Won't you creatures ever listen to me for a change?Would I be doing this if it wasn't a considerable issue?"The council remained silent.Cat turned,exasperated,to Blue.

"You,bobcat!You agree with me don't you?You said so last time!"Blue opened his mouth,but stopped.He saw Bull glaring at him from the corner of his eye.He lowered his eyes and turned away from Cat.

"Coward!"roared Cat."Are you going to let them manipulate you like that?What did they do,threaten you with your job?Threaten to outcast you?Well,let me tell you.You'd be better off with us!"Blue's head remained where it was turned.Cat pounded on a desk."Blast you!"

"Cat,"whispered Tet."Please don't make a huge fuss.They'll never listen if you don't calm down."Cat ignored him,and continued to yell.

"I'm getting a headache,"moaned Skylre.Tet agreed.He thought of how smart Keely had been to stay outside.

*** *** *** ***

"Well,well,well.I'm on a break,and look's who's in town.My lucky day.I'm sorry I never had a chance to talk to you,but I was always busy on the council while you backed that Cat.I have to keep my reputation,you know,"sneered Keely's boyfriend.

"Jael,I wouldn't talk to you if you were the last creature on the planet!"Jael laughed.

"'Course you would,baby.Now how's about a little smooch,for old time's sake?"

"No!Leave me alone!"cried Keely.Tears rushed into her eyes."Please..."

"You didn't say that five months ago,baby."

"Bastard!"

"C'mon,Keely.Let's not fight.You give me what I want,a nice kiss,and I give you what you want,which is me."Jael grinned at her.

"No!Let me go!I hate you!"Keely fell to her knees as Jael tightened his grip around her wrists.

"I don't think you mean that..."He leaned over to kiss her,and she bit him hard on the paw.He yelled and let go.

"If you lay a paw on me,I swear I'll run in there and tell the council just what you did to me!"Jael's eyes pierced her with hatred.

"Broad!What makes you think they'll believe you?You're an outcast.Even your family hates you.You're worthless."

"You're the one that's worthless!"Keely cried,trying to swing a punch at him.She missed,but Jael's face went mad with fury anyway.

"Don't you ever try to do that again!"he yelled at Keely.And then,he slapped her...

*** *** *** ***

Tet saw him hit her.He had been gazing outside when he had noticed Keely yelling at a huge,mean looking wolf.He saw her try to punch him,and then watched in horror as the wolf slapped Keely across the face and she fell down,crying.All of a sudden,rage overthrew Tet,and he roared out of the council-hall like a comet,leaving everyone bewildered.His heart pounding with anger,he raced towards Keely and the other wolf.

"Don't you touch her!"he screamed,and thrust a fist into Jael's face.The male wolf was knocked backwards.He got up and felt his jaw.He stared at the blood that fell into his paw.The wolf glared at the vulptod.

"Big mistake,Goldy.You're going to wish you'd never been born."He lunged at Tet,teeth bared,and the two male canines engaged in a vicious battle.Tet poured all his feelings for Keely into his punches,as well as all the pain he felt from being a hybrid.Keely stood up and tried to yank Jael off of Tet,but the brown wolf punched her away.She fell again to the ground,the wind knocked from her.Tet bayed in anger and fell upon Jael with a deadly rage.

"Tet,stop it!"cried Cat as she,the Outcasts,and the Vixenberry Council ran towards the combatants.But Tet was oblivious to their cries.All he focused on was beating the daylights out of Jael.He threw his arm back a final time,claws outstretched,and ripped the flesh on Jael's chest.The wolf howled in pain and fell.Tet kicked him under the chin,and Jael lost conciousness,his front covered in blood.Tet panted,catching his breath,his own blood falling from his injuries.When he could breathe better,he limped over to Keely and put his arms around her.

"Are you alright?"he asked softly.Keely began to sob onto his shoulder.

"Thank you,"she whispered.The rest of the Outcasts fell beside them.

"Was that your...?"asked Nick.Keely nodded tearfully.

"He didn't hit you in the belly,did he?"worried Cat.The wolf shook her head.Sniper was perched on Skylre's shoulder as the young fox stroked his feathers,comforting each other.Bull Temple glared at them.

"So,in revenge for us ignoring your ideas,you try to kill Jael Hunter, one of our members,"he said coldly.

"No!It isn't like that!He's the one who caused me to be outcast and disowned by my family!He...he caused me to become pregnant,"said Keely.Jael,who had just come to,went to his own defense.

"Surely you don't believe that,Honorable One.She probably is in this state from one of the twenty other males she ran around with.She wants to put the blame on me to make me lose my position on the council!She wants me to be an outcast just because she herself is one,"he said.

"Liar!You just want to protect your name!"growled Tet,and lunged for Jael.Nick caught him just in time.Bull glared at them.

"I think I have seen enough.I should have done this a long time ago.Since you are outcasts,I can't punish you for attempting to harm a council-member.But I can say this.If I,or anyone else,ever catch you in Vixenberry again,I will make sure you are killed."

"You can't do that!"raged Cat.

"Try me,"smirked Bull."Now go,before I change my mind and have you killed this instant.Cat glared at him,but didn't argue.

"Come on,"she said to her Outcasts,never letting her angry stare leave Bull Temple's direction.The panda became uneasy and looked down.

Walking slowly,the Outcasts left Vixenberry.

*** *** *** ***

Blue saw them go.As the other council-members were helping Jael to his feet and heading back to the council-hall,he snuck away.He had to find out where Cat lived.Keeping a good distance away,so they would not notice him,the bobcat followed the Outcasts to their cottage,making sure to note any landmarks he might see in order to remember the way up and back.Once he knew where it was,Blue headed back to Vixenberry.He would have to see Cat another time.It was late,and the council would get suspicious if he didn't return that night.They were always watching him...He returned after five hours of fast-paced walking.If anyone asked,he would say he had gone into the nearest town,Grasse,to warn them of the Outcasts.Blue hoped they wouldn't suspect anything,not for his sake,but for Cat's.

*** *** *** ***

The next morning found Gimp strong enough to depart from the travelers and go off on her own.This time,though,she would not be following Trixi and her friends.

"You have your escorts like you wanted.You don't need me anymore.I have other places to be,"she said.

"But I thought you were coming with us to Ivy Wood!"said Trixi.

"Why would I want to go there?When did I say I would go with you?"

"You've been saying that since we met,"said Trixi.Gimp smiled.

"Well,I changed my mind.Maybe we'll meet again,Trixibunny."

"I hope so,Gimp.Thank you for all you've done for us."She gave the purple cat a quick hug.

"Good-bye,Gimp.Don't forget us,"said Caddie sadly.He truly adored her.She patted the little rabbit on the head.

"I'll never forget you,er,um..."

"Caddie..."

"Yeah,that's it!Caddie."Gimp nodded at Lynx."You stay away from hollow trees,hear me?"

"Oh,yeth,Gip pupple tat.Winx tayway fum hello twees!"

"Well,I'll miss you,Gimp,"said Mirage.Gimp grinned at the white tiger as she began to head away from the travelers.

"I'll miss you too,Massage,"she said.Mirage didn't complain at the mistake.She just smiled."So long,everyone!"

"Bye!"they cried,waving until Gimp was a small purple speck in the distance.Trixi knew she would never forget that mixed-up cat,not in a million lifetimes.

"Hey!Are you four coming?"asked Rockford.He,Marie,and Lily were already heading east.Trixi,Mirage,Caddie,and Lynx remained where they were for a moment longer,then followed their new friends.

*** *** *** ***