"Um...Cat?"Tet asked feebly.He had been avoiding her all day,afraid she would shun him for ruining their chances yesterday of ever giving Larke a chance at a good life.Not only that,he had ruined ten months of hard work,and,worst of all,he had destroyed Cat's dream.She turned to stare at him.

"Please,Tet.I don't want to be angry with you,but right now I can't help it.Leave me alone.When I cool down,I'll try to talk with you."Her voice was hard,as though she were straining to keep it from sounding hateful.Tet gulped.For once in his life,he felt like crying.His entire body felt dirty,as though he had killed someone.He backed out of the room.In the main room,Nick,Digoby,Skylre,and Sniper sat silently.Tet tried to smile as he sat down close by.

"Hello,what are we talking about?"Nick got up and left the room.Sniper turned his back to Tet.Digoby nodded tolerantly at him.

"I think it would be best if you stayed low for a while,Tet.Do your own thing.Maybe this will blow over soon.Come on,Skylre."They left,and Sniper followed,with not so much as a chirp in Tet's direction.Tet was alone,and it frightened him.His heart thumped as he realized what needed to be done.

Slowly he got up,and walked into the kitchen.A knife lay before him,the one Cat used to cut up fruits and vegetables,a very sharp knife.His paw shaking,his breath coming in gasps,Tet reached for the knife.A cold,distant paw gripped it,and he raised it above his head,his hazel-gold eyes brimming with tears,aiming for his heart.A paw grabbed the knife,just as he plunged it down.The knife missed it's mark and plummeted to the floor.Tet looked up into Keely's violet eyes.He fell to his knees.A shaky sob came from the back of his throat,and he started to cry.

"Oh,Tet..."Keely cried,and knelt beside him,taking the crumpled vulptod into her arms,holding him tight.He cried into her neck,for once not caring about how he acted in front of Keely,not caring about what his uncle had once told him,that a male was never meant to weep.His body shook with sobs as Keely rocked him back and forth.She didn't try to comfort him with words or stop him.Instead,she gave Tet the freedom to let all the pain out,something he had wanted to do his entire life.

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

"How far are we from Ivy Wood?"asked Mirage.

"About three days easy pace,"answered Marie.Lynx trotted by her side on pudgy,two-year-old legs.

"Mawee an Roffod an Lee tay wid us in Ivywud?"he asked.

"Yeah,are you guys gonna live with the Outcasts,like us?"asked Caddie.Marie shook her head.

"Sorry,punkin.The three of us are heading farther east than the Ivy Wood.We can't stay."

"Where to?"inquired Trixi.

"As far east as we can,"said Rockford."You see,we're looking for a certain place called Serenity.We want to live there."

"Serenity?Never heard of it,"said Trixi.

"It's supposed to be the most peaceful place in the world.No wars,creatures living in harmony,and all the knowledge in the world,"explained Marie.

"It sounds wonderful,"said Trixi dreamily.

"If it's so great,then how come I've never heard of it?"asked Mirage.

"Well,we found a bottle one day while digging a well.It had a poem inside that told us all about Serenity.Would you like to hear it?"asked Marie.

"Yeah!Sounds cool!"grinned Caddie.

"Wanta podem!Heewa podem!"agreed Lynx.Marie smiled and took a piece of paper,yellow with age,out of the backpack she carried.Clearing her throat,she began to read from it in her melodious voice.

"A place of peace,prosperity,knowledge,

Serenity lies for all creatures to search for.

Head far east from where you were born,

Follow the sun as it rises each day,

Heed the dark where danger lurks,

Travel with friends to share the gift,

Form a Circle,ever spinning.

As you head to Serenity,

Take in all given to you.

Don't lose sight of hope and compassion,

Don't lose your way,just follow the light.

And when you are so far east,

You are almost west of whence you came,

You will find the peaceful kingdom.

Serenity waits for you."

Marie paused,letting the silence increase the power of the poem.Finally Rockford spoke.

"I think it's a dumb poem,myself.It doesn't even rhyme!But it is awfully tempting,isn't it?"They all had to agree with him.

"We can't figure out what most of it means,though,"stated Marie."How can you be so far east that you are west?And what is the gift we're supposed to share?"

"I have no idea.It sounds too philosophical to me,"said Mirage.Marie sighed and put the poem back into her pack.No more was said about Serenity;they had to reach Ivy Wood first.

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

"Tet tried to kill himself,"stated Keely coldly to the rest of the Outcasts,save Tet,who were having a discussion on their predicament.

"What?!"cried Cat."You're joking!"

"That's not funny,"said Nick.

"I'm not joking.I hope you all are satisfied.If you hadn't blamed him for everything,then he wouldn't have tried it.You didn't care that he practically saved my life.But then,you don't care at all,do you?I'll bet you wouldn't even miss him if he had died!"

"Keely!How dare you say that!"said Digoby angrily."We care very deeply for him!"

"If you cared,he wouldn't be trying to stab himself with a kitchen knife,now would he?"growled Keely.She stormed out of the cottage.Cat felt tears burning her eyes.

"She's right,you know.We did blame him for no reason.He was only defending Keely.It was that wretched Head of Council that ruined it for us,not Tet."

"We...we almost lost him,"said Nick quietly."I don't know what I would have done if I saw him lying dead on the floor."

"We let our anger get in the way,and we didn't listen to reason.We were doing to Tet what the council of Vixenberry does to us,"said Digoby.

"Oh,Tet!I'm so sorry!We all are!"Cat burst into tears and held Larke close to her.The little baby sensed his foster mother's sadness and began to cry as well.The Outcasts mourned the death that almost was.

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

"Tet?I'm back.I just told them off."Keely walked over to where Tet was sitting,on the shore of Ivy Lake.

"Did they even care?"

"I don't know.I left before they could really say anything.They're such jerks!I thought at least Cat would know better."Keely sighed and absently placed a paw on her belly.

"They were angry,I guess.I did ruin it for all of us,"sniffed Tet.

"No you didn't!Tet,you saved me from Jael.No one ever...came to my rescue before.I don't know how to thank you..."

"I just didn't want him hurting you anymore.I mean,I was trying to show you...oh,never mind.It doesn't matter anymore."Tet rested his head on his knees.

"It matters to me,"said Keely."Here I was,always being such a jerk to you,and then you save me from my boyfriend.I feel so awful now.Will you forgive me?"Tet smiled wanly at her.

"Of course.No harm done.You've just been through a lot,that's all."Keely sighed.

"Well,it's not over yet...Not until the fat lady sings,which will be me in a couple of months!I can't wait,"she grumbled.

"I think it's brave of you,"said Tet shyly.Keely blushed.

"Well,it's not like I'm actually doing anything.Not yet,anyways.I wonder what it's going to be like,taking care of a baby.I wanted to ask Cat,but I felt so ashamed..."

"Don't look at me.I know nothing about it!"grinned Tet,feeling better.

"Ha!I hope not!"They laughed together.It felt wonderful to Tet,who had thought he'd never be happy again.But he was,thanks to Keely.

"Um,Keely?I want to thank you,for saving my life..."he said softly.She patted his arm.

"I couldn't let you die like that.I mean,I know what it feels like to want to kill yourself,but it's not an answer to any problem.At least that's what Cat told me."

"You're right,I guess.Now I feel so stupid,"Tet sighed.Keely grinned.

"Not as stupid as you looked with all those flowers you were wearing a couple of days ago!"

"Hey,it wasn't my idea.It was Skylre's!"He mimicked her babyish voice."Girls love flowers!"

"Wait a second.You didn't do that for me,did you?"asked Keely shyly.

"I guess I was trying to get you to like me.You know,become friends.Buddies."Tet knew he was fooling himself.He had wanted more than just friendship,but he didn't tell her that.Keely was smiling.

"All you had to do was ask,silly dog!"she grinned,and punched him playfully.Thus began the start of their friendship.

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

Tet and Keely walked back towards the cottage as the sun set.They had spent the rest of the day talking and getting to know each other.Tet had found himself less aware of her pregnancy and more aware of Keely herself.She was a different creature from the cold,angry wolf she had always been to him.Tet now found that she had a wry sense of humor and loved jokes,especially tasteless ones.Keely had been delighted when she had found out Tet was a lover of logical puzzles,and they had spent a full hour trying to solve them.They were still laughing as they came in view of the cottage.Tet stopped and went silent.The other Outcasts were gathered outside,waiting for them.He ducked his head.

"Oh,Tet!We're so sorry!We couldn't live without you!"cried Cat.They all rushed to embrace him,and Tet felt any leftover feelings of worthlessness vanish from his body.He wasn't alone any longer...

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

The next few days were good ones.The evening after Tet's crisis,Cat had called an Outcast meeting.

"We have to start looking on the other side of things,"she had said."No more blaming whomever for whatever and no more worrying about the future.We'll take everything in stride."At this point,Keely had smiled and squeezed Tet's paw.

Tet and Keely had developed a strong bond.They were like brother and sister to each other.Tet realized that this was the relationship he wanted with Keely.He still felt more towards her,but he understood that this wouldn't be possible.Keely needed a companion rather than a better half.It had been hard for Tet at first,but soon he didn't care.The important thing was,he had found a friend in Keely,a true friend.

As for Keely herself,she was starting to become more trustworthy of the other Outcasts.She would smile and talk to Digoby and Skylre.The little fox smothered her in questions about babies that Keely could not answer..She had also resumed her friendship with Cat,and even worked up the nerve to ask some baby questions herself.Cat was helpful and understanding,and Keely thought of her as a big sister.In fact,the only one Keely still did not get along with was Nick.He continued to annoy her just as before,and she continued to attack his groin every time he did.Her attitude was a bit more tolerant towards him,though.But not much...

On the third day after Tet had tried to commit suicide,he had his first long talk with Cat since the last visit to Vixenberry.Cat had said that they would face the future when it came,but that still did not make Tet any more partial to it.

"What are we going to do?We can't live here in Ivy Wood for our entire lives,can we?"he asked.

"We don't belong anywhere else,Tet.We have all we need here.A garden to grow food,shelter in a huge cottage,the ties that bond...I'm beginning to think that the past ten months were unnecessary,"said Cat.

"What do you mean?You're just giving up on your ideas?What about Larke?What about Keely's kid?"asked Tet.

"I'm beginning to think they'd be better off here.Society might become more tolerant,but that doesn't always change it for the better..."

"I don't believe you!You always told us never to quit,and here you are,just giving up everything you fought for!"Tet said angrily,half expecting Cat to fly into a rage at his words.But the caracal was calm as she looked in the direction of Vixenberry.

"It's over,Tet.We didn't give up.We lost..."And with that,she left silently.Tet stared after her.His life might have been spared,but the Cat he knew had died.

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

The travelers were exhausted.They had walked at a grueling pace for the past three days,with only small amounts of food or drink.Trixi was beginning to wonder if they would ever reach Ivy Wood.She was also starting to contemplate whether this was what she wanted.A new life!She was leaving Starbrook behind.But Buddy was left behind as well.Trixi knew he was always with her,protecting her,when she held his gold pocket watch in her paws.But it wasn't enough.She wanted to be where everything reminded her of her big brother,feeling that it would help the pain,not cause more.A small watch that hung around her neck wasn't enough.As much as she had hated it,she missed Starbrook.Starbrook,where she and Buddy had lived in a lovely two-story house.Where they had gone to school,where they had enjoyed summer nights together.It was where all the memories were.

"I changed my mind!I want to go back!"cried Trixi.

"WHAT?!After all we've gone through?Are you crazy?"roared Mirage.

"It's just that...I don't think I can...Oh,I don't know!"Trixi felt tears pouring down her cheeks and onto her whiskers.

"I think you'll change your mind again if you get over here and look at this!"called Rockford from a hill looming ahead.Trixi sighed and felt Mirage pull her towards the top.Suddenly,Trixi was looking down on a meadow.And just behind it lay the most beautiful green forest Trixi had ever laid eyes on.The trees were huge,lush and coniferous.Birds sang and performed an aerial ballet.Even the sky seemed a deeper blue above the forest canopy.Trixi gasped in wonder.

"Ivy Wood,"said Marie proudly."We made it."

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

"I just can't believe Cat said that to you,"Keely gasped.Tet had just told her about Cat's surrender to defeat.

"I couldn't believe it either.We were having a huge discussion about what had happened the first time we met,and the conversation just led to it,"said Tet."I just don't know what we're going to do.I mean,we lost our leader.It's all my fault..."

"It is not!Stop being such a scapegoat,er,scapevulptod,whatever.If she wants to quit after all this,then that's her problem!Personally,I never really cared if we won or lost.But it still took me by surprise that Cat would give up like that."Keely paused."We did go through a lot,you know."

"I do know!That's what bothers me.Cat always used to say how we should never forfeit anything,and look at her!She doesn't even practice what she preaches!"Tet slumped to the ground just outside the cottage."This is such a joke!"

"I guess we just have to remember 'quŽ ser‡,ser‡',"said Keely."Hey,who is that over there?"Tet looked in the direction she was pointing.A young male bobcat was coming up the path to the cottage.

"That's the council member who stood up for Cat earlier this week!We have to go tell her!"Tet and Keely hurried into the cottage.

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

Cat Prideflower was in shock at the sight of Blue Golde.She had reluctantly followed Tet and Keely outside when they had rushed in to her,claiming she had a visitor.She could never have guessed who it would be.

"What are you doing here?How did you find us?"she asked,or rather,yelled.

"I followed you after that incident with Jael Hunter.I didn't want you to know,so I kept a good distance behind.I had to get back after that,just in case the council suspected.But they won't notice anything today.It's my day off.I had to talk to you,Cat,about all your wonderful ideas.I believe in them,I really do.I think they can be pulled off."Cat shook her head.

"Well,forget it.I've decided to end my rallying days.All I have is right here.Why go back to a society that hates us?"

"But you can change that!I refuse to believe you're quitting!"Blue said,trying to hide his shock.Cat sighed,as she had been doing so more often recently.

"Believe it.Outcasts are outcasts.I tried for a good life for my son,but I realize now.It was all just a stupid dream.Please,don't come here again.I don't need another creature telling me how to run my existence.Good-bye."With that,Cat was gone,already back in the cottage.Blue couldn't believe what he had just heard.Such a different creature from the one he had watched tear the council to shreds with her debating!Why was she letting a town like Vixenberry walk all over her?Blue wanted desperately to change her mind,but he knew he couldn't.Not a stubborn caracal like Cat.It was a hopeless cause.Sadly,the bobcat walked slowly back to town.

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

"Winx sweepy!Hungwy!"

"I know Lynx.I'm sorry.Oh,how are we ever going to find these Outcasts?"Trixi said.

"We just have to keep searching,I guess,"sighed Mirage."My feet are so tired!"

"Hey,what's that?"asked Caddie,looking at the ground.Lily picked it up.It was an arrow carved from wood.

"Who would leave this here?It hasn't even been used!Maybe someone dropped it?"commented Rockford.Trixi smiled.

"I think I know exactly who left it here.Caddie,which way was it pointing?"

"That way.To the northeast."

"Then that's where the Outcasts are.Come on!"The travelers followed in the direction the arrow had been pointing to.It was not long before they spied a good-sized cottage not far off.

"It must be them!Trixi,you're a genius!"cried Mirage.

"I hope they take us in!They might think we're being rude,and deny us!"Trixi said.

"Well,you are being rude!"joked Rockford."But don't worry.They wouldn't cast anyone out,at least I think they wouldn't."

"Just give it your best shot!As for us,we have a journey to continue,"drawled Marie.Trixi gave her,Rockford,and Lily warm hugs.

"Thank you so much!We'll miss you!"

"Yeah,"said Caddie."Hope you find that Serenity place!"

"Good-bye!"

"Bye Mawee!Bye Roffod!Bye Lee!"

"Good-bye!"the three travelers chorused,and set off again on their quest.

"Now let's go meet the Outcasts!"said Trixi.They started towards the cottage.

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

A tap sounded at the door of the cottage.Cat growled.

"I thought I told that Blue to leave us alone!Tet,why don't you go tell him that if he ever bothers me again,I'll..."

"O.K.,Cat.I'll let him in!"smiled Tet.He went to the door.

Trixi gulped nervously.This was a rude thing to do,knocking on strangers' doors and asking for a place to live.She had a sudden urge to run away.The door opened,and Trixi suddenly found herself staring into the lightest hazel-colored eyes she had ever seen,peering out from a creature with fur of brown-gold.Mirage,standing next to her,seemed captivated by the golden creature as well.The creature looked at the four travelers for a moment before he spoke.

"Hello.May I help you?"he asked in a sweet tenor."You look hungry and tired.Would you like to come in?"

"Oh,please!I hope we're not intruding,but we have come a long way to find you,"said Trixi nervously.Tet was surprised.

"To find me?"he asked.

"Well,if you're one of the Outcasts,then yes,"said Mirage,a slightly flirty sound in her voice.

"Gimp told us about you!"chirped Caddie."You see,we were outcast,and our town was destroyed by humans.We came to live with you guys!"

"I'm sorry,but we have no place to go,and we were hoping...But if not then that's O.K...I mean,we can find another place to stay..."

"It's fine,"smiled Tet."Come on in,"He walked them into the cottage,and spoke to Cat.

"These creatures are outcasts,just like us.The Gimp told them about the Outcasts,and they want to know if they can stay...They've been through a lot,Cat."

"Well,by all means,yes!Of course you can stay.There's plenty of room,and the more the merrier!I'm Cat Prideflower.I brought the Outcasts together.That handsome vulptod who let you in is Tet Solfire.The beta-morph hawk is our pet and companion,Sniper.Nick Whiskers is that black weasel over there,that sweet young wolf is our dear Keely Skypack,and those two are Digoby Mole and Skylre.Oh,and this is my adopted son,Larke Prideflower."Trixi gasped when she saw the human.

"What?Is something wrong?"asked Cat,a bit accusingly.

"Nothing,I'm sorry.It's just that...humans killed my brother!"She burst into tears.

"They wrecked our town,too!"added Caddie.Tet went over to console Trixi.

"It's O.K...You've really had some tough times,haven't you?"Trixi looked up into his eyes."Don't worry,we'll take care of you.Why don't you tell us everything that's happened to you four,and we'll tell you all about us."The stories were shared,each side listening intently to the other.Cat explained everything about the Outcasts to Trixi and her friends,only leaving out the fact that she was giving up the debates at Vixenberry.

"Well,Trixi,"she concluded after a good hour or so."You,Mirage,Caddie,and Lynx are part of the Outcasts now.We only hope that you enjoy it here in Ivy Wood with us.Welcome to our little family!"The entire group cheered and applauded,and they drank a toast of raspberry cordial to their new friends.A new life had begun for Trixi,as well as the other three,but the gray lop still couldn't put her old one behind her...

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