Chychaesa woke up and stretched. Today was another day. She sighed wearily for her body did not want to leave it’s relaxed state. But she had work to do, hunting mice from the barn.
Come on Chryssie, it’s time to get up. The sun has risen so must you, she thought. She looked over and saw her Mother and Father still asleep. She decided not to wake them, for they had a hard day yesterday, clearing the barn with as many mice and rats that they could find, while avoiding the pollicle. Since they were not up, then she could daydream for a little while. Her mind took her back to the night of her very first Jellicle ball. She missed her friends there, and often wondered what they were doing at that minute that she thought of them.
She thought of her wacky friends, Bombalurina and Rum Tum Tugger. She wondered if they were still the same.
She thought of the mysterious Demeter and wondered if her fear of Macavity had ever subsided.
She thought of Mr. Mistoffelees and his magic, Jemima and her truly dear sweet ways, and the beautiful graceful Victoria who thought of her as a dear cousin.
She thought of the brother and sister Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser and knew that they had not changed because her human master had read out loud about mysterious minor robberies that had no interest from such a thief as Macavity.
IT made her smile to think that she and... she sighed a little thinking of him. She did not want to but something in her heart made her think about him. She then shook her head slightly to remind herself that he loved Demeter and had nothing to do with..... romantically any ways, her.
Then Uncle Skimble’s happy face knocked itself into her mind, blocking the memories of him for the present. She smiled to see how cheerful he was, and it made her laugh to mentally remember his Scottish accent.
Then she thought of Cassandra. She couldn’t understand why Cassandra had popped off at her like that. She was jealous, Chryssie knew but they could have talked it out like civilized cats. It made her hot under her fur to think that Cassandra had seen through her carefully hidden emotions just by looking at her face. It also made her hot to think that Cassandra would go the lengths just to tell him that she loved.... HIM. She was surprised that he nor Demeter hadn’t noticed the tiny flinch of shock that she had exposed. Cassandra had though, that’s why she hadn’t argued further. Cassandra was satisfied and probably was planning to expose her emotions to Demeter. So in that case, she’d lose Demeter as a friend as well. That’s why she had been trying not to think about him, the past year. Trying to foil Cassandra in her plan to expose her and ruin her relationship with Demeter. When she lost Demeter, she’d probably lose him and Bombalurina too. Then one by one the cats would follow until she had few or no one left. She couldn’t let that happen. So she would have to prepare herself and show nothing, except in private.
Now she could think of him. When matters of Cassandra weigh too heavily in her mind, she thought of him to remove the strain. She thought of his smiling face, bold and gentle nature, and fierce leadership. He was so perfect. Hold On Chryssie! she thought, remember he is Demeter’s not mine. She couldn’t let herself imagine how it could be between them if Demeter wasn’t there. That would be unfair to Demeter. Besides, she liked Demeter and she wasn’t going to let him tear their friendship apart. She just had to remember so many things. She then thought of him again. Munkustrap, her friend. Munkustrap would always be her friend no matter what the odds might be, if Demeter agreed. But Demeter was good to her and liked her enough.
Chryssie got to her paws and snuck out of the garage, where her soft pillow lay. They were lucky to get the garage. It was warm in the winter and cool in the summer and well she was thankful that her family was even there at all since the lady of the house was allergic to cats.
But her master, the lady’s husband loved them so. He often told them and treated them with the kind of respect a cat should expect.
Once when the master’s and lady’s daughter had tied pink ribbon on her and her mother, and a blue one for her father, to make then look “Presentable” their master looked at them with such pity in his eyes that he took the ribbons off as soon as she had left. His daughter doesn’t live there anymore. She took off for something called “college.”
Chryssie stole away into the morning and trotted down to a lake where the sun was just bouncing of the mist that circled the lake. She thought of them, her friends and missed them deeply. Especially Bombalurina, Skimble, Tugger, Demeter and Munkustrap. She was also deeply fond of the other cats, but somehow they didn’t have such an important feeling to her.
“Are you all right my dear?” Her father’s voice came from behind. “You have been coming here ever since you returned from the Jellicle ball.” “Well you were right when you sent me off, saying that I would make friends as soon as I let it sink all in. I’m afraid I might have let it sink in too deeply for I made friends that already mean much to me. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
“At least you don’t let it interfere with your work. You have been working hard and the master is pleased with you and us for working so well for him.”
“Yes. Papa, do you know when the next Jellicle ball is?”
“Well a Jellicle never knows for sure. It is to be on a night where a full moon is present. A Jellilcle can also feel when it is time. You start to feel a longing to go back to where you were, and you feel as if your heart can sing the stars to sleep, it’s that high. You miss friends and loved ones and you start your way when you feel you will die with anticipation.”
“Then I must have gone a long time ago for it is burning within me. I want to go back. I want to see my friends and I want to see the universe through the eyes of my song.”
“Then we wait until the next full moon to shine. We can tell the minute we wake that the night is a full mooned night. Come Chrychaesa, there is work to be done.”
“Yes Papa, I am coming.” She followed him back to the garage.
“Aah good he found you.” Her mother said as Chrychaesa had come in through the door their master had made for them.
“Yes Mother.”
“Well, I have heard my dears that a rat outbreak has happened in this area so we have to be extra careful today, to remember to look over every nook and cranny in that barn.”
“All right.”
“OK!” and off the threesome went. They worked all day. The master called to them to stop and that they had done well. He then gave them their usual dinner mixed in with something special... Salmon Paste. They all then went into the garage for relaxation and sleep. As soon as her parents nodded off, then Chrychaesa slipped out into the darkness and started on her way.
She didn’t care if it was wasn’t a Jellicle ball or not, she has to go and at least see it. She traveled a while heading towards the east. She crept into a little passage and crawled to the other side. There was the site of the Jellicle ball. Empty and silent, with no living being aside from insects, arachnids or herself. But she was happy at last, finally within the site of her first happiest night of her life.
She stiffened because she heard a noise, soft at first and a little far away, but getting closer and a little louder, then silence. She could only hear her breath and her heartbeat now, and it’s beating was irregular, in fact much faster. But despite it’s pounding, she backed into the center of the site and did exactly what Munkustrap did when protecting Old Deuteronomy, positioning her body for ready attack and peering into the darkness to see what was causing her alarm. She heard a scuffle from behind her and saw a tail disappearing around a corner. She was then certain that someone was there. What if it was Macavity? Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t, fifty-fifty chance. She wasn’t going to risk it. She stayed put, and watched keenly for a sign of movement. Then she saw the thing dart in the shadows. She decided to go after it. She saw it dart into a dark corner. Taking a deep breath she paused because she lost the sight.
Then gasped as something pounced on her from behind. She struggled with the thing until it knocked her head. It managed to pin her while another figure came into view, then another and another until there were five cats all together. They all took hold of her and dragged her into the light.
“Well I’ll be! If it isn’t Chryssie!” A Scottish accent sounded. At once the cats gently put her down.
“Skimble?” She asked with disbelief. When lights flickered on, it was indeed Skimble.
“Oh am I glad to see you. I thought you were Macavity.”
“Yes that’s what we thought you were too.” Another voice sounded.
“Tugger!”
“Hey there Chryssie.”
“My have you grown lass.” Skimble complimented.
“Last I remember you were this high.” he said and pointed to his shoulder.
“Now you are this high.” He said and pointed to his cheekbone.
“Well I suppose I grew a little.”
“A little my paw.” Tugger argued.
“Come on Chryssie admit it. You grew a lot.”
“All right, I grew a lot.”
“See, now doesn’t it feel good to take credit for yourself?”
“Chryssie? Chryssie! Wow, I never thought that you’d be the one we jumped.”
“Nice to see you too Bombalurina. It’s a pleasure to be jumped by you guys, though a little more gently would be nice.”
“Well I believe that’s my fault. When I first saw your figure I thought you were Macavity, so I told everyone to jump hard.” Demeter said coming into the light.
“Oh Demeter I really don’t mind. It was a sure good bump on the head though, and excellent pinning. It even held me. It was real tough.”
“Well you’ll have Munkustrap to thank for that.”
“Munkustrap? Munkustrap jumped me!?”
“Yes. What’s wrong with that?” he said coming out.
“Nothing really, I just didn’t expect you to be here. That’s all. Also by the way I landed you last year, I thought I could have smelt you coming, but it was too quick.”
“Well it’s good to hear that from you. Sorry about the knock, you were chasing Demeter, so I assumed you were Macavity.”
“Oh I thought you were Macavity.”
“Nope not me.”
“So what are you doing here?” Bombalurina asked.
“Well I couldn’t stand to be away for much longer so I just felt I had to come to where my friends and I first met.”
“Wow how weird. I came here for that reason too.”
“We came too. Just for that very reason.”
“Aye lass, I here too just for that.”
“How strange.”
“Well at least we’re all here.”
“Yes. So tell me what you have been up to the past year?”
“Oh I have been busy working with the trains, making sure everything is on time and perfect. Just what Skimble usually does.”
“I have been around the town, and looking out for myself. I got lucky enough to get a home. I live with this nice lady who treats me like a cat should be treated. It’s really nice.” Bombalurina concluded.
“I have been my own self. I have not changed, I still muddle people’s sewing, I want the opposite of what I wanted before...Just the normal Tugger.” “Oh well I’m surprised that they still let you live with them.” Chryssie said as bluntly as that.
“Oh they aren’t going to be kicking me out anytime soon. I am quiet enough and as long as I’m happy they are happy.”
“Well you got a lucky break Tugger.” Bombalurina told him.
“Do they make you work?’’ Chryssie asked. Demeter, Skimble, and Munkustrap looked at her.
“No should they?”
“Well, I suppose not. It seems that you are a live and let die kind of cat.”
“Why are you so concerned about work?”
“Aye lass, you are a kitten and shouldn’t be burdened with that kind of thing. You have your kitten hood you understand.”
“Well I am not going to get very much of it. Munkustrap said that I was wise for a kitten. That’s because I have already been doing what kittens haven’t even dreamed of doing. Working. I pay attention to people’s and cat’s words alike. I know what’s going on, most of the time. Right now we have had a recent rat outbreak in the area that I come from. So we have to pay attention. I learned that when Old Deuteronomy is speaking it is best to listen to him, for he gives the words of the wisest of all cats. What have you been up to Demeter?”
“Well I have roamed the city. I have stayed around here. But mostly I am still trying to get a home to live in. But that person hasn’t taken pity on me yet. I mean, he or she can wait a while for I am happy right now. It seems that I am happiest here.”
“I only roam around here. I help any cats that are Jellicle, and believe me there are many. I help kittens and cats. Chryssie, I sometimes get as far as your area, because I sometimes see you and your family working. Quite the ratcatchers if you ask me.”
“Oh well thank you Munkustrap. Oh, I had probably better get home. I need a good start if I am still to get any sleep tomorrow and still be fresh and ready to work.”
“All right Chryssie. I have to go that way myself.” Tugger said. “All right.”
“Pleasure to see you and don’t forget, there is a Jellicle ball the night of the full moon!” Demeter called and one by one the cats dispatched on their journeys to where they were familiar. Tugger and Chryssie trotted along until they reached her farm.
“Where is your place?”
“Oh just up the road a little ways. It’s right close to the crossroads.” “All right. I’ll see you in a few nights Tugger.”
“You too Chryssie. Please don’t work too hard. You have to save some of it for the Jellicle ball.”
“I will Tugger. Try to at least do the people you live with some good.” “Hey you know me.”
“I know, that’s why I requested this.”
“Good night Chryssie.” Tugger said and gazed at her fondly.
She is such a good little friend, he thought. Aside from Bombalurina, she understands me well.
Chryssie woke up early again. Her mother though, was already up. “Oh good. You’re up. Our master wants to take us into town on request of his wife. She wants us washed and brushed. Lets be on our best behavior, no matter how bad it gets. Lets show our master how much we appreciate him, by letting the groomers do their worst. Hopefully, we won’t have our dignity taken from us.”
Then her father woke up and soon, their master had them walking to the streets of the groomers. On the way he stopped by the bank.
“Now I trust you my cats. I am going to have to go inside without you a minute. Pray cats, don’t stray too far.” Satisfied, the farmer went inside the office. He trusted his cats, and they seemingly understood him. Chryssie walked around the corner and behind the ally. She wanted to get familiar with the area she was in. Then she saw Rawtawny and the Claw Cats surrounding her. She backed up.
“Hey there Beautiful.” Rawtawny purred. “This place is much to rough for a pretty she-cat like you. Still I am glad you happened my way.”
He said and tried to nuzzle her. She backed off just a bit. He came closer and started to get friendly by rubbing against her side and stoking her back. She backed away again, remembering that if he really got serious, she would have to act. But she was also outnumbered greatly. Still she would have to get violent if necessary to get out of this.
Once again Rawtawny tried to get friendly, a little too close for he wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed close. She struck her paw down hard on his nose. He backed up dazed. Then he got angry. He started to make ready his claws.
It’s just another female in the street that could use a good punishing, He thought and attacked.
Quick as a flash she whirled out of the way. Once again he attacked her, but she landed a good scratch on him. Then one by one all the males attacked and she was brought down. The cats held her facing Rawtawny who was blinded by the fierce rage in his eyes. He lifted his massive paw. One good blow, she thought, and I’m done for.
Suddenly a gray flash whipped by and knocked Rawtawny to the ground. She realized it was Munkustrap. The cats were indeed surprised and let go of her hold. Then they all at once attacked him. He fought desperately, but the cats were fierce. He was badly scratched.
Then Chryssie did the best thing she could think of. She tackled the males and then tried to get them to follow her. Remembering the she-cat who got a little violent with their leader, they all took off after her. She cleverly planned a ditch. The cats went one way while she went another. Then she returned to Munkustrap. There he was fighting it out with Rawtawny. He was struck down, being a smaller cat.
She jumped onto Rawtawny’s back and gave a good scratch. He tried to get her off his back but no. She held on and scratched his back until he was forced to retreat. She jumped off and hurried back to Munkustrap.
“Are you all right?” he asked her weakly.
“Oh Munkustrap, you shouldn’t have done that. There was no way you’d win this one. I am grateful that you saved my life.”
“It’s what I’d do for a friend.” He winced as a pain wavered through him. She gently touched his face with her paw.
“You’re going to be all right. It’s only a few scratches.”
“No it’s not the scratches I am worried about. The scratches will heal in time. This is what I am worried about.”
She saw to his side a large cut.
“Oh my. That looks bad Munkustrap.” She couldn’t hide the fear in her eyes, but she kept her voice calm and steady. She nuzzled his chin with her nose and then stood back. Her father came running down the ally where he saw Chrychaesa and a wounded cat. Since there was no one he assumed that the wounded cat had attacked his daughter and she had nailed it.
“Serves you right you scoundrel for picking on my daughter.”
“No Papa, this cat didn’t hurt me at all. He saved my life, Papa. He took on a whole pack of cats who was going to annihilate me.”
“So this cat saved you? Then we have to get some help. Who is it?” “His name is Munkustrap.”
“Munkustrap? It’s a HE?! Oh Chrychaesa, how many times do I have to tell you that you aren’t ready for male cats yet? What will your mother think?” “Papa this is no time for it now. He might die if we don’t do something.”
“Well it only looks like a few scratches.”
“No Papa look.” She pointed with her paw to the large cut on Munkustrap.
“Oh and we are nowhere near the vets either. The master just went to the bank to get the money for our grooming. I am afraid if we can’t do something soon, your friend Will die.”
“No Papa. You go run and get our master. I am going to stay with him. Make as loud a rucus as you can, just get him here.” She watched as her father ran around the building.
“Oh Munkustrap I am so sorry that I caused you this. I really didn’t mean all this to happen. It was my fault. I should have stayed where I was. I wasn’t disobeying, I just didn’t know of what a dangerous neighborhood this was. I hope you’ll be OK. I really don’t know what I’d do..”
“Don’t fret, it’s all right. I’ll be fine.” She gently cuddled him a little. Then she felt the tears running down her face. She tried not to let Munkustrap see them. She had tried in vain because she felt his paw on her face wiping away the tears. His paw felt like velvet against her cheek, and she kept the murmur inside.
“Oh how sentimental. I can’t stand it.” A raspy voice came from the darkness. She could see Rawtawny’s form.
“Rawtawny! You did this to my friend.” Chrychaesa felt the anger rise to incredible heights. If he gets near Munkustrap, I’ll tear him or any other of his friends to pieces, she vowed.
“I figure that if that cat you are cradling are out of the way, you’d lose it so much you wouldn’t care what happens to yourself. Which means another one of the Claw Cats.”
“Not in any of your nine lives.”
“Trust me, I have plenty to spare.”
“Well trust ME, I’ll shorten every single one of them.” He started hissing at her and started flanking an attack. She didn’t fall for any of his false attacks so he started for the real thing. He got dangerously close to Munkustrap. She then swiped at him, and landed a scratch right across the nose. “Chychaesa, don’t stay you’ve done all you can. Don’t put yourself in danger.” Munkustrap said weakly.
“I’m staying right here Munkustrap, I never desert my friends.” At that moment he started a flying attack and there was no way Chryssie could save Munkustrap in time. Then out of a blue a cat came flying over then and landed dead on Rawtawny. He was fierce and radical and beat Rawtawny with flying colors. Defeated, Rawtawny slunk into the darkness.
“Tugger!” Chryssie joyously cried.
“Hey there Chryssie girl. I heard a sound of fighting down here and saw you and Munkustrap in danger so I butted in. We had better get him taken care of. Come on help me get him up.” He took Munkustrap firmly and lifted him, with Chryssie’s help onto his back.
“Be careful with him Tugger.”
Then they both walked out of the ally. There they saw her Father and Mother trying to get their master to follow them. The farmer saw a very scratched Chrychaesa, with another cat, with a very badly wounded cat on his back. He got the message his cats were trying to tell him. he strode quickly to the injured cat. Chrychaesa whispered in Munkustrap ear, “Don’t worry. This is my master and he treats all cats with the respect they deserve. He is going to help you, not hurt you. Trust him.” The farmer picked up Munkustrap.
“Hmm poor thing. He seems to be in critical condition. I’d better get him home right away. Come along everyone.” With quick strides he walked home, with Chryssie, Her mother and father, and Tugger. They all got into the garage where the farmer laid Munkustrap on Chryssie’s pillow. He then set to work, cleaning him, and dressing and bandaging his wounds. Then after an hour’s work he said to the cats
“Don’t wake him. He needs the sleep. The bandages will come off in a few days’ time. But until then, be nice and careful with him. Come inside when he needs something. I believe I’ll be able to guess. From right now Puss” (his term of endearment to Chryssie) “you are out of a bed.” He then walked out. She didn’t mind not having a bed though. Just as long as Munkustrap was all right.
“Thank you Tugger. I really appreciate what you did for us today.” “No problem here with it. I just hope my little buddy will be OK.”
“He will. My master is good with treating animals. He’s just not sure how to groom them, but he said that Munkustrap will be fine. This garage is a safe place for him. It’s warm, comfortable, the pollicle can’t get in, as a matter of fact only cats can. He is in good hands. Tugger, I need you to do something for me. I need you to find Demeter and bring her here. I have a feeling she might want to be with Munkustrap. Go quickly. Please?”
“I will. Let me get a something to eat and I’ll be on my way.”
“You may have my dinner when it comes. It should be coming around now.” Sure enough, the door opened and the farmer came in with their dinner and something special, Strasbourg pie. He also had a small dish of cream with him. Apparently Chryssie didn’t have to give up her dinner, for the kind farmer fixed Tugger a meal as well.
“Don’t turn up your nose at this Tugger. It would be very insulting. Not only to the farmer but to me too.” Tugger shook his head saying that he wouldn’t be insulting and that he was looking forward to the meal. The farmer also put down the dish of cream and said that it was for the injured cat. Then he bid them goodnight and closed the door. Tugger said
“That was good. Don’t worry Chryssie, I’ll hurry.” he passed by Chryssie’s parents who looked distrustfully at him. He merely walked out the door. She heard him scamper to the lakeside and continue on.
Oh good luck Tugger, I hope you find her, she thought. Mother sat down and looked at the injured cat.
“So tell me about him dear.” She said and looked straight at Chryssie. “Well he’s a cat I met at the Jellicle Ball. He is in love with a cat who is not myself.” At this her mother relaxed.
“Well as soon as he is well and strong he is on his way. For right now we’ll have nothing to do with him. He’s your friend and your responsibility. We’ll have you know we’ll keep an eye on you young lady.”
“Yes Mother.” she said as her mother and father walked out the garage door into the warm summer air. Chryssie used her paws and slid the cream dish closer to Munkustrap.
Poor thing, she thought. To deserve all this because of me. She sighed a little and saw Munkustrap’s eyes slowly open and look at her. “Chryssie?”
“Yes Munkustrap?”
“Where am I?”
“You are in my home. Don’t look alarmed, it’s OK.”
“Oh. Am I hungry.”
“Well here is some cream for you if you want it. My master left it for you just in case.” She slid it close to him. He drank it, then settled down. “Hmm, I like this pillow.”
“Yes it’s your bed until you’re better. It was mine.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to bereave you from your bed, I’ll move somewhere else.” He started to move. She placed a paw on his shoulder and shook her head and pushed him back down.
“No, you stay there. You shouldn’t move until you are strong again. It’s all right, I have a place. Stay there and relax.”
“Thank you, Chryssie, for everything.”
“Oh don’t worry about it. So, I hope your comfortable. If you need anything, I’ll be right over here.”
“Chryssie, where is Demeter?”
“Don’t worry, I have sent for her. Tugger is on his way now to find her.”
“You are so good to me.”
“Well I just figured you might want to have her around because you know her more and trust her more. It’s also a good thing to have the cat you love around, so you can make a quick recovery.”
“Come over here. I’m not going to bite, why do you have to be way over there for?”
“Well, I just figured you might want to have a little bit of quiet. You know how likely I am to talk.”
“Well I’d enjoy talking. It makes me feel better to know someone is with me.” she slid over to where he was.
“Now who was that cat we fought?”
“His name is Rawtawny, the town heartthrob. All the she-cats seem to like him, so he lets that go to his head. He just assumed that I was another one of the she-cats so he thought he’d take an advantage of me and get a little “friendly.” When I wouldn’t let him, he just got angry and attacked. He could have nailed me good too, if you hadn’t had shown up.”
“Oh, I don’t like him. I have heard rumors that he wants to work for Macavity.”
“No way, really? Oh man, another one bites the dust. Strike one more for Macavity. Rawtawny is rather clever actually, though he isn’t much of a fighter. He would be useful to Macavity and he knows it too, so the Jellicles might be in big trouble.”
“Right. But we’re safe for right now.”
“Right.”
“Would you really stay with a friend if you know you possibly would get killed?”
“Sure. I did it today didn’t I?” she said and looked at him. He smiled gently. He gave her a small affectionate nuzzle just to let her know that he was thankful to have a friend like her.
Then they heard a door crash and they turned and stared right into the angry faces of her mother and father. Before Chryssie knew what was happening, her mother grabbed her by the scruff of her neck and threw her outside. She tried to go back in but her parents had barred the door on her. She heard yelling coming from inside. She had to get in there.
She took a running leap and crashed into the door. It broke free allowing her inside. She saw her parents yelling at Munkustrap. She darted up to Munkustrap and then faced her parents.
“Why are you yelling at him?!” She screeched at them. They tried to toss her out again but she shouted,
“It’s no good, I broke the door!” Then they let her down. They were hysterical.
“How could you do this Chrychaesa? With a cat who already has another?!”
“Doing what Mother?! I don’t know what you’re screeching about!”
“You know perfectly well what I’m screeching about!”
“Mother, he is my friend and my friend only! If there is anyone to be screeching at, it should be me! He is an injured cat who is thankful for his friend! You just have to stop being so protective! It isn’t his fault! Preach it to me, Not him!”
Her father grabbed her by the scruff of her neck again and put her outside. This time he stood over the broken door. She tried to get in but he swatted her away.
“Papa, please!” He merely swatted at her again. She wandered down to the lake to sit in a tree, and let the tears fall into the water, for she was scared for what her parents might do or say to Munkustrap. She then collapsed into conniption. Soon all the yelling her mother did stopped and she saw her mother and father out. She ran up to enter the building but her father still swatted her away. Her mother said with a soft angry voice
“Chrychaesa, you are not to see that cat anymore and you are not to go to anymore Jellicle balls. Do you understand?”
“No I don’t understand. I don’t understand any of this. You have been straining my freedom and now you are taking away what I love most! I don’t ever want to see you two again! Already you have deprived my of my kitten hood. I am only two! You are eight and seven. I have never known how to stay with friends and don’t forget, friends include female and male!”
She then took off running over the shores of the river and she headed towards the train station. She had to see someone she knew. She had to find someone. She heard her parents call to her to come back, but she kept going. She never wanted to see them again. She ran to the train yard where she went into the cabin of the trains. She looked for the mail train. There she saw the mail engine. She started searching for Skimble.
“Skimble!” she called
“Skimble!”
“Chryssie?” a cat appeared from the luggage car.
“Skimble! Oh Skimble, they’ve done it now!” She said and darted to him where she fell into a tired, frustrated, broken heap where she sobbed. Quickly Skimble took her in his arms in an uncle like way and proceeded to try and comfort her by asking what happened and offering the opportunity for him to help her. Her tears ran onto his fur and vest, but he didn’t move, he didn’t mind her tears staining his vest, he knew that she needed him now.
“Oh Skimble, they won’t let me see him. They won’t let me see him!” She cried hardly able to control her hysteria. She soon lost. She couldn’t control it and she went into a sorrowful heap where the tears never stopped falling. “Who m’dear who?”
“They won’t let me see him. Munkustrap..” and then she collapsed in his arms into another fit of mournful tears. The taking a deep breath quickly explained all that had happened. Skimble listened carefully. Just when he had some advice to offer her, a sound echoed through the station.
“Chryssie? Chryssie? It’s me Tugger.”
“And me Demeter! Chryssie come out! I know what happened! I am not angry, I am just worried about you.”
“Come on out Chryssie! Old Tugger and Demeter aren’t enemies.” Chryssie could not find her voice so she nudged Skimble to answer for her.
“She’s right here, m’friends. She just can’t find her voice the poor thing is so upset.” Then the faces of Tugger and Demeter appeared. Demeter saw what condition her poor friend was in so she came up and gently hugged her. “Shh, it’s OK. Tugger, Skimble and I are here.”
“And we’re here too!” Two voices echoed. They all looked down and saw all the cats of the ball.
“Tugger and I had seen what happened and we decided to call everyone. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser helped quite a bit because they knew where everyone is. Cassandra wouldn’t come though. She didn’t think you were worth it.”
“Are you OK Chryssie?” Jemima asked, hopping onto the car with Jennyanydots and touching her shoulder with her paw.
“Oh my poor dear.” Jennyanydots said as she gently stroked Chryssie’s fur. She was glad for this truly motherly gesture. Mr. Mistoffelees blew powder into her face and then reached behind her ear and then withdrew a flower. He gave it to her and said,
“Soon things will be all right.” Victoria and Plato gently gave her shoulder a pat and smiled down at her. She knew they were there for her. Etcetera started acting as silly as the teeny lil’ bopper that she was, then lost her balance and teetered off the train. she fell a few feet and landed perfectly on her feet. Chryssie laughed shyly because Etcetera was always so cute. Jemima sat beside her and Demeter sat on the other, Skimble was in back and Bombalurina was in front. Chryssie saw herself surrounded in her friends.
“Come on you guys, I am going back and I am going to see for myself that he is all right.” They all cheered and started to follow her out. Skimble even followed, for his work was done. She walked back home where she saw her parents. They gasped in surprise of all the cats that followed her. She merely looked at them and continued to the garage. Her mother ran in front.
“No Chrychaesa.” She warned. Rum Tug Tugger and the rest of the male cats joined in shouting.
“Let our friend pass!” Chrychaesa’s mother saw all the male cats who had shouted at her and saw Chrychaesa starting toward the garage again. Demeter accompanied her. They reached the door where her father was snoozing.
He woke up and saw his daughter trying to get past. He grabbed the scruff of her neck and threw her away from the door. He then saw her tumble to the ground. He immediately was sorry for it and was relieved when she got up. But he then saw all the cats.
They were staring at him as if to say, “do that again and we’ll make you let her pass.”
Chrychaesa said slowly with a forceful tone in her voice,
“Papa, let us pass.”
He quietly backed down and Chryssie with Demeter entered the room. Munkustrap was gone. Frantic, they raced out. Chryssie turned on her parents and demanded
“Where is he?”
“What, he isn’t in there?”
“No he isn’t.”
“That can’t be Chrychaesa, we let him be in there.”
“See for yourself. He isn’t in there.” Chryssie then darted back inside. Her parents followed. Sure enough, the garage was empty.
“Well dear, it looks like he slipped out.” Her mother said dully and pointed to a little hole that smelled like Munkustrap. She also saw some bandages.
“Maybe now you’ll start behaving?”
“Get out of my way.” She growled and then headed towards the Munkustrap made exit. She crawled through and tried to guess where he might head.
“Well lets see. I think he went this way.” Demeter reasoned. All the cats started to follow them.
“Right.”
All throughout the route that Munkustrap had outlined for them , Demeter looked worried. Chryssie looked puzzled.
“An injured cat came this far this fast.” Then they came to a fork in the road.
“He went this way.” Demeter called.
“With someone else” Chryssie noted “Rawtawny.”
The cats all looked at her with fear.
“Yes that makes sense. The second scent picked up a few minutes ago. That would be the only reason he could have traveled this far this fast.” “You’re right m’dear.” Skimble praised.
“Come then we don’t have much time. I shudder to think of what Rawtawny might do if he hasn’t done already!” Demeter cried.
“Demeter we can only pray we are not too late.” All the cats rushed, trying to follow Rawtawny’s scent, and always smelling Munkustrap.
“We’re HERE?” Asparagus exclaimed. They found themselves at the Jellicle cat ball site.
“Hmm, why do I sense a trap here? Some of you post yourselves, spread out. Stay in the open, but don’t let any of yourselves stay together. We want to make it as hard as we can for them to catch us. Now we wait.”
“Clever girl.” a voice said and Rawtawny stepped out with a smirk on his face. All at once the smirk stopped and a frown appeared. Once that happened, Macavity’s cats surrounded them. They stayed back.
“Now we are fit to bargain. We’ll give you what you want if you give us what we want.”
“What is it that you want?”
“The cat known as Demeter, for the cat known as Munkustrap.” A small hushed gasp echoed through Chryssie’s crowd. Demeter cowered in fear.
“Demeter?! No!” Bombalurina shouted and embraced her friend.
“Chryssie, can you do something?”
“I might. Let us see Munkustrap first. Then we’ll consider it.”
“All right. The great Macavity had expected that and agreed.” They brought out a small form. His knees were dragging on the ground and his head was down. He was just hanging from his arms when they dragged him in.
“Let me see him.” Chrychaesa demanded.
“Macavity expected that too. Go on up to him and touch him.” She cautiously approached, followed by Tugger, Alonzo and Asparagus.
“You will not need your friends. We are only making a deal.”
“Be ready in case one springs.” she told them in whispers and they stopped. She approached Munkustrap and knelt before him. She lifted his face. His eyes slowly opened. He looked tired and in pain. Tears sprang to her eyes. It was Munkustrap.
“Munkustrap, it’s Chryssie.”
“What have these monsters done to you now? Are you hurt?”
“Only from what I see before me. All your suffering. Munkustrap.... I don’t know what to do.”
“Come on, get on with it!” Rawtawny’s impatient voice snapped. “We haven’t got all night.”
“Chryssie, what do they want?”
“Munkustrap, they want to give you back for Demeter.”
“No, not Demeter!” He said and struggled. The two guards held tight. “Chryssie, I’m not worth it. Don’t let Macavity get Demeter. She has escaped him once and I can’t bear her going back to his will. I love her. Let me stay in their grasp. Just don’t let them get her.” Chryssie once again felt the feeling when she saw Munkustrap and Demeter nuzzle for the first time. Her heart broke again. He looked into her eyes with such pleading and she knew she was not worth anything compared to the love they shared. She patted his cheek and he looked into her sad eyes.
“Munkustrap.. They won’t get her.” She whispered in his ear.
“You two will be together again. I promise you that. We’ll not make the appropriate exchange. You two will have each other.”
“ And You..?”
“Will be with you no longer.” He took a minute to think about this and then got it. He saw it in her tearful eyes. He could tell by the pain.
“Chryssie no, I can’t let you do this. Chryssie...No!” She turned her back to him and walked back to the cats.
“All cats huddle.” The cats turned around her and listened.
“Mr. Mistoffelees, and Demeter come into the middle.”
“Why Chryssie what’s going on?”
“I am going to save you two Demeter because what you two have, nothing can compare to it. Mr. Mistoffelees. I want you to turn me into Demeter, and Demeter into me. I will pose as Demeter and she will pose as me until you all get Demeter out of here. Then Mistoffelees you turn her back into her form and get the two out of here as fast as you can.” A gasp came through the cats so quiet that Macavity’s men and Rawtawny could not hear it.
“Are you a mad cat?”
“Do you see any other way?”
“Unfortunately I do not but why you?”
“Do you see any other volunteering?”
“No but still you mean a lot to all of us.”
“Well, I’d rather die then see these two in unhappiness. Because if we don’t accept, then Munkustrap will surely die, and Munkustrap won’t let me trade Demeter. But it’s not like I would trade Demeter anyway. Please, let me do this.”
“Chryssie don’t do this please!” Jemima begged.
“I have to Jemima. It’s the only way. Don’t worry, we’ll see each other again, I promise.” Jemima hugged her and cried on her fur.
“Let me do this please?”
The cats all sadly nodded their heads. Demeter cried and hugged Bombalurina. Then she said to Chryssie
“We’ll find a way to get you out of there. My life swears it.”
“Thank you Demeter. Now Mr. Mistoffelees.” Jemima let go, drew back and Mr. Mistoffelees waved everyone close and put a sheet over them and then dusted it with his magic. Then he pulled the sheet away. They saw Chryssie and Demeter.
“Chryssie?” Tugger asked. Demeter turned her head.
“It’s me Tugger. Mistoffelees’ magic worked again.”
“Demeter?” Bombalurina said to Chryssie. She nodded.
“Now Demeter or should I say Chryssie, announce that we have made a deal. Don’t worry you sound like me.” Demeter, as Chryssie, then walked to the front of the cats and said
“We have made a bargain. Give us Munkustrap and we’ll give you Demeter.” Then Rawtawny said
“Let me see her.” Chryssie walked to the front. She walked just as Demeter did. She had tears streaming down her face. Rawtawny nodded approval. The guards laid Munkustrap down before their feet. He looked up at the false Demeter and saw that it was Demeter. Chryssie had done what he had told her not to do, because Demeter looked at him with such sorrow that it had to be the real Demeter. Then the guards seized her and took her away. She went peacefully. The cats picked him up and left.
“How could you do that Chryssie? You sacrificed Demeter!” he growled. He nearly flew at her, but Alonzo and Asparagus held him back. Mistoffelees hurried the cats along until they came to a clearing.
“Hurry now hurry, They could be following us. We need to get them back to Chryssie’s farm. Macavity’s cats don’t like it there. It’s too open. There isn’t enough places to hide.
“Mr. Mistoffelees knows them well.” Chryssie said. Munkustrap only glared at her. Skimble was too woeful to even speak. He had lost one of his favorite little “nieces.” All the time tears fell from his face. Soon the cats reached the farm. They all formed a circle around the cats Munkustrap, Chryssie and Mistoffelees. Chryssie’s parents came to the circle and they saw their little girl safe.
“Oh Chryssie we are so sorry. We are just so afraid. Come into the house little one.” Chryssie didn’t seem to hear. She just cried.
“Do it now Mr. Mistoffelees. I can’t stand this any longer.” Mr. Mistoffelees warmed up his magic.
“What are you going to do with our child Mistoffelees?” Father asked. “Well for starters, you’d better know right now that this is not your child.” The parents looked confused. He then formed a lightning blast and zapped Chryssie. Her parents recoiled in shock and almost started attacking Mistoffelees then they saw Chryssie’s face disappear and then Chryssie’s mother fainted when Demeter was all that was left of their illusion of a daughter.
Munkustrap who had been sorrowfully crying in the circle, saw his Demeter. He rushed toward her. But then stopped short because if this was really Demeter, Where was Chryssie? Then he knew what Chryssie had done. She had sacrificed herself to Macavity for them. Demeter turned and hugged Munkustrap, crying in his fur with her misery. Skimble was bawling and all of the other cats looked tearful. Jemima was crying.
“Demeter, why did she do this?”
“She did it for us.”
“Oh Chryssie.” Jemima cried and bunched up, with her head resting on her knees. Demeter stroked Jemima’s head.
“No.” a voice came from behind. They saw Cassandra standing there with dry eyes and a straight face.
“I know exactly why she did it. It wasn’t for these two.” All the cats stared at her. They asked her
“Why did she do it then?”
“Because she loves Munkustrap. That’s why she’d do that for him. She loved him so much that even when it’s not her he desires, then she still wilts when she sees he is unhappy. She’s even been fighting herself this past year. When I tell everyone, she wants to have enough stamina to deny it. But she’s not here, and everyone else is. Well Demeter. How does it feel to know that she did nothing for you but all for him?”
“What evidence do you have of her feelings Cassandra?”
“I’ve asked her parents what she does when she has something that she doesn’t want to admit. They said she gets quiet and thoughtful. She doesn’t act the way she feels. They say that she cries when she is in deep thought and that’s because she is jealous of Demeter.”
“I don’t believe you Cassandra. She just made an unfeline sacrifice for us. To have a chance together. She said so.” Demeter argued.
“But did you look in her eyes? Munkustrap, did you look into her eyes the last time she talked to you? Before she made her great sacrifice?”
“Yes I did.”
“What did you see in them?”
“Something I can’t define. It looked like sorrow.”
“When she looked at you as Demeter, you thought she was Demeter right?” “Right.”
“Well She looks at you like Demeter does, love filled eyes all that.”Then the cats got it. She did love Munkustrap. Even Demeter understood that. “No she has to because she believes in us.”
“No she doesn’t.” Cassandra persisted.
“She did it because she loves your Munkustrap.”
“But she understands that she’s only my friend.” Munkustrap persisted as well.
“That’s because she realizes as long as Demeter is here then she’ll have no chance. Don’t you see that? I do as plain as day!”
“She loves you Munkustrap. That’s why she did this.” Demeter said as a realization
“She does?” Jemima asked.
“She does.” Munkustrap agreed.
“She has to fight herself. But she fights herself so we would be happy.”
“I have pledged my life to getting her out of there. I will do it.” Demeter determinedly said.
“I will fight along right with her.” Munkustrap pledged. All the cats pledged themselves while Cassandra just stared in shock. She had exposed Chryssie and they still took her side.
One day I’ll have that cat out of their trust. She thought and slid into the darkness.
Munkustrap, after all the noise had died down sat by the lake.
Why? Why would she love me enough to do this. He wondered.
He hadn’t meant to drive her through this madness. It just happens as it did with Cassandra.
Does this mean that I’ll lose her? he wondered again.
He thought of her at the realm of Macavity, maybe even fighting him off to keep him from defiling her. Demeter sat down by his side and stroked his head. She then laid her head on his shoulder and asked
“What are you thinking about? Chryssie?”
“Yeah, How could she love me like that. I don’t understand. She’s like Jemima. A kitten. She’s also like Cassandra. A cat who loved me too. But she fights herself for you. But I can’t bear the thought of you or her at the hands of Macavity. I can’t. She is my friend you know. She’s your friend too.”
“I know. We both know she loves you now. But she knows of your feelings too. If anything happened to us I have a feeling that she’d never forgive us. She wants us together and she loves you too. That is a great sacrifice to herself. But she bears it for us because she Believes in US.”
“Yes, but I still find it hard to believe, but I know.” he sighed “I know.”
At Macavity’s cold lodging, Chryssie stood by a small open spot looking at the stars. The tears hadn’t stopped streaming and then her heart shuddered with startling realization. So silently she whispered to herself the distressing news.
“She knows, they know.” She sighed and blinked away another tear as another one started to form.
“He knows.”






Cats is property of T.S Elliot. All the characters with the exception of Chrychaesa and Rawtawny are T.S Elliot’s as well.

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