Cats 5: Rawtawny’s love, lost

by Jessie

In the moonlit junkyard of the Jellicles, just a week after Demeter’s recovery, all the cats were happy.

Chrychaesa knew that something had changed between Munkustrap and herself. He seemed not so confused or harsh or in fact, jealous anymore. Well, not as much. He still got a little edgy when it came to Tugger or any other male cats, but he had backed off. Chryssie felt an emotional bond between them.

Demeter seemed to know about it too, but she was still smiling and if she had any, gave no sign of pain. Munkustrap had been good to her, and Chryssie didn’t feel the little twang of her heartstrings when they nuzzled. Now it only felt like a slight vibration, nothing like the emotional earthquake she’d have. But she was happy that Demeter was happy and comfortable as well.

Chryssie sat alone in the moonlight. All the cats had gone to rest. She could see Victoria in the washer, next to Plato, dozing. She also saw Etcetera on top of it, dreaming kitten like dreams. Chryssie heard a voice from the shadows calling to her.

"Chryssie, Chryssie, I am here. Look what time and separation has done to us. We have been separated too long. Chrychaesa, come with me, you flee the Jellicles, I’ll flee Macavity. Come, we can start our own family, and you will be treated as a queen should be treated." She knew the speaker all to well.

"Chrychaesa I am not your enemy. Munkustrap has mislead you. He can’t even decide for himself. I know who I want. Believe me. Munkustrap doesn’t want you, and I am aching in my desire, come with me, Chrychaesa."

Rawtawny is trying to lead me on, trying to get me to come to him, Chryssie thought. Well he isn’t going to get me.

"Chryssie, come into the shadows, let me show you what love really is. The shadows will hide us, in the darkness, the love shows as pure as day."

If he is trying to tempt me he is doing a good job, but I don’t want him or the reputation of having litters before my time, Chryssie thought. She stayed in the light and said in the same seductive tone that he was using on her

"Rawtawny, stay away, I cannot and I will not. My place is here beside Munkustrap and my friends, your place is beside Macavity and all his minions of darkness. There is no way to change that."

"I will return, you wait and see. I will have you and you will love me some day my sweet. Be careful not to make that mistake." Chryssie sensed that the speaker had left. She then darted towards the place where Munkustrap usually stayed. She hoped he wasn’t with Demeter because she had just recovered from illness and this matter was too upsetting for her to hear. She also trusted Munkustrap since they now were so close. She found him alone and in sleep and looked so peaceful that she didn’t want to wake him. She shook him and he awoke.

"Chryssie? What’s the matter? You usually don’t wake cats up during this hour of the night. What is it? I know something’s wrong."

"Listen, I have just been visited by Rawtawny." She told him of Rawtawny’s offer.

"Hmm, do you think he might be up to something?"

"I don’t know. I just don’t want to be alone tonight, I have a bad feeling about his visit."

"Stay here then."

"Thank you Munkustrap, but I think I have been a thorn in your side long enough. I mean, I know that this is an unreasonable hour."

"Chryssie, you aren’t a thorn. Stay, I don’t want you to get into trouble. It’s the least I can do, for someone who has gotten my life out of trouble more then enough times. I think you have gotten us in and out of enough of that, don’t you think?"

"Yes."

"I probably should keep an eye on you tomorrow as well, I don’t want anything else to happen."

"Munkustrap, don’t worry about me, we’ll figure out a way to get out of it in time. I promise that." She lightly tapped his cheek with her paw. Then she curled up and fell asleep. He looked down at her for a moment.

She is so good to me, I wish Demeter could experience this. She’d trust her with all her heart and would understand that she is very important to me. She’s important to her too, but Demeter doesn’t even realize what is between Chryssie and me, he thought. He then curled up and went back to sleep. They both woke shortly after dawn.

"Feel better?" he asked.

"Much, now that I am rested." Bombalurina walked up to them.

"Oh so you’re here too, you weren’t where you usually sleep. Anyway, there is a party going on tonight. Demeter wants you both there, to make up for all the trouble that she has caused, she says."

"She’s caused no trouble." Munkustrap said.

"No, to make you all go out there to get a flower for her recovery."

"As he said, she’s caused no trouble." Chryssie said.

"Well would you go anyway?"

"Sure we’d like to see Demeter party."

"Great, you guys are the best." That night all the cats assembled. Munkustrap and Chryssie met along the side.

"Well fancy meeting you here." Chryssie said.

"Yes, quite." Munkustrap said smiling. Music for the invitation to the Jellicle ball was on. Chryssie took Munkustrap’s arm and lead him through the crowd to Demeter. There he hugged and kissed Demeter. Demeter then hugged Chryssie. Chryssie smiled and then stepped out into the dance area, where the powerful music began.

She and Victoria did a figurative dance together. Rawtawny watched from the shadows.

She is so beautiful, the most beautiful there. She was only worthy of me. I won’t let Munkustrap have her, he thought. Then he snickered slightly.

Double abduction, he thought gleefully. Just as soon as Macavity shortens out the lights.

The next segment of powerful music began, but instead of blue light, there was only darkness. The cats all gasped in surprise. Chryssie felt Victoria scurry off. Then she felt arms encircle her and start to lead her off.

This isn’t Munkustrap, he’s smaller and not as rough. His paws are not the velvet I love so much, Chryssie thought, she didn’t know.

The lights came back on and Munkustrap saw Chryssie being forcefully lead off. Chryssie saw Demeter and she also saw Macavity. She looked and saw Munkustrap heading towards herself. She screamed

"Munkustrap, save Demeter!" Then the heavy paw clamped over her mouth. Munkustrap got her message and dashed off to Demeter. On the way he ordered Rum Tum Tugger to see if he could get Chryssie back or at least to follow her abductor and see where he was heading off to. Chryssie saw Tugger start to follow her. She wanted desperately to see her captor and she wanted out of his uncomfortably heavy grasp. Rage bubbled in her, for she hated being like this, helpless. She could only depend on Tugger.

She felt herself being taken into a large cave. There was nothing or no one around her. She was dropped on a cloth carpet and her captor moved past her. Who was it? Chryssie didn’t want to find out. She wanted to get out of there. She started crawling towards the exit.

"Ah, Ah, Ah, you shouldn’t do that." She recognized that voice immediately.

"Rawtawny, do you have some nerve."

"Yes I know, I’m glad you’re impressed. You should be happy here, it’s a good place to raise young ones." She stood up in shock.

"Young Ones?! You actually think that I....?!"

"Yes, that’s why I brought you here my darling." She felt him come closer to her. Why wasn’t he trying to force her now? There wasn’t enough light for her eyes to be able to see clearly, all she could see were dark hazes.

What is wrong with me? I am getting so hazy, I can’t think, she thought unclearly.

"Yes, the passion flower you took from Macavity still has effect. Your mind is still hazy, that fraud Munkustrap didn’t cast a spell on you fully."

"What are you going on about? He didn’t cast a spell, your master did."

"You’re wrong Chryssie, Munkustrap performed the spell the spell on you, he wasn’t right with you, you’re beginning to see that now."

"No I’m not." She was becoming dizzy, all this intoxicating darkness, his seductive voice picking at her soul, she couldn’t breathe, all the rapid feelings changing every way in her heart.

She felt a touch, and a body close to hers. She felt Rawtawny’s arms encircle her and pull her close to him. What was he doing? She couldn’t think, she couldn’t move. She felt kisses on her lips, hard and wild, she had to get out.

Suddenly a shouting corrupted her from her emotional frenzy. Rawtawny dropped her and growled. She heard seven male voices yell, ones she distinctly knew. She then felt familiar cats around her and they carried her off as she fainted, exhausted from what she had experienced. She slept.

The male cats gathered around in Munkustrap’s cave.

"Whew, that was a close one." Mungojerrie’s cockney accent exploded, echoing off the walls.

"Aye lad that it was." Skimbleshanks agreed, his Scottish accent mixing harmoniously with Mungojerrie’s.

"Keep it down, she’s trying to sleep, the poor kit." Rum Tum Tugger said in a low tone.

"Well I think we can thank our stars that we were in time." Alonzo said relieved that the little kit was all right.

"Right, we sure showed that old Rawtawny, I think that the magic worked wonders." Mistoffelees said in a pleased tone.

Asparagus couldn’t hide the slight worry in his voice when he asked Munkustrap

"Will you go in and check on her? I don’t think she should have been out this long." Munkustrap walked into the place where Chryssie was recuperating. He put his velvet paw on her cheek and stroked it, in a gesture which was of comfort.

She sat up with a bolt and saw darkness and haziness. She backed away from Munkustrap and eyed him as if he were a pollicle.

"Hey Mistoffelees, lets have some light in here. I think something’s wrong." Instantly all the males were in the room and light flashed on. She looked clearly into the eyes of Munkustrap.

"Munkustrap? I couldn’t see your face. I thought you were Rawtawny. I’m confused, my mind is in a haze, I can’t think straight. I’m afraid something might be wrong. I can’t see right in darkness, I just can’t think right, I don’t know. Skimble, Alonzo, Tugger, Mungojerrie, Mistoffelees, Asparagus, why are you here? Were you worried about me?"

"We were. Tugger came and told us where to find you. Macavity had been scared off again because all the cats attacked him. Munkustrap wouldn’t let us wait another minute. We raced to the cave and saw Rawtawny and you. From the way you two were, we were going to leave you alone to do your thing, but Munkustrap wouldn’t hear of it." Mistoffelees explained

"You two looked like lovers." Asparagus said. Alonzo asked

"What was going on in there Chryssie? You looked like you loved him."

"I don’t know. Like I was saying, I am and was hazy, and I can’t think straight. The darkness, his voice, the haze all made it seem like a nightmare, I was so dizzy, and I can’t think." There came footsteps and then they saw Demeter, rushing towards Chryssie.

"Oh, my gracious are you all right? I saw you get dragged off by Rawtawny." She looked at Demeter and smiled.

"I’m OK, at least I think so, I think whatever he did, it will wear off." Demeter enfolded her in a hug.

"I am just glad you’re safe." Bombalurina also entered and waited for Demeter.

"Chryssie are you all right?" she asked.

"Yeah, I am fine." Chryssie smiled.

"Then come on, we’ll dance and have fun, and we’ll make sure nothing will happen. We’ll have cats with you at all times. Please Chryssie, you can’t stay in hiding or you won’t have a life to live. We’ll make sure you and Demeter are safe." Bombalurina never lost the idea of a party.

The male cats agreed and they all walked to Old Deuteronomy’s pedestal. There they let Chryssie sit and they began to dance. Demeter and Munkustrap were soon the only cats left on the floor, where they began to dance a slow, graceful dace together. They were beautiful.

Chryssie felt that old familiar twang in her heart. She lowered her eyes and searched inside herself.

"What is going on? That isn’t like me, I don’t... do I? It must be that thing Rawtawny did to me in there, he did something to my mind and emotions, that make me feel like this. But since when was I vulnerable to love? I only felt this way when I am drowning in my desire for him."

"You see my sweet, this is how I feel for you every minute of everyday, and of every night. Let me show you. There will be no secrets between us, no lies. Just passion and deep feeling. Chrychaesa, look what you’re throwing away, passions and pleasure for a lifetime. You aren’t blind. Look, he will never give you what I am offering you now. I am offering you my very soul, my passions, myself. Chryssie, you know that I wouldn’t deny you anything. Come with me, forget him."

"I can’t see you."

"You don’t need to see me, I can hear you. You can hear me through my thoughts. I can hear you through your thoughts as well." Chryssie puzzled over this.

"Chryssie, I’m dying in my desire, come to me please." Then he left her alone, where ever he was. Chryssie sighed.

"Rawtawny, you tempt me. I realize that part of what you say is true. He will never offer me what you have."

"I can’t believe she missed it."

"Neither can I. Wow, she must have been in deep thought wasn’t she?" Chryssie looked around at the faces of Rumpleteaser and Mungojerrie.

"What? What did I miss?"

"Oh you missed old Munkustrap kiss that there Demeter. You weren’t watching. What were you thinking about Chryssie?"

"Nothing in Particular?"

"You got this look in your eyes."

"What look?"

"That you were thinking about something or someone else, and usually you watch Munkustrap as if you were in love."

"Oh, no. Not here, not now. I have something heavy in mind that I’d like to clear up."

"Oh." The two looked at each other as if they didn’t get it and then wandered off looking down hearted and confused. They were used to her, trying to hide herself and now, she seemed like she didn’t want to try to hide anything. The mystery was dissolving.

After his dance, Munkustrap noticed Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser walk sadly away and wondered what had happened with them and Chryssie. He walked to the two and asked

"What’s the matter?"

"Well Chryssie ain’t acting like herself. She likes to keep the feelings in herself hidden. Now she expressed herself freely, and we don’t know what’s with that."

"Right, and she usually likes to tease us, But now she wasn’t acting like she wanted or needed to have fun. We think she might like to be alone for a while."

"Oh I see, well I’ll try and talk to her."

"You do that. She talks to you freely and she likes your company." They said and then continued on their way.

"Chryssie, something’s wrong. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser are worried about you."

"I’m OK. Do you remember what I said about the haze? Well now Rawtawny spoke to me, and he tempted me. But he was nowhere to be seen, and he said ‘I can hear you through my thoughts and you can hear me through mine’ or something like that and I don’t know what he means. He sounded incredibly close like behind me or somewhere close and I looked about and he wasn’t here. I don’t know what’s going on inside my head, but I am starting to get hazy again. I can barely make you out. It happens when there is too much darkness."

Munkustrap looked in her eyes and saw clouds, the same yellow clouds that he had kissed away in the island, very faint but still visible.

"Oh my goodness."

"What’s going on? Munkustrap you have alarm in your voice what is it?"

"Well, do you remember the haze that you had when you had the power of the flower as an influence? The mist I saw in your eyes is there but not as strong. It’s light. But still I think you are still influenced."

"No, I still have full control. I can think clearly right now and I have control of my body. Munkustrap?"

"I think you should stay with me tonight. I am worried about that haze in your eyes and I have no idea what may happen."

"If you insist."

"I do, I think you’re in something serious Chryssie." He then escorted her back to his cave. The other cats had already settled down and was waiting for sleep to come. Munkustrap allowed her to roam his cave and soon was ready for sleep. She was already ready and he saw that she had found a comfortable spot. Munkustrap then curled up in his spot and started to doze.

Chryssie was relaxed and cool. Then the lights that were on in Munkustrap’s cave went out and she felt nothing but haze. Thunder crashed and her heart sped up. She leapt to her feet and looked around for Munkustrap. Lightning flashed and she saw him just standing there with a cruel smile on his face. He then turned his back on her and kissed Demeter. Then the light faded out and she felt hot sensations of someone with her. That cat stood very close and was holding her close and she willingly stepped to him. They embraced each other and she felt his hot kisses wild with the passion that he had bottled up inside. She felt his paws hold her close, so close she could hardly breathe. Together they started to fall to the soft ground. Lightning flashed and she saw Rawtawny with her and she was accepting and desiring him as she willed him to kiss her uncontrollably...

Chryssie woke up with a start, her breath was rapid and quick and she felt hot. She saw it was storming outside and lightning and thunder mixed in with the pounding rain. It was midnight.

She looked around for Munkustrap and saw him sleeping soundly in a corner. She crawled to him and she hoped her frightened breathing wouldn’t wake him. He was peaceful. She then curled up close to him because she needed to know he was there before she could attempt to go back to sleep. She then heard "Chryssie, Chryssie, come to me." It was so soft like an echo. She knew who it was.

"Chryssie I am ready for you now. Come to me." The darkness, his voice, the thunder, she was losing control. She felt like she had no will power. She started to climb to her feet, carelessly bumping Munkustrap in the process.

Munkustrap felt the bump and woke up. He saw Chryssie heading toward the exit of his home. It was raining and thundering, so what was she doing? Why did she act so much like a zombie? She then fell and rolled onto her back.

She must have tripped over the stones, he thought. Then he saw that she was facing him and when she looked his way, her eyes glowed and swirled with a yellow light that was almost hypnotizing. He then realized that the spell wasn’t broken. He had only partially stopped it. She had her will power in the day, but not at night. He ran toward her and then tackled her.

"Let me go Munkustrap, you only care for Demeter, I finally found someone who will give me passion and real love. Something that you will never do." Her voice sounded normal and not restrained like it was on the island. Could it be that she really loved Rawtawny?

"I’m sorry Chryssie I can’t let you go."

"Yes that’s right, you just want me to spend the rest of my nine lives desiring something I will never get, is that true?"

"No that’s not true, you’ll find someone."

"Then let me go because I have."

"I’m sorry Chryssie." Chryssie scratched his face then called softly to the walls where her voice echoed,

"Rawtawny, he won’t let me go, I can’t come. He won’t let me go. Rawtawny, make him let me come to you, make him let me go."

"Stay Chrychaesa, stay, I’ll find a way to get you to me. Stay Chrychaesa stay." When the echo faded, the glow in her eyes stopped.

"Munkustrap what are you doing? This is very uncomfortable. Let me up!" Munkustrap let go of his hold and then helped her up.

"What was that for? First I wake up from a nightmare, the second time I wake up, you’re pinning me to the floor. What, did I toss in my sleep?" Munkustrap took her back into the deep part of the cave where he told her all that had happened.

"I have reason to believe that I didn’t kill the power of the flower and that you do need to be watched at all times at night. But first, do you love Rawtawny? What did you see in your nightmare?"

"I do not love Rawtawny!" Then she quickly explained her nightmare to him.

"Most definitely the flower." He then started to rub his cheek, and she saw a little trace of blood on his paws. Chryssie saw that he had a scratch along the side of his face.

"Oh, what happened?"

"You scratched me just now."

"I did that?"

"Yes, but no worry." Chryssie then enfolded Munkustrap in a hug and cried asking him to forgive her for what she did and what she may do in the future. He only stroked her fur and told her not to worry. He rocked her back and forth and soon he realized that she was asleep in his arms.

He backed up and sat with his back to a smooth slanted stone and relaxed with her still enfolded in his arms. Time passed and he laid her down then he curled up close to her and fell asleep. Munkustrap then felt a gentle shaking and looked up into the face of Demeter. He sat up and asked in a whisper

"What’s the matter?"

"My place is flooded, can I stay here?"

"Sure."

"What’s wrong with Chryssie? That’s the second time I have seen her with you."

Munkustrap told her everything. He told her about how Macavity had cast a spell on Chryssie and how he’d partially stopped it. Demeter only smiled proudly when he told her that he had kissed Chryssie and said "Well, you did it because you have feelings for her, I know that. Also you did it so you could save her. I am not upset Munkustrap." Then he told her of the terrible events that were happening. Demeter had a worried look on her face when he told her that he had stopped the magic but didn’t end it and how Rawtawny had finally found a way to claim Chryssie for once and for all.

"Then she should stay with you then, you are one of our best protectors."

"But I can’t all the time. What should happen if one of us happens to be in trouble, I have to defend everyone, not just Chryssie."

"He’s right you know Demeter, he has to go to another cat. He can’t always be my guardian."

"Chryssie, you’re awake?"

"Yeah, I had nightmares again. I also didn’t feel that Munkustrap was close by and I heard voices. Holy Goldfish there it goes again! Munkustrap I hear voices bouncing off the walls! He wants me to come! Hold Me back! Don’t let me go, no matter how I may beg you... Munkustrap.. Demeter... I’m... losing.... control" Then she collapsed and lay still for a few moments. They listened to her breathing.

"Chryssie, my sweet, come to me. Don’t let them stop you, I am ready to show you other worldly paradises. Come Chrychaesa, let us combine our souls and we will explore the heavens." The glowing of her eyes had gained control and she started walking to the cave’s exit. Demeter and Munkustrap both tackled her and held her down.

"Rawtawny," she called in agony,

"They won’t let me go. Don’t call yet, I can’t break free! Rawtawny, we’ll explore, just hold yourself longer, don’t call yet, please!" The light faded out and left Chrychaesa lying there.

"It’s OK, it’s now me. I am myself." They let her up and Demeter asked,

"Why aren’t you fighting? You fought against yourself the first time and you fight all the time with him."

"I don’t know. Remember the haze he probably told you about? I think that sends myself that is unwilling to go into nothing, I’m just suspended. I can’t gather my senses or summon my will. Everything is dark and it leads me into a state of carelessness, it’s like my will has stopped working."

"We need to find a way to get your will working again." Demeter claimed. Then she took Munkustrap aside.

"We need to make her want you again. Don’t you see, she doesn’t have enough desire for you to make her want to stay. I mean, she loves you, but she isn’t fighting herself. You can see it because when we kiss, she doesn’t look like she’s fighting tears."

"Do you really think that’s it?"

"Yes. I think so. Do you remember when she sacrificed herself for you? She didn’t want to see you unhappy and it was a way for her to fight her desire. Or when she kissed you in the dungeon when you didn’t know it. She lost that fight. We need to get her fighting herself for you again."

"Yes but I don’t want to hurt you or her, and I haven’t the slightest idea for getting her to fight herself. I mean she needs to find that resistance because that shattered it last time but I just don’t know how to do it again."

"You won’t hurt me, I want you to do this. She is an important piece in my life just as you are." She then hugged him and whispered "We’ll find a way somehow."

"Oh boy, she’s awfully good at finding the right times." Chryssie muttered. She studied how happy Demeter was in his arms.

Maybe Rawtawny is right, maybe I won’t be able to experience passion because I am still hung up on Munkustrap.

"Boy is she Real good at finding times." She then growled. Demeter had heard.

Chryssie wanted Munkustrap’s velvet touch. Demeter looked at her face and whispered, "It’s working already, Munkustrap all you have to do is keep denying her what she wants. I can see she’s staring at your paws so she must want to be touched by them. Don’t touch her and she’ll want you more then that. Notice if she’s staring at you, what she is staring at, and then use it to entice her, but deny her at the same time. You have it made." He looked over at her and saw that indeed she was staring at his paws and the longing look that was in her eyes. Demeter is right, so maybe there is a chance for Chryssie after all, he thought. Thunder crashed and they heard Chryssie yelp "Holy Goldfish!!"

"What?"

"Thunderclap takes this kitty by surprise." There was a pause of silence. Munkustrap asked "Holy Goldfish?" Munkustrap looked at her with a smile that he was struggling to hide. Chryssie’s and Demeter’s smiles and contained laughter wasn’t helping. He then started to laugh. Chryssie looked down in a embarrassed but humorous way.

Victoria, Jemima, and Etcetera asked "Can we watch her? Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser are looking for a dry place around here. They need your help."

"All right, but if she starts panicking and telling you that she’s losing it, then you had better hold her down."

"We will, we promise!" Etcetera cheered. She felt important and very high and mighty. The kittens started playing. They played for nearly a half hour when they noticed that Chryssie started to get jittery.

She started yelling out more and she was skittish. They took that as the sign of panic and they got ready to tackle her as soon as she passed out. Chryssie then collapsed. The kittens all rushed onto her and then they heard a seductive voice.

"Chryssie, you are ready now, Come to me. I’ll show you everything. Come to me."

All the kittens felt as if they were sitting on top of a volcano that was ready to erupt, and it did. With a force they didn’t know Chryssie was capable of, she flung them off her and ran out of the cave in the pouring rain. Victoria then ordered, "Etcetera, go and get Munkustrap, tell him she’s escaped! Jemima, go and get Rum Tum Tugger, he’s the closest. Run faster then you have in your entire life! We mustn’t let her leave!" The two younger kittens ran as fast as they could.

Jemima reached Tugger and told him as best she could "Chryssie, escaped." That’s all Tugger needed to know. He dashed off into the storm.

"Munkustrap, Munkustrap!" Etcetera called.

"She’s escaped!"

"Why didn’t you hold her down?" Munkustrap yelled and immediately began racing towards Rawtawny’s cave.

"We did, Munkustrap but it felt as if she was a volcano! She sent all of us cats flying!"

"I hope we’re not to late." Munkustrap called. Silently he prayed, "Please Chryssie fight him off. I can’t bear the thought of what may happen."

Chryssie had reduced to a walking speed. In her mind, she thought Why am I doing this? Is it because I want love? Is it because I want to see the heavens as he promised me? Why am I so afraid if I want this? Is it because it is my real chance for physical pleasure?

She heard a rattling bush nearby and quickly the haze got worse. She felt her mind slipping, but she held it there, just so she could witness what she was going through. If her willpower came in, she would have no knowledge of what Rawtawny may do to her.

She then saw Tugger. There was no mistake about the identity. It was Tugger and he was trying to hold her back. She wanted to go forward, but her will power wouldn’t let her do anything. She had kept her willpower so low so she could use her mind. She allowed her will to make the move to go forward. To let the power take her where she was to go.

The power fought for her. She felt she was on a cloud, watching what was happening. She aimed a good scratch and Tugger fell stunned. The power let her go for a minute and she knelt beside him.

"Tugger, I am so sorry, I cannot control it, and I can’t do anything. Please forgive me." She held him for a few minutes, just cradling him in her arms, then she kissed his forehead lightly and then rose as the power took it’s place, leading her on.

Munkustrap ran quickly on. He then came across Tugger who was slightly scratched but was all right.

"Rum Tum Tugger, Who scratched you?"

"Chryssie, but she also came out of it for a minute and asked for forgiveness and she kissed my forehead and then left me."

"I’ll get her back." Munkustrap then continued.

Rawtawny smiled. At last he was going to get the cat of his dreams. The cat that he would pledge his life to. He would finally be happy. Macavity came from behind.

"I see you’re finally getting what you want."

"Yes sir, but she is only a servant. You are my master and I will do your bidding."

"Good. Munkustrap is on his way after her. After you have collected your prize you must kill him. He has been a thorn in my side long enough and I want him disposed of."

"I will do your bidding."

"Rawtawny, this is your last chance."

"Yes sir." Rawtawny then said to himself.

"Believe me it will be a pleasure to get rid of him and get out of your service as well."

"Rawtawny?" Chryssie’s small uncertain voice came echoing off the walls. Rawtawny’s heart leapt and his passions stirred. A deep desire burned in him.

"Come into the darkness, my darling. It is our sanctuary and they will do us no harm." He saw the yellow eyes and felt her presence. He walked closer to her, easing her nervousness. Chrychaesa’s head was spinning, she was dizzy, she needed light, any light at all. She spoke out.

"Rawtawny, let me see you, I can’t see you and I want to. Let me see." Had these words come from her own mouth or the spells? He twisted around and flicked his paw on a switch.

Then a small light appeared, and Chrychaesa looked at him. She saw the longing in his eyes. He saw the curiosity in hers. She stood before him and waited for him. She stared expectantly at him as if to suggest he do something. He turned the light even lower then before and she felt her mind start to become intoxicated. She felt her mouth speak words she was dreading it would say.

"Come to me Rawtawny, come to me." He looked at her as if he didn’t believe it and then he came closer.

Chryssie felt the rush of emotions and the haze and faintness that was coming over her. She felt confused and lost. Rawtawny came closer and encircled her in his arms. He stroked her back and shoulders, he kissed her shoulder, her neck and her face. She looked away but held still, as if she were pinned. She couldn’t move, no matter how badly she wanted to. He then kissed her lips continuously. She felt him press close to her, and she then felt herself start to faint away, but then he tore away from her. She followed him and saw him attack Munkustrap who had snuck in.

He fought furiously and Munkustrap had no chance. He was on his back and Rawtawny lifted his paw for the final blow. She felt the power break. She took a deep breath and yelled "Rawtawny don’t do it!" He paused momentarily and looked at her. He saw that she didn’t have the magic reflecting in her eyes.

"Rawtawny, please. If you really loved me you would spare him." Chryssie walked over and knelt next to Munkustrap. She then looked up at Rawtawny. She was still trying to catch her breath, from all the kisses he had given her.

"Please, Rawtawny. If you killed him, you would have to live with my sorrow and grief. I would neglect everything. Don’t you see? Love isn’t just physical pleasure and burning desires. It comes deeply from inside, it is a bond, a mutual feeling. He and I share that, Please Rawtawny, let him go." Then tears started rolling down her face. They shimmered, as the remaining magic left her mind. Rawtawny thought, She knows I love her dearly and all the time I’ve known her, I’ve wanted to share what Munkustrap and she has. I have also wanted one to become one with. Since I love her this dearly, I have to let him go.

He lowered his paw and backed down.

Chryssie kissed Munkustrap, and Rawtawny noticed it. It was gentle, nothing wild like he had kissed her with. It was gentle, and full with the true emotion she felt for him. Munkustrap had responded to her.

Rawtawny fell back when true pain seized his heart. Chryssie and Munkustrap both looked up and saw Rawtawny, just like Chryssie was, bent and broken when she had seen Munkustrap with Demeter for the first time. A raspy voice came from the shadows

"You should had killed him Rawtawny!" Two or three guards swarmed over Rawtawny, and he was down.

Munkustrap and Chryssie furiously leapt onto the guards fighting and pushing them back. The guards scampered into the shadows and disappeared.

Chryssie and Munkustrap hurried back to Rawtawny who was lying on the floor. Chryssie felt herself break completely free from his spell. Though, she still felt like she was under it.

She crept up to Rawtawny and put his head in her lap. The tears ran down her face because she knew he had finally grasped the true meaning of love.

He smiled weakly at her and lifted a paw to wipe away her tears.

"Don’t cry." She realized at his touch that she wasn’t afraid of him and that there was no reason why she should be.

"Oh Rawtawny, I am so sorry about this. Please get better, please?" "I’m afraid I can’t do that Chrychaesa, not this time. Macavity has done his worst. I just wish I could have shared what you two had, but I never got it."

"You are sharing it now Rawtawny, you have earned a place with us."

"At least I got that much." Chryssie held his paw to her face, allowing him to stroke it.

"You cry for me? After all I have done to you?"

"Yes, I cry for anyone who has entered my heart."

Chryssie bent her head and kissed Rawtawny. It was a real kiss, full of the love that Munkustrap and she shared. Full of love that Demeter and Munkustrap shared. It was so gentle. It was hot and cold, brave and frightened. It made him warm to his hind feet and back. He allowed one arm to go around her shoulder for support, and placed a paw on the base of her neck. Chryssie allowed her arm to go around his back and rest on a shoulder blade.

Rawtawny realized that this was nothing like what he had kissed her with, when she was under his control. But, she wasn’t under his control and she was kissing him with all what was inside. She hadn’t been forced. She had done it under her own will. He realized from the power of her kisses, she loved him, and if he was to live, she would be his, with no complaints. She would be with him, just as she was with Munkustrap, that in love, and that perfect a couple. Just because he understood this feeling and displayed it for her.

If Macavity hadn’t had taken away this precious gift of life, he Could have been a husband and a father.

Then he felt himself leave. He fought to stay with her a few minutes more. She stopped her kisses when she noticed that he was losing life. She grabbed his paw. The tears were streaming down her face as he struggled to speak to them.

"I know you now, I know both of you. I will know you forever. Please, Chryssie, tell me what I long to hear, please. I have been yearning ever since I first met you to hear these words."

"I do, I love you Rawtawny, I hope you will finally find peace. I love you." Rawtawny sighed and said, his voice barely above a whisper "You know I now truly love you, I always will. Don’t forget me... Chrychaesa, you are my star and I will look on you always. My star.. Chrychaesa..."

Rawtawny’s great head sunk down and his breathing ceased. Chryssie looked at Munkustrap who nodded sadly. The great Rawtawny was on earth no more. Chrychaesa’s tear fell in a single droplet on Rawtawny’s lips.

Munkustrap helped her up and put an arm around her shoulder. She then turned into him, and cried. She cried the grief that she felt inside, a cat who finally discovered love, only to lose it again.

Just by holding her close, Munkustrap could feel her pain. He stroked her head and whispered that it was all right to cry and that he knew how she felt.

Munkustrap then lowered his head and rested it on her shoulder. She reached up and stroked the fur that lined the side of his face.

She knew he cried too, because a single tear that was not her own fell on her neck. She knew he was in as much grief as she was.

"Goodbye Rawtawny." she whispered.

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