Y2C1

Three Is One Word~

Plato was leaning against the outside of the den with Victor impatiently waiting next to him. They glanced around at the empty dens and nodded their approval of the silence. Plato's tail began to sway as they grew more and more impatient. It was daybreak, and Plato and Victor had come to Admetus' den as soon as they woke up.
"Are you sure he's even here?" Victor questioned, yet again.
Plato nodded just as commotion was heard in the distance. They looked down the long path and spotted Tugger coming out of his den.
"Aw man, the others are already waking up!"
"Relax Victor. Here, I'll try again." He knocked on the wooden part of the guardians den,"Addy, wake up..."
He knocked a few more times,"Come on, Addy. What are you doing in there?"
They heard a long yawn, and then a 'Uh yeah, sure, come in' response. They were instantly in his den. Slowly, Admetus emerged from the back area into his living space.
"You overslept?"
"Yeah, sorry Victor."
Plato sat comfortably on Admetus' lounger, but Victor stayed standing.
The white-ginger tom sighed,"It's alright if you overslept."
The guardian frowned,"I had a long and rough night with my Guardian bit..."
The toms gave him sympathetic looks as another yawn escaped his lips. He glanced around oddly as the two toms made themselves comfortable in his den. He rubbed his eyes rom the sleep,"Here's a question for you two."
Once he had their attention he continued,"Why do you always insist on coming here?"
Plato shrugged,"It's always too noisey near my den, especially with Electra and Etcetera screaming all the time."
"And there's way too many jellicles always near my den,"Victor added.
"So what you're saying is you like coming here because it's like a fortress of solitude?"
"Yes exactly,"They commented in unison.
Admetus walked groggily outside,"This has got to end. There's got to be a place where we can go to get away from everyone, but still be out in this nice breeze."
"Most of the solitude spots have become popular, since a lot of jellicles need to get away and be alone."
"Victor is right. It'll be tough to find a secluded spot that is actually secluded."
Admetus slung an arm around Plato's neck,"You forget Plato...I'm the yard guardian. I know this entire junkyard, every inch of it."
He stood there and looked around, but he really wasn't concentrating on sight, he was in deep thought. The northwest spot was totally out of the question. He heard jellicles roaming about that section almost as much as he heard jellicles playing in the square. He also knew that Alonzo has been avoiding Munk, by seeking solitude at the south wing. And the north wing has and is being used on a regular basis, by Munk. Ever since his fight with Demeter, he had been visiting Alonzo's favorite spot by the meadow. No one really knew why, some say just to get out and think. There was even a rumor going around that he was waiting and hoping to run into Alonzo, to talk to him. There was the east wing, but the dark twins came to his mind. When they weren't in the square or visiting Cassandra, they'd spend the rest of their time in the east wing. However, that still left a lot of choices left for the three toms.
"Come on, I know just where to go." Admetus dragged them towards the back path going northwest.
"Northwest? Addy, this place will be the next square soon."
"I'm not going there, this path is just the shortest was to get there." He turned the corner and they obediently followed him.
As soon as they turned the corner, both Victor and Plato knew where they were going. Admetus was taking them to the west wing. They were all excited, until they heard another pair of voices. The three hushed so that they could eavsdrop.
Alonzo began to walk away from Demeter, but she gripped his paw in hers,"Please Lon, why won't you just talk to him?"
"He's my brother, I don't want to hurt or upset him."
"I don't think you understand."
"No you don't understand, Deme. I know Munk...Munkus, and he won't go for this, he won't understand. You saw how angry he got the last time you tried to talk to him."
"But-"
"But nothing, Deme. You know I'm right."
She pulled her paw away from his and set it down in the center of his chest, over his heart. She wrapped her free paw around his neck.
"This right here, Lon, feels so right." She closed her eyes and gave him a passionate kiss.
His arms had naturally gone around Demeter's waist. It was as if he had known the feeling since time began, many millenium ago.
She broke away from their kiss and peered into his eyes,"Something that feel this right, this good...Shouldn't we at least give it a try?"
Alonzo pouted,"Alright, I'll do this for you."
She smiled and dragged him away, towards Munk's den or towards the north wing. Admetus wasn't sure exactly where Munkus was, since he had overslept.
Once the west wing was clear, Admetus jumped up,"Alright, it's all clear. Time for our work-out session to begin!"
Victor and Plato kept looking back to where Demter and Alonzo had been.
"You know Addy. If Alonzo goes to talk to Munkustrap..." He frowned, thinking about his two brothers,"There could be another fight."
Admetus had already started his stretches. Since it's just wise to stretch first, before you workout.
Admetus cocked his head in confusion,"Munkus and Alonzo fight...wonder who'd win. So what if they got into a fight, what are you getting at? I'm no healer..."
Plato sighed,"If they do, you'llhave another long guardian shift today."
Admetus' eyes widened,"Oh, Plato!!! You're right..."
"Well if worse comes to worse, you'll have us to laugh at you."
He wrinkled his nose at Victor,"Some friends you two are."
Victor and Plato tried, but they just couldn't hold back their laughter any longer.
Admetus stretched his arm above his head,"Keep laughing, but I'll be the one who decides which one of you two, I'll save first...If something should happen."
Immediately, their laughter desisted, and Plato went down into a lunge,"Enough talk. We cam here to be alone and workout remember?"
Admeuts and Victor rolled their eyes, but continued doing their stretches.
                                                                                                      ****
George stood nervously in the clearing. He was already beginning to think that becoming a healer was a bad idea. He was already doubting himself and debating whether or not he should take back what he said and not become a healer. His ears were dolded backwards and his tail wrapped guardedly around his body. Jemima, Victoria, Etcetera, Electra, Sillabub, and Rumpleteazer had surrounded him. Buck and Bill were in the background laughing at their older brother. The girls were smiling at George and giggling. Electra strolled closer to George with her paw outstretched.
"Please," George whispered,"Don't touch me."
Leccy crossed her arms challenging him,"What? Are you scared?"
George flinched when the queens circled in on him, closer and closer.
Teazer laughed,"Oi can' believe yer goin' ta beh ah 'ealer!! Mah brotha, savin' the cat popuhlation."
"That's so cool..."Cettie added.
George did his best to avoid being touched and so far it was working.
Sillabub bit her lip and timidly tugged on Victoria's fur,"Shouldn't we leave him alone?"
"Why do you say that Sillabub?"
"For one thing, he doesn't want us to be around him. And...and his power scares me."
George frowned and tried to look for an escape. "Please just get away from me."
Jemima smirked,"But you're going to be a healer now. You'll be in the infirmary saving lives. Do you know how sexy that is? Do you know what a turn on that is to us queens?"
He cocked his eyebrow at Jemmie, but all of his defenses were on high alert. Inside, he was wishing Victor would come and help him out. However, there wasn't much chance of that. He glared at Bill and Buck, who were still laughing at his situation. The quad were carefully investigating the scene, but it was Skimble who broke away from his mates. "This has got to stop. Can't they see what they're doint to him?"
Jenny had a good grip around Jelly, and Jelly had her arms around her baby bump. The two queens looked to Gussie, and he ran after Skimble.
He hooked his arm around Skimble's,"Your concern for our son is sweet...but I think they know what they are doing. Let's just sit back and watch. If things get out of hand we'll step in, deal?"
Skimble nodded,"I just hope you know what you're doing."
They stood back to watch George and the queens carefully.
Jemima eyed Etcetera with a certain look. "You know George...you look completely different. You look sexy."
Cettie's eyes widened,"Oh yes! Jemmie has a point."
The queens licked their lips and George swallowed hard.
"No this isn't fair! I'd give anything to be in George's position!!" Buck whined. Bill only stook his tongue out in disgust. He wasn't old enough to like queens in any way.
George's glare returned to Buck, focusing on his younger half brother.
Buck pouted,"Don't you dare glare at me."
"You want to be me, then I'll gladly give you my spot. Come on let's switch."
Buck jumped at the chance, but Bill pulled him back,"Ewww...Do you know what you were about to do? Being surrounded by queens. You're gross Buck."
"So do you want to be a healer George?" Jemima asked.
George nervously glanced around at the innocent looks all the queens were giving him. "I...I'm not sure."
Jemima nodded, as Victoria took over her place,"Just think about it really hard, George. Do you want to be a healer?"
George closed his eyes, so he wouldn't have to think about the queens around him. They all gave him the silence he needed to make his desicion. Once he opened his eyes, reality settled back in. "Yes, I do want to become a healer."
Buck smiled at the queens, briefly showing some intelligence, usually he hid it. "In that case, you have to learn not to fear physical contact. This is why they're here...I'm still jealous though." He grumbled something about George being surrounded by beautiful queens and how unfair it all is.
Skimble dropped his jaws, realizing that the queens, and Buck were trying to do George a favor. "When did Buck get so smart?"
Jelly and Jenny laughed, and Gussie only shrugged his shoulders,"It was his idea to start with. But I imagine he'll be back to running around being hyper soon enough."
George swallowed hard, and nodded his head. The queens swarmed around him and reached out for him. He winced a bit, but held his ground so he would try to flee. The queens touched him around the same time and many of them jumped a bit in fright. Since the first moments of the power entering them was painful. However, the pain was only a short while, and then they snickered at the strange new sensation. George's breathing had gone rapid, but when he heard the giggle's he began to relax. They all smiled, even George, at the accomplishment.
Jemima leaned in closer to George's ear."I wasn't lying about what I said, you know," She whispered.
                                                                                                      ****
Macavity was in his office sitting behind his desk. Griddlebone was standing beside the ginger cat and Exotica was standing beside Macavity's other side. The enforcers were up at attention in front of them. They stood according to rank, first to last. First was Lucifer, then Lucious, Otrox, and Rhade. All four of them were sober, silent, and still. Macavity could tell that they were curious as to why Exotica was standing beside Queen Griddlebone, but neither one asked, or questioned, and they all tried to hide their curiousity. Lucifer and Lucious were his top two ranking enforcers, he trusted them both. He often had his suspicions on Lucious, but the tom had never given him a reason to distrust him. The two had been born, grew up, and were raised in the empire. They were close to another tom who would've become an enforcer as well. That tom was named Delano, but because of Delano's father, Macavity had to hunt down and kill his whole family, including Delano. It was a shame since Delano had shown such promise, he would've been his first. However, Lucifer became his first, not only because he was older then his twin, he was a good fighter. Macavity see's the rage in Lucifer's eyes often, Lucious eyes though seem too soft. When he heard of an enforcer in training and his constant lust to kill, Macavity promoted him immediately. He was very proud of his third ranking enforcer, Otrox. Then there was Rhade. Rhade's mother was clever enough to hide him from Macavity all those years. Macavity still wasn't sure what to think of Rhade. He cooperated and followed orders, sure enough, but he hardly ever talked. Then again, Macavity didn't really have the right to complain as long as the black and white tom knew his place.
Xottie placed a tender paw on Macavity's shoulder,"We've got something to tell you."
Griddlebone's paw was instantly on her mate's other shoulder,"Look Maccy, they're afraid of you."
He let out a chuckle, so suddenly. The enforcer's couldn't help but to flinch at the mood change.
"You're right Gridds."
The white persian shot her eyes at Exotica. *Great, now even Maccy is calling me that.*
The burmese cracked a playful smile, hearing Griddlebone's thought clear as day,"What can I say? It's catchy though, isn't it Gridds?"
Griddlebone turned her attention back to Macavity and the enforcers. He couldn't help, but smile at the two queens. He loved watching them bicker and argue; it was always so amusing, but he knew they really did get along. Before Macavity had the chance to speak an eerie shadow appeared next to Rhade. Out from the shadow, Chaos emerged.
He surveyed the others, and then chuckled,"Did I come at a bad time?"
Macavity shook his head,"No, not at all. What is it?"
"You told me to inform you, when Mungojerrie arrived. He's here."
"Perfect. go back and send him here. He doesn't need to knock. I'll be expecting him."
Chaos bowed, and began to disappear,"Yes sir."
Macavity grimly looked at his enforcers,"I realize that we did not succeed in out attempt to kidnap the jellicle leader. I expect a lot from you four, but I also know that there are a lot of jellicles..."
"What are you saying, boss?"
He glared at Rhade, but was more surprised than angry,"Did I give you permission to speak?"
Rhade shuddered,"No sir."
Xottie squeezed his shoulder, and gave him a sour look.
"I'll let it go...So you want to know exactly what I mean."
All of a sudden, the door slid open, and Mungojerrie entered, shyly.
"Perfect timing, Jerrie. I present to you, Jerrie."
Otrox snorted,"He's going to help us fight our battles. I can beat him where he wouldn't be able to walk for weeks. He doesn't even have enforcer blood."
"No smart mouth,"Macavity growled, having half a mind to beat Otrox for that outburst,"Think about it Otrox. Jerrie is the best at stealing."
"He's going to steal the jellicle leader for us?" Lucifer questioned.
Macavity put a paw on his head and rubbed his temples. Griddlebone embraced Exotica, and the two broke down into a fit of giggles.
Lucious smirked,"No Luce. He's saying that Jerrie is going to go somewhere and free, kidnap, or steal some other cat with enforcer blood to build up our ranks."
Macavity looked up at his enforcers,"Thank heavyside one of you is smart." He then turned his attention to Jerrie,"Well?"
Jerrie didn't even hesitate,"Whose the mark?"
Macavity grinned, knowing his choice in hiring Mungojerrie was the right one,"The building on the corner of West Avenue and PerRose. Her name is Siberia."
"That's the animal pound, isn't it?" Jerrie asked.
"A queen? Are you serious? You are recruiting a queen!!" Otrox hissed.
Macavity sighed,"Yes, she does have enforcer blood. And it has to be tonight Jerrie. She's scheduled for Euthanasia at first light tomorrow morning."
"Well how do you know she'll be loyal to you?"
"Otrox...I'm saving her from death. I know her lineage, she'll trust us."
"When do you want me to leave?"
"West Avenue is on the other side of the city, so you'd better leave as soon as you're ready."
"Can do, Boss."
                                                                                                      ****
Munkustrap was sitting in the north wing with his elbows resting on top of his knees. Both Demeter and Alonzo had been avoiding him. The golden queen was still upset from Munkustrap yelling at her. That or she was ashamed. He had a very high suspiscion that Demeter was being romantic with Alonzo. If not, then Deme was either bunking with Bomba or Cass, there could be an occassion where she'd be sleeping in the den of the dark twins, when Bomba or Cass couldn't take her in. He was still upset, but being alone has given him time to actually think over things. He still felt as though his heart had been ripped from his body. However, over the past month the conversation he had with the dark twins had been replaying over and over again. He finally understood what the dark twins were hinting at. And what's worse he finally knew what Demeter was trying so desperately hard to tell him, without flat out saying it. Everything that had happened over the past year was proof. He was a fool not to have seen it earlier. He should have never gotten angry with Deme, but what's done is done. Munkustrap just couldn't believe he got that angry, when he knew that what he hoped would happen soon was so right. What still puzzled him was why he didn't realize it sooner. The past year seemed like it was trying to lead him to it, and instead he had yelled at his mate. His ears perked up and he heard two jellicles approaching. They were two far away to hear or smell at the moment, but somehow, he knew that it was Demeter and Alonzo. He quickly jumped to his feet with a smile on his face. However, he heard that they had stopped, but he could still make out what they were saying.
Demeter had glanced at Alonzo oddly,"Lon, we're almost there."
He frowned, not able to look her in the eyes,"I can't , Deme. I'm sorry."
"What do you mean you can't? Munk's not going to get angry."
He shook his heac,"It's not that." Even though he believed Munkustrap would start yelling. By all rights, he had slept with Demeter, and she was his brother's mate.
She had been trying to urge him forward to the north wing,"Then what is it?"
"Munkustrap loves you...you love Munkustrap."
She stopped trying to move him forward and stared up at him,"I do love Munk, and he love's me, I know he does, but Alonzo-"
He winced at his name, but knew he just had to say it,"Don't Deme...Demeter. You two belong together. I was just...a rebound, comfort, whatever you like. But that's all I was to you. You had gotten in a fight with Munk, and sought comfort in me. It's silly to try include me in your life just because you feel guilty for cheating on Munk...Munkustrap." Skat! He really had to stop calling Munkus by his mate name.
"That's ridiculous...Alonzo...Lon..."
"No just stop talking Deme." He began to cry,"It's just better this way. You two deserve each other. Just leave me alone alright?"
"LON!!!" She grabbed his wrist.
"STOP! Just go to him. He'll forgive you, because he loves you that much. You deserve love."
She knew the tears were already falling from her eyes,"What does that mean?"
"It means..." He was trembling, and about to lie,"That I don't love you, I never did!! I'm sorry to have lead you on, or used you to get between you and Munk...Munkus..."
"You don't mean that."
He glanced away from her.
"Just look...look at you! You're trembling!"
Alonzo choked out a sob,Go to Munk, Lady Demeter...And Just leave me alo-"
He was unprepared, but half expecting it. She had slapped Alonzo across his face with her orange paw. Blood trickled down his cheek where her claws at swiped him. His crying was violent now, but he still managed to get a few words out,"I deserved that, too..."
Unable to face her any longer, he walked away from her.
"Wh...Where are you going...Lon?!" She cried harder, Alonzo out of ear reach now, and her knees were barely strong enough to hold her up.
"I'm sorry." Munk whispered, his eyes watering as well.
He softly wrapped his arms around his mate and Demeter let her tears roll down her cheeks. She turned around in his grasp and buried her head in his chest. "M-m-mmmunk..." She cried,"I love you, and I'm sorry for what I did...but ...but I love him too! And...and-and I blew it."
Munk rested his head on Deme's, tauntening his grasp around her.
A sullen expression crossed Munk's face,"I love him, too. Way more then a brother should."
She cried harder at that, and her whole body shivered. Munk began to walk away with Demeter still in his arms.
She glanced up at him through watered eyes,"Where arre y-you g...going?"
Munk ran a black paw through her shoulder fur,"I can't explain it, Deme. But this is supposed to happen, well, only if Alonzo agree's to it. I need to go to him, find him. I can't stand being apart from him or you."
"But-"
"Deme...He doesn't think we love him. He doesn't understand. I think we shold both talk to him this time."
She wiped away her tears, and a small smile spread on her face,"This is going to happen?"
"I'll do all I can to make it happen Deme."
"Where do you think he went?"
"We should check his den first. If he's not there, then we'll just have to look around the yard and ask. I just hope he didn't run from the junkyard again."
                                                                                                      ****
Bomb restlessly waited for Cassandra on the tire. Her tail flicked in agitation, since the burmese was late. Mysteriously, Cassandra strolled into the yard with an out of place smirk on her face. Her ice blue eyes spotted the scarlett queen sitting on the tire, and she saw how impatient the queen looked. So she was instantly on the tire, so she wouldn't keep Bomba waiting any longer.
"What is this all about, Bomb?"
The scarlett queen looked at Cass strangely,"Demeter has been bunking with you and I a lot lately."
The dark twins emerged in the square at that moment and acknowledged the two queens as they leaped onto the trunk together.
Cass smiled at them before looking back at Bomb,"Yes. Demeter and Munkustrap got into a fight, everyone know that. If this is your idea of gossip, then I am leaving."
The scarlett queen grabbed Cassandra's arm just daring her to leave.
Cass sighed,"Fine, Bomb. Tell me..."
Bomb smirked,"After their fight, I went searching for Alonzo...for comfort."
"Doesn't surprise me."
She growled,"Anyway, I found him, comforting someone else. I didn't know how to tell you or if I should, but I just can't hold it back anymore."
Cassandra still didn't look interested,"So Alonzo found himself a queen to court, so what?"
"It was Demeter!! They were making out! Demeter is cheating on Munkus with his brother Alonzo...and now she's gone to break it off with Munk, so she can be with Alonzo!"
Cassandra smiled,"Wow, I might've underestimated Alonzo."
Bomba chuckled,"You? I most definately underestimated him."
The two queens laughed, and Cass spoke through her laughter,"Now that's what I call good gossip."
"But that's all it is...just gossip,"Tantomile firmly said.
They looked at the twins, who were no longer on the trunk, but standing in front of them.
Bomba glared,"Well what do you two know? I know what I saw."
Coricopat frowned,"Yes, and Demter and Alonzo did kiss, but it's not what you think. Demeter, Munkustrap, and Alonzo belong together."
"What?! How can you even do that?" Bomba would've laughed, but knew that the twins were being serious.
Cassandra nodded,"You're talking about a triad."
"Yes," They said together.
Bomba looked at the three confused.
Cassandra simply placed her paw on the scarlett queens shoulder,"It is known to happen in jellicle's. Just look at the Quad. Not everyone can do it, only certain jellicles are capable of making a triad work. Either it comes naturally, meaning their souls travel closely together in each new life they are born into, connecting them forever,...or three that love each but have to trust each other to work hard to keep them all together."
Bomba frowned,"So is it like the alpha-male? Munkus would be treated as the first tom, and Alonzo as the second?"
"No not at all. To us we might see Munkustrap as Demeter's first tom, since they did get together first. However, that's not how it goes. Demeter has to love them both equally. There can't be favorites, or first and second place....Otherwise it'll never work."
Coricopat agreed with Tantomile,"You're forgetting the most crucial part of the triad. It isn't just Demeter who has to love them equally. Munkustrap and Alonzo have to love each other as well as Demeter equally as well..."
Bomba frowned,"Munkus and Alonzo loving each other..." She trailed off thinking about it. A sly smile crossed her lips,"On second thought that might be a sight to see."
Cassandra playfully slapped the scarlett queen,"Bomba! Get your mind out of the gutter."
They all had a good laugh, when Bomba interrupted again,"So this triad thing, do you really think it'll happen for them?"
The twins shrugged their shoulders,"We don't know. The love they all have for each other is there, but that doesn't mean that they'll actually get together."
They all sat there in a nice cal, just comteplating what they had been talking about, and thinking what it might be like to be in a triad themselves. The calm was instantly broken. When they heard the sobs, they braced themselves, but nothing would have prepared them. They had been expecting one of the younger queens to come in crying over Tugger, or a scratch from falling off a piece of junk. Rapidly, Alonzo ran over the tire, between Bomba and Cassandra, and the dark twins into the center of the square. The brown tabby was so depressed that his legs could no longer carry him. He fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around his body, sobbing harder then ever before. The group was shocked to see him, and stared at him with wide eyes. Bombalurina got off of the tire and started to saunter toward Alonzo. All four jellicles had shed a few tears of their own just listening to the tabby crying. Bombalurina was stopped by Coricopat,"Sorry Bomba, but I don't think that's a good idea."
Alonzo had heard Coricopat's voice and it registered that he had a small audience. He sturggled and forced himself to stand up. Once he was standing he bolted away from the square in search of a place where he could be alone. Tantomile sat onto the tire and graciously accepted Cassandra's arm wrapped around her.
"This isn't good Coricopat."
He still had a paw on Bomba's shoulder, and quickly removed it,"It doesn't look good does it? What if they never find their way to each other?"
Tantomile shrugged,"I don't know what will happen...Let's just hope that they DO find their way to one another."
                                                                                                      ****
The sun was already beginning to set, as Jerrie ran through the streets. It was still early evening, but Jerrie didn't want to go back to the empire too late in the night. The white tiger tabby was a great thief and this was his chance to prove it. This was his first real stealing job that Macavity gave him, and it was a very big job. Not to mention, if he didn't time it just right he won't be able to get in, and another cat will die. So in a wierd way, this Siberia's life was in his paws. He still had a ways to run, but he was a decent runner. Maybe not the fastest runner, but he knew how to pace himself without taking a break. He glanced around nervously while he ran. He did want to get back to the empire soon, but for good reason. The pollicle dogs had run of the city at night, and could be seen around every corner and down every alley, once the sun had set. Of course, in the east side of the city, seeing a pollicle dog at night or during the day was rare. Macavity's Empire, his warehouse, was located in the east part of the city and the junkyard was located in the center of the city, just on the outskirts of the eastside. The east was mainly run by cats, and there was a silent truce. Cats stayed more towards the east, and dogs stayed more towareds the west. On occassion a dog would cross over, or a cat would, but it still kept the peace. The center was not limited and both cats and dogs could roam freely there. Especially, with the field, both cats and dogs alike hunt there. That field just so happened to surround the jellicles junkyard. However, the jellicles were safe and if a pollicle did get loose, well that was why they had sentinels and a quardian. Jerrie had already passed the junkyard though, and was now in the west half of the city. He kept his senses on alert just in case he ran into any pollicles. He did notice that there were no cats there that he saw. He knew how he was going to get into the building, the problem was getting out.
**Oi guess Oi'll jus' worrah 'bout tha' latah.**
He crossed a few more streets and knew he was almost there. The nest street up ahead was west avenue and he could even see the pound. As he got closer to it, he slowed his pace into a walk. He kept looking from left to right, completely cautious of the world around him. He reached the building and immediately stood against the corner of the building. If his ears weren't betraying him, there was still one human left in the pound about to close up. Jerrie peeked his head around the corner and looked to the entrance. He had to be quick, but he couldn't make a sound. If he did, the whole thing would fail. Finally, after waiting patiently, the front door swung open. He dashed into the building, but was still light on his feet. Once inside he ducked behind some boxes and held his breath. Normally, if he was seen or heard, he'd hear the man turning around, yelling after him, some would even chase him. But there was nothing just silence. After another minute or two, Jerrie let go of his breath and began to breath normally again. He saw two other swinging doors. He assumed the first one lead to the caged dogs, leaving the second one to caged cats. Upon entering the room holding all the cats, his mind began to drift. He had heard that Leccy and Cettie had escaped from a pound and he began to wonder if it was this one. It wasn't a huge city, but was big enough for one or two other pounds or shelters. There were many cats in there, most of which were kittens. He knew that they wouldn't be put to sleep, since humans usually buy kittens, not full grown adults. Most of the cats in there were sleeping. However, it was the kittens that sensed his presence first. They woke up and began to meow, which woke up the older cats. Mungojerrie didn't know which cat he was suppose to free, only that hername was Siberia.
"Who are you, stranger?" One of the adult cats sleepily said.
Mungojerrie looked around the room nervously,"I'm looking for Siberia."
The adult cat scoffed,"Her?"
"You don't like her very much..."
They all voiced their agreements. Jerrie still looked around, not knowing which queen was Siberia.
"I am Siberia."
The voice came from a cage that Jerrie thought was empty. He went closer, to get a good look at her. She was not a kitten, but was very young, an older teen perhaps. She was a very gorgeous, all white queen. She had pinkish-red eyes, indicating that she was an albino queen. As he got closer to pick the lock, the other cats growled in protest.
Jerrie sighed,"Sorry, my boss sent me to get only her. But don't worry he has a quarrel with this one, so I guarantee you, she won't make it out alive. She'll be dead before the sun rises."
She gasped and backed up further into her cage. His claws came out, as he started to pick the lock. Being the master thief that he is, the lock was picked in no time. He opened her cage door, and slid inside real fast. She hunched down on all fours, and bared her teeth. Inside her cage, Jerrie got a better look at her. There was no doubt that she had enforcer blood. The queen was all muscle, which made his job just a little more challenging.
"Do not come near me, I am warning you."
Looking at her appearance and personality would be conflicting. She looked built enough to where she could probably hold her own against a pollicle, but she seemed peaceful, personality wise. Violence seemed to be the last thing on her mind. Jerrie didn't understand what Macavity would want with a peaceful queen, when it hit him. She was all white with a good build, a perfect queen for breeding.
Jerrie sighed,"You're going to be put to sleep in the morning, so what does it matter?"
"I might be put down in the morning, but that does not mean I will not go without a fight. If that means I have to fight you, then so be it," She growled.
Jerrie frowned and kept a cautious look on Siberia. "Come closer, I need to-"
"NOO! I am not stupid!"
Jerrie swiftly jumped onto her and trapped her head in between his two arms. He bent forward and whispered in her ear,"Just play along. I'm here to free you. But those cats out there don't like you...I don't want a riot."
Siberia had her claws in his arms, but instantly took them out after what he said. She nodded and he got off of her. He gripped her arm harshly and pulled her out of her cage.
"Come on Siberia. Death isn't something to be feared. Besides you'll put up a good fight. You'll keep our clients very entertained."
She let herself be dragged through the room, and all the cats cheered. Siberia averted her eyes to the ground, during her walk of shame. Jerrie let out an evil laugh as he dragged Siberia through the swinging door. He had been observing Macavity and had been working on his evil laugh.
As soon as they were alone, Jerrie let go of Siberia,"I'm sorry if I hurt you."
She looked around with a half-smile,"You were not lying to me...you really are going to get me out of here."
Jerrie frowned,"Yes, but my boss did send me to get you. Not to fight you or kill you, but he wants you to work for him. It's a nice place, you'd meet a lot of new cats, and you'd be safe..."
She sighed,"And if I refuse, you will send me back to my cage, will you not?"
"No, not at all. I came here to free you, and that's what I'll do."
She smirked,"Really?"
"Really..." He began to pace near the door that lead outside.
"Your boss...seems like a nice tom. I think I want to meet him, before I make up my mind."
"That can be arranged as soon as you want, or you can take as much time as you need."
He studied the door, trying to figure a way out. He saw Siberia headed to the other door, out of the corner of his eye.
"Where are you going?"
"You look like you need help getting out of here..."
"But the pollicles are back there..."
"Pollicles? What is that?"
"It's a dog...a pollicle dog. You, you're a jellicle cat."
"Well what is the difference between a jellicle cat and a regular cat?"
They entered the dogs room, and immediately most if not all of the dogs, began to bark. Jerrie's ears folded backwards and he held onto his sponged tail.
"Well I once asked my mother, and they-"
"They?"
He blushed,"I have two mothers."
She looked at him confused, but he continued,"Anyway, they told me that the difference between a jellicle cat and a regular cat is that a jellicles soul, whether they believe it or not, gets sent to the heavyside layer and is reborn into a new jellicle life. Also a jellicle has a soul-mate, and in each life they'll find each other over and over again and fall in love with each other with each new life they are born into."
Siberia had been listening, but it was obvious that she didn't believe him,"Well it is a nice story."
Jerrie saw the back door, but he knew that he couldn't get out of that door either. Siberia stopped at a cage, and Jerrie start shaking his head.
"Oh no..."
"You want to get out of here right? He is the way out."
Jerrie looked into the cage and saw a big splotch of brown fur. Then a pair of green eyes flashed open.
"Bruno...Hey Bruno."
"Siberia, how did you escape?"
"He helped me...uhhh, I am sorry, but I do not know your name."
"Mungojerrie," he said guardedly.
The brown pollicle chuckled,"This small tiger helped you?"
"Yes, and we are here to get you out."
Jerrie shivered a bit, but worked his skill to unlock the dogs cage. He did successfully, and Bruno stepped out. Jerrie fell backwards with wide eyes. He couldn't tell in the cage, but Bruno was a huge dog.
Siberia smiled,"Alright, it is time to get out of this place. Bruno, would you do me the honors?"
He flexed his muscles as he leaned against the door. The door creaked open and the two cats ran out with Bruno behind. Mungojerrie noticed that the sun had already set, and pollicle dogs were walking around freely everywhere he turned.
Siberia was pulled aside, by Bruno,"So you made it out of the pound...no what? You'll never make it through all of those pollicles."
"I know...I do not know what I am going to do..."
Bruno sighed,"Siberia, Jerrie...I'll escort you to the center of the city, but that's as far as I'll go. Many dogs are out hunting tonight, so the rest is up to you."
                                                                                                      ****
Munkustrap and Demeter had enetered the south wing. After running into the dark twins, Bomba, and Cassandra in the square, they headed south. They weren't sure for certain, though the dark twins seemed confident, but that was where they had seen Alonzo flee to. Now, now that they were in the south wing, they were positive that he was there. They could hear the violent sobbing and just knew it was coming from Alonzo. They saw all the open, and empty dens along the south wall. Together, they crept closer, so they wouldn't alert him to their presence. Both feared if he sensed them, he'd run off again. The crying grew louder in one of the middle dens, so Munk and Deme headed there. They stood just outside the open den and found Alonzo. The brown tabby was curled up in a ball, his body wracked from all the sobbing. Demeter gripped onto Munkustrap tighter, upset to see Alonzo that way. The silver tabby frowned feelings the same sorrow that Demeter was feeling. Demeter looked to Munkusrap and he cleared his throat. Alonzo jumped up, but couldn't make out who was standing there, since his eyes were filled with water. Although, by a hunch, and scent, he knew it was Munkustrap and Demter. He backed away to the farthest wall and covered his face. He didn't want them to see him like that, especially Munkustrap, in fact he didn't want to see them at all.
"Alonzo..." Munkustrap softly said.
"Just...l-leave mmmeeee a-alone!!"
Demeter stiffened, but Munk gave her the extra boost she needed.
"Just hear us out, Lon."
He didn't say anything, but did shake his head no.
"Lon," Munk purred,"We want you with us. We want to become a triad with you."
He kept shaking his head no,"You're just saying that, you don't really want me. There is no room for me. Hell you two...you don't even love me. You love each other. You love for each other is so pure. It just makes sense that you should be together. I was a fool, I was stupid to think I could be with you Deme...to be with you Munk...I didn't mean to come between you. I'm...I'm prepared to leave the yard."
Demeter threw pleading eyes at the silver tabby,"Munk!!! Do something. Make him understand."
He smiled,"That's easy, we tell him what we feel in our hearts."
Demeter gave her mate a half smile, and then looked down at Alonzo. He had heard them talking, but was trying desperately to tune them out. He was still crying, but he appeared to be calming down some.
Demeter held out her paw,"I love you so much, Lon, that I can't bear to imagine living another day without you in my life...without loving you. This past year has been so hard on me, I thought I was betraying Munk, because I had these feelings for you."
Munkustrap held onto Demeter, kissing her on the cheek. He never once felt betrayed, their fight was just the result of miscommunication.
He held out his other paw to Alonzo,"I want and need you just as much as I want and need Deme. I love you, Lon. It tears me apart thinking about waking up tomorrow without you and Deme by my side. It is up to you, your choice. So the question is, Do you want and love us?"
Alonzo gazed at them, with their amrs stretched out to him. He had stopped crying, but he couldn't control some of the sobs that escaped his mouth.
"How...no, I don't...I..."
Deme's eyes became misty, as she desperately tried not to cry. Alonzo wasn't going to come back with them, she just knew he wasn't.
Munk kept his paw stretched out to Alonzo, still hopeful,"Remember the night you and Deme spent looking at the stars. When I woke up that morning, though I didn't understand it at that time, I smelt you and Deme in the den. Lon, it was the best feeling in the world. Maybe I'm being selfish, but I want to wake up every morning like that. Deme on one side, you Lon, on the other."
"What does your heart tell you?" Deme asked, shaking.
"That this is a dream."
The two still held their paws out to him,"It's not a dream."
He cracked a smile, and a small laugh tumbled out, a laugh that sadly sounded like a choked sob. He stumbled a bit as he stood up, but still managed to make it on his own. He looked at the two and a strange feeling came over him. It was an ancient unknown feeling, one that felt as though this moment had happened to him many many MANY times before. Unfortunately, the feeling had instantly vanished before Alonzo had the chance to identify what the emotion was. He stood there looking at them, before hesitantly walking into their embrace.
"My heart...loves the both of you so much that it hurts. I want you both. Deme I've wanted you for so long that when I had you I felt guilty and wrong that I was with you behind Munk's back....And Munk...I...I've had these confusing feelings for you for awhile...I've just been too afraid to admit it."
Demeter let a few tears slip out, out of happiness. "This...this is really going to happen?"
Munkustrap couldn't help as a few tears slid down his own cheeks,"Yes, Deme. I believe so."
Munkustrap and Demeter closed their arms around Alonzo. Purrs escaped Demeter's throat first, and Alonzo wrapped one arm around Demeter, then hesitantly, almost shyly wrapped his other arm around Munkustrap. Soon Munkustrap and Alonzo begun to purr as well. The brown tabby leaned into Demeter, and kissed her gently on the mouth. Pulling away, he groaned in surprise when Demeter nuzzled his neck. Munkustrap started to, but unsure of some things, chose not to and simply held them both in a hug.
                                                                                                      ****
All of the tribe members were in the square. The quad sat comfortably beside the car, while the twins sat on the trunk of the car. Jemima sat above the twins on the roof of the car, and would dwat at Coricopats ears. Every time she did, he let out a groan, but Tantomile would giggle. Buck and Bill were playing with Sillabub near the spare tires. Over in the oven, Cettie, Leccy, Tumble, and Pounce were sitting in the oven fighting over a dead mouse. Rumpleteazer layed on top of the oven. Her head was hanging over the side as she licked her lip just staring at the mouse. Admetus, Plato, and Victor stood off to the side of the oven. Their fur was matted from sweat, obviously from their gruelling workout. Cassandra made herself cozy on the pipe. George was sitting on the top bleacher, alone, while Victoria had shyly sat down beside Mistoffelees near the bottom of the bleachers. Finally, near the broken bed frame, Bomba sat with a grin on her face. She took delight out of watching the Rum Tum Tugger.
Tugger was pacing about the yard,"Does anyone know what this is about?"
Jemima cleared her throat,"They're coming."
The tribe looked to the tire, just as Munk stepped forward.They all expected it when Demeter came forward with him on one side, but not when Alonzo stood on Munkustrap's other side. He was nervous, about parading their new and possibly fragile relationship to the entire tribe. Plus he was scared of the others reactions. Behind Munk, Alonzo and Demeter held paws. With her free paw, Deme placed it on Munk's leg, and Alonzo placed his other paw on Munk's other leg, biting his lip nervously. There was mixed emotions to them publically officializing themselves as a triad. The worst case was Tugger.
He was rolling on the ground laughing,"You can't be serious!"
Munkustrap growled,"Don't ever insult either one of my mates, Tugger, or so help me."
Tugger was still laughing, but got onto his feet ready for a fight,"It'll never last, you'll eventually be fighting over Deme. I give it two months."
"I'll take that bet,"Bombalurina announced,"Loser gainst the other jellicles chores for three weeks."
"Deal."
The twins rolled their eyes.
**They found their way Tantomile.**
**Indeed, but I fear this is only the beginning. I believe things are going to get much worse, and much harder.**
**They'll be together to face it though.**
**I am not so sure.**

-FIN

- Year Two Artwork by Extwo

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