BEWARE: ROMANCE FIC- MY FIRST ONE. MAY OR MAY NOT BE MY ACTUAL VIEWS. ENJOY!
The moon was rising into the sky, the night was glimmering and pale. All the toms were about. Alonzo was on duty by the car, on the boot peering over the junkyard. Tonight was a full moon, and there was an old tale that whenever anything significant happened, a full moon would be above. Indeed, the Jellicle Ball was always on a Full Moon, as was the Day of Hunting and the Night of Courtship. Tonight, Alonzo decided, nothing important would happen- it was just like any other thick-sweet spring night. He yawned and stretched his claws. He sat up. A shadow had passed through the yard. Phew! It was only Cassandra, his friend. Her sinuous black body glided out of hiding and stretched out beside him. "Hey, Cassie!" Alonzo smiled at her. She was, in truth, his dearest friend. "Hello, handsome!" She laughed. Her laugh was smooth and soft, like a pillow. Alonzo grinned.
Cassandra was the one who knew his deepest secret. He was desperately in love with Demeter. She didn't care, indeed, she had strong feelings for Munkustrap, but they both knew inside that their loves were set on eachother. Alonzo reached into the boot and pulled out a delicate silver string with a tiny blue gem on it. He draped it over her head. She shrieked. "Wow!" She gasped, "Where did you get it? Its insane!" Alonzo knew what she liked. "I found it in a warehouse in the city." She smiled. This wasn't her usual, smirking slick smile. This was a smile no-one else ever saw, a broad, out of character grin. "Thank you so much! I love it!" She did a little twirl, and struck another dazzling grin. If any other couple, Alonzo reflected, exchanged that gift, it would be a sign of mateship, oflifelong commitment and devotion, of love. It wasn't like that for them. It was different. "Dance with me?" he asked. "Gladly!" She took his hand and they danced their kind of dance. They weren't facing each other, they were both facing the moon. Alonzo studied her. It was true she was beautiful. They did flirt at the ball, and dance like other couple. They did smile seductively at each other and lie together as the sun rose. If any other couple did these things, it would mean love. But for them, there was nothing behind it. It was fun, it was exciting. But it was not love. Cassandra kicked her long brown leg in the air. "Goodnight" she whispered. "I've got to go see...uh..." she hesitated and looked away. "Munkustrap?" He smiled. "Go on then..." Her shadow disappeared into the shadows again. Munkustrap and Demeter. They were the little catch, the little warp. He realized, if Munkustrap weren't his best friend, he would hate him- after all, he stole Alonzo's love, and had his best friend on a string. He was so likeable, you couldn't hold a grudge against him. He was everything noble, everything strong. Without any warning, a tear slid down Alonzo's cheek. He wondered where it came from.
He looked up, and saw someone looking at him. He froze. It was Demeter. She was the very last person he wanted to see, but what he said was- "Demeter! So good to see you!" She was so utterly perfect. Her coat, like fire, ash and coals. Her quiet confidence, her ruby red lips. Most of all, her deep, troubled brown eyes. Alonzo shuddered. Stop, he told himself, stop. There's no use dreaming over a queen you'll never score. Never, ever score. She's too good for you, she's been through too much to want a shallow tom like you. "How are you tonight, Alonzo?" Demeter smiled her perfect, red smile. Alonzo remembered her as a kitten. He'd loved her even then. Secretly, he wished Cassandra would turn on her full charm and steal Munkustraps heart, leaving Demeter hurt and sad, and she would come running. Right into Alonzo's arms. "I'm fine, Demeter. Just fine. And, you?" Demeter smiled again. She stepped closer to him. Alonzo caught his breath as she looked up into his eyes. "I'm having a wonderful night." She said softly. "Its been a while since one of these nights came along. Sometimes I wonder if that old story is true. You know, about the full moon. My daughter believes it. The moon, it means the world to her. Poor Jemima, it must be so tough having a killer as a father." Alonzo almost scowled. What about her, didn't she have a killer as an enemy? Didn't she have a killer as a past love? "It must be great to be on lookout. To feel like your doing something for your tribe." Again, Alonzo felt upset. She'd just saved the tribe from their nemesis a couple of months ago, and she still felt like doing more. "Its a pretty good feeling, I admit. But you've done more than your share of protecting, Demeter. Your a brave queen, and beautiful" Alonzo gasped. He hadn't meant to say that. But it was okay. Demeter smiled. "Thank you. That means a lot. Would you like...to dance? I've heard you're a good dancer." Alonzo almost laughed. Cassandra had done him such a favour, he wanted to hug her. He would, he decided. But later.
"Sure, Demeter. You've got yourself a bit of a reputation too!" She laughed. Oh, it was good to hear her laugh! Jennyanydots once said to him, that she knew she was inlove with Skimbleshanks because he made her so happy. Demeter made Alonzo happy. Not all of the time, but more than anyone else. Demeter also made Alonzo sad and angry more than anyone else. But he liked her that way. His love for her was a giant burning ball of emotions. He took her by the hands and they danced. He couldn't believe had long it had been since he had danced with her. Of course, Demeter didn't know he still loved her. Bird sung overhead. She looked deep into his eyes, and her beautiful tail swung from side to side. She let go of his arms. "I've got to go meet Munkustrap" She blushed. He sighed and called goodnight. She smiled again. Her regular, heart-stopping smile.
Alonzo stood on the car, pondering. It was something he liked to do. Indeed, he enjoyed his own company. The night was getting darker, the stars shining brighter. Oh Demeter! What a tangled web he had himself in- He was in love with his queen-friends's queen-friends's love, his queen-friend was in love with his tom-friend, his love was in love with his tom-friend and his tom-friend was in love with his love. If only he could let go of Demeter he could have another queen. All the kittens blushed and giggled as he walked past, swinging his hips with Cassandra purring and rubbing against him- they were only a little younger than he, he could take one if he wanted. But he knew that the young toms were pining of them, and he couldn't take them away from their devoted friends, he didn't have the heart. And he wanted Demeter. There was never any question about the queen for him. He sighed. Just at this moment, a crimson queen swung up behind him. He jolted. "Oh, Bombalurina! I didn't see you there!" The scarlet queen smiled and struck a pose in front of him. "Alonzo, honey," she flirted, "I was looking for my pals Demeter and Cassandra, but now I've found you I think I'll stay!" Alonzo laughed quietly to himself. Bomba loved to toy with him, but whenever he flirted with her, she'd turn him away immediately. In a way, Bombalurina was just like Alonzo was- they both couldn't let go of the cat they couldn't have. And they both loved to prove their worth. Alonzo looked into her eyes, she was growling softly and running her fingers through his mane. She'd obviously been dropped by the Tugger again, and she looked desperate for attention, and he wasn't feeling too cheery himself. "Well, handsome, want to dance?" There was nothing subtle about Bomba. Before Alonzo could answer, she said "no? Neither do I. I've had a terrible day today and I'm not ashamed to say it. Tugger's been flirting again, with everything he sees. I don't know who he loves." Her voice shook. "I'm sorry Alonzo, I've got to go and be by myself." And with that, the scarlet queen darted away into the shadows, and Alonzo saw a tear fall to the ground. Two dances, two tears and a whole lot of heartbreak, thought Alonzo. He supposed it had been a special night. He slunk back onto the boot and waited.
CRASH! BOOM! CLATTER! SCREAM! Alonzo sat up with a start. His ears were ringing. He heard Munkustrap's voice cry out- "Alonzo, help me!", and the assorted screams of three queens. A loud, flute-like one, a high, manic one and a low, faltering one. He didn't have time to wonder which was which- all he knew was one was Demeter. He ran over the rise and through the pipes, following the soud. SCREAM! The cries echoed in the night. He ran. He sweated. His heart raced. He ran over hills. He ran under warehouses. Over bridges, under beams. Things fell about him. He ran. He puffed. He panted. He sped around a corner. He raced over a car. He was so tired. But he had to keep going. Run. Run. He followed the sound. Run. He kept following until he reached a high, high rise. He stopped. So had the sounds. Silence. "Where are you? I can help you!"
"Right here, and no, you can't". Alonzo spun around and was face to face with the Napoleon of Crime! He yelled. Behind the Mystery Cat were three queens in distress. Cassie was weeping and crying. Demeter was hissing and shaking. Bombalurina had a look of pure panic in her eyes. Move forward, and run into Macavity. Move backwards, and fall off the rise. They were trapped. Macavity turned around. He began walking towards the edge of the rise. The queens stepped backwards. They were dangerously close to the edge. "Don't you dare!" Alonzo seethed, "Don't you dare push them over!" Quick as a flash Macavity pulled something long, sharp and rusted from behind him. A knife. He pointed it at Cassandra's neck. She gulped and stepped back- right off the edge. Panicked, she grabbed the edge of the rise. Macavity put his foot on her paw- she was stuck. Demeter hissed and tried to step forward and help her. "Demeter, my love, she's not worth your trouble. You know you will be mine eventually." Still with his foot on Cassandra's paw, he swung Demeter into a passionate kiss she couldn't escape from. He had his hypnotic eyes going on fully. Bombalurina reached for Cassandra. Macavity growled and gave her a shove. She flew though the air and frantically grabbed a hold of Cassandra's foot. Alonzo panicked. "Stop!" He cried out. He saw Munkustrap pull up behind him, panting and crying. Macavity still had a firm hold around Demeter, pulling her close to his chest. Unable to contain his fury, Munkustrap slashed at him, claws out. Demeter was cought like she had been at the ball- arms with Macavity, feet with Munkustrap. Here was his chance to save her skin again. But then he looked over and saw Cassandra and Bombalurina, fingers slipping, faces wet and strained. He could run off with Demeter and spare her the pain. He could pull up Cassandra and save her frail body. Or he could run down and try to catch Bombalurina, for whom there was no hope for on this thick-sweet spring night. And in that one, frantic moment, he made his choice.
THE DAY AFTER
Alonzo's heart was heavy. He knew the decision he had made had changed his life forever. He saw the way the other Jellicles looked at him as he walked into the yard- he couldn't possibly be thesame tom anymore. In a way, his heart felt heavy- because of him, a queen was injured and frail. But not dead, Alonzo reminded himself. Not dead. But he also felt liberated- he had made his choice. He went over to the Rum Tum Tugger, who was alone and confused. His fan-club were staring at him with cold eyes. He had betrayed them. Alonzo sighed- he was not alone. He'd always worried so much about Demeter- now she was badly cut and clawed. He could have saved her from it, whisked her away while he still had the chance. He couldn't stand the thought of her bruised and battered. But now he saw it as clear as day- you could never risk the lives of two queens to protect another from being hurt. Especially the one queen that had been kind to you all your life. Cassandra. It had been the hardest decision he'd ever had to make. But now he had a queen. Suddenly, Bombalurina strolled into the junkyard, just as if she hadn't just been at the point between life and death. Alonzo smiled. This was a happy ending for both of them. He watched her as she approached her night in shining armour, stared furiously at by every kitten. He was so glad she was safe. Demeter,he thought to himself, you're a wonderful queen, but your time in my life is over. I finally have someone who loves me in return, he thought, and slunk into the pipe where Cassandra was waiting for him.