Slave to Love
By Tugger's Girl

There would be a new Jellicle moon that night. The air felt different to Rum Tum Tugger somehow, almost electrified. The Jellicle Ball had always been an exciting event to him, but this year, he could hardly even contain his elation. The Jellicle moon would be more than just a signal for the passing of a Jellicle cat to the Heaviside Layer. It would be an anniversary of many things for Tugger: first, of his acceptance as the new Jellicle leader; second, his forgiveness of Grizabella, his long estranged mother; and third (and in his mind, most importantly), the beginning of his relationship with Jemima.

If there had ever been any doubt amongst the other cats about the sincerity of Tugger's feelings for the beautiful queen, they had long ago been dispelled by his unswerving devotion to her. Tugger's little fan club had been disappointed at first, but soon they had all come to accept his decision and had begun to dote on Jemima almost as much as he did. Even Bombalurina, who had caused more than her fair share of trouble for the couple when their relationship first began, had become close friends with both of them.

Now, as Tugger walked about the Jellicle Junkyard, making sure that everything was in order for the night's celebration, he couldn't stop his gaze from wandering over to Jemima, who was involved in an animated conversation with her best friend and confidant, Victoria. Tugger smiled to himself as he watched her laugh and noted the way that it caused her eyes to sparkle. He would have never imagined that love could be this way. He would have never imagined that he could be this way.

Suddenly, he was aware that his eyes were not the only ones watching the queen. Pouncevil was standing a ways off, partially concealed in the shadows, his face a mask of anguish as he watched Jemima.

Tugger was torn. The passionate side of him wanted to fight Pouncevil for being so clearly in love with his mate, but the leader in him was urging him to make peace with Pouncevil at last. They had been at odds ever since Tugger's and Jemima's relationship had begun, and nothing had ever been resolved between them. Sighing, Tugger resolutely made his way toward the other tom.

Pouncevil stiffened as Tugger approached him and promptly left in the other direction. Tugger sighed. I shouldn't have to feel about this, he reasoned. Still, he could not help the guilt that clung to his heart.

The thought fled his mind, however, when he smelled a familiar scent and felt two small, slender arms wrapping around him. He purred contentedly as Jemima affectionately rubbed her head against his back.

" Stop that," Tugger instructed playfully. " You don't want to start something that we don't have time to finish."

Jemima smiled and traced a line down his back. He shivered. " Ruin my fun." she murmured.

Tugger turned around so that he was facing her. " Later." he promised. "After I can stop worrying about this stupid Jellicle Ball."

" Everything will be fine." Jemima assured him, her smile kind and soothing. " It'll be the best ball in the history of the Jellicles."

Tugger sighed. " I hope you're right." There were so many new responsibilities now that he was the Jellicle leader. Before, he had been allowed to merely enjoy the festivities of the night, but now he had to make certain that everything ran perfectly. His expression grew wistful. " I only wish that Deuteronomy could be here."

Jemima ran a loving paw over his arm. " I know." she said softly.

They were interrupted by Mistoffelees, who was decidedly more high strung than usual."Tugger," he said breathlessly, "I've been looking for you everywhere. We need to go over the changes to my song..."

Tugger exchanged a knowing smile with Jemima. He had it on good authority that Mistoffelees was planning to ask Victoria to be his mate that evening, and he wanted everything to be absolutely perfect.

Reluctantly, Tugger detached himself from his queen. " All right, Mr. Mistoffelees. Let's get this song down perfectly..."



Jemima let her eyes run over the moonlit alleyways in wonder. She loved the night of the Jellicle Ball. Everything was so incredible, so utterly magical.

Rum Tum Tugger had gone to the junkyard earlier to make certain that everything was absolutely perfect, and so Jemima was going to meet him there. She smiled to herself. He was a nervous wreck about this thing, and it was completely adorable. Plus, it gave her to opportunity to help him relieve his stress, which she was more than happy to do...

She stopped as she saw a figure emerging from the shadows in front of her. She tensed as she recognized Pouncevil, his eyes filled with the familiar pleading as he looked upon her. Jemima felt horrible. Never, ever, ever had she intended to hurt Pouncevil, but she just didn't love him, and he wouldn't accept it.

" Jemima--" he began, but she wouldn't hear it again.

" Pouncevil, please." Jemima begged him. " You have to move on."

" I can't." Pouncevil insisted. " Jemima, I'm in love with you. And you used to love me, too. I know you did."

Jemima looked away. There had been a time when she thought she loved Pouncevil. But even then, she had always held out the hope that Tugger would notice her someday and would love her. When she and Tugger had first begun their relationship, she had been told that he was just using her, so in turn, she had used Pouncevil. There wasn't a day that went by that she didn't regret it. She felt horrible about it--absolutely horrible-- but there was nothing she could do now to change it.

" Pouncevil," she tried again. " Tugger is my mate. I love him." He looked away. " Please, try to understand..."

" Oh, I understand," Pouncevil snapped, his voice tinged with bitterness. "You think that you love Rum Tum Tugger, and you think that he loves you. But I know better." He grabbed her shoulders abruptly, so roughly that she cried out. " He can't possibly love you the way that I do, Jemima. We're meant to be together, and the sooner you realize it, the better."

Jemima had never seen Pouncevil this way. Panicked, she shoved him away from her, sending him crashing back into a huddle of trash cans. Hurriedly, she turned and fled toward the junkyard, ignoring as he called after her.

She found Tugger in the midst of the junkyard, giving some last- minute advice to Skimbleshanks about his song. A broad grin broke out across his face as he spotted Jemima. " Hey, I was beginning to think that you weren't coming--" He stopped at the frenzied look on her face. " What's wrong?"

" Nothing." Jemima lied, throwing herself into the familiar warmth of his arms. " Just hold me, won't you, and tell me that you love me?"

Tugger obligingly wrapped his arms around her. " I love you." he said softly, and meant it. And when she began to sob softly, he only held her more tightly, wondering what had happened to upset her so.

After a moment, Jemima pulled back and smiled at him, though her eyes still shone with tears. "Come on." she said. " It's almost time to start." Seeing the concern in his eyes, she quickly insisted, "I'll be fine. Really. Now, go on."

Tugger smiled and squeezed her paw. " I'll see you soon." he promised.

And then he and Jemima took their different positions, and the ball began.



Jemima grinned with unrestrained pleasure as Victoria finished her dance number. She wanted to applaud wildly, but rules of conduct forbade her from doing so. Instead, she beamed as her closest friend came hurrying to her side.

" Absolutely wonderful." Jemima assured her as she saw the unspoken question on Victoria's face. Most of the other cats believed Victoria to be self-involved and conceited, but Jemima knew that it was all just a rather convincing facade. She was really quite insecure.

Victoria looked at her uncertainly. " Really? Are you sure?"

Jemima lowered her voice to a whisper as Tantomile and Copricat began their duet. " Positive." She couldn't stop the grin that spread across her face. "And I wasn't the only one who thought so. Mistoffelees couldn't keep his eyes off you."

Victoria blushed, but she was pleased. " Oh." was all she could think of to say.

A short while later, Tantomile and Copricat's song came to an end, and then almost all of the Jellicles gathered together in the center of the junkyard. Rum Tum Tugger wasn't there; he wasn't scheduled to appear until his introductory song, but Jemima knew that he was in the shadows somewhere, watching. As the music began, she danced energetically and with all of the passion that she could muster.

As it turned out, Tugger wasn't not the only one watching her. A foreign tom, who was concealed in the shadows, looked on in silence as the young queen performed. There was no doubt to him that she stood out from the rest. There was something unique about her, something special.

The music began to change again, and Jemima pulled back toward the edge of the junkyard to watch. It was time for the couples' dance. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were wandering toward the center, and Jennyanydots and Skimbleshanks followed after them. They were soon joined by Munkustrap, who was accompanied by Bombalurina since Demeter was carrying their first litter and hadn't felt up to performing. Jemima knew that Mistoffelees had been planning on asking Victoria, but he seemed to have lost his nerve, and so both were sitting on the sidelines.

Jemima was about to join them when she felt a paw on her arm. Startled, she turned to see Pouncevil standing there, a determined glint in his eyes. "Pouncevil, no--" she began.

Pouncevil wouldn't hear it. " You can't turn me down." he reminded her.

And she really couldn't. It would be considered extremely bad mannered, even with circumstances as they were. Reluctantly, she followed him to the center of the group and waited for the music to begin, an anxious knot forming in her stomach. Her discomfort increased as the dance progressed and she remembered what sort of moves would be expected. They were all so intimate, so sensual. She wouldn't have minded if it was Tugger or even a close friend, but with the tension between her and Pouncevil as it was...

Slowly, deliberately, Pouncevil began to run his paws up the side of her body. She looked away, feeling a shudder run through her as he caressed her legs and then her waist. He was rubbing up against her now, murmuring all the while, " You know this is right, Jemima. You can feel it, can't you?"

Suddenly, Pouncevil was pushed aside, and a familiar tom was standing in front of her. Jemima smiled at him, relieved. "Tugger," she murmured, and could say no more.

She glanced over at Pouncevil, who was fuming with rage at Tugger. He came forward as though to challenge him, but Etcetera quickly intervened. "Would you like to dance, Pouncevil?" she said quickly. Pouncevil grudgingly complied, and Jemima shot the other queen a grateful smile.

She returned her focus to Tugger. " That wasn't your cue." she reminded him with a small smile.

Tugger smiled tightly. " Yeah, well...I felt the sudden overwhelming need to dance."

Jemima looked at him gratefully. " I'm glad." she told him. And they moved in closer to each other as the dance progressed, oblivious to the watchful eyes upon them.



It was only a short while later that Jemima sat amongst Victoria, Electra, and Etcetera, eagerly anticipating Rum Tum Tugger's song. He had kept the entire thing a secret from her, promising only that it would be very, very different from the year before. She supposed that a change was to be expected; he was the Jellicle leader now, and not just the wild ladies' tom. Still, she would miss all those pelvic thrusts...

She smiled as the music began and Tugger came into the midst of the junkyard. His song was more refined and dignified this time around, but she was glad to see that he still preserved some of the old Rum Tum Tugger. She had loved him then for who he was, and she loved him now for what he was becoming, but she didn't want him to lose himself in the process.

This was an older, more mature Tugger that she was watching now. Though he relayed his position and authority as the Jellicle leader in the song, he also had that same lovable arrogance and passion that had caused all of the kittens and most of the queens to swoon the year before. As it was, most were trying their hardest not to swoon this year, though it was difficult not to be taken in by the entire Tugger package. For the millionth time, Jemima was reminded of how wonderfully lucky she really was.

The song ended, and Tugger looked instinctively to her for approval. She beamed at him, nodding enthusiastically. Tugger grinned and made his way over to her as Bustopher Jones began his theme. He winked at a few of the queens along the way, but Jemima only smiled at this. He was crazy about her, and everyone knew it.

" How was it?" Tugger inquired, trying to appear nonchalant about the entire thing, though Jemima could tell that he was nervous.

She rubbed up against him. "Let's just say that I can't wait for the Jellicle Ball to be over."

Tugger grinned at her, pleased. " Really? It wasn't too stuffy?"

Jemima shook her head quickly. " Oh, no. It was very sexy."

Tugger's smile broadened, and he leaned in closer to her. " How sexy?" Jemima only smiled at him suggestively. Impulsively, Tugger took her by the paws and pulled her to her feet. " Come on."

Jemima looked at him in surprise, though she smiled. " Where are we going?"

Tugger leaned in close to her ear. " Who says that we have to wait until the Jellicle Ball is over?" he murmured.

Jemima shivered as delicious chills ran up and down her spine. " We couldn't." she insisted in return, though she didn't object as Tugger led her back through the darkened alleys.



A short while later, Jemima was lying in Tugger's arms, purring contentedly. Rum Tum Tugger was smiling broadly, lazily tracing his paw over her arm. " I love you." he said after a moment of blissful silence. " Have I ever told you that?"

Jemima thought about playing coy, but she was far too happy to do so. "Um-hmm." she murmured. " And every time you do, I have to remind myself that I'm not dreaming."

Tugger grinned and looked down at her. " You're amazing, do you know that?" Jemima smiled and nodded. He laughed, and they were silent for a moment. Then Tugger inquired, " Will you do something for me?"

" Anything." Jemima returned.

Tugger was silent for a moment. " Will you sing for me? The song that you sang with Grizabella last year?"

Jemima blushed and wondered at this. " You want me to sing? Just for you?" Tugger nodded. " I can't."

" Why not?"

Jemima wasn't quite sure. " Because...you might laugh at me."

Tugger crossed his hand over his heart. " I promise I won't. Just sing a little of it, please." Seeing the question in her eyes, he told her, " That was the first time that I knew I loved you--when I heard you singing that night. I was too stubborn to admit it at the time, but I knew."

Jemima swallowed, and looked away. " All right." She sat up and turned so that her back was toward him, afraid to see his face.

" Moonlight," she began a bit shakily, but her voice strengthened as she continued,

" Turn your face to the moonlight.

Let your memory lead you,

Open up, enter in.

If you find there the meaning of what happiness is

Then a new life will begin.

" Daylight, see the dew on a sunflower

And a rose that is fading,

Roses wither away.

Like the sunflower, I yearn to turn my face to the dawn,

I am waiting for the day.

" Sunlight through the trees in summer,

Endless masquerading.

Like a flower as the dawn is breaking

The memory is fading!

" Moonlight, turn your face to the moonlight.

Let your memory lead you,

Open up, enter in.

If you find there the meaning of what happiness is,

Then a new life will begin."

She stopped, and waited for some sort of response. There was none. Finally, it was more than she could bear, and she turned. Tugger was watching her intently, his face so full of love that she thought she might burst at the sight of him.

" You're beautiful." he said simply, and that was enough. They kissed ardently, passionately, until Tugger pulled away and cursed under his breath, rising to his feet. "Oh, no."

Jemima looked at him in concern. " What? What is it?"

" I'm supposed to be back for Mistoffelees' song!" Tugger reminded her, helping her to her feet. Paw in paw, they began to race back toward the junkyard.

" I told you that this was a bad idea." Jemima reminded him, flushing. There was no way that they could return inconspicuously now, and everyone would know what they had been up to...

Tugger grinned at her devilishly. " You didn't seem to mind so much." he reminded her. Jemima's blush deepened, and they ran the rest of the way in silence.

Jemima could feel all eyes boring into them as they returned. Positively vermilion now, she sunk down beside Victoria as Tugger strolled to the center of the junkyard and began the song. Victoria raised an eyebrow at her, and Jemima hurriedly reminded her, "We're mates. It's all right."

To her annoyance, Tugger seemed completely unembarrassed by the entire thing. As a matter of fact, he seemed to be in a very good mood, indeed. Jemima overheard Jellylorum murmuring to Jennyanydots, " I don't recall him ever singing with so much enthusiasm before..."

"MAGICAL!" Tugger sang in response, winking roguishly at his queen.

Victoria smiled sympathetically at Jemima and then returned her focus to Mistoffelees. He was pulling out all of the stops, hoping to catch Victoria's interest. It was working. Jemima smiled for them, trying to turn her attention from her own embarrassment.

" Jemima..."

The voice came into her mind, almost as though someone had whispered it into her ear, though there was no one near enough to do so. Frowning, Jemima looked around for the source of the voice. She shivered as her eyes landed upon the shadow of a cat disappearing around a corner.

Intrigued, she rose to her feet and began to walk toward it, almost as though someone was pulling her, forcing her to move. She glanced back and saw Tugger in the lighted junkyard, singing with vigor and enthusiasm. She faltered.

" Jemima..." came the voice again. Wrenching her gaze away from her mate, she turned and followed the strange cat into the shadows.

Scarcely had she stepped into the darkened alley when she felt two paws pressing against her throat, forcing down upon it painfully. Her eyes widened, and she saw a scarred, disfigured cat glaring at her with sallow, gray eyes.

" Sorry about this, luv," the tom said, " but you're in his service now."

And then everything went black.



When Rum Tum Tugger had finished the song, he fell back into the sidelines and allowed Mistoffelees to have his glory. Victoria was watching the magical cat, her eyes shining with open admiration. Tugger smiled to himself. I guess my work here is done, he thought to himself.

He turned and saw Pouncevil standing a few feet away from him, watching him with intent dislike. Tugger couldn't help but scoff at the younger tom. "Have a problem, Pouncevil?" he inquired tersely.

Pouncevil shifted but held his ground. " Actually, I do. You're pathetic, Tugger." He pronounced the name with extreme distaste.

" I'm the pathetic one?" Tugger returned incredulously. " You spend all of your time mooning over a queen who never loved you, and you have the audacity to call me pathetic?"

" That's a lie!" Pouncevil snapped heatedly. " That's a lie, and you know it. She did love me, and she still does."

Tugger had reached the end of his patience. He had tried being nice. He had even reached out to the other tom. But this was too much. " Yes, of course. That's why she left you for me and pledged herself as my mate-- because she loves you. I see it so clearly now."

Pouncevil clenched his paws. " It's lust, not love. You and I both know that. She's caught up in the entire Rum Tum Tugger package. But eventually, she'll get bored with it, just like everyone else does."

Tugger had to restrain himself. " It's getting a little tired, Pouncevil." he said quietly. " You're jealous. I get it. But I suggest that you get over it and move on."

Munkustrap stepped in between them, his eyes solemn as he regarded the younger tom and his brother. " All right. Why don't we just let it go?"

They were drawing an audience now, but Pouncevil didn't mind. "Jealous?" he scoffed. " Why would I be jealous of you? Because of that little spectacle you made of yourself by sneaking off with Jemima during the ball? Why should I care? It's nowhere I haven't been before."

With an angry growl Tugger lunged at him, but Munkustrap caught him before he could reach the other tom. Tugger was literally trembling with rage. "You take that back." he demanded. " You filthy, low-down liar-- take it back!"

Bombalurina was at his side now. " Calm down, Tugger. They're just words." She looked at Pouncevil pointedly. " We all know that."

"You need to move past this." Munkustrap agreed. " Both of you."

Tugger shook them off. " I'm fine." he insisted. " I'm not the one who's clinging onto some foolish dream. Jemima and I are mates, Pouncevil, and if you can't accept that then I suggest you leave."

Before Pouncevil could answer, Victoria raced up to them, her face taut with worry. " Tugger," she said breathlessly, " have you seen Jemima? I can't find her anywhere?"

Tugger felt his heart tighten in his chest. " No, not since before Mistoffelees' song."

If it was possible, Victoria paled even more so than usual. " I think," she said slowly, " that we have a problem."



Jemima awoke to find her arms and legs bound and fettered, attached to the wall behind her. Groggily, she looked around and realized that she was not alone. The room was literally lined with kittens and queens who were similarly captive.

" Good." came a deep voice from nearby. " You're awake." She looked up to see the same frightening tom standing over her, his ghoulish eyes watching her warily. " My name is Kolack, and for now, you just listen to me."

Shivering from the coldness of the room and from her growing fear, she drew away from him. "Wh-where am I?"

His arm connected with her jaw, cracking loudly. She stared at him in stunned silence as her mouth flooded with warm blood. " Understand this," he hissed. " You will not speak unless spoken to. Ever. Or I will kill you."

There was a mad glint in his eyes that convinced Jemima that he meant what he said. She looked away from him and nodded.

" Good." Kolack said with a grimacing smile that made his disfigured face even more horrible to look upon. "The king will be here soon enough."

As if on cue, the doors at the end of the corridor opened. A procession of guards walked in, followed by a horde of incredibly beautiful queens, and then Jemima's eyes fell upon a tall, powerfully built tom. His face was a mask of serenity, and he exuded grace and power with every movement.

He moved along slowly, examining each of the captive queens carefully, speaking a few softly uttered words to some. He was an intimidating figure, but there was something gentle about him, and almost soothing.

Finally, the king had reached them. He nodded in acknowledgement to the other tom. " Kolack."

Kolack bowed down to the cat. " King Mattachi." He placed a paw on Jemima's shoulder; she stiffened at the touch. " I found the fairest one, just like you asked."

The king merely looked at her for a long, drawn out moment. " She...is exquisite." he said finally.

Kolack grinned, pleased. " I'm glad you think so, sire."

King Mattachi found Jemima's gaze and held it. " What is your name?"

Jemima glanced over at Kolack, then shakily replied, " Jemima."

King Mattachi smiled. " Jemima." He was silent for a moment longer, then turned to the rest of his procession. " I have made a decision. She will be my new concubine. Take her to my quarters."

Jemima started to protest, but before she could, the king had raised a hand again. The entire room fell silent. " Wait a moment." he instructed his guards. He stepped forward and carefully examined the side of Jemima's face. " What is this?" He met Kolack's gaze coldly. " A bruise?"

Kolack shifted uncomfortably. " I'm sorry about that, sire, but she was being disrespectful. I had to put her in her place."

The king was silent for a moment. " I see." He motioned to his guards. " Escort this man to the dungeons for abusing a member of my court."

Kolack's eyes widened. " What? No, your highness, I beg you! I can't go there again! Please..."

And then he was gone from the room. King Mattachi turned his gaze to Jemima once more and smiled, though the expression chilled her more than it comforted her. " I'm sorry about that disturbance, my dear. It won't happen again."

And Jemima tried to feel flattered by this, but she couldn't help but hear Kolack's screams still ringing in her mind.



The Jellicles gathered together, having forgotten completely about the ball. They were all amazed at the amount of restraint that Rum Tum Tugger was showing. In all truthfulness, he felt as though he was liable to fall apart at any moment, but he knew that he would have to stay strong for his tribe, and most especially for Jemima.

They had all pooled together whatever information they knew. Victoria told of the last words she had spoken to Jemima before realizing that she was gone, and Jennyanydots said that she might have noticed Jemima wandering off, though she had thought that it was all part of the ball at the time.

Suddenly, Tantomile and Copricat rose from the back of the crowd. " We sense a voice." Tantomile informed them.

Copricat nodded. " Someone was calling to her. A stranger."

Tugger looked at them intently. " Who was it? Can you see where they were taking her?"

Tantomile shook her head, almost apologetically. " There's only a voice."

" Well, that's something." Bombalurina said. " At least now we know that she was lured off. Someone must have been planning this against her."

" We should organize a search party." Munkustrap began. " I'll take Mistoffelees and Alonzo--"

Tugger shook his head. " No."

Munkustrap looked at him in surprise. " No?"

Tugger sighed, obviously greatly pained at what he had to say. " We can't all go. The Jellicle Ball must go on. Only a few cats can be spared to search for her." He swallowed heavily and clapped his paw on his brother's shoulder. "Munkustrap, you have to stay and oversee the ball. I know it's unorthodox, but you'll have to choose the cat who will go on to the Heaviside Layer."

Munkustrap looked taken aback. " But...how will I know?"

Tugger smiled at him tightly. " You'll know." He turned to face the others. "I need a small group, those who don't mind forgoing the celebration."

Victoria stepped up to his side. " I'll go."

Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer weren't far behind. They had sort of adopted Tugger and Jemima as their couple, and they were fiercely loyal to the duo. " We're in." Mungojerrie asserted with a grin.

Bombalurina met Tugger's gaze and nodded. " You know that I'm with you."

Mistoffelees clapped his best friend on the shoulder. " And what would a trip be without the magical Mr. Mistoffelees?" he joked lightly.

The other cats nodded in approval and reluctantly returned to the junkyard to continue the festivities, softly murmuring their support as they left. Tugger found Pouncevil in the crowd and looked at him questioningly. Pouncevil scoffed at him and took off in the other direction.

" He's going to try and find Jemima on his own."Bombalurina noted, her voice bitter. "So that she'll be so grateful that she'll fall madly in love with him."

" Good." Tugger said. Seeing the confusion on Bombalurina's face, he informed her, " I don't care who finds her. As long as she gets found."

Victoria placed a comforting paw on his arm. " She'll be all right, Tugger. I just know it."

Tugger nodded in return, hoping with all of his might that she was right.



Jemima watched warily as the other concubines of the king circled her, all eying her with a bit of hostility on their eyes. They were all extremely beautiful, some of the most beautiful queens she had ever seen, and she felt horribly deficient in comparison.

" You have a lovely coat, dear." one said finally, running her hand over Jemima's fur. " What do you eat to keep it so shiny?"

Jemima frowned at this. " Nothing in particular. Whatever I decide to have for the day."

This caused a murmur to spread throughout the horde of cats. Some looked upon her with open disdain, while others narrowed their eyes dubiously. You expect us to believe that you're a natural, then?Ó another queen inquired.

Jemima swallowed nervously. " Natural?"

" A natural beauty." the same queen explained. " One who doesn't have to work at being beautiful."

Jemima was taken aback by this. " Yes. Well, no. I mean, I'm not--"

" She looks rather young to be a concubine to me." another cat spoke up. She was one of the older queens, who was visibly graying around the border of her coat. "And quite unremarkable."

" She's a good deal prettier than you." a tall, thin tom spoke up briskly, emerging suddenly from the shadows of the room and pushing through the crowd toward Jemima. " And from what Kolack's told me, she has the voice of an angel, which is more than I can say for you."

The older cat sneered at him. "Well, if it isn't the king's second, Ocelay. I'd rather be past my prime than a mindless pawn."

" Be gone with you." Ocelay hissed sharply, causing the queens to fall back a step. " The king has requested that I prepare his new concubine for him. The rest of you won't be needed for the night."

The other queens reluctantly left, not before throwing withering glares at Ocelay. He waited until they were gone and then approached Jemima. She shrunk away from him.

" Easy there." he said, holding up his paws in surrender. " I'm not going to hurt you. "

" Where am I?" Jemima inquired in a trembling voice. " Why am I here?"

" This is the court of Mattachi, king of the Drollians." Ocelay informed her. "Every year, he holds a festival where the fairest queens in the land are presented to him, one of which he chooses to be his concubine." He motioned to her. " This year, it was you. You should feel honored."

Jemima shook her head, feeling her anxiety grow. " I shouldn't be here. I'm a Jellicle, not a Drollian. My place is with my tribe--"

Ocelay looked away from her. " I'm sorry about that. I really am. But you belong to him now." Seeing the look of dejection upon Jemima's face, he quickly informed her, " Oh, it won't be so bad. You'll live a very charmed life."

Jemima looked at him imploringly. " Please, don't make me stay here. I want to go back to my tribe--"

" Can't help you there." Ocelay said, his tone softening a bit. " I'll have to be leaving now. But don't be nervous. If you need anything, just ask for me--I'm the king's second in command. And, if it's any consolation, I've heard he's a very gentle lover."

Jemima watched him with fear-filled eyes as he turned and exited the room. When the door had been shut, she frantically began to search for a way out, but all of the doors were locked, and the window was barred. Helplessly, she curled up into a ball in the center of the floor and waited.

There was a slight shuffling behind the door. Jemima straightened and watched in anxious silence as the door opened and the king came into the room. He was alone this time, yet still horribly intimidating.

Mattachi nodded to her in acknowledgement. " Hello again, Jemima." he murmured. There was something so dignified about him that Jemima found herself to be in awe of him, even as she was overcome with fear. " I hope you haven't waited too long."

Jemima shook her head, unable to speak. She wanted to scream and plead and run, but she feared what would happen to her if she did so. From what she had heard about the Drollians, they were a formidable and often blood-thirsty bunch. Even the great Rumpus Cat was wary of them.

The king moved toward her until he was standing above her. Slowly, deliberately, he removed the collar from around her neck and cast it on the ground. His paws began to stroke the side of her face, and he lowered his lips to meet her own.

She began to quake violently. " Please," she said quickly, " don't."

The king pulled back and looked at her in surprise. " What?"

Jemima was still trembling, but she somehow managed to find her voice. "I'm sorry. There's been a horrible mistake. I can't be your concubine. I have a mate, and I love him--" her voice choked with emotion, "--so very much. I know that you've been mislead, and I'm sorry, but I can't betray him."

Mattachi drew back and seemed to be brooding over this. " I see. This is most unfortunate." He was silent for a moment, then reached down placed a comforting paw on her arm. " Please, don't be frightened. I had no idea that you were betrothed to another. Of course you won't be forced to mate with me. But I hope that you will stay as my guest until we can contact your tribe and let them know what has happened."

Jemima nodded, overcome with relief. " Thank you. Thank you so much. I won't forget your kindness." Impulsively, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

Mattachi smiled at her kindly. " The pleasure is mine, my dear."



They had traveled about five city blocks when Mistoffelees suddenly stopped. " Of course." he breathed, shaking his head. " Of course! How could I have been so stupid?"

Tugger frowned at him. " What? What is it?"

Mistoffelees was searching the alley-way frantically, an excited gleam in his eye. " I don't know why I didn't think of this before." He grabbed an old, tattered blanket from out of the dumpster and began to shake it off. " This will have to do."

Victoria nodded in understanding. " Oh," she murmured, " of course."

Rumpleteazer turned to her mate, a look of confusion upon her face. "What's he gonna do, Jerrie?"

Mungojerrie shrugged, looking equally puzzled. " Don't know, luv." he returned, scratching his head in bewilderment.

Tugger took a step toward his friend, understanding. " He's going to use his magic. Like he did to find Old Deuteronomy last year when Macavity kidnapped him."

" Clever boy." Bombalurina murmured, nodding in approval.

" Let me help." Victoria spoke up quickly, picking up a corner of the blanket to crawl underneath.

Mistoffelees caught her arm, his face concerned. " It could be dangerous." he cautioned her. " I don't want anything to happen to you."

Victoria smiled at him. " I know." she said softly. She squeezed his paw briefly, then moved underneath the covering.

Mistoffelees waited for a moment, then took in a deep breath and blew some glittering dust off of his paws. Tugger watched on in surprise. He had always thought that it had just been an effect for the show. The magical cat took the blanket in his hands and hesitated. Then, with a grand gesture, he pulled the covering back.

There was a loud crack and a flash of light, and then Mistoffelees went flying across the alley. He slammed into the wall, letting out a groan of pain.

Frantically, Victoria raced toward him. " Mistoffelees!" she cried, her voice panicked. The rest of the group wasn't far behind.

" Mungojerrie," Tugger instructed quickly, " take his other arm." He positioned himself underneath Mistoffelees' left shoulder and began to lift him. "We have to get him back to the junkyard."

Victoria's white face was streaked with tears. " Is he going to be all right?" she inquired.

Mistoffelees' eyes cracked open. " Wait." he mumbled. " I saw her. Jemima." Tugger stopped, listening intently. " She's in some sort of court...There's very strong magic guarding her."

Bombalurina frowned. " A court, did you say?" She shook her head. " I don't suppose you mean King Mattachi, do you?"

Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie exchanged a worried glance. They had heard rumors of the Drollian king and of his horrible reign.

Tugger frowned grimly. " Of course. The Drollian festival. I forgot that it was tonight, too."

" I thought we made a deal with him." Mungojerrie said, furrowing his brow. " That he'd leave our queens alone."

" Well, apparently, he's broken his end of it." Tugger returned. " Come on. We'll take Mistoffelees back to the junkyard and then--"

Mistoffelees shook his head weakly. " No. There's not enough time." He swallowed heavily. "Jemima's in a lot of trouble."

Tugger hesitated. He didn't want to leave Mistoffelees behind, but if Jemima was really in danger...

Victoria placed a paw on his arm. " I'll take him back to the junkyard." she said, her voice soft and determined. " You have to find Jemima before something horrible happens."

Tugger frowned. " Are you sure?"

" Positive." Victoria said, taking his place under Mistoffelees' shoulder. "Now go."

Tugger nodded in gratitude. " You heard the lady." he said tightly to the remaining group. " Let's go."



Jemima was awaken the next morning as the door to her chamber was opened. Mattachi entered the room, followed closely by his procession. Jemima offered him a kind but guarded smile.

" Good morning." the king acknowledged her. " How did you sleep?"

Jemima glanced around the lavish room, remembering how plush and comfortable her bed had been. " Wonderfully." she admitted. It had been strange sleeping without Tugger beside her, but there wasn't much King Mattachi could do about that. And besides--if all went well, she would be reunited with Tugger before the day was over.

King Mattachi nodded in approval. " Good." He met her gaze. " I...don't suppose that you've reconsidered staying here with me?"

Jemima gave an apologetic smile and shook her head. " No. My place is with my tribe."

King Mattachi was silent for a moment, and then he looked to his guards. "Bring him in." He returned his gaze to Jemima. " We found your mate this morning. He was searching quite persistently for you."

Jemima sat up eagerly, relieved to finally be seeing Tugger again. They had only been apart for one night, but she ached to see him again.

But it was not Rum Tum Tugger that the guards brought in. It was Pouncevil--and he was dead. His throat had been slashed, and his coat was stained with blood. As they dropped him on the ground before Jemima, his head lolled over so that his lifeless eyes were staring up at her.

For a moment, Jemima could only stare at him, and then she screamed. And screamed. And screamed.

King Mattachi watched her calmly. " I hope you'll reconsider my offer now," he said as her cries persisted, " since you no longer have a mate to remain faithful to."

He turned and left the room as Jemima fell to her knees beside Pouncevil's lifeless form. "Pouncevil," she sobbed, her voice filled with anguish. "No...please, no..."



It wasn't much later that the small group of cats found King Mattachi's court. It was an old, abandoned warehouse with a crude appearance that rather expertly concealed the sheer luxury that existed within.

Rum Tum Tugger and his group watched the warehouse from a distance, careful not to be spotted by any of Mattachi's guards. They weren't certain how to proceed, for there was no predicting how the king would greet them. The Drollians and the Jellicles were on good terms, but Tugger knew how temperamental King Mattachi could be.

" I say that we sneak in there, grab Jemima, and sneak out again." Mungojerrie spoke up after a moment of silence. " Enough of this waiting around."

" You'll be dead before you cross the threshold." Tugger informed him. " I've been in Mattachi's court before. It's more carefully guarded than Buckingham Palace."

Mungojerrie puffed out his chest proudly. " I've been inside there before. Piece of cake."

Tugger looked at him thoughtfully. "We."

Bombalurina shifted uncomfortably. " Maybe we're making too big a deal of this. Maybe Mattachi will just let us take Jemima back. Stranger things have happened."

" Um, fellas?" Rumpleteazer spoke up from a short ways off. The other cats turned to see the queen holding a familiar band in her hand. " Pouncevil's collar. And it looks like it was broken."

A silence settled over them as they realized what this implied. Tugger shook his head. " I shouldn't have let him go alone. I should have made him stay with the rest of us."

Bombalurina placed a comforting paw on his arm. " He wouldn't have listened to you anyway, Tugger. You know that." Tugger didn't say anything. " Besides, for all we know, Pouncevil is fine."

" Maybe." Tugger returned, but he knew otherwise.

Rumpleteazer looked up at him, her eyes unusually solemn. " What are we going to do?"

Tugger was silent, feeling fully the helplessness of the situation. " I think," he said finally, " that I have a plan." The others looked at him in anticipation. "But it's going to be a little risky..."



" Is she all right?"

One of the concubines leaned down and nudged Jemima with her head. The young queen continued to stare ahead blankly, her once vibrant eyes listless and empty. The concubine tried once more, then shrugged. " I think we broke her."

" Serves her right." another concubine sneered. " The simpering fool, telling King Mattachi that she had a mate. I wonder that he didn't kill her on the spot for such insolence."

" Quiet, Satine." another of the queens snapped. The other concubines fell silent for a moment, and then they branched off into small huddles and began to whisper. The queen who had spoken ignored the others and moved toward Jemima. She smiled kindly at her and inquired, " Are you all right?"

If Jemima heard, she didn't choose the answer. The queen moved closer to her and placed a paw on her arm. " My name is Honeyshine. What's yours, sweetheart?"

Something flickered in Jemima's eyes, and she slowly looked to the other queen. She felt so horribly dazed inside, as though she was trapped inside of a dream and couldn't wake up. " Jemima." she murmured after a moment.

" Nice to meet you, Jemima." Honeyshine said warmly. She hesitated, then kindly added, " I'm so sorry about what happened to your mate."

" He isn't my mate." Jemima said flatly, her voice emotionless.

Honeyshine squeezed her arm. " It's probably best if you think that way. King Mattachi isn't cruel, not really, but he's awfully jealous. And he'll be very gentle with you, now that you're his."

But Jemima wasn't his, and she never would be. No matter what happened to her, she would always be Tugger's. He was in her blood, her heart, her soul, and she would die before she forsook him.



Rum Tum Tugger was aware of all eyes upon him as he strolled into Mattachi's court. He forced back his anxiety and walked with his head held high, a familiar yet almost forgotten swagger in his step. Bombalurina and Rumpleteazer were flanking him on both sides, smiling coyly at all of the male attendants who happened to catch their gazes.

The king was seated upon a rather supercilious throne, and he smiled as the other tom approached him. " Rum Tum Tugger," he said. " It's been ages."

Tugger bowed slightly to the king and then smirked as he put his arms around the two queens. They stroked his sides rather familiarly. " What can I say? I've been busy."

" So I've heard." Mattachi returned. " Congratulations on becoming the new Jellicle leader. I'm sure Old Deuteronomy would be proud."

Tugger felt the familiar lump in the throat at the mention of his father, but he swallowed it back. "Thanks. I think so."

Ocelay, who was standing directly next to the king, raised an eyebrow at Tugger, but he remained silent.

A door at the side of the room opened, and an onslaught of concubines poured into the room. Tugger cast his gaze upon them, searching for the face that had become so treasured in his heart. His eyes finally found Jemima, and he was alternately torn by joy and rage at seeing her. She didn't seem to be harmed, but the fact that she was among Mattachi's concubines stung him. If Mattachi had touched her...

Bombalurina sensed his distress and nuzzled her head against his shoulder, smiling playfully though her eyes bore a heavier message. Don't give it away yet, she seemed to be saying, and Tugger somehow managed to keep his face impassive.

Jemima's eyes were wide as she spotted her mate, and it seemed to be taking all of her strength for her to keep quiet and not to break free from the rest of the group. Tugger thought he saw the faintest glimmer of tears in her eyes, and he fought to keep his own eyes from moistening.

He wrenched his gaze from her and forced a smile at the other concubines, who were watching him with obvious excitement. " Tugger," they murmured amongst themselves, and his mind wandered to a time when his visit had been for a far different purpose. He hardly felt like the same tom anymore. Before, he would have reveled under the attention of the queens, but now all he could think about was getting Jemima out of there.

" What brings you here today?" Mattachi asked him after some of the commotion had died down a bit.

Tugger shrugged nonchalantly. " Getting a bit tired with the same old routine, I guess. I wanted to get away for a while. Hope you don't mind."

" To the contrary." Mattachi assured him. " You'll be the guest of honor."

Ocelay's eyes flickered to Rumpleteazer, and he smiled. " You and your friends, of course."

Rumpleteazer pressed up a bit closer to Tugger, but she forced a smile at the king's second. Tugger felt his heart reach out to her. She wasn't as accustomed to this little game as he and Bombalurina were, and he knew that she was nervous with Mungojerrie searching for a way to break into the palace.

" Thank you, your highness." Tugger said, bowing ever so slightly again. " I'm honored."

Mattachi motioned one of his attendants forward. " Show the Rum Tum Tugger to his room, please."

The attendant immediately stepped forward and began to lead Tugger from the room. Bombalurina broke away from him. " I'd rather stay in the court with the other girls, if you don't mind." she purred, and smiled enticingly at the king.

Tugger shrugged, feigning nonchalance. " Sure. Whatever."

He and Rumpleteazer started to leave. " Wait." Ocelay called after them. They froze and nervously turned around. The king's second met Rumpleteazer's gaze. " It would be my pleasure if you would stay here in the court."

Rumpleteazer looked to Tugger, her eyes wide with fright. Taking in a deep breath, she turned her gaze back to Ocelay and forced a smile. "A- all right."

Tugger hesitated, reluctant to leave her behind. Bombalurina met his gaze and nodded at him assuringly, an unspoken promise in her eyes. Tugger nodded back subtly and then followed after the attendant.

The tom showed him into a lavish room and left him to clean up a bit before dinner was served. Tugger paced the room nervously until finally, there came a tap at the window. Tugger hurried over and forced it open as Mungojerrie dropped into the room, panting heavily.

" You weren't kidding when you said this place was guarded." Mungojerrie muttered, taking a moment to catch his breath. His gaze swept across the room, and he frowned. " Where's 'Teazer?"

" King Mattachi's second wanted her to stay behind." Tugger said grimly.

Mungojerrie's eyes widened. " And you let her?"

Tugger shrugged helplessly. " I had no choice. And besides, Bombi's there to watch after her."

Mungojerrie nodded, but he didn't look too happy. " All right. What's the plan?"

" I need you to find out where King Mattachi keeps his concubines." Tugger informed him. " Then come straight back here, and lay low. No funny business, Jerrie."

Mungojerrie gave an impish grin. " Would I do such a thing, Tugger?"

" Yes." Tugger returned sorely. " So don't. We can't screw this up, or all of us are going to be in a lot of trouble. Including Rumpleteazer."

Mungojerrie's face sobered. " All right. No funny business-- I swear."

Tugger clapped him on the shoulder. " Good." Mungojerrie grinned at him and then turned to leave. " Oh, and Jerrie? Be careful."


Rumpleteazer looked about nervously, uncomfortable under the contemptuous gazes of the other queens. They were watching her and Bombalurina as though they were common harlots, and it was rather discomfiting, to say the least.

She wondered briefly how Jemima was faring and thought about trying to seek her out, but immediately thought better of it. She didn't want to give it away to anyone that she knew Jemima, and acting had never been her strong suit. She could sneak her way into any building and smuggle and steal with the best of them, but her face always relayed exactly what she was thinking.

Out of the corner of her eye, Rumpleteazer saw Bombalurina pass briefly by Jemima and murmur something to her. She felt a bit of her anxiety slip away. Bombalurina was much better at this part of the game. Rumpleteazer wished that she could have stayed with Mungojerrie instead of playing such a conspicuous role. Particularly since the king's second seemed to have taken an interest in her. Fortunately, the king had taken him out of the opportunity to bother her yet.

Feeling the sudden strong desire to leave before he came back, Rumpleteazer glanced around and then slid out of the room. She moved quickly down the hallways, wondering where they had put Tugger. She paused at the door of what appeared to be a bedroom and peeked inside. There was no one inside. Rumpleteazer was about to leave when her eye caught on a lovely array of medals hanging on display. Her eyes widening, she entered the room and shut the door behind her.

It won't hurt to peek, she reasoned, and moved swiftly toward the medals. Fondly, she took them into her hand, admiring the way that they sparkled in the light.

So absorbed was she in the medallions that she didn't hear the cat approaching the room until it was too late. As the door opened, she stiffened and turned around, forcing smile as she saw--

Ocelay.

His eyes widened in surprise at the sight of her, and then his face relaxed into a smile. " Oh. Here you are. I was wondering where you ran off to."

Rumpleteazer gave a slight shrug. " Well...here I am." She wanted very much to turn and dash from the room, but she knew how it would look if she did, so somehow she forced her feet to stay in place.

Ocelay moved further into the room and shut the door behind him. " So, tell me about yourself. What's your name?"

" Rumpleteazer." she said quickly, embarrassed by the intensity in his eyes. Where was Mungojerrie when she needed him?

" Rumpleteazer." Ocelay repeated, and seemed to take great relish in the name. "And what tribe did you say you were from again, Rumpleteazer?"

Rumpleteazer shifted uncomfortably. " Oh, IÕm a Jellicle."

Something flashed in Ocelay's eyes, but he changed the subject. " How is Rum Tum Tugger doing as a leader, anyway?"

She relaxed a bit at this new topic. " Oh, he's wonderful. Do you know him?"

" Only by reputation, really." Ocelay returned. " He's quite infamously known amongst the concubines. He's somewhat of a ladies' tom, from what I've heard." He looked at her searchingly. " I suppose some things never change."

If only you knew, Rumpleteazer thought. Instead, she gave a slight smile. "Oh, well...that's life, I guess."

" Are you and Tugger very serious?" Ocelay inquired, tentatively reaching out to take her paw.

Rumpleteazer almost laughed at the thought. " Oh, no. We're just...close friends." She immediately cursed herself at the reply, realizing that he might have left her alone if she'd answered to the affirmative.

Ocelay smiled at this and moved in closer. " I see."

Rumpleteazer backed away from him. " Well, I should probably go find him. Do you know where he's staying?"

" Two doors down." Ocelay informed her. " But your room is right next to mine."

She swallowed. " Oh, great. Well, I'll see you around."

Hurriedly, she turned and left the room, missing in her haste the grim look that had come into Ocelay's eyes.


Rum Tum Tugger paced the room impatiently, his eyes flickering ever so often to the window as he waited for Mungojerrie to reappear. Finally, he spotted the tiger-striped cat and hurried over to let him in.

" What did you find?" he inquired after allowing the other tom a moment to rest.

" The concubines' room is three floors up." Mungojerrie informed him. " Barred windows, guarded door. It's gonna be tough getting Jemima out of there unnoticed."

Tugger tried not to let this information discourage him. " We'll find a way." he said, sounding far more confident than he felt.

The door opened and Mungojerrie immediately flattened himself on the ground. Tugger breathed a sigh of relief as he recognized Bombalurina. " Well? Anything?"

" I spoke to Jemima, but just for a moment." Bombalurina returned. " She says she's all right, but she seems pretty shaken up about something."

Tugger felt a horrible sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. " Do you think that King Mattachi...?"

" No." Bombalurina assured him quickly. " I heard some of the queens talking about how she refused to mate with King Mattachi because she already had a mate. Apparently, he wasn't too happy about it."

" No doubt." Mungojerrie returned wryly.

" Still, that only bought her a little time." Bombalurina said, searching Tugger's face worriedly for a reaction. " I don't think King Mattachi will let her put him off much longer."

Tugger nodded grimly. " I think you're right." He reached out and touched Bombalurina's arm affectionately. " Thanks, Bombi."

Mungojerrie frowned as a sudden thought struck him. " Where's Rumpleteazer? I thought she was with you."

Bombalurina looked at him guiltily. " I was afraid you'd ask that. She sort of...disappeared."

Mungojerrie's eyes widened. " What?"

" I'm sorry," Bombalurina returned, " but you know how she is. One moment, I was looking right at her, and the next she was gone. She's sneaky, that one."

" Who's sneaky?"

They all turned to see Rumpleteazer, who had entered the room so silently that no one had even realized she was there. Mungojerrie immediately enveloped her into a tight embrace. " Oh, thank goodness you're all right. You shouldn't run off like that."

" I had to." Rumpleteazer returned, smiling at her mate's concern. " I didn't want to have a run-in with the king's second, so I left."

" Where'd you go, anyway?" Mungojerrie inquired.

Rumpleteazer looked away. " Um...nowhere in particular."

Mungojerrie hugged her tightly again. " Well, I'm glad you're all right. I was worried."

Tugger swallowed and looked away. " Well, we need to come up with a new plan of action. If we can't get into Jemima's room, then we'll have to find another opportunity--"

There was a sudden knock at the door. Mungojerrie dove behind the bed and the others all snapped to attention as the door swung open, revealing Ocelay. He smiled at them, and they tried to return the expression. " Dinner's about to be served." he said. " Shall we?"

Bombalurina smiled coquettishly at him. " Love to." she purred and slid past him into the hallway.

Ocelay's gaze turned to Rumpleteazer, who was hanging back a bit, and he gallantly offered her his arm. Rumpleteazer hesitated, then took it.

They headed down the hallway toward the grand dining room. Tugger allowed his eyes to wander, vainly searching for some idea of how to get them all out of this mess. He tried to hope for the best, but he couldn't help but fear that something horrible was on the horizon.

They were joined by the horde of concubines. Tugger found Jemima in the crowd, and their gazes met. She fell back away from the other queens and disappeared, unnoticed, into an unmarked door. Tugger turned to Ocelay. " I, um, left something in my room. I'll be right back."

He waited until the rest of the crowd had disappeared and then slipped into the room. Immediately, Jemima threw herself at him and was gripping him as though she would never let go. Tugger held her tightly, frantically kissing her head and her nose and her ears, as though he feared she would disappear in his arms.

" Are you all right?" he inquired hoarsely. " Have they hurt you?"

And though Jemima had resolved that she wouldn't let herself cry, she began to break down. "Tugger..." she began, but the emotion was too much, and they couldn't speak. " I told him that I wouldn't mate with him. I said that I had a mate, and I wouldn't."

She was quaking violently now, and Tugger tightened his grip, hoping to steady her. " And then they found Pouncevil, and they thought he was my mate...and they killed him, Tugger. They killed him, because of me."

Tugger rocked her in his arms, stunned at the news. " I'm sorry." he murmured finally. " I'm so sorry."

They were silent for a moment, both too overcome to speak. And then Tugger took her by the paw. " Come on. We have to get you out of here."

Jemima pulled away from him and shook her head. " We can't--not yet. It's too dangerous."

" I don't care." Tugger insisted. He met her gaze. " I won't let him hurt you, Jemima. I can't."

" So you'd rather have us all be killed, like Pouncevil?" Jemima returned. Tugger looked away. She took his face in her hands and looked at him earnestly. " I can't let you do that for me, Tugger. I can't see anyone else I care about die. Please."

Tugger hesitated, then nodded. " All right. We'll find another way." He held her again. " Are you sure you'll be all right?"

Jemima nodded, though she didn't seem too convinced. " I'll be fine." Reluctantly, she pulled away from him. " You should probably go back, before they start to suspect something."

Tugger swallowed, and nodded. He turned to go, then stopped and turned back again, kissing Jemima tenderly, passionately, with all of the love that he had inside of him.

Her heart aching, Jemima returned the kiss. Finally, her heart could bear it no longer. " I love you." she murmured. " Now go."

" I love you, too." Tugger returned, though he was barely able to speak, he was so overcome. With resolve that he hadn't known he possessed, he turned and left her behind.

Jemima waited for a moment and then stepped out into the hallway. She was about to enter the dining hall when Ocelay stepped in front of her, his face grim.

" I knew it." he said. " I knew that you'd told me you were a Jellicle."

Jemima stared at him in horror. She thought of lying but knew by the expression in his eyes that it would be no use. " Please," she begged him. " Please, don't tell the king. I beg of you."

Ocelay looked away. " I have to, Jemima. It's my duty."

Jemima grabbed his arm. " Ocelay, please. At least give them the chance to leave. King Mattachi will have them all killed if you don't--you know he will."

Ocelay hesitated. " Why should I?" he inquired finally. " Why should I betray my king to help you?"

Jemima searched his eyes for the trace of kindness she had seen there before. "You must know what it feels like to love, to care for someone so much that you would gladly sell your very soul for them." She could see that she had reached him. " I feel that for Tugger, and so much more. I would rather stay here the rest of my life and self myself as a whore to King Mattachi than see him be harmed."

Ocelay seemed to be contemplating this. " You would stay here, and willingly mate with King Mattachi if the rest of them get out safely?"

Jemima met his gaze numbly. " I would do anything."

There was a pause, and then Ocelay nodded. " All right. I'll tell the Rum

Jemima cast her gaze away and nodded quickly. " Thank you."

And with more strength than she'd ever known she possessed, she turned away from the tom and walked into the dining room with her head held high, even as her heart ached from it.


That night, Jemima sat at the window, her face pressed against the bars that blocked the window. Several of the concubines around her were dozing, while others were carrying on whispered conversations. Honeyshine had kindly attempted to speak to her, but Jemima wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. It was killing her that Rum Tum Tugger was so near to her, and she couldn't be with him. By the next morning, he would be gone, and she would never see him again.

As the tears began to trickle down her face, Jemima heard a familiar melody floating through the night.

" Moonlight,

Turn your face to the moonlight.

Let your memory lead you,

Open up, enter in.

If you find there the meaning of what happiness is

Then a new life will begin."

Jemima's eyes widened as she recognized Tugger's voice. A sad smile crept across her lips, and she gripped the bars more tightly as he continued the song. Her heart aching, she began to mouth the words along with him.

Suddenly, she was pulled roughly away from the window. Jemima turned to see one of the king's guards looming over her. " The king requests your presence."

Jemima's eyes widened, and her stomach tightened with fear. " No..." she breathed, but the guard would hear nothing of it. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward the door. The other concubines watched her, some with pity in their expressions, others with amusement. Honeyshine rose to her feet and met Jemima's gaze remorsefully.

She was dragged down the hallway and thrown into the king's chambers. Mattachi was already waiting inside for her, his gaze cool and impassive. He rose slowly to his feet and moved toward her.

Wildly, Jemima searched for any form of escape, but could find none. She shrank back from the king as he approached her.

" Come now." the king said, his tone soothing but firm. " I won't harm you as long as you behave. There's no reason for you to resist me anymore."

Jemima began to tremble, both from fear and rage. Images of Pouncevil's body began to flash before her eyes. " You sicken me," she spat at him. " You despicable, heartless monster--"

Mattachi hit her across the face, hard. Jemima stumbled backward, and the king advanced upon her. He grabbed her by the fur and threw her on the ground. She cried out in pain.

" I am the king." Mattachi returned calmly, though his eyes were flashing. "You have no right to speak to me in such a way. You're nothing but a whore--understand?"

He began to force himself down upon Jemima. She screamed and scratched the side of his face. Mattachi cursed and then punched her in the face, again and again until she was silent. Jemima felt her vision begin to blur.

The king pulled her to her feet and threw her down onto his bed. Clinging to consciousness, Jemima managed to scream, " Help me!" before Mattachi was upon her once more.


Rum Tum Tugger stopped mid-song as a familiar scream echoed through the warehouse. He looked over to Bombalurina, Mungojerrie, and Rumpleteazer and found that all of them had froze, as well. They all knew with a horrible certainty what was happening.

Wordlessly, Tugger rose to his feet and headed toward the door. Bombalurina raced after him, grabbing his arm. " Wait, Tugger," she implored him. " Use your head. You can't just go storming in there. You'll get us all killed."

Tugger broke free from her, his eyes wild. " What am I supposed to do? Just sit here and listen to this?" Frustrated, he slammed his paw against the wall.

Bombalurina looked up at him, her eyes filled with sympathy. " I'm sorry, Tugger. But this isn't the right time. You know that."

Tugger pressed his eyes shut. Mungojerrie stepped forward and placed a comforting paw on his shoulder. " Cor," the tiger-striped tom muttered under his breath, and then repeated, " Cor."

Another scream rang through the night. Tugger shot away from the wall, shaking his head. " I'm sorry. I can't...I can't just sit here and listen to this." He started toward the door.

" Wait!" Rumpleteazer called after him, rising to her feet. " I think I have an idea..."


There was a knock on the door. Mattachi looked up irritatedly but reluctantly moved away from Jemima. She whimpered and curled up into a ball. " Come in!"

The door opened, and Ocelay stepped in, followed closely by Rumpleteazer and Rum Tum Tugger. Tugger's eyes darted immediately to Jemima and hardened in anger. It took all of his restraint not to rush forward and kill the Drollian king.

" What is it?" Mattachi inquired, his voice calm despite the obvious chaos of the room. " I'm in the middle of something."

" Sire, there's a thief in the palace." Ocelay explained. " Rumpleteazer's pearls were stolen this afternoon."

Mattachi's eyes traveled to Rumpleteazer's neck, which looked rather naked without her trademark necklace. He sighed and nodded. " All right. Give me a moment, and I'll make an inquiry of the guards."

He left the room. Tugger immediately fell to his knees beside Jemima. She was cut up and bleeding rather profusely, and some spots on her flesh were already beginning to bruise. " Jemima..."

Her eyes fluttered open. " That wasn't your cue," she murmured, putting up a brave front for his benefit. It quickly faded, however, and she reached for him almost frantically. He drew her into the strength of his embrace.

Rumpleteazer looked away, not wanting to interfere on their reunion. She offered Ocelay a grateful smile. " Thank you. Tugger was going absolutely mad--"

Ocelay shook his head. " I didn't do it for him."

Rumpleteazer blushed at the implied statement. She was saved by having to reply as heavy footsteps could be heard coming down the hall. Ocelay hurried forward and pulled Tugger to his feet, prying him away from his mate.

Mattachi appeared, along with three or four guards. " We haven't had any detection of an intruder." the king informed them. " But we're going down to the dungeons now to see if one of the prisoners might have escaped undetected." He smiled at the trio. " Care to come along?"

Tugger swallowed back his dislike, knowing that the king's suspicions would be fueled if he refused. " Sure. Sounds like fun."

They followed Mattachi out of the room. Tugger paused briefly in the doorway, swallowing heavily as his eyes fell upon Jemima's broken form. One way or the other, he vowed to get her out of this wretched place.

It wasn't long before they had reached the dungeons. Tugger looked about in distaste, wondering what these pour souls had done to deserve such cruel punishment. There were twenty cats jammed together into tiny cells, and somehow he doubted that they were fed on a regular basis. He felt his dislike toward Mattachi intensifying.

As they passed by one of the cells, a paw shot out suddenly and grabbed Tugger's ankle. He looked down in surprise and tried to pull away.

" It's him, Mattachi," the prisoner breathed. He was a disfigured tom with a long, jagged scar running across his face. " He's your new concubine's mate."

The king turned his gaze slowly to Tugger. He felt a horrible sense of dread settling over him. " I don't know what he's talking about." he lied.

" Don't listen to him!" the tom screeched. " It's him! It's him! I know it is! I saw them together!"

There was a long moment of silence. And then Tugger exchanged a horrified glance with Rumpleteazer, and the guards were upon them.


Mungojerrie paced the room anxiously, shaking his head and muttering to himself. Something was wrong. Something was horribly wrong.

Bombalurina rolled her eyes and sat up from where she had been lounging on the bed. " Calm down, Jerrie." she murmured. " You're making me nervous."

" Calm down?" Mungojerrie returned. " How can I calm down? Something isn't right-- I can feel it in my gut." Bombalurina merely yawned and stretched out. Mungojerrie looked at her incredulously. "How can you be so calm?"

" Long years of practice." Bombalurina returned. " Inside, I'm as terrified as you are. But if I let on, then we'll both be going crazy."

Mungojerrie sighed and seated himself. " I'm sorry." he began. " I just--"

Bombalurina shot up off the bed. " Someone's coming." She met Mungojerrie's gaze. " And it sounds like whoever it is isn't alone."

" Come on." Mungojerrie urged her as he headed toward the window. Bombalurina frowned but followed after him. The tom pushed open the window and crawled out onto the ledge. He reached for Bombalurina's paw.

Bombalurina looked at him uneasily. " Have I mentioned that I have a horrible fear of heights?"

" I'll take care of you." Mungojerrie promised. " Besides--better dead out here than in there."

" That boosts my confidence." Bombalurina muttered, but she obediently crawled out onto the ledge after Mungojerrie.

Scarcely had she done so when the door burst open and a pack of the king's guards stormed into the room. " She's not here." they heard one of the guards say.

" Search the palace." another one spoke up. " She couldn't have gone far."

A few of the guards left. Bombalurina was about to go back inside, but Mungojerrie caught her arm. " Still inside," he mouthed to her, and she nodded in understanding.

" Do you think the king will have Rum Tum Tugger put to death?" one of the guards inquired.

" Definitely." another guard returned. " But think of all the dirty Jellicles we'll have coming around for revenge. If he's smart, he'll just make it look like there was an accident..."

Their voices drifted off as the guards disappeared. Bombalurina looked to Mungojerrie grimly. The tiger-striped tom raised an eyebrow. " Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Bombalurina's eyes flashed. " Let's go find us some dirty Jellicles."


They were chained up inside of King Mattachi's court. Rum Tum Tugger and Rumpleteazer stood close together, offering each other silent support. This didn't look good for either of them, and Tugger felt horrible about getting Rumpleteazer involved. He just hoped that Mungojerrie and Bombalurina had gotten away.

The doors were opened, and King Mattachi strolled in, followed by his normal procession. At the back of the group, the guards dragged in Jemima. She didn't seem much better from the last time Tugger had seen her, and she looked as though she could barely walk. The guards released her, and she collapsed to the ground. Tugger started forward, but he was immediately pushed back.

King Mattachi seated himself upon his thrown and glanced down upon Tugger. " I'm disappointed in you, Tugger. I thought you were above silly notions like love and monogomy." He shook his head. "I'm going to have to kill you now. You realize that."

Tugger raised his chin. " Do what you want, you coward. But I swear on all of my nine lives that I will come back and take my revenge."

" Brave words." Mattachi returned, unphased. " But you forget that the Jellicle Moon has passed. You may not come back at all."

Tugger knew. But he couldn't believe that if there was any justice in the universe at all that Mattachi would go unpunished.

" Now," Mattachi said, motioning to his guards. " Bring the queen and Rum Tum Tugger to me. And someone raise his mate; I want to make sure that she sees this."

Tugger glanced at Rumpleteazer. " Wait!" he called out. " Leave her out of this. She knew nothing of my plan; she's innocent."

" Somehow, I find that hard to believe." Mattachi drolled.

Ocelay stepped forward. " Your highness, I believe he's telling the truth. I don't think that the queen would have come along on this suicide mission if she knew what Rum Tum Tugger was hoping to accomplish." He met Rumpleteazer's gaze grimly, hating to lie but knowing that it might be the only way to save her.

The king mused over this. " Well...I suppose there's some logic in that." He smiled at the queen. "Besides...there are other purposes she can serve in the court."

Two guards came forward and dragged Rumpleteazer toward the king. Roughly, she was shoved to the floor at his feet. She raised her eyes to Ocelay, looking at him beseechingly. He hesitated, then looked away.

The guards then took Tugger and marched him to the center of the court. The concubines watched him mournfully, well remembering their favorite tom. Jemima was pulled to her feet and held up so that she could watch.

Sobs began to wrack her body. " No." she pleaded with what strength she had left. " Please, don't."

Tugger pressed his eyes shut, wishing that she wouldn't have to see, knowing that the sight would kill her slowly in days to come. Suddenly, with a burst of strength, he pulled away from his captors and rushed over to her. He took her into his arms and kissed her. " I love you," he gasped. " I will always love you."

The guards were upon him now, pulling him back. He held Jemima's gaze, offering a grim but determined smile. When he was turned back around again, he saw that Mattachi was smiling, but he didn't care.

A completely black tom advanced upon him, his dark eyes solemn. He bore a long blade in his paws, and he walked purposefully toward Rum Tum Tugger. Tugger closed his eyes as thunder began to boom outside.

Tugger's eyes shot open, and he frowned. That wasn't thunder. The other cats seemed similarly confused; even the black assassin had stopped his march and was looking about.

The great doors to the hall burst open, and Tugger saw the familiar horde of Jellicles swarming into the room. Munkustrap, Alonzo, Plato, Tumblebrutus, Skimbleshanks...they were all there, and their faces were twisted with righteous anger. Tugger had never seen such a wonderful sight.

Munkustrap stepped ahead of the others. " I suggest that you release our tribe members." he said coldly, his voice filled with authority.

Mattachi rose to his feet, his face unreadable. " Of course." he said after a moment, forcing a smile. " Of course." He motioned for the guards to release Tugger and Jemima. They looked at him in surprise, then reluctantly did so. Tugger hurried over to Jemima and gathered her into his arms.

Rumpleteazer started to rise to her feet, but Mattachi grabbed her arm and pulled her back toward him. " I hope that you don't mind if I keep just one for company." he murmured, raising his claw to her neck.

Mungojerrie broke away from the rest of the tribe. " Teazer!"

" Stay back." Mattachi warned. " I've killed before, and I'll have no problem doing it again." The Jellicles obediently held their place. " Now, I suggest that you all leave, and quickly. If you do so quietly, I'll let her leave. If not..."

Mungojerrie shook his head. " I won't leave her behind!" he cried out. " Not with the likes of you!"

A malicious smile flashed across Mattachi's face. " Then I'll just have to send you to the Heaviside Layer after I'm done with her."

He raised his paw to slash Rumpleteazer's throat. She screamed. Ocelay jumped suddenly from behind them and dug his paws into Mattachi's back. The king's eyes widened with surprise, and he slumped to the floor, dead.


Rum Tum Tugger bowed his head in respect to the new Drollian king. " Thank you once again for all of your help, Ocelay." he said, forcing back the emotion that threatened to choke his voice. " We will forever be in your debt."

Ocelay cast his gaze to Rumpleteazer, who was being held tightly by Mungojerrie. " It was my pleasure." he said softly.

Tugger looked over to Jellylorum, who was examining Jemima. Victoria was at his queen's side, holding her paw tightly. Mistoffelees was standing closely behind her, a comforting paw on her shoulder.

Nearby, Mungojerrie smiled at his mate and rose to his feet. " I better go check on Bombi. She was pretty shaken up when we had to scale down the side of the building."

Rumpleteazer smiled at him playfully. " You scaled a building with another queen?"

Mungojerrie grinned in return. " Sorry, luv. Couldn't be helped. But I didn't enjoy it half so much as when I'm with you."

Rumpleteazer squeezed his paw and let him go. There was a tap on her shoulder, and she turned to see Ocelay standing behind her. She offered him a shy smile. " Thank you so much for what you did, Ocelay. I can't even begin to repay you--"

He held up a paw, silencing her. " You don't need to repay me. Seeing you alive and well is reward enough." Rumpleteazer blushed and looked away. Ocelay smiled, his face filled with affection and sadness. " I only wish that it could have turned out differently in the end."

" You have no reason to be upset." Rumpleteazer reminded him kindly. "You're king of the Drollians, and you'll have a whole group of concubines to take care of you."

" Not anymore." Ocelay returned. " I'm letting them all go. I don't believe in keeping slaves." He met her gaze. " But even if I kept all of them, it wouldn't compare to having you."

Rumpleteazer smiled sadly at this and leaned forward to kiss Ocelay's cheek. " Goodbye." she said simply, and left.

Tugger finally found the courage to move over to Jellylorum. They stepped away from the others, not wanting them to overhear. " How is she?"

" She'll be fine." Jellylorum assured him. " I know it looks bad, but the wounds are mostly superficial. She'll be back to normal in a couple of weeks."

Tugger nodded, closing his eyes shut as a wave of emotion overcame him. "Thank you." he said finally.

Jellylorum nodded and squeezed his arm briefly before rejoining the rest of the Jellicles to spread the good news. Tugger took in a deep breath and then moved to his queen.

Victoria and Mistoffelees exchanged a glance. " We should go." the magical cat said finally, and gently escorted Victoria away.

Tugger smiled at them gratefully and then seated himself next to Jemima. Her eyes were closed, and for a moment Tugger thought she was sleeping, but then her paw found his and she smiled at him wanly. " Hey."

" Hey." Tugger returned, his voice heavy with emotion. He brought her paw to his lips. " How do you feel?"

" Tired." Jemima admitted. She sighed. " I feel like I've aged a thousand years. But I was lucky. Pouncevil wasn't so fortunate."

Tugger reached down and enveloped her into a tight embrace. Jemima sobbed against him. " I almost lost you, too. And it would have been all my fault, just like Pouncevil."

Tugger pulled back and met her gaze. " No, sweetheart. That wasn't your fault. Pouncevil made his choices, and so did Mattachi. All you did was what you had to do--never forget that."

Jemima nodded numbly. " I guess so." She took in a deep breath and sighed. "I just want to go home, back to the junkyard. I can't bear to be in this place any longer."

Tugger nodded in understanding. " All right. I'll go ask Munkustrap if the troops are ready to pull out." He turned to leave.

" Tugger?"

" Yeah?"

She smiled at him with trembling lips. " I love you."

" I love you, too, Jemima."

The End