Thanks for checking out my story. This chapter is kind of short, since its just the intro. I hope you like it. Please review!
(And I included the Jellicle Ball in here. It is kind of like the prologue to the prologue. Its reallh poorly written, and it can be skipped. It's not important.)
And I don't own Cats.
Jemima was used to being flirted with.
It was no secret that her mate would end up taking over her Father's position as Protector. That was how it worked. If the first born was a boy, he would end up being Protector, and then Leader. If the heir was a girl, her mate would take over. So therefore, all the Toms flirted with Jemima. She hated that rule more than anything. Most Toms viewed her as the pretty Queen that came with power. She was a prize to be won. And Jemima wished she was able to lead the tribe herself. She would often stand on top of the car, and ask the moon for guidance.
It was the night of her first Jellicle Ball. She stood off to the side, prepared to enter. Jemima smiled as her parents sang the first lines of the Ball. Finally, it was her turn to sing. She was grateful for the solo, but it didn't really display her voice well enough. "Can you find your way blind when you're lost in the street?" Before she knew it, she was swooning over the Rum Tum Tugger. And then, a strange old cat entered, and Jemima felt pity. She could not believe how poorly everyone treated Grizabella the Glamour Cat. The way the kitten looked at Pouncival after he scratched the old Queen made Pouncival cringe. While they danced, Alonzo tried to flirt with Jemima. She hated the stuck up Tom, but she flirted back so she didn't appear rude. Then, it was time for the mating dance. Jemima wasn't looking forward to taking part in it, but she knew it was mandatory. She sat off to the side. A paw touched her back, making her force a smile. Jemima turned around to face Pouncival. At least she would do the mating dance with her friend. After another entrance by Grizabella, Jemima listened to Old Deuteronomy sang the "Moments of Happiness." Most cats were confusedd, but Jemima understood it. When Tantomile grabbed her paw, Jemima realized Old Deuteronomy wanted her to sing. Jemima stood up, and the words flew outward, and her voice was divine. The rest of the Ball was a blurr of singing, and Jemima was very excited when Grizabella got chosen. It took courage to stand in front of everyone and sing.
When the Ball was over, the Cats each retreated to their dens. All except for Jemima, who sat on top of the car staring at the moon.
"Jemi!" A voice called. Jemima opened her eyes. Had she really fallen asleep?
"Jemi! Your parents are worried sick! Where have you been?" Jemima saw Victoria staring up at her.
"Sorry Vic, I fell asleep out here." Jemima ignored Victoria's raised eyebrow, and hopped down to join her best friend.
"There you are!" A black and white Tom leaped into view. "I was looking for you, Beautiful." Jemima was used to his relentless flirting. "Are you alright?" He put his paw on her cheek, and Victoria rolled her eyes.
"I was fine before you showed up," Jemima muttered. Why did he think she wanted his attention?
"What's that, dearest?" he asked. Jemima felt relieved that he hadn't hear what she said.
"Nothing," Jemima snapped.
"Are you angry with me.
Yes!
"No," Jemima lied. She wished he would leave her alone. It was very unfair. Yes, all the Toms wanted to mate with her, but they saw her as a trophy. In their eyes, she was a pretty Queen that came with an important role in the tribe. After all, when Old Deuteronomy died, Jemima's father, Munkustrap would become the new Leader, and Jemima's mate would be Protector. If only she wasn't the heir. That would make life so easy!
"Jemima and I were just about to have some girl time," Victoria said so that he would go away.
"Well, her father sent me to fetch her," Alonzo said confidently. He seemed to think that his task made him special. "Let's go." He linked arms with Jemima and led her away.
The black kitten turned around and mouthed, "Save me!" to Victoria. Alonzo didn't notice, and led her through the yard. Jemima wished she could escape him. They pair soon came to a halt. Plato stood in their way.
"Hey cutie," he said cooly to Jemima.
"Leave her alone!" Alonzo hissed.
"I could say the same to you," Plato smirked. "I'll catch you later," he said to Jemima as he stepped out of their way. The pair continued on, having similar encounters with Tumblebrutus, George and Tugger. The two finally got to Munkustrap's den.
The two entered to find Munkustrap and his mate, Demeter, waiting. "Sweeite, we have reallly exciting news!" Demeter beamed with excitement.
"As you know,"Munkustrap started another one of his long speeches, "you are heir to the leadership. Your mate will someday take on very important responsibilities. When I was a kit, my father had me mate with a very special Queen. She was a Queen that could handle the pressure our family felt. I am very grateful for that,
"Because of that, I've decided that you should be paired with someone who could fulfill his duties. My second in command, Alonzo seemed like the perfect choice. You two will make a great couple I am sure. After all, it's time for you to become an adult." Alonzo beamed. Jemima's jaw dropped. Her freedom was being ripped away!
"Father!" Her voice was loud and panicked.
"Yes dear?" Munkustrap asked.
"Father…" Her voice trailed off.
"Alonzo, dear, can we talk to our daughter alone?" Demeter asked. Alonzo nodded and skipped away. He was too excited to see how upset the young Queen was.
"Father! Why can't I have a choice?"
"What if your choice won't be a good leader? It's a sacrifice we must make for the tribe! After all, my father picked Demeter as my mate, and I love her more than life itself." Jemima groaned.
"This is unfair!" she yelled and marched away. Perhaps the fresh air outside would help her relax. The Scarlet Queen climbed on top of a pile of garbage. What she didn't realize is that a black Tom was also there. "This is so unfair!" she whined to herself.
"What is so unfair?" asked Mistoffelees.
"Life!" Jemima sighed. Mistoffelees, or Quaxo, was the one Tom who always treated her with respect.
"What aspect of life?" he asked calmly.
"Well Quaxo," she called him by his nickname, "my father is forcing me to mate with Alonzo."
"Poor thing," he muttered with sympathy. Quaxo never liked Alonzo.
"Apparently he would 'make a good leader.'" Jemima rolled her eyes as tears began to fall. "But I don't love him! I don't even like him!" She cried into his chest as he stroked back. There was nothing he could say to comfort her. Quaxo couldn't even comfort himself. He tried to ignore the pang of disappointment he felt at the news.