Chapter one: Adulthood Interrupted

"Lillypaw, I don't think I can do this," Tugger murmured, pawing the ground nervously.

"Tugger, you have no right to call yourself a Jellicle cat," Lillypaw snorted, rolling her eyes and letting her tail sweep casually over Tugger's waist.

"Don't do that," Tugger growled, but a smile twitched the corner of his mouth. He glanced at the sinking sun and knew soon the Jellicle moon would by high in the sky like a glowing cat eye. Tugger had turned a year old a couple of months ago and tonight was going to be his first Jellicle ball since he was a kitten. He fluffed his mane and swallowed deeply. Tonight would be the first time he ever danced in front of everybody and he felt like he was going to faint.

"Show some backbone Tugger," Lillypaw teased, "Anyway, I don't think I've ever seen a more handsome tom. You can't even tell that you found that belt in a dumpster."

Tugger blushed scarlet as he gingerly tapped the silver belt he had cinched around his waist. The belt had enticed him when he had spotted it in the junkyard, so he had snatched it. Apart from the belt, he was wearing the spiked collar he had always worn.

"The belt won't help my dancing Lillypaw," Tugger chuckled nervously, "I'll probably just step forward and fall flat on my face."

"For the love of Heavyside," Lillypaw growled, she was getting annoyed, "Tugger as soon as you dance for everyone, you'll love it."

"That's easy for you to say, you've been dancing before you could walk," Tugger retorted, swiping playfully at her side.

Lillypaw dodged it and gave Tugger an adoring look. Lillypaw and Tugger had been best friends since they were born. Lillypaw was a Turkish Angora, with a thick gray coat and a black spot covering her right eye. She was the rebellious one of the two and was trying to get Tugger out of his shell. Tugger was a Main Coon with a black body, leopard spots on his chest and a thick golden mane surrounding his face. Tugger wanted to be like Lillypaw, but something always seemed to hold him back.

"Tugger, you will dance beautifully, we've practiced so hard; I know we can do it." Lillypaw snuggled against Tugger's shoulder, "Now come on, let's get ready."

Lillypaw slunk off the roof of the truck they had been sitting on and began creeping across the junkyard. Tugger followed her and found himself staring at her bottom. He shook his head and frowned. Ever since he had turned one, he had really begun noticing the other queens, particularly Lillypaw. She was just so pretty and kind and always tried to help him.

Suddenly, Tugger heard the resounding voice of his brother, Munkustrap, echoing through the junkyard and he knew it was time for the ball to begin.

* * *

The Ball started with a nervous Munkustrap, taking over his father's duties of announcing the purpose of the ball and the purpose of a cats three names. But after that Tugger just let his mind wander as other cats danced and sung. But when the ball really kicked into high gear, Tugger did as well. With Lillypaw at his side, Tugger flew across the Junkyard, shaking his mane and his rear. All the older cats were impressed and the other kittens that had just become adults were rubbing their eyes and making sure they were actually looking at shy little Tugger.

Lillypaw couldn't have been happier for her friend, but then she began to notice that the other young queens were extremely interested in Tugger. Bombalurina in particular kept nudging her slightly to one side so she could dance next to him. When the queens danced together, Lillypaw made sure to step hard on Bombalurina's paws.

Then the music started to slow down. The tomcats began approaching the queens they desired, purring sweet serenades in their ears. Lillypaw caught Tugger's eyes and he sauntered forward.

"Who are you and what have you done with my friend Tugger?" Lillypaw whispered, grinning.

"He's gone for good, Lillypaw," Tugger smiled, rubbing his paws gently along her sides. She purred and arched her pelvis toward him. Tugger nuzzled her neck, then traced her ear with his tongue. Lillypaw nearly cried out loud and Tugger lifted her up over his shoulder, her legs spread with her head leveled with the middle of his back.

Lillypaw was in ecstasy. Neither one of them had ever experienced feelings like this before. Tugger lowered her onto his shoulder and stroked her inner leg. Her leg twitched a little bit and she felt her eyes start to roll. He then lowered her toward the ground and laid her across another cat's back. Tugger scratched his paws across her chest and Lillypaw moaned deeply. She wanted more and was thrilled when Tugger spread her on the floor and positioned himself like the other tomcats in the group. He smiled and Lillypaw saw the tomcat where the kitten used to be and she braced her paws against the ground.

Suddenly there was a loud bang and Lillypaw swiveled her head in time to see Munkustrap go flying across the junkyard! He struck an old refrigerator and slumped to the ground. Tugger leapt up and ran to his brother's side, but Lillypaw looked to where Munkustrap was only moments before. Demeter was lying on her back and trembling with fear, for Munkustrap and Tugger's younger brother, Macavity was taking Munkustrap's position on top of her.

"No," she whimpered, "I don't want you, I love Munkustrap." She tried to swipe his face, but Macavity held her paw's down. He began to lick her neck as he braced her hips with his pelvis. She tried to squirm, but it was futile; he was just too strong.

The ball was at a standstill. The other cats had stopped what they were doing and staring in shock. No cat had ever attacked another in the middle of the mating dance before. It was unheard of.

Tugger was growling with anger as he helped his older brother up. Munkustrap had a deep cut across his face and was gripping his side, but he was livid. He stumbled toward Macavity, claws extended, but Macavity spread his paws and lightning flew toward his brother. Munkustrap rolled out of the way and lay panting on the ground. Old Deuteronomy stepped down from the ledge he had been sitting on and approached his son.

"Macavity, you are breaking a Jellicle law," he said in his deep voice.

"Go suck a rat's tail father," Macavity snarled, "You can't tell me what to do. I could send you to Heavyside with one jolt, so I'd advise you to let me f- "

Suddenly with a cry, Bombalurina flew through the air and struck Macavity in the side, knocking him over. Demeter scrambled up and ran to Munkustrap, who was still on the ground. With a roar, Macavity launched himself at Bombalurina, but Skimbleshanks blocked him. Macavity dug his claws into Skimbleshanks's side, only to be attacked on the other side by his own father. Old Deuteronomy lifted his son up by the back of the neck and held him at arms length, as though he was a decomposing carcass.

"You are not allowed back in this junkyard, Macavity!" he thundered, "I have been too lenient with you and now you are ruining the most sacred night of the year. Leave and never return."

He dropped Macavity on his face, which happened to be right on a cheese grater. Macavity howled in pain, deep gouges on every inch of his face.

"I'll be back, make no mistake," he leered at Demeter, who was crouched down over Munkustrap, "I haven't finished with you Demeter. One way or another you will be mine."

"Never," Demeter snarled and Munkustrap hissed as he draped an arm protectively over her.

Macavity just laughed and slunk off into the darkness.