I decided to try my hand at a chapter story. I have the basic layout of it ready, and...it's gunna be long! Please read and review.
Dislcaimer - I don't own Cats, but I do own a cat...and a dog...and a couple of birds...what was I saying again?
Chapter 1 - Newfound Kittens
The tribe of Jellicles in this particular junkyard was, at one point, dying. Many cats had left the tribe, others had died. Younger ones joined other tribes, and some had to be exiled. It wasn't until Deuteronomy took charge of the tribe that it began to flourish again. For a while, it was something as little as those who stayed in the tribe, for better or worse. Then kittens were born to the tribe. And strays were found and adopted by the tribe. Deuteronomy would never turn away a needy cat like the last Jellicle leader did. That leader felt that one needed to be worthy to enter this particular tribe, have something insanely special about them. Deuteronomy picked those who had a good heart, and were willing to take on their tribe as a family. And so, under Deuteronomy's watch, the tribe slowly began to grow again…
It was a moonless night. An orange tabby came running into the junkyard, panic stricken and out of breath. He called out to the other Jellicles that there had been a grievous atrocity down at the Train Station. (Well, not in so many words, as he was panting and trying to catch his breath.) Two queens came out in a panic to see what had upset this normally straight-faced cat. "Skimbleshanks? What's the matter?" A striped and spotted cat asked.
Coming close to his mate, Skimbleshanks collapsed against her and tried to catch his breath. "Jellylorum," he said to the other queen between breathes, "Go get Deuteronomy!" He then gasped for air, while his queen tried to calm him down.
During this cold night, Deuteronomy came down from his den, (which was far warmer than the vicarage wall.) His beautiful daughter, who had been talking to him in his den, and Jellylorum followed. "There are kittens," said the Irish cat to the others, having now caught his breath. "Abandoned! I saw it with my own eyes. Their mother came and hid them before taking off. I jumped off the Night Mail just as it was taking off…the stationmasters are going to be very upset with me." He shook his head, and took a breath.
"I called out after her, thinking maybe she would come back for the kittens, but she just looked at me and sneered. Then she ran faster than she was running before. I don't think she's coming back, Deuteronomy…" he trailed off, as though he wanted to say more, but another thought came to his head.
"Come on, we have to save the kittens from the cold. I asked them to stay put, but they're just kittens!"
Skimbleshanks led the way as Deuteronomy, his daughter, and Jellylorum followed. The way to the train station was a long way, and Deuteronomy was much older than he used to be, so he told the others to go ahead and he would catch up when he could. After what seemed like an eternity had passed in the bitter night, they came upon the tiny kittens, who were hidden under the platform of the train station. There were two of them, one older than the other. The older one, a red queen, was clutching her younger sister, a gold and black queen who could only babble and try and say words. The tiny red queen looked up at them in alarm.
"Hello," Jellylorum said softly, kneeling down to the two tiny kittens. "My name is Jellylorum. What's your name?"
The little red queen looked her up and let out a tiny little growl, (which sounded absolutely adorable to all who were listening, but they tried not to smile.) "My mommy calls me Bom-ba-lu-ri-na," she said slowly. "I pwacticed the name," she said proudly, before turning away slightly. Her baby sister mimicked "Bom-mi-na!"
"I'm taking care of my sister until my mommy comes back," she said forcefully, hissing slightly at the cats. (Again, the hiss sounded adorable coming from a tiny kitten, but the three did their best not to giggle.)
"What's your little sister's name?" Jellylorum asked, after clearing her throat.
"De-me-ter," Bombalurina said, still looking suspiciously at the three adult cats.
"That's a lovely name," Jellylorum said, smiling. "These are my friends, Skimbleshanks and Grizabella." She pointed to each as she introduced them. "We heard you were alone out here."
"Nuh-uh!" Bombalurina cried, her fur tufting up at the statement. "My sister has me! My mommy told me to take care of her! I'm taking care of her," she said again, hugging her sister, who now mumbled "Mama."
"Oh, and you're doing a very good job," Skimbleshanks interjected. "You know, we have a nice place for you to stay, if you'd like. It's a junkyard with lots of little kittens for you to play with." Bombalurina put her sister down, tired of carrying her, and instead stood over her, hissing at them. Skimbleshanks looked at the two queens accompanying him. They wanted to get their trust, not think they're being kitten-napped. But what could they do? The kitten thought her mother was coming back for them…
Grizabella bent down next to the tiny red queen. "You know," she said gently, "You remind me a lot of Munkustrap. He is a brave little kitten, just like you. In fact, we have lots of kittens in our tribe, and they are so much fun to play with. Why, there is even a kitten Demeter's age! And Jellylorum, and Skimbleshanks, and Jennyanydots, and I watch over them."
"Some more than others," Jellylorum said under her breath. Grizabella gave her a look before turning back to the kitten. However, little Bombalurina's attention was on her sister, who had crawled over to Grizabella's painted nails and started poking at them. Grizabella, smiling, picked the little kitten up before anyone could stop her. Bombalurina cried and began to throw a fit over the fact that her sister had just been taken from her. Grizabella simply patted Bombalurina on the head. However, before Jellylorum or Skimbleshanks could yell at Grizabella for her lack in judgment, Old Deuteronomy sauntered up behind them. He was slightly out of breath, but the scolding look from his eyes did not go unnoticed, and Grizabella put the tiny gold queen down.
When Bombalurina took her sister into her arms again, she crawled into a dark corner. Deuteronomy allowed himself to catch his breath before lying down as close as he could, without scaring the kitten any more. Then, in the gentlest and most sincere voice anyone could imagine, he said to her, "I am very amazed at how you protect your sister! And I have a lot of respect for you for that. I understand if you don't want to go with us, but is it alright if I stay here with you for the night?" The little kitten came out of her corner just enough to look intently over at Old Deuteronomy. That idea sounded heavenly. She was so frightened at the thought of staying out here with her sister alone…
She nodded over to Old Deuteronomy, quickly picked up her sister and put her by his nice soft fur. Then she curled up on the outside, close enough to get his warmth, but giving her little confused sister just enough breathing room. Slowly, she nodded off to sleep, and soon the two kittens started to purr.
Skimbleshanks smiled at the others. A look flashed across his face then, and he hit his forehead as though he forgot something so important, he was stupid to forget it. Then he ran off without another word. The other two smiled at the tiny kittens, and Jellylorum put a paw on Old Deuteronomy's shoulder in congratulations for a job well done. The two queens turned and left for the night, (not before Jellylorum hit Grizabella for her stupidity). They had other kittens to take care of.
Within a few moments, Skimbleshanks came back with a blanket that was meant for the sleeping cars. He put it over the three, and Deuteronomy nodded his head in thank you. Skimbleshanks then returned to his post while Deuteronomy kept watch over the kittens that night. With a proud smile of a father looking over his children, he knew they would be safe in the Jellicles' care.
So that was chapter one. I hoped you liked it and are GRIPPED all the way to chapter two. You get to meet alot of baby Jellicles. And don't forget to review! . It's not the best chapter in the world, but I had to start somewhere.