Chapter one:

Late bloomers

This is my very first fanfiction story so pelase reveiw! i'd love to hear what you think.

Disclaimer: I sadly do not own 'Cats' that belongs to the genius of T.S Elliot and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

All Willow could remember of her early days of kitten-hood was the blazing light appeared as if from nowhere that burned her eyes and every inch of her small frail body. Desperate to escape the horrors of the light, Willow turned blindly and ran forward until she hit a wall of fur, which seemed to enclose around her in a startling manor.

But she was not afraid.

The wall seemed cosy and strangely familiar as is she was a part of it. She came to know the wall as mother and the deep voice that always echoed in her tiny ear as farther.

Willow also became aware of all the other walls of fur that seemed know her so well, remembering them by their touch on her thin fur and the sound of their voices. Willow particularly came to know the touch of something called Bombalurina that she vaguely remembered her mother telling her to call aunt.

"Will she ever open those eyes?' moaned Bombalurina 'I want to see those big jewels"

"She'll open them when she's ready Bomba"! Snapped Demeter, who had become increasingly worried about her daughters reluctance to see the junkyard for herself. Bomba shook her head and pounced onto a near-by car bonnet, sprawling her red body in attempts to catch the sun. Demeter ignored the attention seeking actions of her sister and averted her gaze back to kitten's eyes, willing them to open. Not a sound was uttered between Demeter and Bomba, Demeter was yet to break eye contact with her daughter. Willow did not even flicker her eyelids.

Munkustrap returned from patrol, dragging his heavy paws as he slowly approached his den. Embracing his queen with the remainder of his energy, Munkustrap collapsed next to Demeter. She seemed not to even notice.

"Munk…Munku…Munkustrap"! Cried Demeter

"Huh"?

"I think we should get Jellylorum"

Munkustrap jerked his head up, turning, so his eyes met with those of his anxious queen.

"Why? What is it? Are you ill? Is Willow ill"? Blurted Munkustrap, suddenly full of renewed energy, he ran his paws up and down Demeter's thin. She remained perfectly still. Bomba's ears pricked as the commotion had broken her comatose state. Poking her head over the bonnet, Bomba could not hold back the laugh as she observed a frantic Munkustrap stroke every part of Demeter that was available to him.

"Look, I'm fine it's Willow that's ill"

"Willow? What's wrong with her"?

"She wont open her eyes! I want Jellylorum to see her"

Unable to control her laughter any longer Bomba screeched a cackle at the top of her voice. Demeter whirled around, taking several steps close to Munkustrap.

'It's all too similar' she thought.

"You two are funnier then watching Peeks and Policles fight" Bomba managed to say between cackles.

"When you're a parent Bombalurina you'll understand"! Shouted Munkustrap, he turned to face his wife, placing a paw on her face; Demeter leaned into it when tears began to sting her eyes. They rolled down her marble-like skin and onto his paw. Felling the anguish of the one he loved the most, Munkustrap pulled Demeter so close to his body that he could feel her breath on his neck, holding her in an embrace, and he could not control the tears that began to roll down his cheeks

Bomba took several large quiet steps away from the weeping couple as she became increasingly afraid that the tears may be contagious. Shacking off her feelings, she swayed her way towards Jelly's den, attracting every tom cat's attention on the way. After explaining the situation to Jellylorum, the two queens swiftly returned to Demeter's and Munkustrap's den, Bombalurina lagging behind.

"No need for tears" comforted Jelly breaking the hug.

"All she needs is some encouragement"

"But we've tried…" began the couple, immediately interrupted by Jelly snatching willow from the anxious grip of Munkustrap. She began to feverously rub her paw over the Kitten's eyes. Struggling to be free from her lover's strong arms, Demeter had to be restrained to prevent her from disturbing Jelly's procedure.

Slowly, Willow's eyes began to move, then flutter and finally open. Demeter clasped her paw over her mouth to stifle the cries as tears began to fill her eyes anew. Outstretching her grasp as far as she could, Demeter greedily took Willow from Jelly's arms. Munkustrap glided to Demeter's side forming a protective circle around the Kitten.

"Thank you, thank you so much" Demeter stammered out between cries.

"There's nothing to thank me for, she's nothing more then a late bloomer" replied Jelly walking back towards her own home.

Bombalurina had remained hidden the entire scene, as tears also began to fill her bold eyes, as Munkustrap's cruel words circled her mind.

"When you're a parent Bombalurina you'll understand"!

"How wrong he could be" she whispered as she allowed the tears to consume her.