Sorry this chapter took a while to get up, I had a bit of a chaotic camping trip. Buuut I already have part of chapter 3 typed up, so I'm working as fast as I can. More reviews would quite definately make a difference. :) As long as you don't come at me with steak knives and torches and whatnot, I'll take whatever critiscism you throw at me. So bring it. :D

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own Cats, or the characters, or the song I pulled the title from. (Which is Vanilla Twilight by Owl City. ;D)

A small black and white tom bounded up to three impatient looking young queens. They looked at him expectantly.

"Munkustrap says he's doing stuff," said Quaxo, dropping the Mistoffolees alter-ego for the time being. Demeter looked sharply at the young tuxedo cat, obviously annoyed, while Electra and Etcetera shared a look.

"Dem, he's probably just too lazy to come play tag with us, its fine! You know what; I'll even be 'It'. Just don't go over there to yell at Munk," Etcetera begged, rubbing up against golden and black striped queen. Demeter shook her head, annoyed. "I'll be right back, Etcy," she said, watching Munkustrap as he entertained a small crowd of cats toward the middle of the junkyard.

Slowly making her way over, Demeter noticed her older sister positioned next to Tugger. He whispered something to her and she let out a giggle. Demeter made a face as she walked by, hoping they would understand the message and get a room. She approached Munk and cleared her throat. He ignored her and continued to jab his paw at Alonzo, who ducked to avoid it. A few cats ooh'd and ahh'd as the toms wrestled.

Demeter cleared her throat much louder this time and Munkustrap sighed and turned around. "What, Demeter?" he asked, making a great deal out of looking annoyed that she had interrupted the play-fight. Demeter glared.

"What stupid 'stuff' could you possibly be doing?" she asked. Munkustrap rolled his eyes.

"This 'stupid stuff'; you know, the stupid stuff that will train me to become a Protector like Riddle, so I can quite likely save your sorry-"

He was cut off abruptly by Demeter's high pitched whine. "You're so uptight! You think you're better than the rest of us because you're going to become the new Protector. You have such a big head!" Munkustrap glared and turned to Bombalurina and Tugger.

"Bomba, am I an egotistical, stuck up jerk?" he asked, his voice laden with sudden sweetness.

Bombalurina looked up, caught off guard, and mumbled, "What? No, I don't... What..?" Tugger snickered and she blushed and turned back to him, continuing their conversation. Munkustrap spun around to face Demeter with a triumphant look.

"I hate you," she muttered, spinning around and flicking her tail at him. She heard Munkustrap whisper something and Alonzo cracked up, making her fur stand up. Demeter walked right out of the junkyard and into the alley behind it, settling down near a cardboard box, which she promptly tore to shreds.

"I... hate... Munkustrap!" she said, kicking a large carton next to her over onto its side. "What a coincidence, so do I," purred a loud voice from behind her.

Demeter spun around in surprise, staring into the deep hazel-green eyes of a tall, ginger tomcat. He had wild streaks of orange and black running in zigzags across his fur, and in a way, he was good looking. Demeter gave him a curious look. "W-who are you? You look like someone I k-know " she stammered, unsheathing her claws cautiously.

The tom chuckled and said in a voice as smooth as honey, "My name is Macavity. And you are Demeter, if I'm not mistaken?"

Demeter's eyes grew wide and she nodded. "Y-yeah. But, my mother said you don't come around here anymore. That you left the tribe, or something."

For a second, a look of pure hatred crossed Macavity's face, and Demeter trembled. But he quickly gave a halfhearted laugh and said, "Would you, my dear, like to see something fascinating, so we can clear your pretty little head of thoughts about that pathetic scrap of fur? It's only a few minutes away, and I'll bet it'll make you feel a lot better." Demeter hid a grin tried to shrug nonchalantly, but it seemed unconvincing, because Macavity only grinned widely.

"Okay, fine. But I need to be back soon. Mum, and every other older cat in the Tribe, aren't really fans of yours, though I can't seem to understand why," she said cheekily, approaching Macavity slowly. He gently slung an arm around her shoulder.

"Where we're going, you won't need this, Demeter," he said, tugging at her collar. It fell to her paws and she stared at it for a few moments, contemplating. Making her decision, she nodded, and Macavity's charming smile stretched. "Let's go then," he said briskly, as he led her through a tunnel out of the alley. Demeter took a final lingering look at her collar before spinning around and vanishing into the tunnel.

"Where is my kit?" Jellylorum wailed, bursting into the den in tears. It had been days since Demeter had disappeared, and her eerily calm mother finally cracked.

"She isn't a kit anymore, mom. Not since you gave her that locket," came Bombalurina's voice from a far corner of the room. She sat sullenly, staring down at her paws. Tugger had visited earlier, as if to cheer her up, but even for him, the crimson Queen hadn't moved. Jellylorum nodded, wiping away several tears.

"Yes, dear, you're right. Someone, any of the neighboring alley cats, or, or even housecats, will notice the locket. And she'll be returned. She has to be." she said.

Skimbleshanks slowly entered the den, Munkustrap at his side. In Munkustrap's paws was a small black strip of leather. Attached to the middle was a glowing, heart shaped object. Jellylorum's mouth slackened. "No. D-Demeter... No," she whispered, shaking her head. Bombalurina drew closer, and in noticing the object, fell back to her mother. The two queens comforted each other while Skimbleshanks spoke quietly.

"Munkustrap found it, not two feet from a few strands of fur. We inspected each one, and they came from two cats. Demeter, and... a-and..." his voice cracked as he sighed. Munkustrap finished gravely.

"The other hairs held the scent of Macavity."

Every cat in the room shuddered at the name, but Munkustrap looked the tensest. "It's entirely my fault." he said, his voice low. Skimbleshanks placed a paw on his shoulder.

"No. Demeter was always stubborn and defiant, and whatever mess she's in, is Macavity's fault. And we'll fix this, we'll get her back." he said determinedly. Munkustrap nodded vigorously, but felt a tug at his heart. 'It's all your fault again.'

Cheesyish, I know. Reviewwww. Please. C: