Yes! Chapter 3 is now here! I am sooooo sorry for uploading this late! Please let me know if there are errors, I will gladly correct them.

I completely forgot for the first two chapters!

This story belongs to me, However the characters belong to T.S. Eliot, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Really Useful Group. All others will be towed.

Ch. 3

No one had to tell us twice. We were out of there as soon as possible. Munkustrap lead us to the crest of a junk pile about three meters from Old Deuteronomy's den. I slunk down, unable to keep my pretension of strength. I felt misjudged and mistreated. How could some of our elders treat us this way? It was so cruel!

"Well, the two of you look out of sorts," The Rum Tum Tugger said playfully.

Mr. Mistoffelees rolled his eyes at him.

"Really, Tugger? When did you perceive that?" He replied to his friend, dryly.

"What with the sarcasm?" he asked, confused.

Munkustrap shook his head and sighed. He tried to explain why we could be upset, but Tugger refused to believe him. This led into another one of their quarrels. Ignoring them, I crawled over to Misto, lay down and nestled my head in his lap. He smiled down at me and stroked my cheek. I looked up into his face.

"Do you think of me a traitor?" I asked.

His eyes widened in surprise. He was quite taken aback.

"Why would you ask such a thing?"

I looked away from him. I was considering telling him what happened at Plato's den, but I was unsure of his reaction. If he knew the hurt I caused Plato, would he believe I was capable of hurting him the same way?

"Well, I spoke to Plato…" I began, unsure of how I was going to explain what happened in Plato's den.

"Hey, Vicky!" An angry voice rang out, "I have a bone to pick with you!"

I sat up and found Electra was heading toward us. Oh, what could she possibly want? She didn't look at all like her playful self. She looked absolutely furious. Her face could have scared the fur off of a hundred Pollicles.

"What in Heaviside's name are you doing with my tom?! Why were you with him last night?!" She fumed, stopping when she got to us.

"Language, Electra!" Munkustrap warned his daughter.

I stood to face her, Mistoffelees doing the same. I had completely forgotten about her. She was Misto's queenfriend. How could I have forgotten I had to deal with her? Best friend or no.

"I love him," I answered simply.

Her jaw dropped at this. She stared at me as if I had just admitted Bustopher Jones was attractive. Which could not be possible.

"Dude, you are engaged to Plato," She stammered, still in shock.

I shook my head. I suppose the entire junkyard would find out that Plato now despised me. Did I have to tell everyone how awful I was? He threw something at me he hated me so!

"No, I'm not. As of a half hour ago, he said we were over. He narrowly missed me with a book," I grumbled.

Misto's face became all concern.

"He threw a book at you?" he questioned.

"Something of the like," I answered, offpawedly (Offhandedly).

Electra stood in confusion as Misto searched me for bruises. I kept repeating that I was fine, but he was certain that Plato had injured me. I wondered who would hurt me next. My mother, perhaps?

We had the task of explaining everything to Electra. Munkustrap and Tugger offered comments here and there, but mainly Misto and I spoke.

"Let me get this straight," Electra said, trying to summarize, "You ran away 'cuz you didn't wanna become Plato's mate. Mr. Mistoffelees found you, brought you to Jennyanydots den, you spent the night with each other there, woke up, Tugger freaked, Plato nearly choked Misto to death and then you guys went to the Council,"

"Sounds good to me," Tugger replied, cleaning out the remnants of a can of tuna he found.

Something was off here. I was sure Electra had sounded furious at me before. Did we distract her from her anger, perhaps? I hoped we had. For a few seconds she just stood there looking and Misto and I together. She crossed her arms and finally spoke.

"So, Victoria gets another tom of her dreams while I'm stuck single. Thanks, you're such a great friend! And Misto… how could you?!" she shouted, turning sharply on her heel and running.

"Electra!" Misto called after her, looking guilty when she didn't turn around.

I felt sorry for my poor darling. It was odd how we both ended up in the same boat. It was not easy being the traitor. I felt it doubly so, however. She I was my friend. How could I do that to her?

I looked into Misto's face. Once our eyes met, he looked down, guiltily. I suppose he thought I would no longer want to be with him, seeing circumstances as they were. Oh-ho-ho-no! I was going to stay with him, for better or for worse. He looked back at me.

"Do you think me a traitor?" he whispered so only I could hear.

"Never," I said firmly, caressing his face with my paws.

We began to lean into a kiss, but Munkustrap stopped us. His stern look made me reigning in my tongue before telling him off.

"Seeing as that was what started this mess, I'd say wait until a more opportune time," he said, pulling Misto a small ways from me.

Before I could protest, Jellylorum stepped out of the bus. She signaled for me to come in and only me. I looked back at Mistoffelees, worriedly. I couldn't explain this alone! No!

"He's to come in after you," she explained sternly, upon seeing my glances to Misto.

"But-"

"We want to interview each of you alone," she interrupted my protesting.

I sighed shakily. There was no arguing with Jellylorum. I was unsure about going in, however. To be all alone without any support would be torture. Why did they have to do it this way?

Just tell them what happened. And remember, you weren't alone, Misto's voice came into my head.

I turned back and smiled at him. He smiled in return. I did have support! Mistoffelees would be right outside. Mustering up some courage, I gingerly stepped up into the humongous bus. Here, my courage began to falter. Seven sets of eyes stared down at me. I felt like a disobedient kit. One who had committed the worst of crimes. And remember, you weren't alone, Misto's words of hope made my courage rise again.

"Now, please describe to us in full detail what happened," Old Deuteronomy's low voice said slowly.

"Wh-where should I begin?" I asked, unsure of what to say.

"Tell us why you scurried out of the Junkyard like a frightened mouse, yesterday," Skimbleshanks offered.

I took a deep breath. That had seemed like ages ago. Was it really just yesterday? So much had happened since then. I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

"I was upset," I began.

"Whatever for?" Jennyanydots called, curious to know my reasons.

"Because… because… Plato announced we were engaged," I replied, concentrating on the ground.

Be strong,

I smiled at that. Mistoffelees wasn't going to sit idly by and wait for me. He was going to comfort me, just like I comforted him. I heard my name being called.

"Victoria, the question was asked, 'Why be upset if you accepted Plato's proposal?'" Jellylorum called, her face as stern as stone.

"Because… it broke Misto's heart," I replied, remembering his grief stricken face.

"Oh? And how would you know?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Because… because… I saw…" I stuttered, tears forming in my eyes as I recalled the feelings of that moment when I realized I had broken his heart, "I saw… the look on his face,"

At that moment, I caught Old Deuteronomy's eye. He did something I did not expect in the least; he winked at me. It was subtle, but very reassuring. He was not upset with me, but rather, he understood.

"Uh..." I stammered whipping my eyes, quite taken aback by that brief moment, "What else would you have me tell?"

"Perhaps, the rest of the story," Skimbleshanks encouraged.

"Oh, yes," I thought for a brief moments, trying to gather my thoughts into audible speach, "After I ran out of the Junkyard, I found the large oak tree down by the river near the park. I lay there and cried 'til I realized the sun was setting. I did not want to go home-"

"Why ever not? Where you not hungry?" Bustopher ever so rudley interrupted.

"No, I was not. I did not want to upset my humans by my mood, so I slept in the 'Yard in Misto's pipe-"

"But how did you end up in the car, m'dear? I know how Mistoffelees did. He asked me to stay there earlier. But how did you get there?" Jenny cut in, certainly not understanding that I would explain.

"Once it began to rain, his pipe flooded. I crawled out into the storm, no longer caring how wet I was. There Misto found me, yelling and screaming at myself,"

Rather loudly, you might add.

Misto!!I'll get you for that...

Oooh, no.

"Sorry, where was I? Oh, yes. Um, he brought me inside the car. He licked himself dry. I tried to dry myself. He asked me why I wasn't home. I told him I could ask the same of him, then told him I was upset."

I told them every detail, from Misto telling me who his biological father was to our engagement. I spoke my narritive without interuption, which suprised me slightly. As I looked at each face of the Jellicle Council, I could see that some were pleased where others were horrified. Just as the Council was torn, so I was. I loved Misto and always had, but I feared my first engagement, with Plato, would overide my newest.

Shortly after I had finished, I was berated with questions. My head began to swim. I couldn't sort through the questions, let alone think of answers. Old Deuteronomy had to silence them witha wave of his paw.

"Let us do this in an orderly manner," he said, his voice ever patient.

"What distresses me," Jellylorum began, shaking her head, "Is that you would aquiesce to a request of matehood when you already had one."

"Because I thought Misto was in love... with someone else. That, and I know Plato doesn't love me. We argue, constantly. He never listens to me. To him, I am a trophy to flaunt. But Misto... Misto is so different," I explained, finishing with a sigh.

"Why stay with him, Victoria? Surely, you know the laws," Asparagus questioned, for the first time.

"I... I love him. You do crazy things when in love,"

After I had said that, the Council was silent. This unnerved me, until I caught Old Deuteronomy's eye. He smiled at me, with such sincerity I sighed in relief. They dismissed me and brought Mistoffelees in. The minutes felt like hours. I tried to distract myself from his trial, but it was a loss. I worried for him. What was he feeling? How was he handling their pressure and stares?

I tried to go and hunt, but Tugger cut me off. He offered to catch me something and I sighed a reply. I slunk onto a pile of rubbish, sifting through the worthless things humans had discarded. My tail twitched in anticipation. I needed to hear what the Council had ruled, if they had even decided on a possible punishment. Just as Tugger returned with a grey-brown mouse, Misto exited the large bus. I threw myself at him, arms twisting around his neck.

"I'm not dead, Vicky," he chuckled, arms wrapping around my waste.

"I knew you wouldn't be. Oh, how I worried about you!" I exclaimed, burrying my head into his neck with a purr.

"Nice to know someone cares," he purred in reply.

All to suddenly, Tugger pulled us apart. We both gave him a questioning stare as to why he had. He pointed over to Munkustrap, who had his arms crossed.

"Keep that to a minimum, if you please. If one of the Council memebers sees, they'll double your consequences," the silver tabby warned.

Just as he said that, Jellylorum appeared. She motioned for the two of us. We realized that the Council had decided. We walked up the steps for the third time that day.

Old Deuteronomy stood in the aisle, paws folded across his chest. He seemed very solemn, which caused me to glance uneasily at Misto. He returned the look, also uneasily. Then Old Deuteronomy addressed the two of us.

Cliffie! I know, that's soo mean! Well, I hope to update sooner if not later. Please read and review! I only accept constructive criticism. I work very hard on this story and would appreciate for those with flames to keep them to themselves. Thanks to every single one of you who have reviewed, favorited or alerted my story. You guys rock!