Chapter Four

"Bombalurina," Old Deuteronomy's voice was slow and solemn as thunder. "Tell us about yourself."

Bomba took a nervous breath, her eyes unable to meet the cat whom she so wholeheartedly hated. She looked away, her gaze focusing on the horizon. "My mother gave me away when I was very young; I don't remember much about her. I never knew my father. I spent my whole life on the streets—that's how I met Teaser and Mungo's father. Sadly, he was hit by a car. There isn't much else to tell."

The red queen finished her lie with a beautifully dramatic sigh. Everyone but Old Deuteronomy seemed to believe it.

"You poor thing," Cassandra said, shaking her head sadly.

"Oh, don't waste your pity on me," Bomba forced a smile. "I've learned to survive just fine. Life knocks me down, but I just get right back up."

"You must be very strong," Old Deuteronomy commented.

Her dark eyes met his. A terse moment passed.

"I am," she said in a steady voice.

"Who was your mother again?" Old Deuteronomy pretended not to remember.

"I don't remember her," Bombalurina replied, her gaze still locked onto his. There was an edge to her voice, a warning—Old Deuteronomy knew that she was all too aware of who her mother really was. He also knew that the truth would have her kicked out of the Tribe once more.

Old Deuteronomy gave a heavy sigh. He had already caused this kit so much pain—he could not do such a thing. He had already made so many bad decisions—most of which had directly affected Bombalurina's life—there was no need to add any more.

"Perhaps you will find peace and happiness here," Old Deuteronomy smiled warmly, motioning to the other cats assembled on the vicarage wall.

"Perhaps," Bomba smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. Now that she and Old Deuteronomy had sized each other up, the battle had truly begun.

~*~

Mungo and Teaser waited patiently for their aunt to appear. They knew that after today's fiasco, she would definitely have a tongue-lashing in store for them.

Surprisingly, she seemed at ease; a pleasant expression dawned on her face.

"We are almost finished," Bombalurina gave a confident grin. "All we have to do is get Grizabella up here, get her to tell her side of the story, and all will be well."

"She won't do it," Teaser warned.

"What?" Bomba lost her pleasant expression.

"Whenever I went to see Mac, she was there," Teaser explained. "Said she didn't want any part of it—said it wasn't what she wanted."

"Well, it isn't about what she wants anymore," Bomba said darkly. "I have worked too hard and too long for this to go up in smoke. Grizabella will be here, whether she likes it or not."

"How are you going to manage that?" Mungo asked wryly. He knew his grandmother was about as stubborn as his aunt.

"I'll manage it, alright," Bomba muttered darkly. She turned her eyes heavenwards. "What is wrong with all these cats? I spend my entire life planning for this moment, orchestrating this day, and when it finally arrives, no one wants to play their part."

There was a moment of angry silence as she thought about her next move. Finally, she spoke, "Alright, I'll go see Grizabella tonight. You two keep an eye on Demeter. Make sure she stays away from Munkustrap. I'll be back before morning."

The duo nodded, quickly disappearing into the evening air. Bombalurina gave a bone-weary sigh and headed out of the yard. She was stopped by a dark feline with a wild-looking mane.

"Hello there, darling," he purred. "I'm the Rum Tum Tugger. What's your name?"

"Look, Rum Bum Hugger—"

"It's Rum Tum Tugger."

"Yeah, whatever," Bomba said quickly. She didn't have time for this nonsense. "Lemme put it to you straight: any other night, I would be more than flattered to see such a handsome tom heading my way. But not tonight, OK? I've got places to go, cats to see. So if you'll excuse me—"

"What's the rush, dollface?" He asked soothingly, a charismatic grin on his handsome features.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Bomba forced a smile.

"Try me."

"Ok. I'm going to secretly meet with Macavity, so that I can put a spell on Demeter and destroy the whole Jellicle Clan in one fell swoop."

Tugger laughed, shaking his head, "Man, you are one twisted chick."

"Thanks," Bomba replied sarcastically.

"I find it quite attractive," Tugger leaned forward.

"Oh yeah?" Bombie seemed to shift gears instantly, her eyes suddenly lighting up with interest.

"Yeah," Tugger grinned down at her.

"Close your eyes," she commanded.

To this day, the Rum Tum Tugger still doesn't know what hit him. But you, dear reader, will know the truth. Bombalurina threw a quick incantation on him—one that sent him flying back ten feet and knocked him out completely. She gave a snide smile as she walked away.

"Sleep tight."

~*~

Teaser looked around, a worried expression on her kittenish features. "Mungo, I can't find Demeter."

"I can't find Munku either," her brother admitted with a frown.

"Bombie's gonna kill us," Teaser groaned.

~*~

"Hello, Stranger."

Bombalurina did not return her brother's greeting. She looked around distractedly. "Where's Mother?"

"Around," Macavity replied. He gave an amused smile, "You seem agitated."

"I am," the red queen admitted. "Now, where's Mother?"

"Here," Grizabella seemed to appear from nowhere.

Bombalurina took a moment to stare at her mother, as if she were trying to read her mind. Finally, she spoke, "What the hell are you thinking? I spent years trying to work this out just so—and now you're backing out?"

"I'm not backing out," Grizabella defended herself. "I had no idea that you would use Demeter in your scheme—your own half-sister, for Bast's sake!"

"That's the way the chips fell," Bomba growled. "I did what I had to. Now it's your turn. You have to return to the Jellicles and tell them the truth. Tell them why you were really exiled!"

"I can't," Grizabella shook her head.

"You will," Bomba threatened. The two queens stared defiantly at one another, each a mirror reflection of the other.

"Let's take a minute to think this through," Macavity suggested in a calming tone. Now the two sets of fiery gazes were turned on him.

"We don't have time for that," Bombalurina said harshly.

"I'm not changing my mind," Grizabella added.

"This is ridiculous!" In her temper tantrum, Bomba knocked over a pile of docking crates. She turned ferociously back at her mother, "You know we have to do this. You know it has to be done! Why are you suddenly getting cold feet?"

"I can't do it," the grey queen admitted. "I just can't."

"You owe this to me," Bomba stepped forward, her tone now becoming less harsh. Her dark eyes filled with desperation, "Mother, you can't take this from me. You know that I'm right—it has to be done. Not for you—for me."

Grizabella gave a heavy sigh. She knew her daughter was right. She looked back up at that beautiful creature—that beautiful queen that reminded her so much of herself—and knew that she could not deny her daughter's request.

"Fine." She gave another sad sigh. "I'll do it."

~*~

"How did we lose them?" Mungo asked aloud.

"I dunno," Teaser admitted. Then, she spotted the two cats returning to the yard. "Look, they're back."

"Praise Sweet Rumpus Cat," Mungo looked heavenwards. He turned to his sister, "Bomba never has to know about this. They got away once, but what's it gonna hurt?"

Teaser nodded in agreement, "We'll just keep a closer watch on them from now on. No more mess-ups."

Mungo nodded solemnly, chiming in, "No more mess-ups."

~*~

The next few days passed rather quickly—the entire Jellicle Tribe was caught up in the fervor of the upcoming Ball. Lights were strung, decorations were made, the band began practicing. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser found that Munku and Demeter were quite sneaky; the two tabbies soon realized that it was becoming harder and harder to keep the two lovers apart—and even harder to keep up with them.

Bombalurina did not realize their lack of success, however. She was too busy spending every day on the vicarage wall, weaving her web around Old Deuteronomy.

One day, as they were sunning themselves lazily, Old Deuteronomy asked, "And you never knew your father?"

Bomba stiffened at the comment. Old Deuteronomy was fishing for something. Rather than play games, she replied rather flatly, "I think he was a conjuror."

"Oh?" Old Deuteronomy pretended not to realize the gravity of that statement. "I thought you didn't know anything about him."

"I don't," the red queen lied. "But I'm sure he was a mystic of sorts—I possess a little of his powers myself."

"Then he probably was a conjuror." Old Deuteronomy agreed.

"Yes," she looked darkly at him, her eyes conveying the true meaning behind her words. "He probably was."

~*~

The katy-dids hummed softly in the night air as Munkustrap and Demeter walked along the riverside. The night sky was velvety black, fading into the light purple of dusk as the stars twinkled like diamonds.

Demeter looked up at the moon, which was little more than a silver sliver, "The Jellicle Moon will soon be here."

Munku nodded. He was thinking of the Jellicle Ball—and the question that he was going to ask Demeter.

Over the past few days, their relationship had taken a new turn—now that they had finally admitted their true feelings, they were quickly falling into the role of lovers. They moved from friends to lovers so smoothly that it seemed as if they had been together their whole lives—Demeter was standing beside him, holding his paw and resting her head on his shoulder as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Munkustrap would have given everything he had for that moment to last forever.

Suddenly, he had a brilliant idea, "Let's dance."

"Here?" Demeter looked around incredulously. "Now?"

"No one's watching," he teased. He extended his paw, "Fair Demeter, may I have this dance?"

She grinned broadly, blushing madly, and accepted his outstretched paw. They danced along the riverbank for quite awhile, moving to a melody that only they could hear. Finally, Munku spoke.

"Demeter," he cleared his throat nervously. She lifted her head, turning her brilliant eyes to him.

"Yes?"

"You know I've loved you for a long time," he began, not sure how to pursue the subject.

"I do now," she replied, smiling softly.

"And you've loved me for a long time," Munku added. Again, Demeter nodded, trying not to blush but failing miserably. Munkustrap continued, "And we've known each other for most of our lives."

"Yes," Demeter laughed. "Munku, what is this about?"

Munkustrap gave an exasperated sigh, "I guess what I'm trying to say is this: I know that you are the only queen for me, and that I will never love another as wholeheartedly as I love you. Do you feel the same?"

"Yes," Demeter suddenly knew where this conversation was headed. Her heart began to beat wildly in her chest.

"Well, then," Munku looked to the ground nervously, taking Demeter's paws in his own. "What I'm trying to ask is will you be my mate? May I have this dance…for the rest of my life?"

Demeter literally felt her heart stop, her eyelids fluttered wildly under a flurry of emotions. She finally remembered to breathe, "Why, yes. Yes, I will—yes you may—I mean, of course—I mean—I don't know what I mean; I love you!"

At that point, Demeter took his face in both paws and kissed him passionately. When their lips drew apart, the black and gold queen began to giggle hysterically, tears streaming down her face, "I've never been so happy!"

"I was going to wait until the Jellicle Ball," Munkustrap admitted. "But I couldn't wait that long."

"I'm so very glad you didn't," Demeter smiled as she kissed him again. "This was perfect."

~*~

Bombalurina slipped through the darkened streets, her mind busily turning as she considered her next course of action. Grizabella still had not shown up, still hadn't proved Old Deuteronomy for the fiend that he truly was.

The red queen had been unable to leave the yard for days now—there had been too much excitement, too much to do. As Demeter's love for Munkustrap grew stronger and stronger, Bombalurina's spells grew weaker and weaker.

But now she had a chance to steal away—and she had taken it. She was going to find her mother and demand that Grizabella come to the yard at once. Things were getting out of hand. They needed to be dealt with immediately—before Bomba's limited mystical powers were completely shot.

"I knew you'd be back," Grizabella commented dryly as her daughter walked through the door.

"If you'd have come to the yard like you were supposed to, then I wouldn't have to come back," Bomba reminded her, a twinge of anger in her voice.

"I've been busy," the older queen said carelessly.

"Liar," Bomba spat.

"Temper, temper," Grizabella clucked. She gave a wry shake of her head, her dark eyes followed her daughter's agitated movements, "You always were impatient—even as a kit. Always wanting things now. Always wanting your way. Always wanting."

"Perhaps that was because I always grew up without anything," Bomba retorted. She gave an exasperated growl. "I just want what is rightfully mine. Is that too much to ask?"

"Sometimes it is," Grizabella replied philosophically.

"And sometimes it isn't," Bomba countered. She shook her head, "These stupid Jellicles and their stupid Ball—"

"Oh, it is time for the Jellicle Moon," Grizabella suddenly remembered. She gave a soft smile, "It would be nice, to go to the Ball again."

"You can't. Remember?" Bomba said darkly. "You're an outcast."

"How could I forget?" Grizabella gave a rueful laugh.

"You seem to have done so," Bombalurina pointed out, her dark eyes zeroing in on her mother's.

"Bombalurina," Grizabella gave a heavy sigh. "This little scheme of yours will not get you what you truly want."

"Oh won't it?" The red queen challenged.

Her mother gave a sad shake of her head, "No, it won't. You won't be happy."

"I'll be the judge of that," Bomba replied tersely.

"You won't," Grizabella retorted. "You never are. You never will be. It's not in your nature. You will always want more—more than you need, more than you can have."

"Ambition is not a sin, Mother," the red queen said coldly.

"But greed is."

"How can I be greedy when I possess nothing?!" Bomba cried out.

"I think I will go to the Jellicle Ball," Grizabella said suddenly.

"What?" Bombalurina was completely floored. She took a step towards her mother, "You can't go—Jellicle Law forbids it. Are you daft?"

"If you want me to help you, then you will have to wait until the Jellicle Ball," Grizabella's resolve had hardened. "I will go then—not a moment before."

"Sometimes I really do hate you," the red queen said darkly.

"I know," Grizabella smirked. "Sometimes I feel the same about you."