Author's Note: Hey readers! So here's Chapter Nine... It was supposed to be up last night, but oh well. This and the next chapter are both Munk/Dem-centric, which will lead to a big surprise next chapter. Thank you to all my commenters- , I fixed both of my little errors in Chapter 7 & 8. I can't believe I mixed up Pounce and Tumble! I also realized that Vic and Misto are in fact cousins. Thing is, there's a total of 27 cats in the film. 25 if you account for Plato also playing Macavity and Admetus playing the Rumpus Cat. With that few characters, I figured there has to be a decent amount of inbreeding, which has to fine with cats (except for full-blown incest. Thats a little creepy.). And if Deuteronomy really had nine wives, and had a kit with each of them, that would be a third of the tribe alone. So I figured that the Misto/Vic relationship thing would still be okay.
I know I already brought this up in Chapter Seven, but I wanted to give another shoutout to ZeZae's piece, "Happiness", which is a wonderful, sweet look into Vic and Deuteronomy's time together during Chapter 5. I inserted it as a deleted scene into the chapter itself, but she also posted it as a one shot today. Be sure to check it out and leave her some marvelous reviews on how amazng it is!
So, finally, here's Chapter Nine! Be sure to R&R!
Disclaimer: I don't own Cats. Shocker, right? All this time I really thought I did!
XVII
Over time, Demeter and I grew close. When I wasn't on guard duty for the junkyard we would spend hour after hour talking. I took her on long walks when she was lonely, or when Bomba was off with her friends. We became good friends again, reforming the bond we had had as kits.
Victoria also quickly grew to adore her, calling her "Demmy" and always asking for her. Dem began to treat my daughter as her own, playing games and laughing together. Sometimes when I was acting as Jellicle protector, Demeter would even watch her for the night.
At the beginning, the relationship was completely platonic. We spent a good deal of time together, and I admired her for her strength in dealing with her past. Time made our relationship stronger, and we progressively grew closer and closer. Several times, when on patrol, I would hear her scream at her dreams. When this would happen and Bomba was out with the other Jellicle teens, I would have to comfort her, and urge her back to sleep.
One evening in particular, when this occurred, I stroked her back as she sobbed, and then put my arm around her. With my comfort, she fell back asleep. Her soft head rsted in my lap and her arm snaked around my waist. We stayed that way for quite a while, till I had no choice but to go.
One night, two weeks from that moon's Jellicle Ball, I walked along the edges of junkyard. Dem then joined me for patrol. Our laughter intermingled and rose into the air. Nearing her den, we stopped to say goodnight.
"Goodnight, Munk."
"Goodnight, Dem. Sleep well tonight, okay?"
She nodded and turned. She took two steps, then suddenly stopped and turned.
She walked closer to me, and hesitated for a moment. Then suddenly, her mind made up, and her lips made soft impact with mine.
"'Night," she whispered, and ran back to her den. Stunned, I stumbled backwards. I scurried to my den, where Victoria lay sleeping. I settled onto my bed, a room away from hers, my mind swimming.
I loved her. I had known it before, in the back of my mind, and the kiss only confirmed it. I loved her strength, her eyes, her voice. I loved her despite her past.
But I had to acknowledge my present. I had no doubt Victoria would whole-heartedly accept her as her mother. I still loved Mirany, and knew I always would. That love would be something I was never rid of. Would it even be fair to give Demeter my heart if I knew it wasn't completely whole?
And was it too soon? Mirany died the day of Victoria's birth, and she was now thoroughly a kitten. I knew my heart was ready, but would we be judged by the tribe for our love? Before I could do anything about the relationship, I would have to approach my father. Hopefully he would understand, he always seemed to.
XVIII
Munkustrap approached his father's den slowly, trying to calm himself.
"All he ever talks about is the importance of love. Will he judge Demeter and I for this, will he approve? Is this even the right thing to do? I love her, but I don't want to be outcast if the tribe is against it… But Dems worth it. I love her, and this is what I have to do," he thought, talking himself through it.
Munkustrap reached the door, and after pausing for a moment, knocked.
Deuteronomy opened the door with a smile, welcoming his son in. Munk was lead inside and took a seat towards his father's large chair.
"Well, Munkustrap, what is it you wish to speak about? Is everything alright with Victoria and the boys?"
"Yes, they're doing great. This actually isn't about them."
"Then what, son? Any problems with your responsibilites?"
"None, it's just… I just-"
"Love? I know," said Deuteronomy smiling knowingly.
"How did you?"
"It's my job to. It's that golden queen, Demeter, is it not?"
"Well, yes. We've grown close, and I think I love her. But I don't know if it's right."
"If it's right? Son, love is never wrong. If you are afraid of judgment, don't be. If you know in your heart you and Demeter are meant for each other, than no one can question your love. I, and all the Jellicles, will stand behind you."
