Chapter Ten: No more ace to play
"Storm?" Grizabella called, standing at the threshold of Storm's den.
"Bella. There you are!" Storm said, padding out of the den and rubbing cheeks with his mate, making Grizabella feel on top of the world again. "I was going to come and see you."
"You were?" Grizabella said, her eyes widening at him.
Storm kissed her cheek, pulling her closer to him and embracing her. "Of course." He purred into her ear.
"Princess spoke to you then?"
"What?" Storm paused, his body rigid.
"Princess told me she was coming here to tell you to, well, you know, let me move back with you." Grizabella said.
"Oh yes!" Storm exclaimed, relaxing. "She did come see me and of course you can move back in here sweetie. I was a fool to send you away."
"Oh Storm!" Grizabella sighed, tears threatening to fall. "I was so silly to doubt you."
Storm led her into the den and towards the pile of pillows that served as a bed, pulling her into his arms. She snuggled against his chest, purring slightly as he stroked her headfur absently.
"Why did you doubt me Bella?" Storm asked fiercely.
"It's silly darling." Grizabella closed her eyes as the warmth from his chest radiated throughout her body.
"Tell me what made you doubt." Storm demanded, placing a paw on her chin and making her face turn upwards so he could look her directly into the eye.
"It's silly." Grizabella said, trying to mask the panic she was beginning to feel. "Valeria and Hero said something and…"
"What did they say?"
"They thought that you and Princess were sleeping together but that's silly right?" Grizabella laughed nervously.
Storm laughed too, and ran his paw across her waist. "Of course it is. I would never do that to you, you know that."
Grinning, Grizabella stroked his chest, feeling his muscles ripple beneath her paw. "Of course."
Storm rolled her onto her back, kissing her neck tenderly, causing a small moan to escape from her lips. He licked her stomach, smothering her mouth with his, crushing his lean and muscular body against her now rather full figured one. Her paws clawed at his back as she arched herself rubbing her body against his, nibbling at his ear. He grunted, biting her neck roughly and trailing his tongue across her face. He stared her in the eyes, his eyes full of desire and passion. She stroked his face as she kissed him, biting his lip. He grinned slyly, pulling himself away from her causing her to gasp at the sudden coldness of her body.
"Storm?"
He turned his back on her and remained motionless.
"Is something wrong?" Grizabella asked, reaching out towards him.
Storm turned to her, a strange look upon his face. "How much do you want me?"
Grizabella stood up and padded over to him, circling him, running her tail under his chin and closing the gap between their bodies. She ran her paws over his shoulders, licking up his neck. He purred grabbing her and pushing her back to the pillows, practically pouncing on her, pinning her body beneath his. She wrapped her legs around his waist pressing her body further and further into his. Storm growled, lost in the moment, pushing himself into her causing her to gasp in delight and pleasure. The moment of ecstasy lasted longer than Grizabella could have even imagined and when Storm finally rolled off her Grizabella felt warm and tingly all over her body. She curled up next to him, snuggling into his body, purring softly. She could feel Storm stroking her headfur as she gently drifted off to sleep, not noticing him slip away and out into the afternoon sun.
Jennyanydots grinned over her shoulder at her best friend Jellylorum as they wandered the street outside the Junkyard with Skimbleshanks and Carbucketty. Jelly winked at her friend and turned back to listen to what Carbucketty was saying.
"And then finally I managed to climb on top of the old ladder. That's the last time I wander away and into the west part of the Junkyard. Why do Humans keep Pollicles anyway? What is that Pollicle doing in the Junkyard?"
Jellylorum shrugged not really knowing what to say. "They enjoy them?"
"Humans are real strange." Carbucketty sighed as they followed Skimbleshanks and Jennyanydots.
Skimble seemed to think he had a faint idea of where they were going but it wasn't long before Carbucketty declared them lost.
"I think we should just try and retrace our steps and get back to the Junkyard. Which way did we come from?" Carbucketty asked, pacing back and forth.
"I think it was that way. Oh! Maybe it could have been that way?" Skimble looked back and forth, but the waning light wasn't making things easier.
"Perhaps we can ask for directions?" Jenny piped up, an idea which was quickly shot down.
Jelly rolled her eyes at her friend as the two toms argued over which way to go and the two queens giggled at their hopelessness.
"I think we need to go left." Jelly said.
"No it was definitely right." Skimble said, throwing his head in the air and sauntering off.
Carbucketty shrugged and motioned the queens to follow. They wandered along the London streets as the sun sunk below the skyline and the lights of the city began to turn on, like small fireflies all over the buildings, scattering the night sky and distorting the young Jellicles view of what up and what was down. Soon enough noises and smells hit them like a brick as the sounds of other cats nearby drew their attention. Curiously the four Jellicles found themselves in a back alley filled with cats who were eating and drinking and chatting. The lights were bright and the sounds were loud, sending a thrill of excitement through all of them.
"I don't know if we should be here." Carbucketty said.
"There are heaps of cats, maybe some Jellicles might be here and help us get home." Jenny suggested.
"I'm with Jenny." Skimbleshanks said, causing Jenny to blush.
Jellylorum glanced back at Carbucketty and shrugged. "It might not be that bad."
He nodded and followed as they wandered down the alley, scanning for sight of someone they might know. Cats stopped what they were doing and turned and looked, making the atmosphere turn from jolly and gay to suddenly very tense. Growltiger raised his head and nudged Grumbuskin to follow as they made their way through the crowd towards the quartet of Jellicles. Princess perched on top of a crate and whistled over to Carbucketty.
"Hello handsome. Why not ditch that frumpy little miss of yours and come home with a real queen." She winked, batting her eyelashes.
Carbucketty moved instinctively closer to Jelly and glared back at the white queen, refusing to say anything.
"What are Jellicles like you doin' here?" Growltiger threatened.
"What's it to you?" Carbucketty said, his voice stronger than what he felt on the inside.
"This is Stray territory." Grumbuskin grunted.
"What's going on?" A strong male voice said, as the crowd parted like the Red Sea, revealing Storm, much bigger than both Skimbleshanks and Carbucketty, standing flanked by his cronies.
"Look we don't want trouble we just want directions." Carbucketty said to the black tom.
"Directions huh?" Storm laughed and circled around the group. "The streets aren't a place for you little soft Jellicles. Perhaps you should stay here and we can have some fun."
The crowd jeered.
"No thank you." Carbucketty said courteously, following Storm's every movement. "I think we'll be going."
"Good. You do that. Watch your back though, I might send some friends after you." Storm grinned, somewhat a demonic grin as Carbucketty dragged the other three back through the crowd and onto the main street.
"That was really close." Skimbleshanks sighed, wrapping his arms around Jenny who was shaking slightly.
"Don't you know it." A strange female voice said to them, causing them to jump slightly.
Hero padded out of the shadows her paws in the air as a sign of peace.
"Look I don't want no trouble either alright?" She said, approaching them cautiously. "You lot are Jellicles right?"
"Yes." Carbucketty said bluntly.
"I know another one of youse, Grizabella." Hero stated.
The four exchanged glances. "How?" Jelly asked.
"She's a friend of mine." Hero said. "You know her too I guess."
"She's my half sister." Jelly said. "She's alright yes?"
Hero shrugged. "I dunno mate. But look can I ask you something? I'll help you back to your Junkyard if you answer me."
Carbucketty raised an eyebrow. "Why would you do that."
Hero sighed. "Not all us Strays are bad news okay. And maybe tales of Jellicles might be just a little enchanting."
Jelly smiled kindly at the black and white patched queen. "What's your question?"
Hero sighed heavily. "If something bad happens to Grizabella, would you please take her kit?"
"Kit?" Skimbleshanks spluttered.
"What would happen to her?" Jelly asked, an unusual concern for her half-sister creeping upon her, panic welling in her stomach.
"I don't know if I can say but please consider taking her. She'll have no life on the streets." Hero pleaded taking Jelly's paw and staring into her eyes.
"Of course I'll look after the kit." Jelly said. "But I don't understand…"
"Please don't ask any more questions. You kept up your end of the bargain now I'll keep up mine. Follow me." Hero motioned for them to follow, breaking into a trot as hurried off leaving Jelly, Jenny, Skimble and Carbucketty no choice but to follow her into the night.