Hey guys! Thought I'd give you a bit of an early update as a treat for Father's Day. Happy Father's Day to all the Dads, father figures, and even single moms out there doing it all. :)

To my reviewers!

Evelyn Knight: I'm glad you're enjoying my story so much, it's always good to hear from you. I'm also relieved at the positive reception to my OCs, I know too many can crowd a story, but I'm glad you like them. I can't say too much about Macavity's plans without spoiling things, but I will say that I am not following traditional fan theories for this story. I will make honorable mentions of them, but I am not following them, if that's any comfort. ;)

Aira (Guest): That's so cool you got be Gus! I'm not a great performer, but I'd always wanted to be in even a local version of Cats. Unfortunately it's not all that popular compared to other shows, so none of my local theatres do it. :( I'm also happy you like my OCs, I had a fun time thinking of unique names for them. And yes, Macavity is definitely one of those hate to love, love to hate villains! I actually delve into his backstory and the Jellicle's history a bit more in this chapter so be on the look out for that.

*Hopefully without spoiling too much, this chapter contains mild violence and mentions of blood and death, as well as implied abuse, so warnings for that.*

Also, the chapter title is a reference to Rent the musical, but I do not own Rent or Cats in any way.

Hope you guys enjoy, and I look forward to hearing what you think!

- Raven

It was hard to tell time in the warehouse, given that there were no windows or clocks in the basement. The days were split between when food was brought, or when one of the Queens left to go upstairs. There was always a heavy feeling in the air when they came back, but Jez always did her best to smile at me and give the appearance of 'alright,' even if she wasn't. Rumpleteazer left on what Artemis had said was the third day after my arrival, but Mungojerrie remained, still recovering from his multitude of wounds. He hadn't regained consciousness, though Jez and Artemis were confident that he would recover. Rumpleteazer was always by his side when she came down, waiting anxiously for him to wake up.

I 'visited' Macavity twice more in that length of time, each time learning more and more about his plans. I still had refused to play a part in it, much to his…displeasure. I was grateful at least, that my fur, while short, was thick enough to hide most of the damage he caused. I was still wary and anxious around him, however, and I was quickly beginning to learn his limits. Macavity was a surprisingly patient cat, but he would only tolerate so much before he snapped.

"What's all this for?" I asked, staring around the room and seeing papers strewn about in disarray. The pool table had been tipped on its side, and a large spreadsheet of some kind was pinned to it, which Macavity was poring over as I entered his office.

"Work," he muttered, not bothering to turn around. I poked at a paper with my paw, but it quickly slid away from my reach. I looked up to see Macavity glaring at me, the paper clutched tightly in his paw. I stared back calmly, and he placed the paper by his side before turning back to the chart. I sighed quietly in relief, but I also couldn't help but feel a little curious. I knew Macavity had magic, but this was the first time he'd ever openly displayed it in front of me, and I was trying to figure out why it felt like a big deal.

"I thought you were working on a plan for the Junkyard," I finally said, breaking the silence. Macavity moved something on the chart, but didn't turn around as he spoke.

"Believe me, I haven't forgotten about my plan. But I have other things to work on as well."

"You mean it isn't a twenty-four hour obsession?" I said with fake surprise. "I'm shocked."

Macavity growled, and I fell silent, but I was smiling to myself. It was an interesting thing, our dance, walking that fine line and seeing just how far I could push. A game of cat and mouse, almost, where the mouse knows the cat can catch it, but teases it anyway just for fun.

"If you're so concerned," Macavity drawled. "You could…"

"No." I said firmly, and he chuckled, finally turning from the paper to face me.

"So certain," he said, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "But I guarantee…"

"I know," I said, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. "You keep saying I'll change my mind, but I'd say I'm doing a good job of sticking with what I said. Which is no."

Macavity's eyes flashed a brighter green, and that was all the warning I needed to shut up. I'd learned (the hard way) that Macavity only tolerated one sarcastic remark per visit, and that was one rule I wasn't keen on pushing again. He stalked towards me slowly, and I backed away a step as he approached.

"You're so loyal to them," he growled. "But what have they done for you?"

"They didn't have to take me in when they found me," I replied carefully, watching him begin to pace a circle around me. "But they did, and…"

"And?" he sneered. "There was no 'and.' They took you in, yes, but they didn't make you a part of the Tribe; you're not one of them."

"Neither are you," I shot back before I could catch myself, and I cringed, waiting for him to lash out at me for the comment. He simply growled another warning as he continued to pace, but I noticed that his claws and come unsheathed, and I knew that I wouldn't get away with it a second time. It was time to tip toe instead of dance.

"You're right," he finally acknowledged, and I glanced up at him in surprise. "I'm not one of them; not anymore."

"Is that why you hate them?" I questioned softly, careful to keep my posture submissive. "Because they kicked you out?"

"Kicked me out?" he repeated with a sharp laugh. "I chose to leave."

"But I thought…," I began, before falling silent in confusion.

"What?" he snapped, and I flinched as he turned on me, green eyes blazing. "What did you think? What do you know about me?"

His words dug like knives, and I shook my head wordlessly, at a loss. I didn't know anything about Macavity other than that he was evil incarnate, and the little bit that Exotica had managed to show me before…. But the fandom was so full of theories it was hard to decide which the story was. What was generally agreed upon was that Macavity, Munkustrap, and Tugger were Old Deuteronomy's sons, and that Macavity had magic. Somewhere along the way, something happened to set him over the edge; either Munkustrap was chosen as Protector over him, or he was experimenting with his magic and killed another cat, or kidnapped Demeter and left with her. The more common belief was that he'd murdered someone, and had been exiled, but I had no way of knowing that for sure.

"Well?" he snarled, and I realized he was still waiting for my answer. I stammered soundlessly as I tried to piece together what little I knew from this world, but the only thing that leapt out at me was….

"Grizabella," I whispered, and Macavity faltered, the fire dying suddenly from his eyes.

"What?"

"Grizabella," I repeated, a little more confident in my knowledge. "You were close with Grizabella. She…took care of you."

"How do you know that?" his voice was a low hiss, the anger back in his glare, and it was my turn to falter as he advanced once more.

"Exotica," I stammered out. "She…."

"Of course she did," he growled, almost to himself. "She always loved to meddle."

"What does Exotica have to do with Grizabella?" I asked, forgetting myself for the moment. "And why do you hate her?"

Macavity growled again, a little louder, and I staggered backwards as a sharp pain blossomed across my face. Before I could fully process that pain, another blow caught me from the opposite side. I scrambled away blindly, my paws flying instinctively to my face and coming away painted red. Macavity was still growling, but when I snapped my head up to meet his gaze, he wasn't there. I pressed my paw to my face again, wincing and cursing my stupidity. The dance had changed and I'd missed my cue; now I was paying for it.

"Let me make this perfectly clear," Macavity's voice hissed from the air. "This is not a game. I am the one making the rules; you survive only as long as I see some sort of use for you."

Another blow caught me from behind, and I stumbled forward, barely managing to avoid falling. I spun around, but he was still nowhere to be seen.

"Make no mistake, Persephone," he spat, once again from behind me. "I can send you back to where you are from, but as long as you are here, you are mine. Is that understood?"

"Pretty sure you can't own a person," I stammered, if only to cover my fear. "I mean, it goes against nature…and ethical…."

I staggered back as he leapt at me, tumbling under him and wincing each time his claws struck. I scrambled back towards the wall, feeling my fur raise defensively. I wouldn't dare try and fight him, but I wasn't going to become a punching bag, either. He leapt at me again, and I bared my teeth in a futile attempt to intimidate as I was pinned beneath him once more. There was nowhere for to go, and we both knew it. He bared his own teeth at me, a low growl rumbling in his throat.

"Is. That. Understood?"

I nodded, unable to keep the tremble from the voice as I answered. "Very understood."

"Good." He smiled then, retreating only enough to allow me to get to my feet, and I shivered as he leered at me, green eyes bright with malice. "Now if there are no further questions, let's begin."

His plan was simple and straightforward in theory; topple the Junkyard. To do that, he would take away their pillar and foundation: Old Deuteronomy. The problem there, however, was once he had Deuteronomy, what would be done with him.

"You wouldn't…kill him, would you?" I asked, and he shot me a glare.

"That's not something you need to worry about. Your job is to make sure my plans succeed."

I bit my tongue and nodded my understanding, though I couldn't help but feel that even here, I was told not to question. To just go along with it.

"What was that?" Macavity snapped, whirling on my suddenly, and I scrambled away hastily.

"I didn't say anything!" I was quick to defend, but he shook his head, peering at me closely.

"That thought you had," he said. "About the Junkyard."

"It's rude to read someone's thoughts without asking," I said, echoing Tantomile's words to Coricopat. "Didn't anyone teach you that?"

"I'm a terrible learner," he deadpanned, growling slightly.

"I just meant," I backpedaled quickly. "That even though I was part of the Junkyard, I wasn't really…part of the Junkyard. I just sort of had to accept things the way they were, and I didn't really get explanations for my questions."

His eyes took on a thoughtful look, and he hummed quietly to himself as he stared at me. I shuffled anxiously under his gaze, not sure if he was just thinking of ways to kill me or if he was truly pondering my words.

"A bit of both," he muttered. "But I think…I think I'd like to show you something."

"Oh no," I said, shaking my head quickly and backing away. "No, that's never a good…."

The ground lurched under my feet before I finished my sentence, and darkness swept Macavity and the warehouse away. When it cleared, and my head stopped spinning, I was standing in the Junkyard, just outside of a familiar looking den.

"What…?" I started to ask, and Macavity's voice filtered in, low and bitter.

"Just so there is no confusion; this is not a sign of trust. I merely think that it would be…beneficial for you to have some understanding."

"How is it to my benefit to view the memories of a psychopath?" I retorted, but there was no answer, and I huffed a sigh before walking forward and into the den.

I started when I realized that it was Grizabella's den, and this memory seemed to begin just where the one Exotica had shown me had cut off.

"Yes, that was intentional," Macavity growled impatiently. "And if you are just going to comment on everything you are seeing…."

"Got it," I muttered, and fell silent once more.

Old Deuteronomy stood in the doorway, a grieved expression on his face, and I squeezed past him to see Grizabella standing with her fur raised, Macavity still in her arms.

"Grizzle," Deuteronomy greeted, inclining his head to her before glancing down.

"Macavity," he acknowledged with a sad smile.

"Deuteronomy." Grizabella's tone was stiff but respectful as she stared at the older cat. Deuteronomy sighed heavily, his gaze turning to Macavity, who stiffened in Grizabella's grip.

"I heard about the fire," Deuteronomy said, and Macavity's fur bristled while Grizabella spoke, still in that stiff respectful tone.

"It was an accident."

"So I've been told."

Grizabella growled softly at that, her eyes narrowing, and Deuteronomy sighed again before turning back to Macavity.

"Macavity, would you wait outside a moment?"

Macavity lifted his head to look to Grizabella for confirmation. She nodded at him, and he pulled from her arms to exit the den, barely glancing at Deuteronomy as he did so.

"What am I going to do with him?" he muttered sadly.

"He's only a kitten," Grizabella responded. "He can't be expected to…"

"But it is expected of him, Grizzle," Deuteronomy intoned. "As my son, it's expected of him, and what he does reflects on me as his father and as the tribe leader."

"Yes, I'm sure it must be a terrible thing for you," Grizabella said, and the respect had dropped from her voice, leaving only the stiffness.

"What is this really about then, Grizzle?"

"You're never here. I understand that you have other responsibilities, but as his father, you have a responsibility to him as well."

"And you think I don't understand that?"

"You don't come around often enough for me to tell, and when you do, you're with Munkustrap or Tugger. Not him."

"It's different, and you know that."

"He doesn't."

Deuteronomy slumped dejectedly at that, while Grizabella continued to stare at him accusingly.

"The truth is I don't understand him," Deuteronomy said quietly. "A terrible thing to admit, but I can't reach out to him, and with his magic…I don't know how."

"You have to be there for him first," Grizabella replied. "Then you can reach out."

Deuteronomy faltered, and Grizabella sighed, softening and taking a step towards him. "I understand, Deuteronomy," she said. "Really, I do. I may not be his mother, but I'm all he has to turn to. It's hard for him."

"It's hard for me!" Deuteronomy protested, but there was a lightness with which he said it, and Grizabella scoffed, though her gaze was no longer angry or accusing.

"What will happen?" she asked quietly, and Deuteronomy frowned, sobering once more.

"There are many who are calling for his banishment, though none dare mention it straightforwardly. Instead, they call it a 'break,' or else a 'vacation,' of sorts."

"You wouldn't-," Grizabella began, but Deuteronomy gave her a look, and she caught herself.

"What, then?" she insisted instead. "I've already said he should apologize to Jellylorum."

"He'll be doing a bit more than that," Deuteronomy said. "He'll be helping to rebuild her den."

"Is that a good idea?" Grizabella asked. "With what they already think of him…and the fact that Jellylorum hates him…."

"She would never do anything to act on those feelings," Deuteronomy said with a slight growl. "Especially not while I'm here."

"You mean…you're staying?"

"Until this is resolved," Deuteronomy affirmed with a nod, but Grizabella's eyes narrowed, and she took another step towards him.

"What is it that you're not saying?"

"Until he learns to control it…," Deuteronomy hesitated, but pushed on with a grim determination. "It has been decided that Macavity's magic will be bound."

Grizabella's eyes widened in horror, before narrowing once more in anger. "And who has decided this?" she hissed.

Deuteronomy gave no answer, and she hissed again, furious. "How is he supposed to learn to control it if he won't even be able to use it?"

"Exotica has volunteered to teach him," Deuteronomy replied, and Grizabella bared her teeth in a snarl.

"And has Exotica also volunteered to be the one to bind him?"

Again, Deuteronomy was silent, and Grizabella turned away with a growl. "What about Coricopat and Tantomile?" she snapped as she began to pace. "Will their magic be bound as well?"

"Grizzle," Deuteronomy said, his voice low with a warning, but she merely glanced at him expectantly, and he sighed. "No."

She made a quiet, vindictive noise, but Deuteronomy was quick to respond. "Their magic is different…it's…"

"Complicated," she finished for him, still pacing.

"Grizzle," Deuteronomy said again, his tone a little sharper, but she continued, ignoring him.

"It's different…a difficult situation. But what do I know of difficult situations? I only raised him for you."

"That's enough, Grizabella," Deuteronomy growled.

I realized at the same moment she did that he had used her full name, and she fell silent beneath his gaze. His glare was sorrowful, but still pointed, and she stepped back, her eyes dropping slightly.

"It's not your place to question," he continued, and she smiled bitterly, her eyes lifting to his once more.

"No," she agreed softly. "It isn't, is it?"

Deuteronomy grimaced, dropping his own gaze. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"It's not me you need to apologize to." She continued to stare at him even though he wouldn't meet her eye. "You need to be the one to tell him. You owe him that much."

He nodded heavily, and she moved to the door. As she did, the room began to crumble away, darkness filtering in and slowly taking over.

"You promised!" I heard Macavity scream, but even that was faint as the warehouse began to come back into view.

"I hate you!"

Macavity! Another scream, but it was gone in a sudden rush, and I was back in the dim room of the warehouse.

I was shaking, I realized belatedly, reeling from everything I'd seen and heard. Macavity stood before me, an unreadable expression on his face. He seemed lost in thought, but he roused quickly when he noticed me staring, moving to pace a slow circle around me.

"The funny thing about magic," he said as he walked. "Is the thing that so few truly understand. Magic is not the cat. The cat is not magic. The cat is merely the bearer; the vessel, if you will. The magic itself is unpredictable…a wild creature, that doesn't take kindly to being locked away without the space to run."

He paused a moment to stare sharply at me, his eyes narrowing. "Do you know what happens when a cat's magic is bound?"

I shook my head wordlessly, and he bared his teeth in a sneer. "The magic tries to break free," he growled. "And when it fails, it turns inwards, and attacks the vessel."

A bitter smile twitched his lips, venom coloring his words. "Being burned alive is always a… fun experience. It's even more so when you know that it was your own father who did it to you."

I shook my head again, at a loss for what to say. "I…I'm…"

"Don't. You. Dare," he hissed, and I faltered, staring up at him in surprise.

"I don't need your apologies," he continued lowly. "Only your cooperation."

"But I…"

"You understand."

"I…Yes, I understand, but that doesn't mean I agree."

His head tilted slightly as he stared at me, frowning thoughtfully before suddenly lifting his head, an amused smile slipping onto his face.

"You think I'm going to kill them."

"Aren't you?" I responded. "I kind of thought that was synonymous with 'destroy the Junkyard.'"

He laughed, and I shuddered, backing away a step for safety.

"I will destroy them, yes," he said, nodding slightly. "But I want them to suffer, as I did. I can't do that if they're dead."

"I'm not sure if that's comforting," I said, backing away another step.

"You have a choice," Macavity growled lowly. "You can work with me, or you can be destroyed with them."

"Is there a third option?" I whispered from halfway across the room.

"No one needs to die." He growled again. "That's the third option, and I will do it with or without you."

He raised a paw, and the door opened quietly behind me.

"Think on that, Persephone."

I was still thinking when Ajax led me back to the room in the basement, and Jez was instantly by my side, hissing as she took in my appearance. I tried vainly to shrug off her paws as she worried over me, making my way into the room without really focusing on where I was going.

"I'm fine Jez," I muttered. "Really, I'm fine."

"Fine!" she spat, her eyes flashing. "What's this, then?" She motioned to my face, and I lifted my paw slowly to press against the wound, wincing at the sharp sting it brought.

"My own fault," I said, honestly. She hissed again, and I pulled away before she could comment further.

"I'm fine, alright? I just need to think for a moment."

She withdrew with a startled and hurt expression, and I sighed, wincing again. "Jez…" I began, but she pursed her lips, shaking her head slightly.

"No, it's alright. Go think."

There was no harshness in her voice, but I still walked away feeling heavier, guilt and confusion churning in my gut.

'No one needs to die.'

I let out a frustrated groan as Macavity's words echoed in my head. I knew what he was saying; no one had to die, but they would if I didn't cooperate and participate in his plan. I was never meant to be a part of the story, but now I was, and I had no way out except the way I came; through Macavity.

"Tha's an angry noise if I ever 'eard one."

I looked up to see Rumpleteazer where she'd been for the past few days: curled up by Mungojerrie's side, and Smudge napping on her back. I climbed the small dais to where they lay, and Rumpleteazer moved over slightly to make room for me. Smudge stretched, but didn't make any other move, and I smiled as Rumpleteazer twisted her head to scowl at the sleeping kit.

"'Nnoying little thing, ain't she?"

"Sure," I said, but my smile was halfhearted this time as I stared at Mungojerrie, and Rumpleteazer glanced over at me curiously.

"He hasn't…?" I asked, and her eyes flickered with emotion.

"No."

"I'm sorry," I said, and she shook her head.

"Nothin' you coulda done about it."

"Seeing as I'm the reason he's like that…"

She scoffed, and I looked up at her in surprise. "You were jus' the job," she said, but there was a bitter note to her voice. "Not your fault we failed. We knew the consequences."

I fell silent at that, not entirely sure how to respond. Artemis came back and roused Smudge, coaxing her down off of Rumpleteazer's back and letting me know that Jez wanted to see me once I was done 'thinking.' The way she'd said it made me bristle, but she left with Smudge before I could respond. Rumpleteazer stretched gratefully once the kitten was gone, shifting just a little closer to Mungojerrie before settling down again.

"How did you decide?" I asked her, and she raised an eyebrow at me.

"Decide what?"

"This," I motioned vaguely to the room; the warehouse. "I mean, how…why Macavity?"

"It's not as complicated as you're thinkin' it is," she finally said, her eyes still on Mungojerrie. "We knew what we were signin' up for, not like we were tricked into doing anythin' we didn't want."

"There's a 'but,' though," I said, watching her closely. "Isn't there?"

Her lips twitched wryly, and her eyes glinted with that same dark amusement they'd had the night she and Mungojerrie had confronted me.

"What's he askin' you to do?" she asked, and I started at her knowing tone.

"What?"

"You wouldn't be askin' me all these questions if he hadn't asked you to do something,'" she said. "So, what is it?"

I shook my head, not wanting to reveal to her everything I'd seen and heard, but needing some kind of reassurance.

"People will get hurt," I finally said, refusing to look at her. "People that I care about."

"Do they care about you?"

"What?"

She scoffed lightly, but the amusement was still there as she repeated herself. "Do they care about you? Cuz there's no use fightin' and carin' for them if they wouldn't do the same for you."

"I…I don't know if they care," I admitted quietly. "I know some do, but the rest…I'd like to believe they do."

"No," she said sharply, her eyes holding a bitter, sorrowful look as she stood abruptly. "Belief ain't good enough; you gotta know. And if ya don't know, well…there's your answer."

"Is that how you do it?" I asked her, stopping her midstride. "You and Jerrie?"

She glanced at me over her shoulder, the bitterness drifting into her smile. "It's how we've survived."

I fell silent at that, and she turned back around, not looking back as she jumped down off the dais. "Yell for me if he finally moves his lazy self, alright?"

I smiled a bit at that, but she was already heading to the door before I could respond, and I sighed, turning to my thoughts once more. Despite her belief, it wasn't quite so simple a decision for me, but the wrong one would cost more than just my life, but the lives of those I'd grown to care about. I tried to shove away the doubts, but they kept coming back, and I wasn't sure how to answer them. Rumpleteazer's advice didn't do much to help my confidence, either, but it wasn't as though I had many options in front of me.

"I could always leave," I suggested to myself, and a sharp laugh made me jump in surprise. I looked up to see Artemis glaring at me, her eyes like twin bolts of fire as she stared.

"Leave," she repeated with another scoff. "No one leaves Macavity."

I stood, unnerved by her stare but trying not to show it. "I was just thinking," I protested, and she frowned.

"I know you are. But thoughts lead to actions, and as loathe as I am to admit it, you've grown on me."

"Thank. You?"

"We don't need another repeat of history," she growled, her tail flicking restlessly.

"I keep hearing that," I said, jumping down so I was level with her. "What does that mean; I'm not allowed to leave?"

Her eyes flickered, but her sharp tone never wavered as she responded. "Go ask Jez," she hissed darkly. "Ask her what happens when you try to outrun the Hidden Paw."