~3 months later.~
Demeter came to the edge of the Stray Territory.
"Well here goes something. I wonder if they'll remember me." she thought, as she crossed the Stray/Jellicle boarder.
Demeter carefully lay on her side in the grass on a small, rocky hill. She was pregnant She watched the cats nearby. The red one felt very familiar. There were two other cats with her, a black and white tuxedo cat and a tiger striped tabby.
"You okay Bomby?" the tuxedo cat asked.
"Yeah. You look sad." the tabby agreed.
Demeter glanced again at the red queen.
"Bomby? Why does that sound familiar?" she whispered.
"I was thinking of Demeter." Bomba said. "I just hope she's alive. I miss her."
Both tomes squeezed Bomby's paws.
"Don't worry. We'll-" Munkustrap trailed off.
"What is it?" Misto asked.
Munkustrap sniffed the air. "I think there's another cat here."
He padded over towards the hill.
Demeter shifted and tried to get as close to the ground as she could, knocking lose a few stones.
Munkustrap pawed into the grass until, "Who are you?" he growled at Demeter.
Demeter's eyes widened. She got to her feet. "Please... Don't hurt me." she stammered.
Munku looked at the queen, she looked like she had been on her own for a while now. He offered Demeter his paw.
"I won't hurt you. Who are you?" he asked gently.
Bomba and Misto came over.
"What is it Munkustrap?" Misto asked.
Demeter hesitantly took Munku's paw and stepped out.
"Hi. I'm Mistoffelees, but everyone calls me Misto."
Demeter smiled at him and looked at the red queen, a wave of familiarity washing over her again. She wondered if the queen could be her sister. She decided to risk it.
"I'm Demeter. Are you... Bombalurina?"
Bomby gasped. "Demi? Is that you?"
"You remember me? I didn't know if you'd remember me or not."
"Of course I do!" Bomba cried, hugging her sister. Then she backed up.
"You're pregnant. Where have you been all this time? And you're pregnant."
"You already said that." Demeter said.
"We should get back to the yard." Munkustrap said.
"Yes. You look like you could use some sleep." Misto said.
Both Munkustrap and Bombalurina nodded in agreement. "Some sleep and something good to eat will do wonders for you." Munkustrap said, leading the way back to the yard.
The three walked into the yard. Jenny and Old Deuteronomy came up to them.
"Hello dears. Who is this?" Jenny asked.
Bomba grinned. "It's Demeter!"
Jenny looked at the golden queen and smiled. "I remember you. It's wonderful to have you back. I don't know if you remember me, I'm Jennyanydots."
"I'm Old Deuteronomy." Deuteronomy said introducing himself. "The leader of the tribe. It's wonderful to see that you're alright Demeter." He then looked at her stomach. "And expecting also. I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you." Demeter said smiling and blushed slightly.
"Come sweetie, Jellylorum and I will get you comfortable and check on your baby." Jenny said.
Jenny and Bomby whisked Demeter off.
"Bye." Demeter called over her shoulder.
After a bowl of soup, a cleaning, and an exam, Jenny and Jelly pronounced Demeter just fine. They got her comfortable on a bed and left so she and Bomby could talk.
"Where were you all this time?" Bomby asked.
"With Macavity."
Bomby hissed. "He didn't hurt you did he?"
Demeter smiled sadly. "No. We were mates, but that changed."
Bomby asked if she could tell Old Deuteronomy this and if it was Macavity's kitten or kittens she was carrying.
Demeter nodded yes to both. "But just him okay?"
"Okay." Bomby said.
"Who was the other tom with you? I never got his name."
"His name is Munkustrap. He's the next to be leader."
Demeter smiled sleepily. "Oh. Could you tell him thank you for me?"
"Sure. For what?"
"For bringing me to you."
"Alright."
Bomby could tell that Demeter was falling asleep fast. She tucked her in and quietly left.
Outside she ran into Munkustrap.
"Hey Munku."
"Hello Bomby. How's Demeter?"
Bomby smiled. "She's fine. She's asleep, but can you keep an eye on her for me? And she wanted me to thank you."
"Sure. What for?"
"For bringing her to me."
Munkustrap smiled. "She's welcome." he said, stepping into Demeter's temporary lair.
Bombalurina walked up to Deuteronomy.
"Can I talk to you?" she asked.
"Of course. What is it?" Deuteronomy asked.
"It's about Demeter. I've found out where she was."
"Where?"
"With Macavity. She wouldn't tell me much. I think it was too painful for her. But what she did tell me was that she had been with Macavity, that they used to be mates and that she is carrying his kitten or kittens. She just wants you to know. And me of course."
Deuteronomy nodded. "It'll be between the two of us."
Munkustrap quietly slipped into Demi's lair and sat down. He watched the sleeping queen and smiled. He hadn't noticed it before, but she was beautiful. Jenny and Jelly did a good job of cleaning her up. What little sun that trickled in bounced off her golden fun and made it shine. He saw she shiver in her sleep and gently curled himself around her to keep her warm.
Demeter smiled in her sleep as she felt someone that was warm and had thick, soft fur curl around her. She nuzzled Munkustrap's chest, inhaling his scent, and cuddled up to him.
Munkustrap smiled, kissed Demi on the head and the two fell asleep. A few hours later Demeter woke up in Munkustrap's arms.
"Hi." Munkustrap said, petting Demeter.
"Hi."
"I don't know if anyone told you my name, it's-"
"Munkustrap. Yes, Bomby told me."
Munkustrap helped Demeter out of the bed.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
After they had eaten, Munkustrap introduced her to the other cats.
~A few weeks later.~
Demeter had given birth. She had a litter of one, a girl. The kitten was marked like Demeter, but was colored black, white, some cream, and red. Demeter named her Jemima.
Munku grinned as Jemima played with his tail. He flicked it back and forth watching her dart after it.
"No fair Daddy!" she said as he dangled it above her, making her stretch out it bat at it.
Munkustrap knew that he wasn't her true father, he knew who was though. Demeter had told him shortly before Jem had been born. He hadn't cared that Macavity was her real father. He loved Demeter and Jemima too much, to let that little fact bother him. So he and Demeter raised Jemima as their own.
Demeter came up to them.
"Mommy!" Jemima squealed, running up to Demi and rubbing against her.
Demeter smiled. "Hello, sweetie." she said, nuzzling Jemima. "Hi to you too." She said to Munku, kissing him.
"Hey." Munku whispered back, kissing her.
"Ewwww!! Mush!" Jemima said, forcing herself in between the two and wrapping her arms around Demeter's waist.
Munkustrap and Demeter laughed.
"You won't think it's so bad in a few years." Munkustrap said.
Jemima made a face and gagged.
Demeter snickered softly and the three lived happily ever after.

The End.