A/N: Ok, please tell me what you think of this chapter cos I'm a bit scared about it, for some reason. I hope it's ok!
Thank you, all the reviewers! -hugs everyone-
In the Junkyard, things were not normal. They hadn't been, Munkustrap reflected, ever since Alonzo and Jemima had disappeared. Demeter was miserable, Victoria wouldn't talk to anyone except him and Demeter, Cassandra was snappy and interacted with the others even less than she used to. The kittens took to sticking close together in a little group and playing by themselves, as the adults were locked into a silent, scornful feud. Some had come to their senses and thought that it must have been a mistake. Others knew in their hearts that they were wrong, but were too proud to admit it. Still more blocked out all reason and spat hatred at any mention of the missing couple.
'We're not acting like a tribe anymore,' Munkustrap thought sadly, 'and there's no way I can bring everyone back together. I can't take Alonzo and Jemima's side because there was evidence against them. Yet I can't banish them officially – I would rather leave the tribe myself than exile my own family.' Jemima was family, since Demeter was his mate, and he was almost certain Alonzo was some sort of cousin. (Cats don't tend to keep accurate family records.) He sighed heavily, wishing he could consult Old Deuteronomy. But the main Jellicle Ball wasn't for about half a year yet, and for most other times their Leader lived in the Vicarage on Church Road, a day's walk from the Junkyard. In other circumstances Munku would have left Alonzo in charge. Skimbleshanks was always too busy to be at the Junkyard much, and quite frankly Munku wouldn't trust his own brother, the Rum Tum Tugger, with his catnip cigar, let alone leave the entire Junkyard in his care. And all the other toms were too young or too introverted. He couldn't fathom either Coricopat or Asparagus taking charge, and reckless Mungojerrie definitely didn't have the responsibility.
"You look worried." Demeter jumped up beside him. Munku nodded, and told her his dilemma.
"Really, I can't see what to do," He finished. "Old Deuteronomy is the only one who is wise enough to see the right path. And I can't get to him."
Demeter grinned, for once. She hadn't smiled much since her sister had left.
"The problem with you," she began teasingly, "is that you're too old fashioned."
"I am not!" Munku said indignantly.
"Are so! What's wrong with leaving a queen in charge of the Junkyard, hmm?"
There was a silence, as Munku was lost for words. He had simply never considered the idea. Demeter laughed at him and licked his cheek. "It's called thinking outside the square. Jennyanydots has an awful lot of authority with the kittens. Most of them wouldn't dare think of defying her! All the older cats are quite able to look after themselves."
"And if the Junkyard is attacked? Who would protect you, now that Alonzo's not here?"
Demeter frowned. "It's true you are the strongest fighter," she admitted. Munku managed not to look smug. "But we're attacked so little, less than once a year usually. If there's any small scuffle, the older queens can sort it out. Me and Jellylorum, and Bombalurina's very protective when she thinks of anything other than the hottest tomcat around. Asparagus will help, and Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer will if they're here. Even Coricopat and Tantomile can get their heads out of the clouds at important times. It's only for two days. The tribe will be fine, and Old Deuteronomy will understand."
Munkustrap sighed heavily. He wasn't happy, but he knew that the tribe could go to pieces if he didn't do something.
"Very well," he agreed reluctantly. "I'll instruct everyone before I leave. Perhaps Skimbleshanks can miss the Midnight Mail, just for once, and stay with the tribe for the night."
"Yes, ask him," Demeter said. She was certain that Old Deuteronomy would know Alonzo and Jemima hadn't done anything wrong. Then he could tell the other Jellicles, and they would find Alonzo and Jemima and everything would be ok again! Demeter wandered off to chat with Vicky as Munku went to call a meeting, happier than she'd been for a long time.
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Munkustrap heard something scuffle behind him, and looked around. He had been walking for barely ten minutes, on his way to Old Deuteronomy, and already he was worried that something might have happened to the tribe. Resisting the compulsion to turn back and check they were all ok, he continued onwards. Then he heard his name called and jumped. There was someone behind him!
"Munkustrap?" He turned, and saw Cassandra melt out of the shadows. His heart sank. The last thing he wanted right now was to have to deal with Cassandra. But he waited, and as she got closer he began to be surprised at the state of her. She was thinner than she had been, and her usually sleek brown fur was dull. Her eyes were red, as if she'd been crying for a long time and she held her tail so low it almost scraped the ground. All in all, she looked pitiful.
"What's the matter?" Munkustrap asked, slightly taken aback. "Are you ill? Should you be with Jenny?"
"No," Cassandra whispered, not meeting his eyes. She had never been so ashamed in her life. "I…I've come to confess. You'll hate me, I know. I hate myself. I deserve to be banished…"
"Yes, yes," Munku said a touch impatiently, hearing what he considered queenish melodrama. "It can't be that bad. You'll feel better once you've told me."
Cassandra shut her eyes briefly, but she wouldn't give up. She was stubborn by nature and once she'd decided on something, it took a lot to persuade her out of it.
"It was me." Silence. Munkustrap resisted the urge to ask 'what was you?' After a few seconds Cassandra continued. "I stole those things, I planted them in Alonzo's and Jemima's dens. I framed them." Munkustrap stopped dead. He was knocked speechless – a thing which happened a little too often, he thought as he fought to find the right words.
"You?" His voice sounded strangled even to himself. He had trouble believing that any Jellicle would be so deciteful, yet here she was, admitting to what she'd done. "But…but Cassandra, why? Why would you do such a thing? Don't you realise how much pain you've caused?"
"I did it because of what they did to me," Cassandra said, her eyes glistening with tears. "I didn't mean it to go so far. I know now that it was wrong to take revenge." She looked at him for the first time. His handsome silver and black face was grave, but not angry. Cassandra was surprised. She had expected him to lose his temper, maybe even turn violent. After all, he was one of Alonzo's closest friends, and everyone was fond of Jemima. "I've thought everything out," Cassandra continued, her voice wobbling. "I know how terrible Alonzo and Jemima must feel, that they were driven from their own home because of the hatred of the other Cats, for something they didn't do. I know the Jellicles will hate me more than ever now. I can see that my actions have caused conflict within the tribe and that even though Alonzo did me a wrong by going out with Jemima, I shouldn't have tried to get even. So," She finished, "I deserve to be exiled. Find Alonzo and Jemima and exile me."
Munkustrap was silent for a long time. Then he spoke at last, and his voice was heavy with sorrow. "I'm shocked that you would do that, Cassandra. I'm shocked that you were malicious enough to even think of such a wicked scheme. Oh, don't cry." As Cassandra began to sob. Tears annoyed him. "The Everlasting Cat knows you deserve to be banished after what you've done. But I think that you realise how wrong you've been and you've learned your lesson. Am I right?" Cassandra nodded fervently, biting back her sobs though tears dripped onto the pavement.
"I'll never do anything like that ever again. I never wanted to hurt them so much." Munkustrap could tell she was speaking from her heart. Whatever personality flaws Cassandra might have, she wasn't cold-hearted and had a good soul.
"In that case, I think you deserve another chance. But I can't speak for everyone, not this time. If you want to stay in the tribe, you'll have to apologise to Alonzo, Jemima and everyone in the tribe, and let them decide if they'll keep you." Cassandra's eyes widened in alarm. Of course, she wanted more than anything to stay in the tribe. It was her home, and she had nowhere to go. Besides, she did have a few friends before this incident. But admit what she'd done to everyone, and have them discuss her flaws, and judge her, with their anger and scorn over the way she'd tricked everyone? It was a nightmare, but Cassandra knew there was only one real choice.
"I'll do it." Munkustrap nodded, and the severity of his expression lessened a bit.
"By making that choice, you have proved to me that you deserve a second chance. Having the courage to stand up to everyone like that is no small thing."
"And Alonzo and Jemima?" Cassandra asked anxiously.
"We'll find them. Come back to the Junkyard with me now, and you can ask Coricopat and Tantomile to help us find them." Cassandra nodded meekly. The twins scared her a little, with their silent, synchronised movements and eyes that looked like they could see right into your soul, but they had a knack of searching for lost things – or people - in the right place.
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To the surprise of both Munkustrap and Cassandra, the twins didn't show any emotion at all as she haltingly explained and asked them to help. Cassandra wondered rather nervously if they hadn't guessed right from the start. Munkustrap, who knew them a little better, detected that the shy pair had been suspicious, but hadn't wanted to say anything and be proved wrong.
"Yes, we'll help," Tantomile said after Cassandra had finished.
"We think Alonzo and Jemima are near the river." Coricopat spoke after a short silence.
"The docks, most likely." Tantomile verified. "If we go there now, it will be easier to search."
"Alright," Munkustrap agreed. "Coricopat and Tantomile, will you take Cassandra to the docks with you and try to find them and ask them to come back? I have to set whisper-to-whisker going for a meeting tonight." The twins nodded simultaneously and Munkustrap went off to find the head of each branch of the whisper tree and get the message started.