Disclaimer: I do not own Cats or any of its characters.

Joined

Theme: Catnip

This is what you do for fun? Tantomile was asking him, looking around the clearing with a blank expression on her face. It was only by skimming the surface of her mind that Coricopat could sense her disgust.

Yes, he answered simply, sidling up next to her and giving a feeling vaguely triumphant as the corners of her mouth turned up ever so slightly. Her eyes wandered around the gathering, the cats rubbing themselves all over each other and purring, and her thoughts turned a little disapproving. Coricopat's eyes widened as he realized what she was thinking.

Bast, no, not…not like that! I mean, I came to the parties and everything. I talked with my friends. I was never one of those cats…I was more like those, he thought, flashing her an image of a small group of cats near the fence. A few of them were being a bit…touchy…with each other, but most were chatting happily, content with an arm around another cat's shoulders, or one paw grasping another.

I know, Cor, Tantomile thought back, almost laughing out loud this time. I'm just teasing you. Now, come on. The others have been staring at us ever since we arrived, and I, for one, would like to get out of their line of sight.

Coricopat grinned sheepishly, realizing that she was right, and led her towards the small group of cats just sitting. They looked up as the two approached, and a few of the cats tensed, fur raising and claws coming out slightly. He even heard a hiss, though he couldn't tell who it was from. The two subtly changed their course, barely even needing to consult one another.

There was another group of cats sitting by the fence not too far away, and these looked up as well as they approached. These, however, didn't seem hostile; in fact, they were grinning goofily up at them, greeting them like old friends.

They are old friends, Tantomile pointed out. At least, they're your old friends. But I wonder why they're being so friendly all of a sudden.

Coricopat shook his head, bewildered, but sat amongst the cats anyway, greeting them enthusiastically. It had been two weeks since he had spoken aloud, and his voice was hoarse from disuse; the others cats had been avoiding the psychic cats lately, so the two had spent most of their time in the den. They only came out to hunt or stroll around the Junkyard, carefully choosing paths not frequented by most cats. Tonight was different; it was a Jellicle celebration, a holiday for their kind, and none could dispute their right to be there.

As he settled down, Tantomile leaning against him happily, his mind began to drift off slightly, his guards slowly coming down. He looked up at the sky, dreamily noting the brightness of the stars, feeling Tantomile dozing against him and letting her mind wander as well. Minutes passed without him even realizing it.

It was such a nice night, and it was so nice to be with his friends again, just lounging around. And what was that wonderful smell…

He sat up abruptly, Tantomile squawking her displeasure as she fell over.

Bast, Tantomile, can't you smell that? Or sense it? Catnip. They're all using catnip.

Tantomile took a moment to process this, wearing a confused expression which slowly changed into realization. She snorted, a sound Coricopat had never heard from her before, and that set him off into laughter as well. Soon the entire group was laughing, though no doubt the other cats had no idea why.

Oh, Cor, I've never even smelled it before. Just because I'm a street cat doesn't mean I use it. It's funny-smelling. And…I can't think straight. Is this normal?

Yes, unfortunately. Come on, he thought, getting to his feet unsteadily and tugging her up with him. Catnip was doubly bad for the psychics; even just the taste of it from the mind of another cat affected them. If they were surrounded by a group of cats using it…

Tantomile snorted again, almost making him dissolve into laughter once more, but managed to keep her on her feet. Together, the two of them put their arms around each other and held each other upright as Coricopat led them away from the group, slowly making their way away from the noise of the party.

Where're we going, Cor? she was asking just a few minutes later, once the noise had faded and they were alone in the darkness.

Back to the den…I think. Is this how we get there? Bast, I can't remember. Let's just stop here. And he flopped down right where he was, pulling her with him. She fell on top of him, laughing wildly.

Catnip…it gets bad for us, y'know, Tant, Coricopat started, his mind spinning as he tried to remember where he was going with this. You let your guards down and everything just comes flooding in…better not to be back there. Y'know?

Yeah… Tantomile had lost interest in any form of speech, whether out loud or in their thoughts, as soon as he had begun. Instead she was staring at his lips, wondering blearily what it would be like to kiss them, remembering all the times she had wondered before…

Abruptly, her thoughts were cut off from his. But it was too late already. Eagerly, with the lack of inhibitions that only catnip could bring, he pushed his own thoughts at her—how he had longed to hold her and to be more than friends…

Then they were kissing, minds rushing together, intertwined more tightly than they had ever known. Their thoughts were foggy and dizzying, the kisses clumsy and uncoordinated.

It was the best sensation either cat had ever known.

When Coricopat woke the next morning, he was greeted by a throbbing headache, blinding sunlight, and Tantomile's head on his chest. He didn't know exactly where they were, and worried about what would happen should the other cats find them here like this…

But he lay his head back down anyway. Worries could wait another five minutes, but for now, he just wanted to cuddle with his new mate.

A/N: Here's the fifth! This one was fun to write. The last "flashback" one, too. After this, back to the scenario started in the first chapter.