Her Moment of Happiness
A CATS fanfiction
By: Something Dysfunctional
Chapter Two: Tiny Dancer
Disclaimer: T.S. Elliot owns the book and characters that "CATS" is based off of and Andrew Lloyd owns the Broadway masterpiece. I only am a slave to all of his works. Haha... Things are getting interesting! I love writing for Jemima. It makes me feel special. I wonder what's going to happen in this chapter to her... Please, regard this kindly and review nicely! Happy reading!
-NOTE: Please, please, PLEASE understand that how I'm going about in this story is from inspiration from some fanfiction I've read and adored. The pairing seems not possible, but I think it could. Remember: IT'S A FANFICTION UNIVERSE. You can do whatever you want! :)
--

The kittens were already practicing their dancing for the Jellicle ball under the watchful eye of their teacher. The lean and tall scarlet Queen Bombalurina pointed out their mistakes and helped them while ignoring the male kittens as they sniggered and pointed at the girls, mimicking their actions. Jemima lead Tugger over there to the large patch of ground that was to be the stage for the Ball with her hand grasping his studded belt. Jemima liked to lead and take charge if allowed to, but still being attached to them by someway. She had to touch something of theirs so not to feel alone. Tugger didn't mind this. He thought it was cute of the kitten. She stopped and looked up at him. "This is where the kittens are. That's Victoria, Ecetera, and Electra," she pointed them out quietly. "And that's our teacher, Bombalurina. She and Cassandra, another cat, taught us everything we need to know to impress Old Deuteronomy but..."

"But what?"

"I can't dance or sing. I mean, not all that well anyway."

Tugger raised a brow down at the kitten and slung his paws over his belt, leaning back. "What makes you say that, Jemima?" Her dark eyes flitted up at him and then back down to the ground. Her paw tightened on the belt and she manuevered towards his body, as if to hide. "I can do some, but not a lot. Bombalurina says my dancing is unique. Does that mean weird?" Tugger felt a smile pull on his lips and he chuckled, kneeling down before her. His usual cockiness melted into aduly kindness as he placed his heavy paws on her tiny shoulders, turning her to him. "Listen to me, kit. These older cats can say what they want to, but deep down, you are good. You are you. Whatever you create will be fantastic because you are doing it your own way. Don't let them judge you, sweets," he finished with a low rumble of a gentle tone. Jemima's eyes were wide, a dark color of rose splashed on her face.

"R-really? Wow... I-I never thought about it that way. If you don't think it's too much to ask, Mr. Rum Tum Tugger, I would love you show you my dance I've been working on," she mumbled, her paws wrapping around her tail that she brought in front of her. "Kit, I would be delighted," Tugger said, grinning. Her own smile matched his and she flew from under his touch towards the center where no one was. She started on her pose, eyes closed, her face falling into a mask of serenity as she lifted her arms. Soon, extravagent music filled her head as each jump, arm -leg extensions, leaps, and twirls flowed from her like a second nature. Tugger watched her with intensity and shock at her dance. It was beautiful! How could she be so hard on herself?

Faintly, he could hear footfalls near him and the spicy smell of cinnamon and leered in memory. "Bomba," he said casually. "Well, well... fancy seeing you here, Tugger. What are you playing at?," the queen sneered at the tomcat, placing her paws on her hips. "I was just in the neighborhood. Turns out I have a relation. Jemima is something else," he mused to himself, his gaze flickering from the corner of his eye to the red beauty. He watched her face soften and a wamr smile grace her features. "She is. Munkustrap and Demeter's gem. Their treasure. Despite her size, she can nearly outdance all of the kittens besides Victoria. I do hope that Deuteronomy gives her a part," she said quietly, walking up beside the tomcat. Tugger cocked his head to the side and watched his neice spring up in the air in a full body twist and slam herself down on the powdery ground, claws clenching at the soft dirt and head bowed, back bowed, and her right leg straining up.

'If he doesn't, he's crazy.'
--

The day passed on well into the golden evening. Jemima came out from her make-shift home after having dinner with her family and Tugger. She stretched her arms towards the sky and yawned largely, contempt and warmth filling her chest. Shaking her fluffy head, she twisted her body around on the plank on her toes, feeling frisky. She felt like dancing for no apparent reason, but knew that right now, she must meet up with Cassandra. Lately, they had been watching the sunsets together in silence, speaking rarely, but enjoying each others company. Bounding up towards the broken down TSE 1 car, she saw the dark Burmese cat already sitting on top of it, staring into the sunset. Jemima took heart and interest with great deal. She somehow felt close to her. Could it have been she was different from the other Queens? Her silence and sleek elegance too different from the rest of the clan? Perhaps she compared Cassandra to her own oddness... with her quiet features, pale green eyes that shone with a light, her soft petting and cooing when she spoke to Jemima. Not as if she was a kitten, but already grown-up.

Jemima pulled herself up on the hood and nodded her head to Cassandra, who in return, bowed, lowering her body down so she could lay on the metal surface. "Good evening, Jemima. How have you been today?," she asked, her voice dark and sweet like thick syrup. "Very good! Rum Tum Tugger has come to visit and he watched me dance today! Oh, Cassandra, I've never felt like that when we all practice together," she whispered, bringing her paws up to her mouth in wonderment. The dark Queen smiled discretly and turned her face towards the orange sun. "Really? That's interesting to hear. Whatever could that mean, I wonder?," she asked herself. "I don't know but... he made me feel so much better about myself. I can't believe that Bombalurina would say horrid things about him!"

"Such as?"

"He's a playboy of a cat, never minding his manners, always disrupting important parties... basically, a cad."

Cassandra laughed low in her throat, like that of an amused purr. "She says that because he denied her." Jemima sat down in a thump on the hood, laughing merrily. "Oh, the poor dear!!! She still sour with resentment! Ah... I only hope that never happens to me," she finished on a quiet tone. Nether cat said anything as the sun went behind the Junkyard, leaving behind smears of pink, orange, golden yellow, and dark blue in its wake for nighttime. The wind blew low, so enticingly warm, as it ran through their fur. Crickets began to sing their nightly song and birds flew home, as their own songs ended for the day. Faintly, they could hear the traffic of London as people got off of work or going to have dinner. Jemima bowed her head, staring at her paws, deep in thought.

"It will work out. He will come to you."

Blinking, Jemima's head went up, her face falling to an expression of void and her eyes quizzical. "I beg your pardon?," she asked the dark cat. Cassandra slid up gracefully, still staring at the horizon. "Hm? Oh, nothing. I will see you tomorrow, dear," she said and with that, she slipped off the car and sauntered in the distance, leaving behind a confused Jemima.

"What did she mean by that- 'he will come to you'? Honestly, I never understand her- what the? Ah... OH! Oh, no!!!," she cried out, standing up quickly. Horror crept into her chest and her knees began to tremble. "Is Cassandra a physic?!! How could she know-- oh, bollocks!!!," she howled, shaking her head and stamping her little feet.

"Someone having a moment?"

"Now is NOT the time, Mistoffelees... ACK! What are you doing here?!"

The black and white tomcat shrugged, paws behind his back. "I saw that you and Cassandra were up here. I came to see you when I noticed she left. Everything okay?," he asked sincerely, eyeing the state Jemima was in. The kitten swallowed hard, the lump that had formed there quaking. 'I will NOT cry! Don't do it, Jemima. Not right now!,' her thoughts screamed at her. Slowly, she closed her eyes and cleared her mind. With that done, as much as she could, slid off the hood like Cassandra and walked towards Mistoffelees with an exotic grace, he nearly died from the enticing sway her hips made. Her eyes were hooded and a knowing smile played on her mouth. Flickering her eyes at him from under her lashes, she giggled. "What's wrong? Mouse got your tonuge? Yes, everything is fine. Cassandra and I watch the sun setting together. It's the one time in the day where I'm really happy," she sighed blissfully, her gaze looking past his shoulder.

Mistoffelees frowned, wondering where she had gone. Her face was softer, a faint tremble on her lips, her eyes glowing. He wanted to be there, to see what she saw. He took a breath and leaned forward, placing his head beside hers. "Don't leave me here, Jemmi. Take me to where you go," he asked lowly. Shuddering, the kitten closed her eyes in what seemed like pain, her own head turning to face him. They stood like that for what felt like eternity, the night now settling around them. Their breathing matched together as well as their heartbeats. Jemima opened her eyes, meeting his own dark ones. "You... can't go where I do...," she breathed, her blood pounding hard against her ears. "Why not? It's not fair, Jemmi, if I can't go where you do. I get jealous easily," Mistofelees teased lightly, his tone all serious as he brought a paw up to cup the side of her face.

Jemima's eyes widened and with a jerk, she moved out of his way. "You don't understand. No one does. That's why I need that place." Mistofelees was confused, slightly hurt. He stood up straighter, walking to her. "Jemima, don't be like that please? We've known each other for a good while. Don't shut me out. I don't think I could bear that," the ebony cat confessed, embarassment crossing his handsome face.

"Really? Hmm..."

Jemima turned from him and started walking up towards her home, wanting nothing than to run into her father's embrace and her mother's gentle voice. "Jemmi, please! I-I didn't mean to offend you or anything!," Mistofelees called out, reaching for her. He heard her sigh and watched her shoulders fall, as in defeat. She took one look over her shoulder and smiled sadly. "You could never offend me, Misto. That's the problem... oh, I'm just being silly. I'll see you tomorrow, then, yeah?"

Mistofelees nodded and soon, quick as a flash, his kitten went home and he stood out in the darkness, wondering what he could do to help her. He wasn't called Magical Mister Mistofelees for nothing.
--

The next afternoon was bright and sunny in the Junkyard. All the cats came out to bask in the light, and when they did, the sight of Rum Tum Tugger shocked most of them and enthralled the kittens. Someone new! And so good-looking! Jemima rolled her eyes at the sight the girls made of themselves trying to impress Tugger, including Ecetera. He was playing along, acting all cool and smiling enticingly at them. Until he saw Jemima scowling at them from where she sat. From the extersions from yesterday, Tugger took it personally to teach his neice some things. Especially of how to show herself off and getting out of her quiet and protective shell. Chuckling to himself, he flipped back his mane and turned suddenly from the kittens. He sauntered to her and offered his paw. "Wanna show me off, kit?," he asked, his eyes twinkling. Jemima tossed back her head, the tinkling of her laughter reaching Munkustrap's ears from his conversation with Skimbleshanks and Alonzo. He saw his daughter get up prettily as Tugger twirled her under his paw, parading Jemima to the kittens as she told them the story of her uncle, how curious of a cat he was and his attitude was that of no importance to things.

Frowning slightly in disapproval, he looked for his mate who stood by Bombalurina. Demeter was watching the scene unfold as well and her face mirrored his own. This wasn't like their Jemima. That is until Demeter saw the expression from across the yard on Mistofelees face. A light seemed to have gone off in her head and she swallowed the yelp of laughter that threatened to spill from her mouth. Clamping her paws over it, her shoulders shook and she hopped on her feet like a kitten. Bombalurina raised a brow. "Do tell, what's gotten you so happy?," she inquired. Demeter dropped her paws, eyes gleaming. "The acts of love between two cats. Well, I should say game. Ah, my daughter is so brilliant!," she crooned. Munkustrap excused himself from his comrades and bounded over to Demeter. "What is wrong with you? And what's wrong with Jemima? Why is she acting like that with Tugger?," he demanded, slightly hurt that he didn't know what was going on.

"Apparently it involves love, whatever the case maybe. I've never seen her like this," sniffed the scarlet Queen, slightly amused at her friend and actions. Munkustrap's frown deepened even more. "I don't like it. I'm stopping it." Demeter squeaked and grabbed her mate's arm. "Oh, love, please don't! He means no harm. Tugger's just... coaxing out Jemima's real self."

"What's wrong with her self now? That's my daughter out there-"
Demeter sighed and wrapped her arms around Munkustrap's own strong one. "Maybe that's the problem... she's too sheltered. Perhaps we babied her too much," she murmured, rubbing her head against his shoulder and met his dark eyes with her pale green ones.

Bombalurina was still and silent as the two argued in hushed tones, watching Tugger and Jemima. The kittens did look rather jealous and Jemima was positively on cloud nine. And over in the corner of the stage, Mistofelees-

ah!!!

That was what Demeter meant by love. Why, the magic cat was smitten with Jemima! His posture was rigid and his claws extened, the fur on his tails stiffening and rising. The scowl on his face was strong, his jaw set and eyes blazing. "Oh dear," muttered Bombalurina, sensing a fight. She sprinted over to him in a flash of red and black and gripped his shoulder, turning him towards her. "Listen here, tom, don't start something... Tugger's only showing her off. Don't get the wrong idea," she explained in a firm voice, her hazel eyes boring into him. Mistofelees try to shrug her off. "I wasn't getting jealous! I-I just don't like him... acting like that in front of the kittens!," he growled, his gaze still on the beaming Jemima.

Bombalurina sighed, letting him go. "You say that now. Honestly, Mistofelees! If you want her, then prove it the night of the Jellicle Ball. Outshine Tugger if it'll make you stand down," she said off-handedly, walking away. Mistofelees paused, mulling the thought over in his mind. 'Hm... that's actually not a bad idea. But still, perhaps... it's a signal of a game that Tugger is trying to win. Well, if he wants to be like that...'

As Jemima sat down before Victoria, letting her know how close she and Tugger were, something black blocked her vision. Looking up, they both saw Mistofelees before them, smiling handsomely. "I see that Mister Tugger is keeping you all occupied, ladies! Perhaps I could distract you for a split second? I learned a magic trick just the other day I would love to show you," he said silkily, bowing. Victoria purred, pleased she was being noticed, grinning like the sun. "Oh, Jemmi, let's watch him, please?! He always has the best magic!" Jemima's eyes lowered to the ground, her heart sizing up. "Uhm... no, that's okay. You can watch him, Victoria. He wouldn't want to show me anyway... he'll end up using me as a prop and burn my tail off or something," she mumbled and swiftly leapt to her feet, away from the two so quickly Mistofelees couldn't stop her. She went to Tugger, grasped his belt and turned into his side, hiding her face. Tugger leaned down, listening to her speak and with a nod, he wrapped an arm around her tiny frame and pulled her away, telling Electra and Ecetera goodbye with a saucy wink. Mistofelees was enraged.

'Why, Jemmi?'

As if hearing his thought, the kitten peered at him with eyes so dark like the night and gleaming so brightly, the magic cat felt his own heart stop.

She was in pain.
--

Little did she know, it would grow with the weeks to come until one day, Tugger had to leave. He said he just had to, for preperations for the Ball. He held her during the night as she sobbed into his chest, beating it with balled up little paw-fists, screaming hoarsely that he was abandoning her. "Kit, I wouldn't leave you if the world was falling over everything. It's only for a little while! I got to make sure the borders will be okay for MaCavity to not cross. That way, we can have a save Jellicle Ball," he said soothingly, rocking her. "But still, that doesn't m-matter! Y-you said you were staying! Are you lying to me like everyone else?!!," she shrieked, pulling away from him. Tugger took her arms, staring at her in disbelief. "Kit... no, Jemima... I would never lie to you. And I know for a fact your mother and father don't either. You're still growing up, sweetheart. You'll find everything you are looking for soon," he promised, looking into her unreadable eyes.

Jemima sniffled, wiping her nose and hiccupping. "... you are coming back... else how will the Ball work? I couldn't stand it if you got hurt out there...," she whimpered, hugging herself. "Me? C'mon, kit, I'm tough as nails. Nothing can hurt me. I'm here for life," Tugger grinned and scooped her into a tight embrace. Jemima held on, remembering his face, smell, and gestures. 'He's coming back... he's coming back... I have to handle the rest on my own...' She leaned away, giving him a watery smile.

"Be safe. Father would want to see you before you leave, I'm sure. Take care of yourself," she whispered, searching his face for any signs of saddness. He was hard to read. His eyes were veiled and she couldn't reach them with her own. He patted her head one last time, smiled wistfully at her, and got up to meet Munkustrap outside.

Hours seemed to pass until Jemima went out in the night.

Tonight was a full moon.

She hopped on top of the TSE 1 hood and stared up at the orb hanging in the sky, stars twinkling brightly around it. The moon was the lady of the night, always looked upon and loved. Jemima sat up on her legs and let the waves of light wash upon her, filling her with strength and energy. She would sing tonight. Oh yes... she would.

Inhaling, the kitten opened her mouth and words poured out in lyrical music, every note pulsing with life, every words coming straight from within her.

'Let him hear me... both of them. This song of safety for the one in my life, this song of longing for the one not in my life but in my heart. I want them to hear me.'

Every cat in the Junkyard slept on, except for Munkustrap and Mistofelees. And down the road, roaming the borders, a certain tomcat paused and listened, hearing his niece for the first time singing. And for the first time in his life, he cried.

He cried for her and himself.
--

-falls on floor-
GACK!
Wait, add a "t" at the end and you get "GACKT!" Hmm... I could go for some yummy Japanese rockstar about now. Well, what do we think?!! Jemima seems to have a lot on her plate, but so does Mistofelees... it gets better!
---the moonlight carries the message of Love.---

Later Days!
SD