A/N: I said last chapter that this might be the last chapter. (Oh wow, way to screw up a sentence, right?) So indeed, this might be the last chapter. More information at the bottom.
To my unbelievably entertaining reviewers:
To mutinykitten: So kind! I might continue, but I also might not. Sorry for the Misto/Tugger parts, but they had to be in here.
To em0XprYncez: I hope you mean that in a positive way. :) Thanks anyway!
To Tuggers'Lil'Princess: I think he should leave too. I'm mad at Tugger and Misto too! Lol. Thanks for reviewing!
Note: Based on the song, Not Gonna Get Us, by t.A.T.u. (Big surprise...huh?)
Friendship is the marriage of the soul. -Voltaire.
When you left, I lost a part of me. -Anonymous
The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. - Stone of Tears.
You have to have a darkness...for the dawn to come. - Anonymous.
You cannot be a good writer of serious fiction if you are not depressed. - Anonymous. (I just had to put this one here. Now I'm not sure I want this to be a good piece of serious fanfiction...)
From previous chapter:
Then as the two exited Old Deuteronomy, Munkustrap and Alonzo were waiting for them outside. Munkustrap said, "Tomorrow morning, Victoria will be leaving the Junkyard for some fresh air."
"What?!?!?!"
"You both need some times to think this out clearly", Old Deuteronomy stressed for what seemed to be the hundredth time to them. By his side, Munkustrap stood tall and intimidating and Victoria was sure that he would drag her out of the Junkyard if need be. Jemima seemed quite frozen behind her and Victoria felt a pang of concern for her lover.
"It would be best for you to go quietly", Alonzo whispered, surprising the rest of them. He rarely spoke with such a hesitant tone. Then he raised his head and stared at Victoria directly trying to convey some hidden message. But the white queen couldn't understand and shook her head in confusion. The black and white tom said normally, "Come, Victoria, I shall escort you to an empty den."
This time his voice held such authority that one would have thought he was the Jellicle Leader. Victoria looked back at Jemima and said, "It's alright."
"Goodnight, Vicky", Jemima whispered and they hugged tightly before Alonzo practically pulled her off.
After Old Deuteronomy and Munkustrap were out of sight, Alonzo started talking to Victoria freely. The black and white tom had never been so talkative in his life.
"For once, I feel conflicted over my duties and beliefs. The moment I heard your voices in the alleys, singing about how you would always be together, I knew. I knew that I approved of your relationship. I'm so sorry that I couldn't do anything to stop them", and he finally paused for breath. Taking advantage of the moment, Victoria hushed him and whispered, "Thank you, Alonzo. You don't know how much it means for me to hear this from a fellow Jellicle. It seems that most of the Jellicles don't like who and apparently 'what' we are."
"I have a sort of plan", Alonzo said cautiously, "You will have to leave the Junkyard temporarily. During this time, I will try to make the Jellicles see clearly."
"It will never work", the white queen stated adamantly. The tom paused and hissed, "But it's your only hope!"
"Fine, I will leave the Junkyard for 3 days, no more than that. If by that time you haven't come up with something, I will take control of the situation", Victoria answered without a trace of fear. Alonzo smiled and said, "I think I'm falling in love with your attitude and bravery."
"Wonderful", Victoria said with a sad smile gracing her lips, "I could love you, Alonzo, but I would always love Jemima more."
"I know", he said and told her, "Three days will surely be enough and if not, I will help you with whatever plan you carry out."
"Do you promise?" Her voice was suddenly low.
"I promise. I swear on the Everlasting Cat", he smirked.
"Good."
The next morning, Victoria wasn't allowed to talk to Jemima and so she sent her a look that conveyed the message, "I have a plan, but I'm going to be gone for awhile."
Jemima willed herself to be strong. She was so sick of being the one who would be useless and cry over insignificant details. Victoria leaving isn't insignificant! She fought her thoughts back and breathed deeply. Demeter put an arm around her sister and pulled her into a warm embrace. It felt traitorous, to hug someone who opposed her very being, but it was her sister and so she tried not to act odd.
That whole day, everyone seemed to avoid her. Her friends avoided her like the plague and the only company she had was Munkustrap, who would stop and glare at her every two seconds of the day. It was unbearable to be treated like this, but soon Electra stepped forward and hugged Jemima. The young tabby whispered, "I couldn't care less about who is your mate, as long as you are happy."
"Thanks, Electra", Jemima answered, a little surprised, since Electra had always been sort of judgemental. Her friend said, "Etcetera is taking this hard. She thinks of this as a betrayal and something disgusting."
"How have I betrayed her?" Jemima asked in astonishment. Electra leaned in and hissed, "You never told any of us what had happened."
"How did you all find out?"
Electra looked around to make sure no one was watching or listening. Then she breathed, "Cassandra."
"...", Jemima sighed heavily.
Jemima approached Cassandra's den with hesitant steps and as she was getting closer and closer, the more her brain urged her body to turn around and run. Finally Jemima shook her head and screamed, "I'm not a coward!"
Her voice echoed through the Junkyard and suddenly Cassandra hurried out with Exotica to see what was the big racket. When Cassandra saw the small calico, she paled noticably.
"Cassandra, what have I ever done to you?" Jemima was shouting as loud as she could. The Abyssinian made no attempt to silence or muffle her voice. Exotica watched the scene unfolding in front of her. Cassandra inhaled sharply and said, "Nothing."
"Then why?" Calming down, the calico used her regular soft voice to talk. "Why did you tell everyone about us?"
"I had to", and her voice did sound desperate. Suddenly Exotica tackled Jemima, sending her sprawling to the ground. The dark queen whispered in her sad voice, "Listen and listen well."
"Old Deuteronomy threatened to have me banished from the Junkyard forever unless she told everyone. In order to protect me, Cassandra did as she was told. Now that you've heard the story, do you understand?"
"No! I don't understand", Jemima pleaded with Exotica, "Why does everyone hate us?"
"They don't hate us." A simple answer coming from a queen who had lost nearly everything. Jemima looked at the dark queen in disbelief, "What?"
"They fear what we represent", Exotica sighed as Jemima sat down and whispered, "What do we represent?"
"We represent something that is totally against everything they believe in."
"So?" Jemima wanted to understand why most of her friends would turn their backs on her like this. Exotica patted her while Cassandra answered, "Simply because fear can drive us to doing the worst things."
"I'm sorry, Jemima", Cassandra apologized and bowed her head. The calico shook her head and whispered, "I guess it isn't your fault. I should be mad at Old Deuteronomy, not you."
"Alonzo told me that he has a plan with Victoria and that in two more days, she should be returning." Cassandra said, even though Alonzo had warned her that the outcome wasn't for sure.
"Really?" A nod from Cassandra was her confirmation. Jemima sighed, "Then I'll wait that long."
Those waiting days passed faster than Jemima had imagined they would. It was dull without Victoria, but suffering through two or three days was alright compared to being alone her whole life.
Alonzo walked out from Old Deuteronomy's den with a weary complexion as he remembered his arguments. Old Deuteronomy had basically pushed him away and brushed off all his words and diplomacy had been so hard to maintain. Victoria had been right, it had been no use.
The black and white tom walked towards Jemima and whispered, "I failed. I'm sorry."
Jemima showed no emotion and suddenly she sighed, "I know."
That night Victoria snuck out of her confinement area and got into the Junkyard. She had heard how Alonzo had failed even though his arguments were sound. Finding the right den, the white queen broke inside.
"Jemima", she gently hissed at her sleeping lover's body. Jemima jerked awake and saw Victoria.
"Victoria", she sighed, "You came back."
"Of course, hurry, we're leaving", the white queen pushed Jemima out of the den and into the middle of the Junkyard. The calico, still not fully alert, stumbled a bit and murmured, "What do you mean?"
"We're running away", Victoria answered while dragging her along. For once, Victoria was grateful that Jemima was small enough to move around. Jemima whispered, "What? Where?"
"A place where they won't find us and we can do whatever we want", Victoria muttered still dragging her away. They made it out of the Junkyard so quietly that no one stopped them and Victoria was half-surprised. She had almost expected Munkustrap or Jelly to jump out of the shadows and nab them.
Through the rest of the night Victoria led Jemima towards the alleys away from their beloved Junkyard. Tears splashed down both their faces as they fled from home.
It was so bright the next morning, Victoria woke up and realized that they had fallen asleep and Jemima was leaning against her still dozing gently. The birds nearby were chirping as if greeting them with a good morning.
"Jemima, wake up", Victoria whispered. When that didn't work, she started singing. They seemed to have sang alot ever since seeing each other again.
Not gonna get us
They're not gonna get us
Not gonna get us
Jemima woke up startled by the voice and watched Victoria dance and sing.
Starting from here, let's make a promise
You and me, let's just be honest
We're gonna run, nothing can stop us
Even the night that falls all around us
Jemima started to smile as she listened to the words. Victoria always had a positive attitude.
Soon there will be laughter and voices
Beyond the clouds over the mountains
We'll run away on roads that are empty
Lights from the airfield shining upon you
This time, Jemima joined in for what she thought to be the chorus lines.
Nothing can stop us, not now, I love you
They're not gonna get us,
They're not gonna get us
Jemima made up the next lines, since she was sure Victoria had made up the previous lines.
We'll run away, keep everything simple
Night will come down, our guardian angel
We rush ahead, the crossroads are empty
Our spirits rise, they're not gonna get us
My love for you, always forever
Just you and me, all else is nothing
Not going back, not going back there
They don't understand,
They don't understand us!
"I'm not afraid anymore, Victoria", Jemima said and smiled. The two of them grinned at each other until it was time to set off. They were leaving everything behind them.
At about noon time Jemima rolled to the ground and groaned, "I'm so hungry."
"I know, Jemima", Victoria answered and then sighed, "Fine, we'll forage for food."
"Yes!"
After a not-quite-satisfying meal, the two set off again and this time, Victoria had a faint idea of where they were going. The two walked for 2 more days before Victoria knew that they had arrived somewhere safe. It was the entrance to a yard.
They entered the abandoned yard and felt truly safe and happy although alone. This was a place where they could settle. It was safe.
Jemima raised her arms towards the sky and they both felt free. Truly free for the first time ever. But the best part was that they were together.
A/N: So I think this is a good ending...but then again I have ideas for a further story too. So...I'm conflicted.
Please review and if you want more of this story, just say so. Keep in mind that I do end up with sad, depressing endings. If I continue this story there will be at least one death and lots of angst. Anyway, thanks for reading!