Part Two: The Exile

Chapter Six

Author's Note: A quick thanks to everyone who has responded so beautifully to my work! This is my very first fanfic, and I'm overjoyed that it has found a receptive audience. To Alphoscapsy-cola: Never fear! The shy little kit is about to become the sassy Bombie that we all know and love! Just stay with me...it's coming!

I waited patiently for the Jellicle Moon to appear in the night sky. It was summer again—the time when cats are driven crazy by moonlight and waltz music and warm summer breezes. I spent more time preening and practicing my dance moves, leaving my poor toms to find other forms of amusement. But this was more important than a few minutes of silly flirting. This was the biggest night of my life, and nothing would stand in the way. I refused to miss my first Jellicle Ball—I would dance with the others or die trying. And with the necessary skills of coercion I had learned (after extensive practice and research on Rufus, Marco, and George) I was certain that I could find a way to get in. All I needed was five minutes to make an appearance, dance with wild abandon, show Deuteronomy that I didn't give a flying flip about his damned decrees, and then leave without so much as a single word or a backward glance. Then I would serve out the remainder of my sentence in peace and quiet.

But nothing would keep me from going to the Ball. Nothing on earth could stand in the way of Bombalurina.

~*~

One evening, I felt more restless than usual. I had paced the hall all day, waiting for sunset. Every inch of my body jumped and jittered with nerves. I felt as if I would explode, yet at the same time I felt drained of all energy. I knew it must be the night of the Jellicle Ball. I knew it was time for the night of my life.

I quickly escaped the house—dutifully using the window trick that Jellyorum had taught me a long time ago—and made my way through the fluorescent lit streets of London. It had been a long time since I'd traveled to the junkyard; I was surprised at how easily my feet led me to the dilapidated fence line that marked the Jellicle kingdom.

Suddenly a large black and silver tabby landed in front of me, barring the path.

"Jellicles only," he growled menacingly. I stepped back, more out of surprise than fear. In the passing months I developed an overwhelming sense of self-liberation. No one told Bombalurina where to go or when to leave. I almost struck out at this cat in anger. Then I recognized the ferocious feline.

"Oh, my," I purred in my sultriest of tones. "Time has been good to you, Munku."

I widened my eyes to take him all in. Broad shoulders, good strong chest, chiseled chin—oh, yes, this cat was the whole package.

Munkustrap stepped back, caught off-guard by my familiarity. Even as a kit, no one called him Munku, with the exception of his brothers. Besides, I think he was accustomed to seeing cats turn tail and run as soon as he appeared with that menacing face. I, however, was not afraid. I was enthralled.

It took him a second to regain composure. He stiffly repeated, "Jellicles only, ma'am. You can't pass this way."

"Oh, save all that tough talk for the big ole tomcats," I flashed him the prettiest of smiles, keeping my eyes wide to exude innocence. My voice dripped with honey, "A little kitty like me isn't going to hurt a big, strong tomcat like you."

In truth, I was far from being a "little kitty" by any means—not even compared to Munkustrap, whom I was a good inch taller than. Still, my coquettish ways seemed to be paying off. Not that I ever doubted they would. But, for good measure, I added, in my most helpless of voices, "I'll slip right through; I won't be a bother. I just need to get home, and this is the safest way. You wouldn't be so cruel as to force a defenseless feline walk the dark alleyways alone, would you?"

"You're right," Munkustrap sighed in agreement. He offered his sliver paw in a gentlemanly fashion. "I will escort you through the alley, to make sure you're safe."

Drats. Foiled again by Mr. Perfect.

Despite my lack of success, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. Munkustrap had not even recognized me! Had I changed that much? Sure, I had grown out of my gangly kitten phase, but I couldn't have changed that drastically. Then it hit me—it wasn't how I looked so much as it was how I carried myself. Shy little Bombie from the junkyard would never have been so audacious. She would never have strutted about so saucily or slipped so smoothly into coquettish rapport. Oh, but the new Bombalurina would. And she was just getting started.

~*~

I followed munkustrap towards the alley, purposefully staying a few steps behind. How bravely he strode forth into the dark alley—like the Great Rumpus Cat himself! It was like watching a living god in action. Too bad I was about to miss the show. I had a ball to attend.

I quietly turned around and slipped back into the junkyard. To this day, I still wonder how far Munkustrap got before he realized I was gone.

~*~

I waited for a while behind an abandoned sofa, patiently bidding my time. I only had one shot at a dramatic, heart stopping entrance; I couldn't mess it up. Munku had returned to the festivities, a perturbed frown on his handsome feature, but upon not seeing me among the crowd, he rested a little easier.

I saw Demeter—how pretty she had become! Still terribly small, but just a s fresh and enchantingly innocent looking as ever. Alonzo stood beside her, tall and broad-chested like his brother. The two would lean in to whisper to each other, throwing their heads back in laughter. I should have been there with them, sharing this beautiful night and all of its intoxicating sights and sounds. Instead, I was crouching behind a discarded old couch, like some common street urchin. I felt that familiar wave of resentment welling up inside of me, but I quickly pushed it down. I had more constructive things to do with my energy, like show these kits how a true queen behaved.

Then the music changed; it became soft and sweet, drawing out mellow tunes that seeped slowly into the velvet night sky. It was time for the moonlight solo. Apparently, all the other queens were either too old or too shy to step forward.

It looked like a perfect time for Bombalurina to make her grand appearance.