Thinking back over the last month, Macavity realised just how much had changed. He was an outlaw now; exiled from the life he had once known. All because he had refused to do what she wanted.

He had brought her the necklace the day she'd asked for it and, as usual, she didn't show any sign of appreciation, only speaking to him again when she wanted something else. He had grown to accept that this was just the way it was would always be and there was nothing he could do about it. She would always find some way to blackmail him into doing what he wanted.

The he had made sure that whenever he stole something, he covered his tracks. Usually nothing was said until it was too late and Macavity had gone, along with the item Demeter had requested.

He had put up with her, scared of what would happen if he rebelled against her controlling nature. It was becoming more and more obvious that she was pregnant so the threat of blackmail was weakening. Yet Macavity did what she wanted, unsure of what would happen if he didn't.

It wasn't long before Demeter's kitten was born. Macavity was there when she presented the small red and black queen to the rest of the tribe. Macavity felt sorry for the small bundle of fur in Demeter's arms. It was inevitable that she would somehow get sucked into her mother's quest for power.

The next week Macavity made what he thought was the worst decision of his life. He stood up to her. He refused to do what she said and would not back down whatever threats she threw at him. She had scratched him across the face and the scars still throbbed with the thought of it. She seemed to calm when he didn't react or retaliate, however, her sly smile crept onto her face.

Without hesitation, Demeter had thrown herself at the unsuspecting ginger tom. She was all over him, forcing his hands wherever she wanted them to go, despite Macavity trying to break free. Her timing was immaculate and when Macavity was in a position where it was impossible for him to move an inch, she screamed. Munkustrap, who was conveniently outside, rushed in. Another tom under Demeter's brainwashing spell.

Her talent for acting never failed and she seemingly forced herself free of Macavity and rushing into the arms of her hero. Macavity's face held a look of shock and horror but to Munkustrap it was a face of guilt. He wouldn't even give Macavity a chance to explain before bustling Demeter out, giving Macavity a look that cut through him like a knife.

The next day Macavity's sentence was passed. He was to be exiled, without a word given in his defence. He looked round at the disapproving looks as he left. He noticed two in particular. Tugger had his arm around Bomba, who was crying. His disapproving stare was not aimed at Macavity. Instead it was aimed at the golden queen who was putting on her sorriest expression.

Macavity had run. With all his effort he had tried to run away from Demeter. To anywhere she wouldn't find him. It seemed like an impossible task but he was determined. Pushing through the dark streets, he found a hole in the wall of a deserted warehouse. He made this his home, a damp, lonely hovel where he would cower indefinitely.

He had lost everything thanks to Demeter. He was scared, lonely and heartbroken. He would miss everything about his old life, his family, friends, food and safety. As another cat tumbled into the warehouse, Macavity let his instincts take over. Hissing, he prepared to defend his new found territory.

The new tom was dark, a deep muddy brown, splattered with white. Macavity approached the intruder and saw that he was actually only a kitten and a small one at that. Macavity noticed a large scratch spanning the whole of his left side. He looked weak and Macavity took pity on him, deciding not to fight.

"What do you want?"

The small tom looked up at him with pleading eyes as he struggled to speak.

"I always sleep here when my humans shut me out."

With that, the tired tom closed his eyes, obviously too tired to care that another tom was on his turf.

Macavity watched him silently, he was thin and patches of his fur were torn away. On closer inspection, his fur was more white then brown, the dark colouring Macavity had initially seen had been caused by the mud caked on his fur. He was dangerously thin and Macavity doubted his humans looked after him properly.

The kitten trembled in his sleep and Macavity placed his paw firmly on his shoulder. The small tom relaxed and Macavity carefully pulled an old rag around him to keep him warmer.

Satisfied that the kitten was more comfortable, Macavity settled himself down to sleep. The kitten seemed too young to be away from it's mother but Macavity had an idea. It was risky but he hoped he could at least try and convince some of the Jellicles he wasn't as bad as Demeter made him out to be.

Demeter was alone in her den when Bombalurina and Tugger entered. She looked up at two of who she thought were her friends. Their faces were like thunder and Demeter felt the tension rise in the room with every step they took. She saw they meant business and desperately tried to defend herself.

"He, he.. came at me. I had to defend myself… He… he tried to…" Demeter didn't get to finish before Tugger slapped her.

"Stop lying! You've got my brother exiled and all for the sake of a few items and you're pride! He never told me what you made him do but I can guess, you conniving, scheming little control freak! You disgust me! You'd better stay hidden behind Munkustrap because I swear If I ever get you on your own I will…."

He didn't get to finish his threat but that seemed to make it all the more terrifying for Demeter. The golden queen looked up at the scarlet queen who was her rescuer. Bomba had place her paw firmly on Tugger shaking shoulder, her other paw stroking his cheek and gently wiping away a tear that had fallen in his rage.

As she lead Tugger away, Bomba turned to her ex best friend.

"What you did was wrong Dem and I don't think Tugger will ever forgive you. You've taken away his brother, Dem. How would you feel if I took away Jemima?"

Bomba didn't wait for an answer before leaving the den and so she never heard Demeter's answer.

But she didn't have one.