Chrychaesa waited for her mother to appear from the barn. Ever since what she had been through with Macavity, her parents had let her live a little. They now let guy cats around with girl cats as long as they are her friends. She was grateful in fact for that privilege.
"Mother? Demeter wants me to stay with her tonight, may I?"
"Of course dear, just please try to stay only tonight, nothing like last time which ended up to be a week."
"I promise Mom." She scampered over to the Jellicle junkyard where she saw Demeter lying in the washer. She looked relaxed and calm.
"Hey there Demeter, how are you?"
"I'm OK I guess. I'm just really tired."
"You don't look to good."
"I'm OK really, I am just tired."
"OK I believe you. Oh my goodness gracious me." Chryssie said when she had started to stretch. A paw ran down her back in a pressurized stroke. She turned and saw Rum Tug Tugger grinning at her.
"Hi there Chryssie girl."
"Hi there Tugger, what are you doing here? I thought it was for Demeter and Me."
"No, we get together sometimes, Demeter just invited you to come." Chryssie turned and silently questioned Demeter, who nodded an affirmative.
"See, well now proves that Old Tugger can be trusted."
"I've always trusted you."
"Yeah I know it just seemed to be an appropriate thing to say."
"Oh I get you."
"Right."
"What are you staring at?"
"Oh just thinking."
"What about?"
"How beautiful you are in the moonlight."
"Hello Chryssie." A voice she knew all too well said from behind. She could just sense something different in his voice as he greeted her. It was irritable in a way.
"Hello Munkustrap." she said without turning around.
"Demeter would like to talk to you."
"Oh OK, I'll talk with you later OK Tugger?"
"Sure thing, you know where I am." Munkustrap walked with her.
He said "Don't you think that Tugger is a little old for you?"
"What do you mean 'old for me?' I haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about."
"Never mind." Demeter was talking and laughing with Bombalurina. She looked up and saw Munkustrap and Chryssie standing over her. "What's the matter you guys?"
"Didn't you want to talk with me?"
"No should I? I mean it's always nice to talk to you but I didn't call for you."
"Munkustrap, why'd you take me away from Tugger then?"
"Oh, I thought she called for you, sorry my mistake." He then turned and walked away.
"What's eating him? I haven't seen him all day." Demeter asked Chryssie.
"You haven't seen him? Well how could he have made a mistake if there was none that he didn't know about?"
"I don't know."
"Something is wrong," Chryssie said to herself.
"Munkustrap wouldn't make a mistake on purpose, would he?"
"Hello there lass. What's wrong? You look troubled." Skimbleshanks said and put a loving uncle like hand on her shoulder.
"Well, see I am worried about Munkustrap. He isn't acting like himself and well he said that Demeter was calling me and she really wasn't. He just seemed so possessive all of a sudden. Oh Skimble don't mind me, I am just thinking out loud."
"Oh, don't worry about it lass. I am glad that you decided to tell me." She smiled and scurried off.
Maybe I can help you with this lass, he thought. I've been meaning to have a wee chat with young Munkustrap.
Munkustrap sat alone on a bit of wood, his elbows rested his knees. He looked in deep thought.
"Young Munkustrap?"
"Oh, Skimble, what is it?"
"Well that's what I was about to ask you."
"Nothing's wrong with me."
"Well then why are you sitting here only by yourself lad?"
"Just thinking." Skimble sat down beside Munkustrap.
"Aye, we all think about her once in a while, some more often then others."
"Who?"
"Aye the Chryssie girl, who else?"
"Well, I don't know that. Oh Skimble, I am just confused. I love them both. I love Chryssie, and Demeter. It is just so confusing. Once I have figured it out, then I feel like I have got it backwards. Like once I am with Chryssie I want to be with Demeter, and when I am with Demeter I want to be with Chryssie. When I am with them both then I just am afraid that if I do something, the other will be hurt. Chryssie is capable of fighting herself over her beliefs and over her passion for me. Demeter is already mine and I was happy with her until that kitten came along. First thing off, I really thought she was a kitten along with the others. But then we had to be alone together. I had to save her life and then she had to save mine and Demeter's. Then Jemima ragged on her... it's just so confusing Skimble and I don't know how things are going to turn out."
Skimble thought carefully a moment and then said "A very wise cat once told me 'We cannot discover more ocean, unless we have the courage to lose sight of the shore.' That may help, that may not, I don't know lad. Think about it and see what you may come up with."
"Skimble! Skimble!" A Frantic cry echoed through the halls. "Skimble!" Chryssie came racing in and not seeing Munkustrap stopped.
"Skimble! I need to know where I can find Munkustrap! It's very important!" Skimble can see the fear in her eyes.
"I'm right here Chryssie, what is it?" Munkustrap stood up and came over to her.
"Munkustrap listen, it's about Demeter! She's fainted! It just happened! She was happily dancing and then she just fell! She didn't get up! Jennyanydots didn't even tell me what was wrong, she just said "Go get Munkustrap" and so I found you! You are to come with me quickly! Skimble you too! Please Munkustrap, come!" She then started off. Munkustrap and Skimble quickly followed. Soon they came to the site. There were cats everywhere.
"Where is she Chryssie?" Munkustrap whispered in Chryssie's ear.
"Come follow me. We took her to a safe place. She lead him to Old Deuteronomy's pedestal. She then climbed over it and then behind it. There was a small little cave and there lying in it was Demeter. She was still in faint, breathing hard. Jennyanydots came running over to them.
"Ah, my dears you have come. Munkustrap, we have called for your grandfather. He should arrive here within a few days. Until that time, you two or anyone else she trusts are to stay with her. Don't worry about needs, we will supply for you."
"Can you kindly send someone to tell my mother what has happened. I promised her I was going to be home tomorrow."
"Surely dear, Rum Tug Tugger knows the way, we'll send him."
"Thank you. Munkustrap, why did you say that she wanted me for something when she didn't?"
" I made a mistake." She slid over to him so that she was facing him and put a hand on his shoulder and stared into his eyes.
"Tell me the truth Munkustrap."
"I misheard. From another cat."
"I get the impression that you were jealous of Tugger."
"How is it that you think you know how to read facial and emotional expressions?"
"I only get impressions, you don't have to get all cranky about it." Then she slid away from him and sat on the opposite side of the room. She had turned her back to him and wouldn't even look at him. Finally Munkustrap made up his mind to apologize, maybe that would be good enough if he could finally get control of himself and what he wanted to do. He felt an incredible urge to hold her close and kiss her with all the passion he could muster, but that wouldn't be right. He belonged to Demeter, he was happy with Demeter. But why did he want Chryssie? Why did he want to feel the velvety kiss she had given him when he was awake? Why did he want to feel her soft feathery paws on his face? She was a battle. Even being in the same room with her was an emotional challenge.
In Chryssie's corner she was fighting the same battle and losing quickly. She remembered what it was like to kiss his tender lips and feel the velvet of his paws, she wanted the sensation he had given her again. She wanted his touch but with consciousness and will from him. But she couldn't because he was Demeter's and she was Demeter's friend. Wasn't him being with her illegal to the laws of love? She fought to keep herself under control. She had to or she'd lose it and leap to him without a second thought. She couldn't bring herself to look at him for the longing for him would just come stronger. She then felt the velvet paw on her shoulder and felt a tremble coming from it. She shook with longing but with the fight as well. She looked into his eyes.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be the way I was. Forgive me?"
"I forgive you, now will you forgive me? I didn't want to be that snappish, but when I am puzzled I usually want answers and I get snappish when I'm scared."
"I forgive you, but why are you scared?"
"I'm scared for her. I don't know what's wrong, but I know it's serious, because no average female can be out for this long." Munkustrap was going to take her in his arms and comfort her and he even made a move to do so, but he remembered Demeter and his craving, so he stopped. Chryssie was already to receive that comfort, but she knew he knew and she also remembered her loyalty to Demeter, and her ever going craving for him so she stopped as well. She could see that he was fighting something inside, but she couldn't tell what.
"Hey there Chryssie girl! Look I know that it is Demeter and all but you should let Bombalurina take your place." Bombalurina said to Chryssie and Munkustrap
"Yes, you two have been cooped up in here long enough so I think I should watch her for a while. Have you noticed anything?"
"She looks like she'd burning up, so you might want to make sure she has something cool and warm."
"OK." Bombalurina said and began to take care of Demeter. Chryssie looked at the stars and wished
"Please, not another adventure. I just want everyone to be happy. Please heal Demeter. I just want another to be happy."
"Chryssie? Are you all right?"
"Yeah Tugger, I am just worried about Demeter, that's all."
"Yeah we all are, but I am worried about you too. You're a special cat too and I think you should find someone to care for and love. Someone who can make you happy."
"Tugger, I have but he doesn't feel the same towards me. He knows I can spend the rest of my life having a desire for him and he'll let me do it. Now Jemima wants to get on my case ever since she got jealous and I am fighting continuous battles with myself. Also, any other cat here is too old or already linked with someone else, not to mention my parents will probably blow a casket if they found out I had finally found myself a cat. Tugger I find a perfect cat and those reasons are all that prevents me from really receiving serious love."
"Gee, do you have problems with romance or what. Well I am here for you. You know that." He gently reached over and stroked her cheek. She held onto his wrist, so she could feel he was really there and was going to stay. She nuzzled his paw affectionately then whirled around for she had heard a noise behind them.
She saw a little movement and then nothing. She already knew. From that movement she had seen, she knew exactly who it was.
It probably was Munkustrap, she thought. He had come to spy on me. Well I'm going to have to prove that he is jealous to myself and to him.
Old Deuteronomy arrived the next day and he didn't stop. He went straight to Demeter. He made sure no one was with him. After several hours he made a clear announcement.
"Cats, Demeter is gravely sick. I know the cure. It is the Henjeneous flower, which grows in the center of an ancient island just close to the shore. Be warned it is dangerous and on this island. There are woods, mountains and rivers. To take the flower without it's withering, you must have a strong mind, and a strong will against yourself. These travelers must be fast and make good time. Who will go for Demeter?" Chryssie immediately volunteered herself.
"Chryssie would like to go for Demeter, who else will go with her, for she cannot do it alone."
"I will go!" Tugger called.
"As will I." said Munkustrap.
"Good, anyone else? Jemima you too."
"Awe me?"
"Yes Jemima."
"Hold on, she's a smaller kitten than Chryssie, maybe she'll slow everyone down." Plato suggested thoughtfully.
"I will not. Come on, we'd better get started."
"Don't we need instruction on where to go, Jemima?"
"Right well, I meant after we finished, you didn't really think I'd forget a thing like that now would you."
"No I suppose not." Chryssie sighed. She and Tugger made eye contact and he nodded as if to read her expression. She turned to Munkustrap who also nodded because he knew what her expression meant. IT read "We're going to have a very long trip aren't we?"
They listened carefully as Old Deuteronomy said, "Follow the sunset until you meet the water's edge. Directly in front of you will be the island. Keep heading in the same direction, just be sure to follow the trail with the crest of a moonlight marked, Do not follow the stars. The moonlit path will be very difficult but it is very quick. Once you have touched the flower safely then grind the petals and put it into this gem stone box amulet. This flower is very special because it promises good fortune and everlasting life. It is known for healing and for it's fortune. Now go and speed come to you. You should reach the island at sunset. This is a magic island. Whatever you need will come to you on the Moonlight path if you have earned it."
Macavity leaned against the wall of his new lodging. He was frustrated that he had lost Demeter to some short goody goody. All he could think about was Demeter. But there was something else he wanted more, he wanted to live forever. Then they would call him the everlasting cat.
"Your highness, I have done research in this subject that you desire so eagerly."
"Ah Rawtawny, one of my most finest. Well what do you have? Is there a way?"
"Yes my master there is. There is an ancient flower called the Henjeneous flower, and it is able to do special things. First, it will grant eternal life, it will heal anything, it has the power to call the dead if properly used though this takes up most of it's power. I think you'll find this particularly interesting master, it will make anyone who the owner of the flower wishes to fall in love with anyone he wishes, even himself."
"Ah Rawtawny you amaze me, now do you know where it is?"
"Oh yes sir. It is on an island not far from here. It is on the island just to the west. The flower is in the heart of the island."
"Yes I have studied that island, and I know a way, the route of the stars. It is an easy course. It's long, but no obstacles accept for climbing a slanting road. But it is easily taken care of. I'll even grant your wish of the fair Chryssie to you Rawtawny."
"You mean she'll be mine?"
"She will."
Rawtawny celebrated as the two villains walked out into the forest.
"Come on everyone! We're doing great!" Chryssie said enthusiastically.
"We should be coming up on the mountain shortly!"
"Why are you so happy? Aren't you tired?" Jemima asked grumpily.
"Nope! I am used to all this exercise. I do it everyday hunting mice and rats."
"Well excuse me but all of us aren't mice farmers."
"Oh hush up Jemima, I don't want to listen to you bellyache."
"Oh you're so funny." Chryssie pretended not to hear as she and the guys tramped on happily. She played a little with Tugger playing tag. Then they got to the island.
"Wow, that's big for an island, don't you think?" Chryssie asked.
"Well there is a boat right there." "Yep there is, shall we go in?"
"Yes lets go!"
"Come on Jemima! Be happy!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." They all climbed in and then started off. At the same time Macavity and Rawtawny were on another shore launching a boat as well. The Jellicles soon reached the island shore and started west. They soon came to a purple banner with a moon and clouds, like the Jellicle Moon. They then saw a single star on an orange banner. Chryssie started down the one with the moonlight. Rum Tug Tugger followed. Munkustrap was left, dragging the grumbling Jemima along. Chryssie reached the top of a hill and saw behind Tugger. Munkustrap and Jemima were nowhere to be seen, and she assumed something was wrong. She started back down the hill telling Tugger "Wait here, I'll be right back."
"All right, just don't leave me sitting here too long." She hurried down and followed the paths back. She then saw Jemima purposely slowing Munkustrap down. She was clinging on to his arm and looking some other direction obviously happy with herself.
"Munkustrap? What's the matter?" At the sound of Chryssie's voice Jemima immediately darkened.
"Oh Jemima wants to go on the other path, the star path with me."
"Do you want to go?"
"Not especially."
"Well then Jemima stays with us. She is too little to be going off on her own."
"Well then I suppose you are too. After all you are my age."
"Well I don't have a tendency to wander off do I?"
"I don't either."
"Just stay close." Munkustrap said firmly but gently.
"Oh I have no problem with that Munkustrap, lets continue shall we?" and she started walking with Munkustrap still clinging onto his arm. "You can bring up the rear Chryssie."
"Thank you Jemima. I'd be honored." She said disguising the sarcasm in her voice. She glared at Jemima, then Munkustrap glanced behind him and saw her glaring. Maybe she's jealous, He thought.
Chryssie thought darkly “Oh that cat, one of these days she's going to get what's coming to her. I mean does she have to hang all over him, ooh and I can't believe he's letting her, though he does look mighty uncomfortable. Ooh, Jemima, I am going to...RRR. “
Soon they reached the hill on which Tugger was perched. He then started down the other side. Munkustrap, and Chryssie helped Jemima up the hill and then slowed her down on the descent.
"Jemima, I'd wish you'd put a little more effort into this. Old Deuteronomy chose you because he thought that it would be good for you."
"I'm doing just fine thank you. No one else has been complaining, but you are just a party pooper Chryssie." Chryssie paid no heed to the little self absorbed giggle that Jemima let loose.
"Here looks like a good place to camp. What do you think?"
"No I think we should get to the top of that mountain. Then we'll find a place to camp."
"Tugger it's no good. We'll never reach the top of that thing by dark. It's no good climbing in the dark. We're liable to fall and kill ourselves."
"Tugger we should wait until morning." Munkustrap said.
"Right, I think I see your point. Besides we still have a long way to the mountain to go, and I don't think we can take another step."
"Well here is a nice place to sleep, but I think I can see a safer one, it's not as in the open as this is. Who knows what could prowl around here at night?"
"Hmm, good idea."
"I don't want too, this is nice enough, I can't go another step, I'm too tired."
"Jemima, it will be safer over there."
"I don't want to Chryssie, I tell you I'm too tired."
"I'll carry her." Tugger said and picked Jemima up.
"I don't like to be carried, and you're hurting me. I want Munkustrap to carry me." Chryssie looked at Munkustrap who sighed. Then she thought of something.
"Oh Jemima, you are such a little baby. You have to have someone to carry you, and when someone volunteers to do so, then you complain. We shouldn't have allowed you to come. You can't even take care of yourself. Maybe you can't because you're not good enough to us."
"I'll show you who isn't good enough. Put me down Tugger. We are walking to that site right now!" Jemima started heading toward the site in a angry walk.
Chryssie just shrugged and said "That wasn't easy for me to say that. But I'm tired of her bellyaching. I also don't want you two to break your backs over her either. I said that not to be mean, but to get her to show that she isn't afraid or too little to take all this."
"Clever thinking Chryssie! You wanted to make her prove that she isn't too little to do this."
"That's what I wanted her to think. Wow! She's far ahead, we might want to catch up." They all jogged and soon caught up with her. Soon they reached the site, and already it was twilight. They found the place and soon settled down. They relaxed and then realized that they were hungry. They then heard a small call. It seemed to say "Come here, Come here little ones, do not be afraid, come here to the thicket."
Chryssie followed the sound with her eyes and saw food. "Guys, there is food over there. Tugger come back here! Oh boy," she said to Munkustrap, "He sure won't take the time to wait for the others." They approached where they saw Tugger just sitting and waiting for them.
"It's real all right. It has everything, Tuna, Salmon, Cod, Trout, and caviar balls. It even has dishes of cream."
"Yeah, but that isn't very energetic foods. They would make you feel tired too quickly and slow you down."
"Right that's what I thought of, so I didn't take any."
"You don't want delicacies?" The voice asked,
"That's what all the other cats wanted. Well then, approach the camp site you have found and a decent meal will be supplied there. Go my darlings, go." Then they all walked back to the site, where they saw dishes that Chryssie's farmer owned. There inside was his healthy food.
"Oh pure heaven." Chryssie said.
"Well, why don't you eat?"
"We haven't had this much before. All we've had is just what we can find." Tugger explained.
"Try this, I think you might find it tasty, but if you want, I won't eat this and we'll see what happens next."
"No no, we'll try this." They tried the food supplied.
"This is pretty tasty actually. I like it and I feel like it's healthy and nutritious and still a banquet besides." The cats except Jemima who just looked at the food with total disgust ate heartily. Chryssie stopped in the middle of her dinner and asked "What's the matter Jemima? Don't you like it? It's not poison. In fact, you might like it."
"It looks plain and simple, nothing like those other treats we saw."
"Well those treats we saw isn't good for us. In fact they hurt us, more then help us. Try it at least."
"OK I'll eat it." She ate it quietly and soon Chryssie saw that she was enjoying it.
"There now, don't you like it?"
"No I'm just hungry."
"Oh." She's such a grouch, Chryssie thought.
"I'm tired, I am going to curl up, OK guys?"
"All right Chryssie, we'll lie down after we're finished."
"She gave us bigger bowls didn't she Munkustrap?"
"Well we're boys and we have a bigger appetite then the girls do, and don't forget, she's still a wee one."
"A Wee one?"
"I have been talking to Skimble."
"Well then that would explain the 'wee one' wouldn't it?"
"Yes." Tugger looked over his shoulder and saw Chryssie dozing. "She looks to be right at home."
"Yes she does." Jemima glared. Munkustrap finished first and walked over to Chryssie. He sat down and gave her a little nudge.
"Hmm what? Oh what's the matter Munkustrap?"
"Nothing but I am curious. I saw you glaring at Jemima back there when we were still trying to reach the hill. What is behind that?"
"Oh, I just don't like the idea of a cat trying to persuade another to turn around and go the other way when the other half of their party is ahead. I also don't like the way she hangs all over you."
"Oh really? Why?"
"She just looks so childish that's all. She can give strong kittens a bad name. Why do you ask?"
"Well it's not often I see someone stare at someone with such a look of jealousy in her eyes."
"You think I was jealous?"
"Well since I've known you Chryssie I have learned to watch your eyes because they don't lie. They speak exactly what you are thinking, not your face."
"Well don't you think I watch your eyes as well? You say that you weren't jealous when I was talking with Tugger. I heard that jealous tone in your voice when you spoke to me saying that Demeter wanted to see me. You were jealous of Tugger."
"I was not jealous, I just..."
"I am not jealous either."
"Fine."
"Fine." She looked at him with a slightly amused expression on her face. He saw the look she gave him and threw his head back and laughed. He then leaned back and relaxed. Chryssie just relaxed staring up into the stars. She then fell asleep. Munkustrap looked at her, then to the sky, then to her again. He gave her a nudge, but it was evident that she was asleep. Tugger then sat on the other side of her.
"Hey Munkustrap. Wow, bored her to sleep with talking huh?"
"No, she just looked at the sky and dozed off. Where is Jemima?"
"She's still finishing her dinner. She said she'll join us when she is finished."
"I'm right here and I think that Chryssie shouldn't be there. She'll ruin her back. I don't want her to do that so I propose we let her lie here. The sand is much softer and she'll probably feel like she was on her pillow back home. I am only doing this for her welfare you know."
"Right, wouldn't want old Chryssie to be hurt and stiff on this journey."
"I'm glad you see it my way Tugger. Now why don't you keep her company?"
"I will as soon as I am ready to sleep." Then Tugger set about to moving Chryssie from the rock to the sand that Jemima had pointed out.
The sand is soft yes, but that's because some animal likes it there too, Jemima thought.
"Munkustrap, will you keep me company?"
"All right Jemima." Then she started endless chatter.
"Oh what is that noise?" Chryssie said as Tugger put her down.
"Oh just Jemima talking with Munkustrap."
"Hold on, why did you move me?"
"She recommended that you lie down, bad for the back to be sitting up all night."
"Tugger, I chose that spot so I can sit and lie down."
"Well maybe she didn't know that."
"Maybe she just wants to be physically close to Munkustrap."
"No way, Jemima? She doesn't have any interest in the boys."
