Chrychaesa still wasn't herself after the betrayal and lost of her parents. Munkustrap was doing everything he could to help her. Chryssie was grateful for the kindness, and all that Munkustrap was putting himself through, especially for her. But Chryssie just couldn't bring herself out of the miserable feeling she had. Though she knew that it was time. She lately hadn't been waking at dawn, but much earlier so she could catch the last sight of the moon before it was blinked away by the blazing sun.
This time, she resolved to stay asleep until it was really time to get up.
She sighed as she turned onto her side. She looked straight at Munkustrap who was lightly sleeping, and smiled a little.
She loved him, she loved him dearly, and he knew it. He seemed to return the feeling, but barred and blocked by Demeter. She didn't mind though. Demeter needed Munkustrap as much as she did and she understood that.
She gently stroked Munkustrap's arm, which didn't wake him, but she knew he was aware of her, for his tail switched ever so slightly. She moved closer, so she could stoke the fur aligning his face and shoulders.
His eyes opened and saw her. She smiled at him, and then withdrew her paw.
She felt an arm drape over her, and felt a gentle kiss on her forehead. She snuggled closer until she could feel the soft fur of the collarbone against her face. There she found comfort.
She awoke at dawn, and felt proud that she had done what she had resolved to do. She noticed that Munkustrap had not moved from where he was last night.
"Good morning."
"Good Morning, how long have you been awake?" He asked.
"Just now, and you?"
"I was just dozing, I've been awake for a while. I'm surprised you stayed asleep until dawn."
"I suppose that it's comforting to know you're close by."
"I try the best I can." He said and leaned over her, and kissed her quickly.
"So what's going on today?"
"We're just going to be spending time with ol' Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser. They've been wanting to see you."
"Oh, why?"
"They love your company. I've been meaning to spend time with the kittens and talk to the other cats."
"Well you do that, and I'll hang with Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser." He got to his feet and left sleep behind. Chryssie did the same and they started out into the daylight. He stopped outside the door and looked at Chryssie. He said
"You've changed."
"I have?" Chryssie said, freezing into place.
"Yes, I think you're happier now."
"Well Mother and Papa wouldn't want me to just sit around and mope. When a friend of the family's died, I was beside myself. I just didn't know what to do. My Papa said if I didn't stop it, then he'd smack me silly. Mother said something that really helped. 'Rely on someone, any one at all, and cling to that one. Store your sorrow as love for that one. So I selected Papa and Mother. Now that they aren't here, I concentrate on you."
"What will happen if you lost me?"
"I'd have nothing left. You're probably the most important to me. Demeter is second only to you. If I didn't have you to love, to talk to, or even to smile with, I'd be lost."
"I'll always be here for you, you know that."
"You help me in so many ways Munkustrap, I don't think I can repay it in all nine lives, I think I'll have to wait forever."
"Love has no debt, but lives forever." Munkustrap said wisely. Chryssie smiled at him and then kissed him quickly, not noticing Jennyanydots. Jennyanydots saw Munkustrap and Chryssie, smiled and then hurried back into her car trunk. Munkustrap withdrew and smiled at Chryssie, then walked up to something and banged on the home of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser. They came to the door in happy squeals.
"Oh, me first Mungojerrie!"
"You always get t' go first, it's my turn!"
"That's not what you said las'time! It's my turn!"
"Mungojerrie, Rumpleteaser!"
"Uh-oh, it's Munk'strap."
"Well, now what?"
"I've got Chryssie with me."
"CHRYSSIE!!!" They heard the two shout in unison.
"'urry up Mungojerrie, go would you, for th' everlastin' cats sake!"
"Don't swea'! All right, come on up!"
Munkustrap took Chryssie's paw, and smiling at her in good humor, ran with her to where Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser stood waiting.
"Chryssie! Oh my word, it's been so long!" Rumpleteaser said happily hugging Chryssie.
"Yes, by Jove."
"Now look who's swearin'."
"Oh, it's not a swear word!"
"Right and I'm th' queen's cat."
"Oh hush up yo' majesty! Will you b' joinin' us today Munk'strap?"
"No, I have to spend a little bit of time with the kittens and cats. You promise to watch her carefully?"
"Not a problem with us Munk'strap." Rumpleteaser said authoritatively.
"Oh, I see. I'm to be left in their care until you get back." Chryssie said, smiling and arching an eyebrow at Munkustrap.
"No, it's just a joke, really."
"Sure Munk'strap." Said Mungojerrie. Munkustrap put a finger to his lips and shushed Mungojerrie.
"Am I not here?" Chryssie said laughing.
"No, if you weren't 'ere, you'd be out there." Mungojerrie said as a matter of factly.
"All right Chryssie, I'm going to get out of here." Munkustrap said and kissed her. They both found it hard to break away.
Rumpleteaser smiled and rested her cheek against her paw.
Mungojerrie looked from Chryssie and Munkustrap, to Rumpleteaser, back and back again. Then he said as he advanced towards the couple.
"All right, that's enough, that's enough!"
Chryssie turned to look at Mungojerrie, and then looked back at Munkustrap.
He stroked her face and then headed towards the exit, with a couple of pushes from Mungojerrie to get him started.
"All right Mungojerrie, I'm going." Chryssie heard Munkustrap say, as Mungojerrie gave him a final push.
"Oh, we 'ave work t' do today Mungojerrie. It's been fa' too quiet around 'ere."
"Right we do. Chryssie, you are goin' t' 'ang out in th' field right beyond the Jell'cle junk site while 'Teasa' 'n' I cause problems. Is that OK?"
"Sure, as long as you two will pick me up, shortly."
"All right, we shall go around two. In the meantime, come on." Mungojerrie took his sister and Chryssie by the paw and lead them to a beautiful green area with a spring, lake and fountain.
"Oh, this is beautiful Mungojerrie, when did you find it?"
"We always 'ave known where i' was. Eva' since we was kit'ens, Teasa' n' me."
"That's right."
From then until two, the three played happily in the gardens, giving them a good exercise and preparing Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser for the mischief they were to do that day.
They heard a carillon chime one forty-five and they decided to take Chryssie to the field. They said
"Come on, we go t' th' field."
"All right, though I like it better here."
"At least you'll be able t' see Munk'strap. Maybe he'll be playin' with th' kit'ens."
"Perhaps." They led her to the field where she could see into the junkyard.
"We'll be back around two-thir'y. We'll see you soon."
"All right." They then ran off. Chryssie looked down and saw the kittens coming out to play. They seemed excited.
She saw Munkustrap stride out, and talk to Victoria. She then turned to the kittens that started prancing and saying things all at once.
"They must be teaching him Dodge ball." She then watched as Munkustrap stood outside and started tossing the ball through the kittens, to the others who were waiting for the ball.
This went on after a while when Munkustrap decided that the game was a draw, and the kittens agreed. He then went inside his cave for a minute, with the kittens all watching him and emerged with two balls of the same size, color and material.
He then started teaching them a new game. He divided each of the kittens into even teams. He then lined them up on opposite sides of the site. Between the two teams was a circle, clearly outlined with objects.
He then used Victoria as an example of what he wanted them to do. The kitten at the head of each line would take the ball and just run around the circle with it, each running counter clockwise or clockwise. When the kitten finished running around the circle, they passed the ball to the next kitten in line and that kitten would run. He also demonstrated a "perk" of the game.
If one kitten from one side ran and tagged the kitten from the opposing team, that team would have to do fifty jumping jacks. He also introduced another perk. He would be keeping time. At the end of fifteen seconds he would tell Skimbleshanks to blow a whistle of some sort, then the two running kittens would have to change directions.
Chryssie smiled at Munkustrap and watched his relay race. It was intense and interesting. The kittens seemed to enjoy it as they rooted for their team, urged a kitten to hurry if he was gaining on another, or was going to be tagged.
The cats, which were watching had come closer to watch.
Chryssie then saw Cassandra glide up to Munkustrap and casually put her arm around his shoulders. Chryssie leapt to her feet.
She then relaxed when she saw Munkustrap uncomfortably brush it off him. She felt a presence and turned to see a guard of Macavity sling a heavy net over her.
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser was coming up, where they saw Chryssie being abducted. She screamed for them to help her.
"Teasa', go get Munk'strap!"
Rumpleteaser started running towards the camp immediately.
Mungojerrie then attacked the guard who was holding Chryssie captive.
The guard had managed to tie Chryssie into the net, and faced Mungojerrie.
The two fought hard, but even the strong and mighty Mungojerrie was no match for this guard twice his size.
He fell back and the guard roughly lifted Chryssie to his shoulders and ran.
Rumpleteaser quickly returned with Munkustrap, Alonzo, Mistoffelees, Asparagus, Rum Tug Tugger, and Plato. She shrieked when she saw Mungojerrie lying, stunned on the ground.
"Mungojerrie! Are you all right?"
"Shh, I'm fine. He went that way." He said pointing in the direction he went.
"All right, will you be going?"
"Yes, we'll catch up in a minute." Rumpleteaser said as she tended to her brother.
Munkustrap dashed quickly off in the direction Mungojerrie had pointed.
"Whew come on, we'd betta' catch up." Rumpleteaser said as Mungojerrie regained himself.
"Come on, I 'ave this feelin' Chryssie is in grave danger with Macaviyy."
Macavity smiled spitefully as Chryssie came struggling against the guards into the great hall.
"Welcome. This is an honored surprise Chrychaesa. It will probably be our last meeting."
"Don't count on that. You can't get rid of me. If I go, my friends will take my place. They are a lot harder to get rid of then me."
"Oh, don't flatter yourself. With you gone, their independent spirit will dwindle, and it will fade even more once Munkustrap and Deuteronomy is out of the way, then they wouldn't care."
"I repeat, don't count on that."
"Your tongue is getting awfully sharp isn't it?"
"It can get sharper if you like."
"Really. Let's not see the razor sharp of it shall we?" Chryssie just looked away.
"As you can see Chrychaesa, I have already gotten power over the Jellicles. Just a few objectives stand in my way, as you know, and they will be barriers until they are knocked down."
"I see you think you are royalty."
"I AM royalty my dear. I am royalty." He said stepping too close for comfort. She glared at him. He seemed to pause a minute as he said
"You remind me of Demeter when she glared at me. She will be back here with me you know." Chryssie stiffened and she heard a murmur through the silent room
"Yeah, back here, rather dead." Chryssie looked at the guard who had murmured that to his companion.
Macavity followed her gaze, and saw the guard. He walked to him and stood just in front.
"You realize what will happen to your friends when they get here." He said and jammed his claws at their full extension into the guard.
The guard cried out in pain and then fell to the floor, dead.
His companion only glanced at his friend's body and then focused his attention straight ahead.
Macavity then stalked up to Chryssie and asked "
You get the point?" He said and lifted up his claws.
She saw the guard's blood dripping from the razor sharp claws and she struggled to keep her voice steady and calm.
"Quite vividly, but it won't happen. The only thing that would happen is you would have more guards names in the obituary section of the Cat City Newspaper."
Macavity reached back to slap her, but then stopped and chuckled evilly.
"Ahh Chrychaesa, such wit. I like that in a queen." He said and stroked the fur under Chryssie's chin. He then leaned closer. She looked away.
The guards used their free hand to keep her facing Macavity. He held her face with his clean paw, and then kissed her.
Chryssie's breath quickened, and she couldn't move away from Macavity, though she was grateful that she was being moved toward Macavity either.
The last thing she wanted was to feel that cat against her.
His kiss was cold and hard, and all she could do was ignore it. He finally withdrew that cold kiss of his and then said
"Lock her in the dungeon. Tortured, until I decide what to do with her." Chryssie thought
"Typical. First he kisses me, then he tortures me. What next? He wants to hold me and then Kill me? Well he isn't holding or killing this cat. I just hope he won't kiss me again. That was awful."
They took Chryssie to a room and she saw a lot of sharp objects. The guards closed the doors behind her and winced as they heard her painful screams.
Macavity heard her and then just smiled to himself.
"That's not the worst of it, sweet Chrychaesa. That's not the worst of it."
Munkustrap and the rest of the cats hurried along. It was dusk. Mistoffelees paused and shushed them.
"Shh, do you hear that?" They all listened intensely. Somewhere they heard a female scream and then another.
"Oh no, that's Chryssie!" Munkustrap said. "What are they doing to her? Obviously not the same things they did to me in there. It sounds like worse. The poor cat we have to get her out of there."
Tugger listened and winced.
Asparagus hid his head behind Alonzo who looked down at his feet. Plato looked apprehensive.
Mistoffelees closed his eyes while he was determining the direction of the screams.
"It's coming from that way."
"Good," said Mungojerrie coming from behind, followed by Rumpleteaser. "That's th' way we should go."
"All right then." They all started. They soon reached the entrance to the heavily guarded cave of Macavity. From there, the screams were loud and painful to hear.
"Tugger, what's that? On your collar." Mistoffelees asked.
"Oh, Jemima's bell. She must have tucked it there while I was saying goodbye to her."
He rung it once and the transparent image of Angelina appeared.
"Hello Tugger, what can I help you with?"
"Angelina, we need a way inside. You remember Chryssie. Well, she's in there, being tortured."
Angelina heard a particularly pain filled scream, then suddenly silence.
"That's not good, I mean, the screams were bad enough but silence is worse."
"There is a secret entrance way, not even Macavity knows about it. There is a waterfall. Do you see it?" Munkustrap and the rest followed her finger to the waterfall.
"Behind there is a cave, which will lead you straight into the dungeon area. Good luck." She said and vanished into the bell.
They all crept along the shore until they reached the waterfall where they gingerly crept behind.
It was dark behind the waterfall and they picked their way along the unknown passage. They then came to a place where dank air greeted them. They saw the door to a cell and knew they were in the dungeon.
"Come on, when I was in here, Chryssie showed me a book which shows all the cells and who's in them." Munkustrap said and led the way. There indeed was the book.
"She's still in torture, we have to wait until she's in her cell. Back in the tunnel, quickly."
Macavity entered the cell where Chryssie was being whipped. The torturer stopped and saluted. He then went on to other prisoners.
"There now Chrychaesa, how did that feel?" Macavity asked, stroking her chin and cheek with his paw.
"You've done worse." She said, full of pain and fatigue.
"Oh, have I now? What have I done that was worse then what you have went through?"
"You took Rawtawny and my parents away while I am still young. You have tormented my friends, and caused grief among us."
"That's an accomplishment. At least I know that the Jellicles are suffering."
"No you're wrong. It isn't the Jellicles suffering. All the hardships you put us through, we just rise, stronger over them. It's me that you have been putting all the suffering on. If you kill me tonight, you would be doing me a favor."
"Well then, I'll just make sure you live. By the way, there has been no trouble from your friends. Does this mean they aren't coming to rescue you? How shameful isn't it?"
Macavity said lightly, still stroking her cheek and examining her soft, fine fur.
Chryssie allowed her head to rest in the direction of her shoulder and Macavity could see she was fighting to stay awake.
"Fifteen more lashes, then take her to her chamber. Lock her up tight, and let the dear sleep. Poor thing, she must be exhausted." He said, kissed her cheek once then laughed as he left.
Chryssie sighed and said to the torturer
"You enjoy working for him?"
"Oh, sorry Miss, yes I do. It keeps my family fed."
"I suppose you must do what you are told. Come then, lets get it over with. What's a few more lashes?"
"Oh, now Miss you've made me not want to hurt you."
"Quiet. Whip the cat, feed the kids, and get it over with." She said and inhaled deeply as she prepared herself for hard lashes.
"Where should I whip you?"
"Just pick a place, shut up, and do it." Chryssie said sorrowfully. The guard tapped her back with the whip. It still hurt, but nothing like the cruelty he had done earlier.
"OK, you're done. Now let me out of this thing." The torturer hesitated.
"It's all right, I'm not going anywhere. The only thing that works is my mouth. I'm too tired and too sore to do anything else."
"Sorry Miss. I would go easier on you, but you won't have me tomorrow. You'll have the rougher, meaner one."
"Why not. Add one more to the party." Chryssie said dully. The torturer finished unlocking her as Macavity came in. She fell to the floor, unable to stand.
"See, what'd I tell you. Nothing works." She said fatigued.
"Poor darling." Macavity said heartlessly. The torturer started to pick her up off the floor.
"No, let her do it. Lets see if she's strong enough." Macavity said. The torturer dropped her and backed away.
"Got to hand it to you. You know how to make things difficult for the other one. I expected as much." Chryssie said as she lay on the floor.
She then painfully stood on her feet and stood straight, erect and tall.
"You still have your pride." Macavity said and took a step closer.
"I warn you, I can't stand for much longer." Chryssie said, hoping to get him to back away. She then lost herself and fell into Macavity who was waiting for her.
He carried her to her cell and dropped her into a guards arm.
"She's too weak. Chain her. In Munkustrap's position that I had him in." He then stalked away.
The guard finished tying her up and then left. He heard Chryssie's voice say
"Bye." He closed the door. Chryssie then fell into a long sleep full of tangled dreams of pain.
"Now's our chance!" Munkustrap said as he hurried towards the torture chamber. He met the torturer coming out. The torturer gasped as Munkustrap's paw clamped over his mouth.
"Shh. You were the one torturing Chryssie. If you want to help her, give us the keys." The torturer paused a second and then pulled out a spare set.
"Here take these. Just be silent and quick." They released him and ran off to Chryssie's cell.
Plato jumped the guard and knocked him out.
Munkustrap hurried with the keys.
"Guys, make sure our route out is clear. Tugger and Asparagus, keep watch outside."
Munkustrap ordered then entered Chryssie's cell. There she was. Somehow her deep sleep had drifted to unconsciousness.
"My poor beauty. They've done horrible things to you." Munkustrap said as he began to unlock her.
When he had her free, he kissed her, over and over again. He looked up when he saw her tail twitch and she opened her eyes.
She sat up and rubbed her wrists, unaware of Munkustrap.
Then she winced and reached back and rubbed her shoulder blade. When she withdrew her hand, there was a slight trace of blood on it.
"Nut bunnies and catnip." She murmured. She then caught sight of Munkustrap and for an instant had no idea who he was.
"Holy goldfish! Who are you and what are you doing in here? Wait, I know you. Munkustrap, what are you doing in here? You were supposed to be slashed to pieces like Macavity said."
"You really think I'd let them do that?"
"No, I couldn't."
"So why are you surprised."
"I didn't think you could get by the entire three hundred forty-four guards that awaited you. How did you manage?"
"Never mind that now." Munkustrap said and kissed her lightly.
"Come on, we have to get you out of here." He took her hand and she felt new strength.
Tugger and Asparagus greeted her and the four hurried on.
Asparagus and Tugger led Chryssie through the tunnels and Munkustrap followed behind. Suddenly he was grabbed.
Chryssie noticed and started back for him. Tugger caught her and said
"No, He can't get the two of you!"
"Tugger, Asparagus, we've been discovered! Hurry, they know we're here!" Mistoffelees' voice echoed off the walls.
They hurried through the unknown tunnel, leaving the guards and Macavity perplexed.
"Oh well, we had one. But now we have the other. She'll be returning for him soon. Let him be well guarded but secretly. We don't want her to know she is being watched."
The guys took Chryssie back, and soon they sat down to rest.
All Chryssie could do was think of poor Munkustrap as she remembered all the bitter tortures she had gone through and knew that he would go through it twice as worse and wouldn't shed a sound.
"Poor Chryssie." Rumpleteaser said in sympathy as she gently patted Chryssie's shoulder.
"What were they doing to you in there?" Tugger asked sitting down beside her. He looked at her back and allowed her to relax in his lap for a moment.
"Far better then what I'm experiencing now."
"What are you experiencing?" Alonzo asked.
"Do you know the feeling when you just don't know what's going to happen and it frightens you? Have you known the feeling of absolute helplessness, when you know you can do something about it? Have you ever wanted revenge so badly that it hurt to face each day? That's going through me. All of those things."
"Oh Chryssie." Asparagus said and knelt in front of her so he could see her at eye level.
"Things will get better. We'll get Munkustrap out." He quickly brushed her cheek with his and then backed up.
"You wait and see Chryssie." Mistoffelees said surely.
"We'll get him back." Mistoffelees then walked beside her to the camp. There they were asked questions. Mistoffelees said
"Now, we will rescue Munkustrap as soon as possible. But first this one needs to rest and heal. Now we will take care of Munkustrap soon." He then escorted Chryssie into Munkustrap's cave.
Mistoffelees knew a medicine that would help his magic heal Chryssie's back up quickly. He had her lie facedown on the floor of the cave where he gently massaged the medicine on her back.
"Chryssie?" Mungojerrie's voice echoed into the cave.
"In here Mungojerrie."
"I want t' apologize fo' not bein' able t' save you."
"You slowed him down considerably. Don't forget he was twice your size."
"But still, I feel as though I let 'im get away from me."
"No, he was hard to fight. I admire you and your sister for your courage."
"D' you really mean it?"
"Yes I do."
"Golly, yo' such a good friend." He said and left Chryssie to Mistoffelees' care. They sat in silence.
"All right, Chryssie?" No answer.
"Chryssie." Still nothing. He looked down at Chryssie and saw she had fallen asleep. Only her tail twitched.
"Poor Love, she is still beat from the beating." He said and then worked the healing magic.
Almost instantly the whiplashes disappeared.
"Goodnight, Chryssie. I'll see you in the morning." He left the cave.
Chryssie awoke near ten-thirty. It was dark and the moon shone brightly. She missed Munkustrap and then she knew what she needed to do.
She got to her feet and walked into the night, out of the site, near the waterfall that lead into Macavity's lair. She walked behind it and disappeared down the tunnel, not knowing that she was followed. Chryssie entered the hall, and walked to the book.
There was Munkustrap's name in scrawled writing telling her that he was in cellblock 24 A.
She found keys out, and knew it was a trap.
But still she took the keys and walked enigmatically through the halls, to 24 A.
She peeked in the cell window and saw Munkustrap there in his same chained position.
She removed the key to unlock him and placed it on her collar. She then unlocked the door, and stepped inside.
At once a guard attacked her, and snatched the ring of keys away. He then bolted to the door and swung it shut and locked it.
She merely glared at the guard, who laughed and left.
Chryssie then removed the key to Munkustrap's chains from her collar and the door key, which she had less obviously taken.
She put the key into the lock and turned. A chain fell away easily. She unlocked the other lock and that chain fell away.
Munkustrap was no longer held in a sitting position, he was now on the floor.
Chryssie set him up so that his back was leaning against the wall. She kissed him, lovingly and then allowed his head to tilt onto her shoulder where she cradled him. She kissed his neck and wrapped him in a hug and held him. She held him for moments and then kissed him again.
She felt him wake up, or come to life in her arms and it took him a minute for him to remember where he was. It took him longer to realize who she was and why she was treating him so gently and lovingly.
Soon his mind came into focus and he saw Chryssie with him. He smiled and kissed her with growing passion, but then stopped abruptly, as in pain.
"Munkustrap, what have they done?" Chryssie whispered with sorrow, and gently rubbed his back. There was no trace of blood.
"Beat me with stone slabs on my back, then had me work with it. My shoulders, my arms, everywhere is painful."
Chryssie gently rubbed his shoulders and had him sit in her lap, and lean back. His head rested on her shoulder and she wrapped her arms around him and held him close, and sensitively, sweetly.
Tenderly he looked up at her, grateful for the gentleness she gave him.
"You are so good to me Chryssie."
"I am happier with you, then anywhere else." She rubbed her cheek against his and ran her hand along his arm. "
Why?"
"I just don't want to stop loving you. There is no life if I at least don't have that." Munkustrap sat up straighter and turned. He kissed her, and held her at the same time. When they withdrew their kisses they stayed in each other's arms.
"Should we get out of here?" Munkustrap asked presently.
"Do you think you can manage?"
"I can." He stood up, and let her up as well.
She reached through the cell window with great skill, and put the key through the lock and turned it.
They heard a click and the door slid open.
"Come on let's go." Munkustrap said and followed Chryssie out.
There they took hands and started a direction. Then Macavity's henchmen surrounded them and Macavity stalked out from behind them.
"Ah Chrychaesa, my darling."
"Darling?"
"I thought you'd be out of there sooner my precious."
"Precious?" Munkustrap was as confused as Chryssie.
Chryssie coldly said
"I had a little trouble with the locks."
"Oh did you? Take her and him. Keep them separate. Up to the cliffs."
Five guards took Chryssie and Munkustrap.
The two figures in the shadows raced off in another direction.
At the top of the mountain, a bit of wind gusted through Chryssie's fur, and mist from the water floated up to them.
"I hope you will enjoy a good swim, Munkustrap. Chrychaesa could be valuable to us. See you in the Heaviside." He spoke to the guard behind him
"Wait for my signal. When I give it, you toss him over."
"Munkustrap, I..."
"No, don't it's all right, not every rescue can go as you plan."
"Can you let me go?" She asked the guard extremely irritated. He let her go for a minute. She rushed to Munkustrap and held him.
"Shh, it's all right."
"I'm trying to see if there's anyway I can get you out of this. Either wise I coming in after you."
"We may both be killed."
"Better together, then separate." She whispered and she felt his arms go around her. Her eye rested on a vine. Though she couldn't see if it was connected. Still that was the only thing that could help them now.
Oh Everlasting cat I do beseech you, get us out of this. I pray that that vine is long and strong enough. Chryssie prayed silently.
A guard started to take her away, but she refused to let him go. Finally a guard pried her loose and took her back where she watched in horror.
Another guard advanced to Munkustrap, and started backing him up to the side of the mountain.
Not yet, not yet. Chryssie told herself.
Munkustrap was on the very tip and was loosing balance.
Now! She told herself. She ran up to the edge, grabbed the vine and swung. Munkustrap fell off the mountain. Chryssie was right under him and she caught him.
"Climb up." she whispered. He climbed a little ways, and then she climbed up over him. The mist from the waterfall covered them from the guards view."
"Munkustrap, it's obvious that we're going to be hanging here for quite a while. Tie yourself in." He tied the vine around his waist with one hand and tied a good knot. They noticed a little ledge just long enough for a cat to stand on, and they swung to it.
There she climbed down and held onto him. The ledge crumbled slightly beneath them and they glanced at each other.
"Well, we've really gotten ourselves into a predicament, haven't we?"
"Yes we have Munkustrap."
"I'm afraid that I haven't much strength left in the shoulders to climb up."
"That's all right, we'll wait until you're ready."
"Why was Macavity calling you all those things, like sweet, or Darling, or dear, or whatever else he said?"
"Munkustrap, it's his way of expressing power over me. He knows I don't like it, so he'll do it just to annoy me, or get me angry."
"I'll be sure that he stops."
"How?"
"Some way. It may not be today, but we'll figure out a way to get him for all the suffering he has caused you, me, all of us."
"Is revenge really our way?"
"No it isn't, but when he causes us too much suffering, then we'll have to get him back."
"How are you doing?"
"I'm doing all right, and yourself?"
"I'll get better, as we go on."
"Why did you come for me all by yourself Chryssie? Why didn't you have help?"
"They told me to wait until morning, but I couldn't last that long. It seems I need you with me to sleep the whole night through now. I just feel that you are so close and apart of me and I just can't bear it when you're away too long."
Munkustrap took her close and held her with a strong grip. She could just stay there in his embrace forever. She knew she needed him.
"Chryssie, you're a part of me. It feels that almost nothing else matters. At first it wasn't intended. I knew you were just a shy kitten who was attending her first Jellicle ball, but I never suspected what I could have done. Love at first sight. You felt for me, the first minute you saw me. I could tell that, especially when you took my arm for the first time. Even just to get my attention, I could feel that you thought something of me, and how you were just shy and careful when you talked with me. It was the first kiss in the dungeon that I really knew, and not just what Cassandra told. I knew you loved me, and how you fought so hard to deny yourself me. It didn't last. Especially when we tried to save Demeter. That whole trip brought us together. We are still close now, and so much has changed between us. I wonder how one's life could change so fast."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't stop myself. If I hadn't had kissed you in the dungeon, then this might not have happened. We might not have fallen, but I lost the major battle."
"There is nothing to be sorry of. It is something that I treasure."
"Why are you so good to me?" Chryssie asked and held him tighter. She then withdrew her embrace when she felt him lightly rest his paws on her shoulder blades. She looked up at him, and then leaned to kiss him.
"'ello down there!" Mungojerrie called.
Chryssie looked up quickly and saw the silhouette.
"Mungojerrie!"
"Oh, so you are alive, an' you 'ave Munk'strap with you! Good, good very good! I'll get 'Teasa'. Don' go anywhere!"
"Oh, we'll just be hanging around." Chryssie said.
Soon they felt themselves being pulled up. It was a little while before they reached the top.
"Mistoffelees! Pull them up!" Mistoffelees took a hold of Chryssie's paw and hauled her up. Then they both reached down and hauled Munkustrap up.
"'ow on earth did you two get down there?" Rumpleteaser asked.
"Well, he was pushed off, and I went after him."
"Of course she'd jump over th' water fall after 'im! What would you expect a nut head like Chryssie t' do?" Mungojerrie said indignantly.
"Mungojerrie! She's a 'eroine fo' cryin' out loud!" Rumpleteaser said in a huff.
"Good ol' Mungo and Teaser. Can't live with 'em, definitely can't live without 'em." Chryssie said shrugging.
"Yeah, that's what I usually say about me brotha'." Rumpleteaser said.
"Yeah, dit'o fo' me!" Mungojerrie said. They all walked back to camp. The cats rejoiced seeing Munkustrap.
Mistoffelees took Munkustrap inside the cave and asked Chryssie to wait.
"Hey there Chrys, Chrys." Someone said and tugged at her tail.
"Hello Pouncival. What's happening Pounce-man?"
"Nothing really, just hoping you were OK."
"I'm all right here, just a little tired."
"Good. We the kittens were just concerned. So when are you and Munkustrap going to have some other kittens, we want a couple new faces."
"Oh, Pouncival, don't you think you're asking a bit too much?"
"No. The entire site wants to see something happen between you two. I mean, you spend all your time together and yet you never DO anything."
"Oh Pouncival!"
"And another thing.."
"Stop lecturing the poor kit! Besides, you sound worse then a hippo with a hernia."
"Well at least I don't SING like one!"
"My foot!"
"Well you just wait Rum Tum Tugger, pretty soon all the chicks will be going for me because you're too old and fat! Like Bustopher Jones!"
"You take that back, you little.."
Chryssie left her spot unnoticed and walked by the entrance of Munkustrap's cave. Then she stopped by the lake, and stood underneath a cherry tree, bathed in moonlight.
She then sensed Munkustrap's presence and jumped slightly as his arms locked her into him.
He kissed her neck, and rested his chin behind her ear.
"Why weren't you outside of the cave where Mistoffelees asked you to wait?" He whispered in her ear.
"It got a little loud with Pouncival and Tugger." She said turning in his arms to face him.
"Were they arguing again?"
"Yes, and you wouldn't believe what Pouncival talked to me about."
"What was that?"
"He wanted us to have kittens." Munkustrap smiled a little.
"That's not all, he said that the entire site wanted us to have kittens."
"Really, Jennyanydots tells me the same thing. But I'm not ready."
"Neither am I. I need to have a lot of time actually, because, kittens are scary stuff, and I'm not ready to be a mother."
"I know."
"I'm happy as we are now, Munkustrap."
"I wouldn't want things any other way." Munkustrap said and kissed Chryssie.
The kiss was so sweet and innocent. Chryssie found it hard to draw away. But they did and walked close together along the lake's shore.

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