Author's Notes: Hello! I am new to the whole world of Cats, and fanfic, so forgive me if I overlook important facts. I have been reading Cats fanfic for a couple of weeks now, and I must say, I'm a huge fan of Munkustrap/Demeter and angst-y stories: and this fic will have both. This is an entirely different story than what I normally write, which is really short pieces I call 'character sketches.' This will be a long (probably 10) chapter story focusing mainly on Munkustrap, Demeter, and Cassandra. Perhaps maybe even some Mistoffelees in later. What do you, the reader, think? I need feedback. I'm totally new to all of this. Please help!

Chapter One: Two Days' Time

Munkustrap was in love with Cassandra.

The words sounded so strange in his mind, yet, at the same time, oddly nice.

Munkustrap was in love with Cassandra.

I am in love with Cassandra.

Yes, the words fit nicely, thought the grey tabby cat. Much better than 'Munkustrap is in love with Demeter.' Demeter! How could he ever have loved her the way he once did? It was obvious that Cassandra was the one for him.

He did not know when these feelings came about. His love for Cassandra, I mean. But he knew perfectly well when his love for Demeter had died. It was morning, two days ago. He woke up, and Demeter was in his arms. He looked down upon her, and suddenly… he felt no love for her whatsoever. Looking back, he recalled that it was the afternoon of the same date – two days ago – that he began to feel something more than friendship and respect for the graceful Siamese. He was pacing alone in the Junkyard, wondering what he should do about Demeter, and suddenly she rushed in, breathlessly muttering a 'Hello, Munkustrap' as she sped past towards the pile of boxes that she usually slept in. Munkustrap turned as she flew past, and a cool breeze blew through his fur…and he realized that he was in love.

Oh, he was so confused. He was so in love with Demeter. What happened? Why did he care? Demeter wasn't right for him. He was in love with Cassandra. Should he tell her? What would she say? How would Demeter react?

Maybe I should just stay away from everyone for awhile. Think about things a bit. I couldn't have fallen out of love with Demeter so quickly. It just isn't right…

Thinking about it as he left the Junkyard for a walk, Munkustrap realized it was almost like magic, these alien feelings inside of him…perhaps a little too much like magic.

*~*

Cassandra sat in her box, pondering. Munkustrap hadn't talked to her for the last two days, but he hadn't talked to Demeter either. Demeter had been quite upset for the last two days: Munkustrap had been distant and unwilling to talk to anyone. Demeter assumed it was something she had done, and had gone running to her best friend Bombalurina to cheer her up. The two women had barely left each other's side since Munkustrap refused to talk to his mate. It appeared as if Munkustrap didn't notice.

Any day now, Munkustrap would come to Cassandra and admit his feelings. No matter how long he sat alone in the dark pondering why he did not love Demeter, he would never come to the real conclusion. Then he would decide that the best course of action would be to talk to Cassandra. He would think that she would be able to help him 'sort things out.' Then she would admit her feelings about him. The feelings she had kept hidden for so long. The feelings that she was finally doing something about. It's only a matter of time, the Siamese told herself. She had waited years; she could wait a couple more days.

Or maybe, thought Cassandra as she turned to see Munkustrap coming towards her humble abode, I will only have to wait a few more minutes.

*~*

Munkustrap slowly raised one paw to knock on the side of the box, but he felt himself suddenly unable to move. What was he doing here? He did not want to be here. He shouldn't be here. Something was not right. What was wrong? Something was out of place.

On one hand, he had to tell Cassandra. She was smart, she was kind: she would understand and not feel pressured to 'make him happy.' She could help him. He didn't even have to mention that she was the new object of his affection. But at the same time, a small voice in the back of his head was whispering to him to tell her. She will understand. She might even like you, too.

Munkustrap shook his head. He wasn't a kitten anymore. He didn't just fall out of love with one Queen and in love with another the same afternoon. He was an adult now. He was in love with Demeter. What had happened? They were so in love.

Munkustrap couldn't explain it. It didn't make sense at all. Yet that little voice in the back of his mind told him that everything would work out for the best. So he raised his paw and knocked softly on the box.

Cassandra appeared immediately. It was almost as if she had been waiting for the knock to happen. If Munkustrap had been feeling normal, he would have grown suspicious of this sudden appearance, but he was feeling anywhere from normal, so he quickly forgot it. "Munkustrap," cooed the Siamese. "What a pleasant surprise." Her tone suggested that his visit was not a surprise at all. She was probably expecting me, thought Munkustrap. She saw me coming and went by the door, waiting for me. Nothing unusual about that.

"Cassandra," began Munkustrap, hardly believing what he was about to do, "we need to talk."

"I know," said Cassandra. "Do come inside, won't you?"

*~*

Demeter was crying.

What had she done wrong? Why wouldn't Munkustrap speak to her?

He hadn't been near her for the last two days. Every time she tried to talk to him, he pushed her away and said he needed to be alone.

At least Bombalurina was here. But Bombalurina couldn't understand what she was going through. Bombalurina had it all. No one would dare ignore Bombalurina. She couldn't be ignored. Whenever she entered the room all eyes, especially the male eyes, went to her. Except for her beloved Munkustrap, of course. Munkustrap! Just sound of his name made her want to cry.

Bombalurina didn't understand. Bombalurina would never understand. Her fun, outgoing, flirty friend would never go through what Demeter was going through. What tom in his right mind would want to leave Bombalurina? And even if he did want to, Bombalurina would never let him.

Maybe that was the problem. Munkustrap can't ignore me if I don't let him. She would be like Bombalurina or Rum Tum Tugger and demand attention, but not from everyone: just from him. She would start right now. She had nothing to lose.

"Munkustrap!" she called, running over to him as he entered the Junkyard.

"Not now, Demeter," he said.

"Yes, now," she said.

"I'm busy."

"Too busy for…" Demeter looked around desperately for something to snag Munkstrap's attention. "Too busy for a dance?" She ran off and did a wild cartwheel, legs flinging everywhere, hoping to get her mate to laugh, or at least look at her for more than half a second. Then she did a series of elaborate turns back to Munkustrap and grabbed his arm. "Come on! It's a dance celebration! Everyone's doing it!"

Demeter heard Bombalurina's muffled laughter. She turned to look at her best friend with pleasing eyes. "You're right Demeter," said Bombalurina, choking back her laughter. "Today is the dance celebration day. Join in, Munkustrap!"

Demeter began to do a crazy dance full of turns and spins. Bombalurina got up from her spot and began doing several leaps and jumps all over the Junkyard. Munkustrap shook his head. "You ladies go ahead and do that," said Munkustrap, "but I'm busy."

Demeter stopped dancing and stared at Munkustrap's back as he headed towards Cassandra's box. "What was that all about, Demi?" asked Bombalurina by her side. "It's rather unlike you to do something crazy like that, out of no where."

"I was trying to get his attention," said Demeter, sniffling. "Apparently now the only way I can do that is to act like a complete idiot! No wonder he stopped talking to me."

"Oh, Demi," sighed Bombalurina. "Don't be a Pollicle. Munkustrap is probably just not feeling or well or something. Whatever it is, I'm sure he'll get over it."

"Oh, that's helpful," said Demeter. " 'Don't worry, Demeter, the love of your life doesn't hate you, he's just ill.' You're a big help, Bomba."

"Hey, any time," said Bombalurina cheerfully.

"And why is he going to talk to Cassandra?" said Demeter angrily as she saw her mate go into the Siamese's box. "What's she going to do about it? The two aren't even really that close."

"I don't know why he's going in there," said Bombalurina with a mischievous glint in her piercing eyes. "But do you want to find out?"

"No," said Demeter firmly. "I'm not giving him an excuse to be even more mad at me."

"Oh, come on," pleaded Bombalurina. "If he catches us – which he won't – I'll take all the blame. And besides, he just might tell her what is bothering him, and then we can figure out a way for him to talk to you again! Come on, Demi."

"No," said Demeter again. "I'm not going. I don't want to hear what he has to say to her."

"Ah, you're no fun," said Bombalurina.

"I said I wasn't going…" said Demeter.

"Yeah, I heard," grumbled Bombalurina, folding her arms.

"…but I didn't say you didn't have to go."

A small smile grew on Bombalurina's lips. She quickly darted away towards Cassandra's box, and Demeter laid down and put her paws over her head.

*~*

The red Queen darted behind the box, ears perked up. She was determined to find out why Munkustrap was doing this to her best friend. The two had been so in love!

Mark my words, thought Bombalurina, if Munkustrap doesn't have a good reason for hurting her like this, I'm gonna do something about it. And it isn't gonna be pretty.

"Cassandra," she heard Munkustrap's shaking voice say, "we need to talk."

"I know," said Cassandra's smooth voice. "Do come inside, won't you?"

Cassandra's words seemed odd to Bombalurina. She knows? She knows what? That they needed to talk? How did she know? What was going on here?

The Siamese known as Cassandra always, to say the least, made Bombalurina feel uncomfortable. She always felt that Cassandra knew more than she let on, and that something was going on with her that she didn't reveal to anyone. Bombalurina could tell that Cassandra was hiding something, and that Munkustrap was hiding something too. But what?

"Cassandra, I've been feeling…odd lately."

"I noticed."

"I don't know why, but I can't bring myself to speak with Demeter."

"Actually, Munkustrap, you know perfectly well why."

"You're right…I do."

"Then why don't you tell me? It's obvious you need to get it off your chest." Cassandra's sly, yet soothing voice made sent a shiver down Bombalurina's spine.

"I can't tell you," said Munkustrap after a long pause.

"Why not?"

"Because you are the reason."

"What ever do you mean?" asked Cassandra in that sickly sweet tone.

"I can't talk to Demeter because…well, because…I just realized that…I'm in love with you."

Silence.

Bombalurina did not know what to do. She did not know what to say. Her jaw hung open and her eyes grew wide. She could see Demeter's tear-soaked face in her mind. She could see the graceful Siamese walking with her best friend's mate. She could see them talking, laughing, making a life together.

And Demeter, in the background, crying.

A tear slid unnoticed down Bombalurina's cheek. Nothing would ever be the same again.

*~*

Why did I do it? Why did I tell her I loved her?

I don't…

I don't know what I was thinking.

But, yes! I do love her! It was right that I should tell her. She deserved to know.

But I am not in love with her.

Yes, you are!

No, I am not.

She is in love with you too!

She is not. Cassandra and I are just friends, nothing more. Nothing is between except… friendship… and respect… great respect…

Then why is she leaning in to kiss you?

Kissing me? I don't know…

…all I know is that somehow, right now, everything is right…and my heart belongs to Cassandra now. Not Demeter. Who is Demeter? I can't seem to remember right now.

Cassandra's kiss is magic… I am speaking metaphorically, of course.

Or am I?

What? I am so confused…

So very…confused….

It is okay, Munkustrap. You do not ever have to be confused again. Cassandra is here…Cassandra will make everything right. You do not have to worry. Cassandra is here to use her magic kiss to wipe away the doubt. She is here to kiss away your tears.

But I am not crying…

I am screaming! Let me out! Where is Demeter? Why is Cassandra here? What am I doing here?

Shh, do not worry. Cassandra is here. Cassandra will love you more than Demeter ever could.

I love Cassandra. Most moments I do. But in my other moments I wonder… how could a love so great reveal itself in only two days' time?

Is this love really as great as most of my mind envisions it to be?

TBC

Author's Notes: So, did you like it? Suspenseful enough? Did you completely and utterly hate it? Any suggestions for upcoming chapters? Shall I include Mistoffelees as one of the main characters? Which cat should I make physic? (I've already decided one cat is going to be physic. I just haven't decided who.)

Anyway, goodbye for now!

--jemi gr. 28-may-03