It had been about two years since Munkustrap's return to his Jellicle home. He had a wonderful mate, Demeter, and a young daughter, Aqua. Aqua looked exactly like her father except for her clear blue eyes.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Munkustrap stretched and yawned as he woke up on the chilly September morning. Demeter was still dozing with Aqua sleeping beside her. He walked quietly out of their den and out into the sunlight. He leapt up gracefully onto the huge tire and sat down. Other cats were dozing in the warm sunlight while others were just waking up.

"DAD!" he heard a shout. He looked down with a smile as his daughter leapt from object to object to sit by him.

"Morning Aqua." he said as he nuzzled the young kit. She nuzzled her father back with a light purr.

"Good morning dad."

"Is your mother still sleeping?" Munkustrap asked. Aqua nodded then spotted her playmate, Sapphire. Sapphire was an all orange kitten except for black patches on her front paws and right eye. She was Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie's kitten. Her twin brother, Onyx, was all black except for orange patches on his front paws and right eye. Aqua took off to go play with Sapphire and Munkustrap watched her go. He was about her age when he was taken from his family by Macavity. He blocked his memories of his hellish time in Macavity's alley.

"What's the matter dear?" came a soft voice from behind him. He tensed up and turned slightly to see Demeter standing behind him.

"It's nothing. I'm fine." Munkustrap answered with a false smile, hoping she didn't see through him. She did of course.

"Remembering your youth?" she asked even though she knew perfectly well he had.

"Yes. I try to block it, but it creeps up on me still." Munkustrap replied. He searched the junkyard for signs of his daughter. He found her, Onyx, and Sapphire playing tag by the old oven where Coricopat and Tantomile dozed.

"She looks so much like you, but acts almost opposite." Demeter observed as she followed his gaze.

"She reminds me of Rumple at her age." Munkustrap said with a light smile. Demeter smiled and nuzzled her mate.

"You're it Sapphy!" shouted Onyx as he tagged his sister. Sapphire skidded to a halt and ran after Aqua. Aqua gave a small shreik of delight and terror as Sapphire charged at her. Aqua was a bit smaller than her peers, but she had more energy then Onyx and Sapphire combined.

"Hey guys mind if I play?!" came an excited shout not far off.

"PAUSE!" Sapphire shouted as she stopped. Aqua and Onyx stopped as well then trotted over to their friend. Star trotted up to the three friends with a look of excitement on her face.

"Hey Star!" Aqua greeted with a friendly smile.

"Hey Aqua, do you guys mind if I play tag with you?" Star asked. Star was a small tuxedo kitten with clear blue eyes. She was a few inches taller than Aqua but a few inches shorter than Sapphire and Onyx.

"Sure you can play! YOU'RE IT!" Sapphire shouted as she tagged the small kit. Star gave a playful growl and charged after Onyx and Aqua. Little did the young cats know that someone was watching them from the shadows. Two gingers stood silently gazing at the four young cats...plotting their attack.