Hey everybody! Sooo I know I should be working on my other CATS fic "Nothing's Fair in Love and War," but I'm sorry to say I'm afraid that story may be in hiatusfor a while. So here's another CATS fic to hold ya'll over in the mean time. ;) This is another Munkustrap story: a two-shot about how our favorite tabby became the Protector and second-in-command of the Tribe. Enjoy and please, please REVIEW! They make my day!

Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING, OK?

~Rosebud5

GROWING SILVER

Part One: Growing

The tiny grey and black kitten scrambled through the Junkyard, chasing a small mouse. He had been chasing that dang rodent all morning and he was going to catch it if it was the last thing he did. Suddenly, the mouse ran into and out of an old, bottomless tin can. The kitten stuck his head into the can too, but only succeeded in getting his poor little noggin stuck. Mewing in distress, he batted helplessly at the tin, struggling to free himself.

"Oh, Munkustrap honey," the soothing voice of Munk's adoptive mother Jellylourm reached his ears through the can. "What did you do now?"

"Umm...help?" the kitten called from inside his head-prison.

"Of course, sweetie," the queen laughed. Munkustrap felt her put her paws on the can. "I'm going to pull on three. One-two-THREE!"

The can was jerked off and the kitten flew backwards, landing in...another pile of tin cans. One of which landed over his head.

"Oh poop," he sighed from inside the can, his tiny shoulders deflating. He heard his mother laugh slightly before she pulled the tin off his head, exposing a very pouty kitten underneath.

"How did this happen?" Jellylourm asked gently.

"There was another can already stuck on my head. Duh. You were here for that," Munkustrap rolled his baby green eyes.

"Yes sweetie, but how did you get that one stuck on your head?"

"I'd rather not say," the kitten replied after a pause.

"Munkustrap, tell me," Jellylourm scolded gently.

The grey kit sighed. "There was a mouse. I'm a cat. I was hungry. Do the math."

Jellylourm giggled, giving up. "Yes, dear. Now come along. Old Dueteronomy is visiting the Yard today just for you. It's quite an honor."

"Why is he here to see me?" the kitten asked curiously.

"He always takes time to meet new kittens to the Yard. And since we took you in three months ago, it's high time you met him," Jellylourm smiled at Munkustrap.

Munksustrap knew about the powerful Old Dueteronomy vaguely; every cat did. But the idea of actually meeting him more than slightly unnerved the kitten.

"What if he doesn't like me?" Munkustrap asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, honey. He will," she smiled, putting an arm around her son. "Come along."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Old Dueteronomy sat on top of the Tyre in the middle of the Yard, as powerful yet serene as ever. Jellylourm smiled respectfully, receiving a kind grin in response before she gently pushed Munkustrap before the Leader and then vanished into the Pipe.

The grey kitten stood before Old Dueteronomy shyly for a moment before his green eyes flicked up to the Leader. "Heyy," he mumbled awkwardly.

The older cat smiled and laughed heartily. "Hello, Munkustrap. Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you."

The kit relaxed immediatly, smiling at Old Dueteronomy. "Nice to meet you, sir."

Old Dueteronomy gestured for Munkustrap to sit next to him, which he promptly did. The older cat put a comforting arm around the kitten, smiling kindly. "Well, Munkustrap. Tell me a bit about yourself."

"Well, this morning I was chasing a mouse and got two cans stuck on my head-"

"No, no," the older cat laughed. "I mean tell me about how you came to our dear Junkyard?"

"Oh," the kitten's face sobered. "Well...my mommy and daddy were hit by a car and my older brother Macavity...changed after that. So I was alone until Jellylourm and Asparagus foudn me. Now they're my new mommy and daddy," he said the last part proudly.

Old Dueteronomy studied Munkustrap for a moment before smiling and squeezing the kitten's shoulder. "Munkustrap, I have some very important information for you."

"You do?" Munkustrap looked up, excited.

"Yes. I have a feeling you could grow up to become the Protector of the tribe," Old Dueteronomy said wisely.

"Protector?" Munkustrap was confused.

"Yes. You would lead the tribe when I wasn't around and fight any enemies-"

"Oh I could do that!" Munkustrap smiled, battling an invisible enemy in front of him. Yet he seemed distracted by his own paws and he suddenly toppled backwards. Old Dueteronomy chuckled, looking down at where the kitten lay sprawled out on the floor, his lower lip jutted out and slightly to the side in a pout.

"What makes you think I could do all that?" Munkustrap mumbled, getting to his feet.

"I always geta feeling of what each cat will do when they grow up. I honestly think you would be the perfect protector," the elder cat smiled. "You would make such a wonderful differance in our tribe."

It was then something snapped inside Munkustrap. He was going to protect the tribe and make a differance. It was then he went from grey to silver.

END OF PART ONE

Well? I hope you all enjoyed Part One! I just wuv baby Munkustrap! *Huggles* Well now onto part two! And on your way out...REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!

~Rosebud5