Ohh look, a new fic!

Basically it's an alternate story of how Munkus came to be in the yard, then watching as he struggles to fit in, as he grows up…and as his past comes back to haunt him…

Sadly, I do not own Cats…or I'd get me a Munkus or Cori…or Pounce…or…

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Old Deuteronomy walked around the markets, his sons', Macavity and the Rum Tum Tugger, hanging off of his paws. The Jellicle leader stared at the drab surroundings, frowning.

"Ooh, look, Dad!" Deuteronomy's youngest son, Tugger, cried out, pointing at a shiny ball being sold at one of the stalls.

"Can I get it?! Please, please, please!" Deuteronomy chuckled fondly, looking at the young Maine Coon.

"Not today, my boy." Deuteronomy said softly, letting go of Tugger's paw briefly to stroke his ears. Tugger pouted but nodded. Deuteronomy looked at his sons, sighing softly. Their mother had died a few months ago, his sons had been heart-broken of course, it was their mother, but they were recovering. Macavity yawned, leaning against his father. Deuteronomy smiled down at him as they continued walking. The ginger kitten came up to his shoulder now. Macavity was getting older, too old to hold his father's paw, but yet he still did it. Deuteronomy guessed he did it for him, so he'd know his son loved him, no matter how old he was getting.

"Sir," Jennyanydots appeared, smiling, her arms laden with things she had bought. Deuteronomy inclined his head to her. He had agreed to the outing with Jenny and Skimbleshanks, just needing to get out of the yard for a bit and there was something else that made him say yes, he just didn't know what.

"How has the shopping been, Jen?" Deuteronomy asked as they continued down the laneways, Skimble walking a pace behind them, messing with Macavity's head-fur and giving his tail a small pull, making the ginger tom-kit give playful growls as he turned to swat at the rail-way cat.

"Good, we've managed to stock up on a lot of supplies." Jenny answered, smiling. Deuteronomy nodded, glancing up to the darkening heavens.

"What supplies?"

"Blankets, medical supplies, bottles, kitten things, just other things we need." Deuteronomy nodded.

"Good, good." He murmured absently. Jenny frowned at him.

"Deut, are you okay?" She asked softly as Skimble managed to catch the kittens' attentions, messing with him. Deuteronomy looked at Jenny, who was staring at him sadly. He gave a small smile.

"I'm fine, Jenny." Deuteronomy reassured her. Jenny glanced at the kittens' who were laughing at Skimble.

"The kittens?"

"They're doing okay," Deuteronomy murmured, glancing at his boys. "Far stronger than I am." Jenny squeezed his paw reassuringly.

"Deut…"

"Jenny, I really am okay." He told her, smiling. "It has been a few months since Lilly passed, but the boys and I are doing okay, we're keeping each other strong." Jenny hugged him. Deuteronomy chuckled as he hugged her back. Deuteronomy let her go and glanced up to the clouds once more.

"We should return to the yard." He said. Jenny nodded in agreement.

"Boys, come on." Deuteronomy called. Macavity and Tugger looked away from Skimble to go back to their dad, grabbing his paws.

The five headed through the market, weaving through the cats and the stalls. Deuteronomy paused as they reached a group of cats in the pathway, not moving as they looked at the goods the stalls had to offer. He sighed and looked around, his brown eyes landing on four cats.

They were standing on a platform, paws shackled and chained to the platform. They were dishevelled and thin, all were staring at the ground. Deuteronomy winced as the skies opened up, rain falling thick and fast.

He returned his attention back to the cats being sold. Deuteronomy detested cats being sold and owned as slaves, tortured and neglected…it just wasn't right. He studied the four being sold, there were three full grown Toms and…Deuteronomy couldn't believe it, a very young Tom-kit. The kitten looked younger than his own two boys. As though he sensed the eyes on him, the murky grey Tom-kit looked up, meeting Deuteronomy's stare. Deuteronomy's eyes widened at the lifeless, bottle green eyes that stared at him. The tom-kit lowered his head again, rain dripping off his grimy head-fur.

"Jenny, Skimble," Deuteronomy said suddenly. Jenny and Skimble looked up at him, shivering slightly at the rain falling just outside the sheltered part of the laneway they were under.

"Take the boys home, please." Deuteronomy asked. Skimble nodded.

"Boys, take Skimble's paws and do not let go until you get home." Macavity and Tugger nodded, looking confused, but following their father's instructions. Skimble took the boy's paws. He and Jenny began to head off when Deuteronomy quickly grabbed Jenny's arm.

"Can I have one of your blankets, please?" Deuteronomy questioned. Jenny nodded, quickly fishing through the bags and digging out a large, cosy, blue one. She handed it to him, staring at him, confused.

"Deut, what are you doing?" Jenny asked quickly. Deuteronomy just smiled reassuringly.

"I'll meet you back at the yard." Jenny nodded, sighing, knowing she'd never get anything more from him. She quickly followed Skimble and the kittens as they headed back home.

Deuteronomy turned back around, staring at the slave stall. He quickly walked towards it, ducking under cover where the seller was. The dark brown Tom turned to look at him.

"What can I do for ya?" He rasped.

"The grey tom-kit…how much for him?" Deuteronomy questioned. The brown Tom gave a smirk.

"He's a pain and lucky for you, he's on special." Deuteronomy struggled to restrain his growl at that.

"Name your price." Deuteronomy said instead. The Tom grinned, leaning forward to whisper his price.

"Done." Deuteronomy answered. He grabbed the pouch he had hidden on his side, hidden within his fur, and handed it over. The Tom looked inside quickly and nodded.

"He's all yours." The Tom grinned. "I'll warn you now, he's troublesome…you're his fifth master." Deuteronomy's eyes widened at that.

How could a kitten as young as that have been through so many masters?

How much abuse and neglect had the poor boy been subjected to in his very young life?

Deuteronomy followed the Tom as he headed towards the platform. The Tom leapt on top of it before he unshackled the young kitten. He shoved the young kitten forward, causing him to stumble and slip off the wet platform, falling into the mud below. Deuteronomy hissed, glaring at the Tom. The Tom just sniggered as he watched Deuteronomy upright the kitten. The three other slaves watched, their eyes wide with apprehension as the young kitten was lifted back to his feet. Though they were very weak and worried for themselves, they were extremely protective and worried for the little one…he was far too young for this life.

"It's alright, my boy." Deuteronomy murmured gently to the young kitten as he gently rubbed some mud off of his face. The kitten just stared at the ground, bottle green eyes dull. Deuteronomy then wrapped the kitten in the blanket and lifted him into his arms, holding him slightly to the side and putting a supporting arm under the kitten so he could hold the kitten properly.

"Let's get you to your new home." Deuteronomy whispered before he quickly headed back home towards the yard.

Deuteronomy shivered as his fur slowly became soaked as he hurried through the rain. A cold wind was blowing and it was making it that much worse. He glanced sidewards at the kitten held closely in his arms, trying to shield him from the rain. The kitten was completely still and quiet, his breathing even. Deuteronomy tilted him slightly, giving a small smile when he saw the green eyes were closed, his face somewhat peaceful.

'Poor little thing must be exhausted.' Deuteronomy thought as he closed in on the Jellicle yard. 'Who knows how long he was standing there…or how long it's been since he's had a proper meal.'

Deuteronomy entered the yard and headed towards his den. He paused as he reached the main clearing, unsure of where to go, whether to his den or Jenny's so she could check over the young kitten.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when he noticed lights coming from his den while Jenny's was dark. He quickly walked to his den, ducking inside.

"Oh, Deuteronomy, you're back!" Deuteronomy looked up to see Jenny coming towards him.

"We've given the boys their…" She trailed off as she noticed the bundle in Deuteronomy's arms.

"W-What is that?" She asked, shocked, as she stared at the kitten sized bundle, held supportively in Deuteronomy's arms. Deuteronomy walked in further and set the kitten down on some cushions.

"H-He was being sold." Deuteronomy whispered, looking at the mud and grime covered kitten.

"I-I just…I couldn't let him…" Jenny gently squeezed his paw reassuringly, smiling.

"I understand." She whispered before turning her attention to the kitten. She unwrapped the blanket and gave a small gasp as she saw the state of him.

The kitten was almost skin and bone, his fur murky and dirty.

"Can you get me some cloth and warm water please?" Jenny requested quietly. Deuteronomy quickly did so, returning moments later.

Jenny dipped some of the cloth in the warm water before she turned and began cleaning the mud and grime off of the kitten.

After a while, Jenny finally place the cloth aside, finally being able to get a good look at the kitten without the mud and grime.

The kitten was actually silver with black stripes and almost every inch of him was covered in bruises. Jenny glanced up to see Deuteronomy's reaction, but found him staring sadly at the sleeping kitten's face.

Jenny began checking the kitten over, prodding and poking here and there to determine if he had any broken bones or injuries.

"No broken bones…but possibly a cracked rib." She murmured to herself as she checked him over. She got to the last part of the check and hesitated.

"Jenny?" Deuteronomy murmured softly as he noticed her hesitation.

"I-I'm okay…I've just…I've never had to check anyone before, let alone a kitten." She whispered. Deuteronomy sighed, nodding. Jenny gave a nod, steeling herself.

"Okay, help me roll him." Deuteronomy did so, holding the kitten in place as Jenny quickly and gently checked him.

"No bruising or tearing." She said, breathing a sigh of relief as she helped Deuteronomy roll the kitten back onto his back.

"Meaning?"

"From what I could see, there seems to be no signs of sexual abuse." Jenny murmured. "His injuries are minor, aside from all of these bruises…he just needs to be fed up and rested." Deuteronomy breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank Bast for small miracles." He murmured.

"Dad, you're back!" Deuteronomy gave a chuckle as he was tackle-hugged.

"Yes, Tugger, I'm back." He chuckled warmly as he nuzzled his son. Skimble followed a yawning Macavity out. Deuteronomy's attention was diverted from his youngest however when he heard a whimper. His brown eyes looked towards the silver kitten, finding him writhing slightly as his eyes began to open.

The green eyes looked around the room, seeing that all eyes were on him. He quietly sat up, folding his paws in his lap and staring at the floor.

"Dad, who is that?" Macavity asked as he slowly approached. Deuteronomy tilted his head.

"I don't know actually." He answered. "What is your name, little one?" The silver kitten just kept staring at his paws.

"Whatever you wish it to be, Master." The young kitten murmured, voice soft. Deuteronomy sighed.

"What does he mean…master?" Macavity questioned, confused and shocked. The little silver kitten glanced up at the ginger kitten briefly before turning his eyes back downwards.

"I'll explain later, Mac," Deuteronomy told him. Macavity gave a nod. Deuteronomy turned his attention back to the kitten.

"What do the others call you if they want your attention?"

"Cat, useless, stupid, idiot, scum, slave…" The kitten listed. Deuteronomy winced.

"There must have been some name, a nice one."

"One Queen who was with me with my second master called me her 'Shining Star'." The kitten blushed and looked back down. Deuteronomy smiled.

"She sounds lovely." Deuteronomy said gently. The kitten nodded.

"She was." The kitten sighed, before catching himself and going silent once more. Deuteronomy frowned, running a paw through his head-fur as he thought.

"What about your mother?" Deuteronomy pressed gently. "What did she call you?"

"Useless, pathetic, brat…" The kitten whispered. Deuteronomy winced.

"Sorry, little one." He said softly as he glanced at Jenny, seeing the Gumbie Cat had a paw over her mouth, her chocolate brown eyes wide and filled with tears as the kitten voiced that.

"Don't worry, we'll think of a suitable name for you." Deuteronomy smiled.

"Yes, Master."

"Now, kitten...I need you to know that I am not your master, no one is." Deuteronomy said firmly but gently.

"I bought you from that disgusting Tom so you could have a chance at being a kitten." The five in the room watched as the kitten frowned, confused, as he slowly and cautiously lifted his eyes to look at Deuteronomy.

"W-Why?" He stuttered, ears flicking back in fear of being punished for questioning.

"Because you're far too young to be put through that…actually, no cat should go through that." Deuteronomy explained gently. "But when I saw you, I knew I had to save you, to give you a chance at having a normal, carefree life." The kitten's bottle green eyes flickered around the room as his ears lifted back up.

"Oh…t-thank you."

"Don't thank me, kitten," Deuteronomy chuckled. "I was just doing what was right." Deuteronomy smiled as he watched as the kitten looked around the den, seeming a bit more at ease, but still very weary.

Deuteronomy smiled anyway…maybe there was hope for this kitten starting a new life.

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So what do you think my lovelies?

Okay, so first up I'm going to tell you that I will update when I can…but I'm not sure how long it'll be between updates…
Reasons: I'm down to my last two months of my course! So assessment and homework pile on!

. My anxiety/depression is back and has now it severe (boo) so my meds have been bumped up and I just get restless and fidgety that I can't really sit and write

. I'm working on costumes (yay!) and I have a few upcoming conventions/charity events/get togethers…for those who read Genetically Perfect, I have actually made a cosplay/costume for Ronan…and he shall be worn out for the first time next Saturday, so watch my Deviantart for those pictures! (Under humanguineapig94)

You know the deal, my loves…

Read and Review!

Luv HGP!