Munkustrap wandered around the junkyard, which was bathed in soft, white light from the moon.

It was past midnight now and all of the Jellicles had retreated to their dens, leaving Munkustrap alone to wander the yard, left to his thoughts. It was becoming a common occurrence for him now as he wasn't sleeping. He couldn't bring himself to sleep, knowing if he did there'd be painful memories, so he spent his nights walking around the yard or watching the stars.

It had been a few days since Jenny's den had been thieved from and Munkustrap had managed to trace the scents to a couple of abandoned dens, but the thieves had already moved from there. He knew they were still around though; there were still plenty of dens filled with sellable/tradable belongings that would be too tempting for the thieves.

Munkustrap paused by a large, broken piano, leaning against it tiredly as he sighed. He glanced around at his surroundings as he absently rubbed at his wrists and arms, wincing slightly as he felt the smooth, sleek scars that had long faded it into his fur. Munkustrap could remember how he got each and every one of his scars and who gave it to him.

Munkustrap was broken from his musings as he heard the sound of a faint rustle and a giggle. He frowned as he headed in the direction it came from.

His black and silver paws moved silently over the dirt and gravel as he headed towards murmuring coming from a large oven. There was another giggle.

"Shh!" A male voice hissed softly. Munkustrap edged quietly around the oven, finding a large tear in the rusted metal, allowing Munkustrap to view what was going on inside the oven.

There were two tiger-striped calico cats inside the oven; both were peering inside large loot bags.

"Got a good 'aul this time, Teaze!" The Tom laughed as he pulled out some silver spoons, examining them before setting them aside. The Queen, 'Teaze', nodded happily as she played with a string of pearls around her neck.

Munkustrap rolled his eyes before he moved to the front of the oven.

The two had made a critical mistake when choosing the oven for their hiding place as it only had one entry and exit, which was the door. Munkustrap leaned his weight against the opening of the door, right where the door connected to the oven when shut.

"Hey, you two inside the oven," Munkustrap called out, his voice calm.

"Ah crap!" Munkustrap smiled slightly when he heard the Queen utter that.

"Look," Munkustrap started. "I'd rather not have to fight with you, so please, just come out and let's just talk."

"We ain't fallin' for that!" The Tom hollered, his voice thick with his cockney accent. Munkustrap sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. He wasn't in the mood for arguing and he definitely didn't want to fight them.

"I don't want to fight with you, but you've stolen items from someone dear to me and someone I protect…all I want is the items you've stolen from her and any other Jellicles." Munkustrap told them calmly. He slowly eased his weight off of the door and cautiously opened the door, finding the two pressed against the back of the oven, staring at him wearily.

Munkustrap looked at them before taking a step aside, gesturing for them to step aside.

The Tom snorted.

"Not gonna 'appen!" He hissed. "We ain't fallin' for that!"

"Falling for what?" Munkustrap questioned softly.

"Ya say ya ain't gonna 'urt us and when we 'and over the loot, ya and ya mates beat us up!" The Queen snapped. Munkustrap shook his head.

"It's just me here," Munkustrap reassured them. "And it's not in my nature to hurt someone, unless they attack me or my family first," Munkustrap looked at them, tilting his head slightly as he examined them.

"And I have a feeling you won't hurt me, so why would I hurt you?" Munkustrap watched as the two exchanged looks before slowly stepping out of the oven, loot bags held tightly in their paws. Munkustrap took a slight step back, allowing the two to feel more at ease, and gave a small smile.

"There," He smiled. "See, I told you I wasn't here to hurt you." The two just looked at him suspiciously. Munkustrap turned serious, placing his paws on his hips.

"Now, you've two have stolen from my tribe and I want you to return the items you have stolen and apologize," Munkustrap told them firmly. The Tom glared at him.

"Oh yeah," He challenged. "And what if we refuse?" Munkustrap sighed, rubbing his forehead wearily.

"Quick, go, Teaze!" The Tom hissed suddenly, dropping his loot bag and trying to rush at Munkustrap. Munkustrap caught him easily, swinging him around and pinning his arms to his sides with just one of his own.

"Oi, let 'im go, ya brute!" The Queen hissed, running at him as well. Munkustrap frowned as he caught her around the middle, feeling her ribs jutting out of her sides. The two struggled in his grip, allowing Munkustrap to realise just how thin these two cats were.

"Will you two just stop?" Munkustrap asked, exasperatedly, before letting them go. The two cats turned to look at him, frowning, once he let them go.

"Why'd ya let us go?" The Tom asked curiously, unable to help himself.

"Because I told you I wasn't going to fight you and I'm not," Munkustrap answered wearily. The Tom took the Queen's paw, holding it close as Munkustrap gathered up the loot bags.

"I still want you to come and apologize to Jenny for stealing from her though," He told them. "And once she has her stuff back, you can get whatever else is in here back." The two just stared at him before the Tom growled, pushing the Queen behind him.

"Yeah, right!" He hissed. "Ya just goin' to take us back there so ya mates can beat us up!"

"No, I'm not!" Munkustrap told him firmly, getting tired of the same argument. "I'm not going to beat you or let anyone hurt you,"

"Why?" The Queen asked softly, her brown eyes large as she stared at him. "Why are ya so different from anyone else we've come across?" Munkustrap remained silent for a moment, his left paw instinctively going to rub his right wrist where there were scars from years of wearing shackles.

"Because it's not in my nature to hurt anyone," Munkustrap murmured finally. "Same with the Jellicles," The two tiger-striped calicos exchanged glances before nodding.

"Alright," The Tom sighed, shoulders bowing. "We'll apologize." Munkustrap gave a small smile as he adjusted the loot bags to hang off of his shoulder.

"Thank you." Munkustrap told them as he gently laid a paw on a shoulder of each of them and led them in the direction of the clearing.

"What are your names?" Munkustrap asked them after a few moments of silence. The two remained silent. Munkustrap sighed.

"My name is Munkustrap, everyone calls me Munkus though," He tried.

"I'm Rumpleteazer," The Queen spoke up, much to the chagrin of her companion. "But…I get called Teazer,"

"It's nice to meet you, Rumpleteazer." Munkustrap smiled. Rumpleteazer smiled back, feeling a bit more at ease with the silver Tom.

"This is my brotha Mungojerrie," She continued. Mungojerrie grunted in reply. "But I just call 'im Jerrie," Munkustrap smiled in response as they approached Jenny's den.

"Come on now," Munkustrap instructed as they walked into the den, the twins doing so a little hesitantly.

"Jenny?" Munkustrap called softly, not wanting to awaken any of the other occupants in the den. Jenny tiredly poked her out of from her room. She was a light sleeper due to her responsibilities as a Gumbie Cat and never knowing when a Jellicle may need her aid.

"Munkus, is that you dear?" She yawned as she walked out into the main den. Munkustrap stepped in front of the twins, going to nuzzle Jenny.

"Are you okay?" Jenny asked before she paused, blinking, as she noticed the two cats fidgeting sheepishly behind Munkustrap.

"Oh…" She murmured as Munkustrap deposited the loot bags on the ground before he rounded the two and gently pushed them forward.

"Jenny, this is Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer," He introduced. "Guys, this is Jennyanydots…I believe you have something to say to her," He pressed. The two looked sheepishly at the Gumbie Cat who stood, with paws on hips, staring at them.

"We're sorry," Mungojerrie spoke up.

"Really we are," Rumpleteazer added. "We only steal so we 'ave stuff to trade for food and stuff, we don't mean anythin' by it, 'onest," She rambled. Jenny's expression softened slightly.

"Well," Jenny sighed. "Thank you for apologizing and returning my things," Jenny went to pick up the loot bag, but Munkus beat her to it. Jenny smiled and gently pinched his cheek.

"Thank you, darling." She smiled. Munkustrap leaned forward so he could whisper in her ear.

"Jen, they're really thin, you wouldn't happen to have any food for them?" He whispered. Jenny smiled, giving a knowing nod.

"In my den, dear, we always have food!" Jenny bustled off and left Munkustrap sorting through the loot bags, finding Jenny's stuff. Jenny soon returned, balancing bowls as she walked back in.

"Sit, sit!" She ordered Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. The two exchanged shocked looks but did so anyway before bowls filled with food were shoved into their paws. Jenny busied herself then by checking the two over, causing Munkustrap to chuckle at their shocked faces as the Gumbie Cat examined them for injuries.

"Munkustrap was right; you two are far too thin!" Jenny exclaimed before she continued the examination.

"So, what's the prognosis, Jen?" Munkustrap chuckled as she finished. Jenny sent him a look, though she looked like she was trying not to smile.

"They're underweight, have healing wounds and a healing fracture to the tail," Jenny indicated to Mungojerrie at that one. "Multiple scars from past abuse," Jenny tried not to notice Munkustrap's flinch at that one.

"Also, exhaustion and in need of a good bath!" Jenny finished. Rumpleteazer frowned and examined her white, orange and black striped fur disdainfully. Jenny eyed them both again.

"It's too late to bath them now, Jenny," Munkustrap laughed softly, seeing her eyeing off their fur. Jenny rolled her eyes as she got to her feet.

"Oh, honey, it's never too late!" She told him as she bustled off.

"Um…what does she mean?" Mungo asked, unsure. Munkustrap laughed as he tiredly rubbed at his eyes.

"It means you're getting a bath." He told them.

"But…"

"No buts!" Jenny interrupted as she walked back into the room, carrying a large bowl of water, with shampoo and sponges tucked under her arm and towels draped over her arm. She placed the tub down next to Rumpleteazer, dipping the cloth in and soaking it before she started to rub at Rumpleteazer's fur, ignoring the young Queen's indignant squawk. Rumpleteazer fidgeted as Jenny cleaned out the dirt before rubbing the shampoo deep into her fur. Munkustrap settled back, tiredly closing his eyes, as Jenny washed out the shampoo from Teazer's fur before moving onto getting Mungojerrie cleaned.

"Munkustrap, are you feeling okay?" Jenny's voice asked worriedly a few moments later. Munkustrap managed to drag his eyelids open, looking at his worried aunt. Rumpleteazer paused from where she was drying her fur when she heard Jenny's worried tone.

"Mmhmm," Munkustrap murmured quietly. Jenny looked at him, worried about her young nephew.

"You haven't been sleeping, have you, sweetie?" She asked softly as she washed out Mungojerrie's fur. Munkustrap gave a small sigh, giving a small shake of his head.

"Not really," He murmured, watching as Jenny handed Mungo a towel.

"Oh, darling," Jenny sighed sadly. Munkus gave her a sad smile as he sat up. Jenny moved over to sit next to him, pulling the silver Tom in and holding him close to her. Munkustrap closed his eyes as he rested his head on her shoulder, comforted by her embrace.

"You know I'm right here if you ever need me, my darling," Jenny murmured in his ear. "I'll hold you through any nightmares," Munkustrap smiled at that.

"I know, Aunty Jenny, thank you." He purred softly as he nuzzled her cheek. Munkustrap sat up and looked at the two siblings. Rumpleteazer was leaning against her brother, rubbing her eyes as she yawned as Mungo looked around through half-closed eyes.

"I might take these two back to my den so they can get some rest." Munkustrap said. The two looked at him, shocked, while Munkustrap just smiled, stretching out. Jenny looked at him, unsure about this decision, before smiling at him, knowing how big of a heart her nephew had.

"Okay, but bring them back to me in the morning so I can feed them breakfast so they can start filling out!" Jenny told him. Munkustrap chuckled, giving a nod, as he stood up and started to usher the shocked siblings out.

"Will do, Jenny," He told her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "See you tomorrow, Aunty Jenny," Mungo scooped up their loot bags as Munkustrap ushered them towards the door.

"Get some sleep, honey!" She called after him. Munkustrap turned and waved to her as they walked across the clearing and to Munkustrap's den.

Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer looked around Munkustrap's den cautiously as they entered; waiting to see if any cats would suddenly appear.

"It's just me here at the moment," Munkustrap spoke up as he walked further into the main den, the two following him.

"My ward is staying with his uncle and sister at the moment,"

"Why?" Rumpleteazer asked, unable to control herself. Munkustrap just remained silent as he looked around the den.

"It's what is best for him at the moment." He said finally before he turned to look at the two.

"You two can use my bed tonight," Munkustrap told them as he led them into his room.

"What about ya?" Mungo asked, surprised. Munkustrap gave an emotionless smile.

"It's alright," He said. "I…I'm not really feeling that tired." Mungo looked at him and gave a small smile.

"Thanks, Munkus," Mungojerrie said softly. "We've…we've never 'ad anyone care about us before." Munkustrap inclined his head slightly. He blinked in surprise as Rumpleteazer suddenly threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

"Thanks, Munkus," She murmured as she let him go. Munkustrap smiled.

"Any time." Munkustrap told them. "Well, sleep well, Jenny has already planned to have breakfast ready for you," He laughed softly as he headed towards the door.

"Night, Munkustrap."

"Night, guys," Munkustrap smiled as he left the room and entered the main room of the den. Sighing, he sat on the couch and curled his legs up, staring blankly at the wall.

He understood what it was like to be weary of everyone around him, to be suspicious of them and their actions as he didn't know their true intentions. He had falsely put trust in others before and had suffered terribly because of it.

Munkustrap gave a small smile and laugh when he heard a rumbling snore suddenly erupt from his room.

He was glad that the two siblings trusted him enough to sleep in his den.

The only question now was what would become of them?

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An update! Yay!

This may be my last one for this year as it's getting busy coming up to Christmas!

But we'll see what happens ;)

Thanks to those who reviewed!

Please read and review!

Love,

HGP