Ronan laughed as he was swung around by his father in the park. Munkustrap smiled as he walked up to them, Regan quickly running at him. Munkustrap laughed, lifting the kitten up as he hugged him.

"Hey, Father!" Ronan laughed happily as Macavity put him back down. Macavity looked over to Regan, who was chatting happily to Munkustrap.

"Father, I learnt how to dance!" Ronan grinned. Macavity smiled.

"I know, I saw you," Ronan's eyes and grin got wider.

"What?" Macavity glanced at Munkustrap when he voiced that question. "You're not meant to be at the yard,"

"I just wanted to check on Ronan, see how he was fitting it," Macavity said calmly. Munkustrap sighed. Macavity focused back on Ronan.

"So, made friends?"

"Yes,"

"Who?" Macavity asked.

"Cori, Tanto, Misto…" Ronan started listing.

"Any of the kittens?"

"Jemima, Tumbles," Ronan shrugged. Macavity gave a small nod, his gold eyes thoughtful. Macavity watched as Ronan and Regan started talking before going over to talk to Munkustrap.

"How are you going?" Macavity asked.

"Alright," Munkustrap answered quietly. Macavity gently rested his paw on Munkustrap's arm. Munkus turned his head to face him.

"No, you're not," Macavity murmured, seeing the barely concealed pain in Munkustrap's eyes. Munkus looked at the ground.

"…I get reminded of it…constantly," Munkustrap said quietly. "Just looks, words…the Jellicles talking about how they're happy I'm there, it….it just makes me remember the reason why I'm there," Macavity nodded, sighing. Munkustrap gave a small smile in his direction.

"But thank you," Macavity looked confused.

"For what?"

"For helping me," Macavity's face was blank. Munkustrap gave a soft laugh.

"For allowing me to get away just for a while…for…from keeping me from completely losing myself," Munkustrap gave Macavity's cheek a small nuzzle as a gentle, thankful gesture. Macavity smiled, returning it.

"Any time," He murmured. Munkustrap sighed, relaxed as he leaned against Macavity. Macavity smiled, arms supporting Munkus as he nuzzled slightly into Munkustrap's head-fur.

It was good that they were finally able to trust each other…to care for each other to a certain degree.

Macavity glanced at Ronan and Regan before giving a small chuckle when he realised they were both focused on him and Munkustrap. Ronan was grinning while Regan had his tilted, smiling.

Munkustrap held onto Ronan's paw as they crossed the road back into the yard. Tugger was standing at the gates, face stormy. Munkustrap saw it and sighed.

"Ro, why don't you go find Misto?" Munkustrap suggested. Ronan saw the look Munkus gave Tugger and nodded, understanding they needed time alone. Ronan quickly walked off.

"I saw you," Tugger whispered. Munk looked at him.

"In the park, with Macavity,"

"I took Ronan to go see him," Munkus shrugged.

"It's not that!" Tugger snarled. Munkustrap stared at his older brother as he glared back at him.

"I saw…you two…nuzzling!" Munkustrap rolled his eyes.

"Tugger, you're being stupid," He muttered as he turned to walk back into the yard. Tugger grabbed his arm and yanked him back around.

"Tugger!" Munk cried in shock as his brother's grip turned bruising. Tugger glared at him, teeth bared.

"What was it about then?" Tugger growled dangerously. Munkustrap tried to pry his arm from Tugger's grip, but Tugger wouldn't let go.

"Because I owe him my life!" Munk hissed. Tugger blinked, surprised, as he let go of Munkustrap's arm.

"Munk, he destroyed your life!" Tugger said weakly.

"No, because of him I have two wonderful kittens," Munkustrap said as he rubbed his arm. "Because of him, I'm still alive."

"Munk…"

"I could have died at any time during that pregnancy from complications and whatever, but Macavity made sure I was well, I was looked after and that everything was ready…and…and when I lost Cari, he got me help…a-and helped me from losing myself after I lost her," Munkustrap whispered at the end. Tugger blinked, speechless.

"Munk," Was all he could whisper.

"We don't want to kill each other anymore," Munk explained quietly. "We've come to a truce, we trust each other and…well, care for each other to a certain degree." Tugger nodded in understanding. Tugger stepped back, giving a small sigh.

"Sorry, Munk," He murmured. Munkus gave a smile.

"It's alright, Tugs," Tugger smiled and pulled his brother into his arms. Munkustrap smiled as he rested his head against Tugger's mane as Tugger purred softly.

That night, Ronan lay curled against Tugger as Munkustrap was out. He glanced over as Coricopat yawned and stretched out and as Tantomile and Misto talked quietly to one another.

"So, Ronan?"

"Mm?" Ronan mumbled, looking at Misto.

"Have a queen-friend?" Ronan gave a small smile and shook his head.

"Aw, why not?" Misto questioned.

"There are only the hench-cats and Griddlebone at home…no one for me," Ronan smiled. "They're all about Father's age…if not older,"

"Oh," Misto sighed, slumping back down.

"Why, what about you?" Ronan asked. Misto gave a shrug.

"He has a thing for Rumpleteazer," Tantomile winked. Tugger and Cori laughed.

"Hey!" Misto cried, blue eyes wide. "Well, you have a thing for…for!"

"Who?" Tantomile grinned slyly.

"Admetus!" Misto fired.

"I don't actually," Tantomile stretched. "Though he's rather adorable and quite sweet," Misto was speechless at that.

"I like him better as a friend," Tantomile shrugged. Ronan smiled happily at that, contently snuggling back against his uncle. Tugger raised an eyebrow at this, the curious cat not missing that small motion at all. Tugger glanced between Tantomile and Ronan, a knowing smirk appearing on his lips.

Tugger was talking to Misto when Ronan slowly walked away, sitting by the den entrance and looking out over the moonlit yard. His eyes caught a shimmer on the tyre and he smiled when he saw his dad sitting on the tyre, illuminated by the light of the moon. He could hear his dad's soft voice drifting across the yard as he sang. Ronan smiled and closed his eyes, listening to his dad sing. He opened his eyes, frowning, when the song took a different tune…when the words became sad.

He was singing about Cari.

Ronan closed his eyes tightly. He never saw his little sister, but he missed her…he wished he could have seen her, protected her and watched as she grew.

He'd never get that chance.

He opened his eyes, his hazel eyes narrowing when he saw a black and gold queen sit next to his dad. Munkustrap stopped singing to look at her. Ronan watched as they talked, his dad shaking his head, looking at the queen gently, his paw resting on her arm. The Queen looked annoyed. She leaned in but Munkustrap arched his head away.

"Ro, what are you doing?" Ronan didn't respond as his hackles began to rise and his tail began to fluff up as he watched his dad stand up, shaking his head once more.

"We never had a chance…accept it," Ronan heard his dad say before he began walking away. The black and gold queen was quick though and moved at Munkustrap, stalking towards him until he was against the oven.

"Dem…enough," Munkustrap's voice was firm but the Queen paid him no attention. Her tail swished as she pressed herself against him. Ronan rose to his feet, a growl escaping his throat as he watched his dad turn his head away as the Queen leaned in once more.

"Munk…you know you love me," She purred.

"Once, Dem…but things have changed,"

"What?" Demeter asked. "Those kittens of yours?" Ronan felt others by his sides.

"Them and other reasons, Demeter," Munkustrap responded calmly, looking back at the gold queen.

"Macavity will claim and change those brats anyway…then what?" Munkustrap snarled loudly. Ronan heard growls from beside him.

"Those are my sons!" Munkustrap hissed. He froze when Demeter's paw slipped low.

"And?" She purred huskily. Cori and Tugger darted out from the den then to intervene, but Munkustrap had already grabbed her wrist and pushed it away, looking at her in disgust. Tugger and Cori immediately stood in front of him.

"What is this?" Demeter spat. Tantomile stalked out then.

"You're despicable, you know that?" She growled at Demeter. Demeter blinked.

"You ignored him and treated him unfairly when he was pregnant and now you're all over him!"

"Dad!" Ronan called, unable to stay still anymore, he darted out and threw his arms around Munkustrap's chest. Munkustrap held him closely. Ronan glared at Demeter.

"Stay away from my dad," Ronan growled. "He told you he wasn't interested in you!" Demeter stared at the kitten before she turned and stalked away.

"You alright, Munk?" Tugger asked.

"Besides from just being groped…yeah, I'm alright," Munkustrap smiled weakly as he let go of Ronan. Tantomile smiled when a paw found hers. She smiled at Ronan before looking back at Munkus, who was talking to Deuteronomy, who had been retrieved by Misto when Demeter had started her nonsense. Ronan sighed, closing his eyes as he heard Tugger and his dad telling Deuteronomy of what had occurred.

'Father, I wish you were here to protect Dad,' Ronan couldn't help but think as he opened his eyes. His dad had been through so much, he didn't need a hormonal queen harassing him. Deuteronomy frowned and turned slightly. The others went quiet and watched Old Deuteronomy as his ears twitched.

"Hmm,"

A figure dropped from a nearby junk pile, walking over to them.

"Macavity, you shouldn't be here," Munkustrap said softly. Macavity glanced over the few cats standing there.

"Ronan called for me," Ronan's eyes widened.

"Oh…oops," Ronan mumbled as the others looked at him. Macavity's eyes lingered on Tantomile's and Ronan's entwined paws, before he turned his attention back to Munkustrap.

"So, who did you need protecting from?" Macavity asked lightly, leaning against the oven. Tugger, Misto, Cori and Tant just stared at him, shocked. Munkustrap sighed.

"Demeter tried to…uh, make a move on me," Munkustrap told him. Macavity raised an eyebrow, looking back towards Ronan.

"And he needed protecting from that?" Macavity asked. "He's a grown Tom, he can turn down the Queens,"

"She…she…" Ronan couldn't say it.

"Assaulted him slightly," Tantomile finished. Ronan smiled thankfully at her. Tantomile smiled back, squeezing his paw.

"Munk?"

"She groped me," Munkus shrugged. "And that's when Cori and Tugger ran out," Macavity's fur bristled in anger.

"She won't be doing it again, Macavity," Deuteronomy reassured gently. Macavity looked at him.

"And you can guarantee this how?"

"I'm the Leader…my word goes…and this type of behaviour will not be tolerated," Macavity relaxed at his words, fur settling back down. Deuteronomy gave a small frown.

"You better go…the others are feeling uneasy," He said, glancing at the dens. Macavity gave a small nod. Ronan let go of Tantomile's paw, quickly hugging Macavity tightly.

"Just call for me if you need me," Macavity murmured in his ear. "And I'm proud that you're looking out for your dad," Ronan smiled as he let go of his father.

"Munk…take care of yourself for a change," Macavity winked as Munkustrap gave a huff. "But…get Ronan to call for me if you need me," Macavity hesitantly added before he nodded and then disappeared in a flash.

"Is he always so…" Misto struggled to find the words. Munkustrap smiled, giving a small nod.

"Always," He laughed.

"He's protective of you," Deuteronomy mused. Munk gave a small nod, looking at Ronan.

"Come on you…let's get you to bed, it's a big day tomorrow," Munkustrap smiled. Ronan nodded, hugging the others and biding them goodnight before taking Munkustrap's paw and walking to their den.

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Sooo, what do you think?
And wish me luck guys…tomorrow I find out if I'm actually able to pass High School, heading into my final four weeks…oh the joy of anxiety and making me unable to get to school…ahhh well…

Thanks to those who reviewed!

Please read and review!

Luv HGP!