Hi guys. Just a little warning for emotional parts in this chapter. Hope you've liked the story so far. Thanks. :)

Misto and Jemima walked out to join their sister. Victoria was smiling at them and met them with a hug. The siblings hugged and walked out with their heads held high. They were met with a lot of smiles by the others in the tribe as they knew the kittens could cope on their own. A little while later Carbucketty, Mungojerrie and Exotica joined them staring at the stars. They had all agreed earlier that they were going to meet when the sky was full of stars.

"The stars seem bright tonight." Mungojerrie said after a little silence.

"It's just you." Jemima joked with him.

Mungojerrie punched her in the arm when she had said that. They had both gotten closer over the past few days and now was no different.

"I haven't laid underneath the stars for ages." Misto said.

"They don't come out very often anymore. They must have a reason to come out tonight." Exotica backed him.

"I think they do have a reason." Carbucketty suggested.

"What's that then?" Mungojerrie asked him.

"Because we had our first rescue as a team." Carbucketty said.

The others looked at each other for a while. They then looked at Carbucketty with puzzled looks on their faces. Carbucketty looked at the stars and then saw their faces staring back at him.

"What?" Carbucketty asked them.

"First rescue as a team?" Misto laughed.

"Yeah." Carbucketty shrugged.

"I think we're on different wavelengths here." Misto smiled.

"Well think about it." Carbucketty started.

"Think about what exactly?" Jemima backed her brother in confusion.

"Well, what if we start a group, just us, that will look over the tribe." Carbucketty said.

The group looked a little less confused at that moment. They were still confused but Carbucketty was starting to make some sense.

"Instead of one protector, we all look after the tribe and keep them safe." Carbucketty smiled.

The group couldn't disagree with that. They all wanted what was best for the tribe and knew they could look after them against whatever came their way.

"Alright then." Mungojerrie said.

"Sounds good." Victoria said.

"Can't agree more." Jemima agreed.

"We all want what's best for the tribe and none of us could do anything wrong." Victoria said again.

The group looked at Misto. Misto hadn't said anything since Carbucketty had suggested the idea. Misto saw the stares and got up and walked away. Exotica soon followed after him. She found him sitting on a perch looking out of the junkyard. She sat next to him.

"Don't you like Carbuckettys idea?" She asked him.

"It's not that." Misto replied.

"What is it then?"

"It's just…. I can't imagine anyone being a protector apart from dad." Misto said with tears coming to his eyes.

Exotica gave a heavy sigh. She knew how Misto was feeling. No cat would be better than Munkustrap as protector.

"We can try can't we?" Exotica finally asked.

"I don't know if I can."

"Yes you can."

"I don't Ex."

"Would this make it any better?"

"Would what…"

Before Misto could finish his sentence, Exotica kissed him. This took Misto by surprise but liked it. He had had a thing for Exotica for years and now it was confirmed that she liked him to. Exotica pulled away.

"Better?" Exotica asked him.

"Yeah thanks." Misto smiled.

"Let's go back." Exotica to him.

"Give me a second. I'll be straight back." Misto said letting Exotica go.

"Okay hurry back though." Exotica said leaving.

Misto watched her leave. He needed a minute by himself to take everything in. For as long as any cat could remember there had only been one protector but would it be better with a group of cats?

0000

Exotica sat back down with the others. The others looked out for Misto but laid back down again once Exotica had told them where he was.

"So we've just got to wait for Mistos decision then?" Victoria asked the group.

"Seems so." Carbucketty answered her.

"What do you think it'll be?" Victoria asked again.

"I think it'll be a yes. He's really happy about it." Jemima spoke for her brother.

"You're so close." Mungojerrie piped up to her.

"We have to be around here." Jemima said to him.

"Stop being so pessimistic!" Victoria laughed at them.

The whole group laughed at that point. Unaware they were being watched by Demeter and Bomburlina from the centre of the junkyard.

"They sound happy." Bomburlina tried to reassure her friend.

"I hope they are. They're young and they need to move on." Demeter said looking at the floor.

"They don't have to move on too far though right?" Bomburlina asked Demeter.

"I hope not."

Bomburlina pulled her friend in close. Demeter snuggled into Bomburlinas fur. Bomburlina always made her feel better even when everything was going upside down.

"I wonder what they're talking about." Demeter said looking up from the floor.

"Probably the next dance." Bomburlina chuckled.

"I wouldn't be surprised." Demeter also chuckled.

The two queens chuckled quietly so not to disturb the kittens talking. They didn't want to interrupt the kittens when they were having fun after everything that has just happened. The kittens were still laughing. They couldn't stop laughing otherwise the silence would set them off again.

"Oh, we need to stop. I'm going to die laughing otherwise!" Victoria said, still laughing.

"Well go ahead." Jemima also said laughing.

Jemima looked over to where Misto still was. She wanted to go and see him but didn't want to stop laughing. Plus she knew her brother needed some air to think about what was going on right now.

00000

Misto was staring into the night sky. The stars were still there and nothing had replaced them since he had moved. There was one difference though, there was one more star in the sky then the last time. Misto usually didn't notice this but this one seemed to shine brighter than the others around it.

"What are you thinking Misto?" A voice very familiar came from behind him.

Misto took in a deep breath. He knew that voice all too well, but it couldn't be. Could it? He had to do it, he had to at least check. He turned around. He was wrong, there was no one there. He was dreaming. Misto closed his eyes and turned back to his front.

"Hey kiddo." The voice came again in front of him.

Misto opened his eyes. There he was!

"Dad?"