Hi guys. Just a little warning for some emotions in this chapter. As this is the last chapter I thought I would just thank you for reading and reviewing up to this point. It really helped write this story. Thanks. :)
There he was. Munkustrap was standing in front of his son with a huge smile on his face. Misto couldn't be more happy. He slowly got up to see if it was real. However slowly he went, Munkustrap was still there. Misto smiled.
"Dad!" Misto ran over to his father and slung his arms around him.
Munkustrap accepted the hug and got down to Mistos level. They then sat underneath the sky again.
"Dad?" Misto finally plucked up the courage to ask.
"Yes Misto." Munkustrap said looking at the stars.
"You don't have to go right? You're staying aren't you?"
Munkustrap took a long time to think over this question. He didn't want to let his son down but knew what he must say as an answer.
"I'm afraid not Misto." Munkustrap sighed.
"You're leaving?!"
"Misto…"
Misto turned away from his father. Misto was expecting this answer but didn't think it was true.
"Misto look at me." Munkustrap begged.
Misto turned round to face his father.
"Don't leave please." Misto tried to say.
"Misto, I've got to."
"But why?!"
"Because everyone moves on. I've got to let you and your sisters carry on without me."
"But I don't want you to."
"Neither do I but I'll always be here." Munkustrap pointed his claw to Mistos heart.
Misto just nodded.
"Misto, promise me something."
"Anything."
"Look after everyone for me."
"Of course."
"That's my boy." Munkustrap smiled.
Misto couldn't hold it back any longer. He hugged his father again as Munkustrap slipped away from Mistos sight.
0000
The others were still waiting for Misto to re-join them. Victoria and Carbucketty were talking about their next dance session. Mungojerrie had found an old ball and was throwing it against something and catching it. Jemima was trying to steal off him when she could. Exotica was just lying there waiting for Misto to come back. After the kiss they had shared she needed to know how he felt about them.
"There he is!" Jemima shouted as Misto came back into view.
Everyone raced to get to their feet. Misto was wiping away tears but soon beamed from ear to ear when he saw them. The group all hugged and then split away to discuss the new protector further.
"So are you with us Misto?" Carbucketty asked the black and white kitten.
"Yeah. I wasn't sure before but I think someone would want me to join you guys." Misto smiled around the group.
"Who was that then?" Carbucketty asked.
Jemima looked at Misto. Misto smiled in her direction, Jemima knew who he meant now. She was very thankful that Misto was now in the group.
"So we now look after the junkyard then?" Victoria asked.
"Seems so." Mungojerrie answered her.
"Are we going to be able to deal with all the pressure?" Victoria asked worriedly.
"I'm sure we will sis." Jemima chuckled.
"Yeah. We've got each other haven't we." Mungojerrie backed her.
The group nodded.
"Do you think the adults will be alright with it?" Carbucketty suddenly asked.
"I'm sure they'll be very pleased." Misto smiled.
Carbucketty took this thought.
"If you kittens don't come down here right now…." Demeter shouted from her den.
The kittens all chuckled quietly so that Demeter couldn't hear.
"She's right. Maybe we should get some rest before tomorrow." Victoria yawned.
"Go on. I'll come in a minute." Misto said.
Carbucketty nearly had to carry Victoria down to her den. Jemima and Mungojerrie ran about before they then went to their own dens for the night. Misto looked at Exotica.
"You can go if you want to." Misto said to Exotica.
"I think this is where I'm supposed to be." Exotica said to him.
"Well if you're sure." Misto smiled.
Exotica smiled back. Misto got down to the ground and laid back. Exotica looked at him weirdly and then joined him. Misto stretched out his arm and Exotica snuggled into his fur.
"Nice night." Exotica said.
"It really is." Misto couldn't stop smiling.
"Do you know where stars come from?"
"Well now you ask I do actually."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"What are they then?"
"Well someone once told me, when someone leaves you they join the stars and then they're always there for you."
"Is that true?"
Misto took a long time to chew over the question. Exotica looked at him several times waiting for an answer.
"No idea." Misto finally said.
Exotica chuckled.
"That star seems really bright." Exotica said looking at the new star in the sky.
"Yeah I just noticed it tonight." Misto said.
"You don't think…."
Misto and Exotica looked at each other. They then just laughed.
"I'd better get some rest." Exotica said standing up.
"Yeah sure. You deserve it." Misto said, also standing.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning then." Exotica smiled leaving Misto.
Misto smiled as she left. He then looked up at the sky and at the new star.
"Thanks dad." Misto said smiling.
Misto then followed Exotica to bed. The star kept shining in the sky as bright as it could. It was always going to be there looking over the kittens as they grew up and looked after the junkyard for many years to come.