When Munkustrap first opened his eyes in the morning, he found that another set of eyes were watching him. Huge, brown ones.

"AAAHHH!" he shouted, jumping what he thought must have been five feet in the air, before landing on all four paws on the floor. He arched his back and prepared for an attack. Then he saw who it was.

"Morning, Munk!" chirped Deuteronomy, obviously not fazed by the early morning acrobatic display.

"Good morning, Old Deuteronomy," he muttered, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Today's the day I get to meet the tribe, right?" he said, practically bouncing on the spot. "I get to meet the Jellicles in the junkyard!"

"Re-meet," he corrected. "You've already met them before, you just don't remember."

"Oh, right. The whole rebirth thing. I'm hungry."

Munkustrap sighed. "Let's go upstairs, the humans must be up by now."

Sure enough, the female human was bustling around in the kitchen, trying to feed her kittens and get them ready for school. The male was wandering around muttering to himself while trying to tie a kind of fabric collar to his neck.

"Humans are odd," commented the kitten.

"You're telling me," said Munkustrap, rolling his eyes. "Come on, our food's out."

Halfway through their meal, there was a scratching on the window. Both cats looked up, although the humans didn't seem to notice. It was Rumpelteazer.

"Stay here," ordered Munk, before leaping onto the kitchen counter, then to the window still. He poked his head out under the mostly-closed window.

"Munkustrap, the meeting's all set for tonight," she said, sitting up straight like she was a soldier delivering a report. "Everyone will be there, even the kittens."

"Good," he nodded, forgetting where he was and hitting his head on the window. "Ow! We'll be busy until then; the female has that look in her eye she only gets when she's going shopping. By the way, you'll be happy to know that Old Deuteronomy has a common name now. The humans are calling him Alexander."

She shrugged. "It's better than mine. How would you like to be called Cinderella?"

"Your common name is Cinderella?" he asked, trying not to laugh.

"Yeah, and Mungojerrie's is Aladdin. We have a pair of six-year-old girls in our house who happen to love Disney movies," she scowled. "In any case, be at the junkyard just after the sun sets, and for the love of the Everlasting Cat, take care of that little fur ball."

"I took care of the entire tribe for a year and a half, Rumpelteazer. I think I can keep tabs on one kitten," he said, feeling slightly offended.

"Well, lose him and half the tribe's going to try to kill you," she said perkily, before jumping down into the bushes and trampling a good number of tulips.

"What did Teazer want?" asked Deuteronomy when he returned to the food dishes.

"She was just confirming the meeting tonight," he replied, finishing off his breakfast. "In the meantime, you've got a visit with the bathtub."

The kittens had gone to school, and the tom had gone to work. All that was left was the female, who was holding a bottle of the baby shampoo she used to wash Munkustrap.

Needless to say, it was a struggle. The silver tabby had already discovered that the kitten his idol had become wasn't prone to sit still for long, and he was even harder to keep a grip on when he was wet. Nevertheless, the human queen was dead set on giving him a bath, and in the end, she triumphed.

Munkustrap was a bit shocked by what he saw when his human had finally gotten Old Deuteronomy dunked in the semi-warm water. With his fur wetted down and flat, there wasn't much to the kit. He was mostly fur, and the rest of him was a bag of bones. White scar tissue which wasn't normally visible could be seen.

The human eventually got him washed and dried, and wasted no time whipping out the cat carrier for a trip to the veterinarian's office.

"Come on, you two," she coaxed. "I booked appointments for both of you."

Old Deuteronomy's eyes widened and he darted behind Munkustrap. The silver tabby picked him up effortlessly by the scruff of the neck, and calmly carried him into the portable cage.

Although he was a bit unsettled by the car trip, the kitten calmed once they got to the waiting room. It was mostly empty, as it was early in the morning. The only other animal was a parrot that didn't seem to want to shut up. Deuteronomy seemed to be both in awe of it and frightened by it.

"What is that thing?" he whispered.

"It's a parrot. It's a type of bird."

The multicoloured creature let out a string of babble no sane person would possibly understand.

"But it talks," Deuteronomy said quietly. "Birds don't talk."

"This one obviously does."

"Oh," he muttered, and then paused. "Can you eat them?"

"No."

"Oh."

When they got into the vet's office, the carrier door was opened. Munkustrap was forced, once again, to carry the kitten out by his neck. The tabby placed him in the table, holding his tail down with his paw so he couldn't bolt.

"Well, well," said the vet, a fairly pretty woman with dark auburn hair. "I see you've got a new kitten. Is Theodore the father?"

"I don't think so," said the female human. "They look a bit alike, but not much. I think he just stuck himself to Theo, and he's got the good heart to look after him."

"I'll have to take a look at him, then," she said, picking him up gently.

He wriggled for a bit, but was soon still as the she checked his heartbeat, examined his ears, and gave him a full check for parasites. He only flinched a bit when she gave him his tetanus shots, and set him back down.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" whispered Munkustrap.

Deuteronomy shook his head.

"Now that he's done, it's your turn, Theo."

The tabby gritted his teeth, but didn't bite. He convinced himself that it wouldn't be a good example for Deuteronomy if he had to be restrained.

After the vet's, the female left them in the car while she went into a pet store. During this time, Old Deuteronomy seemed to have an endless stream of questions.

"I'm going to get a collar, right?"

"Yes, you are."

"What are they for?"

"They've got your common name on them, and your human's phone number. It's in case you get picked up by the pound. They'll call your humans, and they'll come pick you up."

"Do they hurt?"

"No."

"Are they heavy?"

"Not really."

"What colour is it going to be?"

"I don't know," said Munkustrap, his patience wearing thin. "Why don't you take a nap or something?"

The kitten curled into a ball, but he couldn't sleep. Instead, he stared at Munkustrap while the cat paced back and forth across the carrier. Every time the tabby looked, he'd look the other way. It became a game for him, to not let Munkustrap catch him.

Finally, the human returned and drove them home. Once they were in the kitchen, she picked up Deuteronomy, and placed the collar around his neck.

"There!" she exclaimed. "Now you won't get lost!"

The kitten admired his reflection from the toaster as the female held him. The collar was small and black, and had a silver tag hanging from it. It felt funny having something tied around his neck, but it wasn't really uncomfortable.

It seemed to take forever for the sun to set. Munkustrap and Deuteronomy were at the junkyard before it did, however. Jennyanydots, the Rum Tum Tugger, Mungojerrie, and Rumpelteazer were all gathered there before the rest of the Jellicles.

"Do you remember what you have to say?" questioned the tabby.

The kitten nodded. "I, Old Deuteronomy, have returned from the mystical Heaviside Layer, and seek to claim my rightful place as the leader of the Jellicle tribe. If any Jellicle objects to my claim let them step forward now." He had been practising it all day, and had finally gotten it right.

"Good. And what do you do if someone steps forward? That probably won't happen, but it's best to be prepared."

"I draw myself up, and say 'Why do you deny that your rightful leader has returned to govern the Jellicle tribe in their life of peace?', then when they answer, I let you convince them that it's me."

"Perfect. Also, try not to act like a kitten. Try to be mature and wise," offered the Rum Tum Tugger. "No one's going to believe it's you if you're bouncing off the walls."

"And remember to hold yourself like a Jellicle leader," added Jennyanydots. "Shoulders back, head high, tail up, ears raised, and don't slouch."

"Don't say words like er or um," put in Munkustrap. "Sound sure of yourself, even when you're not. And try to say a cat's full name, but if you can't, shorten it."

Deuteronomy nodded, trying to remember all of their advice. "I think I'm ready." He paused. "Um, Munkustrap? How dark is it going to get once the sun's down?"

"No need to worry," Munkustrap assured him. "See all those spotlights over the junkyard? Those light up when the sun fully sets. They make this whole place look almost like it's day."

"How do they light up?" he questioned.

"Magic," the Rum Tum Tugger grinned. "Mistoffelees charged them up."

"Who's…"

"Everyone's here," Jennyanydots interrupted. "It's time to start."

Tugger and Mungojerrie looked at each other, and nodded. They walked out from behind the junk pile, which was conveniently behind the tire. They both stood on either side of it. All of the Jellicles had gathered around, and were muttering amongst themselves. When they saw the two toms, the crowd hushed.

Mungojerrie began to sing. "Old Deuteronomy's lived a long time

He's a cat who has lived many lives in succession

He was famous in proverb and famous in rhyme

A long while before Queen Victoria's accession."

The Rum Tum Tugger took his part. "Old Deuteronomy's buried nine wives

And more, I am tempted to say ninety-nine

And his numerous progeny prospers and thrives

And the village was proud of him in his decline."

Jennyanydots and Rumpelteazer appeared from behind the pile to join in. "Well of all things

Can it be really?

No, yes, ho hi oh my eye

My mind may be wandering but I confess

believe it is Old Deuteronomy."

The entire tribe sung the well-known song, despite all of them being confused. "Well of all things

Can it be really?

No, yes, ho hi oh my eye

My mind may be wandering but I confess

I believe it is Old Deuteronomy

Well of all thing

Can it be really?

No, yes, ho hi oh my eye…"

"That's our cue," whispered Munkustrap, stepping forward with Deuteronomy. "Although he is different, he's back from above

I assure you it's Old Deuteronomy."

A gasp ran through the crowd as the kitten, with the help of the silver tabby, climbed onto the tire. It looked exactly like him, only smaller. The mystical twins and Mistoffelees could sense that his aura was the same, kind and wise.

"Oh, Everlasting Cat!" whispered a scraggly white and brown kitten, who was known as Gus. "It's him! It's Old Deuteronomy, reborn as I was!"

"It is him!" agreed a Persian-like kit, about the same age. Grizabella. "There's no mistaking that cat as the leader himself!"

Deuteronomy took a deep breath, and drew himself up to his full height, which wasn't very much. "I, Old Deuteronomy, have returned from the mystical Heaviside Layer, and seek to claim my rightful place as the leader of the Jellicle tribe. If any Jellicle objects to my claim let them step forward now."

To everyone's surprise, a round tuxedo cat stepped forward through the crowd. "I object! You are not Old Deuteronomy, and I demand you stop shaming him with this masquerade!"

The kitten drew himself up even higher. "Who are you? And why do you deny that your rightful leader has returned to govern the Jellicle tribe in their life of peace?"

"I am Bustopher Jones," he said, glaring at the small cat. "If you were truly Old Deuteronomy, you would know that!"

"He's lost his memories," said Munkustrap, stepping in between them to protect the leader. "He knows nothing of his past lives, but he is Old Deuteronomy."

"He is not!" Bustopher shouted. "I have reason to believe that you set this entire thing up, you gutter tabby. You put this kitten up to pretending he's the leader, so you can influence him and run the tribe! When the real Old Deuteronomy comes back, you will deny him!"

Munkustrap opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped.

"Bustopher Jones," said Deuteronomy in a level but harsh voice. "You deny the abilities of the Jellicle leader. You question my decisions. You refuse my rebirth."

The larger tom shrunk back a bit. "No! I don't refuse you, I mean, him. I question Munkustrap!"

"You think that I would be so ignorant as to leave an unreliable cat to lead the Jellicles in my absence," he boomed. "Do you think I am an idiot, Bustopher Jones?"

"N-No!" he stammered. "O-Of course not!"

"I may not have my memories, Bustopher Jones, but I do have my common sense. Munk is loyal to me and to the Jellicles, and he was the one who snatched me from the jaws of a Pollicle at risk to his own life. You deny him, and in doing so you deny me!"

The tuxedo could feel the glares of all the Jellicles. "I do not deny you," he said finally, bowing low. "You have proven to me that you are the true Old Deuteronomy, and I ask that you forgive me for doubting you."

"You are forgiven," said Deuteronomy, with a small smile. "Oh, and Bustopher? Munk isn't a gutter tabby, he's a silver one!"

The large cat slunk away into the crowd, his pride badly bruised.

"Fellow Jellicles!" shouted Rumpelteazer, not able to hide a smile that the Cat About Town had been beaten by a kitten. "I give you my grandfather, Old Deuteronomy!"

A cheer rose up, and Munkustrap led the kitten into the mass of cats. He was greeted with hugs and nuzzles, and so many Jellicles tried to introduce themselves at once that he didn't catch many of their names. One cat caught his eye, however.

"You!" he exclaimed. "The black and white one!"

The slim tom slunk up. "Me, sir?"

"I had a dream about you," he said, staring in amazement. "I was in the dark, and you did something and brought me back into the light."

The cat smiled and bowed. "The Magical Mr. Mistoffelees, at your service, Old Deuteronomy. I recovered you from Macavity a few years ago. I suppose you don't remember, though."

The kitten shook his head, "No, I'm sorry. But thank you."

"Do you remember these two?" asked Jellylorum, making her way to the leader with Grizabella and Gus trotting behind her.

Deuteronomy looked at them, but finally shook his head. "No, I don't."

"We were reborn, just like you," said Gus. "We were good friends in our former lives. I was the theatre cat. You don't remember a thing?"

"No, I don't remember anything about the Jellicles. It's odd; you all seem to know everything about me, even things I don't know."

"I'm sure your memories will come back eventually," Grizabella offered optimistically.

Munkustrap looked up at the moon, which was high in the sky. "Everlasting Cat, it must be nearly midnight. We should be getting home. Come on, Old Deuteronomy."

The kitten slipped away from the cats, and hurried after him, jogging to keep up with the tabby's long strides. Bustopher Jones was standing by the junkyard exit, and the Jellicle leader stuck his tongue out at the fat tuxedo as they passed.