Munkustrap rounded a corner, looking in all directions for Old Deuteronomy. He had to find him before someone else did, and mentioned the latest 'event' to him. He spotted the large tom and his heart sank; Old Deuteronomy knew about the kittens. Two small toms, both with brown and white markings, were having a rather animated chat with the tribe's leader. 'Oh no,' Munkustrap thought, walking up to the three who were, 'This can't be good...'

"...And then Etcetera started talking about some tom to Electra and said that he was the best looking thing on four legs that she ever saw! Can you believe that? I mean she saw me before and, well, look at me," one of them said striking a pose, "Am I not as gorgeous as this 'Tugger' fellow?"

Old Deuteronomy chuckled heartily, "He just caught her eye because he's something new; something she hasn't seen before. It shouldn't last long."

"That's what I told him," the other tom said proudly.

"No you didn't Tumble, you said 'nuts to her, let's get some fish'!"

"That was my stomach talking Pouncival!"

"Um... Old Deuteronomy," Munkustrap said, coming into view, "May I speak to you for a moment?"

"Certainly Munkustrap," Deuteronomy smiled, bidding farewell to the kittens, who were still arguing, and entered the tabby's oven, "When did we get kittens? I had no idea that our tribe grew since my last visit."

"They showed up today," Munkustrap said, helping the leader onto a seat.

"With their parents; I should meet them before I leave."

"No, no parents. Just a hat," Old Deuteronomy gave him a quizzical look, "Mistoffelees was toying with is magic, showing Tugger and Bombalurina what he learnt and he, accidentally, produced seven kittens right out of the hat."

"Seven," Old Deuteronomy gasped, "My word; how on earth-"

"We don't know," he said sheepishly, "Jennyanydots believes that they are from Heavyside, something about the Everlasting Cat answering their hopes and prayers for kittens."

"I see," he nodded, "Well I best go see Jennyanydots and talk with her about the living arrangement; I trust that the kittens shall be living here," Munkustrap nodded; "Very well," he eased on to his paws and left the oven. "And Munkustrap, you are now the caretaker of the kittens."

"What," he yelled, jumping out and going after the agedtom, "Why? They're supposed to be a way for the older kittens to learn responsibility."

"I'm aware," Deuteronomy said, "But, even though they shall be learning tools, you will be in charge of them. Make sure that they are in good care, bring them to the respectful spots when they are sick, keep them safe."

"Old Deuteronomy, let's be reasonable," Munkustrap said, "Wouldn't this role be better suited for one for the queens to do?"

"Perhaps," Old Deuteronomy said, stopping in front of one of the doors to the car, "In hindsight though I do think that it'll be best for you to do. These kittens know not of all of the great things that you have done before. They know nothing but your face; if you are their caretaker then they'll come to you for help and advice. It'll place some of their trust in you, so when you are their Leader, chances are they shall respect you."

Munkustrap looked up at the old cat, whose wrinkles lined his face as he gave him a warm smile, "Alright Old Deuteronomy."

"I must excuse myself at this time," Old Deuteronomy said politely, knocking on the door beside him, "Business matters and such."

"Of course," Munkustrap nodded, leaving the Leader to his affairs. He was about to enter his oven when Demeter ran in to him. Literally.

"Munkustrap, I just heard that Old Deuteronomy is on his way over," Demeter said, rubbing her forehead gingerly.

"I was already talking to him," Munkustrap said, rubbing the spot on his shoulder that Demeter hit her head off of, "He knows about the kittens."

"You told him."

"He met some," he cleared, "and then I told him."

"Oh, well... what did he have to say," she asked, tail swishing around placidly.

"I'm in charge of them. Apparently it'll be a good thing to do while preparing to take his place," he said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Well I can see why. I mean it's like stepping stones. You'll be taking care of a small group of cats before you take care of the whole tribe, definitely makes sense."

"The whole tribe?"

"Yes, you're going to be the Jellicle Leader," she said, throwing her arms in the air. "Don't give me that look," Munkustrap kept staring at her as if he was about to cry, "Munk…"

"I'm going to take care of a whole tribe," he said, falling down unexpectedly and fainting before he hit the ground.

"He looks kind of funny."

"He's that tom who was talking to us earlier."

"I still think he looks funny."

"I think he's handsome."

"You think that everyone is handsome."

"Not true! I think that you're hideous."

"Yeah; especially in the morning when you're fur's all messy."

"You two aren't all that pretty either."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah!"

Munkustrap raised a paw to his head, which was throbbing in pain. He opened his eyes wearily and saw a group of kittens – the seven – sitting around him; some of who were play fighting at his feet. He sat up and the movement caught the attention of the seven, who stared at him with wide eyes. In the time it took him to blink they were all gone, like some mirage.

"What in the world?" He closed his eyes and massaged his temples with his paws, was he going insane? Kitten appearing out of nowhere and then disappearing – must be some heat stroke induced delusion.

"Paper covers rock – you go."

Munkustrap looked down at the front seats where the voice had came from to see Victoria slink out from underneath. She climbed up next to him, sitting a safe distance away, and looked at him.

"Are you alright," she asked gently.

"Um," he regarded her carefully, "Yes, I think so."

"Are you okay to be around?"

"Yes," he said calmly.

"Get out here you big sissies," Victoria called, the other kittens coming out of hiding; some of the toms ashamed that they had to get Victoria to go out first.

"Why did you all hide like that," Munkustrap asked as they began to sit around him again. A few of them shifted their weight uneasily, looking between each other.

"We don't know, we just did," Pouncival said, "You kind of took up by surprise."

"Well, I'm sorry that I did. I'm Munkustrap," he said giving them a friendly smile, "I'm the Protector of the Jellicle tribe and your Caretaker."

"What does that mean," Electra asked, her ears twitching.

"It means that I'm in charge of you; if anything goes wrong or you need to talk you can come to me and we'll sort things out."

"Do they know that," Plato asked.

"Um... they?"

"Jennyanydots and Jellylorum"

"No, not yet; I think. They might," he said apprehensively.

"For our Protector and our Caretaker you aren't very sure of yourself."

"Jemima," Victoria hissed, batting at her playfully.

"Well he isn't."

"Well, I'll become more confident as I go along," he promised, standing up. "Will you be coming outside with me?"

"Sure!"

"Yeah!"

"We can't," Plato said, more to Pouncival and Tumblebrutus then to Munkustrap. "Jenny and Jelly said that it's time for bed – ten minutes ago."

"Bedtime already," Munkustrap walked over to one of the dingy windows and pressed his face against it. Sure enough; it was dark out, "Where are Jenny and Jelly at?"

"They said that they were going to the Tire for a meeting and to tell you to go there when you wake up," Munkustrap turned around and saw Etcetera staring up at him sweetly, "Will Tugger be there too?"

"I have to go," he said suddenly, yet apologetically, "You all try to get some sleep." He climbed to the front of the car and pushed the door open. He slid out and found himself near the back of the group of cats attending the meeting. He calmly walked to the front where most of the cats were, huddled in a circle.

"Ah, Munkustrap you're awake. You feeling alright dear," Jennyanydots asked, moving over so that he may sit down with them.

"Yes, thank you. What are we discussing tonight?"

"The kittens," Demeter said, from across the circle, "And who'll be taking care of who."

"Coricopat and Exotica have agreed to take Jemima; Tantomile and Admetus will have Plato; I have Etcetera; Jennyanydots has Victoria and Pouncival; Demeter has Electra," Jellylorum said, listing off the kittens, "Which leaves Tumblebrutus. I would take him but Etcetera will be enough trouble as it is. What with Old Gus living with us there isn't enough room for a second kitten; and Jenny will be more then busy with two."

"I don't mind taking Tumblebrutus," Munkustrap offered, "My oven is more then big enough to hold the two of us."

"Are you sure," Jennyanydots, placing a paw on his shoulder, "A kitten is a big responsibility; and you already have commitments of your own."

"I'm sure," Munkustrap nodded, "It'll help me get connected to the kittens."

"Well, if you're sure that that's what you want to have," Jellylorum said with a reassuring smile. "He'll move in tomorrow."

"That'll be great," he nodded, "Now, about that hat..."

"We're already looked at it," Coricopat said, "Tugger brought it over," Tugger flashed Munkustrap a smile, "and neither Tantomile, nor I could see anything wrong with it."

"It's just a hat," Tantomile sighed, resting her head on Admetus' shoulder, "Plain and simple."

"Very well," Munkustrap said, "Anything else needed to be discussed; no, then goodnight to you all."

A/N: Well, Dan's gone. New countdown – 5 days until Chicago! The drama group gets to see the play down at The Neptune Theater on Wednesday – we're pumped! And I'm broke – I need some money.

Tiger Lily21 – There, I updated again. I think that you know what you have to do...

Eponine – All my life – born and raised. You think that's lucky – it's snowing right now. That's not normal – not even for the Great White North

Mystitat – He did? Which paragraph was that? Oh well – glad you were enjoying yourself.

It's not so much as she hates him, as it is a running joke that she's going to kill him