Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far!

Bombafan: If you had an account I could reach you at, I'd message you a reply! As for your question…you've never really read any of my stories while they've been in-progress before, have you?

I have absolutely no idea how long this will be, I have no idea how long any of my stories will be…I write them while I upload them, I never expected Genetically Perfect to go past 30 chapters, but it ended up with almost 60!

So, yes, I have no idea how many chapters this will be, depends on ideas and stuff…

And now, back to the story!

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Tugger and Macavity stared at Munkustrap, who shuffled awkwardly and looked at his feet.

"Jen, can I speak to you for a moment?" Deuteronomy asked. Jenny nodded and followed Deuteronomy outside.

"What is it, Deut?" Jenny asked. Deuteronomy looked at the young gumbie cat. She was still so young and was looking to becoming a mother. She already doted on her nephews plus the other kittens in the yard.

"I just wanted to ask you your opinion."

"Okay…what about?"

"Munkustrap, I'm worried about him." Deuteronomy admitted. Jenny smiled at him.

"You don't need to be," She told him softly. "He trusts you already."

"I-I don't get why…"

"He's still a very young kitten; he just wants to trust people…you showed kindness to him where in the past all he's gotten was abuse, so he trusts you." Jenny told him, smiling. "And you know what, that's why I think there's hope for him yet." Deuteronomy inclined his head.

"Thank you, Jenny." He said softly. Jenny smiled.

"Have you spread the word of our new one?" He asked.

"I've told Jellylorum, and knowing her, she's probably told everyone." Jenny laughed fondly as she spoke of her best friend. Deuteronomy smiled.

"Thank you."

"Any time," She grinned. "Well, I must head back, the other kittens will be awake and knowing them, they'll need to be watched in case of an injury!" Jenny laughed.

"I'll see if your boys want to come with me." She and Deuteronomy headed back into the den to find the boys watching Munkustrap, shocked, as Munkus tidied up a bit. Deuteronomy went to say something when Jenny touched his arm.

"Don't." She murmured. "I think he's doing it because that's what he knows…and it doesn't make him feel so anxious." Deuteronomy nodded.

"Boys, I'm heading to the clearing now to watch the kittens, do you wish to accompany me?"

"Yes, Aunty Jenny!" Macavity and Tugger said, getting to their feet and walking over to her. Jenny took their paws, though Macavity rolled his eyes at that. Jenny just tweaked his nose in response.

"I don't care if you're almost a Tom, my dear," Jenny laughed. "You'll always be a kitten in my eyes."

"Why me?" Macavity whined.

"Because you were the first born kitten in this generation." Jenny told him. "The first darling I helped to deliver." Macavity's face went red.

"Can we go now?" Tugger asked, his voice going high-pitched.

"Yes, yes." Jenny sighed. "Munkustrap, are you coming as well? Do you want to play with the kittens?" Jenny asked kindly. The silver kitten looked up, surprised. He looked at Deuteronomy, who just smiled. Munkustrap shook his head slightly.

"N-No, thank you." Jenny nodded and left, leading the other kittens out.

"Why did you not want to go?" Deuteronomy asked moments later.

"I…I don't know how to play…" Munkustrap whispered. Deuteronomy sighed sadly.

"Playing comes naturally to you." Deuteronomy told him gently as he walked up to him. "Some games you need to be taught, yes, but I'm sure the other kittens will teach you." Deuteronomy gently rested his paws on Munkustrap's tiny shoulders when he saw him trembling.

"I-I'm…I'm scared."

"Of what?"

"I don't want to be a burden."

"Oh, Munkus, you won't be!" Munkustrap just remained silent.

"How about we go sit on the tyre and you can just watch today and get used to everyone and everything?" Deuteronomy suggested. Munkustrap gave a nod. Deuteronomy offered his paw and Munkus took it. Deuteronomy smiled and led the small kitten from the den.

As they approached the clearing, the sounds of kittens' laughing and cats talking was able to be heard. Deuteronomy felt something flicking against his hip and looked down, finding the kitten's silver ears were swivelling and twitching as he listened. They rounded a corner and came into the clearing.

The kittens were darting around, playing tag, while the adults sat in front of their dens or lounged on the TSE1 where the sun was shining and warm. Munkustrap lowered his head when some of the eyes turned onto him.

Deuteronomy led him to a large tyre, letting go of his paw. Munkustrap immediately sat on the ground at the base of the tyre.

"No, no, my boy." Deuteronomy said softly as he took Munkustrap's small paws in his large ones, pulling the thin kitten to his feet.

"Sit up here; it's more comfortable than that hard ground."

"O-oh…I just…"

"You could only sit on the ground?" Deuteronomy asked him. His fear was confirmed by a single nod.

"No need to do that now…you can sit where you want." Munkustrap gave a small smile as Deuteronomy gave a quick reassuring squeeze to his paws. He settled down beside Deuteronomy on the warm tyre.

Deuteronomy glanced at Munkustrap a while later, finding him watching the kittens curiously.

"Old Deuteronomy," He turned his head, smiling.

"Ah, Jellylorum, how are you this fine day?" He greeted. Jellylorum, a thin grey/brown queen, smiled.

"Wonderful," She replied, before turning her brown eyes to Munkustrap. "And this must be…Munkustrap, right?" Deuteronomy nodded.

"Hello, Munkustrap, my name is Jellylorum…or Jelly for short."

"Hi," Munkustrap greeted shyly. Jellylorum smiled and inclined her head.

"I thought I'd just introduce myself, now I must go find where my father has disappeared to." Deuteronomy chuckled, nodding.

"Thank you, Jelly." Jelly smiled, before turning and walking away.

"Her father is Gus the theatre cat, have you heard of him?" Deuteronomy asked Munkustrap. Munkus shook his head.

"You will soon, he tells such amazing stories." Munkustrap smiled at that.

"Sir, w-what are the kittens' names?" Munkustrap asked hesitantly.

"That black and white splotched kitten is Alonzo," Deuteronomy pointed out. "His father is Antony, that black and brown Tom sitting by the oven."

"The red and black queen-kit and the gold and black queen-kit are Bombalurina and Demeter; their parents are Penny and Triton, sitting in front of that den there." Deuteronomy continued.

"The sleek brown Siamese queen-kit sitting with her mother and father over there is Cassandra, she rarely plays the rough-house games, she's quite…precious." Deuteronomy said carefully.

"Then of course you have my boys, Macavity and Tugger." Munkustrap gave a nod.

"You're the youngest at the moment, but I have a feeling you won't be for long."

"Oh?" Munkus stammered, unsure. Deuteronomy gave a wink.

"There are new mates appearing, love is around…" The middle-aged leader laughed. Munkus gave a small smile.

"Do you want to know who the rest of the Jellicles are?" Deuteronomy asked him.

"Yes, sir."

"Okay, well, that grey and black Queen over there is Grizabella." Deuteronomy started, pointing out a rather grouchy looking queen. "She's Demeter's and Bombalurina's aunt."

"Nathaniel is the brown and white Siamese cat, his mate, Cleo, is the one sitting beside him."

"Over there you have Asparagus Junior, he is Jellylorum's mate."

"Then you have Skimbleshanks, the railway cat, who you've met briefly...his mate is Jennyanydots."

"Oh, and this is Tirus, our Protector." Deuteronomy introduced as a black, white and brown Tom strode up.

"How are you, Tirus?" Deuteronomy greeted.

"Fine, sir." Tirus said stiffly. Munkustrap gave a small shudder. Tirus's voice was deep and gravelly, not unlike some of old master's voices.

"Munkustrap, are you okay?" Deuteronomy asked, concerned, as he felt the large shudder go through the tiny kitten.

"Yes, sir." Munkustrap answered, looking up at him. Deuteronomy frowned, his brown eyes searching the large, innocent green ones staring back at him. He sighed and gave a nod, turning his attention back to the Protector.

"Sorry, Tirus, what were you after?" Deuteronomy asked.

"I was wondering if I could have a private word with you, Deuteronomy?"

"Yes, of course," Deuteronomy turned to look at the young kitten beside him. "I'll be back in a moment." Munkustrap nodded and Deuteronomy slipped off of the tyre, walking away with the serious Protector.

"So, Tugger, who's he?" Bombalurina asked as they collapsed to the ground, needing a rest.

"Some kitten Dad brought home." Tugger shrugged.

"From where?" Demeter asked, her amber eyes wide.

"Markets." Macavity yawned as he settled down.

"What?!" The kittens gasped.

"He was a slave, Dad freed him and brought him here 'cause he'd be safe." Macavity explained. The kittens all stared, wide-eyed, at the thin, bruised, small silver kitten huddled up on the tyre, shooting nervous glances to where Deuteronomy stood.

"How old is he?"

"Younger than us all apparently." Macavity murmured, looking at the kitten sadly.

"Whaz his name?" Alonzo asked, a slight accent slipping into his words.

"It's 'what's', Lonz, Jenny told you to keep practising how to say T." Demeter inputted.

"His name is Munkustrap." Bomba screwed her nose up.

"What kinda name is that?"

"Dunno," Tugger replied, shrugging. "But you know Dad…"

"As leader this is my choice!" The kittens all jumped at the sound of Deuteronomy's yell.

"I don't want to hear it!" Deuteronomy stalked away from Tirus and back to the tyre, where Munkus flinched back slightly. They watched as Deuteronomy calmed and held up his paws as he murmured softly to the kitten, gently coaxing him back.

"What's wrong with him?" Bomba asked, eyebrow raised.

"He's scared."

"Pfft, of what?!"

"Deme, he was a slave, he was beaten all of his life." Macavity explained, rolling his eyes. The kittens all blinked.

"He's gonna be afraid of how others react to things…sometimes he's too terrified to talk, or eat…" Macavity trailed off. "I'll be back." Macavity left the stunned kittens behind as he scampered towards the tyre, leaping up onto it.

"Hello, Macavity." His father greeted, smiling. "What brings you here?"

"Just wanted to talk to Munkus," Macavity shrugged as he settled down next to the silver kitten.

"Me?" Munkustrap asked, surprised. Macavity nodded, smiling. Munkustrap gave a smile, his tail swishing. Munkus lay down, stretching out on the tyre to sun himself. Macavity lay beside him, resting his head on Munkustrap's back and wrapping his tail around the back of Munkustrap. Munkustrap turned his head, staring at Macavity, surprised. Macavity just smiled and started purring. Munkustrap smiled, setting his head back on his paws as he began purring happily.

Deuteronomy smiled as he watched Macavity curl up with Munkustrap, making the silver kitten purr.

The kitten was feeling safe and accepted by Macavity.

Deuteronomy smiled as he settled down on the warm tyre, yawning. At least young Munkustrap had found a companion in Macavity.

A while later Deuteronomy sluggishly opened his eyes. He must have fallen asleep. He stretched as he sat up, looking towards his new charge. Munkustrap and Macavity were awake, sitting on the tyre and talking. Munkustrap was smiling as he spoke to Macavity. Deuteronomy could see he was relaxed by his body posture. He wasn't holding his body rigid and his tail was swishing lazily. Macavity was laid out on his stomach, arms folded in front of him as he spoke to Munkustrap. Deuteronomy smiled as he settled down again, watching the occupants of the yard.

"So, Munk, wanna play?" Macavity asked. Munkustrap looked back at Deuteronomy, who nodded reassuringly. Munkustrap looked back to Macavity and nodded.

"Sure," He said, giving a shaky smile. Macavity leapt off the tyre, before turning and lifting his arms up. Munkustrap allowed Macavity to lift him down off the tyre, smiling. He placed Munkustrap on the ground, taking his paw before he led him over to the other kittens.

"Hey, guys, this is Munkustrap." Macavity introduced as he led the shy kitten over to them. Tugger grinned and bounded over to him.

"Heya," Tugger grinned.

"Hi, Tugger." Munkustrap murmured. Tugger grinned.

"Munkus, this is Alonzo," The black and white kitten waved.

"Demeter," The gold and black queen-kit smiled shyly.

"Bombalurina," The red and black queen kit gave a nod, before she murmured something in her sister's ear. Macavity smiled at Munkustrap reassuringly as he sat down. Munkus sat beside him, keeping close to the older ginger kitten. The kittens started chatting and giggling. Munkustrap watched them, keeping quiet. Macavity looked to Munkustrap, nudging him slightly.

"Don't worry," Macavity murmured in his ear. "They'll warm up to you soon enough." Macavity smiled at Munkustrap, wrapping his tail around the small silver kitten reassuringly.

"Thanks, Macavity."

"Any time, kitten."

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So there's that chapter!

Also, for those who read Genetically Perfect, go check out my deviant-art (Humanguineapig94) as I have pictures of me as Ronan, since I finally finished his costume and wore it out!

May be a little while before next update as I have assessments to prepare for and finish…boooo

Thanks to those who reviewed!

Please read and review!

Love,

HGP!