Deuteronomy had been right. The last two weeks had been extremely hard on the yard. Jenny had sunk into a depression and barely left her den; Skimble did his best to remain positive though and could be found playing with or reading to Cori and Tantomile.

Munkus had gone quiet too and spent most of his time either by Deuteronomy's side or by Macavity's. Tirus had been blaming Munkus for the attack on Jenny and the miscarriage of her kittens. Deuteronomy had been walking, just taking some time to relax and reflect when he had heard voices around a junk pile. Deuteronomy paused to listen.

"It's that kitten's fault!" He heard Tirus hiss. "All he has brought is trouble to the yard since he's been here!"

"Zat's not true, Tirus," Antony snapped. "He's just a kitten,"

"He's a slave!" Tirus growled. "And he will never lose that tag, ever!"

"It's not Munkustrap's fault!" Antony snarled. "The poor thing is just trying to live a normal life now, it's not like he's asking these Toms to come back and haunt him! The poor thing was petrified when we rescued him at the park!"

"Everything in the yard was peaceful until he came here," Tirus continued his rant. "He found those mystic kittens, Triton was killed, Jenny was attacked…!"

"You're completely insane, Tirus!" Antony said, exasperated. "Cori and Tantomile would've died if he had not found them, and yes, while I was opposed to them at the start, zey are good kittens!" Antony responded.

"And for Triton being killed, how is zat Munkustrap's fault?!" Antony growled. "He was here in the yard, listening to one of Gus's stories! And as for Jenny being attacked, zat wasn't his fault! Deuteronomy warned zat Tom!"

"You once didn't want that kitten in the yard like the rest of us, Antony," Tirus responded coldly.

"Zat was before I watched him and got to know him," Antony replied quietly. "He was such a broken little thing and so scared," Deuteronomy stood frozen in place, part of him was furious at Tirus but he was also grateful to Antony for defending his boy. Tirus scoffed.

"Nathaniel, you have brains, what do you think?" Tirus asked. Deuteronomy frowned. He hadn't heard Nathaniel say anything yet.

"I agree with Antony on this one," The quiet Tom responded. "The kitten has not done anything wrong,"

"How do you explain the Tom being gone, huh?" Tirus hissed. "He's just a kitten; he shouldn't have been able to take on a Tom!" Deuteronomy decided to make himself know then

"He didn't have to," The three Toms turned to look at him, Antony giving him a sad smile. Deuteronomy stared at Tirus, who just glared at the junk pile in front of him.

"Munkus stood up to him," Deuteronomy explained. "That was enough for the Tom to become disinterested in him," Deuteronomy was twisting the story a little bit, but he knew if he mentioned that the Tom had been scared of Munkus that Tirus would take it that Munkustrap was a danger. Tirus gave a huff.

"And, Tirus," Deuteronomy started. Tirus looked at the Jellicle Leader. "Leave my son alone, he hasn't done anything wrong…and he's scared enough as it is," Tirus gave a curt nod before turning and leaving.

"Sorry, Deut," Antony murmured. Deuteronomy turned to look at him and gave a small smile.

"You have no reason to apologize, Antony," He told the Italian Tom gently. "Thank you, and you too, Nathaniel, for sticking up for my boy," The two Toms gave small smiles before they too left, heading back to their own kittens. Deuteronomy sighed softly before he headed back to the main clearing.

Munkus hesitated near Jenny and Skimble's den, unsure. He wanted to go see Jenny, no one besides Skimble and Jelly had seen her in two weeks, even Cori and Tanto hadn't really seen her as she hadn't left her bed. Munkus peered around, looking for Skimble. Skimble wouldn't allow anyone to disturb Jenny since she asked for no company. Munkus spotted the Railway cat sitting with Jelly and Asparagus. Cori and Tantomile were fast asleep in his lap as he idly stroked their backs as he spoke to Jelly and Asp. Gus was sitting just a little further down, playing with his grand-kits. Munkus quickly padded along the edge of the junkyard, trying to stay to the shadows so he wasn't spotted. He ducked into Jenny's den and looked around.

It was quite dark, which was very unusual.

Jenny was one who had to have her den open and bright, not closed up and dark.

Munkus slowly crept to Jenny's room, ears flattened worriedly. He peered into her room, finding her curled up in bed. He hesitantly crept over to the bed.

"Aunty Jenny?" Munkus murmured as he rounded the bed. He bit his lip at the state of Jenny.

Her eyes were tired, red and puffy and her face was drawn.

She barely looked at him as tears leaked from her eyes. Munkus knelt beside her bed, looking at her.

"A-Aunty Jenny," He whispered. As he got no reply, Munkus cast his gaze down, staring at his paws.

"I'm so sorry," Munkus sobbed quietly. "I should have stopped him sooner, I-I should have never of come here," Munkus bit his lip, claws digging into his thighs.

"You should have just told him where I was, and then you wouldn't be hurt…I wasn't worth it, I wasn't worth saving," Tears slipped from his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Jennyanydots, I'm so sorry," Munkus buried his head into his arms, sobbing softly.

"I should never have been brought here and freed, I'm not worth the trouble," The kitten looked up, sobbing softly, as a gentle paw rubbed his ears. Jennyanydots was looking at him sadly.

"Oh, honey," She rasped, her voice hoarse from not being used in the last two weeks. Jenny slowly sat up, gently grabbing Munkustrap's arms and pulling him up onto the bed with her. Jenny held the tom-kit close as he sobbed against her.

"Oh, my darling, it wasn't your fault," Jenny whispered as she cradled Munkus close. "If you hadn't run in then, he would have killed me…" She winced as Munkus gave a rough sob. That probably wasn't the best thing to say.

"I mean, you saved me, Munkustrap," Jenny murmured as she gently stroked Munkustrap's cheek with her thumb.

"And don't be silly, my darling, you were definitely worth saving, you belong here more than you realise!" Jenny cuddled the young Tom-kit close, taking in a deep breath. She felt more awake than she had in weeks, since this little one had come to her, sobbing for forgiveness, it had woken her up.

Jenny wasn't the only one suffering.

She looked down to the kitten in her arms, finding Munkus looking back up at her, tears slowly leaking from his large bottle-green eyes. Jenny smiled at him as she gently cupped his face in her paws. She leaned down and kissed his forehead.

"You are one of the best things to ever happen to our family." Jenny whispered. "If something happened to you, I don't know how we'd ever cope." Munkus gave a small, shaky smile at that. Jenny lay back down, smiling as Munkus snuggled in close to her. She stared at his innocent silver face, smiling softly. Munkustrap curled into Jenny's arms, accepting her hugs and love.

He felt better now that he had spoken to her and she had said those things to him. Munkus had never thought he had meant that much to someone, to be told that he was one of the best things that could have happened to his new family.

He looked back to Jennyanydots when her paw gently stroked his cheek, and found that she was looking at him, smiling softly. Munkus smiled back weakly as he cuddled against her. Jenny held him close, humming softly as they lay there.

Skimble quietly walked into the den, going to check on Jenny. He peered into the room and his eyes widened before he gave a soft smile.

Jenny was asleep, her face peaceful, as she held a sleeping Munkus close. Munkus was cuddled against her, his head tucked under hers.

Skimble gave another smile before he quietly crept back out, deciding to let the two sleep.

It was the first time he had seen Jenny so peaceful since they had lost the kittens.

Skimble walked back out in the yard, casting his gaze over the occupants. His gaze landed on Deuteronomy, who stood at the tyre, looking around worriedly. Skimble headed over to him.

"What's wrong, Deut?" Skimble asked, grinning as he stepped up beside his brother. Deuteronomy glanced at his younger brother.

"I can't find Munkus and I'm worried," Deuteronomy murmured. "Tirus has been giving him a hard time, and I know he's been blaming himself and I'm just…"

"Whoa, take a breath, brother!" Skimble chuckled. Deuteronomy glared at him. Skimble held up his paws in surrender.

"Easy, easy," Skimble told him. "Munkus is fine!"

"How do you know that?" Deuteronomy asked curiously. Skimble grinned.

"Follow me…but be quiet!" Skimble warned him, giving him a wink. Deuteronomy frowned but followed his brother across the clearing and into his den. Skimble turned to him before they reached his bedroom and put a finger to his lips. Deuteronomy nodded and Skimble pointed into his room. Deuteronomy peered in and smiled at the sight of Munkus curled up and sleeping with Jennyanydots, the Gumbie Cat holding him close.

"That's the most peaceful I've seen her in weeks," Skimble admitted to him quietly. Deut smiled.

"What are you two staring at?" The two brothers looked back to Jenny to find her blinking sluggishly as she stared at them.

"Sorry, Jen," Skimble grinned as he softly walked over to his mate. Jenny smiled up at him, reaching up to cup his cheek.

"How are you feeling, my love?" Skimble asked softly, trying not to disturb the sleeping Munkustrap.

"Awake," Jenny replied, smiling. "I'm feeling…I'm feeling better," Skimble smiled and leaned down to kiss his mate. He pulled away when he heard a tired mumble. They looked down and saw Munkustrap stirring.

The silver tom-kit opened his eyes and saw Skimble hovering above him. He bit his lip and looked up at Skimble sheepishly.

"Sorry, Uncle Skimble," Munkus mumbled. Skimble frowned.

"For what, lad?"

"I know you told us to let Aunty Jenny rest, but…but I wanted to see her," Skimble just smiled at the kitten's quiet apology.

"Lad, I don't mind," Skimble grinned as he ruffled Munkustrap's head-fur. "In fact, thank you," Jenny smiled softly as Munkus looked up, confused. Munkus looked between Jenny and Skimble, confused, but he remained silent, choosing not to question it.

"Munkus?" Munkus looked up, smiling when he saw his dad in the doorway. Deuteronomy held his paw out, smiling.

"Come now, my boy, let Jenny and Skimble have some time together." Munkus nodded, turning to Jenny. He wrapped his arms around her and cuddled her tight. Jenny smiled as she hugged the small tom-kit close.

"I'm glad you're feeling better, Aunty Jenny." Munkus murmured. "I've missed you." Jenny squeezed the kitten momentarily.

"Thank you, my darling," She murmured in his ear before she let him go. Munkus quickly headed over to his dad, giving Skimble one last smile. Deuteronomy smiled as Munkus took his paw and they both left the den.

"Hey, Dad?" Munku inquired as they walked across the clearing and towards their den.

"Yes, Munkus?"

"Do you think Jenny is going to be better now?" Deuteronomy looked at the kitten and smiled at the innocence he had somehow managed to keep throughout his tormented years.

"I think she will get better now, Munku," Deuteronomy said softly. "It will still be a bit hard for her, for a while more, but she's started to recover now." Munkus smiled at that.

"What about you?" Deuteronomy asked him. Munkustrap looked up at him questioningly. "Do you feel better?" Munkus gave a small nod.

"I do…Jenny helped me," Munkus smiled broadly. Deuteronomy smiled, relieved.

"I'm glad, Munkus." Deuteronomy told him. "I was worried about my boy." Munkus hugged Deuteronomy's waist as they walked along, causing Deuteronomy to chuckle as they trudged along, Munkus hanging off of his waist.

Finally things were back to how they should be.

Deuteronomy hoped that the bliss, peace and recovery would last and the yard would remain blissfully happy.

Of course, that's never how it goes.

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Sorry it's been a while, but I've been rather distracted and just haven't had the will to write…

It might be a little bit before the next update, depending on things…

Thanks to those who reviewed!

Please read and review!

Love,

HGP!