Munkustrap ran his paw through Quaxo's soft ebony fur as the kitten napped on his lap. The kitten refused to leave Munkustrap's lap or side, whimpering and crying out when Jenny tried to put Quaxo on the same cushion as his napping sister.

"Deut, what will happen to these two?" Jenny asked quietly as to not disturb the sleeping kittens. Deuteronomy sighed softly.

"They will remain here, we just need to find them a family to live with," Deuteronomy murmured.

"Maybe Jelly could look after Vicky, since she's just given birth to two Queen-kits?" Jenny inputted. Deuteronomy gave a small nod.

"But what of Quaxo?"

"I can look after him." Skimble, Jenny and Deuteronomy looked up at Munkus in shock at that. Cori and Tantomile just looked up from where they meditating, smiling softly at him.

"Honey, you're just a kitten yourself…" Jenny started. Munkus sighed, looking at Quaxo.

"I've never been a kitten, Jen," Munkus murmured. Jenny winced at that. She glanced to Deuteronomy to back her up on this, but he was just staring at Munkustrap thoughtfully. Skimble noticed the look Cori and Tantomile gave each other, both of their green-gold eyes seeming to glow slightly. He knew what that meant, having seen it a couple of times, it meant they were in a trance, seeing something.

"Cori, Tanti?" Skimble asked softly. Jenny, Deuteronomy and Munkustrap turned their attention to the twins. The twins blinked slowly in unison as they looked at Munkustrap and Quaxo.

"The kitten is special," Cori whispered.

"Though his life walks on the line…" Tantomile breathed.

"Between good and evil…"

"On one path, his life looks bleak…"

"But on the other, there is light and he is a saviour…" The twins both looked at Munkustrap and smiled, the glow behind their eyes fading.

"And with Munkustrap, the path looks the brightest," Tantomile told them, smiling. Deuteronomy gave a small nod, smiling.

"How is Quaxo special?" Munkustrap asked as he gently rubbed the kitten's ears. Cori frowned slightly as he stared at the kitten.

"That we cannot see or feel just yet." Cori murmured. Munkus nodded before he looked to Deuteronomy.

"Dad?" Munkus asked, almost pleading. Deuteronomy smiled and gave a nod.

"Quaxo can come live with us, but he will be your responsibility, I'm getting too old now to watch a growing kitten all of the time," Munkus grinned and nodded.

"Sir, what is this news about more kittens?" Deuteronomy noticed Munkustrap's shudder as he heard Tirus's voice. Though time had passed, Tirus was still very untrusting of Munkustrap and frequently made it known that he did not want Munkustrap in the yard.

"We have two more little ones," Deuteronomy explained as Tirus walked into the den, glaring at Munkustrap. Deuteronomy frowned as he watched Munkustrap close up on himself, lowering his eyes to stare at the kitten asleep in his lap and shoulders bowed, looking quite vulnerable. It was times like these that Deuteronomy was reminded that Munkustrap was still a kitten, and still was quite vulnerable.

"What's the plan for them?" Tirus asked gruffly. Munkustrap glanced down when he felt Quaxo stirring, the young kitten rubbing his eyes as he looked up at Munkustrap.

"Little Victoria," Deuteronomy indicated to the sleeping white kitten. "Will hopefully be homed with Jelly, Skimble was just about to go check?" Skimble gave a nod as he got to his feet, leaving the den. Tirus gave a curt nod, eyes softening slightly as he looked at the tiny white Queen-kit.

"And Quaxo will be staying with Munkustrap and I, though Munkus will technically be his guardian," Tirus turned his glare to Munkustrap, who kept his head down and his eyes focused on the kitten in his lap.

"Sir, is that wise?" Tirus growled. "I can understand the kitten living with you, but with him?!" Quaxo frowned as he noticed that black, white and brown Tom was glaring at Munkustrap. Deuteronomy frowned at Tirus.

"Now, Tirus…" Deuteronomy started firmly.

"You don't know what he'll do to this kitten!" Tirus snapped. "He could…could teach him to kill or steal or hurt others," He rambled. "Or he could abuse the kitten like he was abused…!"

"I would never hurt anyone like I was hurt!" Munkustrap snarled quietly, his bottle green eyes snapping up to glare icily at Tirus. "I would never allow anyone to go through the pain and suffering I went through; I will do whatever I can to protect them from experiencing that!"

"That is quite enough now," Deuteronomy interjected when he saw Tirus about to argue against Munkustrap. "Munkustrap is my son, and I trust him with my life so I certainly trust him with raising a kitten, especially since he of all cats knows what it is like to be…" Deuteronomy hesitated slightly, glancing at his youngest, adopted son.

"Especially since he knows what it is like to be unloved, alone and hurt, I doubt he'd ever allow a kitten to feel the same way that he did." Munkustrap gave a small nod in agreement. Tirus bit his lip agitatedly.

"Sir, I still don't see how…" Tirus snarled. "He is untrustworthy!" Deuteronomy rolled his eyes as Jenny hissed softly at Tirus.

"Really?" Deuteronomy asked coolly. Tirus gave a nod. Deuteronomy spread his arms, as though telling Tirus 'fine, you win'.

"If that is how you believe it is, and you believe Munkustrap is a danger to Quaxo, then you may take Quaxo from Munkus." Cori and Tantomile exchanged a smirk at Deuteronomy's instruction. Tirus gave a nod, moving over to try and take the kitten. Munkustrap stared at Deuteronomy, wide-eyed, before calming when he saw the reassuring smile that his dad sent him, assuring him that he had something up his sleeve.

As Tirus reached down, Quaxo started whimpered, clutching on tightly to Munkustrap.

"C'mon, kitten," Tirus said gruffly.

"No!" Quaxo wailed, clutching onto Munkustrap's arm tightly. "No leaving Munkus, no leaving Munkus!" Tirus tried to grab Quaxo's arm but the kitten turned and snapped at him with his tiny fangs. Tirus quickly let go, knowing how painfully sharp kittens' teeth could be. He stood back, frowning.

Quaxo quickly calmed down when he realised Tirus wasn't going to try and take him away from Munkustrap anymore. Quaxo cuddled close to Munkustrap, before he looked back at Tirus, claws gripping onto Munkustrap's fur securely.

"I not leaving Munkus," Quaxo whimpered. "Munkus is nice," Munkustrap smiled softly as the kitten voiced that. Tirus just blinked.

"Uh, Deut?" Deuteronomy looked up and saw Skimble giving him a small shake of his head.

"Jelly said as much as she would love too, she doesn't think it'll be fair on Victoria when she and Asp will be focused on the newer ones, and Admetus and Plato," Deuteronomy gave a nod. Jelly did make a fair point there. Deuteronomy sighed as he looked to the small white kitten, which looked at the large leader, her blue eyes wide. Deuteronomy gently scooped the small queen-kit into his arms, holding her close.

"It is alright, little one," Deuteronomy cooed softly. "We shall find a loving home for you." Victoria smiled at the elder leader.

"Cori, Tanto, don't you have lessons with Trelawney?" Jenny spoke up suddenly. The twins looked at each other before giving a nod.

"Yes, we should get there before Trelawney feels the need to send for us," Tantomile murmured, causing Cori to shudder.

"I'd rather not have another itching hex put on me," Tantomile nodded in agreement.

"We'll see you soon." The twins smiled before they turned and quickly darted from the den.

"They're funny," Munkus looked down to Quaxo and gave a chuckle.

"Yes, they are quite funny," Munkustrap responded to the small kitten. Quaxo smiled as he cuddled against Munkustrap's fur. Tirus scowled as he turned his head to look out the door.

"Sir, Bustopher Jones is here," Tirus said, surprised. Deuteronomy smiled.

"Excellent! It has been a while since we have seen him." Deuteronomy looked at Jenny, Skimble and Munkus.

"Shall we go sit outside?" Munkus nodded as Jenny looked at her giant stomach.

"I might just rest in here," Jenny smiled. Munkustrap gathered Quaxo up and walked outside, not looking at Tirus as he slipped past him.

He had yet to meet Bustopher Jones.

Deuteronomy, Skimble and Tirus followed him out. Skimble had Vicky cuddled close against his vest. Munkus settled down by the tyre, smiling at Quaxo, as Tirus went back to patrol.

"Bustopher, my old friend!" Deuteronomy smiled as he approached a rather robust tuxedo Tom.

"Deuteronomy!" Bustopher greeted, hugging his old friend. "How are things?"

"Good, very good," Deuteronomy smiled as he led Bustopher over to the tyre, where Skimble now sat with Munkustrap.

"Bustopher, I don't think you've met my youngest son, Munkustrap." Munkustrap got to his feet, Quaxo balanced on his hip. Munkustrap cautiously offered his free paw, which Bustopher took, eyeing the silver tom-kit up and down.

"It's a pleasure, sir," Munkus smiled. Bustopher gave a nod, brow furrowing as he thought.

"Wait, Deut…didn't Lily…" Bustopher trailed off as he looked to his friend. Deuteronomy gave a sad sigh.

"Yes, Lily passed away a little while ago. Munkus is my adopted son," Deuteronomy added, knowing that was what his friend was asking. Munkus had sat back down by then, and was playing with Quaxo as Victoria watched from Skimble's lap.

"Where'd you find him? How old is the boy, Deut?" Bustopher asked quietly as he looked at Munkustrap. He liked the young silver tom-kit; he seemed like a nice young tom.

"I…I rescued him, he was a slave," Deuteronomy said quietly. Bustopher's eyes widened in shock. "I adopted him officially a few months later; he was just like a son."

"How old is he now?"

"Just about to become a fledgling Tom," Deuteronomy smiled proudly. Bustopher smiled when he noticed the loving look in Deuteronomy's eyes as he gazed at his adopted son.

"And who do these little ones belong to?" Bustopher asked. Deuteronomy gaze turned sad as he looked at the kittens, who were clambering over Munkustrap, giggling.

"Munkus, Coricopat and Tantomile found the little ones with the body of their dead mother." Deuteronomy murmured sadly. Bustopher winced before he lowered himself to the ground, Deuteronomy sitting beside him. He smiled as the white-queen kit as she rolled off of Munkustrap's lap, coming to a stop just in front of him. Bustopher was taken aback as the little queen-kit beamed at him, her crystal blue eyes shining brightly.

"Deut, have they got a home yet?" Bustopher asked suddenly. Deuteronomy looked to Bustopher, head tilting slightly.

"Quaxo has become quite taken with Munkustrap, so we're taking the little tom-kit in…however, we haven't found a home for little Victoria." Bustopher gently scooped the little white Queen-kit into his arms. Victoria purred softly as she snuggled against the large Tom, seeming comforted by him.

"Well, she's taken a liking to you," Deuteronomy smiled. Bustopher smiled.

Bustopher had been alone for a while now, since his mate had cheated on him and left him. She had crushed him when he had discovered the affair; she had just yelled at him, sneering, that he wasn't good enough.

"Hey, Munkus, what have you got there?" Deuteronomy moved his attention away from Bustopher as he heard Macavity's voice. The young Tom was walking over, settling down beside Munkustrap. Macavity was growing up and was now a respectable young Tom. His fur was starting to get long, but was brushed back neatly.

"Where'd they come from?" Macavity asked, surprised, as he watched Quaxo clamber over Munkustrap's back.

"Cori, Tanto and I found the two with the body of their mother," Munkustrap murmured quietly. Macavity frowned as Munkus winced before he made a point of getting Quaxo's attention on him. Macavity looked in the direction Munkustrap had been looking at. He gave a sharp intake of breath when he noticed Tirus carrying the body of a dead Queen.

Munkus glanced at his brother at the sharp intake of breath. He frowned as noticed Macavity had paled.

"Mac, are you okay?" Macavity gave a shaky nod, smiling at him brother.

"Y-Yeah, fine, Munk, I'm just a little…shocked," Munkus tilted his head, confused.

"How come?" Munk asked, confused. "You've…you've seen a few bodies before," Macavity sighed.

"I…I knew her," Macavity murmured. "Not well, but…I knew her."

"Sorry, Mac," Munkus murmured, glancing at his brother, finding him staring at Quaxo and Victoria, seeming shocked.

"Deut," Bustopher spoke up hesitantly. Deuteronomy looked at his friend.

"Yes?"

"W-Why don't I take Victoria in?" Bustopher asked hesitantly. "You know she'll be well looked after with me, I will treat her as my own," Deuteronomy smiled. He saw the adoration in Bustopher's eyes as he watched Victoria play with her brother. He knew Bustopher had always wanted to be a father, to have his own kits to raise and spoil, but after his mate had left him those dreams were near impossible.

"I know you will," Deuteronomy smiled. "You'll raise her as your little princess, won't you?" Deuteronomy chuckled knowingly. Bustopher smiled, giving a small nod.

"I just ask that you bring her to the yard at least every second day so she isn't apart from her brother." Deuteronomy requested. Bustopher nodded.

"I will."

"Victoria," Deuteronomy called softly, getting the white queen-kits attention.

"Yes?" She squeaked timidly as she walked up to him.

"This is Bustopher Jones," Deuteronomy introduced her to the larger Tom. Victoria smiled broadly at the larger Tom.

"Hello, Victoria," Bustopher greeted.

"Hi," The white kitten grinned, tail swishing.

"Vicky," Deuteronomy murmured. "Bustopher is going to be looking after you, is that okay?" Victoria nodded as she clambered onto Bustopher's lap, getting hugged close by the larger Tom, purring. Quaxo looked at Victoria, seeming worried.

"I don't want Vicky to go!" Quaxo whimpered. Munkus cuddled the kitten close.

"You'll still see her," Munkus assured the kitten gently. Bustopher nodded in agreement.

"I'll always bring her around to see you, you are her brother after all," Bustopher promised the little tuxedo kitten. Quaxo tilted his head as his stared at Bustopher with his purple-green eyes; it felt like he was staring into Bustopher's very soul.

"What do I call you?" Quaxo asked as he relaxed against Munkustrap. "Can you be my uncle?" Bustopher beamed, giving a nod.

"Yes, my dear boy, you can call me your Uncle Bustopher," Quaxo grinned as he looked up at Munkus, who smiled back at the kitten. Munkustrap watched the kitten as Quaxo trundled out of his lap and over to his sister.

The kitten seemed wiser than his years and there was something about him but Munkus couldn't quite put his finger on what it was just yet.

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Eep, sorry I haven't updated in a while but I've had Jury Duty and on the weekends I had charity events/conventions and then it was Easter…busy, busy, busy!

Hopefully I won't keep you waiting too long for the next update!

Thanks to those who reviewed last chapter!

Please read and review!

Love,
HGP