Munkustrap walked around the yard, enjoying the rare sunshine and warmth the day had to offer.

It had almost been a week since his father had ordered he take a rest from Protector duties, so that he could try and get the rest his body was deprived of and so he could have adequate time to deal with his past horrors.

It had also been a week since Mungo and Teazer had been accepted into the yard and they were thriving. The others had welcomed them with open arms, even though they knew of the siblings' past and thieving habits, which made things a lot easier. Munkustrap did have to set some rules though when it came to stealing.

They had been shocked when Munkustrap said he'd turn a blind eye if they wanted to thieve outside of the yard, knowing how hard some habits were to give up, but they were not to steal from anyone that could hurt them, who would seek revenge and harm the Jellicles.

He understood how hard some habits from the past were to give up. He still had habits from his days as a slave, such as his particular cleaning habits.

Munkustrap sighed as he focused back on his walk, giving a small smile.

At first he had loathed that he had been taken off his duties, feeling like such a disappointment, but once he had had the talk with Tantomile, plus reassurance from his father, it felt nice to have time to just relax.

Munkustrap heard a loud clang echo from the clearing to his left. He frowned and headed towards it. He paused at the edge of the clearing as he saw Jemima getting to her feet, seeming to have tripped over a bucket lying on the ground.

"Are you hurt, Jem?" Munkustrap asked as he quickly walked over to her, helping her to get to her feet. Jemima shook her head, her eyes remaining on the ground.

"No, I-I'm okay, I just didn't see it," She murmured, her head turned away from Munkustrap. Munkustrap frowned at her off-ish behaviour. Usually Jemima was very affectionate, her chocolate brown eyes staring at you with such love and warmth, but now she was refusing to make eye-contact.

Munkustrap frowned as he thought back. Lately Jemima had become withdrawn, shying away from others and had become a bit clumsy, tripping over things or walking into objects. Munkus looked around the clearing they were in, finding most of it cast in shadow.

It was time to prove his theory.

"Jemima, look at me," Munkustrap said firmly. "I want to know if you are alright." When Jemima slowly started to lift her head, Munkustrap swiftly and silently stepped aside, moving to stand beside the kitten instead.

Jemima looked up to where Munkustrap had been standing moments ago and just stared.

"See? I'm fine, Munkus," Jemima said to no-one.

Munkustrap winced, his point had been proven.

He sighed heavily, causing Jemima to jump in surprise.

"Oh, Jemima," He murmured sadly. Jemima spun around to where he was standing now, eyes wide in shock.

Munkustrap gently crouched down, placing his paw on her shoulder.

"How long have you been having trouble seeing, sweetie?" He asked sadly. Jemima's bottom lip trembled. Munkustrap gently tilted Jemima's head up; looking into her eyes and finding the normally warm, bright chocolate brown eyes were now covered in a thin, grey film.

"I-I can still see," She sniffled. "B-But it's just shadows and shapes," Munkustrap pulled the now sobbing kitten into his arms, cradling her close.

"How long, Jem?" He asked sadly.

"I-It started getting bad last month," Jemima hiccupped.

"Have you told Jenny?" Munkus murmured, gently nuzzling her ears. Jemima shook her head as she clutched at Munkustrap's fur.

"I-I didn't w-want too," She cried softly as she buried her face into Munkustrap's neck. "I-I thought it would get better!" Munkustrap hugged the sobbing kitten close, trying to comfort her the best that he could.

Munkustrap stood up, scooping the crying kitten into his arms and holding her close.

"I'm taking you to see Jenny, Jem," He murmured softly to her as he carried her away. "Maybe she can find a way to help," Jemima nodded against his shoulder as she cuddled close to him.

Munkustrap walked through the clearing, ignoring the looks he got, and headed towards the infirmary. He ducked inside, finding Jenny sitting down and knitting in the corner. She looked up as they entered.

"Oh dear, is everything okay?" Jenny asked worriedly as Munkustrap set the crying Jemima down. Munkustrap gave a small shake of his head, looking at Jemima as he gently took her paw.

"Jemima has been having trouble with her sight, Jenny," Munkustrap explained softly. Jemima gave a sob at that. Jenny looked at Jemima worriedly, quickly kneeling down and tilting Jemima's head up so she could examine her eyes.

Munkustrap watched as Jenny's worried expression turned to one of heartbreak.

"J-Jenny?" Jemima sniffled. Jenny gently stroked Jemima's cheek.

"How long have you been having trouble seeing, darling?" Jenny asked softly.

"It's gotten bad over the last month," Jemima hiccupped in reply. Jenny sighed softly as she gently grabbed Jemima's paw.

"What can you see now?"

"Only shapes and shadows, it-it gets worse when it's dark," Jemima mumbled.

"Oh, honey," Jenny whispered.

"Is there anything you can do, Jen?" Munkustrap asked sadly as he cuddled the distraught kitten close. Jenny shook her head silently.

"Not for this condition," She murmured regretfully. "However, I can probably slow the process and stop it from deteriorating any further," Munkustrap nodded, gently rubbing Jemima's back comfortingly.

"Jemima, just because you have trouble seeing, doesn't mean you should withdraw from the others," Munkustrap told her softly. Jemima sniffled.

"B-But they won't want to play with me," She hiccupped.

"You don't know that, Jem," Jenny added. "There may be some games that you can't play anymore, but it doesn't mean the kittens won't play with you."

"But I'm different!"

"And so is Quaxo," Munkustrap soothed. "I know he will never, ever leave you alone." Jemima buried her face into Munkustrap's shoulder, crying.

Munkustrap's heart felt like it was breaking for the sweet, young queen-kit. Her life had barely begun and now she would live out the rest of her days not being able to see the beauty of the world around her.

Munkustrap stood at the edge of the clearing, watching as the other Jellicles laughed and danced in the main clearing, illuminated by colourful lights strung up around the yard and by the bright moonlight.

"Penny for your thoughts, Munkustrap?" Munkustrap smiled at the soft voice beside his ear. He turned and smiled at Tantomile as she stood beside him, smiling back at him.

"Nothing," Munkustrap laughed. "I was just waiting for my date." Tantomile gave a hum, nodding thoughtfully.

"Well, do you see her around yet?" Tantomile asked playfully. Munkustrap made a thoughtful noise, looking around.

"Well, can you see a beautiful, sweet, wonderful mystic?" Munkustrap responded, smiling.

"Aw, Munk, I knew you loved me." Tantomile and Munkustrap rolled their eyes as Cori suddenly appeared, a large grin on his face. Tantomile swiftly smacked him upside of the head. Cori grumbled at her as he rubbed the back of his head while Munkustrap laughed.

"Thanks for ruining the moment, Cori," Tantomile muttered as Munkustrap wrapped his arm around her waist, blushing slightly. Tantomile smiled up at him reassuringly as she leaned against him. Cori shook his head, smiling.

"Cori!" Cori looked around and saw Rumpleteazer across the clearing, grinning, and waving at him while Mungojerrie just rolled his eyes at his sister's antics.

"Go on, she's waiting for you, Cori," Munkustrap grinned, winking. Cori gave him a look before he started chuckling softly.

"You two have fun, I'll talk to you later," Cori told them, before he walked over to Rumpleteazer. Munkustrap let go of Tantomile's waist, turning to her and offering his paw.

"Can I have this dance, Miss Tantomile?" Munkustrap asked, smiling. Tantomile smiled, taking his paw.

"Why of course, sir," Tantomile replied, making Munkustrap grin, as he led her out to the clearing where the others were dancing.

They danced close together, whispering and laughing with each other as they did so.

Deuteronomy smiled when he saw the two dancing together, both smiling and laughing. He always had a feeling that there would become something between those two; they had always been close, ever since Munkustrap had found the twins that day.

He had to admit though, for a time, he didn't know whether Munkus would end up with Tantomile or Coricopat, but he knew it would be one of the twins.

Deuteronomy's eye was caught by Quaxo as he twirled and leapt across the clearing, Victoria mirroring his moves.

Now those two were something special.

It was almost magical how they danced; they most certainly had a gift for it.

Deuteronomy tilted his head as he continued to observe his grand-kits. He wondered if they had inherited their dancing skills from their grandmother, his late mate. She was quite the dancer; light on her feet, as though she was as light as a feather, graceful and elegant.

Tantomile and Munkustrap stopped dancing, both out of breath, before they headed over to sit by the oven.

"It's good to see the kittens are having a good time," Tantomile murmured as she leaned tiredly against Munkustrap. Munkustrap nodded, smiling, as he watched Quaxo dancing with Vicky. His green eyes landed on Jemima, who was sitting near them, hiding in the shadows.

"I'll be back soon," Munkustrap murmured to Tantomile. Tantomile nodded, confused, as she watched Munkustrap rise to his feet and walk over to the pipe. She smiled and settled down for a rest, understanding, when she spotted Jemima hidden in the shadows.

Munkustrap padded over to her and crouched beside her. Her sharp nose picked up on his scent and she turned her head in his direction.

"Hi, Munkus," She murmured sadly.

"What are you doing sitting here in the shadows, kitten?" Munkustrap asked her softly. "Why aren't you dancing?"

"Because I can't see a-and n-no one wants to dance with me," Jemima mumbled. Munkustrap gave a small smile.

"Well, then may I have your paw for this dance?" Munkustrap asked her. Jemima looked up, her cloudy eyes widening in shock. Munkustrap took the shocked kitten's paw, gently pulling her to her feet and leading her into the clearing.

"B-But…I can't see what you're doing," Jemima mumbled, embarrassed. Munkustrap smiled, gently pulling the kitten forward so she was standing on top of his feet.

"I'll lead you," He reassured her. Jemima beamed up at him as he took her paw, placing his other paw on her waist. Jemima reached up with her free paw, finding his shoulder. Munkustrap smiled as the queen-kit, who now by standing on his feet came up to his chest, rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat as they slowly begun to dance.

The other Jellicles paused, turning to watch them, smiles appearing on their faces as they watched the Protector dance with Jemima, making her smile for the first time in weeks.

They danced for a while before Quaxo caught Munkustrap's eye and walked over.

"Can I cut in?" Quaxo asked, smiling. Munkustrap nodded, letting go of Jemima's paw and allowing Quaxo to take it and gently lead her to him. Quaxo nudged at Jemima's feet with his own, allowing her to step on them so he could lead her.

Munkustrap headed back to Tantomile, smiling at those he walked past, before he slumped down on the ground beside her.

"Well, that was rather graceful," She teased. Munkustrap pouted at her before he stretched out, his eyes drifting closed.

"Munkus," Tantomile murmured, gently nuzzling his ear. Munkustrap cracked open a green eye and smiled at her. Tantomile purred and curled against him.

"That was amazing." She whispered to him. "Look how happy she is now," Munkustrap opened both of his eyes and looked towards Jemima, finding her smiling and giggling as she danced with Tumblebrutus, who lifted her in the air and spun her around.

He turned his emerald green eyes to Tantomile, tilting his head.

"What about you?" He murmured, nuzzling her cheek. "Are you happy?" Tantomile smiled, purring as she rested her head against his.

"Absolutely," She replied. "And you?" Munkustrap nodded, his gaze drifting over the clearing once more, taking in the happy, laughing, dancing occupants before he focused back on Tantomile.

"I've never been happier," He answered, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. Tantomile blushed, purring wildly, as she cuddled against him. Munkustrap smiled as he stood up, taking the confused Tantomile's paw, before pulling her into the clearing for another dance.

For now, life was perfect.

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Oops, sorry it's taken a little while, but I've been run-down with no inspiration/motivation at all…

Thanks to those who reviewed!

Please read and review (motivate me!)

Love,

HGP!