In the moonlight, the junkyard was frightening.
Asparagus, Old Deuteronomy and Skimbleshanks stalked around the boundary, senses alert, but the last scent was only a common mouse, passing through a few days ago.
Munkustrap watched them with keen eyes, despite Jellylorum's warnings to stay close. He was desperate to find their new home.
It had been three days since the attack – three days of walking, of being scared and silent.
Old Deuteronomy approached the small group, his face breaking into a warm smile.
"Welcome home…"
The kittens all stared at him, mostly with hope, but Munkustrap was also slightly apprehensive.
The junkyard was so big, and vast… how was he ever supposed to look after all the Jellicles? Of course… there weren't many now, but Munkustrap knew that the tribe would grow one day.
"Home sweet home…" Jenny looked around, deeming it appropriate, before starting her way in.
Munkustrap glanced back at Bombalurina and Alonzo, passing Tugger off to the red kitten and chasing after Old Deuteronomy.
"Father…" he called, and the great cat turned to face him.
"Walk with me, Munkustrap…" the wise cat said slowly, starting the ascent up the nearest junk heap.
With a tiny frown, Munkustrap leapt to keep up. He had to take three steps for every one of Old Deuteronomy's, navigating the tricky, uneven ground. It was so foreign – his paws were used to the smooth floors of the warehouse.
"The tribe is small now, Munkustrap…" he said softly, reaching the top of the junk pile. It wasn't the highest stacked tower, but it sure had a great view.
Munkustrap stared over houses and apartments, the moon and stars sparkling down on the world. It felt new….fresh. A new start for the Jellicles. He sat in awe, and Old Deuteronomy let him, watching him.
"How did Macavity find us?" Munkustrap asked slowly, turning his head to glance at his father.
Old Deuteronomy shook his head, gaze returning to the skyline. "I'm not sure. We had been hidden for so long. It's hard to imagine how it happened."
"Do you… do you think it was someone from the tribe?"
Old Deuteronomy was silent, and Munkustrap let out a tiny mewl, unable to help himself. A traitor. One of Macavity's own amongst his family. He shivered… and kept shivering, lowering himself to the ground.
"Shh…" Old Deuteronomy soothed his sobs – Munkustrap hadn't even realised he was crying.
It was too much, and he pressed himself into Old Deuteronomy's chest, his tears making his fur damp.
"There are times when I will leave the junkyard." Old Deuteronomy said quietly, rubbing his young kitten's back soothingly. "You have the elders of the tribe to guide you, but soon you will be in charge, Munkustrap. You'll be their protector. To lead them in times when the Jellicles are unsure."
"What about when I'm unsure?" he whispered, gazing up at Old Deuteronomy with wide, wet eyes, tears streaming down the sides of his pale face.
Old Deuteronomy smiled, headbutting him gently. "Then you act on what is best for the tribe…"
Munkustrap pulled himself closer again, wanting to be an infant again. No rules, no responsibilities.
"Don't leave. Please."
"I won't," Old Deuteronomy said quietly. "Not until you've passed your Hunting Trials."
"Not even then…" the kitten pleaded.
"You know I have to."
Munkustrap closed his eyes tightly, shedding the last of his tears, before pulling away from his warm fur slowly. He nodded quietly, gazing down at his paws. His white cheeks flushed pink as he realised how far he'd let himself go – being a sulky kit instead of the near-adolescent he was.
"I know," he whispered, gazing up at him, "But I wish you didn't have to."
Old Deuteronomy headbutted him again fondly, and nuzzled into the young kitten, one arm wrapping around him. "You'll be fine. You will learn, just like your brothers did."
Munkustrap's eyes darkened, and he gazed down at his paws. His brothers.
"You'll be a fine leader, Munkustrap. You know that, don't you?"
Munkustrap shrugged modestly. Of course he did. The elders had told him countlessly, and he could see it in the tribe's eyes whenever he spoke, or mentioned his ideas. He was a natural born leader, and he would have taken over the tribe – or started his own – eventually… it just wasn't meant to be so soon.
"Do you think… anyone's alive?" he asked quietly, his wide eyes hopeful.
Deuteronomy paused, thoughtful, before shaking his head slightly. "There's no way to be sure."
Munkustrap deflated slightly, and he sank to his belly.
"Why is it so hard?" the grey kitten whispered.
"Life is hard, Munkustrap," he soothed. "There will be many meetings and partings in your life. Beginnings and endings. Triumphs and disappointments. This is the first of many."
The thought only seemed to make Munkustrap feel worse.
"How about you go and choose your den?" Old Deuteronomy suggested. "Maybe you and the kittens could share one, for now…?"
Munkustrap paused thoughtfully, momentarily distracted from his sorrows. In the warehouse, it was a free-for-all – you slept where you collapsed. But here… well, it was so much more open. And Munkustrap couldn't imagine sleeping on his own.
He nodded, "Of course," he said softly, standing and nuzzling against his father's side. "Are you coming?"
"No…" Old Deuteronomy said softly. "I think I'll stay here for a little longer."
Munkustrap gazed at his father curiously, wondering why, but nodded with respect and made his way down the junk heaps to ground level.
"Munk!" Alonzo called, and Munkustrap padded up to his two friends.
"Jenny wants us in the same den until we pass our 'adult rituals'," Alonzo said, stalking around him and nuzzling up against him.
"My father said the same," Munkustrap smiled a little, nuzzling him back, "Where's Tugger?"
"Sleeping next to Plato. We chose the biggest den for the kits," Bombalurina smiled, "Cassandra's with them."
Munkustrap breathed out with a bit of relief. "And the-"
"Munkustrap, where is Old Deuteronomy?"
Jellylorum landed hard next to the kittens, and they all startled, shying away with disgruntled hisses. Munkustrap was the first to recover, glancing up to where he'd left his father.
"Up on the heap," he said immediately, eyes wide, the fur on the back of his neck bristling, "What's wrong?!"
Jellylorum gave him a tense, but excited smile, "Jenny's having her kitten…"
The three pairs of ears perked up, and the two boys cracked a grin each. Bombalurina's eyes widened, surprised, watching Jellylorum clear the junk in a few bounds to report to Old Deuteronomy.
"She said she'd keep him in until she got here…" Alonzo shrugged with a laugh, doing a little prance on the spot. "Can we go see?"
"Not yet, I don't think…" Munkustrap said slowly, "Not until she has the kitten."
The two adults, silhouetted by the moonlight, made their way to another den that was raised off the ground. The three kittens hovered below, all of them excited and a little nervous.
Old Deuteronomy emerged soon after, glancing around the junkyard, "Cassandra?"
"Asleep in the kitten's den," Munkustrap reported, sitting up straight, his chest puffed out. He was ready for anything, and eager to help.
Old Deuteronomy nodded, making his way down. Munkustrap's eyes zeroed in on the entrance to the den, immediately curious.
"She already had it?"
Old Deuteronomy chuckled, "No son. A tom is never present for the birth of a kitten. It is a queen's right to suffer in privacy."
Alonzo sniggered behind his hands and Bombalurina blushed a little, but Munkustrap's eyes remained locked on the den.
"Do you know how long it will take?" he asked curiously.
"Not long," Old Deuteronomy answered vaguely. "Jenny will summon us when she's ready for us to meet her kitten, I assure you of that. Relax, explore and play."
Munkustrap huffed in frustration, still staring at the den, when suddenly he was bowled over by his black and white friend.
They rolled, tumbling, and Munkustrap laughed, momentum carrying him off Alonzo until he was on his feet again. Bombalurina tackled him before he had gotten his bearings and they went for another tumble, laughing and shrieking happily.
Old Deuteronomy watched them play, relieved to see that his son could still be so spirited – that this tragedy hadn't ruined his kittenhood. He knew the kitten was changed, but not like Macavity. This Munkustrap was serious and thoughtful, and perhaps he had always been, but it was plain to see now that his boisterous brothers weren't influencing him.
Munkustrap watched as Alonzo and Bombalurina wrestled it out, and he grinned sneakily. Crouching stealthily, he snuck up behind his father, hind legs working as he prepared his leap. Letting out a breath to steady himself, Munkustrap leaped – tackling his father and sending him sprawling.
The old cat laughed joyously – a sound that Munkustrap was sure he'd never heard before – and joined in the game, the four of them batting and leaping and stalking.
Asparagus and Skimbleshanks arrived seconds later, standing in the entrance to the junkyard with amused grins on their faces. They carried food – and as Munkustrap spotted them, he realised they'd been missing, and cursed himself for not noticing sooner. His stomach rumbled and he let himself flop away from the group, getting to his feet to greet them.
"Did you hunt in the woods again?" he asked, tilting his head as he sniffed at the game.
Skimbleshanks nodded, "Sure did, Munkustrap. I doubt the Jellicles will ever have to eat scraps again."
Munkustrap's eyes gleamed hungrily – the fresh food had been a blessing, but he'd been too full of sorrow and anxiety to truly appreciate it.
"There's no need to let it go to waste," Old Deuteronomy had opted out of the fight as well, moving up behind his son. "Jenny has gone into labour," he announced to the toms.
Asparagus' eyes lit up, his mouth falling open, "Be truthful…"
Old Deuteronomy grinned, nodding, "By the Jellicle Moon, I swear it."
Skimbleshanks grinned good naturedly, patting Asparagus on the back, "You're about to be a father. Tonight, we celebrate your son, and my new nephew…"
Asparagus let out a howl of laughter, whooping quietly. "Is she alone?"
"She asked for Jellylorum to be with her," Old Deuteronomy advised, and Asparagus nodded, suddenly pacing.
He and Jenny had been together for as long as Munkustrap could remember – they had met as young kittens, when she and her brother, Skimbleshanks, had happened upon the tribe. Asparagus had been good company when Skimbleshanks left to the call of the train, and they had bonded over their love of order and prosperity.
"What if she needs help?" Asparagus asked softly, and Skimbleshanks laughed.
"Relax…" the orange tom chuckled. "She's probably stressed enough for the three of you," he winked, "Enjoy the food and the moonlight, and all will be well."
Asparagus let out a tense breath, but moved to where the kittens had started to eat, taking his fair share and picking at it.
"Munkustrap, can you relieve Cassandra?" Old Deuteronomy asked, and the grey kitten nodded immediately.
He padded to the den that the kittens were in, finding the two youngest curled together in a heap. Cassandra gazed at him, raising an eyebrow, and he couldn't help himself, ducking his head slightly. She intimidated him.
"Skimble and Asparagus brought food, if you're hungry? I can take care of the kits…"
The dark Abyssinian graced him with a rare smile, "Thank you…" she hummed, low in her throat, and slunk out of the den.
He stared after her for a moment. Maybe it would be easier to be around her if he got to know her better. She was alone – older than Munkustrap but not young enough to be like them. She'd lost her entire family in the attack, and now she had nothing. He felt guilty for never reaching out.
"Munk?" a tiny voice called, and Munkustrap's ears tilted to the kittenpile.
"Tugger?" Munkustrap asked, and the kitten rolled out from under Plato's weight, rubbing up against Munkustrap's legs.
"When do we get to go home?" the kitten asked curiously, and Munkustrap's eyebrows furrowed.
"This is our new home now, Tuggs. We can't go back to the warehouse…"
"Why?" the kitten asked around a yawn. The past three days had been exhausting for the tiny thing.
"Because Big Brother knows where our hiding spot is…" Munkustrap whispered conspiratorially, crouching down and letting the young kitten rest against his side.
"Mm, Big Brother hates us?" Tugger asked, his eyes already drooping.
Munkustrap nodded silently, tail flicking and resting over Tugger's small body, keeping him safe.
"…Why?"
Tugger was asleep before the answer came, and Munkustrap was grateful. He didn't have an answer – not the right one, at least.
"I think he just sees things differently to us."
In the silence of the den, Munkustrap listened to the noises of the junkyard. He could faintly hear muffled cries and panting from Jenny's den, and beyond that, the traffic. They must be closer to a road here. He could hear television sets from open windows, and it was much louder than in the confined rooms of the warehouse.
It was okay. Munkustrap knew he would grow to see it as home. He would love it and protect it one day.
He just hoped Macavity would never find them.