Old Deuteronomy hadn't stayed long – a day or two, at most.

He had bid the tribe farewell, and for once, Munkustrap didn't panic. Nervous, yes, but he didn't cry and cling to his father like before.

The Ball had been… phenomenal. When he wasn't stressing, he had really been enjoying himself, and the tribe had listened and not much had gone wrong. He was proud of himself, and he seemed to hold himself higher these days.

It wasn't long after the ball that Cassandra revealed her pregnancy.

In fact, it was more like Cassandra's pregnancy revealed itself.

Being so slim, she couldn't hide the swell of her stomach. One morning it seemed more apparent than ever, and Jenny ushered the young female into her den for a check-up. Alonzo was called in soon after and he emerged looking stunned.

The news changed little.

Alonzo was still the same, and Cassandra remained aloof – choosing to nap in the shade more often than not, reluctant to speak to anyone.

And Munkustrap was faced with the idea of their tribe growing. A kitten. Another kitten. Tugger, Plato and Tumblebrutus were growing steadily, becoming more and more independent. Jellylorum, Jenny and Asparagus were settling. He had watched his own body change – Alonzo and Bombalurina's too, as they became adults. They were all more confident, their play no longer childish, but more practical. Their wrestling had a sense of urgency to it, a reality that scored them harder than any coming of age ever could.

They knew what death and destruction was.

They knew what was coming.

The elders tried to persuade them that they were safe, but they weren't stupid. Somehow, Munkustrap knew that Macavity wasn't done.

But the tribe had finally settled. They suddenly had routine. They had secured every junkpile, and made clearings, and other dens. They had started collecting rubbish that could be useful, putting it into storage for later. They created food reserves that they buried for 'just in cases.' Jenny had managed to gather medical supplies, and slowly set up an infirmary.

Everything was perfect.

But, of course, it couldn't last forever.

"Come on… you can do better than this…" Munkustrap hovered over the red queen, forearms on her chest to pin her.

They had become closer, that was for sure. With Cassandra's pregnancy, Alonzo spent more and more time with the Abyssinian Queen, leaving Munkustrap and Bombalurina to their own devices.

She let out a grunt, using her hind legs to kick him off. He went sprawling, a laugh leaving his lips as he sprang to his feet. He charged again, tackling her around the waist and knocking the wind out of her.

"Okay, okay…" she coughed, laughing as she stared up at the moon, "You win."

He sat up triumphantly, grooming himself of the dirt on his stomach.

She shook herself, gazing up at him with a soft smile, "You'll have to teach me how you got so quick,"

"Practice…" he chuckled, "I'm going to take down a stag one day," he said, eyes gleaming.

She snorted with laughter, "Oh, I can see that working out for you."

"Hey, come on. You don't think I could do it?"

"It would sit on you and you would die," she pointed out, and he shrugged.

"Well… maybe when we have a few more toms, we can take one down together…"

Bombalurina's smile widened as she listened to him, sidling close, "You're a good soul," she purred, licking his cheek.

Munkustrap's eyes widened and he grinned at her, leaning forward to press a soft kiss to her lips.

"Gross!"

A blur of black and orange wedged their way between them and Munkustrap glared down at his younger brother, who was growing into a fine young kitten.

"Tugger, you-"

"Munk!"

Alonzo appeared at the entrance to the clearing, eyes wide and almost disbelieving.

"Alonzo?" he raced to the black and white tom, searching him for answers, "What's wrong?"

"It's… uh… your mother…" he said, and Munkustrap's brow furrowed in confusion.

"Grizabella?" he whispered, glancing to the Junkyard entrance.

Sure enough, the grey queen was greeting Jenny and Jellylorum, who had wrapped her in a delighted embrace.

Speechless, Munkustrap padded quickly to her, but stopped short of actually approaching.

"Munk…" Jenny said soothingly, "Do you remember your mother?"

Munkustrap stared at her, exactly like his memory, but also not. She was dirty, malnourished and tired-looking. His heart ached as he stared at her, swallowing hard.

"Munkustrap…" Grizabella whispered, and Munkustrap's eyes shot to the tiny bundle in her arms.

The kitten was maybe two days old, grey and silver and white. Clearly her own.

"What are you doing here? How did you find us?" he demanded, slowly glancing at Jenny and Jellylorum.

"I… I've been searching for many weeks, Munkustrap. I've… I've been wandering the outskirts of the city, trying to find your scent," she explained tentatively, "But I found you once again…"

"Let's get your boy out of the weather," Jenny interrupted, "We'll have time to catch up soon."

Munkustrap sighed quietly, following silently. They moved up to the main clearing, shielded from the wind, and Munkustrap couldn't decide where to sit.

He longed to be with her – his mother, finally returned – but he also wanted nothing to do with her. In the end, he curled up opposite to her, knees tucked up to his chest.

Jenny provided her with a blanket, food and drink, and when Grizabella had settled, she gazed at them all with grateful eyes.

"Thank you," she whispered, eyes flickering slightly, "You're too kind…"

"Anything for one of the tribe," Jellylorum promised, sitting close.

"Now, who is this kit of yours?" Jenny asked softly, and Grizabella glanced down at the boy, almost with disdain.

"Admetus…" she said quietly, "He was early…" she whispered, "Far too early. I don't know if he's going to make it very long."

Munkustrap's eyes narrowed at the disregard for him. Another child she didn't care for. His brother.

"What are you doing here?" Munkustrap asked, and Jenny shot him a look.

"Munk, be nice. She's clearly come a long way,"

"Clearly. But why?"

Grizabella gazed at him, silencing the older females who protested.

"I know where Macavity is."

The fur on the back of Munkustrap's neck prickled, and the two queens beside him bristled.

"How could you know that?"

"This is his son."

There was a stunned silence, and Jenny covered her mouth with her paw. Munkustrap didn't know how to react. He gazed at the kitten with pity, and then at Grizabella with a bit of suspicion.

"So what do you want from us?"

"Munk, can you please… give us a moment?" Jellylorum asked softly, and Munkustrap narrowed his eyes.

"I'm in charge…" he protested. It was weak – he had never wanted to pull rank, but he also wanted to hear what his mother had to say.

"We just want to speak to her. We'll call you back if we need any leadership decisions," Jenny smiled, and Munkustrap huffed out a sigh, getting to his feet and retreating.

He returned to Bombalurina and Alonzo, who were staring at Munkustrap, eager for answers.

"I don't know anything! Only that she gave birth to Macavity's kitten,"

Bombalurina recoiled in horror, "Oh, the poor thing…"

"Poor thing?" Munkustrap asked, raising an eyebrow.

It took Bombalurina a moment before she raised an eyebrow straight back at him, "What, you think she went to Macavity, sprawled out on the cushions and let him put a kitten inside her?"

Munkustrap covered his face with his paws. That was something he never wanted to think about ever again. But… Bombalurina did have a point.

"You think she was forced?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper.

"Unless she did want it…?" Alonzo said softly, before wrinkling his nose, "No, I can't imagine. And why would she be here now?"

"She could be a spy."

Cassandra waddled over, her stomach round and huge. Alonzo hummed happily at her presence, standing to nuzzle her and help her down to where they sat. She was days away from giving birth, and Jenny had been watching her insistently.

"A spy?" Munkustrap looked alarmed, and the pregnant queen shrugged.

"Or the kitten," she shrugged.

"Macavity doesn't seem like a strategist…more of an... ambush and kill..." Alonzo mused, but shrugged, "But we should be wary."

Munkustrap nodded thoughtfully, stretching out.

"Hey…" Bombalurina said softly, her tail flicking him gently.

He glanced over, frowning slightly, "Yeah?"

"You okay?"

He recalled their previous conversation about Grizabella, in the darkness, cursing himself for ever revealing the information in the first place.

"Of course…"

She got to her feet, holding out her hand, "Can we go for a walk? Just while they're talking?"

He glanced back to the elders, about to reject her offer, before sighing and nodding, "Okay."

He used her to help himself up, bidding Alonzo and Cassandra farewell. She took his hand as they walked to the entrance of the Junkyard, stepping out into the forest.

"How are you really feeling?" she asked.

"I'm fine, Bomba…" he protested, "It's a shock, but she's here…so what are we going to do?"

"Is she staying? You could confront her!" Bombalurina said quickly, "Tell her how much it hurt you, and-"

"I'm over it, Bombalurina. What is the point of bringing it up?"

"Guilt," she said, a wicked grin on her face, "Make her feel it, as much as you felt it."

Munkustrap rolled his eyes, "She seems to have felt enough…"

Bombalurina sighed softly, perching on a tall rock and stretching out, "You have a soft heart, Munk…" she said quietly, "And you don't talk about your feelings."

"And you are brutal," he stated, "And cry in the middle of the night instead of talking about your feelings…"

Her eyebrows drew together in surprise and he bit his tongue.

"Sorry," he said softly, reaching out to her and squeezing her hand.

"That's okay," she said quietly, "But next time maybe believe me when I say there's something wrong…"

He stared up at her with a resigned little sigh, "I didn't think that the kitten was… an accident. I thought maybe that she had settled down again, had a kitten and was ready to be its mother. And had… bypassed me."

"Oh, Munk…" she purred softly, sliding off her rock to embrace him, rubbing his back gently, "It's okay…"

"I know it is…" he murmured quietly, his arms slung low around her lips, "I'm just… surprised she's back. And I don't really want her back..."

Bombalurina nodded, stroking his back, "I know…" she murmured softly.

His eyes fluttered and he shook his head, sighing, "Come on. We better go back…"

"Are you sure?" she asked, sad eyes watching as he drew away from her.

Munkustrap straightened, all vulnerability dissipating into the confident façade he threw up, "Of course…" he murmured, taking her hand and squeezing it gently, "Come on."

Worried, she followed him back into the Junkyard, back to the circle where Jenny and Jellylorum were now teary-eyed. Admetus was now tucked against Grizabella's side, sleeping, and Munkustrap and Bombalurina joined the group.

The moon was low now, and the early dawn lights were creeping across the sky.

"What's going to happen now?" Munkustrap asked softly, glancing between the three older Queens.

"We'd love for you to stay…" Jenny offered, and Grizabella's eyes softened.

"I want to…" she whispered, "But…"

Her insides twisted with anxiety. She had deliberated for the entirety of her pregnancy.

Demeter had urged her to find her family, and her eyes rested on Bombalurina. The two girls were so different, in both markings and characteristics. If she hadn't known, Grizabella wouldn't have guessed they were sisters. She even wondered if Bombalurina knew her sister was alive.

In her head, it had been easy. She went to the Jellicles, revealed her secret, and while they were angry at first… they understood. But Grizabella was nervous now. These weren't the same cats that she had visited at the warehouse. These cats were alert, always on the lookout for danger. They had a dark flicker – a hurt in their eyes that didn't seem to go away.

She couldn't lie to them. Grizabella wouldn't be able to live with her guilt if she stayed and didn't tell them.

But it was so hard.

She gazed at her eldest son – Munkustrap. He was so big now, so strong. He would hate her.

"What's wrong, Grizabella?" Jellylorum asked softly, and Grizabella was surprised to find the tears in her eyes.

"I… I'm so sorry," she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks as she blinked.

"Bella?"

"I told him…"

"I don't-"

"I told Macavity where you were."

There was a stunned silence, all eyes trained on Grizabella. Waves of emotions slammed against the group. Disbelief, confusion, sadness… and then anger.

Jellylorum was the first to bare her fangs, mouth open in a hiss, "What. Are. You. Talking. About?"

Her voice was so careful, the entire group balanced on the precipice. Fur bristled, claws extended.

"Please…" Grizabella whispered, "I didn't know what he would do. He… He asked me, he said he was remorseful, that he just-"

"Stop it!" Jenny snapped, her eyes blazing as she leapt to her feet.

Grizabella rose as well, holding Admetus close as she backed up, "Please, I swear, I didn't-"

"You single-handedly caused the destruction of our entire family," Jenny spat, advancing on the grey queen, "It's your fault."

Jenny's limbs tensed and she was ready to pounce, to attack. Her anger had gotten the better of her, the betrayal too much. Her eyes were blazing and she looked murderous. She hissed, readying herself to-

Munkustrap leapt in front of his mother, his back to her as he stared down his fellow tribe members.

"Don't."

Jenny was immediately taken aback, eyes widening, "Step aside, Munkustrap…" she growled, "She's a traitor. She killed us."

Each word sent pangs of guilt and terror down Grizabella's spine. She was openly sobbing, and the tiny kitten in her arms had started to squirm and cry.

"Even so, we are not stooping to Macavity's level," he said firmly, his own heart racing, "You know Macavity. You know the way that he controls and manipulates. He has magic beyond our control. You don't know what it was like for her."

Grizabella stared at her son in awe and shock. Jenny was still glaring. Bombalurina stared in disbelief at the events unfolding.

"You can't expect me to just brush this off, Munkustrap…" the queen hissed.

"She can't stay," Jellylorum agreed, her own eyes narrowed. She had been silent, consumed by the grief and rage, like a knife stabbing into a barely healed wound.

"Of course not. But there's… there's no reason to hunt her down…"

"What if she goes back to Macavity and reveals our location?" Jenny's voice was tight, seething.

"I won't," Grizabella whispered, "I want nothing to do with him. I'm… I'm leaving here. The train… I'm going far away…"

Munkustrap turned to face his mother, and the sorrow in his eyes was almost too much for her.

"I want to trust you," he said, almost pleadingly.

"You can," she whispered.

Munkustrap knew he didn't have long to deliberate. He had to make his decision now. It filled him with anxiety, not knowing what to do. Keep her or kill her? His stomach twisted and his eyes fell shut, making his decision.

"You're banished, Grizabella…" his voice was strong, masking the pain he felt, "You… you can't come back here. Ever."

She nodded slowly, unable to express the gratitude she felt.

"I'll…" he swallowed hard, "I'll walk you out."

"Munk," Jenny hissed, and the tom rounded on her.

"Enough, Jenny. I know what she did. I know what's at stake. But Old Deuteronomy would never allow you to turn on her this way. And neither will I."

The Queen glared, "You're making a mistake," she hissed, showing her teeth once more before she whipped around and stormed off.

Jellylorum stared at Munkustrap, eyes narrowing slightly, before she too turned and left – most likely to inform the rest of the tribe of what just happened.

"Munk…?" Bombalurina whispered, "Are you… sure this is right?"

Munkustrap glanced at the red Queen, sighing softly, "I don't know…"

She glanced at Grizabella distrustfully, before squeezing Munkustrap's hand and slowly slinking away.

Grizabella moved to wrap her arms around her son, but Munkustrap pushed her away.

"I don't forgive you," he whispered, walking slowly to the entrance.

"I-"

"I don't even want to forgive you. I… I'm devastated that it was you. I… I never respected you, after you left me alone. I hate you."

His words were cruel, but there was no bite to them. She followed silently, unable to stop her tears.

"My tribe is… enduring the worst tragedy of their lives. And nobody will ever forget this. Your name will be passed down our bloodlines, and everyone will know…" Munkustrap was thoughtful, and he stopped at the entrance, swallowing hard.

"Munkustrap…" she whispered, and his eyes flicked to meet hers, "Thank you. I owe you everything…"

"I… I don't want your gratitude. I want you to leave."

She nodded slowly, a sigh leaving her lips, "Munk… tell Bombalurina that her sister is alive."

Munkustrap's eyes snapped to the Queen, "What?"

"Demeter is alive… Macavity has her."

Munkustrap's heart raced, his mouth opening and closing, "Alive? And she's okay?"

"She is… but his forces are impenetrable. I just… thought it might comfort you to know…"

Munkustrap didn't know what to make of the information – simply nodding, "T-Thank you…"

Grizabella closed her eyes, her anxiety returning. She was being thrown out onto the streets again, but this time she felt she truly deserved it.

She glanced down at Admetus, "Do you want to say goodbye to your brother?"

Munkustrap stared at her incredulously, "No, I-"

"Please…" she whispered, her big eyes staring him down.

Munkustrap sighed, taking the tiny kitten. He stared down at him – so fragile and new. His eyes weren't even open, and he was so small. Grizabella had said the boy had come early – Munkustrap wondered just how early.

"Admetus…" he whispered.

Munkustrap wondered what would happen to the kitten, raised on the street with his mother. He wondered if Grizabella even knew how to be a good mother. He nuzzled the kitten almost fondly, wishing that everything was different.

He hadn't meant to say it, but the words tumbled out, "Where will you go?"

She didn't respond and he looked up with a frown.

Grizabella was gone.