Hey everyone! Here's part two! Enjoy and REVIEW!

Disclaimer: Nothing's changed since part one.

~Rosey

Part Two: Silver

Munkustrap didn't get to remain a kitten for long. Within weeks of his meeting with Old Dueteronomy, his maturity seemed to grow, and fast. Soon, he no longer played with his fellow kittens, but he hung out with the adults. He told himself that if he was going to protect the tribe, he had to grow up as fast as possible. Before long, Munkustrap became a young adult cat, handsome and tall and respected. He was appointed to Protector. Life was changing fast. His mother and father had two new, fraternal twin kittens, Victoria and Etcetera, making Munkustrap a big brother. Another burden of responsibility. But he did love his sisters, of course. Indeed, he was the perfect big brother.

One rainy, cold afternoon Jellylourm and Asparagus had gone out for the evening, leaving Munkustrap in charge of Victoria and Etcetera. The tiny kittens scrambled restlessly around the family's lair while Munkustrap watched on. Suddenly, Victoria wobbled over to him, falling into his lap. He chuckled and held his sister close as he always did. Protecting her.

"Munkustrap?" she looked up at him with big, brown eyes. "Were you ever our age?"

The silver tabby laughed at her baby innocence. "Of course I was, Tori."

"You're lying!" Etcetera gasped, joining them and sitting on Munkustrap's other knee. "But you're the Protector of the tribe!"

"Yeah? So?" Munkustrap raised an eye-brow.

"Well, silly goose, you have to be big to protect us!" Victoria rolled her baby brown eyes.

"I wasn't always the Protector," he explained. "In fact, when I was your age, I was chasing mice and getting my head stuck in tin cans."

"You chased mice?" Etcetera was shocked, her freckled face disbelieving.

"Of course," Munkustrap looked down at her, confused. "Why wouldn't I?"

"But you're always so serious and working all the time. I can't imagine you chasing a mouse!" Victoria giggled.

Munkustrap blinked. Had he really changed that much? That he went from being a little kitten chasing mice to an adult who worked too much to have any fun? He thought hard. When was the last time he just had some fun with his buddies? Or chased any mice? Or just relaxed and was the young adult he deserved to be? He had been so excited and proud to be the Protector. But where had his life gone?

"Munky?" the tabby looked down to where Etcetera looked at him worriedly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine," he half-smiled, ruffling her fur.

"Do you want to play with us?" Victoria asked, scrambling over to where a toy mouse lay on the floor.

"Nah," Munkustrap replied without thinking. Only after-wards did he realize what he had just done. He had given up a chance to have some fun. When was the last time he had had any fun at all?

"But whyy?" Etecetera whined. "I want you to! Please?"

Munkustrap hesitated and then smiled. "Sure, okay. How do you play? What are the rules?"

"There aren't any rules, goofus!" Victoria giggled, batting the mouse over to him. "Just have fun!"

The tabby studied the toy for a moment, poking it once or twice with his paw.

"Come ooon!" his sisters cried at the same time. Laughing slightly, the tabby batted the mouse over to Etcetera, watching it fly. He smiled as she caught it in her mouth and wrestled with it for a moment before tossing it to Victoria. So this was what it was like to have fun. He realized he had forgotten.

Suddenly the mouse hit him in the head. He laughed and grabbed it, tossing it back to Victoria, hitting her ear. She squealed in delight and tossed it back to him, hitting him in the chest. He chuckled and tossed it to Etcetera, who laughed and threw it to Victoria.

This lasted for hours on end, Victoria and Etcetera being the kittens they were and Munkustrap getting to be a kitten again for the first time in as long as he could remember. Eventually, Victoria and Etcetera began yawning and blinking sleepily. They curled up into small balls, leaving the mouse laying abandoned.

"Will you be okay if we fall asleep?" Victoria asked groggily.

Munkustrap laughed and nuzzled her affectionately. "I think I can manage."

Within minutes, the two kittens were sleeping peacefully, purring softly. Munkustrap blinked heavily. "A few winks couldn't hurt," he told himself, closing his eyes...

XXXXXXXX

"Munkustrap, honey," the gentle voice of Jellylourm woke up the silver tabby hours later.

Munkustrap bolted awake, facing his mother. "Mom, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep-"

"Sweetie, it's okay!" she smiled, putting a hand to his cheek. "How was everything while we were gone?"

Munkustrap looked over to his sisters and smiled. "Everything was great."

Jellylourm beamed. "I'm glad to hear it. Well your father and I are going to sleep. Good night, hon." And with that, she retreated.

The silver tabby smiled to himself. That night he had gotten to relive his missed kittenhood. Smiling, he batted the mouse toy. It landed in a pile of junk. He sighed and went over to retrieve it. Suddenly, he tripped, crashing into the junk. Something landed over his head.

A tin can.

Well? I hope you all enjoyed this little tribute to everyone's favorite tabby! Poor guy...so under-fan-fictioned. lol

Well all I can say now is REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!

~Rosey