Smiling, a sweet and delicate grin that was her own, Spottedfur curled herself up in the Nursery. It was the easiest place to access if one knew how, the entrance being at such an angle that if one was careful, they could get in and out without being seen. Plus, as of soon she'd be living in the Nursery anyway. After all, she was a new Queen and even if her mate couldn't be with her, being in the Nursery meant they could continue to meet. The only thing that worried Spottedfur was suspicion. After all, she had no close relationships with any cat here except for her family, and even they had grown distant these past few moons. So what would they think when she showed up a Queen?

But she wasn't about to leave her Clan, either. She didn't want to raise a family without help and support. But Fyretooth, he hated being around cats. Well, aside from her. He was a born loner, and she a born Clan cat. But that posed the issue of going against Warrior Code. Screw the code, true love always came first. At least, that was what Spottedfur believed. And she felt much better when she scented her familiar pal. Well, she couldn't really tell what he was. That's how she knew it was him. Commonly one would find him coated thickly in mud. He slipped into the Nursery quietly, and the two nuzzled happily.

"I missed you." She muttered as he licked her cheek lovingly.
"So do I every minute of my life. How are you?"
"We're all fine." Spottedfur reassured the father-to-be Fyretooth. "How are you and your sister?" She asked politely, sitting down as he did. She couldn't see his flame-red pelt under the mud, but his blue eyes were ever immensely beautiful.
"We're fine. You know, she has taken a liking to your brother..."
"Which one? Do tell!"
"Swiftshadow, I believe."
"Well, they would be cute together. The kind yet assertive girl with the silent leader." Spottedfur purred, amused. Her brother wasn't as strange as one might think, but his life was certainly a mystery to most. Even Spottedfur didn't have all the details.

After chatting for some time, another cat approached the den. It was Swiftshadow.
"Good morning, Fyre." He said with a brief nod, turning to look to his sister.
"How are you?" He said, pushing a gift - a small mouse - over to her. She took it, smiling.
"Fine, thanks." She replied plainly, smiling as she looked at her muddy mate. He stood and stretched.
"Please stay. MudClan would love you, you even have a disguise!" Spottedfur said in protest, but Fyre merely shook his head.
"I'm sorry sweet, but I really rather you live with me."
"We've talked about this." She replied, standing up.
"You like cats and I don't." He said with a laugh, but it was dry and plain. And true. He sighed and turned, leaving as quickly and secretively as he had come. Swiftshadow shook his head and turned, leaving his sister all alone in her small place in the Nursery. She lay down, looking at the mouse sadly.

Spottedfur had been glaring at the mouse for only a brief moment. But as soon as she heard someone approaching, she tensed ever so slightly. The scent was that of a stranger, none she could but remember where. She recognized it somehow. But it wasn't Fyre and it wasn't anyone of her own Clan. She hissed at the strange voice, the cat being mysterious enough to terrify her. She bared her teeth and stood, claws sliding out and preparing to ask for help.
"Swiftshadow!" She yelled out, her voice having dropped at the end of the phrase.

Another cat approached. Well, two other cats. It was both of her brothers, barring the entrance so that the intruder couldn't escape. Spottedfur hissed again.
"Who are you?" She demanded. And then she caught the eye of her brother, Cloudstreak. Something in his expression chilled her. Recognition. She looked closer at the loner tom. She did know him. It was her brother, Stormcloud. He had abandoned them so early on after his warrior ceremony. She'd never liked him, anyway. Why would he care about her. Relaxing a little, she nodded to her brothers to stand down. Since her brother had left, she'd sort of taken over their little family. With Midnightclaw wrapped up in his own new family, it wasn't hard to see why she had to.

"What brings the rat back? We're dangerous kittens to be playing with, Stormy." She said. Her voice was full of anger and malice. She couldn't understand why he'd come back. Was his begging forgiveness? Well, he had hardly done anything wrong. But still, leaving one's Clan was hardly respectable. Not like Spottedfur was any better. But at least she was loyal and true. He wasn't even that anymore. So saying, she sat down and curled her tail around her paws.
"You'd better scat, cat, before we sick Skystar on you."