A cat runs across the ground, towards or away from something-or someone-can't be found from the outside. She lumbers along, seemingly weighed down, and from a closer glance one can she that she is pregnant and near birthing. She darts into a barn and greets another cat, a friendly greeting. More than friendly. They look at each other with mournful, loving eyes, and both seem entranced by each other's presence. "You came," the male says, surprised.
"Of course. We have to talk about this," the female says, gesturing to her belly.
"What about it? Come live with me. You know you can,' the tom says happily.
The female cat seems tremendously upset by this. She glares at him with rage. "I am Lilystar, leader of my Clan. You expect me to leave my Clan? You could come join me," she replies, voice dripping with anger.
"Whoah, calm down," the male says, trying to slow the tension from rising. "I know it's hard for you but maybe you could?"
"Never," she replies, her eyes flashing. "I can't betray my Clan!" There's a pause, and she continues. "Sorry. I don't mean to be harsh. But you know I can't join you." She seems sad, distraught almost.
"And I can't join you either. I wouldn't fit in with your Clan, I'd be a freak outsider." The male drops his act, showing clear frustration. He rises up, towering over the she-cat.
"Speckle, you know that the Clan would accept you. They already told me my kits would be accepted no matter what, I even explained that they came from outside the Clan." The female responds to the male's harshness, tensing herself for battle.
"Outside the Clan!" he retorts. "That's all you'll ever going to think of me!" The raises a paw, seemingly preparing to strike.
"No!" the female said, trying to calm the blaze. "No. I just...the Clan had to know. We would let you in." The female untenses, apparently resigning.
"You would let me in. But that's all!" Seeing the female's fear, he lowers himself to a sitting position.
"Please, be reasonable. I can't leave behind my family, my responsibility. What's holding you here?" The female pushes her luck, happy now that her mate is calmer.
"Life as I know it! I can't come into a harsh world where I'm a freak. I just... can't." The male seems to calm down, but the female doesn't seem to fall for it. She tenses up again, hiding her tenseness by fluffing her fur.
"Speckle please, think about the kits!"
"You know the kits will be loved no matter what. You know it. The Clan can't reject the leader's kits."
"And they also can't reject the leader's mate! They need a father, Speckle!" The female pleaded, hoping the male would see sense.
"Well, either they can't have one or you'll have to join me."
"Speckle I'm sorry. You're being unreasonable and I can't convince you. I can't leave my Clan."
Tail down, the she-cat walks back to where she came from. Somewhere she knows that the kits are better off without him. She remembers the claws down her back, how she hadn't fought. How she couldn't fight her love. She hopes that one day the kits will have a father, but has a dark feeling that Speckle isn't done yet..