Munkustrap could be heard muttering to his younger brother about being a moron. This discussion lasted for nearly 10 minutes before the sound of voiced died away. A moment later Munkustrap's paw rested on her shoulder, "Are you doing all right Scarlottin?" He asked, true concern in his eyes as he awaited response.

Scarlottin's eyes shot open but she couldn't bring herself to pull away or shove his paw off of her shoulder. "I-..... I don't know." She finally admitted.

After another moment of silence Munkus slowly lowered himself beside her. "What don't you know?" He asked softly, putting his arm around her shoulders. He didn't want to frighten her away as he seemed to have done before.

"Myself..." She mumbled, shaking her head and closing her eyes tight. She was wrestling with herself. Wanting to throw his arm off her, yet loving the warm feeling and comfort it brought. She didn't want to feel this way. She couldn't...

He watched her, allowing another moment of silence to pass, "What's the matter?" He asked once more and brushed a thumb over the soft tufts on her shoulder.

"It's a queen thing.... I think.... I don't think you'd understand" She said with the tiniest of smiles. She sniffed and was about to elaborate when she saw the look on Munkustrap's face. "What?"

His eyes were wide with both shock and slight anger, "Not Tugger! Please don't tell me you're pregnant!"

Scarlot's cheeks had dulled to a light pink as she slowly became less and less embarrassed at him being close. But at this statement, the red flared up again, this time not just embarrassment as she gasped. An almost angry disbelief was there as well as she jerked out from under his arm. "WHAT?!" She cried, tears of anger welling in her yellow-green eyes.

"Wh...So...So that's not what you're implying?" He stuttered, startled at her sudden change of emotion. His ears shot back and eyes widened.

"NO!" She cried. "I can't believe you! TOMS! UGH!" She couldn't believe -that- was the first thing that came to his mind! Throwing up her arms she stomped out of her den and took four long strides before she realized something. Storming back she pointed out the opening. "This is my den, YOU leave!" She growled.

Munkustrap tucked tail and bowed his head, "I'm very sorry!" He said rapidly and walked away. He muttered heavily about the strangeness of queens before he vanished around the corner and towards his den.

Tugger walked in whilst his older brother was walking away, "What was fuzzy butt mumbling about?" He asked, his thumbs on his belt and a confused yet smug grin on his face.

Scarlottin growled softly, smoothing out her ruffled fur, "He had the nerve to ask if I was pregnant! With YOUR kittens!" She hissed the words as if the thought left a bad taste in her mouth.

"Oh don't be so defensive." He laughed, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Having kittens isn't such a horrible idea...."

"TUGGER!" She gasped, wrenching away from his grasp.

"Hey hey, I'm only joking. You know what your problem is? You need to loosen up!" He chuckled, rubbing her shoulders. She grumbled her response but couldn't deny the fact that the massage felt nice.

"Yeah well.....I just don't know what to do anymore." She sighed, anger starting to dwindle away. Tugger's ears perked up with a sudden idea.

"Hey! There's a big dance tonight. Well, more like practice getting ready for the Ball. Why don't you come?" He asked, a somewhat devious smile creeping up on his lips, though she couldn't see it.

Scarlottin sighed, "If I promise to go will you promise to -never- bring up this 'kittens' discussion again?.... Or better yet the topic even?" She rubbed the back of her neck in a mixture of annoyance, frustration and embarrassment.

Tugger used one claw to draw an imaginary 'x' over his chest, "Cross my heart Love! I have to go talk to Bomba! And I'd better see you at the dance!" He gave her a false glare and pointed at her nose before smiling handsomely and practically skipping off.

Scarlot sighed and plopped down suddenly onto a pile of folded blankets, "This is going to be a long two days..."

The day went by slowly, for she had little to do. Though she spent most of the time with her kits, she found herself avoiding a certain Silver Tabby. Though she told herself it was because she was still angry with him she wasn't sure. Whenever she heard a hint of his voice or any little tuft of grey fur she either just left the area or directed Lorian and Gristen to new area to play or hunt.

Still, she dreaded ever moment that crept closer to the dance. What was she thinking when she agreed to going? Scarlot knew perfectly well she couldn't dance, no matter what Tugger said. Soon it was only hours to the dance and Scarlot was sitting perched hi up on a pile of old boxes, munching slowly on a mousecake and pretty much avoiding everyone by now. She didn't want to go, that was apparent, but she knew she'd have to.

If she knew Tugger, he wouldn't let her miss it.

"Everything ready?" tugger asked as he stepped up to Bombalurina and led her in a dance.

"Yep," she smiled. The Maine Coon was practically shaking with excitement. His idea was moving along perfectly. "Everyone's dancing with a partner. Well, except Mr. Up-Tight-Protector." With a nod she gestured to the Silver Tabby standing up on the tire, his eyes scanning the outskirts of the clearing.

"Yeah, but for once Munku's paranoia works to my advantage," he purred as he held the red queen closer. "After all, he isn't dancing with anyone. Where's Scarlot?"

"Not here," Bomba answered with disregard. Sure she had Tugger back but still she didn't like the newest queen.

"Well we need her for the plan to work!" Tugger stated, stopping their slow spin. Bomba pouted slightly. "Oh don't be like that!" He tipped her chin up gently with his hand.

"You only talk about her! Probably still think about her too." She accused.

"No, I'm thinking of Munky and he. They'd make a cute couple. They just…need a helpful push. Now, will you go get Scarlot? Please?"

"Oh fine," she sighed grudgingly and disappeared into the shadows.

"Scarlot? What're you doing up there?"

Drat.

"Oh nothing…" Scarlot cleared her throat and looked down at the red queen, "just watching the stars."

"The dance has been going on for an hour! Aren't you going to go?" Bomba asked, placing her paws on her hips.

"Dance…right…I must've forgotten." She rubbed the back of her head in slight embarrassment. Her cheeks reddened even more as the music clearly floated over the wind.

"Right. Get down here right now!" Bomba tapped her foot with impatience. Scarlot couldn't help but wonder why the red queen even cared. After all, she had taken Tugger. The queen had ignored her except for the fiery glares once in a while. Slowly Scarlot made her way to Bomba's side.

"Now then, what're you afraid of? And don't give me that 'what-are-you-talking-about' innocent crap." My, she was straightforward. Scarlot blinked, slightly taken a-back, and sighed.

"I guess…It's because I can't dance." It wasn't a complete lie. After all, she thought herself a horrible dancer. But she didn't say that she was afraid of looking like a klutz in front of a certain Silver Tabby.

"Is that all?!" Bomba let out a laugh.

Scarlot rubbed her arms and looked at her feet in silence. Bomba patted her shoulder; this little queen wasn't the best actress. Scarlot nodded, still keeping her eyes on the ground.

"Well, no better time to learn!" She grabbed Scarlot's wrist and began dragging her back to the clearing.

"B-But…But!" Scarlot stuttered, trying to protest and yank free of her grip.

"No buts!" There are quite a few Jellicles wondering where you are, a maine coon in particular." She almost muttered the last bit. The puzzle began to fall into place in Scarlots' mind, but far to soon they came to the clearing.

"Bomba wait, seriously I don't know if I can do this!" Scarlot spoke in a rush, voice raising an octave.

"Nonsense, you'll do fine!" Bomba chuckled as she suddenly pulled the smaller queen in front of her and shoved.