Intermission
Part Five
Cheetara had no intention of being told what was wrong while she was in the infirmary, with it's flashing lights and orchestra of beeps and buzzes, not to mention the fact that Tygra and Sumik were practically next to them. Tygra allowed her to be taken up to her room, with a strict warning to Panthro that should anything happen, he or Pumyra were to be notified immediately.
The cheetah still clung to the fantisiful hope that this was some sort of dream. That somehow, dreams this real could exist. It seemed like one, at least. Nearly every part of her body was numb, but she would find out later that this would be due to the large quantities of morphine corsing through her system.
Panthro nervously walked around in the room, picking up things on shelves, placing them back, moving others. It was as if touching these objects helped him gather the strength needed to tell her what she needed to know. His actions were so out of place it made the entire experience even more sureal to Cheetara.
The panther sat down on th edge of the bed, his cheeks damp, eyes glistening. She had only seen him cry once before, that being the day his father passed... "I wasn't...I didn't want to tell you about this. I thought things might be better off if you didn't know." He placed his arm around her shoulder, rubbing her back. He wanted to hold her, wanted to shelter her, had to tell her. Wouldn't be fair if he didn't. He swallowed hard and his lip trembled.
"Please...tell me. I'll be okay, I just need to know." her voice was still scratchy, her throat raw from the tubes.
"I know you're stronger than I am, probably handle it better." Until now, he hadn't looked at her, but he turned his full attention to her. Looking deep into her eyes, deep into her soul.
He took hold of her hand and held it tightly in his. "I should have told you from the start. Should have been loyal to you, told you the truth. I hope I haven't been dishonorable trying to get poor Wilykat to do it for me. But you need to know, if justice is to be served." He paused for a moment, stroking her hands. It always amazed him how small hers were compared to his. Both nearly fit flat atop one of his. Yet, her palms were so much rougher than his. Where his were strong and smooth, hers were dried out, skin peeling and small cuts adorned them, as if they had been scratched with sandpaper. Consequences of her staff, no doubt. Never once had he heard her complain about them being this way.
She works so much harder than I do, he thought, big brown eyes staring back at him. You probably know what I'm thinking, and she nodded. Maybe if the words aren't said, maybe if you just pick it up like this, maybe it won't be so bad.
"Tell me." Panthro was a sender, but not a reciever of the messages, and Cheetara's verbal command shocked him back into reality.
"Tygra was right. I can't bear to tell you, but I have to. When you were in battle, when you went down, Alluro kicked you. Do you remember this?" he asked.
A confused look crossed her face. "I thought Chilla ran me over with the Ice Runner."
Panthro took a deep breath. "She did. You must have fainted after that. Alluro kicked you then, and Wilykit ran over, and threw her fan. It was charged, knocked him back and into the tree, he was out, I think she hurt his ankle, too. RedEye, and TugMug, they'd already been taken out, and when Alluro was out, Chilla called a retreat...Sumik was down on our side, but you know that already."
"What happened when he kicked me?" she insisted.
Panthro fought to find the words. He ran his hand down to her stomach, stroking the fur on her abdomen. "You were...with child...and now...you're not."
She let the information sink in, nodding slowly. "I understand." she assured him. His look back was full of the pain felt by a father who could do nothing to save his child. "I...I didn't know I was."
"It was very, very early. Tygra kept assuring me that it wasn't developed enough to feel pain...but I think I'm feeling the pain for him...or her..." Panthro drew Cheetara closer to him, not sure of what else to say or do. "I thought it might be better if you didn't know, but I don't think I could have lived with myself if I hadn't told you."
"It's okay...it'll be alright." she soothed.
Panthro's eyes clouded over again. Here she was, she was the one who was injured, and she was comforting him. Lords of Thundera, she is stronger than I am. "Right." he replied.
Cheetara meshed herself against the panther's chest. It was warm and comforting. So were the arms which wrapped themselves around her. She was chilled in comparison, still in shock over what she had been told. She clung tightly to him, letting herself be cared for by him. She hoped that he wouldn't see the tears streaming down her face, but she knew he would. He lifted a hand to her face to wipe away the droplets, rocking her gently until, at last, peace finally came to her for the night.
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