Melancholy

Chapter Six

Thanks to my reviewers, including The Villaige Idiot!

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"Panda, please leave," I heard a voice say firmly. Mei. I tried to open my eyes, but it was much harder now. My face was drenched with sweat, and I could feel Mei rubbing a wet cloth gently across my forehead.

"Mei, I can't..."

"Panda, she needs rest, and she needs absolute quiet!"

"Bijou-"

"She's quite right, Panda, please go." I saw through the slits of my eyes Panda giving a crumpled smile to Mei.

"Thanks, Mei..." he muttered, and ran out. My heart fell to my stomach.

"Ow!" a bruising hot force echoed through my abdomen. I clutched my stomach again.

"Oh, Pashmina!" Bijou cried, forcing my paws apart. "That won't be good for you!"

"She can't take much more," Mei said gravely. "But she's strong. She has a chance."

I could tell that Bijou was ready to burst into tears. But Mei took her shoulder. "Bijou-chan, why don't you go to the ClubHouse," she suggested kindly.

"But I-I cannot leave her!" I heard her cry. I griminced. Everyone was miserable because of me.

"Bijou, everything will be better. I...I can't promise, but..." I felt her stand up. "You'll feel better tomorrow."

"Thank you, Mei," I saw Bijou give Mei a wobbly smile, and before I knew it, she was gone. But I heard a wail coming outside after.

"Poor Bijou," Mei murmured, putting a fresh cloth on me.

"You could have been a little nicer," I snapped. My stomach was left with those same crackling embers. I could tell that the inside of my stomach was swollen and raw now.

"You cannot lie about being completely sure in these conditions," Mei replied coolly. "If you do, there's a chance that a much bigger pain will hit her later." She doused another cloth in a bucket of cold water, and I was starting to fall asleep.

"Pashmina, do you hate me?"

"What?" I jumped, awake. I saw Mei looking down at me. Her eyes were glazed over. There was no anger...but there was sadness?

"I really like you, but you always give me fake smiles, you're voice is always cold instead of its usual warmth, and you always snap. Why?"

You should know a guilt bomb exploded inside me. "I don't hate you." I said quietly. I didn't even feel my pains anymore. Just her disappointment.

"Why do you act this way towards me, then?"

"Because...well, everyone likes you, and you're so...so..."

"Perfect?" I heard her murmur.

"Yes, I...guess so. You're beautiful, and you cook so well, and...any guy would be lucky to have you," I repeated my former words quietly.

"Why do you hate me for this...?" I heard her confusion.

"I don't hate you, Mei..." I repeated faintly. "I...I just...I don't want you and Panda to get together..." I finished almost mutely.

There was a pregnant pause.

"What?" Mei finally asked. Her voice sounded disbelieving.

"Hey, Pash-baby!" Stan popped his head in. "Are ya feeling better?"

"Not now, Stan!" I yelled hoarsely. He let out a meek sound and popped his head back outside. I saw him scurrying down the tree.

"Pashmina, I don't like Panda." What!

"But I know that you call Panda your 'husband'."

"Oh, that," she laughed. "That was just my nickname for him a long time ago. It was a joke."

"Really?" I asked. My heart loosened, and I felt a smile attack my face.

"Pashmina," she took my paw. "You're going to make it. And when you do, you and Panda are going to have many happy years together."

"But what if he doesn't feel the same way?"

"Then he doesn't know what he's missing."

"Thanks Mei," I smiled. Sleep was enclosing me now. "I'll see you tomorrow..."

"You can count on it." I couldn't remember anything after that except darkness."

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A/N: Sorry if that was really cheesy. But everything isn't all right now, I assure you.