"Shut up now!" I scream. My tribe gives me strange- almost frightened- look, before moving out of the den. I collapse, before hearing a small, shaky whisper directed at me.
"J-Jems?" my mate asks, crawling over to me. "I- I'm sorry…"
I sniffle, wiping away a tear that had managed to trickle down my cheek.
"It's not your fault, love," I tell him softly. "The tribe shouldn't have crowded you like that… and I shouldn't have yelled at them."
"It's not your fault, either," Cori replies, sounding almost like his old self. "And… the tribe was just trying to help me… I shouldn't have burst out crying, though." He sighs, putting his arms around me. "It's all too much for us. They'd be better off with the Jellicles, I say…"
I look up at him. I had been unwilling to admit it before- it hurt my pride to think that I had failed, after all those years of Munkus training me for leadership- but he's right. I tell him so.
"I think that it's partially my fault," he murmurs. I shake my head in a no.
"How could it possibly be your fault, Cori?"
"When Tanto… died… I wasn't any help. And I put even more stress on you and the tribe…" I give a soft, sad smile, and press a kiss to his lips.
"Oh, Cori," I murmur. "We had plenty of stress, even with your… erm… emotional breakdown." I sigh, meeting his gaze. "We could always go ask for forgiveness? From the Jellicles?"
He's silent for a moment, and then gives a small, uncertain nod.
"Yeah. That- that's a good idea."
And for once, I think that maybe- just maybe- things are starting to get better…
~BGBD~
I'm terribly sorry for the length, but I kinda wanna leave their reunion with the Jellicles for the sequel…
Which will probably come next Jellicle Week.
Please leave a review!