Fall of the Panther || Chapter 9

Instructions

A chilly breeze swept through the elder’s den, ruffling Bonestalk’s grey coat. He shivered and spotted a squirrel, just running through camp. Cobaltshimmer was curled up on the other side of the den. He looked like he needed a small walk. Maybe the squirrel would cheer him up. “Hey, Cobaltshimmer, guess what?” “...what?” “I just saw a squirrel!” “So..?” “So? So come on, let’s get it!” Cobaltshimmer lifted his head just enough to glare at Bonestalk. “I’m guessing you need medical attention for your eyes if you can't see that I’m cold and tired and would like to simply TAKE A NAP if you didn't start talking about squirrels every five heartbeats!” Bonestalk sighed, understanding. Cobaltshimmer wasn't usually like this. Okay, well, maybe he was, but the cold seemed to be making him crankier. “Well, alright then. I'm going to go check on Chasingpaw. Locustburn came by earlier asking me to.” Cobaltshimmer responded with a flick of his tail. Bonestalk smiled and got up, taking that as a sign to go. He had just stepped outside, the cool air for once feeling thrilling rather than constricting. He turned towards the medicine cat den, striding with purpose, and promptly bumped into Pantherstar. “Oh, greetings, Panth–” “Oh, Bonestalk! I’m so glad I ran into you!” She seemed anxious. “I need your advice. Could you spare a moment?” Seeing her pleading expression, Bonestalk nodded, casting a glance at the medicine cat den. “Uh… yeah, of course. What’s wrong?” He asked. Pantherstar took a deep breath. Uh oh. He prepared himself for what was about to come. “I JUST CONFESSED TO SHIMMERSNOW AFTER LIKE FOUR MOONS AND I DON’T KNOW IF SHE LIKES ME BACK AND SHE SAID SHE NEEDED A BIT TO SORT OUT HER FEELINGS BUT I’M GETTING ANXIOUS JUST WAITING AND WHAT IF SHE SAYS NO BUT APPARENTLY SHE KNEW THAT I LIKED HER ALREADY AND– it was… THAT obvious? Did you know too? DID EVERY CAT KNOW?” “Er… there, there,” Bonestalk crooned, trying to comfort her. “I'm sure no one else knew. Why don’t you go, um– clear the leaves from the ground? You know how my joints are. Just hating those leaves.” Pantherstar paused for a moment and then smiled. “Oh… I guess I could go do that. Thanks, Bonestalk.” She turned and walked away, leaving him to his own thoughts. “Huh, I can't believe that actually worked,” he said, finally arriving at the medicine cat den. It wasn’t even that far from the elder’s den. The medicine cat den smelled strongly of herbs, but there was another sensation that Bonestalk couldn't quite place. There was a feeling of calm to the place. Chasingpaw lifted her head as he walked over. He winced. She’d definitely looked better. “Whaddoyuwant,” she mumbled, turning her head away from the elder. “Well– Locustburn told me to check on you…” Bonestalk said, faltering. What was he supposed to say? Should he comfort her? Well, he was an expert on that by now, considering how he’d just handled Pantherstar. “That reminds me, I just happened to overhear something very… interesting, from Pantherstar. Do you want to hear it?” Even before he’d finished his sentence, Chasingpaw snapped her head towards him and tried to sit up. “What? What did she tell you? Is it about Shimmersnow? I know there was something going on between them– ow!” “Woah, woah, easy there.” He made Chasingpaw lay back down. “Yes, it's… about Shimmersnow.” He grinned, like he was about to share a secret. Well, he was kind of doing just that. Bonestalk felt a stab of guilt hit him. Should he tell Chasingpaw? Well, she really did seem to want to hear this, and Pantherstar hadn't exactly been subtle about it… “Well,” he said, shuffling his paws, “Pantherstar told me that she just confessed to Shimmersnow, and then… what? Why are you looking at me like that?” Chasingpaw had become very still. “Uh… are you–” “Wait, WHAT??” Chasingpaw shrieked. “She– wha– is THAT why Shimmersnow was– nonononono… that must be why! Ugh, PANTHERSTAR of all cats? She's getting thorns in her nest tonight!” “Are you okay?” he asked. Maybe this was a bit more concerning of a reaction than he’d expected. “Maybe it's not such a good idea– wait, what do you mean? Did you know?” As suddenly as she had perked up, she lay back down. “I'm sorry, Bonestalk,” she muttered. “I'm feeling tired.” “Okay… I guess I'll leave you alone then.” “W-Wait!” “...yeah?” “Can you tell me a story?” Bonestalk turned back and sat down. “Oh, all right,” he said fondly. “Now, this is one that Cobaltshimmer told me, so don't tell him that I stole it.” “What, that old grump?” Chasingpaw asked. “I didn't know he told stories.” “Oh, he’s not that bad once you get to know him. Just settle down and listen, okay?” “Okay!”