ELEMENTAL | Chapter seven

Instructions

Whisper turned his head when he heard paw steps coming toward the cave. Stem the earth cat trotted in, smiling. “Hey! I think today we can finally start exercising your legs and wings. What do you think?” He dropped a mouse at Whisper’s paws. Whisper shrugged. “Sure. They feel a lot better… thank you.” He looked up at Stem. Stem smiled, looking a bit flustered. “It was nothing! Seriously. Let’s uh, try getting you standing up, huh?” The brown tom said hurriedly. Whisper nodded. “Alright..” He winced from the effort, but managed to pull himself up into a sitting position. Stem smiled excitedly. “Good. Your legs look great! So do your wings. Do you think you can spread them? The cave’s big enough.” He looked over Whisper’s wings. Whisper nodded. “I can try.” He stretched his wings out, relief flooding through him. He enjoyed the feeling of cool on his wings for the first time in about a week. Stem’s eyes widened as he looked at Whisper’s wingspan. “Woah… I thought most adults didn’t even have that large of one! How old are you?” He asked, looking surprised. “11 months.” Whisper glanced at his wings self-consciously. The cave was huge, and his wingtips brushed the sides. “Amazing.” Breathed Stem. “Uhm, your wingspan not—well I don’t mean—uh, let’s try walking shall we?” Stem stuttered. Whisper purred. “Sure.” He folded his wings back in and stood shakily. His front legs wobbled and then gave way. Stem thrust his paws out before Whisper’s chin hit the stone floor. “Thanks.” Whisper mumbled, standing back up again. He sat back on his haunches, looking at Stem. “Uh, no problem. Should we keep trying tomorrow?” He asked. “No! I can keep going!” Whisper hated the feeling of having to have someone take care of him. Stem looked at him doubtfully but nodded. “Alright, stand again. If you can do that, we’ll try walking a bit, okay?” He sat back, gazing at Whisper. Whisper nodded and shakily put his front paws on the ground again. When he didn’t collapse, Stem grinned. “Great job! Try a step or two?” Whisper nodded at the request. He set a paw forward, then another. He purred. “Thank the stars!” He breathed. Stem stood, smiling. “Wanna see if you can make it outside?” He asked excitedly. Whisper nodded with the same enthusiasm. Stem slipped out the exit and smiled at him from outside. Sunshine poured through the narrow crack, washing Whisper’s pelt with golden rays. He clung to that feeling and dragged himself out, sighing with relief and exhaustion. Stem purred. “You did great! So great!” He said flicking his green tail tip happily. Whisper smiled. “It’s nice to feel the sun again.” He gazed up at the tree canopy. Stem smiled and nodded. “I bet it is.” The (rather handsome in Whisper’s opinion) earth cat agreed. Whisper spread his wings, sighing contentedly as the sun washed over the feathers. Stem laughed. “You look happy.” He purred. Whisper grinned at him. “I am.” He fluttered his wings, giggling when leaves hit Stem’s face. “Hey!” Stem swept some leaves at Whisper and they settled on his wings. Whisper laughed and flapped his wings forward, showering Stem with crackly brown leaves. Stem shook them off, smirking at Whisper. “What?” Whisper asked, new energy bursting through his muscles. Stem closed his eyes and the trees above shook violently, raining leaves on Whisper. “Hey that’s not fair!” Whisper protested, laughing. Stem grinned. “I don’t have wings, you don’t have power over plant life. Sounds pretty fair, huh?” He shook the tree a bit more. Whisper laughed, trying to dodge the leaves. He leaped over Stem’s head, his wings catching the wind for a moment. He flapped and soon he was almost to the canopy. Stem gazed up at him, wide-eyed as he soared overhead. Whisper smiled and flew down, landing in front of Stem. “Pretty cool, huh? Thanks for uh, fixing them.” Whisper meowed, feeling a bit flustered when he realized how close he and Stem were. He took a step back. Stem smiled softly. “It was nothing, I enjoyed having someone to care for.” He shrugged. Whisper nodded. “Well you’re welcome then!” He said playfully. Stem laughed. Suddenly a loud screeching from above made Whisper and Stem look up quickly. Three huge wind cats flew down from the trees, claws out, aimed right at Stem.