Reassurance

The faint breeze rustling the leaves was relaxing, calm, and quiet even. This type of day would be perfect to relax and take a walk, but things were different. The sound of her heartbeat pounded in her ears as her eyes widened with excitement. The slender she-cat padded quickly, picking up her pace more and more as she pushed through the forest.

This is it. Things could not have been any better than this! Crystal couldn’t hold back a chuckle that rose from her throat. There was an ominous and terrifying expression of satisfaction mixed with disbelief. She was a bit grateful that no cat had to see her composure lost like this.

Ever since that she-cat came along, everything’s been falling apart. She took him from me, and now I’m going to take him back! Crystal’s grin stretched across her face. Before she knew it, she made it back to the camp clearing.

Sunlight had peeked through the gaps the leaves had failed to fill, causing the camp to have dim lighting. Crystal’s eyes darted around the clearing, looking for the familiar flame-pelt that she admired. She frowned when she didn’t find the one she was looking for.

Crystal couldn’t help but scoff out of annoyance. Of course, he isn’t here. Her eyes lingered over towards the collapsed tree that lays on the boulder in the near middle of the clearing. She narrowed her eyes as she began padding towards it, her attention focusing on the den’s entrance off by the leaves gathered on top of whatever branches remained intact. Crystal blinked when she noticed a couple of figures exiting the den, one being Fire, the one she was looking for. The other being a dark gray-pelted tom.

Stream must be reporting to him about something. Crystal stood there and waited for the two to finish talking. She felt her heart skip a beat when Fire caught her gaze for a moment before continuing his conversation with Stream. When Stream had bowed his head dismissively before leaving, her eyes widened slightly when she noticed Fire beckoning her over with his tail.

“Is there something you need?” Fire asked casually.

She heard his words, but her mind wandered rather than focusing on answering. No matter how much they talked or how much she’s seen him, she can’t help but feel somewhat flustered. Everything about him made her feel safe and comfortable. She’d do anything for him.

“Crystal?” She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard him calling her.

“I’m sorry, I was lost in my thoughts for a moment,” Crystal spoke naturally, quickly gathering her composure. This isn’t the time to act like a kit.

“Well?” Fire sat down, letting his tail curled around his side.

“I…” Crystal trailed off for a moment. How could she bring this up? She knows that Fire has some feelings towards that she-cat, but she has to be careful not to let her satisfaction ease into her words. Crystal closed her eyes and took in a deep breath before continuing.

“I know you aren’t going to like this, Fire, but I’m only reporting what I saw.” She began again, her eyes locked into Fire’s. She didn’t have to look away to notice the small change in his posture. There was no point in beating around the bush.

“She’s still alive…” Crystal managed to force out, pausing for a moment.

Her eyes scan his face to see what he’s thinking. Fire’s eyes simply widened, clear that he wasn’t expecting it.

“Where is she?” Fire asked sternly. The tip of his tail began to flicker back and forth slowly.

“She’s with Coffee.” She answered.

Crystal felt a faint chill run across her pelt as she watched Fire stare at her. What is this feeling? She waited for his response, feeling a bit uneasy. After what felt like moons, Fire abruptly stood up and spun towards his den.

“Get in.” He demanded before his tail was swallowed by the shadows of the leaves past the entrance.

Crystal followed the tom inside and had sat less than a tail-length away from the entrance. She watched Fire pad towards his nest, stopping in front of it before digging his claws into the dirt. She was unphased by his behavior, but she couldn’t help but have this uneasy feeling itching her pelt.

“Where was this? When did you see them?” His voice was lower.

“It was near the dense part of the riverbank. Not too far from the Great Oaktree. I saw them right before coming back to the camp to speak with you.” She said coolly.

Even a kit could tell how frustrated Fire was getting with his pelt prickled and scowl worsening. Crystal understood why though, it’s been moons since that she-cat has been seen and for the past few moons, that brown-pelted tom, Coffee, has been seen less and less as well.

It’s as if the stars heard my wishes. Crystal fought back a smirk. She closed her eyes and quietly cleared her throat as Fire turned to face her. She figured he was facing her, but waited on his response before raising her head. After a few heartbeats of silence, Crystal looked up at the flame-colored tom to see him look devastated. Her eyes were wide with surprise. She had never seen him like this.

“What… Why would she leave? With him?” His voice cracked as he barely managed to speak out in a whisper.

“I don’t know, but it’s not your fault.” She said softly.

Crystal slowly rose and padded over to him. She stopped for a moment, raising her paw and placing it on Fire’s cheek.

“I did everything for her.” He looked at Crystal. She saw confusion and pain clear as day in his eyes.

“You did…” Crystal slowly removed her paw, bringing it back to the ground. “-but she must’ve wanted more.”

She laid her head on his shoulder, her cheek brushing against his. Fire tensed but didn’t move away. Crystal took in a deep breath, savoring the moment. This was the closest she’s ever gotten to Fire.

There’s no way I’ll let this slide. She forced the faint sound of satisfaction that escaped her to sound like a hum.

“Then what am I supposed to do?” He whispered.

Crystal held back a purr when she felt Fire curl his tail up around her. As much as she’d like to savor the moment and wish for it to last forever, she’d have to solve this problem first.

“Why not test her? If she passes, then she really does care for you.” Crystal suggested. I’d rather get rid of her as quickly as possible, but patience Crystal. It takes time and Fire will need to see for himself that she’s no good for him.

“What if she doesn’t pass?” Fire asked. She kept silent, thinking about her words.

“Hopefully, she does.” It felt like thorns were caught in her throat as she said that.

The faint rustling of the leaves forming the den had been the only noise that filled the area. Crystal closed her eyes, assuming he would ask about what test the she-cat would have to go through. It was only then that she heard something unexpectedly, “I want that tom gone.” He said.

Crystal blinked her shock away and leaned back to where she was no longer resting on him and was facing him instead. She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off.

“That’s her test.” Fire started at Crystal, his eyes burning with anger. “If she still cares for that tom even after he’s gone, then so be it.” He took in a sharp breath as he finished speaking. Crystal softened her gaze before nodding along.

“If that is what you want, then so do I-”

“I want you to get rid of him.” Fire cut her off.

“You want me?” Crystal wasn’t really shocked, but whenever it came to that she-cat, Crystal didn’t think Fire would have her involved.

“How do you want me to get rid of him-”

“I don’t care, just get rid of him.” He growled, his eyes piercing into Crystal’s.

She stared at him, unable to hold back an oncoming smile. Seeing Fire like this wasn’t new, it was something she hadn’t seen for many moons. The fact that he’s like this and it relates to that she-cat had excited Crystal.

“You’re the only one I can trust, Crystal. You better not let me down.” Fire turned away and stalked towards his bedding.

“Of course, I promise you I will see to it that the plan carries out.” She lowered her head respectfully.

“That’s what I’d like to hear. You’re dismissed.” Fire didn’t even bother looking back at her and stayed curled up in his bedding.

Crystal felt a pang of hurt at the lack of attention, but it was almost instantly overwhelmed with excitement and satisfaction. She had a grin growing on her face as she turned around and headed towards the entrance of the den.

Let's see you pray to your Gods now.