Just A Monster (KP FIC)

21

It was just one scratch, why did everything hurt so badly?

The cavern had gone completely silent since Panther started their attack, the only thing to be heard was my quiet weeping. I was so desperately trying to avoid the look I knew they were giving me, it was either out of disgust or spite that I'd yell at them and then go head over heels when they set me straight. Hell, they might've found it amusing for all I could care. I just didn't want them to try and lunge at me again when I made a run for it towards home. My need for food was long gone, I didn't care about the shit anymore, I just wanted to get home, and Panther was no help. They uncomfortably shifted from time to time, I couldn't tell if they were still watching me cry on the ground, which only became more violent as time went on. I was stuck and had no idea what to do in the situation I was in. I've been in physical combat situations but it never got to the point where my opponent would actually strike back and make crucial hits. Now I was afraid. Considering the fact that Panther tried to land another hit on me after the first one I doubted if I were ever going to get home at all. They wouldn't kill me over something as small as a little fight right? There was still a chance to have a decent relationship with each other.. It was just a thought I had to cope with the fact they had attacked me in the first place and the thought just made me cry harder. I felt as if that was the only thing I could do and in Panther's jurisdiction it was becoming quite repetitive.

"For fuck's sake Mochi... Stop crying.." They growled, it wasn't threatening but it still gave me the feeling that I was in intimate danger, my fear only prickling at my fur when they sighed in annoyance, would my crying drive them to do something I thought would stop me from getting home? I raised my head that was once tucked into my paws, looking the feline directly in the eye as I attempted to control my shaky breaths and heavy sobs. Let's just say it didn't make it any easier.

"I'm not gonna attack ya or anything, just knock it off." They said, likely in an attempt of reassurance, I wasn't surprised they didn't exactly know how in this situation despite having calmed me from my tantrum weeks before, it just seemed like an awkward situation to be in. Although I've never encountered it I could partially relate, I wouldn't want to deal with me either. I went through my fair share of hics and coughs before I was reduced to sniffles, and small whimpers from time to time. My eyes never left the presence that were Panther's. I don't know why I was combative towards the thought of turning away from them, maybe I thought they'd maul me if I did despite advising me they would swing at me anymore. Panther let out a relieved sigh, glad I was able to quickly compose my self before they had to perform any other types of comfort, I was to honestly. I wanted to apologize for acting the way I did but was I really the one that needed to apologize? I felt like I needed an apology if Panther was willing to give me one. Which I doubted they were. I sat flat on the rough ground with my legs crossed, wiping my tears with a single paw and trying to avoid contact with my still bleeding scar. I'd give it a few licks to be rid of the blood but it went from above my eye all the way down to the lower part of the other, making it impossible to reach even with my questionably long tongue.

Now I'm hungry and injured, how could it get worse?

"I'm just gonna go, my expertise clearly isn't wanted here." Panther said. I wanted to convince them otherwise but right afterwards they turned the opposite direction and began walking away.

"W-wait!" They growled to themselves as if they were trying to avoid being stopped in their tracks before they left. But they turned to me anyway, the look in their eye telling me I had their full attention but only for a temporary amount of time. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out other then slobber which Panther was taking a habit into ignoring. There was no reason for them to stay. If we couldn't hunt slimepups together or talk about anything more then murdering other gootraxians they had nothing more to discuss. It's not like they were friends or anything... Right? Panther must've considered them as something more then an acquaintance at some point, now could be the only time I get to ask.