Private with Fire

Stormfur gazed at her, worry coursing through him. "Please say something, Pineleaf," he pleaded.

"Why did you do that?" Pineleaf asked in a whisper, her tail-hole throbbing with pain.

He looked down at his paws in shame, shaking a little. "I don't know!" he finally answered. "I just got so caught up in it and..." he didn't know what to say after that, and could only look at his mate in fear at what she would say to him.

She looked away from him, tears brimming in her eyes.

He stepped forward now, reaching out with his paw to lay it over hers. "Please look me in the eye, Pinellas," he whispered, scared to death now. What was she thinking?

She looked back at him and met his gaze, the pain and sorrow she was feeling clear in her green eyes.

"I'm so, so sorry," he whispered, "Would you...I mean, is there anything I can do. We could go for a walk..." he rambled on, wanting to fill the silence.

"I guess we could go on a walk," she said softly, dropping her gaze from his. "But, Stormfur, if you're going to end up like that every time we try to mate....well...." She sighed.

"I won't," he promised, though he really had not idea if that was the truth. "I would never hurt you on purpose. Alright?" He laid his tail on her shoulder.

She sighed, looking back up at him, and nodded.

"C'mon, lets walk," he led her out of the den and outside the camp. He pressed himself close to her, nuzzling her gently. "Does it still hurt?" he asked worriedly.

She seemed nervous about his affections since the episode in the warriors' but allowed them. She nodded.

He led her further away until they arrived at a peaceful spot with flowers surrounding a small grassy clearing, a perfect spot to relax. "Turn around and let me see," he ordered quietly, licking her cheek to show he didn't intend to be sexual.

She whimpered slightly but did as instructed, shivering slightly.

He nudged his muzzle underneath her tail and inspected her tailbone, seeing it swollen and painful looking. He gently drew his tongue out across it to soothe and clean it, perking his ears to listen to his mate.

She jumped slightly, looking back at Stormfur.