Part 34

"Happy Birthday, WilyKit, WilyKat!" The Thundercats cheered happily at the now eighteen year olds.

The twins weren't surprised though. They knew it was being planned, but were happy nonetheless. All the Thundercats were there, including Bengali and Pumyra, except for Cheetara and Lynx-O who was guarding the Tower of Omens. They all believed that she was still on 3rd Earth and understood why she wasn't in attendance. The young Thundercats hugged everyone including their aunt. A large cake was on the counsel table and surrounding the room were gifts the adult Thundercats had gotten for them. The supposedly adults acted like children and went straight for the gifts, each thanking the Thundercats for their gifts. Their aunt was the last to give them each a gift.

WilyKat opened his gift first. "It's a gold pocket watch."

"Yes, it was your grandfather's. He passed it on to Ral when he was eighteen and your father was going to give it to you when you turned eighteen. Ral loved and cherished it. I hope you will too."

"I will. Thank you." He said and gave his aunt a hug.

Vasa handed a small gift wrapped box to WilyKit. She snatched it from her hand. Kit opened the box. "It's a locket." WilyKit said and opened it. It was a picture of WilyKit's mother, Ursula. "It looks like a picture of me, but I never wore my hair down."

"It's your mother. As you can see, you two look alike." Vasa explained. "She had it on when she died."

WilyKit felt overwhelmed about the gift and a little guilty on how she treated her aunt. "My mother's locket." She said clutching it. "Thank you."

"If you come over to my house, you could see more of your parents things."

"We will come by more often." WilyKit said a little teary eyed.

"Well, I guess that concludes all the gift. Let's get to the cake." WilyKat said.

"Not yet, WilyKat." Pumyra said as she and Bengali got up.

"We have one more present, but it's not from us." Bengalis said as they walked to the door.

"It's from Cheetara." Pumyra opened the door.

The twins gasped as everyone did when they saw Cheetara standing in the doorway. She looked the same except that her hair had grown from her shoulders to her hips in her long absence. It was longer, thicker, and fuller. Both Lion-O and Tygra were fixated on Cheetara. Lion-O thought about his erotic dream with Cheetara and shook his head, realizing nothing would become of them.

Leela watched Lion-O from the moment Cheetara appeared. She smiled when she saw Lion-O look away. That's right, Lion-O. Your sick little romance with Cheetara no longer exists. You are mine now.

The twins hugged Cheetara happily. "Oh, I've missed you guys." Cheetara said happily.

"This is a great birthday gift." WilyKit said.

"Well, if I known that was what you wanted, it would've been a lot easier finding a gift for you." She laughed and noticed the rest of the Thundercats. "It seems some other Thundercats are jealous. I guess I should say hello to them." She left the twins grasped and hugged Panthro. "Panthro, it's good to see you."

Panthro lifted Cheetara off her feet. "I've missed you, but I didn't see you come in."

"I know. I slipped in unnoticed."

Panthro sat her down and Cheetara hugged Tygra next. He was so excited to see her that he picked her up and twirled her around the room. He sat her down and held her close to him. "I've really missed you, Cheetara." He said softly.

"I've missed you, too, Tygra." She smiled at him and frowned a little when she saw Leela. Leela looked at the cheetah darkly and held out her hand. "I see you haven't changed, Leela."

"I wasn't suppose to. You were. That's why you were gone al those months or have you forgotten?"

"I can see that you are still upset with me for what I've done, Leela. I am sorry for that." Cheetara apologized. Leela rolled her eyes and moved towards Lion-O. Cheetara saw Vasa and decided to say hello. "How are you, Vasa? I haven't seen you in a while."

"I'm fine. I heard you been gone a while."

WilyKit looked up suspicious at her aunts words. Now how did she know about Cheetara's absence.

"Four months and it felt like four years." Cheetara laughed. "Snarf. Snarfer. It's good to see you." She said and hugged the furry creatures. She stood up and saw Lion-O. "Well, well, well. Look who I get to hug last. It's ironic, though. You were the last person I saw before I flew from New Thundera and now you're the last person I greet." Before Lion-O could say anything, Cheetara hugged him. Lion-O returned the hug with a little emotion.

"It's good to see you, Cheetara."

"It feels good to be back." She said and broke her hug from Lion-O and turned to everyone. "I want to catch up with all of you, even you Leela." Leela just made a face and Cheetara continued. "Now that I've said hello to everyone, it's time for the twins to receive their gifts. I can't take all the credit for this. Panthro and Bengali helped me with this gift. Look out the window."

Excited and curious on what their gift was, WilyKat and WilyKit ran to the window and gasped at what they saw. "It's twin hovercycles!" The twins said together. The two vehicles sat in front of the steps of Cat's Lair. One was red and the other was yellow, each embedded the Cat's Eye on the front.

"The red one yours, WilyKat. Both goes as fast an any of the top hover cycles in the galaxy. Both are equipped for battle with lasers and self defense weapons, and it's really fun to ride." Cheetara explained.

WilyKit and WilyKat gave Cheetara a big hug. "Thanks, Cheetara."

"I'm going to ride it right now." He sprinted out of the door.

"Wait for me, WilyKat." His sister called after him as she ran out the door.

Some time later, the twins returned to cut the cake, eat some food and ran right back out. Vasa and Leela watched them outside as they rode their hover vehicles. Inside the counsel room, Tygra and Cheetara sat on the windowsill talking and Panthro, Lion-O, Bengali and Pumyra were all talking on the other side of the room opposite of Cheetara.

"Why didn't you tell us Cheetara recovered from the depression?" Panthro asked.

"We did, but Cheetara wanted to surprise you." Pumyra answered.

"It was definitely was a surprise." Lion-O said taking a look at her as she laughed with Tygra.

"You still love her, don't you, Lion-O?" Bengali asked knowing the answer. "Well, we can all see that, but Pumyra and I think it's best that you do not tell or show your feelings to her."

Lion-O was going to respond but Pumyra interrupted.

"As you can see, Lion-O, Cheetara isn't the same woman you saw four months ago. She finally seems at peace with herself, and I think that if you mention your past together, she might not be able to handle the past feelings of hurt and pain. If you really love her, you wouldn't do anything to hurt her."

Lion-O once more thought his dream with Cheetara and let it fade into nonexistence. "I know, Pumyra. I have to move on. Regretfully, Leela is my future and I'm beginning to come to terms with that."

Cheetara and Tygra were still laughing as Tygra told her about some funny things that happened at Cat's Lair in her absence.

"I can't believe I missed all that." Cheetara sobered up. "It's been a while since we had a good talk. I have missed it."

"Let me take you out to dinner tomorrow night, to welcome your return of course."

"Thanks, Tygra, but I promised the twins I'd catch up with them tomorrow. How about the day after tomorrow, Thursday? Will that be okay?"

"It'll be perfect." Tygra smiled.

Vasa stood outside alone as she watched her niece and nephew ride their hover cycles. Leela left earlier to check on Cheetara and make sure she's not getting too close to Lion-O. WilyKit saw her aunt standing by herself and thought it was time to confront her. She landed her vehicle in front of her. Vasa saw the angry look in WilyKit's eyes and wonder what she was mad about now.

"So, Vasa, how did you know that Cheetara was gone from Thundera for four months?" Kit asked.

"I heard it, um, I haven't seen her, so I assume she left Cat's Lair."

"You're lying. Someone told you she was gone. Who told you? You're not suppose to know anything about the Thundercats. So who was it?" She demanded.

Vasa was upset with her niece, but she told her anyway. "Panthro, all right. He told me."

"Panthro? Why would he tell you? He knows not to mention Thundercat affairs to a stranger."

Vasa was insulted. "Stranger? I'm your aunt."

"Some aunt. You lied to us about the truth of my parents and you expect us to trust you since you're our only relative?" WilyKit said coldly.

"You know who you are sounding like? Your mother. You look and act like her, so cold and cruel. She was evil and manipulative. She seduced my brother into her dark world and never again was he the kind, loving brother I knew. I can see it in your eyes that you are becoming just as sinister and wicked as she. Please, don't fall into that dark side, WilyKit, it would only hurt the people you love most." Vasa warned her placing her hands on her shoulder. WilyKit shoved her hands away.

WilyKat pulled up. He saw the two woman looking like they were in a heated debate. "What's going on?"

Vasa smiled at WilyKat. "Nothing. I'm tired and I'm going to go home. Happy Birthday, you two." She smiled again and left.

"What did you say to her?" WilyKat asked.

"Something that should have been said a lot earlier." She pulled her brother off his hover cycle and back into Cat's Lair. "Come on, Kat. We're going to see Panthro. He has a lot of explaining to do."

Part 35

WilyKit dragged her brother angrily back into Cat's Lair. Panthro and Cheetara were talking in the counsel room when they entered. "Panthro, may we have a word with you. Now." She said sternly.

Panthro and Cheetara looked at each other oddly and then back at WilyKit and WilyKat. "Um, okay. I'll talk to you later, Cheetara." He told her and left the room with the twins.

"Now what was that all about." Cheetara asked herself.

"Why did you tell Vasa that Cheetara was gone for four months? Did you also tell her why she went to 3rd Earth?" WilyKit blasted.

"I thought she had the right to know. She's your family. Why didn't you tell her?" Panthro turned the question on them.

"Don't turn the question on me!" Kit snapped.

"Watch it, Kit. Why do you have to snap at him like that?"

"Shut up, Kat! And for your information, Panthro, she didn't have to know. Thundercat business doesn't leave the lair." Her moods changed as she came to a realization. "What's the real reason, Panthro? There's more to this than what you're saying, so spill it!"

Cheetara came out of the room. "What's all the yelling for?"

"Ask Panthro." WilyKit said coldly and left.

"Wait a minute, Kit. Come back here." Her brother said going after her.

"Well?" Cheetara asked looking at Panthro.

WilyKat ran to catch up with his sister. When he did, he grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop. "What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing is wrong with me. It's Panthro and Vasa. Something is up between them. I know it. He's lying to us about why he told Vasa about Cheetara."

"And even if her did, so what? She didn't tell anyone else, and Panthro is right. She is our only family. She can tell us so much about our heritage."

"Who wants her as family and why would we want to learn about our heritage?! We've learned enough about it. Our grandmother lied to us about our parents. Our parents were traitors to our planet and hated Thundercats, which happens to be what we are, they killed who knows how many people, they worked for the mutants, and the list goes on. Oh, yeah. I want to know more about that."

"WilyKit, you're looking at the negatives and nothing positive."

"There's nothing positive about our parents or our past. Now let go of my arm or I'll break yours." WilyKit threatened.

WilyKat reluctantly release her arm. "What's gotten in you, Kit? This isn't like you."

"Maybe you don't know me." WilyKit's voice was icy cold. She turned away from and left.

Cheetara pace back and forth in front of Panthro and stopped. "From what you told me, it only leaves one question: Was there something more than what you told WilyKit and WilyKat?" Panthro looked away. "There is something, isn't there? What's been going on since I was gone?"

"There's nothing going on, Cheetara." Panthro said a little unsure and left.

"But-wha-" She sighs as she watch Panthro walk down the hall. "This is just great." She said in a sardonic tone.

"Something wrong?" A familiar voice asked.

Cheetara turned around. "No, Lion-O. Everything's fine. Everybody has things on their mind and want to handle it on their own." She said simply. "So how are you?'

"I'm fine. I'm glad that you are back and feeling better." He said looking at her admiringly. He quickly tried to think of another question so he wouldn't stare at her, although he found the temptation irresistible. Finally, he thought of something to say. "I see you let your hair grow. It looks nice."

"Thank you. I decided on my break that I needed to do something with my hair, so I let it grow." She smiled and a serious look appeared on her face. "When I came back, I went to my room and I noticed that a picture frame of us was standing on my night stand. When I left, it was down. You were in my room, weren't you?"

"Yes, I was. I'm sorry about that. It's just that I missed you."

"I understand, but you do realize that we aren't together anymore and we never will be."

"I do." Lion-O understood.

"When I was on 3rd Earth, I was thinking about something I wanted to tell you."

The only people left in the room were Tygra and Leela. Pumyra and Bengali left earlier to prepare for their departure to 3rd Earth. Tygra was telling Leela about his date with Cheetara the day after tomorrow.

"So she said yes." Leela smiled.

"Yes, she did. I told you as soon as she return, she would want to be with me."

"You did, so when are you going to tell her how you feel?"

"Soon enough. It won't be long from now." Tygra said confident.

"I'll keep my fingers cross." Leela told him and left. When she stepped out of the room, she heard familiar voices, voices that shouldn't be together. She slowly walked down the hall and heard Lion-O and Cheetara talking around the corner.

"When I was on 3rd Earth, I thought about you and how good friends we were before we got involved, and I want that friendship back."

"I want that friendship back, too. You were my best friend." Lion-O said.

"I thought Snarf was your best friend."

"No way. He was one of my closest friends, but I couldn't talk to him about certain things I could talk to you about. You're so much easier to talk to and you would act calm if I tell you I was worried about something. Snarf would get into a bigger worried fit than me." Lion-O explained.

Cheetara laughed. "Snarf is known to get worried over nothing. Well, I'm glad that's settled. We can be friends again, as long as we don't mention our past together."

Lion-O paused for a moment before answering. He wasn't sure if he could agree to something like that, but thought he should if he wanted a friendship with her again. It was better than having nothing with her. "Agreed. Friends." He forced a smile as he held his hand out.

"Friends." Cheetara smiled shaking his hand.

"What's all this?" Leela asked in a jealous tone, coming from the corner.

"Leela, I didn't hear you slither from around the corner. What an unpleasant surprise." Cheetara said as she gracefully remove her hand from Lion-O's.

"Cheetara and I are putting our past behind us and are working on being friends again." Lion-O told Leela.

"Don't worry, Leela. I won't steal Lion-O from you. Stealing husbands is your job." Cheetara said smartly.

"Hmm. Funny." Leela responded. "And by the way, it's Lady Leela." Leela corrected her.

Cheetara smiled sweetly. "I wasn't joking and the last thing you are is a lady." She looked at Lion-O. "Could you excuse me, Lion-O? I have some things to do."

Leela watched angrily as Cheetara left. She hasn't change a bit. She's going to try to take Lion-O from me. Well, I won't have it. I'd kill her first.

Panthro looked throughout the lair looking for WilyKit and WilyKat. He hadn't told them that he killed their parents and after what had happened earlier today, he wasn't going to anytime soon. In the hangar, he saw WilyKat polishing his hovercycle.

"WilyKat, where is your sister?"

"I don't know. She said she had to get out of the lair for a while." He stopped polishing his vehicle and looked at Panthro. "Panthro, is there something more than acquaintance with my aunt than you're letting my sister and I believe?" Kat asked.

"No, Kat. I was concerned for you and your sister. We were all down when Cheetara left. She was special to all of us, and I needed to talk to someone about it. I thought you told her and when I learned that you didn't, I thought that she could be trusted." It wasn't a total lie, but it wasn't the complete truth either.

"I guess that sounds reasonable, Panthro. I'll try to explain it to WilyKit when I find her." He said getting on his hover cycle on. He gave Panthro a thumbs up and flew off.

"I hope I did the right thing lying to him. I hate to do this, but I have too...for now." Panthro told himself.

Part 36

Thursday night arrived quickly and Cheetara was in her room preparing herself for dinner with Tygra. She wore her hair in curls and wore a blue evening gown that brought out her feminine figure. She grabbed her purse and headed out her door only to Panthro who was coming in her direction.

"Cheetara? Aren't we looking nice tonight?" Panthro said amazed.

"Thank you. Tygra's taking me out to dinner to the Golden Palace to catch up." Cheetara said.

Panthro looked surprise. "Tygra's taking you out to a fancy restaurant just to catch up?" Panthro asked skeptical.

"Yes. You make it sound like that wasn't true. Why is that?" Cheetara asked not knowing Leela was listening to them around the corner.

"It doesn't sound right. Yesterday, you and the twins stayed her and talked and now Tygra's taking you to an exclusive restaurant. Why not a regular one? It sounds like a date."

"A date? It's just dinner between friends, Panthro." Cheetara tried to assure him, but he wasn't believing it.

"Fancy dinner, you both dressed up. It sounds like a date to me."

"You're wrong, Panthro. It's not a date. Tygra knows that as well as I. We haven't been on a date since we broke up. We're friends now." Cheetara told him.

"All right. Fine. I believe you, but what if Tygra wanted a relationship with you again, would you want to go with Tygra again?" Panthro asked and Leela leaned further to hear the answer.

"No. We're two different people now. I see him only as a friend." Cheetara answered.

"So there's no chance of the two of you getting back together?" Panthro asking to be sure.

"No, Panthro. Why?"

"I thought Tygra may still have feelings for you."

"You couldn't be more wrong, Panthro."

I've got to warn, Tygra. Leela thought and headed for Tygra's room.

"You never listen do you, Leela?" Tygra asked as put the final touches to his formal black suit.

"How does no chance of getting back together sound to you?" Leela asked Tygra sitting on his bed.

"She says that to Panthro to not let anyone knows how she really feels. She loves me like I love her and I'll prove it to you tonight. She will open her heart to me." Tygra assured her as he walked to his door. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to pick up my date." Tygra closed the door on his way out.

Leela sat there on his bed shaking her head. "You're wrong, Tygra. Cheetara doesn't love you. Love can be so blind. I got to follow them and see what happens tonight." Leela said to herself and left Tygra's room. "Lion-O! Lion-O!" Leela called running, looking for him and bumped into him in the hallway.

"I heard you call me, Leela. Is anything wrong?"

"No, darling. I was wondering if you would like to go out to dinner tonight at the Golden Palace. We haven't been out in so long."

"The Golden Palace. Any particular reason you want to go to such an exclusive restaurant?"

"No reason. I just want to spend some time with you alone and out of the lair. It's a perfect night to go out."

Lion-O felt there was another reason, but he didn't know what. However, he thought he should spend more intimate times with Leela to get to know her better. "All right. You convinced me. We'll go tonight."

Leela gave him a quick kiss. "You won't regret it."

Cheetara and Tygra were finishing dinner and catching up when Tygra decided to make his move. "I must say once again that you look incredible." Tygra commented on how she looked.

"You're going to make me blush, Tygra. I sense something about you tonight, Tygra. Is there a special lady in your life." Cheetara laughed at the stunned look on his face. "There is someone, isn't there? Who is she? Does the other Thundercats know about you and her?"

"Yes. I don't want to say. And no." Tygra answered the three questions in order. "I haven't told her how I felt yet."

"After all these years, Tygra. I thought you weren't shy anymore when we dated. Oh well. So is she pretty."

"Beautiful." Tygra answered with admiring eyes.

"What's her name?"

"I.....I rather not say."

"Hmm. I wonder if I know her." Cheetara thought aloud. "Does she feels the same way as you?"

"I'm very confident that she does."

Cheetara took a sip of her wine and place the glass back down on the table. "I'm going to help you, Tygra. I want you to practice on me. Tell me you want to tell her."

Lion-O and Leela arrived not to much later in evening wear. Lion-O wore a white formal suit and Leela wore a lavishing red gown with a split that went a little over her knee. The owner was expecting them and escorted them to a private room in the restaurant where they had a view of everyone in the restaurant. He handed them their menus and left them to decide what they want.

"Everything looks delicious. Could you order the special for me with red wine, sweetheart? I have to go to the ladies room." Lion-O nodded and Leela left. I don't see them now. Maybe I'll spot them when I get back. Leela thought.

When a waiter took his order, Lion-O looked at the view he had. He looked at the lower part of the restaurant and saw Cheetara and Tygra. Panthro told me Cheetara looked incredible tonight, but I didn't think she was looking this good. I guess it wouldn't hurt to say hi.

"Why are you so quiet, Tygra? It'll be the practice you need." Cheetara told him. "Now take my hand, look into my eyes and tell me how you feel and I'll be your love interest."

"Very well." Tygra said taking hold of Cheetara's hand.

Lion-O quietly walked to Tygra and Cheetara's table and looked curious at them as he saw Tygra take her hand in his. What's going on? He stayed hidden so they wouldn't see him.

Tygra gently caressed Cheetara's hand and looked into her eyes. "Cheetara, I love you. You are the most beautiful woman I've seen in my life. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Would you be mine now and forever?" Tygra told her in his gentlest voice.

What? Tygra's in love with Cheetara. I don't believe it. Lion-O thought.

"I love you, too, Tygra." Cheetara responded.

Cheetara's in love with Tygra? When did this happen? Did I push her into Tygra's arm when we broke up? Lion-O asked himself.

"Lion-O?"

Lion-O turned around and saw Leela behind him.

"Hey, there's Tygra and Cheetara. Let's say hello to them." Leela said. And then I can find out what's going on.

"No." Lion-O was firm. He couldn't stay at the restaurant anymore, not after what he saw. It was too much for him to take in so suddenly. "I have to go home. I'm not feeling well."

"You're not feeling well? Well, I guess we should go." Leela took his hand and walked him out. She saw a waiter and stopped him. "Could you cancel our order. My husband isn't feeling well and I must take him home."

"Yes, your highness." The waiter said. Lion-O and Leela left and the same waiter walked towards Tygra and Cheetara's table.

Cheetara remove her hand from Tygra's and sat back in her chair. "That's all you have to do, Tygra. Be honest, and when you do tell her, let me know."

The waiter arrived and placed the bill on the table. "We at the Golden Palace hope that Lord Lion-O gets well."

Cheetara looked at the waiter surprised. "Get well? Is Lion-O sick?"

"He fell ill not to long ago."

Part 37

Panthro knocked on WilyKits bedroom that same evening. He hadn't seen her much in the past two days since she was ignoring him.

"Come in." WilyKit said on the other side of the door. Her eyes became angry again when Panthro entered.

"I guess I deserve that look. I'm sorry, Kit. I'll tell you the real reason." Panthro said leaning against the wall.

Kit remain quiet as she say on her bed. "It had better be a good reason."

"It is. I told her because of Cheetara."

"Lion-O's sick? How?" Cheetara demanded.

"Lord Lion-O and Lady Leela arrived here not to long ago and a few minutes later the lord became ill and had to leave." The waiter explained and Tygra handed the waiter the money. "Thank you, sir." He said and left.

"We have to go now." Cheetara said immediately getting out of her seat and going to the door.

Tygra slowly and angrily got up and followed Cheetara. You always no how to ruin things for me, don't you Lion-O?

Lion-O and Leela entered Cat's Lair an Snarf was there to greet them. "Hi, you two. What are you doing back so soon?"

"Lion-O fell ill so we canceled dinner and came back home." Leela explained.

"My little boy's sick." Snarf said worried. He lift himself on his tail and felt Lion-O"s forehead. "You're don't have fever or a chill."

"Snarf, you don't have to have a fever or chill to be sick, Snarf." Lion-O said annoyed.

"Snarf, will you take Lion-O back to our bedroom. I'm going to make Lion-O some tea." Leela said.

"Sure, Lady Leela. Come on, Lion-O." Snarf said walking Lion-O to his bedroom. Snarf nearly smothered Lion-O with blankets and put a thermometer in his mouth before Lion-O had enough.

"Snarf, that's enough!" Lion-O shouted pulling off the blankets and taking the thermometer out of his mouth. "I'm not sick."

"Then why..Oh, I get it. You didn't want to have dinner with Leela."

"I wish that was it, but it's not. I saw Tygra and Cheetara tonight at the Golden Palace. I was going to say hi but I heard Tygra telling Cheetara that he loved her and Cheetara told him the same thing. I was so shocked to hear that, that I had to leave. I couldn't stay there and see them all over each other. Now I know for sure that she's over me."

Snarf was speechless. I thought they were friends now. I didn't think they would get back together.

Leela came in with a cup of tea. "Here, Lion-O. Drink this. You'll feel better."

"Thank you, Leela. If you two don't mind, I'd like to be alone."

Leela and Snarf nodded, agreeing and left the room.

"Cheetara?" WilyKit was confused. "What does Cheetara have to do with it?"

"I was real down when Cheetara left and I had to talk to someone about it. I thought your aunt could be trusted."

"I still don't get it. Why? You don't have feelings for Cheetara, do you?"

"NO!" Panthro said quickly. "My relationship with Cheetara is platonic. She's just a real good friend."

"Well, okay. Maybe I can understand that, but you shouldn't have told her. She can't be trusted."

"Why not?" Panthro asked.

"There's something not right. I don't what it is, but I'm going to find out." WilyKit said determined to find out everything. Panthro was now getting more worried. The look on her face reminded him of her mother which was not good. He hope he was right by not telling the twins everything.

Tygra and Cheetara were almost home. They were in a Thunderian hover sports car. One of three models Tygra and Panthro built. Tygra was angry at Lion-O for ruining his date with Cheetara. Cheetara, on the other hand, was looking worried. Tygra wondered if Cheetara still had any lingering feelings for Lion-O. The way she was looking told him yes.

"I've been meaning to ask you something since we left the restaurant Cheetara. Do you have any feelings for Lion-O."

"What?!"

"Are you over him? Have you come to peace with yourself and your relationship with Lion-O?" Tygra interrogated.

Cheetara was almost speechless. "Wh-What? Why are you asking me that?"

"I was just wondering. When you heard Lion-O was sick, you immediately got us out of the restaurant."

"I am concerned about our leader, Tygra. If anything happens to Lion-O, we'll be in a very vulnerable position. Aren't you concern about Lion-O?" Cheetara asked.

"Of course I'm concern, Cheetara." Tygra told Cheetara. The hell I am. Tygra thought.

"By the way, Tygra, I prefer not to discuss my relationship with Lion-O. It's in the past and I'd like to look at the future now."

"I understand, Cheetara, and I won't bring it up anymore." Tygra said driving the sports car in the hangar.

Cheetara got out and sprinted in the lair. Lion-O was lying in bed falling asleep when he heard a rapid knocking at his door.

"Now who could that be." Lion-O wondered. "Come in."

Cheetara came in and ran to his side. "Are you all right, Lion-O? I heard about you falling ill tonight and I rush to see what was wrong."

"Cheetara?" Lion-O blinked twice.

"Yes, it's me, Lion-O. What's wrong? How did you get sick?" Cheetara asked concerned.

Lion-O wasn't paying attention to what Cheetara was saying. He was taken back about how she looked. She looked like a goddess to him. Her eyes were warm and concern and she smelled heavenly. He felt she put a trance on him with her beauty. He reached out and touch the soft curls in her hair. His hand gently graced her face, fell down to her right arm and finally in her hand. Cheetara's voice brought him out his trance.

"What are you doing, Lion-O?" Cheetara asked.

"What do you think you're doing, Cheetara?" Leela asked in the doorway.

Cheetara looked at Leela. "I was talking to Lion-O and was trying to figure out what was wrong with him."

"He doesn't need you for that. He has me."

"Then why weren't you in here?" Cheetara asked.

"He wanted to be alone."

Cheetara figured she knew what was going on. "I see. Well, I guess I'll be going." She said with a smirk and left the room. When Cheetara returned to her room, she changed out of her clothes and into a nightgown and her robe and went to the kitchen for a snack. She found Tygra there munching on some cookies Snarf made earlier.

"So how's Lion-O?" Tygra asked.

"He's fine. I think he was trying to get out of having dinner with Leela. She certainly can be a pain." She answered as she poured herself a glass of milk. As she poured the milk, Tygra noticed that Cheetara's robe was partly opened and he got a look at her cleavage. He stared at that area longingly. "You want some of this?" He heard Cheetara's voice say.

"Oh, yeah." Tygra breathed heavily.

"What?" Cheetara asked.

Tygra snapped out it. "What?"

"I said did you want some milk."

"Milk? Oh, yeah. Milk would be fine." Tygra said and quietly blew a sigh of relief when he realized that Cheetara didn't catch him looking at her. She handed him a glass of milk and he smiled as their hands touch.

Snarf cam in looking gloomy. He saw the two smiling and figured it was true. "Hi, guys. Snarf Snarf."

"Hi, Snarf. Why so gloomy?" Cheetara asked as she begin to drink her milk.

"Nothing, except that Lion-O told me that you and Tygra were in love with each other and are a couple."

Cheetara spit out her milk and Tygra was almost choking on his cookie.

"So, what did she want?" Leela asked getting in bed with Lion-O.

"She only wanted to know how I was doing. Now let me get some sleep."

"I will, but I'm staying with you the rest of the night. She won't get that close to you again."

Lion-O ignored Leela and thought about Cheetara and Tygra. He couldn't believe that they were together and felt he was responsible for it.

Leela rubbed Lion-O's arms soothingly. That witch would do anything she can to get close to you. If she tries that again, she's dead.

"I'm so sorry, Snarf." Cheetara apologized wiping the milk she spit on Snarf with a dish towel. Once she was done, she laid the towel on the counter. "I've got to talk to Lion-O." She sprinted out of the room.

"Wait, Cheetara." Tygra ran after her.

She stopped in the hallway and waited for Tygra to catch up. "What is it, Tygra?"

"Don't tell Lion-O that you and I aren't together."

"Why not? It's not true."

"Cheetara, Lion-O is still in love with you. You know it and I know it. If he sees us together, then he'll know that's it's over between the two of you and finally move on with Leela."

"Tygra, Lion-O and I just mended our friendship. I can't lie to him."

"But you must, Cheetara." Tygra said placing his hands on her shoulders. "If you care about the future of Thundera, you'll do it. Lion-O and Leela have to produced an heir." He pressured her.

"But why would you want to agree to a lie like that?" Cheetara asked and she began thinking about what Panthro said and dinner with Tygra.

Panthro looked surprise. "Tygra's taking you out to a fancy restaurant just to catch up?" Panthro asked skeptical.

"Yes. You make it sound like that wasn't true. Why is that?" Cheetara asked not knowing Leela was listening to them around the corner.

"It doesn't sound right. It sounds like a date."

"A date? It's just dinner between friends, Panthro." Cheetara tried to assure him, but he wasn't believing it.

"Fancy dinner, you both dressed up. It sounds like a date to me."

"You're wrong, Panthro. It's not a date. Tygra knows that as well as I. We haven't been on a date since we broke up. We're friends now." Cheetara told him.

"All right. Fine. I believe you, but what if Tygra wanted a relationship with you again, would you want to go with Tygra again?" Panthro asked.

"There is someone, isn't there? Who is she?"

"Yes. I don't want to say." Tygra answered. "I haven't told her how I felt yet." (36)

Cheetara now knew the truth. She took a few steps back in shock. "It's me, isn't it? I'm the woman you love."

Tygra knew there was since in lying about it now and took a step closer to her and Cheetara took a step back. "Just let me explain."

"You definitely got a lot of explaining to do! When did this happen? How long have you been in love with me?''

"I've been in love with you since you left Thundera four months ago." He lied. He had to lie to her. Who knows how she would react if he told her he's been in love with her for years.

"I don't believe. I'm hearing this. I need to sit down." Cheetara said a little frantic.

Tygra placed his hands on her shoulder and tried to calm her down. "It just happened, Cheetara. I guess all those close times we spent together after your break up with Lion-O, I started having feelings for you. I didn't know I loved you until you were gone all those months and I still do. I would like a chance to prove my love to you, Cheetara. You know I would never hurt you. Please."

Cheetara was still taking it in. She knew that she had to move on, but with Tygra? He was her friend. She couldn't do that, could she? She looked into his soft orange tiger eyes and knew that he loved her and would never hurt her. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad if she did go with him. After all, they did in the past. Maybe her break up with Lion-O was fate telling her that she was meant to be Tygra all along.

"Yes, Tygra. I would like to start a relationship with you." She smiled hoping it was the right thing to do.

"You won't regret it, Cheetara." Tygra tilted her chin and kissed her with all his love.

Parts 38-41: Panthro and Leela have it out! Lion-O confronts Tygra about his relationship with Cheetara. Lion-O and Cheetara gets into a long waited argument.