Unknown Enemies

Part Six

Half an hour passed and Lion-O hadn’t arrived. He was always on time for their rendezvous. Cheetara arrived an hour ago and quickly hidden her cloak and helmet. If Lion-O saw her with it on, then he would know who she really is and he would no doubt arrest her.

“He’s never been late before, and I need him now.” Cheetara looked up at the full moon and the millions of bright stars that twinkled in the sky. “I know the other cheetahs are worried about me, especially Chase, but I don’t have enough strength to get to Talia’s home. I barely had enough to get here.”

Cheetara looked at her wounded arm. “The bleeding has stopped, but I need medical attention. I don’t want the wound to get affected.”

Cheetara felt light-headed as the minutes passed by and with passing minute, Cheetara realized Lion-O wasn‘t coming. “He’s not coming.” She gave up and collapsed on the grass, falling asleep.

Lion-O flew as fast as he could but arrived at Swan Lake an hour late. He saw Cheetara from a distance and she looked to be sleeping. He smiled in relief to see she was all right. That was until he landed his vehicle and approached her. He saw the dried blood on her injured arm and the weariness on her face showed that she was injured. He rushed to her side.

“Cheetara. Cheetara, wake up.” Lion-O called as he lightly tapped her face.

Cheetara opened her eyes. “Lion-O,” she whispered and closed her eyes again.

Lion-O picked her up. “Don’t worry, Cheetara. I’ll take care of you.” He put her in the backseat of his car, got himself in the driver seat and flew off at top speed.

It’s Leela’s fault Cheetara got hurt today. I can’t believe she came from the battle site to meet me, despite her injuries. She must really care for me to come this far. He looked at her through his mirror. Well, the feelings mutual.

*****

“What do you mean, she hasn’t come back?! It’s been hours since the fight!” Chase shouted.

In the room were the elders and Talia. The elders had fled immediately after the battle began. When Chase teleported to Talia’s home, he was treated by her and was relieve to learn that his legs were just badly bruised not broken. While he rested, the elders returned to their damage base to search for Cheetara, but didn‘t find her and only learned what had happened to her by onlookers in the fight today.

“When did you last see her?” Talia asked.

“We were surrounded by lion warriors. Cheetara told me she would handle them while I escaped,” Chase explained and slammed his fist hard on the arm of the sofa he was lying on. “Ugh! I knew I should’ve stayed with her.”

“And what good would that have done?” Candra questioned. “You were more of a burden than help earlier when you were surrounded by the lions.”

“After we returned home after the battle, a cheetah told us that she was fighting five lions and when Lord Lion-O arrived. It was because of him, Cheetara got injured,” Che‘kar said.

“Lord Lion-O hurt her?” Talia asked concerned.

Carvel shook his head. “No. He distracted her.”

“Distracted her? How?” Chase asked.

“The cheetah wasn’t sure. He heard Lord Lion-O say he was coming. Cheetara turned in his direction and that’s when she got cut. That was the last the cheetah saw of her before he ran away.”

“The Thundercats must have her captive. We’ve got to rescue her,” Chase said getting up off the sofa.

“No!” Talia argued pushing Chase back down. “You can’t go anywhere in your condition! You have to stay off your legs for a week!”

“Let’s not jump to the conclusion that Cheetara was captured,” Cheelon commented. “She’s a fighter and brilliant person. She might have escaped. We’ll wait until morning before we decide to do anything.”

*****

When Cheetara awakened again, she discovered that she wasn’t at Swan Lake but in a bed. The lights were bright and that distorted her vision as she got used to it. As her vision became better, she noticed that she was in someone’s bedroom and it wasn’t any place she had been before. Slowly looking over to her other side, she saw Lion-O wrapping a white bandage on her injured arm.

“Lion-O?”

“Don’t worry. You’re safe. I know about the lions attacking the Cheetah Elders home.”

“You do?” Cheetara feigned surprise.

“I had no idea they would attack,” Lion-O said sincerely. “You got a deep cut on your left arm. I put some alcohol on it to clean the wound of any infection. I wouldn’t put much strain on it for a day or two.”

“What, are you a doctor?“ Cheetara joked.

Lion-O smiled, the first smile he had since he discovered Cheetara was injured. “No, but I’ve seen enough injuries to tell.”

No doubt coming from battles in training and from the Mutants and Lunatacs. Cheetara thought. “Where am I?”

"A home away from home I like to call it. It’s a place I have that’s been in my family for generations. No one will find us here. I only wish I had gotten to the battle site sooner.”

“You were there?” Cheetara asked as if she didn’t know.

“Yes, I was, and I was looking for you. I thought you might have been killed. I was so worried.” Lion-O sat on the bed beside her. Cheetara watched in silence as he cupped one side of her face. He moved forward to kiss her but Cheetara pulled away just in time.

Lion-O removed his hand from her face. An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Cheetara looked down at the bed and noticed the comforter had different patterns and shapes of moon and stars. She ran her fingers along the finely stitched patterns while her mind ran frantically over what happened. What did she move away when Lion-O tried to kiss her? Did he really care for her? Why did she go to him when she should‘ve went to Talia’s house? How could she get away from him now?

“Why are you doing this?“ Cheetara asked quietly. “Why are you acting as if you care about me?”

“Because I do. I didn’t realize how much until I was worried you were attacked,” Lion-O answered honestly. Something wasn’t right. Why was Cheetara doing a complete 180 on her mood from the night before? Then she seemed willing to kiss him last night and do more. Now she was reluctant.

Maybe it’s because I’m a lion and she was attacked by them today.

“I know I’m not the only one who cares,“ Lion-O said squeezing her right hand lightly.

Cheetara looked at him bewildered. “You don’t mean me?"

Lion-O laughed as he made tiny circles in her hand that sent tingles throughout Cheetara’s body and a small blush rise on her cheeks. “Who else would I be talking to? You were badly injured and yet you still came to meet me tonight.”

Cheetara removed her hand from Lion-O‘s abruptly. “I came because I knew you could help me and the only other place I could go for help is too far away. I wouldn‘t have made it with my injuries,” Cheetara spat out bitterly. “It wasn’t caring or anything emotional so get that out of your head.”

Lion-O didn’t buy Cheetara’s behavior. He was beginning to understand what the real Cheetara was all about. “All right.”

Cheetara glared at him not fond of his attitude or how he simple said, ‘All right.’ What was he thinking she wondered. “In any case, I will repay you for helping me.“

"Your coming to meet me is thanks enough.”

Cheetara frowned once more not liking his attitude. Why was he smiling like that and looking at her so kindly. “Whatever,” Cheetara said bitterly and pulled back the covers of the bed. When she got out, Cheetara only walked three steps before she collapsed to her knees in exhaustion.

Lion-O was quick to help Cheetara back to her feet and in bed. “What are you doing? You’re still weak.”

“I must get to my friend’s house. I know she and the others are worried about me. I‘m healed now. I can go home.”

“Okay, I’ll take you there,” Lion-O offered.

“No!” Cheetara shouted. “No,” she said in a calmer voice. “You can’t take me there.”

“Because I’m a lion?” Lion-O figured.

“Yes.” And because you’re Lord of the ThuncerCats. Cheetara added mentally. “They may kill you if they see you. You lions did attack our home.”

Her answer was logical but Lion-O felt she was holding something else back. “You’re right, but I still think it’s best that you rest for a few hours before you can move without your legs giving out on you.”

Cheetara gave up. There was no way Lion-O would let her go until she was well. “What shall we do until I can leave then?”

“I’ve some food here. I can give you some of that and maybe afterwards we can talk,” Lion-O said getting up and leaving the room.

Cheetara wondered what she had gotten herself into. Was it smart for her to be staying here? She knew he wouldn’t hurt her since he doesn’t know she’s the cheetah leader, but still something in the back her mind nagged at her. Why did she risk coming here to Lion-O when she should’ve gone to her friend’s home? Cheetara didn’t want to answer that question in fear she would be incriminating herself.

Another fifteen minutes passed before Lion-O return, holding a tray of food. He smiled at her nervously. “These are food left for me when I come here. I’m no cook and it will be good for you since I don’t think you had anything in hours.”

“No, I haven’t. Thanks.” Cheetara took the tray and began eating like she hadn’t in hours which she actually hadn’t.

Lion-O sat at the foot of the bed, watching Cheetara eat. There were still many things he didn‘t know about her even if he did feel a strange sense of kindred spirit with her and he wanted to know everything about Cheetara. “Who is this friend you’re trying to get to?”

“Talia,” Cheetara said without thinking. She could only hope Lion-O didn‘t investigate her. “She left the cheetah village when the war broke out. She didn’t want to get caught up in it in case it did come to the cheetah village.”

“So, you’re going to stay with her while the war goes on?” Lion-O asked.

“I’m not sure. I don’t want to be a burden to her.”

Lion-O frowned. With Talia, Cheetara would be safe, but anywhere else, Lion-O wasn‘t so sure. “If you don’t stay with her, where would you go?”

“I’ll find a place with the Cheetah Elders.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Lion-O grimaced upon hearing that.

Cheetara looked up at Lion-O confused. “Why not?”

“The lions attacked the elder base today. They may find the next one, and you may not survive.” He looked at her softly as if he cared deeply for her. “I don’t want that to happen to you.”

Cheetara’s heart softened. She felt compelled to raise a hand to touch Lion-O’s face. The way he looked at her moved her more than she thought possible. A part of her was telling Cheetara to not do this, but she couldn‘t help herself at the moment. “You really care about me.”

Lion-O took her hand that was on his face and linked it with his own. “Very much so.” He kissed her hand and Cheetara could only stare at him as Lion-O moved closer to her for a kiss, but at the last minute Cheetara pulled away. They shouldn’t be doing this--Lion-O more than her since he was the Lord of the ThunderCats and promised to another woman.

“Lion-O, we can’t.”

Lion-O released Cheetara’s hand and got off the bed. Cheetara was right. They shouldn’t be doing this. Leela’s angry façade filled his mind. No, he definitely shouldn’t be doing this. Talking would be good now. Lion-O sat on the windowsill and stared at the beautiful cheetah.

“Do you have parents? You said you would be going to a friend’s house. Why not your parents? Wouldn’t they be worried?” Lion-O asked.

Cheetara was caught off guard by the question, but the thought of her parents concerned for her made Cheetara snort. “My parents…” she rested her back against the bed as a tense look crossed her face and the memories of her past surfaced. “I never knew who my mother and father were. I was taken away from them when I was a baby."

Lion-O felt pity for her. No wonder she seemed bitter at times. “Why? Did they give you away as in adoption?”

Cheetara shook her head. “No, it wasn’t like that, at least I don’t think so. I was told that I was better off being raised with the elders and not my parents. No one ever went into details about them.”

She sounded so emotionless about it and that pained Lion-O’s heart. “I’m sorry.”

Cheetara smiled wanly. “It’s all right. It’s for the best anyway. They didn’t want me so why should I need them? What about you?” She asked changing the subject. “Where are your parents?”

“Dead.” He said simply.

“I’m sorry.” Cheetara apologized.

“It’s okay. My mother died when I was about 10 of a strange illness. My father died a few years ago of old age.” He smiled wistfully as he thought about his parents. “They were good people. I knew I was loved and there were happy times for us together before my mother died.” He frowned as he thought about the present where his parents were gone and civil wars among the lion and cheetah clans were erupting everywhere and Lion-O couldn’t help but feel a part of that was his fault. “However, now I feel like I’ve disappointed them.”

“Why do you say that?”

“The way the world is now…I feel I’m responsible for it,” Lion-O admitted guiltily. “Lions and Cheetahs are against each other and I don’t know why.”

“Lion-O?” Cheetara called curiously. He sounded as if he was going to tell her his true identity. “This isn’t your fault.”

At her words, Lion-O snapped out of his guilt and could almost kick himself for nearly blabbing his secret. “Oh, of course it’s not. It’s just that I hate wars. We were so peaceful. I just want to get back to that.”

Cheetara smiled trying to cheer up Lion-O. “Your parents would be proud of you.”

“I’m not sure my father would’ve been,” Lion-O said honestly. “I didn’t even marry or give him a child before he died.”

“Maybe you haven’t found the right person then.” Cheetara spoke honestly and mentally told herself it wasn’t her Lion-O was looking for.

Lion-O looked at her with a smile. “Then…no. Now…I think I have.”

****

The next few hours were spent with the two of them talking about everything… everything but their true selves. After Cheetara was much rested, Lion-O took her to Talia’s house. They didn’t arrive at the small cottage until two in the morning. The lights were out and it was apparent that everyone was sleeping.

Lion-O turned off the engine to his hover car and gazed at Cheetara. “When can I see you again?”

Cheetara wasn’t sure if it would be anytime soon but she wanted to be with him as soon as possible. “I’m not sure. I’ll contact you.”

“How?”

“Mentally. Even though you don’t have telepathic powers, I can still contact you. I just won’t be able to hear what you say.”

“Whenever is free for you, I can make it,” Lion-O promised.

Cheetara smiled. “Thank you....for everything.” Before Cheetara could get out the door, Lion-O pulled Cheetara in his arms for a kiss. He knew he shouldn’t be doing this but he couldn’t help himself. He resisted all night but now that she was leaving, he couldn’t let her go with touching her lips again.

They sat there together, kissing, moving closer to each other like two young lovers. Lion-O’s hands ran up Cheetara’s back and into her hair. Cheetara tugged at the top of his shirt, pulling him closer to her. She couldn’t help herself either. He was the enemy and here she was making out with him.

To her surprise, Lion-O was the one who pulled back. “I really do want to finish this,” he paused catching his breath, “but I think it’s best you go in.”

Cheetara agreed even though her breathe was as heavy as his and she was just as reluctant to stop. “You’re right. Good night.” She stepped out of the car and made her way to Talia‘s door. She looked back to see Lion-O was still there, making sure she got in all right. To her surprise the door open, with Talia in the doorway looking concerned and confused. Cheetara stepped in her friend’s house and heard Lion-O‘s vehicle taking off.

“Ta--”

“Shh.” Her friend told her. “Chase is here. I don’t want him to here us,” she whispered. “Let’s go to my room.”

Cheetara followed her friend up the stairs to her room. Talia opened the door and let Cheetara entered first. She squinted her eyes now being in the bright light in Talia’s room as it was used to the darkness of the night when she was riding with Lion-O. Cheetara took a seat at a desk while Talia sat on her bed.

“So who was that?” Her friend questioned.

There wasn’t any anger in her voice. Just concern.

“A friend.”

“Just a friend?” Talia questioned suspiciously. “From the looks of it, it seemed something more.”

“He helped me with my injury,” Cheetara explained quietly. She raised her injured arm covered in a new bandaged. Talia went over to examine it. “He took me to his place and fixed me up.”

“So you thanked him with that heavy kiss in his car?”

“I know it was wrong of me to kiss him, but we couldn’t help it.”

Talia raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Why do I get the feeling this isn’t the first time you two seen each other?”

“It isn’t,” Cheetara admitted. “We’ve met some time ago. He saved my life once. I hadn’t meant to start anything with him. It just happened. I know it’s wrong.”

“Because of Chase?” Talia guessed.

“Yes.” She wasn’t going to tell her it was also because he was the Lord of the Thundercats.

“Do you love him?” Talia asked out of the blue.

Cheetara looked away. “I hope not. Of course I don’t!” She said firmly and wished she believed or at least was convincing to Talia, which by the looks of her doubtful face she didn’t buy it. “I hope I’m not. There will be so many bad things to happen if that was true. I can‘t love him. I won‘t.” She was determined to not love him no matter how he made her feel.

“You need to convince yourself first before me,” Talia told her. “I want to meet this guy.”

“You can’t.” Cheetara nearly shouted. “He’ll be killed if he was to come here.”

“Yeah, I suppose since you’re promised to Chase, he would be,” Talia thought. “Whatever the case on what you decided to do, I’ll support you.”

Cheetara left her seat to hug her friend. She was the only one Cheetara could trust on the matter. A burden was lifted as Cheetara knew she wasn‘t going to be in this alone anymore. She had a friend.

Go to Part Seven

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