Unknown Enemies

Part Two

The following evening, Cheetara sat on the soft grass under a tree at Swan Lake. At the dock, was a giant white swan with golden oars. Couples would often come here talking or sharing intimate moments. Cheetara remembered when Chase brought her here on a date. He wanted to make out and she wanted to be left alone. The full moon lit the sky and she could see its reflection in the clear waters. Looking around, Cheetara realized that the place looked too intimate to be meeting a stranger. She didn't tell anyone about what she was doing or where she was going, except just a nightly run.

If Chase knew what she was really doing....she didn't want to think about it. She was so much stronger than him, but still felt intimidated by him. All the years of abuse and mistreat he gave her did it. Cheetara wasn't ready to stand up to him. She rather take on a whole lion army than face an angry Chase. Nothing was worse than that she thought. Her ears perked up at the sound of footsteps. She looked back and saw Lion-O walking towards her.

Lion-O saw that she was scared. He wouldn't do anything to harm her. He sat down beside her and Cheetara looked at him still confused as why she was here.

“Good evening,” he spoke.

“Good evening,” she said and looked down.

“Why are you looking down?” He touched her chin and she trembled as he lifted it so he could look in her eyes. “No one with beauty as you shouldn't be looking down. You should be looking up in the world. Let the world see what I see.”

Must he horribly flirt with her like that? “Why do you keep saying I'm beautiful?”

“Because you are.”

Lion-O looked at the grass they were sitting on and spotted a yellow daffodil. He plucked the flower from the earth. Cheetara stared at him in wonder as he put the flower in her hair. Lion-O then placed his arms around the cheetah and made her look at her image in the lake. Cheetara’s heart pound as she felt her skin coming in contact with his. A part of her wanted to push him away but another part of her wanted to continue having him hold her like this. Cheetara couldn't understand herself. Why was she feeling this way? What was wrong with her? She saw Lion-O’s image joining hers in the water and Cheetara realized how handsome Lion-O looked.

Handsome? She never thought anyone to be that, including Chase, but this Lion-O was different. His arms felt protective as if they would keep her safe. Cheetara never felt that when Chase locked his arms around her.

“I don't know about you, but I see a beautiful woman. Look at those deep, seducing brown eyes, the beautiful marks, the sweet tempting lips,” he paused unsure of why he was saying that.

Cheetara tilted her face in Lion-O’s direction. Their eyes locked and their lips were merely centimeters apart. No matter how good it felt for her to hear him say that, this wasn't right. They shouldn't be together. She was with Chase. He was a lion for crying out loud! The enemy! She saw Lion-O edging close to her as if he was going to kiss her and Cheetara wasn‘t going to have that. She pushed him away and ran. She only got a few feet before she tripped on a rock that she didn't see. Lion-O immediately left his seat and stood in front of her. Cheetara looked up at Lion-O. She was reminded when Chase knocked her down when she was a child and he kicked her. She thought Lion-O would do the same thing. She was confused at what he did. He held his hand out to her.

“Wh-what are you doing?” Cheetara asked confused.

“I'm helping you up. Give me your hand.”

Cheetara was reluctant to do so. She was certain he would do something like knock her down.

Lion-O saw her fear. What happened to her? She's so scared. When I find this guy who this to her, he's going to wish he was dead.

Lion-O knelt down before her. “Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I promise. If I do, you can beat me up,” he chuckled. She didn't. “Please?” Lion-O insisted.

Scared, Cheetara took a chance and gave him her hand. He gently held it in his and slowly pulled her up. Cheetara pulled her hand from his.

“Th-thank you.”

She felt his hands rest on her shoulders. He was looking at her seriously and sorrowful. “Who did this to you?”

“Did what?”

“Make you so scared of men.”

Cheetara became angry. “I'm not scared of men! How dare you say that?!”

“I'm sorry, but you were scared when I offer to help you up last night and you looked scared now. Is it me? Do I intimidate you?”

That really made Cheetara angry. She took one of Lion-O's arms and threw him away from her. Lion-O was thrown nearly ten feet. She dusted her hands off and walked to the confused lion. “Does that answer your question?”

‘It means you’re strong and that’s all,’ Lion-O thought but instead of saying that he laughed. “Yes, it does. You are more than meets the eye.”

“That's what you get for thinking I'm a weak woman.”

“I'll never make that mistake again. Aren't you going to help me up? I helped you.”

Figuring he had a point, she held out her hand. Lion-O gently took it and pulled Cheetara down on him. He tightened his grip around her. Cheetara became upset with herself. A lion tricked her. They were nothing but evil people and never meant to be trusted.

“Let me go!” Cheetara hollered.

Lion-O meant to only play with Cheetara and not upset her. He immediately let her go.

“You lions are nothing but evil people!”

“Evil? Cheetara, I was only playing. I wasn't trying to hurt you.”

“You will pay for this. I promise,” Cheetara swore angrily.

Oh no. He really did it. He really made her angry. That was the last thing he wanted to do to this mysterious woman. He wanted her to like him as he liked her. What could he do to calm this angry woman and prove to her he meant no harm? There was something but Lion-O figured it would be the dumbest thing to do when he thought about it in the morning.

Before Cheetara had a chance to run away, Lion-O grabbed Cheetara and kissed her. Cheetara tried fighting him off, but Lion-O grabbed her wrists to stop her from attacking him. Cheetara slowly relaxed as a warm, comforting feeling settled over her. She never felt like this when Chase kissed her. The feeling was incredible to her and she didn't want to stop so she began kissing back, becoming completely lost in him and the world around her.

Lion-O was going through the same thing. He never felt such pleasure being kissed before. Leela was a good kisser, he admit, but there was no real emotion behind it, no weakness, no nothing. With Cheetara, he felt it all. He used all the strength he had to just hold on to her. He felt her hands roaming over his shoulders, back, before settling in his fiery red hair. She felt his mouth prying hers open and exploring the insides of her mouth. Lion-O heard her moan. At that sound, he knew that this was wrong, well part of him did. Part of him felt this was right, but another part of him said that this was wrong, especially to Leela. He was supposed to marry her. He was the Lord of the Thundercats. Having such a high rank, require him to be a man of honor, which forced him to release himself from Cheetara. Both were stunned by the reaction and were heavily breathing.

“No....no one has ever kissed me like that before,” Cheetara spoke still trying to control her breathing. “I didn't know a kiss could feel...good.”

Lion-O shot a surprised look at her. “Never?”

“Never.”

“Who have you been kissing--a frog?” Lion-O joked.

Cheetara shook her head and answered quietly, “No.”

“Whoever he is, he's not a good kisser,” he said.

They were quiet for several moments before their eyes locked and their bodies became closer together again. Lion-O was going to her to kiss her again and Cheetara knew it. She knew she should stop herself and him, but didn't. Their lips brushed against each other when Lion-O's communicator beeped. He mentally cursed himself for bringing it and stepped away from her.

“I'm sorry. I must take this.” He walked away and when he was sure Cheetara wouldn't hear him, he pulled out his communicator and talked. “Lion-O here. What is it?”

“Lion-O, darling, where are you?” Leela asked.

Lion-O rolled his eyes. He missed kissing Cheetara again for her? “I'm out taking a walk.”

“Well, stop walking and get back here. I miss you.”

Lion-O became annoyed. “Is that why you called?”

“Yes, and Snarf noticed that you left your sword and claw shield here. How could you leave your weapons! Someone could attack you!” Leela yelled over the communicator.

“Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Besides I won't get hurt here.”

“Where are you? I can find you on the monitors.”

“There’s no need. I'll come back now so you won't worry anymore.”

Leela suddenly became suspicious. “Where are you exactly? It sounds to me you

don't want me to know where you are.”

“No, that's not it at all. I'll be home soon. Lion-O out,” Lion-O shut off his communicator. He looked back at Cheetara. He didn't want to leave her, but he knew he must if he didn't want Leela getting suspicious and have the others look for him. He walked back to Cheetara. “I'm sorry, Cheetara, but I must go.”

“Why?” Cheetara asked.

“There's trouble at home. I must leave.” It wasn't a lie. He really would be in trouble if he didn't get home soon.

Cheetara nodded, “I understand.”

“I want to see you again. Say, this place and time next week?”

Cheetara couldn't do that. She had to attack the lions then. This was her last free time before the war was to begin. “No, I can't.”

“The week after next?” Lion-O asked.

“No, I don't think we should see each other again. I don't have to anyway since I paid your debt. Good-bye.”

As she started to leave, Lion-O grabbed her by the wrist. “Then come because you want to. I know you do.”

Cheetara didn't say anything.

“If you want to, be here two weeks from now,” Lion-O requested. He released her and left her standing alone as he rushed back home.

Cheetara began walking home. She was certain that would be the last time she would see Lion-O. As she neared her village, she thought about Lion-O and the kiss. The kiss was on her mind more than anything. She never felt anything like that before. She wanted to experience more of it. No! An inner voice shouted at her. He was the enemy. A lion. She couldn't let him block her from her mission, her destiny: Queen of Thundera.

Upon returning home, Cheetara saw her best friend, Talia, running towards her.

“Cheetara, where have you been? We've been looking all over for you.”

“Who?” Cheetara asked.

“Me, Chase, everyone. Where were you?”

“I was taking a walk. Why?”

“For that long?” Talia asked exasperated. “Chase was beginning to worry about you.”

“Cheetara, where were you?! I was looking all over for you!” Chase growled angrily as he approached the two cheetahs.

Cheetara looked scared when she saw Chase. “I was taking a walk. I'm sorry. I needed to think about the upcoming war and all.”

“Stop shouting at her, you jerk! She has enough on her mind as it is with this fight coming up!” Talia shouted back.

That was one of the many things Cheetara admired about her only friend. Talia wasn’t afraid to stand up to anyone, especially Chase. Cheetara wished she had that courage. “It's okay, Talia. I'll be all right. You can go home.”

“All right, but if he bothers you, you know where to find me.” Talia gave Chase a glaring look and stormed off to her home.

When Talia was out of earshot, Chase asked back to Cheetara, “Why were you taking a walk?”

“I told you. I had to think about the war. This is the last time I'll have some free time to myself. I need to find some peace, clear my mind.”

“Clear your mind?” He repeated. “Cheetara, it's simple. We fight and conquer the lions.”

“Yes, I know, Chase, but I was nervous. This war will not be easy.”

Chase smiled and put an arm around Cheetara. They began walking back to their home. “Oh, I get it. You don't think you can do it. Well, my dear let me tell you this. I know you can do it. You have the strength, the talent and the power to lead us into victory.”

Chase stopped them at the doors of their home with the Clan Elders. “You can do this, sweetheart. I know I have been hard on you since before I can remember, but I'm doing it for you. I only did all that to make you tough. You don't know how much I hate laying a hand on you or saying negative things about you. I don't mean it at all. I love you, Cheetara. I wouldn't do any of the things I do to you if I didn't love you. Do you understand that?”

Cheetara was still nervous and had doubts about what he said. “I guess so.”

“Once this war is over, you'll understand I do mean it.” He gave Cheetara a kiss to assure the doubting female cheetah.

The kiss meant nothing to Cheetara. It had no emotion and was nothing like the kiss she had with Lion-O. She didn't feel weak, relaxed, and attractive. Cheetara broke the kiss and stepped away. She couldn't kiss Chase right now, not after the kiss with Lion-O.

Chase was confused. He was enjoying himself and wondered why Cheetara stopped. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing,” Cheetara lied. “I just want to be by myself for a while. I have a big day tomorrow.”

“Yes, you do. We plot our first place of attack. Come, I'll walk you to your room.”

*****

The following morning, Lion-O awakened with a smile on his face. He was dreaming about Cheetara and their kiss at Swan Lake. Apparently, he didn’t think it was a stupid idea. As the glow of the morning sun streamed into his room, he thought about Cheetara and how her blonde hair shined under the full moon light. He wanted to see her again. No. He had to see her or he couldn't go on. Something anew came alive in him when he first saw her. He wanted to know everything about her. Where she lived? What her likes and dislikes were? Her favorite color. Her hobbies. Everything.

Lion-O got out of bed and sleepily stumbled to his dresser. There, he saw a picture of Leela. Guilt entered his conscious. What will this do to them? He cared for Leela, but it wasn’t love. She was beautiful and smart, but she wasn't Cheetara. He wasn't obsessed with Leela as he was now with Cheetara. He wanted to see Cheetara again, but will she meet him? She said that she didn't want to see him, but apart of him felt she was lying. Something inside--his honorable side--told him that her not seeing him again was right. It would disrupt things between he and Leela. He had to marry her. There was no changing that. Another part of him, told him he need to see Cheetara again. He had to. Such a dilemma he was in now. He decided to take a shower to forget about Cheetara.

The shower didn't help. He was still thinking about Cheetara afterwards in erotic situations. Lion-O went into the dining room for breakfast where Snarf entered with the morning’s meal. He placed four stacks of pancakes on Lion-O’s plate and saturated it with syrup. Lion-O thanked Snarf for the meal and as he was about to eat breakfast, he put it in his mouth but didn‘t.

“I can't eat.”

“Why not?” Leela asked coming in the room and pulled a seat next to Lion-O.

“I don't feel like eating.”

“The food looks delicious,” Leela commented.

“Then you eat it,” Lion-O said with an attitude pushing his food aside.

Leela ignored his rudeness. Pushing a hair back behind her ear, she asked. “Lion-O, where did you go last night?”

“Out.”

“Out where?”

“What's the big deal on where I went last night?” Lion-O asked annoyed.

“I was concerned about your whereabouts.”

“I'm here, and I'm not hurt, so stop worrying about it.”

“I like worrying about you. I love you.” She said thoughtfully. The lioness sighed and ran a hand through her red hair. “Lion-O, I don't get it. What's the big deal about you not telling me where you were?” A thought came to her and she smiled. “Where you planning a surprise for me?”

“No,” Lion-O said sternly.

Leela growled and her green eyes shot sparks at Lion-O. “Then tell me! You're acting like it's some big conspiracy that I shouldn't know about!”

“I don't have to tell you anything!” Lion-O argued back, got out of his seat and stormed out.

“That rat. He's hiding something from me. I know it, but what could he possibly be hiding?”

*****

Cheetara sat in a board meeting with the Cheetah Elders and Chase. In front of her were information on the lion clan and the cities where they are most populated. She studied about the lions all her life. She was a trained strategist, fighter, and assassin. She was prepared for anything. She listened attentively at Carvel's idea for a first attack.

“I think Cesira will be a good place to strike, Cheetara. It's a small city far from Cat's Lair. I think it's best that we work our way to the Thundercats fortress. That way our forces will be better and more ready to fight the Thundercats.”

“But we had forces training since before I was born. Shouldn't they already be ready?” Chase asked.

“Yes, Chase, but remember: the Thundercats are the best of Thundera. Our soldiers aren't but with constant fighting, they will be.”

“I think that is a good idea, Carvel. We are still in peacetime since no other clans are fighting against each other, and we don't have any problems with the mutants and Lunataks. This will be the best time. All our soldiers are ready, are they not?” Cheetara asked the elders.

“Yes, we are. Just awaiting you,” Candra answered.

“Good. We should attack tomorrow at first light,” Cheetara commanded.

“I agree,” Candra smiled. “They won't expect anything so early in the morning.”

“Brilliant idea,” Chase said and gave Cheetara a kiss on the cheek.

“We think it's best that you wear a helmet. That way, no one will know your identity,” Cheelon suggested handing Cheetara a golden helmet. “You can walk among the lions and they won’t you’re their enemy.”

Cheetara put the helmet on. It covered her head completely. She pulled it off. “Thank you, Cheelon. Since I am trained to kill the Lord of the Thundercats, do you mind I see a picture of him? It has been hard training to kill someone I haven't seen.”

Candra handed Cheetara a manila folder. Cheetara opened it and gasp. There was a picture of Lion-O. The man she met for the past two nights was the Lord of the Thundercats, her mortal enemy. Cheetara felt faint.

“Cheetara, what's wrong?” Chase asked. “You’re turning pale.”

Cheetara stopped staring at the picture and looked at Chase nervously. “Oh, um, nothing. It's just that I didn't expect the Lord of the Thundercats to look like this. Uh, what's his name again?”

“Lion-O,” Candra answered. “However, I wouldn't let his looks impress you. He's a lion and therefore he is evil and is suppressing the cheetahs. He and his family are the main reasons the cheetah are at the bottom of society.”

Chase looked at the picture of Lion-O jealous because he thought the reason Cheetara reacted the way he did was because Lion-O was handsome to her. He took the folder and closed the picture of Lion-O. Cheetara looked at Chase confused.

“Chase, why did you do that?”

“You saw him. You don't need to see him anymore.”

“Are you jealous?” his fiancée asked.

Chase looked away and then back at Cheetara. “You already saw the picture of Lord Lion-O. You don't need to see it again.”

Cheetara laughed. “You're jealous.”

“No, I'm not.”

“Yes, you are. You're jealous of Lord Lion-O.”

Chase tried to hide his anger but it was apparent to everyone. He was jealous. Cheetara took the folder from Chase, got up from her seat and looked at the others, all humor gone from her face. “I want my soldiers ready an hour before the attack. Is that understood?” She asked in a commanding voice. The others nodded. “Meeting adjourned then.”

She put the folder under her arm and left. Chase was immediately out the door after her. “Cheetara.”

She turned around. “What is it, Chase?”

“I want to apologize for getting jealous. I just can't accept the fact of someone taking you from me. And the way you were looking when you saw the picture of Lord Lion-O, it kind of freaked me out.”

“Chase...”

“But then I thought about it. He's a lion. You're a cheetah. Nothing can happen between you. You haven't met, and when you do meet him, you will kill him. So, I was worried and got upset over nothing and I'm sorry.”

Cheetara patted a comforting hand on his arm. “It's okay, Chase. I understand.” She even gave Chase a kiss on the cheek to put any doubts to rest.

Chase smiled and said, “And besides, Lord Lion-O is engaged to be married.”

Cheetara froze. “He's engaged.”

“Yep, from birth.”

Cheetara looked back at the picture. “I guess he would since he is Lord of Thundera.” She left him in the hall and went to her room. Upon closing the door, she slid down to the floor in disbelief. She opened the folder and looked at the picture of Lion-O again.

“I can't believe it. Lion-O--the man I've been meeting for the past two nights--he's the Lord of the Thundercats. Why....why didn't he tell me? I don't get it.” She stared at Lion-O’s handsome picture. “I can't believe I have to kill him.” She thought about the kiss and how she felt when he kissed her. She then thought what Chase said. “And he's engaged! How could he do that to me--make me feel I was special?! Like he actually liked me?! How could he do that to his fiancée? What kind of man is he? Chase is right. All lions are evil, especially Lord Lion-O. He will die,” she swore. He was going to pay for fooling and lying to her.

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