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Unknown Enemies

Part Eight

Chase paced back and forth in his room. “Where are you, Cheetara? You're not in your room. You're not with Talia. She doesn't have a clue where you are. Could the lions have kidnapped you? How did they find out you were leading us?”

The door to his room opened and Talia entered.

Chase turned to the door hoping it would be Cheetara, but it wasn’t. “Did the elders tell you anything?”

“They haven't a clue where Cheetara is either. However, I don't think you should worry, Chase. Cheetara can take care of herself.”

Talia hoped that would calm Chase and herself. She was getting worried as to her friend’s whereabouts. She prayed nothing was wrong. A thought entered her mind. Could she be meeting that man again? If so, why didn’t she tell her? Talia thought they were best friends.

*****

Cheetara laid comfortable in bed with her love the following morning. Her head used Lion-O’s left arm as a pillow. His warmth was such a comfort to wake up to. Cheetara smiled at Lion-O. He looked so handsome in the morning. She couldn't believe what she and Lion-O did. She married and spent the night with him and wasn't worried or scared of what Chase may say or do to her, not that he would find out. She felt more confidence in herself after being with Lion-O. She felt she could stand up to Chase. She was so happy now.

Lion-O awakened to find his bride smiling at him. He kissed her and ran his fingers through her hair as she ran hers through his red mane. “Morning,” he said after he parted from the kiss.

“Good morning yourself, handsome.”

“Oh, so I'm handsome now,” Lion-O chuckled.

“You've always have been handsome,” Cheetara said and kissed him again. “So, what should we do now?”

Lion-O smiled. “How about you spend the day with me, if you can?”

“Yes,” Cheetara said without thinking. This is what she wanted to do. She wanted to spend every waking moment with Lion-O.

“Are you sure? Because last night you said we couldn't see each other again.”

Cheetara rolled on top of him, smiling sultrily at him. “I think I can arranged it so I can see you.”

*****

Snarf rushed in the Council Room frantic “I can't find him! Has anyone seen Lion-O?!”

“The last I saw him, he was talking to Leela and that was last night,” Tygra said.

Everyone looked at Leela who was quiet the whole morning.

“The last I saw of Lion-O he was leaving for a walk last night,” Leela answered.

“Aren't you worried about him?” Tygra questioned.

“I think he is all right. If he was in any danger, the sword would have told us.” This was so unlike Leela. She was so calm and aloof, as if she didn’t care about Lion-O’s whereabouts.

“He didn't take the sword with him?” Tygra asked.

Leela shook her head.

“What's wrong with Lion-O?” Panthro grumbled upset. “He's lacking responsibility. With the world in the state it's in now--cheetahs fighting lions, he should be taken all precaution necessary, especially with him being the Lord of the Thundercats.”

“I doubt if he took any precautions,” Leela mumbled.

“What did you say, Leela?” WilyKat asked.

Leela looked up at the wildcat. “Nothing. Just talking to myself. I think Lion-O is fine. Don't worry about him. We'll go about our normal duties and when he returns, I'm sure he'll have an explanation.”

The others were shocked about Leela's words. She wasn't worried at all. She wasn't even angry. She and Lion-O have been going at it for a while. They all agreed to do as Leela suggested but each had the feeling something was wrong.

*****

Still in bed, Lion-O and Cheetara had breakfast together. Cheetara wore the top of Lion-O's black satin pajamas while he wore the pants. They fed each the small breakfast that consisted of a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream. Cheetara dipped the fruit in the cream and put it in Lion-O's mouth. He ate the fruit and repeated the same procedure for Cheetara.

Cheetara laughed as Lion-O smeared some cream on her nose and on one side of her face. After he put the fruit in her mouth, he then tenderly licked the cream off her nose and face.

“You need help,” Cheetara laughed.

“Oh, really?” Lion-O asked taking the bowl of fruit and putting it on the nightstand. He grabbed Cheetara playfully and tickled her. Cheetara erupted in laughter, “Are you the person who's going to help me?” He asked kissing her neck.

“No… you’re beyond help,” Cheetara laughed. Lion-O stopped his kissing and tickling and pinned Cheetara on the bed with his body.

“Since you won’t help me, you leave me no choice,” Lion-O whispered and kissed her deeply.

Cheetara broke the kiss. “I’ll help. I’ll help.”

Lion-O laughed wickedly. “You had your chance. Now you must be punished,” he said and resumed kissing her.

*****

“Where is she?!” Chase shouted furious.

Chase and the other cheetah elders were sitting around the council table. They had spent most of the day looking for Cheetara but each came up with nothing.

“Do you think it's possible that Cheetara could have been kidnapped?” Carvel asked.

“No,” Chase said defiantly. “Cheetara is capable of handling anybody or anything that cross her path. The only way she could‘ve been kidnapped is she was caught off guard and ambushed.”

Talia entered out of breath. “I talked to everyone. An elderly cheetah told me that she saw Cheetara leaving her home around ten last night. She said she was heading north.”

“What's north?” Cheelon asked.

“A lot of things,” Carvel began, “Cities, homes, stores, Swan Lake.”

Chase perked up, “Swan Lake. Maybe Cheetara went there.”

“Why? Is that a place you two usually go?” Talia asked.

“No, but, nah. I assume Cheetara would go there, but there’s nothing special there for us. We went there on a date one time but that’s it. I just don’t understand why she left without telling anyone where she was going.”

*****

Lion-O had his arms wrapped around Cheetara as she slept beside him. She looked so peaceful now. Maybe I should tell Cheetara that I am Lord of the Thundercats. I think it is time, but will it change anything? Will she be mad at me for keeping this secret from her or will she understand? She doesn’t even know that being Lord of the Thundercats means I am promised to someone else. How will she react when I tell her that? Will Cheetara think I was using her? I hope not because that isn't true. I love you, Cheetara not Leela. When the war is over, will my relationship with you ease or make the cheetahs angrier? And what will the lions think? I just don't understand why the cheetahs want to fight.

He stared at Cheetara.

I don’t know why but I sense you know why.

Lion-O kissed her bare shoulder and slowly drifted off to sleep. A few minutes later, Cheetara awakened and stared at Lion-O‘s sleeping form.

I can't fight him. Not after this. I love him. How can I hurt someone I love? I know I need to tell Lion-O that I am the leader of the cheetahs, but how can I without him getting angry with me? It's not like I wanted to do this. I was trained to do it, but will he believe me? I should tell him now, but I don't want to ruin this day. I should tell him when I meet him again. Yeah, that's when I'll do it and hopefully he'll forgive me.

Cheetara shook her head realizing how foolish it was to think that. No….no he won’t forgive me. Once I tell him, it’ll be the last time I see him. He won’t want to see me again after he learns the truth.

Cheetara stared at Lion-O regretfully. The truth will be the end of them both. She would have to run for her life after Lion-O finds out about her.

“I love you,” she whispered.

Cheetara placed a light kiss on each of his eyelids. A wrinkle appeared between his eyebrows. Cheetara smiled and smoothed the wrinkle out. She planted a kiss on his forehead. This time Lion-O awakened. They got lost into each other’s eyes. Cheetara reached for his right hand and kissed his palm, keeping her eyes on him. She then ran a hand up his arm and across his smooth chest. Lion-O blushed at the affection as he kept his eyes on her and she eyed him seductively. Cheetara slowly leaned forward to press warm, loving kisses on his neck and delicately moved her lips across his face and lips.

She pulled apart to look in his eyes. “Make love to me as if it’s for the last time.”

Lion-O saw the painful look in her eyes. She felt this was the last time they would be together. Lion-O didn’t want that, but neither knew the future for them.

“No matter what happens. I’ll always love you.” He took her in his arms and kissed her fiercely, passionately. Cheetara began to cry as he made love to her, knowing this was the end.

*****

Panthro and Tygra split up in the Thundertank, and HoverCat to find Lion-O. It had been 12 hours since dawn and the others were beginning to worry. They couldn’t wait anymore. They had to search for Lion-O. All except Leela. No one understood why she wasn't upset or even worried. Leela was always so protective of Lion-O. Now, it was as if she didn't care or that she knew where he was and she wasn't concern about it. Leela sat in the control room monitoring and listening to the ThunderCats conversations on the monitor unknown to the others.

“I just checked out the all the landmarks in this area, and I do not see Lion-O. I think I'll check his other home to see if he is there,” Panthro suggested from his tank.

“Out of the question, Panthro,” Leela jumped in.

“Leela?” Panthro said surprised. She was spying on them? “What are you doing on this channel?”

“Don’t question me!” Leela argued. “Follow my orders!”

“We want to find Lion-O,” Tygra said as he flew in the HoverCat.

“Yes, but I doubt he is there. You and the others are to come back right now, is that understood?”

“Yes, but--” Tygra chimed in.

“No, buts! You have your orders now follow it!” Leela commanded.

“Okay, we're on our way back,” Panthro said and turned his tank around. What is her problem?

*****

After last night, that morning and afternoon, putting on her clothes was the last thing Cheetara wanted to do. She wanted be curled up beside Lion-O forever, but she had to get back. Things had to be done. Cheetara was going to treasure this moment forever. Lion-O gave her a gift she thought she would never have--true love and happiness. No matter what she does after today--her unavoidable marriage to Chase, unhappily making love to him and having his children--Cheetara will always think of Lion-O, her secret marriage to him and the precious moments they spent together.

Lion-O easily wrapped his arms around her. He kissed a tender spot on her neck. Cheetara placed her hands on his and leaned against him. “My offer still stands. You can stay here. Must you go?”

“You know I have to, Lion-O, as do you. I'm pretty sure your family is worried about you.”

“I'll be all right. I can handle them. What about you, though? Do you think your friend will be worried about you?”

“Yes,” Cheetara said leaning against Lion-O.

“She’s not the only person you’re worried about, is she?” Lion-O asked sensing something else.

“How do you know?” Cheetara asked.

“We’re bonded, my beautiful cheetah…now and forever. The people in your community find you important?”

“Yes.”

“I know how they feel. You're important to me too,” he said and kissed her right shoulder. “You know I want to see you again.”

“I want to see you again too, Lion-O, but with the war going on, it might not be soon.”

Cheetara turned around to face him. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “It may not be soon. I’ll contact you.”

“Not soon? I don't know if I can wait too long.”

“It's going to be hard for me too, but it must be this was,” Cheetara said regretfully. “Maybe the war will be over when we can be together.”

Lion-O sighed, “I hope so, but until then....” he leaned over and locked Cheetara in a passionate kiss.

It was Cheetara who broke the kiss minutes later. She knew if it had gone any further, they would’ve ended up in bed again. The thought was tempting, but it just couldn’t happen. It was nighttime when Lion-O dropped Cheetara off at Swan Lake. They shared one last passionate kiss and a deep hug. Cheetara held on tight. She didn't want to ever let go, but she did. Cheetara knew that when she got back, she had to stop the war.

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