The driving lesson.
by Leanna
The lioness made her way down to the
kitchen, hoping the others were gone; she was still embarrassed about
crashing the defense system computer and really didn't want to face
any teasing about it or the glares of frustration.
Leanna poked
her head into the kitchen and saw no one around; she let out a sigh
of relief and went in, she quickly grabbed one of the big mugs from
the cupboard and poured a cup of the freshly brewed coffee. As soon
as the wonderful brew touched her tongue she smiled, this was just
what she needed, quiet time in order to wake up fully, she wasn't
use to getting up so early in the morning, but she was now a
Thundercat in training and she needed to follow the rules, if the
others were up at first light, accepted who ever had the night shift,
then so would she.
She wasn't trying to impress anyone, she
just wanted to fit in have a purpose in life then just traveling form
planet to planet looking for work. Unlike the Thundercat's who made
their journey in suspension capsules, Leanna left Thundera as a child
and grew up on the escaping ship, so everything she learned, she
learned in space from many friends she made along the way.
The
Lioness stood in front of the large window that over looked the
courtyard of Cat's Lair, which in it's self was an engineering
feat and watched as Kit and Kat practiced with staff weapons. She was
lost in thought as she watched the two practiced, her mind drifted to
when she fist arrived a little over a month ago. The
thunder kittens where on duty in the control room while the adults
where off scouting for a good Thundrillium deposit. Kit was getting
bored, "I don't see why we have to stay behind, it's not like
there is anything exciting going on," She complained staring at the
screen.
"It's because they think we're still kids," Kat
said rolling his eyes.
"Ummm, hello. We're 20 yrs old not
12," Kit snorted.
"I know that, but they sure don't seem to
remember," Kat said shaking his head.
Kit was about to say
something when the alarm sounded, "What now," She said pushing a
button and calling up the screen.
The lair's sensors picked up
a small ship headed their way, "It's a Thunderian ship," Kat
said tracking it's course," And it looks like it's in trouble".
"Cat's Lair to thunderian ship, can you read me," Kit said
over the comm channel.
" Cat's…Port thrusters out….
battery power only," Came a female voice over the static.
"Can
you boost your signal, we can hardly hear you," Kat asked trying to
boost the power on their end.
"Stupid piece of….." Came a
reply.
"Who ever she is, she sounds mad," Kit giggled.
"Should we alert the others, "Kat asked his sister.
"Well,
we could take the feliner and bring her down, by the time the others
get here she may have already crashed, "Kit said.
"True,"
Kat nodded, "Okay let's do it".
The twins quickly bolted
down to the hanger and powered up the Feliner, "I'm sure the
others will understand, "Kit said to her brother as the giant paw
raised. "We'll call and let them know once we get in the air".
With that, the feliner lifted off to intercept the other ship. With
in ten minutes Kat spotted the half crippled ship. "There she is, 7
degrees port side"
"Got her, "Kit said as she readied the
grappling hooks.
"Adjusting course and speed to match her, "Kat
said as he brought the Feliner over top of the small ship.
Kit
waited until they where over top of the small ship then fired the
grappling hooks, and then she looked at the monitor and nodded as the
hooks hit their mark. "Reeling her in," Kit said as the small
ship was brought in under the safety of the Feliner.
"Maybe we
can get back before any one knows were gone," Kat chuckled.
The
Lord of the Thundercats was busy scanning the area for any signs of
thundrillium, when suddenly the sword came to life and let out a
warning growl.
"Sword of Omens, give me sight beyond sight,"
The Thundercat lord commanded as he lifted the sword to his face. The
cross bars curled and the eye came to life, showing him the kittens
taking off in the feliner. It then showed them flying towards a small
Thunderian ship and rescuing it, the last scene was of them on their
way home.
"What were they thinking," The lion growled
lowering the sword and placing it back in its sheath. The lion jumped
on the Thunderclaw and headed back to the Lair to see whom the
kittens had rescued. He radioed to Panthro and Tygra that the kittens
had rescued what looked to be a Thunderian ship.
By the time, the
Lair came into the lion's view the Feliner was already starting to
come in for a landing. Lion-O landed the Thunderclaw and ran across
the drawbridge and guided the Feliner as it started to lower the
small crippled ship onto the ground in the frontcourt yard.
The
Feliner after releasing the small ship landed a few yards away.
Lion-O stood with his hands on his hips waiting for an explanation
from the kittens.
"Umm, Kit," Kat said as they shut down the
engines and started to get out," Lion-O doesn't look too
pleased".
"Who would you rather have yell at you, Lion-O or
Panthro," Kit asked just before she opened the hatch.
"Good
point," Kat nodded as they went out to meet the angry looking Lion.
"What were you two thinking going off on your own like that,
"Lion-O growled.
"We didn't have much time, "Kit started
to explain, "There wasn't enough time for someone to come back to
the Lair and then take the Feliner up, the ship was in danger".
"Besides," Kat spoke up," We're not kids any more".
"Fine," The lion said holding up his hands, "Your right.
But still you should have called us to let us know".
The sound
of a hatch being opened drew their attention to the small ship.
"Stupid piece of scrap metal," growled a female voice.
The
lion just cocked a brow as cloaked figure emerged from the ship.
"I
used up the last of my money to by this worthless hunk of junk,"
The woman roared as a metal pipe emerged form under her cloak and
began to beat the hull of the ship.
Kit couldn't help but
giggle, "Remind you of anyone," She whispered to her brother.
"Ohhh, this will take you anywhere you need to go miss," She
growled smashing the heavy pipe against the hull.
The lion
smirked as he walked over to the angry woman, "Whoa, easy now,"
He said grabbing the pipe," I'm sure we can fix it"
"No
one can fix this piece of shit," The woman growled as she swept the
hood off her head and gave the side of the ship a hard kick with her
foot.
"Feel better now, "The lion asked her.
"Yes, a
bit," She answered as she finally turned and looked at him, her
eyes widened a bit, then she glanced up at bit at the massive cat's
head, she realized she was standing in front of Cat's Lair. She
looked back at the Lion and saw the insignia on his belt and the
sword and claw at his side.
"My Lord," The woman replied
bowing slightly, "Please excuse my out burst".
The lion never
said anything for a few seconds as he looked at the raven haired
Lioness, Her coloring and face masking were a few shades lighter then
his own. "That's okay. It's understandable," He said clearing
his throat.
"Well since you know who I am, I think it's only
fair we should know your name," The big lion smiled.
"Oh,"
The lioness blushed slightly," My name is Leanna"
"Well
Leanna," The lion grinned, "This is Kit and Kat, your rescuers"
"Thank you both," The lioness smiled at the twins and held
out her hand.
Kit smiled widely at her and shook her hand Leanna
looked at Kat and smiled He blushed as he shook her hand.
"Again,
thank you both, I probably would be ashes now if you hadn't of came
and got me," the lioness said, "A word to the wise, never buy a
used ship," She said rolling her eyes.
"I'm sure our
resident mechanic can fix it up for you," Lion-O said, "He can
fix anything"
"Now that I'd like to see, "Leanna snorted,
"This hulk is beyond fixing and besides I have no money to pay him
for his work".
"Please, he'd be insulted if you tried to
pay him, he loves working on stuff like that. Oddly he finds it
relaxing, "Lion-o grinned.
"Oh one of them," The lioness
thought to her self, "Some scrawny grease monkey who lived to be
covered in grease and grime, and who couldn't get a date to save
his life"
"Well I wish him luck then," She shrugged as she
removed her cloak, "The port thruster is trashed, environmental
controls are dead, I damn near froze in that thing…the comm is half
fried". The roar of a powerful engine approaching interrupted her
train of thought.
"Ah.There's our miracle worker now," the
lion grinned.
Leanna nodded, "Okay I just need to get
something, "She said as she ducked inside her ship. She quickly
moved a few things around, "Stupid grease monkey isn't touching
my stuff," She snorted.
The thundertank came across the bridge
and came to a halt, the big panther jumped out, "How many aboard,"
Panthro asked as he walked up to the lion.
"One," Lion-O
grinned, "And she is in need of your talent for mechanics".
"She," The panther said arching a brow," I'll fix her
ship. You keep her out of my hanger"
"Oh," the lion
smirked, "I'd be more then happy too".
The panther gave him
an odd look, "So what's the problem," He asked looking the
small ship over quickly.
"Go ask it's pilot. She's inside,
"The lion chuckled.
The panther gave him another odd look and
shook his head, "for Jaga sakes man, its only another pain in the
ass female," He snorted walking towards the open hatch.
Leanna
was crouched half way under the console trying to loosen a panel,
when she heard someone enter the ship.
"So what's the
problem, "A deep male voice asked from behind her.
"What
isn't the problem, "She sighed, "Stupid panel," she grumbled
trying to pry it loose.
"Here, you better let me get that,"
The panther said as he moved closer to the crouching woman. The first
thing he noticed was her long dark hair that was in a braid that hung
down her back and touched the floor.
Leanna moved her head out
from under the console, she saw a pair of blue boots, her eyes gazed
up, the higher her eyes traveled the bigger he got, this was no
scrawny grease monkey. She thought the lion was big, this man who
stood before her now was huge, he was shorter then the Thundercat
lord, but his chest and arms where bigger, "Oh my," She whispered
to herself as her eyes continued to roam over his slate gray body.
She slowly got to her feet "Umm. Hello," She finally managed
to say as she looked into the panther's amber eyes.
"That
panel giving you trouble," The panther smiled at her. The top of
her head came just a ways past his chin.
"Oh, that…Umm yeah,"
Leanna said, "The ah..Radio and environmental controls are toast".
Despite the coolness of the cabin, she suddenly found it quite warm.
She started to move out of his way when her leg hit the pilot chair,
she started to loose her balance.
Her heart nearly jumped out of
her throat when the panther quickly grabbed her by the shoulders
steadying her.
"I'll ah..Get out of your way so you can
work," The lioness blushed as she quickly backed away from the big
male.
"Gessh..Get a grip woman, it's only a man, what's
wrong with you," She whispered chastising herself as she left the
ship.
"Do you mind if I freshen up abit..it' been a long
trip," the lioness asked adjusting a small bundle under her arm.
"Sure please do, Snarf can get you anything you need, "lion-o
nodded.
The lioness went inside where Snarf led her to one of the
guest rooms so she could shower and change her clothes.
By the
time the lioness made her way back down stairs and out side her ship
was gone." What in the…. was it that bad, "Leanna chuckled at
Kit.
"No," she giggled," It's been moved to the hanger".
"I was going to say. I know it's a piece of junk, but they
could have at least waited until I got my stuff off the ship,"
Leanna laughed as Kit led her to the hanger.
"This is Panthro's
private little world, that man would spend days in here if we didn't
remind him to eat," Kit giggled.
The lioness smiled, now she
knew his name, "Well I hope he don't mind if I interrupt him so I
can get my camping gear".
"Camping gear, "Kit said , "you
don't need camping gear. You can stay with us".
"Nooo, I
couldn't, the lair is only for thundercats, besides I love
camping," Leanna grinned. She looked around for any sign of the
panther he was nowhere to be seen, she figured he must have gone
inside. She boarded her ship, went to the back and started to pack up
her camping gear. Leanna reached up to a cabinet overhead to retrieve
a small pack. It was just out of her reach, she got on her tiptoes
and stretched as far as she could.
"Damn it," She cursed as
her fingers just brushed the strap.
The panther who had been
working on the rewiring for the environmental controls, heard the
woman curse. He was mostly hidden beneath the large console so she
hadn't seen him when she came in. He peeked out from under the
console to see what she was cursing at. He nearly dropped a pair of
wire cutters when he saw the sight of her standing on her tiptoe's,
her short skirt moved up a few inches as she stretched reveling more
of her long shapely legs. Panthro quickly composed himself and went
to move out from under the console. He reached up to place his hand
on the flat side of the panel so he could move, he wasn't paying
attention to where his hand was until it made contact with a bunch of
sharp wires.
"OW!" He yelped quickly pulling his hand away.
Leanna spun around and saw the panther, "Oh..I didn't see you
there," She said looking at him.
"I was rewiring the
environmental controls," He said looking at his palm which had
several slivers of metal imbedded in his skin.
"Did you injure
yourself," she asked walking over.
"Oh..that..it's
nothing," Pantro shrugged.
"Let me see," She said reaching
for his hand.
"Really," He said stubbornly," It's
nothing".
"I'll be the judge of that," She smirked and
grabbed his hand and looked, "Oh nothing huh". Leanna let go of
his hand, walked over to one of the lower cabinets, and brought out a
first aide kit.
"Sit," She said pointing to the pilot's
chair.
"Bossy female," Panthro grumbled as he sat down.
Leanna knelt down and set the kit on the floor beside her, she
opened the kit and took out a small pair of tweezers. "Now hold
still, it will only take a minute, "She said as she took his hand
and turned it over. She was trying hard to concentrate on her task
not the fact of how large his hands where compared to hers. She
managed to remove the first sliver without any problem, as long as
she kept her composure she would be fine.
Panthro shifted
slightly in the chair as he felt the heat from her body against his
leg.
"Only two more to go," Leanna said quietly breaking the
awkward silence that had come over the small cabin.
"Then hurry
up woman, I haven't got all day," Panthro grumbled.
"I
would if you'd stop moving," she said grasping his hand tighter.
"Now hold still".
She moved her hand under his and grasped
his wrist tightly, Panthro was surprised by the strength she had in
her hand. She sighed slightly as she tried to remove the last sliver,
but at the angle in which it was embedded she couldn't get at it
properly, she had to choice on what she had to do next. She let go of
his wrist and moved so that she was kneeling on the other side of his
arm. She had to position his arm between hers and her side in order
to see what she was doing.
Pantho's large muscular arm flinched
as the soft skin of her arm made contact with his. He turned his head
away and looked out the cockpit window and tried to think of
something else when he felt her left breast brush against his forearm
as she leaned closer.
"There all done, "She said as she let
go of his hand and sat back.
"Oh..Umm. Thanks," he said
finally looking at her.
Leanna smiled and closed the kit, she
stood and walked back over to the cabinet, she stood for a second,
she had forgotten what she was doing before. Then she saw the door
open overhead, "Right that stupid pack," She said as she tried to
reach it. Just as her fingers touched the strap, another hand
appeared.
"Is this what your after, "Panthro said as he
grabbed the pack and handed it to her.
"Yes, thank you," She
said as she turned around and looked up at him, "I guess I'm just
too short"
"Your not that short," He smirked.
"I
guess I better finish packing," The lioness said.
"Where are
you going"
"I decided to go camping, while my ship is being
repaired," Leanna said moving to the back of the ship.
"That's
not a good idea, "The panther said following her, "There are too
many dangers for a woman to be alone in the woods".
"I can
handle myself thank you very much," Leanna said stubbornly.
"Look,
I've been living on this planet for the past eight years, I know
what I'm talking about," Panthro said looking at her.
"I've
been in far more dangerous places then this little dust ball of a
planet," Leanna snorted as she stuffed things into the pack.
"What
would your mate say if he knew you wanted to go off camping alone,"
Panthro asked crossing his arms defiantly.
"Who said I had
one," Leanna said as she moved passed him.
"I just assumed"
"Well, you assumed wrong," Leanna said quietly as she slung
the pack over her shoulder and grabbed her crossbow and started to
leave the ship.
"Leanna," Panthro said as he followed her
out, "I can't tell you what to do, but at least take this with
you," He said as he walked over to his workbench and picked up a
communicator. "Keep close to the Unicorn Forrest, it's just west
of here," He said handing it to her.
"Thank you," She
grinned," let me know when your done with that hunk of junk"
The
panther nodded and watched her leave, "Where is she off too," A
voice asked behind him. Panthro turned around and saw Lion-O.
"Camping," Panthro shrugged.
"Oh….didn't you warn
her it was dangerous," The lion asked.
"Yeah, but she
wouldn't listen..Damn stubborn woman," The panther grumbled.
Lion-O just looked at him and smirked, " Sounds like a perfect
match for you".
"Ooh no. She's nothing but a bossy,
stubborn, pain in the ass female," The Panther said.
"Maybe,
but she is a beautiful bossy, stubborn, pain in the ass female,"
Lion-O grinned.
"Sorry didn't notice, "The panther snorted
and walked off. Lion-O just shook his head and laughed at the big
panther.
Panthro continued to work on the Leanna's ship, "She
right about one thing, this is a hunk of junk," He said to himself
as he checked over the engine.
He looked outside the open hanger
and seen it would soon be dark, he threw the wrench he had in his
hand on the workbench and headed to the Thundertank to do his evening
patrol.
Leanna who had been sitting in front of the campfire
watching as the sun began to set, heard the faint roar of the
thundertank leaving the lair, a small smile crept across her face.
"Got to think of something else," She said to her self then
she looked around and spotted her bow. She picked it up and looked it
over. She reached into her pack and took out an old cloth she used
for polishing. She removed the arrows from their housing and started
to clean the bow. She tried to concentrate on what she was doing, but
no matter how hard she tired her thoughts kept going back to that big
panther, the sound of his deep voice, his scent, his smile.
"Girl
get a hold of yourself," She growled quietly to her self, "It's
obvious he's not interested".
"Hmm..Then again," She
shrugged," Got to be careful or I'll end up talking to myself".
Then she chuckled. "Wait to late I already am".
Panthro
was on his way back to the lair after finishing his nightly patrol of
the area when he reached over to the screen and flipped a switch. A
small light blinked on the map that he had called up. It was from the
communicator he had given the lioness, he just want to check to see
where she had decided to make camp. He was only doing his job, he
told himself. If she were in any danger, at least he would know where
she was. He was going to go straight home, but his conscious wouldn't
let him. He'd just stop to make sure everything was all right.
After all, she was woman alone in the woods camping; there were
mutants and lunatacs around. He stopped the tank, got out, and headed
to her campsite.
Leanna had the bow sitting across her lap and
was busy replacing the arrows; when the sound of a twig snapping
startled her; her finger accidentally hit the trigger releasing an
arrow. When she looked up, she saw a shocked panther standing there
with an arrow embedded in the trunk beside him, it had get missed his
outer thigh by a few inches.
One more step and it would have hit
him.
"By Jaga woman, you trying to kill me," Panthro said
pulling the arrow out of the tree trunk.
"Oh gods, I'm so
sorry, you startled me and my finger slipped," Leanna said
horrified looking up at the big panther.
"Well I assumed you
heard me coming," Panthro said handing her the arrow.
"Hmm,
no, I was busy thinking of something else," she said shyly.
"Besides you should know better then to sneak up on people,"
she grumbled taking the arrow from him.
"I wasn't sneaking up
on you," Panthro said.
"What are you doing here anyway? You
done with my ship that quickly, "Leanna asked.
" No, I….
just wanted to make sure you where alright," Panthro said suddenly
feeling a bit awkward.
"Well as you can see I'm just fine,"
Leanna nodded.
"Yeah..I can see that," He chuckled. Then he
noticed her bow, "that's an odd shaped bow," He said, "never
seen one like that".
"That's because it's hand made and
it's more then just a crossbow," Leanna said raising her head.
"Oh," The panther said curiously as he crouched down beside
her.
"See this button here," She said holding the bow up,"
one push and it turns into a fighting stick". The lioness touched
the small button; the arrow went into the base of the bow and the
cross bars collapsed, forming a three-foot long wooden fighting
stick.
"Impressive," Panthro nodded, "I assume you know how
to use that"
"Of course I do, it was given to me when I was
old enough to hunt on my own," Leanna smirked. "I'm a very good
shot".
"Well judging from that shot you accidentally fired, I
would hate to see what would happen if you really tried to shoot me,"
Panthro chuckled.
"Now why would I want to go and do something
like that," Leanna grinned." Besides it's been acting up
lately, the trigger sticks sometimes".
"May I," Panthro
said holding out his hand.
Leanna shrugged and passed him the
bow. He took the bow and looked it over, "Be right back," He said
setting the bow down, he stood and walked back to the tank, when he
returned he had a small toolbox in his hand.
The panther sat down
beside her and picked up the bow, Leanna watched him as he set to
work. While he was busy working, she reached up and started to undue
her tight braid.
"There much better, "She said quietly
running her fingers through her now free mane.
The panther
glanced up and almost drove the screwdriver in his hand as he caught
the glimpse of her long black hair, as it cascaded around her
shoulders. Leanna was fully aware of the panther watching her, but
she pretended not to notice. She proceeded to reach into her pack and
pull out her brush. She moved her hair over to one side of her
shoulder and started to run the brush through the thick locks.
"Having any luck," Leanna asked innocently finally looking at
the panther.
"Oh..hmmm. Yeah," he said collecting his
thoughts, "I think I may have found the problem," He said quickly
lowering his head and getting back to work.
Leanna smirked and
drew up her long legs and rested her chin on her knees, she sat and
watched the sun go down, leaving the evening sky a shade of purple
and pink "Beautiful, I've never seen any thing like it," Leanna
said looking at the sky.
The panther looked over at her, her long
mane flowed down her back and pooled behind her on the small blanket
she was sitting on, "Neither have I," He said quietly.
"You've
never seen a sunset like that before, "She asked turning her head.
"Umm, not for a while," He said quickly avoiding her gaze.
"So have you found the problem with my bow," Leanna asked as
she leaned over closer to the panther.
"I think so, it," He
started to say until a breeze blew a lock of the Lioness's long
soft mane against his upper arm., "It was just the spring
mechanism," He said gulping hard.
"Oh, good, thank you, "she
smiled up at him.
He looked at her for a moment," I had better
go…. the others will wonder where I got to," He said as he got to
his feet and passed her the bow and turned to leave.
"Panthro,"
Leanna said getting to her feet. The panther stopped and looked back.
"Thank you, "She said as she rose on her tiptoes, planting her
hand on his broad powerful chest, and brushed her soft lips against
his cheek, "For everything," She smiled as she looked at him. The
mighty panther blushed slightly and cleared his throat, "your
welcome," He grinned before he turned and left.
"Good
morning," The cheerful voice of the Thundercat lord chimed behind
her.
Leanna's thoughts of that day were interrupted," Good
morning my lord," The lioness smiled and bowed her head slightly.
"You know you really have to stop doing that," Lion-o
chuckled.
"Yes sir," Leanna smiled.
"So what are you up
to today," Lion-o asked looking out the window waving to the twins.
"If you mean am I going to crash anything today, then no,"
the Lioness smirked.
"I wasn't thinking that," Lion-o
laughed, "but I was thinking it's about time you learned to drive
the vehicles".
"Oh," Leanna said. "Which one, "she
asked carefully.
"Well the first one I learned to drive was the
Thundertank," Lion-o said with a mischievous grin, remembering he
could have killed himself in the process by taking it out on his own,
but he learned his lesson fast.
"The…. The thundertank,"
Leanna gulped, "that thing is dangerous. Not to mention that's
the panther's baby…ooh no," she said shaking her head.
"You
have to learn sometime," Lion-o winked, "and now is a good time,
Panthro is getting ready to go out on patrol, so you go down to the
hanger and tell him I sent you down for your first driving lesson".
"No that's okay. I can do it another time, "she nodded.
"Nonsense," Lion-o said and walked over to the wall comms,
"Panthro I'm sending Leanna down for her first driving lesson".
"Probably be my last too," she mumbled under her breath.
"See you later and good luck," The lion said as he waved and
walked off chuckling to himself.
Leanna rolled her eyes and
mumbled under her breath as she walked down to the hanger, as the
door slid open, she took a deep breath walked in. this was the
panther's sanctuary, she left like an intruder. She heard the all
to familiar roar of the thundertank come to life, this was one
machine she wasn't looking forward to trying to drive. The sunlight
bounce off the metallic surface of the powerful machine as the
panther raised the paw of the hanger.
"So you want to learn to
drive the tank huh," Panthro questioned with a smirk.
"Umm.I
umm guess so," she answered with a shrug.
"Well hop in…I
have to do a quick patrol first, then when I'm done we can start
your lesson," The panther nodded.
"Take your time," the
lioness said as she hopped in the machine.
"What," Panthro
asked over the roar of the engine as he drove across the drawbridge.
"Umm nothing," she answered.
Leanna looked around at all
the dials and screens and levers that littered the dash of the tank,
she had no clue of what anyone of them did, she glance over at the
panther and watched as he drove, trying to remember what he did with
what lever.
"So where's the manual for this thing, "she
asked .
"Right here," Panthro answered tapping his temple.
"So of I want to know anything I have to get in your head,"
Leanna smirked.
"Pretty much," the panther nodded, "don't
worry you'll do fine…this ol girl is pretty tough".
"I'm
not," Leanna said to herself as she glanced around at the scenery.
The thundertank made it rounds around the burble village and
treetop kingdom.
"Look," Leanna smirked," it's one of the
twig sisters".
"That's queen willa and she's a warrior
maiden," Panthro said with a chuckle.
"Warrior maiden,
treetop kingdom, leaves, trees twigs. Same difference," the lioness
grinned.
Panthro just smirked and shook his head, "there one of
our allies, just don't call them that to their faces," he warned.
"I'll be nice," Leanna chuckled trying to get rid of the
nervous tension.
Panthro turned the tank around and headed to the
unicorn forest, when they reach a clearing he stopped," Well you
ready," he asked shutting down the engine.
"Aren't you
worried I'll crash this thing," she asked giving him a worried
glance," I'm not that good with computers or machines," she
said.
"You can fly a spaceship can't you," Panthro asked
cocking a brow.
"Well yes, that's how I got here," she
nodded.
"It's basically the same principle," Panthro nodded
and jumped out so Leanna could move over, "you're too hard on
yourself woman. Relax you'll take to this like a fish to water".
"Or like a rock sinking to the bottom," she snorted moving
over to where the panther had been sitting.
Panthro just
chuckled, "Come on it's not that bad".
"So will you get
mad if we crash or if I damage your baby," Leanna asked looking
over all the many control levers.
"No. I won't. I
swear..Thundercats honor," the panther nodded.
"I'll hold
you to that Panther," Leanna said pointing her finger at him.
Panthro showed her the levers and how to start the tank, she
managed to start the tank and move forward without much trouble.
"You can speed up a bit," Panthro said noticing they where
going a snails pace.
"This is fine," the lioness said looking
straight ahead.
"Um, Leanna," Panthro said, "The leaves on
the tress are moving faster then we are".
"Good for them,
they don't have a few thousands pounds of machinery under their
ass," she snorted.
"I can get out and walk faster," Panthro
sighed.
"Well do it then, "the Lioness snapped.
"Suit
yourself," Panthro shrugged and started to stand up.
"Hey
don't you leave me panther," Leanna growled.
"Well I would
like to get home before the tanks next tune-up," he teased.
The
lioness grumbled and increased their speed, "happy now," she
asked looking over at Panthro.
"Better pull up on the lever on
the left," Panthro nodded.
Leanna gave him an odd look but did
what she was told, she push the leaver forward and the tank roared to
life at a break neck speed.
"Now..i'm happy," the panther
grinned as the trees whizzed by.
"If I didn't know any better
I'd think you were trying to kill me," Leanna said trying to keep
control of the machine.
"Me..na.. This machine was built for
battle among other things, I'm sure it can handle one little
lioness," Panthro smirked
Soon the clearing ended, and they
were once again in the Forest heading towards home Leanna was getting
the hang of driving, she looked over at the panther, who just ginned
at her. "See told you it wasn't so bad," he nodded," Look
out," he shouted as a large unicorn jumped in their path, Leanna
panicked and instead of hitting the breaks she turned, the next thing
she knew they were airborne.
The tank landed with a heavy thud on
it's side stuck a rather large trench, when the tank landed the
lioness was flung against the panther, Panthro grabbed a hold of her
to keep her from flying out of the vehicle.
"You all right,"
Panthro asked the lioness who was practically on top of him.
"Just
my pride is wounded," she smiled.
"And so is your head," he
said looking a small cut on her forehead.
"That's nothing,
I'm fine. You ok," The lioness asked realizing the position she
was in.
"Yes..i'm fine," He answered, "we better see what
the damage is ".
Panthro moved and Leanna started to fall, she
grabbed hold of the panther, but before he had the chance to get a
handhold, the pair tumbled out of the tank, the lioness hit the
ground bringing the panther with her. Although unhurt the pair landed
in a pile of muck, the lioness ended up getting the worse end of the
deal
"Sorry," The mud-covered woman said looking up at
Panthro .
"That's ok," he said quietly looking down at her
trying not to laugh.
"So much for cat-like reflexes," she
grimaced at the cold wet mud squished beneath her.
Panthro
cleared his throat, got up and helped the muck cover woman to her
feet.
"Oh you think this is funny," she said stand with her
hands on her hips, dripping with mud.
"Umm..Nope," Panthro
answered with a smirk, he had to turn away to keep from laughing. He
went to check out the damage to the thundertank, as he surveyed their
situation he felt something cold and wet hit his back.
"HEY!"
He growled quickly turning around only to see an empty pace where the
lioness had been standing. The sound of a soft thud hitting the metal
surface of the hull of the tank caught his attention; he spun around
ready to fight only to be met with a grinning lioness and a chest
full of dripping mud.
"Now look," he half growled in warning.
The lioness crouched as he moved closer, "here kitty kitty
kitty," she smirked mischievously raising her arm with another
handful of dripping mud.
"Don't event think of it," Panthro
growled narrowing his eyes at her.
"Don't be such a prude,"
she snorted and threw the sloppy mess at the panther.
The lioness
squealed as Panthro dodged the mud by leaping towards her, Leanna
bolted and tried to leap up onto the edge of the trench but the sides
were too slippery.
Just before the big panther reached her the
comms in the tank beeped. "Your lucky this time," he snorted and
went to the cockpit of the tank to answer the call.
"Just
checking in. You're half an hour late," Tygra said over the
radio.
"We sort of had a small accident..But it's nothing I
can't get out of," Panthro nodded, "we'll be home
shortly..Panthro out".
Leanna stood quietly and watched as
Panthro used his muscles to move the tank on its belly enough they
could get in and drive out of the trench. With the panther once again
at the controls of the Thundertank the pair headed home in silence.
When they arrived Lion-O and Tygra were standing at the bottom of
the steps as the tank drove across the drawbridge.
"You two
okay," Tygra asked as the tank came to a stop and the pair jumped
out.
"Just a few minor scratches, and a bit of mud," Panthro
answered looking down at the half dried mud caked on his chest.
"Good… glad no one was hurt," Lion-o smiled.
"I think
I need a shower," Leanna nodded heading up the stairs.
"Any
damage done," Tygra asked looking over the panther's shoulder at
the thundertank.
"Nothing major," Panthro said as his gaze
went elsewhere
"Some first lesson huh," Lion-o chuckled.
"Umm yeah," panthro said only half paying attention.
Lion-o
looked over at Tygra and smirked.
"So how did you guys get full
of mud," Tygra asked.
Panthro didn't answer.
Lion-o nudge
Tygra with his elbow, "the tank looks better full of mud," he
winked.
"Yeah," Panthro nodded.
Tygra cocked a brow and
looked at the panther who had a strange look on his face.
"Maybe
you should paint it the color of mud," Lion-o said," it would
make it easier to hide.
"Ah huh," Panthro said keeping his
gaze over the two men's shoulder.
Tygra turned his head to see
what Panthro was looking at he turned back and chuckled. "Panthro,"
he snapped.
"Huh…What…Oh… the tank will be as good as new
with some soap and water," he answered looking back at the two men.
"So you're not going to paint it mud color," Lion-o asked
innocently.
"Why in thundera would I do that," Panthro
snorted.
"Well you did agree it looked better that color,"
Lion-o grinned.
"I most certainly did not," The panther
huffed and turned heading back to the thundertank.
Lion-o threw
back his head and laughed, "I've never seen him like that before.
You thinking what I'm thinking".
"Yep…. we got trouble
with a capital L, he just don't realize it yet," Tygra smirked
Panthro looked back at the two men and snorted, he jumped in the
Thundertank and drove it closer to the hanger. The panther jumped out
and went inside, when he returned a few minutes later he had a bucket
of soapy water and a hose in his hands then began to wash the mud off
the side of the tanks shell. Once again the tanks outer skin gleamed
in the sunlight. Satisfied with his work the panther put down the
cleaning sponge and picked up a wet rag to get at the mud inside the
tank.
Panthro was cleaning off the seats went something caught
his eye; he reached down and picked up a black oval shaped flat
object. He held it up and looked, it was made from polished stone,
his brows knit as he tried to remember where he see it before, he
turned the polished rock over in his hand and that's when he
realized what it was, it wasn't any polished stone, it was a hair
clip, the pin that held the clip in place had snapped off. That's
why it was lying in the floor; it had broken and fell from Leanna's
hair.
Panthro put down the cleaning rag and went over to his work
bench, he sat and looked at the hairclip for a moment seeing how it
was suppose to go, a slight smile crossed his lips when he seen he
could easily fix it. A few minutes later he had it done, he tucked it
into his belt and would give it to the lioness the next time he saw
her.
After the lioness finished cleaning up she
left her room and headed back down stairs.
"So I heard we've
taken up mud baths now," Cheetara said coming up behind the young
woman.
"News travels fast around here," Leanna said shaking
her head.
"Well it was kind of hard to not know with Snarf
complaining about the mud you tracked in," the cheetah chuckled.
"Umm, sort of couldn't be helped," Leanna shrugged.
"They
say mud is good for the skin," Cheetara smiled.
"I've heard
that, to think people actually pay to sit in that stuff and I got it
for free," Leanna laughed.
"At least no one got hurt, that's
the important thing," Cheetara nodded.
"True. That was my
first and very last time trying to drive that damn thing," Leanna
snorted.
"Aww come on. You got spooked. Not your fault, it can
happen to anyone," Cheetara smiled putting her hand in the Lioness
shoulder.
"I…am not getting back into the driver seat of that
thing..There is no force on this planet that will make me either,"
Leanna said stubbornly.
"Really now," The cheetah smirked,
"why are you so against getting back in the tank. Would it have
something to do with the teacher," she winked.
"I don't
know what you're talking about," the lioness snorted as they
walked down the hall.
"Please it's as plain as the spots on
my butt, "the cheetah said looking at Leanna
"Well miss
spots. Your way off track," Leanna said as they neared the kitchen.
"Umm de…Nile I heard was a river in Egypt in old earth
times," Cheetara smirked.
"Good afternoon Ladies," Lion-O
smiled from the kitchen table.
Cheetara looked at Lion-o and
smiled, " Lion-O, it seems Leanna has been spooked and she don't
want to take anymore driving lessons".
"Oh," the lion said
arching a brow, "Panthro will be disappointed," He said grinning
shyly.
The lioness didn't respond as she walked over the
cupboard to get a glass.
"Yeah…He'll be quite hurt,"
Cheetara said winking at the lion.
"Yes, he thinks it's
important that everyone learn incase there is an emergency," Lion-o
nodded.
Leanna still never said a word as she walked over to the
cooler and poured a glass of juice.
Cheetara looked at Lion-O and
shrugged and wondered what it would take to get a reaction out of the
lioness. "Umm Leanna, I was going to ask you if you weren't busy
that maybe we can get in some weapons training," Cheetara said
giving the lion a quick wink.
The lioness finally turned around
and faced the two Thundercats, "Okay," she nodded setting down
her glass.
The cheetah grinned and hooked her arm around the
lioness's shoulder, "Well let's get going so we can be done by
dinner".
Lion-O held back a chuckled as the two women left the
kitchen; he knew if anyone could get that lioness to talk it would be
Cheetara.
"Sorry to hear about your bow," Cheetara said as
they entered the gym.
"Yeah well. It was old anyway," Leanna
shrugged, "the trigger kept sticking on it. About time I got a new
weapon".
"Well, take your pick," Cheetara nodded leading
Leanna over to the weapons locker.
Leanna looked over the various
weapons that sat on the display wall; there were many she could
choose from, swords of different sizes and lengths, staffs of
different lengths, spears, Sai's, batons, but it was a pair of what
looked like two short handled scythes that caught the lioness's
eye. "What are these," she asked picking up the weapons and
testing their weight in her hands.
"Those are Kama's,"
Cheetara nodded, " it takes a quick and strong hand to wield
those".
"Can you teach me how to use theses," Leanna asked
gripping the wooden handles tightly in her hands.
"That kind of
weapon is out of my league. You need an expert to teach you how to
use them properly…. now if you want a staff weapon, I'm your
girl, but those hmm no," Cheetara grinned.
"So who's the
expert, Tygra, Lion-O," Leanna asked looking over the curved blade.
"No…. that would be Panthro's department," Cheetara
nodded, " he's the only one who could show you the proper way to
use those and what defense moves you need to learn".
"Oh, I
see," Leanna said as she started to blush slightly, "Maybe I
should choose something else," she said looking back at the display
of weapons.
"No… I think those Kama's suit you," Cheetara
replied with a smirk.
Leanna looked down at the Kama's in her
hand, she really did like the weapon, and it seemed to fit in her
palms perfectly.
"Come on Leanna…I know you'll be able to
use those the way there suppose to be used, there is a reason you
chose them," Cheetara said laying her hand on the lioness's
shoulder.
"I know," Leanna said, "but why him…why did it
have to be him," she sighed.
"Ok spill it…. What do you
have against Panthro," Cheetara asked folding her arms over her
chest.
Leanna looked at Cheetara, "What…I don't have
anything against him," she said defensively.
Cheetara moved so
she practically stood nose to nose with the lioness and looked
straight into her dark eyes, "Then why don't you want him to
train you to use them," she asked nodding to the Kama's.
"Because every time he tries to teach me something I always
manage to mess up, " Leanna sighed and hung her head.
"Then
you pick yourself up dust yourself off and try again and you keep
trying until you get it right, "Cheetara said determined.
"Yeah
and make a complete fool of myself in the process," Leanna snorted.
"Failure is the part of learning, how can we learn from our
mistakes if we don't make them in the first place," The cheetah
nodded, "You should have seen the cuts and bruises I had when I
first started training, but I didn't give up".
"But you
didn't," Leanna started to say but quickly stopped.
"Didn't
what," Cheetara asked eyeing Leanna closely.
The lioness
cleared her throat, "Nothing…now how about we do a few rounds
with the staffs," she said quickly trying to change the subject.
Cheetara just chuckled, "ok..You win this round," she said
taking the Bo staff off her cuff and extending it.
"What round…
We haven't even started yet," Leanna said innocently.
"You
got that right," Cheetara smirked, "we've only just begun".
"Why do I have the feeling I'm in trouble," The lioness
asked grabbing a practice staff.
"Na, I'll take it easy on
you…. for now, just until you've toughen up," the cheetah
smiled.
"Toughen up," Leanna snorted, "Ha…. very funny,"
she said taking a swing at the cheetah.
Cheetara quickly moved
out of the way, "your letting your emotions rule your actions".
"I am not," Leanna said, "your cheating".
"How can
I cheat," The cheetah asked moving out of Leanna's way as the
lioness made another swing for her.
"You're using your speed
to move out of the way," Leanna growled.
"Well of course I
am," Cheetara said, "you have to learn to use your senses not
your eyes".
"I can't hit what I can't see," Leanna said
as Cheetara started moving quickly around her.
"Then don't
use your eyes," Cheetara said as she hooked her Bo staff behind
Leanna's leg and knocked her backwards to the floor.
"Hey,"
the Lioness protested and got to her feet," that's not fair".
"Who said training was fair, that's why it's called
training, you learn from mistakes. …Remember," The cheetah said
readying herself again.
"Use your senses," Cheetara nodded
and started running around the lioness again this time at full speed.
Leanna couldn't follow the cheetah's movements with her eyes
so she did what Cheetara suggested. The lioness inhaled deeply
through her nose, instantly picking up Cheetara's scent. Leanna
smirked and planted the tip of the staff on the floor at an angle,
one minute Cheetara was running around her in a golden blur, a second
later the cheetah was face down on the padded floor.
"How was
that," Leanna smiled cockily.
"Too good," Cheetara wheezed
rolling on her back.
The smile faded form Leanna's face when
she realized that Cheetara was hurt," Oh crap." Leanna exclaimed
and dropped to her knees beside the fallen woman.
"Cheetara.
I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you," Leanna said.
"Not
your fault," Cheetara replied holding onto her rib cage," it was
the way I fell".
"I'll go get help," Leanna nodded and
stood, but before she turned to go over to the comms, Lion-O came
bursting through the door, "What in Thundera happened here," he
demanded seeing Cheetara lying on the mat with Leanna standing over
her.
Leanna froze with fear, she had never seen Lion-O so angry,
"its ok Lion-O," Cheetara said, "it was just a silly accident".
"I asked a question," He said looking at Leanna," What
happened," he snapped.
"We were just training," The lioness
explained.
"What did you do," He frowned.
"It was an
accident…. I didn't mean to injury her," Leanna said backing
away from the Thundercat lord.
"You were careless and injured a
valuable member of our team," Lion-o bellowed angrily.
"I was
not careless," Leanna snapped back.
"You will watch your tone
with me," Lion-o stared angrily.
"Hey," Panthro said as he
came in the door, "what's going on I could hear you shouting all
the way down the hall.
"We were training and Cheetara
accidentally got hurt," Leanna answered.
"You mean you were
careless," Lion-o growled and took a step towards the lioness.
"Don't even think about it," Panthro warned stepping in
front of Lion-O, "just calm down, if it was an accident it was an
accident, no good getting angry over nothing," Panthro said.
"Thank-you," Cheetara sighed.
"Look just get her down
to the infirmary to get checked out," Panthro nodded.
Lion-O
just looked at him for a moment before he turned and scooped the
cheetah up in his arms. He never said a word as he left and headed to
the infirmary.
Once he had left Leanna picked up the wooden staff
and put it back in the weapons locker, "I suppose you're going to
yell at me too," she said.
Panthro turned and looked at her,"
Why would I do that," he asked.
"For the same reason Lion-O
did," Leanna shrugged.
"Oh, don't pay him any attention, he
just very protective of Cheetara," Panthro nodded.
"Oh,"
Leanna said cocking a brow, "and the reason he's so protective
over her is".
"The reason being.. He loves her," Panthro
smirked.
"Oooh, I see," Leanna smiled," I understand his
reaction now. I injured his mate".
"Well they haven't made
it official..Not yet anyway," Panthro shrugged.
"Ah,"
Leanna smirked," I should have known," she said, "just by his
reaction, that should have been a clue because lions are very
defensive when it comes to their mates"
"A little too
defensive if you ask me, almost to the point of insanity," Panthro
snorted.
Leanna looked at him and clear her throat, "Excuse
me," she said crossing her arms over her chest.
"Oh,"
Panthro said realizing he had put his foot in his mouth," I ummm,"
he said scratching the back of his head, "I'll shut up now".
"Oh I suppose if you had a mate you wouldn't do a thing if
she got injured," Leanna said.
"No, I would probably rip off
a few heads," he shrugged," ok, you proved your point".
Leanna
chuckled and shook her head and once again glanced at the Kama's,
"I was thinking that since I don't have my crossbow anymore I
need a new weapon".
"I'm sorry I broke your bow, I tried to
fix it, but I couldn't," panthro said.
"No it's ok, it
wasn't your fault, but I have chosen a new weapon," Leanna said
looking at the Kama's.
"Oh, what one," Panthro asked
walking over to the locker.
"Well I was thinking maybe these,"
she said picking up the set of wooden Kama's.
"You do know it
takes special training to learn how to use those," he said taking
one from her hand.
"I'm willing to learn," Leanna said
nervously
"Well it is more important you learn to use a weapon
then it is to learn to drive the tank," Panthro nodded, "okay. If
you want these as your new weapon, then you shall have them," he
smiled, "these are just training ones of course, when you do learn
to use them I will make you a set of your own".
"Really,"
Leanna smiled broadly.
"Of course. We'll start training this
evening," Panthro said smiling back.
