(Thundercats 2011)
Volume I – Drogo x Inca
A/N - This will be a short chapter. Sorry, but the next will be considerably longer, seeing as we will find out about Inca's past and the outcome of that knowledge. Hope this chapter is still enjoyable. Please read and review. Thanks!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Thundercats or have any affiliation with the creators, producers, etc., nor do I receive any compensation for this work.
Chapter 2 – Apprehension
It was two weeks later, and Inca was miserable. She had seen nothing of Drogo since the gazebo incident. How could he have stayed away from her this long? Didn't he know she was empty without him?
It was difficult to leave her bed each morning. The longing to catch just a glimpse of him was overwhelming.
Was that panther whore's charm really that addictive? Just the thought of that sordid scene made her angry all over again. How could he have put his hands on another female?
Yes, they had their problems. But that was no excuse to just go and bed someone else, and right after their argument on top of that!
In her heart of hearts, Inca held hope that Drogo would not betray her, but some fear remained that she was wrong, that she had underestimated his devotion to her. She had been mistaken before.
Males were males after all, just as cats were cats, and that Cleric had been all but throwing herself at Drogo, mewling like a wanton slut.
Of course, nearly all females in heat behaved as such eventually, Inca included. But the jaguar wasn't interested in that at the moment.
The point was that the average male would be hard put to ignore such an effortless sexual opportunity.
But then again, Drogo was not the average male. She had to believe he hadn't done it. He couldn't have!
But why had he not come to her?
All she wanted was to have him back. She could forgive him, whatever had happened, if he would just come back to her. Never had Inca been brought to such a low.
She had moped about these two weeks, a fraction of her true self. She had tried to occupy her time, working on fighting forms with Leia and borrowing books from the royal library. Said books collected dust, untouched.
She had even taken a trip down to the city to see what she could find to amuse herself. What did the Thunderian citizens do for fun?
But her footsteps had unconsciously taken her to Cleric Hall, and when Inca had noticed, she had retreated back to the palace, sulking in her room to think Drogo could be so heavily on her mind while she apparently was not on his.
Leia had noticed her odd behaviors and had actually gotten annoyed with her for letting her pride keep her from going to sort this whole business out with the Cleric.
The lioness had even threatened not to speak to her again if she didn't fix it, now.
So Inca humbled herself. She would put both her pride and heart on the line to salvage their relationship. She would finally tell him everything. Maybe then he would understand her, and her ways, more completely.
Then maybe they could just be together and move on from all this.
Her search started in the palace, which she found crawling with Clerics. Of course, none of them was the one she wanted. It would have been too easy.
She then made her way to the grounds, passing the gazebo. She swallowed the remnants of her disgust and anger to continue looking.
At last she found herself at Cleric Hall. When she knocked, who should answer but the very female she had found fondling her lover, and the last cat in Thundera Inca wanted to see.
It was all very awkward, but Inca bore it all well, maintaining eye contact confidently and keeping her tone neutral. "I'm searching for Drogo. Have you seen him?" Other than when you had your paws all over him, she thought waspishly.
She honestly did not know what she would do if the two Clerics were together now. She waited with baited breath for the panther's answer.
Isis blinked dumbly before gathering her wits about her. "Drogo is in the gardens. And you would be…" she considered the jaguar for a moment before lifting an eyebrow, realization lighting her eyes. "Ah. You would be the reason he refused my offer."
She looked Inca over, leaning against the door lazily, making her feel even more exposed.
"I suppose I can understand, although I've known Drogo a long time. He's never turned me down before." She considered Inca a moment longer. "But we all meet someone at some time that blinds us to all others."
The Cleric played her fingers along the intricate designs on the door thoughtfully. When she looked back into Inca's face, a light smile lit her lips. "He is still there, but he probably won't be for long. He has just returned from a lengthy assignment, and is surely exhausted."
The panther straightened her stance. "Go. You may want to get there before he retires for the night, and you miss him."
With that, the Hall's doors were closed to Inca. She wasted no time, her feet quickly carrying her to the gardens. It was a great relief that Drogo had not done anything with that female.
It was even more so that he had not stayed from her voluntarily. She had to remember that he was a Cleric first, after all.
At first, she could see no one. But as she walked further in, she finally located him, sitting on a bench under a trellis covered in large, white moonflowers just beginning to open with the approaching evening.
The scene was serene, but the dark lion's mind was anything but peaceful, if his expression was any indication. His mouth was turned down in a frown, his brow creased.
As Inca stepped closer, she heard him sigh, as though he were in deep thought about something unpleasant. Surely he's not thinking of me, she thought, half way hopeful.
Drogo was lost in his own world, turning many a scenario over in his mind's eye. How could he possibly hope to approach Inca now that so much time had passed?
She probably wanted nothing to do with him by now. She wasn't the kind of female one kept waiting, not when it was this important.
It had been greatly upsetting when he had risen the day following the Isis incident to be immediately summoned to speak with Jaga. He had been informed that he and his partner, Jorel would be placed on an assignment as ambassadors to the surrounding kingdoms.
The king had heard of possible threats to Thundera in the form of their long-time enemies, the lizards. If the description given by the scouts was true, the threat was of a magnitude that would require more military might than the cats currently had.
It was logical to try and mend ties between the realms, since such a powerful enemy could eventually target not only the cats, but everyone.
Not to mention, it would be a horrendous development if the other animal kingdoms were to band together in league with the lizards to take down the cat kingdom. It was not an impossibility.
So Jaga had dispatched Drogo and Jorel to parley and make detailed lists of what each kingdom required aid in. They accomplished these tasks, and brought back all the information they could for King Claudus and his military staff to review.
They would determine if the kingdom could afford the aid each realm requested. But aid would only be given upon sworn allegiances from the rulers of each kingdom. It was the only way to ensure loyalty, and possible reinforcements, should they be needed.
That had been all well and good, but the whole mission had taken a little less than two weeks to accomplish, and only because Drogo had rushed!
By the time the two Clerics had returned, they had been so weary, they had both fallen into their beds, prepared to give their report this morning.
So yet more time had elapsed since Drogo had last seen Inca. His muscles still ached, and he could do with more sleep, but she was in the forefront of his mind, and he would not be able to truly rest comfortably until this matter was finished, one way or the other.
He continued thinking, debating on a strategy. Perhaps a forceful approach, where he had a conversation with her without accepting a refusal, would yield better results.
Or maybe he could purchase some flowers and use charm as a tactic. No, she wouldn't go for that, not if she was as angry as he thought she was.
He finally decided to just stick with the basics and go to her; whatever way the conversation occurred, that's how it would be. A discussion was long overdue, so it made no sense delaying.
He had resolved himself when suddenly, the most wonderful, addictive scent assaulted his nose, and he closed his eyes, breathing deeply. A small smile graced his lips as he turned to look on the face he'd seen only in his dreams every night since he'd nearly lost her.
Inca approached slowly, wondering if she should disturb him. He had just come back from a hard journey. Maybe she should wait until he had rested.
He must have sensed her coming, because he suddenly looked up and turned, his face blooming into the most beautiful smile she had ever seen for the briefest moment, before becoming more guarded, unsure.
"Hello," Inca said tentatively, trying her best not to smile too giddily. She had missed him so much, it was difficult not to run to him, but she didn't want to seem too forward. "I have been looking for you."
Drogo tried to keep the eagerness from his face. To have her appear after he'd just been thinking about her was more than he could ask for. He had missed her so much.
He had wondered if he'd ever see her again, if she was even still in Thundera after what she'd seen, and if she'd even talk to him if she was. The enthusiastic need to see her had been such a stifling presence in his breast.
Now she was here, and he felt tongue-tied.
"Were you now?" he finally blurted, a slight blush lighting his cheeks. "That's nice."
"That's nice?" Inca thought, trying to hide her growing nervousness. "Yes, I was. I wanted to- needed to see you."
She wrung her hands without realizing it, unaccustomed to nervous behavior. "I remember how we parted, and I really want to talk to you…about everything. I saw you with that other Cleric, and -"
"Nothing happened with her," Drogo interrupted before he could stop himself. He had to make sure that at the least, she knew that. "I know you were there. I know what you probably saw. But I promise you, I refused her."
The relief was instantaneous, to hear the words from his own lips, so much so that Inca closed her eyes to let it soak in. When she opened them again, the look on Drogo's face, the longing, was unmistakable before he was able to fix his face.
Inca thought it charming to see him try to hide that vulnerable part of himself, just as she was, even though there was no need for it. She would never use it against him, and now she knew he could be trusted as well.
For now, she just needed to be nearer to him.
She stepped closer, moving until she was a couple steps in front of him, until her senses could immerse themselves in him.
She was comforted by his familiar scent, and it made her more confident. She got straight to the point. "I've been cold to you, Drogo," she said regretfully.
She shook her head when he made to deny her words. "No. Just listen. I have been cold to you, less affectionate, even though I feel more for you than I've ever felt for anyone."
She finally closed the distance between them to place her hand on his powerful chest, his heart beating solidly against her palm. She looked at the wide expanse of his chest, barely restrained beneath his Clerical uniform.
She watched it rise and fall, unable to meet the smoky moss of his eyes, lest she lose her newfound courage to talk about what she had always kept hidden, locked away all these years in the recesses of her mind.
"It's amazing that you have remained with me still," she continued. "Because I must say that has not been the case in the past. You are not the only male who has balked at my aloofness."
Drogo watched his lover closely. Truth be told, he had nearly pounced on her when he'd felt her feather light touch on the center of his chest. How he had missed her hands upon him!
But he could tell this was something important, something she needed to get out of her system. He wasn't sure what it was specifically, but the somber look in her eyes told him she needed his attention, not his ardor.
He placed a large hand over hers, caressing it with his thumb. "I will listen, love," he murmured. When she stared at their hands, as if dazed, he used his other to tilt her chin, lifting her face to his, meeting her emerald eyes, suddenly finding himself drawn in by them.
The silence was thick with anticipation and tension. The slightest movement ignited the two, and before either realized it, they were kissing.
Drogo's misgivings were forgotten as his arms wrapped about Inca, drawing her closer still into the shelter of his body. Her hands were busy as well, twining themselves up around his neck, her claws grasping his mane as if they'd missed the feel of him.
She had. Oh, how she had.
So involved with the kiss were they, that neither saw the young Cleric who approached the couple. He straightened his voice once, twice, trying to get their attention while keeping his burning face averted. Finally, the poor thing let out an exaggerated cough.
Drogo and Inca were caught completely off guard, and they jumped apart like adolescents. The lion regained his composure quickly and turned to their visitor standing in front of his lover, unashamed.
He grabbed her hand, as if he was afraid she would disappear without maintaining some tactile contact.
He looked pointedly at the messenger, a young wildcat, green eyes flashing his annoyance.
"Um, Mentor, I-I bear a summons from Master Jaga," he stammered, cowed by the big lion's gaze. "He wants to see you before you retire for the night…something about needing you to elaborate on a part of your report."
Drogo gave a frustrated sigh. Was his Mentor trying to ruin his relationship?! He pulled Inca, who was silently laughing at his bemused expression, closer to his body. "Fine," he finally said. "Tell him I will be along shortly."
He tried to keep the growl from his voice, not wanting to further frighten the young one. It wasn't his fault after all.
The wildcat ran off, all too happy to be away from the large, annoyed Cleric. Drogo looked down at Inca, regret written all over his face. "I am so sorry, love."
She smiled at him. "It's okay. Really, it is. I know you must go when Jaga calls. How about we meet in my quarters tomorrow evening? I will tell you everything then. For tonight, rest. Despite what you may say, you have traveled far, and you need to sleep."
He brushed his lips across hers, resting his forehead against hers. "Sounds like a plan. I promise you, I will be there." He reluctantly let her go. She sat down to enjoy the garden a little longer, waving to him as he departed.
Once Drogo was gone, Inca sighed. Perhaps it was good that they had been interrupted. She didn't know how she was going to tell him…about all that happened so long ago.
But tell him she would.
At least now she had time to think about how to do so and to relax in the concept of reliving those painful events again, albeit in memory.
But solitude also allowed her to meditate on the possible consequences. What would Drogo think of her once he knew?
Would he be brought closer to her in this knowledge, or would it repel him to know how damaged she was? How would she tell him?
Inca wrapped her arms around herself sitting in the desolate garden, suddenly cold. Gooseflesh rose along the dusting of hair along her limbs when she considered the most important question.
Would he still love her?