A/N: Well gang here the second chapter of my new Thundercat story. Two of our favorite kittens come into play as well as a few other tid bits. Won't give away to much just have to read it to find out more ;)
You will have to excuse any grammar and spelling issues. My beta reader from first chapter is swamped with other projects so I'm in the hunt for new one. I owe her a lot for helping me finish up Dark Secrets as well as editing chapter one here. Thanks a million Bronwynn for all that you've helped me with so far.
Okay on with the show.
Chapter II
"WillyKat I'm scared." WillyKit said holding onto her older brother tighter.
They had been running for so long from this creature that both were exhausted. Finding a small abandon house Kat thought it best to hide in it, but it turned out to be the last place they needed to go, and now they were trapped. The demon that looked more like an overgrown winged lizard was tearing apart the house to get to them. Both kittens know that if it got to them that their lives would be over as the demon wanted to eat them.
They huddled in a small room in the middle of the house and more or less waited for the end. They could hear the demon getting closer as it ripped apart the house. They could feel it fowl breath on them and both closed their eyes waiting for the end.
"I miss mom, and dad." Kit whimpered.
"I do to but we'll be with them soon." Kat told her hiding his sister face from the creature about to eat them.
"You thought you could hide from me and I was losing interest." The demon hissed just on the other side of the wall from his prey. "All your running and fear just make you smell all the sweeter." It said knocking down the final wall. "Now you are ripe to feast on." It said prolonging their fear.
"I think not." A booming voice said behind the demon.
Kat had heard the voice but was still too scared to look up still feeling the demon breathing on them. The demon however debated going ahead and eating the two young cats, but when he heard the voice and then felt two strong spiritual presences nearby his licked his chops. It turns around to face the new prey, when he does he is surprised to see what is standing in front of him.
"A Thundercat Cleric, oh my dinner just got all the more appetizing." It said chuckling.
Lion-O didn't respond to the demon words. He stood in his place with a determined look on his face. Reaching behind him he pulled his long curved sword from it resting place. Lion-O spread his stance ready for the upcoming fight. His right left arm was out stretched in front on him with his sword raised over his head pointing at the demon.
"Hah." Lion-O grunted in an almost ethereal echo to his voice.
When Lion-O grunted like that a blue glow that looked more like blue flames danced down the blade of his sword. The demon looked at the new cat and his eyes grew wide. Up until this point it had not had a good look at the larger cat seeing the setting sun was behind him. However, now that he got a look at what he was wearing as well as the emblem on his belt the demon knew right away who he was dealing with.
"So you are the one the killed my brothers the other day?" He questioned but never let Lion-O answer. "I will kill you to avenge their death and then when I'm done with you I will feast on the kittens." It said then charged as Lion-O.
Lion-O waited for only a few moments before launching his own attack at the demon. The sound of sword and claws rang out in the front yard of the abandon house. It was at this time the Servto made her move. She and Lion-O had spotted the kittens running from the demon from the hillside road they were traveling on. She didn't like the plan Lion-O had come up with her leaving his side to gather the cubs, but despite the size of the demon it was a small fry compared to the others they had fought over the past three days. Yet regardless of her not wanting to leave his side, Servto knew that her lion was right one of them had to get to the kittens and she was much quicker than he was and able to carry both of them out of danger.
"Okay you two let's get going." She said coming in from the back.
It was Kit that first spotted Servto, seeing that Kat was now looking towards the battle between the demon and this stranger. When their eyes met, Kit was no longer scared and for some reason she instantly knew that this cat that was bigger than any horse she had ever seen meant them no harm.
"Who are you?" She asked and finally getting Kat attention to the new comer.
"Whoa, please don't eat us." He said feeling a bit of fear but also awe at seeing this giant cat.
"I won't eat you little one. My name is Servto, and I'm here to get you two to safety." She told them both in a very motherly tone.
"How do we know you won't take somewhere and then eat us?" Kat asked.
"Kat, do you not know who this is?" Kit asked and got a dumb look from her brother. "You don't listen to the rumors in the villages do you?" She said then got up from her brother and went over to Servto. "She is the companion of the Thundercat Cleric that's been seen around the area."
"That means…."Kat said just as the sound of the death cry of the demon echoed throughout the valley.
The three of them looked out through the wrecked front part of the house to see the demon body and head fall to the ground separated from each other. Servto smiled as she saw her lion flick the demons blood of blade with a flick of the wrist. Once the blood was gone they watched as Lion-O put his sword back in it sheath and start walking toward them.
"Are you two alright?" Lion-O asked with a concern look on his face. "That demon was pretty scary wasn't it?"
Kit just nodded as she was now standing next to Servto, while Kat just looked up to the Lion wearing the black leather armor. The look of fear that was on his face had changed to one of amazement and wonder.
"That thing was huge how did you take it down so quickly?" Kat asked with eagerness in his voice.
Servto could not help but chuckle at the young male cub enthusiasm when he started talking to Lion-O about battling the demon. As the two talked Servto looked down to you female cub that was standing next to her in a way that she was hiding from Lion-O. He made her wonder why when not but a bit ago she seemed happy to know that it was Lion-O that was the one that had come to save them. She looked back to the young girl.
"There's nothing to be afraid of little one. Lion-O has a very gentle heart." Servto said in a very calming voice.
"But he just killed that demon, something our father couldn't even do and he was a soldier." She said with a hint of fear in her voice.
"As you said little one Lion-O is a Thundercat Cleric, and as such he has been blessed by the god Issin." She told her but did not mention that that same god was her mother. "What is your name little one?"
"WillyKit?" Kit answered meekly.
"Such a pretty name, may I call you Kit." Servto asked and got a nod back from the young girl.
"May I call you Kit as well?" Lion-O said bringing Servto to turn and see her lion kneeling down in front of Kit. Lion-O looked at Kit and could see the fear in her eyes. It was clear that this was not the first time that either of them had seen a demon like this. "You don't have to be scared anymore, I'll protect you from those evil creatures." Lion-O told her, he was going to say something else when both of the stomachs started to grumble. "What do you say that we get away from here and make camp and get some supper, does that sound good to you."
"You mean it." Kat asked with a hug smile on his face.
"Sure, that is if you're hungry and don't mind eating with me and my friend here." Lion-O said looking back to Kat for a moment then to Kit.
Both Lion-O and Servto could not help chuckling at the kitten enthusiasm about being able to eat with the both of them. They found a clearing upwind from the burnt body of the dead demon. With the help of the Kat, their camp was set up, and a meal was prepaid for the three of them. As they ate Kit had asked Servto if she was going to eat, but Servto told that she had already eaten for the day. Kit didn't ask any further on the subject and Servto was grateful for the fact. It would have been hard for her to explain to the kittens who she really was.
As the night ware on Lion-O had set up his usual spot to sleep leaning up against Servto's side. It surprised him that after he had gotten settled that both kitten's snuggled up close to him under the blanket. It was shortly after that Lion-O looked down to them both and smiled seeing as they quickly fallen asleep.
"You're good with them Lion-O, and I think little Kit is warming up to you." Servto told him softly as not to wake them and with a smile on her lips.
"Their good kids, and from what Kat has told me they've both been through a lot. They lost their father to a demon, and then their mother was taken by slavers right in front of them." Lion-O said looking down to the kittens. "It's a wonder that they are still alive, and not completely fallen apart."
"I sense a strong spirit in both of them, but the question is what do you plan to do with them?" Servto asked even though she was sure what his answer would be.
"I can't leave them to keep going it alone anymore Servto, and besides I'm not the only one that they've taken a liking to. I saw how you were with Kat when she was so scared back then." He said with his own smile on his lips.
"And I've taken a liking to her and her brother, but sleep now Lion-O, by tomorrow evening we shale reach Thundera, and get to the bottom of the increases in demons in the area." Servto told him.
"Goodnight Servto." Lion-O
"Goodnight." She said watching him close his eyes. 'With your big heart finding that destine mate of your will not be hard.' She thought to herself before laying her head down and wrapping her tail around the three of them.
"It seems that your daughter little family has grown by two Lady Issin." Said a hawk that had just landed on a nearby branch.
"It seems it had, and I have no doubt that she will protect those kitten's like they where her own." Issin said as she looked down into the valley from the surrounding mountains.
"Isn't that why, you sent those kittens in their direction." The Hawk said.
"Are you implying that I set all this up from the beginning?" Issin said looking over to the smaller creature.
"I would never assume such a thing."
"I'm sure, but whether I did or did not, I will not say, but those kittens still have a hard road ahead of them and my daughter will be there to ease their pain."
"What are you saying?"
"That is for me to know and you not to worry about. Just continue with the task I have given you and keep watch on those four."
"Yes milady." The Hawk said bowing his head as Issin disappeared in a light blue light.
Thundera (The Next Morning)
"Princess Cheetara, you must be fitting for your wedding dress, the prince will be here in a few days and so is your wedding." Said an elderly lioness.
"Don't remind me of that fact, please Alice." Cheetara said looking out the window of her room that overlooked the gardens of the palace. "I wish that my father was not making me do this for the sake of the country. I had always hoped that when I found the man that would be my mate is was because we loved each other not for political reasons."
"I know my child that is all you have ever thought of since you were a little girl." Alice said putting down her sewing needles and walking up to Cheetara who had been in her care since she was five years old. She put her arm around her should in a one armed hug. "It breaks my heart knowing that, that dream of your will soon be ruined in a few days time."
'It's just not fair." Cheetara said with a slight sob.
She had been doing her best to hold back the tears ever since her father told her about the arranged marriage, but now as her wedding day drew closer it was harder to hold back her emotions and be the calm and level headed Princess that everyone knew her to be. When she heard her Governess's words, her emotions came up like the flood gates of a mighty damn had just been open. She turned and buried her face into Alice shoulder and began to cry.
For Alice, seeing Cheetara cry was just as painful as seeing one of her own children hurt. She wrapped her arms around the girl that had as close as a second daughter to her. She ran a hand through her hair and let the young woman cry. She had thought that with as well known as Cheetara beauty was known throughout the kingdom, that some prince or noble would have come to seek her hand in marriage, but alas there had been none, and now Alice knew the reason.
"It's going to be alright my dear, maybe Issin will answer your prayers and bring forth a prince that can save you from all this." Alice said hoping to raise Cheetara spirits.
"I wish it was that simple Alice." Cheetara said standing straight again and wiping the tears from her face. "But that's only in a fairytale."
By the tone of her voice Alice knew that Cheetara had given up on ever getting out of this mess and arranged marriage with this discuss cheetah prince. Yet that did not keep Alice from saying a small prayer to help this poor girl and save her from this fate.
"Come on Alice, I want to go to the market."
"But Princess your dress."
"Alice please. I only have a so many days of freedom left and once that's gone I doubt I will ever be able to see my home again." Cheetara pleaded with her.
With a nod of the head, Alice had agreed to go. She knew that Cheetara was correct, once she married she would be taken away from her home and more than likely never be able to return. So she could not deny her this one simple request.
"Okay but this time we take a few guards with us."
Outside Thundera
"Well what do you think?" Lion-O asked the kittens who had been riding on Servto's back.
They had stopped on a rise of a hill that was just outside the city. It was late afternoon by the time they reached the outskirts of the city, and with the late afternoon sun gave the city an ethereal glow to it.
"Wow, it's so beautiful from up here." Kit exclaimed.
"It's big, I'm not sure if we will ever be able to find mom in all that." Kat said in a downtrodden sound.
Lion-O had to agree with him but he would never admit that to the two kittens. The city was huge and this was his first time seeing it. However, as big as it was he would do everything he could to help the kittens find their mother, and reunite them with her. He looked up to the kittens and placed a hand on each one of theirs. He smiled looked down at him.
"No matter how long it takes to find her, you two will always have a place with me and Servto. So let go and find an Inn to stay in, get something to eat and then first thing tomorrow morning we'll start looking for your mother." Lion-O told them which both of them nodded in return.
Thundera Gate
Lion-O nodded back at them and with that it was agreed on what their plan of action would be. They set off towards the city, and as they got closer to the gate, more and more people seemed to be showing up around them. For Lion-O it was just a bit unsettling to be seeing this many people all in one place. His whole life he spent either in the compound that his father and he lived in or going into the small village not far from the house.
A few people stopped what they were doing and watched them walk past. All of them could hear the whispers from the people. It was to be expected, Lion-O thought. The site of a giant snow leopard with two kittens sitting on its back and a man wearing black armor with a hood over his head was something that was not seen every day.
"Halt, what is your business in Thundera." Someone said stopping Lion-O and Servto in their tracks.
"My business is my own." Lion-O answered back. He looked over to the city guard his facial features hidden from the guard.
Lion-O had found that if he had kept his face hidden it tended to have people leave him alone, and that just what he was looking for right now. The last thing he needed was whatever threat to the city is told that he was there.
"We cannot let a large beast like that into the city. You must keep it into the stables." The guard said.
"Servto is not just some beast to be stuck in the stables." Kit yelled clearly annoyed by the way the guard talked about her friend.
"My young friend is right, and beside do you want to explain to the other owners when their mounts go missing because she gets hungry and I'm not there to stop her." Lion-O told the guard.
"What going on here." A new voice asked.
"Sergeant, this stranger wants to bring that beast into the city." The guard said which earned a growl from Kit.
The Sergeant looked at the man and his mount. It took him a few minutes but something that he had heard in the palace about a man in black leather armor with a giant snow leopard as his companion came to the fore front. Just from the description that he had heard and seeing the quartet in front of him. The Sergeant knew who this was or at least didn't want to be the one responsible for turning this man away.
"Private, stop harassing the man and let them through."
"But sir!"
"Move along and enjoy your time in Thundera." The Sergeant said ignoring the private.
He waited till the three cats and their mount walk into the city before he turned to the private and stared him down with a hard gaze.
"Private, you have no idea what that was, do you?" He asked getting a shake of the head from the private. This caused him to sigh. "Son, if you pushed the issue any harder you would have ended up missing a limb before you knew what happened to you."
"Sir?"
"That was a Thundercat Cleric kid, and that is someone a young cat like you can hold up against. Now get back to your post and stop messing with people." The Sergeant said walking off knowing that he needed to get this information to the palace.
Thundera Inn
The four of them found an inn and they were a bit surprised that the inn keep did not show any sign of worry when Servto walked into the front lobby. Even more so, when the innkeeper didn't even bat an eye when he found out she was staying in the room with Lion-O and the kittens. With the room paid for the retired to their room.
It was decent size with two full-size beds and its own bathroom. Lion-O laughed as the kitten quickly stacked out which bed they would be sleeping in. Though, Lion-O had other ideas on that one. It was decided that he and Kat would share a bed and Kit would get the other one. This of course got Kat asking why his sister got a bed on her own. It was Servto that answer this question.
"She is a girl and it is just not proper for her brother sharing a bed with her. Besides do you think I'm going to sleep on this hard floor?"
"Well yeah, since you sleep in the ground in the forest." Kat asked.
"That may be true young man, but the forest floor is much more comfortable than this floor." Servto said taking one of her large paws and ruffling his hair.
"Aww stop that." Kat said pushing her paw off his head.
Lion-O and Kit chuckled at the two for a moment before Lion-O started thinking about everything that had transpired since walking into the capital. The reaction of the people both had him puzzled but also concern. None of the other guards that they passed had questioned them like the one at the gate. Not even the Innkeeper showed concern about seeing them all.
"Something's not right within the city." Lion-O said as he was looking at Servto and the kittens.
"You sensed it too then." Servto said looking up at Lion-O
"Yeah, none of the people even reacted when they saw you, it's like they've seen large cats like you before." Lion-O said back. "I would have thought that the Innkeeper would have said something about you staying in the room."
"Maybe that Sergeant at the gate spread the word about Servto and not to mess with her." Kit said from the bed.
"Maybe, but if that were the case, then whatever element that was a threat. The capital surely knows we are here now."
"What, or who would that be Lion-O?" Kat asked.
"To be honest Kat, I'm not even sure, all I know is that my father dying wish was for me to come to the Capital and stop whatever is threatening the kingdom." Lion-O told the kittens then looked over to Servto. By the way she was looking out the window Lion-O knew instinctively that something was wrong. "Servto?" Lion-O asked moving next to her.
"Do you smell that?" She asked him without even looking.
"I do now."
"Lion-O what is it?" Kit asked him in a very worried tone.
"Trouble and it trouble that I'm here to stop." He said walking toward the door. "Servto stay here with the kitten." He told her.
"No," Kit said almost in tears.
"Kit you'll be safe here with Servto she'll look after you."
"That what father said before he left to fight that demon and he never came back." Kit said wrapping her arms around herself.
"I promise to come back." He told her.
"Father said that as well." Kat spoke up now. "We are coming with you." The young Willy said with a firm tone in his voice.
Lion-O looked to Servto and sighed. She could understand how both the kittens felt about letting Lion-O go out on his own, because she was non to happy about being left behind. As she looked back at her lion, she could see the look of defeat in his eyes. She smirked at the way that he kitten especially Kit had him wrapped around her finger. It was enough for Servto to think that if Kit was any older that she would have made a play for Lion-O heart. With another deep sigh Servto looked to Lion-O and saw him nod his head.
"Fine, but if you are coming with me your going to do what I tell you at all times and if I say run then you better make like the wind." He said walking over to one of his saddle backs and pulled out two small black bands with the Golden Thundercat emblem on them. "They are not much and only used to tie back my sleeves, but I've always found them annoying to wear. Be that as it may, they do have special blessing to them, and will help protect you from harm." He told them handing them to them.
The kittens looked at the black cloth and admired the emblem on it. Compared to Lion-O the cloth was big enough to be used on them aside from tying around their arms. Kit took hers and wrapped it around her pony tail. Kat took his and tied it around his neck as a scarf. With both of them tying the cloth on them Lion-O some spar weapons that he thought would suit both well. For Kat, a sword that was not much more than a dagger for Lion-O, and for Kit a quarter staff, that was just a bit taller than she was.
Lion-O looked at both kittens and then shook his head. He could not believe that he was actually letting these two follow him into what he was sure to be a dangerous situation. Part of him wanted to take the items back, but when he felt Servto walk up next to him and when their eyes made contact he knew that this was the right thing to do. Beside he was not much older the Kit was now when he went out on his first hunt with his father.
"Right let go." Lion-O said heading out the door and into the streets of Thundera.
Thunderan Market (A Dark Alley)
"Well, well lookie at what we have here boys." A tall dog that resembled a pincher said.
"What, you see boss?" A feral looking cat asked.
"Just what our master has been looking for, and here I thought that we were going to have to break into the palace to grab her." The pincher said.
"But what about the guards she has with her?" Another asked.
"That's easy you idiot. Master didn't give us our gifts for the hell of it" He said knocking the latter creature upside the head. "Now go and take them out and then the Princess will be all ours and the Master will rewards us all."
The pack of creature that resembled cats, dogs and other creatures from third earth started laughing as they took off running and disappearing into the shadows.
"Soon Master, you will have your sacrifice and your army will be released upon this world." The pincher said as his eyes glowed a deep blood red.
"Princess please it's getting late, your father will be mad if you don't get back before the sun sets." Alice pleaded.
"Alice we'll be fine, we have six guards with us, and no one will bother us." Cheetara said as she went from stall to stall looking at the wears of the merchants. "Beside Father Birthday is coming soon and I wanting to get him something."
"I have just the thing you are looking for." A deep voice said from behind them.
When Alice and Cheetara looked to see who was talking to them, they both noticed the blood dripping from the larger creature right hand. Not far from him was what was left of one of the guards that were there to protect them. Alice could see the red glow in the pinchers eyes and fear began to creep through her. Cheetara however, stood there and showed no signs of any fear towards this man. She was a Princess of Thundera, and Daughter to King Claudus. She was taught to never show fear. Even though deep down she was beginning to realize that they were in deep trouble.
"Mmmm, Boss can we eat the old one, she so scared that I can smell it from here. It smells so sweet and tasty"
"We only need to cheetah. Her handmaid is no concern for our master." The pincher said.
"Back off you dogs, come any closer and I will have your heads." Two of the guard that where closet to Cheetara said drawing their swords.
Despite the threat the pincher started to move towards Cheetara, who stood her ground keeping Alice closer to her. It was her that they wanted and who or whatever these men where would dare not attack Alice if Cheetara keep her close. She locked eyes with the one walking towards them.
"Stay back now." One guard said, but when the pincher didn't heed the warning he rushed in for the attack.
"No wait." Cheetara said, but it was too late.
Just as the guards blade was about reach the pincher. Something from the left rushed in at blinding speed and took the guard out in a spray of blood, some of which landed on Cheetara and Alice dress. Before the other guard could even react his head was removed from his body and slumped to the ground in front of them. This in turn caused Alice let out a scream. Cheetara was horrified by the way these men actions
"Now milady we can do this the easy way or the hard way.' The pincher said with an increases glow in his eyes. "Either is fine with me."
Cheetara just stared at the pincher her jaw set with determination. She would be damned if she would let this man take her away like she was something to be owned. She was not worried about herself. She knew for whatever reason they wanted her alive but Alice on the other hand.
'I'll go with you quietly on one condition." Cheetara said.
"And what is that?" The pincher asked.
"You let my handmaid go and will not harm her." She demanded.
The pincher thought about this for a moment looking at the determined look on the young cheetah maiden face. There was fire in her crimson eyes and he thought that maybe he could have a little fun with her before turning her over to his master.
"Done, she's is free to go." The pincher said. "Leave now before I change my mind and let my men eat you."
"Go Alice get out of here." Cheetara told her.
"Cheetara no!" Alice pleaded.
"How about you let them both go, and I don't take your heads." A new voice called out.
Cheetara was looking behind the pincher at the owner of this new voice. She was not sure whoever was foolish enough to try and tangle with these men, not after what she had seen them do. Seeing Cheetara look past him the pincher smirked to himself. He was sure this was another guard that one of his men missed or happened to stumble upon the scene.
"If you value your life you will leave before I turn around." The Pincher said.
"And if you value yours, you will walk away now before this really gets bloody." The voice said.
The pincher heard the man's footsteps start too walked towards him and heard the sound of a blade being drawn from it sheath. He started chuckling at whoever this fool was to dare stop him from completing this take for his master. He knew that there would be no way that this person could even get close to him. He knew that as soon as he was close enough one of his men would attack with speed that could not be countered mere mortal. He started to turn around just about the time this man got to the point of the attack.
Lion-O with his hood up and his eyes shadow from those still left on the streets sensed the attack before the creature even got close enough. As it just out at speed that anyone not trained as he was to see. Lion-O twisted his body to dodge the claw coming for his throat. In doing so with almost superhuman speed he brought his blade up and spilt the creature down the mild.
The Pincher saw this and the color of the leather armor the man as wearing. He did not need to be the smartest follower of his master to know what he and his men were facing. However, a smirked crossed his lips as he did not see the rumored beast the traveled with this Cleric. So when another one of his men jumps out to attack this intruder his eyes widen when a flash of white and light gray tackled his man leaving a bloody stain behind the Cleric. His eyes narrowed with his saw the smirk on the Cleric's lips.
"You thought I was alone didn't you." Lion-O asked now just outside of arm and blade reach. He leveled his arms at the pincher letting his power flow through it which caused the light blue flames appear again along the blade. "I know what you are and I will never let any of you demons harm any innocent." Lion-O said lifting his head to look at the much taller pincher. "So as you just told the lady we can do this the hard way or the easiest." Lion-O asked which got a growl from the pincher and then letting it transform more into the demon hidden underneath. "I was hoping you would say that."
When the man in the black leather armor lifted his head to look at her capture, Cheetara got a look at his dazzling blue eyes. It shot a chill through her that she had never experience before. A warm feeling started to fill her as she watched him battle the creature. It was that seeing him fight did anything for her, it was something else, something that she could not place. However, if Cheetara did have to put a word to this feeling. Then it would have to be love at first sight. Yet things like that where only in fairytales. She was so focused on the battle between this new person and her capture that she didn't even noticed that the large creature that come to his defense was not standing behind them, along with two kittens.
"Are you two alright?" Servto asked the kitten especially Kit as they joined her to stand guard over the Cheetah maiden and her handmaid.
"I'm fine Servto." Kat asked.
"I'm okay." Kit answered a little meeker then her brother.
Servto knew that he could have not been easy for the kittens in what they had to do but, at least Lion-O didn't expect them to kill any of the demons that had surrounded the cheetah. Yet still seeing the amount of carnage that was happening could not have been easy for the young kitten. Servto walked up to Kit and lowered her head rubbing her muzzle into her cheek.
"It's okay Kit, they are all gone now." Servto said softly.
"I know but, Lion-O still out there fighting that one." She said looking to the fight.
"So that is his name." The cheetah asked as she walked up to them.
"Yes milady." Servto answered not worrying about letting the cheetah hear her speak.
"Then you must be his companion Lady Servto." Cheetara asked.
"That I am, but how do you know of us and who may you be?" Servto asked looking between Cheetara and Alice.
"My name is Cheetara." She answered and was about to say more but Alice stopped her.
"We are the Ladies in waiting for the Princess." Alice spoke up before Cheetara could.
Compared to dealing with that pincher and his men seeing a large snow leopard bigger than any mount in Thundera, Alice was surprisingly calm about talking to it. She had to speak up before Cheetara did as not to give away who she really was. Yet the way this Servto was looking at them both, told Alice that the large cat might be seeing right through her little lie. However Servto's next words told her that maybe she bought it.
"Well you are safe now. Once Lion-O finished that beast off I'm sure that we'll escort you to the palace." Servto said.
"Thank you Lady Servto that would be very kind of you." Cheetara answered.
"Come on you've got to do better than that." Lion-O said ducking under the swipe of the claws from the pincher.
Not since his journey began did Lion-O have such a challenge as he was having in fighting the dog demon. While he knew that at any moment he would be able to best this creature. Lion-O still sought this as a challenge. Not to mention that it did make him look good in the very beautiful cheetah maiden that he was saving from this guy. That alone was worth taunting this creature. He was not sure if she had noticed it or not but he did catch her eye when he lifted his head to look at the demon he was now fighting.
Her eyes were something that he knew that he could get lost in for the rest of his lift. The attraction to her was instant, and Lion-O knew that no matter what the odds were, if she would let him. He would lay his life on the line for her every time.
A growl from the demon brought him out of his thought of the beautiful cheetah just in time. Ducking another attack from the demon, Lion-O heard a sharp intake of breath from those watching him. A quick glance over to Servto and the kitten told him that he had played long enough with this demon. Servto looked annoyed that he had taken so long as it was and he was sure that he would get an ear full from her when they were alone. He didn't even have to look at the kittens to know their expression. No it was the look in the eyes of the cheetah that really told him play time was over. Those tender crimson eyes showed him that she was afraid for him, and scared that he might die. Servto had been the only one to ever look at him like that.
'Okay Lion-O enough's, enough it's time to end this.' He thought to himself.
Another charge from the demon and this time Lion-O was not fast enough. His thoughts had been too distracted by the cheetah. The claws of the demon dug deep into his left arm just as he was twisting out of the way. However, the Pincher didn't come away unscaved. With the sword in one hand as the pincher pasted him. Lion-O brought his blade across its back.
It reaction was to let out an angered and painful growl. It turned just in time to see the blue glowing blade come down on its right should cleave its arm off. Another howl of pain this time and the demon began to fear for its life now.
"Time to send you back to where you came from and give this message to your master. As long as I live and breathe, no harm will come to this kingdom or its people." Lion-O said his voice harsh and cold.
"You can kill this body Cleric, but I shall return, and you can't protect her all the time." Pincher said hissing.
"Maybe, but I will die trying." Lion-O said before taking pincher head from it body.
With a flick of his wrist Lion-O cleaned the blade of his sword of blood before putting it back in its sheath. He watched as the body of the creature start to smolder to ash before blowing away in the wind. Something was different about this one. Most of the demons he had fought thus far had simple vanished after death. None of them did what this one was doing, and it made him wonder was it really a demon that he fought or something else he had not encountered before. A call of his name brought him out of his thought on the creature. He turned to look as Kit, and Kat came running up to him.
"Lion-O I was so worried." Kit said hugging his neck tightly after Lion-O kneeled down to her level. "I was so scared that something was going to happen to you."
"Come on sis, this is Lion-O you're talking about. You remember how big that creature he fought when we first met. It was easily three times bigger than that dude." Kat said boasting. "Sure it was a piece of cake for Lion-O."
"Well I wouldn't go that far." Lion-O said looking over at Kat. He slowly pulled Kit off of his neck and looked her in the eye. "Now come on dry your tears, I'm fine see" He said whipping the tears from her cheeks. "Now come on and smile for me and let's go greet out new friends." He said standing up.
Cheetara had stood back as the kitten went to greet the man who had saved her life. Watching him with the young ones, gave Cheetara the impression that he was their father. Even thou none of them looked alike. Regardless she could not help but smile at the way Kit refused to let go of his hand. To see him fight a few minutes ago with such ferousity and cunning, and now to be so tender and loving to the kittens, made her heart swell towards this man.
"Thank you my lord for coming to our rescue." Cheetara said with a slight curtsy.
"Please milady I'm no lord, just a simple Cleric." Lion-O told her. "Are you both alright?" He asked them looking more toward Cheetara then Alice.
"We are fine thanks to you."Cheetara said then noticed the wound on his arm. "You're injured." She said quickly taking her handkerchief and tying it around the gash on his arm.
"Milady there no need to do that, it's just a scratch." Lion-O told her.
"I will not have my hero bleed to death in the street." Cheetara insisted as she kept working on covering the wound. "There that should help stop the bleeding till you can get medical attention." She told him stepping away.
Lion-O could not help but look down at the young woman tending to his wound. She was captivating and the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. He knew the wound would heal well enough on its own once he let Servto tend to it, much as a mother would her cub. Yet he could not stop Cheetara from tending to him.
"Now then let's get you back home." Lion-O finally said as Cheetara back away.
"Thank You." Alice finally chimed in after seeing that Cheetara was fascinated by this young man.
This was dangerous situation that was quickly developing between them. Not that she could blame her Princess for taking in interest in him. With his dark leather armor that fitted his body like a second skin. Long flame red hair, which he pulled back into a pony tail. Then there was his smile. A smile that could warm even the coldest hearts. Not to mention the soft blue eyes that seemed to look into your very soul. It was enough to make an old woman swoon, and if she had been forty years younger she would have pursued him. Yet she was told old for him, and while Cheetara was of the right age she was betrothed already. Not to mention he was a commoner and she royalty. It broke her heart to see what was going on between the Lion and her Princess knowing that in the end it would never be.
At the instance of Lion-O, Cheetara and Alice rode back to the palace one Servto. For whatever reason, they had encountered no city guards along the way. Cheetara was grateful for this. It was going to be hard enough to explain the death of six guards to her brother and father. Let alone explain why she was riding this giant snow leopard. She thought it best keeping up with the rouse that they were ladies in waiting for the princess. Cheetara had Lion-O drop them off a short walk to the servant's entrance.
"You're sure that we can't take you right to the door?" Lion-O asked Cheetara.
"I'm sure word of what happen in the market has already reached the palace and I would hate if something happen to you and your family if they saw us together." Cheetara said looking over to the kitten that was standing over by Servto.
"There not mine if that what you are thinking milady." Lion-O said
"It's Cheetara, and you could not tell by the way you are with them and the way they look to you." She said with a warm smile.
"Cheetara, it is such a beautiful name." He said without really thinking. Everything around him seemed to fade into the background as he looked into her eyes. "Will I see you again?" He asked her.
"Cheetara, it's time to go." Alice called out to her.
"I don't know I would like to get to know you better Lion-O" Cheetara said. "Only Issin knows what the future holds" She told him before getting on her toes and kissing his cheek.
Lion-O was dumbfounded both by the fact of hearing his name on her lips and the fact that she had just kissed him. He watched her walked off with Alice and was lost in his own little world till he felt Servto nudge him in the back. He looked at her for a moment then it dawned on him what he had meant to do before the parted.
"Cheetara wait." Lion-O called out to her as he ran towards her. "I wanted to give you this." He said handing her a rolled parchment with another black cloth band around it like the kittens had.
"What is it?" She asked.
"A letter that I hope will get you out of any trouble with your Princess and the King. Make sure to give it to either one of them. It will let them know how to reach me if needed." Lion-O said still holding her hand that he used to give the parchment in. "Goodbye Lady Cheetara, I hope that Issin will bring us together again one day." He said turning and running off.
Cheetara watched him run down the street with the Willy Kittens and Servto beside him. That warm feeling inside her grew as she watched him go. She knew that very soon they would meet again, and maybe he would not only be the salvation of the kingdom but also the fate that was in store for her in less than a week.
A/N: Okay wow that has got to be the longest chapter I've ever written, but it done. Hope you enjoyed it and let me know what you think.
TBC