Festival Hooooooo!

by Leanna

For the next few days Leanna practiced for over two hours four times a day with the wooden kama's, even though her left hand and arm ached she stubbornly kept going, it was determination and pride that fueled her need to succeed. Panthro had shown her all the moves and techniques she needed to learn, it was up to her to practice them until they became second nature to her.
The lioness spent the afternoon in the storage room putting away the winter stores as some of the others attended the burble festival. "There you are," Kit said bounding down the steps.
"Oh hi Kit, I thought you would still be at the festival," Leanna said going over the inventory list.
"I'm going back later," the young woman nodded, "so why are you hiding down here," she asked picking up a piece of burble fruit and taking a bite.
"I'm not hiding," Leanna answered looking up from the clipboard, "I told Tygra I would finish this so he could go to the burble village".
"Well he's back now and so is Kat," Kit said finishing the piece for fruit, "I was told to come drag you back with me," she winked," and I will drag you".
"Oh and told you to do that," The lioness smirked.
"Cheetara and Lion-O," kit smiled.
"Oh, I see," Leanna said trying not to sound disappointed.
Kit seen Leanna's smiled fade, "come on, you'll have fun," she said grabbing the lioness's hand and dragged her up the steps.
As the two women walked down the steps, Leanna noticed the paw was raised and the Thundertank still sat in its usual spot, which meant the panther was still inside the lair.
"So do all the Thundercats go to the festival," Leanna asked as they headed across the drawbridge.
"Most of us do," Kit answered as they walked down the path that led to the burble village, "Tygra actually went this year, normally he and Panthro don't go, they don't like leaving the lair or the tower of omens unguarded, so usually they stay so we can go".
"Yeah, I can see their point," Leanna nodded taking a quick glance back at the lair.
The closer the two women got to the village the louder music became, there were hundreds of locals, bulkins, wollows, even a few of the warrior maidens had shown up, everyone was having fun and mingling with each other, there was a large table set up with every type of food conceivable.
Leanna looked over and smiled as a bunch of bulkin and wollow children ran around while others played some of the many games that were going on. The burbles had many booths set up with different goods and wares, some even had a few games set up, there was a ring toss game in one and another held what Kit called a dunking booth, the object was to throw a ball at the target and the person sitting on the platform would drop down into the water.
"Leanna your just in time," Cheetara said coming up behind the lioness.
"In time for what," Leanna asked as the cheetah took her by the arm and led her over to the dunk tank.
"For that," Cheetara grinned pointing to Lion-O sitting on the platform that hung over the large tank of water.
"Here," Lion-o said taking off his shirt and tossing it to Cheetara, "Put this with my boots and sword".
"Lion-O is going to be dunked," Leanna asked surprised.
"You kidding he loves this, he's such a ham," Cheetara laughed, "He does this every year. We all do, each of us volunteer to sit up there and the kids enjoy it".
"So do the ladies," Lion-O grinned flexing his large muscles.
"Show off," Leanna smirked.
"Oh right I forgot, I'm the wrong color," He grinned mischievously, "now if I were say blue, then I might get a reaction from you," he winked.
Cheetara tried not to laugh; she knew that Lion-O was in for it now.
Leanna's eyes narrowed, "you want a reaction," she growled, "You got it," she said as she picked up a ball and threw it at the target.
Lion-O's laughter was cut short as the ball hit the target and he went plunging feet first into the cold water, "that will cool you off," the lioness snorted.
Lion-O surfaced, "Good shot," he grinned sweeping his wet mane from his face with his hand; he tipped his head back so the water slicked his hair back away from his eyes.
Cheetara looked at the lioness and nodded towards a few of the warrior women who were staring at the now very wet Lord of the Thudercats. "He looks even better wet," one of them said.
Cheetara just rolled her eyes shook her head, "don't pay any attention to the twig sisters," Leanna whispered to the cheetah, "there just jealous that they don't get to take him home," she grinned.
"Twig sisters," Cheetara snickered, "now that's not very political, we're suppose to be allies," she said trying to sound cross but failed miserably and broke out in laughter.
"Sorry, but I think it's just strange that a tribe of women living together in trees with no males around," the lioness said, "Exactly how do they increase their members…. mean they do reproduce don't they".
"I'm sure they reproduce like the rest of us," the cheetah shrugged, "But no one has ever had the nerve to ask them".
Leanna just smirked and shrugged, "he may look good wet, but have you ever tried to get the smell of a wet cat out of your nose, the smell will linger for days" she said loud enough for the warrior maidens to hear.
"Oh your terrible," Cheetara laughed as the warrior women walked away. " After that comment they may come back when it's your turn to get up there," Cheetara laughed.
"Who said I'm going up there," Leanna said.
"Like I said, we all take turns up there and as where you're part of the team you missy will have your turn," Cheetara winked.
"So in other words me and my big mouth may have just gotten me in trouble," Leanna said.
"Afraid so, unless someone else happens to show up," the cheetah winked.
"The one person who I want to show up..Won't, " Leanna sighed under her breath, "Cheetara can I ask you something".
"Of course you can," Cheetara nodded watching the lion climb back up on the platform.
"You've been at my practice sessions," Leanna said," did I do or say anything that may have offended Panthro".
"What," Cheetara said whipping her head around, "why would you even ask that".
"Well it's just that he hasn't been around much the past few days, he's been spending all his time in the hanger," Leanna shrugged.
"Oh think nothing of that, you haven't done anything wrong," Cheetara said, "that hanger is his second home," she smiled, "he's probably got another project on the go, once he starts one he won't stop until it's done".
"Okay," the lioness said relieved.
"He's stubborn that way," Cheetara winked, "that man gets an idea in his head, you can forget about seeing him until it's done".
"He is set in his ways," Leanna smiled.
"Oh yes, when he's working on something, we actually have to remind him to eat," Cheetara laughed.
"Come on Leanna," kit said," there having an archery contest," kit said excitedly and grabbed the lioness hand.
"Guess my turn in the dunk tank will have to wait," Leanna said as she was dragged off towards the setup target range.
Cheetara laughed and turned back to watch Lion-O, "what's that panther up to," She asked the lion as she moved closer to the water tank.
"Umm, don't know," he grinned innocently.
"Poppycock. You know don't you," Cheetara said, "Remember part of the code of Thundera is truth".
Lion-O leaned over and whispered, "as much as I would love to tell you, that panther would have my head if I told".
"Okay, can I at least try to guess," The cheetah smiled.
"Hmm, well he didn't say anything about guessing," Lion-o winked.
"Okay, " Cheetara grinned," let's see is it a new vehicle".
"Nope," Lion-o said.
"Okay..Hmmm, is it anything mechanical, "she asked.
"No," Lion-o grinned.
"But he is working on something," Cheetara asked.
"Yes he is," Lion-O answered.
"So nothing mechanical. Hmm," she said thinking, "He's been basically hiding out for the past few days, so it's got to be something special, that he wants no one else to see, because he hasn't mentioned anything to any of us, except you".
"The only reason I knew was Snarf was complaining about the mood Panthro was in so I went down to his workshop," Lion-O chuckled, "and he swore me to secrecy".
"But why," Cheetara said confused, then a smile lit across her face, "He's making something for someone isn't he".
"You got it," Lion-o winked.
"Oh and I think I know who," Cheetara smiled.
"You'll just have to wait and see," Lion-o said.
"Oh see that's not fair," the cheetah pouted.
Wiley Kat came over to take the lion's place in the dunk tank "sorry," Lion-O said as he climbed down the ladder, "but I know you," he grinned picking up a towel, "you'll go and tell Leanna," he said planting a soft kiss on the cheetahs lips.
"Ha I was right, he's making something for Leanna," Cheetara grinned.
"Yes… Now that's all I'm saying," Lion-o said grabbing up the rest of his clothing.
"You staying for the big dance tonight" Kit asked as she and the lioness headed back from the archery range.
"I'm not sure yet," Leanna answered, "I just might call it an early night"
"aww, you gotta stay for that," Kit pouted, "At least stay and enjoy the music".
"I might," Leanna smiled.
"Look there's Pumyra," Kit waved to the puma.
Pumyra spotted the two and waved and walked over.
"Your late getting here," Kit said.
"Sorry but I had to wait for Bengali while he helped Panthro with something," Pumyra nodded.
"Where's Benny now," Kit asked looking around.
"Oh he's taking his turn in the dunk tank. You should try it Leanna it's a lot of fun," Pumyra smiled.
"Well I'm sure they're enjoying watching the men get dunked more then they would me," Leanna winked nodding to another crowd of females near the dunk tank.
"Wet Tiger Hooooooooo!" Kit busted out laughing as the white tiger was dropped into the cold water.
"Yeah I see what you mean by our Thunderian men being more entertaining," Pumyra smirked watching Bengali surface.
As the white tiger surface, he smiled shyly and ran his fingers through his short white and back mane pulling it back from his face, water ran down from the blacksmiths well muscled arms down over his broad white chest and navel.
"I swear the pheromone levels around here when he done that just rose," Leanna chuckled.
"Can you blame them," Pumyra grinned, "Thunderian men look good wet".
"I bet you 50 Thunderdollars, that if you gave one of them a marker they would love to play connect the stripes with him," Leanna laughed.
"I think someone needs a cool dip in the dunk tank," Kit chuckled.
"Bengali is a sweet man," Leanna snickered, "I was only joking".
"We all know who you want to see coming up from that dunk tank," Pumyra winked at the lioness.
"Yeah he's really big, kind of bluish gray," kit smirked.
"Oh no… not you guys too," Leanna said rolling her eyes.
"What," The puma said innocently, "hun, you may as well just wear a big ol sign on your forehead".
"Oh," The lioness blushed, "is it that obvious".
"Umm yeah," Pumyra grinned and patted the lioness's shoulder.
"So what are you going to do about it," Kit asked.
"Me…. nothing," Leanna said crossing her arms over her chest.
"Why," Pumyra asked.
"I have my reasons, now can we just drop it," Leanna huffed and walked off.
"Stubborn Lions," Kit mumbled under her breath.
"Huh," Pumyra said turning to the young woman.
"I said stubborn Lions," Kit replied, "What is it with the lion clan, look at Lion-O, you know how long it took for him and Cheetara to finally get together," she snorted.
"Oh I know, a few years," Pumyra chuckled, "that's what happens when you come from a clan whose heart is ruled by pride and a stubborn nature". As the day ended and the evening festivities began Lion-o had led the cheetah over to the warmth of a big bond fire that had been started and sat down on a nearby log, "Well this is a surprise," Lion-O said as he spotted Panthro making his way through the crowd of people, "He never comes to the festival"
"He's never had a reason too, "Cheetara smirked," Until now".
"Panthro," Lion-O shouted and waved, "over here".
The panther waved back and walked over to the couple, "What in Thundera happened to you," he asked looking at the wet she-cat.
"Two words," Cheetara said shivering "dunk tank"
"Oh," Panthro chuckled.
"So what are you doing here, come to take your turn in the dunk tank too," Lion-O smirked.
"Umm, I like my water hot thank-you not freezing cold," the panther snorted, "I just wanted to come down to see what all the fuss was about".
"What you got there Panthro," Cheetara asked seeing a long slim wooden box tucked safely under the panther's arm.
"Oh this," Panthro said suddenly becoming uncomfortable," It's just something I've been working on. As you know Leanna has been practicing with the wooden training weapons and well I figured she's ready for a set of real ones".
"Oh can I see," Cheetara asked excitedly.
"Don't see why not," Panthro shrugged and he took the box out from under his arm and unfastened the latch and opened the lid.
"So you just came down to see what the fuss was about and you just happen to bring Leanna's new Kama's with you," Lion-O grinned as the panther handed over the box.
"Well, ummm, you know how it is .it will be dark when she gets back and a woman shouldn't be walking home alone in the dark unarmed," Panthro said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Riiight Panthro," Lion-O snickered," you my friend are sooooo busted".
"Alright fine," Panthro grumbled," I came down to give these to her…. happy now".
"Lion-o stop teasing that poor man…now let's see what the panther's been up too," Cheetara said opening the lid of the box. "Holey Thundera Panthro…. these are absolutely beautiful," Cheetara said picking one up from the red velvet lining, the blade of the Kama's were in the shape of the top half of the Thundercats insignia, the cat's head outline had been deeply etched and painted a metallic black, tiny flecks of sliver could be seen in the red painted part as she turned it in the fire light. The titanium handles were painted half red and half blue with Black Handle grips.
"Not only are they light weight, they will never rust, the fang will never break and the blades edge will never get dull," The panther smiled proudly," I had Bengali help me with the sharpening and shaping of the fang".
"Well I have to say Panthro.. I'm impressed," Lion-O smiled, "another example of your amazing talents".
"So do you think Leanna will like these," Panthro asked shyly.
"Ooooh yeah," Chetara smiled.
"I guess these are better then flowers," Lion-o winked, "these will last forever".
"I guess so. You literally put your heart into this," Cheetara grinned putting the weapon back in the box, "I promise you right now, she's going to love these".
"Just as long as I get to see the look on her face when you give these to her," Lion-O smiled.
"No way," Panthro said taking the box from the cheetah.
"Ignore him Panthro," Cheetara said, "you go ahead and find Leanna, and I'll keep Lion-o here busy".
Once the panther left Cheetara started giggling, "Panthro shy… That's just to cute," She snickered.
"Do you have the odd feeling that if and when those two ever get together, we'll never see them again," Lion-O chuckled.
"Well if one day they happen to disappear, we'll know why," Cheetara laughed and settled down in the lion's strong arms.

Pumyra, Kit and Leanna were standing talking to Kat, Bengali and a few of the robears, when Bengali spotted Panthro walking their way, "Time to go guys," he whispered to Pumyra and the twins.
Pumyra looked up and saw the panther," so Kat why don't you show us that booth you were talking about".
"We'll be right back," Bengali said to Leanna as he gave Kat a gentle nudge before he could say anything.
Leanna gave the group an odd look as they quickly disappeared around the corner of one of the booths; suddenly she caught a familiar scent and quickly spun around.
"Can't sneak up on you if I tried," Panthro grinned as he stopped in front of the lioness.
"Nope," she smiled, "This is a surprise, I was told you never come to these things," She said.
"Well normally I don't, I usually stay home to look after things at the lair," he said taking a quick look around.
"So I've heard," the lioness nodded.
"Have you been having a good time," he asked nervously shifting his weight on his feet.
"Yes, it's been fun, between Kit, Kat and Pumyra they have been keeping me busy, "the lioness grinned.
Panthro looked at Leanna and suddenly found his throat had gone dry, the panther swallowed hard and cleared his throat. "So you going to stay awhile," Leanna asked.
"I can't stay long," Panthro said, "I have to get back soon".
"Oh I see," the lioness said trying not to sound disappointed.
"But before I do go back I have something for you," he said taking the box from behind his back.
"Oh..What's this," She asked.
"Open it," Panthro smiled, "I thought you should have these as soon as possible".
Leanna looked up at him curiously and opened the lid as he held the box in his hands. "Oh my," She gasped as the light from the setting sun hit the metallic paint, "These are…for me," she said taking them out from the wooden box.
"Yes," He smiled seeing the express on her face.
"Where did you get these," She asked testing the weight in her hands.
"I …made them," He answered shutting the box lid, "I hope you like them, I worked on them for over two days".
"Like them, "she smiled, "how could I not… Their beautiful, Thank-you "she said throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. Leanna realized what she had done and quickly pulled away, "sorry I got over excited," she blushed.
"That's quite alright," the big panther chuckled," I'm happy you like them," he smiled, then he realized his hand was resting on her hip. "I…Umm, better get back now," he nodded innocently dropping his hand.
"Good night Panthro," Leanna smiled.
"Good night Leanna," he smiled back as he turned around and headed back home.