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.
