The chicks in Cheetara's group had almost completed their deliveries to the rest of the Avistan refugees. Cheetara began to think about the best location to gather food for tomorrow's distribution. In the past three weeks, they already picked most areas in the eastern forest completely clean. Cheetara thought it best to rotate to a new area.

"Ow!" Cheetara heard a cry and she darted in the direction of the kittens. She observed WilyKat rubbing his ear and scowling at a young Avistan chick who held a tuft of the kitten's white and beige fur in his beak. WilyKat had just delivered a basket of food when he was repaid with a sharp pinch from the little bird.

"He bit me!" WilyKat howled in complaint. The furry Avistan smirked and eyed Cheetara defiantly.

"Come here Kat," Cheetara said. She examined the patch that had been nipped by the bird. "It's not that bad, Kat."

"They sure aren't very grateful!" WilyKat said loudly, and frowned at the offending chick.

Cheetara sighed and bent down to eye-level with the kitten.

"WilyKat," she started. "As you already know, it can be difficult to be without a home, and to have to depend on others for your food."

"Yes," WilyKat admitted.

"We are merely helpers to the birds," she continued. "Our role is to offer friendship, to respect their dignity, and to serve with humility. Those our only goals. And they don't have to be grateful to us. Do you understand?"

"I suppose so." WilyKat rubbed his ear and pondered Cheetara's gentle reprimand.

"Okay," Cheetara smiled at the kitten. "When I go out to scout the west forest today, it'll be just you and me. We'll have a little adventure."

"Okay!" WilyKat grinned.

WilyKat's shout drew the King's attention. Lion-O handed the wrench he was using to Panthro and ran over to the gates of Avista see what the trouble might be. Lion-O saw the small kitten and the tall cheetah standing on the scorched soil at the edge of the mangled threshold to the bird city.

"Everything going okay over here, Cheetara?" Lion-O asked. The small pudgy Snarf bounced along at Lion-O's feet.

"Fine, Lion-O," she answered. "We've almost finished distributing the meals, and we'll head out to forage again shortly."

Lion-O tilted his head to the side and ran his fingers through his mane before deciding to raise his concerns with Cheetara.

"You know," he paused. "Cheetara, you've still been spending an awful lot of time with the birds. . . getting them food and such."

"Yes," Cheetara responded cautiously, not sure what Lion-O meant.

"It's just that. . . don't you think it's time to let them arrange their distribution system the way they want it?" Lion-O asked.

"What do you mean, Lion-O?" Cheetara could not help frowning. "The birds need our help. They can't do it themselves . . ."

"I'm not sure that's true." Lion-O touched Cheetara's arm. "Look at the Berbils' processing station, Cheetara."

Cheetara turned and watched as a group of Avistans scurried outside of the damaged city gates, loading sunflower seeds, thistle, candyfruit and water into iron vats that churned at four workstations. The vats ground, crushed, mixed and pressed the ingredients into small round cakes that descended down metal shoots and bounced into baskets below the vats.

"While you were out hunting yesterday, the Avistan scouts found some more plants in the western part of the forest," Lion-O said. "Looks like the Berbil suspension system can process that stuff pretty well."

"Oh," Cheetara blushed, "I planned to go out to the western side of the forest today . . . "

"Looks like you don't need to. Cheetara, I think they've got it figured out. They've been trying to be polite, but I don't think they need you lording over them anymore." Lion-O said frankly.

Cheetara swallowed, saying nothing.

"You should try their cakes," Lion-O laughed. "They definitely taste better than those earthworms you all have been digging up!"

"I see." Cheetara bowed her head; she saw WilyKat looking up at her, and she could feel the warm blush expanding across her cheeks.

"Just because they've lost their homes doesn't mean that they've lost their ability to fend for themselves, Cheetara."

"Of course, Lion-O. But, I just think that maybe . . ." Cheetara started.

"It's good that you tried to help," Lion-O continued. ". . .it's just. . .the way you've been doing it has been a bit . . . awkward. I think they can take it from here. But, if you want to be useful, we could use you back in the camp. It's a mess, and really needs a good sweeping."

"Yes, of course. As you wish, Lion-O." Cheetara nodded, and sank her fangs into her lower lip.

"What's going on?" Tygra asked. He slid out from beneath the Thundertank and ran to meet them after realizing that Lion-O was heading in Cheetara's direction.

"Nothing that concerns you," Lion-O said frowning. Lion-O looked up and noticed the owl Deputy Prefect walking toward him. Horus, the Deputy Prefect, emerged from the gates of Avista and waved to the cats. He nodded to Lion-O before addressing Cheetara directly.

"My dear, we cannot thank you enough for your kindness. You have lifted the spirits of the Avistan people during our difficult time of trial." Cheetara could not help glancing sideways at Lion-O.

"To repay you for your kindness, all, we would be honored to have you as guests for lunch at my home this afternoon." Horus said. Horus was an elegant bird with silver-grey feathers, who dressed in green and gold-laced robes. He had taken over the leadership of Avista after the defection of the vulture Prefect, Vultaire, who had left Avista without warning to join the forces of Mumm-Ra.

"We accept." Lion-O smiled broadly and winked at the owl.

"Excellent!" Horus smiled back at Lion-O. "Oh, and one other thing. We like to set a formal table. If you would be so kind as to dress for lunch . . . we would be most appreciative."

"Dress?" Lion-O looked down at his armor and back at the owl.

"Don't worry," Tygra said raising an eyebrow. "We clean up well. We'll see you at lunch!"

"But where are we going to get nice clothes?" Lion-O asked aloud when Horus had gone.

"Don't worry, Lion-O, Kit and I got it covered," WilyKat said smiling, and jetted off to find his sister, WilyKit, who was the keeper of their supplies. Lion-O and the Snarf followed WilyKat leaving Cheetara to ponder what Lion-O had said.

I suppose now is not the best time to ask Lion-O for the Book, Cheetara thought glumly.

"Are you okay?"

"Woah! Yes, I'm fine." Cheetara was startled to see that Tygra had not joined the others.

"You seem upset." Tygra lifted Cheetara's wrist to his lips; he kissed her wrist and the palm of her hand.

"I'm just . . . embarrassed." Cheetara's brow wrinkled. "Did you know that the Avistans were processing their own provisions?"

Tygra nodded.

"How did I not see it?" Cheetara raised her eyebrows and shook her head.

"Perhaps you were looking at something else?" Tygra searched Cheetara's face, wondering what could be troubling her so.

"I guess I was," she admitted. "I just couldn't help looking at their feathers, Tygra. They look the way that beggars do. So unwashed and dull." Cheetara wrinkled her nose. And the smell, she thought.

"I don't know," Tygra said. "I've come to admire the birds. They're hardworking. Unlike some of those lazy fleabagswho are just sitting on their tails around here. The birds are doing well, considering."

'I didn't mean . . ." Cheetara started. "The birds, they have nothing, and I just wanted to help them."

"I think they did need help in the days after Avista crashed," Tygra said. "But I think they're rebounding. They haven't forgotten their technology, after all. The birds may have lost their homes, but they're rich in many ways, I think."

"It helps to hear you put it that way." Cheetara nodded.

"You know, sometimes you remind me so much of the women that I grew up around. Lately, you've been acting more like those ladies of the court than the cleric I used to know. How did you even know how to set up a charity line, anyway?"

"Just came naturally, I guess," Cheetara mumbled. She studied Tygra's eyes. He was probing, and he had always promised not to. Her past was not something she intended to discuss; not even with Tygra.

"Is that all that was bothering you?" Tygra asked.

"For now." Cheetara changed the subject. "Let's get dressed for our lunch with Horus, shall we?"

Tygra grinned. "Absolutely. I can't wait to see what you're going to wear."

oOo