Hello, everyone! Thank you all for your comments. Here is another chapter that is a bit longer than I had thought. Hope you all like it!
Thank you to all that have favor, followed, and review.
Disclaimer: I don't own Thundercats except my O.C's and some non-canon events.
Pain from the past and Proposal
Xander sat in front of Shila as the dog looked at him with a disappointed look. "Don't look at me like that," he replied. Even though his words carried some heat his eyes were cast down.
"You male are all the same," the husky said as she got up from her seat. She went to a small cabin trying to find her tea leaves put found none. "You all think that fighting is the answer."
"Come on!" he stood up throwing the chair back, "what was I suppose to do? Let him take the kid with him. He's part of the underground slave trade. You know how those things work."
"He's not wrong, you know," the white tiger agreed. She walked towards the cabin, seeing what else was missing from. They had been hidding within the secret hideout in the forest. A small secluded place were no one knew about but the five warriors. "The slave trade has spreed among the other species ever sense Kiran fell." She open her wrist hologram, a small keyboard appear at the bottom of the screen, and began to type down what was needed. "Even my small hometown was victim to it's cruel raid."
Shila leaned against the counted as she bit her nail. This slave trade was getting bigger and bigger as time went by. "Your father and mother made it hard for them to continue to sell slave. Not to mention Chayan and Tigris. Those two never let a single slave trader run free on their watch."
"Mother and father made a treaty with many species and one of their conditions was that the place had to be slave free or at least had to have a minimum of 5 year. And that the slaves were not physically or psychologically abuse." Titania walked towards him to cheek on his injury, just a slash on the side of his check that went up to the side of his eye. Nothing serious but definitely leaving a scar. "Because of the amount of resources Kiran had many decided to agree to the terms."
"Kiran had always been slave free. To see others species enslave each other..." Titania sigh. She had seen many thing since she left Kiran. Things that just got worst as time went by. "It is truly saddening. No one remembered what happen back when Mumm-Ra used them for his own ambition."
Shila shrugged not showing a hint of sadness just disappointment. "Many leaders decided to ignore that part of history. There are those who passed it down to their descendants, but they were no more than a few."
Xander leaned against the chair after the white tiger finished covering his wounds. "Everything is getting worst now that Mumm-Ra has been freed and Thundera has fallen."
"Everything has been getting worse the moment the cats decided that they were superior to the other species. Mumm-Ra just made things even more horrible and the distraction of Thundera just confirmed the upcoming war."
The young boy let out a long holding breath. "Is Chayan still within the underground market?"
Shila let out a huff but didn't answer. She knew that man well enough to know he wasn't about to let something like this continue. Yet getting into contact with him was harder than she had thought.
"More," a soft voice answered instead. Keli came down from the upper flower of the tree house. Her light brown white hair was braided to the side. Her light almost clear blue eyes looking at them. Xander instantly sat up and helped his master to the chair. Her eye sight was slowly leaving as her powers of sigh became stronger and stronger as time went by. "Chayan is now the King of thieves. His organization has ground and although they do steal from the rich, that doesn't mean he doesn't have a side of people who have gone undercover to find out who is head of the slave trade and who is involve in it."
"His connections have strengthen since Tigirs last disappeared," Shila added as she sat in front of Keli. "I heard that Tigris had order her own connections to contact Chayan if she ever went missing or died. I've tried to contact some of them, but they were loyal to Tigris not me."
"Do you think they will listen to Tygra is he were the one to ask?" Xander question.
Keli shook her head, "No, that would be putting the boy in danger many of them weren't as loyal as some. If word got out that Tygra is Tigris son many will side with Mumm-Ra in order to kill the boy."
Shila snort before taking a sip of her juice. "Oh, please, many have already sided with Mumm-Ra. His army is just getting stronger and stronger."
Titania walked to the table and settle a glass off juice in Kelis hand. "Then what do we do. Master Tigris is no where to be found and many of her contact that we can use are either hiding, working with Chayan, or not trust worthy to communicate." She began to play with the hemp of her robes. "We don't even know if Alchy has her or not."
They stayed quite at the implications of those words. At this point something was telling them that it wasn't impossible. Wherever they look she wasn't there and the realization that she was in Alchy's hands was becoming clearer within time.
The snowshoe cat let out a sigh, "alright, we are all heading to dog city. Aideen should be on her way back there with bad news."
Xander let out a groan, "agh, great. I'm in so much trouble when she sees me."
"I don't have to see the future to tell you that you're right," Keli replied with a chuckle. "But there will be someone else waiting there too. Someone you two know very well." The healer and prince looked at one other wondering who she was talking about.
The next morning Aideen woke up first before the rest. The sun was just coming up from the horizon. She sat on the floor for a while before standing up and walking out the tank. She looked back to make sure no one had seen her before she walked towards the forest where a small river ran down. She looked at her reflection and sigh in relief at having seen her old self. Looking back she made sure no one was there before undressing and wrapping a cloth around her naked body before getting in the water. "Ah!" the water was cold making her shiver before deciding to hurry and wash instead of staying in the water like other times. She untied her hair that was now longer than it had been when she got here already past her waist. She brushed her hair with the brush she had bought at one of their many stops.
She looked at her hands as they still had that sensation as if they were on fire. No- that wasn't it now. They felt.. icy. She looked at her hands once more before her eyes widen as the water turned to blood. Her eyes moved at the lake as it turned from the crystal blue to deep red. The sky didn't have that sunrise shined but was dark with the night twinkly in the sky. That wasn't right. None of this was right. Where was she?
Slowly she got up from the water, as panic began to rise through her body. She turn around only to be greeted by ashes and fire. Her breathing came out quick as a sudden memory came to mind. The same one she had seen at the forest of Magi Oar. Her hands began to shake as she remembered that horrible scene. She had remembered bit and pieces of that day in horrible nightmares, but she was sure she was awake.
"Aideen!" a familiar voice yelled her name.
She looked up at the cat before her. A tiger dressed in silver and golden thin armor stood before her with a blue cape waved behind him. His eyes were blue so wise for a cat that had a youthful appearances. He was strong and muscle, but not as much as King Claudus had been. Blood dripped from the side of the armor one hand holding his wound the other holding a sword and an advance pistol was strapped to the side of his thigh. In an instant Aideen realized who this was. This was her father Sahib.
"Papa," the girl let out as she saw the man before her fall. She watched as the blood socked the floor before letting out a piercing scream.
Isha did not like being woken up early and decided to ignore the others as they began to get up. Cheetara tried to wake her up but she just got a "let me sleep" before the girl cover herself form head to toe.
"Just leave her," Tygra replied as he stretched and walked out the tank. The sun was just setting and most of the other cats were fast a sleep. The only once awake were Lion-O, Cheetara, and Tygra.
"Alright, but you will help me make something to eat," Cheetara said.
Tygra bowed, "I am at your service."
"Cute," was the cheetahs replied.
Lion-O looked at them with a small smile on his face. He was happy for his brother and hoped that Cheetara was able to help him get over his jealousy. He looked around the tank before walking to where they were beginning to set up. "Has anyone seen Aideen?"
Before she answered him Tygra spoke, "Why, are you going to apologies for what you did?"
He let out a sigh, "I've been trying to talk to her, but she just looks away or leaves whenever I'm around." He looked down as his shoulder slump at the mere thought of her hatting him. "I think she hates me now."
Cheetara put her hand on his shoulder in comfort, "I don't think she hates you. She's just.. confuse."
At that the lion looked up, "Confused? About what?"
"Your hopeless," the tiger stated. Crossing his arms he looked at his younger brother. "She's confused about her feeling for you, idiot."
The young lion looked away, "she clearly state that she didn't want to be with me like that."
The couple looked at one another, "she told you that?"
"Back when we were rescuing our people. She said we were to different," he replied.
"That doesn't mean you shouldn't try," she advised.
The lion shook his head, "I'm not going to force her into anything she doesn't want."
"And how do you know she doesn't feel the same way," his brother question. Getting irritated at the current situation his cousin and brother were in. "I can assure you of one thing, brother. Aideen feels the same way you do."
"But Pumyra-"
"You're going to have to chose Lion-O. Who do you wish to be with Aideen or Pumyra?" Cheetara question.
Tygra stood to the side not giving his opinion on this. Aideen was his cousin one of the few family members he had left and even though she wasn't exactly a cat she was still his cousin. Thought the journey he began to love her like a sister and after finding out there family relationship that just made his love for her grow including his protectiveness. Lion-O was his brother and he care about him, but he care about Aideen more and even if part of him didn't think his brother was worthy of Aideen, another told him that he made her happy. She trusted him and he truest her. He hoped that his younger cousin could rub off his brother and make him mature more.
"I-" they were interrupted by a scream close by the river. Without any word Tygra ran towards the place were the scream came from. Cheetara speed ahead of them.
By the time the two brothers came to the river they saw Aideen on the ground cover by a thin cloth. Her eyes stayed on the ground as she sobbed her body shaking with each breath. Neither knew what to do as the girl tried to get her breathing control. The cheetah turn to them, "You two leave. I will make sure Aideen is alright." They nodded before leaving.
Once gone Cheetara helped Aideen dress before heading towards the camp where the others where still asleep. It was just them four at the moment and neither said anything as the girl just stared at the ground. They tried to talk to her but she wouldn't listen to any of them. Her hands stopped shaking but she seemed frozen in place unable to clearly see ahead of her. After a few minutes Isha walk towards them while yawning, one hand covering her mouth.
"Hey, guys, is there food?" she asked before seeing the serious look on their face. She turn to look at Aideen who hadn't even braided her hair. "Aideen?" slowly the girl inched towards her, "what's wrong?"
"We don't know. She hasn't said anything," Lion-O replied.
Isha looked at her cousin and notice the cracks on the headband. "The headband," she whispered. The headband had small cracks and two large once not long enough to brake it in half but it was getting close.
"My dad," Aideen let out just barely a whispered before she put her face in her hands and began to sob.
"Oh, spirits," the older girl wrapped her arms around her cousin already having figure out what the girl might have seen. "Aideen, I know it hurts. I know what you saw, but you have to have faith that he is still alive."
Aideen pulled away from her, "you don't get it, Isha. I saw him get stab. I saw him keep fighting his way through the enemy as I ran way. My dad tried to protect us. To give us a chance to run away. I saw him fall. I know he's dead." Tears ran down the girls eyes as she remembered the scene. "He told me he loved me. That one day we would see each other again. And it's not just him. I saw it all Isha the- my kingdom. My people. All of them gone. My home is nothing but ashes. It's destroyed. Everything my ancestors created gone all because of my aunt." She hugged herself trying to comfort herself and stop the sound of her peoples cry. "You know what's the worst thing of all."
"What?"
She looked at them with a grim expression, "Alchy had Tigris."
Their eyes widen as Isha shot up her face turning pale at the implications her words had. "Aideen are you sure? Are you positive?"
She nodded, "I saw her. She was the one who started the invasion. She was hiding from everyone when it began, but it was her. I wasn't the only one who noticed her. Aunt Tigris was there at the time. She was arguing with my grandfather and the head of the clerics. I know, I wasn't supposed to spy, but what else was I to do! I wanted to see her. She was supposed to come back to the castle and help teach me how to control my magic and how to fight." She looked away as her breathing became more rapped.
Instantly, Cheetara was to her side. "Aideen you need to calm down. Well can talk about this, later. For now, why don't you rest for a while."
Aideen shook her head, "no, I can hear everything. The yelling, the explosion, my father calling my name. Everything. Make it stop!" She kneeled while covering her ears. The sound. It was to much. All of it was to much. She had been a young girl back them. "I tried. Oh, spirits. I tried to stop my dad from bleeding but he pushed me away. He wanted me to leave. He- he-"
Lion-O instantly wrapped her arms around the girl. Trying to comfort her. It hurts to see her like this. Neither one of them had seen her this vulnerable. In so much pain.
"Don't leave me," they all hear. "Please, don't leave me." It broke their heart to see her like this. At the moment she wasn't the strong girl they knew and cared about. No, she was a frighten girl. Afraid of being left alone. To see her like this it made them realize how hurt she truly was and how much she trusted them to show her vulnerable side to them.
"We won't. I won't leave you," Lion-O declared and promised. "I swear on Thundera I will stand by your side no matter what."
The young girl just clenched to him tighter as the sound of her dying people was clear as day in her ears.
By the time Panthro and Pumyra were awake. Aideen was quietly next to Lion-O. The lion refusing to leave her side and she refusing to leave his. Isha looked at the two before signaling for the panther and tiger to walk back inside the tank. Her eyes meet Cheetara's and signaled her to keep an eye on Aideen. The cheetah understood and gave an nod. Once inside the Thundertank, Isha made sure that no one followed, mainly Pumyra, and turn to Panthro. She quickly told him what had happen.
"By Thundera," he said as he shook his head. "How old was she when she saw all of this?"
"No more than seven or eight," Isha replied.
"Were you there when it happen?"
She older girl shook her head, "no, I was back on earth living with my uncle and his family. My training with Tigris would have continued when I was a little older and if I decide to continue it."
Tygra turn to Isha, "did you know. Your mother had my mother?"
She turned to him and hushed him. "You know that no one is suppose to know you are her son. Now, stop talking calling her that. And no I didn't." She let out a sigh as she rub her forehead. "If I had I would have told Xander. I had tried to find her last time I had come here, but no one knew where she was. I was just told by Keli to go back to earth and stay out of sight."
"You've been here before?" the panther question.
She nodded, "yeah, once. Didn't really explored the place which is why I didn't know where I was when I got here. Anyways, if Alchy's has her then our only solution is to keep her son safe." He gave the tiger a pointed look as he was about to growl something at her. "I know he doesn't need protection, but Alchy's very strong and the spirit of war more than her."
"Spirit of war?" they both question.
Isha nodded. She closed her eyes as her hands glowed with a bright white light. "Years ago, Alchy open the spirit realm on the night of the solar eclipse, when the tree moons aline." An image of a man like creature with a bird head. "He brought chaos wherever he went. Many began to fire against each other. Then four great beings gather together to incarcerate the spirit and close the doors to stop any of the spirits, both good and evil, from coming through."
"Four great beins?" the panther question.
"Yeah," she waved her hand and showed each creature. "Jaga the wise," a picture of a younger looking Jaga appeared. Then moved to a picture of a female doberman, "Dorin the cunning." Then of a figure with a cover face. It's hazel eyes were the only visible thing. "Chayan the shifter. And Tigris the warrior."
For the first time Tygra was able to see his mother. She was.. beautiful. Her hair was braided back with long bangs to the side and two large strand on each side. She unlike, the other females Tygra had meet, except for Cheetara held an aura of strength. Her eyes were piercing brown that had wisdom, but at the same time looked as if they were calculating your every move. Her attire was a leather armor with a whip wrapped around her waits and a sword hand loosely by her side. Even at a young age her posture was of respect and unyielding stubbornness.
"That's-"
"Tigris," the girl said softly. "She was the most...one of the most fearful female cats in Kiran."
Tygra turn to her with a questioning expression, "Kiran?
She nodded as the image dissolved, "yeah. Kiran was the kingdom where Sahib, Aideen's father ruled. It was.. unlike any other kingdom. Both old and new combined to make a beautiful kingdom where all species could live in harmony." She let out a sigh as she remembered the kingdom that had once stood. "It was impossible to get in. The clerics had a magic barrier to protect it and it was heavy guarded. I don't know how Alchy got there or who let her in, but she started a war and in the end Kiran fell." She looked to the side, "I don't know what exactly happen. Zane is the one you need to talk to about it or Xander, but I would lean more on Zane he seemed to be able to remembered it all."
There was silence as the cats took in the information. "You said that they locked the war spirit in the spirit realm?" Panthro asked.
Isha nodded, "It was locked with magical chains that could only be unlocked with a special key. Tigirs was tasked with keeping it safe. Her powers of mind helped her from letting others from entering her mind and finding the whereabouts of the key. Which is why Alchy's wants her. If she hasn't found the key that means Tigris has been able to over power Alchy, but knowing my mother she still has her and might want to use Tigris son to make her revealed the location of the key."
Tygra looked to the side, "did she.. did she missed him?"
She looked at him with a soft expression knowing what he was asking. "She... she loved him with all her heart." She looked to the side with a sad smile, "I was always jelous for the love she had for him. Alchy never showed anything like that." Her eyes turned back to look at the tiger, "It killed her to not see him. She tried to get to him. To see him at least once and in the end it was her punishment for disobedience." She let out a sigh, "I tried to warn her. I told her not to do it. That in the end she was sure to be punished for not listening, but my master was so... so desperate. Her son, she felt, was the only being she felt she had left."
"What do you mean? What punishment?"
She stayed silent. Her eyes full of sadness as she remembered her masters face as soon as she had known what she had done. She had heard of a jewel that could guide the used to the one thing or being they greatly cared about. She went there to get it. It had been a mistake. A mistake her master had prepared to be punished for and she was. Isha shook her head. "Nothing, forget it. You will know soon anyways."
With that she turned ready to leave, but the tiger didn't let her. He grabbed her arm and turned her around. Her eyes widen at the action. "No, tell me what happen," he demanded.
Isha stayed quite as she debated on telling him everything, but she knew she couldn't. That was something her master was meant to talk to him about. Perhaps she could at least tell him something she knew was alright for him to know. "The spirits. The spirits of good told her to let you be. That you were meant to be where you were at the time. That you would help against the battle that was on its way. That she would soon see you, to be patient, but.." she stop. Her eyes looked sadly at him. "She wanted to see you. She said you were her son. That she was the one who was meant to take care of you. That you were suppose to be with her. She looked for you wherever she could, but the spirits always made sure that she didn't find out where you were or that she was no where near you. It infuriated her more and she became too... obsess with finding you that she decided to search for a jewel and that only brought problems as it was connected to the spirits of evil. The cost had been to much and the spirits punished her by... taking her eye sight. They told her that they would protect you but because of her disobedience she was to never see you."
"Never to see me?" the tiger question. His mind instantly went to the only explanation he could find. "I will never see her?"
She shook her head, "no, you will, but she won't. Her eye sight, the one thing she prides herself of, was taken."
Panthro realized what she referring to. "She's blind?" The girl nodded. "And you said the spirits of good punished her?"
"The spirits that Tigris followed are good," she said with a sigh. "They will tolerate their followers to a certain extend, but when they begin to call upon the other spirits. The spirits of evil. When their faith begins to waiver they will leave them until they have proven their loyalty again. Master Tigris was forgiven for her constant disobedience of searching you but to use an item that contains dark magic was something they couldn't tolerate. So, they took her sight."
"And you say this 'spirits' are good?" Tygra question with a snarl. How could someone like that be good.
The older cat sigh, "I can see why they did that."
They both turn to him, "What do you mean snapped?!" snapped Tygra.
"Look," he began, "I know for one that using dark magic can be dangerous. Your mother served these... spirits of good.. she disobeyed them and got punish for it. I understand what your mad about, but she should have know the consequences."
Before the tiger could snapped at him, Isha grabbed his arm. She turned him around and narrow her eyes dangerously at him. "You don't understand. Your mother was one of the many balance of good and evil. This world works that way."
"What do you mean?"
"Jaga and your mother where both good. Both powerful beings with good heart using light magic. In this world both light and darkness must be balance in order for the scale of good and evil to not tilt or one would be above the other," she began. She let go of him and turned towards the table her fingers dancing around as she showed an image of the four great beings. "Jaga and Tigris were both powerful and as such needed someone to balance them out. That is where Chayan and Dorin come into. Chayan balanced Tigirs by using dark magic along with Dorin. While Jaga was a wizard, Dorin was a witch. Chayan and Tigirs where both different. Tigris got her powers from her surroundings. She used all elements and even learn of magic that was different than other magic that Chayan was specialized in. While Tigris was light, he was her darkness balancing her powers. He used shadows and all dark magic. Things that those of light could never use or they would be corrupted. Both light and dark much coexist for the world to be in harmony and balanced. All four of them knew this and as such took their role seriously." The image dissolved as she turn towards the cat. "My master made a dangerous decision that cost many peoples life. In order for her wrong to be right again. Her sight was taken. A great price for another."
Tygra looked to the side understanding written in his eyes and yet he was stubborn to accept it. His mother would never see him. She would never look at him. That both upset and anger him. Will she even be able to recognized him.
Isha looked as the many emotions flashed before the tigers eyes. She was about to speak, to till him not to worry that his mother would recognize him. That she was still as powerful as she had been and that she didn't need her eye sight to know who he was. But she didn't get the change as felt the shift in the wind. She tighten her jaw as realizing someone was trying to listen in on their conversation. She turn towards the closed door before opening it up. Outside stood Pumyra.
"I came to let you all know that the food is ready," the puma said before any of them could ask questions.
The older girl still narrowed her eyes at her as she left. "I don't trust her," she stated.
"I'm sure you will get along with her better," Panthro said as he walked out.
Both Isha and Tygra stayed where they were. Both having different thoughts. "I don't like her or truest her."
Tygra turn to her before rolling his eyes. "Whatever you say." He turned ready to leave but Isha stopped him. Looking back at her, he raised an eyebrow.
She looked up at him before letting go. She didn't know why she had stopped him. It had been an impulse and that annoyed her.
"What is it?"
Looking up at him she narrowed her eyes slightly. Could she trust him. Him out of all the other cats. She knew what would happen if she started, but she was worried. Worried for the darkness growing in Aideen and the darkness within the puma. With a sigh she came closer to him. "I can feel darkness within her," she whispered afraid that said cat would come in and hear them. "I don't know why. But it is.. concerning."
He just looked at her with an odd expression. "We all have darkness within us."
She let out a long breath of frustration. "I know that, but she... argh!" she huffed before moving away. She should have know not to truest him. He could go and let the puma know that Isha thought that she had darkness within her. And that would only lead to more trouble. "I knew that I shouldn't have told you anything."
She turn ready to leave before he got in her way. She glared at him but he just put his paws up. "Look its not that I don't believe you-"
"You wouldn't be the first."
He looked at her weirdly for that but didn't commented. "That doesn't mean anything. We all have some darkness within us."
"Yeah, but hers is.. is darker," she replied. They didn't say anything to deep in thought. With a huff she crossed her arms, "whatever the reason. I don't want her close to Aideen. She seems to get in the way of her and your brother and that is making Aideen even more angrier than she already is. We don't want more darkness within her until we learn how to purify what is already within her heart."
He let out a sigh, "Is she really..."
"Yeah, and your brother is just contributing more." She shook her head as she began to walk out, the cat right next to her. This was perhaps one of the longest conversation, without it breaking into a fight, that she has had with the tiger. "He seriously need to make up his mind. Or has he already chosen Pumyra? If what I saw yesterday he might already have."
The tiger snort before shaking his head. "He likes Aideen, but doesn't want her to be hurt. He is so thick headed that he doesn't realize that by being with Pumyra he is hurting her more."
"He's not the only one at fault. I know Aideen is afraid of being hurt, but if she doesn't say something she is truly going to lose him."
After they were all done eating, with Isha eating some fruit that she had stored away, they set out for dog city. By after noon they would already have reach their destination. They were all siting below this time with the exception of Isha and Panthro as both were on the upper half of the tank. Aideen would have taken the sit if it wasn't for Isha yelling that she was going to sit up there because she had somethings to discus with Panthro. She knew that was a lie.
Her eyes had turn to Lion-O but as soon as she turn Pumyra sat by his side. The girl frowned and turn away deciding to sit on the other side of the tank and far away from them. She may be thankful for the lion's help when she was too upset to do anything but lean on him. That of course did not mean she had forgiven him. Her anger at him siding with Pumyra and him ignoring her over the last few days was still there getting intense with every moment he spend with her.
"Ah, young love," the voiced said as soon as the girl had leaned on her sit, eyes closed. Tygra and Cheetara sat next to her. "So precious. So corrupting." She girl did nothing more than let out a sigh. She was already getting used to the voice constantly talking to her. "I keep telling you. If you want it then take it."
Aideen frowned at that. "Love cannot just be taken!" she thought.
"Why not?" the voice question.
She open her eyes as she realized the voice could hear her thoughts. With a sigh the girl robbed her head.
"Are you alright?"Cheetara question.
The girl looked at them as they were all staring at her with worry in their eyes. She open her mouth ready to assure them that she was fine and just had a headache when another vision over took her.
She hid behind the walls of the clerics tower. Her body covered by the dark shadows as she breath slowly as to not make another sound. Her wide eyes as her father walked into the center of the room. The head of the clerics walked to meet him half way.
"What seems to be the problem?" her father question as her mother stood next to her.
"It's Aideen," the cleric stated. His light blue eyes looking at the king with concern. It was the cat she had seen before but this time she realized he was a tiger. A white tiger. The other cat, the white cheetah stood next to the side. "Her heart is beginning to cloud with darkness."
Her father shared a look with her mother before turning back to the cleric. "Can you do something about it?"
The cleric turn to the others before looking back at his king. He nodded, "yes, but Aideen needs to be kept in the tower for five days."
The girl's eyes widen as she thought of staying here in the tower. She hated her lessons with the clerics they were all about keeping her heart pure about the balance of the universe and how if she had darkness the shift would tilt. She didn't want to be here locked up on her own with them. She wanted her mother and father. She was just a child. How could they think that she was becoming darkness? She had heard it many times back when she sneaked into the tower. How they were all afraid that she would become dark and hurt them all. She didn't mean to sneak. She just thought it was fun. Now, she was hearing things she didn't want to believe.
Sahib looked at the cleric, conflict clear in his eyes. They all saw it. Her mother touched his arm making him look at her. "Let the clerics cleanse Aideen. Then we'll figure out what's going on. They will protect her for the time being."
Aideen stared at her mother with wide eyes. How could her mother want her to stay there?! She bit her lip wanting her father to change his mind. When she saw him looking to the side before letting out a sigh she ran towards him. "No! Don't leave me here!" she yelled as they all turn to her. She clenched to her fathers leg as she became afraid of being left alone.
"Aideen, how did you get in here?" her father question with a frown. He bent down to look at her properly.
Aideen looked at him in fear, "I used the shadows. They let me travel to where I want to go." At that time she hadn't notices her mothers wide eyes full of concern. No one was able to sneak into the tower without the clerics noticing their presences, but Aideen was able to do just that. They all shared a look as she continued to look at her father not noticing the others. She saw the frown on his face deepen. "I won't do it again! I promise. Just don't leave me here for five days. Please, papa!"
Her father looked away from her. His eyes moving from her mother to the clerics. He looked back at her before standing up. "Alright," he said to the cleric.
She stared at him with wide eyes. "No! Please, don't leave me!
Sahib grabbed her shoulders and looked at her with serious eyes. "We not leaving you, Aideen. Never think that."
"You are! You are leaving me here!"
"Aideen-"
"I don't want to stay, please!" she pleaded with tears in her eyes. "I will be good. I will do as you said just don't let me stay here."
Her fathers eyes widen at her teary eyes. "Aideen, you've been here may times. You know the clerics would never hurt you." He stood up, his eyes still conflicted full of remorse for leaving his teary eye daughter here. But he had a kingdom to run. With that he stood and left with her mother after she had given her a kiss on her forehead. She cried as her parents left her, but they didn't come back. That day. The day of her cleansing had been pure horror.
Neither the clerics nor her parents had thought the cleansing would have gone the way it did. All she remember was pain. So much pain. As if they had been trying to tear half of her soul away.
"Don't touch me!" she shouted as she moved away from the hands that were grabbing her. Aideen tried to breath deeply as she looked around her. The other cats and her cousin looked at her in shock at her outburst. She clenched her chest as she still remembered that awful pain she had felt. The cleansing the clerics had perform had always been painless except for those rare occasions, but Aideens darkness was small barely noticeable yet the pain the shout the girl had made that day made them stop in shock at the turn of events.
"Aideen?" Isha called softly.
Aideen turn away from her before standing up. She walked way from them before the was stopped again another vision coming to her.
"Jason?" she called as she enter the house. His mother had just gone out grocery shopping and told her to go in that he was home upstairs. She had thank her before walking in. The boy was currently no where to be found. She frowned at not getting an answer as she called from the door. She walked in further until she came upon his door. "Jason are you in there?" she called and knocked. She waited a few seconds before opening the door.
Her eyes widen at what she saw. Her boyfriend of four months was on his bed making out with Juliet her brother girlfriend. Aideen had known Jason for a long time and had started to develop feeling for the boy as they grew up until finally he had asked her out four months ago. Now, here he was making out with the girl who used to be her best friend and was currently her brothers girlfriend.
The brown hair boy turn towards her and shot up from his bed. His eyes wide as he saw Aideen, "Aideen- I.. We-"
She didn't even let him talk before she stalked into the room and slapped the smirking Juliet. "How dare you!" she shouted, "you are dating my brother!"
Juliet stood up in anger ready to grab Aideen and hit her for having slapped her, but was stopped by Jason. "No, stop. You can't be fighting."
Aideen then turn towards him, "How could you do this to me?!" she shouted.
Before he could even respond Juliet spoke with that smirk back in her place. "Come on! I told you no one would love you." She turn to the boy as he looked at her. She touched his cheek, "We have been doing this and more a week after you started dating but he just felt to bad that he didn't leave you."
Aideen stared at the boy with tears in her eyes. "Is that true?"
Jason looked between the two girls, "Aideen, I-"
"Is it true, Jason!"
He looked away clearly telling her his answer. She clenched her hands before slapping him making him fall on the bed. "How dare you play with my feeling!" she turn to Julie who she punched. "That was for my brother." With that she turn way with tears in her eyes.
Aideen open her eyes as tears streams down her face. Her hands were clenched as she thought of that day. Of the fact that even after what had happen she had still liked him. She needed to get out the tank. With that she pushed away the others as she open the door. Her eyes notice the dog city, as they seemed to have gotten here just as she was having her visions. Without another thought she ran out.
Isha cussed before running after the girl. "Aideen, wait!" but just as the girl rounded the corned her cousin was gone. "Damm it!" she shouted as she tried to thing of where he cousin could have gone.
"Isha, what's going on with Aideen?" Lion-O question. He worried him because whatever she was seeing was hurting her.
"I don't know!" the older girl shouted, "but we have to find Aideen." With that she turn around before bumping into someone making her fall down. "I'm sorry! I didn't-" she stop as soon as she saw who was on the ground in front of her.
"It's alright. Don't worry about it," the white tiger replied as she finish picking up the things that fell. She looked up, her eyes widen within seconds, "Isha?!"
"Titania!?"
The others stared at the white tiger in shock. They watched as Isha ran towards the tiger and hugged her just as the cat let her things fall and hugged her back.
"By the great spirits!" Titania exclaimed as they moved away from one another. "It has been years! I'm so glad you are alright!"
Isha was about to exclaim how happy she was to see her when she remembered about Aideen. Desperately she grabbed the togera shoulders starling her. "Titania have you seen Aideen?"
The tiger just shook her head before frowning having seen the desperation in the girls voice. "Isha, what's going on?"
She girl shook her head, "I don't know but I need to find Aideen," she replied. Letting go of the tiger she ran off.
"Isha!" the tiger called but the girl didn't turn around. With a sigh and a worried look she bent down to pick her things up.
Tygra slowly walked towards her and helped her along with his brother. The white tiger looked at them in surprise. "I'm guessing you know Aideen and Isha?" Tygra said.
The white tiger nodded, "yes, I am from Kiran. My name is Titania. I've know Aideen for a while now along with her family."
"Kiran?" the puma question.
"Yes, Kiran was a great kingdom far south. It was built by lady Behira and the other species who followed her." She thanked the two brothers before standing straight. "You must be the companions Xander spoke of."
"You know Xander?"
She nodded, "yes, I am currently traveling with him, but we were told by Keli to come here because Aideen would be here." She looked at the way Isha had ran to and then turn towards them with a frown. "What happen to Aidee?" They explained what had happen and that had only made her frown in worry more. "We have to look for her. Whatever this is, is not good."
"What about Wilykit and Wilykat?" the cheetah said.
Titania turn to her, "if you're talking about two cute cats that were in the city then they are with Xander. As soon as they saw him they stayed with him. Don't worry they will be alright."
Aideen clenched her head as she tried desperately to stop the rush of memories. Memories that would repeat themselves again and again. She tried with all her might to stop thinking about them but every time she closed her eyes a new or old memory would begin. Her head was throbbing at all the information that it was making her go mad. The memories just kept repeating over and over. Driving her insane and afraid for everything that she had seen of all the sadness she had forgotten about. She could feel herself weakening and her eyes closing as she leaned on the wall.
"Aideen," she turn around to see Sharrod standing a few feet away.
"Sharrod," she let out weakly.
He ran towards her and grabbed her before she fell. Lifting her up she carried her bridal style as he turn around wondering where to go. "It's alright, Aideen. We'll find help." He talked to her trying to comfort her in anyway he could.
"You talk a lot," she commented. Trying to distract herself from both fainting and getting caught in another flashback.
He let out a small laugh, "yeah, well, you know me."
They were silent before Aideen mutter, "why do people not like me?"
"People?" he question.
"People, animals, whatever," she waved her hand dismissively.
"of course they like you. All creatures like you."
"Then why do they keep betraying me? Why does everyone I care about leave, or is taken away from me?"
He looked down at her with a sad smile. "Oh, Aideen. I will never leave you."
"You will within time or you will be taken away."
He shook his head, "no, I will stay by your side if I have to."
She let out a small laugh at his declaration. "You must like me a lot if your saying this." She gave a small smile before it slowly began to disappear at the look he was giving her.
His eyes were soft with a fond look. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognised that look. It was almost like the one Lion-O used to look at her with. "I do. I really do. Ever since I saw you running after Xander and Ian after they pulled a prank on you."
Aideen's eyes widen at the confession. She didn't know what to day. It had been a long time since someone declare their love for her. And here her brothers friend was doing just that. "I...I.." she stutter.
He turn to look a head as he began to walk again. "I'm not the only one. There where many others who fell for you and I'm sure you will meet them again. If they survive. Especially Bengali, he was always after you." He looked down at her. "I never thought I was ever going to see you again so I stop hoping, but here you are."
Aideen just stares at him unable to believe what he had said. They were, thankfully, interrupted by someone calling her name. She turn to see Lion-O running towards her with a white tiger and her two cousins. She turn back to see Sharrod who now wore a frown as his eyes stayed on the white tiger.
"Sharrod?" the female tiger question in surprise. She came close and saw Aideen in his arms. She frowned and looked at him with a displeased look. "You know the rules Sharrod."
The dog shrugged, "were not in Kiran. And she didn't have enough strength in her to be able to walk."
Titania just frowned deeper, "that's not what I'm talking about."
This time the dog huffed, "she has a right to choose just like her brothers. You know the rules there's nothing wrong with a confession."
The others looked at them in confusion. "Confession?"
Isha looked at him before her eyes widen. "No," she said in disbelief. She turn to Tygra. "You have to take her from him. Go on carry her."
The tiger looked at her in confusion but did as told. Aideen wrapped her arms around the tiger's neck as she tries to comprehend what was going on. A deep part of her already knew what this was about.
Sharrod sigh, "fine. Where's Xander?"
Isha turn to him ready to tell him no, but Titania stopped her with one look. "Stay out of it Isha. This has nothing to do with you."
"Of course it has to do with me!" she exclaimed. "I'm her cousin. I have a say on this."
"Yes, you do but Xander and Zane are the ones who decide. Not you," the tiger replied making the girl let out a growl as she grumble under her breath. She then turn to Sharrod, "come, I'll take you to Xander." With that she turned around and headed towards their destination.
The two brothers looked as the two others began to walk away. They soon followed with a confused look. "What's going on Isha? What confession?"
Isha just bit her nail as she glared daggers at the dog. "Something bad. Something neither one of you will like," she glanced at the lion, "well you more than Tygra." With that she kept quite knowing it wasn't her place to talk about this. Aideen had chosen that time to close her eyes as she tried to assimilate everything that was going on.
By the time they got to a small motel like place Aideen had been checked by Titania and she wasn't pleased by what she found. It turned out that Aideen had been put under a curse to see everything hurtful and bad that had happen in her life in ordered to anger her more and darken her heart faster. The two brothers hadn't been pleased with the results.
"I can cure her, but we first need to find the ingredients," the female tiger said.
Isha was still glaring at the dog as he enter the place where the others were already waiting for them. Titania had communicated with them telling them to meet them at their room and informed Xander on the situation. The others still didn't know what was happening. Aideen had a small idea but she was hoping it wasn't that.
Once they walk in the others rushed to see Aiden. Both wilykit and kat worried for the girl that had been like a mother to them. "I'm alright, or I will be once I get that antidote," she assured as she was sat down on a chair.
Shila was sitting next to her drinking her tea and looking at everyone with a blank expression. Her eyes landed on Sharrod who had his arms crossed. He was handsome dog with human like feature, strong, and smart. He was looking at Xander without a hint of fear. Said boy was looking at his brothers friend with a displeased look. She shook her head, "we'll get the antidote started but first," she turned to the two males who still refuse to look away from one another. "All right let's do this right. Titania and I shall be witness to this whole," she waved her hand between the two male, "thing."
Panthro looked between the brother and friend with confusion. "What on third earth is going on?"
Isha growl as she looked at male but didn't answer him. "Xander, you better-"
"Stay out of it, Isha," Xander replied without breaking eye contact.
Isha's eyes widen, "excuse me! I-"
"Have nothing to do with it. I will decide until I can contact my brother. I am prince, even if my kingdom is no longer standing. I am the one who will have a say in this until we can talk," he turn to Aideen who was looking at him with a frown. "All four of us."
Isha huffed and crossed her arms. She hated this and most of all not being able to do anything to stop it.
Xander rolled his eyes at her before turning back to Sharrod. He let out a sigh as he rubbed his eyes, "Sharrod, Sharrod, Sharrod," he said. He shook his head before looking back, "how can you do this to me, man! You're one of my brother and my best friend."
The dog shrugged, "I couldn't help it."
"But my sister! This goes against the friend code," the boy replied.
The dog just rolled his eyes, "there was no such thing and you know it. Besides, I'm not the only one. Bengali might come and do the same or Zorro. That fox is as sneaky as they can get."
"Yeah, but.." the boy through his hands in the air before gesturing at Aiden, "my sister!" the dog just shrugged again.
"Can anyone please tell us what's going on?" Lion-O asked. He was frustrated at not understanding what they were talking about or why Isha seemed so irritated by it.
Xander turn to the lion, "dude you're not going to like this. Unless that puma is your girlfriend if so then nevermind and I can't believe you would do this."
The lion just looked at him more confused than he had been. Panthro threw his hand in the air in irritation. "Can someone just blanting explain what's going on!"
Shila looked at the lion then the panther and finally looked back at Sharrod who was staring at the lion with those narrow eyes he used to use a lot as a pup. "Alright," she clapped her hands together getting the others attention. "Let do this right. Sharron state your name, parents name, position, if you have one, and what you want."
Sharrod nodded before looking at Xander, "I am Sharrod son of Shury and Sherman. I am the apprentice of Chayan and owner of Vixen." At that Xander's jaw drop, as Shila and Titania looked at him in shock. Even Isha looked lost for words.
"Holy spirits," Xander was only able to say.
Titania turn to the dog, "Vixen? As in the company that sell really rear metal and other items?"At the nod Titania's eyes widen. "By the spirits that means your rich and have far more resources that us."
Panthro let out a whistle, "I've hear the metal you sell is truly hard to come by."
"It is, many species prefer not to mind it. It takes dedication and knowledge of where to look."
Shila shook her head as she recovered from her shock. "Right, now state your wish."
At this the dog stood up straight. "I want to ask for Aideen's hand in marriage."
The room was silent before the cats shout, "WHAT!"
Sharrod looked back at them before turning to Aideen. "I would have asked your father or Zane but neither one of them are here. So," turned to Xander, "I will asked for your consent to marry her."
Xander let out a groan as put his head on his hands. The boy should have seen it coming. Only a blind person would not see how much the dog had cared about his sister. "As a brother I have only this to say." He sat up straight. "My sister, man! How could you?! You've known her since she was little. You can't have those thoughts about my sister!"
Sharrod let out a sigh at the boys dramatic nature. Before he could say anything Tygra interrupted. "Wait, hold on," he said. Putting up his hand to stop any talking and making them all turn towards him. "What in Thundera is going on here! You're asking for consent to marry Aideen?!"
"Did you not hear what I had just said?" Sharrod replied with a raised eyebrow.
Tygta growled before turning towards Xander, "you can't allow that."
The boy looked at him with a frown as he rested his chin in the palm of his hand. "Why not?" that made everyone look at him with shocking surprise. "He qualifies to be though as a candidate for Aideens hand. And he is from Kiran, so" he gave a shrug. "He is perfect for her."
Lion-O looked at him with anger in his eyes. "You can't just give her away to whatever male asks for her hand!"
Xander sigh, "as a brother I cannot." He stood up with arms crossed. "As a prince if," he gestured to Aideen who was looking at them with a blank expression, "Aideen agrees or the candidate is suitable, which he is, then I can do just that. Now," he held his hand up to stop the lion before he spoke, "I am the third prince and the first is currently not here. As such I cannot give Sharrod an answer as that has to be given by my brother since my father is not with us."
Sharrod nodded understanding, "that is why I wish to have permission to take Aideen on a date." He turn to her, "if, of course, she agrees to it."
They all turn to Aideen who was frowning at this whole situation. She had hated this kinds of conversation back when she was younger. Back at the castle, if she remembered correctly, the council had always tried to find her a suitable husband. She always dreaded those conversations and now that she was older she detested them more. She looked at Xander to see what he would say first before giving her answer.
Xander looked back at her. He shrugged already knowing her question. "I will say yes to giving permission."
"What!?" Isha shouted. She moved past the other animals until she stood in front of Xander. "You can't do that. You know how Aideen feels about it!"
He nodded, "I do know how she feels about it, but I cannot allow her to continue to close herself to anyone who tries to get close to her. If she cannot take the first step then I will give her a nudge to do so." Isha looked at him before biting her lip. "Besides you don't exactly get a saying in this, Isha. Sure, you're our cousin, but you don't know the rules or are an immediate family."
She let out a huff before turning her face away. She looked around the room before her eyes landed on Tygra then Titania. They widen as she remembered what the elephant had said back when they were at their village. She snapped her fingers, "no, but Tygra is."
Shila whipped her head around the girl and narrowed her eyes. "No, he is not."
The older half human slowly inched away from the dogs glaring eyes. "No, no! I don't mean blood relative more like spiritual." At that the others looked at her in confusion. "Tygra has a spiritual connection with Aideen. And according to some of your rules, if I am correct, he has a saying in this as well."
The huskey looked at her with narrow eyes. "How can we be sure it's spiritual?"
Isha gestured to Titania, "I'm not the only apprentice Tigris had. Titania was one of them and she learned about spiritual bonds more than I did."
They all turned to her waiting for the tigers verdict. Said cat sigh before walking closer to the tiger. Her eyes flashed before she was looking at the string of bond that was rare for many and a gift or curse to those who were given it. She turn to Aideen as she examined their connection. With a nod she turn to the Kiran prince, "she's right. It's a bond. A sibling bond to be specific."
"See, so, Tygra has a saying on this too," she knew she was playing a wild card, but her cousins future was at stake at the moment. She looked at the tiger with a pleading look to no let this happen, but by the look he was wearing she knew he wasn't going to.
Xander sigh, "yes, okay, by the law he does have a saying in this, but," he stopped to look of happiness the girl was trying to suppress but was not able to. "He does not know the rules and as such can't give more than his opinion."
The tiger instantly turn towards the boy with a serious expression. "Then tell me so I can understand how this works."
The boy frowned but was stop by Shila. The husky looked at the tiger before standing up. "In Kiran, shall a male ever asked for the princess hand in marriage there are a few rules that must take place, but the most important are as such. One, the male must have something willing to give to the princess to ensure that she will be safe or at least well off. Two, he must never waver when in front of the king. As it shows his determination. Three, he shall take part in the test of courage unless there is someone with combat and military skills that the king and prince admire that can vouched for him. Four, the male has to treat the princess as if she was queen and truly appreciated her. And not lay a single hand on her in any way that it is to hurt her. And finally, he must never touch the princess and must be accompanied by a relative shall she and the father or brother agreed to a date. Shall all of those rules take place the male will present the princess with an accessory, important weapon, or a family heirloom and make a promise to always cherish the princess until his dying breath. That he shall treat her as his equal and always treat her with care and respect. After, the ceremony for the wedding would be planned out."
Xander turned to Tygra, "Sharrod had done all of this and Titania can testify to his test of courage. I also can as I saw it. Not to mention he was also in Kiran's military training and was to be placed as one of my brothers loyal guards. He fits in to all of them. Even when he carried her that did not count as he had yet to make his request and she was weak and could not walk," he turned to his sister, "is this correct?"
She looked at her brother and nodded. "That is correct. I was to tire and weak. Sharrod found me and helped me right before I fainted. If it wasn't for him I would have fainted on the streets." She sigh, "He protected me and as such has also earn my gratitude and trust." With that she got up and gave a low bow before standing up, "thank you, Sharrod."
Sharrod gave her a small smile, "I did it because I care about you Aideen. Tittle or not."
The girl looked at him with wide eyes before giving him a smile. She turned to Tygra, "I know you like to follow rules and the law. So, tell me Tygra, does he or does he not follow the rules of Kiran?"
Tygra looked at her before glancing at his brother. He could see the lion angrily looked at the scene before him, but couldn't get in it. His eyes then moved to the dog. He didn't like this. This whole thing was not something he was pleased with, but... "He does. According to the rules. He follows them perfectly."
"Of course," Titania began as she could feel the tense atmosphere. "There are more rules shall the princess accept the proposal that will involve Zane to be present. For now, Sharrod qualifies to have a date with Aideen. Shall she accept him, we shall then contact Zane and make sure that all princes are present in order to establish what happens next."
Shila looked at the rest before finalizing the whole meeting, "Well then," she turn to Aideen who has sat down and was looking at the ground. "Aideen, do you or do you not accept to a date with Sharrod?"
The young girl could feel them all staring at her, but she wasn't ready to look at them. She could remembered all those family's who where trying to request her hand in marriage and even thought it annoyed her to no end, she knew that her duty as princess was to ensure her kingdom prosper even if she had to marry someone she did not love. But she had no kingdom and was not raised with the same believes they were. She looked up at the dog as she let out a sigh, "I greatly care about you Sharrod. You have saved me more than once and cared for me with a care not many have had for me. That I can remembered. I.. N-"
"Why not?" the voice interrupted her answer. Aideen closed her mouth as she frowned at what the voice was telling her. "The lion won't look at you. He has chosen the puma has he not?" Aideen's eyes moved to the lion who was staring at her. Their eyes meet and she could see the hints of fear and hope in his eyes. That had assure her answer but then the puma grabbed his arm. She gripped the hem of her shirt before looking at the ground. "Why not do, exactly what he is doing now. Why not get him as jealous as you have been? Let him know what it feels to see the one you love be with someone else."
Aideen's eyes widen as she thought of that and it was tempting. So tempting to let him feel what she was feeling. To let him see what it felt like to see the one you love be with someone else. Why not, she thought before looking up with determination in her eyes. She stood up and looked at the dog, "I would love to."
Isha couldn't believe what she was hearing. Everyone couldn't believe it. Aideen had agreed!
The young girl turn to her brother, "Sharrod has been more than kind to me. He has been protective and understanding. Many have asked father, that I now remembered, and they never asked for a date to see if I was willing to marry them. Him asking me is another example of his care to me and him considering me his equal."
Xander didn't say anything but glanced at the lion before nodding slowly. "Very well then the date will be set for a few days-"
"No," the girl interrupted. She turn to Titania, "when can you get the antidote to be finished?"
"By today, if I can find the ingredients. I have most of them, but there some that need to be looked for," the female tiger informed.
Aideen nodded, "okay, then tomorrow. Tomorrow we shall have our date if my brother doesn't have anything else to do?"
Xander shook his head, "no I… I will watch you two tomorrow."
She nodded deciding already on it, "I will be travelling with the others as I'm still going to help them find the remaining stones. That is why the sooner we finish this the better." She turn to the dog, "you're one of my friends, but you have to understand that my duty right now is to help them," she gestured to the cats, "get the stones. They are also my friends and I can't leave them."
Sharrod nodded in understanding. After all of that was settled with neither the tiger or lion being quite happy about it let alone the girls cousin. Aideen wanted nothing more than to sleep, but she knew that that would only bring far more hurtful memories. She was still wondering how she had gotten that cursed, but nothing came to mind except the potion Isha had given her and the water the puma had used as truce. That thought alone had made her frown but she didn't say anything. Even in her jealous state she knew she needed proof to make the others believe her. Even if it anger her at the mere thought that they wouldn't believe her at all.
Lion-O kept glaring at the horizon as he stood outside dog city. His thought were on the fact that Aideen, the girl who didn't want to be in a relationship, had agreed to a date with the dog. He let out a growl at the mere thought of them being together.
"You need to calm down, kid," Panthro advised. The lion turned to see the other Thundercats looking at him.
"Trust me Lion-O, none of us are happy with Aideen's decision, but she agreed to it," the tiger stated.
The lion turn away with a growl, "well she's making a terrible decision."
Tygra frowned at him, "you can't say that. It was her choice and we have to respect it."
"How can you be alright with this?"
"I'm not!" his brother replied angrily, "but I understand why she is doing it."
"Is that so, then tell me why? Why when she said she didn't want to be with anyone. When said we were too different?"
The others looked at one another understanding why the lion was so angry. Neither one said anything until Pumyra walked towards him with her arms crossed. "Why is this bothering you so much? You two are from two different species."
Lion-O looked down at her, "Aideen is a Shannen and can be with any species that closely resembles theirs."
"Alright, but still you are king to the Thundercats not to her species." She grabbed his arm as she got closer to him, "your people will need a queen who is of the same species. Do you really think they will like her as theirs?"
Lion-O turned to her with a frown, but deep inside he knew she was right. He turned away looking at the dawning sky as he thought of Aideen being with someone else. Tygra and Panthro glared at the puma. Aideen had been more than a friend to them she was like family and they didn't like what the puma had said. If anything Aideen qualified more to be queen than Pumyra did. They understood what she was trying to say though. They knew the cats had different thought and a mix between species was not one they would agree on. But they also knew that Aideen could change their minds and with a kind heart as her, who wouldn't like her as their queen.
Tygra glared as the puma as she clenched onto his brothers arms. For the first time he understood what Isha was talking about. The puma was trying to get between Lion-O and Aideen and he wasn't pleased with it.
As night settle in Isha walked out into the night sky her thoughts where on what was to happen tomorrow. Titania had more ingredients to search for and as such she would keep an eye on Aideen until tomorrow. She didn't like the fact that everyone had settle on the fact that the dog had asked for her hand, but she knew they were all respecting her decisions. What she didn't know though was why Aideen had agreed. Why had the girl said yes when she didn't like things like this. She sigh in irritation.
"Well, you seem irritated," she stopped her pacing and huffed in annoyance. He was the last one she wanted to see. How dare he agreed with Xander.
"I don't want to see you or talk to you," she replied as she started to walk away. Maybe walking would help her clear her mind and for her irritation to go away. She could hear the tiger following her and it annoyed her more. She swirled around with a glare. "I said-"
"I know what you said and I know why you are mad," Tygra replied before walking to stand next to her. "But we need to talk"
She crossed her arms," I think not." She was about to walk away when he grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. Her eyes widen at the closeness but he didn't seem to notice. Instead he grabbed her arms and liked their forearms before walking forward. She stared confusingly at him for his action, but couldn't find the words to describe the oddity of this... or the feeling she was feeling at the moment.
"We have to do something about tomorrow," he stated.
That brought her back to the present. She snort before looking forward, "you think."
"We also have to do something about Lion-O and Aideen."
She shrugged, "find a closet lock them up in it and see what happen?"
He looked down at her before rolling his eyes, "We can lock them up in the tank tomorrow after... after Aideens date." He looked as irritated as her about the whole situation.
"Why did you agree if you didn't like it?" she question.
"Because there are rules to follow and I am hopping that Lion-O realizes his mistake."
That made her stop and turn to him. She narrow her eyes at him for they widen, "you agreed in order to make your brother jealous?!"
"He has to see the mistake he was making some how." The tiger sigh before moving along. "Lion-O is to thickheaded to see the hurt he's putting Aideen through and Aideen is to hurt to see that she is losing my brother to Pumyra."
"They are both being idiots," she commented. She heard the tiger sigh making her look at him with a questioning look. "There's more isn't there?"
He nodded, "Pumyra told Lion-O that he needed a queen and that Aideen wasn't it. That the Thunderians weren't going to accept her as their queen."
She turn to look at him with an angry expression. "This is why I don't like her. She wan't to separate Lion-O and Aideen. It's as if she wan't to cause Aideen pain." She turn away as she clenched her fist, "she already stated her dislike of Aideen and now she's doing this. Of course."
"That is why, the sooner we fix things between my brother and Aideen the better. If they realize they both like each other I'm sure they would be happy and I can finally stop seeing their longing looks for one another."
"You think that's annoying I had to deal with you and your brother when you two wanted Cheetara," she snort. Those days had been her worst. Both cats had been so into the female that it irritated and disgust her. "I'll never understand love"
The tiger turn to her with a raised eyebrow, "You've never been in love or liked someone before?"
Isha looked at him, "nope." She looked up at the sky. "Alchy was very... controlling, as you saw."
The tiger snort, "controlling is an understatement."
She gave a short shrug, "Yeah, true." She let out a sigh as she let go of the tiger. "You don't know what she did to me. What she made me do. I hated myself for so long after master Tigris found me. I didn't even know how to distinguished right and wrong. I didn't know what feeling were called what. I was... a puppet that was meant to obey. To not speak. To not... to not feel. She made sure to engrave that in my head. It is hard to understand myself." She stop talking as she realized what she had said. She had just open up to the tiger in a way she didn't want to. She hadn't told anyone what had happen in her life with the exception of who her mother was and what she was, but nothing of how her mother had treated her. Of her punishment. Of her orders. Nothing at all. Not until now. "Anyways, I don't know love and I'm alright about that."
He looked at her back with sad eyes. He didn't think her life had been bad considering her constant playfulness and irritating taunting. But then again he hadn't know about Alchy and the fact that she was her mother. After learning of what she had done to her own twin it shouldn't have been a surprise that Isha's life had been worse than she let on. At that realization he frowned, was that why she taunted? because it was a way for her to not get close to anyone? But why? His eyes widen as he thought of her constant over protective of Aideen and yet the distant she kept. Of the fact that she kept everyone at arms length. Was Isha afraid of everyone? How far did Alchy go to make her be so afraid? And who exactly is Isha is she isn't the playful girl they had all learn to love, or in his case tolerate.
A/N: Hey, so, I have decided that the remaining three chapters; the soul server, What Lies Above Part 1 and Part 2 will be a bit differently.
Next chapter: Aideen's date with Sharron! Jealous lion, Tygra and Isha team up, Panthro meets Keli, and an ending that may or may not please you.
{ oh, and for those who read my other stories: Secret of the heart is still getting two updates this month or more. I am just finishing the chapter. I am also almost done with the Young Justice's next chapter. So, wait for those.}
Thank you all for you patience and dedication to this story!
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English is not my first langue. Sorry for any mistakes.