A sweet moment between Max and Saori!

Chapter 24: Beautiful Moment

After a picnic lunch, Saori lays on Max's side just enjoying the peace and quiet of this view on the mountains and both tiogers feel like they're on top of the world with each other as Max gently touched Saori's head and he never really thought those feelings would develop at 12 years old, but his crush with Saori just keeps showing genuine love and affection for her as he spends every waking moment of his birthday with her.

"This has become one of the best birthdays of my life so far...just spending it with you has made it more special for me." Max said, looking at Saori.

Saori looks at Max in the eye and said, "I'm glad I could get a chance to spend it with you. How does it feel being 12 now?"

"I'm not sure. Just the same I felt when I was 11. But to me, I'm still the same person I've always been, so there's no changes in me except that I'm getting a little taller and my voice is changing a bit." Max replied.

Saori giggled in response to that and told him, "Your voice sounds great. It doesn't matter what you look like to me."

Both tiger cubs are at the same age rate, despite the fact Saori's a little older than Max. But both of them are pretty much on cloud nine when it comes to being together at all and there's no other moment other than now to spend time with each other. Max puts on his bandana that Saori gave him for his early birthday present and once Saori saw him wear it, her heart felt like fluttering in the air and she said, "You still have it?"

"Hey, it's the thought that counts, right?" asked Max.

Saori giggled in response to that and Max noticed that both paws have touched each other and they did not expect that to happen, but both of them looked at each other in the eye and they got closer and kissed each other in the lips for a few minutes and it was a sweet, tender kiss towards each other and their eyes have closed as they kissed.

After the kiss, Max and Saori looked at each other as they realized what just happened and they both giggled nervously towards each other and blushed at the same time and just then, they noticed the sky is getting a little bright orange-y, confirming that it's a little late. Max was shocked to know that time is coming faster and said, "Birthday dinner! I'm supposed to be there before sunset!"

"Don't worry, we'll get there!" Saori exclaimed.

Just then, Blaze flew out of nowhere very quickly and flapped his wings, waiting for Max and Saori to get onboard and both of them leapt up towards Blaze's tail and Blaze shouted, "Hold on! We'll get the the valley of Peace before you can say PARTYTIME!"

"You're pretty wild, aren't ya?" asked Max.

"Trust me, buddy...you don't know the meaning of the word." Blaze said, chuckling.

Blaze then flew out of the hill and made their way back to the Valley of Peace and as soon as they flew out and saw the Jade Palace from further away, they knew that the've made it...and just that quick too.

"I hope we're not too late." Max said, very hopeful.

Next chapter...PARTYTIME!