Chapter 8 – Light Starts to Shine Again

Keeping to his word, Tygra never told anyone about Alana leaving the lair without an escort and that was something Alana was grateful for. With that done, she kept up with her end of the bargain and decided to take some time off. Of course she did help Panthro finish the new weapon shells but afterwards she informed everyone she was going to take a rest. Everyone but Tygra was surprised by the sudden change in her mood but all were grateful.

As time progressed, she started to feel uneasy again but this time it wasn't from grief or not trusting the ThunderCats. This time it was the lie she and Tygra shared. She felt it was time to start with a clean slate with the ThunderCats.

Knowing where Lion-O would be, she left her room, searching him out. She found him in the conference room, looking over the blue prints of the new level of Cats' Lair.

"Lion-O," she said, getting his attention.

He looked up. "Hi, Alana. What brings you here?"

She moved towards the young Lord, taking a seat beside him. "I have a confession to make. Tygra knows about this but I don't want him to get in trouble for something I did. He made a promise to me he wouldn't say anything if I promised to stop working so hard."

"Whoa," he said, raising his hands. "Calm down. Now, what did you do?"

Alana lowered her head for a moment before taking a deep breath and looked at him. "The day Tygra said I wanted to show him that one room in the ship… well it was a lie."

Lion-O stayed silent not wanting to scare her.

"See, I was so mad at you guys for your beliefs that I…I ran away to the ship. I wanted some alone time without being around beings I didn't know very well. Tygra followed me."

"Then why did he lie?" he asked. If he was angered, he didn't show it.

"I didn't want you to worry or be angry at me for being so foolish. For being foolish enough to venture in the one room I last saw my brothers smile. I just don't want you to be mad at Tygra for him lying to you to protect my sanity. You guys have given me so much and all I have done was disrespect you and your beliefs. The treatment I placed upon you was the worse. I was wrong for saying the anointment trails are cruel. And for that, I'm truly sorry. It was never my intention to disrespect the Lord of the ThunderCats who opened his home to me, a complete stranger."

Lion-O grabbed her shaking hands and held them gently in his large ones. "Alana I won't lie to you when I say that I am a little angered you tried to run or the fact Tygra outright lied to me. But you coming to me and letting me know what has happened is very honourable and brave."

"I know," she said quietly. "Josh always told me I was brave."

"Well he's right," the young Lord answered. "You are brave. You ran from someone who treated you badly and found your way here. It takes a lot of bravery to do what you did when allowed complete strangers to help you in burying your family and friends. And you also allowed those same strangers take you in and care for you."

Alana slightly snorted. "You know when I was told you were only a child when you left your dieing planet and landed here as a man, I never realized until now that in reality you are younger than I am. You said you landed here four years ago. That would only make you 16. But here you are, older than me."

"I've realized that," he agreed. "Thank you for telling me about what really happened at the ship."

"I should go. I promised Cheetara I would help her with the crates that were found in one of the vacant rooms. Yesterday she and a few of the Warrior Maidens and the Berbils moved some crates I didn't even know was on the ship. I am curious to what's it them." Alana nervously pulled her hands away from Lion-O's and stood.

"All right. But be careful. I don't want you to have another break down."

Alana turned from door and smiled. "I won't. I've learned my lesson." With that she turned away and left the Lord of the ThunderCats.

"So where do you want to start?" Cheetara asked.

The two women were in the hanger with the Feliner, which was where the crates were now being stored. Since there was no room in the main lobby of Cats' Lair, they had to place the crates somewhere. Alana was a little confused from when Cats' Lair was built and why they built it with two hangers, even though Panthro had told her he had plans for other vehicles when he had the time.

As the two women began to work, they noticed some of the crates were sealed shut and weren't sure how to get them opened. Alana was beginning to get frustrated and after what seemed like forever she threw up her hands.

"I give up," she yelled, causing Cheetara to look up. "How the hell to get these open?"

"Get what opened?" Panthro asked as he walked into the hanger.

Alana turned to the panther. "These crates. They're sealed somehow and I'm tired from trying to get them opened."

"Well," Panthro started. "Perhaps I can help out. I have the right tool that would probably be of use for this type of situation." He then left the room.

"Where's he going?" Alana asked as she saw a smile on Cheetara's face.

"These crates will be opened in no time," Cheetara answered. "But he is going to need to help and has left to seek assistance from Lion-O and Tygra."

Alana rolled her eyes. "Figures, he'd come."

Cheetara looked at the human woman with a raised brow. "Is something wrong?"

"No…Yes…I don't know." She confessed. "He caught me last week doing something that all of you would be upset about. I don't want to get into what it was. But the point is Lion-O was lied to and it began to eat me up inside so I went and confessed about it. But it still bothers me he would lie to protect me."

Cheetara gave a known look. "Would this lie have anything to do with Tygra?" She was quick to figure things out. "He is trying to get your trust," she explained.

"I know that but…" she trailed off, lightly blushing. How did the cheetah woman know who she was talking about?

Cheetara hid a smile as she realized the woman was trying to deny what she already figured out. Alana was denying an attraction to the tiger ThunderCat. The other guys would not see the hidden denial but being a woman and having her own inner demons about Lion-O, Cheetara was able to pick up on it.

With her hearing she was able to pick up footsteps heading towards the hanger. Cheetara walked over to the woman. "If you ever want to talk about it…"

"Thanks, Cheetara. I'll take that under consideration." Alana realized the guys were about to walk in. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lion-O entering the room. "How do you handle yourself when you're surrounded by men?" she continued to Cheetara as the man drew closer. By this time all three male ThunderCats were in the room.

Cheetara leaned close to Alana's ear as she slightly whispered. "Every once in awhile, someone has to whip them into shape."

The men looked at each other as they watched Alana Bust out in a laugh at whatever Cheetara said to Alana's question.

"What's transpiring in here?" Lion-O asked, taking note of the laughter.

Cheetara looked towards her leader. "Just female bonding."

The comment caused another slight chuckle out of Alana. Tygra and Panthro looked at each other and shrugged as they also took the time to enjoy the sudden laugh that burst from Alana.

"Now lets get to work and open these crates," Panthro suggested.

With that said, Alana sobered up as she stood and placed a little distance between herself and the crates so the guys could work on them. Like Cheetara said, it didn't take long for the crates to be opened. When they were all opened, the ThunderCats moved out of the way, giving Alana some room to take a look at them.

She found some of the crates contained personal belongings from her crew, while others were filled random books and other ornaments. When she came to the last two crates, she took a deep breath before opening one of them. What she found in it astonished her. In the crate was clothing.

Cheetara helped her pull out the clothing. "What are these?"

Alana looked as Cheetara had one outfit draped over each arm.

"They are called formal gowns. Every once in awhile there would be a formal gathering of some sort where we would dress into a nice dress. Of course we'd have to choose the best dress for the right occasion."

"Who owns or owned these clothes?" Lion-O asked.

Alana leaned her head down before answering. "I do. My brothers must have sneaked into my room when I wasn't looking and snatched my favorite clothing." She continued to rummage through the clothing finding more formal gowns and many outfits for everyday wear. "They must have wanted me to make sure I had clothing, considering it was something I wasn't thinking about before leaving."

"Why don't you check out the last crate?" Panthro asked.

Alana nodded. She stood from the box of clothing and went to the last crate. She took note Cheetara placed the clothes she pulled out back into the crate. Putting her attention to the last crate, Alana pushed the cover over, causing a loud gasp to escape her lips.

"Impossible," she whispered.

On the top of the pile of belongings were a couple pictures, a bag of jewellery, a letter, which was folded and many other small trinkets. She slowly lifted the two pictures as tears formed in her eyes.

Lion-O peered over, taking a glance at the photo. "Who's the woman?" One picture was of a woman wearing fancy jewellery and some sort of long dress. Her brown hair was done up in some sort of ringlets. The other picture was the woman again wearing a nice outfit, revealing she had long hair, posing with a young girl with long brown hair who also was wearing a nice outfit.

"She's…she's my…mother," Alana managed.

Tygra also took a peak. "And the young girl is you?"

"Yes," Alana answered as more tears came down. "The two pictures were taken near the same time. The one of her and me were on my birthday when I turned twelve and the other was taken three days later. But I thought these were destroyed."

"Destroyed?" Cheetara asked.

Alana looked at the female ThunderCat. "Yes. After my mother…died, father threw out everything that reminded him of her, including pictures and clothing." She placed the pictures on the floor and picked up a black box the pictures were on and opened it.

"Oh my god!" she gasped. "My mother's wedding dress!"

"There's a letter here," Tygra replied as he pulled it out, which was on top of something dark blue and soft feeling. "Perhaps maybe you should take a look at it."

Alana peeled her eyes away from the neatly folded dress and looked at Tygra's hands. On one side of the letter, Alana was able to make out her name and she recognized the hand writing as belonging to Josh. She began to move her hand to take the offered letter but suddenly snapped her hand back and looked away.

"I can't. It was written by Josh."

Lion-O leaned closer to her. "Would you mind if Tygra reads it? If your brother wrote it and it was in this crate, there has to be an important reason why it's here."

Alana nodded her consent, not able to get the words to come out. She stood from the crate and moved away, standing with her back to the ThunderCats.

She heard as Tygra unfolded the letter before then speaking on what was written.

"Alana.

If you are reading this than that means I'm no longer able to protect you but hopefully you are near someone who can. There are many reasons why I wrote you this. But first I should explain to you the two crates that you have come across. One, in case you haven't gotten to it yet, is some of your personal and favorite clothing. The gowns are the ones that we, your brothers, thought you looked best in, even though they came from Tony. They made you look a like a Princess.

The crate you found this letter in is the one I want to tell you about. As you guess the things in there belong to your mother. After father threw your mother's things out, he didn't destroy everything. When father left and you were crying yourself to sleep, myself and the rest of the brothers went out and gathered up what we could that wasn't destroyed. Many things were but we did manage to save some very important things, like her wedding dress.

I remember the day when she married father. She looked a liked one of those mythical Greek Goddesses from Earth…well actually Third Earth. You remember hearing all the stories about Zeus and the other Gods."

During the whole time, Tygra could see Alana trying very hard not to burst into tears as she listened to what the letter said. But he noticed she was trembling as she kept her tears silent. He continued reading as she cried while Cheetara went over and wrapped her arms around the woman.

"Anyway I'm getting off topic here. I just wanted you to have more than just memories of your mother. She was a wonderful woman and stepmother. I wish she were still near to help you through the tough times that I'm sure are going to be coming your way.

This letter was written the day before we left Seris. On a lighter note I've got word that our sisters are still alive and well. They might have been forced into a marriage but apparently their husbands have been treating them nice unlike father. One of our sisters lives somewhere on the planet we were heading to, Third Earth."

At the word of one of her sisters living on Third Earth, Alana whipped her head around. She brushed off Cheetara's comforting hands and moved closer to Tygra. Her silently sobbing seized though her tears did not.

"Apparently she lost her husband and lives somewhere on the planet. I'm not exactly sure where or even if she lives near where the ThunderCats live. The sister to look for will also surprise you as well…it's Vanessa, your one and only full-blooded sister who is two years older than you.

Alana, like I said if this letter has reached your hands that means I can't protect you anymore but I do hope that you won't stop living just because I'm not there. I know you almost lost your spirit once because of father, I would hate for that to happen again.

Love Josh

May love find you where ever you are."

"My sister is alive?" Alana asked no one in particular.

"Perhaps we should start a search for Vanessa," Cheetara offered.

"I agree," Lion-O agreed. "We'll start first thing in the morning. I'll get the Thunderkittens to show us where all the human villages are and we'll begin our search there."

"I want to be part of the search," Alana announced. "If my sister is living on this planet I want to be there the day she is found."

Lion-O nodded his approval.

"Lion-O! Lion-O!"

Lion-O shook his head as he recognized the voice. "I guess Snarf has dinner ready."

"Are you up to eating?" Cheetara asked Alana.

Alana nodded. "Yes. Panthro is it alright if these crates stay in here until the lower level is completed?"

"I can't see a problem with that. But wouldn't you want those ones sent to your room?"

"I'll have my clothing in my room but…mother's…I'm not sure what I want done with it."

"Alright," Panthro replied. "After we eat, I'll help you with getting the crates out of the way and get the one you want in your room."

As she stood outside at the top of the steps of Cats' Lair, she watched as the Thunderkittens played out in the snow. She couldn't help but marvel how the kids acted though they were close to being teenagers. Soon they would be and their child like games would seize to exist. And when the childish games would end, their growing hormones would take over and they would want to do things adults do. Of course being an adult, one can learn how the heart can be broken from love and that was something Alana feared.

Though she was saddened her brothers were gone at least she wasn't going to be spending her eighteenth birthday being with someone she didn't want to be with. With no doubt she would have been forced into something she wasn't ready for. She took a gasping breath as she realized when her birthday was. Her thoughts were interrupted as Tygra came up beside her.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"I suppose so. My brothers went behind my back for good reasons to give me something I thought I would never see again at the same time I learn my sister is somewhere on this planet. The disturbing thing about the whole ordeal is Josh wrote that letter in the possible chance he wasn't going to make it."

"Have you ever thought maybe your brother wasn't expecting to survive at all?"

"That thought has crossed my mind. I don't want to think of it, but it's starting to look that way."

"Are you sure, you're ok? Because you seem a little disturbed and I don't think it's about finding your mother's belongings hidden on the ship."

Alana slightly snorted. "You're getting to know me too well." She looked at the man beside her. "I'm just going over the fact that if I didn't escape when I did, I'd be getting married tomorrow. Tomorrow is my eighteenth birthday and I was supposed to get married to Tony. So I'm upset at the same time as being relieved."

"I see," he growled, startled by this new revelation. "And this was arranged by your father?"

"Safari Joe was never fond of his daughters."

Tygra snorted. "He doesn't seem to like much except the sick pleasure of chasing cats that can't fight back."

"Yeah that's my father all right. He also likes to have sick pleasure seeing his daughters helpless."

Tygra placed his hands on either side of her shoulders. "Alana, did your father ever do something to you?"

Alana glared at Tygra and tried to move away from him, but his hands were securely on her arms. "Like it's really any of your business. But no he has never done anything to me sexually."

A slight look of relief crossed over Tygra's eyes. He gently pulled his hands away and turned, heading inside.

Alana looked at the retreating tiger with wide eyes. He had just asked her a personal question but did not press further into it. She continued to stare off even after he was gone. "I don't understand?" she said quietly to herself.

"He's giving you the trust you need."

Alana whipped around to see the transparent figure of the ThunderCats mentor.

"I'm not following."

"The ThunderCats know you're hiding something but don't want to talk about it. You know very well they would like to know, so they can help you. But they are waiting for the time when you will go to them. Also I would like to add, you've done something your brothers are very proud of."

At the mention of her brothers, Jaga knew he had her full attention.

"You mean informing Tygra that I wasn't harmed in any sexual way."

Jaga nodded. "Once you can get over what the past has dealt you, you will be able to do anything. I know in my heart you'll be able to move on without the constant reminder of your father or the man who held you against your will."

"I do want to tell them. But how do I do that when I can't trust men?"

"You will know when the time is right. There is trust towards them but not enough to speak of your past."

"I don't have trust in them," she shot back.

Jaga shook his head, ignoring her angered voice. "If you did not have trust in them why do you keep asking them questions? Why do you cry on Tygra's shoulder? Why did you admit to Lion-O you ran to the ship and Tygra followed?"

Alana gasped and looked away. "I…I don't know."

"You are learning to trust the ThunderCats, but it's not enough to tell them your past," he repeated.

Alana was silent for several minutes looking down at her feet, thinking to what the ThunderCat ghost just said. She gasped again as she came to the conclusion that the old man was telling her the truth. Why would she go up to Lion-O and tell him she ran away to the ship if she didn't trust him?

"I never realized it," she finally said, breaking the silence.

"You have hid yourself for so long you don't know how small trust can start."

"Jaga? Lion-O told me you're his mentor."

Jaga nodded, but kept silent.

"Well I think you have become mine as well."

A soft smile appeared on the old man. "You better head inside as it's starting to get dark."

"I wish I had a father like you," she said as he disappeared.

"Wish you had a father like who?"

Alana turned back towards the entrance to Cats' Lair and saw Panthro coming up to her.

"Oh. You startled me," she jumped.

"Sorry. I just heard you say something and wasn't sure who you were talking to."

"Jaga," she answered simply. Though she only said one name. The name answered two questions, who she was referring to and spoke with.

"You wished he was your father?" Panthro asked.

"Well he's turning into a mentor for me too. He's also so nice to me and seems he was a good man when he was alive."

"He was. Why don't I tell you a secret? Jaga is closer to Lion-O than even he realizes."

"How close?" she asked now curious in what the panther was telling her.

"Jaga is Lion-O's grandfather."

Alana dropped her jaw. "Grand…father."

"Yes. I'm entrusting you to this secret as no one else knows about this, except for me and now you."

"Why would you entrust me with a big secret like that? Is it because you want my trust?"

"I would like to have your trust BUT… I wanted to entrust the secret with you because I have been carrying it for so long and with no one to share it with. Back on Thundera, my whole family knew the secret."

"But entrust a stranger? Why didn't you entrust it to one of the Warrior Maidens or the Berbils?"

"Both races were introduced to Lion-O first. I wanted to entrust it to someone who isn't real close to him." Panthro then looked up at the sky before turning back to her. "Come on we better go inside before the temperatures start dropping too fast. Pretty soon the cold weather will be over."

As the two walked into the lair, Alana wasn't sure what to make about what Panthro had just told her. He told her a great secret that no one knew of. When he left her, after she had taken off her warmer clothing, she went in the opposite direction, heading towards her room.

Safely in her room, she stared at the one crate near her bed. She noticed it was opened and guessed at who opened it. Cheetara must have helped Panthro in getting the crate in the room. She also must have opened it to reveal the gowns. With nothing else better to do she decided to check out what other clothing and belongings her brothers gave her and at the same time decided to put the clothes away.

There were several gowns and a good amount of clothes now stored away in the closet and dresser that was already in the room before she arrived. With her clothes away, she went to the adjoining bathroom, to clean up for bed. Leaving the bathroom, she went to her bed and began to brush her hair while taking another look around the room.

The room was fairly simple. The bed stood in the middle of the room, with the headboard against the wall. On either side of the bed, she were two nightstands salvaged from the wreckage of the damaged ship. The only other piece of furniture was a dresser in the far corner of the room, near the door, leading to the hallway.

Soon enough she would feel the need to decorate the room, so it didn't look so boring. But couldn't figure out what to use even though there was now things her brothers had left for her from her mother but wasn't sure if she could place it up just yet. Just knowing she now had the possessions of her mothers belongings brought back a lot of painful memories.

Feeling her hair was brushed enough, she rested the brush on one of the nightstands, and walked to the window. From where her room was located, she had a clear view of the courtyard. She never realized until now her room was facing the front of Cats' Lair. In the distance, though it was dark, she could barely make out the early signs of the coming Spring.

She couldn't wait to see Spring. It was going to be the first time in two years she was going to see snow melt as the warmer weather approached. She turned away from the view as her mood went soar again. This was going to be her first birthday without any family members around her.

Tygra was talking with Cheetara when Panthro walked in to the command center. He noticed neither of the two heard him come in. Bringing his hand to his mouth, he cleared his throat, getting the attention of the two.

"What's up?" Panthro asked.

"Tygra was telling me tomorrow is Alana's birthday and she was upset about it. Also tomorrow was supposed to be the day she was to marry the man she ran away from."

Panthro clenched his fists at the mention of why Alana was on the planet in the first place.

"I was about to make a suggestion," Tygra started. "The Thunderkittens made a present for her but have not had the chance to give it to her. I was thinking of giving her a surprise party. Snarf could make a cake."

"That's a great idea," Panthro agreed. "I'm sure she would like that. We can plan for this surprise at lunch. She will be surrounded by her new friends."

"That is a great idea."

The three ThunderCats turned at the sound and saw a ghostly figure of a man standing in front of them.

"Who are you?" Cheetara asked.

"Alana's brother," the ghost answered.

"Josh?" Panthro questioned. "But how?"

"I have always been able to do this but Jaga believes it's too soon for her to see me, therefore he won't allow me to walk the plain when Alana is around. You all have been so wonderful to my sister and I am glad she has found friends in you."

"Why are you showing yourself now?" Tygra asked. "There has been plenty of opportunities when Alana's not around."

Josh chuckled. "You are as bad as my sister. I have been waiting for the right moment to come to you. I just wanted to say to you I'm glad she has found some friends. She'll open up eventually. Tygra, I was wondering if I could have a word with you for a moment, alone."

The ghost watched as the ThunderCats looked at each other before Cheetara and Panthro stood and walked out of the room. They were a little confused as to why someone who was a ghost wanted to talk with the tiger, alone.

"What did you want to speak with me about?" Tygra asked.

"I know of your growing feelings for my sister. I'm not sure how obvious it is from your friends point of view but from mine, they are quite noticeable."

Tygra blinked. He was taken aback from the comment.

"I wanted to tell you if you are interested in my sister, go for it. She needs someone who will treat like a person. Not a woman to crawl in bed with or even a possession. What I'm saying is you have my blessings. All I ask is for you take care of her. Father on the other hand will probably be furious when word gets out she is staying here. At first I thought maybe he might not find out, but now, I'm not so sure. If he shows up here and Alana is still mourning, it won't take long for her to start standing up for herself."

"What happened to Alana?" Tygra asked, finally finding his voice.

"You know I can't answer that. Only she can. Mind you, I would love to answer it but it will ruin what little trust she has for you. The Safari family is one family you don't want to mess around with when it comes to secrets and histories. I must go now. I only can stay in this world for a few minutes. Oh and thank you for the funeral service."

Tygra watched as he slowly disappeared. With the man gone, he sat down and thought over Josh's words. He knew he was beginning to have feelings for the human woman but had no idea they were becoming real strong. He wondered how Alana felt, or if she could ever return the feelings. And if she did, how long would take before her feelings would begin to show. One thing was for sure; Tygra knew he had a long way to go before she would ever consider him slightly more than a friend.