Thunder Kittens
By Robin Gurl
Chapter 2.1
"Lord Jaga wishes to see you Panthro."
The panther sits up in his chair looking over at the person beside him. "M-Me? When? Why?"
"Immediately. If you will follow me."
He got to his feet a bit nervous, he had only spoke to Jaga a handful of times and it was never a social call. Typically when he was called in it was something bad.
He walks over letting one of the other engineers know where he was headed and catches sight of the clock. He had to leave in an hour to meet Tygra and Cheetara for dinner.
"Do you know what he needs of me?"
The other shakes their head, "Merely that he wishes to discuss something with you."
They quietly walk down one of the long hallways. The walls changed from stone to a more inviting tan color and carpet appeared on the ground at the same time, showing they had moved out of the defense side of Cats Lair and into the royal side.
He awkwardly nods at some of the other cats who walked passed them. He stopped at the doorway to the throne room. "Lord Jaga, Panthro is here to see you."
"Ah, yes – let him in." Jaga turns around smiling as Panthro walks in. He can tell the other is nervous. "Panthro, lovely to see you."
"…you as well." Panthro states awkwardly forcing a smile. "You wished to see me?"
"Yes, I know you are close to Tygra and Cheetara."
"I am."
"Relax, they aren't any in trouble, neither are you." The older man reassures him. He nods to his guards for them to leave and shut the door behind them. Once they are alone he turns to the panther in front of him. "I want to know how they are doing?"
"With the cubs?"
The other nodded.
"I haven't seen them since right before they came home. I helped Tygra and Cheetara unpack and put together all of the shipments. There were a lot of items and they were getting overwhelmed."
"Ah, yes. I told Claudis that he went a little overboard." The jaguar chuckles shaking his head. "I heard that you requested your shift to be over in an hour? Is there somewhere you are going?"
"If you are asking me if I will meet the other four, the answer is yes. They are meeting me at a restaurant. I was hoping to have a night with my friends." Panthro sighs crossing his arms. "Unless you have an issue with that?"
"No issue whatsoever."
"Lord Jaga, why did you ask for me?"
"We have several things to discuss Panthro. Two are achievements on your part and one is a favor of an old man."
"A-Achievements? What are you talking about?"
"First, let's take a seat." Jaga motions for Panthro to sit in one of the several large stone chairs before he sits at his throne. "…ah, I dislike how uncomfortable these chairs are. Even my throne is uncomfortable. I keep bringing this up to my lead architects but they say it's tradition or something like that."
"Thundera has always been set on Tradition." Panthro states in agreement. He sits down in one of them not leaning back. He sat on the edge awaiting what Jaga had to say next.
"Tradition isn't always a good thing. It can hold a civilization back and stop new ideas from coming forward. This stone throne maybe tradition but it's uncomfortable. We have learned new technology since our forefathers, have made chairs of all sorts that are comfortable and yet we insist on hard stone tablets to sit on?"
Panthro glances to the side listening to the Lord ramble. He was second guessing why he was really here.
"You're moving up into the head engineer of the lair, Panthro."
He startled turning to look at the other man. "I-I what..? How? I just started."
"You are smarter than anyone on that floor and you aren't stuck in our old ways. You're putting new ideas forward, good ideas, that will help keep everyone safe. You have helped fix systems that have been in place for decades your first few months there, not to mention you've had to correct people above you several times."
"B-But Jaga.. a head position means I'm in charge of defense systems and the cats eyes…"
"Yes. You've earned this position, Panthro." Jaga watches as the other sits up a bit straighter. He smiles his direction. "This is not a punishment, I assure you. It's a compliment of your hard work."
"You mentioned two things?"
"As you are aware the Thunder Cats are my personal bodyguards and the keepers of the piece here on Thundera."
"Yes, of course, everyone on Thundera knows what a Thunder Cat is. It's an honor to even be invited to have a trial to be considered to be one."
"Behind closed doors there are a lot of things that go on and one of the main areas of attention is our fighting technique. It's pulled from several different tribes and clans on Thundera to form what they use today."
"Why are you telling me all of this? Wouldn't you be afraid I'll run off with this information?"
Jaga shakes his head smirking, "No. I trust you. I would also like to offer you that position."
"Don't you already have someone in that position?" Panthro asks as he gets to his feet.
"Sadly he is retiring. However, there are only 3 Thunderian's planet wide that have the skillset needed to perform this job. You are one of them. You have trained under several different tribes and clans of Cats. You are a trained martial artist and can come up with fighting techniques to rival other planets."
"While I'm thankful for the praise, Lord Jaga, it is merely a fighting technique."
"To you, yes. To the Thunder Cats, it's a chance of survival if we get attacked by Plundarr again. I would rather not have a lengthy battle or something that would bring attention and cause the public to lose faith in us. But if it must turn physical and our weapons are of no use, they need to be able to defend themselves."
"You want me to train the Thunder Cats for battle?"
"And to start your own trials."
The Panther's eyes widened before he shook his head, "Lord Jaga, I do not wish to become a Thunder Cat."
"Not immediately, mind you. But in a few years, I'd like for you try out. You've got what it takes, Panthro." Jaga got to his feet watching as the other stumbles a bit nervously unsure to respond. "Just think on it before you dismiss the idea."
"…w-what's the favor?"
"I ask that you keep an eye on Tygra and Cheetara for me and keep me up to date on what's going on."
"I'm not spying on my friends."
"I never said that. I want them to succeed with what they have volunteered for, however, both are stubborn. If they require assistance, I need to know. Can you do that for me?"
"On one condition."
"What is that?"
"That I'm allowed to get up and go see them if they need me. At any point, I'll be able to head out without warning. As long as I show proof or something happens." He didn't know why he was saying this. He kept telling himself he didn't care about the kids.. but the truth being, he wanted to know how they were as well. He hadn't even met them properly yet.
Jaga blinks a few times before he sighs laughing. "…I accept your offer. You will be allowed to leave at any point as long as it's to help your friends."
~*
"Tygra, I'm just not sure about this…"
"Cheetara, it'll be alright. Panthro really wanted to see us and he said he had some important news." He looks over to her smiling as best he can.
"But the kittens.. they are young and the last thing I want to do is cause some sort of ruckus." She sighs nervously.
"They really aren't that loud and they are sleeping right now." He glances down at the small bundle in his arms. The kitten was curled up in his arms comfortably wrapped in several blankets. One was draped over her so the light was kept off her face. "She's passed out."
Cheetara lifts her head, a small smile crossed her features. "Tygra," she shakes her head trying not to laugh. "We have the baby carriers. You don't have to carry her everywhere."
The tiger blushes but shrugs, "She sleeps better like this and she's warm. She hasn't cried once." He looks up at her as he sits down on a bench nearby. "Wily Kat was comfortable as well, if I recall, until we got on the hover transport."
Cheetara sets the baby carrier down on the bench beside Tygra before she sighs shaking her head. She slowly removes the baby blanket off the top of carrier revealing the baby boy kitten passed out as well. She reaches in and gently strokes his cheek, smiling softly as he stays asleep. "Yes, then he started to cry…"
She picks up their diaper bag and starts to go through it again to make sure they had everything. The two of them had panicked on what to bring for their first trip out and after going back and forth several times, Tygra finally sat down and made a list. "Do you think we forgot anything?"
He glances over giving a nervous smile, "We'll find out. What time is it?" He holds his arm out as she checks his watch. "We're getting close to feeding time aren't we?"
"We are. Didn't we want to try solid foods? I know we brought bottles just in case." She lifts the pink blanket peering underneath it, she smiles when she sees how peaceful Wily Kit is under it and how deep she was sleeping. "I guess we can see how it goes." She sits back rocking the carrier beside her to hopefully keep Kat asleep. "I hope Panthro didn't get detained."
~*
He steps off the transport a bit unsteadily. He had two gift baskets one in either arm. He wasn't sure was the correct thing to give new parents but the lady at the store had suggested something like this.
The baskets were a bit big now that he thought about it. One was pink and one was green. There were several clothing sets in there for a baby and toys and a blanket or two.
He was second guessing all of this now, but he was too close and already late to back out now.
He had told the two of them he didn't do kids but really kids didn't do him. They were always terrified of him and he didn't blame them. He wasn't exactly the bubbly happy type.
He walks down the street trying to figure out how he was going to smile at two babies so they wouldn't freak out. The last thing he wanted to do was cause a scene.
He stops at the top of the road looking down. Through the crowd he saw his friends sitting with the cubs on their laps.
He found himself smiling, Tygra and Cheetara looked happy. He made his way down through the crowded street. It was close to a transport and shopping area.
~*
"Panthro, there you are!" Tygra stood up holding Kit in his arms, she wriggled trying to see who he was talking too. "We were afraid you had gotten detained by a meeting."
"Ah no.. I uh… well…." The panther stumbles over his words a bit embarrassed before holding the baskets out in front of him. "I'm not sure the protocol of gifts for new parents or anything…but…"
The other two glanced at each before looking at the baskets. Cheetara smiles happily, "Thank you! Wily Kat, look.. you have a blanket and some toys.." She takes the green one showing the kitten what was in it.
"You didn't have to Panthro but I'm sure we'll use everything in there." The tiger takes the pink one smiling at his friend. "Would you like to meet them?"
"Meet them?" Panthro asks bluntly. "I can see them."
"Here…" Cheetara walks over and gently puts Wily Kat into the panther's arms. "Easy, just like that…"
The kitten leans back into the arms holding him making eye contact. Panthro stared down at him wide eyed unsure what to do. He attempted a half smile then winces slightly as the kitten's hand is raised. Usually this was when the tears started then the loud crying.
This time he got a half giggle and opened his eyes at feeling the small paw against his cheek. He smiles again getting another one returned.
"This is Wily Kat.. he likes you." She sighed with relief looking up to Tygra. He looked as relieved as she did. "You can relax. He can hold his head up for the most part."
Panthro relaxes holding the kitten in his arms before glancing over to Tygra, "And that is Wily Kit?"
"Yes, she's a bit more energetic. She's already trying to climb on things." The tiger let out a surprise growl as her claws press into his arms. He pulls his arm away holding her in the other. He lets out a winced hiss, "Claws are already coming in."
Wily Kit attempts to pull herself up to a standing position in his arms. She repositions her claws pressing down and pushing up, her tiny legs shook as she managed to do it for a few seconds.
Tygra sighs, "Alright kitten, alright… hang on.." He untangles her from his fur and picks her up setting her on his shoulder. She curls up on it resting her head on the side of his head. "And this…is where she likes to sleep."
Cheetara just starts to laugh and picks up the pink blanket draping it over his shoulder and her. "I was surprised she slept as long as she did in the normal position earlier."
They both glanced over to Panthro and started to laugh. "No, don't worry Panthro. Kat isn't as curious and exploratory yet. He's content just being held normally. He shouldn't claw you."
The other let out a huge sigh of relief, "I must say I didn't know what to expect when I came to meet you both. I was surprised you wanted to meet out in public. From what my co-workers told me most new parents hate going outside." He hands Kat back to Cheetara when he starts to reach for her.
"We were kind of tired of being cooped up." She started grinning sheepishly.
"And thought we could all do with the fresh air." Tygra finishes looking around the busy shopping center. "So, we heard there are some good restaurants in this place, shall we go see?"
"What do they eat?"
"Oh! They have their own food, so the choice is up to us." The tiger reached up keeping his hand on the kittens back as they walk towards them. "So you choose and we'll go along."
~*
"I guess I should have thought about having all of this stuff to carry on top of the kids.. sorry about that." Panthro takes the diaper bag and one of the carriers in one arm and the baskets in the other.
They had found a table outside on the deck and away from people for the most part. He stood to the side watching as they put one carrier on the table. Wily Kit was putting up a fight with Tygra about being put into hers.
"If you will relax and let me buckle you up, we can get you some food." The tiger tries to bargain with the kitten as he holds the buckles open with one hand. The other is juggling the fussy kitten. He sighs frustrated before he forces her into the carrier a bit sloppily, once she's in he uses both hands to get her situated and strapped in.
She starts to cry, and he holds his hand out to Cheetara who placed an open baby food jar and a spoon in his hand. She turns and smiles up at Panthro, "Think nothing of it."
"She doesn't look too happy."
"She's hungry. It's well past their feeding time. I was shocked she hadn't started to cry already." Tygra pushes a spoonful of carrot baby food into her mouth and she stops crying almost instantly. "Food is currency with these two. Every four hours."
~*
She walks into the large foyer where a lot of the wives of the engineers were waiting on their husbands to take leave for their lunch break. It was full of several hundred different cats all standing around.
She had never done this before and preferred to meet Tygra elsewhere when he took his lunch. He preferred this method as well never understanding the dramatics of it all. This time though she thought she'd surprise him with the twins.
However, she was the only one being surprised this time.
She stood staring around the room not seeing one cub or kitten. Not one stroller, baby carrier or push cart…
A group of women stopped talking as they caught her eyes roaming the place. "Are you lost, dear? This isn't daycare."
Cheetara blinks confused sitting the two baby carriers down on the ground. The kittens were fast asleep in them and had been for past two hours thankfully. "I-I uh.. I'm here to surprise my mate when he comes out to go to lunch."
"And you brought your cubs?"
"Well yes? Why wouldn't I? I couldn't just leave them at home and they aren't enough for daycare yet." She smiles as politely as she can straightening up. "I'm Cheetara, I'm new here and –"
"You're together with that tiger. Tygra, right?"
"Yes actually!" She says happily hoping she had found a social circle. She had never been one to socialize outside of her clan or friends from trade school. Try as she might she never fit in with other woman cats.
Tygra just kept telling her it was because she wasn't shallow and was smarter than they were.
"And you have two cubs already?" One of them raised their eye brows at her unbelieving. "You've only been officially together ..what..? 3 years but only lived together for 1 year?"
Cheetara stepped back not expecting the tone she received. "I-I …well no, I-I ..he… we.."
"I can't believe you actually brought your cubs to this event. Don't you have a Snarf?" Another butts in wide eyed. She laughs. "Honestly, my snarf keeps them in line so well I only hear about them when something goes wrong."
"The kittens are too young for a snarf. We adopted them and according to the nurse they are less than 5 months ago." Cheetara explained stumbling over her words a bit trying to defend her family.
"Aw you poor dear. Kitens are never too young for a snarf, the Snarf's just have standards and won't take care of a mixed child."
"Who told you they were mixed? You haven't even seen them yet?" She exclaimed.
"Honey, it's obvious. Lord Jaga would have never asked a mixed couple to adopt a pure bred cub. Who knows how you would raise them."
Cheetara let out a frustrated hiss, "We wouldn't have a raised the child any differently and won't be raising these two any other way either."
"Don't get so defensive, you're the one breaking the rules." The first glares crossing her arms. "And let me give you a hint, coming in here with those two "things" in your arms won't help you make friends. No one wants to be friends with a mixed couple."
"Even if I were with a Cheetah would I still receive this treatment if the kittens were mixed?" She asks angrily.
"There is a reason you don't see many mixed kittens and cubs. They aren't wanted and don't last long on Thundera. Who knows where they go, if they are killed off or if they are kept alive but hidden from society…regardless they aren't wanted."
Cheetara steps back wide eyed. She was angry and hurt at what she had just been told. She clenched the handles of the baby carriers so tight her knuckles were white.
"Oh, you upset her."
"She needed to know the truth. No matter what Jaga or Claudis told you about how gracious you were watching these two ….things. Everyone else knows the truth."
She looks down trying to not verbally lash out. Tygra would be upset with her for giving into her anger. She took a deep breath before looking up, "Thank you for informing me on your opinions. I hope your mate's never hear how cruel and digusting you really are. A kitten deserves love regardless of what species they are. Jaga and Claudis would be disappointed in you for your views on things you can not control."
The other rolls her eyes as her friends laugh. "Take those pathetic things away from here. No one wants to see you or them."
They all look up as a three sounded alarm went off in the building. She guessed by how everyone was moving to the front that it was lunch time.
Tygra was right, this was overly dramatic for no reason. She smiles inspite of herself hoping to fluster him a bit with her surprise visit. She secretly found it attractive when he got like that. He would find it hard to speak and stumble over his words.. if he were walking he'd usually run into something. It was cute.
She watched as most of the engineers came out at once. They would find their wives and exchange a hug or a kiss then walk out to lunch.
She would just smile with each couple that walked past her.
The room was quickly clearing out leaving her in there by herself with the kittens. She shifted uncomfortably looking around as the last couple walked out.
This had been a bad idea.
She sighs kneeling in front of the carriers lifting the blankets to see the twins still fast asleep, "Sorry…I guess we won't get to visit Tygra today." She reaches in stroking their cheeks gently giving a sad smile.
"Cheetara?"
She turned straightening up, "Panthro! How are you?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I-I uh came to surprise Tygra… the whole lunch thing that happens." She offers nervously standing in front of the kittens protectively.
The panther just tilts his head, "You know Tygra literally despises that thing that goes on, did he know you were coming?"
"No.. it was an complete surprise."
The other sighed before smiling, "If you had let him know, he would have been out here. It's not his thing, too many other people, but he would have met you out here regardless."
She looks down embarrassed, "I forget he's not as social as I am. Do you think he'd be upset if we surprised him in his office?"
"I don't think so, flustered maybe. Come on, I'll walk you over here." He held out a hand to take one of the carriers and the diaper bag.
She smiles handing him Wily Kit's carrier and the bag. "T-Thank you."
~*
"Tygra, Panthro is out waiting for you in the hallway."
Tygra glanced up from what he was sketching looking to the door confused, "Why is Panthro here? That's unlike him."
"He said he's taking you to lunch." The tiger growled frustrated as the other laughed. "He's just making sure you remember to eat properly. With these big projects you forget things. Go on and take your lunch. You need a break anyway."
Embarrassed Tygra got to his feet covering his art. He walked quickly past the other desks not wanting to draw attention to himself. He didn't want to have to explain where he was going and who was taking him "out" to lunch.
Stepping out into the hallway he was surprised to hear a childish giggle. He thought he recognized who it was but that was impossible. They wouldn't be here. "Panthro, I don't know what you're going on about lunch, but I'm extremely busy and-"
He stopped in mid-sentence as his eyes caught site of who was there. "C-Cheetara? Kit? Kat?" He reaches out taking the female twin who was reaching out for him happily. She curls up happily in his arms, her eyes growing heavy as she's comfortable again in her favorite spot.
"Surprise?" Cheetara offers shyly holding Kat up making him "wave" at the tiger. "We wanted to surprise you.."
"The lunch break thing." Panthro informed him.
"Ah, yes…its um.." He cleared his throat nervously. "Not exactly my thing..its too much of a show and tell sort of thing. Wastes too much time and I-I uh…. I wish you had told me. I would have come out."
"Well since you're out, we're going to eat lunch." The other exclaimed tugging on his arm. "Come on, Cheetara made everyone sandwiches and brought dessert!"
The tiger glances past his friend to his mate and a smile finally crosses his features. He walks over kissing her cheek before taking the other kitten into his arms. "I can't wait."
~*
Extra:
"I must say, if I get lunch like this every day, I'd actually take a break." Tygra laughs as he sits back after finishing his sandwich. He reaches down and picks up some of the left over bread tearing it into small pieces for Wily Kat to pick up. "And the company isn't that bad either."
The other kitten was on her feet and toddled over upset that she wasn't offered any. Cheetara reaches out with her own bread, "Kitten, here. Don't take your brothers food."
Panthro looked up watching the two adults feed the kids. "Are they eating normal food now?"
"Not quite. Soft foods." The tiger explains reaching out, "Kat.. spit it out. You're not going to like that-" He chuckles as the kitten makes a face at tasting a piece of pickle. He waits watching to see what happens. "Spit it out.. you don't have to finish it."
The kitten drools coughing up the small bit of the green he'd eaten. He winces as his face is wiped off with his bib.
Tygra made his own face as having to wipe his hands off of baby drool, "….well. Mark pickles off the list of things Kat will eat."
Cheetara just smirks and starts to brag about Kit eating hers, "Well Kit seems to be –" A gagging noise was heard as the other twin coughs hers up to. "Kittens 1, Pickles 0."
"And what is this that you made again?"
"Its' called Egg Salad. It's eggs and mayonnaise. Very easy to make." She explains holding her arm out for Wily Kit to steady herself on. The kittens were barely 6 months old but were already on standing and crawling. "And the twins can eat it if they get into it. So it's safe for them as well."
The panther picks up his other half of the sandwich eating it quietly. He looks up seeing Tygra hold both his hands in the air and shake them in front of the kitten. "Tygra what are you-?"
"Are you done?" The tiger asks the kitten again not answering his friend. Kat looked up at him before shaking his head and making another motion towards him. "Ah, still hungry. Well, you need to see what else Cheetara brought because my sandwich is gone and your sandwich is gone."
"What in Thundera was that?"
"Kitten sign language. You can teach them some basic signs and they will tell you what they need. It's been very nice when figuring out meals." Tygra explained repeating the same motion to the female twin. She repeats the motion to him, "See? She's "done" which means no more food."
"…..I never thought I'd see a kitten or a cub signing at their age."
"I didn't think it could be done either but here we are."