DA's Haven

Chapter Three

'thoughts'

A small moan left Leisa's throat as she slowly came around and looked around warily. She recognized her given room at the Lair and winced weakly. As awareness returned fully to her, she realized her hand was being held firmly by a strong hand and focused on the source of the hold, smiling as she gazed into the relieved face of her brother. “Pan…pan…” she whispered weakly. “What…happened?”

“A lot, but we’ve got a good break going now. I’m just glad you’re awake and better,” Panthro replied warmly as he squeezed her hand gently, smiling at her. “Everyone’s been worried.”

“They have? Oh dear…I didn’t mean to worry everyone,” Leisa murmured in dismay as she struggled sit up. She grunted and sighed as Panthro helped her to sit up, fluffing the pillows behind her before sitting on the edge of the bed. She smiled at him sheepishly as he ran his fingers soothingly through her hair. “Did we…win?”

“For now, though I doubt that the victory will keep them down for long. But now that you’re awake, we’re going to have a small party in celebration,” Panthro replied cheerfully as he grinned at her. “Did you want to clean up and such? Then we can head to the council room for the party,” he suggested with a wink.

“I’d love that,” Leisa answered in relief as she made a face. “I must stink something awful!” she cried in dismay, earning a laugh from her brother. She smiled at him then, snuggling close as he held her close, rubbing her back.

“I’m very proud of you, Leisa. Mother and father would have been just as proud as I am right now. You fulfilled your promise and proved yourself worthy of being a Thundercat,” Panthro stated quietly, firmly as he held her. He leaned back and grinned at her, brushing away her tears as she smiled back at him. “I have some things for you to put on before the ceremony, so go and get cleaned up and I’ll be back shortly,” he told her before standing.

“Ok. Thank you, brother,” Leisa replied softly as she smiled at him. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her head before leaving her to get ready. She stood up unsteadily and went to her bathing room, happily cleaning herself off and rebraiding her hair before returning to her bedroom to dress. She put on her outfit, thankful that someone had cleaned it until she saw that there were several other outfits just like it in her closet. She grinned in gratitude before closing her closet and turning around. She beamed shyly at her brother as he came in, carrying a special belt as well as her daggers. She looked down, then blinked in surprise as she touched the blank circle that was in the center of her chest before looking up at him in question.

“All Thundercats are marked. And I’ve brought a special belt for your daggers that I made for you in honor of today. I told everyone that you’ve woken up,” he explained as he smiled at her before looping the belt twice around her waist and then over her shoulder and down again. Her daggers glittered in their sheathes on the belt and she beamed proudly up at him. He smiled at her before offering her his elbow and leading her out of the room.

They walked to the council room and were greeted with cheers and welcomes by the other Thundercats. Leisa blushed as she smiled shyly, looking down as she walked on her own to Lion-o. Silence fell over them as she bowed her head to Lion-o then looked up and smiled at him. Lion-o smiled back at her before bringing out the Sword of Omens. “Do you promise to honor the code of the Thundercats of Justice, Truth, Honor, and Loyalty and to help those in need at all times?” he asked her solemnly.

“I swear it. In the name of Jaga the Wise and our home of Thundera,” Leisa affirmed softly as she brought her hand to her heart, bowing her head once again.

“Then welcome to the Thundercats, Thundercat Leisa,” Lion-o declared as the Eye of Thundera glowed bright red and flared, leaving the symbol of the Thundercats on the badge on her chest. Cheering erupted in the room as Leisa beamed up at Lion-o before she was hugged tightly by Panthro. She smiled sweetly at the others as they congratulated her before the party and eating began in earnest.

The hours passed with the celebration before they began to break up and return to duties. Leisa went up to the Cat’s Head and looked out over the land, smiling softly as she thought over the day. Her ears twitched though as she heard something and she looked over her shoulder. She blinked in surprise as Lion-o emerged from the shadows, smiling sheepishly at her. “Lord Lion-o? What brings you here?” she asked quietly as she turned to face him, bowing her head respectfully.

He came over and hesitantly placed his hands on her shoulders, causing her to look up. “You…don’t have to call me Lord, you know. Just call me Lion-o,” he said with a lopsided grin. “It’s…really unnerving and…um I’d rather you just…um yea.” He glanced away, blushing slightly, which in turn confused and amused her.

“Um…ok. Lion-o.” She giggled softly as she blushed and looked down shyly. “So…what brings you up here?”

“Well I was er…just um…worried about you…” Lion-o replied as he swallowed hard, looking around as he let his arms drop uselessly to his sides. He glanced out and smiled. “The stars are really lovely tonight,” he commented quietly as he turned out.

Nodding as she turned as well, Leisa wrapped her arms around her. “It’s so clear and clean here. Kinda like Thundera was when I was little before…”

“Yea. I remember that too, barely. I was pretty young back then,” Lion-o agreed softly as he looked at her, watching her profile in the dim light of the moon and stars. “How old were you when…it happened?” he asked quietly, flushing as her gaze locked with his own.

“I was twelve when Thundera was destroyed. I was actually just going to start my apprenticeship with my brother when it happened,” she replied, then smiled cutely. “I’m glad I get to do it now though!”

“I’m glad too. I mean…you and Panthro sure are close,” Lion-o commented, flustered.

“We are. He was the oldest and I was the baby. I would follow him everywhere and ask him questions on everything. By the time I was ten, I was able to help him with some of his projects. But by then, he was a Thundercat…so I got to see him less and less. Only Thundercats were allowed at the Cat’s Lair,” she answered, smiling sadly. “I remember the day he was inducted into the Thundercats. I cried for hours because I knew he was going away.”

“I’m…sorry.” Lion-o felt rather apologetic for some reason, but he wasn’t sure for what. It was a duty and honor to be a Thundercat. ‘But to a child, it wouldn’t have mattered,’ he thought.

Turning to him, Leisa smiled softly as she took his hand with her hands. “Don’t be…Lion-o. I was young, so no harm was done. Besides…” She winked at him playfully, grinning as he blushed. “You were too young to do anything about it anyways.”

“Yea…I…I guess,” Lion-o replied distractedly, thrown off by her playfulness and his sudden feelings. She flustered him and filled him with feelings of longing and want. It was very unusual…

He watched her stretch and felt sharp feelings of warmth and pleasure shoot through him as he watched her. He wanted to touch her, hold her, see her…

Shaking his head sharply at the images that flooded his mind, he smiled reassuringly at her as she frowned at him in worry. “Come…why don’t we head in? It’s late and you need to rest still after everything that had happened,” he stated with a smile as he put an arm around her shoulders and turned in.

“Yea, I am tired. It’s been a rather exciting day,” Leisa answered before stifling a yawn as she allowed him to lead her inside. She smiled as he walked with her to her rooms, then looked up at him as they stopped. “Thank you, Lion-o. For everything,” she said softly before leaning up and pressing a kiss to his cheek. She quickly went into her room and closed her door, leaning against it as she blushed.

Lion-o stood where he was for a bit, dazedly staring ahead as he touched his cheek. Now he was certain that he was having problems. With a shake of his head, he went to his room to get ready for bed. Long day indeed…