"Alright, I know you’re in here." She turned as she heard the sound of feet just in time to see two heads of red-striped mane and one of red mane go running out the door. "Kat! Kit! Lion-O! You had better get back here. I can’t believe I got talked into doing this." She mumbled as she ran out into the hall after the twins and Prince. She quickly glanced in both directions trying to determine the way the cubs had gone when she heard the familiar laughter. "Just watch them for one cycle Cheetara. Snarf will be back by then." She spoke to herself as she moved in the direction she heard the laughter. "When I get my hands on those three…"

"Did you loose something Cheetara?" Tyben asked as he rounded the corner with three cubs in tow. He chuckled at the expression on the cheetah’s face. "You can’t turn your back on them for one second. And we thought you and Tygra where bad when you were young."

The cheetah regarded her foster father attempting to think of a comeback for his comment. "Well I’m too old for pranks anymore."

"Too old?" He laughed, "I seem to remember a cheetah of 14 seasons and bearing a striking resemblance to you taking a water bomb up to the roof of the lair and dropping it on a certain tiger’s head yesterday."

She looked innocently at him, "You must be thinking of a different cheetah."

"Yes that must be it." He chuckled. "Come on, I’ll help you get this trio back to the nursery before Snarf finds out about their little escapade."

She flashed her famous smile at him and taking Lion-O’s hand in hers, followed the tiger back to the room. "I think next time I’ll remember to lock the door." She commented as they entered the cozy room. "Thanks Tyben." She said as the tiger left her.

"Burrrrrrr, did they behave themselves?" Snarf asked as he entered the small nursery several minutes later.

The cheetah rolled her eyes, "As much as the normally do. But I’ve got to get to class." And she dashed out the door before the Snarf had a chance to press any farther.

"We’re going to be late if she doesn’t get here soon." Tygra said to himself as he glanced around the courtyard for any sign of his missing friend.He had no warning aside from a flash of gold-blonde fur before he found himself lying on his back and staring into a pair of laughter-filled amber eyes.

"Hi," She grinned mischievously "Miss me?"

He returned the grin, "Now why would I miss you?" And in a quick move flipped the lighter cheetah off of him and jumped to his feet. "You make such an easy target. Besides, I still owe you for that water bomb "

"Only if you catch me." She jumped back as the tiger made a grab for her, "What’s wrong Tygra? Can’t ya catch little old me?" And with a wink she took off running.

The tiger just smiled and slunk into the underbrush around the courtyard. He watched as the cheetah dashed around the open courtyard and waited until her run brought her within range. With a triumphant growl, he pounced. "Gotcha!"

She turned and let out a small squeal just as the tiger jumped out of the bushes and soon found herself in the same position that she had put him in earlier. "Ok, I give." She looked up and caught a glimmer flashing in the tiger’s eyes. "Don’t you even think about it." She warned

He smirked. "About what?"

"Whatever it is that conniving mind of yours is thinking."

"Don’t you trust me?" He asked innocently

"No."

He just smiled again, "To bad. But it’s payback time." And he grabbed the light cheetah and tossed her over his shoulder. "Now let me see what shall I do?" He made a show of looking around the courtyard.

"You shall put me down." Cheetara said as she beat on his back.

"Oh yes, that will work perfectly."

She glanced up and her eyes widened when she took note of the direction they were heading. "Tygra! Don’t you dare!" She squirmed in his grip. "I am warning you tiger!"

He just smiled, "Your warning is noted--" And lifting her up dropped her into the courtyard fountain, "--and ignored."

"Oooooo, you are so dead tiger." She growled as she pulled herself to a sitting position in the cold water.

"Are you two ever going to grow up?" A laughing voice spoke from behind the two. Both cheetah and tiger turned.

Cheetara smiled. "What’s the fun in that?" She shouted back, and taking advantage of Tygra distraction grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him into the water. "HA! Cheetara: 2 Tygra: 0" She cheered as she jumped out of the fountain.

"One day cheetah." Tygra growled as he also pulled himself out.

She just smiled at him as she wrung the water out of her long thick blond-spotted mane. "How long are you home for this time, Panthro?"

"A few days. We’re in for some minor repairs from a meteor storm we ran into. By the way, did you two notice the time?"

The tiger and cheetah both looked at each other and said, "We’re late for lecture."

Tygra ran over and quickly gathered up their bags, tossing Cheetara’s to her as he dashed past. "Bye Panthro see you tonight." Cheetara gave him a quick wave and smile before following the tiger.

The panther could only laugh as the two friends dashed off to the lair and the certain wrath of Lord Jaga.

"I would have expected this sort of behavior from a cub of six or seven seasons, but from the two of you." Jaga locked his gaze onto the two soaking wet youngsters standing before him, "I know both of you were raised with better manners."

"We promise it won’t happen again Lord Jaga." Tygra replied, "We will accept any punishment you give us."

Jaga had to fight back the urge to laugh at the look Cheetara flashed the tiger after his statement. He regarded the two cubs…no, he corrected himself, young adults standing before him. Tygra, now at 16 seasons, stood over 6ft in height and his once slim body was now filled out with muscles. He looked more and more like his sire every day. His thick red-striped mane was neatly trimmed in the traditional cutfor his clan. His deep amber eyes flashed with intelligence and compassion that few of his peers could match. His greatest weakness, however, remained his lack of faith in himself and his abilities. It was something Jaga had hoped the tiger would grow out of, but as time passed, it seemed the tiger's insecurities just grew.

The cheetah, on the other hand, more then made up for his lack of faith. She had enough for both of them, now in her 14th season and still small for her age. Her body was still clutched in the turmoil of pre-adolescence but she was slowly blooming into a young cheetah that anyone could be proud of. Her long golden blond mane ran down to her mid-back and was in its usual dissaray. Her light amber eyes glittered with a sense of humor and mischief. Her speed was only matched by the sharpness of her wit and quick mind. She was often Tygra’s greatest competitor in both lecture and combat skills, yet she was also his greatest ally. Each pushed the other to do there best and sometimes go evenbeyond what they thought they could do. She was the strength to his weakness and he to hers. Together they were unstoppable, but within that strength lay their greatest weakness.

"You will clean up the water you tracked through the lair in your mad dash to the lecture hall and I expect a report on my desk tomorrow morning describing why this sort of behavior is not appropriate for future Thundercats. "

"Yes Lord Jaga." They answered in unison.

"Now off with both of you." They bowed and left the jaguar to his work.

"Seyan, Tyben please come in." Jaga said as he saw the pair enter his office.

"Lord Jaga," the tigress bowed her head slightly. "Your message said you wanted to speak about Tygra."

"Yes. I was just going over his progress report for the last quarter and I must say I am impressed. High marks in all his courses, above average in his diplomatic, mathematic, and science skills. To be honest, he is my top student aside from Cheetara. No other student is close in matching him."

Tyben allowed a look of fatherly pride to pass over his face, "Thank you, Lord Jaga, for the praise of Tygra, but I don’t think you called us here just to tell us this."

The jaguar smiled, "No Nobel Tyben, I didn’t. I feel that Tygra is ready to take on a more challenging task. I have recommended him for the academy starting next quarter."

Seyan stared at Jaga in shock, "The academy? But are you certain he is ready?"

"Mentally he has been ready for two seasons Healer. I have had him teaching younger cubs their beginning lessons to keep him from becoming bored. And this season I have been hard-pressed to find studies for him that he doesn’t master within a day. The only reason I did not recommend him when he was 14 seasons was the fact that emotionally he was unprepared. But now it is time for Tygra to learn to stand on his own, without the help of certain associates."

"Cheetara," Tyben stated, "I have noticed a change in the two of them since the incident."

Seyan sighed, "The Larden tried explaining it to me after the fact." She growled slightly at that memory. "Apparently one of the side effects of the mind meld is sometimes a mental bridge is formed between the minds involved. She said it should dissipate with time, but in Tygra and Cheetara’s case, it’s only grown stronger. The two of them know that there is a connection of some sort, but not why or how."

Jaga nodded, "I have noticed that since this ‘bond’ formed they rely on each other heavily. That is one reason to send Tygra to the academy. Neither one of them knows how to function without the other. Now it’s time they remember how."

"It won’t be easy for them, but it is a lesson they need to learn." Tyben said, "and perhaps with Tygra away, Cheetara’s antics will calm down."

"It’s agreed then?"

Seyan nodded, "If Tygra is willing, then yes."

"The Academy? Me?" The young tiger stared at his parents in shock,

Seyan chuckled at the expression on her son’s face. "Yes, Jaga recommended you for the next quarter. He has great expectations in your chances there."

"But, why? I’m not good enough for the Academy."

"Jaga thinks you are Tygra and that should tell you something." Tyben spoke up, "But we won’t force you if you don’t want to go."

"Of course I will go." He pulled himself up into a proud stance, "If Jaga believes in my abilities enough to recommend me, I will not let him down. I will not let the clan name down. When am I required to report?"

"In three days." Seyan answered

"I best go pack then."

"Pack?" Cheetara asked as she entered the room, "are you going somewhere?"

Tygra turned to his friend an excited smile on his face, "Lord Jaga wish me to attend the Academy."

"Oh, that’s great," the cheetah was unable to hide the disappointing tone in her voice. "How long will you be gone?"

"It’s two seasons in the classes of your chosen field, then two seasons as an apprentice." He answered while trying to gauge Cheetara’s mood. "But I’ll be home for quarter break."

She just stared at the tiger, "Excuse me, I have some studies to do."

Tygra stood in the room unsure of what to do next. "I guess I’ll go pack now."

She ignored the knocking and just continued to stare out the window. "Cheetara?" Seyan’s voice floated through the walls. "Are you going to come say good-bye? Cheetara?" She listened as the footsteps faded down the hall and heard the sound of the front door closing. She watched out the window as Tyben and Seyan made their way to the ship port.

She glanced over at the small nightstand and her eyes were drawn to the note she had found that morning. She dreaded reading it, knowing that if she did she would have to admit to herself that he was really leaving. That he wouldn’t be here when she needed him. She glanced at the note again and reaching a hand out picked it up. She slowly opened the carefully sealed envelope and pulled out the paper that was inside.

‘Tara,

I find myself sitting here with a million thoughts running through my head and no way to tell you about them. I guess the best place to start is the beginning. When you first came to live with us, I have to admit I was not completely happy with the idea, but after one look at you and the fear in your eyes, I knew I had to do something to help you. I did my best to make you feel welcome in our home, and I hope that perhaps I succeeded in this task. I’ve watched you grow from a frightened, withdrawn, shy cub, to someone with more beauty and compassion than I have ever seen in a person. You are my dearest friend and leaving you alone is one of the hardest things I have ever done, but we each have a path that we must walk. I have started my journey down mine, and for a time it will lead me away from you. But know this: our paths will cross again and I will return to walk with you. You are never alone, my dear friend. As long as you hold me in your heart and soul I will always be there to comfort you. We are connected, you and I. No amount of distance can separate us as long as we believe in each other. So my beloved friend, remember that when you are frightened all you must do is turn on the light and know that no matter where I am or what I am doing, I will always follow that beacon to you and forever chase the shadows from your mind.

I will be forever in your heart,

Tygra

She reread the letter before carefully folding it and replacing it into the envelope. She then pulled the drawer to her nightstand open and pulled out a small box. Glancing at the timepiece, she stuffed the small box in her school bag and dashed out of the house.

"Now you make sure to write us and tell us how you are doing." Seyan’s voice cracked as she regarded her son. "And don’t forget to message us as soon as you land."

Tygra smiled down at his mother, "Don’t worry, I won’t forget." He still found it odd that he now had to look down at her and that he could now meet his sire’s eyes. "Father, I will not shame the clan name." He clasped his father’s hand in his.

Tyben returned the grip, "I have never been more proud of you my son," his pride showing through on his face.

Tygra quickly glanced around. A sadness came to his eyes when he did not spot the one face he wished would appear. "Well, I guess I better get on board."

"I’m sure she ment…." His mother started

"Tygra!" He spun around at the sound of that voice, "Wait!" She dashed quickly through the crowed and stopped in front of the tiger. "I read your note." She whispered shyly glancing up at him.

"I meant every word of it." He replied

She reached into her bag a pulled out the small box, "I want you to have this."

He took the box from her and carefully pulled to top off. He felt tears forming in his eyes when he saw what was inside. "I can’t take this." Amber eyes meet amber eyes

"I want you to. It kept me safe, now it can keep you safe. My Father would be proud to have you wear it."

He removed the gold chain and placed it around his neck. "I will never take it off." He turned as he heard the announcement for departure. "I better go."

She nodded and quickly wrapped her arms around him "I miss you already."

He gently placed his fingers under her chin and turned her face up to his and tenderly wiped away a tear that had escaped her amber eyes. "I will always be with you, no matter what." He softly kissed her on the cheek.

She watched as the ship slowly disappeared into the moonless night and felt the chill of the night caresses her skin. She turned and slowly made her way home, a feeling of loneliness washing over her as she walked down the empty streets.She reached out with her mind, searching for the one person that made her feel safe and complete and to her surprise felt his gentle touch upon her mind.

<You are never alone.> The voice whispered to her

She took on last glance up into the star-filled sky and knew that from that moment on her heart was already claimed.