THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING: THIS CRITTER IS RATED R IF IT BURNS YOUR EYES, IT'S YOUR OWN FAULT!!!!!!

            Darkslayer: Part One Memories and Parting

     Panthro raked his knuckles on a sharp corner and bolts  of the sending unit of the Feliner, which he was working on.  Panthro swore, shook his hand, picked up a hydrodriver and continued his work.
      Panthro had taken longer repairing the part than he initially thought, he was preoccupied with the fact that Ardua was leaving home the next day, Panthro's mind kept drifting back to his memories of happy times, and not so happy times.  Panthro had been recounting the events that brought Ardua to him, and the events of her life to date.
      Shortly after Ardua's arrival Cheetara gave birth to Kera and Tygro, Panthro was proud that Tygro was partially his namesake, two months afterwards Pumyra gave birth to a baby boy Tyger, after three years of trying.  Lion-O's wife Corbia "Corby" had died during childbirth as did one of the twins Jaga, the girl, just leaving the boy Claud-Us.  Panthro remembered how heartbroken Lion-O was, even worse how he blamed himself partly for Jaga and Corby's deaths.
      Panthro took a screwdriver and tightened the housing down on the sending unit.  "Poor Snarf" thought Panthro.
      Snarf had been stretched pretty thin, he wasn't getting younger then either.  Claud-Us required care all day and night because Lion-O's duties kept him away from the Lair most of the time.  Cheetara and Tygra tried to look after their cubs as mush as possible but when duty called, off to Snarf they would go, as per Tyger and Ardua Snarf insisted, no, demanded that he care for them during the day.  According to Snarf, a smoky forge was no place for a baby and he was afraid the forge would burn and kill Tyger.  Pumyra and Bengali found humor in Snarf's catastrophe theories, but he had a point, so they gave into Snarf's request.
       Panthro, as he remembered wasn't even given a choice in the matter.  One day without warning, Snarf angrily walked into the hangar, took Ardua out of a basket he had made out of a transmission housing and a blanket, and took her into his arms.  Snarf then proceeded to berate him telling him the Thundertank could roll over her, or a spaceship could squash her.  Panthro thought it was funny Snarf seemed unconcerned with his safety.  Panthro had never seen Snarf so angry, or his heart so set on something, so he let Snarf have his way, after all he did have a valid point.
      Panthro chuckled. Oh how loud it was in the Lair with five squaw- ling babies, and Ardua was the loudest. Panthro chuckled again.  Panthro remembered the day Snarf the "expert" tried to show him how to properly bottle feed and burp a baby, only to have Ardua spit up down his back.  Panthro then laughed out loud as he remembered how Snarf jumped and skittered around like spit on a hot griddle as he tried to wipe his fur.  Panthro's smile faded a little though, as he remembered the first time Ardua spat up on him, then, a whole lot more.  Pumyra examined Ardua and discovered that she was allergic to milk.
      As Ardua got older and stronger, mealtimes were a tricky and messy proposition, because more food wound up on Panthro's face, Snarf, and the walls than did in her stomach.  Panthro thought the worst part about raising Ardua as a baby was cleaning out the little pocket in her bib.  It was like her own personal black hole.  Panthro wiped oil off of his hands, "Hmmmmm, Those were the days!" he said to himself.
      Panthro began to re-attach the Feliner sending unit.  Panthro began thinking of the harder times of his life with Ardua.  Panthro like the other Thundercats had duties to perform, so he was separated from her frequently.
      Panthro hated having to explain to Ardua that people are not always understanding, and could be mean and indifferent to those who are not like them, and all the times he had to dry tears for parents she didn't know but missed, and for merciless teasing she received at school.
      Panthro remembered all the things that went along with being a parent like patching scraped knees, chasing away the boogey man, and bedtime stories.  Ardua, thought Panthro, was a good kid, but stubborn, VERY stubborn, tended to have a bad temper at times, and she wouldn't listen to anyone's advice either, or accept their help. Ardua preferred to learn things on her own, which was a strength and weakness as far as Panthro could tell.  Panthro loved her for it too, for he was a stubborn independent man.  Ardua was truly his daughter.  Daughter.  The word made Panthro feel warm and content, he smiled.
      As soon as Ardua was old enough he bought her her own set of tools.  Ardua would lie on the hangar floor with him and hand him, tools, parts, and towels.  Ardua wasn't mechanically inclined at all at first, but Panthro began to teach her mechanics,technology, how to build from scratch, welding, and how to fight.  Panthro was thrilled to find that Ardua was a vessel he could pour his knowledge into, when she would listen, and once she learned something, she almost never forgot.
      As Ardua got older, Panthro remembered, she tried desperately to be the best, the best at sports, get the best grades, and was really far too serious for a child.  Panthro encouraged Ardua to do her best but her drive worried him at times, and the way she pushed herself.
      Panthro thought at times that she was trying to earn a place she already had in both his heart and amongst the other Thundercats, which she already had, Panthro had told her this, and she toned down her activities some, but she still pushed.  Panthro feared that Ardua would learn the hard way, through being hurt, that sometimes even the very best someone has to offer isn't enough.  Panthro decided that that was a lesson that Ardua truly did need to learn by herself.
      Panthro removed the hyperdrive from the Feliner and moved it to  the work bench.  Panthro remembered the day Ardua lost her innocence.  Panthro had been working that day as he was this one.  Ardua came to him crying saying she was hurt.  Panthro remembered looking at her and seeing nothing wrong then asking her what was hurt, and she told him.
     Panthro tried to allay Ardua's fears and wiped her cheeks, and told her nothing was wrong with her, and asked Cheetara to come see her and explain.  When Cheetara arrived she told Panthro not to worry, that she would be thorough.  As Cheetara and Ardua left, Panthro hugged Ardua roughly, and told her he loved her.  When the two were gone and Panthro was alone, he felt badly, he should have noticed that the tomboy was growing into a young woman. To Panthro, Ardua was and would always be a little girl to him, and in that moment Panthro knew what dread truly was, for the inevitable was coming, more quickly than he liked.  Boys.
      Panthro replaced the Feliner's hyperdrive.  It was a warm day, nice, sunny, just like the day of Ardua's sixteenth birthday.
       None of the Thundercats knew Ardua's true age, neither did the people who brought her there for sure, Pumyra thought physically she was one when she came to New Thundera, so Lion-O designated a day to be Ardua's birthday so they could celebrate.  The day of her sixteenth birthday, Panthro and Ardua were going to Bengali's forge for a custom made piece of metal they were using on a new vehicle.  Ardua wanted to walk there because Panthro had bought her a pair of boots she wanted to break in, a gift for her birthday, and she wanted to show them to Kera.
      On the way to the forge the pair walked by a shop, which was a popular hangout for teens.  Panthro began to notice male eyes were following Ardua, coveting her, undressing her, to his eyes.  Panthro turned and gave all the young men an angry look, he laughed at how quickly they dispersed, knowing the mighty Panthro could kill and maim with a single look.
      Ardua had matured by then, and her body had undergone a great transformation.   Ardua's facial features had lightened as she got older, and had lengthened, she looked a little more Thunderian. Ardua's hair had turned almost pure white, and her eyes had turned from light blue to a very dark brown almost black looking, her frame was tall and well muscled, but with all the curves that interested males.
      Ardua was a girl in a grown woman's body, and Panthro was afraid, because he knew what young males were like, from experience.  Panthro had gone to Cheetara telling her his fears, and Cheetara tried her best to allay those fears after she was done laughing at him.
      Cheetara told Panthro that she had instructed Kera and Ardua in  acceptable behavior when alone with the opposite sex and moreover, Ardua was a smart girl and would not "go there" over a few candy coated words.  Cheetara had laughed at Panthro because she said he was being punished by the Goddess for his past leering and naughtiness with relation to the opposite sex. Panthro thought she was right.
      Panthro was glad Cheetara had talked to Ardua about, that, he couldn't bring himself to do it, and by the behavior of the young males of Cat's Lair it couldn't have happened soon enough.
      Panthro enjoyed the boundless entertainment that came of Claud-Us, Tygro, and Tyger clumsily act around and try to talk to Ardua, Kera, and their female acquaintances.
      Claud-Us and Tygro had given Ardua more than a passing glance but he knew that the one to watch for was Tyger, he loved her, obviously.  Tyger was the one who was going to steal Ardua's heart, whether she liked it or not, at least thought Panthro, in Tyger's mind.  Tyger was the clumsiest around Ardua then, and at times, chuckled Panthro, he was even to this day.
      Panthro washed his hands and turned off the shop and hangar lights, he would have to hurry if he wanted to be ready in time for Ardua's going away party.
      Tyger had just also finished his days work as well. Bengali and Pumyra had left for Cat's Lair two hours before, leaving him to finish a job.  Tyger was in no hurry to get to the Lair, because he knew as soon as the party was over, it wouldn't be long before his best friend would be leaving New Thundera, and from judging from their last meeting, maybe for good.
      They were crib mates, he and Ardua, they had always been close, scarcely a day past when they didn't speak.  Tyger and Ardua had tiffs and disagreements, all friends do, but Tyger and Ardua could never stay angry with each other for long.  Tyger loved Ardua's sense of humor, her boisterous laugh, and her generosity as well as kind nature, which she tried to hide under a veneer of toughness. Tyger smiled, she hadn't fooled anyone especially not him.  Tyger checked the supply room and turned off the light, he mused to himself, "you haven't fooled anyone either, you love her."
       Tyger remembered the day that Wilykit left Cat's Lair for good, Ardua wanted to cry but wouldn't, and how he, Tygro, Kera, Ardua, and Claud-Us would play hide and seek, and drive everyone crazy with questions, except Snarf, Snarf didn't care he spoiled all of them rotten, equally.
      Tyger put on his good tunic and a new black leather belt, he brushed his hair and affixed the Thundercat symbol disc onto his belt, which felt strange, he seldom wore it.  Tyger checked the forge fire to make sure that it had died down enough to leave it.  Tyger's mind drifted to his seventeenth year and Ardua had taken a job at his father's forge as an apprentice.  Bengali was a master blacksmith and Ardua had expressed an interest in the craft.  Both Tyger and Bengali were ecstatic.  Bengali had already taught Tyger all he knew about the craft and relished the opportunity to teach another young person the magic of steel, for Bengali felt the art was dying.  Tyger was thrilled because he would be spending the entire day with Ardua, she was his best buddy, coupled with the fact she had developed into an attractive young woman, despite the physical differences.
      Pumyra had misgivings about Ardua working the forge at first, she knew how Ardua and Tyger were together, seldom serious, and prone to spar and to try to tear each other up at any given moment, but Pumyra was pleasantly surprised.  Ardua and Tyger worked well together and with four people working, the forge was more productive.  Pumyra had always been fond of Ardua, she secretly hoped that there would be a spark or chemistry between the two friends, because she felt they were made for each other.
      Tyger in those days tended to dislike Tygro, and especially Claud-Us.  Tyger hated it when Claud-Us would try to flirt with Ardua, in front of him no less, and Tygro would try to impress her with near encyclopedic useless knowledge about Thunderian history and laws.
      The thing that surprised Tyger the most, was that Ardua was completely oblivious as to how she affected the male of the species.  Lots of young males would drop in to talk to her, or even just to ogle at her through the forge window.  Tyger laughed remembering how his mother would take a broom and clear the loitering boys from the doorway, even with all that Ardua was completely oblivious, or at least, well pretended she didn't notice.  Tyger was told repeatedly what a lucky cat he was by other boys he knew, until the fateful day one asked him if Ardua was "any good".
      Tyger punched the boy in the face and followed that with a kick in the stomach.  Bengali and Pumyra were angry, they automatically forbade him to go anywhere for a month and told Lord Lion-O what he had done.  Lion-O gave Tyger a lecture that still made him feel shame for what he had done.
      Lion-O told him that his actions were not those of a future Thundercat, and that his training from Panthro was dangerous even deadly, moreover an unfair advantage, finally that he should have never hit the boy, no matter what he had said.  Tyger remembered how angry he was that day.  Tyger found his boots and put them on.
      When Ardua had caught wind of what he had done she was angry with him for getting himself in trouble over her.  When Ardua was finished tongue lashing him Panthro pulled Tyger aside and privately thanked him for defending Ardua, Panthro made it clear that what he did was wrong, but admitted he would probably have wanted to do the same thing.
      Tyger remembered how Panthro treated him to a Panther clan tradition, the giving of a drink to a warrior after battle.  Tyger didn't know it until later, but Panthro had asked Bengali and Pumyra if he could share a beer with him, with the rationale that Tyger deserved to feel a little like a man after being lectured to by his leader, and having a months punishment looming before him.  Tyger regretted hurting the boy, but two good things came of outburst, no males hung around the forge anymore.  The second good thing was that he was in Panthro's good graces, and as Lynx-O said, "To win the girl, first you must win the parents."
      Tyger frowned, he was running late. Tyger remembered his eighteenth birthday.  Ardua had given him a small kiss on the cheek earlier along with his gift.  Later in the evening when they were alone Tyger brushed his hand under Ardua's chin and drew her lips to his, as he was about to kiss her, Ardua withdrew and moved away from him, saying the last and most dread thing anyone in love wants to hear.  "We should just be friends." "Yes," Thought Tyger,"Ardua set the boundary years ago, like it or not, i'll have to abide by it."
      Tyger got into his hover car and sped towards Cat's Lair, hoping he wouldn't be pinched for speeding.  As Tyger drove he recounted his and Ardua's last conversation with aversion, that had been two weeks before, and she hadn't spoken to him since.
      "How can you do this? You could get killed!" Tyger said. "'Tyg, you are blowing this WAY out of proportion!  Ardua, I think you have finally lost your mind!" Tyger continued "You have an engineering degree, and you are going to throw it away being an evil chaser?  Tyger," Ardua said in exasperation, "evil chasers make really good money. 'Dua you can't spend it if you get killed!" Ardua flung her hands in the air. "The, Gods! You know, Tyger, you sound just like Panthro! I know that Panthro, Tygra, or Lion-O could have a job lined up for me in no time. I want to see a little of the universe, have a little excitement, and earn my own way for a change, instead of having everything handed to me. Why do you think I refused Thundercat anointment?" Tyger glared at Ardua. "That was stupid too! Do you know how disappointed everyone was?  Do I give a damn?" Retorted Ardua sarcastically. "If it were up to me and Panthro you wouldn't leave,'Dua."
      Tyger panted with anger. Ardua's eyes blackened with fury, Tyger had but a second to contemplate his folly, for Ardua was about to explode.  "If it were up to you, Tyger, a LOT of things would be different! You still have that stupid little crush don't you?" Tyger looked down. "WELL GET OVER IT!" Tyger flinched as she screamed "I don't want a mate, and the Gods know that I would not curse an innocent child to the fate of being an ass ugly crossbreed!"
       Tyger stood back the only thing he could say was, "Jaga, Ardua!" Tyger couldn't believe the rage Ardua had unleashed, as well as the way Ardua shook with anger. "I'm leaving in two weeks, Tyger, Regardless of what anyone wants, OR thinks!"  Tyger didn't know what hurt more, knowing he never had a chance, or Ardua leaving.
      Leaving was precisely on the mind of Ardua.  She would have sooner crept out Cat's Lair with no one noticing her absence, but Lion-O and the others insisted on having a going away party for her, even Claud-Us, her friend and Wilykat and his wife Terra, had traveled all the way from Third Earth to see her off.  Ardua sat on her bed and brushed her white hair, she didn't feel like partying, she felt like crawling into a hole.  Ardua hoped Tyger would come to the party, they hadn't spoken in two weeks, but after the way she blew up at him, she wouldn't blame Tyger if he never wanted to lay eyes on her again.  Ardua sighed, she knew Tyger loved her as a friend, and he made it no secret even a little more, and she thought he was sweet, and attractive but romantically .... they wouldn't work out, they were just too different.  Ardua secretly wished things were different, that she were a full blood, but as Panthro so astutely noted.... one could wish in one hand, and defecate in the other, and see which one was filled first.
      Guilt gnawed at Ardua. Tyger had always been so good to her.  Tyger was always the first to leap to her defense, whether she was right or wrong, the first to cheer her when she was upset, the second to be told her successes, and the first to hear her deepest wishes, fears, and secrets.  Ardua loved Claud-Us, Tygro, and Kera, but Tyger was first in her pantheon of close friends.  Tyger's parents treated her like she was their own regardless of what she was, she felt shame, and so badly wanted to apologize.
      Ardua wanted Tyger to find a nice Thunderian girl to settle down with, someone who could give him what she couldn't, a home and children.  The only things that Ardua knew that she could do well was fix things, and fight, not exactly qualities one should aspire to find in a mate.
      Ardua got dressed and went downstairs to the great dining hall for her celebration, reluctantly.
      Later in the evening, the party had progressed as planned.  All the Thundercats conversed, toasted, and feasted in honor of Ardua.  As everyone finished dining, Panthro presented Ardua with a bracelet that once belonged to his mother, and Lion-O made a speech.  Afterwards, everyone expected Ardua to say something, and she was mercifully brief.  Everyone soon began to disperse to their respective rooms in the Lair.  Cheetara and Tygra gave Ardua a gift of money hugged her and said their goodnights, and walked away hand in hand.  Lion-O shook Ardua's hand and said, "We are all so proud of you, Ardua." Ardua bowed to her lord and said "Thank you." Lion-O turned to leave then turned to her again. "Ardua, you may be anointed at any time you wish, you know that don't you? Thank you Lord Lion-O, but I wish to find my own way for now." Lion-O smiled and walked away.  Wilykit, her husband Brod, Wilykat and his wife Terra all went up to Ardua, then kissed her and gave her small gifts.  Wilykit and Brod also extended an invitation to Ardua to visit them on her vacation at their berbilfruit farm.  Ardua accepted graciously.  The four then left for the Valley of Snarfs.
      Claud-Us walked up to Ardua, hugged her and kissed her cheek. Tyger left the room.  Pumyra and Bengali looked at one another, then walked up to Ardua and hugged and kissed her and gave her a gift of money telling her they would miss her. Ardua hugged back and thanked them.  Pumyra and Bengali felt it best to mind their own business, they knew something had happened between their son and Ardua, and hoped they would work it out, and soon, life with Tyger had become difficult.
      Panthro kissed his daughter on the cheek. "Don't stay out too late, tonight, Okay?" Panthro said authoritatively "Okay, Dad. I'm going to turn in now," Said Panthro. "6:00 a.m. sharp. Yes, sir."
      Panthro left leaving the last two people, Tygro and Kera to say goodbye.  Tygro said, "We will see you off tomorrow, okay? Sure." Said Ardua. Tygro continued. "When you are a famous law woman don't forget us little people!" Kera chimed in "Tygro, you are such an ass! Well," Stretched Tygro, "the ass is turing in! Don't let the bedbugs and fleas infest you worse, Tygro!" Cooed Ardua. Tygro took his father's bolo whip snapped it and turned invisible. Kera looked at Ardua, smiled and said in an elevated voice, "Finally, he's gone!" A raspberry reverberated on the walls.
      Ardua turned and asked Kera, "Where's Tyger? In the courtyard, what's going on? Tyger has been acting maudlin for two weeks, and I couldn't drag it out of him, so will you please enlighten me?" Kera looked at Ardua with urgency. "Oh, Great Jaga!" Exclaimed Ardua as she turned her back to Kera. "We had an argument, I said a lot of things that I shouldn't have. I gave him a dose of reality, and I didn't do it nicely."  Kera jumped in front of Ardua and looked at her. "He loves you! No, Kera he doesn't, he just thinks he does, besides, there is no place in my life for..... that. I-it wouldn't work out.
      Kera put her hand on Ardua's shoulder and sighed.  "Ardua, we have known each other for a long time, and I wouldn't do this if I didn't love you." Ardua looked at Kera and said, "By the Gods, here it comes." Kera looked Ardua square in the eyes and said, "You're damn right!  Ardua, park that foolish, stubborn "I have to be tough and not let anyone into my heart crap"!  I wish a man would care for me one quarter as much as Tyger does for you!" Ardua was going to retort when Kera said, "NO! Let me finish!" Ardua shut her mouth.  "You love him too! And not just as a friend either, i've seen you checking him out, A LOT!" Ardua blushed. "Alright, Kera, Keep it down!"  Kera looked at Ardua more lightly.  "I just don't you to miss out on Tyger! Did you know Zia is after him? No! Well, 'Dua, she is, she will eat Tyger up and spit him out, do you want that?" Ardua was silent.  "If you are worried about being part Monkian, don't, you are beautiful, okay? But that wouldn't matter because men aren't too particular!"  Ardua looked at Kera with growing discomfort. Kera continued. "Ardua all you have to do is one: kiss him, two: strip him off, three: TAKE HIM! Trust me he'll appreciate it!  You'll be bonded and married before you know it!" Ardua nervously laughed. "You should write a book, 101 ways to worry friends and family."
       Kera looked at Ardua with an upraised eyebrow.  "He loves you, Ardua. No, he doesn't. Yes he does, he acts like a lovesick kitten when he is around you! Tyger thinks you are the Goddess of Thundera, if you told him to get on his head and spin around he would do it!"  Kera grabbed Ardua and mock shook her. "Do you know how long it takes to break a man's spirit, and mold him to your will? You have done it in record time!"  Ardua looked at Kera incredulously. "You are too free a spirit, you know that? Well, honey," Kera crossed her arms. "it's a cheetah thing.  Tygro is like this too, he just hides it better! Good night, Ardua, and for the Gods' sakes, just think about it, okay?"  Kera turned to go to bed, then turned to add to her list of how to get a man, but Ardua had disappeared. Kera looked around "She is going to have to teach me how to do that someday." Kera left in the direction of her bed chamber.
      Ardua made her way to the courtyard entrance door, when she looked outside, she saw Tyger sitting on a bench underneath the candyfruit tree he and she loved so much. Ardua giggled as she slipped off her boots. Ardua opened the courtyard door and silently crept towards Tyger and tapped him on the shoulder.  "JAGA!" Tyger cried, "I hate it when you do that! One of these days you are going to make someone mess their pants!" Ardua laughed with an evil tone and said, "What did Lynx-O teach us, 'Tyg? Walk silent, listen loud."
      Ardua sat down next to Tyger and looked for the right thing to say.  "Tyger? Yes?  I'm sorry for the way I spoke to and treated you last, I hope you can forgive me." Ardua looked up at the sky, and Tyger looked surprised at Ardua. "It's okay, 'Dua. Love means never having to say you are sorry." Ardua looked at Tyger. "Besides," Tyger quickly added. "I should have kept my opinions to myself, it is selfish of me to want you to stay, and I am happy that you will be happy."
      Tyger knew to graciously accept Ardua's apology, for apologies from her were rare occurrences, he couldn't bear ill will against her anyway.  "But," Continued Tyger, "I will miss you."  Ardua stretched her arms upwards and said, "I won't be gone forever, Tyger, I will be home for a whole month in a year and a half after my training at the academy, besides, there will always be vidmail, and satellite communications." Ardua paused. "They won't be the same though, I will miss you too."  Tyger's deep blue eyes pierced Ardua, and she looked away.
      Tyger wanted to do a myriad of things at that moment, he wanted to take her hand and tell her how he felt, he wanted to draw her to him, hold and kiss her.  Tyger instead sighed, leaned back against the candyfruit tree, inhaled the cool night air, and looked at the moons of Plundarr.  Tyger glanced at Ardua, she seemed almost transfixed with the planets. Tyger wondered if her blood made her do that.
      Ardua suddenly broke the silence. "I have to be up by six o' clock, that's when Captain Bragg and Crownan is going to be here to pick me up in the circus train." Tyger snickered then began to laugh loudly. Ardua said, "Oh shut up, Tyger!"  Tyger giggled uncontrollably even when she tugged the fur on his arm. "How apropos, however. Poor Claud-Us," Added Ardua, "He will have to ride all the way to Third Earth."  Tyger's giggling subsided. "Claud-Us is going with you? Yes," Answered Ardua. "Wilykat and Terra are going to stay a little while with Brod and Wilykit, Claud-Us needs to get back to look after Cat's Lair and the new Tower of Omens."   Tyger looked at Ardua and Changed the subject.
      "Well, do you want one last violence fix before you go?"  Ardua winked.  The two got up bowed, and began to fight.  Tyger made the first attack with a high kick, but Ardua blocked it and swept Tyger's legs.  "Dirty fighter!" Tyger said as he grabbed Ardua's legs buckled her knees and made her fall to the ground. As Ardua struggled to rise she said, "You give up yet?"
      As Ardua and Tyger grappled, Bengali watched them from his and Pumyra's bedroom window.  Pumyra walked out from the bathroom fresh from a shower to find her husband with the draperies covering his head.  "Bengali, what are you doing?" Bengali emerged from his curtain. "Watching Ardua and Tyger try to beat the hell out of each other, again." Bengali looked out of the window again. "Ooooh, 'Dua got him good that time!"  Pumyra sat next to her mate.  "Stop that, you shouldn't be spying!"  Pumyra sighed, Bengali was still watching.  "I was hoping those two would get together." Pumyra looked at the striped pattern of the curtain and wondered why she had let Bengali help her pick them out. "They might still, Pumyra, Ardua and Tyger are in love they just don't know it yet. Oh, Tyger is pretty sure."  Pumyra said with an air of annoyance. "Great, Jaga, Pumyra! Ardua just did a double back flip off of a bench, and landed ON her feet! That's IT Bengali," Pumyra snatched the curtain off of Bengali's head and placed it back. "Sometimes you remind me of a nosy old woman!" Bengali looked at Pumyra as if he were hurt, and Pumyra wasn't buying it. "Rowwr! But, Pumyra, you can't pay to see a fight like this!"  Pumyra kissed Bengali's cheek and said, "Act your age, spying, the very idea!"
      Ardua and Tyger locked their hands, and laced their fingers together, and began to push against each other.  Ardua and Tyger growled at each other, both were sweating, and neither gave any ground.  "You are stronger, Tyger, lots stronger." Tyger grit his teeth. "I must not be much stronger, i'm not budging you!"  The dueling couple continued to push and strain against one another until Ardua found some extra reserve and forced Tyger to the ground.  Ardua released her grip and helped Tyger to his feet.
       Tyger rubbed his arms and complained. "Aww, now i'm going to be sore, and I have to work the forge by myself tomorrow. Well, Tyger, if it's any consolation I won't tell everyone I kicked your striped heiney....again. Hey, how do you know my heiney is striped?"  Tyger picked up Ardua onto his shoulder and spun her around "Hey, Hey, stop, uncle! We had a big dinner, do you want me to get sick, on you?" Tyger put Ardua down laughing, as she walked in a wobbly fashion.  The courtyard bell struck the midnight hour and the guards changed.  "Tyger I have to go to bed, busy day tomorrow. You will come see me off won't you?"  Tyger smiled "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
      Tyger and Ardua walked back into the Lair.  "Goodnight Ardua. Goodnight, Tyger." Tyger made a movement to hug Ardua, but she smiled backed away, and said goodnight again.  Tyger watched Ardua's shadow fade in the hall.
       Tyger walked slowly to his room. When Claud-Us left New Thundera to run Cat's Lair and the new Tower of Omens, Ardua hugged and kissed him goodbye, why couldn't she show him at least friendly affection?  Maybe Ardua meant and felt the way she said she did.
       Tyger walked into his room and sat on the bed, perhaps he was carrying a torch foolishly, but he couldn't help the way he felt.  Tyger thought about Ardua and Claud-Us.  Tyger just knew that Claud-Us would go after her, the gray penal planet wasn't far from Third Earth.  How could he a blacksmith compete with the future Lord of the Thundercats?  Tyger sat for awhile then came to the realization that maybe Ardua wanted Claud-Us.  Tyger then thought about a girl that had been coming to the forge lately, Zia.  Maybe he would ask her out.  Tyger sighed, and went to sleep.
      Ardua went into her room quickly, she couldn't have hugged Tyger, she would have cried.  Ardua hated to cry, in public or private.  Crying was weakness, solves nothing, moreover it was an embarrassment.  Cops didn't cry, and neither did Thundercats.
      The next morning Ardua and Claud-Us got into Captain Bragg's circus train, as they boarded, Claud-Us had his arm around Ardua.  A pang of jealousy hit Tyger, and he turned and left as soon as the train left.  Tygro and Kera looked at each other, concerned.