Family Way
By: Thundercatroar
Rated R
Author's note: This story is very, very, loosely based on ideas about aging presented in the Thundercats fan fiction story "Three" by Nancy Elizabeth Brown, I was inspired by them any way.
      This story is for Ayanna, she doesn't particularly enjoy Mary-Sue fan fiction, but she loves her some Cheetara and Tygra, so she can't be all bad.  Now, if you will excuse me, I must sacrifice my life for the Thundercats and become a more powerful being.

      The Family Way Part One: Re-Discovery, Sweet Surprises, and the Cat's Tail

      Cheetara awoke to a new day dawning. At one time, in the not too distant past, she would have pulled the covers over her head and waited until the sun's rays pierced the knick knack shelf on the wall before she rose.  Everything was different now, everyday her heart sang to be back in her old routine.  Cheetara got up, stretched and kissed Tygra awake. "Morning, Tiger." Tygra's morning greeting was unintelligible.  "You know Thundercats are always up at first light." Tygra rolled over and made a futile grasp at his mate's arm. "Not after nights like last night!"  Tygra smiled slyly at his beloved. "'Tara, ask Pumyra for some more of those herbs, whatever they are." Tygra made another grab for Cheetara, but she evaded him, ran to the bathroom giggling, and drew herself a bath.
      Tygra arose, stretched and lazily scratched his side, he looked in the mirror at the scratches on his arms, chest, and back. He was sore, but mused that it was worth it just the same.  Cheetara had begun her change in life, but Pumyra's herbs had certainly re kindled her interest in him physically.  Tygra loved Cheetara in all of her parts, but physical love was the icing on the cake.  "You were awfully mean to me last night, Wildcat!" said Tygra playfully. More giggling came from Cheetara.
      Tygra had taken some of the supplements as well, he didn't care to think about it, even less admit it, but his age had begun to grasp him too, and his libido had begun to wane as well as Cheetara's.  Tygra was grateful the herbs fixed that, he felt like he was eighteen again.
      Tygra studied himself more closely in the mirror and he was glad that Cheetara's marks of passion could be hidden by clothing, it wouldn't do for an older cat to be seen with the wounds of an evening of abandon.  Scratches were usually the workings of young couples, badges of "war" given in the heat of passion, on a man in his early fifties,  fresh wounds looked absolutely ridiculous. Tygra smiled to himself however, glad to feel, with a little help, that he still had "it", and agreed with himself that the terrible taste of the medicine was a small price to pay for manhood.
      Tygra brushed his mane, and saw yet again the harsh reminder of his age.  Tygra's evidence of this fearsome fact was the gray that was threatening to take over his stripes entirely.  Tygra also noticed that the interlopers were also invading the red parts of his mane.  Tygra studied his face, and thought that even his wrinkles were deeper, he was beginning to regret shaving his beard, but Cheetara said she liked him clean shaven, and it made him look younger.
     Tygra pulled his fingers through his hair again, all the while thinking that he didn't care for any more "character".
       Tygra walked over to the bathroom door, found it locked, and knocked. "'Tara, let me in. I'm in the tub. Well, get out and let me in, please. No. No? NO, if you want in, you have to knock the door down!" Tygra smiled as Cheetara giggled and in a sing song way said, "Tygra can't get in, Tygra can't get in, Tygra can't get i...." After a few moments of fumbling, Tygra entered the doorway. Cheetara surrounded by a mountain of bubbles looked in surprise over the foamy peaks of suds.  "How did Tygra get in?" Asked Cheetara, innocently. Tygra smiled. "I'm the locksmith of love?"  Cheetara eyed Tygra in a wicked way.  Tygra grinned. "Kera taught me how to pick locks." Cheetara flung a handful of suds at Tygra.  "Figures, I wonder about that girl sometimes. How did she learn? From Terra."
      Tygra knelt down and rubbed Cheetara's shoulders, kissed the back of her neck, then traced the four long scars on her neck.
       "Aaaah, 'Tara, you have to have hobbies, Kera's is just learning how to perfect her mayhem techniques." Tygra took off his robe. "What are you doing, Tygra?" Cheetara raised an eyebrow as Tygra got into the water. "Taking a bath." And with that, a water and suds fight ensued.
      Lynxana and Lion-O were outside, fighting.  "Come on, cub, is that all you have?" Lion-O strained to get up. "Lynxana, you fight kind of, I don't know... dirty?" Finished Lynxana as she helped pull Lion-O to his feet.  "Lion-O, when you are in a serious fight, you can't be overly honorable, if you let someone slide too easily, they could recover, most of the time, you opponent isn't going to be as honorable as you. It is best to beat your opponent into submission, then be honorable towards them." Lion-O looked at Lynxana sideways. Lion-O sighed. "C'mon, let's go get something for breakfast, I hate having my butt kicked on an empty stomach." Lynxana followed her lord into Cat's Lair.  "We'll have to hurry up and eat, then get to the pond, I bet the fish are biting today." Lion-O looked at Lynxana. "When are you going to teach me how to make your bait? Never." Lion-O sighed.  Lynxana looked at her watch. "If we hurry, we'll even have time to stop at Safari Jo's Sportsman's Palace and buy that new glowing twister worm that was in "Fishing Monthly" they go on sale today." Lynxana sighed "I bet there will be a long line."  Lion-O looked at Lynxana in surprise. "That's today?"  Lion-O ran towards the Lair, Lynxana followed.
      Kera and Terron walked down the hall, the stroll was  interrupted when they stopped at Cheetara and Tygra's door and heard muffled laughter through the door.  Terron and Kera looked at one another, raised an eyebrow, and briskly walked away.  Kera pushed Terron when he giggled.  "Our generation didn't invent it!  We usually keep them up, they deserve to have a little fun, come on."  And the two plodded along their course.  Terron pulled Kera close to him and kissed her full on the lips. "When are we going to tell them? Tonight?" Kera pinched Terron's posterior.  Terron eyed Kera warily. "Pumyra promised didn't she? Yes, she did, she won't spill the beans!"  Kera pulled Terron's fur.  "Quit being so mean to me." Kera sighed. "Terron, you know you like it when i'm mean to you!" Terron interrupted  "How about tonight? You did mention dinner tonight didn't you? Terron will you calm down? I don't know why you're so nervous. I mentioned dinner yesterday, Mother said she would say something to Dad today. How about your parents?" Terron looked away. "They still not talking to you and Jella? No. Even after you talked to them this morning?" Kera laced her fingers in Terron's. "It's okay, they'll come around." Terron looked hopefully into Kera's eyes. "Nobody can resist Kera and Tygro's charms for long." Terron smiled. "Charm? Did you just say your name and charm in the same sentence?" Kera pushed Terron playfully. "You're cruising, mister!"  Terron grabbed Kera twirled her and swept her into a graceful dip.  "Terron, I have a killer idea to get your mom and dad to come around." Terron pulled his wife up. "By the Gods, help us all."  Kera produced an evil laugh.
      "Come on, 'Tara, we had better dress, and head down for breakfast, or Snarf will send out a search party for us." The red tiger rose out of the water and toweled himself off. "You look like a drowned rat." Cheetara giggled and rose herself, her fur looking no better. Tygra had no playful insult to offer, he instead wrapped a towel around her shoulders and kissed her neck again.  Cheetara turned and grabbed Tygra and forced him into the bed chamber.
      "Snarf, snarf, where are Cheetara and Tygra? Their breakfast is getting cold!"  Kera and Terron looked at each other mid bite and then looked at Jella and Tygro, Kera winked at her brother.  Tygro looked at Kera wide eyed, and tried not to look flustered.  Snarf walked over to the wall and punched the communicator on, the intercom was locked.
      "'Tara, shouldn't we answer that? No! Come here!"
      Snarf turned off the communicator and took Cheetara and Tygra's plates away from their places.  "Brrrrr, everybody here thinks poor old Snarf is running a diner!"  Tygro looked at his watch. "Father better get down here soon, we have a meeting with a client in an hour." Kera looked at her brother and whispered. "I wouldn't hold my breath."  Tygro looked at his sister with surprise.
     An hour later, Tygra was scrambling to dress and get downtown. "Gods, Cheetara! I completely forgot about the meeting with  Mystoflare, Chetania, and Taylor about their legal office floor plans!"  Cheetara flirted. "At least i'm still able to make you forget meetings." Tygra stopped for a moment, and perused Cheetara's covered frame, really wishing he didn't have to go.  Tygra checked his watch and looked at Cheetara.  "When will you be back, Tiger? Uh, mmm, probably around five." Cheetara tugged her sheets a little higher on herself and said with a smile, "Kera said something about all of us going out to dinner tonight." Tygra pulled the tunic over his torso. "Where? The Cat's Tail? No, the Criterion.  Terron and Kera said it was their treat." Tygra made a face as if he were impressed.  "For what? I don't know."  Tygra bent down and kissed his wife. "Alright, see you later, Wildcat." Tygra dashed down the hall, hoping Tygro had gone to their office and met their clients.
      Cheetara stretched, yawned, and rolled out of bed, taking a sheet with her, she looked out of the window in time to see Tygra turn and look up at their window, she waved, but she gathered he couldn't see her for the glare on the glass.  Cheetara sauntered into the bathroom, and drew herself another bath, she poured in her soap, and examined herself nude in the mirror as she wiped it. Cheetara noticed something different about herself, Tygra too, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. She brushed her silvered mane, and wondered at the  golden hairs she ran across, they were quickly becoming strangers.  Cheetara looked at the wrinkles that were strengthening their hold on her face, and felt as if she were screaming towards old age ungracefully.
      Cheetara shook her head, soon her mind drifted to other things as she gently eased herself into the hot water.  Cheetara decided her next activities would be doing some light laundry, going for the run she should have taken at dawn, and begging Pumyra for some more of the herbal supplements she had given her two weeks ago, they worked beyond her wildest dreams.
      Cheetara wrapped a towel around her head, and scooted farther into the soothing water. Cheetara had been suffering hot flashes, night sweats, moodiness, and all of the other annoying effects of the onset of her change, and as she suffered, so did her poor Tygra.  Cheetara felt badly about all of the times she had lost her patience, and yelled at him and even more, the times she had turned his touch away. Cheetara had gone to her healer and friend for advice and help.  Pumyra produced the elixir she made into teas and pills, they tasted terrible, but if that was the price she had to pay for he and she to enjoy evenings like the night before, she would gladly down gallons.  Cheetara chuckled. She had frightened Tygra the night before, and that morning.
      Cheetara hoped that she had made up in part for her making Tygra miserable.  She also hoped she had bolstered his ego a little, Tygra had always had an underlying sense of inadequacy lurking in his mind.  Her moods, could not have helped that, lack of physical affection could only have made it worse.
      Cheetara began thinking of Kera and Pumyra, and the reason behind the chuckles. Cheetara's mind turned, and she thought about Kera and her subtle changes in behavior, she wasn't as wild acting, and she hadn't seen her drink a beer in weeks, in Kera's world a day without a brew was like a day without sunshine.  When Cheetara thought for another moment, she realized her scent was off as well.  Cheetara sat up in the tub and caught her towel, a broad smile crept across her face.
      Lion-O and Lynxana stopped at Tygra and Cheetara's bedroom door. They both looked at each other as jubilant, but muffled yells and laughs exited the room. Lynxana looked at Lion-O. Lion-O grinned. Lynxana whispered, "I thought Tygra left." Lion-O returned the look. "I guess he came back." The two quickly walked away.

Later that evening..............

      "Tygra, and Lady Cheetara, you grace us with your presence.  We are always honored to serve Thundercats, especially those of the Tiger clan. Your table is this way." The maitre'd took Cheetara's wrap, and Tygra slipped the man a tip as they were escorted to their table. Terron and Kera rose, there was a thin book wrapped with a ribbon sitting on the table.  To Cheetara and Tygra's surprise Tygro and Jella were in attendance.  The kids smiled but Cheetara sensed that there was a collective sadness as well.
      Terron looked at Kera and the others, Kera gripped his hand.  Terron rose as their order arrived.  The waiter poured out the bubbly contents of a bottle into five glasses. Kera looked at her mother, and knew she suspected the purpose of the evening. Kera could not stand it any longer and winked at her mother, a broad smile traced across Cheetara's face, but she toned it down, her daughter and son-in-law had gone to great lengths and expense for the evening, and did not wish to spoil the surprise for Tygra.
     Tygra took a sip of his drink and looked at his daughter and son-in-law.  "Well, Terron, Kera, what is the special occasion in which we have been brought here this evening?"  Kera looked at Terron and he presented the gift to her mother and father. Kera smiled at them. "Open it."   Tygra and Cheetara took turns tearing the paper away to find a book comprised solely of names. Tygra was still clueless. Terron grinned. "Cheetara, Tygra, the name of your grandsons, or granddaughters, are in that book."  Tygra looked at Cheetara then Kera. Terron and Kera hadn't told Jella, or Tygro either, they both stared at the two, then smiles came to their faces. "I'm gonna be an Uncle? Me? An Aunt?" Kera and Terron nodded yes. Tygra jumped up and yelled with happiness and a smile, "YOU'RE PREGNANT?"  Everyone in the restaurant stopped eating, turned, and were staring at him.  Tygra feeling extremely embarrassed at his behavior began to explain nervously. "I, um... I'm very excited, my daughter is going to have a baby." Tygra looked at the confused patrons.  Terron, Kera, Tygro, and Jella were laughing. "She's married.  Gods, Tygra, sit down!" Cheetara pulled Tygra down into his seat. After a few moments of silence the restaurant patrons gave Tygra and the rest a round of applause.  Cheetara put her hand on her face.  After a thankfully uneventful dinner, Tygra, Cheetara and the rest exited The Criterion.
      Tygra hugged Kera. "I'm sorry that I embarrassed you, dear." Kera smiled and kissed her father on the cheek. "You didn't embarrass me, i'm glad that you are excited." Cheetara wrapped her arms around her daughter and held her tightly. Kera noticed something different about both her mother and father, but couldn't quite ascertain what it was, it was quickly wiped out of her mind as the levity of the evening continued.
      Tygro put his arm around Kera. "Let's take  mom and dad to the Cat's Tail. Jella looked at Tygro wide eyed and shook her head no, when Cheetara looked at her she quit, and smiled.  Tygra looked at Cheetara. "Yes, I want to see this place, the only time your mother and I have seen it, is when it has been on the news after one of those fights." Terron grinned. "That's mostly because of Moose. Moose?" Asked Cheetara in curiosity. "Yeah, Moose is a nice guy, but people try to pick on him because he stutters, and when they do, watch out! He weighs about two hundred and fifty pounds, all muscle." Terron grinned. "Before Kera, I and those two slipped off to get married, Moose told me that i'd better be good to her or he would rip out my guts and eat them." Cheetara smiled nervously. "Is this place, er, the people really, um, rough?" Tygra looked at Cheetara, he never knew her to shrink from the unknown before.  Jella laughed as they all got into Kera's car. "No, not really, these are good people, they have just spent a lot time cultivating a tough image, and they live their parts when they're in the bar. Most of the people there would give you the shirts off of their backs, Cheetara." Tygro grinned at his mother. "I don't know if you would want to wear them though." Jella looked at Terron. "You remember when Moose's cat was run over? Yeah, he was slobbering, crying drunk for two days after the funeral, it was pitiful."  Cheetara looked at Jella. "A funeral for a cat? Yes," Said Jella. "I hope that I have a send off as nice as that cat did. It was lavish, the open bar was a nice touch."  Cheetara looked at Tygra, smiled slightly, and held her husband's hand, she didn't know quite what to expect, but she was excited as well.
      Terron looked at Kera. "I guess we should tell them about the names. Names?" Asked Tygra. "Yes," Said Jella. "Everyone who ever goes to the Cat's Tail gets a nickname." Jella enjoyed the looks she was getting from her in-laws.  Jella winked at her mother and father in law.  "Mine is "Crosshair"."  Terron turned and looked at Tygra. "Mine is "Ground". Why ground?" Asked Cheetara. "I can't hold my liquor, I usually get tipsy with one drink, and fall to the ground." Cheetara looked at Tygra. Kera grinned. "Hi, my name is "Ka-Boom", nice to meetcha'" Cheetara looked at Tygro. "What's your's, Tygro? "Arch". Hmmm, appropriate for both of you."  Jella took Cheetara and Tygra's hands. "Spot will be naming you two tonight, he is the owner of the Cat's Tail, as well as the head bartender." Kera and the others looked at one another with wicked smiles. Tygra and Cheetara both began to worry.
      After a few minutes of travel, the six car occupants exited their vehicle and stood before the bar. Loud music, and yelling emanated from the establishment.  Kera looked at everyone. "Shall we?" With that all six entered the establishment.
      Kera walked up to the bar and jumped up onto the counter, then stood. Four large men banged their fists on their table making their mugs dance on the table, they all yelled in deep voices, "KA-BOOM!"  Cheetara and Tygra looked around at the decorations of the establishment. There were signed pictures from a few Thunderian and off world celebrities, Cheetara's eyes were drawn to the picture of the Tiger Sharks posing in front of the famous spaceship, "Sark". It was signed, "To Mr. and Mrs.... Spot, You make a helluva drink, love Mako, Dolph, Doc Walro, Octavia, Lorca, Angel, Bronc, and Gup."

         Kera laughed and beat a mug with a broken piece of cue stick. "MAY I HAVE EVERYONE'S ATTENTION PLEASE!"  As the bar quieted, all eyes were on Kera. Kera smiled at Cheetara and Tygra, pointed at their heads and yelled, "WE HAVE VIRGINS IN THE HOUSE!"  Tygra held Cheetara's hand and the two thought unknown to the other that they were going to kill their daughter.  The bar was in an uproar as they chanted "VIRGIN,VIRGIN,VIRGIN,VIRGIN!"
       A large puma, saber-tooth hybrid pushed his way through the raucous crowd, and walked over to Cheetara and Tygra, he motioned for everyone to be quiet. "Aren't you Tygra?" Spot asked, then added, "The invisible? Yes." Answered Tygra. Spot grinned.  "I can see you." Cheetara and the others laughed. "Is it really true you can turn invisible? Yes, but I need my whip, I uh, don't have it with me." Cheetara and Tygra heard the bar groan in disappointment,  like children. "Tygro said that he works for you, you an architect too? Yes." Tygra said in an unsure manner.
      "Alright," Said Spot, as he stroked his chin, and studied Tygra. " From this day forward when you come here you shall be called "Sketch"." All of the bar patrons chanted the new name with glee. Spot then stood before Cheetara, bowed, gently took her hand, pressed his lips to it, and presented her with a flower.  Kera looked at her father and rolled her eyes, everyone else in the bar made kissing noises. A booming voice in back said "She's married and a Thundercat, she don't want you!" The bar roared with laughter. Spot grinned and turned with a smile "T-Tiger, your tab is due!"  More laughter ensued as Spot looked at Cheetara once again. "You lovely lady, shall forever bear the moniker, "Racer"." The bar roared as they chanted the nickname. "These are your brothers and sisters, for all who have the courage to enter the Cat's Tail are kindred spirits, Thunderian, Plundarian and the like!"
      Cheetara and Tygra smiled as they were lead to the bar. Spot turned and smiled wickedly at Cheetara and Tygra as the bar patrons chanted, "RED THUNDER, RED THUNDER, RED THUNDER!"  Spot pulled a stool out for Cheetara, and Tygra sat down beside her. Spot began pouring liquor and fruit juices into large glasses, set them before the sitting couple and lit them.  "Everybody who comes to the Cat's Tail, and receives their new names must drink the Red Thunder all at one time, your lips must not leave the glass until every drop is gone." Spot winked at Cheetara. "Ladies first, Racer." Cheetara looked at Tygra, he nodded, and she blew out her drink and began to down it.  As Cheetara drank, the bar patrons chanted her nickname with increasing quickness as the liquid disappeared. Cheetara finished, and slammed down her glass to the good humor of the bar goers.  "Your turn, Sketch!" Cheetara said as she looked at the bartender, "It tastes good, can I have another one, Spot?" The bar grew quiet. Spot with a surprised look on his face said, "Lady, you can have whatever you want." With that spot made another Red Thunder lit it and set it before Cheetara. "Ready, Sketch? If you are, Racer."   Cheetara and Tygra blew out their drinks and downed them to the cheers and happy yells of the bar goers. Both slammed down their glasses and smiled. Tygra looked at Cheetara. "That stuff tastes like fruit punch."  Spot grinned and slapped Tygra on the shoulder. "Yeah, but it'll sneak up on you quick!
      Spot turned to his other friends. Ground? Pineapple juice please Professor, Crosshair? Screaming Flaming Wallie, Arch? Mad Bassist, Ka-Boom? Pineapple juice, please." The entire bar turned silent once again. Spot looked at Kera with a raised eyebrow, and laughed. "I know I didn't just hear you say you wanted juice."  Kera looked at Terron.  Terron grinned widely. "We're having a baby!"  A dropped pin could have been heard. Kera looked at Terron. "What's this "we" crap?"  The bar once again was in an uproar as everyone rose and mobbed Kera and Terron slapping their backs and offering congratulations.
      Cheetara turned to Tygra and yelled as the music began to once again punch through their eardrums. "I LOVE THIS PLACE!" Tygra looked at Cheetara with wide eyes as she dragged him to the middle of the dance floor and stared moving with the tempo of the music.  Soon all of the bar patrons had formed a circle and were clapping as Cheetara and Tygra gave them a show.  After a few minutes of wild dancing,  slow music was played and couples went to the floor, held each other in tight embraces, and moved slowly on the floor. Cheetara looked to her side and saw Jella and Tygro standing to the side of the floor, not moving, but in a tight embrace. Tygra looked at Kera and Terron. The two of them were sitting at their table holding hands, and kissing. Tygra held Cheetara a little closer as he and she slowly moved across the floor  Tygra smiled at Cheetara as he brushed her face, and her long hair with his hand.  Tygra felt as if he were the most fortunate man on New Thundera, he felt like he did the last dance of his first royal ball.
       Tygra remembered how after Cheetara had broken with Turmanx, she had no escort for the ball, Cheetara's mother Kerah suggested that he take her. Tygra was shy, he was tempted to ask Panthro to escort her, but he already had a date, so he swallowed his fear as best he could and asked her. To Tygra's relief she accepted.  The night of the dance, Tygra presented her with a small bouquet of flowers, and candy.  Tygra remembered  how nervous he was, and how he wanted to run when it came time to pin her corsage on.
      The evening got no better after that point. Tygra was a full grown man, to his eyes then, he had turned seventeen the week before, and still he had been clumsy the entire night both verbally and physically, he had trod upon Cheetara's feet countless times.  He felt extremely foolish.  When Cheetara danced with others though, he was jealous.  Eventually, the time for the last dance had come, Tygra told Cheetara that she didn't have to dance with him, and apologized for ruining her evening.  Cheetara of course told him that he hadn't, and that he was taking her home, it would be impolite for her not to give him the honor of the last dance.  Tygra remembered the dance was slow, like the one he was in at that moment. Cheetara put her arms around him and she put her head on his chest and she allowed him to lead, rather awkwardly. People snickered at him, but didn't care, when Tygra looked into Cheetara's eyes that night, he wanted her to be his, he knew that would never be a reality.  But, for the first time in his life, Tygra pushed all of his concerns and worries away for a little while, lived in the moment, and pretended Cheetara was.
      "Tygra? Tygra?" Tygra was shaken to the present. "The music has stopped. No it hasn't."  Tygra winked at her, and gave her a silly grin. Cheetara squinted an eye thinking that Tygra was a little too old for corny romanticism, but was surprised when Tygra pulled her to him and kissed her passionately, deeply, and to her shock, in public, a taboo to Tygra.  The kiss didn't begin to end until cat calls and whistles came from the surrounding tables. Tygra and Cheetara looked around to find they were the only people on the floor, and they saw dozens of wide eyes, and grins.   Spot's wife slapped him on the shoulder. "Why can't you be like that?"  More howls of laughter came from the crowd as Cheetara and Tygra walked back to the table. After a few more hours of merry making, and for Cheetara and Tygra more Red Thunders, the party of six decided it was time for them to return to Cat's Lair.
      As the group left, Spot and a few of the regulars stuck their heads out of the door, Spot yelled, "KERA, TYGRO, BRING YOUR MOM AND DAD BACK! THEY'RE A TRIP!"
      Terron and Kera both had to help Tygra to the car. "I didn't know that stuff packed such a wallop, Kera. Dad, you drank five of them." Cheetara looked at Tygra, she had more than five. "Quit movin' around, Tygra, you're gonna fall!"  Then she did.  Jella and Tygro were barely able to catch her, and ease her to the ground. After a few minutes of wobbly navigation, the group was in the car headed home. Tygra and Cheetara were giggly all the way back.
       Kera and Terron laughed as Cheetara said in a slurred fashion to her mate, "Tygra, we are gonna have to go back there, that's all there ish to it." Tygra just laughed and slapped the backs of Jella, and Tygro. After a longer walk than anticipated, Kera and Tygro finally got their mother and father into their room, made sure that they were alright and turned in themselves.
 

      The next morning Cheetara awoke, she felt as if the Thundera Water Guard Brass Band was holding tryouts in her head.  Tygra arose, he swayed and fell back down to the bed.  Cheetara looked on the floor, her clothing had rips in it. Tygra felt his back, and the front of his chest, he was torn up. Cheetara looked herself over, she noticed some rather interesting things herself.  Cheetara finally managed to make her voice crack.  "I think we had a party, after the party, Tiger."  Tygra looked at Cheetara's back, it was scratched as well. "I don't remember much about last night after we got home." Cheetara stretched. "Don't yell."  Tygra looked at his clock to find that it was ten thirty in the morning, he rose in panic, with his head swimming,  but then realized that it was the weekend.
      The two looked at each other and simultaneously decided to not get up that day, and they collapsed back onto the bed and fell asleep.

Continued...