One true king 6
One true King: Part 4, Written by Tara Present day: Tara, sighed more deeply and spun again twirling across her long bed, just to look at the clock that sat just on the dresser behind her. Two weeks, had gone by, Two weeks… and he was to arrive home today. Tara could barely stand thinking about it, her body was actually ravenous with out him. Never, had she feel just so loved, so adored, he was her world and everything in it. Even though the truth finally came out that she was indeed the King wife. It was that night, the day of the funeral that her and Taz, despite his better judgment could do nothing more then live with the fact. He could no longer give her up, although he had tried, to do the right thing by keeping his distance, some times the right thing is no longer possible when your heart is so intertwined, as his, and hers had been. For Taz it was torturous to think of his hybrid, in the arms of the lion, But Tara had assured the young man, that even though she still was legally involved with Lion-o. She could no longer share his bed or his heart. Both of them belonged, to Taz. He and his friends had passed, all of trials, they had been anointed Thundercats. The magnificent job, that they had revealed in the attack, and the loyalty that was shown, just sped up the need for the trainees to actually become nobles, and join the fight against evil. They had moved into the Lair, and in fact. Taz’s new room was not more then six doors down from Tara’s. Quiet, a lovely surprise, when it came to midnight excursions between the bedding. It was mid afternoon, now, as Lady Tara finally pealed herself from off her comfortable, spot on her bed. Sighing happily, and tugging herself up, she walked to the dressing table moving just far enough to again plop down in the soft pillowed seat. Again examining herself in the mirror, as she straightened her hair, and added another plume of fragrance to her buxom chest. The new ship the Rogue’ 2 Estimated time of arrival was, not more then a half an hour, and she needed to be ready. She had been just completely, enthralled waiting for Taz to return. She had just so much to tell him. So very much had happened in his absence, and she’ could barely wait for a few minutes of alone time to share with him. The problem, as usual though, was how to show as much excitement for Lion-o’s return, as for her lovers. Right now there was just no comparison, as to the difference. As always her feelings completely resided with Taz, and no amount of deceit could sway that to indifference when she saw him. “Lady Tara…” A voice echoed over the intercom. “The Rogue 2, is approaching the lair.” “Thank you!” Tara squealed and jumped up from her seat, slipping on her golden colored sandals she bolted down the hall running to the landing spot just out side the great cats paw. When she arrived there were a few other nobles, waiting on the grassy noel watching the enormous ship land. Lady Lea, and Panthro had both gone, but Myra, had stayed behind. The beautiful tigress was standing, waiting for her husband the tiger. She was dressed so beautifully in a silken strapless dress that, fluttered just above her shapely exposed legs. Tara snuck up behind her, grabbing her hip. “Got Ya!” Myra let out a shriek and smacked at the hybrid. “So, waiting for your striped mate? I don’t know how you could miss that.” Tara teased as she slid up next to Myra. “Evil Hybrid.” Myra scolded playfully giving her friend a squeeze. Sand and dust began to swirl around the two women, as the larger then life ship began to descend. Tara almost found her self purring, as she imagined her handsome lover, disembarking from the ship, just to be back in her arms. Once the landing gear had fully lowered the ship set down, and the whirl of the powerful engines silenced did the hatch door finally open. The first one to emerge was Stephia, after that, Shay, Panthro, Link, Blade, And Leanna. Then there was a small break followed by Tygra, and Taz. Lion-o just behind them, Therja was the last out of the small ship, as he turned and shut and locked the main door one more time. Seeing Taz Tara’s heart just skipped she lurched forwards, then quickly froze stopping her self, from just bursting into his arms. Myra cocked her brow towards Tara, I mean you would have to have been blind not to see the difference from a few moments ago, to now. When Tara’s motions now seemed to be so purposefully inhibited, like she was stuck in slow motion. Tara bit her lip slipped both her arms down in front of her, nervously wringing them as she slowly sauntered towards the group. Myra rushed into Tygra’s waiting arms tossing herself so he was able to pluck her and spin, her in mid air, all the while spinning her dramatically. They looked like two lovers stuck in a romance novel. Tara stopped to greet everyone in turn hugging Leanna, then the Panther, moving down the list until she got to Taz. Double checking where the Lion’s eyes had roamed to, she flung her long arms around his neck, slipping a very discrete kiss on his cheek. “Oh, baby I missed you.” Smiling from ear to ear his arms tugged her tighter until she almost crushed against him, then quickly let her loose before anyone was the wiser. “We have to talk, tonight.” She whispered with a gigantic smile plastered against her dark red rips. Taz only gave her a slight nod, then pulled away reluctantly as he followed the rest of the group back into the lair. However, he made sure to glance back one more time, before loosing site of her. Even though he had been so good up until that point at containing all jealously when it came to Lord Lion-o. It was still just so incredibly hard for him, to have to share. In his gut, he knew what he and Tara were doing was just so very wrong on so many levels. He had no right to be with another mans wife who was all ready taken, and that’s what tormented him more then anything. But the other point was that, there was just no way in heaven or hell that he could ever let her go now. He loved her so desperately that he would gratefully die for her. He gulped, and lowered his eyes when he saw that Tara had reached up, and planted a missing tender kiss on Lord Lion-o’s lips welcoming him home. He cringed more when Lion-o’s larger then life arms draped around her back, sweeping her in just that much closer. Telling her, all the details from the excursions of the mission. Grabbing up, his duffle Lion-o and Tara then walked together back towards the Lair itself. Tara’s small hand swept through the lions arm, allowing him to escort her back to their home. That’s when Therja, nudged against Taz’s arm waking him from his trance. “Something Interesting Taz?” The lynx liger said, pulling some of his multi colored hair back away from his face, then began to tug on his goatee. Stuttering now Taz quickly lowered his eyes. “No… nothing.” Therja’s brow cocked in wonderment. “Oh? Really? Because from here, it looked like you were defiantly growing upset about something in the general direction of Lord Lion-o and Lady Tara’s location. Everything ok? ” “I said it was nothing.” Taz reinforced with a scowl, then quickly turned heading towards his room. Therja was far from buying the cheetah’s farce. However for now, he chose to let it go. When in truth, he had come to know Taz very well and that was the first time that he had ever seen the young man looking that upset, that hurt. No amount of hiding or lies could burry that from sight. A blind man would still see what Therja saw in Taz’s all too sad eyes, he was broken. But unfortunately Therja was unable to grasp, just what was the true trouble behind it. Once inside, the cheetah flung his duffle bag angrily down on the bed, his size 11 shoe pounded a furious kick into the small dresser, but good thing the wood was more resilient then his foot. Sighing he plopped down on his bed, his hands sweeping across his face. “Tonight? I have to wait, until tonight…. And as of now, she belongs to him. Its not right, and its not fair.” He sniffled slightly. “Something’s got to give, some how…. She’s going to have to choose, ether him or me. Because damnit, I refuse to keep living a lie.” Later that evening when things were settled again, Tara slunk down the hall quickly taping the numbers on Taz’s door lock, she entered. It was dark now, and so was his room, she went to flick on the light assuming he would be in bed resting, but it was empty. Hurrying to his restroom, that too was void of all. “Taz?” She whispered. It was never like him to not be there, especially when he knew that she was coming, but here it was. Empty. His duffle bag still sitting on the bed, never touched. Tara scooted towards it, unzipped it, “Yes, still full of his uniforms.” She sat, not truly knowing what to do at this point. She bit her lip and looked around. She had just been so excited to come, see him to be with him…. And she apparently was stood up, or … something came up? After about an hour, the worry was replaced with listlessness. Sighing and rubbing her head more… waiting… longer and longer the clock ticked by. Still no sign of him, no way to find him. All she was left with was anxiousness, and this empty hollow place, this feeling that something was dreadfully wrong. But yet she was unable to do anything at all, to be able to help should he need it. Three hours now had ticked by, and Tara’s feet had almost warn a whole in the carpet with all her pacing. Ok… this is not like him, not like him at all. So many things at this point were just swishing around in her brain cells. There’s some one else? His feelings about me has changed? Something happened on the trip. He, …..” She plopped on his bed, burying her hands in her head. Tears of worry mixed with uncertainty collected in her dark green eyes. “Oh Taz…. Please be all right, please let me know what’s going on? She curled herself into his bed, tugging the blankets around her slightly chilled shoulders. “Perhaps if, I calmed down, rested, he will return.” Now talking to herself, hoping that would help bring him back faster, but still that door handle that she had been watching for the last 3 hours still had not turned. And his room still just as empty as when she found it. Finally the lullaby of her own jittery motions in the bed, soothed her enough so that her eyes closed, and she slept. She was semi twisted in his bed sheets, her fingers intertwined around his pillow case that smelled of him. Dreaming did not come, only an uneasy rest, as the clock continued to tick passing just as it had done. It was about five am, when finally Taz’s Panther form emerged from the shadows. In this body he was able to blend with all the darkness; hiding when he didn’t want to be found. His silky blue gray pelt just caught enough of the suns rays to shine when he slowly approached the bed. The intertwining blue streaks that swept through his long ebony hair obscured just enough of his green eyes, so that it deliberately veiled his apparent unhappiness. Bighting his lip, he slowly eased himself down on the bed, his fingers reluctantly moving some of the stray hair that had covered Tara’s pale cheek. With just that tender caress, Tara’s eyes shot open, she bounded up in bed and flung her arms around him tighter then she ever had. “Are, you ok? Where have you been, I was worried sick.” “I’m ok.” Is all he replied back to her, purposefully vague. Tara looked up at him confused. “Wha… what? No, what’s going on Taz? Tell me.” Tara repeated again this time more worried, his silence was almost deafening. “It’s nothing.” Taz jerked away, walking towards the window just to watch the sun rise. Tara, became more confused, more bewildered by his strange actions, it was if he no longer wished her around, that she was…. Some how now just in his way. Tara had just been so thrilled, that morning wanting nothing more then to see him again, now she was being ignored, and he being so very evasive as if, she had done something to upset him. “Taz…” She said slowly making her way out of her bed, “If you don’t let me in, I don’t know how to fix what is wrong.” Her hand brushed up against his long blue colored arm, and he pulled away. “Just go back to your Lion… Tara.” He said very coldly. “I . But.. I don’t want him, Taz you know this!” Tara scolded now, growing in anger herself. “Did something happen when you were gone. Did he talk to you? I don’t understand Taz, just let me in.” Tara said again this time almost begging with him. “Leave me alone.” Taz turned again to the comfort of his window, draping his back against her like a wall, that she was no longer able to penetrate. Tara’s head dropped in udder dejectedness. “I can’t love you when you won’t let me in Taz, I can’t help if you won’t communicate.” She backed away towards his door turning the handle with out even looking. “You know, I’d do anything for you, … You know where to find me, should you want me, but until then, I refuse to beg to any man.” With that last word she slid from his sight, the door shutting and baring them from each other. Tara’s hand lifted just long enough to slide lovingly down his metallic door when a large broad hand came down on her shoulder blade. “Tara what the hell are you doing coming out of Taz’s room?” Came a very gruff deep voice. Tara couldn’t do anything else but squeal as she was now face to face with the KING himself. “Lion-o… I..” Harshly grabbing her by the wrist he practically started dragging her. “You are hurting me!” She squealed trying so hard to get her footing to fight against him, but he was so strong so overpowering at this point that all she could do was follow hoping not to fall as his long gate increased and she stumbled a time or two. Her head was whirling with lies that she could tell him. Some story that would possibly make sense at this point, but all she could do was to cuss at herself for being so very careless. She had been so involved with Taz, with what was going on with him she’ hadn’t even taken the time to look before leaving his room. “Lion-o, its not what you think.” She found her self saying before she could even sort out what just emerged from her lips. “Not what I’m thinking!” He roared, “Oh, I’m thinking an awful lot.” Lion-o practically punched in the code to the door and threw Tara inside her own bedchamber. She fell tumbling across the floor, her ankle wrenching from how forcefully she was flung. “Lion-o stop!” She screamed. By the look in his amber eyes the only thing she could see behind his usually calm gaze, was furry. “Stop!?” He snarled, plucking her up again and tossing her down on the bed, his arms, now pinning her to the mattress. “Now tell me hybrid, why is my wife sneaking out of another mans room at five am in the morning?” Tara at this point could barely look at him, a lion was never one to trifle with, and a lion protecting what he assumed was his was truly a dangerous mix. Tara whimpered slightly under his great weight. “I.. had a bad dream.” She said, trying so hard to keep her cool against the raging enemy. “No.. No you didn’t!” He shot back. “How do you know what I have and did not have?” He shook her. “Tara stop lying or by Jaga the next words out of your lips will be from the brig.” “Don’t you threaten me Lion!” A hand so swift and so strong smacked across her cheek the sting from his palm, and the anger in which it flew had even shocked himself. He was a man of honor, a man so good that even to hear a vulgar word from his lips would astonish her. And now by the stinging of her cheek bone, she now understood that even the best of men do have there limits. Realizing now what he had done, Lion-o let go and backed away. “I’m sorry…” he mumbled. Tara at this point was doing much more then fighting back her own tears, she sat up, and crawled away from him, rubbing against her face to relieve some of the powerful stings. “Never touch me again LION!” Tara snarled, putting more distance in-between them. Lion-o gulped, as his jaw clinched more, tying to desperately contain some of the anger that he was now flooding with. “I will deal with you later…. When I know I will not hurt you Tara.” He swept a hand through his long red mane. “However, don’t push it with me, You are Still my wife, you are my mate, and if I see you so much as look cross ways at Taz, there will be hell to pay. I’m not stupid.” He took a long drawn out deep breath. “I have known for a very long time, Tara, I just refused to believe it.” “Lion-o please let me explain.” Tara said trying to reach for him but he too, turned away from her. “No…No more lies.” The pain and desperation was so very prevalent in his eyes, that were coated over with his own anguish. “All it would take is one word from me hybrid, and both you and your spotted lover, would be swinging from the gallows.” Tara nodded. “I know.” “Don’t…. insult me more until I figure out what to do with you.” Lion-o’s long fingers pointed towards her. This time in a very serious warning, “Stay away from him.” Right now, Tara had nothing more to loose, both men that she had adored now hated, and loathed her for completely different reasons, she had no more energy to do any more then comply.. Her life now depended upon it. The next morning, Tara was escorted to breakfast, with her husband. Her flesh now bore a dark blue and black bruise across her lovely cheek. She walked with a slight limp from twisting her ankle. But most of all it was her spirit that was now battered. She was forced into walking a very straight line, where one glance in the wrong direction could now be deadly. Thundera was known for its stern rules where in accordance to the ancient laws, they must be enforced if broken. And something so horrible as, “Adultery was a punishment worthy of death, especially against some one so noble as the king. Tara knew this, and for the first time in her life, her very spirit and spunk was also tarnished from even igniting something so simple as a flame. The one man who she loved above all else, she was now forbidden from even acknowledging, because of what she had done. Shuddering with more dizziness, something that she had been plagued with a lot lately, she held on to Lion-o’s large arm all the tighter, trying ever so hard to not look weak in front of the others, as she slid into her place at the breakfast table. When she walked in she noticed Taz, at his spot hungrily scarfing down his breakfast, but he was so intertwined in his own brain to even notice the difference in his lover, to even care what had gone on the day before. What ever had been wrong with him before apparently was still vexing him by his lack of speech and his more subdued tone. Barely speaking to even ask for the ketchup to be passed, or his toast to be buttered. Lion-o’s grasp around Tara grew just that much tighter, as he settled down next to her, his eyes never once leaving hers incase she were to wonder to any one but him. For most of the breakfast things were as normal as possible, and Tara’ made special care to keep some of her long hair, draping down her face to cover the damage that the lions large palm had done. But some one was bound to notice, and they did. Glancing from her peripheral vision, she noticed Taz get up and move from the table, heading towards the kitchen to deposit his dirty plate with some of the snarfs on duty when Myra gasped. “Tara… Good grief, hun what happened to your face?” Myra questioned leaning next to her, and pulling back a long string of the hybrid’s blond streaked hair. “Its. Nothing.” Tara said quickly jerking away. ‘Oh hell no that’ isn’t nothing!” Myra said again not giving up the subject. “She fell last night.” Lion-o butted in. Tara just rolled her eyes. Taz turned when he overheard the new breakfast conversation, of course not being able to say or do anything, he just slowed down pored himself another glass of juice and listened. “Yes, you know me.. overly clumsy.” Tara said now stuffing some pancakes in her mouth just so she wouldn’t be able to answer any more questions. That’s it, the tigress was not buying it, not in the least. Turning under the table more Myra kicked Leanna in the shin. “Um… Tara, Lea and I wanted to go to the spa today, we’d love for you to go with us RIIIGH?” “Ouch!!..” Lea rubbed against her leg with her palm. “ Uumm. Yea yea we were going to get a massage.” Leanna quickly lied, trying to come up with something to get Tara away so the girls could have a one on one. “Sorry Ladies, she can’t!” Again Lion-o grabbed hold of Tara’s hand squeezing it tighter. “Oh Lion-o don’t be an old, nanny goat, let your wife come hang out with the Ladies, I’m sure it will do her a world of good.” Az now joined the conversation. Knowing now that he was completely defeated Lion-o had no other option then to comply, by nodding his agreement. He didn’t like, it, he was far from being excited about this. However with so many women in one room, he was well aware that he would never win. But he was also just so very ashamed at what he had done, that he had lost control that much that he, wanted to hide the truth from all the nobles at any cost. “Didn’t you have a kama class to teach today?” Panthro questioned Leanna as he scratched his long ears in confusion. “…. No.. that got cancelled.” Leanna flakily nodded as she truly hoped she could get out of it in time, it was obvious something was going on, and Tara was much more important now, then sorting out a bunch of sweaty trainees. Myra nodded and stood, hugging Tara carefully. “We will, leave at noon hun, be ready.” Tara’s voice almost quaked, and trembled when she replied. Now there was no doubt in any of there minds that something was terribly wrong. Taz’s included. Sighing and planning now, the cheetah, swallowed the rest of his drink and slunk out of the kitchen through the snarfs cooking door instead of the main exit. Although he was still upset at this whole “Lion-o” thing, he knew that his woman needed him and he was willing to put aside any aggravation now that he felt, to get behind what was wrong with his love. He had been so wrong to not talk to her the night before, he knew that. But his own self doubts just had gotten in the way. Thinking that perhaps she deep down cared for Lion-o more then him. Which was very wrong to jump to conclusions, and Tara was right in what she said, Hiding things from her was never the way to build a strong and lasting love, not when she was now the only female that he ever dreamed of. And loosing her would be to much to ever bare, he could not breath with out her, and he knew it. The four women entered the most luxurious smelling room, decorated in a calm peaceful serenity, mixed with beige and black The walls that separated the massaging rooms, were oak fences, with a images of sunsets. There were great rock displays where, the sound of water, saturated the atmosphere, as the small water fall trickled down the bolder sized rocks. Soft glowing candles, were extravagantly placed in the different rooms, causing the most relaxing, and inviting sanctuary. As the flames danced, a small woman approached the ladies, speaking with a heavy accent. “Masaggies for ye’a ?” She questioned handing each woman a soft cotton robe with matching slippers. She was dressed all in a gray colored jumpsuit, which just emphasized at how beautiful her green skin tone highlighted against it. She had long ebony hair that swung high above her in a well placed pony tail. It was obvious that she wasn’t Thunderian most likely some of the alien refugees that are always intergrading the newly reformed planet of the Thundercats, to start anew. “Yes please.” Az nodded reaching for one first, “My wings have been aching something fierce!” The tiny woman nodded and bowed, “Yesss.. follow me.” Sewven, is a professional at wings, he has many degree to work just the right muscles, he has the knowledge to help with anything you wish of him.” She winked mysteriously. “You need only ask.” The ladies followed the female to the first room where inside was this glorious creature, who’s body reveled that of a gods. Dressed only in a small white toga wrapped around his waist. The rest of him was bare, and incredible with rippling muscles up and down his body. His hair matched his skin, almost dripping with a golden hue, and the most incredible Safire blue eyes. Az squealed. “Have I died and gone to heaven?” She said almost leaping with excitement into the room. Leanna giggled, “Well some ones happy!” Nodding the green skinned woman slowly slid the oak door, shutting it carefully so the two would not be disturbed. Then led the group off again to the next room. “How about you Tara? Are you happy?” Myra questioned, as she leaned towards the hybrids ear. For Tara she had been more, quiet and reserved then ever the tigress has seen her, which just over emphasized the fact that things in Tara’s world were obviously crumbling down around her. Tara had been standing there just rubbing across the soft fluff of her newly aquatinted robe, rubbing it as if it was a missing lover. Her head slightly ducked, and her mind was off in a thousand other places. “I’m fine.” Tara again insisted with very forced fake smile. Myra rubbed the back of Tara’s long hair, and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Day or night Tara hun I’ll listen to you, just remember that.” She winked. The alien woman took a hold of Myra’s arm, leading her to the next room. The massaging bed was a dark black lacquer and the sheets that covered soft bed was a silken peach color that draped across its turned back opening, just begging for her to climb in-between its delicate bedding. “Hello.” Came a very charming rich voice, his long fingers took a hold of Myra’s hand bringing it up to his lips for a kiss. This man looked more Jackal, with long swinging hair that met almost to his waist. He had golden bands, sweeping across his neck, and arms. And his pelt was the color of night itself, so dark that it shone with blue. He was magnificent in every sense of the word, and the look on Myra’s extremely pleased face was all that was needed, as the screen slowly shut. The owner of the small shop took a hold of Leanna’s long well muscled arm, “I know, who you need. Some one who can tend to your every ache and pain, who can fix every inch of you.” Grinning she swept Lea away into this almost tropical forest atmosphere, where the room was covered with greenery and vegetation. The table in itself was incredibly unique, it almost looked like a pile of boulders, but on top was the bed; perched above it. The rock face was the base, bracing it just up a few feet, who ever worked in this room it was apparent that he was very tall. Crickets chirped, and the sound of a water fall was most prevalent in the back ground. “This is Golith.” The woman nodded, as this broad, well endowed spotted Jaguar, emerged from the back room. His “Toga” was nothing more then a leather colored loin cloth. Leanna felt her knees almost grow weak, he had to be at least six foot five, and every inch of his spotted perfection was incredible. A large hooped ear ring dangled from one of his pointed ears, and the smile on his face was hypnotic. “Welcome.” He winked drawing her further inside. “You look so sad.” The alien woman said lifting up Tara’s chin. “I know, what will put a smile on that lovely face.” Tara followed the woman, watching as she bounced, towards the next room over. She slid aside the opaque screen door and entered, this room caused Tara to almost gasp, it reminded her so much of her home, it was covered with palm trees, the floor, was not even a floor at all, it was sand, soft glorious sand sweeping across the floor. The trees, large green leaves shuttered just slightly with a wind that blew inside the room. Causing the most refreshing contentment to Tara’s overstressed soul. The walls were painted as if it were an actual photograph of and evening sunset, soft dim, and inviting. “Azul. My dear, you have a guest.” Moving from one of the back rooms, came a male so glorious and so, adorable that he would have made both Taz and Lion-o, run. He was a sandy colored Tigon, striped just faintly, with brown and black markings. His hair, a thick deep brown and blond high-lighted mane that swept in dreadlocks down his shoulders and very broad back. But the most wonderful thing about him was his smile, it seemed to absolutely light the room, gleaming with short fanged teeth. His Toga was black leather, that stopped above his very firm, and well shaped knees, on his feet were matching sandals, causing him to look like and ancient, Egyptian, African savanna mix. Around his neck was a leather twisted necklace, which draped a small, sliver exotic emblem. It seemed just to enhance the, uniqueness of him. For the first time in days, Tara was able to smile again, she couldn’t help not too, with him grinning like that it was almost contagious. He lowly bowed towards her. “I, Am at your command my lady. You need only ask and for the next two hours all that you desire will be yours.” “I don’t know Azul, I can be quite greedy.” Tara winked, as he rose and took her hand, Just behind them the greened skin woman, backed away and slid the door shut, leaving them alone. “Then all shall be yours.” He led her back to one of the changing rooms, “Please, slip off your clothes my lady, make yourself comfortable on the bed, then when you are ready you need only beckon me.” With a very sly grin he disappeared through one of the other doors, until she called him. Tara rolled her eyes and slipped into the small changing room, quickly shedding her body of its clothing. After re folding her shirt, and hanging her skirt so it would not wrinkle, she slipped off her lace bra, and panties, and bundled them up on the chair. Looking in the mirror quickly her hand slid down to her stomach, with a long deep sigh. Then she took the robe swathing it over her body, she left the slippers in the dressing room, she wanted to feel that wonderful sand soothe in-between her toes, she wanted to fill just a bit of home. Heading back towards the massaging bed, she looked around one more time, before also removing the robe, it dropped to the ground and she slid inside the black and cheetah printed sheets. Fluffing the black head rest she lowered herself pulling the sheets to just above her buttocks, making sure to be situated. Tara lowered her face inside her arms “Azul, I’m ready.” The she waited and relaxed, listening to the soft exotic music until he returned. “I shall be with you in but a moment my dear.” He said excitedly grabbing a tray full of his “Special” back lotion’s, which were designed for added pleasure. He was about to leave when he remembered one more thing, sitting down the tray he grabbed himself some mouth wash, quickly swishing and spitting in his sink. Then pulled out a few breath mints from his cupboard. “Trust me My lady you’re going to like what I’m going to do for you.” He, said to the twin of himself in the mirror. Hinting that this, “Massage” wasn’t going to be totally on the up and up.. or at least he was hoping it wouldn’t be. “Don’t think so pal.” Spat a very irate voice behind the Tigon. Taz was behind him his Sai tight in his palm, he clunked Azul over the head with the blunt end, causing him to crumple on the floor in a pile. Disposing his weapons in the nearest “Planter” Taz then hurried to the closet he quickly changed into one of Azuls other uniforms, and then shifted into his Tiger form. Lifting the tray of lotions he wandered out into the Massaging room where Tara rested, still oblivious to the fact that anything was at all different. Taz sighed as he rested the bottles back down on there stand, he opened a few of the diverse bottles one was a very thick oil the other a soothing cream. He decided to dip his long fingers in the cream, Taz’s long slender fingers met with his palm as he frisked the lotion so it warmed against his flesh. Leaning over the hybrid he began to work against her skin, hearing nothing but a happy muffled purr from his beautiful lover. In small circles he began, rubbing her shoulders, down next to the bones of her shoulder blades, he continued his movement lower and lower until now he worked on her the very bottom of her back, where it met with her hipline, he moved to get just the right angle. For the longest time he said nothing, only relished in having her bare skin again next to his. He adored every inch of this woman, from the faint spots on her neck line to the delicate sway of her back. This part he loved, he was almost hypnotized himself as his fingers trailed the long line, rubbing each of her spots that were bothersome. His eyes roamed her, hungry to learn anything that he could, a few things caught his interest, there was obviously some bruising around her wrists, and her upper arms, were also shadowed with discolor. Wondering how to ask with out her realizing that it was him, but knowing the moment he opened his mouth she would know who it was, his voice was so familiar it was completely un able to be disguised, even his fake accent was useless, she had heard it a million times. “Your hands are magic.” Tara mumbled, she hadn’t truly felt this good for such a long time. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it baby.” Taz leaned down to kiss her neck. Tara squealed, bolted up so fast that her head and his nose collided. “Ouch!” Taz whimpered as Tara tossed her arms around him desperately. “Taz.. Ta… I’m so sorry!” He just slightly laughed as he nurtured his bloody nose. Sitting down slightly dazed on the bed next too her. ‘How? When?” Tara looked around confused, “What happened to Azul?” Taz wiped his nose with the back of his hand. “ Oh, he’s taking a bit of a nap.” He winked. Tara shook her head, tugged off the sheet counseling herself inside, moving to the other side of the room she grabbed the box of Kleenex then returning handing him a fresh paper to stop the bleeding. “You shouldn’t be here Taz, you better go.” The corners of her lips turned into a disturbed scowl. “Tara, I’m not leaving until I find out what’s going on.” Tara only scoffed. “Oh? Last time I spoke to you, you didn’t care to tell me what was wrong with you, why should I?” He grabbed her hand pulling her closer, “Tara. I was wrong and I’m sorry. Honesty is the best policy….” He lifted fingers towards his eyes, “Boy scouts honor, I shall try to do better, I’m still sorta new at this love stuff.” Tara couldn’t help but crawl into his arms, hiding herself behind a new barrage of overwhelming sobs. He could feel her trembling in his arms, what ever she was going to tell him, was going to be bad, he knew it. And just hoped that he was prepared enough to handle it. “He knows Taz, He found out about us.” “What??” Taz stammered hardly able to believe his own ears, and what they relayed to him. Tara’s glass coated eyes unburied enough to look up at him. “Lion-o, caught me leaving your room.” She bit her lip. Taz’s whole body just froze, his eyes rolled back in his head. Trying to delete what she just said but it was impossible. He exploded, “Tara, I knew this would happen.” He jumped up from the bed starting to pace, “ I’m such a fool, I … I should have know better then to get involved with a married woman, I have brought this down on you, I have caused this.” His self aggravations was starting to cloud his own thoughts as he continued his rant. Tara just watched in silence, waiting for him to sort it all out. “Ok.. here’s what we have to do, I’m going to leave, I’m going to ignore you, pretend that he totally wrong in his thinking, I mean how can he truly know the extent of if, unless you told him.” The Tigers eyes glared in the hybrids direction. Tara’s brow’s crumpled in anger. “Wait.. wait.. hold on.” She brushed back some of her long locks from her face. “So… when things get rough, you just bolt? Leave me, because you assume it’s the best?” “Tara don’t you understand? I feel guilty enough that all this has happened, and now I have put you in danger, me leaving would be to save you, I’d do anything for you.” Taz slapped his own head, trying ever so hard to be strong in the face of overwhelming disaster. He sighed trying to calm down. “Tara I love you more then everything but if, separating for a while will help solve this, then I will. This whole relationship was unexpected, and our emotions got in the way of all rational thought. Now we have to clean up what we have done.” Tara’s face darkened further. “But Taz… in my heart you are my husband not him. The only thing that, truly is stopping me and getting in the way is once simple paper that holds my name, You have me, you have my soul. Denying our love for each other would kill us both and you know it.” Taz grumbled and waved his arms around. ‘Tara quit being so difficult, we need to end this, I have to stay away from you completely… don’t you understand that’s all we can do.” He sighed. “Listen baby. It’s the right thing to do, I know it is.” Tara’s head ducked slightly. “What ever happened for fighting for what you need, what happened to never giving up on your dreams? If you saw some one with an amputated leg, would you assume that you couldn’t be friends, because they only have one bone to stand on? Or would you take their other side, helping them so that they no longer will fall, or stumble. Until the time when they can get a wheelchair, or a crutch to help themselves along? I need you now Taz, I need you more then I ever have, and you… wish just to abandon me?” Tara sighed even more deeply hiding her body beneath the sheets. “Screw the Love thing, I assumed that you were my friend… and friends just don’t leave.” Tara’s words stung him, and stung him deeply. “But instead of running, turning from the trouble he moved forwards grasping her just that much more tightly. “Your right my love, you’re right….” His lips collided against hers, both of them shaking with how bad things seemed, how dangerous it all was. Against all odds, the two lovers would stand tall they would, win and they would no longer hide from the reality. The only way to battle was to face it head on, take the bull by the horns and admit to all, what was going on. (In the end, the truth will set you free) One true king Part 5 Written by: Tara For the first time, the two lovers emerged out into the world, holding hands. The other ladies, were done with their massages, and were standing there pow wowing about there great adventure with the buff, bronzed, males. When each others jaw’s plummeted to the floor. “Taz? Tara?” Tara’s smile broadened, and she laid her head against his buff shoulder. Taz, smirked. “Ladies, we have to have a talk.” Az and Myra were still attempting to pull there rogue jaw’s from off the floor, when Lea pounced towards Taz hugging him. “I’m all ears.” She beamed, motioning for the group to go enjoy the other facilities in the spa. There was a snack emporium full of wonderful smelling food displays, and tons of private seating. By the time the group finally left, everyone knew what was going on, there were no more secrets. And the women were behind Tara and Taz the entire way. Lion-o was a good man, they all knew that, but it was obvious that he was not what made Tara’s heart beat faster, and denying how she felt, would only have destroyed her. Bravely Tara Taz, Az Leanna and Myra strutted into the cats lair. Taz in the lead, the first thing that he did, was to ask where to find Lion-o. It was confrontation time, and nothing on hell or earth could stop the determined cheetah now. Az quickly ran off to gather the rest of the nobles, something was sure to happen and it was about time they had back up. Lion-o was in the library reading when the door came banging open. The king cocked his brow, flung his book and stood. “Was wondering when you were finally going to show some back bone.” He scoffed as Taz approached. Taz licked his now parched lips. “Lion-o we need to talk.” Moving towards the king. Lion-o chortled arrogantly. Cocking his head back with his hands positioned against his waist. “Oh? Don’t you think we should have talked before you bedded my wife?” The lion’s large hands grabbed a hold of the back of Taz’s straggly spotted hair tugging it back so harshly that his neck almost cracked. Taz didn’t want to fight him, his loyalty demanded it, however right now it was a life and death situation and he was well aware of the lions strength and temper when pushed too far. “ Lion-o stop!” Taz begged, “What I tell you is now the truth, I had no idea she was your wife when we met!” Lion-o’s face deepened into the most dark look of loathing. “The queen of Thundera TAZZ!! How could you not know! Liar! Do you really think that you are good enough for the likes of her?” Lion-o scowled, his hand pulling Taz’s neck almost to the breaking point. Having no other choice now, Taz’s strong fist struck the king full force into his nose. Dazing him just long enough to get away, Lord Lion-o hissed, and wiped the back of his palm against his scarlet coated nose. “You are my King Lion-o I truly never meant for any of this.” Taz’s hands lifted in complete submission. “I’d do anything to make it right.” “How, you can’t make it right they only payment I will accept is your life. DISHONNOR!” The lions had flicked to his waist grabbing the Sword of Omens from his claw shield. Leaping towards Taz now, he was beyond irate, too upset to even think clearly at what he was doing. Taz knew very well that the lion had every right to be angry, in fact moving would only prolong the inevitable. There was the option that he could shape shift and he could simply vanish, and morph to some other location. However that was the cowards way out. And he was not a coward. Things seemed to move in slow motion now, as the lion leapt his knuckles white as he seized the sword in his powerful hands. The iron blade was not more then a inch from being plummeted into Taz;s heart when it growled so fiercely, shaking and roaring with a mind of its own that it slid itself from Lion-o’s grasp. Plummeting into the marble floor and imbedding itself there, refusing to do as the Lion commanded, refusing to take an innocent life. The lion growled “Nooo!” “Not NOW!” Taz couldn’t help but slightly chuckle at the lions trouble. “Will you listen to reason now my lord?” Smiling slightly Taz bent over with drawing his own matching pair of Sai’s from his golden boots, then tossed them to the floor next to the legendary sword of Omens. “The way I see it Lion-o we have both done wrong, You hurt Tara and I betrayed you. Not knowingly of course, but I did, and all I can say to you now is how sorry I am, that this happened. But you must know Lion-o I love her.” “I doubt that you know what love is.” Lion-o again hissed, his eyes burning with hatred. Taz’s head ducked, and a deep painful sigh expelled from his lips. “I didn’t think I did, until I met her. But she changed all my expatiations of what a woman should be.” Lion-o shook his head wiping away the fresh blood that still dripped from his upper lip. It was just then when the door again came bursting open and Tara rushed in the room, followed by the rest of The Thundercat team, they were all confused and wondering what the devil was going on. But by the looks in the two males faces, what ever had happened it wasn’t good “He’s telling the truth Lion-o. It was all my fault.” “I’ll get to you in a moment Tara!” Lion-o roared warning her to stay back. Tara stopped took a deep breath to steady her nerves. “No!.” Tara spat. “You listen!” Therja, and Link glanced towards each, worried and confused, they both nodded to be ready if they were to stop a fist fight. “Tara this is not the place, we will discuss this in private.” Lion-o, balled up his fist. “This is between Taz and myself.” Tara didn’t listen only turned to face the room full of her friends. It was apparent that she was desperately upset. “I…. have done the worst thing imaginable….” She admitted through her own tears. “I’m in love… and its not with my mate!” “Oh boy!” Panthro grumbled getting and idea of where this was heading. And it wasn’t going to be good. “Tara you don’t have too.” Taz jaw plummeted completely shocked at her honesty. “I met Taz, we went out for a simple dinner, that led to a eight month love affair. I never told him who I was, he didn’t realize. I am the only one who should be blamed, so Lion-o. If you must let loose your venom on some one, let it loose on me. I tricked Taz, he’s an innocent in this….” Lion-o was going to interrupt but Tara silenced him by continuing. “When he found out, I lost him.. But at that point we were too much in love to give up each other.” Tara moved towards the king she stood there for a long moment just studying him, her hand moved towards his bloody nose and he tugged away. “I’m so sorry that it has come to this my king, I never wanted to hurt you.” The lions eyes welded up with deep fresh tears, his heart was torn in two and no amount of bandages could fix it. Tara glanced from her group of friends to Taz, then back to Lion-o, reluctantly her hand moved towards her plump chest. Her small trembling fingers reaching towards her Thundercat insignia the emblem of her life as a noble. Tara’s head sunk completely downtrodden. Lion-o watched her, every move that she made reminded him of when they first had fallen in love, so many years before. He knew then that her split personality made her impossible to control, and yet he had accepted that. He had been the one to bore the pain when ever she would fall into yet one more of her insane delusions. But what he could not fathom at this point was until now, he was always the one to keep her sane. What had changed? And why this peacock of an upstart, he was young, inexperienced, and yet she had betrayed him for Taz? So many things just didn’t make sense in the kings head. “I loved you once Lion-o…” Tara said now her voice trembling with pain and fear. “I once adored you more then everything. But we changed, I changed. I can no longer pretend.” She sniffled back her emotions that were now comply raw. “I never wanted to hurt you, but I can no longer live a lie.” Lion-o bit his lip, as her hand finally met his, she slid her insignia in his large pam. Shuddering slightly his back slumped, his long fingers traced the emblem deeply contemplating all that she said. “Tara in my head, and in my heart I know that I love you intensely that …… despite all that you have done, I’m asking you to turn away from him, return to me, love me, and I will overlook this abomination this, horrendous mistake that you have made.” Taz shuffled nervously, he was indeed close enough to hear all that King Lion-o had said, Abomination? Mistake? Was it, truly had all they had been for the last year been nothing more then an accident? Or some how had fate dropped this woman in his lap, he smiled painfully as he remembered that first day that they had met, how she indeed truly she did fall from the sky like an angel. Plummeting just below his feet, when he least expected it, a gift from the gods? His eyes once again found her, feeling like the third wheel in a bike, Tara held the lions hand her hers, there eyes never fading from intense gaze that they shared so powerfully. Stepping back now was the honorable thing to do, just simply letting her go made the most sense. He was now very aware of the love that Lion-o and Tara still shared despite all her promises that she’d never leave him, that she adored only him. Large cascading streams of salty tears once again feel from Tara’s glorious green amber eyes. “My beloved king.” Tara began after an intensely long moment of silence. “Nothing will turn me from adoring you, nothing will ever stop the memories that we have shared, our children. You.” She faked a smile, trying to become stronger then she truly was by pretending. “The heart, wants. What the heart wants. And denying now that I belonged to Taz, would be betrayal.” Lion-o was completely devastated, as his chiseled jaw locked, and his teeth gritted in anger. “What do you say to this Taz?” Lion-o’s devastated face turned back to wards the cheetah. “Do you love her enough to swing on the gallows, with her? Because you both have left me with no other choices, Your disloyalty must be punished. ” The group gasped in unison, Shay growled and tried to burst forwards, through the group of horrified onlookers, but Therja grabbed her tugging her back. “Shay don’t, its between them now we must not intervene.” Taz smiled his sparkling hazel eyes glimmering, as he moved forwards again this time reaching out and grabbing Tara by the hand tenderly, both of them locked in a gaze of complete love. “Lion-o…. if saying no, meant that I’d live with out her, for one day, then NO. I can never deny how I feel. Tara, is all that I have ever dreamed of, she is all that I have ever wanted. I love her, and I will proudly until the day that I die.” Nodding with understanding Lion-o backed away, listening to all that was said and contemplating all that happened as he paced behind the two love birds watching every one of there movements. Bighting his lip the lion bent down to pick of the sword of omens from where it so stubbornly imbedded itself in the stone floor. He also swept up both of Taz’s Sai’s slipping the sword in its sheath, and one of Taz’s weapons in his belt. The other he twisted in his larger then life palm, as the nobles watched. Unsure of what the king would do next. Two lives now dangled upon the next decision he would make. “Because of what you have both done, living will no longer be an option that you will have, you realize that?” Lion-o, said his dark black eyebrow cocking to gage the males reaction. As he moved again towards Tara and Taz. “Then I welcome it.” Taz smiled. The lions kind eyes fragmented with sparks of tears and amber fire. “Then so be it.” He snarled, his movements so fast and so unexpected that all Tara could do was scream as the Lion’s palm imbedded the sharp point of Taz’s own Sai into his flesh. Taz gasped and stumbled backwards falling to his knees, as blood trickled down his chest. Tara flung herself towards Taz trying to do all that she could do to stop the bleeding, between her now panicked sobs. More guards were called, The nobles ran to the fallen warriors side. Lion-o slowly and calmly lowered himself to his knees looking directly into Taz’s pain filled eyes. “You have taken something so precious and valuable from me, and I will never forget what you have done.” Lion-o sneered and twisted the blade forcing it deeper. Taz groaned, and winced, but nothing more. As Tara wrapped her arms around the cheetah tightly hugging him with all her might. “Blood for blood Taz, pain for pain. My honor is now satisfied.” Biting his regal lip one more time he withdrew the Sai from Taz’s shoulder, and he faked a smile. “I can not destroy nether one of you, You are my family. You saved her life Taz, from the trolls, and now I have spared yours.” Taz’s head dropped, completely humble for what Lion-o just did. “Thank you King Lion-o.” Nodding Lion-o wiped off the edge of the bloody blade on his pants cleaning it from the crimson. Turning towards Tara now, the lions larger then life hand slipped into the hybrids hair, grabbing a tuft of her long tresses he slipped the Sai towards her, slicing off a long strand of her ebony and spotted hair. “I release you Tara, from being bonded to me. You are free, and I accept your honesty. I can not say that I’m not still madly in love with you, but I know if I cage you, I will loose you forever.” The lions voice quaked, cracking with his devastation. “You are my mate no longer.” He kissed the long lock of her hair, and tugged it into his belt. His hand reached across to Taz, handing him back both of his weapons. Tara now crumpled hiding herself inside of her pale palms, crying both tears of happiness and sorrow. Not courageous enough to again to endure any more heart ache, King Lion-o stood to his full height. Nodded to his other nobles as he passed he slid Tara’s insignia into Therja’s palm. Stopping only long enough to whisper in the ligers ears some instructions. His head now held high, but his heart broken. He walked towards the Library’s exit, moving with both regal power, but deep compassion. Today he was more king than he had ever been, faced with the hardest decision he had been forced to make. Letting go, of half of his heart. He doubted that he would ever truly be whole again, with out his beautiful hybrid by his side.” Still stunned, and in pain. Taz whimpered nursing his bloody arm, Taz grabbed Tara in his one good hand pulling her into his chest. “Baby… you are mine now!” He said still in disbelief reveling in the fact that the lion had actually let her go freely. Wiping her eyes from its barrage of emotions she slightly laughed. “Only…. If you want me.” “If I want you?” He scoffed, shaking his head. “How many times must I tell you woman, your all I could ever want.” He chuckled, and winced at the same time. “If being stabbed for you, is not a symbol of my love then I don’t know what is. “ He winked and leaned over, pressing his lips against Tara’s. This was this kiss, that ignited a thousand other kisses, and a life time of promises left to be fulfilled. The end.