Empty Cradle

By Leanna

On New Thundera as many planets , Spring was the time when new life was born, the trees sprang to life with new green leaves, and flowers sprouted and bloomed after their long winter slumber. And the animals gave birth to their young. Even a great deal of the Thunderian residents had their young come the spring and early summer time; this was the norm year after year.

It had been five years since the Xentori threat had come and passed without much incident ,but it made the inhabitants very aware of now close to annihilation they had once again came. With better planet defence systems in place and the patrols of the newly built fleet in space they rested a lot easier. Life on the planet continued and flourished, the population was already half of what it had been before Thundera destruction and showed no signs of slowing down.

Lion-O's mate sat in the garden, one of her favourite places to be alone to think, she sat on the edge of the small fish pond and lazily dragged the tip of her fingers through the water, the many fish responded by brushing against her finger expecting food, "Greedy little things aren't you," Tara chuckled lightly, "I think Lila has already fed you," She said referring to the panther's now seven year old daughter. "But I suppose a bit more won't hurt," She said and reached for the container of fish food that was kept in a compartment along the rock wall that framed the fish pond. Opening the container and taking a pinch of food between her fingers, the cheetah dropped it into the water.

"You're going to make them fat," Pumyra said chuckling lightly as she came upon the seated cheetah.

"Oh...Pumyra, I didn't hear you," Tara said putting the container back into the compartment. Then looked back up at the puma, she could tell by the look on the woman's face, a look she had seen too many times before when she had to tell someone bad news, Tara shook her head and raised her hand, "Save your breath Pumyra, I know exactly what your going to say".

"I'm sorry Tara I really am," Pumyra said quietly lowering her head.

Tara looked up at the young woman and smiled, "it's ok, I've come to expect it, I know you're doing all you can".

The puma perched herself on the side of the rock wall and watched the fish as they picked at the food floating on the surface of the water. "I think it maybe time to try a different approach"

Tara sighed and rubbed her outer thigh, "Pumyra, I'm bruised enough now from all the hormone shots you've given me and you know how I feel about needles".

"I know," the puma said, "but this wouldn't involve needles, well not as many as you've been getting"

"I'll have to speak with Lion-O about this," the cheetah said, "Who knew having a baby would be so hard," she said sadly.

Pumyra reached out and patted the cheetah's hand lightly, "why don't the two of you come see me later this afternoon and we'll talk about it together".

"Thanks Pumyra," Tara said and stood, "For everything," she replied giving the puma tight hug.

~**~

Lion-O sat in his office trying to concentrate on the stack of papers in front of him, a lot of the papers were requisition forums that needed approval, some were reports from the fleet that patrolled Thunderian space, but a great deal where request for a audience with the Thunderian king. The lion had spent most of the afternoon sorting them out. It seemed the more he sorted the larger the stack in his hand got. Many times Snarf told him he should hire an assistant to help him sort the mess of papers out, but the proud lion insisted on doing it himself, he said it kept his mind occupied. When asked why, the lion would just shake his head and dismiss the question with a wave of his hand claiming to be too busy to talk about it.

Truth was he was worried, the clan elders, who were sending him requests for an audience want to question him as to why he hasn't produced a heir, they had given him a hard enough time for mating with his beloved cheetah, many of the elders believed that as king, his heir should be the product of a pure lion pairing.

Lion-O all but bit their heads off when they made that statement; he loved Tara with every fibre of his being and would not give her up for anything or anyone, elders be damned, even if it meant he had to step down as ruler he would. The elders of course knowing this conceded to the king and allowed him to marry the cheetah, which was four years ago, and still no heir. Now the elders were breathing down his neck about it.

Lion-O set the stack of paper he had in hand aside and sat back in the high back chair. He closed his eyes for a moment trying to quiet his racing mind, that's when he sensed the approach of his mate, he tried sensing her mood, but as always, she blocked him. But when she opened the door to his office he already knew, just by the look on her face.

The lion was instantly on his feet, "Tara?" he questioned closing the gap between them in just a few short steps. The cheetah didn't speak as she fell into the lion's awaiting arms, "it will be okay," he soothed, feeling her tremble against his body.

"Will it?" She asked quietly trying to hold back the tears of disappointment. "It sure don't seem like it"

Lion-O sighed slight and stepped back and put his finger under the cheetah's chin and lifted her head so he could look into her eyes, "I know we've been trying for a while, but don't give up Tara, we will have a child, one way or another".

Tara looked at her mate and frowned, "A while, I think four years is longer then just a while Lion-O".

"There is an old human saying, good things come to those who wait" he said and softly kissed her lips. "Our time will come Tara"

Tara just shrugged and rested her cheek against his chest, she loved his scent. It reminded her of fresh cut grass mixed with cinnamon. She listened to the strong beat of his heart and calmed a bit, "Pumyra wants to see us after dinner"

Lion-O raised his head and looked at the time, "it's nearly dinner time now," he said not realizing how fast the day had gone. "Do you want to have dinner in our room this evening?" he asked knowing the mood she was in, being at the dinner table with the others might not be such a good idea.

"No...It's ok," Tara said, "I'm not going to hide, just because I'm disappointed....again".

Lion-O smiled and took her hand," if that's what you want"