A/N: Sorry this took so long to get up. We're moving and my time has been spent between packing and homework. I hope you enjoy this first chapter and I hope to have more up soon.

Ties That Bind

By 18lzytwner

Chapter 1

Clouds formed in the sky and the air cooled as it came over the mountains. The trees were barren of leaves and the grass had long since turned from green to brown. Many animals had sought shelter in the days and weeks before. As the cool wind swept across the empty plains a large formidable structure rose from the valley, it's cat head casting a comforting shadow on the landscape below.

Inside the fortress, a little cub stirred from bed. Running to the window she saw the sight before her and giggled. The five year old left her room and headed to the room next door. The automatic door slid open upon the little girl's command.

Inside the room, there was a large bed containing the two people she loved the most, her parents. She used the skills given to her by those parents and hit the bed at full speed. Bouncing up and down on the mattress she cried,

"It's snowing!" This exclamation shook her parents from their slumber.

"What is this little one doing in our bed?" Lion-O asked his wife.

"I don't know who she is, I don't recognize her." Cheetara teased.

"Mommy." Sahara gave a slight frown. Lion-O grabbed his baby girl and pulled her unto his stomach.

"Now what is this about snow?" He asked.

"Follow me Daddy." Sahara said and in a flash she was gone from her seat and at the window. The Lord of the ThunderCats got up, wearing only his red satin pajama pants. Cheetara followed wearing a matching red nightgown that came to her knees. The two loving parents came to the window and saw the big white flakes falling down from the sky. A shiver went through the cheetah and her husband pulled her to his warm chest. Still after seven years they behaved like newlyweds.

"Can we go out and play Mommy?" Sahara asked as she watched her breath fog up the window. Cheetara looked to Lion-O. She was supposed to be on duty soon.

"You can go, only if you get your brother up." Lion-O smiled. Just like that Sahara was out the door and down to her three year old brother's room.

"I have to go on duty in two hours. Do you want to take the kids out?" Cheetara wondered.

"I'll take your shift. You take the kids out. I'm sure that Pumyra will be taking Tyler out too." He said as he kissed her forehead.

"But then you'll be working a double. Let me work your second shift." The cheetah offered.

"You should stay with the kids. They always want to spend time with you." The Lord of the ThunderCats told her.

"They want to spend time with both of us. Now you take the kids out and I'll get ready for my shift." Cheetara smiled and headed for the bathroom. Lion-O smirked; she always said he was the stubborn one. He pulled on his bathrobe and headed for the bedroom his son and daughter shared.

"Daddy!" Sahara shouted as the door opened. The lion got down on his knees and grabbed up his baby girl. He held her tight as his son tottled over to his father.

"Dada." He said.

"Come here, Leo. How's my big boy?" Lion-O scooped up his second child. He gave the two a big hug. They were the best thing that ever happened to him, besides marrying the love of his life and he didn't know what he would do without them.

A few miles away in a dark dank pyramid, an ancient figure stood before a large bubbling cauldron. He watched the Lord of the ThunderCats play with his cubs. Time and time again those blasted ThunderCats had ruined his plans.

"This time Lion-O you will get what's coming to you. On the heads of the Ancient Ones, this I swear."

To Be Continued…