"But I was wrong, Mowgli." Whispered the Panther sadly, as he looked at the man-cub i front of him, who had been captured behind bars. Bagheera's heart was slowly breaking as he looked at the boy in front of him, whom he loved more than anything. He wanted nothing more than to lay with him and snuggle him close into his fur, like he had done when the boy was much younger.

Mowgli's eyes flooded with tears, as he looked at the Panther in misery. "You weren't wrong!" He cried.

Bagheera looked down and sighed sadly. "I was wrong."Then he jumped down from the platform, and slowly started to walk away with his head low.

"Bagheera!" Yelled the boy desperately.

The Panther kept walking. He had to, even though it was breaking his heart.

"I love you."

That was when the Panther stopped in his tracks, and his heart shattered.

He had to be strong. But he knew he couldn't. He couldn't leave the boy there...

Silence filled the air, and then the Panther turned around and sighed heavily into the air. He looked down for a second, then up at Mowgli with serious eyes, yet they held utter heartbreak.

"I was another Panther in that cage, Mowgli." He said. "I bit... And I scratched... And I spent my entire life fighting."

Mowgli looked down at the Panther, as his lip quivered.

"Until one day... I just stopped." The feline sighed heavily. "I stopped fighting."He looked up at Mowgli with eyes that held regret and sadness. "And I gained their trust."

Bagheera was silent for a split second before he said his last words to the man-cub. "Gain their trust, little brother."

Then he gave a small smile and nod, as he looked at him for the last time.The Panther then slowly turned around as tears filled his eyes.

"Bagheera!" Wailed Mowgli. "Don't leave me here!"

That was when the Panther began running into the black night, trying to ignore the desperate cries from the man-cub.

"Come back!!"

That night both Mowgli and Bagheera cried, for they knew that they never would be able to see each other again. Bagheera felt regret and pain, for he had just left behind the only one he truly cared about in his life.

Mowgli felt betrayal and misery, for when you were left behind by the one you love the most, it hurt more than a thousand wounds. Because it was a scar that would never heal.

o - o - o - o - o

Present day

It had been a month since the whole event with Shere Khan. Everyone was back to their normal lives, living in peace and harmony. All, except Bagheera and Mowgli.

Mowgli hadn't talked to Bagheera ever since he left him at the man village. Bagheera tried at times desperately to talk to him, but Mowgli would either nod or just pretend like he never heard him.

"I tried everything Baloo," Bagheera sighed sadly, as he stood at a river looking at the brown bear. "He just won't look nor speak to me."

Baloo groaned. "Well then you just haven't tried hard enough."

The Panther shook his head. "Baloo I am serious," He rumbled. "I can't take this much longer."

The great bear walked past Bagheera, and said; "Then do something about it." And then he disappeared into the jungle.

Bagheera sighed, then he looked at the sky, as the sun was slowly setting over the horizon. "He's right." Bagheera rumbled to himself. "I have to do something."

o - o - o - o - o

Mowgli was sitting on a cliff, watching the stars and moon in wonder, as he was slicing a piece of wood, with the knife he had been given. Mowgli looked down at the knife and grimaced, as he remembered how it had been used to slice Shere Khan's throat and skin.

The whole event had been hard for him, with Bhoot's death and all. But one thing that still pained him; was Bagheera.

After Bagbeera had left Mowgli at the village, the boy felt more lonely than ever. Bagheera was the one true family that Mowgli had. And when he had left him there, all on his own; it really crushed him. That was the reason that he hadn't spoken to him since the kill of Shere Khan.

Mowgli was interrupted by his thoughts, when he heard a cracking sound. The boy turned his head, only to see Bagheera emerging from the black bushes. Mowgli huffed and looked forward, once again.

The Panther felt a lump in his throat, but took a deep breath. "Mowgli." He spoke softly.

The boy did not answer, and instead looked down at the piece of wood in his hands, clenching it tightly.

"Mowgli, please answer me." Bagheera pleaded.

When there was yet no response, the great cat lowered his head in defeat.

"You left me." Came a sudden whisper.

Bagheera's eyes widened as he lifted his head. "W- what?" He asked, his voice cracking slightly.

Mowgli turned around with tears streaming down his cheeks. "You left me!" He screamed.

Bagheera felt as his breath got caught in his throat. The Panther's heart clenched in grief and misery, as he looked at the boy.

"I only did it to protect you." Said Bagheera.

"Lies!" Yelled Mowgli. "I could have been protected by the pack, b- but you didn't want me!" He cried.

Silence filled the jungle air, with only Mowgli's sad sobs that could be heard.

"Mowgli," Said a calm soft voice, making Mowgli open his eyes, and look at the Feline before him. "I would never want to get rid of you." The Panther spoke truthfully. "I care about you, more than anything in this jungle. That is why I had to let you go, to protect you." Then Bagheera lowered his head in sadness. "Even though it shattered my heart doing so."

Once again, there was silence. Bagheera waited for something; a sound, a sign, anything. But nothing happened.

The Panther sighed. "I understand if you will never forgive me." He said as a tear rolled down his cheek, making him close his eyes.

Silence filled the air. The only thing you could hear; was the cricket's chirping, and the wind that soflty breezed by.

Suddenly, Mowgli threw himself at the Panther's neck, hugging him tightly. Bagheera was shocked, but then wrapped a paw around the boy's waist, holding him close.

"I- I forgive you, Bagheera!" Mowgli said, as he sobbed into the soft fur of his protector.

"I know." Bagheera purred. "I know."

There they stood for a few minutes, just holding each other close. For that was all they needed.

Bagheera nuzzled the boy's head, and then whispered lovingly. "I love you too, little brother."