Bagheera was furious, and in the midst of telling himself how much he had regretted this responsibility he had taken on himself, that of taking care of Mowgli, the man-cub of the jungle. Just within one night of dealing with his cocky attitude, he had almost been python food to Kaa the snake, and now had already made enemies with Colonel Hathi and his company of elephants. Had the mancub not learned that the jungle was no place for a boy?
"Bagheera, where are we going?"
The panther scowled, hearing the slightly high pitched voice of the human boy, naively asking him of what his intentions were.
"We're going to the man-village, Mowgli, end of discussion."
Bagheera huffed, making sure that the boy knew well that there was no escaping from achieving his promise to Akela, which he would take the boy to the man-village.
"I'm staying right here!" Mowgli yelled, clinging on to a small sapling that lied ahead of Bagheera.
Bagheera analyzed the situation and his surroundings. He was with the man-cub, scrawny, thin in build, with mocha skin and practically naked, all bare except his last connection to man, the flimsy red loincloth that he had been told to wear, as a symbol of his humanity. Bagheera was aware that it was something Mowgli took pride in, as a covering and piece of clothing.
"Oh yes you are, even if I have to drag you every step of the way."
The sleek black panther got closer to the boy, walking to him across a fallen tree over a small river. Mowgli braced himself in fear and wrapped his legs and arms around the tree. Bagheera had no other choice but to bite down on the loincloth, but as he pulled he realized he had better options. Mowgli was going to resist brute force, just like he did with Kaa and Colonel Hathi.
As he continued to pull on his loincloth, Bagheera's tail snuck to the creases and folds of the loincloth, undoing them. He then let go of the boy, and with a flick of his tail, the loincloth was off of the man-cub!
"Well, well, well, Mowgli. You want to stay in the jungle? That's fine, but you're not having this anymore!"
Bagheera simply tossed Mowgli's bright orange red garment down the river, as it simply floated away.
"Bagheera! How dare you! Give that back!" Mowgli whined as he watched his clothing float away, his hands reaching out for it, totally acting out in a moment of immaturity, not even attempting to cover his decency.
"No Mowgli, you want to stay in the jungle? Well let's see how you like staying here when everything can be seen, even the smaller details," Nodding to the man-cub's now exposed crotch.
"HEY!" Mowgli said, catching on the panther's comment, covering himself with his hands, although he probably only needed one.
"You're on your own, little one. Have fun in the jungle!" Bagheera began to walk away in the other direction, leaving Mowgli naked, exposed, embarrassed, and totally, totally, alone.