"I can't believe this.", Mowgli mumbled as his eyes went to the floor. "This is alot to take in."

"I understand, son.", Durai placed a hand on the lad's shoulder, "But it's the truth."

"Well…", Mowgli looks around to find Messua's anxious face with Ranjan's shocked eyes. "What now?"

The question had managed to break the ice with no intentions. As Messua and Durai laughed, the ladder took out something from his pocket. A sharp knife with a thread tied in a knot through the weapon. Giving it to Mowgli, Durai gave a smile.

"Mowgli, in honour of your eleventh birthday, I give you this. You're becoming a man and must have something to protect yourself and your loved ones with."

"Like a tooth? A lot of the animals would use those if they don't have any claws."

"Well, when you put it that way, I guess this could be your own personal tooth.", Durai smiled until he face became stern, "Now son, it is important to remember that this isn't a toy but a weapon. Do not-I repeat-do not use it foolishly. You must only use it out of desperation. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good boy.", the village leader gives his son the "tooth" with much pride. Having the tool in his palms, Mowgli and little Ranjan investigate it thoroughly.

"Wow!", Ranjan gapsed in awe, "A real tooth! Can I please get one too, papa?"

"You will,", replied his father while patting his youngest child on the head, "when you reach Mowgli's age."

"Rats!"

"Now, now. Even a wild beast must grow."

Out of play, Ranjan growled and roared like a ferocious tiger. Ushering Mowgli to go along with the game.

"Back! Back!", he gets a nearby broom to gaurd himself. Carrying it like a torch, he shouts, "One bad move and and this fire will be tied to your tail!"

At this threat, the boy in blue imitated a shrieking cat and ran behind Durai. It was not long until the wee lad came from behind laughing with everyone else. At the end Messua kissed Mowgli on the forehead, "Happy birthday, sweetheart."

Suddenly, there came a knock at the door. When Durai went to answer, it was Shanti with her mother, Parveen, accompanying her.

"Hello, sir.", greeted the girl cub, "Is Mowgli around?"

"Of course, dear. Come in."

The mother and daughter did not need to, for Mowgli and Ranjan had already ran to them.

"Hello, Miss. Parveen." greeted Durai's older son goes towards his friend, "Take a look at what pop gave me."

Showing her the knife, Mowgli proudly tells her, "I'm finally a man now."

"Oh yeah?", his friend raised an eyebrow, "Then where's your beard?"

"Ok...Ok...I'm becoming a man.", Mowgli than whispers in her ear,

"I got something to tell you. But I want Baloo and Bagheera to hear it too."

Shanti grew suspicious. Nonetheless, she proposed to Durai on the three children fetching water from the river. Knowing that it was a code for the youngsters to play in the jungle, he allows them to do so. And with that, Mowgli, Shanti and Ranjan gather their jugs and head for the wild.

…

"And that's what happened.", Mowgli finished his explanation as his friends gathered around him at a mango tree. Ranjan was filled with glee by his brother recounting their father's tale. Shanti was contemplative as Baloo and Bagheera were in shock.

"Well…", started the bear, "that explains a lot."

"Obviously.", said Bagheera beginning to smile, "Nonetheless, it's wonderful to have answers. And now, with Shere Khan destroyed by that temple's lava, the past can haunt us no more."

Everyone agreed to the panther's sentiment. Everyone, except Shanti as she was still quietly thinking. As she sat on the barren ground, she has her knees cradled to her. With her big brown eyes glittering with tears, her companions began to notice.

"Hey-uh-Shanti?", Baloo lowered himself to her level, "What's eatin' ya?"

"I…", she started through sniffles, "I was told my father was killed...But no one has ever told me the details…"

Concern, the animals and the boys looked at eachother. Then back back at the only girl. Feeling guilty, Mowgli got closer to his friend. "I'm so sorry.", he said, "I didn't-"

"I gotta get home.", Shanti got up from the floor. She was about to walk off when a wolf appeared from the bushes.

"There you are!", snapped the canine, "I've been looking all over!"

"Tabaqui?", Bagheera recognized the character, "What are you doing here?"

"Akelah wants to you all at Council Rock. Let's just say...you are all in big trouble."

With an "Oh no.", from Bagheera, a gulp from Baloo, a panicked expression from Mowgli and a curious Ranjan and Shanti looking at the jungle trio, the youngest of the pack went and asked, "What did we do?"