A/N: Hello once more beautiful souls. There has always been something that bothered me about the Disney Tarzan movie and that was if he did not know how to speak English, how on this green Earth did he know how to say his name in a human language? Or am I over thinking this? Because I know that you are not suppose to question Disney movies because well they are Disney movies. Just a thought that fueled this chapter. Thank you for reading but once again no smutty smut smut in this chapter. Please be patient. I will 100% have some kind of action in the next chapter, maybe no sexy time but something in a form or another. Please if you have the time to comment I would greatly appreciate it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Tarzan, nor any ideas, characters, or scenes that I may depict and use from the Disney movie. I do not profit nor will I ever profit from this story. I give all the credit to Disney and the amazing people who work magic with their movies.
A crack echoed in Tarzan's ears as his gaze shifted beneath him, staring at the branch as it split in half and sent Tarzan and Jane falling towards the leopard. Screaming, Jane lost her grip on Tarzan's neck and fell head first towards the sharp fangs of the wild cat. Tarzan reached around for a vine as he held tightly and swung to grab Jane by the waist, released his grip on the vine and held Jane close as they dropped to the ground placing her down gently.
Jane's legs gave out as she dropped; her backside made contact with the dirt and sent vibrations up her spine. She hissed in pain as she stared eye level with the leopard and watched it run with immense speed towards her. Tarzan swung his body around; arms held out, grabbed the leopard and wrestled it down to the ground.
That was Jane's signal to run. Her feet kept slipping on the dirt as she made a hasty retreat for the bushes. She heard a faint scream of pain and turned to watch as the leopard broke free of Tarzan's hold, digging its claws in to his triceps then stumbled out from underneath his body and sprinted in Jane's direction. Jane stumbled over as she crawled backwards; she watched the leopard leap forward, only to have it stop midair and fall straight to the ground.
Tarzan grabbed the hind legs of the jungle cat and threw it behind him. The cat smashed against a tree, and rolled over breathing deeply as it slowly got up on its trembling limbs and glared at Tarzan.
Tarzan bared his teeth and growled viciously as he assumed the four legged stance and situated himself in front of Jane, knuckles on the ground, back hunched over ready to defend her. The leopard stood there, staring and waiting as it inched its way forward, towards the two, fangs out snarling.
Tarzan was running out of options. One miscalculated second and the leopard would rip his throat out and feast on Jane. Seeing as it was very difficult to get her away from the danger, he glanced around. Maybe he could use something against it, throw it off guard, or better yet, kill it.
The leopard gave him no time to plan as it lunged forward again, this time aiming for Tarzan's throat. Tarzan threw his arms in front of his head and grabbed the creature by the shoulders throwing it to the side with great difficulty. Luck was on Tarzan's side as the leopard flew straight for an enormous rock, colliding shoulder first on the jagged surface, flopping down on the grass barely conscious. He growled again and attempted to get up only to drop back down. Its shoulder had suffered a severe blow from the toss and could barely stand. Anger filling its eyes as it realized there was no other option but to give up, so it slowly crawled towards the bush and disappeared in to the jungle.
Sighing from the close call Tarzan flopped down. Suddenly he swiftly turned around and stared at Jane. Jane had been on the ground unable to move and now was beginning to regain focus as her vision shifted towards Tarzan.
Slowly moving on all fours he crawled towards Jane, one limb at a time. Jane began to panic once more, staring at this half naked wild man inching his way closer and closer to her. She tried to back up slowly but her body was still unresponsive.
"Umm…uuhh…you…y-y-you just stay…s-stay right there," She stuttered, watching him get closer and closer. She lifted her right arm, extended her hand, palm facing him and shook it vigorously, signaling him to stop. "Just stop. Don't…d-don't come any closer. I-I-I mean it you," her free hand dug nervously in to the dirt.
Tarzan froze, his eyes widened at the sight of her hand. He was mesmerized by it, the shape the color. He crawled closer to her, never taking his eyes off her hand. He drew his arm up and his knuckles glided against her palm only to have Jane attempt to withdraw her hand. Tarzan saw the movement and without blinking grabbed her wrist gently with his other hand bringing her palm closer to his face. Once again he placed his knuckles against her palm, moving upwards, towards the tips of her fingers before he opened his hand and placed it against hers.
Jane looked at his hand confused. Turning her attention towards his face, his expression seemed even more peculiar. He was enchanted by the moment, both hands fitting perfectly together, his manly hand overpowering her small fingers, but his were gentle. His eyes slowly met hers as he gazed in to her deep blue irises.
Jane watched his eyes narrow slightly, his lips widening in a shy smile. It was as if he was staring straight in to her being, understanding slowly what she was to him.
Snapping out of her trance she retreaded her hand away from his and cleared her throat.
Curiosity filled his face as he inched closer to her and made his way between her shoulder and neck. He sniffed her then withdrew for a moment to look in to her eyes before he reached over to caress her face gently.
Jane was becoming more uncomfortable and anxious, finding the ability to move again, she lifted her hand and planted a fast smack upon his face, sending a shockwave through his cheek. Tarzan was startled and retreated for a brief instant before slowly crawling back to her side, trying to continue what she interrupted.
"It serves you right. Don't come any closer you. Just stay there a-and keep your hands to yourself," Jane realized he would not give up so she extended her arms behind her, raised her bottom and moved away backwards from him on her hands and feet. Tarzan sat up in slight shock, moving forward, again towards her.
He would keep replicating her movement.
"Just, j-just stay there you. Really, don't, stop right there. K-keep away from-" Jane breathed in and held her breath as Tarzan reached out to cup her cheek with his hand.
What is he doing?
Tarzan's hand released her cheek only to extend behind her ear; he grabbed strands of her long brown hair and drew it towards his face up in to his nose and sniffed it. The smell was intoxicating.
Her hair smells like home.
He looked up in to Jane's eyes smiling sweetly proceeding to inhale more of her aroma. Jane's posture changed instantly from distant to curious, as she slowly sat up straight, reached up to take her hair away from the man's hand. Tarzan could not keep his eyes off her as he sat in front of her, just stared mesmerized.
"Ehhem. Um yes, that would be my hair," She released her hair, allowing it to fall on her shoulder. Jane gazed at him for a moment. "Um, who, who are you?" Speaking softly she leaned forward slightly, her hands placed on her thighs. "What is your name?" She annunciated every word, thinking maybe he understood some form of English. "Do you speak English?"
Tarzan just stared, confused he leaned forward watching her lips form the sounds she was making.
"English? Do you speak English?" Jane kept talking.
Tarzan contemplated these sounds before he opened his mouth to speak.
"English." He repeated the word, unable to understand what he just said but proud he mimicked her action.
"Oh goodness. Yes! English! Wonderful! You understand!" Jane was excited. She was able to make progress with this man now. "Amazing. I thought you were just a wild ape man person. Oh this is fantastic." Jane was interrupted by Tarzan who placed his fingertips against her mouth to make her stop talking. Jane focused on his hand for a brief moment before looking up at Tarzan. He withdrew his hand slowly to his knee as he positioned himself closer to Jane.
"OOH OOH" He grunted as he gestured and tapped his hands to his chest. "OOH OOH."
Jane was utterly confused by this.
He repeated, "OOH OOH," Then he looked at Jane who seemed perplexed. He was trying to make her understand what it is he was saying.
"I-I don't…" Jane shook her head slightly narrowing her eyes trying to comprehend what he wanted to communicate to her. Her lips started to form the same way Tarzan's did and she repeated the sound in her head before she allowed it to come out of her mouth. "Ooh Ooh," She said softly and Tarzan's face lit up as he smiled at Jane, and inched closer to her, grunting. He placed his hands on his knees and extended his head towards her, as if he was gesturing her to speak.
"I uh, I don't understand," She looked at him with confusion. She thought if she repeated the sound once more he would give her more clues as to what it is she was saying. "Ooh Ooh." Tarzan's smile grew wider as he took his hands to his chest. "OOH OOH," He said and then extended towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Jane's eyes widened as she finally realized what was happening.
"That, that is your name! Ooh ooh!" Jane exclaimed in total amazement. He was communicating with her. Enthusiasm engulfed her as she drew her hands to his slowly, wrapped her hands around his wrists and lifted his hands off her shoulder. She sat up, hands on her lap and gazed in to Tarzan's eyes. She smiled and cleared her throat before speaking. "Ooh Ooh," Pointed at Tarzan, "Jane," Pointed to herself, she looked at him as his eyes widened and he began to form his lips to speak.
"Jane," He spoke slowly.
"Yes! Brilliant!" She exclaimed as she watched his hand reach out to her face, slowly caressing her cheek. His eyes moved with his hands.
"Jane." He continued to stare, his eyes fixed on hers and his hand underneath her chin.
Her name is Jane.
A rumble above them sent Tarzan in to panic as a gorilla fell from the tree tops above, and landed behind him.
Jane gasped. "Oh my word! A gorilla," She looked past Tarzan and gawked at it, unable to move from seer excitement. Tarzan turned to acknowledge the creature. He began to communicate with it, leaving Jane puzzled and astonished.
"Turk, what are you doing here?"
"Do you have any idea how long it took me to find you?! Tarzan we gotta go! Now! Kerchak is mad as heck and Aunt Kala is worried. Let's go!" The gorilla spoke, looking briefly at Jane before resuming the conversation with Tarzan. "I mean it. This ain't a joke." Pulling Tarzan towards the shrubbery, he looked back at Jane, torn between staying and leaving. A sound in the distance scared the gorilla and they ran in to the jungle, and disappeared instantly.
"Jane!" A voice in the distance was calling out for her. Jane turned towards its direction, gasping before turning back to see the man and gorilla gone. "Jane!" A woman ran out of the shrubbery, looked around and saw Jane. She ran straight towards her, fell to the ground and wrapped her arms around Jane's neck. "Are you alright? We were so worried!" Vivian exclaimed as she looked at Jane, her face in confusion and shock as Jane's gaze slowly met Vivian's.
Jane could not speak. She mouthed words but no sounds escaped. Dex looked around the area making sure they were safe before kneeling near Jane.
"Jane, you had us both so worried. We called out to you but you didn't answer us," Dex spoke as he placed his hand on Jane's shoulder for comfort. "What happened?"
Jane switched her stare to Dex trying to speak. "I-I-I," Jane was unable to form a coherent thought as she gazed back to the area she last saw Tarzan and her eyes widened. "Oh my goodness!" She screamed as she jumped up off the ground on to her feet and ran towards the bushes. She stopped herself and turned around to look at the two gawking at her in astonishment.
"Jane. What is it?" Vivian asked softly as she slowly approached the hysterical Englishwoman.
"I-I saw a gorilla!" She pronounced smiling widely and leaping in the air, clasping her hands together.
"What? Where?" Dex and Vivian said in unison as they walked in her direction.
"Right-right here. She was beautiful, well at least I think it was female. She was big, her coat shining in the sun. I-" Jane stopped herself. The man in the loin cloth was with her. The man who rescued her, approached her, and was communicating with a gorilla. Jane's eyes lit up as she could not contain her elation. Should she tell them about the man? She knew hardly anything about him, except his name.
"Uuh uuh," Jane mumbled under her breathe.
"What?" Vivian asked.
"Um, I-I did see something else as well," She said nervously. Her enthusiasm was dwindling in the thought of having to explain and possibly expose such a wild man.
What if word gets out and they try to hunt him down?
Jane was torn, but she trusted Vivian and Dex. Jane was not a very good liar, and she wanted to share her discoveries, not hide them from her future colleagues.
"I saw a leopard," She spoke fast watching Vivian and Dex's face shift from perplexed to sheer fright.
"You saw a LEOPARD?" Vivian screamed running to Jane and clutched her by the shoulders. Jane expected them both to respond with pure envy, but they did not. Vivian stared at Jane, eyes terrified before she began inspecting her clothes and skin for any wounds.
"Are you hurt?" Dex stood right beside Vivian, worry encompassed his face, "Wait aren't they patrolling the area around here? How on earth did you come across a leopard?" Dex looked at Jane before staring at Vivian; uneasiness enveloped the surrounding as they looked around them, hesitant about moving from their current location. "Hold on a moment," Dex grabbed his gps and measured their distance from the camp site. "Um girls, we are about six miles from our campsite, way out of the safe zone," He looked up at them, worry filled his eyes.
"I think we are safe for now Dex," Jane said, trying to calm them down. "I-I, I was saved," She proclaimed inhaling deeply before beginning to speak once more.
"I got sidetracked by the waterfall we saw earlier, and next thing I know you two disappeared. I panicked at that moment and then I heard your voice and was relieved. So I began to walk in the direction of your voice, looking for the both of you when I entered this open space, and there it was. A vicious jungle cat staring straight at me," Jane gestured as she spoke loudly, "I froze and then swoosh! I was up in the air, on the trees. I looked up and saw-"She paused for a moment, looking at their faces. She breathed out slowly and continued, "A half-naked man next to me," Jane halted for a moment and thought about exactly what came out of her mouth. It sounded so ludicrous and a complete fairy tale, but Vivian and Dex's faces did not budge at all. Jane exhaled as he continued.
"He, he saved me, scooped me up in to the tree but the branches broke and we fell. BAM! We were on the ground, staring straight at the leopard. He-he wrestled with it, down it went! Then threw it against those rocks before it vanished. I-I," She exhaled lowering her head in disappointment; "I am making no sense, aren't I?"
Vivian and Dex gaped at her, mouths wide open, total shock on their faces.
"J-Jane, Oh my god Jane! This-this is unbelievable!" Vivian jumped grabbing Jane by the shoulders. "What did he look like? Did he say anything? Did he hurt you?" Vivian's eyes filled with anger. Dex stood beside them, utterly speechless at what he was hearing. Jane was relieved they did not think she was insane. She smiled as she answered Vivian.
"No! No! Of course not." She paused. "He saved my life." She continued, "He, he seemed confused, as if I was the first person he had ever seen," Jane turned her head towards the bushes, looking past them as if he would be there, hunched over, staring. "He didn't speak; he didn't seem to behave like a man, more like a gorilla. And-"Jane remembered what he uttered. "I think he told me his name. I think," Jane seemed unsure about what she was about to say as she cleared her throat. "Ooh Ooh, he kept repeating. I think that is his name."
"What?" Vivian asked tilting her head puzzled.
"Ooh Ooh," Jane reiterated, "He kept repeating that, thinking I understood."
"You mean he didn't speak English?" Vivian was lost.
"Well no. He did mimic my words at times but from what I got he didn't understand what he was saying." This was so sudden that Vivian and Dex had a hard time processing all this information.
"Well, he-" Jane gasped as she glared past Vivian and began to run like a headless chicken. "Where is it?" She muttered to herself, ruffling through the bushes.
"Jane…"Vivian inched closer to her, reaching a hand out for comfort.
"Ah ha! Here it is," A black strap protruded from underneath a bush and Jane ran to it, pulling it quickly, revealing her backpack. "Oh thank goodness I didn't lose this."
Vivian and Dex smirked as they accompanied Jane, sitting around her. Jane dug through her backpack removing her journal from underneath all her supplies. She rummaged through the items once more pulling out a pencil, flipped open the journal and began to doodle something quickly. Vivian and Dex stared anxiously. She placed the journal in front of her. Vivian and Dex gasped as they studied what was on the page.
"He was hunched over and he didn't stand on two feet, he supported his weight on his knuckles," She pointed the pencil to the knuckles she drew," And he walked with all his limbs, like a gorilla," Jane spoke enthusiastically. "He, he was staring at me for quite a while, his eyes intense and confused at first," She began drawing his eyes, the other two watching before looking up at her face. She was smiling and her eyes seemed calm and delighted. "I-I have never seen such eyes before," As she finished drawing, Vivian smirked and let out a low chuckle.
"Would you like to be alone for a moment?" Dex tried to hold back a snort as Vivian began to cackle.
"You two stop it," Jane giggled, placed the pencil inside the journal and stuffed it back in to her backpack. "We might want to start heading back." Jane swung her bag behind her shoulder, Dex reached for his gps and they headed back to camp.
"Tarzan let's go!" Turk screamed running ahead. Tarzan slowed as he glanced behind him, stared in the distance where he left Jane.
"Jane," He said softly as he turned and caught up to Turk. They soon reached their family. Tarzan looked around and saw a gorilla running towards him.
"Tarzan," she said, "I was so worried about you. Are you alright?"
"Yes, mother I am fine," he smiled crookedly. Turk pushed through the other gorillas and stood in front of Tarzan.
"Well Aunt Kala we would have been here sooner," Turk turned to glare at Tarzan," But someone was slowing us down." Turk grinned as she sat on the ground.
"I'm sorry Turk. I just-" All the gorillas turned to watch the leader walk through and stand tall glaring at Tarzan. Tarzan gazed at him, eyes widening, "Kerchak."
He grunted as he walked away, towards a boulder. He climbed it and turned to look at the group.
"There are strangers here. We will avoid them at all costs. Stay away from them." He shifted his glare towards Tarzan.
"Kerchak, they will not hurt us." Tarzan spoke, hoping he would convince Kerchak otherwise.
"How do you know they won't?" Kerchak became irritated.
"I have spent time with one of them. They are-"
"NO! You will stay away from them." Kerchak interrupted as he puffed out his chest, his nostrils flared from anger.
"Why won't you give them a chance? Why are you threatened by anything different from you?" Tarzan bared his chest in frustration, staring down Kerchak. The gorilla walked down the boulder towards Tarzan, eyes narrowed.
"You will stay away from them. Protect this family," He demanded as he growled underneath his breathe and walked past Tarzan. Tarzan sneered and turned around, his anger fueling his actions.
"Tarzan, please," Kala walked towards him, "Listen to Kerchak for once."
"Why didn't you tell me there were others like me?" His eyes were filled with disappointment and anger as he ran towards the tree, climbed it and sat on a branch, looking in to the distance as the sun began to set. Kala looked at Tarzan, lowering her head as she sat there watching her son throughout the night.
When the trio reached the camp, they agreed to not speak of the incident with anyone else. If someone found out how far they had traveled, their expedition might be cut short.
That night Jane barely slept again as she held the journal up to her face, mesmerized by the drawing of the wild man. She followed his form with her fingers.
"Who are you?" She whispered to herself, turning her attention for a moment to the sleeping Vivian before reverting back to her drawing. "I don't even truly know your name.." Jane slowly lowered herself on to her sleeping bag, her journal placed against her chest, her hands gripped at it as she stared up in to the darkness the only thought that filled her mind was that of the ape man.
"I would like to see you again, wild man," She said softly before she fell asleep.
