Hey guys! This is the third chapter of this book.

Enjoy!

The black panther was laying one the crisp grass, trying to get some sleep, but Kiya prevented him from doing so. The small leopard kept chasing after his tail, that moved from side to side in annoyance.

Bagheera groaned in irritation. "Kiya, will you kindly stop doing that?" He said, trying to contain the irritant in his voice, as much as possible.

Kiya nodded, and Bagheera let out a relieved sigh as he closed his eyes. But then the small cub pounced onto his back, startling the panther.

Bagheera narrowed his eyes, at the cub who was giggling. "Can't you find someone else to play with?" He said this time, not maintaining the irritation in his voice. "I don't want to play with you." Then he laid his head back down.

Kiya looked at him in sadness, and then walked away with her head low. Then she shook her head and smiled running into the jungle, determined to find someone to play with.

o - o - o - o - o

Bagheera was slowly drifting off to sleep, enjoying the lovely peace around him, no one nagging his ears, and no one playing with his tale. It was just nice and quiet. But wait- it was too quiet.

Suddenly something clicked, and Bagheera opened his eyes, only to see Kiya nowhere in sight. His breath sharpened, and he instantly sprinted up.

"Oh not again. Kiya?!" The panther called, feeling the panic rise within. "KIYA WHERE ARE YOU?!"

o - o - o - o - o

Kiya ran around the jungle, looking for some playmates. Suddenly her eye caught something; a tailorbird.

The small cub began creeping towards the bird, that sat and cleaned her feathers.

Suddenly Kiya jumped on top of the bird, and growled playfully. The bird screamed and tried to get out of the Leopard's hold but to no avail.

"Don't eat me!" The bird cried.

Kiya looked at her in confusion, then licked her face. The bird froze. "Are you tasting me?" She asked. "For I do not taste good, oh no."

Kiya then got of the bird and smiled happily. The bird's eyes widened. "Wait- you're not going to eat me?" She asked in disbelief.

Kiya shook her head, and then licked the bird again.

The chick smiled. "Well, I'm Darzee." She greeted. "Who are you?"

Kiya looked down sadly. She really wanted to tell the bird what her name was, but she just had such a hard time speaking. So instead she let out a squeak.

"Well," The bird giggled. "I will call you Squeaky then."

o - o - o - o - o

Bagheera ran around the whole jungle searching for the cub, but to no avail. "Kiya?!" He yelled.

Suddenly, Chil the kite heard Bagheera's distressed call and flew down to him. "Bagheera what seems to be the problem?" He asked.

Bagheera sighed. "I have lost my cub." He admitted.

Chil's eyes widened. "Y- you have a cub?" He asked with a slight hesitation.

The panther nodded. "Yes, it's a Leopard cub, will you help me find her?" He asked.

The kite looked at the panther. "What's in it for me?" He asked.

Bagheera sighed. "Well, I will give you two dead rabbits."

Chil smiled. "Okay then, I will find this cub." He folded out his wings, and got ready to fly away, but not before asking; "What is her name?"

"Kiya." Answered the panther sadly.

The kite nodded, and then took off; in the search for Bagheera's cub.

o - o - o - o - o

Kiya and Darzee had been playing for some time now, and the small leopard had a feeling that she needed to get home to Bagheera. She waved goodbye to the tailorbird but then noticed that she, once again, had no idea where she was.

"Kiya?" Called an unfamiliar voice in the sky.

The small cub looked up, only to meet a pair of golden eyes. Before her, was a big kite.

"Are you the cub of Bagheera?" Asked the bird.

Kiya nodded slowly, then the kite picked her up with his claws and flew away.

Kiya screamed and fidgled in the kite's hold.

o - o - o - o - o

Bagheera paced around worried, while Mowgli and Baloo looked at him with pitiful gazes.

"Don't worry Bagheera," Assured Mowgli. "We'll find her."

Then a cry was heard in the sky, and they all raised their heads to see Chil flying down with Kiya in his grasp. He placed the cub softly on the ground, and as soon as he did; Bagheera sprinted over to the cub and pulled her close to him. Then he pulled back and searched her for any wounds.

After he had done so; he looked her in the eyes. "Are you okay?"

Kiya smiled and nodded. Then Bagheera's relieved soft look turned into one of anger. "Then... What were you thinking?!" He growled, making Kiya flinch of his hard tone. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?! You just disappeared for a full day, and I have searched the whole jungle for you, not even once taking a rest!"

Kiya looked down in shame; she truly felt bad.

"So, don't you ever, and I mean; EVER run away like that again. Do you hear?!"

Kiya flinched again but then nodded slowly, feeling tears well up in her eyes.

Baloo walked over beside Bagheera. "Baggy calm down, you're scaring her." He told the panther.

Bagheera's hard look turned into a soft one, and he sighed heavily. "I'm sorry, dear. I didn't mean to scare you." He said. "But believe me; I was a lot more afraid than you."

Kiya gave him a curious look; obviously not knowing what he meant. Bagheera picked up on that, and mumbled while looking at the ground: "I was afraid of losing you."

Silence filled the jungle air, and then suddenly Kiya jumped into Bagheera's embrace and hugged his neck tightly. The panther looked down at her lovingly and licked her forehead.

Then Kiya pulled away, and a small sound left her lips. "P-"

Baloo raised a furry-brow. "P?" He questioned.

"P- a," She squealed.

"Guys, she's trying to say her first words!" Mowgli exclaimed cheerfully.

Bagheera nudged the cub's shoulder. "You can do it, little one." He whispered.

Kiya tried again: "Pa- p-"

Baloo shook his head. "What on earth is she saying?"

That was when Kiya took a deep breath and; "Pap-a!"

Everyone's eyes widened.

Mowgli looked at the leopard wide-eyed. "Is she trying to say?-"

"Papa!" She squealed, looking at Bagheera.

The panther's eyes widened, while Baloo and Mowgli said: "Aw"

"Well, isn't that sweet Baggy? She's calling you dad!" Baloo cheered.

Kiya then ran around and squeaked: "Papa!" Over and over again, while Bagheera was lost for words.

He then cleared his throat. "No Kiya. It's Bagheera." He said.

Then the small cub walked over to him and placed a gentle paw on his nose. "Papa."

AN: Hey guys! I personally really like this chapter. Darzee the tailorbird, from Rudyard's original books finally came into the story. AND Kiya called Bagheera 'dad' for the first time! A huge milestone in their relationship.

Well cya next time with another chapter.

Bye!