Ch4: homecoming
Blu and Jewel had spent most of their morning searching all around the forest, Blu tried his best to remember any kind of trace of his memory that would help him find his old home. Unfortunately, each part of the jungle they visited was just as unfamiliar to him as the last and he started to become irritated. "Well let's get some lunch and take a quick break, there's plenty of places we haven't tried yet" said Jewel. Blu reluctantly agreed and followed her, his stomach beginning to speak sentences to him. They realized that they were close to the town fruit stand that was also home to the best bird samba club in Rio, where two of the macaws' best friends owned and performed in. The first time they had visited that place, they were still chained together, and Jewel still thought of Blu as a clumsy and whiny pet. That changed when the music first started, Blu suddenly started to dance as if he had been his whole life, as if a long hidden talent finally awakened. Jewel soon saw how fun he can really be and began to dance as well. With a little encouragement from Raphael, the two macaws began to dance together, and dance very well. They moved with each other in such synchronization and when the dance climaxed to Blu tossing her into the air, she sang with such feeling and passion that she never realized she had, and finally realized they were more than just "chained to each other birds" as she once thought. They would have shared their first kiss there too if it wasn't for King Mauro and his marmoset minions who came and wrecked the place. Seeing the club now, you wouldn't have believed it had even taken place, the club was back to its former glory, and they even added a small restaurant, with all kinds of birds partying to their hearts content. As Blu and Jewel walked into the club, they were greeted by the loud beats of the samba stereo and happy sounds of the partying birds. "Yo lovebirds!" shouted a voice, they both turned to see a red crested cardinal and a yellow canary with a bottle cap hat flying toward them. "Hey Pedro, Nico, what's up guys" said Blu, happy to see his two party loving friends. "The usual" said Pedro, "Chilin' like a villain and keepin' beats fresh" Blu chuckled at Pedro's reply and the four went to a table to sit. "Ay yo Monty, bring this couple the house special, we'll pick up the tab" yelled Pedro to a yellow and green parakeet, which nodded and immediately went to work. "Come on guys you don't have to do all that for us" said Jewel, "Well it's the least we can do since you guys saved our butts from those smugglers" replied Pedro. Blu still couldn't believe that a month had already passed and he still got the hero treatment, sure it was flattering, but Blu didn't want anything in return because he felt he already has everything he needs. His eyes drifted to his mate, knowing the reason for his thoughts. "Yeah" said Nico, snapping Blu out of his thinking, "plus you fried that crazy cockatoo, dang I wish I was there to watch". "No you don't" thought Blu with a shudder, remembering the stream of feathers that came out of the engine of the plane as Nigel was sucked into the propellers, "I don't think anybody could've lived through that". His thoughts shifted as he saw a rather large looking platter of all kinds of fruits heading their way, his mouth hung open as his stomach growled in anticipation. "Well don't just stare at it, dig in" laughed Jewel as she went for a plump strawberry. Blu immediately went for a large slice of pineapple and took a large bite, his eyes rolling to the back of his head as the fresh sweetness overtook his senses. Pedro and Nico waited for their friends to finish chewing before continuing their conversation, "So what brings you two out here on such a fine Rio day?" asked Nico. "Well were actually looking for Blu's old childhood home" said Jewel, "We think it might be linked to his nightmares". Blu shot an annoyed glance at Jewel and said "Oh great, why don't we just tell every bird in Rio about it!" Jewel ignored his comment and continued "But we haven't had any luck yet, no places we visited seemed familiar to him". Pedro seemed to be deep in thought and immediately snapped his feathers and said "You two should try the trap yard" "Trap what-now?" asked Blu nervously, immediately not liking the idea of a place that included the word trap. "Of course, good thinking Pedro", said Nico, "the Trap yard is a part of the jungle that poachers used many years ago because a ton of birds lived there, but the last raid forced all the residents to leave, leaving a ton of unsprang traps behind, so nobody has been there for years.". Blu realized they had a point, even though the place had a ton of traps. "Um… these traps you're talking about… their not-you know… deadly are they" stammered Blu. "No not deadly" replied Nico, "just keep an eye out for them". At that moment, Pedro looked around and froze, he whipped his head back to Nico saying "Yo hombre, I spy with my two eyes three fine hot wings in need of some company". Nico looked over and saw three young and very attractive female hummingbirds with no guys around them, "Well by all means let's give them some" he winked, "Remember what I said about the Trap yard 'ight guys?" was all Nico said before joining his friend in the flirtatious fun. Jewel simply laughed as she and Blu exited the club and took to the skies. "So have you ever heard of this Trap yard? Or perhaps know where it is at?" Blu asked Jewel. She simply nodded and said "Its far north of the sanctuary, near the edge of the forest". Blu sighed and said "Well let's get going then". The flight to the Trap yard was a silent one. Blu's mind burned with hope that this might be his birth home. Jewel noticed his expression and quietly flew close to him, gently brushing her wingtip against his in a comforting gesture. Blu looked at his mates beautiful smiling face and smiled as well. It was times like these that Blu knew that it was true love between them, when such a simple gesture and smile, without the need for words, was all he needed to know she would be by his side always. Eventually, Jewel began to descend and Blu followed. They landed on a low hanging branch and looked around. Nico wasn't kidding that this place had been long deserted, not a single sound could be heard, save for the macaws' light breathing. Blu's hope slowly dissipated as the quiet forested area didn't catch any special attention to his memory. Jewel came closer to him and put her wings around him, pulling him close as she laid her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry Blu" was all she said. Blu shrugged, sadness in his eyes and said "It's ok Jewel. As long as I have you, I'm always home". He smiled at Jewel lovingly as she stared into his chocolate eyes, melting at his remark. Overcome with happiness, she put her beak to his and they kissed with such passion, that fireworks went off in each other's' head. The need for oxygen finally made them pull away, staring lovingly at their mates. "Come on", said Blu, "lets head back". He took off, but didn't notice the leaf covered cage in front of him, until he flew right into it, the lid to the cage immediately closed and latched shut. "BLU!" yelled Jewel, "are you ok?" "Yeah I'm fine, just a little dazed and surprised" he replied, rubbing his head. He looked around the cage, perplexed at how it was still working. The wooden frame had rotted most of the way, but still had a firm hold, and was surprised to see that the old rotted rope that suspended the cage hadn't snapped yet. "Hold on Blu, I'll get you out" said Jewel, landing rather hard on top of the cage. When she did, Blu heard a loud snap and immediately, his blood ran cold. Next thing he knew he was plummeting to the ground, yelling in fear and Jewel frantically trying to catch up. "This is it" thought Blu, "I'm just gonna be a splattered mess in the forest". But his hypothesis never came true, miraculously, the cage merely bounced as it hit a large bush and began to roll downhill, slowly gaining speed as it did. "OW-OW-OW-OW!" said Blu every time his head hit the side of the cage, which was a lot of times. "JEWEL" he yelled "GET ME OUT OF HERE!". He knew it would be futile for her to help while the cage was still rolling, but desperation left him no choice. Jewel pumped her wings as hard as she could to keep up with the rolling Blu, she looked up and saw he was heading straight for a rather large tree. "Blu!" she yelled, "You may want to close your eyes and brace for impact, this is gonna hurt… a lot!". Blu had no other choice but listen to her command. He tightened himself into a feathery ball and shut his eyes tight. Everything seemed to move in slow motion in the split second before impact until… CRASH! The cage smashed into the tree, wood and metal flew everywhere, littering the ground. Blu, due to his momentum, lay pinned against the trunk of the tree, eyes glazed in pain, but also in relief that he wasn't mashed into a feathery pulp. He slowly slid off the tree and landed face first into the ground. Jewel rushed over and helped Blu up, inspecting him up and down for any serious injury. "Are you ok?" she asked, worry etching every part of her face. "OHH… my aching…. Everything!" groaned Blu as he stood up. He placed his wings on his back and arched backwards, causing his back to pop many times, giving him instant relief. "Ahhh, that's better" he sighed, he then decided to take the time to look around his new surroundings, taking in the view. "Wait a minute", thought Blu, "I've been here before! I don't really know how I know… I just do". He kept looking around and instantly, his mind started giving him flashes of his childhood, wherever he looked, he would see himself from fifteen years ago. His eyes widened in realization, he was home! Jewel saw his expression, "Blu, what's wrong?" she said, confusion in her voice. Blu didn't answer, instead he looked up the tree he had just crashed into and immediately flew up to a hole that she saw higher up. She followed him, not knowing what had gotten into her mate. Blu disappeared into the hollow and when she finally reached him, his expression was unreadable. It seemed to be a mix of exasperation and sudden realization. "Blu" she said again, "what's the matter?" Blu turned to face her, his face now filled happiness and she finally understood. She smiled and went up to him and hugged him tightly and said, "Welcome home Blu".