Chapter 4: Welcome to the Jungle

The sound of a hammer beating against wood carried through the jungle, echoing off of the trees with every blow. Taking one final swing, John drove the iron nail completely into the wooden board. Wiping the sweat off of his brow, John leaned back and looked around at his handiwork.

John was kneeling on a wooden platform that he had built into a large tree. The tree hung over the cliff that separated the jungle and the ocean, the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks below. Looking down at the beach, John could see the wreckage of the ship he and his family had arrived on. Following the path up the cliff from the cove to the tree, John saw the supplies he and his wife had salvaged from the wreck and were using to construct themselves a new home.

"John!" he heard Alice call from down below, "John, are you there!?"

"I'm here!" John called back as he walked towards the trunk of the tree, where he had hammered a makeshift ladder. Looking down, he saw Alice standing at the base of the tree, their son swaddled up in a makeshift carrier that she had wrapped around her chest and a basket held in her hands.

"Everything alright?" John questioned as he looked down at her.

"Yes, I've just brought you some lunch," Alice replied, holding the basket up for John to see.

"I'll be right down," John replied with a smile before quickly climbing down the ladder.

"What do we have on the menu today, love?" John questioned as he took the basket from Alice and peeked inside.

"Some of the food we managed to scrounge from the debris that washed ashore," Alice explained.

"How much do we have left?" John questioned.

"Enough," Alice replied with a shrug, "That's all I can really say seeing as we have no idea how long we'll be here."

"Our absences will not be missed, Alice," John reassured his wife as he gently lay his hands on her shoulders, "My brother will come for us, you can count on that."

"I believe that," Alice stated with a nod, though her expression was still full of worry, "I just wonder if anyone will be here by the time he arrives."

"You can't think like that," John urged, tightening his grip on her shoulders as he leaned down so that he was eye level with his wife, "You can't allow yourself to give into despair."

"I just don't know if we can do this, John," Alice said, almost on the verge of tears, "I wish you had never convinced me to come to this place."

The baby seemed to sense his mother's distress as he began crying loudly, prompting Alice to begin bouncing and shushing him.

"I'm sorry, Alice, you're right," John said with a sigh, "I should have never brought us here."

"No, John, I'm sorry," Alice apologized with a shake of her head, "It wasn't just you, I did want to come.

"How could you not?" John asked with a chuckle, "After listening to Professor Porter's tales of the majestic creatures that lived here. The lions. The elephants."

"The gorillas," Alice added, a small smile on her face as she spoke, "I will admit, this trip will be better if we get the chance to see some of the gorillas the Professor loved so much."

"Well, maybe we'll still get to see them," John said hopefully.

"Hopefully," Alice agreed with a sigh, "Hopefully they won't tear us apart when we do."

"You worry too much," John said with a chuckle as he kissed Alice on her forehead.

"You don't worry enough," Alice replied as she continued to rock their son, the baby still crying in her arms, "I think I'll leave you to your work. Seems like someone else is looking for his lunch."

"I'll let you take care of that," John stated as he looped the basket around his arm and turned back towards the tree, "And I'll get back to our home away from home."

"Alright, good luck with that," Alice chuckled, looking at John lovingly, "I love you."

"I love you too," John said with equal emotion before the two parted.

As John made his way up into the tree, he failed to notice a python coiled around a branch in the upper boughs of the tree, watching him with its black on yellow eyes before slithering away into the shadows.

Later,

Bagheera lounged lazily by the Ivory Pools, allowing the sun to warm his black fur as he batted at the water absentmindedly with his paw. Hearing the noise of something moving through the undergrowth, Bagheera glanced over at the source, finding a baby elephant hesitantly approaching him with wide eyes.

"Hello there, little one," Bagheera greeted, smiling at the elephant infant. As the child realized he had been spotted, he let out a squeak of fright before he quickly turned away and ran, splashing through the shallow water as well. Bagheera quirked his brow at the display before the sound of high-pitched laughter caught his attention. Looking over his shoulder, Bagheera saw Rafiki emerging from the jungle, laughing to himself.

"I'm starting to wonder what doesn't amuse you," Bagheera commented with a smirk of his own.

"Life is much more enjoyable if you can find the happiness in things," Rafiki explained as he walked up next to Bagheera, "It is certainly better than being as dour and mysterious as you."

"Hathi's son seems a little….skittish," Bagheera commented after a moment's thought, watching as the elephant infant fled to his mother's side, his father giving him a disapproving look.

"He's very young," Rafiki replied as he watched as well, "We were all skittish when we were very young. He'll grow out of it."

As they watched, the infant walked up to the lagoon's edge, watching the water hesitantly before fleeing with a shriek as a small ripple went through the water.

"Or maybe he won't," Rafiki added with a shrug and a chuckle.

"What can I help you with, my friend?" Bagheera questioned with a smirk.

"Well, with the birth of Hathi's child, I will be returning with the elephants back to the Pridelands," Rafiki replied, "But it would seem I have more business here then I initially expected."

"What do you mean?" Bagheera questioned.

"I will show you," Rafiki answered, motioning for Bagheera to follow him. Bagheera watched him walk away for a moment before sighing and standing up, padding along behind Rafiki into the jungle.

After a few minutes of walking, a confused look crossed Bagheera's face.

"Where are we going, Rafiki?" Bagheera questioned.

"The Silver Hills," Rafiki answered conversationally as the ground began to noticeably rise before them.

"The Silver Hills?" Bagheera asked in confusion, "What are we going there for?"

"To see the gorillas, of course!" Rafiki answered with a laugh, "Rafiki told you he would introduce you to those you needed introducing too, and Rafiki is a beast of his word."

"What are these gorillas like?" Bagheera asked, "I don't know much of their kind."

"They can be….a bit on the gruff side," Rafiki admitted, "They enjoy solitude from the other creatures of the jungle."

"I can see," Bagheera replied, huffing and puffing slightly as he and Rafiki made their way up the steep slopes into the Hills.

"You'll find that the gorillas will not be very willing to accept you at first," Rafiki went on, "It will take time for them to trust you."

"Sounds about right," Bagheera observed with a sigh as they crested one of the tall hills, "How much farther do we have to go?"

"Not far," Rafiki answered, "We have to take a detour though."

"What for?" Bagheera asked.

"You'll see," Rafiki answered enigmatically before he held a finger up to his lips to quiet Bagheera, "Listen, we're close."

Perking his ears up, Bagheera could hear the sounds of waves crashing against rock, along with sound of gulls calling to each other as they rode the drafts. The smell of salt and rotting vegetation filled the air.

"The Great Waters," Bagheera surmised as he turned his attention back to Rafiki, "Why did you bring me here?"

"Come," Rafiki said as he pushed some brush aside to allow Bagheera to pass, "Take a look."

Stepping forward, Bagheera found himself standing on a cliff face. The Great Waters crashed against the land far below, before stretching off to the horizon before him. The earth sloped downwards towards the Waters, allowing for other outcroppings of rock on the cliff face. Upon one outcropping near the shore stood a mighty tree that stood alone, reaching up to the sky and sun above. What caught Bagheera's attention though was what was in the tree.

"A man den," Bagheera said in shock before turning to look at Rafiki, "You did not mention this before."

"Because it was not there before," Rafiki answered as he looked past Bagheera and pointed, "Look."

Turning his attention back to the man den, Bagheera squinted his eyes, watching as two men, a male and a female, moving around.

"It's occupied," Bagheera observed, "Two of them. Mates I'm guessing."

As Bagheera watched, he saw the female reached down and picked up an infant, holding it in her arms.

"And a cub," Bagheera amended before turning back to Rafiki, "What are they doing out here?"

"As I have said before, who truly understands the ways of men?" Rafiki replied with a chuckle and a shrug.

"How far away are the other dens?" Bagheera questioned, looking down at the den once more.

"Far," Rafiki answered, "Days' worth of travel even for someone like you."

"Perhaps they're lost," Bagheera suggested.

"Perhaps," Rafiki agreed with a nod as he began walking away, "Come, we have other business to attend to at the moment."

As Rafiki began to walk away, Bagheera spared one last look down at the man den and its occupants. As he did, the infant happened to look up and spot him. Smiling and giggling, the baby reached out towards Bagheera, bringing a small smile to the panther's features. Looking at her baby in confusion, the female turned to look in the direction he was looking, but by the time she did, Bagheera was gone.

"So, tell me about this Kerchak," Bagheera said as he trotted up to Rafiki's side, "What kind of beast is he?"

"Kerchak is a good leader to his people," Rafiki explained, "He believes highly in strength, like most gorillas. Essentially, he is the opposite of King Louie in almost every conceivable way except one."

"What way is that?" Bagheera questioned

"They both hate outsiders," Rafiki finished.

At that moment, something came crashing towards them through the jungle before a large gorilla came charging out of the brush, roaring at the top of its lungs. Before Bagheera could do anything, the gorilla was on him, swinging one of its massive fists and hitting the panther on the flank. The force of the blow knocked Bagheera off of his feet, sending him flying a short distance through the air before he slammed against a tree and fell to the ground in a heap. As Bagheera tried to pick himself up, the gorilla rushed him again, grabbing the panther by the neck before lifting him into the air and holding him against the trunk of the tree.

"You think you can wander into my territory like it's nothing, killer!?" the gorilla bellowed as he tightened his grip on Bagheera's throat, "You should have known better than to come here!"

Bagheera had begun to see spots when suddenly Rafiki leapt up and smacked the gorilla on the head with his staff, causing him to drop the panther, who fell to the ground gasping for air.

"That's enough, Kerchak!" Rafiki admonished, glaring up at the gorilla.

"Rafiki?" Kerchak questioned in confusion as he rubbed the spot where the monkey had struck him, "What are you doing here?"

"I was on my way to visit with a friend of mine," Rafiki explained, indicating to Bagheera as the panther picked himself up off of the ground, "Until you assaulted him, that is. What is the meaning of this!?"

"I received reports that Sabor was in the area," Kerchak explained, glancing at Bagheera, "One leopard looks like another."

"I'm a panther," Bagheera corrected as he glared at Kerchak.

"There's a difference?" Kerchak questioned contemptuously.

"Color for one," Bagheera replied sarcastically.

"That's enough from the both of you," Rafiki snapped, "You're both acting like cubs."

Kerchak and Bagheera both fell into silence, though they continued to glare at one another.

"Bagheera, may I introduce Kerchak, chief of the Silver Hills gorillas," Rafiki stated, indicating towards the gorilla.

"Well met," Bagheera said with a bow, his voice raspy from Kerchak having choked him.

"Kerchak, let Rafiki introduce you to his friend, Bagheera," Rafiki said, indicating towards the panther.

Kerchack snorted in reply before turning his attention towards Rafiki.

"Walk with me, Rafiki," Kerchak stated, motioning towards the jungle with his head as he began to walk away, glancing at Bagheera as he went, "Your…friend can join us if he so wishes."

With that, Kerchak turned and made his way back into the brush. Rafiki turned and looked at Bagheera who only sighed in reply and indicated for the monkey to lead on. The two quickly caught up with Kerchak as he plodded through the jungle.

"What brings you back to my homeland, Rafiki?" Kerchak questioned as the two walked side by side, Bagheera hanging back a respectful distance to allow the two to talk.

"Rafiki goes where he is needed," Rafiki replied with a chuckle, "And Rafiki is needed in many places."

"True enough," Kerchak replied with a snort of amusement, "What news from the Pridelands?"

"Rafiki thought that a chief such as yourself does not concern himself with the troubles of other beasts?" Rafiki questioned with a grin, "Or is Rafiki remembering what you said wrong?"

"No, I did say that," Kerchak admitted, "But I have heard rumors that Kahn has returned to the jungle with his tail between his legs and I wanted to know the full truth to it."

"Indeed, Kahn has returned with what is left of his army," Rafiki replied, "King Mufasa and his forces were able to successfully route them."

"He failed to kill the monster though," Kerchak observed as they continued to walk, "And now that monster has come back to threaten my people once more."

"If you had joined with Mufasa's forces as I advised you too, this may not have happened," Rafiki pointed out.

"I will not put the lives of my people in danger over the affairs of cats, old one," Kerchak snapped, "This Mufasa would not risk his neck for those of my kind, why should I risk mine for those of his?"

"That is not true," Rafiki insisted.

"Is it not?" Kerchak questioned, "Then tell me, is the reason that Mufasa did not chase down Kahn and finish him because he sought to tend to his own affairs?"

Rafiki offered no reply.

"I thought as much," Kerchak stated with a snort of contempt, "You wish me to extend a helping hand to someone who would not do the same for me. I'm beginning to question your wisdom, old one."

"All it takes is one person to be brave enough to extend their hand in friendship for a bond to be formed," Rafiki explained.

"I'll believe it when I see it," Kerchak replied with another dismissive snort.

As the three continued to walk, they eventually came to a small clearing where a number of gorillas were gathered. The gorillas grew excited at the sight of Kerchak and Rafiki though many gave Bagheera weary glances as he followed behind.

As they entered the clearing, a female gorilla approached them, carrying a baby gorilla in her arms.

"I see you've found friends," the female said, trying to hold on to the infant as it squirmed in her arms, "It's an honor to meet you again, Rafiki."

"The honor is Rafiki's, Kala," the monkey replied with a chuckle before holding out his staff out to the infant and shaking it, the clattering fruit at its end catching the baby's attention, causing him to giggle as he reached out for it.

"Any sign of Sabor?" Kala questioned nervously.

"None so far," Kerchak answered as he glanced back at Bagheera, "Though there was a case of mistaken identity along the way."

Bagheera stepped forward, glancing around at the gathered gorillas who continued to watch him cautiously.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kala," Bagheera greeted with a bow of his head, "My name is Bagheera."

"I have never seen a leopard the color of shadows before," Kala observed, holding onto her child as he struggled to get free.

"That is because I am a panther," Bagheera replied, watching as the child finally managed to get free. Leaping from Kala's arms and rolling across the ground, the young gorilla approached Bagheera, his eyes full of wonder as he looked up at the panther. Bagheera looked down at the child before a small smile cross his features. Reaching forward with his tail, he wiggled it in front of the gorilla, catching the baby's attention. With a giggle, the gorilla reached out and tried to grab Bagheera's tail, but the panther pulled it out of his reach just before he could grab it. This pattern went on for a few minutes, a happy smile spreading across Kala's face as she watched her child giggle and play. Kerchak, for his part, continued to watch Bagheera wearily, though he made no effort to interfere.

Chuckling to herself, Kala walked over and scooped her child up as he continued to try and grab Bagheera's tail.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Bagheera," Kala said as she gave the panther a warm smile, "Why are you traveling with Rafiki?"

"I have come to the jungle in pursuit of Shere Kahn and his ilk," Bagheera explained, "I have seen the pain he has caused and I wish to aid in stopping it."

"A noble cause," Kala said before turning to Kerchak, "Don't you think?"

Kerchak merely grumbled to himself in reply.

"I believe our people will welcome your friendship, Bagheera," Kala continued as she looked back at Bagheera before glancing at Rafiki, "What is the saying about enemies and friends?"

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Rafiki answered with a smile.

"Yes, that's the one," Kala agreed with a nod before turning back towards Kerchak, "That seems very wise."

"Perhaps we could share what information we gain, from time to time," Kerchak relented, not looking at anyone as he spoke.

"I would appreciate that," Bagheera stated with a grin, "In return, perhaps I can lend my own skills to finding Sabor. I have crossed claws with him before and though we are not the same, we are similar. I believe there is another saying that goes 'It takes a thief to catch a thief,' after all."

"Wise words as well," Rafiki agreed as he looked up at the sun, which had stated to set, casting the sky in purples and oranges, "The day grows late though and we should be returning to the Ivory Pools."

"Indeed," Kerchak, "It was a….pleasure to see you again, old one."

"The pleasure was all mine," Rafiki replied.

"It was good to meet you as well, Bagheera," Kala spoke as she scooped her child into her arms.

"The same can be said for me," Bagheera answered, smiling at the mother and child, "I look forward to seeing the two of you again."

As he spoke, he wagged his tail at Kala's child again, causing the infant gorilla to reach out to it in an effort to grab it, cooing in delight.

"Come along, my friend," Rafiki said as he waved Bagheera over, "We should try to get back to the Pools before nightfall."

Nodding, Bagheera turned and followed Rafiki as they walked away, while Kerchak began leading his troop in the opposite direction. As they left, none of the animals noticed a pair of black on yellow eyes watching from the shadows before they disappeared as well.

Later,

Night had fallen over the jungle, the light from the moon creating long, dark shadows beneath the multitude of trees. Even at night though, the jungle was alive with life, the sound of frogs and insects chirping at one another filling the air. Underneath this noise was the sound of movement in the brush as Kaa slowly slithered through the brush. Kaa observed his surroundings carefully, smiling as he found what he was was looking for.

"SSSSSabor," Kaa hissed as he found the leopard hidden in a bush, looking at something that the python could not see.

"What do you want, snake?" Sabor growled quietly as he stepped out of the brush and glared at Kaa.

"I bring word from our Kahn," Kaa replied as he coiled up in front of Sabor, lifting his head up so he could look the leopard in the eye.

"Very well," Sabor sighed, "What word."

"Men have come to the jungle," Kaa answered.

"Men?" Sabor questioned in surprise, "Why would men come here?"

"Doesssss it matter?" Kaa questioned in reply, "You know the Kahn'sssss opinion of men."

"I do indeed," Sabor replied, "What does he wish of me?"

"He wantsssss the men eliminated," Kaa answered, "In any way you ssssee fit."

"Very well," Sabor stated with a smirk before turning away from Kaa, "Now slither along snake, I have business to attend to."

"Do not tarry with thissss, SSSSSabor," Kaa said with narrow eyes, "The Kahn wantssss thisss dealt with."

"And it will be," Sabor replied as he walked back into the brush, observing the sleeping troop of gorillas a short distance away. Not all the gorillas were asleep though, and Sabor watched as a gorilla infant danced and hopped around in the tall grass.

"I just hate to work on an empty stomach," Sabor stated with a savage grin as he reached his tail out of the brush and wiggled it at the gorilla. The infant caught sight of Sabor's tail and began to wander over, drool dripping from the leopard's open mouth as the gorilla drew ever closer.

A/N: Happy to get another chapter out for this story. Hope you guys enjoyed it, even though it ends on a dark note. As always, feedback and critiques are always welcome, so please review! Later!