At that initial meeting two years ago, a shaky truce had been made. Shere Rani, a tiger barely out of her cub-hood, would mind her business and attempt to discretely keep Kahn under control. In turn, the animals of the jungle would also go about their lives without interrupting her territory and allow her to mature.

What the tigress had not expected from the pact was to gain friendship in Baloo, Bagheera, and the little flying squirrel with some big courage.

Gilahar, Gil to her friends, had been asked by Raksha and Akela to watch Rani during the days following the meeting at the watering hole. The moment the squirrel scampered across the trees lining her territory, Rani knew.

"I am not surprised a spy has been sent to observe me," the young tigress had said. She was lazily sprawled under the shade of a large and viny tree. "I am surprised that they sent you."

Gil told her later that she had, in fact, volunteered to observe the new tiger. "It's not like I had anything more interesting to do," were her exact words between squeaky giggles.

At the time, Gilahar had not said anything and just climbed to a higher tree. Rani had simply stood and stretched slowly. As she moved to check the other sides of her boundaries, she called over her shoulder to the hidden rodent.

"Better not fall, little squirrel. I may find myself feeling peckish if you do."

Rani found herself floating on her back down a quiet stream a few moons after she struck peace with the wolves. The stream was a good distance from her territory but she enjoyed the trek to it and was relaxing in the cool water when she heard a familiar squeak.

The tenacious squirrel, whose name she had yet to learn, had followed her movements nearly everyday since the council meeting. Sometimes the little thing would answer her idle questions with quick jabs or rude insults. Despite Rani's like for honor and polite conversation, she couldn't help but enjoy the crude creature.

"I had thought the journey here might tire you out for a bit, Rodent," chuckled Rani as she began to float to shore. "Perhaps I just was hoping for peace from your scratching and scuttling."

"I'm sssssssure I can help with that," hissed a voice above her. Her ears perked at the sound of heavy shifting in the trees above her. Another faint squeak could be heard.

A large, diamond-shaped head slowly lowered itself into her vision as she saw the coiling body of a constrictor. Luminescent yellow eyes gazed at her stripes, following from her tail to her golden gaze. The slitted pupils turned even thinner. In the scaly hold of the snake was the little squirrel that had been following her for weeks. Her brown eyes were full of terror.

"Allow me to introduce myself," purred Rani as she turned her gaze back to the head of the constrictor. "I am Shere Rani."

"Ssssssso pleassssssed to meet you," slithered the snake as he weaved his head back and forth in front of her. "I am Kaa."

Rani elegantly nodded and remained silent in the hope that the snake would continue. She would attempt to save the squirrel, if only to how the council of creatures that she meant no harm to the jungle.

"I jussssst happened to be in the neighborhood when I ssssssaw thisss deliciousss sssnack." Kaa punctuated the end of his sentence with a small squeeze of the rodent. "Friend of yourssss?"

Rani decided that she did not like the snake. Everything about Kaa just oozed falseness. He also seemed to smell a little…strong? Like some powerful and musky scent that did not fit his scaly exterior.

"Of a sort. I ask you to release her, the thing is barely more than a mouthful."

"Oooooo, a compasssssionate tiger? Why would I be tempted to do sssssuch a thing? All I have to do is ask her to ssssssleep, she won't feel anything after…" somehow, the scaly worm's eyes began changing and as he directed his gaze at the animal in his coils, his tone became soothing and gentle. "Trusssst in me, jussst in me…"

Rani shook her head slightly and stepped forward. "I would be remiss to ask you again to release her. First impressions are such an important part of new friendships." The last parts of her words were almost a deep purr. There was no doubt in her mind that if the snake refused she would be in for a difficult encounter. Kaa seemed to be fully mature and, while her claws were sharp, she was still small.

Kaa turned his eyes back to her in surprise. His mouth contorted in a frown.

"Lisssten here you little cub, I am-"

Rani tapped one claw on a stone by her feet and allowed a low rumble to begin in her chest. Kaa winced and his eyes narrowed further.

"Perhapssss we can come to sssome arrangement? I have an aquaintncccce who I am sssure would love to meet you. Come visssit him with me and your little friend can be on her way?"

The squirrel shook her head as much as she could but Shere Rani did not look her way. The tigress said nothing and extended the rest of her claws.

"Fine, be that way," he hissed venomously as he allowed the flying squirrel to drop from his coils. "You know, sssome creaturessss dissslike the way you catsss throw your weight around. If I had my way, I would-"

Rani smiled fiercely at him and strode forward to stand over the rodent. Kaa immediately pulled his head up away from her as she moved.

"Thank you so much, Kaa. I am fortunate to have met you." Rani scooped the shaking animal up onto her back and prepared to return to her territory. "You are quick to relent, for someone who smells so…bold."

If the snake replied, she did not hear it over her own laughter as she prowled quickly back to her home.

Now she knew, thanks to Gil, that Kaa had been covered in the scent of another tiger. As she had padded safely back towards her home, Gilahar had shakily told her that her wandering had taken her close to Shere Kahn's territory and that he was well-known to the snakes.

"He's got that- cough -coward Kaa wrapped around his paw."

Rani just shrugged one shoulder, slightly bumping the squirrel on her back. "I do not mind if the snake tells him I'm here. I can care for myself."

The rat on her back had sighed and mumbled a bit. "And you saved me…have I grown on you?"

"Unlikely. I simply find myself inclined to be generous toward the council at the moment."

Indeed, at that moment, Rani had desired to prove her honor to the wolves and the members of the jungle. In attempting to do so, she gained a little friend.

So here it is, the next chapter! If you like it, let me know. Reviews really motivate me so keep them coming!

Any suggestions would be appreciated! Would you like more present day injured Rani or more flashbacks? Her first meeting with Shere Kahn? Mowgli? Let me know!

Thanks for reading!