Chapter 7: Kroh and Rayvin

A/N: Came back sooner than I thought. Anyway, lot of dialogue coming. Enjoy the chapter and any feedback and criticism helps a bunch.

Blu kept pacing back and forth on the tree branch where he and his family settled on when they attempted to observe the new faces of the forest in the form of two black crows. Whoever the two crows are or from, something trigger Blu's internal systems to go in a sudden alert state. Somewhere deep inside Blu, he felt something off about them, perhaps the idea of a crow symbolizing ill omens. Whatever it was, he felt it wasn't right for his father-in-law to allow these particular strangers to stay near his family.

"Hey Dad, could we talk to the Crows?" Bia asked, eager to learn more from them.

"Sorry dear, but I feel that these fellows are not as they claim." Blu stated, convinced that the crows were up to no good.

"What even gave you that idea Dad?" a confused and concerned Carla asked.

"It just my instincts screaming at me, that's all." Blu confessed.

"Oh Honey I think you're getting a bit paranoid again." Jewel chuckled as she rested her wing on Blu's shoulder.

"Since when am I paranoid?" Blu asked. Jewel gave Blu a rather unconvinced look, tipping Blu that his previous moments of his paranoia weren't really much as a threat. "Er…right Jewel."

"So could we talk with them?" Tiago plead. After much thought, Blu felt slightly convinced, but still hesitant on the crows.

"Okay kids, you go to talk with our guests, but remember to stick together and-" Blu quickly realized that Jewel and his children already took off before he could finish his sentence. "Why do they keep doing that?" Blu grumbled as he went after his family.

With the Blue Macaws swarming Kroh and Ray in the masses, it was nearly impossible for the two to keep up on answering their numerous questions. Luckily, Eduardo interjected and asked the crowd to leave some space for them.

"My apologies Kroh and Ray. My people tend to be very excited when we have guests from outside our forest." Eduardo apologized.

"No need to feel sorry Eduardo." Kroh replied and smiled. "Anyway, is it possible you could show me around your forest, a tour perhaps? I'm rather interested in where you live."

"Why certainly yes my dear guest."

"Excellent. I must apologize though, but my dear brother is actually not feeling well to fly for the time being." Kroh gesturing towards Ray. "Is it okay that he stays behind to rest during our tour?"

"Of course Kroh. If there's anything you need Ray, ask away." Eduardo noted to Ray.

"That's very kind of you sir. I should be able manage for the time being." Ray replied.

"Okay then, well Kroh, ready for your tour?" Kroh nodded and followed Eduardo as the macaw takes off into the forest. "Oh, by the way Ray!" Eduardo shouted back. "If you have time, please speak with my family, I think you will find them very enjoyable. In fact, they're heading towards you right now!"

"Will do sir, and please watch over Kroh!" Ray shouted back as Eduardo and his brother faded away into the foliage of trees. As Ray stood in the grounds alone while the Blue Macaws lost interest and returned to their daily lives, he notices a particular group of five macaws approaching him, three he noticed are mere children. "Must be Eduardo's family, better give a good impression." Ray thought.

"Hello good sir." Blu greeted, catching up with his group.

"Good day to you to. And you are?" Ray asked.

"Call me Blu, Tyler Blu Gunderson." Blu replied with pride.

"Your name is Tyler?" Jewel asked, inwardly laughing.

"Your name is Blu? At least it's easy to remember, and who's this lovely one here Blu?"

"This is my wife Jewel. Careful though, she may bite." Blu joked.

"Oh he's a kidder." Jewel giggled. "But it's nice to meet you Rayvin." Jewel replied, shaking Ray's wing.

"The feeling's mutual Ms. Jewel. And who are these three?"

"These are our kids. Go ahead, introduce yourselves." Jewel asked toward her children. Bia, Carla, and Tiago stepped forward, smiling as they approached the crow.

"Hi Mr. Rayvin Sir. My name's Bia." Blu and Jewel's middle child said as she shook Ray's wing.

"Pleasure to meet you Bia. And please, call me Ray" Ray said and turned toward the other two kids.

"I'm Carla, the oldest of my siblings." the rather plump child said as she shook Ray's wing.

"Hi Carla, say isn't that an Ipod?" Ray asked as he noticed a pink Ipod tucked under Carla's wing.

"Why yes it is Ray." Carla replied.

"Interesting, how does one possess one all the one out here?"

"What does possess mean?" the child tilted her head confused.

"Er, simply means own. My apologizes for my English."

"Ah don't worry sir. And to answer your question, my dad gave it to me as a gift awhile back."

"Oh your Dad is sweet." Ray smiled as he turned to the final child.

"And you must be?"

"Call me Tiago, the coolest bird among my sisters!" the young bird replied with enthusiasm.

"I bet you are young one." Ray chuckled as he patted the youngest son with his wing. "Well I now know the family, I guess you all already know me, but I'm Rayvin, Ray for short."

"So what brings you here to this part of the world Ray?" Blu questioned, still suspicious about the bird's intentions.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt telling." Ray pulled out a small map from his satchel and laid it out to the macaws. "My brother and I are travelling to what the humans called North America. We started in Australia, and working our way there."

"Hey, isn't Dad from the America?" Tiago asked Blu and Jewel. Both nodded, but Ray seemed too focused on his map to listen.

"May I interject Ray sir?" Bia asked.

"Why of course Bia. What is it?"

"If you and your brother were planning to go to this North America, why didn't you both fly East from your current location? I believe it would have been much faster. And besides, if you deciding to go West, I recall following that direction will be easier since a pleasant air current flows along the coast. Wouldn't that make flying much easier?" Bia asked as she studied the map.

"My aren't you the little genius." A surprised Ray replied. "You are indeed correct. But my brother and I have our reasons why we decided to detour here. Mainly two reasons, first being my brother and I enjoy travelling around the world. Second being we ran out of food and could use a restock."

"Well you're in the right place to restock. Here in the Amazon, fruit is plentiful." Jewel said, directing her wing around the many trees. "Take as much as you need for your travels."

"That is very kind of you Jewel. I'll be grateful to take that offer."

"May I ask a question?" Blu asked.

"Ask away good sir."

"If you and your brother came here just to restock on supplies, why stay a night?" Blu asked, curious on the crow's case.

"I'll be happy to answer that. In all honesty, my brother and I aren't great fliers of long distance. So we hoped to stay a day here, and thanks to your father Eduardo, our wish was granted."

"Hey how did you know Eduardo was our grandfather?" Carla asked.

"He mentioned it me before he took my brother off to explore the forest." Ray answered as he folded his map away into his satchel. "I know you all have more questions to ask, but would it be okay I rest for a bit? I'm actually pretty exhausted from the flight." Ray confessed as he struggle keeping his eyes open.

"Hey that gives me an idea! Hey Mom, Dad, could Ray and Kroh stay with us? Our home is super big!" Tiago asked.

"Now that's an idea." Blu replied, a little shocked for his son to even have the thought of inviting a complete stranger to stay within his home, let alone near his wife and kids.

"I like that idea, our home is the most comfortable compare to the other's places. Besides, Roberto got us the best place after all." Bia bragged.

"That actually wouldn't be too bad actually. And Bia makes a good point, our home is quite vacant compare to the others." Carla added.

"Now hold up kids, should we consider-" Blu started before Ray steps in.

"If it's too much trouble Blu, I'll be fine. I'm pretty sure a nearby tree branch would suffice me." Ray said as he was about to take flight.

"Now Blu, that shouldn't be the way to treat a guest." Jewel intervened, slightly irritated towards her husband. "Don't worry Ray, you are welcome to stay in our guest beds. Sleeping outside is fun and all, but you should be comfortable while you're here. There are plenty of things to ruin a good night's sleep outside."

"I can't argue against that, I do need good rest for my trip in the future. Are you all okay with that?" Ray asking the family. Everyone but Blu nodded and Ray smiled back. "I really appreciate your hospitality. You have my thanks." Ray said and bowed in thanks.

"Ah it's nothing, come on, follow us Mr. Ray!" Tiago insisted and took off with his siblings behind. Ray follows their lead and takes flight while Jewel prepared to take flight. Before she was able to spread her wings, Blu quickly tapped Jewel's shoulder for her attention.

"What is it dear?" Jewel asked, somewhat concerned for Blu.

"Are you sure this is a good idea for inviting Ray to stay with us?" Blu said as he keeps looking out toward the forest where his kids took off.

"Now what has gotten in you Blu?" Jewel demanded as she rested her wings on her hips, tipping Blu she's rather irked.

"It's just...I'm concerned that's all. Can we trust Ray?"

"He seems genuine to me. And besides Blu, if I get even a whiff on any suspicious activity from Ray, I'll make sure he fesses up. You know my methods." Jewel insisted.

"I know you will Jewel." Blu said as he leaned in for a kiss. Jewel couldn't resist and returned the kiss.

"Okay, sorry about that honey. Ready to head back?"

"Ready as I ever be." Jewel smiled, and both macaws took off back home to their kids and Ray.

With Ray behind, the kids would occasionally introduce the crow their forest and the local macaws. As the kids continued rambling on their lifestyle and interests, Ray was in deep thought, ignoring the children's discussion.

"Whew, what a day I must admit. I surely hope Kroh knows what he's doing." Ray thought as he continues following Blu and Jewel's children.

A/N: Enjoying so far? If not, let me know. And stay tuned, the chapters are about to get juicy. Characters (excluding Kroh and Rayvin) belong to Dreamworks and Blue Sky Studios.