A/N: Thank you Cathy for your review! I hope you like this chapter as much as you liked the last! ^_^ Also, just to let y'all know, I kind of considered Ranjan Mowgli's adopted brother because in the movie they were living together, so that's why I refer to him as 'brother' a couple times, okay? ^_^ Anyway, I hope you enjoy, and please be sure to leave a review before leaving! Thanks! ^________^

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"Stay back," Mowgli took a step backwards from the snarling tiger, and Ranjan followed suit. Shere Khan laughed a little, then spoke in a low tone.

"'Stay back?'" Shere Khan gave off an eerie laugh again breaking the morning silence that surrounded them. Mowgli frowned, and took another cautious step backwards. Ranjan stood still, staring wide eyed at the talking tiger. "What, exactly, makes you think I would obey you, mancub?" Shere Khan asked.

"Because I-I'm not a-afraid of you," Mowgli attempted to defend himself but his shaky voice betrayed him. Shere Khan glanced from Mowgli to Ranjan, and then locked his eyes with Mowgli's.

"I suggest you come with me, mancub," the tiger stated, though he knew Mowgli would refuse. Which is exactly what I want. A smile that sent chills down Mowgli's spine found itself on the face of Shere Khan. Mowgli raised an eyebrow, and shook his head fervently.

"No way, no how," he muttered before taking another step backwards. If I could only get closer to the path, I could run back into the village, but...His eyes landed on Ranjan. The toddler was about a foot in front of him off to the side, staring in shock at the tiger. Mowgli groaned inwardly. What do I do?!

"No?" Shere Khan's voice snapped Mowgli out of his thoughts. Mowgli looked at the tiger, surprised. Did Shere Khan expect him to say 'yes' or something?

"No," Mowgli repeated, uncertainly. I don't understand... What's he up to besides no good? Shere Khan smiled, and allowed silence to engulf them for a few moments. Mowgli looked around, uncertain, trying to find an escape route, but not taking his eyes off the predator. Ranjan continued to stare at the tiger, confused and scared.

Why isn't Mowgli doing anything? I thought he could take on a tiger, Ranjan remembered the story Mowgli used to tell him, Shanti, and their parents. How he used to live in the jungle, and how he had managed to defeat a vicious tiger. But now... Mowgli just looked scared. And that was scaring Ranjan.

"That's too bad," Shere Khan's smile vanished from his face, "Well, they always said blackmail was better than force. I'm sure I can get you to change your mind-come and see me when you do." Mowgli looked at Shere Khan, completely confused.

"Wha..." Mowgli was suddenly cut off when Shere Khan leapt over to where he was, picked up Ranjan, and darted off into the jungle. Mowgli stared wide eyed at the spot Ranjan had just been standing. It had all happened so fast, he wasn't sure if he'd seen everything correctly or not. After a few seconds Mowgli's mouth dropped open. Ranjan was really gone!

That stupid tiger! Mowgli stamped his foot, as tears began spring to his eyes. He's gone. Why didn't I do anything? Mowgli looked around, tempted to fall to the ground, curl into the fetal position, and cry his heart out. NO! I can't think like that! I have to find Ranjan. A determined look came across his face, and he curled his fists tightly. I have to! He spun on his heels and began running in the direction Shere Khan had taken off in.

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"Hello? Boys?" Shanti poked her head through some bushes where the river was. Mowgli and Ranjan had been with her when she had gotten water; she'd gone back without them, finished her water chore, and still no sight of the boys. She figured maybe they had decided to go swimming in the river, but, obviously, that wasn't the case.

"Um, this isn't funny! Answer me!" Shanti felt frustration began to swell up in her. Where were those boys? She let out a sudden gasp at the sight of muddy footprints on the bank of the river, and.... pawprints?! She stared horrified at the prints on the other side of the small river. It looked like the set of pawprints went into the jungle as well as one pair of human prints- most definitely Mowgli's, but where were Ranjan's? She felt dread began to build up within her as she crossed the river and followed the footprints and pawprints into the jungle.

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Mowgli sighed and sat down, pulling at his hair. He looked up at the setting sun. Hard to believe I used to live here, and I'm lost.He looked around, hoping that something would trigger his memory. However, the trees, fruit, bushes, and insects didn't help out at all. He let out another sigh, and became silent, listening for the sounds around him. Maybe...maybe.

His ears perked at the sudden sound of a vaguely familiar voice. That voice. He smiled widely. //That voice! It's.. He jumped up from his rock, and swiftly ran towards where the voice was coming from. He ran past a few trees, and stumbled into a little section of the jungle where a very special friend was dancing.

"Baloo!" Mowgli cried, thrilled at the sight of his "papa-bear." Baloo spun around, and his jaw dropped at the unexpected appearance of Mowgli.

"H-how," Baloo shook his head, "Wha- what.." Baloo stuttered before grinning broadly. "It doesn't matter! It's great to see you again, baby-bear!" Mowgli rushed up and hugged the pleasantly surprised bear, then pulled away, looking rather anxious.

"Baloo- I was, and then, Ranjan, and water, it happened so fast, and Shere Khan," Mowgli tried to explain hurriedly and in fragments, while making frantic hand motions. Baloo frowned at Mowgli and held up his hands.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, calm down there, baby-bear. You're talking to fast. Something about water and Shere Khan?" Baloo waited expectantly for Mowgli to expand.

"Yes," Mowgli nodded his head, "I was getting water with Shanti."

"She's..?" Baloo cut in.

"A girl from the village, and Ranjan-he's like a little brother. We were getting water, and Shanti left, and Ranjan and I were playing and Shere Khan..."

"Shere Khan?" Baloo looked rather surprised, and waited for Mowgli to continue.

"Yes, Shere Khan. He came out of some nearby grass and told me to come with him," Mowgli stopped to catch his breath.

"He what?!" Baloo looked even more confused. Shere Khan sounded kind of...out of character. Why hadn't he just grabbed Mowgli and ran off? "And you told him 'No, get lost,' I assume, right?"

"Something like that. Anyway, since I said no, he took Ranjan and ran into here somewhere," Mowgli spread his arms out, indicating that Shere Khan ran into the jungle.

"He took you're little brother? How old is he?" Baloo asked, concerned.

"About two-he's just a baby!" Mowgli felt hopeless panic begin to rise in him.

"Well, we can't have that, now can we?" Baloo asked with a frown, "Come on baby-bear, let's go find your brother." He bent down slightly and Mowgli jumped onto his back. "Which way did they go?" Mowgli pointed in the direction, and Baloo went stalking in that direction, determined to help his "baby-bear" retrieve his baby brother.

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Ranjan stared with wet eyes at the vicious tiger that circled him, allowing him no escape.

"Good," Shere Khan whispered to the young toddler. "Do not let me hear you scream, or wail again, child," He popped his claws and allowed Ranjan a rather close up look at them, "Or else." Ranjan swallowed and nodded. Shere Khan nodded his head and made his claws vanish from sight.

"I'm glad you understand," the tiger stated, "because it is not you I wish to hurt, you're only bait," a slow, sinister smile crept across his lips, "only bait."

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