A/N: Hey all! ^_^ First off, I'd like to apologize at how short this chapter is, but I figure something is better than nothing! ^_~
Cathy: I'm glad you're enjoying this so much, and I hope you enjoy this chapter also- let me know! ^_^
Julie: Y'know, I am surprised there aren't too many other Jungle Book fanfics, but, then again, there have been more surprising things in life! ^_~ Be sure to let me know what you think of this fic! ^_^
Angelgirl: Thanks! Let me know if you think this chapter is a good addition to the story will ya? ^__^
By the way, I'm not sure if "Bagheera" is spelled right or not- let me know if not, please!
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"Um, where are you?" Shanti whispered to herself as she carefully stepped over a large tree root sticking up out of the ground. She sighed as she got what she had expected: no answer. Shanti looked back down at the floor, and shook her head exasperated. The tracks she had been following had seemingly disappeared. She wasn't too sure when, but, at some point or another, they had vanished. She remembered looking up for a few moments, and when she looked back at the ground, the tracks were no longer there.
Pretty sure I took a wrong turn somewhere, she thought as she pushed some tall grass out of her way. And, now, I have no idea where I am! She sighed, as she spun around in a circle, trying to navigate her way around the jungle and not having much luck.
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"Uh, this is horrible!" Baloo exclaimed as Mowgli jumped off his back and inspected the nearby area. "Ol' Stripes seems to have just vanished!" Baloo made hand motions to go along with his frustration.
"He has to be around here somewhere!" Mowgli exclaimed, peeking under some bushes, and moving large leaves. Baloo stared at him for a moment, feeling an amused smile creep across his features.
"Heya, baby-bear, I really doubt Shere Khan would be hiding from us under some bushes." Mowgli looked up at Baloo confused. The bear continued to use hand motions as he explained his way of thinking to Mowgli, "Y'see, I think the tiger wants us to find him- just not yet. And until he feels wants us to find him, we won't." Mowgli stared at him confused.
"So," Mowgli started slowly, "He wants us to find us, but he doesn't?" Mowgli looked even more confused, and the bear smiled down at the boy.
"He wants us to find him when he's ready, and he's not ready to be found yet. Does that make more sense, baby-bear?" Baloo asked. Mowgli thought about it for a moment or two before nodding his head.
"Yeah, I get it, but what do we do until he 'wants' to be found?" Mowgli asked, panic beginning to show in his eyes. "He still has Ranjan." That last statement seemed to tint the air with fearful dread.
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"Ugh!" Shanti cried as her foot landed in some mud. The sun was starting to set, creating a purplish hue throughout the jungle. Unfortunately, some rain clouds hung over a good portion of the jungle, and it had just started to sprinkle. She glanced up at the sky and frowned.
"Why?" She groaned to herself. "Wait a second," Shanti glanced around her surroundings. Everything looked familiar-too familiar. "I've been here before!" she exclaimed, frustrated. She grabbed her head and plopped down on a nearby rock. "I'm lost!"
"A bit young to be wandering around the forest by yourself, no?" A voice caused her head to pop up. Her eyes went wide at what was before her, and she quickly jumped up off the rock and jumped behind it.
"You don't need to hide," the amused voice told her. She peeked at the animal from over the rock, but didn't have the nerve to come out of her hiding place from behind it. Sitting a couple feet in front of the rock was a black panther that stared at the girl with inquiring eyes.
"I assume you're lost." The panther stated when the girl remained silent. "Maybe I can help you. My name is Bagheera. What's yours?" Bagheera asked, cautiously, aware of how fearful the young girl was.
"Shanti," she whispered, crawling out from behind the rock slowly. Bagheera offered a friendly smile. Shanti stared for a few moments, unsure of what to do, before returning the smile.
"Have you seen my friends around?" she bravely asked. Bagheera raised an eyebrow and waited for her to explain. "Um, my friend, Mowgli."
"Mowgli?" Bagheera interrupted, "the mancub?"
"Ummm, I guess.. he used to live here," Shanti said, not really sure what her new friend was talking about. "Him and Ranjan, a little boy," She bent down and used her hand to indicate Ranjan's height, "are around here somewhere, but I'm lost and can't find them." Bagheera nodded.
"This doesn't sound good. Come on," he motioned with his head in the direction they were to take, "let's try to find Mowgli and...Ranjan, right?" Shanti nodded and followed Bagheera.
