Kitwana felt out of place.

Since he returned with Bakshi to the flock and she announced he was now a member of it, there was a ruckus. Apparently, what happened with Mshale was still fresh, and most of the other egrets feared for the safety of their chicks. Mshale's mother, in particular, opposed strongly, but she was overruled by Bakshi and Simba.

Unfortunately, she was right in something: Kitwana had grown amongst crocodiles, who were naturally violent unlike the usually peaceful Egrets, and many assumed he had learned those habits from them. Bakshi assured Kitwana would not repeat that behavior again, for he was there in part to learn the proper way to behave for a bird.

However, he was still treated as an outcast. Apart from Bakshi and Dalila, no other member of the flock wanted him near, in fear he'd hurt them or their chicks, who had also been told not to even talk to him. Mshale seemed to be enjoying Kitwana's misery, which he hid very well under a 'traumatized' façade.

At first he, did nothing. Bakshi suggested him to watch the behavior of everyone else and try it out himself to start practicing, but he ignored the advice and continued to act like a crocodile, if only partly because he still did not accept that he was a bird... or didn't want to see it. The once hyperactive and happy ibis was now almost a shell of his former self, hidden underneath a seemingly endless ice age. Once he noted that continuing to act like a croc wouldn't really change anything, he decided to try it out.

That was when the trouble began. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't properly imitate the egrets' behavior.

He lacked the balance to sleep on his feet, and fell to the ground everytime he started to get sleepy.

He'd also fall to the ground whenever he tried to scratch his head with his talon, like he had seen some of the adults do.

When it came to preening his feathers, both with a partner and on himself, his nibbling was a bit too strong than it should be and ended up accidentally hurting his back.

Thankfully, he could feed himself the 'bird way', since Makuu had taught him how to, perhaps knowing he'd eventually need it.

As for Makuu, he could not understand why instead of being happy and relieved that he didn't have to care for the chick anymore, he found himself... sad and missing the little one. Naturally, since he didn't want anyone to notice, he tried to hide it by sulking and acting in a grouchy way. The float noted he was in a sour mood and, knowing it wasn't wise to disturb him in that state, they tried their best not to cross his path unless either it was important, or he called for them himself.

And the worst of all: he started dreaming again. Both about the past and the events that led to him losing everything as a hatchling, or about the mother ibis's ghost, who haunted him and berated him for breaking his promise. He told himself he had looked after the egg and then the chick, which was more than enough for him to survive. Bakshi would teach him how to fly, she knew how to do so, it was something he could never teach the kiddo himself for obvious reasons.

But this didn't stop the nightmares. Not even Akina knew how to help her mate if he wasn't willing to accept what was causing this, even though he knew it perfectly. Something urged him to see how Kitwana was, but he always ignored it, despite the pain he felt in his chest everytime he did so.

"Stupid chick..." he muttered, sulking over on a more private part of the lake, where he usually went to cool down whenever he was mad at someone. But this time it wasn't working. "Stupid promise I made to a stupid bird!"

He would have continued to curse his charge if Akina hadn't approached him, concerned. She had noted he had started isolating himself from the float most of the time, and he had not slept peacefully. "Makuu?"

"What?!" he snapped unintentionally, turning around with an irritated expression. There were already bags under his eyes from the lack of sleep.

Akina didn't react to it, however. "Are you alright?"

"Well, of course I am! Why wouldn't I be?! At last I'm free from looking after that chick!"

"Yet, you don't seem happy about it."

"I'm very happy, in case you haven't noticed!"

"Makuu, you don't have to hide it from me. I know you, in case you forgot we've known each other since we were hatchlings."

"..." She had him there.

"What's wrong?"

Rather reluctantly, he spoke. "...Why did he do this to me?"

"What?"

"Simba. If he was going to take him away all along, then why did he let me hatch the egg and get attached to the chick in the first place?" he said bitterly. "It would have been better if he gave it to Bakshi from the start."

"You made a promise to that bird, and he was aware of that."

"And he was also aware I wouldn't be able to fulfill the one about teaching him how to fly as well." Makuu sighed sadly. "I think it would have been best if he had given it to Bakshi after all."

That did make her frown. "How can you say that?"

"He might not live among us anymore, but I've kept tabs on him..." against his better judgment, he blushed when Akina gave him an 'I knew it' stare. "...What? I have to make sure he doesn't make me look bad." He regained his composure. "Anyway, I've heard of how the other birds treat him. They don't want him near, and no matter how hard he tries he just can't get used to their ways. He learned too much from us... What if he never adapts...?"

"If you are so worried about him, why don't we go see him?"

He scoffed. "I seriously doubt he wants to see me of all animals again."

"Why? You were his father growing up."

"I was, but after what happened I don't think he sees me as such anymore. Besides, considering he didn't say a word to me when I dropped him off, I think that just confirms it."

Feeling compassion for her mate, Akina swam closer and rubbed her head against his in a show of affection. He didn't push her away, but instead accepted it. There were not many moments when they could be affectionate on this level.

"Just a favor: don't tell the others about this. I have an image to maintain."

Akina rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say."

Today, Bakshi called all of the flock's fledglings to the first of some special lesson: flying lessons.

This included Kitwana too, since he would soon be old enough to fly, even though he was hesitant to attend at all, since Mshale was there. However, flying was something birds did, so he really had no other choice to attend.

Traditionally, the flying lessons were given to fledglings underneath the old tree next to the water hole, from which they would eventually jump off in the Dege Kwanza Ceremony, also known as the First Flight.

"I'm very nervous!" Dalila said as they made their way to the tree.

"I guess." Kitwana said, devoid of any emotion.

"Don't worry, you'll do fine." She assured him, though she was saddened he didn't seem to like the idea of flying. Then again, he was still depressed over learning what he really was, and that the animal he thought his father really wasn't.

Bakshi and many other fledglings were already there, Mshale included, and naturally the other chicks weren't happy to see him.

"Great, who invited him?"

"I thought this was supposed to be a flight lesson."

"Yeah, and as far as I know 'crocodiles' are flightless." This comment stung Kitwana, and the others laughed.

"That's enough." Bakshi said sternly. "Kitwana is here to learn because he is also a bird. And given his... mother passed, and his father is absent, he shall learn here."

"Makuu is my father." Kitwana thought to himself, but said nothing to avoid any more comments.

Once Kitwana and Dalila had taken their places, Bakshi continued. "If all are present, then let us begin. First of all, what do you understand by 'flying'?"

Mshale scoffed. "Obviously flap your wings and move upwards."

"That's one way to look at it. Flying is a bird's main way of moving from one place to another; it's what distinguishes us from the rest of animals. As such, a bird who cannot fly is hardly a bird."

"So, when do we fly?" another female fledgling inquired.

"I'm afraid it's not that easy. First you shall learn how to properly flap your wings, then you'll have to hover for a few seconds, glide, and those who are deemed ready will participate in the Dege Kwanza Ceremony."

All the fledglings, minus Kitwana, chattered excitedly amongst themselves.

"If we're clear, let us begin the first lesson: how to flap your wings." Bakshi extended out her wings. "First, extend out your wings at your full wingspan; since you're not used to flying, before we start you need to warm up first. Flap like this." She flapped her wings in a quick succession, but not too frantically.

Kitwana watched as all the others spread out their wings and flapped to warm up. He hesitated to do so, since it was not a 'crocodile thing', but he wanted to avoid any more trouble. However, as he was about to spread out his wings, suddenly the joints started aching, making him retract them. Confused, he tried again only to get the same result.

The more he tried to open them, the more the joints hurt, and even extended to his shoulders and spine.

Kitwana decided against forcing his wings, but unfortunately Dalila noticed he was not doing the exercise. "Kitwana, you have to spread out your wings and flap."

"I'm trying, but I can't seem to open my wings." Kitwana responded, shrugging in confusion.

Much to his dismay, Bakshi also noticed, and approached him. "Is something wrong, Kitwana?"

"I can't open my wings... my shoulders and the joints hurt when I try."

"Could you try again?"

Kitwana wanted to refuse, but he could not say no to Bakshi after she was just trying to help him. Slowly, he started opening his wings, but his shoulder blades and the joins started to ache. Bakshi noted the stiffness in his wings, it was almost as if they were struggling to open at all.

The other fledglings noticed what was going on, and stopped to watch as Kitwana tried and failed to open his wings. Mshale snickered.

"Kitwana, did you ever warm up your wings as a chick?"

He had no idea of what she was talking about. "Huh?"

"Maybe he's been around crocodiles so much that he lost the capacity of flight." Mshale pointed out mockingly, and the other fledglings laughed.

Bakshi realized what was wrong, and turned to the rest of the young ones. "Continue warming up, children. I'll back shortly." Then the looked at Kitwana. "Follow me."

He had the feeling something was wrong, and followed her a few feet away from the practice area. Once they were out of earshot, he asked. "What's wrong?"

"It appears your wings are underdeveloped." Bakshi explained, sighing sadly. "You say you didn't properly warm them up constantly, did you?"

"No, only when I tried to swim..." Kitwana confessed.

"Makuu didn't know this, but young birds must warm up their wings during their early development to strengthen the muscles required to fly properly. However, you never did, so it seems your wings are not used to being fully spread out, and even if they were, I don't think they'll be strong enough to carry your weight."

"What are you saying...?"

"I don't think you'll be ready to participate in the Dege Kwanza."

For some reason, she thought he'd be upset, or disappointed at best, but he didn't react. In fact, he seemed to take it in a rather calm way. "Oh, that's all?" he said. "Well, guess I did learn one thing from the crocodiles."

"Kitwana..."

"What? It was bound to happen, right?" as he spoke, Kitwana's voice became louder, and angrier. "I mean, that's what happens when you hatch and are then deceived into thinking you belonged to a species, only to have that taken away from you by the animal you thought to be your father! And now it turns out you don't even belong with your actual species because you cannot do the one thing that tells them apart from others!"

"Kitwana, calm down...!"

"Calm down? Like that's going to help me! Mshale is right, maybe I did lose my ability to fly after spending so much time around crocs! And if that's the case, then I shouldn't bother to show up at the lessons at all!"

With that, Kitwana turned away and started walking away. Bakshi wanted to go after him, but something told her that right now he needed to be alone. Reluctantly, she turned around to go back to the fledglings.

Kitwana just stomped away, pulling his wings closer to his body, and unconsciously bristling his plumage. If there was any rock in his path, he'd kick it into the water if it was small enough. His eyes started welling up with hot tears of anger and frustration, but over all of heartache.

Crocodiles never wept.

But he was not a crocodile.

And now he couldn't even be a bird either.

All the repressed grief he had bottled up since Makuu handed him over without another word, as if he didn't care... it just exploded. The tears rolled down his beak, and he started sobbing. He wished he had never been born, that he had died along with... her. He finally came to a stop just at the edge of the waterhole, just at the edge of the water.

He saw his reflection again, and saw how different he was from his crocodilian father. The milky white feathers instead of green scales, a long curved beak instead of a teeth-filled snout, long thing legs instead of chubby short, and of course, no tail. As a chick he used to think he was just a different type of crocodile, but now he understood...

Unable to bear looking at his reflection, Kitwana yelled in anger and kicked the water, distorting it before stomping towards the reeds and sitting there. He just sat there, sobbing in anger and tucking his wings closer to his body.

He stayed like this for a few hours.

"Kitwana?"

He said nothing as Ono landed a few feet away and approached him in concern. "Leave me alone..." he whispered.

"Mom told me about your... undeveloped wings. Are you okay?"

"No."

"Don't worry, you just have to exercise your wings, and in a few months you'll be able to open them properly... Or is it something else?"

Kitwana sniffled. "How could he do this to me?"

"You mean Makuu?"

"He just... gave me away, and he didn't even say goodbye when he left. He just turned around and walked away without looking back. Did he ever care about me?"

"Don't say that, he did care about you."

"If he did, then he did a pretty good job at making it look like he didn't."

Ono sighed sadly. "It's not really his fault, you know. Crocodiles are naturally standoffish, since reptiles are not as emotional as mammals and birds. They don't openly show certain feelings because they consider it a show of weakness. But just because he wasn't openly affectionate doesn't mean he didn't care for you."

"He was never openly affectionate, that's true, but at least I was sure he did love me because he was my father... That's what I thought. Now it turns out he only looked after me because he promised it to somebody. If he hadn't, he would have probably eaten me as an egg."

"Even if that hadn't happened, he wouldn't have eaten your egg. Not anymore..."

The word 'anymore' caught Kitwana's attention. "Anymore? What do you mean? He has eaten eggs?"

Ono knew he had messed up, and panicked. "No! I mean, no that I know of... Anyway, it's a long story. He did use to be quite a troublemaker when he recently became the Leader of the float, but he has matured greatly since then, and he's a great leader. On one occasion, he even hurt his foreleg on a rockslide while helping one of the crocodiles unstuck his tail from under a rock. "

Kitwana was surprised to learn Makuu had been a troublemaker once, considering now he was very strict regarding rules and the Circle of Life. However, he sighed sadly.

"Where would that put me? I'm not a part of his float anymore, and I never was in the first place. He made it very clear." He said bitterly.

Kitwana wondered if birds were more into physical contact than crocodiles. "Hey, Ono... do birds comfort each other?"

"Usually yes, why?"

Kitwana sniffled. "Well, I had no one to hug me in the float whenever I was sad... except Hodari, but the one animal I wanted to comfort me never did the way I wished, apart from a few pats or words."

Ono realized what he was asking of him, and smiled kindly. Then he gently pulled the younger chick closer with a wing, covering him in it, and rubbed his head against his in an act of comfort as Kitwana continued to cry.