Chapter Eight: Amazon or Bust Baby!

"A-A family?" Blu asked.

"Yeah. I know we were just married a few days ago and we're experiencing some difficulties with your ex." She said.

"Not my ex." Blu said in defense.

"I know. I'm just teasing." Jewel said, giving him a kiss.

"Jewel, of course I want a family with you." Blu said, withdrawing from the kiss. "The problem is that if we're separated, I can't father them or you'll lose them. I'm afraid for you and the wellbeing of the eggs." Blu said. Jewel was excited that he wanted a family with her, but she was also sad that he was correct. They couldn't have a family until their relationship problems with Sapphire and Juan were over.

"So, how do we stop Juan and Sapphire so we can have a family?" Jewel said.

"I don't know. Any suggestions?" Blu said.

"I have one, but I don't like it." Jewel said.

"Shoot." He said.

"We move away from here." Jewel said. Blu understood what that meant and didn't like that either.

"We can improve on this." Blu said. "Let's just put our heads together."

For the next hour or so, the two ate another mango each, and they kept trying to improve their moving away situation. "We could move to the amazon." Jewel said.

"We could. If we do, then you and I could be hard to find and we wouldn't have a problem raising our chicks in the wild." Blu said. "Besides, we'll visit Rio and all of our friends." Blu said. Jewel liked that idea.

"Sure. We could come back every summer." Jewel said.

"Agreed. I think we should leave at nightfall." Blu said. Jewel nodded in agreement. They ate another mango, and they cuddled with each other for a few hours until night returned from it's slumber.

Back with Sapphire, Juan, and the Red Macaws

"We need to find them! Right now, they could be anywhere in the world!" Sapphire furiously said to her work partners.

"We've searched all of Rio nine times today, each hour of the twelve hour clock, almost." Dante said.

"Well, then they're not in Rio. I guess we'll have to find their travel plans by some help with the other birds that know them. We'll leave first thing in the morning." Sapphire said, knowing that nightfall would hurt their abilities for tomorrow if they stayed up.

Back with Blu and Jewel

The two took off, making sure they weren't followed, towards their friends' houses. They left a note for Linda and Tulio at the aviary first, seeing as they've hidden under it all day. They then said bye to Rafael and his family. They wished the two safe travels. When they arrived at Nico and Pedro's club, they made sure to add mud to their feathers, much to Jewel's dismay. They didn't want to be spotted by Sapphire or Juan, knowing this is where their hideout was. They snuck in, and saw the two singing on stage.

"I'll get their attention after the song." Blu said. He started walking over to the stage. Jewel was lost in the crowd.

"Hello, beautiful. Wanna dance?" Someone asked Jewel.

"Sorry, I'm looking for my husband." She said in a strict tone to get her point across. A few other birds asked her to dance as she made her way through the crowd. She denied each of them. They kept giving her nasty looks afterwards, guessing who her husband was so they could give him a beat down for his wife. When Jewel spotted Blu, she rushed over to him. "Blu, I think we should go." Jewel said, looking at the other birds that were closing in.

"Okay. Bye Nico, Pedro!"

"See you two lovebirds, later." Pedro said, giving a 'lovehawk' squawk as he flew back to the stage. Jewel pulled Blu through the crowd and to the entrance, trying to hide from the other bird's views. Once they got out, they quickly flew back to their hiding spot for another bite. The two made sure they weren't followed, of course.

"Jewel, why were you in a rush to get out?" Blu asked, taking another bite of his mango.

Jewel swallowed her mouth full of mango, and spoke, "Some birds kept asking for me to dance. I kept declining and they kept following me like they were still determined to get me. That's what I hate about birds is that they look at me and want me because of how I look. It is a huge pain." Jewel said, looking to the ground.

"I love you for who you are, Jewel. I don't love you for just your outward appearance." Blu said, pulling her into a hug.

Jewel backed up a little. "And that, my Blu bird, is why you are my husband and no one else is." Jewel said, giving him a kiss. Once it broke off, Jewel continued. "Ready for the amazon?"

"Yep. Kind of nervous, but yep." Blu said. He took off for the entrance, and they started heading west, into the unknown.

The following day, Sapphire, Juan, and the others set out for the aviary. Once they arrived, Tulio let them in. He was surprised to see two different bird species getting along like this. "Can I help you?" He asked. He didn't know if he would get a true response, knowing that he couldn't translate bird into english. Sapphire had brought one of Blu's feathers. She used it as a teddy bear, thinking that the object was really there (or in this case, Blu). Tulio took it and examined it. "Are you looking for Blu?" Tulio asked. He read the letter Blu and Jewel left for him and Linda this morning. He knew why these birds were looking for them.

The birds nodded. Sapphire turned to the rest. "Now, no claws and beak. Just don't harm them, or we may not get what we want." she said.

"I'm sorry, but I haven't seen them recently." Tulio lied. He knew that he'd have to hide the letter as soon as he could, knowing that Blu and Jewel told him to if these birds asked. Odd coincidence. He thought. He walked to the door, opened it, and the birds flew out. He quickly paced himself to the letter, and put it into his safe. He thought it wasn't needed, but it was put there, just in case.

The birds arrived at Rafael's hollow. "Hello. We mean no harm, for now." Sapphire said. Rafael and Eva had the kids back up behind them.

"What do you want?" Rafael said in a serious tone.

"I just want to know where Blu went." Sapphire said.

"What about Jewel?" Juan asked.

"Who's leading this operation?" Sapphire barked. Juan hung his head. "Better."

"I don't know where he is." Rafael said.

"But you seemed to have infiltrated my stronghold to get your daughter back. The only problem was that it wasn't a toucan that did so. Right Rojo?" she said, giving him a nasty glare.

"Y-Yes, ma'am. He looked like Brat, a little." He said.

"Why are you three helping her?" Eva asked the three red macaws.

"Simple, we want Jewel." Brat said.

"That's my bird." Juan said. The four started arguing again until Sapphire smacked all of them upside the head.

They all whined in pain. "That's better. Now where are they?"

"I don't know. How many times do we have to tell you? All I know is that their hollow is by the aviary. It's the artificial hollow next to the small house." Rafael said.

"Rafi! Why would you tell them that?"

"You want them taking us and the kids down? Think about the kids!" Rafael exclaimed.

As Eva and Rafael were fighting, the band of birds left. They flew to Blu and Jewel's hollow. Juan already knew it's location, though. Rafael and Eva were just acting, though. Blu and Jewel warned of this, knowing the evil natures of the group. "Well, I hope they don't find what they're looking for." Rafael said. The family chuckled.

"Hey, I think we should have a name." Brat said as they flew to the nest.

"What are you talking about? We all have names, Brat!" Dante said.

"I mean a team name. Maybe the Love Ruiners! L.R for short!" Everyone rolled their eyes at this. "So what do you think?"

"Stupid." Juan said.

"Weird." Rojo said.

"Sad." Dante exclaimed.

"Maybe." Sapphire said. Everyone looked to her with confused faces. "Think about it. If people know who we are, they could get the information we look for out and about faster. Plus, we need to strike fear into our enemies." Sapphire said. "Brat, how about, Doomdaters?" Sapphire said.

"I like, I like." Brat said. Everyone was a little worried of Sapphire's well being now.

"Ma'am, we're here." Dante said. No one was home. "Looks like plan B is in action."

"No, activate plan C." Sapphire said.

Back to Blu and Jewel

They have just crossed the border of Brazil. They started to make their way into Peru. "Just look at this scenery, Blu!" Jewel shouted, looking over a city.

"I've seen more beautiful things. I am married to the best scene in the world." Blu said.

"Aww, Blu." Jewel said, grabbing him and pulling him into a kiss. They released quickly, due to how close they were getting to the ground. "Amazon or bust, baby." Jewel shouted. They continued flying for the rest of the day. Once nightfall started to occur, Blu carried Jewel while flying. He didn't mind. He just hoped that she would get a good night's rest.

The Doomdaters had no luck in finding the blue couple. Sapphire was getting worried. Don't worry Blu, I'll find you. She thought. Her last place was Tulio's safe. Rojo had watched him leave quickly after they left. Rojo had asked a bird inside why something in the safe the moment they left. One of the birds on the inside gave him information on what was going on. The bird told him of a safe and a piece of paper. He didn't know the combination, though. Once they broke into the aviary (Seeing as it was night), they took off to look for the safe. About half an hour later, Rojo called everyone over.

"Over here!" He shouted. When they entered the room, they saw the safe on the highest shelf. Dante started spinning the dile. Everytime he heard a click, he would stop and turn it into the opposite direction. Then, everyone heard a 'click'. The safe opened. When the birds pulled out the piece of paper, they read it.

Dear Linda and Tulio,

Jewel and I have made a decision to live in the amazon. We'll tell you why. We are being chased by two other spix macaws, the ones you know of, and a group of red macaws. They are trying to separate me and Jewel, so we decided to leave and only come back for visits during the summer. If you see the birds, please tell them you didn't know where we went. That was the whole reason why we left. To keep this letter from falling into the wrong wings, please burn it. Thanks.

Blu and Jewel.

"TO THE AMAZON!?" Sapphire shouted.

"Where in the amazon?" Rojo asked.

Back to Blu and Jewel

A few days have past and the two lovebirds have finally arrived in the amazon. They took a boat to relax for a day before finding a hollow. "Wow. I didn't think that this place would be so peaceful." Jewel said, looking around her. Blu just admired the view as well.

"Yeah." He said.

"Something wrong?" Jewel looked to her mate with worry.

"I just don't get it. Why can't we ever live a peaceful life?" Blu said. They probably didn't burn the letter because Linda would have wanted to keep it. He thought. That gave him a bad feeling that he would be seeing two blue macaws he really didn't want to see very soon.

"I know. I feel the same way." Jewel said.

"I also have a feeling we'll see those two birds again, soon." Blu said with a worried expression.

"How so?" Jewel asked.

"Well, I'm afraid Tulio and Linda won't destroy the letter, seeing as it is the last thing from us before we left. That was the closest thing they got to as a goodbye. It would be like if I left for a little while only leaving you a note and asking you to destroy it. Would you do so?"

"No. I would treasure it until you returned." Jewel said.

"Exactly my point. Those birds are too smart for their own good. They'll probably find it and use it to track us here." Blu said.

"Hey, don't worry about it. If they do find us, they'll have us and a family to go through." Jewel said. There was silence for a little while. Jewel broke it, "We are starting a family, right?" Jewel asked, rubbing herself up against Blu.

Blu laughed nervously. "Uh, yeah, of course." Blu said.

"One more thing."

"Anything for you." Blu said.

"Aww, thanks. Anyway, promise you won't do that." Jewel said.

"What?" Blu asked.

"Leave with only a trace of a letter. Don't leave me, Blu." Jewel said, pulling him into a hug.

"I would never leave, Jewel. I wouldn't do that to you." He said, wrapping his wings around her and kissing her head. The sun was setting, and the boat was heading down a stream of the amazon rainforest. It was a romantic evening. Blu and Jewel were cuddling in each other's embraces.

"Blu, I love you."

"I love you too, Jewel."

"Blu, what's going to happen if they do come and find us?" Jewel asked, worried.

"I don't know. I guess the best we could do is keep moving or we could just move back and forth between two locations." Blu offered.

"Maybe. But what about the kids' sake? I'm afraid they'll get tired." Jewel said.

"Then I'll carry them until they're strong again." Blu said. Jewel was surprised at how mature Blu has gotten. It looked like he wanted to definitely start a family with her. That was the biggest relief to Jewel. She knew that he would never leave her, but he was also running from another bird that wanted to be with him before herself. The thought of her and Blu together made her shiver. "Are you cold?" Blu asked.

"No. Just thought of you and Sapphire together." Jewel said.

"That'll never happen. Jewel, she never got my attention in Minnesota because fate wanted us to be together, not me and her." Blu said, pulling her tighter in his embrace. Jewel gave a minute to think on those words. He was right.

"Thanks Blu."

"For what?"

"For always pulling my hopes back up when they fall." Jewel said, giving him a kiss.

"Well, what kind of husband would I be otherwise?" Blu said.

"I don't know, but I like the type of husband you are now, so please don't change." Jewel said, teasingly.

"As you wish." Blu said. The two had the best, most peaceful evening of their lives that night. The next day, they would be moving into the amazon.

Back with the Doomdaters

Author's Note: I called them that so I wouldn't have to repeat all of their names constantly. Besides, I think it increases the plot quite a bit. :D

"How big is the amazon?" Sapphire asked.

"What? It's like the biggest maze on earth!" Juan said. "We'll never find them in there."

"Then I guess we'll just have to settle for the last part of the note." Dante said.

"Yeah, wait until they return." Brat said.

"That'll take too long! We have to find them soon, or they'll start a family and none of us can put an end to their relationship after that!" Sapphire shouted.

"Why not?" Brat said.

Author's Note: I am trying to make Brat the dumb third wheel of the group. I treat his character as such and it makes my story a little funnier, in my opinion.

"Because, Brat, they won't leave each other because they'll have chicks to parent." Dante said, slapping Brat upside the head.

"I still don't understand." Brat said, rubbing his head.

"What don't you understand?" Sapphire said in a criticizing way.

"Well, why can't we just take the chicks away?"

"We can't get both of them, Brat. If we take one away, the other can't be taken without killing the chicks. We won't do that because we aren't murderers." Rojo said.

"I beg to differ." Sapphire said.

"Pardon?" Rojo said.

"I would kill for my Blu." she said.

"Are you out of your mind!? You're going to kill your own kind's last surviving generation for a few years with a bird you are probably not going to get!? Plus, they're CHICKS!" Rojo shouted. Sapphire slapped him upside the head.

"If you're not in, then leave before I start my killing streak."

"You monster." Rojo said. He flew away. As he was flying, a thought came into mind. What if I switch sides? Rojo said. Why not? The Doomdaters didn't want him anymore. He could help Blu and Jewel get away from them. Well, Amazon or bust then. He started heading west.

The following day, Blu and Jewel entered the unknown. They started to look for a hollow. As they did so, they stayed together to make sure that they wouldn't lose each other in this unfamiliar environment. "Jewel, what do you think of this one?" Blu asked. He didn't get a response. "Jewel? I know she was right behind me a minute ago… AHHH!" He shouted as someone grabbed him. "I am an American citizen you monster. I have my rights! I have my rights! I demand to see an ambassador!" he was then dropped to the ground. He rolled around a few times until he met someone's chest.

"Are you okay, Blu?" Jewel said, catching him.

"Yeah, just, dizzy." Blu said, losing his balance a little as he tried to stand up. When he could see clearly again, he watched the birds that took him and Jewel fly into a waterfall. Once they re emerged, they weren't brown anymore. They were blue. It was a tribe of blue spix macaws.

"There, are, more of us!?" Jewel shouted. "HA HA! We aren't the last ones, Blu!" Blu just watched in awe. He saw everyone surface from a hollow.

Just then, a bird tapped him from behind. "Hello, my name is Eduardo. Where did you come from? I haven't seen you or you…" He stopped as he looked at Jewel. "J-Jewel, is, is that you?" Eduardo asked.

"Daddy?" Jewel said, tearing up.

"You've, you've returned. Ha, my daughter is alive!" He said as he and Jewel ran into a hug.

Daddy? Blu thought. My father in law? That's not good. Blu thought. He's watched movies where the son in law meets the father in law and the father hates the son in law. Let's pray that isn't me.

"I can't imagine you alone, after all this time."

"I wasn't alone, I met Blu." Jewel said, showing Blu to her father. Blu kept eye contact.

"Nice to meet you, sir." Blu said, extending a wing.

"Tuck that wing away Stu. You brought my daughter back to me. I thank you. I'm going to hug you now."

"Oh, that, that won't be necessary… Oof." Blu said as he was brought into a hug. "It was my pleasure."

Eduardo put his son in law down. He was still unaware that he was married to his daughter. "Everyone! My daughter has returned!" He shouted. Then he rounded up the tribe for a celebration. Mimi shouted and welcomed Jewel and Blu to the tribe. Jewel was happy. Then, a few sticks were being strung together.

"Blu! Come on! This is a celebration!" Jewel shouted. She tugged at Blu's wing and pulled him into the dance.

Let's come together, singing love and harmonia

We are so different, but we're the same inside our hearts

Beautiful colors, just as far as the eyes can see ya

Open your wings, fly when you hear the call

Let's celebrate, for we are beautiful creatures

Jewel took the lead in the dance since Blu had no idea what he was doing. Jewel was dancing and watching Blu trying to copy her own movements. It was quite funny.

Come spread your wings, dance and sing songs about freedom

Like lah lah lah hoo hoo

One for the jungle família

Like bah bah bah boom boom\

Calling the beautiful creatures

Come this way celebrate

Laugh and dance all the way

Follow me sing alon

Lah lah bah bah boom boom

Já disse que Jade chegou

Já disse que já disse que Jade chegou

Já disse que Jade chegou

Já disse que já disse que Jade chegou

Blu kept fumbling with his wings when the last part came. Eduardo didn't have his 'Pop Pop' lines yet, seeing as he wasn't a grandpa yet. The only problem was that Blu was knocked out of the air.

"Hello JuJu."

"Roberto? It's been forever!" Roberto continued the dance with Jewel. Blu was still recovering from the fall the just had. Wait, why didn't Jewel come down to help? He thought.

Let's celebrate, for we are beautiful creatures

Come spread your wings, dance and sing songs about freedom

Like lah lah lah hoo hoo

One for the jungle família

Like bah bah bah boom boom

The song finished and Blu was still recovering from his fall.

"Beto, it's been a while."

"Yes it has." He said, as he took her wing and kissed it.

"Beto, thanks for the gesture, but I can't be with you. I'm married." Jewel said. This was a tradition of the tribe. The way to ask a girl out was to treat them like a gentlebird. Roberto was doing just that.

"Wait, BLU!" Jewel realized. How could she have been so careless? She saw Roberto knock him out of flight. She thought she was a terrible wife for not helping him. She looked down to see Blu washing the mud off of his wings. She flew down.

Wait! She's married!? The girl I love is married to that guy? Roberto thought. I thought our fates would bring me to her. He thought.

"Blu! Are you okay?" Jewel asked.

"Fine. I'm fine. Nothing's wrong because I'm fine." Blu said. He was furious at what just happened. He watched the whole thing with Jewel and Roberto.

"Blu, I'm sorry…"

"Who is he?" Blu interrupted her. He gave Roberto a grudging stare as he landed next to Jewel.

"I'm Roberto, Jewel's friend." Roberto said.

"Okay." Blu said.

"Blu, what's wrong with you? Aren't you going to introduce yourself!?" Jewel started getting angry. She was going to have a talk with Blu later.

"Sorry. I'm Blu. Jewel's significant other." Blu said.

"So you're the one who swept JuJu off her feet."

"Ju Ju?"

"Yep. I called her JuJu when we were kids. She called me Beto." he said.

Blu was getting angrier now. He just had to hold his steam until they could leave. How hard could that be?

"Hey! There's my future son in law!" Eduardo landed next to Roberto and knocked him to the side a little, playfully.

"I'm sorry, Eddie, but he's your son in law." Roberto said, pointing towards Blu.

What!? Jewel married when she was gone? I guess I'll have to get to know Stu better. Eduardo thought in disappointment. He hoped his daughter was alive, and that Roberto would marry her one day to be the next tribe successor. It looks like his plans changed.

"Hi." Blu said. His anger just rose again. Future son in law? HA! I got her first, so don't you dare take her from me! Either of YOU! Blu thought. Jewel knew Blu didn't act like this.

"Blu, what's wrong." She asked in a calm tone.

"I'll talk to you later, honey." He said. Jewel understood. This was probably a private matter. Does he think that Roberto is going to take me from him? She thought. If that was the case, she'll have to bring Blu to understand that Roberto was just a friend and nothing more. She was actually happy about getting out of the betrothal while she was away. She didn't like Roberto enough to have him as a mate. He was just a friend. I hope Blu understands that. Jewel thought.

"Well, you two can stay at my nest. Mi casa es su casa." Roberto said.

"That's very nice Roberto." Jewel said.

Blu looked away as Jewel took Roberto's wing in hers.

"Then it's settled. I'll take Stu out tomorrow for some sightseeing while you stay at Roberto's nest." He said. Blu was quiet the whole way there. When they arrived, they saw the massive size of it.

"Wow, this place is incredible." Jewel said.

"Eh, this old nest. This is nothing. It's just something I put together last minute. With my strength, and my bron." He said as he popped his pecks. Blu looked away and rolled his eyes.

"Well, see you tomorrow JuJu!"

"Goodnight." She said as he flew away. Now to business with Blu. She thought.

"Blu, what's wrong?" Jewel asked.

"You want to know? Fine. I get here and the first thing that happens is that I'm knocked out of the sky by your once fiance and you didn't do anything until after the song."

"I'm sorry. Blu, that was my fault." Jewel said.

"And to make things worse, Roberto was still being Mr. Perfect for you when you said you were already married. You still didn't do anything about that. He is trying to take you from me, Jewel!"

"He would never do that!" Jewel barked.

"Really? Because I think your dad thinks the same way about me as Roberto does."

"Like what!? They haven't said anything mean to you all day!" Jewel shouted.

"Well, next time, watch your father's expression and Roberto's as well the next time I'm with you." Blu said.

"Fine, I will!" Jewel shouted.

"I need some air." Blu said. He flew out.

"How could Blu think that? Roberto is a friend and my father would love him once he gets to know him." Jewel said to herself.

Jewel went to sleep, alone that night. When she woke, she didn't see Blu anywhere in the hollow. This made her heart sink. He didn't come back? She thought. She heard her stomach growl. She flew off to find her father to ask where to get some food around here. As she flew, it was hard. It felt like something was slowing her down. Probably just hungry. She told herself. When she saw a tree nearby, she grabbed a brazil nut. "I haven't had one of these in ages!" She said. She opened it and enjoyed the flavor once again. The only problem was that she didn't stop at one. She kept plucking and eating them.

"Honey, are you okay? It looks like you haven't eaten in weeks." someone said. This startled Jewel. She turned around and saw Mimi.

"Yeah, just really hungry for some reason." Jewel said.

"I like who brought you back. He seems nice." Mimi said, still unaware that Blu was her husband.

"You mean my mate, Blu?"

"Your mate!?" Mimi shouted in joy. "My wildflower has found herself a husband! Did he work for your love?"

"You have no idea." Jewel said.

Jewel started talking to her Aunt Mimi. She told her about when Blu and her first met, how they were smuggled, how she hated him, how he couldn't fly, and how he was very nervous.

"Sounds like he was also a lot of work." Mimi joked. Jewel ignored her and continued. She told her about Blu's first flying lesson and their dance after that.

"That's when I really started opening up to him. I think it was when he started pulling me up the gazebo that I thought he was kind of funny." Jewel said. She continued her story about the trolley ride and Luiz's garage. "That's when we first fought." Jewel said, looking to the ground.

"I'm sorry. So how did you reunite with your knight in shining armour?" Mimi asked. Jewel continued on about how she was captured and how Blu's rescue attempt failed. She then talked about how she broke her wing and the best part of the story.

"Blu jumped after me. He still couldn't fly. I thought he was crazy, but he said that 'we were chained to each other birds, remember?'." Jewel said. She sat back and sighed. "Then after that, he took care of me until my wing healed."

"That's wonderful." Mimi stated. "So why did you guys go to the amazon? Why didn't you stay in Rio?" Mimi asked again. Jewel plucked another nut, and she continued her story on Sapphire, the three red macaws, and Juan. Mimi remembered Juan. "Oh, I'd punch him in the face right now for trying to separate you two!" Mimi said.

"Mm, hm." Jewel said in agreement, finishing her eighth nut.

"Jewel, I think something is up with you. Birds don't normally eat that many nuts in one sitting, unless…" Mimi gasped. "My little wildflower is going to be a mama!" Mimi said.

Jewel dropped her last bite of her nut. "I'm, pregnant?" Jewel asked.

"Do you have trouble flying?"

"I started to a little today."

"You have a huge appetite and," Mimi said as she put her wing over Jewel's abdomen, "I feel some lumps in your stomach!" Mimi was dancing now. "My wildflower's going to be a mother!" she shouted. Jewel reached down and touched her abdomen. She too, felt the lumps that were below her stomach. Oh my gosh. She thought.

"Thanks Mimi! Don't tell anyone!" She shouted as she took off for her father's hollow.

"You have my word!" Mimi shouted as Jewel flew away.

She wasn't going to tell her father yet. She needed a hollow for Blu and herself first. She needed to move in. When she flew to her father's hollow, she overheard her father talking to Roberto.

"Roberto, I don't like that Stu fella. He's a PET!" Eduardo said.

"A PET?"

"Yes, I know. I have the same feeling." Eduardo said.

"Sir, we can't have Jewel with him. He's probably tricking her into it."

"I think you're right. All of today during his training, he couldn't do anything correctly. I want you to try and win Jewel's heart back, tonight. I heard their fight. He doesn't trust either of us. He's smart, I'll give him that." Eduardo said. "Go find my daughter. Woo her so Dru leaves because he's heartbroken." Eduardo said. Roberto nodded.

"I love Jewel with all my heart. I will get her back and away from that stupid pet. Not for you, but for me." Roberto said. He took off and went to look for Jewel at his hollow.

Jewel was speechless. I'm so sorry Blu. She thought. He was right. She needed a plan. She started to head back to Roberto's hollow and grabbed a nut on the way, seeing as she was still hungry and it gave her an excuse for being out. She arrived at the hollow.

"Oh, hi Beto." Jewel said.

"Something wrong, JuJu?" Roberto asked.

"Blu and I just fought, and I didn't see his side of the argument clearly." She said.

"So he's not here?" Jewel shook her head. "Could I invite you to come with me somewhere tonight?" He asked. Jewel knew he would do so.

"I don't know, Beto. I want to see Blu and apologize for my actions." Jewel said. "I have guilt, and that isn't something that I like to have."

"Just this once, please?" Roberto begged.

"O-Okay." Jewel said.

"I'll see you tonight." Roberto said, flying out of his hollow. Time to make myself gorgeous for the most gorgeous bird in the world. He thought.

Jewel was waiting for Blu's return. She was eager to tell him they were going to be parents. The only problem was that he never came. The sun started to go down, and Jewel started getting worried about her husband. Where are you, Blu? She thought. Roberto came into view. It looked like he got himself ready for a date. Great. Jewel thought. She didn't like this.

"Ready to go, JuJu?" Roberto asked.

"Uh, maybe I shouldn't." Jewel said.

"Oh, come on!" Roberto said. Jewel started to follow him. There we go. Step one, get her to come, check. Step two, get the mood romantic is underway. He thought.

Jewel followed her friend to a special spot. The moon was up now and it made the river glow.

"Remember this, JuJu?" Roberto asked.

"Yep. The first time I met you before the tribe moved here. Before I was lost." Jewel said.

Roberto started to sing his "Welcome Back" Song.

"Look at her shinin'

Her feathers they glow

Now the jungle's smiling

'Cause our baby's home

Can you feel what I feel?

The day has come at last

My precious jewel has returned

I'll be the first to say welcome back

Oh welcome back

I say welcome, welcome, welcome

Back"

Jewel enjoyed listening to her friend's song, but her anger was still growing as well, knowing full well that this was to woo her. "That was very nice, Beto, but I think I should be going." Jewel said. Before she took off, Roberto said four words that broke Jewel's anger barrier.

"JuJu, I love you." Roberto said, taking her wing in his and kissing it. "And I want to start a family with you."

Jewel looked at him in disgust. "I'm MARRIED!" She yelled.

"I don't care. I love you." He said. "Our fates were supposed to be intertwined. Humans ruined that, Jewel. He is one of them." Roberto said, referring to Blu.

"How could you do this? I trusted you and loved you as a brother. I didn't ever have feelings of love for you!"

"Then how about a kiss to make sure of that." Roberto said.

"Beto, why are you doing this?"

"Because I love you, and I want you to start a family with me. Marry me. Get away from that pet." Roberto said.

"Roberto he's not a Pet!" Jewel shouted. Roberto lost some confidence because Jewel never called him by his real name. It was always 'Beto'. This worried him a little bit. "I would never leave Blu. If I never met Blu, I wouldn't be with you because I thought of you as a brother. Roberto, I love Blu. He is my only husband and the only one that I'll ever have, and I'm very sad that he was right about you." Jewel said. She gave him eye contact, not breaking the bridge between them. She was furious, but she tried to calm her anger to the best of her ability. " I'm just in shock that you would do this. If you were half the bird Blu was, then maybe you would have accepted him as my husband and moved on. But you're below that now. Good bye, Roberto." Jewel said as she took off. Roberto just sat there.

She, she's not joking, is she? She'll never leave that stupid pet for me. "RRRAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" Roberto screamed in rage. Jewel heard him. She now had someone else to talk to. She flew to her father's hollow.

"Hey honey. Why are you out so late?" Eduardo asked.

"I don't know. Why aren't you accepting Blu as my mate?" She retaliated.

Eduardo stood up. "You want to do this here? Fine. Dru is a…"

"B-B-BLLLUUU." Jewel said, trying to get his name through that thick skull of her father's.

"Blu, whatever."

"Not whatever!" Jewel said in an angry manner. "He's my husband!"

"Sorry." Eduardo said, sarcastically. "The point is, Blu is a freak. He's too smart for his own good and too clumsy."

"That's Blu, dad. That's why I love him."

"Because he's clumsy?" Eduardo asked, very annoyed.

Jewel had enough. "Really? Eduardo, I love him because of his selflessness. Because he always puts others first before himself. Because I'm always the first on his list to take care of. Because he stayed with me when my wing was healing from a bad accident. Because of his heroic deeds that everyone has always overlooked. Because of his love for me. Because he almost died for me more times than what I can count. Because he is the father of the chicks I'm carrying right, now." Jewel said, sternly. Eduardo was a little taken back at his daughter using his name. But those last words rang in his head like a church bell.

"You're, you're…"

"Yes, I'm pregnant. You're the first to know apart from Mimi. She's the one who told me." Jewel said. "And if you can't accept their father for who he is, then you will regret that day. I will leave with Blu, with your grandchildren, where you'll never see us again." Jewel said. "I'm also disgusted the way you got Roberto to do that little act." Jewel said.

"How…" Eduardo said.

"Oh, you want to know how I know? I was going to see you today to ask of a good place for a family. When I arrived, I heard Roberto and you talking and decided not to interrupt. I heard their whole plan, and was disgusted that either would try to separate me from the bird I love."

"But, he's a pet." Eduardo said.

"HE'S NOT A PET! Those humans that took care of him for fifteen years healed my wing. They helped me meet Blu. They were good people who raised a great bird." Jewel said.

"But…" Eduardo started to say.

"I'm leaving. Goodbye, dad." She walked out of the hollow. Mimi was there. Jewel pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry. This isn't because of you." She said, looking to the ground.

"I know." Mimi said. "I'll visit Rio in some time." She said. "And I won't tell your father where you are."

"Thank you. I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault. It's your stubborn father's fault." Mimi said. "Take care of the little ones for me." Mimi said as she flew off to find Blu. Mimi stomped into her brother's hollow. "HOW DARE YOU!" Mimi shouted.

"Mimi, where is she going?" Eduardo asked.

"WHY SHOULD YOU KNOW?"

"BECAUSE SHE'S MY DAUGHTER!"

"YEAH! AND YOU TRIED TO RUIN HER LIFE!" Mimi said. "I'll never tell you. That's up to Jewel." Mimi left for her own hollow. Eduardo flew out and started heading for Blu.

Jewel quickly checked Roberto's hollow, but to her disappointment, Blu wasn't there again. She started to cry out for Blu. "Blu!? BLU!?" She shouted. It was probably midnight. Every bird was already up because of Eduardo and Mimi's argument. They knew what was going on in a slight manner, but didn't know the full details. A few knew where Blu was, but didn't want to disobey a single order from Eduardo. All except one.

"Jewel?" Jewel turned around to see Roberto.

"What do you want?" She asked in a fierce tone.

"I-I know where Blu is. Follow me." He said. He showed her the way to where Blu was being held. When she got there, she saw a hollow, with a cage in it. The problem was that the cage didn't have a door, but a part of the cage without a door was tied very tightly around the tree to block the entrance. It was so the prisoner couldn't get out.

"Oh, Blu." Jewel said, as she grabbed onto the bars. "I'm so sorry. You were right. I should have listened more." Jewel said.

"It's fine, Jewel. Right now, I want to get out of here." He said. Jewel took one of the vine knots and untied it. It loosened the bars enough so that it slid down, allowing Blu to escape.

"NO! Jewel!" She heard her father say as he approached. Roberto fled the scene. Blu took off with Jewel and they started flying through obstacles to get away from Eduardo. Eventually, Eduardo was tackled by Mimi.

"They're leaving." Mimi said. Eduardo could only watch his daughter fly away.

"JEWEL!" he shouted. She didn't look back.