Chapter 16
Out in the still night, there was no cloudy tree tops to cover the beautiful sky with the shiny stars. All the jungle creatures were sleeping in their habitats, the moon light brighten the skins of the leaves and the bushes. A large, calm river with long tree standing in the waters, as the river reflected star's light. Large trees stood still upon the calming river, feeling the water surrounding their roots as they were growing down below to the ground. Mowgli and the others were resting by a side of a huge tree close by to the river. Mowgli was sitting on a clear rock with large, green leaves touching from behind, his back was lying against the tree and his right knee up for Rikki to sit on. Baloo was laying down on the ground while Bagheera was sitting up proudly on one of the large roots coming out from the ground.
"I still can't believe we survived through that" Baloo commented, "I thought we were goners for a second there."
"Yes, speaking of which, what payment do you have to do man-cub?" Bagheera with his yellow focus directly at Mowgli.
"Oh, you know, an eye for an eye" Mowgli didn't want to explain too much otherwise Bagheera might be more overprotected about the man-cub in danger situations.
Until Rikki unexpected blurted the truth, "But you saved her, then she saved you, and now you want to pay her back more. For me I would have called it a two for a one."
Mowgli went silent as Bagheera made a suspicious, annoyed the man-cub, then Baloo asked, "Why? What happened?"
"Well, um…" Mowgli was losing the words as they were breaking down into nonsense, "I was nearly… um…"
"Eaten" Rikki ended Mowgli's stumbling sentence as the mongoose unexpectly blurted out the truth making Mowgli very still as the trees, "By a ginormous worm. With a very eerily, but sensual voice."
Mowgli noticed Bagheera's sharp eyes staring at him while Baloo was secretly giggling from this situation.
"No, that didn't really…" Mowgli tried to change it.
Rikki vexingly continued started in high pitch voice as Kaa, "Yeah remember, she was all like 'oh trust in me man-cub'" then changed into a low tone of his voice, "But what she was really saying was 'get in my stomach, you furless monkey.'"
Unexpected for Rikki, Mowgli swing his right knee for the mongoose to slip and fall off to ground. After Rikki shouted, "Okay, okay! I deserved that!"
"No, that was for calling me a furless monkey" Mowgli stated.
"Well, I hope you learnt something from that" Bagheera said calmly.
"Yeah, well I guess the bare necessities really come to you when you need them" Mowgli smiled. He began to climb up the tree as Mowgli decided to sleep on one of the branches.
Baloo was facing Bagheera while laughing, "That's my boy."
Bagheera jumped as he also decided to sleep on one of the tree branches, he whispered to himself, "Pitiful."
Rikki climb back up on the rock then shook his entire body shaking the dust off from his fur. A loud yawn came out from Baloo's big mouth, "A least Kaa wasn't as well as Shere Khan."
"Yeah, I still remember his nickname" Rikki giggled, "That probably explains why he's so Lun-gri" Rikki made the Lungri sound like "lonely."
After Rikki's laughter in a high tone of his voice, Baloo joked back in higher tone of his voice at the end of the sentence, "Interested to hear that from a small weasel."
Rikki gave a sharp, death stare at Baloo, but the big brown didn't show the slightest fear of the mongoose threating face. "I'll you go off this time" Rikki warned.
Mowgli reached up to a long, big tree branch as he rests his back against the side of the tree. His brown eyes were gazing out at the sparkly sky, feeling tired from everything that has happened from today. He rubbed fingers on Kitty's silver neckless the small silver circle locket side to side, Mowgli was just thinking of her wondering if she's alright. He peeked down on the ground as Baloo was sleeping by the side of the tree with Rikki circling around himself till he began sleeping on the rock. Continuing rubbing his fingers on the silver circle locket on the neckless, until he realised his fingered slipped it open a bit. A curious sign was seen in Mowgli's eyes as he opens the locket wider to see what was inside, there was small picture inside in the middle of the right side of the circle. A black and white image of young lady smiling in the picture. There was something written on the left side, although Mowgli was still struggling to understand and read most of man's language, but he was quick learner and could remember a bit of it. It was easy for Mowgli to split the words to read them individually then read them together. "Lin-" Mowgli started then ended, "-da" he read it fully, "Linda." Suddenly, that name some how rings a bell, he has heard of that name somewhere, but it wasn't a name of someone he knew.
"Man-cub?" unexpected, Bagheera asked from behind Mowgli. He walked back down to Mowgli and noticed an image of the young lady, he scanned the image closer and secretly recognise the lady but in a younger vision.
"Didn't we know any one called Linda?" Mowgli asked Bagheera, but the panther didn't respond and walked away.
Confused, Mowgli noticed Bagheera had a shocked look on his face and watched the black panther slowly climbing up in the high tree tops, he looked back at the image and tried to focus back on when he heard that name. Remembering back from when listening to Bagheera's story from his past, in a second Mowgli's eye were widen in shocked as he looked up to Bagheera. Mowgli got up fast and was climbing up to catch up with Bagheera, he reached to the top but Bagheera wasn't facing him.
"Did you mentioned some name like that, before when you captured by man…"
"Go to sleep" Bagheera irrupted, "You need it man-cub."
Mowgli continued, "That your friend used to live near the jungle?"
"Go to sleep" Bagheera ordered.
Mowgli ignored, he walked closer on the large branch and continued, "So was Kitty's' mother."
"I mean it!" Bagheera was raising his voice in a vexed tone, turned his head around facing Mowgli with his demanding, sharp yellow eyes. Mowgli was in silent then Bagheera turn his head back around, crossed his paws and rest his head on them.
However, Mowgli wasn't going to give up that quickly as he grabbed a vein and swing him over infront of Bagheera. Mowgli bended his knees down close to Bagheera and he asked, "Does Kitty look quite similar to Linda?"
Annoyed, Bagheera raised up and leaped out at Mowgli just to scare the man-cub off but Mowgli swing on the vein lowed himself down below the branch so Bagheera can't jumped off but only talk and listen. Bagheera was staring at Mowgli angrily for interfering in his past business, Mowgli knew that Bagheera knows something too.
"Where's that very worst wolf that always fall from tree branches?" Bagheera asked.
"He's not coming up until you let him talk and listen" Mowgli ordered directly with sharp eyes at the black panther.
Bagheera moved back slowly so Mowgli could climb back on the branch, he sat down facing with his left leg hanging off the branch. Mowgli didn't want anyone to know as well as it was part of their own business, he stated, "So you and I both know of someone that you knew is also a someone to someone I know. And, I am hoping that you believe as much as I believe it is true."
"I am not saying it might not be true" Bagheera commented.
"No, but you are trying to deny that it could be true" Mowgli corrected, "Because I could tell that you already knew something like this."
Bagheera looked down, closed his eyes and took a deep breathe, he looked back at the man-cub and began, "Remember a few days before at the river with Baloo and your wolf brothers?" Mowgli nodded then Bagheera continued, "Kitty observed that her mother used to live near this jungle, and she was nearly killed from a shot at a young age."
"So, why are you hiding this all away? I mean, would it be nice just to let it out and be free from it?" Mowgli asked.
"We are never free from my past, man-cub, we will always be haunted by it. I was never hiding it I was trying to leave it behind, but it sometimes keeps running back to me like I am its' only prey."
"But why not tell anyone about this sooner?"
"I was new to the jungle, I didn't know anyone. And it shames me to tell anyone about something that didn't belong to them."
"Yeah, but it's like me, when I heard about Akela's death I felt like all the blames is on me because I was the reason that Shere Khan came to the pack in the first place. But, I learn to move on because that is what my family, ami and Akela would have told me to do. But, my question is had you moved on?"
Bagheera looked down in silent as he doesn't know how to answer back to Mowgli, knowing that the man-cub was right from the way he asked that question. Soon Bagheera answered, "I have. And soon you will to."
"Bagheera please tell me" Mowgli begged.
"It's getting late, you should go to sleep" Bagheera ignored and walked off to another branch to get himself some sleep and to be alone.
Mowgli knew at this moment that Bagheera is just going to keep ignoring this till he gets to decide whenever it feels right for him to say. Mowgli just wish that the black panther would have been more open, but no one could compare to Bagheera on to keep everything to yourself. Mowgli gave up and lay his head resting against the side of the tree, as he placed the silver neckless around his neck as it laid on his chest. Mowgli lost his attention on Bagheera as he soon noticed Rikki was climbing up, jumping from branch after branch till he finial reached up to Mowgli.
"Rikki, what's up?" Mowgli asked.
"You, that's why I climb all this way for" Rikki sarcastically answered as Mowgli rolled his eyes. "I'm not a big expert on most jungle creatures around here, but I don't think of any of them can light up the red flower like that" Rikki pointed out underneath some trees. Mowgli focus on the red flowers glowing underneath the trees, it must be Buldeo and his mates are there and alive, then Mowgli figured out that if Buldeo is there then Kitty must be there as well. Mowgli needed to get there but he knew that Bagheera wouldn't let him go alone, but maybe Baloo could go with it and confidence the black panther. Jumped on a vein and allowed himself to swing down to the ground, Mowgli walked up to Baloo and shook the bear to him up. Curious, Bagheera noticed the man-cub swinging down to see Baloo but he also noticed the red flowers glowing underneath far in the trees.
"Baloo!" Mowgli whispered, and within a second Baloo started to open his eyes and began to wake up. "I've got a plan" before Mowgli could continue, Bagheera jumped down from branch to branch till he landed on the ground.
"Oh no!" Bagheera yelled, "You will not take a step close to where those red flowers are."
"What?" Baloo was finally awake from Mowgli's call and when Bagheera mentioned about the "red flower."
"If Buuldeo is there, then so must Kitty" Mowgli explain, along with Rikki nodding as he agreed with Mowgli.
"You nearly got yourself killed because of him, even with us" Bagheera commented with sorrow, yellow eyes.
"Hold on Baggy" Baloo added, "We all here now and we got everyone's back here."
"Now kid, you know what you're doing?" Baloo asked directly at Mowgli and the man-cub nodded as it grew a small smile on their faces. Baloo look back at Bagheera, "We could take down the others so Buldoe doesn't have any back-ups."
Bagheera was speechless but he knew that Baloo is right, he also knew that he must trust Mowgli to through this whatever plan he has in his head. "But why not stop them now?"
"Because I don't want to hurt or kill him myself or you guys" Mowgli answered.
"How are you going to get rid of him then?" Baloo asked.
"Because I don't want to kill him like what he does" Mowgli answered back.
Mowgli started walking off towards where the red flowers glow, towards Buldeo, with Rikki was running up behind him. Baloo and Bagheera rushed into the dark shadows in the bushes and behind trees, where they hide themselves from the lights of the red flowers.
Kitty was leading Buldeo and his mates even though she doesn't exactly know where to go. Buldoe had his small gun infront and loaded, while on his other hand he was holding the burning flower as so was his mates. Suddenly a sound cracked in the dark shadows, Kitty stopped scanning for whatever made that sound, while Buldoe and his mates got their fires up and their guns and knifes out. Kitty took a step back for she seen the dangers the jungle has to offer, but a friendly figure appears close to the organ light, and his face was finally shown.
"Mowgli?" Kitty whispered to herself. Her eyes were widened in deep surprise, her eyebrows were suddenly risen high close to her forehead, and her mouth was wide open fill with unexpectedness and unanswered questions. A pleased smile started to grow on her face as joyful tears were filling up in her eyes. Kitty lifted her feet off the ground one by one and moved them forward, every step she makes fast she becomes closer to Mowgli. Rushing to his arms as Kitty wrapped hers around Mowgli tight as he did the same, they smiled gratefully for they were happy to see that they are here and safe. "I thought you were dead" Kitty whispered tearfully, Mowgli could feel her guilt and sorrow for him and so he whispered softly, "That is Bagheera's job to worry about" they both laughed gently.
"How are you not dead yet?" Buldeo's voice broken the peaceful greetings. The dark tone reminded Mowgli for what he was planning to do, Mowgli lets go of Kitty, stands infront to confront Buldeo.
"No one needs to hurt, Buldeo" Mowgli said.
"Oh, I think there can more than just hurting" Buldeo threaten with his small gun aiming at Mowgli.
"Unless you know the way to the ancient temples" Mowgli shouted out, quickly making Buldeo hold his aim while getting second thoughts.
Buldeo lowed his guns down slowly while staring at the boy feeling shocked and confused, "You will take me there?"
"It's not that far actually, you are quite close. It's up these cliffs" Mowgli pointed at ahead.
Buldeo placed his gun in the case on the side of his waist, a small, surprised, eerily grin started to grow on his face, "I am surprised you now came to your senses boy. But how do I know if you are not lying to me?"
"For the jungle's, and for Kitty's, and for my safety, I shall not lie" Mowgli answered.
"Alright" Buldeo eyed at the deaf man behind him, the man walked with a long, sharp blade by his hand in case if Mowgli is playing any trick. "Lean the way boy" Buldeo added, "Sahana has actually taught you some small things."
When the deaf man was about to Mowgli for him to lead the way, but Mowgli suddenly stopped, the mention of Sahana's name reminds him of her tragic death by cold-blooded from Buldeo. He squeezed his fingers into a fist as though he was ready for an attack, but his mind whisper to him, "Not yet" and so his words took control. Mowgli faced back to Buldoe, "You know what else why? Because you didn't say to Sahana."
Everyone looked surprised at Mowgli from the act of courage he is talking about Sahana, but Buldeo looked confused from what Mowgli meant by that. Mowgli explains, "When someone you know has thought to lost two love ones and finally has some peacefully and happily company. Say congratulations, or I'm so happy for you."
Mowgli scanned the smallest guilt covering over Buldeo's face, "Is that regret, well it's bit too late for that.
The deaf man pushed Mowgli a bit for Mowgli should now carry on leading or else, before Mowgli finished, "You didn't say anything."
As Mowgli was leading the way to Monkey City with the deaf man threating behind from his long blade, then Kitty walk along with Riswan close to her, so he wouldn't let Kitty to try escaping. Buldeo stopped for a second after what Mowgli said directly to him, but after a huge breathe in and out he shook his head as though it was a way to forget everything. Buldeo continued walking along with a small, sly smile on his face.
Meanwhile, at the front Mowgli tried to shut his angry away from making any face expression or body language, instead he was breathing slowly and calmly. Secretly, he grew a small grin as he looked down upon his chest and what the others behind didn't know what that sneaky, little mongoose climbed fast on the front till he reached up to the chest.
"So why are you bringing Buldeo?" Rikki whispered, "He's not going allow to leave once he gets his hand on the treasure you know."
"Well, I promise to pay to Kaa something from the City" Mowgli answered.
"So?" Rikki asked, but Mowgli only eyed back at Rikki as his answered and at that moment Rikki finally got it. "Oh… That's twisted, not in snake way, but, oh yeah, I love these kinds of moments in life."
Hey guys, so I might know what you are thinking, and yes it might be a bit over from the original story. About Bagheera's paths is link to Kitty's mother, but hey it's Disney and I do love these kinds of unexpected twists. I wanted to show links between some characters. But also, to show how hard it is for Bagheera to express these feelings to Mowgli, because after escaping the man and he was new to the jungle so I won't be surprised if there was anyone who did understood what he has been through.
So, I hoped you have all enjoy it. See you soon.
