Chapter 18
The day couldn't be even more brighter to fill joy in all the creatures of the jungle today, there were clear skies to shine its blue skin with small amounts of white clouds floating by. As the bright, orange light from the sun soon transforms into pure daylight to brighten the surface of the jungle. The animals were all out and active as always living off in their normal days; the birds off for a fly, the chitals were out running in their groups, the squirrels and the monkeys were out climbing and swinging off from the trees. The colourful flowers grew beautifully on the veins and the roots and tucks of trees, but when they grew in the fields it was a wonderful view like a fantastic painting.
Mowgli was walking down through the jungle with Baloo by his side and Kitty by the other side, Bagheera was walking in front and Rikki was riding on Mowgli's shoulder. They been walking for a while without feeling a bit sleepy, but they felt like they needed a rest. Baloo was laid himself down flat as a leaf, Mowgli and Kitty rested themselves on Baloo's side. Rikki didn't feel like sleepy but rather peckish, so he began hunting for some bird's nest to eat their eggs for breakfast. Bagheera laid on a tree branch as he rested his eyes but he didn't close them, he laid his head down in between his crossed paws. Silence was the perfect music to keep them in peaceful rest, Mowgli was watching the first sun light of today brightening through the jungle and was Kitty as she slowly laying her head gently on his shoulders. Suddenly, voices were heard from Bagheera's ears as he lifted his head and his eyes focused on where they came from. His eyes caught some small, orange lights underneath the treetops like the sun's light but has the red colour in it, it was the Red Flower. Bagheera got up quickly then frozen when he heard the voices, down below Mowgli could hear the echoes of the voices. He looked up and watched Bagheera climbing down, Mowgli stood up looking confused but Bagheera's face looked straight and still with answers to suggests.
Bagheera wanted to talk to Mowgli alone so they won't disturb the other's peacefully rest. Bagheera started, "Man has come, the ones from the village. They are here looking for you."
Mowgli realised that it will probably be Sanjay and his friends looking him and Kitty, happy to see them again and to know how they are. However, Mowgli soon released that there is no Man Village around in the jungle anyone and they can't stay there anymore. Mowgli soon noticed that Bagheera's point is about Kitty, and now understands that if Kitty goes back to Sanjay and his friends, then she will have to leave the jungle.
Bagheera walked up to Mowgli and he said, "I think the time is ready for Kitty to go home, man-cub."
"Can they just rebuild the village?" Mowgli asked so desperately.
"Maybe, but soon all the jungle roots and veins will grow over the Man-Village and will become another quiet place of the jungle like nothing was ever build there" Bagheera perfectly explained his answered.
Mowgli wanted to shake his head and say no, but he knew deep down that Bagheera was right, Kitty deserved to go back to her own home. He looked back at where the others are resting then looked back at Bagheera, Mowgli did know what to do but he didn't know how to react with it. Meanwhile, Kitty was starting to wake up from her sleepy rest then quickly noticed that Mowgli wasn't there next to her. Rising back up on her feet and turning head around searching for Mowgli but she couldn't see him. Starting to get worried about until Kitty heard those strange voices down through the trees and she the sight of a bright red lights straight ahead.
She was getting more worried about the lights, the voices, and Mowgli's disappearance, so she walked up to the side of Baloo and began rubbing his neck. Kitty whispered loudly, "Baloo! Wake up! There's something here!"
"Yeah, probably some berries I just had" Baloo yawned as he was fully asleep.
Mowgli's gone and there are some voices and lights!" Kitty kept on trying to wake up Baloo, but he was in a deep, deep sleep, "Baloo!".
"Alright, alright!" Baloo risen slowly, "Calm yourself before you're going to scratched someone's eye out"
Baloo finally got up and his eyes were wide open to catch the sight of the red lights straight ahead of them. Baloo took a few steps back and so did Kitty believing it could the Red Flower from man but more of them.
"Guys!" Mowgli voice shocked Kitty for she was thinking that he disappeared out of thin air.
Baloo and Kitty asked what happened and what is going on, then Mowgli explained that the voices and the lights are from Sanjay and his friends in search for Kitty and himself. Kitty first grew smile feeling blissful that there is a way back home, but when he looked at Mowgli with a downfall look she realised why he wasn't happy either. Baloo and Bagheera knew that they needed to let the man-cubs alone to say goodbye, so they walk off giving them some time and space.
Kitty faced Mowgli directly and said, "Mowgli, I need to go."
Mowgli was looking down in sadness then look up to Kitty with a weak smile as he agrees for her to go back. Kitty was hoping for Mowgli to come with her but it's not up for her to decided and the jungle was always a home to him for many years. Before Kitty began to walk back to the men, she said her last goodbyes to everyone by hugging Baloo and Bagheera around their necks and kissed them on the side. Mowgli was the last one as they hugged each other tight and Kitty kissed him on the side of his cheek, then she turned around walk off. When she was out of Mowgli's sight, Kitty made one last look back and waved goodbye even through there was no one to wave to. Inside, Kitty has small hope that maybe, one day, she will come back and meet Mowgli again. Kitty walked down slowly and shouted out to Sanjay and his friends, so they are aware of her appearance. Sanjay rushed over to Kitty checking if she is alright then quickly hugged her, he asked about her about Mowgli then Kitty became silent.
"He is taking his time" that's the only answer Kitty could come up in her head, she knew that Mowgli wouldn't leave the jungle, so she wouldn't have to lie about Mowgli's decision. Kitty could see that Sanjay understands what Kitty meant, Sanjay told her and his friends that they should all get back to the town of Khanhiwara where they are they and the family are staying at.
Without watching that Kitty was found safely, Mowgli knew that she was alright and safe. He waved goodbye to Kitty even though she wasn't there it was just a late goodbye. Baloo and Bagheera walked over by Mowgli's slide and they both silently stare straight ahead of them where Kitty walk off to the men.
"You did well, kid. You did really well" Baloo said. Mowgli looked at Baloo and he made a little smile on his face to show that he's alright and he thanks for their support.
"Hey guys!" Rikki dramatically shouted, rushing down on the tree branches and met the others, "I think I just saw some man down there, and…"
Rikki slowly stopped as he realised that the others were staring at him with no surprise looks on their faces, he asked, "What?"
Everyone ignored Rikki dramatically warning of man near them which they already know, Mowgli jumped on Baloo's back and the third started their journey to the south, Rikki stilled didn't get as he followed them and kept on asking but none of them answered.
"Let's go home" Baloo suggested, none of them answered back but they all agreed with him.
Down through the jungle to centre of the south, the whole members of the wolf pack were just waking up from their peaceful sleep at Council Rock, resting from the attack in the village yesterday. All expect on, Raksha with her eyes half open feeling worried for her young man-cub and the sorrow for his lost. Her other cubs were sleeping well but with the feeling as Raksha has crawling all over them, especially Grey brother as he opened his eyes and spotted that Raksha couldn't sleep well either. Grey rolled his head on his paws side by side hoping that it gets him to sleep but his mind was more focus on Mowgli, wishing that he could see his brother soon, till he looks down at the edge of the trees.
At the exact same time as the first transformation of daylight began to cover up the jungle with its light, Mowgli and the other were just arriving back to Council Rock. Mowgli grew a small smile as he was happy to see that he is home, then his smile grew wider when he spotted Grey walking out from his cave while staring Mowgli and feeling unbelievable that his brother has came back.
"Wolves! Hey, everyone!" Grey shouted out in joy, "He's back! Mowgli is back!"
Grey started running fast down the rocky steps of the Council Rock, while everyone in the wolf pack woke up from Grey's yelling and their eyes were shocked to have of the sight of Mowgli arriving. They all lifted their heads and turn to face each other, asking if what they are seeing is real, even Raksha and the cubs asked themselves. Grey finally reached down, Mowgli kneed down, and they both bugged each other with Mowgli wrapped his arms tight around Grey's neck and they were overjoyed to see each other. There were no words perfect enough to fit in this beautiful moment, Mowgli and Grey squeezed their eyes tight like they wanted to freeze the moments. Mowgli's other siblings came running towards Mowgli, they all jumped on Mowgli licking his face making Mowgli laugh as they were tickling him.
"Uncle Mowgli!" Sura's son, Abhi and his younger siblings shouted out as they run down to see their uncle Mowgli.
The wolves stood up and most of them howled in victory for Mowgli's return to the pack, including Raksha as she smiled down at Mowgli surrounded by his wolf siblings. After, Mowgli told his story of how he defeated Buldeo in the ancient ruins to the wolf pack and to the younger cubs, but Baloo did most of the talking about how he fake his death and he "saved" the day in his own words. Bagheera was laying on a rock listening to Mowgli's and Baloo's stories, Kitty was listening while the younger cubs including Abhi and his younger siblings were playing around her. Rikki was trying to listen, but the younger cubs were pulling his tail and licking his fur, even yelling out threads won't scare them away.
Baloo was getting caught up in making up the story, but Mowgli didn't mind any of it, the only thing that matters to him is that Baloo is alive form before. Mowgli looked up and noticed Raksha was smiling down from the top peck of Council Rock, he walked up close and kneed down infront of his mother.
"I'm very proud of you. And, Akela would be too, my son" Raksha smiled.
"Well, it was all part of my plan" Mowgli smiled, and they both laugh.
Mowgli's third older brother, Akru asks Mowgli to challenge him in a play fight along with Grey, they jumped on each other and tackle down till one surrenders, but they never give up the fight. Bagheera watches aside with Raksha, Sura watches with his mate and his cubs. Baloo was asked to join in but none of the wolf cubs could manger to take him down, they would give up and they knew that Baloo was too strong. The wolf cubs even bet on some meals in between for whoever beats Baloo but at the end they will all lose, and Baloo gets all the rewards and treats. Raksha watched happily as her whole family are back together again, but she caught a sense of something missing from the look in Mowgli's eyes and it was troubling him. From the bottom of Council Rock Raksha noticed Bagheera was walking up to the side, when he reached to the top he laid down while Raksha was standing up.
"Has something happened?" Raksha asked as she looked down watching her cubs play fighting, but her eyes were focusing on Mowgli.
"Kitty had returned back to her own kind" Bagheera answered.
"Oh" Raksha understands as she looks back down on Mowgli realising why he was holding up a small smile.
Mowgli and the wolf cubs continued play fighting as they tackle down each other for fun. The man-cub was the first to stop and rest for minute and he walks down to get a drink from the near by river. Kneeing down then scooped a handful of water to drink and washing his face getting rid of the sweat from the play fights and the dust and ashes from the fallen temple. After a few splashes on his face Mowgli could his reflection on the still surface of the river. His reflection surprised by the sight on how much he has grown over his years living in the jungle, reminding him now that he almost becoming a young adult, a man.
"Mowgli?" Grey walked over from behind then sat down next to his brother, "You alright?"
"I'm fine. Why?" Mowgli put a smile, but Grey could see right through it.
"Kitty didn't come back with you, and from Rikki explained to me, she went back to own kind" Grey said.
"Yeah, pretty much. But, in the end everyone is happy" Mowgli said as he focussed back on the still surface of the river.
Grey stare at Mowgli's face and asked, "Are you happy?"
Mowgli faced Grey and answered, "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"You just don't look like… You're fine with it" Grey said. Mowgli didn't answer back because he knew that his wolf brother was right, Mowgli could feel like his stomach has been flipped over. Grey laid his head over Mowgli's shoulder and Mowgli rubbed his hand on top of Grey's head and at the side, as they smiled together.
"I'll be fine" Mowgli whispered as he squeezed his eyes tight hoping that what he said will be true.
After returning to Council Rock, Mowgli and Grey saw all the little cubs playing around with Baloo and Rikki just hopefully they won't on too vicious on the mongoose. Meanwhile, at the top of the Council Rock Raksha was standing on the top of Shere Khan's skin covered on the top of the rock, and all the adult wolves were talking among themselves for a council meeting. The wolf cubs asked Mowgli and Grey to do some racing through the jungle, not so far from Council Rock, they accepted to have fun together. Mowgli was catching up with the other wolf cubs and he even ran faster than a few of them. After the race they all dropped feeling so exhausted and laughing out loud for fun. Then Mowgli's older sister, Luri ran down to tell Mowgli that the council wants to talk with him, Mowgli didn't know why they wanted to see him but when he got up there everyone was staring at him while smiling.
"Mowgli" Raksha started as she stood at the top of the rock, "Over these last years you have run and fought by the side of the wolf pack. You have helped us, saved us, and even lead us to win the fights of our emeries. The council has decided that it's time for you to join in more higher position."
Mowgli looked around at the other wolves wondering what they are offering him, Raksha continued, "The council and I have decided to offer you the chance to become a leader of the pack."
Mowgli's eyes were widened with surprised as he looked around again noticing the wolves all nodded and smiled agreeing with what Raksha said. His job in the pack was to lead the ambush for the hurt, but Mowgli never thought of becoming the leader of the pack.
"What about the other cubs?" Mowgli asked.
"Sura has decided that he will take place of leader when his time has come" Raksha explained, "We have asked others, but we mostly wanted to ask you."
Mowgli couldn't believe that he is offered for this huge part, for one day become the new leader of the wolf pack. He grew an overwhelmed smile but suddenly the smile slowly shrinks becoming smaller and his eyes drop down staring at the floor.
Looking back at Raksha, Mowgli's answered, "Thank you, I am grateful for this offer, but I think I need some time to think about it."
The wolves looked at each other surprised because usually the young wolves would have accepted the offer quick without thinking about it. They were all looked confused but Raksha caught the thought that Mowgli is actually more confused than them. Raksha decided to allow time for Mowgli to think about it as she watched her man-cub walking down to the bottom of Council Rock.
The whole day has gone pass so fast, the small birds didn't even see it coming from the fact that they have a very short memory. All the young cubs were tired from play fighting and mostly from exercising running around the jungle. Mowgli was sitting on the rocky edge next to the bottom of Council Rock while watching the clouds cover the bright, yellow sun as it was colouring the Great Southern Sky into a pink and orange colour together. He could feel the sun's last light warmth on his skin and his black hair.
"Beautiful isn't it" Baloo walked over from behind Mowgli, "I don't really get a view like this back in my years, mostly because I wasn't a very good climber back then."
Mowgli turned his head around spotted Baloo walking towards him then sat down beside him. Baloo gazed at the bright colourful sky with the white clouds floating underneath them.
"So, um, your brothers told me how you got an offer to be the new wolf pack's leader" Baloo started, then Mowgli looked down still and silent, "What's up kid?"
"I like it, I mean I've done these many times before years back. But, this, this is something I could never asked for" Mowgli said, "But, I don't know. I just… I don't know."
"That's not even a proper answer."
"I don't know, okay" Mowgli looked clueless as he had no idea on to answer, "I just felt like…"
Baloo looked down on Mowgli and gently pushes the man-cub with closer to his side by his big, soft paw. Mowgli looked up and rested his head on Baloo's side, they continued watching the Great Southern Sky slowly changing its bright colour to the darken blue colour as the sun was touching the surface of the Earth.
"Maybe you should go back, Mowgli, your own kind" Baloo said.
Mowgli straighten up and looked to Baloo face, he asked, "What?"
"You still a kid. You need to go out there and explore. Learn more about what's out there. Learn about your own kind"
Mowgli couldn't believe what Baloo is saying, Baloo's words made Mowgli gazed at the last sun light over the horizon. He grew a small grin but quickly disappeared, his fingers wrapped through Baloo's fur and hold them in tight. He looked back up at Baloo, "I don't want to leave."
Baloo nodded his head side to side and replied, "Well, it is hard staying in one place for a long time. Like living in a cave your whole life, you never get to see the fresh life from the outside."
Mowgli breathy heavily for he was losing his voice into a sad sorrow tone, blinking his eyes many times for he could feel the bitter and sweat tears nearly coming out from his eyes. Mowgli added, "I don't to leave my home, or my family, or Bagheera, or you."
"See kid, no matter where you wander or where you go, you will always belong to your one true home. Because in our lives, the bad times are what we learn from our good times, and without those times we couldn't see the purposes in life."
Mowgli grew a small smile as a tear slide down slowly on one side of his check, he laid down more Baloo's side. Baloo whispered, "You are a man now, you know it too. But you will still always be my little cub."
Mowgli felt Baloo's paw hugging over his shoulder and laid his head deeper on Baloo's fur. Gazing at the sun setting down on the edge of the jungle, the sky was getting blue then darker but after the sky was still bright from the small, sparkly stars above them.
"You wanted time because you don't know if you want to stay" Baloo corrected, and Mowgli nodded, "Come here" Baloo hugged Mowgli closer and they both squeezed their eyes tight wishing for this evening to last longer for them to have more together.
Hey guys, how you are doing? This is a short chapter about Mowgli and the other returning from the last battle at the money city. At the beginning, Kitty returns back to man, this is a copied idea from the ending from The Jungle Book 2 (2003), I don't own that scene.
Stay around, there is still one more chapter to read for the end of the story…
Please leave some comments and I will see you later!
