Healing

Chapter Four: The Wind Beneath Their Wings

Over the next four weeks, Tulio's "little project" was put into action. The project in question was a bird sanctuary; A part of the local jungle protected from poachers. After what had happened with Marcel and his criminal cohorts, Tulio believed that more could be done to protect to the aviary species of Rio. Apparantly, the city council agreed with him, granting him and his colleagues at the aviary full permission to put it all together. And that they did, building fences, gates, and a watchtower, all to keep an eye out for any future poachers. Although the sanctuary had been Tulio's idea, credit went to Linda for coming up with the name: "Blu Bird Sanctuary", after her beloved Blu. As the sanctuary neared completion, they started getting applicants for volunteer work from the environmentally-conscious citizens of Rio. The sanctuary was completed only a couple of days before Jewel's wing was expected to fully heal. As it was built adjacent to the aviary, practically next door in fact, Tulio intended to bring Jewel there on the day in question, releasing her into her rightful home.

The night before that very day, Blu and Jewel were relaxing in the habitat room. Jewel was sitting on a branch, leaning against one of the trees' artificial trunk, with Blu's head on her lap, running the tip of her good wing through his head feathers.

"Well, looks like this is it." Declared Jewel, as she stroked her love's head. "Tomorrow, I'll finally be able to fly again. We can leave here, and start our new lives together. Are you... nervous?"

"A little, yeah." Admitted Blu.

"Good." Smiled Jewel, tousling his head-based plumage. "You're cute when you're nervous."

"It's only natural though, right?" Asked Blu. "Starting a new life, in a new place... It's okay to be a little apprehensive, right?"

"Yeah." Nodded Jewel. "Being in a new place can be pretty scarey. You wouldn't believe how "apprehensive" I was was when I first came here."

"Considering how our first meeting went, I think I can hazard a guess." Blu said sardonically.

"Very funny." Jewel replied drily. "It's a good thing you're so cute."

"You really think I'm cute?" Blu asked playfully.

"Sure." Chuckled Jewel. "You have beautiful eyes, remember?"

The two lovebirds shared a laugh, recalling Blu's disastrous attempt at romance during their trolley ride to Luiz's garage.

"But seriously, I know I'll do okay out there." Declared Blu, gently taking Jewel's almost-healed wing in his. "As long as I'm with you, I'll have the courage to do anything."

"I'll just bet you will." Jewel smiled lovingly, leaning in to gave Blu a quick kiss. "It's gonna be great. Once we get out there, I'm gonna give you the grand tour. I'll show you all the best roosting spots, where to get the best food, I'll introduce you to all my friends, and every day, we can watch the sun rise and set over the trees together..."

"Can't wait." Sighed Blu, kissing her wingtip. "You and me, together forever."

"Forever and ever, baby." Giggled Jewel, giving Blu a much longer-lasting kiss.

Eventually, the two blue macaws grew tired, and Blu reluctantly removed his head from Jewel's lap, so they could both get into their sleeping positions. After a quick goodnight kiss, they each tucked their heads under their wings, and drifted off to sleep, dreams of their new life together filling their slumbering minds.

The following morning, after Blu and Jewel had eaten their breakfast, Tulio gave Jewel one last examination. During the examination, Blu noted that Tulio, Linda and Fernando were all wearing the same kind of shirt: Yellow, with an odd green symbol on the left side of the chest.

"Well girl, looks like you're good to go." Smiled Tulio, as he gently ran his fingers along Jewel's wing. "Allow me to escort you home."

Tulio stretched out his hands. Jewel, once so hostile and distrustful around humans, eagerly leapt into them. Tulio, carrying Jewel carefully made his way out of the room followed by Fernando and Linda, Blu perched on her shoulder. As the group walked across the pathway to the Sanctuary, Jewel quizzically noted the new structure.

"What is that?" She asked Blu.

"Oh, I've heard Linda talking about that." He replied. "It's a sanctuary. A place that protects birds like us from poachers."

"Really?" Smiled Jewel. "I didn't think humans cared about us that much."

"You'd be surprised." Declared Blu. "A lot more humans care about us then you'd think."

"There was a time when I wouldn't have believed you." Said Jewel. "But now I know humans aren't so bad after all."

"How things change." Smiled Blu. "If someone had told me seven weeks ago that I'd be going to live in the jungle, I'd have told them they were crazy. Guess it doesn't seem so crazy now..."

"The journey here was pretty crazy, though." Smiled Jewel. "Remember our little rooftop ride?"

"Yeah." Chuckled Blu. "Not a ride I'd be willing to repeat, mind you. Not to mention our hanggliding session."

"The less said about that, the better." Giggled Jewel. "But today, the real adventure begins."

As the three humans and two blue macaws made their way up the watchtower, Linda, who up until then had been very quiet, shared some parting words with Blu.

"Well, I guess this is it." She said sadly. "I promised I'd always take care of you, but you don't need to be taken care of anymore. My little Blu is all grown up, flying high, with a beautiful girlfriend. It's only fair that you be allowed to fly free, in your real home."

Issuing a melancholy squawk, Blu rubbed his head against Linda's cheek.

"It's okay." Whispered Linda, stroking his head. "It's not like this is goodbye for good. I'll be volunteering here all the time. We'll probably see each other around every now and again."

Blu chirped in agreement.

As the group reached the top of the stairs and passed through the door, they got a full view of the awe-inspiring sight of the jungle. Tulio stepped forward, slowly reaching forward. Jewel spread her wings, and, with a little push from Tulio, took off, flying up into the sky. Linda then placed Blu on the wooden railing of the watchtower, and the two shared one of their special "fist bumps", before Linda stroked his head once more. After a brief moment of sadness over parting with his oldest friend, Blu, his face lit up with joy, flew up to join his love.

"That's my big brave boy." Smiled Linda, as Tulio placed his hands on the shoulders of herself and Fernando, and she, in turn, put one hand on Tulio's, and another on Fernando's.

"What kept you?" Asked Jewel good-naturedly, as Blu caught up with her.

"Just saying goodbye." Blu smiled.

"Come on, handsome." Jewel tilted her head towards the jungle. "I believe I promised you a tour."

"Lead the way, my love." Cooed Blu.

The two lovebirds flew off into the skyline, eager to explore the place where they would spend the rest of their lives in, together.

The End

(Rio and all associated characters are the property of 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios.)