Tarzan yawned and lifted his head, staring over at his parents' nest blankly for a few seconds before he realized what was wrong with the picture, and he sat up and looked around. Kerchak was not lying in the nest with Kala and Kaphi, who still liked to curl up with her parents (Tarzan usually did, too, but he had been exhausted after yesterday's events and fell asleep in his own nest). Slowly checking the family grounds, Tarzan spotted his father sitting just on the edge of the family grounds, seemingly lost in thought.

Tarzan stretched as he climbed out of his nest, then walked over to where Kerchak was sitting.

"Good morning, Dad," Tarzan greeted softly, butting his head against his father's arm briefly. His greeting was returned with a gentle head touch from Kerchak before his father returned to staring off into the jungle. Tarzan sat next to his father, tilting his head in the direction his father was staring in, then glanced back at Kerchak. He asked, "What are you doing?"

"Remembering, I suppose," Kerchak said. "I've been doing that a lot lately."

"Remembering what?"

"Many things. Including when you and Kaphi were younger." Kerchak snorted softly and smiled at his son. "Do you recall when you and Kaphi got into a silly argument over who would get to climb a tree first to get to some fruit?"

"Vaguely," Tarzan said with a smile of his own. "I think I recall you yelling at us to stop being ridiculous children and to just climb the tree together."

"So instead of listening to me, you both pushed and shoved each other as you climbed the tree before you managed to knock each other off at the same time and fell to the ground. Thankfully neither of you were hurt."

"It was Kaphi's fault," Taran said. "She started the whole thing and I'm pretty sure you forbid us from trying to climb the tree again."

"I believe you were both in the wrong," Kerchak corrected. "And yes, since you couldn't work together, neither of you deserved the fruit. It wasn't anything worth fighting over anyway."

"I recall that they were purple pears, which is my favorite, but yeah, sure, not worth fighting over."

Kerchak chuckled before saying, "You can be such a brat."

"I get it from my father."

"Oh, that's it, you're banished," Kerchak joked before quickly wrestling Tarzan to the ground before he could leap away. Tarzan managed to squirm out from under his father's pin and sat down again next to him, brushing his hair back. Kerchak cuffed the back of his head. "Watch your cheek, imp."

Tarzan laughed, then looked off into the jungle, watching the sun slowly creep over the trees, bringing life to the quiet jungle. Kerchak watched his son for a moment before taking in the sunrise himself.

"I'm sorry for lashing out at you," Kerchak said.

Tarzan gave his father a surprised look.

"Why? I disobeyed you about the strangers. Many times."

"I know. But then again, you always have. I should not have been entirely surprised you would have taken off to explore these strangers. Your curiosity is what makes you . . . well, you. Just be careful. Any sign of danger and you run back here, and we'll relocate deeper into the jungle."

"Yes, Dad. Don't worry, I know this jungle better than they ever will. I'll be safe."

For a few moments longer, father and son sat side by side, Kerchak lost in recollections while Tarzan thought about the strangers back at the camp. As the sun continued to inch higher above the trees, shedding rays of light through the canopies, Kerchak embraced the small amount of warmth it brought, closing his eyes for a moment.

"You do not often realize how special a moment is until it has become a memory," Kerchak said, his eyes still closed. "Thinking back on when you and Kaphi were young reminds me of the good apes you have grown up to be."

Kerchak opened his eyes and looked at his son.

"Just remember, no matter where you go, you will always be my son."

"Always," Tarzan said, leaning against his father. "And I won't let you forget it either. I'm not leaving our family for anything, even strangers like me."

"I know. I'll remind you anyway."

Another few moments passed, and Tarzan grew antsy sitting next to his father, occasionally glancing up at the large ape now and then, but not saying anything. Kerchak realized his son's dilemma.

"I know you want to seek them out," he said. "You already have my permission."

"I just didn't want to seem rude or anything," Tarzan said, taking a few steps toward the jungle. "If it's okay with you."

"Go," Kerchak encouraged. "Be back before dark."

"Thanks," Tarzan said before disappearing in the trees.

Kerchak watching him go with a bittersweet taste in his mouth.

Tarzan picked a huge bouquet of flowers reminiscent of the one he had seen in a slideshow picture. He was sure that the gentleman had been trying to impress the lady in the image and it seemed to be working. He would try it out with Jane. As he neared the camp, he realized there were several people moving about the place, grabbing items and carrying them away. Clayton, Jane, and Professor Porter all seemed upset, and Tarzan slowly approached Jane as he took in everything happening around him, running into her and losing some of his flowers.

"Tarzan!" Jane greeted as she picked up a suitcase. "I was so afraid you wouldn't come in time. The boat's arrived. The boat that's come to take us home to England. And Daddy and I were wond—well, I was wondering . . . well, we really hope that you'll come with is Won't you?"

Leave? To this place called England? Was that outside of the jungle? Tarzan wasn't sure how to feel about the request. He was curious to see more of the world around him, and maybe he could make it a quick trip. He'd have to inform his family of course, but he wouldn't be gone long.

"Go see England today," Tarzan said, "come home tomorrow."

"Oh, no." Jane's face fell slightly. "Well, you see, it would be very difficult to come back . . . ever."

"Not come back?"

"I know it sounds awful, but you belong with us. With people."

Tarzan was not prepared to leave his family forever, even if they were not his kind. They had raised him and cared for him, protected him, and loved him. To never see them again, just to be with his own kind, was not an option. Perhaps Jane would be more willing to stay with him than he was to leave his home.

"Jane must stay with Tarzan," Tarzan said, dropping to his knee and holding the remainder of the flowers he had up to Jane in the way he had seen in the picture.

"Wh—stay here?" Jane questioned, and her suitcase slipped before spilling its contents. "Oh, no, no. My laundry."

Tarzan watched as Jane began stuffing clothes back in her suitcase as she shook her head sadly.

"No, I can't stay. Look, I've got—I've got my father and—"

"Jane," Tarzan insisted, grabbing her wrist to get her attention. "Stay."

"But . . ." Jane started to protest, though she wasn't able to form any more words.

"Please." Tarzan held the flowers out to her.

Tearing up, Jane shook her head before jumping to her feet and running away crying.

"I can't," was the last Tarzan heard.

Tarzan watched with hurt and confusion before a voice caught his attention.

"Women," Clayton said, tsking as he stepped over to Tarzan. He grabbed a couple drinks from a man carrying a serving tray and offered one to Tarzan. "How typical. Even if you hadn't grown up a savage, you'd be lost. There are no trails through a woman's heart."

"Jane is going," Tarzan said sadly, setting the drink down on luggage being transported.

"Yes," Clayton agreed, taking a swig of his own drink. "If only she could've spent more time with the gorillas. She's so disappointed. Crushed, really. Sorry, old boy."

Clayton patted Tarzan's back before stepping away.

"Well, I'd best get Jane's things to the ship."

Tarzan was having a very conflicted battle in his head. He could not betray his family, but maybe there was a way around Kerchak's rules so Jane could still see the gorillas at least once. Was that the key to getting her to stay?

"Clayton!" Tarzan called out. Clayton paused and looked back. "If Jane sees gorillas, she stays?"

"Say, that's why she came, isn't it?"

"I need time," Tarzan said, "but I'll do it."

"Good man!" Clayton praised. "Snipes?"

"Sir?" a passing worker said.

"Get the boys together. There's gonna be a change in plans."

Clayton smiled warmly at Tarzan, and for a brief moment, Tarzan was reminded of Sabor, and he hesitated before taking off into the jungle to contemplate his next move of action. How was he supposed to show Jane the gorillas without betraying his father's orders. While he trusted the strangers enough to know they wouldn't hurt him, he wasn't sure if he trusted them enough to not hurt his family. What did they want to see the gorillas for anyway? Was it truly just for curiosity and learning? What if it wasn't? What if they turned on him and decided to harm his family. Kerchak would never forgive him. Heck, he wouldn't forgive himself.

Tarzan paced the boundaries of his home, running several different scenarios in his head as he tried to come up with a way to satisfy both his father's and Jane's wishes. Nothing ended well in his mind, and he growled loudly in frustration.

"Tarzan," Kaphi said as she approached him. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing." Tarzan tried to brush off the topic and resumed his pacing.

"Yeah, you really look like nothing is wrong," Kaphi said. She jumped in the way of Tarzan's pacing. "Come on. Tell me. I won't snitch. What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything," Tarzan said. "Yet."

He moved around his sister to keep pacing while she rolled her eyes.

"Okay, what are you thinking about doing?"

"I . . . I don't know. Jane is leaving, but she'll stay if she gets to see gorillas."

"Oh." Kaphi frowned at that. "So, to get her to stay, you want to bring her here?"

"No!" Tarzan snapped, frowning at his sister. Then, his face softened as he shrugged his shoulders. "Yes? I don't know."

"Well," Kaphi stepped in her brother's way again, this time, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "What do you feel is the right thing to do?"

"Kaphi, I don't . . ."

"No, don't think," Kaphi said with a shake of her head. "That always gets you in trouble. Decide like a gorilla. What do you feel? In here?"

Kaphi placed a hand over Tarzan's heart before setting her paw down and sitting in front of her brother, tilting her head at him. Tarzan sighed before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, allowing his emotions to overcome his thoughts.

He had so many emotions going on in his head. Jane made him feel all sorts of warmth he never felt before. His father's warning rang loud in his ears, reminding him to use caution. Jane's leaving left an ache within his chest. Leaving with Jane brought on a sense of adventure and fear at the same time, but mostly a sense of guilt and betrayal if he left his family. Clayton's image flashed in his head, and he felt a familiar sense of anticipation, and when he focused on that, Sabor's roar pounded in his head, vibrating on his eardrums and he gasped as he jumped slightly and opened his eyes.

Kaphi narrowed her eyes curiously.

"Clayton," Tarzan said, "he reminded me of Sabor earlier today."

"And?" Kaphi pushed.

"I don't know, I didn't think much of it earlier."

"But your gut is telling you . . ."

"He can't be trusted. Something was off about the way he insisted on seeing the gorillas. I think I even overheard him say something about setting traps like he originally wanted to do or something like that. It made him sound like . . . a poacher. But Jane, she's not like that. She doesn't give me the same feelings. She just seems curious, like me. Maybe, I could show her our family, but not Clayton."

"What about Dad?"

"Right, Dad still hasn't given the okay for that." Tarzan paced a bit more. "Maybe, instead of showing Jane to the family, I bring the family to Jane."

"No offense, big brother, but no one is following you. Not unless Dad gives the okay for you to lead."

"I don't need the whole family. Maybe just a few friends. Friends I can trust to keep this quiet. Maybe Terk would be willing to come with me and . . ."

"I'll go. Asha would, too, if I asked her."

"No, you're not an option."

"Oh, come on. I've wanted to meet Jane since you first started talking about her. You need your little sister's approval."

"I do not. Besides, what if they are working together and they all turn out to be poachers?" Which would break Tarzan's heart if that were the case for Jane.

"I'll stay hidden. Until you tell me it's okay to come out. Maybe you and I can try it out first and make sure they are safe, then tell Dad and we can bring your friend to the family?"

Tarzan paused, then smiled at his sister.

"That is actually a brilliant idea." He snorted at his sister. "Now you're starting to think like me."

"I learned from the best," Kaphi said.

After explaining to Jane that he was willing to show her one gorilla, and only Jane, Clayton had been visibly annoyed, but smiled and said he would gladly hang back. Professor Porter wished Jane luck and to draw the gorilla well so he could see a glimpse. Jane proudly followed Tarzan through the trees, keeping quiet and keeping her eyes out for the gorilla she was about to meet.

Tarzan paused and scanned the forest every now and then, making sure they were not being followed.

"I'm sure they are staying back, Tarzan," Jane said. "I understand your caution, but we mean no harm to the gorillas."

"As Father would say, better to be too careful."

Jane waited patiently while Tarzan sniffed around and listened to the surrounding area before walking forward once more.

"I'm curious, Tarzan," Jane began, "did you always think yourself a gorilla until you met us? Or did you have suspicions? Was your family always so accepting of you?"

"No. Especially Father. He didn't accept me until I was child. Mother was always accepting. She told me how I was different when my sister was born. That is when she showed me treehouse."

"You have a sister?" Jane asked. "A gorilla sister, I'm assuming."

"Yes. You will meet her."

"I'm meeting your sister?" Jane touched a hand to her chest and smiled at Tarzan as she followed him deeper into the trees. "I am very honored to meet someone so close to you, Tarzan."

Tarzan smiled back then stopped in a clearing. He narrowed his eyes as he looked around, making sure there were no creeping shadows around or any sounds of footsteps. When all was clear, Tarzan called to his sister, and Jane held her breath in anticipation.

"Okay, Kaphi," Tarzan called out. "Come out very slowly."

"You're sure it's safe?" Kaphi called back.

"Positive," Tarzan said. "Just move slow. I'll keep a look out."

As slow as possible, Kaphi inched her way down from a tree before stepping out into the clearing where Jane was waiting. Tarzan was pacing the small clearing in a similar way Kerchak paced the family boundary lines. That made Kaphi feel a bit safer, and she stepped all the way into the clearing, staring in awe at Jane, who was feeling much the same meeting her.

"She's beautiful," Jane whispered, kneeling in the grass, and holding out a hand to Kaphi. "What is her name?"

"Kaphi," Tarzan said after a few seconds trying to come up with an English translation.

Kaphi paused a few feet away and sniffed at the outstretched hand.

"What is she doing?" Kaphi asked.

Tarzan chuckled.

"I think she wants to touch you," Tarzan said.

"Oh." Kaphi sniffed at the hand again before taking another daring step forward. "I don't know. You trust her, right?"

"Completely," Tarzan reassured his sister.

Kaphi took a deep breath and then another step closer, lowering her head and pushing it into Jane's hand. Jane's breath shuddered as she stroked Kaphi's fur. Kaphi didn't move for a few seconds as she allowed the strange action, then she slowly relaxed and smiled at her brother.

"She really isn't so bad," Kaphi said.

"See? I know I can trust her," Tarzan said.

Jane watched their interactions with amazement before asking, "Can you teach me?"

"Speak gorilla?" Tarzan clarified.

Jane nodded.

Tarzan shared a look with his sister, who seemed to understand what Jane wanted and she shrugged at her brother, sitting down to wait patiently. Tarzan decided on something easy, yet hopefully impactful.

"Oo-oo-ee," Tarzan began.

"Oo-oo-ee," Jane repeated.

"Ah-ooo."

"Ah-ooo."

"Ooo," Tarzan repeated, trying to correct her tone, and Jane repeated, laughing when Tarzan squeezed her cheeks together. Tarzan grunted in approval and waited for Jane to try the phrase.

"Oo-oo-ee-ah-ooo," Jane said.

Kaphi laughed, a distinct sound that Jane was able to distinguish as laughter from the gorilla, and she chuckled herself before asking, "What did I say?"

"That Jane stays with Tarzan," Tarzan said.

"Stay?" Jane frowned at Tarzan. "But I thought we already—"

There was a loud snap in the trees, and Tarzan jumped to all fours, staring out into the shadows. Jane stood up and stared as well, peering through the trees. Kaphi shuffled behind Tarzan, staying low to the ground. Tarzan bared his teeth threateningly while watching for any movements. Remembering how well Sabor blended into the trees, Tarzan focused his eyes on anything resembling a living creature. He finally spotted a shadow that looked like a kneeling human pointing a weapon right at them.

Bang!

Kaphi yelped as she fell to the ground, rolling over and clutching at her arm as she pushed herself back up to her feet.

"Kaphi!" Tarzan cried, rushing over to her. He pushed her hand away to see the wound, but was surprised when he saw a metallic looking device stuck in her arm instead. He heard footsteps running toward them and Jane gasped.

"Clayton!" Jane cried. She ran toward Clayton and grabbed his weapon, pushing back against him as he tried to throw her out of his way. "You followed us! You shot Tarzan's sister."

"Kaphi, run!" Tarzan said, giving his sister an encouraging shove in the right direction. "Go home!"

Kaphi looked back and forth between Tarzan and the humans before turning and scrambling away.

"It's getting away," another man said as he ran after Kaphi, only for Tarzan to kick him off his feet.

"Let it go, Snipes," Clayton said as he threw Jane to the ground. "We will find it again. I've managed to tag her with a tracker. Just like I tagged you."

Clayton grabbed Jane's arm and pulled her to her feet, grabbing her notebook pointedly. He pulled out a metallic device similar to what Kaphi now had stuck in her arm from the middle of the book. Tarzan didn't understand what Clayton was talking about, but he pieced together that he had found them because of the device, and now he would be able to find the family. He had to get back to his family and warn them. He needed to get to Kaphi and remove that device. But Jane needed his help. She was struggling against Clayton, who pulled his gun and held it against her.

"Enough of that," Clayton said. "You did a great job leading me to the gorilla, Jane. Now I have no use for you or your pathetic father."

Tarzan lunged for Clayton, but Snipes raised his gun and fired at Tarzan, barely missing him. Tarzan landed a few yards away from Clayton and Jane, but he wasn't about to give up. He prepared to leap for Clayton once more when Clayton turned the gun on Jane.

"Not one more step, ape-man," Clayton said, "or you can say goodbye to Jane."

Tarzan bared his teeth but Jane shook her head at him.

"No, Tarzan," Jane pleaded. "I'll be fine, go! You have to warn your family!"

Tarzan knew she was right. He had to make sure his family was safe, then he could go back for Jane and free her from Clayton. When Snipes pointed his gun at Tarzan, Tarzan swung into the trees, disappearing quickly.

Jane struggled against Clayton briefly, but he tsked at her and shook his head.

"We will find the gorillas no matter what Tarzan does. There is no way he can remove the tracking device without the disabler and remover."

"Tarzan will never let you touch a hair on his family."

"Gorillas are not a family—they're just beasts."

"You're wrong." Jane struggled again but Clayton tightened his hold on her and motioned for Snipes to follow. "Let's round up the boys. We have some hunting to do."

"What do we do with the Porters?" Snipes asked.

"We tie them up as bait. I have a feeling we'll see Tarzan again."

Jane glared at Clayton before yelping as he roughly dragged her back to camp.

Tarzan flew through the trees back to the family, running through the other members over to where Kerchak was experimentally tugging on the black device stuck in Kaphi's arm. Kaphi hissed and pulled away from her father, her eyes falling on Tarzan as he slowed down from a run to a walk. Kala, who was resting a supporting hand on Kaphi's shoulder, gave Tarzan a concerned look while Kerchak turned a stern eye on his son.

"What happened?" he asked.

"It's my fault," Tarzan said.

"No, it's mine," Kaphi interluded quickly. "It was my idea."

"If there was ever a time for you both to agree on something," Kerchak muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "One of you, explain to me what happened."

"The strangers wanted to see our family," Tarzan said. At Kerchak's frown, Tarzan continued, "I didn't bring them here. I didn't want to. So Kaphi and I agreed we would see only one of the strangers, the one I knew was safe. It was going fine until Clayton showed up. He followed us with some tracking device he put on Jane, and he shot Kaphi with another tracking device."

Tarzan sat down and lowered his head.

"You were right, Dad. They were poachers. I should have been more careful."

"Not all of them," Kaphi said. "Jane was very nice. She even stepped in between me and . . . Clayton?"

At Tarzan's nod, Kaphi smiled at her brother and gave her father a serious look.

"Tarzan was right, too. Not all the strangers mean us harm. She is good. And now, she's in trouble, too."

Kerchak sighed.

"We must focus on the family first. And that means getting that thing off you." Kerchak tried using his teeth this time to attempt to scrape the device off her arm like he would as if the device had been a tick embedded in skin. Unfortunately, he only succeeded in making his daughter yelp at the painful tug and he studied the device stubbornly sticking out of her arm.

"Dad," Tarzan began. "You have to move the family. Kaphi will come with me."

"We are not splitting up," Kerchak said.

"Yeah, I think I'd like to stick with Dad this time," Kaphi said.

"You'll just lead the poachers right to us," Tarzan told his sister. He looked at his father. "We have to split up. I'll take Kaphi somewhere safe and work on getting her free of that thing. I won't let the poachers find or hurt her."

Kerchak sighed heavily, closing his eyes for a moment.

"Tell me you have a plan to get rid of the poachers," Kerchak asked his son.

"Well, not yet. But I'll come up with one."

"Your ideas have protected the family before," Kerchak said. "I trust you to do the right thing. Protect your sister. I'll lead the family into deeper jungle."

"Yes, Dad."

"Stay safe." Kerchak nuzzled both kids. "And be careful."

"Yes, Dad." Tarzan and Kaphi said at the same time.

Kerchak let out a commanding roar before leading the way into new grounds, the family following his lead immediately. Kala nuzzled her children as well before following Kerchak. Kaphi gave her brother a concerned look.

"Now what do we do?" Kaphi asked.

"Now, we go too." Tarzan motioned his sister to follow him with a jerk of his head. "I think I know someone who can help take that tracker off you."

Kaphi blinked before sighing and following after her brother.