The Gang of Five
Role Play => Random Role Play => Topic started by: Kit12 on September 01, 2009, 10:12:02 PM
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As she returned to the jungle she hadn't been in since her own cub hood days, Namita couldn't help thinking back to the friends she'd had here...and almost instantly wondering how Bagheera personally was doing, but...she wondered on the others too.
A group of birds chattering to each other as they fluttered about caught her interest. She peered up, and as they flew pretty close down, she was able to grab one of their attention.
"Um, excuse me, but...what are you all but celebrating?" she asked.
"Oh, haven't you heard?!" one of the birds turned to her, "Shere Khan has been defeated, again, and by the man cub again! The whole jungle has heard by now of how he is stuck in the bottom of a pit to bother us no more".
As the panther looked a mix of shocked and confused to hear of Shere Khan's fate yet nothing of why, the bird smiled apologetically, "but of course, you're new here", he landed and went through the tale starting with what he general animals knew of the man cub's finding to his fleeing when Shere Khan returned on to later when he and the tiger seemed to reappear at the same time.
"Oh my..." Namita frowned to hear it all, apparently the prideful cub she'd last seen had grown a site more bitter over the years. She wondered why, really.
"Well...I guess it's good the jungle being at peace, though still regrettable" she sighed.
Not really getting and kind of ignoring the later part, the bird flapped up, "Yes, and I must spread this peace news on!" he said, flying off with his fellows.
Namita watched them go and then shook her head, "Shere Khan an all out tyrant against innocent man cubs now...gosh, who'd have thought...".
~~~~
Meanwhile, in the pit Mowgli had trapped him in, the 'all out tyrant' was anything but happy, his swipes had since freed him, though with a tight squeeze, from the skull, but now he was in a worse predicament...he still was surrounded by lava and trapped.
At least that buzzard had finally left! Shere Khan would have tortured him to extents even he would have found quite mean if the chatty thing hadn't eventually been pulled along by his fellows (ooc:...yeah, Lucky did survived right...)
"This...is beyond below what a king of the jungle should be treated like!" Shere Khan had worked tirelessly to go from a cub once laughed at by an orangutan to someone who chocked the very words from an animals mouth before they could even think of doing such a dangerous act as laugh at him...though it didn't stop some bird brains...
"Stuck in a pit..." he leapt to try and climb from the pit once more, though fell to the precarious slabe of rock floating in the lava once more, "...and the jungle celebrates a man cub his indignity rather than sides wiht me!". He leapt and missed once more, growling in frustration and rage.
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Suddenly, a large log was carefully pushed into the pit, allowing a path for Shere Khan to escape.
"I wanted to help you out," said a female voice, soon revealed to be Allison!
(OOC: Yup, Lucky did survive.)
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Shere Khan glanced up in surprise, then got a more neutral facial expression.
"A-Allison...well, this...is a surprise" he tried to hide such from his voice though, well, it was someone who didn't hate him now... he pondered.
"Uh, well then a stand corrected" he said, walking along the log to exit the pit, "though you know" he, oddly, meant Allison herself no harm, being a fellow tiger and one who'd helped him, yet there was a dangerous seriousness to his voice, "there are those in this jungle who would hate you for freeing me"
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Namita moved off deeper into the jungle, semi-lost in thought about this whole thing as she walked...causing her to all but walk straight into a tree and hit her head on it.
"Ow" she muttered, since it hadn't hurt too bad, just been embarrassing. She rubbed at her head, "Well that wasn't graceful in any meaning of the word..." she muttered to herself, "lovely upholding of jungle cat dignity there, Namita" she semi-scolded herself.
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"Well, I'm on your side Shere Khan," Allison assured. "I couldn't leave you down here."
~~~~~~~~~`
Elsewhere, Bagheera was practicing his hunting. Little did he know he was about to encounter an old friend.
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"Well...I thankyou for it", Shere Khan wasn't use to saying that T word much...or ever really, "though there's a man cub about who probably won't..." he frowned, "the little cur humiliated me, don't know if you heard about that one. Just one more to the list of everything men have done to me, and they...the rest of the jungle's never understood" he shook his head.
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As Namita moved along, she suddenly came upon a section of the jungle where everything seemed quieter, and slowed her steps accordingly.
Glancing about she soon spotted a wounded buffalo hobbling along. Her stomach reminded her how it had been a few days since her last successful hunt, yet also this one was hurt and in pain, it would also be a mercy of putting him out of that pain.
Namita crouched down, keeping her eyes leveled on the buffalo moving along and waiting to see if a perfect moment for striking would come.
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Bagheera, from a different angle, was about to pounce on the same buffalo. "1......2......3..." he whispered to himself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
"Well, I understand," Allison said, helping Khan out of the pit.
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As Namita watched, preparing herself for her own pounce, the buffalo raised it's head, sensing something in the air...but then pushed it aside.
"...and...now" Namita whispered to herself, leaping out.
The buffalo jerked with a bellow and began to hobble off as Namita noticed herself collide head first with something or someone else.
"What the..." she stumbled back to then paused in shock.
"B-Bagheera....?" she whispered, somehow, even grown, she'd know him anywhere.
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"Really..." Shere Khan wasn't used to any other animals understanding so much. He gave a small smile, before it faded to his more neutral collected expression, "Well just thought I'd explain the situation to you so when and if we did meet up with 'the others' as you might still be thinking about them...".
Khan hadn't alluded even to his cubhood days...well since shortly after them, and it brought a bitter taste to his mouth to remember how weak he had once been.
"...we, don't speak", that was the simplest way to put it.
"So, how about this still king of the jungle show you around with a grand tour?" he gave a small smile to Allison
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"I'd love that," Allison smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Namita?" Bageheera asked back, not expecting his cubhood crush to be back.
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Somehow the simple fact of Allison taking up his offer of a tour was a duty that made Shere Khan feel more important than he had with any of the other fear and respect he'd won from the rest of the jungle.
"Well then, I suppose we should start off this way, though with stealth since, as I said, no sense letting everyone know I'm undefeated...with help of course...so soon".
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Namita smiled as she glanced down awkwardly, "Uh...yeah, hi...kinda sudden notice I know, just showing up but I...well found myself back by this way again".
She noticed the path the buffalo had escaped down, "and it looks like I just ruined your hunt, sorry about that" she went on.
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"Nothing to worry about," Bagheera assured. "I'll be able to find another lunch later."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Gotcha," Allison nodded, "Where should we start?"
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Namita couldn't help smiling once more, "Gosh, and once again you seem to take...well just everything well" she said. She next swat at the dirt a bit awkwardly, "So uh...", she looked for something, anything to say.
"How...how have you been?".
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"Well, first I suppose would be showing off the splendor that is my territory and section of the jungle that is mine...for when I'm around here" Shere Khan said, "as befits a king, it is the best spot".
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"I'm sure you're right," Allison agreed, interested in seeing Shere Khan's territory.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Fine, especially since this whole man cub issue has been resolved," Bagheera replied to Namita.
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"Of course I'm right" Shere Khan said, "has being away this long made you forget, I'm always right" he flashed her a prideful smile.
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Namita nodded, "Yeah, I...heard about that, both incidents; the bird's you know, they're kinda chatty" she explained, "and, I think it's great, what you did for the boy both saving him and then watching out for him like that" she smiled.
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RJ who had gone back to this part part of the jungle for Nostalgic purposes looked around wth a sigh. :This place brings back so many memories" RJ said. Just like when he was a cub his hunting skills had never really gotten any better. Sure, he had tried to be better at it but unfortunately to no avail. He was hoping maybe he could run in to one of his friends.
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OOC: I was just wondering what to do with Hathi... :D
Almost on cue of RJ's thoughts, a rhythmic pounding began up and a troop of elephants, the one upfront carrying a stick used for keeping command and demonstration purposes held in his trunk as he lead the line on, tree's falling in and patrol's wake.
"Hup two three four, keep in up two three four" they elephants chanted, "Oh we march from here to there, and it...".
the song abruptly ended as one of about the middle elephants spotted RJ whom they were quickly approaching...and not use to any but one tiger in these parts...
"Shere Khan!" the elephants shrieked, and despite his size and fellows being a huge detourant, the 'soldier' began to panic like a little calf, causing panic in the others.
The only elephants remaining calm were Cornel Hathi, his mate Winifred and their son Elliot, who just watched the adults in confused awe.
"Back bone soldiers, back bone!" Cornel Hathi yelled, trying to regain control of his troop, "Shere Khan's been dealt with remember, that tiger can't be him, besides he's too scrawny!".
Hathi pointed his stick towards the tiger he didn't recognize yet. The troop paused a bit in consideration of this.
(ooc: LOL I have no idea if RJ would count as 'scrawny' I just figured Hathi should say it :D)
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"Oh yeah, I forgot," Allison apologized.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't mention it," Bagheera replied, "I'm just glad the whole man cub incident is behind me."
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OOC: I was just wondering what to do with Hathi... :D
Almost on cue of RJ's thoughts, a rhythmic pounding began up and a troop of elephants, the one upfront carrying a stick used for keeping command and demonstration purposes held in his trunk as he lead the line on, tree's falling in and patrol's wake.
"Hup two three four, keep in up two three four" they elephants chanted, "Oh we march from here to there, and it...".
the song abruptly ended as one of about the middle elephants spotted RJ whom they were quickly approaching...and not use to any but one tiger in these parts...
"Shere Khan!" the elephants shrieked, and despite his size and fellows being a huge detourant, the 'soldier' began to panic like a little calf, causing panic in the others.
The only elephants remaining calm were Cornel Hathi, his mate Winifred and their son Elliot, who just watched the adults in confused awe.
"Back bone soldiers, back bone!" Cornel Hathi yelled, trying to regain control of his troop, "Shere Khan's been dealt with remember, that tiger can't be him, besides he's too scrawny!".
Hathi pointed his stick towards the tiger he didn't recognize yet. The troop paused a bit in consideration of this.
(ooc: LOL I have no idea if RJ would count as 'scrawny' I just figured Hathi should say it :D)
"Shere Khan? Where?" RJ said looking around nervously. RJ then growled a bit hearing the last part this leader said. "And just who do you think you're calling "Scrawny""? RJ said.
He thought about how he had reacted. "Look I'm very sorry. I just don't respond well to being called "Scrawny". My name is RJ and I have just stopped by. I remember this place from when I was a kid and stopped by for a visit. " RJ said. Trying to be a bit more polite.
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It was another pleasant surprised to be agreed with rather than argued with...but the, Allison had always been good at that, backing him up.
Shere Khan wasn't sure if this sudden feeling was true gratitude, but whatever it was
"And here we are" he said, "where the trees are greenest just all but drawing the herds is despite their better judgement, is my neck of the jungle" Shere Khan indicated about him to where they'd ended up.
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Namita couldn't help giggling at Bagheera saying it again, "Well gosh Bagheera, you almost sound like you don't like the kid" she said, though still in a laughing tone.
Something about finding out Bagheera was still as serious as he'd been as a cub was both refreshing and also amusing.
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The elephants did calm down as this tiger spoke and definitely wasn't Shere Khan.
"RJ..." Hathi thought, "Yes, the name does sound familiar...I believe...yes I believe a soldier I saved in battle once had that name...back in 88 it was..." he rambled on.
Winifred (who I'll look after until she get's a player or such) rolled her eyes, "Oh for heaven's sake...didn't you tell me you knew an RJ back as a cub, Hathi?" she asked.
Hathi frowned, thinking, "Well that's a possibility too, I think..." he pondered to see if he could recall.
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"Oh, I do like him," Bagheera said, "But the man cub can be a real nuisance sometimes."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So these are your hunting grounds?" Allison asked Shere Khan.
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"Wait a minute did you say his name was Hathi? It's so nice to see you again. I remember when we were kids. " RJ said.
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Namita nodded, "Well from what I've seen I guess kids are just that way...well all kids but you at that age" she finished with a smile, remembering.
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"Yes, though...by rights, all the jungle is also" Shere Khan answered.
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"Kids..." Hathi struggled to recall back to his calfhood days.
"You remember dear" Winifred said, "you were shorter, all around smaller and more obnoxious" she grinned.
Hathi did recall, "I remember a certain someone not making good first impressions" he shot back, before turning to RJ, "but yes, of course I recall you now, that other tiger cub to come through, well how have you been old boy" Hathi asked.
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"Yeah, I know," Bagheera chuckled lightly.
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"Cool," commented Allison. "By the way....you're pretty handsome," she complimented.
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Namita nodded, "Well from what I've seen I guess kids are just that way...well all kids but you at that age" she finished with a smile, remembering.
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"Yes, though...by rights, all the jungle is also" Shere Khan answered.
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"Kids..." Hathi struggled to recall back to his calfhood days.
"You remember dear" Winifred said, "you were shorter, all around smaller and more obnoxious" she grinned.
Hathi did recall, "I remember a certain someone not making good first impressions" he shot back, before turning to RJ, "but yes, of course I recall you now, that other tiger cub to come through, well how have you been old boy" Hathi asked.
(One little question do you mind if I add in RJ'S kid Kyano? He was adopted by RJ)
RJ laughed. "Well things have been going great for me Haili? And I can see you developed into quite the leader of this uhhhhhhhhhhhhh............. I guess you'd call it a herd. Anyway other then that I have been taking care of my adopted son. He's somewhere around here" RJ said.
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(OOC: That's fine Dash, I've been playing with the idea of a kid character for this generation to bring in myself, Namita's nephew (her brother Basdev's kid) Miko whom she's watching and...yeah I think I can make it work with the current situation.)
"But never stuffy, whatever Baloo might have said" Namita assured with a smile, "In fact I always kinda thought...".
A sudden movement from the bushes interrupted Namita and a little ball of black fur with blue eyes rolled out.
"Miko..." Namita sighed. The cub leapt up, "Aunt N'ita, guess what?!" he said excitedly, "I just scared a lizard, well 'lest I almost scared it, I gotta actually learn to roar before I can scare anything, but it was like this close to being scared!" he held up his two fingers of his paws together to show a little bit.
Namita smiled apologetically at Bagheera, "Speaking of kids who are a pawful...uh you probably recall my older brother Basdev, well...I'm kind of in charge of his son after an...incident" she glanced aside a bit sadly.
The little one, Miko, turned to face Bagheera looking quizzical, then brightened "Oh you're Aunt N'ita's friend she said we might meet up with again who she said she still has the crush o-".
Namita quickly clamped a paw over the cub's mouth and pulled him over, embarrassed flush coming to her cheeks. "That's...uh, quite enough out of you young cub" she said through the grit teeth of an embarrassed grin.
She wondered if after all the other kid trouble Bagheera just said he endured they shouldn't just moved on
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Shere Khan turned, only looking surprised for a bit, "Oh right...I almost forgot your little habit of...just saying things..." he cleared his throat, "Well...thankyou, I've...sort of noticed such from time to time" eh ran a paw over his head fur, "but nice of you to notice. You...um, well most definitely hold up appearance wise to be seen with me..." he went on, actually trying for a compliment
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"Well thankyou sir" Hathi said to the compliment, "and yes, I've done quite the job since those far gone seasons of whipping this crew into shape, I'm a Cornel and all now you might have heard, took over for Winifred's uncle and all" (ooc: I always assumed that's where Hathi's herd came from since in the show Winifred's uncle sort of ran a herd).
Elliott paid attention to a different part of the story though, "A son?" the little calf came around to look at the tiger talking to his dad, "like...around my age?" he pried, thinking he might get another friend out of all this; he didn't have alot as it was besides Mowgli, but he was in the manvillage.
"A yes, sons, speaking of which" Hathi indicated Elliott, "mine".
"Oh, yes right, Pop says it's proper to introduce yourself, I just sort of almost forgot" Elliott clicked his heels and saluted with his trunk, "how do you do sir, I'm Elliott" he said with a bright smile.
OOC: Aw, couldn't you just imagine the three little kids, Elliott, Kyano and Miko, forming a friends group kinda similar to what their assorted guardians did :D Just thought of that.
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Bagheera managed to make out the word Miko was about to say.
"I was your childhood crush eh?" he asked.
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"Thanks," Allison replied.
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Shere Khan just smiled and nodded, "So, I suppose you'll be wanting to see the less important parts of the jungle next?" he asked.
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Namita was sure she was blushing a full on pink against the black fur of her cheeks, "Uh..s-sorta, yeah" she said averting her gaze but casing a glance to see how Bagheera would take this news.
Miko just glanced between the two with a smile, grown-ups were so fun to watch sometimes. His attention was diverted by a frog hopping by, though.
"Oh you picked a bad day to cross this hunter's path..." he told the little thing, crouching down and then pouncing for it...the frog just hopped off. Miko stood, still in sight of his aunt, as she'd always told him to stay, and fixed his gaze on the thing again, preparing to try again.
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"A little hunter, is he?" Bagheera smiled at Namita's nephew.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Sure," Allison nodded.
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(OOC: That's fine Dash, I've been playing with the idea of a kid character for this generation to bring in myself, Namita's nephew (her brother Basdev's kid) Miko whom she's watching and...yeah I think I can make it work with the current situation.)
"But I never stuffy, whatever Baloo might have said" Namita assured with a smile, "In fact I always kinda thought...".
A sudden movement from the bushes interrupted Namita and a little ball of black fur with blue eyes rolled out.
"Miko..." Namita sighed. The cub leapt up, "Aunt 'Nita, guess what?!" he said excitedly, "I just scared a lizard, well 'lest I almost scared it, I gotta actually learn to roar before I can scare anything, but it was like this close to being scared!" he held up his two fingers of his paws together to show a little bit.
Namita smiled apologetically at Bagheera, "Speaking of kids who are a pawful...uh you probably recall my older brother Basdev, well...I'm kind of in charge of his son after an...incident" she glanced aside a bit sadly.
The little one, Miko, turned to face Bagheera looking quizzical, then brightened "Oh you're Aunt 'nita's friend she said we might meet up with again who she said she still has the crush o-".
Namita quickly clamped a paw over the cub's mouth and pulled him over, embarrassed flush coming to her cheeks. "That's...uh, quite enough out of you young cub" she through the grit teeth of an embarrassed grin.
She wondered if after all the other kid trouble Bagheera just said he endured they shouldn't just moved on
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Shere Khan turned, only looking surprised for a bit, "Oh right...I almost forgot your little habit of...just saying things..." he cleared his throat, "Well...thankyou, I've...sort of noticed such from time to time" eh ran a paw over his head fur, "but nice of you to notice. You...um, well most definitely hold up appearance wise to be seen with me..." he went on, actually trying for a compliment
~~~~
"Well thankyou sir" Hathi said to the compliment, "and yes, I've done quite the job since those far gone seasons of whipping this crew into shape, I'm a Cornel and all now you might have heard, took over for Winifred's uncle and all" (ooc: I always assumed that's where Hathi's herd came from since in the show Winifred's uncle sort of ran a herd).
Elliott paid attention to a different part of the story though, "A son?" the little calf came around to look at the tiger talking to his dad, "like...around my age?" he pried, thinking he might get another friend out of all this; he didn't have alot as it was besides Mowgli, but he was in the manvillage.
"A yes, sons, speaking of which" Hathi indicated Elliott, "mine".
"Oh, yes right, Pop says it's proper to introduce yourself, I just sort of almost forgot" Elliott clicked his heels and saluted with his trunk, "how do you do sir, I'm Elliott" he said with a bright smile.
OOC: Aw, couldn't you just imagine the three little kids, Elliott, Kyano and Miko, forming a friends group kinda similar to what their assorted guardians did :D Just thought of that.
" Oh, hello Elliot. It's awfully nice to meet you." RJ said with a smile.
"Well he's either around your age or maybe just a little bit younger.I'm sure you and him will make great friends" RJ said winking at Elliot seeing what he was getting at.
Kyano wasn't very welcome with other cubs. He had heard the story all to well from him. Kyano wasn't one who made a lot of friends. And it had been quite some time since he actually had a friend to play with.
Now if only he could find him.
Just then he felt an all to familiar pounce as Kyano playfully pounced his dad.
"I gotcha real good that time daddy. I was in the tree. I've been getting really good at climbing and pouncing" Kyano said.
"So I've noticed" RJ said with a grimace.
Kyano looked over at Elliot with a friendly smile.
"Oh that's right, Kyano this is Elliot's. He is Hathi's son." RJ introduced.
"Hathi? Isn't he that guy you were friends with as a cub? You have told me the stories about when you were a cub like 900 gagillion times." Kyano said.
Kyano got off RJ eager to make a friend with Elliot.
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"In the making, yes" Namita replied with a smile of her own. Noticing that both of them were looking at him, Miko turned and the frog hopped away. The cub didn't seem to mind too much though.
He walked back over, "Yeah, I-I'm pretty good" he gave Bagheera his own answer to the question addressed to his aunt, "I've almost caught stuff like...lots of times" he said with a smile. He'd forgotten the actual number of 'almost' successes.
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"Then allow me to show you" Shere Khan said, as they headed out. "I should patrol and make sure everyone's behaving anyway" he went on, once more hinting at the authority he held around here, if only by fear tactics.
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Elliott smiled at the tiger cub as he leapt down, "Hi, I'm Elliott, but then your dad just told you that I guess" he gave another smile, "and my dad's mentioned himself 900 gagillion times too, with all the great stuff he's done" he added with a laugh.
"Well all true you know..." Hathi said, a bit put out with the way Elliott said that, as he turned to once more see how this troop was doing.
"Soldiers! Straighter line there, even when not marching we have to look like a united front!" he slightly scolded, the other elephants immediately straightening up.
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"In the making, yes" Namita replied with a smile of her own. Noticing that both of them were looking at him, Miko turned and the frog hopped away. The cub didn't seem to mind too much though.
He walked back over, "Yeah, I-I'm pretty good" he gave Bagheera his own answer to the question addressed to his aunt, "I've almost caught stuff like...lots of times" he said with a smile. He'd forgotten the actual number of 'almost' successes.
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"Then allow me to show you" Shere Khan said, as they headed out. "I should patrol and make sure everyone's behaving anyway" he went on, once more hinting at the authority he held around here, if only by fear tactics.
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Elliott smiled at the tiger cub as he leapt down, "Hi, I'm Elliott, but then your dad just told you that I guess" he gave another smile, "and my dad's mentioned himself 900 gagillion times too, with all the great stuff he's done" he added with a laugh.
"Well all true you know..." Hathi said, a bit put out with the way Elliott said that, as he turned to once more see how this troop was doing.
"Soldiers! Straighter line there, even when not marching we have to look like a united front!" he slightly scolded, the other elephants immediately straightening up.
"So Elliot ya wanna play? I'm good with any game you come up with. " Kyano said.
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"Well, I don't think I should challenge you at tag" Elliott said with a small laugh, "but...how 'bout..." the calf thought for a bit, "Hide and Seek".
Hathi turned at this, "I say, isn't that that game where you purposefully hide from even you parents knowing where you are?" he asked having reservations about that part of the game.
"Well, we'd stay close around here, Pop, promise" Elliott said.
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"Yeah, please dad can I play Hide and Seek with Elliot? We promise to stay real close." Kyano said with the best sad puppy dog face je could begging RJ to say yes. " All right you can go play Hide and Seek with Elliot as long as you stay near the herd and me at all times. If you can't see us then you have played to far away. Other then that have fun." RJ said.
"YAY"Kyano said happily and hugged his father's paw tightly. "Thanks dad.!" Kyano said. "So do you wanna be it first or should I?" Kyano asked happily to Elliot.
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"Then lead the way," Allison encouraged. There was something she was going to tell Shere Khan later. One of the reasons she came back was because she wanted cubs....
~~~~~~~~~
"Well, you will improve over time young one," Bagheera told the little panther.
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"Um, I'll let you pick first which you'd rather do" Elliott said, eager to make his new friend happy, "it' doesn't matter to me".
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"Great then you can be it first. Count to 60 and no peeking" Kyano said.
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"Right, it's right this way" Shere Khan said, leading the way with his head held high, yet sticking to the more hidden parts of the shrubbery.
They soon came upon a herd of buffalo standing just on their side of a small river bed.
Shere Khan saw this as a chance of visually showing his authority. "Any other jungle cat" he told Allison, "when not hunting would just pass by, but...that would be subservient" he grinned before stepping out with a proud air and giving an impressive roar with one message 'scat'.
The herd jerked, bellowing, and soon did disperse from about the river bed.
"and as for breaking our cover, ah well a true king can only hide so long" he smirked again. Actually he doubted the dumb beasts would 'talk' much.
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"Yeah, that's what everyone says" Miko sighed with a frown, "Gotta wait 'till I'm older".
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"Ok" Elliott moved over to a nearby tree and put his trunk over his eyes as well as leaned against the tree trunk.
"One...two...three..." he started counting.
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Kyano smiled and made sure Elliot wasn't peeking and then Kyano ran off trying to find the most perfect hiding spot he could find. He hid himself as well as he could behind a big tree. And covered his mouth trying to suppress a giggle.
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"That was impresive!" Allison complimented. Then she got a bit nervous and turned to Khan. "Shere Khan.......since I came back here, there's somethin I've been meaning to ask you....."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Value your youth," Bagheera told the young panther, "When you get to be my age you'll wish you were a cub again."
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"...uh, twenty, I think...yeah" Elliott made sure he was keeping good count and went on.
"...fifty nine, sixty, ok you better be ready 'cause here I come!" Elliott turned around with a big smile and scanning began to walk off looking for Kyano.
As he walked past the herd, he frowned, "Wait...did I tell him he coudln't go up into the trees" Elliott pointed with his trunk, suddenly thinking of that.
His mother smiled, "Um no dear, I believe you forgot that rule".
"Oh..." Elliott thought, "well if he did I'll just mention it next time" Elliott walked on. Winifred hid a smile.
Elliott continued to scan about, trying to spot out tiger stripes.
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"Yeah, but you can do everything now" Miko told Bagheera, about grown panthers in general.
Namita laughed, "Trust me Miko when you have to do your own hunting rather than have it done for you, you'll miss it".
"Yeah, I guess" Miko admitted. He hadn't thought about that.
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Shere Khan turned, "Oh, and what might that be?" he asked.
~~~~
(ooc: More temping)
Meanwhile, near the man-village, one not quite grown man was close to a panic. Mowlgi hoped up to the top of the gate surrounding the village and peered across the waterway into the dense underbrush.
Small feet prints made a tell tale trail in the sand and Mowgli leapt down, examining them. He sighed, "Ranjan...". His little brother of the family to have taken Mowgli in had hobbled off into the jungle again...only this time shockingly without Mowlgi!
"Oh if you get yourself hurt, I am so dead!" Mowgli quickly leapt across the rocks and into the brush to search out the small kid.
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"Well.....I was wanting to know.....if you would want cubs?" Allison managed to say.
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Kyano carefully peeked out from behind the tree to see how close or how far away Elliot was. He tried his best to hide his stripes by moving behind the tree a little more.
-
Shere Khan turned, mildly surprised but moving past it quite well. "Well...while cubs or young ones of any kind are generally an annoying nuisance...cubs of my own would be an exception and the model of what a tiger should be, just like me...and yes" he confessed, "the fact that I will need heirs so that all my control and authority in this jungle as passed down by generations doesn't just die away with me, but truth be told a proper mate to be all but queen of the jungle has never been found".
He side glanced to Allison before turning back to her after having turned away, "Are you...applying for that position?" he asked his own point blank question with his usual air of haughty seriousness, yet was also with a smirk that was a tad amused, in a good way.
OOC: Whew! It's a bit of a brain scratcher that one, how does Shere Khan react to the topic of cubs! But I think I got it, hehe
~~~~
OOC: Ok, just going with the idea that using Ranjan produced...
Elliott continued searching and had just thought he'd noticed something by a tree, and squinted, when something else intruded.
"Yah!" with a shout, little Ranjan burst from the bushes nearby, holding a stick in the position of a gun and, spotting Kyano, began poking him, also giving away his position.
"Tiger Hunter get his prey!" the little kid went on, still just poking Kyano.
"H-hey, stop that!" Elliott rushed up to the little kid and yanked him back by his ankle. Ranjan began hitting his stick at Elliott's trunk, "Let go!" he said.
"No, you have to play nice!" Elliott said. He hadn't met Ranjan yet (ooc: I don't think...gotta re-watch the second one...) but he was familiar with the fact that man cubs weren't hunters, and this kid looked younger than them.
The commotion attracted Hathi's attention though, "I say what the devil..." he stormed over and then gasped, "another man cub! Why Bagheera gave me his word no other man cubs would be...Bagheera!" he hollered, as if he could call the panther from here.
~~~~
"Well..." Namita started to feel they may be taking up Bagheera's time and, nervous as she was due to the fact that she still felt that 'childhood crush' only stronger, she didn't want to be a bother to Bagheera, "Maybe we should let you...".
Just then Hathi's trumpet interrupted her. "What was that?".
Miko peered forward interested as well, then took off in interest towards the spot.
"Oh no, Miko...I said no running off!" Namita took chase.
-
"I am," Allison nodded happily, she was overjoyed to see that Khan wanted cubs too.
~~~~~~~~
"It's Colonel Haithi, and I think I need to see him," Bagheera explained.
-
"Hmm" Shere Khan leaned back and then walked around Allison, pondering the 'proposal' "Well..." he stopped in front of her again and smirked, "why yes, all in all I'd say you're right up to par for..queen".
From where he sat, Shere Khan wrapped his tail closer to around where Allison sat as well.
~~~~
"Colonel...Hathi?" Namita asked with a smile, "you mean that calf from before, he's Colonel now? Oh but of course if you have to see him go right ahead" she said, sort of impressed that Bagheera held this much informing power with the other animals.
"We'll...hang back here" she said.
Miko...meanwhile didn't agree and crept up to the branches of the tree to follow curiously as Bagheera made his way over to the elephant herd.
"You promised me no more intruding man-cubs!" was Hathi's explanation as he held up Ranjan in his trunk. The kid was hanging upside down growling.
"Put me down, I a tiger hunter!" the kid said in his usual fearless way.
"Oh by the way I found you" Elliott told Kyano from where he watched in curiosity and slight confusion his dad and the hyper little man cub.
-
"I had nothing to do with this child, he must have ventured into here by himself," Bagheera protested.`
~~~~~~~~~~~
Allison nuzzled Shere Khan on the cheek. "I love you," she smiled gently.
-
"Hmm" Shere Khan leaned back and then walked around Allison, pondering the 'proposal' "Well..." he stopped in front of her again and smirked, "why yes, all in all I'd say you're right up to par for..queen".
From where he sat, Shere Khan wrapped his tail closer to around where Allison sat as well.
~~~~
"Colonel...Hathi?" Namita asked with a smile, "you mean that calf from before, he's Colonel now? Oh but of course if you have to see him go right ahead" she said, sort of impressed that Bagheera held this much informing power with the other animals.
"We'll...hang back here" she said.
Miko...meanwhile didn't agree and crept up to the branches of the tree to follow curiously as Bagheera made his way over to the elephant herd.
"You promised me no more intruding man-cubs!" was Hathi's explanation as he held up Ranjan in his trunk. The kid was hanging upside down growling.
"Put me down, I a tiger hunter!" the kid said in his usual fearless way.
"Oh by the way I found you" Elliott told Kyano from where he watched in curiosity and slight confusion his dad and the hyper little man cub.
Kyano who had not expected this jumped back in fear as the little kid poked at him. "Hey, Hey, cut it out I did nothing to you. " Kyano said not really understanding what he had done to be hunted by this kid or anyone for that matter. He was just minding his own buisness.
Kyano was still a little bit shakened up and before he knew it Kyano shot off in the other direction like a bullet.
RJ sighed and ran after his son. He didn't know what spooked Kyano but it was something really big.
-
Shere Khan smiled, "Well, and I of course don't say this lightly...same here" he said nuzzling her back. He'd have never thought he'd find someone who both accepted and understood him as he was but Allison had.
~~~~
Elliott frowned as Kyano rushed of. "K-Kyano...wait" he took off as well, though slower than RJ, wanting to help his new friend.
"Nothing to do with the child..." Hathi lowered Ranjan at Bagheera's words, the boy struggled out of the elephant's grip.
He picked up his stick again and glanced around, "Where...where tiger go...".
"You scared him off" Miko said, leaping down and frowning at the little man cub shorter than him even, though not by much, "and he wasn't doing anything to you".
"He tiger and tiger bad, they try to hurt Mowgli!" Ranjan protested. Miko sighed, "I'm guessin' ya mean Shere Khan, no that was that mean tiger, not all tigers are like that" the little panther explained, "that one was a kid like us".
"Oh..." Ranjan glanced down at the ground, shuffling it with his feet, "I not play nice...".
Miko sighed, "Well...you didn't know...".
-
"We all make mistakes," Bagheera said to Ranjan.
~~~~~~~~~~
Allison gave Khan a nice big kiss on the lips.
-
RJ slowed down a bit as he saw Elliot was trying to catch up. "Kyano, you don't have to worry It was just a little kid. " RJ called out. Kyano who was hiding in the bushes nearby still shaking like a leaf came out still terrified and looked around nervously.
"The kid isn't what scares me RJ. It's humans. Where the are human kids, there are humans, where there are humans there are hunters, Where there are Hunters ............. I wind up being someone's fur coat or hanging on a wall somewhere. Where there are human kids hunters aren't to far behind. I can't continue staying here not with hunters around. That's the same way I lost my parents and I will not let it happen again." Kyano said with tears in his eyes.
-
Bagheera could see how bad Kyano felt. "What did the hunters do to his parents?" he asked RJ.
-
Bagheera could see how bad Kyano felt. "What did the hunters do to his parents?" he asked RJ.
"Well " RJ started but then quickly moved closer to Bagheera so he could tell him without upsetting Kyano even more.
"Ya see not a long time ago Kyano and his parents were happy but then one day a kid probably about that little kid's age has made his way into the jungle. His parents were hunters they followed him into the forest and shot his mom and dad. Kyano managed to escape. Not to long after I found him all alone and I raised him as my son. Ever since then Kyano has been terrified of humans and human kids." RJ said.
-
"I could understand why," Bagheera nodded.
-
Mowgli had just reached the brush himself to catch Ranjan again and hearing what this other tiger who didn't seem dangerous from what Mowgli could tell of jungle animals, whisper to Bagheera that the cub wasn't keen on humans, he went for the stealth approach.
While the grown ups talked, he reached in an yanked Ranjan over to him so that the tiger cub didn't have to get freaked out by him appearing next.
Miko peered his head in curiously.
"You are in so much trouble!" Mowgli hissed, "why'd you take off without me! You know your not suppose to do that! Only I know the jungle enough to show you around".
"I sorry" Ranjan said, "but I had'ta make sure that tiger still in the pit". Mowgii sighed, the noticed the panther cub.
"Hi" Miko smiled. Mowgli smiled back, "Hi".
"Aw but that kid's with Mowgli" Elliott explained, trying to cheer Kyano up, "and Mowgli was raised by a wolf pack so he's one of us, not one of them" the elephant calf said.
"Well you ask me, man is always trouble" Hathi commented to the herd and no on in particular even if he didn't hear what RJ whispered to Bagheera.
Namita, who had caught up to catch her own run away nephew, smiled, "Oh please, Hathi have you ever actually seen a human...that's not the man cub" he finished.
"Well of course I have!" the Colonel said, "back in...88 it was...".
Namita sighed, in other words, Hathi didn't know.
~~~~
Shere Khan returned the kiss, embracing Allison before breaking it after a bit, "Well with that all important decision made, I think it's about time I showed you the more secluded parts of my territory" he said.
-
"Agreed," Allison nodded.
-
Shere Khan lead the way to the spot of the jungle no one else had ever gone to, his own private grove deep within his territorial bounds.
Thankfully, even if no one else saw it, he kept it up so it wasn't a dismantled mess or anything.
-
"It's pretty clean in here," Allison complimented. "A grove fit for a king is a perfect description of this place."
-
Shere Khan smiled, "Well given my position all details of my territory must be perfect" he said, "and thankfully everything is, even down to my new queen". Shere Khan wasn't use to giving out compliments to those other than himself, but Allison was worthy the exception.
~~~~
"You know, I'm sure if you just apologized, Kyano would see you didn't mean to hurt him" Miko went on.
"You heard him, though, he doesn't like humans, not even kids" Mowgli said.
"Yeah" Miko sighed, he tried to think through how to help these two man cubs, since he'd decided he liked them.
-
Allison blushed proudly at that comment.
"Well, do you want to "get ready for the cubs" tonight?" she asked Shere Khan with a smile.
-
Truthfully if Ranjan did apoligize he may still not trust humans but he'd feel a little bit better about it. But, he thought that could never happen. Perhaps he was just as bad as Ranjan. Ranjan thought all tigers were alike even though they weren't. And maybe Kyano thought all humans were alike even though some humans like this Mowgli person seemed to be kinda nice. Kyano hesitantly walked toward Ranjan and Mowgli.
-
Shere Khan smiled back, "Why do you think I showed you this spot off the timing I did" he replied, kissing Allison once more before pulling back, smug smirk on his face once again.
~~~~
The two boys turned as Kyano walked up. "Uh hi..." Mowgli said, he Ranjan and Miko came out now since there was no point in hiding from Kyano.
"Uh...sorry about...well Iguess he's my little brother now since his family took me in" Mowgli said.
"Yeah" Ranjan walked up looking ashamed, "I sorry...".
"Uh, sorry also Bagheera, Colonel" Mowgli went on turning to the adults, "for...the trouble he caused, he's...kinda hard to keep track of".
Hathi huffed, "Well trouble seems associated with you one way or another man-cub" he shook his head.
"Aw Pop, Mowgli's great" Elliott defended, walking up with a smile as he greeted his friend.
-
"Of course," Allison realized. She smiled, she loved Shere Khan's smug looks. "Now go at me, tiger."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I think we've established that if Khan is not around, Mowgli's harmless," Bagheera commented.
-
"If you insist" Shere Khan's grin grew before he pounced and tackled Allison...
~~~~
Hathi turned with a small frown, "I never really signed on with that theory" he said.
"Bagheera's got a point though" Elliott realized and said to the others, "If Shere Khan's not around I guess there's no reason Mowgli and Ranjan have to rush back to the man-village..." he said hopefully.
So long as Kyano felt comfortable around them, he realized and turned back to the tiger cub and youngest human to see how Ranjan's apology had gone off.
-
Allison and Shere Khan had a nice "wrestling match."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So I feel the man cubs are no longer a problem," Bagheera commented.
-
Kyano smiled. After a apology from a human he knew he was wrong. Ranjan obviously meant no harm. "Awwww, don't worry Ranjan I forgive you." Kyano said happily.
-
Ranjan grinned and then hugged Kyano's front paw, "I also think tigers kinda cool, when they not trying to hurt Mowgli" he went on to also make amends of earlier.
"Hey, will you teach me tiger stuffs?" he next asked Kyano.
Mowgli sighed a bit embarrassed, "Ranjan...don't be an annoyance...".
As he watched the kids, Hathi huffed, "Well...I suppose not" he replied to Bagheera.
Namita just smiled to herself as she watched Miko laugh along with Elliott at Ranjan's antics. Moving as they had ever since Basdev was shot by a hunter and Miko very young, the cub hadn't had a chance to make alot of friends.
Right then Namita decided that her trying to reunite with Bagheera in whatever context he felt like aside, she would stick around for the other reason of giving Miko something of stability.
-
Allison and Khan's "match" soon came to an end.
"That was great," the tigress smiled.
-
Shere Khan smiled and was about to make one of his arrogant comments when he halted it for an actual compliment to Allison.
"You're great, and amazing" he said nuzzling the top of her head.
-
"Thank you, you were even more amazing," Allison smiled, nuzzling Khan back. There was something about Khan's arrogance and smugness that Allison just loved.
-
Kyano just had to smile a bit as Ranjan hugged his paw. Kyano wrapped a paw around Ranjan giving him a hug back and then gave him a tiny lick on the cheek. Kyano smiled even more when Ranajn asked him if he could teach him about being a tiger.
"Well all though I'm not really good at much I would be happy to teach you how to be a tiger. Being a tiger is what I am best at after all" Kyano said confidently.
-
"This'll be interesting to watch," Bagheera commented.
-
"Well, I would think it would be sort of expected now don't you" Shere Khan went on proudly, though with a bit more of a teasing hint to it than there was when he's ever spoken to the other animals and such.
~~~~
Namita laughed, "Definitely" she said, moving closer to where Bagheera was...for the better vantage point of course.
Elliott scratched his head with his trunk, "Can...a man-cub learn to be a tiger?" he wondered.
"I think in tips sure" Miko said, "plus one beat a tiger, so why not" he smiled at Mowgli, who shrugged, "Aw...it wasn't hard at all given how he fears fire" he said.
Ranjan laughed, "Yeah, I bet you good tiger" he told Kyano. Glancing around he plucked a big leaf and stuck it in his short so it bent and drug behind him as he got on his hands a knees, "There, now I gots a tail!" he said.
From where she watched, Namita brought a paw up to stifle a laugh.
-
Bagheera let out a little smile. As serious as he was, he still found the kids' game cute.
~~~~~~~~~~~``
"Agreed," Allison nodded. "So, do you have any ideas for names?" she asked her mate.
-
Hathi meanwhile shook his head, "Ooh if Winifred hadn't forbidden me to I'd pluck Elliott straight from those man-cubs damaging influences" he grumbled as he walked off.
Namita laughed, "Well one of them's going to be a tiger so I wouldn't worry" she joked. Hathi didn't look amused, or really like he got the joke, as he walked back over to check on his herd.
~~~~
"Well I know it'll probably shock you, not wanting to name my first son, whenever that happens, after me" Khan said, "but I have picked a rather...fitting name for such an heir...unless we have a girl first and then I suppose you can take that one" he smiled, "but either way, I think our first son should be called Sahib".
He frowned, "it's a name, or title, those men throw around, but one they view with the highest honor, and a tiger with such a name would be above even men so...it would set our son up for his fate" Khan smiled.
"and like I said, you can take the girl's name since I know less about that stuff".
OOC: Hehe, yeah so pulled that idea out of the air in trying to think up a regal name with Indian influences ;)
-
"If we have a girl, how about "Sherry?" It's a pun on your name," Allison suggested.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Louie was swinging on some vines. He was a traveler now after leaving his ruind. Though his servants came along as well.
-
Kyano looked back at his tail and then looked at Ranjan's "Tail" for similairities. "That's close enough" Kyano said with a smile over to Ranjan. He never really was trusted to be a teacher of anything. But, seeing as how Ranjan wanted to be something that he was Kyano would do his best to teach him everything he knew about being a tiger.
RJ laughed. The way the man-cub and Kyano played was really cute.
Kyano thought for a little bit trying his best to think of ways for Ranjan to be more like a tiger.
"Okay, first all real tigers know how to pounce and climb. Now, I'm still learning myself but I'll give you a demonstration. "Kyano said looking around to find his first victim to do his demonstration to.
-
Shere Khan smiled, "Why sure I think it sounds just perfect".
~~~~
As Kyano looked for a victim, Elliott backed up. Miko laughed, "Don't worry, uh, Elliott" he struggled and then succeeded to remember the one of his new friends name, "I don't think Kyano's gonna use elephant as the first practicing tool".
Elliott smiled, "Yeah...well uh, just making sure" he said.
"Alright alright, why not" Mowgli stepped forward, "go ahead Kyano try to catch me" he said, then smiled, "and trust me that's not as easy as it sounds".
"But maybe you should make it a little easy, just so Kyano can show Ranjan" Miko suggested. Mowgli waved his hand dismissively like he knew that.
As she also watched the kids, Namita smiled, "You know I never realized all that moving we'd been doing recently was robbing Miko of friends" she commented to the assorted group of her old friends again, "until now, when he just made some, I think maybe we will stick around".
-
"Thanks," Allison smiled, "So what should we do now?"
-
Shere Khan smiled, "Why sure I think it sounds just perfect".
~~~~
As Kyano looked for a victim, Elliott backed up. Miko laughed, "Don't worry, uh, Elliott" he struggled and then succeeded to remember the one of his new friends name, "I don't think Kyano's gonna use elephant as the first practicing tool".
Elliott smiled, "Yeah...well uh, just making sure" he said.
"Alright alright, why not" Mowgli stepped forward, "go ahead Kyano try to catch me" he said, then smiled, "and trust me that's not as easy as it sounds".
"But maybe you should make it a little easy, just so Kyano can show Ranjan" Miko suggested. Mowgli waved his hand dismissively like he knew that.
As she also watched the kids, Namita smiled, "You know I never realized all that moving we'd been doing recently was robbing Miko of friends" she commented to the assorted group of her old friends again, "until now, when he just made some, I think maybe we will stick around".
"Ahhhhh Perfect. Don't worry I won't go to hard this is just a demonstration for the tiger wannabe over here" Kyano said. "Now watch what I do Ranjan" Kyano said and crept close to the ground. "The trick here is Renjan to sneak up on an unexpecting victim. Remember, you have to make sure that you don't make any sudden movements or noises. You have to be quiet enough to sneak up behind an unexpecting opponent and stay low to the ground waiting for your opponent to not expect it and then when the victim least expects it then you Pounce like this." Kyano said pouncing on top of Mowgil.
Kyano got off Mowgli. "Now, ya think yould give it a try">? Kyano said to Ranjan.
RJ laughed " I think me and Kyano will stick around too. I don't think I have ever seen Kyano this happy before" Rj said.
-
"Do now...ah right" Shere Khan stood and gave a slight chuckle, "I must say, I was so...splendidly taken aback by your sudden reappearance I completely forgot there were other pursuits to my life".
Shere Khan smiled and turned back to Allison, "and team that we are now, I suppose I have you to help me with them now. Mission one" he said turning with a frown to the exit of his territory and into the rest of the jungle, "I really should find that man-cub again and pay him back for making me the laughing stock of the jungle" he let out a low growl.
~~~~
Namita smiled, "Yeah...funny isn't it, RJ, after leaving how we were both drawn back here?" she asked, "I don't know..." she sighed, "there's just something about this jungle, even after being gone it just seems like...home" she smiled.
"Probably...probably you and the others being here too" she went on, telling Bagheera.
Meanwhile, Miko and Elliott laughed at the whole thing of Mowgli trying to act like he didn't know he was about to be pounced when all along he did.
"Well anyway, that's the idea" Mowgli said as he got up and dusted himself off.
"Yeah, like that Ranjan" Miko turned to where the little man-cub had been beside him...to find him gone.
"Ranjan...!" he wheeled about, looking for the kid. Mowgli frowned, every possible bad thing that happened to both babysitter and baby when one lost their little brother going through his head, "Ranjan you come out right now" Mowgli called.
Silence, and then...
"Rawr!" Ranjan burst from the grass about though to tackle Miko. The little panther even let out a screech of pure shock before he found himself on the ground.
Ranjan stood up on top of him, jumping up and down, "Yay, I pounced you just like a tiger! Did you see K-ano?!" he turned to his tiger teacher, "I got him good!".
Miko frowned a bit embarrassed to have been caught of guard by such a little kid. "Ok...we don't have to celebrate that much..." he said, still on the ground. Ranjan danced about happily, "I got him, I got him!".
-
Allison had nothing against man personally, but if Khan hated this cub, she would gladly help.
"You can count on me," she smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Got what cousin? a voice was heard asking. King Louie suddenly came swinging by on a nearby vine.
-
Shere Khan smiled, "Knew I could..." he began to stalk out, "come on, and just keep alert for any scent of man really, the kids the only one who would stalk out this far".
"B-Baloo, that bear, and Ba-gheera", Khan had avoided saying names for a long time but did so since he knew Allison would immediately know who they were, "might also be helpful if you spotted or smelled them again...they've...been helping the child" Khan let out a small growl at the annoyance of it all.
~~~~
"King Louie!" Mowgli exclaimed, quickly walking around to scoop up Ranjan incase Louie or his monkey's wanted him next, "what are you doing here?!".
Mowgli...didn't know how to feel about Louie all in all, but he was cautious now ever since the kidnapping.
Ranjan didn't know better though and wiggled a bit in Mowgli's grasp, answering the Ape. "I'm learnin' ta be a tiger and I pounced Miko good!" he giggled and pointed to the panther cub now standing and looking at Louie curiously too.
Namita stood up a bit on the branch she'd been laying on, not sure if Louie was trouble or not now, but the way Mowgli was acting she got the feeling there was something wrong.
Hathi would have most certainly chased the Orangutan off now, but was busy double checking his herd to notice what was going on with the kids anymore.
-
"He's as laid-back as ever," Bagheera commented. "And that's what makes him a nuisance now," he admitted.
~~~~~~~~
Allison sniffed the air. "I think I can smell something this way," she pointed.
"By the way, what became of Kaa, Haithi, and Louie?"
-
Kyano clapped as he saw Ranjan do such a good job. "Wow, that was amazing. Keep this up and you'll be more of a tiger then me." Kyano said. When Kyano saw Louie unware of his hyjinks he walked up to Louie with a friendly smile. "Hi, I'm Kyano who are you"? Kyano said.
-
"King Louie," the orangutan replied.
-
"Well it's real nice to meet you King Louie I think my dad has told me a lot about you too" Kyano said.
-
Namita nodded, "I see"
"Careful" Mowgli walked up to where Kyano was introducing himself with a frown, "he'll kidnap you for fire" he narrowed his eyes.
"but...we can't make fire..." Miko pointed out. "Hi, how ya doing? I'm Miko, her nephew" he pointed back to Namita.
Namita laughed, "How have you been Louie?".
~~~~
"Not much to talk of really" was Khan's first answer, then he actually explained, "Oh Louie kept around the...old place, and turned it into his own Bander-log den" Shere Khans said, "though he disapeared from the jungle for some reason a short time ago. Hathi runs a herd though he has the blasted elephants marching at the most inopportune times!" the tiger sighed, "and Kaa...well, not much has changed there, he still just hangs around looking for his next meal. Probably the one of the whole lot I talk to the most these days".
As they followed the scent trail Allison had found, Khan paused, "Shh, we're getting close to something..." he sniffed, "definately elephants and...oh blast it too many smells to tell, but I believe I caught on something familair" Khan moved on, motioning for Allison to follow and sniffing again.
-
Allison quietly followed her mate.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Oh, perfectly fine," Louie replied.
-
Shere Khan continued on following the smell and soon the pair reached the other side of a clearing, hidden in the tall grass.
"Well, isn't this a grand surprise" he said sarcastically seen how many old and even returned themselves friends were all in the clearing.
"See I told you they help that man-cub" he frowned, then turned and scanned, spotting Mowgli out.
"and, that's...him" Shere Khan, as well as keeping his voice down, kept in his growl as he saw Mowgli once more.
He flexed his claws, preparing, "Once he moves into position..." he watched the kids, hoping for an opportunity to grab Mowgli or pounce him so quick the others wouldn't be able to do a thing about it.
~~~~
The longer Louie stayed there not trying to grab up anyone, the more at ease Mowgli became. He finally set Ranjan down, "Well...Baloo and some of the other animals have been using your palace as a...dance club, ya know" he informed the Ape.
He then cringed, "Oh wait, I wasn't suppose to tell you that, I mean, he said that everyone knew about it but that was just because everyone who's anyone knows about nothing...I mean...something like that" Mowgli shook his head, still confused by it.
-
"What should I do?" Allison asked, wanting to help.
~~~~~~
"Sounds like my kinda party," the King grinned.
-
Khan thought, and also scanned his old...friends. "Hathi's not paying attention, thankfully...I'm not counting on Louie being competent at all...once again it looks like our fellow cats of Bagheera, RJ and Namita are going to be the problem...blast did they have to come back too!" he sighed about the latter two.
"Though..." Khan grinned, seeing a plan, "I'm gonna take a guess who the tiger and panther cub not seen around here belong too to...". He chuckled and turned to Allison, "We have to distract their interest, and I think I know who two of our three cat friends will go after to protect. Now, my dear, you don't have to hurt the little cubbies, got nothing against them, but if you were to leap out like you...might do something, and in the shock before they recognized you, I would be better abel to grab the man cub...s" he added, thinking he should take care of the toddler too.
"Such a...threatening start gonna be a problem for you?" Shere Khan next asked. Allison was meeting up with friends again too and Khan, while knowing she was loyal to him, didn't know where her other thoughts may lie.
~~~~
Namita giggled at Louie's words, "I see what you mean" she told Bagheera. She next smiled, "Something tells me you're still the voice of reason for these guys" she said, still impressed like she had been when she met the mature cub.
"Well" Mowgli shrugged, "I guess...if Baloo agreed you were 'sombody'...you could come in too, some of your monkeys are even still there I think".
"Party, party!" Ranjan jumped up and down.
-
"Not really," Allison replied. "But I don't have anything against them, I might hang out when this is all over."
"Wish me luck," she said, then kissed her mate. She entered ferocious mode, and leaped out of the bushes.
-
As the tiger leapt out, Miko and Elliott at least gasped and backed up. From where he watched, Shere Khan noticed with glee that Mowgli and that younger man cub were parted on the other side of Allison.
Namita immediately sprang up on the branch and darted down to get between the kids and Allison, "Now hold up just one...Allison?!" she recognized the other female, "W-what are you doing here, and why...".
Khan chuckled as he came out to round and corner in Mowgli and Ranjan, "Well man cub, bet you didn't expect I'd find an allie to help me in finally putting you in your place!".
Mowgli kept his eyes on Khan and slowly moved Ranjan to around behind him.
"Allison, keep the others detained, this won't take long..." Khan crouched down to pounce...
-
Kyano being the brave(Yet sometimes stupid) cub he was got in front of Mowgli and Ranjan to try to protect them.
But RJ quickly picked him up . The last thing he wanted was to let Kyano get hurt. RJ backed away from Allison and Khan still with Kyano as if saying do what you want with the man cub's I won't interfere. The last thing RJ wanted to do was fight so he just stayed out of the way and let them do what they wanted too to the man cubs.
-
Allison walked towards RJ and Ayano, making them step backwards. Khan now had a perfect opening.
Then she winked at the two other tigers and whispered "Don't worry..."
-
At first Khan had leaned back a bit and just stared down with a neutral expression as the little tiger cub leapt out. He was about to say something about special loyalty when RJ plucked his cub up and stepped back.
Shere Khan smirked, "Ah very smart RJ" he commented, before preparing himself to pounce yet again, as Mowgli reached for a nearby branch to defend himself and Ranjan.
Namita heard what Allison said, and got that she meant no harm at least herself, but...
"A-Allison you can't let him do this!" she gasped, "the man-cub's just a boy!".
She leapt over and knocked Shere Khan aside, then standing infront of the two human boys.
The tiger gave a growl as he stood, "First off, actions like that are. not. smart." he said threateningly, "now stand aside!" he roared.
Namita frowned worriedly yet stood her ground, "No".
From where he stood next to Elliott, Miko gasped to see first his two new friends and now his aunt being threatened.
"Come on!" Elliott motioned, "We gotta go get my dad! He can make him stop" the calf rushed off. Miko hesitated then rushed after, not able to think of anything else as they rushed towards Hathi's herd.
-
Allison didn't really want anyone hurt anyone, but to cause a distraction, she said the only thing she could think of.
"I"m pregnant with Shere Khan's cubs," she announced.
-
Everyone, including Shere Khan, paused and turned to Allison.
Elliott and Miko's dart over to get Cornel Hathi was even paused as they came over.
"Why would you just spill that?" Shere Khan asked, yet then looked less bothered, "Although I suppose this jungle should know of it's coming heir" he smirked.
"Good thing the heir's gonna be a baby younger than us 'big kids'" Elliott whispered. Miko hid a laugh yet nodded in agreement.
Namita used this opportunity, digesting the shock of the news quickly, to grab up Mowgli and Ranjan, fling them to her back and take to the trees next to Bagheera with them.
(ooc: He is still there, right...can't recall)
"and two man-cubs still safe" she told him with a smile, letting them slide off behind her on the branch.
Shere Khan growled in annoyance, yet knew he'd lost his angle of before, "Fine, protect the future hunter!" he spat up at Namita, "but don't blame me when he comes back and shoots one of you" he added, not really giving up but more regrouping his plan, as he turned and began to stalk off, for now...
Mowgli frowned, offended, "I wouldn't do that!" he called after the departing tiger.
-
Kyano walked up beside Elliot and Miko trying his best to be brave but knowing deep down he was scared out of his mind of Shere Khan.
-
"See ya around," Allison waved friendly to the other animals, following Khan.
"Sorry your plan didn't work."
(OOC: Yeah, he is.)
"That was some shocking news," Bagheera commented.
-
Noticing how Kyano looked, Miko smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, the grown-ups won't let Shere Khan do anything" he said. He was as scared as his new friend to find that those stories he'd heard from his aunt of how as a cub Khan was a bully were not only true but he was 100 times worse now, but tried to cheer himself up with his optimistic view as well.
"Yeah..." Namita agreed thoughtfully, "I didn't know Allison was back too, let alone...well...producing Khan's heirs".
Mowgli scowled as he swung down from the tree to the ground that was safe once more, "I don't think we need more evil little miniature Shere Khan's running around" he frowned as he helped Ranjan get down too.
Namita knew it was just the child's innocent talking, so she gave a small smile even if her next sentence might sound like a gently spoken lecture.
"Careful there, Mowgli, you're logic almost sounds like the kind Shere Khan uses against you".
The boy immediately ducked his head, ashamed, "Well...ok sorry" he said, "but you gotta admit, I have some kind of a point!".
~~~~
"Well, I can tell you don't want any of our old friends hurt" Shere Khan admitted with a frown, "So...I'll have to try to get to the man-cub some other time when he's alone, though that rarely seems to happen". Shockingly, Shere Khan found himself becoming conflicted as well by the fact that as much as he still desired to take the man-cub's last breath from him, he also...cared if the means would upset Allison.
It was actually quite bothersome.
"Now, especially with our cubs on the way, we can't afford to have men running around the jungle so much". True, this was an added reason and the indignity he suffered was still the main driving force behind Khan's revenge, but...well the last bit was a point, he figured.
-
Kyano sorta smiled at Miko. He felt a little bit better knowing he was around friends.
"Thanks Miko"Kyano said still a little nervous but trying to feel better.
-
"Who would have guessed that Khannie out of every animal is going to have cubs?" Louie commented surprised.
-
Just then Hathi came back over, "Elliott, are you going to hang out doing nothing all da--" he paused as he heard, and saw, Louie.
The Organgutan was, as Bagheera had said, just a goof off mainly, and not causing trouble.
(ooc: Hehe, I apologize, just couldn't resist this next...)
"Cubs?" he asked, hearing the later end of what Louie said, "who's having cubs?".
Then...his look went over to Namita, who once noticing this, backed up immediately, "N-no! Not me!" she said, "I got one...well nephew anyway" she pointed to Miko.
"Allison!" she went on to explain, "Her and Shere Khan, they're having cubs".
"Oh" Hathi said, "Well...quite a development for the jungle this..." he looked thoughtful, "Yes...don't know quite what to think..." he went on.
Miko smiled, "Anytime" he told Kyano.
"All this cubs talk" Mowgli shook his head coming over, "Come on guys, let's all go do something away from the boring adults".
"Like what?" Elliott asked, interested. Mowgli thought, then shrugged, "I don't know, we'll find something".
Miko shrugged, "Well I guess it's better than sitting here".
-
Just then Hathi came back over, "Elliott, are you going to hang out doing nothing all da--" he paused as he heard, and saw, Louie.
The Organgutan was, as Bagheera had said, just a goof off mainly, and not causing trouble.
(ooc: Hehe, I apologize, just couldn't resist this next...)
"Cubs?" he asked, hearing the later end of what Louie said, "who's having cubs?".
Then...his look went over to Namita, who once noticing this, backed up immediately, "N-no! Not me!" she said, "I got one...well nephew anyway" she pointed to Miko.
"Allison!" she went on to explain, "Her and Shere Khan, they're having cubs".
"Oh" Hathi said, "Well...quite a development for the jungle this..." he looked thoughtful, "Yes...don't know quite what to think..." he went on.
Miko smiled, "Anytime" he told Kyano.
"All this cubs talk" Mowgli shook his head coming over, "Come on guys, let's all go do something away from the boring adults".
"Like what?" Elliott asked, interested. Mowgli thought, then shrugged, "I don't know, we'll find something".
Miko shrugged, "Well I guess it's better than sitting here".
"Yeah we could all play a game or something. Besides we all need to get our mids off of Shere Khan. And I've never played with humans before this should be a lot of fun" Kyano said.
-
"Well" Mowgli couldn't help smiling, "I do know quite a few games from the man-village, one of my friends there, Shanti, taught me most of them...and Ranjan here" he smiled to his adopted little brother.
"Like..." he thought for a bit, "there's this one game where you set up opposite sides of the camp...or bit of jungle in our case, as your zone and one team tries to get it to that side, while there other aims for that side" Mowgli indicated to explain.
"of course...there are five of us and that's an odd number..." Mowgli realized, then smiled, "Ranjan, you get to keep score" he said. the little kid jumped up and down, "Yay, keeping score's fun, you get to draw in the dirt!" he said.
-
Kyano looked suspicious like he had no idea what or how this game was played even after explaining it. Kyano was always eager to learn though. He was "hands on" anyway in other words when someone explained it to him he was clueless. He was more interested in learning by doing the thing.
So what are the teams"? Kyano said.
-
Allison and Khan made it back to Khan's den. "Home sweet home," she said.
-
Shere Khan had never thought of his den like that, but Allison put a nice spin on it. "Yes, I suppose it is" he said.
~~~~
"Yeah, I know hard to explain" Mowgli said, "but come on I'll show you guys" he skipped over to the clearing just near where the adults still were.
Nonetheless, "Not to far..." Namita called.
"We won't" Miko answered before disappearing into the brush with everyone else.
"Well, one good thing" Namita commented to the others, "with cubs coming, whether he knows it or not, Shere Khan's gonna have alot to focus on; maybe he'll leave Mowgli alone for a while due to it".
~~~~
"Ok" Mowgli bent and tied some leaves of one side of the clearing they were in to make a sort of loop, "This is one goal, and..." he skipped over to do the same to the others, "this will be the other".
"Now, teams..." he looked at what there was to work with with Elliott and his newer friends of Kyano and Miko.
"I guess Elliott and me could go against you and Miko, if you wanted" he told Kyano.
"Ok" Miko was ok with the plan, "What do we kick back and forth?" he asked. Mowgli sighed and looked at the trees, "Yeah, we will need a bit of fruit that's not gonna break on us after we kick it alot of times".
-
"How about like a coconut"? Kyano said thinking of the first firm fruit he could think of.
-
Bagheera kept talking with Namita. "So how has Basdev been?" he asked.
-
"Yeah, that could work..." Mowgli scanned the trees. He soon spotted one too. "Oh perfect, ok guys I'll be right down" he said, quickly climbing up the tree and making his way over to where the coconut was. Luckily this tree wasn't too big around and he could climb it with or without claws
(ooc: I think coconut tress are kinda thick...aren't they...oh well, for all I know they don't even grow in India, so while we're making a few things up why not go full force LOL)
Namita smiled and glanced down, "Well...I guess I didn't ever really tell you why I was watching Miko" she said.
"In our old jungle there was this group of jaguars, sort of a local band of bullies even in adulthood you might say" Namita sighed, "they caused trouble for weeks ever since they themselves came to our jungle due to being shipped and then lost there. They'd gotten it into their heads they wanted the spot of territory we and Basev were using and...well things came to head the day their leader Exavier threatened Miko personally...".
"I...don't know why he did it" Namita went on, "I mean he was always not fond of the cub sure but...well anyway Basdev of course leapt in to defend his son and...".
Namita shut her eyes and shook her head, "Bagheera you know I'd never wish harm on anyone but...it really should have been Exavier, if anyone to perish in that fight not...not my brother" she got out in a whisper.
She'd tried to hold in her tears through this story, but by the end they were free-flowing.
OOC: You know, with this backstory I've created, which I haven't even fully explain here, I could bring these characters in for conflict once the other plot(s) have calmed down, or whenever works...just thinking.
-
"Oh my....." Bagheera said in silent shock.
-
Namita gave another smile, albeit a sad one, "I--I know, you didn't mean to bring all this up with such a simple question" she said, "but..." she glanced in the direction the kids had rushed off in, "We're...ok, relatively speaking" she said, meaning both herself and Miko.
"It was when Miko was a lot younger, probably around the age Ranjan would be, though I can't really tell with humans" she gave a more sincere smile this time, then sighed.
"It's...part of why we came here finally" Namita admitted, "sort of...running away from the situation and...them".
-
"Yeah, that could work..." Mowgli scanned the trees. He soon spotted one too. "Oh perfect, ok guys I'll be right down" he said, quickly climbing up the tree and making his way over to where the coconut was. Luckily this tree wasn't too big around and he could climb it with or without claws
(ooc: I think coconut tress are kinda thick...aren't they...oh well, for all I know they don't even grow in India, so while we're making a few things up why not go full force LOL)
Namita smiled and glanced down, "Well...I guess I didn't ever really tell you why I was watching Miko" she said.
"In our old jungle there was this group of clouded leopards, sort of a local band of bullies even in adulthood you might say" Namita sighed, "they caused trouble for weeks ever since they themselves came to our jungle due to being shipped and then lost there. They'd gotten it into their heads they wanted the spot of territory we and Basev were using and...well things came to head the day their leader Exavier threatened Miko personally...".
"I...don't know why he did it" Namita went on, "I mean he was always not fond of the cub sure but...well anyway Basdev of course leapt in to defend his son and...".
Namita shut her eyes and shook her head, "Bagheera you know I'd never wish harm on anyone but...it really should have been Exavier, if anyone to perish in that fight not...not my brother" she got out in a whisper.
She'd tried to hold in her tears through this story, but by the end they were free-flowing.
OOC: You know, with this backstory I've created, which I haven't even fully explain here, I could bring these clouded leopards (who yeah, are from Asia, I know) in for conflict once the other plot(s) have calmed down, or whenever works...just thinking.
Kyano smiled and backed up a little bit so the coconut didn't hit him on the head when it came down.
He couldn't believe how many friends he was making.
-
"Alright..." Mowgli twisted at the coconut until it came free, "Heads up!" he dropped it. Ranjan ran to try and catch it, but he missed, although as if provingi it's streanght, the coconut just hit the ground and kept rolling.
"Wow" Miko knocked on it with one paw, "that is strong".
"Should be just perfect" Mowgli added, climbing down from the tree.
-
"Considering I'm now pregnant," Allsion commented. "I'm not sure if I should keep hunting until after the cubs have come out."
-
Shere Khan gave a small smile while still scanning about his territory as if for said purpose, "Well no worries My Dear, I was sort of expecting for you to keep up the tradition of females being high maintenance" he joked, turning a refined yet amused smile Allison's way.
"I shall be back shortly since I take it you only mention this now because you're hungry now" he half asked.
~~~~
Ranjan sat himself in the dirt with a stick, preparing to keep score.
"Alright, Kyano, Miko, you guys just try to make sure Elliott and I don't get this into that goal back there" he pointed to the one behind the two cats, "and Elliott and I will do the same for this one" he pointed to the one behind him as Elliott walked up.
"Sounds simple" Miko nodded, "we can do that, can't we Kyano" he smiled over at the tiger cub.
Ranjan threw the coconut into fair play for the four others and with a kick, Mowgli set it soaring up into the air a bit and then it came back down...
-
"Thank you Khan," Allison said appreciatively.
-
Shere Khan gave a small smile while still scanning about his territory as if for said purpose, "Well no worries My Dear, I was sort of expecting for you to keep up the tradition of females being high maintenance" he joked, turning a refined yet amused smile Allison's way.
"I shall be back shortly since I take it you only mention this now because you're hungry now" he half asked.
~~~~
Ranjan sat himself in the dirt with a stick, preparing to keep score.
"Alright, Kyano, Miko, you guys just try to make sure Elliott and I don't get this into that goal back there" he pointed to the one behind the two cats, "and Elliott and I will do the same for this one" he pointed to the one behind him as Elliott walked up.
"Sounds simple" Miko nodded, "we can do that, can't we Kyano" he smiled over at the tiger cub.
Ranjan threw the coconut into fair play for the four others and with a kick, Mowgli set it soaring up into the air a bit and then it came back down...
"Yeah I guess"Kyano said feeling a little bit bad. After all Mowgli taught them this game so all ready he'd be better then Kyano right? Kyano wasn't really someone who enjoyed losing at all.
When the coconut came down near him he kicked it toward Mowgli and Elliot's goal and then kicks the coconut over to Miko.
-
Miko attempted to stop the coconut, but ended up stopping it with his head, which hurt a bit. He winced but was mainly ok and turned to see where the goal was.
"Elliott block" Mowgli called, focusing more on teaching his friends the game than winning (he'd just beat the pants off the villiage kids again later when they played, like he always did...or told himself he always did).
"Oh, right" Eliott rushed towards the goal, but Miko was able to kick it through.
"As Pop would say, Botheration!" Elliott sighed as he watched the coconut sail through his feet, yet laughed.
"Yay!" Ranjan looked at the dirt, "uh...think that mark goes there..." he made a big line with his stick.
~~~~
Khan meanwhile sniffed for the scent of any prey and slowly began to follow it out.
-
Allison waited patiently in the den.
-
Shere Khan continued on, crouched low, stalking the deer he'd been following. He crouched down and prepared for one big leap, watching as the deer drank and then lifted it's head.
In one fluid motion, Khan leapt and overtook the deer, a quick bite to the neck ending it's life.
"The only problem with being so successful" he told himself as he began to drag the deer back, "no one's ever around, or lives, to see my great skills I've still got".
He made it back to the den and luckily the deer fit, because he knew Allison would probably have a list of reasons for him to why she should also not leave the den to many times while pregnant, he rolled his eyes while still outside.
"and luckily for you, I'm an efficient hunter" he commented, dragging in what he'd caught.
"Say, just out of curiosity, my dear" Khan went on, "were you just guessing or do you know for certain that you are pregnant already?". Khan had no idea how this 'girl intuition' thing worked.
-
"I know I am," Allison replied. "I could feel a change in my belly."
-
OOC: Ok, so do you guys care if I bring in one more cub character, Katuski a clouded leopard cub from Miko and Namita's jungle who knows him, though I may bring her in somewhere besides the kid's game since there's enough of them unless she just watched or something, but anyway, anyone care?
"Ah" was all Khan said, "well you can of course go ahead and have first dibs at the kill" he said, "despite their being some in this jungle who would tell you I have no consideration" he half grumbled to himself about such animals
-
OOC: I don't mind in fact I could come up with a cub who befriends Katuski while the kids are playing. What do you think?
"We actually scored a point?" Kyano said amazed that his team scored. "That's using your head Miko." Kyano said slapping Miko a high five.
-
As he returned the high five, Miko laughed, finally he knew cubs who supported him instead of just teasing him, like that clouded leopard cub from his old jungle, Katuksi, who thought she was the greatest hunter straight off at birth!
"Yeah I'm kinda shocked about it myself" Miko laughed.
"Well, you just got a lucky kick in is all" Mowlgi said all in good fun, "Now, since that was your ball, it's our kick..." he went to kick it then paused, "and...I'm gonna let Elliott take it" he smiled.
Elliott looked unsure and Miko frowned a bit at the prospect of them blocking an elephant's kick.
"Oh please don't be a good kicker..." he couldn't help whispering to himself about Elliott's skills.
The young elephant set the coconut before him and stuck his tongue out in concentration as he backed up, focusing on it, then ran forward and kicked. The coconut went sailing...
~~~~
Meanwhile Miko's 'friend' from his old jungle, Katuksi, had by chance found the same jungle he had in searching out somewhere that Exavier jaguar that gave Namita trouble wasn't, since he was generally causing everyone trouble.
She smiled at the jungle she'd found. "Yeah...this could work" she said with a small smile.
-
Kyano followed behind the ball as it went soaring and managed to kick it as hard as he could toward the goal using his hind paws as the coconut just about landed.
..............................................
Meanwhile another new Jaguar cub by the name of Haeso noticed the other jaguar and decided to be friendly. He walked over to the other jaguar cub,
-
(OOC: Ok, Haeso can be whatever you want you know, but just so you know since I may not have made it so clear, Katuksi's a clouded leopard which is a real interesting species I just discovered :D http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clouded_leopard) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clouded_leopard))
"Aw..." Mowgli and Elliott groaned, since if the coconut had touched the ground that would have been more of a sort of miss than Kyano's save of it.
They then had to change their tactics to blocking and both rushed for the coconut, bumping into each other and causing it to hit the goal...again.
"Wow! Two!" Miko couldn't believe it, "I don't think Mowgli's gonna put us on the same team anymore" he grinned at Kyano.
"Yay!" Ranjan clapped.
Mowgli laughed as he stood, "Mark it down Ranjan".
"Oh, right..." the little kid remembered and made a random mark where he thought he'd put the two cats section.
"Ok, round...uh what is it three?" Mowgli prepared to throw the ball again and this time sent it sailing up for an even anyone could catch. Elliott got to it straight off and this time delivered a kick into Miko and Kyano's goal.
"Ha! One...atleast" Mowlgi said, he and Elliott high fiving.
Ranjan clapped again.
"and...mark that one too" Mowlgi reminded. Ranjan nodded and made another random mark.
"Something tells me Ranjan's scoreboard isn't accurate at all" Miko laughed.
~~~~
Katuksi turned as the other cub approached, "Oh, hey" she said with a small smile.
-
(Clouded Leopards look cool I think mine will be a clouded Leopard too. I just read them up on Wiki and they are awesome)
"Well, now the game is getting really interesting." Ramiki smiled. Kicking the ball over to Kyano again.
"I have never seen you around here before. You new here? My name's Haeso so where you from?" The little jaguar asked eager to make a new friend.
-
(ooc: Hehe, yeah they are! I think your cubs are getting mixed up by the way isn't Ramiki in the LK one :D)
Elliott and Miko both rushed forward, keeping an eye on the 'ball' to try and kick it to the right goal. Elliott swat at it with his trunk and sent it sailing towards Miko and Kyano's goal. Miko quickly changed direction to try and help block it.
"Yeah, if you have more kids you can have goalies to help block at the goals" Mowgli commented, watching, "but this way works fine too, just lots of running".
~~~~
"Yeah I'm from a jungle a ways away" Katuksi answered, "name's Katuksi by the way. Yeah, there were these grown jaguars making trouble and...well...rather than beat them up myself or anything I figured I best just move on" she answered. Truth be told she ran away but Katuksi never did want to seem a coward.
-
"Thank you Khan," Allison smiled as she dug into the carcass.
-
(ooc: Hehe, yeah they are! I think your cubs are getting mixed up by the way isn't Ramiki in the LK one :D)
Elliott and Miko both rushed forward, keeping an eye on the 'ball' to try and kick it to the right goal. Elliott swat at it with his trunk and sent it sailing towards Miko and Kyano's goal. Miko quickly changed direction to try and help block it.
"Yeah, if you have more kids you can have goalies to help block at the goals" Mowgli commented, watching, "but this way works fine too, just lots of running".
~~~~
"Yeah I'm from a jungle a ways away" Katuksi answered, "name's Katuksi by the way. Yeah, there were these grown jaguars making trouble and...well...rather than beat them up myself or anything I figured I best just move on" she answered. Truth be told she ran away but Katuksi never did want to seem a coward.
(You know it was only a matter of time before I did a Typo. I am like the King of Internet Typo's and Mistakes)
Kyano backed up hoping to do the same thing he did again . But then he thought of something he backed up and then ran at full speed and jumped on to Miko and then jumped as high as he could swatted the coconut as it flew by him toward Mowgli and Elliot's goal again.
"A far away jungle huh? That's neat. And you are more welcome to stay here. But, tell me more about these other jaguars?" Haeso said wanting to know more about it. "Why would they want to beat you up? Most species don't go around beating their own species up unless there's a reason" Haeso said.
-
"What the..." Miko craned about, surprised as Kyano used him as a springboard yet watched as it seemed to work and the coconut went sailing into the goal again.
He grinned, "Wow Kyano that was awesome!" he said, "a bit without warning...but awesome" he laughed.
"I don't know" Katuksi shrugged, "I mean sure, I've met plenty of fine jaguars, in fact these are the only I've met who aren't, and...well they're only giving me trouble off association I guess.
It's this guy Exavier and his two...lacky's for lack of a better word, Jess and Dess, they were kinda rude to begin with but then they set their sights on the territory of this panther family I know and it turned into a whole big fight
I don't know what was so great about where they had picked to set up, I mean there was a river but there's also tons others about, anyway the cub, Miko, I...I guess you could call us friends, he's..ok" the clouded leopard cub shrugged, "lacking a bit of a back bone so I'd try to help him out in telling Exavier and his crew to get lost, and I guess that put me on their bad list" she shrugged.
"But they're not here now so that's good enough for me" Katuksi went on.
~~~~
Shere Khan simply smiled and lay down at the entrance to the den to keep a look out, "Not a problem, my dear".
-
"Yeah, don't worry everyone around here is really nice. You must be from Miko's jungle. Miko is around here too. I think he's playing with the other cubs." Haeso said.
"Yeah, sorry about that Miko it was kinda a "spur of the moment" thought so I couldn't give you any advance warning sorry!" Kyano said.
-
"Really?" Katuksi looked shocked then thought, "Hmm...must have run away himself, do you know if his aunt's here too?" she asked, wondering if all of what was left of his family just up and left, sort of letting Exavier win but also avoiding more trouble.
Miko laughed, "That's fine" he said.
"Ok Ranjan, you get that?" Mowgli asked, getting the coconut to put it back into play. Ranjan made a random mark, "Got it".
-
Bagheera, seeing all the kids were busy, turned to Namita. "Would you want to accompany me in a walk around the jungle?"
-
"Really?" Katuksi looked shocked then thought, "Hmm...must have run away himself, do you know if his aunt's here too?" she asked, wondering if all of what was left of his family just up and left, sort of letting Exavier win but also avoiding more trouble.
Miko laughed, "That's fine" he said.
"Ok Ranjan, you get that?" Mowgli asked, getting the coconut to put it back into play. Ranjan made a random mark, "Got it".
"Oh, Namita? Yeah, she's here too" Haeso said.
-
Namita tried to not blush super big at Bagheera's normal, friends offer, she reminded herself, just because she was still harboring that cubhood crush.
"Um, sure" she answered as normally as she could, "I'd...uh like that, you know I haven't gotten much time to do much relaxing like just take a walk since the extended babysitting duty started up" she indicated where Miko hand rushed off to.
"Much as I love Miko to death, he's still a hyper cub" she went on as she leapt down from her branch.
~~~~
Katuksi nodded, "Well...that's probably good for her" she admitted.
"So you act like you've been here a while, were you born in this jungle?" she asked.
-
"I don't think his hyper activity could compare to Mowgli's though," Bagheera chuckled lightly.
-
Haeso's face kinda turned sad if he asked if she asked if he was born here. Truth be told Haeso hated bringing up the fact that he was born. His parents both left him the minute he was born. How he had survived was beyond him.
But, Haeso didn't like bringing up his parents or adults for that matter. They were all the same. Haeso learned a long time ago that he should never trust anyone except maybe Katuksi.
"Yeah, I know this jungle like the back of my paw" Haeso finally said.
-
Namita smiled as they began to walk out, "Yes, Mowgli does seem high strung" she commented. "Truth be told...coming in I picked up on some of the stories of what's put you through" she smiled.
~~~~
Katuksi nodded, she didn't get impressed with others that weren't herself easily, but Haeso seemed like maybe he was worth it. "Well, that's impressive" she said.
~~~~
Mowgli kicked the coconut once more and it sailed into the air, coming down. This time Miko ran to make a pass at kicking it. He tripped and fell, but on the way down his head hit the ball and it went sailing back towards Elliott and Mowgli's goal.
Elliott rushed to block it...but was too late, it sailed into the goal.
Ranjan clapped and made a mark that looked like a circle.
-
"No surprise there," Bagheera smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~
"I love you so much Shere Khan," Allison smiled, nuzzling him.
-
Namita smiled as they began to walk out, "Yes, Mowgli does seem high strung" she commented. "Truth be told...coming in I picked up on some of the stories of what's put you through" she smiled.
~~~~
Katuksi nodded, she didn't get impressed with others that weren't herself easily, but Haeso seemed like maybe he was worth it. "Well, that's impressive" she said.
~~~~
Mowgli kicked the coconut once more and it sailed into the air, coming down. This time Miko ran to make a pass at kicking it. He tripped and fell, but on the way down his head hit the ball and it went sailing back towards Elliott and Mowgli's goal.
Elliott rushed to block it...but was too late, it sailed into the goal.
Ranjan clapped and made a mark that looked like a circle.
"You know you're all right Katuksi. I don't say that to just anyone other wise I'd be playing that game with those other cubs. I am not the type who ever wants friends but after a few moments of meeting you I think you're pretty cool to hang with" Haeso said.
"Come on I will show you around" Haeso said.
"Wow, you are awesome Miko. That's twice you hit it with your head and it scored a goal. Do you have like a metal plate in your head or something?" Kyano said laughing
-
Namita smiled, "It was only making it through the gossip channels, though" she went on, "because apparently, at some point in all this time I've been away, you became the sort of official advisor for any problems the jungle has" she smiled.
~~~~
"The feelings mutual" Shere Khan said, nuzzling Allison back, "and I know you're going to be the perfect mother for our future heirs".
~~~~
Miko laughed, "I don't think so" he tapped at his head, "it just somehow keeps happening".
"You know...this seems to happen" Mowgli admitted, "like the village kids were the one to show me the game, and I can beat the pants of them there" he said.
"Well that's good" Elliott said, "that way if Kyano and Miko beat us you won't feel so bad". Mowgli frowned a bit at the elephant calf and Elliott giggled.
~~~~
"Ok" Katuksi nodded, "and it's kinda nice to see that some other jungle cats our age are above such silly pursuits as those games Miko wasted his time with before coming here even" she rolled her eyes. "but anyway, lead the way"
-
"I wonder...if we should let them befriend the cubs we saw earlier today," Allison commented.
-
Namita smiled, "It was only making it through the gossip channels, though" she went on, "because apparently, at some point in all this time I've been away, you became the sort of official advisor for any problems the jungle has" she smiled.
~~~~
"The feelings mutual" Shere Khan said, nuzzling Allison back, "and I know you're going to be the perfect mother for our future heirs".
~~~~
Miko laughed, "I don't think so" he tapped at his head, "it just somehow keeps happening".
"You know...this seems to happen" Mowgli admitted, "like the village kids were the one to show me the game, and I can beat the pants of them there" he said.
"Well that's good" Elliott said, "that way if Kyano and Miko beat us you won't feel so bad". Mowgli frowned a bit at the elephant calf and Elliott giggled.
~~~~
"Ok" Katuksi nodded, "and it's kinda nice to see that some other jungle cats our age are above such silly pursuits as those games Miko wasted his time with before coming here even" she rolled her eyes. "but anyway, lead the way"
" Wow, talk about luck" Kyano said.
"I wouldn't know anything about that. Most cubs never really wanted to play with me. Not that I really wanted to play stupid games anyway" Haeso quickly said even though he'd do anything for a friend to play with.
-
Shere Khan frowned, thinking through what Allison said. "Well...there would be an age gap" he admitted, "I, I don't really think it's likely the cubs will want to tag after older kids begging attention" Khan finished; which didn't really answer the 'would he allow' question eitherway.
He noticed that and something in his wording that came of something in Allison's wording.
"Wait...them, did you say them?" he turned to Allison, wondering if she knew something.
~~~~
"Yeah, so did we win?" Miko asked. Mowgli sighed, "Unless I feel like a rematch..." he next smiled though, "so yeah I guess we can call it that you did by now, right Ranjan" he turned to his little brother for the score count they didn't need.
Ranjan was drawing random circles in the dirt now...
~~~~
Katuksi knew, from statements of her own at times, a false bravado when she heard one. "Well I can't see why that would be" she said with a smile, "you're pretty cool yourself Haeso".
Katuksi might have thought a bit more of herself than she should but she was a fairly nice cub.
-
"Thanks Katuski. You know you're pretty cool too. I don't know what it is about it. You know you're the first one I ever had a conversation with this long. I mean maybe it's just my personaltiy but many just would rather not spend any time at all talking to me" Haeso said happy he had found his first friend.
"Well, It looks like we may have won. Which surprises me I thought Mowgli would win hands down" Kyano said.
-
"Yup, there'll be two," Allison smiled.
-
Katuksi just smiled back, saying but not really having to say that yeah, Haeso ahd found himself a friend in her...and truth be told she was rather glad to have also found a friend who might truly 'get her'.
"So, this jungle have any interesting landmarks?" she asked.
~~~~
"So did I" Mowgli laughed, "are you two sure you haven't discovered this game before..." he looked skeptical yet still smiling.
"Jungle Cat's Honor" Miko said, "I guess we're just fast learners".
~~~~
Shere Khan smiled at the news, "Not surprising really, though" he added, "given how great their parents are".
-
"Nah, I never really had friends to play with before you guys in the first place. Me and Miko are just really fast learners. And besides you put 2 fast cubs on the same team. Next time maybe you should split us up it might have made the game more even." Kyano said.
"So.........." Haeso started. Since he never really had to many friends he was kinda awful with making conversation. "So Katuski what do you like to do" He asked.
-
"Yeah" Miko agreed.
"Good point" Mowlgi nodded, "well so what do you guys wanna do now?"
"Well truth be told" Katuksi said, "whenever I'm off just amusing myself I work on my pouncing skills and such...um even to the point of startling some adults, but I try not to do that too much" she admitted with a guilty smile.
-
"Yeah" Miko agreed.
"Good point" Mowlgi nodded, "well so what do you guys wanna do now?"
"Well truth be told" Katuksi said, "whenever I'm off just amusing myself I work on my pouncing skills and such...um even to the point of startling some adults, but I try not to do that too much" she admitted with a guilty smile.
"Really pouncing skills huh? Ya mind giving a friend a few pointers? " Haeso said really embarrassed. Pouncing was not one of Haeso's strong points not by a long shot.
"Hmmmmmmm.......... I would of suggested Tag. But, me and Miko are pretty fast so that really wouldn't be fair. So any game you want as long as It's fun I'll play it" Kyano said.
-
"Well sure" Katuksi smiled, "I mean...I'm not anywhere near where I probably will be as an adult, honestly, but...eh not to bad...I guess".
"Come on" she went on, "we'll find something to practice on and I'll show you" she started forward.
"Hmm..." Mowgli thought again, "I don't know...Elliott what do yo usually do for fun?" he turned to the elephant.
"Well...until I met you guys I didn't really have many kids to play with" Elliott admitted, "so, usually just getting really good at the drilling I showed you when we met" he smiled at Mowgli.
-
"You'll be a great father," Allison told Khan.
-
"Great" Haeso said following behind her with a smile.
-
Shere Khan just smirked, "I know" he said, but deep within the prideful statement was the gratitude of his mate's words and confidence.
Katuksi continued on, scanning for something for them to test their skills on...maybe something they wouldn't feel to bad startling...
Then she spotted the group of vultures around a skeletonal carcass searching for anything they could get. Katuksi smirked, "Ok...this could be fun..." she turned to Haeso.
"So you guys wanna try drilling?" Elliott asked the others, eager to have a 'troop' to lead.
-
"Drilling? What's that? " Kyano said not really realizing what this even was.
"Okay how about you do it first for a demonstration. But, don't you think Vultures are a little to quick for first time pouncers like me? "Haeso said.
-
"Oh" Elliott explained, "Marching, Drilling, it's what my Pop and the other elephants do. Ya follow in a straight line after the animal in front of you".
"Neat, what's the point?" Miko asked.
"Uh...just walking, but we could also look for animals to help I guess...sometimes Pop and us will do that".
"Well, we'll see" Katuksi said, "sometimes vultures aren't so quick on flight I've noticed..." she crept forward and bursting from the bush attempted to catch one of the vultures, and at least gripped one's tail as he tried to fly off.
This was just pouncing lessons, though, so she let it go with a smile and noticed that one of the vultures was hobbling in trying to rush off too, only one bad wing made it impossible for him to fully fly off.
She turned to Haeso, maybe he could try that one
-
"Sounds like fun to me almost like Simon Says" Kyano said eager for this drilling.
"Yeah, let's do it Katuski" Haeso said.
-
"Yeah, sort of like that too" Elliott laughed, "Ok..." he looked his friends over, "now we've got to put you guys in some kind of order. Let's see...
Mowgli you be next after me, then Kyano, Miko and I guess Ranjan can be at back, since he's the smallest" Elliott laughed, "That's how our herd does it and I'm always at back".
"Ok" Elliott moved around front once they were in line, "now let's move out troops, just follow me and maybe I can remember some drilling songs to teach ya on the way".
Katuksi smiled and nodded, "Ok, I think he'll stay still for a bit, you try first" she offered, keeping an eye on the still hobbling and not flying vulture.
"Ok..." the vulture whispered to whatever spirits were responsible for his being teased by kids in a pouncing lesson, "I"m sorry I teased the baby squirrels...".
-
"Ok I have got to warn you I am extremely bad so try not to laugh." Haeso said with his head down in shame.
"Ok, Haeso you can do this" Haeso whispered to himself. Haeso dug his paws into the ground and suddenly He heard the sound of laughing in his head from all the times he had tried to pounce before. All he could hear was the other cubs from before laughing.
"I can't do it" Haeso said sadly
"This sounds like fun just like "Follow the leader " Almost" Ramiki said excited to do his first drilling.
-
"I want to ask you," Allison told Khan. "What do you think of Bagheera and the others? Should we let our cubs get to know them?"
-
Katuksi frowned, she'd teased Miko for similar stuff lots of times, but somehow found she couldn't do that to Heaso. "Aw come on, sure you can" she encouraged, "look just follow me, I'll show ya" she gave an encouraging smile and began to creep out towards the vultures.
~~~~
"Ok, we'll start with this way" Elliott said, "come on...uh I mean, Forward March!" he started the line going. Ranjan giggled as he got to grab a panther's tail again and Miko had to wince as the kid pulling on it, "Hey" he said, "I don't think that's how soldier's act".
"Quite right" Elliott mimicked how his father talked, "let's straighten up back there". Ranjan and even Miko just giggled though, although the panther tried to hide it. Mowgli smiled, "Maybe you shouldn't try to sound too much like your dad" he said, not having the best view of the strict Cornel.
~~~~
Shere Khan actually thought about the question, seriously for a bit. "I..." he sighed, "Bagheera's always had odd ideas in his head, but now...with the man cub and all..." he sighed frustrated again, "I don't know that it's such a good idea, they'll be learning men are their friends, and not the deadly predators with guns they are".
Khan knew this might not be what Allison wanted to hear, and so thought through if he could budge on this...he wasn't sure...
-
Bagheera saw the cubs as he walked with Namita. "It always gives me an odd feeling when I watch cubs play together, it reminds me I'm not that young anymore."
-
"Ok I guess I could try it. " Haeso said crouching as low to the ground as he could like Katuski. He had to kinda smile. Because this was the first cub he had met that actually had confidence in him. Every other cub that he ever knew would just say "You can't Pounce" over and over in a sing songy voice. He wanted to make Katuski proud.
"Okay now what" He asked in a whisper as he kept hidden.
Kyano marched forward with his head held high. He liked this game.
-
"Understood," Allison nodded. "Though I'm sure they'd get along with Kaa. Whatever happened to him, anyway?"
-
"Now" we sneak up on the unsuspecting vultures and prove how superior we as Jungle Cats are" Katuksi smiled. She crept a bit closer and then signaled for Haeso to follow her lead as she leaned back and then pounced, landing just infront of the bird and causing it to look to her long enough for Haeso to try a pounce.
~~~~
"I sudden feel like we have purpose" Miko commented with a small laugh. "Yeah" Mowgli laughed.
"Well of course, what my Pop does is very important...even if I'm not sure why yet" Elliott said, then he remembered something, "Oh wait, we're not suppose to talk in ranks".
~~~~
Namita smiled and her slight nervousness going away a bit just due to wanting to reassure her friend, she nuzzled up against Bagheera before she could stop herself, and despite flushing in embarrassment a bit, kept her smile.
"Oh Bagheera you hold enough of that play still in you" she assured, "I see it every time Mowgli and them pull a slight smile with their antics from you...like that one" she pointed out with a giggle at the one she'd caught even as they spotted the cubs.
~~~~
"Well...if their guardians weren't around much...the older cubs could be a...possibility" Khan admitted, not meaning the man cubs at all.
"Oh Kaa? Yes he's cool, well in his own way" Khan chuckled, "mainly just hangs around in his tree trying to catch food and only succeeding 80% of the time" Shere Khan smiled.
"Luckily he hates the man cub as much as I do, something about not being able to catch the child".
-
Haeso crept up right beside her. When Katuski pounced at the bird. Haeso sighed and readied himself. He had to do this for Katuski. "OK Haeso buddy you can do this, just do it the exact way Katuski did it. " Haeso whispered to himself. He leaned back and pounced but accidently hit the wrong target and instead of pouncing the vulture he accidently pounced on Katuski. "Sorry about that I guess I need practice" Haeso said getting off Katuski nervously.
"Sir yes sir" Kyano said as he followed Elliot.
-
As the bird kept hobbling off, Katuksi did something she rarely did, she laughed, but not at Haeso, and she made sure to assure him of that as she got up, "Aw that's ok, truth be told even my pouncing misses sometimes too" she was still exaggerating.
As they watched the kids pass, Namita laughed, "I fear Elliott's going to become just like Hathi" she shook her head, "Uh...not that that's a bad thing...I suppose".
-
: oh yeah sure" Haeso said with a small sigh. Feeling as if she was just lying to make him feel better. Katuski was really friendly and he assumed she was just trying to be extremely nice.
" I wouldn't doubt that at all. I think Elliot would make a great leader" RJ said.
-
Katuksi smiled, "Well not many times mind you, but it has happened" she almost joked back.
-
"He's still young, I wouldn't be concerned quite yet," Bagheera assured.
"Still, I'm surprised we'll soon have a Shere Khan Jr."
-
Katuksi smiled, "Well not many times mind you, but it has happened" she almost joked back.
" It's ok Katuski there is no need to lie. You are just being extremely nice. I learned a while back that I was a hopeless pouncer it's not really a new thing to me" Haeso said.
-
"Well..." Katuksi decided that dropping the subject was probably best, "so...what kinds of things do you do?" she asked, hoping to maybe try out some of the things that were Haeso's skills.
~~~~
"Yes it is...quite a thing to learn" Namita agreed, "although you say that like the kid will turn out exactly like his, or her I suppose, father...nevermind I just said the exact same thing" she realized, "Still..." she looked to the kids making their way further off, "maybe if the cub hung out with the older kids a bit, might have a good influence" she pondered.
-
"Good point," agreed Bagheera. "Although I'll have to admit, other than his hatred for man, Khan isn't that bad."
-
Namita smiled, "Yeah, I wouldn't imagine he would be, probably still just that overly proud cub somewhere down in there...w-why does he hate men so much anyway?" Namita couldn't help asking, "I mean we all shy away from them sure, but...Khan seems to take it personally, and to go after a kid" she shook her head.
-
"I never managed to get many details," Bagheera said, "But all I know is that something occurred in his cubhood."
~~~~~~~~~~~
"So what would you like to do now, my mate?" Allison asked Shere Khan.
-
"Well..." Katuksi decided that dropping the subject was probably best, "so...what kinds of things do you do?" she asked, hoping to maybe try out some of the things that were Haeso's skills.
~~~~
"Yes it is...quite a thing to learn" Namita agreed, "although you say that like the kid will turn out exactly like his, or her I suppose, father...nevermind I just said the exact same thing" she realized, "Still..." she looked to the kids making their way further off, "maybe if the cub hung out with the older kids a bit, might have a good influence" she pondered.
Haeso smiled confidently. He often liked to gloat about the things that he could do very well. But since Katuksi was such a great friend he decided he would keep the gloating down just a little bit.
"Well......" He started with smile. " The things I like to do is race, swim, and wrestle. I don't mean to brag or nothing, but I'm pretty good at play fighting other cubs. I also love to play Tag and climb trees." Haeso said trying not to brag to much. The last thing he wanted to do was make Katuksi not hang out with him cause he was so arrogant.
-
Namita nodded, "Yeah I guess I could see how having something happen as a cub could do that" she sighed.
~~~~
"Well I was under the impression you couldn't do much of anything in your state" Shere Khan answered.
~~~~
"Oh really?" rather than be pushed away, Katuksi took up the challenge within Haeso's statement. She also tried, for some reason, to keep it playful and not too show-offy as she hopped up and climbed to the second branch of a nearby tree, "Higher than this?" she questioned with a smile.
~~~~
As he noticed the direction of the march, Elliott began to falter, "O-k, now about face troops" he called. Mowgli hopped out of line though, "Wait, we're getting close to the villiage!" he exclaimed.
"Uh, yeah, that's why I called the about face" Elliott said.
"No I mean...oh I know we probably can't but I'd love to show you guys my village where I live".
"Uh...yeah" Miko said, "Something tells me our parents and my aunt would hate that idea".
-
"Well, I meant something that doesn't require a lot of energy," Allison replied, nuzzling Khan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So, are you in the mood for a hunt?" Bagheera asked Namita.
-
"And something tells me that I don't lkike the sound of that either. I like You and Ranjan okay. But I am really not in the mood to be chased off by a bunch of yelling humans waving flaming torches at me" Kyano said.
..............................................................................................
" I think so" Haeso said jumping on to the same tree and climbing up to the 4th Branch.
-
Khan raised an eyebrow, "Like sitting here confusing me" he said, not thinking of much that didn't 'require energy'. Yet returning her nuzzle was one thing and Khan did at least that.
~~~~
Namita smiled, "One I don't ruin this time, huh? Yeah sure" she agreed. "Something tells me you're still better than me at it" she smiled again recalling the lessons he'd given her as a cub.
~~~~
"Aw but you guys are kids too, so....", at the others look though, Mowgli gave it up, "Ok then, Cornel Elliott lead the way back".
Elliott smiled brightly at the title, "Ok then troops, let's continue away from the horr--" he paused as Mowgli and Ranjan frowned, "...here" he finished before leading the way to the right.
Miko laughed and got back in position. "There's more jungle to march across than the villiage anyway" he said.
-
"Why don't we spend time at your favorite place, wherever it is?" Allison suggested.
~~~~~~~
"Nothing to worry about," Bagheera replied, "With training, you may one day exceed my skills perhaps."
-
"Phew" Kyano said relieved as they got back in to the line and decided not to go in the village.
-
Shere Khan thought, trying to pinpoint is favorite place of now. When he was a cub it had been what was Louie's stupid palace now...
"Well, my favorite place is really here of all things, I suppose" he answered, "but I do know if this nice pool good for relaxing that alot of the other animals stay away from if you'd like to see that" he said.
~~~~
Namita laughed, "Bagheera if anyone but you had said that I'd think they were teasing" she commented on his 'might be' statement.
She leapt forward a bit ahead of him, "I'll have you know I'm not completely bad at it, having had to somehow get food for Miko recently" she smiled.
~~~~
"Yeah" Mowgli smiled, "I wouldn't want to hurt my new friends the first day out".
"Yeah, that might give our guardians a bad idea of you" Miko laughed.
-
"Then let's head there," Allison smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Then let's go catch something together, shall we?" Bagheera smiled warmly.
-
"And something tells me that I don't lkike the sound of that either. I like You and Ranjan okay. But I am really not in the mood to be chased off by a bunch of yelling humans waving flaming torches at me" Kyano said.
..............................................................................................
" I think so" Haeso said jumping on to the same tree and climbing up to the 4th Branch.
(You must have missed this part Kit so could you post a reply to this too?)
"Yeah that's the last thing we need for ur parents to think all Humans are bad"Kyano said.
-
Khan nodded and lead the way, "How others in the jungle never found this spot, I don't know" he said, "but it's a good thing for us".
~~~~
Namita smiled, "Sounds like a plan" she said, even now and perhaps more so than as a cub Bagheera was still that...quiet type of charming. She wasn't going to move as fast as Allison had apparently and even now wasn't sure 'like liked' Bagheera still but...she was thinking it was possible.
~~~~
"Yeah, I think a similar thought by some of those in my village on all jungle predators is also what's sort of caused this avoidance of each other, maybe we could change that though".
"Good luck with my Pop" Elliott sighed.
~~~~
(Oh yeah I did...somehow)
Katuksi frowned as Haeso reached higher than her, but in a playful way. "Yeah" she said, trying to get to a higher branch herself, "like that". She didn't quite make the fifth branch though and just plopped back onto the one Haeso was on.
-
Haeso giggled as Katuksi ploppped down on the same branch as him. "Smooth Katuksi real smooth" He said with a playful little smirk.
-
"Well, I was almost there" Katuksi shot back, just as playfully.
-
"Yeah I can't really argue with that. You did almost make it. And I bet you, you would make it if you tried it again." Haeso said.
-
"Course I would" Katuksi said, "...especially if i used you as a boost!" she jumped up quickly and standing on Haeso's head made it to the higher branch, "See".
-
"Oh, very funny" Haeso said as she climbed on to his head to get to the Branch above his.
Haeso tried to get up to the same branch and managed to pull himself up with a bunch of effort.
"Man, climbing is hard" Haeso said out of breath.
-
"Yeah" Katuksi agreed, "and truth be told you're the biggest challenge I've met in a while at it" she admitted with a puff. Usually she climbed to about the second branch and who ever she was going against was outdone.
-
"I could actually get to the very top of this tree. I have had a lot of practice. When you don't have anyone looking out for you like I do ya gotta learn how to protect yourself. Hiding in trees when there is an attacker about is just my thing. WATCH! " Haeso said getting himself ready and leaped from branch to branch until he got to the very top of the three.
-
"Impressive" Katuksi commented, watching. She attempted the same, but slower so she wouldn't fall and be embarrassed, "Yeah, I'm...kinda on my own too, truth be told it's why before I stuck so close to Miko and his family, other adults in the group that way you know, not that I couldn't handle stuff too" she went on.
-
"Need some help?" Haeso said reaching a paw down for her to grab on too if she felt like she was slipping. "You were a loner too? Wow, we have a lot in common. And don't worry about spending time with Miko and his family. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that told me you couldn't do it by yourself" Haeso said.
-
Katuksi was loath to admit it, but by the time she got to where Haeso was she did need help.
"Uh thanks" she said as she took his paw up. She smiled in pleasant surprise at the compliment, "Yeah, I guess making here all on my own sort of means I got some survival instincts" she admitted.
"So", as they climbed the hard part that Katuksi knew she was probably going to be able to handle nonetheless made itself known to her, "you as good at getting down as you are up?" she asked.
-
Haeso laughed embarrassingly and somewhat nervously. "Not really! I have numerous scars that have happened because I didn't time my jump properly and end ip landing on some dangerous sharp thing or landing wrong period. There was this one time I didn't time my jump properly and ended up twisting my angle pretty badly. I swear I couldn't move my right hind leg for at least 3 weeks."
-
"Well here it is" Khan said as they reached the pool he'd mentioned to Allison.
~~~~
"Hey wait, I think I picked up something" Namita couldn't help being a little bit proud of that off the last statements of how her hunting skills probably weren't as good as Bagheera's even now
~~~~
"Gosh" Katuksi said, "Well...we'll just have to try and not have that happen now, sometimes I try going backwards..." she said and hesitantly tried to test out the trick to see if she could get herself to the second branch.
Those stupid cat claws only hooking onto bark one way the the reason for all this trouble and the classic 'stuck cat' taunt and scenario.
As she made it to the second branch, Katuksi smiled, ok maybe this would work.
-
Hyano tried to do the same thing Katuski did and was almost back to the second branch but slipped and landed on the second branch right on top of Katuski by mistake.
"Sorry about that I guess I need some practice" Haeso said.
-
"It's beautiful," Allison smiled, amazed.
-
Katuksi wiggled out from underneath Haeso with a slight frown, but it let up soon enough, "Aw that's ok, not so easy getting down from trees" she agreed look down at the ground and how far they had to go...and as luck would have it, "Oh this may not be good" she said, spotting Elliott and the others marching nearby the tree.
"Maybe if we're quiet they won't notice us" she whispered to Haeso since they were both having a less than graceful time exiting the tree.
~~~~
Shere Khan smiled, "One of my most private secrets, which of course it is only right should be shared with you now" he replied.
-
"Oh, Khan," Allison smiled, flattered. She then gently walked into the water. "A little swim always does me good," she commented.
-
Kyano however looked up and kinda laughed at the sight of the 2 of them not being able to get down.
Haeso looked over at Katuksi and then growled angrily at Kyano. "Hey, I don't know who you think you are but nobody laughs at my friend" Haeso said angrily.
"Hey, would you relax bud I'm not trying to start a fight here" Kyano said.
"Oh, really? Cause it sure sounds like you are. You laugh at Katuksi you're laughing at me and if you laugh at us there's gonna be a problem" Haeso said growling.
Haeso had a big problem with controlling his temper and since Katuksi was his best friend he would fight for her and stand up for her.
-
"Well being a tiger, My Dear, that would only be natural" Khan said, getting into the water himself to relax.
~~~~
Miko was a bit caught of guard too, his shock at Katuksi being back was pushed to the back of his mind as Haeso started up his threats.
"He's not trying to start up anything" Miko defended, "besides Katuksi's always been a bit thick skinned, I don't think she's gonna take it personally" he answered.
Katuksi was pleasantly surprised by Haeso' defense. Normally she would have found such offensive, but not from him somehow.
"It's ok" she assured Haeso, "I can handle a bunch of whining babies" she hollered down.
Miko sighed.
"What'd you call us?!" Mowgli yelled. "Ignore her" Miko said, "she's just trying to cause trouble, she always does, shouldn't we move on Elliott?" Miko tried to curb a problem.
"Not if we're in threat" Elliott tried to decide if they were in threat. Miko sighed, something told him this wouldn't end good.
-
At this point Haeso kinda felt bad. He wasn't trying to cause trouble. Haeso didn't have many friends. So when he had met Katuksi he would stand up for her.
"We are no threat to you as long as you aren't a threat to us. As long as you didn't mean anything by it. I can't see why we can't all let bygons be bygons. My name is Haeso. I'm sorry about the way I reacted It's just that Katuksi is my friend and..........."
"It's ok Haeso. Katuksi must have a really good friend if you stand up for her like that. I got to respect someone that cares so much about their friends. And if you were brave to apoligize then I guess I am brave enough to accept it. My name is Kyano" He said with a smile.
-
"Yeah" Miko nodded, "It's kinda surprising..." he cut himself off though.
Katuksi frowned, "Kinda surprising I could get friends like that?" she asked her...well maybe Miko was a friend too, but more like a tolerated acquaintance she found it fun to tease.
"Well given the amount of ridicule..." Miko said.
"Well Haeso's cooler than you, so there" Katuksi answered. Miko just rolled his eyes.
Katuksi laughed semi-good naturedly next though, "So what are you guys up to?".
"Drilling" Elliott answered.
-
"Yeah" Miko nodded, "It's kinda surprising..." he cut himself off though.
Katuksi frowned, "Kinda surprising I could get friends like that?" she asked her...well maybe Miko was a friend too, but more like a tolerated acquaintance she found it fun to tease.
"Well given the amount of ridicule..." Miko said.
"Well Haeso's cooler than you, so there" Katuksi answered. Miko just rolled his eyes.
Katuksi laughed semi-good naturedly next though, "So what are you guys up to?".
"Drilling" Elliott answered.
"Cooo..... Cooooo...... Cool? You think I'm cool"? Haeso said he had heard a lot of names that he was called but cool was never one of them.
"What is this drilling you are doing"? Haeso finally said.
-
Katuski smiled at him, "Sure are".
"Uh we march around the jungle, like my Pop, making up marching rhymes and helping the jungle out" Elliott said.
Miko thought they could have made it sound a bit more interesting, but just nodded.
"You wanna come?" Ranjan asked in his loud little kid way.
-
Haeso looked over at Katuski questionably as if saying. "Do you wanna do this" Since Haeso was Katuski's best friend. He would do whatever Katuski wanted to do. This did sound like fun but it was up to Katuski.
-
Katuksi noticed Haeso's look and pondered the question, "Sure, why not, could be fun" she admitted, answering the little human.
Ranjan grinned, "Yay, more troops".
Now, Katuksi thought, all they had to do was make it down gracefully. She leapt for the next lower branch and thankfully made it.
-
Haeso tried to do it just as gracefully and ended up landing on the lower branch with no problem. Haeso smiled to himself.
-
"See" Katuksi smiled at the other kids as she continued on down, "We're naturals".
"Why do I get the feeling you only just now figured out how to do that" Miko said, though with a smile.
"Well while you guys make it down I guess I should figure out where to put ya" Elliott said looking at the formation he had already.
-
Haeso slid down the rest of the way to the bottom of the tree.
-
Bagheera and Namita, in the middle of their hunt, overheard the "troop" discussion Katuski, Miko, Ranjan, and Elliot were having.
"Terrific," Bagheera chuckled, "We have more soldiers on our paws."
-
Encourage by Haeso making it, Katuksi tried and succeeded at the same. She smirked, "See, we're just awesome".
"Hey now, memebers of this troop have to be nice" Elliott said, "um, you two can be behind Miko...I guess".
Namita giggled, "We'll I don't think they're likely to instill the Dawn Patrol anytime soon" she said, she and Miko and experienced the Dawn Patrol earlier this morning when they arrived, if only she'd realized it had been Hathi she would have found it funnier.
-
Louie landed behind Bagheera and Namita. "So what have you been up to, Namita?" the king asked.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"I couldn't ask to be with a more perfect tiger in a more perfect place," Allison smiled, swimming gently.
-
Namita smiled at the Orangutan, "Not much really, recently just watching out for my nephew Miko there and...well, avoiding the trouble makers our jungle has" she frowned a bit, "but we're here where they can't bother us now so I guess it doesn't matter anymore" she smiled, trying to not worry either Bagheera or Louie too much, especially since there were parts of the story she hadn't told anyone here yet, like how after this jaguar, Exavier, killed Basdev he'd been so bold and stupid as to try for leading up to proposing to her! That's when she'd run away.
~~~~
Shere Khan smiled, "Yes I know, you're quite lucky" he said though it was in half teasing.
-
Encourage by Haeso making it, Katuksi tried and succeeded at the same. She smirked, "See, we're just awesome".
"Hey now, memebers of this troop have to be nice" Elliott said, "um, you two can be behind Miko...I guess".
Namita giggled, "We'll I don't think they're likely to instill the Dawn Patrol anytime soon" she said, she and Miko and experienced the Dawn Patrol earlier this morning when they arrived, if only she'd realized it had been Hathi she would have found it funnier.
Haeso lined up behind Miko. He was glad that he had made friends with Elliot and the rest of his "Troop"
-
Katuksi took up her spot behind Haeso.
"Alright Troops, let's move out...again" Elliott said, "Uh, we'll go...this way" he chose a direction and started them off marching that way.
Since he kept to whatever the back was, Ranjan now found he had Katuksi's tail to play with and giggled as he tugged it.
"Watch it kid" she said, giving him a just slightly annoyed rather than truely upset look. Ranjan giggled again but did stop...for the moment.
-
Haeso bit his lip trying not to laugh as Ranjan pulled at Katuski's tail.
-
"I thought laughing was against marching rules" Kauksi guessed half kidding as she saw Haeso hiding a laugh,
"So's talking" Elliott answered, "but...we're a kiddie troop so it's ok". There was enough not talking in his pop's real troop, Elliott decided, so here he would just drop that rule.
-
"I thought laughing was against marching rules" Kauksi guessed half kidding as she saw Haeso hiding a laugh,
"So's talking" Elliott answered, "but...we're a kiddie troop so it's ok". There was enough not talking in his pop's real troop, Elliott decided, so here he would just drop that rule.
"So is being a little stick in the mud who can't take a joke." Haeso said playfully to katuksi.
-
"Then let's add hitting to my list of wrongs" Katuksi gave Haeso a playful slap. Elliott sighed and Miko rolled his eyes.
Ranjan giggled and, thinking he'd just complete the game, next gave Katuksi a playful hit.
-
Haeso playfully growled. "I'll get you back later for that" Haeso said playfully to her. "Haeso couldn't hold in his laugh when Ranjan gave her a playful hit too. "I love this kid all ready" Haeso laughed. Katuksi was such a great friend and Haeso was having a fun time just messin with her.
-
Katuksi just leveled a playful glare at Haeso, "Oh sure, the boys stick together" she joked.
-
"So, besides chasing that man cub, what had you been up to since I last saw you?" Allison asked Khan curiously.
-
"Well, not much else here" Khan admitted, "but I was gone for a bit, sort of setting up a reputation and space in other jungles too, just because I'm that good" he smiled, "perhaps when you're up for extensive travel I should show you those spots too".
-
"And you'll show those jungles your new queen," Allison smiled affectionally, kissing Khan.
-
Katuksi just leveled a playful glare at Haeso, "Oh sure, the boys stick together" she joked.
"Oh, don't give me that. The only reason I'm siding with him is because he's hilarious" Haeso said giving Katuksi a playful nudge.
-
Katuksi just giggled.
Elliott shook his head, his troop was so not like his Pop's, but then they were kids so nothing said they had to be mature and ridged soldiers right this very minute.
~~~~
"Of course" Khan smiled after returning the kiss, "be happy to, and I know they'll be that more inclined to listen to me if they know they have to answer to you too".
~~~~
"So I'd ask what you've been up to Louie, but it seems like it's probably quite a story" Namita smiled.
-
"Yeah...I left my palace, mainly cause Baloo destroyed it...." Louie laughed, "But now I've been just traveling the jungle."
~~~~~~~~~~
"And the jungle's new prince and princess," Allison continued. "I'm hoping for 1 boy and 1 girl."
-
"Yes" Namita laughed, "I heard about the parties".
~~~~
"Nice and even huh?" Khan smirked. He had to admit he didn't know alot about girls, but then figured that's where Allison would probably come in with that motherly sense and all.
~~~~
As they walked on, the kids caught the tail end of this talk. "Palace?" Miko asked.
"Oh yeah" Mowgli said, "King Louie's old place that Baloo and some of the others use for a dance place or something".
"Sounds neat" Miko had to admit.
"Yeah, but I don't think they'd tolerate a bunch of kids hanging out, I only got in last time 'cause Baloo was there" Mowgli said.
"Well they've gotta be gone sometime, maybe we could look at it when the other adults aren't there, you know since abandoned monkey palaces aren't seen in every jungle".
To an extend they could be, but Katuksi didn't know this.
-
"A palace? No way! That sounds way past cool we have got to check this place out" Haeso said getting all excited about seeing it.
-
"Ok, ok, but we'd have to make sure the adults are all gone" Mowgli said, "I don't know If I'm suppose to be giving out the location".
"Aw if there's any trouble we'll just run them off" Katuksi grinned.
"Alright then Mowgli, you lead the way, since you know the way" Elliott said, letting the man-cub get infront of him. "But if my Pop comes by, dart back behind me so it still looks like I'm leading" he whispered. Mowgli nodded, "Right".
-
"And when the cubs are born, we'll teach them everything about ruling the jungle," Allison added.
-
"With a bit of help, of course" Shere Khan smiled, "since my families known about that stuff for generations, having held the rule for generations". Truth be told he wasn't sure how far back it spanned, but he guessed it was probably a very long line, and that's what his mother had told him.
-
"This may seem cub-bish," Allison began, "But could you tell me a story?"
-
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Parents want to take away all our fun just because some place is slightly "Dangerous". " Haeso said.
-
Had anyone else said it, Khan might have thought it cub-ish, but he couldn't think that way about Allison, "Well I suppose you should know more about this jungle's history if you're to help me rule it" he said, "how about I tell you about when I first took over for my mother?".
"Tell me about it" Katuksi sighed, "and usually those are the really cool places!".
Mowgli continued leading the 'troop' on until they came to the bottom of the steps of Louie's palace, or what once was.
"I'll make sure none of the...somebodies Baloo knew before are hanging about" he said, creeping up the stairs ahead of the group and peering. The entire ruin was deserted it seemed, and actually...without monkey's or partiers all over it, it wasn't a bad spot he noticed.
He turned back, "Coast is clear, and this place is actually kinda cool" he said.
"Wow" Miko breathed as they all made it up there, "wonder what kind of humans made this place".
Katuksi sent him a bored look, "who cares, there dead now so they don't matter".
With a giggle, Ranjan leapt up onto one of the pillars and started to climb his way up.
"Now you be careful there soldier" Elliott said, keeping an eye on the little one.
-
Haeso looked around astonished to how cool this place was. "Wow, this place is wicked awesome" Haeso said. But also keeping an eye on Ranjan making sure he caught him on his back if Ranjan fell.
"Wow, I can't believe how cool this place was" Kyano said.
-
"That sounds great," Allison agreed.
-
"Yeah" Mowgli said with a laugh, "it'd be a pretty cool place to visit, you know if we knew we could at anytime, like I said Baloo and some of the other animals use it".
"Well what makes them so special" Katuksi said, "I say if we want to use it we should be given a fair shot at it".
"Aw forget it Katuksi" Miko said with a sigh, "no ever ever wins anything against adults, they're...older and in charge".
"Still, I'm liking how this fair shot sounds..." Mowlgi had to admit as he did something he'd always wanted to do and hopped up on King Louie's throne.
"Well when my mother finally noticed that she could no longer patrol the jungle properly, and also that I had reached about mid-adolescence she handed the responsibility over to me, though..." Khan grimaced, "it wasn't easy building respect, especially since those two annoying buzzards you might recall from when we were cubs still felt the need to make fun of me...".
Shere Khan mused how that was a common thread given Lucky and his gang's recent tirades.
"but, I took care of them fairly quickly" Khan smirked, "and then the jungle sort of listened up a bit more...even if some of the others criticized me for the action, but I was beyond caring what they thought".
-
"I'm sure it needed to be done," agreed Allison. "Those buzzards were real pests."
-
"Yeah" Mowgli said with a laugh, "it'd be a pretty cool place to visit, you know if we knew we could at anytime, like I said Baloo and some of the other animals use it".
"Well what makes them so special" Katuksi said, "I say if we want to use it we should be given a fair shot at it".
"Aw forget it Katuksi" Miko said with a sigh, "no ever ever wins anything against adults, they're...older and in charge".
"Still, I'm liking how this fair shot sounds..." Mowlgi had to admit as he did something he'd always wanted to do and hopped up on King Louie's throne.
"Well when my mother finally noticed that she could no longer patrol the jungle properly, and also that I had reached about mid-adolescence she handed the responsibility over to me, though..." Khan grimaced, "it wasn't easy building respect, especially since those two annoying buzzards you might recall from when we were cubs still felt the need to make fun of me...".
Shere Khan mused how that was a common thread given Lucky and his gang's recent tirades.
"but, I took care of them fairly quickly" Khan smirked, "and then the jungle sort of listened up a bit more...even if some of the others criticized me for the action, but I was beyond caring what they thought".
"All Hail King Mowgli" Kyano said with a teasing bow as he saw Mowgli climb on to Louie's throne.
"Wonder how long this place has been abandoned." Haeso wondered out loud and just then Haeso dived out of the way as a nearby pillar that Ranjan wasn't climbing on crumbled to the ground.
"By the looks of it pretty long. Uhhhhhh, kid by the look of that last pillar you should probably slide down before you get yourself really hurt." Haeso yelled up to Ranjan.
-
Shere Khan smiled, "See, that's why you're amazing enough to be my mate, you just get things like this" he said, nuzzling Allison again.
~~~~
"King Mowgli" Mowgli grinned, "I like it!" he looked around for a scepter like thing. "Great" Miko smirked over at Kyano, "you created a king" he teased.
Ranjan swung down to land on Haeso after his call.
"Aw the place doesn't look too bad, just needs a good dusting probably" Elliott said, looking it over.
"Hehe, I monkey!" Ranjan giggled.
"I thought you were pretending to be a tiger?" Miko asked, remembering earlier.
"Now I monkey" Ranjan insisted with another smile.
"I say he's confused" Katuksi smirked as she whispered to Haeso.
-
"Well, we apes and humans are cousins after all," Louie commented, swining around them.
~~~~~~~~
Allison was aware that Khan was somewhat an egomaniac, but she loved that about him.
-
"King Louie!" Mowlgi leapt down from the throne in shock of seeing the Ape king suddenly here again.
"Uh, I was just...uh..." he tried to come up with an excuse.
"We...were just...you know, looking the place over" Miko said with a smile, as the kids were all worried Louie wouldn't like the fact that they were here hanging out around his old palace.
-
Shere Khan smiled, "See, that's why you're amazing enough to be my mate, you just get things like this" he said, nuzzling Allison again.
~~~~
"King Mowgli" Mowgli grinned, "I like it!" he looked around for a scepter like thing. "Great" Miko smirked over at Kyano, "you created a king" he teased.
Ranjan swung down to land on Haeso after his call.
"Aw the place doesn't look too bad, just needs a good dusting probably" Elliott said, looking it over.
"Hehe, I monkey!" Ranjan giggled.
"I thought you were pretending to be a tiger?" Miko asked, remembering earlier.
"Now I monkey" Ranjan insisted with another smile.
"I say he's confused" Katuksi smirked as she whispered to Haeso.
Haeso smiled a bit and made sure Ranjan landed on his back. "Yeahm quite confused in fact"Haeso whispered back to Katuksi.
"Yeah we were just checking it out" Kyano said worriedly as he saw King Louie.
-
"Hey, no hard feelings cousin," Louie assured Mowgli and the others.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Allison and Shere Khan relaxed in the water for about a half hour more. "A place like this, just to ourselves, I couldn't ask for anything more perfect."
After a brief pause, she added "Wait, there is something more perfect: you Khan," she smiled romantically.
-
"Really?!" Mowgli looked shocked, then smiled, "Wow thanks King Louie, you know you're pretty cool despite Bagheera saying your a scoundrel...whatever that is" the boy shrugged.
Miko had to hold in a laugh at that, "I don't think it's any worse than what he's called Baloo" he admitted.
~~~~
Khan smirked, "Well if you're waiting for me to disagree, don't waste your time" he replied back before leaning forward to kiss her once again.
-
"Yeah King Louie you are awesome. "Kyano said.
"Well............. thanks King Louie" Haeso finally said.
-
Allison and Khan shared a passionate kiss for about 30 seconds.
~~~~~~``
"Aw, it's nothing cousins," Louie responded.
-
Mowgli smiled, "and it's probably good to have King Louie on our sides, that way if any of the other animals want their 'dance club' back he can talk them out of it".
"We'd have to let him still be the king, of sorts, though, if he did that for us" Miko added with a smile.
Katuksi rolled her eyes, "Yeah, 'cause he's gonna want to be the king of a bunch of cubs like us" she said sarcastically, "Please, he's got his dirty little monkey band for that".
-
Haeso laughed at Katuski's comment. " Yeah, I'd have a better chance at being the King of the cubs. Hey, that has a ring to it............."Haeso the king of the cubs" "Haeso said.
-
"I still am technically the king," Louie commented while swinging on some vines.
-
"Yeah, knew that somehow" Mowgli said, crossing his arms, yet with a small smile.
"That's ok, Mr. Louie has to be king to tell us kids the best way to do stuff I guess" Miko said, "but...only when we want advice...no bossing".
Ranjan giggled and once more got off Haesso's back to try climbing stuff, mainly the vines around where Louie was now.
-
"That kid sure changes his mind about what he wants to be. First he wants to be a tiger now he wants to be a Monkey how long before he wants to be a fish?" Kyano said looking up at Ranjan with a laugh.
"Oh, yeah I know that..... I..... I mean......we...... I mean......" Haeso said getting a little bit nervous that he had made Louie mad and that Haeso was trying to steal his position.
-
"No worries," Louise assured Haseo. e then looked at Ranjan.
"Be careful cousin," he called.
-
For answer Ranjan just giggled, swinging.
"I think he's going for being the entire jungle" Miko told Kyano with a laugh.
Mowgli rolled his eyes, a bit embaressed by his little brother now, "Ranjan...like King Louie said, be careful" was all he said though.
Landing on a branch, Ranjan tied a vine around his waist, "No worries, I gots monkey tail so I not fall" he said.
"Well as long as that's covered" Katuksi said sarcastically with a smile.
-
Haeso laughed at Katuksi's sense of humor.
"Yeah, it won't be to long till he's making a make shift trunk and trumpeting like he's an elephant like Elliot." Kyano said.
-
"What to do next my beautiful king?" Allison asked romantically.
-
"Hmm, well I'm not quite sure" Shere Khan thought and then smiled, "I've come up with a few ideas and of course can always take the lead if you need me to, but any ideas in your pretty head of something to amuse ourselves with now?" he asked.
~~~~
Hearing Kyano, Ranjan swung over to a branch of the tree and tugged at it to try and try out the tiger cub's idea.
Elliott sighed, "Ranjan...being an elephant's hard, just ask my pop, maybe you should try the other animals still".
-
Allison purred and replied, "How bout we just walk around the jungle and show off our authority?" she suggested.
-
"Don't give him any ideas Elliot next he's gonna want to be a bird. And I really don't want to see what happens when he tries to fly." Kyano said.
"Well if he does I'll be there to catch him cause I'm awesome" Haeso said.
Kyano just rolls his eyes.
-
"Sounds like a perfect plan" Shere Khan smiled as he stood from the water, "if you're up for all that walking" he added.
Katuksi, on the other hand, gave a back up laugh to Haeso's little joke. Miko wanted to sigh at this, but curbed it just to curb trouble.
"No, I settle with elephant" Ranjan said, swinging down with the stick that was a bit hollow so made a little sort of blast when he blew at it.
-
"Thank you Katuksi it's nice to see some people in this jungle have a sense of humor. " Haeso said. He smiled over at Katuksi. Katuksi was the colest kid ever in his book.
-
"I can take walking," Allison assured.
-
With a nod, Shere Khan lead the way out.
Katuksi smiled back, "and it's nice for it to be recognized for once" she replied.
-
Bagheera meanwhile took a step closer to Namita and walked right beside her. He could tell she liked it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
:Where to first, my love?" Allison asked the king of the jungle.
-
Namita tried to not blush or anything, and just smile normally, "You know when that jaguar Exavier started becoming a real bother to Miko and I in our old jungle I...well I guess I came here because it's the only other place I ever felt completely safe and...truth be told I think you had a lot to do with that" she finished telling Bagheera, having to duck her head a bit as she did blush as she admitted this.
~~~~
Shere Khan chuckled, this level of happiness wasn't something he was use to feeling. "Well a good start to any standard patrol is to make sure the warthogs (there's a few in India right LOL) are still behaving" Khan smirked, "Come on, this is always fun" he said.
-
"I believe you," Allison chuckled happily, following her mate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Well, you're welcome," Bagheera replied gently, giving Namita a little nuzzle.
-
Now Namita was blushing, "So...I take it you're ok that...my cubhood crush on you didn't go away?" she asked.
~~~~
With another smile, Shere Khan kept leading the way until they came out right beyond where the warthogs were.
"Well greetings my foul smelling, noisy subjects" Shere Khan smirked at the near panic attack the warthogs had as he came out, "are we doing alright this fine day?".
The confusion such friendly words caused in the herd also amused Khan.
"Um, please don't eat us..." one warthog said.
"Oh right now, I wouldn't no" Shere Khan said, "I'm merely here to introduce you all to your new queen" he indicated where Allison was.
-
"No, I'm perfectly fine with that," Bagheera smiled.
~~~~~~~
Allison made her appearance clear to the warthogs. Out os sheer panic, they bowed to her, hoping that would say them from getting eaten.
-
Namita smiled again, as her worry that someone as serious as Bagheera would have moved on from his own cubhood crush was put to rest. Finding her own bit of boldness, she leaned over to give Bagheera a kiss on the cheek.
"That's for still being so great" she said before ducking her head a bit embarrassed.
~~~~
"See, what'd I say, fun" Shere Khan grinned at his mate as they watched the warthogs overreact.
-
Bagheera responded...with a kiss in return.
~~~~~~~~~
"Let's move on," Allison smiled to Khan.
-
After getting over her pleasant shock at Bagheera's actions, Namita both returned and prolonged the kiss.
~~~~
"Oh alright, fine..." Shere Khan almost sounded like a cub who'd had his fun ruined, yet smiled as he lead Allison on. The warthogs breathed a sigh of relief after they left.
"Two of them..." one of them muttered, "two!".
-
"Who to next, my king?" Allison asked.
~~~~~~~~~~
After Bagheera and Namita's kiss, the panther commented. "That cubhood crush of yours was not one-sided," he smiled.
-
"Well following standard procedures I always do, this way" Khan answered, "though I forgot exactly who laid claim to this section of jungle, you see I've sort of been in and out over the recent seasons...of course that will change now since a family require more stability" he smiled.
"Still let's see what creatures have delusions of owning part of a jungle that's all mi--ours technically" he said as they continued on.
~~~~
Namita felt she was probably going for a blushing record today, "and here I thought you were just being nice back then" she glanced down. She'd guessed such in the last few moments, but still to hear Bagheera actually say it...
-
With a nod, Shere Khan lead the way out.
Katuksi smiled back, "and it's nice for it to be recognized for once" she replied.
"How could people not recognize you? U met you not to long ago and I all ready think you're the awesomest friend I ever met. " Haeso said.
-
Katuksi smiled, "Thanks Haeso", she wanted to say more in gratitude, but mushy words had always come hard for her, so she let her smile say it.
"The others are just too kiddie to get it I guess" she smirked to 'the others'.
Miko sighed, "Yeah, that's it" he said with a chuckle.
-
Kyano had to wonder what Miko didn't really like about Katuksi. I mean Kyano thought she was pretty awesome too. He was just to shy with words to actually say it.
"Yeah. I guess you have to be as awesome as us to really understand the awesomeness of you" Haeso said smiling back at Katuski.
-
Catching Kyano's look, Miko smiled and motioned him a bit out of ear shot of Katuksi at least, "Don't get me wrong, Katuksi's fine and I've known her a while now, it's just...she's always teasing me about how unskillful or babyish I am, so I guess I feel like I should tease back" he shrugged, "I don't know, all in all she's confusing but I guess that's just girls".
-
"Don't mention it," Bagheera replied with a smile.
~~~~~~~~~~`
"And soon to be our cubs' as well," Allison added, putting a paw on her belly.
-
"and the cubs, of course" Khan smiled, the idea of heirs was sounding better the more he heard of it.
~~~~
Namita smiled again, yet rather than state once more how great Bagheera continued to prove himself to be, she nuzzled up closer to him. It gave her a safe feeling that she liked.
-
as Allison and Khan made their way through the jungle, Allison could breifly see the two adult panthers in the area (Bagheera and Namita). She breifly waved to them in case they could see her, as a way of saying "hi".
-
Khan on the other hand, decided that unless Allison all out instigated a talk he was going to ignore their presence, just due to the hard lines that he been drawn ever since the man cub issue had cropped up, as he'd been telling Allison.
Namita gave a nod back though for however far her greeting would go with either.
-
"So where to next, my love?" Allison asked, kissing Khan
-
Catching Kyano's look, Miko smiled and motioned him a bit out of ear shot of Katuksi at least, "Don't get me wrong, Katuksi's fine and I've known her a while now, it's just...she's always teasing me about how unskillful or babyish I am, so I guess I feel like I should tease back" he shrugged, "I don't know, all in all she's confusing but I guess that's just girls".
"Most girls are like that Miko. Girls can be really confusing like that. She sure seems to love Haeso maybe you're not really giving her a fair chance" Kyano said.
-
"Yeah, maybe" Miko had to admit. He shrugged, "Ok I'll give her another shot and not get mad, or try, if she says anything else insulting".
~~~~
"Next is on to the wolves territory" Khan said, "they usually stay in their place while I just pass on for a territory check, though you never know about the adolescence eager to prove themselves".
-
"Well, they pose no threat to us in any way," Allison commented.
-
"No, I'm imagining not" Khan smiled proudly, "especially not against the two of us".
Not that he planned to have his mate fight while pregnant, but as she said, the wolves would probably not try anything.
-
"Yeah, maybe" Miko had to admit. He shrugged, "Ok I'll give her another shot and not get mad, or try, if she says anything else insulting".
~~~~
"Next is on to the wolves territory" Khan said, "they usually stay in their place while I just pass on for a territory check, though you never know about the adolescence eager to prove themselves".
Kyano smiled. "Yeah, that's good besides I'm sure she's just playing around with ya. Friends tease each other all the time" Kyano said.
Haeso meanwhile felt weird. He couldn't seem to even look at Katuksi without feeling kinda funny. He had never felt this way before.
"Can it be possible that I'm in love with Katuki"? His head asked him. He was starting to develop a real crush on Katuksi.
-
Katuksi also probably didn't help by noticing a bit a weird look on Haeso's face. "Hey, bud, you ok over there?" she asked with a smile.
-
Khan and Allison eventually reached their destination, Allison enjoying the beauty of the jungle.
-
Katuksi also probably didn't help by noticing a bit a weird look on Haeso's face. "Hey, bud, you ok over there?" she asked with a smile.
When Katuksi called him her"Bud" and asked him if he was ok. That made him even more nervous then he all ready was. "Me? Of course I'm ok". Haeso said.
Kyano lifted an eyebrow suspiciously. This didn't sound like Haeso at all.
-
Miko frowned in confusion as well at Haeso's very odd, for him, behavior.
"Well ok, just checking" Katuksi smiled.
~~~~
"As I said" Khan began, "there shouldn't be any...".
Yet just as he said this a young teen bounded over with a frown, "What do you want?" it asked, "we don't have Mowgli with us anymore so I'm afraid if you felt like killing innocent children today your out of luck".
"...trouble" Khan finished his sentence to Allison before turning to the young wolf, "take my advice kid, go back home to your den" he said.
-
"Hate to burst your bubble, but that's not why we're here," Allison added. "I'm Allison, Shere Khan's mate," she introduced.
-
The wolf frowned, "Really..." he looked a bit unconvinced, "well nice to meet you...I guess" he said. It was weird, having a conversation with Shere Khan's...mate?
-
"I just wanted to take a walk around the kingdom with my handsome mate," Allison commented, nuzzling Shere Khan.
-
From weird...to weirder. How could anyone love the tiger out for Mowgli's death, the wolf wondered.
"Well uh, I'm not in the habit of making trouble for females" the teen said, "so, good day to you ma'am" he seemed to stand down, but Khan noted how he was being all but snubbed.
This wouldn't do. He stepped forward, "Forgetting something..." he asked.
The wolf turned, "No" his simple answer...
-
Miko frowned in confusion as well at Haeso's very odd, for him, behavior.
"Well ok, just checking" Katuksi smiled.
~~~~
"As I said" Khan began, "there shouldn't be any...".
Yet just as he said this a young teen bounded over with a frown, "What do you want?" it asked, "we don't have Mowgli with us anymore so I'm afraid if you felt like killing innocent children today your out of luck".
"...trouble" Khan finished his sentence to Allison before turning to the young wolf, "take my advice kid, go back home to your den" he said.
"I'm just gonna uhhhhh................... check out the rest of the area." Haeso said trying to come up with a lie to be on his own for a little bit.
He started to walk off.
Kyano on the other hand was not having anything of it. He knew this was a cover up about something.
He ran after Haeso thinking he needed someone to talk too.
"Hey Haeso buddy, something troubling you?" Kyano asked worriedly.
-
"He wants you to acknowledge him," Alliso told the teenage wolf, nuzzling Khan a bit more.
-
"I'm aware of that ma'am" the young wolf said, yet then walked off again with no intention of doing such.
A fierce frown formed on Khan's face and he had just leapt forward with a forming of a growl, when Akela stepped out.
"Trouble?" he asked the young wolf.
"No, he's just coming by" he indicated Khan and Allison, "with his mate".
Akela nodded in greeting then bent down closer to the young wolf, "Are you trying to make troulbe for the entire pack with the tiger?" he asked.
The teen frowned, "No Akela, but he...".
"Emotional grudges should be dropped for the sake and safety of all" Akela went on to the young member of his pack, "now appease the situation".
The teen turned, "Good day to you too...Sir" he said in a bit of a forced way.
Despite why, the youngster was still forced to pay respect to him, so Shere Khan was satisfied and turned, "Smart move Akelah, well we'll be moving on now".
-
Allison gave an almost friendly wave to the wolves as they left.
"Glad to see that issue settle itself," she smiled.
-
"Yes, it is a good thing" Khan agreed, "for the wolf".
-
"Of course," Allison chuckled lightly, rubbing her stomach gently.
"I got an idea for a little game we can play while we walk," the tigress commented as they moved along "I compliment you, and you just listen and enjoy them."
-
Shere Khan smiled, "I like that game" he replied, then chuckled, "though I suppose you would deserve a few compliments back" he admitted, giving Allison a nuzzle.
-
"Thanks," Allison smiled, ready to begin the game.
"For starters, your voice is so smooth and powerful, it's no wonder you're a king, your fur is lush and the perfect colors, and you're simply the strongest creature in this jungle."
-
"I'm just gonna uhhhhh................... check out the rest of the area." Haeso said trying to come up with a lie to be on his own for a little bit.
He started to walk off.
Kyano on the other hand was not having anything of it. He knew this was a cover up about something.
He ran after Haeso thinking he needed someone to talk too.
"Hey Haeso buddy, something troubling you?" Kyano asked worriedly.
"Ok" Katuksi said, a bit confused by Haeso's actions but not really pushing it.
Miko had noticed this too and walked over, "Well, he likes you" the panther cub stated without going into stating the obvious straight out.
"Well duh, that's what friends means" Kautksi shot back. Yeah, something about that harsh outer layer was just her, Miko noticed.
"I guess it is very responsible of him to check the rest of the area" she went on.
"Yeah" Miko smiled, "very...responsible".
~~~~
"And you are very smart to notice such" Khan smiled back, "Oh wait, I forgot part of this game was me just taking the compliments and not talking" he gave another charming smile.
-
"We should go check on the young ones," Bagheera told Namita after a nuzzle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Well, you're the smartest cat in the jungle, and your name is powerful," Allison continued.
-
Namita couldn't help still blushing a bit at Bagheera's nuzzle. It was just such a pleasant surprise to find he liked her back the same way she had and did him.
"Oh right" Namita gave a slight chuckle, "I keep forgetting how prone to wander Miko is, so that's probably a good idea" she said as they moved off.
"I think I spotted them heading this way towards the old ruins".
~~~~
This time Khan did just smile, except for a slight "agreed, and you yourself are a strong enough female to be the only one fit to be my queen".
-
"I'm just gonna uhhhhh................... check out the rest of the area." Haeso said trying to come up with a lie to be on his own for a little bit.
He started to walk off.
Kyano on the other hand was not having anything of it. He knew this was a cover up about something.
He ran after Haeso thinking he needed someone to talk too.
"Hey Haeso buddy, something troubling you?" Kyano asked worriedly.
"Ok" Katuksi said, a bit confused by Haeso's actions but not really pushing it.
Miko had noticed this too and walked over, "Well, he likes you" the panther cub stated without going into stating the obvious straight out.
"Well duh, that's what friends means" Kautksi shot back. Yeah, something about that harsh outer layer was just her, Miko noticed.
"I guess it is very responsible of him to check the rest of the area" she went on.
"Yeah" Miko smiled, "very...responsible".
~~~~
"And you are very smart to notice such" Khan smiled back, "Oh wait, I forgot part of this game was me just taking the compliments and not talking" he gave another charming smile.
"Me? No? Nothin troubling me." Haeso quickly said. But Mico was not having any of it.
"I know there is something bothering you Haeso. I can't tell you what to do. But, since we're friends I just want you to know that you can tell me anything" Kyano said.
Haeso looked behind him . Kyano followed his glance and saw Katuksi.
Kyano smiled finally being able to put the 2 and 2 together.
Kyano takes Haeso out of ear shot of Katuksi.
"You love Katuksi don't you"? Kyano said with a smile.
Haeso just nodded slightly to scared to say anything.
"Yeah, I think so. I don't think I have a strong chance though" Haeso said quietly.
"And why not? Let's think about this she's always backing you up. It's apparent that she likes you. You're a cool guy Haeso. " Kyano said.
"I'm just scared to admit that I have a crush on her" Haeso said.
-
"Well atleast you bumped into someone who's not a total whimp like you're always calling me" Miko went on.
"Yeah, atleast" Katuksi laughed. She wasn't suppose to agree that much so Miko frowned,
"Point being, I...just think you two are so alike you'll probably be good friends".
Katuksi smiled back, "Aw, are you getting jealous that me having another friend means I can't tease you as much" she teased.
"No. Not one bit" Miko said.
Katuksi faced forward and sighed, "We have been friends a really long time, so...maybe it won't sound weird if I say...he's kinda cute too" she turned back to her friend.
"Well, girl talk like that always sounds weird, but other than that, no it doesn't sound wierd at all" Miko said with a smile, "Maybe you should tell him".
"Now, you're crazy" Katuksi stated.
-
"You're a great kisser, and you have the ability to make others respect you," Allison went on, kissing Shere Khan again and wrapped her tail around his.
-
"Maybe you should tell her how you really feel . You can't lose anything by trying" Kyano said.
"No, I could never do that and you have to Pinky swear to me right now that no one else knows about this, please Kyano." Haeso pleaded.
Kyano looked into Haeso's eyes and hesitantly shook pinkies with Haeso.
"I am not gonna tell anyone but, you should" Kyano said.
"Why should I make a fool of myself? Katuksi teases Miko so much it's obvious that she has a crush on him." Haeso said.
"I wouldn't be sure about that if I were you" Kyano said.
-
"and...well you've effectively made me not able to think anymore" Shere Khan smiled before kissing Allison back.
"What could you lose?" Miko went on asking Katuksi.
"One of the first cool friends I make thinking I'm no better than the rest of you babies!" Katuksi retorted.
Mowgli and the others had missed what the conversation the two cats were having was about, but he caught this and frowned. So did Miko.
"No offense" Katuksi amended without much success.
"Yeah, I'll try not to take any" Miko rolled his eyes before walking off.
Katuksi turned towards where Kyano and Haeso had been talking. Should she tell, she wondered.
-
When Kyano saw Katuksi turn towards them. Kyano gently pushed Haeso closer to Katuksi.
"Kyano what are you doing"? Haeso whispered nervously.
"I'm trying to help you. Just be cool Haeso there's no where you can go wrong" Kyano said.
Haeso nervously cleared his throat.
-
"Um...hey" Katuksi said as Haeso approached. She tried to think of something, anything else to just strike up conversation, but couldn't really.
-
"Hey" Haeso said in a squeaky voice because he was so nervous and shy. Haeso cleared his throat yet again. Eyes just fixed on the ground in shame seeing as how stupid he just made himself sound.
Kyano walked over to Miko. "This isn't looking real good for Haeso. He's not gonna say anything on his own" Kyano said.
-
Miko sighed, "I'm thinking the same on Katuksi's end...maybe, but how much more can we help them?".
"What's going on?" Mowgli came up behind Kyano and Miko. "Oh, tell you later if it works" Miko said, not wanting to spread the story too far before either Katuksi or Haeso said something on their own.
Miko was a bit wrong in Katuksi's initiative, though. She may have still been nervous about admitting her own feelings, but she could tell straight off Haeso's bold nature had fallen a bit.
"Haeso are you ok?" she asked, bending her own head to peer at him, " 'cause you're like the greatest ever and I'd hate if you were upset". This alone just proved how much Katuksi did like Haeso since she didn't waste statements like that.
-
Haeso closed his eyes in disgust. He was hoping it wasn't that obvious. "Yeah, I'm fi........" But at the last moment he backed out of what he was about to say. He didn't really feel good lying especially after what Katuksi said. He took a deep breath. "To tell you the truth Katuksi I'm not. Ya see................ there's this girl I know who I really love and I really don't know how to tell her how much I care for her" Haeso said trying his best to not make it sound like he was in love with her. Even though he really was.
-
"Oh..." Katuksi said, trying to not let the disappointment show at this sudden news. She also had to quell an urge to sarcastically snap at Haeso, such as her responses usually were when upset.
She couldn't be hard on him, but somehow she also couldn't be easy. "Well they say honesty's usually best" Katuksi did try to be helpful, much as a feeling that she didn't want to keep talking cropped up.
"You should probably try that...I guess". Katuksi turned and suddenly walked off.
Miko didn't like her frown. "I'm guessing he didn't tell..." he whispered to Kyano, confused as to what could have gone wrong in the talk since he hadn't caught all of it.
-
Haeso cursed himself as she walked off. "Okay ya gotta tell her now buddy or she's gonna be angry with you for the rest of your life" Haeso told himself. He took another deep breath.
"Yeah, I'm sure he tried but I don't think he told her the whole truth" Miko said
"Katuki wait." He said running up to her and walking up beside her. This was the moment of truth for Haeso. " That girl I told you about that I was really in love with and didn't know how to tell her how I really feel the girl I was talking about is .............................................................................................you" Haeso finally said closing his eyes preparing himself for the biggest let down in history.
-
As Haeso rushed after her, Katuksi sighed. She really didn't want to have to hear more about this girl to have stolen her chances with Haeso, yet she let him talk.
Within the pause, and just as Katuksi was about to tell Haeso to nevermind it, he finished. her...he liked...her.
After Haeso had said what he had, Katuksi knew it was important for her to say something, anything, but it took a few seconds for her voice to work.
"M-Me? Really?" she asked. She smiled, "Well that works out great...since...I kinda...feel the same", for the first time, Katuksi felt a bit shy after admitting this.
-
Haeso opened his eyes slowly realizing that she hadn't turned him down. "Really?" Haeso said happily.
-
"Y-yeah...really" Katuksi said, averting her gaze.
-
Haeso smiled . At first he didn't really believe her. Haeso assumed she may have said it because she didn't want Haeso to feel bad. She was a truly nice friend. But, when Katuksi stared into his eyes. Haeso could tell that she really meant it. Haeso could not be happier. He leaned over and for the first time gave Katuksi a small kiss on the lips.
Kyano smiled and gave Haeso a little thumbs up. "It looks like Haeso and Katuksi did tell each other. Either that or both of them are really, really, really, really, realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, good at acting" Kyano said.
-
Miko laughed at what Kyano said, "Yeah, I'm going with told too".
"Why are you guys still just standing..." Mowgli came over from making sure Ranjan wasn't doing anything dangerous, saw the kiss, stuck his tongue out and walked off again.
"Oh what's with you?" Miko asked, "Ranjan says you got a crush on that girl from your villiage anyway".
Mowgli glared at his brother, then crossed his arms, "Do not!".
~~~~
Katuksi was surprised, but pleasantly so, when Haeso kissed her. In a very uncharacteristic action of her, she ducked her head aside and flushed, "Yeah, I'm definitely thinking I couldn't have picked anyone better to like" she said, smiling at Haeso.
-
"You know I feel the same way about you. If I am gonna like someone at least let her be as special as you are"Haeso said .
"Hey, Yeah Mowgli. I heard that from Ranjan too." Kyano said.
-
"Ok seriously stop making me blush" Katuksi smiled.
"It's not true!" Mowgli insisted, "we're just friends!".
Ranjan swung over to the others, "Nuh uh, Shanti the whole reason Mowgli go into the village" the little kid said, "She bat her big brown eyes and...".
Mowgli clamped a hand over his little brother's mouth.
-
"Ok seriously stop making me blush" Katuksi smiled.
"It's not true!" Mowgli insisted, "we're just friends!".
Ranjan swung over to the others, "Nuh uh, Shanti the whole reason Mowgli go into the village" the little kid said, "She bat her big brown eyes and...".
Mowgli clamped a hand over his little brother's mouth.
"Well I think you look that much cuter when you blush" Haeso whispered to Katuksi.
Kyano laughed as Mowgli clamped a hand over Ranjan's mouth. "Of course you don't love Shanti you're both just friends right"? Kyano said sarcastically with a playful little roll of his eyes.
-
Allison and Shere Khan's journey around the jungle had been a pleasant one.
"Home sweet home," the tigress smiled as they arrived at Khan's personal cave again.
-
Katuksi smiled again.
Mowgli frowned deeper, "Ya know what..." he began.
Yet just then Namita and Bagheera reached the ruins in their checking.
"Oh, hey Aunt Namita" Miko skipped over, "What are you two doing here?".
"Just checking up making sure you kids aren't in any trouble" Namita smiled.
"Nah, we're fine, found this really neat ruins!" Miko said.
~~~~
"Yes, it is quite refreshing to be home, and to know all's well" Khan agreed with a smile.
-
"Louie's ruins," Bagheera remembered.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"I just got a tour of the most beautiful place in the world with the most beautiful tiger in the world," Allison added.
-
"Yeah" Mowgli walked over, "we know, only get this, King Louie was cool enough to let us use the ruins!".
~~~~
"and how's my beautiful mate carrying my no doubt beautiful heir doing?" Khan asked.
-
"What's so beautiful about Allison's hair? " Kyano asked stupidly.
" No, Miko I think Khan meant "Heir" as in like the first born kid of Khan and Allison's who will take over Khan's place as King of the Jungle" Haeso said.
-
"Just fine," Allison smiled, "Want to feel your heirs?" she asked, putting a paw on her belly.
-
"Oh that's right, you keep using the plural" Khan chuckled, "you females and your intuition will never cease to amaze, but sure".
Putting a paw to feel, Khan immedietly felt a kick. "Woah..." he did looked stunned yet then smiled.
-
Katuksi smiled again.
Mowgli frowned deeper, "Ya know what..." he began.
Yet just then Namita and Bagheera reached the ruins in their checking.
"Oh, hey Aunt Namita" Miko skipped over, "What are you two doing here?".
"Just checking up making sure you kids aren't in any trouble" Namita smiled.
"Nah, we're fine, found this really neat ruins!" Miko said.
~~~~
"Yes, it is quite refreshing to be home, and to know all's well" Khan agreed with a smile.
Haeso knew that the others were watching but he really didn't even care. Now that he knew Katuksi felt the same way nothing else mattered.
-
"I'm willing to bet that's the boy," Allison grinned warmly.
-
Khan smiled, "A fighter like his father, I see" he smiled.
~~~~
Katuksi smiled back, "Wanna go find some adventure on our own?" she asked, "Exploring about the ruins or...I don't know, something", her idea was starting to sound dumb and desperate for time with just Haeso the more she talked, "...beyond just tag" she shrugged.
-
"I would love too" Haeso said just wanting to spend a little bit of alone time with her.
-
Katuksi smiled, and being such an independent cub as she was, didn't bother with telling the adults where they were going. "Ok, come on" she said, indicating her head over and walking the other way away from the ruins.
"Um, for being the one to come up with the plan, I admit I don't know any good ideas of what we should do" she admitted.
-
"Well truthfully I don't really care what we do. I didn't come with you to have some special idea planned out. I just wanted you and me to have some alone time together without everyone staring at us. As long as you are with me I could care less what we do." Haeso said.
-
Katuksi couldn't help that blushing smile. "Well...cubish as it sounds...tag comes to mind" she shrugged, "You're it". She stepped forward and gave Haeso a kiss on the cheek though instead of just tagging him, before laughing and bounding off.
-
"So what should we do now dear?" Allison asked.
-
"We are cubs remember?" Haeso teased as he heard her say the idea was a little "Cubish"
"Sure I love Tag" Haeso said happily. He sighed happily with a starry look in his eyes as she kissed him on the cheek. "Hey, wait a minute" He said as it finally came back to him. He chased after Hali with a playful growl.
-
Hali giggled, "Come on, surely you can run faster than that" she teased, trying to maintain the distance so Haeso wouldn't catch her.
"Well I think for once I should ask what my beautiful mate wants to do" Khan said with a smile.
-
Haeso ran even faster . "You're mine Hali. " Haeso said playfully and pounced her sending them both into a roll. "I got you Hali and now you are it. " Haeso said giving Hali a kiss on the cheek back.
-
"I dunno...wanna make out?" Allison asked cutely.
-
Katuksi laughed, "Well if that's what I get every time I get caught I think I'm gonna like this game" she said. She stood up, "Ok, I'll be fair and give ya a small head start" she said, pouncing, ready to give chase again.
~~~~
Khan chuckled, much as the idea didn't exactly displease him... "In your condition?" he couldn't help teasing.
-
"Ah, it's just kissing," Allison assured.
-
Haeso ran off as fast as he could. "I bet you can't catch me Hali" Haeso said playfully sticking his tongue out at her.
-
Khan chuckled, "Of course I know it is" he nuzzled Allison, "I guess I was just..." he cut himself off though and cleared his throat before he actually said something that could be taken good or bad depending on a moody female, and Shere Khan knew how tigresses could get.
"But like I said, here, spending time with you is anything but boring".
~~~~
OOC: Hehe, you keep mixing up the kitties Dash, but I know what you mean
"Oh, so that's how we're playing it huh?" Katuksi smirked and put on an extra burst of speed to catch up to Haeso. She attempted a tag, but found she wasn't close enough yet, so kept after him.
-
"Come on you're gonna have to move faster then that if you expect to tag me. " Haeso said happily.
-
"Fine how's this!" Katuksi ran faster, yet she then tripped and went tumbling. Sitting up she shook her head, "Well that wasn't in the plan" she said.
-
"You OK?" Haeso asked worriedly as he turned back to her but made sure he kept a good 4 or 5 feet away just in case she was trying to trick him.
-
Allison stepped forward and gave the tiger king a big kiss on the lips.
-
Shere Khan smiled, returning the kiss, "One of your better ideas" he commented.
~~~~
"Yeah" Katuksi stood and shook herself, off, crouching down, "but you won't be. To be fair you have two seconds to run before I start chasing you again". She gave him the time and then took off after.
-
In a way Haeso loved Katuksi so much he didn't even care about getting tagged. Haeso pretended to be out of breath so Katuksi could tag him.
-
Katuksi kept running and with a giggle, barreled into, without meaning to, Haeso and the two went tumbling.
After landing on top of him, she laughed, "I think you're it now" she smiled.
-
"Ooooooffffffffffff" Haeso grunted as she barreled into him. "Yeah, I guess I am. " Haeso said giving Katuksi a quick kiss on the lips.
-
katuksi blushed and stepped back, off Haeso, "Hey no fair...distracting me" she laughed.
-
"Hey it's not my fault you are so easy to distract." Haeso said playfully. "Since I love you I'm gonna give you a ten second head start" Haeso said.
-
Katuksi, tough as she was, couldn't help giggling from just the happiness of hearing Haeso say something like he loved her.
"Ok, but I'm faster than you" she teased, turning and taking off.
-
"1............2...............3............4...5 ....7....6....8.....9.....10" Haeso said as he then ran after Katuksi as fast as little paws could carry him. "You're mine Katuksi" Haeso said with a playful growl.
-
In answer, and despite it possibly slowing her a bit, Katuksi turned back to stick her tounge out playfully before continuing to charge on. "Doubt it".
-
When she did this Haeso pounced Katuksi. "Gotcha" Haeso said.
-
"Lucky pounce" Katuksi frowned, yet it was obvious she wasn't really upset.
-
"Luck has nothing to do with it. It's a thing I cal "Skill" ." Haeso said playfully
-
(OOC: Jumping into what I feel I can at this point, you may just wan to continue along with Alvin and the Chipmunks without me)
"Well ok Mr. Skillfull, but you only deserve to be paid back the same way I was" Katuksi gave Haeso a kiss back on the cheek. Before she'd have called any other cubs with crushes dumb, but...well this first love kitty love thing was actually rather nice, especially when she'd fallen for someone like Haeso.
"You know this makes you it now again" she said.
~~~~
Meanwhile, in the time that had followed, Mowgli and Shanti had had to take Ranjan back to the man village, which Miko knew made sense with them living their now.
"Aw don't look so sad, Elliott" he told the elephant calf as it was just him and the others young animals again, "We can still find something to do".
"Like what?" Elliott asked.
"Uh..." Miko thought, looking over towards Kyano as well to see if the tiger cub had any ideas.
~~~~
As Shere Khan deepened his kiss with Allison, he felt again to her stomach and felt another kick, he smiled against the kiss, "Our cubs will definitely be strong heirs" he said, before this reminded him of something.
If it was twins with one of each, however they were born the law of jungle would dictate the male be next in line, Khan only hoped Allison's motherly feelings would be able to understand this should a girl be born first, but in the midst of the kiss he didn't try to speak to tell her that.
~~~~
Given how...nice Bagheera was being on their walk and how close he was allowing himself to walk to her, Namita was finally able to tell herself that maybe what she'd been thinking could be true.
"You know Bagheera, the main reason I came back here when I hit trouble was...well...I was felt safe around...you" she smiled shyly.
-
"they're related to you, did you expect anything less?" Allison chuckled.
~~~~~~~~~
"That's very nice to say Namita," Bagheera smiled gently.
-
"Not really no" Khan said, then, since a conversation had been struck up, decided to go with what he'd just thought, "Allison, actually I wanted to make sure you understood about all the facets of being a queen and all. You...you do realize that if it's a boy and a girl, whoever was born first the boy would be the heir? I...well I know how mothers can get about their daughters and didn't want you to be upset" Khan said in what could actually count as caring; though towards his mate it was little shock.
~~~~
Namita let out a small laugh, "Sorry" she apologized, "it's just, you're still so...you; but that's a good thing" she reassured with a smile and then quick, small kiss to the cheek which she hoped wouldn't be too out of line.
-
"I...understand," Allison nodded, being aware of the Law of the Jungle. "But that doesn't mean the girl will be any less special or that we'll treat the boy better than her."
-
"Of course not" Shere Khan assured, "but it is how the heirarchy is set up, yet both of our cubs will be born leaders, it goes with the territory" he smirked that cocky grin again, even if he'd thrown out a part compliment to Allison too with the comment.
-
"Gotcha," Allison nodded.
-
(OOC: Jumping into what I feel I can at this point, you may just wan to continue along with Alvin and the Chipmunks without me)
"Well ok Mr. Skillfull, but you only deserve to be paid back the same way I was" Katuksi gave Haeso a kiss back on the cheek. Before she'd have called any other cubs with crushes dumb, but...well this first love kitty love thing was actually rather nice, especially when she'd fallen for someone like Haeso.
"You know this makes you it now again" she said.
~~~~
Meanwhile, in the time that had followed, Mowgli and Shanti had had to take Ranjan back to the man village, which Miko knew made sense with them living their now.
"Aw don't look so sad, Elliott" he told the elephant calf as it was just him and the others young animals again, "We can still find something to do".
"Like what?" Elliott asked.
"Uh..." Miko thought, looking over towards Kyano as well to see if the tiger cub had any ideas.
~~~~
As Shere Khan deepened his kiss with Allison, he felt again to her stomach and felt another kick, he smiled against the kiss, "Our cubs will definitely be strong heirs" he said, before this reminded him of something.
If it was twins with one of each, however they were born the law of jungle would dictate the male be next in line, Khan only hoped Allison's motherly feelings would be able to understand this should a girl be born first, but in the midst of the kiss he didn't try to speak to tell her that.
~~~~
Given how...nice Bagheera was being on their walk and how close he was allowing himself to walk to her, Namita was finally able to tell herself that maybe what she'd been thinking could be true.
"You know Bagheera, the main reason I came back here when I hit trouble was...well...I was felt safe around...you" she smiled shyly.
"It? What are you talking about"? Haeso asked dreamily forgetting they were playing Tag and just felt like kissing Katuksi. "Hey wait a minute............." Haeso said finally getting it. He playfully growled at Katuksi as he gave chase.
Kyano thought for a little "Hey, we could all play Tag or Hide and Seek or something" Kyano said.
-
Katuksi giggled and rushed off
"Sounds good to me" Miko shrugged. "Yeah, I guess that could work" Elliott agreed.
"Wait which one?" Miko asked.
"Oh...uh I guess hide and seek, since I'm not very fast for tag" Elliott answered.
-
Haeso gave chase until he was very close to Katuksi. He was about to tag her but tripped over a root in the ground and tumbled accidently plowing right in to Katuksi. "Sorry" Haeso said embarrassingly.
"Yeah, Hide and Seek I love Hide and seek" Kyano said.
-
"Sneaky way to get a tag, there" Katuksi said, but her smile showed she was just teasing. She laughed, "It's ok, I can't think of a cuter leopard I'd like to blow into me".
(ooc: what did you say Haeso was? a leopard? I forgot LOL)
"Ok, I'll count first if you guys want" Elliott said.
"Ok" Miko agreed.
Elliott began to count as Miko glanced about for a good hiding spot, "Hmm...let's see..." he whispered.
~~~~
"Either way, I know both of our heirs will be perfect" Shere Khan said.
-
(First I said he was a Jaguar and then I changed it to Clouded Leopard. So let's say Leopard.)
"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW, Hali " He kissed her on the lips. Haeso thought about something. "You know what you look so adorable pinned down so I might just keep you pinned down my beautiful angelic Leopard of Love." He said kissing her again.
Kyano ran off to find the most perfect hiding spot.
-
Katuksi never, ever, ever thought she would giggle. It was such a childish, girly action, but at Haeso's title she couldn't help it.
"Yeah...well...I can't top that right now but I'll come up with a snappy nickname for you too" she said, kissing him back.
Miko followed but only for a bit before finding a tree that looked perfect to hide in, if he could get up it. He worked at that as Elliott counted.
"One, two, three..."
Miko was halfway up.
"four five six..."
Miko made it, and was quite proud of himself!
"Seven, eight, nine, ten!" Elliott turned around, "Ok so where could you guys be" he walked out, looking.
-
"Oh I can hardly wait. It better not be anything stupid."Haeso said to her playfully.
Kyano must have had the same idea as Miko cause a couple branches up from Miko Kyano was hiding in the leaves trying to use them as a good camouflage.
-
Soon, Allison and Shere Khan's make-out session ended. "That was fun," the tigress grinned cheekily.
-
(OOC: I was wondering: Who should play Kaa in this rp?)
-
Bump.
-
OOC: I could take him if you want/ no one else wants him. Just continue with him if you do.
Miko smiled up at Kyano, but didn't say anything since he didnt' want to give himself away in the hide and seek game.
~~~~
Meanwhile, Kaa slithered along through the trees, as almost always, on the hunt for something to sneak up behind and swallow down. He would stay away from man cubs, though, he figured...that one had been trouble enough.
-
(Yeah Kit, you can be Kaa.)
A few mice were scurrying around in a new, not noticing Kaa approaching them from behind.
-
Kyano kept himself hidden hoping not to cough or sneeze.
Haeso smiled at Katuksi. "So what do you want to do now my darling"? He asked.
-
The mice were still unaware of the slithering snake.
-
"Something that doesn't get you all gushy" Katuksi teased, shoving Haeso aside a bit only enough to get up and then darting off a bit, "Come see if you can catch me a second time!" she giggled again and was off.
~~~~
((catcing up on where everyone was, Bagheera and Namita were still on a walk I believe))
Meanwhile on her walk with Bagheera, Namita paused to both smile and get her words together to go on with what she'd been saying. "Actually Bagheera, what I was trying to say by saying I...felt safe around you was...well..." the female panther sighed, "that childhoood crush I had before kinda...never...went away".
After saying this, Namita still didn't look up, afraid that someone as serious as Bagheera wouldn't want to be in a relationship with anyone, and certainly not someone as shy as she was...
~~~~
"Hmm...trying to run away are you..." Kaa slithered after the mouse and soon caught up with it, curling around it, "Hello...and good bye", as usual the snake couldn't and wouldn't just eat his prey, he had to mess with it in a way that was almost unfair and against the jungle law.
-
"It hasn't?" Bagheera smiled gently. "well...and I'm certain this will improve your mood, but that, wasn't mutually exclusive on your side."
~~~~~~~~
The mice could only look on helplessly as Kaa hypnotized one of their own.
-
((Just not sure what to do with Khan and Allison by the way))
This got Namita to glanced up, "It...it isn't!", she asked almost the same thing he did and had to smile a bit over this. Fitting with her shy nature she couldn't just be forward even with this information, but did allow herself to walk a bit closer to Bagheera.
"I just figured...with as great as you...are, after all these seasons you would either be taken or...the scholarly alone type" she smiled.
~~~~
Kaa made quick work of the mouse and then glanced to it's fellows, "Anyone up to join him?" he slither charged into the lot of them.
-
(We could have Khan try to protect "his" jungle from another cat trying to take it over.)
"NOO!!!" The mice called, running in separate directions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I am scholarly," Bagheera smiled, "But that doesn't mean I prefer solitude. It's just that Baloo's antics can really test me sometimes."
-
(Hmm, ok, sounds good. I'll think on any ideas I might have for such a cat or if you have a character in mind you can play it. Eitherway)
"Ah, no, stay...still" even with his powers of hypnosis, Kaa was caught in trying to pick a mouse out of the group to go for. He stalled for a bit trying to pick a direction to go in.
~~~~
This did get a genuine laugh from Namita, "Yes I heard Baloo's still...himself" she smiled, "Well, don't worry, if I'm...going to be hanging around you more, I'll help talk to him or such so he's not so annoying".
-
The mice could see their planned had bought them time, but they knew not to stop running.
~~~~~~~
"Even if most of those antics are just sleeping and eating fruit," Bagheera chuckled lightly, he was legitimately friends with Baloo.
-
((I got any idea for what we were talking about with Shere Khan being challeged so I'll just go ahead with it and hopefully it's not to reverse lion king or anything ;) ))
While the others creatures of this jungle and even Shere Khan himself went about unaware of the threat looming over them, a sleek young tiger silently watched as a few birds fluttered past.
Shere Khan's sister had been taken by a group of humans and placed in what they called a circus where she had lived out her days. Her son, Exavier, captive born but always longing for the wild jungles he was told of had finally made his escape a while back, killing the ring master in the process before stalking his way over to the jungle his mother had mentioned so many times.
He wasn't here for a reunion of any sorts with his Uncle Shere Khan who ruled his jungle. He wanted the territory for himself, as most unthinking young adolescence got into their heads.
Still, keeping stealthy about it, Exavier slowly padded through the jungle looking for anyone he could get information from or clues as to where Shere Khan could be.
~~~~
After snapping at and getting a few more mice, the rest were given a reprive as Kaa soon tired himself out, onlyl having energy for so much of a chase and more use to failer than success so having no stamina to continue on a hunt. He finally stopped chasing the mice and rested.
~~~~
Namita smiled, "Well then he shouldn't be too big a challenge" she giggled. She knew Baloo and Bagheera were still more friends than Bagheera would ever really admit too and was happy that was still the case.
Sitting nearer Bagheera and resting her head down on the grass, she smiled up at him, "Well, all in all I can say I'm really happy I came back" she said.
-
The surviving mice were relived to see Kaa out of strength to chase them.
"Phew..." they sighed.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Allison meanwhile began to rest, not aware of the danger approaching the jungle.
-
Kaa just sat curled where he was, seeming to rest yet not letting the mice really know if he was going to strike again or not.
~~~~
Exavier continued on, sniffing along until he came to a scent he recoqnized as a dominate male tiger anyway. Shere Khan. He was at his uncle's clearly marked territory. Good.
For his first plan, Exavier looked about to avoid any sight of tigers, going for a different, almost calling card angle and glancing about until he caught sight of a deer.
~~~~
The whole jungle, it seemed, was suddenly alerted to a problem by Shere Khan's angry roar at finding a dead deer, killed right on his territory, and left tauntingly by an intruder. By jungle law it was the highest insult to the all but king of the jungle.
Yet he spared enough thought to go find Allison, even if she was probably already looking for him. "Someone who shouldnt' be is here" he said, "keep to the den until I find out who".
~~~~
Meanwhile, Namita's little nephew, Miko, sighed as he was bored again. Elliott had had to go off with the elephants and now he was left with not much to do.
The little cub didn't notice how far out into foreign parts of the jungle he was wandering, coming closer and closer up on something that suddenly made him pause and tilt his head. It was a...man structure of some kind...
Mr. Bagheera knew all about men, Miko realized. He was unaware his aunt had just admitted to her crush on the other panther and that he might be seeing more of Bagheera anyway, but the kid also looked up to Bagheera as seeming just plain cool!
He could find out stuff about humans too! Yeah, then impress Mr. Bagheera with the knowledge! Oh that was a good idea. Miko crept closer to the human estate.
-
The mice had scurried into a tree.
""is he sleeping?" one asked. "I don't know..." another replied. They didn't want to get near Kaa to risk finding out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Khan, what's going on?" Allison asked when her mate returned to their den.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"And I'm glad you came back too..." Bagheera smiled.
-
Maharajah's ears perked up when he heard something outside his home. Looking out the window, he saw a panther cub. Maharajah was curious and excited, so he decided to greet this visitor. Maharajah walked outside and smiled as he walked up to the cub. " Hi, I'm Maharajah, what's yours?" He asked, his compass hanging from his neck and his Leather helmet and goggles retested on top his head.
-
As Kaa heard the mice, he remained still, suddenly curious if maybe that would work and get them to come investigate. He only hoped he could be patient enough for that.
~~~~
"Someone has invaded my-our territory" Shere Khan said with a frown, "Stay here until I figure out who and deal with them"
~~~~
Namita smiled back, the a bit impulsively reached over and gave Bagheera a quick little lick to the cheek, blushing and looking down a bit embaressed after she did such.
~~~~
Miko paused and just watched as the tiger cub came out. "Um...hi, I'm Miko" he added, "Nice to meet you". He tried to not stare but both the compass and helmet caught his attention.
"A-are those...man things?" he asked, "Golly, how'd you get 'em?" he asked.
-
Bagheera blushed, quite off guard by the lick but nevertheless enjoyed it.
"That was nice..." he purred.
~~~~~~~
"Got it," Allison nodded. The tigress had no idea who this intruder could be.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Maybe we should try to attack it..." one mouse suggested. "are you crazy!?" another gasped.
-
Maharajah smiled back at Miko. "Nice to meet you Miko. Yes, they are man things. My Man friend gave them to me. "Maharajah explained. "This is a compass, man uses it to keep from getting lost." He said, opening the flip open compass to reveal a black and white picture of him, his man, and a monkey. "That's Sir Kipling, the greatest adventurer in the world, and BOBO, he's kinda cranky, but he knows alot of things. BOBO taught me how to read man books, write man words, and even how to make fire." He said, closing the compass. "And this is called a leather helmet. Sir Kipling gave it to me when he took me out in his flying machine called an Airplane. we could see the whole jungle from up there." Maharajah told Miko. "You wanna see my home?" He asked, gesturing to estate.
-
Namita couldn't help blushing a bit more as he said that. Bagheera really did...like like her. How in all the jungle had she gotten that lucky as for who she counted the perfect panther to like her back. Purring as well she scooted a bit closer to lean against him, smiling up at him.
~~~~
"I'll be back...", the promise was given with such a level tone that it promised to bode bad for whoever it was who was hunting his territory and invading what he still felt was his jungle like this.
Khan slunk off, sniffing and tracking along to try and find the scent that had been near the the dead deer.
~~~~
Miko just looked more and more in awe as Maharajah went on about his man things and how his man friend had given them to him. "Wow..." he tried to imagine the things Maharajah explained like airplanes. "All of it as once! Like...like a bird would see it?! Woah that sounds neat!".
"Yeah!" was the quick answer to his offer to show him his home. "I know a man's cub myself but he doesn't live anywhere as big and interesting as this place looks" he answered back, "and he was raised in the jungle so he doesn't know alot more about his own kind than the rest of us animals do".
-
Some of the braver mice volunteered to try to stab Kaa with a sharp, pointy, stick. Little did they know the snake was still fully awake as they slowly approached....
-
" well if you wanna learn about man things Miko, then follow me." Maharajah smiled. " I shall teach you all I know about man." The white Tiger said proudly. " My home is full of all kinds of cool man things." Maharajah said to his new friend. " I bet all your friends will love it here." The tiger cub told Miko as he lead the panther into the estate's library. "This is one of my favorite rooms in the whole house, the Library. It's full of Books, man uses them to write down stories, both real and made up." Maharajah said, walking up to the globe that was setting between two chairs. "This is a globe, it shows us where far away places are." He said with a smile.
-
Kaa struggled to stay still and not move or snap at the mice as he wanted to, waiting until they were right up on him to lunge for one, but patience wasn't the snake's talent and he soon lunged, perhaps a bit premature, going after the mice.
~~~~
Meanwhile Exavier had left just the right clues as to lead Shere Khan to where he wanted, and he waited until the right moment to reveal himself.
Khan kept on, unaware of any of this.
~~~~
"Ok" Miko followed Maharajah eagerly. The fact of the tiger being white wasn't so odd to the him, as he'd heard of such kinds before, but also that they weren't usuallly in the jungles as they weren't able to camoflauge well.
He followed the other cub into the giant building and library, just gaping about at everything. "Woah..." even Mowgli would be impressed with this place he felt.
"yeah, I bet both Mowgli and Elliott would love this place" Miko said, "Oh, Mowgli being the man cub I mentioned and Elliott's Coloniel Hathi the elephant's son. Hey, maybe I can introduce you to them some time!" he offered with a smile, "that is if Mowgli's allowed to come out of his viliage and into the jungle again, sometimes he can't".
Miko just looked about again in awe at the many books in the library. Even if he had sort of just met the man-cub, Mowgli had ever said anything about writing down stories or anything, even if it sounded kinda familiar from what Miko knew of. "yeah I heard about that" the little panther said, "that...somehow they can tell stories even after the story speakers not there to tell it. You can do that too? Wow!".
The cub was even more fascinated by the globe, "How do you know that's what the places really look like?" he asked.
-
"Well, there are humans who spend their whole lives drawing what these places are shaped like." Maharajah explained, getting a book off of a shelf. "And others spend their lives exploring far off lands to see what they look like. " the tiger cub said, opening the book titled "Photography of the world". "This book has dozens of pictures of the world. Sir Kipling said that he use to travel to all sorts of places. Deserts, Oceans, mountains, plains, swamps, even frozen waste lands where it's so cold, the water turns to what is called ice and snow. I wish I could be a great explorer like Sir Kipling." Maharajah said proudly. "Here, take a look through this book" He said, using his paw to turn the book so it was facing Miko. "After your done, you wanna learn one way man makes fire?" He asked the panther cub.
-
Miko glanced in curiosity at the book as Maharajah pushed it towards him. "Wow this Mr. Kipling sounds awesome" he smiled. He tried to imagine somewhere so cold that water turned to this thing called ice.
He thought on the last question as he looked through the book. Learn how to make man's fire...Miko wasn't sure if he should. He'd heard man's fire was dangerous. He flipped past some more pictures of forests and stuff and on into the frozen landscapes. The cub was starting to understand this book thing, it was like man collected up lots of leaves and put them in a pile, only they were all one shape and a white color instead of green.
"Y-yeah, I'd like to see how man make's fire" he said, "...if it's not to dangerous. I've heard man's fire is dangerous".
-
"aah!" the mice screamed, retreating from Kaa.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Louie kept swinging through the vines, he and his monkeys attempting to rebuild his "palace." He had been meaning to get Baloo and Bagheera to assist him with that....
~~~~~~
"I hope he'll be ok..." Allison told herself.
-
Maharajah gave a reassuring smile to Miko. "Only if your not careful. Relax." He told the cub as he led Miko out of the Library and into the main hall, Walking up to the fire place, Maharajah put a few small sticks into the fire place along with a single piece of coal, after checking to see if he had enough dirt to smuther the fire if needed, he picked up two rocks he kept near the fire place. "This rock contains flint, you can tell by the glittery appearance if you hold it at the right angles, when flint is struck againist itself, it creates sparks." Maharajah explained. Picking the two rocks up and holding them over the fire place. "A few spaks is ussally enough to start a fire." Maharajah explained with a smile. stricking the flint a few times over the fire place before a small flame appeared. He put the flint a safe distanced away from the fire place as he took the bucket of dirt into his mouth and backed up so Miko could see. "The fireplace is built so as to hold the fire in." Maharajah explained.
-
"Ohh...blew my chance..." Kaa sighed at himself yet kept on after the mice, trying to now snag one.
~~~~
"O-Ok" Miko smiled, though he wasn't doing so well at not sounding as nervous as he kinda of was.
He followed nonetheless and watched as Majarajah explained and showed about flint and the fire. Stepping back as well, in shock a bit, Miko just watched the flames. They did seem to not be going anywhere.
He stepped closer, "Wow...I...I've never been this close to it and not been afraid it'll...go somewhere". The little panther cub just watched as the flames danced about but seemed contained.
~~~~
"Well...not quite what mom explained...but I guess to some you're impressive" Exavier said, giving his first clue as to being near Khan as he sauntered out.
The older tiger turned, eyes narrowing in suspicion, "and just who are you...".
"Name's Exavier" the adolescent said, stopping and sitting in a more relaxed way than he should have, "My mother said she was your sister".
"Impossible!" Khan spat, "the only younger sister I had was taken by man and animals taken by them never come back!".
Exavier chuckled, "Typical, man does nothing but kill us right" he stood to saunter about Khan, something the tiger didn't like at all and turned with a warning growl.
"Contrary to what you think, she did not kill us but rather just took us to a place where humans get sport out of watching us do stupid tricks. Ah, but I killed the leader of that ring anyway, though not before he killed my mom with his fire tricks".
It was unsure whether Khan's growl was at the facts or the uppity youth before him, "and just why are you here now?" he was suspcious enough to not let this reunion of sorts detract him from asking that.
Exavier grinned, "Well now that's the fun thing...".
~~~~
Namita's joy at not only reuniting with her old childhood crush, but at finding out he liked her too was cut short as both caught a shrill cry on the wind.
A Kite (you know, falcon like thing...or is it a hawk...) soon flew down to where Bagheera was, since the panther was a well known authority on things and thus told of much of the news of the jungle.
"A...a deer...someone killed a deer right on Shere Khan's land...oh he's going to be so angry..." the bird shrilled nervously.
Namita walked up, "have you heard anything on Allison, his mate, is she ok?" she asked, feeling she should look out for the fellow female cat that she'd also known from back then.
"No news on that front maame" the kite shook his head, "but I just felt you should be alerted incase there's trouble".
Namita frowned, "I...I feel I should go make sure Allison's ok" she told Bagheera, feeling she had to tell him things now since they were atleast courting in a sense, given all they'd just said. For this reason she also just wanted him advice on if her instincts were right and she should do that or on if it might be a bit dangerous to go wandering Khan's territory now.
-
"Killing a deer...and not eating it?" Bagheera said, shocked at the news. "Whoever did that must not be someone from this jungle...."
He agreed with Namita, something was wrong and they needed to check on Allison. "We need to find them at once," the panther said.
~~~~~~~~~~
The mice kept running as fast as they could.
-
" Yeah, isn't cool?" He asked his new friend before he threw some dirt over the fire, extinguishing it. "With enough dirt or water you can put out a fire." He explained with a proud smile. Then Maharajah got another Idea. "Hey Miko, I got an Idea, how about you show me around the jungle, I bet it's really cool out there." He said to the Panther. "Maybe you could introduce me to some of your friends, or your family." Maharajah suggested. Maharajah had never been allowed to go out into the jungle before and was currious to see it.
-
Namita nodded along, not surprised at Bagheera's also wanting to go help of course, she knew he would, it was just part of what she'd always liked and now loved about him.
"I'll show you the way" the kite offered, even if they would know where Khan's territory was give or take. Still he lead them right to the deer.
"Oh...my" the scene did look shocking with it just laying there, killed uselessly.
"We've been speculating it was just so someone could challenge Khan" the kite said.
~~~~
"You don't have the nerve to do anything" Khan called the bluff of the younger tiger, apprently his nephew, though he didn't seem to care about such.
"Oh, I've got the nerve. Promised my mother I'd make something of myself and...well, the way I see it, ruler of her old jungle works just fine!". He lunged and with a roar more of indignant anger than feeling he was in any kind of trouble, Khan swat him away.
~~~~
Kaa slithered after, snapping and catching another of the mice about the tail before throwing it up and trying to aim to catch it in his mouth.
~~~~
"Wow, yeah I see" Miko was also impressed at Maharajah controling the fire this well, even if he did explain how. The cub tilted his head curiously as Maharajah asked to see the jungle.
He then smiled, "Oh sure! yeah, I could even see if we can get a not too dangerous distance up to the man villiage and try to introduce you to Mowgli" he said, "but as for friends right here in the jungle we can look for my friend Elliott that I mentioned, Colonel Hathi's son, come on!".
He began to lead the way out into the jungle. "I don't got alot of family left except my Aunt Namita" he went on explaining, "I never knew my mom and my dad got killed a while back before we came here by some mean jaguars, but...it's ok" he tired to shrug off this experience as he mentioned it.
~~~~
(Hehe, I was just wondering if Louie shouldn't find out about the cubs knowing about fire, since it's a big thing with him ;))
Meanwhile, one lone monkey had spotted out some of the kids' exploration from a window and he swung off back to where Louie was with the rest rebuilding the temple.
"Sir! I found more kids who know about man's fire" he whispered, "a little white tiger cub can make it come and go on command, I saw it! He wears man's things and seems to know about them".
-
"I can't believe I'm saying this..." Bagheera said, "But we might need to lend Khan a paw."
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Someone, who knows about fire?" Louie asked, grinning. This could be his chance! "Lead the way!"
~~~~~~~~
The mouse tried his best to avoid Kaa's wide open jaw, but to no avail.
-
"OK Miko, lead on." Maharajah said, getting the flint and putting it into a small back pack, along with a small pouch of coal and some maps, and a small pouch of man gold left here after Sir kiplings disappearance, Maharajah also packed in a rope, medical pouch, and a small, but decent size rock along with a empty half cocoanut and put the pack on his back before securing the rope that was tied to the back pack to his waist. Maharajah then caught up with Miko. "Just some things I thought might help if we get into some trouble." He explained. Maharajah listened to miko. "I'm sorry about your parents. I was raised by Sir kipling after he found me alone in the jungle. BO-BO said Sir kippling had a soft spot in his heart for Tigers, ever since this old Female tiger died cause of a fire that a bad man started to clear the jungle so this place could be built." Maharajah explained. " BO-Bo said sir Kippling was so angry with that man, it took at least five men to keep Sir Kippling from killing him." He explained.
-
Namita nodded, "Yes, I think so, even if I don't expect him to take it well, but for both his own sake and the jungle's, we should, only thing is we don't know where...".
Her half question was answered by a roar.
"I'd say they're probaably that way..." the kite answered what she'd been thinking.
~~~~
With a nod the monkey led on back to the estate where he'd seen the two cubs. He glanced about now, trying to spot them through the trees. "I think they left the man structure..." he said, still searching.
~~~~
Kaa was surprised to have caught another mouse now and with a smile did settle down again, again not showing whether or not he was done.
~~~~
Miko at first looked curious as to the stuff Maharajah had packed up, but believed him that they would probably be useful later.
He gasped and then frowned at the story, "Gosh...that's aweful. Yeah, I heard alot of stuff like that has happened here too. In fact we have this one tiger here, Shere Khan, who is sort of in charge unofficially in the jungle. My dad and aunt knew him when he was younger and he was just bossy, but now, because of alot of what man's done I think, he's really angry and mean. He tried to kill that man-cub friend of mine and Elliott's, Mowgli, so that's why the grown-ups had to take him to the man-villiage".
"This Sir Kipling sounds like he cares about animals, and I know Mowgli does since he grew up here too, maybe soon there won't be a problem between man and the jungle" it was a very naive thought but Miko smiled with thinking it might be possible.
He remembered he was a tour guide of sorts and looked about, "So far, besides the trees we haven't spotted anything different but...oh, we're probably getting close to where Elliott and his herd might be!" he noticed some bent branches and trunks of trees, "Yup, those look just like they Colonel Hathi came through" the cub giggled slightly.
-
"We have to hurry," Bagheera said, beginning to run.
~~~~~~
"Darn, I have to track them down," Louie frowned.
-
Namita nodded as well, taking off after Bagheera while the kite flew up to try and help by spotting and if further help was needed. He had a feeling with Bagheera now on the case though it wouldn't be too long before the intruder was dealt with.
~~~~
"This way, sir, I see pawprints!" the monkey lead on into the jungle after the two cubs.
~~~~
Exavier and Khan's fight raged on. The younger tiger pouncing only to be swat away yet again. Exavier growled in frustration.
"If...you are...my sister's kid, left after she was killed by man" Khan panted, "Then I'll give you a fair warning one more time before I kill you, back. off. and. leave!".
Exavier frowned, "Don't think so!" he lunged again.
~~~~
Miko soon began to hear the sounds of elephants and stepped out, "There they are!" he grinned back at Maharajah, "Ok, now Colonel Hathi's nice and all but...let me talk first, he can be grumpy".
As Miko walked up, a little calf soon spotted him and rushed over as well, "Hey Miko! Ooh, who's this?" he asked.
The panther cub grinned, "Elliott, this is my new friend Maharajah, he lives with man, or one man, and was showing me all their stuff".
"Wow...hi!" Elliott smiled.
-
Maharajah smiled at the Elephant calf. "Hi Elliot, nice to meet ya." Maharajah said to the elephant calf.
-
"We're getting close!" Bagheera panted as he and Namita followed the kite. "I can make out Khan's voice..."
~~~~
Louie swung on vines to speed up his pace.
~~~~~~~~
The mice kept running, they didn't know if Khan was messing with them.
-
"You too!" Elliott grinned, "Wow, so you really know all about man?!" he asked, "We only knowed one man's cub our age...well two now but Ranjan's little".
"Yeah I told him about Mowgli" Miko smiled.
"Oh" the calf noticed the stuff Maharajah was wearing, "So what are those things?" he asked. His father still hadn't noticed any of this.
~~~~
"How do you know?" Namita asked. She then caught the sound on the wind Impudent waste of fur, I'll have you know I've been ruling this jungle since before your mother was born!"
"Nevermind..." Namita sighed, oh she hoped for his sake as well as Allison's Khan wouldn't do anything foolish. As they reached the place Namita caught sight of Khan throwing back his opponent once more.
Without hesitating she rushed out, "H-hold it...".
At seeing her firstly both tiger's paused. Khan frowned, "Don't interfere, I have this under control!".
~~~~
The monkey lead on, tracking any clues he could of the two cubs, before he saw something. "Um...we might have a problem..." he pointed to the two cubs now very near Hathi's elephant herd, "That one there, with the man stuff, he's the one but...I don't think we can get 'em with them elephants nearby".
~~~~
Kaa remained still for...two more seconds before becoming bored and still a bit hungry, giving chase. He was also having more success than he usually did.
-
"Well, I don't knoe everything about man, but I supose I know alot about man. " He said to Elliot. "and these are Man things, this is called a compass." Maharajah said, fliping it open. "It's one way man keeps from getting lost. This is Sir Kipling, the man who raised me, and my Monkey Friend BO-BO. BO-BO taught me how read man's words, write his words, and even how to make fire." He bragged before closing the Compass. "And this is called a leather helmet, Sir Kipling gave it to me to wear when he took me up in his flying Machine called an Airplane. We could see the whole jungle up there like a bird." Maharajah said. "And Sir Kipling traveled to far off lands, saw great things, and even discovered new places." Maharajah said proudly. " I live in a man structure called an estate, Sir Kipling and BO-BO use to live there before they dissappeared." He said, his mood saddened a bit. "Oh, and this is called a Back pack, Man uses it to carry stuff on their backs." He said to Elliot and Miko.
-
"Watch out!" Bagheera said,leaping in front of Namita. "Khan...you really think you can take down a younger tiger alone?" the panther quickly asked.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You under estimate me," Louie grinned to his servant. "Meet me back at the ruins..."
As the two cubs were chatting, Louie swooped down with another servant and swiftly grabbed Miko and Maharajah!
-
"Wow..." Elliott just stared in awe as Maharajah went on. Even Miko, who had heard it, smiled again as he listened. Yup, even if as he said he didn't know everything about man, Maharajah knew some pretty cool stuff.
All the kids were shocked as the two cubs were suddenly hoisted up. "Hey...wa-" Miko was cut off as a monkey paw, he wasn't sure which, clamped over his mouth.
They were being...taken...by, by the monkeys? Why? The cub pondered this as they were taken along.
~~~~
For his part Exavier had thought that perhaps this one female panther wouldn't be too bad to take down, maybe, if Khan would let him and not attack from behind, but as another rushed out, he knew enough not to try it. He just backed up a bit, thinking.
For his part, Khan frowned, "I'll have you know I'm as good now as I ever was and I don't need some fellow cat who's forgotten his place and helps out man-cubs to come telling me...".
"We're trying to help!" Namita insisted.
Exavier still just backed up, assesing this situation. He didn't want to just give up, but taking on all three of them...
-
"Back off," Bagheera growled to Exavier. "You're outnumbered, if you want out alive, leave!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You two have something to show me," Louie laughed to the cubs as he and the monkeys made their way back to the ruins.
-
Elliot get he.."Maharajah started before he was muffled by King Louie.
Maharajah was shocked to see an Orangatan here in Idea, they were native to south America, at least that's what the books in sir Kiplings library said, but Maharajah might get some answers as soon as he found out what this Primate wanted.
-
Exavier growled deep in his throat, not even answering the panther, mainly because he saw the end of all he'd worked for coming.
He...he'd put so much into winning this, he just couldn't fathom losing. That's when he snapped a bit and, in a desperate attempt to gain something back of the situation, perhaps a hostage or such, he lunged at between Khan and Bagheera and towards Namita.
She half saw it coming and darted back.
~~~~
"W-we don't know anything..." Miko stuttered out as soon as they were put down.
~~~~
Elliott hadn't needed Maharajah's half warning, as soon as the monkey's took off, he rushed back towards his herd, "Pop, Pop, the monkey's took that friend of mine Miko and our new friend Maharajah!".
-
"Sure you do..." King Louie nodded with a smirk. He turned to the tiger cub. "Word in the jungle is that you know the secret of fire. Is that correct?"
~~~~~~~~~~
"Namita!" Bagheera yelled, head butting Exhavier out of anger for the attack.
-
"You want the secret to making fire?" Maharajah asked, briefliy distracted by the ruins. "Why would you want or need fire?" He asked the Orangatan. Maharajah hoped he could stall for time until a rescue could be pulled off, provided Elliot's father would help.
-
"Y-yeah" Miko said, "I mean...it doesn't do any good in the jungle". He also was catching on that getting the orangutan to talk was a goo distraction for however long they may need one.
~~~~
Exavier growled deeply as he was shoved aside. Standing he circled again and lunged, towards where Namita and Bagheera still stood. That's when Khan lunged between them right as his nephew leapt and with a quick swipe sent him rolling aside again.
"Now I'd suggest you take my first advice and leave" he said in a dangerous tone. Seeing that he wasn't going to win this, Exavier sighed and nodded, slunking off.
"I'll follow and make sure he does leave" the kite offered again. As Khan turned back to the two panthers he found Namita looking shocked and then she smiled.
"Don't go thinking I was being nice or anything" Khan quickly reminded her, "I was just...well, putting him in his place again" the tiger bluffed proudly.
~~~~
Meanwhile Hathi looked deep in debate, because he was. "Hmm, yes I see...well dealing with those apes would be highly difficult, even with the whole herd and...".
Elliott frowned sadly and Hathi sighed. "Fine I shall get the troops assembled...".
"Oh thankyou Pop!" Elliott hugged his father's leg, "I know just which way they went too, I think!".
-
"As usual..." Bagheera nodded, with a light dose of humor in his voice.
~~~~~~~~~
Louie was different from Khan in one major way, wheras Khan wanted to be regarded as a terrifying and powerful creature, Louie wanted the whole jungle to bow to him...and party!
"Now, now, have some bananas," see if that will change your mind.
-
"Miko look out!" Maharajah said as he ducked, also forcing Miko's head down. getting back up, he growled at Louie. "Are you stupid, we're jugle cats, anything besides meat will make us sick!" He growled at the Primate. "And as for showing you how to make fire, forget it." He said, turning around he started to walk away. " Lets go Miko." He told the Panther.
Meanwhile a bird flew off after listioning tor this, he found Shere Khan and landed before him. "A thousand Pardons my leige, but a White tiger cub who wears man things and can command fire is in your jungle. Louie of the monkeys has him and a Panther cub called Miko held in the ruins my lord." The bird said, before taking off, remembering how shere khane hated man and fire, and did not want to be near the up coming massacure.
-
Namita had smiled as well, also knowing Khan was just bluffing.
The tiger probably would have answered this with some other statement to assert his total control, but the bird interrupted him, something he was about to snap at him for doing, before he caught his words.
Another...tiger, with man thing...what of his species would be so daft! Yet from the bird's words it was one of those odd white one's who had never fitted into a jungle properly.
Namita meanwhile gasped at what she overheard while they were still there, Louie had Miko cubnapped...
Shere Khan did let out a loud growl, before bounding off towards where he knew the ruins to be.
Namita frowned in worry over at Bagheera, clearly showing what she was wondering over, would Khan hurt Miko in all his anger over this. She didn't say a word before bounding off after him, hoping to keep that from happening.
~~~~
"I think it's all he knows to offer" Miko defended the ape king just slightly, "though, I have to agree" he looked to Louie, "We shouldn't show you about fire, it's not safe. My dad use to say it was the jungle destroyer, and I know some of the others still call it that too".
-
"He betetr not be trying to hurt them..." Bagheera said about Shere Khan to Namita, running towards the ruins.
-
Whinifred chuckled. " Don't worry dear, I know the way." She said, snatchin the bamboo her mate used. "Hathi, I'll take that for now. " She said with such a look and tone that the whole herd lined up behnd her ready to follow her without a single word. If there was one thing they feared more than shere khan, it was Whenifred on the war path. now Whinifred would've not done this if They weren't her son's friends, but Maharajah and Miko were, and Louie needed to be taught a lesson. "Alright, we're gonna put that pompus primate in his place, CHARGE!" Whinifred trumpted with her trunk as she and the herd charged though the jungle.
Maharajah sighed, but he figured the cub was right, suddenly he saw the monkeys scater as Elliot's herd, led by whinifred charged though. Maharajah saw that they halted several feet away, with Whinifred taking king Louie and holding him down with her foot, started to use Hati's bamboo stick to swat him on his rear. "YOU BRUTE, YOU FIEND, YOU CAD, CUBNAPPING THESE TWO, SHAME ON YOU!"
-
"I don't really worry over Miko" Namita answered, "but as for this other tiger cub...well surely he wouldn't hurt a child..." she trailed off. From what she'd heard of Shere Khan's hunting down that man cub though, she wasn't sure on his morals in that area.
~~~~
If Hathi had been tempted to look shocked, he quickly shut up anyway. He wouldn't cross his wife in one of her "moods" either. He just followed alongside, all while looking like he wasn't following of course, as they marched over to the ruins. Elliott ran along behind, eager to get to the ruins and help his friends.
As they reached the ruins and Winifred begain her almost one elephant assault on the monkey, Hathi had to smirk.
Elliott rushed over to where Miko and Maharajah were, "Are you two ok?" he asked.
"Pretty much" Miko answered only half convincingly.
~~~~
As Khan appeared in the ruins, he paused at this scene before him, yet then quickly ignored winfred or even the other elephants, as from the shadows he peered about for any sight of this new tiger cub. He soon spotted the three kids, one of which being the cub, and began to slink over to try and get nearer and surprised the kids maybe. After all surprise was always the best weapon, he'd found.