THE JUNGLE BOOK: MOWGLI'S LEGEND

CHAPTER ONE - Tiger, Tiger!

The moon rises over the Seoni Jungle, in the heart of India. At a campsite, a man prepares a stew while his wife tends to their three year old son.                                                                      

"Messua, dinner is almost ready." said the man.                                                                                      

"Just settling Nathoo down to bed." said Messua, who nestled the toddler in a makeshift bed. A twig snapping broke the silence. The man, suddenly alert, reached for his rifle.  

"Messua. Get Nathoo... and run." he said gravely.                                                                                                                "Is it him?"             

"Yes."

A pair of red eyes, burning like hot coals, stared at them from the underbrush. 

"RUN!!!" shouted the man. With a thunderous roar, a giant Bengal tiger burst from the foliage, heading straight for Messua. The tiger swatted at her ankles, sending her onto the jungle floor. He pinned her with a single paw.                                                                                                                                     "Hey! Over here!" shouted the man. The tiger roared in response and stalked toward him. "Remember me?" shouted the man, pulling out a knife. The tiger pounced on him, pinning his old foe. The man slashed his nemesis across an eye just before his fangs sank into his throat.

Meanwhile, the toddler had tumbled down a slope, uninjured. Lost, alone, and crying, the boy is unaware he is being watched…

CHAPTER TWO - Wolf-Mother

A pair of unblinking blue eyes stared at the young one from the treetops,  which seemed to move and slink around. However, flashes of gold betrayed their owner in the night. Kaa, the sixty-foot long reticulated python, was the oldest, wisest, most feared, and most respected animal in the Seoni. Her go-to weapons were her teeth and strength, but she had a few secret ones as well. With her exquisite eyes and honeyed voice, she can put any animal into a trance.

     "Pita," she said. "Look." An adult black wolf, his eyes glowing like miniature suns, stepped from the brush. The toddler stopped crying at the sight of him, a look of wonder on his face.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  "Shere Khan must have killed his parents. He will surely try and kill this Man-Cub as well." Something then came over Pita at that moment. He and his mate had recently just had their first litter. Paternal instinct overcame his fear of Man. As gently as could be, he picked the Man-cub up in his jaws.  

"Pita," said Kaa. "What are you doing?"                                                                                                                                                                            "No time to explain," said Pita through his full mouth. "We've got to get back to the den."

Meanwhile, in a cave nearby, a female white wolf nursed her newborn pups. She heard a noise at the mouth of the den. She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw Kaa and Pita enter... with a Man-Cub.           

 "Pita... What-" said Raksha.                                                                                                                                                        "Easy, Rasha, he is an orphan," said Pita. "His mother and father were killed by the tiger." Raksha still stared in shock.  

"Pita ssspeaks the truth." said Kaa. Pita set the Man-cub down as Kaa approached him. Kaa chuckled after a moment.             

"What is it?" asked Raksha.                                                                                                                                              "He shows no fear. Not in the face of two wolves and a python. Perhaps not even Khan himself."      

"Speaking of Khan, he wants the Man-Cub. Now." The voice came from the den entrance. An underfed jackal entered the cave. The wolves' backs bristled with hatred.      

"Tabaqui." hissed Raksha. Tabaqui slunk over and sat next to the Man-Cub, sniffing and licking his chops. The toddler hit the jackal on the head, inciting a yelp of pain. The others chuckled.                                                                                                                                                                   "Yes, yes, hilarious." said Tabaqui sarcastically. "Now if you excuse me, I'll just be on my way." The jackal started walking to the mouth of the den when he was suddenly lifted into the air, face-to-face with Kaa. 

 "Kaa!" said Tabaqui fearfully. "I didn't see you!"                                                                                                    "We all know very well that you will tell Shere Khan of this, so I sssuggest you not if you don't want to be eaten." Tabaqui gulped as she leaned in closer. Her voice dropped to a seductive whisper that sent chills of fear down his spine.                                           

"So do be a dear and ssstay away from that wretched tiger for now." crooned Kaa, the tip of her tail stroking under Tabaqui's chin.

The python's voice alone was almost enough to completely hypnotize the weak-willed jackal. Once Kaa saw that he was in a dazed state of half-consciousness, she set him down and he left without a word. Kaa looked back at the wolves and saw them shaking their heads vigorously, half-hypnotized themselves.

"Still creeps me out after all these years."  said Pita with a shudder. Kaa chuckled.                                                         

"Jussst consider yourself lucky I'm a friend of Akela's."

Suddenly the roar of the tiger sounded in the den, echoing and amplifying its loudness. Raksha and Pita snarled with fear and hatred.                                                                                                     

"Shere Khan." hissed Kaa. The great cat was too big to enter, with only his head and a single front limb, reaching and clawing, able to fit. 

"Where is it? Where is the boy!" he roared. 

"As you can see, right here." said Raksha mockingly.

"Give him to me!" said Khan.                                                                                                                                          "Why so, Man-eater?" said Pita. Shere Khan let out a devious chuckle. "Buldeo is dead." said Khan, satisfaction in his voice. 

"You mean -" said Pita in shock.                                                                                                                                           "Yes. The hunter who killed my mate. She is avenged. I gorged on his flesh and broke his bones to splinters. Although, not before he gave me THIS!!!" said Khan referring to a long bloody gash across his left eye, leaving him half-blind.                                                                                                                 "Seems to be an improvement." said Raksha. Khan snarled.  

"And now, I will not allow the son of Buldeo to grow to manhood. GIVE HIM TO ME!!!"

At this, Raksha gave a vicious bark and came face-to-face with Shere Khan, her eyes blazing like two ice-blue stars.                                                                                                                                      

"The Man-Cub is mine, Shere Khan! Mine to me! He will learn to run with the Pack and to hunt with the Pack! And in the end, he will hunt you as his father before him did! Now go back into the jungle, you scarred beast!"

With a growl, Shere Khan exited the den.                                                                                                           "Very well then, Raksha. We will see what the Pack has to say about this.... adoption of Man-Cubs. But in the end, he will come to my teeth and claws, you bush-tailed thieves!" Raksha lay back down among her pups and the Man-Cub, who all started nursing.                          

"Shere Khan is right," said Pita. "We must show him to the Pack. Are you sure you want to keep him?"                                                                                                                                                                                      "Of course I will keep him. He was alone, an orphan. And it's my duty as a mother wolf to fend for any offspring I deem worthy." Raksha turned to lick the man-cub. "Lie still, my little hairless frog... my little... Mowgli."

CHAPTER THREE - Council Rock

And so the time came that the council was held at Council Rock, every full moon. It was a clearing of rocky land not too far from the Pack's den.  And upon a twenty-foot high spire was the Head of the Pack himself... Akela, the Lone Wolf. The Pack, forty strong, sat below him in a circle. Akela howled, calling the other Jungle lords. From around the Jungle came their replies:  The trumpet of an elephant, the grunt of a bear, and so forth.

First came Kaa, Akela's most trusted ally. It was she, after all, who had saved Akela from death before his days as Head of the Pack. Then came Baloo, the wise old sloth bear who teaches the pups of the Pack the Law of the Jungle. After Baloo came Hathi, the great elephant who was younger only than Kaa. They took their places in the circle while Akela howled again, signaling the start of the Council.  The other pack members pushed their offspring into the center of the circle to be recognized as members of the Pack. After many agonizing minutes, Raksha pushed Mowgli into the center. Gasps and murmurs of shock came from the Pack.  

"Silence," said Akela. "You know the Law. Three others must speak for the Man-Cub if he is to run with the Pack."

"I ssspeak for the Man-cub." said Kaa.                                                                                                       

“As do I," said Baloo. "There is no harm in a Man's cub."                                     

"And the last?" said Akela. There was no answer... except for the roar of a tiger. Shere Khan prowled along the outskirts of the circle.                                                                         

 "What do the Seoni wolves have to do with a Man-Cub?" said Khan.  

"What do the Seoni Wolves have to do with the orders of any but their lord?" said Akela. Khan chuckled.                                    

 "I was a lord. I wasn't named 'Tiger King' for nothing."                                                                 

"Key word being was, Shere Khan. You hunt Man, and you suffer the consequences."

A living shadow then silently leaped into the center of the circle.  

"Akela, I have no business being here," she said. "Being neither Man-Cub, wolf, nor lord, but the Law states that a price can replace a vote."                                                                                                                                                          "Bagheera," said Akela. "Go on."  

"To Baloo and Kaa's word, I will add a freshly killed bull, not a half-mile from here. Do you accept the offer?"

After a moment's silence, murmurs of agreement came from the Pack. The Pack left to claim the bull, leaving only the lords, Mowgli, and Mowgli's parents. Shere Khan roared one last time, then sulked off, tail lashing in anger.                                                                                                                      "Very well then," said Akela. "Raksha, Pita, take Mowgli and teach him the ways of the Pack. Baloo, Bagheera, and Kaa, you will mentor the boy. I suspect he will make one fine wolf."

     And that is how Mowgli the Man-Cub was brought into the Pack: At the price of a bull, and the good words of a bear and a python.

CHAPTER FOUR - Mowgli's Brothers

Mowgli runs through the Seoni Jungle, jumping over roots and ducking under low branches. He hears a snarl and rustling of foliage nearby, and he runs faster than ever. He came to a game trail, coming across a small herd of rhinos.                                                                                                                                                              "Excuse me! Pardon me!" said Mowgli, running in between the great beasts.  

"There he goes again." said one of the rhinos in a manner-of-fact way as he ran past. The howl of a wolf sounds from the brush as Mowgli runs down a hill. His pursuer leaps upon him, pinning him to the ground, snarling....

And began to lick Mowgli's face as the Man-Cub laughed.                                                                                                              "Got you again, Mowgli!" said a teenage male wolf, his fur as grey as stone. 

"I'll beat you next time, Bhrata." said Mowgli. Bhrata got off Mowgli and they started their way home.                                                                                          

"That's what you said the last time.... and the time before that, and the time before that, and the time-"                                                                                                                                                                                                               "Okay, I get it. We may both be Akela's grandsons, but at least you're a wolf. Me..."                                                                   

"Don't worry about it. All that matters is that you're one with the Pack."  

"Thanks, big brother." said Mowgli, smiling.

After a short walk, they came to the home of the Seoni wolf pack. It was a single huge cave set into the side of a cliff. Wolves of all ages and colors were busy in their daily routines. Old white and silver wolves napped in the midday sun. Young adults greeted Mowgli as he walked by. Akela's warriors sat diligently along the outskirts of their home. Akela himself sat in front of the pups of the pack, reciting to them the Law of the Jungle:

"Now this is the Law of the Jungle                                                                                                                               As old and as true as the sky                                       

And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper   

But the Wolf that shall break it must die.

As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk                                                                                                                                                    The Law runneth over and back             

For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf 

And the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.

Wash daily from nose-tip to tail-tip                                                                                                                                                                Drink deeply, but never too deep 

And remember the night is for hunting                                                                                                                                                           And forget not the day is for sleep.

The Jackal may follow the Tiger                                                                                                                                                                       But, Cub, when thy whiskers are grown 

Remember the Wolf is a Hunter                                                                                                                                                                    Go forth and get food of thine own.

Keep peace with the Lords of the Jungle                                                                                                                                                          The Tiger, the Panther, the Bear     

And trouble not Hathi the silent     

And mock not the Boar in his lair.

When Pack meets with Pack in the Jungle                                                                                                                                                    And neither will go from the trail       

Lie down till the leaders have spoken 

It may be fair words shall prevail.

When ye fight with a Wolf of the Pack                                                                                                                                                         Ye must fight him alone and afar   

Lest others take part in the quarrel   

And the Pack be diminished by war.

The Lair of the Wolf is his refuge                                                                                                                                                              And where he has made him his home 

Not even the Head Wolf may enter                                                                                                                                                              Not even the Council may come.

The Lair of the Wolf is his refuge                                                                                                                                                               But where he has digged it too plain   

The Council shall send him a message 

And so he shall change it again.

If ye kill before midnight, be silent                                                                                                                                                                          And wake not the woods with your bay 

Lest ye frighten the deer from the crop                                                                                                                                                         And your brothers go empty away.

Ye may kill for yourselves, and your  mates                                                                                                                 And your cubs as they need, and ye can                                       

But kill not for pleasure of killing         

And seven times never kill Man!

If ye plunder his kill from a  weaker                                                                                                                                         Devour not all in thy pride                                     

Pack-Right is the right of the meanest 

So leave him the head and the hide.

The kill of the Pack is the meat of the Pack                                                                                                                                                  Ye must eat where it lies               

And no one may carry away of the meat to his lair 

Or he dies.

The Kill of the Wolf is the meat of the Wolf                                                                                                                                                       He may do what he will         

But, till he has given permission 

The Pack may not  eat of that kill.

Cub-Right is the right of the Yearling                                                                                                                                                            From all of his Pack he may claim 

Full-gorge when the killer has eaten                                                                                                                                                                 And none may refuse him the same.

Lair-Right is the right of the Mother                                                                                                                                                        From all of her year she may claim     

One haunch of each kill for her litter 

And none may deny her the same.

Cave-Right is the right of the Father                                                                                                                                                       To hunt by himself for his own           

He is freed of all calls to the Pack 

He is judged by the Council alone.

Because of his age and his cunning                                                                                                                                                             Because of his gripe and his paw       

In all that the Law leaveth open                                     

The word of your Head Wolf is Law.

Now these are  the Laws of the Jungle                                                                                                                                                         And many and mighty are they                   

But the head and the hoof of the Law       

And the Haunch and the Hump is - Obey!"

     After the recitation of the Law was finished, Akela and the pups howled, the Pack joining in. The pups then heard Mowgli's distinctively un-wolflike howl.  

"Mowgli!" they all shouted, racing at him and yipping with glee. Mowgli was taken down by a multitude of licking tongues, nibbling teeth, and soft furry coats. Akela chuckled at the sight of Mowgli being swarmed.

After the tidal wave of puppies subsided, Mowgli went to his family's den, where he was greeted by his parents.  

"Did you finally win this time?" said Pita.                                                                                                         "No." said Mowgli.                                                               

"Not to worry, son." said Raksha. "You'll make a fine wolf yet." Suddenly, Raksha's ears pricked up.                                                                   "Baloo, Bagheera, and Kaa are outside waiting," said Pita. "You're learning the Masters Words today." Mowgli walked outside to see his teachers.  

"Let's go." said Baloo as Mowgli climbed onto his back.

CHAPTER FIVE  - Master Words and Monkeys

The four sat near a lake a few miles away. Bagheera and Kaa lounged in the branches of a tree above Mowgli and Baloo, resting on the tree's roots.

"Now, Mowgli," said Baloo. “Can you tell us the Master Words of the Eaters of Flesh?" 

"We be of one blood, ye and I." said Mowgli in a growling fashion.

"Good," said Bagheera. "And the Flyers?"

"We be of one blood, ye and I." said Mowgli with a near-perfect imitation of a kite's scream.

"And lastly," said Kaa. "The Ssserpents."

"We be of one blood, ye and I." said Mowgli, mimicking the hissing vocals of his own teacher. Kaa chuckled lightly at that.

"It could use just a little work." said Kaa warmly.

"Then you have nothing to worry about." said Baloo.

A snapping sound came from above Bagheera and Kaa's heads. Bagheera climbed into the canopy. She couldn't be seen, but soon there was a great clamor as the pantheress swatted a macaque monkey onto the ground, where it was pinned by Baloo with a single paw.

"A Bandar-log." said Baloo in disgust, growling. "What is it you want?" he snarled. The Bandar-log gave a smug grin, then screeched. A pair of black gibbons each suddenly grabbed Mowgli and swung away with their captive. 

"MOWGLI!!!" shouted his mentors as they started to pursue. Mowgli was flung from gibbon to gibbon and tree to tree. Soon, the Man-Cub's cries became too faint to hear. Not even Bagheera could keep up with Bandar-log in their territory.

CHAPTER SIX - Bandar-Log Battle

    Mowgli was dropped in the middle of a huge courtyard, belonging to a temple ruin, its former inhabitants long dead. All around him were many simian species, all screeching and jeering in raucous voices. Mowgli, despite his initial fear, let out a fierce wolf-like snarl, scattering quite a few of the monkeys. But it wasn't enough. Still they surrounded him, cackling and shouting.

"Nobody is coming." said a voice among the crowd. A large lion-tailed macaque strode up to Mowgli. "As for the reason you're here... You are to make things for us."

"Things?"

"Things to keep us dry during the rains, things to drive away hyenas and dholes, but mostly things to keep her away."

"Her?"

"The Night Devourer, the One With Evil Eyes, the Vine Who Knows All... Kaa." said the macaque. At the mention of Kaa's name, every monkey let loose a cry of fear so loud, the Seoni itself voiced its annoyance.

Bagheera covered her ears at the cacophony, snarling. Kaa approached her.

"Wait here until Baloo and I give the signal. This rescue rests in your coils." said Bagheera.

"Who else but Kaa herself to ssstrike fear into the hearts of the Bandar-log?" said Kaa in an almost sinister manner.

"Good hunting." said Bagheera as she leapt up the ruin wall.

"Good hunting." said Kaa as she slithered away.

Bagheera spotted Mowgli as she stalked atop the wall. She let out a ferocious yowl and dove into the sea of simian buffoons. She clawed and bit with all her might, swiftly leaping and pouncing with her typical panther-like grace.

"There is only one here! Kill her!" shouted the lion-tailed macaque that had confronted Mowgli. "You two! Hide the Man-Cub!" he shouted to a pair of gibbons. They grabbed Mowgli and dropped him into a dried up well. Mowgli heard angry hissing and saw many cobras rearing, hoods at full extent.

"We be of one blood, ye and I." said Mowgli.

"A Man-Cub with a ssserpent's tongue." said one cobra. "We be of one blood, ye and I. Down hoods, all!" said the cobra as the others backed away in peace.

Meanwhile, Bagheera fought for her life as the simian horde attacked. A thunderous roar from the other side of the courtyard signaled Baloo's arrival. The old sloth bear charged and swatted monkeys left and right, even crushing many beneath his body. But soon, the Bandar-log had tired them out, backing them up against a wall, cackling as they moved in for the kill. Bagheera and Baloo locked eyes and nodded, then roared in unison to the skies. From over the ruin wall slithered a titanic python, hissing in fury.

"IT IS KAA!!!" shouted the Bandar-log as they scrambled back in fear.

CHAPTER SEVEN - Kaa's Hunting

    Kaa slithered to the well Mowgli was trapped in, lowering fifteen feet of her body. She pulled Mowgli up, revealing his smiling face. He hugged all three of his teachers before Bagheera got his attention.

"Whatever you do, don't look or listen."

"Why?"

"You know how Kaa can hypnotize others using her eyes and voice, correct?"

"Yes."

"This is how she does it when there is more than one inductee." said Baghera, closing her eyes and covering her ears. Baloo and Mowgli did the same.

Kaa slithered over to the center of the courtyard.

"Bandar-log" she said. "The moon rises. Can you still see?"

"Yes." moaned many voices, already half-entranced by the great snake's voice.

"Good," said Kaa with a devious chuckle. "Now begins the Dance of Kaa. Sssit ssstill... watch... listen..."

Kaa's blue eyes glowed in the darkness, her head swaying like a pendulum. Rearing up, her coils undulated, as if Kaa were a dancer in a king's court. She began to croon in her honeyed voice, further drawing in her victims like a siren from ancient myth. Baloo and Bagheera, their protection not enough, were soon overcome by Kaa's eyes, dance, and voice. Mowgli, risking being hypnotized himself, tried to snap them out of it to no avail. To his surprise, he found Kaa's hypnosis had no affect on him. As he looked around, he saw all eyes except his had come to mirror Kaa's: Unblinking and blue, with a reptilian slitted pupil.

"Come one ssstep clossser." crooned Kaa, ceasing her induction. The Bandar-log, Bagheera, and Baloo all took one stiff step toward the snake.

"Clossser..." hissed Kaa, anticipating what was to come. Her victims took another step forward.

"Wake up!" shouted Mowgli as he slapped Baloo and Bagheera across their faces. The two gasped and started as if woken from a nightmare, shaking their heads to clear them. Shaking, they led Mowgli out of the Cold Lairs as Kaa continued to seduce her prey.

"Come... to... me..." she crooned, now salivating slightly at the thought of the entranced feast laid out before her...

Mowgli sat upon Bagheera's back as they walked back to the wolves' den.

"Any longer," shuddered Bagheera. "And we would've walked straight down her throat."

"You know, I don't think Kaa's hypnosis works on me." said Mowgli.

"Really?" asked Baloo and Bagheera in shock.

"Men really are strange and fascinating creatures." said Baloo.

CHAPTER EIGHT - How Fear Came

Over the course of Mowgli's life, the rains came and went. However, following the incident with the Bandar-log, the drought was especially brutal, and the rains were late. The mohwa tree never bloomed, nor did flowers or bushes, and the rivers and lakes slowly dried up.

A reddish-brown bird of prey, his breast, neck, and head white, screams as he flies over the wolves' den. Akela looks up, seeing the kite.

"Chil," said Akela. "What brings you here?"

"The Truce!" shouted Chil. "By the word of Hathi, the Truce is in effect!"

    Akela howled, summoning the Pack.

"I have just received word that the Peace Rock has surfaced. Therefore, the Water Truce has begun. Everyone, to the Truce." said Akela as he led the Pack east. Along the way, Mowgli decided as talk to his grandfather.

"What's a Water Truce?" asked Mowgli.

"A special and rare occasion during which the Law of the Jungle prohibits hunting. As the Law says: 'Drinking cometh before eating'. And so the Eaters of Grass and the Eaters of Flesh are temporarily at peace with one another. So long as the Peace Rock remains above water, the Water Truce is kept."

After a short while, the Pack had come to a large lake, less than half full with water. And all around were multitudes of animals, both predator and prey. A large flat stone jutted out of the water's surface, which Mowgli instantly noted was the Peace Rock. The wolves lapped up water not a foot away from the deer they normally hunted. Hathi, the great elephant elder, stood on one side of the lake, watching silently. Bagheera, Baloo, and Kaa joined Mowgli in drinking their fill.

A familiar scent came to Akela's nostrils, and his hackles rose and his lips curled in a silent snarl. Beyond the lake, silhouetted by the setting sun, stood the Fear of the Jungle: Shere Khan. As he stalked closer to the lake's edge, crocodiles and snakes fled into the safety of the water. Boar and deer and antelope cowered before him. Even the buffalo, the rhino, and the elephant feared him. Shere Khan drank his fill, right next to a cowering rhino. Upon drinking his fill, he immediately sank his claws and fangs into the rhino's flesh. In a manner of seconds, the Tiger King had accomplished what would've taken any lesser hunter many hours.

The dead rhino fell to the ground, his blood fouling the water. Nobody spoke out at the atrocity. As was the norm, Shere Khan had only killed to display his power and disrespect for the Law.

"Miss me?" he said devilishly, blood dripping from his jaws as he put on a savage grin. 

CHAPTER NINE - Written In Blood

    "Shere Khan," said Hathi in a voice like rolling thunder. "Why do you come here?"

"O Hathi," said Khan scornfully with a mocking bow. "I only wished to see if the wolves had disposed of the Man-Cub is all. But it seems as though my hopes were dashed." Shere Khan turned toward Mowgli, hatred burning in his eye. 

"You honestly think yourself a wolf?" he snarled. Mowgli locked eyes with the tiger, not afraid in the slightest.

"Yes, Shere Khan," said Mowgli proudly. "I am one of the Free People."

"Delusions caused by a family's love," spat Khan. "You are a Man. The son of the Man who put out my eye and murdered my mate!"

"Enough!" shouted Hathi. Shere Khan leapt upon the Peace Rock with a roar.

"Quiet, you old fool! This is between me and the Man-Cub!" shouted Shere Khan before facing Mowgli. "Listen here, boy! Our fates are intertwined, and blood will be spilled between us!" Mowgli's grandfather, parents, brother, and mentors all snarled and hissed threateningly. "However, that day will come later. And in the end, Man-Cub, only one will live to tell his story... a story that is written in blood."

CHAPTER TEN - Endings

    Within the next couple weeks, the rains returned to the Seoni. The clouds let loose great torrents, filling the rivers and lakes once more. The Peace Rock was submerged, and thus ended the Water Truce.

The hunting howl of the wolves sounded throughout the Jungle. The Pack, starving after the Truce, is on the search for fresh meat. It was also Mowgli and Bhrata's first hunt, so they were eager to prove themselves. They at last came to a large plain, cliffs at the far end. In the middle of the plain grazed the wolves' quarry: A herd of sambar deer. One of them appeared weak and had a limp.

"The old buck is our target." said Akela, who howled, signaling the start of the hunt. The sambar bolted, the Pack in hot pursuit. The wolves barked and snarled, weaving in and out of the herd, trying to separate the old buck toward the cliffs. It was Mowgli who achieved the deed, shouting and growling in his own way, scaring the buck out of his wits and driving it away from the herd. Now that the buck was finally cornered at the edge of the cliff, all the wolves had to do was keep the buck in place for Akela, who would deliver the killing blow.

Akela arrived and sprang for the buck's neck, grabbing hold. But the wolf's jaws had grown weak over the years, and he was thrown to the ground and kicked by the buck's hooves as he made his escape. The Pack paid no heed to their fleeing prey. All eyes were on Akela, who struggled to get on his paws, whimpering in pain. Without a word, the Pack walked back to the den. Soon, it was just Mowgli, his parents and brother, and Akela. Mowgli helped Akela up.

"And so it begins." said Akela somberly.

"What?" asked Mowgli.

"The end of my leadership."

CHAPTER ELEVEN - Dead Wolf 

    The wolves and Man-Cub made their way back to the den. Mowgli stayed by Akela's side.

"I have led the Seoni wolves for many years now," said Akela. "And now the time of the Dead Wolf has come."

"Dead Wolf?" asked Mowgli.

"Whenever a Head of the Pack misses his buck or shames the Pack, he has lost the respect of the Pack he once led. And so he is called the Dead Wolf, for those leaders have little time left to live."

"That's horrible!"

"That is the Law."

Mowgli and his family arrived at their home. Looks of contempt bored into Akela. Mowgli was unable to understand it all. Feeling betrayed, he ran off to his family's den, keeping his eyes on his grandfather... That is, until Shere Khan prowled into the heart of the wolves' home.

"I couldn't help but overhear that you have a Dead Wolf in your midst."

"Yes," said Raksha reluctantly. "Akela has missed his buck."

"Well," said Shere Khan with a cruel smile. "That is a pity. But that is not why I have come."

Shere Khan turned his attention to the Pack.

"Tell me, O Free People: Are you content to be led by a dying wolf and a Man's cub? He freezes in the rains and scorches in the sun. He is a Man-Cub, not a hunter like yourselves. How much longer will you harbor him? Until he is grown? If so, I ask you: Are you with me? Or are you with Man?"

After many moments, over half of the Pack split and stood at Shere Khan's side. Shere Khan smiled and gave a wicked chuckle.

"There you have it, Akela. Your reign is ending. And so will your life. And in the end, the Man-Cub will come to my teeth and claws."

"I'm not dead yet, Shere Khan," said Akela boldly. "We will discuss things at the next Council."

"Very well, O Dead Wolf." said Shere Khan as he stalked away, his new allies right behind him.

CHAPTER TWELVE - The Fear of Fear

    The night of the Council had come. Mowgli and Bagheera sat on a tree branch.

"Akela will surely be killed," said Bagheera. "And I know that not even me, Baloo, Kaa, nor even the wolves can face Shere Khan and live. There is simply nothing we can do." said Bagheera sullenly. Mowgli was silent for a moment.

"I have an idea." he said.

"What is it?" 

"I don't think I should tell you. You'd just try to stop me."

"Mowgli..." said Bagheera worryingly.

"It'll help me save Akela! Just please let me do this!" said Mowgli. "You go to Council Rock and try to stall Shere Khan."

"I'll do my best," said Bagheera as Mowgli ran downriver. "Good hunting." 

Mowgli approached a large village, a dancing red light emanating from it. Mowgli grabbed a club-shaped stick and entered the village, where he saw the source of the light: A dancing, flickering substance Mowgli had only heard of. He thrust his stick within it, where it crackled and stuck. Mowgli, his new weapon in his hand, then ran back to Council Rock.

Akela sat to the side of Council Rock, upon which stood Shere Khan, if only to insult the Head of the Pack.

"Free People," shouted Shere Khan. "The Man-Cub was destined to die by my fangs and claws the moment he was born. He has troubled the Seoni for far too long! I grow tired of this Man-Wolf foolishness!"

"He has broken no Law of the Jungle." said Akela. 

"Silence!" roared Shere Khan.

"I paid for him to run with the Pack," snarled Bagheera. "And if a bull is worthless, I will fight for my honor!"

"What do I care for old bones! Come then! Face your death!" roared Shere Khan. Bagheera yowled in fury as the tiger prepared to pounce.

"Shere Khan!" shouted a familiar voice. Shere Khan relaxed the muscles in his legs as he turned to face the speaker. He froze, a look of sheer horror on his face. In Mowgli's hand was the Fear of Fear. The Red Flower.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN - The Red Flower

    Shere Khan's wolves whimpered in fear and attempted to hide behind Council Rock to no avail. Mowgli advanced, the Red Flower instilling fear into the hearts of all who laid eyes on it.

"You were once my Brothers!" shouted Mowgli to the traitors of the Pack. "My sisters! But now, you are only dogs! Jackals to fawn at the paws of this tyrant who turned you against me!" The wolves who had sided with Shere Khan ran off, whimpering with their tails between their legs. 

Mowgli, his eyes burning like the Flower in his hand, turned on Shere Khan and strode up Council Rock. All Shere Khan could do was stare in agony as he approached.

"Stir a whisker, and I will ram the Red Flower down your throat!"

"Please! Have mercy!" whimpered Shere Khan.

"Did you have mercy when you killed my birth father!?" roared Mowgli. "When you turned the Pack against their kin in all but blood!? When you shamed the Head of the Pack!? GO!!!" shouted Mowgli as he struck Shere Khan between the eyes with the burning stick, inciting a yowl of pain as the terrified tyrant ran into the brush.

Rain fell, and the Red Flower withered and died. Akela joined Mowgli atop Council Rock. 

"Well done, grandson," said Akela. "But... I fear this has to be done."

"What?" asked Mowgli worryingly.

"Mowgli, son of Raksha and Pita, for bringing the Red Flower into the Jungle, you are hereby banished from the Seoni Wolf Pack."

"What!?" No! How could-" 

"Mowgli," said Akela soothingly. "It pains me as much as it pains you. It breaks my heart to do this, but please, my grandson. Remember the Law."

Tears joined the raindrops running down Mowgli's face. 

"Okay," he said in between sobs. "But where will I go?"

"I'm not sure," said Akela. "Only you can make that choice."

"Goodbye, grandfather." said Mowgli as he hugged Akela.

"Goodbye, Mowgli." said Akela stoically. Raksha, Pita, and Bhrata walked up to them and said their goodbyes as well, their fur soaked with rain and tears. Mowgli walked down Council Rock and headed downriver.

    And that is how Mowgli the Man-Cub was exiled from the Pack: With the blooming of a Flower and the burning of a King.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN - Man-Mother

    Mowgli walked his way through the Jungle, sobbing all the way. In the growing light of dawn, he saw the Red Flowers blooming in the distance. He ran toward the village gates. Tamed dogs barked at him in alarm. Men ran out of their homes in a hurry, rifles in hand in case it was the tiger. However, they only saw it was but a little boy, clad in nothing but a white loincloth, no older than twelve years old. The Men spoke in a tongue Mowgli could not understand.

"Where did he come from?"

"He has scars! Bite marks!'

"He looks sort of familiar..."

"You're right! He could be Buldeo's son!" shouted one Man. At the mention of her husband's name, a woman, with light brown skin and clad in robes, emerged at the front of the crowd. She stared in shock for a moment before bursting into tears and kneeling in front of Mowgli, caressing his face.

"Oh, my Nathoo! My dearest Nathoo!"

For the next month or so, Mowgli learned the ways and tongue of Man, with Messua being his chief mentor. Messua was greatly impressed and fascinated by Mowgli. He was a fast learner and he frequently told her of his life in the Jungle. Mowgli told Messua that it was Shere Khan who killed Buldeo, and will stop at nothing to kill him as well. At this, Messua grew worried. She learned from experience that Shere Khan wouldn't hesitate from entering the village to get a meal. Then, there was Shikar. Shikar was Buldeo's main hunting rival in the past, but it was all in good fun. Since his death, Messua had married Shikar a number of years after. Mowgli grew to respect him as a hunter, and Shikar in turn gave him lessons to become a better hunter himself. 

Mowgli and his new family slept in a hut near the edge of the village. Images flashed through Mowgli's mind. Images of Shere Khan, his fangs and claws bloodied. Corpses of all kinds, both Man and Beast, lay around him. The Red Flower bloomed in the tiger's eyes as he stalked toward Mowgli. He tried to run, but he was frozen in place. He prepared to die, feeling the tiger's hot breath on his face...

He opened his eyes and saw the King's snarling face, not inches from his own.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN - A Wolf's Sacrifice

    Mowgli's breath caught in his lungs. His heart was barely beating. 

"Are you prepared, Man-Cub?" snarled Shere Khan. He prepared to grab Mowgli, but a scream pierced the silence. Messua had woken to the nightmarish sight. Shikar, in turn, woke and grabbed his rifle, yelling to all hunters. Shere Khan roared with rage and swatted at all three of them, but the Men swiftly rolled out of the way and ran out of the hut, where all across the village, Men were charging with guns and Red Flowers. Shere Khan's wolves charged out of the Jungle like a fanged river, engaging the Men. Shere Khan roared and joined the attack, killing many with single strokes of his mace-like paws, shattering skulls and breaking necks. Red Flowers fell from dying Mens' hands and set the village ablaze, all the while battle raged within.

Upon killing and wounding the village's hunters, Shere Khan and his wolves then ran down Mowgli and his family. Shikar turned and shot at Shere Khan and his followers. Not stopping, the tiger and the wolves pounced, Khan pinning Shikar while the wolves surrounded Mowgli and Messua at the edge of a rocky cliff. Shikar let loose one final shot at the tiger's shoulder with a roar of fury. Shere Khan swiftly tore out his throat. Shere Khan, his fangs bloodied, then stalked toward his lifelong prey. 

Mowgli could see the fear and disgust in the wolves' eyes. They had only realized too late how truly cruel their master was. The only reason they still listened is because he'd kill them all if they dared to rebel. They never wanted to kill Man. They never wanted to hurt their Man-Cub. Mowgli locked eyes with a brown wolf he recognized as Baheli, one of the best hunters in the Pack. With a glance, Mowgli relayed an unspoken plea: "Please."

Understanding, Baheli turned and bit down on Shere Khan's neck, distracting him as the other wolves followed his example. Shere Khan let loose a thunderous growl as he tore Baheli off his neck, slashing the wolf's throat with claws like meat hooks.

"The strength of the Pack is the Wolf," said Baheli defiantly. "And the strength of the Wolf is the Pack." Shere Khan roared as he bit down on Baheli's neck and flung him off the cliff. This was the first time Mowgli had witnessed the death of one of his Brothers... and surely not the last.

"Jump!" shouted Mowgli to his Man-Mother. He looked down, seeing water, and leapt. Messua jumped as well. Shere Khan roared in fury as his prey and its mother had escaped once again.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN - The Man-Cub, the Man-Mother, and the Python

    Mowgli and Messua were met by the broken, bloodied corpse of Baheli the Hunter, dashed upon the stony ground. Tears and sobs instantly came from Mowgli as he hugged his birth mother. A rustle of brush and a savage snarl betrayed the presence of Tabaqui. Mowgli let out a wolf-like snarl of his own as he turned to face the wretched jackal. He charged, shouting, as Tabaqui leapt to meet him in combat.

A scaly tail grabbed Tabaqui in mid-air. He was coiled up as a chill went down his spine at hearing an all too familiar voice.

"You've really gotten yourself in trouble this time, Tabaqui." hissed Kaa with malice.

"Please, Kaa!" said Tabaqui in fear.

"Oh, no! Normally I'd let you crawl back to your master with your tail between your legs, but no more!" And with this, Kaa hypnotized Tabaqui and swallowed the jackal alive and whole.

Kaa approached Mowgli and Messua, the latter of the two cowering at the sight of the titanic serpent. 

"I heard and saw it all," said Kaa sadly. "I'm sorry." Mowgli hugged Kaa as she looked at Messua.

"And who might this be?" asked Kaa.

"This is Messua," said Mowgli. "She's my birth mother."

"Really? Well, tell her it is an honor to meet her." said Kaa warmly. Mowgli smiled and told Messua, who only saw her son hissing like the snake in front of them.

"Messua, you remember me telling you of Kaa?"

"Yes."

"Well, this is her."

"I thought she would be... smaller."

The trio walked deeper into the Jungle.

"I heard you were... um... banished from the Pack." said Kaa hesitantly. Mowgli winced.

"Yeah, but I found my birth mother... but the village was destroyed in the fight."

"What if you two were to stay with me?" said Kaa.

"Really?" asked Mowgli, reinvigorated.

"Of course," said Kaa. "The Law never says anything about adopting a banished Pack member, much less Man, obviously." Mowgli told Messua Kaa's plan.

"Wait," asked Messua in confusion. "We're doing what, exactly?"

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - The King's Ankus

    Ten times the rains came and went. In that time, Mowgli grew, becoming taller, stronger, and faster than ever before. No longer was Mowgli a Man-Cub. Now, Mowgli was a Man. In that time, Messua was taught the ways and tongue of the Seoni, soon becoming as proficient as her son. All the while, the two were protected and cared for by Kaa.

Kaa and Mowgli waded through a river.

"Remind me again why we're going to the Cold Lairs?" asked Mowgli.

"To visit an old friend of mine and, more importantly, to give you a gift." said Kaa.

"A gift? What is it?"

"You'll see when you get it." said Kaa with a warm chuckle.

The Bandar-log quickly hid at the sight of Kaa as the two made their way across the courtyard and next to the central ruin.

"This way." said Kaa, pointing to a large hole in the middle of the ruin. The two entered the hole and were suddenly temporarily blinded by a bright light. When vision came back to Mowgli's eyes, he saw an unearthly sight.

They were in an underground chamber, filled nearly to the brim with all sorts of treasures. Gold coins, jewel-encrusted goblets, jewelry beyond compare, among others. Of course, none of this was important to Mowgli, having never inherited Man's greed. He looked at it all with awe and confusion.

"Mowgli," said Kaa. "This is Thuu." Mowgli turned and saw a huge king cobra, over thirty feet long. But his scales were white, and his eyes red and clouded.

"What of the cccity, Kaa?" croaked the cobra in a gruff voice.

"I've told you, the Jungle has claimed it." said Kaa.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"I mean there's nothing but ruins."

"Nonsense!" hissed Thuu.

"How long has he been down here?" asked Mowgli.

"Long enough, that's for sure."

"Who isss that? My eyesight wasn't what it once was." said Thuu. 

"I am Mowgli of the Seoni," said Mowgli proudly. "Son of Wolves and Man."

"Which are you then?" asked Thuu. Mowgli looked down sullenly.

"Okay, Thuu," said Kaa, trying to change the subject. "Have you seen that ankus lying around?" 

"I can't see, thank you very much. But try looking at the far end. There you should find a metal hook thing."

"You mean this?" said Mowgli, holding up a golden spiked goad, its hilt encrusted with many jewels.

"Like it?" asked Kaa.

"Of course!" said Mowgli, giving his new weapon a few experimental swings.

"Then it'sss yours." said Thuu. "I'll have you know it once belonged to the Man who put me here to guard this place."

"Thank you, Thuu," said Kaa. "Seems interesting, but we have to be leaving now."

"Oh... A-alright. Goodbye." said Thuu.

"Bye, Thuu," said Mowgli. "It was nice meeting you."

"I never get any visitors anymore." grumbled Thuu grumpily.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - Revenge

    Shere Khan returned to his den. During his walk, he remembered his slaughter of Man and wolves that one night. He had relished the scent of blood in the air, the satisfaction of his claws and teeth piercing flesh. But he also remembered that his prey had escaped... and that now he would be grown. 

He entered his den, finally back after ten long years. But something wasn't right. Tabaqui wasn't greeting him annoyingly like he usually did. In fact, his scent was nowhere to be found. Deep down, Shere Khan almost had a soft spot for the jackal. And, while he hated to admit it, he was feeling slightly worried. 

He saw a shadow overhead. He looked up and saw Chil flying over his lair, hopeful for any fresh scraps.

"Chil!" shouted Shere Khan. The kite let out a screech of fear and landed, trembling, before the King.

"Yes, Shere Khan?" asked Chil.

"Where is Tabaqui?"

"Haven't you heard? He was eaten by Kaa."

"WHAT!?" roared Shere Khan. Chil flew off without hesitation, eager to escape the tiger's wrath.

"Well," said Shere Khan with a cruel smile. "This makes things interesting."

CHAPTER NINETEEN - Requiem for a Python

    The full moon is at its peak. Mowgli tests his new weapon on a dead tree. Suddenly, he hears a rustling in the brush right next to him. He prepares his ankus as his stalker reveals itself...

"Mother?" asked Mowgli. Messua was panting hard.

"Mowgli," she gasped. "It's Kaa."

"What is it?" asked Mowgli worryingly.

"She's-" said Messua, choking back a sob. "Come, hurry."

The two came to the clearing Mowgli and Messua had left Kaa in... finding Kaa's contorted and bleeding body. 

"Kaa!" shouted Mowgli as he rushed over to his mentor. He cradled her head gingerly.

"Who did this?" 

"Shere Khan." said Kaa weakly. "He took me by surprise and broke my back so I couldn't fight back."

"That coward!" shouted Mowgli, tears streaming from his eyes.

"Take me to Council Rock," said Kaa. "Please." 

"Mother, help me." said Mowgli as he lifted Kaa's upper half. Together, the three made their way to Council Rock.

Upon arriving, the Council was silenced. Mowgli and Messua gently laid Kaa down in the center of the ring of wolves. 

"Mowgli," said Kaa. "Far too long have I roamed the Seoni."

"Kaa, please!" cried Mowgli, cradling Kaa's head. 

"You know this must happen. All things come to an end eventually."

"No! You can't!" shouted Mowgli. But Kaa's coils stopped rising and falling. The light went out of her eyes. And so it was that the great Kaa died.

Mowgli cried into Kaa's lifeless body as the rains began to fall. Suddenly, Akela started to howl, a song of supreme sadness and grieving. The other wolves took up the song. Soon, the air was filled with the sound of the rains and the wolves' song. Lastly, Mowgli entered the song, his howls louder and more heartfelt than all the rest.

CHAPTER TWENTY - Mowgli's Army

    Mowgli sits in his parents' den until sunrise. His family and mentors approach him.

"Son?" asked Messua.

"Are you alright?" asked Raksha. Mowgli was silent for a while.

"I should've been there. I could've-" said Mowgli, cut off by Baloo.

"I do not doubt your strength," said the bear. "But if all of us combined can't take Shere Khan, then neither could you."

"Wait," said Mowgli. "What if we got help?"

"We're listening." said Akela.

"Here's my idea..." said Mowgli.

Mowgli, Messua, his mentors, and the Pack had come to the edge of a large meadow, in which a herd of buffalo was grazing. 

"Are you sure about this?" asked Bhrata. "Rama isn't exactly the most agreeable of animals, much less buffalo."

"It'll work," said Mowgli. "Same as me, he wants revenge on Shere Khan."

Mowgli strode calmly up to the largest bull, his hide black and scarred, the tips of his horns nearly meeting.

"Excuse me." he said. 

"Yes?" said Rama in a deep voice, not looking up from his grazing.

"I was hoping you would help me and my friends-"

"Not interested."

"Look, I want revenge on Shere Khan, you want revenge on Shere Khan... Maybe we could work something out." said Mowgli. Rama looked him in the eyes.

"Go on..." said the bull.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE - Tiger Trap

    Shere Khan lies in his den, dreaming of the ways he could kill the grown Man-Cub. He is woken by a snapping twig and sees Bagheera standing outside the den entrance.

"Bagheera." snarled the tiger.

"I'm only here to deliver a message and to provide an escort." said the pantheress.

"Very well. Speak."

"Mowgli is wanting to meet you in one-on-one combat as your trial for the murder of Kaa." said Bagheera. Shere Khan let out a chuckle.

"A mere boy thinks he can defeat me. Alright, let him try. Where are you taking me then?"

"Bhagadad Ravine."

"Well what are we waiting for?"

Shere Khan followed Bagheera for about a mile south before coming to a large ravine, several hundred feet across and about thirty feet deep. But Mowgli was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is he?" asked Shere Khan impatiently.

"Go down to the bottom. I'll go get him." said Bagheera as she sped into the brush. Shere Khan, using several ledges, jumped down to the ravine floor. After a moment, a familiar scent came to his nostrils. A scent he had not smelled in ten years. 

The tiger looked northward to the mouth of the ravine... where a grown Mowgli and a herd of buffalo stood waiting. The two enemies locked eyes, their first meeting in ten years. Then, Mowgli let loose a ferocious cry as he lifted his ankus and mounted Rama, who let out his own bellows of fury. Shere Khan roared his defiant rage as the herd stampeded toward him. But Shere Khan wasn't running. Instead, he charged the herd, leaping at Rama's throat and tearing it open with a slash from his claws. Mowgli leaped off the dying buffalo. 

"Go! Go!" shouted Mowgli. "I'll take him, you guys just get out of here!"

"You should've remembered my power, Man-Cub." said Shere Khan. "Now... prepare to die!" Mowgli threw his ankus, embedding itself into Shere Khan's shoulder. Roaring, Shere Khan tore it out as Mowgli climbed out of the ravine. Shere Khan followed, cursing himself for letting his prey escape, if only for the moment. And so began the hunt to end it all.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO - The Last Hunt

    The two lords of the Seoni raced over a rocky landscape of hills and canyons. Now weaponless, Mowgli knew he could never outrun Shere Khan, who was right on his heels. He at last dove into a small cave just as Shere Khan's claws struck where he once was. Working quickly, Mowgli used the materials within the cave to craft a makeshift spear. All the while, Shere Khan waited outside.

"There's no use, Man-Cub," snarled Shere Khan. "You can never defeat me."

"I may not be able to overpower you," said Mowgli. 'But I can still outthink you!" Mowgli thrust the spear into Shere Khan's face, causing him to recoil with a yowl of pain. Seeing his chance, Mowgli dashed out of the cave and up a ridge. His face now bleeding, Shere Khan ran after him.

Mowgli came to a large plateau, where all sides were drops to certain death. Shere Khan blocked the way down.

"Nowhere to run." said Shere Khan as he stalked toward Mowgli. Mowgli readied his spear and faced Shere Khan. The two adversaries began circling each other, each eager to fight.

"After all these years," said Shere Khan. "It comes down to this."

"You killed those that were close to me... You turned the Pack against me... Tell me... what next?" said Mowgli.

"Let's find out." snarled Shere Khan with a twisted grin.

Shere Khan pounced at Mowgli, who flung the tiger away with the back of his spear. Mowgli jabbed at his foe, who reared up on his hind legs, towering over him, to slash at Mowgli with his front claws. He succeeds in cutting long gashes in Mowgli's torso, causing blood to splatter against the ground. Mowgli retaliates by slashing Shere Khan's side. The tiger knocked Mowgli's spear out of his hands, smashing it to splinters. Mowgli then grabbed Shere Khan's wrists, struggling with the powerful cat. After a brief struggle, Shere Khan bit at Mowgli's head, causing him to leap back... right to where the stony blade of his spear lay. Shere Khan made his final pounce, only for Mowgli to quickly dodge his attack and impale his front left paw to the rocky ground, driving the blade up his leg, finally driving the blade its deepest into Shere Khan's shoulder. Lamed and roaring in fury and agony, Shere Khan collapsed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE - Atonement

    Shere Khan lies on his side, his breathing labored. 

"Do it." he said. "Kill me." Shere Khan, his spirit broken, closes his eyes as he awaits his death. Mowgli breathes a single deep breath has he prepares his final blow. He raises the blade high over his head. With a bloodcurdling shout, he drives his blade down...

Into the earth not an inch from Shere Khan's body.

"What are you waiting for?" shouted Shere Khan. "Kill me!"

"No!" shouted Mowgli. "I've learned too late that revenge isn't the answer! If I kill you, I'm no better than you are! Avenging a loved one doesn't have to end in murder!" It was then that Shere Khan, the Tiger King himself, began to weep. 

"All those years, I've killed without reason," sobbed Shere Khan. "And deep down... I've always hated myself for it. My mate and daughter are dead... because I couldn't protect them."

"You-" started Mowgli.

"Yes, I blame myself for their deaths. My hatred against Man, however, is not without reason."

"Not all Men are murderers. And even though you're the only tiger I've ever met, I've heard stories of tigers that helped the Pack.

"I'm going to give you a choice, Shere Khan," said Mowgli. "Either I can kill you, and the Seoni will find joy in your death... or you can start anew and make a new life for yourself." There was many moments' silence. Suddenly, Shere Khan began to rise to his paws. He started to fall, his lamed leg failing him, but Mowgli caught him and helped him to stand.

"Thank you," said Shere Khan. "Mowgli."

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR - The Spring Running

    One year passed. Mowgli kneels at Kaa's grave.

"I wish you could give me advice, Kaa," said Mowgli. "I feel... strange. Like the Red Flower is blooming within me."

"That would be your heart, my son." said Raksha as she approached the Man. Mowgli smiled as Raksha nuzzled him. 

"Ever since your grandfather's passing," said Raksha. "I have taken his place as Head of the Pack. It is my destiny to lead the Free People. But one day, someone will have to take me and Pita's place."

"You mean-" gasped Mowgli.

"No, Mowgli." said Raksha with a chuckle. "Me and your mentors have been talking, and... well, we think that you and Messua should find your places with Man."

"What?! No! I belong with the Pack, in the Seoni, with-" said Mowgli, cut short by his mother's stern gaze, only intensified by age. Mowgli sighed.

"You're right." said Mowgli. "We have to go back to our People." Mowgli and Raksha headed back to the dens and informed Messua. They then each said their goodbyes to the Pack and Bagheera and Baloo. Tears flowed from all eyes. Mowgli and Messua followed the Waingunga River south, eventually meeting Shere Khan, who locked eyes with Mowgli with a warm smile and a nod. Mowgli smiled and nodded back. The two then found the rebuilt village not too far longer.

And that is how Mowgli and Messua left the Seoni to join those mysterious things called Men.

And thus ends the Jungle Book.