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Ariel and Mowgli#5 pt#1 An Elephant Never Forgets

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                                          The Adventures of Ariel and Mowgli#5 pt#1: An Elephant Never Forgets



     The sun was shining over the jungle. After Bagheera had given into Ariel and Mowgli being able to live in the jungle, he left off promising he would be keeping an eye on them. All it succeeded with the two siblings rolling their eyes. Just recently, the rains had dumped a bountiful amount for the jungle dwellers. Every piece of vegetation dripping with water. The air was humid, making it a very wonderful hot summer day in India.

   Ariel grinned as she looked over the waterfall, it was a perfect day for a swim. She got up early and felt the sun already heating her skin. Mowgli woke up not too long ago and the siblings were happy to see both traps had two rabbits each. Ariel cooked roasted rabbits while Mowgli managed to catch four fish, enough for Ariel, himself, and Rikki. As soon as Mowgli and Ariel were eating breakfast both realized how hot it was. Ariel already started feeling herself very hot decided it was too hot for lessons so instead they would spend the day cooling off in the river. Mowgli was happy to hear what they would do and ended up eating faster so both could go swimming. Ariel laughed as he ran back inside the cave to grab two long clothes or ‘towels’ as Ariel called them, after explaining what they were for. Ariel wiped the sweat from her brow and waited for Mowgli to come out of the cave,
“Mowgli, you ready?”
“I’m coming Ariel.”
Mowgli ran out and just as he came close to the bank, he jumped, tucked in his knees doing a cannonball. Ariel coughed and giggled as she got hit with the water from the banks. It cooled her skin from the hot sun. Mowgli came up shaking his head with a big smile on his face. Ariel took a few steps back and with a mischievous grin, broke out into a full-on sprint before doing a long high jump, tucked in her knees, and did a cannonball too. Mowgli laughed as he got sprayed with the water.
“Great day for a swim huh?” Ariel said, flipping her hair back, enjoying the coolness of the water.
“Yeah. Nice and hot,” Mowgli looked at the nearby rocks near the cave by the waterfall, “Race ya there?”
“Think you can win?” Ariel said with a teasing smile.
“Depends if you have what it takes to beat your younger brother…old lady,” Mowgli said teasing her.
Ariel smirked, “Bring it on.”
That was it as both siblings started freestyling to the rocks. Rikki who had just woken up and came outside saw the two and sighed with a laughing smile.
“Those two are inseparable.”
His nose caught the scent of cooked fish. He saw two fish near the fire pit, “Fish re you for Rikki.” Ariel called out to him from the river. Rikki smiled and licked his lips as he scuttled over to the fish.

   After the race, which Ariel won, it then turned into a diving contest of who could dive the furthest from the banks, and then a who-can-do-the-biggest-cannonball-contest. Ariel did a large cannonball, initiating a small wave that Mowgli jumped happily, only to frown when he saw Ariel didn’t come up from the water.
“Ariel?” He called out.
Mowgli yelped as he felt someone grab his legs and hoist him out of the water and got thrown backward. Ariel smiled as she threw him off. Mowgli came out of the water with some mud that splattered his face making him look ridiculous. Ariel laughed at the pouty face. Mowgli wiped the mud off and got a sly smile as he put his hand down underwater and felt for the squishy mud below. He watched as Ariel looked at him and immediately he tossed the mud out of the water and got Ariel. The mud-splattered her hair and face. Mowgli laughed at the surprised look from Ariel till she gave him a mock-scowling face.
“Oh, you’re gonna get it Mowgli.”
Mowgli blew her a raspberry.
Ariel tried to lunge for Mowgli but missed as he swam away. Mowgli climbed up on the banks and started to run as he saw Ariel following him with a laughing mad smile on her face. Mowgli laughed as he ran over the dead fire pit and took off into the jungle. Rikki watched as Ariel followed after him. A second passed, and he took off after them, ‘Lord knows what they’ll get into next?’ He thought amusingly.

  Mowgli ran laughing as he ducked under a low branch, hearing Ariel call after him. She was shouting how she was gonna get back at him for the mud. She had thrown a few fruits at him as well in retaliation. Mowgli nearly got hit by a mushy in-coming mango and a couple of bananas, but he managed to dodge them. ‘Those lessons with Ariel have helped.’ He noted as he l0oked at where the fruit hit an up-coming tree trunk. Mowgli had no idea where he was going all he knew was he was running from his sister.

  Ariel was not mad, but she was grinning like a cat as she grabbed extra ammo: mushy mangos and her small wet supply of mud being held in a large palm tree leaf. She planned to stalk Mowgli and dump it on his head. Ooh, payback would be sweet for the girl once she found her little brother.

  Mowgli came out of the brush and stopped as he found himself out in a field of dry tall grass. He peered closely at where he was. This seemed…very familiar. Had he been here before? Mowgli glanced around the open field and his eyes settled on a large tree he saw not too far away. Mowgli felt his heart stop as he saw the crook of the tree at the trunk. He remembered where he was now and knew what had happened in that tree: his first encounter with Kaa.
 
“Sssay now, what we here?” A hissing voice said.
Mowgli stuck his tongue out and went back to playing with his stick. The snake laughed as he slithered closer to get a look at Mowgli’s face, “It’ssss a man-cub,” He chuckled smacking his lips as he moved back to look at Mowgli, his eyes darkening in want, “A delicioussss man-cub.”
“Oh go away and leave me alone,” Mowgli said pushing the snake’s face away.

  Mowgli shakily placed his hands to his head, breathing heavily as if he would sick up. He was remembering all too well what happened that night. He wasn’t afraid of living with wolves his whole life, but now he was feeling how scared he was when he first met the snake. Scared How Kaa had kept getting in his face and how his eyes started to change into those colorful rings, making him unable to do anything.

  “Yesss, man-cub, pleassse, go to ssssleep. Pleasssse go to Sssssleep.” Colorful rings filled the snake’s eyes and as Mowgli saw the display, he found himself unable to look away. He just stared at the enticing display.

Those words were lingering in his mind with Kaa’s voice. It was like they were trapping the young jungle boy in a vice and couldn’t get out. Mowgli squeezed his eyes shut.

 “Ssssleep little man-cub, ressst in peacsssse.” All he could do was star eat the snake’s eyes as more rings came forth. All he wanted to do was stare at the beautiful display of color.

The slaughter of memories forced the boy to the ground as his knees gave out from under him. Mowgli remembered all too well the feeling of Kaa’s tail wrapping him up. Unable to move. Unable to do…anything. Except stare at the snake’s eyes.

  “Ssssleep. Ssssleep. Sssssleep.” Kaa droned on the word.
Mowgli groaned as he was still under the snake’s gaze but his mind was allowing him to know that he was in danger. He had to say his guardian’s name, “Ba…Ba...Bagheera.”
GULP! Kaa’s tail cut off his ability to speak and all Mowgli’s mind could do was tune into the hypnotic spirals.

 Mowgli felt a whimper escape him as he remembered how close he came to be eaten that night. IF it hadn’t been for Bagheera…he would have been in Kaa’s stomach. Mowgli felt himself losing it as he went to the ground and started feeling like he was going to throw up. His mind brought back images to what happened when they met again…after he ran away from Ariel.

“Kaa! It’s you!” Mowgli tried looking for a way out of the tree, his view blocked by the grinning face of the snake as he gazed at his helpless captive.
“Yessss, man-cub, sssso nicssse to see you again.” Kaa chuckled as he moved his face right into Mowgli, but the boy was having none of it. He remembered all too well what the snake did to him last time.
“Go away and leave me alone,” Mowgli said as tried to get himself off the coils. Mowgli hoped out and Kaa was waiting for him, spirals ready,
“Let me look at you.”
Mowgli pulled away and tried to walk forward, but tripped and went head first falling off the branch. A coil lopped around his abdomen and started pulling him up back into the trees, while it also worked on keeping him from moving. Kaa chuckled as Mowgli started to struggle.
“Now issss that any way to treat a friend?” He said getting close to the boy’s face.
Surprisingly, Mowgli growled and with all his might, head-butted Kaa hard. He was thrown back at the boy’s ferocity. Shocking the snake.
“You are not my friend. Especially after what you did to Bagheera.” Mowgli said. He managed an arm free and unraveled Kaa’s tail from him as he was placed back onto the branch.
Kaa tried to weave himself closer, “I wasssn’t going to hurt him. I wasss jusssst angry he interrupted our fun.” Kaa said with a sly grin, it becoming wicked as he tried to slip around Mowgli’s waist. Mowgli turned around and used a branch to make him go to the next one, catching Kaa off by surprise. He was now recognizing that this snake wasn’t going to be playing games soon.
“You tried to eat me,” Mowgli stated.
Kaa chuckled and disappeared. His laugh echoing from all over. Mowgli noticed he was not around, making him edgy and aware, realizing that was one of the things Ariel had taught him. As he started to think about the redhead, Kaa lowered himself down and in one swift movement, he moved around Mowgli and curled around his waist, so that his face was just directly in front of Mowgli’s.
“That’sss not true. I jusssst wanna play with you. You can trusssst me.” Kaa said as the spirals came.
Mowgli closed his eyes, but Kaa’s tail came up and slowly pried open one of Mowgli’s eyes,
“Look into my eyessss, man-cub.” Kaa hissed as Mowgli’s one eye started producing spirals.
As Mowgli’s eye was filled with spirals he lost the last of his will and the other eye opened. The spirals were in full circle as Kaa moved his tail around Mowgli, wrapping him up as he fell to his knees on the tree branch.

     
Mowgli felt hot tears on his cheeks as he saw the flashback again. Kaa had not only ambushed him again but managed to get him to fall under his spell too.
“Bagheera was right. There’s no way I’d last a day on my own in the jungle. If he…or Ariel hadn’t…”
Mowgli gulped as he thought of the ‘what-if’.’ He would have been Kaa’s meal. Mowgli felt himself about to give out in the grass, as he kept being assaulted by the horrible memories.

 
 Ariel grinned as she followed Mowgli’s trail outwards. He was heading to the clearing. She grinned mischievously as she kept her leaf full of mud close.
“Hope you’re ready for a mud bath little brother.” She giggled.
She found herself pushing the leaves away and saw a small figure not too far away in the grass. A mop of black hair sticking out. Ariel grinned. Gotcha. Ariel held the mud close to her and started sneaking quietly through the grass. As she got ready to crouch she heard a whimper. Making her stop. Ariel paused and heard it again.
“Mowgli?”
She put down the leaf and walked over to where she heard the noises. As Ariel pulled back the grass blades, she saw Mowgli almost curled into a ball on the ground.
“Mowgli!”
Ariel got down beside him and slowly placed a hand on his shoulder. Mowgli flinched a bit at the contact, making Ariel pull back in shock. What just happened?
“Mowgli? Little brother? Are you alright? What’s wrong?” She asked, worried.
Mowgli’s body relaxed as his mind registered that it was his sister who was now with him. Mowgli leaned into her as she felt arms encasing him in a warm hug.
“Mowgli, talk to me, what happened?” Ariel asked.
Mowgli looked at her scared, and his head moved to the tree.
“Tree.” Staring off in the far distance.
“What?” Ariel asked, confused.
“Tree. That one.” Mowgli pointed out.
Ariel looked to where he was looking and saw the tall tree with the crook in the middle of the trunk.
“That’s where I ran into Kaa… first time. “ Mowgli trailed off, Ariel raised an eyebrow, “All I remember is not being able to do anything when he started showing those rings…not being to look away…couldn’t do anything,” Mowgli started to shake, putting his hands in his hair and starting to tug on it fearfully as he remembered it all too well, “I couldn’t move, say anything. All I could do was stare at Kaa’s eyes while he wrapped me in his coils. Had not been for Bagheera or you Ariel…I would’ve...” Mowgli shuddered, causing Ariel to hug him tighter. “Bagheera was right…I would never have last a day in the jungle on my own. I barely lasted a night because of Kaa. I didn’t manage to get away from him the second time hadn’t it been for you,” He said looking at Ariel, feeling tears escape his eyes, “I can’t seem to go anywhere without running into some kind of danger. All I do is hurt everyone around me-” Mowgli choked out the last word before he was abruptly pulled into a hug by Ariel.

   
  The red-haired girl immediately wrapped her arms around Mowgli and whispered furiously, “Don’t. You. Dare. Say. That.”
Mowgli was shocked at the ferocity her words had. It was like she was trying to stop saying a bad word. Ariel pulled him away from her and placed both hands on his shoulders.
“I don’t want to hear you say that again Mowgli. You do not hurt everyone. You didn’t hurt Bagheera that night. Kaa went at him because he stopped him from eating you. He was trying to protect you. Just like how I stopped Kaa when he got you again after you ran away that day.”
Mowgli’s eyes drooped to the ground in shame as he remembered all too well what happened that day. Ariel gently grabbed his chin, coaxing it up,
“Mowgli, look at me.” She said firmly and softly at the same time.
Mowgli did so, traces of new tears starting to form.
“Do you remember what happened when Bagheera found you and tried to take you back to the village?” Mowgli nodded, “You were able to prove to him that you’re getting with handling yourself. You saved me from falling off the log over the river, and same when that rogue leopard had me cornered.”
Mowgli smiled a bit as he remembered. He did save her that day.
“You’re getting better every day Mowgli. Like I told you before, nothing’s going to happen overnight.”
“I know…” Mowgli admitted, “I wish I had understood it before.”
Ariel smiled at him, “Well you do now, and you’re making great progress Mowgli. You dodged also all of my on-coming mangos and bananas.” She said with a teasing tone, making Mowgli laugh a bit.
Mowgli thought a bit about what his sister had said and realized she was right. He may have not been able to handle Kaa back when he first ran into him, but…he knew now…that he was starting to come to grasps how to survive in the jungle. Because of Ariel, he listened and saw how her teachings had helped. Mowgli looked at Ariel. Throwing himself onto her in a big hug which Ariel happily returned.
“Thank you, sis,” Mowgli whispered.
“You’re welcome Lil' brother.”

 A warm silence went by until the tender moment was interrupted by the slight shaking of the ground. Ariel grew stern and slowly helped Mowgli to his feet,
“This way.” She instructed.
Mowgli followed her and they hid in bushes by the edge of the clearing. The two siblings took notice of the tree shaking more as it was approaching. Both heard loud footsteps, followed by singing as a herd of elephants came into view: Colonel Haith’s herd.

Elephants: Hup two three four
Keep it up two three four
Hup two three four
Keep it up two three four

Mowgli’s eyes went wide with happy recognition, “Colonel Hathi.”
Ariel sighed. No danger. But she knew that Haith was not a fan of humans. She stood clear away from him to avoid confrontation.
“OK Mowgli, we should go, I know this elephant is not a fan of-“ Ariel trailed off when she saw Mowgli was no longer next to her. She turned and saw him trying to sneak closer to the herd.
“Mowgli! Oh no!” She groaned as she tried to follow him.
   

Hathi: Company sound off!

Elephants: Ho, the aim of our patrol
Is a question rather droll
For to march and drill
Over field and hill

    The elephants trumpeted together.

Colonel Hathi: Is a military goal!

Elephants: Is a military goal!

Hup two three four
Dress it up two three four
Hup two three four
Dress it up two three four

By the ranks or single file
Over every jungle mile

Mowgli smiled as he got close enough to hide in the tall grass. He recognized Hathi Jr. running up to the back of the herd. He glanced at him as he joined in with the rest of the herd.

Oh we stamp and crush
Through the underbrush

Hathi Jr. trumpeted: In a military style!

Elephants: In a military style!


Mowgli parted the blades closely and watched as Hathi Jr. marched along with the rest of the elephants. He didn’t dare get closer as he remembered what happened when he first met Colonel Hathi. He didn’t know how he would react if the bull saw him again, especially after Bagheera promised that he would be going to the man-village, and yet…he was still here. Mowgli kept his distance, not taking note of Ariel trying to get closer to him frantically waving for his attention.
Hathi Jr. lifted his trunk high and caught a familiar scent. Following the scent, he went to the tall grass. Mowgli panicked. Hathi Jr. was coming right to him! The little elephant got closer as the scent grew stronger. His trunk brushed Mowgli’s skin making both of them jump,
“AHH!”
Both Mowgli and Hathi Jr. jumped back. Mowgli ended up falling backward and was exposed.
“Mowgli?” The elephant asked, recognizing him.
The man-cub smiled,” Hey Hathi Jr.”
The elephant’s eyes widened, “Mowgli!”
Mowgli stepped out from the grass and got eye-level with Hathi Jr.
“I thought you were going back to the man-village.” The small elephant asked.
“I was,” Mowgli sheepishly run his hand through his hair, “But I met someone, who has been helping me to-“
“SON!” Colonel Hathi’s voice bellowed.

 When Colonel Hathi took notice of his son not following them he panicked. He saw his son talking with that man-cub! The same one that blasted panther Bagheera said he would take back to the village! And yet there he was, talking with his son!
“Man cub! What are you still doing here in this jungle?” The bull demanded.
Mowgli didn’t have time to answer as Colonel wrapped his trunk around Mowgli’s waist and hoisted him, shaking him a bit wildly. Mowgli was a bit disorientated as the elephant continued to rant,
“I was told you would be going back to the man-village_”
“PUT HIM DOWN!” A loud shrill rang out.

 Everyone looks to an equally pissed-off Ariel running madly to where Colonel Hathi was. Mowgli took notice of his sister’s expression and was trying everything he could to not laugh at Colonel’s face of shock, and grimace at Ariel’s expression.
‘Oh, man.’ He thought.
“Put down my brother right now,” Ariel said looking ready to lash out.
Colonel Hathi blustered before shaking his head, “Another man-cub in my jungle-“
“I am not a man, I’m a girl, now put my brother down. Now.” Ariel said, hands on her hips.
“Dear.” Colonel looked back at his wife and nodded,
The bull muttered and forcefully put Mowgli down. Ariel went to his side, “Mowgli, you ok?”
“I’m alright Ariel.”
“Good.” Turning their attention back to the elephants.
“Care to explain why you were handling my brother as such?” Ariel said, her voice full of anger and sarcasm.
“I don’t have to explain anything, other than to ask why two humans are living in my jungle.” The bull demanded.
“We’ve lived here our whole lives and this is where we’ll stay,” Ariel said defiantly.
“No humans live in my jungle while I live.” Colonel Hathi roared.
Ariel stood tall and firm, while Mowgli was a bit slightly intimidated by the angry elephant.
“We’ve lived here for our whole lives and you didn’t know of us till now. You have no right to throw us out of our home. You do not own or rule this jungle.”
Ariel said gritting her teeth. This is elephant was doing a good job of getting on her nerves right now. But she refused to back down. ‘My god he is just like my father. All he’s missing is the beard and hair on his head.’
“I am a leader of my herd here and you humans will respect me as such and leave this jungle as I command.”
“Respect is earned, not given. And given how you don’t neither Mowgli’s nor my respect, no.” Ariel a bit smugly.
Gobsmacked faces surrounded them. Mowgli was trying to stifle laughter bubbling up at seeing Ariel put Hathi in his place. The herd of elephants was shocked, Winifred was just as shocked, but a small smirk crawled up her face as well as respect for this young human who was back-talking to her stubborn husband. It was certainly a sight to see. That no one realized the Colonel’s son just walked off.

Hathi Jr. walked away from the shouting match to a new hole. He peered down to get a better look, but it was too dark to see clearly what was down there. He ventured closer to the rim of the hole and that’s when it happened. The pressure on the rim started to crumble and gave away, making Hathi Jr. fell into the dark hole!

 At the same time, Winifred noticed her son was not around. Getting worried she whipped her around, looking for him, and saw a sight that made her heart stop. She saw her son too close to a hole and watched as he fell in,
“SON!”
Her cries getting the attention of the elephants, Colonel Hathi, and Ariel, and Mowgli as they saw Hathi Jr. just about plunge into the hole behind them.
WE'RE BACK.  This took forever to get the time to do, but it was all worth it.  Hope you guys like it.  I'm gonna keep writing but please understand that I'm doing both college and a job so updates won't be posted fast.  Anyhow, thanks for being patient and understanding and enjoy this chapter here.

credit for story-line also goes to Jazz316, who is my co-writer with this series.
credot for preview picture goes to hyptonica2002.
© 2016 - 2024 PinkWarrior30
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Man, that's the first time I've ever seen, Ariel standing up against that bull elephant, Hathi, and saving her brother. ;) Glad Hathi's wife, Winifred, was amazed to see this sight.

Uh-Oh! Hathi's son is in trouble. I hope he's all right.