Chapter #2: Unwelcoming of Nellie's elephant herd

As they approached the riverbank, Lupin could see the elephants more clearly. They were a mix of adults and young ones, their large rectangular, smaller flapping gently in the warm breeze. 

Many of the other Asian elephants that are teenagers eating so the fruits will also some fighting against each other. See who is stronger. 

Lil Lupin: (beaming) There they are! 

Nellie: (voice trembling with excitement) I can't believe it!

As they reached the edge of the river, the herd noticed Nellie and Lupin.

Lil Lupin: (excitedly) Look at them! They're so big and strong!

Nellie: (beaming) Yes! This is my family! 

But as they approached, Lupin noticed a few of the older elephants eyeing him with suspicion. Their trunks curled defensively, and their ears flapped with uncertainty.

Nellie: (confidently) Everyone! I'm back!

The herd turned to look at her, their expressions shifting from surprise to confusion. The larger elephants stepped forward, their demeanor less welcoming.

That's when Nellie's mother known as Tina walking towards her log. Lost daughter as they hugged each other with their elephant trunks, Lil Lupin watching from behind trees. The small smile on his face and however he had the feeling that he will not be welcome here seeing that some of other elephants to really take kindly for a mouse like him.

Tina: (pulling back from the hug) I'm so glad you're safe, my dear! I was worried sick about you.

Nellie: (smiling brightly) I met a friend! This is Lupin. He helped me escape from a bear trap!

Tina's gaze shifted to Lupin, her expression shock, confusion and fear, the other elephants rather they were male, female or teenagers in trumpeting in fear while also on top of rocks or logs. 

Other elephants looking directly at the mouse with fear and anger having their trunks filled with water ready to spray the mouse or throw stuff at him.

Lupin felt a chill run down his spine as he saw the fearful expressions on the elephants' faces. He had faced many challenges in the jungle, but never had he felt such a wave of hostility directed toward him. 

Tina: (gently) Now, now, everyone! This is Lupin. He's not here to harm us.

But the herd was not convinced. The younger elephants whispered among themselves, their voices filled with uncertainty. 

Teenage Elephant 1: (nervously) What if he tries to steal our food? 

Teenage Elephant 2: (pointing) Look at him—he's just a little mouse!

Teenage Elephant 3: (sneering)  not to mention something else is always getting into our trunks. Always putting some stuff to make us sneeze!!

Lil Lupin felt his heart shattered like glass. Hearing the negative comments coming from the many of the Asian elephants male and female talking bad to him, Lil Lupin tears coming from his eyes, his mouse ears lower than before, turn around and ran into the deep parts of the jungle not even hearing the cries from Nellie and Tina. However, for the other elephants could help but feel happy that the little mouse was gone.

As Lil Lupin continued running while tears flow down his eyes as he was near a clearing and in his fist across the ground while also crying and shouting and anger and sorrow felt rejected and alone. his heart shattered permanently like glass as he was curled up into a ball crying.

Lil Lupin: (shouting to the empty air) Why can't they just see me for who I am?!

His voice cracked as he shouted, the raw emotion pouring from him. He felt utterly rejected, abandoned once again, as if he had never truly belonged anywhere. Curling up into a small ball, he pressed his face against his knees, sobbing quietly.

The silence of the jungle contrasted sharply with the chaos in his heart. He felt as if he was drowning in a sea of loneliness, the voices of the elephants ringing in his ears: "Just a little mouse," "What if he tries to steal our food?" Even the playful taunts of the teenagers cut deeper than he could have imagined.

Lil Lupin: (muffled, to himself) I just wanted to help... 

But all he felt was isolation—a deep, aching solitude that wrapped around him like a thick fog. He had spent so long trying to find a place where he belonged, and now it felt like he had lost everything.

Just then, a gentle rustling in the leaves caused him to look up, his heart racing with a mix of fear and curiosity. He half-expected to see the tiger from earlier, but instead, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows—Nellie.

Nellie: (softly) Lupin... 

Her voice was gentle, filled with concern. Lupin's heart raced as he looked at her, unsure of what to expect. Would she scorn him too? Would she call him "just a mouse"?

But as she drew closer, her eyes filled with compassion and understanding, and her trunk gently caressed his head. Lupin felt a surge of warmth wash over him, and he couldn't help but sniffle, his tears still fresh on his cheeks.

Nellie: (softly) I know this must be hard for you, Lupin. The herd...they're not used to seeing things differently. But that doesn't mean they don't have a heart.

Lupin looked up at her, his eyes wide with disbelief. He had never heard an elephant speak so kindly to him before. He had always been met with fear or disdain, but Nellie's words were different. They were filled with warmth and understanding, and he felt a glimmer of hope in his heart.

Lil Lupin: (sniffles) They don't understand me. They never will.

Nellie shook her head gently, her trunk wiping away a stray tear from his cheek. 

Nellie: (gently) You'd be surprised, Lupin. Acceptance takes time, but I believe they can learn to see you for who you really are. You have a big heart and a lot of courage.

Lupin felt the warmth of her words seep into his soul, but doubt still lingered in his mind. 

Lil Lupin: (voice trembling) But what if they never accept me? What if I'm always just the little mouse who doesn't belong?

Nellie: (nuzzling him) You're so much more than that. You're brave, smart, and you've already shown you can help. Remember how you saved me? That was a big deal!

Nellie gently nuzzled his head with her trunk, a gesture of comfort and affection. She might not be able to change the herd overnight, but she would always be there for Lupin, standing by his side and reminding him that he was worthy of love and acceptance.

As they walked back towards the herd together, Lil Lupin feeling a whole lot of anxiety and fear within his heart not even sure about how the herd of Asian elephants actually accept him or straight up rejecting him as he's just a mouse.

Nellie nudged him gently with her trunk, sensing his trepidation.

Nellie: (softly) Just remember, I'm right here with you. You're not alone.

Taking a deep breath, Lupin stepped out from behind the trees, facing the herd. The elephants turned to look at him, their expressions a blend of curiosity and caution. The younger ones whispered among themselves, their eyes wide with intrigue, while the older elephants remained guarded.

Tina, Nellie's mother, stepped forward, her gaze softening as she recognized Lupin.

Tina: (gently) Lupin, we were worried about you when you ran off. It's okay to feel scared.

Lil Lupin: (nervously) I... I just didn't expect to be treated like this. I thought... I thought maybe I could be one of you.

Lupin nodded, his eyes still filled with filling up with tears causing him to kneel on the ground crying  with joy, as Tina the big motherly Asian elephant wrapping her elephant trunk around his body to comforting him.

Many of the other holes and sticking down the little Mouse-Faunus as a big baby or just acting it's actually into a false sense of pity for him.

Lil Lupin: (sniffles) They don't understand me. They never will.

Nellie shook her head gently, her trunk wiping away a stray tear from his cheek.

Nellie: (softly) They may not understand you yet, but that doesn't mean they won't. Change takes time, and sometimes it starts with just one voice.

Lupin looked up at her, feeling encouraged by her unwavering support. He could see the concern in her eyes, but also a belief in his potential that reignited a spark of hope within him.

Lil Lupin: (muffled) But what if they don't want me here? What if they just see me as a little mouse?

Tina's trunk wrapped around him tighter, providing a comforting embrace. 

Tina: (gently) You are more than just a mouse, Lupin. You are brave, intelligent, and you have a heart full of kindness. That matters far more than what you look like. 

As the other elephants began to shift closer, their initial wariness slowly giving way to curiosity and empathy. 

Nellie stepped forward, her bright eyes shining with encouragement. 

Nellie: (cheerfully) See? They care, Lupin! They just need to understand you, just like I do.

Lil Lupin looked up, his tear-streaked face meeting the gazes of the herd. There was a mixture of concern and curiosity in their eyes, and he felt a flicker of hope reignite within him. 

Teenage Elephant 1: (tentatively) We thought you were just a little mouse, but you saved Nellie. That's pretty brave.

Teenage Elephant 2: (nodding) Yeah! Maybe we were too quick to judge.

Lupin wiped his eyes, feeling a surge of warmth from their words. 

Lil Lupin: (sniffles) You really mean that? 

Tina released him from her embrace, allowing him to stand on his own. 

Tina: (gently) Of course we mean it. We may be big, but we can also learn to be bigger in heart. 

The other elephants nodded in agreement, and Lupin could sense their growing acceptance. 

Nellie: (encouragingly) Just give them a chance, Lupin. They're ready to see you for who you really are.

With a deep breath, Lupin took a step forward, his heart racing with a mix of anxiety and excitement. He could feel the eyes of the herd on him, not with fear this time, but with curiosity and a hint of admiration. 

Lil Lupin: (tentatively) I want to be a part of this herd. I want to learn from all of you and help in any way I can.

A ripple of surprise passed through the younger elephants, and then one of them, a brave teenage female with playful eyes, stepped forward.

Teenage Elephant 3: (smiling) If you want to help, you can join us in our games! We have a game called "Fruit Fetch." You can show us your speed and agility!

Lupin's ears perked up at the idea. The thought of joining in and being a part of something made his heart race with excitement. 

Lil Lupin: (brightening) Really? I'd love to!

Tina watched with a soft smile, her heart swelling with pride. 

Tina: (encouragingly) Just remember, Lupin, it's all about teamwork. You may be small, but you can do great things. 

The teenage elephants began to gather around, forming a circle in the clearing. They looked at Lupin with anticipation in their eyes, and for the first time, he felt like he truly belonged. 

Nellie: (beaming) Alright, everyone! Let's show Lupin how we play!

As the game began, Lupin felt his worries start to melt away. He darted around the larger elephants, weaving in and out with a newfound confidence. The younger elephants laughed and cheered, and he could hear them shouting encouragement.

Lil Lupin: (joyfully) I can do this!

With each successful fetch, Lupin felt more and more like a part of the herd. The initial fear and judgment were replaced with laughter and camaraderie. He felt their acceptance wash over him like a warm tide, and he couldn't help but smile.

As the game continued, Lupin found himself laughing and enjoying the moment. He realized that while he might always be a little mouse, he was also a brave and capable individual, worthy of love and friendship.

After several rounds of "Fruit Fetch," the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The elephants gathered around Lupin, their expressions warm and inviting.

Tina: (gently) Thank you for joining us today, Lupin. You've shown us all how brave you are.

Nellie nuzzled him again, pride shining in her eyes.

Nellie: (happily) You've earned your place here, little brother.

Lil Lupin felt his heart swell with happiness and warmth. For the first time in a long while, he felt truly accepted and understood. It was a feeling he would cherish forever.

Lil Lupin: (grateful) Thank you, everyone. I... I've never felt this way before. I'm so glad I'm here.

The herd gathered around him, their trunks gently touching his head in a gesture of unity and friendship.

Teenage Elephant 3: (smiling) We're glad you're here too, Lupin. You have a special place in this herd now.

As the elephants settled down for the night, Lupin found himself a comfortable spot near Nellie and Tina. He lay down, feeling a sense of peace and contentment wash over him. The night was filled with the gentle sounds of the jungle, and the soft murmurs of the elephant herd.

Lil Lupin: (to himself) I finally found the family so wonder who I could considered a sister even though she is an elephant but I felt love for the first time...

As Lil Lupin the the Young 5-year-old Mouse-Faunus most like against the belly of the mother of Nellie's mother known as Tina the big motherly Asian elephant, as he drifted up to sleep, nothing against a big skin of the motherly elephant.

Lupin felt the warmth radiating from Tina's massive body, a comforting presence that wrapped around him like a cozy blanket. As he nestled against her, he marveled at how safe he felt in this moment, a stark contrast to the loneliness he had known for so long. 

The jungle around them was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls, but here, in this little circle of acceptance, the world felt perfect. He could hear the gentle breathing of the elephants around him, a soft symphony that lulled him further into comfort.

Lil Lupin: (whispering, eyes fluttering) I never knew it could feel like this... 

As he drifted off to sleep, images of the day danced in his mind—the laughter of the elephants, the thrill of the game, and most importantly, the feeling of belonging. He had spent so long searching for a place to call home, and now, surrounded by Nellie, Tina, and the rest of the herd, he finally felt like he was part of something greater.

In his dreams, he envisioned the herd playing together, running through fields of tall grass, and splashing in the river under the bright sun. He could see himself racing alongside the elephants, his small size allowing him to dart between their legs, laughing with joy.

The feeling of freedom washed over him, and for the first time, he felt confident in who he was. He wasn't just a little mouse; he was Lupin, a brave and caring individual with a unique place in this world.

As dawn broke the next morning, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a golden glow over the clearing. The sounds of the jungle began to stir, and Lupin slowly opened his eyes, blinking against the bright light. 

He looked up to see Nellie watching him with a soft smile, her large eyes filled with warmth.

Nellie: (gently) Good morning, sleepyhead!

Lil Lupin: (yawning) Morning, Nellie. Did I miss anything?

Nellie shook her head, her trunk gently stroking his head in a comforting gesture.

Nellie: (smiling) Not much. Just the usual morning activities. But don't worry, you didn't miss anything important.

As Lupin sat up, he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over him. The acceptance and warmth he had experienced the day before still lingered in his heart, and he knew that he would cherish this moment forever.

Tina, still snoring softly, shifted her position, allowing Lupin to see the rest of the herd stirring around them. The elephants were beginning their morning routine, stretching their long necks and trumpeting softly to each other.

Lil Lupin: (excitedly) I can't believe how different everything feels now!

Nellie nodded, understanding the depth of his emotions.

Nellie: (softly) It's a big change, Lupin. But you're stronger than you think, and you have us now.

As the herd began to move, Lupin stood up, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. He knew that this was just the beginning of his journey with the elephants, and there would be many more challenges and lessons to come. But with his newfound family by his side, he felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Lil Lupin: (determined) I'm ready for whatever comes next. Thank you, Nellie, and thank you, everyone. I'll never forget this moment.

Nellie nuzzled him one last time before the herd began their morning walk, their steps slow and leisurely as they made their way through the jungle.

As Lupin followed behind, his small mouse ears perked up with excitement, he knew that this was just the beginning of his adventures. He had a long way to go, but with his new family and friends by his side, he felt ready to take on the world.