Blu and I

Chapter One: Blu With Envy

The sun was setting over the jungles of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was a sight enjoyed by many, but not as much as a certain blue macaw couple, currently perched on a branch in one of the jungle's highest trees.

"This is the life." Sighed Blu, one wing wrapped around Jewel, his beloved.

"It sure is." Agreed Jewel, turning to face Blu, her face alight in the glow of the sunset.

"You're so beautiful." Smiled Blu. "Like an angel."

"Oh, Blu." Blushed Jewel. "You're embarassing me... Do go on."

"My angel." Whispered Blu, leaning in for a kiss. Jewel leaned in too, but before the deed was done, they were interrupted by a visitor.

"Jay!" Called out a deep voice, as the newcomer landed on the branch. He was a handsome scarlet macaw. "How are you?"

"I'm sorry, do I know..." Started Jewel, before recognition fell over her. "Ricardo, is that you?"

'Ricardo?" Blu thought to himself, distastefully noting the joyful tone of Jewel's voice.

"Indeed, it is!" Declared the red macaw, in a heavily accented voice. "How have you been?"

"I've been great!" Smiled Jewel, turning to Blu. "Blu, this is Ricardo, an old friend of mine."

"Really?" Blu asked coldly.

"Yeah, we knew each other back when we were chicks." Said Jewel. "Ricardo, this my mate, Blu."

"Ola, senor!" Ricardo beamed, his foot shaking Blu's vigorously. "So you are the lucky bird Jay has chosen to give her heart to? Congratulations!"

"Yeah, thanks." Mumbled Blu, wrenching his foot out of Ricardo's grasp.

"Where have you been?" Jewel asked."I haven't seen you in ages."

"I decided to do a little long-distance flying." Said Ricardo. "You know, see what's out there. It's good to be back though!" He picked up Jewel in his wings and spun her around. "I missed you, Jay!"

"I missed you too, Ric!" Jewel giggled, wrapping her wings around Ricardo in a hug.

If macaws could change color, Blu would have turned bright green at that very moment.

After putting Jewel down, Ricardo yawned. "All that flying has made me tired. I'd better find a place to crash, before I literally crash!"

"Drop by tomorrow." Jewel offered. "Then we can all catch up together. Won't that be great, Blu?"

"Yeah, sure." Said Blu unenthusiastically. "Great."

As night came about, and the two blue macaws settled in to sleep, Blu found himself kept awake by unnerving thoughts concerning Jewel and Ricardo.

"Ola, senor Blu." He mimicked quietly,so as not to wake Jewel. "I'll give him an ola lot of pain if he even tries anything with my Jewel!" He then looked over at his sleeping love, and felt a surge of assurance. "What am I worried about? Jewel wouldn't do that to me, not after everything we've been through... would she?"

The next morning, Blu decided to surprise Jewel with a romantic gift, just to make sure. He flew off to pick a few guavas (Her favorite fruit) and picked her favorite orchid. Making his way back to their tree, Blu felt quite sure of himself. Then he saw a sight that made his blood run cold: Ricardo, presenting Jewel with an even prettier orchid. As Blu watched, he saw Ricardo pull Jewel into a dance. His jaw dropped in shock, causing the guavas to fall from his beak. He then flew off, not even bothering to look back.

Some time later, Blu perched himself on a tree branch in the darkest part of the jungle. Totally despondant, he looked at the orchid he was holding in his talon, before crushing it in anger. 'Now what do I do?" He thought. 'Without Jewel, I have nothing. No reason to stay here. May as well leave.'

Just as he was about to spread his wings, Bu heard Jewel calling his name.

"Blu!" She said, landing beside him. "Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you!"

"Please." Snorted Blu. "Don't pretend you care."

"What are you talking about?" Asked Jewel, mystified.

"Don't bother trying to act all innocent." Blu spat. "I saw you dancing with Mr. big, handsome, fancy-accented Ricardo!"

"Wait." Said Jewel. "You think him and me were..."

"Yeah." nodded Blu.

Jewel burst out laughing.

"Oh yeah, laugh it up." Said Blu. "You already broke my heart, you might as well get a good laugh out of it, too."

Jewel immediately stopped laughing. "I'm not interested in Ricardo." She declared. "We've known each other since we were chicks. He's more like a brother to me then anything else."

"Yeah, right." Snorted Blu. "Then explain the flower and the dancing."

"Simple." Smiled Jewel. I was teaching Ricardo how to dance (He happens to be pretty bad at it,you know) and be romantic, so he could impress this girl he's got his eye on."

"A likely story." Seethed Blu.

Losing her patience, Jewel grabbed Blu with her wings and pulled him towards her.

"Listen up, mister." She seethed, looking Blu fiercely in the eye. "It's you I love. You want me to prove it? Fine, I'll prove it."

And with that, Jewel gave Blu a long, passionate kiss.

"Believe me now?" Asked Jewel, after their beaks finally parted.

"Yeah." Blu muttered dreamily. "I do." Holding up the mangled orchid, he mumbled "I got this for you, but it got a little damaged during handling..."

Without even thinking, Jewel took the orchid and set it between her head feathers. "It's perfect." She smiled, causing Blu to smile right back.

"Sorry I got the wrong idea about you and Ricardo." Blu said sheepishly.

"Apology accepted... Jealous-feathers." Jewel teased.

"Thanks... "Jay"." Blu teased back.

"To be honest, I prefer "Angel"." Jewel admitted, sharing an adoring look with her beau.

"Jay! Senor Blu!" Came Ricardo's voice from above. As he descended onto the branch, he was joined by a beautiful female scarlet macaw.

"Ricardo, is this...?" Jewel asked.

"Si." Declared Ricardo, waving a wing in his companion's direction. "This is the lovely Rosa. Rosa, this my friend Jewel, and her mate, Blu."

"Good to meet you both." Smiled Rosa.

"Likewise." Nodded Jewel.

"In more ways then one." Blu smiled, sharing a knowing look with Jewel.

Leaning in Ricardo's direction, Jewel asked "So, I take it my lessons in romance worked?"

"Like a charm." Chuckled Ricardo. "Thanks, Jay."

"It's Blu you should be thanking." Jewel admitted. "A lot of that came from romantic stuff he's done for me."

"Then thank you, senor Blu." Ricardo nodded.

"No problem." Said Blu. "Listen, I know I wasn't too friendly towards you yesterday, so what do you say we just start over?"

"As you wish." Smiled Ricardo, seizing Blu's foot and giving it another vigorous shake.

"Come on, guys." Smiled Jewel. "Let's all get down to the samba club and dance our tail feathers off!"

"Sounds good to me." Chuckled Rosa.

"Yeah." Smiled Blu. "Me and Jewel can show you two how it's done."

"Lead the way, amigo." Offered Ricardo.

The two couples flew off in the direction of the city, ready to dance until they dropped. As he flew alongside Jewel, Blu gazed upon her and sighed contentedly, wondering how he could have ever thought his angel would betray him, and vowing never to jump to such distrustful conclusions again.

To Be Continued...

(Rio and all associated characters are the property of Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox. Ricardo and Rosa, however, are my own creations.)