Chapter
Seven: Adult Worries, Forbidden Feeling
"And I was wondering if maybe I could
show her the swimming hole or-"
"Buddi," Ursa interrupted. "Don't
think I dislike Sunni because I don't. But I do think you're spending too much
time with her."
Buddi got up from the table in
protest. "But I like her."
Ursa nodded and took a bite of her
lunch. "I know and I do think you should have friends. However, you're spending
too much time with her and you're a Barbic. It isn't good for you to hang
around a Glen so much."
Buddi growled, "But Ursa…"
Gritty broke in, "She's right Buddi.
Case closed."
The cub slammed his foot into the
ground. "You adults are such jerks."
That said he stormed out. Ursa
buried her forehead into her hands. It had been a few weeks since Sunni had
first come over. Since then, she and Buddi were constantly together. They had
gone throughout the woods and to the forests around Dunywn. Every other day it
seemed they were together. It was bothering both Ursa and the Glens.
The others had been back for a bit
and Barbic Woods was almost the same as when they left it. They had repaired
everything, made new furniture and even located their old training grounds.
Buddi was much easier to train now because he wanted to get to his trees.
But lately, it had been Sunni that
he'd been rushing to, not the trees. It was worrying Ursa.
But no matter how Ursa threatened,
Buddi kept right on seeing her. It was to the point that Gritty had even
threatened to take him over his knee. Ursa was almost to the point of grounding
him, but she couldn't bring herself to do that yet.
"Ursa?"
Ursa looked up. Her best friend
smiled at her, "Ursa, I think after today, we should start to regulate the
amount of time they spend together."
Ursa nodded. "I know Gritty. I don't
want him to hate me though."
Gritty chuckled, "Ursa, even when
you tanned his hide, he didn't hate you. He's a got a temper like yours. He'll
get mad but he won't hate you."
Ursa nodded. "But you're right." She
smiled with a chuckle, "But I'll let them have today."
* * *
"Buddi! Don't let go! Don't let go!"
Buddi laughed. Sunni had a firm grip
around his shoulders and she leaned her head back as he swung towards the water
hole. He stopped over it and just hung there.
Below him was a crystal clear pool,
at the far end of the woods. It was about twelve feet deep in the center but it
went much deeper. Ursa did let him out in the center but said he couldn't be
alone. If he was alone, then he had to keep where his feet could touch the
ground. A small waterfall fell in at the far end, creating a warm little shower
so to speak. Buddi liked to swing high and drop down.
Which he did now.
Sunni surfaced, stunned. The water
was…warm. She expected it to be cool but this water felt like a bathtub. Buddi
scrambled back up the vine and did a flip, landing in the water. Sunni covered
her face, laughing, as he created a wave that washed over her.
Buddi surfaced and Sunni dove under.
Buddi knew what she was planning but acted surprised when she yanked him under
anyway.
The two tumbled in the water a bit
until their lungs demanded air.
Even though Celina was still a very
real threat, this little 'playtime' helped ease the tension. Besides, they had
grown to long to play together. Gruffi hated it and so did Ursa. Grammi was
unsure about it but didn't protest as much as Gruffi. Gusto was pretty understanding
too although he did have trouble getting to see Sunni as she was out so much.
Grubbi was the only Barbic who
understood. He'd thankfully been one of those that had come back. Ursa said it
was because Buddi was younger he was more vulnerable to illness and injuries
and they needed a certified healer.
Buddi didn't care why, he just was
relieved. Grubbi didn't give him grief just gave him a small grin and silent
laugh. Buddi had shrugged in response to that.
"Buddi!"
Buddi snapped from his thoughts.
Sunni was hanging on a vine, barely holding. Buddi chuckled and scrambled up
the vine and to her.
"Wanna learn how to swing?"
Her jaw dropped. She had been
waiting! But it was just like Buddi to offer when she was just ready to do it
and not too long before or after she thought she was ready. He seemed to pick
the right time for everything. Sunni shook herself from that thought and
nodded.
Buddi wrapped his hands over hers
and swung forward. He grabbed a vine and moved her hands to it.
"That all you gotta do Sunni, let
go, grab the next vine then release the last vine. Just do it fast."
She nodded, "Where can I practice?"
Buddi smiled. "Here. That way if ya
fall, there's water to catch you. Besides, the vines here aren't too high."
Sunni nodded. "Will you do it with
me, the first few times?"
Buddi smiled. Ursa had done the same
thing when he was learning,
"Sure."
He swung with her a few times, only
letting her go along when she asked him to let her try. She'd panicked the
first time and just hung there and let go. Gradually she began to reach her
hands out. She missed the first try and fell, smack into the water. Buddi had
tried not to laugh but had failed.
Of course, they just inspired Sunni
to try harder.
Eventually, she got the basic idea
but was still content to cling to Buddi when they went high.
"Buddi?"
Buddi stopped. Sunni was looking
down from where they were. He took a hint and swung to the forest floor. Sunni
moved from him.
"Buddi, I had fun but we should stop
getting together so often."
Buddi was stunned. "But Sunni, I
like it."
She nodded. "So do I. But too much.
I'm a Glen. You're Barbic. We can't get too close."
Buddi grabbed her hands. She stared
at him. Buddi stated,
"Sunni, it never bothered you
before…why now?"
Sunni met his eyes, hers glistening
with unshed tears. With all the strength she had in her, she murmured,
"Because I think I'm falling in love
with you…."
END OF BOOK THREE
To Be Continued….