Chapter Two: Taken Too Far

Chapter Two: Taken Too Far

Sunni tried to cover. She took a breath,

"Guys, it's not what you think…"

"We saw what we saw, Sunni Gummi." Ursa hissed acidly.

Sunni shut her mouth. Gruffi stormed to her and snatched her by her arm and tugged her away. Buddi watched her towed away before a sharp pain shot through his right ear. He yelped in pain. Ursa merely tightened her grip.

"Shut your mouth. You, to your room now. Gritty and I have quite the lecture for you."

Buddi let out another wail of pain as Ursa tugged him towards his chambers, by his ear alone. Gritty's anger didn't help. The black Barbic opened the door and Ursa shoved Buddi in and gritty slammed and locked the door. Ursa took a breath and then Buddi spoke, trying to cool Ursa and Gritty's fierce tempers.

"Ursa, Gritty…I…"

His answer came from both adults at once,

"SHUT UP!"

Buddi sat back down swiftly, determined not to let the tears come. He knew that tears would not help. In fact, in this situation, they would worsen his position. Gritty and Ursa looked at each other and nodded. Buddi backed up until he reached the wall, trembling.

"No, please…"

In answer, gritty grabbed the cub by his ear and tugged him forward until he was looking them both in the eyes.

"Buddi Timba Barbic, I knew you were getting too close! I gave you the benefit of the doubt and let you hang out with a glen. I knew when we first met them, they were a bad influence. I should have trusted my instincts."

Gritty glared at Buddi with a glare that could have halted an army. Buddi closed his eyes and lowered his head. Gritty's voice came out colder than ice.

"Look. At. Me."

Buddi slowly looked up.

"Ursa's right. We trusted you and you ignored our warnings and now you're starting to get too damn close!"

Ursa smacked Gritty upside the head. As angry as she was, she didn't need Buddi picking up foul language. She glared at Buddi. The cub glanced up.

"Can I speak in my defense?"

Ursa nodded.

"I didn't mean to. I mean, it started out as a friendship but…"

"But you ignored our warnings and purposely got involved too closely." Gritty accused. Before Buddi could say anything, Ursa gestured him to stand.

Buddi knew they were right about his disobeyed them as he had stayed away with Sunni longer than Ursa said. He knew Ursa didn't approve of his close friendship with the Glens.

"But Ursa…please no…"

In answer she nodded at Gritty. He scooped Buddi up, loosened his belt and pulled his slacks down. Buddi continued to beg,

"Please, no!"

Ursa merely took her belt off. Buddi turned snow white and started to whimper. Although he normally took a belt over Ursa's hand, Ursa's belt was a whole other story. Hers burnt like fire. The only thing he feared more was a sword paddling. Like most gummies, the Barbics had a paddle for when the child really acted up. The Barbics would have the cub stand bent over and unsheathe their sword. Then the flat side would connect with the cub's backside, once for each year of their age. Although it seemed dangerous, Barbics knew exactly how to aim the sword and they always used one that was worn and not sharp.

Buddi knew the only reason he wasn't getting a paddling with the sword was because they didn't have a dull sword. As angry as they got when he received that kind of punishment, they would never risk him getting cut.

Buddi whimpered as Gritty held him still.

Ursa swung her belt and the buckle connected with Buddi's backside. Buddi let out an involuntary yelp of pain.

Ursa smacked the cub 5 more times before she stopped and Buddi was allowed to pull his slacks up. He sat down reluctantly. It hurt.

Ursa sighed, "I don't want you and Sunni together anymore without an adult in view."

Buddi opened his mouth to protest but Ursa's icy glare silenced him. He fell silent and stared at his hands. Ursa was calming but was still beyond angry.

"I want you to stay in this room the next three days. You are not allowed to come out unless it's to shower or go to the bathroom. Your dinner will be brought to you. I'll be taking your flute for a month. Understood?"

Buddi nodded. Ursa pinched his cheeks and lifted his head so she was looking into his eyes,

"Understood?" she repeated.

"Yes, Ma'am."

The two adults stood and walked out, Ursa slammed the door behind her.

Buddi buried his face into the pillow, unaware that Sir Plucki was observing from the window. The elder Gummi bit his lip with sympathy as he heard the cub cry,

"Since when was love a crime?"

* * *

Sunni backed up away from Gruffi. She had never seen him so angry.

"Sunni Gummi, I've got the mind to take off my belt and give you the buckled end,"

Sunni winced and closed her eyes. Gruffi was very close to doing just that when a voice broke in,

"You'll do no such thing Gruffi Gummi!"

Sunni turned as the brown haired Gummi, Grammi stormed in. she put her hands on Sunni's shoulders supportably.

She sent the brown Gummi a glare,

"If you touch one hair on her, you'll answer to me, Gruffi Gummi!"

The Gummi countered,

"You weren't there! Sunni and Buddi were practically rolling on the floor."

Sunni spoke out, "We were not! It was just a kiss!"

"You're only thirteen!"

"Nearly fourteen! In three months! Buddi in one!"

"But still-"

"Shut your trap, Gruffi Gummi," Grammi interrupted. "Thirteen is perfectly normal of children to fall in love. There is nothing wrong with it. Leave her alone."

"She's with a BARBIC!"

"Buddi is Buddi," Sunni interrupted. "I just see a boy who's sweet and sincere. Not a Barbic."
Gruffi was about to say something but a glare from Grammi halted his words.

He walked out but said,

"Be careful Sunni, Ursa's none too happy. It would be unwise to arouse her or myself any further."

"What are you saying?"

"Grow up. You and Buddi are going to divide our clans forever."

"You don't know what love is."