Lady, My Warrior

Gummi Bears are not mine and I claim no ownership except of the new characters and the plot. I hope you enjoy it. Please send feedback, I love it!

Part 2

            "Buddi?"

            Buddi woke up rather quickly and looked towards the voice. It was Ursa, with dinner. He still slept most of the time. Grubbi said that his injuries were immense and for that reason, rest was best. Buddi thought he would have gotten tired of sleeping most of the day and all the night but he didn't. In fact, he was mainly tired when he was awake.

            Yawning, he asked, "I can feed myself today?"

            Ursa raised an eyebrow. "Buddi, we've been through this more times than I care to recall. My answer's-"

            "No, not until Grubbi gives his okay. Accept the help, young man, that's an order." Buddi said in a high voice. Ursa looked at him a minute and then said,

            "Stop that."

            Buddi sighed, "Ursa, when?"

            The female Barbic smiled and gently slapped his cheek. "Be patient little one. You're healing slowly but you're healing."

            Buddi groaned, "I'm so sick of this."

            Ursa ignored that and sat down, picking up a bowl from the tray.

            "Stew again?"

            Ursa chuckled. "Buddi, it's best for healing. We have no idea why it just is."

            Buddi sighed, "I can do this. Let me."

            "Buddi…"

            "I can do it! You don't let me."

            Ursa cocked an eyebrow. She handed the boy the bowl and said,

            "Fine."

            That said, she left. Buddi stared after her. But then deciding to use his good fortune, he took the spoon in hand and tried to move it towards his mouth. But at the last moment a spark of sharp pain made him lower his arm immediately. He tried twice more before he finally got it to his mouth. He tried to swallow but the pain was so intense he choked and ended up hacking and sputtering.

            A hand gently smacked his back and helped him swallow some water.

            The boy looked up and saw Ursa standing over him as she took the bowl away.

            "Grubbi'll know when you're ready," she said simply.

            Buddi turned from her, ashamed. Ursa sat the bowl on the table and then played with a strand of his hair, twisting it around her finger. She patted his head, as if he were a puppy. Tracing down his cheeks, she smirked,

            "Buddi, don't be stubborn. Come on, let me help you."

            "I'm a Barbic, but I can't even feed myself right."

            Ursa smiled and turned him around gently.

            "Buddi, you're a Barbic but a hurt Barbic. And you're a cub. Your pain tolerance is lower. Which isn't your fault."

            She fed him one spoonful, which he accepted and then said,

            "I'll fix that soon enough."

            Buddi didn't like the sound of that. Swallowing, he asked,

            "What does that mean?"

            "Never mind that now. I'll tell you later."

            "But what-" Buddi was cut off as Ursa shoved another spoonful into his mouth. He swallowed. "I was-"

            He was cut off again. Swallowing, he said,

            "Ursa!"

            "Don't talk," she snapped, "Eat."

            He gave up trying to talk. It made the whole process easier. But halfway through, he felt dizzy and sick. Turning away, he murmured,

            "No more."

            Ursa laid the bowl down and said,

            "Come on Buddi."

            Buddi murmured, "No. I'm not hungry anymore."

            "In other words, you feel sick."

            Buddi turned and said with a hint of disgust,

            "Gum Above, how do you do that?"

            Ursa made no reply, except that she felt his forehead. Finding it a bit warmer than normal, she put her palm on the top of his head and pulled his eyelid up with her thumb, peering into first his left then his right eye. She released him and said to herself more than to Buddi,

            "Warm, glassy eyes." She sighed and turned to the cub.

            "Buddi, you caught a small bug. Your body's trying to heal all these wounds so your defense is down on other invaders."

            She drew away. "I'll have to apply that sap twice a day now, until you're better." Buddi groaned. Ursa smiled. Lifting him up, she tipped a small glass of water down his throat. He accepted it but the smell of food was making him nauseous. Ursa took note.

            "No more right now. I'll talk to Grubbi, sleep."

            "This is not one of my better weeks."

            Ursa chuckled. "Aw, it'll be okay. You've been sick before."

            "Not when I've had more holes than Swiss cheese."

            "And whose fault is that?"

            Buddi sighed, "Mine, I know. Still, Alexi had it coming. I hate that kid."

            Ursa looked at him, "Don't think about him. I don't want you focusing on them. I want you to sleep and get better."

            Buddi looked at her and said simply,

            "I try not to but they keep coming back to my mind. Ursa, what if they come back. It was luck I had a stalemate. Alexi hates me…he tried to kill me."

            "Don't you think that way."

            "It's true!"

            "Hush!" Ursa put her finger against the cub's lips. "I don't wanna hear it. I think you're exaggerating."

            "I'm not! Ursa, by Barbic Woods I'm not!"

            That stunned Ursa…they used that phrase for emphasis. She sat on her knees by the bed and stroked the cub's hair.

            "What do you mean?"

            "I…I…" the cub sighed and said, "There was that one moment during the battle I didn't tell you about…"

            Ursa interrupted him and said with firm authority,

            "Tell me."

Flashback

            Buddi tumbled backwards after Alexi's last blow. He saw the cub come for him with an aimed spear. He caught sight of a pair of sai and snatched them off the ground. Turning back to his opponent, he slammed the sai together, catching the head of the spear in the cage. The very tip was less than a millimeter from his heart.

            Buddi was panting, struggling to keep the spear off his chest. But Alexi…he was so strong. Buddi knew he was stronger than he was but he had to think of something or be turned into gummi on a stick.

            "You want to kill me?" he stammered.

            "Where'd you get that idea?" Alexi countered, as he pressed harder. Buddi felt his sai begin to slip so he tightened his grip, knowing if he lost his grip, that he'd be dead in a few moments. He fought tears of fear and tightened his grip until his knuckles cracked and bled. He found his sai were slipping. A sharp pain shot through the child's chest as the spearhead slowly began to draw blood…slowly but assuredly.

            Sweat built up on Buddi's brow and his eyes narrowed.

            Taking a huge chance, he caught the spearhead on one sai and threw the other.

            Its point hit Alexi hard on the shoulder. He screamed and dropped the spear. Buddi rolled away and snatched the sai as Alexi threw it down. Running, he was well aware of the pool of blood spreading on chest, directly over his heart. It hurt like mad but he was alive…he was alive.

Present

            Buddi rubbed his chest at the memory. He still, remembered that, crystal clearly. He shuddered involuntarily. He never remembered being that scared. A hand fell onto his head. It was Ursa.

            "Buddi, why in Gum's name didn't you tell me?"

            The child shrugged and then groaned as his left shoulder protested. He winced, "I really, really, really hate this!"

            Ursa chuckled a moment and held his shoulder still. "Poor baby."

            She teased him a bit, "You want Mommy to kiss it and make it all better?"

            Buddi glared at her, "Ha, ha."

            He looked at her seriously, "I mean, I'm really sick of this! I'm sick of hurting, I'm sick of being in bed! And I'm sick of being sick!"

            "How long have you been sick?" Ursa asked softly as she felt his forehead again. Finding it warm, she got up, wet a washcloth and dabbed his face with it. Buddi sighed in relief first before replying,

            "Since last night."

            The cub fumed and went on, "Sometimes I wonder if I should have just lost on purpose."

            "Buddi Timba Barbic!" Ursa's voice rose and for the first time since Buddi'd gotten hurt, she called him by his full name. Buddi looked at her. Her eyes burned into his soul. Grabbing him by his cheeks, she hissed,

            "I don't ever want to hear you say that ever again! Understood?"

            "I…I wasn't serious-" he stammered but Ursa cut him off,

            "I don't care if you were serious or kidding…don't ever say that again!"

            Buddi was trembling. She was glaring at him and her chest was heaving.

            Ursa finally noted Buddi had moved a ways away from her and was trembling. She took a breath to calm her temper and said,

            "Buddi, I just don't want you to ever give up, no matter how much pain you're in. any life is better than none. And more often than not, things'll get better, as the case is here. Don't you ever lose faith."

            Buddi nodded, "Sorry, I was-"

            "Letting off some stream, I know."

             She pushed the cub down. "You've been stalling. Sleep."

            "Again?"

            Ursa nodded, "I'll talk to Grubbi about your sickness. Maybe he has some herbs."

            "Not that pink one!"

            Ursa laughed, "It's called Pyroot, Buddi."

            "I don't care what it's called; it's nasty!"

            Ursa smiled and folded the washcloth in two, laying it atop the cub's forehead.

            "Don't worry about it now."

            "Ursa?"

            "Yes?"

            Buddi looked at her with hopeful eyes. Ursa took a hint and started to massage his temples. Buddi's eyes slid closed in a short amount of time. As soon as his breathing turned heavy, Ursa pulled his nightshirt down a bit.

            There, over his heart was a scar from a spearhead. Her hands ground into fists and she growled under her breath,

            "You come within a mile of my cub again Alexi and I'll handle you myself."

* * *

            "Grubbi? How many times do I have to say I'm fine?"

            "Until I actually believe it," was his answer.

            Ursa sighed deeply. "Grubbi, I don't have time for this!"

            The physician looked her directly in her eyes. "Ursa, I'm the doctor here. I decide the amount of time you have."

            Ursa sighed deeply. "Fine, fine!"

            Grubbi smiled at her and said simply, "It's almost healed Ursa."

            "It would have been fine without the stitches."

            Grubbi rolled his eyes, "Why do I even bother to argue with you? You're more hard-headed than a boulder."

            He looked at her as he gave her a fresh bandage over her wounds.

            "But keep this up and I think a chip'll appear in that stone armor!"

            Ursa leapt up and hissed,

            "Never! There's no weakness in this Barbic."

            Grubbi raised an eyebrow at her,

            "Ursa, everyone has a weakness. A strength is recognizing it, before your enemies do."

            Ursa bound her hair in a low ponytail. She glared at the Barbic medic and spat,

            "Drop. It."

            Grubbi shook his head as she stormed out but called after her,

            "What are you gonna do about Buddi?"

            Ursa shrugged, "Maybe a training field session?"

            "Ursa!" Grubbi sounded angered; "You didn't have your first one until you were sixteen."

            Ursa sighed, "I just don't want him hurt like this again. He needs more tolerance! I can't protect him all his life."

            Grubbi rose and smiled. He put his hands on Ursa's shoulders,

            "Ursa, there'll be time for that later. Right now, Buddi's still very much a child. Build him up little by little. There's nothing wrong with being protective. I know you are, no matter how much you deny it."

            "What gave you that idea?"

            Grubbi smiled, "Maybe, the fact that you spent the first three days after he was hurt with him. Even after he regained consciousness. You would sit by his bed and just watch him sleep."

            Ursa glared at Grubbi, "You spied on me?"

            Grubbi shook his head. "No, I saw you when I came in to check his vitals. You fell asleep, clutching his hand."

            Ursa turned her back on him.

            "I suppose that the pain is punishment enough." That wasn't exactly admitting she was changing her mind. She stormed out and Grubbi chuckled. Looking skyward, he whispered,

            "Una, your daughter's a carbon copy."

* * *

            Ursa came into Gritty's room and found it empty. He was most likely just out for a minute. She flung herself on his bed and sighed,

            "Ursa. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

            Ursa growled, "Gritty?"

            "What?"

            "Shut up."

            "Hey, it's my room!"

            Ursa sat up. "I'm…not…in a good mood."

            "You came to take it out on me?"

            Ursa shrugged. Gritty sat by her,

            "Ursa, it doesn't usually take you this long to get to the point."

            The Barbic female sighed deeply,

            "I need some advice."

            Gritty immediately ceased any teasing. Ursa almost never came to him for help and vice versa. The Barbic looked at his leader and his best friend. She had on the very edge of his bed and was rubbing her temples.

            "What's up?"

            Ursa gradually told her friend what she had learned from Buddi. Gritty ground his fists into tight balls. He growled under his breath and hissed,

            "That little nisha. Buddi's less than half his size!"

            Ursa nodded, "I know. If he was here now, I don't care if he's only sixteen, I'd tar the head off the sorry little-"

            "Ursa?"

            Ursa turned her head and leapt up,

            "Buddi, what in Gum's name do you think you're doing up?"

            "Trying to walk."

            "Well stop it!"

            "Okay," he leaned against the doorway and slid to the ground,

            "Better?"

            Ursa rolled her eyes, and stormed to the cub with a glare in her eyes. Picking him up, she hissed,

            "What were you doing?"

            "I told you."

            "Buddi!" Ursa's voice was reproving,"

            "What?"

            "I told you to stay where you were and to listen to Grubbi!"

            She put her wrist to his forehead, "Your fever's still high."

            Buddi sighed, "I don't wanna sleep anymore. I'm sick of it!"

            He paused, "Sides, my shoulder itches."

            Ursa looked to the sky for help but finding none, said simply,

            "Back to bed. You stay there or I'll restrain you."

            Buddi turned to Gritty for help. The Barbic's second-in-command said wisely,

            "Leave me outta it."

            Ursa said simply, "I'll be back in a minute, gritty can you wait?"

            Gritty nodded and then chuckled. "I can just see you as a Mommy, Ursa, maybe in a cute short sundress and braided hair-"

            "You're going the right way for a broken nose."

            Buddi giggled and Ursa turned to him, "You like to laugh?"

            Buddi looked at her, "You two are funny."

            Ursa smiled at her sick cub. He still looked a little sick, but usually only when food was mentioned did he act it. He got dizzy if he walked too much but other than the occasional headache, he was the same trouble-making cub and was tired of being tired.

            Ursa winked at Gritty, her silent order,

            "Are we now?"

            "Is this funny?" Gritty demanded as he attacked the cub's armpits, directly in the center. Buddi screamed and tried to bat the adult's hands off but he only had one arm to fight with. Ursa soon was attacking his neck. He tried to fight them off but the two adults easily overpowered him. Ursa flung him onto Gritty's bed, gently as to not injure his shoulder, and they continued their assault.

            Buddi gasped for any air and said between yelps of laughter, "Stop! Stop! Mercy!"

            Ursa chuckled, "You know I don't show mercy!"

            "I give! I give!"

            The two adults finally stopped and Buddi sat up halfway, still giggling and struggling to pull air in. Ursa caught the cub's head in the crook of her arm and gave him a noggie. He tried to wiggle free but she easily overpowered him. He beat on her arms weakly. She noted that immediately. Raising her hand to Gritty, she picked the cub up, saying,

            "Okay that's enough."

            Buddi was red in the face and his eyes had grown glassy. She shook her head,

            "That was foolish. You're sick."

            "Don't feel like it."

            "Irrelevant."

            She patted his cheek. "Still, I think you needed a little bit of fun."

            She carried the cub out and back towards his room. Grubbi had consented in the last few days that Buddi could go back to his own room. Buddi pouted, he didn't want to sleep anymore and while he'd been tickled; he'd forgotten the pain.

            "Ursa, why did you stop?"

            "You were getting tired. I could tell." She smiled, "And your doctor would tear my head off if he found out."

            Buddi giggled. Like most cubs he considered his guardian invincible. He knew otherwise but still, it was a pleasant thought that she would never leave. Foolish yes and idealistic but Buddi was a child.

            "Ursa?" he asked as sat him down.

            "Yes?"

            "I…when in the world do I get this annoying cast off?" he said, gesturing to his shoulder.

            Ursa chuckled, "Buddi, you've got a good month,"

            Buddi cursed under his breath but nothing very bad, not with Ursa present; she'd tar his head off. Instead he pouted,

            "Nuts."

            "Don't complain," Ursa told him sternly. "If you had-"

            "Ursa…I so do not need that lecture again. I've got it memorized, you say it so much."

            Ursa smiled, "You'll remember it then."

            Buddi nodded, "I..I just was so angry…I hate that kid! I hate him!"

            Ursa tilted the cub's head up,

            "Buddi, hate's a pretty strong word."

            The cub nodded, "You're right."

            He went on, "I despise him, I loathe him, I detest him, abhor him, hate his guts, wanna tear his head off…"

            "Okay!" Ursa clamped her hand over his mouth, "I get the idea, little one."

            Buddi snarled, "Don't call me that! Why do you call me that? You know I hate it."

            Ursa chuckled, "Because you hate it."

            Buddi sulked but said nothing. Ursa rubbed his hair,

            "Go to sleep. I know you hate it but you need it."

            "Do not."

            "Yes you do…and I'm giving you a order to sleep."

            "Fine…but I don't have to like it."

* * *

            Buddi didn't sleep. His mind was too full of thoughts. Mostly fears. He didn't know how he knew but he just knew that the battle with those Gummi Gorge Gummies was far from over. He didn't like it. He had seen the determination and ruthlessness in Alexi's eyes. It scared him.

            Buddi felt his hands clamp up. He didn't know how he knew but he just knew that something was going to happen. His thoughts drifted to Keri. Little Keri, the only one of those gummies that seemed to be decent.

            He remembered those few days before he and Alexi had snapped.

Flashback

            Keri followed Buddi outside. She really liked Buddi. He was sweet and he seemed to understand her. She wanted to be a fighter but was forced not to be. He was a musician and forced to be a fighter. There was a major difference.

            Ursa allowed him to pursue his dream, granted he practiced and became fully trained. Her father allowed her no such privilege. Tears of frustration filled her eyes.

            "Ursa!"

            Keri looked up and for the first time, she saw the Barbic leader first hand. She'd caught a glimpse but her father mainly kept Ursa hidden from her view. The female Barbic leapt down, bending her knees to absorb her fall. Standing up, Keri was stunned; she was so tall!

            "What is it, Buddi?" she replied as she brushed her hair off her sweaty neck. Buddi answered,

            "Keri wanted to meet you." He gestured to girl at his side. Ursa turned to Keri.

            Keri's mouth was dropped as she looked over this warrioress. Ursa had long golden hair, which was baked by the sun, and she kept it pulled back by a silver helmet. Her outfit wasn't woven as her dress was but was a tunic made from some kind of hide and dyed deep red. A leather belt hung across her hips and she had a few sacks among it, filled with herbs she assumed or small weapons. Her sword swung in a sheath by her right leg. Her shoes were roman type sandals. The Barbic stared at her a minute and then knelt to her level. Her voice was rough and hard yet understanding.

            "Hey, Keri, I won't bite."

            Buddi snickered, "Usually."

            Ursa gave him a glare that told him this was not the time for jokes and he fell silent. She obviously sensed Keri was nervous and was afraid she might take Buddi's jokes about her attitude for fact.

            Keri took a long deep inhale,

            "H…hi."

            Ursa chuckled. "You want something to eat, Buddi and I were about to eat lunch." She looked at him sternly,  "Then he and I have some training to do."

            Buddi groaned but nodded. Keri chuckled. Following the two, she was awed by the strength she saw in Ursa's arms. Timidly and without even realizing it, she touched her upper arms and gently squeezed as if to see if it was real.

            Ursa looked at Keri stunned at the girl's odd behavior. Then, swiftly recovering, she flexed the muscles that ran through her arms, turning them hard under Keri's fingers. The girl was obviously astonished as she gasped out loud before asking,

            "How..how did you get so strong?"

            Ursa smiled as they entered the kitchen. "Practice, practice and patience." She looked at Buddi.

            "Buddi's muscles are developing bit by bit. It's a matter of conditioning them and being patient."

            Keri drank all this in like a water-deprived creature. Conditioning.

            "I wanna be a warrior someday," she murmured without thinking.

            Ursa smiled, this girl perhaps could turn the tide in her future. "Then if you think you will you will. Do you think I became a fighter thinking I wouldn't? No. It's the effort you put into it that counts and to put forth effort you have to believe it."

            Ursa ruffled Keri's hair.

            "I don't care what your father or anyone else says, sex makes no difference. You can be a warrior if you want to be and you believe it."

            Keri stated, "I do! I do! I know I wanna be a warrior!"

            Ursa chuckled, "Don't tell me. Do it."

Present

            Buddi sat up and rubbed his shoulder. He liked Keri and he could tell Ursa did to. She and told him to keep away because she knew that if he was with Kerri he was probably too near the males for her comfort. He prayed Keri was all right. He hoped she was trying to free herself from those terrible confines.

            Buddi ground his hands into fists and tried to fall into dreams. As he did, he hissed,

            "Fight back, Little Keri. Fight back."

* * *

            "Ursa!"

            The Barbic leader took her hands away from Buddi's shoulders and he immediately fought to keep upright. Ursa grabbed him hard and said simply,

            "See?"

            The cub pouted and said nothing. Grubbi, watching, chuckled.

            The cub's ankle had been hurt for longer than the healer thought. But now he thought he'd let the child try to walk. So far, it was very hard for the child. He hadn't walked unassisted for about three weeks.

            Buddi shrugged Ursa's hand off. The Barbic leader shook her head tolerantly. She kept close behind the cub but removed her hands from his shoulders. Grubbi was trying to get the cub to walk without limping, so far without much success as Buddi still complained of a mild pain in his left ankle. The pain in his shoulder was still intense, however, few herbs could help, and usually reserved for when the pain became overwhelming.

            Buddi bit his lip. By Gum, this hurt! But he didn't care; he had to walk. Maybe then they'd let him do something besides read and other activities that could only be done lying down. He had read more books than he cared to remember and he couldn't really play his music very well because of his shoulder.

            "Little bit farther Buddi, then that'll be enough," the healer's words jerked the child from his thoughts. Buddi nodded and took two more painful steps, trying to hide the wince from his face. As a result of his illness, which had been off and on for several weeks, his body weight had dropped. He generally got woozy when he stood and Grubbi said that he would need to eat some nutrient rich foods to get his strength back but Buddi despised those foods and usually only Ursa could get him to eat them. Generally that wasn't a problem but sometimes her job of being the leader intervened and she left Buddi to Gritty or Grubbi. He refused to eat for them, no matter what they said or threatened.

            Grubbi grabbed the cub by his shoulders and picked him up. "That's enough. Your ankle's still sensitive and you still need to build your strength back up." He nodded at Ursa,

            "I think he's coming along fine but it'll take some time."

            Buddi groaned, "Aw,"

            Grubbi chuckled, "You busted your ankle pretty bad, a small fracture, not as bad as your shoulder but bad enough. It'll be a while, little one."

            "Don't call me that!"

            Grubbi snickered and handed the cub to Ursa. The cub squirmed a little but Ursa swiftly restrained him. Feeling his forehead, she asked,

            "His illness has shifted back and forth Grubbi. What should I give him?"

            Grubbi smiled and answered,

            "Just make him rest."

            Buddi pouted, "I don't wanna!"

            "Hush up, Buddi!" Ursa admonished him sternly. "You need it."

            "But that's all I do lately!"

            Ursa scooped the boy closer to her chest.

            "I know, I know. It'll get better soon; the more you rest."

            Buddi sighed, "All right, but I'm really tired of being in bed all day."

            Ursa smiled gently, "I understand, little one. You're an outdoor cub."

He sighed, "Okay, I'll wait."


One Month Later…

            Grubbi smiled and set down a small metal chisel and hammer and motioned Ursa to set Buddi up on the table. Ursa did so and ruffled Buddi's hair.

            "Well, you survived," she commented. Buddi looked at the chisel nervously. He replied,

            "So far."

            Ursa chuckled. "Buddi, Grubbi knows what he's doing. Relax."

            Buddi tried to and asked,

            "Then can I play?"

            Grubbi chuckled, "Not yet, Buddi. Your shoulder muscles'll need to be toned up again."

            Buddi groaned.

             Ursa turned to Grubbi who walked over, chisel in hand. Buddi swallowed but didn't reject. Rather he closed his eyes and extended his arm. Grubbi chuckled and rubbed the cub's head.

            "I know what I'm doing Buddi."

             Buddi sighed but made no reply. Grubbi put his hands to the cast and moved them around a bit. Buddi looked at him.

            "What're you doing?"

            "Finding the weak point." He picked the small nail up and pressed it against the cub's cast. He hit it firm and hard. The hard sap split down the center and Grubbi broke it the rest of the way with his bare hands. Buddi winced under the pressure and a faint bit of pain.

            Buddi took a glance at his shoulder.

            "It's so skinny!"

            Ursa came over with a wet cloth and wiped the sweat and dirt from the cub's shoulder. As she did so, Grubbi gave a reason,

            "You haven't used the muscles for a month. They're weaker."

             "Well fine then." The cub turned to Ursa. "Can I go play now?"

            Ursa shook her head, "Nope. Grubbi has some instructions to give you and then I want you to go easy the rest of the day."

            Buddi moaned, "But Ursa…"

            "Don't 'But Ursa,' me."

            Buddi pouted, "Phooey."

            Grubbi chuckled and said, "Buddi, it's eerie how much you and Ursa are alike."

            Buddi looked at Ursa curiously. Ursa gave Grubbi a glare. He smiled as he wrapped a thin bandage around Buddi's shoulder. He said with a small chuckle,

            "Ursa has never been a good patient, probably never will be."

            Buddi turned to her with a scowl,

            "And you scold me?"

            Ursa smiled confidently,

            "I'm the adult, I'm the guardian; it's allowed."

            Buddi glared at her,

            "Not fair."

            Ursa looked at Grubbi who started to raise the cub's arm and lower it. He got the proper reaction.

            "OW!"

            Ursa and Grubbi laughed. Buddi turned cherry red. Ursa smiled,

            "It'll hurt for some time Buddi. Grubbi and I want you to do exercises like that for an hour each day."

            Buddi glared at her, "You love to torture me, don't you?"

            Ursa smiled, rolled her eyes and ruffled Buddi's hair. The cub ducked under her touch. He growled,

            "When can I go outside then?"

            Ursa smiled,

            "Patience, little one."

            "Ursa!"

Gummi Gorge

            "If I had one more chance to take on that little punk, I swear I'd give him such a beating…"

            Ari chuckled at his son's words.

            "You truly mean that Alexi?"

            The boy's eyes flashed, "By Gum himself I do."

            Ari sat down across from his son.

            "I'm not about to let that female get away with this dishonor. And if I know how to do one thing, it's how to crack a female. Her children are her weakness."

            Alexi smiled, "You mean…"

            "I've sent Davi out to bring me the cub. You will have your go at him but I want to give the female time to break before I let you at him."

            Alexi nodded and cracked his knuckles. He would win this time…and he would not show the brat any mercy.

Ursalia

            Buddi ran out into the courtyard. He didn't care if Ursa told him different, he was going outside. He was tired of being inside. He was as white as ghost and he was going crazy. It was well past sunset but at least he was outside in the air.

            The cub ran to the edge of the city and straining his arms, scaled the wall so he could look out in the direction that the Gorge Gummies had gone. When he was injured he slept a lot so he dreamed a lot. He had endured a few nightmares. He knew those Gorge Gummies weren't done yet. He just didn't know what they were going to do.

            Buddi sighed and let the wind blow in his face. Dear Gum he'd almost forgotten what air felt like!

            "BUDDI!"

            The cub turned and saw Gritty beneath him.

            "Buddi, you're going to be in a lot of trouble if you don't get down here now!"

            Buddi sighed, "But Gritty…"

            "Buddi."

            The cub sighed, "Fine okay. Sheesh. You adults…"

            He found his footing and made his way down the wall. He landed on his feet and said,

            "You adults are paranoid."

            Gritty raised an eyebrow at him,

            "Buddi you know Ursa said you weren't to go outside."

            "Come on Gritty! I'm going crazy in there!"

            "Buddi, that's not the point." The adult's eyes pitied the child but also held the rare look of disciplinarian. Gritty usually left punishments to Ursa but in this case he took over as prime stickler. Buddi sighed. Gritty was less severe than Ursa but he was still pretty strict, especially when it came to obeying elders.

            "Then what is the point? Why am I getting yelled at?"

            Gritty lifted the cub's head,

            "You know very well why. Deliberate disobedience."

            Buddi pouted, "Oh and I'm sure you and Ursa were perfect little angels." He murmured sarcastically. Gritty looked at the cub with reprimanding eyes.

            "That's beside the point."

            "Are you gonna lecture me forever?"

            "No." a new voice interfered. Buddi looked up as Ursa walked out, her eyes full of her characteristic anger. She grabbed his arm and said,

            "Go to your room. Now."

            "Aw, Ursa."

            "Do not make me repeat myself."

            "But…"

            "To. Your. Room."

            Buddi stomped his foot and said,

            "You adults are jerks."

            But he did as commanded. Ursa sighed. Gritty chuckled. But unlike other times, Ursa did not chuckle along with him as they often did when Buddi had brief periods of rebellion.

            "Ursa?"

            "Huh?"

            Gritty smiled, "Ursa? What's your problem?"

            "I'm not sure. I…I don't trust Ari. He…he'll try something. I know he will."

* * *

            Buddi stepped backward, heart pounding. Alexi grabbed the cub by his shirt and twirled the sai in his right hand. Buddi tried to fight back only to find that he was too weak. Alexi plunged the sai through the cub's pulsing heart and twisted as the heart stopped beating.

            Buddi screamed and sat up. The door opened and Ursa walked in. Buddi was panting. Ursa did not usually come to him when he had nightmares. But he was glad she did.

            "Buddi? What is it? This is the first time in a week you've screamed from dreams."

            Buddi just rubbed his chest. Ursa sat on his bed and lifted the child's head.

            "Buddi, I know I don't usually do this but you've been fine for a while, why are you screaming again?"

            Buddi just rubbed his scar over his heart. Ursa put her hand on his head and said,

            "Buddi? Tell me, that's an order."

            The cub looked at her and saw genuine concern in her eyes, a look he did not generally see. At least not in front of the others. But now they were alone. He shuddered and said,

            "Alexi."

            "Are you still thinking about him?" Ursa reprimanded. "I told you not to worry about it!"

            "But…but…I have a feeling those gummies are far from done, Ursa."

            "Buddi…look at me."

            The cub obeyed.

            "This is why I don't want you going outside. You're right; I won't lie to you. I think they're up to something too. I don't want you getting into an undesirable situation until you're strong enough. But if you let it get to you then they're making you live in fear and that's worse than any injury."

            She paused, "Understand?"

            Buddi nodded. "I get it but I still wanna get out into the air."

            Ursa smiled, "Tomorrow you can go into the courtyard and play, just stay in the city until you're strong enough."

            Buddi sighed but nodded. He saw her point but he also wanted to play in the scare amount of trees in the bottom of Gordian Gulch. Ever since they moved here, he liked to play down there. But according to Ursa he was to stay in the city.

            "Buddi?"

            The cub was jerked from his thoughts.

            Ursa regarded the child thoughtfully. He had not answered her the first two times.

            "Are you okay?"

            Buddi shuddered, "I…I'm just trying to forget that dream."

            Ursa patted his back, "Buddi, tell me about it."

            He did. Ursa was shocked that it was so horrific. She started to massage the cub's shoulders, a tactic that she used interchangeably with temple massages to calm him down. It worked.

            "Buddi?"

            The cub turned to face her and she smiled faintly. Ruffling his matted hair, she said softly,

            "I've suspected them for a time. I trust that Ari about as far as I can throw him. No, less. I have extra guards posted around the city gates and even a few told to report to Gordian Gulge if danger seems imminent."

            Buddi nodded and laid against her chest. She rubbed his forehead, ruffled his hair a bit.

            "Don't worry about it. Leave that to me."

            Buddi nodded. She could tell he was still afraid but he was better off than before.

            "Try to trust me, okay, little one?"

            Buddi nodded, sleepily and said,

            "'Kay."

            Ursa relaxed a moment, enjoying the peace. Quiet was not something she generally heard when Buddi was in the room. He was a rambunctious little cub. Mature when need be yes, but still a little mischief-maker.

 But then Ursa found herself pinned against the boy's headboard when he fell asleep against her chest.

            Ursa chuckled. She was used to this. When Buddi was younger, he used to fall asleep against her all the time. It wasn't anything new. She calmly pried the boy's arms from her neck where they had snaked in the process of him falling asleep. Getting up slowly, she let the cub fall back down against the pillows and pulled the sheets and comforter back over his body.

            She walked to his window and glanced out over the city. Far beyond its walls, she made out a dark patch of woods, where Ari's clan had headed. She stole a glance at the cub asleep behind her. Her breath came in deep gasps, brought on by a rising anger.

            "Ari…Alexi…all of you. Your battle is with me. Leave Buddi out of it."

            Grubbi's words came back to her,

            Ursa, everyone has a weakness

            "Not this Barbic. I won't let these… gummies get to me." She stole a glance at the sleeping cub.

            "Or my child."

Ursalia

             "Ursa!"

            Ursa chuckled at the cub's protests.

            "You heard me. Grubbi says he wants you to come in to do some therapy and then he wants you to go to sleep. It is almost your bedtime anyway."
            "Aw, Ursa…" Buddi turned to her and pouted. "It's night. That's the best time to play!"

            "Not tonight."

            Buddi pouted. He started in but then said,

            "Ursa! I left my flute outside, can I go get it, please?"

            Ursa turned to him, "and what were you doing outside the city gates?"

            Buddi looked down at his hands. "I was just on the bridge."

            Ursa sighed. "Fine. But be fast."

            Buddi took off and smiled. He supposed the lie was underhanded but he was just going to get some air real quick. He tore from the gates and quickly made his way to the end of the bridge and towards Gordian Gulge. He would get yelled at but he didn't care. He just wanted to catch the night fliers that came out at night. They were only out at this time of night and only near the river.

            The cub started down a path but slipped. He immediately grabbed the rock's side but then fell. His shoulder couldn't hold his weight. He fell and rolled to the bottom of the Gulge. It wasn't very painful but now Ursa would know he'd lied.

            Getting to his feet, Buddi winced at the lecture he could already hear about honesty.

            Suddenly the cub's ears perked up and the fur stood up on the back of his neck.

            Warm breath hit his skin. He whirled around in time to see Davi's fist connect with his nose.

            Then everything went black.

Gummi Gorge

            It was nearly midnight when Davi returned. But he had what Ari had ordered.

            Laid across his back was an unconscious but alive Barbic child. Ari grinned.

            "Perfect Davi."

            "Where do you want the brat?"

            "Put him in one of the old prison cells."

            "Those damp places?" Davi winced. Then smiled. The cub had humiliated them. He deserved any discomfort they could offer. Ari nodded to Davi's unspoken question.

            "Do whatever you must to make him unable to fight back. But don't kill him…yet."

            Davi nodded and hurried off to do as ordered.

            Keri watched silently and followed, as quiet as a shadow.

Ursalia

            "Buddi!"

            Ursa was beyond furious. The cub had lied, tricked her. When she got her hands on him, oh, would she chew him out. She stormed after the cub's footprints. He forgot she and the others were experts at tracking.

            All Ursa's anger vanished as she reached the bottom of the Gulge.

            "Buddi!"

            She heard crickets and other assorted night animals but not the one creature she longed to hear. She did not hear Buddi's muffled apology or his beg for her mercy as he usually did. That in itself was enough to put her on her guard.

            "Buddi?"

            No reply, just the sounds of night.

            "Buddi!"

            She tired something else.

            "Buddi, I won't yell at you, just come out."

            Again there was no reply. She followed his tracks a little more and then froze. His footprints stopped abruptly. She knelt and fingered the dust.

            "Too many footprints…one is Buddi's but the other isn't…a struggle."

            She made out Buddi's footprints and saw that others were adult but not Barbic. Barbics had wider feet than other gummies; these footprints were too slender to be a Barbic male. But they were pressed deeper into the earth than a female's would have been. She saw small droplets of blood. It was from the victim of the struggle, it wasn't in the right position to be from the assailant. That meant it was from Buddi, her little one.

            Ursa spied some loose hairs, dark green. She picked it up and followed the footprints with her eyes. It led into the distance, where Ari's clan had gone. The footsteps were deeper as if there was an extra weight added.

            Ursa ground her teeth and hissed.

            "Ari…you weren't brave enough to come yourself…."

Gummi Gorge

            Davi dropped the cub in the darkest cell they had. They had the cells if they ever had criminals rise up in the clan but because there had been none for years, the cells were very corroded and damp because water dripped down into them.

            Davi glared at the cub and then on a whim tore the cub's clothing from him, tossing him a ragged cloak to keep warm with. The colder he was, the weaker he would be. That was what Ari had ordered.

            Davi shackled the cub's wrists and ankles and then left, locking the door behind him.

* * *

            Buddi came to a few hours later. Cold pierced his fur and he sat up trembling. He quickly realized he was shackled, hand and foot and that the ragged cloak flung at his feet was only to keep him alive. He was nude otherwise. Buddi normally would have rejected any aid from his captors but his body told him to accept it.

            It took some trying to get it wrapped around his body with his wrists shackled but the cub managed it. It did not do much except help to keep his back and shoulders dry from the dripping water.

            "Buddi?"

            The cub looked up and saw little Keri.

            "Keri…what happened?"

            "My daddy sent Davi to get you. You're our bait for Ursa."

            "She'll come," the cub said simply. "She and Gritty can track a cricket in a field, they can track a falcon on a cloudy day, a fish in the sea." He looked at Keri, "They'll find their way here."

            Keri nodded. "I know." She knelt to sit on the ground by Buddi. He noticed she had on slacks.

            "You're wearing slacks."

            Keri nodded, "Not gonna be pounded on anymore. I've already convinced my sister Kelsi and my mom to help me fight back."

            Buddi smiled. "I knew if you could find a way, you would."

             Keri smiled at her praise, a sound she rarely heard from her own family with the exception of Eri. And even praise from him was a scarce event.

            "Keri," a voice called in the distance. She whirled to Buddi and said,

            "Hang in there, I'll get you out, trust me. Gotta go."

            That said, she tore from the lower levels.

* * *

            "You haven't seen Buddi?"

            "No," Gritty replied, "Ursa went to get him about an hour ago." He winced, "She found out he lied and is probably chewing his ear off about now."

            The door slammed open and Ursa stormed in, her face completely red and her hands clenched. Grubbi and Gritty immediately moved aside. Ursa turned to Grubbi,

            "You are leader for now, Grubbi."

            She whirled to Gritty, her best friend. "You. Come with me and bring your weapons."

            Gritty and Grubbi shrugged at each other but obeyed Ursa immediately. Gritty followed Ursa, taking a stop at his room to grab his sword and spear. As they stormed outside, Gritty saw the agonizing pain in her eyes, although it was covered mostly by anger.

            Once they cleared the city gates and headed down towards Gordian Gulch, Gritty asked,

            "Ursa? What is it?"

            "Those nishas have Buddi."

            Gritty choked on an inhale and demanded,

            "What?"

            Ursa's eyes remained ahead but she replied,

            "Yes, Ari's clan took my baby."

            Ursa turned to Gritty and hissed,

            "But as Gum as my witness they aren't keeping him!"

Gummi Gorge

            A sharp kick in his side woke Buddi up. The cub sat up and saw Alexi standing over him.

            "I told you that you weren't a warrior."

            He slapped Buddi hard across his face.

            "Papa doesn't want you dead…" he kicked the cub in the stomach. Buddi fell to his knees, gasping. Alexi spat on the ground, "Yet."

            Buddi looked up at Alexi and said,

            "You…really think that…Ursa will just…break?"

            "She's a female."

            Buddi shook his head and called after Alexi as he stormed off,

            "No, she's my mother."

* * *

            Alexi stormed back up to his father. The females had been pushed into the far back of their home. Ari and Davi turned around. Ari smiled,

            "Well?"

            "He's stubborn but he's breaking. He's gonna get weak eventually."

            Ari nodded and smiled,

            "Eventually."

            Oakli ran in from outside,

            "Ari, two of the Barbics are coming."

            'So soon?"

            Oakli nodded. Ari turned to Davi, "Knock the cub out and move him. Hide him. If the Barbics are this close…."

            Davi nodded. Alexi called,

            "Papa?"

            "Yes?"

            "What are you gonna do?"

            "I'm ending this."

            He smiled, "My way. Female, my way or death."

* * *

            Ursa and Gritty greeted Ari creatively. Ursa stormed forward and grabbed Ari by his collar.

            Her voice was acid,

            "Where is he?"

            "Can we arrange a deal, female?"

            "How about this?" Ursa spat, her eyes scalding. "You give me my cub back and I'll let you breathe."

            Ari smiled, "I may or may not give him back."

            "You will give him back," Gritty spat, "Or we'll come and take him by force."

            Ursa threw Ari down. He got to his feet.

            "You would risk a raid against my clan for a cub?"

            Ursa narrowed her eyes and snarled,

            "Gum as my witness I will."

            "Why not try to accept my offer, female?"

            "Because I don't trust you."

            Gritty took a look from her eyes and ran back towards the city. Ari and Ursa faced off, Gritty knew what Ursa wanted but he couldn't resist.

            Gritty turned around, "Why push her, Ari? Just give us Buddi."

            "Why should I be afraid? She's a female. Why should I be afraid of a female?"

            "Right now she isn't a female Ari. She's a mother."

            Ursa glared at Ari fiercely. "Know this Ari, if so much as one hair has been hurt on my baby's head you'll regret it tremendously."

            Ari sneered, "What can you do?"

            "If I have to, I'll pull that home of your apart with my bare hands."

            Ursa drew her sword and pointed it to Ari's throat.

            "You took my baby, my child. If you want war, I'll give you war."

            She knew she couldn't fight a war alone so she did a tactical retreat. Ari called,

            "War, female? You're willing to wage war over a child? You'll attempt-"

            "No Ari. I already have declared war. Attacking me is one thing. My child is entirely different."

            She growled and said; "Now it's personal. My cub, my baby." She paused and snarled, "My final straw."

            With that she walked off towards Ursalia, leaving Ari stunned.

End of Part 2

To Be Continued…