Growing Up
The Barbics, Glens and any other Disney characters are copyrighted to Disney and we claim no ownership. However, any new characters are copyrighted to Ulisa, Silver Fox and Cheetah the Furry. This plot is a collaboration of Ulisa, Silver Fox, and Cheetah the Furry.
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Buddi and Sunni remained quiet a moment more. They didn't have to speak. Best friends that they were, they didn't need to speak to one another to feel comfortable. Besides, Buddi was trying to gather up his courage to speak. He looked into his knapsack where a carefully wrapped package sat.
The cub looked at his fingers, the scars still present. He had put them through torture making Sunni's present. He wasn't supposed to be this nervous about giving it to her. In fact, he should just wait until the party, he reasoned. But some part of him said that he should give it to her before the party later. The Glens' parties were far different than the Barbics. Buddi was glad that they could respect one another's traditions. He was the only Barbic giving Sunni a gift.
Sunni stole a glance at Buddi. He looked nervous. She didn't know why. But she soon found out.
Taking a deep breath, Buddi pulled his package out, small enough that it fit in his palm and said,
"Sunni, here…I wanted to give you your present now."
"Buddi!" Sunni's mouth fell and she took the present, her shock more obvious than she would have liked. Buddi was her best friend but she knew that Barbics only gave a single present on birthdays, so this was a nice shock. It was nicely wrapped, she could tell that Buddi really put thought and time into it.
"Go on," Buddi urged, his voice came out sounding shaky and he mentally slapped himself. Why had he gotten into this situation? But Sunni gave him a smile.
Buddi's stomach rumbled strangely when she looked at him that way. He felt ill a moment but he liked it. But he didn't know why he felt that way. She had never caused such a reaction before. Rubbing the back of his neck, the child awaited her reaction.
"Oh, BUDDI!"
The next moment, Sunni latched herself onto Buddi's neck, squeezing tightly. Buddi was stunned and uncomfortable. Barbics didn't hug…they just didn't. But his arms found themselves winding around her shoulders and squeezing her back. But he only allowed this a few moments before he parted away from her. Sunni pulled away, remembering the Barbics' ways. She lifted her gift from the box.
The silver and golden chain shimmered in the fading light. Buddi had made it himself, she knew because he had engraved his initials into the backside. It was a golden necklace, with a heart shaped charm made of silver, with decorating bands of gold. Being a lover of fancy jewels, Sunni was ecstatic.
"Thank you, thank you!"
Buddi smiled, glad to see that pretty smile light up the girl's face. "I'm glad ya like it."
"Like it? I love it!"
She looked at him from the corner of her eye and gave him a bright smile again. Buddi felt his hands clam up for a reason he didn't know. Suddenly, he felt desperate to leave. But he didn't want to hurt her feelings.
"Sunni, we should head back. We're probably dead meat already."
The girl nodded and slipped the charm around her neck. The two seemed to have generated an uncomfortable silence so they walked back in quiet. But as they walked they clung hands for comfort and strength. They needed it. As they walked up to the gates of Ursalia, a large wince passed over each of their faces.
Gruffi and Ursa were waiting for them, a scowl over both their faces.
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