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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Silence from the party did not help the situation any. Not even Grammi dared utter a 'Land sakes!' in the hush following Buddi's very audible second outburst. She looked at the other Barbics. Stock still, faces tense, _anything_ could happen next! What should be a happy event, a day of celebrating Sunni growing into her fur, had turned out so badly. Maybe they shouldn't have made such a fuss over the party, or urged the Barbics to attend. They didn't normally have such festive goings-on, near as she could figure, but Grammi knew how much Sunni enjoyed Buddi's company. Needed it, too. If they invited Buddi, they had to invite everyone. But Barbics _were_ different...
Cubbi could sense the prickly tension. It made the fur on his arms and neck rise in response. What the heck was going on in there? He wanted to know. Not just because he had a great desire to be in the know, but because, like any Gummi, he wanted to know if he could help. Probably not. They all thought he was just a little kid. He wished so hard sometimes that they'd treat him like they treated Sunni. He wanted nothing more than to prove himself to them, like he had to the Gummadoon knights and Sir Gallant. Was it _just_ because they were raising him that they didn't feel they could let him outta their sight? Cubbi sighed, sympathizing with Buddi. Would either of them ever figure out _how_ adults thought? And what were they saying in there. Only muted whispers could be heard, and-- Was ... was Buddi crying? Cubbi's ears strained to hear but he couldn't be sure. He glanced over at Sunni, his throat suddenly dry.
She was aching to hear what was happening as well. Angry at Ursa for probably ruining her party purposefully, frustrated and concerned for Buddi, but also a little afraid for him. Whatever was going on was serious. It was like the next step after Gruffi's 'last straw' speech. Scary, the silence. She wanted so badly to take even one step forward but the whole room was froze in place. Waiting.
Gruffi, the most sensible in such a situation, cleared his throat. Though he knew the mood had to be broken up, his initial opener wasn't the best chosen. "Er... How about cutting the cake, Sunni."
She shot him a look of disbelief. "Gruffi,-"
He simply shook his head, truly expressing his regret but the topic could not be opened. Not with present company. With a solemn face, he passed her the knife.
Gruffi wanted her to carry on like nothing had happened. But... but... Deflating suddenly, she knew there wasn't anything she could do. And whatever happened, if Buddi wanted to tell her, he would. If it was too embarrassing, she shouldn't know anyway. She took the knife.
Footsteps were heard. Sunni halted the knife before cutting into the pretty frosted white cake. She caught a brief glimpse of Buddi jogging across the visible hallway entrance, followed closely by Ursa. That was all she saw of him the rest of the night.
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