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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"So... Ryo's makin' his move." Gruffi, hand to his chin in thought, paced the room. Not in agitation. Just thinking. His mind bent now toward strategy, he was strangely calm about the matter. Probably because he knew they could win, if only they had a clear idea of what this Barbic Code was Lundi said as Grammi eavesdropped. They'd already read the journal entries. Zummi told Grammi to put them back before anyone took notice. He was certain whatever their code was, it wouldn't uphold creative 'borrowing'. So it was a great relief to have her slip back into the library. Thankfully for all of them, the Barbics rarely came in here. Pro'bly too 'soft' for 'em...

"I wish I coulda seen where that bear has in mind to move us, but it sounds like we don't have any more time. I hate to suggest magic but... Zummi, isn't there any sorta spell you know that might get us some answers?"

"I... I didn't want to bring it up unless we had no other options, Gruffi, but it looks like we're down to that."

Grammi frowned. "Zummi? Down to what?"

"I don't like to use time traveling spells, you see..."

"Time traveling spells?" Grammi and Gruffi chorused.

"Er... yes." He didn't want to mention more on how he discovered them, or on he and Cubbi's escapades, where they barely got back from the past of Gummi Glen. It was an eye-opener for Cubbi and a clear signal to Zummi never to even accidentally cast such spells again.

Ryo Barbic stormed about the once-great Gummi city, searching. Oh, he'd make it great once again. With or without Ursa and Gritty, he'd made it his goal to rebuild its greatness. By Gum and First Fur, he would! And he'd start with getting rid of those Glens. Their horrid influence had already corrupted the Barbic's only cub. He feared it was affecting Grubbi, their only remaining elder, and both Gritty and Ursa, the true leadership of the clan. He couldn't stand it! He'd evict those Glens with pleasure, sure he had enough backing from the other Barbics, and a slight turn of the Code. He couldn't wait to see the faces of those Glen wimps. Heh...

But where _were_ they?? He'd searched their rooms, the library, the kitchen and various studies. They'd been slinking around these last few days..

"Lundi! Mardi!" Those two were always on hand. They didn't hurry at his call, which would have to be remedied in the future. "Get the others together for a search. Those Glens... I can't find them!"

The two other bears exchanged looks, not willing to joke about Ryo's lack of skill when he was this dead set and dangerous. They gave a nod and split up.

Despite searching the whole of Ursalia, no trace was found of the four older gummies. Even that fat slow one. _Where_ could they be?!

"Afraid? Baby, what are you afraid of?"

Buddi couldn't reach out to clutch at her fur for comfort. His arms were too solidly placed by his side and the wrap cocooning him too tight. He pressed his head against her chest, burying his face. "Lady Bane. The Troggels..."

"But they're dead. Grubbi saw them. Did that old witch go insane and slaughter them?"

"No..." he cried, falling silent.

"Buddi... Oh, baby, did _you_...?"

His tears were enough of an answer.

Gum, he was so emotional. She hadn't cried at her first killing. But by that time, she'd been beyond tears, beyond feeling that much hurt. She'd never been as emotional as Buddi. That was the big difference, the chasm separating them. She saw it every day and tried to shape him out of it but it never worked. Ursa for once had to wonder if she should try. Was it better to close off and be the expert warrior? Or was it to feel the world come crashing down as it was now for her little Buddi? But she wasn't closed off. Not totally. Otherwise, she wouldn't feel any pain at seeing the cub in tears. Oh, how she wished she could spare him the pain.

She could hear Grubbi building a fire outside. Good. That was something stable, something she recognized as beneficial. It... it wasn't wrong to cry on a haiana but... She wasn't sure what to do. Normally, she'd tell Buddi to suck up or explain that that's the way battles go but he looked so lost. Too lost to understand.

Ursa focused on finding Lady Bane and making plans in that direction as Buddi warmed by the fire, in her arms. Grubbi could see her scheming even as she ate. This was gonna be one tough haiana...

Flashback: 60 years prior...

He wasn't done 'reflecting' and so ignored the waving hand, beckoning him to sleep.

"Grubbi Barbic..."

At Lorani's warm-up growl, he sighed and glanced her way.

"This isn't a star-gazing expedition."

"I know."

"Hey, _you_ wanted this. _You_ are expected to follow through. Yes, you're tough. You got through one day. So what. Haiana's a month. Don't think you can keep it all in for that long. Not on a haiana, and not _this_ haiana."

At first an angry frown, it altered slightly as an idea occurred to him. "Lorani, why _are_ you on this haiana? What do _you_ need to let out that you'd opt to take me and not one of the others?"

The elder female Barbic scowled fiercely and looked away, aiming her gaze into the fire. She tossed a log on gruffly, sparks flying high into the night. "You keep you to yourself if ya want. Fail like you've failed everything else. I push and you shove back. Don't you get tired of it? Always messin' with herbs and plants and potions and such. Don't you ever wanna make more of yourself? Yer starry-eyed too much, Grubbi."

"Plants and herbs _are_ important!" he defended, his choice of study under threat of verbal attack. "Don't _ever_ say they aren't!! You don't understand! You NEVER understand! If I'd known what I know now, I could've--... I..." He'd shot up, but suddenly the wind left his sails. He sat back down, eyes clouding over with a sullen guilty mood.

"Coulda what?" she prodded.

"Shut up. I'm tired of hearing your voice."

Lorani chose to ignore the younger Barbic. If he were a cub, she woulda smacked him for such words. But he wasn't a cub. And she knew precisely how far to press him. "Grubbi, I know why yer here. I want YOU to say it."

He wouldn't. He couldn't. Not yet. If his herbalist ways had been more refined, or he'd known exactly where the rare once were growing, he could have saved his mentor's life. In essence, he'd failed. Just like Lorani said. He'd always failed. Never the fastest, the strongest, the bravest, the most clever. Lorani was almost stronger than him. If he could've done one thing right in his life, why couldn't it have been to save his mentor when he was needed the most? Now the clan lacked an experienced healer.

Present:

Sunni was really trying hard but her legs refused to work right. She saw Cubbi stumble only twice and here she was hands and knees panting on the cold wet ground.

Gritty knew it was time to quit for the day. He again passed the two cubs the weapons he'd finished since traveling: a short spear and bolas. Cubbi chose the bolas and headed off into the much greener forest they were traversing. Sunni had to wait to catch her breath but she took up the spear without a word.

As Gritty built up a nice fire to greet the two on their return, his thoughts turned strangely to Ursa. It was as if he could feel her with him, even though she was so far away. Yeah, he wasn't kidding himself. He knew why he was out here. Whether by choice or not, this had become a haiana for himself as well. Ursa was too much on his mind these days. He'd come out initially because he'd worried about Buddi. Couldn't stand not seeing what the two were up to. But he was more concerned with Ursa. She wouldn't let anything happen to the cub. Maybe that was bad, for both of them. She'd have the hardest time baring her soul. He really didn't know if she was ready _for_ a haiana. He just didn't know. He worried. Too much. And it wasn't the worry of a second in command for a leader. It was... It was something else entirely. Because this was a haiana, he had to force himself to review, to dwell on that, while the cubs were out hunting.

Surprisingly, Cubbi had felled a rabbit and brought it back to roast over the fire. Sunni wasn't without luck and returned with a great collection of fruits and berries. He asked her about the weapon he'd gifted her.

"Oh, well, it's okay to hunt with but I'm not much of a hunter. I have to use what I am good at. It was a real help having it to climb trees with." She smiled up at him, patting the spear tucked into her belt while she ate ravenously.

Huh. Glen ingenuity. Not that Barbics weren't ingenious when the had a notion to be... One really could learn a lot from a Gummi.

Far Past:

Gruffi tugged at Zummi's arm and pointed to beautiful woods around them. They'd been traveling for hours and had come upon the first signs of civilization outside of where Ursalia would one day be built: a small swirl of smoke in the night. With no Barbics in this time to halt them from leaving the 'grounds', the four had proceeded in that direction. Tummi's keen nose pointed out that, first, he smelled roasting meat and baking goodies and all kinds of good things. Second, he was hungry.

"Hey, Zummi, take a look at those clothes. How far back d'you think we are?" Gruffi indicated a line of clothes drying overnight. A very different style than their own. Even earlier than Gummadoon style probably.

"I.. I'm not sure, Gruffi. I--"

"HALT! Who goes there?" a loud and familiarly gruff female voice demanded. A tall Gummi stepped out of the woods, spear pointed toward the intruders. Three more followed, surrounding them. They... they looked a little like Barbics but were dressed in brightly colored tunics and helmets like the one Ursa was never without.

"I... I mean, we... we were..." Zummi sputtered.

"We're kinda lost." Grammi spoke up, hoping the real truth of it would be seen.

The female who spoke, bearing rusty fur and burgundy hair, narrowed her eyes at the four. If she hadn't long hair in a braid, Gruffi coulda sworn he was staring at Ursa's long lost twin.

"Kuriani?" An elegantly dressed, pale peach female Gummi stepped onto the scene. Carrying a most serene expression, the sight was assessed and a smile bestowed on all. "Ah, visitors. Please stand down."

The Barbic-like Kuriani growled low in her throat, but only as a warning to the Glens. She spoke three words in what they were guessing was Barbic. Whatever was said made the other three lower their raised spears.

The elegant peach Gummi bowed to the stunned group of Grammi, Gruffi, Zummi, and Tummi. "Forgive the overzealous actions of my personal guards. The captain of the guards is particularly devoted to my life but I assure you, her intentions are entirely noble. Come, I am anxious to hear what might bring newcomers to the denser parts of this wood." She waved them

to follow her toward the small but rather permanent looking Gummi town ahead of her.

"Magistrate Corali..."

The elegant Gummi paused, turned a surprised brow-raise to her captain. "I don't think there will be any trouble. Surely you can see who these four are, Kuriani."

The captain of the guards regarded the four travelers with blunt indignation, and recognition. She backed away.

"Precisely. We will speak later, after our guests have eaten and settled."

Not quite sure what had just occurred, Grammi, Zummi, Tummi, and Gruffi followed Magistrate Corali into town.

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