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 ran as long as he could; he was basically going on instinct trying to find Gritty. From what they both told him, it was like Ursa and Gritty were mentally connected, and could sense, even from miles away, that the other was in trouble. Buddi was going on this feeling he now had that Gritty was near, and soon he was in a familiar part of the woods, after a night of running. He wasn't sure, but by sounds, smell, and looks he estimated he was very close to Dunwyn.

Yes…yes, he knew this land. He'd only been here a few times but he had managed to visit Sunni enough to have an idea of what the surrounding territory looked like. He knew he would collapse if he ran another step…

No…no he couldn't collapse. What if Ursa…

No!

Buddi forced himself onward, even as his lungs screamed and his legs were set ablaze by the pain of overused muscles. Had he felt like this in training…

Buddi shook his head. He had overused his muscles at one point, not long ago…

Three Months Ago…

"Buddi!"

The cub looked over at Ursa and sighed deeply. He had passed his Test of Bearhood only a little over a month ago. Since then, his physical training intensified. But for once, Buddi wanted to impress Ursa. He wanted praise, even a small smile. So far, he had gotten none, just her voice calling…what was she saying?

"Buddi! I said enough!"

Buddi shook his head and after he caught his breath, he went backwards through the obstacle course that Ursa had set up. He'd impress her this time. Even if he despised the training, he wanted her praise, her respect.

But his muscles were screaming, practically tearing. He jumped the first obstacle…made for the next…

Everything swirled…went black.

The harsh taste of herb traced water made the cub come to, hacking.

"About time you came around."

The cub looked around.

He was naked, wrapped in damp sheets. Gritty was sitting by his bedside and took the glass away as he woke up. Buddi felt a breeze and saw that Ursa had opened his window. She gave him a glare from the corner of her eye, sat on his bed and hugged him faintly.

Pulling away, she looked at him a moment. Then, in one moment, she smacked his lower back…hard.

"OW!" Buddi instantly rubbed it as Ursa hissed,

"That is for disobedience." She smacked him again, "And that is for giving me a heart attack. Sweet Gum's Sake!"

"I was just…" he paused and gasped in a fresh gulp of air. His legs were on fire. He looked down and saw that the others had put herb soaked towels on them, forming kind of a wet cocoon. "Trying to…do something…good."

"Overexerting yourself in the midst of the summer is the opposite of good."

"But…"

"Hush!" Ursa pushed Buddi down onto the cold sheets. But, they actually felt good. Her voice softened, "Buddi, I give you a certain amount to do because that's what your younger body can handle. Never push yourself beyond your limits. Now," she wiped his sweaty forehead with a wet cloth, "Rest."

Present

"Rest…rest…"

Buddi swore the trees were telling him that…no…had to go on…

He had to…

Ignoring the terrible fire that burned his lungs, the ooze that seemed to have replaced his muscles, and the drenching sweat that coated his whole body, he pressed on.

Ursa found herself hoisted up and flung over a shoulder, slender shoulder…female. Musta been that sorceress'. None of her Troggels were tall enough. Ursa didn't move. She listened, ears alert.

"You've done well my dears. Now, back to the castle. I've much to prepare for and only one day now in which to prepare."

One day…

Ursa found herself flung, rather roughly, into a carriage. Then, Lady Bane entered and it took off. The ride was rather smooth. She tried to get more information but unless the sorceress offered it then she would not risk revealing she was conscious. Her thoughts turned to Buddi and Ursa said a silent prayer that Gum would protect him.

"Please…" she murmured to herself as true fatigue overwhelmed her, "Please protect him. Keep my baby safe."

Grubbi found the flattened section quickly. He also came upon Ursa's sword, which he picked up to tuck into his belt. She had been here. Her scent was still fresh and the tracks left were still new, just recently made. He saw they had left Ursa on ground for a good hour, although…why?

Grubbi sighed; they had traveled the rest of the way by carriage. He could catch up but it was risky. Still, he had to take that chance. They had kept Ursa alive so far but Grubbi knew that they had their own greedy reasons for doing so and he didn't like the scenarios that were playing through his mind.

Taking a huge chance, the Barbic healer followed the clear path, risking his own discovery on the open road.

Ryo flung a spear aside in frustration. Just like those soft cowards…hiding, always in need of protection. And Lundi and Mardi weren't even trying, he could tell. Well, he could remedy that.

"Lundi! Mardi!"

The two came, spears in hand.

"You aren't searching hard enough," Ryo snapped before either one could say so much as a word. His eyes were cinders, "I want them found! I want them out! No more this 'we owe them' or 'we took them in.' I want them found and then I want them out!"

Far Past

Sachi parted from her sister and the others as night fell. She was obedient but she was also restless. She didn't wanna sleep yet. Kuriani called her a 'Puc'on Sachi.' In their parents' code, her name literally meant 'Night.' That phrase meant 'Created of the Moon.' It was used to describe some of the childhood monsters that the adults told their children on dark nights, for fun.

Sachi walked a ways and then saw Gummeria in the distance. She wanted to say goodbye. Her sister had sent a few guards but she could sneak past them easily as she had always done before. That was no problem for her.

However, as the girl snuck forward to do just that, a gruff voice said,

"What are you doing?" as a brown furred hand caught her shoulder. Sachi screamed and then felt her mouth covered. She was turned around and found herself facing that 'new' Gummi who called himself Gruffi.

She sneered, "None of your business."

"I think it is."

"Is not, ly'gic."

"What?"

Sachi grinned, "Figure it out."

Gruffi growled; this girl was definitely of Ursa's blood. Ursa was stubborn like this and Gruffi would not have been surprised if she had been disobedient and a brat in her youth as well. Although this was the first show of disobedient that Gruffi had seen. Still, he figured that the pre-Barbics should have taught their young to respect elders…although technically if she was four in this time, she was several centuries his elder. It was mind boggling, this time travel stuff.

Gruffi tried another incentive to get the girl to return to camp. Ruin must have been near. He remembered reading that the few guards had only been in place for a matter of hours before the attacks were raged. He had to keep her out of that city…at any costs, all costs.

"Would your 'Sissy' want you-"

Sachi kicked him, hard, hissing, "Me and Malachi call her Sissy! No one else! NO ONE!"

That said, she kicked the Glen in the shin again and took off for the city as she heard the Gummi growl and then start after her.

Present

Sunni sighed. It was yet another night at the Glen. Sweet Gum, it was taking its toll. She was in tears at night and when she tried to find any food, her appetite vanished. Besides which, Gritty was irritable, as if he were troubled by something. Something that neither she or Cubbi could determine. But then, she supposed Barbics were known for concealing their feelings.

"Sunni?"

The girl lifted her head and her jaw dropped.

"Buddi!"

She almost embraced him but stopped.

His clothes were torn, his face was red, he panted as he breathed and he was still moving, demanding,

"What are you-"

"I'm sorry Buddi…I knew that you needed a haiana and I guess I did too. So Cubbi and I left."

"Can't do a haiana…alone."

"I know. Gritty's here."

Buddi's heart leapt up into his throat. He looked at her. He saw her frightened face, as if she was afraid he would yell at her for doing something Barbic. Buddi smiled, as he walked past her,

"I thought…you…needed one."

"You aren't-"

"No…but Gritty…"

Sunni led the way back to camp as Buddi followed. She said,

"I thought you were on a haiana…"

"I was…I am. But…we have….problems."

"What?"

"Lady Bane…took Ursa…"

"What?!"

Buddi nodded, "I don't know why. Grubbi's trying to…" Buddi gulped in air again, "track her. Told me to get…Gritty."

Sunni nodded. Had Buddi not needed to fetch Gritty, she would have embraced him, to give him her support. Sunni knew however that the best support she could give was to let him find Gritty, maybe then, she would get answers to what happened. Buddi was so tired though. She could see it in his eyes, in the way he held himself. He wanted to get started after Ursa right away and she could not blame him. But…

The camp loomed into view. Gritty was at the fire. Buddi wasted no time, staggering forward, his chest heaving, his face red. He ran and flung his arms around Gritty's waist, wailing, almost as if in tears,

"Gritty!"

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