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.

****

Far Past

"Dankili... Eruta... Natur..." Kuriani mumbled in a half daze.

"What's she saying?" Gruffi was pushed aside by Randi, rushing to get to his mate.

"Nothing. Nonsense." Ursa replied, laying the first Barbic leader gently on the ground. She exchanged glances with Randi. "Can you tend wounds this deep?"

He gave a nod and saw to Kuriani. Ursa rose, blood staining the front of her tunic. Nonsense it may be, but prattling on about hope, death, and life was never encouraging from one so strong. "If she's aware, tell her she's lost nothing. Randi?"

He swallowed hard, not knowing if her words were truth or comfort only, before nodding and turning all attention to Kuriani. Zummi stayed with him to be of any assistance. Ursa turned on an entirely different scene.

Tummi and Grammi were trying to hold back the rampant child-Malachi. Most of the pre-Barbics were gathered around the older one, hands and knees to the ground in the agony of his situation.

"Who are you?!" the young Malachi demanded, still trying to get at the older one. "Why'd you do this??"

The elder Nevi stepped toward the cub, his eyes heavy with guilt. "Look at him, Malachi. Who does he look like?"

The cub's struggling ceased at the sight of the weeping form who looked like... like him. "No. No! It isn't possible!"

"He IS you. You will become him."

"No, Nevi! It's not true! I'd never hurt Sissy! Please! You gotta be wrong, Nevi!"

The future Barbic's head swung sadly.

"No! I _won't_ hurt Kuriani! I WON'T!!"

Grammi let go as the cub folded in on himself, clutching at her apron as the tears of denial came streaming down. "Gruffi?"

He shook his head. "It hasn't changed anything. If we'd changed anything; if HE'D changed anything; we wouldn't be here right now. None a this woulda happened."

"But I can't hurt Sissy." the cub squeaked piteously.

"You already did." Gruffi said, trying to sound strong. "You gotta ask for her forgiveness when this is all over. Maybe then it can end." He glanced Malachi's way-- the older one-- still broken on the ground.

"You're wrong." Ursa spoke up, kneeling cautiously by the weeping elder Malachi. He said something over and over through his tears. She translated for them. "'I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'll do what you say. Just don't leave me, too. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.'"

Grammi turned to Gruffi. Ursa was right. If nothing had changed, Malachi would feel nothing of remorse for his sister right now. She put a hand on little Malachi's head. "It'll be alright, dear." She glanced at Ursa to confirm her bold hope; that Kuriani would heal. Ursa gave a single nod, face expressionless.

Present

"Ursa?"

"What is it?" was the Barbic leader's gruff reply at Evi's call.

"Ah, there you are. Oh my, but your still in those old clothes! It's time to change."

"What for? These clothes suit any situation."

Evi failed to hide a humored smile. "I beg to differ."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Eyes narrowing, she looked Evi critically up and down.

"It's just that... There is a grand celebration to commence this eve, because of our re-emergence among the present. You can't expect to go like that, as our guest. We cannot allow it!" Evi gave a gay laugh, trying to soften Ursa.

Didn't work. "No. I'm no party-goer. I can't afford to relax like you can. Mine and the lives of those I care about are still in danger."

"But everyone is safe in Gummadoon, with our Council wizards and knights."

Where have I heard that before? Ursa thought dryly. "Nope. Out."

Evi had no choice but to leave, with the garments.

Raspberri followed so quickly after, Ursa all but jumped up, sure something foul was afoot.

"What the--?"

"Just me!" Raspberri waved, a roguish gleam in her eyes. "Come to talk you into joining us this evening."

"I already said--"

"I know, I know. You're too tough to party. I'm familiar with Barbics. Had a second cousin of a friend who fell for one, you know." Raspberri giggled. "Speaking of which, I'd think a nice-looking girl like yourself would be dying to strut her stuff in front of all our eligible bachelor bears."

"I'll pretend you didn't say that." Ursa again narrowed her eyes at the intruder, willing her away with the stare alone. "Get out. I have things to think about."

"Oh... I see! Then that big strong lug I saw following you around must be your chosen! Oh-ho! Good choice!" Raspberri leaned closer, grinning ear to ear and chuckling as if at some joke.

That was the last straw. Ursa launched from the bed, cuffed the other bear by her dress-front which was sure to leave the awfullest wrinkles, and hauled her to the door. Before opening it and throwing Raspberri out, she said in a most dangerous voice. "Don't _ever_ say that again. He follows me because he's my second in command. Not for ANY other reason, not that _you_ can understand. Clear?"

"...Crystal."

Ursa slammed the door nearly on Raspberri's heals, not quite sure why it made her so steamed to have people goading her about Gritti. And what _about_ Gritti? He was always there. Didn't everyone see it was because he respected Ursa? He never fawned or stared at her like he'd seen other lovers do. Like she'd seen Kuriani do, once... Now why would a memory like that depress her? Ursa felt suddenly itchy. Not too surprising. Hadn't had a bath in ... well, now, she couldn't recall but she wasn't gonna say anything to those nosy bears she'd tossed out. They were sure to make some snide or stupid remark. She'd dare 'em to say she smelled. THEN we'd see who remains standing. She'd find her own bath, maybe wash her clothes clean for tomorrow while the others partied. Whatever tomorrow brought would come swifter if she was active, so she'd prefer to do something.

The baths were easy to find. Ursa found 'em all empty so she shucked off her clothes and got in. Yeah, a good scrub of the fur and scalp'd wash much of her stress away. She ignored the start of festive music and cheering and fireworks as the Gummadoon party kicked off.

She'd just relaxed in the water when a soft step startled her. Eyes flying open, she scowled at the face of the youngest of the three girls who'd shown Ursa and company to their guest rooms.

"Yeah?" Ursa demanded. "Whaddaya want?"

Head ducked subserviently, Emili replied, "N-nothing. I had heard the bath and... and came to offer my services. I saw your garments were in a bit of tatters from your recent ordeal and... and I'll wash and sew them up if you'd like."

Huh. "Why aren't you out in the party zone?"

Emili smiled and blushed, her eyes ducking farther away. "I... I don't do my best in large groups."

Shy, eh? Finally, someone else who might appreciate the need for solitude. "I suppose... You'll be quick about it?"

"Oh, yes. Very quick, milady."

"...Okay then." Ursa waved her out, which she was quick to do after collecting the dirty clothing. The Barbic leader settled back into the hot water with a pleasant sigh. Yeah. This felt too good.

With a clean body, Ursa looked on her old helmet critically. She hadn't taken the best care of the heirloom. A good scrub'd get it gleaming again, too. Into the tub it went with a big sploosh of water.

So intent on cleaning the metal shiny, Ursa didn't hear the approaching step. Nor did the other hear her as she worked on a particularly dingy spot on the helmet. The Barbic second-in-command burst into the bath.

"G-Gritti?!!?" Ursa exclaimed, all but drowning herself in a fast duck back under the water.

"Wha--?? Oh, tyigen! Sorry, Ursa!" Gritti turned about quickly, but slipped in the water condensation on the tile floor in his hurry to leave and almost cracked his skull on it as his feet went out from under him.

"Gritti?! Are you okay?"

"Uh..." Good thing he wasn't facing her. His face must be red as a mouli fruit. "Yeah. Just landed on my pride." he chuckled.

Ursa joined in the laugh. If he turned around, he'd have seen the shiny helmet hiding her breasts from sight, but Gritti wouldn't turn about.

"Don't you ever knock?" she said, humor returned to her voice.

"Not when I have no reason to. Though I shoulda expected you to be here." He stood, back always to Ursa.

"I'm almost done. _Then_ you can have it."

"Whatever you say." he grinned, walking carefully out the door.

Ursa grinned at his back, shaking her head. She reached for a towel, dried off, and paused. Her clothes weren't back yet... Um... Emili. That's right. She said she'd be fast and she wasn't back yet. Ursa stood waiting, staring at a pile of bright garments hung on poles. Her anger returning, she had the definite feeling of being set up as she marched over and snagged one of the dresses off a peg. Oh, she'd wear the thing. Only long enough to reclaim her stolen clothes and _really_ let in to whoever was in on the scheme!!

All but barreling past Gritti, her hair pinned up as it dried, the male Barbic barely recognized her in the long flowing gown of soft blue and green. "...Ursa??"

"Just... Shut up, Gritti." And she was down the hall before he could close his mouth.

The party was in full swing. Seeing a shy Cubbi on the dance floor did not sway Ursa from her goal. To seek out the three scheming lady bears of Gummadoon! She found Emili wandering about frantically and snagged her by the ear.

"My _clothes_. _Where_ are they??" she demanded.

Emili, frightened, cried out, "I am looking! I swear! Someone took them as they were drying, Ursa. I do not lie!"

"We'll see..." She towed Emili behind her, straight to Councilor Berrybottom, the nearest official. "Someone made off with my clothes. I mean to have them back. This girl is suspect, as are the other two sent to attend me. Where are they?"

"Oh... Oh dear. Please, Ursa. This is a day of celebration. No one has intentionally marred your time of it. We'll find your clothes. Release Emili."

She wasn't sure if she could trust Berrybottom but had little choice with the overt stares and general gawking at her rude interruption. Even the music had cut on a sharp note. Berrybottom quickly waved the musicians to continue. Ursa finally let Emili go.

"I only offered my help. I swear it!"

"You've all been tryin' to get me into a dress since I stepped through those gates." Ursa complained.

"We would never force someone out of their normal state, Ursa, though I do think that look is quite fetching on you." he offered a kind smile.

"Hmph." Locks of hair falling down from where she'd hurriedly piled it up; the warm air of so many fires dried it into a very attractive style, though she couldn't see that without a mirror. A bit self-conscious at the moment and thinking her hair may look a bit scraggly, she let it down. Soft, clean, blonde half-curls bobbed and swayed seemingly to the music. Many would agree later, even with her storming about, that she was the prettiest sight of the evening.

Oh, she found her clothes. Rather quickly. Berrybottom called her to him, holding by the arm two cubs who were wearing her things.

"I do apologize, Ursa. They'd heard such stories of your brave deeds, and had never met a Barbic before, that they... borrowed... your things. Pretending to be in your shoes, as it were."

Heads hung in embarrassment, they removed her things and handed them back. "We're sorry, Ursa."

"We didn't mean any harm, honest."

She let out a gruff sigh, but they reminded her so of Buddi when he was their age. They hadn't thought they were doing wrong. "Well... No harm done, really." She took back her things with gentle hands. "Go on, now. If yer good, maybe I'll have Gritti tell you a story later."

That brightened their faces like the fireworks just splitting the night sky and they rushed off, happy.

She was headed back inside, mind elsewhere, and almost ran into someone. Caught by the arms, she looked up at who bumped her... Or rather, who she'd bumped. She met eyes-- actually, _the_ eye-- of someone she knew very well, though his expression was indecipherable. "Gritti..."

Sir Tuxford, upon the castle battlement, scanned the horizon. "There's another! This is surely dastardly business. Explosions in the sky! Inform His Highness at once. We must see what this new threat to Dunwyn is before it decides to strike!"

With all the knights milling about, Cavin was curious. As soon as he saw the explosions, he knew. Fireworks! He'd seen them before. Zummi... He hadn't seen any of the bears in a while. Not since the Glen fell. Well, wherever they were, he had to warn them before the knights came across them!

The paige dressed and readied himself for a good hike and was out before the knights had saddled their horses.

****