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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"Well," Ursa stated plainly, "One thing I do know is that you crying yourself sick isn't going to help."

Sunni gazed up at the elder Gummi, surprised. Ursa, she thought for sure, would scold tears. She didn't. Rather, she looked at Sunni with pity, a look that Sunni found quite odd. Buddi wasn't surprised but then he had grown up with the Barbic. He knew her inside out, unlike Sunni. In a way, Sunni blamed Gruffi for his influence. He had transmitted some of his dislike for Ursa onto her.

Rising, the Barbic leader walked into the bathroom and poured some cold water into a cup for Sunni. She pulled an herb from her pouch where she kept herbs for mild injuries. She smirked, at the pleasant memories that motion conjured up. Buddi had stopped coming to her as injuries in the last few years but he still came occasionally. Slicing off the top of one herbs, Ursa squeezed three drops of its juice into the water, spun it around with her finger. Walking back in, she handed it to Sunni, saying, "Drink."

The glen girl regarded her with curious eyes but obeyed. The drink was strangely sweet. Almost like it had been laced with sugar. But as soon as she had swallowed, she felt an odd heaviness take her eyelids. Ursa took the glass away and said,

"Now. Go get some sleep."

"You drugged me," the girl accused.

"You needed it." Was Ursa's soft reply. "Now go get some sleep."

Although angry at her trick, Sunni had to admit that the herbs were fast. She rose, hugged Buddi faintly and walked down the hall to her own room. Buddi watched her go and then turned to Ursa.

"Ursa?"

"Yes?"

"_Can_ Grubbi save him?"

"I can't answer that. You know that. But he'll try."

"Ursa?"

"What?"

"Is…Cubbi gonna die?"

Ursa sighed deeply, "Buddi, do I need to drug you too?"

"No," he insisted. "But I'm worried. Tell me the truth, lnegai. Is Cubbi gonna live?"

"I hope so. I can't say Buddi." She sighed and stroked the cub's hair. "Grubbi is the best healer for the job and he's going to do all he can. That's all the comfort I can offer, little one."

Buddi sighed but nodded. "Okay."

Ursa smiled faintly and tilted the cub's head up. "Darkness is always temporary, child. Every night ends. We will have to fight through this night but I promise you that the sun _will_ rise again."

Buddi nodded again, "I know…but sometimes it is so hard!"

Ursa rubbed his hair, "I know."

"Having a spirit party, Ursa?"

Turning, Ursa sighed, "Gritti, don't do that! And in answer, Buddi's worried about Cubbi. I think I have a right to try and boost his spirits."

Gritti nodded and then handed Buddi some water, "And I say he needs to sleep."

Buddi choked on the water and then said, "You drugged this?"

"Sure did."

Buddi pouted, "Gritti-"

Ursa glared at Gritti but then nodded to Buddi. "Better get to bed before it kicks in. That stuff is fast."

"You're on my bed."

Ursa stood and Buddi climbed under the sheets. Ursa stroked his head and said softly, "Gentle dreams."

The herbs took effect not long after. Ursa walked to window and Gritti stood behind her. He didn't say anything, just set his hands on her shoulders. Ursa did not reject and laid back, falling into his arms. She was tired.

Past

Grammi cleaned up the cub while Zummi helped the weakened Barbic under clean sheets. All Una wanted was her daughter. Grammi walked over and handed the cub to her, once she had wrapped the howling infant in a clean cloth. Una smiled, although it was an exhausted smile, and held out her arms, to accept her newborn daughter.

Grammi and Zummi could not help but smile at the scene, although they knew that infant as a fully-grown bear. Once Una had the girl in her arms, she started to hum a tune that they assumed was a Barbic lullaby. The girl's cries lessened then stopped. Una caught the Glens looking at her, tossed her hair back and gave them a half glare. But she did not give them a downright glare, more of an annoyed one.

Una looked up as her ears caught the sound of feet outside the hut. She tried to sit up but then gave up and undid her shirt to feed the cub. Her daughter responded immediately.

Gruffi and an exhausted Tummi came back through the door, followed by a semi-grey Barbic holding little Gritti and a taller Barbic, dark brown. He spied Una and rushed over,

"Una!"

"Great timing Warrio." The Barbic female looked up and her eyes sparkled. Barbic or not, the maternal pride was there. She looked at the healthy cub she held in her arms, stroked the small patch of red hair and said softly,

"It's a girl."

Present

Grubbi dipped his hands into the herb scented water he had mixed together and wiped the mixture onto Cubbi's chest. The cub still shook with fever chills. Plucki remained by the cub's side. Grubbi set the bowl by the tableside and said,

"The herbs should start to take effect tonight. In the meantime," the healer pulled out two herb canes which he broke in two and waved under the cub's nose. Cubbi's eyes fluttered, then slid shut. Grubbi turned to Plucki,

"Sleep is best. When he wakes up, I can make him something to eat but rest is his best ally right now."

The Gummi Captain nodded when the door slammed open. It was Sarrika.

"Milord," she said formally, even though she knew Plucki hated formality, "The knights have returned."

"So soon?" he stole a glance at the sleeping cub. Grubbi had already gotten to his feet.

"Cubbi'll be fine. Sleep is best for now and you will not accomplish anything sitting here. Go see. I need to check in on Buddi, to see if he and Sunni are coping with this well."

Plucki stole one more glance at the cub before reluctantly agreeing and heading out the door. Grubbi shut the door quietly behind them.

Cubbi's dreams were a mix of emotions. He looked about and found him in Gummadoon still but it was darker, as if all the candles were out. But Cubbi knew that magician anywhere.

"Zorlock…"

"You're recovering faster than we anticipated."

"You…you made me sick!"

"Very good."

"Why?"

"You may prove quite useful in the coming battle."

"I'll never serve you! I won't betray my fellow knights!"

"You have hardly a choice."

In that next instant, the child felt a wave of power climb over him, cutting into his mind, almost crushing his will. Cubbi understood now…he was being possessed! Plucki…he had to warn Plucki…

How? He had hardly strength now to lift his hand. No…they had to be-

"I hafta warn him…"

"How, cub? You have hardly the means."

He was right…no! There…a lamp…

Cubbi swung his arm, knocking the lamp over, breaking the glass. He snagged a piece of glass...maybe he could carve a simple statement…no, glass couldn't piece cement. Glass could…

"I'm not gonna let you take me without a fight…"

That said, the cub turned the glass into his own skin, on his chest. It hurt…a 'z', then an 'o'…

Cubbi jerked awake. Dream…a nightmare…and so real…so Gum real. Tears sprung from his eyes. Zorlock…did he have the power to…he couldn't have! But then…

NO!

No…his hands were wet. The lamp was lying in pieces on the floor. He held a bloodied piece of glass in his hand. And his chest… oozing blood from a clear 'z'…'o'…'r'…'l'…'o'…'c'…'k.'

Cubbi tried to scream but in his weakened state all that came out was a strangled whimper. All he could do was pray that this horrific message was received. Because he knew one thing now.

His free will, was strictly limited. And his only hope was that the others would realize so before he was back to his full health. Because he knew for sure he wouldn't be able to state so now…not that anyone would believe him.

Footsteps…footsteps headed towards the room. Cubbi clutched at his chest, praying that his wild attempt at a warning would be received…if it wasn't…

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