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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Deciding to check in on Buddi quickly, the Barbic leader gently opened his door. He slept quietly, breathing slow and heavily. Closing the door, Ursa was on her way back downstairs to the main hall (which she supposed she should not have left) when she passed Plucki's door. Why the Gummi knight had opted to move the sick child into his own quarters, Ursa did not know. Still, it would not hurt to check on the cub.

She was very glad she did.

The cub was sprawled on the ground, moaning in pain. He'd already thrown up but at least he had attempted to get to a basin. Ursa knelt, scooped the limp cub up into her arms and laid him back on the bed. An expert at such illnesses, Ursa had the mess cleaned up and then saw to Cubbi.

The cub was more aware than he had been. He saw her and then turned deep red in the cheeks. He was obviously still in pain so the Barbic leader took a handful of the herbal mixture by his bedside and wiped it on his chest and stomach. It helped a bit but Ursa knew that nausea was to be expected.

"Lie still," she insisted as the cub twitched and turned in his agony.

You're making it worse! Cubbi accused the voices as another throw of almost blindingly painful stomach twists made him moan, low and miserable.

Very good. Give the Gummi a prize.

Why? Why?

Hmm, let's think now. Oh, I know! We told you we would break you cub. Here is the first step.

I won't be broken! I won't let you!

That's what they all say.

Almost as soon as that was said, another surge of nausea rolled over the cub's consciousness. This was extremely hard to repress. He turned over, in a vain attempt to cool the burning that rose in his throat. He snagged some of the pillow and dug his fingers as deep as he could. No…not the pillow. Too rough to be a pillow and he felt a warm liquid spill over his fingers…blood. He opened his eyes and a wave of dizziness hit him with such an intensity that all control he had at keeping the nausea at bay was lost.

Ursa came back into the room soon after Cubbi's little bout of nausea. She smiled at the Gummi knight who cradled the wailing cub. Plucki was a father, or at been at some point. There was no other explanation. He'd come in a little after Ursa. When he'd seen Cubbi in such pain, he'd immediately sat by his side. Cubbi's nausea had hit at the wrong time, shortly after Cubbi had snagged Plucki's hand. If Plucki had forgotten what it was like to have a younger cub, he was abruptly reminded when Cubbi had thrown up over his front.

But Ursa smiled. She had gotten that a few times when Buddi had gotten sick at Cubbi's age. And judging by the way that Plucki did not even bat an eyelash, the Gummi captain had experienced it before. She decided not to ask any questions and came over to tend to Cubbi. Plucki took advantage of this to go and clean up and change his shirt but he was back at Cubbi's side in less than two minutes.

Tsk, tsk. Not very strong willed are you? Or else you would have fought that off.

Shut up….just, shut up!

Zorlock frowned. The cub was stronger than he thought. Breaking him would take longer than he'd expected. Still, he felt the rush of heat that invaded his cheeks, not from him but from Cubbi. Shame. Good. Shame was always a good beginning. He would let the cub feel it for now and only later, when their troops grew closer would he seize complete control and abandon Lady Bane's body entirely.

Cold and wetness wiped at Cubbi's face. His eyes fluttered and he caught Plucki's face again. Plucki…why was he still here? He…why wasn't he down with the other knights? And especially after what he has just done…why did he stay by his side? Tears slipped down the cub's hot cheeks. Cheeks red hot with shame as well as fever. How could he have done that?!

Plucki smiled gently, recognizing the red color of shame. It had taken some trying to get out of the council chambers but he'd managed it. Seeing how Cubbi was, the captain scolded himself for leaving the cub in the first place. But nothing could be done about it now. He brushed some tears off the younger knight's face with his thumb.

Cubbi, physically weak and beginning to feel a little nauseous again, laid his head down onto the Gummi knight's thigh. The nausea cooled here. He closed his eyes as the tears fell. Mustering a little bit of strength, he mumbled, softly,

"'M sorry…"

Before Plucki could give a reply, the door opened and Grubbi walked in, a small tray in hand. Setting it on the nightstand, he said,

"Kid hasn't eaten for two days. He needs some food."

Cubbi caught a whiff of the broth, groaned, and buried his face completely into Plucki's leg. "No…"

Ursa slipped out of the room and down the hall, headed back towards the council chamber. She suspected that Plucki would want to be alone to talk to the cub and she also knew that with Cubbi's pride, the less people present to see him that way, the better. As she walked out, Grubbi called to her,

"The Gummadoon council was nearing a decision, Ursa. Better get there quick."

The Barbic leader gave a nod and broke into a run.

Past

Gruffi was about to state exactly how he felt towards Barbics when Una, although weak, spoke up,

"Stop it, lover."

Forcing herself up, she shifted her newborn daughter. She eyed Grammi in particular. "If anything, I owe them more than I can repay….as do you, Warrio. If not for you, I would not have my daughter. My ursa."

"An appropriate name, lover."

Una turned to the glens and said, "Ursa…one who fights on."

Present

"How do we know you'll offer your help if we offer ours? Humans aren't exactly known for their honesty!"

It was taking all of Calla's willpower to not tell the blue knight off. That would not help her cause any, (although it would probably make her feel better) so she took a deep breath, trying to cool her temper.

"How can _you_ just shrug off what's clearly a war!"

"We protect our own interests!"

Gritti spoke out, "War's inevitable gummies. An attack is clearly approaching. And you've already said yer defenses ain't the best. I don't think you're in the position to be picky."

"And you and your girlfriend will fight this war alone?" Ecri spat. Gritti's eyes burned at such an attack on Ursa, such a demeaning phrase.

"Watch your tongue, young knight. Yer list of allies is already pretty thin."

"Agreed," Councilor Wooddale stood. "Yet we've hardly many to call on for help."

"I can always summon my clan, " a new voice intervened. Gritti smiled; definitely Ursa. And judging by the look of death she was giving Sir Ecri, she'd heard his little comment. She turned to the council,

"However, at this point, we'll need any help." Her eyes clouded, "Even a human."

"Yeah! Make the move already!"

Turning, the remaining knights and Gummadoon councilors were surprised to find little Tavi Gummi in the doorway. She stormed in, regarded Gritti a moment before turning to the council. She looked right at Wooddale.

"I've heard and seen these…nasties in the distance. We don't exactly got all day! And we don't exactly got a lot of choices either! We need help, need it fast and need it now. You know I'm right, know they're right," she pointed to the Barbics, paused and then added, "…Auntie Toffi."

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