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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Calla smiled in answer and said, "Father, this is my best friend, Sunni."

The Glen girl had seen Gregor before but seeing him like this, face to face, was a tad intimidating, not to mention odd. She grasped Calla's hand tighter, almost shyly. The princess gave her a small smile and pushed her forward, saying,

"She's always been there for me, Father. Now I ask you that we help out her kind."

Past

Grammi left the hut, stood outside. The woods were gorgeous. Grammi had always considered the Barbics' reaction to their home's loss a bit extreme. Now, she saw for herself how much the Barbics were 'one' with nature. She found that she could not blame such a hatred for being formed. Not that she approved of it, but she felt that she now understood why.

"Thinking?"

Turning, Grammi gasped, "Una…"

"I'm fine," the Barbic assured her. "A little tired but I'll be okay. Gum, Ursa was a fighter."

Grammi chuckled; if only she could tell Una.

"How is Ursa?" Grammi asked, softly. Una chuckled,

"Sleeping like a log."

"I'm glad. Did ya call one of your medics?"

"No…our medic…was killed. We have cub-birthers but they are not a lot of use after the birth."

Before Grammi could say another word, a loud wail came from within the hut. Una turned and ran in. A short time later, she came out with Ursa in her arms, feeding the infant. She turned to Grammi.

"She's so beautiful. I cannot thank you enough."

Grammi chuckled and said, "Let me hold her, if I can ask for anything."

Una stared at Grammi and the glen said,

"It's been…eight years since I held a baby."

Una gave the glen a smile and gently handed Ursa over. The Barbic was a mover, she squirmed like a small worm. But she looked up at Grammi with eyes full of promise and innocence. Grammi felt her heart feel heavy as she thought to the vengeance driven adult she'd become. What had happened to cause such a change?

Grammi's thoughts were interrupted by the cub's wail and a reach fro her mother. Grammi chuckled and handed the infant over to Una. Una cradled her and started to whisper something, in Barbic. The girl's sobs quieted and she fell silent against her mother's chest.

Una turned to walk back in, when a clear horn rang across the woods. Una dashed inside, laid her cub down and then ran outside again, drawing her sword. She turned to Grammi.

"Human attack."

That said, the Barbic swung away into the trees. Grammi stared after her. She had left her infant daughter. Why?

Of course, if the humans were kept contained then the threat would be minimized against little Ursa. Grammi knew that had Warrio been here, he no doubt would have left Una with the baby. But he was off protecting the borders.

Before Grammi could say another word, she saw someone heading towards the hut on a vine…Mindi! Una's sister-in-law. The Barbic landed and said, "Humans! From the southern border. Where's my sister?"

"She went to help at the northern border."

"Mijet!" the Barbic ran into the hut and came out with her niece. She ran to the edge of the balcony. Turning to Grammi, she handed the baby cub to her, saying,

"Protect her with your life."

Before Grammi could reply, Mindi leapt over the balcony, sagged a vine and was gone.

With the disappearance of her aunt, Ursa immediately turned on her siren like yell. Grammi winced and moved inside the hut to sit down. As she did so, Gruffi, Tummi and Zummi appeared again. They walked over to her, obviously a little nervous. This was a dangerous time to be in. Gruffi looked at the young Ursa Grammi held in her arms. He cocked his head,

"She's cute; what happened?"

He reached out to grasp one of her small hands. The Barbic infant looked at him sternly and grabbed his finger, bending it back.

"She was bad from the start!"

A loud roar of gummies and humans alike brought the Glens to the window. And nearly stopped their hearts. Humans, climbing up the trees. Grammi backed up, clutching young Ursa to her chest. Zummi frantically began searching for the time travel spell. Grammi protested,

"We can't abandon Ursa!"

"But we can't stay here either!"

Before another word could be said, two poundings came. One at the door and another at the window. Mindi Barbic swiftly entered through the window, her sword drawn. To the Glens, she barked,

"Get back!"

More to herself than to the Glens, she said, "Whether or not I agree with these four is no longer relevant. They are under my protection. We have sworn to defend them. And a Barbic warrioress does not go back on her word."

The door were crashed in but Mindi attacked before any humans could work their way in. the glens stood close together, in a huddle, amazed at this display. Mindi was ruthless; she definitely had a cause. Was this the code? Is this what a Barbic did for the code-

"Mindi!"

Zummi, Gruffi, and Grammi turned at Tummi's shout. The female Barbic fell to the ground, a spear lodged in her chest. The humans began to charge in. Mindi, although bleeding profusely, got to her feet and charged again, shouting,

"BY CODE OR BY DEATH, THESE FOUR ARE UNDER BARBIC PROTECTION!"

Present

"We'll need more help than we have,"

"Again, I say," Ursa said coldly, "My clan is at your disposal."

"Send for them, milady," Plucki ordered. "we will need every bit of help we can get."

Now, the Barbic leader found herself at a dilemma. She had to get her clan but she could not leave the city herself. Grubbi and Gritti were both vital-

"I'll go,"

It was Sunni, in a soft but firm voice, "I'll go back to Ursalia and get the rest of the Barbics."

Ursa chuckled, kindly, "Sunni, they won't take you seriously because you're Glen-"

"Then I'll go too."

That voice got Ursa's full attention. Buddi…

Sure enough, the Barbic cub entered the room. He had obviously been listening. He was dressed and had a knapsack on. He walked in, ignoring King Gregor, and stood by Sunni's side.

"I'll go with her."

"No, Buddi-"

"Ursa," Grubbi put his hand on her shoulder, "He's right. Sunni'll need him to get the others to listen and to get there. The quicktunnels only go so far."

"But…Gum only know what way the horde will take to the city."

"Ursa," Buddi spoke calmly, "You raised me to deal with that. And we _need_ the others. We don't have the _time_ to stand here and argue. The others will only listen to a Barbic and you, Gritti and Grubbi are trained and experienced warriors. I'm a dead weight here."

Ursa stared at the cub. Why? Sweet Gum, why did he have to make sense?! If she refused she would look like a fool. But still, enemy forces were out there and now she was going to send her baby out there. But, Buddi was right and Grubbi was right. Buddi was the sole Barbic unnecessary here. Taking a breath, she knelt to Buddi's level and tightened the straps on his knapsack,

"Gum's speed, Buddi."

Sarrika grabbed a hold of Cubbi's hands. He was hysterical. She began to plead the cub would run out of strength.

Cubbi meanwhile was frightened. He knew Zorlock was going to let the horde in…somehow. No! he wouldn't let him.

Oh, you won't let me, eh?

No! I won't!

How exactly will you stop me? Your memories are mine to read!

No..NO!

To Zorlock's immense surprise and horror, the cub actually blocked him. It was taking all the cub's strength and in reality, the cub collapsed. But, that was not Zorlock's concern. His concern was the fact that the child had succeeded in blocking some of his memories. The magician struggled to push his way through, to find the easiest way to let the horde in.

No good…the cub's will had him beaten…

For now.

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