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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"Zut..." Blastus mumbled the curse under his breath, then put on an apologetic grin. "Such things are best discussed in one's own room, mon enfa`nt." He tried to steer the cub back that way, wondering how in the world Cubbi had heard the name when Plucki never spoke of his deceased son, but Cubbi would have none of it.

"Lemme go! Tell me now who that is!" Feet planted defiantly with a strength Cubbi shouldn't possess so soon after being deathly ill, he was unbudging.

Blastus almost as unmoving. His face turning hard, he clasped Cubbi's shoulder. "We do not speak of the dead when so near a battle. I must go, Sir Cubbi. I am needed on the battlefield beside Mon Capitan." Grabbing what he came for, Blastus swept passed and jogged out.

So it was true... Discontent and anger began a quick fester within the cub's mind and heart. Plucki had a son, who was dead. The dream wasn't just a dream. He'd make that liar say it!

Thoughts twisted easily by Zorlock in his current state, Cubbi tore out of the room, the hall, pushing himself out of Gummadoon's interior. He'd make 'im say it or... or... he'd hafta do something he didn't want to.

France

Pacing by the fireplace with a quick and angry step, King Jean-Claude heard Marie re-enter. His jaw clenched. "I told you I want none of this silliness! I've a kingdom to run and the borders have been attacked again and I've no time for--"

"I'm not Marie, your highness, and I'm no silliness, either." Hands on her hips, Sunni glared in earnest until he turned around, preparing for his reaction.

France's ruler had eyes as big as saucers upon seeing a living breathing gummi bear. "Zut alore!! You.... I...." After his initial gasp, Jean-Claude yelled. "Guards! Guards!!"

"Hey! Stop that!" Sunni blocked his exit to the door. "I'm not here to hurt anyone. We need your help. Please! Marie tried to tell you but you wouldn't listen, so you're going to listen to me now!"

Very confused, Jean-Claude knew too little of gummies to know that Sunni couldn't actually stop a full grown human intent on plowing her over. Tense, he had no choice but to listen.

"Yes, gummi bears are real. We've been around for ages. We just hide from humans because you always hurt us! Except Calla, and Marie. So when our

kingdom, next to King Gregor's, was threatened, I came to both of them, asking for help. Calla's aid isn't enough, sire. Will you hear me out fully now, for a friend of Marie's?"

With the most pleading and honest of faces, Jean-Claude sagged, muttering, "How could I say no to that face?"

Outside, Buddi listened with Marie, as she wasn't at all shy about eavesdropping. Jean-Claude's call to his men was heard and had to be answered, by Marie. Thank goodness for her stubborn and nasty side, as the guards backed down as soon as she made it plain that the gummi bear beside her was not a threat but a friend. Buddi, heart thumping in his chest, lowered his arms slowly and wondered what kinda country this was! No place for a Barbic, that's for sure. Not only because of the brewing battle did he want to get back home.

Future

"Sunni... Barbic??" Stunned, Gruffi couldn't make sense of the scene, completely lost and unable to put the two names together for their full meaning. His brain had so shut it out completely.

Sunni, who was actually familiar with this reaction from the _first_ time, smiled mischievously at him as she came closer. "Sure! Who'd you think I'd marry? A human?" Giggling, she gave the stunned foursome a round of hugs, Gruffi still speechless.

Amid Grammi's 'Oh you look wonderful, dear!', Zummi's 'Contragulations... Er. I mean, congratulations!', and Tummi's 'I knew you two were made for each other.', the group settled in their seats. Buddi and Sunni sat on either side of Gruffi. Still standing in his shock, Sunni pulled at him to sit. He sort of fell into his chair.

"He takes very good care of me, Gruffi. I'd never want anybody else. Ever." Sunni spoke quietly by his ear. She didn't mention that it took a while to get his approval, which she'd wanted most of all of her adopted family. He'd come around and that was the important part, but what Buddi had to do to prove himself... She let out a fluttery sigh and focused intently on the council, and the approach of a handsome looking Cubbi.

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