Gifts and Sacrifices

Sacrifices

Part One: How Did I Fall in Love With You?

Chapter One: Making Love Outta Nothing At All

            Igthorn walked along the halls of Drekmore, looking for Lady Bane. She had been planning and planning alone with Celina. The sorceress had to use them. Igthorn had recently learned that she was never there. She could release a few specks of power, but nothing more. She needed them.

            She had been exiled to the Realm of Time. It was everywhere yet nowhere. She claimed it was as close as the air on skin but far away as the farthest kingdom. She could become part of the physical world for brief moments but not for long.

            "Oh Snookums, it's your Iggy-Poo."

            Lady Bane turned from her position and walked over to the Lord of Drekmore. It had been four months since King Gregor had been killed. The two had married in celebration. Both thought of attacking the new Queen of Dunywn but decided to plan a winning attack first.

            Lady bane wrapped her arms around her husband's shoulders and kissed him, so furiously that he felt light headed. She pushed her hands against his chest and then laid her cheek against his chest.

            "I have an attack, Darling."

* * *

            Buddi stood at the ocean, letting the water lap around his ankles. It was shockingly cold but the boy ignored it, used to discomfort due to his training. Ursa and Gritty made sure he had a high tolerance for pain.

            A pair of hands grasped the boy around his broad shoulders. Turning, he smiled at his girlfriend.

            "Hey Firefly,"

            Sunni giggled. "It's almost midnight Buddi. Couldn't we have met at a…easier time?"

            Buddi sighed, "I wish Sunni. Ursa won't let me. I swear one day she's gonna just tie me up."

            "You aren't afraid of getting in trouble?"

            "Wouldn't be the first time."

            He grasped her hand and kissed her fingers gently. She smirked and kissed his cheek once,

            "You're sweet. By the way, why do you call me 'Firefly'?"

            Buddi sat down in the gentle water and Sunni joined him, leaning against his shoulder. Buddi smiled,

            "Because whenever you smile, your face lights up like a firefly."

            Sunni smiled and kissed his lips once saying,

            "Thanks Buddi."

            The boy flushed red a moment, before he said,

            "I'm just stating the obvious."

            Sunni blushed herself and smiled. She slipped into the ocean, up to her waist, ignoring the cold of the water. Buddi smiled at her and she motioned to him.

            "Move it Buddi."

            Buddi smirked and stripped his shirt off. Ursa'd kill him if he came back completely soaked.

            Sunni smirked, despite the shivering cold and Buddi grabbed her around the waist. He kissed her once and she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his in a passionate kiss, the most passionate she'd ever given him. Buddi stared at her.

            Sunni released her grip, her cheeks red as she moved back to the shore and sat in the shallow water. Buddi followed.

            "I'm sorry, Buddi."

            Buddi in reply laughed and kissed her back. He pulled back for the mere purpose of air. Then he kissed her again and again.

            Sunni closed her eyes and laid down on her back in the water, keeping her fingers locked behind her boyfriend's neck. Buddi looked at her,

            "Gum's sake, you're beautiful."

            Sunni giggled.

            "Sunni?"

            "Yes?"

            "Can…can I kiss you differently than I have been, at least once?"

            The girl looked baffled a moment and then nodded. She closed her eyes, not sure what that meant.

            Buddi took a breath so deep it made him light headed. Then, grasping Sunni by her temples as gently as if she were a newborn, he pressed her lips against his. Pressing harder, her gently pushed his tongue through her lips and gently brushed her tongue with his.

            It made him gag but at the same time it felt right…good.

            Sunni's eyes flew open, grew large as GummiBerry bushes as she felt Buddi's tongue intertwine with hers. It made her stomach churn and for a moment she was afraid she'd throw up. But once that passed, the feeling was replaced by pure joy, a ecstasy she was unaccustomed to. She pushed back, pushing her tongue under his and into his mouth.

            Buddi finally felt her tongue push back, her sign of acceptance.

            He felt sick, nauseous. But it was a good sickness, one he longed for. He pushed back harder, burying Sunni into the sand. She was smiling with her eyes as her tongue and mouth were occupied.

            Sunni pressed her hands down Buddi's back, and then moved them to his torso. He'd been working out these past few months; it showed. Gently, the girl pushed away, withdrawing her tongue as Buddi did the same.

            Both sat there, feeling strangely guilty but then just as strangely, not caring.

            Sunni broke the stillness of the night,

            "Wow."

            Budid turned away, cheeks burning. Sunni brushed his chest with her fingers,

            "Don't turn away…Lover."

            Buddi whirled to face her. She quickly began to speak,

            "I know what it means but to Glens it has two meanings, both the well…you know way and it also is a term of endearment. My mom called my dad Lover."

            "Before they were married?"

            Sunni nodded, "That's what Grammi told me anyway. She said that I should only use it for someone I felt so strongly about that I'd die for them." The girl paused and kissed Buddi once, a regular kiss.

            "Like you."

            Buddi smirked, "I don't mind, Firefly just do me a favor."

            "What?"

            "Never, under any circumstances, never call me that in front of Ursa."

            Sunni nodded, "No problem."

            Buddi smirked, "It's weird, two years ago we barely met and now I'm giving a girl a Barbic Kiss."

            "Is that what that was?"

            Buddi nodded. "Ursa doesn't even know I know what it is. I asked Grubbi."

            Sunni shook her head, "Will they ever come around Buddi?"

            The boy shrugged, "I don't know, Sunni. I hope so."

            "Why does Ursa hate me?"

            "She doesn't, she thinks you're weak because you're Glen."

            "Gruffi thinks she's stupid because of her attitude."

            Sunni paused, "They think we only think we're in love." Tears streamed from the girl's eyes. "They say that we're making something out of nothing!"

            Buddi shook his head, "Now that's stupid!"

            Sunni nodded, "I've got Grammi, Zummi and maybe Gusto on my side at least but Gruffi dead set against it."

            The girl lowered her voice,

            "You're a Glen! He's Barbic! Love? You're making love out of nothing at all!"

            Both cubs laughed at that and Sunni laid back until she was in Buddi's arms. The Barbic sighed,

            "Sunni, I should go. The Barbics'll wake up soon. If I'm not back in the woods I'm dead."

            Sunni grabbed him tightly and said,

            "Please, a little longer?"

            Buddi looked at her and smiled,

            "Okay, a little longer…."

* * *

            Calla stepped through the mass of Gummi cubs, a wide grin on her face. She knew how many times she'd heard the loneliness in her Gummi friends' faces, in their voices. That loneliness had since vanished.

            After the gummies had arrived, they'd split. The crew of the Royal ship went to Ursalia where a kingdom similar to Calla's own kingdom now thrived. The crews of the second ship had returned to South Gumpton where their ancestors had thrived. The final ship's occupants returned to the Glen. Every single room was filled.

            "Calla?"

            The Queen turned and smiled as Grammi hugged her warmly.

            "Hello Grammi."

            "Calla, dear, how did you manage to get away from your duties?"

            "Cavin's talking with Sir Tuxford about attacks against Igthorn that may be an option. He said I looked a little pale and told me to get some fresh air."

            She smiled, "Not a bad idea actually."

            Grammi led the girl into the kitchen where she sat down on a stool. Grammi handed her an apple, which she accepted gratefully. A strange Gummi entered, one Calla hadn't seen before. She looked about forty or so. She had dark yellow fur, almost gold colored. She wore a dark blue dress with an apron. She was definitely a cook, probably a mother too. She turned to Calla and smiled.

            "Hey Bonni," Grammi said casually but Calla could see the joy in her eyes.

            The Gummi replied, "Grammi, and Queen Calla I presume?" The Gummi did a curtsy. Calla sighed,

            "Please don't do that! I'm a friend aren't I? You don't have to bow or curtsy."

            The Gummi smiled, "I barely know you calla but I already like you. Which is rare."

            Calla blushed and took a deep breath. Grammi looked at her concerned,

            "Calla, sweetheart, are you alright? You look pale."

            "I'm alright Grammi," the girl replied, but she leaned back. Grammi raised an eyebrow at her. It was the same look she gave Sunni and Cubbi whenever they denied sickness. Calla sighed,

            "Okay I give." She sat up. "Past few days I been a little under the weather. Little nauseous, few aches and weird appetite but that's it."

            Calla shrugged it off but Bonni and Grammi were translating that in their minds. Grammi asked gently.

            "Calla? Have you and Cavin been…intimate in the last few months?"

            "Grammi!" Calla's face flushed deep red but she nodded. Grammi took a deep breath,

            "Calla dear, I don't think this is an illness. I..I think that maybe you're not the last scion of King Gregor."

            Calla felt her breath stall in her throat. She grabbed her stomach absentmindly.

            "I…"

            Bonni spoke up, "You're gonna have a baby."