Pucca: Unhooked...? 1

Summary:

For most of her natural life, Pucca has chased after the pretty boy ninja Garu. But what happens when Pucca finally listens to what Garu is saying and leaves him alone?

Garu's been dodging Pucca for most of his natural life. But what happens when her love turns cold? Can this pretty boy ninja survive an Arctic Pucca? Or will he freeze over? And who's the fiery hot new Chinese chef Pucca's uncles sent to run the shop with her?

- I blinked once, twice, and then a third time. But the image was still there: Pucca is glomming to the arm of that ninja chef, Li Chan. And she was smiling at him. Like she used to smile at me...-

Pucca's POV:

Garu looked so dreamy, his long black hair caught back in a nape ponytail, the long tendrils clinging to his slightly sweaty brow.

I couldn't resist. I planted another dozen kisses on his face.

"Are you gonna get off of me soon, Pucca?" he demanded.

Oh, his irritated voice. I kissed him one last time, long and hard on the lips and then I crawled off of him. "Garu, you're so much fun! Let's go on a date Saturday."

As he got to his feet, dusting off his dark blue jeans, he made a face. "Can't; bust with Abyo."

I pouted and got to my feet. "We haven't gone on a real date in months, Garu. At least indulge me this one. I'm your girlfriend after all."

Garu's jaw twitched. "First, we've never gone on a real date- dragging my to Ching's birthday party doesn't count. Second, I think I indulge you enough, seeing as how my ninja training is shot every time you want to play 'Kissy Face'. And last, you're not my girlfriend."

My eyes widened. "B-but-!"

"No 'but's, just listen to me okay?"

He waited for me to nod, and I did, slowly. I had a sinking feeling I wouldn't like this...

"Look, Pucca, I appreciate you caring about what I eat and if I feel like no one loves me. It's not easy living by yourself in the woods. But that's all I need from you. A friend; a gal friend. I just can't see you as a girlfriend."

"But why?! I really love you, Garu." I cried. My heart was slowly turning to ash, like a vampire who tried to sunbathe. But Garu didn't see it. He couldn't; not when he was trying hard to get this across with a barely controlled temper.

"I don't think you understand, Pucca. I want you to really listen to me this time. And maybe take this to heart the next time you choose a target. I. Don't. Love. You." Garu carved it out in my stilled heart.

My whole world switched to black and white, with shadows of grey thrown in for variety. I choked back a whimper as I stared at his black boots in front of me.

"Are you okay?" he asked. Damn him, I thought miserably. Why'd he have to sound concerned now?! Where was this Garu when he was meticulously shredding my heart and cultivating a fire to burn it all away?

"I'm fine!" I chirped, trying hard to sound like myself. "I guess I'm in shock is all... I really should have listened..."

"Yeah, well, at least you get it now right?" he said.

"Yup! I got you crystal clear on this one." I laughed, giving him my good ol' smile.

"You need me to walk you home?" he asked.

"No, I have some things to do before I head home." I handed him the spare umbrella I'd brought him. "Here, it's supposed to rain over the weekend, and I know you don't let the weather stop your training so I brought it for you; you can bring it by the Goh-Rong on Monday. All weekend I'll be chaperoning a new chef from China."

Garu nodded like he cared as he examined the umbrella. "If you're sure..."

"I'll sure..." I waved as he left, locking my knees so they wouldn't knock together.

As soon as he was gone, I turned and marched back the way I'd run. My red scooter was in the shop, so I'd had to walk. As I walked home, I heard some chirping from the ground. Looking down I saw a dark colored nightingale hopping on the ground.

It looked up to me and chirped, hopping into the shadows.

I bent and held out my hand. "Here, little guy... I won't hurt you... Are you hurt?"

It hesitantly hopped out of hiding and up to my hand. It fixed its eyes on my face and stared at me hard. Then, as if deciding I was safe, he hopping on my hand.

I slowly stood to full height just as thunder cracked overhead. The nightingale ruffled its wing, and I noticed only one moved. "That explains why you were on the ground..." A fat drop of water hit my cheek. "Hold on, little guy."

I opened my red umbrella just in time and we were safe. "You can stay with me since we're both broken. And you'll be great company."

Yani had opted to travel with my uncles on their Noodle Chef Convention: Tour of Historic Noodle Sites.

The nightingale cuddled up to me sweetly. "You're such a sweetheart..."

XXXX

Garu's POV:

Something was really wrong. I walked around town, glancing over my shoulder to try and find Pucca- trying to figure out where she'd pop out next.

Suddenly, Pucca's scooter zoomed by with Pucca on the seat. She didn't even glance my way! What the-?

Instead she stopped by the police station and handed Chief Bruce a bowl of noodles. "I'll put it on your tab, Chief."

"Thanks, Pucca. Over. How's the new chef? Over."

"Okay, he can cook like my uncles... Bye!" And she zoomed off again.

I was stunned. Had she not seen me? I frowned. What game was she playing?

I found Abyo at Chang's dojo, practicing kung-fu kicks on the sand bag. Ching saw me first.

"Abyo, Garu's here." Ching seemed disinterested with Abyo, which was strange. "I'm heading over to the Goh-Rong for lunch."

I raised a brow. "But it's barely eleven..."

Ching seemed impatient. "Well, Pucca may need help with deliveries and the new chef will probably need help too... Bye, boys!"

Ching practically bowled me over to get out. "What was that all about?"

Abyo punched the sand bag and paused to tell me, "It's that new chef at the Goh-Rong: Li Chan. He's from China, and he's got all the girls gaga over him."

I gave a noncommittal "hmm". Abyo noticed. "But don't worry, Pucca's got you, so-"

"We're not an item." I was about to say. But someone beat me to it.

"But I heard they weren't together." Ring-Ring sneered, coming into the gym.

"What do you want, Ring-Ring?" Abyo demanded.

"I'm just dropping by. Well, Pucca better get hooked back on you, Garu, or she's in for another heartbreak. Li Chan will be mine."

I frowned. Li Chan? That name sounded familiar... Oh well, as long as he had Pucca preoccupied and she wasn't pestering me, I was cool with it.

"Let's train." I said.

Abyo ground his fists together. "Now you're talkin'!"

XXXX

AK: So Pucca's ignoring Garu. And Ring-Ring's hunting Li Chan. Yep, that seems typical. R&R, please!