Disclaimer I hereby admit that I do not officially own any part of Pucca in any way, shape, or form. As sad as I am about that, I've learned to deal with it, just as many others.

AN: As promised, a shout out to my bestest girlfriend, Kelley (you may know her as Omega1156): You are my inspiration for this... so witness the monster that you helped me spawn. I love you, but... Damn you straight to hell for getting me into this show!

I'm gonna tell you now just as a warning about my updates. Sorry if I anger any of you who tend to get impatient, but I'm probably gonna update it once every 3-4 weeks. Work and school will be taking a lot out of my time and energy, and I don't want to force myself to write when my brain has checked out. I'm not gonna force you, the readers, to read the crappy product of a mentally exhausted author. I'll post the chap updates when they're ready, period. I don't take too kindly to flames and I won't rush it no matter how much you press me to do so. Good stories are like good cookies, they're ready when they're ready.

Life as Usual?

Heaving his heavy backpack, Garu triumphantly reached the summit of the last hill blocking his view of his old home, the village of Sooga. He had been gone for 3 years, going all across the country training at what seemed to be countless temples and dojos, hoping to get a grasp on some mental issues as well as broaden his martial arts techniques. He needed time to think, and training really cleared his head. Plus, Tobe had gotten to be a pain in the ass, and he could use some new moves to beat him down soundly next time, hopefully that will keep him from seeking to piss him off all the time so he can have some time to himself.

He sat for the first time all day, and looked down at Sooga, and for the first time in too long, he was happy to be at his "Home Sweet Home". As he observed, he was glad to see that hardly anything changed. He wondered how people would take his return, having departed in the dead of night without a word. He scrawled a short note and Scotch-taped it to his door, and then hurried out of town before he could change his mind. He still feels guilty about it, but he knew it was necessary. Pucca wouldn't let him be alone for more than 20 minutes, and she was part of the reason he needed to leave for a while. "Poor Pucca," he thought, feeling fairly guilty. He knew full well what his leaving would do to his innocent lovesick friend. He regretted it every step of the way… Well, I'm sure this is going to take much more than an apology to make up for this, hehe. I wonder what I'm gonna need to do to make up for this.

Falling back, Garu relaxed in the grass next to his ever-faithful friend, Mio. He quickly curled up, he knew that this was a time to rest, and he was fast asleep. Garu heaved a heavy sigh, thinking back to the time he had so abruptly left his home and friends. Okay, not just friends, many of them were more than just that, they were his valuable family. He sorely missed Abyo, even his loud-mouthed confidence and cocky show-boating would be music to his ears right now. He really is proud of that body of his, though, letting out a slight chuckle. His thoughts drifted back to that fateful day, when he left virtually everything he knew behind….

Garu had come to the decision that he needed alone time. The only time he's ever had peace of mind was while he was training or meditating, and that's what he needed to think many things over. The weeks before he left, Pucca had recently turned 12, and she was coming onto him much more often than he could really handle. He was 13 at the time, and despite all his focus training, Pucca was really beginning to distract him in a different way…

Flashback - The day before he left

Garu just stared at Ching in utter amazement. Much to his surprise, Ching had actually admitted to him about her love for Abyo, despite that he was already under the impression that she held on to deep feelings for his best friend long before now. He was happy that she came to him, though. They had always been close, and he saw her as a younger sister more than anything. It brought him some relief that she gathered the courage to tell him of all people. He expected this to be something she should (and already did) speak to Pucca about. "I just wanted you to know. I wouldn't think it's right for me to keep this from you when we're like best friends and this involves one of your best friends."

What was more surprising was what came next. Ching turned the tables onto him now, "Hey Garu, what about you and Pucca. Don't you have any feelings for her?" Caught off-balance, Garu thought long and hard… Pucca was always a good friend, and despite her annoying advances on him, he knew she was a good person and that she meant well. In fact, she was an incredible person… kind-hearted, cute (Wait, did I just think that?!), multi-talented… the only bad thing about her was that she was way too forward for him, but he never really told her to stop. It was almost like their little game… yeah, that's right, just a game. He didn't enjoy it for that reason. Even so, it's not like he hated her. She was, at the veerryy least, good to have around. So… not having any real answer for her, Garu just passively shrugged, making the 'I don't know' grunt.

Slightly irritated by the lack of a clear answer, not to mention how un-enthusiastic about the whole topic he was, Ching pressed harder "Oh come on, Garu. She's loved you for two years. Don't you think she's at least earned the right for you to give her a chance? You've never considered trying to return her feelings?..." She was about to press him more but…

All of a sudden, as though the timing could not have been more perfect (for once), Abyo crept up behind Garu and attempted to give him a firm smack on the back… Garu's confused thoughts left his guard down, and, much to everyone's surprise, it connected. "Hey, Garu! -smack- Woah, sorry. Hey, how about we hang out for a bit and spar? I'm getting bored and restless!".. The sudden impact made Ching, already tense from her confession, jump and almost shriek. Garu slightly winced at his sore back, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Yes! Saved!! Abyo I owe you big for this one. He looked triumphantly in Ching's direction. He was a bit thrown off by a pleading look on her face. She mouthed to him when Abyo wasn't looking, "Please don't tell him!" She appeared on the verge of tears. Now, most men wouldn't be able to live with themselves for making a girl like Ching cry, but Garu is better than most men, so before it got any worse, he gave her a serious, yet reassuring, nod and made his way away from that situation.

However, after they put some distance between them and Ching, it was Abyo's turn to interrogate him, "Hey, Garu," he brought up, "What were you talking to Ching about, anyway?"

"Hmm…uhh," Garu paused to ponder deeply. He instantly stopped dead in his tracks and held his breath for a moment, completely wide-eyed, That's right! Ching started this whole thing by telling me about how she feels about Abyo. Oh gosh, I promised her I wouldn't tell, but what do tell him, he's my best friend! I should never lie to him... well, he doesn't need to know just yet, but I'll tell him soon enough. Relieved at how he was going to handle it, Garu instantly resumed walking, put on a straight face, and innocently shrugged, hoping that it would stop at that.

It was only a short moment, but long enough for Abyo to noticed (trust me, that's not easy). Typically, he really would've left it at that, but the fact that he noticed that much meant it was something big.

"Garu, we both know that you're too polite not to listen to what someone like Ching has to say!" Abyo reasoned. Abyo knows as well as Garu that that's pretty much the truth. Garu let out a deep sigh, wondering what he should do.. Well, I don't need to tell him the whole truth, not yet anyway. Ching you owe me. Doing the best he could to avoid speaking (not only to avoid breaking his vow, but so he didn't give himself away), he pointed to himself, then to the heart on his shirt, then proceeded to take the ends of his ponytails and made a round fist around each end, making the ends resemble a ball (or more specifically, a bun).

Abyo was staring blankly at him for a for a second, then, very confused, said, "You. Heart. Your hair?... Garu, what the hell does the fact that you like your hairstyle have to do with anything?!" Seeing Garu's frustrated face twist and turn a deep crimson, Abyo quickly took a step away, hoping that his friend won't kill him right here and now, or later when they were going to spar.

Garu had come across this issue many times following his vow, and now readily carries a pad of paper and a pencil in some specially made discreet pockets in his outfit. He quickly wrote down "Do I like Pucca?" and roughly shoved it in front of his face. Hopefully Abyo would take a hint that that was what he and Ching were talking about, not him asking Abyo a question.

Abyo, still a bit fearful from the anger he saw welling up in Garu just a second ago, looked in the direction to read the note angrily scrawled on the paper. This new fear made him think a bit harder than normal, and thought back to his question. That "Oohhh" expression lit up his face… or was that the light bulb that was now floating over his head that flicked on? Oh well, whatever…moving on! Of course, the next thing to come to mind was pressing for more. "So what did you tell her?" Abyo daringly asked. After throwing a very, very annoyed glare at Abyo, Garu clearly illustrating the point that he didn't tell her anything, what with his vow and all. Garu just shrugged and shook his head, probably holding a strong desire to drop the subject.

While they were sparring, Garu's mind was much clearer, of course, but whenever Abyo would start slowing down (for some reason), his thoughts came to rest on that persistent question again, "Do I like Pucca? Should I like Pucca? Why shouldn't I like her?"

Abyo noticed that Garu got distracted on those times he slowed down in their sparring match to give himself a bit of a break (they'd been going on for 4 hours straight), and pushed himself to pick up the pace if Garu thinks he can be distracted and fight him at the same time. He wasn't going to have it!

That night, Garu lay in bed, hopelessly and blankly staring at his ceiling, obviously very deep in thought. Why is this causing me so much freaking trouble?? I don't like her that way yet, but why am I dwelling on it so much?? Wait, YET?? Urrrgh!! So confusing! Now that he was dwelling on it, he realized he'd been lightly considering Pucca for some time now, but with his training and meditation, he just doesn't have the time to really realize it, which is a really strong hint that he might not have the time for her, either. Plus, she seemed too… high maintenance for him. He rolled over on his side and glanced at the clock, "sigh It's already past two," he pointed out blankly… With one last motion, he turned out his light and drifted to sleep. I'll sleep on it and clear my head for tomorrow.

The next morning, he ran over to his usual posts and stood there, balancing and meditating, letting his mind wander, but not too much as to lose his balance. This would keep his mind centered on the main issue here; does he have any interest in Pucca? Think man! You're almost 14, maybe you should be thinking about this a bit more often. She's got so many good qualities, and I'm sure she's a good listener, if you like her, that's the reason you haven't asked her to stop those loving embraces and advances… Crap, you need to handle this soon!

As the sweat was beginning to bead up on his face, Garu heard a very familiar giggle… and before he registered who it was, Pucca had pounced on him from the bushes behind him and pinned him down in a deep hug… 10 feet away from the post (kinda far, don't ya think?). He realized how much he enjoyed her scent… Strawberry shampoo was quickly overtaking many of his senses, and he caught himself reveling in the sweet scent of her smooth dark hair, something that has been happening too often recently. Right, I never ran into her yesterday, she must be making up for that. Of course, just as he was beginning to snap back to his usual reaction and stoic self, she planted a big kiss right on his cheek. He felt his face heat up, not sure if it was frustration that Pucca interrupted his thoughts, or if it was embarrassment from liking it a little bit more than usual. He quickly wriggled his way out from under her and ran away, attempting to keep his straight face together until he was at least out of sight

Pucca eyed the fleeing Garu curiously, I think he was accepting that a tiny bit more than usual… She giggled, grinning ear-to-ear at the thought that Garu might finally be coming around to her. She figured she'd leave Garu alone to himself and think about her for a while, hehe.

- That Night -

What is up with me lately?? !! A very frustrated Garu, relieved not to see much more of Pucca today, tossed and turned in his bed, trying to get the image of the smiling face of his crazy girl— female friend—out of his head. While he was running away earlier today, he looked back and noticed a very devious and confident smile come across Pucca's face. He was one of the few people who could kind of get a read on Pucca's facial expressions. Considering what had happened shortly before, Garu's face blanched. Shit!! Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! Idiot! You let her notice you were enjoying it!!

Realizing that all of this sudden tension just might give him an aneurism.., or an ulcer, he took several long deep breaths. The mind training he went through while becoming a ninja probably just saved him from dying because of the mental stress he was putting on himself. His mind, more adapted to coming up with battle strategies and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of an opponent, was struggling to come up with a clear solution to his "problem" with Pucca. Now, he was locked in a mental battle with himself, yet another thing that his so-called "experienced" mind was unaccustomed to: Come on you idiot!! Do you like her or not?!... I don't know, I think I might… Well, we (we??) need to figure this out. Meditation is out of the question now, since nowhere in Sooga is safe from that girl!.. Well, I guess I could rationalize leaving Sooga, but, I should let someone know… Who, then? There's Abyo, and he tends to be unreliable with secrets, and everyone else is either an enemy or loves Pucca. She'll be on you before you're a mile out of town!.. So, what then?..

This was weird… Garu was SERIOUSLY considering just leaving Sooga without telling anyone. Blatant abandonment seemed almost sacrilegious to his strict honor code (not just his personal code of ethics, but also his ninja's honor code). But what else was there for him to do?? He shouldn't like her that way, not now! ! Slowly, yet surely, Garu was coming down to his two biggest options: Leave Sooga for however long he needs, or stay and deal with Pucca, uncertain feelings, and let's not forget to mention that crazy second voice in his head (was she making him schizophrenic now??), that was definitely new.

Confused as to what he should do next, he once again consulted this second voice, though he was sure about what it was going to suggest that he do. Okay… so what do I do now? I can't stay here much longer, no matter how much I'm sure I need to… Leave now. It won't be the first, nor the last, time you've roughed it outdoors. It's only 11pm, and you don't need that much stuff. Grab some money, clothes, and food and get out if you know that's what you want! Just remember, you've only two choices: go and figure this out on your own away from distractions, or stay and try to figure it out here. You clearly don't want the latter. What other options do you have? Wow… this internal voice actually can come in handy. It seems very logical, even rationalizing that this is for his own good despite the fact that it was violating his strict honor code in so many ways… but he needs to be thinking long-term right now. He'll make it up to everyone when he figures everything out.

He was packed up and ready to go in less than two hours. He needed some sort of final encouragement that he should really do this… he found that in his little black cat, Mio, who had put together his own little backpack full of his necessities… Garu knew better than to try to find out the actual contents.

He needed to do something to let people know where he was… he needed keep the worrying down to a minimum. At least there's one less thing to feel guilty about. He pulled out a piece of his notebook paper and quickly scribbled (he was incredibly nervous, you try to write well when your hand is shaking that hard) the last thing the villagers will get from him for a long time, he wasn't quite sure, himself. "Sorry I couldn't tell you in person, but I need to go off for a while. Don't look for me, and, well, tell Pucca how incredibly sorry I am. I need to sort some things out in my head and I need alone time. I'll be back when I'm back - Garu" Hurriedly, before he changed his mind, he ran out his door, shut and locked it, then fit the note between the doorframe and the door itself, and secured the other side with some tape. Ensuring that it won't fly away in the wind (like there was ever that much anyway, but just in case), he hurried off, second-guessing his actions the entire way up the secluded mountain trail. When he reached the top, he cast one last look onto Sooga, all lights out and fast asleep. It looks so tranquil, almost beautiful, illuminated solely by the moon and the stars. Sorry everyone, but I need to do this, and with that thought, he began his quest for his own answers.

And there we have it. Here's chapter one. I hope you enjoyed it. R & R please, since I really am depending upon your input and critiques for upcoming chapters and possibly other stories. I hope that I can keep making long-ish chapters like this one for your reading pleasure. BTW, in case you didn't notice, this is my VERY first fanfic, so be brutal, you have my permission, lol.

-Smiddy