(Goal: Less about me, more Garuru Platoon, more Comedy)

DAY NINE, WORD NINE: FROST


"Man, it's getting warmer," I muttered, shedding my gray jacket.

"I don't feel the difference."

I made a face. "Well, that's because you're inside most of the time… it doesn't count."

"I suppose…"

"And also, the sun is coming up a lot sooner than it usually does," I nodded at my window. "Yup. Another short winter."

Garuru gazed at me curiously.

"Um, you see," I tapped my chin. "Here in Arizona, it's always bright, sunny, hot, and dry." I looked outside. "Or at least it almost always is."

"I can see that," Garuru said blandly.

"But it's really nice when it's cool," I pointed out. "Not too cold, not too hot. It's just perfect."

"Mmhm."

"You know, we might go camping."

Garuru perked a brow. "That was a bit… random?"

"I-I meant because it's so nice outside," I explained. "And I might take you with me. I-if you want."

Garuru gave me a reluctant look, and I sighed.

"It won't be so dry," I said. "We'll be up in the mountains; it'll actually be really nice and misty. You might enjoy yourself."

"I don't enjoy myself."

"Are you just afraid of the bugs?"

Garuru glared at me.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I chuckled nervously, holding up my hands in surrender. "But seriously. It's really nice, Lieutenant. I think you'll like it."

He grunted in response.

All was silent. I'm not sure whether or not he was thinking about it, but I learned from experience not to pester people about making decisions. They'll just end up getting irritated.

"Hey, Lieutenant."

"Yes?"

"I'm… too sexy for my shirt~ Too sexy for my shirt, so sexy it hurts~"

Garuru stared at me for the longest time, and I groaned in protest.

"C'mon! That was comedy gold right there!" I examined him. "Are you part robot or something? Because I honestly don't know why that didn't make you laugh!"

"You're getting too familiar with me, Cadet." Garuru said with a warning glare.

I smiled at him. "Sorry, but I really want to hear you laugh. It's seriously killing me. It's killing me so hard it hurts."

Garuru summoned a rifle. Click, click. "Would you like me to end your misery?"

"No!" I cried out, shielding myself with my arms. "No! I'm sorry, I take it back!"

Garuru shook his head and dissipated the weapon. "You should know by now not to test me, Cadet."

"Right," I slumped my shoulders. "It's just… I d'know, Lieutenant… can you blame me for trying to be friendly?"

"I would appreciate it more if you respected my personal space."

I puffed out my cheeks. "Fine." I looked up at my lamp/fan. "Yo. What do you say about visiting the others?"

"Like…?"

"How about Pururu? You haven't seen her yet." I slumped my body across the bed. "She seemed genuinely concerned about you."

"We can meet her tomorrow, yes?"

"…Well, yeah, but still," I shrugged. "Doesn't hurt, right?"

"…I suppose."


"Hi, Johnny!" Ruby said welcomingly. She gasped in utter delight as soon as she saw Garuru. "Hi! What's your name?"

"This is Garuru," I said, taking the liberty to introduce him. "This is Ruby, Lieutenant; the girl that's taking care of Pururu."

Garuru nodded absently. "Yes. Thank you."

"Oh, the pleasure's mine," Ruby replied sweetly. "Did you guys want to come in?"

"Yes please… If it isn't too much trouble, of course." I said, scratching the back of my head.

"No, it's not. You guys can come in." She opened the door wider and let us through, closing it when we were inside. "Okay, you know where to go, right Johnny? Okay, I'm going to get us a treat."

"N-no, it's fine," I stammered, blushing. Gosh, I hate feeling like such a burden.

"It's okay!" Ruby assured me. "I was getting something for me and Pururu anyway."

"L-Lieutenant!" Pururu blinked in surprise, and immediately bowed. "Hi! I wasn't expecting you!"

"Cadet suggested that I come to visit," Garuru said bluntly, gazing at me. "Though if you don't want me here-"

"No! I-I mean, yes! It's fine," Pururu smiled. She added, "It's a pleasant surprise, having you here. I don't mind at all."

Ruby put a platter of cookies on the desk near her door and turned toward me. "Want one?"

"No, I'm okay," I said, waving my hand dismissively.

"So, how are the lovebirds?" Ruby asked softly, giggling.

"Huh? Lovebirds?"

"You still don't see it?" Ruby folded her arms.

"…Um… see what?"

Ruby chuckled and patted my shoulder. "Never mind."

I always feel so ridiculously dumb when I visit- but I'm definitely sure that's probably not what she intended. She's a nice girl, just teasing. Except I'm a bit slow to jokes like that.

"So it's tomorrow, right?" Ruby inquired.

"Hm? Oh, yeah," I nodded. "I'm bringing water. To be honest, I don't know what to do with them."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean…" I waved my arms in explanation, but I got a blank nothing. "Ha… I-I meant… um… I guess the whole purpose is to bring the team together. What are we
going to do after that? We can't really help them repair their ship."

"I don't see why we can't," Ruby said mildly, leaning against her wall. "I'd definitely be willing to help."

"O-oh, yeah, me too," I agreed hastily. "I don't mean that I don't want to… it's just… I don't know; what could someone like me do?"

"Well, you're a guy," Ruby said gently. "I'm sure you can do something. Like heavy-lifting. I'm sure you could help out; don't be so hard on yourself."

I smiled. "You're sweet."

"Thanks." She stretched. "So! Anything new happen?"

"Oh yeah," I nodded. "I found Zoruru."

"…Zoruru?" Ruby gazed at me, confused. "…Who?"

"He's the half-cybernetic Keronian," I clarified. "He's…" I hesitated. "…an interesting guy."

"Huh," Ruby said. She pulled herself off the wall. "Cool. I can't wait to meet all of them!"

"It'll be strange seeing everyone together," I said with a nod. "Yeah, I wonder what they'll do."

"Probably organize a plan to invade earth," Ruby mused.

"W-what?!"

"I'm kidding!" Ruby giggled. "I'm kidding."

We were quiet for a moment, watching each other. After realizing that none of us had anything interesting to say, we decided to bend the awkward situation into a pretzel and instead listen to Garuru's and Pururu's conversation.

"…And he was 'deactivated', you say?" Pururu murmured quizzically. "That's odd. It's never really happened before, has it?"

Garuru shook his head and sighed. "I don't believe so. He has told us, however, that his cybernetic side was seemingly beginning to wane, correct?"

"That's true," Pururu said, troubled. "I really hope he isn't keeping anything from us."

"I think he just needs an upgrade," Garuru said slowly. "He might be offended at the suggestion, but I sincerely think that it will help."

"And I'll make sure Tororo doesn't play any pranks on him. Again." Pururu sat on Ruby's bed, gazing out the window. "…Hey, Lieutenant?"

"Yes?"

"Did… erm… never mind."

"Is that all, Chief Medic?"

Pururu let out a sad sigh and nodded. "Yes. It was a pleasure having you over, Lieutenant."

Garuru saluted to his companion and walked over to me. "We may go now."

"Okay," I said, waving to the two girls. "I'll see you guys tomorrow then!"

"I'll show you out the door again," Ruby offered, walking up to me. I saw Pururu down about four cookies, nibbling on the last one with a look of despair.

…She must really not like that cookie.


Garuru drank four cups of water when we got back home.

"Another story?"

"…You aren't going to sing that song again-?"

"I'll try not to." I leaned back against my chair and thought deeply once again. "Umm…. Okay…. I'm bringing sexy back-... I'm sexy and I know it?" I laughed when Garuru made another face. "What? It's a different song! Two different songs! …Alright, alright. "Uh… When I was really little, I would call every drink, even milk, water, you name it- 'Apple juice', only I said, 'Appatuse' because of my sad inability to say a name right. Once, I was playing with a neighbor- a little boy. The little boy went up to my mom and said, '…Ma'am? Your little girl is calling me a bad name.' Turns out that I had told him, 'Appatuse', which rhymed with something that was a curse word aaaaand that didn't make you laugh." I sighed. "Just ignore the monotone 'nothing will make me laugh/do I ever laugh/ blah and skip to your story. Yours are always the funny ones."


It was the first time in a long time Garuru had ever seen snow.

The Platoon were on a gueit mission- protect the Keron Military base in the planet Abushnin from enemy infiltration. It was sweet and peaceful, but very dull and too silent.

On one particular day, Tororo sighed in irritation. "My internet connection is cut off."

"Read a book," Zoruru said from the ceiling. "It wouldn't hurt that techno-obsessive brain of yours."

Tororo huffed. "Reading's boring."

"Depends on what kind of book it is," Taruru said, sitting down on the floor with his own reading material.

"...What kind of books do you read?" Zoruru asked slowly.

"All kinds of books, Zoruru. All kinds."

"Look!" Pururu cried out joyfully, interrupting yet another awkward conversation. "Headquarters sent us rations!"

"Oh, boy!" Taruru piped, jumping to his feet. "What'd they get us?"

"Hot cocoa!" Pururu answered, pulling the said item from the box. "I'll make some right now."

"Mmm!" Tororo licked his lips. "I could use some hot cocoa!"

Garuru was gazing out the window with his binoculars, inspecting the area. The storm outside was getting stronger; they could hear the winds howling and the hail slapping the walls. Frost began to cover the glass, rendering the Lieutenant helpless against any sort of surveilance.

"Zoruru?" Pururu called up, waving her hand down toward her. "Would you like some hot chocolate?"

Zoruru glanced down at her and quietly looked back up to where he was originally staring. "…No thank you."

"Oh, c'mon!" Pururu prodded. "I already made it! Wouldn't hurt to drink it."

Zoruru glanced at her again before he zipped right next to her, startling her. "…I suppose I should… wouldn't want to waste it…"

Pururu smiled sweetly and handed him the warm mug. "Be careful! Don't get-"

"Y'ow!"

"…burnt." She giggled at this and treated him quickly. "I have to go- I have other drinks boiling right now. Okay? Tell me how it is."

While she skipped off to retrieve the fourth cup of hot chocolate, Taruru smirked at Zoruru.

"What do you think you're looking at?" Zoruru growled, his tongue magically better.

This seemed to confirm whatever thoughts Taruru had. "Zoruru and Pururu sitting in a tree~"

"Don't make me throw this at your face."

"Hot chocolate, Lieutenant?" Pururu offered, holding out the liquid.

Garuru shook his head. "No, thank you."

"Lieutenant… I would really appreciate it if you drank it," Pururu looked at him shyly. "I put some vitamins in it for you… it'll help you keep your stamina."

"Then I accept. Thank you."

Garuru put it down beside him and went back to his window, trying to swipe the glass clear with his hand. To his annoyance, the fog quickly came back and recovered the area on the said glass. Pururu made a little happy face on the corner.

"Don't worry about it, Lieutenant," Pururu said gently. "I doubt anyone would get through this blizzard."

"I…I suppose… But I feel it necessary to continue the watch," Garuru put down his binoculars and reached for the cup. "I can't put you in danger- I must protect you. All of you."

Pururu gazed up at him, swallowing nervously, her eyes full of gratitude.

"D'Awwww! You're so kind, Lieutenant!" Taruru gushed, throwing an arm around his superior, who quickly grabbed the mug with two hands to keep it from splashing.

"I would appreciate it if you released me. NOW."

"Okie, okie," Taruru grinned widely. "Sorry. I'm just so happy for you two!"

"…Which two?" Garuru inquired, confused.

"Um... you and... never mind," Taruru said, giving up.

Pururu sighed quietly. "I'll make myself some hot cocoa."

"Thank you," Garuru said, holding his mug. He gazed at Taruru, who was frowning and watching him closely. "Yes...?"

"Are you doing that on purpose?"

"...Am I doing waht on purpose?"

"You're clueless!" Taruru cried out suddenly, flinging his arms in the air. "Honestly, Lieutenant! I respect you and all, but sometimes I swear you're denser than a rock!"

('I didn't understand what he meant by that,' Garuru told me. 'And judging by your similar clueless look I will assume you don't understand either. Moving on.')

The hot drink was delicious. He had put the empty mug on the side and resumed his searching (while failing miserably) as the others tried desperately to entertain themselves.

Taruru with his... books, Pururu cooking with what little rations they had, Tororo attempting to recalibrate his internet connection, and Zoruru doing who knows what who knows where.

"Lieutenant," Taruru whined lazily. "Can we play a game or something?"

"What do you have in mind?" Pururu asked, tasting the soup she was making with a spoon.

"No hide and seek," Zoruru warned, irritated.

"Alright, alright," Taruru stroked his chin in thought. "Oh! Karaoke!"

"No." Tororo and Zoruru replied blandly.

"I'd rather not be bored, thank you," Taruru said, putting two hands on his hips.

"And I'd rather not make a fool of myself," Zoruru retorted.

"Oh yeah?" Taruru turned to him. "And what would you rather do right now?"

"Do you really want to know?" Zoruru asked, widening his eye and tilting his head. "Because I have several fun ideas... and most of them involve disemboweling you."

Taruru seemed to honestly think about this for a second. "...Nah, too violent for our general audiences."

"Audiences?"

"You actually considered it?!"

"Let's play 'Who Am I?'!" Taruru decided randomly. "Okay... who am I?" He sat down and bent forward, twisting his mouth to a deranged grin as he moved his fingers up and down in quick moments. He seemed to emit an evil aura.

"Oh! Oh!" Tororo said, waving his hand. "Is it Kururu?"

"No, I was you," Taruru said, stopping his role playing. "But perhaps I was a bit too diabolical.."

"I'll show you diabolical!" Tororo snapped, lunging at him. Taruru simply laughed and playfully held him back, relishing in the glories of being full grown. Or as full grown as a chimpanzee can be. While wearing glasses. And singing "Sweet Home Alabama".

Pururu was laughing. "He did act a lot like you, though, Tororo."

"Oh really?" Tororo shot back, forgetting his fight with Taruru. "Guess who I am!" He grabbed a mirror that had been sitting idly on the floor and began to look into it, patting his cheeks possessively.

"Pururu!" Taruru laughed.

"H-hey...!" Pururu looked around for something to call revenge upon. "A-ha!" She pulled out a banana from her rations box. "And who am I?"

Everyone (besides Garuru, of course, who was amused enough just by listening to them) stared at her.

"...Who is that?" Zoruru finally asked, joining in their group.

"U-um, it's Taruru," Pururu explained, fidgeting with the fruit. "B-because he's... um... bananas?"

"...Worst. Joke. Ever." Tororo slapped his forehead. "C'mon, old lady! Were jokes really that bad in your day?"

"O-old lady...? In my day?!"

"Who am I, guys?" Zoruru attempted. He stood still, stone-faced, until he finally kneeled down and made some sort of invisible weapon lean against his shoulder.

"Ohh!" Pururu giggled, temporarily forgetting her dilemna. "It's Garuru."

The Lieutenant now turned upon hearing his name. Zoruru flushed, stood, and immediately saluted.

"...You may proceed with your stimulation," Garuru said dismissively, turning back to the window. "I do not mind."

Zoruru was too embarrassed to continue further. "Th-thank you..."

"Hey! My internet's back again!" Tororo piped happily, sitting down and typing on his computer. "And... oh." He clenched his fist. "He sent me something..."

"I wouldn't open it if I were you~" Taruru sang, settling down with his book.

"Psht. Can't be that- OH MY FROG." Tororo covered his eyes. "TURN IT OFF! TURN IT OFF I BEG OF YOU."

"What did he-" Pururu gasped and slammed down the laptop, her face visibly pale. "O-oh dear."

"Hate to say I told ya so~" Taruru said.


"What was it?" I asked, too curious to hold back.

Garuru shrugged. "To be honest with you, I don't know. They refused to let me see."

"Was it bad?"

"Apparently so. Involved a purple dinosaur."


Okay, not my best... again. *facepalm* I'll come up with something, don't worry.

Alright, so far, I've been concentrating on Garuru. I need to come up with the others' memories and stories and all that blah. Of course, it would be nice to include some stories concerning the human partners, too.

Pekoponian Partners Rita, Kitty, Ruby, and Stella (though maybe not Stella; I see her at school): I would appreciate it if you could come up with some ideas with the Keronians, and I'll incorporate it in. It'll not only help me with ideas concerning this story, but it'll help me grasp your "character" better.
They don't have to be funny! They can be sweet, touching, sad, and you can even add some quirks to your partner if you want to, all that good stuff.

Like I mentioned before, I'm not here to make friends (maybe it would be best not to point out personal issues, please? ^^;), but I would still appreciate it if you could help me out. Thank you!