Clouds filled the sky that were too thin to darken the scene, but too thick to reveal the sun. The ground was covered in the cleanest sheet of snow, throwing the light back away at the sky. Snowflakes would fall ever so gently that the cold ground and trees would welcome such a minute amount until the wind carried them miles away from where they fell. The wind flew in loops, making the snowflakes dance until they were too tired to float. But the wind carried the snowflakes to dance together, and they twisted so lovingly along each other they created a storm.
In the storm, every creature kept their bodies large. A fox would peek around the trees. Its fur would stand straight each strand, looking prominent to the whiteness of the environment. It ran to the river, then cowered from the wind. There was nothing to lick up but the ice. Mud just by the line grew flattened with brown grass. Tired, the fox would walk under the icicles, awaiting melted snow to trickle down them and land in its mouth. No, the fox would sit for nothing. It should have rested like the birds napping in the tree holes. It had wasted its energy.
A silhouette stumbled upon it. Instinctively, the fox ran away, but only so far.
He took his pacing slow. No stopping for now. Each step in the frozen blanket of snow was a choice of self-discipline and determination. He could feel his legs become numb. He wrapped his hands around his body to accompany no one but himself. He could feel a pile of snow build up on top of his smooth, black hair. There was a warm scarf around the bottom of his face. Only his fingertips could form ice from the sweat, so he placed them under his arms.
He could make it home, he could walk back to the village, or he could take more steps out in the storm to nowhere. It was all for self-discipline, something a mentor would let him accomplish right after his eighth birthday.
So in the open area leaned against the mountains, he stepped in rhythm. His trail was a smooth snake with a black tail. No thought jumbled in his head, only the white growing sheet and a mysterious thick fog.
In front of him, there was an unusual shape in the snow. The sheet covered it so perfectly, but the shape was too irregular and large to be anything usual. Since it lay right in his path, he curiously turned right and stared at it solemnly.
Taking one hand away from the warmth of his arms, he brushed the snow away. His red bandages were not thick enough to prevent freezing water from touching his pale hands, so he brushed quickly. He was startled to see red cloth. He had almost gasped. No, it was not just a red sheet. He then used both of his hands to wipe away the snow.
It was a little girl.
His eyes could only widen so much. He put a hand on her wrist, her throat, and her chest. Her breath was so faint that the snowflakes on her lips didn't budge. The young boy lifted her by the shoulders. He noticed that her chin and lips were covered in ice. The snowflakes even dyed her eyelashes white. He untied his scarf, and wrapped it around the bottom of her face. One hand was wrapped under her arms, and the other under her knees. Her head rested against his chest.
He realized something important. He could fight this winter himself, but she was probably the same age as him. Not everyone could fight such a winter. Especially if someone was so young...
He turned straight around and ran as fast as he could. He tucked the scarf closer up to her face. He felt her chest rise slightly again. He knew where he could go.
The red wooden doors slammed like thunder. He gently placed the girl down in the kitchen. He grabbed some coal and ran back to the stove. With some steel and flint, he lit the stove and closed it shut. He lifted her head closer to the fire. Patience was hard to keep for this little girl.
"Ah!"
She awoke and instinctively pushed the young boy away. She ripped the scarf off and wrapped her arms around her body. The ice on her lips had melted. She leaned closer to the fire, shaking furiously. After awhile, she turned to remember someone was there.
He stared curiously at her. She was afraid. He took one step close, but she placed her hands in front, scared of the stranger. He retreated. He looked around. When he noticed that a bowl of water was conveniently in the kitchen, he approached her with it slowly. She nabbed it away, and hurriedly drank it down. She sighed and huffed, scooting closer to the fire.
The the two kids heard footsteps. The boy placed his hands in front of the girl, signaling he was going to investigate. She cowered down, and he nodded. He ran to the far doorway on the right. She watched him leave.
"Garu? What are you doing here early?"
He shook his head. His wide eyes showed his guilt to the adults, but also tried to speak to them.
"What's wrong?"
He pointed to the kitchen. He then spread his arms out. Go slowly, he was trying to say to those three chefs.
There was a small lonely girl. She turned to see the four figures in front of her.
"Who is she?"
"Where did she come from?"
"Do you know her?"
The little boy shook his head slowly. He looked at the floor. No, I don't know about her. The tallest and darkest skinned one went to kneel down and see her eye to eye. "Can you tell us where you came from? Your friend here, Garu, doesn't like to speak much."
She looked at the boy then back at the man. Her lips quivered as she picked up the red scarf and placed it over her face, scared.
"I have an idea. Garu, why don't you bring the girl upstairs? I know it's not exactly pretty up there, but she'll need a place to stay."
He nodded his head. He walked up to the little girl and held out his hand. It was wrapped up in red bandages, the fighting kind, and his fingertips still carried ice. Though reluctant to leave the fire, she reached for his hand, knowing she could at least trust her rescuer.
He held her hands up the latter and climbed at her pace. True the attic was not pretty, he thought. He had only been in the dining room of their shabby, 'temporary kitchen' until they had enough money to open a restaurant.
He made use out of what he could find. The girl sat down and huddled as he scavenged the area. He found a lantern to light and a white sheet. He whipped it in the air, blowing the dust away. The girl looked out the single window. This place had not been touched.
He gave the blanket to the girl. She wrapped herself in it and watched the boy search for something more. It was incredibly messy. He tried walking through it by himself, but fell down, tripping on a bucket. The girl giggled at him. He turned around and went back. He pouted as he crossed his legs and rested his head on his hands.
The girl still bundled the scarf in her hands. She decided to wrap it around the boy's neck. She loosely tied it around him and giggled.
"Garu?" Was called downstairs. "Could you please come down?"
He stepped down from the ladder hoping for positive news about the girl.
"We called Mr. Bruce, no one is missing their daughter."
The small ninja pouted.
"Sooga is so small. We would know if it was anyone's daughter."
"That can't be Chang's daughter, can it?"
"No, that's not her."
Garu had turned around and grasped the side of the ladder. He stared at the floor amidst their conversations. He was sad for her, because he...
"Garu? One more thing."
The chefs could see the mourn in his eyes when he turned back.
"Will you please give these noodles to the girl? She's probably very hungry."
Sure thing.
He climbed up the latter with the bowl balanced on his head. He could see the girl crying, but she kept herself so silent.
He pushed the bowl across the wooden floor. She turned to see him, startled.
When he climbed up, he crossed his legs in front of her. He picked up a few noodles with the chopsticks and held them by her face.
She was confused.
He made a motion to his mouth. Eat them, he was trying to say.
She still looked unsure.
"Please."
He placed them closer to her mouth. She decided to bite them.
She smiled widely as she chewed. The boy smiled back when she leaned her head in for more. It was like feeding a cat. Eventually she picked up the bowl and ate more of it herself. She scraped the whole thing. Garu could not help but giggle at her every action. She surely did not come from somewhere proper.
She looked back down the latter. She could see the adults, but she was afraid to be spotted by them. She looked at Garu.
Are you still hungry? He thought.
She pointed down below.
Ok, I'll get you more noodles.
Garu went down the latter and stood by the chefs again.
"How is she doing?" The one with the hat asked.
The boy looked at what the chef had on his pans.
"Is she still hungry? We were about to make dinner for ourselves, but we can make some dinner for you."
Garu nodded.
"She doesn't have to sit with us. It looks like she's only warming up to you."
He turned to see the girl with her head visible on the second floor. She cowered on the floor looking at them.
Climbing up the latter, Garu placed his hand on her shoulder.
Are you alright?
The window on her right showed the sky getting darker and the snow blowing harder.
I'm sure they'll let you stay.
"Order up!"
Garu leaned his body down to grab to servings of noodles from the chefs.
"Garu, if you wish, you and the girl can stay," the one with the tattoos said.
He nodded, smiling.
The girl had adjusted to the temperate of the house, so she removed the blanket. She used her chopsticks hesitatingly. Gripping them with each hand, she tried to copy Garu in an easier way.
He laughed. No, that's not going to help you.
He shifted to her side and placed them in her right hand. He moved her fingers to the position he was familiar with. He made a motion, picking up his own chopsticks.
Clip. Clip.
"Ooh..." she smiled.
Garu placed his open sticks in the bowl. He picked up a few of the noodles, closing them when he grasped them.
She tried to do the same. Failed at first, then succeeded a second try. She giggled, staring at him to make sure he saw.
You're doing great.
Her hair was long and in front of her face. She constantly tried to push it away when she ate. Garu noticed this.
He unwrapped a good length of his red bandages on his arms and teared it off. He went to the girl and pushed her hair back. She stopped eating, curious of what he was going to do with her hair.
He took the right side and curled it in a bun. He wrapped it tight. He took the left side and did the same.
He stood up to search for something in the attic. A mirror. He found one and held it up to her.
She was curious about it. She grabbed the mirror and took it. She poked it, then realized it was her reflection. She smiled at him again.
I'll take care of you, too.
It was awhile they spent together. Not a single word was spoken to each other, only vague and simple actions that made each other smile.
"Garu, can you come down with her?"
He helped her down the latter. Garu approached where the three chefs were.
"It's almost time for us to go to bed, and we wanted to say you two can stay here."
"We brought a couch down for you to sleep on."
"We don't want you out in the cold like that."
Nervously, the girl looked around.
"We should really introduce ourselves, should we?"
Garu nodded. Finally, you will.
"I am Linguini," the one with the tattoos welcomed.
"I am Ho," the one with the hat greeted.
"And you can call me Uncle Dumpling," the one with the darkest skin reached out his hand. The girl was confused in what to do.
Garu gently grabbed her hand. He was showing her what a handshake was. She held the man's hand and Garu motioned it up and down. It's a greeting.
"Now, do you have a name you can tell us?"
She thought for a moment. She shook her head.
"No? You weren't given a name?"
She was even just unaware of what a name was. She shook her head again.
"Well, why don't we give you one?"
She slowly nodded at the offer.
"I've never named something before."
"We should be careful about this."
"What would suit her?"
They spoke for awhile. The girl looked at Garu, who showed an expression of openness to the three. She stepped closer, less afraid.
When they turned around, Uncle Dumpling spoke to her. He held her hand.
"Pucca."
"Pu...cca?" She cooed.
"Yes. That is your name. Pucca."
In an instant, she warmed up. She hugged the man. They all smiled.
"You can stay with us as long as you need to."
Pucca looked to where Garu was. He set up the couch for her with a blanket and pillow. He stopped when he noticed her approaching. When she rolled herself under the covers, she yawned.
"Goodnight Pucca."
"Sweet dreams, Pucca."
"Sleep tight, Pucca."
The lights turned off. They left and closed their bedroom door.
Garu was sitting on the side of the couch and yawning as well. Pucca sat up to see him.
"You... you saved me."
Garu opened his eyes wide.
She stared at him in the eyes. Pucca wrapped her arms around him, hugging him. It felt nice. He moved his hand to wrap it around hers. It was a warm feeling he had not felt for a long time.
And then she kissed him.
Startled, he moved away. She giggled.
That's... a very strong choice of expression.
She waited for him to wish her goodnight in his way. He reluctantly tucked her in, her head resting on the pillow. She still stared at him with that small smile.
He lied down on the floor. He was fine sleeping on the ground. Pucca poked her head to see him. She giggled once more.
"Goodnight, Garu."
~End of Part 1~
Thank you for reading! Chapter 2 is coming soon!