A/N: This isn't the first story I've ever written but it's the first one I'm posting on this website. Pucca is without a doubt my most favorite television show, has been for years, and it only seems right that I honor her by writing my first ever fanfiction on this site about her. Hope you enjoy the story! And thank you to my first reviewer for the good graces and the welcome! I'm not sure how to respond to those, but thank you!

I also apologize in advance for any spelling errors. I started writing this while waiting for my bus to come and pick me up, which is at the most ungodly of hours in the morning- before the sun even rises. You can imagine my exhaustion.

NOTE: I made Pucca only two years younger than Garu even though she's three. This is because in this story, she would be fifteen while he was eighteen and I preferred to make her older than that.


It was a certain number of years ago, a time before Garu moved into the bamboo thicket barely a few miles from the sanctity of the village, even more so before his lovesick delivery girl set up shop with her guardians/uncles and fell almost instantly for his stoic, stony nature. Before the defenders rose and before the agony of defeat repeated itself like the engulfing sensation of madness through his brain, Sooga Village belonged to Tobe. He was a young lad, far beyond the years of manhood, but he was considered the most sinister of residents in the tiny homeland, not even his name could be uttered without the risk of pertaining his horrid wrath. He ruled his kingdom with an iron fist of dominance, not a single soul could challenge the skill of his martial arts and survive to see daylight the next day.

The villagers quaked with terror as he strode so casually down the dusty road, the jagged lines between his eyes formulating an X were a driven mystery to those deemed unimportant or subordinate in those bloodthirsty eyes. His path was to always remain clear, every joke he spouted was to be chuckled upon lest they pay the price of unamusement. It happened so swiftly, the entirety of his livelihood was ripped out from his grasp at age fifteen. From the mist of the entrance, an absent silhouette who didn't make a single sound, a little boy dressed all in black with only specs of red here and there strided into Sooga Village with nothing but a sword strapped across his back and an ebony feline balancing effortlessly atop his head.

Eyes followed his every movement, wondering and interested in what someone of such youth was doing here, completely alone save for a mere cat. He took his time, brushed off the stares as though they were meaningless jabs of growing curiousity. He had an air of intimidation, possessed the grace of a shadow as well as the gratifying edge. He was difficult to ignore even if he didn't demand the exposure of attention, Tobe seemed to take immediate notice over the idea of a newcomer being the item of everyone else's talk rather than himself. Because he was sucha polite boy, he decided a welcoming was in order.

Tobe found himself at an embarrassing disadvantage when he came across the newly transferred ninja who's words were completely nonexistent. He strived to upset the boy, humiliate him even, with his tantalizing words of sarcasm and the mockery of his very being. This boy, however, seemed completely immune to such things no matter his attempts. What was more, he had the nerve to look upon Tobe in patronizing sympathy as though superior to him in furious ways. Tobe would not be made foolish. To demonstrate his iron title and prove he was little from the temperate child this boy, who appeared even younger than himself, thought him to be.

A young girl clad completely in violet had the misfortune of catching his eye before she could step away from the scene. Tobe chose her as his victim and approached on solid confidence, terrifying the girl too deeply to defend herself when his hand wrapped around a long black braid and tugged so harshly, it caused her to faceplant into the dirt with a cry of protest and pain. This left the silent ninja no choice, clearly he would not tolerate such animalistic behavior from anyone, especially when they insisted to bully the weaker. He moved speedily, even faster than Tobe it seemed, and the vile miscreant found himself staring at the challenging point of a glittering katana blade, unwavering and seemingly ruthless.

Once he recollected himself, Tobe chuckled and stepped back from the line of danger, heartily accepting his dare to further abuse the citizens of this village. He drew away two sparkling swords made of sinfully black iron, proceeding to point one at the throat of the girl he had harmed and striking a deal with his fearless opponent. If Tobe were to successfully defeat him, the girl would die. They dueled together, right there in the center of the surrounding citizens of Sooga, and they watched with inspired gratitude as Tobe was finally beaten with little to no effort on the behalf of the black warrior. The silent ninja partook in no celebration regarding his victory, simply sheathed his sword, summoned his animal companion, then retreated calmly into the quiet sanctity of the bamboo home.

Respect was initially lost for the almighty Tobe. Only a single name was learned from the one who had smited him, two syllables that would forever be remembered by the loving villagers of Sooga; Garu.

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It was Garu that indulged Sooga Village in the passion of Kung Fu, Ninjitstu, all the likeness of martial arts. Garu even created friends amongst himself, like the sweet girl he had rescued from certain death, who decided that she no longer wished to be pummeled for her kind demeanor and discovered her talents among the process of fighting. There was also Abyo, the flirtatious boy of the village with a desperate need to be recognized despite already being known as the Chief's only son. Lastly came Pucca, who was a sort of question mark among everyone, but she obtained adoration wherever she went. Garu showed impressed interest in the girl when she made examples of her mortifying strength as well as impossible speeds from another world. In response to his admiration, she became a full on sap for his affections, which is where Garu learned that despite her superb differences from, well, general human beings, she had a deficiency in understanding the prospect of boundaries.

Only two months ago did Garu depart from his home with the means of completing his final mission within the bitter cold of the Antarctic mountains. There, he would hopefully succeed in becoming a fully fledged ninja and regain his ability to speak sentences, a luxury he swore off of until he felt his honor was evident. And though it took up until the legally adult age of eighteen, it would do his family very proud just to see how far he'd come.

Whether or not he failed was strictly irrelevant to Tobe, who was inwardly bitter with anger at the succession of his most prominent foe. No matter the result of his mission, Garu would undoubtedly return to the village to see everyone he had come to care for. With this in mind, Tobe made a swift vow to himself that he would rally up his plot before Garu returned so that, as a wondrous surprise, he could see that his abandonment left Tobe wide open to once again reign supreme. There was the issue with the trio of comrades he left in his wake to defend the village from evil doings, but they would be easily swept away if this meeting went as well as he prayed it might.

Pucca, Ching and Abyo expected Tobe to lead an attack the minute Garu vacated the territory. To ease any suspicions from rising, he every once in awhile sent out minions to stir up conflict inside the village. If Tobe was too quiet, who's to say they wouldn't come searching for explanation. Instead of this, Tobe whipped both himself and hisserving ninjas into brutal shape, they couldn't afford to be delayed a moment of time when it was an essence to them. Tobe was larger, much more intelligent now than he had been before (where each carefully devised plan had been destined for failure).

Tobe was glaring into his own reflection while his numerous guests chattered and exchanged curiosity on what this meeting had been in regards to. Puppets, each and every individual who had made the mistake of accepting his invitation. It would be such child's play to twist their very thoughts and have them feel that perhaps waging war upon the recognized heroes of this hero was actually an excellent idea. Tobe leaned his hand again the vanity table he stood behind, the large flex of his muscle twitched with a desire for blood as he thought of the fact that Garu was still happily up and about, he needed the young Firewasp's uninhabited skull crushed beneath the center of his massive shoe. He needed him hopelessly regretful of the past several years, which led Garu to come and destroy the enticing power he once possessed. With a deep growl, his temper snapped like a twig too weak to protest and he used his long limbs to swipe away all the objects that had the misfortune of sitting on the tiny desk. He was unstable in all the worst ways, but that was the price of despising the same person for years to come and watching them succeed at every turn. This was all going to change in a matter of moments.

Once Tobe had regained his control over a semi-sound mind, he moved out of the private quarters of his bedroom and came approaching the dining room, a long table waited within, his guests all sat together beneath the dim lighting and shared casual conversation. "Welcome, my friends!" Tobe's voice rose above the murmurs and silence was rewarded to him, all eyes addressed him quietly and assessed the physical changes he had made upon himself ever since Garu has left for his own personal mission. His body had a lot more bulk to it, he was defined as something much better than the likes of the past with better shape and less humorous traits to himself. Although, he did still carry out his words in a cliche voice of bad evil, something about it drew more hostility to his character. "Are we all well this evening? Enjoying the wine?"

Mel and his dark queen were seated side by side together, the former god of honor hummed with bubbly agreement, already seemingly buzzed off of the expensive, smooth beverage the host was offering. He snapped his dull fingers towards one of the wordless ninjas standing erect at the wall, his hands filled with the tall bottle of wine. Needing no further orders, he rushed to refill Mel's emptied glass while Doga clung to his arm like a worshipping leech. Chief sat closest to the head of the table, where Tobe settled himself casually- as well as where she had predicted he might be. Years of growth had assured her mind that her loving thoughts towards the scarred ninja had long since dissipated from a fact. However, she had subconsciously made herself appear as lovely as she could manage just for his notice (and maybe seeing him so well again brought on that spark of attraction she thought to have lost). "We wouldn't have missed this for the world Tobe. Anything for you of course." The two male members of the Vagabonds shared a look of irritation as well as a sensation of disgust at their leader's advances, they had imagined these dreadful romances had faded from her mind.

"Do tell us what this is about, old friend." Muji took a long sip of his tasteful wine, licking the sweet droplets from his bottom lip as he set his glass down. Without any necessary instruction, a nameless ninja rushed to refill it. "I'm certain you did not call together every enemy of the village simply for chatter. There must be something on your mind."

"That there is," Tobe agreed as he rested his elbows against the table and gazed at each person, his fingers laced together in content comfort. "You see, I hold a proposition for you all. One in which will benefit each and every one of us. I propose an ideal way for us at last set Garu and his idiotic friends to their very knees before us-"

His words were halted by the unsupportive groans of all those who surrounded him, discluding Chief of course. They all gazed at one another with insulting exasperation, some even shook their heads as though Tobe were completely hopeless to be saved. "Not this again," said Mel, swishing around the scarlet swallow of his drink around his crystal glass. "Haven't you moved on at all Tobe? Garu certainly has, he's up in Antarctica right now as we speak, getting his precious honor returned to him and completing his training as a ninja. He's not thinking of you or us. Just look, he's so careless over what you do that he left the village in the hands of his friends."

"Let it go, man." Muji said in his thickening accent. "Live your life happily. It isn't worth the fight anymore."

Tobe's hands suddenly slammed harshly against the surface of the table, a sharp inhale of breath went in through his nostrils and quieted everyone's insistence that he calmed. The quiet ninjas all exchanged quiet looks of fright at their master's physical outburst, they knew very well just how nuts in the head he truly was. Tobe shut his eyes as the incessant ticking repeated over and over through his throbbing skull, like a bomb with a longing to detonate completely. Cowards, he thought with an air of outrage. He couldn't give up now, not when he had dedicated so many years to Garu's defeat, they were all just lap dogs no longer wishing for punishment of failure. How dare they give in so easily like this?!

Tobe smiled, a twitching movement of his lips that clearly seemed forced to higher extents. He reopened his eyes and looked upon everyone in favor, concealing his disrespect for their easy pass on judgement. It was alright, he would see to it that they viewed things his way. "You're right," he breathed, forcing his body to relax completely as his mind fell back under his command. "I misspoke too swiftly. It's just that... I really despise injustice, and that's undoubtedly what we've been through. I understand giving up and moving on, you all speak the truth. It's just that... when will it be our turn to rise? To receive our earnings, after everything we put up with from them? Is it not the same as lying down and taking it to simply... let it go?"

"What do you mean?" Chief wondered.

Tobe addressed her with silk consideration, a look that had the ability to send her heart aflutter with desire. "What I mean, my dear," he began gently. "Is that each and every one of us have been victimized of Garu and his friends, haven't we? Completely wronged of his good intentions. The Vagabonds, for example." He turned completely towards Chief and the acknowledged trio all stiffened under the weight of the attention. "You've been made into outcasts of the town, punished for simply trying to make a living in this cruel intolerant village of misunderstanding people. Does that seem even slightly fair to you?" Chief opened her mouth as though to excuse the accusation, though nothing nothing emitted past except air. Her duo partners didn't speak a single word either, they were under the reign of a silent agreement. Tobe faced the mustache-adoring man soon afterwards, who gazed upon him with level expectation. "Muji," he regarded with a sigh. "Not only have they cut off your pride an joy; your precious mustache, but they also can't seem to allow you any form of victory no matter what. It was a minor ping pong record, and they snatched it out from under you without care." Muji stroked the dark bushy hair that adorned his top lip and avoided his icy stare, his posture shifted with discomfort and horribly concealed rage. Lastly, Tobe turned towards the infamously dark couple, they sternly met his eyes with daring force, as though giving him steel permission to aloud speak the long captivity they spent restrained in the cold sphere of a tiny snow globe. "Need I say more?" Asked the dark haired ninja. Doga and Mel visibly drooped with sadness.

"Our time is now," Tobe rose his voice to stretch across the table, asserting his position as leader by reaching every ear with definite precision. "We can no longer stand by and allow these little do-gooders to be established as the greatones when we have done nothing wrong. No longer will we sit back and accept all those years of taking the back seat, all that time spent living in the shadows of mere children! This time, we're going to take back what's rightfully ours, we've paid much more than our share. Now, stand with me, and I swear we will either kill the hideous quartet of this village or die trying."

There was just one error to Tobe's plan, a small little item he had allowed to slip his mind dutifully from uncaring acknowledgement. Ring-Ring had seen the village's most villainous titles come to Tobe's house due to an impromptu social gathering, one he neglected to invite her to. The lovely Siren sat just beneath their window and listened to the mad young man as he rambled on about justice and deserving recognition. Why had he not invitated her to this little get-together?! Ring-Ring hated Garu and his pathetic, fashion impaired friends just as much as they did. Was she not to be accounted for such things? Did Tobe not find her powerful or deadly enough? A series of red slashes appeared across her porcelain face as she rose up from the grass and dusted off her form fitting pink dress. She would show Tobe for not letting her play along in his plotting devices, he would rue the very day he forgot all about her.

With a traditional chant, Ring-Ring exploded into her second form and lifted up into the black nighttime air. She would set off to find the one person Tobe didn't want around, then he would most certainly remember who the real danger to this village was.