Garu and Abyo walked side by side as they searched the village for Pucca and Ching, though still not exactly sure what they would do once they found them.

"Funny that for once you're the one looking for Pucca, huh?" Abyo commented, smiling slightly at the irony of the situation. "Gonna lay one on her as soon she inevitably throws herself into your arms?" he asked cheekily.

Garu shrugged and grunted, embarrassed and somewhat surprised at himself for actually considering Abyo's suggestion. What the hell am I doing? he thought, suddenly unsure of himself. Am I really ready for this? Do I even like Pucca, or am I just using her?

Garu furrowed his brow in concern and cleared his throat, getting Abyo's attention.

"Yeah Garu? What's up?" asked Abyo.

Garu sighed, knowing how difficult it would be to try and relay his concern over to Abyo without breaking that stupid vow of silence he had sworn to at the tender age of eight. Over half my life he though bitterly.

Reading Garu's mind in that special way only best friends are capable of, Abyo sighed, "Garu! How many times have I told you!" he began, exasperated. "You've saved the village a million times, jumped at every challenge thrown at you, and have rescued practically everyone in the village at least once. It doesn't get much more honorable than that. I think you've earned the right to talk!"

Garu blushed a little at hearing his list of accomplishments, and shrugged to himself. Someone alert the presses; Abyo was right! There wasn't much more Garu could do to regain his honor, and if he didn't break the vow now, would he ever? The thought of never speaking for the rest of his life scared him. Now is as good a time as ever to start, he decided. Clearing his throat, he said, "Uh, okay, fine. But only because this is important."

Slightly bewildered at not only hearing his friend speak, but that fact that someone actually listened to him, Abyo stared for a second, wide eyed. He quickly got over it though, not wanting to make his friend feel self conscious. "Good for you, Garu!" he cheered. "So, what's the problem? Shoot."

"Well, okay," Garu began, surprised at how rough his voice sounded, but relieved not to sound like that smooth talking, blinged out, jumpsuit wearing clone of his. "I've spent a big chunk of my life running away from Pucca, trying to dodge her hugs, kisses, well you know, just her in general. It just feels weird to be going after her. I mean, I don't know why I'm doing it, and it scares me that it might be for the wrong reason."

Abyo listened, nodding his head. "Okay Garu. Let me start off by saying I don't think there'll ever be a time when you don't think about how your actions will affect others, and most of the time that's a good thing. Very honorable."

Garu smiled and gave a quick nod of agreement.

"But," continued Abyo, "There's a time for honor, and there's a time for fun. Right now, the scale is tipped all the way over to honor. That's no good, man! You need to relax and add some fun into your life, pronto. Otherwise, you'll blow up one day!"

Garu rolled his eyes. "Are you kidding me? I'll blow up if I don't take advantage of a girl who has done nothing but made sacrifices and look out for me all my life?"

"Don't think of it that way, Garu!" groaned Abyo. "Think of it like this: what is the number one most important thing you need to be a good ninja? And don't say honor!" he quickly added.

Shutting his mouth, Garu pondered for a second. Abyo sighed.

"Balance!" he said, pointing over to a ying and yang symbol. Garu blinked. Abyo was being unusually insightful today.

"Besides," continued Abyo. "It's not like you're some creep forcing yourself on her. She totally wants you! You'd have to be an idiot not to realize that."

Garu blushed, knowing that was true. "Yeah, but do I want her?"

Abyo blinked. "Um, yeah. I think you do. Why else would we be looking for them?"

Garu sighed. "No, I mean, do I want her so I can have her in my arms and tell her how much I love her, or so that I can seduce her, get into her pants for one night, and then act like nothing ever happened between us?"

Abyo stopped in his tracks and whipped his head over to face his friend. "Jeez, Garu. How should I know? I mean, I don't think you're an asshole, but can we ever really be sure?"

Flushing a deep red, Garu took note of his friend's sarcasm. "Yeah, okay, I see your point. I don't really fit the profile of the one night stand type of guy, huh?"

"No."

"Okay then."

Walking in an awkward silence, Abyo turned to Garu. "Hey, um, is that what you would want?" he asked hesitantly.

Garu immediately shook his head. "No," he began, "I care too much about her for that. But, at the same time, I don't know if I could handle a relationship. I guess that's kind of why I run away…" he trailed off.

Playfully slapping his friend on the back, Abyo smiled. "Aha, see! Now we're making some progress! Did you just hear yourself? You care about her! You don't wanna hurt her. As long as that's the case, you won't. Trust me dude, I've known you forever. Give yourself a little credit; you've got incredible control."

Garu nodded. "Yeah, I guess so. Thanks Abyo."

"Mhm," he replied. "And anyway, Pucca can take care of herself. If you do anything to piss her off, she'll hand your ass over to you."

"Oh yeah," Garu said, feeling slightly emasculated yet relieved at the same time.

"But why don't you want a relationship?" asked Abyo, with a genuine curiosity. "You still wanna play the field or something?"

"What? No! Who else is there? Doga? Ring-Ring?" he replied incredulously. Both he and Abyo shared a laugh over the lack of eligible ladies in the village.

"She's no Ching or Pucca, but Ring-Ring is actually kind of pretty," commented Abyo.

"I guess, but she's a total bitch," replied Garu. Abyo chuckled at how quickly Garu was forgetting about honor and was moving on to using obscenities.

"Besides," Garu continued, "Pucca has a way better rack."

Abyo gave his friend a playful punch on the arm. "Woah, look who's loosening up."

Smiling slightly, Garu shrugged and nodded. "Yeah, whatever."

Abyo grinned, overjoyed at how Garu's decision to break his vow brought them closer than ever in just the last five minutes. "So why no relationship?" he asked.

Pausing to think for a minute, Garu blinked. Yeah, what's up with you? What's wrong with asking a girl who's basically perfect and head over heels for you to be your girlfriend? he thought.

Garu looked at his friend, shrugged one shoulder, and said, "I dunno. Maybe it actually wouldn't be so bad. We'll see."

Abyo smiled at his friend. "Ha, don't tell me you're going soft on me," he said jokingly.

Shoving his friend playfully, Garu replied with a grin, "Just shut up."

oooooooooooooooo

Meanwhile, Pucca and Ching were up in the former's room, trying on different outfits in preparation for their plans.

"How's this?" asked Ching, twiring around in a pink midriff bearing top and black pleated mini skirt.

"Great, if you want Abyo to pay you for your services afterward."

Blushing, Ching threw a stuffed panda at Pucca, who caught it effortlessly. "Oh, shut up! You don't have to be so sarcastic."

Smiling, Pucca looked over at her best friend. "I'm just teasing, Ching! But seriously, that outfit is OD," she commented with sincerity. (a/n: I'm not sure if it's only a NYC thing, so in case it is, OD is slang for "Over Do" which basically means "too much").

Ching studied her reflection, tilting her head slightly. "Yeah, I guess you're right." She reached over her head and pulled the top off, and then let the skirt fall down around her ankles, stepping out of it and ready to try on a new outfit.

Pucca laughed, "If only Abyo were here now. He'd fall in love with you for sure if he saw you like this."

Ching blushed deeper and stuck her tongue out. "Well, he's not. It's just us, so stop making me feel like a slut." she said, voice dripping with mock hurt.

"All right Ching, I'll stop," Pucca giggled. She watched (platonically o.o;;) as her friend's pink bra and panties got covered up by a purple dress with flutter sleeves, a scoop neck, and ruffled hem that hit just above the knee. "How about this?" she asked.

Pucca applauded. "Aww, way better. You look so pretty!"

Ching smiled and hugged her friend. "Thanks Pucca! Now you pick out an outfit!"

"Okay," Pucca consented, slipping out of her regular clothes to switch into something special from her closet.

Ching let out a mock whistle as she watched her friend, sporting a black lacy bra and matching panties, look through her closet. "Wow, Pucca! Looking to give Garu a fun night?" she teased.

It was Pucca's turn to blush as she buried her face into a top she'd pulled out and defensively replied, "They were on sale, okay!"

Ching laughed and smiled, "I'm just teasing," she replied playfully. After a couple of more minutes of girls being girls, Pucca stood in front of her full length mirror in a black tiered mini skirt and a clingy black v-neck tee layered over a red camisole.

"So, how's this?" Pucca asked.

Ching studied Pucca for a second and nodded. "It's really cute! You're showing enough to show Garu you're ready for a good time, but you don't look like a slut! Amazing!"

Pucca smiled, blushing. "I hope he likes it," she said nervously.

Ching smiled back at her friend. "Don't worry Pucca. If he doesn't respond to this beautiful creature," she said, motioning over to her blushing friend, "There is seriously something wrong with him."

Both girls smiled at each other and hugged, then gave themselves a last quick once-over in the mirror.

Pucca turned to Ching, "Hey, do my boobs look too big in this?" she asked, pulling up the camisole a bit in an attempt to maintain some modesty.

"Pucca," her friend said in a gravely serious tone, "we are dealing with teenage guys here. They can never look too big."

They shared a giggle over this, and finished sprucing themselves up. Satisfied, they headed for the stairs to seek out their studs. However, much to their surprise, their objects of affection were waiting at a table, looking quite anxious.

"Ching! Pucca!" Abyo called out, his voice cracking slightly, much to his chagrin. He elbowed Garu in the ribs, attempting to relay that he was feeling like too much of a spaz to talk right now, and that Garu should take over.

Garu shrugged, not being able to see what the big deal was. Yes, they were pretty, but they were the same Pucca and Ching as always.

Garu swallowed as he looked up. Okay, so not exactly. They both looked even more beautiful than usual, wearing outfits that even he, with his limited fashion sense, could tell were very cute. Though Ching was undoubtedly looking attractive in her purple dress, Garu's eyes remained glued to Pucca. I've never seen her in something that short he thought, his eyes scanning up her long, shapely legs.

That accursed voice in his head returned. Damn, imagine those wrapped around your waist tonight while she screams for more.

Aw, damn, not you again! Garu thought desperately, not wanting his first time actually talking to Pucca in what felt like forever to go wrong. He'd have to clear his mind quickly though, because she and Ching were heading his way.

Shaking his head slightly, Garu felt a smile ease onto his face as Pucca gingerly sat next to him, biting her bottom lip nervously. A shy, nervous Pucca was an extremely rare sight for him, but an incredibly cute one nonetheless.

Clearing his throat, he thought he'd start off with some small talk.

"Hey Pucca. How are you?" he asked.

Pucca's head snapped toward him, her eyes wide with surprise and disbelief. "Um, did you just talk to me?"

Garu's smile widened. "Yeah, I think I did. I could stop if you have problem with it," he said, feigning innocence.

"What? Oh, no, no, no!" she sputtered, "I'm just kind of surprised. Since when do you talk?"

"I actually just started today," Garu said, and began to explain how Abyo had reasoned him into it.

Meanwhile, Abyo and Ching were starting their own small talk. Well, if you consider two people staring at each other in awe small talk.

Taking a gulp, Abyo finally said, "You look nice today."

"Really?" Ching asked, blushing. "You always look nice."

Abyo let out a chuckle that sounded more like a wheeze, and Ching finally realized her newly enhanced hotness had intimidated him. "Hey, Abyo, aren't you supposed to be a ladies' man?" she teased, "Why aren't you sweeping me off my feet?" she asked, fluttering her eyelashes at him.

Abyo broke out into a grin, realizing this was the same Ching he'd always known, albeit a bit gussied up. Throwing an arm around her, he said, "That could definitely be arranged. Just name the place and time."

Ching giggled and tried not to pass out. Suddenly, she remembered what she and Pucca had been planning for weeks now. "Actually, Pucca and I were thinking about inviting you guys over to spend the night," she said, twirling a piece of hair coyly around her finger. "Right, Pucca?"

Pucca looked up from the conversation Garu had engrossed her into. "What?" she asked.

"You know, we were thinking the guys could come over and spend the night."

Pucca grinned at how red Garu had turned at hearing the suggestion. "Oh yeah! I mean, if you guys don't have anything better to do." she said, casually examining her fingernails.

Abyo and Garu exchanged nervous glances. Engaging the girls in small talk was one thing, but were they really ready to spend a whole night together?

Blushing, Pucca added, "You know, you guys would sleep on the couches!"

"Yeah, Pucca and I get the beds!" Ching agreed. Feeling slightly relieved, the boys nodded at each other, and began to grin.

"Okay, I'm in." said Abyo.

Garu looked over at Pucca, who was looking at him hopefully. Smiling, he decided it was finally time to start having some fun; indulge, like Abyo had said. Garu reached under the table and gently rested a hand on Pucca's knee. He couldn't help but smirk a bit as he watched her jump slightly at the sudden touch. "That makes two of us." Garu added, watching smugly as a lovesick smile took over Pucca's face.

"Alright, cool." Ching said, trying not to freak out until the guys left. "So, are you guys alright with meeting back here at eight tonight?"

"Sounds like a plan." Abyo confirmed.

"Okay then. See you guys soon!" Pucca said, giggling as Garu gave her knee a quick squeeze before getting up and exiting with Abyo.

And so, with the boys out of sight, the spazzing out commenced.

oooooooooooooooo

Alright, chapter 2! Thank you to everyone who reviewed. You guys are awesome. I'd especially like to thank my friend Sarah, with whom I converse about guys and boobs all the time. The conversation in Pucca's room between her and Ching was exactly like one I'd have with good ole Sarah-oli. Thanks for inspiring me, man! O.O

And thanks to everyone who helped me out with the whole "should they talk?" thing. I figured Garu has already done more than enough to warrant his breaking of the vow, and Pucca, well, she kind of was silent for no reason, so I made her start talking for no reason XP.

So, here comes another closing to Raging Hormones. Get ready for some action next chapter XP.