The sun has just begun to set. The sky fills with various shades of yellows, oranges, purples and pinks, while the first stars start to shine in the darkening night sky. I wait at the entrance of the village with the few things I still have left, one of the items being a picture of my family, and another being a picture of Garu. I look around at the half destroyed village for what I believe would be one of the last times I'd ever see it again. Already though changes were happening, all villagers aided one another to rebuild the huts and other things lost.
To this day, I still wonder what may have caused the fire and the disappearance of my parents. There hasn't been a day that has gone by where I haven't wondered what it would have been like with my parents still with me. Though I was glad my three uncles were still with me, they all agreed to set off for another village that was willing to take us in.
I consider myself lucky even, for I know as a fact that my parents are not dead. Although I may not be able to see them for a very long time, I know that one day I will be reunited with them in my home...the village of my beginning. I cannot say the same about Dada, another villager who has lost his parents forever. Though he will be reunited with them, it will not be in this life. That's why I asked my uncles if he could travel with us and become a part of the family. Dada even agreed to help us out as much as possible, and although he's a bit of a klutz (okay...maybe a lot of a klutz), we were glad nonetheless for this offer and accepted.
I continue to wait for Garu's return, I thought it would only be fair to tell him goodbye in person. Although now, I too will not be speaking as I have decided to take the Vow of Silence myself, to respect my parents and also to prove to Garu my love for him and my respect.
When he finally returned, the sun had already slipped behind the vast mountains and only the fading pink and purple colours remained in the sky as the midnight blue colour started to take over. He looked sad at first to see me go so soon, however, he knew it was going to happen.Goodbye Pucca I hear him say in my thoughts. Goodbye Garu and thank you. I reply. A sudden look of shock appears on his face as he hears me and I couldn't help but giggle a bit. Y-you took the vow? He asked cautiously and I nodded my head in response. I thought it would be for the best, words are not necessary for me. I will express what I mean and feel in my own way. I took it mainly in order to respect my parents... To which he replied Ahh I see. That is quite understandable. ...And also for you He looked at me again with a surprised expression as his cheeks started to turn a light pink colour. I..I'm not sure I understand what you mean Pucca... I smile back and give him a kiss on his cheek. I'm sure you understand now. The smile disappears from my face as I realise the time has come for me to go. I'm sorry Garu, but I have to go now. I hope that maybe someday I will see you again. Perhaps after your training is over and you will have become the most honourable ninja in this world. I just wish I didn't have to say goodbye. I look at him again with a sad smile. He quickly pulls me close into a hug. I know Pucca, I wish we didn't have to say goodbye. I've only known you for a little while, but you're one of the closest friends I've had in this village. He releases me from the hug and looks at me again. But I know that wherever you will be, you'll be amazing. You have abilities that far exceeds anyone in this world, as I have seen from our daily sparring practices. No matter what Pucca, always remember that I love you and no matter where you go, I'll always be thinking of you. I love you too Garu, and I'll never forget you or what you have done for me. Thank you Garu.
I kiss him one more time on his cheek and run towards my uncles and Dada to take my belongings and begin our journey to the new village. I turn back to look one last time at the village that welcomed us so kindly and helped us in times of need and watch Garu as he holds his hand to his cheek and waves back slowly with tears starting to form in his eyes. I wave back and try to blink away my tears and finally turn around to a new beginning.
It has only been a few months since we left the village of the highly honourable and silent ninjas. Our little company settled quickly into this new village. Sooga Village was a relatively young village that was just starting out with a small number of residents. I liked it that way. Before long, I knew everyone in the village and everyone knew me. My three uncles, Ho, Uncle Dumpling and Linguini opened up a noodles shop called the Goh-Rong and makes the most delicious za jiang noodles in the world and is a favourite of all the villagers. In fact, most of them eat there everyday. Dada now works at the Goh-Rong as a waitress and cleans up the restaurant while breaking several sets of dishes each week.
My best friend is named Ching and she has been very kind in helping me settle into the village. She is one of the most kindest, sweetest and toughest person I've met in this world. We spend many of our days sparring and spending time together as well as occasionally chasing after Abyo, whom she loves very much.
I still think of Garu everyday and wonder what he is doing right now and whether or not he has forgotten me, and I also continue to wonder if I would ever see him again. Each time I feel down, I look at the photo of Garu I took before he took the vow as a reminder of him and I smile.
All of us have heard a new person would be arriving at the village in a few days and have been told to make them feel welcomed. All of the villagers were excited to get another member, just as they had been when we first arrived at the village.
Finally the day when the new person would show up has arrived. Everyone waits in anticipation to see what they would be like. A figure shows up down the path to the entrance and I freeze unable to think nor move. I watch blankly as the figure moves closer and stops at the village entrance. I cannot believe it. It's...impossible, it can't be him...
Pucca...? I hear a familiar voice in my thoughts. G-garu? I reply. We continue to watch each other for what seemed to be an innumerable passage of time, while everyone in the village watched us silently. After getting over my initial shock I run forward and leap onto Garu and refused to let go, while he tried his hardest to scramble out from underneath with both of us knowing it was a worthless effort.
From that day onward and until several years into the future, Garu settled into the village quickly and continued his training to become an honourable ninja, while making new friends and enemies and trying to avoid me to the best of his abilities. I suppose this ends the story of my beginning before Sooga village. Now I must go for there is a certain ninja I must find to shower my love with.