Author's Note: Please don't hurt me... Garuru is a very hard character to pin down... XD Anyway, I hope you enjoy.
At least he didn't have to worry with Giroro's guns- heck, a few shots to the face was comedy gold. The audience ate it up. It did hurt- of course it hurt- but he could easily recover in the end, because Giroro would never intentionally kill him (well…literally speaking).
However, the situation was… particularly different when it was his older brother wielding the weapon, with his finger on the trigger, the nozzle at the green Keronian's face.
His voice was strangely calm, strangely menacing. "Where is Giroro?"
"G-G-Giroro's f-f-fine," Keroro stammered, whimpering at the same time.
Garuru's red eyes practically glowed behind his yellow visor. "…Oh really. And Giroro is where, may I ask?"
"A-a-ah…. W-w-w-with your… dad?"
Garuru growled and dug the gun even deeper into his forehead. "He is not with our father."
"B-b-but he's fine! S-s-seriously!" Keroro said, waving his hands dramatically.
"Then where is he?!"
"He's… he's…" Keroro didn't even know where to begin. "Uh…" Finally, he fell to his knees and began to bawl, the tears not unlike two enormous gushing waterfalls.
"We turned Giroro into a Pekoponian and we can't turn him back!"
A bullet soared past Keroro's cheek, flashing into one of the waterfalls and spitting out, hitting the wall behind him.
"Stop your crying," Garuru grunted, irritated. "It's unbecoming. Now," the gun dissolved in his hands, and he kneeled down to face Keroro, his crimson eyes looking even more vicious than usual. "You are going to tell me everything from the beginning. Do you understand?"
Kururu was looking through a microscope, his back hunched over, his fingers lax around a pencil and a notepad. He nodded stiffly, paused to scribble something down, and then returned his gaze to the scope. He didn't even bother to stop what he was doing.
"I know you're there, Dororo. Ku-ku-ku-ku~"
Dororo, originally hidden in the shadows, zipped to the floor behind him, careful not to make a sound.
"Are you going to be staring at me all day or are you going to tell me what you want?"
"I wanted to talk about Giroro's condition."
"Ku. And why would you possibly care?"
"I'm concerned," Dororo said, folding his arms. "I'm just curious to know about any of the side effects that come with the gun so that we at least know what to expect."
Kururu was silent for a moment, still staring down at the object that Dororo couldn't see.
"Kururu-?"
"One, the most obvious, is Giroro's body accepting the Pekoponian blood. Eventually he will turn completely into a Pekoponian, unable to turn back."
"Is that the stage he is at now?"
"Ku-ku-ku, not quite. He's close, but not quite there yet. He has to use the gun, oh, about two more times until it's permanent."
"…That's… that's bad news…"
"I'm trying to make a solution to help him turn back. Oh. And another side effect are the raging hormones. Ku-ku-ku-ku~"
"Hormones?"
"The age set on the gun is roughly around Natsumi's- maybe a little older. So he may be experiencing some raging emotions he had never felt before." Kururu shrugged nonchalantly. "He hasn't been particularly affected by that side effect, however. Or at least, not that I've seen. Ku."
Dororo's head shot up at this. "Wh-what was that? I-I meant, what do you mean?"
Kururu turned on his swivel chair, facing him. "You know, the typical hormonal emotions that an aging adolescent faces. Despair, depression, that disgusting love-sickness, although Giroro already had that from the beginning. Ku-ku-ku~"
"Really," Dororo murmured, almost relieved.
"Oh, and Dororo?" Kururu swung back to his project. "There's a bracelet over there that prevents the side effect from spreading any further; it's too late for Giroro, so you might as well should have it."
Dororo was startled by his statement. "Wh-what…? I-I have no idea what you're talking about…"
"Sure you don't…. Ku-ku-ku-ku~"
"There's going to be a field trip at my school," Natsumi told him, slapping down a bag of chips on the table in front of them. "We're going to stay overnight at Kamakura for two days."
"Know what you're going to do there?"
"Oh, yeah. Hiking, visiting temples, and shrines. Seeing the beach. Did you know there's legend…" Her voice drifted, and her face turned really pink. "Uh… never mind!"
"What? Tell me," Giroro leaned over to pick up a chip from the bag.
"It's just a silly little legend I heard," Natsumi said, laughing weakly. "Um… they say that if you… if two people wrote their names on seashell shards from the same seashell and tossed it into the ocean, they would be eternally blessed to be together…" Her cheeks turned even redder. "B-but it's just something I heard…"
Giroro blinked back, finding himself blushing too. Eternally blessed to be together…?
What are you thinking Giroro? Although I can guess…
"…I see," Garuru said patiently. He still gave him a suspicious glance, however. "Are you sure that it was absolutely necessary to use Giroro, though?"
"Positive!" Keroro nodded. "Giroro's the perfect guy for the mission!"
"…I see," Garuru repeated. He grunted, imagining his brother with the 'Warrior Princess' that he had so fondly talked about. But the mission sounded ridiculous. "Turn him back."
"We can't," Keroro said nervously. "Uh… that's the thing." He cringed under the purple frog's glare. "You see, the invasion-"
"Frog the invasion! I told you to turn him back now!"
"Sheesh,
you act like your brother when you want to be," Keroro muttered, but was immediately silenced by the Lieutenant's unnerving gaze.
Garuru took a deep breath and straightened. "…Fine then. If that's the case, then I'll have no choice but to oversee your invasion plan."
"Wh-what?! You're going to stay longer?!"
"Is there a problem?"
Such a cold, chilling, spine-tingling voice. And those eyes.
"…..N-no, sir."
"Good answer."
"When's your fieldtrip?" Giroro asked, taking the initiative. "I mean, I might be able to tag along…"
"R-really?" Natsumi gazed up at him, eyes large and gleaming happily. She immediately stopped to look down and tug her shirt nervously. "Uh, I-I mean, are you sure? Following me everywhere isn't a total hassle for you…?"
"Are you kidding me? I love…" His eyes dilated, and he cut his speech short, slapping his hands over his lips.
"Love… what?"
"Love… being with you," Giroro struggled. His face was simply exploding with that simple red color. Keroro must've set the stupid Truth setting to high! That, or that frogging Kururu….!
"Really?" Natsumi blushed. "Thanks. Um, it's in a few days. Mom's letting me and Fuyuki go, and obviously Koyuki and Momoka are coming… I'm rambling, I'm sorry…"
Giroro smiled faintly, although he was still extremely flustered.
Did I really just almost come close to confessing my love to her..?!
Keroro smirked at Garuru, who was grinning just slightly at his brother's predicament.
"See? Told you this was fun."
"Hey, D?"
Dororo squeaked, startled by her sudden appearance. That never happened before; he was always well aware of where she was. Either she was getting better, or he was getting worse.
Or something else entirely…
Dororo shivered. "M-Ms. Koyuki… you scared me…"
"I'm sorry!" Koyuki said, smiling apologetically.
Dororo turned, his heart beating dramatically inside his chest. Just the side effect… just the side effect… relax, Dororo… he felt himself gently touch the metal bracelet on his wrist.
Koyuki gasped. "That's so cute! Where'd you get that?"
"Uh… my friends gave it to me…"
"Your friends?" She beamed. "That's wonderful, D! I'm so glad you're spending so much time with them!"
"Y-yeah…" Dororo muttered. Although I wouldn't be in this mess if they hadn't started it all…!
He felt his sanity getting into grips with his trauma switch.
"Dororo."
Koyuki's voice snapped him out of it again. Her pretty voice-
No. No, no no NO. Don't even!
"Y-yes Ms. Koyuki?" Dororo redirected his attentions to her.
"We're having a fieldtrip in a couple of days," She said sweetly. "You might be alone for two days, though. I'm sorry."
"Unless…?"
"Unless what?"
Dororo was a bit disconcerted that he was the one suggesting the idea for once. "Um. Never mind."
"…Dororo?" Koyuki's lips thinned into a very cattish smile. "…Do you want to go as a Pekoponian?"
"N-n-no, of course not!" Dororo stammered. "It's, uh, very risky! It's fine, I don't…"
Koyuki stood up and stretched for a little bit before she settled two large, innocent, twinkling eyes at him. Her voice was nothing short of genuine. "I can get the gun if you want. I don't want you to be all alone."
The ninja's heart melted a little. "…Okay."
"Mrow?"
The small white kitten sniffed Giroro's palm, licked it, and then began purring under his hand.
"Wow! That was fast!" Natsumi said admirably. "She likes you! You must be really good with animals, huh?"
Giroro grinned wryly. "Yeah, I guess…"
"She still doesn't like me…" She leaned down to touch Ms. Furbottom, but the cat already hissed viciously and slinked back outside. Natsumi pouted while Giroro watched his cat dart to his tent.
The cat can give fetch, find my belt, handle a grenade and give orders to a proper invasion, but she can't even display proper manners…Giroro laughed. That's my cat alright.
"What?" Natsumi gazed at him curiously, like there was a joke she didn't understand. "What's so funny?"
"Oh, nothing," Giroro said casually, his short, quick chortles dying as a thought came to mind. Who's been feeding her?
"Hey?" Natsumi gently tugged at his sleeve. "A-are you hungry? I'm going to make dinner, and, um…"
"Sure," Giroro stood up. "I'll help."
"N-no, it's fine, stay here."
"Listen; I'll help."
Natsumi huffed a little, playfully, but let him inside the kitchen.
Giroro stared at the pots and pans in disinterest. "…Uh…"
"You don't know how to cook, huh, genius?"
The corporal turned to Natsumi, with a challenging glint in his eye. "Oh yeah?" He stretched and cracked his knuckles, also attempting to show off his muscles by flexing his biceps as he held them out. "We'll see about that."
And his efforts were thwarted when he realized that it is possible to burn water. And somehow melt chicken with a glob of butter. And turn the rice into inedible mush using just a frying pan. And make dumplings inside out. And… oh, heck with it. He might as well have entered the "Worst Cooks in America" contest. And lose. While he is still in Japan.
Okay, okay, I got it, I suck at this kind of thing!
"Well…" Natsumi gazed at the hopeless mess that was splattered all over the counters, floor, ceiling and window. She sighed tiredly. "How the heck did this even happen?"
A lot of things can happen in a short amount of time. Get what I'm saying?
No.
Oh. Okay, then. *cough* Go on.
After spending an additional hour of cleaning and keeping Giroro away from the conventional oven, dinner was set nicely on top of the dining room table. Natsumi wiped her brow with the back of her sleeve, breathing deeply. "There!"
"It looks… delicious," Giroro said, feeling his own mouth water. "Wait. Why are there only plates for two?"
"Because I don't know where the stupid frog is, mom is at work, and Fuyuki's having dinner with Momoka."
"Oh." Giroro could smell the scent of everything together; roasted beef stew, flavored and spiced perfectly to the taste, sweet potato dumplings, warmed and ready to grab, and the leftover rice that Giroro hadn't entirely ruined. It over all looked like a strange but very delicious meal.
And the familiar lingering dessert smell wafted throughout the room, too- homemade chocolate cake, baking in the oven.
Keroro's stomach growled.
"Shut up!" He snapped at his belly. "You'll eat only after Natsumi and Giroro are done with their fling!"
It moaned in response.
"Don't you argue with me young man! I said stop!… Don't act coy with… *gasp!* WHAT did you just say?! Go to your room this instant!"
Keroro jumped, completely forgetting Garuru was right there next to him. The lieutenant was giving him a rather bemused look.
"…What?"
"That was good," Giroro said, dropping his napkin onto the plate.
Natsumi was back in the kitchen, icing the cooled chocolate cake that was pulled out of the fiery oven. She was humming something- Giroro wasn't exactly sure he recognized it- as she cheerfully came back out and plopped the finished cake in front of him.
It was a bit small, with dark, chocolate frosting.
He blinked at the decorum on the middle of the cake, though, and noticed that a little yellow skull had been placed on it.
"Uh… what's that?" Giroro asked numbly, pointing at it.
"Oh," Natsumi blushed slightly. "M-my friend… um… I was hoping that when he came back, I would give him a slice from this cake…" At this she gazed over her shoulder to look at the window.
"W-well…" Giroro reddened himself. "It… looks delicious…"
"Hmm? O-oh! Yeah, of course! Help yourself!" Natsumi handed him a plate and a fork and cut him a neat little square of a piece, carefully avoiding his little yellow insignia.
Giroro sunk his fork into the moist slice and lifted it to his mouth. It was sweet, soft, chocolately. Mm.
He watched her eat her own piece, and wondered how much yummier it would be from her own lips-
NOEP don't think like that-!
Giroro shook his head, although the image of kissing her while he held on to her tightly in his arms refused to leave his mind.
"…Rio?"
"I think I should go," Giroro said wearily. "It's getting late, and…"
"Of course," Natsumi nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, I don't want to keep you out."
She led him to the door, opening it courteously and letting him out. "Be careful out there."
"You too," Giroro said, only realizing a second too late how stupid that sounded.
She only smiled a sweet goodbye before she finally closed the entrance.
Giroro sighed loudly.
"Geez, where am I gonna sleep tonight…?"
"I don't see why you just don't sleep in that tent of yours."
That voice… sounded eerily familiar.
Giroro whirled around and held out his fingertips in a v-shape formation, only to remember, horrified, that he was no longer able to summon weapons at will. If this was an alien… he was road kill.
"I'm right here," The rough voice continued.
Giroro shifted his gaze down to the dark shadows that stretched below the house, over to the walls that were built protectively around the Hinata residence. A purple frog was standing, watching him, similar to a lion as it lay patiently in wait for the kill…
Garuru…
Giroro was so close to whispering the name. He stopped himself and only managed to back away a few footsteps. He was terrified to finding out what his brother would want, being so feebly vulnerable as a human and such. The organ in his chest drummed furiously while Giroro backed away a few more steps…
"Relax," Garuru said, frowning. "I'm not here to hurt you."
Although it could possibly still be a broken promise, the statement comforted immensely- just enough to let him stand still as Garuru explained himself.
…Then again, he was Rio, not Giroro.
Oh, my frog.
Giroro found himself sliding backwards.
"I know who you are," Garuru said, walking toward him.
Giroro watched his brother's hands steadily. They were empty, but still…
"B-b-but I don't know what you are," Giroro said. Wow. Okay. That sounded really lame.
"Being a Pekoponian steal you of your courage, Corporal?" Garuru cast him a deadpanned glance before planting his now-empty hands on his hips and grunting, "I know you're my brother, Giroro."
"…Oh," Giroro released the ball of air that was somehow trapped in his throat.
"And I know about 'Operation: Dating the Enemy'." His tone was so indifferent that Giroro couldn't recognize how he had felt about the mission.
"…Yeah?"
"I will be staying here to watch you perform your actions."
"…What?!"
THAT was definitely not what he wanted to hear.
And another thought struck him in utter horror.
"Have you been watching me?!"
Garuru shrugged impassively. "Since I came here. Which was probably a few hours ago."
Giroro's cheeks turned a bright shade of red. "A few hours ago?"
"I don't understand what's to be so shocked about," Garuru smirked. "You're only doing your duty that your commanding officer has directed you to do. And that's very commendable."
"Uh…" Giroro's eyes flicked over to the windows of the Hinata household. The light was still on, and the curtains weren't down. Then he turned to his brother, and held in an audible groan. "If he have to talk, let's go to the park." He watched Garuru expectantly, a hopeful feeling emerging inside him. Maybe he wasn't interested, and-
"After you."
…..Frog.
The park looked lonely and cruel in the dark, almost frightening. The moon hung overhead, hanging by a thin, invisible chord, just above the swing set and the monkey bars. Clouds drifted lazily past it, it's fog-like form barely thick enough to hide the glowing white sphere. Leaves twirled and danced and brushed over the sidewalk before the gentle breeze settled it over the soft gray sand. Two figures walked down the concrete- a tall, slender man and a short, frog-like alien.
The stars winked at him, and Giroro felt nothing short of Fate's and Lady Luck's laughter at his sheer unluckiness and miserable situation.
"You requested days off?"
Garuru nodded.
"Hm."
If only his brother wasn't so difficult to talk to. He supposed now would be a more or less better time to stop beating around the bush and cut to the chase with a gun in hand.
"Okay, why are you here?"
"I can't be worried about you?"
Giroro huffed. "I'm fine. I don't even know why Keroro called you."
"The warrior princess had insisted."
The corporal nodded solemnly, but then stopped short. "Don't call Natsumi a 'warrior princess'!"
"Your words, not mine."
Giroro's face turned even redder. "Yeah, well…"
"And I am not on a first name basis with her, so I might as well call her what she is classified. Right?"
Giroro mumbled something, shrugging with an irritated expression. "The point is, you don't have to be worried about me. Just go back to your platoon. Everything is taken care of."
"Like the fact that you can't turn back into a Keronian?" Garuru inquired, stopping and turning to his brother.
His stern, dark red eyes that seemed golden under the visor made Giroro flinch.
"Keroro tell you about that?"
Garuru nodded.
Yeah, I'm so gonna kill him.
"So until the matter is resolved, I'll be staying and overlooking your operation," Garuru confirmed, much to Giroro's display. "Just be fortunate that your role in the part of the mission is very… entertaining." And at this, he smirked, ultimately enflaming Giroro's cheeks.
"B-but-!"
"Goodnight, little brother."
And with that, the matter was settled, whether Giroro wanted it or not.
Commercial Break~