A Missing Ninja

Chapter Eighteen

Garu's parents had allowed them to stay for the night. Pucca was glad that Garu forgave her, however she wasn't sure how to win his heart back. Especially knowing that another woman was after his heart as well. She was glad Garu's brothers and sisters offered their assistance to the task (Hope was under peer pressure).

Another thing was that Garu wasn't sure if he wanted to go back to Sooga. His life is great here, with his family. Also, he didn't know why Pucca attacked him and nobody was telling him anything. That is until that night.

Pucca couldn't sleep, she kept tossing and turning. She sighed and sat up. She decided she wanted to go for a little walk. However, in the forest she saw Tobe and Garu sitting together on the forest floor. She gave a little smile seeing that they were getting along again.

"I didn't know, I thought you wanted me to starve." Tobe said with a dry chuckle. Garu rolled his eyes. "Didn't you ever pay attention in the nature class at the orphanage? I mean, the teacher LITERALLY pointed them out." he replied. Tobe held up his hands. "Okay, sorry. But hey when are you going to work things out with your girlfriend?" he asked. Garu fell silent and looked at the ground. "Pucca is not my girlfriend. Besides, I don't know why she came." he said.

Tobe raised a brow. "Did she not tell you?" "Tell me what?" Tobe sighed. "Hopeless romantic Casano dressed up like you and ruined Pucca's gift as you. That was before she came to the Goh Rong and saw you with your dinner." Garu's ears were ringing. He and Tobe exchanged looked for a few seconds. "Want to kill him? I have some poison at home." Tobe asked. Garu shook his head. "A tempting offer, but no." Garu said and they laughed together. "Well, now that the vendetta's over, what are you going to do now?" Garu asked. Tobe was silent. "I guess try to repair my relationship with Jing-Jing." he said.

"What do you mean by 'repair'?" Garu asked. Tobe sighed. "I...haven't been paying enough attention to her. I've been so obsessed with getting vengeance that I didn't pay attention to what I already had. Plus, she's been spending more time with the idiot clown from her clan and she's rethinking our relationship." he told Garu. Garu placed his hand on Tobe's shoulder. "At least you know how to fix it, just take some time to show her you care. She'll come around." Garu said. Tobe scoffed. "Look at me, taking romance advice from someone who kept running away from his crush." Garu blushed and rolled his eyes. "I know you still have feelings for Pucca. And I know you forgive her, but...do you still love her?" Tobe asked. "I...I don't know. I know I still care for her, I care tremendously but as of love I..." Tobe sighed. "I understand you need time, just don't give her too much time. Okay?" he told Garu and left for the house.

Pucca sighed sadly and slowly walked back to the house. She knows that Garu still cares for her but now she doesn't know if she has the courage or hope to win him back. Just then she saw a faint glow in the wilderness. She gasped, it wasn't loud but it was loud enough for Garu to hear. He ran towards her and saw the same glow. He quickly pulled out his sword and Pucca came close to his side. The thought of him willing to protect her even after all they've been through made her blush. The glowing became brighter and brighter until it was revealed to be Master Soo's orb.

It stopped in front of them and a hologram figure of Master Soo appeared. "Oh good Pucca I found you!" he said and then turned to Garu. "Garu! Good to see you! We miss you at the village! And finally you've grown out of those pigtails, they made you look like a girl." he said to him. Garu rolled his eyes and bowed to Master Soo. "Listen, I have an urgent message! Mel and Doga broke out of their snow globe prison and are raining havoc on Sooga village, we NEED you all to return and save everyone!" he informed them. Pucca and Garu gasped.

Then the orb disappeared into the night. Then the two looked at each other. "Garu, if you want to stay with your family, then that's okay with me. I understand how much you're risking if you come with us." Pucca said. Garu raised a brow and shook his head. "No, Sooga is and always will be my home. I'm willing to fight for it. Besides, do you really think that I would let you guys have all the fun?" he said. Pucca smiled. "Okay, we leave first thing in the morning."