Pucca Fanfic: Really Real love

Chapter Four- Pucca needs help

Hello, in my author's note I mentioned a vote for a bonus chapter to celebrate 50+ views. The a/n included what alternate universes there are, what the story will be about, and where to vote. Since first publishing it, I added 4 more options you can choose from. You can vote by DM, comment, or by the google form poll link I left in the a/n. We are currently in a four-way tie for the story prompt. Be sure to vote on what you want to see. Remember you can pick multiple options!

The next morning, Garu woke up earlier than usual. He was working late with Chang with the feast that the exhaustion wouldn't let him think. Now that he was up, he couldn't help but think about Pucca's reaction last night. The chefs said she'll be okay, but he still felt uneasy. He thinks for a bit then decides he'll check on her with Ching. It'd be a bit awkward or weird if he went by himself. He got dressed, took a few energy bars then ran over to the Turtle Training Hall. Garu walks up to the door and knocks. He began shaking, now actually thinking about what he's doing. Ching is going to ask why he wants to go to the Goh Rong, ask why he wants to see Pucca, when he tells her she's worried, she's going to say that Garu is in love with Pucca and she'll tell Pucca and Garu will be in the same place as 3 years ago! This was a mistake. He'll just go to the Goh Rong himself and ask Dumpling if he needs help with anything. He was about to escalate the situation in his head until Ching opened the door. "Garu? What are you doing here?" Garu jolted and began fidgeting. Garu tried signing but would shake his hands to start over. 'I wanted... No. I was wondering... No. Can you please..." Ching smiled and then yelled out. "Dad! I'm going with Garu to the Goh Rong!" "Okay, Ching!" Ching grabbed a bag, clicked her tongue for Won, and got out. Garu sighed. Ching smiled, "Pucca likes to talk about you a lot, Garu." Garu looks up at her. "So I know you well enough to know you're a bit embarrassed about worrying about Pucca." Garu flinched. "It's okay to worry, Garu. We've grown up with her, had memories, good and bad with her. No one is going to assume or think of you differently." Garu looks at her then puts two fists over his pigtails. Ching giggled, "No. Not even Pucca will assume anything. She knows that worrying about her doesn't mean anything besides friendship and right now, she's just happy to have that." Garu turns red and flips a nearby rock over. Ching walks over, "Let's also go buy those rose petal brownies that she likes so much! I'm pretty sure the florist makes them every morning!" Garu nods and they begin walking into town. "Garu, do you know why Pucca got that way?" He shook his head and pointed at her with a raised eyebrow. "No... I don't know either. I hope she's okay... ooh! Maybe the constellation class will make her feel better. She really liked the last classes about them, maybe she'd love another class." Garu sighed. "Oh right! She kissed you in the first class, right? Sorry, Garu!" Garu shrugged. "Well... she loved the stories enough at least to keep her attention on my dad!" Garu chuckled a bit. Ching looked at him, shocked. He almost never laughed at her jokes. When they made it to the florist shop Ching walked up to her to ask about the brownies as Garu leaned against a fence post. He began to feel bad again. Pucca never hesitated to check on him, do something to make him feel better, or get afraid to show her feelings. Meanwhile, he was scared just to check up on her as a close friend of the chefs. Pucca was a lot more mature now, not the little girl he used to be afraid of. He should start being a better friend towards her and grow up. He looked at Ching who was waving goodbye with a box in hand. Ching lifts up the box. "Let's go! They're freshly made. I'd like her to get a taste as soon as possible." She began to run past him. "TRY AND KEEP UP!!" Garu rolled his eyes, groaned, and followed her. He rarely gets to run while he's not under pressure anymore. It's kind of fun and he couldn't help but grin. While they're running, Abyo sees them, yells out, and begins to follow, "HEY! WHERE YA GOING?!" Ching and Garu slowed down when it was just a short distance away from the Goh Rong to let Abyo catch up. Abyo finally managed to get to them and panted, "Are you.... Checking... on Pucca? AAAAH!" "Yeah... she looked a little scared. I wanted to bring something to help." Abyo opened the box a bit. "Brownies!" Garu swatted Abyo's hand away. "HEY! I just wanted a look!" His hand reached over again. "Maybe a touch..." He hit his hand then his face. "OOWW! Fine!" The three walked to the doors and Abyo looked at the sign. "'Due to personal reasons, the Goh Rong will take a day off today. We hope you will join us tom-' They took the day off?!" Garu began to knock at the door with Ching calling out, "Uncle Dumpling, Ho, Linguini! Can we see  Pucca, please?! Uncles!!" They heard footsteps behind the door and backed away. Ho stepped out then closed the door behind him. Ching greeted, "Good morning, Uncle Ho! We wanted to check on Pucca. May we see her?" "I'm sorry to tell you this, but Pucca doesn't want to see anyone at the moment. She's still a little upset and only wants to see my brothers and me." "What?! She doesn't even want to see Garu?!" "Ooh, well, can you at least give her this? It's those rose petal brownies she likes a lot." Ching hands Ho the box. "Of course I will. You all are very good friends for wanting to see if she's well. If you want, I have some dumplings and noodles." "OH, WHAT KIN- OWW!!" Both Garu and Ching punched him on the shoulder. "No thank you, uncle Ho, but if it's okay. We'd like to know why she reacted like that." Ho frowned a bit, worrying the teens. "It's not my place to tell you three. It's Pucca's story and her choice on whether or not she decides to tell you." "Well... can you tell her that my dad is doing another constellation class in 3 days and ask if she can come?" "Certainly. I better go tend to her. Thank you three for checking on her." He goes back inside. Ching sighed, "Well, let's go train over at my house." "Sure." They look at Garu and see he keeps staring at the door, worryingly. Abyo pats his back. "It's weird not knowing a bit about Pucca, huh?" He nods. The three have been friends with Pucca since she suddenly showed up at the Goh Rong one day. It was a rocky start, but they learned she was honest with everyone. She had secrets, yes, but never hides anything on purpose like this. "Don't worry. Pucca will be fine by tomorrow and we'll be eating delicious mapo tofu with her tomorrow!" "Mapo Tofu?" "Yeah! I can recognize that spice blend from anywhere." Garu points to his head and then his belly. "No, I do NOT always think with my stomach. Ching laughed as the three turned around and headed to the Turtle training hall. They all thought about Pucca but went about their day as usual. The next day, Garu was awakened by a loud banging. "GAAARUUU!!" Garu got up and opened the door, annoyed. Abyo was standing with Ching. "Come on! Let's go!" Garu groaned in confusion. "What do you mean where?! To Goh Rong!" He realizes that Pucca might be better today. He signed, 'Let me get ready first. Stay out here.' "Can we play with your practice dummies until then?" Garu nodded then began to wash his face and brush his teeth. He wonders if Pucca will tell him what is the matter or what Ho couldn't tell them. He got dressed in his keikogi. 'I hope the chefs will keep a close eye on her now.' He got out and saw Ching practicing her swordsmanship on the dummy, slicing it to perfect shreds. "Ha! Yes! It only took the 6th try!" Garu grinned arrogantly then threw a few ninja stars at the dummy next to it. It cut through the middle then the stars returned, cutting the dummy again, and between Garu's fingers without injury. The dummy fell apart in the same shreds and Ching turned to Garu who still had that face, almost saying, 'First try. Catch up.' Ching stabs her sword into the ground and began to hit Garu over and over. "You have to be nice to me, Garu! I didn't get to train as much as my father like you did! It's no fair to show off!" Garu and Abyo both laughed and Abyo picked up Ching. "Easy, Jian!" Ching huffed. Garu bowed to apologize. Abyo moved Ching to his back so he could give her a piggyback ride. Won began to peck at Abyo's feet, annoyed that her owner was being carried. Ching giggled, "Oh, is Miss Won jealous?" "Buckaww!!" Garu clicked his tongue twice and opened his arms. Won hesitantly walked to Garu's arms and when he wrapped his arms around Won, she began to relax. "What?! No fair! She still gets mad at me for being close to her." "Haha. Sorry, Abyo." They began making the walk. "I can't wait to have some Mapo Tofu!" "Have you considered maybe they made that for themselves?" "No. Pucca's upset, so they would've made Jajang noodles." "I guess you're right. I mean when they rebuilt the Goh Rong into a bigger restaurant. Pucca said they made her favorite food the house specialty." "Yeah, the uncles sure love Pucca." They looked at Garu who was just looking out into space." "Garu. Garu... GARU!!" Garu blinked and looked at them. "Man, You and Pucca must've been close in another life." Garu shifted Won's weight to one arm so he could hit Abyo with the other. "It's hard to see someone considered your family go through hard times, right, Garu?" Garu nods. Abyo bounced Ching a little to carry her better. "Both of you, stop worrying! We're both going to see Pucca running in and out of the kitchen to help the uncles and Dada. She'll take our orders, flirt with Garu, and be regular ol' Pucca again!" Ching and Garu smile. "I hope you're right, Abyo." Ching tightened her arms around his neck a bit and Abyo smiled. Garu huffed in amusement. Because of Pucca flirting and Garu still hanging around her, people usually don't see the relationship between Ching and Abyo. Abyo now saw that Ching was the only girl who sticks around no matter how stupid his antics are. He now flirts with her, takes her to dinner, and leaves her gifts. The only thing left is for Abyo to ask Ching to make things official because she just needs that confirmation that Abyo wants this too. Abyo lets Ching stand once they're in front of the open doors of the Goh Rong. "See? What did I tell you? Now let's go eat some mapo tofu! Garu handed Ching her chicken as they made their way inside and got settled on the door closest to the chefs. Dada stumbled out and served some food for Turtle and Panky and went to the trio. "Alright, what would you three like?" Abyo asked, "What's the special for today?" "Oh, the chefs had just made some mapo tofu and-" "YES!" Dada backed up and slipped. Garu helped him up as Dada just muttered, "And summ blaack pepper buns..." Once he was sure that Dada could stand on his own, he sat down with Abyo. Garu points at Dada and holds up two fingers. "Okay, I'll have a bowl of mapo tofu, Garu will have some black pepper buns and... what do you want Ching?" "Some jijang noodles for me, Dada." Dada nods and heads over to the kitchen. Garu looks around, and doesn't see Pucca around. "I don't see Pucca around..." "She's probably in the kitchen to help." Dada comes out and serves their food. "Hey, Dada. Pucca's coming out of the kitchen soon, right?" "O-oh, Pucca is not feeling well today, so she's in her room all day, today." He walks over to another table to take their order. Garu looks down at his food then pushes it away. Abyo looks at him and pushes it back. "Cmon, Garu. You didn't eat breakfast." Garu pushed it away and shook his head. Abyo pushes it back. "Come on eat just one!" Garu groans and pushes it again. Abyo pushes it with a bit more force and speaks louder, "JUST EAT ONE!" The restaurant goes silent except for the sound of roaring flames and vegetables being chopped. Ching elbows Abyo and whispers through gritted teeth, "Abyo, that was a little loud." Abyo chuckled, "U-Uh, sorry..." Garu looks over his shoulders and can hear random whispers. "It's that ninja that lives outside of the village." "What a disrespectful boy. Won't even eat the food that the chefs prepared for him." "Why would they sit next to him?" Garu just takes a bun and eats it. Abyo glares at anyone who says that and Ching tries to offer him some comfort, "It's okay, Garu. Don't listen to them. They don't understand." Ching texts Pucca then places her phone down. "I just told her when the astrology class was. I know she'll be better when she shows up." "How do you know she'll be better by then?" "Pucca loves romantic things. I know she'll show up for a cheer up, right, Garu." Garu was staring at his empty plate and shrugged. Garu doesn't remember what happened that day after eating with Ching and Abyo. For the past three days, it was just filled with training, eating, worrying, and sleeping. Pucca hasn't stepped out of the Goh Rong since Ayo asked that question. He thought about how Pucca would pop by his house with goodies from the chefs and would stare at him, training, until the chefs called her over and would blow a kiss to him. Pucca was definitely something Garu would look forward to in his day, and he will admit he regrets not being a good friend to her. He snapped out of it when Abyo and Ching opened the door. "Hey, Garu! We got something for you!" Garu sat up and caught a bag filled with a shirt. When he pulled it out, he was extremely impressed. It was a black short sleeve shirt with a small blue turtle on the right side of his chest and galaxy sleeves with blue stars. When he looked at their clothes, he noticed that they had similar outfits with Abyo in yellow stars and Ching in purple. "Dad wanted seniors to have something for the class, and I know how Pucca likes to wear matching clothes." She lifte "Get ready, now, Garu! My dad is ready to drive us over to the observatory!" Garu pulled out a pair of black pants, shooed Abyo and Ching out and quickly changed. He felt his heart speed a beat, excited that his friend will show up at the class. He walked out and got into the car. He sat next to Abyo who was squished in the middle. Garu raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm confused as well. WHY AM I IN THE BACK?!" Bruce stated, "Special guests sit in the front." Won sang her own chicken song in the front. Abyo grumbled as Ching and Garu laugh a little. It was a short drive from his house to the observatory and a longer climb up the stairs. When they got in, they see a few smiley goblins, and a few random children, including the little girl that kicked Garu in his broken leg. Ssoso walked up to them. "Hey guys. This is a pretty good turnout, right?" "Uh... Yeah. Hey, Ssoso. Is Pucca here?" "Oh, no... she texted me that she was busy." "What?!" Garu began to shake. "But she said she'd be here." "Yeah, she felt bad she couldn't go and told me to apologize to you, Ching, but-" Garu just walked past him and into the sidedoor where they had a payphone and vending machines. Garu was panting, completely upset. Pucca said she'd be here. The uncles said she'd be here but she's not been seen in four days. What's going on inside of her head? She never let Ching down and here they were! Abyo and Ching ran in with him. "Garu, are you okay?" Garu began to grunt and wave his hands around. He's been worrying about Pucca for days and now that he needs to word it out, he's speechless. Abyo answered, "You think it's too weird she's been gone for four days too, huh?" Garu looks at him and nods slowly. "I think she's had enough alone time too. Lets go to the Goh Rong!" "WHAT?! Abyo, Pucca needs to-" "Pucca isn't some delicate flower, Ching! Besides, maybe she needs someone other than the uncles to help, maybe she needs someone with a new perspective! Pucca is hurting, Garu is hurting, you're hurting and I can't stand three of my friends hurting! I'd rather her get mad at me for trying to help than do nothing!" The two look at Abyo in shock. "So, let's get into action! I'll get either the keys to the car or get Dad to drive, just meet me at the car!" They both snap out of it and nod as they ran out and down the stairs. They only had to sit in the car for two seconds until they see Abyo running down. He slid into the drivers seat and warns, "Buckle up! Dad says I drive like a madman. They all buckled up and Ching braced Won safely. Abyo reverses quickly then floors it in the forest, blaring the alarms. "WE'RE COMING TO GET YOU PUCCA!!!" "ABYO!! MAKE SURE WE'RE ALIVE TO SEE PUCCA!!!" Garu was bracing himself in the back because the swerves and bumps were making him almost lose his seat, screaming. When Abyo makes it to the edge of the village, he stops quickly and parks. "Dad says I'm not allowed to drive in the village, but it's just a short run and I got here quick right?" Ching had chicken feathers in her hair and was pale, Won was shaking, and Garu quickly got out to empty his weak stomach. Abyo got out and pat Garu on the back. "Sorry, Garu. Are you okay?" Garu wiped his mouth when he was done and looked up at the straight shot to the Goh Rong. 'PUCCA' He quickly ran over to Goh Rong with Abyo and Ching catching on quick. Garu slammed the doors of the Goh Rong open, scaring Dandy and Dada who were almost ready to leave. Abyo demanded, "Dada, where's the chefs?!" "O-OH, LINGUIN IS IN THE KITCHEN! I SWEAR!" They ran past him and went in the kitchen. Linguin looked up. "Oh, kids! If you came for food, we only have leftovers." Ching sighed, "Uncle, I'm sorry, but we've had enough, we need to see Pucca." "Wh-what? I-I'm sorry, guys. You can't." "Chef, Pucca needs help and we want to give it." "I'm not so..." Garu interupts him by placing his hand on his shoulder. They looked each other in the eyes for a bit then Linguin sighed. "Okay, follow me." Linguin walks out of the kitchen, says goodbye to Dandy and Dada and walk upstairs. They walk into the last room in the hallway. They've never gone in there before so they felt uncomfortable. Linguin asked politely, "Please leave your shoes out here." As they took it off, they heard Linguin say, "They're here." "We knew they would eventually." "They're such good friends to our Pucca." Garu walked in and it was a sight. The room had two couches on opposite sides of the room and a picture in the middle of it surrounded by candles. Pucca was lying down on one of the couches. She had her hair down and had wrinkled pajamas on. Ho was brushing Pucca's hair and Dumpling and Linguin were by the entrance. Dumpling whispered, "Thank you three for coming." Dumpling walks to Pucca. "Pucca, your friends are here." Pucca looks at them. Ching walks to her and Pucca stands up. When the girls held hands, the boys walk up to them. "Pucca... I'm so so-" Pucca interrupted her by leading her to the shrine and kneel. Garu walks up and kneels next to Pucca and Abyo next to Ching. Pucca lets go of Chings hand and balls her hands on her knees. The three look at the picture. It was a woman with Pucca's two bun hair style in brown hair and a man with short raven hair in front of a small familiar little restaurant. "Is that the Goh Rong?" "Pucca, is that your parents?" Pucca nods then looks at Dumpling. Dumpling, Ho and Linguini walk up. Dumpling. "The woman is Nori. She was our sister." "She doesn't look like you." "We were raised by a woman who took care of abandoned and runaway children. It was just me, Ho, Linguin and then Nori came by. The man was her husband, Eugene." "Sounds foreign." Ho chuckled, "His parents wanted it to sound that way." Pucca giggled a bit. Dumpling sighed, "One night, the forest by their house caught fire and the fire spread to Pucca's house. The fire spread quickly once inside the house. Pucca was able to wake up, however she was only able to escape to the back window." "But at the same time a big tree branch fell on top of her right on her neck and she kept screaming for help that day. When they went to the hospital, Pucca's vocal cords was damaged... her parents didn't make it... Pucca is grieves on some days so she doesn't forget what happens. But she was begining to feel bad for beginning to move on again, and not coming as much as she used to." "That's why the question caught her off guard." Ching looked at Pucca. "Pucca, it's not healthy to not move on. You're allowed to have your own life and still think about your parents." Pucca covered her ears and groans. Linguin sighed, "That's what she did to us." Garu pulls down her arms and Abyo continues, "Pucca, when my mom left, my dad used to be really sad, but he said that he had to move on because life needs to continue." Pucca crossed her arms, gripping the forearms. Ching hugs Pucca. "I think your parents will understand if you come here less because you're growing up and having fun. If you really feel so bad, tell them you're going to continue living your life and you're sorry, but you have to do it." Abyo puts one hand on Pucca's back and Garu grabs Pucca's hand and holds it. Pucca looks at Garu, shocked and he taps, 'We got here by Abyo driving to get you. Don't let us come here for nothing.' Pucca giggled, looks at the photo, takes a deep breath then bows. The uncles all sit on the same couch and Ho asks, "You don't feel good, yet. Do you Pucca?" She sits up and looks at them, shaking her head. Dumpling reassures her, "Give it time. Nori and Eugene can't wait to see you grow up." Abyo looks at them. "Hey chefs, that fire... is it why Pucca came to Sooga." Garu looks at Pucca. He remembered when he was seven and ran in the Goh Rong, he saw Pucca, sitting at a table, quietly, covered in bandages. "Yes. Eugene and Nori appointed us as Pucca's guardians if something were to happen." "Why?" Ho laughed, "Linguin said she looked like a cute little cupcake when she was born." Linguin retaliated, "Oh, yeah, well, Eugene litterally had to fight you to get Pucca out of your arms." Dumpling interrupted, "They saw how much we doted on Pucca when she was born and Eugene was scared his family would be too high strung to take care of Pucca. So we raised her besides they wanted her to grow up in a restaurant Nori had the idea of." Ching raised her head from Pucca's shoulder. "Puccas mother came up with the Goh Rong?!" "Yep! Do you want to hear more about Eugene and Nori?" Abyo and Ching yelled, "Yes!" while Pucca and Garu nodded. Dumpling smiled, "Well, Eugene and Nori met when Nori and Eugene visited the same restaurant we three all worked at." Garu looked at Pucca and squeezed her hand lightly. She looked up at Garu and squeezed back, and put her head on his shoulder. All her worries washed away, hearing stories of her parents, watching the candles glow and feeling Garu breathe steadily. She was now living.

Remember to vote for the bonus chapter! We are currently in a four-way tie for the story prompt, make sure you make your vote so you can decide what it will be. You can vote by comment, dm, or use the google form link. You can pick multiple options to get a different type of story than expected. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!