A/N: Hello readers! Sorry it took me so long, and I hope I didn't keep anyone waiting (specifically the only two people who ACTUALLY reviewed, plus my Sissy), but here it is; CHAPTER TWO! Just remember, this is still technically my first fic. Disclaimer: I don't own Pucca or any of its characters, yadda, yadda, yadda. And now, the moment you've all been (patiently, thank you!) waiting for… Chapter Two: Garu's story!

Journal entry 4/9

Today was relatively uneventful. Pucca didn't come after me the entire day, which is very unusual. I did not see Tobe today, either, but considering the date, that would be normal.

I suppose you would be wondering why, since I have only had this journal since Pucca gave it to me last Christmas. Basically, Tobe always stays inside on this day because, exactly five years ago today, he vowed to destroy me. Many people here in Sooga consider this simple, but it is actually far more complex than they can grasp. There are things that happened that day that even I can't understand.

I realize that this makes no sense to you, but it will all become clear once you hear the story. Keep in mind that this is very painful for me to recall, since on that day, I lost one of my best friends. Even so, I will try to stay level headed.

I think I have stalled for long enough. It is time you heard the truth.

As I said, it was five years ago. Chang had told us the day before we were getting our swords that day, and everyone had woken up early. I, however, was not about to give up my precious sleep in the sake of anticipation. I woke up for another reason: Pucca.

Every day since she moved in the week before, she had been chasing me around town. Of course, I wasn't expecting to see her so early. I was sleeping only lightly, and I heard the floors creak. I jerked awake to see who it was, and there she was waiting (as usual) and kissed me.

I jumped back, wondering how she had gotten inside. She was wearing her usual red dress, and since she was only five at the time, she had big red ribbons in her hair. She waved at me and jumped forward, attempting to kiss me again, but I ran out the door before she got to me.

I had worn my jumpsuit the night before, thankfully, so I was already dressed, but still tired. I couldn't slow down, however, because she had followed right behind me. I had to lose her somehow, so I ducked into an alleyway and split myself into two (using my Garusion Illusion). The clone took off in one direction with Pucca following it, and I was finally free to go my own way.

I wondered if I should go to the Turtle Training Hall, since everyone else was probably there already, or just go back to sleep. I might as well go to the training hall, I thought. I'm already up; no sense in keeping everyone waiting.

I can't remember much after I got there. I was chosen to be the first to get my katana (and though I have many others, I carry that one with me to this day) and helped Chang show the class some practice moves. After that, he left us on our own to try them out while he went to his office.

I do apologize if I'm not using as much detail as normal; everything seems blurred together after what happened that day. I promise you though, from now on, I remember everything crystal clear (unfortunately).

It was about five minutes after Chang had left us to practice. I started hearing sounds again, coming from outside the training hall. I instantly knew it was Pucca. She was obviously done chasing the fake Garu and had come back for the real me. I looked to one window just in time to see a red blur fly past, and in the other one, I actually saw one of her bows.

She was going to come in soon, but I had a theory: in a desperate attempt to find a better evasion tactic than just running, I decided the best way to deal with infatuation was with indifference. In other words, if I acted like I didn't care, she would go away eventually. I went back to practicing my sword techniques, forgetting everything else.

I was so focused on my sword practice that I couldn't be disturbed by anything. In fact, when Pucca knocked on the door, I only became more so. That was my fatal mistake. I was so locked on my training, I didn't notice Tobe had dropped his sword and turned towards me.

At least, not until it was too late.

His screams of pain snapped me back to the present. I dropped my own sword and looked over at him to see he had a deep X-shaped wound, directly in between his eyes. Knowing that I had potentially scarred him, both emotionally and physically, I threw my sword to the ground and knelt beside him, clearly passed out.

Tobe? I thought. Ever since I had taken my vow of silence, I hadn't (and as of now, still haven't) spoken a word, but it comforts me to think my messages to people, even if I know they can't hear me. Tobe? I thought again. At this point I had forgotten all about Pucca and the other students. Are you alright? I… I didn't mean to-

"Big mistake," said Tobe. Or, at least, it sounded like him. Half of his voice was his own, but the other half was… Something else. It flowed smoothly like the wind, yet it was rough and violent like a storm, and it seemed almost otherworldly. It made me shudder.

The rest of class backed away from us; it seemed they were repelled by the voice.

Tobe?

As if he had heard me, his head jerked up, revealing an expression of pure hatred that still haunts me to this day. His eyes were glowing bright red, and his pupils were snakelike slits. I jumped to my feet and backed away, horrified.

"Big mistake, Garu," he repeated, picking up his sword and standing to face me. "It'll be the last one you ever make."

At this, he stepped forward and swung his sword at me. I ducked just in time to send it flying above my head, rolled to the other side of the room, and leapt back onto my feet.

Tobe began to approach me again.

"You know, I can't say I'm surprised," he said. "This is exactly the kind of thing I would expect from your traitorous family." He slashed his sword at me again, and again I dodged.

My family? I thought. What does he know about my family?

He went on. "The only difference is that they were never punished for anything." He lunged forward and tried to stab me, but I leapt above his head and landed behind him. He turned at me, smirking.

"Nice trick," he said, "but I'm not giving up so easily." He threw his sword in my direction, but I stepped aside and it sank deep into the wall instead.

"I'm getting impatient, Garu. Now, are you going to hold still, or is this going to have to get messy?" As he said this, he ran at me and kicked me in the chest, sending me flying across the room. I groaned as the air left my lungs, leaving me bruised and out of breath when I hit the wall. There was no pain, no feeling at all; just numbness.

Before I could even attempt to stand, Tobe pulled his sword out of the wall and hurled it at me. I closed my eyes and braced myself, but nothing happened. I was still alive, but the sword had pinned me to the wall… By my pigtail. In any other situation, this would be considered disgraceful, but I had no time to worry about that.

Before I knew it, Tobe was up to me again. He pulled out his sword and forced me up, pressing me to the wall against my chest.

I stared, pleading, into his hate-filled eyes, searching for some sign of mercy, but I found none. Only the angry red eyes stared back at me. He raised his sword to my throat and smirked; his grin was cruel, twisted… Evil.

"Finally," he said, "after all of these years of waiting, I will be avenged."

All I could do was watch as he drew his sword back, preparing to strike. The air was slowly returning to my lungs, but it seemed he had knocked all of my energy out of me as well.

"It's for the best, Garu," he assured me. "And don't be disappointed that you couldn't restore your family name. You never can."

What is he talking about? I wondered. Where did he learn all of this about my family?

I had no idea what had come over him, but one thing in my mind was so clear that it seemed to echo in every word he spoke:

That's not Tobe.

The thing in my friend's body poised his sword, again about to strike, and swung it towards my neck. I decided not to close my eyes this time; it was better I saw what was going on. I braced myself for the inevitable.

However, just before the sword could reach me, I felt myself being pulled the other way. I still didn't have the energy to fight it; I just let it drag me by the arm. I still kept my eyes on Tobe's sword as it made contact with the wooden wall, splintering it as the sword sunk deep into it.

I looked up to see who had saved me, expecting to see Chang, but instead, I was surprised to see it was Pucca. I had forgotten she had probably been watching the whole thing. She had her hands on her hips, glaring at Tobe.

"Now you're going to let a girl fight your battles for you?" he said mockingly as he pulled out his sword. "That's just like you." He strode toward us; even the way he walked was intimidating. I backed away, but Pucca stood her ground.

He drew his sword back behind him again. "I guess I'll just have to settle for both of you!"

"What is going ON in here?!?"

Tobe paused, mid-strike, and turned to see that Chang had finally emerged from his office.

"Tobe? What are you…? What is the MEANING of this?!?"

Tobe just stood there, speechless. He looked at Pucca, and then snapped his head around at me with rage in his eyes. "This isn't over, Garu," he exclaimed. "Mato's bloodline MUST END!"

And then he fainted.

I guess there's nothing else for me to say. I helped Chang carry Tobe to his office, and he eventually kicked him out of the training hall. The next time I saw him, he was wearing a mask and blue ninja suit. While we were in the office with Chang, he claimed he didn't remember anything. That was when he finally swore vengeance on me.

I don't remember exactly what happened in there, except one thing: I had one chance to defend Tobe, and maybe I could have kept my friend. But I didn't. I don't know why, but I didn't.

Well, I suppose that's it. I never did find out exactly what happened, but I declare right now that I will not rest until I do.

It's getting late. I have to rest up for tomorrow; I have a feeling Tobe's scheme is going to be a big one. Until tomorrow,

Garu.

A/N: Readers: What? That's IT? But I never found out what happened! You left so many unanswered questions!!!

Me: "Unanswered Questions"? Hey, that's a good title.

Readers: For what?

Me: For the next story in this series.

That's right: SERIES! You didn't think I'd leave you guys hanging, did you? Don't answer that. Well, it probably won't be up for a while. On the bright side, I'm planning on working on a different story for Danny Phantom (Don't know the title yet, but you can check it out when I get it up).

Well, sorry, but I have to go. Don't worry, I won't be gone long! Okay, I lied, I probably will. But the good news is that summer's coming up, and since I have no life, I'll be able to update much more often.

Tootles! (Sorry, can't think of any way to sign out this time--- Oh, great, I just ruined it!!!)