
"GARU JAMES POTTER!!!!"
Garu wasn't the only one who jumped when he heard his mother’s voice screaming from the Howler. He watched in bewilderment and embarrassment as the letter transformed into a sneering mouth, Lilith's voice still screaming from it.
"HOW DARE YOU SNEAK AWAY FROM HOME?! I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED! YOU HAD ME WORRIED SICK, I TOOK TIME OFF TO GO LOOKING FOR YOU! I AM NOW FACING AN INQUIRY AT WORK AND IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT! IF YOU PUT SO MUCH AS ANOTHER TOE OUT OF LINE YOU WILL BE GROUNDED UNTIL YOU ARE IN YOUR THIRTIES!"
Garu started shaking, his face turning red as he tried to hold back the tears of embarrassment and shame from being yelled at by his mother in front of his friends and classmates. The Howler then suddenly turned to the young ninja's friends and spoke in a softer tone.
"Pucca. Ching. Abyo. I hate to bring you three into this, but I trust that as his friends you will be able to keep my son out of trouble. I would really appreciate that. I know you most certainly will, Pucca."
Pucca said nothing, biting her lips shut as she gave a glance of sympathy to her crush, seeing a small tear threatening to fall. It was never a good feeling to be yelled at by your parents.
Garu's face burned even hotter as the Howler turned back to him with a sneer and blew a raspberry at him before suddenly tearing itself apart into tiny pieces. The hall was silent, nobody daring to say a word in fear of suddenly receiving a Howler themselves. The students and even Chang felt second-hand embarrassment and shame from Lilith's screaming letter. Their nerves were shot with awe, shaking in their own skin.
Chang looked at Garu and finally noticed that the boy was seconds away from breaking down. He calmly walked over to him and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, causing the boy to jump and look up at him with glassy eyes.
"Garu? Do you need a minute?" The teacher asked him, to which he promptly received a small nod. Chang nodded back and gently escorted Garu out of the training hall.
Nobody said a damn word as they left.