| Spring 30, Year 4 The 20 year old farmer looked at his field, after shipping his last bits of strawberries, turnips, potato's, and cucumbers, he cleared the whole area to prepare for his summer harvest. Pineapple, corn, tomato's, the works. Jack Harvest smiled at his work, then at the little people sitting in front of him. "Alright guys, thanks for helping me out today." Jack told them. "No problem, bu-dum." The Harvest Sprite called Aqua said. "Can we get our seasonly pay though?" The one called Chef asked. "Yeah, here you guys go. One big box of flour per one of you." Jack said, taking out the flour from his bag and giving one to each Harvest sprites. "YAY!" The Harvest Sprites cried as they ran off with their prize. "I wonder what in the world they use that for?" Jack asked himself as he headed to the town square. He wanted to greet his buddy Kai. Since it was the last day of Spring, he knew the city guy would be there to greet Popuri and May, then clean his beach shack to prepare it for business tomorrow. He didn't know that this time around, Kai brought a visitor with him. "Hey Kai, what's up?" Jack said as he shook hands with the purple bandanna wearing cook. "Nothing much. Popuri trying to get me to marry her, as usual." Kai said and they shared a laugh at Popuri's need to see the city. "Oh, by the way, I picked up a little hitch-hiker this time around. I don't know her name, but she was persuasive in wanting to come here with me." Kai said. "Really, what did she bribe you with?" Jack asked, curious. "She's thinking on wether or not she's gonna stay here permanently, but everyday till I go, she's gonna eat at my shack." Kai said. "What? Me, Gray, Cliff, and Popuri aren't good enough to be your regulars?" Jack asked, faking hurt in his eyes. "No, no, but it's nice to see a fresh face." Kai explained. "So, where is this mystery girl?" Jack asked. "Right behind you." A female voice said behind her back. Normally, Jack would have jumped out of his skin when somebody pulled that, but being May's playmate for so long made him immune to being scared like that. "Well, hey there. Welcome to Mineral......Town......" Jack said, as he turned around, face going red when he saw the woman. She wasn't short, but he was taller than her. She had a healthy tan on, and she was definetely from the city with her appearence. Ponytail tied back up with a scrunchie, a pink T-shirt that hugged her curves, jeans with the same effect as her shirt, and sneakers. Her hair was black and her eyes, sort of exotic since they were slanted(Asian I think.), were brown. "woah......." Was all Jack could say after that. Kai laughed at his friends reaction to the new girl. "I know.....don't worry, all the guys would have the same reaction." he told him, patting his shoulder. "Do you know where I can find a place to stay?" The new woman asked. "Uhhhh......The Inn's full since Kai's here, but I have extra room in my farm if that's alright with you." Jack offered. "Your farm? Last I heard it was being run by an old man." The new woman said, suprise evident on her face. "He passed away more than 4 years ago. He gave it to me so I'm running it now." Jack explained. "I see. I have a map of the town with me, so if you'll excuse me, I'll go look at the farm for a bit." The woman said before walking away. Jack noticed she had a big backpack with her, and assumed she wanted to stay for quite a while. "Hah.....I gotta get the usual seeds. See ya later." Jack told Kai as he headed to the supermarket. Summer 15, year 4 Jack wiped the sweat off of his forehead. He and the harvest sprites really pulled out off a great harvest today. Everything was in full bloom. That meant they hit pay dirt when it came time for Zack to pick up the shipments. However, his work was still not done. He had to feed the chickens, brush the cows, sheep and horse, then ship the milk, wool, and eggs after feeding the cows and sheep. He looked towards his house and saw the mystery woman step out. She smiled at him and waved. At first, she looked kind of sad, living on his farm. But after letting her ride on his horse Lightning, she had a blast. The one thing Jack could never get out of her was her name. Every, and he knew EVERY time he asked, someone, or something, would interrupt them. He thought it was strange since they really got to know each other. He knew she was 20, born on Spring 18, liked the city, music, hanging out, and having fun. She disliked wine, eggplants, certain fish, medical grasses, and ores. She loved jewels and milk. Then she knew everything about him as well. He just wanted to know......who she was, since the summer was halfway over with and he hadn't even gotten a name from her yet. -------------------------------- The woman sighed as she left the Harvest Moon farm. She liked Jack, and thought he was rather cute. Still, after avoiding the town since the minute she stepped onto the place, she knew she would have to get out eventually. However, she made it clear to avoid Duke, Manna, and the Winery completely. As she went about town, she saw that hardly anything had changed since she was here last. The only things that changed was the arrival of Jack and the farm switching owners, Cliff arriving in town, and Mary owning the Library. She thought a library would be a great addition to the town, so she spent most of the day reading there, making fast friends with the books. Hours later, at closing time, she stretched a bit and headed back to the farm. Jack was waiting for her holding a basket of vegetables, milk, fish that she did like, and a few eggs. "Hey there." Jack greeted. "Hey Jack." The woman replied with a smile. "Just got dinner ingredients ready. We're gonna have quite a feast." Jack said with a grin. "I can't wait." She replied. She thought his cooking was actually very good. "Say.....mind telling me your name now?" Jack asked. "Sure. It's......" The woman began to say before she got cut off. "Hey Jack! I got today's shipment. Man you made a BIG haul today. You're gonna be a rich man tomorrow." Zack shouted as he got a few crates next to him filled with the stuff Jack put in the shipping bin. Jack nodded, and forgot about his question to the woman. "Well, let's get these inside. Then we need to go to the inn. I need to ask Doug something." he told her as he lifted the basket up. After washing and putting away the food, the two quietly walked to the Inn, only to hear loud laughter come from inside. "Didn't Duke learn last time about drinking?" Jack asked as he recognized the voice. The woman tensed up a bit, frightened. "Don't worry. I'll protect you from the drunks." Jack grinned as he put his arm around her shoulder. The woman blushed a bit, but felt a lot safer once he did so. They entered the inn, and chaos soon insued...... ------------------------------------------------ Summer 30, Year 4 The woman looked at the farm. She had a hard time thinking that she would leave this place, espically after what Jack did at the inn for her that day....... Flashback Jack looked at Doug and pointed at Duke. Understanding the young man's concern, he held up 8 fingers. Jack sighed at the number of drinks Duke downed and walked over to the happy drunk. "Come on Duke. You've had enough for the day." Jack said as he put his hand on the older man's shoulder. "Ah, wadda yu kow? I....I'muh finnnneeee......." Duke rambled drunkendly. "Duke, stop before I force you out." Jack said. The woman quickly hid in a corner if fear of what Duke could do. "I said leeme alone. I don nee any hlp! sides, you dunno wha I've been thrugh." Duke shouted. "I know enough that your drinking problems is what causes your wife to be miserable, the source of your high debts, and why your daughter ran away from home!" Jack shouted. All activity in the Inn stopped at Jack's words. The woman in the corner was crying. Duke looked sober for once. He knew exactly what Jack was saying. He was just drowning all of his problems away. While he was content with just that, he was making everybody else miserable. "Doug, gimme tha bill." Duke demanded as he tried to stay as sober as possible. Doug handed it to him and he paid in full. "Thanks Kid." Duke said as he left the Inn. Jack nodded and saw that the woman was hiding in a corner. Reaching out gently, he pulled her up and assured her that nothing was wrong and everything was ok. End Flashback From that day on, whenever she saw Duke, he only had 3 drinks at the inn before leaving. Jack told her he and Manna were actually getting along more. The arguing had lessened, and he was finally taking responsibilites for his actions. As for Jack........ She had fallen head over heels for the man. He managed to make one of the most stubborn people she ever knew change his tune. His kind personality and giving attitude really won her over. She didn't want to leave, but neither did she want to be a burden to him. So she had to say goodbye......or say...... ------------------------------------- Jack looked at the time on his watch. It read 2 PM. Soon, Kai and the Woman would be leaving Mineral Town. It was always sad, seeing Kai leave, but he felt.....empty, now that the woman was leaving. He knew why, but he didn't know if it was truly love.....or was it that she fillled the empty hole in his heart that was made when he couldn't find a girlfriend. Either way, he couldn't stand to see her go, but he had a question to ask her. So when he saw her about to leave the farm, he reached out and grabbed her arm. "Do you really have to go?" Jack asked. "I don't want to be a financial burden on you." the woman told him. "You haven't been a burden at all. In fact, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me since I came here." Jack said. The woman blushed until her face was red. "R-r-really?" She asked meekly. "Yeah. You talk to me, help me out with chores, and make everyday new and interesting. You make me feel.....complete." Jack said. "I.....I feel the same. You don't judge me cause I'm from the city. You helped me out when I got hurt riding your horse. You taught me patiently how to grow, water, and harvest pineapples. Nobody's ever done that." The woman said. "So don't go......just stay with me......and give me your name." Jack said, his eyes near filled with tears. "My.......my name........" The woman whispered softly. Her heart was beating rapidly. She wanted to be with Jack. She knew it deep in her being. Staying here, is what she wanted after she ran away so long ago. "I'll have many names when it comes to you." The woman said, cupping both of his cheeks in her hand and kissing him on the lips. "Call me your helper, your girlfriend, your wife even." She said. "But........Who Are You?" Jack asked as he returned her kiss. "My name......." The woman said, taking a deep breath as she did so. "My name is Aja." She smiled when Jack reacted very well to her name. "Well Aja, looks like you don't have to run away anymore." Jack said as they went back to his house. "Yeah......I'm not gonna run away anymore." Aja told him as they went inside and closed the door behind them. The End |