((Hai, I'm Kiki/Lady Bat-san! This is my first COMMITTED fanfic. So please enjoy, expect more soon! R&R!

Note: I've gone back and edited this a few times and tried to de-noob the first couple chapters. Expect a few mistakes. I'm not perfect. xD))

"I've heard before that fate does not exist, it's the one action that causes things to happen,"

Sometimes things just didn't add up. I mean, I felt I was a hard worker. And I would perceiver. But those who looked at me saw nothing but the lifeless life form of Claire. They were right too. Why I kept going was beyond my understanding, maybe I had the feeling if I were to keep moving forward that I'd finally make something of myself. Although in a place like the city, that was unlikely. Especially with a life like mine.

It was about time I got off work. I hated my job, it was always "Claire, stay after so you can finish paying this.. and paying that," There was no pay for staying after work, apparently. But it's all I could get with the population overflowing. But then I always considered the horrible pay.

Finally, I reached the door of my apartment, tied from the 2 mile walk from the building. I fumbled through my pockets for the keys, and I really did have the patience to deal with any nuisance. Gum wrapper... lint... cell phone... Of course, no keys. I rested my head against the door and rammed my fist against the door several times. "Dammit, dammit," I muttered to myself. It always tore me up when I knew I had misplaced my key. That always meant the backup key. I reached under the mat and pulled out a small key.

The apartment door swung open, and then I slammed the door with all my might. It felt like the room was shaking as I flopped on the couch. Soft blonde chunks of hair fell onto my face. It was the same pattern every day- without loosing the keys part- work, home, sleep. Wake up, and then it starts all over again. Just quitting would result in poverty, or something similar.

I shut my eyes for a pause, "Can't I get one chance? A chance to turn my life around?" I said silently to myself. One by one, I opened each eye again. But then my deep-blue eyes fixated on colorful add that had been printed on the bottom half of the newspaper lying on the small, wooden coffee table. I snatched the newspaper and scanned the vibrant add. "What the...?"

"Would you like to enjoy a peaceful and refreshing farm life?" I read from the add, "For more information, contact …" My eyes widened, "A farm.." I couldn't believe anything I was reading. Was this it? Was it my chance? To think; me, living a relaxed and fulfilled farm life. This was my Heaven!

I felt a smile curve, and that never happened. The roof below my own must of started cracking after the way I shot up. "T-this is it! This is it! This is the thing that will add excitement to my life!" I ran to the phone on the counter and dialed the number printed. Ringings filtered my ears as I waited for someone to pick up. I twirled the cord with my fingers. "Oh, hello?" I said into the phone, "MT Realtor? I'm interested in the farm add... Yeah..."

Everything felt right. Everything felt... like it was finally going to be okay. My past seemed like nothing now. Only a distant speck in my life. It felt so good. So... so good.

-----

It seemed like a second had passed. All I could remember was asking the ferry driver the way to the farm and him snickering. Then he had drawn a route in red and circled the lot where the farm was. I faintly remembered stepping on to the sand, and then walking into a darkened town. Now all I could think about was what the farm looked like. But that would have to wait until morning. Somehow, I found the home on the lot and was able to fall asleep after hours of staring into the darkness.

The morning sun shined every inch of the farmland. This was not what the add had stated. It described a lively farm with lush green grass, large quantities of clear farming area, and .. Well, everything this farm was not. The buildings looked like they were in poor condition, the grass was a tainted yellow color, and looked like it hadn't't been taken care of in years. The fields were covered with many pebbles, weeds, tree stumps, boulders, and large twigs.

My eyes filled with sadness and disappointment. How could the add just lie to me? I had sacrificed so much to come out here and live out my life... and everything was taking an unexpected turn.

"Excuse me," a deep yet, soft voice said from behind. It was a man, he was short, stubby, and dressed in red from head to toe. "Are you a tourist?"

I didn't know what to say, all my body could do was shake my head side ways. "I-I bought the farm..."

The man looked like he was going to burst into tears from laughing so hard, "S-so-o y-your t-the one who w-wanted to r-run the f-farm?!" He asked bursting into laughter. I didn't understand what exactly was so funny to this man. He looked at me and tilted his head, "You've been tricked! MT Realtor told you, you could live a refreshing farm life, am I right? Well that add is a fake, sorry to say. Many of people like you have come and the same have left once they've seen the farm's condition, well all but one. The real owner had passed away, and it didn't seem he had any contactable family, so the add came out,"

How could I have been led to thinking I could actually live a relaxing life? How could I fall for just another false marketing technique? I looked at the ground, many emotions went through my head and body. The first being shocked, the second being sadness. The final being anger.

"What do you mean I've been tricked!?" I yelled at him. I just couldn't handle it. It made me just so angry and frustration. I glared at the small man and easily kneed him in the gut with all my strength.

By the color of his face, which had turned out to match his attire, he seemed quite shocked by my actions, "I-I s-see, y-your o-obviously angry. I'm s-sorry," I looked at him and sighed.

"I'm sorry.. It's just.. I quit my job, moved out of my-my apartment, and came out here so I could have a more exiting life in the country... I gave up everything. It's just.. what do I do now?"

"Oh.." He paused for a minute. A jolt of excitement seemed to go through the small man's body, "You know, you could always try to run the farm! I'm the mayor of the town, Thomas, and I can help you along the way! What do you say?"

I was actually quite shocked. Was this really what I wanted? Could I handle it? But... this had been what I wanted.. And if I didn't do it, where would I turn now? I had nothing now, but that could change. "I-I'll… I'll do it!" I said strongly.

Thomas smiled widely, "The house is livable and with some work you could turn this place into something nice," He turned up the path to leave, "I wish you luck.. Um.."

"Claire," I said.

"I wish you luck Claire," Thomas said as he left the farm.

I looked as he left, "Kay, I'm going to do the best I can to make this the best farm ever! I'm not going to give up an opportunity. This is my chance,"