Shadowed figure 1: -looks left and right- Okay, coast is clear.

Shadowed figure 2: Why are we back here? You haven't worked on-

Shadowed figure 1: SHH! We'll get cau-

-sirens start to sound, light hits on two figures-

Sakura: OW! Turn off the lights! Saki! Do something!

Saki: Hey! When did you change my name? It was Kaori last time I checked!

Sakura: Who cares? We've been caught!

Saki: -sighs- It's your own fault. Not working on a new chapter for your other stories for...how long has it been?

Sakura: Can't say I remember anymore. Anyways, to those who still read my stories such as New Student: Higurashi Kagome...I'M REALLY SORRY! I haven't had any ideas for the stories at all.

Saki: Yeah, she started writing other ones and can't get any ideas for that one.

Sakura: I've started a lot more stories, some I still work on when I have spare time, and some I stopped after a few chapters, but I don't want to just leave them to rot in my computer, so I decided to start posting some. They're not Inuyasha stories, but I know that there are people who enjoy more than just Inuyasha (though, I must agree, I love Inuyasha to death! x.x)

Saki: So, without further ado. Here's her first story on that is NOT an Inuyasha fic.

Sakura: It's Harvest Moon!

Sakura and Saki: Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon. I just own the plot of this story and this computer with stories waiting to be posted!

Chapter 1

A New Life

Walking around my empty apartment after a long day of work in the city, I sighed to myself, wondering if I could ever bring some more excitement into my life. I was single, nearly broke, and lived in a smelly apartment. All of the friends I had when I was younger were all living successfully and had left me behind. I didn't really mind, except it was a bit lonely.

I decided to look through some magazines as I had already eaten dinner and was not feeling up to sleeping yet. I flipped through one out of boredom, not really paying attention to the colorful pages. One page, however, caught my eye and I stopped to look over it. It seemed to be an ad for a farm. I looked over the picture, amazed by how beautiful it was. My mind began to wander into the world of farming. I saw myself brushing a cow and riding a horse. I was playing with a cute little dog and relaxing by a mountain.

All those scenes in my head made me feel the most excitement I've felt in a long time. I looked through the ad again, a phone number in one corner of the page. I took the magazine in hand and literally ran to my phone.

"Let's see… okay, it's ringing…Hello? Is this MT Realtor? I am calling about the farm you have in this ad?"

A voice came on the other line. From what I could tell, the person sounded like a young woman around my age, but who knows? I couldn't see her, and didn't need to. "Yes. The farm in Mineral Town, correct?"

I looked at the ad, noticing the big words "Mineral Town" above the pictures. Mineral Town…that name sounded very familiar. Really weird, but I might have just heard it on TV or something. Smiling, I answered, "Yes, the one in Mineral Town…"

I carried my luggage in hand as I walked out of my apartment building for the last time. I smiled, adrenaline rushing through me at the thought of something new out of my boring life. Finally, I'd be able to have some more excitement in my life, something new and interesting!

"Okay! Time to take the ferry to Mineral Town! No more city life! No more boring routines! No more stinky apartment! Time to smell the fresh air and live the life of a farmer!" I said to myself as I walked towards the pier that happened to be not too far from the apartment I used to live in. Ah, how good it feels to think that.

I stepped onto the boat and was greeted by the captain of the ship.

"So, what do they call ya, little missy?" he asked.

I pushed a gold lock of my hair behind my ear before speaking. "My name is Claire,"

"Well, Claire, it seems like you are heading to Mineral Town. For a fresh start, am I right?"

"You hit the mark," I replied.

"Well, I better get to steering this ship and getting you to Mineral Town as soon as possible,"

I walked to the front of the boat, amazed at the ocean's beauty.

"Pretty, huh?" a voice said from behind me.

I was a bit surprised by the sudden voice behind me and turned around. I saw a guy around my age, wearing blue overalls over a white collared shirt. Around his neck, he wore a red bandana, and he wore black boots. He wore a blue cap on backwards with his brown locks sticking out from underneath it.

I smiled and nodded. "It is,"

"Quite relaxing, actually. The wide ocean around you and the salty air floating around. Most people get seasick from this, you know,"

"Weird. I don't see how you can. Everything feels so nice," I said, closing my eyes as a breeze came in. I opened my eyes and turned towards the boy. "I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Claire,"

"Pleasure to meet you, Claire. I'm Jack," he replied and offered out a hand. I smiled as we shook hands.

"Why are you going to Mineral Town, Jack?" I asked.

Jack was quiet for a bit before speaking. "A friend of mine used to write to me all of the time, but he stopped about 6 months ago. I got really worried and decided to come to Mineral Town to see him,"

"He sounds like a good friend,"

Jack nodded. "He's really old now. I hope he's all right,"

"…" I stayed silent, still looking out at the waves. After a little bit, I noticed some land up ahead. "Hey! I think I see Mineral Town!"

"Yup, that's Mineral Town all right. It looks like it hasn't changed a bit," he said. The boat had soon docked, and I was separated from Jack by a crowd of men who were moving things off and on to the ship.

I walked off, fishing out a map of the town out of my rucksack. I followed it until I saw what looked like a huge farm past a poultry farm and a ranch. I walked onto it and immediately frowned.

What I had thought would be a paradise ended up being a wasteland. The field was covered in weeds, rocks, and branches. I didn't see any animals in sight except for a stray dog. I looked from the ad to the field and back. This couldn't be right? Where was this nice farm I had imagined myself being in?

A man in red soon walked over to me and laughed. "Ha ha ha! Looks like they got another one. You've been tricked! No one's been here for ages since the previous owner passed away. Oh man, it's been a while since someone has come to live on this land. HAHAHA!"

I was enraged by this man and taking out a hammer I had bought at a junk shop before coming here, I began my attempt to kill him with it. "Take that!"

"Ow! Hey! Cut it out! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! HAVE MERCY!"

After I had finally calmed down, I was able to tell the man, whom I found out was Mayor Thomas, about the situation I was in.

"I see…You quit your job and moved out of your apartment. What a dilemma you're in," he said. "Well, why don't you try to turn this place around? Make it better?"

I crossed my arms and nodded. "Okay. Why not? I'll give it a shot. It will surely take some time, but I'll have this farm a success in no time!"

"That's the spirit! I'll have to have you sign some of these papers then," Thomas said while pulling out a clip board.

I read through it carefully and after making sure everything was right, I signed the papers. "All done!"

"Welcome to Mineral Town, Claire," he said while putting the papers away.

"What is this!" a yell was heard. I turned towards it, surprised by who I found was the owner of the voice.

"Jack!"

Saki: You make your return...and stop at a cliff hanger.

Sakura: It keeps the audience on their seat, no? Anyways, I'll try to start updating and posting more. I'm in my senior year of high school now, so who knows how that'll go. I'll try to work on my other stories while posting the other ones I've been working on.

Saki: Thanks to all the loyal readers who stayed waiting. Sorry that it's a new story that came out though.

Sakura: And I hope everyone enjoys this story! New chapter I'll try to have out as soon as possible! Now...

Sakura and Saki: Please, review!