The Kappa

Chapter One

Slimy, Fish-Monster and a Wake-Up Kiss

-The Goddess Pond-

"I don't know, Harvest Goddess.."

"Claire! Trust me! Go talk to the Kappa, it'll solve everything!"

"B-but...KAPPAS! They're monsters! What if he-!"

"I promise, he won't do anything. Now, go on! Take lots of cucumbers with you, dear!"

I looked back gloomily," But-"

"Go."

I slothed my way back to my house. I don't want to do this... If only I could fix it on my own! The Harvest Goddess insists that I marry, or "bad" things will happen.. I've been on this Island for five long years and I'm still not sure who to date... Kai is a player, so not him...Cliff is cute, but he has Ann...Trent is too serious and Elli would kill me... Rick..Well, he loves chickens... gross.. Carter said no...So, that leaves me with Won, Zack and Gray. I did kind of like Gray, in fact we were good friends, and even Zack a little, but I don't think I could LOVE them. But, she said I HAVE to marry... Off to the Kappa I go...to get eaten...or brutally tortured...or worse. I cringed at the thought.

Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my head. I'll ask Gray to go with me! Best light bulb plan I've had in a while: I'll have company at the lake and I'll see if Gray's the "One". I ran to the blacksmiths and was greeted by Saibara. "Hey, Claire!" he smiled. I don't know why Gray hates him so much, I like him... "Hey, Saibara! Can I borrow Gray for an hour, maybe two?"

"Course," he replied," Anything, for you! I owe you big for all the ore you brought in. GRAY! GET IN HERE!"

I heard the clashing of metal against metal and the stomping of feet. "What," he asked coldly. I waved a little, frightened by his harsh demeanor. He glanced at me, then softened.

"Claire needs you for something, take the rest of the day off." He turned around, grabbed a book and headed to his room. "Shop'll be closed the rest of the day. Have fun, you two." And then he closed his bedroom door. Huh, that was easy.

Gray looked down at me confused. "I need your help.." I clarified.

"With?"

"Well...if I told you, you wouldn't come.." I looked away, uncomfortable.

"If I go with you, but you have to tell me soon. Alright?"

"When we get there. Gotchya."

"Lead the way," he bowed jokingly.

He followed me along the path, I was farther ahead, so I slowed down to meet his pace.

"So, how are you?" I asked.

"Fine. Tired, but alright."

"Hmm.."I nodded. I glanced at him, he had a nicely built body: muscular, but thin, striking blue-eyes... you could almost see his inner kindness in them..sharp nose, full mouth, and slightly curly blonde hair...

He looked down at me. Oops, caught me staring...I felt my cheeks warm. The rest of the walk was silent, and slightly awkward. "Here we are!" I plunked down on a plushy seat of moss.

"The Winter Mine Pond? What for?" he asked curiously.

"Well, you see, I talked to the Harvest Goddess..." I looked up and expected a laugh or a mock on my sanity, but he just nodded and gestured for me to continue. "And, she told me to go talk to the Kappa today."

He looked alarmed,"Why?"

"Well..I-You shouldn't know that part.."

He started to inquire further, but sighed and sat down next to me. I could feel warmth coming off from him. It was a bit chilly out.. I scooted a bit closer.

"So, do you have any cucumbers?" he asked.

"Yep."

"Go throw one in," he noticed my hesitance," I won't let it get you." he grinned.

"O-okay..Promise?"

"Yep, I'll protect you."

I threw one in and...nothing happened.

"Nothing happened, Gray.."

"Just wait." I sat back down on my cushy, plant seat.

I waited and waited and waited...and waited some more...I'm not patient. "Gr-!"

The cucumber disappeared! "Gray the Kappa! It took it! Gra-"!

The cucumber shot out of the water, and knocked my poor man out cold.

Oooohh noo, it's gonna attack! I heard a splash of water and I froze.

"Claire." It knows my name... It had a soft, but deep voice. "The Harvest Goddess has told me. I'll help, for another cucumber."

"B-b-but you...you HIT him?"

"He can't know."

"B-b-bu-"

"Just give me the cucumber."

I tossed in the second veggie, then slowly turned around to face the monstrosity. In the pond sat the green Kappa. The creature of legends. He wasn't as scary as was said though. Kinda looked like a frog, but with yellow, fish-lips and lily-pad hair, and the powerful water crevice in the middle of his- it's head.

He munched on the cucumber, much like any other person would. Then stretched out in the water, floating. "He's not "the One" you know."

"But, he's perfect!"

"Not for you. Nor is Zack, or Won...or anybody."

How'd he know my other choices..I crinkled up my expression and spat,"THEN WHAT THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO ALMIGHTY KAPPA? HUH? THIS ISN'T ANY HELP!"

"Oh, you'll see," he stated mysteriously.

And then he disappeared.

I threw a rock into the water, miss. Dang it.

I stomped over to Gray and poked him...Nope, still sleeping.

"Maybe, you should kiss him?" The amphibious creature laughed.

I smirked. "Okay then, if you say so.."

And I did. And I liked it. Well, except the part when he woke up.

His bright blue eyes popped open, alarmed. "CLAIRE!"

"The Kappa told me too!" I sputtered.

Disbelief covered his face "WHAT?"

"I-I-I promise! I wouldn't have done it if not!"

He just gave me a look. "Well...okay then..don't tell anyone though."

"I won't." I swore.

"What happened?" he groaned, rubbing his head.

"..Uh...it hit you with a cucumber..hehe.." I smirked. We began to leave after packing my basket back up with the cucumbers, and continued down the trail.

After moments of thoughtful silence,"..You liked it though, didn't you?" Gray grinned deviously.

I didn't know what he was referring to," Liked what?" I asked innocently.

"That kiss. The one you took when I was knocked out."

I didn't answer..."Come on, it's getting l-late."

"So you did?" he laughed.

I death stared at him.

"AWW, Claire! I didn't know you liked m-" he teased.

"SHUT UP, GRAY! YOU probably liked it!" I growled.

His faced flushed and not another word came out of his mouth.

-Author's Note-

Well...this should be interesting to write.. A KappaxClaire against ClairexGray. Who is the one for Claire?

Review plz!

-Disclaimer-

I do not own Harvest Moon, but I do own the story title and chapter names.