I made this a while back. It was my first story that I wrote for Harvest Moon a few months ago. I'm not too happy with it, but whatever. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Harvest Moon belongs to Natsume... not me.

His face was strained. Tears ran down his old, wrinkled cheeks… He knew he was dying.

"You know Gray… you're one mighty blacksmith. I never complimented your work, because I was afraid you would stop working hard… That was a stupid assumption. I was worried you might think I was a big softy, worried you might manipulate me somehow… That was dumb as well. We both know you would never do that. I apologise for all the fights we had, for all the ones that could have been non-existent. I want you to take good care of the blacksmith's, I'm sure you will do fine. There are no words to describe how proud I am to have you as my Grandson." Gramps said to me. He pulled my hand to his and held it tight. No matter how much cancer has weakened him, he still has his vice-like grip.

I looked up at the sound of yelling. Claire was yelling at Doctor in desperation, telling him to do something. Doctor shrugged his shoulders, looking horrible. He seemed a little scared of Claire. He had been trying to cure Saibara, but it proved impossible. Tears stained Claire's usually shining face. She had always been fond of my grandfather.

"Is that girl letting her temper loose again? I swear she's almost as bad as you are." Saibara laughed.

I smiled lightly, remembering all the moments Claire has had fits…

*

"I SWEAR THAT CHICKEN IS EVIL! EVIL I TELL YOU! EVIL!"

I was laughing inside, and found it hard to keep a straight face. '

"I AM GOING TO TAKE MAH CHICKEN BACK TO RICK!"

"Claire, you need that chicken."

"NUHUH! I'LL GET A COW!"

"How about I take care of the stupid chicken and I get half the profit?"

"...fine."

*

I still take care of that same damn chicken.

"Gray…" Saibara said. I snapped out of my memories, back into the present. "I know how you feel about her."

My eyebrows shot up with surprise. "I've seen the way you look at her, the way you smile when she talks to you. And I must say I think she feels the same way. I know you will treat her well. I hope you end up having a happy life together."

"Thanks. I really do care for you. I'm sorry for all the times I've called you… unpleasant things." I whispered back, wiping away a tear.

"Oh no, I deserved those labels… Especially Grouchy Mc Grouch." Saibara smirked. I called him that when I was merely 5. Losing my grandpa will be losing a large chunk of my childhood.

Claire came back to join us with a tear-streaked face. I forced a smile and squeezed her hand. Even with puffy red eyes she was beautiful.

"Now, Claire don't be sad. You have a bright life ahead of you. I've lived a long life. Do not mourn my death, but celebrate my life. I have lived long, and it is now time for my life to come to an end."

Claire nodded, trying to stem her tears with her sleeve.

I heard beeping and looked up at the board showing Saibara's heart rate. Saibara's heart was getting slower and slower.

"Claire, I love you, you will do great things in life. All I ask is you live happily, but without forgetting me. Take this necklace, in memory of me."

Claire took the necklace from gramps and muttered a thank you.

"Gray, take all my master tools. Use them well. You have earned them."

I glanced upwards at the board, seeing the line getting straighter.

"Gray… I hope you know I've always loved you, and always will. I am going to a better place and I will be watching over both of you." Grandpa said his voice barely audible now.

The doctor looked at us with a mix of pity, and guilt.

"So lay me down to sleep…"

The thumps of his heart faded to nothing and the hand I was holding went limp.

Grief came crashing down on me. I pushed back tears. They could wait until I got to Claire's house.

I scooped Claire up in my arms and walked over to doctor.

Thanks for nothing. "Thank you for your attempts, Doctor." I said awkwardly.

He nodded gravely, and I brushed past him.

I looked down at the ground fiercely, Claire still in my arms. And then I felt a raindrop. More raindrops. I lifted my eyes to the sky. Oh look, the sky is crying, too. It quickly turned into a down-pour. I burst into Claire's house, soaking wet.

I collapsed on the couch tiredly. And then the tears came. They did not come in little drops as they do most of the time. No, they came in rivers. I cried into the cold air as Claire sobbed into my shoulder. She was my sole comfort on this tragic day.

"Claire?" I whispered.

"What is it Gray?" Her voice cracked half-way through.

"Come sit here." Claire scooted closer to me and snuggled into my chest.

I stroked her long blond hair, and sang a lullaby into her ear. She was asleep by the time I finished. It had been a long week for us. "We'll get better someday… we'll get better someday…" I whispered.