Sunday, Summer 4, 8:00 AM

Jill sighed, looking over the farm she spent the summer at until five years ago. But, this time she wasn't just visiting. Claire had called a few weeks before, saying that Takakura was retiring after forty years. She had agreed to help of course; she loved the farm, especially the animals.

"Jill!" A blob of blond glomped the brunette. "I'm so glad you came. Taka-ji-san said that you can have his old house. He left a couple days ago." Claire finally let go, before looking at her cousin. "You've gotten CURVES!"

"Sh-shut up Claire…" Jill blushed. She changed the subject. "Can I see the animals? You said one of your cows was pregnant."

"Oh, yeah!" She grabbed her cousin's hand, dragging her to the multiple barns and coops.

The blond watched her taller cousin work, hearing the slightly muffled question. "Has much changed around here?"

"Not really. Celia and Marlin are together now, but we knew that'd happen anyway. We… do have a bit of an issue now, though."

"Hmm?"

"The Phantom Thief, Skye. He's been around since the middle of Spring. I met him outside the mansion. He seems to be harmless, but still, don't get stuck alone with him. Never trust a thief."

Amethyst eyes rolled. "I can protect myself, sweetie. Who always wrestled down Jack at family reunions?"

"You did…."

"Who caught the runaway calf when we were ten?"

"You did."

"And who always killed the spiders in the bathroom?"

He cousin stared at her. "Uncle John."

"Oh… Right…" She finished looking over the pregnant cow. "You've been taking proper care of her, but…" She rubbed the cow's side softly, pulling out her brush. She stroked it, causing it to moo happily. "Did you even buy a brush?"

Claire's sapphire orbs looked down out of embarrassment. "No, I spent most of my money on seeds…"

Jill let out a laugh. "Don't worry, I'll take care of these guys, you worry about the crops. You DID buy shears and a milker, right?"

"Duh."

…

Monday, Summer 5, 9:30 AM

Jill stretched, patted the sheep one last time, and made her way out of the final barn. She'd spent all morning getting to learn the temperaments of every animal. Now, she was headed to the bar, where Claire had told her Muffy was.

"Why must it rain? Why, oh why, must it rain?" She cried out as she entered.

The curly haired blond turned, eyes widening. "Jill? JILL! I haven't seen you since… Five summers ago! So you're staying then?"

"Hey Muffs. Yeah, I'm staying this time…" She noticed the grave look on Griffin's face. "What's wrong? Has something happened?"

"Oh, it's just… Skye the Phantom Thief sent us a letter." The scruffy man passed her the paper

"I'm going to bless your bar with my presence at midnight for a drink. –Phantom Skye" Jill snorted. "Well SOMEone's full of themselves."

"I dunno, it makes him seem confident. I like that."

The two others sweatdropped. "Muffs… You're hopeless."

The curly haired blond shrugged. "It's true though. You're thinking the same thing, aren't you? Don't give me that look, I know you."

"Anyways, we've got to corner him." Griffin broke through the girliness.

"Right!" Muffy punched her palm, returning to the subject. "We'll make him pay with gold for his drink!"

"That's… not what I meant."

"I'm just kidding." She paused before looking at her friend. "I know you just got here but can you help us tonight? Around tenish?"

The brunette nodded. "Yeah, I will. I've already taken care of my stuff for today, I was just gonna go fishing. See ya then!"

"Bye!"

Jill laughed as the door closed. She had forgotten how much energy that girl had. "Hey Jill! Claire told me you'd come back."

Her gaze fell on the bandana wearing person who'd just walked out of the inn. "Kai. How've you been?" They high fived. "You trying to get Claire to go out with you yet?"

The boy blushed like a tomato. "Not yet, huh? Make your move, kiddo, before someone else steals her away. I'll visit you later, though. I'm going fishing!" She got a demented gleam in her eyes.

"…. Well, I'll see ya." Kai inched away, knowing her look all too well.

"Yup." And she continued on her way. As she cast her rod into the river her mind wandered to an earlier conversation.

…..

Jill was sitting across from Claire, a cup of warm milk in front of her. "So, how're the sprites and the Goddess?"

Claire winced slightly. "Um, the Harvest King got mad at them, he sent them to some other world. I've been working on getting them back, I've got about thirty-five saved, but there's still 66 more to find… Not to mention the Goddess."

"And what about Princess? She okay?" The brunette asked, always having been more partial to the blond woman.

"Yeah, she's ecstatic that she doesn't have to deal with Goddess anymore. But I think she misses her."

There was a pause before the interrogation continued. "Can you tell me more about this Skye guy?"

"Yeah. He's got silver hear and wears this ridiculous get up. He's pretty tall too, very pretty face… Almost girly. He's a ladies man, he told me himself." The blond paused, glaring into her own cup. "I hate him, stealing other people's hard work. It's despicable."

"I guess."

…

She was snapped out of her flashback by a large tug on the line. When she finally got it out of the water, she saw there was not only a fish, but a small person.

"Hey thanks Clai- You're not Claire…"

"Nice to know you remember me, IN 6." She pouted.

The indigo sprite looked at her, still confused. Comprehension dawned on his little face. "Jilly! Hi! Um, thanks for saving me!" He disappeared in a bunch of sparkles.

Jill sighed, tossing her many fish in her bag. She checked her watch, 9:45, time to head back to the bar.

…..

10:15 PM

Jill ran in, soaked and panting. "I'm sorry. I got lost in big fish."

Muffy shook her head. "No problem, we were just going to start planning. So…"

…..

0:00 AM

Jill woke up with a start. "Is he here yet?"

"No, not yet." Muffy laughed at her friend, before sniffing the air. "Do you smell that? It smells like curry…" She and Griffin walked outside.

"Fine, just leave me all alone! See if I care!" The brunette yelled, glaring at the empty bar. She huffed and sat on a stool, groaning lightly as the door opened. "What, you tired of playing 'Chase the random smell' Muffs?" She spun around, gazing at the intruder.

Standing there, though, was not Muffy or Griffin. She bit back a gasp of surprise. He had silver hair, and light blue eyes. He was a bit taller than her, his face delicate. "Oh, I haven't seen you around here before, beautiful."

"Smooth-talking girly boy… You must be Skye." A smirk replaced her semi-shocked expression "You came to the valley after I stopped visiting, thiefy."

"Oh, so you know who I am, fair maiden? I'm afraid I haven't gotten your name."

"Jill. You met my cousin Claire a few weeks ago."

Skye nodded dramatically. "The pretty blond one I met at the mansion. Now, could you hold still for a moment?" Jill shook her head, an eyebrow raised. He shrugged. "Didn't think so. Fine. CHICK-BEAM… FIRE!" He did a dramatic movement. "You are under Skye's spell! You cannot move a muscle!"

He smiled kindly at her alarmed look. "Don't worry, you'll be able to move in an hour or so. Just… stay there." He laughed, going around the bar and searching through the cabinets.

"So, Skye-guy, why are you a thief?" Jill asked the man.

He didn't stop his rummaging. "I don't know."

"So it's just for…fun?" She looked at him, slightly disgusted. He laughed again, looking at her. "That might be it…. Of course, that might NOT be it too…"

The girl sighed, exasperation overcoming disgust. "Is it or isn't it?"

"Do you really want to know, m'dear? Oh, but if I tell you, it takes away from the mystique in our relationship! If you catch me, I'll tell you anything. Deal?" He smiled widely.

"Yeah. Fine. Whatever." The brunette suddenly heard Muffy and Griffin coming.

Skye chuckled. "Looks like I'm pressed for time. Gotta jet." He began to walk to the door. Turning and winking, he said, "I'll be seeing you, Jill." And he was gone, leaving the fuming rancher behind.

She smiled slightly, anger disappearing. "He's no where as cool as Kaitou Kid."

…..

And that's all, and yes, Magic Kaito/Detective Conan reference there.