A/N: Hey there! Long time no see. This is my second HM story, but the first time I write Claire x Gray. I apologize in advance for any spelling mistakes, as english isn't my native language. Please note this story is rated M for language and adult situations in the future chapters. Anyways - hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon!

Chapter 1

It was a yet another comfortable spring morning in Mineral Town. Claire woke up and stared at the ceiling for a good five minutes before gathering up enough courage to get up. She looked around at her barely empty farmhouse and sighed. How the hell did she manage to get pulled into this mess? All she wanted was a change of scenery, an escape from the busy life back in the city. Instead, Claire now found herself stuck with this rundown farm and almost no money left in her bank account. She had no other choice but to stick around in the hopes some day this place would thrive again.

The blonde took her cup of coffee while staring out the window. Her new puppy kept her company by sleeping peacefully on her lap. "Ah, Rex.", Claire mumbled while gently petting the young mutt. "How the hell am I gonna pull this off?"

Mayor Thomas knocked on her door a few minutes after she was done changing into her overalls. Claire was still a bit upset at the short man for convincing her to take up such a big responsibility, but there was no point in being mad. What was done was done. "Hey Claire!", he greeted her cheerfully. "How is the farming going?"

"Erm. Not so good. I might be biting more than I can chew here...", she replied, quirking a brow up at him. All it took was one good look around the place to see she wasn't doing well at all.

"Don't worry! You'll get used to it in no time!", Thomas said, desperate to keep her spirits up. "Actually, I came to ask if you already had the chance to get to know the other villagers? It's a small town, everyone here pretty much know each other."

Claire nodded, a small smile spreading across her lips. "Oh, yeah! I went to the market the other day to get seeds and groceries and met some real nice people on my way there. The girl with the pink hair also took me to see where the poultry farm and Yodel ranch are... what was her name again?"

"Oh, Popuri! She's a real nice girl. Most of them are around here. Karen though, she is a bit difficult... but she means well! And Ann...", the Mayor rambled on, but stopped himself after noticing the odd look Claire shot his way. "Ahem. I'm sure you'll all get along!"

The blonde blinked, as if suddenly remembering something. "Actually, Mayor Thomas, I'm glad you're here today! I was wondering if you could tell me where I can get some proper tools? I got seeds, but I have nothing to plant them or water them with."

"Oh, my! Forgive me, I should have said something the day you got here. There's a a blacksmith on the way to the village. Just turn right after you exit the farm. I'm sure they can provide the tools you need!", Thomas beamed cheerfully.

Claired thanked the Mayor and rushed out to get started. Soon enough she reached Saibara's place and quietly let herself in. "Hello?", she called from the door, but the sound was muffled by all the shouting going on in the distance. Her sight fell upon the figure of a young man in his 20s: he had red hair, blue eyes and a real nice physique. He wore beige overalls and a cap that made it difficult to read his expression.

"What? Explain to me what's wrong with it! Come on!" the boy yelled as he threw his hands up in the air.

A much older man stood in front of him with arms crossed and an indifferent look upon his face. "What's wrong with it!? The answer is inside of you! You have much to learn!"

The red haired boy turned on his heel, about to storm out when he bumped into a very startled Claire. She fell on her ass and winced. He towered over her, looking angrier than ever. "What are you looking at? If you have nothing..."

"Gray!", he was cut off by the other man yelling from behind the counter. "How dare you talk to a costumer like that!"

Claire looked up at them, still a bit scared. She assumed the old man must be Saibara, the blacksmith. But who could this other person be? An assistant? Looking closer, they were kind of similar. Relatives, perhaps? She was cut off from this train of thought when the boy, Gray, offered his hand to help her up. Now he looked more embarassed than angry, a blush spreading across his cheeks. If Claire wasn't so god damn startled she would have thought him quite handsome.

"So... sorry.", Gray apologized when she finally accepted his hand. She got up and immediately let go of him.

"Welcome.", Saibara greeted with a small smile, which was hard to see due to his long white beard. "You must be Claire, the new owner of that abandoned farm? Mayor Thomas said we have a newcomer."

"Uh, yes. Nice to meet you...", Claire nodded and scratched the back of her head awkwardly.

"I'm Saibara and this is my grandson, Gray. He's training to be a blacksmith. If you need anything, let me know.", the blacksmith explained calmly.

Claire took the opportunity to inquire about her tools, watching from the corner of her blue eyes as Gray walked out the door. He seemed a bit less tense, thankfully. Not too long afterwards she left the shop with a nice set of tools and was surprised to see the red haired man leaning next to the door frame. Had he been waiting for her?

"Claire, was it? Sorry for earlier.", he called and she tilted her head at him with curiosity. Something about the blonde girl made him feel odd, so Gray instictively pulled his cap down to cover his eyes. "I didn't mean to be rude... my grandfather was giving me a hard time."

Claire couldn't help but ask. "Does that happen often?"

"Yeah...", he sighed. "He never approves of any of my work. I'm ready to quit. I feel stupid, you know?"

The blonde watched as he crossed his arms and let his back rest against the wall. Something about the way he was calling it quits so easily kinda pissed her off. Claire leaned forward, staring Gray dead in the eye. He gulped, letting go of the hem of his cap. "It's called TRAINING.", she stated, putting emphasis on the last word.

Gray blinked a few times, caught off guard. Never had a girl spoken to him like that, but somehow it didn't make him feel angry at all. In fact, those words rang true and he felt motivated again. "... you're right. I'm such a wimp. Sorry for complaining so much..."

"It's alright. Listen, I don't know what your relationship is like with your gramps but I'm sure he only says those things because he wants you to be good.", Claire explained with a gentle smile.

The blacksmith apprentice found it hard not to smile back. Her presense was oddly soothing. "Thanks, Claire. I don't get what my grandfather is saying right now, but I think the time will come. Just keep trying.", he said. "Hey. I... gotta go back."

Claire looked down at her watch and gasped. "Oh, right! Look at the time! Those seeds are not gonna plant themselves. Later!"

Gray watched as she disappeared down the path that lead to the farm. He had the strange feeling things were going to be different now that Claire was around.