Disclaimer: I do not own any of the harvest moon series. Nor any of the characters in the games. I do however own Raven, Jacks brother. Most of the town events belong to the owner of the harvest moon series, however I will insert my own events in. If anyone wishes to borrow said events, leave me a personal message detailing as such and I will get back to you.

Authors note: Welcome, as I'm sure your aware, this is a harvest moon fanfic, it's mainly based on the Harvest Moon:back to nature game, but bits and peices of all of the series, will be added in as I please. Obviously I have changed quite a bit of the pre-game infomation to make it fit to my story, but dont write this off as a bad fic just yet, give it a chance.
Reviews are apreciated but not mandatory. Though, I do request, you keep flames to yourself. I understand not everyone will like what I've done, or will do. But I'm not nessecarily here to please only you. I'm only posting it here, for people I know want to read a fic thats a little different. A truly unique fic is quite hard to come by.
This fic is also primarily Raven+karen. Dont like it, dont read. There will be only minor popuri bashing. Nothing major.

On another note, there is also a alternate story based on the same beginning. You'll find the second fic in my profile under the name "Farming family and promises kept" Said fic is not yet on the system as I wish to see how far I can get on this version first.

Read and review. I hope you enjoy.

Most stories start with a birth. This story is not so different. Except it's not just one birth, but two. On the seventeenth of fall 1988, two handsome baby boys were born.

Despite being twins neither boy looked even remotely similar.

The first born who was called jack, had brown hair and brown eyes, a spitting image of his grandfather, hence the name. Keeping a name in the family was an old tradition, especially when such similarities were so obvious. Put a blue cap and overalls on the little fella and you wouldn't be able to tell the differences. If you didn't see the wrinkles of course.

The second born however, was so drastically different, both mother and father were shocked. Not to say they didn't love him any less or more. He was their son no matter what. His little tuft of what looked like grey hair, and seemingly pupil-less pale eyes, added along with the lack of crying made him mysterious yet adorable. Trying to keep with the traditions of keeping a family name going they didn't name him right away, instead agreeing on waiting until they got home and looked through photo albums and family tree's. It took many months before they found an old relative. An obvious black, or grey sheep in this matter, of the family, with an eerie resemblance. If the grey hair and same eyes had anything to go by, they could already see that their son would definitely become handsome. If not eerie to meet in a dark alleyway. And so keeping in with tradition, little Raven was born.

A year passed and they both grew into their own personalities. The older and seemingly more mature jack was already crawling around and trying to grasp the dynamics of walking. Despite only being 13 minutes older than his brother.

While the younger only by a few minutes Raven, was happy to sit back and watch his older brother master movement. Because of Ravens distinct lack of eye pigmentation, he had to keep out of the more than most. Else feel sore and painful, ending in crying fits. And because of such precautions, was often left to his own devices at day care. His brother Jack being his main source of interaction.

Jack was happy to be Ravens friend as well as brother. Breaking the normal sibling rivalries with instead looking out for each other at even such age.

More years passed and at the age of six they both were taken to visit their grandfather at his farm in Flowerbud village. Jack was always running around playing with the animals. While Raven in his still quiet demeanour, took his time looking over all the various crops and flowers. Both of them their grandfather as many questions about gardening and farming as they could think of.

The pairs grandfather was delighted at their enthusiasm and did his utmost best to answer their questions. Jack happily nodding at the answers he received while Raven took a notepad out and made quick notes of what he deemed important to remember.

After they'd finish playing on the farm, which they could never honestly say what the name of it was. It wasn't that they couldn't read, jack was an ace at maths skills and computing, while Raven loved reading and writing. But they just thought of it as "the farm". And with innocence that only children could have, never thought for a moment that anything would happen to make it any different or take it away.

One day while Raven was back at the farm, jack decided to wander around and have a look around in the forest, whilst there he met a girl. Like with the name of the farm, he couldn't remember the girl's name. But did remember a song she kept humming every now and then. For a while the girl and jack played and became friends. Promising that after he left he'd return one day to see the girl again.

Later on in the day while jack was still off on his own, Raven walked into the town in hopes of seeing if he could get some tips on things from people. During his trip, he met a large man wearing green, who told Raven many tips on things that Raven didn't even ask about. Mainly flowers and herbs and whatnot. Raven thanked the man and continued on his way.

When he wondered off into the shopping market he got lost pretty quickly, but luckily for him. He found a girl his age who, after getting to know her. Learnt she was called Karen and that her mommy and daddy owned the store. Karen had blonde hair but with two darker, almost chestnut brown coloured bangs, framing her face, which in Ravens opinion was cute. Which earned him a blush and a kiss on his cheek. She also had green eyes and wore a purple shirt. Raven too after playing and talking with Karen said he'd to come back one day. After making him promise Karen introduced him to her friend named Rick. Who she'd been friends with since she was born. Apparently he lived and worked on the chicken farm next to his grandfathers.

After further playing, both boys returned to their farm. And on the day of leaving, the girl jack had befriended showed up to say goodbye and to remind him of his promise to return. As well as Ravens friends, Karen and Rick doing the same thing.

((Authors Note: here is where it splits into two different stories. You'll find the second fic in my profile under the name "Farming family and promises kept"))

Many years passed and sadly Jack at the age of 16 had forgotten about his promise to return. But Raven had not forgotten. Not by a long shot.

Raven had started sending letters to his friends in Flowerbud village shortly after his return to his home in England. Telling of how the world outside of Flowerbud village seemed to change so drastically. Buildings grew bigger and bigger. Technology was revered more than hard work and determination. To even make a living one had to know how to work advanced machinery and go to universities.

Jack took the route of learning such skills and made himself into a non hard for cash businessman, where as Raven was barely scraping by. Doing odd jobs here and there for his neighbours. While holding a cashiers job at a store called 'Starbucks'.

Many times in Ravens letters was a letter for Karen, a letter for Rick, and one for his grandfather. Karen and Rick would try and ask Raven to come and visit, leaving Raven to reply in a sad tone, which was obvious even with his writing, that he simply didn't have the finances to take the time off work and go. His grandfather would simply give a brief description of the state of the farm, any newborn animals and anything he thought might interest his grandson.

A year and 3 seasons later, and Raven received a letter from Karen and Rick, but not from his grandfather. Leaving them to read later, Raven hoped that his grandfather's letter was just going to arrive in the later post. But after work when he arrived at his apartment he'd rented. He noticed the letter still had not arrived.

Sitting down at his desk and reading the letter from Karen first his somewhat happy mood turned straight away to sheer and utter depression when she started off her letter with a few teardrops and apologies of being the bearer of bad news.

Dear Raven…

Teardrop, teardrop I'm so sorry to be the bearer of such bad news. But.. Teardrop your grandfather, passed away last night in his sleep. The new resident doctor, who I told you about, assured everyone that your grandfather went peacefully. No pain at all. And that he was surprised he'd lived as long as he had, a ripe old age of 84 isn't very common apparently. Teardrop After loosing his wife before you were born my parents were surprised he hadn't given up long ago and retired. But he was a strong, kind and great man. As I'm sure you'll notice the tear drops, I'm sure you know I'm deeply sorry, and it's not just me in the village that regrets not being able to of said goodbye. Teardrop Hopefully, the next letter wont be so depressing, its just hit us when we weren't expecting it. I hope you can visit soon, pay your respects and all. We're holding a memorial at the church on winter 29. You and Jack are more than welcome.

Regards your friend, Karen.

P.S If Rick doesn't mention it at all in his letter, let me know and I'll make sure to whoop his chicken loving butt.

Folding the letter back up neatly and taking a deep breath, Raven took in all that Karen had said. No more than a few seconds after Raven put the letter down on his desk did his phone ring, picking it up he wasn't surprised to hear his mother.

"Raven, it's mom. I've got some bad news so you best sit down."

"It's ok mom, Karen told me in her letter. I just finished reading it.."

"Oh hunni I'm so sorry. I know how close you and your grandfather was."

"Mom why are you saying it in the past tense, he might not be on the same plane as us anymore. But it don't mean we aren't still close."

"I'm sorry sweetie I didn't mean for it to come out that way.."

"I know.. I'm sorry mom. It's just caught me by surprise."

"It's ok Hun, it's caught us all by surprise."

"I didn't even consider how old he was. 84 is very old, even with all the advancements that technology has found."

"Well Hun, he never had access, nor any desire to increase his lifespan with the ways we can now. He just worked hard, eat healthily and enjoyed every minute. He lived a good life."

"I know, so are you and dad going to go to his memorial?"

"I'd really like to, but.." –"it's ok mom, I understand. Work."

"Don't take that tone with me young man, if I could go I would."

"Fine whatever you say mom. Have you told Jack yet?"

"Yes I told him just before you."

"And, what did he say, is he going to the memorial at least?"

".. no I'm afraid he's not. He said something about a business meeting that he can't re-schedule."

"Mom, don't lie for him, I know he's got no work that week. Jeez, what's this family coming to. Since fontaine industries popped up, nobody cares about family anymore. It's all about money and work. If any of you decide to change your mind, I'm going to be their."

Before anything else could be said, Raven hung up the phone and laid his head in his arms. Letting his mournful tears flow.

After an hour or so of feeling sad, he took a deep breath or two and read Rick's letter, they were always good for a laugh. Despite what most people in Flowerbud village thought, or at least what Karen told him they thought, Rick was pretty funny, he was nice, and was there for you when you needed it.

Reading over his letter, it read pretty similar, except that he wasn't crying. And that he seemed more positive about it. Not that he was happy that Ravens grandfather had passed on, but happy that now he could be with his wife in heaven.

That very quickly brought a smile onto Ravens face.

Raven rang up work almost straight away after the letters. Explaining the situation to them and claiming that if they didn't like it they could shove it up their asses because he'd be going anyway.

Needless to say he got the time off, as well as a warning.

Packing up his things he got everything ready and remembered one crucial thing, he didn't have enough money for the ferry over.

Picking up his phone one more time, he rang his brother Jack.

Despite their differences. And their return to sibling rivalry in a way, they still looked out for each other to an extent.

"Jack I know your busy, and don't worry I'm not calling to demand you go to the memorial. I know you wont go. But I need to borrow 300 gold, I'll pay you back when I can. But I'm going there right now. I need to be there and pay my respects."

For a long 20 seconds of silence, a deep sigh was heard before a buzzing noise and his brother's voice telling his secretary he'd be out the office for a few minutes.

"Give me 10 minutes I'll be there with the money."

"Thanks brother."

And indeed as he said, 10 minutes later and a knock at the door, Raven was giving his brother a hug and setting off with what minimal possessions he was taking with him.

Later in the day he was booking himself onto a ferry and preparing for the journey when he met a few individuals he'd never forget.

Firstly he met a drifter by the name of cliff. Brown hair and a Japanese style gi along with a duffle bag and that was it. Apparently he went from place to place, enjoying all that life had to offer. The two quickly became friends. And were soon calling each other nicknames. Cliff being called hobo, and Raven being called old man. On account of his grey hair, which was down to his shoulderblades in a mullet sort of style, a little black scunchi keeping it in a ponytail. the insult was friendly with no malice intended; Raven thought it was funny, so all was well.

His second new friend came by the name of zack. A large man, burly and full of muscles. Turned out he actually lived in Flowerbud village, he was what people called a buyer, he'd pick up produce or things people wanted sold, and sold them at the ferry ports in the city. He'd take only a small amount of the money, something along the lines of 2 for each item and give the rest of the hard earned money to the people who sold them. Apparently zack knew Ravens grandfather, zack would ship all of his grandfathers produce and the two would drink at the local tavern every now and then. he claimed that every now and then he'd visit friends of his on the mainland and he was just returning from such a trip when he heard about Ravens granddad.

After giving his apologies to Raven for his loss, he left him and cliff alone.

A day and a half later they made it to port on the beach of the town. Saying goodbye to zack, Raven and cliff made their way into town. Trying to keep a steady pace so as not to feel too cold from the snow that was settled on the ground.

At the rose square, which Raven still remembered to this day, they parted ways, cliff heading towards the tavern to buy a room and Raven heading off towards his grandfather's farm.

A few minutes later Raven was staring out at the snowy fields of his grandfather's farm. The emptiness as far as the eye could see was too much for him, moving him off into a tangent of memories.

But lucky or unlucky, however you want to look at it. Raven was brought out of his musings, when a small podgy man, Raven remembered as the mayor ran up to him yelling about being on private property.

Turning around Raven waved. Stopping the mayor dead in his tracks.

"Raven, is that you?"