Harvest Moon

Through My Eyes

By: Belldandy'sKeiichi

Setting is Harvest Moon: Back to Nature. There are a few minor changes I have made for this story but it is not completely changed like an AU (alternate universe). For those who have read my stories before, they already know what the changes are. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I acted it out in my head.

Disclaimer: You know the drill, I own Harvest Moon...

Ah...spring. Spring has always been the season of change and new beginnings. Like a moondrop seed finally growing after its long dormant slumber underground. I am no different from that seed. We are starting a new life today. You see, today's the day I start a new life…a life as a farmer.

"Hey assface…we docked an hour ago. Will you get off so I can head back to the mainland already? Yesh…"

"Huh?" I snapped out of my trance and looked around.

"I said get off my boat. We docked at Mineral Village awhile ago and I'm ready to head back. If you stay I'm going to charge you. Now exit port side of the boat ok?"

Rubbing my eyes, I got up and quietly walked past the captain who said something under his breath. But it did not bother me because I was finally here. This is the start of my new life…my new beginning…and my first step towards my new life…

"Hey kid…!"

But it was too late. Apparently the port side of a boat is the left side and I exited on the right. And just like that, my new life started in the salty ocean of my new home.

"Ack…" I coughed as I treaded water and looked at the boat. "You know you could have told me what side was the port side. Can I at least get my…" I started but then I saw my luggage being thrown off the ship and into the ocean with me. "Oh…oh ok. Thanks!" I said optimistically as I pushed my luggage towards the shore.

Yup…this is my new life.

Harvest 000: Through My Eyes – The First Day

"Finally…land." I said out loud as I walked on the sandy beach with my luggage dragging on the ground.

"You must be Jack."

I looked up and saw a short man with an oddly round nose…almost like a clown nose. Must not…poke it…

"Uh…yeah. I am Jack. Who are you?"

"The name is Thomas and I'm the mayor of Mineral Village. It is a pleasure to meet you Jack. As you know, the old man that ran the farm past away a few months ago and we need a new farmer. He spoke highly of a young man that used to visit him during the summers and we were able to figure out who that man was…"

I blink and pointed to myself. "Was it me?"

"Yes it was you, you idiot. Either way we found the man's diary and in it it says that he has been teaching you basics on how to take care of animals and plants. Am I correct?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Then let me be the first to say how proud we are and blah blah blah…what are you doing?"

I retracted my extended finger that was slowly making its way to his round clown nose and looked upwards to the sky. "…nothing…" I lowered my eyes to meet a fiery gaze.

"Listen here farmer. I could care less if you were born with one arm or no arms. But the fact is we need a farmer to feed this town and we cannot keep importing food from the city. That cost a lot of money! So tell me sport…are you going to be a good farmer and grow us some food? Or do I have to find some other no life and teach him how to water a seed?" He said to me with much anger in his heart and a stare to match.

"N-No sir. I'll do a good job. A GREAT job sir!" I said as his anger slowly melted back to a smile.

"Good. Well, I have things that need to be taken care of. I expect a lot of good things from you Jack! Don't let me down!" He said as he walked away.

"W-wait sir! You didn't tell me where the farm is!"

But my call fell upon deaf ears. I sighed as I picked up my luggage and looked around.

"I guess I'll start walking to…wherever…"

Five hours and three potty breaks in the forest later, I found the farm. As I looked around at the place I would call home, I couldn't help but say…

"What a piece of crap…"

There were weeds, rocks, twigs, big rocks, big logs, huge fricken rocks, and tree stumps all over the field. Are they really expecting me to grow something in this lifeless plot of dirt and death? I walked over to an area that was suspiciously cleared and I saw a patch of turnips growing there. I looked around before kneeling down and inspect the plant.

"I have no idea how in the world you are growing but looks like daddy is eating tonight!" I said as I grabbed a turnip and pulled it out of the ground.

"Hey! Keep your hands off my turnips!" A man yelled. The sound of another person startled me and I begin to fumble with the turnip.

"No! No no no….no!" I yelled as I dropped it and watched it splatter on the ground. I quickly got up and turned around to face the guy that scared me.

"What the hell are you doing on my farm?" He asked me as I stared at him. He looked like a man in his late twenties…orange hair and glasses. He approached me fast and crossed his arms. "Well?"

"Well, you see…My name is Jack and I'm the new owner of this farm here." I said, still a little scared of him as I gestured my hand in circles to indicate the farm.

"You're the new farmer? Great! That means the buck has finally passed to you. Thank the goddess!" He said as he raised his hands in the air. He knelt down and started to harvest his turnips.

"Um…look. I'm new here and I don't know where to start and…"

"I can tell you were to start. Start cleaning up this place. You know how hard it was just to clear this area of the farm? A week. How long it took to grow these?" He pointed at his turnips. "Even longer. So you have a long day ahead of you. As for me, I get to go back to taking care of chickens all day long. Oh the joy…" He said with a sarcastic tone. Or at least so I thought it was sarcastic…

"Sorry to hear that. You know how smelly they are right?" I said laughing a bit. But instead of getting a laugh back, he stood up and stared at me.

"For a matter of fact I love taking care of my chickens! I don't do it because I'm forced to but because I love animals. Tell me city boy…are you here because you're forced to? Or because 

you want to?" He said as he walked away. I stood there staring at the ground before looking at my surroundings.

"Dammit I don't know…" I said out loud, placing my hands on the back of my head. "I really don't know…"

Was I really here because I was forced to? I mean, the old farmer left his farm to me. I guess that would be considered forced. But I had a great time whenever I was here. Maybe that was because I didn't do the work…I just don't know anymore.

"If there was only a sign…" I said out loud as I lounged in the hot spring I found during my five hours of being lost. But soon I heard someone coming. At first the steps were soft, but then they got louder and louder. Seeing how I'm half naked, I quickly got dressed and walked out of the hot spring. There I saw her. A fairly attractive girl…around her early twenties wearing a pink dress…and pink hair. She was kneeling by the waterfall close by and wiping her face repeatedly. "Hey…" I called calmly, waving a hand in her general direction. She jumped a bit before looking at me, her eyes puffy from crying. She didn't say anything but she didn't try to motion that she wanted to be along. "Are you ok?" I asked, walking towards her.

"Yes. Well, no…not really. But why would you care. You don't even know me." She said, sniffling as she wiped the rest of her tears away. I knelt down a few feet away from her to give her her space.

"That's because I just moved here. I'm taking over the farm. Name's Jack." I said starting off.

"Popuri…I'm so sorry. I'm usually not this emotion when I meet new people." She said as she pulled out a handkerchief and blew her nose.

"Hey, don't worry about it. I'm not that great with first impressions either. The first two people I met in this town think I'm an expert on farming and a turnip thief. Not exactly an ideal way to make friends." I said, laughing at my own misfortune. She started to laugh as well. "At least you're laughing now."

"Yeah…I'm sorry for the water works." She said, wiping any tears she had left. "A chicken died on my watch today…and my brother gave me hell for it." I nodded in sympathy.

Her brother? Heh, I'm going to guess another pink haired sibling.

"Sorry to hear that. So you work on a farm too?" I asked and received a nod. "That's good. It's a lot of hard work huh? But someone has to do it." I said to her, but then coming to realization. Someone has to do it…I may not be the best but if I don't take care of that farm then no one will…well except for four eyes. But I bet he's too busy playing with his chickens.

"You ok?" Popuri asked me as I shook off the thought and looked back at her.

"Sorry…zoned out for a bit." I said as I looked towards the farm. Am I really ready to take that responsibility?

"Say Jack, do you think you're ready to take that responsibility?" Popuri asked me. I looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

Is she in my head? …I want some water! I mentally commanded. She turned her head then looked at the waterfall.

"Well, you can get some water there." She pointed to the waterfall. My eyes widen.

Holy crap she's in my head. Must clutter it. Lalalala pickles and ice cream. Ponies and unicorns!

"Are you ok?"

"Uh…yes." I said as I got up. "Well, I have to go. I have a field to clear and stuff to do."

"Oh, ok." Popuri said as she got up and dusted herself off. She extended her hand towards me and smiled. "It's a pleasure meeting you Jack. I'm sure you will do great on the farm. Afterall, you wouldn't be here if you didn't know anything about farming, right?"

She was right…I wouldn't be here unless I knew some knowledge of how to grow plants. The thing is is that I do know. Actually, I learned a lot from that old man during the summer. I guess all it took was some confidence and a pink haired girl to make me see that I can do this. I'm not here because I am forced to; it is because I have to. Maybe overtime this job will become a hobby. I extended my arm and took her hand and gave it a good shake.

"It's a pleasure meeting you too Popuri. And thanks." He said to me as he released and walked back towards the farm.

I looked at my hand after he shook it. It felt warm…as if something passed from him to me. But I'm sure it's nothing. Sighing, I started to walk back towards our farm…the poultry farm where I'll have to see my brother again. But this time I felt more confident to confront him. I had to be brave just like Jack. If he can come from the city and leave everything behind then I should have the courage to stand up for myself. Odd…since when did I start narrating my life? Oh whatever. Today's a new day!

"Hi Ann!" I called as I saw one of my friends walking down the road.

Hehe…her hair is orange like my brothers. It is almost they were separated at birth. I love her pony tail. I wish I could tie my hair up like that.

"Up high!" She called as she raised her hand up in the air. Smiling, I raised my hand as well and gave her a loud high five.

"Nice! I'll see you later Popuri! OH! You have to pick up your order from the Inn. My dad has it ready!"

"Thanks again Ann!"

Man…what a carefree girl. I wonder if her pink hair is natural. Well, her mom has pink hair too so I guess it has to be. Man…that high five was hard. My hand is all tingly. No sweat, I'm sure it'll go away over time. Now that's strange…since when did I start narrating my life? I'll figure it out later. I only get an hour break from my afternoon shift before the night shift begins so I gotta make the most of it. Ahh, there's my space.

"Ann!" a voice called as I sat down on my favorite tree stump that lay near the river. I waved my hand, recognizing the voice.

"Karen! Over here!" I called as I saw here coming closer. There's my best friend right on cue. With both of us working non-stop, it is nice to find time to catch up and share stories. Usually they are job related but most of the time it is gossip.

"Hey there Ann. How you been? Scoot over." She said as she gestured me to move over. I politely obeyed and she took a seat right next to me, taking out a box of apple juice from her pocket.

"Why Karen, what is this?" I asked, pointing at her apple juice. "Are you going soft on me?" Seeing her with apple juice is like seeing Popuri taking care of cows…you just don't see it. Though I don't want to think that Karen is a binge drinker…but she does show up at the bar a lot. And there are times where I have to take her home myself.

"What? Of course not Ann! This is my dinner!"

"But you work at a supermarket."

"I'm on a diet…"

Ah…classic excuse when you want to hide something. But who knows, maybe she is on a diet. It isn't my place to ask anyways.

"So Ann? Are you going to drink with me tonight or do I have to spike your drink again?" She laughed as she took her straw and poked it through the top of her apple juice box. I glared at her, remembering a certain incident.

"You almost got me in trouble that night! You know what happens to me when I get drunk. I get all…hands-y." I said as I looked at my hands, opening and closing them.

"So you get a little hands-y…"

"I was groping Elli!"

"Well maybe you should keep your hands to yourself. You know, sometimes I worry that you're going to turn lesbian on me. But you know, the way you dress I wouldn't be surprised." She said as I playfully shoved her.

"That's not nice! And I'm working on being more feminine. I mean, did you not notice the light perfume I'm wearing today?"

Oh Ann…it is going to a lot more than just perfume to get men to notice you. You have the whole waitress persona going for you but you need to capitalize on it! And as your best friend I will not allow you to die alone!

"You're looking at me strange." Ann said to me as I looked at her confused.

"Me? I'd never…"

"Oh my Goddess I know that look! That's the 'Ann is going to die alone unless I somehow throw men into her bed' look!" She said, pointing at me.

"What? No! No…why would I do that?" I said, laughing nervously. Dammit she's good! We've been hanging out way too much! Huh…self-narration. Odd…

"Well…if you must, can you at least lure cute boy? I mean, it's funny when you send your cousin Cliff to me but after five times it just gets pathetic…

"Elli!"

"Oh Goddess I'm going back inside…" I heard Ann say as we got to the Inn from the mountains. It would seem Elli was heading to the Inn as well.

"Hello Karen. Was that Ann that just went inside?" She asked me as we both saw the double doors close.

"Yeah, she said meet her up in her room at midnight." I laughed, looking at Elli for the same reaction. Instead I got a cold stare. "I'm guessing we're not laughing about that yet huh?"

"No. I'm just here to get the edge off. You wouldn't believe the day I'm having." She said, rubbing her head as if she has a headache.

"Was it the Doctor again? I know he's the best of the best but he's just an arrogant prink sometimes." I said to her.

It's true…no one knows that guy's real name. Everyone just knows him as Doctor or Doc for short. Not only is he mysterious but he has one of the biggest ego's out there. I remember asking him if he ever got sick before and his response back was 'no, awesome people like me who know how to live never get sick'. But hey, Elli likes him for some reason. I can't imagine working with someone as egotistical as him unless you like they guy.

"Sorta…since it's the beginning of the year we had to renew all our contracts and get in touch with the doctors from the city. So that means a lot of paper work for me and a lot of stress for the Doctor."

"Did he explode on someone today?"

"Yeah. He almost made this one guy cry. Weird thing is that I've never seen him before. He came in with puppy he apparently found and he wanted the doctor to treat it. Needless to say Doctor gave him a huge lecture of how the clinic was for humans only and that every second he stands there talking to him, he could be out helping someone in need or something like that…"

"Interesting story…" I said to her. NOT! "Let's go in already. Time wasted out here is time wasted not getting wasted." I placed a hand against her back and gently pushed her towards the entrance to the Inn.

"Alright! Alright! You don't have to push!" I'm not in that much of a rush to drink. Yesh Karen…sometimes I think you're a binge drinking…

Two cosmopolitans later, I found myself just staring at the bar, face being held in place by my propped up arm. I'm usually a quiet drunk though this self-narration is something new. Anyways I should be heading back home…I just can't seem to get out of my seat.

"Hey there Elli. Want anything else?"

I turned my head to look at Ann. "No more please. I need to get back home." I responded but made no effort to get out of my seat. Ann patted my shoulder as I heard her walk away.

"Alright. Take care Elli. Get home safe!" I said to her as I walked towards Karen who decided to sit at a table rather than at the bar. "Your plan isn't working. I've been switching her drinks all night and I haven't gotten any type of confession from her. Are you sure she loves the Doctor? Because I went to the clinic just the other day for a checkup and he asked me if my sex change operation was a success."

"I'm sure she'll spill. Maybe not tonight but soon. Are you ok?" Karen asked me. I was looking at my hand that I patted Elli on the shoulder with. It felt oddly warm.

"Huh? No. it's nothing. I gave Elli a pat on the shoulder and my hand feels strangely warm. And this is the hand I use to pour cold drinks with." I said to her, raising my hand in front of her face. She swatted it away and laughed.

"Keep those hands away from my face. Goddess knows what you do with those on your day off…" I said to her as I finished my drink and got up. Ann shook her head as she started to walk away.

"Get home Karen. I don't want to carry you home alright?" She said to me as I waved goodbye. As I walked out of the Inn and towards home, I couldn't help but remember that thing that Elli said. A new guy? I guess he is going to take over that old farm. I wonder what he looks like. I hope he's cute. If not I can always pawn him off to Ann or Mary… Suddenly I felt someone bump into my shoulder. I staggered to keep my balance and swung around to see who just shoulder nudged me. "HEY!"

Keep quiet maybe she won't chase after you Jack… I quietly thought to myself as I kept walking. It has been one long day for me. From clearing most of the field to getting yelled at by a psycho doctor, this day has been nothing but trouble and work. At least one nice thing happen today… I looked down at my arms and saw that the puppy I found finally fell asleep. Goddess forbid I have to go on night strolls around the village to put this little guy to sleep.

I found myself in the town square and looked up at the sky, seeing the stars and constellations. What a first day…and to think that this is the first day of my new life. I didn't think it would be this hard. But hey, no one said it would be easy. Afterall, you never know how hard someone has it unless you see life though their eyes.