Anime: Finally, I've written the first chapter of the sequel to Whispers in the Moonlight! Yeah! Sorry it's taken me so long! Anyways, hope you enjoy the first chapter of New Horizons

Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon. Natsume does, so there.

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Chapter 1

It's snowing.

I watch the snow float down from the sky, each individual flake making circular paths to the ground. I press my fingers against the glass window of the Clinic's reception room, and peer into the darkness. I look at the clock hanging above the fish tank that was donated to the clinic last summer. It was only 5:56 p.m. I sighed.

I prepare to leave the clinic, putting on my coat and gloves. I feed the fish, watching them swim to the surface to nibble at the tiny flakes. I put away the books and magazines scattered across my desk, making it a neat as possible. I log out of my computer and sit in my revolving chair. I lean back in it, rolling back and forth.

"Getting impatient, Elli?" said Doc, sticking his head out of his office. I cease rolling around, and frown at him. "Don't worry," He smiles. "He'll be here soon."

I look at the clock. 5:59. "Argh!" I sigh in exasperation. I look up, counting the holes in the ceiling. The church bells tolled solemnly, when I counted to twenty-six. I hear the tiny bell attached to the entrance of the Clinic ring softly. I look up.

Rubbing his hands from the cold, Jack smiles at me. "Did I keep you waiting long?"

I walk up to him and wrap my arms around his waist. "No, you're right on time as always."

"Liar." Doc leaned against the doorway of his office, looking at a medical report. "She's been stir-crazy for the last ten minutes waiting for you."

"Really now?" Jack looked down at me, while I glared at Doc, who was smirking at me. "I suppose I'll have to make it up to her." I look up at Jack, who kisses me softly, catching me by surprise. I close my eyes, bringing my hands up to warm his cold cheeks.

Doc coughs loudly. I open my eyes and I see Doc shift his weight uncomfortably. I part from Jack's lips and place my hand in his. We bid Doc goodnight and we walk out of the Clinic and down the street into the dark winter night.

~~~

I watched the two of them disappear into the inky blackness of the night. I go into my office and put away the medical files and reports strewn across my desk. I walk towards Elli's desk to turn off the lights, when a flash of silver catches my eye. I turn and I see the silver picture frame that Gray gave Elli for her birthday propped up against her desk.

It was the picture taken during Jack's birthday party at the Inn last month. Everyone in town squeezed into the picture, making goofy or serious faces at the camera. Jack and Elli were seated in the front, bits of chocolate cake smeared across their faces. Popuri and Kai were seated next to them, while their 11-month-old son, David, squirming in Rick's arms. Leaning against Rick was Karen, his fiancée. They were recently engaged and planning to get married next summer. Next to Jack were Cliff, Ann, and their month old son, Hunter. Behind Jack and Elli were Gray and a pregnant Mary, who was scheduled to give birth next week. Stu and May were fighting over the last piece of cake, while everyone else smiled in the background. I saw myself standing next to Pastor Carter, who was uncharacteristically giving a peace sign to the camera. I smiled for once, but only for Elli's sake.

***

"Everyone smile!" Kano said to the squirming crowd. "Hey," Kano looked up. "Doc isn't smiling." Groans could be heard, seeing as they wanted the picture to be taken immediately.

Elli looked up at me and smiled. "Smile Doc!" Seeing her smile so brightly and chocolate smeared across her face, I couldn't help but smile. I looked up, the camera flashed. It was over.

***

I smiled at the memory, but immediately frowned when my eyes fell upon Jack and Elli. The image of them sharing a kiss flashed in my mind. I looked at the photo again. I wanted to turn it away, directing their smiles in another direction. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. I was powerless against her smiling face.

I sighed, as I turned of the lights and walked up the stairs to my apartment. 'Even though they've been together for almost a year,' I thought to myself. 'I'm never going to get used to seeing them walk hand in hand down the street.' I turned the knob of the apartment door, shut it behind me, and decided to make dinner.

~~~

Elli and I walked down the cobblestone street, hand in hand, talking about the events that happened to us during the day. Elli was telling me how she and Doc had to treat Karen for several scratches on her face that were caused by a very upset chicken.

Apparently, Karen was gathering eggs and tried to get one of Polly's, a chicken who was known to peck the living daylights out of her opponents at the Chicken Sumo Festival. Defending her title and being protective of her eggs, Polly flew at Karen and pecked her until she ran out of the chicken coop. Karen and the remaining eggs in her basket, ran over to Rick, who was bringing Lilia her lunch. The two of them then came to the Clinic to buy Lilia some bodegizer and to have the scratches on Karen's face treated.

"And while I was applying disinfectant to Karen's face, Rick kept saying to Doc how it was Karen's fault that she got scratched because she scared Polly. Then Karen tells Rick that she didn't scare Polly but was only trying to collect her eggs. Then Doc comes into the conversation and says that Karen might have ruffled Polly's feathers the wrong way and she got irritated causing her to lash out at Karen. When Karen heard Doc say that, she looked like she got her feathers ruffled and was prepared to lash out at Doc until she chased him out of the Clinic!"

I chuckle at Elli's remark, recalling Karen's death stares. "Something similar to that happened to me today. One of the harvest sprites, Chef, was brushing Fluffy this afternoon. I guess he tugged at a knot in her fleece too hard, cause the moment he did, she bolted out of the barn, taking Chef along with her. Luckily, I just walked out of the house when I saw Fluffy dash into the snow with Chef in tow. I nearly froze my legs off, chasing her through the snow. She would have run all the way to the top off Mother's Hill, if she didn't slip on the fish pond."

"Oh, is she alright?" Elli asked.

"She's fine, but it's Chef I'm worried about. Poor little guy, scared out of his wits. Took me a while to calm him down."

"Same for Fluffy. She must have been scared to death."

"Didn't seem like it. She immediately calmed down when I gave her some fodder."

"Are you sure? Maybe she bruised one of her legs when she slipped on the pond?"

"I checked to see if she did bruise herself. But no, she's okay. In fact, after I gave her the fodder, she skipped over to her pen and took a nap, as if nothing happened at all."

"Well, she might not be physically injured, but she could be traumatized for life from that incident!"

"Then what do you want me to do Elle? Take her to the nearest sheep psychiatrist, so she can sit on the squeaky leather couch and bleat her traumatizing experience?" Jack smirked at Elli.

"Jack Parish! Are you mocking me?" Elli scowled at him.

"Nope." Jack said, trying to keep a straight face. Stopping in front of Mayor Thomas's house, he burst out laughing.

Elli let go of Jack's hand and placed her hands on her hips. "What's so funny?"

Jack stopped laughing. Giving her a goofy smile, he wrapped his arms around Elli, holding her close. "I just think it's cute to see you get worked up over a sheep."

Elli looked at Jack in disbelief. Didn't he care about the welfare of his animals?

"I know what you're thinking and yes, I do care about the welfare of my animals. But Fluff is feeling just fine. She's a very happy and healthy sheep. There's no sense in worrying over someone who is doing well." He placed a loose strand of Elli's hair behind her ear. "Like with Stu. You don't mollycoddle him when he trips and falls. You pick him up, make sure he's okay, and warn him to be more careful, hoping that he'll learn not to be so reckless."

Elli sighed in defeat. Jack did have a point.

"But I'm glad that you're concern about Fluff." Jack gently pressed his forehead against Elli's. "It shows that you care greatly about animals, which is a good thing considering......" Jack trailed off.

"Considering what?" Elli asked Jack.

"Nothing." Jack said.

Elli pleaded. "Tell me."

Jack shook his head. "Nope."

Elli pouted slightly. "Why not?"

Jack closed his eyes and smiled. "Secret."

"I don't like secrets." Elli said.

"I know." Jack replied.

"Will I ever know what this secret is?" Elli asked.

"Yes, but not right now. You're gonna have to be a good girl and wait patiently until then." Jack wagged his finger at Elli playfully, like a parent telling his or her child not to have a cookie until after dinner.

"Yes sir." Elli lightheartedly replied back, giving Jack a mock salute.

Suddenly, Jack picked Elli up. Elli gasped, surprised that her feet were no longer on solid ground, but began to giggle when Jack spun her around. After a few spins, Jack set her back down, enveloping her in a crushing bear hug. Elli held on to him just as tight, while the two of them swayed side to side.

Loosening his hold on Elli, Jack bent down and whispered, "Elli."

"Hmm?" She replied absentmindedly, enjoying the warmth from Jack's embrace.

"I need to ask you something."

"Sure, go right ahead." Elli said.

With his right arm still wrapped around Elli, Jack reached into the left pocket of his jeans. Elli's eyes widened. 'What could it be?' She thought.

"Elli, will you-"

"Will you guys quite making lovely faces at each other and come inside? I'm hungry!" Stu yelled from the doorway of Elli's house.

Elli gave a frustrated shout. "Stu!"

"What? Did I ruin the "mood" for you? Was he about to look deeply into your eyes and kiss you?" Stu teased.

"I'll get you!" Elli threatened, chasing Stu inside.

Jack chuckled at the two siblings. 'Looks like I'll have to ask her later.' He thought feeling a bit disappointed as he walked into the house, closing the door behind him.

***

Anime: So what do you think? Any good? I welcome criticism, but no flames. Don't like, don't read. Better go, must do geometry homework. *shudders* Ciao!

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