Pure Heart: Hiyas! Welcome back, all my readers (however few I have)!

So this is the sequel to Under a Harvest Moon. The stars are my generation of Mineral Town residents, the children of all the pairings mentioned in UaHM!

So what am I waiting for? Let's start the story!

Disclaimer: Mineral Town and its characters don't belong to me!! Just my eight characters, Sunny, and last names!

Harvest Moon: Lunar Eclipse

15 Years Later

The wind blew the flowers softly, lifting their blossoms to the heavens. Bunny rabbits hopped serenely around the valley, their babies following unsteadily. Birds flew and fed their chicks.

A girl leaned over some Magic Flowers, tending to them. Her soft hands caressed the blossoms, and she patted the dirt softly around the roots. She smiled as the flowers perked a little, and pulling out her watering can, she watered the beautiful blooms until she felt they were good.

"Rory!"

The girl turned to see a redheaded boy running to her. He stopped beside her, his white shirt stained with dirt and grass. He reached out a hand to the kneeling girl. "Geez, Rory, you always seem to be where the flowers are."

Rory took his hand and stood. Brushing her chin-length blonde hair out of her face, she grinned. "You know me, Terry. I love anything green." She dusted off her short overalls, which only reached above her knees. "What're you doing out here, anyways? Didn't Mr. Rick say you were grounded?"

Terry scowled, his hair falling in front of his violet eyes. "Yeah, until tomorrow morning. But your dad's looking for you, and Dad said I could come get you."

Rory rolled her chocolate eyes. "Great. Let's go, Terry." The two teens ran out of Flower Field, heading towards town. "Come on, Terr, you're so slow! Then again, you are younger than me…"

"Only by a season!!" Terry cried, indignant. Rory laughed at her best friend's expression and took off flying. They had entered the town now and were heading to the Town Hall, otherwise called Doug's Inn. On Wednesdays, the Mayor met there and heard complaints and worries from the citizens.

Breezing in, Rory laughed. "I win!"

Terry skidded to a stop beside her, panting. "Man, Ror…you aren't even…winded!"

Rory grinned, until-

"Liefa Roriana Heinger!"

Rory winced and turned at the use of her full name. Her mother stood in front of her, hands on hips. She was glaring at her with hard aqua eyes, and even her long blonde hair said, "You are in trouble, missy!" She held a packet of seeds in her hands. Rory saw that and winced again. "Oops. I was supposed to help plant the spring crops today, wasn't I?"

"You sure were, young lady!" Sunny was mad. "Why are you so irresponsible? I was counting on your help today! And you vanish into the forest all day! When will you learn to listen?"

Rory was wilting. "Momma, I'm sorry!" she wailed. "Some flowers were dying, they needed my help! I forgot all about the planting! Really!"

Sunny looked ready to argue, but a hand gripped her shoulder. Rory's father smiled at her. "Calm down, Cutie. It's the first day of Spring, and Rory IS fifteen, after all. Cut her a little slack."

Sunny sighed. "You're right. Sorry, Rory," She said, looking at her daughter. "I just lost my temper, and it didn't help that i didn't know where you were. Just, tell me next time, okay?"

"OK, Momma." Sunny beamed at her daughter and left with Cliff.

"Man, Rory, your mom's a bit crazy sometimes." Terry looked a bit apprehensive.

"So what? You and I are too. Big deal." Rory laughed with her best friend, then looked down at a tug on her shorts.

Aqua blue shined up at her. "Wowy, whewe wewe you? You said you'd play…"

Rory giggled. "Oh, Lune, I'm sorry. I lost track of time in the forest." She snuggled her little brother to her, hugging him tight. "Forgive me?"

Lune brightened. "Okay, Wowy. 'Sokay." Then the five year old squealed happily and hugged Terry's knees. "Tewwy!"

Terry laughed and ruffled the kid's brown hair, making it appear even messier than usual. "Hey, big guy. Taking care of your mother and sister lately?"

Lune nodded solemnly. "Yeah, when Wowy isn't wunning off."

The two teens laughed happily at the little brunet. It had been a miracle when Sunny got pregnant with the little boy, because apparently her pregnancy with Rory was difficult. Rory had thought the baby would replace her, and she wouldn't be "Daddy's little princess" anymore, but Lune hadn't replaced her at all. He was closer to Sunny then Cliff. The two siblings were close, and her friends often lamented over wishes for siblings. Rory knew the truth, however. She'd seen Sunny make a wish on a shooting star when she was 10. She'd wished for a son for Cliff, to carry on his name. She'd fallen asleep, and something amazing had happened, right in front of Rory's eyes.

She never told anyone what she saw…

"Roorrrrrrrrr-rrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyy?" Terry was waving a hand in her face, looking very confused. "You okay, Rory?"

Rory snapped back to the present. Lune had run off to be lifted by his mother. "Wha? Oops…looks like I kinda dozed off there. Sorry, Terry, what were you saying?"

"I said, the meeting's starting!" He shook his head, his chin length red hair ruffling itself slightly. "Stay awake, alright?"

"Okay." Mayor was standing up in front of the residents. Even on the stage, if Rory stood, she was about his height on the ground. His dark gray eyes scanned the crowd, as he began. "Welcome to the first meeting of Spring. We have one announcement, then we will accept questions.

"To all farmers out there- that's you, Sunny-" everyone chuckled at the obvious attempt at humor. "To all our farmers, there has been a rumor of a strange being coming and wrecking gardens and fields, leaving farmers broke. We ask that you keep an eye out for anyone suspicious, and please report them to Harris. Thank you.

"Now, any questions?"

As the Mayor began accepting random questions and complaints, Rory and Terry looked at each other. Terry raised an eyebrow, and Rory smiled mischievously and tapped the back of her right hand. The thought passed between the two instantaneously. Someone was screwing around with farms! Looks like the gang had a mystery to solve…

They were interrupted in their signals as Zack stood up. "I have no complaints or questions, sir," he began hesitantly. "I just wanted to give the Harvest Helpers a thank-you." The Harvest Helpers was the nickname for the teenagers of Mineral Town, so Rory tuned in. "They helped me find something very important and very personal last Saturday, instead of playing and doing normal kid stuff. I just wanted to say…thanks, guys." Zack sat, and everyone clapped.

Rory caught the eye of her cousin, Liani, and winked, nodding slightly. She saw Liani turned to the pink-haired girl beside her and whispered into her ear, passing the message on.

The team had a new case. Meet at the clubhouse tomorrow at the usual time.

"If that is all the questions, then I will end the meeting now. Thank you for coming and sharing, and I will figure out how to best handle your problems." Early dismissal today.

The town broke off, Rory waving goodbye as Terry was led away by his parents to the chicken farm. Then Rory remembered why she had gone to see the flowers in the first place. Slipping away from the mulling crowd, she ran after the two towards the Poultry Farm. "Mr. Rick! Mr. Rick!" she cried as she skidded to a stop beside the redheaded pair. "Mind if I walk with you? I need to see Mrs. Karen…"

Rick Eggonio smiled at the perky blonde girl. "Of course, Liefa. No problem." He noticed Terry looking at his feet, and Rory looking at least a little peeved. "Why are you mad, Liefa? What'd I say?"

Rory scowled slightly. "Umm, Mr. Rick, I'm not Liefa. My name is Rory."

Rick looked totally confused. "But I was there when you were named. Your name's Lie-"

"Daaaaaaaaaad!" Terry was embarrassed. "It's a nickname. Rory wants to be called Rory!"

"Oh. Hehheh…" Rick looked embarrassed now. "Sorry, Rory."

Rory grinned. "No problem, Mr. Rick. It's just a pet peeve of mine. After all, my mother's name isn't Sunny. It's Sunleia, but she's known as Sunny. I want to be called Rory. Personal preference, I guess. Oh, and guys?" The boys looked at her. "Your house is back here."

Terry grinned, looking a lot like Rick. "Ooooooooooops." They walked into the Chicken Farm, entering the small farmhouse quietly. Everything was neat and orderly, probably thanks to Terry's mom. A chicken sat on the edge of the counter, wrapped in a heating pack. An older, pink-haired woman was rubbing dishes with a rag. A rack of sparkling silverware was beside her. She worked with quiet determination, but she was shaking, and her cheeks were pale. She trembled as she turned, but her pretty face broke into a grin as she saw Rory with her family. "Rory! How nice to see you. How are you doing?"

Rick looked troubled as he looked at the woman. "Mom, you should lie down-"

Rory smiled and interrupted the man. "Good to see you too, Miss Lillia. My family and I are doing well, thank you. How are you today?"

"A little shaky, but-!" Lillia fell forward quite suddenly. Rick cried out, but Rory had sprinted to her side and caught the ailing elder. The blonde screwed her face up as she tried to keep herself and Lillia stable, or at least upright. Terry came over and took his grandmother's arm, taking half the weight off Rory. Together the two friends supported her over to a chair, settling her in it.

Lillia smiled up at the two weakly. "Thanks…"

Rick sighed. "Oh, Mom…"

"What's going on?" Karen had come downstairs in her bathrobe. Her hair was mussed, and her normally lightly tanned face was pale. Her violet eyes traveled around the room, coming to rest on her mother in law. "You got sick again, Mother?"

Lillia smiled. "Yes, it seems I did."

Karen sighed. "You need to lie down more, Mother." She noticed Rory then, standing slightly behind Terry. She blushed, pulling her robe closed tighter. "Oh, Rory. I-I didn't know you were here!" Her hand flew to her mussed brown hair.

Rory smiled. "Just for a minute. I came by to give you these…" Rory produced a bunch of Magic Flowers. They were bigger and had richer coloring then normal-they had obviously received Rory's care. As Karen took them, exclaiming, she pulled out a bunch of Toy Flowers, also bigger and brighter then normal, and handed them to Lillia. The two women were speechless.

Rory smiled and saluted. "Bye, now. Have a good evening!" She ran out, leaving the whole house in slight shock. Terry shook his head, and his yin-yang necklace bounced on his chest, smiling in amazement. "That's Rory, all right."

Lillia smiled. "She's so like her mother at this age…although she seems to be better with plants then Sunny was…"

Rory ran through the town, amazed at how the trees were already green. She loved the color green. It was so gorgeous! Seeing the beautiful plants filled her with happiness as she headed for Sunny Day Farm. Time to do some actual farming.

Sunny was corralling her animals when Rory screeched to a stop. The smaller blonde yelled to her mother, "I got it, Momma!!" Rory took her position behind Sunnshine, the oldest sheep on the farm, and pushed. The sheep slowly made its way towards the barn, and Rory kept shoving it until it was inside. Together, mother and daughter corralled the animals and deposited them in the barn. "Momma, you go inside! I'll get the chickens."

"Are you sure, Rory?"

"Go inside, Mom!" Rory went running off, her silver heart necklace bouncing on her chest. She was chasing a rather fast chicken by the name of Dewdrop, yelling, "Here, chicky, chicky!!" Sunny shook her head and went inside, thinking, Momma's necklace looks really good on Rory. Rory spent the better part of an hour catching their six chickens. Then, wiping her forehead, she looked around the farm.

Cloudfoot was still out. Apparently Sunny had forgotten he was out of his pen. Rory approached him slowly, lifting one hand slowly to pet his nose. "Hey, Cloudfoot," she whispered. The horse seemed to glare at her, shaking his mane.

Rory knew it was stupid, but she was afraid of Cloudfoot. He had almost hurt her as a child, and she had been scared of horses ever since. Sunny normally put him away to spare Rory the suffering, but she wasn't about to make her mother come back outside. She was fifteen; it was time to face her stupid fear. She reached for Cloudfoot's reins-and tripped.

Cloudfoot reared back, snorting and whinnying, He kicked out with his front hoofs, catching Rory in the cheek. She fell to the ground, silently clutching her burning cheek, rolling under the horse unintentionally. She was on her hands and knees, staring up at the horse…..she couldn't move…..she was going to get squashed-

Cloudfoot quieted, but Rory stayed on the ground, her hands pressed over her ears, closed eyes streaming tears. She was aware that Cloudfoot was gone, but she couldn't move, her body was frozen.

Strong arms wrapped around her, soothing her. She opened her eyes and saw chocolate brown. Her father was here. Her father had saved her.

Cliff held his daughter close to him as the child shuddered, her eyes wide. He had caught the terrified horse's reins and pulled him away from his cowering daughter. He looked over at the horse now to see it grazing, totally peaceful. He sighed, feeling his daughter clutch at his shirt. Goddess, she's so much like Sunny was…

"Rory? Rory, it's okay now. Cloudfoot's gone." Cliff consoled his daughter. She was covering her face, curled over her body now. "Hey, baby, look at me. You're okay."

Rory lifted her face, and her father gasped at the bruise. Her entire right cheek was inflamed, black and blue with a tinge of purple around the edge. The chocolate eyes, carbon copies of his, were full of tears. "Oh, D-Daddy," she choked.

He rubbed her left cheek softly. "Shh, shh…it's alright."

"I-I wanted to f-face my f-fear," she sobbed. "I w-wanted to b-be strong like you, l-like Momma. You c-can do anything, a-and I'm scared of s-stupid old h-horses…"

Cliff looked her in the eye. "You are brave, Rory. Everyone has something they fear. Even I and Sunny have our fears!" More than you know, my little girl. More than you know.

Once, Cliff had carried his fiancée in his arms to her house. Now Cliff lifted his daughter in the same matter. Carrying the 15-year-old as if she were a fragile newborn, he went into the same farmhouse-now his home-to sleep and face another day. His last thoughts before he entered the house to put his family to bed were grim.

I get this feeling something bad is coming our way. Not now, but soon-and I get the feeling there will be nothing I can do to stop it. I haven't had this feeling for fifteen years, but the last time I got it, people I loved almost died-and a man did.

lunasollunasollunasollunasol

Pure Heart: Well? Whatcha think? Everything in this chapter IS important and WILL be mentioned again. So take notes, boys and girls!

Now, this chapter introed three OCs-Rory and Lune (Sunny and Cliff's children), and Terry (Rick and Karen's child)- but five more will be introed soon. Last name recommendations ARE accepted, but please try to have them relate to the father's names or professions. By the way, Lune is pronounced LOO-nay.

Oh, and review! REVIEW THIS AND READ AND REVIEW MY OTHER STORY, SHADOWS AND LIGHT UNITE!!!!!!!! Thank you! Byeas!