FATE

Claire was as happy and cheerful as always. But today she was even perkier because it was her birthday.

Claire's life was going great in Mineral Town it was her fourth year and she had accomplished so much: her farm was doing very well, all her animals were happy and healthy and her field was filled with grass and all types of summer fruit. And her house, chicken coop and barn were all fully upgraded

She was great friends with everyone including Gotz and Saibra.

What made her most happy was her relationship with Kai which had been going on for about a year now.

Claire woke up early in the morning ready to start the day. Her breakfast some extra spicy curry rice. Then she quickly bathed and changed from her green overalls to blue.

Claire's P.O.V

After eating, bathing and changing I headed out of the house to begin a new day of work.

First I went to the barn. To brush, milk, sheer and feed my animals which took me almost an hour.

Next I headed to the stable where I brushed horse Mabel which I rode to the chicken coop.

After taking care of the chickens which took about twenty minutes I rode my horse to the fish pond to fill my mystrile watering can so I could water my crops; tomatoes, onions, corn, pumpkin, pineapple and also my pink cat flowers, which took me about four hours. After I went to grab grapes and some grasses for shipment.

I was done with all my work by 1:30pm. Finally it was time to check mail for birthday cards. I walked over to the mail box excited to see the nice letters my friends had written for me. But as I checked the mail box it was completely empty. Had my friends forgotten about my birthday, even Ann and Cliff forgot? My friends forgot about my birthday. Kai my own… I am going to go and give them all a piece of my mind.

I walked to the inn but it was locked, "that's strange. The inn is never closed maybe they were all out. I walked around town which took about 2 hours to give anyone else a piece of my mind but no one was home. "I am certain there was no festival on 1st month on the 13th summer. What's going on?"

I walked to the beach to try and give Kai a piece of my mind and… SURPRISE! Everyone yelled, I was both startled and amazed. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY! They continued.

"What's all this?" I asked still holding on to my chest as I felt my heart beat faster than ever.

"We wanted to throw you a surprise party, because you're such a great friend, Claire," Ann replied.

"Thank you so much, guys."

"Don't thank us, thank Cliff," Gray said as he pushed a blushing Cliff forward.

"Well, thanks Cliff," I said as I stood up to hug him.

I looked over at Ann who looked sort of mad.

"Well guys lets party!" Karen yelled as we all loudly agreed with her.

4 hours later

I had talked to everyone at the party and spent half my time with May and Stu since I didn't usually have time to play with them. Sadly they had to leave soon. I gave Stu an apple pie to give to Ellen and some miso soup to May to give to Barley since they both couldn't make it. (Barley had become very ill a few months ago. When his daughter Joanna heard the news she returned to Mineral Town to take care of her daughter and father and also started to run the yodel farm.)

"Time for the gifts!" Ann yelled.

"Yay!" I shouted like a little kid sort of embarrassing myself.

10 minutes later.

"A broach? Thanks Gray."

"Perfume? Ann this is great."

"A wedding dress, Mary is this from you?" I asked Mary.

"Yes."

"But, why?"

"Oh you'll find out soon," she sort of whispered.

"What?" I asked even though I clearly heard her.

"Nothing." She quickly replied.

"Okay?" I said as I carefully put her gift away and went to the next.

"Cliff, sun beam record. This is my favorite record. I love it!" I said as I stood up to hug cliff for the second time that day.

This hug lasted a little longer. "Uh…" I said as I broke out of the hug while everyone was looking which made us both blush. "Alright then…" I continued.

There was an awkward silence for about ten seconds.

"Is that the last gift?" I asked.

"Why?" Ann asked

"Well, because Kai hasn't given me a gift. You know what I haven't even seen Kai at all. Where is he?" I replied…

"Right here," I heard someone say as everyone turned to where Kai's shack was located.

I saw Kai dressed in a purple and black sparkly outfit. I sort of chuckled then I remembered it was from my favorite play; the run away.

He did the dance number and everything. And to finish it off Kai took my hand and…

Kai suddenly got on his knees and…

"Claire, will you marry me?"

I was caught off guard, this was happening way too quickly. Well…I knew one thing for sure, that I loved Kai and…

"Yes, of course I will!" Everyone clapped. Well everyone except Cliff and Popri who both stormed out. Well can I really say stormed out more like left angrily left?

Gray went after Cliff and Ann after Popri. Everyone else just stared at Kai and me hugging. Soon it was 8pm and everyone left, including Kai.

I walked to the harvest goddess' pond to tell her the great news. She probably already knew but I wanted to tell her in person.

I passed through my farm, knowing soon it would feel different. Soon two people would be living here and if it went well, three maybe even four or five… all I know is it was going to be different.

I passed through the forest and to where I would find the pond. I picked a pink cat flower and threw it into the pond. But nothing happened. I grabbed blue grass and threw it in; nothing. Perhaps I had to wait. Five minutes later. "This is weird, it's never taken this long."

I started to walk away when I heard a voice. "Help!"

I turned around and there was nothing. I continued to walk toward my farm when I heard it again: "help!" only this time it was louder. I ran back to the pond but there was no one there. I walked faster to my farm and heard the sound again. I went back to the pond. And just as I was about to leave I heard a horrific sound behind me, I turned around and saw. A hand… that was reaching toward me, I tried to run but it already grabbed me, and it pulled me into the water. I tried to fight it but it was stronger than me.

After a minute I was finally exhausted. My muscles aching and oxygen running out, my eyes slowly began to close. My life was flashing before my eyes.

Was this the end, was I going to die before I married Kai, before we even planned our wedding… I finally closed my eyes but then I felt something touch my nose. I opened my eyes and tried to make out what it was all I could see was green and blue blurry stuff. Then 'it' touched my eyes and I could clearly see. It was the harvest goddess. "Claire, we need to talk," she said before I could ask any questions. Then grabbed my arm and swiftly carried me through the water, many times stopping to hide behind something. Many times hiding only me. What was going on? What did the harvest goddess want to talk to me about?