Chapter 1: -The Hunter-
As a hunter who chased criminals for the sake of the money prize, Gray always moved alone. He never stayed in the same place or with the same person for a very long time. But this time was different. He had been with her, the red riding hood, for weeks. (Beware: Mixed characters. You might even find some RF's chars here :D)
DISCLAIMER: ALL HARVEST MOON products belong to Natsume, Inc.
CHARACTERS: Some Harvest Moon (even RF series) mixed together!
Warning: Alternative Universe.
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"The Hunter"
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A cold night in the mid-autumn. The temperature on Mother's Hill, Mineral Town, currently reached 10 degrees Celsius. Most of the trees had shed its leaves, preparing for upcoming winter. It was not that late, yet streets in this small town had lost its living vibe. If we went further to the east, on the slopes of Mother's Hill, we'd find a man with short orange hair squatted on the tree branch. He had been there since an hour ago, observing the movement inside an old, abandoned cottage.
He looked at his watch for nth time. It was 10 pm. As he expected, he couldn't hear any sound from that cottage. He jumped down 2 meters away, and ran with feather-step to the cottage's door. Leaning his ear on the door, he ensured that there were no further movements from whomever inside. Once convinced, he drew his short sword and damaged the door knob with a single move. Inside the cottage he found what he was looking for: a boy with black hair, tied on the pole, with a cloth to keep the boy's mouth silent. The man put his index finger in front of his mouth, hinted the child to remain calm. After the boy gave a nod, he untied the boy's hands and mouth. There were five big man fell asleep with wine bottles scattered around them. He took the child passed across them, and exited that stinky place.
Once outside, he bent his head and whispered to the boy who was still shaking, "Wait here. Close your ears. Close your eyes. Got it?"
The cold eyes he showed made the boy could only reply with a small nod. But when he was about to enter, a small hand hold the tip of his jacket. "Tha-Thank you... for saving me... I ... I am Stu. Uncle ..?"
The man narrowed his blue eyes, seemed considering whether it was necessary to mention his name to this little guy.
"Gray," he said shortly, and immediately stepped into the cottage. Stu covered his ears just like the man told him to. But still, he could hear noises from the cottage. He heard the sound of glass breaking, and a shock scream.
"Who are you? Hey, where's the boy ?!"
And some "Bang! Bang!" immediately ended the short noises. Then, a long silence pause took place. Stu could not resist peeking into the cottage. At the pole where Stu was tied before, he found two large men were tied, unconscious. Three others were tied and crawled on wood floor. Stu's mouth dropped in disbelief. It was obvious that Gray had smaller body than those five men, but he finished everything with just a few "Bang!".
"How did you do it?" Stu asked in his amazed. Gray, once again, seemed to consider whether it was necessary to explain it to Stu. "Come on ... tell me, uncle!" The boy insisted.
Gray sighed, felt annoyed. He never liked by children, and he did not want to be involved with them. To make it quick, Gray lifted him and put the boy on his left shoulder. He didn't bother with Stu's further complaints and struggles. He walked quietly through the woods. When he felt like couldn't handle Stu's constant whining any longer, he eventually put Stu on the lane.
"Do you want to know?" Gray asked. Stu answered it with a strong nod. "I just put sleeping pills in their wine, in the kitchen. And they fell asleep within 1 hour. About how I beat them, there's only one answer," Stu held his breath, waiting for the answer, "The strength and speed."
Stu couldn't hide his disappoint expression. "Is that all?"
"That's all."
"You didn't use magic or something?"
"I do not believe in magic."
"You know, I knew a big sis who can use magic, though she asked me to keep it secret," said Stu.
"You mean magic trick?" said Gray.
"No, it's a real magic! You know, she could make the withered tree fresher just by touching it!" Stu exclaimed. Gray frowned. This kid really was imaginative.
"Oh, yeah." Gray only gave a small respond. He walked ahead Stu, making the boy was running at a loss because he scared to be left behind. Gray brought Stu to Doug's Inn. Contrary of the quiet village, inside the Doug's Inn all citizens gathered. They seemed relieved to see Stu entered the Inn, accompanied by Gray. A girl dressed in light blue dress immediately rushed and hugged Stu.
"Stuu! You're safe! Thank God ..." she cried. Stu replied her hug.
"Big sis, this uncle helped me."
The big sister smiled, and then turned her gaze on Gray. She walked closer to him, took out a small pouch from her pocket and handed it to him.
"Thank you, Mr. Hunter," she said. Gray received the bag and opened it slightly to see its contents. He got 1000 Gold as their agreement.
"Thanks again," said Gray, putting the pouch into his inner jacket pocket. Stu saw their transaction, and began to understand that the uncle who had helped him was a hunter. Hunter, that was how people referred to someone who gained money by hunting criminals or lending their special skills.
Once the villagers calmed down, they left Inn and return to their own houses. But Stu insisted to remain there and clung to Gray. Apparently there was a strong attachment and admiration toward Gray built in his heart. Stu's sister finally gave up after Doug persuaded her to let Stu stayed overnight.
"Just let him sleep here tonight. You rest and accompany your grandmother. It's a tough day for you," Doug said soothingly. And so, Stu slept at the inn, the same room with his hero. Gray did not express any objection or approval; perhaps because Doug gave him free lodging the night. Of course he had to share a room with Stu as condition.
"So, Uncle Gray is a hunter?" Stu asked with his shining eyes. He sat next to Gray who was doing his routine sword care. Gray simply replied with a small 'hm'.
"Your sword's small. Can you kill bad guys with that little thing?" Stu asked again. Gray stopped and changed his position so that he sat with leg-crossed, faced Stu.
"Hunters hunt criminals, not kill them," Gray said firmly. It made Stu's eyes sparkle with more admiration.
"You're great! Me too, I want to be a hunter when I grow up!" Stu exclaimed as he threw himself onto the bed. "Do you think I can do it?" he asked innocently. Gray finished his sword treatment, sheathed it and put it next to his pillow. He saw Stu who was lying next to him.
"You'd better not," said Gray.
"Why?"
Gray moved his sight from Stu to his empty palm. "The way of hunters is not the way of heroes. Hunters are not driven by a sense of humanity, but by money," He said. His blue eyes became even colder. Stu felt it, and sat on the bed and connect his hand with Gray's.
"I know that. I've heard there's a lot of hunter like that, from Zack. But you're different!" Stu said. "1000 Gold is a very small amount. You can ask for much more than that. And you avoid conflict as much as possible. I think normally a hunter would immediately kick and kill their opponent, but you didn't. You even told me to shut my ears so I didn't hear any violence. You're a nice person!"
Gray got quiet; somewhat stunned by the way Stu talked. It was far above the child's age. He ruffled little boy's hair, and pushed the boy's head back to make him lying back on the bed. "Rather than a hunter, you're suit better to be a politician," Gray said as he was lying next to the boy. Stu shifted his body again, facing Gray.
"Politicians? What is it?"
Gray clicked his tongue, thought that he supposed not to talk more to the child.
"Just sleep, boy!" Gray ordered him, annoyed. He turned his back to Stu, and immediately positioned himself to sleep, ignoring Stu's chatter and complaints thereafter.
-000-
Doug was surprised when he was about to prepare a breakfast menu in the morning. He found a piece of paper and a few gold coins on his counter.
"The cost for yesterday dinner. Gray."
Doug smiled reading the very short note. His inn had often visited by various types' hunters: barbarian, elegant types, psychopaths, etc... But there were also some hunters who like Gray. Talk less, cold, but gentle inside. This time, Gray might be heading to Forget-Me-Not Valley, given that yesterday he asked about that town.
After Ann went to the second floor along with Stu, Gray approached to Doug who was wiping glasses, preparing to close inn for the day.
"Doug, have you heard about a gipsy circus group?"
Doug stopped his work for a moment, and looked at Gray's serious eyes.
"Hmm. I think yes. About two days ago there were customers who came from the Forget-Me-Not Valley. They said there is this circus stopping there for a couple of days. They are very great, and the women are hot," said Doug. "Are you interested?" Doug asked with the intention of teasing.
Instead of answering, Gray yawned. "Do you forget that I'm a hunter? Money is the only thing interested me," he said lightly, with a smile that looked more like a grimace. Doug chuckled.
"Can you smile more cutely?" asked Doug between his laughter.
"Are you kidding?"
Doug smiled remembering their night before. Gray was the one who –despite of his stoic cold face, he made people want to be by his side.
"Have a good trip, Mr. Hunter."
-000-
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(To be continued…)
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A/N:
Am I crazy? English version? Ahaha. Well, I just want to express my idea in a wider range, and practice. I hope I didn't mess too much this time :(
If it's not too much, please tell me what do you think about this fanfic :D
A slightly different Mineral Town's setting. A Harvest Moon with different scope. Gray eventually will go to some other cities from other HM games, like Zephyr (Grand Bazaar), Forget-Me-Not Valley (Wonderful Life), and some residents of Konohana (Tale of Two Town) will take roles here. Forgive the author who mixed up the world of Harvest Moon and my own designed time line, hohoho. Claire does not appear here yet in this chapter.
I hope you enjoy this: DDD!
