A Farmer and a Thief

I glanced to left, then to the right, and sighed tiredly as I glanced down at the map in my hands for the fifth time that day.

"If they wanted me to find my farm, shouldn't they at least make the map a little easier to read!?" I spoke aloud to no one in particular, furrowing my eyebrows in frustration.

My name is Jill, and I was to be the new farmer at this new town, supplying crops for the town, taking care of animals so that the town could prosper, but, however, there was ONE SLIGHT problem…I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE I AM!

"ARGH! I'LL BE STUCK OUT HERE FOR MY ENTIRE FUCKING LIFE UNTIL I GROW OLD AND GRAY AND DIE FOR GODDESS SAKE!" I shouted loudly into the supposedly empty forest.

"O-You said a bad word!" I heard a child's voice say in amazement. I turned my head to see a young boy with orange-blondish hair and a Band-Aid on the side of his face, probably from falling. A mischievous grin spread across his small face. "I'm telling!"

I flinched and glared, Stupid brat.

I squatted down so I was eye-level with the boy, and put on a sickly sweet smile as I ruffled his already messy hair.

"Excuse me little boy, I'm a little lost. Would you mind showing me the way out?" He crossed his arms, the grin still on his face.

"Why should I tell an old hag like you?" I could feel the arrow slice through my chest at the comment. My eyes flared up.

I'LL SHOW YOU OLD HAG!

"HUGH!" I stopped myself from whacking the boy over the head, and looked up to see a young girl with freckles, and her hair tied into two braids.

"Kate!?" The boy shouted surprise; he quickly grabbed my hand, slightly shaken. The girl walked over and looked at me with her hands on her hips, and then glared at the shaking boy.

"Are you picking on the new farm girl Hugh!?" She asked sternly, before whacking him upside the head with her small fist.

"OW!" He whined in pain, clutching his head. I blinked, staring at the girl.

Did SHE cause the Band-Aid on his face? I thought startled. Her glare went from the boy to me where they softened and a small smile made way. She took my hand and looked at me shyly.

"I'LL show you the way out Farm girl!" She exclaimed. I sighed relieved. I didn't care WHO got me out of here, not even if it was a bipolar 9 year old…

"Oh by the way," I realized suddenly as she guided me around tree's and between them. "My name is Jill." The girl kept walking but turned to grin at me.

"I know, my Daddy told me, but I like calling you farm girl more!" I smiled. I don't understand why that Hugh kid was so frightened, she's a nice girl.

Finally, after a few moments of walking, I was out of forest and was met with a large lake that shimmered and reflected the light off from the sun. My mouth fell agape at the beautiful sight, imagining what it must look like when the moon was reflected from it.

"Where are we?" I asked, mesmerized from the sight, I'll have to see for myself tonight. The girl looked down a pathway a bored expression on her face.

"That's the goddess's lake; she hasn't been blessing people that much lately, she's being selfish." A shuffling from the bushes made the girl and I turn our heads just as Hugh stumbled out.

"No! You're wrong Kate!" He shouted, and then flinched when the girl glared. "I-I mean…I-I still talk to the goddess! It's the townsfolk that have been the selfish ones!" The girl dropped my hand and put them on her hips again.

"Ya know I'm going to tell Mr. Mayor you said that." The boy clenched his fists.

"T-Then I'll tell him you hit me!"

"I'll tell him you were too weak to dodge it!"

"I'll tell him-"

"C'mon," I cut in, separating them both. "Let's not argue okay? I need to get to my farm soon, and your bickering isn't helping…" I sighed.

"Shut up old hag!" Hugh shouted. I flinched, and placed my hands on my hips like the girl next to me and glared.

"Who's old you shrimp!?"

"Yeah shrimp!"

"Old hag!"

"Shrimp!" Both Kate and I yelled. Soon we were shouting and arguing so much we didn't notice the footsteps that approached us.

"U-Um Jill?" I turned my glare to whoever interrupted, and instantly stopped when I saw it was the mayor. "Shouldn't you be at the farm?"

"Uh…" I could feel my face blush in embarrassment. So much for best first impression… "S-Sorry, I'll go now…" I ducked my head and ran, following the path and finally arriving at my farm.

"Well…this…sucks…" I muttered, frowning slightly when a piece of wood on the roof slid off and hit the ground. I glanced at the land that was supposed to be used to grow plants, and growled at the sight of rocks and weeds everywhere.

"I guess there are only a few setbacks…but…," A determined look crossed my face. "This isn't too much to handle!"

"Meow." I looked down at my feet to see a black cat look up at me with its head cocked to the side. I smiled at it.

"Why hello there, are you the cat that the Mayor mentioned in his letter?" I asked it, as I bent down to pet it. However, the minute I placed my hand near it, it bit it, hissed, and then scurried off.

"Ow! YOU LITTLE-" I stopped mid-sentence and glanced at my watch when the timer went off showing it was past 9 o' clock.

Oh no! I looked at it worried. There's no way I'll be able to make dinner! It takes at least 4 hours for the stove to arrive!

I sighed dejectedly, and glanced up at the moon. "I guess now would be a good time to check out that lake…"

I memorized the path to get to the lake, and gasped when I saw how much more beautiful the lake was then what it was in the morning. The moon made the water glimmer like many small sliver stars, and outlined the edge of the water. I approached it, and bent down to touch the tips of my fingers on the water. I sat down, to gaze out the water; suddenly feeling relaxed, and enjoyed the silence. I jumped startled at the sound of my stomach rumbling, and blushed, looking around. I shook my head, and then looked out at the water again.

"Well this is pretty relaxing…" I sighed thoughtfully.

"It is isn't it…?" I jumped to my feet startled at the sound of a male voice next to me, not have even noticed his presence next to me the entire time. My eyes widened, at the guy who turned his head to look at me, a smile grazing his lips. "I'm sorry, did I startle you?"

I didn't answer, and kept on staring at him, panting slightly from the shock he had given me. Once my heart had calmed down, I finally stuttered out, "W-Who are you and why are you here…?"

The flirtatious smile didn't leave his face, "Well, my name is Skye. And as for why I'm here…" He stood up and approached me so that I could actually feel the heat from his body. "I saw a pretty girl sitting down and sighing, and felt like accompanying her."

Skye had medium length silver hair that seemed soft to the touch, and wore a leopard print jacket over a black shirt. But, the most interesting part about him was his light crystal blue eyes.

I grit my teeth and pointed a finger into his chest as hard as I could, "Listen buddy! I don't know who you think you are but-"

"Skye." He said his name smoothly again, his flirtatious smile turning into a smirk, amused at my quick temper. I used my other finger to poke his chest. Ha-ha! I didn't want to do this, but he forced me to do the double poker!

"You think your funny don't you!? Well I-" I paused at the sound of my stomach rumbling again, and felt the heat rise up to my face as I quickly took my fingers back and interlocked them suddenly shy. He chuckled amused yet again by my antics.

"Hungry?"

"S-Shut up…" I mumbled. I gasped however when he took out a box full of curry rice and offered it to me. Without hesitating, I grabbed the food, sat down and consumed it greedily. Why'll I busied myself with the free food, he sat down again and watched the lake.

"So…," I paused in my consumption. "Why did you roam this way?"

He sighed; his pretty blue eyes seemed to be far off as he gazed at the water. "You'll think I'm crazy…"

"Too late." I automatically stated, as I took another bite. I swallowed my food and then giggled to myself. He glanced at me and smiled again.

"You should laugh more often…"

"Don't avoid the question." I narrowed my eyes at him, and then stuffed my mouth yet again, feeling my stomach slowly feel stuffed. He sighed again.

"I like talking to the goddess." He muttered. I paused, and glanced to see a faraway look in his eyes.

"The goddess?" I asked disbelievingly.

"I knew you'd think I'm crazy…"

"No…No that's not it…," he looked at me, and I looked back at him. "I just didn't think anyone else could talk to her…" His eyes widened very slightly.

"You can hear her?" I nodded my head and placed the empty plate down beside me.

"Yeah, the only reason I came here was because she had told me to in my sleep!" I narrowed my eyes at the lake. "She is a very stubborn woman…"

"What's your name?" He asked suddenly, leaning toward me in interest.

I never really did tell him my name I realized.

"Jill," I smiled.

Month's passed, and every night I would go to the lake to meet up with Skye and chat. However, one morning as I walked to the bar to get a coffee after have milked my 3 cows, I was met with a distressed Carter pacing up and down the street. I stopped in my tracks and then ran over to him to whack him on the shoulder.

"What's up Cart?" I asked, glancing at his worried face. He jumped and turned his eyes to me, blushing very slightly. Over the last months a lot of guys here have seemed to do that a lot when I talk to them…

"Oh, it's you Jill." He sighed relieved. I looked at him worriedly, and sat him down on a bench nearby, sitting next to him also.

"Is something wrong?" I asked curiously. He glanced at me, fumbling with his fingers, and then pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to me. I unfolded the piece of paper in my hands and read:

I'll be stealing your most precious belonging tonight at Midnight.

-Phantom S.

"Phantom S.?" I glanced up at Carter who seemed to be sweating slightly from the worry.

He nodded his head, "He's going to steal the piece of ruin I found in the mine's yesterday." I furrowed my eyebrows and re-read the paper, before jumping up and startling Carter immensely. I turned to look at him with a determined expression.

"We'll catch him!"

"W-What? You c-can't be serious!" I bent down to place a hand on his shoulder and keep a close eye-contact with him.

"If this piece of ruin is really important to you, then I'll try my hardest to catch this Phantom S.!" I smiled at him, and for some reason his face went even redder. I stood and ran, but before I turned the corner, his voice stopped me.

"W-Where are you going!?"

"To devise a plan to catch this so-called phantom!"

I spent the entire night coming up with a fool-proof plan to stop the Phantom, and finally rand towards Carter's dig site.

Sorry Skye, I have something important to do…

I opened the flap of the tent, and walked over to the shaken Carter who kept glancing over to his piece of ruin to make sure it was there.

"Alright Carter, for this plan to work, you'll have to keep watch outside. We'll lure the Phantom in with your piece of ruin."

"B-But what if-"

"Carter have I ever disappointed you before?" I grinned. He stood there blinking at me and then slowly shook his head reluctantly. "Okay! Then you need to do as I say," I pointed to a box at the bottom of his sleeping bag. "I'll be hiding behind there."

He nodded his head and then stepped outside of the tent as I hid behind the box. I waited patiently for Midnight to come, and once it did, nothing happened. Suddenly a large teasing aroma wafted through the tent flap, and I could hear Carter walk away to investigate it.

My body went stiff when I heard new footsteps walk in, and across the tent. I could hear him chuckle, and then the sound of the piece of ruin being lifted up. I clenched my fists.

Here I go…

I jumped out from behind the crate, and on the body holding the piece of ruin, pinning his arms above his head as I straddled his waist so he couldn't escape.

"Gotcha!" I examined the face below me, and my eyes widened when I was met with crystal eyes. "S-Skye!? Y-Your Phantom S.!?" I got off him, not taking my eyes off his.

He looked startled, but looked away guiltily when he realized it was me. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Skye, answer m-"

"Yes, I'm Phantom S." A hurt look passed across my face.

"Why were you trying to steal Carter's most precious item?"

"Listen Jill, it's none of your business what I do as a job." I flinched at the stern look he gave me. He softened his expression, and then took on a guilty one again. "I'm sorry I have to do this..."

"Do wha-"

"CHICKBEAM!" I blinked, and looked at him strangely.

Did he just say chickbeam? I shook my head and took a step forward to stop him, but my eyes widened when I found out I couldn't move my body.

"W-What?" I struggled to move, but grunted when I couldn't. He sighed, picking up the object he had dropped moments before, and then walked up to me.

"You'll probably hate me after this…so," He bent down and kissed my cheek. "Sorry." As he walked around me to leave the tent, I glanced at him, my face blushing.

"I-I don't hate you." He turned to look at me startled. "I can't hate you Skye. You're my friend. But, I just want to know at least this…" I straightened my shoulders. "Why?"

He seemed to think about it for a moment before he answered, "It's for the better." With that he left, but this time with a smile.

The next few months I continued seeing Skye every night, and once awhile helped a friend to try and stop Phantom S.

One day, I awoke to knocking on my door, and opened to see a group of men at my door. I rubbed my sleepy eyes and looked at them irritated.

"What's going on?" They stopped yelling at one another, and all handed me notes. As I read each and every one of them, my eyebrow rose. They all read the same thing.

I'll be stealing your most precious thing. Wait at the Goddess' Lake at Midnight.

-Phantom S.

What the heck is Skye up to now?

The day passed by with me doing all the regular chores, and finally Midnight came. As I walked the distance to the lake, I thought about what was happening.

Why did Skye give out so many notes? He isn't really going to steal EVERYONE'S stuff is he? Why is it every male?

When I finally arrived to the lake I gasped at the sight of a fountain of water shooting up from the center of the lake that hadn't ever been there before. I walked to the edge of the lake in front of where everyone stood mouth agape. Once the water hit the highest it could reach it fell down like a shower of raining jewels.

Now I'm seriously confused…Why did he ask everyone to come here and then surprise us with this fountain?

Everyone seemed to be thinking the same thing, as they glanced around waiting for something to come out. Everyone, including me, gasped when the one and only Skye stepped out from the woods, his eyes closed, his hands clasped behind his back, and a smile on his face.

Skye what the heck do you think you're doing!? Now everyone knows who you are!

He stepped in front of the group of men and the lake, and glanced at every one of their faces.

"Welcome Gentlemen," He glanced at me. "And ladies." He bowed "I suppose you all are wondering why I sent those notes to you to come here?" He chuckled. "As I said in the note, I am going to steal your most precious thing."

Everyone tensed, and glared at the man who opened his eyes to look at them all with his crystal blue eyes. He turned his eyes to me, and walked up to me, his hands still clasped behind his back, and a smile still on his face.

"Jill." He stated calmly.

"Skye…" I stated, cocking my head to the side confused. A very light pink tinted his cheeks, but the smile never left his face as he shifted something behind his back and then held an object out to me.

All of the men gaped, as my eyes widened in shock, and my hands rose to my mouth. There in his hand was a rare blue feather, in all its wonderment being offered to me.

"S-Skye you don't mean…" The blush on his face spread across his nose as his eyes softened and he bent down on one knee, holding my shaking hands.

"Jill I love you, will you marry me?" The entire place went quiet to listen to my answer. I nodded my head, my eyes softening as a blush overcame my face along with a smile.

"Of course." To everyone's and my surprise, he stood up, wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me.

2 years later

"Morning Skye."

"Good morning Honey."

"Uh-oh."

"What?"

"Looks like the baby needs his diaper changed…"

"…"

"…Skye could you change him please?"

"…"

"…Skye?"

"CHICKBEAM!"

"…"

"…"

"GOD DAMMIT SKYE! GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE RIGHT NOW AND CLEAN YOUR SON'S DIAPER!"

Me: Okie dokie! I have fun typing these HM fanfic's, so I'm going to make this a group of oneshots for. JillxSkye JillxRock ClairexGrey ClairexKai ClairexRick ClairexDoctor ClairexCliff ChelseaxVaults and more once I get to know the characters better for Island of Happiness and Tree of Tranquility.

I'll put up a poll for the next pair I should do.

:3

Please Read and Review!