A/N: So I finally got the chance to update this story! This chapter is a series of quick fluffy events between Claire and Kappa, and it sets the stage for the next chapter. Just so you know, I had to change the Kappa's personality just a bit. In the game, he hardly says anything, and what he does say is rather rude and blunt. I wanted to make his character a little more friendly and lovable to fit in with the story. This is a romance, after all.

As for Claire, I'm trying to make her character sound slightly crazy, so let me know how I'm doing with that. I think you have to be a little crazy to fall in love with a kappa, it's so out of the ordinary, haha.

Also, I've done a bit of research on the kappa from Japanese legends, so some of that information plays a part in the story. Hope you enjoy!

-Cotton Candy Mareep

Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon.

Cucumber: Proposal

Kappa. Kappa. His voice continued to ring throughout my head long after I had left the lake. So that's what he was. A Kappa. I had heard stories about the Kappas, of course. Old Japanese legends. Kappas were said to drown horses, kidnap and eat children, and rape women.

And yet, I had a feeling that this Kappa wouldn't harm me. He had saved my life, after all. He couldn't be all bad.

His actions had intrigued me- why would he, a legendary water spirit, even bother to rescue me from his lake? I was a mere human, after all- why would he care what happened to me?

For weeks after our encounter, I was distracted by thoughts of the Kappa while going about my daily activities. The sound of his voice consumed me; his green scales, glistening in the sunlight, were always on my mind. My thoughts about him soon turned into an obsession. I would have to see him again.

Remembering how he had appeared to me after dropping a cucumber into the lake, and how the old stories always said that cucumbers were a Kappa's favorite food, I took another of my farm-fresh cucumbers out of the refrigerator and carried it with me to the lake on Mother's Hill.

Stepping forward toward the edge of the lake, I tossed my cucumber into the water and waited.

I didn't have to wait long.

There came a flash of blinding white light, same as before, and he appeared, holding my offering between his slimy webbed hands. He stared me in the eyes with his own beady black ones, probably wondering what I was doing at the lake again.

"Um… hi." I tugged at my ear nervously, the feel of his gaze burning my skin.

He narrowed his eyes. "…Thank you for cucumber."

"You're welcome."

He nodded and quickly dived back into the water before I could utter another word, so ending our conversation.

I sighed. He probably thought I was a weirdo.

Despite the Kappa's reaction to me, I continued to offer him a cucumber every day, tossing it into the lake for him. Each time, he would come up to the surface to thank me, and then quickly depart. However, I didn't mind. I only wanted to catch a glimpse of him, of his slippery green skin and webbed hands.

Eventually, he would warm up to me. I knew he would.

Over time, my meetings with the Kappa became longer and longer, as he stayed long enough for us to actually hold a conversation. I could tell he was beginning to like my company. I would ask him questions, and he would respond every time.

"Do you like living down at the bottom of the lake?" I asked him one day.

"Yes… water feels nice… need water to survive." He leaned forward a bit to show me the hollow at the top of his head, filled with water like a bowl, being careful not to spill any. "If head bowl empties, I no longer move. Could die above water."

I nodded in understanding. "Hey Kappa…"

"Yes?"

"Why did you rescue me that day?"

The Kappa's cheeks turned a deeper shade of green- I could swear he was blushing.

"Do you like me?" I pressed.

He waited for what seemed like an eternity before answering. "…Yes Claire. I like you."

I had never felt happier.

Every day I would always look forward to my meeting with the Kappa. I admit it- I was falling for the little green guy. Or maybe I had loved him from the start, when he first rescued me from drowning in the lake.

And maybe- just maybe- he was beginning to love me too.

One day, many months after our first meeting, I had just finished my work on the farm and was walking down the forest path toward the lake on Mother's Hill for my daily visit with the Kappa. Leaves rustled in the trees overhead, a warm breeze flowing through them, as small birds twittered and flapped among the branches. The woods were peaceful.

As I walked, I noticed something green lying in the middle of the trail ahead, and curiosity overcame me. Quickening my pace, I hurried ahead to see that the strange mound was none other than my Kappa, collapsed in a heap on the ground, the surrounding dirt soaked with water.

I gasped in realization- the hollow on the top of his head was empty. Remembering what he had told me about his special head bowl, I scooped his body into my arms and carried him back to his lake to the best of my ability, setting him down gently in the water.

The Kappa sank below the water, but resurfaced a moment later, the hollow on his head now filled with fresh lake water. He looked up at me, his face shining with gratitude.

"Claire… you rescue me?"

I nodded. "Yes, I found you lying in the forest path with your head bowl empty, and carried you back to your lake. What were you doing out of the water?"

"I… came to see you Claire. You always visit me… wanted to visit you this time, but tripped and spilled water. Silly of me."

"Oh, Kappa… that was so sweet of you!" I stepped forward into the lake and wrapped my arms around him in a hug, ignoring the water that was now drenching my clothes and the strong smell of fish that emanated from him.

At first, he cringed at my embrace, as it was probably the first time he had ever been touched by a human. However, after a moment he returned the hug, wrapping his arms around me for a brief second.

Stepping back, he grinned before diving back into the lake. "Thank you Claire. Now we are even."

Our daily meetings continued as usual, but something had changed. The Kappa, he was more than happy to see me now. Sometimes, I would come to the lake and see him sitting at the edge of the water, waiting for me.

His eyes would light up as soon as they met mine, and he would then take my cucumber and split it in half for us to share. We would talk for a while, and before I left he would allow me to hug him, though it often made him flustered and uncomfortable.

Sometimes, I would even give him a kiss on the cheek. He would blush a darker shade of green, and I would giggle and promise to visit him the next day.

It was wonderful.

Finally, on the last day of summer, I set off toward the Mineral Town church with a goal in mind. I knew that Carter, the pastor, would be in the confessional, so I immediately headed toward the dark room at the back of the church.

The door creaked open and I stepped inside, sitting down in the single wooden chair before Carter and twirling strands of my blonde hair between my fingers nervously.

Carter cleared his throat as I sat down and looked at me expectantly. "What do you wish to repent for?"

"I… I need to tell you something. I'm in love with the Kappa, the Kappa in the lake on Mother's Hill. I want to… I would like to marry him."

Carter went silent for a long moment, obviously shocked by my confession. Finally, he spoke to me. "Is this true? You… you wish to marry the Kappa?"

I nodded. "Yes… I love him."

Carter thought for another moment. "Well… all right. You may marry the Kappa. It would make the Harvest Goddess happy, I am sure, so I will allow it."

"Oh, thank you!" In a state of ecstasy, I jumped from my chair and skipped out the door, not before giving the bewildered Carter a gracious hug. I quickly left the church and headed on a path straight toward the general store.

Approaching the lake the next evening, I withdrew the blue feather from my pocket and held it out in the light of the setting sun, admiring its vibrant color. I had purchased the proposal item from the general store, surprising both Jeff and Sasha, but I ignored the looks they gave me.

They had no idea I was to marry a legendary creature with a bad reputation.

Unsure of what to do exactly, I decided to just drop the feather into the lake, in the hopes that Kappa would see it and understand what it meant. I released the feather from my grasp, and it fluttered down and hit the water without a sound, floating on the surface like a peaceful little boat.

There came a familiar bright flash, and I realized I was right. The Kappa stood staring at me in the shallow water, the blue feather cupped in his hands. His steady, scaly green hands.

"Claire… what is this?"

"Kappa... I-I love you… I want to ask for your hand in marriage."

He looked back at me those beady black eyes of his. "Claire, I… I love you too. Yes, I marry you."

I smiled brighter than the sun and held out my hand. Kappa hesitantly reached out and took hold as I stepped into the water beside him and wrapped my arms around his glistening form.

He seemed uncertain, but when I kissed him full on the lips, he tentatively kissed me back.

I knew the other villagers would not approve of my relationship, but I could care less what they think. Love is love.

A/N: I hope you liked this chapter! It was such a pain trying to get it right, haha. The pairing is honestly so weird to write about, but I still think it's cute! A 'beauty and the beast' type love story, I guess. Reviews are always appreciated, I love to know what you think! Thanks for reading!

-Cotton Candy Mareep