Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon and in anyway am not affiliated with them. Everyone and many places are acts of my own mind. Any resemblance with anyone or anything from the real game is a coincidence.

A/N: It has been forever and a day since I've written a fanfic and truthfully, I had almost given up on ever doing it again. I have been through some rough adjustment with going off to college and dealing with issues internally but now I'm finally over it all and ready to continue my works. I want to give a special thanks to my friend Springborn. If it wasn't for your caring nature and helpful attitude, I wouldn't have ever found the ability to keep writing so thank you.

Chapter 1: The Orphanage: A beginning to an end.

"If I can remember correctly Amanda, it all started 13 years ago, like I said when I was only nine years old. I never really knew my parents or anything about whom or what my family was all about. I grew up in a place called Ball and Chain Orphanage." I said as took a long, stiff sip of my whiskey in front of me. "Not a very confronting name for an orphanage I know and trust me, the place lived up to its name alright." I said as I thought back to the days of the orphanage.

I could see the entire scene play out in front of me as if it were happening like a fucking movie made by some sick bastard who just wanted me to watch me suffer for his simple box office million. I was definitely nine when things really hit a turn for the worst. Growing up in the orphanage was already hard since day in and day out the so-called "Caretakers" we were given were about as caring as the hot desert sun. To make matters worse for myself, many of the other children in the orphanage made fun of me and teased me because of my two toned hair and the fact that I had oddly colored eyes. I was called everything from unlovable to demon child and the constant physical beatings I received for poorly done work didn't make it any easier.

I sat by myself on the stoop, having been able to avoid today's beating by working double time on cleaning the both the large washrooms and the kitchen to no end. My hands were sore from the constant scrubbing the floors and counters of the kitchen needed. I never did understand how that place got so dirty. The woman here barely fed us as is so there was no excuse for how dirty it was. I froze stiff, kicked from my thoughts, at the sound of a woman clearing her throat. I turned, my heart caught in my throat at the thought of seeing one of evil woman who ruled over us. My fear completely disappeared though when I saw my one and only friend in the entire orphanage.

"Hey Dianna." I said with a slight smile on my face. Dianna just shot me a smile. She was only a year younger than me and about six inches shorter. She had dark blue hair that was somehow natural but still less freaky than my two colored hair. Being that we weren't given much, her clothes consisted only of a dingy yellow sundress and some beaten white sandals.

"Hey there silly willy. What are you doing out here all by your lonesome?" she asked as she say by me and gave me that sweet smile I loved to see.

"I'm just hiding from the caretakers is all." I said rubbing my swore and slightly swollen hands." I had to double my own work load just to avoid them yelling at me and hitting me with the god awful broom stick again." I said with a slight laugh and held my head down sadly. Dianna could tell when I was faking being happy for her own sake and even though she didn't like it, she understood why I did it.

"Here, let me help." Dianna said taking my hands and kissing them lightly. A small white glow emitted from her lips and the soreness of my hands quickly disappeared.

"Thanks Dianna. I needed that." I said smiling some. This was a special secret kept between me and Dianna. Both of us could use strange powers since we were born but don't know anything about their origin. We only ever used them on each other and usually after beatings to keep our injuries minimal.

"Anything for you big brother." Dianna said smiling and leaning against me. She always called me that and truth be told, I liked it. It made me feel like I was meant to protect her and I felt like I was. It made me happier knowing I could make her happy and keep her from harm.

"There you two brats are." Came the nasally voice of one of the caretakers.

"Oh, hello caretaker Jessibelle." I said quickly so I wouldn't be beaten for ignoring her. Me and Dianna both quickly bowed and didn't make eye contact. Looking the caretakers in the eye meant we thought we were equal and to them, we weren't even seen as worthy to wipe their feet.

"Come on then, off to bed with you. It's getting late and I don't want you two gripping tomorrow while you clean the gutters. Jessibelle said huffing shooing us off to our bedrooms. As we were shooed, I gave Dianna a nod and she nodded back, both of us knowing the hidden message behind it all.

Later that night, as the caretakers and other children slept, I awoke looking back and forth across the room, making sure the cost was clear. I got up and grabbed my bag from under my bed and made my way over to Dianna's bed. A few weeks ago, I had learned of a bus that makes its way to a stop only half a mile from the orphanage and goes all the way to Steel Rim City. I after learning what it would take, I began planning and saving for the day I could take that bus and get me and Dianna away from this horrible place. I shook her lightly and her eyes popped open happily.

"Is it time?" she asked me smiled some. I only nodded in response. Dianna grinned and grabbed her own bag from under the bed and we quickly made our way for the window. I moved a box from in front of it and lead Dianna down the hole I had made weeks ago. After getting out of the house, Dianna and I quickly made our way to the bus stop and waited for the chariot that would takes from hell and at least into purgatory.

The bus soon arrived and we smiled to one another. "Two one-way tickets to Steel Rim City." I said smiling some. The bus driver smiled some and held up his hand. "Just take a seat in the back. I'll wake ya when we get there. "he said with a slight smile.

Dianna and I took our seats and leaned against one another. We were finally free from the orphanage and on our way to something better, or so we thought at least.

"So sugar, you gonna tell me the rest of story or not? "Amanda asked me smiled as she crushed out her cigarette.

"Now that, is gonna cost ya." I said holding up my empty glass.

Amanda smiled and filled my glass to the rim. I went to reach for the tab card to write it up for her but she stopped me half way through.

"Don't bother, you can pay me when you're done, now talk to me sugar. "she said smiling some.

I looked at her some and smiled some. I picked up another cigarette, lit it and smiled some. "Well after the bus ride, that's when life hit me with a mack-truck full of shit storm." I said as I leaned against the bar.

TBC

A/N: Well, the next chapter is up and I can relax a bit. Please read and review, I need feedback now more than ever.

A/N 2: Yeah, had to repost this chapter due to some spelling problems and sentence issues but should be good now.