A/N

I want to thank those who read my first fan fiction, it meant A LOT to get the positive feedback! So, I decided to change the name so I can continue adding to the same story. This one is MUCH longer than the first chapter, and this is after I took out something crucial about Rio's background. But not to worry, it will be in the next update! Ok, now I added a little something new to this chapter… It took me a while to decide what song to use but I finally chose "Fences," by Paramore. If you haven't heard it, I suggest you go on YouTube and listen to it! It's a good song, it's really about the media but I felt some of the lyrics and the sound fit with this chapter so well, I couldn't resist…TE-HE! I haven't seen this type of situation where music is something that brings them closer so I thought it's a nice change! So please enjoy and tell me what you thought!

umbreonix: I named the cow Miso because that is what I named my first cow from TOTT, and I did the same in ANB. It's been so long, I really don't remember how I came up with the name… but at least I didn't tell you something corny like I was eating Chinese while typing XD

Spring 14

Rio is dressed and ready to start a new day, but not without her cup of joe. She walks over to the kitchen and starts the pot. As the lovely aroma fills the room she walks over to her calendar. Hana kindly gave it to her as a housewarming gift when she first moved into Echo. A pink rose sticker is placed on today's date.

Rio noted today is Spring Harmony Day, a day to show appreciation to the women of Echo by giving them something sweet. Rio smiled to herself, thinking if it wasn't for Hana, she wouldn't even know of the event. Rio decided she would show her gratitude to the women that welcomed her with open arms by making them desserts once she completed her chores.

The coffee is finally finished. Rio smelled the awakening aroma with a deep breath before downing the entire cup barely scathing a burned mouth, and went outside to do her morning routine.

Rio finished watering her crops. It looked like her first turnips would ripen any day now. She looked around to soak in her accomplishments so far and let out a content sigh. The farm girl went into the farm to let her cow graze.

"Good Morning Miso! Are you ready to go enjoy some sunshine?"

"MOO," the cow's tail whipped in agreement.

Once Miso was outside Rio reached into her rucksack and realized she was out of Cow Treats. Rio decided she would visit Neil's shop after she made treats and delivered them for the ladies of Echo.

Rio went into her kitchen and opened her cookbook. Since she hadn't been in town for very long, she only had one recipe that was a dessert, crepes. Fortunately, she bought some flour from Hana the other day and had plenty for just three crepes… Rio hesitated as she began to journey into the realm of cooking for the first time without any help.

The house was now filled with a slight haze of smoke after burning seven crepes to the point she wouldn't even give it to the wild animals, she finally managed to complete three crepes she deemed decent enough for human consumption. Thank Goddess because she had run out of flour… Rio stuck each one carefully in her rucksack and headed into town.

Rio saw Emma first, strolling in her front yard in between her truck and the shipping box happily humming a tune while she gathered Rio's items.

"Good morning Emma!" Rio yelled as she waved pleasantly and approached the shipper.

"Oh good morning Rio, how are the crops coming in? I'm looking forward to shipping out your first produce!" She said cheerfully with a giggle.

"It's going great! I think it'll be any day now when you receive my first turnips! Any who, today is Spring Harmony Day, so I wanted to give you a little something as a thank you for all the hard work you do to ship my products," Rio reached into her rucksack pulling out one of the crepes and handed it to Emma.

"Oh how nice! I really like this! Thank you Rio! Happy Spring Harmony Day to you too sweetheart!" Emma merrily went back in her house to put the crepe inside to enjoy it later.

Next was to visit Hana in her home. Rio went inside the old lady's house and saw Hana was open for business for the General store.

"Hello Rio, come to buy something dear?" the elderly woman asked.

"Morning Hana, no I wanted to give you a little something for Spring Harmony Day!" the young blonde said with a smile.

Rio handed the crepe to the older woman. "That's very thoughtful of you dear, but you didn't have to go through any trouble for an old lady like me."

"It was no trouble at all Hana, besides if it weren't for you I wouldn't even know what today is! So thank you! Actually, I could use more flour…"

Hana let out an adorable old lady giggle and handed her the ten bags of flour the farm girl had paid for. "Well thank you Rio. Don't be a stranger dear."

Rio waved goodbye to Hana and left the General Store to find Iroha walking near the animal stand. She was the newest member of Echo. Iroha has long satin black hair that went past her waist and wore a traditional Japanese kimono style top with delicate embroidery and matching long skirt.

She is actually quite pretty in a very classy way… you'd never know the woman's passion is blacksmithing. But that is why she came here, and Rio couldn't be more grateful. She desperately needs better tools if she's going to make significant progress.

"Perfect timing Iroha, how's it going?" She asked cheerfully as she felt garnet eyes glaring at her.

"Morning Rio, it's going, I'm still trying to find out more about the mine and how to access it. I think I'm getting close."

"Is there something either of you need? I have other customers and you two are in the way," the animal trader said sternly.

Iroha looked down and began to leave the square.

"Wait Iroha! There's something I have for you!" Rio shouted as she glared at Neil and walked after her.

"Really? What is it?" the blacksmith asked curiously seeming not to be bothered by Neil's comment anymore.

"Well it isn't much, but it's Spring Harmony Day and I made you a little treat to welcome you to the village." Rio handed her the last of the crepes and blew out a sigh of relief.

The blacksmiths eyes widened and a small smile came across her face, "That's very kind of you Rio, thank you so much! Feel free to come by my house anytime by the way." Iroha put the dessert in her rucksack carefully and continued towards the forest.

Rio marched back to the animal stand like a target was on the back of the animal traders head. She walked up to the counter and Neil just glared at her crossing his arms.

"What do you want? If you don't need anything I'm busy..." Neil turned to organize his merchandise when the farmer grabbed his hand aggressively.

"Do you not realize how rude you just were? There wasn't anyone else here Neil, you acted like you had a line through the entire village! Poor Iroha was just minding her business and you almost ruined me giving her the gift for Spring Harmony Day! And I need to buy something so I suggest you change your tune."

Neil looked at her hand still holding his own, he noticed she was getting stronger working on the farm. And yet, her hands were as soft as a silky egg. He quickly slid his hand out of her grasp knowing that she was angry with him and the fact that all he can think about is their physical contact bothered him a little.

"Fine, what is it that you want?" he said flatly.

"I need treats for Miso, but before I buy them you need to promise me something," she looked him directly in the eyes and felt a chill run down her neck, but withheld the need to shiver. "You need to apologize to Iroha later... you don't have to with me, but at least be polite to her she's new to the town after all."

"I don't do apologies just because someone wants me to... I only apologize when I mean it," he turned again to get the bag of treats as he turned back around Rio was halfway down towards her farm and let out a angry growl. He threw the treats back on one of his shelves and sat on his stool shaking his head while covering his face.

"How are you doing on this warm afternoon Neil?" the mayor approached his stand.

"Whaddaya want Dunhill?" the blonde asked directly without making eye contact.

"Don't you know what today is? It's Spring Harmony Day my good man, do you have anyone you'd like to make something sweet for the special occasion to show thanks? Like Rio perhaps? She's done so much for the farm already, and pretty soon she is going to start restoring the town too."

"First, no." He wasn't one to make desserts and especially not to give to a girl... And especially not to that girl who challenged his character at every turn that made him think ridiculous things. "Second, what are you talking about restoring the town?" He didn't think it was Rio's job to do everything he thought that's why the old man was the mayor.

"An architect is moving here in a couple of weeks I'm giving Rio the blueprints for her home tomorrow, and then Rio can start building homes for more people to come live here! So exciting right?!"

"It sounds like a lot of work for one girl," Neil said frankly.

"Oh I think she can handle it, you don't give her enough credit Neil. Anyway I have to get going sorry to hear Rio won't be getting any sweets today. See you later," the old man that calls himself the mayor walked off to his house.

Neil decided to close early; he hasn't seen a customer all afternoon. He gathered the animals in the trailer and took down his stand. He grabbed the bag of Cow Treats and stuffed them into one of his coat pockets, and took his leave for the day.

He got home and took a hot shower before going into the kitchen to make some grub. Looking inside the bare refrigerator all he had was some eggs and milk. So he put an egg in the skillet it began to sizzle. Maybe he didn't give her enough credit he thought. He had only known her for a couple weeks, but her farm was already cleared. He noticed yesterday her crops were doing well too as he walked through to check on Miso, who was healthier than he'd ever seen the cow.

He looked into the fridge again and sighed while shaking his head. He took out milk and an egg and mixed it into the simple dessert. Neil put the pudding in the oven and he sat to eat his dinner while it baked. He finished his meal and took out the pudding it still being warm. He wrapped the dessert carefully. Putting it into his rucksack, he headed to her farm.

As he approached the door, he heard music playing. It almost sounded like the same kind of music he likes. He went to knock but noticed the door was slightly ajar, so he entered the farm girl's house and heard water running. The music was rock; he found it familiar but couldn't quite put his finger on the song as the next track just started.

The thought of Rio being in the shower made him uneasy, and it felt like his stomach was doing flips. He placed the pudding on the table and began to leave but something stopped him. He recognized the song, it was Paramore. He liked this song and he leaned on the frame as he listened and started tapping his boot on the floor. Then, she began to sing along in the shower as she turned off the water:

Yeah, yeah you're asking for it

With every breath that you breathe in

Just breathe it in

Neil couldn't distinguish between the track and Rio's vocals. She was pretty good he thought, and he smiled thoughtfully as he spaced out gazing at the floor.

Yeah, yeah well you're just a mess

You do all this big talking

So now let's see you walk it

I said let's see you walk it

The bathroom door began to open. Neil panicked and instead of going out the front door he was next to, he leaped to the counter and knelt next to the wall as the music in-between the lyrics played. Rio sang the previous verse along as she exited the bathroom in a dark blue silky nightgown with a towel wrapped in her hair she began dancing around the room as she continued singing. Neil peeked over the corner to watch.

And oh, oh, open wide

Yeah oh, oh, open wide

'Cause you'll go out in style

You'll go out in style.

As the last chords echoed through the house, Rio did her last spin and saw the pudding on table. She let out a shriek and fell back into the bookshelf. Neil saw everything and he knew he was going to hear it, but he had to know she was okay.

Rio couldn't see who was frantically throwing books out of the way so the case itself could be lifted. Am l being robbed? Or worse... she thought. "Please don't hurt me! I know Kung-Fu!" then she saw his face as he lifted the case off of her. Her face became as red as Neil's eyes in fury.

"W-What the HELL are you doing here?!" she screamed and jumped onto the floor. Neil's eyes widened but said nothing. She quickly realized she was barely wearing anything and her whole body became flushed. She made a beeline to the bathroom; the towel on her head fell to the floor.

Neil walked over to the closed door and sighed. Why didn't he just leave when he had the chance? "Look I just came by to give you the pudding for Spring Harmony Day..." he said in a soothing tone knowing she was upset.

"Go away!" she yelled. Neil heard several things in the bathroom fumble.

"I'm sorry I wasn't trying to be creepy or anything, I just… like that song is all."

The bathroom became quiet so he knew she was listening. "I liked how you sang it too," he said it out quickly and he was instantly embarrassed, but he continued even though his voice became shaky. "I just need to know you're okay and I'll go."

"I'm fine," she said bluntly, but she wasn't as angry anymore.

Without another word, Neil started walking to the front door when the bathroom door began creaking. "Neil... wait..." He stopped and turned to see the farm girl peeking through the door.

"Could you grab the pj's on the bed and bring them to me, please?"

Neil walked over to the bed and picked up the red pjs that were folded into one bunch and handed them to her through the door.

"Wait here, I'll be out in a minute," she closed the door and came out changed into a red spaghetti strap top with matching loose capris pants.

"Thank you for the pudding, but I would appreciate it if you knocked before coming in," Rio said in a stern voice.

"Your door was open." he stated folding his arms and looking at the door.

"Oh," she thought to herself how much of an idiot she was. "Well thanks anyway. "

"Don't mention it," he realized the treats were still in his pocket. The animal dealer took out the bag and handed them to the farm girl. "And take these too… for Miso." Rio gave him a small smirk in thanks and proceeded to her wallet to pay for them. "It's on the house, I don't want you… I mean, Miso to be disappointed," he said nervously catching his slip-up.

Rio looked at the ground slightly flattered, "Thanks Neil, I-I mean… Miso appreciates them. So you like that band?" she asked trying to change the subject but didn't really want to talk about that either since he just caught her bopping around like an idiot.

"Yeah I like most of their songs some have too much of a pop sound though," he was kind of surprised how open he was being with her.

"Definitely," the blonde said. Her hair was still wet, but he thought it just made her eyes stand out even more.

"I play the guitar sometimes," he said looking down at the floor slightly self-conscious to admit it to her.

Rio clasped her hands together and a big smile arose upon her face, "You do?!"

It took him every piece of willpower to not smile himself; she was beautiful when she smiled.