A/N: Hello again! I got this done, and decided to post it on Valentine's Day since the next chapter of Letters to Nobody will depress people. At least this is happy. This was actually pretty easy to write! Only took me about an hour. Anyways, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon. Harvest Moon is owned by its respective owners.

Different Feelings

Chapter Three: Rod, the Pet Shop Owner

It was the middle of Fall, and it had been a while since I had seen Rachel. I knew she was busy on her farm, but I was worried. Don't get me wrong. We weren't dating or anything, but I did like her. So, on the day that my shop was closed, I took a little trip to her farm.

I walked onto her property, and her white dog, Shirou, and black cat, Kuro, were the first to greet me. I remembered when Rachel bought them from me. It was just a couple of seasons ago, and I could tell that she was taking good care of them. I gave them each a pat on the head before I looked around the farm. All over her farm, plants were growing. It looked like she was going to have a bountiful harvest.

Her cows, yak, sheep, alpacas, llamas and chickens were out grazing, and I walked over to the fence and watched them. I always liked animals, but I didn't handle farm animals. My buddy, Neil, handled that. He seemed a bit anti-social, but he was a really nice guy. I learned that since my shop was right next to his.

I pulled myself away from the animals and walked around, looking for Rachel. I found her toward the back of her farm, by the river. She was up on a step-ladder, picking apples off her trees. Her blue hair was pulled back in a ponytail, no doubt done by my best friend, Allen, at his shop. She was wearing a pink tank top, a pink skirt, pink socks and pink shoes. The jacket that went with her outfit was hanging on a fence that lined her personal garden space.

She was holding a basket and she was straining to grab an apple that was a bit too high for her. I walked closer, all the time watching closely, making sure she didn't fall. I stopped a few away and continued to watch her. She made a swipe at the apple, missed her teetered dangerously and fell backwards. I rushed forward and grabbed her before she hit the ground. Her eyes were closed as she was expecting impact. When it didn't happen, she opened her green eyes slowly.

"Eh?! Rod?! What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I came to see how you were doing since I hadn't seen you in a while," I said, putting her down. "It's a good thing I did come. This could've ended badly."

"It's no big deal! It happens all the time!" she said, smiling brightly at me.

That's when I noticed she had bruises all over body.

"Rachel, are all those bruises from farming?" I asked.

She looked down at her arms and legs.

"Yeah. I just got a bit clumsy and fell down a couple of times."

I sighed as I picked up her basket and handed it to her.

"Here, you hold the basket and I will pick the apples," I said.

"Thank you so much, Rod!" she said, flashing me another bright smile.

I climbed up onto the step-ladder, my face turning bright red.

A/N: So, what did you think? Was this worth the wait? Ugh. I am such a horrible person making you all wait like this. But, I have been busy with work. But, my hours have been cut a bit. I am happy since I have more time to myself and time to spend with my boyfriend or playing games, but that means less money. Anyways, read and review. Constructive criticism is welcome, but please no flames. Next chapter will be Amir!