Outside, the morning was warm. Only a few fluffy, white clouds were spotting the clear, blue sky. The air smelt fresh, clean and un-polluted. The streets were full with children playing, laughing, teasing, smiling, running and overall just being children. It was a typical day in Onett.

Claus and Lucas took a look around at all of the faces. There were so many possibilities of who could have sent the gifts. Where would they start? Even if they didn't find who sent them, today...It would be nice to at least gather some clues of who it was.

Lucas squinted his eyes at a certain school friend before nudging his fidgeting brother.

''What?'' Claus complained.

''What about her?'' Lucas lifted his index finger and pointed at a cute, blonde girl with sparkling, blue eyes. She was sitting cross-legged on the pavement as she coloured in a page from a blank book. She had several colouring crayons on her lap that were kept there by her pink, frilly dress. ''We have to start somewhere. Maybe she knows something? Or maybe... It WAS her!''

Claus tilted his head at the girl. ''Paula? But me and her hardly ever talk.''

''You don't have to talk to somebody to have a secret crush on them, Claus!'' Lucas threw his arms in the air. ''Why do you think that she's a secret admirer?''

Claus considered Lucas's point before passing it as valid. ''You're right. But, there's only one way to find out.''

Lucas curiously raised an eyebrow. ''What?''

''Duh, we ask her.'' Lucas's ginger-haired brother sniggered as he stated the obvious.

''Oh, right. Of course.'' Lucas nodded. ''Let's go, then!'' He began to approach the girl.

Claus hesitated.

''Claus? Are you coming?'' Lucas turned to face his brother as he noticed he wasn't following him.

The ginger boy pursed his lips.

''Claus, you're not nervous are you?'' Lucas smiled at the rarity of the situation.

Claus looked up at his brother with an expression which displayed disbelief. ''NO WAY!''

''Then come on!'' Lucas gestured Claus to join him.

Claus shuffled a little before sighing and walking alongside his brother.

They crossed the small road that separated them from Paula and walked a few paces to get to where she was sat. Eventually, they were stood behind her.

Lucas looked over at Claus and expected him to start the conversation.

Claus looked over at Lucas and expected the opposite.

Both of them were muttering and making wild hand gestures, indicating for each other to hurry up and say something before it got incredibly awkward.

Paula caught a glimpse of the boys from the corner of her eye. She put down her violet crayon and looked up at them, confused and paranoid.

Lucas noticed her looking and stopped muttering to Claus. He put his arms behind his back and sheepishly smiled. Claus, on the other hand, didn't notice and continued with his speech. ''-you're the one who wanted to do this so you go first!''

''Can I help you?'' Paula raised an eyebrow before standing up and wiping her dress down.

Claus immediately stopped speaking and straightened his stance.

''Umm, yes... Actually you can.'' Lucas eventually replied.

Paula smiled her heart-warming smile. ''Well, what can I help you with?''

Lucas narrowed his eyes at Claus.

Claus remained quiet.

Lucas sighed at Claus's effortless approach to the 'investigation'. ''Basically, you know how it's Valentine's Day today?''

Paula suddenly beamed. ''Yes?''

''Claus got a card and some chocolates through the mail and we were wondering if-'' Lucas explained.

''-If you knew who sent them?'' Claus interrupted. He didn't want Lucas to just plain out ask her if she'd sent them... That would just be completely embarrassing.

Paula placed a thoughtful finger on her chin and tapped. ''Hmm, I don't think so.'' She thought hard. ''I haven't seen anyone carrying chocolates, but I DO know that Ness was carrying a red envelope, today!''

Lucas's eyes sparkled as a huge grin spread across his face.

Claus narrowed his eyes. ''Lucas, I know what you're thinking.'' He began. ''But Ness is a boy. I doubt it was him.''

Lucas gasped. ''So what if he's a boy!''

Paula giggled.

''Are you sure that it was, Ness?'' Claus turned to Paula.

''I'm positive. His stunning, violet eyes were glistening in the sunshine as he walked past me!'' She clasped her hands together and held them to her cheek before dreamily sighing.

Claus smirked.

''Well, if it wasn't you, Paula...'' Lucas mentally crossed her name out. ''Then we better go and check with Ness.'' He turned to Claus for approval.

Claus shook his head. ''No way.''

Lucas groaned. ''Why not?!''

''Because I know it won't be him! He's as straight as a ruler!''

''That's what you think.'' Lucas grinned. ''It's not a certainty.''

''Um, I'm pretty sure it is.'' Claus apathetically opinionated.

''Look, we're asking him and that's that.'' The blonde boy sternly stomped a foot.

''You can't tell me wh-'' Claus furiously growled. The investigation had only just started and already he was becoming embarrassed.

Lucas caught Claus off-guard as he clenched his hand and dragged him away from Paula to find their second suspect.

Paula cheerfully waved them goodbye before sitting back down to continue colouring in her drawing of Ness and her kissing.

''At least we've gotten somewhere.'' Lucas smiled. ''The investigation is coming to a start. We've already crossed someone out AND got a new suspect.''

Claus grimaced. ''Yeah... But our suspect is a boy.''

''SO WHAT?!'' Lucas gave his brother a gentle punch to the arm.

Claus ignored him before hanging his head.

''Look, let's just focus on finding Ness, okay?'' Lucas asked.

Claus didn't respond.

''Claus?'' Lucas tried again.

Still no response.

''Claus, are you ignoring me?'' Lucas pouted.

Still nothing.

''Fine. If you're going to ignore me... I'll do this myself and I'll ask EVERYONE if they sent them. Straight out.'' Lucas smugly smiled as Claus finally acknowledged him.

''Look, just promise me that you won't say anything stupid.'' Claus crossed him arms. ''And don't make me look gay.''

Lucas sighed. ''Whatever, Claus. Even though there's NOTHING wrong with gay people.''

Claus shrugged.

''I'm sure you'll see, one day.'' Lucas gave a crooked smile.

''Shut up, Lucas.'' Claus ran a hand through his hair. ''Let's just do what you said and find Ness. I want to get it over and done with.''

Lucas grinned. ''Okay, Claus. Okay.''

A/N: So, it wasn't Paula... Will it be Ness? Or will Ness know nothing about it? Or will Ness know something that will lead the investigation closer to the truth?

Stay in touch to find out.

Remember that I also take requests for any pairing, plot or rating. I'll do oneshots and chapters. I only do requests that are to do with Earthbound.

If you want to make a request, send me a PM. To make it easier, you can format it like this example:

PAIRING: LUCAS/NESS

PLOT: LUCAS MOVES TO A NEW SCHOOL, FALLS IN LOVE WITH NESS, GETS BULLIED BY NINTEN, FALLS OUT WITH CLAUS ETC...

RATING: K

LENGTH: CHAPTERS

Also include all of the characters that you want to be included AND their role, in the plot.