I do not own Harvest Moon. I do not own a lot of things actually.

Weeks had passed and the island grew more prosperous. The islanders' numbers grew as well: A carpenter and his daughter, a fisherman. The eastern side of the island opened up and a new person seemed to come every day. Chelsea felt mixed emotions, she was happy for the island but she didn't feel comfortable around so many people. Plus, the less known her island was, the less likely she was to be found. All it took was a picture of her in a newspaper and it would be over.

The people who knew of the Deadman army much less the ones who knew of her of escape were few in number. It was established years back most likely during the First World War. It fought using less-than-conventional means so it was kept secret from the public. To this day, it operated in the shadows. It was unlikely even the president knew about it. Only a small handful of government officials working in the military sector.

The origins of the name had to do with the fact that the army was made up entirely of people who were "dead" to society. They had no identities, no role in society and no reason to live. This made the army all the more secretive. She would most likely, never be unlucky enough, living on a tiny island, to be spotted by someone who mattered but there was never being too careful.

Chelsea had finally finished her work and she glanced around her farm with a satisfied expression. Flap was wandering around her enclosure keeping a tight eye on her three young.

The field was half full of crops and she had harvested nearly twenty potatoes and several were near harvesting. She looked up at the sky, more specifically, the position of the sun. It wasn't even noon yet! She cursed her efficiency. There wasn't much else to do on this island but work. She could go to the mines, her resilient body allowed her to drop several floors without sustaining much damage so she could get pretty far down without too much effort. Jewels paid good money.

However, it was a nice day and she didn't feel like going into a deep dark cave for the rest of it. So instead she decided to use some of the money she had gathered for a cow. Vaughn was there again today and she would probably need the help getting the animal to trust her. If she didn't do it today she would have to wait for the following Wednesday.

Entering the Bluebell ranch she flagged down Mirabelle. "Mirabelle! I'm really for a cow!" She grinned.

Mirabelle smiled warmly, "Well that's great sugar. Vaughn's not here at the minute so why don't you go to the back and check them out until either Vaughn or Julia comes to help."

Chelsea suddenly felt a whole lot less sure of herself but refused to back down from a challenge. "Alright."

Heading to the barn she examined the cows. They walked away from her as she entered. Spotting a pretty black and white calf she decided to start there. She walked over slowly and quietly. Once she got within two meters, the calf's head shot up in alarm as if seeing a ghost and it ran to its mother. This wasn't working. She spied a cow that was separated behind another fence. She stepped over to the white-painted wood curiously and hopped the fence. Walking over to the cow slowly as to not alarm it she could hear her heart beating. Chelsea really didn't have the heart to be rejected by another cow today.

A voice called out in panic, "Chelsea!"

"Idiot! Don't yell so loud!" Said a deeper one. The urgency in the voice made her freeze. That hushed tone was only made when there was serious danger.

Turning, she could see Julia was waving frantically and Vaughn trying to quiet her. "THAT COW IS DANGEROUS!"

Vaughn quickly put a gloved hand to the girl's mouth but it was too late.

Chelsea wheeled around, thanks to Julia's calls, the cow had noticed her. Shoot. The cow began to slide it's hoof across the dirt leaving deep scores in the earth. It was strong, and it was preparing to ram her. Well, better than fear, she at least knew how to deal with rage, kill the opponent's fighting spirit. The cow lumbered forwards and Chelsea's battle instincts took over. She rolled sideways just enough to miss the cow's hooves. She smiled her usual smile and continued to dodge the cow's attacks. Finally with her back to Julia and Vaughn she dropped her smile and spoke in a low and quiet voice that only the cow could hear. "Let's stop this now, you aren't going to be able to beat me. I'm sure you're exhausted and I've barely moved."

The cow slowed down a little and then stopped entirely. It began to eye her down but she returned the look full force. She had always been infamous for her intimidation tactics. The cow grudgingly bowed her head. Chelsea had gained its respect. The girl walked over and patted it on the head. She allowed her smile to return and she faced the two stunned onlookers.

She hopped the fence back and grinned, "I want that cow!"

"Why?" Asked Julia, "It's evil, we can't even put it with the other cows it's a little too much for your first."

"I'll set it straight." Said Chelsea.

"You might as well let her have it. She can handle it better than you two anyway." Said Vaughn. Chelsea smiled, this was pretty high praise coming from the cowboy himself.

He watched as the female rancher make her way down the road with the cow trailing behind and food bag causally draped over her shoulder. He had to admit, that rancher never seized to amaze him. Not even HE could fully handle that heifer. There was still something he didn't like about the rancher though. The way she always smiled annoyed him- or rather- maybe it intimidated him. The cow attacked her and she was smiling. She was not right and no one else on the island besides the pink haired girl seemed to sense it.

"Vaughn!" Scolded Mirabelle. "You're not going to help her?!"

He sighed and got up jogging slightly he caught up. "Mirabelle wants me to help again." He said.

The cow tossed its head in anger, he winced, he shouldn't have approached so suddenly. Chelsea glanced at the cow, "Calm down." She said, with no real comfort in her voice, it almost sounded more like an order.

"That's not how you calm a-" He started but realized the cow stopped. He looked back at her in disbelief.

"Our relationship is built on respect." She said, "This cow doesn't want to be babied, and I'm not really good at babying anyway."

She still kept referring to it as 'cow', "Didn't you name it?" He asked, Mirabelle always insisted farmers name their animals upon purchase. She must have forgotten given the unconventional circumstances of the cows selection.

"Are names that important?" She asked.

Vaughn was taken aback, "what?"

"Where I come from you earn your name, I went five years without one. Though most people never get them."

Of course, she wasn't referring to her birthplace but rather, the Deadman army. Originally no soldiers had names since they "didn't exist". However, some gathered such a reputation that they had to be called something since they had become the object of conversation. Chelsea had never liked the name Reaper, but she was pretty much asking for it with her black attire and choice of weapon.

Vaughn shook his head but insisted, "Really you should give your cow a name. You say you respect her but you won't name her? Isn't that contradictory?"

"I guess that's true" she sighed. "Milky?" She suggested.

He snorted, "Does that giant monster look like a 'Milky'?"

"I guess not" she said. "Terminator?"

"I'm not letting you name your cow that."

"Bonecrusher-"

"Milky's fine." He interrupted.

"Great!" She said brightly.

He sighed in defeat and looked at the poor beast empathetically. The cow would never understand what injustice had been brought unto her.

Leading the rancher to the barn Vaughn gave her another brief tour. "Now I suggest you talk to, groom and milk your cow every day."

The rancher nodded.

"Cows like that stuff and a happy cow leads to better quality milk. Now if there aren't any other questions…?"

Chelsea looked up at him blankly and he took that as a 'no'. He nodded and left the barn.

She sat down next to the cow. "Sup?" She asked.

The cow grunted a response and to two sat in awkward silence.

Aww Chelsea made a cow friend. Next chapter will come out soonish