A Romantic Winter?

Chapter 7

Hey you guys, another reasonably quick update. Thanks so much for all the reviews, it's so encouraging. Please keep them coming and if there's anything you personally would like to see happen in the story, I'd love to hear your ideas and maybe I'll use them somewhere. Enjoy.

'Thanks so much for letting me stay the night.' Jill said quietly as the two stood awkwardly by the door of the small cottage. Skye hung his head a little and looked up at her through his bangs.

'Any time princess.' He said in his smooth tone. 'And I sincerely hope you find your horse.'

Jill nodded.

'Thank you. I guess I'll see ya around.' Jill said almost hopefully as she stepped out into the cool, dark clearing. Skye didn't reply he simply sighed as he stood in the doorway staring intently at the famer. He couldn't respond to her gesture as his situation was so unstable.

'Goodbye Jill.' He said taking a few steps back as he began to close the door. Jill's brow furrowed and her arm suddenly flew out and banged the door open again.

'Don't say it like that!' She snapped. Skye smirked and raised an eyebrow.

'Like what?' He chuckled. Jill rolled her shoulders and enlightened her expression.

'Like I'm…never gonna see you again.' She said a little bashfully. Skye rolled his eyes and continued to close the door but paused a little.

'See ya Jill.' He said a little more casually before completely closing it leaving Jill standing alone and still quite lost. She rolled her eyes and shook her head as she turned to set off down the frosty path muttering to herself angrily.

The fact that it was a little brighter made it easier for Jill to try and figure out where she was, and although the night's fall of snow had made everything look even more similar, she kept her fingers crossed that she may just bump into somebody on their way to Mineral Town.

She continued aimlessly down the path. The sky was clear, the air crisp rosying Jill's cheeks and nose. When Jill was almost sure that she was on the right tracks, her mind was clear and began to wander.

What is this attraction to him? It doesn't even feel like a crush…it's different! He has such a hidden personality, why can't he just be real? And why me? Why does he follow me? How did he know I needed a mask for the ball? How did he know it would match my dress perfectly? Why is he so trustworthy of me anyway? He doesn't even know me…but he acts like he does…

Just at that moment a rustling in a nearby bush cut her train of thought. For a moment she hesitated, shrugged and then went to continue on but another furious rustle made her stop again turning to the bush and frowning. Jill pushed the branches back a little and squinted into the darkness. Much to her surprise, standing there, with a mouth full of leaves, was Blaze.

Jill's eyes lit up with delight at the site of her horse which to tell the truth, she had completely forgotten about until Skye mentioned it.

'Blaze you scared me! Bad horse, why'd you run away?' She grabbed the horse's halter and did her best to drag her out of the bush onto the path where she pulled the leaves and twigs out of her mane and tail. 'Let's get you home.' As Jill held firmly onto the horse it followed after her willingly.

When the pair finally arrived back into the valley there appeared to be some kind of commotion. With a furrowed brow Jill led the horse over the hard pavers, the clunking of hooves soon attracted the attention of the townsfolk who appeared to be in some sort of huddle.

'Jill?'

'Jill!

'Oh Jill! Thank Goddess!' Several voices yelled in relief as they ran towards her. Before she could get a word in Jill was engulfed in the warmth of Rock's arms as he squeezed her tight into his chest. Takakura caught Blaze who was beginning to wander off as Jill was forced to let go.

'Babe, you had us all so worried! We thought you'd passed out somewhere, we searched all night.'

Jill's eyes widened as she struggled out of his hold.

'You guys were searching for me?' She said guiltily glancing round at all the relieved expressions of her friends.

'Where were you?' Muffy asked, her hair frazzled, her dress torn a little up one side.

'I was…staying with a friend. I was fine.' Jill replied sheepishly sounding like a child trying to tell their mom they've broken a window. 'I appreciate your concern though.'

'What friend was this? Someone from Mineral Town?' Rock spoke up again. His eyes where concentrated on Jill and although he was trying to sound casual she could tell he was angry, even though he had no reason to be!

Jill sighed in exasperation and folded her arms. The rest of the crowd began to move off content with the fact that Jill was okay but finding the situation starting to become a little awkward.

'Rock I'm not a little kid and you're not my father! Neither are you my boyfriend for that matter so to be honest, it's really none of your business!' She pushed past him and began to follow after Takakura who was leading Blaze back to the farm.

'Jill come on!' He called running a little to keep up with her. 'Can you blame a guy for worrying?'

Jill rolled her eyes and did her best to ignore him, but Rock was determined to make her listen.

'Look Jill, I've been dropping hints for months. I know it's a little awkward but I was just wondering if…if you'd wanna go out with me?'

Jill stopped suddenly turning sharply to him and staring at him blankly.

'What? Are you serious? Are you actually asking?'

The beach boy stood in front of her a little out of breath with slightly pink cheeks.

'Well…yea…is that a yes?'

Jill pretended to think about it for a minute and then laughed.

'No. Rock we broke up for a reason and I know you only wanna get back together because you feel threatened by Sk-' She new she had said too much, but why was she even giving him an explanation?

Rock gritted his teeth, his body tensing.

'I am not threatened by that shim!' He spat. Jill shook her head and turned on him once again. Why do I even bother? She asked herself whilst massaging her temples. 'Wait…is that where you where last night? With him?' Jill didn't bother answering him, she wasn't in the mood to argue and she new it wouldn't get her anywhere anyway. 'I'm not gonna give up Jill!' He called after her desperately 'I never will!'

That night Jill stood by her window. As she peeked through the curtains she wiped a small circle of condensation of the pane allowing her to see out. It was snowing again but unlike the usual light skiff of snow, it seemed to be a lot heavier.

Will it ever stop? She thought as the large white blobs blew past in the wind. She let the curtain drop again and made her way back towards the fireplace. Her mind was distracted, but not by the snow. That mental picture of Skye's rather impressive body had stuck with her all day. There wasn't a moment that went by that she wasn't thinking about him. It had become an obsession.

Where is he? What is he doing? Who is he with? She knew it was none of her business and was beginning to realise she was turning into more of a stalker than he was.

The following morning Jill was awoken suddenly by the repetitive dring of her telephone. She thought about ignoring it but then remembered how frustrated she gets when somebody won't answer their phone.

She sat up slowly, yawning and ruffling her hair. She then reached out and grabbed the handset holding it to her ear.

'H-hello? Jill?' It was Lumina. A little surprised the farmer did her best to wake up as she was very interested as to hear the reason why her extremely shy friend was ringing her at seven o'clock in the morning as it was a little out of the ordinary for her!

'Lumina…what's wrong?' Lumina paused her breathing ragged with the odd sniffle.

'We've been robbed Jill…he didn't even leave a note like he did with the others…I knew we were next Jill, you all told me it would be alright and it wasn't!'

Jill couldn't believe what she was hearing. With all the time she'd been spending with Skye, him being a thief had slipped her mind. She was speechless. The fact that he had robbed one of her best friends wasn't sinking in. Would this change her feelings for him?

'Jill?' Lumina squeaked. Jill shook her head and shut her eyes tightly.

'Eh yes sorry. What did he take?'

How could he? I thought he cared…who was I kidding? Myself that's who! He's a thief, why should I believe he'd change for me?

'He took Grandma's jewellery box and the case of family silver. I don't know how he found them; Grandma keeps them in her room hidden under her bed! I don't know what do to Jill. Sebastian rang the mayor's son and he's coming round later to investigate.'

'Wait Lumina, if Romana keeps them hidden how did she know they're missing?'

'She takes out her jewellery box every morning but this morning when she went to get it, it was gone…along with the silver.'

She had to see him, she had to hear his reasoning even though she could predict it.

'I'll talk to you later Lumina 'kay? It'll be fine. We'll get your stuff back.'

Before she could get another word in Jill hung up. She sprang out of bed stripping off her pyjamas and pulling on her clothes as she stumbled over to the bathroom. A few minutes later she reappeared and flew out the door grabbing her coat and scarf on the way.

Outside the snow was thick and Jill quickly began to sink. However she ploughed on flinging her scarf ends over her shoulders and zipping up her jacket. The valley was still asleep and although Jill still felt a little groggy she wanted nothing more than to hear what he had to say.

It was a bit of a walk and the previous night's heavy snow fall made it even more difficult to distinguish the of route path but once she reached the fork in the road she found it easier to remember.

She approached the small cottage confidently marching straight up to the door and giving a few loud knocks that echoed around the clearing. She waited impatiently for a few moments glancing around cautiously whilst irritably tapping her foot. She knocked again but still nothing.

'Skye?' She called 'Skye it's Jill.' After another few minutes it was apparent he wasn't in. Jill's hand settled on the door handle, she knew she would be trespassing but heck, he's a thief, he does it all the time! Surprisingly the door was in fact open and with a little backward glance, she entered. The house was dark and empty, cold as well. It felt like nobody had lived there for years only she'd been there just yesterday.

Wow…he sure does move fast!

Jill didn't like to snoop but out of pure curiosity she decided to have a look for Lumina's things. She flicked on the light switch by the door and within seconds the house looked as bright and warm as it did before.

Considering it was a thief's house it was surprisingly bare, what did he do with all the stuff? Jill walked slowly across the room, her fingers grazing over the kitchen table top and along the top of one of the chairs.

I thought he never came out during day? She thought taking a quick glance out the window. She moved into the bedroom only to notice the bed cleanly made and totally untouched. Jill found herself beginning to panic a little. Has he gone?...forever? Is that why he said goodbye so formally?

Thanks guys, I know that was a bit of an abrupt finish but it was a bit of a filler chapter. The next few chapters will be a bit more exciting, I can guarantee that! So anyway pleeeease review and I'm sure there will be a pretty quick update as I'm getting a weeks vacation for midterm break.

~*Sarah*~