Hello again! Finally! I know, it took me a long time to update this, but I was at hostel and truthfully, I got a writer's block and I almost gave up on continuing this story altogether, but a review from Ryuusei got me in high sprits again, and it gave me new found motivation to continue this story! Thank you very much, Ryuusei! Now, onwards to the 6th chapter!

Disclaimer : I do not own Harvest Moon!

Chapter 6 – Lumina

Claire's P.O.V

"I'm Lumina Romana, a pleasure to be your acquaintance!".

She looked at me and Cliff with that 'I-know-it-all' look on her face, I really don't get along with her at all do I…

"Well Lumina, you can take the empty seat that's at the back." the teacher said.

Then, Chelsea passed me a note saying, 'Secret Base group meeting during the short break. Get ready! ', wait, get ready? What does she mean by that?

-Short Break-

Normal P.O.V

Chelsea suddenly got up, and then motioned the other to follow her while checking if Lumina was watching, she was busy chatting with the girls around her. Jill who was nearby Skye, who had no idea about the secret meeting, grabbed his arm, taking his attention, and pulled him out with her.

"Come on! Meeting!" Jill said as she pulled Skye along.

"Wha-!"

"Hurry up you guys! We need to reach the base ASAP!" ordered Chelsea, running way ahead of the others.

Meanwhile Lumina noticed the commotion, 'Did that Jill just kidnap MY Skye?!' she thought. She got up and told the others around her, "Sorry, I suddenly remembered that I have something to attend to, excuse me.", then she also exited the class, half running.

"Hurry you guys!" Chelsea shouted, she was already running up the stairs.

"Just what is going on?! " Skye exclaimed, he was still being dragged by Jill.

Claire was a little slower than the rest, but still able to keep up with them. But she tripped on someone's foot along the way and was about to fall over, when Cliff's hand came and prevented her from falling.

"Cliff!"

"That was close, now come on!" Cliff said, as he pulled Claire along.

Soon, they were also running up the stairs and out of view from Lumina, who was following behind. Lumina didn't have the chance to see where they disappeared as the number of students in the corridor prevented her from seeing far.

"Darn, where'd they go?"

-Secret Base-

"T-that was close.." Claire said, panting.

"Too close for comfort, but preferably, Lumina wasn't able to see where we ran off to in time, right?" Cliff reassured.

"Okay, tell me why I was dragged all the way here." Skye asked.

"I couldn't… I mean WE couldn't leave you all alone in the classromm with HER there!" Jill exclaimed.

"Uh-huh…"

"Besides, we have something important to discuss. Now, if you may, Claire." Chelsea announced.

Claire nodded and told everyone what Cliff and her talked about the other night, about their families once having close ties, which was broken by the Saibara family, how the Alexanders wanted to regain their close ties, how the Regisons turned a blind eye on the Alexanders' request and their current situation.

"So, you're telling us to help you search for these Saibara people and ask what really happened?" Chelsea asked.

"Yes, I'm begging you to help us restore the once close ties our families had. Please." Claire pleaded.

"Hmm… Alright, we'll help you! We can never turn down a friend in need, right guys?" Chelsea replied, then turned to the others.

"Of course, a friend in need is a friend indeed!" Jill exclaimed.

"What are friends for? Of course we'll help." Mary said.

"Say, Skye, didn't we know of a person in our circle outside of school that was a Saibara?" Jack asked.

"Huh? I don't know, maybe. I haven't really paid attention to their names." Skye replied.

"Really? You do? Then Jack, can you still remember the name of that person?" Cliff asked.

Jack put his hands in his chin to think for a moment.

"Hmm… There are a lot of people in our circle, so I can't really recall which one was it, and I can't remember where he lives either." Jack replied.

"That's too bad. But we could search the whole neighborhood!" Chelsea exclaimed, as she snapped her fingers.

"Are you serious! There are a lot of streets here in Flower Valley and there are too less of us to do that!" Vaughn exclaimed, seemingly hoping that Chelsea was joking when she said that.

"No, I am serious. We can do anything if we try, that's my motto! We'll just split up the work and we'll be done in a few days!" Chelsea replied, making a peace sign.

"Ohoho, so that's your little idea."

"That voice-!" Skye exclaimed.

Everyone turned to the door, it opened to reveal Lumina.

"Lumina! What are- How did you find this place?" Chelsea asked.

"I have my ways and my connections." Lumina answered. She stepped in the room. "I've heard the whole story, and it dawned onto me that those Saibara people you guys will be looking for, are actually friends of mine!"

"Then, could you-", Jill was cut off.

" 'Help us'? I'm sorry, I don't do 'helping commoners' and stuff like that. Besides, I have to protect what Uncle Regison have been doing all this time, prevent the restoration of the Regison and Alexanders' ties." Lumina sneered.

"How can you say that? Don't you have any pity?" Jack asked.

"Pity? Ah, that word, I'm sorry, I don't recall feeling any pity for anyone during my entire life." Lumina laughed.

"Can you go out now?" Vaughn said, totally irritated by Lumina's character. The others looked at him in shock to what Vaughn just said.

"Leave? Of course, but this won't be the end of the disturbances for you all, in fact, it's only the beginning. Oh, you said something about looking for the Saibaras, right? Well then, here's a little info, I'm going to tell them to hide their identity so looking for them street by street will be very hard. You might have seen them, but they might tell a lie and deceive you lot to turn you in the wrong direction. That's all, tata~", and with that Lumina left.

"… It's hopeless now…" Claire said.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Cliff asked.

"I mean, if what Lumina said is true, then we won't have any chances for finding the Saibaras at this rate."

"Hey, don't let that get you down! Of course, finding them might be a little- no, not a little, very hard, we'll just keep on looking for them until we find them!" Chelsea reassured.

That got Claire to raise her hopes a little.

"Thanks."

"No biggie."

"Anyway, when do we start searching?" Jill asked.

"Is everyone free today evening?" Chelsea asked.

"Yes." They all replied.

"Then how about starting this evening! We'll split up in groups of…", Chelsea counted the number of people present, "In groups of two!"

"Um… Chelsea, I don't think I can help you guys. I know I'm the one who requested for your help, but my father will get angry if I don't arrive home on time." Claire said, meekly.

"Oh, I overlooked your situation! Then one group can have three persons in it. It will make the job more easier for that group." Chelsea said, lightly punching her head. "Is everyone alright with that?"

"All fine with me." Jill replied.

"Me too, I'll just explain the situation to my parents if they ever ask." Mary also said.

Then one by one, they agreed to the suggestion.

"Thank you for helping me, everyone. I promise I'll help you guys if there is anything I can help you all with." Claire said, tears forming in her eyes out of happiness.

"Hey, don't cry now. Save your tears for when we finish this task." Cliff said, as he patted her back.

Author's reply

Ryuusei : I'm glad I exceeded your expectations of Mizo by my story. And with Gray's grandfather, I just think of it as people refer to him as his family name Saibara, instead of his own name. I love CliffxClaire too! Thanks for your encouragement and support, and I hope you continue to read and enjoy my stories! ^^