Chelsea's not in this chapter (at least not physically) because it's hard writing about someone when the only thing going on for them is thinking while swimming.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon.

Chapter 11: Illusions

Denny awoke before dawn. Kuu was still perched, sound asleep. "Wake up, Kuu… Time to fish," Denny gently poked the bird. Stubbornly, Kuu let out a noise saying, I'm not getting up. "Fine, no fishy for you," Denny bribed.

Kuu's eyes popped open. He cooed in a way, Please no! I need my fish! Denny laughed. "Well then come one you lazy goose!" Kuu did not like that; he let it be known. "Fine; you're not a goose."

Kuu chirped approvingly. "Silly goose – I mean… bird." Kuu hopped on his master's shoulder. Denny silently reminded himself not to think of a certain farmer, but then he realized thinking about not thinking about her was the equivalent of thinking about her.

Denny tried hard to not think at all, but failed miserably. Instead, he focused on his fishing gear. He dragged a boat out along the beach. Closing his eyes, he pushed the boat into the water. The crashing soothed him.

He hopped in; his eyes opened. The vast sea reminded him of his woes. He ignored everything and just rowed. When he was out, a quick flash of red caught his attention. Denny gasped and practically fell out of the boat to touch the creature. He held on tight to the tail.

He brought it out and looked… at a red fish. Denny puffed, tears threatening to fall. He threw the fish back.

X~*&*~X

Denny plopped on his mats near his 'stove'. He started cutting open the many fish he caught. The degutting process was fun to him, but to most, the process of removing the scaly creatures' insides was unpleasant.

A memory crossed his mind.

X~*&*~X Flash back X~*&*~X

"Ew, that's disgusting!" Chelsea squealed, jumping back from Denny's gut covered knife.

"What?" Denny innocently lifted the blade. Chelsea was now standing.

"Get that thing away from me!"

"Aw, you're just overreacting. You know, I thought a farmer had to have a strong stomach!" Denny laughed.

"Yeah – for poop and stuff!"

"Poop and stuff?" Denny lifted an eyebrow. "So, I take it you don't have a slaughter house?"

"WHAT? No, I love my animals!" Chelsea cried.

"Who do you love more: your animals or me?" Denny teased.

"You, of course!" Denny fought back a smile.

"Oh really… So you don't mind if I do this…?" Denny shot up and grabbed his love tight. He held his head inches from hers.

"EW!" Chelsea broke free. "I love you – but not fish hands!" Denny held up his hands which were covered in blood and who knows what else.

"That's too bad. I was going to make you a dinner of fish arteries."

"Ha, ha."

Denny held his hands as far from Chelsea as possible before leaning in for a peck on the lips.

X~*&*~X End Flashback X~*&*~X

Denny let the blade he held clatter to the ground. He was distant, staring off into space. Kuu pecked his master softly. "You're right, Kuu. Moping never did get anyone anywhere." He picked up the degutting knife and continued his work.

X~*&*~X

The sun was higher in the sky, and Denny was making his way to Chen's store for more fishing line. As soon as the building came into view, a flash caught his attention. It was a small red flag, but all Denny saw was Chelsea.

He could see her standing by Chen's store. She just stood there, watching people pass by. Denny waved to her, and she smiled widely. She beckoned him closer, and Denny gladly obliged. As soon as he got close, though, she vanished.

Denny looked down and saw the crimson banner. "It's not you…" Luckily for him, no one noticed his imaginary encounter.

Denny forgot why he'd gone to Chen's store in the first place.

X~*&*~X

Glumly, Denny wandered along the path. Subconsciously, he ventured towards Chelsea's house. He found himself in front of her door, knocking.

The door was still open, so he let himself in. In the kitchen, Chelsea was sweeping. "Chelsea…?"

"Denny! You just missed a good bowl of custard!" Chelsea smiled.

This wouldn't be the first time. "Sorry," Denny rubbed the back of his neck.

"I don't know why you're apologizing. You're the one who missed out!" Chelsea smiled. She put down the broom and made her way to the fisherman.

"So… I missed desert." Chelsea nodded. "I'll give you desert then." He closed his eyes and leaned in. When he reopened them, the maiden was gone.

"I should've known…" Denny slumped down onto the ground. His knees reached his chest; his face buried in his palms. Leaning against the farmhouse wall, Denny let everything out.

X~*&*~X Two days later X~*&*~X

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Mirabelle looked at the boy sympathetically.

"No matter where I go, no matter what I see, I see her. She's always there." Denny paused. "Everywhere I look, Chelsea haunts me. I need a new environment. I need to escape. Maybe then I can get her off my mind."

"I understand," the plump blonde sighed. She wrapped chubby arms around the brown-eyed fisherman. "Once you find happiness again, come home to us. Okay?"

"I can't promise that."

"Good bye." Everyone started to bid farewell to their fisherman as he, Kuu, and everything he owned boarded the ship.

Where is he going? You'll see! And I'd like to apologize ahead of time if the characters are off; it's been so long since I've played that game. It was the first one I played, so it's dear to me!