A.N. Well…what can I say? Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Animal Crossing or any related characters!


Chapter Twelve: Deaf to My Cry

Frosty Mid-November winds wiped across B-Town, scattering half frozen leaves along the ground. Cheerful voices echoed over the tree tops as four friends hurried about the last fruit trees. A ladder was leaned against a pear tree and Rose was partly engulfed in the branches quickly plucking the last of the fruits in the tree. Pulling one off she dropped it down to Carly who caught it and dropped it into a basket.

"Here comes another one!"

A few trees away the same was happening in an apple tree. Jake passed the shiny red fruits down to Adam with smooth movements twisting them off the tree and dropping them. Adam run this way and that trying to catch them but failing most of the time. Once the tree was empty Jake climbed down and joined the other in gathering the missed apples. The two girls walked over, supporting a full basket of pears and peaches between them.

"I think that's it," Rose told them scanning the area, her ponytail swinging with the movement. Adam and Jake hefted the last basket and they hurried up toward Tom Nook's shop.


"So…" Tom Nook glanced up from his pad of paper tapping it with his pencil. "100 bells per fruit…" Rose and Carly nodded having shooed the guys out to do business.

"How many fruits DO you have?" he asked. Carly and Rose look at each other, frowned and then shrugged at Nook at the same time looking very much like twins. The raccoon sighed hanging his head then waved a paw at the baskets.

"If you count them for me I'll give you an extra…." He thought for a moment. "200 bells!" Both girls saluted still moving at the same time. Tom nodded slowly before moving away reminding them to call when finished. Rose knelt by the farthest basket and began counting. Carly quickly followed suit. After a few minutes Rose leaned back with a small grin.

"27," she declared standing.

"31," Carly responded stretching her sore knees. "And that makes…58!"

"Meaning we get 5800 bells plus the extra 200 making it 6000 even!" Turning to fetch Nook, Rose discovered him already behind her counting out the right number of bells. He handed three 1000 bell bags to each girl then instructed his nephews to move the baskets to the back room. With a soft thank you they left to meet the guys back at Rose's house.


Gathered around the dining table the four stared at the bells. Rose looked up at Carly.

"How much did you say you need to pay off your dept and let Nook build a basement?" she asked drumming her fingers of the table.

"1500 bells," she recited checking the planner she kept in the back pocket of the jeans she had on. Jake pushed two of the bags over to her from across the table.

"Use the extra to help with your design for your new room," he told her chuckling as she stared at him open mouthed. She nodded setting a hand on them to assure herself she had it.

"Thank you!" Rose glanced between them for a moment happily until everyone drew silent again, attention turning back to the four remaining bags.

"1000 for each?" she offered dividing them up. Everyone agreed without complaint and they moved on to other topics of discussion.


After an hour of talking Carly was the first to leave wanting to pay her dept before it got too late. Rose hugged her goodbye at the door and watched as she left. Turning to the guys she gave a closed eye smile.

"Would you guys like to join me for dinner?" she questioned already moving to start cooking. Seeing his opportunity Jake jumped for it.

"I'd love to but Adam has something to do!" he exclaimed.

"I don't have anything…OUCH!!" Adam was cut off as Jake stomped hard on his foot. Glaring at each other Adam frowned giving a nervous laugh. "Oh yah…I have that thing to do…somewhere that's not here…." With that he waved and ran out the door. Rose watched him go with a confused look but before she could say anything Jake popped up in front of her.

"What can I help with?" he asked eyes shining.


Rose looked up from her plate blushing slightly when she noticed Jake watching her. Absently he twirled his fork then stuck it into something without even looking. Her eyes glittered but Jake forced himself to look away and down to what he had stabbed. They were both almost done eating now and it was far too quiet.

"You're a good cook," he said trying to ease the tension.

"T-thank you…" Realizing she had stuttered she took another bite, chewing and swallowing before speaking again.

"Today was pretty nice," she commented finally looking at him. "Wasn't it?" Jake nodded wildly finishing up his meal. Rose stood gathering her dishes then his, taking them to the sink. Setting them in she moved to start washing was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.

"You've done enough work today," Jake insisted draping his arms over her and hugging her. "Take a break tonight." He pulled away and for a long moment Rose missed his warmth a little shiver running up her spine.

"Then what-" She froze as K.K. Love Song began to play on her CD player. Blue orbs widened she turned to see Jake grinning. He bowed low at the waist.

"May I have this dance?" he offered her his hand. Blush covering her face she hesitantly took the hand and let Jake sweep her into a slow dance. One hand held hers while the other was on the smaller of her back holding her near him. Rose slipped her free hand over his shoulder and leaned into him resting her head on his chest. Her eyes slipped closed letting the music and movement sooth her senses. Jake buried his face into her hair once more breathing in her sweet scent feeling completely tranquil. They swayed back in forth circling the room a few times until the song wound down, the last notes trickling out barely audible. Their feet slowed then stopped and both of them looked to each other. Jake opened his mouth to speak but Rose shushed him moving closer. Their lips touched gently, and Jake felt like he couldn't breathe. Just before he could respond thee was a knock at the door. Rose leapt back in surprise turning red. Turning on her heel she hurried to the door Jake following close behind his face warm. Opening the door Rose looked up into green eyes that matched Jake's perfectly though a little dimmer. Seeing who it was Jake froze, his whole body going ridge, persona growing dark.

"Joe…?" he whispered hoarsely. "How did you…?" Feeling guilty Rose stepped out of the way of the two brothers not meeting his wondering gaze.

"I wrote him…" she told him in a hushed tone. Looking as if he had just been punched in the stomach he stared at her in disbelief.

"Jake, we need to talk," Joe spoke moving half a step toward the younger.

"I don't want to talk to you!!" Jake snapped. Rose turned to him placing a hand on his arm.

"Jake, I-" she tried.

"I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU EITHER!!!" he roared shoving her back. "I trusted you and you betrayed me! I left home to get away from him and you drag him back into my life!" Tears were forming in her eyes as he shouted. "I thought I could trust you! I thought you were different! I guess I was wrong." Pushing passed Joe he ran out and into the trees disappearing into the dusk.

"JAKE!" Rose cried starting after him but Joe caught her around the waist with an arm.

"Let him be…" he murmured as she fought his grip. Water pouring down her cheeks Rose squirmed and called but to no avail. Her movements slowed and her voice faded before her body gave out going limp against Joe.


A.N. Took me a bit to get it out but I'm proud of it! Tell me what you think.

R&R No flames please!

TheLastRose