Blanket disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. I do not claim any rights to Harvest Moon Animal Parade or any characters associated with the game. No money was made from this fan fiction.

Author note: Happy 2011 everyone, this was a double post make sure you read ch 28 first! I've lost contact with my old beta, Andi if you're around and still interested in beta work let know, anyone else interested contact me please. That being said, this and all future chapters will only have my care, so if any errors I apologize & hope you can overlook and enjoy anyway.

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Hikari snuck away from the New Year's Festival, up the hill to the clinic. Everyone was down at the clock tower right now. She felt a little bad for slipping away during the fashion contest, but there was someone she wanted to see before the end of the year.

By now Hikari knew her way around the clinic, even in the dark, she found Wizard easily. The soft glow of his power made it unnecessary to turn on any lights. Beside she'd prefer no one bother her right now.

Pulling up a seat, she wished again she could touch him. To hold his hand and let him know he wasn't alone. Placing her hand against the barrier, Hikari sadly smiled. "Hopefully not much longer now, Wizard. I just have four more items to gather then Harvest King will be able to fix what's happened to you."

The memory of Witch made her chuckle. "The one person I thought I'd have the most trouble with was actually the easiest. I think Witch might be sorry she decided to give me her bracelet though."

Hikari could hear the crowd cheering, sounded like the contest was over. "I better get back down there. I promised Luna I'd come to the festival. I snuck away while she was fighting with Julius about the difference between function and fashion. As soon as everything is back to normal, you and I will go and have a cup of coffee together at the Inn. I've missed you so much." Pushing the chair back Hikari walked to the door, surprised to find Finn had stayed in the waiting room. "Finn?" The little sprite fluttered over landing on her outstretched hand. "Why didn't you come with me?"

Finn pulled his hat down to hide his face somewhat. "I just felt like you and Wizard probably could use sometime alone."

Pulling Finn close, Hikari gave him a hug. Finn was certainly a thoughtful friend. "Thanks."

They stood there in the dark clinic for a few moments until Finn squirmed out of her embrace. "Come on, it's New Years Eve. Wizard wouldn't want you to stand around in the dark. He'd want you to spend time with your friends."

"Wizard's my friend too." She pointed out.

"Yes, but I think Wizard would be happier if he knew you'd thought of him and spent time with everyone else too. Plus, remember we have a long night ahead of us." Finn reminded her, heading for the clinic door.

Pulling the clinic door open, Hikari headed the back way around the shops so she would be able to sneak back without Luna catching where she'd been. Luna had already reamed her for not visiting like she use to.

Edging around the crowd, Hikari listened in on everyone discussing the contests she'd missed. Finally, she made it to Luna and Candace's side, standing just behind them. Luna was complaining about where she was. Deciding to play with Luna a bit, Hikari pulled out a treat she'd purchased earlier. When Luna realized where she was maybe the snack would help cover up she hadn't actually been at the festival.

Luna huffed searching the crowd in front of her. "Where is she?"

Clasping her hands, Candace bit her lip, her attention solely on her sister. "I'm sure Hikari is just speaking to someone else sister. Don't be angry."

Stomping her foot, Luna reached out and grabbed Gill as he past. "Hey, Assistant Mayor! Do your job and assist me."

Jerking out of her hold, Gill narrowed his eyes before smoothing out his shirt. "And what sort of assistance do you need? I have to go check to make sure Hayden and Ozzie are ready with the fireworks." Glancing at the clock tower, he added. "There is only forty minutes left, you know."

Luna waved off his concern. "Whatever."

"Whatever? Now listen, I take my job very seriously."

"I . . . I don't think sister meant to offend you Gill." Candace stuttered, turning red at sister's behavior.

Rolling her eyes Luna nodded. "No, no . . . I know you take your work seriously. I just can't find Hikari anywhere and she was with us before the fashion contest. I'm just worried about her." Before Gill could answer, Luna leaned closer to him and put her hand up to her mouth, her voice was in no way a whisper though. "You know how she's been since the 'Wizard incident.'"

Hikari choked on her desert when the shorter woman made quotation marks with her fingers when she spoke about Wizard's condition.

Pulling away Gill scowled until he looked behind Luna to see Hikari patting her chest, her cheeks puffed out with whatever it was she had been eating. Snapping his fingers to get Chase's attention, Gill made a motion for a drink then nodded towards Hikari. Narrowing his purple eyes at Gill, Chase turned to see what had Gill thinking he could order him around. Seeing Hikari attempting to swallow, and not doing a very good job of it, he ran for the juice table.

Returning, Chase shook his head when it seemed no one even realized Hikari needed help, pushing through the crowd he gave the young farmer the glass of juice.

Nodding in thanks, Hikari took a big sip and swallowed, coughing a bit. "Thank you." She croaked, taking another sip.

Smirking, Chase shrugged. "No problem. You should really be more careful, with friends like Luna you'd die before she'd notice you."

Finishing the drink, Hikari smiled back, watching Luna as she shook Gill and insisted he stopped just standing around and help her. "You might be right."

Speaking over Luna, Chase replied. "Well, if Luna and Gill would stop flirting for just a moment then maybe Luna would realize you were right behind her."

Releasing Gill's vest, Luna whirled around to yell at Chase, finding Hikari chuckling with the young cook. "Where have you been?"

"She was right there all along." Gill replied, brushing his hair out of his face.

"Is that true?"

Gill answered for her. "She had her mouth full." He shook his head. "At least she has some manners. You wouldn't have wanted her to tap you with dirty hands or speak with food in her mouth, would you?"

"Well . . . ."

"And then she started choking because of the things you were saying. So I had Chase get Hikari a drink." Gill finished, looking rather smug as he pulled out a napkin, pushing past Luna and Candace, Gill wiped the corner of Hikari's mouth. "You have a little something right there." Gill explained, dabbing her mouth then pocketing his napkin.

Blushing, Hikari bowed to her friends. "Thanks everyone, sorry to have worried you." Luna looked like she was still ready to yell at her. "Oh, and congratulations on second place Gill, and you too Candace for third. I thought for sure one of you would have beat Julius."

Candace only blushed, but Gill did smile. "Thanks, but Julius isn't someone so easily beaten, he does have very good fashion sense."

Candace nodded, had her sister not piped up again she might have even said something. "Oh please. You can't really believe that . . . that . . . man, and use the term loosely, has even an inkling about fashion."

Hikari just bit her tongue and clamped her hand over her mouth. Beside her Chase leaned against her shoulder, laughing for all he was worth. Towering over Luna from behind was Julius, Owen by his side; neither looked too happy about Luna's runaway mouth.

Poor Candace, she noticed him and looked like she was ready to crawl back home. Gill glanced back to check the time and noticed the purple-haired man glaring, with a hasty excuse about checking the fireworks he was off.

Luna, she was on a roll. "I mean if I didn't know him, I would think he was a woman . . . and not a very nice looking woman at that." Luna planted on fist against her hip. "Those clothes, he needs to pick a gender and stick with it."

"Please sister." Candace attempted, only to turn brighter red at Luna's next bout of words.

"Oh, I know you got a thing for him. Really Candace, you could do so much better." Luna waved her hand dismissively at her sister. "I mean I bet he dyes his hair, there's just no way it's natural."

Chase chose that moment to look back up, both his and Hikari's eyes widened. On her other shoulder, Finn pulled his hat over his face.

"Oh! Is that what you think?" Julius asked, his overly sweet sounding voice conflicted with his evil smirk. Julius's jacket had fallen off his shoulders and bunched at his elbows. He had both his hands holding his now unzipped pants and was beginning to lower them for all to see. "So . . . still wanting to know if the drapes match the carpet, Luna?"

The young woman screamed, shading her eyes, she ran towards the tailor shop. Candace blushed, actually she seemed torn between staying and chasing her sister. Finally Candace bowed, apologized, and chased after Luna.

Chase hung off Hikari, she staggered a bit under his weight, but she was the only thing holding the cook up. Julius looked very pleased with himself as he buttoned his pants back up and Owen- much like Chase was hanging off Julius's shoulder.

Walking up, Mira reached over and flicked Julius in the forehead. "Brat." She mumbled, but still smiled at her employee.

Julius rubbed his forehead, returning her smile. "Yes, but I believe I've cured her questions about my manhood and other things by now haven't I?"

Kathy joined them just in time for the count down and Gill made it back in time too. A brief display of fireworks lite the sky just at midnight, and everyone made their wishes for the new year.

Giving her last well wishes to everyone Hikari headed home. She patted Rob as she past him, opening her front door. "I haven't forgotten Rob, I'm grabbing something to sit on and a blanket. I'll be right back out."

Hikari grabbed her cutting board and an extra blanket, and placed them near the door. Moving into the kitchen she made some hot chocolate, filling a thermos with it. Heading back out, Hikari put the cutting board down next to Rob; the cutting board would make for a barrier between her blanket and the snow. Arranging the blanket so most would be left to wrap around her Hikari took a seat and placed the thermos between her legs.

A few hours later the sky was beginning to lighten, and Rob still hadn't moved or spoke. Hikari took it onto herself to make some conversation before the snowman disappeared. "Thank you for the gifts all season long. I can't tell you how much those shining cucumbers mean, I won't have to wait till summer to help Wizard now." Rob still didn't speak. "I'm going to miss coming out of my home and seeing you every morning. It made the season less lonely, knowing you were right here with me." A little twinkle began to form around Rob. "If you ever need anything in the future I hope you know you can stop by here and I'll help if I can. As soon as Wizard is alright, I'll let him know we spent the season together. I'm sure he'll be sorry he missed seeing you."

The sun would be breaching the horizon soon, Hikari pulled the blanket closer, she hoped Rob didn't forget his promise. Suddenly, the snowman moved, in one of his branch hands he held his carrot nose out to her. "For your quest to help our friend Wizard."

Blinking, Hikari took the carrot, gazing up at Rob's coal black eyes. "Are you sure?"

Waving his arms Rob bounced a bit in place. "Yes, I'm sure. It's my nose, but it also means a lot to me. That carrot is important to me, 'cause it's been a very long time since I'd made any new friends. Besides, giving it to you mean's I can help my old friend, Wizard, and I get to help you, my new friend, at the same time. So it's fine."

Leaning her bundled self against the snowman's body, Hikari felt him place a branch arm around her shoulders. "Thank you so much for helping Rob, and for asking me to share this sunrise with you."

Just as the sun broke over the horizon Hikari glanced over at Rob. "It's even more beautiful than I remembered." The spirit of winter whispered, disappearing into nothing. Straightening, Hikari clutched the carrot closer to her chest and finished watching the first sunrise of spring, hoping her New Year's wish for a rainy day would be answered.