Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They belong to natsume.

Chapter 32

What Just Happened?

Since Skye's parents (I mean mother) disowned Skye, Things got so much peaceful, not only on Star Ranch, but in the valley. Spring quickly turned to summer, bringing on another pair of birthdays. On summer sixth, my baby girl's turning nine. It has been a roller coaster nine years, from struggling to free the harvest goddess, thief hunting, and having our bad luck thrown at us. But I wouldn't trade those years for anything...SHOOT!

I only saved 69 sprites.

…

I slammed the lid to the shipping box shut. Vaughn, Annie, and I were brushing the animal hair and dirt off our hands. Summer is the busiest time of the year for us, between things to forage, a variety of crops, animal births, and moving the poultry and livestock from their pasture to their barns and back, we usually don't get done until mid-afternoon. I watched as Annie and Vaughn ran off to play with their friends, I smiled.

Annie was officially nine, and she forgot.

…

after unlacing my boots, and putting my knapsack away, I walked over to the kitchen, and leaned against the counter while Skye cooks.

"What's with that smile?" Skye asked.

"Annie forgot what day it is."

"She did?"

I nodded. "Such a silly girl." I sighed. "I can't believe she's nine already."

Skye paused. "So, it's been five years since we meet then..."

"I know. We met in spring before her fifth birthday, I just turned nineteen."

"How old were you when Annie was born?"

"I was fourteen when I conceived her, and fifteen when she was born." I smiled. "I was way too young to be put in a position like that." Skye dried his hands on the towel, walked up to me, and placed his hands on the counter on both sides of me.

"A lot of bad things happened to you both, and to us as well." I felt a pang of sadness there. I knew he was talking about the night he left, and Jenny. "How did you survive it?" Skye asked.

"Simple. I have my prince of the stars, my carrot top rancher, my little cattle herder, and the hope that things will get better."

He smiled at that thought.

…

The rest of Annie's birthday, and Skye's birthday went without too big of a problem. I was out watering plants. Then I heard Skye's voice.

"CHICK BEAM FIRE!"

Uh-Oh.

I dropped what I was doing, and ran to Skye to see what was going on. There was Skye, standing in a defensive position, Annie and Vaughn are right behind him, holding on to his legs. The woman Skye just froze was on a broomstick, had curly blond hair, and red eyes. I knew who she was though.

The Witch Princess.

"Fool!" The Witch Princess yelled. "Do you you think your feeble magic can go against me?"

"Whuddya want?" I asked. Annie took the opportunity to grab Vaughn and run into the house. The Witch Princess sighed.

"I give up."

I looked at her, then at Skye, then at the Witch Princess again. I had no idea what was going on. She picked up on it.

"For ages, my ancestors and myself not only loved to torment the Harvest Goddess, but we also liked tormenting a certain family." The witch princess looked at me then. "But I can't do it anymore. I had my fun out of it, and there is no more use carrying it on. I apologize what my ancestors and I did to you. In a sense, I'm the reason why you had your firstborn when you did, and the reason why you lost you second born. I'm sorry. I wish you guys happiness and bliss for the rest of your lives."

Then with that, she was gone. Skye and I looked at each other, stunned.

"What the heck just happened?" I asked.

"I think," Skye started. "That things are going to be better."

I nodded.