Disclaimers: I don't own Harvest Moon, though I did buy Back to Nature...and the characters belong to Natsume.

Hurricane of Change by Yaoi Girl

Soon after Kai had left, Maya went back into the wooded areas to cut some wood, returning to a big surprise.

"I haven't named her yet; I figured that you'd want to," Kai smiled and shrugged as he stood around the newly build chicken fence, a lone chicken clucking and pecking happily at the ground.

Maya didn't know what to say; all he could do was look from the chicken to Kai and back to the chicken several times as his mouth opened and closed in attempts to form words.

"Think of her as an early birthday present," Kai finally said, laughing. "Now let's get some of these weeds out of here."

~*~

About ten minutes after they had started weeding, Ann came by with a basket.

"I made you guys some snacks and my own fruit juice," she smiled as she handed the basket over to Maya. "If you want, I'll stop by tomorrow too with food."

"Only if you want to," the farmer said. "Thanks for this; it looks delicious."

"Well, I have to go; I still have some errands to run for dad, so I'll see you around and I'll see you tonight Kai." And with that she waved and left.

Kai took the basket away from Maya and the other boy ran inside, meeting Kai under the apple tree with a blanket for the pair to sit on.

"That was nice of her," the brunette said as he began to eat, receiving a nod of agreement from his companion, who had his mouth full at the moment. "What time is it?"

After finishing the bite of sandwich, the bandana clad boy glanced at his watch.

"Almost three. Why?"

"I was just making sure we had time to run down to the store to get seeds."

"Already done," Kai smiled.

Maya smiled and continued to eat.

"I think I'll name her Kairi," the farmer said out of the blue, Kai having to follow the boy's gaze to figure out what he was talking about, understanding dawning on him as his eyes met the white fluff ball in the middle of the chicken pen.

"Kairi, huh?" he smiled with a slight shake of his head.

"Kairi."

~*~

After their lunch, the boys resumed their fieldwork: Maya hoeing and Kai planting.

They planted corn, tomatoes, and some green peppers, deciding to get other crops a little later in the season; what they had now was plenty to get Maya back on his feet.

"I asked Lillia earlier if I could borrow her watering can; Saibara's making me one," Kai said once they were done with the planting part. He then walked over to the side of the farmer's house and grabbed it from where he had placed it earlier. "So let's get busy!"

Both boys filled their cans and began the chore of thoroughly watering the newly planted seeds, both sweaty and tired from the labor.

They were just finishing up the last couple of seeds when Maya nearly dropped his watering can, his shoulders scrunching up against his neck as he shivered, water running down his hair and face into and onto his clothing, his hat giving him no support since it had long since been set aside.

"You looked like you needed to cool down," Kai said innocently as he resumed his watering, his eyes focused on the crops at hand, but amusement and laughter was evident in his eyes.

"Two can play at this game!" Maya smiled evilly, dumping the remnants of his can on Kai's head.

Both boy's laughed as Kai sat down his can and took off his bandana, wringing it a little before tossing it to land next to Maya's hat.

Since he had to turn his back to Maya to toss his bandana, he didn't see the other boy grabbing his can., but he did, however, turn back in time to grab the can before it was dumped over his head.

The two laughed as they tested their strength, trying to tip the can to spill on the other.

Tobi didn't know what to do; he was barking wildly at the boys, unsure of whether or not his master was okay, knowing that he would more than likely get in trouble if he were to bite Kai, so he ran around them, continuing to bark.

Kai pushed back hard, causing Maya to take a step back to keep from getting drenched again, but in doing so, tripped over Tobi.

The poor dog yelped and scampered away a few feet, watching as the watering can went flying out of the boy's hands and his master fall with Kai falling on top of him.

Kai probably wouldn't be in this predicament if he a) hadn't started the water fight b) hadn't had such a tight grip on the can and c) Maya hadn't grabbed a hold of his shirt in an attempt to stay standing. So now, here he was, staring into Maya's wide eyes with his own, both breathing heavily from their laughter and struggle for king of the watering can only moments before.

For Maya, this brought back memories of that night, causing him to turn his head, Kai gulping and standing moments later.

"Are you just going to lay their all day or what?" the standing boy asked awkwardly, knowing what was going through Maya's head, as he held a hand out to him.

"Sorry," was his response as he smiled a small smile and placed his hand in Kai's.

"It's no biggie," he said as he glanced up at the now setting sun, rubbing his arms as the temperature began to drop. "I, uh, should get back to the inn; Ann's probably wondering where I am for dinner."

"Thanks for helping me out."

"I'll be here around nine or so tomorrow morning, okay?" he asked as he gathered his bandana and the basket to return to Ann. "I'll come by earlier for the watering can; I promised Lillia I'd water her corn for her in thanks for letting me borrow it."

Maya merely nodded, his eyes mainly focused on the ground.

"Don't turn on me again," Kai said sadly, noticing how Maya was acting like he did the first day he came back.

"I won't; it's just…the memories…" he sighed as he rubbed his arms, the water and still falling temperature beginning to chill him. "I'm gonna head in, so I'll see you tomorrow."

"Night, Maya," Kai said as he turned to walk off.

"Night, Kai…"