(AN: I'm getting a better feel for my fan fic again, which is good news. Thank you Red Sonic for reviewing, and I hope you all enjoy this next chapter. I rather like it, actually. It flowed well, and there was no effort needed to write it. Review, please! And thanks for reading!)

Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon, or any Natsume products. I only write. That's it. Don't sue me, I have nothing you want.

Chapter Four: New Faces

The air was crisp and clear the next morning as I walked through Mineral Town. There were so many friendly faces to meet, that I felt refreshed, and very happy. I found the supermarket rather quickly and walked in. The door made a friendly ding as I walked through the threshold.

"Welcome, welcome!" A smiling man rushed over to me, wearing an apron. He held out a hand. "You must be Jack, the one who's taking on the farm." I smiled back and nodded, shaking his hand. "My name is Jeff. I'm glad someone took an interest in that old place. Otherwise it would just go to waste...oh," he laughed, "I'm sure you didn't just come to say hello. You're looking for seed, aren't you?"

"Yes, actually, I am." I couldn't help but smile. I liked this man already, and I had only known him for a few minutes.

"What can I interest you in today? Some potato seeds? Or maybe you'd like..."

"Daddy!" The cry came from behind a door in the back of the store, as a beautiful girl stormed in, her green eyes blazing, her mane of dirty blonde hair flowing behind her. "You misplaced my boots again! Oh..." She noticed me and stepped back. "Hello..."

"Ah, Karen, my daughter." Jeff walked over to her and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. "This is Jack. He's taken over his grandfather's farm." Karen smiled a polite smile.

"Hello, Jack." She blushed and I smiled.

"Hello. Nice to meet you, Karen." She certainly was pretty, and her eyes sparkled.

Turning her attention from me, she turned on her dad once more. "I've asked you before not to move my things..."

"I'm sorry, Karen. They're by the refrigerator. I just kept stepping on them. You always leave them everywhere!" Karen blushed and uttered a goodbye to me, as she grabbed her boots and was out the door in a matter of seconds.

Jeff looked after his daughter thoughtfully. "That girl of mine...now, back to business!" He motioned me toward a counter.

~*~*~

I was slightly proud, walking out of the supermarket with my own seed underneath my arm. It was going to be a lot of work, but I was sure I could turn the farm into a productive business. It was such a beautiful day...a perfect day to work!

As I passed the Inn, I had the sudden urge to stop in and see Ann. 'Would she be working today?' I wondered. To ease my curiosity, I stepped into the large building. It was virtually empty...except for an orange cat sleeping lazily in the corner. Smiling, I went to it, bending down to pet it. "Well aren't you a cute, lazy little thing?" I said, letting my fingers feel the soft, long hairs of the pet's fluffy coat. Beneath my fingers, I could feel it purring.

"Jack!" I turned to see Ann standing outside of a door near the back of the room, her golden hair cascading down her shoulders. She was in a light blue, flowered nightgown that reached to her ankles, revealing a pair of fluffy slippers. Realizing the condition she was in, she hastily tied her hair back with her ribbon.

I smiled. She was so gorgeous. "Good morning."

She blushed. "I didn't realize...I didn't think there was anyone...I'm sorry for not serving you...I, I slept in. I'll...I'll be out in a minute." She said and dashed back through the door, just in time to miss the chuckle that escaped from my lips. She was so beautiful. She didn't need to worry about me seeing her that way. How cute that she would worry about her appearance in front of me.

At that moment, a man who I recognize as the owner of the inn, walked down the stairs. "Good morning! Jack I presume?" He smiled. "I'm Doug. Pleased to meet you! Can I get you anything?"

"No, thank you, sir. I was just stopping by. Nice meeting you!" I called behind me as I walked out the door. Ann would probably be unhappy that I left without saying good-bye, but I had crops to plant, and there are only so many hours of sunlight in a day...

~*~*~

It was noon when I finally took a break from the back breaking job of hoeing. So far I had planted all of my potato seeds. I only had my turnip seeds left. Sweat rolled down my face without any signs of ceasing, and I almost cursed the bright, hot sun that stared back at me, tauntingly. I sat in the little wooden chair on my porch and took another gulp from my glass of iced tea let it slowly drain down my throat. It was so cool and refreshing. Looking down at my meager lunch, I lost my appetite.

Ham sandwiches. These were a lunch food that I had not minded before moving the farm. Now, they were all I ate. And I hated them more and more. I wasn't much of a cook, so I had to settle with it. Oh well, it was food. At least I could eat. For that much, I was thankful. After blessing the food, I sat for a while longer, eating and resting, before resuming the grueling task of planting. Toby came and licked my hand, begging for a piece of my sandwich. I patted his head with my free hand, and handed him half. Within seconds, he had eaten it and was asking for more, licking his chops in the process. "No, Toby. You had your half. This is mine." I said, shaking my finger at him.

"Excuse me..."

A soft female voice from the gate startled me and I looked up. A pretty girl with pink hair and dressed in pink was standing there, holding a hen in her hands. She was smiling.

Standing up and brushing myself off, I set my sandwich on the small table beside me. "Hello, Miss. The name's Jack. What can I do for you?"

The chicken clucked and the girl giggled. "I haven't met you yet. My name is Popouri. I live with my brother, Rick, and my mamma, Lillia, on our Poultry Farm, just down the street. I have come to bring a welcoming gift, to help you get on your feet." She gestured at the hen who stared at me, tilting her head sideways slightly.

"Why, thank-you, Popuri! That is very kind of you." I lifted the chicken from her hands and set her on the ground. Toby appeared and began sniffing it curiously. I smiled, watching them.

"And there's more. A week's worth of feed." She said, handing me a bag full of chicken feed, which I accepted graciously. "When you need more, come and visit us. Even if you don't need feed, you can come to us. We sell chickens, feed, medicine, or you can just come to talk." she smiled. "We would love company!"

Her politeness and generosity struck me. She was so kind. "Thank you. I will."

"Well, I better go. Mamma will be wondering where I went to be gone so long...besides I still need to collect the eggs from last night. You treat your hen nice now. Good bye, and God bless." She smiled and waved.

"God bless you too. Thank you." I called after her as she left. Looking down at the hen and the feed in my hand, I couldn't believe the friendliness of the little community I had become a part of. I knew I was going to like everyone, and love living in this little farming community. Smiling, I plucked up my hen in my hands and walked to the henhouse. Placing her in there, I named her Henna. Such a hopeful little creature... I fed her and went back to finish my sandwich.

Walking up to the table, I realized I shouldn't have left Toby alone with it. The sandwich was gone, and Toby looked up at me with a dog-eared grin, crumbs hanging off his fur. I let out a laugh and patted his head. "Silly dog...I should have known better." In response, he licked his chops, catching the remaining crumbs. I just sighed and went inside to fix myself another ham sandwich.