Disclaimer: Alright, say it with me children, who owns Harvest Moon: Back to Nature and all of the Harvest moon titles? Natsume does, that's correct. Good for you. Now, who is lemondrop? That's right girls and boys, a goofy klutz with a few strange obsessions. But she's also a FANfiction writer, which means she doesn't own anything except her own strange little noggin and the story. Now, sing with me. The wheels on the bus go....

Warnings: Shounen-ai (farmboyXboy) but you already knew that, didn't you?

This chapter is rated PG because some (closed-minded) parents prefer that their children not see two boys romantically involved (even if it is just in a certain character's imagination).

And now, a moment with the authoress (cue disappointed fans). Lemondrop: Aw, dry it up! I'll keep it brief!
Much thanks to all who were kind enough to review. I appreciate the encouragement, as One Way Ticket is my first attempt at fanfiction (you can all tell, can't you!) In fact, without the reviews, I probably would have just given up. Well, as you can see, I'll carry on with it after all. Keep reviewing, even those of you who have already, please! Love and lemondrops- until next time, kiddies!

One way ticket Chapter 2

(Locke's P.O.V.)

As the 26th approached, I felt myself becoming increasingly nervous. I couldn't understand quite why-I mean, if it meant the end of Kai and Rick's feud, it was a good thing, right? I guess the apprehension must've shown on my face, though-Miss Karen stopped me one morning by the stream.

"Locke.....is something wrong?" I smiled. No need to trouble her.

"Ah, no of course not Miss Karen. How are you doing?"

"Oh, I feel fantastic- the Fireworks Display's coming up. Old friends, bright lights, great beer, good night!" she laughed. I smiled at her enthusiasm.

"Sounds like you're looking forward to it."

"And you're not? What's wrong- is the girl you were going with already taken?"

"No-the girl I'm going with is Kai!" I blurted stupidly. My cheeks burned. I was sure Miss Karen could see my blush.

"I-I mean- well he's not a girl- er- the PERSON I'm going with, I mean." Miss Karen had that half-scrunched look on her face like she was trying to be understanding and keep from laughing at the same time.

"You're going to ask Kai to the Fireworks Display?" she asked as she composed herself. I shook my head.

"No, I already did. It- it's a way to um... well I figure if he and Rick just talk like adults and not try to compete for Popuri's affections, since they're looking for different feelings anyway, brotherly and- Miss Karen, if you don't mind my asking, why are you looking at me like that?" Miss Karen looked rather skeptical.

"Locke, It's a great thing you're trying to do, but... Rick is pretty stubborn and Kai- well, even he's set in his ways on certain matters. I mean, you do realize you can't ALWAYS teach an old dog- or in this case, an old seadog- new tricks." (A.N.: Did Karen just call Kai a pirate?) I nodded.

"I know. I- I just figured."

"Never hurts to give it a shot, of course. So you and Kai, you're-" Miss Karen raised an eyebrow like I was supposed to understand exactly what she meant. I looked at her, puzzled.

"We're....?"

Miss Karen sighed as if she thought I was playing coy. "Lovers. I mean, I kinda knew for a while, couldn't be sure, but now....."

"M-M-miss Karen?!?!" I sputtered, not believing my ears. Kai and me, lovers?!

She gave me one of her lovely smiles. "Don't worry, I understand. It doesn't matter who you fall in love with, if it makes you happy."

"Miss Karen," I say, calming myself a bit, "I'm not- he's not-well we're not-that is-"

"Locke."

"Yes, Miss Karen?"

She put a hand on each of my shoulders. "Breathe."

I chuckled (okay, so it was more of a nervous giggle X#). "Ah, Miss Karen, what I meant was Kai and I, we're not lovers or anything like that." Where had Miss Karen got such a wild idea from?

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry for the mistake."

"That's quite alright."

"But I gotta hand it to you, the Fireworks Display is THE most romantic idea for a first date. He'll be all over you." She grinned and suddenly I wondered if Miss Karen wasn't a little bit hentai.

"All over me?!?!? Ah, um, Mi-Miss Karen, you- I mean we're JUST friends!"

She looked confused. "Then why did you ask him on a date like that?"

"Date?"

She fixed me with a look that was akin to pity. "You...didn't realize that's what you did?"

I'm sure my face was as red as the tomatoes I'd harvested the day before.

Miss Karen smiled the smile that reminded me of the fox in those childhood stories. "Come on Locke, can't you see it? It's so dark out there on the pier, just the two of you."

"Everyone else comes to the beach for the display, too, Miss Karen, begging your pardon."

"Everyone else fades into the shadows as he looks over at you. Staring at you with those coffee brown eyes of his that twinkle in the starlight, he leans close. 'Locke, I'm glad you invited me like this...' He leans closer, and suddenly your overalls feel a little too warm for you. You tilt your face toward those luscious lips of his and...BOOM!"

I jumped at the sudden noise. Miss Karen uses this as fodder for her bizarre little story.

"You jump as the explosion sounds in your ear. You were so busy gazing at Kai that you forgot the reason you 're there. At your apparent fright, Kai's eyes widen, then they twinkle. 'Did it scare you?' 'N-no,' you stutter, your face going red. He smiles and turns to the fireworks, wrapping an arm around you. As the lights explode overhead, you lean your head over on his shoulder. He squeezes you lightly and you watch, enjoying the heat of the night and the heat of your bodies....And then he leans in again, closer......closer.......his lips meet yours in something too wonderful to be called a mere kiss......"

A moment later I realize she's stopped talking. Miss Karen pats me on the shoulder. "I'll leave you with that little thought, then," she murmured, smirking.

"M-Miss-"

"Shhhhh- your blush says it all." And with that she left. I stood there for what seemed like forever, knowing that idiotic blush on my face wasn't going to fade for a while. Something about the fantasy Miss Karen had painted for me really bothered me...

....Kai's eyes are more of a cocoa color.

--->tbc---
Authoress: Ne, what'd ya think? Review my shiny new chapter, please????