"W-what? N-no. Y-you're wrong. Y-you're just trying t-to mess with m-me," Hunter stuttered, shaking even more. "I'm sorry, Hunter, but I'm not trying to mess with you. You're fatherreally isdead. He was about to get on the train, when another tornado hit. It didn't really destroy anything, except a house at the edge of the Valley. There was a man inside the house that was stuck and the tornado was heading towards him. Your father went after the man and got him out, but ended up dying in the process. By the time your dad got the man out, he got stuck in the house himself. But the man didn't bother to go back for your father like he did for him. He just ran. Your father got thrown with the rest of the house and was found later up in the forest spring," Takakura explained solemnly.

Hunter just sat there. He was number than he was yesterday. He's dead? He can't be dead! He was coming home today! No! He was in total denial. But then Takakura's voice called him out of his thoughts and misery. "Your father wanted you to take over the farm though. It was in the will he left behind at the Valley. He said he wanted to pass it onto you when he….died. So tomorrow I'll come by and take you to Forget-Me-Not Valley to show you around. Try to get some rest," he said. Takakura left the apartment, leaving Hunter in his thoughts.

Hunter didn't feel like eating anything. It was only 6:26; he didn't know what to do. There were so many emotions in him right now. Hatred toward that man who didn't help his dad. Grief that he lost his father. Rage at the tornado. Numbness. Anger at Takakura for telling him. Hunter decided to go to Mother's Peak, a cliff where he usually went when he needed time alone.

"Great. First I get booted out of college and now my dad dies. What are you playing at? Why'd you take him? He wasn't ready!" Hunter yelled into the unforgiving sky. Of course it didn't answer back. He just sat there. He never stopped shaking, even when he went to bed.

The next morning, Hunter packed up all his belongings. He took all his clothes, books, and junk into a few boxes. He didn't have much anyway. Hunter took one last look at his apartment and went out the door to find Takakura waiting for him. "You ready?" he asked. Hunter gave a nod and they were off.

"We're stopping by your mother's house first. You should say your goodbyes before you leave. Oh, and your sister will be there too," he said, grunting a little. "Aren't we using the car to get there?" Hunter asked, panting a little. "No. You gonna be workin' on a farm, boy. There aren't any cars there, so you'd better get used to it now," Takakura said, keeping his eyes up ahead. Takakura kind of reminded Hunter of a gorilla, with those really big eyebrows and his grunting all the time. Hunter chuckled to himself.

By the time they reached the house, Hunter was breathing really hard and sweating. Takakura, however, was completely calm and dry. "Hunter, oh gawd, when I got the news I was thinking you were going to…" Lena trailed off. "What? That I was going to go after that jackass and hang him?" he said, his anger rising. "Hunter! Please watch your mouth! Rachel-" she said before Takakura cut in. "Lena, she's going to learn anyway," he grunted. Hunter and Takakura both laughed at this. "It's not funny! Really, though, you should take some food with you to the farm, Hunter. I made you some cakes and soups and some sashimi," she said, giving him a bundle of food enclosed in saran wrap.

"Thanks, mom. Well, I'd better get going. Bye," said Hunter, leaving the house. "Don't forget to right, Hunter!" Lena said. Hunter was halfway to the train station, when he heard a girl calling. "Hunter! Hunter! Wait for me!" she called out. Hunter turned around; it was Rachel. "Hey, sis, what's up?" he asked, picking Rachel up. "You forgot to say bye to me," she said, pouting a little. "I'm sorry, Rach, mom said you were still sleeping and I didn't want to wake you," he said, giving her a peck on the cheek. "Here, I got this for you with my allowance," Rachel said handing him a necklace made of string and a wooden cross. "So you can remember me at the farm," she stated, proudly. "It's great, thanks Rachel," he said, putting her back down.

Again, as they reached the train station, Hunter was panting and sweating. "Get on the train, I'll take care of the luggage," Takakura grunted, lifting the boxes. Hunter walked into the air-conditioned train and found a seat near the front. No later did he find that Takakura had found a seat across from him.

Takakura looked out the window, a gruff expression on his face, and his arms folded. "Would you like anything from the cart, sir?" asked an attendant, pushing a cart loaded with tons of food. There were salads, soups, cakes, sashimi, pies, and more. "Ummm…I'll have sashimi and some strawberry cake," said Hunter, taking out some gold. "Takakura, uh, do you want anything?" he asked. But Takakura just kept his arms folded and eyes out the window. Hunter felt awkward for a minute, but before he could ask again, the cart rolled away.


Author's Note: Okay, so this was a really short chapter; I'm sorry! So in this chapter, Hunter, as everyone can see, is very out of shape. Also, I bet you think my story is very very very boring, right? Well it won't be for long! Please keep reading and reviewing! I'm just building dramatic something or other.