Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon
A/N: Onward ho! As for a major plot twist…Nah. If I ever decide to do a sequel, sometime in the way distant future possibly I might throw one in but my one goal for this to practice my writing was to see if I could follow a storyline and make the storyline better. I'm terribly sorry to anyone if they were expecting a lot, I didn't mean to disappoint. I might add a little drama though, I just don't want change the rating I have now to something more. I like it how it is now and really me liking it is all that matters, no offense meant to anyone.
To Win a Woman's Heart
8th day of winter
I remember telling myself if I didn't have any reason to stay here I would leave at the end of this year. It's nearing the end and I don't exactly have a reason to stay. I'm certainly not going to tell him first, that would make me feel stupid having to tell him first and besides, guys are the ones supposed to propose if they're planning on doing that, right? That and the fact he fell in love with me first. I made that stupid promise though, and now people do expect me to follow through with it, everyone knows it. Everyone heard some way or another about the promise and I bet all wait on baited breath to see what happens. I think even Hatori knows about it and he's just being a jerk not acting on anything just yet, making me wait, making everyone wonder.
Argh, I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm scared to tell him, I'm scared all he did was play a game, to see if the tough girl would fall for him. If I tell him how I feel and he laughs at me and rejects me, what's going to happen then? I gave my heart to a senseless bum who didn't care about me. I'm scared of being hurt; I'm scared of falling apart.
FLASH
"Mommy, how will I ever know if I'm in love?" I asked my mother one morning. I was only five at the time, but with all I saw back then, I couldn't help but wonder what love really was. "What is love?"
"All love is…well, let's see…love is something in your heart Nami, something you feel with every fiber of your being," she whispered as she held me close.
"My heart?" I asked her.
She nodded and put her hand on my chest. "Yes, you're heart."
"Is that really what happens mommy?" I had asked.
"Of course it does. I love you and my heart tells me that every day," she whispered.
"Really?" I asked excitedly.
"Nami, it's true, it really is true! You ask so many questions little one, I'm pleased you love to learn so much. You know what I think? I think one day you'll see the world."
"Is that love too?" I asked.
She smiled at me warmly. "There are many kinds of love, and seeing the world allows you to see many things, including all those types of love. And who knows, one day you might find love for yourself."
FLASH
If only she knew how true her words were now.
…
Midday came around and Hatori still was nowhere to be seen. I couldn't imagine he had that much work to do on the farm, but when I passed by there he was, cutting grass for fodder and milking the cows. He was really devoted to a farming life, and here he had come from the city, like me. I pondered going over to him to say hi but noticed he was having a little bit of trouble milking. I sighed knowing, he still hadn't gotten the hang of all this farming stuff. I watched him for a little while longer before walking away. I thought I'd go find Lumina, she always was interesting to talk to, and I think she had a crush on Hatori as well, even though she was as young as she was.
Never mind, maybe Lumina wouldn't be such a great idea, she might get hyper or something. I could go see Gustav, he always played good music around this time of day, but then again, I didn't have to go see him. It wasn't like I was required to see him everyday…ah! What was I saying? I'm contradicting myself on things that don't matter! I'm saying one thing and then getting angry at myself for saying it. I went towards the bench by the river and sat down on it, positively fuming for no reason at all! I don't get this, I wasn't pregnant or anything so why was I being so moody? Was it because Hatori hadn't come to see me yet today? Was I mad because a GUY hadn't come to see me yet today? Even if it was the guy I loved I couldn't believe myself on this!
"Nami, are you all right? You look as though you're angry and upset over everything." I turned around to see Celia staring at me with bright eyes and a smile. "Is there something you need to talk about?"
"No, nothing at all," I muttered, staring at the ground.
"Well, I would say it's like you to be like this but this anger isn't coming from you just being mad at the world, is it?" I sighed. Celia had this way of getting right to the point. "Do you want to talk about it?" And a way of repeating everything until I said yes or no to whatever she wanted.
"Not really, no," I whispered and kicked at the grass. The sudden urge to pull out handfuls of the green stuff welled up into my mind and I leaned back against the bench, one hand tightening on the wood. "I just need….well, I don't know anymore. I think I just need…well I don't know! I'm just restless that's all!"
"I see, restless because you're waiting for something to happen or restless because you want something to happen but you don't want to do it yourself?" Celia asked.
"I don't know," I said and leaned forward, kicking the grass with my foot again, scattering up a little bit of snow as well. "Stupid idiotic…"
"Hey Celia, hey Nami!" The voice brought forth recognition as I looked around to see Hatori approaching us. "This is an odd sight, to see you two together. Is everything okay?"
"I think Nami is a little moody right now," Celia said as I watched them talk. "She's kicking at the grass a lot and she says she's restless."
"Is that all? And here I thought it was something serious," he said and looked at me smiling. I glared.
"Don't push it pal," I said. "I'm already in a bad mood."
"How did you get to be in a bad mood?" he asked curiously and held out a dish. "I know what'll make you feel better…" My eyes widened as I saw the fruit punch. "Looks tasty, doesn't it?"
I groaned and leaned back again. Food, delicious home cooked food was getting to me… I stood up and walked over to Hatori, Celia watching with great interest and a knowing nod. He handed the fruit punch over to me and it took it into my hands. It was cold to the touch and looked simply divine! Fresh strawberries, watermelon and melon pieces were what I could see and I knew all too well how red my face was growing from excitement.
"So this is how you do it Hatori…all she needs is a home cooked meal," Celia said and I raised my head from the food to look at her. I wasn't angry at myself or anyone else anymore…I was hungry. "I think I see what she was upset over."
"What was it?" Hatori asked.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you," Celia said.
"What is it? Come on Celia, you have to tell me!" Hatori exclaimed.
"I don't have to tell you anything. I'm afraid Nami would probably come after me if I did…once she's finished eating of course," Celia said smiling, beginning to walk away. I growled at her. "Well, I think I'll be off for now, I have a few things I need to do before I go to bed tonight."
"Yeah, go tend your vegetables!" I exclaimed and she smiled at me.
"Enjoy your food," she said in reply and walked away before more words could be exchanged. I think she was just toying with both Hatori and me! She was evil, evil! Pure black hearted evil Celia!
"Don't be mean to Celia," Hatori said, drawing my eyes and attention back to him. "I think she's really nice. She's awesome at farming you know."
"I know," I said with a sigh and let silence fall between the two of us as I looked back at my food. "You know, I wouldn't mind sharing this…there is a lot of it. Do you want to eat it with me?" Hatori walked towards me and smiled. "What? I just was saying if you were hungry you could have some. I mean, you did make it after all." I let out a shiver as a cold breeze blew by me. Hatori sat down on the bench and motioned for me to sit next to him, taking the bowl and placing it between us.
"Eating in the winter in snow is so nice," he said and popped a slice of watermelon into his mouth. "Makes the fruit stay nice and cold." I found myself unable to hold back a grin and I took a piece of strawberry and ate it quickly, finding it really extremely sweet and juicy.
"This is really good," I whispered and took another piece of fruit.
"I know, I had some just yesterday when I was making a test batch." I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I thought you
always tested your cooking out on me?" I
said that just to tease him a little but he nodded and I glared. "I'm your lab
rat?"
"I was only testing it yesterday
because I wanted it to be perfect when I gave it to you," he said. "Hey, did
you know I'm starting to grow a peach and banana tree now."
"More fruit of course," I said.
"Well, yeah, what else? Besides, they taste really good, especially peaches when they're raw, although they cook up nicely too. Ever had a frozen chocolate covered banana before?"
"Sounds yummy," I
said as I continued to eat the fruit in front of me. Hatori began to laugh. "What's so funny?"
"I don't think I've ever heard you
use the word yummy before," he said and continued to laugh.
"Just because I don't say it often…or really at all, doesn't mean it's not in my vocabulary," I said in a huff. "It's there even if I don't use it."
"I see, I know," he said and wiped his eyes of the tears that had begun to form there from laughing so hard. "I'm just a little tired."
"Then you should return to your home and get some rest," I suggested.
"But being out here with you is so much more fun," he said and I looked at him and he shrugged. "I'm just being honest."
"What, so you aren't honest to begin with?" I asked.
"I am," he said, "But then again, I may not be. How do you know?" I popped a strawberry into my mouth.
"I don't think you could ever lie," I said.
"You're probably right. I don't think I have it in me," he said. "You know what though? I think you're just as honest as I am."
"No, I'm not. I'm not honest like you at all."
"I think you are. For all the faults you think you have or people see, you're really just another honest good person like me," he said. "Everyone in the valley is I think, but you are too, even if you are from somewhere else."
"I think you're thinking too much," I said. "Let's just eat."
"Okay, but I still think you're honest."
"Shut up about that, would you?"
"Sorry!"
…
I had been restless because he hadn't seen me yet that day. That was the only explanation and what Celia was alluding to. I felt so different now…had I really come to depend on Hatori's company that much? I loved him…his laughter, his smile…his personality and his honesty. Celia did speak some truth before Hatori showed up…I was waiting for something to happen, something I didn't want to start. I sighed. I wouldn't be able to say it unless he said it first. I had to know for sure, he had to be the one to say it. Besides, if he didn't I'd leave…that was my promise…and that would be when my heart would break.
TBC
A/N: Like it? Hate it? Let me know in a review, just don't flame me, 'cause I hate flames! Whee, I'm almost done I'm happy! Just a little bit more and then, I'm done with it! Whee!
Anyways, see you all next chapter.
