On my Own

Various Pairings

By Kaburu

Based off of Harvest Moon.

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Hamutaro couldn't say that he hated his old life...well, it's just that the long hours at McDonalds with minimum wage really got to him after a while. How was he supposed to support himself? But he did have great friends, and a mom that actually cared about his education...but something told him that he needed a change. He somehow didn't feel like the city was his real home. When Elder Ham says that Hamutaro's old friend, Takeshi, whom he was writing to for several years until he passed on, left the farm to him, he took the chance. Hamutaro felt like he really needed to.

...but he just didn't expect that it would be so hard.

He guessed it started that following morning. His new bed was pretty comfy, and it was warm too. But then the alarm screamed suddenly, and it's safe to say that it scared him to death! Brandy was already awake, and he was already running around the house. Hamutaro was already awake enough (from the clock incident) to get up, and although his eyes were a bit drowsy, he was fine. Standing on the cold floor, Hamutaro checked the fridge. Sandwiches from Taishou-kun. He smiled.

After his and Brandy's stomachs were full enough, Hamutaro headed outside. And he came right inside again. God, can it be that cold, even at six in the morning! He grabbed his coat and left Brandy. And...what does he do now! Cloudy, early morning skies, no seeds, a few simple tools...how was he supposed to do anything! Hamutaro absentmindedly stuffed his hands into his coat pocket and looked down the gate, where the pebble road started. Ah well, might as well check around town.

Too bad nobody was awake yet. He looked so alone, standing in the middle of the road, his hands clenched with cold. "Nothin' to do, now...maybe this wasn't such a great idea..." he muttered to nobody in particular. He felt like a fool, spending fifteen minutes walking down there for nothing.

"Oh, good morning! Why are you just standing in the cold?" Hamutaro turned to find one of the most prettiest girls in his life. Her face was full of life and the two emerald eyes gazed at him shyly while her mouth was curved into a kind smile. And her thick yellow...golden hair went in a wavy line down her back. A stylish pink scarf was knotted cozily on her neck. "Please, come in!" Only then had Hamutaro realized that a large brick building towered behind her. A warm, welcoming sign urged them in, with two white rodents smiling around the swirled words "The Inn".

"Oh, thanks," he grinned, and he and the girl went inside. It was much warmer inside, with empty mugs cleaned and stacked on the counter, and comfortable wooden chairs pushed in neatly at each round table. The girl pulled up a chair. Her cheeks were red with cold. Hamutaro got a chair, too, and they sat down. For once, Hamutaro was at loss with words.

"Sorry about the mess. I get up early. This place isn't supposed to be open till nine. My partner, Koushi-kun, is upstairs, sleeping," she sighed contently. "He's not a morning person."

"I am, though," Hamutaro smiled, absentmindedly looking around. "This place looks great." The girl beamed as a thank-you.

",are you new here?" she inquired. "I've never seen you around, and nobody just visits this place..." her voice lowered an octave, and her eyes seemed downcast. Hamutaro didn't like it when she was sad. He quickly nodded.

"I took over Takeshi's place," he said, and he couldn't help sounding a bit proud. The girl cocked her head, her eyes twinkling.

"You did?" she asked. "Great. It just doesn't seem right for that farm to be empty..." Hamutaro suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, do you know where to get seeds? I have no idea how to start out..."

"Seeds? Oh, you can get them over at the Grocery Store, down by the library! But never buy them from this guy at the beach when possible. His name's Spat, and he's really kind of mean, and he also raises the prices frequently..."

"Ah! Thank you...er..."

"Oh," the girl giggled suddenly. "My name's Mafura."

"And mine's Hamutaro."

"Hamu...taro?" Mafura asked, smiling. "That's a nice name, Hamutaro-kun. Oh, the market's opening in a little while. Do you want to get going?" She stared up at the clock, which was saying clearly: eight o' two.

"Thanks again, Mafura-chan," Hamutaro got up, scooting in the chair. "For your help, I mean."

"Visit anytime," she replied, holding out the door for him. The small bells hanging jingled merrily. "Bye." The door shut. Hamutaro finally turned.

"Okay...Taishou-kun said the library's thataway, so there'll also be the market!" Humming happily, he headed up the pebbled road, but...

"Oof!"