Corruption

Chapter 8: Fireworks

A/N: Yay! 1000 hits! I can't tell who exactly helped me reach this milestone, but it happened around 6PM EST on Monday the 16th. Thanks everyone!

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"Now this is how things should have been since the beginning!" Jack commented as he scanned over his farm. Most of the buildings had been rebuilt or were just getting the finishing touches completed. The field was devoid of any weeds and had a few plots of crops nearly ready to be harvested. A young puppy and colt chased each other through the dirt, both coming as thank you gifts from Barley and May over at the ranch. The house had been furnished sing the stuff that Zack left behind in his beach front home. It was just like he remembered it from his visit here as a child.

A friendly pair of arms draped themselves around Jack's neck. "It looks great." Popuri whispered into his ear as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Thanks to you." Jack reached behind him, wrapping his right arm around Popuri's waist. Their relationship had blossomed as the summer grew older. In truth, they had only been together for little over a week. Now it was nearly impossible to see one without the other one being close by.

"Oh stop, it was nothing." Popuri blushed as she fell into Jack's arms, "All I did was go around town telling people that you were the one who got rid of Zack for us. Everyone just wanted to repay you for what you did." The girl paused for a second as she reached into a tiny pouch attached to her waist. "This is for you."

Jack held out his hands to Popuri, who gently placed a tiny white egg in his hands. "It's a gift from my family." Popuri explained as she pulled Jack towards the nearly completed chicken coop. The building just needed to be painted and then it would be finished. Popuri pushed open the door and proceeded inside. "Put that egg over there, in the incubator. That's going to be your very first chicken on your way to starting a chicken empire!"

The young farmer couldn't help but to laugh at Popuri's enthusiasm. "If you insist, Popuri. A chicken empire I shall create."

"Good." Popuri watched as Jack placed the egg on the straw covered stand. "I've got to go help my mother make dinner for tonight. I'll see you later, for the fireworks, alright?"

Jack gave Popuri a quick hug goodbye, "Yeah sure, no problem. See you tonight milady."

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Karen's footsteps echoed through the barren streets of Mineral Town as she made her way down towards the beach. She was going to see the fireworks by herself, although Rick had asked to accompany her on an almost hourly basis throughout the day. The nerve of Rick. Karen still hated her former boyfriend for ignoring her when she had cried out to him. He didn't even look at her as he had walked straight past her. Now, he expected her to forget all about that and continue as if nothing had ever happened. Not very likely, mister.

Yet, as she descended the stairs down to the sandy beach, Karen regretted being alone. All of the couples were there. Mary was pointing out constellations to Grey, Ann was trying to snuggle up against a very nervous Cliff, and Popuri and Jack were busy making out beneath an umbrella. "Slut," Karen muttered as she carefully stepped around the people on the beach, making her way to the dock.

There was nobody seated along the dock, nevertheless Karen walked all the way to the end before seating herself down on the wooden structure. She looked down into the dark water, staring at the reflection of the half moon sparkling across the surface. Suddenly, a bright blue flash and a resounding explosion forced her to look up. A second firework shot up, creating a red poof up sparks near the cloud of the first rocket. Soon the sky was aglow with dozens of colorful lights.

Just as Karen began to enjoy herself, someone placed their hand on her shoulder. Karen's mood instantly became angry, completely ruining the illusion of happiness that the fireworks had created. "Look Rick, I said no," Karen spat at out she turned to face the person behind her.

To her surprise, it wasn't Rick's face looking back at her. Instead, the face was tanned and rugged, adorned with a purple bandana. "Is this seat taken?" The young man asked politely, motioning towards the space on the dock beside Karen.

Karen looked down where the man was pointing. "No, it isn't Kai. Take a seat."

Kai quickly accepted the invitation, seating himself down next to Karen. "It's a perfect night for fireworks. Not a cloud in the sky."

Karen nodded in agreement, "It is a perfect night… almost."

"No, it's completely perfect." Kai smirked, "I get to watch the fireworks with the prettiest girl in the entire town."

"Oh Kai," Karen laughed as she playfully shoved Kai. "I know that you don't mean that. You've told that to every girl that you've ever met."

"True," Kai shrugged his shoulders as he laid back onto the dock. A green flicker of light flashed across his face as his eyes darted over to the shore. "I'm surprised that you aren't out here with Rick."

"You haven't heard about the little incident that's been going on around here, have you?" Karen asked as she lay down alongside Kai.

Kai shook his head slightly, "Not really. I stayed down here at the beach all summer. It was odd that Zack never took interest in me or my business, but in the end I still felt the effect of his policies. Business wasn't very well until a few weeks ago. I take it that Rick did something during that time that made you upset with him, correct?"

"It wasn't what he did; it was what he didn't do." Karen sighed before retelling the entire story to Kai, but leaving out the reason as to her suicide attempt. "So, that's why I decided not to take interest in any relationships with guys. Hate to burst your bubble, but that includes you as well."

"I understand completely and I respect your decision. I didn't come here to talk to you just because you looked single and approachable. I'm not that much of a playboy. But, for future reference, can you tell me when you are back on the market? I want to be first in line." Kai smiled widely, telling Karen that he was just joking.

Karen looked over at Kai and returned his smiled. "I will." There wasn't any hint of playfulness in Karen's voice. She meant it.

The dock began to rock slightly as a pair of heavy footsteps approached the end of the dock. Karen and Kai both sat up and looked back to see who it was. Rick didn't seem none to pleased with his discovery, "First my sister and now my girlfriend? That's the last straw Kai."

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Jack and Popuri hardly noticed the fireworks going off in the sky. They were too busy locking lips and groping each other lustfully to even take notice. Jack was kissing Popuri along her neck, nibbling at the nape of her neck between kisses. Then the young farmer began playing with the strings holding Popuri's corset in place. Suddenly, Popuri wriggled out of Jack's embrace. "What's the matter?" Jack asked, hoping that he hadn't gone too far and upset her.

"Jack… I have something that I need to tell you." Popuri admitted, hiding her face from the confused farmer.

"I don't care if you're a virgin or not," Jack interrupted. Popuri shot a killer glare at Jack, but her eyes were brimming with tears. Jack was quickly at her side, holding onto her consolingly, "I'm sorry."

Popuri broke away from Jack once again. "Don't apologize. It's not your fault. I'm a horrible person for what I've done."

This just added to Jack's confusion. She hadn't done anything to hurt him. If anything, she was the best thing that had happened to him since he had arrived in Mineral Town. "I don't understand…"

"Jack… I… You… I don't…" Popuri stammered, trying to think of the best way to tell Jack what was bothering her.

Suddenly, there was a pair of loud splashes from the direction of the dock, accompanied by a frightened scream. "It's Kai and Rick! They're fighting!" Someone cried out. Jack quickly jumped up to his feet and pushed his way to the front of the crowd, leaving Popuri still stammering under the umbrella. He would have wished that he had stayed to listen to her explanation, because it was unlikely that she would ever have the courage to tell him again in private.

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A/N: Well, we understand why Rick and Kai are fighting, but what was that secret that Popuri wanted to tell Jack? Probably was very important. See ya next time!