Chapter 5

A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews everyone! I'm so glad to see some of you that read this story when it first began are still interested in it all this time later, and it's also great to see some new readers! I really appreciate the support and advice and I hope you stick with me! So here's chapter 5, please continue to review and enjoy!

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Dirk sure could talk. He talked about anything and everything barely taking a pause for breath. Perhaps he was just overly excited to get more time alone with Lillian, or maybe he just had a lot to say. Lillian didn't know, and she didn't care much either.

The sky hard turned deep cobalt and darkening swiftly, the stars becoming bright and more prominent in the sky above them as they walked side by side towards the mountain's peak. Not being able to get a word in edge ways, Lillian resorted to nodding and the occasional "mhm" in agreement, however as she took in her surroundings her mind began to drift to other places… other times… other people. One person in particular.

Thirty three days. Thirty three days it had been since she had last seen him. They had gone for an evening stroll and he had teased her for her clumsiness when she stood on a rock and lost her footing.

"You really shouldn't be allowed out!" He had said with that smirk of his. He then checked her ankle to make sure she wasn't hurt. He cared about her… That's one of the things she liked the most.

She mentally chastised herself, after all she had agreed to go on this date with Dirk and therefore she had to make it about it him. She clutched at her dress, fumbling with the soft material in her hands. A hideous feeling of queasiness had begun to envelope her, whether it was the increasing altitude or a nervous stomach… or perhaps the way Dirk continued to hint at how things would be if she was his girlfriend. Lillian couldn't imagine being anybody's girlfriend, she'd always been so independent especially with the absence of her parents as a child. She wasn't necessarily opposed to the idea however, she just hadn't really given it much thought before. She imagined herself in a family situation, cooking dinners for her husband, putting the children to bed…

"Um, Lillian are you alright? You don't look so good…" The sound of her name alerted Lillian to the fact Dirk had broken his rambling to direct a question towards her, however she hadn't quite heard him due to her misguided train of thought. Her eyes met his quickly and he raised an eyebrow with concern. "You're so pale all of a sudden."

She forced a smile and shook her head, guilt consuming her more and more by the second for being so distracted. Dirk was such a nice guy and she wished she could force herself to like him the way he liked her. She hated herself at that particular moment finding it hard to believe what he saw in her anyway.

"I'm fine!" She lied sheepishly "Can I ask you something?"

Dirk's expression of concern smoothed out, the corners of his mouth tweaking upwards to recreate the cheerful smile his face rested in.

"Fire away!" He replied exuberantly. His eyes watched her intently giving her his full undying attention which of course only increased her guilt further.

"Tell me about Bluebell?" Lillian asked. She knew it was a risky business asking about the "forbidden land" but Dirk was the only person she could really ask without an intense interrogation.

His brow creased slightly and his eyes dropped to watch his feet plough through the moist soil. It was clear it was a subject he was uncomfortable with, but he'd tell Lillian anything she wanted to know- If he had the answer, he'd most definitely not be able to resist giving it to her. He took a deep breath and repositioned his feathered hat on his head as a method of stalling.

"Well…what do you want to know?" He finally said. After all, Dirk was the only link anybody in Konohana had with Bluebell. He was the only one who ever went there and even at that Ina wasn't incredibly happy, however she accepted that it was necessary.

"Everything!" Lillian exclaimed "What the atmosphere's like, what it looks like, what the air is like… what the people are like." She often feared that the mental image she'd created of Bluebell was far better than the reality and that maybe the grass wasn't in fact greener on the other side, but regardless she wanted to know the truth.

Dirk's mouth formed a tight line and he looked into Lillian's eyes of anticipation and wonder not wanting to disappoint her. He did of course wonder why she was so interested. Had the attitude of the Konohana villagers towards their rival town not been enough to deter her?

"Well it's nice enough I suppose…" Dirk began uneasily, he felt almost as though he was betraying his own town by painting Bluebell in a positive light, but he wanted to give her the total truth. "It's…small and quaint. Old stone buildings…fresh flowers in the plaza… animal manure is kind of a dominant smell…"

Lillian closed her eyes as they walked, picturing it all in her head and giggling at the notion of animal manure.

"The people are… well they're…" Dirk fought with the Konohana opinion that had been so engrained into him throughout the years, his expression growing increasingly strained. "They're-"

"They're rude and distasteful!" A sharp voice interrupted from behind them. They both jumped, Lillian's eyes flicking open and the mirage of Bluebell dissolving before her. Dirk's shoulders tensed as he grimaced, anticipating what was coming. "You would do well to stop asking inappropriate questions Lillian!" Ina snapped, her tall, slender shadow stretching out ahead of them. Lillian turned and looked up shamefacedly at the agitated cat-like features of the Mayor's face. "You are a Konohana citizen are you not?"

Lillian nodded meekly and opened her mouth to speak however quickly thought better of herself.

"Then act like one! If you're so intrigued by Bluebell by all means go!" She continued, and Lillian's face enlightened with hope. "But if you do so, stay there!"

With every word that Ina spat out Lillian became more and more resentful of her decision to move to such a prison of a town. She wanted to be respected, she wanted her opinion to be valued, but it could never be like that. Everyone else was too content with their mundane lives, every day the same with the same old rules and regulations.

After much ranting and the vein in the mayor's forehead gradually increasing in size until it threatened to explode, she finally gathered up the long dusky red material of her kimono and marched on ahead.

Once she was out of sight Dirk let out a nervous chuckle, looking round with almost embarrassment at Lillian's crumpled up face.

"Look… Lillian…"

"I don't wanna talk about it!" Her voice shook as if tears could spring from her eyes at any second and she rubbed at them furiously in an attempt to hide it. "Let's just go."

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She felt the cool grass beneath her hands and under her legs as the pair sat back together beneath the moon's pale light. This scenario, juxtaposed to that of earlier, was much calmer and quieter. In fact they barely spoke at all. Lillian had too much on her mind, too many unanswered questions and after their run-in with Ina, Dirk seemed to have lost his exuberance.

He frequently couldn't help but steal a glance at her. The way she gazed up at the sky with eyes full of so much wonderment and confusion, the way her fair hair hung loosely around her shoulders blowing gently in the breeze, the way the moonlight danced across her milky white skin. He felt his heart skip in his chest and he glanced away abruptly before she noticed how star struck he was becoming.

Still unable to work out her fascination, and filled with anxiety from the possible consequences of what could happen, his eyes scanned over the other villagers who sat on the same mountaintop all wrapped up in their own lives and problems. He leaned closer to ear and the sound of him swallowing to clear his dry throat caught Lillian's attention.

"I'll take you there…" He whispered. He couldn't even believe what he had just offered, but witnessing how Ina shot her down just pained him too much and he had to try and fix things.

Lillian's amethyst eyes gleamed at him with delight as they broke their direct gaze from the moon. Dirk looked back with a lopsided smiled and shrugged him shoulders. "You're gonna end up going by yourself anyway and probably getting into trouble so-"

She pressed her lips to his soft cheek and a pink hue broke out over his face. His words stopped dead as if somebody had reached into his mouth and snatched them, his mind and heart racing.

She giggled as she pulled away, opening her eyes to giggle more and his bright red visage.

"You're very sweet Dirk. Thank you!" She said before returning her attention to the moon, a small smile resting on her petal-like lips. She realised Dirk didn't have to do what he was doing, he didn't have to go against his better judgement and he especially didn't have to go against Ina…but he was doing it for her. For that she felt selfish…but this was her only chance. Dirk knew his way about and the Bluebell villagers aren't suspicious of him. It was the perfect opportunity.

The night grew older and a yawn from beside her reminded her of this. The other couples were beginning to head for home and Reina nodded and waved as Kana ushered her towards the arch.

"I guess we'd best be heading home too, huh?" Dirk spoke up with another yawn, although he hardly wanted the night to end. He clambered to his feet and dusted off his burgundy jacket before reaching his hand down towards her. His tired emerald eyes were heavy yet he still managed a smile, his cheeks still holding that glow of joy.

Lillian placed her delicate hand in his and for a moment he wondered how such a fragile little thing could withstand such heavy labour farm work, and for that he admired her. He eased her up onto her feet and inhaled deeply as he gazed dreamily at her features.

It had been so long since Lillian had been able to spend a night on the mountaintop, and she was exceptionally loathed to leave. She frowned as her eyes lingered on the black velvet sky encrusted with its many tiny diamonds.

"I think I'll stay a while longer." She posed, glancing at Dirk who was studying her intently. He flinched slightly, shamed to have been caught out, yet he looked puzzled.

"It's late Lillian, aren't you sleepy?" He replied as he reached out to take her hand again but quickly decided against it.

Lillian shook her head and smiled sweetly at him. She would have been lying to say that she hadn't enjoyed Dirk's company that evening. He had been a perfect gentleman as always, but she longed to have some time to herself. Just her and the moon.

"I'm fine, why don't you go on home? I'll be alright by myself."

Dirk pursed his lips, not feeling quite comfortable about the prospect of leaving her up the mountain by herself on a cold dark night. He would be devastated if he let anything happen to her… she was special to him.

"It could be dangerous! What about wild animals? What if you fall?" His expression grew increasingly concerned, his brow furrowing as he listed the possibilities.

Lillian laughed once more, moving towards him and placing her hand upon his shoulder. Her eyes wandered over his face, watching as it transitioned from worry to contentment.

"I had a lovely-"

"You're beautiful." He cut in, not being able to hold back his opinion a moment longer. His face flushed suddenly, embarrassed by his own outburst yet satisfied that he'd finally found the courage to say it. There were many things he'd wanted to say to her, and he'd been over them many times in his head yet when face to face with the farm girl whom he so adored he just couldn't pull it together.

At that point Lillian wished her heart would skip a beat, or for one measly butterfly to flap in her stomach, but instead all she could do was smile and welcome the flattery.

"I had a lovely time tonight." She continued "Thank you for inviting me."

With a twinge of disappointment that she had not at that moment kissed him for his compliment, or even as much as acknowledged it, Dirk smiled back, still content with the fact she had enjoyed herself.

"Sooo…You'd go out with me again?" He asked, desperately searching for some encouragement that his fantasy of being with her could someday become reality. He believed all he needed was time, just enough time to show her that he was worth it.

Lillian nodded, moving her hand to his cheek and caressing it slightly.

"Head home and get some rest, I'll see you tomorrow no doubt!" She said, watching him sigh as his longing eyes begged to stay with her. He eventually complied, turning on his heels under the arch and waving back at her with a grin as he strolled off into the darkness.

The air was then still and silent. Not a creature to be seen and even the breeze had died down leaving Lillian alone with her thoughts.

She made her way up to the railings and gazed out across the land, the lights of the neighbouring towns glinting in the distance. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the crisp mountain air and clearing her head of the thoughts which pestered her.

What was she to do? Would it all be easier if she just went back to Konohana and abided by them? Was there any real point in fighting it all? She was still relatively new after all, who was she to start trying to change an age old opinion.

Her fingers wrapped around the cold metal of the railings, her knuckles turning white as she gripped to try and rid her frustration.

"I can see why you chose tonight for your moon viewing festival." A smooth voice said from behind her, each word surrounding her body and flowing with so much ease that it failed to even startle her.

Lillian's heart immediately began to race and her head spun as if all the thoughts that she was slowly expelling rushed to the forefront all at once.

She glanced over her shoulder to see his tall, slender figure emerge out of the darkness and into the glowing light of the beacon. Hands buried deep in his pockets, he peered up at her from under his sandy coloured bangs and smiled an uneven smile.

Lillian resisted the urge to throw herself at him and instead returned the smile, however her eyes said far too much.

"It's been a while." She replied, trying her best to keep her cool even though she had so much she longed to say to him.

"Indeed it has, how have you been Lillian?" His calming tone immediately relaxed her entire body, all her previous thoughts and worries vanishing. She relished the sound of her name on his lips, replaying it over and over again in her head.

"I've been hard at work," She responded almost apologetically, "A slave to the vegetables! I've missed being able to come here terribly much… How have you been?"

He stood beside her, their shoulders practically touching and he gazed out over the land as she had done.

"I've been bored." He said monotonously "I've missed your company. How could you neglect me for silly vegetables?" He teased, nudging her with his elbow and shooting her a taunting glance, yet much like hers, his eyes showed his true feelings. In fact when he saw her silhouette standing beneath the moonlight, his heart sang with happiness and relief, but she would never know that.

"Those silly vegetables are how I get my money!" She snapped back at him, "I've missed you too though…"

He turned to face her, removing a hand from his pocket to place his fingers beneath her chin and raise her eyes to meet his.

"I said I missed your company, not you." He remarked with a smirk that made Lillian's knees ache with weakness. How could she have let herself get so blindsided by this man?

His eyes implored hers, searching for the words that she couldn't yet say, perhaps that she'd never be able to say. He truly had missed her, and though he'd had many girlfriends in the past he'd never quite felt this way. That confused him, and Cam did not like to feel confused.

"Has Konohana been any kinder to you?" He then said, his honeysuckle scent wrapping itself around her body drawing her nearer to him.

Lillian sighed, the remnants of her anger with Ina from earlier tugging at her mind.

"Not particularly… The mayor and I… I guess you could call it a personality clash."

Cam laughed and nodded in agreement, recalling an encounter he had himself with her many years previous.

"You can't let her get the better of you… you're a strong girl Lillian, you'll figure it out." She watched his perfect lips shape every word and he knew just what to say.

With that she wrapped her arms around his middle and held herself tight against him, her head flat on his chest. She shut her eyes tight and hoped he'd accept the gesture as it was the first time in a long time she'd felt in anyway comforted.

"Sometimes I wish I could just run away from it all. I want to enjoy my life, not spend it walking on eggshells." She murmured, her words muffled by the floral scented material of his shirt.

Pleasantly surprised by her embrace, Cam returned the gesture, wrapping his long gentle arms around her small frame and holding her close. It was a small window into what for them could be total happiness.

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