A/N: Yes. I know it took me forever to update again. If you're upset, then here's a cookie. I have my reasons, but I don't want to make this A/N too long or boring. So… Enjoy~

"You're leaving!?" My face was pale and full of anger.

"I am so sorry Jolyn… But I have to go."

"But Takaurtura-!"

"Joy. This is not up for debate. " Taka said sternly. I scowled at him deeply. "So angry…"

"You're breaking the promise to my parents! Of course I'm angry!" I felt the tears form in my eyes threatening to fall at any second.

"Joy…"

"Why now? I can't run the farm on my own? Why not retire in a year or so? Or better yet, why leave at all? Aren't you happy here?" My expression softened as he sighed again. His stormy gray eyes met my cerulean ones, as he seemed to be lost in thought.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you are just like your mother? So full of passion for life, so eager to look towards the future. Yet you are also so much like your father. So quick- witted and kind… They both loved you so much." Taka said seemly still lost in thought.

"I know." I said softly.

"I helped you learn so much over the first season you have lived here. The rest is for you to learn on your own. They'll be looking out for you, Jo. The both of them." He said in the rare soft voice he used.

"Why, why are you leaving? Don't you like it here?" I asked tired.

"I always will. Being here was the happiest time of my life… But I've had an epiphany after… you're mother's death. I am no longer a young man. I plan on seeing the world and expanding my daily scenery. One day, you will understand. Right now? You have every right to be angry." He said.

"I do understand, uncle Takaurtura… Just remember to write… okay? I promise I will take good care of the farm." I said blinking back tears.

"Good girl. I have faith that you will do better than I have even hoped. Now be safe." Taka gave me a small grin and we went our separate ways for the evening.

Taka is leaving. No denying it. I am officially on my own. He's retired. Thoughts whizzed through my head for the next few days.

I sighed as I took a seat down by the Harvest Goddess Pond days later. Taka was leaving tomorrow. I found a small yellow flower and spun it around my fingers. It was barely nighttime but the sun was going down earlier and earlier.

"What a shame. I'll miss the summer." I thought out loud. I sighed then sucked in my breath. Footsteps… I heard footsteps.

The sound stopped and I was once greeted with the sounds of the night once again.

"Hello?" I called out.

"Hello." I was startled to be greeted back.

"Who's there?" I called already knowing the answer.

"Tis I fair maiden." A smooth voice called out. Skye sauntered over to me with his half lidded eyes and usual smirk.

"Why do I bother?" I asked myself.

"Still talking to yourself out loud I see." He said, chuckling.

"Haha. Very cute. I'm not in the mood tonight, Skye." I said annoyed.

"Huh. Who would have thought that in a few weeks you had went from being so unsure of me, to a casual chit-chat." Skye said grinning.

"Like I said, I'm not in the mood." I said still trying to hold back my tears.

"… I understand. I have heard about you're uncle." He said sighing.

"How?" I asked slightly defensive.

"I hear things every now and then." He said smirking at my lack of satisfaction to his answer.

"I do not steal, every night. Sometimes I just stop by to listen to a little gossip. It's addicting." He said slightly rolling his eyes. I wasn't going to press it further but I wasn't certain if he was joking or not.

"I've seen you around quite a few times since I have moved back here… Tell me Skye… Do you consider me a friend?" I asked.

It was a question bothering me for quite a little while. We have bumped into each other a few times after the bar fiasco, and every encounter was pleasant. I had felt that roller coaster adrenalin rush feeling whenever I saw him. I liked that feeling. The man was a thief and almost seemed to have charm and a huge ego wrapped together. He couldn't be egotistical without being charming and he couldn't be charming without being egotistical. All around, he wasn't this crazy horrible man that everyone assumed him to be. Know it isn't very safe, but I do need to know… Are we considered friends?

He stared at me with wide sea green eyes. His mouth was gapped open a slight bit and his mind seemed to be working in over load. I felt self-conscious and started to play with the red tips of my hair.

"I- I…" And then he ran.

He was light on his feet. It probably helped because he was so skinny. I have taken notice to the fact that it doesn't look as if he eats enough. His longer than expected sliver hair almost made a slapping noise as he took off. The adrenalin- like feeling was gone, and all I could feel was the after part of the roller- coaster. The part where you wish you were still on it so you could feel weightless again. I stared in shock and almost fear for a few moments when I finally realized that he wasn't coming back.

I stood up and straighten my shirt absentmindidly. I didn't know what he was going to say or do. But running away was not. Of course that is what I should have seen coming. After he steals something, isn't that what usually happens? He runs away? Running is for cowards.

"I know we'll meet again soon Skye." I said out loud as I walked into my house and locked the door with a click.

"But when we do, you better watch out you little son of a. -"

"Bark!" My small farm dog gave a small whimpering sound. I chuckled and fed him his supper.

"Good-bye everyone. I will miss you all." Taka said the very next morning to a few of his closest friends.

"Oh Taka, are you sure? We will miss you so much!" Vesta said sadly.

"I'm afraid so Vesta." Uncle Taka said to the orange haired woman smiling sadly.

"You shall be missed Takaurtura. Be safe!" Celia said shyly to the older farmer.

"Bye sir." Marlin said a lot more glum than he let on. "… It'll be less fun competing with you." Marlin added with a slight smile.

"Marlin!" Vesta smacked him on the arm.

"You all saw it!" Marlin said nursing his arm.

"Hush up. You'll be missed buddy. Take care." Griffin said patting his friend on the back.

"See you around." Gustafa said nodding sadly.

"Nice knowing you." Nami said shrugging.

A few other people spoke to Uncle Taka as I sighed as the man I knew most of my life boarded the ferry. Before he left, I gave him a hug. He was by no means an emotional man (A/N: Really! That guy seems to have very little personality) but I saw the glimmer of regret in his eyes.

"I forgot to tell you! I sent a letter to a few old friends… They'll be coming to help you out for a few months." Taka said smirking at my gasp.

"What the-"

"All aboard!" A voice boomed. I took a wild guess and assumed it was the caption.

"You'll get a letter soon!" Taka said as the boat left into the distance. The small

'party,' broke up and went their separate ways.

"What did he mean?" I asked myself.

Sure enough, a few days later, I realized that Takaurtura was true to his word.

"Oh my-!"

"Bark!"

"Jackers, shut up!"

A/N: Yeah I named the dog Jackers. Be jealous. I know the whole 'Taka leaving' might have seemed like filler… Probably because it was. :D But this leaves room for another two characters you all will meet very soon. Don't hate Skye just yet! I have plans to make you REALLY hate him later. Or maybe not, it all depends! I hope you enjoyed. And if not, oh well. This was the least fun chapter to right. More fun ahead children, so… review if you want!