I usually write longer chapters than this... Hopefully they'll start getting longer ^^" Anyway, please enjoy!

Also, I hope I got Luna's character right. She's always striked me as the independent, outspoken, worry-about-friends sort of person ^^"

-HEALTH HABITS-

"That rancher! I swear she's going to get it!"

Perking my ears up and peeking around the corner, I spot Luna complaining to her blue haired older sister outside of Sonata Tailoring. Twitching my tail nervously, I place myself behind the wall, out of sight but close enough to listen in without being seen.

"She just up and leaves without telling me? Or anyone else?" Crossing her arms and huffing loudly, one foot taps constantly on the pavement. "She better have a wonderful explanation for her disappearance, or she's totally going to get an earful from me!"

"We're talking about Hikari here. I'm sure she had a good reason," defends Candace. "Gil said that she had to go visit some family members, and it was such short notice she had to leave as soon as she could."

I twitched my ears. So that was his explanation, eh? Not bad. It was definitely believable.

"She still could have left a note or something…" pouts Luna, sighing and letting her shoulders fall. "That woman worries me. She's always jumping without thinking."

"She'll be alright, just like she always is," comforts Candace, smiling and placing a hand on her sister's shoulder. "You worry too much."

"She gives me reason to worry!" retorts Luna, scrunching her face up in a frown.

Pressing my ears flat against my head, I pad away, thoughts swimming with what I've just heard. I'd always known that Luna was the worry type. She was like a mother. Once you became a good friend of hers, she fretted even over the littlest things. For good reason in my case, since she was right about me always jumping into things without quite thinking. If she only knew I was a cat… I narrowed my eyes with amusement at the thought.

I also felt bad, for not being able to tell her that I was alright. I felt bad for everyone, really. Knowing that I had to lie to them hurt. They were good people, but the truth they wouldn't believe…

Sulking to the top of the Fishery, I tucked myself in some shade and let my mind wander. My whole life was in Wizard's hands and knowledge. I couldn't deny that I was worried. Not that I doubted his abilities, but what if he never figured out how to change me back? What if I was stuck as a cat forever? It was interesting being a feline, but I was starting to feel a little sad. I couldn't talk to any of my friends except Wizard, because they didn't know it was me.

You're pathetic, Hikari, I thought to myself, looking out to the ocean. It's been little less than a week, and you're already losing hope! This isn't like you!

Closing yet another book, Wizard sighed and rubbed his eyes. Ever since he'd found Hikari on his doorstep, he hadn't took a break from sifting through all the information he had, trying to figure out how to change her back. First, he had to pinpoint exactly what Witch was trying to cast, and then figure out how to reverse it. Not to mention he'd have to look for the ingredients once he had the information he needed.

Going back to his bookshelf, he gazed over the titles, lost in thought. He was starting to feel the effects of no sleep, but he couldn't afford to allow his body the reprieve it needed. The longer Hikari stayed as a cat, the closer she came from losing her optimism. He'd always been greeted by the red head with a smile, and he would be damned if he allowed that smile to disappear because he took too long.

Sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose, he left the bookshelf empty handed and instead retrieved his crystal ball, returning to the desk and setting the fragile object down carefully. Gazing into it, he watched as the swirling mist inside warped and moved to show Hikari, laying in the shade by the Fishery. Her ears were down, and her eyes were blinking towards the ocean. Even as a cat, the sunlight reflecting off of her showed her beauty.

He didn't dare read her thoughts, but he was curious. Even as a cat, he could tell something unpleasant was on her mind, and it worried him.

I promise… I'll get you back to normal soon…

Twitching my ears irritably, I stand up and physically shake myself, clearing my thoughts of all negativity. Now wasn't the time to sulk! I had to stay positive for Wizard!

While on the topic of Wizard… That man hasn't slept in almost a week… Setting my kitty face in a determined frown, I make my way back to Wizard's quickly. I'll change that!

Wizard had gotten into the habit of keeping his door slightly open. Not enough to where people would notice, but enough to where I could push it open when I wanted back in. Doing that now, Wizard greeted me by the door, shutting it once my whole body was safe from the door frame.

Bee lining for his bed, I jump up and look straight at him, meowing. Looking at me curiously and taking hold of his crystal ball, he sighs as he hears, 'Bed. Now.'

"I still haven't figured out… how to change you back." Sitting in his chair, he keeps his eyes level with mine.

I didn't budge. It was obvious he was starting to suffer from sleep deprivation. His eyes looked tired, his eyelids drooped slightly, and there were black marks under his eyes. Even if he was some magical being, he needed sleep.

'You should look in a mirror, Wizard! You look awful, and it…' I hesitate, then shake myself mentally and keep going. 'It hurts to see you like this because of me.'

He blinked, and I could tell I'd surprised him. Furrowing his brow slightly, he looked away.

'Come on, Wizard. Please… get some rest. If it makes you feel any better, I won't leave the house. I don't care if I'm a cat for one extra day, it'll be worth it knowing that you got some sleep and you're not torturing yourself.' I pad over to his pillow and sit down beside it to make a point. 'If you're not going to look after your health, then I will.'

A look I didn't recognize crossed his face, but before I could place what it was, it disappeared. Looking back at me and sighing, he stood up, returning his crystal ball on its stand. "Fine."

Twitching my tail in triumph, I wait while he takes off his coat and slings it over his desk chair. Sitting down on his bed, he frees his feet from their shoes and slings his legs up and over, letting his body collapse onto the bed, his head hitting the pillow with a soft whump.

I purr softly, hoping that the noise would soothe him into sleep. Watching as his eyes close and his chest instantly slow, the rising and falling of one in sleep, I smiled to myself. He really was exhausted. I actually hadn't known how stubborn Wizard could be.

I'm still learning stuff about you, Wizard, I think. Yawning myself and feeling my own eyelids droop, I couldn't help but be a little awed by the man's sleeping face. Usually his expression was one of thought or concentration, always with a hint of control and calm. But now, asleep, it was one of pure relaxation. He looked like a little kid, pure and innocent.

Closing my eyes contently, I let sleep overtake my conscious, my purring doing one more job and soothing even me into dreamland.

Opening his multicolored eyes slowly, he yawned and shifted so he lay on his back. Blinking the sleepiness away, he rubbed his eyes and sat up, looking around for his guest. True to her word, she hadn't left the house. In fact, she hadn't moved from her spot by his pillow. Her soft purring gave the silent air music while she slept, her sides expanding and retracting as she breathed.

Smiling softly to himself, his hand moved to rub her small head gently but he stopped himself short, a knuckle hovering over her forehead. Keeping it there for a few more moments, he let it drop, running his hand through his hair instead. He shouldn't disturb her.

Standing up and stretching, he looked out the window, noting he darkness. How long had he slept? Making his way to his telescope, he rested a hand on the side of it, the cool metal familiar on his skin. Yet, his mind wasn't on the stars, but on the woman sleeping in a cat's body.

Perhaps he should ask the Harvest Goddess or Harvest King for help. He wasn't getting anywhere with answers, and any help would be better than none. As he was debating which one to ask first, a thwap on the door made him snap his head in that direction. Furrowing his brow and walking down the steps, he thought, What was that…?

Opening his door slowly and quietly, he looked out into the sleeping town. Looking left and right, he saw no one. Confused, he went to close himself to the outside world once more when something on the ground caught his eye. Bending down, his eyes went wide with surprise.

There, lying on the ground with a bump on his head, was the Harvest Sprite that used to follow the rancher everywhere. His yellow hat drooping over his face, the small sprite groaned quietly and rubbed his head. "Ow…"

"Finn…?" voiced up Wizard.

Jumping by the sudden noise, Finn stumbled over himself, grabbing his hat before it fell to the ground. Placing it back on his head, and being careful over his new bruise, he looked up at Wizard. "Wizard!"

"Are you okay?"

"Erm…" Scratching the back of his head and using his small wings to raise himself into the air, Finn twirled once. "I'm fine! It's just so dark… Usually the town has at least some light!"

"There's no moon tonight…" comments Wizard, looking up towards the sky. "So it's darker… than usual."

"Apparently…" Rubbing his face to try to rub his embarrassment away, Finn shook himself. "I'm here about Hikari! She's here, isn't she?"

Wizard nods in reply. "You know about what happened…?"

Finn crossed his arms. "Not exactly, but I was with her for long enough to know if something happens to her or not! Is she okay? I want to see her!"

"Then come on in…" offers Wizard, stepping aside so Finn can fly in. He can't help but notice before the door closes the small circle of dust on his door, where the sprite's head made contact with the wood. I never knew… Harvest Sprites were so clumsy…