A/N: Prepare yourself for a longer than usual A/N. Sorry.

If you can translate the title without google, you win a special prize. (except not really but you know)

Also, sometimes Natsume is crazy and decides to give the Harvest Goddess two completely different personalities. In some of the DS games she is all "toodles" and "OMG I'm the Harvest Goddess!", whereas in the console games (especially the wii) she is much more, "I am the Harvest Goddess. I care for all living creatures, especially you, farmer child. I speak fairly fancily and I act like a rightful Harvest Goddes probably would." If you couldn't tell by my biased examples, I much more prefer the latter personality, so that's what I'm using in the story. Yeah. Just thought I'd clear things up for ya. Enjoy. :)

Oh, and if you love me (and/or this story) you'll review. Because I don't ask often for them but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate them. In fact I really very much do appreciate them, and therefore, to be really awesome, you should review. yeah. ;)

Chapter 8: Pêcher du Jour

After she realized she couldn't move, Jill felt several things in her body happen at once. Her throat squeezed like a snake around prey, and she felt as if she couldn't breathe. Her muscles went limp and yet stayed very tight at the same time, almost as if they had been encased with plastic wrap. The tips of her fingers and toes felt like they had been buried in snow for hours, so cold they were numb to everything she might have tried touching.

"Relax," Skye said, his voice soothing. "You'll be able to breathe again in about five seconds, maiden. And then you'll be able to shuffle and talk a bit, too, but not enough to catch me. I came a little more prepared this time. It seems that I underestimated you at our last meeting. But you'll be okay, I promise."

And he was right. Five seconds later, Jill felt the ice leave her fingertips and feet, and her throat opened again. She gasped for breath, feeling like she had just nearly drowned on air. The only thing that remained highly uncomfortable were her muscles, which were still very tense, but she was able to wiggle her fingertips and move her feet slightly.

When her tongue and mouth gained feeling again, she said, "Well, that was an experience. What did you just do, anyway?"

"High technology," Skye shrugged, stepping around her and toward the counter. "It's...complicated. The only side effect I've ever heard of anyone experiencing is that they feel a little dizzy afterward, but that's it. You'll regain full feeling by the time I'm done here."

Jill turned her body as much as she could to face the thief, who was now looking through the bottles of expensive wine and beer on the shelves behind the counter.

Maybe I can occupy him, Jill thought. Get him to stay until I'm unfrozen.

Her mind raced to come up with a topic of conversation as Skye continued to sort through different colored bottles. Eventually, she said, "So, why are you a thief, my good sir?"

She heard Skye chuckle, and then he replied, "I can't tell you that. That would ruin the mystique of our relationship."

"But I want to know. It's not everyday one has the chance to interview a well-known Phantom Thief," she teased. "Do you do it for fun?"

"So you really want to learn about me, huh?" Skye chuckled. He ran a hand through his strangely silver hair, and then crouched down to look at some of the lower shelves. "Well, tell you what. Catch me a few times, and I'll tell you some things about me. But only as long as you tell me some things about you. Because last time I interviewed you, miss Pony, you didn't have the cleanest hands, either."

Ignoring his comment, Jill asked, "How do I catch you if every time I see you, you've either stolen something from my friend or you freeze me solid? Or both, for that matter."

Skye finally settled with an expensive-looking bottle of wine from the middle shelf, and then replied, "I'm not always trying to steal things. Most of the time I'm trying to plan how to steal things, or visiting the spring." His face darkened. "I'm still trying to bring back the Harvest Goddess, you know."

"So am I," Jill said. "That's why I took over the farm."

Skye froze. "You did?"

Jill nodded.

He turned to her again, another strange expression on his face. "So you're staying here then?"

"I hope to stay for a while, yes," Jill replied, suddenly turning suspicious. "Why?"

Skye walked toward her, his face sad. "Just be careful. There are some less than desirable people around here, beautiful. I wouldn't want you to get caught up with the wrong crowd."

"This coming from the guy wearing a leopard suit who steals stuff from innocent people in a tiny village," Jill scoffed. "Thanks, but I'll take my chances."

Skye sighed. "You and me, we're alike. We have to watch each others' backs, that's all I'm saying."

Anger bubbled in Jill's stomach. She attempted to keep herself in check as she said coolly, "We are nothing alike. I don't know what you're talking about."

Skye looked like he was about to reply when they both suddenly heard mumbling outside. Jill couldn't make out exactly what the two voices were saying, but she recognized them as Muffy and Griffin, and her heart leapt within her chest. She didn't have answers and they were already back. I suppose I'll have to play his game, then, Jill thought.

"Well, I guess that's my cue," Skye said, coming out from behind the counter. He smiled at her, and continued, "Really, though, just be careful. I wouldn't want to see a pretty face like yours cry when I have to say 'I told you so.'"

"I doubt you'll get the chance," Jill replied. Shortly after her reply, he walked out the door and into the calm and starry night, stolen wine in hand.

Wow, she thought. He actually won. He kind of cheated, but still. He actually won.

Before Jill could replay the whole thing in her head, the door opened again, and in walked Muffy and Griffin.

"Strange," Muffy said. "I could have sworn we smelt something suspicious, and delicious, outside. Pony, did anything happen?"

"Uh, yeah," Jill replied. "Phantom Skye came, froze me solid, and then stole a bottle of wine from behind the counter, up on those shelves. But, you know, other than that, nothing important."

"Oh my Goddess!" Muffy cried, just as Griffin rushed up to Jill and touched her shoulder. He felt burning hot, and Jill probably would have flinched were she not still frozen. Instead, her reaction was more of a clumsy stumble. At least I've got feeling in my legs again, she thought.

"You're ice cold," Griffin mumbled as he helped Jill regain her balance. "We should get you to Doctor Hardy."

"No, I'm fine, really," Jill replied, attempting to wiggle around, even though her body still felt really weird. "He said not to panic, and that it would wear off soon after he left. Not that I really trust thieves, but, you know."

Meanwhile, Muffy walked behind the counter, heels clicking, and investigated the shelves. Sure enough, she found the empty space where the wine had once rested, and sighed. "He took the Okuhattan, Griffin," she said.

Griffin's face fell, and he let out a low whistle. "That's one of our oldest and most expensive wines. Still, at least no one was hurt. That thief sure is sly."

Muffy sat back down at the counter and rested her head on one hand. "I'm sorry we just left you, Pony. That was stupid."

"It's no problem, really," Jill replied, and found that her body was warm enough that she could shrug. In fact, she could move a lot of appendages now. "I'll be alright."

"Next time you want a drink or meal from us, it's on the house," Griffin said. "But for now, you should probably go home and get some rest. If you can move, of course."

Jill nodded. "I'll make it home okay. I'm pretty tired. I'll see you guys tomorrow, or something." She was warm enough to move, but she probably looked really awkward trying to relearn how to walk.

Nonetheless she left quickly, not even thinking about trying to follow Skye in the dark.

• • •

It was always the same dream.

It started with people. Faces. Faces in pain, crying children, angry adults. Then there was blood. And then there was fire. Buildings tumbled in on their own foundations, and seconds later turned to ashes. She stood, watching at the sidelines in horror, hiding behind nearby trees, gardens, fences, streetlights, anything that sufficed as a barrier between her and the burning buildings and the people. Everywhere, people died. The sorrow squeezed her chest so much that she felt like she might explode.

The images blurred until she was in a bright room, calculating things on a sheet of paper, rearranging fake atomic structures, creating. She created it. She created the monster, but only under his instruction. So was it his fault, or hers?

Then she was in another room, a darker one, and the only noise other than her own rapid breath was the clicking of a keyboard. She entered numbers, read documents, saved them onto her flashdrive, repeated the process. And then she left. All it took was two codes. You'd think it would have been better protected.

Her only mistake was leaving the door open. It was a tiny, amateur mistake, and she, the greatest apprentice of all time, had committed it.

Then there was an alarm, and more pain, and more suffering, and more running, but this time it was her running and her suffering, not her victims'. And she finally realized why it had always bothered her so much, being in the business, and she wondered why she hadn't left sooner, why she didn't escape while she still could have. The thoughts drove her to the point of insanity, and then there was a small light. A small, tiny light. Salvation.

That light appeared frequently, but was then distinguished within seconds.

And so she continued running, running through the dark forests of her dreams, trying to find questions she didn't dare ask aloud, for fear that the answers would be what she did not want to hear.

Deep within her heart, she knew. It was her fault. She had done all of it. And for what reward? Money? A sense of accomplishment? Pride? To feel like she was worth something other than the average teenage girl? To show that she was better than everyone else?

Because really, she was so, so much worse.

Then, that night, the dream changed. She was running through the forests again, about to trip and fall and have it end like always: the bad things finally caught up to her and ate her alive. Then, very suddenly, a glowing blue pond appeared at the bottom of the hill. She tried to avoid falling in, tried to grab a branch, anything, but it was too late.

Everything went bright.

And then there was softness.

She was lying on something soft and fresh smelling. Grass.

Jill lifted her head. For a dream, she thought, this is strangely vivid.

The field she was lying in seemed to go on for miles, all just grass and wildflowers. The pond she fell into had disappeared, but a sky just as blue stretched above her in a dome shape. Jill sat up, and felt her beating heart slow down. Outside of her dreams she was able to think much more clearly. Her life wasn't as bad as her subconscious made it out to be. She was okay. She was safe, at least for now. But it was still strange that a dream was this alive.

It was then that the image of a beautiful woman slowly faded into view in front of Jill. Her hair was green and went down her back in two long braids, and she was wearing a dress that looked fit for a fairy princess. It appeared to be made out of nearly translucent rainbow fabric and hovered in the air, an invisible and untouchable force somehow keeping it afloat.

"Jill," the woman spoke. Her voice sounded like wind chimes on a rainy day: soft and comforting. "Do you know who I am?"

Jill was surprised that someone used her real name at first, and then she realized that it was a dream. Of course her own conscious would know her name.

Nonetheless, Jill shook her head and played along. "No," she replied. "I'm sorry to say I don't know who you are."

The woman smiled a bit. "I am the Harvest Goddess, Jill. And no, this is not a dream. You're in a delicate area between life and death. A bridge, you could call it. I've summoned you here once before, I think, back when you were much younger. Do you remember?"

Realization dawned on the girl. "Yes...I do remember," Jill replied. "How could I forget? I was like six, I think, and you comforted me about the death of my Grandfather."

The Goddess nodded, and gracefully sat down on the grass only about a foot away from Jill. "Yes, that's right," the Goddess said. "You were so young back then. Your hair has grown a bit, too. But I've been watching you for a long time now."

Jill felt the tears come to her eyes, and she tried desperately to blink them back. "I thought you'd abandoned me. I was so scared. I've had such strong faith since that time when I was six. Even when I was in the Organization I still believed in you."

The Goddess smiled gently. "I meant to contact you long ago, after you exposed the files, to tell you things were going to be alright, but the truth is I was sent to a different dimension by the Witch Princess, and, well, things got complicated, as you can imagine. I haven't had the power until now to summon you. But now that you've taken up the farm again I've regained some of my strength. My life source resides in that farm, you see. Realistically, I could use my own magic to get myself out of the other world, but without the strength of the valley, I cannot. At least, not yet."

"So I have helped," Jill said, the relief thick in her voice.

"Yes," the Goddess replied. "You've helped a great deal. But it doesn't matter. I'd never abandon you, Jill."

Jill felt like a small child as the Goddess curled a nearly see-through hand around her own. She was forgiven. She was, and always had been, forgiven. The news sent her heart soaring like a phoenix through the sky.

"I summoned you here to tell you that," the Goddess continued. "And also to never give up. You are a beautiful, wonderful girl, Jill, no matter how much it troubles you to believe it. I know you're confused as to why you did some of things you did, but it was never truly your fault. You were under command of someone else, and you knew in your heart it was wrong. You were always different from the others because you recognized that. That's why I chose you to end this. I know you are strong enough to survive. I know that your heart can love anyone and anything, and it can endure through the times that have passed and the times that are still to come."

"Times that are still to come?" Jill asked. "What do you mean?"

"I cannot reveal the future to any of my followers," she said sadly. "I wish I could, but I cannot break a tradition that has lasted since the beginning of time, Jill. I can tell you this, though. Let yourself be helped, let yourself lose the skin that became rough from wear and tear, and become loving again. Do this, and you will rise on top in the end. But if you remain tough and untrusting of those around you, you will fall further than before, my dear child." The Goddess then looked down at the hand she was holding Jill's hand with. It was slowly beginning to fade in appearance.

"I'm losing my power," she explained. "But I'll try to contact you again soon, Jill, I promise. Don't give up."

"Wait, Goddess," Jill began as the woman began to fade faster, "how do I know who to trust? What about what Skye said?"

Her reply was quieter than a whisper, carried by a soft breeze that ran past Jill's ear. "In order to trust others, you must first trust yourself. And then you will know who you can and cannot believe."

Once the Goddess was gone, Jill half-smiled, and murmured, "Well, that's more of a riddle than an answer, but I'll try."

• • •

The next afternoon Jill found herself at the mine, digging up artifacts side-by-side with Flora and Carter. She had shipped her first batch of turnips that morning and was excitedly anticipating five o'clock, which was when Thomas would come by to give her the payment for that day. For now, though, she would settle with digging up jewelry in a dusty pit by the waterfall.

After uncovering yet another pearl necklace, Jill commented, "This place is like one of those sandboxes with prizes that you find at museums, but for grown-ups."

Flora laughed quietly, and replied, "Yes, I suppose it is. Carter and I have a theory that his ancestors, who used to live here, buried their valuables before dying so that they would be safe in the after-life."

"Isn't that what Egyptians believe?" Jill asked, putting the necklace in her rucksack on top of a brooch, bracelet, and a pair of earrings.

Flora nodded. "Similar to it, yes. So no one ever bothered to dig up thousands of years worth of jewelry."

"This place is more of a gold mine than a place to find artifacts," Carter commented from across the room. "But we do find some interesting stone tablets every so often, as well. The rest of the stuff we just sell off to Van. He gives us up to three thousand gold pieces per jewelry, if we do the bartering right."

"Who's Van?" Jill asked.

"A merchant that comes to the valley on days that end in three and eight," Flora explained. "He started coming pretty recently. Two weeks ago, I think. You can get really good bargains selling and buying stuff from him, but...well...he's a little strange."

"I'll have to meet him sometime, I guess," Jill replied. "Selling all this jewelry to him would be one step closer to me getting that chicken coop."

Flora nodded, and then they were quiet after that. Jill focused on her work, looking for more brooches, or maybe another bracelet. She moved to another area a few times, using her feet to detect any extra crunching in the ground or a strange feeling lump. Over the course of another half hour, she found another bracelet and also a set of earrings, but at that point she was pretty tired from having to swing her hoe and a shovel around all the time, so she decided to take a break and maybe head to the spring or the bar to see her friends.

After a brief goodbye with Carter and Flora, Jill started walking down the waterfall path back to Vesta's farm area. Her breathing sped up a bit because she was so close to the water, but the waterfall spray was cool and soothing. Today was warmer than the spring days so far, and Jill didn't feel the need to wear a jacket so much as she had the first few days of the season.

At the farm area, Celia, Marlin, and Vesta were all working out in the fields again. Celia waved happily to Jill, and Jill returned the gesture. She then continued walking toward the main part of town, only to realize that there was a strange noise coming from behind her. It sounded like a combination of the squeaking of wood and horse hooves. A cart?

Jill looked back and saw two people, a man and a woman, both maybe three years older than her, riding in a little uncovered buggy fairly close behind. She realized that neither of them had noticed she was there yet, so she quickly stepped off to the side of the road, tripping over her own feet in the process. Jill let her hands break her fall, ignoring the small stinging sensation when they touched the dirt.

"Whoooa," a man's voice said, and the rattling noise stopped. A young man dressed in a white lab coat jumped out of the buggy and helped her up. "Sorry. I missed you completely. Are you alright?"

Jill dusted herself off and nodded. "Yeah, fine. And it's okay, I understand. I heard you, anyway."

The man's face suddenly lit up, and he said, "Wait, I've never seen you around before. Are you new?"

"Yeah," Jill replied. "I took over the new farm a few days ago. I'm Pony."

His face changed again, and some unreadable expression appeared in his eyes. "So you're the famous Pony! Doctor Hardy has told me a lot about his newest patient. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, miss Pony. I'm Trent, the doctor in Mineral town." He gestured to the younger girl in the buggy, and continued, "This is my secretary and nurse, Ellie."

Ellie, who had a sweet face framed with short brown hair, waved at Jill shyly. "Pleased to meet you as well, Pony."

"Do you need a ride to town?" Trent asked. "After what happened a few seconds ago, I'd feel bad not making it up to you somehow."

"No, I'm alright, thanks," Jill replied courteously. "I like walking. Besides, I'm just heading to the spring. It's right over there." She pointed toward the path to said spring, and Trent nodded.

"I see. Well, I'm very sorry for nearly running you over. If you ever require anything of me or Ellie, feel free to ask."

"I will, thank you," Jill replied as he hopped back into the buggy. After a curt nod, he clicked at the horse, and they were off down the path again, toward the valley. Probably to visit Hardy, Jill thought to herself.

She was about to continue walking to the spring when she heard a voice call from the field, "Too bad Marlin wasn't there to save you again, Pony!" Jill turned and saw Vesta, her smile huge. "You alright?"

"I'm fine, thanks!" Jill yelled back. "How's the work going?"

"Not as fun without you," Vesta replied.

Jill laughed. "Whenever you need an extra hand, just tell me! I'd be glad to after all you guys have done for me!"

Vesta simply smiled again in reply, and then Jill was on her way again, hopefully with no buggy accidents this time.

She only spent an hour or so enjoying the peaceful atmosphere at the spring, and then she realized that it was nearing five o'clock. In other words, it was time to collect her first big profit from Thomas, the mayor in Mineral Town. With a small but noticeable skip in her step, she started on the path home, feeling cautiously optimistic. She had already saved up a good amount of cash and lumber from the deteriorated buildings. If she made enough from this crop, she'd be able to hire someone to build a chicken coop, thus taking her one step closer to owning animals. The thought made her heart flutter.

Thomas was waiting for her by the shipping bin when she made it to her farm. She ran up to him, feeling bad for being a little late, and said breathlessly, "Hi, Thomas. Sorry to keep you waiting."

"I haven't been here long, don't worry," Thomas replied, tipping his huge red hat. "Anyway, here are your profits for today." He handed Jill a wad of money, self-earned money, and Jill couldn't help but grin hugely.

"It is exhilarating the first time, isn't it?" He smiled. "You've done well these first few days. I look forward to working with you more, Pony."

Jill nodded, and Thomas left the farm. Once he was gone from the path, Jill took out her wad of money and started to carefully count it. One thousand, two thousand, three thousand dollars. Perfect. This is great, Jill thought, counting the money again. She smiled gleefully at her success. Her money. Not money gained by stealing or suffering or any type of bad thing. Instead of destroying something, she had grown it. For the first time ever in her life, Jill had made a profit from something good.

And because of that, she felt marvelous.

• • •

It was six in the evening. Hardy was sitting with Trent in his house, quietly discussing matters of the week other than Pony, even though she was the main point of interest for the evening, when suddenly there was a knock.

Trent stood up first, and opened the door. On the other side stood Thomas, clad in his usual red clown-ish outfit that always caused Trent to try and stifle a bit of laughter.

"Ah, Trent," Thomas beamed. "Good to see you, my boy. Is Hardy in there, too?"

"Yes," Hardy replied from the chair he was sitting in. He stood up and walked toward the entrance. "Good evening, Thomas. What can I do for you?"

"Oh, not much, not much at all," Thomas replied, "I just have a letter for you, from Sunshine Islands. Here you go, sir." He fumbled around in a little brown sack for a moment, and then handed Hardy an unnaturally gray envelope. "Have a nice evening now, you two. I'll see you some other time. Lots of things to do, you see!"

After saying goodbye, Hardy shut the door silently, staring at the envelope in his hands.

"He really hates that job, you know," Trent chuckled. Hardy barely heard him. He was still processing the return address on the envelope.

Taro Colt

Sunshine Islands

"Trent," Hardy mumbled, "it's from Taro."

Trent's head snapped up. His chuckling stopped immediately, and his smile replaced with a stony expression. "You don't think...?"

"Look at the color of the envelope," Hardy replied, giving it to Trent. The gray shined like fish scales in the dying sunlight of the evening. Hardy lowered his voice even further, and then asked, "Trent, how did he manage to get this by Hawk, do you think?"

Trent shrugged. "I have no idea. But...Hardy, could this mean that Taro knows? How did he find out?"

"He's the oldest of all of us," Hardy sighed. "Not to mention the wisest. But before we jump to conclusions, maybe we should actually read it."

Trent nodded, and, with a shaking hand, passed the letter back to Hardy who, just as uncertain, ripped open the envelope. The paper inside had been neatly folded in thirds, and the handwriting was almost as bad as chicken scratch, but Hardy managed to make out the few sentences anyway.

Might want to start being more careful, Michael. Hawk is sure to notice a change in economics, wherever it may be and however small it may be. After all, I did. So how'd you find her? I heard from sources she might've been coming your way. And are you certain it's actually her, or are you and Trent mistaken again? Because we know where that got us last time.

Either way, I want in.

-Taro

His face grave, Hardy looked back up at Trent. He probably didn't have to say anything, but he murmured the words anyway. "He knows."

• • •