I don't know if anyone still reads this, but here is the next chapter.

Chapter 5

Evee woke in a wonderful mood. She felt that she had finally started to fit in in the village now that she was sure that Cam didn't hate her and even Georgia seemed to be warming to her. At the cooking festival Georgia had come up to her to compliment her on her salad despite their loss to Konohana. Everything felt right in the world as she lay in bed for those few moments that morning.

Evee was humming to herself when she finally got out of bed and went about performing her morning chores. But one thing that bothered her as she was leaving her farm to head into the village was the sight of the empty tilled earth near the edge of her property. 'I need to get some more seeds to grow there' she thought to herself. Her marguerites had bloomed and she had picked them so now the earth was empty. 'But what should I put there? Should I buy some more flower seeds from Cam or should I try to grow some vegetables? Where would I even buy vegetable seeds….probably in Konohana…'

As these thoughts went through Evee's head she decided to skip her visit into town for now and to just head straight for the mountain. She knew that the other village lay on the other side of the mountain though she had never been there. Her excitement mounted at the thought of a new adventure filled her mind. She had kind of gotten into a routine in Bluebell and she was ready for something fresh and new!

Evee slowly wandered up the mountain collecting herbs and insects as she went. 'Another beautiful day in paradise' she thought as the fresh morning air filled her lungs. She soon reached the top and realized that she had never wandered on to the other side of the mountain before. She was ready to see what the other village looked like and briskly walked down the other side of the mountain noting that it looked extraordinarily like the Bluebell side...

As she neared the base of the mountain the scenery changed and was distinctly different from Bluebell's. Instead to the beautiful flowering trees that greeted her as she entered Bluebell, she was met with dense bamboo. The intense amount of green that surrounded her made her feel slightly claustrophobic, but she continued on the narrow path until the bamboo forest opened up to a beautiful valley. The sight that lay before her stunned Evee. There were flowering cherry trees throughout the valley that intermingled with eastern style buildings and vast fertile farmland.

Evee wandered down the main path that cut through the main part of the village. As she walked a soft breeze loosened some cherry blossoms which danced through the air on invisible wings. She felt like she was in some sort of paradise. A small gathering of people up a head pulled her mind back to earth and she remembered the reason for this journey. As she drew closer, Evee saw many faces that she did not recognize. 'Oh, right, I don't know anyone in this village…who am I supposed to ask about seeds?…' Her question almost immediately answered itself when she spotted the sharp looking woman who was mayor of this town. 'Oh no, what was her name again?'

"Hello there, Evee. Have you come to enjoy the festivities today?"

"Uh, erm, festivities?"

"Well yes, today is the Cherry Blossom festival here in Konohana."

"Oh, I wasn't aware that you guys had a festival today. I was hoping to buy some seeds…"

"Sorry Evee, but Gombe would be closed today anyway, he's closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. But why don't you stay a while and enjoy the festival with us? You could see some of the many things that this village has to offer that you just cant find over in Bluebell…"

"That's really nice….Mayor, but I really should get back to work.."

"Please, just call me Ina. Feel free to visit anytime Evee, but be aware that prices for goods here would be lower if you lived in the village…"

'Huh? That didn't seem fair that they charge me more just because I don't live in the village, oh well.' Evee looked at her watch, 'oh, well its only 10:30, I guess I can wander a little and check out the village a little'.

Evee walked further down the path and saw what looked like a large farm with a sign above the farmhouse door. 'That must be Gombe's seeds, I'll have to remember that for next time…' She wandered further, slightly lulled by the sweet scent of the cherry blossoms that filled the air. She came to a cute picnic area that was close to a stream. She sat down on the bench and felt the sunlight warm her skin. This village didn't seem real. It felt as though she had wandered into a dream. She grew sleepy in the suns warmth and soft sound of the babbling brook.

Evee yawned as she awoke. Then with a start she sat straight up. She had fallen asleep on that bench! She quickly looked at her watch and saw that it was almost one o'clock. She had to get back to her own village! She had other things to do today!

Evee briskly walked back up the main path that went through the village, she glanced at the people gathered in the town square and wished that she had time to enjoy the flowers some more, but she trudged on ahead.

The cool mountain air helped her wake up some more, but it was still an unseasonably warm day and the heat made her tired. As Evee finally made it to the top of the mountain her stomach let out a low growl. Evee hadn't gone into town that morning so she hadn't had breakfast. 'I'll have to stop off and have lunch at Howard's café.'

Evee left the mountain behind her and was making her way into town something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. She quickly turned to see Ash running up to her.

"Hey Evee! Where have you been, I was looking for you at the café this morning…"

This statement confused Evee, 'why would Ash be at the café, surely his mom would make him breakfast so he wouldn't have to buy it…'

"Oh, umm hey Ash. I didn't have breakfast at the café this morning. I went Konohana to try to buy some seeds instead."

"Evee! You need to eat breakfast to keep your strength up. You must be hungry.."

Evee's stomach responded to this with a resounding growl. Evee blushed and then shrugged.

"Well, not eating saves a little money…"

"Nonsense, here lets go to the café for some lunch, it's on me today, okay?"

Ash smiled warmly. Then reached out his hand and enveloped hers. His touch was firm, yet gentle and he led her through town, past the flower shop and into the café. As she was being led into the café, Evee saw Cam tending his shop. His expression was down cast.

"Why hello there Ash and Evee! I missed you this morning!"

"Hi Howard" They responded together.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here this morning Howard, I went over to Konohana to try to buy some vegetable seeds, but the shops weren't open…"

"Oh, well that's too bad dear! You should just stick with flowers anyway; your farm looks so lovely with flowers growing around it. That and you can buy the seeds right here in town!"

"Yea, I guess I'll have to buy some seeds from Cam today"

At this point Ash interrupted and ordered food for the both of them to share. For a second Evee had forgotten he was there, but now that she was aware of his presence she noted how close his stool was to hers. She had never been this close to him before out in public. As she inhaled she noticed that he had a distinct scent. He didn't smell bad like you may expect being around farm animals all day, but rather it was a pleasant earthy scent, like summer time just after the rain. It was a scent that made her feel comfortable, almost like…coming home.

"Hey, Evee, you ok? You look like you might pass out…"

"Oh, um, sorry…I guess my mind was just wandering a bit. Do you come to the café often?"

"Well, um, no, I don't actually."

A slight tinge of red crossed Ash's cheeks and he looked a little sheepish as he answered the question. This didn't stop Evee from questioning him further.

"Oh, well what made you come this morning if you noticed that I wasn't here?"

Ash blushed fully at that question.

"Uh…well, hrmm" he stammered.

Luckily he was saved by the arrival of their food.

"Here Evee, eat up, you look famished."

Their date concluded and as they were parting ways at the entrance to the café Ash leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. The kiss caught Evee off guard and she was barely quick enough to look up to see that Ash's face was red before he turned and walked through the town square, heading back to his family's farm. Evee blushed as well. It was a nice kiss, so soft and warm, or were her cheeks just warm now after the kiss? Evee's head swam, did she really like Ash? She wasn't sure about her feelings for him, but at least he was always nice to her and he was always so helpful…

Dazed, Evee slowly walked towards the flower stall and began to peruse the seeds without really thinking about what she was going to buy….

A man roughly clearing his throat nearby snapped Evee out of her daydream. It was Cam. Why did he look so angry? She thought they had finally become friends.

"Evee, I only have 2 kinds of flower seeds right now. It cant be that hard of a decision."

Rudeness again? Really?

"Well I would like to buy some of the carnations but I don't have enough money to get 5 seeds worth so I'm trying to figure out what I can afford. Besides you should be grateful for the business! I never see anyone else at this flower shop!"

Cam recoiled and took step backwards. He looked quite stunned and maybe a little scared.

Evee was embarrassed.

"Uhm, sorry. I guess I'll take 3 carnation seeds and 2 marguerite…"

Cam regained his dark stance when he pulled up the seeds she requested.

"1020 gold…please."

Evee handed over the cash and grabbed her seeds. As she was whirling about and preparing to make a swift escape Cam had managed to quickly come up behind her and he grasped her hand firmly.

"Wait Evee, I'm sorry…"

"Cam. I just don't get you. One minute you're the biggest jerk in the village then I think I've finally won you over as a friend and now today you're back to being the same cold, rude jerk you were before! Maybe I should stop trying to be your friend because there is no way that I can keep up with your mood swings!"

Hot tears were now flowing down Evee's cheeks. That always happened when she got mad or overly upset and it just made her even angrier. Evee pulled her hand out of Cam's grasp and attempted to storm off, but once again she felt herself pulled back, this time harder.

Cam had a hold of her arm now and pulled her around to face him. Still having a rough hold of her arm, he grasped her other arm and pulled her in close to him. He kissed her passionately. It was warm and smooth. Evee felt her lips move against his, fully giving in to the temptation. When she finally came to her senses she quickly pulled away. 'How dare he kiss me?!'

Angrier than ever and now being ruled by raw emotion she slapped him, full in the face. Slightly embarrassed by this outburst and coming to the realization that their raised voices had drawn many wandering eyes, Evee whirled about and ran home as fast as she could.