This chapter turns into a songfic after a while ^o^ It's the song "Just Around the River Bend" from Pocahontas.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon or any of its characters.

Just Around the River Bend

"Nidawi..." Mother poked her head into the hut, where I was sitting mending one of my dresses. "Your father and I have exciting news for you."

I looked up from the dress. "What is it?" I asked, putting the dress down and getting up. "Is everything all right?"

"Everything's perfect," Mother said, and I noticed the huge smile on her face.

She walked into the hut, and was followed by Father. He ,too, was smiling widely.

"Nidawi," he said, taking my hands in his. "Sit down."

Confused, I did as I was told. "What happened?" I asked.

"There's no need to be frightened, my dear," Mother said, as she and Father sat down beside me. "This news is actually very good, and I'm sure you'll be delighted to hear it."

I nodded, and Father sighed.

"How do you feel about Shea?" he asked, looking at me intently.

"He's nice," I shrugged. "And very optimistic."

Father's smile grew wider, and so did Mother's.

"Well," Mother said. "Your father and I have been talking with Wada for the past moons, and..." she looked at Father.

"Wada thought it'd be a good idea if you and Shea got married." Father said.

I sat there, motionless. Me and Shea... getting married?

"Of course, you can choose whether to or not," Mother interjected, looking at me with concern. "We don't want you to do something you're not comfortable with."

Letting out a shaky breath, I stood up.

"I-I need some time to think," I said, walking towards the hut door.

"Of course," Father said. "You can have as much time as you want to think it over."

Hurrying outside, I grabbed my canoe and made for the river.

"Nidawi!" I heard Kimama yelling after me. "Nidawi! Where are you going?"

I didn't even glance back at her. I just kept walking briskly towards the river.

"Nidawi!" Kimama yelled again.

This time I turned back, and I saw her rushing towards me. I suddenly started running, and headed into the jungle. As I jumped over mossy logs and dodged protruding branches, I heard Kimama's voice fading into the distance. Slowing down, I stopped at a small beach on the side of the jungle, and set down my canoe.

Staring into the waters, I let out a deep sigh.

"What I love most about rivers is, you can't step in the same river twice. The water's always changing always flowing."

I picked up the canoe and gently set it in the water. Stepping in, I grabbed the paddle and sat down.

"But people, I guess, can't live like that. We all must pay a price. To be safe we lose our chance of ever knowing... What's around the river bend. Waiting just around the river bend."

I dipped the paddle into the water and pushed, and the canoe started gliding gracefully across the water. I was soon in the middle of the river with the jungle on either side of me.

"I look once more, just around the river bend, beyond the shore; where the gulls fly free. Don't know what for. What I dream the day might send just around the river bend... for me. Coming for me."

Birds called in the distance, and I could faintly hear the chatter of the villagers and "settlers". Choosing to ignore it, I closed my eyes and continued down the river.

"I feel it there beyond those trees, or just behind these waterfalls. Can I ignore that sound of distant drumming? For a handsome sturdy husband who builds handsome sturdy walls, and never dreams that something might be coming? Just around the river bend. Just around the river bend!"

As I continued down the river, I could see the ocean coming into view. Seagulls began appearing, and cawed down at me. The jungle began getting thinner and thinner, until it became huge cliffs.

"I look once more, just around the river bend, beyond the shore; somewhere past the sea. Don't know what for. Why do all my dreams extend, just around the river bend? Just around the river bend..."

As I neared ocean, a small island suddenly jutted out in front of me. Stopping the canoe, I looked to either side of it. One side was smooth and straight, while the other was full of white water and curves.

"Should I choose the smoothest course, steady as the beating drum? Should I marry Shea? Is all my dreaming at an end? Or do you still wait for me, dream giver? Just around the river bend..."

Deciding to take my chances, I began paddling towards the white water.