Chapter four! It turned out way, way longer than I thought it would, and I didn't even fit in everything I wanted to. It was way fun to write, but I think it may have very juvenile problems... Not something a twenty-some-year-old would end up doing. I guess Claire just has a very thirteen-year-old mind!

Thank you all so much for reviewing! I love ya for it! Well, here's the chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon or any of it's characters.

I walked down the pathway towards the Inn in the darkness, all alone

I walked down the pathway towards the Inn in the darkness, all alone. I didn't mind, really. It's nice to be alone sometimes. But most of the time, especially during the cold days of Winter, you want to be with friends or family. Or anyone.

I wrapped my arms around myself; it was very cold out this evening, probably pushing freezing. I looked up at the sky. There were a few clouds here and there, but overall it was clear. You could see so many stars in the winter. It was almost as though the cold temperature made the tiny white dots stand out more against the black nighttime sky.

That's one of the things I like about Winter, as well: the beautiful nights.

I glanced at my watch and quickened my pace. I was already ten minutes late. I sighed, causing a small white cloud to appear in front of my face.

Hey, it's cold enough to see my breath.

I smiled as I approached the front door of the Inn. I reached out and opened the door quickly and shuffled inside to the warmth. Inside, I turned around and was greeted by a dozen grinning faces.

"Um, hi guys. What's up?" I asked, getting mildly creeped out by the happy stares. Ann walked up to me and linked her arm with mine, that stupid smile still plastered on her face.

"Hey Claire! Where were you? You're fifteen minutes late!" She exclaimed, finally losing the weird grin. I laughed nervously and scratched the back of my neck, embarrassed.

"Well, I forgot I didn't really have any shoes to wear, so I had to figure out what to do. I guess it took longer than I thought?" I said, hoping she'd buy it. I didn't want her to know I was late just because I take forever to get ready.

"Okay then. Let's get this party started, now that Claire's here!" She shouted towards the crowd, and was answered with many loud murmurs of agreement.

I was scanning the crowd over to see who had come. I saw Karen dancing with Rick, who we didn't want to invite at first but decided it was only fair, and I saw Elli talking excitedly to the Doctor, who looked like he was having trouble keeping up.

Over at the food table I saw Popuri trying to carry on a conversation with Cliff, who looked uncomfortable. I chuckled at Cliff's expression when Popuri suddenly started crying. I didn't even want to know what she had been talking about. My gaze traveled over to the bar, where I saw Saibara sitting with a drink, speaking to Doug. I smiled at how well the party was already going.

My eyes wondered over to one of the benches, and I noticed Gray sitting by himself. He was staring at something in his hands… It looked like a small box. I was about to go over to him when I realized Ann was still holding onto my arm.

"Um, Ann?" I asked her, and she snapped her attention towards me. It looked like she was staring at the snack table where Cliff and Popuri were.

"What is it? Do you like the party, Claire? It's like totally awesome, right?" She said, beaming. I smiled.

"Like, totally, Ann! Thanks! Oh, do you want to go over to the snack table? You look sort of hungry," I lied. She didn't look hungry. I just needed to give her a reason to go over and talk to Cliff. She blinked.

"Um, okay! I'll, uh, catch you later! Presents and cake at eight! Don't forget!" She called over her shoulder as she walked over towards the refreshments. I smirked.

Now, to talk to Gray…

I glanced back over at the bench where Gray was sitting, and did not like what I saw. Mary was walking over to Gray, with a smug little grin stuck on her pale face.

Oh no! If she's around him, I won't even be able to say 'hello' without being torn to pieces by a vicious librarian! I have to act fast!

I quickly noticed Mary was wearing heels, so she wasn't walking as fast as I could. I felt my ninja side taking over me as I took off across the dance floor, weaving in between a few people and ducking under flailing limbs. I managed to get over to Gray's bench just seconds before Mary would've gotten there.

"Hey," I said, out of breath. Gray looked up at me, startled.

"Hey, Claire. You okay…?" He asked curiously as he watched me pant. I quickly recovered and flashed him a cheesy smile. He chuckled.

"I'm fine. What about you? You're just sitting here, all alone." I said, and he sighed.

"Yeah, well… I didn't really think of anything else that I could do, so…" He shrugged. I shook my head.

"You wouldn't be able to start a conversation with someone if your life depended on it. Oh, Gray…" I said, smirking. He rolled his eyes.

"Whatever. At least you finally decided to come. I needed some company," He stated, pulling his hat down, "I'm glad you're here." He finished. I could feel my cheeks heat up just a little.

Sit down next to him!

My mind was screaming at me. I did a small nod, agreeing with myself. But when I looked at the spot next to him on the bench that was free just a few seconds ago, I was surprised.

There sat a smirking little black-haired librarian, wearing a white long-sleeved blouse with a long, flowy light blue skirt. Her hair was still in it's usual braid, and her ugly silver-framed glasses still sat onto of her arrogant little nose.

Gray didn't seem to notice her until she leaned on him. His head shot up and he met her face to face. He looked like he was going to fall over, he was so startled. Mary smiled at him.

Oh Goddess, is she seriously going to try and flirt with him?

"Hey, Gray," She started, putting emphasis on Gray's name. Yep, she's trying to flirt with him. Trying. Gray blinked.

"Um, hi Mary." He said, looking uncomfortable with the way she was leaning on him. Mary giggled. Goddess, she looked so stupid.

"How do you like the party so far? You didn't look to happy before I came over here," She said, and I had to stifle a giggle. Gray still didn't look very happy. Mary continued, "So, do you want to dance?"

I felt my stomach turn over. Was Gray going to dance with her? That witch? She's tried to kill be, for Goddess' sake! He can't honestly-

"Uh… Okay…?" Gray said. Mary giggled again and yanked him up, then dragged him onto the dance floor. I was shocked.

No way. No way. No way. He couldn't have just given in! Did her creepy flirting WORK?!

I plopped down angrily on the bench where Gray had just fallen victim to the demon librarian. I watched the two of them go out onto the middle of the now crowded floor, and start to dance. Gray was very uncomfortable and seemed hesitant, but I didn't notice.

I was too angry.

I could feel my stomach come up into my chest and it felt like it crashed into my heart as I watched Mary grab Gray hands. It was a fast song, so at least they weren't slow dancing.

And then a slow song came on.

No, no, no. Maybe I could go cut in? No… Mary wouldn't let me. She'd probably make a big scene and tell me off or something like that, embarrassing both of us. She loves drama. I bet-

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud slapping sound. I shot my head up and the music stopped. I saw a fuming Mary standing in the center of the dance floor next to a confused Gray, who was holding his cheek, wincing in pain.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Mary shouted, causing the crowd who was staring at the two of them back up a few feet in surprise. Gray looked even more confused.

"What? All I said was-" He started, but Mary silenced him with her hand.

"Shut up. I can't believe you!" She screamed and took of running -or shuffling, really- out the Inn doors, slamming the door behind her. Everyone turned towards poor Gray, expecting an explanation.

He was frozen with all eyes on him. He lowered his hat, flushing red with embarrassment. It looks like Gray's the one Mary managed to humiliate today.

I decided to disregard the fact that he ignored me for Mary earlier, and went to his rescue. I pushed through the crowd, over towards Gray, who was still frozen in his spot. When I finally got into the center I stood next to the blacksmith and looked up at him expectantly.

"What the hell, Gray?!" I shouted, waving my hands in the air. He looked at me in utter confusion.

"Wh-what?!" He managed to spit out. I winked at him, hoping he'd catch on. I had a plan.

"You heard me! What the hell is your problem?! Why were you dancing with her?!" I screamed, faking rage as best as I could as I pointed towards the door Mary had just exited. Gray was seriously bewildered at my attitude. He doesn't get my plan…

"What do you mean?! I-I was-" He seemed to be getting angry. Well, if he didn't get the plan originally, I guess being genuinely angry was the next best thing. I cut him off.

"I know perfectly well what you were doing, you TRAITOR!" I shouted at his face, hoping he'd get what I was trying to do. Of course he didn't. When you provoke Gray, his brain shuts down to most all reasoning. I knew this from experience. We may be good friends, but we've definitely had our share of arguments.

Gray couldn't seem to think of anything to say, so I continued, "Yeah, I saw you! You didn't think I would! Well, YOU WERE WRONG! You know what?! You're coming with ME, NOW. COME ON!" I shouted and grabbed his arm, dragging him up the stairs.

Please don't fight back, please don't fight back, pl- Crap.

At the top of the stairs, he finally found his voice and ripped his arm out of my grasp.

"What the hell are you TALKING about, Claire?!" He shouted at me. I rolled my eyes. So close.

"YOU KNOW DAMN WELL WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" I shouted and grabbed the arm of his black coat again, trying to get him to follow me out of the party guest's views. He wouldn't budge, and of course I wasn't strong enough to move him. He was twice my size.

"NO, I DON'T!" He shouted and shredded his arm out of my grip. Again. I had to get him to move before this got any worse.

Think, Claire… Dammit! THINK! How do I get him to move! If I don't hurry up and explain this to him, he'll hate my guts forever, AND no one will believe me when I tell them it was just an act. Goddess, I have to do something…

I surveyed my position. We were at the top of the stairs, so any sudden lunges or anything like that could send us falling over the railing. That means no running into him, trying to knock him over. Not that I'd be able to do that, anyways. I noticed his stance. It looked like he was standing firm, so I couldn't get him to move with my minimal strength. If he was surprised it would be easy to move him, though… I looked over and noticed Cliff and Ann cutting towards the crowd to come up, most likely to 'break us up'.

I couldn't let them do that. If I did, then Cliff would take Gray to a different room and Ann would take me somewhere else, and I wouldn't be able to tell Gray it was an act. I had to think fast.

Really fast.

Claire, come on, think. You have ten seconds to get Gray four feet across a hall, and through a door. If I could surprise him he'd be moveable- That's it!

I knew what I had to do, but now I had to figure out how. This was going to be difficult. And awkward. And embarrassing. Oh well. I thought as I saw Ann and Cliff at the bottom of the stairs. I quickly turned towards Gray and looked up at him with urgent eyes. He noticed this and looked curious for the split second he had before I pulled him down to my level and kissed him. Seriously.

This is strictly business. Now I have to get him to move across the hall before Ann and Cliff- Whoa. Hold on. H-He's kissing me back…! CRAP!

I peeled myself off him and shoved him across the hall, into the extra room, and slammed the door shut. I turned and saw Gray on the floor panting. I must've pushed him too hard. Either that, or I underestimated how disoriented a guy gets when you plant a wet one on them.

I put my hands on my hips and stared down at him, annoyed. I wanted to shout at him for not getting my 'genius' plan, but I knew that wouldn't end well. I let out an irritated sigh.

"Goddess, Gray…" I muttered, shaking my head in a sort of disbelief. He got up of the floor.

"Claire…?! Wh…What…?" He couldn't seem to think of anything to say. It was sort of cute, how stupid he sounded. I stared him right in the eye.

"Listen. I knew how difficult it would be for you to talk your way out of that little incident with Mary. I saw how embarrassed you looked. I figured I'd go and help you out-" I tried to explain, but he cut me off. Typical Gray.

"You thought that screaming nonsense at me would help with the situation?!" He shouted. I shushed him; I didn't want anyone outside to hear and think we were in a huge fight that could get violent in a matter of seconds.

"Shhh! Listen! I had a plan! You were supposed to let me lug you upstairs to 'give you a talking to about staying loyal' or something along the lines of that crap." I muttered, but he still didn't fully understand. I sometimes used to wonder what he was using his head for, because it definitely didn't house a brain.

"What would that do to help anything? And what was WITH that crap about being a traitor for dancing with Mary?" He asked, raising his voice only slightly. I rolled my eyes.

"You were supposed to play along, that you were with me and left for her. Then after I got you up here, we'd wait five minutes then go downstairs and tell everyone it was a skit or something like that, and Mary was in on it too. Duh." I explained. Gray finally looked like he understood, so I continued, "But since you didn't play along, and made it damn near impossible to move you, and Ann and Cliff were coming to 'break the fight up', you just made me resort to drastic measures! Ugh!" I stomped my foot. He looked shocked.

It doesn't look like he's going to say anything. What am I supposed to say? This is awkward. …Oh my Goddess, we kissed. And I just brought it up. No WONDER he doesn't know what to say! I'm so stupid!

"…Sorry." He mumbled, snapping me out of my thoughts AGAIN. I looked over at him, surprised. And, Goddess, what I saw made me go into a giggle fit that could've made me pass out from lack of oxygen. And it wasn't even that funny.

His whole head was the brightest shade of red possible.

And I just thought it was the most hilarious thing ever. I fell over onto the hardwood, cracking up. He looked at me like I was crazy, and he had good reason to. He flushed ever more, how that was possible I do not know, and that just made me laugh harder. Eventually, his face went back to it's normal shade, and I stopped cackling like an idiot.

"Ha… Oh my gosh… S-Sorry…" I said, taking deep breaths. He chuckled.

There it was. The beautiful sound that came so close to bringing tears to my eyes. My eyes probably got glassy and I smiled hugely. He stopped laughing, though, and spoke.

"It's fine, I guess. Should we go back down and explain ourselves? Hopefully no one's left, thinking the party's over." He said, reaching out his hand to help me up. I gladly took it, and he pulled me up with such power it scared me.

My Goddess, he could throw someone three feet and into a lake with that strength!

We opened the door and immediately heard chattering downstairs. The lights had been undimmed, and it looked like everyone except Mary and Saibara were still there. We started down the stairs, side-by-side, and that got everyone's attention. I stopped in the middle of the staircase and smiled awkwardly.

"Hey guys! Um, you remember before? With Mary and Gray, and then with me and Gray?" I asked. Everyone just stared up at me expectantly, so I continued, "Yeah, well, uh… How did you like our skit?" I smiled. I saw Gray roll his eyes out of the corner of mine.

What? How was he expecting me to say it?

Ann spoke up first. "You two were acting? It didn't look like it to me, especially up there when you two-"

"It was an act, dammit!" Gray shouted suddenly, cutting Ann off. His face was pink.

"Oooo, how cute, Gray is embarrassed!" I heard Popuri say in a singsong, taunting voice that caused Gray to turn a slightly darker shade of pink. He lowered his hat.

"Jeez, Popuri. That was a little harsh." I said. That pink haired girl… She was pissing me off.

"What? Aren't you embarrassed, too, Claire? I mean, you just mauled Gray in the middle of a 'skit' and made out with him in front of all the young adults of the town and Saibara." Karen declared, swaying in her spot. The party had only been going for an hour and she was already drunk.

I felt my face heat up so hot, it almost hurt. I tried searching my mind for the best response, but… Nothing. My poor head. It was aching with humiliation, much like my stomach was. Except my stomach wasn't pounding, it was twisting around and around, making me want to throw up.

This is all Mary's fault. She has always wanted to humiliate me in public. But this time she didn't even try.

Now I felt like Gray probably did earlier this evening on the dance floor. I was glued to my spot as well.

"W-we weren't making out, Karen. It was part of the… Uh, skit." Gray said, breaking the awful silence. He offered me a weak smile. "So, can we continue with the party, please, Ann?" He asked quietly so only Ann, who was the closest to the stair could hear. She nodded vigorously.

"Cool! Everyone, let's PARTY!" She shouted and ran over to the stereo system behind the counter. She flipped it on and dimmed down the lights again. Everyone glanced around and shrugged, then started dancing. I let out a sigh of relief.

Thank you thank you thank you Gray!

I looked over to where he had been standing, about to thank Gray out loud for saving me. But he wasn't there. He was walking down the rest of the stairs, and I didn't waste a second following him. At the bottom of the stairs I caught up to him, got in front of him, and threw my arms around his shoulders.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" I squealed. He saved my butt. He wasn't going to get away without one of my 'Huge Hugs of Death', as Ann and Elli had come to call them.

"Uh… No problem, Claire. It was nothing…" He said as I released him. I gasped.

"Um, NO! It was something! You saved my butt! I'm forever in your debt," I said, bowing. He lowered his at down and hid his face from me again. I decided to let it go this time and continued, "So?" I asked. He looked puzzled.

"So, what?" He asked back. I rolled my eyes.

"So, what do you want me to do for you? I said I was indebted to you, remember. So what'll it be?" I asked, and looked away from me. I smirked, realizing that he had probably just thought something inappropriate. He looked back over my way after a few seconds of thinking.

"How about a dance?" He asked. I wasn't expecting that. He would always tell me how he hated dancing and wasn't even good at it. I nodded.

"Sure!" I grabbed his hand and pulled him after me.

We walked out onto the extremely crowded floor and started to move to the quick beat. I was having tons of fun. I didn't see why Gray thought he was a bad dancer; he was actually pretty good.

I looked around to see what everyone was doing around us. Popuri was dancing with Ann, and I noticed Cliff watching them glumly. Elli was trying to teach Doctor how to dance, and he didn't seem very into it. Karen was dragging Rick onto the dance floor, and I immediately felt bad for him, having to dance with an intoxicated Karen.

The music suddenly stopped, and I heard Karen shout complains out from the other side of the Inn. I looked over to the bar, unconscious of the fact that I was still holding Gray's hand. Gray didn't seem to notice, either.

Ann stood behind the bar and shouted to get everyone's attention, "Hey! It's eight o' clock! Time for cake and presents! We have to remember this is a birthday party, right?" She exclaimed.

Everyone shuffled over to two tables that had been pushed together to make one big area everyone could sit at. Popuri, Ann, and Cliff sat on one side of the table, Doctor, Elli, Rick, and Karen sat on the other side, and Gray and I sat at one end. The Inn's tables were actually very large, so no one, not even Gray and me, was squished.

Doug came out of the kitchen with a two-layer chocolate cake with chocolate frosting all over it. The words 'Happy Birthday Claire and Gray' were piped on in white icing. I smiled as I stared at the cake that was set in front of Gray and me, not noticing that everyone had started singing and Doug had lit two white candles: one for me and one for Gray.

"Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear Claire and Gray,

Happy birthday to you!"

Everyone sang. It snapped me out of my daze, that's for sure. Karen was singing so loudly and badly it hurt my ears, and Popuri and Elli were singing too highly. It was funny, though. I'd remember this for a long time to come.

"Make a wish, you guys, and blow out your candles!" I heard someone say. It sounded like Popuri. I glanced at Gray who had just blown out his candle.

Crap. What do I wish for…?

I looked around. To my left was a window, right behind Gray, who was watching me and waiting for me to blow out the candle. Of course!

I wish…

I closed my eyes for a moment, then opened them and blew out my candle. Everyone cheered. Gray nudged me.

"What did you wish for?" He asked. I smiled and shook my head.

"I can't tell! If I do, it won't come true! …What did you wish for?" I asked, giggling. He rolled his eyes, but couldn't stop a smile from coming onto his face.

"It's a secret."

What did you think? Did you see what I meant by juvenile? I guess that's what happens when you get a thirteen-year-old writing in the point of view of a twenty-one-year-old, huh? Review, please!