[A/N]: Thank you guys for reviewing my story so far, it makes me really happy. Anyways, I won't be able to update as much and such, cause of school and stuff. Back to the point, this chapter's gonna introduce… dannananana… the Harvest God! Personally, he's my favorite bachelor in the HM series, plus Vaughn, cause I love me some cowboy 8D. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon—Natsume does. All I own are the plots. This story is based on: Harvest Moon: Animal Parade.

Chapter 1

Months went by after that faithful day. Chase had actually started getting his act together, which was kind of creepy. I thought he would act as though the whole 'confession' thing never happened, but as usual, the Goddess had to prove me wrong. He refrained from picking fights with me, and had stopped acting like a total brat. Instead he was a lot nicer, like a gentleman should be.

What the hell, I thought he would just get over me? I had said one Spring day. It had been two months since he confessed to me, which was still weird to think about. Chase had told me… ME, that he has feelings for me…

It's still a mystery to me how… a guy like him, would fall for a girl like me.

Funny how things change, how a guy like him can screw everything up.

Back to the point, Chase had started showing signs of change, and—well, I started liking his new change of attitude. So, I gave him a chance.

By Spring 13, Chase and I was officially a couple. Everyone on the island was pretty happy for us, well… everyone except for Maya. We were actually pretty good friends before Chase and I got together, after that… we just grew apart from each other.

Actually, she stopped talking to me, and she avoided me whenever I came to the inn. Sometimes, when I ran into her she'd say hey, and would try to strike up a conversation with me… out of good will and all that, but I knew she wasn't mentally into it.

It's not a secret to me now, that she liked Chase. I mean, who wouldn't? He was gorgeous, with his sexy violet eyes, and his unruly peach colored hair. Not only that, but he had a nice build to him. Not as muscular as Owen, but still pretty hot. No wonder most girls in the island still have a crush on him.

While we were together, Chase would do the sweetest things. He'd come by the farm to help me out now and again, he'd come by every morning to make me breakfast—whatever I wanted too. Sometimes, we'd have a cooking competition to see whose food was better. After we would finish making our selected dishes, he'd always say, *"Who will taste better… you-or you?" he'd always point at mine.

I can't say that our relationship was bad. He was sweet, he was modest and kind… and… and everything a man should be. I don't know what went wrong; I still to this very day don't know what I did to drive him to do what he did.

I did everything a girlfriend should do, treat him right; make him happy; give him some now and again… so… so what went wrong…?

I… maybe we should backtrack this story a little. To when… when I was looking for the item that would push our relationship further: the Blue Feather…

. . . . . .

"Please, Iggy, can't you just do this for me?" I asked my best friend, who so happens to be the Harvest God.

As usual, he scowled at me, crossing his arms in front of his chest like he always does, "No, you must do it yourself. Isn't it a custom for you humans to actually look for the bird?"

"Yeah, but you're a GOD! You can help make the search a little easier," I said, leaning closer towards him on his stone chair, that look more like a throne than a chair… "You don't expect Finn and me to just look for the bird ourselves, do you?"

"Yes, I do expect you to look for it yourself. Wouldn't it be cheating if I helped you look?"

Ugh… why does he have to be such a prude? "Ugh… fine, be that way. Honestly, why do you have to be such a prude? Can't you at least give me a hint... please Iggy?"

He winced at his nickname. He always tells me to refrain from calling him 'Iggy'; that it's no way appropriate to call a celestial being such a childish name. Bullshit.

"No. Now, be gone with you, go home."

I got up from his throne and turned to leave, but not before mumbling, "Big prude…"

I guess he heard me, 'cause he zapped me in the butt.

. . . . . .

"God, he's such a prude Finn! Can you believe it, not going to help us look for the damn bird, like he actually has something better to do?" I yelled, walking down the road from the Garmon Mine District to my farm. It wasn't such a long walk, but it was still tiring nonetheless.

"I-I don't know Akari, he is right after all. It's tradition to look for the feather yourself-heck, I shouldn't even be helping!" Finn mumbled, floating slowly by my shoulder.

Of course Finn wouldn't disagree with the Harvest God, he's too afraid of him. He flinches every time the god even flexes his arms. But who wouldn't be, he's the god who made Castanet island to begin with. Pretty powerful, huh?

Yet, he was really surprised that I wasn't afraid of him, nor intimidated either when we had met. But he sure as hell annoyed me…

But, how could I be annoyed when he was incredibly sexy…? He had long red hair, with eyes to match. Not only that, but he was muscular too. It's the type of muscular that a human wouldn't be able to achieve, even Owen—who, by the way is pretty muscular.

To put matters short—he's a being made out of unfairness.

The first time we met, which was when I had saved the island and goddess from dying—he hated my guts. Pretty much how Chase had felt about me; but, I started growing on him. Or, he just learned how to tolerate me, seeing as I wouldn't and won't ever leave him alone.

He's started growing on me too; I used to not like him a lot. I mean, he was mean to me—more than Chase was or ever could be. But, the goddess had asked me personally to befriend him.

'Please, Akari—befriend my brother. He's lost touch with mankind, and he needs someone like you, fun, cheery, different… he needs to learn how to trust people—won't you help him…?' she had said to me; honestly, I didn't want to do it. But, it's not very wise to cross her.

So I tried—again and again to win his trust. I should have known that it'd be futile, but who's to blame me for trying? But, little by little, he started opening up to me.

And now, he's my best friend. Even though the journey was hard, it was well worth it.

. . . . . .

"Hey, Maya," I said, trying yet again to get her attention. So far—I was failing the mission.

"Stop, Kari," one of my closest friends, Kathy, said, "She hasn't talked to you in two years, I'm pretty sure she isn't gonna start now."

"Hey, that can change. Maybe she'll talk to me, if I keep trying."

Kathy sighed. "As if, you might as well give up—it's obvious… she hates you now."

"Wow, thanks for being so positive…"

"Anytime. So, what brings you here so late this afternoon?"

She always asks this question. I can't really tell her either, cause Ignis made me swear (Scouts honor…) that I wouldn't tell anyone that he's in the Mountains. He says that he has enough trouble blocking out their annoying prayers; he wouldn't want to hear their irritating conversations too. Yeah, I know—he's harsh.

"Well, you know… I was just visiting my friend… you know…"

"Oh, I get it. Your 'imaginary' friend you spend most of your time with. Tell me, Kari, does Chase know about him?" she asked, giving me a devious smirk. Bitch.

"W-what? Chase doesn't know—I…I mean, he—she doesn't… I don't know what you're talking about!" I stammered, my face heating up, rivaling the color of a overripe tomato.

I couldn't sit there anymore. Whenever I got pressured, I'd get embarrassed and fidgety, rare occasions I would blush. This was that rare occasion. So, I stood up quickly, trying (yet failing…) again to get Maya's attention—and ran out of the Inn.

[A/N]: I'm making Maya different in this one. In the original, I made Maya crafty, bitchy, and plain old mean. Meaning, she was completely wrong. SO, she's going back to her original self—sweet and simple. This chapter didn't make sense, but it's needed… just know that.

Review, please!

*A line from the anime Princess Tutu. Check it out.(: