Soul Mates

Summary: From the time they meet to the birth of their child and then on. HM: A New Beginning-Rachel/Neil

A/N: I'm am sooo sorry for not updating in sooo long! The internet at the place I've been staying at for the last three months stopped working like just a few days after I posted Chapter Four and they just NOW had someone come out to have it fixed. The major idiots had put in a new WiFi system, but not a new satellite and the two had been conflicting and not working with each other! I mean it's not that hard to figure that would happen! Sorry everyone, I'm just ranting and mad that I've had no internet for a long time AND kept you guys waiting… So anyways here it finally is: Chapter Five!

Chapter Six - Green Heart

It was a cold winter day as one of Neil's cows had broken loose from the pen. It had made its way deep into the forest when Neil had noticed it was missing and went after it. The brown and white jersey cow had started making it way up to the mountain.

Neil ran up to the path panting and out of breath. He stopped for a moment and kneeled over placing his hand on his knees as he tried to get his breath back. He straightened up.

"H-Hey! Wait a moment!" He panted.

…

Ninian had just given an offering to the Harvest Goddess and made her way to the forest. As she walked down the path and made a left to get to the forest she smiled to herself. She pushed her newly dyed brown hair away from her eyes as she looked around. She loved seeing all the different kinds of animals. She walked past some birds, a couple wild pigs, a cow… 'Wait a moment! A cow?!'

Ninian whirled around and looked again to make sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her. She was just a bit tired from all the work she did today after all. She rubbed her eyes and tilted her head in confusion. There really was a cow!

She then heard the crunching of fast footsteps in the snow approaching her and the familiar voice that always brought butterflies to her stomach and a smile to her face. She turned around to see her boyfriend running towards her, a distressed look on his face.

"Quick, Nina. Grab her!" Neil shouted urgently.

"Oh! Um…" Ninian stammered and she turned around again, only to see that the cow had gotten too far ahead for her to get to quickly.

"Oh brother! You've got the reactions of a geriatric! So slow!" Neil insulted.

Tears sprang to Ninian's eyes as Neil ran up to her.

He continued to insult her, "And you call yourself a farmer? I can't believe you!"

"I-I'm sorry!" Ninian cried and sniffled.

She then let out a sob as she buried her face in her hands and cried.

"You're such a jerk!" Ninian yelled angrily as Neil started from one of her rare outbursts and then looked guilty.

She made a moved to run past Neil but he quickly caught her wrist and yanked her gently back to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close to him. Ninian didn't fight back but pressed her face into his chest and cried.

"…Okay, that was going too far." Neil said softly. "It's my fault for letting her get away from me to start with."

Ninian sniffed and pulled back a little, although Neil still kept one of her hands in his. Neil lifted his free hand and wiped away the remaining tears. Ninian gave him a small smile and Neil knew he was forgiven.

"I guess it might be asking a lot, but do you think you could help me catch her again?" Neil asked sheepishly.

Ninian nodded and softly replied, "I'll help."

Neil looked relieved and smiled slightly, "Great, let's get going. She ran off toward the mountain peak. Let's go after her."

Neil held her hand a bit tighter and pulled her along with him. The two of them raced off toward the mountain peak. Neil suddenly slowed down to a walk and Ninian had to quickly match her pace with his to stay with him, as they reached the river.

"So tell me, why are you helping me?" Neil asked out of the blue and looked really guilty as he continued, "I'm sorry for being so nasty to you back there. Yet you stilled agreed to come along with me? It isn't like it's your cow, either. So why would you help me so easily?"

Ninian beamed up at him happily and blushed, "Because I like you, Neil!"

"What? You like me?" Neil asked blushing.

Ninian giggled and gave him a 'duh' look and then smiled wider. Neil looked away embarrassedly

"What are you, soft in the head?" Neil grumbled, "Why would you say something like that here? Don't mess with me!"

Neil let go of her hand and walked ahead angrily. Ninian stared after him sadly and then looked down at the ground dejectedly.

Neil turned around after a few steps, "Hey, what're you doing? You're going to help me?"

Ninian looked up and saw how red Neil's face was and how nervous he looked. 'Oh! So he was embarrassed, not angry.'

Ninian nodded at him. "Yes…"

"Come on then! We're going to get left behind!" Neil said.

Ninian smiled slightly and caught up with him.

…

They made it to the Harvest Goddess pond when Neil spotted the runaway cow.

"Hey, there she is." Neil whispered so as not to frighten the cow. Then he came up with a plan. "You take the left. I'll take the right."

Ninian nodded, "Got it." She replied quietly.

Neil signaled with his fingers 3…2…1…

"Go!" He commanded.

Ninian and Neil dashed forward and pounced, each grabbing their side of the cow's collar so she wouldn't get away.

"We did it!" Ninian cheered.

"Great! Got her!" Neil agreed.

Neil secured a rope around her neck and held onto it as Ninian walked over behind the cow. Neil turned to face her.

"Nina, thank you. You really helped me out. Thanks." Neil said gratefully. "I was really happy you came along."

"Of course, Neil! You're welcome!" Ninian said happily, "I'm always happy to help you, Neil!"

Neil smiled shyly and looked away blushing. "And… I was happy with what you said back there, too. Thanks."

Ninian blushed and smiled. "I really meant it, Neil. I like you." She said softly.

"I like you too." Neil replied smiling back at her.

Ninian giggled, throwing her arms around Neil and hugging him tightly. She pulled back and beamed up at him again.

Neil's face was tomato red as he stumbled to say something.

Finally he grumbled, "Hey don't smile like that!"

Ninian just giggled again.

"I'm taking the cow home." He said.

Then after looking thoughtful for a moment, "You take care on your own way back, okay?"

He gave her a stern and meaningful look, obviously referring to a Winter 2nd when Ninian had slipped on some ice that was on one of the fish trap rocks. She had fallen in the freezing cold river and fought against the fast currents, only barely managing to pull herself out of the river and back onto the snowy bank where she passed out exhausted. She was thankfully found moments later by none other than Neil, who had decided to take a walk around the river. She had caught a small cold and was forced to stay in bed and be nursed back to perfect health by Neil. Thankfully the villagers had helped take care of her farm while she was out of commission for a couple of days.

Ninian scowled, "Don't. Remind. Me!" She grumbled, "I swear I won't slip and fall in the river this time."

She rolled her eyes in annoyance and amusement before she leaned over and pecked Neil on the check. She pulled back smiling at his flush and embarrassed look.

"See ya later, sweetie!" She called as she ran as carefully as she could down the path.

Neil shook his head slowly with a small smile on his face, although he furrowed his brow in amusement and irritation when moments later he heard a loud "Kyaaa!" and a louder splash. Neil sighed as he walked forward pulling the cow along with him. He decided to go find Ninian, fish her out of the river before she gets sick again and drag her with him to put the cow back in its pen and then to her home to avoid any more accidents that he should have known where going to happen.