Chapter Two: Experiment

After throwing an offering into the Harvest Goddess's lake, I ran onto a wooden ramp overlooking a cliff and whistled. Without hesitation, I jumped off the cliff and was caught by my pet owl, Snowy. "Hoo! Hoo!" she called as she flew me over the mountain. She landed me gently on the ground by the local church.

"Good job, Snow!" She rested on my shoulder, lightly clutching my shirt with sharp talons, and tilted her head. I threw up a fish-shaped treat in the air, which was snapped up by her almost instantly. Having been given her payment, she returned back to the farm. When she disappeared from view, I headed into Bluebell. I decided to first go to Ash's house.

A bell ringed as I opened the door, and a sweet, mouth-watering smell overwhelmed me. "Oh, my. What is that smell?" I found Jessica at the stove, and Cheryl swinging her legs back and forth at the kitchen table.

"Lillian!" Cheryl squealed as she hopped off her chair and latched herself onto my back. "Carry me, carry me!"

"Cheryl!" Jessica put her hands on her hips, looking disapprovingly at her child. "I'm sorry, Lillian. My daughter can be a bit too much sometimes." Cheryl reluctantly clambered down my back and pouted.

"It's okay, Jessica. Cheryl's just trying to have fun!" Jessica huffed and returned to her cooking.

"You're just like Ash, you know. You spoil her too much!" I laughed sheepishly.

"So, where is Ash?" I asked curiously.

"He and Cam went on a short trip out of town. They'll be back later today."

"Oh..." I said, slightly disappointed. "Well, I should be going now. I have some errands to run."

"Oh, wait! Before you go..." Jessica pulled a loaf of bread out of the stove and placed it on the kitchen table. I waited patiently as she sliced a couple of pieces and wrapped them in cloth. "Here, Lillian. Take this. You look like you haven't eaten in ages!" I gratefully accepted the gift and thanked her sincerely. As I exited the building, the two waved goodbye. After visiting all the villagers of Bluebell, I found that Mikhail was out of town on some business as well, and I still didn't find any changes in the villagers.

"Maybe I'll have more luck in Konohana." By the time I finished visiting all of the residents of Konohana, I found out that all the boys there were off somewhere too. "Sheesh, where is everyone, today?" I wondered aloud, laying down on a red bench in the shade of a tree. It was a warm spring day, and the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. I took a deep breath, inhaling the perfumy scent. It felt so relaxing...

"Lillian!"

"Ah!" I screamed, accidentally rolling off the bench. "Ow..." I moaned, rubbing my neck.

"Sorry." I looked up into deep, chocolate eyes. Kana trembled uncontrollably, trying to suppress a laugh.

"Not funny!" I crossed my arms, puffing up my cheeks.

"Sorry, sorry. Anyways, what are you doing out here so late at night?"

"What?" I looked around me to see that it was already dark. The street lamps were lit and the chirping of crickets permeated the air. "I guess I fell asleep..."

"Do you want me to escort you home, milady?" Kana said in a British accent, bowing down as profoundly as he could. I keeled over, unable to control my laughter.

"Thanks Kana, but I can take care of myself. Night!" I shouted over my shoulders as I disappeared into the shadows.

Kana's POV

I sighed. "Off she goes," I muttered and headed back to the stables. "Hey, Hayate," I said to my girl. She neighed and lowered her head. I absentmindedly combed my fingers through her silky black tresses. "I found her," I whispered so softly, that only the wind could hear.

Lillian's POV

I stood at attention. "Lillian! So did you find anything?" Oracle's sparkling eyes didn't make my job any easier, but I had to do it.

"I'm sorry, Oracle. Nothing happened."

"Oh..." Oracle looked dejected.

"Don't worry, Oracle! You'll succeed, I know it!" Suddenly, Oracle brightened.

"Of course I can, Lillian! How could you ever doubt me?"

"Uh..." Oracle could get so full of herself sometimes that it's suffocating. At times like this, she doesn't notice anyone but herself. I still love her though-

"Okay, out! Out! I gotta work, and you're bothering me!" She kicked me out the front door leaving me face down in a pile of mud. I wiped the grime off my face and swatted it away. I sighed. Oracle could be so mean! I shot up and stalked away, a bit irritated at how Oracle treated me, that I didn't realize where I was going. The next thing I knew, I stepped on air, and fell down the cliff, rapidly to the ground.

Thank you everyone for the reviews! As you can see, there is a bit of romance between Kana and Lillian in this chapter, but rest assured! I still haven't figured out who Lillian will end up with! Keep reviewing my story! You decide who she'll end up with!