Thanks to some lovely reviewers, my passion for this story is coming back. Now if only my schedule would cooperate!

When they took their first few steps into Konohana he felt as if he was stepping into another time, rather than another location; instead of the neat cobblestone streets and tall white buildings he was accustomed to, he was greeted with roughly dug out paths and rolling crop fields. The whole thing reminded him vaguely of an old photograph he had seen that was taken before the division of the two villages.

"Very... Earthy." He said aloud. Lillian hadn't said much on their way down the mountain, and he was grateful that the village provided a distraction from his frankness on the peak.

She was leading him down a worn street, and nodded in greeting to a small, black haired boy before she spoke. "It's... different. From Bluebell. Lots of wide open spaces."

"The air smells different too." It was true; while the air in Bluebell smelt of animal feed and dust, the air here smelt almost of blossoms despite the fact that it was growing too late in the fall season for much of anything to be blooming.

She had been about to reply but as they passed a hedge and turned towards an ancient looking farm she was distracted, her hand shooting up to wave across a field. "Nori!" She called. "Nori, hello!"

He was amazed the other girl could hear her shouting having been so far out in the field- but then again, Lillian could be loud when she wanted to be. Immediately he thought that the girl in the field was a girl from a long line of tradition and breeding; her was posture straight and graceful as she glided through the rows of unidentifiable crops to meet them, her long jet black hair trailing out behind her.

"Morning, Lillian. You're looking well." The so-called Nori bowed slightly in greeting before straightening upright, turning her glassy black eyes to him. She had the kind of face that gave him the distinct sense that despite her warm smile he was being deeply scrutinized. "And who is this you've brought with you? Your husband?"

Lillian's cheeks went pink, and he could feel his own ears light up. "No, not my husband! Nori, this is my friend Ash. From the other village."

"Hi." He managed to choke out, his stomach leaping slightly despite his embarrassment at Nori's mistake.

The other girl didn't seem abashed; rather, her onyx eyes were flickering between the two of them, a smile tugging at the corners of her tiny mouth. "Pardon me. You're here for new clothes, I suppose?"

The gestured them inside her ancient looking farmhouse which smelt distinctly of old corn husks, a bell above the door ringing and announcing their arrival. The buildings here really were nothing like those of Bluebell; where as the house he had grown up in was sturdy and somewhat barren, Nori's house was framed with ornate detailing and flimsy walls- he had half a mind to ask her how they fared during hurricane season.

Nori ushered him into a seat around a grand dining table, smiling slightly as she followed his uncertain gaze towards Lillian. "You'll only be here a few moments, I just need to take her into the back to be fitted."

He watched them disappear behind a large oriental curtain, the creaking of the old walls seeming to echo in the silence that followed. He couldn't quite explain it, but the ancient feeling in the room made him feel uneasy. Although Nori's house was easily just as old as his own, he felt as if he was intruding on some old haunting he shouldn't.

Beyond the curtain, he could hear Nori's gentle voice ringing out, the sound of rustling fabric making it difficult to hear. "So he's the one you've been talking about. You were right, his hair really is red like fire."

He raised a hand a little self consciously to his head, finding his reflection in an elaborate mirror leaning against the wall. Like fire. It felt strange, the fact that Lillian had mentioned him to other people; more often than not it felt like they existed only for each other. He eased himself back in his chair, trying to find his place in their conversation once more. "... Hard to believe it was only a season ago you were in here complaining about him."

Lillian's voice rang out, and he could practically hear the smirk on her face. "I wouldn't say much of anything has changed. He's the one paying for the new clothes. Remember the state of the dress I brought in? I'd say he owes me."

"Still." There was another rustle of fabric and a sigh, Nori's voice sounding strained when she spoke again. "I always forget how wide your hips are. No... It's no good. Grab a robe there, I have to run over and get my seam ripper from Ina. I let her borrow it nearly a week ago and she still hasn't returned it..."

There was a another rustle of fabric and Nori emerged from the curtain, bowing to him slightly before she made her way to the door. "It will just be a moment, Ash. Please make yourself at home."

He had barely a moments silence to drum his fingers on the table impatiently before Lillian emerged from the curtain, her fingers looping the tie of a silk robe about her waist. She was blushing and looked distinctly ruffled, but it didn't detract from the fact that she looked particularly enticing, the silk of the robe clinging to her every curve and showing the perkiness of her breasts.

"Nori's a sweet girl." She sighed, walking past him to stand, cross armed, before the mirror. "A little traditional, for my taste. But still. Sweet."

He nodded, watching her run a hand through her hair, her fingers pausing slightly at the gaping neckline of the dressing gown to trace of curves of her breasts, before dipping lower to rest on the sharp jut of her hip bones. Despite himself, he swallowed thickly. He had seen her naked, had touched parts of her no one else had and yet... It was one of the most intimate actions he had ever witnessed.

"Figures." She muttered, her little finger tapping impatiently against her hip. "No curves on my body, except for these lovely child-bearing hips."

He cleared his throat, getting awkwardly to his feet and moving to stand several inches behind her. It was strange, after being so intimate with someone, that he still felt nervous around her. But maybe that was to be expected, given his previous rejected confession...

Regardless, he coughed, his eyes meeting hers in the mirror. "You know I think you're beautiful, right?"

She snorted slightly. "Yes, Ash." Despite her teasing tone, her cheeks had gone a shade of pale pink, the corners of her mouth threatening to tug upwards.

He nearly cursed as Nori walked back into the room, gesturing with her seam ripper and steering Lillian back into the curtained room, clearly unaware that she had interrupted something. He resumed his seat at the table, thinking. He had always known Lillian to be a slightly cold person. Had he not had to prod her feelings out of her, time after time? He was beginning to suspect that she was putting up more walls that she had initially. But why? What was she on guard from?

He was pulled from his thoughts as Nori pulled back the curtain, leading a fidgeting Lillian forward. She looked rather uncomfortable, yet practical; he had never seen her in anything other than dresses, and now, in her crisp maroon pants, he had to admit that the comely shape of her thighs in such tight material was making him a little hot around the collar. Nori had fashioned a rather flattering yellow sweater that synched in about the waist, Lillian slinging a brown coat over her arm as she met his gaze.

"Thanks for the clothes, Nori. I'm sure I'll get used to them." Lillian said, bending as she tucked the bottoms of her pants into her boots. She sent him a slightly cheeky smile. "Close your mouth, Ash. You look like a trout."

He did as he was told, blushing slightly as Nori surveyed her work. "It does fit you well. It's a good thing I allowed for some stretch." She gestured to the rather thick band of fabric that looped about Lillian's waist, pulling the flowing sweater against her body.

"Excuse me, the diet in Bluebell just happens to be a bit more satisfying than- Kana!" Lillian had cut herself off as the bell above the shop door tinkled.

He felt the knot in his stomach tighten slightly at her tone, watching as her cheeks flushed a dull pink as the other boy approached Lillian, his arms looping loosely about her waist for a hug. Except he wasn't a boy; he was easily a few years his senior, with a ridiculous pony tail and tanned skin he had come to associate with working in the fields. Decorating one muscular bicep was an ornate tattoo that matched the various symbols he had seen around town, the skin bared only by his wearing a red shirt that was too cold for the weather. Despite himself he felt his eyes narrow the man named Kana pulled back slightly, his fingers tugging at the waist band of her sweater.

"You look great. New clothes for the winter?"

He could feel his chest tighten as Lillian sent him a crooked smile. "Yeah, the old ones were a bit too cold, given the weather we've been having."

"I liked your old ones." He had spoken a little too loudly, making three sets of eyes swivel in his direction curiously. He took a step forward, swinging his arm up towards Kana. "Hi, I'm Ash. Lillian's friend from Bluebell."

He placed slight emphasis on the word friend, his eyes narrowing as Kana raised an eyebrow, looking sideways at Lillian before he shook his hand. "Kana. Hey, you aren't the rancher that shredded her dress, are you?"

It was his turn to glance sideways at Lillian, who had gone particularly pink. He could hear the growl in his voice as he spoke again. "I guess that's me. Which reminds me," He turned to Nori, thumbing his wallet from his trouser pocket and extracting a large amount of gold. "Here. Now Lillian and I are even."

Kana didn't seem phased by the display of such a sum of money, nor by the significant look he sent him upon shoving his wallet rather roughly away; on the contrary, he stretched rather nonchalantly, still grinning at them both. "Well if you like animals, you should come visit the horses I raise. Lillian, it's been ages since you've last seen Hayate. She misses you."

"We can't." He spoke before Lillian had even opened her mouth, glaring at Kana. "I have to get back, my mother's probably wondering where I am."

"Well that doesn't mean Lillian can't stay." Kana was smirking at him, his onyx eyes, somehow even darker than Nori's, flashing mischievously as he slung an arm about her shoulders. "Come on, it's been ages. I'll even buy you lunch after."

There was a noticeable chill in the air as Lillian shrugged out of the other boy's grip, sending him and meaningful look before she spoke. "Sorry, Kana. I did promise Ash it would only be for the morning. And anyway, I have animals of my own that need tending to." She stepped forward and took him rather roughly by the elbow, steering him towards the exit. "Thanks for everything, Nori." She added, the shop bell sounding overhead as they left the store.

He jerked a little roughly out of grip when they passed the hedge, his annoyance flaring as she spoke. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"What the hell is wrong with me? What the hell is wrong with you?" He was talking a little louder than he intended, trying his best to keep his temper as she prodded him in the small of his back, steering him like a toddler towards the town entrance. "Have you told everyone that stupid story about me shredding your dress? How many times have I apologized for that?"

She clicked her tongue in an annoyed fashion, struggling to keep up with him reached the foot of the mountain peak; more to work off angry energy than anything, he had begun to take massive, annoyed paces. "Oh, will you get over it? I told them forever ago, back before anything even happened. And can you blame me? I was livid, that was my favourite dress." She punched him affectionately in the shoulder, having finally caught up with him. "Will you relax already? It's a funny story."

"It is not a funny story!" He knew he was overreacting but couldn't stop himself; he let out a long ragged breath that misted in front of him. "Is that how I'm going to always be known? Ten years from now- just some asshole who tore up your dress?"

Lillian stumbled slightly beside him; when she finally regained her footing she seemed to teeter awkwardly around her words. "Ten years from now? Don't you think you're getting a bit ahead of yourself?"

They reached the peak of the mountain again. He couldn't bear to sit still; he had so much energy in him he thought he would burst as they stopped for a moment, Lillian bending to re-tuck a pant leg into her boot.

"No." He was surprised by how confidently his voice rang out; however, Lillian's fingers stumbling slightly as he said it made him backtrack slightly, the cool breeze making the ends of his hair rustle about his cheeks. "I don't know. Maybe I am, considering how nice that Kana guy was to you."

She stood upright, the bitter laugh that escaped her lips signalling, like so many others before, that she was gearing up for a fight. "Oh, Goddess. You're kidding me, is that what this is about?"

"So what if it is?" He ripped his hat off his head, trying to shove the wayward hair back into place. "I'm not stupid, Lillian-"

"That's debatable."

"Shut up. I saw how he looked at you. Not to mention how he was touching you." He stumbled slightly as she knocked past him and began the trek down the mountain, her cheeks a flaming crimson. "Is that where you go on the days I don't see you? Off to some idiot in a muscle shirt?"

They were full out yelling now, each one taking turns to bellow between navigating the treacherously steep mountain path. Lillian let out a cat-like hiss before she rounded on him, her breath rising in great clouds of mist around her. "Of course I'm not, how dare you even-"

"Well what am I supposed to think then!" He bellowed, sending a few birds scattering from a nearby tree. "First you don't even react to what I said on the mountain, then I hear that you're spending time alone in some rancher's barn-"

"He said himself that I haven't been there for a while! Or are you now deaf in addition to being dumb?" He couldn't think of anything smart to say back, and resolved to angrily kick a rock with the toe of his boot as she continued. "I'm not running around with other guys, you idiot. And even if I was... I'm not yours, Ash."

More than anything else that morning, that sent a spasm of ice through his chest. Gasping slightly (whether from climbing or yelling, he couldn't tell,) he was aware of the sudden lack of slope; clearly, they were getting close to the village. "You're not mine." He repeated, sounding slightly stunned despite himself.

"Exactly." She hissed. Grabbing his arm, she tugged him to a stop in beside the river where he had taught her to hand fish. "I thought we were clear on this before we started things, Ash. We weren't... we aren't together. I'm not ready to sacrifice what we have in the name of tradition. I just... We're taking it slow. Until we both figure out what we want and where we're going to end up."

He could tell she didn't mean it, her teeth stretching out to bite her lower lip to stop it from shaking. He was opening his mouth to angrily tell her so when another, much more frightening voice, sounded.

"ASHTON RUSSEL."

He nearly leapt out of his skin, his stomach clenching uncomfortable as he turned towards his mother's voice. He had very rarely seen her this angry; her cheeks were a blotchy purple, her flaming hair standing on end as she marched up the mountain, Cheryl only a few steps behind her.

"Where have you been?!" She bellowed, stopping only a few feet in front of them, her hands flying to her hips. Cheryl stood behind her, a look of triumph on her face. "It's nearly noon, and here I have Cheryl come and tell me that when she went to bring you lunch you weren't even in our barn?"

"Mom-"

"No note, none of the animals fed. And here I find you coming back from a vacation with the local farmer?" She paused to take a deep breath, her eyes narrowing at them both. "This isn't like you, Ash. I've never seen anything more irresponsible. Now I have to close to shop to come and fetch you? Thank goodness Cheryl noticed Lillian was gone too, otherwise I would have had half the village out looking for you."

She trailed off for a moment into angry mutterings, and Lillian decided to speak; regardless of how angry she was with him, she seemed to not want to get him into trouble. "I'm sorry Jessica. It was my fault, I convinced Ash to visit the other village today- he had to buy me new clothes..."

"Buy you new clothes?" Jessica flared up once more, her eyes darting between the two. "Why on earth should he buy you clothes?"

"I spilt milk on them." He invented wildly, not wanting his mother to draw any unfair conclusions from what had happened on the mountain. "Right when she moved to the village."

Lillian seemed to take the cue from him, and took a step forward, inclining her head apologetically. "I'm so sorry Jessica, I should have waited. I thought it would only take a little while for us to go there and back. It's my fault, please don't blame Ash."

His mother seemed to teeter in the brink of explosion for a moment before she suddenly deflated, her cheeks getting significantly less purple. "... It's fine dear." At this Cheryl looked up with an appalled expression on her face, but could do little more than look upset as Jessica began to speak again. "I don't blame you for wanting the new clothes, dear. Goddess knows you couldn't have been warm in the old ones. Just wait until he has a day off, like you usually do."

Something about the way she worded the last few words made his stomach flip uncomfortably like it had many months ago; he had the feeling that his mother was beginning to orchestrate another one of her plans. No sooner had he thought it did Jessica smile a little too pleasantly at the two of them, her hands clapping together excitedly as she addressed Lillian. "I'm sorry for all my yelling, dear. But a mother reserves the right to discipline her children."

He felt a blast of crimson flush his cheeks, his embarrassment mirroring on Lillian's face. "Oh, no. No problem."

"You mustn't think ill of me, dear. Come over for dinner tomorrow?"

Cheryl turned a brilliant shade of maroon and tugged on Jessica's sleeve. "I don't want her to come to dinner!"

He was beginning to suspect that his mother had only noticed his disappearance because of Cheryl's tattling and settled to glare at her angrily as Jessica continued. "Hush. Lillian, we'd love to have you; we all want to get to know you as well as Ash here."

"O-okay..."

He was about to assure Lillian that she was of perfect liberty to refuse dinner if she liked- and given the fact that they were currently in the middle of an argument, he hoped she would- when his mother reached up and grabbed him firmly about the ear. "And as for you..." She sighed, dragging him beside her. "The cattle still need to be fed."

Seeing there was no way around it, he jerked himself out of her grasp, residing to rub his throbbing ear as he waved miserably to Lillian. "See you later."

She didn't say anything, but watched him go through furrowed brows.

Please read and review! If there's anything you would like to see happen, you've been warned... You only have a few more chapters left to make a request.