My first attempt at writing FanFiction! I hope that you all enjoy the first chapter! :) I will be updating regularly.

Disclaimer: I, of course, do not own Story of Seasons or any of its characters. They were produced and are owned by Marvelous.

The breeze was warm with a hint of the coming summer heat as it brushed over the farmland, rustling the leaves of the apple tree. Annie sat, physically exerted after a long day's work, leaning on the rough bark of the tree. The afternoon's heat had not yet broken, and although clouds were beginning to gather in the sky, the sun remained hot on her farm.

The farm had only been Annie's for about a week now, but she already knew it would feel like home to her soon. She had hardly been to town, since she was so busy clearing her farm and beginning to grow her crops. The only times she had been to town were when Fritz, an energetic young farmer, had dragged her there enthusiastically. He had shown her where to buy seeds and tools, where the best fishing spots were, and where traders came to sell their wares and buy shipments of farm goods. That seemed a bit far off from where she was now, as she only had a small amount of money to her name, and only a few animals and crops.

She gazed over to her field and watched her cow, Hanako, grazing calmly, accompanied by her two chickens, Husk and Chip. Hanako had been a gift from a very kind old lady named Eda, who had shown her the basics of farming and been her first real friend in the country. The chickens and coop she had bought with a big chunk of the money she had brought with her from the city. It was a good investment, she thought. They were fine, healthy young hens to start her farm off with.

The breeze picked up suddenly, blowing Annie's dark blonde hair wildly. She shivered slightly in the cool shade. She stood up, brushing dirt off her jeans. Her pretty hazel eyes squinted against the sunlight, and she stretched luxuriously. All of a sudden she heard a soft mewing from above her, and looked up to see a small orange tabby cat sitting on a swaying branch of the apple tree, its fur bristling. "Oh!" She felt her heart clench as the wind shook the branch that the poor thing had its claws dug into. "Hold on!"

Annie looked around, but she couldn't find anything to help her get to the cat. She'd have to climb the tree.

She wrapped her hands around the lowest branch and laced her fingers together on the other side, then firmly pulled herself up. Another gust of wind plowed into the tree, and she squatted on the branch to steady herself. She looked up to see orange fur. The cat was still holding on. She looked past it and saw that the sun was gone, and clouds were rushing past as the wind picked up. It looked like a storm was coming.

Annie grabbed the next branch up, hauling herself onto it. She stood up, holding onto the branches for stability, and reached for the small feline. It mewled at her as she grabbed its scruff and pulled it off the branch. "Hey, it's okay, little one," she cooed softly at the poor creature. Suddenly the wind gusted again, and she felt herself lose her balance.

"Oh shi-" Annie's breath flew out of her as she felt herself falling backwards. The cat struggled loose and jumped from her grasp. She didn't see where it landed as her body plummeted down. She shut her eyes and braced herself for impact, then felt a searing pain in her right wrist as her arm hit the dirt, her body on top of it. She gasped in pain, nausea bubbling up inside her at the sharp sensation. "Ohh..." She groaned, clutching her arm to her chest.

"Annie!" Veronica, the lady who worked at the Guild, rushed along the dirt path toward Annie. She often visited her farm to see how she was getting along. "What happened? Are you alright?"

"Cat..." Annie murmured, glancing weakly in the direction of an orange blur disappearing into the bushes on the edge of her farmland. "Was stuck in the tree."

Veronica's face was full of concern as she laid her hand on Annie's shoulder. "We should get you looked at. I'll take you to Marian, he's the doctor here." Annie nodded numbly, still holding her arm to her chest. It was throbbing still, and she felt light headed as Veronica helped her to her feet.

By the time they got to the clinic in town, a steady drizzle had begun, and the day no longer seemed warm. As they entered the clinic, Annie let out a sneeze, shivering from the rain and wind. "Marian!" Isabelle called out. Annie looked up to see someone emerge from a back door past the Guild room. Her eyes widened as she took in the heavily made up face and bright pink hair. This was a doctor? "Annie, this is Marian, he's the doctor here. Marian, this is Annie. The new farmer. She has injured her wrist."

Marian strutted toward the two of them, and wrapped his arm around Annie. She shrunk back from the doctor as the strong scent of perfume made her feel light headed again. "Hello, Annie. Follow me, if you please." He led them to the back door and they entered the clinic.

To her surprise, there was already a very loud someone in the room. Fritz sat on the edge of the bed, an IV in his arm. "No, REALLY, I'm FINE now," he announced loudly to a small woman in a nurse uniform.

The nurse sighed. "You are recovering from sunstroke, at least stay until tomorrow," she pleaded nervously.

Fritz rolled his eyes. "Yeah but it's raining now! So my sunstroke won't come back, right?" He stated like it was obvious.

The nurse looked thoroughly fed up as Marian guided Annie into the room. "You're very dehydrated-"

"Annie!" Fritz grinned as she walked in. "What's up?"

Annie stared at Fritz' red face and arms. "What happened?"

Fritz probably would have been visibly blushing had it not been red already. "Oh, uh.. I fell asleep. By the river. It was SOOOO nice out, and warm and stuff. I'm fine though. Really." He glanced at the nurse. "Angela, can I pleeeease go now?"

Marian chuckled at the young farmer. "You do appear to have improved." Fritz' face lit up happily until the doctor continued. "BUT.. I cannot let you walk home alone after your incident today. Do you have someone to walk you home?"

Fritz grumbled childishly. Annie let out a laugh. "Maybe Veronica could take you home? She just came here with me."

"That's an idea. Angela, please go see if Veronica will accompany him," Marian said.

Angela nodded and left the room. Marian turned to Annie. "Alright, have a seat, dear. Let's have a look at you." He gestured to a chair and then gently took Annie's arm and examined it. "How bad is the pain now, on a scale of 1-10?"

"5," Annie stated.

"Alrighty then. I think you've simply sprained your wrist, dear. Hurts like a bitch but it will only take a few weeks to heal, most likely." Annie's eyes widened at the doctor's unprofessional language, but he continued. "You'll have to wear a wrist brace and keep your arm in a sling, and ice it if it swells. Also, take it easy on the farm work until it's healed up. Alrighty, sweetheart?"

Annie nodded. Angela returned, saying Veronica would take him home now, and Fritz bolted upright, yanking the IV pole along with his arm. Angela rolled her eyes and sat him back down to remove his IV, while telling him he needed to drink plenty of fluids at home. She then led Fritz out as he shouted goodbyes and good lucks to Annie loud enough to wake the neighbours. Annie winced and waved goodbye.

Marian left the room to get her a brace and sling. Annie leaned back in her chair, still holding her arm. A while passed as she sat, when suddenly a crack of lightning split the sky outside the window. She sighed. It would be an unpleasant walk home. Good thing that Fritz was likely home already, though, since he lived closer to town than she did.

Marian returned, and carefully fitted braces to her until one fit her wrist well. He put it firmly but gently around her wrist and then tied it in a sling around her neck. "There we are, sweetie. Nice and snug. Although I am going to suggest you stay the night here anyway, even though your injury isn't bad. The weather is simply horrendous and I do not think you should walk home in it." Annie nodded and accepted gratefully.

Marian handed her a dry hospital gown and changed the bed sheets. "I also had a chat with the nice young chef next door, and he offered to help you with your chores in the morning." Annie nodded again, grateful she wouldn't have to struggle through her chores with her wrong arm. The doctor left her to her room, so Annie changed into the light gown, hung her damp clothes over the chair to dry, and settled into bed. Her wrist still throbbed faintly, and she could hear rain and wind viciously slamming the window. She sighed, feeling pangs of homesickness after a disappointing day.

Annie awoke to the chattering of birds outside the clinic window, and faint sunlight shining in. She rubbed the blurriness from her eyes and stretched, then began getting dressed, careful to avoid straining her wrist. At least the rain had stopped; Maybe today would be a better day.

A knock sounded on the door to her room. Annie called out to come in, and Marian stepped in. "How are we today, dear? Alright? Raeger is here. He's going to help you with your farm this morning." Annie peered past the doctor to the Guild room and saw him. Her eyes widened as she realized how handsome he was.

Raeger had medium-length brown hair, which was a little messy but still suited him. He appeared a few inches taller than she was, and had pronounced cheekbones, but soft features. He was dressed in a white dress shirt and jeans. Marian led her out and introduced them.

"Hello, Annie. I'm Raeger." He extended a hand and smiled at her, appearing even more attractive. Now that she was closer, she noticed he had bright blue, sensitive eyes. She felt blush creep to her cheeks and looked a little away from his eyes as she took his hand and quietly said she was pleased to meet him. They waved goodbye to Marian, then stepped outside.

Annie felt very self-conscious as she walked in front of him out of the building. Suddenly walking properly seemed to take effort. He walked beside her down the brick path that lead out of town, and she could feel the awkward silence between them. Glancing sideways, she noted that he looked unruffled. She took a shaky breath. "So... a white shirt for farm work?" She blurted without thinking.

Raeger laughed, and Annie felt heat across her cheeks again. "Well you've only just started farming, there isn't too much to do, is there?"

She realized how unimpressive her farm was going to look to him, since he had most likely seen the other farms around. Suddenly farm work with only one good arm seemed great. "Yeah, I guess. Well I mean.. You don't have to help, if you don't want."

He shook his head. "It wouldn't be very gentlemanly of me to leave you to do it by yourself with your arm in a sling, would it? It's my pleasure, Annie."

Annie felt her cheeks warm yet again at the sound of his voice saying her name. Ugh, hopefully he thinks I just have a sunburn...

They reached the dirt path to her farm. "So how many animals do you have?" He asked.

"A cow, and two chickens. Not much, I know, but I've got a few crops too."

Raeger seemed to sense she was uncomfortable and met her gaze as he said, "Everyone has to start somewhere, Annie. Don't worry, I don't judge." Annie felt a little bit of tension release at his words - Although her cheeks still burned.

As they walked up to her farm, Annie showed him the few turnip and potato plants she had growing in her field, and the chicken coop and barn. She led him to the chest where she kept her tools, and listed off the list of chores she had only just started getting used to herself. He smiled and nodded occasionally, then set off to work. She watched as he mucked out the barn and coop, but decided she could at least water her crops with one arm. She was just finishing up and putting away her watering can when she heard Raeger's sound of alarm.

"Hey..!" Raeger was crouched down in the coop, feeding the chickens. Annie rushed over to see a flurry of white feathers and loud clucks as he shielded his face. She also saw a blur of orange behind the birds. Was it..?

Annie ran into the coop and grabbed the little orange cat. She could see now that it was a male. "Hello again." She grinned as he looked at her with huge green eyes. "What a handsome fellow." The cat rubbed his face on her cheek.

"Oh, is he yours?" Raeger asked, swatting feathers out of his hair.

"No, but I saw him yesterday too. He's the reason I injured my wrist." Annie told the story of what had happened the day before.

"Well he sure seems to like your farm, then. A little bit of a troublemaker though."

Annie laughed. "I like him."

Raeger smiled at her and she nearly dropped the cat. Stop doing that, she thought.

"Are all the chores done?" He asked her. She nodded, almost wishing there were more. "Great. I've got to get to work at the restaurant. I open in an hour and I'm a mess." His white dress shirt was covered in muck from the barn, and small white feathers clung to him. Annie stifled a laugh.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow morning then, Annie." He leaned forward and Annie stopped breathing. His hand went to the side of her face, and brushed a feather out of her hair. He gave her a smile, said goodbye, and began walking back to Oak Tree Town. Annie bid him goodbye, her heart rate higher than normal, and watched as he walked away.

When he was out of sight, she walked to her house, still holding the tabby tomcat. "Do you want to stay here?" She asked the little feline. He was purring in her arms. She smiled and put him down, then went to her fridge and took out a few pieces of leftover fish, setting it out for him. He bent over it, sniffing, then gulped it down quickly. Annie petted his messy but soft fur while he ate. "I think I'll call you Rusty. Okay?" He finished his fish then pushed his head into her hand, demanding more petting. She laughed and obliged.

While she cleaned up, Rusty curled up on her material bin and washed himself. Meanwhile, Annie's thoughts kept drifting back to Raeger. And I'll get to see him tomorrow! She thought, and realized he would likely come help her as long as her wrist took to heal. She felt a happy flutter in her chest at the thought. Her homesickness seemed far away now.