Pure Heart: Hiyas! Yeah, I know what you're all thinking. One chapter into a story, and she's writing oneshots! In truth, I have ten chappies written. Dark Soul just won't post! Anywho, on to the disclaimer.

Disclaimer: Harvest Moon and it's characters, places, and names don't belong to me. The only thing I own is Sunny's name, the dog's name, and the last name of Cliff.

That's over. Please enjoy this little piece!

Under A Harvest Moon

Sunny smiled over at the playful puppy bouncing around. "Calm down, Cassie," she giggled to the tiny brown and white creature as it cocked its head, "You might fall in the river, or scare my chickens." The puppy ran to her as she whistled and licked her face, the red kerchief blowing in the slight breeze. She laughed and lifted the dog, cuddling it against her blue overalls over a red flannel shirt, smiling ear to ear. "Silly pup! I love you!"

"Rowf rowf!" The pup wagged its tail.

"Hahahahaha!" The slight blonde girl laughed, flopping on her back with the puppy on top of her and closing her eyes. Her birthday had been six days ago-Spring 13- and now she was a year older. She was a 17 year old girl- a woman in body, but a child at heart. She smiled, basking in the warm sun, thinking of the beautiful farm she was on. Springtime was finally here, and crops of cucumbers and turnips flowered in her yard. Yes, this farm was small, but it was beautiful, and it was her home of two years.

"Sunny?" Her blue eyes snapped open. She looked around and blushed. A tall brunette boy stood above her head, looking down on her worriedly. His tan face broke into a huge smile. "Good, you're okay! I saw you out here and thought you were hurt." He sighed and looked down lovingly, sadness evident on his face. "Don't do that to me…"

Sunny hated making him sad. He never got mad at her, just sad. His chocolate brown eyes seemed to melt into pools of sadness, and even his shaggy long brown hair seemed to wilt as he looked at her. "Sorry, Cliff. I was playing with Cassie." She looked up at him, wonder filling her mind. "What are you doing here, anyway? I thought you worked until two or three with Duke and Manna at the Winery."

Cliff tilted his head. "Sunny, it's six. In the afternoon."

"WHAT?!" She leaped up, whipping her head from side to side. The sun was low in the sky, and the earth was cooling. "Oh, no! I must've dozed off! The whole day's gone!" She froze, then burst into tears. "Our date! I totally skipped it!" Yes, this total hunk of a guy was her steady boyfriend of a year. They'd met the day after Sunny moved in, the lost farmer and the lonely wanderer. After the first year, they'd had discovered their friendship extended into something more. Blushing, Cliff had asked her out, and blushing, Sunny had accepted happily. Now, about a year later, their attraction hadn't lessened. If anything, it had only deepened with each passing day.

"No no no!" Cliff, eyes paniked, pulled Sunny into his chest. "Don't cry, Sunny! It's okay, it's alright! Please don't cry…" He hugged her, stroking her shoulder length blonde hair in an attempt to calm her down. He was too sweet to her. She often wondered why he had picked her. True, she was totally devoted to him. But Ann, the girl who worked at the inn he lived in, had also had a major crush on him. Honestly-and she hated to admit it- Ann and Cliff would have looked cute together. But he choose her.

Sunny hiccuped into his shoulder, her tears slowing. The way he stroked her hair was comforting. "There, there," Cliff murmured soothingly, "Don't cry. I'm not mad. And you shouldn't be either."

"But-"

"Sunny." He pulled the blonde away from his chest, looking her straight in the eye. "Don't beat yourself up. You didn't mean to. It was one date." He smiled at her. "I'm just glad you're safe."

"Oh, Cliff…"

"Come on. You're done for the day, right?"

Sunny sniffed, wiping her eyes. "Yes…"

"Then let's go up to Mother's Hill. We can watch the sunset, together."

"Cliff, it's beautiful!"

Sunny and Cliff sat on the top of Mother's Hill, watching the sun begin to slip below the horizon. She loved this moment, when darkness and light intermingled. Kinda like life, she thought. She leaned against the brunette boy beside her. He was so warm, especially as cool night winds began to blow. She sighed blissfully.

She suddenly felt Cliff stiffen, tense against her body. "Cliff?"

"Mmhmm?" He seemed distracted.

"What's the matter?" She took his hand. His big, warm hand enveloped her petite, pale one completely. Stupid girly hands.

"Do…" He hesitated, then began again. "Do you remember the day we met?"

She looked at him, shocked and appalled. "Of course I do! I was the new girl in town, having been conned into buying a broken down farm."

Cliff smiled. "In all your naïvete, you believed a salesman."

She punched his arm playfully. "Shut up. I was fourteen."

"Yes. Incredibly mature for a 14 year old, but as naïve as a preschooler on her first day of school, as I recall."

"Shush already! Anyway, being the oddball I was, and am, I began wandering the town. I was looking for a friendly face, someone to talk to about hard stuff. I saw a huge building, and walked inside, even more curious than a cat.

"The place was a church, and it was beautiful! I looked around, then heard my name being hissed. A man at the front of the church was beckoning to me. I pointed to myself, and when he nodded, I went to him. He welcomed me to Mineral Town and said his name was Carter. He was a priest. He asked me to do him a favor. He said he had a person who needed a friend, and turned me to a bench.

"A cute boy sat there, his head drooping dejectedly. He was slumped over, his beautiful brown hair falling over his face. I swear, I thought I was going to faint, he was so-"

"Cut it out," Cliff mumbled, blushing so much he was as red as a tomato. "You're embarressing me. I wasn't that nice looking."

Sunny poked him in the gut. "You were, you are, and you will always be that cute."

He looked up at the sky, blushing even harder, if possible.

"Anyways, I walked over slowly, as I'm not exactly what you'd call outgoing. I stood beside him, and said the best thing I could think to say without embarressing myself. 'Hi.'

"He-you- looked up, startled, and I found myself staring into the most gorgeous chocolate brown eyes I'd ever seen. I felt like I was in heaven, so to speak. You quietly stared at me for a second, then muttered 'Hey,' and looked down again. Now, I admit, I got a little upset then. I just wanted to talk. So I planted myself right next to you and said, 'Mineral Town sure is a pretty place, huh?'

"You looked at my shoulder and answered, 'Yeah.' I began to calm down, my heartrate finally going back to normal. 'You new here?'

"'Yeah…'

"'Me too. Kinda lost, being a city-bred girl.'

"You looked at my shoulder again, and I finally realized you were avoiding my eyes. Something had hurt you, I could tell. 'R-really?'

" 'Yup. I'm an oddball.'

"You looked like you wanted to smile, and I felt and controlled the urge to hug you. We ended up having an hour long conversation, and as I left, you said, 'Thanks for talking to me. No one else would yet.'"

"I responded, 'That's too bad, 'cause you're awesome. Oh, by the way, I'm Sunny.'"

"You blushed and said, 'I'm Cliff.'"

Sunny finished her story and leaned against Cliff again as the sun set fully and the spring harvest moon began to rise. "I never did thank Carter for directing me to you. Without him, I might still be lost and alone. I'd still be wandering, naïve and hopeless."

"What are you like now… What are you like now that… I'm here?"

Sunny looked him straight in his chocolate eyes. "I'm happy, content with my life in this world. My farm is going great, my animals are happy, and I have a boy I love and who hopefully loves me back. I'm way more prosperous than anyone in the city ever said I could be." Cliff scrunched his face, and Sunny could tell he had noted the word 'could' in that sentence. "And quite frankly, I really am happy here. I feel almost complete."

Cliff cocked his head. "Almost?"

Sunny looked away now, blushing. "Slip of the tongue?"

Cliff turned her to look in her eyes. "Sounds like a question. Truth, please."

Sunny looked away from his eyes, looking at the rising moon. "There's something I want more than anything in the world. More than the sun, the stars, the moon…but it's not rightfully mine. And I can't ask for it-it's not my place, and I won't act out of my league."

"Really…" Cliff pulled Sunny to his chest, looking thoughtfully at the moon. Then he stood. Sunny shivered as his warmth left her side. "Sunny…"

Sunny scrambled up uncoordinatedly and stood by him. "Yes, Cliff?"

He turned and took both her hands between his own, making a Sunny hand sandwich. "Why did you pick me?"

"Wh-what?"

He stared into her eyes, as if searching her soul for answers. "Why me? You're a sweet, funny, smart, talented girl, and you could have anyone in the world. Rick, Kai, and the Doctor all had crushes on you, and all three were better off, had better careers, and were happier and more open then I was. But you politely told them you had no interest in them in that way. Yet you stood at my side, came to greet me every morning with a smile. You were always attempting to cheer me up, bringing me flowers and fresh foods from your farm. You intoduced me to Duke and Manna, which led them to give me a job and informally adopt me as a son. You even began to cook me food, trying to discover my favorite things to eat. Why?" His eyes filled with tears, crystalline droplets dripping down his face. "Why, when you were obviously so much better than me? Why, when I was obviously a bum who should never have had a life? Why, when I was a worthless piece of trash and you were a lovely, purehearted angel?!" He dropped his head, letting his hair cover his face as he had on their first meeting.

Sunny stood there for a heartbeat, absorbing his words. Then she reached up and softly touched his face, pulling his face up until she could see his face. She looked into his eyes, just as he had to her. She looked into his eyes, and suddenly she was looking at the real him, his soul, a lonely young man who had been hurt and lost his confidence and his will to live. He was as lost in this world as she was. He needed her, too.

"Cliff." He pulled away, and she gently tugged him back. "Please look at me." His eyes met hers, wary, and she tried to make everything she felt shine in her aqua blue eyes. "You ask why I do the things I do. I often wondered the same. Why choose me, when Ann so obviously liked you? She's prettier, smarter, and a much better cook then I am."

His eyes widened, and he shook his head. "I don't think so."

"That's exactly it. I don't know what you think of me. And you don't know what I think of you, either. The first day I saw your eyes, I knew something had hurt you badly. I knew you weren't putting me off to be rude, you were truly afraid to talk. I wasn't going to give up on you. I could tell you weren't a bum, you weren't trash. You were a star who just needed a little help to shine again. And…" She hesitated, then kept going. "And I could see the loneliness I felt in you. I wanted you."

"Sunny…I…"

She put a finger to his lips. "I don't want you to slander yourself. I want you to listen to me and my thoughts. I want you to value yourself. Because," She took a huge breath, then continued. "Because you are special. You are the only you, and nothing can replace that. You are important. To Duke, to Manna, to Carter…and to me." Crystal tears began to stream down her own face. "You have to know that."

He hugged her to him, their tears intermingling. "…thank you," He whispered into her ear. "You've given me the courage to do this."

He slowly slid down an away from her, keeping her left hand in his. The tears were suddenly gone from both of their cheeks. Settling on one knee, he pulled a black case out of his pocket and opened it, still holding her hand. A ring glittered, a white diamond forming a sun and its rays. A pink heart-shaped diamond shone in the middle. He took a breath. "Sunleia Raye Naranjas, will you marry me?" he said softly, but surely.

Sunny's breath caught in her chest as her heart sped up. Her face flushed, but not as brilliantly as before. She slowly pulled her gaze from the ring to his face, his chocolate eyes. "Yes, Cliff. I would happily be with you."

"Forever?"

"And a day."

He smiled and took the ring out of the case. Lifting her tiny hand, he slipped the gorgeous piece of jewelry onto her left ring finger. It glittered there, looking perfectly at home.

Suddenly there was a bright flash of white light, and Cliff jumped up, wrapping a frightened Sunny in his arms. As the blinding light cleared, a woman was revealed floating in the air in front of the pair. Her long blue-green hair was braided, reaching down to her feet with two buns on the side of her head. She had pretty blue eyes, darker than Sunny's, that were filled with compassion, and wore a low cut blue tunic-dress with low seagreen sleeves that started below her shoulder and a long seagreen skirt.Two gold flowers adorned her hair, while long gold earrings hung to her just above her sloping shoulders.

Cliff's eyes widened and Sunny gasped. "The Harvest Goddess…"

"I've have seen your union, and bless it." The Harvest Goddess spoke regally. like a queen. "You are the perfect match for each other. May you live happily together, and may your lives be long and filled with joy." With that, she flew off into the sky, dissappearing into the golden harvest moon.

Sunny and Cliff stood there as it got chillier, just holding one another. The Harvest Goddess had come just to bless them? This was a great honor, as the Harvest Goddess rarely showed herself to humans. The night grew colder, and the girl and boy stood there, not noticing, not speaking, each content just to be in the other's presence.

"Sunny! Cliff!"

The two turned to see all of Mineral Town come running up Mother's Hill, led by Duke, Manna, Gray, and Gotz. Manna pulled Cliff into a hug and burst into tears, while Duke stood beside them, relief evident on his face. Gray and Gotz run to Sunny and began to hug her. Gray, Saibara the blacksmith's grandson, was like Sunny's big brother. He wa shy and reserved, but was able to talk to the tall blonde, who helped work up the courage to tak to others. Gotz, the woodcutting hermit, was also close to Sunny and considered her his daughter. He lived on the mountain and patrolled it every night. Both had relief on his face. The rest of Mineral Town stood behind them.Gotz pulled away and began lecturing her.

"Don't you know it's dangerous up here?! Especially at night!" Gotz's wife and daughter had been killed on the mountain three years before Sunny had arrived. Her third day in Mineral Town, she'd gotten lost in the forest. It had gotten dark, and she was scared. Gotz had found her and taken her to his house for the night, then taken her home the next day. Every day after that, she came back to visit the lonely man in the forest. She even gave him a gift on his birthday, something everyone else was afraid to do. Somehow, this city-girl-turned-farmer held the key to unlocking the secluded woodcutter's heart.

"When y-you didn'tcome back at nine, we g-got worried…" Manna managed to choke out.

"Are you okay?" Gray asked softly. He could see the tearstains on Sunny's cheeks, and on Cliff's as well.

"Better than okay." Sunny pulled away and reached for Cliff. Cliff detangled himself from Manna with some difficulty and took her right hand. Standing silloetted against the golden harvest moon, Sunny flashed her new ring on her left finger. "We're engaged."

Silence. Then-

"Omigoodness! Really?!" Manna had cheered up, and was grinning from ear to ear.

Duke merely nodded. "About time."

Gray smiled up at the two. "That's great. I'm happy for you two."

Gotz looked frozen. Then his huge face melted into a grin. "Finally."

Cliff tensed. "What do you mean, finally?"

Gotz shrugged. "Well, it was obvious you two were like puzzle pieces. Perfect match."

Sunny blushed at this. "Obvious?"

"Yeah. Every knew you'd end up together. Just a matter of when."

Everyone nodded. They had all known, even 7 year old May and Stu.

Cliff blushed deeply. "Well, I will escort Sunny home. Sorry for causing so much trouble. What time is it, anyway?"

"Umm…" Gray checked his watch. "Almost midnight."

O.o - The couple looked like, well, this.

0

"G'night, guys!" Gray and Gotz began to go home, followed by everyone else.

Cliff and Sunny ended up at Sunny's doorstep. Cliff pulled Sunny into a hug, the former murmuring, "Busy day, huh?"

Sunny giggled. "Yeah. Not every day you get engaged."

Cliff pulled her face up to face his. "Earlier, you said something about being better than anyone said you could be…"

"That is a story for later, Cliff. I'm waking up in six hours."

"R-right." Cliff had sneakily slipped a hand behind Sunny's head, and now he pulled her head closer to his. Sunny blushed, realizing what he was working up the nerve to attempt, and nodded. "Yes, you can."

Cliff smiled and lowered his head. He hesitated, then pressed his lips to hers. A burst of energy filled the two, flowing from each to the other. Love, hope, and dreams intermingled with the kiss, and were shared with each other. Lights danced on their closed eyelids, and fireworks exploded in their hearts. They were different now. They were no longer just Sunny Naranja and Cliff Heinger. They were two stars, their hearts and souls resounding with their joy and love.

Finally, they had to break apart, both gasping for breath. Cliff smiled, stars shining in his chocolate brown eyes. "Wow," he breathed, "that was…amazing…"

Sunny grinned, stars in her eyes as well, still a little lightheaded. "Yeah…never expected…a first kiss…to be…that good…"

Cliff's smile grew wider. "Well, you need your sleep." He hugged her tightly. "Love you, Sunny."

Sunny snuggled into him. " I love you too, Cliff."

Cliff pulled away, smiled, and left up the road for Doug's Inn. Sunny went in and changed, laughing as Cassie looked up at her, tongue lolling and tail wagging. She picked up the brown and white pup and held it against her soft blue nightgown. She set the puppy on the rug and hopped into bed. As she did, she touched her lips softly with her left hand, remembering her first kiss and the energy that had burst through her. She smiled, admiring the shining ring on her finger. She was happy wherever Cliff was. That was all she needed. She fell asleep quickly, and in her dreams, she was kissing Cliff again, the couple happily together under a golden harvest moon.

Pure Heart: Smiles to all! I am a total sap sometimes!

Sunni: Yeah, but you're still mean to me.

Pure Heart: This isn't your fanfic, my hedgie OC. Anywho, please Read & Review. This is meant to be a oneshot, but it might grow if enough of you peoples review! Constructive critisism is accepted, but no flames, please. I'm a newbie, remember? See y'all in my regular fanfiction work, Shadows and Light Unite! Pure Heart, signing off!