A Look Into A Heart

Chapter One

We Have Arrived...Unfortunately

A Prologue and Introduction

-A Chase & Akari vs. Wizard & Akari-

ENJOY! :)

So, this is it. I kicked at the dry dirt in the minuscule field, it blew away in the slight wind. "Well...poor soil and not much of it. How nice," I thought sarcastically. "What else do we have here.." I scanned to see what stood in front of this..field..if you could call it that. Three crummy buildings sat in shambles. The cream-colored building with a red top was in the worst condition; it's roof was falling in, the paint was peeling and plywood and weeds huddled around it. Wait...that's my house? Oh no.. "That mayor..we are going to have a little talk.." I growled from clenched teeth to my annoying companion: Finn, the Harvest Sprite. He was clad in orange today, again, had his green hair in a swirl against his forehead, long, pointy ears sticking out, and a huge grin stuck on his face. I believe he is the result of an elf and a fairy having a child, but he denies it every time.

"Are we gonna see the Harvest Goddess?" he clapped, buzzing around my head.

"No, we're not gonna see the Harvest Goddess,' I mimicked,"Can't you see how much work we have to do here first? You drove me crazy for months-months," I emphasized,"So, we're going to do this thing my way, the right way. Then, when I'm good and ready, we'll see this so-called Harvest Goddess...if she exists."

Finn stopped facing me and pouted," She's real, Akari! You got to believe!" He gazed at me with that dreamy look; he always has his head in the clouds. Someday he'll learn life isn't all rainbows and sparkles. "So, what are we gonna do first," he continued flying around my head.

I sighed," Unpack. Then we'll go to town and get supplies, talk to the mayor, and get some food.." My stomach growled in response. I glanced around the rest of the land; there was a small pond with a deck, pretty nice actually, some burnt-red fences, a wooden bench, berry bushes and three paths, one lead north, another east and the last west.

I didn't feel like going in the "house" and putting all that mess in order, but instead dropped my pack and suitcase on the doorstep. "Ready, Finn? I think Cain said town was that way," I pointed towards the third path.

"Yep yep!" he happily replied, leading the way. "How's Cain?" he looked back.

"Oh..I forgot you fell asleep on the way.. He owns the Horn Ranch."

He stopped and peered back, a mischievous grin spread across his face," Do you like him," he sang.

"No," I exhaled," He's married and has a daughter."

"So," he turned his head," Love can conquer all!"

I rubbed my temple,"Finn...just..go."

"Well we got all that done!" Finn exclaimed.

"No. No, we didn't. We still have a few more to meet." The Mayor had a wonderful idea: that I should go meet everyone in town, or he'll take the house back. I didn't like the guy myself. He was chubby, not that I have anything against chubby people , wore a blue suit that was way too tight, had a small amount of gray hair forming a point in the air and a ridiculous smile. He never stopped smiling...You can't trust people that are always happy, I learned that long ago. After visiting Marimba Farm, Horn Ranch, the Choral Clinic, Ocarina Inn, Simon's Photos, the Fishery and... Sonata Tailoring, I paused my list," Hey, did you notice almost everything has a musical name?"

"Yeah! Cool, huh?" Finn smiled. I shook my head and continued, we reached the next to last shop: the Brass Bar. FINALLY! And it's a Bar," Food and drinks for me," I thought gladly.

I walked into a cozy room and was greeted by a cheerful blonde with stunning emerald eyes. "Good evening! I'm your waitress, Cathy! You're new here aren't you?" she smiled.

Oh, yes. The hundredth time I've been asked that question. I put on a small, forced smile," Yeah. I'm Akari, nice to meet you." She grabbed my arm and whisked me away to the bar part.

"Daddy! We have a newbie!" Out stepped a large, muscular man with the thickest beard I had ever saw. His eyes betrayed his harsh demeanor; his eyes were kind, the color of his daughter's, but still, eyes could lie. "'Ello," he greeted nodding," I'm Hayden. I own the bar. Good to have a new face around here..Can we get you somethin'?" he asked. I studied the menu..something cheap...mmm..

"Can I get a stir-fry and a grape cocktail?" I ordered.

"Sorry," Cathy looked sheepish," no cocktails.."

"We can't get no bloody alcohol...The boats have not been running for months...The sea these days is brutal.." He shook his head.

I gave a sad understanding glance," A water would be fine.."

Cathy sprinted to the kitchen and came right back,' I forgot to introduce you to someone.." She smiled nervously. "Chase.." she called almost like a question.

"What." A pointed reply sped out.

"I have someone for you to meet.."

A large sighed echoed out to the dining area,"I'll come out when the food's done."

Cathy sent a sorry smile my way and sat on the barstool closest to mine. "Don't mind him," she whispered," He is...well, can be..grouchy.."

I breathed in," Well, everyone can be." A thin man joined us then, with a scowl for an expression. His bright orange has was untamable, but held back a little by three small black clips. He was garbed in a green apron and a white, long-sleeved shirt rolled up to the elbows.

"Here ya go," he said dropping the food in front of me.

"Chase," Hayden started," this is Akari, she just moved here." He glanced at me, which I took as a hint to speak.

"I'm the new farmer.." I looked into his eyes. They were a magnificent violet, like none I've seen before.

"Chase," he said crossing his arms.

"He's the best cook ever!" Cathy bragged.

"Pretty much," he smiled arrogantly. I tasted a bit of the veggies.

"This is good...but, I've tasted better." I stated plainly.

"WHAT?" he freaked," Who's?"

"Mine." I was, in fact, an excellent cook. My twenty blue ribbons would tell anyone that.

He slitted his eyes," Prove it."

"Fine I will. Just not today."

"Why?"

I sighed. "When my first crop comes I'll cook for you, promise."

He stared and nodded, returning to the kitchen.

"Can you really cook better?" Cathy whispered in astonishment. Hayden leaned in for the answer.

"Yep. I was the top chef back home," I reminisced. Before the conversation went further I left the charge plus tip on the counter and went on my way after polite, but not over-friendly, farewells. Finn had been awful quiet. "What's wrong?" I asked the lil' guy, I think it was a guy anyway..I'll have to ask later...

"I'm just disappointed that we can't see the Goddess today.." he whimpered.

"We'll see her soon," I patted him on the back. I'm not totally heartless; he is my only friend after all. Earlier today e found the bridge leading to the Garmon District was broken, so we couldn't go to the Goddess Pond even if I wanted to. We had to help Bo, the young carpenter fixing the bridge, do his job, of course... That and the Fugue Forest were off limits for now..

"Here we go, Finn. Last place, cheer up!" We stood in front of a white, square building holding a large, wooden purple door decorated with gold trim. It seemed almost magical. I knocked and waited.. "Guess I'll go in.." *Creeeeak* The door slowly opened to a room filled with moons, stars, purple and astronomic tools. Books were stacked neatly in corners and bulging out of several bookcases. On the far right, a large staircase was built to an enormous telescope pointed into the heavens. A mystical man gazed into the scope. He wore a long pointy, purple robe, white pants, painted with several ancient designs, a black tee and tons of beads, chains and a large necklace. The best part about him was his light brown, almost creamy hair. It was long and shaggy, with a piece braided and held together with two thick pins.

"Hello?" I called.

He glanced down and took notice of me. He let go of his telescope and glided gracefully down the stairs, coming face-to-face with me. He had a questioning gaze,"Hello?" His stare held me speechless. One of his eyes was a brilliant lime green, the other a deep gold. Under the gold, a white half-star was tattooed on his smooth, tan skin. I have never seen a more beautiful man.

"Uhm..I'm Akari. I just..wanted to meet everyone in town..It being my first day and all."

A thoughtful look washed over his face," You may call me Wizard." And with that, he turned his back and continued back to his work: stargazing.

"Wizard," I asked shrilly.

"Yes?" he looked surprised "I am a Wizard.."

"Huh..Wow, that's...that's pretty cool.." I thought. I walked out, back into the warm sunlight. Short and straight to the point. My kind of guy. "Come on, Finn. We've got lots of work to do.." I marched, ready for my mission. I carried my seeds in a baggie along with my other essentials and was on my way. I intended to make that crappy place a home...somehow..

-Author's Note-

Well..sorry it's so long but I didn't know where to separate it :/ This will be in Multiple POV's in chp 2 I hope it wasn't too bad, please review, bad reviews are always appreciated by me!

-Disclaimer-

Harvest Moon and all it's characters, places, and names belong to Natsume and Marvelous Interactive, not me.