Every Heart

 

Blanket disclaimer:  All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.  I do not claim any rights to Harvest Moon Animal Parade or any characters associated with the game.  No money was made from this fan fiction. 

Author note:  My thanks to Andi for taking the time to beta.  I appreciate your help.   

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Wiping the sweat from her brow, Hikari leaned against her hammer.  Was it just her or was Watery Cave harder to navigate tonight? 

Checking her rucksack, she counted the number of ores and wonderfuls she had collected so far.  She really hoped the copper ores would actually give her a decent number of refined metals.  It was always disappointing to put all the work in gathering them and then find out from Mira that most of it was scrap.   

To be safe she wanted to find a few more to better her chances.  Storing her hammer she started down the stairs.  “Let's go Finn.”  Hopping off the last step she smiled, she'd reached the hot spring level.  It was late but, she had time for a quick soak.  Rotating her arm to work out a kink she headed towards the spring.   

“Why do we have to be here so late?  I'm tired, Hikari.”  Finn complained landing on her other shoulder.   

Rolling her eyes at her small friend, Hikari explained it again.  “Finn . . . I told you.  I've been so busy that I haven't had time to do any mining.  I really need to upgrade a couple of my tools.  Plus, Gill was telling me there's a mining contest at the New Year's festival.  I really want to find something good to enter.” 

“New Year's Festival?”  Fluttering off her shoulder Finn shook himself, clearly agitated by her answer.  “It's only summer time Hikari.”  Boy he really was flustered, if he gesturing with his hands this time.  “Do we really need to do this now?”  Oh he was up to crossing his arms now.  “Besides it's creepy being in here this late.”  She had to smirk at friend, now the truth was out. 

“What's the difference?  It's a mine.  It's the same inside the cave no matter what time it is outside.”   

Moving toward the corner with the spring Hikari could just imagine the feel of the warm water against her skin. 

“Thought you were mining?  Where are you going now?”

Her laughter echoed around the chamber.  “You don't expect me to bypass the hot spring do you?”  Hmm . . . why are there large stones here?  Had they been here last time?  Rounding the last one Hikari gasped and slapped a hand over her eyes.  Well that was something you didn't see every day. 

“This is where I bathe.” 

She had the insane urge to giggle like Maya at his obvious statement but held it in.  You'd think finding him naked except for soap bubbles would be explanation enough.  She could hear water being dumped and the sounds of him moving around.  

“I'm in the spring now.” 

Hikari chuckled nervously, taking her hand off her eyes.  “Sorry about this.  I didn't think I'd met anyone this late at night.”  She explained reaching up to rub the back of her head.

“I thought the same as well.” 

Well this was awkward.  Had she walked in on any of the other boys they would probably be laughing right now.  Heck if it was Luke he'd invite her to join him!  He didn't seem to realize she wasn't one of the boys yet.  Clearing her throat she asked.  “So do you always bathe at this time and in this cave?”   

“No . . . and yes.” 

It was like pulling teeth to get a conversation out of him.  “No you don't always bathe at this time and yes you bathe in this cave?” 

“That's right.” 

“I see.”  She could feel a little twitch above her eyebrow starting to develop.  She wasn't sure why she was so set on speaking with him but, she refused to give up just yet.  It didn't bother her that he was in the hot spring, wasn't like she could see anything.  Besides, growing up in the orphanage with only one bathroom it didn't pay to be too body shy.  Plus she'd shared a bath with her fair share of younger girls and boys in her life so this wasn't all that awkward.  “So, what brings you down here tonight?  Just bath night or?” 

“Witch sent me a present.” 

Smiling Hikari replied.  “Oh, that was nice of her.” 

“It exploded sparkling, pink powder all over me and my home.”

Gasping, she covered her mouth.  “Oh my goodness, are you alright?” 

“I am uninjured and I don't believe I'm pink anymore.” 

Walking closer Hikari sat on the stone Wizard had vacated.  “Nope, you seem to be pink free.”  She replied.  “Any idea why she'd do that?” 

“She hates me.” 

Huffing, she folded her arms over her chest.  “She did say that, didn't she?” 

“I just wish I knew why she'd waste those rare mushrooms for something like this.” 

Blinking, Hikari cocked her head to the side.  “Rare mushrooms?”

“The Fugue Mushrooms.  They grow inside the forest surrounding Witch's swamp.  They sparkle, are blue with pink spots, and are very hard to find.  Why she'd waste them for something like this is a mystery.” 

She knew she was blushing and she could feel Wizard's eyes on her.  She just couldn't look at him directly right now.  Reaching into her bag she pulled out the source of her embarrassment.  “Is this it?”

Slack jawed, Wizard reached out and took the offered mushroom.  “How did you get this?” 

Still red Hikari chuckled again rubbing the back of her head.  “Well. . .  you see, I find them all the time.  I've been going into the forest to gather lumber and building stone.”  Gesturing with her hands she explained.  “I'm planning on upgrading my barn and coop, you see.” 

Wizard nodded but remained silent, still holding the Fugue. 

“Anyway, I find these all the time and I've been stopping by Witch's house everyday too.  I've been kind of giving her these mushrooms, as a thank you for giving me the green bell.”  Hikari gulped, he looked like he was going to faint.  She hoped he didn't.  It was one thing to sit nearby and talk while he was hidden inside the spring.  If she ended up having to jump into the spring to pull him out it would be very hard to face him again. 

“Every . . . day?” 

At least he was breathing enough to talk.  “So they're really rare you say?” 

Handing the mushroom back Wizard nodded.  “I spent years one time hunting for just one.”

Sitting the Fugue on the ground beside her Hikari bit her lip.  “So, let me make sure I understand what you said.  Witch used the mushrooms I gave her to play a trick on you?” 

Hikari waited patiently for him to answer.  It made her sick to think something she had shared in kindness with someone had been used to hurt another.  Well okay, it wasn't really her fault what Witch did with them, and Wizard said he wasn't hurt.  But still!  She didn't like the idea at all. 

“Finn.” 

Looking over at where Finn was fluttering around she wondered what he'd been doing to make his face so red.   

“My towel please?”

Finn was fairly strong when he wanted to be, Hikari decided watching the small sprite fly Wizard his towel.  Hikari blinked and stared at Wizard like she was seeing him for the first time.  It took her all this time to finally realize it, but Wizard could see Finn and now that she thought about it he'd been able to see him since the first time they met.  

Gill was the only other person she'd met that had giving any indication that he could sense Finn.  He hadn't been able to see Finn; just feel something was there that one time.

Why had it taken her so long to realize it?  Was it because Wizard was so calm about it unlike Gill had been?  He acted like seeing a sprite was an everyday occurrence.  Just who was Wizard?  She'd been under the impression from Finn that the Harvest Goddess needed her help because others couldn't see her or the sprites.  If Wizard could and was already here why send Finn to her?   

“Are you going to watch me dry and dress too?”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”  Quickly she stood and turned her back to him.  A few moments later Finn darted around her and pressed his face into her stomach.  She'd find out what had gotten into him later.   

A few moments later Wizard passed her with his things in hand and headed towards the stairwell that led up.  Trailing behind him Hikari wasn't about to let him walk away without answering her question.  As they walked she observed him, trying to figure him out. 

She had to smile when she got a good look at his hair, he hadn't taken the time to fix it.  Normally the way he wore it made him seem even more mysterious.  Right now though, with that longer section of hair he normally kept braided just loose, it reminded her of a child that had tried to cut their own hair. 

They made it to his front door before he spoke to her again.  “Yes?”

“You never answered me.” 

Wizard clutched his wet things closer to him and nodded.  “It would appear so . . . .  Goodnight.”  He moved quickly and grabbed the door knob.  If she was the type to have her feelings easily hurt he was doing a bang up job of sending off negative vibes.   'Does he think I was a part of Witch's plan to trick him or something?'  “Let me at least help you clean up!”  She called out.   

He glanced back for just a moment, through his long bangs, and shook his head.  “I used magic to clean my home . . . .  Goodnight.”  Before she could stop him again he was in his house and the door was shut.

“Now what?”  Finn asked, he looked as put out as she felt. 

Sighing she motioned towards the road.  “Let's go home Finn.” 



They were just coming up on the clock tower when she stopped.  She still had that blasted mushroom in her rucksack.  There was no way she'd give anymore to Witch. 



Turning back, she ran back up the hill to Wizard's house.  Finn trailed after her, calling for her to wait.  Making it back, she pulled the trouble making mushroom out of her bag and placed it at his front door. 



Now she'd go home, get some answers from Finn, and think of a way to make sure Wizard didn't blame her for what Witch had done.