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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Making it to her property, Hikari headed towards the house.  Gasping, she whirled around to face whatever she'd caught a glimpse of standing by the crops.  And now she felt stupid, that whole incident with Wizard really did a number on her.  She was jumping out of her skin at the sight of her own livestock. 



She sent them lumbering off to the barn and coop then approached the shipping bin.  Anything she didn't need went in tonight.  It was time to reevaluate the things she shared.

Once inside she went about her normal nightly routine.  Turning off the light she glanced back at her bed, Finn was already snuggling under the blanket she'd made for him on her pillow.  It would be a while before she'd be able to sleep so she took a seat at the table.

It wasn't long before Finn plopped down on the table in front of her.  Ever since he'd come into her life she'd rarely had more than a few minutes alone, and she was thankful once again he was around. 

“Hikari, it's late.” 

She gave him a little apologetic smile.  “Too much to think about.” 

“Well it is my job to help and guide you.”  He reminded her looking just a little more awake then before.  “Besides, you always listen when I need to talk, that's what friends do.” 

Straightening up in her seat, she was reminded of what she discovered earlier.  “That's right.”  Finn preened when she agreed with him.  She hated to burst his bubble with her questions.  “I thought you said the Harvest Goddess needed me 'cause I could see you and the other sprites?” 

“Yes.” 

“Well why bring me here when Wizard can hear and see you?” 

Reaching under his hat Finn scratched his head.  “Of course Wizard can see us, so can Witch.  They’re just like me.”

“They’re not sprites Finn, if anything their like me.  Couldn't they have helped the Harvest Goddess? ” 

“Hikari.”  Finn was on his feet by this time, careening around the table, and waving his arms.  “Don't you want to help the Goddess anymore?” 

Giving Finn a pat she calmed him before answering.  “I wouldn't abandon you or the others.  I'm completely committed to helping the Harvest Goddess.”  Propping her head in her hand Hikari smiled.  “Don't misunderstand me.  The day we met and you led me here was one of the happiest for me.  I didn't have any plans for my life before that.  I really love it here and the life I'm now leading.  I'm just trying to understand, why me?”  

Settling down Finn coughed into his hand.  He reminded her of Mayor Hamilton when he did that.  “Your soul and heart are both pure.  That is why you can see magical beings like me and they search you out.  Only one that is pure could help the Goddess.”  Finn explained, pausing for a moment.  “We sprites weren't able to do what Hikari can do.  Witch and Wizard are just like us sprites.  Witch tried and she got turned into a frog.”

Covering her mouth Hikari chuckled.  “Finn, Witch and Wizard aren't sprites.” 

Sighing Finn shook his head.  “Like sprites.”

Hikari scrunched her nose up at the idea.  “If they’re like sprites then how can everyone see them and not you or the other Harvest Sprites?”  Finn wasn't making much sense.  Sure those two could do magic, but they didn't look any different from any other girl or boy her age. 

“Alan said, and he's smart, that witches and wizards were closer to humans then sprites.  They're from a different type of magic, that's why they look human and can live among them.  They may even be part human and part magical being.”

It still didn't make a lot a sense.  “Can I be friends with Wizard and Witch?” 

Smiling Finn nodded.  “Nothing can stop anyone from being friends.  You and I are friends, and I'm even less like a human than Wizard.  Besides Wizard and Witch are basically free to live how they want.  They aren't tied to anything like us sprites are tied to Goddess, and she is tied to her tree.”

Finn's answers made her feel much better.  Right before Wizard had disappeared inside his home he'd given her a look that made her chest feel tight.  That moment, Wizard had been the picture of loneliness.  For some reason she couldn't get that look out of her mind.  More than anything, she wanted to see him smile, and starting tomorrow she'd work towards that very thing.   

“Oh by the way . . . .”  Something in the way she looked at him must have scared Finn because he stepped back.  “What did you do down in the cave that made you need to hide from Wizard?”  At that moment Finn probably broke some long standing record for the fastest whole face blush. 

Using the tip of his toe to draw an invisible circle on the table Finn shifted from side to side before he answered.  “I was staring at him before he put his clothes on and he caught me.”

Chuckling Hikari slapped the table.  “You're kidding me right?  You were peeking at him?” 

“What?!  He has a nice body.”  Crossing his arm Finn sighed.  “I wish I could have his body.” 

Her look must have clued him in on just how bad it sounded.  

“Don't misunderstand me.”  He cried, using her words from earlier.  “You know how I always wished I could look like a human.  Wizard is magical too, but his body isn't any different than any of the other guys in town.  I just wish the Goddess would let me have a different body.  It doesn't have to be Wizard's.  Any boys' body from town would do.”  Blinking in confusion Finn put his hand over his mouth and mumbled.  “No, wait, that doesn't sound any better.”

Dropping her head to the table, Hikari thought she'd hyperventilate before Finn could make his point.