I sigh, the sweltering Summer heat is suffocating me slowly in my Bluebell attire. I can hardly breath. I really need to find some new clothes. I could send a letter home-no. I will not. Not after....that.

I'll figure something out. This is a town, people need clothes once in a while. I'll ask around, I can even provide some of the supplies now. I straighten up and look proudly over my farm. It had really taken a turn. I now had two cows, Bell of course and her new friend Blossom. When I got Blossom I'd also bought Wooly, a sheep, and Note, another chicken. I was delighted to discover that Wooly gave me large quantities of good wool fairly often. I hadn't sold any of it yet, instead it's all bundled up in the bottom of my cart.

I had crops sprouting in every spot on the farm, tall tomatoes plants with plump green bulbs just beginning to ripen, towering stalks with the fluffy hair marking the start of corn, and strong stalks with bright yellow petals about to open to the sun. The farm was bright and green and everything I had imagined it could be. Now it was time to go even farther. One day I'd have dozen's of animals, and my crops would all be strong and beautiful.

One step at a time.

I grinned to myself and went to saddle up Whisper; it was time to take the day's produce into town. She jolted into a trot, she couldn't have been happier. I knew she loved it here. She showed it in the way how she'd prance about the grazing area, dancing around the cows. How she'd shake her head and toss her mane around the villagers, showing off her snowy white coat. She'd neigh proudly and trot with her head held high as we passed by Georgia and all the horses fenced in, even through she was so tiny compared to them.

I may have zoned out for the next thing I knew the cart wheels where bouncing a little with each bump of the cobblestone path. I laughed at Whisper's eagerness and tugged the reins a little so the cart wouldn't jump. We slowed down and pressed up the path. The red roof of Jessica's shop came into view. There was a man dressed in a deep almost burgundy colored coat, one that hung low, leaning against the fence talking to Ash. He had a matching hat with a bright orange plume that danced in the wind. His back was turned I squinted at his figure frowning.

Then I was off the bench in a flash and charging up the path, my hair flying behind me.

"Dirk!" I yelled, my voice full of hope, joy, and a tint of disbelief.

The man turned startled before his face brightened. "Lil' Lil?" He said shocked as I threw myself at him. "It's been to long!" He laughed , lifting me up and spinning me.

Giggling I clung to his arm as I tried to regain my balance but he pulled me into his chest, smothering me. "To long Lil." He murmured in my hair. I nodded into him as tears pricked my eyes, it had been forever.

Dirk had been my first and only friend for a long time. We had grown up together. He was a few years older then me and for as long as I can remember he'd always been so much taller. I'd looked up to him in more ways then one.

An awkward cough brought me out of the past and I pulled away a little bit to grin up at Ash who had a strange expression on his face.

"Oh Ash! Have you already met Dirk? He was a friend from my childhood." I said brightly.

"Just now." His voice seemed tight. I frowned a little bit.

"Dirk this is Ash, he's helped me a lot since I moved here."

Dirk smiled bright and big at Ash, "It's nice to meet you, thanks for taking care of Lil!"

I blushed a little bit, "I don't need to be taken care of Dirk!" I said, punching him lightly but completely serious. I was tired of being treated like a child, but it was pretty much the only response I ever got because of my size.

Dirk ruffled my head messing up my bandana, "Dirk!" I laughed, smacking his hand away and readjusting it. He smirked at me.

""You were saying that you're going to be the new mail man right?" Ash said, reminding me he was still there. I felt a little guilty and turned to him but he wasn't facing me, his eyes focused on Dirk.

"Yup!" I'll be delivering for both Bluebell and Konohana, since my house is over there I'll do my Bluebell runs in the afternoon." Dirk's eyebrows nitted together, "Although I have to say that mountain is a killer."

I punched his shoulder, "You'll live, hey I've got to go. See ya around! Bye Ash!"

Ash finally turned to me, startled but I'd already whipped around and was jogging back to Whisper. Now I was running behind. I'd said I'd drop some milk off for Laney by noon and the time was dangerously close.

I waved to the boys as I clicked my toung for Whisper, she set off happily again. I rode up to the front of the steps near the café and hopped down to unload my cargo.

After bundling it in my arms I set up the steps. Stumbling a little bit, my tower of boxes wobbling. Then my load lightened and the box that had been blocking my view was lifted from the stack.

"Thanks Cam!" I said brightly, he shook his head at me.

"You shouldn't try to carry them all at once."

"But I was running late." I wined out, pouting my lower lip before grinning at him, "Besides, why not whenever superman can always come for me!"

He let out a huff, raising his eyebrow at my lame joke, I winked at him, passing him.

"Super man needs to hurry up." I laughed over me shoulder as he grumbled in response.

***

"Lillian!!! Thank you so much!" Laney. She held the door wide for Cam and me. "Just set them on the counter I'll take care of them."

"Here, I know it's not much but I hope you enjoy it!" Laney filled my hands as soon as they where empty, pressing a sponge cake into them, Cam slunk back out side.

"They look delicious Laney, hey, do you no where I can get some clothes?"

Laney frowned, "Don't you like your Bluebell ones?"

"No no no, I love them!" I said quickly, "It's just it's getting pretty hot and the farm work is hard on them."

Laney smilied knowingly, "I see. Well Iv'e heard Nori in the othe village makes clothes, you should see her."

I grinned, "Thanks a lot! It's just been getting so hot recently, I wish I could got to the beach!"

Laney gave me a strange look.

I frowned at her, "Laney, have you ever been to the beach?"
She shook her head, "I've never really left town, really no one has."

I gaped at her, "That's insane!" I snapped my fingers, "That's it, we're going to the beach!"

"Wha-what?!"

I bounced on my heels, getting excited now, "We'll go to the beach! All of us! Georgia, Cam, Ash, Nori Reina, Hiro, Kana, oh and Dirk!"

Laney took a step back unsure, "But Lillian-"

"Come on! It will be great! We're not to far from the shore!"

"But what would I wear?"

I laughed, "It doesn't really matter, you'll need a swim suit of course, you have one right?"

She nodded but still looked unsure,

I sigh, "It will be great Laney, I'm gonna go plan it out, all you have to do is show up."

Laney gasped, "No, no. I'll do something too! I'll take care of....the food. Yes, I've got the food."

I grinned at her knowing I'd won, "Great, I'll be back later Laney, see ya!"

I whipped out the door before she could realize she'd just agreed with me.

I skipped down the steps off to see Rugtger.

~Time Skipy~

I paused at the mountain peak and swung off Whisper to stand on the surveying deck. I'd got a lot done today. I talked it over with Rutger, he'd thought a beach day was a great idea. He went on for a little bit about the importance of youth getting out and having fun while they could and all that and he'd given me a map. The shore was just about an hours ride out.

I hadn't mentioned of course that some Konohan's would be going too.

Dirk had been all for it, Ash had been unsure but agreed after I told him Cam would be going and Cam agreed after I told him Ash would be going,(the tricks of persuasion XD). Georgia was excited about it as was Kana. Hiro didn't seem to pleased with the idea but I'd bribed him with sweets, Reina wanted to see the plant life, and Nori just loved the sun, not only that but she was also getting me some clothes and a swim suit. I'd given her all my wool, thank goodness I'd kept it. I'd feel bad just asking for clothes and she wouldn't accept money.

Kana said he would drive a cart too so that made enough seats. It was all coming together.

"That was a good idea." A calm voice said behind me.

I whipped around and found the Harvest Goddess standing behind me. "Oh. Thanks."

"You've been doing a great job, have you noticed? They're calmer at the cooking festival now. With this it could get even better, you might unite the youth!"

I gave her a look, "That's not what this is about! Can't you see, not everything is focused on settling this one stupid thing! We're just going to have a bit of fun, okay?"

She laughed, shaking her head at me which made my fingers curl into fists angrily, "But dear it's all the same!"

I growled lowly under my breath, "What ever." I push past her, no longer in the mood to watch the sun set behind the mountain.

She glides beside me, "I'm still thankful you know."

I let out a huff and swing up on Whispers back, "Just know I'm not just doing it for you. It's for them too."

I leave, not bothering to see her reaction.

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Okay, this was basically a filler chapter. It was shorter too, I always aim for around 2,000 words, thus only made it to almost 18 hundred.

So then. Vote n comment if ya feel like it ^-^

I'll be back, see cha!