Had a Bad Day: Chapter Nine

"Okay. You can do it Ash. You can do this. This is your moment. Don't chicken out. You're already this far. No turning back. Don't leave without an answer. Be positive."

The farmer boy stood at the entrance of the opposing village, his hands wringing his cap in a nervous manner as he paced, building up his confidence. An exasperated sigh passed through, and he grasped his head in annoyance, "Oh, who am I kidding?! There's no way I can do this!"

"Do what?" an unfamiliar voice questioned from the near distance.

Whirling around, Ash's face flushed –dear Goddess, how long had this stranger been there, watching as he made a fool of himself?! "N-nothing!" he assured, examining the figure who approached; a dainty looking girl with black hair and draped in blue, the patterns making it quite obvious she was a villager of Konohana.

A small smile passed through, her look not unkind. "I'm Reina," she explained, "And I do believe there is something you are wanting. Why else would someone from Bluebell be here?"

"That- I- Pleased to meet you, Reina." Awkwardly, he held out a hand in which she took gingerly. Upon return, he used said hand replace the cap he had been mangling.

"Now then; I'm on my way out to the mountains, but perhaps I can be of some assistance before I leave?" Ug. She wasn't going to let this drop, was she?

"Actually… I'm looking for someone. About yay-high," he motioned with his hand Lillian's height, "with purple eyes and blondish brown hair."

"I assume you mean Lillian?" At the blush and small nod, she gave another smile, and pointed down the path. "If you want to find her, she should be working. Go down this path, and turn to your left; the path will lead to your farm. Best of luck, Ash."

He stood there awkwardly, and nodded his thanks to the girl before starting down the path. Half way, though, brows furrowed; wait. How had she known his name? He hadn't introduced himself, as far as he knew. Turning on his heel to stare the way he came, he saw neither hide nor hair of the woman. Hmm. He would have to question Lillian on this in the near future.

Continuing the short distance to the path Reina had directed him too, Ash frowned and hesitated at the mouth of the path. "You can do this, Ash. You can do this. Be the prince. Save the princess from her tower." Taking a breath, he forced his feet to move until he came upon a small farm, crops growing in every colour, shape and size.

Scanning the fields, he hadn't saw the figure of the woman he had come to love –she wasn't to be found there, nor in the pens of her few animals. Ash had known well before that she had to give some up when she moved to Konohana –he was the one taking care of them, after all. Nonetheless, with no sign of her, unless she went to town, the only option left was the house.

He stared at the small cottage-like building, swallowing a lump in his throat, and walked over. Oh Goddess, how he regretted coming here more and more by the second.

A clench and flutter in his stomach, the ginger approached the door and rapped three times. All was silent, before a faint "Coming" came, light footsteps following suite. And then the door swung open.

There she was. A month had passed, and she looked no different. Dressed in her oversized gray t-shirt she wore to bed with a fluffy white housecoat tied over with obvious haste, he thought for a moment he was back in Bluebell. The only difference was her hair a tad bit longer, and the emotions of shock and horror painted on her face. "A-Ash?" she squeaked out after a millennium.

A weak smile, "Hey Lil," he said, a daunting feeling overcoming his being. "How've you been?"

"Oh, uhm, g-great! I'm sorry, but now really isn't a good time. Could you, uh, come back in a few hours or so?"

"What? Why? You don't look like you're doing anything n-"

"Lillian! Who's there?" a voice chirped from inside. Before he knew what was occurring, Ash saw before him the mail carrier, Dirk or whatever his name was, approach the girl from behind and slinging a lazy arm over her shoulder. His feet were bare, his hat and coat hung up as the collar of his shirt was open. In all the right ways did the entire thing look wrong –it was supposed to be him standing around her house in such attire!

"Who's this?"

"Leaving," she said sharply, giving an urgent jerk of her head to Dirk and pushing him away from view before returning her gaze to the other fellow. "Ash, I'm sorry. You –We –Crap. How do I explain?"

"It's fine." Even to his own ears, his voice sounded faint and far away. "I understand. I apologize for troubling you. I hope you two do well in life."

"What? No! It's not what it looks like!"

"No need to explain Lil. I'll see you later."