Harvest Moon: Popuri's Journey

[Juxapose]

This week, I'll have my hands full with work and other misc. things I must take care of. But I'll give the intro for my next fanfic so we know what to expect. 

I would like to present you with:

Harvest Moon: Popuri's Journey

This story tells the tale of BTN Popuri, and her quest to being a strong independent woman. Her boyfriend Kai could no longer handle the pressure of the villagers of Mineral Town, and decides to leave forever leaving Popuri behind. With the help from some distant new friends, she will do what it takes to make her dreams come true.

[Juxapose]

Chapter 1

Destiny can take us to all types of places. A young man who was born and raised in the city may end up living as a farmer. Likewise, a young farmer may grow old and work in the city. Regardless of what they were born to do, some people go out on a journey to find their own place in life. 

Popuri is a young girl who was born in a chicken ranch in the traditional small village of Mineral Town. Because she grew up with so many egg laying birds, she grew a love for these creatures. Her greatest dream is to one day run the chicken farm in her father's place.

But fate is not kind for the young girl. In her family, the business is run traditionally by men. In that respect, Popuri's father entrusts his knowledge to his only son Rick. Popuri is expected to just marry and be a simple housewife, not a chicken rancher like she dreams.

One day, Popuri's father leaves home to find some medicine for his ill wife. His son takes over the business, and he is never heard from again. Some people say that he died in his search for the cure. Others say that he ran off with another woman. But his wife and children continue to wait for him in Mineral Town.

Years pass, and Popuri is now a beautiful young woman. Many young bachelors tried to take Popuri's hand, but she is not interested. Being a simple housewife is not the life she wants; she wants to be free as a bird, and will only be interested in one who will allow her to be free. 

One Summer day, a young man named Kai opens up a Summer shop at the beach in Mineral Town. Kai is a tall, dark, and handsome young man who opens shops all around distant towns where the climates is warm. He travels between villages selling delicious cooked goods, and trades tropical crops for a living. A free and caring young man, such who interests the young Popuri. She befriends Kai, and falls quickly for his free spirit and independent charm. They soon develop a bond, and a romance blooms from their friendship.

But once again, Fate was not kind to Popuri. Kai's charm and good looks has also attracted the attention of the other women in town. This makes the other men in town jealous, including Popuri's brother Rick. Because of this, business is hard at Kai's shop, and the tension makes Kai feel uncomfortable. But even with everyone's resentment, Kai still continues to return to Mineral Town to see Popuri every year.

Kai and Popuri's relationship is difficult. They typically meet in secret and at night. During the day, Kai is constantly harassed and is not welcome in the festivals and other village activities. Rick is also persuading Popuri to leave Kai and find another bachelor. Even with the village against them, they do their best to make things work. But time wears their bond thin, and Kai questions their relationship.

One evening, Kai and Popuri meet up at their usual spot. But rather than charming words, and fancy love letters, Kai tells her something that will make her very sad.

"You're breaking up with me?" asked Popuri. "But why?"

"I'm sorry. . . ," answered Kai. "Things are not working out between us. I can't keep coming back to this village if it's people don't want me here. So I am not coming back, and that means that we won't be able to see each other anymore."

"Then I'll go with you!" cried Popuri. "That way, we can be together all year round! We can run your business together and-"

Kai shakes his head no and says, "You can't come with me. You have your own dreams and goals. If you come with me, you'll never be able to fulfill them. I want you to stay here with your family and forge your own path."

Popuri then begins to sob and weep. Kai wipes away the tears on her face and continues, "I still want you to know that I still love you. And as long as I live, I'll always love you. My feelings for you will never change. So. . . This is farewell."

From there, Kai gives Popuri one last kiss and then leaves Mineral Town. Popuri runs home, and cries for the rest of the night. The one she loves has left, vowing to never to return again. Not even with a clue of where he's going so she can follow him. She doesn't leave her room for about a week. But even after she comes out, she knows things will not be the same. 

Time pass. Fall and Winter go by in the blink of an eye, and Spring comes once again. The New Years Festival is in full motion; everyone sings and dances to celebrate. The older folk are in the bar drinking away the old memories of the previous year. The only one who is not in the mood to celebrate is Popuri.

To be continued.

[Butterscotch]

Poor Popuri. Poor Kai too

I noticed a slight...not exactly an error, but something strangely worded. Do you want to know or not?

[Juxapose]

Please. Never be afraid to tell me what I am doing wrong.

[Butterscotch]

Okay this is phrased a little awkwardly:

One day, Popuri's father leaves home to find some medicine for his ill wife. His son takes over the business, and he is never heard from again.

It makes it seem as if Rick has disappeared. I would suggest rephrasing it to something like this.

One day, Popuri's father leaves home to find some medicine for his ill wife. He is never heard from again and his son takes over the business.

[Juxapose]

I have noticed that too, but I could not find a way to rephrase it to be more clear. Thanks for the advice.

[Juxapose]

Chapter 2

In Spring, the villagers of Mineral Town hold a special festival made for couples. This festival is known as the Goddess Festival. On this day, young men escort a date to the village square, and the women dance for their escorts. Like many years past, Popuri's brother Rick takes a young girl named Karen. Popuri is escorted by a young man who runs a farm near her house. Her heart is still wounded from the breakup, but she still attends out of tradition.

The festival is held without incident. All the men arrive with their dates, and the women dance their best. Everyone enjoys their day and the festival ends before anyone realizes it. Popuri wants to go home, but her escort wants to go somewhere before the day is over. She turns him down; kindly explaining that she did enjoy herself, but she is not ready to do any dating just yet.

The young farmer understands Popuri's reason and brings her home. They have an interesting conversation about animals on the way, especially about chickens. But their conversation is cut short as soon as they get to her house. Rick and Karen have arrived at the Chicken Ranch before Popuri does. They were having a conversation of their own before Rick pulls out a Blue feather and presents it to Karen. In Mineral Town, this is an old tradition to propose marriage. She accepts, and they embrace each other tenderly. 

Popuri becomes very upset and runs off into the distance. She finds it unfair that Rick has gets to be with the one he loves, but Popuri is not allowed. Feelings of envy and hatred towards her brother fill her soul, and she needs to run as far away as she can before she explodes. 

She collapses as soon as she can run no more. She looks around and finds herself in the beach of Mineral Town. She tries to catch her breath, but she begins to cry as soon as she takes a glance at Kai's empty booth. She slams her fist into the sand over and over until her knuckles turn red. For a moment, she wants to just throw herself into the ocean and end her misery. 

"All aboard!" Greg the fisherman yells from the dock. Popuri immediately stops crying, and looks over at Greg's boat being filled with passengers. At that point, she gets an idea. She will run away from home and start a new life somewhere. She doesn't know where the boat is heading, but at that point she doesn't care. She just want to go away, somewhere, anywhere.

She pats off the sand off her dress, and act as natural as she can. After paying her fare, she boards the boat without a plan. Greg does find it strange that Popuri is getting into his boat, but that was none of his business. He boards his boat, and drift off into the ocean. 

The boat doesn't go very far before docking. But it's at least far enough for Popuri to breathe and think freely without being smothered by memories or troubles. But she has a new problem, where is she? All she knows that she is in a small valley with a few houses scattered all around. The settlement is small, too small to even call a village. She does find a farm and ranch out in the distance. By the size of the area, she can tell that seven or less families live there. 

The boat leaves, and Popuri is now stuck on the valley. Nothing to do, and nowhere to go, Popuri just stays at the dock looking into the ocean. It is now evening, and the valley is dark. Only the lights of the stars can be seen. Even though she feels relieved, she is also lost. She is standing in a place she has never been to before, she spent her last few cents on the trip there, and she has no plan on what to do from there. She doesn't want to go home either. She just stands at the dock, and stare into the ocean.

As she looks into the deep blue, she wishes that she can grow wings and fly away. That way, she can drift through the sky, and find the man she fell in love with. But at the same time, she doesn't want to do that either. Even though she loves him, Popuri also feels abandoned and betrayed. He could have taken her with him, but he chose not to.

Late that night, Popuri doesn't budge from her spot. All she does is let the cool spring air blow through her long pink hair. Her long black skirt dances in the wind as well. This catches the attention of an old man who was taking an evening stroll through the valley. It is dark, but who can't notice the sight of bright pink hair billowing in the distance. Curious to see what's going on, he finds himself walking towards Popuri. Quietly of course, he doesn't want to scare her. 

The old man stands next to Popuri, but she still doesn't notice him. Her mind is too far into the clouds to care about what is going on around her. After a few minutes, the old man dares to speak to her, "cold evening, don'cha think?"

Popuri jumps at the shock of hearing the voice of a stranger. She looks to her left, and finds an old man standing near her. Popuri is normally terrified of strangers, but she finds this old man to be rather harmless. He appears to be in his sixties, messy black hair with plenty of grey strands, oversized eyebrows, and a slight hunch showing back problems. His white sleeveless shirt, blue pants and work boots tell that he is or was a farmer.

"A little," Popuri dared to answer.

"So what brings you to these parts? Mighty rare to be seeing strangers here," asked the old man.

At first Popuri hesitates to answer. But there is an old gentleman who is willing to listen, and she has so much on her mind. "Life is just not fair. . ."

"How so?"

Popuri sighs and begins her story, "my dad won't let me work on the family business because I'm a girl. He taught everything he knew to my brother. He then left home, and never came back. After that, my brother thinks he can just control my life. He wants to decide what I do, and who can I love. I just want to help with, but he just keeps yelling at me. When I fell in love, he chased my boyfriend away. I hate him so much!"

"I see. . . Sounds like a real problem." The old man remains silent for a moment before asking, "by the way, what sort of business does your family own?"

"A chicken ranch."

"A chicken ranch you say?" the old man asks while raising an eyebrow. 

Popuri nods and continues, "girls are not allowed to work in farms or ranches. We are only meant to be little house wives who cook and clean for the men. Sometimes I wish I was born a boy. . ."

The old man takes a moment to take in Popuri's words. Then he looks at her and says, "It's getting pretty late. Why don't I find you some place to rest. I want to show you something in the morning."

Popuri is shocked to hear the old man's offer. She wants to object, but she finds herself with little choice. Where else is she going to go? Where will she stay until she finds out what she's going to do? It is past midnight, and Popuri is very tired. She bravely nods, and follows the old man into the valley.

The old man takes her to an Inn that is close to the ranch. A surprisingly large inn for such a small settlement. The both walk in, and the old man calls out, "Ruby, are you in?"

A heavyset yet mildly attractive older woman walks down the steps to find her two guests. "Takakura! It's so late! What are you still doing up?"

"I need a favor. This young woman needs a place to stay the night. Think you can do an old friend a favor?"

"Of course I can!" Ruby then walks up to Popuri and bows gracefully. "My name is Ruby, me and my family run this inn. What is your name?"

"I'm Popuri from Mineral Town. It's nice to meet you."

"I see, let me take you to your room."

Ruby takes Popuri upstairs to an empty room. Takakura returns home, leaving Popuri in Ruby's care. Popuri sits on the guest bed, surprised at how the events played out. She ran away from home, met an older gentleman named Takakura, and now she is staying at a fancy Japanese style inn on a valley she never knew existed. As she lays on the bed, she realizes that she never thanked Takakura for listening to her, or helping her out. Instead, she quickly falls asleep.

To be continued.

[Butterscotch]

I always liked the friendship that Popuri and Takakura had in HM:DS.

[Juxapose]

Me too! The Harvest Moon: DS game doesn't give any explanation as to how Popuri and Takakura meets. In my crazy mind, I imagine something like this happened between games.

[Juxapose]

Chapter 3

Popuri wakes up the next morning feeling refreshed. She hears a rap at the door, and she finds a small basket of bath supplies outside her room. Taking advantage of the small gift, Popuri takes a refreshing bath. This experience is new to Popuri; never had she spent the night anywhere outside her home, let alone outside her village.

After getting fully dressed, she walks down the stairs into the lobby. She finds Ruby and her family tending to some customers. She also finds a telephone, which she uses to call her family back in Mineral Town. She did run away suddenly without telling anyone, so she knows that her mother must be worried.

Her brother Rick answers the phone, and immediately screams uncontrollably as soon as he hears Popuri's voice. He goes on and on about how she made her mother cry with worry because she never came home the night before. She wants to talk back by mentioning the proposal and how she felt about it, but she decides to wait. Talking about it now could just start a six hour phone argument, which is one thing that Popuri would like to avoid.

After allowing Rick to blow off some steam, Popuri apologizes, and promises to come back home as soon as she can. A promise she is not willing to keep. After she hangs up, Takakura walks into the inn, and finds Popuri sighing by the phone. He walks up to her and asks, "are you ready?"

Popuri looks at Takakura with a puzzled look and asks, "ready? Where are we going?"

Takakura smiles and says, "I want to show you something. I really think you should meet a good friend of mine.

Popuri becomes nervous. She has only met this old man just the night before, now he is going to introduce her to other strangers. But even with her fear of strangers, Popuri feels only kindness coming from him. If he wanted to harm her, he would have done it last night. So she nods, and follows Takakura out of the inn. 

On the way to their destination, Popuri remembers something important. She stops and says, "um, I don't think we've introduced ourselves yet."

"You're right!" says Takakura. He then bows gently, "my name is Takakura, welcome to Forget-Me-Not Valley!"

Popuri bows in return and answers, "My name is Popuri from Mineral Town. Thank you for your help yesterday." There is a moment of silence before she continues, "umm. . . Where are you taking me?"

Takakura turns around and points at a nearby ranch, "something you said bothered me last night. So we are going there. Instead of me explaining all the boring details, I want you to see it for yourself."

"But it's a ranch. I live next to one back at Mineral Town."

"Just wait and see." Takakura then continues toward the ranch, Popuri curiously follows him.

Inside the ranch, Popuri is marveled at the sheer size and beauty of the ranch. Much of the ranch is a fenced pasture with cows and sheep grazing at the healthy grass. A chicken coop and a yard is also in the ranch. The rest of the land is tilled for farm work making the property a ranch/farm hybrid. 

Popuri looks at Takakura and asks, "is this your ranch?"

"No, well not anymore at least. Me and my partner ran this place many years ago, but he passed away and I am too old to work. Now this ranch is run by my partner's kid."

"I bet it was his son," snaps Popuri.

just then, the ranch house opens and a young woman no older than Popuri herself walks out. She is a brunette haired girl with a ponytail who is dressed opposite of Popuri. Instead of a frilly long dress, this girl wears a white and orange shirt, jeans, brown work shoes, work gloves and a rucksack.

"Jill! Come over here!" calls Takakura.

Jill sees Takakura and rushes to him, giving him a big warm hug. "Uncle Taka! You came to visit!" She then notices Popuri standing nearby and asks, "Who is she? A new girlfriend? Isn't she a bit to young for an old timer like you?"

Takakura laughs and rubs Jill's head roughly, "take it easy there, this is a new friend of mine. Introduce yourself already."

Jill bounces over to Popuri, "hi there! My name is Jill, what you're name?"

Popuri nervously answers, "I'm Popuri, I'm from Mineral Town."

"Wow, that's such a cute name!" She then shakes Popuri's hand. Her powerful grip impresses Popuri. "Welcome to my ranch!"

Popuri nearly faints from shock, "Your ranch? You mean you run this ranch by yourself?"

"Yup! My old man left it to me. Been caring for it ever since then."

Takakura then begins to walk towards the house and says, "Come on you two, we have a lot to talk about."

Inside the house, Popuri is treated with buttermilk biscuits made from ingredients fresh from the ranch. She is impressed at how feminine Jill keeps her home; decorated with lots of pink colors, and frilly textiles. Seeing that Jill can keep a ranch, which is something she always believed to be a boy's job, and keep being a normal girl makes her feel intimidated. But at the same time, Inspired as well. 

As everyone is sitting at the table, Takakura announces, "Guess what Jill, Popuri tell me that she is interested in being a Chicken Rancher."

"Really? That's so cool!" answered Jill. 

Popuri tilts her head down a bit and blushes. "I don't know if I can. . . My family won't let me work on our ranch. Every time I try to help, things get messy. I tried to take care of a chicken, and it got attacked by a stray dog. I was so upset."

"Your family won't let you? That really sucks!" snapped Jill.

"Yeah. . . Where I live, boys do all the work, and girls just stay home and cook."

Jill slams on the table and yells, "that's unacceptable! Girls can work just as good as boys can! We can even do it better sometimes!"

Takakura interrupts, "it seems like in Mineral Town, they still practice older traditions and customs. Nothing wrong with that, but some of them need to change. This is an age where equality exists after all."

"Yeah, I wish Mineral Town would get the message already," whined Popuri.

Seeing that Popuri has seen enough, Takakura feels that it's time to take his leave. "Well Jill, it's time that we got going already. I'm sure them cattle won't wait for you forever!"

Jill nods, "cool! Thanks for visiting uncle Taka." The then turns to Popuri and continues, "it was great meeting you Popuri. I hope you can come and visit sometime."

Popuri nods cheerfully. After everyone says their goodbyes, Takakura and Popuri leave the ranch, and Jill rushes off to work. As Takakura leads Popuri, he asks, "well, how did you like Jill?"

"I really like her. She's so strong and independent! I wish I could be like her!"

"You can be if you want."

Popuri sighs and says, "Not really. . . Even if this valley is more free than back at home, I still can't work with ranches at Mineral Town. I really want to run away and find a ranch of my own. But if I did that, my mother would be so sad and lonely. I feel so trapped. . ."

Takakura places his hand on his chin. It takes a moment, but he comes up with a plan. "Lets make a deal. I want you to go back home right now, and reunite with your family."

"But I-"

Takakura interrupts, "but in exchange, I'll train you myself every Monday right here in the valley on ranching. I'll even arrange something with Greg so you won't have to pay for the trip here and back. Do we have a deal?"

Popuri beams with excitement, "really? You'd do that for me!?"

Takakura nods and smiles at Popuri. Overwhelmed with joy, Popuri gives Takakura a big hug. After making the proper arrangements, Popuri boards a boat heading back to Mineral Town. They both wave goodbye as the boat departs, vowing to see each other the coming Monday. Now Popuri must prepare her next challenge, apologizing to her mother.

Back at home, Popuri receives an earful from her mother and brother. She does her best to explain that she only ran away because she was upset at Rick, but nothing is getting through. She can only allow them to vent their frustrations before they can listen to reason.

"Don't ever do that again! Do you have any idea how worried you made mom? She's friggen ill for crying out loud!"

Popuri sighs nearly rolling her eyes, "fine, I'm sorry. You'd think at twenty years old, I should have the freedom to go where I want."

"That's not the point! And you shouldn't apologize to me, apologize to mom!"

Popuri nods, and faces her mother with shame and guilt, "mommy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry. I was just mad at Rick, and I ran away. Please forgive me."

Lillia, her mother, embraces her tightly. Trembling and sobbing, she says, I thought I was going to lose my baby. I know your brother is hard on you, but don't run away ever again. We're a family, and we should talk to each other."

"I won't run away again. I promise mommy, so don't worry."

After a while, everyone takes a moment to calm down. Even though her her mother is equally upset, Rick did all the yelling. After everything is said and done, Popuri is back home. But she still needs to break the news to her mother about what she plans to do.

"Mommy, I'm going to go to Forget-Me-Not Valley every Monday starting next week."

Lillia looks at Popuri seriously and answers, "You plan to go to another town regularly without my permission?"

"But Mom! I'm old enough to go out if I want!"

"Remember Popuri, as long as you live in my house, you will follow my rules. That goes for your brother too."

Popuri understands her mother's demands. She then tilts her head down innocently, "Mommy, can I go to Forget-Me-Not Valley every Monday? Please?"

Lillia sighs and asks, "why do you want to go there every week?"

"I met a really good friend there, and I think I can benefit from going to the valley every now and then. Please. . . Can I?"

Lillia knows that Popuri is hiding something. But she does recognize that Popuri is a grown woman, and she can take care of herself. She decides to allow it under one condition, "as long as you promise to never run away from home again, you can go."

Popuri glows with happiness, and begins to jump for joy. While she is distracted, Rick walks up to his mother and quietly asks, "are you sure it's a good idea to let her go out there all by herself?"

Lillia whispers back, "I know the valley well. The people there are kind and gentle. I won't have to worry as long as she goes someplace I am familiar with. And besides, I am good friends with Vesta. If something happens, she'll let me know."

To be continued.

[Butterscotch]

I wasn't expecting Jill to be running the ranch!

[BorderWolf]

I wasn't either, but I like it. I even like how she calls her father's friend as Uncle.

[Juxapose]

Chapter 4


    Ever since her mother's consent, Popuri visits Forget-Me-Not valley every week for her lesson with Takakura. He may be old, but Takakura has more knowledge, skill, and  experience than anyone Popuri knows.

    The first lesson Takakura covers in the chicken and rooster biology. Knowing and understanding the difference between a chicken and a hen is crucial for Popuri's career. Knowing a rooster's role, and why it crows in the morning is also an important lesson. Learning about these topics helps Popuri understand why she was not doing so well at her family's business.

    Popuri is impressed at how much she has learned with only one lesson. She takes down notes so she can study at home. Takakura understands Popuri's unique situation, so he explains everything in a way that she can understand easily. This makes Popuri confident that she can be the chicken rancher her family needs. But Takakura warns her that she still has a lot to learn about the world of poultry. 

    Popuri's second lesson involves bird psychology. Chickens, hens, ducks, and roosters are very intelligent creatures. Takakura teaches that birds can be almost as intelligent as dogs. Bonding with them can be similar in a way. Chickens love to be picked up, but never while sleeping or sitting on their eggs. Chickens need to be picked up carefully, since bird bones are not as dense as other animals.  

    With this knowledge, Popuri tries to pick up and bond with the birds in her family's ranch. It isn't easy at first, the birds at the ranch care and trust Rick, but not Popuri so much. Popuri tries her best to bond with the birds by feeding them, but they are usually full after Rick's daily feeding.

    As sad as it makes Popuri feel, she doesn't give up and continues her lessons. The next lesson explain the proper use of the incubator machine. using the ones in Jill's ranch, Takakura explains that the incubator is used to hatch eggs to make chicks. Jill is happy to demonstrate how it works. Popuri takes detailed notes in case she needs to use one in the future. 

    The following week, Takakura explains the proper care and maintenance of the nest used by the birds. Using this knowledge, she takes the initiative to help around her family's ranch. She remembers that Rick's least favorite chore is cleaning the nests. So every morning while she is at home, Popuri wakes up earlier than rick so she can rush over to the coop, and clean the nests while the birds are digging for worms.

    Rick wants to say something to Popuri, but he finds that the nests are well cleaned. It becomes something he no longer has to do, as long as the chickens are happy. So he ignores it and allows Popuri to do as she pleases. He does take the extra time to spend with his fiance Karen.

    Popuri continues to help out day by day. One morning as she is cleaning out a nest, she finds that one of her favorite birds has laid four fertilized eggs. Normally, she would leave eggs alone, and allow Rick to ship them for a profit. But looking into her notebook, and then looking at the incubator, she hatches another plan for them.

    Popuri steals the eggs, and plants them in an unused incubator to hatch. Rick does notice the empty nest, and the occupied incubator he doesn't remember filling. He has no idea that Popuri knows how to operate an incubator now. So he just shrugs it off as if he filled it himself and forgot all about it. After all, with all the wedding plans, his mind is very busy with more important things.

    Popuri spends her days watching the incubator day by day. After cleaning the nests, she rushes over to the incubator and spends hours watching the eggs she placed. Day after day, nothing happens. she checks the settings to make sure the temperature and pressure are perfect for hatching eggs. Takakura warns that it takes time for eggs to hatch, so she must be patient.

    The next Sunday, Rick and Karen get married at the Mineral Town church. Popuri decides to attend the wedding, despite her feelings about her brother getting married. She does get along well with Karen, but she doesn't tell her about lessons in Forget-Me-Not Valley. Popuri trusts Karen, but her tongue may accidentally slip to her new husband. One thing Popuri would like to avoid.

    After the wedding, Popuri decides to check on her eggs. She gasps happily when she notices that one of them have started to shake and move. The other eggs follow soon after. She smiles brightly as soon as the first egg's shell begins to break and a tiny beak sticks out. Her heart melts as the chicks break out of their shells one by one. They peep sharply, confused and getting used to the world that they have been brought into.

    Remembering what Takakura has taught her about newborn chicks, she rushes them into an empty nest.  She then runs to the pier to buy some worms and uses them to make some chick food. Carefully, she feed her little babies one by one. In just a moment's time, she has found herself with a lot of responsibility.

    Rick does notice Popuri care for the chicks, but he does nothing about it. As long as Popuri is caring for the new chicks, he can work peacefully. Popuri does get very overprotective of her chicks, not allowing Rick to work on them. Rick mentions his concerns to his mother, but Lillia doesn't mind Popuri helping out as long as she doesn't hurt any birds. 

    Even though Lillia allows Popuri to work on the chicks, she still decides to watch Popuri. From inside her house, Lillia stares at Popuri bonding with the four chicks. In the morning, Popuri bursts out of the coop, and the chicks follow her out. The chicks believe that Popuri is their mother, and they rely on her to teach them how to be chickens. Popuri has a lot of fun pretending to be a mother chicken, and teaching the four chicks to be chickens.

    Lillia is pleased that her only daughter is happy. But she can only wonder how long that happiness will last. Popuri learned a lot from Takakura about how to care for poultry, but she is not yet aware of what her family's ranch does to newer birds.

    Popuri names her chicks after the four seasons. The first hatched is Spring, and is the leader of the four sisters. The largest chick is named Summer, and is the most active of the bunch. The most attractive chick is named Autumn, which represents the beauty of Fall. And the laziest chick is named Winter who has a very laid back personality.

    On the first day of Summer, Popuri checks out the overall health of her chicks. She finds that Spring has already started molting, and white feathers are beginning to sprout. Her chicks are starting to mature, and they will become strong and healthy chickens in only a few more weeks.

    Week after week, Lillia watches her daughter care for her four feathery children. She is happy that Popuri is happy, but she has yet to tell her about the ranches little secret. But once she notices that the chicks have matured into chickens, she finds herself without a choice but to tell her. After all, Popuri has grown attached to them.

    One Summer morning while Rick is busy with the other chickens and hens, Lillia calls her daughter into the house so they can have a serious talk. As much as it will hurt Popuri, she must tell her.

    "What!? You have to sell my chickens!?" cried Popuri.

    Lillia sighs, "I'm sorry sweety, but we don't have a choice."

    Popuri's eyes fill with tears and continues, "That's not fair! Why does my chickens have to be sold!? We have plenty of other birds we can sell!!"

    Lillia shakes her head no and explains, "the birds in the coop are only bred to lay eggs. All their chicks have to be sold to pay bills. Eggs don't make enough money for us to live off. We must sell new chickens to make ends meet."

    Popuri gasps at the news. Not once did she consider where the other birds went over time, she was only focused on her own. She nods her head down and pleads, "But. . . Can't my chickens be egg layers too?"

    "Our coop is full, and we can't afford to keep anymore chickens."

    "But. . ." 

    Lillia sighs and says, "remember Popuri. Even though you have been caring for those chickens since they hatched, the truth is that they belong to the ranch not you. Unless you can afford to buy more land and expand our coop, we have to sell them."

    Popuri can no longer argue with her mother anymore. Lillia is right, the ranch is a business not an orphanage for birds. She has always loved the birds, but never questioned where they go when they vanish every now and then. 

    Popuri can no longer hold her grief. She covers her face, and drops to the floor crying. Lillia tries to comfort her, but it was pointless. 

    "Where? . . . Where are they going to end up mom?" Popuri asks sobbing on the floor.

    Lillia cannot lie to Popuri, "most of the birds we sell end up at a slaughterhouse."

    Popuri quickly gets up, and runs off to her room to continue crying. Lillia feels bad for doing what she had to. But this is the main reason she never made her husband teach Popuri about ranching as well. Popuri holds a strong love for birds. Lillia knows that Popuri will not be able to handle the burden of selling chickens. Rick knows and understands that responsibility.

To be continued.

[Butterscotch]

Oh no the poor birds

[Juxapose]

Chapter 5

Ever since Popuri received the news from her mother, she spends the majority of the time locked up in her room. It is hard for her to accept the fact that she has to let her hens go. Rather than spending time with them, Popuri watches them from her bedroom window. She watches them looking around for her. All she can do is pray that they stay in the ranch just long enough to lay eggs of their own. Popuri plans to hatch their eggs and raise the next generation.

As Popuri watches and prays, a young stranger arrives at Mineral Town. An animal dealer who is wearing what most people would call a "black cowboy suit". Black jeans, black button up shirt, and a black cowboy hat. He also wears a brown vest, boots, and tool belt. A cream colored bandanna is tied around his neck, and black gloves completes the look. His hair is bleach white; his eyes are violet. A rare and unique look for someone so young.


The young stranger finds a local resident and asks, "excuse me, I'm looking for the poultry ranch. Can you tell me the way?" The resident nods and gives him directions to Popuri's house.

When he arrives, he knocks on the doors and Lillia answers. Popuri also hears the door, so she comes out of the room to see what is going on. She sees the stranger and her mother talking to each other.

"Can I help you?" asked Lillia.

The stranger tilts his hat and answers, "Good day miss. I hear that you supply the best hens around these parts. I came to purchase some of your finest birds."

"Oh, I see. Welcome to our ranch, I'll be glad to show you what we have."

"NO!!!" bursted Popuri making a scene. "Please don't take my babies! I'm begging you!"

Before she has a chance to say anything else, Rick rushes over and pulls Popuri to the back of the house. Popuri tries her best to struggle and yell, but Rick is able to hide her in time to interrupt her mother.

The stranger is confused, "what just happened?"

Lillia giggles nervously and answers, "nothing, just a little family quarrel. Please follow me to the coop Mr. . . I'm sorry, I didn't get your name. I'm Lillia, and you are?"

"Vaughn, call me Vaughn."

After their introductions, Vaughn is taken to the coop so that he may inspect Popuri's hens. He picks them up, checks their health; he is very impressed at the condition of the birds. "Hmmmm. . . Great health. . . Very happy and friendly. . . Well defined combs and feathers. These are the best kept hens I have ever seen in my life. And I have seen a lot of hens."

"Yes. . . " Lillia says sadly. Vaughns praises are for the hens Popuri herself raised, she begins to second guess her decision. "Those hens were raised with a lot of love and affection."

"I'll take them! You'll see that I pay well for top quality hens. My customer will be very satisfied!"

"I see. . . ," said Lillia sighing. Even though she is rethinking about selling the hens, Lillia has no choice. Bills are coming soon, and the ranch desperately needs the money. She can only hope that Popuri won't be too upset for letting her hens get sold.

Vaughn notices Lillia's sad tone in her voice. "May I ask what's wrong?"

Lillia feels obligated to give an honest explanation, "these hens were raised by my daughter. She got very attached to them, and it hurts me to sell them. I just wish that their lives wouldn't have to be cut so short."

"Cut short?" asked Vaughn. He then tilts his hat one more time and says, "Maam, I have no idea what type of people you normally do business with, but let me assure you that these amazing birds will never end up in anyone's dinner table."

Lillia looks up at Vaughn with hope, "really? Where are they going?"

"I have a friend who runs a farm in Sunny Island. He just built a coop and he asked me to find him some good hens. These birds are gong to be well taken care of, and live a very long time. Trust me!"

Lillia beams with excitement over the news. She can only thank Vaughn for his kindness. She wants to rush home and tell Popuri, but Lillia is a professional. She must finish the business deal before family matters. 

After the hens are paid for, Vaughn cages them and loads them into a truck to be transported. As he loads the last hen, he notices from the corner of his eye that Popuri is watching him from her bedroom window. Tears freely flowing from her eyes as she watches her hens being loaded in a truck in cages. Vaughn tries to comfort her and tilt his hat to her smiling. Popuri just tosses herself on her bed and cries herself sick.

Lillia waves at Vaughn as the truck drives to the dock. Now that business is handled, she can tend to her daughter who she knows is crying in her room. As Lillia walks into Popuri's room, she find her daughter weeping uncontrollably face down on her pillow. She then sits on Popuri's bed, and strokes her long pink hair until she is calm enough to talk. 

"They're gone mom!" cried Popuri. "I wanted them to stay long enough to lay some eggs. I wanted to at least have something to remember them. Now I'll never be able to see them again!"

Lillia smiles and says, "now now sweetie. I know that you're upset, but I promise that they are going to be in a better home now. They will live a long time, and have lots of babies of their own."

Popuri looks up at her mother's smile and asks, "what do you mean?"

"My dear sweet daughter. Your hens are not going to a slaughterhouse. They are going to live in a farm in Sunny Island. Vaughn promised that your hens will be safe there."

It takes a moment for Popuri to absorb the news. In a matter of moments, Popuri smiles and embraces her mother joyfully. "Mommy! Thank you! I'm sorry that I yelled! I'm so happy right now!" Lillia feels proud and caresses her daughter's head as she cried tears of joy. Popuri is still a bit sad. Even if her hens will be safe, she believes that she won't see them ever again. She is still happy that they will live happily at a farm. 

To be continued.

*I know that I made a few mistakes. I'll clean it up as soon as I can.*