Promises

[Limegreen Queen]

Great job Border!! Just so you know in the 6th paragraph I think it should be well instead of we.

[BorderWolf]

jenna said:

Great job Border!! Just so you know in the 6th paragraph I think it should be well instead of we.

Whoops, thanks for the help. Sometimes when I type these up, I will miss some of the errors.

[BorderWolf]

Here is the next chapter, I hope it doesn't offend you ladies.

Chapter 21

The six year old boy sat by his mother in the bubbling water.

“Mom, why do we have to take a bath here?”

“Because Joe doesn’t have a bathroom in his house.”

“Can’t we go back and use the Inn’s bathroom?”

“No, they don’t have a bathroom either.”

“Can’t we ask one of the other people that live here if we could use their bathroom?”

“No, they don’t have one either.”

“Why don’t they have one?”

“This is a small town, they feel that this hot spring is good enough. Also from what Joe has told me, the carpenter is very sad and doesn’t want to do any work. So he hasn’t added any bathrooms to the houses.”

“Why is he sad?”

“His wife and daughter went up to the top of this hill back in the winter, and a snowstorm happened, and they didn’t make it home in enough time to get to shelter.”

“They died?”

“Yes. So they are trying to get him happy again.”

The sound of the door to the hot spring opening was heard faintly.

“Now Jack, some of the townsfolk are going to be joining us, so don’t be embarrassed that they see you naked, ok?”

“Ok mom.”

A mother and her daughter entered the hot spring. The little girl gave a gasp and covered herself.

“MOM!!! That boy just saw me naked!”

“Sweetie, it’s ok.”

“No it’s not!”

“Sweetie, look at it this way, you saw him naked, so you are even. Besides don’t you think he is cute?”

The little girl reluctantly replied, “Yes.”

The mother looked at Jack, “Young man, do you think my daughter is cute?”

“MOM!!!”

Jack looked at the little girl who glared at him if he didn’t say yes she would beat him up, he answered honestly, “Yes.”

The mother turned to her daughter and said, “Now in my opinion, if a boy and a girl find each other cute and see each other naked, it is ok.”

“But I don’t want to take a bath with a boy!”

“Sweetie, you have taken baths with your father, and he is a boy.”

“Daddy is not a boy, he is a daddy!”

“Sweetie please don’t yell. Now get in and wash your hair, maybe you could even ask that boy to help.”

“But he’ll make fun of my birthmark.”

“I don’t think he will, if you look at his tummy, he has one.”

The little girl lowered her arm covering her chest, and stepped a little closer to Jack. Jack saw the little girl’s birthmark, it looked like the last phase of the Moon.

The little girl grabbed the shampoo bottle and yelled, “Don’t stare at my boobies!” and she threw the bottle at Jack.

WHUMP!!

“Yipe, yipe, yipe!” Hero dashed away from the side of the bed, after being hit by Jack falling out of the bed.

“Ow, oh Hero I’m sorry. I just had another weird dream.”

Hero crept back over to the bed with the look of being in trouble for doing something wrong.

“You didn’t do anything bad.” said Jack, as he scratched Hero’s head.

Hero wagged his tail slightly.

Jack sighed, “Why do I have these weird dreams about her? Why are they always in black and white? And why can’t I remember her name?”

Hero placed a forepaw on Jack’s leg a gave a whine.

“Don’t worry Hero. I’m ok, I just want to remember the name of someone I played with as a kid.”

Jack got up and changed out of the pajamas and into some clean clothes. After watering the new batch of seeds, he was surprised that he wasn’t as tired as he first was when doing the farm work.

*Have I gotten stronger?*

Jack decided that to try out the fishing pole that Zack gave him.

*I’ll try using it on that small bridge at the south side of the farm. There should be fish in that stream.*

As he was fishing he saw Ann walking from the direction of the hot spring.

“Hi Ann!”

“Hi Jack! Are you becoming a lazy farmer?” said Ann with a grin.

“Nope, I’ve watered the new batch of seeds, and I decided that this fishing pole that Zack gave me needs to be tested.”

“So you’ll get the rest of the field clear later?”

“Yeah.”

Ann noticed that Jack had been staring at her.

“What’s wrong Jack?”

“Oh, sorry for staring. It’s just I normally see you with your hair in that ponytail, and the big white bow.”

“My hair is still slightly wet, so when I get home I’m going to use my hairdryer.”

Hero came bounding over, giving a few friendly yips.


Ann kneeled down and placed her bathing kit to the side, “Hi there sweetie, how are you?”

Hero licked Ann’s face a few times.

“I guess you are a sweetie. I’m going to have to wash my face when I get home. Phew, I think that Jack needs to give you a breath mint.”

“Ok Hero, stop bugging the nice lady.”

Ann gathered up her bathing kit and stood up, “Well I need to get back.”

“If you want you can cut across the farm instead of taking the long route.”

“It really is ok?”

“Yes.”

“Thanks Jack.”

“I could even show you what I’ve done so far to the field.”

Ann grinned, “Giving me the special tour?”

“No, just the regular tour to those that have been friendly to me.”

After the brief tour, Ann headed back to the Inn, Jack watched her go.

*I wonder what kind of shampoo she uses.*

[Ember]

The lastest two chapters are brill Border.

[BorderWolf]

Thanks! The six year old Jack is getting a bit bullied by that six year old girl.

[Herfefiny]

awwwwww!!! what a cute chapter!
I love reading about kids. It makes me remember stuffs.... xD

[BorderWolf]

Thanks. I will have Jack have a few more flashback dreams. The first flashback dream was back in chapter 2, which was just before he was leaving with his parents. The lastest dream was just after he had made friends with Joe, but hadn't met the six year old girl. Interesting first meeting they had, don't you think?

[ashley]

#bitch# your story is great!!!!:-)

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 22

Jack set about clearing the rest of the weeds from the field. During a slight break he heard a voice from behind him.

“Why are you getting rid of those cute plants?”

Jack turned around and saw Popuri standing by the fence between their properties. Raising an eyebrow Jack asked, “You find weeds cute?”

“Yeah, they can grow everywhere.”

“Weeds are not that great. You can’t eat them. They can cause damage to brick pathways. They can kill off other plants.”

“You’re just like my brother Rick. He hates weeds. He removes them from the area we use to grow corn for the chicken feed we make.”

“But chickens can’t eat weeds. Also cows, sheep, and horses don’t eat weeds.”

“Humf, I don’t see why Ann, Elli, and Karen like you.”

“What?!?”

“Yeah, they like you. I haven’t talked with Mary yet, but I hope she doesn’t like you. You’re mean!”

After that comment Popuri turned and stormed away heading into town. After working a little more, Jack glanced at his watch. See that it was early in the evening he decided to see if he could get a beer at the Inn. Entering the Inn, he saw that Karen was sitting at the bar talking with Ann. Ann saw Jack and waved at him.

“Hi Jack! How are you?”

Karen turned around, “Hey Jack, I just heard you had a run in with Popuri about weeds.”

Jack came over, “Yeah, I wasn’t mean to her when I stated my opinion on weeds. But she just….”

“Took it the wrong way.” interrupted Karen.

With a look of relief Jack said, “Yes. I don’t know where she gets the idea that I’m mean.”

Ann said, “Well you most likely found out that Popuri acts childish most of the time. Oh, before I forget can I get you something to drink or eat?”

“A beer please, if it isn’t too early to serve them.”

Karen said, “Nope it’s not early. I just arrived myself to have a beer or two. So how about I buy you a beer? If you are not offended if a girl buys you a drink.”

Jack grinned, “No I’m not, but allow me to buy the next round.”

“You’re on Jack. Ann, two beers please.”

“Sure thing be back in a minute.”

Karen glanced at Jack, “Popuri did say that she told you that Ann, Elli and me like you.”

“Yeah, I had a feeling that you do like me. She said that she hope Mary doesn’t like me.”

“Mary does like you a bit, but she is more in love with Gray.”

“I noticed that when I was writing note on the spring crops. Gray came in and he just kept looking at me.”

“How was he looking at you?”

“He held a book up at an angle and pretended to read it by keeping his face to the book, and glancing up with his eyes.”

“So how do you feel about Mary?”

“Well I think of her as a friend. I have the feeling that Gray likes Mary.”

“He does like her.”

“Well I don’t want to steal her from him.”

Ann placed the beers in front of Karen and Jack, “What are you two talking about?”

“We first talked about Popuri’s tantrum of her saying you, Elli and me liking Jack. Then about Gray getting jealous about Jack being in the library getting help from Mary on crops.”

“Oh, ok. When did you ask for Mary’s help?”

“Back on the third.”

Ann and Karen exchanged glances. Now they knew why Gray told Mary that he liked her.

Karen picked up her beer, “Cheers Jack.”

Jack picked up his beer, “Cheers Karen.”

After clinking glasses, they took a sip.

Karen thought to herself, *So that is why Gray confessed his feelings to Mary. He thinks that Jack is going to steal Mary from him. But Jack just sees her as a friend and not as a love interest. With the way Popuri is acting, it looks like he is not interested in her. So that leaves Ann, Elli and me to have a chance to be Jack’s girlfriend.*

Ann grabbed a rag and started to clean part of the bar, “So Jack, you’ve been here for nearly half of spring. Have you started to like living here?”

“Aside from having two people hate me, and one just mad at me since I don’t like weeds, yes I like living here.”

Karen nodded, “I guess one of the two that hates you is Anna. But if you are saying that my uncle is the other that hates you. Well you’re wrong, I think he is just mad at you for making him pay his bill. Now as for Popuri being mad at you, well she is a bit weird, so don’t take it too hard.”

“I won’t.”

“Good, she can be childish at times. She still goes around on the Pumpkin Festival asking for candy. But hopefully she will see that you are nice.”

“Well she should have remembered that I helped her in stopping Pon from running away.”

Ann and Karen said, “Pon tried to make another escape?”

“Yes. So why couldn’t Popuri remember that?”

Karen replied, “Well I think Lillia will remind her.”

Finishing their beers, Jack asked Ann for two more beers. As Ann placed the beers down, Elli entered the Inn.

“Hi Karen, Ann, Jack. Can I have a beer please?”

Karen raised an eyebrow, “You normally don’t come in this early for a beer. What happened?”

“Someone thought that it would be ok to dive off the pier. They hit their head on the bottom, and they were brought to the Clinic. They had to have fifty stitches on their head.”

“Yow, it sounds like you had a bad day.”

As Ann placed the beer in front of Elli, Jack placed the money for the beers that Ann just set down.

Elli said, “Jack you are buying my beer? Thanks.”

“Well Karen bought the first round, I offered to buy the second round, which you are in time for.”

“Did you have a bad day from Popuri’s outburst? She came by the Clinic to say to me, that I’m stupid for liking you. That you hate weeds. Tim and I had a hard time from laughing.”

“No I was a bit stunned when she said that you three like me. She said that she hoped that Mary doesn’t like me.”

Elli glanced at Ann and Karen. Karen nodded and mouthed, “He knows.”

“I….see. So what do you think of that?”

“Well…..” Jack rubbed his chin, “I do like you three girls. You for giving me advice on to take it easy at first when doing farm work. Ann for the free meal, and it was good. Karen for the bag of grass seeds, which I did plant today.”

“That’s great Jack!”

“Yes, I might need to buy a few more bags.”

Karen grinned, “You can buy a few more, but don’t expect a discount just because you’re charming.”

Ann and Elli giggled.

After Elli took a sip of her beer she asked, “What do you think of Mary?”

“Like I told Karen, I just think of her a friend. From the way that Gray was reacting when I was writing notes on the spring crops, I think he was thinking that I was going to steal his girlfriend.”

“So you have no love interest in Mary?”

“No, even if I’m a guy, I can sense that Mary is in love with Gray, and that he loves her.”

The girls grinned slightly.

“What about Popuri?”

“She seems a little young. Is she the same age as you three?”

“No she is two years younger then me.” replied Karen.

“I’m the same age as Karen.” said Elli.

“I’m the same age as well.” added Ann.

“And is Mary the same age?”

“Yes.”

Elli asked, “Jack why are you asking this?”

“I think that when I was here when I was six years old, I might have played with one or all four of you, but maybe just you three. I would have remembered Popuri because of her pink hair.”

“Well you’re the same age as us?”

“Yes.”

“Well it would just be Ann, Karen, or me. Mary wasn’t living here when she was six.”

“I see. When I was leaving with my parents back then, after visiting, I made a promise to one of you. But for some reason I can’t remember who it was.”

“What kind of promise?”

“It was that I wouldn’t forget her. When I was arriving here back on the first, I had this dream that I was standing with the girl on a hill. The girl demanded that we pinky swear on the promise.”

The girls laughed.

Jack gave a rueful smile and slumped his shoulders, “Some promise I made.”

Elli leaned to Jack and laid a hand on Jack’s arm, “Well if it was me that you made the promise to. I forgive you for forgetting.”

Ann nodded, “Yeah I forgive you too.”

Karen clapped Jack’s shoulder, “I’ll also join in on the forgiving. Maybe the six year old Karen won’t, but the eighteen year old will, since you are a nice guy.”

Jack smiled, “Thanks girls.”

Elli asked, “May I guess that you thought the little girl was cute?”

“Yes you may, and yes I did. I’m sure that she has grown into a beautiful woman.”

“So do you have dreams about her?”

“Yes, and the odd thing about the dreams, they are in black and white. I don’t know why they are, normally I dream in color.”

“That’s interesting, do you want them to be in color?” asked Elli.

“Yes, that way I can tell the color of the girl’s hair. When you three were younger your hair was a bit lighter in color.”

“Yes, plus my hair was a bit longer.” replied Elli.

“Well if I knew of the color, and the name of which one of you I made the promise to, I want to be able to formally apologize on forgetting you. I want to know for sure, it might seem stupid to do….”

Elli interrupted, “It is not stupid Jack. It is a very sweet thing to do.”

Ann and Karen nodded.

Elli continued, “So when you do remember, which of us you made that promise to, we will repeat the forgiveness we just made.”

Karen nodded, “Yeah, and since it has been twelve years since you have been here, and we had played with a few boys, we might have forgotten which one of us did play with you. You most likely got lost in the faces of childhood friends, who were boys from the mainland, that we thought were cute.”

“I guess I can take that as a compliment.”

Karen grinned wider, “It was meant as one.”

Ann and Elli nodded.

“Thanks girls.”

Finishing his beer, Jack excused himself and left the Inn.

Elli looked at Karen, “Why didn’t you chew Jack out for calling you a girl?”

“He is one of the rare guys that don’t use girl in a bad way. I think he understands how we feel at times.”

With a mischievous grin on her face Elli said, “Maybe a girl let him in on our ‘girl’s playbook’. I only hope if it is the case, that he was kind to her and showed her the ‘boy’s playbook’.”

Ann and Karen laughed.

Ann said, “Maybe we should find that out, and if it is true, we should be asked to be let in on the ‘boy’s playbook’.”

Elli and Karen busted out laughing.

Doug poked his head out of the kitchen, “What are you ladies laughing about?”

Elli answered, “Sorry Doug, but that is ‘trade secret stuff’ between us girls.”

Doug chuckled, “I know, no boys are permitted to know, no matter how cute they are.”

“Right!” said Ann, Elli and Karen.

[Ember]

Brill chapter, Border.

[Akane]

I'll have to admit I could never get through the first chapter. I do find it a little too straightforward.

Maybe it's just me.

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 23

Several days later after doing work in the field, Jack entered Saibara’s shop. He saw Gray in one corner doing work by one of the forges. Saibara was working on a set of knives.

“Hello Jack, how can I help you today?”

“Well I think that this axe needs to be sharpened up.”

Jack handed the axe to Saibara.

“Hmmm, yes it does. I could strengthen it up with some copper. Do you have any? I happen to be out of it at the moment.”

“No, sorry I don’t.”

“I think that there might still be a vein of it up at the mine by the hot spring.”

“Ok, I’ll go up there right now. Can I leave the axe here for now?”

“Sure.”

“Oh, where could I buy a brush, so I can brush my horse?”

"Right here."

“Then I’ll buy it now. Drop it off at home, get some copper, then I’ll be back with it.”

“Alright, you’ll need to hammer the ore out of the rocks.”

After buying the brush and dropping if off at home, Jack grabbed the hammer and arrived at the mine. After some time had past, Jack found some copper ore and what might be silver ore.

Reentering the shop, Jack showed Saibara the other ore he found.

“Yes that is silver. There is a vein of it there, as well as a vein of gold. And farther down there is a vein of mystrile ore.”

The door to the shop opened and Mary walked in.

“Hello Saibara, Gray, Jack.”

“Hello Mary, what brings you to my shop?”

“Well I don’t know if my father has been by to thank you for the work on that tool you made for him.”

“No he hasn’t.”

“Well he does like it, I hope you don’t mind if I say the thank you for him.”

Saibara chuckled, “It’s alright, I had a feeling that he was enjoying the tool.”

“Yeow!” shouted Gray.

“What happened Gray?” asked Saibara.

“N, n, nothing.”

“Did you hurt yourself Gray? Please let me see.” said Mary.

“N, no it’s alright.”

“Don’t be such a baby, let me see it!” Mary said angrily.

Gray was so stunned by Mary’s outburst, that she grabbed his arms and looked at his hands.

“It looks like you got a few blisters from holding that hot iron rod. Please go to the Clinic right now and get some ointment on them. Then take the rest of the day off.”

“Y, y, yeah s, s, sure.”

“Saibara, please let Gray have the rest of the day off, and if possible tomorrow as well?”

“Well tomorrow is the Spring Horse Races. So I would be closed anyway. As for the rest of the day off, since it is you doing the asking, I’ll let him have it off.”

“Thank you. I’ll leave now, good bye.”

Before getting a reply, Mary quickly left. After a few minutes, Saibara spoke.

“I’ll start working on this axe right now. It seems that my grandson is in a daze, so could you take him to the Clinic?”

“Sure.”

Guiding Gray to the door, the two young men left.

Saibara chuckled, “I think Gray is in love. About time a beautiful young lady caught his eye.”

On the way to the Clinic Gray said, “Why are you doing this Jack?”

“I’m doing it because it is the right thing to do.”

“Ha! I find that hard to believe.”

Jack looked over at Gray.

“I mean it Gray. I don’t want Saibara mad at me. For not looking after his grandson. I also don’t want Mary mad at me.”

“Mary?”

“Yeah, she is your girlfriend.”

“M, my girlfriend?”

Jack gave a sigh, “Look Gray, when I was writing the notes on the spring crops, I did see out of the corner of my eye, that you were ‘pretending to read’.”

“Uhhhhh.”

“Look Gray, I did find out from Ann, Elli, and Karen that you and Mary like each other. So I think you consider yourselves a couple.”

“Uhhhhh.”

“So I will not try to steal her from you. Besides, from the way her mother treaded me when I first met her, I think that she doesn’t want me anywhere near her daughter.”

“Well she treats me the same way.”

“Why’s that?”

“Before I came to work for my grandfather, I worked with my father. We lived in a city. For some reason Anna hates guys that are from the city.”

“I see. Well I hope that you can prove to her, that us guys from the city are not all that bad.”

A small smile appeared on Gray’s face, “I think she has very slightly warmed up to me.”

Arriving at the Clinic, the two men entered.

“Hi Jack, Gray. Hey what happened?” asked Elli.

“I, ummm, held a hot iron rod a little to long. I’ve got a few blisters. Mary said I should come here and get some ointment on them.”

“Yes you should. So why are you here Jack?”

“Saibara asked me to bring him here.”

“I see, that is a nice thing to do. Gray go in and talk to Tim, and get patched up.”

Gray nodded and headed to the back of the Clinic.

“Ok, Jack. Tell me what happened. I know that Gray has enough sense to not hold a hot rod for that long.”

“Mary was thanking Saibara for a tool he made for her father. Gray was holding the rod at that time. And must have forgotten it was hot.”

“I see.”

“Gray was in a slight daze when Mary got mad at him for trying to hide the blisters. She even asked Saibara to let Gray have the rest of the day off.”

“How did he take the request?”

“He said that since she was the one asking, he would do it.”

Elli giggled, “So what are you going to do next?”

“Well I think that Gray might need help getting to the Inn. So I’ll help him there.”

“That is very nice of you Jack.” Elli gave Jack a quick kiss on the check, “Consider that a thank you from us girls for being a nice guy.”

“Thanks Elli.”

Gray reentered the front part of the Clinic. His hands were bandaged up.

“I think I’ll see if Doug will serve me a beer, even if it is way to early to serve it.”

“Need help getting to the Inn?”

“No, but come along. I want to buy you a beer, as a way to thank you. As well as a long over due friendlier ‘welcome’.”

“Ok, thanks.”

As Gray and Jack were walking to the Inn Gray said, “I saw the kiss Elli gave you. I think that she is falling in love with you.”

“I know, I think that Ann and Karen are falling in love with me as well. I just wish that I could remember which one of them I made the promise to twelve years ago.”

“You lived here twelve years ago?”

“No I visited here in the summer. My parents wanted me to see the world. So for starters we came here. I made friends with Joe. Then after he let my parents and me stay at his farm, I played with one of the girls a lot. Before I left I made a promise by a pinky swear, that I would not forget her. But the next year we didn’t come back here. So I have ended up forgetting her. So I feel that I have broken the promise. I hope I can remember who she was.”

“If you do remember her, what will you do?”

“If she isn’t seriously dating someone, I would like to date her. Maybe even marry her.”

“Well Ann isn’t, she is sort of interested in Cliff. I think that he likes her. But he tends to mope a lot, since he doesn’t have a job. Elli cares for Tim, but it seems he doesn’t return the feelings. As for Karen, she and Rick have been childhood friends since they were just out of diapers. I think Karen would want the relationship to be more then just friends. Rick for some reason, can’t see the clues she is giving him.”

“It sounds like Cliff, Tim, and Rick are stuck in their own little world, while the real world is knocking on the door, to ask them to come out.”

Gray chuckled, “It sounds like you want them to stay in their little world, but also to come out and notice the beautiful girl near them.”

They arrived at the Inn. Upon entering they saw Doug behind the bar, and Ann was cleaning a nearby table.

“Gray!!! Mary came by and told us what happened. Are you alright?” said Ann as she ran over and hugged him.

“Yeah, my grandfather is letting me have the rest of the day off.”

“But won’t you have to work tomorrow?”

“No, the Spring Horse Races are tomorrow so we would be closed. The day after the races is Thursday, which is our normal closed day. So I will be healed by Friday.”

“I’m glad. She did say that you might want a beer. Even if it is a bit early to serve it, we’ll let it slide.”

“Can Jack have one as well? I’d like to give a more friendlier welcome then the one a gave him back on the second of Spring.”

Doug and Ann laughed. Doug said, “Sure Gray.”

Picking up their beers, Gray raised his glass and said, “Welcome to Mineral Town Jack.”

“Thanks Gray, I hear this is a nice town to live in.”

A grin crept on Gray’s face, “It is.”

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 24

Several days later, Jack walked into Saibara’s shop.

“Ah, welcome Jack. Your axe is ready.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. If you like, I could do the same upgrades on your other tools.”

“Ok, I’ll bring the hammer in. I want to remove the boulders from the field. I’ll see about getting some more copper ore to strengthen it and the other tools.”

“Sound idea. So how much of your field have you cleared?”

“Aside from the scattered tree stumps and boulders, I have half of the field cleared.”

“That’s pretty good. Keep up the great work.”

“I will. Well I want to start getting those tree stumps out of the field.”

“That axe should do the job.”

“Alright, I’ll be by tomorrow with the hammer.”

“Ok.”

Back at his farm, Jack chopped up some of the stumps.

*Now when I get the rest of the stumps and all of the boulders removed, the field will look a lot better.*

Feeling sweaty and bit tired, Jack gathered his bathing kit and headed up to the hot spring. Opening the door he looked in and didn’t see any piles of clothes. Just to make sure he called out.

“Hello? Is there anyone in there?”

When no reply came, he peeked in just to make sure. All he saw was just the bubbling water and rising steam. Stripping down Jack washed himself, then sat back and relaxed.

*This is nice. Somehow this place seems familiar. I think that I bathed here when I was six with my mother. If that dream I had was true of that girl and her mother that joined us. Who was the girl? Why did she have to throw that shampoo bottle at me? After all she did see me naked. Did she feel that she can see boys naked, but boys can’t see her naked? There was something that was different about her. But what was it? I can’t remember.*

Jack looked up through the rising steam. It was late enough in the day that the Moon could be seen.

*Last quarter phase. Why does that remind me of something?*

After soaking for a bit more Jack got out and dried himself off. After getting dressed he went home, then got into bed.

[Ember]

Brill chapters, Border.

[zinovia]

good stuff. where will jack end up?