The sun was relentless today. She wished she wore lighter colored clothing but nothing was clean and she had not enough time to wash anything more appropriate. All she could do was have less layers while wearing her dark purple and green robes. The green fabric wrapped around her upper torso to cover her chest and parts of her upper arms. The clavicle and midriff showed while the dark purple served as a skirt that settled on her hips. Brown sandals adorned her dainty feet with golden bangles hanging loosely on her ankles matching the ones on her wrist. She would have worn a headdress but with it being too hot, she let the blue, green and purple sheer fabric hang loose around her shoulders leaving her light brown hair exposed and a simple pony tail. Her gray orbs scanned the area surrounding the meeting spot, looking for a sign of him. He promised he'd meet her today to help her run errands and such. She didn't understand why, but he seemed to enjoy such mundane things almost as if he'd never done it before. But, as long as he was willing she would accept the extra hands he provided. Her mind flashed back to when they first met. She was at the market picking up items for dinner. Her mother and father were merchants and were traveling the trade routes so it was only her for now. She picked up a few vegetables and fruits as well as a few pieces of chicken and a few pounds of rice. She spied some sweet cakes and thought those would make a fine dessert. She approached the stall.

"Hello, I'd like a piece of that chocolate cake."

"And I as well," said a male voice next to her.

She looked to see a tall man standing next to her in a simple green and blue tunic and red harem pants. He had a red turban on his head but she could see tufts of brown hair underneath it. Two things stood out to her; his bright green eyes and gentle smile. For whatever reason, butterflies were suddenly released inside her stomach. Those same butterflies were released inside his stomach as well, but neither of them knew. They stared at each other, not saying a word.

"I am sorry, but I only have one piece left," interrupted the shop keeper tearing their gazes to him. The two turned to each other.

"You take it," they both said.

"Please, I insist," she said.

"Oh no, I couldn't," he replied.

Sensing this would keep going forever, she proposed an idea.

"Well, how about we share? I'm cooking dinner for myself and to be honest, I'd rather not eat alone tonight."

Why did I say that, she thought to herself. This man was a stranger who could do harm to her but something about him said otherwise, like she could trust him. The young man smiled.

"As lovely as that sounds, I'm afraid I can't tonight." Her disappointment was clear so he amended. "However, let me purchase this cake for you and promise to join you next time."

She nodded and the kind man paid for the last piece of chocolate cake and presented it to her.

"So, when should I expect you," she asked hopefully while placing her treat in her bag. The young man thought for a moment.

"Meet me by the turrets on the south side of town at about midday tomorrow. You and I will gather supplies and we can enjoy a meal together."

"Alright, I will meet you there."

"May I have your name, my lady?"

"Eimi," she said with a blush.

"Until tomorrow, Eimi."

His gaze lingers on her as he smiled gently and proceeded to walk away. It wasn't till he was almost out of sight when Eimi realized something.

"Wait! What is yours?!"

"Mako! Call me Mako!"

She smiled at the memory of that day. They had been meeting with each other for a few months now. Most of the time they would talk about their lives, their passions and pursuits. Eimi talked of how often her parents were gone and she missed them and wished they would stay home more often. Mako would talk about his family but he kept details vague. He told her of his father and mother and that they held very important positions as well as younger siblings. Fraternal twins named Ren and Ran who were a handful but he loved them dearly. He loved to swim and was an avid cat lover. Eimi enjoyed dancing but never for a crowd. Mako tried to get her to show him but she kept refusing. She also enjoyed sewing. Eimi would make clothes for those who were too poor to buy new ones and would make extra money by doing repairs and alterations. She even made Mako's new favorite vest, a pale green colored one with blue accents. It went well with a white tunic and dark pants. She searched for him, hoping he was on his way. It's been two weeks and a day since she last saw him. Mako had a two week trip planned and they agreed to meet a day after he returned. It was the day after he returned and she hoped he didn't forget.

A few miles north sat the grand palace where the sultan and his family lived. His wife, the sultana, two princes and a princess. The eldest prince and first in line for the throne was named Makoto and the other prince was named Ren and his twin sister, Ran. Makoto was eating his lunch when he realized he had somewhere he needed to be. He quickly finished his meal and hurried to his room. He pulled out a special silver lamp with dolphin etchings and rubbed it until a blue mist began to come out the spout. Within the mist a young man materialized wearing a blue and white stripped turban, yellow vest and black harem pants. He stretched and groaned from stiff muscles and put on an impassive expression.

"You better have a good reason for interrupting my bath," he deadpanned.

"Sorry, Haruka, but today's the day and I need your disguise," said Makoto with a smile. He was going to see her; a girl he hadn't seen in two weeks and a day.

"When are you planning on telling her who you really are," said Haruka with an eye roll.

"I don't know. I like the way she treats me not knowing I'm a prince. Like a normal person. If I told her, I might lose that."

"She's going to figure it out."

"Haru, your magic is supposed to make sure no one does. If it can fool Rei and Nagisa then it can fool everyone. You are an impressive Djin."

Haruka had to admit that, though he wasn't one to brag. He was rather fond of his master even though Makoto asked him not to call him that. A companion seemed to fit better. Makoto received Haru's lamp when Makoto was a child from a family friend. While Haru was ageless and could take any form he chose, he felt he should grow up along side Makoto so he took a child's form when he was first summoned. They had been friends since then. Normally, his kind was supposed to grant three wishes and then move onto the next person but he was a rare breed that stuck with one person for however long that person lived until they were bestowed upon a new companion. He wasn't one to play favorites but, Makoto was his favorite.

"Well, can't argue with that," said Haru with a rare smile.

Haru waved his hand and Makoto's regal clothes were changed into something more simpler. A white tunic with a red vest and brown pants with a blue turban.

"Thanks again Haru," smiled Makoto.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm going back to my bath and do not disturb me unless it's an emergency," said Haru as he went back into his lamp.

Makoto just smiled and shook his head. Meanwhile by the east palace walls, two guards were at their posts. One was a young blond haired looking rather bored and beside him was a black haired young man with red glasses.

"I'm soooooo boooooooored!"

"Then why did you want to be a guard then," said the exasperated spectacled young man.

"I expected us to help fight enemies! Protect the royal family! Conquer new lands!"

"Nagisa, that's what the elite guards do. We're just low leveled sentries."

"Come on, Rei! Where's your sense of adventure?!"

"Hey guys!"

The two guards turned toward the voice. It was Makoto in disguise.

"Oh, hi Mako," beamed Nagisa.

"You've returned from your family trip," asked Rei.

"Yeah, I'm glad the palace let me off for that time. The Prince was very generous to me."

"So where are you headed to," asked Rei.

"To see Eimi," Mako said with a blush in his cheeks.

"Your destined one," snickered Nagisa.

Mako blushed again.

"We aren't like that," he sighed.

"But you do want it to be right," smirked Nagisa.

"Nagisa, stop teasing Mako," chided Rei.

"Sorry guys, but I better hurry I'm already late."

Mako ran off waving to his friends.

Meanwhile, Eimi was standing under some shade to get relief from the sun while waiting for Mako to arrive. Her ears then picked up some music being played not too far from where she was. It was a lovely tune and she closed her eyes and focused her ears to listen. She wasn't sure when, but she felt the need to move with the music. Eimi began to sway her hips and twirl. Wave her arms into the air and kick her feet up. She leapt and clapped and hummed along. It wasn't until she opened her eyes to see a familiar pair of green eyes staring at her in awe. Her dancing immediately halted and she turned away out of embarrassment.

"Eimi, that was amazing! I've never seen anyone dance like you! It was beautiful!"

He rushed to her as he gushed his praises.

"Please, Mako, stop embarrassing me," Eimi whined.

Mako just laughed at his friend's behavior. When his laughter died down, he looked at her with a sincere smile which caused Eimi to smile back.

"I missed you," they both said and both turned red.

"How was the trip," Eimi asked.

His trip consisted of him traveling to another kingdom to negotiate trade relations as well as reinforcing allied relations. Makoto was told an ambassador would arrive a few short days after the summit.

"Boring, but necessary," he huffed. "Would have been nice to have had a friend with me."

"Really? What other friends could you possible have," Eimi asked sarcastically.

"Oh I have plenty of friends I assure you, but their company can't compare to one in particular."

"Oh, and who might that be?"

"I am speaking to her," he said sweetly while kissing her hand. He then pulled her in for a hug. "I really did miss you, Eimi. I thought of you everyday and night."

Even though she was blushing, Eimi returned the hug.

"I did as well, Mako. I'm glad you've come back safely."

Makoto was also blushing. He knew he cared for Eimi more than he let on, but his social standing would make things difficult for her and Makoto didn't want to put her through that.

"So, what happened while I was gone," Makoto asked with a smile.

Eimi proceeded to tell Mako about her comings and goings while he was away.

A few miles east of the city, a man in black and red and white robes riding on a camel was making his way to the city. The desert heat was intense and couldn't wait to jump into a cold bath. To his side was a golden lamp with shark etchings all around; within that lamp was not one but two Djin's, a brother and sister duo. The brother, named Rin was teaching the ways of the Djin to Gou, or Koh as she was always trying to correct to. It was unusual for Djin's to have siblings but not impossible. Gou was approaching the age of being a Djin for her own master and it was up to Rin to make sure she knew what to do. Her lamp would be created when her first companion was chosen. The man began to rub the lamp with his index finger and a red mist began to flow from the lamp. Gou materialized wearing a red bikini top and black harem pants adorned with golden jewelry and a black shear head wrap over her red haired pony tail.

"Hello Sousuke! What can I do for you?"

"Think you can do something about this heat," Sousuke asked.

"Sorry, we don't have that much power of the natural elements but I can do this."

Gou snapped her fingers and out of thin air, a black parasol appeared to provide shade.

"That helps, thank you Koh."

She smiled at the use of her preferred name.

"Was there anything else," she asked.

"Not right now. You can go back and relax. We're almost to the city."

"Very well then."

Gou returned to the lamp. No one except for Djin's knows what's inside their lamps. For most, it's like the inside of an opulent palace with comforts that most humans would dream of. At times, a Djin would wait years until they could be summoned, so the inside of the lamp has to be comfortable. The inside of this lamp was a reflection of what Rin liked. Gou can make her lamp look like her own, this one was his. He hated that he had to share it with his sister, but powers that be demanded it and he was not about to disobey. He was relaxing on some cushions when he sister appeared before him.

"What did he want," he asked. He sported red harem pants and a black vest with a white turban on top of his shaggy red hair. He also wore gold jewelry but it was tasteful for male fashion.

"Just some relief from the heat. It is hot out there; I don't see how humans can stand it."

"Well, lucky for us we have a nice cool lamp," Rin smirked.

"He also said we are approaching the city. If I remember correctly, that's where Prince Makoto lives. We can see Haru again!"

Gou got starry eyed while thinking of the stoic Djin. The three of them had been friends for a long time but Gou developed a crush and she wasn't shy about it. Much to Rin and Haru's dismay.

"Gou, wipe that lovesick grin off your face. It's annoying."

"Oh hush! Can't I be excited to see my beloved?!"

"You do know that it's one-sided right? I'm pretty sure he doesn't feel the same way."

"Who cares?! I'm going to make sure he realizes we are destined for each other! Mark my words," she cried with determination.

"Oh, joy," sighed Rin, bracing himself for the nauseating experience.

This is my first fanfic for Free! and I love the anime! I love the English dub and Makoto is instantly my favorite! Now, I'm going out of town this week so the next part will come after that and please let me know what you think and if you like it. It will let me know if I should continue it.