Parallel Hearts

This story takes place during the events of and after Majora's Mask, when Link returns to Hyrule. The perspectives of each character are given, and the thoughts of that character in italics.

I don't own Zelda, and the characters, scenes and the dialogue are from and inspired from Majora's Mask the game,by Nintendo and the manga by Akira Himekawa.

I'd also like to credit Firebird-X and his great story Ocarina of Time II: Parallel Symphony as a source of inspiration and ideas.

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Zelda:

Turning from her window in the courtyard that looked into her father's throne room, young Zelda sat down alone on the stone steps of the dais, her elbows on her knees and her hands propping up her chin. Clear blue eyes stared unseeingly into the flawless blue sky as the girl's thoughts were far away.

Link...where are you now? Why did you have to leave, with no real explanation? I've been alone before but never felt so lonely. Did I do something to make you leave?

Anju:

Another girl, a bit older and just a parallel universe away was thinking similar thoughts. With a customer just exiting the Stock Pot Inn and her left momentarily alone and free from her work, Anju's heartache came instantly back, the haunted look returning and her eyes starting to mist as her situation once again hit her.

Kafei, where are you? The way the townspeople talk, I am afraid. Did you leave me for someone else? Some say you ran away with Cremia, but I can't believe that. But did you just not want to be with me? I hope at least the child in the green clothes can find you, I just want to know you are alright.

Kafei:

The door slammed in the Curiousity Shop, and Kafei returned to his desk. Sinking down in frustration and looking at his childish hands in front of him, the wave of despair hit him again. Burying his head in his arms in front of him with his eyes tightly closed, Kafei saw the terrifying face of the Masked Child, than the grinning face of the thief as he pranced away with what was left of Kafei's dreams.

How can I go to Anju like this? I have to at least get the wedding mask back before I can see her. But the thief still hasn't come! It's hopeless!

Suddenly, the bell out back in the laundry room rang, denoting the mail had come. Jumping up with hope, Kafei was quick to run for the door. Flinging it open, and entering the gloomy day, he spotted the red cap of Clock Town's dedicated Postman.

Please Anju, please have written me.

Link:

Hiding strategically in the shadows near the Laundry Pool, Link saw the object of his investigation take the letter from the Postman, the letter that Link himself had mailed.

"I gotcha!" he whispered to himself, before ducking into the now unlocked door.

When the strange masked child re-entered the room and locked it behind himself, he started at the sight of the child hero, his face stern, arms crossed and looking generally unimpressed.

"You are the child in green that Anju spoke of, aren't you"? The child questioned, pulling off his mask, and revealing his face.

Link started, as the face under the mask was the exact match of the likeness give to him by Kafei's mother. Red eyes, purple hair and pale complexion, his uncommon appearance confirmed he could be no other.

" She trusts you. I feel I can as well. I am Kafei."

Chiming in from above Link, Tatl was quick to derisively laugh and reply.

"You can't be Kafei! Anju's fiancé is an adult!"

Frowning, Kafei balled his fist and anger radiated in his voice.

" I was cursed by that Masked Child, I am Kafei!"

Link stood surprised at his anger, but said nothing.

" Please….please take this to Anju." Kafei pleaded, pulling a pendant from around his neck and extending it in his hand to Link.

" I must stay here. My wedding mask was stolen and I can't go to Anju without it. Please tell her I will come for her."

Nodding and accepting the keepsake before leaving the room, Link was quick to retreat to his thoughts.

You are just a child! Doesn't that sound familiar. Both of us may have the memories of being an adult, but we are stuck in these bodies. How can I live in Hyrule like this? My fairy left me and I will grow up, so I can't go home to the Forest. Zelda is the Princess! Nobody remembers what I did, what chance do I have with her?

Unconsciously balling his fists and a frown creasing his young features, Link came within view of the Inn.

But maybe I can give someone else some relief. I can return this pendant to Anju, and maybe something good will happen for them.

Anju:

Raising her head as the door opened to admit Link, Anju took a quick breath and tried to stifle her anticipation and fear.

" Did you see him? Is he alright?"

The words stumbling out, she knew she was failing at it. But Link had something to say.

"Kafei wanted you to have this. He said he wanted you to wait for him."

With her hand shaking, Anju reached out to accept the pendant from him, and her eyes widened.

"Thank..thank you. I will. I will wait for him."

After Link left, Anju was quick to clutch the precious possession to her heart, feeling anguished yet relieved all at once.

Kafei! You must be safe! You wouldn't part with this object at any cost. I will believe you. Please come to me soon!

Zelda:

A universe away in Hyrule, Zelda was about to turn a corrider in the castle on her way to her tutor, when she felt the sudden need to stop at the sound of voices.

" You know who I haven't see around here anytime lately? That kid, you know the one in green that used to visit the Princess."

The soldier idled and lazily held his spear, glad for the maid's appearance to have someone to talk to.The watch in this part of the castle was quiet, and company pleasant.

" Oh, I heard that the young ranch owner's daughter had taken a fancy to him. She's a cute one, and needs a boy to marry and eventually run the ranch for her. That would explain it well." Giggling, the maid was eager to relay on the gossip she had picked up in the market.

Looking thoughtful, the soldier scratched his chin and kept a wandering eye out.

"He was a nice kid, doted on the Princess too. But I suppose it makes sense, although he is young."

"I'd best be going," replied the maid with a quick curtsey, " But it was nice to talk to you again."

Around the corner, the young Zelda stood motionless with a stricken look, her eyes welling up with tears. Turning swiftly and doubling back the way she came, she had no idea where she was going until she ran straight into the solid wall of Impa, blocking her path.

"What's wrong?"

Raising sad eyes to Impa's stern but caring countenance, Zelda tried to push back her feelings. "Nothing."

"Princess, I have known you since you were a baby, and I am one of the Sheikah. We wrote the book on keeping secrets. You can't fool me." Crossing her arms, Impa patiently waited. Pursing her lips and looking at the ground, Zelda could not keep her voice steady.

" It's Link. I heard he may be at Lon Lon Ranch. Something about the ranch girl liking him and needing a partner for the future."

Smiling, Impa reached down and gently raised Zelda's chin to look into her eyes.

"Is this the same boy who in that terrible future he told you about, braved countless dangers and dark places to find you? The same boy who returned to you as a child, knowing you would have no memory of him? Fear not."

Her heart lifting, Zelda weakly smiled and looked at the ground.

" I suppose I shouldn't listen to the gossip flying around, but I'm worried about him. The.. the people I heard this from had a point, I am the Princess, what possible future could I give him?

" I know you are worried, Zelda, but fear not. Young Link will return. He knew what you were in the first place, and came to you regardless."

Putting an arm around the girl, Impa guided Zelda back down the corrider.

Link, she's right. I gave you my Ocarina, and I know in my heart you will remember me because of it and return. You needed to leave and find what you were looking for but please come back soon!