Link and Lulu rode back to Clock Town just as the sun was peeking up over Stone Tower. The Indigo-Go's waved goodbye to Link and watched him ride off into the Swamp. Evan turned to his friends and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Well everyone, let's go home."
Lulu lay on her stomach in Zora Hall watching her children sleep in the pool surrounding the stage. It had been three months since the Carnival of Time and her babies were doing well. She visited Mikau's grave daily and vowed to take her children as soon as they grew legs.
She heard a soft splash behind her and soon Japas was laying next to her. She smiled at him and then turned back to her kids. Japas watched them for a moment before leaning in to whisper in her ear.
"They look just like Mikau."
She giggled softly and nodded. "They really do, don't they?" She turned to him and smiled. "Did you need something?"
He shook his head. "No, I just thought I would come and keep you company. You've been a bit down lately."
Lulu nodded. "I know. I'm sorry. It's just…" She sighed and sat up. "My children will be growing legs soon and…well I just wish that…"
"That Mikau was here to see it." He finished for her.
She nodded.
He sat up and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry. I know that I can't bring him back, which is what you really need." He looked down at her. "I just want you to know that I'm here."
She looked up at him and he seemed to fluster.
"I mean…we're here. The whole band. We love you, Lulu. We want the best for you."
She smiled and nodded. "I know…thank you."
"I'm here…" He repeated. "For whatever you may need me for." He winked, jokingly.
She laughed and playfully slapped him. "Very funny." She turned and his eyes caught hers. He was smiling, but not in his usual joking manner. She felt the laughter fade and replace itself with another feeling. She wasn't quite sure what it was, but a small part of her wanted to pursue it. She felt herself leaning forward ad her eyes slowly began to close. Suddenly a voice in her head began to scream.
He's your late-husbands best friend!
She stopped and pulled back. Without a word, she stood, floated up to the surface, and ran to her bedroom shutting the door behind her. She leaned back against it and panted heavily.
"What am I doing?" She asked. "Did I just…Did I almost kiss…Japas?"
Japas was kicking himself back in his room.
"What kind of an idiot are you?" He shouted at himself. "Taking advantage of your best friends wife while she's in so much pain!" He threw a rock at the wall and it rebounding hitting him in the head.
"Ow!" He yelled and sat on the floor holding his pounding head. He sighed and lay back on the soft sand.
"Okay…let's think…" He said to the ceiling. "I didn't do anything…and…and she was leaning in…no, don't blame it on her. I was leaning in. Maybe we both were…" He sat up and stared at the wall. "What is going on here?" He stood and walked to a small mirror on his wall. "When did I fall for Lulu?" He asked his reflection. He thought about it. "Well, maybe I always have liked Lulu…" He thought about it again.
"Of course…how could I have forgotten?" He shouted in frustration.
He had liked her before. It was years ago, back when the Indigo-Go's were just getting started. He, Mikau and Evan were the only members. They had just hired Tijo and were just talking about a lead singer when she came in…
"We need a female voice. It will balance it out." Mikau was explaining.
"Yeah, I agree. Should we hold auditions?" Japas asked.
The four young Zora's sat in a circle on the only island in Zora's Domain. They were only in their teens, Evan being the oldest at 19, and they're dream of having a band was just that: a dream. Most of the other Zora's only made fun of them when they talked about singing for a living but they were determined to make a difference.
"Where are we going to get a female voice?" Evan asked. "They're aren't many girls here. Unless your considering the Princess."
"Ruto!" Japas and Mikau both exclaimed.
"No, she's only a baby!" Mikau argued.
"Yeah, and besides…" He looked around to make sure no one was around. "She can't sing."
Evan chuckled. "Yeah, I know. That's my point."
"What are you guys doing?"
The boys turned around and their jaws dropped to the floor. There before them stood a young, beautiful Zora. She smiled at them and blushed softly at their attentive stares. Mikau stood up and bowed to her.
"We were just talking about how insignificant we all feel without ever seeing true beauty. But now we can live in harmony for the rest of our lives after seeing the likes of you."
Evan rolled his eyes as Mikau kissed the hand of the Zora girl. Japas stood and took her other hand.
"Forgive my impetuous friend here. He does not know the proper way to act around true beauty." He said and placed his lips on her other hand.
It was then and there that a feud started between Mikau and Japas. They had made a bet on who would win the girl. It went on for years before Lulu finally made her choice.
Japas shook his head. He remembered those days. Back when things were simple, back in Zora's Domain. Sometimes he wished that they were back there. He was grateful for the life he led, after all, he traveled the world. But in traveling the world, you don't get the chance to meet woman of your own species. He slumped down against the wall and sighed.
"You can't have Lulu." He told himself then he glanced over in the mirror. "Unless she wants you first…"