Wu danced around his kitchen, throwing things into giant kettles and fussing with various teas. He grasped several fish, chopping their heads off and throwing them into sizzling pans and adding spices. He smiled, mixing in some vegetables, adding some to a separate pot. "For the vegetarian maid… and our new guest…"

Kai stumbled into the kitchen, his mixture inside his vial just running out. He fell over, cursing under his breath. He hefted himself mostly up, fiddling with his vial.

Wu saw him, smiling. "Oh, a fish-man! Excellent… You'll keep me entertained while I cook your bottom half!"

Kai frowned. "What?!" He looked around, seeing fish bones and pots everywhere. He screamed, falling backwards, and his face was as pale as the old chef's beard. He dodged the huge meat cleaver the chef was swinging around, trying to find a place to hide long enough to transform.

"Come on, fish man, come to Wu!" the old chef chuckled crazily.

Kai found a meat closet, diving into there. He finally got the vial open, pouring half of what was left on himself. Legs formed underneath him, and he stumbled into the main kitchen, wielding a bread knife. "I-am not-on the menu!" he gasped, stabbing the counter and running out of the kitchen.

Wu looked around, confused. "Where's the fish man?"

Nya guided the young merprince into the dining room, motioning to Misako to alert the princess. Misako cleared her throat.

"Your Highness, your...guest is here…"

Camille turned around, seeing Lloyd in a sea green jacket, pants that went to his ankles, and knee-high black boots. Gold elements; buttons, fringe, etc. finished the look perfectly. She smiled. "You look very nice tonight, monsieur."

Lloyd bowed in thanks, unable to say anything in return. Nya motioned for him to sit down at the head of the table, next to Misako and Camille.

Misako nodded, pouring tea into a pot. Lloyd watched her carefully, noticing she put sugar cubes in it. She handed it to him, Lloyd biting his lip and setting it down. He nodded his head politely, noticing she had a seashell necklace around her neck.

Camille cleared her throat. "So, er, what was your name again?"

Lloyd looked around the table, trying to find something to tell her without words. He formed his index finger and his thumb into an L. Camille nodded.

"So, your name starts with an L, then? Great! That's a start… well, uh…"

Lloyd held up two fingers, then pointed to his other hand, which was in the shape of an L. Camille frowned. "Two L's? Oh, okay…"

Lloyd curled his fingers into a crude O, a small smile on his face. Camille smiled back, understanding somehow. "Is your name… Lloyd?"

Lloyd grinned, nodding. Yes!

Misako nearly choked on her tea. Camille looked at her strangely. "Misako?"

"My apologies, Your Highness…" Misako set her teacup down, smoothing her napkin under her fingers.

Lloyd looked at her too, focusing on her eyes behind her glasses. Misako noticed him staring, blinking. "What?"

Lloyd pointed to his eyes, then motioned to her. We have the same eyes…

Misako frowned. "I'm sorry, I don't understand…"

Lloyd sighed, slouching slightly. Man…

Camille smiled. "Perhaps we could take a tour of my kingdom tomorrow?"

Lloyd smiled, nodding.

Camille grinned. "Great! Misako, make plans for us, if you please…"

Misako nodded. "Certainly, Your Highness…"

Lloyd noticed a fork on top of his napkin, picking it up. He combed it through his hair, smiling.

Misako and Camille gave him odd looks, Lloyd blinking. He set the fork down, biting his lip with embarrassment.

Later that night, Lloyd and Kai returned to Lloyd's room, Lloyd flopping onto the soft bed. Kai looked out the window, sighing. "Lloyd… Your princess is waiting…"

Lloyd smiled, rushing to the window. He waved to her, Camille waving back. Lloyd backed away from the window, falling back to the bed. He had a sappy grin on his face, Kai huffing.

"Lloyd… one of these days your love is going to catch up to you and bam! You'll find yourself in a rut…"

Lloyd had fallen right to sleep, a light blush dusting his cheeks. He pulled the blanket up to his shoulders, blowing out the candle next to his bed. The chief advisor sat next to the window, watching the waves roll onto the shore until he fell asleep too.

Nya came up to Lloyd's room, gently shaking the young prince awake. "Lloyd…"

Lloyd rolled over, blinking. He jumped up, excited. He slid over to Kai, shaking him roughly.

Kai shoved him away, Lloyd frowning. He swatted him with his tricorn hat, Kai rubbing his eyes. "What… what is it?!"

"The princess requests Lloyd's presence at breakfast, which is in ten minutes. She seems in lighter spirits than usual…" She leaned closer to Lloyd, smirking. "Must be your… influence…"

Lloyd rolled his eyes, going behind the screen to change. He fluffed his hair with his fingers, rushing down to the dining hall. He tripped on the staircase, Camille barely catching him. "Easy, easy!" She giggled. "Well, aren't you excited? I am too!"

Lloyd blushed, smiling sheepishly, which earned more giggles from the princess. She set him down, leading him to breakfast.

"First thing on the schedule… oh dear, where did I put that…" Misako looked through her bag, frowning. Lloyd looked to Camille, who held a finger to her lips. She held up the schedule, changes to it marked in red ink. Lloyd smirked, looking back at Misako.

Misako huffed. "Your Highness…" She saw the changes, exasperated. "Oh, I wash my hands of you!"

Camille laughed, Lloyd silently laughing along with her. Misako snapped the horse's reins in front of them, the carriage lurching forward. Lloyd watched the horses with great interest, looking under the carriage at one point. Camille observed him, amused.

"What, never seen a horse buggy before?"

Lloyd shook his head, smiling.

Camille nodded, eyebrow raised. "You must have come from somewhere really… unique…"

Lloyd's smile grew wider, nodding.

Misako studied Lloyd, trying to put her finger on who he was and why he seemed familiar. She had seen many peculiar things in her lifetime, but Lloyd… Lloyd was different. His face was similar to someone's she hadn't seen in a long time.

Lloyd at one point looked at her, the two making eye contact. Misako tensed, recognizing it. No… It couldn't be…

She watched the two new friends dancing in the town's square, both smiling widely. Misako's expression was confused and sad at the same time. She knew Lloyd. He was… was…

Camille and Lloyd returned to the carriage, smiling. "Let's go home, Misako… Dinner should be ready… Hey, Lloyd, would you care to take the reins?"

Lloyd nodded eagerly, taking the leather straps in his hands. He snapped them hard, the carriage speeding down the path. Camille gripped the seat tightly, squealing at first. She adjusted to the speed, noticing that Lloyd was a natural at controlling the horses.

Misako looked ahead, screaming. "CLIFF!"

Lloyd tensed, pulling back on the reins. He leaped out of the buggy, dragging the two out. He got back in, unlatching the horses. They turned, stopping next to the drop. The carriage slowed, balancing half-off the gorge. Lloyd tugged it back onto solid ground, panting.

Misako felt a small smile form on her face. It's so...familiar…

Lloyd helped the princess to her feet, Camille hugging him tightly. "That was so brave… you saved my life… and Misako's… thank you…"

Lloyd hugged her back, smiling. You're...welcome...

So, yeah, that's that. Mu ha ha you'll fully know Misako's secret in the sequel! X3

And, yeah, I added some Ninja Lloyd, rawr, bite me. XP

Listening to Carrie Underwood somewhat inspired some moments in here... uh...

Yeah, 'Something in the Water'... that's the song. :D

Anyways, please enjoy! Next chapter probably coming out on Thursday or Friday... I have cello practice on Wednesday... but it might be cancelled tomorrow... so maybe...

~TNoW