There was music, and there was laughter buzzing in the air around Clock Town that night. Lighted lanterns were hung around the shops and streets above, displaying stands with food and games for the many. Banners were decorated around every stand. Children were running around with their own masks, and the adults busied themselves to conversing with one another as they walked by.
As the night weighed on, Link sat on the roof of the Stock Pot Inn, watching as a small parade of soldiers marched around the square and into the town, each holding banners signifying harmony for the New Year. Along the way, the children followed, each mimicking the march they displayed.
While he sat there, he thought about the coming end of the land. So far, Link only spent two days with the group. Sure, it wasn't long, but he felt like an outsider. Perhaps if he opened up to them more, he wouldn't feel like that. To Link, two days was not enough to befriend strangers, especially when they came from another world. After hearing from the Great Fairy that the land was going to end in a month or less, Link was yet again bound to another quest. Only this time, he wasn't alone.
Mostly, he found Shippo to be talkative and full of energy. He claimed he was a fox demon. This youth would constantly fight with Inuyasha for being called a runt and so forth. Link knew Shippo wanted to possess as much strength as all his friends, but his cowardice would get the best of him.
Sango and Miroku were comfortable to be around. The two seemed knowledgeable about their weaponry and were always the first to seek information. Both seemed close to one another, and judging by yesterday afternoon's misunderstanding, they had some sort of relationship. Neither one gave him trouble, and for that, Link was thankful.
As for Inuyasha, well, what more was there to say? He was a half demon with an impolite personality. When Inuyasha rescued him from the monster in the forest, he issued many rude comments and questions concerning Link's appearance. Sure, he was grateful for the rescue, but Link would not forgive his behavior. Even as they were on this quest to save the land, Inuyasha treated him like he was unfit for battle.
Pushing Inuyasha away from his thoughts, Link focused on the other member of the group; a female by the name of Kagome. This girl, from the moment he first set eyes on her, he knew he fell for her. Link was sure it wasn't what the adults called love, rather it was an infatuation; a simple crush. He hadn't been with her long enough to feel anything for her. The way she talks, walks, acts and even the way she laughs warmed his heart; something he hadn't ever felt before.
He found himself in the situation where he wanted to know her, yet he was fearful. After his descent into Termina, Link lost all communication with the ones he loved in Hyrule. The land flooded the moment he left in search of his old partner, and he witnessed, through a vision from the Great Fairy, the sufferings all of Hyrule went through. Saria was gone; the only Kokiri that befriended him in the forest. Even though he was not a true Kokiri, she accepted him, but now she was gone, a memory that slowly drifted away. Link supposed he was afraid that if he made friends with anyone, he didn't want to lose them like he had before.
There were times he missed visiting his old friend Malon at Lon Lon Ranch. Fiery as a wild kitten, she grew fond of him. Though he found her forwardness quite different from what he was used to. She aided him on his quest to save the land from Ganondorf; she let him borrow her horse for the long journey through harsh terrain. But now, as he no longer requires the use of a horse, he gave Epona to Romani and Cremia; caretakers of Romani's Ranch just south of Clock Town.
Looking up into the dark sky, Link wondered what would happen soon. If they should somehow save the land, would peace return? Afterward, what would he do? Would he continue wandering, or would he settle down?
A ball of pink light fluttered around aimlessly before ascending to the roof near the giant bell. "Link, what are you doing up here? Everyone's inside getting ready."
Sighing, Link removed his hat. "Just thinking," he muttered, completely surprising the fairy next to him to no end.
"You talked!" Words could not describe how ecstatic she was feeling at this moment. "Thank the goddesses! I've missed your voice!" With her small wings, she flew around him multitudes of times with pure bliss, before snuggling up to him with her warm light.
Pushing her away with his index finger, Link stood up and looked at the moon above. Link's thoughts wondered to the new threat. Now that Ganondorf was sealed in the Sacred Realm for all eternity, and Majora's mask vanquished to the fiery pits of hell, what was next? 'What is this evil reining over us right now?' Though he couldn't see it, he knew it was there, watching them.
Laughter from inside the Inn broke him from his pondering and he leaped from the rooftop, rolling the moment he hit the ground. Opening the door, the sound inside was much louder, as he expected.
"Kagome, look! I did it!" Shippo exclaimed with delight. He bounced up and down in his seat, holding what appeared like a small red mask with wild and vicious yellow eyes painted on it.
Upon seeing Shippo so full of excitement, Kagome gushed over how amazing it looked. "Oh you're right!" From her pocket, she pulled out a small white mask with blue and red markings painted on it. "Mine doesn't even compare to yours in the least!"
Anju wondered into the room, dressed in an extravagant white lace dress. Her hair remained the same, but the light makeup on her face brought out an unfamiliar sight. "Oh, Kagome, if you'd like, I have some extra dresses in my room, if you're interested. Sango is trying one on as we speak."
Surprised by this information, Kagome bowed deeply to the woman with whom she had become such great friends with. "For real? Thank you so much!"
While settling himself against the wall, Link watched as the young maiden ran up the stairs, no doubt to try on one of Anju's dresses. As he looked around the room, he pondered about the men's whereabouts.
"Link?" Shippo asked, causing him to look down at his boots. "Where's your mask?"
Blinking, Link shook his head. He remembered giving all his masks to the mask salesman a long time ago. So, he would just go to the festival without one. It wasn't really any big deal.
"What's your mask, Shippo?" Anju asked as she came to kneel in front of him.
Puffing out his chest, Shippo placed his masterpiece on his face. "My warrior mask!" With this mask, he wouldn't have to fear any monster, no matter how intimidating they were. "Do you like it?" he asked as he removed it.
"Very! It suits you well."
"Anju, do you recall where I may have placed my mask?" Kafei's voice asked from the other room.
Picking herself up, Anju turned and walked toward the open door a few doors away from Link. On her way, she grabbed something from her desk and giggled as she entered the room, where her husband searched relentlessly for his mask. "Are you looking for this?" she asked.
The second she left the lobby, Miroku exited from the door just to their right. "Well, what do you think?" he asked, coming to stand by the desk.
"Different," Shippo replied, though Miroku agreed. "I'm sure you can get another robe when we get back to our own world."
Even without his normal garb, the one he wore now flattered his features almost perfectly. His shirt appeared as a brown vest over a white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The black pants he wore were loose fitting, and yet they complimented him
Well. Rather than wearing his plain monk's sandals, he wore knee-length brown boots. He didn't look half bad.
"Kafei, let me borrow some of his clothes," Miroku explained as he touched his sleeves. "This material differs from that of our own world."
Laughter issued from the other room, and what sounded like complaints from Kafei. Apparently, he was having trouble trying to find his shirt, but that would be because Anju was holding it behind her back.
While the boys were alone, Shippo tugged on Link's tunic. "Link, is it wrong that they're married?" he asked with childlike curiosity.
When Link didn't answer, as to be expected, Miroku cleared his throat. The moment he was about to open his mouth, someone beat him to it.
"No. Age doesn't matter if you're really in love, Shippo," Kagome explained as she waltzed into the room, followed by Sango. "Anju and Kafei love each other, and because of some circumstances, Kafei is much older than what he seems." She recalled the afternoon when she and Sango confronted the Inn keeper in her room. Anju explained that a curse was placed on his and the promise the two made. Kagome found it romantic.
Baffled about her explanation, Shippo thought back to when the old ladies were whispering about the couple. "But those old ladies were talking about them."
"True, but does it really matter what others think?" When she asked this, Shippo shook his head from side to side. "It shouldn't matter what others thought. If you love someone, then aren't you supposed to embrace such matters together?" Her words brought new insight to the young kitsune, even though he was naïve to such adult things, but he realized it didn't really matter.
Beautiful; that's what Link thought the moment she stepped into the room. Her long ebony tresses were pulled back into a half braided ponytail along her back. Not a strand was out of place. The dress, which was unlike the one she wore moments ago, fell to her ankles gracefully. The deep maroon color brought out her chocolate brown eyes. Laces, crafted with great care, brought a sweet elegance to the short sleeves of the gown. Green intricate designs were embroidered along the ends of the dress, as well as her petite waist, where a large, deep green ribbon wrapped around her figure.
Besides her dress, Link took notice of her lips. Normally they were without rouse, but to Link it didn't make any difference. At this moment, they were a luscious light pink, which complimenting her rosy cheeks. Instead of wearing much more flattering shoes, she wore instead her regular brown shoes. Either way, she was breathtaking.
"Right, Link?" Shippo's voice brought him back to the real world, and he found himself lost to what the child was asking. "Aren't Kagome and Sango pretty?"
Realizing that her eyes were on him, with her smile alluring him, Link's entire countenance fell. He couldn't help but turn a deep cherry red, especially at the thought that she may have noticed his staring.
Seeing this, Serena laughed. "Why, he's utterly speechless! I haven't seen Link turn this red in a long time!" She couldn't help but tease her partner; after all, it was very rare for him to stare so openly at the female. "You're both beautiful!"
Even Miroku couldn't help but smile. "You're all as radiant as ever, but exceptionally beautiful today."
Hearing this, Kagome blushed and smiled shyly. "Thanks! Sango picked it out. Though I think she would have looked better in it," she explained as she fingered the lace on her sleeve.
"That's not true. This dress flatters you wonderfully. Besides, I'm sure a certain someone will find you pretty," Sango replied, watching as her friend's blush darkened.
'Certain someone?' The thought brought him back to the conversation. While he regained his normal nonchalance, leaning against the wall, Link watched as Kagome smiled at the mention of 'a certain someone.' 'Does she like Inuyasha?' Which brought him to one question, why?
And speak of the devil, that's who walked in. The door slammed shut behind him as he hurriedly stepped into the room from the back door. He wore his same red clothing, disregarding the fact to even dress up. Maybe it was a girl thing, but even Miroku dressed up, especially because his clothes were torn to shreds.
"Are we ready yet? I'm tired of waiting, and I'm starving," he complained, standing in the room with indifference. "Why are you three dressed up?"
Blushing, Kagome fiddled with her fingers. "Do you like them? Anju said we could borrow them while we attend the festival," she couldn't help but glance at him and look away bashfully.
His golden eyes roamed her features, taking every detail in. There was a difference in her hair and her posture. "Keh!" Inuyasha turned his nose in the air with crossed arms. "At least you're not wearing that skimpy outfit!"
Rude. So insensitive. Didn't she look pretty? The more Link lingered around this man, the more annoying he became. When he noticed her gaze fall, her smile turn into a frown; he furrowed his brows.
Kagome sighed. I guess things have changed. I'm no longer interesting to him. No matter how I change my appearance, he won't look at me like he does Kikyo. I guess I should give up on him ever liking me…
"Kagome?" Sango was no idiot to not notice her sister's lament, but Inuyasha was. 'I can't believe he said that!' In her mind, Kagome didn't deserve him; she could do much better.
Also sensing her distress, Shippo accusingly pointed at the half demon. "That wasn't nice, Inuyasha! The least you could have said was she was pretty!"
"Oh shut up you little runt!" he growled toward the child, no bigger than his knees. "Fine, she's pretty. Big deal! Now are we ready to go or what?"
Entering the room was a huge lady with high red hair. Around her neck she wore white pearls. This middle-aged woman, known to be Anju's mother, wore a long black skirt, and overtop that she wore a green turtle sleeved sweater. She stood in the doorway next to Inuyasha, holding on to the handles of granny's wheelchair. Her expression was friendly. "My, don't you all look nice?"
"Head my warnings, children," Granny's voice captured everyone's attention. "Do not forget that if you stay here any longer, great misfortune will come your way," Granny muttered, causing everyone around her to stare with uncertainty. Before long, she dropped her head and fell asleep.
"I told you guys, senile," Inuyasha muttered.
At long last, Kafei and Anju left the room. Kafei grinned at his friends. Rather than wearing his normal purple and white clothes, he wore a simple and ornate black shirt with long sleeves that too were designed with a sun and a moon; the masks that he and Anju gave to each other years ago. The pants his wore were white. In his hand, he carried a Keaton mask; a yellow fox with a grinning face, while Anju had a simple pink mask with the eyes cut out. "You didn't have to wait on us," he explained nervously.
Although he was only looking for his mask and his shirt, he blushed. Nothing happened, and nothing between him. Not for four years. They were determined to wait until after he grew to be a man, that way he could properly woo her. Even though he was cursed into a child, he did not give up hope on Anju. She accepted him the moment he walked into her room that dark and eerie night. Of course, she'd been crying, but her tears vanished upon his arrival. They made a promise to each other that they would marry the morrow and exchange their sun and moon mask. They married, but any intimacy between them would have to wait until he became a man.
"Well, let's not just stand here, let's go!" Anju exclaimed, exciting everyone, including Inuyasha.