Chapter 1

Link had his motivation. From the moment he left Termina, he had never managed to get out of his head the way Kafei's voice had changed as he urged him to take refuge. One day Link finally deciphered the tone…it was an almost frantic desperation for him to get out and be safe. He wasn't sure why Kafei had sounded so, and that was what pushed him to take the trip he had been planning for years. He had to know, before it was too late, how the other man really felt...

...

Link took a deep breath, gazing at the large gate in front of him. Just outside the gate was the path to Termina Field - the path to Kafei. His hands were shaking slightly and he clenched his fists to stop it. He didn't know why he was so nervous, though it could be that he hadn't seen Kafei in at least seven years. He knew that, if everything had gone to plan, Kafei would be his height now and Link his age. He also knew that Kafei would be so much more beautiful than he was the night Link left he and Anju together. The thought sent a shiver up Link's spine.

Although he couldn't deny his excitement and joy at making this journey, Link had his doubts. So much could have changed during the years and that included Kafei's feelings…if they were indeed real feelings. And what if Kafei never got the spell to wear off? What if he was still a boy of eleven and not the man of nineteen he was supposed to be? Or what if, Goddesses forbid, something happened to Kafei and he no longer walked in the world of the living? Link banished the thought before the pain could catch up - he would not be able to bear that and he would not think of it.

Epona nuzzled her head to Link's and he reached up to stroke her. He could tell Epona sensed his discomfort - she had always been such an intuitive horse. "I'm fine, don't worry," he said. She whinnied softly.

With a sigh, Link knew it was time. He could stand at this gate for the rest of the age debating on whether he should go or not. Malon had said he should… Malon - the thought of her sent a new rush of pain through his body. His fiancée, of course she would encourage him to go visit an old friend. But she had no idea what visiting this old friend could mean, for either of them. Guilt settled into the pit of stomach as he mounted Epona. He had to go before he changed his mind. He lifted his light arrows and hit the jewel on the gate with perfect precision. It groaned open and they galloped onward with no backwards glances.

...

Link stopped Epona abruptly, earning an angry rear in response. "Sorry girl," he whispered, shocked by the flood of emotions engulfing him. It was unreal being back in Termina. Looking around, he noted that everything was exactly the same. The only difference was there was no giant moon looming dangerously over the town. He moved Epona forward, trotting slowly towards the entrance to Clock Town and trying to recall where this entrance would put him.

"Okay let's see, I just came out from the way to the swamp. So this entrance should put me in…South Clock Town." He sighed and swallowed, trying to stay focused as a flood of memories slammed into his mind. "Which is going to put me right by Kafei…assuming he still lives there of course. But I doubt Anju would still have him living there." He felt a pang of jealously. "They probably both live in the Stock Pot Inn, working together like a happy little family." He paused. "I wonder how old Anju is now? And how she looks?" He felt a stab of dark pleasure at the thought of her getting wrinkles and going gray. Although if his numbers were correct she would only be about twenty-seven. She was about a year older than Kafei.

With a sigh he hopped off Epona, "You enjoy yourself and I'll call you if I need you," and made his way towards the entrance. Inside, the people were bustling around, shouting things to one another and frantically going to and from the laundry pool. Link frowned for a moment before realizing what time of year it was. How had he managed to do that - come during the Carnival of Time once more? He shook his head and turned to walk towards East Clock Town. He knew Kafei wouldn't still live in the laundry pool. After all, he had only been hiding from Anju and that hurdle had long since been cleared.

"Halt, sir!"

Link started and turned to see one of the guards staring him down. He backed up a little bit, not liking the guard being only inches from his face. "Yes, what can I do for you?"

"I've never seen you in this town before. Are you here for the carnival? Do you have family here?"

Link almost laughed. It was just like the guards to be picky about who comes and goes in Clock Town. "No sir, but I do have friends over in East Clock Town. The Inn owners, if you'd like me to be specific."

He nodded. "Right then, you may go. Enjoy the Carnival." He moved back to his post and stood stiffly.

Link turned and walked towards the East, chuckling as he went. The guards would never change. He wondered if maybe those were the same men as when he was here before? He walked up the stairs and was startled to see a Bomber walking around. Those kids…they must have aged. He walked up to him, causing the boy to turn around.

"Well hey mister. I've not seen you around before! Are you from out of town? 'Cause that'd be so neat. So do you wanna know about the Generation II Bombers?" He spoke so quickly Link wondered if he had breathed at all during his speech. The boy's last words struck Link and he realized they were the new recruits of the original Bombers. He grinned and knelt down beside him. "I actually used to be a Bomber, kid."

The Bomber started. "Really? Would any of the Originals know you?"

"Perhaps but I can't be certain. It's been a long time since I've been here. Can I ask you question, though? About where two people may live?"

"Sure, I know everyone. It's the job of Bomber y'know! Who ya wanna know about?"

He took a deep breath. "Anju and Kafei?"

The boy scrunched his face up. "Hmm, I'm pretty sure they both live right there." He pointed to the Stock Pot Inn. "At least, that's where I see them sometimes. They let me come in when it's raining."

"Thanks a lot, kid. By the way my name is Link. Add my name and add a sticker."

The boy smiled. "Thanks a lot mister!"

Link smiled back at him and turned toward the Inn, feeling his eyes grow wide with wonder. How could he not have noticed it before? The Inn had grown exponentially in size since the last time he had seen it. It was at least a few stories taller, and seemed much wider than before. Link wondered how on earth Anju and Kafei had managed to afford that? Shaking his head he took a deep breath and slowly walked up to the door. The closer he got, the more nervous he became - his palms were even sweating and it made him feel weak. "I should just hurry and get it over with," he whispered to himself fiercely. Besides, if he recalled correctly this was the only Inn in town and he was going to need a room. He steeled himself and entered…

...And felt his heart fall. As nervous as he was he had really been hoping to see Kafei behind the desk, not Anju. He walked towards her before shock froze him in place and he gasped. Anju had hardly changed at all, the only differences being her hair had grown long almost to her waist and she was pregnant. It seemed she hadn't even aged...

"Hello, welcome to the Stock Pot Inn! You came at exactly the right time. We just had a cancellation if you plan on staying the night," she smiled warmly.

He forced a smile though his mind was absolutely reeling. Why had she not changed? "Yes, in fact I do need to stay the night," he said. "How much would the room cost?"

"Oh, the woman who was staying in it before has already paid. I offered her a refund but she said that she'd like the payment to stay for the next person. Some people are just so nice!" she replied, smiling and reaching down beneath the desk. She straightened back up and stumbled a bit, placing a hand on her enormous belly. "Here you are - your room key."

Link reached out and took it, trying to keep his hand from shaking. "Thanks so much." He paused, then, "So um…how far along are you?" he asked awkwardly.

"Huh?" she looked confused for a moment. "Oh! I'm due in about two weeks. Thank you for noticing! Most people just look at it, blush, and hurry off. Like they're afraid to say something."

"Wow, so you're pretty much ready then?" Link replied.

She smiled. "I am, but this little one isn't yet."

"Isn't it bad for you to be on your feet for so long when with child?"

"Well the doctor advised against it but what can I do? Someone has to run the Inn." She giggled. "My husband has tried every trick in the book trying to get me to rest but I will hear none of it."

Link's breath hitched in his throat. So they had the marriage ceremony then. That must have meant that Kafei had indeed grown up. But from what time? Link hadn't considered Kafei could have turned back into his real age the moment the new day arose... He couldn't have though...no, Anju looked much too young if Kafei was around the age of twenty-six.

"Sir?" Anju's voice interrupted his thoughts. "You look very familiar to me…do I know you from somewhere?"

Link thought a moment and decided it was best he introduce himself now. "Yes you do. Long ago I came in search of a friend and found myself here. I was about eleven at that time. I got a room and spoke to you often."

Anju regarded him carefully, letting her eyes trail over his clothes, his hair, his eyes, and finally resting on his sword. Her eyes grew wide as the pieces fell together. "Link?"

Link nodded. "Yes, it's me. It's nice to see you again, Anju."

A huge grin lit up her already glowing face. "Oh it's nice to see you too! How long has it been, seven years at least! My goodness… You know, I never properly thanked you for helping Kafei and I out so long ago. I was just so happy to see him - I could hardly speak. It was just such an amazing night. Sitting there waiting for him, getting more nervous by the second that he'd never come. But then all of the sudden this small boy comes running in the door and everything fell into place." Her look became distant. "You know…if you hadn't helped us my life would be so different now." She grew silent for a moment before smiling again. "Just…thank you so much, Link. From the bottom of my heart."

Link nodded, unable to speak for a moment as he remembered that heart-wrenching moment in his life. The pain all came back at him like a crashing wave. He remembered after watching the moon disappear that getting out of Termina was his top priority. Once far enough away he stopped Epona and collapsed against a tree. He had let the pain build up while he fought Majora, thinking the entire time that he was doing this for Kafei. For the future Kafei craved with Anju - the future he had denied to Link - the only future Link had wanted. The emotions took over him in that forest and he cried until he had no more tears left.

Link shook himself from his memories. "How…how is Kafei?" he asked.

"He's wonderful as always. He looks about nineteen now, he's grown so much. And he's much more handsome than before I think!" She giggled. "But he's off helping Romani at the ranch right now. Cremia is sick and she needed a hand so Kafei, being the helpful man he is, hurried down there to help out!"

Link frowned, having forgotten all about Romani and Cremia. He wondered if maybe Cremia didn't look any older either? She and Anju had been about the same age. "Hey Anju, how come you look so…well so…young?"

She smiled. "Well when I got reunited with Kafei, we went straight to the Great Fairy to see if she could help us. Unfortunately she didn't entirely understand the magic that had been used on Kafei to turn him back into a child and keep him that way. All she felt safe doing was unsticking the spell because she feared she might harm Kafei if she tried to reverse it. She also knew how to stop me from aging long enough for him to catch up and so we decided to go through with her suggestions. Because of all that we only just got married a year or so ago. Hopefully the spell has worn off on me by now and we'll begin to age together. I'd rather not go through all that craziness again. Especially with our child coming so soon!" She giggled again.

Link nodded. "Well I wish you the best of luck." He feigned a yawn. "I think I may go up now."

"Oh of course! It's on the third floor. The room number is on the key."

Link suddenly remembered the new size of the Inn. "Oh yeah, I meant to ask you what happened to the Inn?"

"Ah, well after the moon went away - which to this day I still don't know why - we had a bunch of tourist come to town for the aftermath of the carnival. Kafei had the idea we should set up a booth to get donations to build up the Inn for the next carnival. We made enough to add on three more floors and ten more rooms!"

Link grinned. "That's great, Anju, well done. I'll head up now, but thanks so much for your help."

"Yes, please go relax. I'll let Kafei know you're here when he returns."

Link grew nervous again, his stomach knotting itself. "Yeah…yeah that'd be fine. Thanks again."