Through those familiar gates, down the same street, drab as it had been when he left. The same merchants, same people walking in their daily activites, numerous warriors, pranksters, mages, and rebels all gathered in the epicenter of all that he knew. It was a beautiful sight to him.

The man walked down the street, begging to Nayru that no-one reconized him, until he wanted them to. His hood covered his bright blonde hair, and his shimmering navy robes glistenned in the noontime sun. The large scarf, slung around his neck, and covering his mouth, hung down his back like a waterfall. That old familiar wooden staff still slung on his back.

"Good, no-one sees me yet."

He walked faster now, he sensed the eyes on him, he was a sight to behold. He looked rather out of place with his new look, among all the commoners. He knew the second any of his old friends noticed him, he'd be in a flurry of greeting, slaps on the back, and a large to-do. He wasn't the type of person to want that.

His long break from Hyrule couldn't have gone unnoticed. He was changed now, but he was still the same old mage everyone knew. A messenger had managed to reach him there and the thought of South Hyrule was enough to stir him. He missed alot, but he's come back to his homeland.

The man stopped in the road, there were slightly less people here. He removed his hood and pulled down the scarf. His blond spiked hair sprung up at once. His hair was a darker blonde now, and was very messy, he had grown it out. A half crescent, purple scar ran from his eye, 1/3 of the way down his cheek.

He looked up at the blue fading sky, he took a long sigh. He continued walking, and as he did, all knew Cloud had returned.

OOC: Mhm, I be back. This is my formal return. Cloud is back, but im not telling you all from where...yet.

Had the hooded man known he was being followed, he would have likely been very frightened. From the moment Hiro saw him, he was curious. But then again, hooded men in daylight are quite common these days, aren't they? In fact, Hiro had a hooded cloak of his own, a nice maroon one, with a black emblem on the back.

But that's not what was interesting. No, the interesting thing is that Hiro had seen another man with blond, spiked hair; a hooded cloak; and a facial scar.

"You're my twin, aren't you? Scar and everything..." said Hiro, referring to the cross-shaped scar on his left cheek. He had acquired this in one of his many duels with his father, back when things were... simpler.

Hiro looked at him closely with his bright red eyes. "Well, you're not Incineran, but it's pretty interesting how similar we are, right..." Hiro's voice trailed off, as if asking for a name.

Simon had been wondering the town, gathering supplies as he went. The hood of his sandy brown cloak blew in the breeze. He gazed down at his appearance in a puddle. His dark eyes looked back at him, as he tried to tidy his short untidy dark hair. A cart rushed over the puddle, splashing water on his pants. He ran across the street. Then he saw something interesting. Two adventures who looked somewhat alike. One of which Simon could have sworn was at Dogura's winter party.

He then went through an inner battle, should he tell this guy he recognized him from the party, or shouldn't he. Finally, he decided. He walked up to the man, and boldly asked, "Weren't you at Dogura's winter party?"

Cloud was a little taken aback that Hiro didn't recognize him. Oh well, it's been a long time. Not everyone can remember perfectly, can they.

"Hiro, I'm Cloud, you may still have the matching ring to this one."

Cloud held up his hand, and showed Hiro the ring matching his Death ring. Together spelling out Death Mountain. That black chest had long since disappeared, no doubt sold as an "antique artifact" to some unknowing fellow.

Cloud turned his head as Simon appeared. He looked him over, he was most definitely familiar.

"Yes, I believe I was at Dogura's party. That was quite some time ago."

Cloud looked around the town. He seemed somewhat disappointed.

"It's good to see you two again. Not to be rude, but would you know where a fellow named Kasei is?"

OOC: The scar is new. xD Sorry I didn't post earlier, homework and dinner. >.<

"So...it is true. You have returned to Hyrule." a voice said from behind Cloud. A young-looking man in a bright red, hooded cloak stood there, a staff in his right hand. "It has been...quiet some time since we last met Cloud." he said, walking towards him, and puling his hood back, revealing his identity. "Seems like surprises are happening everywhere. First, the pass to the South is going to be re-opened soon. Now, you show up again. What's next? Kasei reverts to his old self?"

Sovelis looked at his old companion, and spoke into his mind. Kasei is not the same as you remember him. He is still himself, but he is not the Kasei you knew before you left...

Cloud joyfully spins around to Sovelis. His old friend was there, in all his glory.

"I have not seen Kasei yet, I know more about what happened than anyone might expect. But it's none of my business, so I shall hold me tongue."

"It has been to long, Sovelis. I have been far away, to places both wonderous and horrifieng. I shall let you all in on it in good time. But first, we must await the appearance of some other, select individuals."

"Such as myself?" An all-too-familiar voice said, as Kasei walked up the streets, carying today's groceries in his hands. A distance behind him wmarched Aria, obviously still fuming over Kasei's drunken antics a few days before. Kasei, on the other hand, wore a smile larger than the sun. As he got close enough, he set down his groceries, and walked up to Cloud and the group, his joy in seeing his old freind seemed to resonate into the air, making it itself feel more freindly.

"Well, my old freind. how have you been?" The rebel flame asked, still beaming with joy. It was obvious he wanted to break out in laughs and crush Cloud in a hug, but he held his own compsure, and refrained from looking gay.

Cloud, in a flurry of pur joy, flipped around faster than he ever did before. His scarf flying straight for Sovelis' face.

"KASEI!"

Cloud punched Kasei lightly in the arm, which was the much more manly version of a hug. He was so glad to see his old friend. The rebel flame looked the same as he always did. That oh-so familiar grin on his face.

"How've you been kasei?"

"I believe, my freind, that I asked you first." Kasei responded. "Nevertheless, I have been well, the occasional adventure and new adventurer sure does brighten up Hyrule a lot, but I guess it wasn't the same withought you." The shiekah said in a more elderly tone, his age apparent. Behind him, Aria stared at Sovelis, blaming him with her eyes for Kasei's drunken attitude.

"Here's to that. Maybe we all should go get drunk like we did back in Ruto Town...That was a long time ago...back before I was so infamous..." Sovelis said, remarking on what Kasei said. "But I doubt that Aria will let you go get plastered again like we did the other day. She'd kill all three of us, then kill us again when we somehow get back up...."

OOC: To anyone who knows anything about my storyline, this takes place in an alternate one.

IC:
Hiro looked around. One... Two... Three... Four adventurers stood there, in the middle of the busy streets. Obviously Cloud knew these other two, for they seemed familiar with each other. Hiro barely knew Cloud, having had little contact with him at one point long ago. Hiro held up his hand; a golden ring inscribed with the word Mountain was upon his finger.

"Yep, I've still got it. Great to see you again, Cloud," Hiro said with a sincere grin on his face. He turned to the other two standing with them. "Hello, there. And you are...?" Hiro inquired, with his hand over a red glass shard that hung from his neck.

I don't know who they are... They could be a threat. It's better that I have the Fire Shard ready, in case they show any signs of hostility.

"Well! Now that there's five of us, we ought to go somewhere else, so that we don't clog up the street."

Cloud turned back to Kasei.

"You know any good bars around here?"

Simon stood by, listening to the conversation that would occur. He also prepared to answer any questions he could ask. After all, he didn't know this fellow all that well. So, for the most part, he just stood out of the way and listened.

Kasei smiled as he was adressed, but Aria looked murderous. Ignoring her, Kasei thought for a second. "The cucoo tavern sometimes has specialty menues, its a bit of a walk, but worth it." He said, and turned around, to a fuming Aria, who kicked him in the shins, hard.

He hasn't answered me... This guy's getting more and more suspicious.

The air around Hiro's hand began to wave about, as if his hand had been suddenly heated to an extreme temperature. The shard of glass around his neck glowed a soft red. Hiro looked at Kasei.

"I asked you your name... Are you going to tell me, or am I just going to have to assume you're a threat?" Hiro said as he raised his hand and opened it. A small flame burned in the palm of his hand. "Trust me... you wouldn't like that."