A Shadow From The Past

Mika's P.O.V.

I joined Yuu in the banquet hall where hordes of people yakked, joked and goofed off in general. I was dressed in a black and green cloak and a two-piece baggy cargo outfit, just like everyone else, and  I blended right into the crowd.

You looked at my getup approvingly and shoved a bowl of curry my way. I tugged self consciously at cloak's collar. It seemed too constricting and committal.

My green eyed  companion winked at me. "You look just like one of us," he teased, dipping his spoon into his bowl and making a thoughtful face as he shoved it into his mouth. "There's been a rumor going around lately, and I was wondering--" he cleared his throat before continuing. I sat down beside him and took a bite of curry, which actually wasn't that bad. Something about the curry triggered a memory of a girl, about eight years old, with a messy brown braid dangling over her shoulder, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it, so I shooed it away; and anyway, Yuu was talking again.

"I was wondering if you could tell me about them," he finished, wiping his mouth with a satisfied sigh as he pronounced the meal "delicious".

I hesitated, then asked, "What kind of rumors?"

"Well, there are rumors that the whole royal populace is actually made up of--"

"HEY, ISN'T THAT THE MISSING PRINCE?" a teen with obviously dyed orangey hair and glasses yelled. For a split second, I wondered if he was some sort of delinquent, but my mind snapped back to the more important reality.

I stumbled up and staggered away from table as Yuu was protesting, trying to calm the stranger and turn attention away from me.

"No, Kimizuki, this is... uh-- his name is, um... Mi-- Lau. His name is Lau," Yuu stuttered. (A.N. Yes, I got this name from Back Butler XD)

But Kimizuki wasn't listening. He was too busy arguing and rallying the support of the spectators. I could tell from his attitude that there was no contradicting him. Lost in the mayhem, I swiveled on my heel and ran out the door.